I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
Cheryl and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.
Ch. 1
The car bumped along as Dad pulled off the highway onto a smaller unlined road. I watched in awe as we passed large houses, each bigger than the next. I bounced with excitement over our first family vacation.
"Look, there's a beach." I pointed as I pressed my face up against the window. "Are we allowed to swim there?"
"The beach is for all residents," Dad answered with a nod.
"Charlie, these houses look expensive. How can we afford this?" Mom asked in a hushed whisper.
"I told you, it was left to me by an uncle," Dad replied, slowing down as a family passed us on a golf cart.
One of Mom's eyebrows rose. "I think I'd remember if you had a rich uncle."
"Why would I lie?" Dad huffed and tightly gripped the steering wheel.
I shrank back in my seat and drew in a breath. I hated when they argued. They said this vacation was to make everything better. My mother's head turned, and she glanced at me. Her expression softened and she rubbed her forehead as she faced forward, not saying anything else.
"This is the place," Dad announced.
He turned down a gravel driveway to a small house—much smaller than the rest—it didn't even have a second floor. However, it was cute; there were little flower boxes on the porch railing, overflowing with brightly colored flowers. It reminded me of the dwarf's cottage in Snow White.
"It's tiny," Mom said softly.
"Well, it was considered a fishing cabin. It has two bedrooms and one bath. First it was too much, now it's too little," Dad grumbled.
"Can we go swimming," I asked, hoping to change the subject.
"We need to unpack first and then maybe we can go before dinner," Dad answered me as he parked close to the steps.
I pushed open the door and hopped out of the truck. "It's cute. It looks like it fell out of a fairytale."
"That's the spirit." Dad chuckled as he ruffled my hair, then he headed for the back.
"It does have a charm to it," Mom agreed. "However, it does look well kept for a bachelor's cabin."
Dad rolled his eyes and handed me my bag. "Go find your room. The door should be unlocked."
I entered the house and paused to look around. The inside was even nicer than the outside. To my left, the living room had a large flat screen, small sofa, and a chair. To the right was an open kitchen with what looked like all new appliances.
I headed down the small hallway that had three doors. The first room was a bathroom. The second door had a large bed so I assumed it was going to belong to my parents. So I peered into the third room and wrinkled my nose. It looked like someone sprayed the room with the pink stomach medicine Mom kept in the bathroom.
"Whoa…" I commented.
"What's wrong?" Dad asked from behind me.
"I think Barbie threw up in my room," I told him.
He looked over my shoulder and let out a low whistle. "That's a whole lot of pink."
"Want to switch rooms?" I asked, even though I knew I wouldn't succeed.
"Nice try, kiddo. Your mother and I would never fit in the bed. Besides, I doubt you'll spend much time in here anyways. Throw your sleeping bag over the bed." He disappeared into their room.
I tossed my bag down and ran back out to the truck. I had to crawl into the bed to get my purple sleeping bag. I spotted my fishing gear and remembered Mom mentioned we were having peanut butter and jelly sandwiches again for dinner, until she could find a grocery store to buy cold foods. I pulled them out with me and left it on the gate. Dad was approaching the truck when I turned around.
"Can I go fishing instead of swimming? I don't want sandwiches for dinner," I asked.
He nodded. "I grabbed worms when I stopped at the gas station. They're in the cup holder in the front. We are almost finished here, then I'll take you."
I hurried back into the house and spread my sleeping bag out on the bed. I changed into my trunks and rash guard. Then I grabbed my baseball cap, pulling my ponytail through the space in the back then settling it on my head. Before I could get outside, Mom stopped me.
"Bella, sweetie, where is the new bathing suit I got you." She frowned as she put away a cereal box in the cabinet.
"In my bag. I didn't want to wear it fishing. I knew you'd be upset if I got it muddy," I told her.
She opened her mouth to answer when we heard the beeping of a horn outside. We both turned our head toward the door.
"What in the world was that?" she asked out loud.
"It sounded like a clown car." I giggled, walking with her to investigate.
Mom laughed lightly and tugged my ponytail. Outside, a golf cart was now pulled up alongside of the truck. Five people—two adults and three kids—were talking with Dad. The parents looked well dressed. The two boys were dressed similar to me, the tallest one had dark, curly hair. The shorter one's hair was dark red. The smallest, a girl, turned to look at us. She was wearing what looked like a cross between a hot pink dress and a bathing suit. Her smile fell and her nose wrinkled.
