I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
CH. 11: Phoenix (BPOV)
2004
"Bella," Renée called. "Bella wake up and come down here."
I opened my eyes in confusion as I sat up in bed. It was hot, too hot. Where was Edward? I had gotten used to his cold body beside me at night.
I looked around the room with a frown on my face. I definitely knew last night that I wasn't in Phoenix. I had been in Forks… right?
"Bella," my mother called again.
"Coming," I stumbled out of bed. In my hurry going downstairs I stumbled on the steps and started to fall. A pair of arms caught me, but it wasn't the arms I suspected to catch me.
"Trying to keep my reflexes sharp, kid," Phil chuckled.
"Um, yeah," I shook my head in confusion. If tripping hadn't hurt I would think I really was dreaming.
"What is going on," I asked still thoroughly confused. Something smelt terrible.
"I made a big breakfast, come into the kitchen. Phil and I need to talk to you." She beamed up at Phil.
"You cooked," I tried to keep the horror out of my voice.
"Yes, join us please," Phil gave me a pleading look. I followed them into the kitchen where the smell was worse. On the table was bacon so black that it was almost unrecognizable. Plus a stack of pancakes. I looked harder trying to decipher what was in them. I was getting a weird sense of déjà vu.
"Are these olives," I asked poking at one with a fork.
"Yes and mushrooms, I knew you liked them on pizza so I thought I would give them a shot in pancakes. Here try this sauce with it. She handed me a gravy boat which was the source of the really bad smell.
"What is it?" I took it hesitantly from her.
"Anchovies syrup," she smiled. My own faltered. I didn't know how to get out of this gracefully without hurting her feelings. She made this before and it was the most disgusting thing I have ever tried.
"Are you going to tell me what we are celebrating," I asked placing the syrup down without using it.
"Well, Phil and I decided to get married this weekend." Renée beamed and now I was really confused.
"Again," I asked giving her a blank look. Her smile faltered slightly.
"Are feeling okay, sweetie? We aren't married yet." Renée looked at me with concern.
"Umm, yeah, I just didn't sleep very well." I answered. I was still trying to figure out what was going on.
"Nervous about starting your junior year, this is the year you take the SAT's right? Try not to lose sleep over it, sweetie." She smiled at me. Wait! I could have sworn it was like a month until grad. I glanced at the calendar by the refrigerator and the date August 2004 glared back at me.
Some memories came back to me about Renée and Phil getting married Labor Day weekend. It was last minute when Renée forgot to get her passport.
"So you're getting married this weekend. Where?" I asked. Renée started gushing about details and I nodded my head in the appropriate places trying to follow along.
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An hour later I was up in my room trying to figure out what was going on. I couldn't have dreamed up Edward, it felt too real. Could I be dreaming now? I sat down at my computer and double checked the date. It was the same date as the calendar downstairs.
I opened a webpage and looked up Forks high school to see if I could find pictures. Areas around the school looked familiar as well as some faces. Like Jessica, Mike, Tyler, Ben and Angela. Even the teachers matched up. I couldn't make all this up in dream right?
Due to student confidentiality I knew there would be no student directory. I also knew not to expect to find any pictures of the Cullens. I tapped my fingers on my desk trying to figure out what to do next. Would the hospital have a directory?
I pulled up the website and surfed around until I think I found something. There was a C. Cullen at the hospital who was previously from Alaska. Again there was no picture.
I picked up the phone and dialed the number to his office. The voice mail picked up with automatic voice indicating that the box was for Dr. Carlisle Cullen.
That was good enough for me. The only logical thing I could think of was to go to Forks. The sooner the better, in my opinion. I reached for the cordless phone then paused, but how did I end up here and why hasn't Edward come for me.
I glanced out the window at the bright sun. Well, that was one reason right there. Plus, this was before we met, so maybe he doesn't remember me. We would have to go through everything again. Or did we? Things could change for the better. Like I already knew he was a vampire. I could refuse to let him run away this time.
Was it worth it to go through it all again? I shook my head, of course it was. I loved Edward and nothing would ever change that. I tried to live without him before and it hurt. I wrapped my arms around my waist. I needed him and I don't think I could wait until January to go Forks. Unfortunately, I didn't have his number to try.
I dialed a number and let it ring.
"Forks Police, is this an emergency?" a female voice answered.
"Hello, may I speak to Chief Swan, please. This is his daughter, Bella." I asked politely.
"One moment, dear," she chirped.
"Bella, is everything, alright" Charlie asked as soon he answered. I knew I rarely called him around this time, let alone at work.
