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Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

Chapter Twenty-One-Going Home

Bella put the phone down and sank onto the small bed in exhaustion. She had managed to wangle the only spare ticket that was available on their flight back to Washington State. They had all woken up in the early hours of the morning to find Renee huddled on the bed crying. Her histrionics were disturbing Ethan. All she kept repeating was that he was not human, over, and over on a loop. It was driving them all crazy.

"We can't leave her like this." Bella had whispered to Jacob. "With Phil gone we need to take her back with us."

Jacob had growled in frustration. "And where are we supposed to get the money from to pay for another ticket?"

"She can pay for herself." Bella put a calming hand on his arm. "I know that she has some credit cards. If we can get back into her house and find them, get her passport, and pack her some clothes, she can come with us."

"They may not even have a spare seat on the plane, honey." Jacob had pointed out. "Add the fact that your mom's street is still a crime scene. I called the cops, remember."

Bella frowned, feeling guilty that she had forgotten all about Mr Crabbs. However, there was nothing she could do about him now. Her main concern was her mother. If they left Renee behind there was no telling what she might divulge to the police or anyone. "I'm sorry, Jake. I just don't see any other way."

Jacob ran his fingers through his hair. "I know you're right, Bells. I'm just tired, that's all."

Bella had given him a sympathetic smile; they were all exhausted and worn down.

In the end Jacob had gone by himself back to Renee's house. It was much easier for him to slip inside without being noticed. His enhanced senses would give him pre-warning if any police were about. Luckily, he came back having experienced no trouble. He told Bella that Mr Crabbs' house had been cordoned off with yellow tape and there was a lone cop standing guard outside. Other than that he had encountered no-one. He had brought back clothes for Renee, her passport and credit cards. This enabled Bella to phone the airline about getting another ticket for her mother.

The plane ride back seemed to take forever. Bella was forced to sit with Renee, her mother was still very tearful and panicky. She would fall into an uneasy doze. then wake up crying her eyes out and muttering to herself. Jacob took care of Ethan, he often glanced over at Bella, who was sitting three rows down from him. He would flasg her a reassuring smile and she would try to return it. They were all on the point of physical collapse and the added burden of Renee was just making everything that much harder.

It was with relief that the plane touched down at the airport. Jacob gave Ethan to Bella while he carried the luggage out of the terminal. Renee clung onto her daughter's arm as she stared wide eyed at all the passers-by. If anyone came too close, she would flinch and let out a small scream. Bella was getting increasingly annoyed with her, but there was little she could do while they were in a crowd.

True to their word, the pack were waiting for them at the airport. Embry and Quil immediately surrounded them, the others hovering nearby. They were all surprised to see Renee with Jacob and Bella, but refrained from saying anything. To Jacob's surprise, Sam and Leah were with them.

"When did you get back?" Jacob asked his former Alpha.

"Last night." Sam told him. "I managed to track Lee down; we had a long talk and she agreed to come back with me."

"So, you're together now?"

Sam shook his head. "Not yet. She is finding it hard to trust me. She wants time and I'm going to wait as long as she wants."

Jacob nodded. "Did the others tell you about Emily?"

"Yes." Sam took some of the cases from Jacob. He glanced over at Renee. "I see you've had a lot of trouble yourself. I'm sorry I took off and left you to deal with everything."

"It doesn't matter now." Jacob said dismissively. "I just need to get home. I'll fill you all in later about what went down."

Sam patted him on the shoulder to show solidarity. They made their way out of the airport as a group. Renee seemed bewildered as she stared around at the tall, muscular young men that had met them as they got off the plane. Bella was glad that her mother was occupied staring at the pack, it seemed to have stopped her freaking out. The sun was out when they emerged and Jacob was shocked to see his truck parked outside.

"I thought you sold it?" He asked Embry in confusion.

Embry smirked. "I did."

"Then how come it's here?" Jacob demanded.

"I bought it back from the dealer." Sam said simply.

"Why would you do that?" Jacob felt confused.

"Because I owed you." Sam gave him a half smile. "And you have a growing family. You need the truck to get around."

"I can't accept this." Jacob shook his head adamantly.

"Oh, shut up." Leah snapped at Jacob, although the smile on her face belied her harsh words. "It's the least he could do. If you must, pay him back later. But Sam's right, you need wheels, you have a family to think of now."

Bella smiled at Leah's words, even Jacob managed a grin. "I will pay you back." He promised Sam.

"Fine, if that makes you feel better. Now get in the truck and I'll drive you all back, the others will join us later."

Jacob gave him a grateful smile as he loaded the cases in the truck and then helped Bella and Ethan into the back seat along with Renee. He sat up front with Sam. The others waited until Sam pulled away, waving them off before beginning their own journey back to La Push.

Sam dropped Bella, Renee, and Ethan off at the Swan house. Bella didn't know where else Renee could stay, and she had to make sure to keep an eye on her mother for the foreseeable future in case Renee started blabbing about what had happened to the wrong person. Jacob wanted to stay too, but Bella knew he needed time to rest, speak to his dad and the rest of the pack. Sam offered to phase and stay nearby to keep watch on the house until Jacob was ready to return.

