We were all supposed to meet at the Black's house for a 'family' dinner, so together Sam, Brady, Collin, and I headed over there. As Sam drove, I turned and gave the boys in the back an encouraging look.
For weeks now both Brady and Collin have been pretty pushed down on. The guys kept giving them a hard time, especially the more they acted out. So when we got there, everyone was a bit surprised to see the two boys along side me.
"Get away from her," Jake growled out. I narrowed my eyes at Jake and stopped Collin and Brady from moving away from me.
"Jacob Black, you better change your tone right now," I growled at him. That was something I picked up from Sam. I found that I had become a lot more commanding towards everyone. Sam, along with the elders, thinks that it's because I am the alphas mate. Lucky for them, when I give them an order, they actually chose to obey it instead of being forced to.
"Bella they are dangerous," he gritted out to me as he tried to not snap at me.
"So are you," I countered back.
"Sam tell her!" Jake practically yelled. Sam gave him a pitiful look. I already threatened Sam. If he took their side, he knew how the rest of the week was going to turn out.
"Isabella Marie Swan, get away from those boys right now," Charlie yelled out as he walked out of the Black house. Brady and Collin bowed their head like they were shunned. Taking a step forward, I protected the two like they were my own.
Billy came rolling out trying to get Charlie to see everything was okay. Jake kept trying to talk to me. I could feel how nervous and helpless Sam felt. Embry then pitched in with some words to try and convince me to step away. Paul and Jared were yelling at Collin and Brady for being 'stupid' by standing by me. I couldn't take all of the commotion.
"All of you, enough!" I yelled out. Immediately everyone froze.
"Collin and Brady are fine by me. Do you hear me?" I asked in a cold tone. "I am sick of all of you acting like they are offensive to this pack. We are a family, and a family sticks by each other. Show some respect," I yelled at them.
I then turned to my angry father. "Dad, where the hell do you get off by commanding them to stay away from me? Where the hell do you even think you can use your power over Sam to tell him the boys are a danger to me?"
I turned to look at everyone livid. "I am sick of all of you! Look how you are acting- trying to dictate my life and badger your pack brothers. I can live my life however I chose. Stop acting like a bunch of paranoid, overgrown little boys and get over yourselves."
They all looked at me a bit shocked.
"Just back away from her man," Quil said nicely to the twins.
This started up Jake again.
"Jake! Enough!" I yelled exasperated as he went on his tirade again. "I don't need your protection. They are your brothers for god sakes!"
"They could hurt you Bella!" he said pointing to them.
"And god damn it, so could you! Look at you right now! You are shaking like a leaf. And do you see them?" I said turning to Collin and Brady. "They are standing here not even looking like they are about to phase. Stop harassing them, and look at yourself."
Jake looked at his hands and slowly calmed himself down. Looking at all the boys, including Charlie, I raised an eyebrow. "If I hear or see any of you treating these boys like you have been, you'll regret it."
"Bella," Charlie said in a fatherly tone.
"Dad, I told you how this was going to play out. You don't respect me, Collin, Brady, or the rest of this pack; I can't be apart of it- I refuse to be. I'll move out like you asked me to. I can't take your opinions anymore."
"Bella," Brady said softly with a hand to my shoulder. Both boys looked guilt ridden.
"Guys this was my decision," I told them softly.
"You shouldn't have to do this," Collin said. "If we were a true family like you think we were then this wouldn't be happening."
I sighed as he walked off to the woods. Brady gave me a sympathetic look and went after his brother.
"Are you all happy now?" I asked turning to the group. "Are you satisfied with all of your bullying and put downs?" I looked over at Charlie. "This is what you wanted right dad? To have them stay away from me? Did you want them to feel like a piece of crap too? Because you succeeded in that."
"And you," I said turning to my mate. My anger was full on. "How could you let this happen? How could you stand there and do the wrongs of everyone else. You were supposed to be better. You were someone I expected better from!"
I held back the rest of my anger. "Shape yourselves up boys or you'll all be a little more lonely in La Push."
With that, I took off to go find Collin and Brady. Finding them right at the skirts of the woods and the beach, I saw Collin with tears down his cheek hitting a tree.
