Eclipse But Not Really

Here's What's Up With Bella

In the three weeks since Bella returned from Italy, a surprising amount had changed.

First things first, the Cullen's moved back. Not all of them; Rosalie and Emmett were doing a honeymoon thing, as they had apparently gotten married again, and had also graduated high school. She couldn't say she was too sad about that, she'd never really been close to either of them. Alice, naturally, was coming back to Forks, as was Jasper. Bella was hesitant about Jasper, but Alice swore he'd been getting a lot better, and he clearly meant a lot to her, so Bella decided he was cool. She was happy Carlisle and Esmee were coming back, as was Charlie. Charlie had no shame in his crush for the doctor, and no one could really blame him, not even his wife.

There was another Cullen, one Bella couldn't seem to make herself forget. He wasn't formerly staying at the Cullen house anymore, and no one could say where he was, exactly. That troubled her. 

What also troubled her where the mysterious gifts she found randomly. A perfume bottle in the glove compartment, a pearl necklace in her sock drawer, flowers in her locker, which she was sure had been stolen from the store, and many more. Bella hated them all, and gave them away as fast as possible.

Another important thing, she'd gotten closer with the werewolves; she could even call Paul a friend without laughing. They texted too, though their conversations usually went something like this:

Rat Man: pick up yer fUcking bike its taking up to much spaxe

Bella: treat my daughter with ResPeCT

Rat Man: no fuc y

And, not to avoid the obvious, she and Jacob had also gotten closer. Jacob had been dumb excited when he realized Bella was his imprintee, and boasted it to the other wolves every chance he got.

Bella found it endearing, and was also proud that she could call Jacob her wolfy soulmate. 

They weren't, uh, dating. Yet. Bella was still reeling from her last encounter with Edward, and wanted some more time. Not years, or probably even months, but a few weeks more. Just to make sure she had really let go. He respected that, which made things even easier, honestly.

When she first started hanging out with the wolves, she'd made fun of Sam and Emily for being the 'parents' of the pack. Then she'd been 'adopted' by them, and the jokes became too real.

Speaking of Emily, Bella had taken up working the flower shop with her. She'd been hesitant to go back, knowing she would never see Martha again. It made her sad, and guilty. But, she missed getting her hands dirty, and tending to the plants, and Emily assured her Martha would have wanted her to be there, keeping things in shape.

She worked less shifts than before, still trying to deal with her feelings, but she was going back.

Really, the only thing she was having trouble with (other than Ed-bitch) was convincing her dad to let her get her soulmark tattooed.

Charlie was against it on the grounds of her mother wouldn't approve (he was still hurt she'd left for three days without telling him) and she'd insisted that it would be fine (she was sorry, but she couldn't offer any explanation).

"Dad, please, this means a lot to Jacob and I." Bella begged. "It's an important symbol to him, to both of us. I know you're still hurt, and I'm sorry, but this isn't about just me. Please, dad."

Charlie sighed, and rubbed his face. "Bella, I am not paying a dime of this tattoo, I do not want it on your face, and I want an apology dinner."

"Deal." Bella grinned, and hugged her father. "I really am sorry, dad. I never wanted to hurt you."