Chapter 62

Chapter 62
EPOV

Since the moment we arrived in Forks I had wondered how in the world someone who was surrounded by so many people who loved her could have fallen prey to someone like James. Not that I’m ignorant of the fact that even women who have never been exposed to abuse or hardships in their childhood couldn’t find themselves in the same situation. There are all kinds of predators in the world leaving even the most self-assured person with strong family ties, vulnerable to their influence.

I had figured out the reason why no one helped her, she didn’t let them. Keeping all the terror and degradation to herself. Bella became a master magician at hiding all the misery from those who loved her, out of fear, shame or some warped sense of pride. She hid her scars behind half hearted smiles and isolation. Granted, I don’t know very much about the mental state of an abused woman, however since being with Bella, I have been given a crash course and, from what I can understand, that response is typical.

For all the issues that Bella has with her lack of confidence, she makes up for in stubbornness. That was evident the first time we had any play. That night on the couch when Leah and Jacob burst into the room, she had no instruction in control yet she refused to move her arms from where I placed them.

Pigheaded

In this cold cruel world we live in that trait can be very useful, it can also be twisted by someone who has ulterior motives and used as a weapon to exploit. That’s what James did. He preyed upon an innocent girl who had issues with herself and her surroundings and then took the one strength she had and utilized it against her.

I could see why Bella married so young, she was an outcast in a world of harmony. She lived in a small close knit community where everyone gathers around each other’s life achievements. They celebrate the good while gossiping about the bad. This is a world where generations of families subsist for the sole purpose of keeping their community intact. In doing that they shun the unfamiliar and that’s what Bella was.

She was a native, yet because she was removed from among everyone else Bella was all but forgotten. Her reemergence might have been a happier reunion had it not been for the circumstances. As a child who had just unexpectedly lost the one parent who she relied upon it would make sense that she would be standoffish. Had Bella arrived in the beginning of the school year or even a few months prior, perhaps things would have been different. She might have acclimated herself into the fold, made the normal alliances and become one with her environment.

Instead the school year ended and rather than place Bella where she would have been with other children from her class, her father sent her to the reservation with his friends to be cared for. I’m not second guessing that decision, even to me that seems like the best option; however it also enforced the divide between Bella and her classmates. She became even more of a pariah to those she went to school with. As she grew her natural instinct was to push them away to welcome in the people who she knew and who readily accepted her.

There would have been nothing wrong with that had Bella truly been completely accepted by those whom she associated with. To the outward eye she had been, Billy called her his own, Sue treats her like a daughter and everyone else at La Push thinks of her as belonging. However, even by her own admission there is a missing piece that keeps Bella at arm’s length; creating a chasm that could not be breached or overlooked.

The one time she violated the unseen gap turned into a disaster. She trusted that boy more than she would have trusted anyone who she had attended school with, making his betrayal a harsher sting. Jared- who I had yet to meet- did what every young boy does, exaggerated his conquest by bragging to his friends. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that this was also the time when Bella realized that she was HO-quaht , and therefore unworthy of the boy she was infatuated with. It’s not the boys fault, but something tells me that the events surrounding that summer did more to throw Bella openly into the arms of James than anything else.

Sue had commented that she knew something happened but she never inquired about any specifics from Bella. Even when she realized that Bella no longer spent time with Jared, showing that whatever happened must have been rather devastating. I don’t know that Bella would have opened up to Sue about the circumstance behind the breakup, but at least it would have told Bella that someone cared enough to have noticed her grief.

The worst part about the whole thing was Charlie’s reaction. I can’t blame him for the way he responded, no father wants to hear the words ‘daughter and condoms’ used in the same sentence. However, the incident occurred ten years ago and rather than take in the information with an open mind he lashed out in accusation.

Bella who was the victim was forced to defend herself, which that alone spoke volumes as to their father-daughter relationship. For all intents and purposes Bella was a parent’s wet dream. She cooked, cleaned, worked, got good grades, and behaved in public so what more could a father have asked for? Charlie is the kind of man who shelters his emotions, limiting outward signs of affection and with his simple body language discourages open communication.

Bella had once told me that she would not have forced Charlie to hear all the details about what occurred between her and James. At the time I didn’t understand why not. Charlie was a cop; he sees people at their very worst; surely for the sake of his daughter’s wellbeing he would have stepped up to the plate and given her the support she needed. After having witnessed their interaction I can see that Bella was right, I don’t think he could handle it in the supportive manner that would be required.

My fear is that at hearing the details his natural inclination would be to lash out at Bella. To inadvertently place blame, by making her feel ashamed, guilty, or humiliated about something she had no control over. Just as he had done upon learning of Jared’s mild transgression, how much more appalled would Charlie be to learn why she had no bathtub? Besides I don’t like to hear the details I could not imagine the anger and pain it would cause Charlie, especially since he can’t do anything about it.

Sitting in the small living room waiting for Bella to come back from the kitchen with her father, my eyes once again moved to the photos on the mantle. It was as if her life was written in pictures across the wooden surface. From her birth to a toothless girl in pigtails with a happy face and a mischievous glint in her eyes, Bella was happy. Then it appeared that the gleam was gone, replaced with the dullness of a girl with shallow cheeks and short brown hair. The teenage years took on a look of resignation, the feeble smile plastered to her face to hide the isolation.

