Hello everyone!
Enjoy this early Christmas present from me: a new chapter of Normality! I know it's been awhile since the last chapter, and I apologize. Lots of people have asked me to update and please know that I do read every review and PM I get, however sometimes I have to put my real life first. Keep bugging me to update, but keep in mind that if you're a bit too rude it'll probably just make me stubborn!
I have every intention of finishing this fanfiction, no matter how long it takes. I'm finding these chapters frustrating to write, as they're a bit slow moving, so hopefully things will speed up soon. I really want you guys to know how the story ends straight from my brain!
On another note, this weekend I will be flying from my home here in New Zealand to Orlando, Florida. I'll be travelling a bit around the east coast, so if anyone has suggestions for things to do in Orlando, Washington DC or New York let me know (especially cool food places that you recommend :D). Also, if anyone wants to meet up for coffee while I'm there let me know!
Chapter 21 - The rest of Thursday
Sometime later red and blue lights shine through the window of the coffee shop as a police car pulls up out front, coming to a screeching halt. The driver's door flies open as a man runs around the front to the car, lights still flashing. He's in full police uniform, the heavy belt he wears bouncing as the man's hand automatically comes up to steady the gun on his hip.
Jacob meets him at the door, holding it open as the man rushes in, stumbling over the threshold and coming to a halt. His face is aged, lined with wrinkles and pinched in distress. There are now grey hairs interspersed with his natural brown, both in his hair and his moustache.
Otherwise, my father looks exactly how I remember him.
Edward loosens his arms, but I cling tighter. As much as I want to go to him, the events on the day have worn on me physically and emotionally. I don't know if this is all just one big dream, my subconscious battling to shut down and protect myself. Air escapes me in harsh, wheezing breaths, my lungs constricting as Edward attempts to convince me to calm down. Everyone in the room is frozen, waiting for something to happen, for someone to make a move.
"Daddy…" My tortured cry seems to break the silence and my father rushes over to me, kneeling down in front of where I'm sitting across Edward's lap. Close up I can see the deep circles under his eyes, the 15 years since I've seen him showing in the wrinkles and age marks on his face.
All of these features register in the seconds it takes me to scan his face, awkwardly avoiding eye contact even though I would love nothing more look him in the eyes for this reunion. My breathing is still shallow, rattling from my chest and through my aching throat. I can hear Edward speaking softly into my ear but nothing makes sense. My eyes are drawn down to my father's uniform, the shiny, gold police badge sitting proudly in his breast pocket. A memory breaks through from the fog of afternoons sitting on a couch, tucked under Daddy's arm and running my fingers over the smooth planes are raised edges of of a badge just like this one.
My arm moves without my consent, reaching out to gently trail the tip of my finger down the middle of the badge. As I run my finger over this familiar token of my childhood I can feel my thoughts start to slow down, my breathing follows.
"Bells?" Daddy's voice is like a sledgehammer smashing me back into reality. He reaches up to brush a lock of my hair behind my ear. "Oh baby, look at you all grown up. You're so beautiful."
With a sob I reach up and take is his hand in mine, squeezing tight. His warm, slightly calloused hand feels right. Like home.
"I missed you so much Daddy." Dad lets out something between and laugh and a sob.
"I missed you too, Bells."
The moment hung, frozen in time, a precious bundle of indescribable feelings. For once I have no trouble sifting through them, identifying the joy, relief, happiness, astonishment. Overlaying everything is a layer of rage aimed at one person in particular. For now I squash it down so that I can log this moment, this feeling, and remember it later.
Daddy clears his throat, rubbing his eyes for a second before straightening up and glancing between Edward and I, taking a particular interest in where Edward's hand is resting on my thigh.
"Boy, you better tell me who you are and what makes you think you can touch my daughter like that in front of me."
Edward freezes, his hand quickly rising off my leg to hang uncertain in the air above it. As much as he tries to subtly put space between us I resist, keeping one arm firmly locked around his neck.
I look between the two men, studying the similarities and differences. Daddy gets to his feet, standing in the wide stance with his arms crossed in front of him as he stares unwavering at Edward. His eyes shine like he's almost been crying, but underneath they're hard as steel, worn and guarded. In contrast, Edward is the most nervous I've ever seen him. His mouth opens and closes silently as he searches for something to say, and his cheek blush so red I can feel the heat radiating from his face. I hate seeing him so nervous when he's usually so strong and held together. For once I want to protect him, to stand up for him.
