Disclaimer: The Twilight Series and its characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. Any other characters, settings etc. are property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
A/N: I'm sorry it took me long to update. I've been very busy. RL tends to mess with our fantasy world, doesn't it? Any way, here it is. I'm already working on 21, but first we have to go through 20. Enjoy,
CHAPTER 20:
Fourth of July weekend arrived. Edward and I got off the plane at Port Angeles and after collecting our luggage we went straight to the car rental area to pick up our car. Charlie had offered to pick us up in his cruiser but I declined his offer. I'm sure my dad was secretly imagining Edward riding the back of the cruiser like a common criminal. I didn't want Charlie getting negative images about Edward, or make him feel unwelcome.
Edward drove —always too fast— through the winding roads that led to Forks. For once I didn't complain. My mind was busy, remembering the years I spent in this beautiful place —not that I appreciated it back then.
Moving back to Forks, back when I was seventeen, shaped my life in so many ways. I got reacquainted with my dad. I got to know the Quileutes better, they were wonderful people, and I enjoyed learning about their culture. I met Jake who taught me to be a little wild. Together we did reckless things like cliff diving, motorcycling, and of course, exploration of the carnal nature.
I've come to realize that the decision of staying in Washington through my College years was attached with the desire of staying close to Charlie. Renee had Phil, Charlie had…me. And it wasn't until my dad got together with Sue Clearwater that I seriously considered moving to California.
And all that led me to…Edward, who is the love of my life.
I looked at Edward and smiled. Yes, moving back to Forks was the best decision I'd ever made in my life.
Edward felt my eyes on him and turned his head briefly to look at me. He probably saw the dreamy expression I felt on my face. "What?" he asked.
I grinned. "Nothing. I'm just realizing I'm the luckiest girl in the world."
He smiled, but didn't comment.
A moment later, following my directions, we pulled in front of Charlie's house. The house looked the same as it did when I lived there. We got out of the car, retrieved our luggage from the trunk and walked toward the front door. The cruiser was parked in its usual spot.
We stood on the porch; it had started to drizzle —a typical July. I thought about using the key we always kept under the eave, but decided against it. So I softly knocked on the door.
Charlie opened the door after a moment. "Bella! How are you kiddo?" He smiled and hugged me awkwardly; half hug, half pat.
"I'm good, dad. How are you?" I said half hugging him. What can I say; we've never been good displaying our feelings.
"Good." Charlie said. His smile faded when he noticed Edward behind me.
I cleared my throat and made the introductions. "Dad, this is Edward," I said, gesturing toward Edward. I omitted 'my boyfriend' part. Charlie already knew. "And this is my dad," I told Edward.
Edward extended his arm offering his hand to my dad. "It's very nice to finally meet you, Chief Swan," he said, in a respectful voice.
"Call me Charlie," my dad said, choosing not to say 'nice to meet you too'.
"Sure," Edward answered.
We walked toward the living room and Edward sat on the only chair, avoiding the couch at all cost. That forced me to seat next to Charlie.
"So," Charlie said. "I hear that you're dating my daughter."
Good 'ole Charlie going straight to the point. No polite conversation. No preambles. I shot my dad a dirty look. He just ignored me.
"Yes, sir, I'm very lucky she would have me," Edward answered pleasantly. Not a hint of nervousness poured from him.
"And what do you do for a living?" Charlie asked. I tensed fearing the next question would be Edward's financial status.
'I'm a Composer."
Charlie looked at me and raised a brow. "You are dating a musician?"
I could see all kind of scenarios running through Charlie's head; an unemployed musician struggling to make it in Hollywood, living at the expense of his only daughter was one of them. "Edward writes classical music," I felt the need to clarify.
"Classical. Humph." Charlie turned to look at Edward.
I shifted in my seat, uncomfortable at the look Charlie had on his face. "He's composed music for the National Symphony. He is very talented." I said.
"Humph," Charlie said. "Can you make a living off writing classical music?" he asked Edward.
I groaned, but they ignored me.
