Hello! I wasn't planning on updating so soon.

So, Leah and Seth were behaving so rude. I agreed they both needed some reality check. So, here it is.

THE GHOSTS OF MY LIFE

Chapter 15: Reality check.

It was time for me to go to the hospital and get my cast removed. I was regaining my freedom. No more undesired babysitters. Dad volunteered to go with me, to drive me, more accurately, but I needed to be alone, so I very kindly told him so.

At the hospital I had to wait a long time since I wasn't a real emergency, I wasn't a priority. Finally, after two hours of waiting, the doctor was free to check my wrist and decide on my freedom. He ordered some x-rays and after checking them he informed me that everything was as good as it could get with the cast and removed it. It was a frightening experience in a funny way. He had this little medical saw that was specifically (or so I thought) made for this task. He proceeded to saw my cast and I felt the vibrations all through my arm. The doctor was very careful and precise and in no time he had my cast completely removed. I felt kind of sorry that Sam's attempt of drawing of a wolf was going to the trash, as well as my munchkins unreadable well-wishes.

"Wear this férula and come again in two more weeks." He ordered and handed me the férula. It was hard on the bottom which was good, because it immobilize my wrist but allow my fingers more freedom of movement, and I could take it out while showering. No more bags and tape!. I thanked the doctor and left the hospital in a good mood.

From the hospital, I stopped by the grocery store and bought some last minute groceries for an early dinner and for some breakfast for tomorrow morning. I wasn't in the right state of mind to prepare something elaborate. I still had very fresh the words Leah yelled at me last week. I understood why she was mad, but in no way, was I excusing her behavior. Another part of me felt like she needed a serious reality check. And Seth was, by all means, avoiding me. I haven't heard anything from him since the day after he told me he imprinted. I didn't even know if he had gone out again with that veterinary girl, whose name I forgot. I didn't dare to ask Sam about him, because I didn't want to put anyone in a messenger position. So, my days with Sam were reserved to us and whatever endeavor we felt like engaging in.

However, Seth's cold behavior and Leah's...let's be honest...bitchiness, had me in a blue mood. I ran the situation by Dad, and explained everything that happened, starting from the whole 'I can see Harry Clearwater'. To my surprise he didn't freak out; instead, he laughed and asked me to tell him some stories about his ghost-best friend. I launched into some funny stories and ended up telling him the exact words that were yelled between Leah and me. He told me she probably needed some time, but that he was angry at her accusations. I made him promise not to do, or say anything if Leah came by. He promised and I trusted him.

When I was parking in front of my place, the wonder siblings were stationed at the door. I contemplated the idea of turning around and leaving them there, but I decided to be the mature part of this mess and confront them. I sighed and grabbed the groceries before stepping out of my car and walking towards another emotional turmoil.

What I failed to notice, was that Harry, Sam, and Jake were standing as well. Jake was saying something to Leah, who had her arms crossed over her chest, and Sam was standing in the farthest corner, away from Seth, Leah, and Jake.

My boyfriend hurried to my aid and got the grocery bag from me. He kissed me shortly on the lips as a greeting. "Are you good with this?" He whispered.

"I'm not sure, to be honest. But it's better now than never." I shrugged. He nodded and grabbed my good hand leading me to my house.

I opened the door and after Sam and I came in, everyone followed. I sat on one of the stools of the kitchen table, Sam distributed my groceries in its correspondent cabinets and then stood beside me. Seth and Leah were the closest to me while Jacob was leaning on one of the walls. I waited for someone to talk, or to explain, but the minutes passed and no one spoke up. I decided that if I wanted an explanation about the ambushed, I had to start the conversation.

"Would someone tell me what is going on here?" I passed my stare from Sam to Jacob, setting it on my step-siblings. Seth was looking down and Leah looked like she did last week.

"We came to apologize for our behavior." Said Seth. I was surprised.

"That would require talking. Are you both up to that task?" I sounded like a bitch, but I wasn't the culpable of their misbehavior, even if I did hide something from them.

They both had the decency to look ashamed.

"I realized that I never let you explain last week, and immediately jumped to conclusions and hurt you." I looked at Leah and nodded. Jake caught my stare and winked with a small smile playing on his lips. I needed to talk to him after everything was sorted out.

Sam intervened then, stepping in front of me. "I'm gonna go to your bedroom baby. Jake and I will give you some privacy." He looked at Seth and Leah. "I will be at earshot. One scream, one more judgment, and you're both out. I only allowed this because I trust you to be sincere." My step-siblings nodded and both boys retired.

I maintained my position, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Seth was the first to talk. He stepped forward and embraced me in a tight hug that caught me by surprise. Harry, who, until the moment remained silent and unmoving, smiled amusedly and proudly. "He might be a stubborn ass, but he has his heart in the right place." I returned the hug and buried my head in his broad shoulder. He was my brother after all. All siblings fight, but in the end, the differences were to be settled.

"I'm sorry" He whispered. "I didn't know what to do. I was so angry and so confused." He stepped out of the embrace and started pacing. He was trembling a little, so I decided to stay put. I extended to Seth the promise I made to Sam all those months ago. Trembling equaled me stepping back.

Leah was watching his brother in silence.

Seth stopped his pacing in front of me and spoke again. " It was two days after I told you about Amy. Sam didn't know I was phased and he was actively thinking about it. I snapped, I yelled at him and ran for two days straight, then I came back and apologized for yelling at him. I told him not to tell you anything, because I knew it had to be me the one who spoke to you. But the days passed by and I wasn't more ready than I was the day I found out."

"You should have come to me. I know this isn't easy. It wasn't easy for me when I figured out who he was. But he asked me not to say anything. Your cold shoulder wasn't appreciated. You both need some reality check. Seriously."

