Paul was leaning against Bella's truck when she got home from school. "Hi Paul," Bella said, surprised to see him. She didn't expect to see him until tomorrow when he picked up her and Angela for the bonfire.
"Hello Paul," Rosalie greeted from beside Bella. "What brings you here?"
Paul smiled when he saw Bella holding Rosalie's hand. He didn't think Bella was aware of it but he wasn't about to bring it up. Both girls could use a little happiness. "I came to tell you the council's decision about you crossing the border."
Rosalie nodded. She remembered it being mentioned on more than one occasion. "What did they say?" Bella asked nervous.
"They said no for Rosalie," Paul answered sadly. "They understand you're mated but they won't let you on our lands unless Bella's health is at risk."
Bella tightened her grip on Rosalie's hand. "I understand. I expected as much."
"While they won't allow you in La Push they did agree to let Jasper come," Paul continued. "He has to be with either myself, Sam or Jared during his stay but they trust him enough to allow him to come." Paul turned to Bella. "I know you wanted Rosalie to come to the bonfire with you but I think it's best she's not there, especially since she has red eyes." His eyes flickered to Rosalie's red eyes. It made him nervous and set his instincts off but he fought it back. Rosalie was only killing killers. That made him feel better.
"I'll let Jasper know," Rosalie promised. "He'll be here tomorrow when you pick up the girl's."
Paul nodded. "Good. I know Brady's parents are eager to meet Jasper."
He saw Charlie's police cruiser pull onto the street. "I'll see you tomorrow Bella," Paul said. He hugged Bella and shook Rosalie's hand before running down the street.
"Was that Paul?" Charlie asked climbing out of the police cruiser.
"Yeah Dad," Bella answered.
Charlie frowned. "He was welcome to stay. He didn't have to rush off because I came home."
"It wasn't you. He needed to go home and help prepare for the bonfire tomorrow," Bella told him.
Charlie nodded in understanding. "Are you going to the bonfire Rosalie?" Charlie asked curious. He knew the Cullens weren't liked in La Push but he also knew Paul seemed to get along with Rosalie and Jasper and Alice.
"No sir. My parents need me home tomorrow. But Jasper's going," Rosalie answered.
"Really?" Charlie said surprised. "That's great. I'm glad the tribe is letting go of their prejudices. So Rosalie, do you plan on staying long? I can order pizza so Bella doesn't have to cook."
Rosalie glanced at Bella. "I would love to stay." She wasn't looking forward to eating human food but she would deal with it for Bella's sake.
"We're going to go upstairs and work on homework," Bella announced.
The three went inside and Rosalie followed Bella upstairs to her bedroom. Charlie went to the TV to watch the game he had recorded. "We don't have homework Bella," Rosalie reminded Bella.
"I know." Bella felt guilty for lying to Charlie but she was too worn out to care.
"Are you okay?" Rosalie asked concerned.
"I haven't been sleeping well," Bella admitted.
"Nightmares?" Rosalie wondered. Bella nodded. "Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't Jasper tell me?"
"I begged him not to," Bella said looking down. "You're already worried about me. I didn't want to add to it."
Rosalie led Bella to the bed and gently pushed Bella down. She crouched down in front of her. "Bella if something is wrong I want to know. You don't have to go through this alone Bella."
Bella touched Rosalie's cheek. "I'm sorry. I just… I don't want to bring up bad memories for you. I don't want you to suffer because I am."
"Bella, love, I would suffer a thousand deaths if I thought it would ease your pain," Rosalie said honestly. She laid her head against Bella's chest, listening to her heartbeat. "Don't shut me out." Bella yawned. "Take a nap my Bella. I'll be right beside you."
They shifted their position so Bella was lying on Rosalie's chest. Bella closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. Rosalie listened to the sound of Bella's heart beat while she slept. She slept for over an hour without incident.
"No, stop," Bella mumbled in her sleep. "Please stop."
"Bella, you're okay," Rosalie whispered kissing Bella's cheek.
"No, don't."
"Bella," Rosalie called gently shaking Bella. "Wake up Bella."
