A/N: I do not own anything even resembling Twilight! I just like to write.
Also, sorry about the ridiculously long pause between chapters. I thought I had written myself into a corner, and then driving home today this popped into my head. I hope you enjoy.
Despite Charlie's resolve to move us to Port Angeles for, well, maybe forever, I got him to reconsider. However, if I thought the ever revolving troupe of policemen outside our house was a bit much before…this was a whole new ball game. I felt like I was a Fort Knox, or some palace. There was always one police car, with two policemen in the driveway. One officer in the house at all times, and another undercover police car placed at the edge of the block. I asked Charlie how he could afford to use so many men, I never got a response. But from the gossip I'd picked up from the various officers rotating in and out of my house, Charlie had called in a favor to Port Angeles. Apparently some of their men were expanding their jurisdiction to include part of Forks.
Did I mention the body guard detail at school?
Yes…I said detail.
Two police officers knew my class schedule. One would stand guard outside the room. The other would patrol the campus, as well as school security. Anyone could tell that the school security guards were feeling chaffed by having their ability questioned. Charlie tried to reassure them that he had absolute faith in their capabilities, but clearly they didn't buy it. I think the real problem lies in Charlie still not allowing the school security guards to carry guns. But really, they're just whiners.
Anyway, the funniest part of my security detail, which I have taken no mercy in pointing out, is that these police officers are overpaid babysitters! Sure, they have guns, but really…what babysitter has wished at one point to have one? So, one police officer stands guard, the other patrols. When class is dismissed I have to wait. I have to wait for everyone to leave and get to their next class. Then the patrolling officer goes to my next class and walkies the other officer to let him know if "the coast is clear." I mean seriously! Then the guarding officer walks me to my next class. Officially making me five minutes late and the subject of endless torment. I've tried to talk Charlie into backing off, but he said these were the conditions if I wanted to stay in Forks. Which I do.
The other conditions of my new detail include this. First of all, except for school, I'm under a constant house arrest. Charlie tried to get me to wear a tracking bracelet, but that just was not going to happen. A girl has to draw a line somewhere, right? So yeah, I can't go anywhere except for school, which means the The Mansion is officially off limits. I tried to talk Charlie into allowing it, but The Shrink agreed with all of Charlie's Reasons.
"It's secluded."
"There's only one way in there, and anyone could sabotage it."
"The house has no sort of security system."
"You can't see if anyone is coming." Which isn't entirely true, but I wasn't going to point out that the best view of on-coming visitors was from Edward's bedroom window.
And, "It's far too far out there. If anything happened it would take us at least a good twenty minutes to get to you. And by then it could be too late."
I tried to talk him into allowing me to take some of my security guards with me, but he still said no. So the only time I get to see Edward outside of school is when Charlie allows him to come over. He's still not the greatest fan of Edward, "it's nothing against Edward," he says. But whatever. So when Edward is allowed over we have to stay downstairs, because Charlie has become overprotective, again! Which means that everything we do is under the watchful eye of whichever officer is currently in our house. They usually sit at the kitchen table where they can see the entire first floor of the house, and out the window. But I still feel like they watch us, sometimes. So Edward and I don't really…touch…when we're at the house. Nor do we…touch…when we're at school. So things have become stagnant between us.
"This tormenting psychos crap is KILLING MY LOVE LIFE!"
"Now Isabella, there's no need to be so dramatic."
"But it is. Besides, you told me to be honest today." I replied to The Shrink.
"Yes, but, perhaps we could keep some things private. Like your relationship with my son. I mean, unless of course there is something you really want to talk about."
"It's just, it's so frustrating. I mean, just imagine if you and Esme couldn't even KISS for…well…forever!"
"Isabella, it won't be forever."
"Seriously Dr. Cullen, can't you please call me Bella?"
"Only when not in this office. We have to have some boundaries Isabella."
"Fine. But like I said, what if you couldn't even kiss her?"
"I'm sure I would be understanding, especially if it was for my own safety."
"No, not kissing someone for risk of Mono is for you own safety! Not kissing because some creepy overpaid, excessively armed, uber-macho babysitter can't sit outside."
The Shrink, who had laughed throughout my entirely too short diatribe just dabbed at his eyes with a hanky.
