There are no words to describe how glad I am that this story has been so well received. Thank you so much for reading and an Emmett worthy hug goes out to those who were kind enough to leave reviews!
Thump, thump, thump, thump "Mommy!"Gavin squeals and hurls his tiny form at me, "You're home finawy!"
I catch him and pull him in for a hug, "Hi baby. I missed you so much today."
"Missed you too," he mumbles into my neck as I stand up and let my brothers enter the house.
"Was you good for Gamma?" I ask just dad strolls out of the kitchen, nodding an affirmative at my question.
"Yes I was good," my little boy declares, his crystal blue orbs swimming with sincerity, "Gwampa and Gamma tooked me for ice cweam cuz I was so good!"
"That's awesome little man," I admit with a smile of my own and muss his hair playfully, "Now, why don't you let me get my shoes off and you can help me do my homework. When we're done, me and you are making chicken stir fry, that is, if you still want to help?"
He nods his little head furiously, "I still wanna help!"
I plant another kiss on his forehead then set him down and give him a playful swat on his bottom, "Okay sweetie. Now go get your paper and crayons out while I get my school work out."
"Otay Mommy!" he shouts and speeds through the house, his shouts of victory echoing through the place.
"Heard you had a bit of trouble today," my father muses in a low voice as I strip my feet bare and drop my hoodie down the laundry chute, "Care to talk about it?"
I rub the back of my neck and sigh wearily, "It was just hard to hear him cry dad. I felt like I was a bad mother because I was stuck at school and couldn't help my baby when he needed me," I raise a hand to halt him when he opens his mouth to answer, "Yeah, I know the therapist said that I needed to work on trusting people with not only Gavin, but myself, and I'm trying dad, but just because I struggle sometimes, it doesn't automatically mean that I need to go back to seeing a shrink every week."
Charlie's mustache twitches a few times, then follows his mouth upwards into a half smile, "You are one tough girl Bells and I'm very proud of you. Don't ever doubt that you are a good mother, because if Renee had even been one tenth of the mom that you are....."
"Thank Sue," I tell him honestly, "She taught me what it's like to be a real mother."
"I do, every damn day pumpkin," he replies, then runs a hand over my now loose hair, "Now, homework, then food kid, because I'm drooling over the thought of your stir fry and if I'm that bad, your brothers are on the verge of eating the wallpaper."
Mom must have heard his little quip, because her low, melodic laughter rings out from the kitchen. "Oh no!" she calls out in feigned horror, "Not the wallpaper again! Bella, hurry up and get your homework done!"
"Hey! We're not that bad!" my brother's counter from the living room. "Yet!" Seth adds, then yelps as Emmett hits him with a pillow, I'm guessing.
"Yes you are! Frikkin Neanderthals, I swaer!" I chuckle and drag my bag upstairs to my room, where Gavin is no doubt bouncing off the walls after being made to wait so long.
The struggles of the day melt as I make it to the third floor of the house, where Gavin and my rooms reside. I wanted the top floor because it's the quietest part of the house. That, and every window gives a magnificent view of the forest and lake surrounding our property. It brings me a peace that I never felt in any of the places we had lived before. Not Washington or Montana, not Ohio, and certainly not in Virginia, where I was assaulted, ever made me feel this comfortable. I've read that some people that live in the shadow of the mountain sometimes get apprehensive because it makes them feel so small and insignificant. I can help but feel the opposite. The serenity that Mount Washington gives me also gives me something else. It reminds me that even though there are ugly parts to the world, it can still be a beautiful and good place.
"Mommy, huwwy up, I'm waiting!" my son's indignant tone warns me that he's reached the end of his patience.
"Hold your horses kidzilla, I'm here," I slip through the doorway to find my son propped up in the middle of my king sized bed like a royal prince, his notebooks and coloring utensils scattered all around him.
"I can't hold horkies, I'm too small," he retaliates with a pout as I drop my gear at the foot of the bed and lay down just outside of his paper perimeter.
"Okay, ponies then," I correct myself with a snicker, "What are you working on?"
"Making food for Emmy and Sef so dey don't eat Gamma's wallpaper," his tone is dead serious as he toils, his golden eyebrows furrowed with concentration and that bottom lip safely tucked between his teeth.
"I'm sure they will love it," I comment and reach for my own work, "I, on the other hand, have math and english to do, which is nowhere near as fun as making food for your uncles."
"Not what Gwampa says," the child mutters and I cover my mouth to stifle a laugh.
"You're grandpa is a smart man," I admit before tackling the dreaded homework monster.
The rest of the evening goes fairly quietly, except for when Seth and Emmett decide that they want to play with Gavin and his fort after dinner. It never fails that things that can go wrong, will go wrong, when those two get it in their heads that they can do something. I thought Sue was going to wet her panting from laughing so hard when we had to use cooking oil to get Emmett unstuck from one of the tiny portals leading in and out of the wooden structure. Yes, we all made sure to take pictures of that one.
