A/N: Hey, I want to thank anyone who's stuck around. This is long overdue. This past half a year has been a nightmare, school was killing me (though I did write a pretty great paper on the religious aspects of Twilight IMO) and then my dad and I got covid (we were vaccinated thankfully), my best friend's Mom died in a freak accident and all that. My classes just started again but I'll try to update more frequently.

Deleted and reposted this chapter because when I read through it again I noticed how many spelling/ grammar errors there were. Changed a few things (added almost 2 pages) but overall I think it's pretty much the same.

"I'd love to feel alive again,

but I'm no good with change."

Chapter 11

Emmett's POV

"Mike wants to know why you guys don't shop here, since you're all always hiking and camping." I could hear the smile in her voice as she teased Edward over the phone.

"Because their shit sucks," I yell so she can hear me.

Rose hits my arm, "really, Emmett?"

I shrug, I stand by what I said.

"I don't know, Jasper," Edward answers his thoughts after saying goodbye to Bella. Her break must be over.

"Would you two like to share with the rest of the class?" Rose prompted.

"Jasper wanted to know if Bella gets a commission," Edward explained. "I don't know, she wouldn't tell me if I asked."

"You know Pops is always saying that we need to blend in. I think it's about time we go shopping, Jazz."

Jasper smirked. "Bella is going to kill us, man."

"She'll be too flabbergasted that there is even a customer in there," Rose adds. "Maybe you guys will get the Newtons to give her a raise."

"How late is she working?" I ask Edward.

"Til five." He says. "Just don't go too overboard."

"What do you mean by," I use my fingers for air quotes, "too overboard?"

"I think I know Bella enough to know if you guys spend more than like a thousand dollars she will straight up refuse to sell it all to you."

"And Bella won't get the money, maybe a small commission, but it'll stay with the Newtons." Rose reminds us.

"You coming?" I ask her as Jasper tosses me the keys to my jeep.

She laughs as she shakes her head no. "I don't want Bella mad at me." She may not love Bella the way the rest of us do, but she was growing on her. She didn't hate having her around, and after the revelation of what Edward said to Bella when we left, everyone was extra protective of the baby of the family.

Bella looks up with wide eyes when she hears the bell over the door signal our arrival. Jazz and I stop just inside the door as we look from Bella to the shack of a store around her. Even Alice wouldn't want to shop here.

She doesn't belong here, but she is stubborn. Don't get me wrong, I know what it's like to want to support your family financially. After my human mother died, I had to step up and help my Dad and younger brothers, but there have to be better options than the Newton's around here. Hell, Dad would hire Bella as an assistant or something in a heartbeat.

"There's our favorite little sister," I announced to Bella's surprised face.

". . . There are my favorite big brothers," she says, though she sounds weary and doesn't return my enthusiasm, her cheeks growing red.

"I should be your favorite big brother, I didn't try to kill you." I joke, clapping Jasper on the back as he tries to evade me.

"What are you guys doing here?" She glances behind her before coming around the counter to us, her face a mixture between amusement and wariness.

"Someone mentioned how suspicious it was that we never get any gear from the one store in town, seeing as we're always hiking and camping," Jasper answers, pulling her into a hug.

"You know what Pop says," I pull out my phone where I queued up a video from Parks and Rec "don't be suspicious. Don't be suspicious."

Bella rolls her eyes, "no really."

"We are stimulating the economy, Bella," I tell her in my most serious voice.

She sighs, glancing towards the back where Mike's parents are. "I'm going to get fired, aren't I?" Her head turns back to Jasper, eyes narrowed. "Cut it out, Jasper."

He smirks. "Sorry, B."

"How would being an excellent salesperson get you fired?" I ask her honestly.

"Hey Bell- oh, uh hi." Mike stops short when he sees us with Bella before trying to act nonchalant and unaffected.

"Newton," I reply.

"Do, uh, need help finding anything?" He stutters out.

I know Jasper is fucking with his emotions and from the look on Bella's face, she does too. "No thanks, Bella's got it covered." Jasper answers, turning to block Bella from his view.

"What are you guys looking to get?" Bella asks us.

"What do you recommend?" Jasper prompts. "You're the expert."

She rolls her eyes. "I recommend your wives have you committed," she mutters under her breath, too low for Mike to hear.

"That's harsh B," I say.

"It's true, Em."

"That fluorescent orange vest is atrocious."

