A/n Sorry it took so long to update. Also sorry for any grammar mistakes.
Bella
It took three whole fucking days to finally get to Washington mostly because of the fact that I demanded that I get most of my stuff from my apartment but that was a long fucking time considering I'm in fucking pain. Two cops escorted me to grab my most important things also to tag and bag what would be sent to me. I didn't have a whole bunch of things to tag and bag so that was a breeze. I mostly wanted to say goodbye to Carmen, my sixty year old neighbor who had been so sweet and nice to me since I met her, I wanted her to know what was happening and why I had to leave. She is the only person I will be sad to leave behind.
I tried to tell her without dropping any names but she knew it was Aro I was running from. That made her nervous and asked if I was scared. Up until that point I've been pushing my feelings was down, but that changed when she caressed my face and whispered how much she has seen me grown in the past two years of knowing me and how strong she knew I was. I can still feel her warm hands on my cheek as she looked into my eyes and smell her warm vanilla and cinnamon scent she always carried around.
"There is a very bright light at the end of this dark tunnel, baby. I need you to know you that you are worthy of being loved. Your father might not have seen you grow up but I know for a fact he will love you. I can assure he does already. There is so much to love about you sweet girl. Don't push him away. You need your daddy to protect you, something that your mom should have done. Let him to his job baby. Let your heart feel that love."
There were tears in my eyes when I finally left the apartment building. I had asked the officers if there was a way to keep and eye on her to my surprise they said they would have a cop car parked outside until they had Aro in custody. I don't think that was protocol but I'm thinking they called Charlie and something in my gut told me he made it possible.
I spoke him over the phone before boarding the plane up until then it was mostly through William, my social worker. It was to say the least very emotional draining for me. I wanted to scream and yell at him. Mostly I wanted to ask him what took you so long to talk me to me, but I didn't I just hummed either yes or no to his questions not really giving anything else. His voice was gruff and he even spoke like a cop. William had shown me a picture of him so I had an idea of what he looked like. I wonder if he knew what I look like. It was so frustrating not being able to ask him questions. The sudden anger made me want to punch a wall.
There are so many emotions flowing through me more than I know how to express.
"Come we need to get your stuff now." William says pulling me out of my thoughts.
I get up after him and follow his lead out to where baggage is. We walk for what felt was for fucking ever finally getting to the rotating machine spewing all baggage. William looks down and me and smiles for a quick second before turning to continue looking for my luggage.
"I know you must be nervous about meeting your dad" he starts.
"I'm not" I cut him sounding harsher than I meant. If it were up to me I would have them drop me off and the nearest bus station so I can take off to another city where I don't have to deal with either Charlie or Aro. I would run. It seemed to work perfectly until recently.
"Isabella this is going to be an adjustment for you both. You have to be conscience that he didn't know you existed up until five days ago. You are extremely mature for your age; you been through more than I have in my life time, but you are still young. You need your father; you need to have a bond with him. Charlie is a good man he is very well respected in his town and everybody had nothing but good things to say about him. I trust that he will be able to protect you until the police are able to secure Aro down."
"Yeah, sure, whatever." I know he is right but I can't change the circumstance. I can't help but to be fucking upset and hurt.
I like how Carmen put it.
I let out a sigh and turn around to face William. I can't fucking believe what I am about to say but I don't want to sound like an ungrateful bitch even if I don't necessarily like him he did accompany me up here.
"Listen, I don't know how to do this shit, How to move past the feelings and be the bigger person. I don't even know what to feel. I wasn't allowed to feel anything growing up. Rene wasn't into feelings. The only feeling she offered me was disappointment. So yes meeting Charlie is going to be a bitch and I'm not sure I'll say the right thing but I can promise I will try." I say this all quickly.
"I think you will be just fine Isabella, like I said you are so mature for your age. Your life doesn't have to be defined by your mother. You are your own person. How you express your feelings is important. Fighting was how you expressed them in California but now here in Washington allow yourself to think of it as starting over. A new life for a new Isabella leave Aro and Rene back in California. You don't have fight anymore." he turns just in time to spot my luggage and grab it.
I sigh and follow him out of the airport. I'm reeling, how could I start fresh when I know this isn't going to last forever? What if Aro finds me? What if Charlie ends up hating me? What if I end of hating him? Why can't I bring myself to hate him now?
Something deep inside me is telling me I might not be worth loving. I'm so fucked up; Rene made it a point to remind me how insignificant I was. Even now I fight those feelings of disgust and pity at myself they are still punching their way out. I can't start over. I can't leave Rene. She will always be in the back of my mind reminding what a shit person I am. I'm not deserving of a new start.
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I try to keep my breathing normal as we walk up to Charlie's door. His house is a medium sized three bedroom house surrounded with trees. Compared to the cramped one bedroom apartment I shared with Rene growing up this is a castle. William knocks on the door and I feel like I might throw up.
Suddenly he is standing there.
