[chapter 32]
Paul is the one who picks them up from the airport, which is a surprise for a few reasons. For one thing, they were expecting Jake, and for another, Paul volunteers for exactly nothing ever. Leah, the bolder of the two of them and the one more eager to poke the proverbial viper's nest that is Paul Lahote's dazzling personality, wastes no time pointing this out, even as she clambers into the back seat.
Bella, who has a healthy caution about Paul's aggressive driving, shoots her a stink eye and settles into the passenger's seat.
Leah ignores her and leans forward. "So, why are we dealing with you?"
Paul swivels around to outright glare at Leah. "Because you fucking are," he snarls in explanation.
Leah blows a raspberry right in his face, and that vein in Paul's forehead starts to pulse.
Bella sighs, smiling faintly. The dynamic is familiar, even comforting. Leah is a strong personality, but whereas she can generally get along with most people eventually, she and Paul have been like oil and water since they were kids. They're both way too temperamental. Bella loves them for it, somehow.
Behind them, cars honk to urge Paul out of the pickup zone. Paul turns to face forward, rolls down his window, and flips the cars off even as he pulls out of the lane. Bella's hands close carefully over the sides of the seat for the sake of comfort.
It isn't until they are safely on the highway that Bella's own curiosity nags at her. "So, really. Why are you here? Did Jake get stuck somewhere?"
"I volunteered," Paul mutters.
Bella casts him a doubtful side eye. "Okay…"
Paul has always been easy to read, mostly because every one of his emotions are on his sleeve. Granted, those emotions are usually irritation, annoyance, or arrogance, but all the same - easy to read. The fact that he shifts in his seat and makes an unnecessary lane switch is enough to tip both Bella and Leah off. The sisters exchange short glances, Leah pointedly raising her eyebrows.
Bella tries to figure out the best way to get Paul to spill. "So, did you have, like, business in Seattle? I thought you hated it here."
"I do hate it here," Paul grumbles. "This fucking city is a nightmare. Who builds that much shit on hills? And why are the streets so goddamn narrow? And none of the fucking exits make any sense and there's no place to park and the pedestrians! They just fucking walk out into the street. It's like they're asking to be hit!"
"But you didn't, right? You didn't hit anyone?" Bella asks, mildly alarmed.
Paul curls his lip. "No, but I should have. Fuckers."
Well, at least there's that, Bella thinks. Paul probably wouldn't actually hit a pedestrian if he could help it, but she also has her doubts about whether he would stick around if he did. Probably not, considering.
"You were actually in Seattle? Not just SeaTac?" she clarifies
Paul looks like he's going to ignore her for a second, but then he says a terse, "Yes."
The car stays silent.
Leah gets impatient first. "Why?"
Paul's hands close more tightly on the steering wheel. It's funny to see him driving Jake's little car and is, admittedly, even funnier to see him trying not to damage it. She bets he misses his motorcycle, even if only because then he wouldn't be trapped in a car with questions he's being squirrelly about.
"I had to buy something," he says.
"Something Port Angeles didn't have?" Bella asks.
"Yes," he answers shortly.
Bella blinks, turning this over in her mind. "But Port Angeles carries everything," she says. It's true. As the largest city near Forks and La Push, the port town has seen a boom in the last several years. While the options may be a bit limited, almost everything can be found in Port Angeles. There shouldn't be any reason to go all the way to Seattle just to buy something.
"They didn't have this," Paul hedges.
But Bella finds this question just as confusing. "What could Seattle have that PA doesn't?"
"Or that you couldn't order?" Leah interjects.
Bella nods. "That's a good point," she says. She stares at the side of Paul's face and the way he raps his fingers against the steering wheel. Her brows arc, recognizing these tells. "Or...is it that you didn't want whatever you bought to be seen?" she prods, narrowing her eyes as Paul swallows, his throat clicking.
A rush goes through her as all the clues add up into one obvious conclusion. Bella sits straighter, the seat belt digging into her shoulder, her eyes wide and bright. "Paul, did you buy a ring? Did you buy Jake a ring?" she asks excitedly.
"Shut up!" Paul says loudly, staring pointedly forward.
"Oh, my God!" Leah laughs. "He did!"
Bella grins ear to ear. "Paul! Congratulations!"
