Hymn for the Missing
Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.
Part Twenty-Nine
Today was the day that Bella had been dreading for months.
It had been an odd summer-with more lows than highs: exam stress, Harry's death, and being attacked by a trio of bloodthirsty vampires being the lows. The highlights had been the times she spent with her wolf and Jacob. Without them propping her up, the summer would have sucked entirely. It had also turned out to be the rainiest summer in the history of the Olympic Peninsula.
And now this bleak date that had lurked in the background, waiting to ambush her, had arrived.
Now that it had hit, it was even worse than Bella feared it would be. She could feel it-she was older. Of course, every day she got older, but this was different, worse, quantifiable. She was turning sixteen-with all the trouble that it brought with it.
When she went to brush her teeth, she was surprised the face looking back at her in the mirror looked the same. She studied her reflection, still unable to shake the feeling of impending doom. Bella tried to relax her face, to push her eyebrows down and smooth the worry lines on her forehead. She brushed the crease in her ivory skin with her fingertips, but there was nothing she could do about the anxiety in her brown eyes.
Bella skipped breakfast, in a hurry to get out of the house before Charlie had a chance to capture and make a fuss on this 'oh, so special day.'
No such luck. Charlie, knowing how his only daughter felt about such things, lay in wait for her. He appeared out of nowhere, nearly colliding with her as she made a run for the front door.
"Happy birthday, kiddo!"
Bella managed to contort her mouth into something resembling a cheerful smile when he congratulated her. She honestly tried to be excited about the gifts that she'd asked him not to get her. With his sadness over Harry still weighing heavily on his heart, she felt she owed him this little bit of happiness. She just wished she could feel it herself.
"I've got an extra special gift for you, Bells." Charlie said mysteriously. He pulled a bunch of keys out of his pocket and jangled them in front of her. "I found a good car for you, really cheap." He announced.
"You bought me a car?" Bella was in total disbelief, until her suspicions kicked in at the way he said "good car for you" as opposed to just "good car." "What kid of car?"
"Well, it's a truck actually, a Chevy."
"Where did you find it?"
Charlie grinned. "Billy-he offered to sell it to me cheap."
His infectious grin made Bella smile in response. She knew exactly what truck Charlie was talking about now. She grabbed the keys off of him, causing him to burst into laughter at her excitement. As she ran outside, there, parked on the street in front of the house-was her new, well, new to her-truck.
Bella gazed at her birthday present in delight. The truck was a faded red colour, with big, rounded fenders and a bulbous cab. It had been parked, abandoned on the Black property since forever. Billy had first bought it in 1984, but as his health deteriorated and the engine seized, it had just become something of an ornament.
In playful moments when she was younger, Bella used to sit in the front cab with Jacob beside her, her small hands resting on the big wheel, pretending to drive the thing. Jacob found her enthusiasm for the old truck amusing. But Bella loved it. She had always envisioned herself in it, and now that vision was becoming reality. It was one of those old iron affairs that never gets damaged-the kind you see at the scene of an accident, paint unscratched, surrounded by pieces of the foreign car it had destroyed.
"Wow, Dad, I love it. This is the best present ever. Thank you."
"I'm glad you like it." Charlie said gruffly, wiping a stray bit of moisture away from his eye. "Jacob totally rebuilt the engine for you."
"So, that's what he's been working on for the past week." Bella laughed-she should have guessed that was the reason she had been banned from entering the garage for the last week.
"Seth helped him." Charlie revealed. "I think it's done the kid good working on it to be honest. He's been struggling since Harry died." He emitted a heavy sigh. "Sue's worried about him. Even though he's back living at home, he still hasn't settled. She told me he's out at all hours, and when she asks him where he's been, he keeps coming up with real feeble excuses. Has he said anything to you?"
Some of the light went out of her when Charlie mentioned Seth. It was true, he had been struggling. He had always been one of the most sincere, optimistic and exceptionally kind guys you could ever meet-like a younger Jacob in a way. But since losing his father in such stressful circumstances, he had was often surly, his moods changing with the winds. She was thankful that Jacob had taken him under his wing, even if that meant she wasn't able to spend as much time with Jacob herself like she used to.
Bella shook the dark thoughts from her mind, and went back to admiring her truck again. "Well, as soon as I get my licence I'll be able to drive it." She said, turning back to Charlie.
"With all the lessons I've been giving you, I would say that you were just about ready." Charlie replied.
Jacob was the one who was supposed to have been teaching her to drive. It was a promise he had made to her a long time ago. It was unusual for him to bail on his promises, but this time he had told her he had no choice. He had just won another big contract from a local car firm to service their vehicles. It meant a steady stream of income.
Bella had been disappointed, but Charlie had quickly stepped in. It hadn't been that bad actually. Being a cop, he had extensive knowledge of road rules and regulations. He was a patient teacher, guiding Bella through her mistakes calmly and concisely. It turned out to be a good bonding experience for both of them.
