Summary - "Bella is an average girl, struggling with her homosexuality and her life at home. Can the love of not one, but three vampires help show her that she shouldn't be afraid? A/B/R/V".
Author's Notes – Inspired by my dear friend Hollowgo.
Rating - Older Teen to Mature
By: WDG and Lash_Larue
The Garden of Four - Chapter Fourteen – This is Real
"Morning dad," Bella greeted when Charlie entered the kitchen. "Your eggs are just about ready, have a seat and I'll bring you some coffee."
"Thanks Bells, you spoil me. I don't know how I got along all those years without you." Charlie took his seat at the table, smiling his crinkly-eyed best when Bella handed him the cup. A couple minutes later she brought him his plate of bacon and eggs, and a couple pieces of toast on the side. "Looks great! Aren't you gonna eat?"
"I ate earlier, I was pretty hungry when I woke up," she explained. Hungry, yeah, I suppose scarfing down a dozen eggs and a pound of ham qualifies as hungry. I sure hope that slacks off soon…
"Well, as long as you're eating," Charlie allowed, "it's not good for a growing girl to skip meals."
And Bella really was growing, she was also very grateful to Carlisle for giving Charlie an acceptable explanation for how an 18 year old could go from 5'2" to 5'10" in a couple months. Of course her schoolmates had noticed, but Bella had just told them that late growth spurts were common on her mother's side of the family. Nobody in Forks who had known her mother recalled that, but it seemed a good enough answer, and they all had their own problems to worry about.
"Could you come out to the Cullen's house a little early this Sunday, Dad?" she asked as casually as she could. "Carlisle has some doctor stuff to talk with you about before the pre-game show starts." Charlie put his paper down and looked keenly at his daughter.
"Is something wrong? I mean, we knew you were going to grow, but is this something different?"
Different? You might say that, she thought, but what she said was, "No, not really wrong, I think he just wants to keep you up to date on things. He knows you worry about me."
"Oh. Okay then, sure. You tell Emmett I'm gonna win my money back from the last game. I've got inside information."
"Sure dad, I'll tell him. 10:30 should be early enough." But you don't have the inside information that Emmett does, Alice shouldn't tell him the scores, that's just not fair. I'll talk to her about it.
"Are you and Alice going shopping again today?"
"No, I think I can get another week out the last set of clothes. This growing stuff is a real pain. Like I wasn't already enough of a freak," she said, just a little bitterly.
"None of that, Bells. You're not a freak, and I think you look great! Nothing wrong with a girl being tall. Heck I haven't seen you trip over your own feet in weeks, you move like a big cat or something. That has to be a nice change," he encouraged.
Not a cat, Charlie. But you're on the right track.
"I won't argue there," she told him, "I don't even get picked last in gym anymore."
She didn't. Everybody wanted Bella on their team now, especially since they had kind of a tournament going in basketball. Bella had to constantly restrain herself during the games. People might wonder if she took off from the foul line and dunked over everybody. But she didn't have to hold back at the Cullen's. She'd nearly taken Emmett one-on-one last time. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Come on in, Alice," yelled Charlie.
"How did you know it was me?" Alice asked as she joined them in the kitchen.
"Please," Charlie said, shaking his head. "Now come over here and give me a hug, munchkin." Alice did, and Charlie playfully ruffled her hair. Charlie really loved Alice, it seemed to make him happy just to be near her, and Bella was very thankful for that. It made things so much easier.
"Oh, Bells, I forgot to tell you that your Mom called. She wants to come out and visit next month," Charlie said. Bella froze in the act of washing the frying pan, and the handle cracked in her grip.
"I don't want her to, dad," Bella said hoarsely.
"Look Bella, I know you two were mad at each other when you left, but she's still your mom," Charlie began.
"Can we please talk about this later? And privately?" Bella pleaded. Charlie cut his eyes over at Alice, and he was surprised at the angry expression on her face.
"Sure," he agreed, shrugging as calmly as he could. "No hurry. Just think about it, that's all I ask. We'll talk about it later."
"Thanks dad, it's just that so much is happening, and…" she trailed off.
"I understand, kid," he said softly, "and I'm sorry. I should have known that might upset you. Alice, I apologize for bringing this up in front of you."