"Oh yeah," Edward said, "I sure do." And he winked at me when Charlie turned to look at me. Edward was having fun at my expense.
"Enough of this inquisition!" I stood up and walked toward the kitchen. "How is Sue?"
Sue was a widow who's been in a relationship with my dad for a couple of years. I was hoping they'd end up marrying.
"She is fine." Charlie answered and followed me to the kitchen. Edward stayed sitting.
"Do you want something to drink, Edward?" I asked as I opened the refrigerator. If I waited for Charlie to offer him something, he would die of thirst.
"No thank you," Edward said and then stood up to join us in the small kitchen.
I opened a soda pop. "What are the plans for tomorrow?" I asked Charlie before he started questioning Edward again.
"We're having a picnic at First Beach. Forecast said it'd be sunny." Sunny in Forks meant overcast, no rain.
"Cool." I set the can soda on the counter. "I'm gonna take my luggage and Edward's to my room." And before Charlie protested I told Edward, "You can leave your sleeping bag by the couch. We'll move some furniture so we can set it up later."
"Sure," Edward said, and went to pick up our luggage from the hall —where we had left it when we came in. Then he dropped his sleeping bag on the floor by the couch.
"We'll be right back," I told Charlie and stalked up the stairs. Edward followed me.
"Leave the door open," Charlie shouted from the kitchen, and right then I wanted to go back to LA. But when I turned to look at Edward he was grinning. I'd been about to apologize for my dad's behavior but Edward's humor at my expense didn't deserve an apology, instead I glared at him.
I kept walking and opened my old room's door. The sight made me smile; the wooden floors, the blue walls, even the yellow curtains, were the same as I left them before when I went to College. It was a flashback. What memories it brought back to me.
Edward walked around the small room, running his fingers along the desk, ancient computer and rocking chair from my baby days. "Charming," he said.
"The bathroom is the door to the left," I said pointing at the hallway. "There's only one. All three of us are going to have to share," I said apologetically.
"No problem," Edward said, as he opened a photo album he found on the desk. Charlie had probably left it there. I inched closer to be able to see it with him. There were pictures of me as a baby, followed by my school year's, up until my College graduation's. These were copies of the framed one's over the fireplace in the living room.
"You were a beautiful child," Edward commented. "But I knew that already, didn't I," he added grinning, reminding me of the picture of crapping Bella.
I swatted him playfully on his shoulders. "Don't remind me."
He laughed.
I went to my old bed and sat cross-legged, patting the spot beside me. Edward grinned and shook his head. "Oh no, you don't. I'm not about to let Chief Swan find me on his daughter's bed," he said, and walked toward the rocking chair, in the corner of the room. He sat comfortably.
"Where is your sense of adventure?" I challenged.
"I'm trying to get into your father's good graces. Don't push it!"
I stood up slowly, and walked toward him. I sat on his lap. "You only have to worry about being in my good graces," I told him and kissed him. He responded to my kiss, but not passionately as he usual did. He rubbed my back instead of caressing.
I sighed, and laid my head against his shoulder breathing his scent. He rocked me for a while. It was a tender moment. I loved being held in Edward's arms.
"Let's go downstairs before your dad gets impatient," Edward said, kissing my head.
"Okay," I didn't want to push my dad's buttons either.
We went downstairs. Charlie was sitting on the couch, watching a sport channel. Edward joined him, sitting on the chair. And I went to the kitchen to prepare dinner, just like old times.
When I opened the refrigerator I found all the ingredients needed to make enchiladas. I chuckled at the way my dad was asking me to make his favorite dish. I simmered the chili pods and diced the chicken while keeping an eye on Charlie and Edward. They were talking about sports. At least they had that in common.
We had dinner in comfortable silence, the way my dad and I always ate, except for the casual comment about townspeople. Edward was silent, just observing the interaction between my father and me.
Once we're done eating. Edward helped with the dishes while Charlie went back to his TV show. "Dinner was good," Edward said, for the hundredth time.
"It's my dad's favorite meal."
"He loves you very much," Edward whispered.
I thought so too. I looked at Edward and smiled. "Want to cruise around town?"