She laughs. "Just don't tell Alice. If she knew they would probably all mysteriously disappear overnight. . . and it would probably all come out of my paycheck."

I pretend to lock my lips and throw away the key, to which she rolls her eyes again. Jasper tries to hit the back of my head and I duck out of the way.

I leave them to follow me as I walk towards a small display on an end cap. The sign says Bear Repellant 2/$10. "Two questions," I pull Bella up beside me, my arm around her little shoulders.

"Okay," she sounds weary as she looks up at me.

"Does this come in Wolf?"

She tries to keep the smirk off her face. "Sorry, only comes in bear. I'm sure Edward would have doused me and my entire house in it if it did." She laughs. "What's your next question?"

"Is there a-" I put my fingers up for air quotes, "bear attractor?"

Bella's POV

In retrospect, I should have realized Edward's family could hear me, that his brothers would hear. When Mike came up to me while I was stocking shelves and wanted to talk, I humored him. He had a good point, the Cullens claim to spend a significant amount of time outdoors, yet never come to the only store in town geared to this. It was a valid question to which I had no logical response.

So on my break, I called Edward. It was an excuse to talk to him, I missed him even though it has only been a few hours. Well that, and it always annoys Mike.

I shouldn't have been surprised when Jasper and Emmett walked through the doors during my shift not even an hour later. They didn't pretend to look around for me, their tall frames dwarfing mine. Jasper could feel my suspicion as I wearily watched Emmett's mischievous expression.

"No, Emmett. There's not a 'bear attractor' spray. No one would want that." This doesn't feel like something I should have to explain. I hope he's joking.

"You're right. Where's the fun in that?" He laughs. "The fun is in the hunt."

"I'll keep that in mind," I reply dryly.

"Edward is going to have a heart attack the first time Bella goes hunting." Jasper comments, moving past us with a cart.

"Not just Edward, imagine how Mom and Pops will be," Emmett laughs.

I don't know what he means about Carlisle and Esme, surely they are used to teaching a newborn how to hunt, Carlisle at least has had some practice. I'll be indestructible (for the most part), I can't see me having many problems that would worry them.

I follow after Jasper, Emmett trailing behind only to stop every few seconds when something catches his eye. "How about a bear bell?" He holds it up for us to see.

"Damn, Em. That was going to be your Christmas present." I joke, snapping my fingers while shaking my head in mock disappointment.

"I need at least three, one for each hand." He says, putting them back.

"You have three hands?"

"You should have let it go," Jasper stage whispers.

"Two hands and an extra bell for when someone steals the other two," Emmett replies as if it's obvious.

I humor him, a part of me genuinely curious for his answer. "Who would steal it?"

He scoffs. "Take your pick! Everyone is so mean to the baby of the family."

"Bella's the baby of the family now, Em. You lost your throne." Jasper reminds him as I feel my face heating up.

Emmett frowns, his eyes squinting as he stared between us before grumbling under his breath and walking away.

I stare after him for a minute before Jasper grabs my attention with a jerk of his head in the direction we had originally been heading. "So what did you come to get?"

"I don't know, you're the expert."

"I don't go camping, not willingly," I remind him as I pull my hair back from my face, tying it with a hair tie from around my wrist.

"What's that?" Jasper asks.

I look at him confused. "What?"

"On your neck, behind your ear."

I run my fingertips over the skin when I feel the uneven scar that I'm sure is what Jasper is referring to. The anxiety inside me starts to bloom at the reminder of their time away, and what I did to be able to see Edward. I can feel the artificial calm Jasper is infusing and don't fight it. "That? Oh, um, I fell off my bike and my head hit a sharp rock. I had to get a few stitches. . . I didn't think it was that noticeable." I mutter the end self consciously.

"It's not noticeable, promise. My eyesight is just better than most," Jasper promises. I'm thankful he let it go, that he can read me so well.

I'm happy they came, even if it was just to annoy me and scare Mike. I can't describe it, even to myself, how nice it is for them to be here. Like a weight off my shoulders, I know nothing bad will happen, it's calming (even without Jasper's influence).

"Uh, so, um, what do you think you guys should get?" I try to change the subject back to safer waters.

"We can get a new tent or two, some backpacks and crap," Jasper suggests. He leads the way for us, I'm not surprised he knows this store as well as I do, even though I don't think he's ever been here. "What made you decide to work in this place? I know it wasn't your love of the outdoors."

