Chapter 9: Home
Bella POV
When it was just Edward and Jared with me in my hospital room, the nurse came to tell me my labs were normal and I could leave. I called Charlie to let him know that Edward would drive Jared and I to the house, and he agreed and said he'd meet us there. Jared, of course, made sure to tease Edward about the Volvo, then fist bumped Edward. He conceded that it was better than the Reservation's clunkers, and the moped he was driving around.
I caught the look in Edward's face right then, but I kept it to myself. I probably wouldn't be able to change his mind about buying his new brother a gift. He's so predictable - I mused to myself. I was so glad they were acting like family and I loved them both for it.
Jared mentioned he'd be fine on the couch for the few days he stayed here, but I just knew and I hoped this would become a permanent move. I think Edward figured out what I was up to, because he decided to stay for a while. It served perfectly, to distract and entertain Jared, while I "settled in my room" upstairs.
In actuality, I was fixing up the spare bedroom for Jared. It wasn't much and but it had a bed, and a side table with a lamp on it, as well as a small closet. I made up the bed with fresh linens, dusted around a bit, then pulled a couple of clean towels from the hallway closet and placed them on the bed for Jared.
I couldn't exactly hear their conversation, but I could hear that it was continuous and there were occasional laughs between them. It was honestly the best sound in the world, and I decided to head downstairs since I had just finished the room. On my way down, I heard Charlie come in and ask where and how I was. Then, he asked what Edward was still doing here.
"I'm just fine Dad, well perfect actually. We got home a little bit ago and I was about to head to bed but I realized I'm not sleepy." I said as I made it to the bottom.
I couldn't help suddenly feeling slightly aroused as I remembered the last time I shared a bed with Edward. I thanked my lucky stars that Edward couldn't read my mind, as I tried to shake those thoughts for now. I plastered on an innocent smile, and looked up at all three men of my life.
Charlie had his arm around Jared's shoulder and was mid-hand shake with Edward. Suddenly, Jared and Edward's heads both snapped to me. Jared raised an eyebrow at me in question and Edward's eyes smoldered at me. I was about to wonder what that was about when it hit me... Shit! They both have heightened sense of smell. I felt my face burning hotter than ever, as I stared wide eyed at them both. I would soon find out if dying from mortification was possible.
Jared scrunched up his face and tried to look anywhere but at me. The sexy predatory look in Edward's eyes wasn't helping to diffuse my arousal situation, however. Edward made it nearly impossible, in fact, for me to shake the feelings off, but, he managed to wipe that sexy smirk off his face before getting caught by Charlie. Edward simply turned back to my dad, and spoke as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening.
"Good evening Chief Swan. I hope you don't mind that I'm still here so late. My family and I were at the hospital for a while, after finding out what happened." He explained calmly, and mimicking the tone a nervous teenager might have when addressing his girlfriend's dad.
"We were in Port Angeles for the day, while Carlisle was looking into a possible position at their hospital." Edward prattled on the cover story we'd come up with, to explain their absence while the search parties were looking for me. It also explained why they weren't around when Charlie called to ask if they'd seen me.
"When we returned and found out what happened, we got to the hospital right away. We met Jared there." Edward finished, executing his lines to perfection.
"Yeah, so I've been getting to know Edward here… to make sure he takes good care of our Bella here." Jared jumped in once again, able to lighten any somberness.
"Good to know, son." Charlie replied and the pride shining in his eyes was clear, then he continued with a jibe at Edward.
"Heard that, Edward? My boy and I will be watching you." What made it hilarious, was they both did the V with their fingers from their eyes and pointed them at Edward. It was almost as if they'd rehearsed it.
We all laughed except Edward, who continued to play the role of a nervous boyfriend so well. Jared and my dad headed into the den, probably to catch up and give Edward a chance to say 'good night'. I doubted his 'sleepovers' would continue, now that my brother would be staying here and I felt a little sad about that. Then, I remembered that I did still want to think things clearly and I knew having Edward there wouldn't allow for that.
"Bella, I don't think I'll be able to stay with you this evening." He whispered.
"No, you're right... with Jared home now and after everything else … it's definitely not a good idea." I agreed and I saw his eyes turn sad for a moment at my words.
"Bella I would like to say…" he tried but I interrupted what was probably some kind of apology or deep thought. I was just too tired and so done with this long day… I needed rest, but I had to make myself clear.
"Hold that thought, please Edward. I've pretty much forgiven you, and you know that I love you… But, I'm seriously beat. The amount of upheaval that I've endured since yesterday and all through today… it has been way more than I think anyone could take. I'm truly exhausted – physically, mentally and emotionally." I explained honestly.