Perhaps it was symbolic that the last photo was her wedding day. I found it odd that should be included in the collection. Maybe it was placed there all those years ago and never removed, or perhaps Charlie keeps it because it was the last day she was his little girl. Whatever the reason, my thoughts remained the same as when I held it in my hand.

The young girl staring back from behind the veil had a face of innocent youth with eyes of ancient solitude. Bella wanted what everyone wants, someone who she could rely on to be there for her completely, unconditionally and without any hesitation.

Irrational as it may be the other thing that went through my mind was a flash of jealousy at the thought of Bella walking down an isle towards another man. I squashed that feeling down as soon as I recognized it but the thought still remained. I don’t care how long ago it was or that we didn’t even know each other, the only person that I want her to find the happiness in life that she’s looking for is me.

Bella came out of the kitchen with a strange look on her face. Setting the two glasses of ice tea down on the table she took a hold of my hands. “Come on I’ll show you the rest of the house.”

Looking up into her eyes I tried to decipher what was the matter with her, and being unable to tell I stood letting her lead me to the stairs. Charlie came in from the kitchen with a small plate containing a piece of pie. Seeing us going upstairs he cleared his throat making Bella stop. “You see that those doors remain open, in fact, Leah why don’t go up with them and show Bella my new den?”

Leah didn’t respond but Bella groaned, “Dad.”

“UH…I’m not having any shenanigans going on.”

“What do you think we’re going to do up there?” Bella was appalled but I thought it was rather funny and had to work hard to suppress my laugh.

“Nothing with the door open and someone with you,” Charlie was unyielding and Leah rose to the appointment of chaperone. “I’ll go; I have to pee anyway and I want to see her reaction.”

“Ohhh… me too,” Seth followed his sister while Bella led the way upstairs.

The small square landing at the top of the stairs contained four open doors. Bella pointed to the left where Charlie and Sue’s room was along with the one bathroom. To the right was Seth’s room and then Bella pushed open the last door and nearly stumbled over her own feet as she stepped though the doorway.

“What the hell happened?” Bella’s voice was total astonishment while Seth laughed and Leah agreed with my assessment, “Hideous.”

“Oh my god Leah…our room,” Bella whined while taking in the sight before her.

It was an outdoorsman’s erotic dream come to life. Two lazy boy recliners faced the TV that sat angled in the corner in a black entertainment center. In the area between the two windows was a large gun cabinet with a smaller cabinet next to it containing fishing poles and gear. The wall themselves had some kind of shiny wood grain wallpaper covering them. For decorations there were all kinds of fishermen plaques with silly sayings ‘Fisherman hook the big ones’ and ‘Fisherman’s tales are bigger than their fronts.’ The most predominate things on the wall were Charlie’s mounted trophies, a large ten point buck and three gigantic fish.

“What is this stuff?” Bella asked touching the wall.

“Contact paper,” Leah said with a grin while Seth offered more information, “Wal-Mart was discontinuing it so Charlie bought it for fifty cents a roll,” his laughter broke on the last word and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Bella looked at me in astonishment, “This room used to be purple.”

“It still is,” Leah announced peeling back a small piece of the contact paper to reveal the purple paint underneath it. That was all it took for everyone to break out laughing while Seth pointed his finger up in the air, “Charlie wanted to go get more and do the ceiling.”

“Noooo?” Bella asked through her laugher as Seth held up his right hand, “I swear he did.”

“Where is all our stuff?”

“In the attic,” Seth answered Bella’s question while she looked around again.

“Well Edward, you are going to have to picture it.” Bella then went on to describe how the room used to be set up. After explaining that they had twinkle lights around the perimeter of the ceiling she looked back to me with a serious expression. “Honestly what did he think we were going to do in this room, there is a freaking Moose watching us.”

“Wait you haven’t seen the best part,” Seth walked over to open up the closet revealing an RC Cola soda machine. “Do you have a quarter?” he asked me holding out his hand in expectation.

Digging in my pocket I held out my hand with what was in there. Seth put the coin into the slot pressed the first square button bringing the machine to life. Bending over he pulled a can of beer out of the opening.

“Don’t drink that,” Charlie’s unexpected voice came from behind us while Seth assured him that he wouldn’t. Charlie looked to Bella with pure enjoyment on his face, “What do you think?”

“Umm…it’s you dad,” that was probably the nicest thing Bella could say.

The room was faux log cabin and definitely fit Charlie’s personality and I could tell he was proud of it. He looked to me for an opinion; I just smiled looking around the room and asked about the mounted fish. He launched into a tale of where he caught each one and even knew the dates and how long it took to reel them in. I had been deep sea fishing a few times and when I was little my grandfather Cullen use to take Emmett and I out in his boat on the lake. That was the extent of my fishing experience, but at least it gave us something in common to talk about. When I asked about the buck Charlie told me that he didn’t actually shoot that, he bought it at the same auction where he got the soda machine. He thought that it added to the authenticity of the lodge atmosphere he was trying to create.

“Alright Seth are you ready to go?” Charlie asked when we finished with our conversation.

“Yeah, just let me get something out of my room,” as Seth started walking out the door he turned to look at me and Bella. “Remind me that I want to ask you a favor.”