"Bella," Brady breathed.
"Hey boys," I smiled with my hands in my pockets. "Can I join you?"
"You should stay away. We could hurt you," Collin said. I furrowed my eyebrows. The guys really did a number on him.
"I trust you," I told the boy with a soft hand on his shoulder. He glanced up at me and swiftly put his head in my shoulder and cried. I comforted him the best I could. I whispered sweet words in his ear as I ran my hand through his hair. I rubbed his back and let him cry it all out.
"It ends here," I told both of them. "No more."
"But what about you Bella? What are you going to do? Where are you going to live?" Brady asked.
I smiled at his concerned. "You don't think I have enough money saved up from all of the jobs I've been getting? I'm top charted on numerous hit songs," I smiled. "I can take care of you, Collin, myself, Sam, and the rest of La Push with money left over. Don't worry about me," I cooed out. "We can figure something out."
"You shouldn't have to do this Bella," Collin said again.
"Well then it's a good thing im not 'having' to do it. It's my choice. Its something I should have done a long time ago."
"You really think it will be okay?" Brady asked after a while.
"No doubt in my mind," I smiled at them. Walking over to the other youngster, I kissed them both on the head. "Stop worrying. They will come around. You'll see."
We stayed at the beach for a while longer. We took walks up and down the sand enjoying the nice evening. Sam and the rest of the guys came looking for us a while longer. Glancing at all of them, I could tell my boyfriend was guilty. Jake looked a little more calm and understanding, and as for the rest of them they seemed a bit apologetic.
"See, I told you," I said nudging both Collin and Brady's shoulder. We walked up to guilty group.
"So maybe we got a bit carried away," Embry said.
"A bit?" I asked.
"So maybe we really got carried away," Jared amended.
"I'm sorry Bro," Quil told the boys first.
Both Collin and Brady nodded, taking Quil's hand in a man shake.
"Even though im not big on the whole apologizing thing, I am too man," Paul said to the boys.
The apologies continued until we reached Jake and Sam.
"I acted out of line. To both of you," Jake said looking at the twins. "And I especially crossed the line when it came to you Bells," my best friend said. "I guess I was just so caught up in the fear that I could lose you, that I didn't really think about anything else. I didn't mean to be so harsh," he told the three of us. "I'm sorry."
I smiled at Jake as Collin and Brady nodded, accepting the explanation.
"Sam?" I asked. He looked mad yet…guilty.
"I shouldn't have let it come so far." He told us. "I let everything get way out of hand and I treated my brothers with disrespect."
Sam looked up at us. "I turned your brothers against you. I don't know how I did it, I didn't even mean to, but I did."
I gave Sam a sorrow look. "Sorry cant even cover it boys. I acted far beyond than anything I ever imaged I could. You deserve more. You all deserve more," he said looking at his pack.
Immediately I knew where this was going. If he were to say those words and mean them, he would no longer be alpha.
"Sam," I said immediately stepping in. I shook my head as he tried to stop me.
"Do not say those words you hear me? Don't even think about them." I stepped in front of him, looking up to stare in those big brown eyes.
"I love you. Your pack loves you. Collin and Brady love you. We all screw up sometimes Sam. We let our emotions and thoughts get in the way of our rational views. But it didn't go as far as your mind thinks. You are a great Alpha Sam. No one could lead this pack better. I know its hard and I can see how much you have lost faith in yourself, but please listen to me," I told him as I slid a hand up around his neck. "Leaving your pack wouldn't help anyone. They need you now more than ever. Don't run away from the problem, fix it."
"I am the problem Bells," he said sadly.
"No," I said shaking my head. "You baby, are not the problem. It's everyone's thoughts that are the problem. You all carry the same old traditions with the same old stories. But things change- time changes. The longer the cycle of wolves go on, the more information we obtain. We learn from other's mistakes Sam."
He looked at me confused and I let out a laugh. "I'm saying everything is not how it used to be. You carry all of those scary stories of what could happen, but they haven't actually happened in ages Sam. You need to let them go and not worry so much."
He bowed his head, seeking me for comfort. "I'm your imprint Sam. I know what I am talking about. Have a little more faith in yourself and the pack."
