A/N: Pink – Family Portrait. There's a bit of language in here…
Uh, uh, some deep shit, uh, uh
Momma please stop cryin, I can't stand the sound
Your pain is painful and its tearin' me down
I hear glasses breakin as I sit up in my bed
I told dad you didn't mean those nasty things you
said
You fight about money, bout me and my brother
And this I come home to, this is my shelter
It ain't easy growin up in World War III
Never knowin what love could be, you'll see
I don't want love to destroy me like it has done
my family
Can we work it out? Can we be a family?
I promise I'll be better, Mommy I'll do anything
Can we work it out? Can we be a family?
I promise I'll be better, Daddy please don't
leave
Daddy please stop yellin, I can't stand the sound
Make mama stop cryin, cuz I need you around
My mama she loves you, no matter what she says
its true
I know that she hurts you, but remember I love
you, too
I ran away today, ran from the noise, ran away
Don't wanna go back to that place, but don't have
no choice, no way
It ain't easy growin up in World War III
Never knowin what love could be, well I've seen
I don't want love to destroy me like it did my
family
Can we work it out? Can we be a family?
I promise I'll be better, Mommy I'll do anything
Can we work it out? Can we be a family?
I promise I'll be better, Daddy please don't
leave
In our family portrait, we look pretty happy
Let's play pretend, let's act like it comes
naturally
I don't wanna have to split the holidays
I don't want two addresses
I don't want a step-brother anyways
And I don't want my mom to have to change her
last name
In our family portrait we look pretty happy
We look pretty normal, let's go back to that
In our family portrait we look pretty happy
Let's play pretend, act like it goes naturally
In our family portrait we look pretty happy
(Can we work it out? Can we be a family?)
We look pretty normal, let's go back to that
(I promise I'll be better, Mommy I'll do
anything)
In our family portrait we look pretty happy
(Can we work it out? Can we be a family?)
Let's play pretend act and like it comes so
naturally
(I promise I'll be better, Daddy please don't
leave)
In our family portrait we look pretty happy
(Can we work it out? Can we be a family?)
We look pretty normal, let's go back to that
(I promise I'll be better, Daddy please don't
leave)
Daddy don't leave
Daddy don't leave
Daddy don't leave
Turn around please
Remember that the night you left you took my
shining star?
Daddy don't leave
Daddy don't leave
Daddy don't leave
Don't leave us here alone
Mom will be nicer
I'll be so much better, I'll tell my brother
Oh, I won't spill the milk at dinner
I'll be so much better, I'll do everything right
I'll be your little girl forever
I'll go to sleep at night
The silver wolf chomped his teeth on the red head's coat as she ascended the nearest tree. She hissed but still fled, leaving him gagging at the offending item.
Phasing back, he pulled the lighter from the band about his leg and burned the fucking thing.
Sam arrived as the flames took hold.
"You're doing well."
Paul grunted.
"You're still new to this Paul. She's evading us all. Go home and get some sleep."
Paul felt the Alpha command stick as he returned to the cabin that he'd been born in.
His mom had been in, leaving her usual supply of groceries. They would probably last two days at most, the way he was eating.
Still, it was enough for now.
When he woke, it was late evening. Time for round two, he grimaced. As he circled the perimeter, he noted the Black's old truck and the scent of strawberries mingled with bleach.
The Pack had cheered when the Cullens left - hosting a bonfire that went on well into the night.
Yet still the stench remained, tainting the safe haven and triggering the Quileute gene that robbed the youth of their freedom.
"It's not that bad is it?"
Of course, he'd show up now.
"Hey man."
Paul snorted.
"What's got your panties in a twist?"
"Leave it alone."
"You should just go and get laid. Maybe you'll run into that chick from before?"
Paul growled as the memories.
"Wow! Not bad for a little virgin. Though, she's no match for Kim."
Normally, he'd make some lewd comment but he wasn't feeling it tonight.
"You've got it bad Paul. You need to live a little. Go embrace the perks of our inheritance."
He snapped. "Is that what you do when you're not in Kim? Embrace the perks?"
Jared halted. "Leave her out of this. Kim knows I'd never look at another girl and if you're making accusations…"
"Easy boy."
"Well don't talk about Kim that way."
"Well, stay out of my business then."
Jared nodded and they continued in silence.
XxX
It was Bella's birthday and Renee and Charlie had co-ordinated to give her a camera and photo album. She'd kept the date on the low, not wanting a fuss but Charlie insisted on a small gathering at the house. He'd invited Billy and Jake, the Clearwater's and the Atera's. Bella spent the days before making sure the house was clean but Charlie insisted she leave the food to him.