“You want me to remind you to ask me for a favor?” Seth looked at Bella with narrow eyes, “Yeah…” his eyes shifted to me. “Edward you’ll remind me, right?”

“I’ll try to remember.”

“Thanks,” he smiled.

Charlie shook his head while Bella asked if he knew what Seth wanted, “No clue Bells it could be anything.”

Seth was back in the doorway telling Charlie that he was ready to go. As Charlie was leaving he pushed the door all the way open giving Bella a pointed look, “That stays open.”

Bella told Seth that we would all yell loudly for him and the two of them left. Bella looked around the room again letting out a sigh. She still had a strange look on her face like something Charlie had said to her in the kitchen had upset her. Wrapping my arms around her shoulders I pulled her close to me.

“Did you have a nice talk with your dad?” I didn’t want to push but I didn’t want Bella to dwell on negative thoughts either.

She shrugged, “Yeah.”

That was it - Yeah?

Bella moved away from me to stand in front of the mirror that hung on the inside of the open closet door. She looked at herself for a second and then lifted her sweatshirt up off her head, turning sideways to look at herself again.

What the fuck is she doing?

Her hands rested on her stomach, slid down her hips and then rested on the fullness of her bottom. Shifting her eyes they met mine in the mirror where her whole face scrunched up. “Am I getting fat?”

“What?” I had no idea why she would think that.

“Charlie said I gained weight,” I couldn’t help but chuckle as my arms once again wrapped around her body while Bella continued to look repulsed.

“It’s not funny Edward!”

My eyes shot up in surprise at the outburst, while my tone took on a harsh edge. “Excuse me, was there a part about saying my name correctly you didn’t understand?”

“No Sir, your girl is sorry it’s just…”

I cut her off, “It’s just that your mouth spoke before your brain could stop it.”

Bella took the reprimand with lowered eyes; I however wanted her to understand what Charlie was talking about.

“Look in the mirror Isabella,” our gaze met. “You have gained weight,” her eyes narrowed and I went on to explain before she got the wrong idea, “but it’s a healthy weight. Your cheeks aren’t as shallow,” the back of my hand skimmed along her face. “Your breasts are fuller,” my hand skimmed down to cup the fullness. “Your bottom is a little rounder,” my other hand gave her cheek a squeeze. “Your eating habits have improved tremendously making you appear more fit than you were before. That is what Charlie was talking about, he meant it in a good way.”

“Then he should have said that,” her admission made me grin as my eyes looked around the –if I was being honest – gaudy room. “Somehow baby your father doesn’t strike me as being a very tactful man.”

Bella giggled trying to turn in my arms, however I had other things on my mind and I held her still while opening the top of her pants. My hand sneaked down between her skin and jeans to feel her wet heat. At the feeling of her body’s readiness my dick twitched making me grind myself against her while I praised her with a growl, “Good girl.”

Bella’s body responded to my light touch by relaxing against me with a soft whimper. At the sound of her delight, I pulled my hand back out patting the exposed skin of her stomach while speaking in her ear, “No shenanigans.”

“Ohhh,” Bella groaned while I chuckled at her dismay.

“Come on my pet, let’s go,” I added with a swat on her bottom just as Sue called her name from downstairs.

I went in to use the bathroom while Bella put her sweatshirt back on and went downstairs. I could hear the woman in the kitchen while I sat down with Jacob and Billy in the living room. Handing me a beer Jacob asked what I thought of the room and then laughed when I said that Charlie had achieved the look he was going for. We sat there for a few minutes talking about baseball until the conversation switched to the woman who Billy has been seeing. As I listened it became clear that Billy was not completely paralyzed, and I couldn’t help but laugh along with Jacob when Billy told us the reason he stopped dating the last woman.

“Don’t laugh boys I’m telling you that stuff is important,” As he said the words Seth came running up to me with his tail wagging and Bella following with his leash in her hand.

“What’s so funny?” Billy glanced over his shoulder at her then gave me a pointed look, “Well maybe it’s not as important for you.”

Bella eyed us waiting for an answer and I didn’t know what to tell her so I was more than happy when Sue and Leah joined us asking if we were ready to go. Leah needed to use the bathroom again, while Bella put Seth on his leash and Jacob asked if I would help him get Billy down the stairs. With everyone outside I held Bella’s hand while we walked the few blocks down to Main Street. It appeared that the whole town had turned out for the parade and a few more people either said hello or stared at Bella as we walked up the street to where the group from La Push seemed to have conjugated. Jacob opened up a chair for Leah while everyone said hello and the women hugged.

That was something I was still getting use to, all the female hugging. It’s not that it bothers me; I just find it to be one of those amusing things women did that I had never noticed before. I could see the draw if it had been a while since they had seen each other, that would make sense. But it appeared to me that women hug every time they join or part one another’s company. I suppose it is equated with a hand shake or a pat on the back but it still seemed strange.

Standing there in the slight drizzle of rain watching the interaction of friends I didn’t at all feel left out of the conversations. I stood behind Bella with my arm wrapped around her waist talking with the men while she carried on a chat with the women. It seemed natural to me that I should be in such a position talking about dog breeding and darts over the heads of the women. Every now and then one of girls would butt into our discussion with a question that had nothing to do with what we were talking about.

