Chapter 28

JPOV

Coming home I felt emotionally drained. Informing my family about our true feelings was one less burden to carry. Discussing and solving the problem of Edward getting his hands on a copy of our prenup was solved. Overall, it was a successful evening for us as a couple, however, learning that my father made the decision to cremate my sister bother me. I understood his point of view about the situation. She was his daughter. However, as a family we felt we should have been given the opportunity to at least vote on the subject of her burial.

Dad took it upon himself to do what he wanted and acted quickly on it. I wasn't sure why but that bother me. Why the rush? My Dad never made hasty decisions. It was one of the reasons he became so successful where others failed.

So why have Becca cremated before discussing it with us? Maybe I was just tired and I was over analyzing the ordeal. The loss of my sister was still so fresh. I still wasn't able to comprehend the role I played in her madness and ultimately death.

Everyone told me it wasn't my fault. Things could have gone worse and it could have been Bella who died. I would be dealing with the worse loss of my life. I cared deeply for my sister, but Bella was my wife in every way and the thought of no longer seeing her or Charlotte made my chest tighten and my stomach twisted in unbearable pain. Yes, I loved Becca, but my reason for living was now due to the love of Bella and Charlotte in my life.

"How are you feeling?" Bella asked as she sat down.

Walking over to the bar, I grabbed a nice cold beer from the mini fridge and popped it open. Taking a long refreshing gulp of the icy beverage, I considered my words before I say them out loud.

"I feel like shit. Yet on the other hand I feel excited." I answered her question honestly.

"What do you mean?" Bella frowned at me.

"I'm upset that my sister put us in this situation. I'm angry that I didn't see the signs earlier or help her more. She was a train wreck. You saw her. She was completely out of her mind." I paused, taking another drink. "Then there is us. I'm over the moon happy that we are both on the same page and that our family no longer has to worry how things are going to end with us. They can now be happy for the both of us."

"I know these last few weeks and months have been hell on you and your family." Bella sighed heavily, pushing her hair out of her face as she tried to keep a stiff upper lip. I saw the unshed tears misting in her eyes. I didn't want her to feel like this was entirely her fault. Becca was already screwing Edward before we even made our deal. My sister was already on a path of destruction. She was just waiting for the right opportunity to fall off the edge. My marriage and prenuptial agreement was just what she needed to let loose and let out all of her craziness.

"Sweetheart, this is not ALL your fault. Trust me. My family was screw up way before you show up in the picture. Hell, you're the only thing keeping us together at the moment. You, Charlotte and our marriage is the one thing that we have to look forward to. I wouldn't change it for the world." I assured her.

"Still, I feel like my burden became everyone else's the second I agreed to go along with your father's plan to help me out of my mess."

"He cares about you. He saw you as a daughter and he also saw that you deserve better. Life was kicking you in the balls and my dad is and always will be a sucker for the underdog. Don't let his stubborn demeanor fool you. He is a softy underneath all that bitterness and control." I chuckled roughly.

"Just one to two more days and we can put all this hell behind us."

Finishing off my beer, I threw it in the trash and walk around the bar pulling her into my arms and held her tightly. I loved Bella and no one or anything was going to come between us or my family. Once this was settled I knew I needed to tie up some loose ends so we could move forward with our future and never look back. For now, I wasn't going to let those problems bother me. Tonight, I wanted to just concentrate on making Bella feel safe and confident that we would win this case and keep our family together and out of the reaches of a madman, Edward.

BPOV

Billy arranged Becca's private funeral service to allow only family and a few friends. The ceremony didn't take long. I was surprised and disappointed that there wasn't much in flowers or music arranged for the service. It felt like Billy saw burying his daughter as a chore, a very annoying one. I knew deep down he was hurting far more than he was showing us but I kept silent on the matter. I truly had no right to mention my concerns about how he was grieving his daughter, especially when it should have been my funeral service if Becca had been successful.

When we left once the service ended. We needed to meet with my lawyer to learn how he expected the court to handle our case. With all the information we gathered on Edward and his role with Becca I was hoping my lawyer would express complete confidence that we would walk out of the court with full custodial rights. I couldn't see how or what he could possibly use against us to prove I was somehow an unworthy mother. Jake agreed with me. Still, I felt a twinge of uneasiness when he walk into the attorney's office for our final meeting before court.

