Chapter 7 – Memories
I sat in the living room of my former home, with my sister. I saw several pictures of myself, from when I was younger. "Oh my gosh, look at you," Carmen spoke so low that no one could hear us. The tall boy named Jacob sat furthest away from me and Carmen, but he was looking at us. His father, Billy sat very close to Charlie. Charlie on the other hand was beaming, who sat by me to hold my hand. He was so happy to see me, that he didn't notice my cold skin. "I cannot believe this. I thought I lost you a long time ago." I smiled sheepishly, "I have to ask, how did I really end up in the hospital? All I know is that I was in a car accident and suffered from complete amnesia." Charlie sighed, "I don't think we should discuss that." I looked at Carmen, then back to my dad, "I want to know. I need to know everything that happened to me. It seems whenever I have encounters of things from my past, it triggers more memories." Charlie stood up and went by the window, "All right. From what was seen, something smashed into the back of your truck, knocking it off the road. You had your seat belt on, but the truck rolled down a hill and was stopped by a huge tree. Actually, it was Jacob who found you." I looked over at him, "He did?" Jacob nodded, "I was hiking with some friends when we heard the crash." He and Billy shared a glance. I raised an eyebrow "What happened to me?" Jacob was beginning to scowl, "You were beaten up pretty badly. When we got the car door open, Paul and I found you leaning against the door, with blood spilling from your forehead. Paul and I got you to the hospital, where Charlie met us."
Charlie cleared his throat and rubbed his eyes, "You were so battered. Jacob and I didn't leave you once, but the doctors said they would have to transport you to a bigger hospital, so that you could get better help. I went with you and the doctors were worried that you may not be able to walk again. There was a lot of damage to your spine." Carmen leaned forward, "How did Isabella disappear?" Charlie's eyes were red as he looked at us, "We don't know. When Bella regained consciousness, she didn't remember me. I told her who I was and she believed me. When she felt better, Bella convinced me to at least go home and get some real rest. You said you would be fine. I went home for a day, packed a few of her things and called Jacob to let him know that you were awake. Jacob was persistent in going with me to the hospital and that's when they called me. The hospital said a nurse went to check on you and you were gone. When I asked to see the security videos, for some reason, the cameras in the wing Bella was in were damaged, like someone plotted it." Charlie sat back down, "We put out flyers, got a cover on the news in Seattle and all over Washington and nothing came up. It was like you disappeared, Bells." Carmen and I looked at each other. "My sister, well Carmen's sister, Irina found me in Quebec." His eyes popped open, "Quebec?! How did you get there?" I tried to hide my sarcasm, "I don't know. My earliest memory is waking up, abandoned in a field. I staggered through the forest, until Irina found me. She helped me try to find out who I was. She saw I was in a hospital gown and my hospital identification just had my first name and middle initial on it. I stayed with Irina for a couple years, trying to find out who I was. After trying and failing so many times, I decided that I was going to give up and focus on my future. That's when we moved to Denali. After a few months, I decided that I didn't want to completely give up. Carmen, Kate and I did more research and found the hospital. That's what led me here."
Charlie told me about my life and friends in high school and Jacob told me about the relationship I had with him. Billy, even mentioned what kind of person I was. I felt the contacts in my eyes were about to dissolve. "Umm, dad, if you'll excuse me for a moment…" I stood up, but looked around. Charlie smiled, "Top of the stairs to the right. Right across the hall from your bedroom." I went upstairs, not before sharing a glance with Carmen. "I'll be fine," she whispered. I made it upstairs, right as the contacts dissolved, which I was actually thankful for. I hated the way they distorted my vision. I went into the bathroom, but lingered for a moment, going through the sound effect motions. Leaving the bathroom, I crossed the hall into my old bedroom. In the room, there was a small bed that was once mine. A large framed mirror in the corner and a rocking chair by the window. I saw several pictures of myself. I don't know how long I stood in the room, because Carmen called me. "Isabella?" I turned and sat on the edge of the bed. "This is your room?" I nodded, "Yes." She walked in, "Its similar to your room at home. The mirror, the desk….. maybe it was a repressed memory." "I know. When I rearranged the furniture the way I did, it felt like home to me. Now I see why." Carmen stood, "Your dad's waiting for you." I smiled, "Tell him I'll be right there."
Before leaving the room, I followed Edward's instructions and found the floorboard. Delicately lifting it, I saw a box covered in dust. I picked the box, but I didn't open it. I would wait until I was back in Denali to open it with him. I took up my old bookbag and put the box inside. I went downstairs, after putting in new contacts. Carmen was standing in the living room doorway, when I reached downstairs. My dad was speaking with Billy and Jacob. "Sorry, I got sidetracked in my room." Charlie looked up at me, "Bells, I was thinking, that if you wanted to move back…." I half-smiled, "I was thinking about that too, but…." I looked at Carmen, "I think I need more time. Not to say, I don't want to, its just I'm not ready to leave my sisters." I took Carmen's hand, "Tanya, Kate, Irina and Carmen have become my sisters. My big, much older sisters." Carmen shook off my hand and smiled. "Ignore her, but yes, she has become our baby sister. And Tanya will be calling us any minute." Carmen took out her cell phone, "Trust me, she'll be calling soon." I smiled, "She can wait a little longer," I took Carmen's hand and sat down on the couch, "I want to learn more about myself."