"Wouldn't your dad mind? You came to visit him," Edward said.
One of the best things about Charlie was that he was not clingy. "I'm sure he won't."
"All right then. I'd love to see the town where you spent your teenage years."
I set the drying towel on the counter. "We'll be back, dad," I said while I walked to the hall and pulled on my jacket, handing Edward's his.
"Don't come back too late," Charlie said without turning from his TV. Somehow my dad had forgotten I was twenty-four years old. I shook my head and stalked out waiting on the porch for Edward to close the door.
It was still drizzling as we walked to the rental car. Edward opened the passenger door and I got in. He walked around and the front of the car and stepped in, starting the engine and turning the heater on. In the middle of summer. "Where to?" he asked as he pulled out through the few traffic.
"Let's start with Forks High School."
We cruised around town, driving by the schools, our small library, few restaurants, and hardware store. There wasn't much to see. Two hours later we were parking in front of Charlie's. I wanted to stay out after midnight, just to rebel against my dad, but Edward didn't agree with me. He even called me childish. The nerve!
Charlie was still sitting at the same spot we left him in. Edward claimed the chair again, and I had to sit next to my dad. I grabbed a magazine from the coffee table, probably Sue's, and read while they watched sports.
Forty minutes later Charlie stood up. "Let me help you move the couch so you can set out your sleeping bag," Charlie told Edward. It was obvious Charlie wanted to leave the sleeping arrangements set before he went to bed. "Go get your bags from Bella's room. I'll wait here." Yep. He didn't want any excuse for finding Edward in my room later on.
Edward went obediently to retrieve his luggage. I cleared the coffee table and went to get a pillow and blankets while my dad and Edward moved the couch out of the way. Charlie stood there, arms crossed over his chest, while Edward and I fixed the blankets and sleeping bag. Once I thought Edward would be as comfortable as allowed, I stood up.
"Let's go to bed, Bella," Charlie commanded. "Good night Edward." But Charlie didn't move. He just stood there waiting for me. Unbelievably, he was not going to let me wish good night to Edward in private.
Anger hit me strongly. I got in my tiptoes, held Edward's face between my hands and kissed him right in the mouth. Take that Dad! Edward was startled but seemed pleased by my reaction. He kissed me back.
Charlie cleared his throat. "Don't take long," he told us, and escaped the awkward scene. I laughed silently against Edward's lips once my dad was gone.
"Love, I think you're pushing it," Edward said.
I looked into his eyes, and they were gleaming. I gave him a quick peck on the tip of his nose. "He is the one pushing it. I'm twenty-four, not sixteen."
"Either way, this is his house," Edward argued, hugging me closer to him.
"Well, there's that," I said, and hugged him tighter.
"I love you," he whispered.
"I love you," I whispered back.
He kissed me once more, and this time more passionately, leaving me breathless and dizzy. "Good night," he breathed when we had to come up for air.
I sighed dramatically. "Good night." And I left for my room.
Charlie had the good sense not to check on me during the night. I knew this because I couldn't sleep well, thinking of Edward downstairs, sleeping on the floor. Not that sleeping with me on my twin bed would have been a better alternative. I think it was the fact that we were under the same roof, but far from each other. I missed the warmth of his body. I simply missed him.
Morning finally arrived and after we had breakfast, we filled a cooler with food and drinks we were taking to the picnic. Charlie argued about taking the rental car instead of the cruiser, but I was not going to let Edward ride in the back of a police car. At the end, we made our way to First Beach Park with my dad riding in the passenger seat of the rental, Edward driving, and I rode contentedly in the back.
La Push First Beach was only fifteen miles from Forks. I lowered my window and smelled the pine scent around us. The forecast was right; no rain in sight and the sunlight peaked a little around the circled clouds. The temperature was still in the high sixties.
We found a spot to park, and walked toward the beach. I stood next to Edward taking in the breathtaking view of the scenery. The wind felt fresh salty. Native birds flew over the waves looking for fish. The rugged rocks, the wet sand… it was beautiful.
