Updated: Hindsight is 20/20 and I had a wild imagination thinking that this character I created should have had to lost her parents and her boyfriend. So I'm writing the dead boyfriend out of the story... Fifteen-year-old me was quite dramatic. Anyways, hope you enjoy. 9/15/18 updated.
Chapter 7
Pain
The Cullens have been gone for six weeks. Bella has been acting like a zombie. She's present physically, but emotionally and mentally she's absent. This was getting a little out of hand. She would express her feelings to me, but after we were done talking she would switch back into zombie mode. It was time for an intervention. Amy was spending the afternoon with Uncle Charlie. Bella and I carpooled, and right after school was let out I started driving west.
"Where are we going?" She asked.
"A place you need to see, and it relates to what I have to say." I entered the La Push Reservation and headed straight for the beach. I parked, took off my shoes, and hopped out of the car. Bella followed my motions. The sand formed to the shape of my feet as I walked. The sound of the crashing waves reminded me of my parents. It didn't hurt to think about them, but I'd also had time to grieve.
"Bella, did you know how my parents died?" She shook her head telling me no. "They were out for a drive, it was rainy—the only rainy day we'd had in LA in months. But the roads were slick and there was a drunk driver. All three of them died. It was my parents' anniversary, which was the only reason they were out on the road so late. But I know they would have wanted us to move on. They knew we would find and create a new kind of family that brought us love and happiness. I don't think that this exactly applies to your case. But parts of it do. I'm not telling you to move on from Edward." She flinched at the mention of his name. "But you have to move somewhere. I'm not saying someone else is out there for you. In fact, I think that you two were made for each other. And him leaving was a stupid thing to do. But for whatever reason he left, and he wouldn't want you to be miserable. He'd want you to be happy again, or at the very least comfortable day to day. He'd want you to take care of yourself. Because honey, you aren't exactly doing that." I paused and stepped into the ocean, letting her absorb what I had said. As soon as I touched the water, I felt warm. Not from the water itself but from the memory of my parents. The ring still sparkled on my left ring finger. I never took it off. Then Bella started to speak.
"Have I really been that bad? I just miss him. It hurts to think of him. I don't know how to remember him without bringing back the pain." She started to sob. I took her in my arms.
"You want to know the secret to ease the pain." She nodded her head. "Remember the love you shared, not the pain he left. Remember how he held you, not that he isn't here to hold you now. Remember that he loved you and you loved him. Remember how he made you happy. Remember that you can still love him no matter what happens in life." I didn't know what else to say. That is what I had always done and it worked so far. She stopped sobbing and we started walking down the beach. She told me about her meadow. She told me about Jacob and the legend he told her about the Cold Ones, and how she was surprised to find that the locals are descended from wolves. She told me about James, Laurent, and Victoria. She told me how he saved her and took her to dinner for the first time. She told me how Mike, Tyler, and Eric asked her to the dance on the same day but she had wished all along Edward would ask her. And how he tricked her into going to prom, and she spent the night standing on his feet as they danced. But the conversation wasn't all about her and Edward. We would go back and forth talking about Edward, the Cullens, my parents. I told her about the our days on the beach. Sunday mornings with pancakes. I told her about staying up all night working on puzzles with my mom. I told her about going to Amy's preschool graduation alone and how hard that was. I told her about learning to live in the middle, sitting between grief and remembrance and learning to find love again.
Off in the distance, three boys walked towards us. Even at a distance, I could tell they were locals. Their jet black hair hung around their faces. Their dark skin gleamed in the evening light of the sun. As the distance between us closed and we could see them more clearly, apparently Bella knew one of them. He ran up to her and caught her in a bear crushing hug.
"It's good to see you, Jacob. You could put me down now." He set her down and stepped back to join his friends. "This is my cousin, Abby. Abby, this is Billy's son, Jacob." I then connected the dots. Billy always spent tons of time with Charlie and Harry watching sports. I smiled and gave a head nod. He did the same. I glanced at his friends and my gaze never left the one standing to his left. He had these deep dark brown eyes, and I couldn't look away. His hair perfectly framed his face holding the most breath taking smile. If only I had a name for such a dreamy face.
"Bella, Abby, these are my friends, Quil and Embry," Jacob said, gesturing to his friends. The one, who had been so eye catching, stepped forward, took hold of my hand, bent down and kissed it. I giggled.
"My name is Embry Call. And you can call me anytime." It was so cheesy, but I giggled at that too. And I'm sure I blushed.
