AN: Pretty much all the vampires and a bit of the wolf-pack belong to SM.
I don't even own Trisha, Ethan, or David. They belong to yay4shanghai. She's just letting me borrow them for a little while because she rocks and doesn't mind sharing! However, all of the characters in Mexico are mine! Most are named either after Sisters and priests I know, or my students.
Big shout out and thanks to my very amazingly awesome, totally rockin' friends, yay4shanghai (for being the most best beta, like, EVER) and KupKakes09, who gives me some kickass ideas and helps to keep me motivated! Don't forget to check out their stories and show them some love!
I told some of you the chapter would be called "The Beaches Just Aren't the Same" but the truth is, I'm a very indecisive person! And, as a typical Gemini, I change my mind all the time. So I changed the name to "Mexico" after the Incubus song, not the James Taylor song, and please don't ask how I know who James Taylor is…
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Chapter 1: "Mexico"
TRISHA'S POV
There are no instructions on how to run away from home. No guidebook on what you should pack, how much money you'll need, what places are most conducive to runaways. Those are things that you either have to figure out for yourself or be lucky enough to know someone who happens to know those things. When Ethan and I left La Push, we knew very little about any of those things, and quite literally every detail of our escape, was made on impulse.
There were only certain facts that we were fully confident about. First, we had quite a bit of money, loaned to Ethan by the rogue wolf, Solace, who took pity on us, knowing what it was like to remain a member of the pack after you had pretty well been sentenced to death. Second, the location of our new home was going to be difficult to decide on. We couldn't go to South America. Ethan's earlier adventures there made a no-go zone, knowing that would probably be the first place they'd look for us. During Ethan's first "vacation," he didn't pick his destination until the moment he got to the airport and looked at the list of available flights. We decided we would do the same this time, just in case Ethan happened to phase at some point on our way to Seattle. And, lastly, we knew it would be a very long time before we returned to La Push, if we ever could go back.
We were luckily when it came time to find our destination. We both agreed that it needed to be a Spanish speaking country, since we were both fluent enough, and could easily fit in. And after looking at the flights and seeing only one to a Spanish speaking country leaving in the next two hours, our decision was made and we were on our way to Veracruz, Mexico. Getting to Mexico, though, was only part of the journey.
We must have had a look of loss and confusion on our faces from the moment we stepped off the plane. It was early afternoon when we arrived and I was beyond exhausted. All I wanted was to crawl into bed.
"¿Dónde está el hotel más cercano?" Ethan asked one of the taxi drivers outside the airport. "Where is the nearest hotel?" I translated Ethan's words in my head.
"Justo al sur del aeropuerto. Puedo llevarte allí por un período de cinco dólares," the taxi driver replied.
"Just to the south of the airport. I can take you there for five dollars," I translated again. Ethan nodded, accepting his offer and handing him our bags to put in the trunk.
And then we were off. Ethan checked us in and I was never as happy as the moment my head hit the pillow in the hotel. Ethan kissed my cheek and wrapped his arm around me, cuddling close, and though we'd been apart for so long, neither one of us had the strength for sex today. The moment we were wrapped up in each other, I felt my tears start. I had been able to hold it together to that point. Being with Ethan like this was wonderful, but it also allowed reality to set in. I suddenly missed the warmth of my Mom's hugs or even the booming sound of my Dad's voice. I missed Billy's laughter, and I missed my David. I knew that this was what had to be done though.
When I woke up at ten o'clock that night, Ethan wasn't next to me and for a brief moment, I freaked out, calling his name and starting to panic. He came from the bathroom and pulled me in his lap.
"What's wrong, Ray?" Ethan asked, pulling me closer to him. I couldn't form words, the only thing I could do was sob.
"P-please…please don't leave me alone like that," I cried into his chest.
"I was just in the bathroom," Ethan said with a hint of smile. He was quiet then, stroking my hair. I knew that silence from Ethan, it was the silence he got when he was deep in thought. "Sweetie, are you having second thoughts about all this?" Ethan asked me, stroking my hair.
I shook my head at him. "No, no, no. I just don't want you to leave me," I nuzzled closer into his neck.
He pulled my chin up to look him in the eyes. "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me to, okay?" I nodded to him and stretched my arms around his neck, I needed to be as close as possible to him. He brought his lips down to mine and kissed me softly and sweetly. The kiss progressed and Ethan and I made love. It was exactly what it needed to be. Ethan had grown accustomed to being away from La Push. I, on the other hand, had to be picked up less than two hours after being dropped off from summer camp in Idaho because, well, because it wasn't La Push. Other than my parents and Billy, I had such an extended family that in my mind I could never be apart from.
