Chapter 9:
For some reason, Bella still felt reluctant to meet Dean. He had tried to hurt her baby, sure, but there was still something else about him that she could quite place. She kept these feelings from Edward; he didn't need to worry about her like that. There was, however, no way to avoid an introduction. She and Edward ran through the woods to the big house where everyone was waiting for them.
At the big house, there were still doubts about Bella showing up despite Alice's constant assurances that she was in fact on her way with Edward.
"Don't worry about Bella, she can't do anything to you," Emmett assured with a twinkle in his eyes. Rosalie whacked his shoulder. If he wanted to make Dean feel better about yesterday, he wasn't doing a very good job.
Bella felt Edward's arm slide around her waist as they mounted the stairs to the big house. The new scent from Dean was awkward in the Cullens' house, like it didn't fit in at all. The new changes around here would take some time to get used to. Deep down inside, Bella had a feeling that this situation with Dean as a whole wasn't going to end well. Edward gave her a reassuring squeeze as they entered the house.
The first person Bella saw in the house was Dean. He looked so out of place in the Cullen household. When he saw Bella, he got to his feet. Before she could even get stressed out, a wave of peace washed over the room. Edward shot Jasper a thankful look before turning back to Dean.
"How are you feeling?" he asked politely. Leave it to Edward to always put his manners first.
"Thirty, but they said that it'll pass."
"It will," Edward assured. He smiled at Bella. "Dean, this is my wife, Bella Cullen." Before she could even react, he was gone; she was alone on one side of the room with Dean.
"Dean St. Louis," Dean said as he extended his hand. When Bella shook it, she took notice to the fact that he was hesitant to let go but didn't let that bother her.
"Isabella Cullen, but everyone calls me Bella."
"It's very nice to meet you, Bella."
"Same here." Bella put on her best smile she could in front of Dean and everyone else, but her apprehensions about him on increased. How could everyone be so blind?
Later that evening, all the Cullens, including Nessie (who was extremely close to Edward, Jasper and Emmett) and Jacob were gathered in the living room; they were trying to figure out the next step.
"our best bet would be to go up to Denali for a year or so," Carlisle pointed out from his seat on the couch next to Esme. She rested her hand on his knee as if it was completely natural.
"What about school, Grandpa?" Nessie pressed with nothing but disappointment in her voice.
"Maybe next time, sweetie," Rosalie cooed from her seat on the floor next to Alice. Nessie pouted.
"Denali?" Dean repeated.
"In Alaska, that way we have some distance between us and humans while you adjust," Jasper replied. Dean nodded understandingly. Carlisle got to his feet.
"I'll call Tanya," he said before leaving the room with cell phone in hand.
A/N: I won't even begin to apologize or tell you what's been going on. let's just say I had a death in my immediate family followed by me starting my freshman year in college, and I've been adjusting. Thanks for sticking with me!
~Tina101
