A/N: I did a FAGE!
Many many thanks to my beta BPlemons. As always, she's my entire dream team and I'm so lucky to have her.
FAGE… The 13th
Title: Wanderlings
Written for: Krida86
Written By: xXTailoredDreamsXx
Rating: M
Prompt(s) used: - Baby it's cold outside - You make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing - Maybe it's time we try something new - You have to get lost before you find yourself -
My own songspiration for this story, thanks to the prompts: Dream Boy By: Beach Bunny
If you would like to see all the stories that are a part of this exchange visit the Facebook group: Fanficaholics Anon: Where Obsession Never Sleeps, or add the C2 to get all the stories direct to your inbox. You will find all FAGE entries for this year and the previous ones at FAGE… The 13th community page. The link can be seen below.
.Wanderlings.
.(0).
A FAGE Fanfic
wRITTEN bY: xXTailoredDreamsXx
fOR: Krida86
.(O).
Most people would be excited to visit Miami in the dead of winter.
Me?
Not so much.
Of course, it hasn't helped my mood that it's currently FREEZING.
Even if I am surrounded by palm trees and sawgrass... none of this currently matters.
I'm sitting on a bench outside of the visitors center of Florida's Everglades National Park when I hear my father's truck pull into the parking lot, long before I'm able to actually see it.
The sight of Old Blue still chugging along makes me smile. I find my feet and give a half wave when our eyes meet, laughing as my dad shoots me an exaggerated thumbs up.
It's been just over a year since I've actually seen his face in person.
With his signature mustache now missing, he looks younger than he did when we'd parted ways last winter.
I'm not sure why this bothers me… but it does.
"I was starting to think you'd forgotten about me and I'd have to walk!" I tease as I watch my dad climb out of his truck.
"Kid, you're a sight for sore eyes! Get your ass over here! " It's impossible to stay mad over his tardiness as he rounds the front of Old Blue to take me into his arms, "I'm so glad you finally found some time to come visit your old man in the middle of nowhere. It's been too damn long."
"Yeah well… all things considered—"
"Yup your boss is an asshole for letting you go, but I'm thankful as hell that you chose Florida as your timeout location when you could've literally gone anywhere else in the world."
"I quit, Dad. I wasn't let go," I snicker as my body instantly stiffens. My eyes swiftly narrow. "But yeah, my boss is an asshole and he's not taken my resignation well. Hence my sudden need to get out of the city so he'd stop hounding me to bend and come back to his stupid agency."
To be honest, I really wish we could've waited a few minutes before jumping into the ugly that's brought me here in the first place… away from civilization and purified water... but it is what it is so I suck it up and put on a straight face.
"Well you're welcome to stay as long as you like. Five days hardly seems like enough time. Did you at least have a good flight?"
"It was uneventful. That's always nice. No bomb threats or psychotic madmen."
Dad nods with a smile and leans forward to take my bag from me, then tosses it into the back of his truck, "Well, jump in. It's a thirty minute drive, but supper will be ready and waiting once we've raced the sun to reach camp."
"Race the sun? Lordy, old man! I sure have missed your adorkable narrations. I'm going to have to write that one down." I quip as I slide myself into the passenger seat and buckle my seatbelt.
As soon as I'm settled, I pull my cell phone from my jacket pocket and give the screen an impulsive tap, "You promise there'll be decent cell coverage out there? I'm waiting to hear back from three different agencies. I can't be completely cut off from the world right now even though I'm currently jobless."
"No worries, Bella. You'll be able to check in with the rat race at any time once we reach camp. Though, that doesn't mean I won't hide your damn phone for at least a day to give your heart and soul a break from all that nonscience."
"Roger that, drama king. Hide my phone before you find it." I smirk as I pull up my email to check it for any new messages.
Nothing other than junkmail.
Super.
I drop my device back into my pocket and then suck back a deep breath.
Just last week I would've told you nothing about this moment would be possible.
Especially since me and the 'great outdoors' have never gotten along very well.
Right now I need destressing, this is fact.
Roughing it in the woods with my dad and his caravan of fellow retirees around a campfire? It's the best I could last minute so I'm going to suck it up and make the best of it.
When my dad left town in his fifth-wheel four years ago, I never expected it to be a forever lifestyle change, but it didn't take me long to realize he'd found his true happiness by living on the road.
Once a year I visit whatever campsite my dad is currently residing in, and once a year we make memories with his like-minded friends who have also found joy in living without a permanent address.
They call themselves, The Wanderlings.
It's a name that's always made me cringe, but deep down I love everything about the crazy bunch.
It's funny, most people… NORMAL people… they have to deal with their dads retiring and joining a bike club… not my dad though.
Nope.
He's an RV enthusiast who would die happy in a hammock under his overhang with a cup of homemade moonshine in his hand and a banjo playing in the background.
I shit you not.