Charlie is a tall man maybe 6'1. I must have gotten my height from Rene, but that seems to be the only thing I got from her. I have his brown hair and eyes. There is a pain in my heart making want to cry. His lips are moving, he is saying something but I feel light headed I realize I stop breathing.
Fuck, this really is my father.
"Isabella, this is Charlie Swan." I hear William say. I take a deep breathe not looking at Charlie.
"Hello Isabella" Charlie's voice cracks a little bit at my name I look up and I notice his eyes are misty. He seems to be looking at me like I might not be real. I see his eyes zoom in on my stitches right above my eye. His eyes darken. He is upset. Should I tell him it was a cop that did that?
"It's Bella." I say. Something tells me that was the right thing to say cause Charlie gives me a small smile.
"Why don't go inside and get her settled." William instructs Charlie before we all step inside.
"Um, let me show you to your room. Sue helped me pick out the color so I hope you like purple." Charlie starts to rush us up the stairs but stops and motions to my luggage silently asking to take it. He is nervous. I shove my bag in his hands harsher than I intended to.
Who the fuck is Sue? I hate purple.
My room is okay, bigger than the one in my apartment. There is a queen size bed in the middle with purple bedding. A small desk and a small TV along with a half filled bookshelf. The curtains and fuzzy rug are also purple. I almost roll my eyes.
"I'll let you get settled I'm going to talk to William down stairs. Come down when you are ready." Charlie is standing by the doorway giving me space.
Suddenly I can't think of what to say. I had a list of things that I was going to ask on the way over here. We just stare at each other I'm guessing he is not much with words either. That is until he opens his mouth and takes a small step inside the room.
"Bella I'm very happy you are here. I wish it was under better circumstances. I wish I could have been there. Bella I can't begin to explain to you how sorry I am that I wasn't. Your mother and I… I mean she never… I didn't know. I didn't know Bella. If I did-"
"I know Charlie It's fine, you don't have to explain right now." I can't deal with this now, I thought I could, I thought I was strong enough but it's too much. "Listen I'm really tired. Is it okay if I just go to sleep? can you please tell William i said thank you?" I question instead not wanting to talk.
It's only noon.
He pauses to say something else I am silently beg with my eyes for him not to push it anymore.
"Okay, sure. We will talk later." He nods once more before leaving the room shutting the door behind him. Thank god he didn't hover.
I sit down on the bed feeling like the world is on my shoulders. Looking around the room it all feels surreal. I place a hand on my ribs giving it a little pressure until I feel my body pulse with pain. It's still there.
I stand up and move over the window suddenly feeling like I need air. I open it and look out to see that I can literally see into the neighbor's yard from here.
Well so much for privacy.
The house next door is bigger than Charlie's making me wonder how many people live there. I jump when I see someone step out of the back door into the yard.
The girl who runs out is one of the most beautiful girls I've have ever seen. Her blond hair bounces as she runs. Her body is curvy like every man's wet dream. Her cream colored sweater and tight blue jeans fit like a glove. She is barefoot holding what looks like a cell phone above her head. Her giggles are heard loud and clear from up here.
"I swear, Rose if don't give me back my phone!" I deep voice threatens from inside the house.
The man who steps out makes my jaw drop. Much like the blond he is perfect.
Holy shit.
His reddish brown hair sticks in all kinds of directions almost as if he had just woken up but that's not the only thing colorful on him. He is covered with tattoos. I can tell because he is wearing a band t-shirt with the sleeves cut off. The only thing that the shirt is covering is his chest and back his ribs are visible along with is ink. It's cold as fuck outside and he wears ripped shirts? His body is muscular and toned like a swimmers. Lean and hard. I bite my lip wondering how his skin would feel on my finger tips. He is wearing black jeans and black and white Chuck Taylors. Even though I can't see his face clearly I can tell he is fucking handsome.
"ROSE!" He takes off running after her.
"Oh come on Eddie just tell me!" the emphasis on his name makes me think she was teasing him about it. She laughs even harder when he growls out a curse word.
"Don't fucking call me that!"
I can't look away even if I know I should. I'm being a total creep but something is keeping me in place. I mean they are seriously something to look at. They look like those pretty people you would see walking around in Beverly Hills.
He finally catches her and wraps his hands around her waist wrestling her to the ground. I look away. There is a feeling in the pit of my stomach that I don't recognize. Jealousy? Why the fuck am I jealous? I step away from the window and move back to the bed. There are other voices now but I don't bother looking back out.
They must be together. That must be their home. Jeez, they must be loaded millennials to be able to afford that life style. I try not to be bitter about my current situation and the happy noises coming from outside but I can't help it. I can't even remember a time I laughed so carelessly. So free. I don't think I really ever have.
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I wake up to an almost dark room. There is a small light coming from the house next door, I'm guessing the neighbors back porch light. There is a fleece blanket on me my throat closes up Charlie must have came in and covered me up along with closing the window. I hear the sound of water tapping against the window. It's raining. It dawns on me how much it actually rains here.
I rub my eyes and move to stand up. I wonder what time it is. It takes me a little too long to find the light switch in the dark. I hiss when the light almost blinds me. Charlie also left me a sandwich with a glass of water and my pain medication on the small table.
