Chapter Twenty Four

Bella

Dad quizzed me about my outing with Jasper, even he wouldn't call it a date, and he seemed happy enough when I told him I'd met the rest of the family and then walked round Port Angeles. He was interested in my welfare, not prying as my mother would have been if I'd ever been allowed out with a boy which was highly unlikely. That evening I noticed the ache in my chest start up again but not so bad this time so I took a Tylenol and carried on getting dinner ready with dad eagerly watching me as he came in for another beer. He'd already told me he was enjoying getting some real home cooking and it made me feel good that I was able to give him something in return for all that he had given me, both in tangible things as well as kindness and a fathers love. Before getting into bed I checked my e mails and found one from Jess asking what was going on with Jasper Hale and I. All my friends seemed in awe of him and I guess I understood but now I knew him a little I wasn't quite so nervous in his company although I had a feeling he could be dangerous if the need arose. I sent her a couple of lines letting her know I would speak to her at school then noticed another from Renee. I thought she'd said she didn't want any more to do with me but it seemed she had changed her mind.

"Japan is wonderful but I miss home and you. I don't have much to do with Phil out all the time except the mundane housework and you wont believe how boring that gets. Shopping isn't much fun on my own either. I think it would be best if you came back, I do still have custody after all. Tell your father to purchase a ticket for you and let me know when you will be arriving, as quickly as possible. You'll need money for clothes and school books when you get here so make sure your father sends some with you.

Your mother, x

My stomach sank as I thought about leaving Forks and my dad not to mention Jasper and the friends I'd made to return to the hell that had been my life with my mother. Could she really force me to return to her? I only had a few months before my birthday, if I could hold out until then surely she couldn't force me back but I didn't want to cause any problems for my dad, especially with him being the Police Chief. I printed the e mail out and took it downstairs white faced with apprehension and when he saw me my dad shot up from his seat on the couch.

Charlie

I was just thinking about getting an early night when I heard Bella coming back downstairs and wondered if she'd forgotten something but when I saw her face I understood something was wrong. I jumped up and went to her immediately,

"What's wrong Bella?"

She held out a hand which shook slightly and I took the page of printing from her scanning the words quickly. When I finished I crumpled the paper up in my fist and threw it into the dying embers of the fire before putting my hands on her shoulders and looking into her face,

"Bella, do you want to go?"

She shook her head, tears spilling over her eyes and down her cheeks,

"Right. I'll speak to my lawyer in the morning and get a letter off to your mother. She can't make you go back to her not if you don't want to and I certainly don't want to lose you now I finally got you here"

"What if she makes trouble for you though?"

"What trouble can she make? You're almost an adult now and no judge would force you to leave the country. This is typical Renee, she's either fed up with looking after herself and her husband or she's short of money and looking for me to finance her lifestyle again. You are staying here as long as you want to Bella. If you get any more e mails I want you to print them out and give them straight to me. I'll reply to that one"

I gestured to the blackened heap of ash that had been Renee's message.

"Thank you Dad"

She put her arms around me and gave me a hug before stepping back and wiping her eyes,

"You make us some chocolate and I'll go send Renee a message, is your computer still on?"

"Yes, I just came straight down"

Bella

I watched as Dad took the stairs two at a time swearing under his breath and felt relieved, I'd forgotten how close I was to my eighteenth birthday but that reassured me but it was my dads reaction that helped me the most. He loved me enough that he would fight her to keep me here and I knew he was right about her motives, she just wanted her little maid back, well I wasn't that Bella any more. When Dad came downstairs he looked grim but determined and put a hand on my shoulder once more,

"Your place is here as long as you want it to be Bella so don't worry."

"Thanks Dad"

We drank our chocolate together then he winked as he said goodnight and I went back up to clean my teeth and climbed into bed but I couldn't sleep. Even the faint suggestion of being sent to Japan, back to my mother was enough to stop me from sleeping and I lay shivering for a while before a sudden drowsiness overcame me and I drifted off not waking until the next morning and relieved I hadn't been plagued with any nightmares.

Dad had already left for work but there was a short note from him telling me he would sort things out with Renee and I made toast but couldn't face easting it, my stomach was still churning. There was a rap at the door and when I opened it I found Jasper standing there looking concerned.

"I thought you might like some company on the way to school."

I looked out and saw his bike parked up in dad's space but he smiled,

"We'll take your truck or your dad might just throw me in jail."

He came in while I got my stuff together and after a warm comforting hug and kiss we drove to school together. He didn't say anything but I got the impression that he knew something was wrong yet how could he? Not withstanding that he stayed at my side whenever we weren't parted by classes and we drove back to my place together at the end of the day.

I knew he would have to leave soon but invited him in for coffee anyway.

"I'll join you sure but I'll pass on the coffee if you don't mind"

I didn't mind I was just relieved he wasn't going to leave straight away. Sitting on the couch he wrapped an arm around me and pulled me close,

"Are you ready to tell me what's upset you yet?"

I shook my head my lip trembling and holding back tears with an effort but then the dam burst and I told him everything. Not only the e mail of last night but about my life with my mother over the years and my fear that she would somehow force me to return to her.

He listened quietly until I came to a halt crying quietly then tipped my face up with a cold finger to look in my eyes,

"Bella, I promise you that no one will force you to do anything you don't want to do, and that includes your mother. If you want to stay here there is nothing she can do about it, not with your birthday so close and your determination to stay in Forks with your dad. OK?"

I nodded and crazily enough I felt much calmer now I had told him everything although I might well lose him. What young guy wanted a girl with so much baggage and one who cried all over him, ruining his sweater. As if he could read my thoughts he wiped the damp patch on his shoulder,

"Angel tears, they wont hurt."

He kissed the top of my head and held me close until we heard Dads cruiser stop outside when reluctantly we parted.

"Just remember what I said Bella, you aren't going anywhere."

As dad came in spoiling for a fight after seeing the bike Jasper explained he'd left it here and gone to school with me in the truck. He did tell a lie though. He told my dad I'd ring and he understood I was unhappy about something and that's why he'd turned up this morning. It made me think, just how had he known I was upset? It was something I would have to ask him but not in front of my dad. With a kiss on the cheek Jasper left and dad waited for me to join him.

"I like that kid, he's thoughtful. Now I spoke to my lawyer and he says there's nothing to worry about. There is nothing your mother can do at your age. She's just trying it on so if she sends any more e mails you just let me know and he'll deal with her.