Chapter 36.
Hunter POV.
Bella fell asleep in my arms, and I didn't move her for the rest of the night. She needed to rest, and let her mind start healing. Mom arrived home a little after five in the morning, and she quietly sat down in the lounge with us.
"How is she?" she whispered.
"I'm not too sure, yet. She has cried a lot, but at least she is able to sleep. I'm not sure if she has fully taken it in yet, or whether she is resigned to the fact that Edward is a shit."
She rolled her eyes at me, but smiled slightly. "I'm glad she has you, sweetie. I know you will look after her in this difficult time."
"Yeah. I would do anything for her," I admitted, looking down at Bella in my arms. "She misses them, you know. The rest of the family I mean. She would like to see them. Do you think they would agree to meeting her? Maybe here, away from him?" I asked.
"I don't see why not. By the way they spoke of her yesterday, they love and miss her, too. I think they would be very agreeable to meeting with her."
I nodded. "I'll call aunty Alice later. I know she misses her the most, and I know she will get the others to come over, too, without Edward."
"Okay, honey. Are you going to school today, or are you both going to ditch?" she asked, smiling.
"Um, I don't know. I never asked her. Perhaps I better wake her incase she wants to go."
"Yes. That would be best. I'm going to shower and change, and you can see what she wants to do," mom said, getting up and kissing my forehead, and heading up stairs.
I gently shook Bella to rouse her from her sleep.
"Hey, sleepy," I said, as she sat up.
"Hey. What time is it?" she said, stretching and yawning.
"Around five thirty."
"And you woke me? Why?" she asked, incredulously.
"I thought you may want to go to school, so I thought I best wake you."
"Ugh," she moaned. "Not today. I don't think I could stomach it today."
I chuckled slightly. "Okay. You want to go back to sleep?"
"No. I'm up now. Might as well stay awake."
"Mom! We're ditching!" I called out.
"Good. Maybe we could all do something together, with your dad too, Bella. He is off work today also," mom said, appearing at the bottom of the stairs.
"Good morning, Eva. I'm sorry for imposing on you so much," Bella mumbled.
"Don't be silly, sweetheart," mom said, kissing Bella's head. "You are welcome here anytime. You know that."
"Thank you," Bella mumbled, and blushed slightly.
"Okay. Who wants some breakfast?"
"I'm okay mom. I've had plenty for the time being. I may need to hunt later, though. Are you hungry this morning?" I asked Bella.
"Um. Maybe a little. Nothing cooked, though. A bowl of cereal would be fine."
"I'll get it for you. Would you like some juice, too?" mom asked.
"Please, Eva. Thank you."
"So. Did you sleep better this time?" I asked.
"Yeah. It was a dreamless sleep, which suits me just fine."
I nodded, and I wondered whether now would be the best time to bring up meeting the Cullen's. I didn't want to upset her any more than she already was, but she seemed eager last night.
"Did you mean what you said last night? About seeing the Cullen's again? I mean, would you still be comfortable with it?" I asked warily.
She was hesitant as she thought for a moment. "I would love to see them again, but I don't think they will want to see me now. Not without 'him' being there."
"Bella, I know they want to see you, and I promised you last night, that I would make it happen without him. I just want to make sure you would be okay with it, before I call aunty Alice."
"Aunty Alice? I bet she just loved that!" she chuckled, and it was good to hear her laugh a little.
I rolled my eyes, remembering Alice's reaction. "Yeah. She was ecstatic!" I said sarcastically.
"I can just imagine her dancing around and squealing like a kid," she mused.
"Got it in one," I laughed.
"You really think they will come?" she asked, sounding a little brighter.
"I'll make sure of it," I promised. She smiled at me, and hugged me.
"What would I ever do without you now, Hunter? You are my rock."
"Yeah, I feel like one too, so you aren't far off."
She chuckled again, and mom called her to the table for breakfast. I went with her and sat while she ate. Mom fluttered around, changing the water in the vases, and mumbling about getting new flowers for the house. Like last night, Bella didn't finish everything in her bowl, but I was just glad she had eaten something. I know she had lost too much weight before, and I didn't wanting her losing any more now. She had just begun to put on a little weight again, but it wasn't enough that she could afford to lose any.
"I suppose I better call Charlie, and let him know we aren't going to school today," she said.
"I'd let him sleep for a while, Bella. He just got to bed about two hours ago. I managed to keep him chatting for a while," mom said, but her smile said that there was a make out session, too. Ugh. Too much information overload.
"Okay. I will still need to go home for clean clothes, though."
"Oh, I almost forgot. Your dad gave me some clothes for you for this morning. He knew you would be needing them," mom said, sprinting to her room.
"Great," Bella moaned. "I can just imagine the ensemble he put together for me."
