Bella's POV
A few hours after Charlie and Sue woke, Jake got the call from Billy that they would be at Charlie's house in five minutes.
"Remember, Bells," Emmett said, his tone serious, even as his eyes sparkled with mischief, "just hold your breath. Besides, they'll all stink like wolves, so even if you do get a whiff..."
Edward growled from beside me, clearly not amused, but I couldn't help the giggle. Yes, part of it was nerves that I was going to be surrounded by several more humans than I had been since my change, but Emmett was right. They would smell like the wolves. Besides, looking around the room, I was sure between Jake, Seth, Quil, Embry, Emmett, Jasper, Carlisle, and Edward—not to mention Sam and Leah, who were bringing Emily, Billy, and Jamie, Leah's imprint—they would be able to keep me from hurting anyone.
Sue was holding Lizzie—no one wanted either of them to be in the immediate way if something did go horribly wrong—when Sam's truck and Leah's little car pulled into Charlie's drive. The other cars, including Charlie's and Sue's, were out on the street, leaving room so Quil and Embry could unload Billy and his wheelchair directly onto the driveway, rather than having to worry about moving across the grass.
When the group all walked into the little house, the living room had never been more full of people. Quil and Embry came up first and gave me a hug. It was the first time I'd seen them since they'd come over to the Cullens' house.
"How ya doin', Bells?" Quil asked as he pulled away.
"I'm good," I said honestly. "Really good."
They both smiled, and Embry ruffled my hair as they moved back to stand with Seth on the other side of the room.
Jake and Billy were the next ones to come up to me as I stood between Emmett and Edward. I wasn't sure what to expect from Billy. I knew he hadn't wanted this for me—for Charlie, his oldest friend, or for my daughter—but he also knew I hadn't chosen to be a vampire at this point in time. What his reception would've been like if I'd been changed before Lizzie, I didn't know, but his smile now was warm and genuine.
"Bella," he said, holding out his hand. "You look good."
I let out just enough breath to say, "Thanks, Billy," patting his hand gently before releasing it and taking a step back.
He greeted the others with a nod before turning back to me. "Jake tells me you're doing well. That some sort of—" he waved his hands around "—shield, helps you?"
"Yes. It's partly what helps me be around my dad and Sue." I'd run out of air, so I took a tentative breath, feeling the burn, the strongest I'd ever felt it. It wasn't as overwhelming as I'd worried it would be, so I smiled. "And now you."
"Good, good." He looked up at Jake, who wheeled him across the room beside Sue and Lizzie.
The gorgeous, dark-haired Leah stepped up to me, her fingers tangled with the tiny little redhead to her left. Jamie was almost the opposite of Leah—where Leah seemed thin, but strong and sturdy, Jamie was more like Alice in stature. She was a tiny little thing, so it would be easy to think she was weak, but her strength showed in her eyes and the way she carried herself.
"Leah," I said, smiling at my stepsister before turning to her imprint. "And you must be Jamie."
"Hey, Bella," Leah said, looking so happy, yet so nervous. "Are...uh, are you okay right now?"
The smile slid from my face for a moment, and I snapped, "I'm fine. I hunted a few minutes ago, and I don't feel the need to eat your girlfriend."
"Bella," Edward murmured, his hand at my lower back.
Just that word made me realize that I was getting upset for no reason. Leah had every right to be concerned about bringing her human imprint into the house, within feet of a newly changed vampire. I couldn't take it personally.
Sighing, I shook my head once. "Sorry. Still not used to how easily I can lose my temper. I'm okay, really." Looking at Jamie, I smiled tentatively. "Sorry if I scared you. It's still somewhat overwhelming."
She grinned and nodded. "I get it. I'm still getting used to it myself. It's nice to meet you, Bella. I'm sorry it couldn't be under more...normal circumstances."
I snorted. "I'm not sure what normal is anymore. But still, I know what you mean. Me, too."
"So you guys are moving to Wisconsin?" Leah asked, stepping back a few steps and tugging Jamie with her.
"Yep." I nodded. "A bit northwest of Green Bay."
"Go Packers!" Jamie cheered, making us all laugh.
"Yes, you'll fit right in," I concluded, grinning at the vivacious young woman who'd turned her head into Leah's shoulder in embarrassment.
"All right, all right," Emily's voice said from behind them. "My turn."
Sam was slightly wary as he and his wife stepped through the crowd to stand in front of me.
"Oh my goodness!" I gushed. "Emily, you're huge!"
Everyone laughed as I hid my face in my hands.
"Sorry, I didn't mean that to be an insult, I swear," I told her, still not looking up.
I heard her move, but didn't think anything of it until her arms wrapped around me, her distended belly between us.
"It's so good to see that you're okay," she said, hugging me tightly.
Carefully, I wrapped my arms around her, squeezing her a little harder than I'd learned to hold Lizzie. "Thanks, Em. Thanks for helping Sue and my dad, too," I murmured quietly, even though every non-human in the room could've heard me.