Ethan knew that, and that moment was more than just sex. It was him comforting and letting me know that it was all going to be fine. It was slow and gentle and filled with love and for the first time since I had heard Ethan was coming back to La Push, my body and my mind relaxed.
I woke up the next morning to the smell of fruit. Pineapples, oranges, bananas, grapes, strawberries, all mixed together. I rolled over to see him standing at the window, looking out at the beautiful city below. And, he was thinking, I could tell from only a glance of his backside that he was deep in thought. I loved that side of Ethan, his total concentration and envied his ability to push the outside world out and allow his thoughts to completely take over. I sighed, pulling the bedsheet up to cover my breasts.
He turned to me and chuckled. "Good morning to you, my beautiful ray of sunshine."
"Good morning," I whispered, clearing my throat.
"Breakfast?" he asked, pointing to the fruit on the table.
"Yes, please," I giggled.
Ethan placed a bit of fruit on a plate and brought it to me, handing me a bottle of water with it.
"Aren't you going to eat?" I asked him.
"Ray, do you seriously think I'm going to turn down food?" Ethan asked, laughing and making me laugh with him.
After our breakfast, Ethan suggested that we explore the city. He knew, even before I did, that this was to be our home. We needed to find a way to settle into it and the easiest way was to take a look at what the city had to offer. I showered and dressed and off we went.
Five minutes outside of the hotel and I had already learned a major lesson on life in Mexico. While I may be able to speak perfect textbook Spanish, my everyday, conversational Spanish was going to need a lot of work. Ethan was better at it than I was, and so I let him do most of our talking. I stayed quiet for the most part, taking in the scenery and listening to those around me. We walked around the town, stopping at the city's most famous coffeehouse, El Grand Café de la Parroquia. Ethan talked with the waiter, finding different areas for us to visit that day.
The very first place we visited outside of Veracruz that day, also happened to be the last. The small village faced the Gulf and while Ethan bantered with a merchant about the price of map, I found our future. I had never been a religious person. Ethan was… I had always admired his devotion to Buddhism, but I myself had never really sought out religion. I didn't right now, either.
I saw the tiny child sitting on the steps of the mission style church, tears in her eyes, clutching on to a worn stuffed animal. I looked at the sign next to door: Iglesia de Santa Rosa.
"I'll be right back," I said pulling myself away from Ethan.
I walked to the little girl, seeing her two long braids and beautiful chocolate eyes, veiled with tears. I smiled at her and she smiled back. She could have been a Quileute, I thought to myself. She was so much like the wolf-kids.
"Hola. Mi nombre es Trisha. ¿Y tu?" I asked, telling her my name and asking for hers in return.
"Alondra," she answered in a small voice. I was about to ask her what she doing all alone, when small lady dressed in a brown nun's outfit popped from behind the magnificent door of the church.
"¡Oh! ¡Alabado sea Dios! Hemos estado buscando por todas partes," the nun said to the girl. The child ran to the nun, wrapping her arms around the petite woman's waist. The nun had simultaneously thanked God, as well as chiding the girl, telling her they had been looking everywhere.
I started to move to walk away when the child stopped me. "Gracias," she said, thanking me.
It seemed so natural that I responded, "you're welcome" in English. The nun's eyes widened.
"You are American?" she asked me.
I nodded to her. "Yes, ma'am."
She smiled sweetly. "My child, you look much like Alondra, very lost and far from home." He English was impeccable, no accent at all, and then I picked up on it. She was American, too.
I smiled to her and nodded again. "Yeah. We just got here yesterday and are still trying to find our way around." I pointed to Ethan, who was still arguing with the merchant.
"You should tell your brother to stop arguing with Esai, he never budges on his prices," the nun said.
I should've corrected her, told her Ethan wasn't my brother, but I didn't. I was too enthralled with her, with the little girl around her waist, with the beautiful structure in front of me.
"Go get your brother and come back here. You look like you could use some lunch," she smiled. "I'm Sister Regina, by the way."
"Trisha," I said extending my hand to her, as she shook it. She and Alondra headed through the doors, as I went to fetch Ethan.
"This man is out of his mind if he thinks I'm paying that for a map! Loco!" Ethan said to the man, making me smile as the toothless man grinned.
"I don't think we'll need it right this second, anyhow," I told him. "This nice nun over at that church asked us to lunch."
"Really?" he asked. "Why'd she do that?"
I explained the small story of Alondra on the steps and he took in every word. "I kinda think she thinks we're brother and sister, though," I said to him.
He chuckled, "Probably a good idea since most Sisters don't really go for pre-marital relations."
"What Sisters?" I asked.
He laughed again, "Most nuns prefer to be called Sisters."
