Ch 12 Cryptic Promise

As the night went on, Embry offered Alice and me a beer. Alice kindly refused because she had to drive me and herself home—plus Esme would kill her but I grabbed one, sipping on it from time to time as I watched everyone joke around with each other like a huge family.

"You guys seem so close," I said as Paul wrestled with Embry due to the many beers they drank. Jacob turned, taking a drag from his Heineken and grinned at them.
"We all basically grew up together."

"Really?" Alice asked in amazement that so many people could be so close. He nodded.

"Yeah, it's been like this for decades." He whispered into the fire as it cracked and I took another small sip from the beer, feeling a story coming on. Alice felt it as well because she scooted closer to me, nearly pushing me off the log. "Long ago, we lived with everyone before our reservation was made. We lived with everyone else and carried on with our lives until one day people discriminated us for being different, of different descents. Our elders believed that we descended from wolves," He rolled his eyes shortly before continuing. "I think that's old people imagination, but that belief got them looked down upon as crazy. People criticized and some even attacked others. Our people couldn't retaliate so they decided to move away from everyone and start their own lives amongst people they knew wouldn't hurt them—which was each other." Alice placed her chin on my shoulder intrigued by Jacob's story. "They lived away for years, staying away from others, until finally one day the people that once judged them, apologized to them for their rude actions saying that their beliefs shouldn't have caused such a riot.

"Obviously, we weren't too sure of their intentions but we forgave them. We could've lived with them again but we preferred to live amongst each other, now used to it and to guard ourselves. More years passed by and the incident was completely forgiven, we could go to their town and not have to worry about being harassed. Things did change and although we didn't forget we were happy with the change. We were raised to love each other as brother and sister since birth, to stay a close family because we are probably the only people who wouldn't turn on each other." His voice whispered against the noise in the background. "I know you probably think that all this is stupid especially the whole wolf thing—trust me, I don't even really believe that part, but that's why we live on our own reservation. It doesn't mean we can't go to your town because we obviously can, we just prefer to remain within ourselves."
Alice blinked as did I, absorbing all that Jacob had told me. Of course certain parts did sound somewhat silly, but it doesn't mean I don't believe him.

"I don't think you're crazy. That's an amazing story—you guys are right. I guess being with each other you know you won't ever turn on each other." He smiled, nodding and patted my hand on my lap, laughing as Paul pinned Embry underneath him. I smiled as well, feeling happy and enjoying my night out with my two friends.

"We'll see you later, Jake." Alice waved him off as she helped me into the car. I was feeling a tad bit light-headed and I'm guessing it had to do with the rest of the beers I had. I enjoyed the night a little too much, I wasn't drunk or tipsy maybe just a little buzzed. Alice sat in the driver's seat laughing at me. "Let's hope Charlie doesn't get mad that you had two or three beers."

I blew my lips together, sounding like an airplane. "Me either, I hope he kind of lets it slide, at least this once." I crossed my fingers as she pulled up in front of my house. She turned to me and smiled.

"Do you want me to go with you?" I shook my head, feeling it bob from side to side.

"No, it's okay. I'll call you tomorrow." I answered, seeing it was eleven o'clock. "Tell Carlisle and Esme thank you for letting you come and I'm sorry I kept you so long." She rolled her eyes but agreed.

"Okay, go eat something, you haven't eaten all night. Go to bed and call me in the morning." I got out of the car and walked through the front door seeing Charlie, sitting half asleep on the recliner. I smiled at my father and he jolted awake.
"Whoa, wha—" He saw me and relaxed. "Hey kiddo," He greeted coming up to me before stopping short, analyzing me through scrutinizing eyes taking a whiff of me. I closed my eyes, not expecting his reaction when he suddenly shook his head. "You drank." He didn't question it, he stated it—almost an accusation and I nodded, biting my lip.

"I'm sorry, dad, Jake—" he cut me off midway, putting his hand up.

"Stop." He ordered firmly. "You know how I feel about alcohol Bella, I'm not saying you can't ever drink, but you're underage do you understand that? You didn't even ask or let me know, you did it without consulting me. Did you forget I'm the chief of this town?" He questioned and I looked down at my feet, shuffling my weight onto the non-injured one.