Reaching out, I raised an eyebrow questioningly. At her nod, even more carefully, I placed my hand on her stomach. It didn't take long for me to feel a kick under my palm. It was so strange to hear the extra thrumming heartbeat of the baby and just extremely cool to feel the baby's movements.
"That is so cool," I echoed my thoughts aloud, chuckling when the baby kicked again.
I released her, and Sam pulled her to his side once more. "Bella," he said, as serious as he always was.
"Sit, please," I said, motioning to Charlie's recliner. "No need to keep you on your feet."
We visited for twenty minutes before the scent finally started to become overwhelming. I gave Jake a look, and he went over and told his father it was time to go.
When Jake wheeled him over to me to say goodbye, Billy looked up at me. "Keep in touch with your old man, huh? He'll get grumpy if you don't, and a grumpy fishing buddy is no fun."
I laughed and nodded. "Will do."
Billy grinned at Charlie's snort behind me before turning serious once more, looking at Carlisle and then Edward. "Take care of Charlie's girls," he said seriously. Without waiting for a response, he wheeled himself around to move back with my dad.
Leah and Jamie gave me a wave and then followed Charlie and Jake as they took Billy out to the car.
Once Sam had helped Emily to her feet, she moved to me and pulled me in for another hug. "Take good care of your little one, and call if you ever need anything, okay?"
I looked pointedly at her swollen belly. "You, too," I teased, giving both her and Sam a grin. "Let us know as soon as that one's here."
Sam gave me a smile and a nod, and then he ushered Emily outside.
The spot in front of me was immediately filled with Quil and Embry.
"How are we gonna keep Jake in line with you gone?" Quil whined, laughing when Jake's rather rude reply could be heard from outside.
"I'm sure you'll manage," I teased. "Just threaten him with Emily. She'll be a new mom soon... She won't be in the mood to put up with much of his crap."
After big hugs from both, the two of them squeezing me tight, they waved to the rest of the room and then left the house, leaving me with my family.
~*~*FC~*~
"What's left, Bella?" Jasper asked thirty minutes later, walking back into the house with Emmett after loading almost everything into the vehicles.
I pointed to three boxes, Lizzie's playpen, and a few other odds and ends. "I don't need any of that stuff in the Mercedes with us."
Edward, Lizzie, and I were taking Carlisle's Mercedes instead of driving in mine. My car, while fairly new to me still, had been used when I bought it. I'd already spoken with Jake and had decided I was donating it to the pack for anyone who might need a vehicle for any reason. Since we were going to be in Carlisle's vehicle, he was going to drive Rose's BMW, and Jasper was riding with Emmett in his Jeep. Alice and the girls had driven her rental car back to the airport when they left a few days before. Edward had tried to convince me we should go ahead and get a car now, since he was without one, but after lots of discussion, I'd convinced him to just wait until we'd settled in to the new house. There was really no point in spending all that money on gas when we had plenty of vehicles to get us moved.
Emmett grinned, grabbing two of the boxes and leaving the rest to Jasper. I had no doubt they could've moved it all much faster and with more per trip to the car, but with all the eyes of the neighborhood on the activity in front of Charlie's house, the human facade was necessary from everyone involved.
"So this is it, huh, Bells?" Charlie said, stuffing his hands into his pockets and kicking at a non-existent spot on the hardwood floor.
I looked around the room at the people gathered around and felt a sadness drape over me like a heavy blanket. As much as I was ready for the move and as much as I was realizing that the Cullens were truly my family as much as they were Edward's, every other person in this room had been my family, celebrating every high and supporting me when I was at my lowest, for over two years. I knew I wasn't leaving to never see them again, but I was also realistic enough to know that things would never be the same. I would always have to sneak around if I came back to visit, and at some point, they would have to go along with the charade of me being dead and buried. It was a lot to take in.
Looking up into my dad's face, I smiled sadly. "Yeah, Dad, this is it."
"Go on, then. Tell everyone else goodbye, and then I want to speak to you one last time." Charlie waved me off, motioning to the rest of the room.
The moment I turned around, Seth swept me into his arms.
"You know, Bells, Leah's my sister by birth, but even before Mom and Charlie—" he smiled, his brown skin pinkening slightly "—you were my sister by choice. I love you, ya know?"
I tightened my arms slightly, feeling him grunt playfully. "Love you, too, Sethy. You gonna come visit us?"
He chuckled, brushing a kiss across my forehead. "Of course! Gotta come up and see how our Lizzie-bell is doing!"
"Good. You're welcome anytime. Make sure Quil and Embry know the invitation is extended to them, as well, okay?"
Seth nodded, grinning, and then moved back so Sue could step into his place.
"I'm gonna miss you," I said quickly, pulling her in carefully for a hug. I truly was. She'd been like a second mother for the last year and a half—in fact, she'd been more of a mother than my own mother had been.
