A/N: So, uh, this chapter is a bit long, but I just couldn't cut anything. Also, fuck canon, it's a pick'n'mix, I'm shifting things around. Hope you enjoy!
Beau
I'm still reeling from Carlisle's history, and the idea that magic is real, that I barely notice that Edward's led me to the end of the hall. There's a single door there, and while I can guess where we are, I still ask.
"My room," he says. Edward had yet to let go of my hand, and his cool fingers wrapped around mine so distractingly, it was hard to think. He swings the door open and pulls me through. I take stock of the room, noticing the shelves that line three of the walls. The fourth was just a massive window, identical to the one downstairs. What little was left of the walls was covered in carpet patches.
"Good acoustics?" I guess. Edward chuckles softly, stepping up behind me and wrapping his arm around me. I stop breathing when he rests his chin against my shoulder.
"I feel… relieved that you're here," he says softly, his cool breath spanning my ear. I can't help but shiver, and gently, Edward pulls back. "Not only that, but happy too. I hadn't expected that.
"I'm glad," I tell him earnestly. Edward eyes me carefully, scanning my face for… something.
"You're still waiting for the running and screaming?" I ask, crossing my arms. He nods, ducking his head to look at me through his lashes.
"Hate to burst your bubble, pal, but you're not scary," I tell him frankly. He's too pretty to be scary. I'd seen worse on TV.
"Oh?" he asks, raising his eyebrows and letting a slow, wicked smile spread across his face. His teeth were on display, glinting in the sunlight. He shifts down to a crouch and I back away a half-step.
"You wouldn't," I warn, taking another step back, but before my heel even touches the ground, he has me pulled up into his arms as we fly around the room. All the air rushes from my lungs and the next thing I know, I'm sprawled on the chaise, Edward looming over me like a predator.
"You were saying?" he growls. Oh, that voice! I try to force myself to breathe, but all I can get out are airy gasps.
"You're a terrifying monster," I gasp. "Bram Stoker's quaking in his boots." That does the trick and he pulls off me, laughing.
"Much better," he says. Edward adjusts us so I'm up on his lap, his cool hands spanning my hips. It tugs on my already tenuous control.
"Can we come in?" calls a soft voice from the door. I try to spring up, embarrassed, but Edward won't let me go.
"Sure," he says, and the door swings open to reveal Alice and Jasper. She strode right in, but he held back, surveying our position with a frown.
"It sounded like you were having Beau for lunch, so we came to see if you'd share!" she says. Her voice is so musical it's almost like she sings it. I stiffen for a second before I catch onto the joke, red blooming across my face. He tugs me closer, shaking his head.
"Sorry, not enough to go around," he says. Jasper scoffs, a wry smile on his face.
"Actually, Alice was saying there'll be a thunderstorm coming, so Emmett suggested we go play ball," he explains. "You guys game?"
"Beau?" Edward asks. "Would you like to come?"
"Sure," I say instantly. I'll agree to anything when he's looking at me with this dazzling smile. Christ. "What does a thunderstorm have to do with playing ball?"
"We have to wait for thunder to play," he explains. "You'll see why."
"Do I need to bring a bat? Or possibly an umbrella?" At that, they all laughed, but Alice promised me I'd stay dry. Jasper smirked at me, assuring me there was no way in hell I'd be able to see their pitches, let alone hit one. With that, they left to go recruiting for the teams.
"Vampire's like baseball?" I say with a smirk. Edward nods solemnly.
"It's the American pastime," he says.
Edward takes me back home, so I can let Charlie know where I'm going and—to my utter embarrassment—introduce him to Edward. There's another car in the driveway, though, a weathered blue truck. I squint to make out Jacob and Billy Black huddled on our stoop.
"This is crossing the line," Edward hisses.
"He came to warn Charlie?" I guess. Jake hadn't believed what he told me on the beach that day, but it looked like Billy did. "Let me take care of it."
"Fine," Edward agrees. "I'll be back in a few hours. Be careful, though, the boy has no idea." With that he ducked closer to me, pressing a kiss to the edge of my jaw. My heartbeat skyrockets and a patchy blush blooms over my face.
I hurry out into the light rain, keeping my head down.