"Isabella…"
"No! You don't get to make fun of me for that! It's true!"
"Isabella…"
"No! We're done for today. I just want to go home. Please?"
"Fine…we're done for today. Besides, your overpaid, excessively armed, uber-macho babysitter should be expecting you outside."
"You forgot creepy."
"Forgive me; I thought that only applied to the one who sat in the kitchen." He said with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
"It applies to them all," I said as I gathered my backpack and headed for the door.
"Bella?"
A smile crept over my face as I turned to look at The Shrink.
"Esme misses you. Alice misses you. I dare say, I think even Emmett misses you."
"But not Rose."
He just shook his head.
"Well…maybe I can talk Charlie into having you guys over dinner sometime soon. Cause…I miss you guys too…"
"Sorry?"
"Nothing. I gotta go," I said as I ducked out of his office before my face turned too red. I nearly ran into The Nanny in my haste too get out of the room.
"Okay, I'm here, we can go home now."
"That was fast."
"I guess I'm not as crazy as you hoped!"
The Nanny smiled at that and then started to escort me through the halls.
When we finally got home I was surprised to see a familiar silver Volvo in the driveway. Things haven't been strained between us just because of the audience. Things have been a little different since my last hospital visit. When Charlie told me that I confused Edward for Psycho One I felt terrible. Yet it wasn't until I drew the connection between his appearance and this new information that I truly felt terrible. I tried to convince Edward that he in no way reminded me of Psycho One, but I'm not so sure he believed me. So the fact that he has showed up on his own today has served as quite the cheerful surprise.
"Edward!" I screamed as I ran and threw myself into his arms. All creepers be damned!
At first I didn't feel his arms tighten around me, and I thought they never would.
"Bella." The way Edward said my name was like a sigh. And as he expelled my name his arms tightened around me waist. We stood there for a few minutes, just enjoying a chance to be together and forget the rest of the world.
"Ma'am, we really should get you inside." Said one of the multitudes of Nannies.
Edward let go first, so I followed suit and let him go. But I quickly grabbed his hand before he turn from me. The smile on his face when he turned to look at me was beautiful, and I wished I could bathe in the light of his smile for hours. I was dazzled.
The Nanny made us stand outside while him and the officer who had been standing guard made a sweep of the house. When everything was "all clear" they let us in. It was still difficult to force myself into the house. I know The Nannies made sure it was safe, but I still felt like the Psychos were in the kitchen and Phil's lifeless body was in the basement.
Sensing my fear Edward gripped my hand a little tighter and waited for me to cross the threshold. Once inside I found it a little easier to breath because I could see for myself that no one was here but us. Edward led me over to the couch and immediately turned on the television. He's learned in the last little while that silence makes it harder to chase away the fear. As long as there is some sound droning on in the background it's easier for me to pretend like nothing happened here.
"What do you think?"
"Huh?" I said, having gotten lost in my own mind to have heard anything Edward had said.
"I said, 'Maybe you and Charlie should go up to Port Angeles for a while.'"
"What?"
"It's safer for you up there." I couldn't believe this.
"Does this have to do with Psy-James? Because I told you Edward, you're nothing like him!"
"Bella, I know, I know. I just, I want you to be safe."
"I am safe. Do you see how many men surround me?" I said, trying to illicit a smile from Edwards lips.
"Yes. But you'd be safer if you just weren't here."
"No. I'm not going anywhere."
"What if I went with you?"
What? "What?"
"I've been talking to Carlisle about this, but I wanted to wait to bring it up to you."
"But, how could you? Would Charlie let you?"
"I don't know…But maybe we could bring up and ask him."
"Wait I have the perfect idea."
So then I filled in Edward on my newly conceived plan. Since I wasn't allowed to leave the house, we would invite the Cullens over for dinner. And in the process of that dinner we would mention it to Charlie. Besides, with Carlisle on our side to help persuade we couldn't lose.
"I don't know Bella, I mean, Charlie might think we're trying to ambush him."
"Well, let him think that. I'm all for getting out from under the watchful eye of big brother," I said motioning towards The Nanny sitting at the kitchen table, "but only if I can have you with me."
"Alright Bella. We'll suggest it. But, if he won't let me come I still want you to get out of here."
