It's A New Day
The next morning Bella woke to her alarm and got ready for the day. She was going to let the girls sleep in while she worked. She set off unpacking box, after box, after box. She had made coffee after unpacking the coffee machine. She was finally finished with the living room and just started on the dining room when her youngest walked in dragging her favorite blanket behind.
"Good morning mommy," Crystal said rubbing her eyes.
"Good morning sweetheart," Bella replied picking her up. She rubbed their noses together and Crystal giggled. "Are you hungry?"
Crystal nodded, a big smile on her face. "Pancakes please," she asked.
"With strawberries and bananas," Bella asked. Crystal nodded her head quickly, her eyes lighting up. "Okay sweetie. How about I put on Sesame Street," she offered.
"Elmo!" Crystal called out excited. Bella smiled at her daughter and sat her on the couch. After turning on the television to the correct channel she padded off to the kitchen and set about making breakfast. She was flipping the last pancake when Ame walked in.
"Morning mom," she said sitting at the table.
"Morning Ame," Bella smiled at her daughter.
Bella placed the pancakes on three separate plates and quickly set up the table. Crystal was fussy about not getting to watch TV but was content when she realized she had a plate of pancakes.
They ate breakfast in silence and after they finished eating and Bella cleaned up, they got ready for the day. The girls were signed up to attend the school on the rez but Bella was giving them a full day to relax first.
They headed to Charlie's house, and just like the night before Jake and his posse were hanging around. What, did they not have anywhere better to go? She wondered to herself.
"Hey Bella," everyone greeted. She rolled her eyes and ignored everyone. Oh now she exists suddenly.
She walked in without knocking and found her dad watching some game on television. He was deep in conversation with Sam Uley when she walked in. She kissed her father's cheek and headed into the kitchen where she knew she would find Sue.
"Good morning Bella," Sue greeted with a smile.
"Morning Sue," Bella replied. "Anything I can help you with?"
"Can you start chopping the peppers please? I'm making the guys some omelettes," Sue smiled, whisking the eggs in a large mixing bowl.
Bella started chopping. "So how have things been," she asked conversationally.
"Crowded as you can see," she grinned.
"I do see. Don't they have anything better to do" Bella mumbled.
"Well they're sort of a close knitted bunch. And with Charlie being a big influence on Seth and Leah for the past few years they kind of started to converge here," she replied sheepishly. Sue knew Bella didn't know about the pack. She also knew Bella was running from something but she wasn't going to pry.
"Yeah I noticed," Bella whispered. Bella was almost done chopping when Jacob came in and asked her to go for a walk. She reluctantly agreed.
"Are you planning on staying mad at me forever," he asked.
"I'm not mad at you. I just don't care about you. You aren't anything to me anymore Jacob," she quipped.
"Ouch. Not even going to sugar coat it huh," he said.
"What do you want Jacob? I'm not the same person who you left high and dry over ten years ago. I've grown up and moved on with my life," she snapped.
"Can you tell me why you moved back then," he asked.
"I didn't know I needed a reason to live closer to my father. Who do you think you are Jacob Black? My father isn't going to live forever you know," she replied getting upset.
"So you're telling me you didn't just make a new will and testament naming your father and Sue as the beneficiaries," he asked stopping to look at her reaction.
"That is none of your business," she snapped, twirling to face him.
"It is if you're just running from something," he said his voice raising.
"What happens to me is my business Jacob," she hissed between her teeth.
"Not anymore," he yelled.
"Excuse me," she asked, pausing to search his expression.
"You heard me. You're one of us now," he was getting angry and starting to shake.
"What the hell are you talking about," she demanded.
"You! You're part of the pack now," he shouted.
"Jacob!" Sam's voice rang loudly from behind them.
"She needs to know! She's hiding something Sam," Jacob said to Sam.
"That isn't your problem Jake," Sam replied.
"She's your imprint," he said between clenched teeth.
"I'm sorry, what did you just say," Bella demanded.
"Now you've done it," Sam sighed.
"What is that? What is he talking about," Bella asked in Sam's direction.
"How about you come over for a drink and I'll explain everything," he replied.
