Author's note; Happy New Year! I hope those of you who celebrate had a wonderful Christmas.
This story is not for everybody, but I'm happy; so many of you are still with me. Sorry for the delay.
Thank you to the ladies who make this story possible ❤️ Jill and Fran are the best.
Now let's see what Masen's idea was …
~Lineage~
BPOV
"You could stay with me … at my house."
I stare at Masen, not quite believing the words that have just come out of his mouth.
"But that's …" I pause, struggling to find the words. I'm questioning myself; did I misunderstand? Imagined the whole thing?
"Stay at your house?" I repeat. The words sound strange.
"Yes … well, more my family's home. You need time, space, and rest for your recovery, all of which you can have there. I live with them, but not exactly in the same house. That would be weird." Edward is rambling and looking adorable while doing so. I bite my lips to hide my smile.
"Lark and I have our own home on the estate away from the main house. There's plenty of room and certainly large enough for one extra person. Plus, we have a guest house where you can stay so you would have privacy. My family won't be checking up on you twenty-four seven." Masen justifies unnecessarily.
It's the same for me; I live with Charlie. Like Masen, our family's home is vast. Rose and I live in our own house on the property away from Charlie. For the most part, we have separate lives, keeping very much to ourselves, which was probably for the best.
"Wouldn't that be strange- me living with you? I mean, what will people think?" I worry.
"I don't see why you should worry; it's none of their business anyway. It's not like I'm asking you to marry me," he jokes. "Plus, there would be plenty of people around to keep you company - help your recovery. My mom would love to have you stay, and you could spend more time with her. I mean, it would only be temporary; until you're back on your feet. And Dora can come too. You can both stay, so it's not weird or awkward," he explains like it's the most logical suggestion.
And the way he explains it does make sense, or perhaps that's because I'm excited by the prospect of staying with the Cullens a little too much.
He really thought this through, but I'm a little shell-shocked but in a good way. I'm touched he would even offer. Yes, I've had a comfortable life for sure, but no one has ever gone out of their way for me this much before—outside of Dora and Rose.
It actually makes me a little teary … the effort Masen and his family have gone to for me. And I have to fight those tears when I realize how much I want to accept, but sadly, fear I can't.
"It's kind of you to offer, but I'm not sure I can do that, Masen. I can't invade your space in that way," I tell him. No matter how tempting the offer is, I still feel like I'm imposing. "You barely know me."
"Don't I?" Masen challenges. He looks a little put-out, maybe even offended by my comments. "I think we get on well. And Lark adores you. You and Mom have grown close too."
My smile is instant at just the mention of his family. There's no denying how attached I feel to Lark- how could I not? She's one of the sweetest little girls I've ever met. I challenge anyone not to love her.
And Masen is right; I have grown close to, and I'm so fond of Esme. It's more than that. In such a short space of time, she's been such a huge support to me. Her visits are both comforting and bittersweet, learning about my mother and Esme's friendship so many years ago.
I was shocked to learn they had been friends; close friends at that, so many years ago when both our families worked together and relied on each other before Charlie lost the plot, that is.
"What are you thinking?" Masen asks, drawing my attention back to him. I realize I've been quiet for too long. No wonder he's anxious.
"I want to say yes, however crazy it is …" I answer honestly. It took a lot for Masen to offer; he needs to know my reluctance has nothing to do with him.
"So, what's the problem then?"
"What about Charlie?"
Just thinking about his reaction worries me. It scares me more what he'll do to Masen or any other member of the Cullen family, for that matter. I've grown too close to Esme, Lark, and Masen to accept without thinking this through. They are all important to me. I would never forgive myself if Charlie used them to get back at me.
Masen, though, appears completely unfazed by this. "You leave Charlie to me." He tells me.
I've heard that before.
"If Charlie wanted to hurt you before, he'll be even more determined to make you suffer now."
"Let him."
"I mean it, Masen, be careful—don't taunt him. He's ruthless and cold, and he won't care who he hurts to get his own way. He must be in control- he always has. He won't like it. Especially if he thinks we planned this behind his back."
Masen sighs, fisting a hand through his hair in obvious frustration. "Bella, stop worrying about your father. Look, would you rather go home, or would you prefer to stay with my family?"
I want to accept his offer. I really do, but it's not that simple. My decision has dramatic implications for not just me but the Cullen family too.
"You know I want to accept, but can I do that? Isn't that against doctor-patient rules, or whatever they call it?"
"It would be if you were still my patient," Masen tells me, looking unconcerned. I still can't help worrying about what this would mean to him … for his family. He doesn't know what Charlie is capable of.
"You wouldn't get into any trouble?"
"No..."
"And you really want me to stay with you - temporarily."
"Bella, I wouldn't ask if I didn't want you to or think this wouldn't work. I can't explain it, but I feel very protective of you. I understand if my offer is too much and makes you uncomfortable. Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut." I can feel Masen pulling away from me both physically and emotionally. He's shutting down, and when he goes to leave, I reach for his hand across the bed, squeezing tightly.
