All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer
My room was unusually bright the next day as I opened my eyes. To my delight it was sunny outside. I smiled as I looked around the room half expecting to find Edward there. I glanced over towards the chair he had been in last night and noticed one single red rose on my tray with a small folded piece of paper under it. Hesitantly, I reached out to take the rose and brought it to my nose. It smelt very sweet. I smiled as I read the note underneath.
Bella,
I hope you slept well. I am sorry I could not be there for you when you woke this morning. I am but a phone call away. If you need anything, anything at all, do not hesitate to call. I'll check on you later.
Be safe,
EdwardUnderneath his name I found his cell phone number. I read the note several times tracing his elegant letters with my fingers. I smiled; there was no deterring him. It appeared as though I was stuck with him whether I liked it or not. No matter how much I pushed him away he seemed determined to be in my life. Though I knew it was selfish, I was extremely thankful for his tenacity. My heart fluttered at the prospect of seeing him again later today and I suddenly became very anxious to leave.
I was grateful when Charlie finally showed up checking me out. It was practically noon by the time I got home. I was unable to escape another lecture from my doctor about taking care of myself. Charlie had chimed in every now and again. I was pleased that my doctor hadn't brought up treatment. I didn't want Charlie to find out.
Once we got home Charlie refused to go into work.
"I'm staying and making sure you follow doctor's orders." He insisted sternly.
I sighed exasperated.
"What do you want for lunch?" He asked undeterred.
I shrugged. "A sandwich is fine. I can make my own." I added walking to the refrigerator.
Charlie intercepted me pushing me gently towards the living room. "You go sit down and rest. I think I can handle making a sandwich."
I sat down on the couch and together Charlie and I watched TV for most of the afternoon. As evening neared I became unreasonably anxious wondering when, or if, Edward was going to call. I caught myself looking at the clock more often than I should.
I jumped slightly when I heard someone knock at he door. I smiled inwardly hoping it was Edward.
"I'll get it." I said to Charlie who was engrossed with the game on TV. I wasn't even sure he had heard the knock at all.
I bit my lip as I swung the door open, and then my heart fell as I took in who stood before me. Billy Black and his some young boy were waiting patiently on the doorstep. I only knew him from pictures, and I didn't recognize the young man who stood behind him.
"Hello." I smiled.
"You must be Bella. I don't suppose you remember me? I am an old friend of your father's, Billy Black. And this," he said gesturing behind him, "is my youngest son, Jacob."
I nodded politely to Jacob and looked back to Billy. "I remember you from pictures I've seen."
The old man chuckled.
"Please come in."
I stood aside as Jacob wheeled his father through the entry way and into the living room. I smiled as I heard the two old friends greet one another happily. I was glad Charlie had such a good friend.
We all settled into the living room just as the big game was starting on TV. A few minutes in I excused myself to order dinner. I didn't like sports, and was not interested in watching the events unfold on TV. I decided to leave the men to their game and do my homework at the kitchen table. I was surprised when Billy's son Jacob followed me out.
"I'm just doing homework." I warned as he sat down at the table across from me.
"Anything is more interesting than being with those two during a game." He smiled.
I smiled in return.
I marveled at how easy it was to talk with Jacob. I hardly knew him yet it seemed as though we were old friends. The conversation flowed easily as we sat and talked together, stopping only when the pizza arrived. I learned that he was from La Push and had two older twin sisters that I had played with during my summer visits with Charlie. I was shocked to learn that one of them was getting married.
I discovered that he was quite the mechanic. In fact my truck had once belonged to his father.
"So you actually like that old thing?" He asked skeptically.
I scowled. "I love my truck."
"I should be thanking you for taking it off my hands, now I get to work on my car." He admitted with a toothy grin.
"What car?"
"I'm building a car from scratch. It's still got a long way to go, but it's getting there." He announced proudly.
"Wow."
He chuckled at my expression. Just then the phone rang and I reached over to get it.
"Hello?"
"Bella?" An involuntary smile spread across my lips and I could feel the blood rush to my face.
"Hey." I breathed happily.
