AN: We are gonna get a little lighter before we get darker again.
As always; review, talk to me, let me know your thoughts.
ENJOY
Disclaimer: Whats mine is mine and nothing more
Chapter Thirteen
Survivor
Mason and I celebrated the eve of our birthdays with the Cullens. We had a wonderful early dinner in the form of a special chicken roast Renesmee had been dying to try. As the booze flowed for the immortals, presents were given to Mason and me from everyone in the family. All the boy Cullens including Emmett, Jasper, Edward, Jake and William came together to buy Mason a new game system and a few games, while the girls came together and had gotten new clothes for him to wear to school. Jake took the extra mile and carved a hawk out some red wood and fashioned it to a necklace. It was a very Quileute tradition and Mason was touched by it. Carlisle and Esme gave him a check for a substantial sum of money to go toward a car or his college fund, whichever he chose. Obviously Mason was over the moon about that.
As for me, well, the girls got me more clothes but apparently that wasn't enough. They decided as a family that each member would give me a copy of their favorite book, some of them being very old. From Carlisle, a book of Moliere plays, in their first English translation. Esme gave me a second edition Anna Karenina; from Edward, original Charles Dickens poems and Bella, original Emily Dickenson poems. Jasper handed me an early publication of Don Quixote, from Alice, first edition of Pride and Prejudice. Rosalie offered the entire collection of Les Miserables; Emmett, an early publication of Taming of the Shrew; Renesmee presented a book of early Greek works including: Agamemnon, Antigone, Trojan Women, and the Oedipus trilogy; Jake gave me a newly bought copy of Dracula… he thought he was hilarious. William was the last and I had no idea what he would give me considering his collection. When he handed it to me, he said "This work has been the hardest to track down and keep in a good condition because of how much I love to read it." I looked down and could barely read the weathered gold paint on the leather bound cover. It was not a title as much as it was an owner's name. 'R.W. Emerson." William had given me an original journal of writings by Ralph Waldo Emerson, my favorite writer. I could only image how much he had to do to procure this. These things meant so much to me because it was as if each person was giving me a little piece of themselves. It was a wonderful day but I was overjoyed to get in the sedan and go home.
It was about two in the morning when we all headed out, and I mean all of us. Jake was driving the car Mason and I were in, which turned out to be a bullet proof car by the way, with Edward in the passenger seat. Two cars were ahead of us, two were behind and the Pack was also patrolling the reservation for any Volturi guardsmen. Surprisingly, everything went well. We stopped at Sam's house first to drop Mason, and to no one's surprise, Emily was waiting at the door when we pulled up. She practically ran over to the car when Mason opened the door.
"Hi Mom." Mason managed to get out before being engulfed in a violent hug from his mom
"You had me so worried kid. Don't ever do that again." She was stern on the last part
"I will sincerely try not to get kidnapped again." Mason joked trying to make his mom laugh, which he did
"Get inside and get some rest." She told him.
Mason said his goodbyes to Jake and Edward and me, waved at the other cars and went inside with his bag of birthday presents; but Emily wasn't finished yet.
"You," she pointed at me through the car window "come here." She motioned for me to step out of the car
"Emily, we really ought to be going." Jake tried to say through the open car window, but I knew Emily would have none of it.
"You will wait for me to see my girl. End of story." Emily told him seriously as I got out of the car, only to be met with the same hug Mason had just received
"Thank goodness you're home. I have been worried sick about you." She told me in the embrace
"I've missed you too Emmy. Also, sorry for keeping your son from you for so long." I apologized to her
"Oh please. I should be thanking you for dealing with him for so long." She said with a wink "Besides, it's a special bond when the old spirits help two souls find their way together again, red hawks or any other vessels." Emily raised her eyebrow and made a suggestive face while I involuntarily rolled my eyes
"You will have to talk to your son about that one, but don't get any ideas. The gods giveith, they can taketh away. I will see you later today right?" I teased her
"Yes, we will be over by three to set up, everyone else will be coming around six. So try to get some sleep. See you soon." She told me, embracing me once more and letting me get back into the car.
