Title: An Unkind Fate

Rating: PG (T)

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or any of the Twilight series. They are the property of Stephenie Meyer and are not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.

A/N 1 – Thank you to all the new followers and those followers that have kept up with the story even though it took me a bit to post. I appreciate those that took the time to leave a review. After I post, I have to admit I am glued to my email to see your feedback on what I posted.

Chapter 25 – The Zoo

I escorted Bella down the steps to the sidewalk and opened her car door.

"No Volvo?"

I looked down at the black Audi R8 and shrugged, "It's a big city. We can drive what we want here and don't have to worry about being conspicuous."

I loved this car. It had the sleek lines of other luxury performance sports cars like a Ferrari and Lamborghini but a lot less profile. That was always the name of the game in this life.

"This would definitely be conspicuous in Forks."

"I didn't see your truck in the parking lot. Did it finally give up the ghost?"

She was quiet for a moment. "No, it's still running. It just requires a lot of attention from someone that knows about cars. I gave it to Seth when Leah and I left for Florida."

"When did you go to Florida?"

She paused again. "Right before Sue and Charlie moved in together and got married."

That sounded awfully familiar. "Did you have a problem with Sue?"

"No, not at all. Sue's great. She's really good for Charlie. I was happy to have him settled. It made leaving easier. Knowing there was somebody there for him and to take care of him."

"So what made you go to Florida?"

"Leah and I were both looking to get out of Forks. She had a bad break up and I needed to make some decisions. It seemed like a good idea at the time." She looked out the passenger window and shrugged. "So, I gave Seth the truck and Leah and I flew out to Jacksonville to stay with my Mom. A few weeks turned into a few months. We got jobs, earned some money for school, got our school applications completed and we ended up here."

For the millionth time, I wished I could read her mind. I loved the respite from all the noise but she was such an enigma to me. It would be so much easier if I could hear her thoughts. I knew there was a lot that she was leaving out of the story. Did the move have something to do with Billy Black's son? Was Leah the only with a bad break up. It fit with Lauren's comment. I didn't want to push it the first night she agreed to go on a date with me but somehow I would get the full story.

"Coming back to the Pacific Northwest must have been different after all that sunshine?"

"It was nice living near the beach for a while. We thought about staying. We were both accepted to University of Florida which was no mean feat. In the end, we both missed this part of the country. It grows on you. Don't you think?"

I agreed but what I really thought was how fortunate I was that they had come back. We might not have met again if she had stayed in Florida. I was so lucky to have this second chance.

I tried to keep things like so we spoke of unimportant topics like differences between Oregon and Washington as I drove through the city. The daylight savings time change wasn't for another month so it was still light out as we entered the gates for the Oregon Zoo.

"You weren't joking. We really are going to the zoo."

"That's correct."

I pulled up to the main entrance and a red jacketed valet ran from a podium with an umbrella to the driver side door. There was only a light drizzle. I took the umbrella, threw him the keys and opened Bella's door. The valet didn't know where to look first. He scanned the car. 'He has to be close to my age. How the hell does he afford a car like this? Must be his dads.' He scanned Bella. 'Damn, maybe if I had a car like this someone like her would go out with me.'

In his dreams. I scowled at him and he quickly got in the car and parked it.

"So the Zoo is open at night AND has a valet?"

Just then a limo drove up and an older couple exited and walked toward the entranceway.

"Normally, they aren't open at night except for a summer concert series. Tonight is special. This is a charity event to raise funds to update the Polar bear enclosure. I thought you might like to see the exhibits and there is supposed to be some music and maybe dancing. I hope that is okay with you?"

It took some planning to come up with a date in which the meal wasn't the main part of the evening.

"Absolutely. That sounds interesting."

"Shall we go?"

I held out my arm to her and she put her arm through mine. I felt the warmth of her skin as I tucked my other hand around her arm. She shivered for a moment. "Are you cold? Would you like my jacket?"

She looked at me for a moment and said, "No, I'm fine."

We walked through the ticket entrance and were greeted by a volunteer that handed us a program and directed us to the Central Plaza. It was just starting to get dark. There was music playing softly over the speakers along the walkways. The Zoo had scattered twinkle lights in trees and the borders of the various buildings. It created a romantic atmosphere that I hoped had some effect on Bella.

We followed the lighted path past various animal enclosures. We stopped at the giraffe enclosure and watched a woman in a cocktail dress as she fed leaves to a giraffe. She squealed in laughter when a second giraffe tried to get some leaves as well. We passed an alligator pit where a man in a tux was arguing with his companion.

"I don't have anything in common with this alligator."

The woman twenty years his junior shrugged her shoulders and said, "I don't know. That smile is awfully familiar."