"That's okay Charlie. Bella and I don't keep secrets from each other." That was perfectly true, and Bella was really looking forward to tomorrow, when she could stop keeping secrets from Charlie, but she was more than a little nervous about it, even though Alice had told her that Charlie would handle things pretty well. That seemed like an awful lot to hope for as far as Bella was concerned.
"Great breakfast, honey, thanks. I'd better get to the office and make sure things are covered for tomorrow. Alice, I'll see you tomorrow morning unless there's a crime wave. And before you ask, Bells, its fine if you want to sleep over at the Cullen's tonight. I guess you'll be all wired up tomorrow night; you might as well have fun tonight. See you, kids," Charlie grabbed his jacket and left.
"Really Bella, he'll be fine," Alice soothed.
"Maybe, but this pan is history," she replied, showing Alice the shattered plastic handle.
"You'll be crushing marble eggs to dust in no time. Meanwhile you might want to switch to cast iron. You'll be able to break that too, but it might slow you down a little."
"Real funny, shorty," Bella said with a grin. She just couldn't stay upset around Alice.
"Shorty, huh? Want to arm wrestle?"
"Not on Charlie's table I don't. Besides, I know I can't beat you. Yet."
"Come on, we'll ditch that pan in a trash can at the mall and get one that's a little more wolf-resistant," Alice teased.
"You really don't mind the whole Lycan thing, Alice? I mean, wolves and vamps aren't exactly buddies…"
"It's still you, Bella, and you aren't a regular Lycan. But even if you were I'd still love you. You're my Bella, my mate. Nothing can change that. Not ever, got it?" Bella's eyes filled up.
"Got it. Now hop up here and give me a kiss." Bella held her arms wide, and Alice jumped into them, wrapping her legs around Bella's waist the way they both enjoyed. She stared into Bella's eyes for a moment before gently kissing her. Bella was all for keeping the kiss going, but Alice wriggled free.
"Let's not start something we can't finish right now," Alice told her. Bella stuck her lower lip out. "I want you too, Bella, but we decided to do it right the first time, remember? And Charlie's kitchen isn't the right place. Not for the first time, anyway," she said with a mischievous grin.
"When will be the right time? Where will be the right place?" Bella asked.
"I already know the right place, my love, and I've seen the right time, but I don't want to spoil it by telling. You need to trust me on this, okay? And we need to be really careful until after you get accustomed to your transformations. I don't say I won't kiss you as a wolf, but I think you changing while we are making love for the first time might kill the mood a little," she explained.
"Oh. Yeah. Good point. I nearly changed at the meeting, I think that surprised everybody," Bella recalled.
"It did. Lycans can't change at will, not like the Quileute shifters can, they only transform at the moon times. At least none of them before you could. Carlisle thinks that you can perhaps learn to control it, especially after the way you managed to stop it at the meeting. But meanwhile we need to keep you from getting too excited, either the bad kind, or the good kind, or the really good kind."
"Yeah, that's why mom coming would be a bad idea," Bella told her.
"I don't think that will be a problem after tomorrow night. Come on, we need to get Charlie some new pans, and then Rosalie wants to do your hair."
"You know," Bella said cautiously, "sometimes I think – I think – well, sometimes I think Rose and Vic kind of like me, and not just as a friend." Bella blushed, and Alice smiled at the sight.
"They do," Alice confirmed, "and you don't just think it, you know it. You senses have improved enough by now for you to tell. It might be easier if their hearts beat, but you can see the change in their eyes, smell the change in their scent when you're near them. And we can see the same changes in you when they are near you."
"Alice! I'd never-"Alice cut her off.
"I know. There is nothing wrong with you being attracted to them, Bella. They both care for you; it's natural that you would return the feelings. Things like that are a little different when you're an immortal, Bella, although the feelings among the four of us are unusual even for us. But you and I come first. Anything else is for later, and only if we both want it, okay? So let's drop this for now, this might be both the good kind and the bad kind of excitement."
The feelings roaring through Bella as she listened to Alice's explanation convinced her that Alice was right. That, whatever 'that' turned out to be, was for later.
