Chapter 1: From Sunshine to Rain

Renee always said Forks was odd, a prison sentence that kept you rooted there. That after a while it'd have a hold on you making it near impossible to leave. She thought I was giving up my freedom, in reality Charlie was once more our ticket to freedom.

Renee was pissed off that I was leaving, she cried and said her goodbyes to Bella but ignored me. Renee and I didn't always get along. She was basically a child and when we needed her to step up to the plate and be a mother she didn't, couldn't do so. I hate the way that affected Bella and I growing up. It was okay for her to abandon us and yet somehow us leaving to give her and her new husband, Phil some space was abandoning her. How annoying. I couldn't wait to see Charlie again. Unlike Bella I wouldn't miss the heat or the sun.

Renee was crying, holding tightly to Bella. I tap my foot impatiently. I catch Bella's eye, nodding my head to the terminal. Bella carefully extracts herself from our mother's hold.

"Mom, we have to go. Besides you can travel freely with Phil now," Bella says.

"You're right Bella dear. Don't do anything I wouldn't do. I'll miss you so much. Dahlia, you better behave," Renee replies going from sad but cheerful to stern in a moment's notice.

I take a deep breath, "Yes, I'll be on my best behavior. We have to go or we'll be late for our flight."

The flight was boring, I listened to music and Bella reread Wuthering Heights again.

Charlie hadn't changed much, his handlebar mustache was a little fuller and laugh lines a little deeper but that was it. The ride home was silent and almost awkward.

Charlie cleared his throat, "So I got you girls a truck. You'll have to share it."

"That's fine dad. Thanks," I reply.

Bella mumbles out a thanks as well. The truck was a big old thing of a red orange rust like color. The thing was a beast, the kind of truck that could come out of an accident mostly unharmed.

"Bella, look at how perfect it is for us," I whistle looking over the truck after climbing out of Charlie's cruiser.

"We can call it the Thing," Bella chuckles.

The house hasn't changed since mom left. There was only one bathroom. Dad showed us to our room. It was the same room we always shared. The only changes were a queen sized bed and a desk with a computer on it in the corner. Although there was only one bed it was fine we usually co-sleep anyway. Unpacking was easy, Charlie didn't hover, something Renee would find impossible to not do. The only thing left for me to unpack was my altar. Bella was organizing our, okay mostly her books. First, I lay out a purple altar cloth embroidered with a silver triple moon on my dresser. Next, I lay out my clear crystal candle holders and tea light candles. My incense and sage and lavender bundle go to the right. To the left go my burning bowl and a wooden spoon. My tarot and crystals go front and center, in the middle goes my offering bowl.

"D'ya think Charlie would mind if I cleansed the space?" I ask.

"It's probably best if you ask first. I'm done unpacking, you want to go see what's for dinner?"

Turns out Charlie ordered pizza. We watched the game together. Bella went upstairs to grab a book and rejoined us on the couch. About eight o'clock Charlie began to yawn and eye the clock.

"Why don't you two go relax upstairs for a while, unwind from your flight." Charlie offers.

"Do you mind if I burn sage and incense?" I request.

"Ah, sure I don't mind. Have a goodnight Bells, Lia," Charlie replies.

We go upstairs, Bella grabs clothes and changes in the bathroom. I quickly change into a long sleeve tee and some old sweatpants. I light some sage and incense. After about five minutes I put both out and climb into bed next to Bella. I listen to the gentle patter of rain, the soft sound of her breathing and the occasional mumbles as she sleeps. Sleep evades me once more.