I am going to attempt updating Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from now on.
BPOV
Tuesday was spent at work and after work, Alice came home with me to talk to Charlie. I wasn't really sure how he would take it but he'd learned about everything else with ease already so I was hopeful.
"Dad? I brought Alice. We kind of wanted to talk to you about something." I called as I walked in the front door. Charlie appeared from the living room with the TV remote in his hand.
"Alright. What's up?" He asked. I could tell he seemed slightly suspicious already, finding out everything he had recently, he really was expecting just about anything. Dragons or something but this? He wouldn't guess it in a million years.
"Charlie…" Alice began. " You have learned so much lately and I think this might end up being the one thing that you have a hard time with but I need you to know that it changes nothing and you might want to sit down."
I nodded my head to encourage him to listen to her and he did.
"My real name, my human name is Mary Alice Brandon. I am from Biloxi, Mississippi and when I was a teenager, I had visions of the future resulting in my admittance into an insane asylum. While there I conceived and gave birth to a baby girl. Before I got out I was turned into a vampire and never had the chance to be a mother. My daughter was given to a kind family who could not have a child of their own and they named her Helen."
Alice paused and Charlie took in the information. Helen was a fairly common name during that time though so he didn't appear to be putting two and two together just yet.
"Helen grew up, got married and eventually, later in life than they had hoped, got pregnant. She had a little boy, and named him Charles, Charlie Swan."
Charlie shifted in his seat, his face not giving away whatever emotion he was feeling.
"Charlie, I am biologically your grandmother, Bella's great grandmother. I wanted to apologize for the way I've acted in the past when I really just wanted to make sure she was well taken care of, and who better to do that than a family of nearly indestructible vampires with special gifts? What I failed to realise was that by doing so, I was taking away Bella's ability to LIVE. I won't let that happen again. I promise." Alice's small pixie-like voice was firm, she wanted to make sure that we knew she meant it, not just Charlie, but me as well so that I would trust her again.
I could tell Charlie wasn't sure what to think, but he normally was very kind when it came to Alice so it was hard to tell what might be going through his head.
"I always," He cleared his throat, "felt when you were around it was like having another daughter around, you felt like family. I can't believe that you actually are."
Alice smiled at Charlie who despite everything hugged her. It was really sweet seeing Charlie act this way though having lost both of his parents, I can understand that finding a grandparent this late in life would be bittersweet, but knowing that person wouldn't be dying anytime soon? Pretty awesome if you ask me.
"There's something else. Not something like that just, Bella." She turned to me now, "I know you hate gifts but you have no idea how much I want to make up for missing out on everything and I want to be able to do things like a normal grandmother even if I only look 19. I have spent years saving money, specifically for you. I donated money to Alzheimer's research to help out when Helen and Geoffrey were both struck with that and placed in homes, as well as donations to the homes themselves to make sure they had the best care available."
I glanced at Charlie and saw a tear fall from his eyes as he smiled at Alice for all she'd done, unknowingly, without a thank you.
"Bella. I want to take care of you and Charlie. I want to make sure certain needs are met. So many things I have wanted to do. Bella, I want to help you pay for college and get on your feet once you have that degree. Think of it as your inheritance. And this house could use some serious upgrades, if you'll allow it." She looked back to Charlie now, who wiped the tears from his eyes. "I know you don't want to but Charlie, I can smell the wiring in this house. It won't be long before it fails and I would hate to see you lose it to a house fire. Please. Let me help you, both of you?"
Charlie thought on it for a moment, "I've been wanting to renovate, but Renee was here the last time we changed anything, looking at these cabinets reminds me of those good times in my life. Maybe making new memories would be nice."
"Great!" Alice clapped and bounced slightly from happiness. "Bella?"
"How much of an inheritance are we talking?" I didn't want some boat load of money, but the idea of not struggling through life was also nice, and coming from family felt less like I didn't deserve it.
"Bella, when your Gran died, did she leave you anything?"
"Yeah, I don't understa…"
"Did you get to choose how much or just accept that's what she wanted for you? I want you to accept it and allow me this one small pleasure to help with your life, since you won't be getting the life I'd envisioned so long ago. The amount I have chosen will not hinder me in any way. I will still have plenty left behind, and the ability to make more, easily through my years. Take this gift and use it as your heart desires."
I knew Alice meant it, she just wanted to do something fairly normal for once and help family out financially. I knew having me stay human hurt her and yet she wasn't pushing for it anymore and was trying her hardest to keep me safe. I guess I could just accept it, she was right that you don't get to choose your inheritance.
"I… fine. I accept." Saying those words took more mentally that I'd prepared, but knowing she was family and that she'd probably just donate to the school if I declined made it a fairly easy choice. Alice actually squealed.
The rest of the evening was spent having dinner, and watching TV with Alice and Charlie who always seemed so comfortable around each other, even now, knowing she's a vampire, he sat next to her with ease. Eventually the night had to come to an end. I said goodbye to Alice and gave her a small hug, thanking her for finally accepting me for who I was and for patrolling around my house that night to keep me and Charlie safe.
That night I dreamt about going to a fancy Ball and wearing extravagant clothing and jewelry with Jake by my side in a tuxedo. He really did look good in anything.
