Chapter 35
As usual, Narrated by Shelly Cope.
A/N: Sorry for the delay in updating. I've not been able to access my fanfic account. Thankfully, it is now sorted out.
~T ~
After Izzy lefthigh school that Saturday, everything Chelsea had planned played out as she knew it would.
Teddy tried to pass Chelsea to get to his Izzy, but Chelsea stood in his way. As he gently tried to get past her, she dramatically threw herself over, making it look like he had pushed her. A cheerleader recorded it on her phone as one of the football team members hit Teddy for pushing Chelsea. As Emmett and Riley walked into the classroom, it was total mayhem.
As instructed, Teddy left the classroom and called his dad. Carlisle was worried about Izzy because he didn't know where these kids could have taken her. Most of them were known for being in gangs from the trailer park—especially the boy on the motorbike.
Thankfully, Teddy and Carlisle found Izzy at the Chesney's after driving around Forks. It took some persuading Ben to let them see Izzy. He was weary of Teddy's intentions. Charlotte sat next to Izzy, holding her hand. AJ was even more protective.
Riley and Emmett called Mr. Molina on Saturdayto explain what had happened. Mr. Molina had been trying to figure out a way out of this disaster all weekend, going over different solutions. For the first time in Forks High School's history, Mr. Molina was fearful some of the pupils may not be eligible to graduate.
By Monday morning, Mr. Molina desperatelycontacted the school board for legal advice, telling them he wanted Chelsea gone. However, an emergency meeting wasn't an option because two board members were on Christmas cruises. Mr. Molina was advised to suspend Chelsea until they could convene the entire board after the Christmas break.
Monday morning at school was quiet. Word had gone around the town about what had happened. Chelsea was officially told that she was suspended from her job. At the request of some of the parents, the Chief arrested her. It wasn't clear if she had been inappropriate with any of her students, but their parents blamed her for their children's suspensions.
Some parents were shocked that their child was no longer playing on the football team or a part of the cheer squad. They were told how their children were failing in many subjects. They had done no work in art at all. It was explained to them how, on Saturday, the school had arranged for their children to attend a seminar by a professional artist to help them. Many parents were outraged at their children's part in treating Izzy so badly. Izzy had refused to teach them the practical they needed to graduate.
Other parents were not aware that their children were indeed failing. No letters had reached them.
They had been told how some of the students had somehow persuaded some of the other pupils to complete their homework. Some had not done any reading in English; the book reports were done by other students. They had to read Henry V by Shakespeare and "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck.
After a pop quiz, it became apparent that they had no idea how to do algebra, which was needed to graduate.
The parents were now frantic about getting a second chance for their children, trying to plan how their child could catch up with the English, math, and art lessons so that they could complete the work in time to graduate.
Mr. Molina was outraged when Emmett told him how, in desperation, some of the studentshad contacted a teacher from Port Angles High School for help with their art lessons.
Their parents had come to school several times for meetings with Chelsea. They never got any help from her, so they paid the other teacher. One student wanted to attend an art college after high school. How could she apply if she had failed her art classes?
Mr. Molina had persuaded the retired art teacher to return to teach the senior art class part-time. Izzy agreed to help the senior students with their practical work or start them in the right direction.
Ben's dad was relieved when Ben told him he wanted to practice criminal law, which he had studied in school. On Monday, Ben found an office space. He made flyers and put an ad in the newspaper announcing that he was now openfor business. His first client was Samantha Richardson.
Chief Mark was worried about AJ's increased presence in town and brought him in for questioning. AJ saidhe had been helping Phil and Izzy. But the Chief was concerned that AJ was befriending them to steal from them.
Royce King had been let go from the police department and was currently held on remand, having charges brought on him for several crimes, which included the suspicious death of two of his partners while on duty.
However, Tyler was back in Forks but strictly on desk duty until further notice unless he wanted to resign. He said he had always wanted to be in law enforcement and had asked for a second chance.
~T ~
Izzy
Izzy was in the kindergarten class, having just finished the art lesson. Every child made their parents a Christmas card. Tanya looked on in amazement at how Izzy had the children make a painted handprint and turn the handprint into a reindeer.
"Everyone sit on the carpet and get ready for Miss Izzy to read a story," Tanya said.
The children shuffled on the carpet until they were comfortable.
"Are you all going to see the Christmas lights turned on tonight?" Izzy asked.
"Yes," everyone yelled.
"My mommy and daddy bought a tree and everything that goes on it. They also bought some nice lights and things to make our house look pretty. They own the town. That makes me an important person," Lola Newton yelled out.
"Lola, your parents don't own the town. Your daddy is the mayor, and he is a servant to the people in this town. That doesn't make them the owners of the town," Izzy answered.
