Chapter 25 – Summer Guest
Carlisle:
It's the next day after the matinee incident. When Eleazar and the Denali family came back, Nathan apologized to both Irina and Eleazar. Irina didn't really want to accept it but Carmen made sure she did. Eleazar said they were leaving today and we have just said our goodbyes to them. I hate to admit it but I am relieved they are gone. Maybe things can get back to normal around here. Well, as normal and vampires and wolves can be.
We were sitting around the kitchen breakfast bar while Esme was making breakfast for our wolves and Billy. All of my vampire children were there including Billy. I decided to talk about Nathan and his unusual behavior.
"Man, I'm glad they're gone," Rosalie said.
"Yeah, me too. I don't have to see that Irina any time soon," Bella said.
"Add Tanya with that too," Rosalie said.
"I can't figure out what has gotten into Nathan. I have never seen him act like that," I said to my family.
"Dad, are you blind," Edward said to me.
"What do you mean, son," I asked.
"Are you talking to me," Jake said walking in trying to goad Edward.
"He was talking to me, Jake," Edward said.
"He has more than one son," Jake taunted. "Why were you asking him if he was blind?"
"He wants to know what's up with Nathan," Edward said to Jake.
"Are you kidding? You don't know," Jake asked.
"No I don't so would someone please tell me," I said a little loudly.
"Calm down, calm down, don't get your fangs in a twist," Jake said.
"Jacob…," I said to him.
"Dad, he wants to be one of us," Edward said.
"What do you mean, one of us?" I asked perplexed.
"Here, let me spell it out for you…he wants to be a C-U-L-L-E-N," Jake said.
"What? Why?" I asked shocked.
"He wants to be part of our family," Jake said.
"Is the kid nuts?" Emmett asked.
"But he has a family," I said.
"Yeah, but he likes it here better," Jake said. "He tells me, Seth and Leah all the time he wants to be a Cullen and have you and Mom as parents like we do."
"You know Dad, the grass is always greener on the other side," Bella said to me.
"I don't understand, he has a family. Why would he want to leave them and be with us," I asked.
"Isn't it obvious? He thinks its fun and games here all the time. He has no idea what it's really like," Jake said.
"I'll say," Billy said giving me a look.
"Bil-ly," I said to him.
"What is that supposed to mean," Esme asked now joining the conversation.
"Well, you know. When he is here, it's always a weekend or some time when we are doing fun things. He's never here to do the chores or get raked over the coals about school, you know all your rules and stuff," Jake explained.
"Rules and stuff, if we didn't have them it would be pure chaos here instead of partial," I said glaring at him.
"Yeah, just wait till he takes the kids car keys from him," Billy said smirking.
"He wouldn't be so stubborn and not wear a seatbelt," I said back to Billy. Billy let out a sigh.
"You know Dad, he doesn't see what it's really like here having to obey the rules and if you get out of line, we end up in the study," Bella said.
"He ended up in the study last night," I said.
"What are you guys talking about," Seth asked joining the conversation and eyeing breakfast cooking on the stove.
"Nathan," Jake said.
"Oh yeah. He wants to be a Cullen," Seth said.
"How long has this been going on," I asked.
"Ever since those two miserable twins at school were messing with me. He liked how things turned out when you came and made me say the name they forced me to call Mom. * He liked how you figured things out," Seth explained.
"His mom and dad are older and he's an only child. He likes it here with you and Mom, plus it's like he has siblings when he's here," Leah added now joining the conversation.
"I walked in the guest room the other day looking for Nathan and he was in the bathroom. He had a piece of paper on the desk and half of it was sticking out of a book. I pulled it out to see what it was and he was writing 'N-a-t-h-a-n C-u-l-l-e-n' over and over on it," Seth said.
"Seth, you shouldn't be looking at other's private things," I said to him.
"I didn't think it was anything personal," Seth replied.
"Still, you had no right snooping. Where is Nathan?" I asked.
