Hello! New chapter. I meant to update sooner this week, but there was always something else that would catch my attention!

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This fic is being a test, so to speak, for me. As many of you know, English is not my native language, and even if I can manage to write, speak, read etc in English is not as easy as it would be in Spanish. That's why your reviews mean so much to me, as well as your favorites and the silent readers that just visit.

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THE GHOSTS OF MY LIFE

Chapter 9: They come in three.

Leah and I decided to catch up with a dinner at her place on Monday night so I could tell her everything about my weekend with Sam in detail. I confided her the words Sam's mom whispered on my ear, the words that got me so confused.

"It seems so soon sometimes. Like instead of three weeks it's been three days. But some other times it seems like months."

"Bella. You've known the guy since we were teens. It's true that you never spoke too much, but you aren't strangers. Just like old friends reconnecting. So what if you love him? Who says you have to love someone on a certain period of time? You can know the moment you met as well as you can know three days, three weeks, three months or three years later. Don't overanalyze it. Just let it flow." She leaned closer grabbing my hands. "You have all the elements in your life under perfect control. I understand why you have to keep it that way. You need spontaneity or you're going to get wrinkles before time." She scrunched her face at the thought of wrinkles on our mid-twenties. I laughed. Just Leah had the ability to make me laugh when I had an existential crisis.

I just wanted a love advice and in return, I get lectured on letting myself relax. But I couldn't begrudge her her advice, because she was right. The thing I loved the most about Sam imprinting on me was that it wasn't planned, that's why I liked it when Sam showed up for our first date without a plan. He was my spontaneity. And I had to admit that it wasn't too soon, or too late. It was perfect timing, it was our timing. As we decided to take our own path, our own speed, this was us. I sighed and admitted to myself the thing I had been denying. I was in love with him. I loved him.

I smiled.

"I can see you admitted it" I smiled and nodded. "Now, don't go all Bella and plan how to say it, or when." I had to laugh at her tone. She was talking to me like I was one of her students, and I had to admit it, this moment I felt like one.

"When did you become so wise?" I joked.

"Please, I was born this way" She rolled her eyes theatrically. We laughed. "It's not wisdom, it's common sense." She paused. "Well, it seems common sense for me."

I knew she wasn't all that wise, and she wasn't at all the free spirit she wanted me to believe with those words. "Oh, so you already told Jake you love him."

Since Leah's and Jacob's imprint, Sam and I had spent some time with them, on my apartment, or at Sam's or on any of us. Jacob was a pretty nice guy. He was always smiling, and it seemed crazy for me how he managed to get angry enough to phase for the first time. I wondered the same thing about Seth. He never told me the whole story. When he told me a few months ago he left that out. Now I know why. Then my mind wandered to all the other wolves and I realized I didn't even know how Sam phased for the first time. "Hey, I just realized I don't know how any of the wolves phased for the first time."

She shrugged."Neither do I. I only know Seth's. It was actually because of some nomads that were passing through. Paul, Sam, Jake, and Jared seemed insufficient to caught them. At first, the guys just wanted to trace the scents to make sure they weren't staying. Apparently, one of the nomads caught sight of the wolves and took it upon himself to tease them mercilessly. Seth just phased. I don't know for sure if something else triggered it, he never seemed angry about anything. He had been growing a fever for a few days. I think that if the nomads hadn't come he would have phased nonetheless, but it would have taken longer."

I thought about it. Leah knew her brother better. I shrugged any concern off and decided to ask Seth about it later. If he had any problem he knew he could confide in me. And I didn't feel brave enough to ask her about Jacob's phasing. Regarding Sam, I could hold my curiosity for a bit longer.

"Back to the original reason of this meeting." I teased her. She groaned. "Oh, yes, missy. Just because I sidetracked a little doesn't mean I didn't notice you didn't answer my question."

"I haven't told him yet"

"What about him? Did he tell you he loves you? Because it is pretty obvious he does." And it was obvious, he followed her with his stare everywhere she went. When she wasn't around and he talked about her, his smile would be huge and he would talk about her with such reverence. He would check on her every so often by text if she was busy. But his actions weren't the ones of an obsessed boyfriend wanting to know his girlfriend every activity to control her. It was rather endearing, and that's why I was so happy for her. I could tell Leah felt the same, though for her would be a little different. She has known Jacob for a long time and has talked to him a lot, and she has always liked him, so this was like an extension or magnification of what she already felt.

She blushed!. "Do tell!" I felt like a teenager gossiping about hot boys in the halls of high school.

