(Tuesday June 12th)
Charlie walked in to his home worried about Bella. He had called her several times and she never picked up. He dismissed it as her being asleep but he just didn't like it. He thought she and Jake had decided to sneak out or spend the night together since he was out. What he found was something completely different. There on his living room floor snoring to the heavens was Paul and Seth. They looked like they had been drinking all night but from what he could see it was only soda and about 3 dozen bags of chips. DVD's were on the TV console and the screen was still on but only static appeared. Bella and Jake were cuddled on the couch with Bella asleep on the couch and Jakes legs being used as her pillow. The poor boy was huddled into the corner with his head tilted back snoring softly too.
The sight made Charlie smile. It had been a long time since those two had had a sleepover so seeing them like this brought back many memories. He quietly walked upstairs to his room and let them all sleep. Besides he would be nearby in case they decided to cause trouble.
Bella woke up scared since she didn't immediately recognize her surroundings. She was in her bed upstairs. The last thing she remembered was cuddling closer into Jakes side when the demonic puppet appeared on screen and started killing everyone. Things got scarier when her phone scared her. Marcus wanted to know if she was okay. Apparently the bond alerted him. She had to explain that it was scary movie night. Bella was starting to get out of bed when her hand landed on her phone. She opened it and found that Paul, Seth Charlie, Marcus and Jake had all sent her messages.
"Rise and shine Princess. Time to sing to the woodland creatures in the forest. Lol. Had fun last night." –Paul
"We have to do that again. Tell the vamps thanks for the food." –Seth
"Morning Bella, took the guys with me. There's breakfast in the fridge." –Charlie
"Good morning my dear. My apologies again for last night." –Marcus
"Morning beautiful, miss me? In case you were wondering I took you upstairs. Charlie came down for work and woke us up but he wanted you to get some sleep so I carried you. Paul and I made us all breakfast and we left you a plate in the fridge. Let me know when you get up." –Jake
Bella smiled at the level of attention the men in her life gave her. She was truly blessed. But there was still this nagging feeling in the back of her head telling her it's always calm before the storm but she let it go. She did not want anything to ruin her day. She went downstairs and took her food out of the fridge. She called Jake while she heated it up in the microwave.
They talked for a few minutes before Jake had to go on patrols. He told her he would call as soon as he could. Bella ate her food on the couch and replied to her messages. She had a small chat with Marcus and then proceeded to do her chores. Surprisingly she didn't have a lot to do so she ended up being done by 11. She was disappointed since she now had a lot of free time on her hands and nothing to fill it u with.
She decided that she would get her plans for the year over with and went upstairs to her room. She made her bed and took out a large notebook and some colored pens. If she got stuck then she could doodle.
She began to write down a rough timeline for the next year and everything she wanted to accomplish.
1. Have a decent date with Jake.
2. Go visit her mother and Phil.
3. Go visit her new family in Volterra.
4. Figure out where to go to college and what to study.
5. Figure out how to keep Marcus in her life.
6. De-stress.
Bella looked at her list and let her mind flow. The list seemed small but there was nothing easy about it. Each task had numerous things to consider.
Jake and she had just begun to date and if she was honest with herself it started because she thought she was going to die. She didn't regret it but she just wishes things moved slower. She went too fast with Edward and she did not want to make that mistake again. Besides she doesn't want to screw it up since the pack is her family as well.
Renee and Phil were by far the easiest task except for her dad not wanting her to drive to see them. He had a point when he said her monster wouldn't make it but she really wanted to take a road trip. She could rent a car though. She missed her mom so much. They had so much to talk about. Phil was finally signed to a new team so they were in Florida now. It would take a while to drive there but that was the point. About 46 hrs to be exact. Bella shrugged it off and continued to let her mind wander.
Volterra. That one seemed to be a tough one. On the one hand she did tell Marcus that she would go. On the other hand Jake and the pack are afraid of her going to a place full of blood thirsty vampires since what happened with James. None of them wanted a 'danger magnet' to go to such a dangerous place. Bella laid on her stomach and let her pen doodle on a new page.
She wanted to see the castle but she knew it would be dangerous. They get visited by different vampires around the year and she didn't want her scent to attract anyone. She also didn't want to see them feed. Or heaven forbid she even hear the screams of the victims. That was something she was still having problems with. She loved Marcus even though she barely knew him but she still couldn't get over his diet. The Cullen's were easier to be around since they ate animals but this was another thing entirely.
If she was being honest with herself she was scared. She would be willingly going into a place she could not escape with probably hundreds of vampires. It was madness. She would be too afraid to sleep let alone use the bathroom since they would most likely hear her. That was horrible. It was bad enough to be risking her life but she didn't like having a castle full of vampires hear her every second of the day. She wouldn't be able to talk to Jake. Plus they would hate the smell of her eating three or more times a day. Plus what is she going to do there? They would all treat her like a doll or stay far away from her. Marcus is scary when he orders the guard and he treated Alec roughly whenever he thinks of the first time they met. She didn't know what he would do to someone who hurt her. She didn't want to find out either.