Bella jerked awake. "I'm sorry," Bella said immediately.
"It's okay." Rosalie gently stroked her cheek. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Bella shook her head. "There's nothing to talk about. It's the same nightmare I have every night, but you don't save me."
Rosalie tightened her grip on Bella. "I'm right here Bella. You still have time before dinner if you want to try going back to sleep."
"No. I'm fine. I don't think I can sleep anymore," Bella admitted.
"Have you thought about talking to someone?" Rosalie questioned.
Bella glanced at her. "I talked to you and I talk to Jazz."
"I meant a professional Bella," Rosalie corrected gently. "Carlisle knows quite a few psychiatrists that specialize in sexual assault."
"You want me to see a shrink?" Bella asked hurt.
"If it help you then yes," Rosalie answered. "All I care about is your wellbeing. Bella you're not sleeping and that's not healthy. I won't force you to talk to a stranger but will you at least consider it?"
Bella shifted so her head was on Rosalie's bare shoulder. She found comfort from the cold body. Half the time she didn't even realize it was cold. "I'll consider it," Bella promised. She didn't want to talk to a shrink. She liked that idea even less than talking to Rosalie especially since half the things she wanted to talk about she couldn't with the shrink thinking she was crazy.
"Thank you." Rosalie kissed Bella's forehead. "Alice and I are going to take you shopping on Sunday for your dress, if that's okay with you."
Bella had forgotten about the exhibit. It was a week from tomorrow and she still had nothing to wear. "Yeah we can go," Bella agreed. It wasn't like they had much of a choice.
"You might want to practice that enthusiasm," Rosalie joked.
Bella rolled her eyes. "I think it's a little late for that. Alice has probably already seen that," Bella told her.
"True," Rosalie agreed.
"She's not going to go overboard is she?" Bella asked concerned.
"She won't. I promise," Rosalie assured her. "It's why I'm going with you. I will make sure she doesn't buy anything that you don't need." Rosalie ran her hand through Bella's hair. "Jasper's looking forward to going to the exhibit with you."
"Really?" Bella asked surprised.
"Really," Rosalie confirmed. "You're the only one that shares his passion for history. Although he knows Alice would go with him because it would make him happy, he's thrilled you're going instead because you can appreciate it more. Even Alice is happy you're going."
"Rose," Rosalie looked at her, "vampire mating is weird."
Rosalie started laughing. "I agree it is. Sometimes I wish we could do human courting, get know each other and fall in love. It would make things so much easier for you."
"What about you though?" Bella asked. It was sweet that Rosalie tried so hard to make things easier for Bella but Bella didn't want Rosalie sacrificing her happiness for Bella's sake. It wasn't fair to Rosalie.
"Bella, I've waited more than eighty years for you," Rosalie said softly. "I can wait as long as you need. I will never rush you. It's why I wish we could do this the human way so you don't feel as pressured."
"I don't…" Bella began.
"I know you do," Rosalie interrupted. "Jasper can feel it. You feel like you have to love me because we are mated but you're not a vampire. You are not obligated to love me. You have a choice Bella."
"What happens when someone rejects their mate?" Bella asked. Rosalie hesitated. "Don't lie to me Rosalie."
"It doesn't happen often since both vampires can feel the pull but when it does…" Rosalie paused. She watched Bella as she continued, "the vampire rejected doesn't normally survive. They don't drop dead but they lose the will to live and either go insane or commit suicide, most commit suicide."
"I don't see how this is my choice," Bella admitted. "I'm know you're not pressuring me. I know I have a choice but the other option is your death and I don't want you to die. It's not fair to you either."
"Bella, as long as you don't outright reject me I will be fine," Rosalie assured her. "That way it is still your choice but you don't have to worry about me."
"And if I choose to be with someone else? How does that affect you?" Bella questioned. She couldn't picture being with anyone but she still wanted to know. She didn't want to hurt Rosalie more than she was bound to.
"It would hurt but I would survive," Rosalie told her. "My instincts would say to fight for you but I can fight them."
