Chapter 9 of A Totally Different Story
A/N: I am so so so so so terribly sorry that I have taken so so so so so long in getting chapter 9 up but without any further delay, here it is……….
Previously:
"Know what!? I don't know anything. Not yet at least. If you could explain these things to me that would be greatly appreciated though! I mean she says leave me alone forever. What kind of a mother does that? And you? All this time and you tell me nothing about where she is or why she left. Nothing at all! I just what to know why this is happening and what you are hiding from me." After that little rant I took a deep breath.
"There is no easy way to explain this to you but I can try," my dad said after a long pause. "Where should I start?" he muttered mostly to himself.
"The beginning usually helps," I said with more patience than I really had.
"Well, here goes..."
"The woman whom you have called mother for the 15 1/2 of the 16 years of your life isn't in fact your biological mother as you may have already guessed. Your mother's name is Renee Dwyer and her husband's name is Phil.
"We got married right of high school and had you right away. It didn't last very long. She left before you could even develop a memory of her.
"She wanted to take you to live with her in Arizona, she even went to a judge to try to get you, but she wasn't in a position to take as good care of you as I could. She didn't have a house at the time, or a job. She just walked out with nothing except plane fare and her clothes.
"And that's when Vanessa –the woman you've known as your mother- came into the picture. We were never, and aren't ever going to be married. We're hardly even friends but Vanessa works for a business in Europe called The Volturi.
"She's never actually explained the details of her job or exactly what Volturi is but she did tell me that your mother was your Protector. And that when she left and couldn't take you as well then you were left vulnerable.
"Vulnerable to what, I'm not exactly sure, but this Volturi group, they want to see to it that you remain alive, not that you're going to die or something's going to happen to you at all. But they've certain knowledge that leads to something and that involves you.
"Vanessa became your new Protector, sent directly from the Volturi, whom your mother inadvertently worked for as well. When Vanessa came, she explained only that you might be seen as a threat to some, I don't know who, and that it would be easier if we lived a completely different life altogether.
"So, our names were changed on most of our records and we moved a couple times when you were younger. Your birth name is actually Isabella Marie Swan but I removed Marie and replaced Isabella with Olivia. My name was Charlie Swan but I don't think it ever will be again. For now, I'm Alexander Swan and I'm not going to change on you. I'm still your dad.
"You must understand, though, it was easier to use the façade of us all being a happy family with one child than explain this to an infant so this is the path we decided to take.
"But it wasn't supposed to go like this. Vanessa wasn't supposed to leave like she did. One day she got an odd letter that she wouldn't talk to me about, and the next day she was gone. It was a letter from somebody or a company of some sort named Victoria. There was no last name and that's why I think it was a company. But I really know nothing.
"Please, say something Olivia," he said when he was done.
I remained quiet for a bit longer, deliberating which reaction to use. Anger for not knowing my mother and thinking that she had just abandoned me a few weeks ago. Outright rage for being lied to all my life. Relief at finally knowing the truth. Fear for knowing that there were certain people that I needed protecting from by a mysterious group somewhere in Europe. And confusion about how to accept all of this information.
Finally, I decided to answer emotionless. "I don't know what to say, actually. My life has just gotten that harder with all of this being heaped onto me out of the blue." I paused for a bit before recollecting myself because I could feel my eyes watering up. "I think I just need some time to think about all of this."
"Okay dear, however much time you need. I can understand how overwhelming this is. I won't try to rush you."
"I think I'll just go cook dinner now," then I just got up and went to the kitchen. I started banging things around and eventually prepared something decent to eat. The entire time, just thinking, It all makes so much sense now.
After a silent dinner, I just went up to bed and went into a stunned and motionless slumber, waiting until this odd dream ended.