A/N: I forgot to say this last time, but I would like to thank those who reviewed Chapters 27 and 28. I would also like to thank Linneagb for her ideas for this story. I will not tell you what they are, and I hope she doesn't either. Anyway, here is Chapter 29.
Disclaimer: So the other day I called up Stephanie Meyer and asked if I could own Twilight and she said yeah, as soon as the economy is based on chocolate and blue becomes a natural hair color, so in other words I won't be owning Twilight anytime soon.
CHAPTER 29:
ELLA'S POINT OF VIEW:
We left for the airport at noon. Dad's friends lived in Dublin, Ireland so it would be a two and a half hour flight. I could handle that. I really hated flying, but two and a half hours was nothing compared to going from Seattle to Hawaii. I didn't even want to know how long it would take to get home. If it isn't obvious, I am really afraid of heights.
Dad closed the trunk of the cab and got in. It was a short ride to the airport. We had only about fifteen minutes of waiting before we could get on the plane. We got regular seats this time since it would be a shorter flight. The plane was crowded and loud. I had a hard time talking to Dad while everyone was getting seated.
"How long is the flight home?" I asked.
"A little over sixteen hours," he said.
I groaned and threw my head back. I would never survive.
Dad smiled. "It will be okay."
I held his hand the entire flight to Ireland. We had to wait a while in baggage claim, but we eventually made it outside. Ireland was beautiful, so green. Dad and I walked into a thick forest where he picked me up and ran through the forest. It wasn't long before we came to a clearing. Dad set me on my feet and we walked up to an old white farm house. The screen door flew open and a streak of red hair and white skin ran out and leaped into Dad's arms. The girl was about my size and had curly red hair.
"Carlisle!" she cried.
"Hello, dearest Maggie," he said.
Another woman stepped out the door. "Carlisle! It's nice to see you. What brings you here?" she asked in a heavy Irish accent.
Dad smiled. "Well, when we talked a few weeks ago, you wanted to meet my newest daughter. We were in the area, so here we are."
The woman turned her attention to me. "Oh yes, Ella isn't it?"
I nodded. "Yeah."
"I'm Siobhan, and this is my . . . daughter, Maggie," she introduced.
"Hey Ella!" she cheered with Alice-type enthusiasm.
The older, orange-haired woman leaned into the house.
"Liam! Come down here!" she called.
A few moments later, a man came outside. He took one look at me and said, "Is this the girl you've been talking about?"
"Yes it is. Ella, this is my mate Liam. Liam, this is Ella," Siobhan said.
"Hi," I said.
"You wanna see my room?" Maggie asked, bouncing over to me.
"Sure."
"C'mon!" she said, pulling my hand so that I followed her into the house.
We upstairs to a spotless white room. It was the shape of an octagon. All of the furniture was white except for the big, fuzzy pink chair by the desk. What surprised me was that she had a bed. She didn't sleep, obviously.
"Your room is so pretty," I said.
"Thanks," she smiled. "So why were you guys in the area?" she asked.
I swallowed. "We had to see the Volturi."
Her head snapped up. "The Volturi?"
I nodded. "Aro found out about me."
"That had to be scary," Maggie said.
"You have no idea."
"Actually, I do," she said.
I looked at her curiously. "What do you mean?"
"I encountered Aro when I was human too," she said.
"Really?" I asked, astonished.
"Yeah. Siobhan is my biological mother. She disappeared and was changed when I was three. Fifty-four years ago – when I was a fourteen-year-old human – she found me and told me what she was. She had already found a mate during the ten years that we were separated and had been looking for me. Liam had tried to discourage her from finding me, but she was determined to find me. Once she did, the three of us moved into this house. Liam didn't like me at all; he was having a hard time adjusting. Then the Volturi found out and the three of us were dragged to Italy. Aro said that the only way I would stay alive was if I was changed. My mother changed me right then and there. Getting literally dragged there had to be the scariest thing that's ever happened to me. I'm not sure if Liam has forgiven me for it yet," she said.
