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Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

Part Fourteen-Separation and a Nasty Surprise

Bella sighed in disappointment as she received another rejection from the store manager in Port Angeles. She had been scouting around La Push, Forks, and finally Port Angeles for a job, but each time when the interviewer found out she was expecting, the shutters came down and she was summarily dismissed. It now looked certain that she would have to travel back to Jacksonville after all, at least temporarily, to finalise the details of her move and see about getting references from her old job. She had been working as a teaching assistant, hoping at some point to retrain as a proper kindergarten teacher like Renee. It was her mother who had got her the job at the same school she worked for.

Bella was not looking forward to telling Jacob the news, he would not be happy. She slowly climbed into her rental car and switched on the engine. She didn't drive off straight away, instead she stared out of the window at the passer's by, her mood darkening with every second. Life had been flowing along smoothly, she was finally happy for the first time in her life, but now she was going to have to leave the man she loved behind in order to sort out her old life in Jacksonville. To her it felt like she had never lived there. In the short time she had been back in Forks, everything had changed. With a heavy heart, Bella pulled onto the road and began the long drive back to Forks.

"I have no choice, Jake. I have tried everywhere." Bella explained tentatively, holding onto his hands tightly. "I'm sorry, but I have to go back, at least for a couple of weeks. I was hoping mom could just ship my stuff down here, but I need to go and see the principal of the school in person. If I leave in the middle of a semester, it doesn't look good and I need her to give me a good reference and recommendation when I apply for a grant to study teaching."

Jacob felt sick inside. He knew what she was saying made sense, but the thought of being without her and Ethan, even for a couple of weeks, filled him with dread. He wouldn't be able to protect them in another state. He couldn't even afford to go back with her, money was tight. Charlie had applied for the loan and been accepted. They were waiting for the funds to be transferred over so they could begin buying the specialist equipment that Jacob needed.

"There must be another way, surely?" He pleaded with her.

"I wish there was." Bella said regretfully. "But there isn't. I have a return ticket and have no money for another. It must be now."

"This is fucking ridiculous." Jacob swore, he pulled her into his arms and held her tight against him. "I should be able to afford to go with you."

"It's not always easy, Jake." Bella hugged him back, resting her head on his chest. "But we have been through harder times. Once I work my two weeks' notice, I'll have enough money to pay for a one-way ticket back for me and Ethan."

"I don't like this." Jacob confessed in despair. He clutched her closer to him, his heart hammering in his chest.

"I know." Bella whispered sadly. "But we will get through this."

Jacob rested his head on hers, worry etched all over his face.

Bella sat on the plane with Ethan beside her. He was strapped into a special baby seat and was already asleep. Parting from Jacob at the airport had been awful. They were both holding onto each other desperately, as if they were never going to see each other again. Charlie had to almost pry Jacob away from her and Ethan. Her dad was upset himself; he had no spare money to give to her, everything he had, including his savings had been thrown at Jacob's new business venture. She had hugged Billy goodbye, asking him to keep an eye out for Jacob. He had nodded his head as she handed Ethan to him, so he could hug his grandson before he left.

With tears in her eyes, Bella turned to look out of the small window. The clouds were grey and the sky dark, matching her melancholy mood. The next time she was out in the open air the climate would be entirely different. She closed her eyes, one hand resting by Ethan as she let the tears roll down her face.

"Baby girl!" Renee cried out as she tore away from Phil's side and over to Bella. She hugged her tightly, squeezing the breath from her body. "I am so glad you're back. Where's my lovely boy?" She bent down and picked Ethan's carry seat up, cooing at him.

"Mom!" Bella chided her. "Don't get him overexcited."

"Don't be a grouch, baby girl. Ethan loves his nanny, oh yes, he does." Renee rubbed his head with her hand. Ethan's lips began to wobble as Renee's enthusiasm overwhelmed him. He began to grizzle.

Bella gritted her teeth as she quickly took him back from Renee. She unclipped him from the seat and jiggled him about until he calmed down. Phil came up to them and gave Bella a wry smile. He discreetly pulled Renee back to his side. He knew his wife could be a little hyper, especially when it came to her daughter and grandson. "Let me take your bags, Bella. The car is just outside."

"Thank you." Bella said with relief.

Renee linked arms with her as she carried Ethan in her arms. "I have a surprise at home for you." She confided.

"Why, Mom? You didn't spend too much, did you?" Bella asked worriedly. She knew how careless Renee could be with money.

"No, this cost absolutely nothing." Renee replied, raising her eyebrows, and giving her daughter a sly wink.

Bella groaned inwardly. Her mother's surprises were usually not pleasant ones. They followed behind Phil out into the open air. The heat and the bright sun hit her straight away and she winced, already missing the cooler air of Forks. She quickly got into the car and put Ethan back in his seat, making sure to strap him in well. Phil had already put her luggage away and he joined Renee in the front. "Is everyone ready?" He asked cheerfully.

"YES!" Renee remarked loudly, clapping her hands excitedly, disturbing Ethan again, who had just begun to drift off to sleep. Bella shook her head in annoyance as she tried to soothe her son for the second time.