The attorney did assure us that everything was looking positive and unless Edward managed to pay or bribe the judge he saw no reason for us losing our case. Jacob appeared to be relaxed and at ease but me, well, I knew there was that one percent chance that Edward might pull one over us. I knew from experience to never let my guard down where he was concern.

After the meeting was over and we left, I tried to keep a steady smile on my face but a knot had formed in the pit of my stomach and I knew it wouldn't go away until this case was closed.

Alice called me and ask if we wanted to meet up for lunch. I agreed to the date. I needed to take my mind off of everything. This day was hard on all of us. Alice was bringing Charlotte to join us. I couldn't wait to see my angel. I knew I was being silly but something warn me to keep a close eye on her, now more than ever.

Jacob dropped me off at the front of the restaurant. It started to rain when we pulled up in the parking lot of the quaint Italian diner. Rushing up to the front door, I made my way in quickly and shook the loose droplets of water on the large red welcoming mat. Lifting my head up, I scanned the room but didn't see Alice or Charlotte. I waited for Jacob to park the car and meet me inside before picking out a table for us.

The door swung open behind me and I turn, expecting to see Jacob but instead I was greeted with Lauren and her cheshire smile. Edwards other minion was now tailing me. This day just couldn't give me a break.

"I see you are past the grieving process. I should have known you wouldn't be with the Black family while they deal with their loss. You are probably relieved that Becca is dead." Lauren spatted out before I could even bat an eyelash.

"What?" I trembled inwardly as I watch her draw closer to me, her breath smell of cheap whiskey as she stood closely in front of me.

"It's not over Bella. Edward isn't going to give up. Trust me he never loses. When he takes Charlotte you are going to lose your hold over Jacob. He is going to see how you screw up his life and his families. Where you going to go then? Whose bed will you crawl in then?" Lauren growled, baring her teeth as she spoke in a low tone so no one nearby could hear her threats.

The palm of my hand itched to slap her across her smug, hateful face. I couldn't afford to make a scene. Not now. Not with me going into court in the morning.

"Let's just say for argument sake that I did loose Jake. Do you think he would honestly come crawling back to you? Please, tell me you aren't that naive, Lauren. You are just another one of Edward's whores. He wouldn't touch you even if you paid him." I snap back. I couldn't take it any longer. The woman was deranged if she seriously thought any man, especially Jacob Black would want her damaged goods now.

Her eyes widen and glisten with a dangerous glare. I knew she was on the brink of striking out at me and I braced myself for the attack. Luckily, Jacob walked in at that moment. I looked past her and smile sweetly at him. I didn't want to alert him of the fight. He would only try to step in and protect me.

"You are running out of luck and time Bella. I promise you, when this is all over with I will be the one left laughing. Not you." She turned to look at Jake, flashing him a quick smile before marching past me to the bar area.

"Are you okay?" Jake asked, quickly making his way toward me.

I smile softly at him. I knew no matter what the outcome of our case, Jake wouldn't stop loving me and he sure as hell wouldn't give up fighting for Charlotte. Lauren was wrong. For once in my life I knew that I had someone who would do anything for me. NO her nasty threats didn't cause even an ounce of doubt on that subject. I loved Jake and he loved me. We were going to last, no matter how many storms we had to face in life.

"I'm fine. Let's go pick out a table while we wait on Alice." I suggested, ignoring Lauren's evil glare behind me.

We sat down in the far back corner. Our waitress came swiftly and took our drink orders while we waited patiently for Alice and Charlotte to join us.

"How are you?" I asked, knowing he was trying his best to stay positive.

"I'm good. I'm a bit worried about Dad." He replied.

"Yeah, I notice how he rushed the service along. I don't mean to sound rude but he acted like he couldn't get out of there fast enough."

"I know. I felt the same way. I guess it's bothering him more than he is letting on. He likes to put a brave face on for us kids. He was a wreck after my mother died but eventually he pull himself together." Jake stated.

"I wonder where Alice is?" I wondered out loud, trying to change the subject.

I knew he was tired of discussing death and court cases. I knew I was.