We stayed in silence for a long moment, Edward and I, until the calling of my name interrupted the magical moment.
"Bella?" the caller repeated.
I turned around knowing that husky voice from anywhere. "Jake!"
I walked toward him and couldn't believe my eyes at how much he had changed. My best friend hurried his pace, smiling widely; his teeth gleamed bright against his russet skin. He was an impressive sight. He easily towered anyone I knew, including Emmett, and that was not easy task. He wore tight jeans and a T-shirt that clung to and incredibly sculpted body. His healthy crop of jet-black hair fell right above his shoulders. His feature seemed sharper, more mature. My best friend.
Jacob enveloped is huge arms around me, yanking me from the floor, and swinging me around in circles. I felt like a rag doll in his arms. He put me down, held my face between his large palms and smacked a noisy kiss on my cheek. "How are you, Bells," he grinned at me, said caressing my cheekbones with his thumbs.
"I'm fine," I grinned back. I was happy to see him again. "You grew," I added, referring to all the physical changes I noticed about him.
Jacob laughed. "And you are looking more beautiful than ever," he said.
I heard Edward cleared his throat behind me. I stepped back from Jacob and grabbed Edward's hand. "Jake, I want you to meet my boyfriend, Edward."
Edward —his face a hard mask, offered Jacob his hand. "Hello there."
Jacob shook it, narrowing his eyes. "Same here."
Okay, no nice-meeting-yous. I spotted Seth and Sam, helping Billy with his wheelchair. "Let me say hello to the others." I said, and gripped Edward's hand harder and started to the direction of the others, pulling him with me.
I made the introductions, and everyone was courteous toward Edward, the only stranger in the group. Seth was especially friendly; Edward and he clicked and were soon talking like old friends. Jake was uncharacteristically quiet. After a while, we sat on a circle around the fire pit, passing around hot dogs and hamburgers. I took a moment to look at the familiar faces that were still very special to me. There was Billy, Jacob's dad and Charlie's best friend. Sam and Emily, so much in love, Paul, Quil and Jarred, the latter along with his new bride Kim. The Clearwater's: Sue, Seth and Leah, who would soon become family, if my dad were a little bit braver. And there was Jacob, my dear friend. Everyone's having a good time.
I sat with Edward on my left and Emily on my right. Seth convinced Edward to have a chess match with him. Soon they were both concentrating on the game. Edward held my hand with his right one and moved his pieces with his left—his way to showed me acknowledgment. I was having an animated conversation with Emily when Sam came to claim her for a walk around the beach. As soon as Emily stood, Jake took her place. I smiled at him when he sat next to me making me feel so small. "Finally, I get a chance to sit with you," he said and draped an arm around my shoulders.
The gesture didn't bother me, I was cold, and he was always warm. I couldn't say the same for Edward; his body tensed and the grip on my hand tightened, though he never turned to look at us.
Jacob released my shoulders. "Do you want to take a walk with me?" he asked me.
I felt comfortable where I was. "Not at the moment," I said.
Jacob sighed resigned. "What's of your life, besides…?" He threw a dirty look toward Edward.
"I have a new job." And I gave him details of my new life in LA.
After I told him about my new friends, my home by the beach, the variety of restaurants, and the crazy life in a big city, etc. I asked him about his life on the east coast.
He told me he was still not done with this education. He was still pursuing one more degree, and after he expected to work for NASA. He already had some offers lined up from different departments. "How exciting!" I told him. "I'm so happy for you." And I truthfully meant it.
"How are you doing in the romance department?" I asked elbowing him lightly on his side.
"I've dated," he said shrugging. "Nothing serious, though."
"Don't worry, soon you'll find that lucky girl. And lucky she'll be. Believe me," I said matter-of-factly.
"Humph," was his answer along with a deep sigh.
"Check mate." I heard Edward say.
"God! You are good," Seth praised Edward. "I bet you're also good at sports. You seem to be type to be good at everything."
"Jeez, Seth. You are going to make Bella jealous, the way you're praising her pretty boyfriend," Jacob said getting a laugh from Paul and a scowl from Seth.
