Disclaimer: All familiar characters belong to SM. No infringement intended. Anything original is mine, though. Rated M for future chapters.
This is an AU/AH story. My first fanfic in the Twilight world.
CHAPTER TWO
Bella sat in her truck two hours later in stunned silence.
To say that Jenks was stunned by her story was an understatement. He was furious at the turn of events that led his old friend's daughter to his office; angry enough to be one phone call away from calling some "friends in high places" to dispose of Billy Black in any way he saw fit.
Bella wondered if her Police Chief father had known about these "friends".
For some reason, Bella felt that Jenks was safe to open up to. She told him everything that had happened since her parent's deaths. From Billy's drinking and violent tendencies, to his controlling behavior and his lies about her financial situation. When she told him about his demands that she and Jacob marry and live with him, he had covered his face with his hands, muttering expletives under his breath.
"I'm so sorry, Bella. I had no idea about any of this," he looked her in the eyes, his own eyes filled with remorse. "I trusted Billy as your guardian because Charlie trusted him. Had I known, I would have stepped in and found alternate living arrangements."
Bella was quiet, nervously playing with a loose thread on her shirt. "That's in the past. What I need to know now is if I have the means to get out of the situation I'm in."
Jenks leaned forward and she looked up to meet his eyes. "Bella, you will never have to worry about Billy Black from this day forward. Your father made sure you would never need to worry about a thing financially. I'm only sorry it took this long for you to learn about it."
Bella cleared her throat, looking back down at the loose thread. "So what do I need to do?"
As it turned out, all she needed to do was sign a few papers and Jenks made a few calls. In her purse, she had a check book and a debit card for an account in her name at a local bank. When she got to where she wanted to settle down, all she needed to do was call Jenks and he would set up a checking and savings account at a local bank there.
Besides that, at her insistence, a bank account was set up in Jacob's name with two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in it. She had a check book and debit card for that account in an envelope in her purse.
Even after deducting the amount she set up for Jacob, she still had two point three million dollars to her name. How her father had managed that, she had no idea. As a child, they were never hurting for anything, but by no means were they wealthy. The possibilities for her were endless and she was terrified at the overwhelming sense of freedom she found herself having.
Clutched in her hand was another envelope, this one with her name written on the outside in her father's familiar chicken scratch. When Jenks handed it to her and she saw "Bells" written on it, she couldn't stop the sobs from coming. She couldn't bear to read it in the office, choosing instead to find somewhere more private to read her father's words to her.
When her hands were steady and her breathing evened out, she started the truck and headed back to La Push. Even though Billy wouldn't be home until the following afternoon, she felt a sense of urgency to pack her bags and get as far away from the reservation as she could before he returned and noticed she was gone. She also needed to get in touch with Jacob before she left. She hoped that he would take off with Sam before Billy got back. Maybe if he had the means to get away, he would actually leave Billy behind and start the life he deserved.
Back at the house, she made quick work of packing her clothing in one duffel bag and the other, she filled with the pictures of her parents, her mother's jewelry box and her father's police uniform and a few of his shirts she had kept. All of her worldly possessions filled two bags, but she couldn't bear to leave without them. Within ten minutes, she was back in her truck with the house in her rearview mirror.
She didn't look back.
Bella drove to First Beach, parking at the end of the lot closest to the trail. Pulling her cell phone out of her purse, she dialed Jacob's number and prayed that wherever he was, he still had cell phone reception.
The first call rang four times before going to voicemail. "Answer the phone, bitch," she snapped before hanging up. On the third try, Jacob finally answered.
"What the hell is going on Bells?" Jacob snapped in greeting. She couldn't help but chuckle, feeling lighthearted at his annoyance.
"The answer to our prayers, douchebag," she responded, not giving him a chance to reply. "Can you and Sam meet me at our spot?"
"Seriously, you want us to meet you now? You know how hard it is to get away like this."
"Jacob, I swear to God it will be worth your while," Bella promised, glancing over at her purse where his envelope was carefully tucked into the inner pocket. She cleared her throat, sobering up slightly at her next words. "Besides, I've got my bags packed and I'm leaving after I see you."
There was a full minute of silence on the phone after that. She was about to see if the call had dropped when she heard his whispered voice. "Leaving? Bella, what are you talking about?"
"Trust me, Jake. Please," she begged, her own voice barely above a whisper.
There was another moment of silence before he cleared his throat. "We'll be there in about an hour."
"See you then," she murmured, hanging up the phone before her tears started up again. Honestly, she was looking forward to a time when she didn't cry at the drop of a hat.