Like when Quil was explaining about the addition he is putting onto his house and the horror stories that the contractors were putting him through. That was interesting to me because the contractors were to be starting my bathroom the following week. He was just saying how he had ordered high efficiency windows and they installed regular double paned when Claire turned around to interrupt.

“Baby, who was that football player?”

Quil stopped talking to look at her just like the rest of us did, “Which one?”

“You know that one from Dancing with the Stars, he started dating his partner, bought her that expensive ring. What was his name?”

“Umm…LT, LaDainian Thomlinson.”

“Yeah…who did he play for?”

“The Jets,” Quil answered while Claire shook her head, “nooo, here on the west coast.”

“San Diego.”

Claire smiled at him, “That’s right San Diego, why can’t I remember that?” she asked herself turning back around to talk to the girls, “he was there.”

Quil shook his head with a smirk then went back to finishing his story, it was then I realized what a man in love looked like to an outsider. I had seen my brothers and father interact with their women, doting on them to the point of being indulgent. The respect that I always had for women was a learned trait from my parents, the coddling that I give Bella is pure love and I will indulge her as much as I damn well please no matter what I look like to someone else.

That thought caused my arm to squeeze her a little tighter to me making her look up and smile, “Everything ok?”

“Everything is perfect,” I told her before placing a chaste kiss on her lips when our lips parted I continued to stare into her deep brown eyes, “I love you.”

The most gorgeous blush broke out on her face as she asked coyly, “a whole bunch?”

“Bucket loads.”

Before I realized what Bella was doing she had spun around wrapped her arms around my neck and jumped up to bring her face level with mine. My arms automatically wrapped around her back to hold her to me as she spoke against my lips, “I love you.”

The moment was sealed with another kiss but nothing went too far because I was well aware of the fact that we were in a very public place with many eyes on us. I was just about to tell her to behave when a voice interrupted my thoughts.

“Hey sweet cheeks when you are done mauling Edward I have something for you.”

Fucking Emery and that damn nickname

Bella giggled as I patted her bottom before she let go of my neck sliding back down my body to stand on her feet. “I was not mauling Edward,” she held her hand out while I turned to face him and his family. “Can I have it?”

“No way,” he shook his head. “I’m not that easy, you have to come get it”

What the fuck is he talking about?

“No,” Bella didn’t sound very convincing.

“Come on sweet cheeks I dare you,” he taunted while his wife Kim giggled “Oh don’t do that.”

Bella shook her head and he grinned, “I double dare you.”

I was still confused at the exchange wondering what the hell he wanted Bella to do when she patted my chest took a step towards him and leaped up onto Emery’s chest wrapping her legs around his waist. Just as I had done his hands wrapped around her waist to keep her from falling while his face took on a look of shock, “Damn girl my wife is here.”

Bella didn’t seem to care about that as she patted around his chest like she was looking for something while demanding, “Where are they?”

I could feel the scowl growing on my face and the only thing that kept me from ripping her out of his arms was the laughter from Kim and Jacob’s hand on my shoulder. Emery must have seen my anger because he pushed her back off his body, but she wasn’t releasing the grip around his waist. “Jesus Christ Bella, Edward is going to punch me in the face.”

“Well you shouldn’t tease me!” she yelled while I assured him, “Edward is thinking about punching you.”

“Here take ‘um before you get me beat up,” Emery reached inside his jacket pulling out a white envelope giving it to Bella who was now thankfully standing on her own two feet.

“Thanks,” the glee in her voice was replaced with sarcasm as she elbowed him in the ribs, “You big oaf.”

I still had no idea what just happened, looking around at the people who had watched their expressions were a mixture of shock and amusement. Jacob patted my shoulder as he chuckled “Bells is back.”

Emery however was still as bewildered as I was, “Geez what happened to blushing sweet cheeks?”

“She’s on vacation,” Bella announced opening up the envelope. “What is all this stuff?”

Emery ignored her question as he stepped towards me holding his hand out, “Sorry dude, I wasn’t expecting to be jumped, Bella’s never done that before,” he added with a chuckle while Bella stepped up closer to me.

“Bella’s never done a lot of things before,” she spoke before I could say anything, looking up at me through her lashes with a blush on her face that made me grin and my dick twitch at the deviousness of her words.

My blood pressure had calmed down enough to finally shake his hand and Emery explained what Bella was holding, “These are the four tickets.”

Tickets?

My brain was still reeling as he spoke to Bella, “You asked me to get the best seats I could, that’s them. You’re going to have to put up with my brother and his friends but those are the concession you are just going to have to endure. That other ticket is VIP parking; I could only get you one of them. Oh and by the way don’t tell Charlie you have that or he’ll be pissed and start pulling me over every time I’m in town.”

“He would not,” Bella giggled.

“Yes he would,” Emery assured her before she asked, “So this pass is good the whole season?”

Season? What is holding in her hand?

“Yes and if you lose it I can’t replace it.”

“What do you have babe?” I was starting to get excited but until I knew for sure I was going to keep myself under control

“Season Tickets,” They both said at the same time, Emery like it should be obvious and Bella with pure excitement.

Taking the tickets from Bella I studied them, “These are VIP Booth tickets?”

I knew my statement sounded like a question and that was how Emery answered, “Yes and they include playoff games. And we are going to the playoffs this year.”

