Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the realm of Twilight, and do not intend on any copyright infringement. Stephanie Meyers in the genius of all things Twilight.
Prologue
I was on my way to Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house for a party I was invited to by a classmate from my World History Class. I was a freshman at the University of Washington in Seattle. It was the end of April and this was the last weekend before the entire campus turned into some kind of study lockdown mixed with an enormous flurry of activities for the graduating class. As I made my way towards the frat house I looked at my watch and saw it was nearing nine o'clock at night. I wondered again why I was going- by myself- and not steeling away in my dorm room and getting an early start on my final papers and studying for my final tests. Then I remember the two catalysts to my decision to attend the party that Mike had invited me to: One- Jasper would be there- gorgeous TA of my history class, and two- my roommate all but kicked me out as her boyfriend from high school was visiting this weekend and she insisted on some "alone time." I couldn't be too mad about it, they were in love and never had asked me to leave before when he would visit- it was the least I could do.
As I approached the door I could hear the loud bass of whatever song was playing and feel the ground shake with each beat, I saw the large amount of people gathering in and out of the house all holding blue or red plastic cups. I made a decision as I my feet brought me to the sidewalk at the edge of the house's grass- tonight I would put my shyness, quietness and low self esteem to rest, and tonight I would just be, with no worry of tomorrow. I would still be me, still be Bella, but I would live in the moment like any normal nineteen year old at a college frat party should. With one more deep breath I steeled myself and made my way into the house, and unknowingly my future.
It was nearing midnight and I had yet to really strike up a conversation with anyone. I had spotted Mike but he had his tongue jammed down a girl with bright blonde hair and almost pitch black roots. I quickly avoided him and went in search for someone interesting to talk to, but found no one. I looked at my watch again and decided it was still too early to head back to my room and I saw an empty seat on a couch open up and sat down with my own red cup filled with some kind of beer in my right hand. I felt the cushion next to me sink in on itself and felt heat on my left side. I turned my head and came face to face with the man who starred in a few of my daydreams during class: Jasper Whitlock.
"Hi Isabella" I cringed at the formal name- the professor had insisted on it and Jasper was unaware of my preferred name ",Are you enjoying the festivities my fellow brothers and I have put forth?" he said as he leaned in towards my ear so I would be able to hear him over the music.
"I am." I said lamely and felt the heat rise to my cheeks, thanking god the alcohol could be blamed for my blush.
That was the end of our encounter; he nodded at me and got up and walked towards a very small girl with long black hair, and headed up the stairs with his arms wrapped around her tiny waist. I sighed and glanced at my watch- again- 12:45 am. I was about to get up and start heading for home, hoping with the time it took to cross campus would be enough for Angela and Ben to wrap things up. I started to step forward and rammed into something solid and warm, I felt the familiar burn in my face took a shaky breath and looked up prepared to offer my apologies when my words froze in my throat at the sight of two piercing green orbs. Again I tried to profess my apologies when the voice of silk stopped me.
"I'm sorry about that, are you okay?" he asked with concern written on his face.
I nodded dumbly when he spoke again. "I hope you're not leaving, you have got to be the most beautiful creature here, let alone walking on this earth."
I snorted at the poor pick up line. His own chuckle brought me back to the moment. "You're right, that was a terrible line, true but terrible. I could have gone with the alphabet one. Would that have gotten me further?"
And with that my evening where I had planned to let loose and not worry about tomorrow truly began. I knew his name was Edward and I knew my life would never be the same. We talked for about two hours straight and at some point ended up in one of the rooms. I was aware that we were both buzzed, but I knew I was not fully drunk. It started with a soft kiss and had I known my world would turn upside down at that moment I really don't think I would have stopped, because the feelings shooting out and within me with every caress and every word would be worth it.
I woke up before the beautiful man, and snuggled into his chest further and his arms tightened around me. I looked at the clock and noticed that it was nearing 8 in the morning and that I was supposed to meet Ben and Angela for breakfast in fifteen minutes. I found a piece of paper after I had squirmed my way out of Edward's embrace and scrawled down my name and number and placed it next to him on the bed. After I dressed I quickly and quietly closed the door and past a tall strawberry blonde woman on my way out.