"Getting ready to come down, Seth answered. Dad, Nathan is a good friend and all but he is an only child and he had a few rough goes at school," Seth said.
"What happened at school?" I asked filled with curiosity.
"Well, being an only child and used to getting his way, he would get smart with the teachers at times and at recess he got into with an older kid when they wouldn't do what he wanted. He has a bit of a temper," Seth explained.
"That's true. Even with the pack, Sam has had to set him straight a few times. Jared and Quil said he can be a handful when he wants to be. Just lately he has been a little worse," Jake said.
"I think we got a taste of it last night at the show. Must be his teenage hormones kicking in and then being suppressed by us being here and not allowing the natural aging progression." I reasoned.
"You know Dad school is out in 2 days, why don't we invite him to spend the summer here with us. Then he can find out what it's really like to be a Cullen," Jake suggested.
"Boy, that will be a rude awakening," Jasper said.
"Now wait a minute…since when is it so terrible to be a Cullen and live here," I asked growing a little irritated by the implied remarks I was hearing.
"Well…since you asked…," Billy said smirking again.
"Billy Black…you are pushing it Chief," I warned him.
"Come on, we're just teasing. We all love it here with you and Mom and so does Nathan," Jake said. Boy for a 600-year-old vampire, he sure gets his feelings hurt."
"Watch it, mister," I said walking up and tapping the back of his head.
"You think his parents would allow him to spend the summer with us?" Esme asked.
"Oh sure, they are older and sometimes he's a little much to handle," Billy added. "Esme, got any coffee?"
"Of course Billy, here you go," Esme said pouring him a cup.
"I'll talk to his parents if you want me too," Billy offered.
"What do the rest of you think?" I asked.
"Fine by me, I'm always happy to have Nathan here," Esme beamed.
"Doesn't bother me," Edward said.
"Me either, I like the kid," Bella added.
"He's better than wolf mutt over there," Rosalie said pointing at Jake.
"Oh yeah, he's easier to get along with than you petal puss," Jake sneered at her.
"This may be a little rough this summer. Is everyone still in agreement to allow him to stay," I asked my family.
"Of course Carlisle, we can handle him," Esme said.
"Sure Pops, you'll set him straight," Emmett laughed.
"The kid needs a dose of Dad," Edward said grinning.
"The little runt better not pester me. I'll let him know whose boss," Rosalie said.
"And who is boss?" I put to Rosalie.
"Uh…um…you are, Daddy," Rosalie said looking sheepish.
"And don't any of you forget it," I warned them. "If his parents are okay with it and if he wants too, I have no problem with him staying the summer with us," I said.
"YEAH! I get to stay here for the summer! Thanks Uncle Carl and Aunt Esme," Nathan shouted running in.
"Oh an eveningstopper," Emmett said.
"What?" Edward asked laughing.
"You know, he was listening to us talk without…without being here…uh…with…," Emmett thought.
"You mean an eavesdropper," Jake said.
"No, I checked the eaves on the house and their not dropping," Emmett said. "Sheesh Jake-Wolf."
"I got an idea, let Emmett stay with Nathan's parents and we'll keep Runt," Jake suggested.
"Now you're talking," Jasper said laughing.
"Oooooo, is that my nickname?" Nathan asked.
"Sounds good to me," Jake said.
"Yeah, it fits," Rosalie said.
"Rosalie!" I said to her. "Nathan, you don't have to have that as a nickname," I said to him.
"But I like it…can I stay?" Nathan asked.
"Nathan, we have to ask your parents first before this is final," I told him.
"They won't care, call them now," Nathan prompted.
"I'll get in touch with them," Billy said.
"Here, I'll dial the number for you," Nathan said picking up the house phone.
"Now wait a minute Nathan, maybe you should wait to hear the rules first," I suggested.
"What rules? I have to do what you and Aunt Esme say or I'm in for it, right?" Nathan asked looking from Esme to me and smiling.
