I'm trying to make the chapters a little fluffy since I started off with so much angst, but this really isn't my strong suit. None the less here's the next chapter! I tried really hard to get this one out before New Years but it didn't play out. Also, twilight still isn't mine sad as that is
Chapter 10: Old Friends Bella
I don't think I had ever slept, or would ever for that matter, as well as I had the nights I'd spent in Rosalie's arms. When she was there it was like nothing could really hurt me. And even though I knew that wasn't true it felt, nice.
"Are you awake?" Rosalie's velvety voice sounded from beneath me, she must have carried me from the car at some point.
"If I said no could we stay here? Just a little longer?" I couldn't help the reflexive tightening of my hold on her, a part of me was still afraid she'd vanish if I let go.
"Of course we can, we can stay here as long as you like." I felt tears prickle my eyes as my throat tightened, nodding against her shoulder. "Hey, what's wrong?" My tears were flowing freely now as she tilted my head to meet her eyes. "Isabella..."
"I'm scared Rosalie...I'm terrified because this all feels so right. But what if I lose it all again?" The desperation in my voice made her eyes soften.
"Honey, i know you're scared. I know all too well how it feels to have everything you've known taken away from you, but this is your second chance. We're your second chance." I felt her hesitate before lacing our fingers together. "You aren't in this alone, we'll all fight for this." I couldn't help the sobs that were ripped from my chest. After everyone I'd lost...this was too surreal. This perfect family that I just fell into, it would be a miracle if my past weren't chasing me down.
"I know you will, and that's part of what I'm scared of. Rosalie...they won't stop. She won't stop. V-Victoria...she's never gonna give up." She shushed my and tightened her hold.
"We'll be ready, she'll never hurt you again." The resolution in which she talked shook me to my very soul, this woman...someone I had lived without until only a week ago, would give everything to keep me safe. And not for the first time I realized that she was my reason. It seems almost ridiculous to think, after all it obvious given she's my imprint, but the sheer depth of what I feel for her is inconceivable. At least it was. I hadn't noticed I'd zoned out till she gently tapped my shoulder.
"Huh?" I blinked at her, slowly coming back in to focus.
"Where'd you go?" She asked gently, and I smiled.
"No where." I rested my head fully on her shoulder with a sigh. "What did I do to deserve you? Any of you?"
"Existed." She responded without a moments hesitation. I froze in her grasp, tears stinging at my eyes again, this was where I belonged.
Jasper S
It had been several days since I'd seen my sister. Only hearing her every so often in the halls of the Cullen house. I felt like an unwelcome guest in their home, though all of them were actually quite welcoming sans Rosalie who has been holed up with my baby sister since her return. I felt, empty. For years it was just Bella and I, but now she had an entirely new family. And I could see in their eyes they cared for her, would fight for her. And for the first time in my life I felt expendable.
"What are you doing all the way out here Fido?" I smirked softly at the big Cullen, surprisingly I liked him the most. We had become, I was hesitant to say friends but, something more than strangers.
"Had to breathe some air that doesn't burn my nose Curly Sue." I threw back at him, a weak jest I know but it fit his mop of hair.
"Lame comeback Lassey. But really," he easily lept the 15 feet to sit on the branch next to me, "What are you doing out here?" He turned open eyes to me and I sighed.
"I needed space to think. This, everything that's happened here happened so fast." I wasn't sure how he'd take the slightly morbid conversation, he was known for his lighthearted jokes after all, but it was worth a shot.
"I can understand that. Plus I noticed you and Belly Bear are at odds lately." I cringed, both at the nickname and his observation.
"Yea... I just, I don't get it. I can't understand. I don't know what she's feeling. So I was scared, scared she was latching on to the first people that had shown us kindness since our run in with those monsters. And now that I see otherwise... I don't know how to apologize. Not to her, or you guys." I hung my head in defeat. "Truth be told Emmett I have no idea what to do anymore, everything I knew changed in an instant. And there's no going back to yesterday."
"You're right, but there's also no point. That was yesterday, and this is today. It may be hard but like it or not you have to do it." He shrugged and clapped a large hand against my shoulder. "I say you just go for it, cuz if you sit here riddling over the what if's it'll kill you." He jumped out of the tree and looked up, "Sometimes you just have to live for the now." He gave me a signature toothy grin before walking off. I shook my head, that grown child actually had some good advice. Before I had the chance to second guess myself I dropped from the tree and headed to the Cullen home, heart beating erratically at my decision.
Bella
Rosalie and I had made our way downstairs and were currently watching a chess match between Jasper and Carlisle, evidently Edward and Alice weren't allowed to participate in any form of competition because of their gifts which made me laugh, it was such a small thing yet the two men managed to exude some form of grace while playing. I never played the game myself but I could still admire it, despite having absolutely no idea what was happening.
"Check." Carlisle stated, a small smirk on his face. Jasper simply chuckled in response, moving his little horse piece.
"Check mate father." I barely stifled my laugh as Carlisle sat there slack jawed, and I felt the angel at my side chuckle. The lighthearted mood dissolved the instant my brother walked into the living room, i scowled at him still angry over his behavior.