This worried her slightly but if it made him happy, who was she to judge?
XxX
Jake was there as I pulled in at school. I noticed the gang move closer. I also saw how Lauren was eyeing up Jake.
It was then I noticed that he was no longer the scrawny kid from summer…
Bad Bella!
Jake smiled and swung me round.
"Jake stop!" I laughed as he set me on my feet again.
"Are you all set for tonight?"
I grimaced. "I'm sure it will be great."
"What's tonight?" I heard Mike asked.
Oh crap.
Jake blinked. "It's Bella's birthday!"
"Oh my God Bella. Why didn't you tell us?"
I blushed. "It's not really a big thing."
Jessica wouldn't be swayed. "Uh, yeah it is. We have to celebrate."
"Leave it to us Bella. Just don't make any plans for tomorrow night."
"Erm actually, I'm meeting some friends from work. My boss blabbed and they're hijacking me tomorrow afternoon."
Hopefully that would be the end to it.
"Well Sunday then. I mean it Bella."
Great!
Jake grabbed my hand as I went to follow the others. It felt warmer and stronger than usual.
"Bella, I'm sorry, I didn't realise."
I shrugged. "It's ok. They probably would have found out eventually." I smiled. "I'll see you tonight."
"Wait Bells, I've got something for you." Before I could protest, he held out an intricately carved dream catcher.
"Jake, it's beautiful."
He pulled me in for a hug and whispered, "See you tonight."
XxX
Charlie had gone all out on the food and ordered platters of every type of chicken, pizza and rib combo available. He even insisted on cooking them and he ordered a cake!
I wasn't to lift a finger.
Harry was to make his famous fish-fry and if that wasn't enough, there were chips and dips, sodas and even a bottle of prosecco.
"One glass won't hurt, Bella. Especially as it's your birthday."
I had to bite back the instinct to tell him that I'd already had my fair share of alcohol, thank-you very much!
The guests started to arrive at six and they all made quick work of the food.
"Hey Bells. I hope you don't mind, this is Embry Call."
"No, everyone's welcome. We have plenty!" I was about to ask if he wanted a drink when I was pulled short by the blatant aggression in his eyes. His body was pulled taut and I could almost envision steam pouring from his ears.
Jake frowned and elbowed him and he appeared to snap out of it. There were no further comments, anyway.
As I circulated the room, I found myself next to Leah Clearwater. Her frosty expression brought me up short but Sue Clearwater took pity on me.
"Don't mind Leah, dear. She's had a rough patch but I'm sure you can understand."
Sue told me how her daughter had been engaged to Sam Uley but that all changed when Emily Young arrived to help with the wedding.
"So, where are they now?"
Sue's smile was icily pleasant as she motioned to her husband. "La Push."
I felt my eyes widen. "They're still here? Well no wonder…"
Sue took a closer look at the younger girl. "Yes, you understand don't you Bella." She paused. "Now, I'm not going to ask you to be friends with her. Leah won't appreciate my interference. But if you feel inclined to talk with her, I'd be content. She's such a lonely girl, sometimes."
It was late when I stepped outside to find Leah on the porch.
"So she sent you out here?"
I shook my head. "Your mother didn't send me anywhere."
Leah scoffed. "Ma thinks you and I should be friends because we both had our relationships end."
"It makes sense."
"So what's your story Swan? I'm sure Ma's told you mine."
I lowered myself to the swing chair. "Nothing like yours. I just realised I didn't want to be with him anymore. He took a little while to believe it. I made a few mistakes and he finally left."
"What kind?"
"Never you mind."
"So there is a bit of fight in you. I'm impressed."
"Well I'm glad. That's made my day!"
XxX
Life carried on with the distraction of work, school and friends. Apart from the nightly hauntings and echoes of dreams, everything would have been peachy.
There were several nights I was jolted too early from sleep and despite listening to music or writing down my thoughts, sleep continued to evade me. I was left with no option but to stare up at the ceiling, so I wouldn't wake Charlie, leaving me agitated and jumpy.
My skin often itched nowadays and whilst I tried not to, the temptation was there. It was an ache that remained deep and relentless.
A hole.
When sleep did come, it was always a merge of memories of the last few weeks, leaving me frazzled. I remained busy during the day but sleep proved elusive.
I tried everything from cooking, baking, writing, exercise… nothing helped. Most of the time, my stories were pleasant enough, but there were dark moments. Sometimes when I read it back if it wasn't for my scrawled writing or my clenched fingers I wouldn't have believed it was mine!
There were even a few intimate moments – despite having only the one encounter, clearly it had been enough!
Maybe it was time to try again…