~Chapter One~

Gravity

~Bella~

Everything is such a blur. My ears are ringing so much it makes it so hard to tell what the people around me are saying. I knew my body was in pain but not what was hurting, it all felt so strange. Where am I?

I look around, trying to center myself but everything is so distorted. The people walking around me looked more like faceless shapes swirling around me, the way that horrible smoke from a cigarette does when someone lights it next to you. My head started to pound and my body went numb. 'Dad..' was the one word that came out of my mouth as I stumbled to my knees on some hard pavement. The voices around me became louder and louder. I was scared.

What's happening to me?

"Bella!" An echoing voice is calling out to me. Who's voice is that? I recognize it but my mind just can't put a face on the blurry face as they try to shake me out of this trance.

"Bella, what's wrong?!"

"What's going on, Angela?! Is she okay?!" Ben? Is that you?

"Call an ambulance now!"

There were so many voices around me getting louder and louder. The pain was getting worse and my head was hurting so much more now.

"Let me through! I'm a doctor."

Who? Who is that? I couldn't recognize that voice even as they kneeled down next to me and tried to get me to look at them.

What's happening to me?

I'm scared.

Dad...

I was woken up by a strange light that was shining right on my eyes, I open my them slowly, looking to see the orange ray of morning sunlight seep through the crevice of the curtains. I sigh as I sit up from the warmth of my bed and look over my shoulder to look at the clock on my bedside table.

Five A.M. great.

I knew there was no way I would get anymore sleep before I needed to get to work, after the dream I had. It was the same every night, good dreams begin only to be replaced by nightmares I could never escape. Leaving me with that stomach wrenching emptiness afterwards.

I rolled out of bed as slowly as I could before I felt the cold floor under my bare feet. Might as well get ready for the day early if I'm awake now. I walked over to the bathroom to take a quick shower to help me wake up faster. I spent over half an hour standing in the shower letting the hot water wash away all my fatigue, hoping to wash away the memories that caused it. After drying my long hair and putting it into a secure pony tail at the top of my head, I went to one of the drawers to pull out a grey turtleneck sweater and an old pair of black jeans changing quickly before my alarm rang.

I'm already up. I think as I quickly silence the annoying ringing that came from my clock.

I walked over to the coffee maker to make a cup of hot coffee and sit in silence as I looked at the motel room I was currently staying in. I had decided to stay in a small town named Forks temporarily, where my dad once lived for the majority of his life. After he died, the only time I came to Forks after that was for the funeral but now for some reason I found myself back here trying save up some money before moving on to do the same in another town. During my childhood I never got the chance to live here longer than a couple weeks every year or whenever Renee would let me see him but every time I did, it was as if I never left. Being with my dad was like a breath of fresh air and I truly loved him.

Best not to think of the past now.

I reached for my my bag and car keys from the chair before walking out the door. I was greeted by Forks' constant cold, wet weather as soon as I stepped out of my room. I covered my eyes with my right hand as I walked down the stairs, to the parking lot, and got into my old truck.

I started working at a local café bar in the downtown area three weeks ago and it truly was the only thing that kept me sane at this point. The hours were long and kept me busy enough to take my mind off things. The pay was reasonable and at least the musicians that come every night to play are incredibly talented.

I was going to work a little earlier today mainly because I was doing my boss a favor. She's a very busy woman but for some reason has to babysit for her brother every morning. I realized that with being the owner—she has the pressure of owning a business and being a little short staffed- it was difficult for her to be away from the cafe every morning until late in the afternoon, after her niece would get picked up. This time I offered to help her out in the morning to get the cafe ready for the day and for some reason she was thrilled. She wouldn't have to rush all the way over here to set up the tables and clean the coffee machine with a baby in her arms, that was my guess.

This was just a temporary job anyways, I wasn't planning on staying in Forks for too long—I couldn't let myself stay in one place and get attached to anyone or anything.

By the time I made it to the street where the cafe was located, a light drizzle started—making the sidewalks gleam and the trees rustle as the raindrops fell gently on their bright green leaves. Once I found a proper parking space I walked quickly to the place I call my own little sanctuary. I walked up the steps to be shielded from the rain by the round black awning and unlocked the clear glass red oak door. In the middle of the door there was a strangely unique golden crest of a lion under the golden sign that read, 'Bittersweet Melodies'.

