1. 16 Years Later - Everything Changes.
Bella's POV
I think I was in hospital. It wouldn't be the first time and it probably wouldn't be the last. But something was different this time; I had absolutely no idea why I was in hospital. It was like there was a massive chunk of my memory missing...maybe I tripped, hit my head and was suffering from amnesia or something. It's me - it's very probable.
I can remember my mother yelling at me to hurry up. My parents and I were going to theatre for my mother's birthday. She loved opera and my father had surprised her with tickets and a dinner for us to all enjoy. I can remember getting in the car and dad driving a little quicker then usual because we were going to miss our reservations. I can remember eating macaroni cheese for my meal and drinking a glass of coke. I can remember it started to rain. And then...and then what? That appeared to be where my amnesia started.
I groaned and tried to sit up but something was pushing against my shoulder to stop me. Slowly I opened my eyes, blinking a few times as the light hit them. Why did it hurt just to blink? Come to think of it, it wasn't just blinking that seemed to be hurting. The room came into focus little by little and I was more sure then ever I was in hospital. There was a sharp pain in my side, one of my hands felt like it was taped together and even slightly more pressing, I couldn't even feel my left leg. What the hell had happened to me?
" Bella?" came a familiar and worried voice.
I looked to my left and found my mother's best friend, Jane, sitting upright in a chair, scrutinising my face carefully. She looked older then the last time I saw her, and the big purple bags under her eyes told me she was tired. I instantly wonder why, because Jane was one of those women who never went out without make-up or looking her very best. Sitting beside me, if I was being honest, she looked a little haggard. I tried to speak but my mouth felt dry, like cotton wool.
" Oh Bella, thank God you're awake. Alec went to get a nurse." she said in the hushed dreamy voice she had. Alec was here? I hadn't seen him so he must have gone before I opened my eyes. " How do you feel angel?"
I winced as I tried to speak and, as she realised my problem, quickly reached for some water and helped me drink some through a straw. My throat still hurt but I could at the very least speak. " What happened?" I asked, my voice a few octaves lower then usual.
My question bought a pained expression to Jane's face. It wasn't that hard a question, was it? I watched her as she tried to find something to say but before she could speak, she was interrupted by a nurse, a doctor and her son - and my best friend - Alec. I wanted to smile because it sounded like the start of a joke but it hurt to smile so I canned that idea.
The nurse and doctor fussed over me for twenty minutes, explaining that I was pretty banged up. Like I couldn't of figured that one out on my own...apparently I needed to have a medical degree. I had broken my hand, several ribs and some bone in the bottom half of my left leg. I had had some internal bleeding but that had been fixed and was already healing. I had large, stitched up gashes on my forehead, my forearm and the right side of my stomach. Not to mention the multiple bruises and scraps - although they weren't all reminders of my newest accident, there was no need to tell the doc that. Oh yeah, and apparently I had been in a coma for two weeks. Something pretty damn bad must have happened because let me tell you, I was no stranger to the hospital ER, and this definitely knocked off the top spot accident.
It didn't escape my notice that nobody seemed to be telling me what actually happened to get me into such a mess. They were all avoiding my eye and kept giving me sad looks. I know I'm a king sized klutz and all people, but there's no need to get too upset.
And where were my parents? I'm pretty sure my dad wouldn't miss the opportunity to rib me some more over this latest little mishap.
Jane followed the nurse and doctor out, leaving me with Alec. Immediately he started to tell me what I had missed during my two week absence, whilst stretching out beside me on my bed and switching on the TV. Angelina and Brad were rumoured to be splitting up. Simon Cowell quit American Idol. England was finally getting over it's recession. The new season of Lost was about to begin.
"...and that James Cameron film you wanted to see - Avatar, you know the one with all the smurf-blue people - it's completely smashed Titanic. I think it's made like one billon something worldwide."
" That's great Al." I said. " But do you think you could tell me what the hell happened to me?" It's not a hard question people!
" Maybe you should speak with my mum." suggested Alec, avoiding my eyes. Now my best friends acting funky?
" I already did. She acted the same as you." I moaned, struggling to sit up. Alec placed his hand on my back to push me up and propped my pillows up. " And where the hell are my mum and dad? Don't get me wrong, it's nice you're here and all, but shouldn't my parents be here if I've been in a coma for the past two weeks?"
And again with the awkward eye avoidance and stuttery talk. Thankfully Jane walked back in before I could lose my cool and do myself more injury. I could tell by looking at her that I was finally about to find out what had caused my messed up state. But that wasn't what made my heart sink...