Wednesday after school was spent at La Push and avoiding imminent death, but things were looking pretty good around Forks, nothing unusual going on and no signs of Victoria or the mystery vampire that stole my scarf. Angela decided to come to La Push with me again and I was so grateful for her friendship. She was so kind. Even Edward said she was the kindest person he'd ever met, not a single bad thought in her, even now after Ben dumped her over something as stupid as her height, she never thought anything bad about him, meanwhile I want to punch him in his stupid face. Being around La Push and the men, and woman that protected it really didn't do good things for my anger control.
When we pulled up to Sam's, the doors and windows were wide open and there was a large moving truck holding all of his belongings. Paint cans were placed all around and everyone who wasn't patrolling or sleeping seemed to be helping out.
Leah was painting the outside of the house from a worn down white to a nice shade of blue. Seth was sitting on Sam's couch inside the open door to the truck doing his homework and I could hear talking from inside the house.
"Do you know Leah and her brother Seth?" I asked Angela, pointing to each of them.
"I've seen them around but no, not really." She replied.
"Well, they're great. I mean everyone here is great but Leah is a really good friend. I think you'll like her." We walked over and I introduced Leah to Angela. Next thing I knew I had huge arms around me and I was being spun around. "Jake! Put me down!"
He placed me on my feel and turned me around to face him, holding me steady in case I was dizzy. "I missed you. I hate it when you work."
"I missed you too." Jake kissed me, not caring if anyone saw. I was starting to get used to the public displays of affection, something Edward's Victorian upbringing never allowed. Jake pulled away then cringed. "What? What's wrong?"
"I seem to have gotten paint in your hair. Sorry."
I laughed at his serious expression, he seemed genuinely upset at what he'd done. "I'm sure it will wash out." He smiled then, knowing I wouldn't deprive him of food as punishment.
Sam, Jared, and Paul came outside. Jared looped around the back of the house and when he came back. Kim was with him. "hey Bella!" She called. "Missed you around here, girl! Things aren't the same when you have to deal with Jake and his lost puppy dog eyes." She winked at me. "Hey. Angela, right? Quil and Embry won't shut up about you." Angela blushed, looking embarrassed then nodded. "Nice to meet you, I'm Kim, and this is Jared." He waved and Angela waved back before the couple went back around to the back of the house to, I assume paint some more.
"And that's Sam, and Paul." I pointed to each of them as I said their names. They both looked at her at the same time, said hey at the same time, then looked at each other at the same time. " You boys spend too much time together."
"That's probably true." Paul replied as Sam walked over to help Leah paint the cedar siding.
"So finally getting the house done? I guess it has been…" I glanced at as she Angela walked over to stand by the truck, talking to Seth and Paul. "Slow. Good time to get it done."
"Yeah." Jake replied, "We're all a little more rested than usual. Since it's been so quiet, and we still have the Cullen's on the border, I decided to just send one person out at a time, so we get one day on one day off but keep the same time schedule. It's helping us get some schooling done and a good amount of sleep."
"Look at you taking on this leader role. I'm proud of you." I said sincerely.
"Awww, Bells… Thank you. This is not as easy as Sam made it seem but I can't imagine how hard it's going to get if we see the leech again."
"Well let's just hope that we get to graduate first at least."
Jake and I spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out with Angela, Paul and Seth on the furniture in the truck while, the two couples outside finished painting the siding. It didn't take long and there were no more dry brushes so we couldn't help even if they needed it, which they didn't seem to. The house was looking great on the outside. I couldn't wait to see what the inside looked like when it was all dry. Angela and I did our homework, and helped the boys with theirs before it started to get dark and the wind was coming in colder than we were dressed for.
"I love March." Angela said, enjoying the breeze. "You never know if it will be Winter or Spring, and some days you get both." Paul looked at her like she was crazy while Seth looked at her like she was inspirational. Aww puppy love. Oh God, I hope Seth didn't imprint. Not sure how Angela would feel about that, he's still a kid.
I walked over to Seth and sat between him and Paul. "Hey Seth, quick question." I said quietly while Angela stood at the opening to the truck, "I have to ask, you didn't imprint, did you? Not that it would be bad but she's almost 17 and you're 14 and…"
"No," he interrupted. "Definitely not, she's just, really pretty and kind and I know I'd never have a shot, but look at her?"
Paul laughed on the other side of me before getting up to leave. "She's just a girl, Seth, don't let them wind you around their fingers." He said, before hopping down to the ground. The sudden displacement of weight shook the box of the van just enough and with a wrongly timed gust of wind, Angela lost her balance and tumbled toward the ground. Paul heard her scream and turned, rushing to catch her before she hit the ground. "Shit! I'm so sorry. I didn't think…"
"It's okay. I'm-I'm… okay. I think." I could see her chest moving fast from where I now stood, adrenaline was an interesting thing. I hopped out of the truck, with the help of Jake and went to her. She was still in Paul's arms. "You can put me down now."
"You sure? You seem a bit… unsteady." He double checked, and when she nodded, he set her down, but stayed close just in case.
"You have some… amazing reflexes." She said. Laughing it off. "I think I'm ready to go home now."
"Alright. Come on." I replied, heading to my truck. Jake stopped me before I hopped in.
"No kiss goodbye?" Of course he didn't wait for an answer before kissing me, deeply. We said our goodbyes and I drove Angela home, once again spotting the trade off between werewolf and vampire in the treeline.
The rest of the week was spent at work or working on a Biology project at Angela's. We'd been paired together and the project was a good portion of our grade.