“Thanks,” it was all I could think to say.

“Oh don’t thank me, sweet cheeks just asked if I could supersede the waiting list. They are in Bella’s name so next year you just renew them.”

The sound of sirens could be heard telling us that the parade was starting and Emery told us he would talk to us later he wanted to get his family seated. As he moved to leave us alone I could feel Bella staring at me while I held onto the ticket. There was a look of concern on her face that I didn’t understand.

“Don’t you want them?”

“What?”

Bella spoke so fast I had to listen closely to what she was saying, “Emmett said that you have been on the list for a long time and that you had to wait until someone died so I called Emery and asked if he could help, I thought you would be happy.”

She thought I wasn’t happy?

“I’m sorry baby,” I told her putting the ticket from my hand back into the envelope with his brothers. “I’m just slightly shocked and torn between wanting to jump up and down like a five year old and taking you behind the building to show you my appreciation.”

“Oh,” she beamed at me stepping closer. Bella wrapped her arms around my back looking up at me with her chin resting against my chest she had the devious look back in her eyes. “I vote for the second one.”

Her words made me chuckle and I kissed her quickly as the noise from the sirens grew louder. Bella tucked the envelope containing the tickets into her purse then stood in front of me with my arm protectively wrapped around her waist, just as Charlie was in eyesight. Everyone waved at him as he turned the sirens on once again. As the marching band from the high school started playing my eyes scanned the crowded street, on the other side towards the end of the block was James. He was standing with a very tall redhead with wild curly hair and he was staring right at us.

The parade passed by quickly, each class from Forks high school had a float while the reservation only entered two. The rest of the parade was filled in with boy scout troops, daycare groups and one dance class and of course the graduating senior class. As the kids walked by people would yell out their names, Bella, Leah and Sue yelled out to Seth so loudly he rolled his eyes and blushed. As the last fire trucks went by everyone started gathering up their stuff to leave and we stood in a circle saying good-bye as the hugging commenced.

Once we got back to the house Billy left and the rest of us sat down waiting for Charlie to come back. Jacob came in from the kitchen with beer offering one to both Bella and me and sitting down he made an announcement. “Everyone is going to Casey’s.”

“What’s Casey’s?”

Bella looked at me, “It’s a bar.”

“It’s a pub,” Jacob clarified. “They have dollar draft happy hour and awesome food you should come.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Beside what am I going to do with Seth?”

“Everyone is meeting at four, you can leave Seth here with Sue and she’ll bring him tonight.”

Bella didn’t hesitate in responding, “Sue doesn’t want to keep him and besides I should stay and help her get ready.”

“Sue!” Jacob yelled towards to kitchen, “do you need Bella’s help?”

“No,” she was standing in the doorway. “You go have fun, I’ll keep Seth.” Jacob smiled at Bella as if he had just solved the mystery of life.

“I’m not dressed,” Bella came back with but Jacob stopped her. “It’s Casey’s, your fine and stop making excuses. Come on Bells it will be fun, live a little,” he smirked, “I dare you.”

I could see Bella was beginning to consider the idea and admittedly I didn’t know what was holding her back however it seemed Jacob did, “What are you afraid of?”

Bella stiffened, “I’m not afraid.”

He completely ignored her protest, “Yes you are or you would go.”

I didn’t like the way he was manipulating her. Granted I didn’t think that Bella should be fearful of attending something she wanted to do, but I wasn’t even sure that she desired to go. That was the first thing I needed to find out.

“Baby do you want to go?” her eyes roamed the room like she was searching for the answer written on the walls while she bit into her bottom lip. Cupping her chin to force her attention to me, I searched her eyes to see if I could find the answer but all I saw was indecision.

“Isabella it’s a simple yes or no question. Don’t over think it and don’t feel pressured into it either. Do you want to go?”

“Is Leah going?” She tried to turn her head to ask Jacob but I held it firmly keeping her attention on me.

“I didn’t ask about Leah, I ask you Isabella. Do you want to go?” Punctuating each word so she would understand.

Her head nodded in my hand, “Yes.”

With her answer I smiled adding a playful wink. It was a simple thing as far as obedience goes yet I wanted her to know that I was proud of her. Kissing her forehead I whispered against her skin, “Good girl.”

Looking back towards Jacob he was watching us with a curious expression. I couldn’t tell if it was one of awe or aversion and to be honest it didn’t matter to me. I needed Bella to be focused on her own needs not those around her.

Charlie came in a few minutes before we left, happy that everything was back to normal in the town and glad that Bella was joining her friends. Although I found that odd that he was so concerned about her going to bars in Seattle yet here it was encouraged.

We followed behind Jacob to Casey’s which was located on the outskirts of town and housed in a large green converted barn. Pulling into the half full parking lot Bella looked around at the cars and she physically relaxed into the seat.

“Are you sure?” I asked looking up at the building before turning to her, “we could go back to the house or you could show me another trail in the woods.”

She giggled, “pervert.”

“Always,” I answered with a grin as she got a resigned looked on her face. “No, let’s go in.”

As I opened my door Jacob and Leah were standing there waiting and he yelled for us to hurry up, then practically whined that we were taking too long as I opened Bella’s door. Leah watched us while Bella took my hand to step out of the car, “Edward can you teach Jake to do that?”