The drive to my house only took a few minutes, honestly walking would have been easier, but Jake and Edward were insistent that the car was safer. No one was waiting for me at the door. In fact, the lights were off in the house except for the living room. I hope that meant everyone was in there, but I had a gut feeling I was wrong. Even after we pulled into the drive way, I didn't see any movement inside. I really wanted to see my parents and I would honestly be disappointed if they were not awake when I walked in. Even Edward became suspicious when no one came to the door after a few seconds.
"Seth and Leah said they would be here. Charlie and Sue have got to be home." Jake said double checking his phone.
Just then, Seth and Leah came out of the woods, smiles on their faces. They were wearing their cut off pants, Seth didn't even have a shirt on; they must have been part of the watching party.
"Come out here kid!" Seth nearly yelled
I jumped out of the car and ran over to my brother and sister. I was once again consumed by an embrace, this one was tighter, I felt like I couldn't breathe they were holding me so tightly.
"Oh it's so good to hold you again Lizzy." Leah said as we all let go
"How bad does it look?" Seth asked, knowing about the scars
"It's not pretty that's for sure. I'll show you later. Where are Mom and Dad?" I got to the point
"They said they would stay up, but I think they may have fallen asleep. I'm sorry; I know how much you want to see them." Leah told me, putting a hand on my shoulder
I knew it. The past few days I just kept being let down. I still don't blame them. I'm just worried we will never have the relationship we had. I know they're older and it's harder for them to stay awake, but how often does your daughter nearly die, get lifesaving surgery, then when she wakes up you're not there and when she comes home, you're still not there. Maybe it was selfish of me, but I really wanted to see my parents when I got home today. To me, they are home. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little bitter about it, but I decided to play it off.
"It's fine. I'll see them tomorrow. Seth, can you help me with this duffle bag? The Cullen got me books and clothes for my birthday and it's kind of heavy." I scurried around my problems
"Of course." Seth said without hesitating
Seth didn't say anything to Jake or any of the other Cullens who had gotten out of the cars and sort of congregated around the Sedan I had been in. Leah followed me as I walked back over to my new extended family.
"Thank you guys, seriously. I literally wouldn't be here without you."
"It was out pleasure Liz. You know our door is always open for you." Carlisle told me
There were a few hugs exchanged, a few 'happy birthday's and 'see you soon's. Jake and Nessie were the last to say goodbye to me. Nessie hugged me, and Jake handed me a box.
"What is this?" I asked genuinely confused
"Quileute tradition." He told me
I opened the box to find a dream catcher with Red Hawk feathers, turquoise beading and a few diamonds weaved into place.
"It's beautiful, although I don't think diamonds are very traditional." I mused
"It is a representation of both of us: traditional Quileute with a little old money thrown in. Jake made it." Nessie beamed at her soul mate
"Thank you Jake, thanks Nessie, I love it." I told them giving them one more hug each
"Now get some sleep birthday girl and call us tomorrow if you can." Jake told me before getting in the car
"Will do." I told him with a smile back
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Leah walk up to the car Carlisle was in.
"Hey Carlisle, I just wanted to say… thank you. I know what you did for Liz and there is no way we can repay you for that." Leah told him sincerely
"Thank you Leah, from the bottom of my heart. We would do anything for Liz." Carlisle told her warmly in return
"I realize that now. We all do. Have a good night." She finished with a nod
"You as well." Carlisle returned the gesture.
I was so proud of my sister for growing from this. Maybe now more of the Pack has realized the Cullens are not all that bad and at least on some levels, could be trusted.
The envoy waited until I got in the house before they left. I was saddened when I saw the living room was empty. That means my parents actually went to bed and fell asleep. They knew what time I would be home, Sam said he told them himself. My shoulders visibly slumped at the realization, but Leah was quick to scoot me to my room to get some sleep.
It was almost surreal getting ready for bed in my bathroom, with my brush, my pajamas, in my house. It felt like I was someplace else, that it was familiar yet unfamiliar now. So much has changed since I last touched these things, since I looked in this mirror. I had grown up. With my hair still done from yesterday and the leather jacket, I barely recognized myself in my full length mirror. I could tell my mother had been in here because the bed was made, the books were put away, new clothes were hung up and the floor had been vacuumed. Her cleaning was a kind, if not compulsive gesture, but it managed to make everything seem foreign. I had only been gone two days. How could so much have changed?
I climbed into my bed, and found myself with the decision to either sleep or process my life and the feelings that I had in that moment. Like any true teenager, I decided to avoid my problems and fall asleep.
