*A/N: Thanks to my lovely beta and awbffe NessiesMomma for beta reading.*
*Disclaimer: I do not own twilight or its characters, SM does. I do however want Edward Cullen to spend eternity in my bedroom ;]*
"Bella, there's something I haven't told you." He drew in a shaky breath and picked his eyes up off the floor finally meeting mine, "Sue isn't your mother."
I had a deep intake of air, and stared at him confused. "Wh-What?"
Pain and guilt crossed Charlie's features, and he looked at Carlisle who simply nodded for him to continue. "Your real mother's name is Renée Dwyer." He paused to let it sink in. "I met her my junior year of high school. We… kind of rushed things a bit."
"That's putting it lightly." Emmett chuckled.
"Emmett," Esme drawled out warningly.
"Wait," I spoke up as Edward stopped his soothing ministrations along my back. "How do you all know this?" I searched the faces that surrounded me.
It was Carlisle who answered, "Bella, why don't you let your father continue and then you'll be filled in on everything."
I didn't like feeling out of loop. It felt like I was missing out on a secret… a very huge secret, that seemed to have been going on for most of my life. I closed my eyes to prepare for the worst and mumbled lowly, "Go on, Charlie." I could almost see Charlie putting down his head. I had never called him Charlie. Not even during one of our worst fights. I may have said, "I hated him" but as long as I still called him "dad" he knew I wouldn't be mad long. But this, this was different.
Charlie cleared his throat, "Your moth-Renee was new to Forks. When I saw her walk through those cafeteria doors it was like… like my world had become complete. She caught me staring, of course." I opened my eyes and looked up to see Charlie smiling at the memory. "Anyways, she just continued walking to her table with her cousins with a sly smile on her face. The next class, biology, she sat next to me. It was the best fifty minutes of my life. We continued to talking and … dating throughout high school. Once we graduated I asked her to marry me and that was the night you were… conceived."
Charlie looked over at Carlisle again as he began speaking. "The normal gestation period is nine months, but Renee was speeding through it. She was already showing signs at two days and was showing in a week."
Had Carlisle treated my mother? How was that possible? He looked younger than Charlie. Medical school took time… Years. I stared at Carlisle questioningly. Perhaps he's just retelling the story for Charlie. Carlisle stood and walked over to me, kneeling in front of me. He wrapped his cool hands around my own.
"Bella," he paused finding difficulty in what he was trying to say, "Your mother was a vampire."
I scoffed unbelievably. "Vampires are a myth. Aren't they?"
"I assure you they are not."
Emmett chuckled again. This time Rose punched him hard in his stomach.
I stood up, my hands balling into fists at my side. "What is so damn funny, Emmett? Do you find it humorous that I have been lied to all this time?"
Edward stood beside me placing his hands on my arms. "Bella, calm down."
"No! I just found out that I've been lied to since I was born. And not only that, my mother is a... vampire!" I spat the last word.
"That's just Emmett. Please relax." Edward soothed in my ear.
"Yeah. I'm an ass. Sorry Bella."
I stared at Charlie, seething. "Is that why I've been kept from her? Because she's a vampire and might kill me?"
"No," he stated. I saw an expression cross his features that made me relax. Sadness.
"Why?" I whispered.
"Bella, she died during childbirth."
Tears brimmed at my eyes and Edward turned me and enveloped me in his arms. I shook with dry eyes. That's weird. I pulled back slightly lifting my hand to find tears. There was nothing. I stared at my fingers in shock. "What's wrong with-" I looked up to meet Edward's golden eyes. I looked at the assumed adopted Cullen's who all shared similar features. The same golden eyes and the same pale, cold skin. I backed away from Edwards embrace shaking my head. "That's how you all knew. You were there."
"Yes, Bella." Carlisle whispered. "We're vampires."
"What happened with the birth that caused my mother to die? It was because of me, wasn't it? Me, her half blood monster." My body was trembling with the need to cry, but finding no release. Edward reached for me once again, and I swatted him away. I didn't understand his connection with me, and I wasn't staying here to find out. "I need to leave." I stated disgusted with myself.
I turned on my heel and bolted out the door using the same speed that had gotten me to Seth. Oh, Seth! My poor brother! It saddened me that he wasn't really my brother. That I bore no connection with him. And with the reminder of Seth, came Jake.
