I know it has been a while...I thought I'd finish the chapter and see what the response is. I'd really love some reviews to let me know if I should continue.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Twilight, the amazing Stephenie Meyer owns all rights.
That said please let me know what you thing!
The next week passed in a blur, after the biggest obstacle, telling my parents was accomplished. They weren't thrilled with the news, but understood there wasn't another choice.
Jacob had the idea to invite my family over for dinner so that we could give them the news together. In total both my parents, my brother Stefan, my brother Liam, his girlfriend Maggie, and Rosalie joined us for dinner.
Rosalie had once again come through for me, when she agreed to come for mortal support. The whole day I spent worrying and having panic attacks, I knew it wouldn't be a big deal to my brothers, but I was afraid of how my mother would react. So much so that I nearly burned dinner during one of my mini panic attacks.
Liam showed some concerned and hoped that Jake and I could work things out. His mature take on the matter surprised me; I guess having a serious girlfriend had really changed my brother. He and Maggie have only been together for a few months, but they are already pretty much inseparable. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he got married before me. I'm really happy for both of them. Maggie is a great person and my brother has a kind heart, together they can have a wonderful life.
Stefan seemed shocked about the news but didn't provide any input on the situation. We have grown a bit apart over the last few years, for no particular reason. My guess is he's become too busy in his career to spend time worrying about other's problems. Stefan works as a lawyer for one of the top law firms in Los Angeles. I wasn't surprised about his choice in career either. I remember when we were kids he was always defending me from any bullies. He'd always make sure all the girls in my class knew he was my big brother, and that I wasn't to be messed with. It's really quite sad how much we've grown apart.
Of course my father was immediately concerned about how much it would cost to cancel the flowers, band, and catering. At least he was happy we hadn't paid the deposit for the location. Jacob and I assured him we would cover any cost the cancelations caused. He settled down after that, and allowed himself to be sympathetic.
To be honest I hadn't even planned on asking my parents for help paying for the wedding. Jacob and I had agreed to split the check, and my salary allowed me to cover my half without my parent's help.
My mother surprised me with her reaction. I thought she would break down and claim this to be the end of the word. I was also certain she would be worried about how this would affect the family's public appearance. Instead she apologized and offered to help with anything she could. She asked me a million questions to make sure I was okay with everything that was going on. She also agreed to accompany Rosalie and I on our trip to New York. She even went as far as putting Liam in charge of the PR for the new club, so that I could devote all my energy to the move.
By the end of dinner my whole family was on board with the change of plans. Liam was more than happy to take over for me. My father and mother believed I was doing the right thing by following Jacob to New York. Rosalie even managed to get all of our flights booked, for my appointment with the real estate agent in New York.
I also promised myself I would work harder to spend more time with my family. I really hated that Stefan and I were growing apart. Things would have to change before I lost him.
Jacob was also pleased about how things had gone over with my parents. He didn't want to go off to camp knowing my family was upset about the changes. There also wasn't any major backlash from the media, just a few rumors circulating the internet, which no one really paid attention to.
Jacob spent his last few days in meetings and hitting the gym to make sure he was physically prepared for training camp. I joined him on some of his workouts, simply to spend time with him before he went away. Seeing him workout made me realize how much he really loved his job. Of course I'm nowhere near physically capable of keeping up with him, but I get up early every morning and join him for a jog.
It is Monday morning and I'm up earlier than usual so that I can have a chance to cook Jacob breakfast before we set off for the airport. First I make the batter for his favorite kind of pancakes, banana chocolate chip, and when that's done I fry some eggs and bacon. I have to make double what I would usually make since Jacob's teammate Sam will be joining us for breakfast. Sam also spent his break in Los Angeles so I offered to drive them both to the airport.
Jacob immediately heads for the kitchen when he wakes, but I send him right back to get ready. After he is showered and has his things settled ready to go, I let him have a strip of bacon while we wait for Sam.
Luckily Sam shows up ten minutes before seven, which gives us a little bit over two hours before we have to be at the airport. Sam is one of coolest guys on the team; I had the pleasure of meeting him and his wife Emily at some games last season. He spent time here in Los Angeles with his family, Emily had joined him but she had had to fly back a few days early for work.
Jacob and Sam eat exactly like what they are, football players. They each eat half a dozen eggs, and several pounds of bacon. I stand memorized as I see them each pick up a stack of four pancakes. How so much food fits in a single person I'm unsure, but I guess it's good they'll be working it off later today.
We are out the door and on our way to the airport by eight-fifteen. Little is said on the way over. Both Jacob and I feel the tension of what this means. At least we'll get to see each other briefly Wednesday, which is the day my mom, Rose and, I will be meeting with the real estate agent.
