Chapter 7: Friends within Friends
Max POV
After the last couple of days I've noticed a pattern forming between my flock, and the coven. What I noticed most was the bond forming, among other things, of a much less importance. But the bond that caught my eye was between Jasper and Fang. I was talking to Esme when she told me she noticed it too. Jasper evidently is the second to newest member, him and Alice came here together. He doesn't really associate with anyone but Alice, within their family, so naturally as any good mother she noticed,
after our first night here almost three weeks ago.
Iggy and Gazzy –the best friends of the group-- spent more time together, than anything, except Fang and Iggy. But lately they've been hanging around with the, Vampires, A lot! At first, you know I just thought Iggy liked Bella and that's why he spent so much time with her, but as time went on it seemed like it wasn't really that serious. I still saw his face when he knew Nudge was in the room or when somebody said something that reminded him of her. But besides that, they are always in the kitchen together, cooking, playing around with mixing crazy concoctions. Usually when the non-flock members are in school.
That brings me to Gazzy, he is always shadowing Emmett like its Big Brother, 2 : Fantasy/ mutant edition! They are both immature but at the same time mature enough. They are perfect matches. Just the other day they were having this all mighty armpit farting match, it was a draw, after an hour of that, and they ended it with a draw!!
Nudge and Angel well since that first morning her, and the night we first got here, Angel has been glued to Edward not only, that she has been extremely clingy, to –this may shock you-- Fang. Bella has been looking a little jealous but then gets over I when she sees them smiling together. Edward looks uncomfortable having someone in his head all the time he better get used to it, we all deal with it just fine. Bella watches Angel cautiously, and every time Edward whispers something into Angels ear, Bella takes an involuntary step back. She said it feels so uncomfortable like a pressure on her brain and when Angel leaves her head it feels numb and lonely.
Nudge became more active after a week. She was at full recovery after two weeks, and a loud mouth ever since. Carlisle who works at the hospital – yah I know – has gone back to work, he said that his kids had taken turns getting the flu each time one was okay the others got sick. He told us that story when we ate dinner yesterday. While Nudge was in bed rest some one was always by her side. Either Iggy, or Alice, so you can guess who she bonded with. Alice. All the kids are looking forward for the weekend it is a three day weekend so they are going to Port Angeles for movies and shopping. Half are going hunting, on Thursday and Friday so they probably won't come home from school. They get back on that night. Saturday and Sunday the rest of the Coven is going hunting.
Oh yah I'm forgetting Total again. You'd never guess who he bonded with... Rosalie Hale! The last girl in the house who wants to speak to me, the last person in the world I want to speak too – okay yah wit let me change that the second, person int eh world I want to talk to. The first prize goes to... drum roll please... Jeb Batchelder! Tell him what he won, well Max, Jeb has an all expense paid, that means free kick in the ass! -- She doesn't know about that whole talking dog thing that we have going on, it's kinda like the side show to a side show, to circus, held at the nearest zoo.
I've been hanging out with Carlisle in his office in my spare time you could say it's another bond. When he is at work I hang with Esme. I used Nudge as an excuse to be in there, up until lately when he kind of figured out that me watching his every move from the corner of my eye. The truth is that I thought it was amazing how he could lead this entire coven on his own with out any one finding out about the truth just like us. Only nowhere near as long.
I'd sit there in his office me and Nudge and just listen to his stories for hours. His history much more interesting than what they would've taught us if we went to school. But unfortunately, I made the mistake of mentioning that to him he thought about it for a minute than shuffled me out of the room so he could make a phone call. Dang.
"Max?" Edward asked as I rounded the corner into the large room that held the massive piano.
He was playing something for Angel she seemed very into it she didn't even look up until I asked.
"Where is Bella?"
"In La Push spending time with the werewolves," he said hiding his disgust. We were well informed about our local pack. It wasn't very large but it was growing, they told us Alice can't see them in her visions, and that you could read their minds even in dog state because, in a way they were still human.
