I am so sorry for the delay in getting this chapter out! We had an Internet issue while switching from telephone service to cable service, AND THEN I was preparing to officiate a wedding. Also, we, as in my kids, and myself started homeschooling on the first. Let me tell you, my house has been absolutely CRAZY!
But enough about all that!
I'd like to thank Fire1 again for letting me adopt this story, and giving me the chance to really let this story shine.
Nights of Twilight
~~~~~~NoT~~~~~~
Bella's POV:
The flight from Phoenix to Seattle was short, but long. My nerves were catching up with me. I spent the whole flight fidgeting. I was worried that I wouldn't like it in Forks, and I would break my fathers heart if I decided to go back to my mom.
I waited the forty minutes before boarding my flight from Seattle, to Port Angeles. I knew Charlie would be waiting for me when I landed, probably in the police cruiser. Instead of being embarrassed by the ride, I just mentally pictured myself as someone who needed police protection. That image really seemed to help.
Charlie was waiting for me at the baggage claim, I approached him slowly, and he smiled and wrapped me in an awkward one-arm hug. It wasn't uncomfortable per say, but it wasn't affectionate either. After my luggage came through, Charlie escorted me to the police cruiser. I knew better then to expect anything less. So I just kept the image of me being someone important fixed firmly in my mind. Charlie was, after all, dressed in his uniform.
The ride from the airport was tense, and very awkward. I could tell that he was still confused as to why I suddenly expressed an interest in living with him on a permanent level. I didn't really want to tell him in great detail either. I knew he was too shy to actually ask, so I just let it go. I did spend the rest of the trip staring out the window, contemplating my own stupidity. I asked myself one more time.
"Did I really exile myself from the beautiful, and warm Phoenix, to the damp and foggy Forks?"
The answer was still the same of course; I would do anything to make my mom happy. So this only deepened my resolve, and I knew I needed to let it go and adjust.
I had only visited Charlie in Forks once, about three years ago. Up until then, we spent our time visiting California, and doing touristy things. To me, it was nothing special, but I knew on a deeper level that Charlie really enjoyed the time he spent there. Just as I had expected, Forks hasn't changed. It looked exactly the same as it did three years ago. It truly did look like some wet, green, alien planet, compared to Phoenix that is. It was completely unfamiliar, but even I could not deny that it was beautiful… In it's own way of course…
As Charlie pulled the cruiser into the driveway, I stared up at the house. Like everything else it remained the same. It is a two-story white with blue trim house. The two knotted trees still stood out front, and the yard was still only grass; grass in need of a desperate trim. The forest bordered the left and backside of the house. Charlie and Renee bought the house in the early days of their marriage, the only days of their marriage.
Charlie took my bags out of the trunk of the car, and carried them into the house. I took one more lingering look around the yard before entering the house myself. I silently prayed that I had enough money to find a decent vehicle, because I certainly did not want Charlie driving me around in the cruiser. Charlie was the Chief of Police to the good people of Forks, and I don't think he has ever owned a different vehicle. I also knew – from my limited time here- that there were no buses, or other public transportation.
"Well Bells, welcome home." Charlie said to me as he headed towards the stairs with my luggage. I did have to keep from rolling my eyes at his lame attempt of showing emotion. I did realize how much me being here with him really meant to him.
"Thanks Dad, come on, lets get these bag upstairs so I can unpack." I smiled, since he was looking in my direction.
I still remembered my way around the small house, but Charlie pointed out the rooms to me anyways. Even though I only used it once, it was still my room. It still looked much the same as it had three years ago. I was expecting to find dust everywhere, but I was mistaken as I entered behind Charlie.
The only change that there really was was the desk that had a rather outdated computer sitting on it. My mother had insisted on a computer so we could keep in touch easier. The walls were still light blue, which did appear to be the same color as the trim outside. I knew I was going to have to paint. I couldn't live in a room like this.
My bed was still the same twin sized bed from the last time I was here as well. It was now pushed up against the wall, a dresser directly across from it. There was a rocking chair near the closet, facing the window, which was covered with a pale yellow lace curtain. The view out the window wasn't fantastic; it only faced the front yard. I had a direct view of the street.
I looked around the room with a faint sense of nostalgia; Charlie set my luggage on the floor by the dresser. "I hope you like it still, if there is anything you want to change, just let me know." He said as he walked towards the door.
"Thanks dad, I'll let you know."
"Well, I guess I will leave you to unpack. Oh! I have a surprise for you later. We will also be having guests over for dinner." Oh no! I just love surprises.
"Okay…" There really wasn't much more to say to that. He grunted and left the room.
Now that I was finally alone, I was almost overcome with self-pity. But again, I just reminded myself I was doing this for my mother, and I knew she was happier, that she could freely travel with Phil, and not worry about me, or trying to balance homeschooling with spending time with Phil. Or if I had somehow convinced her that I could stay home by myself while she travelled. I did hold the tears at bay, even though I knew I was doing the right thing it was just so overwhelming all of a sudden.
