Chapter Six
Preparing For College
August 31st 2006
When Bella woke up the morning after they arrived home from honeymoon, all she could hear was Alice ordering everyone around. That's when it hit her, today was the day they left for college, in all the excitement she'd forgotten the one downside leaving behind Charlie. Sliding out of bed and pulling on a robe she stepped out of the bedroom almost getting trampled on by the whirlwind that was Alice, quickly making her way downstairs she curled up on the couch trying to forget the memories the move was bringing up, though she knew she would be leaving with them she couldn't help but think of the time she didn't. Without realising it the tears began to silently fall making the packing stop instantly and Edward holding his wife close. He told Alice this would happen.
"Bella, my Bella. What did I do to you?"
"Didn't think it would bring up old memories. I know I'm coming this time it's just..."
"Seeing it brings up imagining what was happening last summer."
"Mmhm. I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry, love. Would you prefer we go shopping for travel food until it's all done?"
"That would be good. Can we see Charlie on the way home."
"Of course what about Angela? She's a good friend."
"I don't want to make any promises to her I can't keep. I can always write to her."
"Whatever you want to do is fine by me, love. Now let's go back upstairs and you can get changed I'll go talk to our sister."
Bella wiped away the tears, feeling a lot better than she did when she woke up, secretly she couldn't wait to hear Alice get told off, even better was she had no idea what was coming. With Jake visiting and the baby she was unable to see what was going on. She quietly climbed the stairs going into their room to change as Edward made his way toward Alice and Jasper's room, there had been an agreement if something affected Bella whilst she was pregnant it would be addressed straight away.
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Edward opened the door to Alice and Jasper's room thankful he already knew where Jasper was. Coming to sit on the bed he watched Alice stop what she was doing before looking at her brother curiously. Realising it was serious she sat on the floor crossing her legs underneath her. The last time they'd sat like this is was when he'd insisted they leave Forks and Bella behind. She knew it couldn't be that though, the two of them had worked through it and come out the other side. Furrowing her brow she was brought out if her thoughts by Edward talking.
"Ali can you remember what we spoke about when Bella went to sleep last night?"
"You said that Bella seeing us packing would bring up old memories. But you've moved passed what happened. Haven't you?"
"We have, but what do you think ran through her mind when she saw the house being packed up? Alice the last time we did this she was left behind. I know you didn't mean to upset her but it was a shock. I think there's a lot Bella and I still need to talk about from that time, since we spent most of the year running from Victoria."
"Tell her I'm sorry."
"I will, I'm taking her out for the day, Jake is around somewhere, if you want things done by the time we get home ask him."
"I will, say hello to Charlie for me."
"I will."
Edward stood up making his way back to the room he shared with his wife watching from the doorway as she tried to find something to fit her that wasn't frilly. Chuckling under his breath he made his way into their walk in closest pulling out a pair of yoga pants and t shirt handing them to his flustered wife. Bella took the gratefully changing quickly (for someone nearly four months pregnant) sighing in contentment at the comfortable clothes. Pulling her hair into a messy ponytail she grabbed the fresh thermos of blood that had been placed on the bedroom cabinet by Rose whilst she showering, taking in long gulps feeling the queasiness disappear.
"Are you hungry for food or is the blood enough?"
"Eggs, I'll eat at Charlie's though, I just... ...I don't think I can eat with everything packed up."
"I understand, love. Are you ready to go?"
"I am."
Bella leaned against Edward finishing off her mountain lion blood as they passed the kitchen setting it down on the counter as they left the house passing Jacob on the way out. With a quick nod of pleasantries Edward helped Bella into the Volvo as they made their way to the store. He hoped they wouldn't bump into anyone on the way there but something told him they wouldn't be that lucky.
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Food shopping had always been therapeutic for Bella, when she lived with Renee it had been h job to do the grocery shopping and then when she arrived inForks it was the only way she could get Charlie to get something other than Steak and Fries in him. Her husband on the other hand hated it, however he would do anything for her, one of the many things she loved about him. Just as they were heading down the dairy aisle for the ice cream she'd been craving she spotted some familiar faces: Jessica Stanley, Lauren Mallory and Seth Clearwater, from the look on Jessica and Seth's face the youngest wolf had just imprinted. Looking at Edward she knew they'd be seeing a lot more of their former classmate.
"It's rude not to acknowledge them."
"If they say a thing derogatory to you then I'll walk away from them."
"I think that's a fair trade." Bella said softly laying her hand over the wriggling baby growing inside her.
Before they could make their way over to them Jessica and Seth had spotted them and begun to make their way toward them. She'd expected hostility from the blonde however here she was smiling at her. She didn't know whether to be happy about it or suspicious. As always Seth greeted Edward with a strong handshake and she got a hug, after all if things went well between Charlie and Sue they'd be family.
