Chapter Twenty Nine
Bella
Grace wanted to come see grandpa until she heard daddy was taking her to the pictures instead. I waved goodbye at the hospital and went up to Charlie's room. Billy and Harry were sitting there but both stood up when I came in
"Bella its good to see you. What have you been doing?"
"Just the usual Billy, falling over. It's nice to see you too. Harry, I met Sue earlier"
"Yes she mentioned that. You're staying at your place until Charlie gets out?"
"Yes, its convenient"
"Alone?"
"I'm sorry?"
"Do you think it's a good idea staying there on your own?"
"Yes, I'm fine. I lived there long enough on my own."
"OK but there's room at our place if you change your mind"
"No I'm set thanks."
Harry looked at me suspiciously,
"Where have you been Bella? Charlie was really worried about you"
"Here and there, visiting friends"
"Friends? Good, we all need friends. Do we know them?"
"No I don't think so, they aren't from round here"
"Oh right. You haven't run into the Cullens then?"
"Cullens? No why?"
"I just wondered, it seemed odd that the Cullen house was occupied again is all, then you turn up."
"I didn't come from the Cullen house Harry"
"Good, I'd hate to think you were mixed up with them again"
The door opened and closed again quietly,
"She's lying"
I turned to see Sam's bulk framed by the door.
"Sorry?"
"You're lying. You've been close to at least three leeches recently, I can smell them on you"
"Bella?"
I turned back to Harry relieved to see Charlie opening his eyes.
"Dad you OK?"
"Oh hi Bells, no that scan takes it out of you. Why they have to move you onto another trolley is beyond me. I wasn't in pain till they did that."
"Do you need a nurse? A shot or something?"
"Harry already asked, they'll be in shortly. You OK Bells?"
He turned his head,
"Sam, sorry I didn't see you there"
"No problem Charlie, I just dropped in to see how things were"
He looked at me as he said this and Billy looked stormy.
I sat with Charlie talking a little but saying nothing as I felt the others eyes on my face. After an hour Charlie was ready to sleep again and I promised to be back later. I was followed out by Sam and Billy, Harry having left earlier.
"Bella could we have a word"
I turned and sighed,
"OK"
"Let's get a coffee"
Sam took my arm and almost frog marched me to the restaurant, sitting me down and waiting until Billy had me cornered with his wheelchair before going for the drinks.
"What's going on Bella? Why was Charlie shot?"
"I have no idea. I thought the Cullen house was deserted"
"Yeah so did we but apparently we were all wrong."
"Billy I don't know anything about Charlie getting shot. I appreciate you looking after him and I know you worry about me but I have a life to live. Jake's gone and I'm making a new life for myself"
"With the leeches?"
"Pardon?"
Sam came back then, putting the tray of coffees on the table.
"You stink of leech Bella, how could you? Jake would be turning in his grave"
"Yes Sam, he's in his grave whatever I do now can't hurt him. What I do is up to me, not you, Billy, or Harry or even Charlie."
"So you are with the leeches?"
"I'm not answering that, its nothing to do with you, any of you"
"It looks like you've been in the wars again Bella. Every time you get mixed up with the Cullens you get hurt"
"Yeah well I got hurt with the Blacks too"
Billy looked hurt but it was true.
"I just want to be left alone. I will work out my own way and if it's with the vampires then that's my choice"
"Was it one of them that shot Charlie?"
I laughed out loud,
"A vampire shooting Charlie? Why? And why a gun? They don't need weapons."
"Maybe it was a warning to you Bella"
"About what?"
"We don't know but there was a note left at the treaty line after the shooting."
"What did it say?"
"Next time it will be for real, I want them back. Do you know what it means Bella? Who wrote it?"
I shook my head, trying desperately to look sincere.
Had Rose shot Charlie? She wanted them back? Who? Jasper and Grace? Or me and Grace? She thought she could get me by threatening my dad and used a gun so it would look like a burglar to the humans. I needed to speak to Jasper quickly
"I need to go, thanks for the coffee Sam"
"Bella we want to know what's going on. Either tell us or we'll follow you until we find out. Who are you mixed up with? Edward again? Do you never learn?"
"Enough Billy. Its none of your business who I associate with and I'll deal with this without your help."
"So you do know what's going on"
"I have to go."
"Not until you tell us what's happening"
I stood up, still trapped by Billy's wheelchair when I heard a familiar voice,
"I suggest you move and let Bella out."
We all turned and I heaved a sigh of relief seeing Peter standing there, a grim look on his face.
"You OK Bella?"
I nodded and pushed past Billy as he moved slightly.
"I am now. Bye Billy, Sam."
We walked out, Peters hand on my arm.
"Where's The Major?"