I picked up my suitcase, and began unpacking, resolving to have a good cry when I got in bed for the night. Just as I was unpacking the last thing, I heard a car coming up the road, and it stopped in front of the house. After a few minutes I heard the car doors shut and Charlie greeting the 'guests' from the front porch.
I wasn't necessarily interested in entertaining company, but as I took a deep breath to head down stairs, Charlie called up to me.
"Bella, come down! Our guests are here." I assumed it was our dinner guests.
The front door slammed, and I heard three distinct voices. As I was coming down the stairs, a wave of dizziness crashed over me, and I tumbled down the rest of the stairs, landing on the floor at the bottom. Thankfully no one was there to see it, and I felt better just a second later. As I entered the living room, there was a man in a wheel chair, and someone else standing next to him, I assumed it was his son.
"Hey Bella, this is Billy, and his son Jacob." Both looked up at me, smiling widely. Why were they smiling at me? It was very unnerving. Both men had tan skin, and long black hair tied back at the nape of their necks.
"So, Bells, how do you like it?" 'How did I like what, exactly?' I looked at the three of them dubiously; they all had annoying goofy grins plastered on their faces, giving nothing away.
"What are you talking about dad?" I asked, I wasn't sure if they detected the tone of annoyance in my voice or not, but their smiles never faltered, so I assumed not.
"Your welcome home present of course." What the hell was he talking about? Oh god! Please tell me he did not go out looking for friends for me!
"The truck, Bells, I just bought it off Billy here, for you."
Truck? What truck? I followed Charlie back to the front door, and followed his pointing when he opened the door back up. I would have seen the damned thing if we were outside…
There it was, parked along the street in front of the house. It was old, really old. It was a faded red color, with big rounded fenders, and a bulbous cab. The body looked like it was solid iron, I doubt it would get much damage in an accident.
To my great surprise, I did love it instantly. I could already see myself in it, driving down the highway. I looked back over at Charlie, tears threatening to build up, I was so happy!
"Thanks dad! I love it!" it has always been hard for me to accept presents, or even show much emotion.
Charlie's face was lit up like a Christmas tree, just from the emotion I was showing. He knew I was very happy with his gift. So instead of insinuating that the gift was not well received, I just gave him a tight hug.
Jacob tapping me on the shoulder pulled me from the emotional moment with Charlie, his grin was enormous. "Do you like it? I'm the one who fixed it up for you. There is however a few finicky things you should know about it. Do you want to go for a drive? I can show you everything unusual."
As Jacob approached and spoke to me, I noticed two things: he had a very strange smell to him, it was a mix of wet earth, sea salt, and a trace of wet dog. There was something else too, but I couldn't place it. But that might be chemical. I could easily explain the smells coming from him. He said he had been working on the truck, so I'm sure that's where the chemical smell came from, he may have a dog, and the earth, and salt smell, is probably from living near the ocean.
The other was his voice. It was still very boyish, though it was turning husky, and very friendly. It did two things at the same time. It calmed me, yet it also set me on edge, like he was trying to seduce me, or something.
The only thing I could tell about the truck was that it was an old Chevy. My knowledge about cars and trucks was very slim. "It's a 1953 Chevy pick up." Jacob explained as we approached it. I immediately realized that it was a classic.
"My dad bought it back in 1984, me and dad have done a lot of work on the engine, so it's really only a few years old." I looked over to Jacob, slightly impressed. I didn't even know how to change a tire.
"So basically, if there is a problem with this thing, you can be my mechanic?" I said this with a grin, and he grinned back.
"I'm not cheap, you know." I laughed lightly.
"I'll keep that in mind." Despite the uneasiness I felt about Jacob's scent, I found he was very easy to talk to.
"So, how about I come with you for a test drive?" He asked, his voice cheerful.
"Yeah, okay…" I replied, but Charlie cut in then. "If you two are going out, why don't you stop and get some pizza for dinner?"
"Or, I could just go to the store and buy something to cook for dinner instead." All three of them looked at me in confusion. "I'll have you know, I did all the cooking back home, and was always praised on the excellence of it." The real reason I wanted to cook was because I was still having my weird almost raw meat cravings.
Most foods tasted like cardboard to me, which started when I was about seven or eight, but I could always handle meat, but lately, it had to be almost raw. I'd always force some food down, but I knew if I ate too much of it, it would make me very sick, so I just stick to what works for me.
Charlie handed over some money, and I tried arguing, but his counter about being the parent and responsibility won out, so I took the crumpled twenty from him, looked at everyone, and asked if steak and baked potatoes were all right with everyone, and I was met with three enthusiastic yeses.
I had fun joking around with Jake, as he had asked me to call him. He helped me get used to the truck and all of its 'quirks'. He also showed me around Forks, and pointed out important places. We stopped at the store last to pick up the ingredients for dinner, and he made a face when I started getting things to make a salad to go along with it.