" Bella, angel. I'm really sorry..."
And very suddenly as she explained, the world started to loose colour and I started to slip away.
A month had passed since I woke up in the hospital. A month had passed since I learnt that my parents had died in the car crash, which I survived, and was now an orphan. A month had passed which saw me in a numb, emotionless state.
I was living with Jane. I had no living relatives, and if Jane didn't take me, I would have to go to a foster home. Quite frankly I didn't care but Jane had refused to see that happen and had cleaned out one of her spare rooms.
I was still pretty banged up. My stitches had come out but I had glaring, red scars left in place which would never fully disappear - I'd gone to the hairdressers a few days ago and had a fringe cut in to cover the ones on my head. My left hand was in a brace, and I wasn't allowed to have it removed for another two months. I was on crutches because my left leg was still broken and I had managed to put my recovery back three weeks because I fell over at least twelve times in the first two days I was on them.. I was on four different types of medication to help with the pain and had to attend physio and therapy sessions twice a week.
I continued doing everything I was suppose to. I'd even started school back up two days after the funeral. I didn't want to get behind in my studies considering we were right at the end of the school year. I wasn't overly bothered that most of my friends were avoiding me, or that I was being subjected to rumours at every turn. Maybe if I did cared, it would bother me, but I didn't. I had stopped caring when my parents died. Now I was just going through life, an empty, emotionless vessel.
The only thing I had yet to do, was go back home. Jane had gone and got my clothes and she was the one dealing with everything. I had tried but I chicken out when we got to the drive and refused to get out of the car. It was the only time in the last month, I had shown any signs of emotion. But Jane had told me yesterday, that she had the estate agents coming to take pictures in a few weeks and she needed me to help her decide what to keep and what to throw.
That was why I was currently standing on the porch of my house, trying to find the courage to go in.
It felt wrong that the one place I used to think of as safe and secure, now filled me with absolute dread and pain. Jane had left me sitting in the car, telling me to come in whenever. It had taken me twenty minutes alone just to get out of the car - not just because I was a cripple on crutches - and walk up to the porch, and I had been standing in the same spot ever since. I just couldn't find the right command in my brain to make my hand move and turn the door knob.
I leaned shakily on my crutches and looked back at the car. The street was pretty empty, except for my old neighbour, Mr Henderson, who was digging up his front garden flower beds, and a couple of cars - a black one, and a white one - which were parked across the street. There was a blond lady sitting in one, the black one, talking on the phone.
I took a deep breath and forced myself to move. It was the hardest thing I had ever done. I was ready to run at any given moment but I knew I had to do it. So closing my eyes I limped forward, turning the handle and pushing the door.
Immediately, I was hit by several different memories. I could still smell my mothers perfume lingering in the air. My father's favourite coffee mug was still sitting on the coffee table in front of his recliner, the remote balanced on the arm. Women's magazine's were pilled up underneath with a pair of scissors on the top - my mother loved scrap booking.
I felt my eyes starting to sting, the tell tell tears glazing my eyes but not falling. I didn't want to cry. I knew it was worrying Jane that I hadn't cried for my parents yet but I couldn't find it in me to reassure her. It felt like if I cried, I was truly accepting that my parents were gone and that I had to say goodbye to them. Maybe it was stupid but I wasn't ready to let them go. I still needed them, perhaps now more then ever.
" You came in?" asked Jane, coming to stand beside me. I could tell she had been prepared for me to not join her. She stroked my hair out of my face and bent slightly to kiss my forehead. The gesture bought a wave of pain to me, because it was something my mother used to do all the time.
" I'll start in their room." I said, shakily, turning before Jane could say anything.
She didn't follow me as I hobbled awkwardly up the stairs. I heard her go through to the kitchen and the sound of cupboards opening. I was glad she didn't come, because this was something I had to do on my own. If I was going to get through today, I needed to be on my own in case I broke. I had always been like Charlie when it came to my emotions and I had no intentions of letting someone else carry the burden of my problems.
I sat quietly on my parents bed for a good few minutes, looking around at all the reminders but strangely enough, I didn't feel lost or upset. I felt nothing more then comforted to be surrounded by their possessions. I think I even cracked a smile as I imagined my mother sitting at her vanity putting on make-up whilst my dad, laid on the bed watching TV.
