Ooookay… so apparently I am incapable of adhering to a schedule. So I am throwing the schedule out and maybe the opposite will happen.
Oh… I'd like to give a shout-out to my super fantastic beta "Spell check on Microsoft Word"… you rock!
DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight... yay for her… boo for me.
I quietly slipped out of the elevator and headed down the hall toward Jacob's condo, hoping that he was still at work and wouldn't catch on to my whereabouts.
"Where the hell have you been?" Damn. He emerged from the elevator just as I reached for the door.
"You know where I've been Jake." I stated matter-of-factly.
"Jesus Christ. You can't just leave well enough alone." Jake brushed past me as he entered the room, temporarily heating my upper arm as his elbow brushed against it. I'd grown sick of the heat. I was always sweaty in this place, sweaty in bed, sweaty on the couch, sweaty as he loomed over me in the kitchen desperate for food. I can't even count how many showers I take in one afternoon in this place.
I ran towards the thermostat cranking it all the way down to 60. "I can't take this fucking heat anymore!"
"What the hell is your problem?" He mumbled from the couch. "It's not like I can help being this hot all the time."
Then he started laughing and something inside me snapped and I freaked out, stomping as hard as I possibly could as I walked over and slapped him across the upper arm. I wanted so badly to walk into this place, pack all of my things and leave for good. I wanted to be back in Forks with Edward and Charlie going to high school and flirting with my lab partner and taking walks through the wood and lying in the meadow.
"You think this is funny!" I screamed at him throwing my jacket onto the ground and running into the bathroom cranking the shower on full blast at the coldest setting possible and dunked my head, face down, under the running water.
A few minutes later Jacob crept into the bathroom and sighed as he watched me drench my head and neck in icy water.
"You slapped me." He stated matter-of-factly.
"It didn't hurt." I gurgled from beneath the water.
"True. It didn't hurt physically, but it did symbolically." He sighed once more and threw a towel across my back. "I realize you're going through some mood swings due to your little memory predicament; but could we not do the whole slapping thing? Yelling is plenty."
I removed my head from spray of the shower and cut off the water and began toweling off my head.
"I'm going to Forks to see Charlie." I mumbled as I rung out my hair into the tub.
"That's probably for the best." Jacob agreed and rubbed his hand up and down my back. I shivered a bit and he backed up again. "I don't like seeing you like this." I shot him a questioning glare. "All freaking out and stuff. It's not like you."
"I don't know how else to be right now."
Jacob chuckled and took the towel from me, hanging it on the towel rack. "Well, I guess you better go pack. I'll get your suitcase." He smiled and left the room, walking down the hall before rummaging through a hall closet. His smile was so familiar, like the old Jake, the one I loved.
"Hey. We just had a moment there." I laughed as I followed after him.
"Yeah?" He asked from inside the closet.
He lifted a medium sized purple plastic suitcase out of the closet. "I was thinking earlier, how you haven't really been yourself lately. Not just yourself, like you forgot, but like yourself like your old self. And I was thinking I'm to blame for that. Not my fault entirely because you have amnesia and that is a little to blame, but you still remember your old self and if you aren't acting like that then I probably have a lot to do with it cuz we fight all the time." He laughed a little. "Did you understand any of that?" He rubbed the back of his neck nervously and set the suitcase down at my feet.
"Actually, I understood it completely." We both laughed and the mood lightened significantly from the dark depressing cloud that had been looming over us since I had awoken.
"Awesome, cuz I really wouldn't know how else to say it. Now, let's get you packed." He patted the suitcase and picked it up once more, practically floating to the bedroom.
A few hours and a big pan of lasagna later the packing was complete and Jake and I sat leisurely on the couch eating ourselves into an Italian oblivion while we watched the Mummy trilogy on FX.
"How badass would it be if I had the ability to dislodge my jaw and send a plague's worth of locusts toward my enemies?" Jacob joked.
"You already have the ability to change into a giant beastly wolf with super speed and massive strength at will… I think any more powers would just be unfair to all the other monsters in the world."
"Quite right. Okay, you can have that power." He chuckled tapping my head as if he was summoning the Gods to grant me the aforementioned ability.
"Wow, I'd have the boys lining the street to get a piece of me."
"Yeah, that could turn into a pretty awkward make-out session."
In a moment of stupidity I uttered the worst thing I could possibly reference at such a perfect friendly moment such as this one.
"I admire you, Jake. I think you are the only guy who would joke about his fiancé making out with other guys."