"Hey Jess I didn't expect to see you here so close to college starting."
"I could say the same about you Bella, where did you decide to go in the end?"
"Seattle that way I'm close to Charlie. We're driving up there later today."
"Congratulations on the baby. I wouldn't have guessed from the wedding. How far along are you?"
"Nearly four months and no it's not the reason we got married. We were engaged before we found out."
"How long have you known Seth?"
"A few years now."
Bella turned to face Seth smiling at the blushing teenager, whispering to Edward where she was going and apologising for leaving him alone with Jess and Lauren even if she was still in the same aisle. Once they were far enough away that the only ears that would hear the conversation was Edward, she could tell see Seth was a little unsure on how to tell his imprint what had happened. Though he hadn't imprinted yet, she was sure Jake would be able to help.
"We were going to see Charlie after shopping but I think we can put it off until later. Do you want to come up to the house with Jess and then Jake can help you explain, we could tell her the other secret too."
"That would make things easier, I think Mum is going to tell Charlie soon, with us leaving the house on patrols he's getting suspicious."
"Do you think she could tell him later when we're down there I want to be there to answer the questions?"
"Sure, come on let's go save your husband from those two. I saw his face."
"He didn't get on with Jess in school but she has changed. Not sure on Lauren yet."
"So don't invite her."
"Wasn't planing on it." Bella laughed as they reached their partners and Lauren. "I think we should take Jessica up to the house. That way they can talk without disturbances. We can see Charlie later." And I'll make it up to you later. Promise.
"Sounds like. Good idea to me, love. Sorry Lauren I've not got room in the car for a fourth."
"No problem I don't want to be the odd one out. I'll see you later Jess."
"Sure thing." Jessica said moving closer to Seth.
Twenty minutes later after doing their own grocery shopping, picking up something quick for Bells to eat on the way home since the journey to Charlie's was being put off until the afternoon. Once they were in the Volvo on the way back home, Bella suddenly felt like she'd walked into a alternate reality where everything was different.
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The Volvo pulled into the driveway and stepped out of the car, Jacob (who'd been working on the new car for Bella's birthday) greeted them looking between Seth and Jessica knowing instantly what had happened, calling for the rest of the family to join them. Of course with vampire hearing the front driveway was full within minutes, Rosalie was the last one out with one of pregnancy chairs they'd bought. Sitting down in the chair Bella sighed in relief to be off her feet, giving Rose a grateful look.
"Why did we have to meet outside?" Emmett asked.
"Because there aren't a lot of seats let to sit on. Not all of us can stand forever."
"Oh right."
"Can someone explain why we had to come here straight away." Jessica asked.
"Can you remember the story that Jake was telling you when you visited LaPush at the beginning of your senior year?" Seth asked as he watches his future sister start to eat a mountain of eggs.
"I remember, the guy he was with said that the Cullen's don't go there." Jessica replied looking confused.
"To tell you my story they need to tell you theirs if that's okay?" Seth asked looking at Carlisle.
"I'll not tell you everyone's story that is up to them, however I must stress what we are about to tell you goes no further than the people here. A few people outside the family know but they are related to either Bella, Seth or Jacob."
"I promise."
"My family and I are vegetarian vampires, we live amongst people and have a treaty with the Quiluette wolves. Seth is one of those wolves and Jacob is the alpha. You've heard of love at first sight, when a vampires finds their mate they mate only once, that's why Bella was in the state she was when we left last summer. She's Edward's mate."
"So you're not going to kill a human?" Jessica asked curiously.
"No we don't drink human blood, we feed off animal blood."
"That's why you left. To keep Bella safe?"
"Yes, but it didn't work they way Edward thought it would, she was born to be a vampire and will be when she's ready. The reason we are telling you this is because Seth has something he needs to tell you and their lives as wolves involve vampires so you'd have found out anyway this way you find out and don't get a shock later."
"Okay. Well it makes sense why Edward only looked at Bella now." Jessica said not an ounce of jealousy left in her voice as she turned to Seth. "What was it you needed to talk to me about?"
"Remember in the store when it felt like your world changed and everything slotted into place. Like you knew you'd be safe with me?"
"I remember, it made me feel tingly inside. Gravity pulled me toward you."
"That's a good way of explaining it, vampires have mates for life, humans have love at first sight and wolves like me snd Jake have imprinting. The feeling you had in the store was me imprinting on you. It means that I'll be whatever you want me to be whether it be friend or boyfriend." Seth explained.
"Kiss me." Jessica said out loud blushing.
Seth leaned forward taking Jessica's hands in his moulding his lips to hers, as their lips met fireworks went off inside their hearts. Bella instinctively moved closer to Edward taking his hand as they watched the new couple together. When she'd first come to Forks she never believed that she would one day be related (almost) to Jessica Stanley. Now she just hoped Jake would find his imprint and all her family would be happy.