Reluctantly Jacob agreed. He pulled Bella to one side, out of earshot of everyone else. "Will you be alright while I'm gone?" He checked, cupping her face in his warm hands.

"I'll be fine, Jake. I promise to stay inside and Sam's here to keep watch. Don't worry about me, you need to concentrate on yourself." Bella stood on her tiptoes and kissed him gently on the mouth. It felt like forever since they had any time to be alone properly.

"Okay. I'll be as quick as I can." Jacob kissed her deeply again, leaving her breathless as he climbed back into the truck and started the engine. Bella rejoined Sam, Ethan and Renee and waved him off as he drove toward La Push.

Sam handed Ethan back to Bella. "I'll be nearby." He told her quietly.

"Thank you, Sam. I really appreciate it." Bella gave him a grateful smile.

"No problem." Sam quickly ran off, disappearing into the trees surrounding the Swan house.

"Where is that man going?" Renee asked, her voice shaking as she spoke.

"For a walk. Come inside, Mom." Bella took Renee's arm while balancing Ethan on her hip as she led the way into the house.

Billy was relieved when he saw his son walk through the door. He could see how exhausted he looked, there were dark circles under Jacob's eyes and he didn't seem his usual self. "I'm glad you're back. Bella and Ethan with you?"

"No, they're at Charlie's." Jacob sat down on the couch and rested his hands on his knees.

"Why are they there?" Billy asked.

"I had no choice. Renee is with Bella. She is in quite a state, we had to bring her back with us." Jacob revealed.

Billy rolled his chair closer to his son. "What the hell happened up there?"

Jacob sighed as he looked at his father. "I killed Edward Cullen." He confessed dully.

Billy's eyes opened wide. He sat in stunned silence as Jacob told him the whole sorry tale.

Bella lay Ethan down in his travel cot. She had fed and changed him and he was now falling asleep. She stroked his head softly. "You are my special boy." She praised him.

Ethan opened his eyes briefly and yawned before going back to sleep. Bella watched him for a moment before leaving the room and closing the door quietly behind her. Now she had to deal with her mother. Renee seemed to be in a daze. She had stopped muttering thankfully but she was like a bundle of nerves, jumping and letting out little shrieks at every small noise. She was still in the living room where Bella had left her.

Bella settled down opposite her mother and took her hands, rubbing them gently to infuse some warmth. "Talk to me, Mom."

Renee's eyes glazed over; she focused on Bella's hands holding her own. "He's not human." Her voice quavered.

Bella knew it was pointless denying any of this to Renee, she had seen too much. "No, Edward was not human."

"Was?" Renee finally lifted her head and stared at Bella in fear.

"He's dead, Mom." Bella gripped Renee's hands tightly in case she had another panic attack.

"Dead? Oh, thank God, thank God!" Renee began to cry again.

Bella sighed and shifted closer to her mother. "He can't hurt anyone anymore."

Renee cried for quite a while before she managed to regain some kind of composure. "What was he then, if he wasn't human?" She whispered hoarsely.

Bella flinched; this was going to be the hardest part. "Edward was a... was a... vampire."

"Vampire? That's impossible! They don't exist." Renee shook her head in denial.

"They do here. Mom. There are more things going on in this world then you know." Bella told her.

"But you...no he came to visit us during the day. Vampires only come out at night." Renee stated firmly.

"No, that's not true. You're remembering what you've seen on the T.V or films. Real vampires can go about during the day, if it's overcast and not sunny. That's why when Edward was in your house, he had the curtains drawn and never went outside until the sun set, remember?" Bella reminded her.

"He didn't have allergies then?" Renee felt stupefied. Her daughter had dated a freaking vampire. She stared at Bella as if she had never seen her before. "You knew this whole time what Edward was?"

"Yes."

"Does Jake know?"

"Yes."

"Does Charlie?" Renee's eyes narrowed as she looked at her daughter.

"No. Dad knows nothing about Edward. If he did, he would have made sure to keep him away from me in the beginning." Bella said firmly.

"This is all too much to take in, baby girl. My head hurts." Renee whined.

"I know and I'm sorry you have got dragged into my mess." Bella apologised. "But, Mom, you have to promise to keep this all to yourself. Other lives could be placed in danger if you say anything to anyone. Do you understand?"

Renee pulled her hands out of Bella's. "I need to lie down." She mumbled.

"Promise me, Mom." Bella demanded again.

Renee stood up and put one hand behind her back, crossing her fingers. "I promise, alright."

"Okay. Use my bed. I'll cook and wake you up when the food is ready." Bella gave her a tremulous smile.

Renee did not return it. She quickly fled up the stairs and shut herself in Bella's room. She couldn't believe what her daughter had just confessed. As soon as Charlie got home, she was going to tell him exactly what had happened and demand some answers.

A/N-thanks for reading!