My Path To You
by Wizardtho
Chapter 02:
I was able to get the name of Charlie's lawyer by Henry calling the station. He happened to be located in Seattle. We were miraculously able to get in to see Mr. Gavin Reynolds right away before heading to Forks. He looked truly saddened by the news of Charlie's death. He promised to bring all of the paperwork and will information out with him sometime the next day. I gave him my cell phone number, so I could let him know where to go.
The drive was long and frustrating, but once we finally reached Forks, Henry took us straight to the station. I broke down in a fit of tears at the sight in front of me. Near the front door was a large metal police shield with Charlie's badge number, a black sash draped on it, and tons of flowers surrounding it on the ground.
Henry thankfully gave me time to collect myself, but after almost 15 minutes of crying, everyone in the station could tell that I wasn't holding up well. They made sure to tell me that they were only a phone call away if I needed anything. Though I was thankful for the gesture, all of it was wearing me down. I finally gave Henry a pleading look, so he led me to Charlie's office.
I was able to download all of Charlie's personal pictures onto a thumb drive, gather all of his personal belongings, and retrieve his things from the safe in his office. I actually broke down in another fit of tears after realizing that his safe combination was the date I moved back to Forks to live with him. I was sure that my cries were heard by several people in the station, but none of them said a word when I walked out of the office with a large box after I finished gathering all of Charlie’s belongings.
Henry took it from me right away, but handed it off to Jake. I was whisked up into a scorching hug from Sam seconds later. I let out a shuddering breath, then he whispered, “Come on, Bella. You need some rest.”
He said a little louder then, “Henry, she'll be at mine tonight; I'll have her call you first thing in the morning. If you need anything before then, you know where to find her.”
I whispered my goodbyes to everyone, then soon I was curled up in the front seat of Sam's truck with my head on his lap as he drove, my feet in Jake's, Paul and Leah both touching me from their spots in the back seat.
After I was surrounded in hugs by the pack, imprints, and elders, I took a deep breath to steady myself for the story I was getting ready to tell for the first time. I had Sam quiet everyone down, then once they were settled, I said, “I know Charlie told you all that I left to go back to Phoenix at one point. That wasn't the truth, though. The night of the baseball game, Edward and I didn't get in a fight, nor did I break up with him and run home to Phoenix. A coven of three nomads heard the baseball game and changed course. They were the ones to kill Waylon and were on their way out of the area. When they heard the Cullens playing, though, they made the split-second decision to investigate. The Cullens didn't have time to get me away safely before the nomads smelled me.”
By the scared look on everyone's face, I knew they were starting to get the picture, so I said, “The leader, James... he was a nasty piece of work. He was a tracker who liked to torture his victims -play games with them- before he finally drained them. When he called me a snack and the Cullens protected me, he saw me as his most exciting game ever. Edward got me out of there, luckily. Carlisle tried holding James off by offering to let them fill in for the ones who were leaving, but James found a way to start tracking me back to the house. I had to make a show of fighting with Edward and the whole 'end up like Mom' blow up with Charlie; I couldn't risk him getting hurt or killed by the tracker. It was the only way to make him let me leave, without him coming after me. James was listening to the whole fight, so I had no other way to protect Charlie. I couldn't let him be caught in the middle.”
Billy nodded sadly, so I continued, “Once that was over, the Cullens split up... some as decoys with my clothes and truck, Edward helping some of the others track and take out James, while Alice and Jasper ran me south to a hotel near the Phoenix airport.”
Everyone looked downright horrified now, but like they were hanging on my every word. Billy shook his head with an amazed look. “Jesus, Bella.”
I nodded, “I know, Billy... fucked up, right? Everything was happening so fast. I was worried about James possibly hurting my dad or one of the Cullens over me. I know you think of them as the enemy, but they all truly did everything they could to protect me, from the moment we met. Anyway, once we were in the hotel, I was freaking out, coming up with all of these horrible scenarios for what could happen to them by protecting me. James found out about the decoys, then ended up tracking me to Phoenix. He called from Renee's old house -since she hadn't sold it yet- and I heard her frantically yelling for me. He told me he wouldn't hurt her... that he'd let her go unharmed if I could give Jasper and Alice the slip before meeting him at my old ballet studio. I agreed, making it look like I was talking to Renee. I found a way to get away from them while we were waiting for the rest of the family to come in at the airport.”