Even though my bed was a welcome luxury, I still had a broken sleep pattern. Every time I wanted to move I would wake up and whenever someone walked in the hallway I would hear them. I realized I had grown used to the zero back ground noise at the Cullens because every creak in the house was even to rouse me from sleep.
My dad got up to get ready for work at his normal time. I traced his steps down the hallway, past the bathroom and to the kitchen. My mother's steps were not far behind him. I was too exhausted to try to hear their conversation in the kitchen and just waited for the sounds to either drown out or lull me to sleep.
I heard both of their steps start to come back into the hallway and I picked up some of their conversation.
"Do you really think she's in there?" My mother asked
"They said she would come back last night. We have to take them by their word; they've saved her too many times to not trust them." My dad told her
"I just don't want to open that door and see an empty bed again, I can't do it." My mom was emotional
"She is ours. No matter what happens, who says what, we raised her, she is our daughter, okay? You have to remember that. She will always be ours, they can't take that away." My dad spoke as if reciting a message for the hundredth time
They had stopped in front of my door by now, I could hear both their heart beats quickening as they approached
"Whatever may happen, they can't take her away." My dad reassured
Quietly, my door was pushed ajar. I made sure my eyes were shut regardless to the fact I was facing the other wall. I made my breathing even and pretended to be asleep. I wanted to see them but didn't have the energy to deal with them right now.
I heard their heart beats even out and sighs of relief leave their lips. They lingered for only a few more seconds before closing the door and going about their business.
I was being stubborn and still refused to process anything. I wanted to sleep. I managed to get some shut eye for a few more hours off and on but I eventually gave up and got out of bed ten. Passing Seth's room on the way to the bathroom, I heard his snores coming from behind the cracked door. Admittedly, I did miss this sound, as silly as that was. I missed having the comfort of family whom I had grown up with and become accustomed to around me. When you grow up with family constantly around you, it's hard to make the adjustment of not having it anymore, if only for a few days.
I decided to take a quick shower to wash out what Alice and Rosalie had done to my hair. I figured looking like my old self would be a more welcomed sight for the Pack and my parents. I combed it out, deciding to let it air dry, then I finished in the bathroom and went back to my room to pick out some clothes. Again, I had to turn down what the Cullens had picked out for me in an attempt to look like the kid I was almost two weeks ago. I picked out some dark wash skinny jeans, a flowy tank top with bottoms down the front, a grey and white cardigan which had a large polka dot pattern and the grey oxfords from the Cullens. I also did not forget my charm bracelets this time. Once every wolf charm was accounted for, I made my way to the kitchen to make some breakfast for my siblings and me.
As expected, Leah was zonked out on the couch and Seth was still snoozing in his room. I figured the smell of bacon, eggs and cinnamon rolls would wake them up, which naturally it did about twenty minutes later.
"I'm starting to be very excited I stayed here last night." Leah half mumbled getting up off the couch
"Anything I can do to make up for what a problem I have been." I muttered under my breath, not expecting Leah to hear it
"Liz, it's not your fault some psychotic leech coven is after you. By all means, we're just doing our job." Leah insisted
"Besides, how else would we get forgiveness breakfast?" Seth said joining us in the kitchen as I placed the food on the table
"You know, most people don't let kids my age even touch the stove." I reminded them
"Most kids your age haven't graduated high school already. I trust you won't stick your hand on the stove." Leah joked
"Even if you did, most kids your age don't have healing abilities derived from being a werewolf." Seth added
"Speaking of that, we really need to figure out what is happening with my healing. I need to know what the issue is if I'm going to avoid or fix it." I told them taking a bite of bacon
"The only way to find out is through trial and error with you, and I for one am not willing to cut you or break your rib to see what happens." Seth said conversationally
"Honestly, I think that would be a Carlisle question." Seth and I were taken aback by Leah's casual tone "Well he is a doctor and the only one to operate on Liz." She added
"But he's one of them." Seth came back defensively
"Seth, I think they have more than proved themselves." I offered
"At very least Carlisle has." Leah continued
"They all have protected me. Carlisle wasn't alone in surgery. William, Edward and Rosalie were all helping as well. It was a team effort. Then when the Volturi came the other night and when they came again with the cloak-"
"They what?" "What cloak" Seth and Leah asked at the same time
"Didn't Sam tell you? The Volturi was the whole reason I stayed longer. Aro came the night after the attack; all the Cullens rallied around me and basically made a barricade between me and Aro. Then they dropped a package at the door for me. The Cullens wouldn't let me near the thing until it was safe." I summarized
"What was in the package?" Leah was quick to ask
"It was a cloak." I said after a while
"Why would they give you a cloak?" Seth asked
"You know how they all wear cloaks in the guard? The darker the black the more important you are? Well they gave me one because they want me to join them." I tried to say nonchalantly
"After everything they've done they had the balls to do that? How stupid." Seth protested
"Speaking of all they've done how is your side?" Leah asked
Without talking I stood and raised the hem of my shirt to expose my rib cage. I heard them inhale and wince when I showed them my back. Then I slipped the one shoulder of my cardigan off to show the light lines which now accompanied my collar bone.
