PLEASE prepare youself…BELLA'S stupidity and everyone's Jackassness rears it's ugly head in this chapter……..
Chapter. 37 Honorary Grand Father.
"Bella…..Bella….you need to get up, we need to leave in thirty minutes"
"I don't want anything your offering…go away" I huffed into my pillow, he chuckled.
"Get up"
"Unless your Santa Claus and came a few days early…go away" I mumbled.
"Get up! I already sent our suitcases down to the car….come on lets go!"
"I don't want to"
"UP UP UP" He laughed while pulling me.
"A little bit longer? I am already dress, and my hair is in a pony tail, my teeth are brushed, Just a little bit longer"
"Nope" He said confidently as he scooped me up into his arms. I screamed.
"NOOOOOOOOO my warm bed! Please NO! My sweet love!"
"Stop being dramatic, you are going to wake everyone in this hotel up!"
"I don't care, my bed, my sweet and comfy bed….I love you bed, I'll miss you, I don't want to leave you….I'll come back, I promise, I'll come back." I pleaded.
"Not a chance" He continued to walk, through the room, to the doorway, the elevator the lobby.
"Anthony….Bella" Angela laughed, and I just pouted.
"Good morning Angela" Anthony chirped, I….continued to pout.
"Well, same as last time…have a great Christmas, you two will be missed around here" She laughed.
"Sure we will….you barely saw us" I pouted.
"Eh, I saw enough of you" She laughed again.
"We have to be going" Anthony laughed back.
"Alright you two….oh and thank you for the lovely basket Anthony" She gushed.
"Your welcome, we wanted you to know how much we appreciate you" Anthony smiled.
"And thanks for the other things…Bella" She blushed.
"Did you like 'em?"
"We both did"
"Awesome!"
"Totally!"
"What are you two talk-"
"Nothing!" We both sang sweetly.
"Sure" He said as he rolled his eyes, and turned towards the front doors.
"Have a great Christmas Ang!" I yelled over his shoulder.
"Will do!" She yelled back.
Anthony loaded me into the car carefully and I fell asleep quickly; I stayed that way for most of the trip. It was extremely cold when we arrived, even though the sun was shinning. We climbed into a back luxury car, and began the long ride towards Anthony's childhood home; I slept most of the way. I was awaken by a nudge from Anthony.
"We are here" He whispered. I sat up and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. Once they were open I looked around, we were entering a gigantic entrance that read "Big C RANCH".
"Huh?" Was all I could get out.
"Oh, yeah…my father runs one of the largest cattle ranches in East Arkansas. He's a Veterinarian." Anthony stated sheepishly.
"Are you fucking kidding me? And you allowed me to make an ass out of myself? What the hell dude!? There I was showing you how to hold a gun correctly, how to saddle a horse….I AM AN ASS!" I smack my forehead with my palm.
"Well, you were so cute, and cocky….I just didn't want to burst your bubble"
"While the whole time belonging to a family who's Ranch is at probably four times larger than mine…ugh!" I through my hands up in defeat.
"Actually it's over 1800 acres. The land ranges from hardwood to pine timber, to hay meadows and open grasslands. The ranch also has over twenty stocked ponds and lakes that are excellent for fishing. We have some of the finest genetics around for cattle horses, and even deer. My father raises the finest pure-bred Brangus cattle. The ranch has been in family for a couple generations." He shrugged his shoulders, I sat there in shock.
"Shoot me now God, Shoot me now!" I screamed, Anthony just laughed.
"Now I need to tell you something before we get any closer, and I hope you don't-" I cut him off.
"Are those Brangus cattle" I exclaimed loudly, pointing at some rather large black cattle.
"Yeah….now as I was saying"
"Brangus, pft! Sounds made up to me" I laughed.
"Huh uh, anyways-"
"So twenty ponds fully stock huh? Bet you laughed behind my back about my silly little pond"
"Of course I didn't, that pond means a lot to you, and a lot to me now…actually every pond in the world means a lot to me now, because every time I see one from now on it will remind me of how much I love you…but as I was saying-"
"OHHHH! Is that your house?"
"Uh, no, that's the hunting lodge…anyway-"
"Its huge! It fits like what 20 people?"
"No just eleven, my father also runs a very successful hunting and fishing lodge here….but-"
"WOW, sounds fancy…..your dad sure does a lot….where does he find the time?"
"I'm not sure, but he is extremely organized, and my mother helps a lot….speaking of-"
"It's so pretty here!"