The walk up to the cliffs felt different this time. She took in the smell of the forest, the sound of the animals, the feel of the misty air on her face, committing every sense to memory. This would be the last time she ever walked this path. A wave of nostalgia washed over her as she remembered walking this path with her parent's. She also remembered the times she walked up this path alone, desperate to talk to her father, begging for a sign. A sign that she finally got just a couple days before with that little streak of pink in the sky.
She reached her destination fifteen minutes later and was grateful that it was deserted. Settling on a rock near the edge, she stared out at the gray, finally noticing the slight streaks of pink and blue through the clouds. They were a little easier to see now.
With slightly trembling hands, she removed the envelope from her purse and stared for a long time at her nickname written on the front. She touched the chicken scratch, remembering how much she teased her father about his messy handwriting, telling him that he should have been a doctor instead of a police chief. She took a cleansing breath and carefully opened the envelope, pulling out the folded paper inside.
Bells,
If you're reading this, I want to first tell you that I'm so very sorry for not being there, for leaving you too soon. You have to know that I would never willingly leave your side and I hope you can forgive me.
When I met your mother, I thought that I could never love another as much as I loved her. And then you were born and I looked into your eyes and knew that my mother was right all along. Nothing could ever match the love you feel for your child. You are the single best thing I've done in my life, and I need you to know how much I love you. And even though I'm not physically there with you, know that I will always be there, in spirit.
I know you always planned on staying in Forks, on living out your life there and even though I loved the thought of you always being there, I don't want you to miss out on the things I missed out on. There are so many things you need to experience before you settle down, so many people you need to meet before choosing the one person you can't live without.
If you're reading this, then you've seen Jenks and know that you now have the means to do this. Go live out your dreams, baby. See the world, or at least the rest of the country. Go see the Grand Canyon, go fishing for your old man at Yosemite, go ride to the top of the St Louis Arch and look out at the world that is laid out before you. Go swimming in an ocean that you don't need a wetsuit in so you don't freeze. Ride those damn teacups at Disney World. Anything you can think of Bells, go do it. And afterwards, if you decide you still want to settle in Forks, then at least you'll know that you've seen everything you wanted to see.
Find something that brings you joy. Don't work a nine-to-five job just because it's a paycheck. Find what makes you happy, something that you can't wait to get out of bed to go do. Go be happy and know that whatever you do, I love you and I'm so damn proud of you.
And when the time comes and you meet the boy that you want to marry, just think "What would Dad think". Don't waste your life with someone who doesn't treat you like the princess you are (don't roll your eyes at me, young lady. You're my princess and any man who is deserving of you will recognize this). Find someone who worships the ground you walk on and can challenge you to be the best person you can be. Don't go to bed angry. Life is too short for petty arguments. And remember, that if this boy isn't the best for you that he can be, I'll haunt the hell out of him.
I'm always there with you, Bells. Don't ever think that I've abandoned you. Nothing, not even death, can keep me away from my little girl. You make me so proud, always. Don't ever forget that.
All my love,
Dad
Bella's eyes overflowed until the words became a blur. Sobs wracked her body as she held the precious letter to her chest, careful not to crumple the paper. She had never known how desperately she needed those words, how much she needed his advice.
She couldn't help but chuckle at his words. How he had basically given her a road map for the near future. Bella now had a purpose, to follow her father's suggestions, to see the world that he wanted her to see. She felt excitement for her future, at last. With teary eyes looking up, she laughed at the break in the clouds.
"I love you, Daddy. Thank you."
*.*.*
By the time Jacob and Sam arrived, she had dried her tears and safely tucked her father's letter back in the envelope and in her purse. She would have to see about getting the letter laminated so she wouldn't smudge the precious words with her tears.
The moment Jacob saw her sitting on the rock, he rushed to her side and pulled her into his arms, nearly squeezing the breath out of her body. "Don't ever scare me like that again, Bells! What the hell are you talking about, you're leaving? Today? What's going on?"
Bella grinned at Sam, who was standing behind Jacob. He offered her a tentative grin back, but she could see the worry and sadness in his eyes. He knew how important Bella was to Jacob, and he worried that without her there, life in the Black household would be too much for him to bear.
"Daddy answered our prayers, Jake," she whispered in his ear, pulling back slightly so she could look him in the eye.
Confusion flittered across his face as she pulled away from him and reached for her purse, pulling out the envelope with his name on it. Without a word, she handed it to him. He stared at her for a long moment before opening the flap and pulling out the contents.
