Jacob shook his head, grinning.
"Nothing to worry about Bells, the changes in the treaty is that, well basically, you guys can come to La Push. We know you guys are... trustworthy enough. That way, we can patrol beyond the borders. It was sort of making us go crazy because we could only patrol in La Push. So we decided to fix the terms of the treaty," Jacob said. I blinked in astonishment of their trust and looked at the other two who only smiled. I looked at them suspiciously, wondering if there's a candid camera around. Then I realized they were serious.
"So, whenever you want to come on over to the beach, feel free," Jacob said.
"So long you stick to your diet of course," Sam put in. I nodded feebly, my mind still reeling.
"I'm... I'm happy to hear that," I said, still blinking in astonishment. They've... the Cullens and werewolves... made progress? They do seem so much nicer talking about them. No wonder why Jacob seemed so... accepting of me today. There's got to be more to the story.
"I think I'll come by once a week, if that's all right..." I said, nodding slowly, thoughtful.
"Actually, that sounds good, just come to us when you need some company," Jacob said, "That way Alice can know where you are without us around, so we don't have to come to you too much."
I nodded in agreement and we exchange good nights and the three left. I stayed where I was, feeling elated by the events. I couldn't wait to see them all again. Humming to myself, I went back to work, cleaning up the house, thinking about the pack and the Cullens. I briefly wondered when it was the last time they came here to stay, and figured they never came back since they left me here. With a shake of my head, I focused on to happier thoughts as I spent the next few days putting order back to the house. After nearly a week's worth of work done, I threw away the last of the paper towels after wiping down the grime off the windows.
I stood back, looking around in the shiny new place I had cleaned. Briefly, I wondered about paying rent or something other and shook my head. I was sure this house was still owned by the Cullens and they would be doing their property taxes each year.
I looked around again, pondering on what to do about furnishing of the house, I had been working nearly nonstop, and standing for days at a time didn't cause any discomfort. I furrowed my eyebrows in thought, thinking about what to do with the house was empty, completely devoid of anything. Remembering the money Kiley had given me, I decided to only furnish the family room, since it was not likely that I would wander anywhere else in the house very much. Taking the money from the pile of my stuff I stashed away in one of the corners and then I departed from the house. I paused at the top of the steps, wondering about stopping by La Push and see if anyone could spare a couch or two.
Well, I might as well stop by and say hello, I thought as I began running in the direction I knew to be La Push. It's been a week after all. I do deserve a break.
Upon arrival, I barely recognized the houses of the area where Jacob lived. I sniffed the air slightly and recoiled, recognizing Jacob's scent. He hasn't moved to a new house, I thought, wondering which two house was his. The question was answered when Jacob came out of the left house and grinned when he saw me.
"Bella!" he grinned, running down the steps and came to where I am.
"What dad?" a girl with shoulder length black hair said, coming out of the house with a glare. I looked over to where she was, and smiled.
"She your daughter?" I asked, already knowing.
"Ah, yes, sorry Bella," he said to his daughter, "come on over here please, I want you to meet someone."
She looked from him to me and suddenly looked shy as she joined us. I looked over her, she looked to be about ten years old, and had Jacob's eyes and cheekbones. When she smiled shyly, I recognized it as Jacob's and I grinned back.
"Hello Bella, my name is Bella," I introduced myself, still grinning. She blinked, looking at her dad and realized what the earlier shout was really meant for.
"Oh, hi," she said sheepishly.
"I've known her for a long time, can't say how long though," he said and winked at me. "When an old friend of mine named her Isabella, we all call her Bella and I liked it so I named you after her."
"Oh, this is the girl you were talking about?" she asked, studying me, "I thought she was older..."
I chuckled, "Well, some things are hard to explain."
The silence fell over the group of three, the little girl kept studying me unabashedly. I grew uncomfortable being stared at, and I looked over to Jacob.
"So uh, don't you have homework to do?" Jacob asked after clearing his throat.
"Oh, right, I'll get on with it," she said, grumbling. "Nice to meet you, Bella."
"Likewise," I said with a smile and then the girl left.
"So, the house is done?" Jacob asked, leading me to the beach.
"Yeah, finally, I hadn't realized it could take me this long to clean every room and set it back the way it was. I did all the repainting done too... Though, it did keep me busy..." I murmured, pausing at the waterline to the ocean. "So, I thought I'd stop by and say hi—now that I've finished cleaning."
"And no signs of them?" Jacob asked with a frown. I sighed and nodded.
Jacob shook his head and sat down on a driftwood and I joined him.
"I was wondering if there's any furniture you guys could spare to give me?" I asked after a moment of silence. "I was about to go shopping for them."
"Ah, I have been meaning to get rid of the table," Jacob said thoughtfully, "we'll be glad to give that to you, complete with chairs."
"Thanks," I said with a grateful smile, "anyone else mentioning about getting rid of furniture?"
Jacob thought for a moment and shook his head, "Sorry, but I can give each a call, they'll be glad to help you out. When do you plan to shop?"
"After I find out from your friends, I guess," I replied as Jacob took a phone out.
After he spent a few minutes calling each friend, he tucked the phone away. I thought over what I was getting.
"So, that's..." I said, recounting what I heard over the phone between Jacob and friends, "two couches, a recliner, computer desk with chair, and two bookshelves. Not bad."
"Yeah, all things considered, that's pretty good," Jacob agreed.
