CHAPTER NINE

AFTERMATH AND ENDINGS

I heard the beep beep beep on the hospital thing. Oh no! I'm in a hospital. Dammit! I abhorred hospitals.

I groaned loudly and pried my heavy eyelids open. I saw my dad sitting in those uncomfortable chairs at my bedside. When he saw me awake he shot out of his seat and came to my side, feeling the side of my face, "Hey, sweetie. You're awake."

I swallowed, my throat dry, "Daddy?... What happened?"

Dad looked grave, "You don't remember anything, do you?"

"Just going after Bella," I lied.

Dad sat on the edge of my bed, "Edward and his dad came after you. To try and change Bella's mind about leaving." It looked like it still pained him to say that. "Bella ended up tripping at the top of some stairs. You reached out to grab her but she took you down with her. You both fell down two flights of stairs. And Bella went out a window."

I inwardly rolled my eyes at Carlisle's story, "Sounds like Bella."

Dad's eyes crinkled at my attempt to lighten the mood, "I'm so sorry, baby. I haven't been the best dad, have I?"

"Oh, daddy," I whispered, "That's not true. Bella didn't mean anything she said. She was just freaking out about Edward. I love you." It was the first time I have said that since I was a little girl.

And it showed on dad's face as he leaned down to kiss my forehead, "I love you too, baby girl." he sat up and stood, "There's someone here to see you too. I'll go send him in."

My brow furrowed. Who would be here?

My question was answered when Embry walked in. My eyes widened and I felt a smile light up my face, "Embry!"

Embry grinned and tsked playfully, "You bad girl. Getting dragged down two flights of stairs."

I rolled my eyes, "Bella's fault."

Embry grinned and came to sit at my side. He put his hand on my face, "I'm glad you're alright."

I smiled softly, "Me to but can you take me out of this hospital already?"

Embry chuckled, "I'm sure you'll be out soon. You're not as bad off as your sister."

Then the door opened and I saw mom walk in. She looked at me and sighed, "oh, baby."

"I'm staying in Forks. With dad." I blurted before she continued.

Both she and Embry looked shocked at my random demand. So I went on to say, "I know you probably wanna take Bella back to Jacksonville. But I'm happy in Forks. I have friends. I have dad. He needs someone. I'm not gonna let you drag me along to please Bella's ever whim."

Mom sighed, "Okay, baby. I only want you to be happy."

I looked up at Embry, thought of Quil and Jacob, Jasper, Rosalie, the Cullens. And I knew my answer.

"I am happy."

ABOUT THREE WEEKS LATER

So Bella and I went back to live with my dad. And we were happy. But then Edward convinced Bella to go to prom. And she didn't want to go alone. That's where I come in.

Tyler had overheard me complain that I didn't want to go to prom just to be ditched when I get there. So he swooped in and asked me to be his date. For lack of a better suitor – or excuse to say no – I accepted him.

So here I was waiting on the couch for my date to pick me up. Edward and Bella had already left and said they'd meet me and Tyler out front.

I heard the door open as dad let Tyler inside and I stood to get out of here as soon as possible.

I wore a simple medium purple long dress with one shoulder – the shoulder with my vampire scar was covered – and a beaded belt thingy wrapped around my waist (link on my profile)

I wore simple silver, strappy heels and a butterfly ring on my index finger. Alice had been over to help me and Bella get ready. She curled my hair and pulled it up into a messy but elegant bun with a few strands out to frame my face (link on my profile) My makeup consisted of chapstick, dark purple and silver eyeshadow and mascara.

I guess I looked decent.

By the look on Tyler and my dad's face; they agreed.

"You look beautiful, Callie," Tyler complemented.

I smiled awkwardly and thanked him. Tyler walked out and dad asked if I had my pepper spray.

Tyler was a gentlemen. He held the door for me and everything. It was a short ride to the prom. When we got there, he opened the door for me again and said, "I'm glad you came with me."

I didn't know quite what to say to that. I didn't really want to be here. But I smiled and lied, "Me too."

Tyler led me by the arm to where Bella was sitting and I saw Jacob sitting with her. When we got close enough I called out, "Jacob? What are you doing here?"

Jacob stood and looked at me. But when he did, his eyes widened considerably and his mouth fell open at the side of me. "Callie! You – um..." he swallowed, "You look nice."

"Thanks. Are you crashing prom? Did you bring Embry?" I almost giggled at his face.

He composed himself, "Oh, no. I'm just here to give a message to Bella."

Bella nodded, "Yeah," as Edward came to her side with the tickets. "You should crash prom anyway, though. It'll be fun."

Jacob looked hesitant, "I don't know..."

For some reason I felt really uncomfortable. Then Tyler said, "Yeah, man, I can get you in! No problem!"

Jacob looked at me and I gave him a half smile. He looked at Bella and said, "Sure. I'm dressed for it anyway."

It was then that I noticed how he was dressed. He wore black jeans, tennis shoes, a white un-tucked button-up and a dark red tie. I guess for him, that was fancy. He was wearing a headband too.

So Tyler and I followed behind Bella and Edward as they took their pictures. When Tyler and I came up, he gave a big smile and exaggerated pose while I gave a closed lipped smile.

Jacob got in no problem like Tyler said. He got Eric to let him in.

When we entered, the music was blasting and the lights were ever changing. There were many poker tables throughout the room and kids crowded them to gamble for prizes.

Tyler steered me towards the DJ table, "Let's say hi to Angela and Eric."

I nodded and followed like a good little date. And Jacob followed behind me.

