The Trip Home
A/N:
I know I haven't updated in a while. I run a restaurant and there has been so much to do with the year ending and such. We got hit with a snowstorm today and I took it as Mother Nature giving me time to write this chapter. It is the longest chapter I have yet and I pretty much think its a necessary filler chapter before stuff goes down for real. I had to get Bella back with the rest of the Cullens before I can have anything substantial really happen. Happy reading!
-Ansacht
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my imagination. :)
APOV:
Bella slept through most of the trip. I ran as quickly and as gently as I could so as not to bother her sleep. Her deep breathing seemed content enough but about half way through the trip, I had a vision of light rain about to come upon us.
I sought out the nearest town and checked into the most decent hotel I can get us into. The man behind the check-in counter eyed my current state of disheveled clothing and the sleeping Bella in my arms before handing me the key. I smiled, hoping to dazzle him enough to make sure he doesn't cause us any trouble. He only managed to mumble a goodbye in surprise as I walked away with Bella in my arms.
I found our room soon enough, it was at the back corner of the hotel, quiet and peaceful and close to the back door. It was perfect.
I held Bella on one arm as I pulled the blankets and cover off the bed with the other. I placed her on top and covered her and tucked her in. She moaned and snuggled a little into the blankets. I smiled, she is so cute. I leaned in and kissed her on the nose.
The smell of her pulsing blood hit me. I kept telling myself that it is not real, she is a shape-shifting vampire. I sighed.
I need to hunt.
I found a piece of paper and a pen on the bedside table and wrote Bella a quick note about needing to go hunt. I won't take long.
I looked at her sleeping form.
Sleep my Bella.
BPOV:
The sudden sound of a slamming door woke me up. I looked around at the dark room. Why can't I see anything?? I fumbled towards the side of the bed, there has to be a lamp somewhere.
I groaned. I'm an 8 year old with the mind of a 23 year old vampire. Ugh. I crawled to the side of the bed and finally found the lamp and with my little fingers managed to turn it on.
Where is Alice? I looked around the room fearfully. Did she leave me here?
I screamed in surprise as the door to the room suddenly opened. Alice entered, confusion and surprise on her face.
"Alice!! God, you scared the crap out of me!! Where have you been?"
She went to the bedside and picked up a note I didn't see. "I had to hunt. I left you a note."
"I'm sorry. You just scared me. I didn't know if you left me again." I reached out to her.
"Oh Bella. I promise I will never leave you ever again." She held me close. "We're going to stay here overnight and we'll leave early tomorrow. We should be home by the afternoon."
I let her go when I realized I had to go to the bathroom. I haven't had to do that since I was human five years ago. Ugh.
"Alice. I need a human moment." I smiled at what I just said.
Nostalgia showed in her face then her eyes suddenly lit up.
"Hey wait! I got you some stuff. Granted, only Walmart was open this late but I managed to snag you some cute clothes…and look….PAJAMAS!!"
She pulled out an outfit for herself and an outfit for me and laid them out on the side chair before pulling out a set of pajamas for herself and throwing a set to me. My little hands managed to catch them and she smiled her dazzling smile again.
I stumbled to the bathroom to change and do my business and I returned to an already pajama-clad Alice squealing at how cute I look. I rolled my eyes before getting into the bed. She followed and we snuggled close.
"What am I going to say when we get there?"
APOV:
I heard the worry in her small voice. My little Bella was scared and nervous.
"It's just family. I don't think they will recognize you little one." I whispered to her with assurance.
"I don't know Alice. I am human again, I can't protect myself. I'm going into a house full of vampires and I am a child!"
She sounded so frustrated.
"The house full of vampires never bothered you before Bella. It's just family. Look, if it makes you feel better, I can tell them that I found you in the woods and your family left you. I came home to have Carlisle help me find your real family. We don't have to tell them who you are if you don't want to. At least until we get you back to your vampire self"
She looked thoughtful then nodded her agreement to the new plan. "I want to stay as Isabella."
I nodded an okay. "Get some rest Bella, we have to get up early."
A grumble caught my attention. Bella smiled at me in apology.