It's hard saying goodbye to Jacob. He leaves me with a heavy feeling at the pit of my stomach. It's as if I know nothing will be the same after this. I don't know maybe it's a bad omen, but at the point we say our goodbyes, it's as if neither one of us is truly sad. Sure it is hard, but my guess is it's because we both feel the tension of not shading a tear.
It's true I'll get to see him Wednesday but it will only be for a couple of hours at best. I don't see us having another night together for a good month, and it's as if the idea of that doesn't affect us. So weird that I would feel like this now, I have never felt this tension and disconnection before.
After searching the internet for days I have narrow it down to five condos and houses that the agent has agreed to show us. Two of them being in the upper eastside, and the other three are located on the lower eastside.
My mother just about had a heart attack when I told her I was interested in owning a home in Brooklyn. According to her no daughter of Charlie and Renee Swan is to live in such a bad part of town. Truthfully I just don't want to be smacked in the middle of the city. I want to live a quiet and simple life, and I will go to great lengths to have that, even in New York.
The first place the agent takes us to is a two bedroom apartment on 78th Street. The home is decorated in a Parisian manner and is completed with a personal elevator. The space is big but cluttered with too many decorations. My mother loves it, and Rose likes certain aspects of the décor, I on the other hand find it to be too much. I find it to be overpriced for being just two bedrooms and two bathrooms. I feel the décor is too dark and in my opinion stuffy. I am looking for something simpler. This home is full of big paintings incased in intricate gold frames. It also has its fair share of statues and sculptures that don the living room. In all the apartment is not my style.
Next the agent takes us to a five floor townhouse with a roof-deck and an office, right in the heart of Tribeca. This place I like better. I love the brick lined walls, and the wood beam ceilings. But what I find to be the best part of the townhome is the roof garden and greenhouse. The roof is perfect for entertaining and the place is big enough to have family over. Being a huge film fan I like the history behind Tribeca, I can see myself attending the various film festivals, so that's a big plus.
Next we go to three different houses in Brooklyn. All three have the quality I seek most in this city, privacy. The first two are old homes, so the rooms are bigger than what you would normally expect in New York.
The first is a three bedroom home, which would be perfect to raise a family in. Being out of the city provides us with the luxury of having a back yard, something uncommon in this city. The home doesn't come furnished so it would give me a chance to start from scratch.
The second house is a four bedroom brownstone that has somewhat of a British charm to it. It comes partially furnished so it would still give me a chance to add my flair. The rooms are big and open and having an extra room would be helpful. This is the kind of place that I can really see myself spending the rest of my life in.
The final home is a Victorian style home with three bedrooms and four baths. The backyard is a bit smaller than the last two, but still big enough to maybe have a dog. The neighborhood is quiet and friendly. Our neighbor would be Mr. and Mrs. Greene who have been married and living in the same house for fifty years. The home needs some work, but I figure it would probably give me something to do while Jacob is away.
Of course my mother thinks I should pick the apartment on 78th street. She thought the other places were too plain, she also thought Jacob would appreciate that apartment more. She couldn't wait to tell my dad all about it.
Rosalie on the other hand showed preference for the townhouse in Tribeca. She agrees that the home has everything Jacob and I need. The place is big enough to entertain and the terrace garden and greenhouse are perfect. Yeah, the place is in the middle of the city but the neighborhood is quiet and the neighbors seem nice.
Although I lean towards Rosalie's choice, I still don't discount the houses we saw in Brooklyn. The houses are what I've always envisioned I would like to live in in a city like this. But I also have to take what Jacob wants into consideration.
Later that evening we agree to join Jacob at one of the hottest restaurant on the upper eastside, Butter. When we get to the restaurant they have a waiting line that takes up most of the block, but as always there is always an open door for the Swan family, especially with Jacob Black on my arm. We are escorted straight to a table when we arrive. As soon as we get to the table Jacob yells for the waiter, demanding a scotch on the rocks.
"Tough day?" I ask because I've never seen him be so rude to a person before.
He just brushes off the question and answers with a simple "nope, just thirsty." He just sits and fidgets in his seat, and when the waiter delivers his drink, he doesn't even bother to thank him.
"Well that was rude." My mom and Rose sit and act like they're not paying attention, but I could see Rose's reaction when he yells at the waiter.
"It's not rude. That's how you get these people's attention." Okay now he was being a jerk.
"Yeah well it wouldn't have killed you to say please and thank you."
"Why? It's their job, they're used to it." Okay he had surpassed the jerk stage, and was just being an asshole. I've never seen him act this way before. Is this how he always gets when he's in New York? Does he think that just because he's Jacob Black he can talk down to people?