Angela smiled when she saw me, "Oh my god, Hi Callie. You look so beautiful."

I totally liked this girl.

I smiled at her genuinely, "You look great Angela. Bella told me that dress would look great on you."

She smiled thankfully at me while Tyler and Eric got to know Jacob.

Tyler then approached me, "You wanna dance?"

I didn't. But I nodded, "Sure."

And that was how the night passed. Tyler and I danced, sometimes with Angela and Eric. We also played the tables with Jake. Tyler won me a flashy crystal necklace and I wore it to appease him.

All too soon, the night had to end.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the last dance. Grab your partner and let's slow things down."

I heard Bella say, "Jacob, why aren't you dancing?"

He shrugged, "No one to dance with?"

"Dance with Callie."

My eyes widened, "Huh?"

Bella walked over to me, out of Jacob's ear shot, "Dance with him so he knows this night wasn't a total waste. Please."

I looked reluctant but Tyler briefly squeezed my hand, "Go ahead."

I sighed and walked up to Jacob, "Jake? Wanna dance?"

He looked at me for a long time as the soft guitar started to play. "Yes."

We were left alone in the gazebo so I put my hands around his neck and he laid his on my waist.

Here I go open mouth try not to let all the feelings out at once, try to save some.

I was short enough for Jacob to rest his chin on the top on my head as I rested it on his shoulder. I finally felt like I had a moment of peace. It was peaceful in Jacob's arms. He wrapped his arms tightly around me and pulled me closer.

Now here they come the 2 and 3 where 4 meets 1 with a bar between. It's crazy we express ourselves through such simplicity.

"Jake, I don't want you to get hurt," I blurted softly. I felt him tense a bit under my head.

"What are you talking about?"

So I'll get to the point and cut the suspense short.

I sighed, "Bella may be my sister and I love her..." I raised my head and looked him in the eyes, "But she'll break your heart. And I don't want to see that. You deserve better than that."

"And what do I deserve exactly?" Jacob asked softly. Like he was afraid of the answer.

It's you. You make it worth it.

"You deserve someone who's going to love you totally and completely and only you. You deserve someone who won't hurt you. Someone who will make you happy. Make life worth it."

Worth waking up in the morning.

"And where am I going to find someone like that?" Jake asked skeptical.

I narrowed my eyes, "If you look past Bella, you'll find who you're really meant for. And you'll do it because I said so."

Jake smiled and chuckled, "So stubborn."

"Damn straight."

Your stubborn like your father right. You've got your mothers wild side with just enough affection to wrap me up tight

"But seriously Jake, you will find her."

"And what about you?" He suddenly asked.

"I'm fine the way I am, I only need my dad and Bella. And you guys. You all make me happy." I sighed.

and you should know your all I see when eyelids close and I fight for sleep. Your pretty face is painted on inside my brain and I could never shake you.

The music slowed and the guitar strummed softly throughout the gazebo. I laid my head on Jacob's shoulder and closed my eyes blissfully. This felt right.

"Callie."

I lifted my head again and looked at Jacob.

It's you. You make it worth it.

"We really care about you too, Callie. More than you know," He swore in a whisper. I tried to fight touched tears, and reminded myself that they couldn't care about me.

"It's true. You are..." he sighed, "Funny, sarcastic, brutally honest and beautiful. We all love you. No matter what."

Worth waking up in the morning.

He let go of my waist and grabbed my hand. He lifted our clasped hands and spun me in a slow circle. I smiled softly, feeling cared for more than ever. He twirled me slowly into his arms and dipped me half way, looking into my eyes the whole time.

The vocals stopped and the guitar strummed more intricately and intimately and it truly felt like a love song. The beats resonated into my being as Jacob lifted me back up, not letting go of my hand. He took my other hand and placed it on his shoulder, taking my waist with his right arm. He held out hands against his chest. I could feel his heart beat. I wanted to fall asleep to it.

I looked back up at him, "All of you?"

He looked me right in the eyes, his warm so-dark brown eyes mixing with my light brown ones and swore, "All of us."

No one knows what keeps our hearts beating on their own. Some say its gods control but my heart found its way back home.

I smiled, fully and completely. He smiled happily back, convinced he had convinced me. I laid my head peacefully onto his shoulder again, "I really care about you."

It's you. You make it worth it. Worth waking up in the morning.

He arm tightened and pulled me as closed as he could. We had stopped moving. Just standing there in each others arms.

You took my hand and restored me.

I felt my breath lodge in my throat as I lifted my head for the last time and looked into Jacob's eyes. Our faced grew serious, our eyes speaking for us. But neither of us could determine what the others eyes were saying. The mystery hung still in the air as we felt ourselves drift closer.

It's you.

Our soft breathing mixed in with the soft guitar as it slowed to a stop. We were so close.

After that, Bella, Edward and Tyler joined us and the moment was broken. No one seemed to notice but us.

We didn't know what would come of that night. Neither of us knew exactly what had just happened. And I wasn't sure I was ready to.

After that night, things went back to normal. We didn't bring it up.

All I know about that night is that I was alive. And I was cared for. And I was happy. For the first time in a long time...

I was happy.

So Callie didn't become a vampire, sorry to those who wanted her to.

The song is It's You by The Urgency and The Exit. You should really listen to this song while reading because I love it! My cousin helped me pick it out.

Does anyone have any idea who she will end up with?

So this is the end of Twilight Greenhorn. Stay tuned for The Callie Swan Saga: New Moon: In Fine Feather.

Please let me know what you think and REVIEW!

Until the next installment of The Callie Swan Saga...

RegalGirl94