A fork hit a plate. A gasp left both of our mouths. Silence fell over the room. Well, except for the sound of the television, the rain, and the dog snorting like a pig.
"I'm sorry." I pleaded as I pressed my face into my palms.
"It's okay. We should be able to joke about it… you know, or at least talk about it." He removed my hands from my face and placed them in my lap.
"It's weird for me." His face flashed with hurt and I quickly repaired my comment. "I mean… because I don't remember. I just remember you as a friend."
"I understand. Maybe when you remember we should talk about it. Until then it's kind of a moot point." He smiled through his struggle.
"Thanks Jake." I leaned over and hugged him.
"For what." He laughed.
"For being you… finally. I missed you."
"So… you never told me how Edward was today."
"He was good. He actually suggested the whole going back to Forks thing." Jake quickly lifted himself off of the couch and grabbed our finished plates. "He tried to talk to me about him coming back after leaving and re-apologizing… but I really think it would be emotionally easier for both of us if I just remembered… it was obviously hard for him to revisit that time."
"Sounds about right. I wouldn't want to relive all those months I watched you suffer while he went off gallivanting around the world." He scoffed walking out of the kitchen and plopping back down on the couch while the last movie started. "Hey, I had an idea." Jake quickly changed the subject to lighten the mood.
"And what idea would that be?"
"Well, my dad has been bugging me for months to come down to Forks and hang out on the Rez and fish… you know how we do. So, I was wondering if maybe you could hold off a day or two and I could drive you down to Forks." I looked at him skeptically. The last thing I wanted was to have him following me around everywhere. "I know what you're thinking… I promise I will stay out of your hair. I got too much to do anyway."
"Oh yeah… and what is it that will occupy all of your time."
"Quil, Embry, Sam, fishing, maybe a camping trip. Would you like a schedule, milady." He chuckled as Brendan Fraser screamed like a little girl about something or other.
It really didn't sound like a bad idea. I hadn't really taken into account that the Rez boys were still down there and I was sure if Jacob gave me any trouble any of the boys would be happy to keep him at bay.
***************************2 days later********************************
8:00 AM: "Wake up… Wake up… WAKE UPPPPP!" Jake plopped something on top of me and within seconds snorting echoed through my ears and I screamed, jumping up faster than a… kangaroo? A fly when you try to smack it? A rabbit? Take your pick. I hate that dog.
"Let us make our way to the door fair maiden and we shall embark on our long awaited journey to the land of Forks… home to thy father and wicked step-mother."
"You are such an idiot." I laughed pitching a pillow at his head as he left the room to grab our bags.
He halted as the pillow made contact with his occipital lobe and threw the bags down grabbing the pillow as it lay lifelessly on the floor.
"You dare to mock the courtesy of such a formidable lad as I? Then I shall make you to rue such an action, wench!" He ran over and stuffed the pillow in my face actively cutting off all use of my mouth as he tickled me. Then just as quickly as it started he turned on his heels and gracefully picked up the bags, leaving the room.
"Wench? I thought I was a fair maiden!" I called after him as I changed my clothing.
"That was before you decided to chunk a pillow at my skull." He called from the doorway. "I'll be in the car… hurry up!!!"
*****************************about 3 hrs. Later ********************************
I was standing outside of Jake's truck staring at the old white house I had grown to love more than almost anywhere I had ever been… which wasn't too many places… but it beat Phoenix, even with all the rain and snow.
I noticed that the trusty police cruiser was not in its normal yard space… but then again I had not given Charlie any notice of my arrival until yesterday afternoon.
Jake helped me by lugging my suitcase up the stairs and with a hug and an awkward kiss on the cheek I sent him on his way and sat in my old bedroom pondering my thoughts. Until I heard a lock click and someone patter about downstairs. It couldn't have been Charlie, because he didn't get off until six on weekdays. So I quietly slipped out of my room with the bat Edward had lent me after one of the famous Cullen family baseball games to find whoever had decided to break into the house.
Once I got to the base of the stairs I turned the corner to the den and let out a giant screech as I ran for whoever was in the kitchen.
"BELLA?" The perpetrator screamed as she held her hands out in front of herself for protection.
I froze where I was, which was right behind the couch with a bat held over my head in preparation to beat down a burglar. What the hell was Sue Clearwater doing in my dad's house? So I decided to ask her.
"Sue… what the hell are you doing here? You scared me to death." I panted letting my arms drop and throwing the bat onto the couch.