"But Edward…"
"No buts. You're not safe here Bella, and I can't just stand by and watch you jeopardize your life because I'm here. It's not fair."
"Edward—"
"No, Bella. That's enough. Let's just watch TV and try not to worry about it."
I shut my mouth, but I couldn't silence all the thoughts running through my mind. No amount of mindless television garbage could silence them.
"I don't know about this Bella, I mean, maybe it's not such a good idea to have the Cullens over."
"Well it's a little too late for that now isn't? They'll be here any minute!"
"But Bells, this just, this isn't the safest place for anyone right now."
"Charlie, have you seen the amount of men outside? I don't think there is a safer place on earth."
Charlie stopped arguing for the moment, but I could tell from the look on his face that my observation had done nothing to reassure him. But instead of worrying about Charlie I had to worry about the food on the stove. I decided to go for something a bit different. Tonight we were having fajitas with a choice of beef or chicken. Of course the veggies and the meats were separated to allow for those of us who preferred no meat to be equally satisfied. There were also warm tortillas, chopped tomatoes, freshly grated cheese, sour cream, and salsa.
For desert I had made a red velvet cake, but no one even knew it existed yet. I know it's Charlie's favorite, and I planned to spring it on him when we brought up the idea of Edward coming with us to Port Angeles. Part of me hoped that Charlie would say yes, because this was the only way I would leave Forks. 'Cause even I was a little anxious to get out of town. But I couldn't leave Edward behind and worry that he might not be safe.
"I'll get it!" I cried as the door bell rang.
"No Bella! Wait!" Charlie called, but I opened it anyway. I had been looking out the window when they arrived so I wasn't afraid of who might be at the door.
"Bella, it's so good to see you." The Shrink said as I opened the door and gestured for them to enter. Once they were all in hugs and handshakes were exchanged.
"I've so missed you." Esme crooned in my ear as she pulled me in for a warm motherly hug. It made my stomach clench to be hugged so dearly, but I wasn't about to start crying in the entryway.
"BELLA!" The Pixie squealed as she came at me with arms thrown open. "Gah! Bella! What is with this outfit! Have you forgotten everything I taught you?" she said with a sort of sarcastic yet overjoyed smile. It was clear I wasn't the only one missing someone.
I wasn't expecting what happened next, but I guess that's the best thing about Emmett. One minute I was standing there smiling at him as he approached, and then the next minute I was being hoisted into the air in the arms of the biggest bear ever! "Thrown any salt shakers across the room lately?" he asked with mirth in his voice.
"I hope not," came Roses reply. Maybe she meant it to sound like a joke, but between her expression and her tone, it sounded disgusted.
The Creeper slipped by without any words, just a nod of hello.
Edward was the last of the family members to greet me, and much to my surprise the rest of the Cullens were creating a human wall between the eyes of Charlie and us. I went up on my toes ever so slowly and lightly kissed Edward on the mouth. As his arms snaked their way around my waist I wished this could never end…but it always does.
"GOD! What smells so good?" Emmett exclaimed as the family stepped in the kitchen. It was at that moment that I realized that maybe I hadn't thought this whole thing through. We have a kitchen table that fits four, there were eight of us. Now I may not be the smartest person in the world, but I knew that wasn't going to work.
"You know, it's quite a mild day for being so close to winter. Maybe we could all sit outside and enjoy that last few rays of fall," Esme said, probably having sized up the kitchen situation as well. Lucky for us there were picnic tables out in the backyard. Probably from Police Potlucks that Charlie and the rest of the crew had put on in the past. A few sheets and you wouldn't even be able to tell that they were a little moldy and mossy.
"Great idea!" I cried from the entryway. With the help of Esme we found some old sheets up in the linen closet and setting everything up for a late fall dinner.
Dinner went pretty well, I failed to send anything flying through the air, but I did manage to spill my drink in my lap. After a quick wardrobe change I came down to find everyone shifting as if to leave.
"Wait! We haven't had desert yet!"
Everyone paused to look at me. I thought maybe there was something on my clothes but there was nothing.
"We were just trying to clean up a bit." Said Esme meekly.
"Oh, okay…ha ha…sorry." Emmett laughed at my little outburst but continued to help Esme carry the leftovers into the house. I followed them in to show them where they could find foil and Tupperware containers. While Emmett left to join the others outside Esme and I fell into companionable silence while we package the leftovers.
