Chapter 37
What's Next?
Olivia Point of View
The cars were loaded with twenty-one people and all of the luggage. We were checked out of the hotel and driving towards the ocean. That was not our destination. This little, homey restaurant was located right near the docks. The entire place was covered in a wood that looked dark and wet, most likely from the morning dew accumulating on the wood panels. We parked the cars, unloaded, and strolled towards the some of the best food. I walked up to the front door of the Hauffbrau, and as soon as my hand wrapped around the handle, I was home. I opened the door and the heat from the room rushed out and warmed my entire body. I stepped inside and took it all in. The scent of salty meat flowed over my nose. The music from the juke box played in the background. I let the music move me. I glided over to the front counter with everyone who eats right behind me. Seth stood next to me, holding my hand, showing me immense amounts of compassion with the simplest gesture. The vampires all traveled over to the tables and sat down. I ordered my beef sandwich with Au Jus. Au Jus was the left over juices that the meat was cooked in. The juice was a dipping sauce of sorts that had more salt than a salt shaker. The sauce was not a thick liquid like steak sauce but more like the broth of a beef stew. We each received our sandwiches in the classic red baskets, I paid, and we all grabbed our seats. Mine was next to Seth's, of course. The second we sat down I started eating. I dipped the sandwich into the Au Jus and took a bite. The shredded beef and the soaked bread fell into my mouth. Everyone else followed my lead. I watched their faces taste the food and immediately they sighed from the flavor. The way the food tasted made you feel at home. I have no idea why but once you tasted the food you felt at home, at peace. I swallowed the first bite after it had been savored enough. I took my second and savored that for a little bit too. I knew all too well that this food filled you up in a snap, and if you did not enjoy every split second the food was in your mouth, you would disappoint yourself because your stomach would be full put your appetite would not be satisfied. Some of the boys were devouring their food, but Seth followed by movements.
"Slow down, boys. This food is going to wait for you; it isn't going to run off. Enjoy each bite because your stomach will be content but you'll be wishing you could eat more." I suggested and slowly ate another bite. The boys immediately slowed down, and a conversation started now that people could talk between bites, because those bites were shovel sized chomps before.
"Where is the next destination?" Jasper asked.
"Home. Well, our old one. When we moved, I gave it to the maid and her family. Most of her family members were still in Mexico, so I helped speed up the process of making them citizens. Her enormous family now lives in our old house. I asked if we could borrow it for a little bit and she was entirely willing to let us. They are taking a two week vacation in Hawaii. The house is clean, stocked with food, and has plenty of rooms, and entertainment. We'll be spending about five days there and then start the journey back to Forks. But we have a few stops to make on the way back." I felt as though I had given all the information, but I was wrong. Everyone was bursting with questions. Craziness began as they all started begging me for answers. I would tell them a reply but they were all talking at the same time not allowing me to hear a single question.
"Hold on, she doesn't even know what you are all asking. One question at a time." My knight in shining amour commanded. Everyone was silenced on that note.
"I'm first! Are we going to Disneyland?" Emmett asked.
"Depends. Are you going to go on every single ride?"
"Of course! So we're going to Disneyland! We're going to Disneyland! We're going to Disneyland!" Emmett sung as he jumped from his seat and started dancing. Everyone else seemed to be just as excited about that aspect, but they all had their own questions.
"Are we going shopping in the Fashion District?" Of course Alice would be worried about not having enough time to shop.
"Absolutely. Do you guys have any hard questions? Come on?" I complained in a completely joking manner.
"There is an auto show going on in LA. Can we go?" Rosalie asked, and I could see Jake's face perk up at the idea.
"Of course," I put it on the list a long time ago. I picked things for each individual person that I knew they would all want to see. "And before anyone else asks, let me just list the things we'll be doing. Going to Universal Studios, spending some serious time at the beach, going to the La Brea Tar Pits-which is a really stupid name because La Brea means the tar, so it's the tar tar pits- a restaurant called Pinks, Tommy's burgers, Hollywood walk of fame, a movie premiere, and a whole bunch of other things you all wouldn't be able to keep track of."
"Can we leave now?" Nessie looked as though she wanted to start driving this instant.
"As soon as everyone is full, we can make our way to L.A." And with that comment I noticed how most of the food had been devoured and we were all stuffed. "I guess that means now." We then walked out of one of my favorite places to eat, and shuffled back to the cars. Seth's arm was wrapped around my shoulders to keep me warm, because I was freezing. The cold air blew against my face chilling my nose. We piled into the cars and started the drive home. I could see Ryan driving from my rearview mirror. He knows the way home just as good as I do. I turned on the radio but failed to find any decent music. Nessie plugged in her iPod and selected the song Pocketful of Sunshine, by Natasha Bedingfield, and we all started singing the lyrics by heart. The girls did, anyway. The car ride was fun as we talked about what we would be going to be doing for the next few days. It was Wednesday, and my meeting was Friday. I could get ready, drive to work, have my meeting, and drive back, before everyone would even be awake. The drive home was actually quite short, only a few hours. We could navigate around California's traffic like a cat avoids a dog. We pulled up to the house and everyone piled out. They just gapped at it for a few minutes than ran inside. Evan, Ryan, Seth, and I stayed behind to unload the luggage. We carried it all inside and set it down next to the front door in the entry way. It's just as I remembered it. All of the furniture is the same, the only thing different would be the pictures hanging on the wall, of her family and not mine. This was perfect because it was not my house anymore. People sped by grabbing their suitcases and rushing to their rooms that they already claimed. Seth and I had my old room, which had been made into a guest bedroom after we left. We unpacked, placing our clothing in the chest of drawers and in the closet. I walked out on to the balcony of the bedroom looking out on the view I always loved. The ocean was just as beautiful as I remembered it. Seth came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I welcomed the sign of affection. We silently stood there for a few minutes enjoying the view until a knock came on our door. "Come in," I called. Nessie and Jacob came out to the balcony and gazed at the beauty before them, just as we had been doing. Jacob wrapped his arms around Nessie as well, even though she was about three and a half feet shorter than Jacob. He squatted beside her to make it easier for both of them. After a few minutes Nessie asked what we would be doing tonight. I told her it was a free for all night but that she needed to rest up because Disneyland was on the agenda for tomorrow. She happily skipped away to tell the others, with Jacob holding her hand. I asked Seth what he wanted to do. And a mischievous grin appeared on his delicious looking face.