Sam shook his head with a look of horror on his face, but I continued, “She wasn't there... he never had her. When I got to the studio and started searching, I found out he had used an old videotape of her freaking out when I fell in ballet as a kid. That's how he got the idea to videotape my torture, though. He was going to leave it for the Cullens after he drained me. That was why I was in the hospital in Phoenix for a month. All of the injuries... they were from James' torture. He threw me into the mirrored wall, which shattered, and the shards cut me all up. One of them cut so deep that it nicked my femoral artery. He cracked several of my ribs, stomped on my leg and snapped it like a twig, then taunted me about how I was just a pet and worth nothing more than a blood bag. The things he said to me...”
I shook my head to fight the faint echo of James' words, then cleared my throat before saying, “James was just about to finish his game when Edward made it to the studio. He was the fastest of the family, so he made it there first. He ripped James off of me, but not before James could get a bite in. Carlisle came to me trying to stop the bleeding while Edward fought James. By that time, the burn of the venom had started, but neither of them knew I was bitten. There was just so much blood all over me from the torture, that they didn't see... I was in too much pain to let out anything more than unintelligible screams.”
I lifted my Quileute tribal wrist band, showed them my bite mark, then said, “Edward came to me when the others took over with James, saw the bite, and was determined that I not be changed. He sucked the venom-tainted blood out of my system, but I was his singer. He took too much. Carlisle was able to get him to stop, but by that time, Jasper was killing James while I was passing out from the blood loss and pain.”
Billy scrubbed his hands over his face, then asked, “Singer? What does that mean?”
I chuckled wryly, “We used to joke about me being Edward's drug of choice. My blood smelled a million times sweeter to him than any other blood did... ever. Every vampire has a singer out there somewhere. Some vampires cross the path of more than one singer in their eternity. Someone whose blood is irresistibly tempting... like heroin to an addict. The blood sings for them. Hmmm... I don't think I'm explaining this right.”
I shook my head, then it came to me, “Okay, I got it... Sam, you know how you can eat Emily's raspberry cobbler, and always want more even when you're stuffed? How it practically melts in your mouth… how you can almost hear a chorus singing as soon as it hits your tongue?”
I watched all of their eyes widen in realization, so I nodded, “Yeah, it's like that, but the draw is a million times stronger. You understand now, though. My blood sang like that for Edward... smelled and tasted like the most delectable thing in the world... a rare vintage to be savored, but once the first taste hits your tongue, there is no brain function other than a raw desire to consume all of it.”
It took several minutes for anyone to gain the ability to speak again, but when someone did, it was Sam. “So how does this female fit in the picture, Bella?”
I shook my head, “Remember the vamp you saved me from in the clearing? The reason I found out about all of you?”
Sam nodded, then I said, “That was Laurant. He was one of the nomads. Before you killed him, he said something about a mate-for-mate vendetta. I didn't get it all over your growls, but I think that's what the redhead is doing. When a vampire's mate is killed, the one left will never stop until they kill the one that caused the death of their mate... just like any of you would do if something happened to your imprint. The thing is, James told me during my torture that he had no mate. His game and the hunt were all he needed in life. He was happy with it being that way. Victoria may think she's seeking vengeance for her mate's death, but they weren't mates. She must have seen when Edward left me in the woods. When she couldn't make me personally pay, she changed tactics. She's not going directly after me anymore. She's making me pay by taking the ones I love from me.”
I saw eyes go wide around the room, so I explained, “Think about it, guys. She tried to get through you because I was spending a lot of time on rez land. When she couldn't get through you and I moved, she changed tactics. She could have gotten me any time after my move, when none of you were there to protect me. Instead, she killed Charlie on the one year anniversary of the day Edward left me... in the same exact spot that he left me. She's going after the ones I love to get back at me, and she won't stop at just Charlie.”
With that, I pulled out my phone to dial Renee again. When she still didn't pick up, I dialed Phil's cell. I got no answer from him, either. After leaving a slightly frantic message for him to call me back, I called the house phone. When no one picked up, I looked at Sam with pleading eyes. He said, “Leave a message. If they don't call back by morning, I'll figure out the number for the Jacksonville police department.”
I left a message like Sam said, but I'm sure the pleading in my tone was as clear to everyone else as it was to me.