"I'm fine, Dad. I do have a question to ask you if you're not too busy." I bit my lip. I'm sure he would be thrilled, but who knows how things will go this time around.
"I always have time for you, Bells, ask away." He cleared his throat.
"I was wondering, with Mom getting remarried and all, if I can come stay with you." I asked holding my breath.
"You're always welcome here. Is that Phil treating you and your mom alright?" he sounded concerned, but then he was probably in police mode.
"He treats us just fine. I just don't want to be around the newlyweds and I would also like to get to know you better before I leave for college." I explained. Plus I know the love of my existence was there. Although I couldn't say that part out loud. Maybe this time Charlie will like him.
"I will be happy to have you, Bells. When should I expect you?" He sounded pleased.
We spoke for another ten minutes making plans. When we hung up, I was one down with one more to go. My mother had a similar reaction like last time, but I was prepared for it this time. Plus, this time I did really want to go, so I wasn't lying to her. Two weeks later I was on a plane for Forks.
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The plane descended into Port Angeles before I knew it. I glanced around and spotted Charlie waiting for me by the baggage claim. This time I walked right up and gave him a hug, surprising him.
"Bells, you look more grown up." He awkwardly hugged me back.
"You saw me in July," I smiled amusedly as he took my bag from me.
"Right. Is this it?" he asked patting the bag with his hand.
"Yup, I will have to do some shopping for more weather appropriate clothes. Arizona doesn't exactly carry a lot of that." I followed him out to the cruiser.
"Um, I guess I can take you," Charlie frowned. I figured he probably won't have to worry about it if Alice has it her way.
We reached the cruiser and I frowned. I would have to do something about a car again too. I most likely won't have the truck again. I hadn't planned on making friends with Jacob this time. In fact, even though he hadn't really done anything yet, I was pissed off with him still.
"Do you need me to take you tonight or can it wait until the weekend. I kind of have a surprise for you at the house." Charlie asked starting up the car.
"This weekend is fine." I'm sure Alice will be more than happy to do it. "What kind of surprise?" I frowned.
"You will just have to wait and see. Oh… a friend of mine and his son will be at the house to greet you. Sort of a welcome to Forks thing. I don't cook so we planned on just ordering Pizza. You like pizza, right?" Shit. I thought I was going to be able to avoid Jacob.
"Bells?" Charlie glanced at me in concern.
"Pizza is fine. I can cook in the future as long as we have food in the fridge." I told him.
"Renée taught you how to cook," Charlie flinched slightly and I tried not to laugh.
"No, I taught myself. I kind of had to," I smirked. He still looked a bit unsure.
"I promise, no crazy recipes." I snickered. Renée's cooking must have really burnt a hole in his memory.
The rest of the drive was silent as we approached Forks. I was inwardly thrilled when I recognized things, confirming in my mind everything indeed was real. I wasn't sure how I went back in time, but I was determined to get Edward back.
Charlie pulled up to the house and I struggled to keep my face neutral as I saw Jacob and Billy waiting outside waving. The truck was the surprise, I should have known.
"So, surprise. I got you a truck, sort of a welcome home and birthday present. I know it's not brand new, but it will get you to and from school." Charlie turned to me in his seat.
"Wow, thank you, I love it," I told him honestly.
I followed Charlie out of the cruiser and to the truck.
"Thank you, boys, for delivering the truck." Charlie called out to them.
"Happy to do it. We got it all cleanout for you too." Billy smiled, rolling his wheelchair forward some.
"We?" Jacob scoffed. I glanced at him slightly but avoided eye contact. Instead I decided to check out the truck. I would have to remember to get better tires or chains on it like last time.
"It looks great, thank you." I spoke up.
"Bella, you remember Billy and Jake, don't you?" Charlie asked.
"I remember Billy. You don't look like you have aged since I last saw you," I smiled. Billy chuckled and smiled back.
"It all has to do with the genes." He beamed as Jake rolled his eyes. I frowned when I noticed Jake's short hair. Originally he had long hair when I met him. However, he didn't look like he had hit any grow spurts.
"The last time you saw me, we made mud pies at the beach." Jacob smiled at me.
"Mud pies, are you sure? That doesn't sound like me." I tried to sound uninterested.
"It would have been a long time ago. I think you were about four." Charlie chuckled.
"Sorry," I shrugged apologetically to Jake.
"That's okay. I'm surprised that you came to Fork since you hate the rain." Jacob still kept a smile on his face. Something felt off, but I wasn't sure what.