I frowned. "That's ridiculous, it wasn't your fault."
She shrugged. "That's Liam for you."
"Do you think of him as your father?" I asked.
"Not really. My biological dad left before I was born, so I don't know what having a father feels like. I don't know what I'm missing, and I'm okay with that. I'd rather not know about something great than know about it and not be able to have it, if you know what I mean. I don't think Liam could ever be a father figure to me," she said.
That made me really sad. I couldn't imagine my life now without Daddy. My past had been Hell, and he had got me out of it. I loved the love he gave me. I felt bad for Maggie that she hadn't ever gotten that experience.
"Girls? Could you come down here please?" Siobhan's voice called.
I sighed and looked at Maggie. "I probably have to go."
"Maybe, maybe not. Let's just go see what they want," she said, getting up.
I followed her downstairs and into a living room where Siobhan, Liam, and Dad were lounging. Dad grabbed me by my waist and pulled me into his lap. He kissed my forehead and tickled me a little. I noticed how Liam watched Dad's every move. Liam scooted a little bit away from Siobhan and patted the space for Maggie to wedge herself in-between them. He then covered Maggie's hand with his own and gave it a small rub. Maggie smiled happily. Liam had obviously heard our conversation.
"We need to get going," Dad said.
"No," I whined.
Dad smiled. "We'll come back."
"I don't want to be on a plane for sixteen hours," I whined again.
"Let's get it over with," Dad said.
The five of us stood up and walked outside.
"I'm so glad you were able to come," Maggie said.
"Me too," I said.
"We'll definitely come visit you sometime," Siobhan said with a smile.
Liam said nothing, as usual. Maggie and Siobhan hugged both me and Dad. Liam shook our hands. As soon as we were done with the farewell ritual, Dad and I raced off. Our flight for home left in two hours. By the time we got there, checked in, and went through security, we only had a half hour of waiting. I stood the entire time because I would do enough sitting during the flight.
"Flight 459 to Seattle, Washington is now boarding," a voice announced.
Dad and I got in line to board. We handed in our boarding passes and found our first-class seats. I was glad that Dad always let me have the window seat. As soon as the loud engine was turned on and the plane was in the air, I was able to talk to Dad about this trip's events.
"Dad, we don't ever have to go back to the Volturi, do we?" I asked.
"I don't think so, Sweetheart. We might get an occasional letter, but nothing more. You don't need to worry," he said.
"I won't ever be able to think about Italy without shaking in terror," I said.
"I know it feels that way, but I have a feeling that you'll get over it. Every person in our family is here to help with that. Did hearing Maggie's story help?" Dad asked.
"A little bit, but I was more shocked than anything," I said.
"And why was that?" he asked.
"Well, I mean, just the story itself is shocking, but I'm also wondering why Aro didn't insist that I become a vampire like he did Maggie," I said.
"I can't exactly tell you why, but I do have a theory. I used to be a member of the Volturi, so I have a little bit more power than the average vampire. Therefore Aro has a little bit more respect for me. He treasures his Guard members and acquaintances. He doesn't want to lose them, and I am both. Aro looks at life like a game of Chess; you pick your best moves to get the most power," Dad said.
"I don't understand this whole vampire rank thing," I said.
Dad chuckled. "I can't say that I do either."
It was quiet for a moment.
"What's the deal with Maggie and Liam's relationship?" I asked.
"Just what she said it was. He really didn't like Maggie as a human to begin with, and being dragged to Volterra didn't help either. He wants it to be just him and Siobhan," Dad said.
"That seems kind of selfish," I said.
"I think that too. I think he's starting to be able to tolerate her. You saw what he did earlier," Dad said.
"You guys heard our conversation?" I asked.
"Yes we did. And I think it benefited everyone," he said.
I nodded in agreement. I thought about Maggie's and mine conversation. Then I remembered something.
