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TPOV
I knew that there were many questions I should have been asking the beautiful man beside me, but as we rode in the huge black SUV there seemed to be no room for conversation. Though the radio was on, I couldn't tell you what song was playing. He was still holding my hand and really that's all that mattered to me at the moment.
We drove until we reached a small house in a quiet little neighborhood. I then was forced to disentangle our joint hands in order to exit the car, moving as fast as I possibly could to retrieve whatever contact he offered to me. Since he knew my secret, I never bothered to walk at a human pace. My unnatural speed didn't faze him at all.
"I think I'm going to have a lot of fun with you," he commented, then led me up the walkway to the house. Once inside I took a moment to observe my surroundings. Hard wood floors, dark furniture, minimal decorations, and a huge flat screen TV made up the living room. The oak coffee table was scattered with every sports section the newspaper provided over the past three days and the kitchen sink held the dishes from what was probably last night's dinner.
I wanted to tour the house, particularly his bedroom, but he plopped down to the worn khaki colored couch so I did the same wanting to stay near him.
"What's your name?" I asked, realizing I had never asked before.
"John Uley," he answered, a single dimple gracing his handsome features. The sight alone almost causing me to swoon.
"I'm Tanya Denali," I replied, introducing myself as well. "Well actually Tanya Novikov originally, but Denali is what my sisters and I call ourselves while in the Unites States," I continued, freely volunteering information he probably didn't even care to know but I wanted to give him anyway.
"That's Russian right?" he asked.
"Yes, that's where I was born," I replied. "Where are you from?"
"I used to live on the Quileute reservation not far from here, La Push. Do you know it?"
"No, I don't," I replied, frowning. "Why did you leave?"
He shrugged and relaxed back into the couch, slumping in his seat a little. "I just never really felt like I belonged there. I mean I love my tribe, of course, but I've always felt as though La Push wasn't really where I was supposed to be," he said, a crease marring his perfect brow. "When I graduated high school, I applied to Columbia University just so I could get away. I tried to find a place I could truly feel at home. After my acceptance letter arrived I happily left for New York. Then, after receiving a Bachelor's degree in visual arts I left two years later. New York's a great city but it didn't feel right to me. I moved around a bit before I came back here about three months ago; I missed my family. I wanted to be close to them but I didn't want to be in La Push,"
"I'm sorry," I said reaching for his hand again trying to offer him some form of comfort. "I can't even imagine what that's like. Russia's always been a part of me. I move around a lot too but that's different seeing as I never change. People would get suspicious. It's not ideal to stay in one place for a long time but wherever I go, I try to incorporate a little piece of Russia into it," I replied.
John looked up at me, a curious expression on his face. His dark orbs bore into mine as if searching for the answer to a question unknown to me. I itched with curiosity but before I could begin to speak he answered.
"You haven't asked how I know about you, yet," he observed looking down at our clasped hands. He twisted mine in his massive hand tracing random patterns on my palm, then my wrist, and up my forearm.
I knit my brows wondering why that hadn't been the first thing I asked him but the answer came too quickly. I didn't really care. I was overjoyed I'd met him with no secrets complicating our relationship, no fear despite what he knew about me and that made me ridiculously exuberant. I was positive any other person would have already been running to the hills. John was brave, though. He'd walked right up to me, told me what he knew, then brought me to his home where we could be alone. He was so incredibly special and I felt lucky just to have met him. However for curiosities sake, I asked him how he knew anyway.
"My tribe, the Quileute's, encountered vampires many, many years ago. Back then certain members of the tribe could shape shift into wolves. The wolves were able to defeat the vampires and the tribe passed down the tale of what happened with the vampires. We've always known and recognized the Cullen's for what they are straight away," John told me.
"Do the Cullens know?" I asked.
John nodded his head. "They do and they stay away from La Push. They know they aren't allowed there."
"So you recognized me as a vampire and your next thought was to just walk right up to me," I stated incredulously. "Maybe you are a bit more insane than you are brave. You do realize that I could have killed you?" I teased.
He grinned down at me, exposing every single one of his perfectly pristine teeth, stretching his lovely full lips, and exposing that damn dimple of his causing momentary distraction. Instinct took hold of my body and my next thoughts were positively sinful; I wanted him, bad.
"It was neither bravery nor insanity that made me walk up to you," he said, his face suddenly serious as he stared down into his lap. "You remember how I said I've never felt at home anywhere?" he asked bringing his dark eyes back up to look into mine and I nodded my head. "Well when you walked into that diner, I did feel at home. I felt at home in the drive here and I feel at home now. I feel at home with you."
I could hear the sincerity in his tone and see the wonder in his eyes. I knew that he was confused by the way that he felt and I could understand that but I wasn't confused in the least. I felt so drawn to him, there was some sort of magnetic pull keeping my body close to his. I'd just met this man not even an hour ago and here I was in his home talking to him and feeling as if this was the most natural thing in the world. I felt comfortable with him, like I'd known him forever. And when we touched…an electric current sparked and traveled all over my body.
I couldn't believe after a thousand years I'd found him. For so long I believed true love just wasn't in the cards for my sisters and I. I wanted to dance, shout, cry with joy. Everything felt so right, I was busting at the seams with happiness and I desperately wanted to tell him but I couldn't find my voice. All I could do was sit there and stare at him. I was absolutely sure of my feelings for him but I was uncertain of his. I knew what he was for me but I wasn't sure if telling him was a good idea or not. I didn't know if he would find the idea of mating scarier than he had the existence of vampires. When I failed to respond, John continued.