"We were having a moment. You know." By the look on her face and her tone, I immediately understood what was the moment. They were having sex. "And after we did it we were just lying in bed and he just sort of blurted it out." That was...interesting.

"How did you react?"

"I jumped him." She said matter of factly. Like that was the obvious reaction "Then we fell asleep. When I woke up, I was alone. But he left a note saying that he was going to do his rounds and we would catch on later."

"I assume you haven't caught on yet" She shook her head no. "I expect details when you do!" She smiled wickedly and I rolled my eyes.

I was happy for her. She had found everything she was looking for. And so did I. I wouldn't let my stupid over-analyzing brain control me...again.

…

…

…

On Wednesdays, the kids left earlier and so did the teachers. I was planning on taking a long bath, relax and enjoy my day when I received a call from Renee, telling me she would be visiting me in this rainy town. I tried to dissuade her, I haven't been gone for that long, but she didn't give up. I faked happiness on the phone. But once I was off it, I groaned. I didn't know why I even attempted to dissuade my mother from coming over, I knew it was futile anyway. I just hoped she sticks to the weekend original plan.

I called Leah and asked her if she knew where Sam's bistro was. I needed to talk to someone outside of my family, he would give me an impartial point of view. She gave me the address and after reassuring her that I was perfectly fine, she accepted it and ended the call.

I drove for half an hour until I found the Bistro. It was really pretty from outside. All dark wood, with windows. Today was a sunny day, so my reflection didn't let me see much of the inside. After admiring the outside a bit more, I entered the building. Sam was nowhere to be seen, so I took my time admiring the interior decoration. It was bigger than the outside let it seems. It was neatly decorated, a little minimalist but great. There were loveseats with tables in the middle. There were also round tables with black chairs, tables more private than the others. It was really beautiful inside. The thing I noticed the most, apart from the fact that the place was full of people, was that it had a homey feeling; like you could spend hours here and not get tired.

I neared the bar where there were a coffee machine and two tablets with people charging customers. I approached a girl that was putting two coffee cups in a trail.

"Hi" the girl turned her attention to me.

"Hi. What can I help you with?"

"Do you know if Sam Uley is here?" Please let him be here.

"I think he'd in the office. Do you want me to call him for you?"

"Yes, please. Say it's Bella Swan." she nodded and left looking for my boyfriend. I sat on one of the stools and while waiting I ordered a coffee and a muffin. Five minutes later Sam walked out of the office looking a bit confused. When he saw me he smiled widely.

"Hi, baby. What are you doing here?" It was a weekday and early, so his question was reasonable.

I kissed him chastely on the lips. "My mom wants to come here".

He frowned. "What is wrong with that?"

"It's not that there's something wrong perse. It's just that she hates Forks. She left with me when I was a baby. And I think she hasn't come here ever again. She hates the cold and rain and gets a little irritable and annoying. She starts criticizing everything. I love my mom but I hate it when she's like that" And it only happens when she's in a place that makes her uncomfortable...like Forks did.

"Why is she coming then?"

"She said she misses me and wants to visit." I shrugged. It made me feel a little guilty thinking like my mom's visit was the bringing of doom, but it's what it felt like. I also had the suspicion she wanted to meet Sam, and that was the real reason behind her visit. I guess I just have to get her to be super occupied all the time and hope for a sunny weekend.

"What if you go there? Wouldn't it be better?"

"I guess. But I can't afford a trip so short. I would have to leave Friday night and be back by Sunday morning or afternoon the latest. It's not worth it. I need that money for other things." It was my emergency money. I wasn't scratching pennies but I was a new teacher and my salary wasn't very high, though it paid the bills and allowed me to live comfortably enough.

He seemed pensive for a few seconds before speaking "I can afford it"

I smiled and kissed him. "Thank you, but no." I wouldn't take advantage of his hard work. Even if he volunteered to come with me.

"Are you sure?" He asked taking my hands on his.

"Hundred percent. But thank you, really." He nodded and kissed my forehead.

"Do you want something else to eat?" I shook my head no.

"I just realized. I didn't take you away from any important work, did I?"

He smiled."No. I was just going through some orders for this month."

I nodded and rested my head on his shoulder. I was extremely tired, but I wanted to be with him. "What time do you close the place?"

"Around ten p.m. Why?" I looked at my watch and noticed it was only three in the afternoon. Why did I have to get off early from work on a day that I wanted nothing more but to keep my mind occupied?

"I just missed you" I whispered. We have barely had time to talk since Sunday and I missed him.

