Previously:
Saying goodbye to the heat, I boarded the plane to the Pacific Northwest.
I walked through the small airport, looking for the baggage station. Charlie had spoiled me. He had paid for the meal service. That was an extra $20 on top of ticket price. It was a delicious microwaved meal. I ate every last bite. My stomach protested, expanding more than it had in months. It felt good.
My bag was the only one to look like it came out of the 1940's, so it was easy to spot. Pulling it off the conveyor, I popped it into a trolley. This is what it must feel like to go to Paris. I felt like a celebrity, pushing my cart through the hallways. These next two weeks will probably be the best two weeks of my life.
Chapter 3: Healthy as Magazines
My heart glowed brighter than it had in years when I made eye contact with my Dad. He wore a white button up dress shirt on top of his black jeans. Pulling his outfit together, he had on a chauffeur hat, just like a limo driver. He even held a sign with his cleanest writing saying 'Bella Swan. World's Greatest Daughter.' He dropped the sign and ran to meet me the moment he saw me.
"Old man, you need a sign just in case you didn't recognize me" I teased.
"It's all a part of the experience of Miss Swan. I hear you are coming to the event of the century. Pretty fancy." He wiggled his eyebrows at me.
"Yeah. It is the fanciest." I couldn't keep the smile off my face.
Charlie stopped the trolley I was pushing.
"Climb on top of your bag."
"Dad. The signs say 'No person on the baggage trolleys'" I said with my eyes wide.
"Then I suggest you get on quick. Then I will push you as we run out of here"
I jumped on the trolley. Laughing my first real laugh. Charlie ran us out of the airport. I froze as I realized he had driven in the police car. Those only meant one thing back home. That Renee was being picked up. My body grew uncomfortable as we neared it.
"Woah. You asked me to ride on the trolley and now you are arresting me. Not fair Chief" I tried to joke away my anxiety.
"Ha. My daughter will never be arrested." Charlie smiled.
My anxiety kicked up as I walked towards the police car. I had been trained by my environment to hide from these vehicles. Everytime Renee was arrested, I would jump the fence. The goal was to not get caught. Getting caught was an instant call to CPS. Luckily the Church was easy to scale. A quick lockpicking would give me access to the room at the top. It was a small room.
My memories ended when Charlie shut the trunk. The noise brings me back to the present. Not thinking about it, I jumped in the front seat. Charlie jumped in, the smile still not erased from his face.
I found myself in awe with the beauty of my home state. All the trees that we passed looked like they held a secret. Charlie turned off the main highway. It was like the sun was extinguished as no light entered the path. I scanned the area, the way the leaves sparkled it looked like a fairytale. I thought I would see nothing more beautiful until the path opened up. We followed it alongside the ocean. I couldn't pull my eyes off it. My mind is thinking how easy it would be to go without water here. There was so much water out there! Though I guess houses here needed heat. We didn't have to worry about that often. I only became really cold if Renee sold our blankets.
"Dad, this is beautiful."
"You like it?"
"Yeah! Who wouldn't. It's not too hot and look at the moving water!"
I could tell Charlie was enjoying my enthusiasm. It truthfully was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. The only time I got to see the ocean back home was in school, in textbooks. That, or my history teacher's classroom, he was really into Navy artwork.
"We are almost there. Any concerns?" Charlie asked.
"I don't think so. It's Sue, Leah and Seth right?" I double checked.
"Yes."
"I am just ready to meet them. I love the idea of big families" I smiled at Charlie. People with big families always had someone to spend time with.
Charlie nodded. Turning, he pulled up to a house with an ocean view.
"Dad, you have an ocean view! That is wicked!" I couldn't get over it. It was so beautiful here.
"Yeah. Why did you think we drove on the ocean front road?"
"I don't know. Just to look at the really nice houses. I was not expecting you to own a really nice house with an ocean view. You are like a millionaire on TV." I smiled at him. He laughed, enjoying my perspective. This is proof that having $20 to spend on plane food means you are rich.
Exiting the car, I saw three people standing on the wraparound porch. It wrapped around, like the entire way. Back home I hardly had a deck, let alone a porch that wrapped around. I smiled at them.
Wiping the sweat on my hands against my jeans, I kept the smile on my face. Charlie gave me an encouraging smile. He got out of the car first. I felt like he had just left me to the wolves. Swallowing hard, I opened the door and left the safety of the car.
I followed behind Charlie like a kid on their first day of Kindergarten. There was something safe about following my Dad up the stairs. I wish this could happen more often, it was nice to have a Dad. Charlie held my suitcase out to the boy on the porch. He took it, propping it up against the house.
"Bella. This is Sue" He gestured to the oldest lady. She looked healthy, like the people in the magazines did. With a kind smile, she opened her arms. I took the offer to hug her. She hugged like I think most mothers would. It warmed my heart. I wonder if I would get more hugs if I lived here.