Paul's neck is red and he doesn't look at either of them. "Shut up, shut up! I haven't asked him yet," he says nervously.
"Wow, Paul, are you having an emotion that isn't anger?" Leah scoffs.
"Fuck you," Paul retorts.
"I just didn't know you were capable, " Leah continues.
Paul grits his teeth. "I will kill you, and then myself, if you don't shut up," he threatens.
Bella smiles even wider. Jake and Paul married is quite a concept, but it's one she's excited about. Ever since they were all kids, Jake and Paul have been at each other's throats, in one way or another - but their bickering is sweeter now, and they've been so steady. The fact that they're both out and the Res has accepted them is a huge help, she thinks. But she also thinks that they would have left if they had to, if that's what it took to stay together. That kind of commitment isn't something that can be seen everyday.
Bella is, in a word, ecstatic about the idea of two of her closest childhood friends being married. It's almost like a Christmas present just by itself because she doesn't doubt Jake will say yes. She's seen his Pinterest board lately, she knows where his head is. And Paul must be on the same page.
"Can we see the ring?" she asks.
"Glove compartment," he says gruffly. He keeps an eye on the road as she fishes it out, but when she opens the box to see the stunning gold ring, she senses she has his entire attention. The ring is inscribed with what she recognizes as traditional Quileute symbols, though she isn't sure on the meaning, and looks like exactly the sort of thing Jake would happily wear.
"Well?" Paul demands as Bella passes the ring box to Leah so she can get a good look.
Bella pats Paul's shoulder. "Hey, he's going to love it," she tells him confidently, her smile gentling as Paul loses some of his tension. "It's very Jake."
"Yeah, you know, as much as a ring can be a person," Leah agrees, awkwardly passing the ring box back to Bella.
"Leah," Bella sighs, putting the ring back in the safety of the glove box and pointedly overlooking the way Paul does a full-body twitch that looks like he is only just barely restraining himself from reaching back and taking a swipe at Leah.
Her sister, for her part, snorts and finally leans back in her seat. "I know, I know. I'm awful," she says with a shameless grin. Then she kicks the back of Paul's seat. "But really, good on you Paul, for locking your man down, or whatever."
Paul sneers at her in the rearview mirror, but he doesn't make any other retort and that, more than anything, is proof enough that he's nervous. It's fun to watch, really, even if it does translate to some colorful cursing once they run into traffic about halfway back home. Paul always did have a way with words and more than a little road rage.
When Paul pulls the little car up to the Swan-Clearwater home, which is already decorated in natural pine garland and pinecones and holly berries, Bella feels a sense of relief, and not only because it means she can escape Paul's particular style of driving. Coming home is like a balm. Bella has known about the continual stress and the strain college and the internship has been putting on her, but she doesn't realize how much tension is sitting in her shoulders until she's standing in front of her home and breathing in the damp scent of evergreen that permeates the air. Belatedly, after dawdling for a good few moments to soak in the soothing atmosphere, Bella helps out with the bags, dares to give Paul a hug, and hooks her elbow around Leah's, waving as Paul drives off.
Bella rests her head on her sister's shoulder. "We're all growing up, aren't we?" she asks, not really expecting an answer. It's not like she really needs one, anyway. With Leah's recent success and Bella's own plans for the future solidifying a bit more every day, it's hard not to feel like a grown-up. Gosh, they really have gotten older in this past year, haven't they? And the future only stretches out, brighter and bigger and ready for the taking.
Leah scrunches her face. "Yeah, kind of. I mean, Jake and Paul, getting married?"
"You didn't think it would happen?"
"Neither of them strike me as the monogamous type."
Bella laughs in a bit of disbelief. "Are you serious?"
"Are you?" Leah shoots back, incredulous.
Bella shakes her head. "I am. But I didn't think it would be so soon. Although," she adds on, thoughtful. "Jake wouldn't be Jake if he didn't plan something outrageous just for the sake of it. We might not see an actual wedding for years."
"Good," Leah mutters. "It's too weird to think about those two knuckleheads actually married."
At her sister's overdramatic shuddering, Bella pokes her between the ribs. "Just imagine if they want to adopt!"
"No!" Leah says, horrified. "That poor kid would have so many issues!"