"Damn, you're going to need a story for those. They're not like the bite mark; humans will be able to see them." Seth warned
"We need to know why they happened." Leah added
"I'll talk to Carlisle and Jake about it later. For today, what do we need to do to get ready for the party?" I asked, once again avoiding my problems. That was beginning to be a habit with me.
We finished eating and went outside to set up folding tables and chairs. Being the Pacific Northwest, of course the rain couldn't hold off, but the three of us managed to set up our event tents without a problem. Time blew by and Emily showed at three to start preparing food. Mason took my spot in the yard and I went inside to help Emily.
I thought my parents would have been home before people started showing up, but once again I was incorrect. At six o clock on the dot Jared and Kim and their son Liam, Quil and Claire and Embry walked in, food in hands. Brady and Collin showed up after them. Soon after them Paul, Rachel their daughter Sarah and Billy came. Billy was looking older and weaker than I had ever seen him. His health was getting the better of him and I was worried of how much time he had left.
Most of the women stayed in the kitchen/ dining room, helping Emily and I finish things up and the men and kids were outside with Mason messing around. Sam showed up later with a huge sheet cake from Mason and mine's favorite bakery in Port Angeles.
"Traffic was crazy, but I have come back successfully!" Sam declared bringing the cake in with both arms
"I'm so proud of you." Emily mocked her husband, greeting him with a kiss
"Looks like we're almost ready to chow down. Where are Sue and Charlie?" Sam asked to no one in particular
His question was met with shrugs and 'I don't knows', I didn't even bother to look up from the cucumbers I was chopping until the question was asked directly to me
"Liz, where are your parents?" Sam asked again
"I don't know. I haven't seen or talked to them since…Thursday" It took me a second to think about, then went right back to chopping, not wanting to talk anymore
"Didn't you get back last night?" Kim asked from across the room
"Yeah, but they were asleep. It was late." I tried casually
Sam and Emily crossed the room then to talk to me as privately as they could in a house full of people
"Your parents didn't wait up for you last night?" Emily asked surprised
"No." I simply replied
"That's strange, I told them when you were coming, and we were right on time." Same tried to get it straight
"They're older Sam. It's not easy for them to stay up that late, especially when they had to go to work this morning. It's fine, don't worry about it." I brushed them off, taking the vegetables I chopped and putting them on the table
Avoiding my problems was becoming difficult when Sam and Emily were throwing my own concerns in my face. Besides, where were my parents now anyway? The shop closes at five, Dad usually leaves the station by five or five thirty, it was strange they weren't here. It took all of my energy not to automatically assume the worst, to keep my mind out of that dark corner of possibilities.
"Hey Seth," Sam had gone outside with the other guys "Where is Charlie and Sue?"
"They should be here soon. Charlie is picking my mom up at the shop, and they said they had an errand to run before they got here." Seth told him
With that, my fears subsided. At least my parents were communicating with one of their children.
"Hey you're wearing those shoes you like…What's up?" Mason said going from cheerful to quiet, concern tickling the corners of his voice as he closed the space between us
"Am I that obvious?" I asked, slightly bitterly
"Only to me, talk to me." He told me, leading me to my room and closing the door on the rest of the party
"I haven't seen my parents yet." I told him
"They weren't waiting up for you?" He asked, eyebrow raised
"No, they were in their room, asleep when we came back. They didn't even wake me up this morning to say anything."
