Life Without You
Chapter Ten "Thanksgiving?"
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my made up characters!
Wednesday, November 24th (Same Day)
I was sitting at the kitchen table watching the dogs sniff around Charlie's yard when the front door banged open loudly. I jumped in surprise and Embry ran into the kitchen. I didn't even have time to say hello before he grabbed my arm, pulling me up. "Embry, what is going on?"
"We need to get down to the rez, now." Embry said, very firmly. I frowned.
"Why, would you please tell me what's going on?" Embry stopped and his eyes stared into mine.
"You and Peyton are in danger. I need to get you somewhere safe. Please just listen to me." Embry pleaded. I felt chills run through me. If he was this serious, something bad was going on.
"Okay. Sure, but I want to bring the dogs." I motioned towards the backyard. Embry nodded and got the dogs inside then rushed us out to the car. He locked the doors and drove as fast as he could, safely, down to the reservation. When we reached Sam and Emily's, Jared and Quil met us out at the car, looking around carefully. I was ushered into Sam and Emily's house and sat down in a chair at their kitchen table. All the pack was there and the dogs, well Moon, inspected them happily. Shadow sat by my side and just stared.
"What is going on?" I demanded as the boys exchanged looks. Emily sat down beside me and everyone but Embry and Jared cleared out. Emily held my hand gently.
"Honey, we have something to tell you. First...do you still have any pictures of Nick?" Confused, I pulled up pictures that were so old in my phone gallery and Embry took it. Jared and him looked at it long and hard before nodding. Emily turned back to me. "Arianna, Nick isn't dead."
I looked between the three of them. "Is this some kind of joke…?"
Embry crouched in front of me and sighed. "Arianna, I just saw him. That's why I came for you. I'm telling you I just saw the boy in that picture…his skin was just different and his eyes were different. He's been changed."
"Changed as in he's a vampire?" I whispered, still not believing them. Embry nodded.
"We wouldn't lie to you about this." Jared said to me, completely serious. "But I am telling you, that was him. He's a vampire now and he's been around here."
I put my hands flat on the table and the world spun. "You mean he's been alive this whole time?"
"Well technically I guess, yes." Jared put his hand on my shoulder. "He knows that we know about him. He asked Embry if he was surprised." '
I looked at the boy that I had grown to care for. The boy that was my imprint, that wanted to help me raise my child. "Did you run him off?"
"We chased him til we hit the cliffs, then he jumped into the water. I'm assuming he wanted you to know about him being alive and this was his way of throwing it at me." Embry said softly. I could see the fear in them. I could see he was afraid of Nick's return.
"What are we going to do? Do you think he's here to hurt me or the baby?" I put my hands protectively over my stomach.
"I think he wants to see you. Why else would he be in Forks or La Push? Have you talked to his family lately?" Embry asked. I shook my head.
"After I found out about..well you know…David and I haven't talked. I ignore him whenever he tries to get ahold of me. I haven't really heard much out of his parents besides a few e-mails."
"We need to talk with the Cullen's about how to handle this." Sam spoke from the doorway. "Set up a protection patrol for Arianna. If he's here for her, we need to keep an eye on her."
"I can call Carlisle." I offered weakly. Sam nodded and I pulled out my cellphone to call Carlisle. I wasn't even really sure of what was going on. It was a lot to process.
….
Thursday, November 25th
I smiled at Emily and Kim as I helped sit out things for Thanksgiving lunch. I knew they were worried about me after yesterday's events but honestly, I was handling it. It was agreed that someone, either a Cullen or wolf, would be with me at all times. Or I would be down at the reservation or at the Cullen's. The Cullen's wanted me to stay at their house but I couldn't leave Charlie alone. He offered to stay at Sue's or the Cullen's but I couldn't make him leave his house.
Rosalie had stayed over at the house last night and we made it into more of a sleepover. We watched "chick flicks", painted our nails and toes(well she did my toes I couldn't really reach easily.), ordered pizza for me, and just talked. I had told her about how nervous I was to see my parents again. I wondered if things would be strained between us or if things would be okay.
The boys gulped down the food we sat out and there was tons of laughter, shouting and happiness. Embry stayed by my side the whole time and before I knew it, it was time to head up to Charlie's. Sue had invited Tiffany up to dinner too and I couldn't wait to see her again. Hopefully she got along with my parents and Charlie.
