Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, duh.
Author's note: So much for two week updates huh? Sigh. Real life gets in the way and when the plot bunnies don't want to play, what can I do? But I re-read New Moon and after looking at pictures of the cast of the Twilight movie, I felt my inspiration again. Hope you enjoy this.
Family Tree Chapter 13
"Friday"
I awoke the same way I always did slightly panicked, until I saw that he was there. His eyes lit up when they met mine and I blushed easily.
"Good morning sleepy head." He teased.
"Morning Eddie." It drove him insane when I called him that. He made a face at the reference.
"What did I say about calling me Eddie?"
"Not to do it under any circumstances or suffer the pain of death? Or something like that?" I furrowed my brow and pretended to think hard.
"Something like that," he agreed with a crooked smile.
"You know I do it to annoy you," I admitted.
"You do an admirable job of it too, Belly."
My eyes flashed fire. I whispered furiously, "Do not EVER call me that!"
"Now why would that make you upset?" He asked, feigning ignorance.
I glowered.
"Bella?" Charlie called upstairs. I jumped, afraid that he'd heard our banter.
I opened my door a crack. "Yeah?"
"What time are you going down to La Push?"
I gasped. Today was Friday. I'd completely forgotten.
"Um. I'm not sure. I don't have to be there until six."
"Ok, well I'll be home around five and can take you if you need a lift."
I rolled my eyes. "That's all right dad. I think I know how to get there."
"Well if you're sure…"
"I am."
"I'll see you later. Be safe and don't stay out too late. Remember I'm just a phone call away."
"All right CHARLIE. I get it!"
"Ok honey."
I turned around to a vampire with a very narrow gaze.
"You're the one who said it was ok," I reminded him.
"I must have been out of my mind," He admitted in a gruff tone of voice.
"It will only be for a few hours."
"If it lasted for a few seconds it wouldn't make me feel better. Just promise that you'll stay alert and be wary. You also might want to invest in a flea brush."
I stamped my foot in outrage.
"Kidding." He chuckled and held up his hands in surrender.
"You're lucky you're so sexy," I retorted and turned toward the closet, rifling through my pitiful wardrobe.
"What are you looking for?" He asked curiously, ignoring my innuendo.
"I don't know. I guess I'm waiting for something to grab me."
Before I knew it, icy arms had encircled me and my feet left the solid reassuring floor.
"Edward!" I giggled madly and he spun me around. My hair became a curtain that prevented me from seeing anything and my heart began to beat faster. He heard it and a low rumble issued from him before he put me down and gave me an icy kiss. I gasped as his sweetness engulfed me and after a few moments he pulled away.
"Wow. It never gets any easier, does it?" He murmured.
I didn't know what to say so I went back to finding an outfit. Eventually I selected a soft pink sweater that my mom had sent and a pair of black corduroy pants. Pink was usually not a color I condone but I figured I owed it to her to at least wear it once. I pulled on my favorite black and white chucks and pulled my hair into a sloppy ponytail. Edward handed me my backpack and after another quick peck on the lips, exited through the window. I walked carefully down the stairs, keeping my hand on the railing. I'd fallen enough times that I knew to hold on.
The kitchen was in casual disarray. I hadn't bothered cleaning it in the last few days. I made a mental note to buy more paper towels and then pulled out a carton of eggs. I just didn't feel like cereal. After buttering a pan, I cracked two eggs into the skillet and the translucent egg whites turned opaque. I quickly turned down the heat and then flipped them over so they wouldn't burn. I didn't want the yolks too runny. After giving them thirty or forty seconds I slid the eggs onto a plate, the yolks remained unbroken. I pulled out a jar of salsa and topped the eggs with a spoonful. I grabbed a tortilla from the zippered bag I kept them in and sat down at the table. I chewed slowly, thoughtfully.
I was going to La Push to find out about their…no, my ancestry. I was excited and wary at the same time. I'd never thought of myself as a part of anything bigger than, well, me. I was worried that they wouldn't accept me among them. I wasn't a group or crowd sort of person. I tended to be a loner, and now, with Edward, a twosome. I hoped I didn't do anything to embarrass myself.
I must have been lost in thought for some time because before I knew it, Edward was at my side.
"We're going to be late," he reminded me with a wry smile.
"Shoot," I huffed, grabbing my backpack and slinging it over my shoulder. I stomped out of the house and heard Edward locking the door behind me. The car door had been opened for me and I slid inside and pulled on my seat belt. Edward shut the door behind me and quick as a wink, he was in the drivers' seat, buckled in, and pulling out of the driveway in one smooth motion.
The trip to the school was uneventful. The day seemed to go by quickly. Edward dropped me off at the house and kissed me breathless before I left. I could barely make it up to the front door I was so exhilarated. As I turned to give him a final wave goodbye I caught a look I probably wasn't supposed to see. For the slightest second, he looked upset. His features were a grimace of pain and reluctance and I squinted, trying to see him better. He smiled reassuringly and I turned around, biting my lip. I unlocked the door and stepped inside. I threw my backpack on the floor by the stairs and made a quick snack. I only had an hour and a half. I decided to do my homework in the meantime.
I completed my physics homework and then started on language arts. It wasn't too long before the tiny alarm bell on my watch sounded. I pressed the button on the side and left the house. I half expected to see Edward's car in the driveway but he wasn't. Like an old friend, my truck was sitting there, waiting for me. The twenty minute drive went by quickly and I parked my truck in front of Jake's house. He came sidling out onto the porch, bare-chested as usual before I'd even opened the door.
"You came," he sounded surprised.
"Well, yeah. I said I would. So here I am."
"You look good," he mentioned casually in reference to my hideous pink shirt.
"Uh, thanks. So I guess I'm supposed to be down at the woman's lodge or something?"
"Yeah, I'll walk you part of the way. Emily will take you inside and be with you."
I must have made a face but I didn't realize I had.
"Its nothing you have to worry about Bella."
"I'm not worried," I lied.
Jacob rolled his eyes. "Ok, whatever you say. You ready to go?"
"Not even remotely," I whispered. I knew I couldn't get away with lying to him. He could read me like a book.
"You don't have to do this you know. This is completely up to you."
I sighed. "I know. I want to do the dance for your family, really. I'm just a terrible dancer."
"Big surprise," he chuckled.
"What if I screw it up?"
"You won't. I'll help you, ok? It'll be fine. Even if you do fall flat on your face I don't think it will be the end of the world," he mused, mirth dancing in his dark eyes.
"Helpful Jake. Very helpful."
"I do what I can."
I shook my head and he took the few steps that remained between us. He casually took my hand and when I tried to pull it from his grasp, he tightened his fingers. I looked up at him questioningly but he looked resolutely ahead. I sighed loudly.
We walked for a mile or so and came upon a large, single story cabin. Smoke escaped from a hole in the center of the roof. It smelled sweet and pungent, like incense.
My heart raced and my palm became slick with sweat. Jake let go of my hand and gave me an amused smile. Before I could punch him, Emily came outside. She gave me a warm smile in welcome and I walked away from Jake.
"Hi Emily."
She answered back, in soft lilting tones, in Quileute. I didn't understand her and was suddenly really apprehensive. Her face was still smiling and she took my hand, leading me toward the cabin. I turned to look back at Jake but he had gone.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself and stepped inside.