I felt the warmth and smelled her tears as they spilled down her cheeks, dripping onto my shoulder as she held me in a tight hug.
"I'm going to miss you, too, Bella," she said, pulling back to look at me. "But somehow, I think you'll be okay." Grinning, she looked back at Edward, who was hovering protectively while still trying to give me the time I needed. "I don't think these guys would have it any other way."
I laughed, looking fondly at Edward, Emmett, Jasper, and Carlisle, who were nodding fervently.
She gave me one last hug and then let me go, moving over to stand with her son and making room for Jake, who swooped in and grabbed me in a near-painful hug.
"This isn't goodbye," he grumbled. "You know I fully expect to hear from you as often as possible, right?" At my nod, he said, "As soon as you guys get settled, let me know, and some of us will make a trip up there. See the new homestead, that sort of thing."
"Sure, sure," I huffed, giving him a smile. "Jake, listen..." I sighed, knowing words weren't adequate, but not having any better way to tell him than to just say it. "Thank you. For saving me, for trusting me, for having my back. So many things—things for which I can never repay you. I'll always be grateful. Love you, Jakey," I finally said with a teasing grin, knowing that wasn't his favorite choice of nicknames.
Jake's eyes were suspiciously bright as he pulled me in for another hug, murmuring a quiet, "Sure, sure. Love you, too, Bells," before stepping back and rubbing a hand briskly over his face.
Suddenly, Edward appeared at my side. "Love, we're gonna go outside and wait. You and Charlie take all the time you need."
I nodded, but before he could leave, I pulled him back to me, cupped his face, and drew him down for a kiss. When he finally pulled away, I grinned.
Within minutes, the living room was empty, as everyone—including Sue and Lizzie—waited for Charlie and me to share as private a goodbye as we could get.
I turned back to the room and saw Charlie sit down on the couch and pat the seat beside him.
"Come sit, Bells," he said, smiling.
Once I was seated, he reached out and took one of my hands, sandwiching it between his warm ones.
Chuckling, he shook his head. "That's something I'm still getting used to," he said, rubbing my hand vigorously.
I grinned. "Give it time, Dad. You've only known a week."
His expression sobered, and he was quiet, looking somewhere in the distance over my shoulder. His eyes were glassy, as if he was having to hold back tears, and they held a wealth of emotion.
Rather than speak, I decided to just sit quietly and wait, knowing he'd talk when he was ready.
"I feel like I failed you as a father," he finally said with a huff, still not looking me in the eye.
Gasping in shock—that wasn't remotely close to what I'd thought he would say—I scooted closer, reaching out my other hand to place it on his and squeezing gently. "Dad, no," I said with a shake of my head. "You didn't."
He finally looked at me, his lips a thin line and jaw clenched. "I feel like it. If you hadn't moved here, things might've been different. I know you're happy now, but..." His voice trailed off, and he looked off into the distance again. "You were so broken when the Cullens left and then last year, and now you're..."
"A vampire," I finished softly for him.
Sighing, he nodded.
"Look at me, Dad," I said firmly, waiting until his eyes were on me once more. "All of that? So not your fault. Yes, I fell apart when Edward and his family left, but my relationship with him now is so much stronger than it was before. I wasn't ready for forever then. I know that now. I thought I was—I'd been more responsible than I had to be for a long time, so I thought that meant I was older than my years—but I wasn't. I still wore...rose-colored glasses, I guess you could say. As for what happened last year... Well, I look at it two ways. One, I wouldn't have Lizzie if it weren't for that. I didn't think I wanted kids—and if I hadn't had her, I'd have been happy with my life, sure, but now, I can't imagine my life without her. Two, if I hadn't moved here to Forks with you, I'd have been with Renee in Florida. Who says I wouldn't have met...him...then anyway?
"I wouldn't trade anything for the time I've had with you. You've loved me, taken care of me, and tried your hardest to make me happy and keep me safe. If I can do that half as well with Lizzie as you did for me, I'll consider it a success," I finished, hoping he'd understand that I truly meant every word. Charlie had been my rock, and rather than feeling like I had to parent him like I had with Renee, I'd finally felt like I had a chance to just be me. Be Bella, the teenage girl.
"You and Lizzie," he started, shaking his head once. "You're my everything, Isabella. I love Sue, but it's a whole different ball game when it's my daughter and granddaughter. Don't forget about us out here on the west coast, okay?"
I laughed then, rolling my eyes. "As if I could ever do that," I scoffed. "Besides, who else will we get to teach Lizzie to fish? We'd get out there with her, and all the fish would swim away!"
With that, the tension was broken, and he tugged my hand, pulling me into his embrace.
"Love, you, Bells," he said quickly, his voice muffled through the fabric of my shirt.
Patting his back lightly, I said, "Love you, too, Dad."
After a moment more, he pulled away and stood. "Now, let's get you on the road. It's a long drive."