"You're absolutely right, Bella." He conceded, but made no move to touch me… probably fearing my response. Silly vampire.
I moved forward and hugged him tightly. Immediately he tightened his arms around me. This is home – My heart and mind echoed.
"Just promise me one thing, before I let you go." Ii told him and I looked up into his golden caramel eyes.
"Anything." He reverently whispered his reply.
"Promise me. Promise that you won't leave."
"I promise you Bella, I will never leave you. Never again. You're my home." He promised and echoed my earlier thought.
The next two months found me happily adjusting to the new chapter of my life in Forks. The Swan Home that formally only housed two, was now home to Jared as well. One might think that took some major adjustments, but Jared fit in naturally. Sometimes, it was hard for me to imagine he had not grown up with me, or that Charlie hadn't raised us both together.
When I told Renee about Jared, she was ecstatic and said she couldn't wait to meet him. In fact, any time she called me, she always set aside a few minutes to speak to Jared as well. She often told him she was happy Charlie had a son to share 'the boy stuff with' and that he was an extra set of eyes to look out for me, even if she didn't know how right she was.
Jared covered up his Shifter status from Dad very well. The Pack shared patrolling shifts, and as far as Dad knew, those were his working shifts. He and my father seldom mentioned his apartment on the Reservation, but when they did, it was usually only to mention something Jared needed pick up from there. I think they liked to think they were easing into our new living arrangement slowly, but as far as I was concerned, it was a done deal the moment I finished making Jared's bed that first night. Men – I figured and rolled my eyes.
I sometimes hung out with Jake and Jared on the reservation. While there, I got to know the other members of the wolf pack pretty well. They had gained another wolf when Quil phased, bringing their number to 6 wolves. Jake had learned the truth of Jared's past after he shifted those months ago. Together, Dad, Jared and Jake to Billy who his mother had been, and informed him Jared was his nephew. Billy was thrilled about Jared, but saddened that he'd never had the chance to meet his half-sister. Jake and Jared were more like brothers now, than the cousins they actually were.
The Pack welcomed me, since they had already learned a lot about me, thru Jared & Jake's minds. Mostly, I think they really liked my cooking, but I didn't mind. They were my brother's family before I could be, so I appreciated them. The majority of them still had strong aversions to anything Cullen. Though, I'd like to think that as my brother shares his Cullen experiences with them, it might eventually help them accept that The Cullens weren't a threat. Dad and Billy often planned "Boys-Weekend" for them and usually invited Jake and Jared along. During those weekends, I stayed with my Cullen family.
Speaking of… Rosalie and I did have our conversation. She told me about her life, her death and her feelings about her after-life. After her heartbreaking story, I felt I had a much deeper understanding of Rosalie. I wouldn't say we were as close as Alice and I, but she was a sister to me and I was glad we were getting along much better. Sometimes, I even felt she understood me in more ways, than Alice.
Emmett remained ever a true brother. I wasn't often sad or upset lately, but I knew he'd be there to bounce me back if I needed it. He and Jared actually 'hung out like bros do', quite often and I sometimes wondered what the heck those two got up to, during their hang outs. Eventually, I learned there was a lot of video games involved Games of any kind, really, along with the occasional sparring matches. Edward and Jasper joined in the fun frequently, as well.
Esme always cooked up a feast for me, but it seemed she'd triple her efforts for Jared when she knew the boys were having a Game Night. Carlisle would sometimes join the boys, if a poker game was planned. Later, I learned Carlisle offered Jared and the pack medical visits, since they couldn't really see or afford general medicine, outside of the reservation. They were weary, but Carlisle made sure to always remind Jared to extend the offer. It really touched my heart, all the different ways they often included and looked out for Jared and made him feel, as close to a family member, as me. I truly didn't believe Esme or Carlisle's kindness had any bounds.
Jasper, I had noticed, tended to shy away if I was around. I couldn't stand the thought that he felt any discomfort in his own home, especially because of me. So, I asked him to please meet and speak with me, during one of my weekend sleepovers. He reluctantly agreed, but asked that we remain in a neutral and open part of the house. He also asked that a family member present, in case I was scared he would slip again. I was appalled, to put it simply, with his he reasoning.
"Major Jasper Whitlock, I demanded that you listen and listen well." I told him, having learned that was original name and title. I had a point to make and I wanted his resolute attention. "I do not fear for my safety in your presence, Jasper. And while the conversation I'd like to have can be said plain as day, I'd like to speak to you, one on one." I said while asking everyone to agree and glaring at Edward until he agreed.