"Ha, the kid learns fast," Jake laughed.
"Well, essentially," I answered.
"There's 10 million rules, countless lectures, never ending chores, and the worst part of all, Rosalie! Better think it over kid cause you have no idea what it's really like to live here," Jake said nodding his head to the side towards me.
"You have it so bad?" I asked him.
"Yeah, we all do," Jake answered.
"Martyr!" Leah said laughing.
"Hey, we have to do stuff around here all the time and it's not fun," Jake said.
"We all have chores we have to do, Nathan," Leah said to him.
"So? What's wrong with that? I'll do chores," Nathan answered.
"Everyone has chores to do and yardwork so you will have some assigned to you also. You will have to let me or Aunt Esme know where you are at all times and you cannot leave to go anywhere without our permission," I informed him.
"No problem, I don't want to go anywhere but here," Nathan said beaming.
"Yeah, just you wait Runt," Jake said again.
"Stop giving him the wrong impression. You got it made here and you know it," Billy said to Jake.
"Look who's talking, you're still not allowed to drive yet," Jake rubbed in.
"That's where you come in," Billy said to Jake.
"Plus we have to get you a phone and you are to have it on at all times and if we call you, you will always answer or call us back as soon as possible. You will always be reachable and no excuses, young man," I warned him.
"I get my own phone? Cool! Come on, let's get one," Nathan said running up to me.
"We still have to clear this with your parents. How about you, me and Chief Black take you over to your house now and arrange it," I said to him.
"I'm ready!" Nathan said running to the garage door in the kitchen.
Later that afternoon:
Carlisle:
We went to Nathan's home and Billy and I talked with his parents. They are older and had Nathan late in life. They eagerly accepted my offer to allow Nathan to spend the summer with us as they were going to allow him to stay at the Lodge this summer. They had planned a trip to Canada to family in a neighboring tribe and Nathan did not want to go along. It seems this all panned out for the good of everyone, I hope.
After leaving Nathan's parents, Billy wanted me to drop him off at the Lodge to see Sam. After that I took Nathan into Forks and purchased a phone for him and added him onto our family plan. Nathan was in heaven since he had never had a cell phone. He couldn't leave it alone.
"Nathan, you are to have that on at all times and you will always answer when either I call you or Aunt Esme or Chief Black. You will have to make sure it is always charged so a good habit is to charge it every night regardless if it needs charging or not," I said to him.
"Don't worry Uncle Carl, I won't let it alone at all. I wish someone would call me now," Nathan said excitedly.
"Before I start the car, I'll call you so you can see how it sounds," I said as I dialed his number. When the phone rang, Nathan practically jumped up and down in joy.
"Listen to it…my own phone ringing…," Nathan said just staring at it while it continued to ring.
"Aren't you going to answer it," I suggested.
"Why? I know it's you," Nathan said smiling.
"Answer it anyway," I said nudging him.
"Okay! Hello Uncle Carl," Nathan said giggling.
"Stop giggling and get off the phone," I said sternly into the phone.
"Yes sir," Nathan laughed and hung up.
"It's customary to say good-bye before you hang up," I said nudging him again.
"Ha ha ha, you asked for it," Nathan eased. "Uncle Carl, I forgot to bring my clothes."
"Don't worry, you won't need your clothes. I'm sure by now, Alice has a whole new wardrobe in your room for you," I said.
"Are you kidding? New clothes? Wow…hey…did you say…my room?" Nathan asked grinning so wide I thought the sides of his mouth would split.
"Yes, the spare room you have been sleeping in is now designated as 'your room' while you are with us this summer," I said to him.
"Oh cool! My own room in your house," Nathan said clapping his hands.
"Nathan, remember…while staying at my home you are under the same rules and restrictions as my other children and you will be treated like my children also. So if you disobey or break a rule, you know you will be in trouble," I warned him.
"Heck Uncle Carl…I've always known that," Nathan reminded me.
