Sorry for the lack of author notes, but I figure y'all would rather just get to the story! Thanks for the wonderful rec's and reviews! Sorry for the late posting, but just had some (minor, no worries) surgery. But I'm feeling better now!
Chapter 11
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."-Thoreau
The sun was shining over the sparkling snow when the three returned from their hunting. Edward had his arms wrapped around Bella from behind, as they were waiting on the porch. Fred could smell the exhaust of their SUV, which let him know their stay was at an end.
"You're leaving so soon, Cousin?" Kate asked.
Bella smiled. "It's time. It will be easier for Fred without Renesmee here, and we've done what we came to do."
Edward stroked Bella's arm. "It will be less stressful, Fred, without the extra people around. I know you've had a lot going on in your mind; it will be simpler to focus with fewer of us around."
"When you get your thirst under control, you should come visit us, Fred," Bella added kindly.
Garrett laughed suddenly. "And let me guess; if you didn't head home now, we'd have an additional furry visitor?"
"Yeah, I can't imagine that you would like to meet Jacob right now, Fred." Bella smiled knowingly.
Fred just looked confused.
Garrett laughed again. "Don't worry, we'll clue you in before you head down to visit."
In the mean time, Kate was at the SUV, touching hands through the window with Renesmee, adding her goodbyes.
"If you need anything, you know we're just a phone call away," Edward offered seriously.
"Do you think you're going to keep me from poquita?" Carmen answered from the doorway, where she stood with Eleazar. "We will be wearing out our welcome down there soon enough!"
Bella hugged her. "And you know you're always welcome."
Fred moved cautiously to Bella and pushed his hand forward formally. She grasped his open palm, only to pull his surprised body into a hug.
"Thank you, Bella."
"Hey Fred?"
He leaned back to look at the petite woman before him in the eye.
"You know, they say the best revenge is living well." She smirked and returned her arm around her husband's waist.
He nodded in understanding, and a small smile graced his face. "I see you are living with a vengeance then."
Bella's laugh tinkled across the tundra. "You've no idea. Stay well, and know our invitation is sincere. We are only a phone call away, even if it's just to chat, okay?"
Fred felt an ache in his chest where his stone heart resided. He could tell how sincere she was in the offer, and with all her other help, it touched him. He nodded silently, before shaking Edward's hand. The men's eyes met, and another nod of understanding passed between them.
Tanya popped up behind Carmen and Eleazar, and she hollered, "You all have a safe trip now!" to which everyone assembled laughed loudly.
Quiet days passed after the Cullens left. Fred was feeling at loose ends, and honestly, now that he had company, found he was a bit bored. He wondered what he could do to thank the family for taking him in so wholeheartedly. He noticed how the woodpile was becoming a bit sparse; they had more fires going while Renesmee was there, to keep it to a more human temperature. He also had a sneaky suspicion that the two couples found it romantic, and needed more closeness than usual lately.
Which had him thinking about Tanya again. He knew what Kate had said, had practically suggested, but even if he were interested -not that he wasn't-he wasn't going to get anywhere. Tanya seemed to be avoiding him like the plague.
He found a heavy duty mauling ax resting under the eaves near the wood pile, and headed out to the forest.
Still 'borrowing' Garrett's clothing, Fred decided to take off the excessively tight shirt, figuring he would manage to rip it.
He wandered, finding a dead tree and chopped it down quickly. He may not sweat anymore, but the rhythmic physical labor soothed his mind. He found himself focusing on the grain of the wood, the swing and thud of the ax head as it split the circular rings. Whistle and thud, whistle and thud; he knew he was getting sawdust in his hair, smatterings of it across his broad chest. He found he enjoyed it; the honest labor making him feel more human, even as his skin shimmered in the light, reminding him that it was only a semblance.
As Fred worked, he considered his place in his new family. Eleazar had said that gifts were often manifestations of a trait you once held when you were human. Damned if he could pinpoint how he got his talent. It's not like he made anyone throw up before, in his human days—not even metaphorically. He knew he was considered to be a stand-up guy; nothing weasely about him. He internally smirked. Its not like I was studying gastroenterology either.
He began stacking the wood where he chopped, not sure the best way to get it back to the cabin. As he moved, he considered the other members of the family. Carmen was like a favored aunt; sweet, with a bit of spice to keep her from being boring.
He cleaned up the brush as he moved on to the next couple. Kate was rather quiet, whether that was her personality, or just the way she was giving him space, he couldn't quite tell. He liked the way she would touch his arm in passing, or even ruffle his hair when she teased him. It made him feel like a well loved younger brother, and though he hadn't put voice to his feelings, he appreciated it deeply. After nearly a year alone, and before that time spent literally watching his back, he gained immeasurable comfort from the sense of family they gave him.
Even the chores.
Garrett was probably the one he most connected with. He was straightforward and passionate about many things, never having a problem speaking his mind. Some might dislike that sort of person, but Fred preferred it. He would rather have honesty than platitudes any day.
But Tanya was who was driving him insane. He knew she felt as guilty for her own sister as he did about his. He knew Kate-and probably the rest—was hoping he could help her through her grieving, but hell, how could he? He wondered what it was exactly that he had done to make her avoid him.
He felt guilty for thinking of her. He knew logically, he would have to move on from his feelings of guilt over his own sister, but that woman kept interrupting his thoughts.
Fred looked at the stack he'd completed while he pondered. Half a cord's worth of wood sat neatly stacked, waiting to be moved. He smiled before trying to brush out the chips from his hair, and off his chest. He reached for Garrett's shirt which he left hanging on a nearby branch, and slid his arms through it. He left it unbuttoned, while his thoughts turned to the hot shower he was looking forward to.
Tanya was running again, in big circuits, far from the cabin. I will not attack him. I will not attack him. It nearly became a mantra, in tempo with her footfalls on the snow and occasional rock.
She knew she had been actively avoiding her houseguest. He scrambled her mind, and she really didn't think he was able to comprehend right now their being mates. So, she struggled to give him the space he would need.
Trees would have been a blur to human eyes as she sped over the mountainous terrain. The whiteness of the snow glared and reflected on her own sparkling skin. Tanya noticed none of it, though. She wanted to learn everything about Fred—wanted to share what she herself had learned over the last thousand years—but a small, honest corner of her brain was worried about how he would view that history.
Never having felt insecure about a man before left Tanya completely lost. Dalliances didn't require you to be a good person, just a really good fuck. After seeing so many happily mated couples though, she knew that simply wouldn't be enough.
Could she be enough for him?
It was then that the rhythmic thud and the scent of ocean and bay came to her, forcing her to stop in her tracks. She breathed deeply, taking in the smell that was starting to mean everything to her, if she wasn't trying to fool herself.
Quietly, she came up upon the overlooking ridge. Oh. Holy. Mother of God. Tanya ogled. Her eyes noted the smooth skin covering the flexing back muscles as he slid the ax up and down. The jeans he had borrowed were sitting low on his hips, making her breath quicken. When he turned slightly, as he struck the ax, she could see the small bits of wood that were tangled in the sparse golden chest hairs.
What she wouldn't do to be one of those wood chips.
She closed her eyes tightly then took a deep breath, her senses drinking his scent. She opened her eyes once more, and decided it would be best to head back to the cabin. She wouldn't want to be caught staring, and if he was out of the house, it would be a good time to return.
A happy little wood chip was her only thought on the way back home.
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