She's Getting Good

AN: It's time for some movement…LMK what you guys think! I can't wait for you to read the next chapter!

Carlisle sat in the dim lights of the twenty-four-hour cafe as he listened to Charlie go on about his struggles on staying sober. He was usually a very patient and kindhearted man, but the more Charlie went on, the harder Carlisle tried to stay in control.

"And I'm telling you, this girl she's been hanging out with is a bad influence. Ro, Rosita or something. All of a sudden Bella is causing problems. She's never spoken to an adult like she did to me on Tuesday!"

He huffed as Carlisle gritted his teeth, extra aware of his fangs and of the promise he made to never take a life.

Charlie took a heavy sip of his coffee. "I'm doing the work. I'm getting sober. I'm trying to be her father. I've always tried to be her father." Charlie snorted and Carlisle watched as something dark settled behind his eyes.

Carlisle stayed quiet and let the man say whatever dark thought had just passed. Carlisle needed to know. He wished more than anything that Edythe was here.

"You know from day one, Renee has tried to gaslight me into believing Bella's not even mine?" Carlisle's jaw dropped as Charlie continued. "Renee wouldn't let me sign the birth certificate and she was always throwing digs like 'if genes have a say we know she won't be like you'."

Charlie scoffed and gripped his mug tighter. "I tried to step up and be a father, you know, this bitch, she called me while I had Bella for her 10th birthday. I was sober. Had been for three months. The plan was to get Bella here and then sue Renee for custody. She fucking called and straight up told me that she didn't even know if I was the father. I know she's mine, she has my eyes. But imagine how I felt having that in my head the whole time? And now Bella is just making it harder to stay sober. And I'm doing it for her."

Then tension was tangible. Carlisle could pick up the butter knife next to him and cut into the air it was so thick. The man claimed to be the father yet in the same breath he blamed his problems on everyone else. Bella especially.

At this very moment, Carlisle could see Bella's eyes on this man. And it sickened him to his core. Bella had kind eyes; on this man they looked demented.

As far as Carlisle was concerned, none of the adults in Bella's life had deserved her. Up until now that is.

"Let me get this straight, Charlie." Carlisle licked his lips to swallow back his Venom. "You blame your daughter for your mistakes. You blame your ex-wife. You say she makes it harder for you to stay sober." He stopped to get his words right on this next part.

"And yet…you say that you're her father and that you're doing all this for her?"

Charlie swallowed deeply and sat up straight as if somewhere deep inside of him, he could feel the predator in Carlisle awaken.

Carlisle squared him up with a glare, uncaring of the fact that his eyes were now pitch black. He could hear the increase of Charlie's pulse and knew he needed to leave. Now.

He got out from the booth swiftly, leaving Charlie to sputter, but before he left, Carlisle hesitated, turned and leveled Charlie with another glare.

"Charlie…I know about addiction, believe me. I'm fighting it now." He paused, then, "Just know this, you are the reason that your life has turned out to be shit, and it is despite you, and Renee, that Bella is as beautiful as she is." He straightened his coat and ran a hand through his now unkempt hair. "If my daughter Rosalie even thinks you've done something to upset Bella, my family and I will rain hell down upon you. Now, if you don't mind, I don't think I'd like to do this again, Chief."

With that Carlisle stormed out of the cafe and didn't breathe until he was peeling out of the parking lot in his black Mercedes. He called Esme on speed dial and waited for his mate's soothing voice to take over the line.

"Hello, my Love."

Carlisle smiled despite his mood. "Esme, we need a plan…"

A Week Later…

The first week of November was surprisingly sunny even though the temperature hovered around 46F. Bella would have enjoyed the strange sunshine if it weren't for the fact that the Cullens decided now was a good time for a 'camping trip' which just meant that they were going on an extended hunting trip.

Not everyone was leaving, Esme and, surprisingly, Jasper had decided to stay behind. Jasper wasn't going to school though, because of the sun, so Bella had resigned herself to a lonely week at school. That is until someone knocked on her door just before she was to leave Monday morning.

Under the cover of the porch shade, Jasper was able to hide from the morning light. His curly blond hair fell slightly in his eyes as he tilted his head down to look at her. His dimples popped through as he smiled at her and Bella could imagine the blue eyes he must have had in his human days.

He stood taller than Rosalie did in heels, so he probably stood over six feet, and if Bella had been straight, she could have easily been charmed by his looks. He was the male version of Rosalie in that way, even though she had no attraction to him romantically, she could see why Alice did.