There were a few cars parked at Charlie's, one I didn't recognize. Probably my parent's. Embry and I walked into the house together and we could hear voices in the kitchen. "Charlie! We're home!"
Just like that, I was rushed by my parents. I took in the familiar, comforting smell of my father's cologne and Jenna's perfume. "Ana, look at you!" Jenna gasped with tears in her eyes. Her hands went to my bump and she laughed. "You're getting so big—no offense!"
"None taken." I whispered, putting my hands over hers. "I love my bump."
"How are you baby?" Dad asked, hugging me tightly. "Are you feeling okay? Any sickness?"
I shook my head. "I was having sickness but it's mostly went away."
"Do we get to see our unborn grandchild too?" I looked around my parents, surprised to see Nora and Steven standing there. Nick's parents were here and they knew about my pregnancy? Talk about shocking.
"Nora, Steven, you're here!" I stammered out. "It's great to see you." We caught up easily and I noticed how they wouldn't mention David. I could only assume they knew we were fighting. I could see the curious looks they were giving Embry and I but I also noticed the hint of disapproval. When the dogs started to scratch at the door, I went to get up but Embry stopped me.
"I'll get 'em, you sit down and relax." Embry gave me a sweet smile and I smiled back at him.
"So we're still on for lunch Saturday? You still up for it?" Tiffany asked as I grabbed some rolls. I nodded.
"Definitely. It'll be fun." I told her.
"I was thinking..there's a Babies "R" Us in Port Angeles I thought we could go to after lunch..We could look at bedding and nursery stuff." Tiffany said excitedly and I smiled.
"That would be awesome. Now that we know the gender and her name, it'll be fun looking at stuff."
Nora cleared her throat. "You picked a name?"
Embry and I shared a secret smile. "Yes, I did. I was waiting til today to tell everyone. I decided to name her Peyton."
"Oh that's a great name!" Jenna told me and Sue agreed.
"Wouldn't be after Peyton Manning would it?" Charlie joked, taking a drink of his coffee. I laughed.
"No, I just saw the name and I loved it. It just fits her." I rubbed my belly. Tiffany smiled.
"Sometimes names just click. Peyton is a beautiful name and you don't hear it much for girls but it's so nice." Tiffany said.
Nora and Steven looked at one another then at my parents. "Do you think it's the right time to bring it up?"
"Bring up what?" I asked still smiling.
Steven sighed. "Well of course the baby is Nick's.."
"Yes, it is." I wasn't really getting their point. Of course it was Nick's. I hadn't slept with anyone else.
"Don't you think it's gonna be hard to go to college with a baby?" Steven asked, sounding genuine.
"I know it's going to be hard but my friend Rosalie is offering to watch Peyton while I go to school for free and they're, my cousin and her family, even offering to help with tuition. They want to see me succeed and be a good mother." I paused. "I thought hard about adoption but I decided it wasn't for me. I'm keeping Peyton no matter what I have to sacrifice."
"You'll be sacrificing nothing." Charlie said, a bit adamantly. "You're going to get your education and be a mother to Peyton."
My parents and Nick's looked down. "Arianna, we've all been talking.." Nora started. "And we were thinking it would be best if once the baby is born, she comes to live with us in Texas where we would raise her along with your parents."
Everyone went silent. "Excuse me?" I demanded. "You think you should be raising MY child?"
"Well it is half of our blood." Steven replied a bit stiffly. "You really think you'll be able to handle all of this, especially after your suicidal tendencies?"
"Now hold it right there Mr. Madison." Embry came to stand behind me. "Arianna went through a rough patch but she has been wonderful since then. You can't try to use that against her, she was in pain, deep pain, over the death of your son. She didn't know about the pregnancy or she never would have done it. She will be a great mother."
"And who are you to say anything? The boy who is trying to replace my son!" Nora's voice carried high in the silence.
"I'm not trying to replace Nick. I'm here to support Arianna through her pregnancy and be her friend. There is no replacing your son. He meant something special to her and that will always be there, he will always be Peyton's father." I could tell Embry was getting upset with Nick's parents and I had to admit, so was I and let's not forget my parents part in this.
"All of you thought I was just going to hand my baby over to you after she was born?" I asked in shock. "That I would have no problem with it?"
They all exchanged looks. "This way you could still go to college and see the child when you can." Jenna said.
"I can still go to college and take care of my child here in Forks, myself." I stated blankly. I couldn't believe this. They were trying to take my child. They were all working against me.