6 weeks later
I was sitting in my room at my father's house in Forks, staring out the window waiting for the timer to go off. I never thought 3 minutes could be so long. My dad, Charlie, is the Chief of Police of this small town, and he provided well for my brother and I. My parents divorced when I was three and my brother, Emmett, was 7. I moved with my mom, Renee to Arizona and he stayed here with our dad. I moved up here when I was 17 after my mom remarried, I wanted to give them some space, plus I missed my dad and figured he was lonely since Emmett had been out of the house at school for a few years. The annoying buzz brought me out of my memories at how I ended up here and I slowly made my way to the bathroom.
I pushed open the door and picked up the small white stick and was met with what I feared- two pink lines. I dropped the test and began to fold in on myself as the weight of what was happening impaled all of my senses. I was 19, pregnant and alone. I had no way of contacting Ed-him. I didn't have his last name and he never called. He never called. That realization brought on another round of tears, for probably the hundredth time in the past six weeks. I'm not sure how long I sat there rocking myself, but I felt two strong arms cradle me and lay me on my bed. I sat and cried, I was aware of voices outside my room, and then I felt the presence of two people sit on either side of me. I looked up to see the sad faces of Emmett and my sister-in-law, Rosalie. Emmett ran his fingers through my hair while Rosalie held my hand.
The following weeks and months were not easy. My father and Emmett had to be calmed several times and talked out of many plans to find and hurt Edward. Yes, I was able to think his name now, even though it still hurt I had to come to the realization that I had part of him in me, and a part of him would be with me the rest of my life. My dad being a police officer and Emmett starting law school decided that their combined brain power was enough so they could commit murder and get away with it- I was able to put the thoughts of bodily harm to rest eventually- I think. It was decided that I would finish the first semester of my sophomore year, and stay with Emmett and Rose until the baby was born and a little after. I would take the next semester off and stay in the apartment above Rose's shop. That way while I was at class Rose could watch my baby and take a break from fixing cars, I would also work as the receptionist as I refused to stay there for free. I had a plan, I would finish college and hopefully find a good job in a decent high school, and I would be able to provide for my child.
January 7th 2005
I was sitting on Emmett's couch while he had gotten up to order a pizza. I was thankful for the small amount of time to myself while he was in the kitchen. For the past month I was never left on my own, either Emmett, Rose, or my dad would hover around me and freak about any complaint I had and would insist I went to the hospital- I would put my foot down before they ever actually got me to the car. I laughed to myself remembering the fights I had put up when I felt a cold sensation seep under me. I looked to make sure I hadn't spilled anything and then I felt a small tightening around my abdomen. Emmett had returned to the room at this time and had a look of worry on his face. I nodded my head- knowing he would understand. He helped me up, picked up his phone and keys and started to drive to the hospital.
On the drive to the hospital he had called Rose, dad and the pizza place to notify them. I looked at him quizzically on the last one to which he shrugged and said no one would be there to pick it up or pay for it- and he didn't want to be viewed as a bad customer. About 13 hours later, pain, medications and pushing- lots and lots of pushing I heard the small cry that brought tears to my eyes. The doctor said I had a little boy, and he placed the bundle on my chest and I fell even more in love with my nudger. After he and I were cleaned up Rose- who stayed with me during the delivery- went and brought in my dad, Emmett, Renee and Phil, who had just arrived minutes before. My eye's shown with pride as I introduced my son: Tate Anthony Swan.
August 2009
The next few years flew by; I had graduated college and was going to start teaching at Meyer High School in Seattle. I wasn't able to find a job after I graduated because I finished in the middle of a school year and had continued to work for Rosalie; she had expanded her garage and had hired a few more staff. Emmett had finished law school and has been a junior associate at the Volturi Law Firm for three years. Tate and I had found a new apartment closer to my school and his new daycare. My family wasn't thrilled about this, but it was the only option, plus he would start preschool there. I was reminded everyday of Edward, its hard not to when I have a mini version running around- same hair, eyes and a toddler version of his face. I kept videos, scrap books, and various pieces of information if I ever did see him again. I always have small amount of hope that I will find him again- not for me, but for Tate, as his father.