Then, they went hunting, leaving Jasper and I to talk things out. He began apologizing profusely for his part of the disastrous birthday events. Knowing had been weighing on him, I accepted and forgave him. Then, I also apologized for being careless that evening, but he really didn't want to hear that, claiming humans shouldn't have to exercise such forethought into opening a simple envelope, if not for the likes of him. I realized his self-loathing ran deep and I knew I had to break through, somehow. So, I thought about the events for a second, before speaking again.
"Jasper, I don't know what it's like being like you. Not just a vampire, but one that fells everyone else's emotions on top of it. We've been around each other countless times, and you've always been in control. I think … I think that maybe your own thirst must have been multiplied by everyone else's that night." I told him, and his eye met mine.
"That's no excuse, Bella. I behaved deplorably." He responded, but I thought I could see that my words were hitting their mark.
"Jasper, I truly don't blame you at all. You have to admit, I'm not wrong. You weren't just dealing with your thirst that night. Everyone in the room, save for Carlisle, was sporting black eyes and that pushed you over the edge." I told him, knowing I was right.
"I – I hadn't thought of it that way. Thank you, Bella, for bringing it up." He told me, and I was glad to see a smile playing at his lips.
"In the future, trust yourself more. I know I do. We spent all those hours in the car driving to Phoenix. And I remember when I was heavily bleeding in that ballet studio… you didn't attack me then. Instead, you helped protect me when my life was really on the line. I love you for that, Jasper." I told him honestly, and I was glad he could feel the honesty of what I was saying.
"That's what family does." He told me, and my heart swelled with gratitude. Then, I slowly approached him and hugged him. I knew he was shocked by my actions and my trust, but when he hugged me back, I knew we'd be okay.
My friendship with Alice grew even stronger than before, after that. It was also fortified after we spoke about everything she endured, in order to keep me safe and stop everyone from leaving me. She, really, is the best sister anyone could ask for and a true friend with a beautiful non-beating heart of gold. She and Edward were still working to repair their sibling relationship. I knew she loved him and that she'd forgiven him, but I looked forward to them fixing things soon. I knew how their rift still weighed heavily on Edward's shoulders. They once had a beautiful bond, and I'd love to see that again, for both of their sakes.
And Edward, over the past two months, had been accepting and welcoming of my brother. He also respected some new boundaries I set, because I felt I needed them. While there wasn't any other place in the world I'd rather be than in his arms, I practiced a bit more restraint. Deep in my heart, I was sure of my feelings and of his, and I had honestly forgiven him, too. Yet at times, no matter how many times he promised, it was hard to trust that he would never leave me again. He had often started talking of marriage, as well, and I wasn't sure how I felt about that, at all. I hadn't ever really thought of marriage, especially not at my age. I tried to keep in mind, that during Edward's human lifetime, it would have been perfectly natural for 18 year olds to marry. Regardless, I planned to leave that on the back burner for a while.
Returning to school at Forks High was pretty much the same, and yet it wasn't. Nearing winter break, everyone was practically buzzing for the two week break from the monotony. I usually sat with The Cullens during lunch, but I made a point to sit with my human friends as least 2 or 3 times. I opened my eyes and paid more attention to my friends than I had before. It felt important to me, for maintain my friendships with them.
Angela was the friend I grew closer to, and I was so happy I did. She had one of the kindest souls of anyone I ever met. Sometimes though, I felt like she was holding things back from me, like something was worrying her mind. I often wondered if she was okay, so I asked Edward to check in on her. He told me that while he could hear her mind, he would sometimes only get a static-sounding mental readings from her. I checked with Alice, but she never seemed to see anything amiss. Whenever I asked Angela if she was alright or ask if things were going well between her and Ben, she would immediately brighten up and say that she just had stuff on her mind. So I did the only thing I could, I let her know I would be there if she ever wanted to talk. Rather than opening up, she genuinely thanked me, told me she would keep it in mind, and told me not to worry.
Jessica and Mike officially started dating. A fact, she often boasted about, as if making sure all of us girls knew he was off the market. I giggled to myself, but never anything of it. She wasn't so bad while she was preoccupied with Newton, of all things. Speaking of Newton, Mike had also been acting shady lately. He would miss out on school and practice often; enough times, that I heard Coach was thinking of cutting him from the team. According to Jessica, Mike told her he was often helping his family at their store. When I asked Edward if Mike was in trouble, he told me he knew the situation, but it wasn't his place to share. Edward reassured me that Mike was okay and that I shouldn't worry.
Edward said he didn't want to betray anyone's trust, just because he had the ability to do so, and I understood. With that, I dropped it for the time being. I probably was too curious for my own good – I told myself. I recalled the days when I had to research and dig around, trying to discover Edward's secret.
This feels familiar. I wasn't exactly a gossip type, but I did tend to worry. I mean, why all the mystery? What other secret could still be hidden and left to discover in Forks? - I wondered.