“I open the door for you,” he protested as we walked up the stairs to the front door.

“When?” she objected.

“I thought you prided yourself on being independent?” she rolled her eyes while opening the door to a blast of music while Jake smirked holding the door open with a wave of his hand, “After you my dear.”

“Screw you,” Leah grinned stepping inside while Jacob assured her, “I keep trying.”

I grinned at their exchange while Bella openly laughed.

The inside was rather dark and reminded me of one of the local bars from my college days with ‘Father Figure’ coming from the speakers. Signs and beer posters covered every spot on the wall that was not occupied with the twenty-five different sized flat screens that appeared to be broadcasting every sporting event available. The room seemed to be in an ‘L’ shape that mimicked the dark wooden bar. In the corner gathered around several tables Paul was sitting with Sam, Emily, Quil and Claire.

As we walked in the man behind the bar pointed his finger in warning, “Jake I don’t want no trouble here.”

Jacob held up his hand as he continued walking, “No trouble Case.”

Taking our place with the others Paul couldn’t wait to say something, “You beat somebody’s ass one time…”

Bella sighed looking uncomfortable at what was being said and Jacob leaned over to kiss the top of her head. It was an intimate exchange that told me how much the two of them shared and a small part of me was envious that she seemed to rely on him so much. The majority of me was glad that she had someone in those harsh years to turn to.

“What are you drinking babe Coke or Sprite?”

Leah thought about her husband’s question, “ummm…I think I’ll go with the hard stuff…ginger ale.”

“You got it,” he said turning to me, “beer?”

“I’ll get it,” he waved me off, “you get the next round, but you better watch it because my woman can drink a lot of ginger ale.”

Emery and Kim came in and the group seemed to settle into a round of various conversations of laugher. Kim asked Paul where his wife was and rather than be civil he told her that she was at home where she belonged.

Kim laughed as he continued with the macho comments about telling her that her place is at home with the kids. Leah however didn’t take it as easily, “I am sooo telling her you said that.”

“Go ahead she knows who wears the pants in the family,” he said taking a long drink from his glass.

“Oh my god, you are in so much trouble. Somebody give me their phone so I can record this shit, because Rach will never believe it.”

“Go ahead, I’m not afraid of her,” everyone laughed because it was clear that he was definitely worried as his face changed to a serious expression.

“No seriously Kim…she wanted to put the kids in for a nap and mom was busy so Rach had to stay with them.”

Leah laughed harder, “I’m still telling her.”

He shrugged, “She won’t believe you and besides if she makes me mad she won’t get the high hard one.” he cupped his balls, “and that would be torture for her,” making everyone laugh.

“Torture?” Claire questioned through her laugher, “Rachel probably pisses you off to keep you away from her.”

“Nahh…she knows where her loins are buttered,” the laughter grew except from Jacob who looked sick. “Hey that’s my sister!”

From the corner of my eye I could see someone approaching the group. He was Quileute, tall with a muscular build long black hair and five o’clock shadow. As everyone said their hello’s to Jared, Bella smiled. “I was wondering where you were.”

“Hey Bells…” he gave her a small hug, “…I had to work.”

Besides her family he was the only one who I heard call her Bells and he seemed rather friendly with the hug, but I overlooked it. Bella introduced us and I shook his hand more out of respect for her. Foolishly as it sounds I was pissed off at what occurred between them, it irritated me that he could have been so callous with her emotions. I knew he was just a kid at the time and I shouldn’t hold it against him, especially since it seemed obvious to me that Bella had excused his actions. Unfortunately, I wasn’t as forgiving and found it a whole lot easier to hold a grudge.

While the girls went in to use the bathroom Emery and I started talking about golf. He has a normal four-some that meets on Friday mornings however two of them are going to be gone for a few weeks. He had suggested that perhaps Emmett and I would be interested in joining them, that sounded great to me and I knew that Emmett would jump at the chance. We were just exchanging phone numbers when the women came back without Bella. I glanced over to see her standing by the bathroom talking to some guy.

“Who’s that?” I asked Jacob inclining my head in her direction.

“Joe. He’s irritatingly talkative but harmless. His parents live two doors down from Charlie,” as he finished talking Bella looked over at me giving me look that said – help me.

I chuckled and Jacob grinned, “fucking Bella, she’s too polite for her own good, I better go get her.”

“I got her,” chuckling again as I got to my feet. Joe had a pool stick in his hand blocking the pathway so Bella couldn’t make her escape. From what I heard of the conversation there was nothing inappropriate being said, Bella was just trapped.

“Baby your food is getting cold,” I told the blatant lie while holding my hand out. Taking it, she quickly introduced me and after saying ‘nice to meet you’ I guided her back to the group.

Once she sat back down Bella smiled at me, “Thanks I was stuck there.”

Leah rolled her eyes, “Why are you so nice to everyone?”

“I can’t be rude,” she told her sister who assured her, “Well I can.”

Of course Bella couldn’t be rude it’s part of her submissive nature to please people, to think of others and their feelings. It’s just part of what makes her so very special.