"It's been what, twenty minutes since she called us." He checked his phone.

"No, thirty." I felt the knot in the pit of my stomach growing, sharp stinging pain began, like a razor blade piercing my skin.

"Let me call her." Jake patted my hand and then hit the redial button on his phone.

I watched his face closely. I heard the phone ring and ring until it went into Alice's silly voice mail message. Where was she? Why was she not answering her phone? The rain was still pouring down heavily but it wasn't the worst storm for this area. They have drove through far worse. Plus there was the factor that she only lived ten minutes from the diner. So what was causing the delay?

"I will try her again. You know how weak the signal can get sometimes when it storms like this." Jake tried to reassure me there was no reason to panic but I saw a flicker of fear cross his face before he replace with a tight smile that let his dimples peek from beneath his skin.

Twice. No answer. Straight to voicemail. Something was wrong and we both knew it, but weren't ready to admit it. Just one day, we wanted one day without drama, but it appear today wasn't going to be that day.

Was Edward somehow responsible for the missed calls? Thinking of him, my eyes darted across the room to the bar area where Lauren had been seated after we arrived. She was nowhere in sight. When had she left? Was she part of this somehow? Did she call him and let him know we were distracted so he could cause Alice harm or worse?

"WE have to go now!" My heart pounded painfully in my chest. I felt my pulse shooting at an unhealthy pace. I knew people were looking at me curiously as I jumped up from my chair and raced toward the door.

Jake tossed out some money for our drinks and followed behind me.

"Bella calm down. I need to go get the car." He pleaded with me as he tried to persuade me to stand and wait for him to retrieve the car. Shaking my head, I raced out into the rain beside him.

Drenched from head to toe, I waited as he unlocked the car. Climbing in the passenger side, I could hear my breathing as I panted. I was going to pass out. I just knew instinctively that something was wrong and my baby and best friend were somehow in grave danger.

"Bella, keep calm. I'm sure they are both safe. We are probably over reacting from having experience some crazy ass shit the last few days."

Jake was trying to remain hopeful despite our shitty luck.

"Just hurry." I begged.

"I am."

It took us fifteen minutes thanks to the flooding on the road. When we arrived, I saw Alice's car park in the driveway. There were no lights on in her house. I felt the air in my lungs dissipate. The scene in front of me did not look promising.

"Stay in the car. If she doesn't come to the door call the police." Jake ordered in a stern voice.

I sensed he was starting to see with his own eyes what I already feared.

Things were not looking good.

I watched as he jogged to the front door and knocked several times with no response. I grabbed my phone and dialed 911 before he returned to the car.

"Did you see anything?" I asked just as the operator began to calmly talk to me.

He nodded his head "no" in response. He was breathing heavily. I could see he was frightened as I was. Once the operator got all the information she needed it didn't take long before we heard the shrills of an on duty police officer making his or her way to our location.

"Jacob where are they?" I dropped the phone, as tears flooded out of my eyes and ran down my face.

"I don't know, honey." Jake pulled me into his arms, giving me a loving hug before the police pull in behind us.

Jumping out of the car, we both ran up to the officer and explained what was going on, ignoring the rain that continued to soak our clothes.

"Get back in your car. I will take a look."

We did as he asked, but we were both shaking from the cold and fear that had seep down into our bones.

Another police officer arrived, together they entered the premises and were inside several minutes before one of them return and walk to our car. We could see the expression clearly on his face as he return to give us bad news.

"No one is inside. We need you to go to the police station and make an official statement while we finish up investigating the house."

"What is there to investigate exactly?" Jacob demanded.

"All I can say for now is that there appear to be a struggle. Please just go to the station we will be there shortly with more answers."

I felt my entire body grow weak, I was going to pass out. My daughter was gone. She was missing. Someone came in and took her. This reeked of Edward. The bastard had done lost his mind and took my daughter. When they caught him, nothing was going to stop me from killing him I decided. I was so done with him hurting me over and over again. He had gone too damn far this time. Even if I had to spend the rest of my life behind bars, I was going to end his miserable excuse for a life. The man was good as dead.

XXX

A/N: Just hope someone is still reading this particular story. Will try to post again later this month if people won't more. Sorry for the long delay. Xoxox August