It's June. I never expected to take this long with an update, but alas, life happens. Long story short, got my wisdom teeth removed, school and work. I'm working 5 day weeks right now, mainly for the money. I can't promise when the next update will be, but maybe in a few weeks.

Chapter 6: Back Home

Maia had spent the last few days in Forks, hanging out with Charlie. Bella was throwing an attitude towards her and often left early in the morning. Maia still had no idea what the grudge was, but frankly-she wasn't wasting her energy on a cousin who didn't appreciate her presence in any way. She still regretted saving her sorry ass back in Italy, but family.

At least her Uncle Charlie valued their relationship and made the days that she had left in Forks before she had to head back. They spent the few days fishing, hanging out at the diner, visiting Billy on the reservation and vice versa. It was one of the most laid back vacations she'd ever had, and she was sad that it came to an end and she'd have to go back to school, and walk on eggshells around her family.

Currently, Maia was busy packing her luggage and putting everything back in there. She put the crinkled and crumbled up sandwich bag in the small zipper along with other small things she needed in there. She grabbed her knee brace and the two books and put them in the big zipper of her backpack. She sighed in relief as she looked around the room, scanning for anything that she may have missed.

Luckily, she didn't spot anything she'd may have missed and was about to leave the room before her phone rang.

No. She silently whined in her head, wishing that the phone would stop ringing, but sadly it wouldn't. She grabbed the phone off the bed, and was about to swipe decline, before she saw the caller ID and made her pause.

Marcus.

"Hey," She said, putting the phone near her ear as she looked down the hallway for any sign of Charlie's presence or anyone for that matter. She was alone in the house for right now since Charlie was getting both of them breakfast at the diner, before they headed to SeaTac airport, where she'd spend the next four hours on a plane until reaching the DIA.

"Hello, my dear… How are you feeling?" Marcus asked in a caring manner.

"I'm doing good, just getting ready to pack up my things before my flight back home," She replied.

"I hope I'm not interrupting your packing."

"No, you're not… I'm just about done anyways," She said, taking a quick look around the room, checking to see if she had forgotten anything. "How was your day?" she asked, changing the subject. She hated conversations on the floor especially since her social interaction skills were extremely low.

"It's going fine. Aro and Caius have been getting on each other's nerves over something silly."

She smiled. Over the few days she'd known them, she learned that the brothers sometimes had a couple of arguments and it made it amusing-even if she had no idea what was going on half the time. It wasn't like didn't care, but merely, she felt like she didn't overstep especially since she just met them.

"Fun… Uhh question, you know back in Italy, Aro said something about la tua cantante, what does that actually mean?" That question had been on her mind, once she finally processed the information, but that still didn't make sense.

"Bella is Edward's singer which makes her blood more appealing. It's really rare for a vampire to find a singer, but it happens," He explained to her.

That probably made sense. "So they're not mates?"

"No. Their bond is silver…"

"Silver?"

She heard the cruiser pull up in the driveway, "Marcus can you explain that over text message. It'd be easier for me to understand that way and besides my uncle is back so I have to get off the phone."

They said their goodbyes and Maia headed downstairs to meet her uncle to eat their blueberry pancakes, and scrambled eggs before they headed to the airport.

…..

Charlie's cruiser pulled up to the airport parking and not the drop off. She gave him a look, but he merely told her,

"I have to see you off, so that I know you're safe."

Maia smiled softly at that. It was so weird having someone care for her, and made sure she got checked in and everything. Though, she knew he wouldn't go far especially since she had to go through security alone, but it was the thought that counted. She pulled out her suitcase from the trunk, and put her straps over her shoulders.

The line for check in was busy. Luckily, she had a few hours to kill especially since her parents drilled it into her that she made it to the airport at least two hours early, just so they could get through security. Of course, it was pretty much the last day before spring break was over and school was back in session.

The line at the check in quickly met moving and Maia soon found herself checked in, with a white ticket in her hand. It wasn't hard finding the line for security, and she quickly hugged her uncle goodbye, for it may be for the very last time. No one had really made her feel welcome like her uncle did and she was going to miss him.

"I love you," She said, trying not to cry. Tears blurred her vision, but she blinked them away.

"I'll see you next year or whenever your family wants to visit again. I'd love to see Elizabeth back," He told her, putting his arms around her wasted, and kissing the top of her head. "Tell her I said hi and don't be a stranger."

"Will do."

She hugged him tightly once more, before she let him go. She waved goodbye to her uncle as she got in the long line that belonged to the security. She sighed, trying to brush off the emotions that overcame her and merely focused on the ticket in her hand, memorizing the information.

Luckily, security was easy. For it being really busy, the line kept moving and she soon found herself sitting on an airplane chair, checking on her phone until it was time to board.

