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What, wouldn't that be too risky?

I couldn't see Charlie anymore, since Carlisle was blocking my view of the human, but I heard the Chief respond.

"You won't have a strong case. Pearl's been missing for 11 months.

The topic of how you all met will come up, and any response you give will be investigated and scrutinised.

On top of that, none of you have any biological connection to Pearl.

The system will always try and keep immediate family together, regardless of the child's personal wishes.

" He finished, his statement sounded final.

I saw Esme take step forwards from my left, she looked angry.

I don't think I've ever seen Esme look this angry before.

When she spoke, her tone was dark and serious.

The complete opposite to what it is usually like.

"The system is flawed. You'd rather keep a child with their abusive parents because it means less paperwork for you, and is an overall easier solution, but that is not in the child's best interest. Pearl, shouldn't have to go back with a neglectful mother. " She spoke in a firm voice.

She sounded so serious. Hearing Esme's obvious support for me, warmed my heart. She's nothing like Sue.

I wish Esme was my real mother...

Carlisle then spoke up, not willing to give up, he pressed the matter further before Charlie could respond to Esme. "If the gross negligence and emotional abuse Pearl suffered under Mrs Clearwater's care came to light, would we have a chance at winning the case if we tried?"

Charlie answered bluntly, "It's slim. Besides, you would need to provide some sort of proof for your case. And I'm assuming that proof doesn't exist?" He questioned pointedly.

There isn't any proof... It would just be my word against Sue's... Leah and Seth would never choose me over her... They'd back up whatever lies she told...

My face was downcast, as the realisation hit me like a truck, there wasn't really anything we could do about this situation.

Sue's brought this matter publicly, she's already drawn a lot of attention to us because of that.

Running away will just cause more issues, but it sounds like putting up a fight is just as hopeless.

I'll just have to wait out my time under her care. And leave the moment I turn 18.

As I resigned myself to my fate, I failed to notice all of the looks on my family's faces. They had all made a silent agreement with each other without my knowledge.

"We can take this to court. We'll fight for custody of Pearl." Carlisle suddenly announced. Catching me completely of guard.

What?! That's nuts! It's way too risky! Going through a legal battle could be detrimental to our existence. The chance of us getting outed as supernatural would be massively increased!

Charlie said it himself, everyone in this room would be investigated! What happens if a human digs up something they weren't supposed to find?! We could all end up getting exposed!

It's too much of a risk!

Carlisle began talking to Charlie about the legal process, but all I could focus on was how stupid of an idea this was.

I know they love me, but I'm not worth this much trouble!

I can just hide out in my room at Sue's house until I turn 18.

Then I'm free to do whatever I want. I know I'll hate it, but it's a lot less of a risk to my family.

"Hang on a second..." I tried to interrupt Carlisle and Charlie's conversation. My voice was filled with uncertainty, but i tried to make myself loud enough for them to hear me.

If they heard me, they didn't acknowledge me.

They continued talking like I hadn't spoken at all.

My fear began to rise again, but this time, it wasn't for myself, it was for my coven.

My family. I felt Jasper trying to squash it with his gift, but, ultimately, his interference didn't feel like it did anything.

The idea of me being the reason my family is put in danger, is absolutely terrifying. And there's no guarantee that we'll win. It could all end up being for nothing. How could the risk be worth it?!

Bree tugged on my hand, drawing my attention to her.

I stared into her golden eyes, and as I did so, I began feeling all of her current emotions.

It's said that the eyes are the key to the soul, and with our bond, I'm going to say that is true.

As she shared her emotions with me, I shared my emotions with her.

Compared to my frantic panic and worry, Bree was calm and collected.

How is she so calm? A while ago, she was faking confidence to help me, but she was still worried underneath. Now, she's acting like she is completely fine. Where did all that worry go? Has she gotten an idea?

Bree broke eye contact with me and used her other hand to tug on the back of Carlisle's shirt, bringing his attention to her, he looked over his shoulder, still blocking my view of the chief.

Having gotten the patriarch's attention, Bree made a suggestion, an absolutely brilliant suggestion.

"What if Pearl got legally emancipated instead?

That way, she could leave Sue's care without being 18, and none of us would need to be in the legal spotlight. "

Carlisle's gaze was questioning, he looked to be thinking it over. I stopped hearing Charlie's voice as well, so I assume that he was also trying to figure out what the likely result of that action would be.

Edward was the first to speak up after Bree's suggestion. "It could work. We'd certainly have a better chance at getting a more desirable outcome."

He agreed with her. He wouldn't have done that if he didn't believe it.

Bella spoke up next, adding on to what Edward had said. "It would also keep all of us out of the cross hairs." She stated.

Carlisle then looked over to me, I could tell he was searching my face for what I thought about the idea.

I'm not sure how the process would work, but if it's the most sure fire way to keep them all safe, and out of the eyes of the law, then i'm willing to do it.

I clenched my right hand into a fist, as determination welled up inside of me. I nodded towards my vampiric father, showcasing my agreement.

At my nod, he turned his head back to Charlie, and asked the Chief in a calm voice, "Would Pearl be able to do that?"

After some hesitation, the Chief's voice sounded out, "It's possible."

His answer filled me with hope, as it looked like I finally had a way out of the situation that Sue had suddenly brought upon us.

Carlisle must've sensed that I was doing better now, because he moved to the side so that I would be able to talk to Charlie directly.

Emmet's hand on my shoulder seemed to get slightly firmer once he did so, though.

It was pretty obvious that everyone in the room was still quite tense.