With a fresh resolve I straighten up and face my father, meeting his gaze with as much confidence as I can muster. His brown eyes, identical to mine, widen in shock and soften. I realize this is perhaps the first time he's ever seen me meet someone's gaze.
"Daddy," I say, taking a deep breath. "This is Edward. My Husband..."
"HUSBAND! What…?" I cut off his outburst as quickly as I can.
"... And I love him very much, so please can you be nice to him?"
My dad wavers for a second, shuffling from foot to foot, glancing between us in question. After studying me for a second, staring into my eyes and rubbing his hands through his hair he finally sinks into the armchair opposite us, adjusting his belt and leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees.
"OK, kid. You better fill me in on everything, and don't you dare leave out a single detail."
As Edward and I explain the last few weeks between the two of us I become aware of how inconceivable the tale must come across. Counting back I realize I've only known Edward for a few weeks, even if those weeks have felt like a lifetime.
I zone out again while Edward and Daddy talk. Instead I focus on the pinstripe pattern of Edward shirt, gently rubbing the starchy collar between my fingers. The rumble of their voices surrounding me is comforting. At one point Edward shifts me to the side slightly so that he can extract his phone from his front pocket. In a rush I zone back into the conversation.
"Here is a copy of the police report and restraining order we filed before we left Phoenix." Edward says as he hands over his phone to my Dad. He squints down at the screen, clumsy fingers scrolling through whatever he is reading. I haven't looked at the report myself, but I know Edward has been following up with the officers in Phoenix since we left.
All of a sudden Dad freezes, the blood draining from his face. He glances up at me, eyes wide. I try to pinpoint the emotions in his eyes, but they slip through my fingers like sand. He glances back at the phone before turning it to face me.
"She… she did this to you?" His voice wavers and I'm so focused on how unstable he sounds, the indescribable emotions dancing across his face, that it takes me a second to finally look at the screen. What I see makes me draw in a sharp breath in shock.
The bright red gash is the thing that stands out, jagged and bright against my skin. The bruising around the cut looks worse than I remember, a deep purple fading to red around the edges. I know that it faded from that into a grisly yellow a few days later, and has only recently fully healed. I find it hard to recognize myself in the photo, my gaze drawn to the empty, hollow look in my eyes.
I turn away and bury my face in Edward's chest, feeling ashamed and embarrassed that everyone here is privy to one of the worst moments of my life. This time I let the numbness wash over me and try to shut out the somewhat heated discussion in the room. before I can completely lose myself in my thoughts something stirs in the back of my mind, trying to crawl to the surface. It won't let me rest, and finally I force out the words.
"She's here." Everyone falls silent around me.
"Who's here, Sweetheart?" Edward's voice is gentle and coaxing.
"Mother." Edward's hand freezes against my leg, holding me tight against him as I continue. "I saw her when I got here this morning. She was across the road sitting at the bus stop. She was staring at me."
I don't wait to observe anyone's reaction. Instead I let the numbness drag me under.
My second experience of being in Carlisle and Esme's house is even more stressful than the first. As our convoy of vehicles pulls up Esme is waiting on the front porch, coming down the stairs to meet us. She opens the car door and pulls me into a hug without hesitation, leading me into the house. My mind is still numb and I let her guide me to a seat in the kitchen. My father and Edward check on me and I manage to vaguely reassure them before they leave the room in heated discussion about lawyers and restraining orders.
Once alone with Esme I finally try to relax as she bustles around the kitchen, her soft voice chatting about nonsensical topics as she goes. I draw my knees up and hug them to my chest, laying my head down as I track her movements. She places a sandwich on the table in front of me but doesn't push me to eat, instead returning to her activities. I hear the doorbell ring a few times, and sometimes people enter the kitchen briefly. Otherwise I'm ignorant to the time passing, instead enjoying Esme's warm atmosphere.
Eventually Rosalie joins us, her stained white singlet and old blue overalls tied around her waist indicate she's come directly from work. She wraps me in a gentle hug, but it's Lexie who finally drags me to the surface. Her small hand slips into mine, pulling me with her into the living room and over to a shelf of movies. My sluggish brain struggles to keep up with her as she asks my opinion on what to watch, not appearing bothered by my lack of response and instead picking one herself.