I plopped down in the chair once I hung up the phone, looking at it intently, practically begging it to ring. I didn't move or speak at all until I felt a feminine hand rubbing my back. I didn't even notice I was crying until I looked up and felt Emily wiping my face with a cool cloth. “Come on, Sweetie. You've had a rough day… you need to rest. You'll have a lot to do tomorrow, but you won't get anything accomplished if you can't keep your eyes open. Come curl up in bed with me. Sam's got patrol, so he won't be hogging up the bed, and I'll sleep better knowing that you're close and safe.”
I agreed reluctantly, then whispered, “Did my bags and Charlie's box get brought in?”
She nodded, saying, “All your stuff is in our room for tonight, Bella. Jake's going to crash on the couch; he'll make sure to wake you up as soon as your phone rings, in case you don't hear it.”
I nodded as I followed Emily silently, absolutely dreading sleep the whole way.
The next several days were absolute hell. Not only did I have to plan Charlie's police burial, but I fretted over still hearing nothing from the Jacksonville police department or Renee and Phil. The lawyer -who insisted I call him Gavin- shocked me so much when he told me how much Charlie had left me, that I actually couldn't speak for over a full 5 minutes. Apparently I now owned everything, free and clear, and I was extremely wealthy.
When I did speak, I shook my head in confusion, “No, Mr. Reynolds... sorry, Gavin... that can't be right. He didn't have that kind of money.”
He explained to me that Charlie and I actually had inheritances from my Grandma Swan that he put into interest-yielding accounts. Since I was to get mine when I was 21, they had been accumulating since her death when I was little. On top of that, Charlie had two life insurance policies that I was named the sole beneficiary to, plus the checking and two savings accounts.
Once I managed to read what he was showing me, I shook my head, whispering sadly, “I never knew.”
He went on to explain the rest to me, gave me a copy of all of the paperwork, then had me read and sign several things before we were done. Before Mr. Reynolds left, he gave me a comforting pat on the hand, saying, “If you need anything, Bella... anything at all... please feel free to call me. I'll be out for the service once you know the details, so please call me directly to let me know when it's set for.”
I nodded, thanked him when he handed me a card with all of his numbers on it, then walked him back out to his car. I just sat on the porch steps, dumbfounded and severely confused as he drove away.
I was able to get the name of Charlie's lawyer by Henry calling the station. He happened to be located in Seattle. We were miraculously able to get in to see Mr. Gavin Reynolds right away before heading to Forks. He looked truly saddened by the news of Charlie's death. He promised to bring all of the paperwork and will information out with him sometime the next day. I gave him my cell phone number, so I could let him know where to go.
The drive was long and frustrating, but once we finally reached Forks, Henry took us straight to the station. I broke down in a fit of tears at the sight in front of me. Near the front door was a large metal police shield with Charlie's badge number, a black sash draped on it, and tons of flowers surrounding it on the ground.
Henry thankfully gave me time to collect myself, but after almost 15 minutes of crying, everyone in the station could tell that I wasn't holding up well. They made sure to tell me that they were only a phone call away if I needed anything. Though I was thankful for the gesture, all of it was wearing me down. I finally gave Henry a pleading look, so he led me to Charlie's office.
I was able to download all of Charlie's personal pictures onto a thumb drive, gather all of his personal belongings, and retrieve his things from the safe in his office. I actually broke down in another fit of tears after realizing that his safe combination was the date I moved back to Forks to live with him. I was sure that my cries were heard by several people in the station, but none of them said a word when I walked out of the office with a large box after I finished gathering all of Charlie’s belongings.
Henry took it from me right away, but handed it off to Jake. I was whisked up into a scorching hug from Sam seconds later. I let out a shuddering breath, then he whispered, “Come on, Bella. You need some rest.”
He said a little louder then, “Henry, she'll be at mine tonight; I'll have her call you first thing in the morning. If you need anything before then, you know where to find her.”
I whispered my goodbyes to everyone, then soon I was curled up in the front seat of Sam's truck with my head on his lap as he drove, my feet in Jake's, Paul and Leah both touching me from their spots in the back seat.
