Chapter 9- I'm so excited! This has been a crazy journey to make it this far and I know it's been a long time coming. For everyone that has read the story so far, thank you! I am grateful for your support. This is where we start to deviate and change up the timeline slightly, but I think if you can get past this 'filler' chapter so to speak, then you should enjoy it! Next we have Lily meeting some of the Cullens in Italy! Reviews and constructive criticism keep me motivated to put these out here faster and not let this story sink into the abyss unfinished!
I don't own Twilight or it's affiliated content- Only my OC's
Chapter 9
Sunday was uneventful as ever. Bella and I kept to ourselves respectively, and I immersed myself in all of the work I had begun to neglect lately. We had made a plan to have her speak face to face with Jacob when I would have to visit the reservation Saturday. Harry asked that he speak with me privately, and that I wouldn't be tutoring Seth again just yet. It was understood between us that he was curious to learn more about my abilities and what I had learned through the years and he wished to get Billy Black in on our conversations. I could respect that of course, but if I said I wasn't nervous I would definitely be lying. It was to be expected of course…
Sighing heavily, I was torn from my mind with a knock at my door. "Come in!" Uncle Charlie stood there awkwardly in my doorway as he glanced around my room.
"Hey kiddo. I just wanted to check in on you and make sure you were alright. I know that I haven't been able to be around as much as I'd like to since you've arrived. And especially so since you girls were attacked. I realize that there are certain things you'll want to keep from me- and before you say anything, just hear me out. Your mom was the same way. She always knew a lot more than she would say and she was an excellent secret keeper. I'm also sure that like her, you've been through quite a few hardships and tough situations. I guess I just want you to know that you can trust me if you need to. You don't have to tell me everything, or anything if you don't want to…"
He sighed and continued "I am terrible at this. Ah hell, I'll come out and say it: I wasn't there for your mom when it mattered, and it is one of my biggest regrets. Sometimes I feel like I've made the same mistakes with you. I don't want that to keep happening. Yesterday made me realize just how little I have paid attention and it really hit home for me."
I smiled softly and watched his pained face. "You do realize Uncle Charlie that nothing was ever your fault. Mom kept you safe and did what she thought was best for both you and her. I know you loved her. And I want you to know I don't hold anything against you, so please don't worry."
"You'll be sure to let me in on anything that is absolutely a need to know, won't you? I don't have to have details, but I would like to not be kept in the dark."
"Of course." I promised him.
Uncle Charlie looked relieved and it felt good to talk with him. I could tell there was a lot he chose to not say in that moment, however. Somehow it felt like he restrained himself in fear of pushing me away. It also proved that he wasn't oblivious. It made me wonder just how much he knew; growing up with mom meant he probably had a few stories.
He turned to walk out of the room.
"Actually, if you don't mind there is something I would like to ask." I hesitated before speaking.
"Did mom ever do anything... strange around you?" Uncle Charlie's brows furrowed.
"If you're asking about anything involving witchcraft, yes. I wondered if Emalyn and Brian ever taught you any of that stuff."
"Yeah... I guess you could say it became a sort of family thing. So you knew about it. That's good. I didn't know how to bring it up. But how did you react?"
"Not in the way I should have. It's a large reason she left. I didn't exactly react in a brotherly fashion. But I was also young and stupid. Why?"
"I have a dilemma. I am debating on how to approach it with someone who suspects but doesn't really know. The likelihood of them knowing anyone previous to me with similar capabilities is slim. I'm not used to being around others that don't already know."
"Hmmm. That's tough. I suppose all you can really do is try to educate them on it. Don't go in with flashy tricks nor show them the extent of which you're capable of. Stay calm and remember that everyone is human. They may need a few days to process the information you provide. Overall, just stay true to yourself. That will go a long way and will probably win just about anyone over."
"That's actually pretty good. Thanks Uncle Charlie!" I gave him a hug and he reciprocated.
"What are uncles for?" He mused, before getting ready to leave for work.
The week flew by with nothing eventful to report. I had asked Bella to drive up on her own and I would meet her there at Jacob's. It was best that she didn't know everything, but I said that I would be at the Clearwater's and since she didn't ask for any details, it wasn't technically lying to her. But I still felt bad that we came as far as we did and suddenly, I found myself clamming up more than I did initially. Last weekend was a bit much for us both.
Working was how I dealt with things of course. There was a definitive shift in energies, and I was on high alert now that I knew for certain a vampire was after us. Now that I had a name, it made some of my job easier and it helped me to form an agreement with Harry and Billy. I let them in on a few of my secrets and made a plea on Bella's behalf so that she didn't lose her only friend once I learned he was the wolf I saw in the forest, then asked for forgiveness for spilling something in speculation versus going to them first. Billy said that it would be Jacob and Sam's decision ultimately to allow Bella around, but that Sam would be open to talking with me and us talk safety strategies.
I met up with Bella later on at Emily's house and learned she had slapped Paul- but that Jacob came to her rescue. It was nice to see that those two had spoken and cleared the air. Sam apologized to me and his imprint was more than kind. I liked Emily, even more so when she had dubbed both me and my cousin as the 'Vampire Girls'- it was refreshing to not hear the term 'so you're the alchemist' in reference to my magic use. That carried a lot of negative connotations in my book.
"So, moving forward Lily, if you need someone, call Paul. He's been assigned to you and Bella for the time being should Victoria get too close. It was my understanding that you were working on your own lines of defense, but hopefully this way they will be a last resort." I nodded, looking to Paul now with curiosity.
Harry asked me to trust in Sam and for now I would try to do so. Paul was supposed to be the second best in the pack, though he seemed to exude the least amount of self-control and was a bit of a flirt. Paul smirked at me then and lowly stated "Yeah. With me around you shouldn't have to do anything. And you can call me anytime. I can be there within a few minutes."
"I hope that will be the case. What about Jacob?" I wondered.
"Oh, don't worry. I'll be around Bella most of the time, but it doesn't hurt to have back up sometimes." Paul looked slightly annoyed at Jacobs words.
"That makes sense. Eh, so long as Paul can be an ally and tone down the flirting, we'll be golden." I turned to him then. "You're not that pretty you know."
A cluster of 'ooh, burn!' exclamations and laughter echoed in the kitchen.
"Ouch, my feelings! You wound me." He shot a look of mock hurt at me before grinning.
"Fine. But all jokes aside, can I rely on you?"
"Of course. Just don't slap me like your cousin and we'll be golden." I laughed and agreed.
Guess we shall just have to see how well this alliance holds in practice, and my unease will hopefully subside soon.
