BPOV
It was raining when our plane touched down in Port Angeles. The day brought back memories of the first time I decided to come back: Charlie waiting outside with the cruiser ready to go for the hour long drive back to Forks. At that time it felt as though I was placing myself under a prison sentence, like I belonged in the back of the police car-by choice, rather than riding in the front seat acting happy about my personal banishment from the sun. Now felt like something completely different, it felt like finally coming home.
The drive to La Push was quiet, I don't know if either of us were ready to voice our opinions, our thoughts, and our concerns. I don't know who is still here, if any of the pack even decided to stay a member of the pack, forever protecting the small tribe that lives here. Jake had always shied away from talking about this place, there were too many memories here, the bad, the good; I'm over him and yet, we still don't say his name. Everything here reminds me of him. This beach is where I first found out, the green of the woods is the places he ran, and the cloud covered sky makes me think that they could show up at any moment. What if no one in the tribe knows we're still alive and we can't find a familiar face who is willing to help us out? What if this whole experience becomes too much for us and we have to leave, will all of this be worth it to us in the end?
We passed the familiar red house where Jake grew up. The wood the same as before, just the color faded from the ware and tare of the weather and the years. The windows fogged a little from the silently shed tears for Billy, who has been gone for far too long, regrets flash through my mind for keeping Jake away for the funeral. I know that I needed him and that I did give him a choice, but I was just too far gone to think about this little town and the people we left behind. I was too far gone in my search for him.
We pulled to the end of the road, where the old alpha lived. There were bikes for the kids we never met, who knows, they probably belong to Sam's grandchildren by now. Surely Sam wouldn't stick around without Emily. The three knocks on the door sounded so ominous on this quiet morning. After a small moment, the door opened and the last person I thought we'd ever see again stood, quiet, in the small house with a smile on his face.
"Jake, Bella. I never thought I'd see you here again."
"Sam, you have no idea how good it is to see you," The smile that covered my face could rival even the happiest of pixies. "It's been too long, I never thought you'd still be around."
"I'm still kicking. Come on, let's get you guys inside."
The house was just as I remembered it, the small table in the middle of the kitchen, with the same color scheme Emily picked out. There were even some kids running around playing games and laughing with each other. "Jake, Bells, these are my grandkids," He gestured to the boy and girl who looked up from their game, "This is Allie, and Billy. Kids, say hello."
"Hello," whispered the kids, who were clearly more anxious when they saw me compared to when they looked at Jake.
The staring was getting pretty ridiculous though, "Sam, could we continue this conversation somewhere a little more private?"
"Of course, right this way," he continued to lead us down the hall to a room that had been converted into a home office. "I take it this isn't just a social visit as you've never made the trip before?"
Of course it wasn't. "I'm sorry, we would have loved to visit but it was just too dangerous to return to a small town where everyone stays their entire lives." He offered a small smile in understanding.
"It's okay Bella, I understand that it's been difficult to think through emotions for both of you with both Charlie and Billy gone," the compassion in his eyes hurt, like he'd seen more than enough pain in his life, "So, what can I do for you two?"
We paused, "we've been looking into some real estate and noticed that my old house is for sale, we'd like to buy it."
***AN-A little late, I know, but I am now going to be on an updating schedule. This story will officially be updated every other week. Please leave me a review and let me know what you think. From here on out, the chapters should be getting more detail oriented and maybe a little longer. For those of you who have been here since the beginning, thank you for sticking with me, for those who are just joining us, I look forward to speaking with you. See you guys in two weeks! Please review below.