She still didn't hear back from Marcus, but she had assumed he was called off in some king duty or whatever they did. She still couldn't wrap her head about the fact that she was mated to the three rulers of the vampire world.

School starts tomorrow, right? Chris asked.

Yes. She responded back quickly.

The announcement for the boarding of her flight was heard echoing throughout the airport and she grabbed her stuff, before she made it in the line that was to Denver. In a few short hours, she'll be at home, and that almost sounded nice.

…

The flight to Denver was short after she finally got settled, and after a little bit of reading the same passage in Percy Jackson for a while, and managed to close her eyes. Apparently, having the middle seat was the most uncomfortable area and she couldn't lean on anything. How she managed to fall asleep was beyond her idea, but at least it killed quite a bit of time especially since they were about to land in Denver.

The landing was...rough, like it normally is. The wheels hit the runway and it was smooth sailing from there.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the weather here in Denver is seventy-two degrees and the time is 4:45. We thank you for flying american airlines," The pilot said through the announcement.

Soon after, the doors opened and everyone rushed out. Maia quickly grabbed her bag and stood up after unbuckling her seatbelt and patiently waited for her turn to get out of the airplane and through the gate.

It was only a couple of minutes before Maia was able to move into the aisle and walked out of the gate to come face to face with her parents, holding welcome back signs. Her name was written out in blue, pink and purple marker with some aspects of glitter glue, making it stand out.

"What are you doing here?" She questioned, looking around the room hoping no one was noticing this second-hand embarrassment. God, they acted like this was her first time flying alone when she did this for a school trip which was only for three days.

"We came to surprise you," Her mother told her.

"I could see that…" Maia pointed out the obvious.

"It's a nice gesture to show that you love you," her Dad chimed in.

After a couple of minutes of standing at the gate, awkwardly. They finally moved on to the baggage claim where the conveyor belt was still.

"So how was Forks and your trip to Italy?' Her mom questioned, putting an extra emphasis on the 'trip to Italy' knowing she was still pissed about that.

"It was fine. I'm really glad that me and Bella connected on some level this trip," Maia lied. They really connected all right through this trip, through the connection to the supernatural world that's for sure.

"I wish you could have told me about Italy sooner."

"Bella only texted me on the day of the trip. It was a last minute thing," She said calmly. "Bella recently broke up with her boyfriend and wanted some separation."

"I see."

"Oh yeah-Uncle Charlie says hi and says he wants you to visit him."

"Is that it?" Her voice sounded clipped, like she was done talking about the topic. Too bad, she had no idea how the fight even happened in the first place.

Maia didn't respond and merely focused on the conveyor belt that was finally moving and the luggage was finally being added. People stood around the baggage carousel, awaiting for their bags and suitcases to show up. Eventually, she spotted hers and her dad grabbed it and they walked away and out the exit of the DIA.

It was silent on the car ride back home. She grabbed her phone from her pocket and turned it on, before returning her gaze to the scenery that was passing by. The traffic from the airport eventually cleared up and they soon passed the blue horse, Blucifer, that was at the airport. The red eyes belonging to the horse still creeped her out and brought her chills still.

Her phone vibrated in her hand and she looked down, looking at the notifications that she may have missed for four hours. A couple of emails, most of them from colleges, and a few about signing up for college classes that she still had to do. She saw that she also got a few unread messages that weren't from her friends, shockingly.

She clicked on the unread messages. At least, they finally knew how to text. The explanation about silver bonds at least from the gist of it, was that they weren't soulmates nor were really 'true' mates, but Edward and Bella couldn't live without each other which was why it was silver. It made sense, it was just weird.

A long car ride later, the car finally entered the trailer park and a few turns later, they were back at home. Nothing changed from its white appearance and a few flowers out front, nothing really changed. They got inside without a word and her mother set her things down and looked at her with her cold, brown eyes.

She raised her hand and slapped her across the face and afterwards she said,

"Don't you ever do a disappearing act like that again. You're not supposed to leave the country without me."

Tears pooled up in her eyes as the pain radiated down her cheek. She wasn't going to cry. She wasn't going to give her mother the satisfaction of seeing her hurt. She bit the inside of her gum as she gathered her things and went inside her room, closing the door.

It was only then did she let the tears fall as she grabbed her phone from her pocket and called someone. She just wanted to talk to someone.

It didn't take long for someone to pick up and before the other person could speak, she decided to speak first.

"Aro?"

This chapter was probably the hardest to write. It wasn't the most enjoyable for me, but I promise you -the next few chapters will be interesting. If there's one thing I wanted to highlight in this story is the family relationships on how while they could say they love their children, their actions say otherwise. I hope you liked this chapter and leave me a review to tell me what you think!