He kissed me chastely, smiling against my lips. He lifted me from the stool and made me walk with him to the back of the restaurant and through a door. We entered an office that had a desk, a computer, a lot of papers on it and a very comfortable looking couch. We sat on the very comfy couch. Well, he sat on it and I sat on his lap.

"Is there anything you're not telling me, Bella?" I shook my head without making eye contact with him. "Are you sure?" He asked again tracing the purple marks under my eyes. Yes, I had had a crappy sleep this week.

I sighed and looked up deciding to tell him what was stealing my sleep.

"What has so you so worked up?"

"There's something I haven't told you" He looked at me attentively.

"Is it bad?"

"Depends on how you look at it." Harry snorted and rolled his eyes.

"A murder is a murder, baby"

I snorted and hit his arm. "I didn't kill anybody. You know I heat violence" And I wasn't even a violent person. I mean, I had my character and I stood up for myself, but I wasn't a violent person.

He laughed and kissed my cheek. "What is it you haven't told me then?"

"It's about Chelsea" I played with his fingers, stretching the moment and avoiding eye contact.

"Just tell him already Bella. You're making it bigger than it should be" Harry was right. But I was nervous.

Sam lifted my head with a finger on my chin, and make me look him in the eyes. He was smiling encouragingly. "What about her?"He asked softly.

"She's like me" I whispered.

He looked surprised. I proceeded to tell him how I found out, and what have I told her, and how she reacted.

"Does my sister know about this?" I shook my head no. "Are you planning on telling her?" His eyes were calm and so was his voice. He was trying to understand my nervousness. I kissed his forehead. I was really glad I was given the chance to be his imprint. He was such a wonderful man.

"Yes, of course I plan on telling her and John." I bit my lip. "I don't know how, though. I have an appointment with Emily and John on Monday morning."

"Do you want me to come?" As much as I wanted him to come, this was something that it wasn't his concern directly as it was Chelsea's parents. It was them I have to answer to, even if Sam was her uncle.

"I think it would be best not to. It would be better not to be crowded." He accepted my answer.

"Bella. If you have a bad day or a bad week, just tell me about it. Straight on. I love you and I'm here for you." I looked into his eyes surprised at the turned the conversation had.

Harry laughed. "I did not see this coming. I'm off." And then he just left.

I kept my eyes locked on his and lost track of time. I remembered my conversation with Leah two days ago. She was right, of course.

I smiled widely and kissed him fiercely. "I love you, too." He smiled back at me and we kissed again.

We moved on to better topics.

As we continue to kiss on his couch, the caresses were heating up, and our hands were everywhere. My rational part knew we should stop, I certainly didn't want to end up having sex with him for the first time in his office, not when we could be interrupted by anyone. But my irrational part was saying 'fuck it' and was enjoying this very passionate make-out session. His hands were in my breasts, and he was shirtless and I was enjoying having his hands running all through my upper torso.

I was about to remove my t-shirt when an embarrassed giggle startled me making me jump. Sam's mouth and hands left their places and looked at my blushed face. I was looking frantically to the very inopportune ghost. I had to come up with a code or something to warn this damn nosy old people to stay away whenever I was with Sam. I wouldn't want Harry appearing in a most intimate situation. Then, I would indeed die of embarrassment.

"What?" Sam's voice was controlled. I admired his control. I wasn't in control right now.

"We've been caught" I mumbled resting my still blushed face on his naked shoulder.

"Please tell me it's not Harry" He took the news of Harry and Alison better once he had more time to get used to the idea of them being around a lot if not all the time.

"I don't know which is worse. Him or your grandmother." He groaned and leaned his head on the back of the sofa.

"Thank you, grandma, for ruining the moment." I couldn't help the giggle that escaped me. He seemed so frustrated. And Alison was mortified, so much so that she hadn't made any attempt to leave.

Rationally, again, I knew I should be thanking the innopportunity of Alison because the way things were going, we would have ended up having sex on his couch. The very thing I didn't want for our first time.

Alison was mortified, and Sam was frantically putting on his shirt again. I wanted to put, but the scene was very funny. Both their faces were priceless. I giggled and waved at Alison so she left. I was trying not to be rude. She understood the action and left without saying anything.

"She left" I announced looking in his eyes.

He sighed in relief but was still embarrassed. I couldn't stop smiling. He poked my side making me jump off his lap and land on the couch. "Next time, I won't stop. You really need to tell them something so they don't appear in another more intimate situation" I laughed again. Our minds were wandering through the same path.

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Paty4Hale

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