"It may not be as fun as you think it will be. Being a guest is one thing, but being considered a member of the family will include chores and tasks you will not enjoy or like doing at times," I told him.
"I'll do anything you tell me, Uncle Carl," Nathan said giving me a nod of his head.
"I wish all my children were that happy to do chores," I said ruffling his hair. We then started for home.
Saturday:
Carlisle:
It was finally Saturday and school is now out for the summer. No one is happier than Jake. He's even been whistling. This year both Seth and Jake's grades had improved over last year and they do not have to go to summer school, although they could do better. I have to go to the hospital for a bit this afternoon and the boys have their yard work to do. This is Nathan's first time doing chores as our guest for the summer. His parents left last night to go to Canada to visit relatives at another tribe. Nathan is in his glory and love his 'new room' while he is staying here. I'm heading down to the kitchen where my brood is currently at.
"Alright, I want the yard work done by the time I am back late this afternoon and no arguments. Nathan, this is your first time and I expect you to do as the others tell you and no goofing off," I said to not only Nathan but all of them.
"Edward and Jasper are doing the lawn, Emmett and Jake are weeding the garden and raking and trimming and Nathan can help them," Esme said.
"What about Seth," Jake asked.
"Seth is coming with me and I am dropping him off at Dr. Poston's, the vet," I said.
"He gets out of all the yard work, that's not fair Dad," Jake complained.
"Then you volunteer with him at the vet's office," I suggested.
"No way, I'm not cleaning out cages," Jake said insulted.
"I do more than clean out cages," Seth came back.
"I need to make a few more notes before we leave Seth," I said returning to my office.
"Boys, get outside and get started," Esme said to them. The moaning began in earnest.
While making notes on some patient's charts, I glanced out the window to see Jake and Emmett talking to Nathan and showing him how to weed the garden. I then got back to my charts. After about 20 minutes I glanced out the window and there was Nathan, weeding the garden by himself. I wondered what happened to Jake and Emmett when I saw them at the edge of the yard trimming. They seemed to have dumped weeding the garden on Nathan. Those boys. I grabbed my things and made my way downstairs.
"Seth, I'm ready to leave," I called out.
"I'm ready Dad," Seth said coming over to me.
"Did you take Harry out and feed him," I asked.
"Yeah, he went outside and ate his food and he and Uncle Billy are up in his room taking a nap. Uncle Billy's in his recliner and so is Harry. Uncle Billy is snoring and so is Harry and every now and then Harry howls. It's hilarious Dad," Seth said laughing.
"Yes, I can hear it. Sounds like two freight trains passing each other and blowing the whistle," I said.
"Hey, it does! That's funny Dad," Seth laughed.
"Come on, we have to get going," I said as we made our way to the car and left.
Out in the Yard:
Jake and Emmett:
"So I have an idea," Jake said to Emmett.
"What's that?" Emmett asked.
"Nathan seems eager to please everyone. Let's use that to our advantage. We'll talk him into doing our chores and we can go off into town and get those new video games we want," Jake suggested.
"Sounds good to me. Pops just left and we are in the clear. The girls are doing chores in the house with Mom and Uncle Billy's knocked out with Harry," Emmett agreed.
"Just follow my lead," Jake said as he and Emmett went over to Nathan. Nathan was hard at work, happily weeding Esme's garden.
"Hey Runt, how's it going," Jake asked.
"Fine, look how far I got," Nathan said pointing to the garden.
"Wow, you got almost halfway with it. That's great! You know Nathan, the way to get on the good side of Dad and Mom is to help others and do as much as you can of the other's work on your own to show them you are a team player and can do anything you want without help from others," Jake explained.
"Really? I sure want to get on their good side and show them I can do anything they ask of me," Nathan said eagerly.
"We can help you out if you'd like?" Jake offered.
"How?" Nathan asked.