"Hey, Billy. Hi, Jake," I greet them as cheerfully as I can manage. "Sorry, Charlie's out fishing. Hope you haven't been out here long."
"Not too long," Billy says genially, though his tone doesn't reach his eyes. "Just wanted to bring this up." There's a brown paper sack on his lap, but it's clear that was just a prop. Still smiling, I pull open the door, waving them on in ahead of me.
"Harry Clearwater's fish fry," Billy clarifies. "Charlie can't get enough of it."
"Thanks, Billy," I say, taking the bag, sticking it in the fridge. "I was running out of ways to fix fish." Billy nods, wheeling himself to the table. I gnaw on my lip, trying to think of a way out of this mess. Jake hangs around his father awkwardly, flashing me an apologetic smile. I shoot him one back. "Charlie won't be back for a while. He went down to find a new fishing spot." I hope Billy doesn't see through my lie.
"Hm, in that case," Billy says softly. "Jake, run out to the truck will you, I have a picture of Becky I want to pass along." At that, Jake scowls, but heads back out into the rain.
"So, Beau, school going well?" Billy asks lightly. I nod, trying to keep my face impassive. "I heard you'd made friends with the Cullen's."
"I did," I tell him, unable to help the ice that slips into my voice.
"Maybe it's none of my business, but I don't think that's the best idea," Billy says. "Charlie's my best friends and I don't want to see him lose anymore than he already has."
"You're right," I say, my tone hard. "It isn't any of your business. The reputation they have is completely undeserved. They've never stepped foot on the reservation." Billy quirks an eyebrow, surprised.
"I see you're… well informed about them," Billy says slowly.
"Maybe better informed than you are," I say. Just then, Jake comes back in, shaking the rain off his long hair.
"Dad, there's no picture anywhere in the car," he whines.
"Hmm," Billy hums, feigning innocence. "I guess I left it at home. Tell Charlie we stopped by okay?"
"Yeah," I say, relief coursing through me. "I will."
"And Beau?" he says, just as they pass the door. "Think about Charlie. He's already lost so much." That's like a punch in the gut, and I can't even respond. Silent, I watch them go, lifting a limp arm in goodbye.
I take a moment to collect myself before going upstairs to change into a loose sweatshirt and a pair of jeans. I'd be in my raincoat all night anyways. My phone chimes and I jump, fishing through my discarded clothes for it.
JESSICA: I'm so in love
This is followed by a litany of heart eyes emoji's and the pictures of the date Mike had just taken her on. Apparently, he'd followed my advice and taken her out to stargaze and enjoy a picnic dinner. It was romantic, in a half-hearted sort of way. It's clear in the picture that they just stopped for takeout. I didn't think that really constituted as a picnic.
Everyone in the group chat gushes about it, and I type in the appropriate response. I notice then that Bella's silent, that she hasn't responded despite her phone blowing up. I figure it's because she's getting ready with her siblings. Could she use magic to keep up with the vampires?
The front door slams, and I crane my neck around to see Charlie shrugging out of his fishing gear.
"Hey, kiddo," he says, coming the join me at the table. I jump up to grab him a beer. Best to butter him up. "Where's the fish?"
"Oh, I stuck it out in the freezer," he says, washing his hands at the sink.
"I'll go grab some before they freeze," I say, working to keep my voice bright. "Billy dropped off some of Harry Clearwater's fish fry."
"That's my favorite!" Charlie says. I send him to get cleaned up and set about making dinner. My stomach is in knots, but I'm starving. I barely ate all day. Soon enough, we're sitting at the table, eating in silence. After we'd both shoveled down our fair share of dinner, Charlie clear's his throat.
"So, what's you do today?" he asks.
"Not much," I start, taking a deep breath before I continue. "I went over to the Cullen's this morning."
"What?" Charlie asks, blinking in surprise.
"I, uh, have a date with Edward Cullen tonight, so he wanted to introduce me to his parents." Charlie squints at me, setting aside his fork.
"You said you didn't like the boys in town."
"Technically, Edward doesn't live in town." Charlie's mouth twitches and I can tell he's torn between protectiveness and the hilarity of the situation.
"So," he starts, tone painfully awkward. "You're going out with Edward? Which one is that?"
"The short one with red hair," I explain, unsure what to make of Charlie's response.