He is living his dream and I will never ever judge him for it, even if it has taken him away from me and given him a brand new family in the process.
"Sorry about the chill in the air."
"Not much you can do about the weather, Dad."
"Nope," he chuckles softly, "I suppose there's not. It should warm up by the end of the week. These cold fronts never last too long in these parts."
"Well, that's good since I've only brought two pairs of jeans with me and I'm currently wearing one of them." I laugh as I stare out the window, noticing the flat fields of sawgrass moving with the wind and water.
It's a much different view from the one I'm used to back home in the city.
Still, I'd prefer to view it on my flat screen from the comfort of my Manhattan apartment rather than risk being bitten by mosquitos or walking up on a gator looking for something to snack on.
"You're about the same size as Rose. I'm sure she'll lend you something, should you need it."
"Rose?"
This is a name I've not heard before, which is strange since my dad likes to talk about his traveling family at great lengths whenever we check in.
"Rosalie, but we call her Rose. She's your age. She joined the caravan with her boyfriend Emmett back in November, just before we left Yosemite. They've been traveling with us ever since. Good kids. You'll like 'em."
"She's my age? What are they, trust fund babies backpacking through the states on daddies dime?"
My dad lets out a sarcastic laugh that turns into a low whistle and I instantly know what's coming next.
A lecture.
Here. We. Go.
"I've told you before Bella, we have our ways to bring in money when we need it. Everyone carries their own weight while we live within our means without the finer luxuries in life. That includes Rose and Emmett. Some people manage just fine without a phone in their pocket at all hours of the day dictating their every move and thought. You oughta try it."
I shrug indifferently and let out a sigh.
"How's Alice?" he suddenly questions, changing the subject. I'm thankful.
"Alice is great. Her wedding is next month, so she of course had a mini panic attack when I told her I was going away for a few days, but I managed to get my last dress fitting in before my flight today so she's calmed down."
Dad laughs and tugs at the back of his neck, then lets out another low whistle, "Hard to believe little Alice Brandon is getting married."
"She just landed a fellowship at Mount Sinai, Dad," I tease after glancing in his direction, "We've all done a lot of growing up since you left New York."
I can tell by the look on his face… My not so gentle reminder has made him feel old.
I don't apologize for pointing out the obvious though. Mostly because I'm still hoping I'll be able to talk him into coming up for Alice's wedding next month.
That might take a guilt trip or two if I really want to see it happen, but I've got plenty of ammunition.
To further drive things home, I take out my phone and show him a photo of my best friend in her wedding dress, with me by her side dressed as her Maid of Honor.
"Beautiful girls. The both of you. I'll have to send her a card the next time I drive into town."
I nod in agreement and let out an impulsive breath, "So how long until you guys start moving north again?"
"Oh, a few more weeks. We've got some nice stops booked for the Spring, heading up to Yellowstone for the Summer."
I won't admit this outloud, but I've followed my dad's Instagram page for the last two years, spying on his Wanderling travels from the shadows.
He's seen some incredible things, truely, and I suppose there's always been a part of me that's envied his ability to simply live without worrying too much about tomorrow, but that's never been who I am.
No, I need stability.
Certainty.
I need to know I have money in my bank account, a legit roof over my head and bed with sheets that have an actual thread—
"HOLY SHIT! Are those things real?!" I suddenly gasp out loud.
Right off the road, about twenty feet ahead I spot four large gators just lying in the grass with their mouths wide open and crazy ass tall birds standing by their sides as if they're guarding them.
"Well this ain't Disney World, Bella." My dad chuckles then, starts to slow his truck so I can get a better look.
"They're freaking huge! Oh my God! How do you sleep at night knowing they're out here like this just… just... walking around?!"
"Quit peacefully actually. The gators don't bother us. Though, you might see one walk by the firepit early in the morning if someones cooking bacon on the grill."
"Shut up!" I gasp, my eyes wide with absolute horror, "Why the hell didn't I wait for Yellowstone this Summer? I'm good with chipmunks, not reptiles as big as your freaking truck!"
My dad laughs loudly into the air and leans over to pull me in for a side hug, "God I've missed your child-like excitement in the woods. It's good to have you back Bella. We've missed you."
"Seriously. Shut up." I snicker before giving him a playful shove, "I can't believe I let you talk me into visiting a goddamn swamp for New Years when I literally live in New York City, the world capital of new years celebrations."
"Oh stop being so dramatic, you're going to love it here. Plus, you won't have to spend all of your time with a bunch of old fuddy duddies sitting around the fire this time. Rose and the rest of the youngblood crew will make sure you have a great time."
I shrug indifferently and go back to staring out the window.
As soon as his truck pulls off the main road to follow the signs pointing toward the Flamingo Campgrounds, fresh bars finally hit my phone.
Without thinking, I check my messages and cringe, seeing a text from my former boss.
.Aro.
We need to talk, Isabella.
I'm not accepting your resignation.
