Remember Me (A Twilight fan fiction)

15. Mashochistic Lamb

On Sunday morning, Charlie gathered the last of his gear and looked back at Bella as she washed the breakfast dishes. The clouds were already hanging low and ominous in the sky, but she did not want to say or do anything to discourage his fishing trip.

Her dream/nightmare had been lingering in her mind. For some reason, she had the distinct feeling that the wolf in her dream had been Jacob seeking to protect her from Edward. Now in the light of day, it was deeply disturbing to her that Jacob assumed that Edward was some sort of monster as she recalled the ferocity in which the wolf charged at him.

There was something else that was bothering her – most of the contents inside each of her mother's four emails.

"Dad, I wish you and Mom would stop talking about Florida," she told him.

He paused for just a moment. "It wasn't my idea." In fact, he had outright rejected it after Renee had mentioned it to him. Charlie had not learned his lesson the last time and had called to inform his ex-wife about Bella's fainting spell at school. The consequence of his action had prompted Renee to hound him constantly regarding Bella and her health.

"Your mom's just concerned about you." Only a few days had passed, but Charlie began to wonder if she didn't need her mother after all.

"If I wanted to be with Mom, I would be there right now, remember?" Bella felt very bitter about this whole situation. Ever since she was a child, she felt like she had been one of those ropes, tugged with a vengeance between her mother and father, and now that she was old enough, she was happy to finally make that decision.

"I hate to say this, Bell, but she may be right."

Bella turned to face her father and willed back the tears beginning to spring from her eyes. "Do you want me to go?"

This was breaking Charlie's heart. He looked at her, seeing the four-year-old girl with the pigtails, swinging back and forth on a swing. "No, of course not. I just worry about you. I'm always at work, and I just want what's best for you." The pain from the first time she'd left still stung at him like a dozen needles.

Turning back to the sink, she busily scrubbed around the faucet, loosening a colony of crumbs. "I'm staying here in Forks. I'm fine here."

Charlie heaved a sigh. His daughter was so mature and selfless. Instantly, he felt a burst of guilt hit him like a sledgehammer. "I guess I can skip fishing for today."

She set the sponge down and turned back to face her dad. "Dad...." she began to object.

There was a knock at the door and Charlie smirked, turning his gaze in that direction. "I think it's for you," he told her.

Bella's mouth fell open. "No. Please, I told you already. I don't need a babysitter."

The door swung open just then and a large yellow M&M wrapper affixed to the end of a broomstick like a flag appeared in their view. Bella covered her mouth to keep from laughing but then cleared her throat as the wrapper swayed back and forth. Jacob's voice called from the door.

"I come in peace."

Charlie looked to his daughter hopefully. He really did not like leaving her home by herself. Considering her silence, he decided to give her another option. "You know, I can always stay home. There's a game on later and Billy wanted to bring over another batch of Harry's fish fry."

Somehow, the thought of three accusing glares was worse than just having Jacob around for the day, but still she was determined not to let the boy off that easily.

"Fine, Dad. You win."

Grinning now, Charlie stuck his hat on his head. "Thanks, Bella. Have a good day." He headed toward the door and pulled Jacob inside by the broom handle. Waving a friendly goodbye to his best friend's son, he edged past Jacob and exited before any more protests could be made.