I could hear mom chuckling from up stairs, and she called down, "Don't worry, Bella. I made him let me pick out your clothes. I wouldn't trust him in that department either."
Bella let out a sigh of relief, and I chuckled at her.
"Hey, his taste can't be that bad, if he likes my mom," I stated.
"I think that's the only good taste he's had for years," Bella snickered.
"Come on, now. He isn't that bad," mom said reappearing, and handing Bella a bag. "He's always well dressed when we go out, or meet up."
"That's usually because I pick his clothes out for him, Eva," Bella stated, and we all laughed together, and it felt good and natural, as if she didn't have any worries. But I knew deep down, she was trying her best to hide them from me, because she thought she needed to be a better friend for me. I tried to tell her she couldn't get any better, but I know with the way she is feeling right now, she wouldn't believe that. But I would tell her all the time, until she finally got it.
"Would it be okay for me to shower?" she asked.
"Yeah. But you will have to use mom's this morning, as I'm going for one too," I said, mock shoving her out the way.
"Hey!" she moaned, and pushed me back. I was amazed at how well she was keeping her emotions in check. Of course, she had plenty of practice from before, and I knew the floodgates would open when she finally saw the family again. So for the moment, I never asked about how well she was handling it. I would let her be while she seemed at rest.
After I had showered and dressed, I heard that Bella was still in the shower, so I decided now was the time to speak with the family.
"Mom, will you let Bella know I won't be long. I'm running over to the Cullen's to arrange a meeting for Bella," I said, heading for the back door.
"Sure, sweetie. But don't be long. She may not feel comfortable being left behind."
"I won't. I'll be back in five."
I ran quickly to the house, and knocked on the door. Esme answered.
"Hunter, dear. You really don't need to knock. Please, come in," she said, grinning widely, and I smiled in response.
"Thanks, Esme. I was hoping to speak with the family. Is Edward at home?" I asked, walking into the hall.
"No, dear. He hasn't been home all night, but I will gather everyone else."
I was quite glad I wouldn't have to deal with him for the moment. I think he may have been quite difficult about staying away from Bella, and I knew he would deal with it better coming from aunty Alice. I knew they were the closest.
"Everyone, we have a visitor," Esme said quietly, knowing that they could hear. There was a squeal from the top of the stairs, and then Alice thundered down them, and into my arms.
"Hey, aunty Alice," I groaned, as she pushed the air from my lungs.
"I wasn't expecting to see you so soon! Though, when my day went blank, I should have known," she ranted, releasing me.
"Hey, lil' dude," Emmett said, squeezing my shoulder. "You over for some battle training? Want your old uncle to teach you a thing or two?" he asked, chuckling.
"Hey, Em. No. Not right now. Maybe later," I said.
There were more welcomes from the rest, and as everyone gathered together, Esme said that I wished to speak with them.
"How can we help you, Hunter?" Carlisle asked, as he sat everyone down at the dining table.
"It's actually Bella I've come to speak about."
"How is she?" Alice asked. "I couldn't see her, and presumed she was with you all night. I take it Edward's news didn't go down too well?"
"Not really, but she's keeping herself composed really well. I didn't expect that. Not after the last time," I said, as I looked around them, and they all looked ashamed for their part in it all.
"Please, she doesn't blame you at all. She knows Edward wanted you all to leave. But that's why I've come. She was wondering if you would mind meeting with her. She has missed you all so much, but thinks you will have nothing to do with her, now that she is no longer with Edward."
"She doesn't want him anymore?" Esme asked, sounding very disappointed.
"No. She is determined he has gone too far this time. But who knows? That kind of love just doesn't leave overnight, right?" I asked. I was sure I was right.
"Of course we will," Alice said. "Just tell us when and where."
Looking at everyone else, they all nodded in unison, agreeing.
"Well, she's at mine right now. We're ditching school today, so why not a little later. But please. Not Edward. She wouldn't be able to deal with that. Not right now, anyway," I pleaded.
"Of course not," Carlisle said. "We realise she needs space from him, but if she wishes to see us, then of course we will be there. How about we come over in a couple of hours? That would give her a little time to get ready."
"That will be fine. Thank you for doing this for her. I think she really needs this.
"You care for her a lot, don't you Hunter?" Esme asked.
"Yes, I do. She's my best friend, and I hate to see her so hurt. I think your presence will help, though."
She smiled, and walked over to hug me. "You are a good boy, dear. And we will gladly help in any way we can."
"Thank you. I better get going. She was in a shower when I left, and doesn't know I'm gone. I want to get back before she thinks anything bad."
"Okay, dear. We will see you soon," said Esme, walking me to the door.
"Thanks again," I said, and turned and sprinted back home.