He was dressed in blue jeans which were frayed at the bottoms where they met heavy black boots. He had on a black leather jacket that was zipped up tight, black leather gloves and a surprisingly vibrant golden-yellow scarf tucked neatly around his neck and into the front of his jacket. The only skin Bella could see was on his face.

"Ready to go?" He smirked as he held up two full face black motorcycle helmets. Then he pointed behind him to what was parked in the driveway; the bright yellow Ducati Bella had seen in the Cullens garage.

"No way!" Bella exclaimed excitedly as she threw her arms around him for a hug. She didn't think about her actions until she felt Jasper turn to stone. "Fuck, I'm so sorry-"

Jasper's arms awkwardly wrapped around her as he still held the helmets in his hands and prevented her from stepping back. Suddenly Bella's panic at overstepping a boundary melted away to a feeling of warm comfort.

He hugged her for a minute longer, sniffed the top of her head, then pulled back with an enormous grin. "That was easier than I thought it'd be."

Bella chuckled happily, unknowingly soaking up the pure joy that was seeping out of Jasper, she too was happy that she hadn't accidentally pushed to far, she knew he struggled the most with his thirst because of his power, but maybe it was actually safer to be alone with Jasper, so he wasn't shouldering the burden of his family's thirst as well.

They looked at each other at the exact same moment as if the thought had hit both of them at the same time.

"Not even tempted?" Bella grinned conspiringly.

Jasper dipped his head down and when he looked back up his eyes were still a bright gold that could rival sunlight. "Interesting, innit?"

His southern accent sounded smooth and charming, making Bella think of the way she could hear the New York accent in Rosalie's voice when she was especially worked up. Rosalie was excellent at hiding it, but lately Bella had caught her slipping and it made Bella want to know more about her.

"Thinking about your Rosalie?"

Bella snapped back to reality and blushed as she processed his words. Then, she answered unabashedly, "Always. You know, I totally get why you guys are twins."

Jasper chuckled lowly as he took Bella's backpack and gave her one of the helmets. "You know…" He whispered slowly as if he were about to dish some serious tea, he paused to put his helmet on, his face shield still up. "Alice always said if she was gay…she'd have fallen in love with Rosalie."

Bella laughed like a maniac as he snapped his shield shut and walked over to his bike, his outfit hiding his vampiric glow from the sun. She was still laughing as she watched him put her back on his chest then proceeded to hop onto the bike and kick start it.

She walked over and took his offered hand to jump on the back, and as Jasper whipped the bike around in a quick but fast burn out, leaving tire marks in the driveway and leading out onto the street, she yelled above the roar of his motorcycle.

"THIS IS WHY SHE'S MY BEST FRIEND! OH fuc-"

Nothing else could be heard but the roar of Jasper's Ducati as he sped down the street.

Rosalie was in a deep state of relaxation as she laid out on a tree limb of one of the many old growth trees that laid deep in the Alaskan forest. She thought she'd be more anxious being so far away from her mate, but Bella was under Jasper and Esme's protection, and she felt good about that.

Her 'twin' was the best fighter in the Coven, and even though Esme wasn't as good, her mothering instinct in a fight made her quite a formidable fighter in her own right. They had sworn to Rose that all would be well.

Her belly was full of moose blood, and she was enjoying watching the snow fall through the massive trees. It made her think of Bella's naturally pale skin and how soft it was when she got the opportunity to touch. Maybe she could convince Bella to come away with her for a part of Christmas break. Thanksgiving break was out of the question as Esme had called dibs on that holiday.

Rosalie smiled as a snowflake danced down and landed on the tip of her nose where it didn't melt. Esme was so excited to give Bella a proper Thanksgiving. The turkey was already in the freezer, and she was already trying out recipes.

It'll be difficult to be gone for all of Christmas, everyone in the family was excited to introduce Bella to their traditions that it was almost ridiculous. Emmett wanted to take Bella sledding and build snow vampires. Alice couldn't wait to sit around with Bella in matching pajamas as they waited to open presents at midnight.

Edythe was already shopping around for Bella's gift, terrified that she could actually pick a gift that Bella didn't like or have need for seeing as she couldn't read Bella's mind. Jasper already claimed Bella for his team in the family snowball fight.