"I might take you up on that offer." I was trying to play hard to get, but it was obvious he had me wrapped around his finger. Someone coughed beside us.
I turned my attention back to Jacob, Quil, and Bella. My hand remained in Embry's.
"So what are you guys doing down here?" Jacob asked.
"Taking a walk and talking. The beached seemed like the perfect place to do that. So what are you doing here?" Bella asked.
"Enjoying the beach and just hanging out." Quil responded. I then realized how late it was getting. I looked at my cell phone and noticed it was almost six o'clock.
"Hey Bella, I better get home to make sure that Charlie feeds Amy real food." Left over pizza was in no way good for Amy if she ate it all of the time.
"Yeah, we should probably get back." Bella said, but I could tell she wanted to spend time with Jacob.
"Actually, you guys could all come over for dinner. I was going to make bacon cheese burgers for dinner. I have plenty of food for all of us. And of course Billy can come over." I was trying to make it sound as appealing as possible.
"I'm in," Embry quickly grabbed at the chance to spend more time with me. Jacob and Quil agreed. They went back to get Billy and said they would meet us at my house. Bella and I walked up the beach back to my car. I turned on the heater as I put the ey in the ingition. I only then realized how cold my feet were. Bella went to her house to grab Amy and Charlie while I started dinner. The boys, Amy, and Bella walked in at the same time. They all took seats at the table as I served them food.
They commented how delicious the food was between bites. Embry and I kept stealing glances at each other. I'm pretty sure his foot kept brushing up against mine, but I was too afraid to brush back in case it was anyone else's foot.
Looking at Amy, I then remembered how she had called the prince from her stories Embry. She looked up at me, smiled, nodded, and went back to eating. I had no idea how, but she knew. She knew this would happen.
When the food had been devoured, Embry and I washed dishes. During this, he noticed my mother's wedding ring. Neither of us said anything, but I knew he would want to know later. But for now, he was content not knowing. As soon as the dishes were dry and put away, we ventured to the living room to everyone talking. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Amy yawn. I put her to bed, and came back down stairs to find everyone getting ready to leave. Embry gave me his number and said to call him anytime. I winked at him knowing I'd call him tomorrow. Everyone walked out of the door, and I finally felt the weight of the day coming down on me. After locking up the house, I dragged my body into a scolding shower. When my body was rid of sand and grime, and hand been dressed in warm pajamas, I sat down on my bed, flipped open my laptop and checked my e-mails. There was one from Rosalie and one from Alice.
Hey Abby,
Miss you guys tons. I keep buying things for Abby and you, and then feel saddened when I know I can't give them to you. How's Bella doing? We are all trying to figure out how to function without you guys in our lives. Edward has left. He said he wants to be left alone. My brother is such an idiot for leaving Bella. I don't think he will be checking in on us for a couple months. Send me back an e-mail soon!
~Alice
Abby,
I miss you and Amy so much. Emmett does too. Every time we see a little kid walk by I start to cry tearless sobs for Amy. How is she? How are you? It's hard to live without you both. Esme is seriously taking your advice into consideration. She's getting adoption papers filled out right now. I'm so happy you were able to do that for her. Must go, but reply soon.
Love always,
~Rosalie
I was at a loss for words. I missed them all. I wrote back a reply as fast as my fingers could type. But I sent it to Esme, Carlisle, Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper, and Alice's e-mails.
We miss you guys more than you could imagine. Abby plays with each of your presents on a daily basis, just so that you guys are still in her life somehow. Esme, I'm glad to hear you are going through with the adoption. I want to know everything, so send me updates. Emmett, Rosalie, Abby misses you guys as much as she misses our parents. But she is handling this a lot better than Bella. She was acting like a zombie unless she was around me and could let her feelings out. Edward was an idiot for leaving. If you see him, let him know I think he should get his vampire butt back here immediately. Because if he honestly thinks Bella will be safer without him, he has lost his mind. She's already involved in the vampire world. Just because he severs the connection between one coven of vampires and her doesn't mean she won't be in danger from the rest of the mythical world. Sorry for me speaking so brutally about him. I just need to let you guys know the truth. She just hasn't been herself. Anyways, up until today, Bella was empty. We had a little intervention and I think she'll be acting more like herself. But there is no way she is going to forget her love for him. But I'll keep you all updated, as long as you do the same for me. I miss my Cullen family. And Amy does too.
Love forever and always,
~Abby
And I pressed send feeling immensely better. I drifted off to sleep wondering when I would see the Cullens again.