"I thought you said you had a daughter?" she commented, causing everyone to stare at me.
"I am a girl," I told her defensively.
"You don't look like one." She snorted.
"Tanya," the woman admonished, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder. "I apologize for my daughter's rude behavior."
"Bella is going through a bit of a tomboy phase," Mom explained.
I frowned. I didn't agree with her, just because I wasn't a girly-girl, like Jessica Stanley and this girl Tanya, didn't mean I wasn't a girl.
"That's still no excuse. Tanya, apologize, right now," the woman demanded.
"Sorry," the girl huffed.
"Renée and Bells, this is Carlisle Cullen and his family. Carlisle and I go way back, to when I used to visit my uncle here for the summer. Let me see if I have this right. His wife, Esme. His kids, Emmett and Tanya. And his nephew, Edward," Dad introduced us.
"You got it right," Mr. Cullen nodded his head, smiling. "We came by to welcome you. Esme spent yesterday cleaning up the house for you. Your uncle left it a pigsty."
"Thank you. I was curious about the flower boxes, was it you?" Mom asked.
"Guilty as charged," Esme stated.
"I decorated your room myself, Bella. Do you like it?" Tanya looked at me expectantly.
"It was nice." I remembered my manners.
"Liar." The bigger of the two boys coughed.
"No, I'm not." I bit my lip.
Tanya seemed to buy it, though. "Good. Let's go play with our dolls in your new room."
"Actually, I'm going fishing," I told her.
"Fishing…like for fish?" Tanya wrinkled her nose.
"What else would she fish for, genius," the oldest scoffed.
"Mom, Emmett's being mean," Tanya complained.
"Am not," Emmett snapped back.
"Enough," Mr. Cullen said, then turned to Dad. "The boys were going to fish too. They can take Bella with them while you get settled."
"That would be great," Dad agreed.
"Emmett, you're in charge. I expect you to keep an eye on them both." Mr. Cullen gave him a pointed look.
"But I'm supposed to meet the guys," Emmett complained.
"There's no reason why you all can't fish together," Mr. Cullen said.
"Fine." Emmett looked defeated.
"Do you want to come? I have an extra rod," I asked Tanya.
She shook her head. "No thank you."
I shrugged my shoulders and got the rest of my stuff ready. When I met up with the boys, Tanya was pouting in the golf cart. Emmett seemed impatient and took off for a path, making Edward and me hurry after him.
"I'm not baiting your hook," Emmett stated.
"I can do it for you," Edward spoke up for the first time.
"Thank you, but I can do it myself. I can clean my catch too," I told them proudly.
"Are you sure you're a girl?" Emmett looked over his shoulder at me.
"Yes. Girls can fish just as well as a boy can." I narrowed my eyes.
"Not my sister. Every time she sees a worm, she screams like it's an eight-foot python or something. How old are you anyways?" Emmett asked.
"Six. How old are the two of you?" I asked.
"I'm ten," Emmett stated puffing up his chest.
"I'm seven," Edward answered.
"Hey, Eddie, you really are a shorty. She's younger and taller than you," Emmett teased.
"I'm not that much younger. I'll be seven next month," I said.
"Whatever." Emmett raised his hand to wave at two boys further away. "I'm going with my friends. You two can fish here." He pointed to a sunny spot by the water.
"Uncle Carlisle said you had to stay with us," Edward argued.
"He doesn't have to know. I'll be back soon. Stay here and he'll never find out." Emmett walked away.
Edward shook his head and started in the other direction. "Come on. I'll show you my secret spot. This one is too sunny."
"Won't we get in trouble?" I asked.
"No, Emmett will for leaving us." Edward shrugged.
"Is he always a jerk?" I asked.
"Only since he decided he was too old to hang out with me. Tanya can be bossy but she's not too bad either," Edward said.
"I don't think Tanya and I will be friends. I don't play with dolls," I said.
"You lied about the room, didn't you?" Edward snickered.
"I don't hate it. It's just too…pink. I like a rainbow of colors, not everything in one color," I said honestly. "Please don't tell her. I don't want to hurt her feelings."
"I won't," he promised. "Here's the spot. It's in the shade this time of day so we should catch more fish."