I should be the one apologizing, I forgot to feed her. I went to the chair where the clothes and the Walmart bag were laying. I pulled out a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and handed it to her. I was glad I thought to pick that up from the vending machine on the way in. It was intended for breakfast but what the heck.
"I'm sorry. I'm rusty with the taking care of human duties." I apologized and watched her scarf the sandwich down, getting peanut butter on the side of her mouth. I pulled out a napkin from the bag and wiped her mouth for her as she protested.
"I could have done that!! I am not a child Alice!" This only made me giggle and she huffed as she realized what she just said.
"Don't say anything." She mumbled as she drank some water from the bottle I just handed her.
I smiled before getting into the bed and pulling her close.
I felt her snuggle in closer and we remained quiet and comfortable. When her breathing became constant and sleep had taken her, I wiggled out of her embrace and walked towards the bathroom.
I called Carlisle and alerted him of the new scheme to keep Bella's identity a secret. He agreed but expressed his hope that Bella will soon allow the family to know who she is in her own time. I told him to expect us to arrive sometime in the afternoon before hanging up and getting back into bed with the sleeping child.
As much as I hate the idea of Bella being turned into a human child and bringing her into a house full of vampires, I couldn't help loving the idea that she is mine and I am given the chance to take care of her at her fragile state.
I knew how Edward felt when he worried about Bella's fragile humanity five years ago but my responsibility is ten fold because not only is she human but she is a child.
She is my responsibility now because she is mine.
The Next Morning:
BPOV:
Alice woke me up early. I grumbled as I got up out of bed and looked at the perfection in front of me. She was of course all set and ready with a casual outfit of jeans and an adorable sweater over a cute light pink shirt.
She had my clothes laid out for me on the chair and she handed me a towel as I made my way into the bathroom to shower.
It didn't take me too long to get all ready and she held my hand as we made our way to the hotel's front office to give up our key. They had a continental breakfast set up and I had a couple of donuts and orange juice. The food tasted wonderful and I found that I have missed the different tastes that humans had the privilege to experience. Alice sat silently and was intently watching me enjoy every morsel I could get my hands on. I was about to reach for some coffee when I felt the stare of the man behind the counter on me and Alice.
Oops. I forgot I was an eight year old child. Alice seemed to have suddenly gotten to the same conclusion and picked me up and scolded me like a mother would a child about not being allowed to have coffee. I huffed at her and she winked at me.
She held my hand as we walked out of there quickly heading towards the woods. As soon as we stepped into the woods, Alice picked me up and put me on her back then broke out into a run. I closed my eyes as my human stomach churned.
Ugh.
APOV:
Bella was silent the whole entire run. I can feel her heart beating faster than usual. She was getting nervous or sick. I hope she doesn't throw up on me.
I stopped as we hit a clearing. It was the beginning of our property and the house was visible.
I heard Bella gasp at the beauty of the house. It gave the admirer the feel of a log cabin, a really big log cabin.
I put her down and held her hand in mine as we walked the rest of the way. As we got closer, the log cabin got bigger. It was a two story log cabin with the best comforts money could buy. Esme did not spare anything when it comes to her home. She was not being conceited, ever since Bella's first visit, it was as if she was making sure that the house was ready for any humans that may visit or even stay overnight.
I heard Bella let out a breath of approval at the beauty of the house up close.
"Are you ready? They will be at the front door to greet us in about a minute."
I met her eyes and saw the fear there. I picked her up in my arms and she buried her face in my shoulder, as if to hide. I gave her a light squeeze before walking towards the door as my family slowly filed out to greet us.
BPOV:
"Alice! Welcome home!" I heard Esme say lovingly. "And who is this with you?"
I felt Alice put me down in front of a smiling Esme.
Esme must have felt my unease because she got down to my level and spoke to me softly.
"Hello. My name is Esme. What is your name sweetheart?"
I dropped my eyes and mumbled out my name. "Isabella" I then met her eyes, seeing if she recognizes me.
Esme gasped and looked at me confused. Carlisle put his hand on her arm and nodded to her. Esme smiled and grabbed my hands and led me inside gently.
