Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended.
Beta-in-Chief: Lola...she was a showgirl, but she gave that and her yellow feathers up to beta my little story. (Additional disclaimer: Barry Manilow owns the lyrics to Copacabana)
Bella lay awake on her lumpy old bed, a relic Charlie kept from her high school years. She let her tears fill her eyes and they now burned from the salty sting. Charlie hadn't changed her room at all. Throughout the years, during every brief visit they had made to Charlie's, she had begged him to do something else with it, a room, or perhaps a den for his hunting and fishing trophies. As she lay there, she felt the memories of her high school years closing in on her, almost suffocating her brain as she fought against them. The memories of those days haunted her every thought. She had never slept in this room with Jacob; he always preferred the emotional warmth and the strength he gathered from reservation whenever they visited their fathers. Bella always agreed with him, saying it didn't matter to her where they stayed or slept. In her heart she knew the real reason she preferred the reservation. There was a much less chance of running into people.
For the first time in years, Bella doubted her judgment. By not staying in this room with Jacob, she felt no connection to him here at all. And she certainly wouldn't dream of staying at the reservation without him, even if she did have Jason with her. The Quileutes adored Jason, already considered him their next chief even if Billy was still active within the tribe. They only tolerated Bella because of how much she meant to Jacob, that was a fact. It was only after reminding herself of their son's existence that she realized that time had passed, years have gone by. But in this room, sleeping on this bed, her mind was playing tricks on her. She had a difficult time even visualizing Jacob in this room. She was sure that he had been in there at some point during their growing up years, he had to have been. But the only visions that came to her now were the same ones that haunted her dreams, it wasn't her husband lying here with her now, it was Edward.
She and Edward together. She and Edward, riding bikes together when neither one yet had their license. Edward climbing the tree outside her bedroom window to spend just a few extra moments with her after Charlie had fallen asleep. As they grew older, waking up naked in this very bed, next to Edward. Not feeling ashamed, afraid, or even guilty. Like she belonged there, with him like that. The feeling like she never had to search for anything more, ever again. She had her Edward and that was all that mattered at that point in time. Unfortunately he hadn't ever really wanted her.
That thought caused her to sob out loud. She didn't care that the tears fell from the corner of her eyes and dripped into her ears, then onto her pillow; she couldn't stop them from falling even if she had wanted to. She didn't need to either, given that Charlie and Jason were both gone to the reservation to fetch their belongings from the bike. She thought back to how sick she felt when she realized that the girl who helped her at the hospital was Carlisle's granddaughter. Her first thought immediately went to Edward and the fact that he must have had a child or two by now, with someone else. Just as she had with Jacob. But for some reason it had cut at her deeply, knowing that Edward might have slept with someone else. Maybe many someone else's, for all she knew. Everyone was so careful to not bring up Edward in front of her, fearful of the reaction they might receive. She guessed that if she didn't get the hell out of Forks soon, she would have no choice but to run into Emmett and Rose eventually. Not that she would really mind. She never held it against them that they had chosen to remain loyal to Edward over her. It would be easy enough to have a small meeting with them, then take her leave. It would be much more difficult to see Alice. She was always closer to Alice and her boyfriend Jasper than Emmett and Rosalie. She assumed by now that Alice and Jasper were probably married. With only a few years separating the oldest of them from the youngest of them, all six of them had been great friends. It would be a struggle to see Alice and not want to make it a longer visit just to spend more time with her.
Even harder still would be to see Esme. The mother she had always tried to emulate while she was raising Jason. The mother that she had always wanted while she was growing up, after her own mother was taken from her at a young age. Just when a girl needed a mother most in her life, Esme Cullen had fluidly stepped right into that role. Not replacing Renee, although Bella would be the first to admit it would be easy enough to do; instead, Esme let her know that she was there for her just as much as, and probably more so, than Renee had ever been. At key points in her life, she had sought out her friend's mother and Esme was right there with all the right answers.
As she turned onto her good side, Bella let her sobs and tears take over until the pain medication she had taken made it all go away, both physically and emotionally. She fell into a blissfully black sleep.