"Yes it is…now I need to-"
"No fucking WAY! That…..that right there is your house?" I screamed, while pointing at a white, three story, plantation styled Mansion. It was breathtakingly beautiful. The car slowed to a stop and before Anthony could say anything I jumped out of the car. I was in such awe of the house, that I didn't see the small caramel hair colored lady running out from the house.
"Edward my Baby boy!" I heard someone scream. I tore my eyes from the lovely large windows of the house, only to meet eye to eye with none other than Esme.
"Uh, Hey mom, I uh…see what had happen was…"
"Uh, Esme? Anthony?…Oh MY….I just…..you lied…..I can't…Your Edward….the Edward? Why?….You should have…you" I was mumbling like a Phyc patient.
"I've been trying to tell you…"
"NO!"
"Sweetheart this is what I have been trying to get a hold of you for, I knew this would happen, Alice did the same thing yesterday….Bella please understand" Esme said with concerned eyes.
"You couldn't tell me, like oh, I don't know years ago?"
"Well, I just-"
"Bella you have to understand"
"NO…no way….I….I cant…..I can't do this right now, I have to….I have to go" I said quickly while jumping in the car before Anthony could catch me. I locked the doors as soon as I was in and screamed at the driver.
"I will give you anything you want if you haul ass out of here and take me to a car rental place NOW!"
"No problem 'mam" he said quickly.
I could hear Esme start scolding Anthony…fuck! Edward. I heard Esme scold Edward, and Edward scream my name and that "it was all a mistake." "don't leave me, I love you" he kept screaming, until I couldn't hear him any longer.
The car continued to drive for miles as silent tears streamed down my face. Lost…..everything everyone….lost. I kept mumbling under my breath as I slumped down in the seat and stared at my hands.
"Is everything alright 'mam?" the driver asked, his old grey eyes shinning with worry, through the rearview mirror. I sat up straight in the back seat, looking back at him.
"Bella, my name is Bella and Uh……I…I…No, I don't think….FUCK!…No! everything is not alright, HE fucking lied to me! Everybody fucking lied to me."
"Well Bella my name is Sonny, and Honey, I hate to put you on the spot….but we are aimlessly driving around….What do you want me to do, what do you need?"
"Jake…..I need Jake" I squeeked out.
"Well, where does this Jake, live?"
"Desoto Georgia" I whined, knowing I was in the middle of fucking, Arkansas, with nothing and nobody; other than this very old but nice man. How am I supposed to get to Georgia, smack dap in the middle of the busiest times of the year? Every flight will be booked!
"Would you like me to drive you to the airport? OR?"
"What do you think I should do" I asked quickly, because to be completely truthful, I couldn't think any further than, mere minutes into the future. My mind was racing with everything and nothing all at the same time, and I kinda just wanted to crawl into a dark corner, and never come out.
"Well, I don't know Honey, you are pretty upset….I just want to make sure, I take you to wherever it is that is safe and is best for you….would you like me to call someone for you…or…..Honey you need to tell me what I can do for you, I am at a loss here"
"J-J-Ja-Jake…..I need Jake….I …I feel so empty….so….Lost….I can't think! ….I'm Lost….I…..I…I just can't think!?" I looked up again and caught a glimpse of his grey eyes began to water. It was the last straw, I finally broke down hysterically crying.
"You just hold on there Honey, Sonny will figure this out…..don't you worry your pretty little head, Sonny will take care of you Honey" He cooed as his arm slinked around the passenger seat, to the back. He began to pat my leg, trying to soothe me. I laid down sideways, and curled into a ball. I closed my eyes, and continued crying; the only thing I could see was Anthony/Edward's face. I didn't know what to do, except cry. It was the only think I could think of.
I must have drifted off to sleep, because the next thing I noticed Sonny was hovering over me. "Honey, Bella….Honey?…..you need to get up" he cooed.
"Wa-wa…..What? Where are we?" I softly asked as I sat up and rubbed my sore and raw eyes.
"We're at the airport" He stated quietly, as he rubbed my back, and slowly squeezed my hand.
"I….I…..You can't just drop me off here Sonny…P-P-Pl-Please D-D-DO-DO-Don't l-l-l-leave ma-ma-me" I pleaded, my eyes filling with tears and my face scrunched in pain.
"Ah, don't cry Honey…look, I made a few phone calls on our way…..I found someone willing to fly you to Desoto….."
"YOU GOT TO BE FUCKING KIDDING ME?" I gasped, he chuckled.
"No, Honey, I'm not…you sure have some colorful words there dear" His eyes sparkled with humor.