"Well Isabella. Welcome to my home."
I saw that Alice was giving Rosalie and Emmett a hug before going to Carlisle's side, hugging him tightly.
We all moved the reunion to the living room. Rose and Emmett sat on the loveseat. I let go of Esme's hand and ran to Alice. Carlisle chose to sit on the couch and Esme joined him. Alice sat on a comfy recliner across from Rose and Emmett's loveseat and I jumped on her lap. Where was Edward and Jasper?
Alice's voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Everyone. This is Isabella. I found her in the woods alone, I think her family may have gotten lost somehow. I can't seem to see her future and I tried to ask some of the locals but they don't know the child or her family. I came home to see if we can help her find her family."
"You poor thing." I heard Rosalie say. I gasped.
I had my gift turned off out of respect. I had vowed to myself to only use it when necessary but at this point, my curiosity took the reins and I directed it at Rosalie.
I felt her need to protect me and to help me. Her thoughts were mean but mostly directed to my supposed parents who were stupid enough to leave me. She was questioning why a parent could forget their child.
Her anger was beginning to affect me so I had to turn my gift off to remain in control.
"Isabella?" Alice looked at me with a worried expression.
"Y-yes Auntie Alice?" She smirked at my label.
"This is my family, we are here to help." She began to introduce the family and pointed to them by name.
"That is Rosalie, Emmett, you've met Esme, and that over there is Carlisle."
Carlisle smiled at me with a genuine smile and as if to answer the question in my mind he spoke of Jasper and Edward.
"My son, Edward will be back in a couple days with his mate Katrina and my other son Jasper is currently traveling, we are unsure when you will be able to meet him Isabella but I am sure he will love you."
Katrina? He has a mate? I looked at Alice with questions in my eyes. She just nodded at me quietly.
I had to take a quick emotional and mental survey of the room for my own sanity. I turned my gift on and directed it at Carlisle.
I felt his concern and his love and I heard the gears in his head turning, trying to figure out why I had remained in this state. I heard him make a mental note to talk to me tonight when the rest of the family goes hunting.
I then directed it toward Esme. She figured it out. She was happy for my return but she was worried for me. I smiled at hearing her plans to use the kitchen and cook food for me.
I skipped Rose because I can see she is still in the same state as earlier and went directly to Emmett. He was confused. He was also suspicious but what gave me a red flag was his thoughts. He was comparing me to his last memory of me on my 18th birthday.
Uh-oh. He is big but he isn't stupid. Emmett was on his way to figuring out who I really am. I gripped Alice's hand as tight as I could and I felt her concern grow in waves. I sent her a mental warning about Emmett's suspicion and she jumped visibly in her chair. Ooops. I should have knocked first.
"I think Isabella needs some rest. It's been a long trip."
I yawned to make her statement believable. The family nodded and she picked me up, making her way up the stairs to what I assume to be her room. Carlisle called after her quickly and told her that the family is going out, he insisted she go with them and he will stay to watch Isabella. Alice looked uncertain and I squeezed her hands in assurance. She nodded to Carlisle and she put me gently on the bed.
"Carlisle wants to talk to me Alice. It's ok. You need to talk to Emmett." She still looked uncertain. She's been oddly quiet during the whole time. Her thought were blocked and her emotions were stoic, except for the occasional confused and concerned emotions. I sighed. We would need to talk later.
Carlisle knocked on the door. Alice let him in and kissed me on top of the head before leaving me with Carlisle.
"Hello Carlisle." I smiled at him.
He looked at me and smiled that fatherly smiled. "Hello Bella."
A/N:
I know it was kind of boring. I'm really sorry. I will make it up to you guys in upcoming chapters. Reviews are not necessary but are certainly nice. I read every single one of them and I am making it a new habit to try to respond to every single one I get. I really do appreciate it when you guys take the time to give me feedback. Good or bad. This is all a learning experience. Thank you for those who review and those who read but do not review, thank you anyway for taking the time to read. Love you guys!! I hope everyone have a Happy Holiday!!
-Ansacht