"It could be cute," Bella wheedles. "Paul's sailor mouth with Jake's utter lack of filter."
"You're describing my actual nightmare," Leah says, very serious.
Bella fails at holding in her laughter. In fact, she's still laughing when she and Leah let themselves into the house, when Seth's little dog, Pistachio, decides to yip at them and circle their ankles, when Seth himself tumbles down the stairs and nearly tackles them into a hug. With the scent of something rich with cinnamon in the air and the warmth of the house, Bella closes her eyes and lets herself sink into the feeling of being home.
And if part of her is missing something at the moment - missing someone - then that's between her and her heart. But her mind can't help but think about it, what it might be like to bring Masen home too, what he might be like in this land of red buffalo plaid and the live Christmas tree shedding pine needles over the burlap tree skirt. She imagines it would be different from how he usually celebrates the holiday, given what she understands about his family.
She wonders if he would like this homely version, and hopes that he would - that he will, when the time comes. Because more than anything she wants to share with him Sue's turtle pecan cookies and the special cinnamon-nutmeg cocoa mix Leah insists on making by hand and the way Seth alternates between grilling them with questions and extolling on the virtues of the latest meme. She wants to share the roasted ham her dad will make later in the week and the way Sue will gather them in the living room to watch old the funniest Christmas movies and the way Leah and Seth will try to out-quote each other when they watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. She wants Masen there for it all.
Bella smiles to herself, grounding herself in the moment as she unpacks her luggage, and thinks, someday. For now, however, she has much-needed laundry to do and presents to wrap and family bonding to do.
Masen
Did you make it home okay?
Bella
Totally fine
(Picture Attachment: A selfie of Bella holding
a cup of hot chocolate up near her face,
topped with whipped cream and chocolate
syrup. Bella is smiling widely, a noticeable
mustache of cream of her upper lip.)
Leah's making her special blend and
trying to pretend she isn't attached to her phone
Seth is hoarding the cookies
It's nice to be home
Have you made it home yet?
Masen
Tomorrow
Had some things to wrap up
Bella
You work too hard
Go spend time with your family
Masen
I will
Bella
I miss you already
It hasn't even been a day
Masen
Only 206 hours until I see you again
Bella
That's such a long time :(
Masen
I know
Next year will be different
Bella
Are you inviting yourself to
my Christmas break?
Masen
Of course
We'll spend half with your
family and half with mine
Bella
That sounds fair
Masen
I thought so too
Bella
Video chat later?
Masen
I'll be up
Bella
:)
"I don't want to be the one to say it," Carlisle mutters, voice low enough to not be heard even as Anne bustles around the Christmas tree. "But do you think Mom took her cue from Melania Trump with the decorations?"
Masen takes a critical look around. There is a lot of white and the overall aesthetic is cold, the embodiment of winter. "More like Narnia," Masen says, considering the room. There are notes of whimsy around, in true Anne Cullen fashion, and while it's a bit chillier than normal, the theme for this year is decidedly not untouchable or sociopathic. "Nothing like the White House."
"If you say so," Carlisle says doubtfully.
Masen refrains from rolling his eyes.
"What are you boys talking about?" Anne asks with a smile, glass ornament in hand.
"Nothing," they answer together, each of them looking down at their phones.
Anne laughs.
Carlisle, noticing that he's doing the same thing as Masen, pointedly puts his phone face down on the coffee table and stands up. "Why don't I help you with this, Mom?"
Anne pats his cheek. "You're a good boy, Carlisle."
He colors in the cheeks. "Mom, I'm going to be thirty soon."
Anne pinches his cheek, and then for good measure pinches Masen's cheek too as she passes. Masen levels his brother with a droll look when their mother is gone from the room. "Such a good boy," he says dryly.
Carlisle makes a pained expression and huffs. "Get off your phone and help me."
Masen sighs. Bella is busy right now, anyway. He stands, circling the coffee table to help Carlisle unload the rest of the "keeper" ornaments that come out every Christmas Eve. Like a dutiful brother, he makes a point of putting Carlisle's childhood craft ornaments on the front of the tree in the most visible locations. Carlisle is aggrieved, of course, and tries to do the same to Masen, but Masen doesn't have nearly enough ornaments for Carlisle to retaliate.