"I can't imagine my life now without you being my father," I said.
Dad smiled. "I heard that."
"It's true," I said.
"You have no idea how happy that makes me," he said.
"You're my hero," I told him.
"I wouldn't go that far."
"I would. If it weren't for you, I'd be six feet under right now. Or more likely a body hidden in the woods or floating in the Pacific Ocean," I said and Dad winced. "Riley would've found me and killed me, but probably not before abusing me more. I would have died from abuse. Even though I was nearly killed by vampires – twice – you stayed right by my side and fought the entire time. You could have just fed me to the rogue vampires or dropped me off in Italy or just killed me yourself, but you didn't. You risked your life for me both those times, and nothing screams hero more than that."
Dad was silent. No, scratch that, he was speechless.
"Cat got your tongue?" I asked with a smirk.
Dad looked at me, but said nothing.
"Ella one, Dad zero," I joked.
He didn't move, and I went back to looking out the window. Then suddenly, I was yanked up out of my seat. Dad put my legs over his shoulders and restrained them. Then he viciously tickled me.
"Stop! . . . Stop!" I begged in between laughs.
That continued for about five minutes when a flight attendant came by and told him to stop and put me back in my seat. Dad complied and shot her a look when she turned back around.
"Ha ha, you got yelled at," I teased.
He turned to look at me. "You want to be next?" he threatened.
"And that would be any different from usual because?" I asked.
He shook his head and muttered, "Unbelievable."
I giggled at took a sip of my Coke. This trip had started in calamity, but ended with lighthearted joking. With a smile on my face, I dosed off to sleep.
I woke up some time later and I was surprised to find that the plane was still high in the air. Dad usually had to wake me up toward the end of the flight. I guess it's different with international flying.
"How much time is left?" I asked.
Dad looked at his watch. "A little more than nine hours."
"Uuuuuuuuggggggggggggggggghhhhhhh," I groaned.
"You'll survive," he said.
"I don't know," I said.
"You have a spare set of clothes in your carryon, right? Why don't you go into the bathroom and freshen up?" he suggested.
I took his advice and went into the bathroom. I put on a new outfit and washed my face. I fixed my makeup and hair before going back to sit down. When I reached the seat, it started to get bumpy and I fell over. Luckily Dad caught me and helped me sit down. I didn't think anyone saw at first, but then I heard faint snickering. I blushed and put my seatbelt back on.
Five hundred million years later, the pilot announced descent.
"Finally!" I exclaimed.
As soon as the door opened, I was the first one out. I ran out and started down the escalator to baggage claim. I ran down it and looked up. I didn't even see Dad yet. I turned around and started walking when I spotted my entire family standing by the conveyor belt. Then I started running.
I slammed into Mom as hard as I could. I hugged everyone while we waited for my suitcase.
"Where's your father?" Mom demanded.
I looked back at the escalator, where Dad had just reached the bottom. He was walking painfully slow toward us, a smirk on his face. I guessed that it was for Mom.
"Get over here, you evil man!" Mom shouted.
Dad smirked and just slowed his pace even more. Mom couldn't resist it anymore; she ran over and jumped on him. Dad's hands captured her waist and they attacked each other with kisses. Dad walked forward without breaking their moment. They were kissing furiously. I was glad when Jasper's hand covered my eyes. I covered Alice's, Alice covered Rosalie's, Rosalie covered Emmett's, Emmett covered Edward's, and Edward covered Jasper's. Now that we were all shielded, the ferociousness of the kissing increased. If only we all had earplugs . . .
"OKAY! ENOUGH ALREADY! THERE ARE MINORS PRESENT!" I shouted.
Only then did Mom and Dad break their kiss. We grabbed our suitcases and headed for the car.
"I want to be told everything once we get home," Mom said.
So when we got home, Dad and I did just that. We told them about the way there, what happened in Italy, about the Irish Coven, and about the way back. Somehow, the conversation turned to school.
