Valentina was buzzing that Friday. Bella was still shocked that Paul Lahote had ever asked her on a date.
"I mean, from what Jake's said, Paul doesn't date," Bella said, not even thinking.
"How does that happen?! The man's a real life Adonis!" Val took a bite of her apple.
"No, Val, he doesn't date," Bella motioned her hands to emphasize her point.
Val let out a silent, "Oh."
"I cannot believe you've managed to change the man's whole philosophy!" Val smiled at that.
"He seemed so interested to talk about the babies, like, genuinely interested." A part of her brain was now focused on the idea that maybe Paul just thought she was easy. However, the kind part of her brain defended with the argument that not all easy girls are pregnant - with twins!
Stealing one of Val's apples, Bella asked, "So when does Adelina get here?"
Val checked the clock that hung on the wall of the cafeteria, "My dad's picking her up now."
Not too soon after that, the bell rang, and the girls parted. Once the day had ended, Bella offered to drive Val home, hoping she would say yes, another start of a mending friendship. Val accepted the invitation, deciding that Bella should get to meet her sister anyway.
"Would you wanna stay for dinner? Maybe it'll make it a little easier for me to tell her if you're there," Val justified herself, sure that Bella's presence would aid the tension, at the very least.
"Uh, isn't an announcement of this sort something you usually do privately?" Bella bit her lip nervously.
"I'm sure my parents wouldn't mind." As far as Valentina was concerned, she didn't really care if they did mind. She needed Bella there.
Bella eventually conceded to her friend's request, Val's trembling voice replayed in her head. I was the problem and you two were sick of me. The doe eyed girl had shared that sentiment, feeling like she could have done more to make the Cullens stay. She hoped Val had never felt the depths of emptiness as she had.
When the two girls walked through the door, Valentina was attacked by a mop of thick blonde hair. The first thing Bella noticed was exactly how much Adelina Thurston resembled her mother. Their green eyes, shared by Val, even seemed to sparkle in the same way. A mess of wavy honey colored locks fell to the middle of Adelina's back, any shorter and she would look exactly like Daniela. Valentina's sister had sharper features, a more demanding presence.
Addy paid no mind to how much more pronounced her sister's stomach was, it was none of her business. Instead she focused on the warmth in her smile, the blush brought to her cheeks by the frigid Washington air, and - most importantly - how much older she looked.
"You look so grown up!" Addy announced, and no one made the move to argue. Valentina was grown up, even as young as she was. Addy took a piece of Val's carmel hair in between her fingers, "This looks lighter, young lady."
"I've been, um, spending more time by the beach." The thought of the beach brought the thought of Paul, and she blushed.
Interrupting her older daughter, Daniela called from the kitchen, "Dinner's ready."
As it turns out, Daniela and Chris encouraged Bella to stay for dinner, whatever would make Val more comfortable.
"So you go to NYU?" Bella's eyes were awestruck at the younger blonde.
"Yep, Cinema Studies. I hope to be a director someday," Addy's voice was gentle, a trait shared among the Thurstons.
"Bella, you have to check out some of her films, Lina's amazing!" Chris was truly proud of his daughter. If anyone else in the small town had told their parents about dreams of going to New York to study film, they might be disowned. Chris and Daniela, however, always urged their daughters to follow their dreams, no matter the judgement that might follow.
"If she's already got offers from studios, I believe you!" The table laughed, and Bella wondered if this would have been possible had her own parents stayed married. She disregarded that thought, knowing it would not have been.
"Val's got new she wanted to share," Chris urged, gentle but assertive.
"Oh yeah, what was that, Val? Maman said it was way too important to tell me over the phone," Addy said, and all eyes were on Val.
"I'm, uh," she paused, worried she might throw up, "I'm having a baby. Two, actually. Twins."
The look of shock on Adelina's face was expected by Val. She didn't, however, expect her exclamation.
"Big sisters are supposed to be the ones you tell first, idiot!" The sisters, and everyone else at the table, smiled. Val knew they were alright, and Addy wasn't truly upset as she had predicted.
"You should name one after me," Addy suggested as they lounged on the couch after dinner.
Val laughed, "Uh, no."
"Oh, come on, Val!"
"Give me one good reason I should name one of my children after you." Her arms crossed over her bulging stomach.
"Um, I'm amazing, for starters!" Adelina exclaimed.
Valentina only shook her head, a smile on her face, and turned to Bella, "Wanna stay the night?"
"Sure," Bella said, "let me call my dad, just to check."
As she left the room, Addy said, "She's good for you." There was no room for argument in her tone.
"She is. She's the only one at school who knows. Course, won't be able to keep that up for much longer," Val mumbled as she rubbed her stomach.
"If anyone ever says anything to you, tell me, and I'll kick their ass." Adelina was serious, a rare trait from her. The steely look in her sister's eyes told Val just how much Addy loved her.
"I don't think she'll have to worry about it, Paul will probably beat you to it," Bella said the boy's name with a hint of mockery. Her victory was proven in the rush of blood to Valentina's cheeks.
"Paul?"
"He lives on the rez, asked Val on a date last night." A sound of utter betrayal fell from Adelina's mouth.
"And you didn't think to tell me this?"
"Why are you two ganging up on me?" Val's head fell back onto the couch cushion dramatically.
The next day, Saturday, Adelina woke Valentina and Bella up with the promise of Daniela's homemade waffles. They rushed downstairs, eager to taste the sugary dough.
"You should let me help you get ready tonight." Addy bit her lip in excitement. A groan came from Val but she eventually gave in, deciding that the benefits outweighed the risks.
"Okay, but I actually have plans with Leah Clearwater on the beach first." Bella was confused at Val's remark.
"Leah? How do you know her?"
Val shrugged, "Met her on the beach one day. We shared a similar anger." Bella nodded slowly, trying to understand this unlikely friendship. Jacob had told her that Leah was a true bitch, and had been since Sam had imprinted on Emily. While trying to think of what Val could have possibly been angry about, Bella's head dropped at the knowledge that it was her.
"Hey," Val said gently, grasping her friend's hand, "I'm not angry anymore. Promise."
Bella left soon after that, Charlie had wanted to go fishing with her. Once Adelina and Val agreed that the latter would be home before five-thirty so that she could be ready for Paul at seven, Val quickly put on a dark pair of jeans and red flannel over her plain long-sleeved white shirt. When she decided she looked fine, Valentina took the keys to her father's car, kissed her parents goodbye, and made the quick drive to First Beach.
Leah had arrived only minutes before Valentina. The two girls walked along the shore, talking, predominantly, about how shitty Jacob was.
"Even though I've made up with Bella, Jacob still doesn't seem to want to give me the time of day." Leah rolled her eyes, she already knew the extent of Jacob's flakiness.
"I know how he - men like him think. They all believe that they hold power over you, that you have to bow down to them. Don't." Her tone was sharp and Val was absolutely sure they were no longer talking about Jacob.
"So," Leah's voice had reduced to almost timid, "you and Paul." Valentina didn't seem to notice the change in her voice.
"Yeah, Bella told me something about him that kind of scares me, but I figured you know him better than she does - I'll just say it, does he only want to sleep with me?" She thought that the fear had been erased from her brain, but standing in the presence of someone who actually knew him, brought it all back.
"No," Leah started with a chuckle, "Paul...he's known for that, if I'm being honest. But you're...different. He talks about you, you're probably all he thinks about, too." Leah chose her words very carefully. Paul had been deadly serious about not wanting to tell Valentina about the imprint just yet.
"Really?" Val was surprised. "I mean, we just met."
"Like I said, you're different, Valentina. Paul is different."