Eternally Yours

Chapter 14

"Family isn't defined only by last names or by blood; it's defined by commitment and by love.
It means showing up when they need it most. It means having each other's backs.  It means choosing to love each other even on those days when you struggle to like each other.
It means never giving up on each .
.

I sat with my father the next day, head on his shoulder as we watched Jasper begin training for the day. It wasn’t until 20 minutes later when I noticed my Uncle Kol by himself that I realized Bella was nowhere in sight. “Max, where’s Bella?” I asked and he shrugged.

“Kol took her home last night, had a witch spell her house so cold ones couldn’t come in without an invitation so when he said not to follow I didn’t think anything of it…should I not have listened?” I shook my head.

“It’s okay, just run it by me next time, I know Kol wouldn’t risk hurting Bella but he doesn’t know the lengths Edward could go…has anyone seen her?” Everyone shook their heads, making me slightly nervous.

“I called her to see if she wanted me to pick her up, she answered and sounded exhausted so I told her to sleep and I would see her later.” My uncle told me.

“I’m going to go check on her, I’ll be back soon. Do everything Jasper says while I’m gone.” I told Kenzie who nodded, Jasper nodding once as I turned and took off towards Bella’s.

Bella’s POV

As soon as I heard the name I felt like I was going to pass out, the name I had heard a million times before from both my grandmother Swan and Charlie finally had some meaning to me…just not in the way I ever thought it could. I didn’t want to say anything to anyone until I was sure so I played it off until we got back to the Cullen’s for the night. “Hey Hope, can I talk to you?” I asked my sister as she ran passed me, regretting it when I noticed how upset she seemed to be.

“You’ll have to give me a minute!” She called back, but as soon as I saw Jasper and her father follow her I knew she wasn’t coming back down. I decided to let it go, not being able to imagine how she must be feeling, meeting her father for the first time after 18 years, I knew she just needed a bit of space and I would give it to her for the night.

“Shall I take you home darling?” Kol asked as he saw me getting ready to leave and I couldn’t help my blush, it was nearly always on my face since the moment I met him.

“Yeah, that would be nice. I didn’t drive here today, Emmett picked me up so I was going to have to walk home or bother one of the Cullen’s…you don’t mind do you?” He chuckled, taking my hand and pulling me down the front steps.

“I wouldn’t have offered if I minded, may I?” He gestured to me as if about to pick me up bridal style and I was floored by his politeness.

“Thank you.” I said and he looked very confused. “Thank you for asking, Edward always just threw me onto his back like some kind of ragdoll, I really appreciate the choice.”

He was stunned for a moment but bounced back quickly. “You will always have a choice with me Isabella, and I promise that he will never put his hands on you again. I had a witch spell your house earlier so that you now have to invite cold ones inside like you would any other vampire, I hope you don’t mind but Jasper told me about the cold one in your room a month ago and I won’t take any chances with your life.” I nodded in understanding.

“Thank you, you’re very sweet, and the answer is yes.” He smirked in a way that told me there was a side to him I had yet to see and sweet didn’t cover it, he then swept me up into his arms, taking off just fast enough that I could keep my eyes open. “Thanks again Kol, you make me feel safe, that’s something I thought only Hope and Jasper could do.” He nodded, kissing my cheek lightly and placing me down on my porch.