Give Into Us Chapter 21

Bella watched as Renee paced back and forth as she argued about something with the florist. Her mom was upset about something to do with the type of flowers, or the colors, or something Bella wasn’t very interested in listening or even caring about. Bella was just happy she didn’t have to do the arrangements herself. She had originally thought she had to.

Renee surprised Bella by showing up even faster than the queens had. Bella had been so sure Renee wouldn’t have cared one way or the other; much less show up and take over the arrangements herself.

Well, not so much take over as point out what she wanted to her now husband Phil and then Phil work to getting it all put together. Regardless, the funeral was later that evening and Bella was dreading everything to do with it.

She didn’t want to go.

But she had no choice; it was Charlie after all and she couldn’t not show up for him.

What she was really dreading was not only Renee making the whole thing about herself and how she had truly ‘loved’ Charlie when they were together and that she would forever miss him. She didn’t need to ask Alice to know she would have to bite her tongue quite a few times to keep from make snarky remarks to Renee and pointing out Renee had never reached out to Charlie; it was always the other way around.

She also wasn’t looking forward to seeing the pack and the vampires interact. She was afraid of what the pack would say to having more red eyes around and if they would become hostile during the whole process of laying Charlie to rest. No matter how they acted, there was no way she could ask them to not go; Charlie was too close to their parents to not be there. That connection thought, Charlie’s best friends being there, meant Jacob would definitely be there.

She was afraid to watch that scenario play out as well.

She was confident she would be okay; she would have Heidi with her after all. Jane was pissed she couldn’t be there with Bella but it was agreed Jane likely would either scare the hell out of the humans with her glares or she would ‘accidently’ use her gift on Jacob and nothing good would happen if she did. Personally, Bella would have been okay with that but Didyme put her foot down and said no one was going to argue with her.

Bella was shook from her thoughts about trying to convince Didyme to let her take Jane instead, Athenodora was onboard with the idea as well so Bella was sure if she really tried it would work, as Renee slammed her phone down on the kitchen counter.

“I just can’t believe they honestly think having us go to pick up our own order, when we’re in mourning, is a good business practice.” Renee said with a huff towards her husband.

“It’s okay, I’ll get them and drop them off at the funeral hall.” Phil offered right away as he stood from his seat.

Bella looked away from the sweet moment between her mom and Phil, slightly annoyed it was happening not only Charlie’s house but also on the day they were burying him. She didn’t think it was right for them to do that in his house, especially when she knew Charlie had never really moved on from Renee.

Once Phil was gone, Bella was left alone with Renee.

“Once the funeral is over, we’ll make arrangements for you to move to Florida with me.” Renee said, her heated emotions from just seconds ago completely gone. Bella was sure it was all an act to try and make whoever she was talking to on the phone feel even worse about not being able to deliver the flowers. Bella had heard the reasoning behind it was because their car broke down. They were a small town, so of course there wasn’t another car for the small business to use. But they had offered a good discount because of it; there was no real reason for Renee to go off like she had. “We’ll get this house sold quickly and then get you home where you belong.”

That was another thing that was weighing on Bella’s mind. Renee was so sure Bella was going to sell off everything of Charlies, supposedly within days according to Renee, and then move with her to Florida where she would finish high school online and then go to college there. Bella had already gave her a flat out no and explained she wanted to keep Charlie’s home, especially since it was already paid off, and finish her schooling in Washington; college and all.

“I don’t want to go to Florida.” Bella said as she sat up straighter, waiting for the inevitable fight that was about to happen.

Renee rolled her eyes, “Of course you do,” Renee said completely ignoring what she wanted, “Plus, you’re still a child, you can’t very well live here on your own. You wouldn’t know what to do to take care of everything to run a household; never mind how illegal it is.”

A small thump from upstairs, something Renee believed was an animal running into the house since they were so close to the forest line, reminded her she had real family upstairs waiting for her. She had already told Renee she had other plans, nothing to do with staying in Washington, but she didn’t need to know that. Athendora had already started to seriously contemplate ‘re-education’ Renee on what the woman was doing with Bella and how wrong it was but so far, Didyme has held her back.

“I think I’m going to start to get ready to go over. I have to get there early to make sure everything is ready for when everyone else starts to show up.” Bella said as she stood from her seat, choosing wisely to ignore what Renee said. Didyme advised her it was best to just let Renee think what she wanted to think because in the end, Bella was going with them back to Italy and there was nothing Renee could do about it. “I’ll meet you at the hall.” Bella said as she made her way to her room.

Renee had thankfully rented a hotel for her and Phil, so at least she wasn’t stuck with Renee the entire time.

“Do you need any help?” She asked as she grabbed her purse. Bella had half a mind to say yes and see how Renee would react to seeing who all she had in her room. Bella was especially curious on how Athenodora would act to seeing the room so close and no barriers.

“I’m good.” Bella said with a sigh. Renee likely wouldn’t even know how to help her even if she did.