Bella thought about it. She'd get to be alone with this God like man. It wouldn't be so bad, would it. She's an adult after all. It's not like she's some awkward teenager anymore.
"Fine. Do you have wine?" she asked, keeping her face stoic.
"I have a couple of different bottles I think," he replied, trying not to smile.
"Okay. Lead the way," she said.
"Alright but I walked over so you can either walk with me or we could take your car," he suggested.
"We'll drive," she replied leading the way back to Charlie's. She asked her father if the girls could stay the night before heading out to her car.
"I live in the log cabin just past your place," he smiled. Bella rolled her eyes and headed for his house.
It was much bigger up close than she thought. While she was gawking at his house he got out and walked around and opened the car door for her. She stepped out with a quiet "Thank you."
They made their way to the house, neither acknowledging the other. He opened the door and strolled through the threshold without even glancing at her. She closed the door behind herself and followed him to the kitchen. He had a glass of red wine already waiting.
"Thanks," she said taking a drink.
"No problem," he replied.
"So are you going to explain what the hell Jacob Black was talking about," she demanded.
Sam took a deep breath and launched into the stories and legends of the cold ones and the protectors. He told her about the spirit warriors and the third wife. Then he explained everything he could about the pack. Bella listened closely and drank her wine. She had heard the stories before about the wolves. Jacob had told her.
"Of course. Why didn't I see it before," she said with enthusiasm, drinking the contents of her fourth or fifth gass of wine. She couldn't remember.
"Pardon," Sam asked with a raised brow.
"I already knew about the Cullens. But Jacob told me the legends and confirmed it for me. He told me your people are descended from wolves," she replied.
"Yes, he wasn't a wolf then," Sam sighed.
"So I'm suddenly part of this pack? How," she asked.
"I imprinted on you," he said. No point in beating around the bush, they're adults.
"You're going to have to explain that one because all I'm picturing is a baby duck," Bella said confused.
"It's like when you see her, nothing is holding you to the earth anymore. It's just her, like a thousand steel cables tying her to you. You'll do anything, be anything for her. A friend, a brother, or a lover. It's not love at first sight but it's damn near close," Sam said trying to explain the best he could without scaring her. Who was he kidding she's Bella Swan, she's good with weird.
"So what exactly does that make me," she asked.
"What ever you want to be," Sam shrugged.
"So we could be friends...with benefits? If I choose," she wondered.
"Define 'benefits'," Sam's voice was low, trying to mask the lust in his tone.
"Sex," she replied curtly.
What could she say, she's a woman and honestly hasn't gotten laid in over two years. Sam nearly swallowed his tongue. He liked that she was so blunt.
"Sure, I guess. I don't see why not," he shrugged again.
"So if I were to undress," she said removing her blazer. "Would you be able to keep calm," she wondered.
"Bella, please keep your clothes on," he replied swallowing thickly.
"Why? Don't you want me," she replied.
Maybe she had drank too much wine. Whatever it was, it mad her feel more brave. Liquid courage her father had called it once. She was definitely feeling courageous. She was excited and flushed. She wanted to get out of her heavy clothes.
"I think that's wine talking," Sam said pointing to the almost empty bottle.
"You didn't answer my question," she sighed unbuttoning her blouse.
"Bella please stop try to take your clothes off," Sam pleaded, taking her hands in his.
"I want to know," she pouted.
"Yes. Of course I want you, what man wouldn't," he sighed heavily.
He was trying very hard to focus. She had unbuttoned her blouse to the waist of her skirt, and he could see her lace bra underneath.
"Hmm. I thought so. I want you too," her voice was starting to slur.
Shit! She's drunk.
"I think I'm going to faint," Bella whispered.
"What," was all Sam could get out before Bella collapsed in his arms.
He scooped her up and cradled her to his chest and carried her to his bed. He tucked her in and took one long look at her beautiful face. She really did grow up.
The thing that he was still curious about was who her late husband was, and how did he die? Maybe she would learn to trust him eventually. At least enough to tell him what she's running from.
He was brought out of his thoughts when a familiar howl pierced through the air.
Vampire.