"I swear to God," Carlisle mutters, digging through the ornament box. "Every year, it's like you have fewer ornaments. What do you do, smuggle them out?"
Masen stays silent. He moves a silver ball two inches up and to the left.
Carlisle gapes at him. "Are you serious?"
Masen holds his head high. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he says calmly. "But if, hypothetically, someone did something so extreme, I would think you would want to applaud the foresight."
"Oh, I'm going to applaud it, alright," Carlisle says darkly.
Masen smiles, unrepentant.
In Masen's memory, there are only a handful of Christmases when the Cullen brood stayed at home - once, when Grandmother Cullen passed, and a few others when Grandfather Cullen was out of the country on business. The last several years have been spent at the Cullen estate out of familial obligation. This year, it almost goes without saying that the Cullens are not going to the Cullen estate for other reasons.
Nobody has talked about Grandfather Cullen, not even as a passing mention. It's a complete and total freeze-out that Masen honestly never would have predicted. He can't say that he minds it, however. Most holidays seem like pure capitalist propaganda to him, but if he had to choose a favorite, it might have been Christmas - so it's nice to spend it without the stress of visiting the Cullen estate. Strange, in a way, but nice nonetheless.
Thomas is the one cooking the Christmas meal this year and the four of them gather around the mid-sized kitchen table that is filled with roasted ham and fixings that are only slightly overcooked at first sight. It isn't the luxurious meal served by maids that they would have had at the Cullen estate, but Masen prefers this. It brings back memories of Thomas burning French toast on one side when Masen and Carlisle were kids, memories of Anne brewing up hot cider and knitting lopsided hats that flop over their ears in every Christmas card. It feels like home in a way home hasn't felt in so long.
Masen wishes Bella were here, too, because she feels like home, too. But that's for the future - half with her family, and half with his. Someday.
For now, Masen reconnects with his family and they all collectively move on from - or ignore - the elephant in the room. Masen assumes that they will continue to ignore said elephant, and he's perfectly content for this to be the case, but this only lasts until after dinner. Masen and Carlisle are working on putting away the leftovers and cleaning the kitchen up when Anne and Thomas metaphorically ambush them with what amounts to a massive apology.
"You kids have endured so much," Thomas says. "It's my fault. I felt that it was my duty as a son to watch after my father, but that doesn't excuse his behavior or the way I let him treat this family over these years. After your grandmother passed...He wasn't the same and I thought the grief would eventually pass. But it never did and unfortunately, he chose to take it out on you, Masen. I will never be able to make up for that, I don't think."
Masen dips his head in acknowledgment. He doesn't reply, though, because he isn't sure he's sorted his feelings about it out yet. Maybe one day he'll be able to reply, but that day isn't today.
"We should have put a stop to it a long time ago," Anne reasserts, placing her hand over her husband's, their wedding bands glinting. "Your Grandfather's toxic behavior has put such a strain on this family, and especially you boys. Carlisle, you did so much to keep the peace and almost ran yourself into the ground over it. And Masen, I don't think men your father's age would have tolerated such disrespect with such dignity. You have both made me - us - so proud, even when you shouldn't have had to."
"Mom…"
Anne shakes her head. "From now on, this family is going to act like one, like a real family," she says firmly. "We're going to support and protect each other, even if that means we have to protect each other from other people in our family."
There is a somber silence after that, the weight of the moment weighing on them. Masen can clearly see that his parents are serious about this and it makes him feel like a kid again, just for a moment. Makes him feel like his parents really can protect him from the big world and the bad people. He isn't sure what to do with this young feeling or the vulnerability it brings, so he's grateful when Thomas breaks the quiet with a joke.
"Does this mean you won't make me eat your mother's fruitcake, dear?" he asks.
Carlisle laughs, and then tries to cough to cover it up when Anne turns to him with raised brows. Masen, on the other hand, doesn't bother to hide his smirk.
"My mother makes excellent fruitcake," Anne says with a frown.
"Of course she does, honey," Thomas says.
"Thomas Cullen, after thirty-five years of marriage, do you think I can't tell when you're lying?" Anne demands in disbelief. She shakes her head. "After all these years, now you tell me that you don't like my mother's fruitcake?"
"Grandma bakes it from the heart," Carlisle says. "We didn't want to hurt her feelings."