"That's so strange. They haven't heard from you since you woke up, wouldn't they want to at least hear your voice?"
"That's what I thought, and even your parents are questioning them. I made excuses but I asked the same questions Sam and Emily did. Something is wrong I can feel it." I admitted
"They have been living with supernatural children for years; I still don't think you being a wolf is an issue. They may be bummed you're not normal because it effects your life, but I thought they would be over it by now. I'm sorry you have to go through this." Mason engulfed me in an Emily tight squeeze
"I heard them this morning. They had to keep reminding themselves that I was their daughter. That whatever happens I wouldn't be taken away. They have been struggling with something Mase and I don't think I can fix it." I confessed still tight in his grip
"It's not your job to fix everything in your life Liz. Sometimes you have to let people figure things out for themselves."
"HERE THEY ARE!" Embry yelled, holding an open beer in his hand
Mason and I immediately let go of each other as if we had been caught. We knew as soon as we did it, it was a mistake because Embry and Quil definitely thought they had caught us doing something. This would put air in their sails for a long time
"Get out where there's supervision! You are not old enough to get a room kids!" Quil purposely said loudly
"That's right, take a walk of shame!" Embry added as we walked out of my room past them.
From there we walked into the kitchen, where the women still gathered and were met with giggles and looks of approval, out in the yard was no better because the guys were quick to be...well… guys. Mason and I had had this happen enough times to where the embarrassment came and went quickly and we kept going with our lives. We get this from every corner, let them talk, no one could tell us what to do anyway.
We couldn't wait any longer to open the food up for everyone. Leah had called my parents and they said to start without them, so we did. It wasn't until eight o clock that they even got back to the house. I was playing a board game with Mason, Jackson, Sarah and Mason's friend Chris from school. It took fifteen minutes for me to even realize my parents were here. They didn't walk up to me or anything; I just heard their voices in the crowd. I couldn't see them outside; I figured they were in the house somewhere. I got up from the game, to the dismay of the other players and went inside. There they were, in the living room talking to Billy and Seth.
I felt like ages since I last saw them. They seemed to have aged; the grey streaks in my mother's braid was more prominent and the silver in my dad's mustache being unmistakable. Billy was the first to notice me in their group and stopped my dad mid-sentence to get their attention to me. My dad reacted first, following Billy's finger to me, my mother followed and both warmly smiled. It was so close to the smiles I had known before but something was off about them; something had changed. I returned their smiles and made my way quickly across the room to both of them.
Without hesitation, my mother grabbed me and drew me into an embrace which my father later joined into. I wanted to wait there longer, I wanted to soak them in, take in their smell, the feel of their arms, but they broke the circle before I could take it all in.
"We are so sorry for being late, we had to pick up your present in Port Angeles, it was supposed to be done Saturday but it wasn't and it was a whole mess!" My mom started to babble as if I had just talked to her this morning
"Its fine, you're here now." I told them not knowing what else to say anymore
"Time for cake!" Emily yelled so everyone could hear.
Emily and Sam had taken the cake to one of the tables outside and sat me and Mason down at the end of the table next to each other. The cake was illuminated with twenty eight candles which gave off a bright glow considering how gloomy it was on a rainy day. Everyone sang and we blew out the candles. Pictures were taken and our parents wanted to present our presents this year. Sam and Emily got Mason a customized helmet for his dirt bike, my parents made a donation to Mason's motorcycle fund. Sam and Emily got me new sheet music for the violin and cello and my parents finally got to show what they were late for.
"This is the reason we were so late today. We had it ordered almost a year ago." My dad started
"Liz, we know big things are waiting for you and you might not always be here. Hopefully this will remind you where your home is." My mom finished
Together they produced an oblong box and a pair of scissors for me to open it. I came to quickly find that I was a violin case and inside was a custom painted Fein/Albert Concerto violin. I could tell the scene painted on it was of the beach, right by the fallen tree where Mason and I always went, then it became a forest scene on the back with grey, black and sandy wolves coyly scattered throughout the mural. It was gorgeous and intricate; it must have taken the artist weeks to complete. My mouth fell open at its sight. Then the bow was made out of red wood, I wouldn't be surprised if it had been a tree from the forests here.