Just like at the parade the conversations split the women were chatting amongst themselves while the men were talking about baseball. Bella was leaning into my side singing along quietly to ‘Breath’ she got to the words:

Caught up in the touch
The slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's supposed to be

Her head tilted slightly so the words were directly in my ear and I could feel the rush of air from her breath across my neck. My eyes looked down into hers bringing our faces so close together that our noses nearly touched. “What are you doing?”

“Singing,” her tongue peeked out to moisten her lips.

“I think you’re doing something else…” the innocent smile on her face made me grin, “…and I think you should try and behave yourself.”

Bella sighed dramatically, “I’ll try.”

“Succeed.”

She tilted her chin higher to reach closer to my ear whispering, “Will your girl get a reward?”

“Maybe,” at my answer Bella became animated sitting up quickly to press her chest against mine bringing our faces to an almost level plane.

“Yeah …do you promise?” The excitement in her voice and eyes was so cute it reminded me of a child on Christmas morning.

“How can I promise a maybe?” I asked her tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

“Ohhh…” she whined twisting further so more of her body was facing me making the arm around her shoulder drop down to her waist to hold her tighter. “So I have a fifty-fifty shot.”

“That sounds about right,” I didn’t understand the huge smile that lit up her face and Bella must have seen my confusion because she spoke slowly into my ear, “That means your girl is getting her reward.”

“And tell me how my girl figures that?” The words were spoken quietly against her ear but she immediately pulled back to look in my eyes with that same optimistic smile.

“Because this girl is a glass is half full kind of girl,” I couldn’t help the chuckle that came out making her giggle with me.

“Is that right?” I asked through my laugher while she nodded her head in absolute certainty as I told her, “I guess we’ll have to wait and see if you’re correct.”

“I am,” Bella was sure of herself as she kissed me softly then pulled back with a smug smile. “You watch, I’ll prove it.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it,” I told her as she sat back correctly in her chair with a confident grin.

When my attention came back to the rest of the people in our group I found that the conversation had ceased and it would appear that our exchange had become their focus. Other than the last few sentences, the words Bella and I spoke were soft enough and the music loud enough that no one would have heard us, so they were only reacting to what they saw. Most of the faces staring at us were pleasant, in fact they seemed pleased. The only one who didn’t seem to appreciate our exchange was Jared, and hey, fuck him. Even Leah was sort of smiling but it was Emily who spoke up.

“You guys are so cute,” once that was out in the open Paul had to chime in, “Yeah, it’s almost sickening.”

I glanced over at Bella to see her face was so red from the blush that I knew her cheeks must be in pain. The music had stopped playing so I gave Bella money telling her go pick out some more, hoping that she would relax. With her gone the conversation once again picked up and the only people who paid me any attention were Leah and Jared.

Leah was eyeing me with a curiousness in her gaze and a knowing smile on her face. I had nothing against Leah, she was only looking out for her sister and that was a trait I can admire. If it was going to take time for her to fully trust me I could wait, just so long as she is civil along the way. Jared’s narrow eyes were harder to read and of less importance to me.

Bella was standing at the jukebox picking out music and I wasn’t paying much attention, after all she was only about fifteen feet away and the place wasn’t that crowded. I didn’t hear anyone new come in however, the voice was unmistakable.

“Just fucking great. How long are you going to be here?”

“Shit,” Jacob muttered angrily while Paul mumbled, “there goes the party.”

I couldn’t be concerned with them because Bella was standing alone. I got to my feet so fast that the chair flew backwards however it wasn’t fast enough. Bella turned to move away from him and he grabbed her arm. “I’m talking to you bitch!”

“Let me go!”

“Get your hand off her!” James looked me in the eye, “Now!” I growled angrily because I was going to kill that motherfucker.

“Let Bella go,” it was Sam who was standing beside me with a voice of authority.

James huffed, shaking his head like he was disgusted with the whole situation. I didn’t want to grab him because he still had Bella’s arm, besides Sam had his arm out like he was blocking my approach. James smirked at me before shifting his eyes to Sam then dropped Bella’s arm as he spoke.

“So not fucking worth it, god damn cunt.”

I wanted to seize a hold of Bella to get her to safety then get her out of there without any more incidence, fate seemed to have a different agenda. The whole thing happened in slow motion I could see Bella’s hand drop from his grasp, then it started to move again. It came up with such force that James’s head actually moved sideways from the blow. I was so stunned that it didn’t register that Bella had slapped him until the ‘crack’ from the impact reached my ears.

“Don’t you ever touch me!” Bella screamed with furious anger.

“You fucking Bitch!” he screamed whether from pain or shock I don’t know.

The adrenaline in Bella’s system was wearing down because she was visibly shaking and the furiousness that she had just spoken with was gone as she called with a trembling voice, “Casey call Officer Mark and tell him that James is in violation of a PFA.”

James narrowed his eyes at her in an attempt to intimidate; however as anxious as she was, my girl was not backing down and I think James knew it. My mind was torn between removing her and letting her have the moment of strength to stand her ground. I chose the latter hoping that she could feel my presence and let her gain whatever she needed from it.

“Well aren’t you the fucking brave one”

Bella didn’t say anything to him and she didn’t back down either. It seemed like an eternity that they stood there playing a bizarre game of chicken, waiting to see who would break first. Bella’s tenacity which James had used as weapon against her was now being turned against him, and it didn’t matter how scared she was, there was no way she was losing.