Once the evening winds down, I give Gavin his bath and get him into bed. On the advie of his pediatrician, I lay with him for only ten minutes before sliding out of his grasp and turning on a cd of various classical music to soothe him. With on last kiss to his pale cheek, I bid my reason for living goodnight and pad over to my own room.
It's begun to rain, again, but I'm not tired enough to sleep, so after I shower and put on my comfy tee shirt and flannel pajama pants, I grab my black cashmere throw blanket, my book, and my phone so I can keep track of the time, and make my way out onto the covered balcony that faces the lake behind our house.
The night air is refreshingly cool and I bask in the subtle rhythm of the rain hitting the roof for a few moments, then curl up one of the uncommonly comfortable chairs. I flip my phone open to see what time it is and notice that I have one new text message. Holy hell, it's from Alice.
B- Just wanted you to know that I stole your number from Jasper's phone, so don't yell at him. Want to ask you a question. Text me back? A
Hmm, what could she want this time of night?
A- Don't know what I can help you with, but ask away B
I set the phone on the table, certain that I won't be getting an answer until morning, and open my book. Two pages later, it buzzes. That was fast.
Would you give me Seth's cell number? We were supposed to trade numbers at lunch but forgot
Oh no. I've been through this before. There is no way in hell that I'm giving out my brothers phone numbers out to anyone until I talk to them first.
I'll ask him in the morning. Don't like giving numbers out without their permission. Hope you understand.
Her answer comes back just as quickly at before.
Not at all. No problem. I'll just get it off of him in the am. Nite!
In that moment, I find myself beginning to like Alice Brandon, even if someone needs to wean her off of the Redbull.
Night Alice. Sweet Sleep.
Satisfied with the outcome, I drop the cell and reach for my book again, eager to finish the chapter I'm on before I go to sleep.
Not five minutes later, the damn phone alerts me to another new message. "Geez, don't these people believe in decent bed times?" I grumble while opening it.
Bella- Sorry about Alice stealing your number, she snooped while I was in the shower. I'm staying at her and Edward's tonight so Rose and her boyfriend could time alone. Forgive me please?
What does a girl say to that? Like it isn't obvious. Nothing to forgive. Beginning to think Alice is so cute and sweet because she's actually the devil incarnate lol.
Like an imbecile, I find myself hunched over my phone while waiting for his reply. He doesn't make me wait long, thank goodness.
I agree with that description. I still want to make it up to you though. Want me to bring coffee or something in the morning to make it up to you?
After deliberating on how Seth and Emmett might overreact to a gesture as benign as this, I type out my answer. Better not, brothers might think that you're trying to steal my virtue via the old coffee trick.
His response is comical. They really that bad?
You have no idea. Worse. You think that's scary cowboy? Just imagine if you'd have wanted to give me a muffin as well...We're talking Armageddon on that one. Not sure if your body would ever be found.
It takes longer for my phone to beep this time, but when it does, it makes my heart skip a few beats. I can understand why they are so protective you. Too many assholes out there who would try to take advantage of such a beautiful woman.
Oh Jasper, if you only knew how right you are.
The thought makes me stop dead. I've never wanted people to know what happened to me that night. Besides even if, by some far flung miracle, he was actually interested in me that way, there is no doubt in my mind that he would turn tail and run for the hills if he found out how sullied I truly am. No, it's best to keep with the routine. Be nice but keep your distance.
You're tired and it's obviously made you delusional so go to bed and get some sleep. Fear not though, I'll revert back to being plain old me by morning. Night Jasper There that should do it.
Thirty seconds later, there's another beep.
I'm not delusional Bella, you could never be plain in my eyes, but I guess we will have to agree to disagree on that for the time being. Sweet dreams Bella.
After closing my phone and staring out into space for a bit, remembering Jasper's words, I give up on reading and decide to go to bed. As I cover up, I believe that it's going to be forever before I go to sleep. Thankfully, I'm wrong. I'm out as soon as my head hits the pillow.
My alarm actually awakens me for once, instead of a bouncing, bubbly baby boy for once. Strange. After using the facilities, I slink across the attic and peer into Gavin's room. He is still sound asleep, his stuffed wolf still being loosely held in his arms.
Not wanting to wake him, I silently retreat after kissing his forehead and go back to my room to get ready for the day. This morning's ensemble consists of a black mesh long sleeved shirt under one of Emmett's old football jerseys that has SWAN 36 on the back, a pair of black boot cut style jeans, and broken in motorcycle boots that used to belong to Seth once upon a time before his feet transformed into barges. I get a little girlie with my hair though, plaiting in a few thin braids amongst the curls and clipping a few multicolored rhinestones that Gavin had gotten me for my back to school present to them. A set of, once again black, fingerless gloves that reach up to mid forearm and a few quick swipes of black eyeliner completes my efforts to cover my scarred, bloated body and not look like I'm dressing for midwinter.