Bella pulled away from Rosalie. "I should study for my test Monday," she said standing up so she could dig through her backpack.
Rosalie grabbed her hand. "Bella, you need to calm down. Your heart is beating out of control."
"Calm down," Bella repeated. "You just told me your entire existence is dependent on me loving you. How am I supposed to calm down? What if I can't love you? What if I can't love anyone after what happened?"
Bella dropped to the ground in Rosalie's arms. "Bella," Rosalie said softly. "You need to stop worrying. You are not going to kill me." She ran her hand through Bella's hair. "I'm going to ask you something and I want you to be honest, okay?" Bella nodded. "Are you really worried you can't love me or are you afraid to love me?" Bella glanced at Rosalie and Rosalie had her answer. Bella was afraid. Rosalie kissed her hand. "You don't have to be afraid Bella." She really wished she had Alice's gift. It was make this next question so much easier. "Will you go out with me?"
Bella looked up. "Like a date?"
Rosalie shrugged. "If you want it to be a date. That's entirely up to you. I see it as two girls having dinner and getting to know each other. No vampires or soul mate stuff. Just you and me. I'll even eat human food."
Bella smiled slightly. "Okay," Bella agreed.
"Okay," Rosalie repeated. Bella nodded and Rosalie grinned. "Sunday night, after shopping. I'll pick you up at 7."
The next day Bella was pacing her bedroom. "You really need to relax Bella," Rosalie said from Bella's bed. "Jasper will be here soon. He just wanted to hunt a little longer."
Bella stopped pacing to look at Rosalie. "It's not that."
"You're worried about Jasper with the wolves?" Rosalie asked.
"Yes," Bella admitted. "If something happens to him then it's my fault, all because I can't handle being alone."
"Bella if something were to happen to Jasper it would be because the wolves can't control themselves, not because of you," Rosalie corrected. "I don't need Alice's gift to know they won't hurt Jasper. They're not stupid enough to try. They know Jasper is a good fighter. They have no chance."
"Rosalie's right Bella," Jasper said jumping through the window. "They wouldn't risk an all-out war and the pack Elders won't allow anyone to harm me because I saved that young boy. They feel they owe me. Are you ready?"
Bella nodded. Rosalie handed over a sweatshirt and Bella pulled it on. "If you need me call me," Rosalie said firmly. "Don't be afraid of annoying me. Emmett and I will be hunting and taking care of some business." Bella opened her mouth to ask but Rosalie cut her off. "It's a surprise. You will find out soon enough."
"Angela's here," Jasper said cocking his head to the side. "I'll get the door."
Jasper and Angela came upstairs minutes later. "Hey Bella," Angela greeted. "Hi Rosalie. Are you going with us?"
Rosalie shook her head. "I have plans with my brother Emmett."
"Oh, well have fun and tell Emmett I said hi," Angela said.
Rosalie nodded. "I should get going. Paul should be here soon." Rosalie kissed Bella's cheek and left the house.
"It's nice of them to allow you to go to the bonfire," Angela commented. "I thought they didn't allow Cullens onto their land. I never understood why though."
"Old superstitions mostly," Jasper replied. "It's nice to see them starting to let it go. Are you girls ready to go?" Both nodded. "Good." Jasper glanced at Bella. "Did you eat Bella?"
"No," Bella admitted. There was no use lying when Jasper would know the truth.
"What would you like?" Jasper asked. He promised Rosalie he would watch over her and that included feeding her.
"Just a couple of pop tarts," Bella answered.
"Would you like anything Angela?" Jasper asked politely.
"No thanks. I ate before I came over," Angela replied. Jasper headed downstairs to get the pop tarts. "So you and Jasper?"
Bella shook her head. "No, he's like a brother to me, nothing more."
"He's cute though," Angela said nudging Bella's shoulder.
"He is," Bella agreed. Jasper grinned as he stuck the pop tarts in the toaster. "But he's not my type."
"I'm guessing your type has long, blonde hair?" Angela asked innocently.
Bella shrugged. "Possibly. I honestly don't know. What about you? Any boys getting your attention?"
