Rating/Warning(s)/Note(s): T, Shadows
Disclaimer: All copyrights, trademarked items, or recognizable characters, plots, etc. mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without their express written authorization.
Prompt: Fun
My eyes flew open when Edward finally stopped running. We were in a large meadow, the moon bright on the grass undulating in the slight breeze, and reflected in many pairs of bright, glowing eyes.
"Looks like the dogs are here," Edward murmured to me, glancing over to Marta. She looked ashen, but it might have been the moonlight robbing her of color. "I don't think she enjoyed the run."
"I didn't think it was much fun the first time either," I reminded him.
His smile was beaming. "Do you like it now?"
"Not particularly, but I know you won't let me get hurt, so I wait until it's over." Alice had set Marta on her feet, where she instantly sank down to the ground and covered her head with her hands. "I think I need to check on her."
"She could use a friend." He looked over to where the eyes were approaching. "They want to meet in the middle of the field. Will you two be all right here alone?"
I snickered. "I think she might be better if we're alone." He bent down and lightly brushed my forehead with his lips, taking a deep breath before calling the others to run with him. Looking to where the others had stopped I could barely make out shapes, and what I saw shocked me. They were massive.
I dropped down beside Marta. She started until she realized it was me, then almost fell over with her head in my lap. "Why did I have to come here?" she asked, her voice tremulous. "I was perfectly happy thinking the world was a normal place. Now it's filled with wolves and vampires. Next thing you'll tell me there are witches and selkies, too."
"Until this afternoon I only knew about vampires," I told her, running my fingers through her hair.
She began to laugh. "Oh, lucky me, I get to find out about both at once." Her head turned so she could see across the field. The moon seemed brighter, or at a better angle, because now I could tell that they really did look like wolves. Their haunches came even with Edward, their bodies equally broad. Massive tails curled under in a protective stance as Edward spoke to them and related their thoughts to others. I knew instantly which one was Jacob, because one wolf kept looking in our direction, a distinctive whining sound reaching us. "I hate whiny guys," Marta said, sitting up slowly. The whine instantly cut off. "Oh, that could be nice."
"What?" I asked.
"Instant capitulation. No more whining." She looked at me sideways, a slight smile on her face, replacing much of the trepidation that was evident earlier. Her eyes returned to the conference on the field. "You think he's a nice guy?"
"Yes."
"Should I give him a chance?"
"Yes," I said, leaning over to give her a gentle push with my shoulder. "At least for the summer. If things don't work out, well, you were going back to school anyway. If they do…"
"It's better than dating a vampire," she teased. "At least my boyfriend would be warm." A small yelp came across the field, and looking over we could see that one of the wolves was wagging his tail.
Having Marta live with me, and me dating Edward, muddied the treaty that was put in place seventy years earlier. Both the Cullens and the tribe wanted access to my house. Both Marta and I wanted to visit the beach, and because of the threat of the Volturi the Cullens didn't want to leave my side, so wanted to accompany me there. On the run home that night, accompanied by Jacob, Edward explained that treaty lines no longer existed. The tribe became acquainted with their scent to differentiate them from other vampires, and it was decided they would work together for the protection of all. It also allowed for double dating, something that caused both Marta and Edward to roll their eyes, at first.
Within a week of being home I was back at my job, working for the Newtons. Everyone but Charlie thought that was a bad idea, but I liked earning my own money. It felt wrong to be spending the Cullens', no matter how much they told me it was fine.
As the weeks passed we saw less and less of Alice and Jasper. It seemed that Jacob's proximity interfered with her sight, so they spent their time at the new house, refurbishing it to Esme's specifications. Jacob was uncomfortable visiting it at first, but Marta loved it, so his resistance was short-lived. As he catered to her every whim, so was hers. In less than a month we were giggling about their first kiss.
"How was it?" I teased, making kissy-faces at her.
"Hot," she replied, fanning her face with one hand while trying to push mine away with the other. "And I do mean that literally. I swear he could melt an iceberg just by swimming next to it."
"That'll be nice during the long, cold winter," I said, raising my eyebrows at her suggestively, making her laugh.
"I guess I won't need that electric blanket anymore," she agreed, eyes shining with new love. She rolled from her side to her back and sighed. "There was just no resisting him, you know? I felt a pull from the moment I met him, but then he freaked me out so much all I wanted to do is run for the hills. But now…"
"Now?" I asked, rolling onto my side to see the happiness in my friend's face.
"He treats me like I'm the most precious thing on earth, how can I say no to that?" Her eyes closed with another sigh. "It doesn't hurt that he's incredibly sexy, either."
"Ew, please remember I think of him as a brother and try to not make me ill," I said, grabbing a pillow to swing at her.
She caught it deftly, hitting me with it instead. "Face it, Bella, Jacob is gorgeous. Not that Edward isn't, but you have to admit Jacob is as well."
I lay back with a huff, rescuing my pillow from her and shoving it behind my head. "Yeah, he is." I looked over to her and she looked at me. "I'm glad you're happy."
"I'm glad we're both happy," she said.
Ever have a day when everything goes wrong to the point you just have to give up and laugh? Well, today's that day. When I described my day to my husband and youngest, they both cracked up, it was so ridiculous. Please forgive any errors; just take them as befitting my day. I'm fine if you laugh along with me.