Bella was exhausted by the time they reached the pretty one storey house that Renee and Phil rented. It was in a quiet cul-de-sac with only a few neighbours, the view from the back of the house was stunning. She breathed in the sea air; it reminded her of First beach and home. Phil took out her luggage and went ahead to open the front door. Renee was once again holding onto her arm, chattering animatedly about the surprise she had waiting in the house. Bella barely listened to her as she carried Ethan inside. She just wanted to get him settled so she could call Jacob and tell him that they had arrived safely.

As soon as the front door closed behind them, Renee dragged her toward the main part of the house. She was like an over eager child as she told Bella to close her eyes.

Bella put Ethan down and did as her mom asked. It was easier to comply with her wishes in the long run. Renee pushed her forward and giggled. "Ta dah! Open your eyes, baby girl, you have a visitor."

Bella frowned as she opened her eyes. She was surprised to note that the curtains had been drawn over all the windows, blocking out the bright light, but when she saw who occupied the room it was obvious why.

A voice she had hoped to never hear ever again greeted her gently. "Hello, love." Edward stepped out of the darkened corner and gazed at her with his golden eyes.

Jacob kept staring at the phone. He had been waiting impatiently for Bella to call. He had worked out how long it would take her to reach her mom's house. She had promised him faithfully that she would ring to let him know that she was fine. Ever since she had left, he had felt worried. Something was niggling at him, like some kind of sixth sense, warning him that something was not quite right. For the hundredth time he wished he hadn't let her go to Jacksonville alone.

"You are going to have to calm down, Jake." Billy warned his son as he saw Jacob hover near the phone. "What are you going to be like when she is gone for the whole two weeks?"

"She said she would call." Jacob snapped.

"Give her time, Jake. She has Ethan to see too, remember?" Billy reminded him. He shuffled the pile of bills he had been going through.

"I know." Jacob began to pace restlessly.

Billy sighed as he put the bills down and rolled his chair in front of Jacob to stop his pacing. "There's more to it, isn't there? You seem much more on edge then I thought you'd be."

Jacob looked at his father. Billy's astute observation had been correct. He decided to confide in his father, even if Billy told him he was being a lovesick idiot. "I know this sounds stupid, but I can't shake the feeling that something is wrong."

Billy didn't tease him as he expected. Instead, he looked concerned. "How long have you been feeling this way?"

"Since they left on the plane." Jacob admitted, the same sick feeling began to churn in his gut. "I should have never let them leave."

"Then you need to go to them." Billy stated firmly.

"How come you are not telling me I'm being an idiot?" Jacob asked in surprise.

"I have learned you should always trust your gut instincts, Jake. You and Bella have a unique connection. I have always thought that. If you feel she is in some kind of danger, then you need to go to her."

"Where will I get the money for the flight?" Jacob asked in despair.

Billy told him to wait a moment. He left the room for a few moments before returning with something clutched in his closed fist. Jacob looked at his father curiously as Billy bid him to open his hand. Jacob held his palm open as Billy dropped some rings into his hand. There were two gold wedding bands and his mom's engagement ring.

"Dad, no I can't! This is your wedding ring and mom's, too." Jacob stared at him sadly.

Billy closed his fingers over them. "None of that is important. These are the only things that I have that hold any value. Your mom would have wanted you to use them if you needed the money. Take them to old Jed, he'll give you a good price."

Jacob didn't want to pawn them, but he felt he had no choice. He leaned down and hugged Billy. "Thank you." He didn't know what else to say.

"Go and get the money, son. I'll arrange a flight while you are gone. You should try and ring Bella first, though. Tell her you are coming out there." Billy advised him.

"Okay." Jacob hurriedly left the house. He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and scrolled down to find Bella's number. He hit the call button and waited while it rang. It eventually went to voice mail. He cursed under his breath as he tried a few more times. Each time it went to her voice mail. He gave up and headed for his truck, he needed to get the money as quickly as possible. The sooner he was on a plane the better.

Bella stared at her ex-husband, not quite believing that he was there. He looked the same. His thick, bronze hair was styled in the same way, his white skin made his eyes stand out, they were underscored with dark circles, which instinctively told her he hadn't hunted recently. He was dressed in sober, but expensive clothing.

"Are you ever going to speak, love?" Edward asked her again; he took a step toward her but she retreated from him. "What's wrong?"

Renee looked between them; she felt deflated now that her surprise seemed to have fallen flat. She had thought that her daughter would have been ecstatic to see Edward again. When they had both stayed with her in the past, Bella had raved about how much she loved him. The unexpected pregnancy must have caused a rift, but surely, they could reconnect. "Well baby girl, I'll leave you two alone to talk." She quickly fled the room.

Edward watched her go and then turned his attention back to Bella. He gave her a gentle smile. "I know that my being here is a surprise, but I've missed you. I couldn't stay away. I found out from Alice that you had been staying with your mother. When I got here, she told me you were away visiting Charlie and that you would be back today. She kindly let me stay over until you returned. She has a good heart, just like you."

Bella swallowed nervously. She just wanted to grab Ethan and run for her life, but she was trapped. She had little money and no way of getting home until she earned enough to pay for return tickets. Bella longed for Jacob; she should have listened to him. She stared at Edward fearfully, wondering what the hell she was going to do now.

A/N-thanks for reading!