"How are you doing this evening?" I could hear the tension in his voice.
"I'm well. Charlie forced a sandwich on me this afternoon and I just had two pieces of pizza." I admitted proudly. I looked over at Jacob and he seemed confused. I smiled slightly, turning my back to him.
"Thank you," I whispered sincerely, "for the flower…and…well…everything."
"I'm glad you liked it." I could hear the smile in his voice.
"Will I see you later?" I asked trying to keep my voice even.
"I'm actually not in Forks right now." He admitted. "I'm out with my brother camping this weekend."
"Oh." I tried to keep the disappointment out of my voice, but didn't succeed.
"Sorry. It couldn't be avoided. I committed a while ago…"
"No, no. It's fine. I'm fine. I'll see you when you get back. No worries." I muttered cutting him off. He didn't owe me anything. He shouldn't feel bad for having a life.
"Definitely." He confirmed with conviction making my heart flutter.
"Have fun."
He chuckled. "I will. Call if you need something, even if it's just to talk." He paused briefly before adding. "Please try to take care of yourself while I'm gone."
"Not you too." I groaned before sighing. "I will."
"Promise me." He demanded.
"I promise." I said annoyingly.
I heard him chuckle. I sighed. "See you soon."
"Bye." I whispered and then he was gone. I turned back to Jacob after I had hung up the phone. He was looking down at the table frowning.
"Jacob?" I asked wondering what was wrong.
"Was that your boyfriend?" He asked sadly.
"No." I answered honestly blushing a soft pink. "Just a very good friend."
"Oh. I know just about everybody around here. Who is it?" He asked noticeably chipper.
I paused before answering. "Edward Cullen."
He chuckled. I furrowed my brows in confusion. What was so funny?
He grinned widely at my expression. "That just explains a lot. Why my dad insisted on coming here tonight."
"What do you mean?"
He leaned forward and whispered with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Do you like scary stories Bella?"
"I guess."
He peered into the living room and checked in on our father's before he came back to the table to sit down. "It's part of my tribe's legends. I shouldn't be telling you, but it's all a bunch of stupid superstitions anyway."
"Tell me what Jacob?" I was so confused.
He grinned. "About the cold ones."
Jacob began to spin a tale too incredible to be true—a tale of werewolves and vampires—with the Cullen, and Black family at the center of it all. He explained that he was from a tribe of werewolves sworn to protect humans from the vampires. He claimed that the Cullen's were vampires, but were not supposed to be dangerous because they drank only animal blood. There was a supposed treaty in place. Protecting both Jacob's tribe and the Cullen's from war between their kinds.
So many things began to click into place as he explained further. The iciness of Edward's skin, how hard and incredible strong he seemed to be. The way he seemed to always be in the right place at the right time. The in human beauty he and his family all possessed. I always suspected there was something not right about him and his family, but I never expected this.
My face paled and my eyes widened as he concluded his story convinced he had successfully scared me. That was just it though I wasn't scared. I was shocked, but I couldn't make myself feel any fear. If he had wanted to harm me he would have done it by now. In fact he seemed overly cautious, worrying constantly about my safety. I wasn't completely convinced the story was accurate, but so many things seemed to fit. I was determined to find out the truth.
Jacob's father believed in the legends, and was here to make sure I was ok. He must have learned from Charlie that Edward and I were friends, and was scared for my safety. I was thankful he was preoccupied with the game to grill me on the subject. I just worried about what he might say to Charlie.
Jacob comforted me when he told me that Charlie liked the Cullen's, and thought his father was a fool for distrusting them. At least Charlie wouldn't believe anything Billy had to say.
"I need to get to bed Jacob." I said after a few minutes. It was clear from the circles under my eyes that I wasn't lying. "It's been a long day and I'm really tired. It's been nice talking to you." I smiled.
He grinned. "Yeah it has." He blushed a little. "I'll see you around Bella."
I said a quick good night to Billy and Charlie before I went upstairs to bed not bothering with a shower. I had a lot to consider and figure out, and I needed time alone to think things through.