Jane had told me to take the things I wanted to keep and leave everything else. She was going to give what got left behind to several of the charities that my mother was a supporter of. In the end, I took my father's police badge, their wedding photo, my mother's lipstick and perfume, one item of each of their clothes, some of their old jewellery, like necklaces and bracelets - I had insisted that they were buried wearing their wedding rings - and an old wooden chest that my mother kept loads of sentimental things in, like photos and other memories. It was hard to leave the rest but I knew I couldn't take everything and I only needed a few reminders.
After I finished in their room, I moved through the rest of the house. It was much easier then I thought it would be, kind of therapeutic in a way. I got a little upset when I realised I couldn't take my dad's favourite chair but I had to let it go. Jane helped me pack up her car, which was packed full by the time we left. I had made sure three times I had taken everything I wanted and Jane had promised me I would never have to come back again. I was glad, not because I didn't want the memories the house bought but because I knew I'd never feel safe in the house ever again.
As we packed the last of the boxes away, I noticed a few people watching. They all gave me sad smiles which I did my best to return. My parents were friends with everyone. My dad was the chief of police and my mum had been principle at the local elementary, so they were well known within the small community. Our town of Jacksonville, wasn't overly big and news travelled fast so everyone was well aware of what had happened. Nearly all of the town had turned up for the funeral as well as some people I didn't know.
I crashed almost as soon as we backed out of the drive, waking up hours later in my bed. I felt drained and exhausted and I fell back to sleep within a few moments. I slept solidly for the next two days.
A week later, I finally decided to sit down and look through the wooden chest I had taken from my mothers room. I had found it easy to look through the rest but I had rarely seen the inside of this box and I knew this where mum kept all of her important and valuable memories. I had the whole house to myself, Jane and Alec heading off to visit Jane's father at some old people's home. I knew it was going to take me awhile to get through the box so I opted to make a quick trip to the local grocery store and stock up on some red bull and comfort food for after.
I ended up with six large cans of Red Bull and two large tubs of Ben and Jerry's. The only other thing I needed was tissues so I quickly - or as quickly as you can on crutches - made my way to the toiletries aisle, and of course, the Kleenex where on the top shelf. I groaned and tried to reach up, but aside from the fact I only had one good leg, I was actually kind of short and just couldn't reach. Grumbling, I flattened my feet and looked around but there were no shop assistants nearby. I tried to reach again and, when I was unsuccessful, tried to knock off a box with one of my crutches.
" Here, let me help you." said a blond women, walking up beside me. She reached up to the shelf, and grabbed a couple of boxes, handing me one with a smile and placing the other on a more reachable shelf. I tucked my hair behind my ear and gave her a shy smile, which she returned enthusiastically.
" Thank you." I said, quietly as I placed the tissues in my basket. The helpful women - who for some unknown reason to me, seemed familiar in a way I couldn't place - gave me a quick nod and I turned and left. I had a suspicion I had seen her before, but ever since the accident my memories had been a little all over the place and I still had moments when I couldn't remember things. I figured she probably lived in town and I just couldn't remember her.
Not dwelling on it, I headed up to the register, paid for my things and headed home.
Twenty minutes later, I was sat on my bedroom floor with a can of Red Bull on one side, the Kleenex on the other and the wooden chest in front of me, unopened.
I shakily reached forward and lifted the lid, pushing it as far back as the hinges would allow. The box was absolutely packed full to the brim with pieces of paper and photos, some falling out the second I opened the lid. I slowly pulled a handful of items out and sat back, my broken leg sticking out in front of me. I took my time and looked at each picture for a good few minutes before I moved onto the next.
I laughed at some of the crazy things the pictures showed my mother and father doing. I smiled when I came across a small leather bound album containing all of their wedding photo's. I felt a little sad when I came across some photo's of my childhood dog, Rufus, who died when I was seven. I felt incredibly loved when I came to the stacks of photo's of me with both of my parents, all gap toothed and pig tailed. My mum went through a stage of photography during my childhood years and was constantly snapping pictures of me and dad. I had always been camera shy so some of the pictures I found showed me hiding in some ridiculous places, like the wardrobe, whilst others showed me covering my father up as he used me as a shield. But despite the uncomfortableness and awkwardness of being pictured, there was always smiles and laughter.
