I do not own. I just borrow.
=o= Prologue - August 20th, 2010 =o=
BPOV
Stupid hotel stationary. Stupid fucking hotel stationary. I think I would have preferred a post-it. A post-it wouldn't have room for all these stupid words from a stupid lying man with stupid promises and stupid sex-hair. Fucking ginger bastard.
I crumpled up the letter and threw it across the bed with a petulant scream that quickly turned into a heavy sob.
He was gone.
As my shoulders heaved and shook, I struggled for a calming breath as my mind ran in desperate circles. Slowly coming to terms with the fact that he had made his choice, he had accepted the offer in Chicago and once again I had fallen for a man who didn't find me worth the effort. Well... worth the effort of lying but beyond that I was nothing but convenient. With that final thought something cracked deep inside. If I'd had a romantic atom left in my body I might have believed it was my heart, turned to ice and fracturing into irreparable pieces.
I climbed out of the bed, my tears exhausted but their evidence still cooling in trails down my face. I knew what I needed to do, what I should have done over a year ago. A quick efficient shower, A few clicks on my laptop, A final sweep of the room for any stray belongings I missed while packing, A final look back at the hotel in the early morning light, A few brief text messages to the only people who would care to worry that I was gone.
...we're about to begin take-off, please buckle your seat-belts and put all chairs and trays into their up-right positions...
...miss, what can I get you to drink?
...thank you for choosing Southwest Airlines, we hope you enjoy your stay in San Diego...
The moment I stepped out into the balmy August air in, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I was free. Free from expectations, free from memories, free to start fresh among the palm trees and sunshine far away from evergreens and rain. Turning my cell phone back on I signed as it sprang to life, chirping with missed calls, voicemails and texts. Mostly from Alice.
B we're all in the lobby waiting for you guys. Where r u? Too much sexy times for Team Awesome? Waddle your bowlegged ass down here pronto missy! Post-wedding brunch time awaits! - A
B just got your text. WTF happened? Where are you? Are you OK? Please call me, I love you. - A
Avoiding me is futile woman, you know this CALL ME BACK, I love you, Jasper loves you, we all love you - BRUNCH LOVES YOU. - A
B your phone keeps going to voice mail. You had better not be dead in a ditch somewhere. I'm not kidding B call me back, text me, something, please? - A
That's it. You've left me no choice. I'm calling your father. - A
Fuck.
My father.
Leave it to Alice to bust out the big guns. Sure enough, 10 increasingly frantic Alice voice mails in is a message from the big man himself.
"Hi Sweetheart. Alice called. Please call her back, or me, or anyone. I love you Bells."
Dad has always been a man of few words but the ones he did speak always meant something. He didn't say it, but he was worried and probably thisclose to putting out an APB. I knew he'd understand once I told him where I was and why. Dad and I just got one another. He was my hero, my rock. The only man I could ever truly count on. So I couldn't leave him waiting and wondering - thinking the worst.
ring... ring... ring...
"Bells?"
"Hi Daddy, sorry I missed your call. I just landed and turned on my phone."
"San Diego?"
"Yes sir. I needed..." I didn't know how to tell him 'I needed to get the fuck outta dodge because I fell in love with a lying douchebag who fucked me 6 ways from Sunday last night and left a goodbye note on my hotel room pillow'. Not exactly details I ever wanted to discuss with dear old Dad. Ever.
"It's ok sweetheart, I know. I'm just glad you're safe. You called Em yet?"
"Not yet, he's next on my list. Then Alice... unless you..."
A deep belly laugh erupted at my suggestion, even the Chief of Police wanted no part in hurricane Alice. "No, I think you can handle Alice"
"It was worth a shot" I chuckled "Thanks Dad, really. I'm sorry I worried you. I love you."
"Love you too, always. Call me when you get settled kiddo."
"Will do. Bye."
One down, two to go.
I held my breath as I dialed Emmet's number. I hadn't seen my brother since he'd moved to California 5 years ago. I'd wanted to come and visit and he'd offered countless times to put me up in his guest room but there was always something that would come up and I'd put off making the trip. Really, I just didn't want to go alone. I wanted my fiancee to want to go visit my family with me. I didn't want to force him. I wasn't that girl. I wasn't my mother. I knew how to compromise. Apparently, I knew how to compromise a little too well.
"Bella Bella Bella, baby sister of mine, you have impeccable timing"
"Ummm hi to you too Emmett, should I be afraid?"