Eden bounced happily out of the hospital and got into her father's army green Jeep. She loved it that her parent's always had such great cars. She had to admit, that it was lost on her and she never fully appreciated her mother's knowledge of them. As long as it looked nice and was reliable, was all Eden concerned herself with. While both of her brothers had picked up their parent's love of all things mechanical, she preferred to show her love for all things human. She had a natural love that her grandfather had always told her she must have inherited from her grandmother, Esme. Armed with her grandmother's ability to love, and strengthened with her grandfather's insane amount of compassion, it should have come as no surprise to anyone in the family that Eden wanted to be a nurse.
She knew she wanted to be a nurse from day one and her grandma had fueled that passion by taking her on frequent trips to the hospital while visiting her grandpa Carlisle at work. She was never more thrilled than when she finally received permission to become a volunteer there. She loved spending her time at the hospital helping people. She didn't want the responsibility of being a doctor, much to her grandpa's dismay. The only thing that smoothed over those ruffled feathers was when Eden announced to her parents and grandparents that she didn't want to become a doctor because she would need to set aside time to become a wife and mother as well. Of course, she was only 8 at the time, but her desire to become a nurse never waivered. She was set on having it all in life. She sighed dreamily; it didn't go unnoticed by her father.
"So, what's the sigh for?" Emmett asked his daughter as he pulled out of the parking lot turning his Jeep toward home.
"Nothing Daddy," Eden sighed again as she continued, "I was just thinking of the party tonight. I can still go right? Please tell me that mom didn't change her mind did she?" Emmett detected panic in his daughter's voice and laughed lightly.
"No worries Eden. She is still going to let you go, only until 11 though. And if you argue with her about that, she'll probably not let you go at all. You have to understand that she's just looking out for your best interests and safety. She has a surprise for you by the way." Emmett chanced a look over at his daughter and smiled. "So do I." He reached into the glove box and handed Eden a small black object. She gasped as she looked over at him with a look of wonder and amazement.
"Daddy! A new phone! And it's the Env3! It's the exact one I wanted. Can I text?" Eden asked breathlessly.
"Yeah, go ahead. You can also download music into it and actually use it as a GPS. Believe it or not, you can even use it as a regular telephone and call people. Which is what you are going to use it for tonight so I know when to pick you up. I expect you to call me on my phone and let me know when you are ready. Deal?" He asked her as she leaned over to awkwardly hug him, still strapped down by her seatbelt.
"Deal. I love it. It's perfect." She sat back into her seat and immediately began learning how to use it.
"Oh and Eden, if your grades start dropping, even a little bit, that becomes mine. This is a serious, grown up responsibility. I don't want to hear from any of your teachers that you are texting or using it during school." Emmett turned carefully into the flow of traffic.
"Like you even need to tell me that. Have I ever given you or mom any problems with school?" Eden didn't bother to wait for her father's reply. "Daddy, can I ask you for a favor?" Eden was never shy or timid in front of her parents so Emmett's defenses were immediately up.
"What? You can ask me anything, but it doesn't mean that I will grant you an answer to it." Emmett furrowed his brow, wondering if he was this difficult when he was younger. He and Rose were definitely out of their elements trying to raise a teenager.
"I sort of met someone at the hospital and I asked if he wanted to go to the party. He's going to be here all summer. I didn't recognize him from school, but he was really nice and seemed like he didn't have any friends. Grandpa thought he was nice too. But don't blame him okay? Grandpa doesn't even know I asked him to go." Eden looked nervously at her father. Seeing the vein in her father's thick neck pulse in anger made her even more nervous. Her father whipped out his phone. "Who are you calling Daddy?"
"Your Grandpa. Why would he let this happen? He was supposed to be watching you, dammit." Emmett growled as he punched the numbers while trying to drive.
"Daddy! I don't need a babysitter. Especially while I am at work. Grandpa doesn't even know. He was helping some woman with a bloodied leg; I think it might have been Jason's mother. She looked really young. But anyway, he was talking to Grandpa and Chief Swan. For crying out loud, he's Chief Swan's grandson, how much trouble could I possibly get into with the Chief of Police's grandson?" Eden's exasperated sigh made Emmett pause as his eyebrows furrowed in concentration.