I had to agree with her. I had seen his commercials on TV advertising his legal firm's services promising big payouts for accidents. Only a shark would have been closer to his smarmy smile.

We read each enclosures sign to see which animal resided inside. Bella broke into a smile when she saw the hippo enclosure.

"Edward! Look they have hippos"

What would it take to have her smile at me like that?

"Are those baby hippos?"

They were the size of a very large dog.

"No, look at the sign. They are pygmy hippos."

I read the plaque in front of the enclosure aloud, "The pygmy hippopotamus is a small hippopotamid native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, primarily in Liberia with small populations in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Ivory Coast. It is semi-aquatic and relies on water to keep its body temperature cool. It is an herbivore, feeding on ferns, grasses and fruits. There are fewer than 3,000 remaining in the wild."

"See, your generosity ensures that future generations will see these beautiful animals."

"I had no idea that you had such a love for hippos."

She looked a bit embarrassed but then explained, "You know that Renee refused to send me to Forks for a few years when I was around eleven?"

I nodded.

"Well, Charlie would meet me somewhere between wherever Renee had us living at the time and Forks. One year it was San Diego and that is when I saw my first live hippo. When I saw the pygmy hippo I dreamt of having one for a pet. It wasn't really much bigger than a Great Dane that our neighbor had at an apartment complex we were living at around the time I visited Charlie. I plotted that my hippo could live in the complex pool and I would swim and play with him after school. The plan fell apart when I couldn't figure out a viable way to get him on the plane. Charlie consoled me with a stuffed hippo from the gift shop. I loved that hippo. It reminded me of one of the best times I had with Charlie. I slept with it for the next two years straight."

I smiled, "What made you stop?"

"A slumber party. Renee made me go to a girl in my class' slumber party and they made fun of Hamilton."

"Hamilton?"

"Yes, Hamilton the Hippo. I named him after one of my favorite stories, Hamilton the Purple Hippo."

"Hamilton the Purple Hippo?"

"Yes," Bella said with some patience. "Hamilton is a purple hippo. He and his family move to a different section of the savannah and Hamilton is sad because he didn't have anyone to play with in his new home. All the animals he meets are shocked at his color and comment in surprise that he is purple – something that was never an issue where he used to live. His parents tell him to go out and make some new friends so he walks to the local watering hole but none of the hippos there will play with him because he is purple. His parents encourage him to keep trying to make friends so he wanders around and he meets some lions. The lions laugh at his purple color and tell him that they won't play with him because he doesn't have a mane and a roar. He uses mud and puts grass around his head to make a mane but when he tries to roar all that comes out is a grunt and the grass falls off. The lions laugh at him."

"Right, hippos don't roar."

"Now how do you know that?"

"Fun fact I picked up on safari in Africa. Emmett got tired of bears one year and proposed we try hunting more exotic wildlife so we took a trip to Africa to an area that had a culling program."

"Of course he did."

I just smiled at her wry reply.

"Tell me you didn't eat a hippo!"

"No, we stuck to the carnivores. Your hippos were safe. Now, tell me what happens to poor purple Hamilton?"

"Well, he goes around the savannah and he meets some zebras but they won't play with him either because he doesn't have any stripes."

"Let me guess. He paints stripes all over himself."

"Yup. Only it rains and they wash off and this time the zebras laugh at him. Then he meets some giraffes but they won't play with him because he isn't tall like a giraffe. So he ties sticks to his legs to make stilts but he loses his balance and falls on his ass to the laughter of the giraffes. He slinks away home in defeat when he trips over an alligator named Steve."

"Steve the Alligator."

Bella smiles again. "Yes, Steve. Don't hate on the name. Steve is a very noble name for an alligator."

"Of course it is."

"Any who, Steve asks Hamilton why he is so sad. Hamilton is shocked. Steve is the first animal that didn't immediately say something about his purple color. Hamilton explains how he has been trying to make friends and how he tried to conform to each of the animals' expectations so they would play with him. Steve tells Hamilton that a true friend accepts you for who you are and wouldn't expect you to change."

I smiled at the simple message. Maybe that was why it was so easy for Bella to accept me and my family when we first met. Bella didn't expect others to change.

"So Steve and Hamilton become friends?" I asked as we strolled past the hippo enclosure.

"Yes and Steve shows Hamilton the best watering holes around. One day the animals that wouldn't play with him see how much fun he and Steve are having in the water and they ask to join in and play with them. He could have made conditions but instead he invites them in and they all have a good time despite all their species differences."

That explained why she was so accepting of others. He stared at her as she looked at the lions. "Beautiful," he said in a whisper.