Once I finally got through the pictures, I came across a couple of home videos. I moved downstairs and placed the first one in. A lump came to my throat as I got the chance to watch my parents marry in a small ceremony with a select few family and friends present. They looked so happy and so in love that no one could doubt that they were right for each other. My mum looked stunning in her vintage wedding dress, whilst my dad looked utterly handsome in his tux. Together they looked perfect. I nearly succumb to tears as I got to their first dance - Endless Love, playing in the background as my parents swayed together, their eyes locked and filled with love.
The other few videos were all of me during my first few years of life. I watched as my dad helped me unwrap my very first set of Christmas presents, my mother crying as she helped me get dressed for my first day at school, my dad trying to teach me how to ride my first bike, the first time they took me to the zoo and I got so enraptured by the monkeys I refused to leave, visiting granny Swan and me falling over...a lot. I fast forwarded through those parts.
It felt good to see the memories and to know I could always see my parents if I needed to. I placed them carefully back in the cases and went back upstairs to continue to look through the box. There was a smaller box inside, which held sentimental items from my mum's dating history with my dad. Countless movie stubs, a plastic ring which my dad had given to my mum the very first time they went out, and other things which I knew meant a lot to my mum. I ended up placing the jewellery inside it for safe keeping.
My baby box came next, with numerous pictures and items of me as I grew up. A small, pink cap from the hospital; a cotton baby booty; a lock of my hair; my very first drawing and attempt at writing; my very first letter to Santa. I laughed at some of the things I had wanted; I couldn't say I was overly sure why I wanted bird feeder of all the things I could have had.
It was only when I came across a home made mix tap, that I remember my dad helping me make for mothers day, did a few tears finally come. It seemed silly that this was the one thing to make me cry, but it bought around so many unthought-of memories. I had helped him make the tape, the week before whilst my mum was out of town. I was six at the time and dad let me stay up all night helping him to record the songs and then to record us saying why we loved mum so much. Of course, it ended up with me chatting absolute nonsense about polar bears and ice cream but I remember my mum scooping me up in a big hug and telling me she loved it. From that day forward, she nicknamed me her Little Bella Bear.
I wiped the tears away and headed downstairs for a small break. I still had a stack of papers to look through, but the tape had made me feel a little uneasy in myself. I sat at the kitchen table with a glass of water for a few minutes, taking deep breathes and keeping my eyes closed.
The front door opened and Jane and Alec came in, both smiling at me as they came through to the kitchen. Jane kissed the top of my head as she put some shopping bags on the side unit.
" How was your day honey?"
She knew I had decided to go through the box. I nodded, " It's been okay."
She gave me a kind smile and went through to the lounge. Once she was gone, Alec turned to me with a raised eyebrow. He was the only one who really knew how I was feeling, and not because I told him but because he was good at sensing my emotions.
" I'm fine, Al, really." I told him, " I mean, it hasn't been a smiley kind of day but I'm holding up."
" Bel, it's okay to cry over them." he told me quietly. " I know it probably feels like your saying goodbye to them but they're your mum and dad. They love you, no matter where you - or they - are."
He stood up and wrapped his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on top of my head. I hugged his arms tightly. " They're always going to be with you. Remember - The ones that love us never really leave us."
It was the first time I had laughed out loud in weeks. I turned a gapped at him as he shrugged. " You totally stole that from Harry Potter."
" Actually, if you want to be all technical, I stole it from J.." he said defiantly.
" You're a dork." I laughed, standing up to wash my glass out.
" Yeah, I am. And so are you because you knew where I got it from." laughed Alec passing me my crutches. I shook my head and gave him a small peck on the cheek. I had just got the door when he called me again. " So, did you want to watch Harry Potter tonight?"
I rolled my eyes and headed back upstairs. I felt better and ready to face my memories again. With a sigh, I sat down on the floor, leaning back against the bed and picked up the stack of paper, which all looked like documents.
I found both of my parents birth certificates, and my fathers police training one. I found my mothers graduation certificate; tattered at the edges and slightly yellow. Then there were the deeds to the house, which I kept to the side to give to Jane, and a whole stack of letters from over the years. I was about to look at my own birth certificate when I noticed a letter addressed to me sitting in my lap. I put the certificate to the side and picked up the envelope. I didn't recognise the writing, and there was no stamp or home address on it, just my name.
Curiously I turned it over, and peeled back the corner to get my thumb under. I made a cut from edge to edge and had my fingers on the paper inside when Jane called me, asking me to come downstairs. I gave another sigh and placed the letter on top of my birth certificate. I'd look at them in a moment.