He spit on the floor at her feet, “I’m leaving smells like shit in here anyway.”

That motherfucker

I couldn’t think about the implication of James’s parting words because Bella was a shaking mess. Pulling her to me her hands gripped my shirt while I held her tightly, “Shhhh…it’s ok baby, you’re ok.”

I didn’t think Bella was crying and if she was it would have been in response to the hormone fluctuations because I didn’t think James actually hurt her. That was something I would have to check out once she settled down. She was still trembling so much that I lifted her up by her hips. Sensing what I was doing her arms moved around my neck and her legs wrapped around my waist. Bella buried her face in my neck taking deep breaths, with each one I could feel her relaxing against me.

“Better?” I asked when I could feel the fullness of her weight on my arms.

“Yeah…” Bella lifted her head to look at me, she just stared for a moment with a sadness in her eyes. “I hit him.”

“I know baby, I wanted to do that and you beat me to it.”

She smiled looking down at her palm, “My hand hurts.”

Setting her down on her feet I took her hand making sure that she didn’t damage anything. After having her move all her fingers I placed a kiss in the center of her palm and then lifted her sleeve. Under the elbow there were a few red marks from the pressure of his fingers. That didn’t make me happy and I wanted to hunt James down but that was not in the cards. Touching the red marks the whiteness disappeared quickly telling me that they shouldn’t bruise, however I would be sure to check them again.

Turning around to the people at our tables they were all sitting there in stunned silence. It took about a half of second before Leah wrapped Bella up in a hug. “Holy Shit! I can’t believe you did that! I’m so proud of you for standing up to him!”

“I shouldn’t have hit him. He’s going to go home and take it out on Vickie.”

That’s the woman I love, she was assaulted, bruised, and disrespected and she is worried about someone else. Maybe that is because she has lived it so she can empathize or maybe it’s just because she has a genuine concern for her fellowman.

“Fuck Victoria Kohn! She stays with him that’s her problem,” Leah grinned. “I wished I would have had a video camera so I could see it again. CRACK!” the sound of her hands slapping together makes Bella flinch.

“Can we go please?” Bella looked up at me with pleading eyes.

“Yes, let’s go.”

Leah didn’t agree, “GO? Come on you need to have drink to celebrate…hell even I’m thinking about having one.”

Bella continued to look at me, “I need my purse.”

Emily brought it over for her and Sam, who had followed James outside, walked us out to the car. Once Bella was inside with her belt on, Sam squatted down in the open door. “Bella do you want me to call Mark, and report the violation?”

“I hit him Sam can’t he press charges on me?”

Sam shook his head, “He was in violation of the restraining order. He assaulted you first by grabbing your arm; you have a right to defend yourself.”

Bella thought about it for a few seconds, “What would happen to him?

“He would be booked, spend the night in jail until his bail hearing.”

“They would finger print him and take his DNA?” Bella asked and I knew that she wasn’t going to press changes.

“Yes, they will.”

The tears that weren’t there before came as she sobbed, “I can’t do that Sam.”

“Ok,” there was no disappointment in Sam’s voice; he knew the same as I did. He stood shutting the door then shook my hand, “You’re a good man Edward, take care of her.”

Getting in the car Bella sniffled wiping her tears away with the back of her hand, “Please don’t be mad at me.”

“Why would I be mad at you?”

“Because I won’t press charges.”

I sighed, “I understand that you are trying to protect Jacob.”

Bella shook her head, “That’s not it Edward, those charges were dropped they can’t be brought up again. I just…”

She stopped talking to take a deep breath, “I would have to tell everyone what happened. I can’t do it!” She wailed at the words, “I’m so horrible … I…let him walk around free…all because…I..can’t do it!”

Releasing the clasp on the seatbelt I held her to my chest shushing her while I stroked my hand through her hair. I continued to hold her until she calmed enough to stop crying. I knew what courage it took her to stand up to her own personal demon. Somehow Bella had found the strength within to accomplish what she deemed unattainable. Who knows, maybe as she digs deeper within herself she just might find enough fortitude to overcome the next impossible hurdle. In the meantime she needs to be proud of what she accomplished, not feel bad for what still scares her.

Taking her face in my hands to look in her eyes I spoke firmly, “Isabella, did you ever think that you would be able to stand there and face him like that?”

She shook her head in my hands.

“Speak please.”

“No Sir.”

“And yet you did it, so I say don’t worry about what you can’t do, rejoice in what you can. Do you remember your half full theory?”

She nodded, “Yes Sir.”

“Apply it now and be as proud of yourself as I am. Because baby, you did great.”

“Yeah?’

“Yeah,” I told her with a kiss that deepened before I could stop it. Then again I didn’t want to stop it. Bella moaned softly into my mouth making me realize that my own breathing was erratic and the windows were getting steamy. Pulling away from Bella’s lips is always a difficult thing to do; this time was even harder because I could feel her need. However due to where we were, getting carried away was out of the question, so reluctantly I backed off.

Starting the engine I followed her directions to get back into town. I was thinking about all that I had learned about Bella since coming to Forks. There was still one thing that had me baffled and my mind must have still been foggy from the lack of blood leaving it for lower pastures because I didn’t even think before asking what I wanted to know.

“Isabella why in god’s name did you go out with that asshole in the first place?"