Chapter Twenty Nine-Goodbye Charlie
I was surprised to find that the lights in the house were off. Charlie didn't work night shift today and it was still pretty early before bed, so he was either out having drinks or with Billy, either way, it made leaving that much harder. My mind was empty, and I felt such guilt for what was to come, I should at least write him a note, a letter, hopefully something and tell him how truly sorry I felt.
Edo slowly pulled the jeep up, still out of hiding from the house's sight, but somehow still within ours. The others looked carefully around the area, making sure James wasn't here, waiting to kill me when their guard was down.
"He's not here, let's go" Emmett said.
Alice turned in her seat to smile at me, and even though I hadn't really gotten to talk to her, I still felt a sisterly warmth towards her,
"Don't worry Izzy, everything will be fine again, you'll see" she winked, I felt tears gather in my eyes as I stared at the pixie. She smiled warmly at me and placed a hand on my head, letting it slowly trail so it cupped my cheek,
"I promise Sweetie," I nodded, she pulled her hand back and I wiped my eyes.
Emmett hopped out of the jeep, then reached back and pulled me out as Alice and Edo melted into the darkness, keeping sharp gazes on the surrounding area of the Swan residence.
Emmett walked me to the front door as he said he would, he held me for a moment and when we pulled apart, he kissed me briefly, but passionately.
"I love you, so much Izzy" I nodded,
"Meet you upstairs?" he nodded sadly, and when I had the door open and walked in, I couldn't feel his presence.
I knew I had a short time before we had to leave, but I couldn't help but deviating from the plan just a little bit. Going over the counter, I grabbed the spiral notebook Charlie and I use for sending each other notes when the other wasn't home, and started to write something short and to the point.
I finished and quickly ran upstairs to find Emmett in my room packing a duffel. We were silent as we packed my clothes, I headed to the bathroom, grabbed my toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. I saw Emmett had packed all that I would need, plus a few trinkets and other things for me to slightly occupy my time with. I shrugged the duffel strap over my shoulder as Emmett and I walked hand and hand downstairs.
Emmett melted away into the darkness as I closed and locked up and ran straight to my truck. Getting in, I started it up and prayed that it wouldn't die on me, especially since the thunder and lightening from earlier was the like the background music in those suspense/horror movies Ash and I had seen when we were younger.
Thoughts of my dad slipped through my mind and I hoped that someday he'd forgive me, that I'd still be welcome in his house, that, more importantly, he'd still want to be my dad. The tears poured down my cheeks as I thought of Ash.
Ash…she's my best friend, my soul sister, at one point more than that. I shook my head and forced myself to calm down, only to scream bloody murder when something thumped against my truck. My nerves were shot, and I just wanted to go home, curl in bed with Emmett with a hot cup of cocoa, or better yet, licking the cocoa off him. Seriously, what's wrong with me?
Emmett's topaz eyes stared back at me before he came in and scooted me from my seat, taking over driving before putting me in his lap as usual.
"I'm so done with all of this. When this is over, you and I are doing something fun, I don't care what, hell, I'd even settle for a bubble bath" I told him, I felt him shake in laughter, the first laugh since all this started.
"Okay baby, but then you and I are going to have a lot of fun together if you get your bubble bath" I heard the smirk in his voice and nodded happily, I think I like dominant Emmett.
The car suddenly shook and I would have screamed again if Emmett hadn't caught it with his lips since he was too busy driving. He pressed his forehead against mine, he slid his thumb under the waistband of my jeans and gently started to massage my lower back.
"Shh, Snowflake, it's okay, it's just Edward. Okay?" I nodded,
"And here I accused Edo of losing his mind" Emmett chuckled softly before he pulled to a stop and I realized in all that time that we were at the Cullen Manor.
Immediately Edo opened the door and carried me inside the house. I blinked and froze when I saw Laurent standing with Carlisle. Emmett just about roared before he crouched protectively in front of me, honestly by this point, I had no qualms with Emmett wanting to kill anyone.
"Please, I mean no harm to you or more importantly her. Besides, your not the only one who would kill me if I even laid a finger on her" I figured he was talking about the other Cullen's, but to my surprise I heard Edo gasp and looked up to him only to see him staring at me in slight wonder.
What the fuck? Did he inhale mushrooms or something?
Looking back to see Laurent staring, I shied away, but that was before I felt it again, the familiar warmth, spreading throughout the center of my chest. Looking down, I rubbed the area before looking up at him, to see him, yet again, staring at me.
Okay, yeah, let's just stare creepily at the human girl while her vampire boyfriend-who is very on edge-could easily rip him apart. Yeah, let's go with that shall we? I thought sarcastically.
He shook his head before allowing himself a small smile.
"You look so much him it's scary. How I didn't notice before is still a mystery, you look like the female version of him, except for the hair and eyes that is" I blinked, what did he mean by that? Who is "him?"
Unfortunately, this train of thought was cut off when Alice, Jasper, Rosalie and Esme all burst through the door, Rosalie and Esme going to their respective mates.
