Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns everything.
I Walk the Line
Chapter 1: A Lot Has Happened
Human or Vampire: Human
Background Info:
Forks, Washington: 2016
After graduating from Duke University with a PhD in history, Edward Cullen married his girlfriend of two years and moved back to Washington to teach at University of Washington, now twenty-eight years old he is a widower after his wife of less than a year dies in childbirth leaving him with their son Landon, now two years old.
After graduating from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Master's Degree in journalism, Bella Swan went onto to work for the Chicago Tribune. She's dated a little, but nothing serious.
"I can't believe I'm doing this," I mumbled to myself getting my luggage off the flat.
"Did you say something dear?" asked the elderly lady getting her cream colored luggage set beside my plum colored one.
"Oh, no. Sorry," I smiled quickly walking off pulling my suitcase behind me.
"Bella" smiled my dad giving me a hug as he greeted me. I hadn't seen him in almost 2 years.
"Hey, Ch… dad," I recovered quickly hugging him back.
"It's good to see. You look so different," he chuckled taking my suitcase and leading me outside to the parking lot.
"Not really," I replied fingering my hair nervously.
"I've never seen your hair so short," he laughed throwing my luggage into the back of the squad car as I got in on the passenger said.
"It's not that short," I chuckled fingering my shoulder length hair. I really hadn't bothered doing much with it today or most days. My natural volume and wave had become quite stylish in Chicago.
"If you say so," he smiled pulling onto the highway. It was silent for a few minutes. "I know it's not really your scene, but I'm having a few people over tonight. Kind of a welcome home party."
"Dad," I groaned rolling my eyes. The last thing I wanted was for everyone and their aunt to come knocking down the door to get a look at the big city girl.
"Everyone wants to see you," he grinned, "Mr. and Mrs. Cullen already called to tell me how excited they were to hear that you were coming to town."
"Dad," I repeated nervously running my fingers through my hair.
"Come on Bells. I haven't seen you in what? Two years. I understand you had to go out and be your person, but don't forget about where you came from," he explained going the speed limit down the highway that led into Forks.
"Dad, I'm not the same person I was when I left," I snapped back. "I'm not the little awkward twig running around with my head in the clouds."
"That's any understatement," he chuckled lifting up my right arm to see the green four leaf clover tattooed to my wrist. "The Bella I knew didn't have tattoos and… piercings," he continued pushing my hair behind my left ear to reveal the piercings in my left ear. Three in my cartilage and two in my ear lode.
"I have more," I smiled innocently. What had started as an attempt to follow a tread and become a bit of a hobby.
"How many?" he asked, sounding almost scared to find out the answer.
"Five," I stated confidently crossing my arms over my chest.
"Five?" he choked turning and looking at me. He quickly whipped his eyes back on the road and then back at me.
"Yep. The four leaf clover," I pointed to my wrist, "the heart on my left foot, a fleur de lis on my left shoulder blade, the Chinese symbol for love on the back of my neck, and a Celtic knot tramp stamp."
"Oh my gosh… Bella," he moaned as he drove into Forks. "You're almost twenty-nine years old. When are you going to get married? Have you even thought about kids? The clock is ticking for you and for me. I'm no spring chicken."
"I think about that stuff every day," I replied stepping out of the car as put it into park on the gravel driveway in front of the simple two story house. Home sweet home.
"Well, do you date?" he questioned carrying my suitcase inside and upstairs to my old room. I hated these questions. I had a successful career, a dream apartment, and an amazing group of friends what more did I need?
"A little. When I get the time. I'm pretty busy most days. You know, several people count on me," I explained sitting down on the bed and he dropped the suitcase in the floor in front of me.
"I didn't mention it in the car, but the Mrs. Cullen said that Edward might drop by and see you," he quickly rattled off, spilling the news that he thought would upset me.
"Whatever," I spat hopping up from the bed and putting my suitcase on my bed. "I've got to get ready for the party."
"Okay," he smiled leaving the room closing the door behind him. If Edward was going to be at this party I wanted to look kick ass even if I had no chance with him. I received a wedding invitation a couple of years ago, but I had a big deadline the night of the wedding so, unfortunately, I couldn't go. I took quick shower and made sure to put my contacts in this time. I did my makeup and slipped into my new crème top body con dress, black and gold Michael Kors belt and a pair of black studded platform shoes. I straightened my hair until it was like satin and I made my way downstairs.
"You look pretty," smiled Charlie as he put out a tray of fruit and veggies. I grabbed a couple pieces of broccoli and dipped them in the ranch sauce as the door bell rang. "I'll get it!"
"You do that dad," I chuckled walking over to the refrigerator and pulling the door open and grabbing a beer off the shelf. Only alcohol would settle my nerves.
"Bella!" I heard a lady call my name as I closed the door and walked around to the front door.
"Jessica!" I exclaimed opening my arms as Mike followed behind her.
"You look so hot!" Jessica complimented giving me a big hug. Another one of the perks of being single and childless, I got to spend time on my appearance. Working out three or four times a week and semi-clean eating had got me to the best shape of my life.
"You do too!" I replied hugging her back. Jessica was a simply beautiful in a denim button up shirt, leggings and knee-high boots.
"It's good to see you Bella," smiled Mike shyly standing behind Jessica.
"You look good too," I complimented pulling back to get a look at them. "What's going on?"
"Oh, just the same old stuff. Work, family, sleep then it repeats," joked Mike stuffing his hands in his pockets. I noticed the engagement and matching wedding band on Jessica's finger and vaguely remembered getting a wedding invitation ages ago.
"How long have you guys been married now?" I asked lifting up Jessica's hand to get a look at the rock on her ring finger.
"Oh, how long has it been?" smiled Jessica looking up at Mike with big doe eyes.
"I fell for that last time so I remembered the answer this time. Eight years," he smiled defiantly crossing his arms over his chest.
"Very good," I complimented quite happy for them, but was suddenly feeling old. Considering they had been married for a while and I hadn't even lived with a boyfriend, let alone been engaged.
"We can only stay for a minute. Adrienne's dance recital is at 5:00 and we have to pick the twins up from soccer at 4:30," explained Jessica putting her arm around Mike and him doing the same.
"Well, take some fruit with you," pointed Charlie to the kitchen table.
"Oh, thank you," grinned Mike grabbing some apple and watermelon and wrapping them in a napkin. "The kids will need a pick me up after practice."
"Twins?" I asked curiously now I definitely feel old! Three children seemed a little overwhelming to say the least. I always thought that one child and a couple of puppies would be nice, but the thought of being outnumbered by children seemed scary.
"Yes," smiled Jessica proudly. "Aiden and Andrew, they're seven and Adrienne's six. I have photos on my phone."
"You guys must be so proud," I smiled masking my sadness as Jessica pulled out her phone to slide through a half-dozen pictures of the kids playing outside and a couple of professional shots, as well. Part of me pained inside thinking about what could have been. What could have been for me and Edward.
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