"Chief Swan's grandson? Charlie Swan's grandson? Eden, what did you say his name was?" Emmett hung up the phone, never having a chance to actually place the call to his father.
"I never did, you didn't give me a chance." The girl sniffed indignantly. "But his name is Jason, Jason Black. He's so funny and so tall! He plays sports, and likes music and he knows how to ride a motorcycle! He said he could maybe teach me this summer. He was in an accident because of the fog and mist this morning, that's what they were doing at the hospital. He was really nice, and very polite. I think you and mom would really like him. Please can I go with him? I told him I would call him." Eden looked so hopeful that Emmett nearly caved.
"You are so your mother's daughter! What until you tell your mother that you asked out a boy. I tell you what. I think this kid was yanking your chain. I'll call Grandpa and see what he thinks of this. It's more than likely one of the reservation boys playing a joke. I'll talk to your mom about it ok? Now, go on and get inside." Emmett said as he turned into the driveway of their house. "Your mother has a surprise for you." He nodded toward their house where he knew her surprise was waiting for her. Eden took one look at her Uncle Jasper and Aunt Alice's car in their driveway and squealed in delight as she ran from the car.
Emmett smiled as he watched his daughter take the front steps two at a time and run into the house. He thought for a moment before he took out his phone and called his father.
"Pops, got a sec?" Emmett began. Once Carlisle gave his okay, Emmett launched. "Eden told me she ran into someone at the hospital name Jason. She invited him to the party tonight. I'm calling because I want to know which one of those bone-headed Indians thinks it's ok to trick Eden into going to the party. She said he called himself Charlie Swan's grandson." Emmett was so pissed off he could barely see straight. He knew it was only a matter of time before Rose came running out of the house.
"Relax Emmett." Carlisle's voice crackled over the phone line. "I guess I should have seen this coming this afternoon. Charlie Swan's grandson was here at the hospital this afternoon. He's going to spend the summer here in Forks with his grandfathers. Charlie and…" Carlisle didn't get to finish his explanation before his son interrupted him.
"Wait a minute. You mean this kid wasn't lying? He is Charlie's grandson. How old is he now? Wait, that would mean that Bell…" It was Carlisle's turn to interrupt Emmett.
"Right, Bella's son, Jason. Bella and Jacob Black's son to be exact. There's no denying it, it's like looking at Jacob's twin. As I had mentioned, he's in town to spend the summer with his grandfathers. Charlie Swan and Billy Black." Carlisle let this information sink in to Emmett before continuing. "Now Emmett, the first thing I need you to know is that you can not tell Edward that Bella is back in town. She had only intended on dropping her son off then promptly leaving town again. They had an accident on their bike so now she's stuck here for at least two weeks until her arm is completely healed. Do you understand me Em? Not a word of this to anyone." Carlisle's words fell on deaf ears as Emmett started to smile.
"Oh, yeah, sure pops. I won't say a word." Emmett grinned widely even though he knew Carlisle couldn't see it over the phone. "But you should know that Eden just took off inside the house and right now, I have a very pissed off looking Rosalie stalking toward me. Oh, here we go, she's now being followed by an equally pissed off looking Alice and Jasper. You really shouldn't have let those two near each other at the hospital." Emmett snorted as the trio stalked toward him.
"Emmett, listen to me. Bella did not intend to get in contact with anyone here. She merely was dropping off her son and then would be leaving town again. Charlie let it slip that she doesn't want to be here and under no circumstances are you four to go over there and badger her to death. You tell Alice and Rose to leave Bella in peace." Carlisle's voice was firm over the phone.
"I hear you, loud and clear. But Eden did ask this kid out, so unless Bella leaves town in the next few hours, she's going to get a doorstep full of Cullens and Whitlocks. Since I'll be the one driving them tonight, it's unavoidable that we'll all meet again and soon." Emmett pretended to be fixing the mirrors and ignored the small group standing outside his Jeep.
"After the way Edward treated her, after the way we all treated her. I can't blame her if she never wants anything to do with this family again. The fact that she apparently does not want to contact Alice or Esme for that matter, speaks volumes as to how badly she was hurt. I think Bella has endured enough pain from this family, don't you agree?" Carlisle's voice sounded regretful and sad.
