New Beginnings
Chapter 3
Bella sat on the steps of the back porch, her whiskey colored eyes watching as Seth and Charlie chased after the twins who were squealing with laughter. A soft smile pulled on her lips as she watched the scene in front of her before every muscle in body tensed as she realized some one was watching her. Looking away from her father and step brother playing with her children, she found Paul's hazel orbs watching her intently. She straightened her spine, steeling herself for whatever he was going to say, only for Jacob to step in front of him and fall into the spot beside her.
"They seem really happy running around," he commented lightly, watching Bella from the corner of his eye carefully. He had noticed the way her muscles had tensed at his proximity, something she had never done before.
"Yeah, Boston didn't really have the open space Forks does. It's green, not as wet, and smaller. I really missed it here and I thought those two might enjoy it," she agreed, forcing herself to relax as Jacob leaned back on his palms, his eyes darting around the yard at everyone who had come for the cook out.
"Is this a daily thing? Weekly? Monthly?" Bella questioned after a moment, her eyes darting around the large crowd and trying not to hyperventilate.
"Eh, about weekly. Charlie's... Charlie. Him and Sue practically adopted everyone here. The guys respect your dad Bells. And that's saying something since Paul doesn't respect anyone and Sam believes he's better than everyone else. Leah is the one that actually started this. She had the great idea to feed the guys after we rebuilt the local playground for the elementary school as a thank you. It turned out being exactly what everyone needed," Jacob explained easily, watching his childhood best friend as she absorb this information.
A cell phone's shrill ring broke through the peace that had settled over the two, causing Bella to scramble forward and slide the device from her back pocket. Jacob's brows furrowed as he watched her glance at the screen before all the color drained from her face.
"I need to take this Jake," she whispered, watching as he nodded slightly before pushing to his feet and making his way towards his brothers in everything but blood. He was close enough to still hear her side of the conversation, but not what the other person was saying.
"Edward, what do you want?" Bella whispered, her eyes darting around the back yard until they found her twins, tackling Seth and, of all people, Paul who acted as if Johnny was the strongest three year old he had met.
"You left with my children Isabella. I would like for the three of you to return home," Edward's silky drawl filled her ears, and Bella knew he was barely containing his temper.
"They are mine Edward. You wanted nothing to do with them and you made that perfectly clear before they were even born," Bella snapped, unable to control her own temper.
"Esme would love for her grandchildren to be in the same state as her," Edward explained slowly, and Bella could hear the controlled breaths he was taking as she shook her head, her eyes darting from her step brother and his friend to her father who was watching her cautiously.
"Fuck her and fuck you Edward. Don't call me again," she ended the call and looked towards the gray clouds as she fought the tears that were trying to make their way down her cheeks.
"Bells?" Charlie's voice held worry as he came to stand in front of her, his every instinct telling him to wrap her in his arms and protect her, from what he didn't know.
"Let me put the twins down for a nap and I'll explain everything Dad. I just... I need my babies for a few minutes," she whispered thickly, watching as her father nodded in understanding. Bella pushed to her feet and made her way towards the two three year olds and led them into the house. Jacob shared a look with his brothers before watching the way Charlie's shoulders sagged.
Paul growled quietly before he made his way into the house with the excuse of getting another beer. He stood in front of the fridge, and listened as Bella's quiet voice drifted from the living room, singing a familiar lullaby.
"Rock a by baby, on the tree top. When the wind blows, the cradle will rock. When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall. And down will come baby, cradle and all," Bella sang softly, repeating the words a few times before she pushed to her feet and slowly back out of the living room, colliding with a firm wall of muscle.
"I never understood why people sang that lullaby. It doesn't make children feel safe," Paul whispered, leaning down until his lips were level with her ear. Bella fought the shiver that wanted to make itself known to the man behind her.
"I'm... I'm not entirely sure either. I just remember it was something Renee sang to me and the twins both really like it," Bella explained, stumbling over her words slightly. Paul chuckled, his warm breath ghosting the shell of her ear as he shook his head.
"No Baby Girl, it's not the song they like. It's just your voice they like," Paul pulled away from her, smirking at her frozen form before making his way back outside with the others.
Bella shook head forcefully, inhaling a steadying breath as she attempted to gather her thoughts. She knew she owed her family an explanation and they deserved one. She could do this. She could be strong and tell her family everything. Inhaling one last steadying breath, Bella made her way out the back door and stepped onto the back porch, her eyes landing on her step sister's encouraging smile. Charlie's worried eyes were what broke her, something she couldn't stand seeing.