Emmett and Gazzy were wrestling, I sank to the floor across the room from them to watch, it was cloudy – as usual here – so I though better than to go flying with Fang like I wanted. Like on cue Fang turned around and waved for me to sit beside him. He and Jasper were consumed with the baseball game they were watching making up little voices in place of what they were really saying. It seemed Edward was playing the theme music in the background for added effect, it was muted so every so often you could hear a squeak or grunt coming from behind the couch where Gazzy was getting pulverized.
"Emmett sweety remember he is just a child he is still breakable," Emmett and Gazzy were fighting back laughs as they watched Esme innocently. "Okay, just be careful." The minute Esme was gone they burst out laughing, then the room felt heavy.
Total sighed, we all looked at him Angel and Edward looked nervous, I think the whole flock did. Rosalie was giving him a massage. "A little to the left honey," that did it.
Rosalie Screamed, total went flying, Emmett ran right pass him to Rosalie still holding Gazzy by a foot. He let go of him right as they passed the couch. I caught Gazzy just barely. Alice caught him in just the nick of time. Total whined. "I knew it!" Total whined again when she adjusted him. "Oh shut up, all of you have some explaining to do! Not so fast Edward," Alice said pointing a finger with out looking at him. He straightened up after whispering something in Angel's ear. Probably an escape plan.
"You knew all along Edward," I said it wasn't a question and it wasn't meant to be. I cracked a sideway smirk.
"You knew you knew he could talk!! he talks he's a dog! It's not natural he's not supposed to," Rosalie said in quick spasms.
"Well, we can fly and were just kids, you drink blood your a person, that pack changes forms but they're still human" Edward mumbled a 'barely' but Fang ignored it and kept going. "he talks he's just a dog." Fang announced calmly. Carlisle walked in then.
Esme uncrossed her arms as he approached, he kissed her briefly before turning to the rest of us. "What did I miss?"
Esme took him into the other room, and every one, but Rosalie, Emmett and Total went back to what they were doing. "Hey guys I came in here to ask if you want to play a baseball game tonight?" everyone agreed that it was a good idea except for the flock, it was beginning to lightening outside.
"It's okay guys we play the in the thunder storms for apparent reasons that you will soon--" she broke off then and looked at Edward he took his phone out I wondered who he would be calling. Probably some of his friends from school to play with us.
"I want to come with you, please." Angel used full force Bambi eyes on him. He looked at me I shrugged and nodded. He smiled and did the same. Then his phone began to buzz.
"Yes Bella? I'll be right there we'll just stop at the store on our way there. Love you bye," He hung up, disappeared and reappeared with his and Angel's jacket.
"Bye Max!" Angel waved as they headed out to the car and Alice finished up what she had been saying.
Angel POV
I like Edwards car it looks so pretty. And how it looks with the tinted windows makes everything outside look darker than it already is. He's my bestfriend him and Nudge. He told me that he could talk to me and the things he says will never be said out loud so there's no chance for anyone else to hear. That makes him the happiest, he is almost as happy around me as he is with Bella, ok so not that close but I don't know the full extent to that, he keeps that stuff from me as best he can he says I am to young.
"Edward, can I buy a snack at the store?" I hated asking him for stuff like that but I want to eat sweets every once in awhile because otherwise someone else eats it first, he knows that so when he goes to school he'll sneak me something and only Alice wile know... it's perfect.
When he parks his car I'm already halfway to the door, Edward right behind me I go into the snack isle and I over hear someone talking to Edward it was a girl.
"Hey Edward what are you doing here, and what your alone?"
"No I'm here with someone, we're just picking something to snack on."
"Oh so you are here with Bella! Where is she I didn't see her come in with you."
"No it's not Bella and it's not one of my family, or she isn't yet." he sounded like he was having fun I knew what he was doing trying to make it sound like he was cheating on Bella even though everyone in town knew he would never do that to her.
"Well who is she?" I put back half the food I grabbed and settled with 3 oatmeal crème pies, 2 brownies, and a honey bun.
"Edward I'm ready can we get all of this, I think it is enough for me, you and Bella," I said in the sweetest voice I could. This is Jessica she goes to my school she is kind of annoying with her thoughts of a certain crush she has on me. That just made my smile bigger and more natural.
I turned to smile my smile at Jessica. "Hi" I said to her, she knelled down to my level, she waved and said
"hi there your so cute who are you his cousin?" I used Edward's advice to the fullest.