"No, I didn't."

"Then why would you do it?"

"I was with Jake, and well most of them are legal to drink so when they offered I thought I'd have a sip." I confessed in a small voice.

"But you smell more than just a sip." He countered. "How much?"

I squirmed uncomfortable with my father scolding at me. "Maybe three, but no more than four," His eyes hardened, realizing I wasn't talking about sips anymore.

"Did Alice drink?"

I shook my head vigorously. "No! Not at all, she knew she was going to drive home so she declined every time. She didn't even take a sip." I defended her, because I didn't want Charlie thinking bad of her or thinking she was a bad influence.

He seemed to relax somewhat knowing that the driver was sober tonight. "I'm glad. Those are the most frequent accidents—the drunk driver." I remained silent, taking my father's disappointment because I knew I did wrong. He suddenly sighed shaking his head, opening his arms towards me. I slowly walked into them before he embraced me and I wrapped my arms around him.
"I'm sorry, dad." I whispered.

"Listen, Bella, I just don't want alcohol to have any effect on you the way it did on me." He pulled back to gaze into my eyes. "I know you're different from me—that you're stronger, but you're my kid. This is the first time I'm making the decisions for myself for you after so long, I don't want to mess up." He admitted and I realized that my father was nervous of failing. He hasn't been a father to me in the longest due to my parents separation and his addiction to alcohol, and now that he has the chance to make up for it he's nervous he'll fail with me the way his marriage failed. I felt guilty for making my dad worry and I knew I had to change.

"I'm sorry dad; you're not going to mess up. I promise. I won't do this again." He nodded and went back to hugging me.

"Don't think Jake won't get a hearing of me." He murmured as we just stayed there for a while, just hugging each other for what seemed like hours before he pulled back and let me go upstairs. I stumbled slightly, careful to put all my weight onto my not sprained ankle as I stripped down and freshened up, recalling Jacob's story.

Jacob said the people changed their view and attitude towards his people. Could people change? They seemed to believe so. I finished brushing my teeth and stared at myself in the mirror, remembering hearing Edward on the phone with Tanya and his kiss with Jane. How many times has he slept with women since I've been here? I doubt people can change, especially certain people. I splashed some cool water onto my face and laid down on my bed, letting my exhaustion take over me.

Edward's POV

"Why are you pacing back and forth, man?" Emmett asked from the living room couch. I merely shook my head.

"Waiting for Alice," I answered and Jasper scowled.

"That makes two of us." Emmett and Jasper were leaving after Alice came since Jasper never slept over at my house due to his relationship with my sister. I was anxious to talk to Alice, to see how her and Bella's night went. I heard wheels against the pavement and I knew it was Alice. The front door opened and Alice looked up surprised to see us all surrounded in the living room.

"Hi, guys." She waved, walking over and kissing Jasper who pulled her onto his lap.

"How'd the night go, darlin'?" He asked and she started giggling hysterically making me worry.

"It was so much fun! Bella and I had fun, Jacob and his friends are really nice. I had to drive Bella home and make sure she went inside safely because she was a little buzzed." She continued giggling but I stopped pacing, looking at her with disbelief.

"You let her drink?" I asked and she shrugged.

"Jacob offered her and she accepted. She had a couple, but I made sure she didn't get drunk. She was having fun." I growled at the thought of Jacob offering Bella liquor, I didn't like it. Bella didn't seem like the type of girl to drink.

"Did you drink?" Jasper asked her worried she'd driven home with alcohol in her system.

"Nope, I'm good. I had nothing." She pinky promised him and he smiled, relieved.

"Why did you let her drink?"

She turned to me, losing her patience at my constant nagging. "Because she wanted to! What was I supposed to do, say no? She's a big girl I made sure she didn't get drunk."

"Alice, Chief Swan is probably upset." I argued and she sighed, knowing I was right.

"I know, but she wanted to. She said she'd call me tomorrow and let me know what happened." Emmett snickered.

"I can only imagine Bella drunk, that'd be one hell of a night!" I gave him a death glare and walked slowly over to him, before he put his hands up. "Whoa, whoa kitten, you're taking it out of context. That's not what I meant." Alice rolled her eyes proceeding to play with Jasper's blonde hair that was flopping over his forehead.