My mind clicked. Have a little faith. I liked that phrase.
Sam inhaled deeply and I kissed what I could reach of him.
"I'm sorry boys," Sam said stepping back to look at them. Collin and Brady looked fully recovered. It was like Sam's apology meant the most out of all of them.
I went to go stand in between the twins. "Think we can all go eat now?"
Everyone laughed and I walked off with the half naked giants by my side.
Jake apologized at my side time and time again. With each kiss to my cheek, head, and hand I giggled and repeated how he was forgiven. It was funny to see all of the boys grovel. I could tell they were trying to make it up to Collin and Brady too. Both of the young wolves were wrapped in conversations with their brothers. It was nice to see.
When we stepped inside, with the rest of the boys. I smiled at Sam. Everything turned out okay. We were back to normal.
As our pack tried to fit in the little house all together, our laughter spread. I guess not all of us could go through the doorway at once.
I noticed Charlie was waiting inside the house with Billy in the living room. Spotting me, he got up from his chair. I was prepared for another long fight but instead he turned to Collin and Brady beside me and held out his hand.
"I'm sorry boys. I truly am." Surprised by his blunt apology, I looked to see how the boys would take it.
"Its okay Chief Swan," Brady said shaking the man's hand. Collin took it too without saying anything. I think he was still getting used to it all.
"Bells, I don't want you to leave home," Charlie said facing me then. "I lost it a bit. I'll admit it. I just worry when it comes to you."
"I know," I smiled going over to hug my dad as I slipped from Sam's grasp. Charlie sighed and kissed the top of my head. "We okay now?"
"Definitely," I grinned up at him. Going over to Uncle Billy, I hugged him too. "Thought you deserved a hug."
He laughed, "You really know how to treat an old man."
Dinner was served a while later. We all sat around the table spreading jokes and happy news. It was a rarity to get everyone together. Some had school, while others had work and patrols. It was nice to actually feel like a family- without a bon fire having to bring us all together.
My phone rang in my shirt pocket and I stood up to get it. Kissing Sam on my way out, I glanced at the many men around the table. Collin and Brady's spirits seemed lifted, Embry, Jake, and Sam looked less stressed, and Quil and Paul seemed to be having a blast.
"Hello?" I asked as I waited in the hall.
"Bella! Good to hear from you," Pete's voice said.
"Hey Pete," I smiled on the phone.
"Sorry to bother you, I know how you like your family time."
"Not a problem," I said with a laugh. His words brought back a funny memory.
It was just as my career was getting hot. Sam and I were sitting around with the Pack in the living room hanging out. My cell phone rang for the billionth time that day and Paul finally went to go and get it. We heard a crunch in the kitchen and I shot up to see what happened. My phone was smashed against the counter.
"Paul!" I yelled looking at the device in pieces.
"It has been ringing non stop since dinner. Every time we hang out with you this has been happening. Its like the device has a life of its own! What happened to having family time?"
"It's work! Its important," I said holding up what was left of my phone. I felt sorry for the poor device. It was met with Paul's fury.
"I'm tired of the 'working Bells'. I want the fun carefree Bella back we all once had," he said looking at me. Glancing over at everyone else, they were in agreement.
"Okay," I sighed. "Just let me call the industry back and set down some rules okay?" I asked with a hand on his shoulder.
He nodded and they all left the kitchen so I could make my last call.
"What's up?" I questioned.
"Well I was hoping you finished some more songs? I have a few clients on the line hoping to meet you."
"Really?" I questioned with surprise. It was actually a pretty slow month for me. Ever since I told Pete I would only like work with artists who would meet me in Washington, things have become a bit slower.
"Yes, they are willing to meet you…but they demanded in Seattle."
"I can do Seattle," I laughed.
"Okay, well then hopefully you can put a rush on those songs? I don't want them to change their minds- a catch like this could be big."
"I can do that too." I told the man. We talked a little bit more and I was beyond excited. I was about to meet Mandy Moore.
We hung up a while later and I went back to join the dinner table.
"Everything okay?" Sam asked. I nodded and smiled at him. Things really were turning up.