After setting the movie to play Lexie climbs onto my lap on the couch, snuggling into me as I wrap her in my arms. I'm still amazed that this tiny, perfect human has chosen to place such trust in me, someone she hardly knows. I'm thankful she has, because as she explains the characters in the movie - a young Hawaiian girl named Lilo who befriends a strange blue alien called Stitch - I forget all about the pain, sadness and anger I've felt today. Instead I smile and laugh along with the moving, enjoying this small glimpse into a childhood I never had.
Esme and Rosalie join us eventually, with more sandwiches and a large bowl of popcorn. I help myself to a sandwich and munch on small handfuls of popcorn as I enjoy the movie. Lexies excitement is contagious.
Towards the end of the movie I feel the couch shift. My senses tingle as Edward settles onto the couch, resting his arm across the seat back behind me. I lean into him, finally relaxed, while I continue to focus on the screen. Stitch and Lilo are being captured by Gantu but Stitch manages to escape, leaving Lilo on board the spacecraft. I can barely remember the last time I watched a cartoon, but I don't remember them being this...sad.
I'm entranced by the characters, by their reactions and emotions. Lilo's sister, Nani, is clearly distraught as Lilo is taken away and I understand the love she feels for her sister, her family.
Edward leans towards me. "Bella, I need to talk to you about your Moth…"
"SHHHHHHH." Me and Lexie both shush him immediately, turning to look at him. His eyes widen in surprise, but his sweet lips betray the smile he's trying to hold in. He nods with mock seriousness, miming a shushing noise in response with his forefinger against his lips. Lexie seems convinced he will remain quiet, so I trust her judgment, returning to watch the movie.
Throughout the rest of the movie I focus solely on the emotions of the characters, the heartbreak of loss and the intense yearning and desire to rescue Lilo. As the movie comes to its end the characters are all reunited, a mismatch family bound together by their love for one another. A lump forms in my throat making it difficult to swallow as I feel myself begin to cry, silent streaks of tears falling down my face. I can recognize the emotions of the scene, identify the intense love I feel for Edward and his family, a family I've chosen to be a part of.
I realize that up until this point I've subconsciously held a tiny piece of doubt in my mind about my feelings. I haven't known Edward long, and it might seem ludicrous that I married a man I'd barely known a week, but everything I felt up until this moment is true and real for me. Something drew me to Edward and I'm so happy I got to keep it, keep this.
The credits roll and I hug Lexie tightly, happy also that I get to spend time with such a sweet little girl. I turn and bury my tear stained face into Edward's shirt, my heart aching when I feel his lips press against the top of my head.
"I Love you Bella." I hear him whisper. I love him too. I really hope he knows that. I press my lips to his chest, trying to avoid revealing my face for a few moments longer, wanting to hold this moment in place.
"Don't cry Aunty Bella." I can't resist Lexie, turning to face her. "You're our Ohana now." Her smile shines and I can't help but return one, brushing my tears away as much as possible.
"I think I need to cheer up my girls…" Edward's tone is teasing and playful. "How about a… tickle attack!" Without warning one of his hands flutters against my waist while the other goes after Lexie, instinct causing me to flinch away from the intrusion. Laugh bubbles out of me immediately as Lexie lets out a scream, slipping down from my lap to escape Edwards reach. I'm powerless to move, caught breathless by the tickling as he lightly digs both his hands into my waist. I can't control the giggles as I try to twist out of his grasp.
"Say Uncle!" Edward says, the laughter in his eyes and bright smile making my heart squeeze with joy.
"Never!" I scream, intent on drawing out the happiness. I try one final time to break away, throwing my weight away from him. I must catch him off guard. He tries to keep a hold of me but my momentum topples us both to the floor. We roll ungracefully until I land on top of him with a thump, stunned.
I'm dazed for a second, until Edward's laughter breaks my trance and I join in once more.
I hear laughter from around the room. Esme and Rosalie laugh along with us, and I see Carlisle and Emmett have joined us as well. Sitting up, I look around until I see my Dad standing in the doorway to the kitchen. He's leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, a small smile on his face. It hits me again that he's here and I feel bad for shutting down so much today. I climb to my feet and go to him, not even thinking twice before wrapping my arms around his waist and squeezing tight as he wraps me up in his arms.
"I missed you so much baby girl." He says quietly.
"I missed you too Dad." I reply, and I know now that everything will be OK.
Thanks for reading guys. Until next time.
Secret xoxo