"He took Grace to the pictures while I came here. Sam smelled vampire on me and they wanted to know what was going on. Charlie was shot at the Cullen house after someone reported an intruder there but as far as I know there's no one living in the house. There was a note left for me "Next time it will be for real, I want them back." I think it was Rosalie, she's threatening Charlie to get Jasper and Grace. What am I going to do Peter?"
It was only then as he got to the car and I saw Char smiling at me that it dawned,
"What are you doing here?"
"I got a feeling our presence might be required so we thought we'd drive up. So which way to your place?"
I cringed,
"Its not much I'm afraid"
"Hey Bells, never be ashamed at what you have it's usually the best you can do at the time."
I nodded but I was ashamed and I waited for the comments as we drew up outside the converted warehouse in a dingy back street but neither of them said anything about it. Peter looked up the street,
"Do you work close by?"
"Yes a few streets away"
"So its convenient?"
"Well it was, but I don't think its the kind of place to bring up a child"
"You didn't have one when you took it though, you were looking for a bolt hole away from your dad and you'd had a really hard time of it. I bet it seemed like the answer to a prayer at the time"
I nodded and sighed.
"Yes it did."
I took them up the flight of stairs to my small apartment opening the door for them. Char smiled at me,
"Bella stop worrying, we're friends remember. Don't try to compare it to our place, we've been around a very long time, we had nothing when we started and we only own part of it, The Major bought it with us"
"Your place?"
"Yes it was a simple base for all of us. We added to it over the years. I like your pictures"
"I've always liked the ocean so when I'm down I sit and pretend I'm walking along those beaches, listening to the waves break on the shore and look for shells"
"You find any?"
"Not yet Peter but I'm always hopeful."
He nodded and looked out the window to the rear of the building,
"It looks like we have a tail"
I went over and looked over his shoulder, standing at the top of the alley looking up at my windows was a tall broad figure.
"Oh hell, its Seth. I guess Sam sent him to spy on us."
I opened the window.
"Why don't you come up Seth we know you're there."
The figure saluted us and move away, whether he would come up or not I had no idea.
A few minutes later I heard a giggle and opened the door to find Jasper and Grace standing there hand in hand. When she saw me she ran into my arms with a squeal of delight which only intensified when she saw Peter and Charlotte.
"It was great mummy, the film was all about animals escaping from a zoo. Some of them were really naughty but the others saved them. My favourite was a little bear cub look"
She held up a book "The Adventures of Billy Bear Cub."
"You lucky girl, I see you had ice cream too"
She nodded looking down at the stain on her dress then giggled.
"That was daddy not me"
"Daddy?"
"Yes I made him try my ice cream but he spat it out. That's naughty right?"
I looked at Jasper raising one eyebrow,
"You spat it out?"
"Not quite, I wasn't expecting it when she pushed it into my face and I blew out. Her fault, not mine"
Grace giggled again then went to show her new book to Charlotte.
"What happened?"
He was suddenly very serious
"I smelled wolf as we came back"
"I ran into Sam and Billy at the hospital and they knew I'd been around you. It was Rosalie who shot Charlie as a warning, she wants you back and Grace."
"That's why you are here?"
Peter nodded,
"Felt shit going down and thought you might like a couple pair extra eyes."
"Thanks"
"Hey don't thank me, we haven't done anything yet"
"Yes he did. Billy and Sam had me cornered in the hospital restaurant until Peter showed up"
Jasper nodded looking dangerous a different man from the one who'd walked in a few moments ago.
"So Rose hasn't given up. We need to keep Charlie safe and sort out your other problem. I think a chat with Carlisle might be in order"
"Why? The fucker's in on it"
"We don't know that Peter. He could stop Rose if he finds out what she's doing"
"Oh right yeah. I can just see him stopping one of his sainted children."
"Well its worth a try. Especially after what you told me about his own work."
"Now just listen to me Major, your responsibility is Bella and Grace, never mind about Carlisle fucking Cullen. You keep your girls safe and we'll watch Charlie until he gets out."
"Then what?"
"Then we regroup Major."
Grace came over looking concerned, she'd heard the tones of voice,
"Mummy is Uncle Peter cross with daddy?"
"No sweetheart, he's just grumpy sometimes"
Peter looked over her head at Jasper,
"You look after her" he mouthed.
"Nah honey, Uncle Peter just had a bad day, come and give me a hug"
Grace went over and hugged Peter before stepping back,
"Grandpa is in hospital but daddy says as soon as he's better I can visit"
"That'll be great,"
"Do you think he'll like me?"
"Why shouldn't he? Your everybody's favourite little girl"
She smiled and took my hand,
"Mummy come and read my book please"
I went over with her leaving the guys alone.