Carlisle, Esme and Bree seemed to be the most outwardly calm ones, but Bree was holding my hand incredibly tightly, so much so, that if I was human, she would have most certainly crushed it by now.

Now facing me, Charlie explained, "But the process to get yourself emancipated would be a difficult one.

You would have to prove that you are better off outside of your mother's care.

Not only that, you'd also have to prove that you're capable of taking care of yourself.

That would mean that you're physically, mentally, emotionally and financially able to support yourself without any assistance.

And, that you are able to understand everything that you're doing. "

There were certainly some parts of that explanation that made me think that it won't work, but it's still the best option we've got.

"Okay. Let's do that then." I said in response.

The Chief looked slightly taken aback by my answer, and it seemed like he was going to try and talk me out of it.

So I continued, "Sue doesn't care for me.

She has made that abundantly clear. I don't know why she filed a police report stating that I've been kidnapped, but even if that was the case, and I had been taken against my will, it took her 5 days to notice that I was gone.

And the fact that you and Billy were the ones to declare me as a missing person, really says a lot about her priorities.

You may not believe that Sue's treatment of me was as bad as I've made it seem, but even you have to admit that Sue not declaring me as missing herself, is pretty awful. "

Charlie let out a deep sigh at my response. Seemingly acknowledging the facts that I had brought up. He nodded his head towards me and conceded. "Okay Pearl." He said.

Relief rushed through me as he spoke those words. It didn't mean that he believed me. But it did mean that he was acknowledging my concerns, and that is something. Emmet relaxed his grip on my shoulder, so I wasn't the only one to feel that relief.

Esme then spoke up to ask, "What will she need to do?"

Charlie turned serious again and answered, "Pearl will have to come down to the police station with me to get the process of emancipation started. As well as to clear up the missing person case, and refute Sue's claim of kidnapping."

Wait... is it only me and Charlie going?

My nerves skyrocketed at the realisation that I would have to do this alone. But as quickly as they had come, they were forced away by Jasper's gift. I don't think I've ever been more thankful for the Texan's interference.

"Can we come with her?" Emmet asked from beside me.

Charlie shook his head, confirming my fear.

"No, you can't. If she is starting this process then she'll have to do it alone.

Besides, if any of you were to show up, you'd just be assisting and supporting Sue's claim.

Pearl will have to come with me, and until this is all resolved, she will be remanded into the state's custody. " His tone was firm and authoritative.

I didn't even get time to react to his words because a shooting pain emerged from my left hand.

Looking down towards it, I saw Bree clutching onto me so tightly that cracks were starting to form going up my wrist. The grip she had on me, hurt.

But nothing hurt more than the thought of being away from her.

Why does this stuff always happen to us? Why can't we just be happy? I literally just asked her out on a date yesterday, and now we're being told that we're going to be separated for an unspecified amount of time?!

As my brain currently centred around Bree and her well being, I barely noticed the fact that Rosalie and Emmet had started shouting at the Chief.

From the corner of my eye, I did see Edward step in front of me and Bree.

I wasn't sure why he did so, but my question was answered when Esme began prying Bree's hand off of mine.

When Bree realised how tight she had been holding onto me, she immediately let go.

With my hand free, I could see the extent of the damage.

I barley felt it anymore, but it looked bad.

Alice appeared at my side with an ice pack.

I have no idea when she left to get that.

Carlisle quickly set the bones in my hand back in place, while Jasper was calming Bree down.

Bree was staring at my hand with a guilty expression on her face, with venom in her eyes.

As soon as Carlisle finished, I felt my hand begin to heal.

My healing rate has sped up considerably since I fully merged both my vampire and shifter sides.

Before Bree could start to apologise, I used my right hand to pull her towards me and envelop her in a hug.

Sensing that I wasn't mad at her, she melted into my embrace and clung onto me.

Esme, Carlisle and Jasper then focused their attention onto the other situation, and tried to aid Bella in calming Emmet and Rosalie down, to stop them from attacking the police chief.

Alice and Edward stayed by me and Bree, not showing any desire to leave.

I didn't say anything, I just kept my imprint inside of my arms. I don't want to leave her. ..

"Pearl." Alice whispered to me, gaining my attention. Turning my head to her, listened to what she had to say. "It's not forever. The most it will be is a week or two." She spoke softly.

Is she telling me to leave? But...

Edward's voice then sounded out from my right. "If this goes right, you'll have forever to plan your first date. And many more after that." His tone was gentle and reassuring.

They must have seen something. That's why they sounded so certain. But... how can I leave my imprint like this? How can I leave all of them? I belong here. I don't want to spend time away. That's the last thing I want.

As the sound of the shouts died down, Bree eventually pulled away from me slightly, and looked directly in my eyes.

Her eyes were still sad, but they looked more hopeful now.

In a quiet voice, she said, "You can do this Pearl.

Don't worry about me. Put yourself first for once. I'll be here when you get back."

"Bree..." I mumbled, sadness escaping into my tone.

My imprint gave me a small smile, "I love you Pearl. And I will wait for you." She declared.

Tears filled my eyes as I took in what she had said. Placing my forehead on hers, I whispered, "I love you too."

Everything that happened afterwards was kind of a blur.

I had to pack a bag and say goodbye to everyone, including Renesmee, who had no idea what was going on, bless her.

Charlie had me get into the passenger seat of his police car, and he drove away.

I watched the place I've called home for months, slowly disappear from my view.

It felt like I was saying goodbye to it all.

I knew that wasn't the case, Alice and Edward had reassured me of that.

But with no one from my family to stop them, the doubts started creeping in.

At that moment, there was only one question on my mind. ..

Why does Sue have to do this to me?