Chapter Info
Title: Unfamiliar Familiar Faces
Number: 3/?
Warnings: Angst, language
Author's Note: Like I said in the beginning, I have a lot of this story done, so I'll basically be posting one chapter a day until I have posted all that I have written. Thanks for reading! Comments are love!
Goldielover: All will definitely be revealed in time. ;) I don't want to give too much away. But thank you so much for reading and commenting! Hope this chapter doesn't disappoint!
-Abigail-
The small group had to push through a few different people to get across the dance floor to where Bella and her new husband—Edward, Abigail remembered—were standing. Like the name Cullen, Edward also gave her a weird clenching of the stomach which she dutifully ignored. The man she recognized from earlier at the ceremony was standing next to Bella who looked very confused, like she was going to argue something, but then Charlie got her attention by calling her name.
Bella turned and smiled, pulling her father into a hug. "Hi, Dad," she said fondly, holding him close for a couple seconds before pulling back, her chocolate brown eyes coming to meet Abigail's emerald ones. "Abi, I'm so glad you could make it."
Abigail scoffed and pulled her into a soft hug. "Wouldn't have missed it for the world, Bella. I'm glad you invited me."
"'Course. We grew up together, I couldn't not invite you." The girls laughed and she moved aside to let Bella say hello to Billy, Sue, and Seth, and then Abigail introduced her to Beth.
"And this is Edward," Bella said, putting a gentle hand on his chest. Abigail's eyes flickered up to his and he looked...confused? That seemed to be the right emotion, that or pain—maybe a little of both—which made Abigail a bit uncomfortable. Was it from the conversation Abigail noticed was they walked up? Was it her? She never met the man before so she didn't know why, but she couldn't get that feeling out of her chest as she smiled politely and held out her hand softly.
"Nice to meet you, Edward. I'm Abigail Goodwin." And he seemed to choke, eyeing her hand like she was going to slap him, but didn't shake it. Her cheeks heated up and she pulled it back to her side, the others around her staring at him with mixed reactions of confusion and annoyance. And he still hasn't said a word to her so she cleared her throat, reaching up to tuck some hair behind her ear, before turning her attention to Bella who also shared the emotions of her husband's actions. Or lack of actions, rather. "So congratulations," Abigail said with a slightly forced smile. Edward continued to look at her and it felt like he didn't want her there, which made her shift on her feet awkwardly. "I'm so happy for you guys."
Bella pulled her eyes from Edward's—wow, they're different, she thought as she looked into the shade of topaz—and looked back at her friend. "Thanks," she said gratefully. "We're really happy, too. Today has been just...amazing."
"Definitely throw a great party," she said.
Bella chuckled. "This was all Alice's doing. She's Edward's sister." Alice, Edward's sister, she thought. Again, it just felt so familiar and yet she had never met anyone named Alice before. It was starting to make her nervous again, the same dread almost that curled around in her body earlier, enough she could've gotten ill right there and forced the feelings away.
"Well, she did a great job." Abigail also chuckled lightly and glanced at her shoes.
But a new sound, like something shattering, caused her gaze to rise again. Only it wasn't Edward or Bella, but a man standing behind them and off to the left, and she realized quickly he had dropped his champagne flute, though it was hardly heard over the noise of the party. Her eyes flickered over and was shocked to see the intensity in his gaze, the severity of how tightly his jaw was clenched. Honey-blond hair, topaz eyes the same as Edward's, pale skin, slightly taller than Edward, male-model perfection, and just slightly older than Abigail herself. All the wind seemed to knock out of her gut and she couldn't look away even if she wanted to. His own expression was of wonder, longing, confusion, anguish, and even a bit of horror. It was a blend of emotions that Abigail didn't understand and yet she felt her body chill as if a sharp wind had suddenly knocked into her, goosebumps rising on her flesh as blood pooled under the skin of her cheeks.
Who—
"Abi!" The voice this time was Beth's and she blinked and everything suddenly rushed back in, the sounds of the party and the churning if her stomach and it was Charlie's arms that caught her as she staggered ever so slightly. She blinked and looked up, the chief's brow furrowed in concern and she simply smiled, patting his hand.
"I'm okay. I just...felt a little dizzy. I'm fine." Of course he didn't look convinced and neither did the others, but she waved away their concern as she reached over to grip the handle of Billy's chair. "We won't monopolize the bride any longer." She laughed humorlessly. "Seth, if you haven't eaten all the food, mind getting me some? I haven't eaten much since La Push and I think I need to." Seth took another second to study her, but grinned and jogged off. "Congratulations again, Bella." She hugged her old friend, glanced once more at Edward whose face was simply blank now, before turning and heading off with Billy, Sue at her heels as she tried desperately not to peek a glance at the other man who, for some reason, had caught her attention more than even the bride had that night.
.x.x.x.x.