Bella nodded her head as she mistook my comment as directed at the two big cats snoozing on a rock. "I know. They are so majestic."

I didn't correct her.

I took her hand, gave it a gentle squeeze and we continued down the lit path. We passed the elephants and then finally made it to the center of the zoo. Central Plaza was set up with a bar and a catering stand. There was a roofed pavilion that looked like a gift shop during normal hours but was set up with cloth covered rectangle tables with goods and clipboards on top. The outside walk way area was set up in sections. There was a stage and a dance floor in front of the stage. A band was playing what could best be described as instrumental versions of popular tunes like you would hear on an elevator. Scattered throughout the rest of the area were high top tables covered with white table cloths a flickering candles in the center.

Waiters walked around with trays passing out drinks and hors d'oeuvres to the many fancy dressed guests. I found us an empty high top. I looked around at the various other patrons and noted we were probably the youngest couple there. A woman in a low cut black dress on the arm of grey haired gentleman gave me a sultry look. I ignored her and then caught the eye of portly man in his 50's. He quickly excused himself from the gentleman with the black gowned trophy date and he walked our way.

"Mr. Cullen! We're so happy you could attend." I turned to Mr. Abbott and could see him eying Bella with some curiosity.

"Mr. Abbott, I would like to introduce you to Miss Bella Swan. Bella, this is Mr. Abbott, he is the Chair of the Zoo's charitable support foundation."

"Miss Swan, it's a pleasure to meet you," Mr. Abbott took Bella's hand between both of his and held on a bit longer than I thought was necessary. Go find your own girl, Abbott, this one is mine. I was just about to pull her arm away and possibly pull his off and club him with it when a waiter in a red jacket came around with a tray of wine. Mr. Abbott had no choice but to let Bella's hand go when I handed a wine glass to Bella and took one for myself as a prop.

The waiter said, "I'm sorry, Sir. Can I see some ID?"

Mr. Abbott looked mortified.

"Harold that won't be necessary." The waiter walked away. 'Sheesh, I do what they tell me and I get my ass handed to me. I hate this job. I hate these rich, entitled idiots.'

"I'm so sorry Mr. Cullen. Please accept my apologies."

I waved off his apology. "I'm sure he was only doing his job. I hope the fund raiser is going well."

"The place looks amazing," Bella added.

Mr. Abbott looked pleased with himself. Like he had personally hung the twinkle lights and the decorations. 'If only I were 20 years younger,' I heard him think wistfully. Right. Like I would let you have a chance. This is like bloody High School all over again. Bella, of course, was oblivious to the attention. She just kept looking around enjoying the ambiance.

Mr. Abbott took one last look at Bella, sighed in regret and turned back to me, "We can't thank you enough for your family's support. With your foundation's donation, we were already more than half way to our goal before this event even started."

"We were happy to support such a worthy cause."

"Foundation?" Bella questioned softly as Mr. Abbott greeted a passing guest.

"One of them."

Mr. Abbott introduced us to other donors. I watched Bella as she interacted with the older couple. She was a natural. People gravitated toward her. She was so much more confident now than when we were in school in Forks. One of the wives of a President of a local bank told her about her daughter's ambition to be a teacher. This started an animated conversation with Bella until the music started and the emcee of the event invited the guests to dance.

I took Bella's hand and walked her to the dance floor. I was so excited to have an excuse to hold her. I pulled her close and we started to move to the music. This dance had none of the awkwardness of when we were in high school. Someone had been practicing. I tried to quash the jealousy and asked her about her conversation with the bank President's wife.

"I've been toying between an English Lit degree and a teaching degree."

"I had no idea you wanted to be a teacher. I thought you hated high school."

She smiled shyly at me. "It had its moments."

I pulled her closer. I could feel a little shiver go through her. "Cold?"

She shook her head.

"So a teacher?" I prompted.

"As I mentioned, I spent a lot of time at the reservation after you and your family left. I got involved in the reservation school tutoring program. I really enjoyed it. I loved working with the kids." A shadow crossed her face for a moment. "I was sorry when I had to stop."

"Why did you have to stop?"

She looked over my shoulder for a moment. "They didn't need my help anymore," she said sadly. She seemed to shake off the melancholy a minute later and said, "It all worked out. It was only a few months later that Leah and I left for Jacksonville."

Again, I felt like I was missing part of the story. I didn't push. I wanted her to enjoy tonight and be in the moment with me. I didn't want her to remember Forks and my part in her sad memories. I quickly changed the subject and she laughed as I twirled her and then led her into a dip.

We danced and spoke about some inconsequential current events. Neither of us wanted to bring up a subject that would cast a pall over the evening.