"He, uh, treat you right?" I'm touched at his concern and can't help the smile that blooms on my face.
"Yeah dad," I promise. "He's perfect."
"He's out?" Charlie asks, then quickly backtracks. "I just meant, like, I don't know if you kids announce these things or what—"
"Yeah, dad," I repeat. Charlie nods, red climbing up his neck.
"He's coming to pick you up?" Charlie clarifies.
"In a couple minutes, I guess," I say, looking at the clock.
"Then, listen, I have to talk to you," Charlie says, and instantly, I'm on edge. "Your mom called a few days ago. Phil's up for a coaching gig in Yakima, but she's going to stop by in Seattle for a while. She wanted to come down here and surprise you."
"When?" I ask, completely blindsided. No doubt Edward would want to meet her. It would be a disaster.
"Tomorrow or the day after, she doesn't know how long the interviews will take," Charlie cringes. "I was going to keep it a secret, but I know you appreciate that as much as I do. I figure you could get a heads up, then pretend for her?"
"Thanks, Dad," I say, thankful. It's times like these that I'm forcefully reminded of the similarities between us. There's a flash of headlights and my heart skips a beat. Edward's here. I hurry to the door, but he beats me to it, knocking. I wrench it open to see him on the stoop, looking like a raincoat model.
"Hey," I say, suddenly breathless. Edward smiles, leaning in quick to brush a barely-there kiss on my cheek before moving fluidly past me.
"Hello, Chief Swan," he says, perfectly respectable.
"Charlie's fine, son. I'll take that jacket."
"Thanks sir."
"Go on and have a seat." Edward takes a seat on the love seat, leaving me to sit next to Charlie. I scowl at him.
"So, what are you kids doing tonight?" he asks.
"We'll be playing baseball with my family." Charlie doesn't even question the storm outside. Only in Forks would baseball in the rain be acceptable.
"Good luck getting Beau to play," he laughs. To my embarrassment, Edward does too. I jump off the couch.
"Okay, enough humor at my expense," I mutter. "Isn't time we got going?"
"Not too late, Beau," Charlie says, giving me a significant look. Lord only knew when my mother would decide to stop by.
"I'll have him home early, sir," Edward says, misreading him. Good. He doesn't need to meet Renee until he has to.
I follow him outside and stop short at the absolute monstrosity on my driveway. It's jeep, that much I can see, but it looks like it eats other jeeps for breakfast. It's much taller than even the truck, covered in guard rails, and painted cherry red. Charlie chokes at the sight of it.
"Wear your seatbelts," he says weakly. We hurry through the rain, Edward unlocking it as we approach. I pull the door open, getting ready to climb, but Edward's there in a flash, carefully hoisting me in. Once I'm deposited in my seat, he makes his way back to his.
Instead of a seatbelt, there's some sort of harness, completely covered in buckles. I start to fumble with it, but Edward pushes away my hands, sighing softly. He brushes my neck, my chest, and I give up trying to help all together and just focus on breathing. I hope to god the rain is too thick for Charlie to see. He waves us off as we set off.
"Whose car is this?" I ask.
"Oh, it's one of Emmett's," Edward explains. "He let me borrow it since we're driving off road. I figured you wouldn't want to run the whole way." I nod, but his words sink in and I groan.
"The whole way? As in, we'll be running part of the way?"
"Beau, it'll be fine."
"I going to be sick," I inform him. He laughs, thinking I'm being dramatic, but my dinner is already roiling around in my stomach at the idea of running.
We drive until the road stops, and then again until the path stops. Edward puts the car in park and begins helping me out of my buckles. The rain has let up to a light mist. Alice was right.
"You know what," I say. "I think I'll just stay here."
"What happened to all that bravery from this morning?" Edward teases, helping me down.
"I spent it," I say sourly, balking at the idea of running. Edward shakes his head, grinning like a predator.
"I see I'm going to have to tamper with your memory," he says, stepping forward so he has me crowded against the jeep.
"Tamper?" I ask, my breath already deserting me.
"Mhm," he hums, leaning in close. "Now, what are you afraid of?"
"Of hitting trees," I gasp. "Of getting sick."