School was another experience altogether. Bella hadn't mentioned her upcoming birthday to anyone, so she was pretty confident that none of her friends would remember the significance of the date. But she hadn't factored in Mike Newton and his continued obsession for trying to insert himself into every area of her life. His puppy dog like devotion was becoming a bit of a problem.
"Happy Birthday Bella!" Mike called out loudly as soon as he spotted her arriving.
"Shh!" Bella hissed, glancing around the parking lot to make sure no one had heard him. The last thing she wanted was a celebration of the black event.
Mike ignored her. "I've bought you something." He said, thankfully lowering his voice a little. He shoved a small box in her hand, wrapped neatly and tied with a silver bow. "Do you want to open it now?" His watery blue eyes were lit up with eagerness.
"I said no presents." Bella protested in a mumble.
Mike finally seemed to process her mood. "I figured you didn't mean me."
Bella felt slightly guilty. "I'm sorry, Mike. Thank you. I'll open it later, if you don't mind."
Mike's mood brightened instantly. He gave her one of his most winning smiles. "That's fine. What time shall I come over?"
"Huh?"
"For your party." Mike laughed, running his fingers through his tousled blonde hair. "You are having a party, aren't you? You only turn sixteen once. I mean most people enjoy things like birthdays and gifts."
Bella was losing patience with him again. "Not me. I'm not having a party. Its just going to be family and a few close friends."
"What am I then?" Mike joked, his face turning slightly red from all the effort he was making to be engaging. "Am I not a close friend?"
"Of course." Bella struggled to be polite. "What I meant is close family friends. I'm sorry, Mike. Its just the way it is."
"Okay." Mike's expression turned glum. "Maybe we can celebrate some other time."
Bella breathed a sigh of relief that the message was finally getting through. She hooked her arm through his and dragged him toward the school entrance. "You just need to take me the way I am." She said, smiling apologetically. "A big old party pooper."
Attention was never a good thing in Bella's book. Thanks to Mike's big mouth, most of her class knew that she was turning sixteen. She lost count of the times she had to tell everyone that there was going to be no party. Jessica Stanley, another one of her friends, shook her head of black curls and told her she was abnormal-high praise from Jessica.
Angela Weber was more understanding. She peered at Bella nervously through her big, round glasses and gave her a discreetly wrapped gift. "I know you said no presents." She said with a sheepish smile.
Bella smiled back. Out of her all her friends, she liked Angela the most. She was a shy, kind and thoughtful girl. She wasn't intrusive and liked to give space to others, a characteristic very much appreciated by Bella.
"Thanks, Angela." Bella tore off the paper slowly, revealing a long oblong box. When she opened it, she found an old fashioned fountain pen inside, laid in dark red velvet. The inscription on the side said-happy sweet sixteen. "Oh, its beautiful!"
Angela blushed crimson, ducking her head shyly. "I'm glad you like it."
"I love it." Bella gushed. It was just like Angela to be so insightful, to know exactly the type of gift that had meaning. She was truly touched. "Just perfect."
The rest of the day passed peaceably after that.
Later on, that afternoon, Bella was resting in the glade with her wolf, feeling happy and content, telling him that the day she had been dreading so much, hadn't been so bad after all.
The wolf had greeted her with a wagging tail, acting like an overeager puppy. He had licked her face, which had totally grossed her out. He just laughed at her in that funny huffy way he had, which made him sound like he had a bad cough, his tongue lolling out of the side of his muzzle in a comical fashion.
"I love my truck. Its just perfect." Bella declared a little while later as she lounged against him. "Dad bought it off Billy, and Jacob and Seth spent the last week rebuilding the engine."
The wolf made a satisfied humming sound, as if expressing his own pleasure at her happiness.
"And Angela bought me the most beautiful fountain pen." Bella continued. "She really is such a good friend."
The wolf let out a low whine of agreement.
"And I finally opened Mike Newton's present." Bella's mouth turned down. "It was only two tickets to a football game! Ugh, its his way of getting me to go on a date with him on the sly. I don't even like sports."
The wolf began to growl deep in his throat, expressing his immense displeasure. Bella turned to glance up at him, noting the irritation in his expressive dark eyes. She turned to run her fingers though the glossy red-brown fur on his flank to soothe him.
"Don't worry." She reassured him. "I would never date someone like him. I have much better taste."
The wolf barked a laugh. One huge paw shot out and gently knocked her to the ground. Bella squealed like a little girl, scrambling back onto her feet. She dusted herself down, trying to fight a smile.
"Idiot. If you do that again, I might just go home."
This was a game they had played many times over the years. As she proceeded to stalk off in a pretend huff, the wolf rose to his full height, and quickly blocked her path, knocking her over again with his giant paw until she was in a sitting position. Then he rolled her over with his enormous muzzle, growling playfully, while she twisted and howled with laughter.