Maybe she would be better off not going to the castle. The only problem was choosing where.
Bella looked down and found dozens of tiny swirls and lines all over her paper. She didn't think it looked like anything so she flipped the page.
(Tuesday June 12th Volterra)
Aro admired Bella's photos on his computer screen. She was beautiful as a child. One photo in particular had him reminiscing. She looked so much like his late sister did when she was a child. He barely recalled that memory from his human days. It was one of the few that had survived the change. He didn't know how to react to her. She had given his brother new life but she was also causing him to stay away. They hadn't needed him recently for the handful of nomads that have passed through since he first left Volterra but it still bothered him. He needed to keep his coven strong and united. Bella was still a mystery to him. She would either add to their power, only bring life into Marcus to take it away when she dies or destroy them.
He needed her if only to keep Marcus happy. He loved Didyme, she was his sister, but in the end she had to go. If Bella became a problem for him then she would meet the same fate.
Aro exited the photo folder and changed his train of thought to the task at hand. Carlisle and Esme had been filled in to the events that had transpired. It was evident by their thoughts that they understood the severity of their mistake and the mercy that had been given only by the grace of Bella's wishes. They both vowed to stay silent and never tell anyone of whom she is to them. They would both return today to Forks to take care of whatever they were needed for. They would not have any contact with their children unless it was supervised and authorized by him or his brothers. He would check them all regularly just to be sure.
Edward was a different story all together. He could not trust the boy to stay away from Bella or try to find out what happened to her so he will be staying in the dungeons. Marcus agreed to that as well. Edward was persistent and he could not be trusted. Marcus even told him to allow Edward to continue his disgusting diet while in the castle. Aro was repulsed by it but he was sure that request came from his niece. A small one he didn't mind keeping. He would be punished from time to time though. Thankfully Bella hadn't said anything about not hurting him.
He wanted to like her. He really did. But his power will come above everything else. Always.
Carlisle was happy for Marcus. He deserved to be brought back from despair. The fact that it was Bella of all people he wasn't that surprised. He knew she was special the moment he met her just not like this. He would thank her for her mercy when he returned home. He knew they would be watched carefully for the next few centuries or so. Once he will be allowed to reunite his coven he would make sure they never made a stupid mistake like this again. He was never a strict leader but he would have to be from now on when it came to their relationships with humans.
Esme caressed his hand as she appeared beside him. The three lower guard members right behind them as they escorted them to Forks. He was so happy to at least have her beside him. She kept him strong.
(Tuesday June 12th 1 p.m.)
Jake called Bella as soon as he was done with patrols.
"Hey Bells." Jake said when he heard her pick up.
"Hey. How was patrol?" She asked.
"Uneventful." He replied as he made his way to his room.
"Good." She said. "So what are you going to do now?" She asked.
"Well I have the rest of the day off. How about we go out on a proper first date." He said.
"Really?" She asked with a smile.
"Yes, I have been wanting to take you out for a while now." He said.
"Yes." She said excited as she checked off the number one thing on her list. "What do you have in mind?" She asked.
"I was thinking of us spending the day out and about in Port Angeles." He said as he got his clothes ready so he could shower. He wanted to leave the reservation and the city to have some privacy.
"Sure. Do you want me to come over?" She asked.
"No, I'll pick you up in an hour. Make sure it's cleared with Charlie first though. I don't want him hunting us down in his cruiser." He said jokingly.
"Okay see you at 2." Bella said. They both said their goodbyes and hung up.
(2 p.m. ish)
Bella waited in the living room for Jake to pull up in the rabbit at any moment. She couldn't wait to actually go on a proper date with him. She dressed casually and even decided to bring a purse. She knew he wouldn't take her some place super fancy without warning her first. Besides, things with Jake just seemed to flow easily. It was still slightly awkward since they were making the transition from friends to lovers but it was worth it. She didn't want to regret a thing.
Bella snapped back to reality when she heard a car pull into the drive way. She looked through the window and smiled at Jake when he got out of the car looking normal for once and wearing more than just his cut offs.
She grabbed her keys and locked the door behind her as she exited the house.
Jake watched her come towards him and he couldn't help but smile. He had waited long enough for this day to come.
I know this Chapter is a bit short but i just wanted to get this one out there since the next 35 days will be extremely hectic. So i will try to update my stories as best as i can. I cant promise anything but i dont want to leave you guys without something to read while you are at home, work or school. BTW how many of you are in school? I was wondering since i had someone tell me they like to re-read my stories during class. I was flattered but i told her to pay attention. lol. I dont want to get any of you in trouble.
I know where most of my readers are from since i can see the statistics for each story but i have no clue how old you guys are. Sorry, just wondering out loud. Dont forget to let me know what you all thought in the reviews.