"Nope, I'm his daughter!" I said cheerfully. Jessica, stood up stiffly as if going into shock.
"She is kidding, actually my parents are thinking about maybe adopting a group of kids and she is one of them. Actually you will be honored to see them tomorrow if you want we are going we are taking them around town." he nodded a slight almost bow. He reached for my hand "Come on Angel, we still have to get Bella." I laughed.
After we left the store and I climbed in the front seat, I turned to Edward. "Are your parents really adopting us, cause Max has a mom, and a dad she doesn't like. And Iggy, he stayed with his parents a little bit last year but ran away, or flew away really." I thought that over, in my silent, portion of my head, then I told Edward a summary of our parents what we knew and what we had found out, recently.
When I finished he stopped the car about five yards from a parked car. Then out climbed Jacob. "Jacob!" I jumped from my chair, and jumped into the air. Edward was behind me I heard the air whoosh as he grabbed me from the air. He ut me back in the front seat of his Volvo.
"Angel you can't fly here don't you know people could see you!?" and over walked Bella Jacob close behind her stopped up short.
"What is with her!?" Jacob asked roughly, Bella hugged Jacob and jogged up to Edward. She jumped into his arms like I always had.
"Hi Bella," I said, she ignored me.
"HI Angel I'm so sorry baby," she reached over the seat, I leaned forward to meet her hug.
I paused.
"Edward we're being watched." I said flat toned. He wasn't in the car but I knew he heard. He turned from his small talk with Jacob. He waved me to come to him. Bella grabbed me as I climbed out the car. She held me like a baby on her hip as we headed to Edward.
"Hi Jacob," I waved reaching for him. He reached out and threw me in the air and then caught me. I used all I could not to open my wings.
"So what are you and your -- friends doing tonight with the Cullens, it seems like it is going to rain." I nodded. "Well you need to get home then."
"Yah Iggy is getting anxious he wants to make dinner bad."
"Isn't he blind?" Jacob questioned, Edward and Bella tensed Edward watched me thru the corner of his eyes. I shrugged.
"Exactly, okay, I know, yes, he is the blind one, but his cooking is what we lived off of our whole lives almost. Except for that -- " I stopped myself real quick just then.
"That explains so much,"
"What's that supposed to mean Bells?"
"Well they look like Olympic swimmers, for crying out loud. No offense." She waved her arms infront of her. Jacob lifted one of his thick shadowing eyebrows.
"I think the hunger is getting to her," Edward said, Narrowing his eyes, as if listening to something closely. "Um Jacob I think we had better get home, I don't like how the weather is getting." Jacob nnodded and put me on my feet, Edward put his hand on my shoulder and leads me back to the car. Bella waved and climbed in.
Edward shut my door whispering for me to listen closely for thoughts. Soon enough we were heading around the bend that lead to the narrow road way that led to the Cullen's mansion.
We walked in the back door greeted by five pairs of hungry eyes. Iggy was leaning against the counter, with the vcontents of the fridge spread out behind him, ready and waiting for Bella to get home. Fang sat on the couch with Jasper, and Max ssat on the arm of the couch where Fang was sitting listening to Nudge and Alice's plan to go to Port Angeles or Seatle for a shopping trip.
Gazzy Sat in the high chairs around the tall counter, evidently he was talking to Iggy before we walked in. Carlisle and Esme stood straight stiff in the hall near the platform holding the grande piano. I tried hearing their thoughts but they had been around Edward to much they had learned to guard their thoughts, from people like us with our ability.
Alice gasped, "Bella how long do you suppose it'll take for you to make dinner?" Edward sighed, I rolled my eyes feeling tense I hated being surrounded by people I didn't know – we all did.
"Why?" She asked I'm guessing she didn't like surprises very much.
"We have a guest arriving in about an hour,"
"Your ddad is curious as to why you are spending so much time here," I finished, Edward gave me a crooked smile, he lifted me into his arms.
"Which if we are having a guest over we need you to get a bath," he carried me up the stairs. While Gazzy tried to make a run for it, before Emmett caught him, Rosalie crossed her arms over her chest, will leaning against the door framed she smiled a most brilliant smile.
