Chapter 3 - Bella
The next morning, I showered and dressed before heading downstairs. Charlie was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee and reading the paper. "Morning Dad." I said, making my way to the coffee maker and pouring my own cup.
He lowered the paper. "Morning Bells. How was your sleepover with Alice?" He asked me.
Oh right. "It was fine. But umm… Edward and I broke up yesterday." I told him.
Charlie looked mad. "Bells, if you go back to the way you were…" He trailed off. I felt guilty for what I'd put him through.
"Dad. I broke up with him." I told him.
"You did?" He asked.
I nodded. "Yeah." I said, taking my coffee cup and sitting at the table across from him.
"Well, okay. What are your plans for today?" He asked me.
I shrugged. "Probably hanging out with Jake. I also wanted to talk to Billy see if he could help me find a summer job on the Rez." I told him honestly. My actual plans included going to see Jake. Talking to Billy then the pack. My future was with the pack whether a wolf ever imprinted on me or not.
"Sounds like a plan. I'm working a double tonight so I won't be home till morning." Charlie said.
"Okay Dad. If it gets too late, I might crash at either Jake's or Emily's." I told him.
"Okay. Just let me know." Dad said folding the paper and laying it on the table before heading upstairs.
Driving down to the Rez, I felt completely different. I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders knowing that I didn't have anything Edward related lingering over me. When I got to Billy's, he greeted me at the door. I quickly mentioned to him that I was looking for a job and that I wondered if anyone on the Rez was hiring. Billy told me that he'd check into a few things and let me know. I headed towards Jake's room, wanting to check on him. When I walked in, I quietly shut the door behind me. I walked over and sat in the same chair from the night before. I reached over and grabbed Jake's hand. He turned his head and looked at me. "Hey Bells." Jake said.
"How are you feeling?" I asked.
"Better. The vamp doc was here earlier. Said I'm healing nicely. Told me to tell you to call him. Everything okay?" He said.
I looked down at the floor. "I uh, broke up with Edward last night." I said.
"I'm sorry." Jake said.
I scoffed. "No you're not." I said.
"Your right I'm not. But I'm glad you broke up with him, even if it's not for me… I just want you to be happy and alive." Jake said.
"Thanks Jake. I mean it. Billy's gonna see if he can help me find a job around the Rez, so I'll be around more. I have some stuff that I need to do but I'll come back later, okay?" I said.
He nodded. "Sure Bells." He said.
When I left Billy's I headed down to first beach. I found a piece of driftwood and sat on it, pulling my cell phone out of my pocket. I quickly scrolled through my contacts and called Carlisle. It rang twice before he answered. "Hello Bella." Carlisle said.
"Jake said you wanted me to call you." I said.
"Yes. Esme and I are headed to Volterra to talk to Aro. I will find a way to get you out of this Bella. Even if I have to make a deal with Aro." Carlisle said.
"Thank you Carlisle. For everything." I told him.
"Of course. Once it's taken care of…we will be leaving…for good." He said.
"I understand Carlisle. I'll pass it on to Sam." I told him before he hung up. I slipped the phone back into my pocket. I sat there for a little while longer before I stood up and started making my way to Sam and Emily's. I knew that they needed to know that the Cullen's were leaving, I just hoped that they wouldn't push me away too. As I walked up the porch steps, I noticed the front door open.
"Hi Bella." Sam said.
"Hi Sam." I said.
"You wanna come in?" He asked me. I nodded. I followed Sam into the house. Emily was in the kitchen baking like she normally did. Paul and Embry were sitting in the living room watching tv. We walked over to the kitchen table and sat down. "I wanted to thank you guys for helping with Victoria." I said quietly, looking down at the table even though I knew that all three wolves could hear me.
"Your welcome Bella. I told you that we'd protect you from her." Sam said.
I nodded. "I know." I said. I looked back up at Sam. "Uh, I uh, broke up with Edward last night. Jake helped me realize that I don't actually want to become a vampire. That I want to live. Get married. Have kids. I spoke with Carlisle this morning. He's heading to Italy to talk to the Volturi…trying to get me out of a deal that Alice made about me being changed. He said he'd take care of it so that they'll leave me alone, even if it means striking a deal." I told them.
Sam nodded. "Did he say anything else?" Sam asked me.
I nodded. "Carlisle said that when they get back from Italy, they'll be packing up the house and leaving, for good." I told him.
Sam nodded. "Thanks Bella." Sam said. I sat there for a minute contemplating what I wanted to say. It was almost as if Sam could read my mind. "What is it Bella?" He asked me.
I looked down at the table again. "I'm sorry for all the trouble that I caused Sam. I never meant to bring it." I told him.
He reached across the table and placed his hand on top of mine causing me to look up. "Bella…we know that. Granted none of us were happy about you spending time with them but we don't hold that against you. Vampires are made to draw in humans. It's part of the appeal." He said. "Don't worry. You are as much a part of this pack as anyone else."
I felt the tears building up. "Thanks Sam." I said.
A little while later, Sam had joined Paul and Embry in the living room while I headed into the kitchen with Emily. I'd offered to cook for the pack as a thank you and she offered to help me. All of a sudden we heard Jared and Quil come in the door. "Hey Sam! There's something going on at the Cullen's place. There's a for sale sign in the front yard." Jared said.
I continued what I was doing in the kitchen. I pulled a fresh pan of cookies out of the oven. "Yeah, their getting ready to move. For good this time." I heard Sam say from the living room.
"That means bonfire, right?" I heard Jared ask.
"Of course." Sam said.
"Guys! Cookies are done." I said. I heard the guys start making their way to the kitchen.
"Thanks for the cookies Bells." I heard Embry say.
"Your welcome guys." I said. I turned to look at the guys when I looked up and saw Jared. When I looked into his eyes, it was if everything stopped. The feelings that I once had for Edward were completely gone. I felt nothing for him. Even the few romantic feelings that I'd had for Jake were suddenly gone.
I was pulled from my trance by hearing Embry and Quil. "Oh shit!"
I looked around the room and noticed that everyone was staring at Jared and I. I turned back to Jared. "Did you just…?" I trailed off unable to finish my question.
He nodded. "I just imprinted on you." He said.
I gasped.