"When am I going back?" I asked.
"That depends. I told you that you didn't have to go this week, so you could back Monday or tomorrow if you want," Dad said.
"What day is it?" I asked.
"It's Thursday, tomorrow's Friday," Dad told me.
I thought about it. I was anxious to see Dylan and my friends, which chose my decision.
"I'll go back tomorrow, but what's the story?" I asked.
"Just say that you had a family emergency and you don't want to talk about it. You're telling the truth without revealing anything," Mom said.
"Okay, that works then," I said.
"It's seven-thirty, do you want dinner?" Mom asked.
"No thanks, I'm good," I said and started toward the stairs.
"Yes, you do want dinner. You haven't had a healthy, well-balanced meal in a few days. You will eat, even if I have to force food into your mouth," Dad said.
"Fine!" I grouched and stomped off to my room. I unpacked and put my dirty laundry in the laundry room. I played with Angel until Mom told me dinner was done.
After eating a healthy dinner of spaghetti with meat sauce, fruits, veggies, and a big glass of milk, I went upstairs to get ready for bed. I took a nice long shower and put on my favorite pajamas. I went on Facebook for a while before going to sleep.
I woke up the next morning full of energy. It started out as a normal, dreary morning, but then I realized that this was the last day of school before Winter Break. What a nice surprise! School that day was normal, but with an excited atmosphere. We were almost free! I was even able to avoid Bad Boy and spend a lot of time with my friends. I stood outside with Dylan waiting for Mom to pick me up.
"We should do something together over Christmas," he said.
"Yeah we should, but what?" I asked.
"I don't know, maybe go ice-skating?" he suggested.
"Sure! That sounds fun!" I said.
Mom pulled up.
"See you later," I said.
We hugged before I got into the car.
"Someone looks happy," she said.
I shrugged. "Three days till Christmas."
"Do you want to go do your shopping? Everyone else is already done," she said.
"Sure. Wow, I feel really behind on things."
She smiled. "We all had some time while you and your father were away."
That made sense. Then it dawned on me: I had no idea what to get anyone.
Well, that wasn't exactly true. My siblings were easy to shop for. Girly things for my sisters and manly things for my brothers. I'd probably buy Mom a nice piece of jewelry or something like that. I needed to get things for Bella and Dylan, which wouldn't be too much of a challenge. Bella didn't like anything big and I knew Dylan really well. The only person I truly had no idea what to get was Dad. Every year I usually got him something doctor related, but I wanted to do something different. This year had been extremely life changing for everyone, especially Dad and me. His life wasn't just his work now, it was so much more.
I felt like I needed to get him something that showed how much I loved and valued him, but what gift did that? I would just have to look around and try to find something that fit.
I went from store to store buying things for everyone. I got Emmett a few video games, Jasper a "World's Best Soldier" T-shirt in camouflage print, Edward a new cover for his piano, Rosalie a new pair of heels, Alice a sparkly tank top, and Mom a giant crystal heart. I was still shopping for Dad, but I wasn't having much luck.
"Mom, I can't find anything for Dad," I said.
"Maybe you could get him something to do with his work," she suggested.
"But I always do that."
"And he always loves it."
"But Mom, I want this year to be different and special. Dad and I went through some life changing experiences, and I want to show him how much I love him and am thankful for him sticking by my side every minute. I didn't treat him as well as I could have, and I just want him to know that no matter how I treat him, I love him a lot," I explained to her.
"Oh Honey, he already knows all that but I know what you mean. I think I have the perfect thing in mind," she said.
We walked to a custom-design shirt store. Mom bought a black T-shirt and we went over to the machine where you made your design.
"Write whatever you want on there," Mom told me.
I was thinking maybe a cute message like "My three hundred and seventy-four-year-old hero" but he wouldn't be three hundred and seventy-four years old forever. I wanted to put this year on it, but not on the front. I started by putting "Christmas of 2017" on the back in white lettering.