My throat closes up. I'm not used to be taken cared for.
I make my way to the food. I eat it in small bites not really tasting it before taking my pills. My mouth is still dry even after drink the water.
Eventually the urge to use the restroom makes me leave the safety of my room. Time to face Charlie.
Fuck
I make my way down stairs to find Charlie knocked out on his recliner while a baseball game is playing on the TV. I sigh relieved that I don't have to have that conversation yet. I try to move quietly past him and to the bathroom.
I see that he hasn't moved an inch and now he is snoring a little. I thought the flush of the toilet would wake him. I move to set the TV on mute not knowing if I should wake him so he can go to his bed. I see that it's only 6pm. Maybe I'll just cover up him. I place the blanket that was on the couch over him and run up stairs.
Why is it so dark if its only 6pm?
I get up stairs and I have the sudden urge for a fucking cigarette. Now where the fuck am I going to get some of those? I highly doubt there is a 7/11 within walking distance anywhere near this fucking place. Feeling antsy I grab my jacket from my bag and quickly put on my shoes. I'll just go for a walk instead, healthy right?
I ignore the fact that it's raining when I finally make it outside without waking Charlie. The neighbors are still up all their lights are still on casting a little bit of light on the sidewalk. I start walking in that direction. I admit part of me wants to get a peek inside I'm curious and also I need a distraction.
The rest of the street is dark and the rain is making it hard to see. Not to mention it's freezing balls. My nipples are rock solid. Walking right by their house I see someone step out from behind the tree to my right on traffic side of the street. My heart stops and my blood runs cold.
Aro.
How the hell did he find me so fast? My breath comes out in pants.
Instinctively I plant my feet ready to fight but he turns to face me and I see it's only tattoo guy. He is wearing a beanie and thick jacket but I can see it's him from the light coming from his house. My heart picks up double time now I take my bottom lip into my mouth. He looks surprised to see me too. My eyes flicker to the almost gone cigarette in between his fingers.
"Hey can I bum one of those off you?" I ask without thinking. My voice a little shaky, exactly how I feel. Holy fuck this guy almost had his nose shoved into his face and he doesn't even know it.
He is still looking at me after a moment of silence. What the fuck? I start to panic, thinking that maybe he did see me spying on him earlier. I clear my throat ready to tell him to forget it.
"Oh shit, yeah, of course." He snaps out of it feeling around in his pockets. "Here." He hands me one and a lighter. I smile at him as a thank you before lighting it.
"Um, I don't think I've seen you around. I'm Edward Cullen."
He lights another cigarette giving me a wide smile to my shock I smile back. He has such straight teeth. His smile leaves me breathless.
"I just moved in today with Charlie. I'm Bella." I don't give my last name.
I see his eyebrows hit his hairline and his eyes widen. I momentarily forget the smoke in my lungs. He has colored eyes I just can't tell what color they are. I was right before he is insanely good looking.
"Chief Swan?"
"Yeah he's my father." I try look away when I tell him but I can't seem to.
"Oh wow, we moved here a few years ago, we never seen you visit I didn't know the Chief had a daughter." Edward laughs nervously scratching the back of his neck.
"Yeah neither did he."
He eyes widen even more and his mouth parts open a little. He doesn't say anything making me wonder if I have said too much too soon. Of course Charlie didn't go telling everybody his business but for a small town this is gossip worthy, I'm sure it's juicy gossip.
I take another drag from my cigarette slightly grimacing at the pain on my side. I should not be smoking. When I look up I find him staring at me pensively while sporting a hard look. Like Charlie earlier today his eyes find my stitches. I can tell he is trying to figure out what the story is.
"How old are you?" he finally asks.
I stomp out the cigarette before answer.
"I'll be eighteen in two months." I don't know why I didn't just say seventeen. I think of asking him the same question. He doesn't seem older than twenty four.
Before I could ask his front door pops open. A short petite woman with a sleek bob cut and crazy colored yoga pants stands in the doorway jumping on her tippy toes excitedly.
"Edward hurry! Rose has Emmett in a head lock!" her giggle sounds like wind chimes I find myself really enjoying her laugh.
"Okay Alice! I'll be right there!" Edward yells back.
"Thanks for the cig, I'll see you around" I turn to leave not wanting to meet anymore beautiful cheerful people tonight.
"Uh yeah no problem I'll see you around Bella." I hear him answer but I'm already walking back to Charlie's. I hear his steps as he makes his way to his front door. The way he said Bella makes me want to swoon.
The fuck what is wrong with me? Acting like a sprung teenager.
When I reach Charlie's door I get this prickly feeling like someone is watching me. I look over in Edwards direction and see him standing next to the small woman having a conversation with her but staring at me. They do know its raining right? Why can't they talk inside? Even from here I can see a loop sided smile that makes me forget my name. I rush into the house and almost run straight into Charlie.
Well shit… here we go.
So what do y'all think? EPOV next chapter? I will try to update every Monday and Friday night if possible.