I hobbled down the stairs and looked around. I found Jane sitting in the lounge. Alec was stood against the kitchen door frame, his arms crossed over his chest and a confused look on his face. And sitting opposite from Jane was the blond women from the supermarket.
" Bella, honey, come and take a seat."
I frowned and walked over to sit next to Jane. Why the hell was that women sitting in here? She looked incredibly nervous and almost like she was about to be sick. The way she watched me un-nerved me slightly and I kept my head down, avoiding any eye contact. Who was she? I turned to Jane for answers, but she was staring at the women with sharp eyes, like she didn't trust her
" What's going on?" I asked, looking between Jane and the blond women.
She was very beautiful, stunning really. She looked like the type of women you see on the front cover of a women's mag. Her hair was a honey blond, long and thick, and waving down her back in a half up, half down style. Her eyes were a similar shade of brown to my own, and her skin was almost as chalky. She was dressed in stylish clothes, designer shoes and handbag to match, and had a large wedding ring on her finger. She was definitely in her twenties but she was so flawless that I couldn't be overly sure how old exactly.
" Bella." she said in a soft, again, somewhat familiar voice. I looked up at her with wary eyes, " My name's..." she paused, her top row of teeth biting her bottom lip for a moment. That one small trait put me on guard immediately because it was very...me. I was doing it as we speak. " My name is Rosalie McCarthy."
I didn't acknowledge her words, because I had one of those feelings in the pit of my stomach that my whole life was about to be turned upside down. Alec gravitated over to us and perched on the arm of the chair next to me. His hand rested on my shoulder.
The women - Rosalie - looked at Jane for the tiniest fraction of a second. I could tell from Jane's expression that she neither liked, nor agreed with whatever this women, this Rosalie, was about to say. But it was also apparent that Jane's dislike was not of importance.
" There isn't really an easy way for me to say this, and I wish that we could be meeting under different circumstances." said Rosalie, as she reached into her bag and pulled out a largish envelope which looked almost as tattered and yellowed as my mothers graduation certificate. She held it tightly in her hand, her knuckles turning slightly white as the skin stretched over bone. Hesitantly, she held the envelope out to me, urging me to take it. I slowly reached out and took it from her, lifting the flap and pulling out the papers from inside. What I read made my eyes go wide and my heart to falter.
I looked back up at the women who had walked in and changed my life, and she looked back at me - her eyes so much more then familiar now - with equal, hesitance and fear.
" I'm…,I'm your mother, Bella."
One month and one week earlier.
Edward PoV
Silence echoed over the walkie hooked in my belt. I pressed my back up closer to the wall and peered around the corner, trying to be as quiet as I could so I didn't attract attention to myself. I took quick observation of what I could see and pulled back.
Unhooking the walkie, I moved it up to my lips and held down the button. Static immediately started up and I hoped that it went un-noticed.
" Come in Squawking Monkey...this is Carrot Man. Do you read? Over."
I released the button and waited. A few seconds passed before I heard the beep informing me my partner had replied. " Copy. What's your status, Carrot Man? Over."
I glanced back around the corner and dipped to the floor so I was on my hands and knees. " Subject Mumma is in the target area. I repeat, Subject Mumma is in the target area. Over."
" Can you distract? Over."
" Affirmative. Wait for my signal and then descend. Over."
I waited for the agreeing 'over'. When it came, I rehooked the walkie, covering it with my shirt and straightened up. Giving my neck a crack I casually entered the target area. Subject Mumma immediately noticed my arrival.
" Ah Edward, there you are. Could you be an angel and set the table for me please?"
I walked over to stand beside my mother. She'd given me the perfect in and I had to take advantage of it. I gave her a wide smile and a nod, heading over to the store room at the back of the kitchen. On my way I spotted my partner lurking beside the fridge and gave him a conspiratorial nod. Even though I could quite easily see the dining set my mother always used for family dinners, I played dumb.
" Mum?" I called.
" What's the matter, honey?"
" I can't find the plates."
I heard her huff and then her footsteps; she'd fallen for the trap. Seconds later she was beside me, rolling her eyes and pointing at the correct set. I again played dumb and gave her a sheepish smile. I hoped I gave my partner enough time but as I grabbed the plates, I heard my mother's voice.
Damn it!
" Jamie Carlisle McCarthy!" she scolded. I cringed and headed out, only to find my mother standing with her hands on her hips, looking down in disappointment at her six year old grandson and my nephew, Jamie. He stood there, with his hands behind his back and his eyes wide as he tried to play the innocent card with mum. It probably would have worked if the evidence of his crime wasn't smudged all around his mouth. " How are you going to eat your dinner if you're eating cookies beforehand?"