Bella never had much money, and that had never bothered her. Renee lived on a kindergarten teachers' salary. She rarely sent any of it to Charlie to help with Bella's upkeep, so she was mainly raised on what he earned. He may be a police chief in the tiny town of Forks, but that was never going to make him rich. She had limited personal income, but that was soon to change as she had just scored a job at the local sporting goods store. In a town as small as Forks, she was lucky to have a job at all. And she knew she probably only got that because Mike Newton had pestered his mother into giving her some shifts.
When she got home, she was surprised to find her truck covered in red bunting, with a 'Happy 16th Birthday Bella' sign propped up on the hood. She saw who was responsible when Seth came pelting down the driveway and scooped her up, spinning her around until she was dizzy.
"Happy birthday, munchkin." He laughed close to her ear.
"Hey!" Bella protested breathlessly. "I'm not that little."
Munchkin was his new nickname for her. Seth had shot up in height in recent weeks and packed on the muscle. Bella put that down to him spending so much time in Jacob's company. She knew Jacob worked out (although strangely she had never actually seen him do it, or where he kept his equipment) and he must have roped Seth into being his gym buddy. It was paying dividends for Seth-he suddenly had the attention of every local girl who had overlooked him before. She was glad as it took his focus off her.
Seth chuckled as he placed her carefully back onto her feet. "So, find any grey hairs yet?" He teased.
"You'll be the one giving me grey hairs with all this carry on." Bella scolded playfully, putting her hands on her hips in mock outrage. She was glad to see him in a such a good mood. Maybe he was turning a corner.
"Don't blame me." Seth gestured over his shoulder. "I'm an innocent bystander. This was all Jake's work. It gets worse inside-excuse the banner, it was done at the last minute. And I am definitely not responsible for the cake-blame Billy and your old man for that. Be nice, they did work hard on it."
Bella snorted with laughter at the ridiculousness of the scenario. She couldn't even imagine Charlie and Billy colluding together to make her a cake, but she was touched at the silliness of it all.
With Seth bringing up the rear, she ran lightly up the steps to her front door, and flung the door wide open. "Surprise! The birthday girl is in the house." She sang in an offkey tone.
Charlie, Billy and Jacob emerged from their hiding places, sporting annoyed expressions. They had been waiting to jump out on Bella when she came in. Seth had ruined the surprise.
"Thanks a lot, Seth." Jacob complained, stifling a laugh.
"He knows I hate surprises. As do you." Bella skipped over to Jacob, throwing herself into his open arms. He hugged her gently, one hand stroking the back of her hair.
"Happy birthday, Bella." He murmured.
In his embrace the world stopped still on its axis. There was something so warm, something that felt right, smelt right. She let her body sag; her muscles become loose. He gave her the respect of an equal but cradled her like a cherished child. She felt him brush her hair back with his fingertips and kiss her gently on the forehead, before letting go.
Bella lamented the loss of his touch, but couldn't ponder too long, as Charlie and Billy crowded around her, pulling her toward the kitchen, where an outlandish banner had been hung above the doorway. She choked on her laughter as she gazed upon the food spread across the table-it was like something you'd find at a child's party-complete with jelly and ice cream. It was clear the old men had cobbled it together. It was perfect.
"And who made this wonderful cake?" Bella asked as she focused on the chocolate splodge in the centre of the table.
Charlie puffed out with pride. "I did." He side-eyed Billy when his friend made a small noise of protest. "He helped-if you could call it helping."
"Ignore him, Bella. It may not look much, but it tastes delicious." Billy cut in, laughing.
"Well, you should know." Charlie said disapprovingly. "You kept sticking your fingers in the cake mixture. I'm surprised we had enough left to make the actual cake."
Bella exchanged an amused glance with Jacob and Seth. She was used to Charlie and Billy's petty arguments. They were like old women at times, they way they wound each other up.
"I'm sure it tastes great. Actually, let me try it now."
"Wait! The candles! Where are the candles?" Charlie looked around vaguely. He groaned. "I forgot the candles."
"It doesn't matter." Bella laughed. She reached for the knife and began to cut the cake into five equal pieces. She plated them and handed them out.
When she passed a plate to Jacob, her fingers accidentally brushed his. She felt her skin flush, and when she looked at him, he was wearing the sweetest smile. "Happy 16th birthday, Bells." He said again, making her insides tingle.
His present to her had been a fine gold chain to replace the silver charm bracelet which had become too small for her wrist. He had attached the same wolf charm to it, which he had carved for her all those years ago when she was eight. The chain was long enough that the wolf charm rested close to her heart. Just like Angela's fountain pen, and the truck, it was the perfect gift.
They all raised a toast and sang happy birthday to her, making her blush a bright pink. Just as Billy foretold, the cake was indeed delicious. The centre was rich and sweet, the coating was double cream mixed with melted chocolate.
In its simplicity, surrounded by those she loved the most, it was the best birthday Bella had ever had.
A/N-thanks for reading!