"Alice," I called as she hummed a mindless tune.

"Hm?"

"I—need your help." I closed my eyes briefly and the humming ceased. I risked a look at her and she was smiling, knowing what I was going to ask. "I've made my decision."

"And?" She sang her smile still in place.

"I like Bella. I'm willing to give it a try with her." I said in a rush and she suddenly beamed brightly, her face looking like it might split in two from happiness. She jumped off a surprised Jasper's lap and hugged me, her little legs dangling in the air.

"I'm so glad you decided to stop being a moron!" She exclaimed and I chuckled.

"What the hell? Why didn't you tell us?" Emmett boomed in mock offense. I shrugged.

"Alice said to go to her first." Alice stuck her tongue out at him before turning back to me. "I need your help. I know what she thinks of me." Player, asshole, insensitive, inconsiderate, man whore, etc., etc. the list can go on and on. Alice grimaced, agreeing with me.
"Yes, she does. With your phone call with Tanya you made her change her opinion of you back to what she thought when she first met you when she arrived." I groaned.

"I'm a moron." Emmett scoffed.

"Yes, but it doesn't mean it can't be fixed." She stated. "Listen," She cradled my face speaking directly into my eyes. "Bella likes you. No she hasn't told me but I know. Trust me on this, I know. She's had a…difficult time before she came back to Forks, to get her isn't going to be easy, I'll tell you that much, but like I said before it'll be worth it. She's a great girl with an amazing heart—you just have to be able to understand her and vice versa. You can't get her the way you'd pick up any other girl, this time you have to try something new—different. You have to court her, give her time to warm up to you and you'll be together." She said, smiling and for some reason those words made me happy. "You're giving up fucking every girl?" She asked suddenly and I nodded, I'm taking the risk. "Good. That's a start. I know the outcome of this, I wish you luck." She kissed my cheek, standing back next to Jasper. Alice had given me hope that I could do this, she said Bella likes me, but I have to show her that I'm not going to be the same man whore I was.

Alice's POV

Edward pulled up in front of Bella's house seeing Charlie's cruiser gone. He immediately got worried, thinking Bella wasn't here. "She's here, I called her before." I rolled my eyes and got out with him following behind me. Edward hadn't seen Bella in a couple of days and sort of went back on his word to care for her so he felt guilty coming now that she was pretty much in perfect condition. I rang the doorbell twice and I felt his preparation for her reaction to his visitation.

The door unlocked and opened revealing a sweat pants Bella. Her hair was in a bun, she had on a tank top and a pair of blue sweats that fit her loosely. Her face was fresh and registered shock as her eyes gazed at Edward. I grinned, bingo! She wasn't expecting this surprise.
"Hi chica!" I kissed her cheek and she cleared her throat.
"Hey Al," Her eyes flew to Edward again and he smiled down at her with a wary expression. He was bracing himself for her to kick him out. Ridiculous.

"Hello, Bella." He whispered from behind me and Bella looked momentarily stunned, at loss for words. I wanted to roll my eyes at her, but instead I just gave her a few seconds to return to reality.
"H-hi," She muttered. "What are you doing here?" She asked brusquely, narrowing her eyes slightly seeing his presence, but Edward kept his smile in place.

"I know I didn't come when I said I would. I was doing something important." He answered and she gave him a sarcastic look, clicking her tongue.
"Mhm, I bet so." Well obviously she doesn't believe you, even though, you're actually telling the truth this time. She looked over him, turning around and walking in, letting us inside. I turned to see Edward frown at her answer. I nudged his shoulder and smiled, encouraging him. Don't let it get to you. He nodded and stood straight as he walked after her.

Bella asked us if we wanted anything and we both declined so she invited us to sit and watch tv with her—watching the movie Romeo and Juliet, the 1968 version of course. She hated every other version after that saying they were even more inaccurate then the one before. Edward sat by the armrest of the couch, next to her as he took in her taste in movies.

"Lover of the classics?" He questioned and she nodded, not removing her attention from the movie. "You don't see that often," Edward mumbled under his breath. He himself was a lover of classic stuff as weird as that sounded and very few people shared his interest.

