A Twilight Rewrite

All characters belong to Stephanie Meyers

Chapter One-Coming Home

i

BELLA TRIED NOT to be disappointed in her mother, but it was hard not to be. Yes, Bella was happy to go live with her father, Charlie, with whom she had a better relationship. (Bella idly wondered if it would still be that way, as she hadn't been able to visit in four years). However, part of her was bitter that Renee would instead run off with her new husband than finish raising Bella. She was only a couple of weeks from being eighteen, and her mother couldn't even bother to keep her that long.

"Freedom," Renee said. "You're not a burden, Bella, but I haven't had it in a long time. I know we've moved a few times-"

It wasn't a few times. In the last four years alone they had moved six times. It was half the reason she hadn't been able to see Charlie. Bella hadn't even gotten to make friends at the last school.

"-But I'm a wanderer, and I can't keep still. I don't want to drag you around. You should get to enjoy your senior year." Renee had said it all with a straight look on her face as if what she was saying wasn't ridiculous. Bella had said nothing, leaving her face blank. She wouldn't show just how betrayed her mother made her feel.

Bella tried to tell herself that she knew where her mom was coming from, and could even understand to an extent, but it still hurt. Her mom was a wanderer, and a huge hippie, but only in spirit. In practice, her mom wasn't the most self-aware or even aware of others. Renee had done an okay job of taking care of Bella, but she was a little self-absorbed. When Bella was younger, it was Renee's nature that had made Bella so close to her dad. Charlie was reliable.

Bella took her little cactus in hand and took one last look at the house. She gave it a small wave, feeling slightly silly, and hopped in the back of her mom's minivan. She tuned out the chatter of Phil and Renee as she daydreamed about the future.

Maybe she and Jacob could still be friends.

ii

Charlie's face lit up like a Christmas tree when he noticed her. She was lugging a few suitcases and had her favorite bag slung over her shoulder. Bella was exhausted, but she couldn't help but smile in return. He wasn't the most expressive person, but when he was happy it shined through with the brightest of smiles.

"Bella," he exclaimed as if surprised. She considered that perhaps he was; he hadn't seen her in years. "I'm so glad you're here!" His face was open and honest; he meant it.

Bella's cheeks hurt from how hard she was smiling. She hadn't had much reason to smile in a while, and she had forgotten how good it felt. She tried to think of the last time she was as happy as this.

Bella and Charlie were very alike in mannerisms and expressions. They were incredibly honest, but emotionally reserved, withdrawn almost. They let the world's problems fall on their shoulders, even when it wasn't necessary. However, Bella took on responsibility for money and food, which her dad wasn't the most inclined toward. The man would happily eat fried food for the rest of his life, not a thought spared for his health. Now that Bella was older, she didn't plan to let that continue.

"Ch-Dad!" She almost let his name slip, so used to how her mother addressed him. "Hi! How are you?"

Charlie pulled her in for a gentle hug and started to lead the way to the car. "I'm doing alright. I'm a little bored with work, but considering that's a good thing, I'll live with it."

Charlie had a point. As a cop in a small town, being bored was a food thing. If no one got hurt, he would take boredom in stride. He was always worrying about the people of Forks and La Push, the reservation just a short drive away. (Although he was aware they could take care of themselves, he was always willing to help chase kids off of their lands when they weren't supposed to be there). He often got called out for little things, but he didn't mind.

"Harry and I found a new spot over the summer, and it was great! We caught more there than we have in a while." Charlie took his car keys and pressed on the fob, waiting for the 'honk'. When it when off, he turned direction and led Bella across the parking lot.

Bella smiled at her dad's enthusiasm. He didn't have a lot to do, but fishing made up for it. He had a closet full of fishing stuff at home. He'd jokingly called it the "treasure room" when she still lived with him. One summer, when she wasn't yet a teenager, he had sat on the floor of the living room with her, and exp[lained the intricacies of fishing to her. He explained all the types of lures, (the squishy little frog lures being her favorite), and the bobbers. He'd even shown her how to make flies. Her small fingers had struggled, but she had enjoyed it anyway. He had used the wonky little fly as a Christmas ornament for a long time. It was those things that she had often thought of over the last four years.

"Well, I also enlisted Harry's wife, Sue if you remember her, to help with your room," he said with a tight smile. "It's been a while, and I couldn't go through your room until recently. Your room wasn't fit for the young adult you are now. Sue has a daughter, she's a little older than you, so I figured she'd know how to decorate it."

He seemed sad, mentioning her room. Bella could feel it too, a bitter feeling rising in her chest. She couldn't understand why her mom had kept her from Charlie, so the feeling had grown over time. They had lost a lot of time. Bella was very different from the little thirteen-year-old he had seen last.

"Thanks, Dad. That means a lot to me," Bella said honestly, tossing her luggage into the trunk. She popped open the passenger door and sat herself down. Her dad hopped in and started up the cruiser as she buckled.

As they started their drive to the little town, Charlie asked about a little of everything. He was interested in the person she had become, and she was excited to tell him. She told him about moving, her schooling, and her grades. She told him about what she wanted to do after school, and how excited she was to live with him. There was a lot he had missed, but she wouldn't let that happen again. Her dad was important to her. She was going to fill him in on every little thing.