The music ended and the emcee came to the stage again. He announced that the silent auction would begin and everyone had a final thirty minutes to look over the items and update their bids.

I took Bella's hand and suggested, "Let's go see what's up for bid." She nodded and we walked into the Pavilion. We wandered around the tables. Some contained the actual items like a high-end men's watch, a diamond pendent, the latest smart phone and tablets. Some were a poster of the items like a trip to a Hawaiian resort, driving a Formula I race car, etc.

Bella stopped suddenly. "Oh, look! A first edition Jane Austin." Bella pointed excitedly.

She smiled at me and then strolled down the table to read the remaining placards. I laughed to myself as I saw what caught her attention and what she completely passed over without a second look. The first edition Jane Austin she looked at greedily. The diamond necklace, not even a second glance.

When she wasn't looking I grabbed the clipboards to place some bids.

After we saw all the items up for auction, Bella and I went back to our high top. She sipped her wine and asked, "How did your family become a sponsor?"

"Pure selfishness."

"What do you mean?"

"Animals are our food source. The research they do here means we have more chance of ensuring that animals will be around in the future. Ergo we will be able to feed ourselves."

"Somehow, I think it is a bit more than just ensuring you don't starve."

I shrugged. "We support animal breading and animal research all around the world. Carlisle and Jasper keep up with the science and one of us takes a turn at running the foundations that provide charitable donations to Universities, labs, zoos and preserves around the world."

"Well, I'm glad. Too many charitable donations are based on corporate long-term greed. I'm sure much of this would not be possible without people like you."

Just then the emcee said the final bids were in and the auction results would be announced. The bank President and his wife won the Hawaiian resort trip. The trophy girlfriend of the ambulance chaser walked away with the diamond pendant.

"The next item for bid was the naming rights for our next baby hippo."

Bella looked at me, "I didn't see that one."

"I have to tell you that something unusual happened with this item," the emcee continued. "First our winner wishes to remain anonymous. Second, he asked for the naming rights of not just the next baby hippo but the next female and next male hippo. In exchange he has agreed to match all funds raised tonight." The audience clapped.

"Mr. Abbott has agreed to the request and is happy to announce that the first male calf will be called Hamilton and the next female calf will be called Bella." Bella gasped in surprise and then laughed in delight at the names. "Let's give our mystery donor a big round of applause for their extreme generosity. Thanks to this bid and everyone else's kindness, we were able to meet our goal for the polar bear enclosure with quite a bit extra for other animal enclosure improvements and research."

The elegantly dressed men and women applauded again. Bella smiled at me as the presentation ended. "You didn't have to do that," she said softly.

"I know. But now you will have your own Hamilton that you can visit."

"Thank you. That was really sweet."

Mr. Abbott interrupted the moment with his profuse thanks in helping them exceed their goals. I brushed off his gushing and told him we were happy to support such a worthy cause but needed to leave. Mr. Abbott tried to shake Bella's hand again, but I grabbed it and said our goodbyes. He was too handsy for my taste. We made our way to the exit and the valet reluctantly turned over the R8 to me.

I drove Bella home. We were both quiet on the ride home. I walked her up the stairs and we stood awkwardly in front of her door. "Thank you for accompanying me this evening."

She stood on tip toe and kissed me on the cheek. "Thank you. I had a great time and loved the Hamilton gift. That was really sweet."

My cheek tingled from where her lips touched. Could I grab her and really give her a kiss? No, she needs time to forgive you. Take it slow. Don't blow this by rushing her.

Suddenly, Bella launched herself in my arms and kissed me on the lips. So much for taking it slow. I threw caution to the wind and my tongue caressed her outer lips lightly. I could taste the sweetness of her lips and it made me hunger for more. She groaned and my body responded like any other seventeen-year-old boy would. I trailed my lips down to her neck. I could feel the pulse of her heartbeat and could hear the rush of her blood. I inhaled her intoxicating scent. It wasn't her blood that I craved at that moment.

Unexpectedly, she pulled away. She looked me in the eye and gave me a sweet smile. "Thanks for a wonderful evening." The next thing I knew I was standing alone on her doorstep staring at the door she just closed in my face. Okay, then. I stood there for a moment not sure what to do. I finally said goodnight to the closed door and made my way to the car.

All in all, not a bad start I thought.

A/N – the Hamilton story is an original work of fiction that my niece wrote as a children's book and I illustrated for her for a school project of hers. The pygmy hippo theft plan is still something we've been working on. I took my niece to see the pygmy hippos at my local zoo and we spent quite a bit of time trying to figure out how we could sneak one out and keep it at my parents pool. If you hear that one has gone missing, you will know we finally succeeded.