Chapter Seven

Bella

Renee and I finally had our little chat over dinner, Sue had left a casserole for us to heat up,

"Phil says he's missing us."

You, I thought, not me.

"He wanted to know when were flying back and I told him I'd be here for another day, he sounded really upset, I think he's missing us so much, isn't that lovely?"

"You can go back tomorrow if you want mum. I can stay with Sue and Harry. Dad will be out of hospital soon."

"Honey why don't you come back with me? Are you sure you're going to be happy here? Its nothing like Florida and remember you stopped wanting to come here for visits years ago."

"I'm older now and I'll soon make some new friends. Besides you and Phil need some time alone together."

"Oh don't be silly. Phil loves you like a daughter."

"But I'm not. Charlie is my dad not Phil."

She didn't like that and I waited as her fingers tapped angrily on the table top,

"Bella that's very unkind. Phil has done his best with you but you don't make it easy, sometimes I feel like I'm in the middle of a boxing ring playing referee."

"Well you won't have to now because I want to stay with dad."

She looked round the kitchen which was in desperate need of a good clean and paint,

"Well it looks like the place could do with a woman's touch but please don't let Charlie take advantage of you Bella. Your school work is more important, you aren't a cleaner or cook."

I agreed just for some peace then took myself up for a shower and bed, slipping between the new crisp sheets and turning off the bedside lamp to lay in the darkness of the strangely familiar room and think about my dad laying so helpless in the hospital bed.

The night went by very slowly, I was just falling asleep when Renee came up obviously on the phone to Phil again because I heard her side of the conversation as she sat at the top of the stairs.

"I miss you too Phil, but I could hardy let her come up here alone under the circumstances could I?"

"Yes we're staying at Charlie's."

"No he's still in hospital, don't be silly Phil, Charlie and I were over years ago. I felt nothing when I saw him today. He was just a guy in a hospital bed."

"Look I'll be home the day after tomorrow at the latest. the Clearwaters have offered to look after Bella until he's discharged."

"I know you said she should be with me but he is her father and she wants to live with him, at least for a while."

"No I don't think he'll be a had influence on her. He's a cop for heaven's sake."

"I've already told her she's not to let him treat her like a housekeeper or cook and I'm sure he wont. Charlie is hardly house proud, the place is a mess. You can tell its an old guy living on his own."

That was rich coming from her, she was the same age as dad and Phil was only a few years younger.

"I have to go now Phil, I had to clean up and get a meal and I'm shattered."

"No I wont do his chores for him don't worry. Love you darling."

A few seconds later I heard the bathroom door shut and the shower go on. I thought she'd been really unfair, the house was shabby but it wasn't dirty or untidy. The laundry was up to date although that might have been Sue but he was making an effort to welcome me home and that counted for something, this had been my very first bedroom and it had always stayed that way. With Renee we moved so often I was forever changing schools and homes and it was nice to walk into a house and see old familiar things around me. It was very quiet here apart from the softly falling rain which lulled me to sleep eventually.

The next morning I had to think for a second before I remembered where I was, the sun was shining through the curtains which had fooled me, sun in Forks? It was almost unheard of and then I remembered the last time I'd seen the sun in Forks, the day I saw the angel. I put a hand beneath my pillow and drew out the now battered pink box and untied the faded ribbon from round it so I could lift the lid. Nestled in crumpled tissue paper was the bear fang, still as bright and white as when the angel had put it in my hand. I touched it softly with a finger then put the lid back on and tied the ribbon. That talisman went with me everywhere, I was lost without its reassuring presence.

I heard Renee call my name and grabbing my robe ran downstairs to find her rescuing burned toast from the old toaster that lived in the cupboard,

"That jams, we use the grill."

She looked at me exasperated,

"The grill?"

"Yes the toaster sticks, it always has".

"Then why doesn't Charlie buy another? It's not as if he can't afford it!"

"He doesn't eat toast, only I do".

She snorted and threw two pieces of bread under the grill,

"Sounds about right".

I took my toast out of the grill and opened the fridge for the butter as the phone rang. Renee who was sitting beside the phone looked at me and I sighed going over to pick it up,

"Renee?"

"No its Bella, hi Sue. Thanks for the casserole it was lovely."

"No problem Bella, is your mum there?"

"Sure"

I handed the receiver to mum and went back to my toast listening to the conversation. She was asking Sue to look after me so she could fly back this evening and Sue agreed as I knew she would.

Renee

I was relieved when that conversation was over, I hated asking Sue Clearwater for a favour but after spending an uncomfortable night in our old bed I couldn't wait to get out of Forks and away from the memories of a life I had found intolerable. Of course it was raining when I got up and continued to rain until Harry picked us up to take us back to the hospital. I was just relieved Sue wasn't with him but it would have been nice if Jake had been there to talk to Bella, still she seemed happy to peer out of the rain smeared window.

"Billy and Jake are already at the hospital, they took in some clean stuff for him."

"Well I hope they'll give us some time alone with Charlie. I'm, leaving later and I need to speak to him about Bella."

"Mum I'm sure they know that and its kind of everyone to be helping dad."

I shot her a look, how dare she interrupt me.

Harry smiled but he didn't say anything and we were at the clinic a few minutes later. I noticed the Mercedes in its parking spot so either the doctor driving it had worked the night shift and beyond or he'd come in for the day shift, I wouldn't mind a second look at him! We got out of the car and ran for the entrance to avoid getting soaked. Bella went straight up to Charlie's room but I looked around then walked up the stairs slowly hoping I might bump into Mercedes man. Harry followed me up so I couldn't hang around too long and I hadn't needed to because when we reached Charlie's floor Billy and Jake were coming down the corridor.

"Dr Cullen is with Charlie so we're off home. See you later Harry. Renee."

I nodded an acknowledgement and walked past and into Charlie's room where the handsome doctor was standing talking to my daughter while taking her fathers pulse. He turned and smiled at me and I felt a flutter, he was even more gorgeous close up!