Not like this.
You owe me more than a letter on my desk.
I double tap to delete his obnoxious text and then drop my phone back into my lap, wishing I had the courage to just delete him from my life, "Asshole doesn't know when to stop."
My dad glances over.
A frown forms on his face.
"It'll serve you good to just put that thing away while you're here. There isn't anything outside of this park that can't survive five days without your attention."
I scoff as if he's just spoken words filled with blasphemy, then lean back in my seat to stare at all of the tents and RV's we're now passing.
There's a group at the far end of the loop moving about as if they've all got a purpose.
I instantly know that's exactly where we're heading thanks to the giant 'Camp Wanderling' sign that's set up smack dab in the center by the firepit.
"Anything I should know? You guys haven't joined any weird religious cults, right?"
My dad shakes his head and smiles to himself, but remains unusually silent with my question.
Okay.
That's odd.
He's hiding something, but there's no way it has anything to do with religion.
I'll definitely store this in the back of my mind for later pondering but I'm already here.
"I made everyone promise they wouldn't suffocate you upon your arrival. That will only last for so long. You've gotta remember they're a friendly bunch and it's been a while since your last visit. They're all looking forward to seeing your smile and hearing you play us some songs on my guitar."
I smirk and nod, then start to wave at some of the familiar faces that are now watching us pull up in my dad's truck.
"Wow, Carlisle and Esme look great!"
My dad's been traveling with the Cullen couple for the last four years.
He refers to Carlisle as his brother from another mother and Esme does a great job at keeping them both out of trouble which I appreciate.
"The blonde sitting next to the firepit is Rose. You'll rarely see her without a book in her hand. Emmett's down there by the water. Looks like he's taking some pictures. He does that a lot at sunset."
We get out of the truck and I wave as each person glances in my direction, forcing a casual smile.
"Sue and Emily must be in their RV finishing up dinner."
"What are they cooking because it smells amazing." I reply after taking in a deep breath to appreciate the aroma that's filling the air around us.
"Gator stew. Sue's speciality."
I grimace on impulse and release a nervous laugh, "Wait… you didn't really just say gator, did you?"
"It's delicious. You'll love it!"
"Stop scaring the poor girl! It's beef stew, Bella. If you want gator meat, you'll have to buy it from the food truck over at the marina!" Esme shouts in our direction when she hears my father teasing me.
"Thank God! I mean, I'm open to trying new things, but eating alligator meat will always be a hard pass! Not sorry." I shout back smiling.
My dad chuckles to himself, then pulls me in under his arm as we begin walking the circle for my reunion with the rest of his Wanderling family.
"You won't see James and Victoria this trip. They took off for Atlanta last night to meet their new grandbaby."
"Aw that's too bad. What does that make, number five in the grandkid department?"
"Six, with twins on the way this Fall." Esme chims in before she steals me from my father for a hug, "So good to see you again, Bella. It's been too long."
"Bella! Welcome! Very cool to finally meet the wonder child of Charlie Swan!" Emmett suddenly booms in my ear after he appears out of nowhere, scaring me half to death.
He's a big guy.
All muscle with a genuine smile and scruffy beard that helps make him look like an adorably large teddy bear with a camera.
Rose, his girlfriend, doesn't seem very interested in my arrival, which is okay since I'm not one for forced small talk with strangers who couldn't care less about my existence.
She looks up from her book just long enough to wave, then receives a loud kiss from her boyfriend before he leans down to playfully pick her up in his arms like they're a newly wed couple.
"Eh, I'm hardly a wonder, and I'm afraid I've long since been a child," I retort, tugging on my jacket.
It really is getting cold.
The fact that it's below sixty in south Florida… well this should just be illegal and I'm more than a little annoyed about it.
"Edward! Get your ass over here and come meet my baby girl!"
My fathers's sudden outburst causes me to jump.
That's when I notice there's a person lurking between two of the smaller campers with his arms firmly crossed.
As soon as the stranger steps forward and my eyes are able to focus against the setting sun, I feel my heart jump into my throat and my jaw slowly begins to drop.
He's gorgeous.
No.
That word doesn't come close to doing him justice.
He's like something out of a magazine and I've mingled with some beautiful men in my line of work, but none of them compare to—
That's when it happens.
A bug.
I swallow a goddamn bug and begin choking on it like a manic spastic scarecrow that's been set on fire.
Edward notices my emergency, and in my panic I watch him pull a bottle of water from his jacket pocket and run our way to force it into my hands with its top already off.
I take three big gulps and close my eyes while I count backwards from ten willing myself to not vomit on his sneakers while he waits for me to find my breath.
Once I'm able to pace myself, I gasp out a shallow thank you, and then take off to find my toothbrush so I can brush my teeth a hundred times before I possibly stab myself with it in my father's camper.
A/N: More to come throughout the day, I hope you'll tag along until we hit the complete button. *wink*