After I was surrounded in hugs by the pack, imprints, and elders, I took a deep breath to steady myself for the story I was getting ready to tell for the first time. I had Sam quiet everyone down, then once they were settled, I said, “I know Charlie told you all that I left to go back to Phoenix at one point. That wasn't the truth, though. The night of the baseball game, Edward and I didn't get in a fight, nor did I break up with him and run home to Phoenix. A coven of three nomads heard the baseball game and changed course. They were the ones to kill Waylon and were on their way out of the area. When they heard the Cullens playing, though, they made the split-second decision to investigate. The Cullens didn't have time to get me away safely before the nomads smelled me.”
By the scared look on everyone's face, I knew they were starting to get the picture, so I said, “The leader, James... he was a nasty piece of work. He was a tracker who liked to torture his victims -play games with them- before he finally drained them. When he called me a snack and the Cullens protected me, he saw me as his most exciting game ever. Edward got me out of there, luckily. Carlisle tried holding James off by offering to let them fill in for the ones who were leaving, but James found a way to start tracking me back to the house. I had to make a show of fighting with Edward and the whole 'end up like Mom' blow up with Charlie; I couldn't risk him getting hurt or killed by the tracker. It was the only way to make him let me leave, without him coming after me. James was listening to the whole fight, so I had no other way to protect Charlie. I couldn't let him be caught in the middle.”
Billy nodded sadly, so I continued, “Once that was over, the Cullens split up... some as decoys with my clothes and truck, Edward helping some of the others track and take out James, while Alice and Jasper ran me south to a hotel near the Phoenix airport.”
Everyone looked downright horrified now, but like they were hanging on my every word. Billy shook his head with an amazed look. “Jesus, Bella.”
I nodded, “I know, Billy... fucked up, right? Everything was happening so fast. I was worried about James possibly hurting my dad or one of the Cullens over me. I know you think of them as the enemy, but they all truly did everything they could to protect me, from the moment we met. Anyway, once we were in the hotel, I was freaking out, coming up with all of these horrible scenarios for what could happen to them by protecting me. James found out about the decoys, then ended up tracking me to Phoenix. He called from Renee's old house -since she hadn't sold it yet- and I heard her frantically yelling for me. He told me he wouldn't hurt her... that he'd let her go unharmed if I could give Jasper and Alice the slip before meeting him at my old ballet studio. I agreed, making it look like I was talking to Renee. I found a way to get away from them while we were waiting for the rest of the family to come in at the airport.”
Sam shook his head with a look of horror on his face, but I continued, “She wasn't there... he never had her. When I got to the studio and started searching, I found out he had used an old videotape of her freaking out when I fell in ballet as a kid. That's how he got the idea to videotape my torture, though. He was going to leave it for the Cullens after he drained me. That was why I was in the hospital in Phoenix for a month. All of the injuries... they were from James' torture. He threw me into the mirrored wall, which shattered, and the shards cut me all up. One of them cut so deep that it nicked my femoral artery. He cracked several of my ribs, stomped on my leg and snapped it like a twig, then taunted me about how I was just a pet and worth nothing more than a blood bag. The things he said to me...”
I shook my head to fight the faint echo of James' words, then cleared my throat before saying, “James was just about to finish his game when Edward made it to the studio. He was the fastest of the family, so he made it there first. He ripped James off of me, but not before James could get a bite in. Carlisle came to me trying to stop the bleeding while Edward fought James. By that time, the burn of the venom had started, but neither of them knew I was bitten. There was just so much blood all over me from the torture, that they didn't see... I was in too much pain to let out anything more than unintelligible screams.”
I lifted my Quileute tribal wrist band, showed them my bite mark, then said, “Edward came to me when the others took over with James, saw the bite, and was determined that I not be changed. He sucked the venom-tainted blood out of my system, but I was his singer. He took too much. Carlisle was able to get him to stop, but by that time, Jasper was killing James while I was passing out from the blood loss and pain.”
Billy scrubbed his hands over his face, then asked, “Singer? What does that mean?”
I chuckled wryly, “We used to joke about me being Edward's drug of choice. My blood smelled a million times sweeter to him than any other blood did... ever. Every vampire has a singer out there somewhere. Some vampires cross the path of more than one singer in their eternity. Someone whose blood is irresistibly tempting... like heroin to an addict. The blood sings for them. Hmmm... I don't think I'm explaining this right.”
I shook my head, then it came to me, “Okay, I got it... Sam, you know how you can eat Emily's raspberry cobbler, and always want more even when you're stuffed? How it practically melts in your mouth… how you can almost hear a chorus singing as soon as it hits your tongue?”