"Be afraid half-pint, be verrry afraid. Tonight is a very big night, this decision could determine the course of human history. The fate of the free world rests on your shoulders... I have the grill warming up, an assortment of fine beers chilling in the fridge and I'm trying to decide on steak or sausage and peppers for the main course. Now tell me, dead cow or mafia delight?"
I laughed.
I laughed so hard and so loud people in the terminal around me began to stare as I wiped the tears from my eyes and hopped in a cab.
I really needed that laugh. Thank fucking god for Emmett McCarty.
My brother was sarcastic. Loud. Always the life of the party. Yet, despite his intimidating size and striking resemblance to a linebacker, Emmett was kind-hearted and easy going, the ultimate teddy bear. Football scholarships may have paid his way through college but he'd never aspired to go pro. Like many boys growing up Emmett loved to build things. Legos, Lincoln Logs, blocks, bricks, sticks, stones, whatever he could get his hands on he would use to create. When he was 13 and I was 10 he built us a treehouse in our backyard in Forks. When he was 16 he designed and recruited his friends to build out our car-port turning it into a 2 car garage. By the time he graduated from the University of Washington he was being courted by construction firms across the nation, finally settling on the smaller, younger firm Banner Development Group. Working for BDG gave him the opportunity to "get in on the ground floor" and "make a name for himself". Which he had done in spades. I was so proud of him. He had it all and in my opinion, no one deserved it more.
"Well, that depends. Do you have enough of either to share with your dear sister?" As I gave Emmett's address to the cabbie and we pulled away from the curb Emmett's loud guffaws came to a halt. You could almost hear the wheels turning in his head in the silence before he spoke.
"Bells, where exactly are you?" he asked apprehensively.
"Just left Lindbergh Field, I was hoping... if you don't mind... I mean... I can find a hotel if you're busy or something..." I thought he would have been excited to see me, I mean he was always bugging me to come down here and stay. After James and I split up last year he'd practically threatened to shang-hai me from Seattle to live with him. But now, hearing him hesitate, I wondered if I'd made yet another mistake by coming here. I sniffled and tried in vain to hold back the tears that were threatening.
"Wait? What? No! No Bells, of course you can come here I just. Shit, I'm just surprised is all kid, I can't believe you're here! This is awesome! I mean it B..."
The tears that were once only threatening were now flowing freely as I was overcome with sobs of relief. I didn't realize just how much I needed to be here and I had no idea what I would do if I had to back to Seattle, or worse... back to Forks. The pathetic broken-hearted daughter of the mighty Police Chief, chased home with her tail between her legs. No job, no fiancee and absolutely no idea of what to do with her life. Just in time for her 10 year High School reunion. No thank you.
"Aw, honey don't cry. I'm sorry, I really am excited and you're always welcome you know that"
"I know, I know, I'm sorry I just..."
"B, you just what? What's goin' on? Are you ok? Is it Mom? What'd she do this time? I swear if she..."
"No. It's not Mom. Em... can we... can we talk about it later? I'll be there soon ok?"
"Ok ok, beer and food first, talking later. I'll see you in a few minutes kid." He paused and with a chuckle added before ending the call "And enough with the waterworks, don't freak out the cabbie"
I choked out a laugh and gave an apologetic smile to the cab driver. A long breath I didn't know I'd been holding slipped out through my pursed lips as I sat back in my seat. I shot off a quick text to Alice, letting her know I was OK and would call her later to talk. Turning my head towards the window I relaxed into the silence watching the city fly by while we cruised down the highway.
The drive to Emmett's place was quick, he lived in a condo right on the boardwalk in Mission Beach. The afternoon sky was bright blue and free of clouds, there were people everywhere. Walking, biking, rollerblading, jogging, lounging. A light breeze off the water brought with it the smell you only find at the beach, saltwater, seaweed and clean crisp air. I took a deep breath, handed a few bills to the cabbie and pulled my bag from the trunk. Before I could take a step I was wrapped up in a bear hug from behind, lifted me off my feet and spun in circles.
"B, you're finally here!
A/N
Okay so here it is. My first fic. Un-beta'd and I'm super nervous about posting it and I've edited it up a bit since it first went up this morning. Just trying to get a handle on the formatting.
Please let me know what you think. Good, Bad, Ugly (hopefully not Bad or Ugly but beggars can't be choosers right?) ;)
Working on the next few chapters and hope to have something posted again next week. The characters are part canon, part my own imaginary friends and a dash of the people I know in everyday life. We're weird and say silly things and drink and curse so my cast of characters will too. I've never written a lemon but there is some citrusy action planned ahead so if you're not old enough to vote, it's best to quit now while you're ahead.