Jacob was speechless as his eyes went from the papers and card in his hand back to her face and back to his hands. Sam stepped forward, looking down at whatever was causing Jacob's silence. His eyes widened and his head shot up, his eyes meeting Bella's.
"What…? Bella, I don't understand…"
"Dad and Mom set up a trust fund for me, Jake," Bella replied, her hands finding that loose string on her shirt once more. "That's why Billy was so dead set on us getting married. He knew about it and wanted it for himself."
Jacob's mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out as he looked back and forth between her and the paperwork. Sam found his own voice and cleared his throat.
"They left something for Jake too?"
Bella shook her head. "That's from me. Don't you see? We're free! You can take that money and get the hell out of here! You two can start a new life for yourselves!" She reached out and grabbed Jacob's arm. "You can find a place you are happy in and open up that shop you've always wanted! Both of you!"
Jacob moved towards the rock she had been sitting on and dropped down on it, his eyes never hers. "But what about you, Bella? Why are you leaving after this? You're just going to go off by yourself?"
Bella sat down beside him, laying her head on his shoulder. "I have things I need to see for myself, Jake. That doesn't mean that we'll never see each other again. You and Sam deserve time together, just the two of you. You have a new home to find and a shop to start up," she squeezed his arm. "I promise we'll see each other again. I wouldn't miss seeing my best friend living out his dream for anything."
Jacob sobbed, wrapping his arms around her and holding on tight. A minute later, she felt Sam's arms wrap around the both of them and she couldn't hold in the teary laugh.
The trio composed themselves a few minutes later and Jacob took a deep breath, wiping his hands over his eyes. He looked over at Sam and grinned.
"Want to run away with me, Uley?"
*.*.*
They wasted no time going back to the house to help Jacob pack up any necessities. They left their cell phones next to Billy's remote with a straight to the point "fuck you" letter underneath and left to help Sam grab his own stuff. With their bags in the back of Bella's truck, they left the reservation for good, heading back towards Port Angeles once more.
Their first stop was to pick up new cell phones. After that, they stopped at a car dealership and Jacob and Sam spent over an hour looking under the hoods of the cars Bella liked to make sure they met their standards of safety. The new car would be carrying precious cargo, after all.
With a shiny new silver Volvo in her name, Bella handed her truck keys and the signed title over to her best friend. Jacob looked at her in shock at the title.
"What are you doing, Bells? I'm just holding onto this for you until you can come back and get it."
"Just in case you need to prove it's not stolen," Bella joked, running her hand lovingly over the body of the truck. "I will be back for this someday, Jacob. And I only trust you and Sam to take care of her until then."
Jacob nodded and gripped the keys tightly. He composed himself before letting out a deep breath. "So this is it?"
Bella grinned. "This is it. Any idea where you're heading first?"
Jacob and Sam looked at each other and Sam grinned. "I say we head south. Portland sounds like a good stop for the night."
Jacob nodded in agreement. "What about you, Bells? Where's your first stop?"
Bella thought about her father's letter and chuckled. "Yosemite."
Jacob shook his head and chuckled. "Well you could follow us to Portland, stay the night and head off on your own in the morning. Give a guy a little more time with his best friend?"
Bella and Sam both nodded in agreement. A little extra time with friends sounded great.
*.*.*
They reached Portland by six thirty that evening and decided to share a room at a Holiday Inn. They went out only to gorge themselves on waffles at a nearby restaurant before returning to the room, Bella's hands filled with local tourist literature from the hotel lobby.
The three lounged on the giant king sized bed, flipping through brochures and watching Comedy Central on the television. Around two in the morning, they fell asleep with Bella sandwiched in between her two friends.
Bella slept like the dead and woke up refreshed. They had breakfast at a diner, feasting on biscuits and coffee without a care in the world. Bella had to admit it was the best day of her life so far, since losing her parents.
After breakfast, the group sobered up a bit. Even though she knew she needed to get out and see the world on her own, her heart broke at the thought of leaving Jacob and Sam behind. She was more than a little scared at being alone and part of her desperately wanted to invite the two along with her, at least for Yosemite.
But she would never expand her horizons if she held onto the familiar with an iron grip. She needed to let go, to let Jacob and Sam find their own way. And someday, when she was ready, she would come back and see just how well her friends had done for themselves.
So with tears in her eyes and a heavy heart, she wrapped Jacob in the tightest hug she could manage and promised him that this was not a "good bye", but a "see you later".
She kept looking at her friend in the rearview mirror until he was no longer in view. And then she set her sights forward in determination and headed south.