"Oh…Since when did you become an expert on Catholicism?" I asked him, jokingly.
"Since I lived in South America, duh," he replied, also jokingly.
We walked to the doors, opening them not to find a church like I though, but a large courtyard, with about ten children sitting in a circle, listening as a Sister read them a story in English. Sister Regina appeared by Ethan's side. "Welcome to our humble abode," she said, smiling at him. "Lunch is this way."
I whispered very softly, sure only Ethan could hear me. "Should I be worried that she's just taking us in like this?"
He shook his head no and smiled.
"Actually, we aren't strangers to helping people," Sister Regina said, and I instantly felt embarrassed. I had no idea how in the hell, she had heard me.
"I'm sorry," I whispered to her.
"Don't be. I'm a Sister who taught high school for 15 years. I learned how to listen to low voices and mumbling," she said, giggling as we walked into the dining room. "Let me introduce you to everyone."
The dining room was small, filled with no more than 20 children, two priests, and three other Sisters, all but one of which was clearly American. I glanced at the children, all smiles, patiently waiting for lunch.
"Excuse me everyone! We have visitors," Sister Regina said, causing them all to look at us. "This is Trisha and her brother…"
"Ethan," he said, quite proudly and I saw the grin sweep over his face as he glanced at the kids in the room.
"This is Sister Hortence, Sister Magdalena, Sister Angelica, Father Steve, and Father Juan," she said. "And these are our kiddos."
The children giggled and said hello. As much as I should've been uncomfortable in this strange place, full of people I didn't know, feeding me food the names of which I'd never even heard before, I didn't. Ethan stayed close to me at the table, explaining to them that we were from Washington, looking for work and a place to stay, never once mentioning our true relationship. Sister Regina told us their story. They ran a church/school/orphanage/counseling center.
"Basically, whatever people need, we provide," she said. The children were in no way shy, either, most of them finding time to say hello and hug both Ethan and I during the meal. I was content here, and I honestly felt loved. Not just from Ethan but from these strangers we had only met hours ago. The conversation between Sister Regina and us (mostly Ethan) ran through most of the afternoon and ended with her showing us to a small cottage on the backside of the church complex.
"What's this?" I asked, as she unlocked the front door.
"Well, I can see in your eyes, Trisha, that there is something you seek, that your heart is searching, but more importantly I saw the way you interacted with Alondra. She is a special case, that one. Hasn't said more than fifteen words since she was left on our doorstep last year. But she likes you, and you have a way with her," Sister Regina smiled to me. "I asked your brother about you two maybe staying her for awhile, helping us out at the school. We could always use help."
"What would I do?" I asked her, completely overwhelmed with the sense that I was settling into a new life less than three days after I'd left the old one. I had assumed Ethan and I would travel around, do what we needed to avoid being caught by the pack. But I felt something here.
"You can teach English with us. Ethan said neither of you have graduated high school and I think we might be able to help you with that. You can help with counseling. Mainly just be another resource for the children," she said. I could tell Ethan was already sold on the idea, but was leaving the decision up to me. "I'll be right down the way a bit, leave you two to discuss this." And she slipped out the door to the courtyard, dispersing a group of giggling children.
"This is totally up to you, Trisha. If you don't want to do this, we don't have to. But can I tell you something?" Ethan asked me.
"Of course," I responded.
"I can see it in your face. This place is what you need, isn't it?"
It shouldn't have been that easy. And, having seen too many movies, I felt like there should have been music playing, very dramatic. But it wasn't like that. This was my purpose now. I wanted to help those children, to channel all my energy not into worrying or crying about home, but into doing what I had done best at home (besides destroying people's lives and disappointed everyone), I would make a difference through these children.
Ethan knew before I did that this was our new home, where we belonged. I smiled at him and squealed a little. "I'll go tell Sister Regina."
And this was where we stayed for two years, spending out time counseling families and working with children. Our façade as brother and sister continued, and true to her word, Sister Regina helped us finish high school through a mail program in the states. We lived in the small cottage, with two bedrooms, though we only ever used one, except for last Dia de los Muertos when Ethan had a little too much Tequila and I kicked him out of the bedroom.
For the most part, we lived a normal life. We didn't get married, although he asked. I was worried that might cause some problems with our act as brother and sister. And I wasn't quite ready to leave this particular place, I knew we would have to but I wasn't keen on leaving just yet. I knew I had work left to do here, and Ethan always understood that. Not to mention other conflicts I was still dealing with in my head and in my heart.
In two years, not a day went by that I didn't love or think about David. Often, I would swear I saw him, or things as simple as looking at the stars reminded me of him. I couldn't, no, wouldn't, no, couldn't let him go. The feelings had gotten stronger recently. Not because I wasn't happy with what I had or that I didn't love Ethan, but I worried, worried how much longer we could pretend, how much longer we would be able to stay away.