"Hey Embry, you know how you were messing with that sick beat the other day?" I asked.
He nodded. "I think I got a song to that. Wanna try it out after this?"
He shrugged. "Sure, we can give it a shot."
"Can we come?" Jake asked.
"Sure," I smiled. It was nice when they came to the Cullens. The vampire scent was dying off as Sam claimed, so the boys were more than willing to come watch us.
After cleaning up the dishes we all headed over there. Embry got the beat set up from his keyboard while I pulled out some paper and thought through everything I wanted to say.
"Can you add that," I asked pointing to a little sound button. The melody changed a bit and I thought of the song in my head. "Yea, like that, but repeat it."
As he did so, I proof read the song and edited it a bit more. Most of the guys sat around the room waiting for the song to be heard.
I was waiting for my queue from Embry when I stared out to the forest and thought of another song. Sam held out a paper in front of me before I could even walk to get it and I smiled.
"How did you know?" I asked.
"You have that look on your face," he said. I laughed and shook my head. I didn't have 'a look. Writing the words against my thigh, I bit my lip to think.
"Ready," Embry told me. I looked up and went back to my other song. I guess I was going to have to brush the new one off till later.
He played the background music and I went to the piano to add my own notes to the rhythm. Slowly, I began to play and add my words.
("Have A Little Faith In Me" by Mandy Moore)
When the road gets dark
And you can no longer see
Let my love throw a spark
And have a little faith in me
I smiled. The song felt right and I could see the boys begin to smile too. "When the tears you cry
Are all you can believe
Just give these loving arms a try baby
And have a little faith, faith in me
Have a little faith in me
Have a little faith in me
And have a little faith in me
Have a little faith, faith in me
When your secret heart
Cannot speak so easily
Come here baby
From a whisper, start
To have a little faith in me
And when your back's against the wall
Just turn around and you, you will see
I will catch your, I will catch your fall
Just have a little faith, faith in me
Have a little faith in me
Have a little faith in me
Have a little faith in me
Have a little faith, have faith in me
Well, I've been loving you
For such a long, long time
Exspecting nothing in return
Just for you to have a little faith in me
You see time, time is our friend
Cause for us there is no end
All you gotta do is
Have a little faith in me
I will hold you up
I will hold you up
And your love gives me strength enough to
Have a little faith in me
Oh, hey... ohh darling
Have a little faith in me
Ooo... ooo...
ladadadadaa...ladadadadaa
Faith...
Giving Embry the look to stop, everyone smiled.
"I like it," Brady said. Collin nodded, along with everyone else.
(A/N: I do not own any of these musical artists I put in my story or the characters from Twilight)
I met with Mandy Moore a few days later at a small record store in Seattle. They had a CD player back there where I played her my demo. She listened to the words, took in the beat and smiled.
"I love it."
From there, we signed a few papers and the song became her's. I gave her pointers on how the notes should be hit and when to go high and low. Everything was great.
"You know, you would be even more amazing if you traveled," she said kindly. "Most of the time we don't even have time to fly out and meet the writer. And you're a great person. You know what you are talking about and I love the songs you create. I'm not telling you what to do," she said looking at my face. "I just think a girl like you would really become a shining star if you were to step out onto the city streets and show the world what you got."
With a hug and a thank you, her and her manager left a little while later. I sighed as I thought about her words. She was right. Traveling would be better for my career. But it put strain on my relationships back home.
Sam and I tried it once, but it was tough. He wanted me to be happy and with the start of my career, it was something I needed to do to get noticed. So I packed up and left. For the most part, it worked out. But the more popular I had gotten, the longer I stayed away from my hometown and the more my relationships began to unravel with Sam and the Pack.
It was hard for them to see me gone for long periods of time. I never had a long time to talk and was always from one place to another. It wasn't worth it I guess, so I came home and worked from Forks. I was still happy- don't get me wrong. As long as I had my man, my family, and my music I was fine. It just could have been so much better.
Making my way home, the eerie silence passed and it made me even more anxious. My thoughts wouldn't let go how much I actually desired to go to LA or NY- to see the city streets and the sunny days. It all sounded so great. But I couldn't…could I?