"Bella, do you remember my sister, your aunt Charlotte?" Charlie asked.
"A bit. Is she the one that's in jail all the time?" Bella asked.
"No, that's Carrie. Charlotte is the one that's in California. She, uh…She just got busted. Her and the boyfriend she's with got caught trying to mail 734 pounds of marijuana through the postal system." Charlie said.
"Oh wow. That's intense." Bella said.
"Anyway...She has a daughter that's about your age. And they asked if I'd be willing to take her in so she doesn't go into the foster care system." Charlie said, trying to gauge Bella's reaction.
"Oh. Are you going to take her in?" Bella asked.
"I wanted to get your opinion. She's going to be 17 soon, in a couple of months. If you're okay with the idea, she could stay with us until she graduates. My sisters and I were in and out of foster homes growing up. They're not all good. What do you say? Clean out the attic with me?" Charlie asked.
"Sure. Yeah." Bella said.
Charlie went to call social services in California and arrange to get full custody of his niece, Layla Delaney.
"Do you think we could have a little welcoming thing? Maybe at the beach a big bonfire and food? Give her a big welcome. Let her meet some kids her age." Charlie asked, waiting on hold. "Maybe see if Harry wants to fry some fish."
"I'll talk to Jake about it." Bella said.
…
"Therefore, it is the opinion of the Court that Charles Swan, uncle and remaining non-incarcerated family member of minor Layla Delaney be given full custody. This decision will be reevaluated in six month intervals until the minor reaches age 18 and graduates high school." the Judge declared.
Charlie thanked the judge and lawyer. He had borrowed Bella's truck so he could haul Layla's things to Forks without her having to wait. The social worker walked over to Charlie with Layla in tow.
"Layla, here is your uncle. You'll be staying with him for the foreseeable future. He is the Chief of Police at Forks." the social worker, Pam, said. "I have fixed a profile of Layla's past for your convenience as well. Call me if you experience any issues."
"Thank you, ma'am." Charlie said. "I brought my truck so we can take her things back to the house. I figured what we couldn't fit into the truck we could mail."
"I've been to the residence. All of her belongings would easily fit into the cab on a standard sized truck, Mr. Swan." Pam said sadly.
Charlie nodded in understanding. He thanked the social worker and escorted Layla out to the truck, noting how she hadn't yet spoken and how she always stayed 3 steps behind him and kept her head down. He opened the door for Layla and motioned her to get in. He went to the driver's side and got in, heading for Mt. Shasta.
"I've got a daughter, she's about a year older than you. Her name is Bella. You'll be going to school with her. Don't worry, she'll show you around and introduce you to her friends." Charlie said.
Layla kept her head down and nodded.
"Can… can you talk?" Charlie asked.
Layla nodded.
"You're allowed to talk. Anytime. Say anything you want anytime you want. Even if it's just about something silly. Or serious. Or happy. Bella's boyfriend's sister, Alice, lives to talk." Charlie said.
"Thank you for taking me in." Layla said quietly.
Charlie smiled softly. "I hadn't seen you since you were a toddler. I didn't know if you would have remembered me." He said.
"Mother kept a photograph of you until she began dating Derek. You had kind eyes." Layla said.
Charlie and Layla drove the 40 minutes from the courthouse to the small, near dilapidated house in Mt. Shasta. What Charlie thought was going to take at least a full day of packing was only accomplished in under an hour. As the social worker said, everything Layla had for into the cab of his truck in 2 small bags. Charlie took the bags to the truck and watched as Layla stood on the front walkway, staring at the house. He didn't move to stop her when she picked up a large rock and threw it at the house. He walked over to Layla and handed her a few more rocks, letting her get out her hurt, her pain, and her anger. He figured the house would be torn down soon.
"How about some dinner? I know I'm starving. I saw a pizza shop on the way in." Charlie asked.
"I have no money. I will be fine." Layla said.
"You won't ever need money to eat, Layla. You're family and as long as I have something, you'll have it too. I wouldn't let you pay for it anyway." Charlie said. "Once we get home, don't be surprised if you aren't bombarded with food from friends."
Charlie ordered a large pizza for the two of them to split, making sure Layla ate at least 3 pieces. He could tell she was hungry but didn't want to take anymore. He boxed up what wasn't eaten.
"Do you have your permit? Or license?" Charlie asked.
"I have a license. Mother forced me to get it. A mule you'd never have to compensate was her greatest achievement." Layla said.
Charlie sighed sadly. "How about you drive until midnight and I take over until we get home? This old man needs some rest." He asked.
Layla nodded and Charlie stopped at the next gas station to fill up and switch seats with Layla. He programmed the GPS on his phone like Bella showed him and gave Layla a quick rundown. He told her one she saw signs for Portland to pull over and wake him up. Layla agreed and headed back onto the road. She drove the five and a half hour trip to Portland, Oregon without any troubles. She pulled into a gas station parking lot and gently woke Charlie up. They both went to use the restroom and grabbed breakfast before filling up again and getting back on the road.
"Don't tell anyone I bought you Ho-Ho's and Fritos for breakfast. Sue would have my head." Charlie chuckled.
Layla froze and dropped the snacks Charlie got into the bag and pushed it away.
"I didn't eat them! She won't get mad at you now. I won't eat them, I promise!" Layla said quickly.
Charlie frowned at the tone of panic in Layla's voice.
"Layla… oh, God no… honey, I was being silly. Sue would never hurt a fly. I'm sorry, i shouldn't have said that. All I meant was that she's been trying to get me to eat better food for breakfast instead of junk food. I didn't mean that she'd use any type of violence against me, or you, or anyone for that matter." Charlie explained. "Go ahead and eat. I promise it's okay."
Layla bit her lip, finally deciding there was no reason for Charlie to lie to her. She quickly and quietly ate while Charlie drove.
By the time they reached Forks, it was early afternoon. Charlie grabbed the two smalls bags and folder given to him by the social worker and took Layla inside, giving her a tour of the house and showing her the attic that was converted into a bedroom.
"I brought a heater up here just in case you get chilly. The window opens so you can catch a breeze, but not get rained out. You'll have to go downstairs for the bathrooms, though. But you have complete freedom to the house and outside. I don't want you to think you are confined. Anyway… Bella should be home in about an hour. I'll send her a text to bring Edward and his siblings over so you can meet some of your classmates. Tonight, there's a little welcome party and bonfire on First Beach on the Quileute reservation for you. There's a lot of kids there around your age. Sound good?" Charlie asked.
"Thank you for everything, uncle Charlie." Layla said quietly, taking everything in.
Charlie smiled sadly and left Layla to unpack her things. Tomorrow, he was going to go around too thrift stores after work and get more clothes for Layla, as well as winter clothing. He would ask Sue if she had things Leah had grown out of that he could give to Layla as well. He picked up his phone and texted Bella.
...
So here's the first chapter of my Sam/Layla story! Slow to start because i have to build up so much back story and flesh my character out. But stick with me! If you like what you read, let me know! Xoxo