Esme and Carlisle had something planned but they were keeping it a secret and Edythe wasn't telling. Surely, she could make plans for them to escape, maybe the day after Christmas? Oh, or maybe she could plan around New Year's Eve. She had yet to really kiss Bella, the one in the car counted of course, but it did nothing to satisfy her craving for Bella. Could she wait that long though?

"You've waited 91 years, Rosalie, surely you can wait for another month and a half."

Edythe's voice floated up to her from the forest floor, so with a roll of her eyes Rosalie carelessly dropped from the tree only to land on her feet a few feet from her sister. Rosalie laughed as her landing dispersed the snow on the ground making it flurry up and cascade upon Edythe's unamused form.

"It's a lifetime, Edythe. I don't know how long I have until Bella starts wanting to be changed. Her human life could only be months."

Rosalie watched Edythe with a quirked-up eyebrow, half expecting her to launch into a tirade, but Edythe merely brushed herself free of snow and watched Rosalie in return.

"How…" Edythe mulled around for the right word. "...interesting."

"What? That you didn't throw a fit?" Rosalie shot back, unable to help herself.

Edythe shook her head as she casually leaned against the same tree Rosalie had been perched in. Then she gave Rosalie a serious look, one that meant Rosalie should hear her out.

Rosalie could have scoffed and ignored her, but since Edythe wasn't taking any of the bait Rosalie had thrown out, the blonde was curious.

"Well…go on, what is it that you find so interesting?" Rosalie asked after a prolonged silence.

"You used to mourn your human life so greatly, and spent your immortal one betraying a mask of who you thought you should be as if you were dead, and now…You've got plans for Bella. I can see it every time you're near me. And they're beautiful plans."

Edythe took a deep breath then smiled warmly at Rose. "Family holidays. New Year's in Alaska with the northern lights. You want to introduce her to the Denali's. You want to take her to New York in the fall and show her your family home. You want to take her to her first bar and see her drunk for the first time."

Edythe paused to laugh as though she were seeing diary pages right in front of her. Rosalie listened, astounded at how well Edythe had collected all of Rosalie's stray thoughts.

"You've thought about taking her to get a piercing or tattoo or smoke pot just for the sake of teenage rebellion because you want her to experience any and everything she can before you propose, before the wedding, and you want to be the one who gives her the immortal life."

"You forgot Paris." Rosalie added for the sake of clarity.

Edythe laughed again, "Right, how can I forget about your favorite hideaway overlooking the Seine and Eiffel Tower, and your plans for the Pont des Arts. She's truly brought you back to life, hasn't she?"

Rosalie sighed dreamily despite herself and looked at Edythe with a secret smile. "That's the whole point behind mates, isn't it? Finding the one who gives you life."

Bella sat Bio class next to an empty seat and even though she had been having a great time getting to know Jasper and having her diners in Esme's kitchen, she missed Rosalie deeply.

Jasper was fun. He made Bella feel at home, even on the back of a ducat racing down the streets at top speed. Every day when he picked Bella up from school, they went somewhere different.

Monday had been the bluffs. They sat there looking over the water, legs dangling over the sheer cliffs and they talked. He told her about his human life. How he was changed and who he was during the southern vampire wars.

He told her about his life after that. About how Alice found him and how they found the Cullens. He shared how hard his power made things and about his struggle with the animal diet.

On Tuesday they went to Port Angeles together and moseyed about a bookstore for hours. Jasper liked picking passages of different historical novels and pointing out what they got right and what they got wrong.

Yesterday they went straight to the Cullen house, and he tried to teach her chest. She wasn't bad, but she definitely wasn't a pro. It had been fun nonetheless and Esme had been happy to see the two of them lounging around the house.

Every night Esme cooked her dinner and though the woman couldn't taste what she served up, Bella could, and she'd never been happier. Esme's food was now Bella's favorite, and she could happily eat it for the rest of her life.

Bella sighed and looked out the window. That was another thing that played restlessly in the back of her mind. How much longer did she have as a human? Bella knew the laws, she knew she had some time because of the mate clause, as Rosalie liked to put it. Did she want to wait? But then again, what was she waiting for?

Bella was truly done with Charlie. He had come back from getting his chip super late, and she had thought she had smelt the stench of alcohol as he passed her door, but Bella hadn't been sure. However, he was back to ignoring her. When she came into a room, he'd glare at the floor and leave. When she got home late, he didn't say a word. When Jasper left the tire marks in the driveway, he didn't even bring it up.