"I know that probably sounds crazy, but I know what I feel. I've been searching for this my whole life. I couldn't not go up to you. I had to be close to you, meet you, talk to you. I saw you before you had even walked in the door and I knew what you were. I instantly needed to get to know you so I used the only thing I could to get you to come with me. I hope that doesn't make you uncomfortable," he said.
This time I was quick to respond. I shook my head rapidly and turned so that I was facing him more. I used both of my hands to hold one of his.
"It doesn't, John," I said. "I know exactly what you mean, I feel the same," I told him. I paused and chewed my lip, a habit I'd picked up from Bella, and contemplated my next words. His expression was incredulous. He was confused and I could help him understand. I sighed and decided to just go for it. He was my mate and even if he found the concept hard to accept, he wouldn't be able to fight our connection. The past week with my sister had taught me that.
"John," I said closing what little space there was between us. "We're mates."
BPOV
"You know one of the big reasons why I really don't want to stay with the Cullens?" I asked rolling over in the grass to lay on my belly. Kate, Irina, and I were all gathered in a big grassy field having some girl talk. I'd shared the intimate details of my time with Edward in Atlin as my sisters giggled and squealed like school girls. After that we'd moved on to discuss which family Edward and I would stay with.
"What?" Kate asked still on her back, her forehead creasing as she tried to look at me without turning.
"I don't want to go to high school anymore!" I exclaimed. "I hated it the first time! I refuse to spend the rest of eternity in a class room with hormonal teenagers! Four years of catty girls and douchey boys were enough the first time round. I know they do it to keep up appearances but Esme doesn't even have a job. Why can't they pretend that they're being home schooled or something!" I whined.
Irina laughed and Kate rolled her eyes.
"I know what you mean, B" Irina giggled. "I wouldn't be too keen on that idea either if I were you. I mean high school boys barely last ten minutes in bed. What the hell are you supposed to do with that?" she continued.
Kate reached over and flicked Irina's ear. "She's not interested in boys, anymore! She's got Edward now!"
Irina simply shrugged in response.
"Bella, the school thing I'm sure can be worked out. Maybe you could suggest going to college instead of high school. I mean it's the same amount of time in one place and maybe it could be longer depending on what majors you guys choose," Kate suggested.
I nodded my head and rolled onto my back again. I'd never been to college and that was definitely something I could get on board with. There were so many new things to learn at college and in reality I really should have been in college.
"Don't give her ways to make it right, Kate! We want her to come home with us!" Irina screeched.
"No, we want her to be happy," Kate hissed.
Irina sat up and crossed her arms over her chest. "Edward has spent decades with his family. We only just started ours with Bella. He can't take her away from us this soon!" Irina pouted, and I could see the sadness in her eyes.
"Irina don't make this any harder for her than it has to be! This is a decision Edward and Bella have to make on their own. We'll listen if she wants to talk but we shouldn't encourage her one way or the other!" Kate snapped.
"Kate you know…,"
I tuned my sisters out as they argued. While they resolved the issue of how to advise me, I needed to really think about what I was going to say to Edward. We were supposed to talk again about our decision soon and I was planning to stick to my resolve about staying here, but only if I could change a few things, like not going to high school, and maybe once a month trips to Russia.
"Hellllloooo Ladies!" a giggly Tanya sang as she danced over to where we were.
Irina and Kate stopped mid-argument and we all looked up at her in confusion. Tanya wasn't someone who was often sad or anything but I'd never seen her this happy and apparently neither had Irina or Kate.
"What's up with you? Did someone tell you the sun really does shine out of your ass?" Irina teased.
Tanya placed her hands on her hips and smiled smugly down at Irina, "Yep!"
Kate rolled her eyes, "Must have been some good sex then. Care to share? Bella just did."
"Really?" Tanya asked. "Why didn't you guys wait for me?"
My eyes shot to Kate as my mouth fell open in shock. How could Kate be so insensitive? Of course Tanya would not want to hear about me and Edward having sex. I looked up at Tanya and saw that she looked a little sad. My mind scrambled for something to say to make up for Kate being uncouth but came up with nothing.
"Really?" Tanya asked. "Why didn't you guys wait for me?"
My mouth fell open in shock for the second time. She did want to hear the details?
"Um…I just assumed that…maybe you weren't…ready for that?" I replied awkwardly.
Tanya sat down on the ground beside me and draped her arm over my shoulders.
"I am. If you come to Russia, I'm sure you know I'll have to listen to you guys going at it sooner or later. I can't expect you to leave the house every time you want to have sex can I?" she said playfully.
"Well, I…,"
"I know what I said. But let's not worry about that anymore. I'm perfectly fine now. I promise," Tanya interrupted me.
I searched her eyes, trying to identify even a hint of falsehood in what she'd said but found nothing. How could her feelings have changed so drastically in such a short amount of time?
"So have you talked with Edward, yet?" Tanya asked.
"Yea, I think we'll probably stay here. I don't want to take Edward away from his family, but I have some compromises I want to discuss with him too though. I don't know how long I can be away from you guys either. I miss you all already and you haven't even left yet," I responded.
Tanya nodded her head slowly in understanding. "Well I was thinking…maybe we could stay in Forks for an extra week? I mean there's really no rush, right?" she asked glancing between Irina and Kate who both nodded their agreement.
"So don't stress yourself out. Take all the time you want; we could even stay another month if that's what you need," Tanya smiled.
She stood up and went bouncing away, leaving as quickly as she had came. I looked at Kate with a raised eyebrow wondering what the hell…or who the hell had gotten into Tanya.