"Can I talk with you Bells?" For his part he looked genuinely nervous, which was the first time I could recall seeing him as such.
"If you wanna talk, talk." He ran his hand through his hair and sighed.
"In private, please?" I felt Rosalie tense slightly besides me and clicked my tongue softly.
"Fine, but make it quick." I stood up and gestured for him to lead the way, which he did with little hesitation. We were soon fairly far out into the woods, but he kept walking. "Jasper this is how people in horror movies die." I joked, slightly irritated at being so far from my imprint, but I was met with silence. The smell in the air slowly shifted to that of wet dog and I stiffened. "We're getting too close to the territory of those mutts, Jas. Stop." He finally turned to me, slightly paler than usual.
"Isabella, I brought you out here so I can apologize. I didn't mean to disrespect such a sacred bond I just...well I don't, I can't, understand. And I know that's not an excuse you want to hear but it's all I've got. I don't know what's going through your head, or how you feel, hell I can barely feel you at all lately, but this is confusing for me please understand that I just I'm so lost in this situation Bells." His movements were getting more erratic as he continued, and I stood there frozen. I had never seen my brother so...messy. He was always composed with an air of confidence around him but this boy in front of me was just that, a boy, grasping at straws to right a wrong. Before he could work himself up anymore I hugged him. Really hugged him. And his movement stilled as he clung to me.
"When was the last time we hugged, big brother?" He let out a wet chuckle at that. "Ew, don't snot on my shirt Alice will kill you."
"Well, isn't this sweet." We both spun on our heels to face the intruder, Jasper placing himself in front of me. But neither of us were prepared for who we faced.
"Jake?" We said simultaneously, both of us too shocked to do much else.
"Damn Bells look how big you got! And Jas, dude steroids are bad for you." Jacob winked and I couldn't resist anymore, I threw myself into the arms of my old friend and laughed. "Woah, Bella initiating a hug? Maybe I walked into an alternate universe on accident." I stepped back and punched him in the shoulder. "Ow, that actually hurt." We both laughed while he rubbed the abused limb.
"Is that really you Jacob?" Jasper asked, hope evident in his voice and eyes.
"The one and only baby, you ever seen anyone else this devilishly handsome?" He angled his hand along his jaw and struck a pose. No way this was anyone BUT Jacob.
"I guess it is, you're still a doofus huh Black." I stared between the two with a small smile. It was just like we were kids again.
"You wound me Swan, it's been how many years and you chose to insult me with your first words?" The pained expression on his face only lasted about three seconds before it melted away into his signature grin. "But what are you guys doing here? Where are your folk?" And just like that the peaceful facade was broken. Jacob Black was a lot of things, but oblivious was not one of them. He picked up on the change of atmosphere quickly. "What happened?" All trace of the goofy kid were gone, and he looked each of us in the eye.
"They're gone...everyone is gone Jake. It was vampires." He froze, paled, and then began shaking furiously.
"I'll kill those bloodsuckers. I'll kill 'em!" I placed a solemn hand in his shoulder.
"You'll have to fight a lot of people for that honor. Several of them are f-following m-us." I shivered, swallowing the bile rising in my throat.
"What happened Bells?" His eyes showed nothing but concern.
"We were attacked, Jas and I ran. A little after my first moon I was kidnapped and tortured for six years. I escaped and they want me back." I summarized it hoping to avoid the painful details.
"Oh Bella..." I was wrapped in his strong arms instantly, I breathed in the familiar scent greedily as I sobbed quietly.
"We're gonna protect her." Jasper stated.
"Of course we are." Jake didn't hesitate.
"No, not just us. Isabella found her imprint in a Cullen. We're all tied together now." His voice was tense, unused to the words he was saying and perhaps still not truly believing them. But he said them nonetheless and it made my heart that much lighter.
"A Cullen? As in the vampires across the border?" He was hesitant, but there was no malice in his voice.
"Yes that would be them." I tensed ever so slightly, prepared to defend the Cullens, when he chuckled.
"Of course you would imprint on a vamp Bells, you've always been full of surprises. The rest of the pack doesn't like them but I don't really mind. They don't hurt anyone so." He shrugged his broad shoulders and I relaxed.
"So you're apart of that pathetic pack of dogs?" Jasper asked and I spun at his lack of tact, fearing he had offended our friend, but Jacob simply laughed at him.
"Unfortunately, they can't make me do anything though. Alpha bloodline and all." He smirked slightly at that.
"Why don't you leave then?" I asked tentatively.
"I never had anywhere else to go." He shrugged.
"Do you now?" Jasper asked bluntly, the question hung in the air between them. I felt my heat beat heavily in my chest at that, Jacob and his father had been among the only people my father trusted outside our pack. He was family without blood relation, but after all the years apart I had no idea what he'd say.
"That's just like you Swan, straight and to the point. But it depends, do you guys want me?" I couldn't help the excitement and happiness I felt, I threw myself into his arms without thought and cried.
"Of course." Jacob hugged me tightly, and I squeezed back more. Maybe I couldn't get my old pack back, but I could still have one.