The mall was fun, even though Alice had insisted on buying a huge Mariners jersey for Bella, as well as a sports bra that could easily double as a swimsuit top. Alice had that look on her face that Bella now knew meant that she was acting on a vision, so she asked no questions. Having a clairvoyant girlfriend took patience sometimes. But Alice was worth it.
Emmett was waiting on the porch when they drove up, basketball in his hand.
"Ready for another game, pup?" he asked with a grin.
"Bring it on, leech boy," Bella shot back, and they ran around the house to the court while Alice carried in Bella's overnight case.
"Hi, Alice, think Bella will take him this time?" Victoria greeted her. Alice closed her eyes for a minute.
"No, Emmett will win by two baskets, but Bella is going to get a wicked dunk," she answered.
"This I've got to see," Victoria said as she headed for the back door.
"Need any help?" Rosalie asked Alice.
"Nah, just one bag. Where is everyone?"
"Hunting, except for Esme, she's in the kitchen of course. Emmett, Esme, and Vic and I went this morning, and you should go yourself before tomorrow night. We need all the strength we can get, just in case," Rose reminded her.
"You're right. I'll go out tonight after Bella falls asleep. She sleeps like a log, she won't notice."
"She'll quit that after she stops growing. She's going through a lot right now," Rose said.
"Yes she is, and she's handling things amazingly well."
"In your FACE, Emmett!" they heard Bella shout.
"Especially a basketball, apparently," Alice added.
"It's good for Emmett to have some competition at his own level. Edward is faster than he is, and Jasper can sometimes outthink him, but Bella just takes him to the hoop. She's getting really strong." Alice nodded. "She's also getting more beautiful every day, but I guess you've noticed that, huh?"
"Yes. I appreciate you and Vic being patient about things," Alice told her.
"I won't say it's easy, but it's the right thing to do. Besides, we've got time now. Alice – Vic and I, we really do love you, and we love Bella. This is a different sort of relationship, even for immortals, and we know that. We aren't going to push either one of you. We care too much for you to do that."
"Thank you Rosalie, that really means a lot to us. And it will work out for all of us; I've already talked with Bella a little bit about it. We just need time," Alice explained.
"I know, and you'll get it, but if you don't make love with Bella soon she's going to explode. That is one tightly wound, dead-sexy girl you have there. Have you seen her stomach? Vic and I had to take off into the woods last week after watching her play ball. How do you stand it?" Alice shrugged.
"Her well-being is the most important thing to me. I'll do, or not do, whatever is best for her."
"That's game, pup!" Emmett crowed.
"At least he doesn't call her "bitch"," Rosalie commented.
"He's not that dumb. In a few months Bella will be able to go toe-to-toe with him. Even in her human form."
"Yes she will. Do you want to go play with them?" Rose asked.
"Heck yeah, Bella and I will clean your clock!"
They did not exactly do any clock-cleaning, but Alice did manage to slip free and hit the game winner from out around half-court. Emmett looked disgusted, but he took it well enough.
"Good game, Alice, Bella," he admitted. Say, what's the score going to be in tomorrow's game, Alice? I need to get set for when Charlie comes over," he asked.
"Don't tell him Alice, it's not fair," Bella insisted.
"Of course it's not fair," Emmett said, "what's that got to do with it?"
"You know if you keep cheating he's not going to come and play with you anymore, Emmett," Rose told him.
"I was gonna let him win it all back on the last game," he insisted.
"Bella, your lunch is ready," Esme said.
"Great, I'm starved. As usual," Bella sighed.
"You heard that?" Alice asked in surprise.
"Of course I – oh…"
"The pup has sharp ears, who's a good wittle puppy?" Emmett teased as he messed up Bella's hair. Bella punched him on the shoulder. "Ow! Jeez, Bells, I was only kidding."
"Me too, leech boy," she said with a grin.
"Race you!" Emmett and Bella were gone in a flash.
"She's fun to have around," Victoria said, joining Alice and Rose. "Emmett's crazy about her, and you know how Rosie and I feel. I'm happy for you Alice, and I'm happy for the rest of us too, she really fits in here."
"Thanks, I'm glad you feel that way, I'd better get in there just in case Emmett picks on her too much about her eating." Alice whisked away, and Rosalie and Victoria followed.
