I R E N I C

s i x t e e n 

It had begun to rain, the soft pattering created a peaceful sound. Paul sat on a chair at Emily's table, his leg bounced and his eyes glanced towards the small room next to the kitchen's entry. Emily finally let out a sigh as Paul began to tap his finger against the table once again.

"I'm sure she is alright now, they just need a moment alone." She walked over towards him with a mug full of coffee. She gently sat it down before pulling the chair across from Paul.

He nodded but still tried to listen for any sign of Bella leaving the room. However, there was a moment of silence. His hand reached out for his mug, eyes still on the door. This caused him to knock over the cup, spilling the hot coffee.

Emily jumped up, barely avoiding the hot substance. Paul moved away and muttered under his breath, shaking his hand which had gotten slightly burnt. While they tried to clean the mess, it slipped Paul's mind what he had been waiting on.

The bedroom door opened and out came Bella, quietly closing the door. She slightly winced when it shut kinda loudly. After confirming that the door was shut she turned to see Emily cleaning the table and Paul crouched down, cleaning the floor. Bella cleared her throat softly.

Paul's head shot up towards her direction, quickly standing but hitting his head under the table in his hurry. He ignored the brief pain in his head before moving from under the table and rushing over to Bella. "How is she?" He looked behind her towards the closed door.

Bella smiled slightly, eyes puffy with a slightly red nose. "She just fell asleep. All the crying tired her out."

Paul felt a slight pain in his chest at those words. He then moved to continue to help Emily clean his mess. Bella followed and sat down.

"Can someone explain what got her to react like that?" Emily broke the silence. She placed the, now dirty, towel in the sink and rinsed her hands.

"Um," Bella fidget with her fingers and avoided her gaze. "We may think it was Victoria. The vampire that attacked me before the Cullens left."

Paul let out a small growl, "she's terrorizing Hailey. As a way to get back at them."

Emily looked at Bella worriedly. "Wouldn't it be safer to send her back with her mother? She wouldn't be in danger then..."

"No." Bella answered firmly.

"She's right. Victoria now has her scent. Whether Bella or the Cullens are with her or not doesn't matter. She could be used against her no matter the distance." Paul crossed his arms and stood firmly.

They stood in silence trying to form a plan or at least a course of action in order to protect Hailey. There wasn't anything else to do, their only option would be to keep Hailey in their care and protect her. If she were to be sent away, it would make protection that much more difficult.

"I can ask the Cullens for their help..."

"No." Paul said firmly. His tone didn't leave it up for discussion. This agitated Bella.

"Listen, I don't know what kind of weird obsession you have with Hailey but you have no right to decide what is best for her and what isn't." She stood up to glare up at him. "I get it, you wish to protect Hailey but you can't exactly go over and camp outside our window. You have a treaty that must be respected."

Paul glared down at her. "The treaty is the least of my concerns-."

"It may be your least of your concerns but the same can't be said for Sam." Bella stood her ground. Before Bella could punch Paul, Emily interrupted.

"She's right, Paul." Emily looked at him sternly. "Sam and the others should be back soon. We will continue this discussion once they are back."

That was the end of the conversation.

Back in Forks, Edward had returned home. He immediately called his adoptive sister, Alice. The short, pixie-like girl appeared on top of the stairs.

"I can't see her," she walked down the stairs, "she must be at La Push."

Edward groan in frustration. "Why would she be over there?" He questioned himself.

He couldn't understand her. One moment she is always by his side. Never once staying away for long but now? Now, she would rush away straight after school. Only making conversation when school was in session. Was it his doing?

Alice could see he was beginning to overthink everything. "Remember, Edward. Before she wouldn't have anyone waiting for her at home. Now she has her sister, who depends on Bella. Give her some time, I'm sure she will explain soon." Alice patted his shoulder and walked out of the house.

Of course. How could he forget? Hailey is the most precious person in Bella's life, even above Edward. Perhaps something occurred to her sister? Edward was beginning to feel guilt as he thought about it. All those thoughts that he had and he never considered that Hailey might have been the reason.

Edward decided to call Bella. He had to make sure that both were alright. Before he could dial her phone number, his phone rang. Bella. He quickly answered, "Bella." He breathed out.

"Hey, I'm sorry I left without a word. Something happened with Hailey so I had to come to La Push." There was the guilt.

"Is she alright? Are you alright?" Edward asked. Worry began to fill him, he picked at his nails and began to pace.

"Yes, we are both alright. We may have to talk later when I return home though. Do you think you can stop by?"

A chill ran down his spin as he stopped pacing. "Yeah, Yes. I'll stop by tonight. Would you like for me to come pick you both up? I can go right now." Edward was already picking up his keys.

"No no no. I'm waiting to talk to Jake and Sam. I'll call you, alright?" She rushed out before talking to someone on the other end.

Edward nodded and placed his keys down. "Okay, I'll wait your call."

"I have to go now. I'll see you later, bye." Bella said and waited a few seconds to hear Edward say his goodbye before hanging up.

Now that he was alone he could feel panic rushing towards him. Just what did she want to talk about?

omg it's been so long. okay so i just realized that i may be making some of these characters wayyyyy too out of character. do you guys hate that? should i try to make them more into character?? anyways, enjoy!