A/N: Thanks for all the reviews!
Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns the Twilight world lock, stock and barrel, while I own zilch.
The next few weeks went a lot smoother than the previous ones. I had gotten into a pretty good routine. Sunday was for Jake. We went to the beach, hung out in the garage, even made a trip into Port Angeles. Monday and Thursday, I would work a few hours at Newton's and then come home and cook dinner for Charlie. Spend sometime with him and then do homework. Tuesday varied. Two weeks I just had time to myself. But the other two I hung out with Angela, doing homework and watching movies. Wednesday kept its past activities of work and then dinner with Charlie and Embry, followed by study time with Embry. Friday was for Embry alone. We would go to Port Angeles for a movie, or hang out at one of our homes, take a trip to the beach, or whatever we felt like doing. With Embry there was never any pressure, just being in each other's company was more than enough. Lastly, were my Saturdays. This was another semi-free day. I worked at Newton's in the morning and had the afternoon and evening off. One week the pack had a bar-b-que. The next, a group from school went down to La Push for a bonfire. Last Saturday, I spent the day studying with Embry at my house. This was the last week before Spring Break, and both sets of our teachers were laying it on thick.
And this Saturday I was going to Seattle with Angela to do some much needed shopping. Now I only had to get Charlie and Embry to go along with our plans that Angela and I made last night. Both of them were worry warts. So I was planning to tell, not ask, them about the trip after dinner and over a piece of key lime pie. It was Em's favorite and Charlie had a sweet tooth for it, too.
I was finishing up dinner and pulling the pie out of the oven when Embry walked in through the back door.
"Yummy, my favorite." He said as he went for the pie. I had to swat his hand away with a spatula. "Hey, watch that thing!"
"Then step away from the pie, mister. I need to put in the fridge to cool, so I can put the topping on as soon as we finish dinner."
"Can't I just have a finger taste? Please!" He whined like a small child.
"You are such a whiner, Embry. Just wait an hour."
"Fine." He was pouting, with his lower lip slightly sticking out. I chose to ignore it and change the topic.
"How do you think your Chemistry test went?"
"Good. I feel pretty confident on how I did on it. That last way you showed me Saturday really seemed to stick. I definitely need your help with my English paper, though. I'm done, but it just doesn't sound right or something. I dunno. You can take a look, right?"
"Sure. What was the topic again?"
"Catch-22. Charlie's home." And just then I hear a clanking at the front door.
"Bells?"
"In the kitchen Dad."
"Hey there, Embry. I didn't see your truck out there."
"Oh yeah. One of the guys needed to come into Forks and didn't have a car, so he dropped me off and I let him take the truck."
"That was mighty nice of you, kid." Charlie then turned back to me. "I think you found a keeper here, Bella." I knew I couldn't keep the blush from forming on my cheeks.
"I think so too, Dad." Embry just looked at me with love and adoration. I smiled back at him.
We sat down and they both dug right in. I just sat and watched for a minute. Wednesdays could very well be my favorite. I loved seeing how well Embry and Charlie got along. Charlie may not know it, but he was sitting next to his future son-in-law. I knew thinking like that was getting a head of my self. We've only been together for few months and Embry still had two years of high school left after this one. But you couldn't fight fate, and I wasn't planning on trying to.
"So Bella, I was talking with Rick down at the station. He said his son Robbie just got his acceptance letter to Washington State yesterday." Uh-oh. I knew where this was going. I had been so good at dodging this conversation, with both Charlie and Embry, even once with Jake. But I was stuck now. The way they both held smirks on their faces and shared a look after the comment was made, I had a feeling this was an ambush. A much planned ambush at that. Well, at least this showed they could work well together. I continued to sit there, waiting for the question. I didn't have to wait long. "So what are your plans for next year, Bella?" I could feel that Embry's legs were bouncing up and down anxiously and he was biting his lip. I took a deep breathe.
"Well I am not 100% sure, Charlie. I mean, I kind of missed a lot of the deadlines. So, I was thinking of maybe going to Peninsula College for the first year, if not the first two. I could get my A.A. and decide things from there." Embry let out a long breathe I wasn't aware he was holding. Charlie looked pleased. I guess he thought maybe I had given up on college all together.
"Sounds good, Bells. Then me and the kid won't have to starve or eat take out on Wednesdays. You being close and all. I mean you don't have to live here, if you wanted to live in Port Angeles." I guess Embry had not thought I would possible live in Port Angeles, because quickly he looked anxious again. "But I certainly wouldn't mind you living here, and that way you could save yourself a lot of money in rent. I know you would be paying more in gas, but I still think that-" I couldn't take the rambling anymore. And I knew Embry was about to combust with worries next to me. So I cut Charlie off.