"We need to at least talk about it. You need to think about it. You're only seventeen for God's sake." Steven said loudly. A chair scraped back and I gasped as Charlie's voice boomed out.
"If you're going to upset my niece, you need to get out of my house right now!" Charlie looked at my parents. "That includes you too!"
"Charlie, we are just trying to show her what a mistake she is making!" Dad stood up to face Charlie. "Yes, I said a mistake! Because she is going to throw her life away to be a single mother!"
"She's not throwing her life away!" Tiffany protested, putting her hand over mine. "She is going to go to college and get her education. She is going to do everything just as if she isn't having a child. There is no reason she can't raise her child and go to college. We're all here to help her along the way. I think you need to be supportive of her and her choice as her parents."
I got up and walked out. I couldn't handle it anymore, I got into the car and sat in it. The rain poured down and I let out a sob. The passenger door opened and Embry's arm's came around me. "Hey, it's gonna be okay."
"How is it going to be okay? They want to take my baby, they think she's a mistake!" I wailed hysterically.
"That's their problem Arianna. Not yours. They can't take your baby away from you." Embry said soothingly.
"You heard them. They don't think I'm capable of parenting her myself."
Embry's hands forced me to look at him. "You listen to me, Arianna Swan. You are way more than capable of taking care of Peyton and you will be a great mother. You're not going to be by yourself. I'm going to be by your side every minute, not that you need me. You'd still be great without me but I can't wait til Peyton is here and I can't wait to hear her little cry, or see her beautiful little face or hold her in my arms. You don't worry about anything but college and giving birth. Don't worry about your parents or his. We've all got your back. Me, the pack, the Cullen's, Sue, Charlie and my mom. No one is taking your baby."
I kissed him for a long minute and then told him I wanted to go to the Cullen's. I could still hear raised voices on the inside. Embry texted his mom that we were leaving and switched seats so he was driving. It was a silent ride to the Cullen's and tears made their way down my face still even though the sobs were gone. Embry had made me feel better but I still could not shake the feeling of betrayal from my parents. How could they do this to me? To their granddaughter?
Why couldn't they just believe in me like everyone else did? Charlie thought I could do this, so did Tiffany and Sue. That was at least three adults who believed in me. My own parents were the ones who didn't believe in me. Nick's parents wanted to take her away and I guess a part of me could understand wanting a piece of my dead, well dead to them I guess, child. But it wasn't like I was never going to let them see Peyton, I wanted his parent's to be involved, for her to know all of her grandparents.
When we finally got to the Cullen's and got in the house, we were greeted by everyone. "I can't believe it!" Rosalie said as she hugged me and my eyebrows came together in confusion.
"Can't believe what?" I asked, confused.
"Nick's parents and yours! What they're trying to do!" Rosalie stared at me. "It's unbelievable!"
"How did you know?" Embry asked her.
"Charlie called. Said your parents and Nick's went to a hotel in Port Angeles. Sue went home with Embry's mom and Charlie is on his way here with the dogs. He said to try to calm you down. How are you feeling?" Bella looked over me worriedly. I shrugged.
"In shock." Bella sat me down on their couch and made some hot tea while Esme wrapped a blanket around my shoulders. She sat down beside me and put her arm around me like a mother. I could see Embry went with Jake to talk, probably to let all his anger out.
Rosalie sat on my other side. "Don't you worry about a thing. If they really want to press this, we'll be there to back you up. We know good lawyers if it comes to that. But I don't think it will."
"Thank you." I told her gratefully. "You guys always have my back."
"And we always will." Esme kissed my forehead. "You're our family too. We take care of our family."
…...
A/N: Hey readers! Here's your update, sorry it's been so long! I will try to have an update soon again for you, I am trying to update faster and more frequently. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and let me know what you think by reviewing! I always enjoy your reviews!
To my Guest reviewer: Thank you! I loved that you enjoyed the twist! The answers to your questions should hopefully be answered in the next chapter or two. I can tell you the only one really "after" them is Nick and he's not really here to hurt them I guess you could say. It's going to stir up trouble though and he's definitely going to make some! I also will be explaining how he was involved in her dreams, etc. Might even get a Nick POV next chapter to clear some things up!
Thanks for reading! -Quinnandseth'sgirl15. My next update will be: Bree's Challenge(a Thoroughbred story). It should be a few days before it's up, hopefully not too long!