"I think the jealous one is not Bella," Edward said making Jacob tensed next to me.
"What do you know?" Jacob asked.
"I know enough," Edward answered.
"Are you talking about Bella and me? Our history?"
Edward didn't answer. Jake turned to me. "Oh, that reminds me. Bella, do you remember our motorcycles? Quil still has them in his garage. We could go for a ride to remember the good time we had together." Jacob said winking at me.
I gestured asking Jake to lower his voice. I didn't want Charlie to find out about that. He never found out then, I didn't want him to know now. "Oh yeah," Jacob whispered but loud enough for Edward to hear. "It's our secret. Sorry."
Edward didn't react at all to Jacob's childish actions. Some of us were adults here.
Edward stood up and held out his hand to me. "Let's take a walk."
I slid my hand into his and he pulled me up to my feet. "We'll talk later, Jake," I said, as Edward and I started walking toward the tidal pools.
Jake smiled. "Sure."
We walked in silence, taking in the beauty surrounding us. Soon we reached the shallow pools, swarming with wild life. I bent down and dig up a small hermit crab that had made its way beneath the white sand. "Hello, there little one," I crooned to the small creature on my palm.
Edward smiled at me. "Do you want to take it home?"
I shook my head. "Never again."
Edward raised an eyebrow. I sighed and set the small crab back in the sand again. It immediately squirmed and dug itself under the sand. "When I was little, my dad always brought me to play in the tidal pools. They have always fascinated me. One day, in Arizona, my mom took me to a Flea Market and on one of the stands they were selling hermit crabs. They reminded me of this place and I bought a couple of them to take them home. They became my pets."
"You had crabs as pets?" Edward asked amused.
"Well, my mom was allergic to dogs. Besides, I always loved crabs," I said defensively. "Anyway… One day, I got home from school I couldn't find them anywhere in the house. Finally I looked outside and found them in the yard. Dead. The blistering heat of the desert had killed them as they attempted to escape."
I was ready to hear Edward laugh. Instead he asked. "What were their names?"
"Peanut Butter and Jelly."
Edward's lips twitched probably thinking how their name became proverbial. They ended up spread on the grass, just like a paste. I narrowed my eyes and pursed my lips. Edward gave me an apologetic look and pulled me toward him, holding me in a tight hug.
What started as an innocent comforting gesture, suddenly changed when his mouth moved to my neck, and he ran his tongue over my skin, tasting, probing. A shiver ran down my spine and had nothing to do with the cold wind. Soon he found my lips and his mouth covered mine moving with sensual demand making me groan with the flicking of his tongue inside my mouth combined with the hard feel of his body pressed along mine.
God, how I love kissing my Edward.
I ran my hands down his back to his hips, grabbing his rounded buttocks and pressed him closer.
Edward tore his mouth away with a shuddering gasp. "We can't. Your dad…"
I had completely forgotten where we were. Not that we could be seen from here, but still… "You started it," I said immaturely.
"I know," Edward said. "I've just wanted to kiss you properly since this morning."
I sighed. I've also wanted to do other things than just kissing.
"Let's get back before your dad sends a search party for you," Edward said, and we started walking back to our party.
After a while, we settled back into the circle around the bound fire and Billy started telling stories about the Quileutes. Then we enjoyed the display of fireworks and soon it was time to say goodbye.
After saying goodbye to everyone, I took Jake aside. "I'm so happy you are doing well. I miss my friend, Jake. Let's keep in touch. Please?"
Jake held my face between his big hands and kissed my forehead. "Of course, Bella, I will always be there for you. Always."
I hugged him tightly. 'Hope to see you soon."
"You bet!" he said. "Take care, okay?"
"You too, Jake."
"See you."
I walked toward the rental car. Charlie was already inside. Edward waited for me by the driver's door. He smiled at me, opened the back door and closed it as I slid in. I closed my eyes as we drove back to Charlie's house. I was glad I saw my old pal Jake again. I was happy we were still friends.
A/N: Thanks to Marijee