"Dad. I would love to continue living here as long as you let me." I looked over at Embry. "This is my home. I am not going anywhere unless deemed necessary." Embry's face lit up.
"I'm gladm Bella. I mean I know you need to get your education and all, but I don't think I could survive you going all the way across the state to WSU. It's too far." I grabbed his hand.
"I couldn't stand to be that far away either, Embry." We were looking into one another's eyes when Charlie decided to break the silence. He cleared his throat.
"So what is for dessert, Bells?"
"Oh, key lime pie. I just have to put the whipped topping on."
"I see. That wouldn't happen to be Embry's favorite would it?"
"Come onm Charlie. You get Bella's cooking a lot more than I do. We had pork chops for dinner and we all know that's your favorite. So it's only fair I get my favorite, too."
"I guess you're right, son." Charlie then had a pensive look on his face. "Kind of funny us both getting our favorites on the same night though." Uh-oh. Again.
"I think you're on to something there, Charlie. Bella, dear, is there something we should know about." I turn around holding both of their pieces of pie. I set them down and grab mine and sat back in my seat, still not looking at either of them.
"Well, there was one thing I wanted to mention. But it's not a big deal. Just some plans with Angela."
"And what would those be?" Of course Embry would be the leader in this questioning.
"You see, Angela and I were talking last night and she said she wanted to get a new bathing suit for Spring Break. I thought it was a good idea. I could use some new things as well. And I have this Saturday off. So…well…Angela and I are going toSeattleonSaturday." I kind of rushed through the last part.
"Can't you just go to Port Angeles? It's closer and much safer." I couldn't help but snort. Safer. If only Charlie knew what almost happened there last year. "I think that would be best."
"I agree with Charlie. Not to bring up a bad subject, but Bella you have a tendency to find trouble, so it would be best that you stayed closer to Forks."
"I can make a one day shopping trip to Seattle without incident thank you very much. And for your information Charlie, just as many bad things can happen in a small town as they can in a big city. I lived in Phoenix without incident for most of my life." I was hoping Charlie wouldn't think that Phoenix was were I 'tripped' and landed myself in the hospital. "And also we can't go to Port Angeles. That's were everyone from school goes. And last year there was a big fiasco because Angela had the same bikini as Lauren and of course Lauren had a fit. So Angela really wants to go to Seattle to avoid another disaster like that again this year. Not that she minds the matching part, just the whining and drama queen that is Lauren part. Plus I really want to go to a book store that actually has a good selection, and Port Angeles just does not meet my requirements as a book store." They both sat quiet for a few moments staring at one another. Then suddenly at the same time they both slightly nodded.
"Okay. You may go,Bella. But I want you home by dark okay?"
"Thanks ,Dad."
"And Angela has a cell phone right?"
"Yeah Embry, she does." I didn't know where this was going.
"Good. Just give me that number so I can reach you if needed."
"Okay, Dad."
"I'm serious, Bella. You never know when there's trouble. What if something happens, then neither Charlie nor I have a way of contacting you."
"He's right, Bells. You should leave that number with me as well."
"Ugh! You two are ridiculous. It's like ya'll get together and plot against me."
"Bella, your Dad and I just really care about you and want to keep you safe. There's nothing wrong with that. And in you case it is a full time job, so we have to split it up."
"Fine. Leave the dishes and I'll do them after Embry and I finish studying and working on his paper."
"That's alright, Bella, I'll do them tonight. You two go work, I'll handle kitchen clean up."
"Thanks, Dad."
"Thanks, Charlie." Embry looked too smug. That looked needed to be wiped off.
"Let's get to work, big boy."
The rest of the week flew by and Angela and I were shopping for our new suits in Seattle.
"What about this one, Bella?"
"I don't know, Angela. I'm not really a hot pink kind of girl. I usually go with more nature colors; you know blue, green, browns."
"You should shake it up a little this year. I bet Embry would be shocked."
"I bet he would. Maybe a red then. Is that color shake worthy?"
"Hmm. I think that just might do it. Oh, look at that one hanging up. That's perfect for you Bella. Not too much skin, but still more than I think you would normally go for."
"What is this, Bella make over trip?"
"No. Kind of. But I mean, you are almost like a different person. I mean with Edward, you were… I don't know what, but then after he left you were like a zombie. And now you are full of life again, maybe even more than when Edward was here. Embry has really done a number on your heart Bella Swan. I just think a few new things to your wardrobe would show that change."