"The rain isn't that bad. Just very different than Arizona, a change won't hurt me." I shrugged. If it didn't rain then I would never see Edward. So right now I was grateful for the weather.
"No changes can be good," Jacob mumbled under his breath then look away when I glanced at him. That was weird.
"Shall we order, the game is going to start soon," Charlie asked.
"Sounds good," I headed back to the cruiser for my bag. I pulled it out of the trunk and slung it over my shoulder.
"I can get that for you," Jacob offered.
"Thanks, but I think Billy needs more help getting into the house than me." I pointed out.
"Right," Jacob scowled and hurried forward to help Charlie. I shook my head and followed them into the house. Jacob's persistence was getting on my nerves.
"I'm going to run my bag up to my room." I called as the others were getting settled in the living room.
I entered the room and glanced around. It was just like when I arrived the first time. I set my bag down near the dresser to unpack it a bit; mostly to waste time from going back downstairs.
I wonder if I could get away with falling asleep. I had barely slept since I woke up in Phoenix. I sighed closing the drawer and dropped the now nearly empty bag on top of my bed.
By habit I went to the window and made sure it was unlocked. I tried to open it and found it very stiff and too swollen to move. I got frustrated and banged on it a bit. It wasn't this hard the last time. I wonder if Edward had anything to do with that.
"You should probably keep that locked. You wouldn't want anyone to break in on you." I whirled around to find Jacob in my doorway. He had a smile on his face, but his eyes were cold.
"Who would be stupid enough to break into the Police Chief's house?" I questioned. I was growing suspicious that Jacob knew something about me going back in time.
"There are a lot of freaks out there," he shrugged. I glanced back out the window trying to keep my face blank. I figured to at least seem to appease Jacob at the moment. I didn't want him to suspect that I thought I have done this before.
With a heavy heart I locked the window. "I will unlock when he leaves," I muttered under my breath. Just incase Edward was near by watching.
"What?" Jacob asked behind me coming into the room more.
"I said, there, all locked." I answered. Jacob smiled and reached for my hand. I stepped back from him tensing up.
"What do you think you're doing," I frowned stuffing my hands into the pockets of my jeans. At least Jacob seemed appropriately abashed.
"Sorry, I can just tell we are going to be the best of friends." Jacob gave me another blinding smile. Sorry, Jake, not this time.
"So how about it?" he asked.
"How about what?" I asked. He frowned. He must have said something that I didn't hear.
"Want to go to the movies together this weekend?" he asked.
"Oh…um…I already have some plans." I told him as I tried to walk around him to the door.
"With who?' Jacob nearly snapped at me. I whirled around raising an eyebrow.
"With Charlie, if that is alright with you. I need to get some clothes for the cooler weather." I shot back.
"Oh. I could drive you instead of your old man. Charlie likes to fish on the weekends." Jacob offered.
"Aren't you like fourteen or something?" I frowned.
"Um, yeah, but some say I'm like thirty." He joked. Jacob knew something was up, but my gut was saying not to trust him, after everything that happened the last time I saw him.
"Well, if Charlie wants to fish I could just take myself then. Or maybe I will meet a girl at the school who loves shopping." I continued out of the room. I knew Jacob was close behind me.
"Just not Alice Cullen," Jacob said loudly.
"Who is she?" I asked pausing on the stairs. Charlie was the one who answered before Jacob could.
"Alice is the adopted daughter of the new doctor in town. She goes to the high school. I think she's in your grade. She and her two brothers are good kids. Don't start believing the rumors Jacob is trying to spread." Charlie sounded irritated.
"They aren't just rumors." Billy spoke up placing a can down making a clanging noise on the coffee table. Charlie muttered under his breath before glancing at me.
"Anyone going to explain," I questioned trying to sound ignorant.
"The Cullens fit the description of the cold ones from our legends." Jacob answered sounding smug. Billy shot him a hard look trying to shut him up.
"What is a cold one?" I asked.
"Beer is a cold one." Charlie gruffed not amused before taking a sip. "Jacob is just trying to impress you with his myths." He turned to Bill. "I thought we agreed to disagree on the subject. No filling her head unless you have proof of your claims."
Billy and Jacob scowled as I helped myself to a slice of pizza before curling into the corner of the couch as far from Jacob as possible. I doubt he would do anything in front of Charlie.
I picked at the olives on the pizza. Charlie had said Alice had two brothers. Two were missing from that count. He didn't say sister, so I'm assuming that Rose wasn't here. But does that mean neither was Emmett? I hoped one of them was Edward, what was I going to do if he wasn't here? What if given the chance he chose to stay human and he left me again. Tears swam in my eyes but I didn't let them fall.
