AN: Oh my gosh! So many reviews, thank you all so much! Wolf Born Woman, plainjanedee, guest, astilbe, CaliNative76, teamjacob0729, write more soon, megan39 (Billy and Jacob), katielove82, anony, ravenclaw's shadowriter, all of you are amazing!
To Megan39; I miss Jacob and Billy too! Billy does check in on Bella when he delivers Mrs Uley's monthly allowance. But as Sam and Bella distance themselves from the 'outside' due to their circumstances, her relationship with Jacob and Billy has strayed slightly. Though you don't need to worry, everything will be resolved!
Read and review please!
Song suggestion: Never grow up, Taylor Swift.
Chapter Fifteen: Child's Play.
"Bella, can you help Leah with the dishes please?" Sue smiled as we finished dessert. I glanced to Sam, who looked suspicious too, "Don't worry, Seth's going to show Sam his power rangers collection, aren't you Seth?"
"Yeah." He grinned. Seth Clearwater had an amazing ability to constantly smile and be happy, it was like having a playful puppy around. The way he looked at Sam, he clearly admired my brother. I hoped Seth would help get rid of the perpetual frown that had been tugging on Sam's lips all night, despite his efforts to appear pleasant.
"Off you go then." Waving us away, Sue tapped Harry's arm and they moved into the living room, which was partially partitioned.
"Come on Sam, I got a new power ranger the other day, it's…" Seth's ever cheerful voice drifted off as the boys disappeared upstairs. As I gathered the empty glasses, I noticed Leah's quick glance at Sam before she blushed prettily.
Leah wandered over to the sink and began running the water, oblivious to my inquiring gaze. Clearly, the girl was crushing on Sam, which I thought was sweet. Sam was too old for his years, meaning he often overlooked teenage things like partying and dating. It was a pity, but I could fix that for him. Leah seemed like a lovely girl, so calm and sweet hearted, she'd even out Sam perfectly, with his cold nature. Smiling to myself, I handed her the glasses and grabbed the dishtowel.
"So…" I froze, I had no idea how to prompt her into talking about Sam, "How's school?"
"Fine." She giggled and looked at me with amused eyes. Sam had the same look when he knew I was trying to pry too obviously.
"Any…cute boys?" Blowing a bubble off a plate, I wiped it vigorously, ignoring Leah's laughter.
"Bella, you're not very subtle." Admiring a clean knife and fork, she sent me a sideways smile, "Is this about Sam, per chance?"
"Um…maybe." I hedged, blushing guiltily, "Do you…like him?" If Sam was going to be oblivious to girls, I was going to help him be young again.
"Maybe." Leah rolled her pretty, brown eyes, "But don't you think it's up to us to talk about it?"
"Sam…he can be a little stupid, when it comes to girls." I shrugged, trying to be nonchalant, "He needs help…maybe a girl, like you?"
We giggled and she handed me a glass. I guessed she wanted to end the discussion there, and I respected her privacy. I'd sown the seeds, but they would have to grow together now. The dishes didn't take too long, and Leah suggested going up to Seth's room to see how the boys were doing. As we wandered up the stairs, I spotted Harry on the telephone and Sue on her cell phone, and I wagered it was to call a council meeting about Sam and I.
Seth's room was on the left next to his parents'. It was small, or perhaps it looked that way because it was cluttered with toys. Shelves upon shelves of power rangers, toy cars, and miniature soldiers. As it was, a train set was currently whirling around the floor as Seth and Sam sat awkwardly in the track loops, but looking cheerful none the less.
"I thought you were showing Sam your power rangers' collection?" Leah laughed and hopped carefully onto Seth's bed, where the train was currently struggling to chug over.
"Sam saw the train set and said it was cool, so we decided to play with it." Seth announced happily. Sam looked up at me with a smile, and I returned the gesture sadly. I could see it in his eyes; this was the toy he wished he'd had as a child. Going to sit in a spare patch of floor behind him, I whispered in his ear as I passed.
"Leah likes you." Sam furrowed his brows at me before looking down at the passing train. But I swore I saw a pink tinge to his russet cheeks. Resisting the urge to giggle at the pair of them, I sat down and let a train run under my crouched legs.
For a while, we sat watching the train, Seth chattering away merrily and we'd smile and reply happily. His joyous aura was infectious. It felt good to laugh and talk, just like kids. After I moved in to the Uley household, childish behaviour seemed few and far between. Sam and I occasionally reached this immature level, but never for long with Mrs Uley lurking around. It felt amazing.
But as Seth took a breath, I heard a noise out front. Tyres rolled onto the gravel front yard and car doors shut loudly. A couple of voices spoke in deep, grave tones before the front door opened. Sue's clear voice greeted them and invited them in quickly.
Fear gnawed at my stomach and I touched Sam's back briefly when everyone's attention was diverted to the train. Within that touch, we shared fear, anticipation, and shared love. We were going to stay together, no matter what. That was something we assured ourselves of. No one would break us apart now.
Deciding we would not be oblivious to our future, I stood and Sam looked up at me worriedly. Smiling weakly, I ruffled his hair.
"Behave yourself while I'm gone." Flickering my eyes to Leah, I watched the two of them look away sheepishly. Seth didn't seem to notice their reactions as he smiled back at me, "Where's your bathroom, please?"
"The door across, to the right." Leah nodded oblivious to everything Sam and I were going through.
Smiling at everyone as I tripped around train track pieces, I opened the door and slipped out. As the door closed behind me, I tiptoed over to the stairs and eased my foot onto the first step, determined to remain quiet. If this was to work, I had to be silent and unnoticed. Reaching the bottom, I pressed myself against the wall and listened in.