My heart was hammering as we sat outside Charlie's house in Edwards Volvo - he had asked me if I wanted to drive my car but I didn't think that was the best idea as I hadn't stopped shaking since Alice came running towards the car, she was just giving me some movies to watch but Edward had told her off when he noticed my heart stopping –
"Are you sure you're ready?" he asked for what seemed like the tenth time in five minutes.
I nodded, of course I was ready.
"You don't have to do this," he said, as he took in my expression.
"Are you crazy?" I asked, not sure what else to say, of course I had to do this if I didn't I'm pretty sure I wouldn't get another chance any time soon.
He scrutinized me for a while longer, then sighed,
"Ok then lets go."
He got out the door pulling my bag with him. I got out, before he could change his mind, and started to walk up the steps leading to the door.
I wasn't sure what to do now I had a sudden urge to yell out, 'I'm home' but I figured that wouldn't be in my best interests.
Luckily Edward was by my side, with my pillow and bag in his hands, knocking on the door.
I heard a low voice grumbling and then the door flew open and an apprehensive Bella was smiling at us.
Edward pulled her in for a hug and whispered something in her ear, it must have been reassuring because she looked more relaxed as she grabbed my hand and pulled me into the house.
I held my breath as she pulled me into the living room, I didn't know what I was expecting and started to get dizzy,
"Breath," Edward blew into my ear.
I took a deep breath and turned my attention to the figure sitting on the couch.
I blew it out in a relief as I noticed he wasn't so intimidating, even when he critically looked over at Edward – who still had one arm around Bella- , he was simply uncomfortable.
"Good evening Charlie," Edward said pleasantly, I wondered how he could be so calm when Charlie's thoughts were obviously far from that.
Charlie was eyeing of the pillow and bag, which was still under Edwards's arms, he seemed to think Edward had the idea of staying the night and the look on his face was priceless.
I remembered on while I was packing this morning Edward had been at my side while I was trying to get rid of the knot in my stomach Edward had been telling me various warnings, in between "Don't hug him or anything," and "He doesn't talk much, don't take it personally," he had told me,
"Oh, and he doesn't like me very much so don't take it personally."
"Why?" I had asked, wondering why he hadn't managed to charm Charlie the way he did with everyone else.
He seemed tense as he answered, "He has his reasons and I don't disagree with his thoughts,"
When I still looked at him questioningly he sighed saying, "His a father, you know what they're like,"
I had known he didn't mean to say it, he was distracted, though I still felt the knot work it way up to my throat. I had meant to smile and say I knew what he meant, but instead a single tear fell from my eye. I attempted to wipe it away before he noticed but he was too quick and his eyes widened with the shock of what he said, then he pulled me into a hug.
"I am so sorry April, I didn't mean it."
I took a deep breath to calm myself down, "It's ok, I will know soon enough right?"
He didn't say a thing but pulled me closer, "You will always have us,"
I figured that would have to do, for now.
I was brought back to reality by Edward gentle nudge in my shoulder, I looked up at him but he was still looking down at Charlie, then I remembered the situation.
"Hi," I said to break the tension, "I'm April Cullen, Edward's sister,"
He looked up at me then and I immediately felt self conscious as I remembered how much he liked Alice.
He seemed to approve though and stood up looking even more uncomfortable. I wondered for a blissful minute if Bella had decided to tell him our connection but I knew as he held out his hand formally this wasn't the case, he was just awkward naturally.
I shock his hand flimsily, as mine was still shaking, and managed a small smile.
"So who's winning?" I asked him pointing to the TV.
I didn't understand half of what he said, but I was content to watch the game with him. Bella wandered into the kitchen to finish dinner Edward stayed behind presumably to keep an eye on him, I resented this fact it wasn't as if I couldn't control myself.
Soon enough Bella called us to say dinner was ready again Edward followed us and was served a plate as well. This time I kept my mouth shut, though Charlie seemed surprised that he was joining us.
Without the game as I distraction I continued to ask Charlie all sorts of questions, I wanted to know as much as possible, he seemed amused by my curiosity, Bella seemed worried and Edward just looked slightly annoyed.
As I started eating my questions died down and all three in my company seemed relaxed, that is until Charlie started speaking again,
"Billy invited me down to La Push tonight, there's going to be a bon fire, I was wondering if you girls wanted to come with me?"