"Bells, you aren't eating." Charlie broke me from my thoughts.
"I'm not so hungry. I'm really tired from traveling all day. I think I'm going to turn in early so can I'm awake for school tomorrow." I placed my plate on the table and stood up.
"Good-night." I headed up the stairs. I took a shower and got ready for bed.
Charlie had left to take Billy and Jacob back to La Push while I was in the shower.
I entered my room and immediately unlocked the window again.
With a heavy sigh I laid down into bed. I hoped he would come tonight, but I wasn't sure that he would. I missed him so much. I laid on my side staring at the window wishing for him to come in.
I guess I should be prepared for Edward not knowing me tomorrow. I had to remind myself he may not be used to my scent again. Maybe I should approach Alice first? Or maybe Jasper? I assumed if Alice was there that meant Jasper was. He could probably tell if I was lying by his power… right?
It was now midnight and Charlie had gone to bed awhile ago. I could hear him snoring from here. Like my first night in Forks I cried myself to sleep, but tonight it was for a different reason.
Em (POV)
2006
I shot up, my eyes darted around taken everything in. I placed a hand on my chest and found no wound or beating heart. I was a vampire again. Rosie was slumped beside and I shook her gently.
"Rosie, baby, wake up." There were no signs to show that she was alive. I had just left her alone with Royce. What was he going to do to her? "Rosie?" I was very worried.
Suddenly her eyes popped open and she was breathing hard. She glanced wildly around. When she spotted me her eyes looked relieved.
"Oh thank, God. I thought I had lost you," She cried wrapping her arms around my neck.
"Rose, are you alright? What did he do to you?" I held her tight in my arms as she sobbed. I kissed her on the top of her head.
"I fought him for the gun and I got shot." She told me, her sobs started to calm down. "I'm so sorry, Em. It was all pointless anyways, here we all are back as vampires again. So what's the point to it all?" she looked up at me sadly.
"I don't know. I'm sorry I couldn't give you the life you wanted." I said regretfully.
"It wasn't your fault. It was mine. I should have listened to Alice. She tried to tell us, but I wouldn't even hear her out.…Alice? Where are her and the others?" She broke out of my arms and stood up. I stood up next to her and glanced around. The fire was still burning and the family appeared to be out cold around it.
"Kind of eerie isn't, we can't tell if they are alive or dead?" I frowned looking at what seemed like statues of my family.
"No, listen. Bella is still breathing and her heart is beating?" Rose pointed out. I glanced to see my baby sister curled into Edward's arms. He seemed to have a vise grip around her.
"Both her heart and breathing sounds weird, though," I frowned looking at Rose.
"I think she might be in a coma like state." Rose bit her lip. She had a little more medical knowledge than me, so I trusted her.
"You're wrong, Rose, this is my fault. I brought this stupid wood here." I grumbled. I grabbed the bucket of water I had near the fire. I lifted it up prepared to put it out.
A/N:
So there you go, you can all breathe Em and Rose are still alive. Still vamps but not what you're suspecting. Or was it? All will be explained in due time.
Why didn't the Cullens come to their rescue? Because Rose demanded that they didn't. She ordered Alice not to look anymore. So Alice didn't look. If she got a vision it would have been too late. Alice knew Royce would cause trouble, but he had no solid plans yet last chapter until last minute.
Yes, Alice was a bit of a bitch last chapter. Look at it this way her original family treated her horribly. She tried to warn them of danger and she was ignore only for them to turn it around and blame her when it did happen. Rose was doing the same, in a way, especially by ordering for her not to look at her future. Alice was feeling rejected and hurt by Rose, that is why she was more of a bitch about it.
Esme was not mad at Rose for wanting to stay human. She was upset with her about how she spoke to Alice.
Edward has a good reason for not being there in this chapter. He originally was than Jacob hijacked it from me. Edward will be there next chapter I promise. The next chapter will be next weekend.
Thank You For All Reviews!
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Preview Alert
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Preview:
"Bella, this is my Jasper and my brother, Edward." Alice introduced with a flourish as she dropped my tray on the table next to Edward's.
"Pleasure," Jasper tilted his head with a small smile on his face.
"Bella," Edward's velvety voice made my heart flutter. He reached out for my hand as if to shake it. Sparks wrapped around our hands when I placed mine in his. Instead of shaking it he brought my hand to his lips and kissed it softly and my cheeks turned pink.
We were still staring at one another and Edward still hadn't let go of my hand when Jasper cleared his throat. Edward looked reluctant as he let go of my hand.