"James' following the trail perfectly, he's heading not too far from the other end of Forks now as we speak" Alice grinned, somewhat maniacally, I shivered and decided never to go against Alice, for one, she looks like scary shit like that and two, I'm afraid she's going to force a "Drink Me" down my throat. Heh, Alice in Wonderland reference.
"Good, now then, I'm going to warn you now. James is easily obsessed with what he can't have, and a human girl being protected by a co-err-family of vampire's is his greatest hunt yet" then he turned to me specifically,
"As long as you don't 'awaken' he'll never know he found the 'King's Treasure'" my eyebrows furrowed and I wondered what he meant by that, and what did he mean by 'awaken' anyways? That was when I felt the warmth again, and it made me realize, the warmth only came when I was being threatened, or felt it. I managed to ignore it, deciding that whatever the hell he meant by that doesn't matter right now.
"I think I'll go up to Denali, visit that other family of yours as well" Carlisle nodded and was the only one to wish him luck before the Jamaican man was gone again.
"Now that everyone is caught up on the plan, should Jasper and I head out for Phoenix now with Izzy?" Emmett nodded before turning to Rosalie,
"Rose, I need a favor. Take Izzy upstairs and switch clothes with her" Em commanded, the blonde looked to me and seemed to be internally debating before sighing and taking my hand, she dragged me upstairs.
I was pulled into a room that made me wonder if it was hers and Edo's. She started taking her clothes off and I did as well, her clothes were a tight fit but I could still move around, the only thing we didn't switch was our shoes.
We walked out of the room together but held me back as I began to take the first step down, I turned to her and was surprised to see concern in her eyes.
"I don't know how, or when, but I promise that this will be over with. You can bet your ass that Emmett will never stop until he sees you safe again, so rest assured Izzy" even though I hadn't talked with her much, I could feel the sincerity in her words and nodded as tears pricked my eyes. This time it was my turn to shock her as I pulled her into a hug, burying my face in her shoulder, inhaling a mixture of her scent and mine.
"Thank you Rosebush. I think I really needed to hear that" I pulled away only to be pulled back into the hug, this time by Rosalie. We stood there holding each other for a short minute and I was grateful to have met Rosalie, and for all she's doing to help Emmett keep me safe, I'd have to find a way to repay the favor someday. Maybe I could do her hair and make up, she does seem to be the type that loves being pampered.
"Your welcome, now, no more tears Izzy. You've done enough crying over this. You need to be strong now okay? Remember, have faith-if not in the family-then in Emmett" I nodded, took a deep breath and slowly let it out.
I stood straight, remembering something Gramps once told me,
"Remember this Soldier, if you can't keep it together on the battlefield and have faith in your comrades, how do you expect them to keep faith in you?" I thought it had been harsh at the time, but now, it was the final push I needed as Rosalie and I quickly made our way downstairs.
This time, I wouldn't cry, this time I'd have to be strong for the Cullen's for Emmett. I saw the somewhat proud smile Jasper gave me, feeling my newfound confidence as I turned myself into Gramps' Soldier.
Emmett came to me and hoisted me up, my legs going around his waist, arms around his neck as he kissed me, forcing my mouth to part as he thoroughly kissed me. Who knows when we'll see each other again. He pulled away when I tapped his arm twice, I put my forehead against his,
"Call me when you can" I whispered, he nodded as I felt him slide a new phone, a burner probably, into my back pocket,
"I will Angel. Please be safe and listen to Alice and Jasper" I nodded, my eyes shut tightly but then opened them and did my best to memorize the contours of his face, his chin, but most importantly, his eyes.
Topaz stared back into my own blue ones,
"I love you Snowflake"
"I love you too"
We kissed one last time before I slid off his waist, landing gracefully on my feet. I felt him turn me around and was about to walk forward when I felt something go around my neck.
Looking down I couldn't see it, but felt it instead.
It was a chocker, as I fingered the charm I grinned as I realized what it was.
A snowflake.
Because to Emmett, that's what I am.
I turned around to find him gone but I somehow didn't mind, I had the snowflake now and it was enough, at least, until I could get my hands on my mate that is. Feeling an arm drape around my shoulders, I looked see Jasper smiling sadly at me, I smiled back and wrapped an arm around his waist, basking in the calm he sent me.
"Are you ready Darlin'?" he asked, a Texan accent I hadn't detected before slipping in, I nodded. He took his arm away and turned to face me, holding his arms out,
"May I?" I was surprised, and smiled at the amusement on Jasper's face,
"You know, you're the only one whose asked me that" I told him before nodding. He scooped me up bridal style before carrying me out to the car.
As Jasper and Alice sat in the front, I fingered the snowflake charm and thought of my father.
I could imagine just what he'd walk into, a dark empty house, expecting to find his daughter asleep on the couch or her bed but finding both empty. He'll try to call my cell only for no one to pick up since I left it at home since it needed charging this morning. Then he'll walk into the kitchen and find the pathetic note I left him and he'll be filled with sadness and then anger and probably hatred towards me.
Though I think I'd rather have dad hate me than be dead, at least he'll be alive. The day's events had tired me out and as I fell to my side, gently falling asleep, I could remember with perfect clarity at what I wrote to Charlie.
I'm sorry daddy…
Kitsunekit75: Meh, some word changing, nothing really important.