We both got to work, getting stuff over to the house, aided by others. Some of his friends from the pack were uncomfortable around me at first but lightened up when they saw how relaxed I appeared.
"Thank you everyone, I'll give each of you fifty for the furniture," I said, taking cash out but Jacob stopped me.
"No, they said they wanted to help you, so you don't have to do anything," Jacob said and I looked over his friends, protest on the tip of my tongue. I stopped when they did mean to help me out and expected nothing in return and I smiled at them even more.
"Th-thanks guys," I half-mumbled, glad I couldn't blush.
"It's the least we can do, Bella," Embry said with a grin. "I'm glad to see that you're okay. We... weren't sure if you ever forgave us for leaving you alone that day..." The others grew uncomfortable at the topic and I shook my head exasperatedly.
"Guys! You really don't have to do that if you feel guilty about leaving me for my funeral," I exclaimed.
"So you do forgive us?" Quil asked.
"Of course, I know you guys were not... keen on me becoming a vampire, it can't be helped."
"It's no excuse for what we did, we should have let one of us stay with you. I mean, look what... happened after you left," Embry said quietly. "We really beat ourselves up over that since that day."
I closed my eyes, shaking my head, trying not to let my heart ache at the memory. Looking at the group again, I only saw guilty faces.
"Still, I forgive you, all of you, it's not your fault. If anything, you should be blaming me for taking my dad's life... He was the innocent one," I said.
"That is in no way your fault, Bella," Jacob said harshly. I bit the bottom of my lip at his words.
"Thank you for helping me out. I... guess I'll accept your help. But it shouldn't be done out of guilt or anything, it really isn't any of your fault—I... guess, if we really wanted to blame someone, blame Victoria."
The group did not say anything for several moments after my comment. I sighed, shaking my head.
"So, I guess you two will go shopping for stuff?" Paul asked, looking at me and Jacob.
"It's not necessary, I have all I need. I'll be shopping to get stuff to fill the bookshelves you gave me."
"Ah, that's right! You need entertainment," Embry said, a fist of his one hand hit on top of his other palm, "We'll look through stuff like music and books."
"Guys, you don't--" I began, realizing what he was saying and I wanted to stop them.
"Let us help you out, Bells, you don't got much money do you?" Jacob asked. My silence answered his question. I did only have about three hundred dollars left sitting in my back pocket, after spending some money for cleaning and painting supplies, I could still get plenty of books and music myself. "So, just let us, it's our way of... atoning for what we did."
"Oh, guys, please don't get started on that again," I said, trying to get them to stop their guilt complex and Jacob shook his head.
"It is the least we can do, Bella. Humor us, please," Sam said and I finally gave in with a sigh, still reluctant. "Thank you. We'll get you something to occupy your time."
"All right, but on one condition—they must be second hand," I said with a slight glare and they happily agreed.
For the next few weeks, various things trickled into the house, books, mp3 players, computers, and other things began taking up space on the first floor. I was glad for their generosity because I didn't have to spend any minute alone with my thoughts, or having to deal with shopping.
Deep in thought, I stared at the cash I still had in my hands, wondering what to spend it on. I didn't want to spend hard earned money Kiley had made on frivolous things. I wanted to get something out of her money without feeling bad or greedy about it. With a sigh, I stashed the money away for now. I went to the bookshelf and picked up a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird and sat in the recliner and began reading the book. Shifting in my seat, I grew anxious, unable to focus on what I was reading. Groaning, I set the book down on my lap, trying to think of what was bothering me. I needed to find the Cullens and sitting around was doing me nothing. Thinking for a moment, trying to think of what I could do right now to bring the Cullens to me.
Why hasn't Alice come by yet? It's been weeks now! Surely she knows where I am now? I pondered. I fidgeted, shuffling the book in my hands, trying to think. What if something did happen to them? To Edward? Oh god, I hope they're okay... but how do I find out what happened to them?
Unable to sit still, I stood up and threw the book behind me on the seat and began pacing.
Why is it taking them so long to find me? I didn't move from where I was for the past four decades until recently! She could've found me when I stayed with Kiley...
"Augh!" I growled, looking at the front door. Then I glanced at the time on the computer, it was late, but not too late.
La Push, yeah, I'm going to go get some answers about this, I thought, rushing my way to Jacob's house. I need to know why no one never found me in the wilderness when they were still searching for me, and where the pack last heard of their location... This is better than nothing.
Hi guys! I'll give just a small explanation here for why I'm getting chapters out so quickly. One, because I do not do marathons, I do everything in sprints (something I discovered recently), or I will just get tired of the stories I write if it lasts for months. Two, because I hate how quickly the stats drop after a day or two, so that motivates me. Usually, I get a chapter out is because the day before only had about ten to twenty visitors or so. Three, I don't trust myself to keep going in the long term. I do better in the short term.
Also, this chapter, man, it's so pivotal in the story, I was going to spin the story in three different directions and I couldn't figure out what Bella is/wants to do. I was going to have her find the Cullens via the Stock Market, but I figured that's kind of boring, even though I introduced a cool hacker into the story. Sadly, I don't think he's showing up in the story. (Jacob's son) Maybe in another plot line...
Well, that is all. :] Again, feedback is very much welcomed, I do want to know what you like and don't like. For example, I am quite concerned that the story appears to be flat, I'm trying to flesh it out as much as possible. I keep finding myself 'telling and not showing' too much. That's one thing I'd like to know. Thanks!