"Beau, do you think I'd hit trees?" Edward asks, skimming my face with his nose, sweet breath fanning over me. Jesus, he has me cornered and he knows it. "You'll just keep your eyes closed and you won't feel sick."
"But," I protest, the words dying on my lips. He ghosts his lips over my cheeks, over my eyelid. I'm barely breathing now.
"Beau," he whispers. It comes out like a prayer, and I'm shattered.
"Okay," I exhale. Edward presses in closer, and in a moment of bravery, I kiss him. Instantly, Edward has me pressed against him, his hands tight on my hips, kissing me back with gusto. My own hands skim up his chest and tangle in his hair. He breaks the kiss, gasping and staggering back.
"Beau, you'll be the death of me," he rasps, squeezing his eyes tight and pinching the bridge of his nose. I don't even have it in me to be guilty.
"Too much?" I ask, my voice plunged down several octaves. Edward scoffs, shaking his head and crouching a little so I can hop on. Grimacing, I do, and his hands come up to grab my thighs, supporting me effortlessly.
"Don't… don't hit anything," I tell him, tucking my face against his neck and squeezing my eyes shut.
"Oh, please," he scoffs. With that, we're off. Edward takes care not to jostle me too much, and I'm tempted to look, but I really, really don't want to puke up fish fry all over him. It wouldn't make a very good impression on his family. We slow to a stop, but I still don't let up my grip until Edward squeezes my thighs, telling me we made it.
"And in one piece, too," he teases. Heat flares over my cheeks and he loosens his grip. I mean to slide off smoothly, but somehow, I drop, and suddenly, I'm flat on my ass, blinking up at Edward, who's looking at me incredulously.
"Fuck," I say, surprised at how I got there. Embarrassment threatens to overtake me. Edward makes a weird face and lets out a strangled sound. Suddenly, I realize he's laughing. Flushed and humiliated, I pull myself up while he loses it, brushing off my jacket and jeans with as much dignity as I can muster. Edward still hasn't stopped and is absolutely shaking with laughter. Bastard. I stalk off in what I hope is the right direction.
"Where are you going, Beau?" he asks, voice infused with laughter. I'm torn over the beauty of the sound and the embarrassment.
"To play baseball," I sniff. "Something you clearly have no interest in." Edward, still cackling, tries to school his expression.
"You're going the wrong way," he chuckles. Ignoring him, despite my burning face, I turn on my heel and stalk off. Of course, there's no storming away from a vampire. He's in front of me instantly.
"I'm sorry," he apologizes. "Seriously, but your face was priceless!" He's still smiling, bright and happy in a way that makes it hard to hold onto my anger.
"Jerk," I mumble, biting the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling. Edward, sensing his instant forgiveness, slips his hand into mine and leads to the clearing. It's huge, easily triple the size of a professional baseball field. I can see what's clearly the pitcher's mound, but I can't tell where any of the bases are.
"Was that you we heard, Edward?" Emmett calls, twirling an aluminum baseball bat in his strong hands. "Sounded like a bear choking." Rosalie gives us a cursory look and passes by, joining Alice where she was doing a few practice tosses. The ball whizzes up and back down to her hand, all I can see was her movement.
"You made it!" Esme says, zipping over to join us. "Beau, I didn't know you liked baseball, but I'm glad you came." Her smile was warmth personified, and for a second, it made me ache for Renee, who's smiles could rival the Arizona sun.
"My step-dad plays professionally," I tell her. Edward presses a quick kiss to my cheek and runs off to join his brothers and dad, where they're picking the teams. Esme's eyes sparkle at the sight of us, pools of warm honey.
"I can't believe I get to see Edward so happy and in love," she says softly. It surprises me, I hadn't expected such instant approval.
"So you don't mind?" I ask. "That I'm not… what you pictured for him?"
"Beau," she says, soft sternness filling her voice. "You're a wonderful young man and you make Edward positively glow with happiness. You're beyond what I could ask for."
"You sound like my mom," I say, blushing at her praise. She laughs, leading me down to where Bella was sitting, a huge book propped up on her knees. Her magic book, I realized with a jolt of excitement. Esme laughs, telling me she does consider herself their mom. She tells me her story, so different and much more heartbreaking than the abridged version Edward told me. It makes me want to make her proud, in a way.