"Oh! Sorry, I just….OH LORD! How much is this going to cost me? I didn't bring any-" Sonny cut me off.
"Now, you sure are a funny one! 'Ol Sonny, isn't in the mob or rich and famous, or a "Baller" as you kids called it, so there is no way I could set you up on a private jet, Hon…..but my brother Benny, was actually headed out to Georgia in his private plane later this week…he was going to see his grandchildren over by Lake Blackshear….I told him about your current situation and he said he would be willing to leave today and drop you off on his way" He smiled warmly.
"Really?" I asked skeptically.
"Yes really" He laughed.
"Why would you do something like that for a stranger?" I asked as I climbed out of the car and on to the blacktop of a small airport runway.
" 'Ol Sonny has a soft spot for girls that cry….and you remind me of my granddaughter….now, why don't I introduce you to Benny, you have a plan to catch Hon"
"O-O-Okay?' I sniffled; Because everything that happened just came back to me and Sonny, amazingly found me a ride home.
"Benny, this is Bella, Bella, this is Benny" Sonny said as he introduced Benny, and I to each other.
"Hello Bella it's nice to meet you" Benny smiled; looking almost identical to Sonny.
"You too Benny…and thank you sooooo much for doing this…"
"Don't mention it, it 's my pleasure, I'm glad I could make your day a little better, Why don't you make yourself comfortable right in there, and in about five minutes we'll be leaving" He smiled just as warmly.
"Really? Wow, thank you, thank you, you have no idea!" I said excitedly .
"Here Hon" Sonny said as he handed me my, bag.
"Thank you so much Sonny, words do could not express my gratitude" I said as I grabbed him up in a hug, he chuckled.
"Nope problem Hon….but I would like to tell you something….I am still not sure what happened back there, but I know that Edward or Anthony, or whatever his name is loves you….I could see it in his eyes Honey, there is no denying that…..now I don't know what happened and I don't want to know, but…there is nothing that love can't forgive….love is patient and love is kind, and when you are as old as I am you know that love isn't something to take for granted….just thank about that Hon"
"Ok, I will Sonny I promise, and thanks once again" I turned and walked over to the small plane. I climb inside and buckled myself in. Then pulled out my cell phone.
"BELLA?" Jakes questioned.
"Jaaaaaaakkkkkeeeee……he ……lie….I…can't…..why jake why?" I sobbed into my cell phone.
"Whoa whoa whoa, Bella! What happened, what's wrong? Where are you?" Jake asked frantically.
"I….I…..I'm G-getting ready T-to fly home….w-will you p-p-p-p-pick me up at the airport?" I cried.
"Of course….big or little?"
"The little air-P-p-p-p-p-port p-p-p-p-please, in about fo-fofour hours?"
"Ok I'll be there….can you tell me what's wrong B?"
"J-J-Ja-Jake…..I just need you Jake….I …I feel so empty….so….Lost….I can't think! ….I'm Lost….I…..I…I just can't think!?"
"What do you mean lost B? Are you ok….B, answer me!" Jake began to frantically yell.
I couldn't talk anymore, the sobs wracked my body and I was exhausted. Benny climbed into the cockpit beside me as Jake continued to scream on phone. I just sat there eyes trained forwards. Looking at nothing and everything, I was in my own little world.
"Uh…hi this is Benny…I'll be flying Bella home…..yes…..I'm not sure what happened son….no…..we'll be there in about four hours, will you be picking her up?…..uh huh I see….and how do you know miss Bella? I'm not just dropping here off anywhere unless I know she'll be safe…..uh huh, oh! Her father?….well Jake, she is lucky to have a friend like you…..uh huh, okay, you too….bye" Benny, turned off the phone and placed it back in my hand, where he hand snatched it from earlier.
"Bella, Hon, why don't you try to sleep, I'll wake you up when we are getting close?" Benny purposed.
"Yeah…….I am kinda tired……thanks Benny" I sighed and I laid my head back and quickly fell asleep.
The plane ride to Georgia was long, and of course I slept for most of it. Benny woke me up about forty minutes before we were to land. I started crying as reality hit me once again, except this time, Benny asked me about had happened. And so, I told my story to Benny, while trying to stop very hard to rein in my emotions. Within forty minutes, I felt a little better, and Benny was my honorary grandfather. He gave me the same sweet "old people" lines about life and love, that his brother had, and once again I promised to think about them.