-Alice-
"What's going on? Who is that?!"
Carlisle had demanded the words as soon as the party dwindled down to just a few people after Bella and Edward had left to start their honeymoon. Those left were the Denali family, a couple humans, and then Billy's group...including the girl that he was talking about. The music was softer, the voices not quite so loud, so Carlisle's voice was just above a whisper and he knew only his family could hear him. At his question, all of them glanced over at the table that held the mysterious human, Abigail Goodwin, the girl with their mother's face...and with their mother's name.
Alice still hadn't figured anything out and even being in Abigail's presence didn't bring on anymore visions, much to her frustration. But it seemed she, too, was friends with the La Push crowd so it could've had something to do with them. They had tried so hard to keep Carlisle away, but it was Charlie that caused them to fail as he brought the girl and her group over to say hello to Bella. The Cullens knew Edward reacted rather stupidly because they all noticed how rigid he was, even Abigail, but it wasn't as if they could really fault him. And now Carlisle was speaking, showing a true emotion for the first time since 1955, and part of them was glad of that even though they knew seeing that face, hearing that name brought on a world of pain that left Jasper trembling between Alice and Emmett.
"I don't know," Alice finally said, her voice also soft. "I got one vision of her," Carlisle's eyes flashed with anger as he gazed at her, "but I thought it was memories mixing with a vision. Because that's...she's impossible. That girl is impossible and even Edward couldn't understand it, and he could hear her mind."
They all glanced over as they heard a tinkling laugh and saw her hiding her smile behind a hand, emerald hues lighting up in humor as she gazed at Billy who was telling a story, his hands moving with effect. She leaned against Sue's shoulder and it was clear she had a tad too much champagne, but not dangerously so, and even if that were the case, they knew that Billy, Charlie, and Sue would take care of her.
"Carlisle..." Alice hedged, her voice stopping and she glanced at the others before continuing on. She needed to know. "Do you... I mean, I know the pull of a mate." His eyes got even angrier. "Do you feel that for her?"
"No," he growled, catching the attention of Tanya who frowned and Alice waved her off. "I had a mate. She's gone. There are no do-overs, Alice."
Alice sighed. "I know." But her thoughts were troubled because there was so much coincidence that she wasn't sure she could believe that's all there was. What if Mom came back to us? she wondered, but knew better than ask it and incur more of Carlisle's wrath. She would talk to Edward when they got back and see if he got anything else of use.
The family silently watched as her laughter drifted over to them again, and the rest of the table laughed as well, even Billy who was telling the story. Abigail buried her face in her hands and shook her head, blushing as she narrowed her eyes at Billy.
"I can't believe you told that story," she was saying through her giggles. Alice's gaze flickered quickly from Abigail to Carlisle and the look of anger had vanished as soon as they heard her laugh, the look behind replaced with melancholy and longing and agony. Even if she wasn't their Abigail, she still resembled her in every way. Every curve of her body, her chestnut brown hair, those twinkling emerald eyes, the smooth texture of her lightly tanned skin. Even Alice could feel the emotions Carlisle let off and she knew the rest of them would have to fight to keep him from that catatonic coma.
"We can't just watch," she said with resolve, grabbing Jasper's arm, and dragging him towards the table.
"What are you doing?!" he hissed as they got closer. "You know what you'll do to Carlisle?"
"We need to find out more, Jazz. If we don't, we'll always be wondering, and we'll lose him again. I'm not willing to take that chance; are you?" Her mate slowly gritted his teeth and allowed her to pull him over to the table.
.x.x.x.x.
-Abigail-
Eventually Abigail covered her ears the more stories Billy told. Even though Sue and Charlie knew them because they had been there, Beth didn't and the twinkle in her blue eyes as she smirked at Abigail told the brunette that she had blackmail material coming to her now. It was like when Abigail went with her to visit her sister over in New York, she got some stories to use; now it was Beth's turn to return the favor.
"I hate you all," she grumbled in faux-irritation, burying her face in her arms. It only caused more laughter that died out quickly and she looked up to see what happened, when she spotted two people she hadn't seen before. They must be related to Edward, she thought as she took in their topaz eyes and pale complexion. They stood there for a moment before Charlie stood up, realizing he had to make introductions.
"Uh...this is Alice Cullen and Jasper Hale, Edward's brother and sister." The girl was about the size of a pixie with a matching haircut and a winning smile, pulling the boy down into a chair with her. His own expression was that of suspicion as he nodded cooly to Abigail and Beth. It reminded her of Edward's expression and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Alice, Jasper...this is Abigail Goodwin, and her friend Beth. Abi grew up with Bella and Jacob."
"Oh, you know Jacob?" Alice's voice was like the tinkle of a bell, soft and charming and her hand dainty as she reached to shake hands with Abigail and Beth. But Abigail was surprised at the firmness of her handshake, and the coolness of her skin. Still, she smiled politely and shook the girl's hand. Jasper didn't offer his so Abigail pulled hers back to her lap.