"Awesome," Emmett said quietly when Bella at last put her fork down. "You're still not all that big, Bells, but I'll hand it to you, you can sure hide some groceries."
"Thanks. Speaking of that, Alice, when was the last time you hunted? Your eyes are getting kind of dark."
"I'll go tonight after you're asleep. I'll be fine," Alice promised. "Now come on. Let's go for a stroll to settle that lunch for you."
"I'm a little sleepy," Bella yawned.
"Later, come on," Alice insisted.
Bella soon forgot being sleepy as she ran through the woods with Alice. Alice showed her some of her favorite places, and Bella was happier than she could ever remember being. She even managed to forget about what was coming tomorrow, for a little while.
After showering, Bella resigned herself to being fussed over by Alice, Rosalie, and Victoria.
She really kind of enjoyed the attention, truth to tell.
"Gosh, Bella, your hair is getting thicker," Rose told her as she pulled the brush through Bella's shining, chestnut-colored mane.
"I guess that's one of the good things about becoming a werewolf. I'm not sure it's worth it though."
"You'll be fine, I told you, I've seen that," Alice reminded her.
"There, done," Rose declared, "take a look at yourself, beautiful."
Bella stood and turned to the large mirror, despite what she had feared, Rose had merely relaxed the curl in her hair and brushed it into a smooth mass that reached the middle of her back.
"The hair's not too bad," she admitted, "but I'm still a dog." Victoria cracked up.
Bella still couldn't beat Emmett at Halo, but it was close, and so he suggested that they go online as a team. After an hour or so nobody would play with them anymore.
"Chickens," Emmett scoffed as he dropped his controller.
They spent the rest of the evening watching movies and talking about anything but werewolves and vampires. Esme fixed a huge steak for Bella, and Bella was surprised to find that she loved it even though it was really rare. She guessed that was just part of the change.
She started nodding off in the middle of "Sleepless in Seattle", and Alice carried her up the stairs, which was quite a sight now that Bella was nearly a foot taller. She roused enough to visit the bathroom and put on the shorts and t-shirt that she slept in, and to collect her goodnight kiss from Alice before she crawled under the covers. Alice snuggled up against her back and Bella fell asleep almost immediately. That was part of Alice's plan, and why they all had worked Bella hard during the day, Bella usually slept heavily during this time of adjustment, but Alice wanted to make sure that she didn't get too frisky in bed the night before her first change.
Alice slipped off her shirt and buried her face in Bella's hair, enjoying the softness of Bella's hair against her skin. She held her close, and for a couple of hours she just allowed herself to enjoy the warmth and the scent of this girl that she loved, and to listen to the powerful beating of her heart that now comforted Alice rather than making her feel hungry. There were really some nice things about your mate being a werewolf, she decided. Bella didn't stir when Alice slipped out to hunt. Alice had to do something to relieve the tension that holding Bella and breathing in her scent had built up, and she didn't want to go to Rose and Victoria because she felt like she had promised herself to Bella. Besides, she really was hungry.
Leah, running her solitary patrol, heard the soft sound of Alice running into the deep forest, and the wind brought her the faint scent of vampire mingled with lycan. She felt a sharp surge of guilt, but she was relieved to no longer feel the hot flash of jealousy when she thought of Isabella Swan. She continued her patrol, and she was glad that Bella had someone that cared for her even after what had happened because of what Leah had done. She just didn't see how either of them could stand the smell.
Alice completed her hunt and was back in bed with Bella, freshly showered and fully dressed before Bella began the muttering and twitching that meant that she soon would wake. She smiled whenever Bella said her name, which was often, and when Bella turned to face her she kissed her before she was fully awake. The kiss finished waking her, of course, and Bella greeted Alice with a smile of her own. A smile that swiftly faded.
"Oh, shit," Bella moaned, "today's the day. I swear, the thought of transforming is a lot less scary than telling this stuff to Charlie. Especially the stuff about what mom did, he's gonna hit the ceiling."
"Maybe. But things will be better after he knows, it's time to get up, though. Finding out his daughter is a werewolf is enough shock for one day, it's not fair to let him see what you eat for breakfast.
Bella stuck her tongue out at Alice, and quick as a flash, Alice kissed it briefly and shoved Bella onto the floor before she could respond.
