Right Here All Along
Chapter 1
Grey skies, green trees and rain. Lots and Lots of rain.
This was a constant in Forks.
I sighed as I drove my new black Dodge Journey through the small town to my childhood home.
I was coming home because my mom had just been diagnosed with breast cancer.
My brother Jasper and his wife Maria lived there, he worked with my dad, who has been sheriff there for the past 25 years. My mom has her own beauty salon, she's been a hairdresser since she graduated high school. Maria was a stay at home mom to my beautiful niece Claire.
My twin sister Alice lived in New York City and worked as a designer for Betsy Johnson. Their tastes were scary similar and they were always giving me samples to wear.
My name is Bella Swan and I'm a freelance photographer. I make very good money even though I'm one of the youngest at the top. I do have my sister in part to thank for that. I'm Betsy Johnson's photographer whenever she has a new line or layout and for fashion week. I'm also sought after by socialites for their parties, engagements and weddings.
I've traveled to Forks for a quick weekend visit if I'm having to travel out of the country or going to be gone for long periods of time. But when I'm home I devote all my time to my family. I might make an early trip to First beach for the first rays of sunlight or to the cliffs. I also hike in the woods for twilight pictures. I'm working on my first 'coffee table' book and it will include shots like these from all over the world.
"Mom, dad, I'm here." I yell out as I walk in the house.
"In here Bella." I hear my mom's voice call out.
I walk in and my childhood home has been transformed, totally remodeled.
It's all open floor plan in soft neutrals with hints of green.
"Mom, when did this all happen?" I asked totally floored, of course I haven't been home in a year, I've been all over Asia following a designer who was planning a new line. My car was courtesy of him.
"Well, a lot can happen in a year baby." Mom smiles and pats the couch.
I look around and see a huge year round sunroom has been added on the back and it looks like a bedroom off the living room.
"Yeah, I see that. WOW! What all was done?" I asked.
She proceeds to tell me about the sunroom, their new master suite, the new kitchen and she even update our old rooms and the bathroom upstairs.
"We re-did the half bath down here too, we didn't want everyone to have to walk upstairs. It's a bathroom/laundry room. Your dad had a huge garage and workshop built outback too." She smiled.
"It's beautiful. Who in Forks builds like this?" I asked surprised.
"You remember Jacob Black, right?" My mom smiled sweetly. They always tried to fix us up, it just wasn't happening on either of our parts. Jake was into guys. Thankfully his dad was OK with that when he came out senior year. We lost touch when I went away to school.
"Yeah of course." I smiled.
"He and his partner have their own business. They do everything from car repairs to home repairs and rebuilds." She shrugged.
"Wow. They've got good decorating sense too." I looked around.
My mom was shaking her head 'no'.
"Oh. Well then did Maria help you? Because I KNOW you didn't decorate this. You'd have caved to dads trout and sports décor like before." I laughed and she knew I was right. I'd grown up with mounted fish and deer and sports memorabilia all over the house.
"No. I had Esme Cullen's help." She beamed.
I tried to change the subject but mom wouldn't let me.
"Now Bella it's been 7 years. You need to get over that." She snapped.
"No mom. It's been 9! Edward is two years older than me. I should have let dad and Jasper shoot him in the ass with the BB gun." I smiled wickedly.
"Bella! He's a man." She huffed.
"MOM! We'd been dating for 6 months. He told me he loved me. I gave in on his prom night and let him take my virginity. Only for him to break up with me, over my inexperience and not in private either, remember? He did it in the middle of the school at lunch!" I raised my voice.
My mom just tsked and shook her head. "Enough. It's done and over with. I still love Esme and she still cares for you."
"I'm going to unpack." I sighed and headed upstairs.
"Jasper and Maria will be here for dinner shortly." She yelled up after me. I waved to let her know I heard her.
I'd just finished unpacking when there was a knock at my door.
"Come in." I sighed.
"Sis!" Jasper came in and hugged me.
"Hey. Looking good." I smiled and tugged on his short hair.
"Yeah, turning 30 in two weeks, had to blend the grey in somehow." He laughed.
Jasper was turning 30 in two weeks, he was a Christmas baby and Alice and I would be 25 on Valentine's Day. Yeah, my parents have a thing for Holidays. Their anniversary is on New Year's. They'll have been married for 31 years this New Year.
"I know, you're an old man now. Plans for any more babies before your sperm gets too old." I laughed.
"As much as I love you sis, I don't want to hear you talking about my sperm. That's just gross." He laughed with me. "But, no. We've tried and nothing's happened. We're fine with Claire. She'll be 5 this year and Maria agrees with me, if we really want another, we'll adopt." He shrugged.
Dinner was fabulous. Maria was a wonderful cook and I loved coming home and eating her homemade Spanish food. And her flan was sinful.
I sat by Claire who kept giggling with me and making silly faces.
My dad just laughed and asked when I'm going to grow up.
"I'm only 25 dad, I don't need to grow up." I said making a silly face.
"Well, your mom and I would love to see you at least settle down, give us some grandkids. Hell knows Alice never will." He shook his head.
"Dad. Alice is just having fun. Hell, she's had a serious relationship for the past 3 years. More than me. I haven't dated since college." I looked at him sternly.
"Then why haven't we met him? Is she embarrassed of her small town family?" my dad started in.
"Dad, that's not it. She's super busy. Hell the only reason I saw her in New York is because I was shooting her show." I shook my head.
"How long are you here for?" Maria asked.
"For as long as I'm needed. I might have to make a quick trip here and there to talk with my publisher, but no out of the country trips." I smiled.
"Good. I'll have someone to talk to while these 3 work all day." Maria laughed.
"Work? Mom, I thought you were supposed to be resting?" I snapped.