"All of us!?" Total whined.
"You don't have to if you don't want to Total," Rosalie said kneeling down to his level, she patted his head. "You could just stay outside while the rest of us eat in side by the way it looks like we'll be expecting some rain."
"I chose a bath, you can never be to clean," He said trotting behind her ankles as she grabbed a small bucket from the kitchen closet and headed out to the garage. "Have fun, suckas'"
1 HOUR LATER
"we are all cleean what's next?" Max said sourly, towel drying her hair.
"You could help me set the table while Iggy is getting cleaned up if you want, I'd appreciate it a lot."
"Sure what ever, but do you have enough room?"
"Well the older kids, like you, Fang, and Iggy could eat in here while, I eat with Angel, Edward, Gazzy, Nudge, and my dad. That way you guys wont have to be so uncomfortable." Max nnodded thoughtfully that idea had actually suited her well enough. "ok than it's settled?"
"Yah,"
Alice appeared at the dinning room door as Bella set the last plate. "Five minutes he is on the road as we speak." Bella nodded.
"You'd better go check on the kids see if they are ready." Max headed out the door, Alice followed her with a quick play by play. Max nodded at times and listened at times. Knocking on each of the kids doors, they met in Edwards room.
Seating arrangements were being made, when the door bell rang. Emmett stuck his head into the room, "show time" he smiled, his dimples deep, Rosalie popped him in the head as they went downstairs human speed. Iggy was sent to the top of the second flight of sstairs listening for their signal.
Downstairs
"Hello Charlie," Esme said as she opened the door. Edward, Bella, and Alice, satr on the couch watching the television though not paying attention. Jasper came from the kitchen and sat on Alice's arm of the couch. Carlisle stood from the seat he sat in, offering a hand to greet Charlie.
"I'm sorry Charlie we wern't expecting you, would you like to stay for dinner?" Carlisle said politely. Charlie nodded.
"I'll set another plate," Bella said sliding out from Edwards arm.
"I'll help," Alice said following her. Edward stood shaking Charlie's extended hand. Jasper stood but stayed a good distance from Charlie, he smiled dipping his head like a good southerner, and walked gracefully out the room.
"Where do you think your going?:" Rosalie said. She and Emmett, came down the stairs. "Hello Charlie."
"Hey Charlie" Emmett said offering a hand, then pulling him into an awkward hug. Jasper followed the girls in the room, but stayed near the platform with the piano.
"I should havve called I'm sorry," Charlie turned to get a good look at Jasper leaning reaclessly on the piano for support. His eyes widened as he took in the shire of the piano's size and worth. "Who plays?"
Bella returned to the room, "Edward," she smiled against his glare. Alice had a smug smile.
"Yes a bit, I'm currently teaching Angel," Edward said as Alice's nod went unnoticed.
"Angel I'm sorry I'm unfamilier with that name. Who's daughter is she?" Charlie asked running threw everyone in town think of a girl between the age of ten and twenty. "Nobodys now, Possibly ours, as in Carlisle and Esme since we are all in high school the house is going to be pretty quite when we are all in college and married."
"Wow, yes now that you mention it I had heard around town that you had a family staying with you how many are there?"
"Six," Alice said cheerfully. Total lifted his head from his paws where he laid in the corner, a low growl made his presence known. "Seven actually."
He got up and began sniffing Charlie's legs. Charlie bent down to pet him. Total jumped in his arms, Charlie carried him up, holding him against his chest, until Rosalie offered her arms. Total jumped into her arms and got comfortable. She sat on the couch with him in her lap playing with his ears. Emmett moved to stand behind the couch.
"Um, can I say something? The food is getting cold, I'm hungry, and we have kids up there who are in desprite need of nutrition." Bella said.
"Max briing them down here there is someone I'ds like you all to meet, mind your manners." Esme said walking into Carlisle's arms.