" Uncle Edward made me." he said suddenly when he spotted me.
On the one hand I should be proud that he had followed my advice of always blaming someone else; on the other, I should be annoyed that the student was now using his lessons against the master.
I gave him a glare - even though I didn't actually mean it - and turned to face my mother with another sheepish grin. I might have been a seventeen year old lad but she was scary when she wanted to be and she wasn't afraid to threaten me with a rolling pin from time to time.
" Well in that case Uncle Edward won't be getting any dessert." What a liar, my mother would never deny me the chance to eat her pudding.
I gave her a small shrug and made a run for Jamie. He squealed but couldn't run fast enough as I grabbed him and turned him upside down, locking my arms around his legs and dangling him like he was a yoyo. What can I say, six year olds weigh very little. He giggled and from behind me I heard my mother laughing with us. Figuring it was best to get out of the war zone before mum set me to work as further punishment for my crimes, I tossed Jamie over my shoulder and walked us into the lounge where the rest of the family were sitting.
My older brother Jasper and his fiancée Alice were curled up on the sofa, whilst my older sister - and Jamie's mum - Rosalie was sitting beside her husband Emmett. They were looking over some papers, something to do with a garage they were considering buying. I plunked myself down in the spare armchair, twisting Jamie so he was perched on my lap. The squirt grabbed my i-Pod from my shirt pocket and began to play with it. The buds stuck out of his ears and his face scrunched up when something he didn't like came on. I knew immediately when he found a song he liked because he leaned sideways, curling up and promptly fell asleep.
Rose looked on in shock, " How do you do that?" she demanded with a small smile. " I try absolutely everything to get him to sleep on time and then five minutes with you your music and he's out."
I gave a shrug and looked at the song. " Thank Debussy." I laughed.
" Speaking of. Did you hear back from that music programme yet?" asked Jasper, lifting his head off of Alice's to look at me. He had a right to be interested, he put me forward for it.
" Not yet but they said it can take up to three months for the application to be considered." I explained. It had only been two weeks and I was already getting nervous. If I managed to get on the programme, college and my future were pretty much set. But considering my application would be going up against several other musicians, I was refusing to get my hopes up.
" Well let me know when you hear." smiled Jazz. I gave him a nod and turned back to the TV.
Ten minutes later, mum was calling us through for dinner. Jamie was still out like a light so Emmett took him up to his room and tucked him in. We said our prayers and each grabbed some food.
" Dad's working late." commented Jasper, looking up at mum.
" He called a little earlier and said something important had come up. I shouldn't imagine he'll be much longer but you know your father." she smiled.
Yes didn't we know my father. I swear that man wouldn't even think twice about staying on at work if an emergency came through the door, even if he was just finishing a two day shift which was originally only a twelve hour one. I couldn't exactly complain though, because my father was a true hero in my eyes and I was extremely proud of his dedication.
Almost as if on cue, the door opened and my father walked in. He looked tired and anxious, like he had something in his head that just refused to go away. Mum hurried to fix him a plate and he ate quietly. I shared a look of concern with my siblings because usually my father couldn't stop talking, tonight he just didn't seem there.
It was only once we had all finished and returned to the lounge did he finally start talking, and looking back in hindsight, I guess I should have realised that something bad was about to go down.
" I found out something today." he started, getting up from his chair and pacing the floor. It was very uncharacteristic of him and mum looked at him with deep concern. He didn't seemed to realise the looks he was getting, almost seeming completely lost to his own mind and thoughts. " I had a phone call." he took a pause. " From Phoenix General."
The atmosphere in the room, changed in an instant. What had started as a quiet hum of anticipation had sky rocketed to extremely tense and that was just mum and Rose. Both of them had sat bolt upright, their eyes fixed firmly on my father who was now leaning against the fire mantle. Rose had turned a deathly pale whilst mum seemed frozen. I looked over at Jasper but he just looked as confused as me, turning to look at Alice for an answer.
" Carlisle?" prompted mum, standing up shakily. Dad snapped back and looked at her, then Rose and then back to mum.
He took a deep breath, " Renee and Charlie Swan were involved in a car accident. They're dead."