Carmen and I spent a few more hours with my dad. Soon, Billy and Jacob left. I was reluctant to hug Jacob, because I knew what he was. "Goodbye Jacob." He nodded in return at me. Billy gave me and Carmen a long look, as if he was wary to leave Charlie alone with two vampires. Soon, I saw the time and it was getting late. "I'm sorry, Charlie, but Isabella and I have to get going." Charlie's eyes saddened, "Do you really? Bella, you know you can stay here." I smiled, "I know, but like we said, Tanya will be waiting for us." I smiled, "Besides, I'll be back next week. I was thinking, could I get mom's number, so I could let her know I'm alive." Charlie wrote a number and saw me and Carmen off. I hugged, "I'm so sorry you had to go through all this." Charlie kissed my cheek, "I'm just glad you're alive. Come back soon." I got into the car with Carmen and we drove home. When we reached Canada, I took over and drove home. "I cannot believe this. I had truly given up on finding out who I was and now, I know." I gushed all the way home and Carmen laughed at some of the embarrassing things my dad said about me.
While she laughed, I hummed my familiar tune that always comforted me. Soon we were home and Tanya was on alert, "What happened?!" Tanya grabbed my hand and pulled me into the living room, where Esme and Alice were waiting for us. Tanya pushed me down onto the couch and sat next to me, "Did you meet your father?" I rolled my eyes, "Yes. I met him and he was beyond surprised to see me. I think that he believed that I was dead." Irina came into the room, "So, how did he react to you?" She perched herself on the couch's arm and Carmen sat on my other side. Rosalie came in and sat with Alice and Esme. I sighed, "Well, I think he was just astonished that I was back home again. Also, he had two friends over, one of which was a wolf." Everyone's eyes widened, "What?!" Carmen sighed, "Yes, the younger boy. He couldn't keep his eyes off of Isabella and his scent was terrible." I explained about our visit with my dad and said I was going back next week and I got the number to contact my mother. Esme smiled, "Are you going to call her?" I bit my lip, "Not right now. She still lives in Florida and today was pretty long." I wanted to go to my room and see what was in the box. I noticed that the house was oddly quiet. "Where is everyone else?" Alice giggled, "The guys went hunting. Emmett's idea." I nodded, "Ok."
We talked for another hour. Soon, I wanted to be alone. I wanted time to think on my own. My name is Isabella Marie Swan. I am 23 years old and I didn't even finish high school. I got into a car accident a few weeks before my graduation. I was somewhat romantically involved with the mutt at my dad's house, but he was my best friend. I sat by my window and hummed my tune. The box sat on my dresser. I thought more about my life; I was born in the small town, but I moved to California with my mom when I was two years old. I lived in Phoenix until I was seventeen, after my mom married my step-dad, who was a player in minor league baseball. They do not have any more children, so besides my Denali sisters, I am an only child. My dad was reluctant to talk about it, but I coaxed it out of him, my relationship with the Cullens. Alice was my best friend. She was there for me when I broke my leg, when I left my dad's house to go back to Phoenix. My dad was still grateful to Alice for that time. Also, my relationship with Edward, my dad wasn't too happy about it. He said the way Edward left me was wrong and they way I was, it was as if someone dies. It was only because of Jacob I was truly living again. Why did Edward leave?
The way he kissed me since he saw I was a vampire, he wanted me so much. I looked at the box, why did he want me to retrieve it? I closed my eyes and hummed, leaning against the wall. I tried not to dwell on that fact until he got here, so I could confront him. Behind my eyelids, I saw lights flash across the front of the house and I heard the tires of Eleazar's car. I remained in my spot as I heard Carlisle, Edward, Jasper, Emmett and Eleazar greet my sisters. "How did everything go?" Jasper asked. Carmen sighed, "Very well. He was very happy to see here and please explain to me about the wolf in his house?" Emmett laughed, "They must be running wild down there." I heard Edward sigh, "Where is she?" "Her room," Tanya answered. I heard him dash up the stairs on knock on my door. I opened my eyes slowly, "Come in." He entered my room, with a bright smile, "Hi." "Hello," my voice was steely and hard. "Can I come in?" I nodded. He sat on the edge of my bed, "I heard you had a great visit with Charlie." I smiled, "Yea, I'm going back next week. And this week, I'm calling my mom. But I have to ask you something?" I stared into my eyes, "What is it?" "Is everything more convenient for you now that I'm a vampire?" He blinked once, "What do you mean?" I stared back, "You left when I was human, but now that I'm a vampire, this must work out so much better for you."