"Bells, when I start my treatment and have surgery, I'll be resting all the time. I want to work while I can." She shrugged.
"Oh, OK." I stated.
After dinner Jasper asked if I'd like to go out to the bar with him.
"What about Maria?" I asked.
"No, she's not one for drinking." He shrugged.
"Alright, let me change and we can go." I smiled and ran upstairs.
We drove to the bar and as we walk inside everyone says hi to Jasper and I get wolf whistles.
"Damn Bells, you'd think these guys haven't seen you before." Jasper laughed.
"Well, it's been close to 9 years or more… Depending on who it is." I reminded him.
"True, true." He laughed as he led me to a table.
The waitress came over and Jasper ordered us 2 beers.
"So, how many of your gang is still here?" I teased.
"My gang? Yeah right. Most of them just wanted you." He scoffed.
"Yeah right. Let's see, there was James, Mike, Tyler, Eric, Edward, Emmett and Laurent. Everyone knew I was Edward's and they didn't dare come near me, even when he used me and dumped me. I doubt any of them were that interested." I reiterated.
"Pffffttt… Since the time you started high school Mike wanted in your pants. I think Tyler and Eric would've taken on the challenge too, if not for Edward's threats." Jasper challenged.
"I was 14! How would Edward even know I was on the map? He was the center of every girl's universe, way before I came along." I argued.
"Whatever. Can we drop it? You have a drooler coming this way." I laughed.
"Jasper! What's up my man? Who's this beautiful woman?" the guy asked.
"Eric, come on. You don't remember Bella?" Jasper joked.
"Holy Shit! Bella?" Eric questioned and leaned down to give me a hug.
"Yeah, it's me." I smiled back.
"Wow! College did you good. You still single?" he blurted out.
"Um, thanks. Yeah, I just came out of a relationship." I told him truthfully.
"Wow! I just don't know what else to say. I'm going to call everyone and tell them to hurry their asses up." And with that he was standing up and pulling out his cell.
"Ugh! Please tell me he's not calling them all." I begged.
"No, he'll text them all though." Jasper laughed.
"Not cool bro!" I stated in mock annoyance.
Jasper and I sat there talking about what's changed and who's got married/divorced over the years and who were still players.
"Mike and Jessica finally got married, after he knocked her up. But they're good for each other. Eric and Angela got married and have 2 kids a boy and a girl. Laurent moved away, no one's heard from him in a while. James has been in and out of trouble, I've had to arrest him twice. Tyler is still Tyler, trying to be a player and Edward is a heart surgeon here. Emmett, he owns his own businesses." Jasper smiled thinking about his friends.
Everyone started to arrive and most were shocked that I'd grown into a woman. They all remember me as 'Edward's' and asked about what I did now.
I was glad that the bar was fairly relaxed and people from cutoffs to suits were in here, I didn't feel to out of place in my skinny jeans, knee high black leather boots and my black, very deep V-neck sweater. It was an Alice design and in New York I wasn't too self-conscious to wear it, but here, it seems like everyone is staring at my boobs.
"Hey! What's up?!" A deep voice boomed behind me and I got chills.
"Emmett! What's up? You finally got away I see." Jasper laughed. "Where's the other half?" Jasper asked and as he came to sit at the table I saw how gorgeous he'd become. "Oh, got called in for an emergency." Emmett shrugged.
"And who's this beauty?" he smiled, kissing my hand.
"Surely you remember Bella. Your twin's girlfriend." Mike laughed and a dark expression clouded his face for a second before it was gone.
"Bella?" He whispered.
I felt guilty staring at him. His wife was at work and he's out at a bar. But hey, so is Jasper.
"So, how long are you here for?" Tyler asked.
"For as long as my mom needs me. I'll have to go to California or New York a few times, but I'm making Forks my permanent home." I clarified.
"Ah, can't stay away from your man." Mike assumed and I saw that look cross Emmett's face again. I guess he was bored.
"Uh, no. I'm single. I'll have to go meet with my editor or maybe do a few shoots." I shrugged.
"Ahhh, that's right. Famous fashion photographer." A nasally voice said behind me.
"Well, well, well… Look at the trash they left behind." I stood and faced Lauren.
"Oh, get over yourself Swan. You're just bitter because Edward deflowered you and then dumped you. You know he warmed my bed for several nights." She flipped her hair.
"Yeah, I think not. Hope you didn't pass along a disease to him." I laughed.
"Lauren go away." Jasper snapped.
"The old lady let you out, huh?" Lauren laughed.
"Lauren." There was warning in my brother's voice.
"Lauren, you need to go." Emmett snapped and she scurried away.
"Sorry about that Bella." Emmett gave me a weak smile.
"No apology necessary unless she's a friend of your wife." I shrugged.
The table burst out laughing. Emmett was just staring at me.
"What?" I asked.
"Bella, Emmett isn't married." Mike was laughing.
"Oh, well you said is other half." I pointed out.
"His brother Bella, you know, they're twins." Mike said sarcastically.
"Uh, yeah I know Edward." I spat his name.
"Guys, leave her alone. She doesn't want to talk about him, I'm sure." Emmett scolded.
"Thanks." I smiled and excused myself to the ladies room.
After I finished, I stopped by the bar to order shots for everyone, knowing I needed one if talk about Edward was to happen.
The bartender told me the waitress would bring them right over.
As I made my way back to the table, I could see a few more people had joined us. As I took my seat between Emmett and Jasper I looked up to see Edward.
His smiled faltered and then he whispered my name. "Bella."
AN:
I hope you'll enjoy this new story…
The first chapter is super long… I don't know if they'll all be this long, but Bella was a little long winded.
This story idea was brought up by Kay5678… Thanks for the plot bunny!
I hope you'll enjoy this crazy rides…
Reviews=Love