The image of Jake's soft lips barely on my own. The image of what would have happened if Alice had not opened that door when she did. That image alone forced me faster. I didn't know where I was running, just that the further away from the Cullen's and my family the better. I ran until I reached the La Push cliffs. I stood at the end, leaning over admiring the sea. The waves crashed and I could hear playful laughs below on First Beach. How uncomplicated their lives were. I felt someone approaching from behind me, and my body stiffened.
"Bella?"
I turned and came face to face with Jake. "Oh! Jake!"
I crashed to him and wrapped my arms around his waist. His arms went around me, snuggling me closer to him. I breathed him in and sniffling, dry sobbing against his shirt. I squeezed tighter, never wanting to leave the comfort of his warm embrace.
"Uh, Bella?" his voice seemed strained. I pulled back and stared at him arching my eyebrow. "You're crushing me, babe."
I released him quickly repeatedly apologizing. "I just... had a rough couple of hours."
"So I've heard."
"Charlie?" I questioned.
"Yeah he said you ran off. I had a feeling you'd be here." He placed his hands on both sides of my face pushing back my hair with his palms. "Remember when we went cliff jumping?"
I smiled. "How could I forget? I can't believe you talked me into that."
"You had fun. Don't lie. We both know you're a terrible liar." He stared at me challenging.
"Okay. Okay. I had fun."
"Knew it. So, what are you doing here? Thinking of going for round two?"
"No." I chuckled out. "Just getting away. It was getting to be too much in there."
"Did Carlisle find out what was wrong with you?"
I frowned. "Can we just not talk about it now?"
"Sure. Wanna come to my house?"
I hesitated. "Is Billy there?"
"He's at your house for the night. Ya know to be there for Charlie." He seemed like he wanted to ask something, but he refrained.
"Oh. Alright. Lets go to your house then."
He reached for my hand, and I gave it to him as we walked to his house. The light breeze smelled of rain. We made it to Jake's house. It was a small, red one level in the middle of La Push. He opened the door, gesturing me in and I collapsed on the couch.
"Just let me call your Dad."
"Mind if I make something to eat? I'm starved."
"No go ahead. Make me a little something too."
I got up from the couch, and made my way into the kitchen. It was a little cluttered, but well enough for two guys living together. Especially two such as Jake and Billy. I searched the cabinets, and found pasta with jarred sauce. I grabbed a pot from above the stove, filling it up halfway with water. When it had settled to a boil I added the pasta.
"Definitely could get used to this."
I turned to find Jake leaning against the door frame, arms crossed, looking me over. I smiled under his gaze and continued to stir the pasta. "You want to make yourself useful, and heat up the sauce?"
"Sure thing, hot stuff." He winked.
While he went to work with the sauce, I drained the pasta and placed it in a bowl. Jake and I worked well together. Never crowding each others space, and anticipating each others next move. I stepped away as he poured the sauce over the pasta, and then leaned in with my spoon mixing it up. Jake went to the cabinet and grabbed bowls placing them on the table. As I placed the pasta into our bowls, he grabbed napkins and utensils. When I finished we sat and ate in peace. We shared a comfortable silence as Jake left me to my thoughts.
As we finished Jake grabbed our bowls and placed them in the sink, running water over them. "You cook. I clean." He smirked. "Go inside and relax."
"Thanks Jake." I leaned up on my tippy-toes planting a light kiss on his cheek.
In the living room, I sat curled up on the couch with a blanket wrapped around me. I turned the TV on, searching for a good movie. I stumbled upon the 1936 version of 'Romeo and Juliet.' I put it on, glad that it just started. Five minutes in, Jake sat beside me and opened his arms for me. I melted into his side, bringing my legs over his. He wrapped one arm around me, and the other rubbed soothingly against my legs.
"'Romeo and Juliet,' again?"
"Yes! It's a classic, Jake."
"You're just a hopeless romantic. Emphasis on the hopeless." He smirked.
I elbowed him, not wanting to unravel myself. "Gee thanks, buddy. Who went to prom with their cousin? Oh wait, that was you."
"Ouch, that hurt." He feigned hurt while he clutched his one arm over his heart.
"That's what you get for calling me hopeless." I smiled.
"I only brought my cousin because you were "studying" or so you say."
"I was studying! I had finals the next day. Whose smart idea was it to have prom on a Thursday?"
Jake shrugged. "All I know is, you don't get that excuse this year. You're my date."
"Is that your way of asking me?" I questioned.
"Sure it is." He stated smugly.
"Hello? Hopeless romantic here?" I chuckled.
"Well you had to go and call my manhood into play. I had a perfectly romantic way of asking you."
I arched my eyebrow and stared at him. "Oh, you did, did you?"