"Well, my mommy and daddy said that you ran away because no one liked you, not even your mommy," Lola smirked.
Izzy looked up to see Tanya standing near her.
"Lola, could you come and sit in the back near me? You have broken the classroom rules. You are not to hurt people's feelings," Tanya said.
"Now, shall we read this story I found about a Christmas Tree," Izzy smiled as she asked.
"Yes," all the children yelled.
"The little Christmas tree hates having sharp needles. He wanted soft leaves like the rest of the trees in the forest….," Began Izzy.
"She's so good with the kids. Do you think she will ever have any of her own?" Tanya asked.
"No, I don't think so. Izzy can't stand anyone touching her. I haven't seen it, but I believe her body is scarred," Angela replied.
"I always imagined her with Teddy. They were so close. She always told him she loved him when he was getting picked on," Tanya offered.
"I think Teddy is hoping the same. He can't help himself from making stupid mistakes. He needs to grow up and stop getting himself in stupid situations," Angela answered.
"That's because his parents spoiled him. Even now, I think they overindulge him," Tanya added.
~T ~
Izzy accepted Teddy's invitation to see the Christmas lights turned on. She wondered if they had a celebrity like they did in New York. Izzy had seen Jackson Rathbone last year turning lights on at Rockefeller Center. She knew the tree would be nothing like that, especially if Jess had anything to do with its decorations.
~T ~
"There's not many people here. It just seems to be the little kids and their parents," Leah said.
"We don't usually have a tree. This is the first time in my knowledge," Beau offered.
"Can you remember when we were in kindergarten, when Jess would say her family owned this town? Now Lola says the same thing. I suppose they do now," Izzy chuckled.
"What makes you say that honey?" Esme asked.
"Well, the Stanleys own the franchise to the bank. Mike is the mayor and holds all the power, from public finances to building permissions, which puts the people at his mercy. Jess owns all the shops on High street. The tenants have to pay her rent," Izzy said, shrugging.
"Who told you that Jess owns those shops?" Alice asked.
"Well, Angie did. Ben wanted to enquire about an office space and finished speaking with her. The bank put a foreclosure order on the buildings, and Jess brought them for a lower price than they were worth," Izzy replied.
"The FBI is already looking into misappropriation of funds at the bank. It won't be long before they look into the mayor's office," Jasper added.
"How do you think they could afford to pay for all this? That tree, lights, and decorations are supposed to have cost them $2,000," Emmett ranted.
"They will surely have to show where they got the money from for all this and all the gifts for the kids in the elementary school," Izzy replied.
"I can't wait until the FBI finishes investigating the finances. They are so stupid to say they have bought everything," Esme added.
"Mike said he bought the tree as the mayor of Forks. That means he used public funds for all of this," Alice offered.
"Talk is big until they have been proven of telling lies," Leah added.
Izzy smiled at Leah. Izzy asked, "Who will turn on the lights?"
"Santa," Bella and Matty yelled together.
"That will be interesting; Mike won't be able to resist being the center of attention," Teddy answered.
"Lord above, Jessica is going to give a speech," Carlisle said.
"Welcome, and thank you for coming tonight, ladies and gentlemen and children. I'm glad Mike and I could buy you all these lovely things for our Forks residents," Jess said. "Everyone, yell for Santa to come and turn on the lights."
Only the younger children yelled, while all the adults were taken aback by Jessica calling the people of Forks their residents.
Mike came on the stage, yelling, "Ho! Ho! Ho! How are you, everyone? Are you ready for the lights to go on?"
Once again, it was only the tiny children who shouted out.
"He looks ridiculous. How does he think he could pass for a Santa," Rose laughed.
"After three, Santa will turn on the lights. One, Two, Three," Jessica said.
Mike pushed down a plunger, and the lights came on after a minute's delay. Izzy gasped as she looked at the tree. What she saw wasn't the tree and decorations she had ordered. Maybe they had sent the wrong tree and decorations. This tree and decorations looked to have cost much less than what she had paid.
"Well, that's a little disappointing. I thought that the tree would be bigger and fuller. It's so tacky," Alice offered.
"They must have returned the tree and decorations and exchanged them for cheaper versions. Could they do that?" Seth whispered to Izzy.
"I don't know, but I will call tomorrow. If I don't get a reasonable explanation, I'll call Marcus," Izzy whispered.
"Shit, the Newtons are coming this way," Jasper groaned.
"Oh, what have we got here? Is that you smella? I thought you'd never come back to Forks. After all, no one wants you here," Jess smirked.
"I heard you got married as soon as you left high school. Did I hear right that Lola was born five months later? How many children do you have now?" Izzy said.