"It's not bad if you pick the fruit out first," Masen adds.
Anne huffs at them, cracking a smile. "More for me, then," she declares, and promptly goes off to cut herself a generous slice.
Thomas waits until she leaves the room, off to set up a Christmas movie, before he snags a sugar cookie off the counter. "I've been eating that fruitcake for most of my adult life. But not this year. This truly is a good Christmas."
"Dad…"
Thomas winks and follows after his wife. Alone in the kitchen, Masen and Carlisle exchange silent looks and, as one, finish the task of cleaning up after dinner. There really isn't more to be said about any of it.
Except, of course, this:
"You seriously pick the fruit out?"
Masen stares at his brother. "What do you do?"
"I just...eat it."
"Why?"
Carlisle is baffled. "What else would I do?"
"Pick the fruit out."
Carlisle opens his mouth, then closes it. "I...Didn't think of that. Why didn't I think of that?" he asks, sounding pained.
Masen shrugs his shoulders, smirk curling around his lips. He gets adequate payback for his smugness later when Carlisle lobs a snowball at the back of his head the next morning. Magnanimously, he allows his brother to enjoy that small victory - and then he absolutely clobbers him.
It's the best Christmas in recent memory. The only thing that would have made it better would be Bella by his side.
Someday.
The Gang (Group Chat)
Peter
MERRY CHRISTMAS FUCKERS
And also ladies
Bella
Happy Holidays!
Masen
(Read at 12:33 PM)
Emmett
Wow he does leave you on read
I would never do that to Rosie
Rose
Call me Rosie again
Emmett
Shit I forgot you were here
Rose
Excuse me?
Peter
Well, as nice as it is to see Emmett
get murdered, let's talk about something else
Like our presents
Leah
Are we five?
We're not going to compare presents
Peter
You're just afraid I'm going to have the better one
Don't worry, I'll play fair
I won't even count what Garrett gave me
Leah
I don't want or need to know about it
Alice
What did he get you?
Jazzy got me a lovely membership
to a wholesale fabric company
Rose
Fabric
That's so romantic
Leah
I feel like that's basically a gift card
Bella
I think it's thoughtful
Alistair
Who added me to this
And why
Leah
Peter is to blame
Alistair
Isn't he always
Peter
WOW
In my own house
The disrespect is unbelievable
Emmett
My parents got me cookware
How do I tell them that I don't cook?
Rose
You don't
Bella
Lol
We're the same
Dad got me a waterproof laptop case
And then he got Leah a
waterproof camera case
I think he thinks it rains more in
Cali than it does in Forks?
Leah
Dad is always very practical
But at least his gifts are useful
Unlike what Seth got me
Peter
What did he give you?
Bella
Don't ask
Leah
Man, I don't even know what it is
I think he just bought something
from WISH because it's cheap
And because he's a budding troll
Bella
It's definitely a gag gift
Rose
I would ask to see it
But...I really don't care
Alice
I care
I want to see it!
Leah
A picture really doesn't do it justice
I'll show you later
Bella
You're really bringing that
whatever it is back with us?
Leah
Seeing your horrified expression,
I am now obligated to do so
Peter
I think I know where your
brother learned to be a troll
Alice
Lol
Emmett
Some things run in the family!
Some people run from their families!
That's life!
Peter
Why are you so chipper?
Emmett
Nana's eggnog packs a hell of a punch
Rose
Well, isn't that delightful
Share the recipe
Emmett
I'll go ask Nana!
Alistair
You Americans exhaust me
I'm going back to sleep
Happy Christmas
Leah
And there he goes
I'll bug him later
What time is it in England?
Bella
It's Let Him Sleep o'clock
Leah
Boo
Alice
Speaking of grandmothers,
Granny is wanting me in the kitchen
We're making peanut brittle
Bella
Bring some back please!
Alice
Don't worry! I'm making a
batch just for you
And also one for Jazzy :)
Merry Christmas again everyone!
Peter
Right okay
So
Who is Jazzy?
Leah
Alice's boyfriend
Peter
Have I met him?
Bella
At least twice, Peter
Peter
Are you sure?
I don't remember a Jazzy
Leah
His actual name is Jasper
Blond, bespeckled
Emmett
That nerdy dude!