"I can explain that… You probably don't remember but, your dad and I have been seeing each other for a few years." This was the perfect time for the classic cartoonish "what the fuck?" face. My dad, Chief Swan was seeing Sue Clearwater. This was going to be a process.
A quick "Wow" was all I could muster.
"Well, umm… Your dad should be home in a couple of hours… he has someone covering for him so he can leave early." She twirled a rag in between her fingers while she looked back at a small gathering of dirty dishes on the counter. "Do you want some lunch?" She tried to laugh off a bit of discomfort we were both experiencing. I was probably the reason for the tense environment. It was just so weird. My dad and Sue Clearwater. I guess Seth would be kind of like my brother if they got married… and Leah. I hated Leah. I remember that very well. She always had it out for me because I was close with Jake. Big whoop, it's not like he liked her at all… he didn't imprint on her.
Then again he didn't imprint on me as far as I know. That's something to think about.
"That sounds great." She smiled and let out a long exhale and turned toward the pantry. "I'm really glad my dad found you. As far as I can remember he was getting a bit pathetic."
"Thanks Bella. That means a lot." I could hear the smile in her voice as she took some bread out of its packaging and began arranging sandwiches for us.
Charlie eventually made it home and after some R&R in my room, gathering my thoughts, we headed out to the old diner where the two of us used to eat at least twice a week. Steak and cobbler. Same old dad. It was nice to still have a little stability.
"Bella?" A small voice called from across the diner. I turned to see Angela sitting at a table with Ben.
"Angela? Oh my God!" I rushed toward her end of the restaurant, leaving Charlie and Sue to find a table.
Ben stood and helped her out of her chair, revealing a rather large bump where her belly should have been.
"Bella, I haven't seen you in forever, how are you?" She squealed as I hugged her and glanced toward her stomach and back at Ben, who blushed.
"How am I? How are you? You're having a baby!?"
"It would appear so." She laughed, adjusting her black framed glasses. "It's a girl! I'm about 8 months, so I'm ready to get this thing out of me."
"That's amazing! I can't believe this. I'm so happy for both of you." Angela was teetering a bit and I begged her to take a seat. She agreed but only if I would stay for a little while longer so she could hear all about the big city.
"So… Jacob Black? I heard you two were engaged. How is that going?" She asked sweetly, but I could tell she was not completely in favor of my choice. She had always like Edward for me, even if Jessica almost murdered her over it.
"It's good." I lied.
"I have to be honest. When Edward came back I was sure you were going to marry him straight away… Then you showed up at the wedding last year with Jake and…" She stared off into space for a few moments that returned when Ben tapped her shoulder. "Sorry, my attention span has been less that short lately… Too much going on down here!" She laughed and patted her stomach.
I went ahead and assumed that the wedding was between Angela and Ben, noticing the rings on each of their fingers. I wished I could remember their wedding day. I bet it was intimate and small, in the small white chapel on the outskirts of town where she had told me her parents were married. I could see flowers that were white and lilac… purple was her favorite color.
Her dress was long sleeved and completely lace with a strapless underlay. She had always been beautiful in her own quirky way, but today she was stunning. But what I loved most about her outfit was that she kept her glasses on. We had been debating it since the beginning of the day and finally she decided to keep them on. Her face glowed in a way no makeup could mimic and her black hair fell in soft waves, framing her face and cascading down the back of her dress.
Someone was off the side playing the violin and Edward sat solemnly in the corner playing the piano. I tore my eyes away from Angela to find him glancing toward me as I made my way down the center aisle, carrying Angela's train. I smiled back coyly but quickly so Jake wouldn't catch me.
I wasn't happy about my dress because it was strapless and fell down occasionally because I had lost some weight since the fitting. I did however love the color, navy blue. It was synched in at the waist and fell an inch or so past my knee, which I was comfortable with, but someone had forced me to wear a ridiculous pair of pewter pumps with a rather tall heel. I had to practice walking in them all week so I wouldn't fall during the middle of the wedding.
"Bella?" I returned to the Diner to find Angela waving her hand in my face. "You okay?" She asked, gazing deeply into my eyes.
"Yes. I'm fine." I turned to see Charlie and Sue ordering. "Well, I better get back to my Dad; but I'm going to call you later. We can catch up later this week sometime?"
"That sounds great! It's so good to see you Bella; Forks never felt the same after you left." She touched my hand, knowing she couldn't get up again to hug me. I said bye to Ben and drifted over to order my dinner.
I couldn't believe it. Only one day back in this town and I was remembering things.
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