"So, where would you like to start?" Bella questioned quietly, sliding her hands into her back pockets and rocking on the balls of her feet.
"Let's start with why you stayed away for three years. Or better yet, why you kept those two beautiful children a secret from us. Oh, wait, I know. Who the fuck is Edward?" Jacob finally snapped when it appeared no one else was going to. Bella squared her shoulders and closed her eyes as she thought over her words carefully.
"I was thirteen when I made a deal with Renee. She had just married Phil and was going crazy when he had to travel for the minor leagues. She wanted to be there with him but couldn't, because she had me. I told her she could go with Phil and I would start highschool here in Forks. I'd spend the next four years here while she got to travel and be a newlywed with her new husband. She agreed on the condition that I spend the summer of graduation and my college years with her. That was the reason I chose MIT rather than Washington State. She settled in Boston the year before graduation and that was where I had to go to college," Bella paused, opening her eyes to see Charlie, Jake, Sue, and Seth watching her closely.
"My freshman year was uneventful. It was full of taking classes I barely had any time to socialize which of course annoyed Renee. But I was able to make a friend, her name was Alice and she was there for business. She was adopted with her twin and older brother by this young couple, a doctor and his wife who were raising his wife's niece and nephew, another set of twins. She told me how I would just adore her twin and set us up on a blind date with out telling me. He was nice if a little intense. After that date, I thought that would be the last I saw of him, Edward thought that night went better than I did and started pursuing me because he wanted an actual relationship, even when I told him I wasn't interested. Renee was the only reason I even gave him a chance. She kept pushing about it saying that college was the time to really have fun.
"For a while, Edward was great. He was still really intense and I thought he was just over protective. Turns out I was wrong. He was controlling and jealous, and had to know what I was doing every minute of the day. I was going to end things with him when I discovered I was pregnant. When I told him, he freaked out, shoved me away from him and told me they weren't his, that I had been cheating on him. When I told Renee, she... She didn't take it well and threw me out, told me not to come back. Edward was forced to step up because of his sister and older brother, telling their parents what had happened. But... Edward didn't want the twins and he made it known with how he acted. He was very verbal in that aspect..." Bella swallowed, blinking quickly to keep the tears away only for Sue's gasp to reach her ears.
"Did he ever lay a hand on you Bells?" Charlie's question was strained as if he had to force the words past his lips.
"He... He only hit me once. He would push me around and grab my arms or wrists really hard. But never while I was pregnant," Bella answered, wrapping her arms around her middle as if she was trying to hold herself together.
"Mostly he'd just yell. I always begged him not to in front of the twins, but he never listened. He got really angry a week before we left and started screaming in my face. Johnny, he's really protective of Millie and I, and he got in between us. I saw Edward raise his hand and I pulled Johnny behind me. Luckily it didn't give me a black eye or break anything. Just left a hand print on my cheek for a day," Bella said, finally opening her eyes to see Leah had her mom wrapped in a tight hug while Charlie put a restraining hand on Seth and Billy did the same for Jacob. Paul however made his way to Bella and pulled her into his chest, his hands holding her hips tightly.
"Is that who called before you took the twins inside? Edward?" Paul questioned quietly, knowing she was done telling them everything for the day. At her nod Paul fought back a growl.
"Why don't you go rest Bells, I'm sure that was exhausting to share," Charlie urged, watching his daughter pull herself from Paul's arms and slowly trudge her way into the house, Leah hot on her heels to ensure she would be alright.
"I'm going to call that woman and give her a piece of my mind Charlie. To throw out her own daughter when she needed her mother? How dare she treat Bella like that!"Sue growled, and Paul could only respect the woman more.
"Give her hell Honey. She certainly deserves it," Charlie agreed, shaking his head before he looked at the boys gathered in his back yard.
"He steps foot in Forks, he's done for," was all the older man said. Paul, Jacob, and Seth agreed whole heartedly before glancing at their friends who nodded in agreement.
"Good," was all he said before turning back to the grill, pulling Seth with him, and Paul knew it was to calm his step son down.
A/N: Chapter Three. I know it's shorter than the other two, but the next chapter will be longer. Bella gets a Job and sees the boys working in action! Enjoy and fee free to let me know what you thought!