"Bella?"
I looked up into Esme's eyes and saw the concern lying in them. It twisted my heart to see the look on her face.
"Bella, how are you doing?"
I tried to smile at her but found that the smile wouldn't quite reach my eyes. She quickly set down the sour cream and came to wrap her arms around me. It was so comforting that I didn't even realize I was crying until I started to feel Esme's hand rub my back. She continued to hold me a rub my back soothingly before leading me to the kitchen table. We sat and she stretched her hands out to take mine.
"Bella?"
I still couldn't answer her question. Because then I would have to tell her about the nights I wake up screaming because I see Phil's dead eyes staring at me from across the basement floor. And I couldn't tell her about the overwhelming fear that grips me every time I stand on the steps outside my own front door. I couldn't even tell her how much having her son in my life helped. How when I was in his arms it was as if none of this had ever happened. How when he kissed me I felt like I was somewhere above the earth where nothing mattered.
"It's tough."
"Maybe you guys going away is a good thing."
I just looked up into her eyes and knew she was right. We sat there for a few more minutes, Esme trying to comfort me, and me trying to regain composure.
"Time for desert," I said as I plastered a fake smile on my face. I reached into the microwave and pulled out the prettiest looking red velvet cake ever. Esme grabbed the small paper plates and forks off the counter and we walked outside.
Our arrival was greeted with oos and awws as I presented the cake onto the food table.
"What's the occasion?" Charlie asked with a funny look in his eyes.
"Company!" I said.
I went and took a seat next to Edward as Esme cut the cake and Carlisle helped her serve it. Charlie had tried to help, but Carlisle refused claiming Charlie needed a night of relaxation. When I sat next to Edward he quickly found my hand and laced his fingers through mine. I fought with all my heart not to look into his eyes because I knew he would be able to tell that I had been crying. But thankfully I was saved from Edwards eyes because there was commotion at the table.
"We really should be going, besides, we have class in the morning." It was The Pixie trying to explain why her, The Creeper, The Bear, and The Supermodel had to leave. I could hear Charlie try to protest but didn't really listen to his words. This was all part of the plan, get Charlie alone with The Shrink and Esme and propose our idea.
After they had left and we had all finished out cake Edward cleared his throat pointedly and I took that as my cue to start.
"Charlie?"
"Hmm?"
"Um…I was hoping I could talk to you, or rather we could talk to you."
He eyed me suspiciously, but I pressed on.
"I know you wanted us to go to Port Angeles, and you knew my biggest reason why I wouldn't." Charlie looked at Edward unabashedly. "Right. So, Carlisle and Edward had been thinking and they thought…"
The Shrink jumped in, "we thought maybe, if you didn't mind, we would allow Edward to accompany you. I could arrange it with the school, it wouldn't be a problem. It's just, it's up to you. If you would prefer him not join you, then he doesn't have to."
"But I wouldn't go if he didn't go."
"Bella." Esme admonished gently.
"I don't know." Charlie placed his head in his hands as he contemplated this proposal. I looked to Edward for reassurance but he was staring so intently at Charlie that I thought he was trying to read his mind. "I just, I don't know," he said to the table.
"What's your biggest concern?" Esme asked gently.
Charlie just stewed for a few more minutes.
"I guess my concern is that these two are far too young to be going anywhere together."
"But Charlie, you'd be there!" I pointed out, a little too emphatically maybe.
"True, but still."
"I most admit, that was one of my concerns as well Charlie," The Shrink said. "But in all honesty, I'm just as concerned for your and Bella's well being as you are. You guys aren't safe here. And if the only way to get you out of town is to send my son with you, then so be it. I know that with you there they won't do anything worth regretting."
I sat there holding my breath waiting for Charlie's response to that. It seemed like the sun would set before Charlie finally raised his head and looked deep into my eyes.
"Fine."
"FINE?" I practically screamed.
"Fine, but we will have to talk about some ground rules before going…"
"Okay, Okay," I said as I rushed Charlie and threw my arms around his neck. "Whatever you say Charlie!"
Alright guys, let me know what you thought. A bit nice for Bella's life not to be in danger at the end of chapter...right? lol.