He stepped between two bushes, then around a tree. A larger boulder jutted out, and the lake was only a few feet down the embankment. Edward placed his stuff down and swung his legs over the ledge. I joined him and started to get my rod ready.
"The beach is over there." He pointed. "If you keep following the path it will lead you to it."
I squinted and could make out several groups of people on the beach and a dock with boats. "Why do so many people use golf carts?"
"I don't know. Lazy, I guess." He shrugged, then cast his line. "Where are you from?"
"Forks. We had to drive four hours. How about you?" I asked.
"Chicago," he answered.
My mouth dropped open. "That's far away."
"My uncle and aunt live in Seattle. My parents send me out here every summer to spend it with them. My father is a lawyer and is always busy and my mom does a bunch of charity work. We come here for about two weeks, sometimes more. My uncle always has to go back since he's a doctor, but my aunt will sometimes stay longer," he explained.
"We're only here for two weeks too. My dad is the police chief in our town. It's our first real vacation," I said as I felt a tug on my line. "I got one!" I reeled in my first fish.
Days
The time went by as Edward and I talked and fished. Before long, we had a few in my bucket between us. We found we had a lot in common with one another and planned to build a massive sandcastle on the beach tomorrow.
"We probably should get heading back," Edward suggested.
I pulled in my line. "Okay, I have enough fish for dinner tonight."
"I think my aunt was planning on having you guys over for dinner," Edward told me.
"She is," a voice said behind us, causing both of us to whirl around.
Both Dad and Dr. Cullen were standing behind us. Thankfully, looking more amused than upset with us.
"Looks like these two found our old spot, Carlisle." Dad smirked. "Emmett has been looking for you."
"Are we in trouble?" I asked.
"I can explain…" Edward started.
Dr. Cullen held up his hand. "Emmett admitted he left you alone. I can't say I'm surprised you wandered off, but in the future, we should know where you are."
"Sorry," we both mumbled.
"Does this mean we can come here without Emmett," Edward asked pleadingly.
The adults exchanged a look and nodded.
"As long as you tell one of us first and the two of you stick together," Carlisle said.
"What should I do about the fish?" I asked.
"We can still get them cleaned up and have them tomorrow night," Dad promised.
Dad carried the bucket for us, and Edward and I followed behind the adults back toward the houses. Instead of stopping at our house, we continued on until we reached one of the biggest houses I'd seen today. It was set further back from the others surrounded by woods.
"That's my tent. I sleep there every night that it's not raining." Edward pointed to where it was just visible in the backyard.
"They make you sleep in a tent?" I asked in a hushed whisper.
He laughed and shook his head. "No. I want to sleep in it. Emmett snores like a bear with a cold."
Speaking of Emmett, he was sitting on the front steps. When he saw us, he scowled in our direction. He waited until the adults passed him, going into the house, before standing up and heading to us.
"I told you to stay in that spot. Why did you leave? Now you got me in trouble," he snapped.
"You got yourself in trouble," I retorted.
"You think you're smart, don't you, Tommy?" Emmett glared at me.
"Tommy?" I questioned before I made the connection of tomboy. "Very funny, Shrek."
"Did you just insult me?" Emmett said suspiciously.
"Actually, I think I insulted Shrek," I stated, not backing down.
"Why I ought to…"
"Back off, Emmett," Edward spoke up, stepping in front of me.
Emmett stared at him and scowled. "You're not worth the time or more punishment." He stormed off.
"Would you like to see the tent?" Edward asked.
"Sure. Then I should probably clean my fish before my mom gets upset." I followed him around the corner.
In the middle of the backyard was a medium-sized dome tent. Edward knelt down and unzipped it so I could see inside.
"Wow, this is cool. It's much bigger than my dad's," I commented.
"Do you want to sleep over in it before you have to leave?" Edward asked.
"Yeah, I'll ask my dad." I made a note to ask him because he'd probably be more easygoing than my mom about the idea.
A/N: The first several chapters will be spaced through out Bella and Edward's childhood/teen years. Then it will move to present time for them.
Bella and Tanya are 6. Edward is 7 in this chapter. Bella's birthday is in Aug. so she is in the same school year as Edward. Emmett is 10, keep in mind most 10yr old boys wouldn't want to babysit their siblings or younger cousins.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.