I walked into the cafe and walked to switch on the light, taking in the lavish yet quaint setting. The bar was located right around the corner from where the entrance is, a couple of booths were spaced out along the walls, chairs and tables were positioned ahead of me and ran all the way to the end of the room, and the small slightly elevated red oak platform with a grand piano was at the end of the wall just past the bar.

I was just in the middle of finishing the task of taking all of the chairs down from the tables when I heard the jingle of the door bell and a familiar voice called out to me.

"Good morning Bella!"

I turn around to find that a beautiful short woman with raven black hair and pixie like features walked into the cafe. That's my boss, Alice and she was walking in with a pure white stroller and a baby bag slung over her shoulder, looking energetic as ever.

"Good morning Alice." I said quietly as I faced her.

"My niece and I have decided to join you this morning!" She answers the question I hadn't gotten the chance to ask yet as she walks over to one of the booths, drops off the bag in the seat and positions the stroller in between me and her.

"Thank you so much for coming in so early to help me out, it means a lot! She's still sleeping so I think it'll be an easy morning."

I shrug and say, "it's no problem."

I always kept it short whenever I spoke to Alice and my coworkers—I didn't want to be rude but I also wanted to maintain a safe distance. It proved difficult however since Alice is so friendly...a little too much sometimes. She often tried to ask me why I 'moved' to Forks, where I lived before moving here, and many other questions I'd like to leave unanswered. She also invites me to go shopping with her every now and then but I always manage to escape her, politely of course. I didn't want to get attached to anyone if I could avoid it; it saves me the pain I'd have to face when I did leave.

I kept silent for the next hours as we concentrated on making sure the tables and bar were clean and ready for any customers that might come in at nine in the morning for the usual espresso or morning bagels.

I heard a soft little laugh coming from behind me as I finished adjusting the last chair. I turn around expecting it to be Alice but she was behind the bar, turning on the coffee machine. Weird.

I look to where the stroller was and walk slowly over to it. The canopy was covering most of the seat so I couldn't see if the baby was asleep just by giving a quick glance but I caught two little feet moving slightly which did something to me. It was a feeling I thought I buried a long time ago. I turned around to mind my own business until a little grunt stopped me. Then my thoughts clouded my resolve, 'is she ok?' Worry echoes in my mind as I started debating if I should see if the baby was alright. No feeling that I was strong enough to see the infant; instead of going back to the baby I walk over to the bar and try to make sure with Alice. She is her aunt after all. I was just a stranger.

"Um, Alice?"

"Yes Bella?"

"I heard a little noise coming from the stroller. I was thinking that maybe your niece was awake?"

"Oh! I'll go check." To my relief Alice went to the stroller right away, dancing her way across the room like she always did.

I watch from the bar, too scared to see the baby up close and let those feels come back. Alice skips over to the stroller and lifts up the canopy, smiling brightly and whispering some incomprehensible words, like people did when they saw cute babies and puppies. It was amusing to see that Alice could make her voice even more high pitched than I thought possible. Her making those noises were probably a mistake though because only five seconds later I heard a heartbreaking cry coming from the stroller before Alice picks her up. Holding the baby in her arms and rocking her back and forth in an attempt to calm the wailing child—I close my eyes and wish I could stop it.

"Uh oh. I should have known this was going to happen!" I hear the panic in Alice's voice as she tried to soothe the baby in her arms.

I look up to find Alice giving me a look of distress. She was practically screaming for my help through her dark brown eyes and I felt like a piece of crap suddenly. I hug myself as I hesitantly walk over to them, my steps were heavy against the hardwood floor and when I make it over to them I finally look up to see the baby girl for the first time. And suddenly I felt as if everything had disappeared. I felt my heart beating quickly in my chest as I saw the distraught little baby being rocked back in forth by her aunt. Her little round face was turning red as she continued to cry out and tiny clear tears were falling at the sides of her face.

"May I?" I ask as I extend my arms.

"Please!" She says quickly as she hands me the crying baby without another word.