"It's tuned, play a little something." Leah nudged
I had to fix my dropped jaw as I placed the instrument under my chin and started to play. I first played classical Beethoven, but then switched to more modern music so everyone would enjoy. The kids got up and started to dance around and even some of the adults took up partners and started dancing. I was met with applause at the end of the song. I turned to my parents and thanked them over and over again. This violin was not cheap and the paint job must have been expensive too.
"Your happiness was all we wanted, happy birthday Lizzy." My dad told me
Soon after people started to leave, it was getting rather late. There was no food left over (surprise, surprise) but those who remained helped us clean up before they left themselves. Sam took Jackson home because he was whining, and Emily and Mason were the last to leave, but around eleven even they were gone. Seth was on surveillance and Leah had gone back to Seattle to pack up her apartment. Her lease was up and she already half lived at home so she was going to move in with a friend on the reservation. This finally left my parents and me alone for the first time since the attack.
"So was this a good day Liz?" My mom asked
"It was great! I loved having everyone in one place. I'm glad it went off without a hitch, I half expected something to go wrong." I said honestly
"We were due for a nice day. If only someone had told the weather." My dad sounded more comfortable than my mom
"Yeah, I was worried Jake would show up, or one of the Cullens or something." I said, trying to test the water for what was bugging them
"That probably would have been awkward." My mother said without a flinch
"Well, I've spent so much time there they're probably sick of me already." I investigated further
"I doubt anyone could get sick of you Lizzy." My dad said without hesitation
They were acting very strange, as if these were automated answers. I checking in on their heart rates which were slightly elevated, I decided to go head first and see what happened
"So, you guys aren't tired of me?" My dad's heart rate skipped a little, but my mom trucked through
"Now what do you mean by that Dear?" She asked without missing a beat
"How about that I haven't talked to you in almost a whole week. Or that you didn't wait up for me last night. Or that you're giving automated answers right now. Or that you had to keep reminding yourselves that I was your daughter and no one could take that away from you." I told them, getting their attention, but still they said nothing
"Do you even want to know what has happened the past few days? I'm still surprised you haven't asked to see the scars, everyone else in the Pack has. Sam was in constant contact with Jake while we were over there, and Emily waited up for Mason and all he did was have a sleep over and play video games." They looked at each other "I can tell something is wrong, just please tell me." Silence "Is it me? Are you scared of me?" I asked weakly
"Oh honey no, no, we're not scared of you. Come here." My dad jumped honestly
"Then what is it?" I asked again, sitting on the chair closest to them on the couch
"It just that it's been a rough few weeks. You have been hurt, you have learned the tribe secret, you have turned into this… anomaly wolf and the Cullens have been thrust back into our lives. We're old sweetie; it's hard to keep adjusting to these changes." My mom tried to explain, not as honestly as I had hoped
"You're just so little, we had a feeling this world would take you from us but we didn't think it would be so soon. It's hard to stand by, especially when your baby is hurt, someone you held in your arms, have watched grow into a beautiful girl and you can't do a damned thing about it." My dad continues truthfully
"We have been thinking about what is actually best for you." My mom said seriously, her façade still intact as my dad's crumbled
"What do you mean?" I asked for clarification
"I mean, we needed to think about your safety. Would it be best for you to stay here on the reservation? Would it be safe for you to go to Forks this year? Is it safe for you to go to a University? As a wolf, would it be safe for others if you left? Would it be safer if you stayed with Sam or Billy or…" My mom trailed off, leaving my dad to say the next option
"The Cullens" He finished for her and continued "We don't know what is best for you anymore and that is scary."
"After what happened to Mason, I question the safety of this tribe and the accuracy of the pack entirely." My mom added, still automatically
"We're questioning a lot these days." My dad went on further, taking my mom's hand in his
"You both have supernatural kids. I thought you would be able to handle this by now." I told them honestly
"It's different." My mother said quickly, as if convincing herself
"Bella and Leah were adults when things changed. Neither of us had a say in anything. Seth was younger, but Sam dealt with everything. Also none of them were being hunted." Dad explained
"That's fair I guess." Was all I could come up with
"We knew being your parents would be difficult at times, but we were not prepared for this. You are so self-driven that we honestly never needed to do a whole lot from an early age with you. We were spoiled as parents to be blessed with such a great kid, and we came to expect that. It's not your fault. You didn't ask for this, or plan it in advance, it just happened to you. We want to be there for you, but we don't know how to be now." My dad was candid.