"Well, it's not like Edward's going to show up on the Chief's doorstep. It'll only be us. Besides, at least you can honestly say that you didn't tell anyone. It was her son that was hitting on my daughter." Emmett laughed as he opened the car door while disconnecting his call to deal with his wife and sister.
"Heya Rosie baby. So, did Eden like her surprise?" Emmett nodded toward his sister, Alice, who was there to makeover her niece as a surprise.
"Don't you 'Rosie baby' me Emmett Cullen. What has gotten into you, letting your daughter tell lies like that?" Rose stood with her hands on her hips as she stared at her husband.
"It's not what you think, really." Emmett walked over to his wife. He put his arms gently around her waist and drew her close to kiss her hello. "Apparently, Eden was helping in the emergency room when a Mrs. Black came in with her son. Uh, and as a matter of fact, he is, as it turns out, Charlie Swan's grandson as well." Emmett deliberately tried to be evasive.
"Charlie Swan's grandson?" Rose looked doubtful, and Emmett's words took a moment to sink in. "That would mean that he's Bella's son and, and wait a minute? Black? Bella and Jacob Black? Their son is here, in Forks, for the summer?"
"That would be a 'yes'," Emmett said nodding his head. "And apparently Eden has asked him to the party tonight." Emmett looked over at Alice and Jasper. "I think we're going to have to cancel guys. I'm going to have to stay at this party tonight. I'll still bring the boys over to my mom's so that she can watch them, but there's no way I am leaving Eden alone with Jacob Black's son."
"Why not? Jacob wasn't bad Emmett. He was always polite to Rose and me." Alice looked up at her brother with her hands on her hips. Her eyes squinted at Emmett, daring him to dispute her.
"Listen Pipsqueak, if he's anything like his father was he's able to talk a girl into running off with him and disappearing from the face of the Earth. I'm not going to take that kind of chance with Eden." Emmett almost growled at his younger sister, not believing that she could have forgotten the drama that ensued after graduation.
"That wasn't entirely their fault. Bella truly believed that Edward didn't want her anymore. He's actually admitted that he told her to go away. I understand that he wanted to concentrate on his career and all that crap; but honestly Em, what would you have done at that age if Rose told you she never wanted to see you again?" Alice dared her brother to question her.
"Well, I wouldn't have disappeared from human existence. I would have done something big, something huge, to make her see reason, of course." Emmett sounded smug as he stared at his sister and ignored the glare from his wife.
"Right. Now, think of Bella you ape! What kind of grand, huge gesture could she have made?" Alice saw the light bulb go off inside Emmett's head. He was finally catching on.
"Got it. She wouldn't have made any big gesture; she wouldn't have wanted to be a problem or in the way, and would have left like a kicked puppy. I got it Alice. All things considered though, she left him. Don't forget Edward's feelings in all of this." Emmett tried valiantly to defend his brother.
Alice groaned covering her ears dramatically. "I'm tired of hearing about poor Edward all these years. What about Bella? He told her to leave, so she left. He didn't even try to find her to tell her he was sorry. If you ask me, Edward got exactly what he deserved. I miss my friend, and he is not going to stop me from seeing her, not this time." Alice was resolute as she faced off with Emmett.
"I agree with you Pip. We all missed her after she left even though some of us, and by some I mean Edward, wouldn't admit it. But she doesn't intend to stay here. She's just dropping off her son for the summer so he can stay with Charlie and Billy. She's leaving again as soon as her arm heals." Emmett rubbed his big hand on Alice's tiny shoulder, causing her to wince even though it was only a light touch.
"Then I better hurry!" Alice turned and grabbed onto Jasper for support. "Jazz, Bella's back in town. Isn't that great?" Before Jasper could even respond, Emmett reached for his sister again.
"Hang on there Pip. Pops specifically said that she didn't want any of us to know that she was back. She only intended to drop him off and then leave. She has no idea that we know she's here. I'm not sure she even knows who Eden was."