Bella didn't know why, but it was a relief to see that nothing had truly changed. It didn't matter if Charlie was sober or blacked out drunk, he'd never be who she needed him to be. Renee barely ever crossed her mind, but it'd been that way since she sent Bella to Charlie's. As far as Bella was concerned, she was already dead to the woman.

It made it easier for Bella to think about letting this life go in favor of one with Rosalie. One with the Cullens. They all had welcomed Bella with open arms, and as far as Bella could tell, Carlisle and Esma were much better parents than her own.

A life with Rosalie came with its complications, but in Bella's mind the good outweighed the bad by a long shot.

"Bella? Bella!"

Bella blinked and looked up at Jessica and Angela in confusion. Then she looked at the room and found it half empty. "Oh, thanks guys." She blushed and rushed to put her things away.

"Thinking about Rosalie?" Angela giggled.

"Or maybe, Jasper? Seriously, what's going on there?" Jessica added, making Bella laugh at the notion.

"Yes, I was thinking about Rosalie." Bella stood and shouldered her bag. "And no, nothing's going on with Jasper, that's gross. He's just being a good brother. Things at home are…rocky, and he knows I'd rather be anywhere else than there, so…" Bella ended with a shrug.

Angela and Jessica look at her with concern. "I knew it! Charlie had a problem with you being gay doesn't he?" Angela growled out with a stomp of her foot.

"Or does he just not like that you're dating Rosalie?" Jessica added with wide eyes.

That wasn't exactly the problem, Bella knows this, but it was easier than the whole truth. "It's both really." Bella thought for a moment as she exited the classroom. Why was she still covering for him and his bad behavior?

Bella stopped in the middle of the hallway. Angela and Jessica halted at her side and waited. "To be honest, he's basically a functioning alcoholic who only starts paying attention to me when he's sober. And then he wants to try and act like a father, but he and Renee have never been parents to me. And then when I have something to say about it, he tries to blame it on Rosalie instead of his shitty parenting choices."

"But I'm an adult now and I don't have to be stuck there."

Angela and Jessica shared a wide eyed glance, then looked back at Bella. "Whoa."

"Uh Yeah whoa." Jessica said after Angela. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Bella shrugged and scuffed the toe of her converse into the tile. "He's never been a problem for anyone but himself…plus, I knew one day I'd just leave." Bella smiled despite the current mood. "I just wasn't expecting my courage to do so would show her as a blonde in six inch heels."

Angela and Jessica laugh too, but it's a bit sober, like laughing at a morbid joke. It's funny, but the situation is not. "You know, you can always come to us. I mean, we know how much the Cullens mean to you, and they obviously love you too, but still, if you need to, you can come to us."

Bella reached out and squeezed Angela's hand. "I really appreciate that guys, thank you."

The two nodded, then Jessica smirked. "So…is Rosalie a good kisser? I mean she looks like she'd be a good kisser.

Bella laughed and rolled her eyes as they exited through the main doors. Angela scoffed and hit Jessica's arm. "Why would you want to know that, Jess."

Jessica shrugged but her words were cut off by tires screeching into the parking lot. Bella's heart skipped a beat as she noticed that the sunshine had been replaced by thick cloud cover, and there was a red BMW coming to a halt at the bottom of the steps.

She didn't bother to say goodbye, she just started running down the steps two at a time. Rosalie had the top down, and was smirking at Bella with red lips as she watched her. Rosalie got up with her knee on the seat, reached over and threw the passenger door open for Bella.

Bella jumped in as Rosalie slid back down into place. Bella's breath was coming in heavy spurts as she looked the stunning blonde over. Rosalie looked good. So good.

"You're home early?" Bella grinned breathlessly.

Rosalie smirked and leaned over to press a kiss to Bella's cheek. "I missed you." She said in Bella's ear before pulling back. "Did you miss me?"

Bella sighed dreamingly. "You have no idea how much."

Rosalie laughed as she threw her car in drive and peeled out from the parking lot. As they raced through the streets, Roalie took Bella's hand and smiled warmly. "Bella…"

Bella looked at her curiously as they stopped at a stop light. "Yeah?"

Rosalie gives her a sly grin, raises their hands up and kisses the back of Bella's hand. "Run away with me."

Bella melts under the fire in Rosalie's golden eyes and she doesn't take even a second to think before she answers. "Yes."