"I don't know," Angela replied. "Paul is pretty cute and he seems to like me." Like was a bit of an understatement. "You're friends with him, what do you think?"
"I think he's a good guy and he would be lucky to have you," Bella replied honestly.
Jasper walked back into the room with two heated pop tarts on a napkin. "Paul's here," he announced, handing over the pop tarts.
They headed to the front door where Paul was waiting. Bella watched his face light up at the sight of Angela. He shook Jasper's hand, hugged Bella and kissed Angela's hand. "Are you ladies ready to go?" he asked, dropping Angela's hand.
"Yes," they both said.
"Alright, let's go."
Paul led them outside to a large rather beat up truck. It reminded Bella of her own truck though this one was newer. Paul held the passenger door open for Angela while Bella and Jasper climbed into the back seat.
Jasper enjoyed the scenery as Paul drove to La Push. "Do you like it?" Bella whispered to Jasper.
"La Push is beautiful," he confirmed.
It took twenty minutes to drive to La Push. Paul parked in the driveway of a house Bella didn't recognize. "This is Sam's house," Paul told them.
"Sam?" Angela asked confused.
"A friend of mine," Paul elaborated. "We were invited here for lunch."
Jasper winced. He wasn't Rosalie. He couldn't stomach human food just to make Bella happy. "Oh Jazz, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told you to eat before coming over," Bella apologized.
Jasper did his best to contain his surprise. Bella was a terrible liar but here she was lying to save him from eating human food. Jasper sent her his gratitude. "It's okay. I'll be ready for dinner then," he said, patting her hand.
Paul led the three inside. "Sam, Emily," he called getting the attention of his Alpha and Alpha's mate.
"Paul," Sam said walking out of the house. "Bella, Jasper, good to see you both." He held out his hand for Bella to shake. He didn't want to touch Bella out of fear of scaring her. Bella shook his hand. Sam then hugged Jasper and clapped his back. He pulled his attention from Jasper and turned to Angela. He knew who Angela was, having seen Paul imprint on her from his thoughts and from her trips to La Push, but he had never met her. "I'm Sam Uley," he introduced. He offered his hand to her.
"Angela Webber," Angela said taking his hand.
"Nice to meet you Angela. Come on inside. Emily is finishing up lunch and she's dying to meet you all," Sam said. He led everyone inside his home. It was small, a bit smaller than Jacob Black's house, but it was homey. "Emily, Paul's here with Bella, Jasper and Angela."
Emily stepped out of the kitchen and wiped her hands on her apron. Bella and Angela held back a gasp at the sight of Emily's face. On the left side of her face as three long scars that looked like claw marks. Bella glanced at Sam. It couldn't be a coincidence. "Hello everyone, I hope you're hungry."
"It was an accident," Jasper whispered in her ear. "Sam has spent the last three years doing everything he can to make up for it. I can feel his pain and devotion for her and to her. Don't judge him too harshly, please."
Bella nodded. "Nice to meet you Emily," Bella said offering her hand. "I don't know about Angela and Paul but I am hungry."
Emily shook her hand and Bella noticed the scars down Emily's left arm. Bella did her best not to focus on it. "I can always eat, Em knows that," Paul said with a grin.
Emily laughed and patted Paul's cheek. "What about you Angela? Are you hungry?"
"A little," Angela admitted.
Emily led the group to the kitchen table. "I made a platter of sandwiches and some soup. I hope that's okay with everyone," Emily said. Sam and Paul followed her to the kitchen to help bring everything to the table. "What can I get you guys to drink? We have coffee, orange and apple juice, soda, milk and water."
"I'll take a soda," Angela requested.
"Me too," Bella piped up.
"I'll take some coffee," Jasper added. Bella, Paul and Sam stared at him. Jasper leaned over to Bella. "We can drink things, it actually goes down a lot better than food, and it will help warm my body up."
Sam helped Emily serve drinks to everyone. "What time is the bonfire?" Angela asked curious. She grabbed a toasted bacon and cheese sandwich and took a bite. "This is so good."