I drop the subject and make a note to discuss it later, when we are alone. I really don't want to get into an argument in front of my mother, Rose, and what seems to be the entire city of Manhattan.
Luckily he settles down after we order our food, and another couple of drinks. However I can see that there is something going on with him, he usually doesn't drink this much.
As a matter of fact he has been acting weird ever since we met up after leaving the real estate agent's office. He didn't even bother to ask about the houses we had seen. But it wasn't just today. He's been acting like this for the last couple of days.
After speaking to him on the phone on Monday night, he promised he would call to check in on me Tuesday, but I never received the call. I ignored it, and figured he might have been exhausted after practice.
"So Jacob how are things going? How is training camp treating you?" My mother asks, as an attempt to break the ice I'm guessing.
"Yeah, it must be hard to go back after being on break for so long." Rosalie adds.
I tense up and pray to God he isn't rude. Rosalie is just coming to terms with our engagement, and the last thing I need is for him to act like an ass towards her.
"Thing are great, but I'm not going to lie the first day was tough." I finally allow myself to release the sigh that had been built up in my chest. "Yeah, coach went a little harder on us on Monday but Tuesday was better."
"It's a good thing you kept up with the work-outs while you were on break, otherwise you'd be out of shape". My mother adds with a light laugh trying to keep the mood light.
The conversation continues to flow lightly throughout dinner, but I can't shake the suspicion that something is off. Jacob behaves like a complete gentleman for the remainder of dinner.
As we make our way out we notice a small crowed has formed just outside the restaurant, no doubt all of them here for Jacob. He takes time and poses for all the cameras; he even pulls me to him and has me pose with him. He stops and signs some autographs for some fans, while we wait for the driver to pick us up.
So this is what it's going to be like from now on? The fans I don't mind, all they want is autographs and a quick photo, but the paparazzi on the other hand I can definitely do without. I hoped that by leaving LA I would also be leaving the unnecessary attention behind. Being the daughter of Charles and Renee Swan has always brought on a certain attention that I've never been completely comfortable with.
Being in the public eye can be such a fickle thing. People always wanting to know the details of your private life, not to mention all the so-called friends that turn on you because of the fame, or having a new rumor to deny each week, all those things can wear a person down. I have personally had enough, but know Jacob is new to the attention, plus James is always pushing him to be in the public eye.
After the restaurant we head to our hotel. We have to turn in early because our flights depart first thing in the morning. I don't even have anytime alone with Jacob since he is staying at a separate hotel with the team.
Jacob stops by in the morning before heading to practice. We have breakfast together in the hotel café, and discussed the places Rose, my mother, and I saw the day before. He shows interest in the property in Tribeca too and tells me to go ahead and put down an offer on it.
Finally after getting that out of the way, I work up to ask about his mood last night. "Are we going to talk about what happened last night?"
His face hardens and I realize he knew he was in the wrong "Look, you don't have to say it. I was acting like a pain in the ass. I know there is no excuse for the way I acted and I am sorry". In his eyes I can see that he is hiding something.
"You know you can talk to me, right? It's okay if you're stressed out, I understand, I just need you to talk to me". I sigh and reached across the table to place my hand on his.
I'm expecting him to open up, but instead he drops the conversation by saying "okay I'll try".
Rosalie and I talk and analyzed Jacob's reaction and determine that he probably is just stressed. Being a professional athlete can be unsettling at times. With the way players are traded, you never know where you'll end up next season.
Back in LA, and far away from all the chaos I leave Rosalie and my mother at LAX and take a cab to the only place that makes sense after the last couple of days.
The cab pulls up at Debbie's Dance Academy, Debbie isn't in but I have a spare key. Rose and I both studied here, that is until Rose begged her parents to let her quit. Dance is pretty much the only thing my parents let me continue studying when we lost everything.
I walk in, and everything is exactly where it has been for the last ten years. The studio is small with only one room covered in mirrors and ballet bars surrounding the length of the room. I unlock the stereo system and immediately go in search for warm up music. It doesn't take long for me to find a suitable cd. I pop in a Debussy collection and start off with Clair de Luna and began taking deep breaths and letting my muscles relax. I walk over to the bar placing my leg on it and begin to stretch.
Fifteen minutes later, after I'm all warmed up, I find myself dancing up and down the studio to Sia's Lullaby. The beautiful melody brings tears to my eyes. As the tears shed I can feel myself relax, and forget about the last couple of days. For the first time in days I feel optimistic about the future.
Let me know if I should continue. Do you like the way the story is going?