Many things change in two years, including me. Not only was I older, but I wasn't the same little girl that ran from La Push. I was now a guilt-ridden 19-year old, with the experiences of someone that had lived forty years. Sister Regina often told me she saw me as an adult the day I walked in, but my persona now was different. To her, I had taken on the role of mother, not just to the kids, but even the adults we dealt with. My heart and my mind matured. I had an innate desire to make life better for anyone I met. Those were Sister Regina's words, not mine. In my mind, if her assessment were real, then I was doing it as a way to pay for my sins, so to speak, my penance, trying to find forgiveness.
As we approached the two year mark, I knew something was about to change, something major was going to happen. I had inherited this odd gift from my mother of sensing things, mostly bad things, before they occurred.
Ethan didn't help matters when not long after I started sensing change, he phased. He ran into the cottage, completely naked. I gave him a perplexed look.
"What the hell happened?" I asked.
"I phased," he said, grunting.
"Shit," I sighed.
"I know! Two fucking years! I've held it in for two fucking years and now!" I could see his body start trembling.
"Calm down, E. Tell me what triggered it," I said, grabbing a pair of shorts for him.
"I don't even know. I swear, I could smell vamps around the beach. I could swear it. Like they were nearby," he was still trying to sort out his thoughts.
"Did you hear them?"
He knew exactly who I was talking about, as he turned to face me, hesitating. "Yes and no."
"What do you mean, yes and no? Ethan, just spit it out!" I was getting tired of the games.
"I heard Jake. Only Jake," he said softly.
"Fuck!" I yelled. "Did you talk to him?!"
Ethan turned way. "I couldn't just ignore him," he said defensively.
I got up and started pacing, an action I learned from David, an action that made me think of him. How long would it be now before they found us?
"Did he ask where we were?"
"Yes," Ethan said sheepishly.
"Fuck, Ethan, did you tell him?"
Ethan shook his head. "I told him we were in Mexico. That's it."
Okay, so Mexico is a big-ass country. Maybe they won't be able to find us, I thought to myself.
"You were on the beach?" I asked.
"Yes, and before you ask, yes, he did see the water."
Even still, narrowing it down to coastal towns wouldn't help them much, I thought.
"Wait. You said you talked to Jake?" I asked him, confused as to how he was communicating with someone outside of his pack. "Does that mean..."
"Jake's my Alpha. I switched packs before we left La Push. I hadn't had to think about before. I hadn't phased and I didn't see it as an issue."
Considering everything we'd gone through in the last two years, him changing packs wasn't really that big of an issue. I was still worried though. If he knew where we were, what would stop Jake from calling my Mom or Embry or Grandpa Billy for that matter?
"I'm so sorry, Ray," Ethan was upset. I was angry, too, but I couldn't stay mad. I wasn't like he could completely control it all the time. Things happen, right?
"It's okay, Ethan. I doubt anything will come of it. Besides no one in La Push saw, and that's what we have to worry about," I said, holding him and trying to calm his nerves.
"Do you think he'll tell?" Ethan asked, sounding small and scared like one of our students.
"I don't know. I doubt it," I shrugged. I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "How was Uncle Jake, anyway?"
Ethan smiled. "Good. He asked about you. Told me to tell you that even if you never go back to La Push, that we can always visit them in Italy."
I huffed. "Yeah, like that's ever going to happen."
I calmed Ethan enough to get him to bed, spending a few moments by myself on our cottage porch. Little Alondra of two years ago, was now an eleven-year old with a heart of gold and seeing her walk over to me, I couldn't help but smile.
"Everything alright, Miss Trisha?" She asked me, her English holding a thick accent.
"Everything is fine. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company this evening?" The children loved when I attempted to speak to them in formal English and she giggled at me.
"Father Juan sent me to ask if you would mind going with him tomorrow to the village. He said there is a family that had a seven-year old son die and he wants your help counseling."
"Please tell him I would be more than happy to help," I smiled and she flitted off to deliver my message.
I curled up a bit, looking at nothing in particular. It was worse, now. The feeling. I didn't know if it was because Ethan phased or because hearing that he had spoken to Uncle Jake made me miss my family so much more.
Something was going to happen and soon.
NEXT CHAPTER: "Visitors in Mourning"
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Second AN: If you haven't already, check out yay4shanghai's forum on FanFiction called Wolf Pack Kicks Cullen Ass…
http://www{dot}fanfiction{dot}net/forum/Wolf_Pack_Kicks_Cullen_Ass/61748/