As soon as I felt her warm little body on top of my arms I was hit with that emotion I struggled to control everyday. I wanted to cry just as badly as this baby was but I couldn't I knew I couldn't do that now. I need to help calm her down first.

I hold her close to my chest as I begin to soothe her with gentle 'shushing' into her ear while patting her back every now and then with my hand as I walked around the cafe. I didn't think it would work when she gave out one more raspy cry, however, it did and surprisingly fast at that. I continued soothing her as I could feel the way her little chest trembled due to all that crying and screaming but soon everything went quiet and still, even Alice had a look of pure shock on her when I looked over my shoulder to see her.

After another minute, I decide to change the position back to her laying in my arms—thinking she was sound asleep again but to my surprise she was wide awake! Not only that but she found my eyes and stared at them with what I could only describe as curiosity. They were the most beautiful emerald eyes even as they still shined from the tears that had just left them. Her little wisps of hair were brown but had traces of another color when the light hit. A warm, almost golden color I want to say. I must be seeing things. And her skin, although still slightly pink from crying so much, was almost as pale as I was and I knew for a fact that I was very pale. Either way that doesn't matter because right now I held the most beautiful baby girl in my arms.

"Oh Bella, that was...amazing!" I snap back to reality as I hear Alice's voice in what sounded like disbelief.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to intrude and cause trouble! I promise it won't happen again!" I was panicking—shit I was panicking for letting myself get lost in this beautiful baby girl and forgot my place.

"Whoa! Bella it's ok! I didn't mind one bit, in fact quite the opposite! What you did just now—no one else in our family except for Ada's dad, have been able to calm her down that quickly." She says as she quickly walks closer to us and tries to reassure me.

"Ada." I found myself repeating the name that belonged to this little angel, still staring at me with those big round eyes of hers.

"Thank you Bella. Really, you were amazing with her just now. I don't know how we would have gotten through this without you." Alice places her hand on my shoulder and I can see the sincereity in her eyes. I must have looked like a mess when I freaked out and apologized like a crazy person. I looked down at the baby in my arms and couldn't help but worry.

Now she's never going to let you near Ada again because of your little freak out.

Wait, what did I just say?

"I can't wait to tell Edward! He's going to be just as shocked!"

Edward must be Ada's dad. He has a nice name too. The man's name swept through my mind for a split second before I sat down with Ada still in my arms on one of the chairs I had set down.

I was listening to Alice's overly excited chatter while I adjusted Ada's orange onesie—still looking at her naturally pale, adorable little face as she cooed and tried to reach for a loose strand of my hair with her little hand. I take her soft hand in mine and once again lose myself in her eyes.

"Bella? You listening over there?" Alice interrupts as she leans over the table.

"Huh? Oh I'm sorry, yes, what is it?"

Clearly, you were listening.

Alice chuckles at my air headed response, making me blush out of embarrassment.

"I was wondering if you would like to help me babysit Ada when I have to come to work—since you're practically the baby whisperer now." She jokes but she has no idea how that suggestion made my heart jump.

"I really shouldn't Alice. I'm not good-"

"Do not even say you're not good with kids, Bella Swan! Ada clearly loves you already and if it weren't for you I would still be struggling to get her to stop crying. Please? I'll even pay you something extra!" I didn't need to be paid extra to be with Ada—I loved kids ever since I could remember and something about her made me feel attached but...I'm not good enough to be in her life.

"I don't know..." i said as I avoided looking into Alice's eyes.

"Please? Pretty please? Bella you would have no idea how much it would mean to me and my brother if you agreed!" I give Alice a hesitant look and bite my lower lip as I debate on what to do. I really shouldn't get involved more than I already have but as I look once more at Ada and see how her eyes began to open and close, their movement slower and slower-.

"Alright." The word was out before I could even stop it as my eyes widened. What are you doing?!

The next thing I knew I was being hugged by a squealing Alice with a nearly sleeping Lily in between us. I just got myself into something I don't think I'll be able to get out of so easily.

I only hope Ada's parents won't mind someone like me watching after their precious baby girl. Or at least that Ada's dad won't mind. Oh god, what have I gotten myself into?