Emily beamed. "We will head down at 7," Sam told them. "Then we eat and the stories begin around 7:30."
Jasper sipped his coffee while everyone else ate. "Is there anything in particular you ladies would like to do while you're here?" Paul asked.
"Can we go to the beach?" Bella asked. Angela nodded. She loved the beach at La Push.
"Sure," Paul agreed. "It's a little cold to swim though." Paul glanced at Sam. "Maybe we should take them cliff diving?"
"Cliff diving?" Angela questioned.
"There's this spot we go to where we jump off right into the ocean," Sam explained. "It's an adrenaline rush but it can only be done at certain times, otherwise it's not safe."
Bella wasn't too sure about cliff diving. It sounded interesting but she was fairly certain that Rosalie would never let her go regardless of Rosalie's insistence that she would never try to control Bella. "I don't know if I would want to do that," Angela said honestly.
"It's fine," Paul assured her. "You don't have to go."
Sam and Paul alone ate through more than half of the sandwiches. Bella, Angela and Emily each ate two and were munching on sour cream and onion chips. Emily had set aside of bag of chips each for Sam and Paul. "Wow," Angela muttered as Emily put freshly baked cookies onto the table. "I've never seen anyone eat so much." Jasper chuckled.
When the sun set the group made their way to the beach where the bonfire was set. The only other ones there were the council members. They looked up when they approached. Each member of the group was carrying something for the dinner.
"Mr. Hale," Billy Black greeted. He wheeled his chair around the picnic table so he could go to Jasper's side. He held out his hand which Jasper readily shook. "Good to see you."
"Good to see you too Mr. Black, and it's Jasper," Jasper said pulling his hand away. "Mr. Ateara, Mr. and Mrs. Clearwater, it good to see all of you again."
"Jasper Hale," Quil Ateara III greeted. "It's been a while. We must have you around more often. Brady has been asking about the Angel that saved him."
"I'm no Angel," Jasper said honestly.
Quil didn't comment, mainly because he agreed but didn't want to be rude. "Come, sit, eat," he frowned, "is there anything we can get you? We didn't plan ahead for your arrival I'm afraid."
"I ate before I came here," Jasper informed them. "Some coffee would be good if you have some available."
"Jacob," Billy called. Jacob ran to Billy's side. "Get some coffee for Jasper please." Jacob eyed Jasper for a minute before ran off.
Jacob returned a few minutes later with a Styrofoam cup with coffee in it. Jasper accepted the cup and muttered a quick thanks. Now that Jacob was back they sat down to eat. Sam sat close to Bella. "The other boys here have the potential to phase," Sam whispered to Bella.
"Is that why they come to the bonfire?" Bella questioned.
"Yes," Sam answered. "We want them to know the legends now so they are prepared if, or when, they phase. Jacob is almost guaranteed to phase. He will be the Alpha, like Ephraim Black before him. It's only a matter of time. I feel bad for him. Quil Ateara V is the same. Me, Quil and Jacob are directly related to the first shifter. None of us had a chance."
"It doesn't seem fair to you guys," Bella said sadly. "None of you have a choice, just like the Cullens."
"We've made peace with it," Sam assured her. "Some good has come from it." He squeezed Emily's hand. "I believe the same can be said for the Cullens."
"Very true Sam," Jasper agreed. "While I don't particularly love being a vampire, I am grateful otherwise I never would have met Alice."
After everyone finished eating they gathered around the fire to listen to the tribes stories. While Bella knew most of the details this was the first time she was hearing them from Old Quil. It was also the first time she heard the story of the Third Wife. "Don't get any ideas Bella," Jasper whispered in her ear.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Bella whispered back.
"I know your emotions," he reminded her. Bella looked away from him. She caught some of the younger members of the tribe eyeing Jasper like they were trying to figure out if he was one of the Cold Ones. "I know you're still worried about the wolves and us and I have no doubt you would sacrifice yourself to keep us safe. But you need to think of Rosalie, me, Alice, Emmett, Paul and Charlie. How do you think we would all feel if you did something like that?"
Bella didn't have an answer.