When we got back to the house, Billy and Charlie were engrossed with a baseball game that was on T.V.. Jake joined them, which left me to prepare dinner on my own. That wasn't a bad thing; I preferred to be left alone while I cooked anyways.
Just as I was putting the finishing touches on the salad, and removing the steaks from the broiler to rest, Jake came in the kitchen to set the table.
"Wow Bells! That sure does smell amazing!" Jake proclaimed as he was setting the silverware around the table.
"Thanks Jake, could you go tell those old men that dinner is ready."
"Yep! Sure! Hey old men! Come get this food before I eat it all!" Jake yelled over his shoulder into the living room. I just rolled my eyes.
Jake pulled a chair out of the way so Billy could get his wheelchair to the table, and the rest of us sat down. I watched as they all piled their plates with dinner. I had already placed my steak on my plate, so I threw a little salad on there as well. No one seemed to notice that my steak was practically raw, so it was smooth sailing through dinner. There was no conversation, just the scraping of utensils, and rather loud chewing.
As the plates cleared, Billy looked at me, then at Charlie. He cleared his throat, and said, " You know Charlie, it's odd…" as he said odd, I tensed up, what had he noticed about me? "I have known you almost all my life, and the only time before now, that I've seen Bella, is when she was a baby."
I felt relief wash over me, was that all it was? Charlie glanced at me quickly, and then looked back to Billy. "Well, that would have been because of Renee. She was a bit over protective of Bella, and then… well you know the rest." I watched Billy as Charlie was speaking. When he was done, Billy looked rather ashamed that he even brought it up. Probably because of Charlie and Renee's short lived marriage.
As it started to get dark, Charlie excused himself to drive Billy and Jake home. Leaving me to clean up from dinner. I told him as soon as I was done cleaning up, I was taking a shower and heading to bed. He did make it back home just as I was heading up the stairs to take my shower. I was cursing the fact that this house only had one bathroom, and that Charlie and I would have to share it.
Just as I was about to head up, Charlie cleared his throat to gain my attention. "You know Bells, we all loved dinner. We agreed on it in the car. It was better then some of the restaurants I've been to. But I noticed that you didn't eat very much. Is everything okay?" He seemed nervous, and I was shocked, I didn't think he noticed.
"Everything's fine dad, it was just a long day, and I wasn't very hungry." He looked at me suspiciously, but let it drop.
"Okay Bella, I'm heading to bed now, I have to get up at six for work, so I'll see you when I get home. Oh! Do you need directions to the school? I already got you enrolled, so just stop at the office when you get there, classes start at eight, so you might want to get there a little early."
"Jake showed me where the school was already, thank you though, and I'll be sure to have enough time."
"Alright, good night!"
"Good night dad."
I took my time in the shower, letting the hot water heat my skin. I made sure to get out before the hot water ran out and I got cold. I would probably be taking plenty of scalding showers to keep me warm. The heat of my skin reminded me of home and I began to cry as I got into my small bed. I first cried for my home, then thinking of home made me think of mom, which made me cry a little harder. I wasn't sure when I finally cried myself to sleep, but the rain pouring down on the roof kept waking me up throughout the night.
~~~~~~NoT~~~~~~
Edward's POV:
It was raining heavily during the night, so I forced myself to endure the thoughts and images floating through my head of everyone in the house. There were only a few hours left before my siblings and I would have to leave and endure another day in purgatory, known to everyone else as 'high school'. With my gift, it made it even harder to endure the nonstop vitriol of the children at the school, they were always consumed with disgusting fantasies of my siblings and me. It was somewhat bearable to see the ones of my brothers and I, but a completely different story to watch the ones that starred my sisters. It was maddening at times to see all these… fantasies. My siblings were all married, even if the good people of Forks didn't know that.
The last few weeks have actually been more bearable since everyone was consumed with the news that the police chief's daughter was moving to Forks. She would be arriving today from Arizona. It was definitely irritating to hear it over and over again, but still a relief that their thoughts were consumed with something other then my family.
All the boys kept picturing a tall, tan, city girl. Unfortunately for the new girl, it meant that most of the boys were hoping that she was beautiful, and would immediately fall in love with them. Most of the children here grew up together, so the prospect of someone new had all the boys riled up. All it boiled down to was more disgusting fantasies to irritate me.
My siblings slowly started coming down stairs, Emmett and Jasper were first, followed shortly by Alice and Rosalie. I knew the time was drawing near, and when Carlisle and Esme appeared, I knew it was time to go.
Time for another day in hell, and time to endure more useless information.
~~~~~~NoT~~~~~~
Thank you for reading, and again I apologize for the delay! Chapter 3 will be out on Tuesday!
Happy reading, and remember I love to hear from you, so hit that review button and tell me what you think!