I watched all of their eyes widen in realization, so I nodded, “Yeah, it's like that, but the draw is a million times stronger. You understand now, though. My blood sang like that for Edward... smelled and tasted like the most delectable thing in the world... a rare vintage to be savored, but once the first taste hits your tongue, there is no brain function other than a raw desire to consume all of it.”
It took several minutes for anyone to gain the ability to speak again, but when someone did, it was Sam. “So how does this female fit in the picture, Bella?”
I shook my head, “Remember the vamp you saved me from in the clearing? The reason I found out about all of you?”
Sam nodded, then I said, “That was Laurant. He was one of the nomads. Before you killed him, he said something about a mate-for-mate vendetta. I didn't get it all over your growls, but I think that's what the redhead is doing. When a vampire's mate is killed, the one left will never stop until they kill the one that caused the death of their mate... just like any of you would do if something happened to your imprint. The thing is, James told me during my torture that he had no mate. His game and the hunt were all he needed in life. He was happy with it being that way. Victoria may think she's seeking vengeance for her mate's death, but they weren't mates. She must have seen when Edward left me in the woods. When she couldn't make me personally pay, she changed tactics. She's not going directly after me anymore. She's making me pay by taking the ones I love from me.”
I saw eyes go wide around the room, so I explained, “Think about it, guys. She tried to get through you because I was spending a lot of time on rez land. When she couldn't get through you and I moved, she changed tactics. She could have gotten me any time after my move, when none of you were there to protect me. Instead, she killed Charlie on the one year anniversary of the day Edward left me... in the same exact spot that he left me. She's going after the ones I love to get back at me, and she won't stop at just Charlie.”
With that, I pulled out my phone to dial Renee again. When she still didn't pick up, I dialed Phil's cell. I got no answer from him, either. After leaving a slightly frantic message for him to call me back, I called the house phone. When no one picked up, I looked at Sam with pleading eyes. He said, “Leave a message. If they don't call back by morning, I'll figure out the number for the Jacksonville police department.”
I left a message like Sam said, but I'm sure the pleading in my tone was as clear to everyone else as it was to me.
I plopped down in the chair once I hung up the phone, looking at it intently, practically begging it to ring. I didn't move or speak at all until I felt a feminine hand rubbing my back. I didn't even notice I was crying until I looked up and felt Emily wiping my face with a cool cloth. “Come on, Sweetie. You've had a rough day… you need to rest. You'll have a lot to do tomorrow, but you won't get anything accomplished if you can't keep your eyes open. Come curl up in bed with me. Sam's got patrol, so he won't be hogging up the bed, and I'll sleep better knowing that you're close and safe.”
I agreed reluctantly, then whispered, “Did my bags and Charlie's box get brought in?”
She nodded, saying, “All your stuff is in our room for tonight, Bella. Jake's going to crash on the couch; he'll make sure to wake you up as soon as your phone rings, in case you don't hear it.”
I nodded as I followed Emily silently, absolutely dreading sleep the whole way.
The next several days were absolute hell. Not only did I have to plan Charlie's police burial, but I fretted over still hearing nothing from the Jacksonville police department or Renee and Phil. The lawyer -who insisted I call him Gavin- shocked me so much when he told me how much Charlie had left me, that I actually couldn't speak for over a full 5 minutes. Apparently I now owned everything, free and clear, and I was extremely wealthy.
When I did speak, I shook my head in confusion, “No, Mr. Reynolds... sorry, Gavin... that can't be right. He didn't have that kind of money.”
He explained to me that Charlie and I actually had inheritances from my Grandma Swan that he put into interest-yielding accounts. Since I was to get mine when I was 21, they had been accumulating since her death when I was little. On top of that, Charlie had two life insurance policies that I was named the sole beneficiary to, plus the checking and two savings accounts.
Once I managed to read what he was showing me, I shook my head, whispering sadly, “I never knew.”
He went on to explain the rest to me, gave me a copy of all of the paperwork, then had me read and sign several things before we were done. Before Mr. Reynolds left, he gave me a comforting pat on the hand, saying, “If you need anything, Bella... anything at all... please feel free to call me. I'll be out for the service once you know the details, so please call me directly to let me know when it's set for.”
I nodded, thanked him when he handed me a card with all of his numbers on it, then walked him back out to his car. I just sat on the porch steps, dumbfounded and severely confused as he drove away.