"Ever since he was born," Abigail said with pride. "Bella, too. I'm older than them and I remember sitting in the hospital with my parents waiting for them to be born."
"You met him before his sisters did," Billy said wryly, leaning forward and Abigail chuckled.
"I did. I was a pushy kid and I climbed up on Sarah's bed to see him and pushed Rebecca and Rachel out of the way." Alice followed in her laughter along with the others, aside from Jasper that is.
"Do you still live here?"
Abigail raised an eyebrow, wondering why this girl wanted to know, but shook her head. "No, I'm in Seattle now." She paused. "Maybe. I haven't decided if I want to come back yet."
"Do you like it here?"
"Oh, I love it here. Cities never have been my thing...especially when they recently have become the hunting grounds for a bunch of serial killings."
Charlie's face darkened and be leaned forward on the other side of Jasper. "Oh yeah, I forgot all about that. You girls took precautions, I'm assuming?"
Abigail snorted. "Yes, Dad," she said, Charlie's face breaking into an obviously unwanted smile. "It's been a few months and nothing that big has happened. But that was about when Beth and I decided to room together and we got into a better part of town."
Charlie grunted. "Good. You die on me, I'll be so pissed."
Abigail gasped. "Language!" Everyone—again, excluding Jasper—laughed. "But we're fine, Charlie, I can take care of myself. I haven't lost my head yet, I'm sure I can manage to keep it on moving forward." This time even Alice didn't join in the laughter, her face looking troubled and Abigail blushed again, trailing off and looking down at her lap before giving them an easy, kind smile. "So, I loved the wedding. Bella told me it was your doing; you did an amazing job."
Suddenly Alice lit up and sat forward more. "Thank you!" They went on to discuss the plans even as Charlie and Billy groaned, but they ignored them as they spoke and laughed, Beth and Sue joining in easily. It turned out to be quite the wonderful night and after she had gotten more food in her, danced a little bit more with Beth and Billy, and had a couple more flutes of champagne, she wound up having the time of her life. Edward and Jasper's weird behavior aside, she adored Alice and loved seeing Bella again, and wondered if she just decided on her whole Seattle versus Forks debate.
Once eleven o'clock hit, Abigail realized how exhausted she was and was practically leaning on Sue to keep her from falling over. Alice and Jasper didn't look tired at all, but the others all decided it was time to head home.
"You guys head back to La Push and I'll take the girls back to Hank's." Charlie paused and winced, looking at Abigail with a sheepish, apologetic smile. "I mean to Abigail's."
"You sure?" Billy asked, sliding around the pain that assaulted all of them and Jasper looked alarmed for a moment and the feeling died away like it had never been there, causing Abigail to frown, but shake it off. "It's no trouble."
"Yeah, she's only three doors down, it's no trouble." He smiled and clapped Billy on the shoulder and hugged Sue. Abigail followed suit, squeezing Billy and Sue tightly and then locking arms with Beth so they could keep each other up.
"Thanks so much for having us," Abigail gushed to Alice, eyes widening in surprise as the girl threw her arms around Abigail in a tight hug, pulling back with an excited look.
"No trouble! If you stay, we really need to talk more."
Abigail lit up, suddenly more positive in which way her decision would go. "Yeah, sure. That would be a lot of fun. Thanks, Alice!" She waved to Jasper who merely nodded and she and Beth stumbled out behind Charlie, who wound up having to all but carry them the rest of the way. Beth climbed in the backseat making Abigail giggle as she faced her friend to look through the bars that sat between them. Charlie only had his cruiser so there wasn't much of a choice.
"Jailbird, much?" she asked with a smirk and Beth merely scoffed and looked away. Charlie barked at her to buckle up and then they were on their way.
In the short distance back home, Abigail managed to fall asleep on Charlie's shoulder, and only woke when he was carrying her up the stairs. "You don't have to," she murmured even though they were already in her bedroom doorway. Well, her parents' bedroom doorway. Charlie paused and set her on her feet making her sway and his hands catch her.
"'Course I do," he said simply and she smiled. "Advil for a headache and no driving 'til tomorrow. You're drunk."
"I'm tipsy."
"Don't care. I'll arrest you."
"There's no such thing as tipsy driving."
"There is for you." He looked at her sternly and she giggled, stifling a yawn, and shaking her head.
"Fine. I promise, chief." She was far too tired to drive anyway. She gave him another hug, being picked up yet again, before he headed out and she went to change. She saw Beth's door was already closed and so she shut hers, too, changing into some plaid pajama pants and a camisole before climbing beneath the covers. It had been a long day and she was exhausted, but she couldn't help but smile.
That night, the nightmare hit her, only this time she had a savior...a savior with topaz eyes.