Soon appeared six kids; first to last, Max holding Angel's hand, with Gazzy and Iggy next, Nudge yapped on and on about nothing, with Fang bringing up the back. Angel ran to Edwards side she jumped at just the right moment to catch her. She grinned like I don't know what then turned to cock her head to one side at the sight of Charlie. "Aren't you the cop guy, your Bella's dad!?" Angel said scrabbling down from Edward, she timidly walked up to Charlie. "Thats my brother Gazzy-- don't ask why, please--" Charlie nodded looking at Angel's look alike. "Then that's Nudge and Iggy, Fang is standing with Jasper, and Max is the one still on the stairs."
Edward coughed when Angel turned around to climb back in his arms, "Oh, right I'm Angel" she smiled her sweet six-year-old smile.And Edward lifted her.
"Can we eat now?" Iggy said impatiently.
"Sure how about you and Fang go in the kitchen to eat?" Alice said. Max nodded and grabbed his hand leading him into the kitchen Fang had already gotten there and was sitting down.
"Something about him?" Iggy said sitting down Fang pushed his fork closer to his hand. "What do you think about him? Fang, your probably the most sensible of us?"
"Iggy. Honestly I have nothing against the guy, Max?" She just shrugged.
Fang's POV
"I don't know he seems alright."
"Max what's wrong, you haven't said two words since Angel left earlier, other than giving us the brefing in Edward's room."
"Fang when did you become the new Nudge? And why do you even care?" Max stood with each word her voice got higher. Fang came and put his hand over her mouth. Laughter came from the other room.
"Come on Max, we need to talk." Fang grabbed her hand and headed for the stairs in the living room. Max was fuming, but still had a look in her eye he couldn't quite pin point. "We can't up stairs with out being seen," Max rolled her eyes.
"Iggy? Can we have a minute?"
"Can I take my food?"
"Yeah, sure, just go," Max said she crossed her balled fist over her chest, to hide them from fang. Iggy grabbed his plate and swiftly ran out the door.
Dinning Room
"Max kicked me out of the kitchen they're fighting again. Any room for me?" Charlie pointed to the seat where Edward had been sitting before he went to 'check' on Max, Fang, and Iggy in the kitchen.
"Iggy there is a seat by Bella," Alice pointed out.
"Over here Iggy:" A smile widened Iggy's slender face. Emmett went to help himm with his stuff. Charlie made a questioning look before he took another bite of lasagna, he watched Iggy closely, taking in every little detail. Like when he sat down and Bella pushed his fork to him, when he made a stupid comment and Nudge said "I'm glaring at you Iggy!" everything. He was a cop it was his job after all.
"So um, Dr. Cullen? Are you planning to enroll them in schools, or waiting to see if they like it here enough to stay?" Charlie said between bites. Iggy choked on his food and Bella handed him, his glass of water. Nudge almost fell from her chair. Angel looked up to Edward her eyes wide as the dinner plates currently placed in front of each of them. Her blank stare turned to fear as she turned to Carlisle, she had heard his thoughts. Gazzy sat with food hanging from his mouth.
"May I be excused, I need to um, use the bathroom" Angel ran past Edward at the door of the dinning room, with out waiting to be excused. "Max! Fang!" Angel said before she was in the room, Fang stood as Angel came around the corner, Max looked at Angel be fore offering her hand for Angel. "Max they want -- I can't, we can't -- you can't let them Max!"
"Wow, breath Angel," Max lifted her into her lap. Fang continued, " What did you say?" Fang handed Angel his glass of water to her before she started to hyperventilate.
"They want to send us to school, I heard it. That guy Bella's dad asked if we were going to get signed up for school here. Carlisle didn't say anything out loud but in his head he was thinking about it like actually considering it, then Edward came in, and smiled he said we would like going to school here because then we could stay here with them!"
Max instantly dumped Angel off her lap, she grabbed her hand and led her to the dinning room. "What's this I here of school?" Max let go of Angels hand plaing palms on her hips. She looked first to Charlie then to Carlisle...
I'm so sorry ya'll probably all hate me I know, but E. O. C's (end of course) exams, TAKS testing, studying it was driving me crazy, it was all to much to post, new chapters. But in free time I had a little notebook with me so I could just write in it. I think this is one of my longest chapters. If they are to long tell me same for if they aren't long enough. I'm loving those reviews! Keep them coming, I am begging you (jk jk).
-mai