"What's it to you? At least we can have kids. I hear you don't like being touched," Jessica sneered. "At least we don't have to sponge off our parents. We make our own money. You don't even have a job."
"Lady, I don't know what your problem is. But my sister doesn't sponge off anyone. She works and earns all her own money. She has a fantastic job. You have no idea," Seth replied.
"Jess, we've told you not to bother with her. She's not worth your breath. She's just jealous of your beauty and the fact we have money, and they don't," Mike gloated.
"That mutt needs to be on a leash," Jess sneered, pointing down to Bobby, who was growling.
"Ho! Ho! Ho! I'm Santa. What do you want for Christmas," Mike asked the youngest Cullens.
"You're not Santa. Your beard is not real, and you don't have a belly that wobbles like Jelly," Sammy added.
"Oh, but I am little girl. Ho! Ho!, Ho!" Mike replied. "Would you like to have one of my candies?"
"You're not Santa. Mommy and Daddy said we shouldn't take candy from strangers," Gabby added.
A chorus of stranger danger could be heard from every child near the Cullens.
"Stranger, stranger danger, stranger danger," Gracy screamed. She proceeds to kick Mike's shin.
"You little brat," Mike groaned.
It happened so quickly. Mike raised his hand to slap Gracy as Bobby sunk his teeth into Mike's leg.
"That dog is going to get destroyed. It just attacked Mike," Jessica yelled.
"He was protecting the kids. We have it recorded on our phones," Gemma answered.
"I've taken pictures of you raising your hand after she kicked you," Leah added.
"What's going on here," Chief Mark asked.
"That dog has just bitten the mayor. It's vicious and threatens everyone in town," Jess screamed.
"He only bit him because Mike was going to hit Gabby," Carlisle replied.
"We have it on video and took pictures as we were covering the event for the school paper," Leah offered as she took Izzy's hand. Izzy's other hand was running through Bobby's fur.
"You all need to come down to the station tomorrow. You guys after school," Mark advised.
"If you don't mind, Teddy, I'm going to get going," Izzy whispered.
"I'll come with you. Seth, Beau, are you coming or staying," Teddy asked.
"We're coming," Beau answered as he slipped his hand into Izzy's, gently squeezing it before dropping it.
~T ~
The following day, Izzy spoke to the company that had supplied the tree and decorations to make a complaint. She was told that she had contacted them to change the order to a smaller tree with lights, but they wanted garlands and decorations to put outside her house. She informed them they would be hearing from her lawyers.
Izzy then called Marcus after exchanging pleasantries. Izzy told him how Bobby bit the mayor and why he did that, then explained how the mayor is a complete tool. After Marcus stopped laughing, he reassured her that she had nothing to worry about and that no one could beat him in court if that was what they wanted to do. He was also going to get Jamie, his adopted son, to investigate the Christmas World situation and how the Newtons changed an order, considering it was a donation. She promised to visit over Christmas while she was back in New York.
Izzy became nervous as she was about to be Forks' first-ever Secret Santa, with the help of Leah, Seth, and Beau.
She had been collecting, making, buying, and baking goods ready to deliver under the cloak of darkness. They delivered sacks of cat and dog food to the animal rescue shelter, toys for the children who would be in hospital on Christmas day, clothes and toiletries to the women's shelter, twenty-five food packages to residents of Forks, clothes for three other families, and money for six other families, and baked goods to many of the elderly residents.
~T ~
"Teddy, you haven't forgotten that you promised to help me this afternoon, have you? I've cleared it with your boss," Izzy yelled across the road as Teddy got into his car.
"I haven't forgotten, but there must be someone else who could be your Santa for the elementary school," Teddy grumbled.
"I need someone who isn't known to the kids," Izzy giggled.
"What are you making him do now?" Phil asked, chuckling.
"We need someone to be Santa at the Elementary school. I've even made the costume," Izzy answered.
"You have. Have you now? You used to love Christmas. I remember you going door to door singing carols and giving people cookies you had made. Most kids sang at the door and expected money. You never asked for anything," Phil said.
"How's Jane doing," Izzy asked.
"It's getting towards the end, I think. She sleeps more. When she wakes, she cries for her mom," Phil sighed. "Dementia is a horrible condition."
"You will have to take time out for yourself. This must be hard on you," Izzy replied, squeezing his hand.
"I went to the Cullens last weekend for dinner. They told me about the light turning-on fiasco. I was looking at a picture while there," Phil began.
"Was it that one of all the family they have in the sitting room?" Izzy interrupted.