"No, please wait … Don't go; this is a lot for me to take in," I plead. I'm flattered, touched, and the whole bunch of other emotions I'm struggling to express.
"I want to accept, I really do. I can't tell you how much, but I just worry about so many things; Charlie ... being in your way ... or a burden to you and your family."
"I wouldn't have offered it if I wasn't certain we could make this work," he tells me.
"But take some time to think about what you want to do. The offer is there. There's no rush, no pressure to accept. We have a bit of time, and in the meantime, I'll speak to my dad, see if we can hold Charlie off the administrators."
"Thank you, Masen. I can't tell you how much your offer means to me," I choke up. "Even if it doesn't work out, the fact that you offered means so much."
"It's nothing … just friends helping each other out."
Masen nods before leaving me with a whole load of questions and thoughts running through my mind.
…
I spend all the next day thinking of nothing but Masen's offer. That and what my father plans to do. He's not budging on the issue of me staying in the hospital, especially when new tests came back showing a small neurological matter brought on by my fall. It seems it brought to the surface my past injury, but I don't and can't think about that right now. My release date has been pushed back, and I have to stay a few more days.
Of course, I can discharge myself when the time comes, but I bet Charlie hasn't even considered this … that I would actually take control of my own life … my own health care.
I can't, though. I'm trapped under his controlling hand as I have always been. It's not as simple as getting out of bed and signing myself out. I'm trapped because I know my father can be ruthless, and I can never have that part of him be exposed to the Cullen family. I know they know him as Charles Swantoro, mob boss, but they don't know him outside of that persona … and he will see this as personal as if the Cullens were taking over what is his.
I'm still undecided about what I'm going to do. That's not true; I know what I want to do, but I'm still incredibly uncomfortable with and worried about the ramification of going to stay with the Cullens.
Would l start a war between the families?
In the meantime, Masen is not pressuring me; we talk of everything but his offer.
That's said, of course, Rose thinks I should go for it, but then, she's always hated the way Charlie treated me. Hated the controlling aspects of his personality.
Dora feels the same but is also concerned. While she sees the Cullen's offer as incredibly generous, she's wary too. I can understand her worries because no matter how much I want to accept, I can't help questioning if it's right, and most importantly, what the hell will Charlie do or say.
I'm so confused. So, when Esme drops by, it allows me to discuss it with her.
"You're looking better," she says, smiling. "Your physio is going well, and all you're waiting for are the scan results, and you're out of here soon."
"Yes, I hope so."
"Have you spoken to Masen … considered his offer?" she asks cautiously.
"Not since he mentioned it. I don't know what to do, Esme." I tell her truthfully. "I want to accept, but he's not mentioned it since, and there is so much to consider. Has he said anything to you?"
"Masen is Masen," Esme sighs. "He's worrying and thinks he's overstepped."
"Not at all."
"So, you're considering it?"
"I'm more than considering it. I want to accept, but I'm terrified about Charlie's reaction. You know what he's like, and I worry Masen underestimates just how vicious he can be."
"He'd never hurt you." Esme is adamant.
"Not me; Masen … Lark … you," I explain.
Esme pats my hand reassuringly. "Bella, Charlie may hold all the cards in your household, but out here… in the real world, things are different. Carlisle would never let anything happen to any member of our family."
"I've heard that before." I look away.
"With your mother?" Esme guesses
"How did you know?"
"Bella, I was your mother's best friend. Her biggest fear was that one day she, or worse, you, got dragged into his feuds and his lifestyle, even if there are rules between the Families."
"She was right. And now, with what happened to me, he's on a mission to find out who was involved. He will smother me, I know it, and I'm not emotionally ready for that suffocating environment. If this was just a robbery gone wrong, it shouldn't affect me."
"But that's the past, and I promise you my family will do everything to ensure that never happens. You will be safe with us, Bella." Esme reassures me, and I believe her. "If you need more time, then don't rush; we understand this is a big decision."
I smile. She's giving me time ... options … most importantly, a choice. All the things I should expect from my own father but don't get. This puts everything into perspective.
It's made my decision an easy one.
"I know what I want to do," I say with conviction. Esme looks cautiously optimistic.
"I'm coming home with you," I smile before she hugs me, squeezing me tightly.
"I'm so pleased you accepted. It will be so nice having you with us."
We have a few moments of joy before reality sets in. Esme notices the change in my mood immediately. "What's wrong?"
"We just need to tell Charlie."
"You leave Charlie to me. I'll ask Carlisle to get him to drop by the hospital to discuss this."
Esme gets her phone out and starts typing.
"What … now?" I panic.
"There's no time like the present."
I don't know what my expression is like, but Esme tries to put me at ease again.
"Don't look so worried. You have me on your side - my whole family. There's nothing to worry about. We will talk to him together."
With her hand in mine, I feel positive and hopeful for the first time in so long.
In hindsight, neither of us could have predicted how wrong we could be.
See you soon.
In the meantime check out The Song to Story Challenge Brought to you by It All Started with Twilight, has a new prompt. Please check it out.
groups/834673544138327