"You can do our weeding and trimming. When Edward and Jasper get finished cutting the grass, you can do all the trimming and weed eating after weeding the garden. You have to do the whole yard, but wait until Edward and Jasper are done and out of sight or they might want to do our work and get the credit from Dad. So we'll do our part until they are finished cutting grass and then when they leave, we'll turn it over to you," Jake said.
"Okay, I'll get busy and finish the garden and you guys let me know when I can take over for you," Nathan said.
It wasn't long and Edward and Jazz were finished with the yard. They went in and Edward left with Bella for the cottage and Jasper and Alice went to their special place. Esme, Rosalie and Leah went into town to do some grocery shopping.
"Okay Nathan, the others are gone. Now you can take over for us and finish up and Dad and Mom will be so proud of you. They like when you take over for the others and since you are new to the chores, this will show them you can handle any chores and make it easier on the rest of us. They will be so proud of you but don't let on that you know this or it won't mean as much to them. If they ask where we are, just say we are doing other chores and you offered to finish our part here so we could go and run some errands for Mom and Dad in town," Jake said.
"Sure you guys. I'm glad to help out. This will make me look good to them," Nathan said happily grabbing the trimmer.
"Well, we have to do some errands in town. If Mom or Dad ask where we are, don't let on we went into town so that we can surprise them when we come back and they find out we did their errands for them," Jake said.
"Oh I won't tell them anything. I promise," Nathan said.
"Boy, that was like taking candy from a baby," Jake said. "Let's go before someone sees us.
"You're brilliant, Wolf-Bro," Emmett said clapping Jake on the shoulder.
"I know…its pure instinct," Jake said proudly.
Later:
Carlisle:
I was finished with the hospital and picked up Seth. We headed for home and drove up the drive to our house. There was Nathan, busy trimming and raking up after himself. No one else was in sight. I was beginning to suspect someone put him up to doing all the work while the culprits took off and I had a feeling I knew who the two were. I tapped the horn and Nathan turned and waved. Seth and I parked in the garage and we made our way out to Nathan.
"Nathan, why are you the only one still working?" I asked him.
"Oh the others finished hours ago. I'm just about done Uncle Carl," Nathan said proudly.
"I see. What all have you been doing that it took you this long to finish?" I asked.
"Well, I weeded the garden so Emmett and Jake could do the trimming and edging and then when I was through weeding, I took over for them so you would be proud of me for offering to help the others," Nathan explained.
"What? I would be proud because you helped the others?" I asked not believing what I heard.
"What are you talking about Nate?" Seth asked.
"I'm not supposed to let on that I know," Nathan said not wanting to explain.
"What exactly did Emmett and Jake tell you," I asked.
"You won't rat me out will you Uncle Carl," Nathan said.
"Nathan, what did they tell you," I asked now becoming upset with those two.
"They said the way to get on your good side and Aunt Esme's is to do all the work of the others as you can on your own and it will show you and Aunt Esme that I can do anything on my own and helped out the others. So I did all the weeding and when I was finished with Aunt Esme's garden, Jake and Emmett stopped their weeding and trimming and let me take over to show you. See, look how good it looks," Nathan said proudly.
"Boy did you get taken. Those two pulled a fast one on you, Nate," Seth said.
"What are you talking about Seth? It proves I'm a team player and helped the others out," Nate said.
"Nathan, I'm afraid Seth is correct. Emmett and Jake used you to do their work while they left. Exactly where did they go?" I wondered.
"They said they had to do errands in town for you and Aunt Ez," Nathan said.
"Oh they did, did they? Well, I think we better wait for them to come back so I can deal with them. Next weekend Nathan, you are excused from any chores since you did Jake and Emmett's chores this weekend," I said patting him on the shoulder.
"Really? But I kinda like having to do chores. I don't have to at home. It was fun to have to help…it was like I was part of your family," Nathan said earnestly.