I didn't know who this Renee and Charlie were but apparently mum and Rose did. Jasper just continued to look confused but with a hint of recognition. Mum jolted back to her seat whilst Rose shot out of hers, crossing the room to dad so fast I could have sworn she'd been there the whole time. Emmett was looking at her in concern. Clearly he didn't know what was going on either.
" What about -?" chocked Rose. " Tell me she isn't."
Dad grabbed her hand and pulled her into a hug, " She's fine. I spoke with the doctor in charge and aside from a few broken bones and some bleeding, she's fine. She is in a medically induced coma at the moment but that's standard for someone in her condition."
Rose started to sob. Emmett looked like he wanted to go to her but he seemed as utterly confused by this situation, as was I. Rose never cried.
" What's going on?" asked Jasper, his question going ignored.
Rose looked up at dad. " We have to go and get her."
" Rose, sweetheart..." sighed dad, glancing over at mum who had yet to come out of her frozen state.
" No!" said Rose, shaking her head. " Dad, I have to. I have to take care of her." she argued, looking at dad with pleading eyes.
" It's not that simple." explained dad. The two of them seemed to have forgotten the rest of us were in the room. " There are rules. You can't just go and see her."
" Then tell me what I can do?" she said in a desperate whisper, her hands fisting dad's shirt.
He gave her a gentle smile but it seemed to do little to pacify her. I could see Rose's stubborn side starting to show and whatever the issue was here, she wasn't going to stop until she had things her way.
" I'll ring the hospital in the morning. Just give me a few days to sort things out. Please, sweetheart, that's all I'm asking."
Rose nodded, gulping and stepped back.
" Right, does someone want to tell me what's going on?" asked Jasper again. I nodded along with him, because truly, I was confused. " Why are the names Charlie and Renee familiar to me? And why do I have the feeling we lived in Phoenix before?"
Dad, mum and Rose all exchanged a knowing look. It was like they were having some silent conversation. Finally Rose looked away and her eyes fell on Emmett. I immediately noticed the sadness in her eyes, the crushing realisation that whatever she was about to say had the potential to ruin her happy marriage. I sat up straighter.
" Rose, sweetheart, you don't have to do this." said mum.
" Yes I do." said Rose with a slight nod of her head. " It's time they all knew."
She took a deep breath. I felt a rush of anticipation gliding through my veins and knew something very bad was about to happen.
" We lived in Phoenix when I was twelve." started Rose, her breathing short and shallow, " Edward you weren't with us then and Jasper, you were only seven."
I was only six when I was adopted into the family. Rose had been seventeen and Jasper had been twelve, but they'd been my brother and sister from the word go.
" There isn't an easy way for me to tell you all this. And I'm sorry that I've kept it a secret from you all."
I waited, knowing the moment of confession was upon us. But what Rose was about to say was the very last thing I ever expected to hear. And from the looks which adorned everyone's faces - apart from my parents - I'd say they never expected it either.
" Charlie and Renee Swan are the couple I choose…to raise my daughter."
Shock. Pure, unadulterated and disbelieving shock.
I stared at Rose with my mouth hanging open, not quite sure I'd heard her right. This wasn't just a little secret, this was a big one with the potential to blow the family apart. Silence covered the room as everyone proceed the information.
" You had a daughter?" asked Jasper, his eyebrows drawn in. Rose simply nodded, her eyes a little fearful. " Why don't I remember any of this?" he asked, turning to mum.
" We sent you to live with your grandparents for the summer. Rose didn't start to show until then and we knew if you saw her, it would bring on a whole round of difficult questions. We thought it would be better for you."
Jasper sat back in his seat, his feeling showing the betrayal he clearly felt. I could understand because even thought I wasn't even apart of the family then, I was apart of the family now, and this was the kind of secret which would always have come out.
" Who…what about the father?" I asked, immediately regretting my question. Dad's hand gripped the mantle so tightly a part of it broke off, mum's face went bone white and Rose's eyes sharpened.
" He isn't important." she shot at me scathingly. I held my hands up in surrender. Clearly the father of this illegitimate child had never been in the picture and it was unlikely he would be now.
" Emmett?" said Rose, her voice timid as she looked at him.
I glanced over. He was staring at the table like it was an enemy and his hands were balled into fists. His eyes raised up to Rose and a moment passed between them.
" How could you not tell me this?" he asked, his voice on the too-calm-to be good side.
" I was still trying to come to terms with having to give up my child when we met. I wasn't ready to share her."
