I'm BACK! Costa Rica was a blast. I was supposed to compare the schools but I kept finding myself thinking, The Cullens could visit here. (The rainy season put a lot of cloud coverage in the area.) I might write about that later.
Oh well, On to the next chapter.
Chapter 16: The Past.
It was nearly impossible to pretend that the world was still in order when Renesmee and Jacob returned. Renesmee is a brilliant child, but she can be unobservant when she wants to be. Jacob, on the other hand took one look at our expressions and centered his attention on me. He rose an eyebrow behind Renesmee's back. I stared back and nodded once. Jacob took in a breath, and held it.
"Renesmee, Have you eaten today?" I asked, knowing the answer.
"I hunted yesterday. I'm not hungry." I took that as my opening.
"I'm going to go hunt. Why don't you finish up some of that homework you have left." I turned to leave and smiled at Jacob.
"I think I'm gonna join Bella. Keep her safe." Jacob stumbled. He was a pathetic liar. Renesmee didn't press the subject. She nodded and skipped upstairs. I walked out of the door, with Jacob closely behind.
A safe distance into the woods, Jacob spoke up.
"How bad is it?" He mumbled looking at my face for clues.
"The Voulturi are planning a secretive attack. They are coming, like before, but this time, no witnesses or wives. They want us exterminated." Jacob shuddered.
"Under
what charges?"
"They only had charges because they had
witnesses. They are going to claim that Renesmee is dangerous and
then they are going to go for the kill on most of us."
"My pack will join the fight." Jacob stated nobely. I sighed.
"I didn't want your pack involved, but the numbers would be great, and Alice will enjoy their involvement. She doesn't want to see the outcome this time." Jake grimaced.
"It's that bad?" I nodded.
"She doesn't see us winning so far."
"We can all assemble at La Push next week and officially ask the Elders. It's the monthy gathering." I remembered the first time I had attended the gathering. Billy had told the story of the Third Wife. Jacob looked like he could read my mind.
"The story Billy wants to tell is the epic battle of the wolf and the Cold one together as brothers." I smiled. He grinned wickedly. "As they try to save a girl, hell bent on getting into trouble." I lightly punched Jake in the shoulder. Jacob and I started walking towards the house again.
"Don't forget to invite Angela and Ms. Wintours." Jake added. "Lets add more stories to the campfire."
The week flew by. Friday was here before anyone had time to let it sink in. Edward threw the last of our things in the car and Renesmee and Angela slid into the backseat of Edward's Volvo. Ms. Wintours was on a mission to find as many new witches as she could, but Angela had replied that she wouldn't miss this meeting for anything. Renesmee kept asking Angela about me during my first years in high school. Angela was more than thrilled to talk about our high school days, and even promised to show some of her pictures. She thankfully left out my first half of senior year.
"Here we are." Edward announced. He pulled his car to a stop right outside of Jacob's house. Jacob was there to greet us. Renesmee bounded out of the car and lept over to him. "Oh don't stand near the road, Renesmee. Aunt Rosalie is driving and you know how much fun she'd have if she could try to get a good hit in on Jacob." Edward flashed his crooked grin. Renesmee laughed and Jacob joined in with her.
"I'd do more damage to her car." He scoffed. Angela looked uncomfortable. It will take her a little while to get used to the way Jacob and Rosalie argue. The other cars pulled up and the rest got out of the car. Alice and Rosalie had their glasses covering their faces.
"It's supposed to be cloudy all day, drama queens." Jacob called as they walked passed him. Alice turned around.
"With patches of sunlight today, but none on the beach where we're going to hang out right now." Edward put his arm around me and we all walked towards the beach.
"I guess we know what we're doing until dark." Edward added, shaking his head. "Carlisle and Esme are planning on talking with Billy and Sam. They want the young werewolves out of the fight."
"It won't work." Jacob called.
"They can still try." I replied.
The beach was chilly. Or so Angela had told me. I was aware that it was November and the winds were going to be cold, but our bodies didn't register cold like normal bodies. We all wore light jackets, to hold up the charade. Renesmee was bundled up, as was Angela. Jacob wore a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Jacob and Renesmee were walking with our group. Renesmee, throwing a Frisbee, and Jacob lunging after it. Then he would lop it high in the air and she would have to chase it down. Emmet and Rosalie were walking closer to the water. Emmet kept stepping into the water and looking over to Rosalie, who would yell at him.
"I will kill you Emmet. I had to get my hair done and these are nice clothes. Do NOT splash me." Emmet had his moments of mischief, but even he knew better than to mess with Rosalie. Alice and Jasper were staying close. Alice would prance a head and then skip back to take Jasper's hand. She looked like an overly excited 5 year old. Even for a vampire, Alice was extraordinarily graceful. Angela, Edward and I were near Renesmee and Jacob, talking. Edward rested his arm around my waist. Angela looked up at the Frisbee Renesmee had just thrown. She lifted her hand and the Frisbee took on a life of its own. It swayed and then plopped Jacob on the top of the head. Jacob, stunned, looked towards Edward. The Frisbee then flew off of his head and into the water. Jacob had to go jog into the water to get it. Edward laughed uncontrollably.
