I R E N I C

t e n

That same day Hailey was discharged. Bella drove back with Hailey in the seat besides her. As she drove she thought back to what Jacob had told her. She had to be with Hailey at all times. No matter what. Neither of them could be alone or they will be at risk of being attacked by Victoria.

Bella parked her truck. She turned towards Hailey and placed her sweater over her. Suddenly there was a knock on her window. Jacob.

Bella rolled down the window and looked at him confused, "Jake?"

Jacob opened the door. "Move over."

Bella did as told, "what's going on?" She looked at Jacob with worry. Was Victoria here?

"There's a bloodsucker out here." He turned on the truck and was ready to pull out.

Bella looked at him wide eyed. Victoria. She looked around and paused. Carlisle's car.

"Stop! Stop!" Bella grabbed Jacobs arm. "It's not Victoria."

Jacob looked at her before turning back to the front. "Forget it."

Before Jacob could drive out she quickly removed the car keys from the engine. Carefully she jumped out the truck before grabbing Hailey and walking towards her house.

"Bella! Bella!" Jacob stand in front of her suddenly.

Bella looked at him, annoyance clear on her face. "What?"

"It's dangerous. You have to come with me." Jacob grabbed her arm and tried to pull her back.

"It's okay. They're my friends." Bella moved towards the house once more.

Jacob let out a sigh. He sometimes wondered how he came to like someone this dense. "Don't you get it? If a Cullen is back here, this is their territory. The Treaty says we can only defend our own lands."

Bella stopped for a second. "Jacob, I understand you are worried but I need to see them." She looked down at Hailey in her arms. "You are free to come inside with me or you can draw that line and leave."

Bella pushed past Jacob and opened the door. Bella lets out a breath. She tried to mentally prepare for what was on the other side of the door. She pushed it open with one hand and walked in.

Bella pushed the door closed with her foot. Looking back for a moment to make sure it was close she turned back forward. A face appearing in front of her. Bella let out a small gasp. Arms tightening around Hailey.

Alice.

Both looked at each other. They were equally surprised. "Alice!" Bella exclaimed before lowering her tone upon realizing that Hailey was still in her arms.

Alice looked at her as if seeing a ghost. She slowly raised her hand and caressed her face. "You're alive..."

Bella looked at her confused. "Is- Is their a reason why I wouldn't be...?"

Alice looked at her before turning to look at the small child. Her brows furrowed. "I- I had a vision. You jumped off a cliff. I knew I'd be too late but..." Alice then came to a realization. "Why the hell would you try to kill yourself?!?"

Bella looked at her confused. "I didn't? I was talking to Ja- a friend and I fell into the water." Bella tried her best to explain what had happened.

"Why would you have a conversation near a cliff?" Alice was not buying her story of only having a conversation with a friend.

"We were discussing an issue." Bella informed her.

"...what is that hideous wet dog smell?"

"Wet dog?" She looked confused before connecting that maybe it was- "that's probably Jacob. He's a werewolf."

Alice, had she been human, looked like she was going to pass out. "What are you doing hanging around those vicious animals? Also, who is that child?"

Bella sat down and laid Hailey down on the couch. "They aren't vicious and they aren't animals. She's my younger sister." Bella brushed her hair out of her face.

The small vampire nodded, "and they are vicious if they lose their temper."

Bella looked tired. "They saved me from Laurent. They are protecting Hailey, Charlie, and I from Victoria. If they were dangerous they wouldn't be doing that."

Alice looked at her shocked. "Victoria? I didn't see her. I didn't see you having a conversation with that friend. I didn't see you get pulled out."

"Jacob pulled me out. He was a big help." Bella smiled at her weakly.

Alice smiled at her sadly before pulling her into a hug. "I missed you Bella, I really have." She whispered as she buried her face into her neck.

Bella hugged her back and patted her back. "I've need you all too." They sat there for a moment. They were content with the silence.

---
The next day Charlie got ready to attend the funeral. Bella walked him over to his cruiser. He wore a dark funeral suit. Bella adjusted his tie and fixed Haileys sweater. "Are you going to be okay?" Bella looked at her father with worried eyes.

Charlie looked down at Hailey who gave her father a smile to cheer him up a bit. "Yeah... but Sue, and those kids. Leah's only a year older than you. And Seth's, what, fourteen?" Charlie looked up at Bella.

The older brunette hugged her father who holds her tight. Hailey joined and hugged his leg. Charlie pulls away and ruffles Hailey's hair a bit. "Get on, we will leave now."

Hailey ran over towards the passenger seat of the car. Once inside she sat down and pulled he seatbelt on while waiting for her father.

"There will be a reception after. We might stay a bit later. I want to see if there's anything I can help with." Charlie mentioned.

Bella nodded. "Are you sure you don't want me to take care of Hailey?" Bella asked.

Charlie looked over towards his youngest daughter and shook his head. "You've been taking care of her for a few days now. Take a break." With that he got on and they started to head towards the funeral being held for Harry Clearwater.