"Nathan, those two should have done their share. It wasn't fair to you, Edward or Jasper. They will be doing everyone's chores next weekend. After they come back, I think you deserve a treat. I will take you and Seth into town for pizza and ice cream since you both did your share this weekend and I am very proud of you," I said putting my hands on their shoulders.
"I just did my usual at Dr. Poston's," Seth said.
"Yes, but you helped him and the animals," I pointed out.
It wasn't long and I heard my two sneaky little conniving shirkers coming noisily home. They entered through the front door and I was standing there in the front entrance waiting for them. They both had a funny look on their faces.
"Well boys, where were you?" I asked now with my arms crossed.
"Uh…we had to run some errands…," Jake stumbled out.
"What kind of errands?" I asked.
"You know Pops, errands…everybody runs 'em…," Emmett stated.
"I see…then you won't mind me looking in your bags," I said holding my hand out for the bags each of them were holding.
"Uh…Dad…you wouldn't want to see this…it's…it's…lady stuff…," Jake now stuttered.
"Lady stuff? Like what?" I asked still holding my hand out.
"Um…," Jake uttered.
"Pops…you see…," Emmett said and just looked off into space trying to find something to salvage this story.
"Hand those bags over," I said sternly.
Both of the begrudgingly handed me the bags. I pulled out two new video games each. I then held them up and read them over front and back and then held them out for them to see.
"I don't see anything about lady stuff here," I said glaring at them now.
"Me either," Jake admitted.
"There's a lady on the cover," Emmett pointed out.
"Nice try son…I would like to know why you were not here helping Nathan with the trimming and edging," I said to them.
"He was doing okay…and he wanted to do it, Dad," Jake offered.
"Yes, because you coerced him into thinking it would make him look good in my eyes. How dare you two use Nathan, who is our guest, and get him to do all your work while you two run off and buy these useless games," I said crossly.
"Now Pops, they're not useless…," Emmett tried to make them important.
"Yes they are. You two are going to do all the chores next weekend while Nathan sits back and watches you. Plus, tomorrow, you are coming with me to the hospital and doing all the yard work there, mowing, trimming, and edging and cleaning up. Oh…and you can forget trying these games out for two weeks but I'm sure Seth, Nathan, Edward and Jasper will enjoy them," I said giving them a piercing glare.
"Oh come on Dad…that's too much yard work and two weeks…come on…," Jake whined.
"Keep it up and it will be 4 weeks until you play the games and 4 weeks of yard work," I warned them.
"Aww…man…," Jake grumbled.
"Wolf bro, you and your stupid ideas," Emmett said turning to Jake.
"You both owe Nathan an apology," I said to them.
"Sorry Runt," Jake said.
"Yeah, me too Runt," Emmett said.
"You two should be ashamed of yourselves. You both sit on either end of the couch, no talking or getting up, and put your hands in your laps. You stay there until I say you can get up. Come on, Seth and Nathan, we will go into town for your treat," I called to them.
Jake and Emmett walked to the couch pouting the whole way. Jake flopped down on the right side and Emmett flopped on the left. They both looked at each other and then put their hands in their laps and let out a sigh together. Those two should be brothers! Then it dawned on Jake about pizza.
"Dad…what about me? I need food," Jake said.
"Yes, you can eat whatever Billy wants for supper," I said as we walked to the garage.
"What? Oh no…," Jake grumbled.
"Hey, anyone hungry? I made my famous beaver chili at the Lodge last night and I have a whole kettle full of it. Yum, yum, nothing better than beaver chili," Billy said as I flashed up and carried him down.
"Oh gross!" Jake howled. "Come on, Dad! Please! Don't leave me with Julia Child here!"
"Enjoy your chili, Jake," I called to him.
"Could be worse, Wolf bro," Emmett said to Jake.
"No way…what could be worse than beaver chili?" Jake asked.
"Beaver pizza," Emmett laughed.
"I think I'm gonna be sick," Jake uttered holding his stomach.
*Referring to my story: "Two New Faces"
To Be Continued…
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