"Things are a lot more fun now that you aren't so breakable. Now hurry up."
Bella darted into the bathroom, and Alice went about dressing for the day. If she noticed the bathroom door open a tiny crack she did not mention it, nor did she give any sign that she heard Bella's heart racing as she watched Alice change. But Alice did smile a little.
Carlisle greeted Charlie at the door and escorted him to the dining room table. Bella and Esme were already there, and Bella came and gave Charlie a quick hug before he nervously took a seat.
"Tell me right upfront," Charlie began, "is Bella dying?"
"No," Carlisle promised him, "Bella is absolutely not dying, put that right out of your mind, Charlie. But there are a couple very important things that Bella wants to tell you."
Charlie let out a huge sigh. "Okay then, I can handle anything else. What did you want to tell me?"
"It's about more than just me, dad, you see – man, this is hard…" Bella began, "I have to tell you some things that are going to really upset you, dad. About me, and about mom, too."
"Just spit it out, Bells, screwing around with tough subjects doesn't make them any easier," Charlie encouraged, "whatever it is, we'll deal with it."
"Okay dad," Bella said and she stood up and turned her back to him, "don't freak, dad, I've got a top on under this," she told him as she pulled the jersey off and pulled her hair over her shoulder to expose her back.
"Holy crow, Bells, you're – I mean… have you been taking steroids or something? Don't get me wrong, you sure look like a girl, but when did you get all those muscles? Is this her body responding to the injuries, Carlisle? When you said she would grow, I thought she'd just get taller."
"It is indeed her body's response to the injuries, Charlie. I was telling you the truth when I told you that. It is the nature of the injuries that we concealed from you, and I apologize for that, but it was not my secret to tell, but Bella's. And now she is ready to tell you, because she loves you too much to let you put yourself in danger looking for an attacker that is nothing like you expect."
"The world isn't the place you've always believed, dad," Bella said, recalling how Alice had told her. "Have you got a quarter?" She did not put her shirt back on before she sat, and Charlie's eyes bulged a little at the sight of the ridged muscles of her stomach.
"Sure," answered Charlie, still not having any idea what she was getting at.
"Give it to Esme, please," Bella asked him. He did, and Esme held the quarter on edge between her thumb and forefinger, the quarter looked large in her delicate hand.
Then without any apparent effort she folded the quarter in half, shifted it in her fingers, and did it again. Charlie's chin hit his chest, and he numbly took the squashed coin back and stared at it. Then he stared at Bella.
"There really are monsters in the world, dad, they just aren't exactly like the movies and books portray them. The Cullens are every bit as nice as they seem, dad, but they aren't human, not anymore, they're vampires."
"Right. Why do I get the feeling this isn't a joke?"
"It's not a joke, Charlie," Esme promised, "it's quite true."
"But you go out in the daytime," Charlie said, clearly still struggling with the idea. He really didn't want to believe it, but he knew they were telling the truth. He recognized a lie when he heard it, and this was no lie.
"A lot of what is said about us is not true," Carlisle explained, "we have encouraged some of the myths in fact, it makes it easier for us to escape notice. Much of the way we live our lives is dedicated to remaining unknown, it's safer for all concerned."
"What about the blood drinking, turning people into vampires and things like that?"
"We do live on blood," Carlisle admitted, "my family and I do not hunt humans, only animals, but most vampires do indeed prey on humans. Many vampires are truly monsters. As for turning people into vampires, that happens too, but it is very unusual because once a vampire tastes blood, particularly human blood, it is very difficult for them to stop before the victim is dead. We have all worked very hard to overcome this. I am very proud of my family for that."
"Okay, say I believe you. I'm not sure I can believe you just yet, but say I do. So Bella, is that what you were so worried about? Did you think I'd keep you away from Alice if I found out?" he asked.
"Not exactly, but you had to know about the Cullens before I could tell you about me, about what really attacked me, and what these changes in my body are leading up to," she answered.
"So, are you a vampire too, now? Was it a vampire that attacked you?"
"No, it was something rarer than that, even," Bella swallowed. "Charlie, I'm a werewolf."