"Bella likes a lot of classical stuff, since I've known her." Bella blushed trying hard not to look at me and shut me up, causing me to smile. Edward's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"I didn't know that."

"You were never around to know," Bella answered, placing her feet on the couch and Edward sighed.

The rest of the movie finished and Bella got all depressed at the end like she always did, because they died. It happened every time she watched this movie; you'd think she'd get over it by now that they die in the end. Edward and Bella barely spoke to each other and it was starting to frustrate me, I had to leave them alone.

Hm… "I'll be right back!" I announced jumping up and walking towards the front door.

"Where are you going?" Bella asked her voice strained as she shot a panicked look in Edward's direction. "I have to call Rose, don't worry Edward will be here if you need anything." I threw her a quick kiss and shut the front door, dialing Rose's number. Hope you're ready to talk for a while Rose, because they're going to be in there a while.

Edward's POV

Bella's mouth was dropped open as she gazed at the door Alice had just exited from to 'call' Rose. I'd have to thank her for that. Bella didn't want to talk to me and I had to find a way to fix things. She shook her head and stood up, shutting the tv off.

"Wait," I called after her and she stopped in her tracks.

"Yes?"

"Can we talk?"

"If it's another apology I'd rather you save it." She replied her voice holding no emotion.

"Just hear me out." Her shoulders slumped and she turned back to sit across from me, her big brown eyes on me. "I can imagine what you're thinking I did when I left Thursday from your house." Her face remained impassive. "It's not what you think. I couldn't come because I really was doing something important, but it had nothing to do with Tanya or anyone. It had to do with something that could change my life just a little." I looked up from the floor and saw Bella's face held confusion. "I needed to get away. Yes, I know I went back on my word on taking care of you, it was just something that couldn't wait any longer." There was silence around us before she decided to speak.

"What did you need to do?" She asked.

"I'll tell you if and when it happens." I promised smiling brightly at her while she watched me with suspicious eyes. "If you want, I'll take care of you again."

She shook her head. "My ankle's fine, thank you." I wanted to huff in frustration at her stubbornness. "If it happens are you sure you'll tell me?" She questioned slowly not believing me and I grinned at her words 'if it happens.'

"Yes, without a doubt." She seemed thoughtful but shrugged.

"Okay," The tension in the room seemed to slowly disappear from the area and a smile was placed on Bella's face.

"How about we try and start fresh, starting now." I proposed and she thought about it for a couple of seconds, then deciding that it was a good idea.

"That's a good idea." We started out with small conversations but soon enough ended up laughing when Alice entered, putting her phone away, throwing a quick smile in my direction.

"I'll see you guys later!" Bella waved us off by the front door happily as Alice and I drove back home, seeing Carlisle and Esme were finally home from work. When we walked in the smell of spices and meat filled the air and Esme's humming was heard. She was cutting some vegetables for dinner, humming and dancing softly as Carlisle watched her from over the rim of his glasses, smiling affectionately at her. They looked like a teenage couple who fell in love for the first time. Alice raced over and wrapped her arms around Carlisle's neck, hugging him.

"Oh," Esme combed her hair back, looking down embarrassed being caught off guard. I walked over and kissed her cheek. "You're back kids, how was your day?"

"It was fun. We were at Bella's." Alice answered, taking a sip from Carlisle's shake.

"That girl is such a dear, I'm so glad she's back. She was taken away so terribly." Esme grimaced, lowering her eyes. I recalled back to the time when we were all younger and Alice had long hair, crying hysterically that her best friend was leaving. My memory was vague; I just remembered when she came to say her goodbyes and the endless tears and sobs that were heard throughout the house for months from Alice.

"Don't remind me, I wish I could've been with her." Alice whispered. "But she's back and that's all that matters now!"

Esme nodded and smiled. "Are you both ready for college?" We nodded, college wasn't anything out of the ordinary—maybe just the whole living away from home experience would be different. "Time flies, Carlisle." She sighed and he walked over, kissing her forehead.
"Yes, my love. But we've raised them well. Now it's their turn." Esme placed her hand on top of his and I felt like their stares were looking into both Alice's and my future and quite frankly, it was kind of creepy.

"Okay…" Alice started walking away and they laughed at our reactions. "Awkward."