"But she's back here now? At least for a little while? I have to see her, you guys. I hated that Edward made me give up on our friendship because of him. Why did we have to pay because he couldn't control himself around her? I always loved Bella and it wasn't fair that he made me stay away from her. At least he's away at the conference in Vancouver this week, so he doesn't ever even have to know. I'm going to over there." Alice easily slipped out of her brother's grasp and started walking toward her car. She had gotten to the driver's door when something made her stop and swear. "Dammit. I promised Eden I would help her with her hair. Jazz, run home and get changed. We are still going out, the four of us, but we are going to split up. You can stay with Emmett and keep him company. Rose and I are going to visit Bella." Alice tossed her husband the keys and grabbed Rose's hand as she dragged her back into the house, leaving their husbands to look after them in confusion.
Eden rested her forehead on the glass of her bedroom window as she watched the adults exchange words below in the driveway. She quickly reached for the phone next to her bed and dialed the phone number that Jason had given her that morning. She silently swore as she realized just how long it was taking for her Uncle Jasper to download songs from his laptop into her new cellular phone.
"Hello, may I please speak with Jason?" She asked politely when she heard a man answer the phone.
"Yeah, hi, it's me. Is this Eden?" Jason was confused because although he didn't recognize the number that came up, but he did recognize the last name Cullen on his grandfather's caller ID. He had given the girl both his grandpa Charlie's number as well as his own cellular phone number to make sure that he didn't miss her call.
"Yeah. I just wanted to make sure that you still wanted to go with me tonight. My dad said he would drive us. We could pick you up at 7 if that's ok?" Eden said shyly.
"I'd love to still go with you. Are you sure your father doesn't mind? I really don't need to start off my whole summer on the wrong foot out here." Jason twisted the old phone cord around his fingers absently as he flopped down on Charlie's worn couch, a puff of dust rising up around him.
"No, of course not. He wants to meet you though. But don't worry, he's really cool. I think you two will get along great. He's really into sports and cars. Oh, guess what? He got me my own cell phone today. It's an EnV3. My Uncle Jasper is downloading a bunch of songs onto it for me already. It's got a GPS and I can text on it. I can't wait to show you." Eden's voice became breathless as she realized that she had stopped breathing as she talked.
"It sounds really cool Eden. Make sure you put my numbers in there ok?" Jason said, flirting with her.
"Silly, of course. I would have called you from it, but it apparently takes forever to download songs onto it. Although I can't put you on speed dial because my father already programmed my whole entire family in there." Eden sounded genuinely disappointed.
"Well, what number would you put me under if they weren't all taken?" Jason tried to egg her on to talk longer.
"Silly, I can't tell you that." Eden's voice became soft and quiet.
"Why not?" Jason was confused; he thought she sounded interested in him.
"Because my family is now standing here watching me talk to you on the phone." She breathed a laugh into the phone.
"Then I'll ask you tonight when they aren't watching you." Jason played along.
"Well, in that case, maybe tonight I will tell you." She laughed the most beautiful laugh Jason had ever heard. "My dad said he knows where your grandpa lives already so we'll pick you up at 7. I have to go Jason, my aunt and uncle are here and I want to spend a little more time with them okay?" Jason could tell by the muffling noise that she had covered the mouthpiece to talk to someone in the background.
"That sounds good Eden. I'll see you at 7." Jason hung up Charlie's old rotary dial phone and absently played with the dial, he was surprised that it still even let calls go through.
"So, was that the girl?" Charlie asked as he walked through the living room.
"Yeah. She's something else. She seems really nice. I dated some back home, but this doesn't feel like that. I like her but I just met her. Seems like when I am around her, I can't string a coherent sentence together; stupid Indian." Jason hit his palm against his forehead.
"Well, I know for a fact that your mom and your dad had these talks with you before Jason. You don't need to hear it from me. Just promise me that you'll remember your father in everything you do. He always did the right thing. I know he is a lot to live up to, but if you could somehow use him as a source to guide you in your decisions, you'll be alright. Know that he always had the best of intentions for everyone around him. Just make him proud Jason. Do your best in everything and that's all we can ask of you." Charlie opened another beer and sat in his recliner.
"Wow, that's deep Grandpa." Jason was clearly in awe of his grandfather.
"Yeah, that Dr. Phil sure knows what he's talking about." Charlie nodded toward the television as Jason laughed and went upstairs to take a shower.