Rose
Any one of you calling someone
else a nerd is hilarious
Emmett
I'm not a nerd!
Rose
Of course not
Peter
Oh that guy!
I don't have his number
I should add him to the chat
Leah
Ugh must we?
Bella
Be nice
He's been good
And it would make Alice happy
Leah
Gross
FIne
Peter
Great!
The more the merrier!
Get it?
Like MERRY Christmas?
Bella
Lol
And on that note
Talk to everyone later!
Leah
You guys can't see this but I can
Bella deadass just bolted off the
couch for some cookies
She jumped over our brother and his dog
Peter
What a mood
Rose
Classic Bella
Emmett
Cookies go good with eggnog, right?
The day after Christmas finds Bella and Leah trotting off to La Push to spend some time with the boys. They all gather in Jake's little detached garage, which has gone through so many renovations over the years - first as an ill-fated attempt at a rock band, then as an actual mechanic's garage, and now at what is more or less a den of sorts. Bella doesn't think much has changed about the space since the summer, with the exception of a comfy new couch that has been dragged against the back wall, which she gladly sits in. It's definitely an upgrade to the tatty tartan monstrosity that had been occupying the space since they were all kids.
Bella's attention is torn between watching Jared, Quill, and Jake play an increasingly spirited game of Blind Man's Bluff, and with texting Masen, who seems to be enduring hanging out with Peter, Garrett, and Liam, who have all inexplicably decided to gather at Midnight Sun the day after Christmas. Liam had apparently woken him from a well-deserved nap by bickering loudly with Peter, and Masen has resigned himself to withstanding their presence since it doesn't seem like any of them will be leaving the building any time soon. Bella tries not to giggle too much about it, but she can imagine it all so clearly - and Masen is so clearly annoyed, in a way that he isn't usually, that she can't help but find the humor in it.
"Ugh, are you going to live on your phone for the entire break?" Leah groans, collapsing on the couch beside her and pillowing her head in Bella's lap.
Bella merely lifts her arms higher to make room for her sister and rolls her eyes, even as she keeps a steady eye on the ellipses forming as Masen writes his reply. "Yes, I am," she says simply.
"Disgusting, but somehow cute," Leah decides. She waves her hand imperiously. "Carry on."
Bella replies to Masen's next text, a smile playing on her lips. And then she looks down to see Leah fiddling with her own phone. "And who are you texting?" she prods pointedly. "Alistair?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Leah hedges, dropping her phone onto her chest. She fixes her face into a scowl and looks up at Bella. "Why are you acting like you're forgiven for your utter betrayal?"
Bella lifts her brows. "Uh, I think we're pretty even on the betrayal score."
"How so?" Leah challenges.
Bella shakes her head. "You're unbelievable, you know? All I do is mention, in passing, that you're thinking about getting an MFA, and you turn around and blurt out that I'm, and I quote, seriously dating with the intention of marriage in the middle of our Christmas dinner," Bella says with growing dismay. She pokes Leah in the center of her forehead. "And what's with that phrasing, anyway? Why'd you have to say it like that? Are you a pod person from the 50s?"
Leah slaps her hand away, rubbing at her forehead. "Is that not what you're doing?"
"You know it is, but you didn't have to say it like that!" Bella huffs at her. "Actually, you didn't have to say it at all. Did you see Dad's face?"
Leah bites back a smile. "Before or after Mom sprayed her wine all over the table?"
"You always drop information at the worst times," Bella mutters. Leah really had fired back her retaliation right when Sue was taking a drink and their entire Christmas dinner was tinged with the flavor of a fruity red wine because of it.
Leah doesn't look too bothered. "Oh, whatever. It was going to come out eventually."
"Yes, it was," Bella agrees, more than a little aggrieved. "I was going to tell them myself and in private. But you went and made it sound like I was engaged."
Leah grabs her wrist, pulls back the sleeve of her sweater, and shows Bella her own wrist. "What do you call this then?"
Bella blushes to the roots of her hair. Her revenge comes in the form of tickling Leah so much that she falls off the couch, and because of the company they keep, this inevitably leads them all chasing each other around outside, a bunch of newly 20s playing tag like children. It is, all things considered, not a bad way to spend time with the La Push boys, who have been just as competitive and warm-hearted since childhood. It's enough of a distraction that Bella can almost forget about the way her dad had cornered her after dinner last night and made a few gruff comments about being safe and how he would like to meet this young man of hers, all while Sue struggled not to laugh in the background.