"Leah" Charlie gestured to the girl. She was older than me and had muscle on me. I never felt the need for weight training, but I wanted her routine. She held out a hand and I shook it. Her smile made me feel welcomed.
"Seth". Charlie gestured to the boy. He was a good two feet taller than me. Yet, I think Charlie mentioned he was younger then I was. He too offered a hug. I took it. His hug felt safe. He finished by giving me a noogie.
"Hey little sis," Seth teased.
"No. I think I am older than you" I laughed trying to reach his head to give him a noogie back.
Sue and Charlie laughed. I hoped that Seth and I would become fast friends.
Charlie picked up my suitcase and walked into the house. It had floor to ceiling windows looking at the ocean. I couldn't wait to spend time enjoying that view. I liked that my eyes felt like they could look for hours at the ocean and not become bored.
Charlie walked down the hall. Each room had a name on the door. Seth, Leah, Parental figures. I laughed.
"Parental Figures was my idea" Seth commented. He followed behind. I think he was just as excited to meet me as I was to meet him.
"It's funny" I smiled at him.
Charlie stopped at a room that had Bella written. My mouth went dry. I was not expecting a room here. I thought I would have a spare room or pull out couch. I had my own room! Charlie swung the door open wide. I had a view of the ocean. I had my own door that went outside from my room. Looking around I sat on the queen sized bed. I don't think I have ever sat on anything more comfortable in my life. The sheets coloured a dark green. Charlie had a desk in here with a laptop. It was so skinny I almost did not notice it.
"Well Kido what do you think?" Charlie asked.
"Dad this is too much" I spoke in shock.
"No. This is what you deserve. I will leave you to unpack" Charlie left. I loved how he never hovered.
Seth walked over to the door to the wrap around porch. "Is this like your room at your moms?" His question was an innocent one. I swallowed hard, trying to think of how to explain it.
"Not even close."
"What does she have in your room that you don't have here?" Seth looked like he was genuinely concerned for my comfort.
"Nothing. This room is way better"
Seth smiled. Leaving me to unpack.
I pulled the suitcase up on the bed. Opening it, I was glad no one stayed. It was only half full. I took the bank card and hid it under the laptop. Not that anyone here would need the few hundred that was left on the card. It was just a force of habit.
Opening the closet I almost cried. Charlie or Sue had stocked it full of clothing. Everything was new. I touched the soft fabrics. Taking the extra hangers I hung the thrifted clothing I had packed. Pulling out a warm looking black soft sweater I pulled it on. Looking in the full length mirror, I looked amazing in it.
The door to the porch was not locked. That was weird. Are they not aware that break-ins are a thing? Ignoring it, I stepped outside. Between Seth and my rooms a swinging chair had been placed. I could not resist. A swing and the ocean view. What more would you like?
"Hey" Leah came walking down the porch.
I stopped the swing. She climbed onto the other side. Handing me a warm cup. Looking at the contents, it was hot chocolate.
"I wasn't sure how you took coffee. So I figured hot chocolate was a good bet."
"Thanks Leah" I couldn't remember the last time someone made me a hot beverage, without me paying for it.
"We are going to a bonfire tonight if you want to come." She looked like she was excited for me to come.
"Like a big campfire?" I hadn't done many social outings back home. Unless bartending at the local joint when all the normal bartenders were all arrested counted.
"Kinda. There is a big campfire. It is also a time for our Elders to tell the stories of the tribe"
"Am I allowed to go to that? It's okay. I can stay home if it is an issue." This would be a wonderful place to spend some hours alone. Looking out at the ocean I could lose hours.
"Billy, our Chief, is good friends with Charlie. He actually bugged us to ask you to come. He remembers you when you were a child I guess. Anyway, he made Charlie promise that you would get here before the bonfire."
"What do you wear to a bonfire?" I felt completely clueless. This was not a social interaction I thought I had to prepare for when I packed. Not that the thrift store carried warm clothing usually. The ladies had been on the hunt for months, just so I could have semi-warm attire.
"That I can help you with," Leah smiled. "Let's finish our beverages first."
The ocean captivated us for a moment. The hot chocolate reminded me of winter nights with Charlie. When I was too young to take care of Renee. When Grandma was still alive, and made sure I had regular visits with my Dad.
"So, do you have a significant other back home?" Leah asked
"No. Do you have one?"
She nodded. "I am dating the Chief's son, Jacob"
"Wow. Look at you go!" I smiled at her.
"Yeah he is great. Knows how to keep me grounded. I still can't believe you don't have someone back home. You are hot. Are all the men in Phoenix blind?"
"Nah. I got asked out often enough. Just did not have time for that." I shrugged.
"Oh right. Charlie mentioned you had taken AP classes."
I nodded. That was a good enough reason for why my personal life in Phoenix was in the toilet.
Authors Note: Thank you for loving this story. How do you think Sam will react?