"No, it was one Esme had won. It's by that artist Phoenix, the one no one knows who she is. That picture looked so familiar. Or should I say the kids do?" Phil offered. "A young lady has returned to this town, and so many miracles have happened. I would love to thank her for the homemade cookies and the food parcel. I know Mrs. Jameson was in tears when she got the clothes for her children."
"I never heard about that," Izzy replied with a blush.
"I thought you might not have. Shall I see you before you return to New York for the holidays," Phil asked.
"Yes, we will pop in," Izzy smiled.
Izzy had an awful feeling that Phil was onto her. There was no way he could know she was Phoenix. She had been so careful.
~T ~
It was the elementary school's Christmas party. They would do activities and games in year groups, and the parents donated food.
"Teddy, just keep still," Izzy demanded as she tried to help him prepare.
"But why the hell do I need to wear a strap on pregnancy belly," Teddy groaned.
"I would say to teach you about sleeping around. But it's for effect, his belly wobbling like jelly," Izzy smirked.
"Very funny. You know I'm not like that anymore. I told you everything when we went to dinner last week," Teddy sighed.
"Now sit down. I must stick on your beard and eyebrows," Izzy instructed.
"Stick on with what? It better come off. I'm not walking around looking like an old man," Teddy gasped.
"No, it's what they use in the theater. I got it from the high school," Izzy replied.
"You're taking this very seriously. I mean, you are going all out with the details," Teddy surmised.
"Well, yes, after the turn on the lights debacle, I don't want the kids to lose the magic," Izzy said as she finished putting his eyebrow on, and pushing a wig of white hair on his head.
"Are you guys ready? We are starting in the kindergarten. They have almost finished eating," April asked.
"Yes, he's ready," Izzy answered.
"If I didn't know better, I would say you were the real deal, Teddy," April said.
"Well, look who I found walking down the corridor. Santa heard about your party and wanted to come and give all the good girls and boys a small gift," April announced to the kindergarten classes.
As Teddy walked into the classroom, he was met with a chorus of "Santa" and a rush of kids approaching him.
"Now, everyone, sit on the carpet. I will tell you a story about my reindeer, Rudolf. If you are good and quiet, I have a gift for everyone here," Teddy instructed.
"He looks like the real deal. Where did you find that costume?" Tanya whispered.
"I made it. I got some things from the thrift store and made it from those," Izzy offered.
"He is going to make a good dad one day," Tanya smiled.
"Yes, he's good with his nephew and nieces. But if he does have children, it won't be with me. I'll never be able to have a relationship like that," Izzy answered.
"Of course, you will get married and have a family. Why would you think you wouldn't," Tanya puzzled.
"Because I'm damaged goods," Izzy replied.
Tanya squeezed Izzy's hand, trying to hold back the tears. She never spoke again.
~T ~
"Izzy, are you okay? You've been so quiet since you got home?" Beau asked.
"Yes, honey. I have a bit of a headache," Izzy answered.
"Izzy, your phone is ringing. It's Charlie," Seth yelled as he ran down the stairs.
"Oh, great, what is he going to be pissed about this time?" Izzy groaned.
"Hi, Dad."
"How has your day been?" Charlie asked.
"It was good. I dressed Teddy up, and he played Santa at the elementary school. I got pictures I'll show you when I come on the weekend."
"That sounds fun for the kids. Were there gifts for them, or was it just a social visit?"
"Of course, Santa wouldn't visit without bringing gifts." Izzy chuckled.
"Izzy, we're going to Walmart for the last Christmas shopping before returning to New York. Do you need anything?" Leah asked.
"No, I'll be going over the weekend before we leave. Don't forget your emergency credit card," Izzy replied.
"Credit card, what credit card? Izzy, have you been spending all your money? I know you have been buying things for people in that town. Buying someone a diner. Who does that?" Charlie began to rant.
"The kids have their card with their allowance from the grandparents and what Sue gives them. I've given them a card just in case there is an emergency. They are good kids. Besides that, I can spend the money I earn however I want. I haven't touched the Phoenix account, but Marcus has invested some of it. This is from my Izzy Inkpen account. I've just made some investments as well. Are you going to say something about that as well? Some of the things can be written off so I've been told. Look, Dad, I can't do this right now. Please don't continue with it, or else I'll put the kids on a plane and spend Christmas here," Izzy said as she hung up the phone.
She slipped down the wall, crying quietly into her hands, thinking about how her life was still not her own. Since she was taken, everyone has dictated what she does. It was going to have to stop. She couldn't do it anymore. She ignored the phone as itbegan to ring again.
Thanks, as always, to my dear friend Kellie (Klcivinski), my pre-reading
Also, thank you to Donna (EdwardsFirstKiss) for editing the chapter. I Love you both.
Any mistakes are mine.