Later, when they've all been tired out by the chase, they end up spread around Jake's side yard, which stretches out into a copse of trees that trundles down to the pebbly beach, the grey waters lapping at the shore. Bella ends up next to Jake on a driftwood log, Jake huffing into his hands to keep his fingers warm. Bella snuggles closer, pillowing her head on his shoulder, and takes a moment to wonder at how they've all grown. It seems like it wasn't so long ago that the boys were shooting up into gangly bean sprouts or that they were all spending hot summers cooling in the shade with popsicles sticky on their faces. Looking at their close-knit group now, it's hard to believe that they're all adults finding their feet in the world.
"What're you thinking about?" Jake asks after a while.
Bella smiles. "Old times. Good times, mostly."
"They were," he agrees. He nudges her. "You look happy."
Bella's smile grows. Her phone pings in her pocket, surely another message from Masen. "I am happy," she says, and follows Jake's eyes as they trace back to Paul, who has for some reason pulled Jared into a headlock. "You look happy, too. With Paul, I mean."
"Paul is a barnacle and I'm never going to get rid of him," Jake declares, sounding hopelessly fond in spite of himself.
Bella thinks about that ring that Paul bought, about the question that Jake will be asked someday soon, and says, "Yeah, but you don't want to."
Jake grins that sun-bright smile of his and shrugs.
This is what it's supposed to be like, she thinks, reflecting on the year and her life and where she wants her future to look like. It's not a bad future. In fact, it looks bright and promising, full of love and cheer and lifelong friendships. The future will be so good, and someday she will share her future with someone else - or at least, she hopes to.
Someday.
Swanning ʘswanning_twitch
Happy Holidays, folks! I'm taking a short poll for DOW dungeons you want tutorials on! Which one do you want me and my little brother to beat?
Darlene ʘdeardirt
Yesssss, I am HERE for the family bonding. Also, please run the Jade Peach dungeon.
Queso Forever ʘq_ed
The Jade Peach quest? Seriously? Ghost Fox is way harder
Darlene ʘdeardirt
You have no vision ʘq_ed I'm obviously aiming for the sibling dynamic with the Jade Peach quest. It would be hilarious!
Queso Forever ʘq_ed
…..I'll give you that. Let's see it roll.
A/N: Update 2 of 2. Uh, the next update will happen after the New Year, probably in the second week of January? Stay tuned.
Now for notes! Okay, so I actually spent quite a bit of time trying to find what the traditional Quileute winter celebrations would look like, since Christmas is very much not a traditional Indian celebration. To my great sadness, I wasn't able to find any records about any traditions that might have carried over - it seems like since at least 1901, which is the one record I was able to find that mentioned anything about traditional celebrations, even obliquely, the Quileute Tribe has adhered to White winter celebrations. This was done, according to the article, to assimilate with the White populace without conflict, which is unfortunately something many native peoples have done to simply survive. The Quileute people have as a whole done a lot to assimilate to the influx of White people, to the point where some of the cultural traditions celebrated by the older generations were already regarded as "entertainment" to the younger generation as early as 1901 - which is, as I said, just incredibly sad. It's distressing to learn about this loss of culture, but it's also not something to shy away from. According to The Talking Raven, which is the Quileute Tribe's current publication, they do something called a Community Christmas Celebration, which mostly consists of a silent auction geared toward children and education. The reference I found for the lost traditional celebration was at Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project in a record titled "Quileute Independent and Quileute Chieftain" (1908-1910) by Heather McKimmie. The point of this is to say that I had planned a section of this chapter to go over traditional Quileute holiday celebrations, but I had to take it out of the outline since….well, since colonialism, tbh.
Anyway! As always, be honest. I can take it! Stay safe and stay healthy - and stay positive. A new year is a new opportunity! We're getting through it a day at a time, and that's perfectly fine! Make sure to keep an eye out on your local government plans for vaccine roll-outs, learn about whether your insurance is going to cover vaccinations, and stay stocked up on your masks and hand sanitizer!
~Rae