Chapter 54
Who Are You Calling Shorty?
It had been hours before Jasper and I came back to the house. Charlie was still there, which meant he was late for dinner. According to Charlie, Sue Clearwater was cooking for him and Billy Black. When Bella lived with her dad, she was the one who took over the house chores and made the food.
"You going to stand Billy and my mom up, Charlie?" Seth spoke up to remind him of the time. "Bella and Nessie will be here tomorrow. Let's get some grub?"
I could tell by Charlie's face he was unsure if Seth was telling the truth. I understood Charlie's actions. Not wanting to leave. To the human me, Jasper was a fairytale. I was always scared to close my eyes and sleep or be away from him, thinking he would disappear. Now we have become part of the fairytale.
"Jake says you guys were going to take off on me." I heard Charlie mutter to Bella when he went to the door.
"I didn't want to do that if there was any way at all around it. That's why we are still here." She replied.
"He said you could stay for awhile, but only if I am tough enough, and if I can keep my mouth shut."
"Yeah, but I can't promise we will never leave, Dad. It's very complicated…"
"Need to know."
"Right."
"You'll visit?"
"I promise, Dad. Now that you know just enough, I think this can work. I'll keep close as you want."
There was a little bit of a pause before I heard Charlie speak again.
"Keep real close, Bells…real close."
"Love you, Dad." Bella whispered.
My chest started to get an achy feeling. It was a bit off than what I am used to. It was where my heart would beat, but there wasn't. I knew I wasn't jealous of Bella. It was more of a type of envy. She had a close relationship with her dad. Even her mom. I on the other hand didn't belong with my old family. How can someone who is supposed to love you just choose someone else over you? I could never imagine betraying my child like that.
Then again, I don't know my mother's situation. There are probably things she has hidden from me that I don't know about.
"Edward, I did it!"
"You did. You were unbelievable." Edward praised and kissed the top of Bella's head.
"I'm not even sure they are vampires, let alone newborns." Emmett called out. "Way too tame."
Bella snarled under her breath and Emmett laughed after mocking her.
"Oooo, scary."
I walked over to Emmett with a smirk on my face. Jasper followed me but stood close.
"How about we fix your attitude? I wouldn't mind showing you how real vampire strength feels."
Emmett stood up and started rolling his shoulders. "Let's go then, Shorty. I'll take you on anytime and anywhere."
"How about a bet?" Bella asked, interested in this. "I win, you cannot say one more word about my sex life to anyone. No allusions, no innuendos…. nothing."
"Deal." He smirked at Bella. "And if I win, it is going to get a lot worse." He looked over at me. "You?"
"I just want to beat you. It would be very satisfying to see the look on your face."
We all went outside and to a large boulder standing by some rocks near the river.
I went first against Emmett. Stretching out my vampire muscles is going to feel so good. I've been training on how to control my strength. Everything was so delicate. I could crush a doorknob without realizing it.
We placed our elbows on the stone, gripped hands, and stared each other down. Now that I was here, I had a sudden realization of just how big his hands were to mine. In comparison to me, he had to of been twice my size. Maybe almost three times?
"I hope you like the taste of losing, because you're going down…Shorty."
I felt the venom gather in my mouth. I desired to destroy him. Obviously not kill him, but a bruised ego wouldn't be too bad.
"On go." Alice called out. "Three. Two. One…go!"
I felt his arm push against me, but it wasn't that much of a force. My arm did shift over to the right just slightly, but it didn't budge anymore than that. My confidence rose inside and I had to laugh. The laugh surprised me a bit. It sounded like an evil laugh, but not one of them cheesy movie laughs. It had been awhile since I felt this way. To let go. To be me.
"Goodbye, dear brother." I say to him before smashing his hand against the stone, shattering that corner.
Emmett picked up a rock and threw it across the river in a fit. "Bella! You next!" He hissed.
I wasn't over the excitement. It felt like an adrenaline rush, but a more burning sensation. I wanted to run around, jump, and let go. I wanted to feel free and let myself go.
"Edward?" I looked over at him.
"You're fine. That is a normal response. Especially in a newborn." Edward assured me.
I smiled up at him and looked over at Jasper.
"I want to go run."
He laughed a bit at my excitement and held out his hand for me.
"Let's go."
We made it back to the family house. Emmett was sulking. He must have lost to Bella.
"Don't think this is over." He hissed. "Rematch on you both. Tomorrow."
"If you say so." I stick my tongue out at him and walk over to the kids playing with Rose and Jake.
This is what happiness felt like. Pure joy and love. If I could, I would defiantly be crying right now.
Somewhere in the back of my mind I was thinking about my dad. Was he some sort of vampire gang member? What the hell was he up to.
Whatever it was, I will stop him. If it meant to kill myself in the process…I will do it.
I look at each face of my new family, even the wolves. I must protect them. I must win. This man has haunted my dreams since I could remember. I will not let him haunt my reality. I will not let him ruin this beautiful family.