I noticed how he left Edward out of this and I saw him tense in response, though he wasn't the only one Bella looked wound up as well.
"I think we will just stay here and watch some movies dad," Bella replied attempting a smile, it looked more like a grimace.
"Are you sure Bells? I know Jacob really misses you,"
Edward clenched his teeth together, Bella looked torn.
"I'm sure dad," she said in a little voice.
Charlie sighed and stood up,
"Ok well I'm going to leave soon, make sure you have fun,"
He smiled at me then and I couldn't help but smile back,
"Nice meeting you April,"
"You to Chief Swan,"
He didn't know how absolutely fabulous it was meeting him. Though it still sounded weird calling him Chief Swan I longed to call him dad, but I'm pretty sure that wouldn't have gone to well. So instead I watched him walk out the door.
Edward must have seen my face because his features had changed when I turned back to him.
"Well I think that went well," he said with sympathy in his eyes.
"You mean I managed to behave myself?" I scoffed.
"Yes, I'm quite proud of you," he said sincerely, did he have to look at me like that?
I stared at him with annoyance; it wasn't like I was five and had stayed out of the cookie jar.
Bella was the one to break the silence,
"How come you didn't drive your brand new car over, April?"
This brought a smile to my face,
"Is that jealous that I hear?" I asked her.
Her face went red and Edward started smiling as well,
"As I remember it, Bella, you made it perfectly clear that you didn't want me to buy you a car,"
"I don't," She said defiantly, "but I hardly think it's fair that you push all these things onto a little girl, just like you seem to with me,"
Edward was smirking now, "Yes, but unlike you she likes -"
"I'm not little!" I cut him off heatedly.
They both looked stunned for a second and stared at me, and then they broke out in laughter.
"No, your very grown up and mature," Edward said reaching over to ruffle my hair, I swatted him away and got up stomping into the lounge room.
Then I figured I had nothing to do so I stood there fuming for a few seconds until Edward and Bella walked up behind me,
"Want to watch a movie?" she asked picking up one she knew I couldn't resist.
"Ok," I said giving in to her,
So we sat down on the lounge and watched the movie and were soon lost in it.
At the end of the movie Edward announced that he was going home, he got up hugging me and kissing Bella, I noticed the way Bella leaned into it more, she seemed to be encouraging him, but Edward pulled away soon after. I wondered what it would be like falling for a mythical creature, my thoughts were cut short as I heard Edward whisper, "Behave,"
At first I thought he was talking to me and I was about to object when I saw that Bella was matching an identical pout to mine, she nodded and Edward looked relieved as he walked out the door.
As soon as I heard him driving off I turned to Bella,
"What did he mean, 'behave'?" I asked her,
She pouted again, "He doesn't want me down at La Push," Bella's said, I could tell she wasn't happy with this,
"What La Push?" I asked I had heard some kids talking about it at school but I didn't really care, until now.
"It's the reservation just outside of Forks," Bella told me,
"What's down there?" I asked I couldn't understand why Edward would try to keep her away from there.
"Jacob Black," She said, the longing was evident on her face.
"Who's he?" I asked her, still confused.
"They haven't told you?"
I shook my head.
"Well you know how Edward left me last year?" she asked slowly.
I nodded this time, Alice had told me the story, how Edward had left Bella for her own good and then she saw Bella die but soon found out the truth by that time though it was too late Edward had found out so they traveled over to Italy to save him, bringing us back to my story.
"Well, while he was gone Jacob and I became… very close" I could see her lost in memories.
"So Edward doesn't like him because of the closeness?" I asked, I wondered how close they had actually gotten.
"It's a bit more then that," she said and again I saw the pain cross her face.
I didn't ask her to elaborate; instead I picked up the next movie,
"Popcorn?" I asked her once it was on, she looked grateful to be of the subject.
I didn't want to push her but I still wanted to know more, maybe I could ask Alice she always told me when I asked.
The rest of the night was spent stuffing ourselves with various junk foods and crying as we watched the best romance movies.
Eventually, I fell asleep on the lounge on the lounge. I knew I should have felt content after a wonderful birthday, but I still felt as if something was missing and I couldn't shake the feeling as I feel into a restless sleep.