Leah was still silent which infuriated me. "What? You don't have anything to say?" Leah looked at me in surprise. "I apologize for hiding the fact that I can see and talk to your dad. But both of you, more than anybody on this whole world, know what it is to live as I do. To see people I didn't ask to see. Some want to talk to their relatives, which you Leah helped me once. And Seth, you know the horrible things I went through when I was younger. For fuck's sake! We had sex because I was an emotional wreck and got so drunk that night!. You had no right to give me the cold shoulder or to accuse me of making fun of you." I wiped my tears away angrily. " You should have known better," I whispered.

Leah came forward then, with tears on her eyes. "I'm so sorry Bella." I crossed my arms over my chest. Just 'sorry' wouldn't be enough. She hurt my feelings that day. "I was so out of myself. I should have stopped and thought better. I should have shut up and listened to you. I was really confused, and yes, I was, I am still hurt that you never told me. I understand you were fulfilling my dad's wishes. God! I even yelled at Jake and threw the ring at him." Her cheeks were now streaked with tears. "I came to my senses a few days later and begged him not to hate me and we talked, and he explained how he found out and why he didn't tell me."

"He didn't tell you because it wasn't his place to do so." Said Seth. "But it was our place to listen to Bella and have this conversation in the first place." Leah nodded.

"As I said, I understand your position. If it was only my choice, I would have told you since the beginning everything, and answer each and every one of your questions. I admit I am not the victim here, but I'm not some monster either."

Harry stepped in front of his children and crossed his arms in front of him. He looked at me and nodded. "I want you to tell them I am here, and please don't rephrase me." I nodded.

"Your father is here, and wants to talk to you." Leah gasped and more tears dropped from her eyes. Seth was trembling. I was considering calling Sam, he knew what to do in these situations.

"I have watched you become grown-ups, with careers and dream jobs, some stupid decisions and some smart ones. Seth, you changed into a protector, you swore to think first and act later, without hesitation in between, I have watched you do exactly that in every circumstance. I am proud of the man you've become."

"You're gonna have to stop at some point. I can't memorize an entire speech like that, and you're making me cry."Harry laughed and allowed me to transmit his words to Seth. "You may continue now." Leah laughed and wiped her tears.

"I am proud of the way you've supported your sister and your mom. I was there when you imprinted and when you interrogated that poor young girl, and when you told her about yourself. I have been there for every major step you've made. And I always will be there." He stopped and looked at me. "Tell him that before I can continue" I rolled my eyes resisting the urge to stick my tongue out at him.

Seth laughed a heartfelt, soul-deep laugh at the interrogation part. I smiled amusedly. I had to ask him about it some other time. Today after everything was said and done, I was going to need some space and some rest. I was already emotionally exhausted."

Harry continued his heart-pouring speech. " Lee, my beautiful baby girl." He had tears in his eyes but now they were coming down his cheeks. This was difficult for everyone. "You are the most headstrong person I have ever met. You always accomplished everything you set your mind to. Sometimes that stubbornness caused you some troubles, sometimes that same stubbornness didn't allow you to connect your brain with your mouth." I had to laugh at the last part because it was true. Leah struggled a lot with her sincerity.

"That's so true." She laughed when I relayed the message. I smiled at her and she smiled back.

"Your sincerity made your mom and my travel a few times to the principal's office. You always apologized and promised not to do it again. You always meant it, but you were also very little. I have watched you these last five years accomplish your dreams. I have watched you have your brother's back and Bella's back, I have watched you protect them fiercely."

Seth hugged Leah and kissed her forehead. "You are a fierce protector. It's like you´re a wolf but without the fur."

Harry laughed. "I remember the frightened interrogation you subjected Seth to when you found out the legends were actually true. You kept asking him if you were going to phase two. How you dragged Seth to Billy's house and interrogated him as well. How he put you at ease and told you that even though you were a direct descendant of a wolf, women were supposed to phase only on death or life circumstances." I didn't know that. Leah and I had something else to talk about a few days down the road. And Sam had some explaining to do.

"Oh yes! You were terrified. You kept checking your temperature for days and measuring your height as well." We all laughed about it.

"When your obsession was done you focused on your students and began investigating on environment protection and went all green peace. I am so proud of you baby girl. And you're getting married! To Jacob Black nonetheless. I will be walking you down the aisle, even if you don't see me."

I relayed the message and smiled.

We all remained silent for a while. The silent was so long that Sam and Jake appeared at the kitchen looking confused.

"We thought you killed each other." I rolled my eyes and Jake's joke. He kissed Leah's forehead and Sam hugged me from behind

"So, everything is good now?" Sam asked hesitantly.

Leah and Seth looked at me with hopes on their eyes. I giggled and sighed.

"Everything's good now," Leah screamed and jumped into my arms hugging me tightly. I laughed and hugged her back.

Harry smiled and thanked me for allowing him to talk through me. "I know you hate those things." I shook my head. I didn't mind being the telephone for one day.

"All siblings fight now and then. Some say hurtful things sometimes. But siblings also forgive one another." Seth hugged as well.

"I love you Bells." He whispered.

"Love you too, Seth" I whispered back.

Sam kissed my cheek when Seth released me and when I met his stare he winked at me.

Everything was good. Leah and Seth had their reality check delivered by me and their father and I drained my emotions. Today was an emotional day, and I had no doubt I would crash really early, but for now, I enjoyed the evening. Tomorrow was different, tomorrow would bring, probably, another emotional day. I was sure that tomorrow we would be discussing things a little bit more. I was good with it.

Reality check delivered.

What did you think about their discussion?

Siblings fight all the time (I would know. I have three brothers)

Hope you enjoyed.

Paty4Hale

19.11.18