Bella ignored Renee promising to lock up when she left that she had just one more phone call to make. For some reason, Renee felt it necessary to make these important calls, usually to a realtor about setting up viewings or something else to get rid of Charlie’s presence, all in his house. Bella didn’t want to hear. Plus, she had already been promised that Sulpicia was working on buying the house to keep it was a safe house for when the Volturi was in this area. It was a bit too close to civilization but that just meant they would only send certain guard members when they send someone. Bella was sure they were mostly keeping because of her, but also because they wanted to keep an eye on the pack for as long as the pack existed. She was sure Sulpicia was playing the long game when it came to getting back at Jacob for what he did and Bella really didn’t want to know what game that was.

As soon as Bella walked into her room, she was engulfed by Didyme’s arms and pulled into the most comforting hug she had ever been given. Bella gripped her back as hard as she could, doing her best to pull on the woman’s strength. Bella didn’t have much longer to go before she could literally run and not look back and she didn’t want to have a complete breakdown in the mean-time.

“You don’t need to be strong around me love.” Diydme softly whispered in her ear. “It’s just us.”

Bella took a few minutes to breath in her soothing scent before letting her go.

“Thank you.” Bella said with a shaky smile.

“Have you decided what to wear?” Heidi asked as she looked at the few outfits Bella had been debating between. Bella had already told everyone to just wear comfortable clothes; Charlie wasn’t one for dressing up and usually tried to get out of it if he could. So, Bella figured it was only right to carry on his persona and just dress comfortably; she just couldn’t decide if she wanted to go business casual, school casual or hanging out with friends over the weekend comfortable.

“Wear whatever you want.” Athenodora commented from her spot on the computer chair, “Best to go someplace uncomfortable while at least dressed comfortable. If you’re uncomfortable in what you’re wearing, it could just very well make the whole thing feel just a little more overwhelming.” She advised.

Bella took her advice and dressed in school casual. She was already going to have to talk to so many people she didn’t know, but knew her because of how much Charlie apparently liked to talk about her, she wanted to at least feel comfortable in her own skin.

“We will be just out of range of the humans noticing us,” Jane repeated as Bella leaned against Didyme on the bed, waiting for time to pass before she really did have to leave. “As soon as you and Heidi leave, we will follow you two to the airport and from there, we will leave and you won’t have to worry about dealing with all of this.” Jane said with a frown.

They were all upset with how much Renee was having Bella do for her own father’s funeral. Yes, Bella didn’t need to make the actual arrangements with the different companies, but she was still having to make a lot of decisions the vampires didn’t think was fair. It was also pissing Athenodora and especially Didyme off each time Renee mentioned Bella would be moving to Florida regardless of the fact Bella was already eighteen and didn’t want to move. It was grating on Didyme’s nerves that this woman was blessed enough to be able to have a child as kind, caring and smart as Bella and could only take advantage of the poor girl. The vampires were sure if Phil wasn’t with her, Bella likely would have ended up making all the arrangements herself.

“If you decide you want to stay, all you have to do is tell us.” Heidi promised, very much against what Didyme wanted. Didyme wanted Bella home with her and her mates. She wanted Bella to finally come home and to be surrounded by her mother’s and family that actually cared and would treat her as she deserved to be treated. She couldn’t do much if Bella stayed here. But Heidi didn’t care what they thought or even wanted; she only cared about Bella. “We will do whatever you want with no hesitation or judgement; just tell us and we will do it.” She promised her mate.

Bella nodded her understand, not trusting her voice to remain calm if she talked. What both Jane and Heidi were telling her was very soothing and with her emotions running wild, she was afraid she would start crying again and with just minutes before they left, she didn’t want that to happen.

“It’s time, are you sure you want to go?” Didyme asked, “No one will judge you if you decide not to go.”

“I want to.” Bella said, her voice breaking for just a second as she stood from her spot next to Didyme. The second she wasn’t touching the woman, she felt a lot colder than she thought she would. A part of her felt weird for wanting Didyme’s soothing touch so vehemently to help keep her calm and grounded. It wasn’t something she thought she would feel so strongly towards the queens but she was in no position to deny the pull.

Heidi grabbed Bella’s hand to pull her out of the bedroom door, thankful Renee was stupid enough to believe Heidi was a friend from school who was going to drive Bella. Truthfully, Heidi likely could have gotten Renee to believe Heidi was Bella’s girlfriend from Italy and was taking Bella away with her and Renee would believe her because not only would it get Bella from having Bella with her and Phil again, which everyone knew the woman didn’t want, it would also take all responsibility from Renee for having to emotionally be there for Bella. It was sick Renee was so out of her league when it came to being a mother; it was very clear not all women were meant to be mother’s and the queens were beyond pleased they wouldn’t have any real issue with the biological mother trying to stake any sort of real claim on their daughter.

“In a few hours, we’ll be in the air towards Italy where nothing bad will happen again to you.” Heidi promised her mate, hoping the more she talked up moving to Italy the more her mate will actually look forward to going instead of just seeming to be resigned to it.