Chapter Four, Bella.
"Why would they come back?" I said, mostly to myself. "There's no reason and it's much too soon. Maybe they're just picking things up from the house. They left heaps of things."
"Maybe. They've been to your hou- uh, Charlie's a few times too though. They haven't spoken to him, just been by. I think they're looking for you. Maybe because of those vampire kings you were telling us about; they must have a way of finding things out, or those rules would be useless. You're probably safe then aren't you?" Jacob said.
"Yeah, safe. With three half-vampires growing slowly and me having no idea how to live forever." I said a little hysterical. "Jake, I can't take the kids away, they need people; real people, not just Charlie and the pack... They need the Cullen's too."
"No they don't, we'll work it out," Jake said.
"They still ask about them." I said shortly. "They're family. Masen and Whitlock are named after them. They want to meet their father, and their other relatives. You had your whole family on the res. Imagine not having them. Maybe we should come down now, a family emergency. I can talk to them-" I broke off.
Jake was quiet for a while.
"We're not always going to be here," he said. "The pack I mean. I will, I'll stay-"
"Until you meet your imprint," I said.
"Yeah, until then."
Jake had been cagey about that for a while. Ten years. I'm not sure I liked where my thoughts went with that, thinking of little Claire and my Bailey. "But you might be right. The triplets are human and vampire, so you need help to survive the human world with them. More than you can get from me, the pack and those vampires you ran into."
I smiled, "Yeah. But who knows if they want to help, me being a distraction and all."
"They should," Jake said. "It's their fault in some ways. Anyway, I may hate them for what they did to you, but the Doctor seemed responsible. The way you spoke about him sounds like he'll be fine helping, even if he -they- did want you out of their lives. You can always talk to them and not mention the kids until later, you have eternity."
I thought that over; it was true. Get the help I needed - will need for the future. We'd be fine probably the next ten years, maybe less. I didn't want to push my luck even with my gift: if it slipped in the next ten years for example, the triplets would only look ten, rather than fifteen; then there was me who'd be passing as thirty, while I was changed just after eighteen. I could keep the kids from them, for a while, but then my arguments on family were hypocritical.
I looked up towards where the three were sleeping. I couldn't do that to them. I'd never lied about what had happened and I'm sure Bailey mostly just wanted to scream at them. But they wanted to meet the family that took me in and loved me- or pretended. They'd be cautious because of my experience and I couldn't avoid them forever. While I'd like to wait until they were older, I did need the help. Who knows when I'd run into them again- or if Jake would.
I felt confused. I'd said I should, but thought I shouldn't. I wanted the kids to have family, but I didn't want them to be exposed to the family that didn't want me, so perhaps them. I didn't want them hurt, but keeping them away would hurt them just as much.
"I'll tell the kids," I decided, "They can choose whether they want to see them now or later. It can be up to them. Whichever they choose, I do need to speak to them. I think our school holidays will be starting early. If they say no, can they stay with you? Actually, probably dad. You're not letting me near them alone are you?"
"In your dreams, Bells," Jake said. "Even if they say yes, perhaps you should meet them first and then take the kids. That way, well, it's just safer. Share what happened with them."
I nodded in agreement. "Thanks Jake. For everything. I better let you sleep now, huh?"
Jake gave a cheesy grin, "Love ya Bells. See you soon?"
I nodded again, "tomorrow night. I'll explain, we'll pack for the holidays and be down ASAP."
"'Kay. Bye."
"Bye."
Jake disappeared from the screen and I cut the power.
Alice and Jasper.
Why were they -if they were- looking for me after all this time?
The next morning was hectic. Bailey and Theo both wanted to meet their aunt and uncle; Theo especially wanting to meet his namesake. Masen was dead-set against it.
"What if they take us away? What if they hurt you? What will we do if they don't let us see Grandpa an' Jake an' Uncle Billy and Sam an' Emily an' -"
I cut him off: "Nobody, Masen, is taking you away and Jake will look after you if anything happens. They won't hurt you though, I won't let them. Their not going to know you exist until after I find out what they want anyway."
Masen still wasn't impressed and with his emotions so easily written on his face and in his moods, I still wondered if it was right to introduce them; even if the other two were delighted.
Some good had to come of the meeting though. More of an explanation for a start. Why they couldn't tell me to my face, so I wouldn't have to wonder about what I did wrong or why they chose to mess with my head the way they did. I worried about Masen though.
Soon we had bags packed and loaded in the car, the triplets buckled in and some chocolates (M&M's, one of the few things they all agreed tasted good), for the ride there. We would stop about three-quarters of the way there for a hunt, a little further than we usually did so we hopefully wouldn't run into Alice and Jasper. The kids only had to feed about twice a week if they filled up, a good thing so we didn't need to tell Charlie why we went hiking everyday.
I got in the car myself. "Ready?" I asked, whether I was asking myself or the kids, I don't know, but they answered:
"Yep!" "Of course" with grins was Theo and Bailey. A muted, "ready" came from Masen. He chewed his lip and smiled unsurely at me.
"It's alright, Masen. I promise."
I started the car and we were off to Forks and I certainly hoped I could keep that promise.
Note 1: I forgot to mention last chapter that I hoped everyone found Bella's power believable. I felt as though she always wanted to blend in and as a vampire that continued, especially with the kid to think about. On that note
Note 2: Theo and Bella have powers. Theo can speak to people directly and hear thought specifically aimed at him. Bailey and Masen are more like Carlise and Esme, etc in that they have 'traits' that are powerful. Masen watching people and able to gauge reactions and defuse a temper is a trait or skill, not a power. Same with Bailey and her protective streak. In the books gifts are called rare, therefore I believe that not all of them would have powers.
Note 3: Lot's of speech in this, I'm not sure I like it, but I found it necessary for this chapter.
Note 4: The kids are 10 years old. They look 5 due to slow aging. I'm just confirming this to help with confusion.