"The figuring out of teams is always the trickiest part," Esme says with a conspiratory wink.
"You're not playing?"
"Oh, no, I like to referee," she explains. "They cheat like nobody's business if you give them half a chance."
I take a seat next to Bella, who looks up to give me a smile.
"How're you holding up, lovebird?" she teases, leaning into me. I nudge her back, a soft laugh escaping me.
"Good," I say. "What do they think?"
"Oh, they already love you," Bella promises me dismissively. "They'd love you even if you had webbed feet and a third eye. This is the longest emo-free streak we've ever had." I crack up, shaking my head, but I noticed it to. Edward was brighter, happier than he was in January. It was bewildering to think that was because if me.
"You don't play?" I ask when the teams seem to be decided. Alice, Jasper, and Rosalie were on one team, with Edward, Emmett, and Carlisle on the other. Esme called the game to order.
"No way," she says, rolling her eyes. "They'll go easy on me for almost anything except this. Plus, they can't stand moving 'too slow'."
"So, you're studying instead?" I guess.
"I… have been doing more magic lately, so I figure it's best if I use actual spells," she explains. "I just have a few easy ones marked." Bella shows me the book, written entirely in Latin, and her translation. I pour over it eagerly, marveling at the one she's working on.
"Dream spell," I read. "What does it do?"
"Put's someone to sleep and allows the castor to make them dream anything they want. It lasts, like, forever, so I'm trying to figure out how to make it shorter," she tells me, smiling eagerly. I can tell she's eager for an audience, and I want to indulge her, but the game is starting.
"Batter up!" Alice stands on the pitcher's mound, poised and ready to strike. Emmett stands at home plate—farther than I've ever seen—and takes a few practice swings. Alice moves fast and almost imperceptibly, like a cobra strike. Jasper, squatting behind him, holds his hand up of the ball. Of course, he wears no gloves.
My mouth drops open at the show of grace and speed, raw power. The need for thunder becomes apparent when, running for the ball, Emmett and Carlisle collide. The crash of their collision rings through the air, and I leap up to see if anyone's hurt. Carlisle pulls up laughing, leaping off Emmett to go back to his spot.
The game goes on, innings blasted through, plates stolen, balls tossed out. Edward, while the others change batters, comes running up to me, eyes sparkling.
"What do you think?" he asks breathlessly.
"I'll never be able to sit through regular baseball again," I tell him, earning a laugh. Just then, Alice goes stock still, her mouth dropping open in the perfect picture of horror. Edward whips around, and the joy and brightness drains off his face, leaving behind anger and fear.
"I…" she says, voice faint. Bella looks up from her work, alarmed. "I didn't see. The perspective…" Jasper hurries to her side, wrapping an arm around her pixie frame.
"Alice," Edward hisses. "How soon?"
"Five minutes," she confesses. Suddenly, all the vampires congregate around me and Bella. "They heard us and wanted to play."
"Who?" Bella asks, setting aside her book and hopping up. She goes ignored.
"Can we get them out?" Esme asks fearfully, looking over at me and Bella. Edward shakes his head.
"Not carrying—" He hisses, cursing fast under his breath. "There's not enough time." Rosalie takes her stance in front of Bella, casting a fearful look out to the clearing.
"Who?" Bella demands, hands on her hips. Alice murmurs to Carlisle, too fast for me to catch it.
"What's going on?" I ask Edward, but he shakes his head, lips pressed in a tight line. I realize then, he's not talking to me, but answering an unasked question.
"We'll keep playing as normal," Carlisle decides. "Hopefully, we can convince them to pass on."
"Esme," Edward says. "You play, I'll call them."
"What's going on?" Bella asks, petulant now.
"Beau, put your hood up and sit down," he instructs, ignoring his sister. "Bella, just… just shut for now, okay?" She scowls, but does as she's told, sticking her book back in her bag and sliding it on before flopping back down on the log. I sit beside her. Up close, her petulance is a mask, and she is clearly frightened. I slip my hand into hers and we wait.
A/N: There's not enough focus in the books on how they make each other happy. Like? Let them be cute kids? Like the relationship in the books is so intense, and I think trying to be grown up, but they're not! They're only seventeen, and I refuse to let them act like anything but. Anyways, let me know what you thought and tune in next week.