We had actually made good time and arrived a little early. I thanked Benny up and down, tried to get his address, so I could mail him some money, but he refused. I finally gave up, and settled for his e-mail, and promising to e-mail, him often with updates, as payment. Then, I started crying all over again as I hugged him goodbye. Hey! It was sad to say goodbye to my new honorary grandfather! I climbed out of the small plane with my bag in hand and, slowly made my way out of the airplane hangers.
I was still crying as I sat myself down on the ground next to the entrance. Within ten minutes, I heard Jake's truck pull up. I slowly lifted myself off the ground, refusing to look at an approaching Jake.
"B? B? Are you ok? Come on B talk to me……..B? B, look at me…" He pleaded with worry in his voice. My eyes slowly raised up. From my feet to the dirt, to Jake's feet, his knees, hips, stomach, chest and folded arms, shoulders, neck, face, then his eyes. The pain that I saw on his face and in his eyes, only made me feel worse, because I knew that his pain was only a small reflection of the pain that must have been in my features.
"Oh, B…what happened?" He whined as he rushed to scoop me up in his large embrace.
"He…I….I…..Oh God Jake, I just don't understand!" I broke down in his arms. He didn't ask anything more, he just placed me in the front seat, and buckled me in. We drove the thirty minutes to his house, in silence, as slumped down, laying my head in his lap and continued to cry. Once we had arrived, Leah rushed out to the truck, spitting out fifty questions; but, Jake shushed her, and carried a very limp and once again exhausted Bella, into the house. He laid me down on the bed in the guest bedroom, and crawled up next to me. Shushing and soothing, as best as he could. I began to calm down a bit and began drifting off until I heard a loud huff.
"Really Jacob? Really? Is that necessary? She is a grown ass woman, stop babying her?" She huffed in annoyance, causing me only to cry harder. I realized she was right, and that running home to Jake, was one of the most immature things I could have done.
But then again, I didn't feel I could trust anyone or anything, but Jake. Though my mind was running wild, with anger, hurt, humiliation, and so many questions I didn't know how to answer; my mind just kept chanting, "Jake, safe, Jake, Jake, safe, Jake". It was my normal response, something I always did, without even thinking; I had been doing this since, my mother left. Running to Jake's embrace, was the only thing I knew how to do, if I couldn't cope with whatever life was throwing at me. Because he ALWAYS made it better, always.
"I swear to God woman if you don't-" Jake said through clenched teeth.
"If I don't WHAT? You finish that sentence Jake, and I will slap the shit out of you, don't you think for one minutes that this, and that, is ok, and don't you fucking threaten me buddy!" Leah sneered.
"I don't know what the hell is going on right now Leah, but we already talked about shit like this…..I need to be here for here, and if all the sudden you can't understand that…..well……we talked about that too" He said in a hushed voice.
"Yeah, yeah….I get it! I'm not jealous or some bullshit like that Jake! It's just that, she cant just bust into our life, as she pleases! Just……do whatever you got to do, Ill be down stairs watching TV…. And you know what Bella? I'm sorry for whatever is going on, but we have lives too. And I'm sorry if that sounds like I'm being a huge bitch, but even with these hormones and shit; we both know you can't keep doing this….sorry" She whispered sweetly at the end.
"You have every right to feel the way you do babe, just……well geez, look" He motioned at me, as I just continued to cry into his chest hysterically.
"I know ugh!…….I'll bring up some food and water in a bit ok? Do you want me to get an extra blanket for ya guys?" she huffed as if this bored her.
"No, but, thank you babe….and I love you"
"I love you too Jake, holler if you need anything"
"Ok" He said quietly, as he pulled me tighter to him. I heard Leah turn and walk down the hall. With everything that had happen, and now, being the cause of tension in Leah and Jake's relationship, it felt as if the world was closing in on me. I cried harder, than I have ever before.
"Shhhhhh….it's ok B….it's ok….shhhhhhh it's all going to be ok B……shhhhh……hmmmm" He began rocking me back and forth, humming "One Friend", I listened to his deep humming, and began to relax.
My happy, safe, and sheltered childhood began replaying through my mind. I remembered Jake and I playing in the fields, when we were five. I remembered trying to drown him in my pond when he tried to kiss me for the first time. I remembered my dad taking us both hunting, and Jake crying about killing bambi's father, and me making fun of him about it every hunting season since. I remember all the time I snuck to his house when I was scared or hurt, and I remember him doing the same. I remember
OH LORD!!!!! Don't hate me….but love Jake……and please understand Bella…and hope that Leah stands up for herself more!.....Review!!!