"Ah, so you do use your powers for evil, Ms. Weber." he replied when he could finally stop laughing. Jacob glared over towards Edward and then looked impressed.
"I try." Angela shrugged as if it were no big deal. Alice stopped prancing and looked up.
"Uh-oh. Too late." She mumbled. She didn't seem too upset. We looked around in time to hear a man's voice call out.
"Angela?" We followed the sound of the voice to a man standing on top of a hill. He was farther away, and he had been aged five years since we had last seen him. But we could still make out who it was.
"Who is it?" Angela asked, trying to get her eyes to adjust.
"Mike Newton." I replied, shocked. I thought he went away to college. It was too late to run, Mike had already spotted us. He ungracefully made it down the hill into the sand. He was getting closer.
"Angela. It's been forever!" He started, then he caught sight of me. His eyes widened in surprise and shock.
"Bella?" He breathed. His hands were shaking as he reached up to touch my face. I smoothly took a step back. Edward cleared his throat.
"Newton." He glared and nodded. Mike had completely over looked Edward, but now he seemed to understand Edward's meaning. Mike's expression stiffened as he nodded toward Edward.
"Cullen." Angela moved and caught Mike's attention.
"Mike, what are you doing in La Push?" Mike seemed to relax a little around Angela, who was, to him, neutral territory.
"I am home on vacation. This is my last semester before I graduate with my business degree and I wanted to walk through La Push." He looked at her and then looked at the rest of our family. "What happened to Ben? I thought you two were inseparable." Angela shifted her weight. I knew she was no longer with Ben, but like a sister that knew everything, I knew not to ask about it.
"We broke up." She answered plainly. She looked over towards Edward and he nodded. Angela had mastered telepathic communication with Edward.
"That's awful." Mike sounded empathetic. He then turned his attention back to me. "Bella, you look exactly the same as you did at your...wedding." He stared again. "You don't look like you've aged a day."
"It's only been five years, Mike. Not long enough to really change that much." I heard my voice reverberating through my head. The melody of my voice seemed to chime. I would have to work on keeping the bell sounds out of my voice.
"I guess your right." Mike said, ignoring the bells. "You really look, well, different." Mike looked at the new me. I felt uncomfortable being the center of attention. I switched subjects.
"You still dating Jessica?" I watched Mike's expression change from awe stricken to simply stricken.
"We're engaged. The wedding is in June, after I graduate." He smiled, but his face looked like that of martyred endurance.
"You two are perfect for each other." I comforted.
"Just some pre-wedding jitters." Mike gave me a look again. Pausing, as if thinking of a way to word what he wanted to say. Edward wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close.
"The pre wedding fears disappear once you start walking down the aisle. Trust me, Newton, you'll be fine." Edward sounded as if he and Mike had been friends since grade school. That was unlike Edward. I gave him a curious look, and Edward looked down at me and grinned. "Bella and I have never been happier." Mike nodded as if he were a kid listening to his older brother give advice. Edward looked off towards Jacob's house. "We'd probably better go." I smiled at Mike. He looked a little more confident in himself. Angela and Edward turned to head back to Jacob's. Jake and Renesmee were already ahead of everyone. Mike took a breath and stepped closer to me.
"I'm really glad I got to see you again." His heart had started beating in overtime. His face was starting to flush.
"It was great seeing you again." I echoed.
"Bella, I hate to be so straight forward, but this will be my only chance. Do you ever imagine what life would be like if, well, you know." Mike's face was now starting to show the blush growing across his face. "If you and I had dated, instead of you dating Cullen? Do you think I would still be nervous about walking down the aisle?" Mike's eyes immediately fell to the floor. It felt like hours for me to shuffle what I was going to say in my mind. In truth, it had only been a few seconds.
"Mike, we wouldn't have worked out. I was meant to be with Edward, and you were meant to be with Jessica. In less than a year you will realize this, and be ashamed for even doubting your feelings for one moment." I knew this would probably be the last time I saw Mike again. Not changing much after five years is one thing. But looking eighteen, when your supposed to be thirty would be a different story. There would be no explanation. I turned to leave and Mike grabbed my hand. He looked down at my hand, shocked at the icy coolness of it. I took my hand back.
"I'll see you around then?" He asked hopefully.
"We'll be around." I corrected, and looked back at Edward. He turned and gave me a smile. He knew Mike was going to say those things. I sighed. Mike muttered an awkward goodbye, and as soon as he turned, I dashed over towards Edward. Mike turned back a few moments later and noticed that I was already with Edward, but he didn't question it.
~*~
I always have a soft spot for Mike. I might bring him into the next chapter for a bit. He's just here to lose. If Bella didn't go with Edward she would have went with Jacob. Mike never had a chance. Oh well. Next chapter.