I shrug, "there weren't many places hiring. And the Newtons are great and have been really understanding." I felt the need to defend them, they had put up with a lot where I have been concerned, and they didn't hold it against me.

"Carlisle would hire you as an assistant or something if you really want to work." He says.

I look at Jasper with a mixture of amusement and disbelief that I'm sure he feels coming from me just as strongly as it reads across my face. "Why would he do that?"

He turns back to me from where he was reading the specs of a tent. "Why wouldn't he?"

I roll my eyes and scoff. "Anything I could do for him he could do himself, 100x better and faster." My hand travels to my necklace, safely hidden from anyone's view under my shirt, jacket, and work vest. I trace the shape of the ring, smiling at the memory of Edward helping me put it on before I left for work.

As enjoyable as it would be to work with Carlisle, my future father. . . I can't help but remember the past few months. As much as I hope they are my future, I have to consider the fact that they've left before. . . And if they do, god forbid, leave me again (and I survived it) I would have to try to keep going for Charlie, and a job not tied to the Cullens would be an important part of that.

Jasper shrugs now, "as hard as it is for you to believe for some reason, we like having you around, you know? And anyways, Pops gets lonely." The heartfelt moment turns into lighthearted teasing.

"He probably likes the quiet just as much as the noise." I point out, trying to steer my mind in a lighter direction. His children can be a lot at times.

Emmett traipses back towards us, his arms overflowing with the weirdest, most random things he could find. "B, what's the best thing to wear for cliff diving?"

"Don't let Edward hear you joke about that." Jasper shakes his head with a chuckle. "Or anyone else."

"Hey, I don't care and I don't regret it." How could I regret the catalyst that brought my family back to me? I pretend to consider it. "Just don't wear jeans and sneakers. . . Or go in the middle of a hurricane and I don't think it matters."

"Ah yes, very important," Emmett agrees, though I'm sure he'd have no problems no matter the weather.

I see Mike start to head in our direction again and Jasper and Emmett stiffen. "Hey, just checking to see if you got it covered?"

Emmett cuts him off, glaring at him. "I swear to God Newton, we won't buy a fucking thing if you come over again."

Mike's steps falter and he takes a step back, sizing the pissed-off vampire up before leaving with his tail between his legs.

"Was that really necessary?" I whisper harshly.

They both act like they didn't hear me as they debated over the finer points of a camping stove.

"How well do you think this works?" Jasper turns back to ask me.

How do I answer that? "I think that depends on what you're cooking."

Jasper strokes his chin. "Touche Swan, touche."

I roll my eyes in response.

"Speaking of cooking, you want to go to lunch B?" Emmett asks his arm over my shoulders.

"I'm not really in the mood for an irritable grizzly, Em."

He laughed loudly, so loud that I looked around to make sure we hadn't attracted the Newton's attention. "Your loss, but I meant your lunch break, let your favorite brothers take you out on the town."

"As tempting and worrisome as that offer is, I only get a thirty-minute break and I used it before you guys came. You know, when I was on the phone with Edward." I feel bad that I can't accept the invitation. "And you guys are my favorite brothers, even if you are my only brothers."

Emmett looks touched at my declaration and I can't help but smile back at them. In terms of future in-laws/ brothers, I couldn't really have any much better than them. "Will you come over for dinner after work?" He offers.

I frown knowing I can't, "I'm grounded still."

"What for?" Jasper asks.

I look over to make sure Mike isn't within hearing distance. "For Italy/ California. Charlie only lets me go to your house when he's working late. . ." I trail off. He won't admit it but I think he feels better if Carlisle and Esme are looking out for me rather than me being home alone. "You guys could come over for dinner if you want. I can't guarantee you'll love the food but I'm making fish with Harry Clearwater's famous fish fry." There is so much fish in our freezer at home that I need to start cooking it more often if we don't want it to go bad. "Charlie hates Edward, but he still loves Alice so I think you guys will be good. . . if you want. You don't have to." I trail off, suddenly unsure if I'm forcing them into this.

"Hell yeah," Emmett answers before I finish talking and I smile at his enthusiasm.

"Really?" I hope I have enough fish defrosted. . . not that they'll really be eating it.

"Should we bring anything?" Jasper asked.

I look between my two brothers, wondering if the offer is genuine and/ or a disaster waiting to happen.

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