"Mom, what should I put on the front? I can't come up with anything."
She thought for a moment. "How about World's Best Dad?" she suggested.
"Too common," I said.
I thought for a while. Nothing seemed right. I couldn't put anything about vampires if I wanted him to wear it in public, which I did, so that was out. Something unique . . .
"I got it!" I said.
On the front I put "World's Best Daddy Since 1643" in blue lettering.
"That's perfect!" Mom said.
We walked out of the mall to the car and drove home. When we got there, I dragged everything into my room and grabbed a few boxes and rolls of wrapping paper. I grabbed my scissors and tape and laid everything out on the floor.
I wrapped my sibling's gifts first because I wanted to add things to Mom and Dad's gifts. I found the first pair of shoes that Mom had bought me and put them in a separate box to go along with her crystal heart. They didn't fit me anymore, and I figured it would be something she'd want to hang onto.
For Dad's I decided to write a letter telling him how much I loved him and appreciated what he'd done for me since the beginning. I grabbed a fancy piece paper and a pen.
Dear Daddy,
Thank you for being the world's best daddy since 1643. I may not have known you then, but just from the time that I have known you I know that you always were. I know that some kids who say that to their fathers are just trying to get something or say it just because, but I want you to know that I really mean it. I have told you before and I will tell you again; you are my hero. I remember when I first saw you in the hospital, when I was hiding from Riley, and was scared out of my mind. You found me and took care of me, even though I gave you a hard time. When you told me that you were going to adopt me, I didn't believe it. My entire life I thought of myself as a dirty, used, worthless human. You helped me see that I am more than that. Only because of you am I almost completely healed from my past. You give me everything I want, and I take it all for granted. I don't try to do that, really I don't. Sometimes I think of myself as a princess and become a snotty brat and act like I'm on top of the world, but just a moment with you makes me sweet and grounded again. Just recently you risked your life for me because you care about me. Every time I'm with you I realize how lucky I am. You are my biological father in every way that matters, DNA be damned. I've done a lot of things that I still don't forgive myself on, but you forgave me the second I did it. I want you to know that no matter what I do or say to you, I love you so much and you are the best dad there could ever be. Thank you so much for being my daddy, even though I don't deserve it.
I love you forever,
Ella
Tears were streaming down my face as I wrote this. I had to be careful to not let them drip onto the paper. I laid it in the bottom of the box under the shirt and wrapped it up carefully. I piled all the packages in the corner of my room to be put under the Christmas tree once we got it. I sat in the middle of my floor and let the tears run down my cheeks. I wrapped my arms around my legs and rested my chin on my knees. My tears of love dripped down onto the floor.
A little while later I heard my door open.
"Hey Sweetheart, I'm home. How was sc – what's wrong?" Dad asked.
This only made me cry harder. His love just showered me and while having thoughts like this, it was just overwhelming.
"What's wrong?" Dad asked again, sitting next to me on the floor and wrapped arms around my trembling body.
I dug my face into his neck.
"I love you," I sobbed.
"Ella?" he asked. He seemed really shaken.
"Ella, I'm really confused right now," he said a little worriedly.
I waited till I calmed down to speak. "Oh, don't worry Daddy. I'm just being overly emotional."
He raised an eyebrow. "About what?"
"You," I said.
He turned me around so that he could look me in the eyes.
"What could possibly be going on in that head of yours?" he asked.
I giggled. "You don't want to know."
He rolled his eyes.
"You know, I never did get to finish tickling you on the plane," he said, grinning evilly.
I tried to run, but it was useless. He caught me immediately and picked me up by my ankles. He carried me like that to my bed and plopped me down before starting to tickle me. I screamed and thrashed around but he kept doing it. Even though I told him to stop, I really didn't want him to.
Yeah, I know.
I'm a Daddy's Girl.
A/N: I hope you liked it! Please review, favorite, and follow. Don't forget to vote on my poll! :)