"I guess you right. He has definitely changed me. I do feel alive again. I want to live life to the fullest with Embry around, but at the same time I am perfectly content sitting on the couch watching television with him. Does that make sense?"
"Yep perfectly. He really is your soul mate, isn't he? I mean you complement each other really well."
"You have no idea." I laughed internally. "I couldn't imagine life without him. I know the first part of college won't be bad. But I'm not sure what to do after I finish at Peninsula. I want to go into teaching. English preferably. But I don't know how I will be away from him for 2 years."
"Well, he'll graduate in two years, so maybe he can go with you. I am sure that boy will follow you to the ends of the Earth, Bella."
"He would if he could, but he can't. He has too much…responsibility in La Push. He can't leave for that long."
"What could a 16 year old boy be so responsible for?"
"It's complicated. Family related stuff."
"So, you actually plan on coming back here then, well to go to La Push after college is done."
"Yep. Embry's there, so that's where I will be too. And the reservation could always use a teacher or two. Or I could even teach in Forks. Why don't you want to stay in Forks?"
"Well yeah, but I just didn't think you would. I thought you would want to move some where warmer and dryer."
"That's why I have my personal space heater." I said it more to myself than to Angela.
"Your what?"
"Nothing. Which one are you thinking about?"
"I think I want to go with this one." I was shocked. It was an ity bity teeny tiny black triangle top bikini. That wasn't even the most shocking part. The top had a skull on each side. I burst out laughing. "Why is that funny?" I thought she was kidding until I saw the sad look in her eyes.
"Oh. You were serious. I mean, it does definitely shake, that's for sure. Why something so…edgy though?"
"Well, I didn't mention this before, because I didn't want to dampen our outing, but well…Benbrokeupwithmelastnight."
"What?! Why?"
"He said school was ending shortly and he needed to focus, plus it was inevitable seeing as were going to different schools. So I decided to change up my look a little. Try some things out. That way when I go to Peninsula next year I can be a new Angela. Hardly anyone will know me, so I can be anyone I want to be. Might as well take advantage of that right?"
"Well I really don't think you need to be a new Angela. I like this one just fine."
"I guess. I still want this one though. I think it will be funny to see everyone's faces seeing me in it. I'll get a regular one too. This one will just be for that one time fun."
"Okay." So we tried on the suits and then paid for our purchases and headed to the book store.
"Bella, I found a book, I am going to go a head and pay and sit in the coffee shop next store, take you time though. Not every weekend we get to come to Seattle."
"Thanks, Angela. I won't be too long." She walked towards the front and I continued to browse the fiction section. After another 20 minutes I was set on my selection. I made my way to the check out line. There was one man in black standing in front of me waiting. I was reading the description again on the back of one of the novels when I was being grabbed forcibly. I look up to see a gun in my face. I was too shocked to scream.
"Everyone on the ground! Hands behind your heads. You, behind the register, give me every dollar you have in the cash register and no one gets hurt." I looked to see that the door was being blocked by another man in black. I was never going to question Charlie and Embry's protectiveness again. They were right, I was wrong. I could admit that now. I just didn't know how so many crazy things both supernatural and non-supernatural things could happen to one person. I was really starting to feel as if I had a sign that said 'please try and harm me in any way possible' floating above my head for all to see. The clerk was putting the money in a shopping bag as fast as her shaking hands allowed.
"Faster!" The man shouted at her. Then she handed him the bag. He looked at while still keeping a hold on me. "That's it?! You have to have more in there. Hand it over or I shoot the girl."
"That's all we have, I swear." He looked over at the other man.
"Everyone pull out their wallets and put it and any jewelry in a pile next to them." The man holding me threw me to the ground. "You gather it all up and put in this bag. And do it fast." As I was about to do it I heard shuffling at the front door. "What the hell is going on over there? Tim?" I looked over there was a man fighting with the man that was guarding the door. "You over by the door stand up now or I shoot the girl. One…Two…" God this was it. I survived two different vampire attacks to be killed by some common human criminal. I closed my eyes tight. "Three." I heard the shot, felt my body slam against something hard and then I saw darkness.
A/N: What will happen? We shall see! Remember to check out the poll on my page. If you want say in who Jacob imprints on, here's your chance. The poll ends Wednesday. Also don't expect another update until Friday or Saturday. I have a very full week ahead of me. And don't forget to REVIEW and tell what you think.