After snatching my well worn military style half trench and backpack, I head down to the kitchen for a cup of java, then maybe something to eat before taking my meds. If the mobile garbage disposals I call my darling brothers have left anything edible in the kitchen, that is.
"Wow, looking nice today sis," Seth appraises as he shoves a mug in may face, "Does this have anything to with a certain blonde haired Texan we met yesterday?"
I give him the middle finger and take my place at the breakfast bar, "It has to do with me. I'm trying to at least make an effort with how I look when I go out in public, just like the shrink told me to. I guess that means you won't get to kill anyone for talking to me today after all. Sorry little brother."
"Dammit Bella, you take away all our fun," Emmett pouts, dropping his massive body onto the stool beside me, "I had the perfect way to dispose of the body too. I was going to put it through the wood chipper and shoot it out into the lake."
"Didn't they do something like that in a movie? Fargo, wasn't it?" I inquire after choking down my daily pills, "It doesn't count if it's been in a movie Em, you know that."
"What about putting them in a barrel of acid?" he offers, his expression hopeful.
Seth shakes his head, "Nope. They did that on NCIS. I think you're starting to slip Emmy. I-"
"That's enough demon spawn," Charlie mutters, shuffling into the room and making a bee line towards the coffee pot, "Don't you have class today, or was that my imagination?"
We know a reprimand when we hear one, so we proceed with the song and dance of gathering our stuff and walking out to our vehicles.
"I can't wait till March when I can start driving myself to school," Seth whines while getting into the truck next to me, "Do you think mom and dad will let me get a Supra?"
I burst into laughter and have to hit the brakes to avoid colliding with the back of Emmett's jeep, "You'll be lucky if they don't make you drive a Volvo if you ask for a Supra Seth. Try something more sensible at first, then move up to the really dangerous cars."
"Why?" he pushes after a couple minutes of silence.
"Because by that time they'll think you're too experienced to kill yourself by accident and too mature to kill yourself on purpose," I deadpan, seeing the school come into view. "By the way, Alice is most likely going to ask you for your number. She texted me last night and said that you were supposed to exchange them but both of you forgot. I told her that I couldn't give it to her without talking to you about it first."
"That's cool," he waves his hand nonchalantly, "I did forget, with the clusterfuck at lunch yesterday and everything." He turns to look at me, "So....what do you think of her?"
I shrug, "Other than the fact that she is really freaking hyper and I feel like I could break her with a look, she seems pretty nice to me. You should go for it and see what happens, but know that I will fuck her up if she hurts you."
"Yeah, I know sis," he takes my hand and squeezes it gently, "You always look out for me. Thank you."
"Never a problem hun. Besides, it's in the big sister handbook," I joke, breaking the serious atmosphere that had begun falling over us.
We fall into an easy silence as we reach the student lot and seek out an open space. By pure accident, Seth spots Jake and Jasper standing in a slot next to two parked motorcycles and they're waving us to them. I happily oblige and am careful not to squish anybody as I guide the truck in and kill the engine.
"Oh my god, you are one kick ass chick!" Jake crows and pulls me into a hug after I hop down.
"Jebus Jake, let the girl breathe," Jasper tugs the Indian's arms from around me and envelops me in an embrace of his own, "Morning Bella. Have a good night?" his voice is low and husky, making my insides tremble.
Holy hell he smells good too. Like warm leather, cloves, and something that makes me think of the way the forest smells after it rains. His blue orbs meet mine, amusement swirling in them. Oh crap, you still haven't answered him! I give a short nod, "Yes I did. You?"
He bobs his head once as he releases me from his hold, "Not too bad. I'm having a much better morning though."
I can't help but blush at his words despite the little voice inside screaming that his good morning has nothing to do with me.
"Isabella my love!" a cheerful velvet voice distracts me and I turn to see Edward sauntering up, holding two trays of styrofoam cups, "Would you like a coffee? There's enough for everyone."
I glance over to Jasper, who looks a little too innocent. I raise an eyebrow in question and he answers with a wink. Cheeky bastard. He avoided dismemberment by having one of the gay guys offer me coffee. I smile at his ingenious maneuver. Well played cowboy, well played indeed.
Unfortunately our little impromptu party is broken up by a few idiot underclassmen who obviously managed to acquire a driver's license over the summer, by the sounds of their squealing tires and 'I'm so cool' attitudes. Assholes.
I'm a bit chagrined when Jake and Edward take it upon themselves to loop my arms through their own and escort me inside, leaving Jasper to walking behind us. I don't get a chance to tell him or anyone else goodbye as they guys lead me right to my first period.
Another split chapter. I know, I'm sorry.