Emmett gave an un-humoured chuckled and stood up, " What about sometime in the last ten years Rose? You couldn't tell me then?"
" Emmett, please, I wanted to tell you, I did. But I guess I didn't think it was…"
" Do not say, you didn't think it was important!" snapped Emmett, his voice raising. " You have a fucking daughter, Rose. How the hell could that not be important?"
" It is important, I know. Emmett, she doesn't even know about me herself. It was a closed adoption…until she was eighteen."
" And then what? She'd show up on our doorstep and then you'd tell me! What the hell did you think you were achieving by not telling me this? I'm your husband. This is the kind of stuff you're suppose to share with someone before you walk down the aisle with them."
" Emmett, please, I know I should have told you and I -"
Rose was cut off by a whimper from the doorway. We all looked over to see Jamie standing there, hugging his stuffed cuddly monkey to his chest and biting on it's ear - a nervous habit he'd had since he was a baby and he thought he was in trouble. As soon as it became clear to me that neither Emmett or Rose could move from their frozen states, I jumped out of my chair and went over to him.
I knelt down in front of him.
" Did you wake up squirt?" I asked him, trying to keep a smile on my face for his sake. He nodded, his eyes flickering over to his parents who were simultaneously looking at each other and at their son. " I'll tell you what? Why don't you and me go and get you some shoes on and then we'll go to the park to feed the ducks. How's that sound?"
His little face lit up in excitement and the monkey ear came out of his mouth. I grabbed him up in my arms, popped him on my hip and headed to the stairs. I placed him on the third step up and grabbed his little sneakers from the cupboard.
I turned back to the family as he took his time, tying his laces - he'd only just learnt how to do it and it normally took him a few attempts. At least everyone had the common sense to stay quiet about the rather messed up situation we were in, whilst Jamie was in the room. I felt bad for Rose. Emmett was refusing to look at her and Jasper looked hurt that he'd been kept in the dark. Mum and dad were giving me encouraging and thankful smiles.
" Done." shouted Jamie, showing me his shoes. I turned my attention back to him and picked him back up.
" Well we're going to head off now." I told everyone.
" I'll come with you." said Alice, standing up. " Let's go and get some bread." she said holding her arms out for Jamie. He climbed into them and they went to the kitchen.
" Did you want me to bring him back here later, or take him back to yours?" I asked, fiddling with my keys.
" I think you'd best bring him back here." answered Emmett, in a low voice. Rose's head dropped.
I gave him a nod, and turned back with a smile as Alice came back in, Jamie on one arm, a bag of bread in the other.
" Ready?" I asked.
They both smiled and nodded and we headed out. As I strapped him into the back seat of the Volvo, Jamie looked up at me with big brown eyes.
" Why were mummy and daddy fighting?" he asked.
I shared a panicked look with Alice. She bit her lip and turned around in the front seat so she could look at him.
" They weren't fighting sweetie." she told him. " Mummy and daddy were playing a game."
And just like a six year old, he accepted it without further question. I was grateful that we weren't going to have to explain the situation to him. Of course I'd be truthful with him but it was neither my nor Alice's place to talk to him about this. That was Rose or Emmett's job.
Alice and I were quiet the whole way to the park. We let Jamie run around and took a seat on one of the picnic benches where we could see him. It must have been nice to be six and not give a care about the world.
" This changes everything, doesn't it?" I asked quietly.
Alice gave me a sad smile, " I think so. But it could be a good thing."
" How so?"
" At least it out now. I can't even begin to imagine how hard it was for Rose. To have to give up a child at only twelve and then not know anything about her. It must have been killing her all these years."
" Yeah. I wonder what will happen now?"
We lapsed into silence, both of us thinking about how our lives were all going to change.
My mind drifted to the daughter. If what dad said was true and she was in a coma, her whole life had changed and she didn't even know it yet. Would she be told about Rose now that she'd lost both her parents, or did she have other family members who would take her in?
Whatever the outcome, it was safe to say everyone's lives had been turned upside down. There was a long, unknown path laid out beneath all of our feet and there was no telling what the outcome would be.
The world as we knew it was on the verge of blasting apart, and there was little any of us could do to save it.
A/N - This is the first chapter which I hope sets everything up. There's plenty more to come and I'm still not sure how many chapters I'm looking at so I'll just let it run naturally. All of the chapters are split like this, the first half Bella, the second half Edward, mainly because I like being able to put their sides across together. Anyways I'm interested to hear what you think so reviews are much welcome.