"Yep." He stated popping the "p".
"How exactly did you plan on going about that?"
He smiled smugly. "I don't know if you're worth it anymore. Maybe I'll ask someone else who will swoon under my charm."
"Swoon?" I giggled. "Are you serious?" By the looks on his face he certainly was.
"Yes. You're one of the swooners Swan."
"Me? When have I ever swooned?"
A huge smile crossed his features as his face lit up. "Every time you see me. You can't resist my charm or my looks. You're like putty in my hands."
I pretended to scrutinize his face, and he caught me staring. "Eh. I guess you're sort of beautiful."
"Sort of?" he snickered. "Have you seen this face? You sure whatever you got isn't affecting your vision?" He placed two fingers in front of my face. "Quick how many fingers am I holding up?"
"Oh shush, you idiot. Are you going to tell me or what?"
"Tell you what?"
"How you would've asked."
He paused. "I would've taken you to First Beach. We would talk about all the fun times we had together as you held my hand. When we reach the cove, there would be a candle lit dinner waiting for us, and 'prom?' spelled in seashells in front of it."
I couldn't help but stare at him. That was so romantic, and I felt myself ready to scream "Yes!" as loud as I could. Of course, I bit my lip and fought the urge. A smug smile still held on his face. He knew he was good. "Okay, I'm a swooner, you charmer."
"Never doubted it."
We went on watching the movie and at some point fell asleep on the couch.
"Bella," I heard a velvet whisper call out. "Bella,"
My eyes fluttered open, as golden eyes met mine. "Edward? What are you doing here?"
"Come with me." He held his hand out for me to take.
As he helped me up, I noticed I was wearing a short, white silk nightie and he was in a suit.
"Edward what am I wearing? I didn't fall asleep wearing this."
I quickly placed my hands over myself. Without answering, he dragged me out of Jake's house.
"Climb on my back."
"In this? Are you crazy?!"
"Bella, don't make me…" he warned as the corner of his mouth lifted up.
I crossed my arms. "I'm not afraid of you."
"You really shouldn't have said that."
Before I knew it, I was on his back and he was speeding through the woods towards First Beach. He placed me down and before I could scowl at him, he crashed his lips to mine. I moaned into his mouth at the feeling, and he took that opportunity to slip his tongue between my lips. His tongue fought for dominance, and my hands wove themselves into his hair, pulling slightly. He growled into my mouth and crashed us onto the sand.
His hands grabbed everywhere, and I began to feel a hot sensation all over my body. Too hot. I pulled Edward away with my hands and was staring into Jake's bright smile.
I jolted awake and saw Jake lying beside me. Or rather I felt him. He was burning up. I felt his forehead and it was scorching. I shook him awake. "Jake! Jake!"
After much effort, he finally sprang up staring at me with a growl. "What Bella!?"
"Jake are you okay? You're really hot. Like you feel like you have a fever."
He brought his hand to his head and shook his head. "I don't know whats wrong with me."
"Want me to bring you to the hospital?"
"No. Call my Dad."
"Okay. Sit down."
I ran into the kitchen pulling the phone off, and dialing Billy's cell phone.
He picked up on one ring. "Hello? Jake?"
"Billy, it's Bella. Jake has a fever of some kind. I don't know what's wrong. He told me to call you. He was just fine last night." I babbled.
"Bella slow down. Did you say Jake had a fever?"
"Yes."
"Okay, on the fridge is the number for a Sam Uley. I want you to call him and tell him to come over right away. Tell him its urgent."
"Is… Is he a doctor?"
"Just call him Bella."
"Okay. Okay."
"And Bella? When he gets there I want you to get straight home."
"What? Why?"
"Just listen to me Bella."
"But I don't have my car." I was sure Billy didn't know about the whole vampire thing.
"Take Jake's. Just make sure you get out of there Bella. You hear me?"
"Yes. Leave when Sam gets here. Got it." I rushed out.
Billy hung up without so much as a goodbye.
I heard Jake groaning and I rushed to the fridge to find Sam's number. I searched the names. Quil Attera, Emily Call, Sue Clearwater. I frowned. Some names I can't pronounce. Charlie Swan. Aha! Sam Uley.
Sam Uley! I quickly dialed his number. It rang twice before he answered. "Hey Billy. What's up?"
"Hi… Sam? It's Bella Swan. Charlie's daughter. Jacob's friend. Uh, Jake has a really bad fever. Like really bad. Billy told me to call you."
"I'll be right over."