"Right, and don't call me Charlie. Give me a minute here." Charlie slid his chair back from the table and lowered his head down between his knees, breathing deeply, trying to make the dizziness that he felt pass. After a couple of minutes, it did. "Okay, so what do we do about it?"
"I'm afraid that the only thing possible is for her, and for you now, as well, to learn to live with it," Carlisle told him, "there is no cure for lycanthropy, any more than there is for vampirism."
"Right. Hell, why do I keep saying 'right', this sure doesn't feel right," Charlie said, pressing his fists to his temples.
"If – if you can't stand to be around me anymore dad, I won't blame you, I can come and stay with the Cullens," Bella whispered.
"Huh? What – oh Jesus, Bella, no! No! I'm just trying to get my head wrapped around it, is all. You have to admit that a father doesn't hear this kind of thing every day. Hell, I thought maybe you were pregnant. Do I need to get rid of all the silver? Not that there's much, just a couple picture frames, I think."
"No, Charlie, silver can't hurt Bella. In fact, after tonight it will be nearly impossible to harm her at all, by any means whatsoever. Bella is immortal now."
"I guess I forgot to mention that part," Bella admitted.
"Maybe you can fill me in a little. Do I need to put down newspapers in the kitchen?" Charlie asked. Bella rushed to him and hugged him. "Easy, Bells," he gasped.
"You're the best dad ever," Bella said as she kissed his cheek, "and no papers will be needed, I'll just go out in the yard during the full moon days."
"So the stuff about the full moon is true?"
"Yes, mostly," Carlisle confirmed. "You see, Charlie, even among werewolves, Bella is quite unusual. In fact I think that she is unique. Let me explain…"
Carlisle proceeded to explain to Charlie about the different kinds of shape shifters that really existed, and how the one that had changed Bella was the most powerful and rare of them all, a true lycan. He then explained that he thought that Bella would be able to transform at will, not just be forced to transform doing the moon times, which made her unique among those apex predators.
"That's my Bella," Charlie said as he looked at his daughter, "never was anything ordinary about her."
"Are you really okay about this, dad?" Bella asked. She was frankly amazed at how well Charlie had handled it so far.
"I don't know if 'okay', is the right word for it, Bella. I think I'd rather it hadn't happened, I guess, but it did, and you're my kid and I love you. Hell, the very worst thing that can happen to a parent is for their child to die, and it looks like I can quit worrying about that. So my daughter is a lesbian werewolf with a little extra equipment, who is in love with a tiny vampire girl. I still love you, and I love Alice, and neither of you are different than you were yesterday, it's just that I know more now. Of course, I might go home and get drunk, or I might wake up screaming a time or two, but that's just part of being a parent I guess. Like I said, we'll deal."
"There are a couple more things, dad," Bella said hesitantly.
"I figured as much, go ahead," Charlie sighed.
"Some of the people in La Push know all about me and the Cullens," Bella told him. "That is not our secret to tell, but I think that you should visit Billy and tell him straight out what you know about us."
"So there are more monsters in La Push," Charlie mused, then he looked up suddenly. "Sorry! I didn't mean that I thought –" he stopped apologizing when Carlisle, Esme, and Bella started laughing, and settled for an embarrassed grin. "This is going to take a little getting used to, I guess."
There's just one more thing," Bella said.
"Don't tell me – Martians?"
"I wish. Look at my back again, dad." Bella stood and turned, and Charlie got up and stood close behind her. His eyes wandered over her muscled back, and then his eyes narrowed, and he traced a fingertip down the scars.
"Who did this?" he asked in a voice choking with rage.
"Mom," Bella said quietly.
End Chapter Fourteen
Authors Note: Now when you do review this lovely chapter guys and girls i want you to give all the props to my partner because they did all the work on this chapter, I was out sick and they took over and keep the ball rolling, they are working on chapter 15 as I write this note, and post this chapter. Now there are some other things I would like to speak about first of all.
Be sure to look on my homepage to see my Bella and Alice Forum Board. Next is I am looking for some one that is really good at making videos because I would really like to see if I could do something for somebody and in return they could make me video. If note well at least I asked and tried to get someone.
Lastly I want yall to check out some of these Ideas for Bella's Powers.
1. Blue Fire
or
2. Talking to Animals