For once I didn't even need to think of an answer for him, it just came out
"Just be yourselves. Do what you were doing before all of this happened. You don't need to change at all. You guys are fantastic parents and I wouldn't change a thing. I want you to be there for me, as my parents, but understand just like a normal family, I will be growing up. There will be growing pains, but as long as you let me be me and love me for it nothing will go wrong. If you chose to shut me out, I get it, but I don't want you to, not now anyway. Ask me again when I'm an angsty teenager." I tried joking with them, but they didn't crack and a long silence followed
"We hear you, but I don't think we can go on pretending everything is the same as it was before. Things have to change to keep you and all the innocent people here, safe. We don't know what that mean yet, but we all have to be ready for it. I'm sorry." My mom finally said solemnly before standing "It's late, and we have work tomorrow. Liz, please try to get some sleep tonight." She said before walking to their room
I hadn't expected any of this. I thought everything would go back to normal, but Sue seemed okay with the idea that someone else should finish raising me. I could tell my dad didn't want to send me away but felt like there was no other choice. It wasn't only my world being rocked; Charlie was slowly losing his best friend to a disease and his second daughter to a magical universe. They keep saying they want what's best for me, but don't know what it is. I can't blame them for that, no one really knows what is best; everyone has a different opinion' a different plan. By the way that discussion just went, I think my parents are done being my parents; at least my mom is. I know they must still love me, but love makes you do crazy things; including sending a child away for their own safety.
"I'm sorry to bring this up right now Liz, but I promised Emily she wouldn't have to explain it. Billy won't be coming to look after you anymore. He's taken a turn for the worse and can't do things on his own anymore. He's moved in with Rachel and Paul and it's… it's only a matter of time." My dad spoke gravely, as if saying was finally making the word real
"He seemed fine today! Maybe a little tired but fine!" I was aghast. Billy really hadn't looked that bad just a few hours ago, Billy had helped raise me, and this was difficult to hear on top of everything else that had just been exchanged
"Today was a very good day; the best in a week actually. He tries to hide it around the Pack and the elders, but so he won't be able to. I'm not saying he's going to… in the next week. The doctors gave him six months, the deterioration will be fast and it won't be pretty. He doesn't want people to remember him like that, so he's asking for only a few people to see him; Jake is one of those people. Could you tell Jake to come talk to me in the next few days so I can tell him?" My dad tried very hard to keep a straight exterior; clearly emotions were close to cracking whatever façade he still pieced together
"I'll call him tomorrow." Was all I could manage to say.
Charlie got up from the couch, but unlike Sue, brought me into a hug before exiting to their room, leaving me alone in the living room.
Billy. Not Billy. I knew this news would come eventually, but now? After everything, all the close calls he's had, now they're sure? I have been so caught up in my new life that I hadn't even noticed he's been gone and going through a lot. I felt like a horrible person. Billy is a grandfather figure, and in this culture, having elders, respecting them, well it's important and Billy is our tribal leader. Nearly everyone knows him and looks up to him for his wisdom and knowledge. He was a big supporter of reintegrating the Quileute language into schools and bringing back our original culture. Most of my memories as a child involve Billy. He was retired while my parents worked and Emily had her hands full with two toddlers, Billy was there for me. He would surprise me with toys, which we would play with together. When he had his stroke when I was five and his speech was affected, I was the first and still only person to understand him completely; most have gotten the gist of it, but for years I needed to translate. Just having him in the room brightened my day because he was the first to understand me and encouraged everything I did. I can never repay him for that. Now, he is finally going to leave me just when I needed his wisdom the most. I can't begin to imagine how the next few months will go, but at least Jake is here to see his dad. Billy needs him here.
I came out of my thoughts and realized just how alone I felt in the living room. Listening closer, I could hear my parents sleeping, but it wasn't comforting as it used to be. I began to think I would turn into one of those people who felt alone even when they were surrounded by others. The party, I was surrounded and felt like it. Would that fade, just like with my parents now? What if the Pack began to pull away like this? They had every right to. They need to protect this tribe not just me. Maybe it would be best to move in with the Cullens. I would be out of the Pack's hair, and the Cullens wouldn't have to drive so far to look out for me. I wish it could be as easy as just running off on my own, but it was painfully obvious the Volturi would find me and I'm not stupid enough to think I could take them on in my current state. Maybe after I mastered my wolf form I could give going out on my own a shot; but now would be suicide… and eventually being a vampire if Alice's vison turned out true. No, I would stay. I will play this game until my chance comes to make my own move.
A buzzing noise took me once again out of my thoughts. It sounded like a cell phone on vibrate with a specific pattern. I followed the noise out of the living room and into my room. Following my ears, I walked over to the duffel bag Alice had filled with new clothes and the books from them. To my surprise, on the outside pocket was indeed a new smartphone. Had Alice accidentally left hers in my bag? The phone was ringing and a picture of William was in the ID. Still confused, I answered it anyway
"Er… Hello?" I asked hesitantly
"Good, you found it." William said on the other side
"Did someone leave their phone in the bag? I can return it later."
William just laughed "No Liz, that's your phone."
"What?! No it's not!" I said half way between disbelief and excitement
"Yes, it is. We thought it would be best if you had one, just in case. Everything is unlimited so don't worry about charges or that nonsense because I know you will."
"But, I can't accept this. Books are one thing, this cost a lot of money." I babbled
"We knew you'd say that which is why we didn't tell you. We also got Mason one too if that makes a difference for you. Besides, some of those books could be as much as this phone; we just haven't had them appraised." He joked
"How can I thank you guys? You've been so generous, to me and Mason."
"We're family Liz. You don't have to thank someone for that." He said sincerely
"Why did you call now? It's like one in the morning." I mused
"I had a hunch you needed a call."
"You had a hunch or Alice saw something?" I asked thinking about how I decided not to run away at this point in time
"Alice and a few others have been hunting all day. I just had a feeling you needed someone to talk to, even though you just had a party. Feel free to hang up if I'm wrong."
I didn't say anything but stayed on the line
"That's what I thought, so what's up?" William asked honestly
I hesitated. Did I really want to share my feelings with this guy? I mean Mason, sure in a heartbeat, but he was asleep right now and my thoughts were turning darker by the minute. William didn't sleep, the Cullens trust him and I knew more about him than most of them did. Also, he trusted me; why shouldn't I trust him, if not just for this moment.
"My parents… they're… they're having a rough time." I managed to get out, thinking over my words very carefully
"What about?" He asked, sincerely interested
"They keep saying that they want what's best for me, but don't know what that is. They want me to live with Sam because they can't protect me anymore. I think they're purposely distancing themselves. I don't blame them, it's just hard to take in." I opened up
"It sounds to me like they're scared of the situation. Neither of them are supernatural, so they feel inadequate and want to take you somewhere with someone who is supernatural so they can. Their logic is sound but it doesn't make it right." He thoughtfully said
"I came to the same conclusion. I just feel selfish. I demanded to know the secret and changed everything."
"Liz, everything would have changed eventually. Its better you're prepared, trained and ready to fight alongside us instead of being useless when the time comes. The Volturi will not go down without a fight and we will need you. You didn't choose this life, but now you have to live it and part of living means surviving." William said seriously
"Wow, you actually sound your age." I teased
He actually scoffed "If I sounded my age I'd be a ghost or I would be speaking in old English with a very thick accent, neither of which is very pleasant. Anyway, I'm sure all the interacting with people has made you tired. Pick one of the books we gave you and try to settle down. Jake and I will be by tomorrow to see you."
"I am not tired." I protested, feeling my eye lids droop
"Sit on your bed and say that without lying." He challenged
"You wouldn't be able to tell if I was lying or not." I objected
"I'm learning. Sweet dreams Liz. Goodnight." He told me rather sweetly
"Night Will, see you tomorrow." I told him, hanging up the phone
I knew Will was right. Everything was going to change eventually, doesn't mean I had to like it, but I did have to live with it. Things couldn't go back to the way they were. It was naïve and silly to think otherwise. My situation has changed and I needed to adapt, Darwin always turns out right. Only the strong survive, and I am going to be strong.
AN: Relationships are changing and developing, Liz and Mase are a year older with kick ass presents and Billy isn't doing so hot.
I think a major factor in having a good friendship is being able to be there for one another on multiple levels and equally. We see Mason supporting Liz, but it is becoming unbalanced, whereas the new friendship with William is, in my opinion more balanced. What do you think?
Another chapter to come!