CHAPTER 38: A House in the Woods

"Sorry it wasn't a real homecoming dinner," says Charlie.

"It's perfect, dad," I smile back. I didn't expect Charlie to actually cook anything for us so the pizza and salad he ordered was something I figured someone who lives off microwaveable food items would do. Nuke it in the microwave for 4 minutes and Charlie was satisfied.

He and Edward ate most of pizza while Alice and I only had two slices each. I preferred the Greek salad instead, which I shared with her.

"You have a lovely home, Mr. Swan," Alice tells Charlie in her small charming voice. "It's nice to see where Bella grew up."

"Please, call me Charlie…and thank you. It's not much but the house has been good to us over the years."

"Well, it seems that you've taken very good care of it," she smiles.

I swear I saw Charlie blush. He must really be taking a liking to Alice. Edward, on the other hand, he's still sizing up. He's barely spoken two words to him except for Edward's attempt to talk about baseball.

Both men seem out of their elements. I've never introduced a boy to Charlie, let alone had him over at the house before, and Edward didn't know much about fishing. It was somewhat amusing to watch them interact and how awkward they tried not seeming around each other.

But I know over time, they'll be more at ease once they get to know each other better. Well, they better because I plan on having Edward in my life for a long time.

I I I

For most of the night we filled Charlie in on the tourist version of what we did in Italy and the sights, briefly reminiscing about my drowning accident, talked a little about Milan and finally told him of my new occupation.

He was surprised at first, even a bit apprehensive about my duties as Alice's assistant, but she assured him I was perfect for the job. I kept telling her in the beginning I wasn't the only one who thought she was crazy for hiring me.

Discussing all the other drama felt unnecessary so I left it out.

"Have you seen Jacob yet?" asks Charlie. "He came by earlier with a girl looking for you but I told him you wouldn't be here till tonight."

The girl he's referring to is most likely Renesmee, Jacob's new girlfriend. I'm curious to finally meet her. "I'll probably see him tomorrow when I bring Edward and Alice over to La Push."

"You should call him…let him know you're here. He's been dying to see you."

"I will…later tonight. Once we're settled into the hotel."

Charlie frowned. He thought the three of us will stay here, at home, and looked rather disappointed when I told him we checked into a nearby hotel—the only hotel in Forks, actually.

Our house only has two bedrooms, one, which was occupied by Charlie and my old room. Charlie suggested for Edward to sleep on the sleeper sofa while Alice and I shared my bed, but we both know how old and uncomfortable the couch will be for Edward.

My dad's fallen asleep many times on it watching sports and said it wasn't that bad once you got used to the lumps in it. I gave him a look that meant he wasn't one bit convincing.

Before heading to the house, we did a quick check-in at the hotel so we'd be set with a room with two double beds by the time we returned. I told Charlie we have a rollaway reserved for Edward to sleep on but of course that was a lie.

We'd be sleeping in the same bed, which I know he wouldn't be too keen on knowing. At least the tension in his shoulders relaxed when Alice told him she's staying in the same room with us.

I I I

"Thank you for a lovely evening!" Alice gives Charlie her megawatt smile and hugs him like she's known him for years.

He's taken aback by her friendliness, but still shows a small, appreciative smile and a quick hug in return. I should have warned him how friendly the Hobbit can be. But, I'm happy he's at least warming up to one of the Cullens.

"Thank you for your hospitality," Edward extends his hand.

My dad gives a short nod and shakes his hand firmly, both men staring at each other with unreadable faces. Makes me wish I could read what they're mentally saying to one another.

"We'll be in the car," Edward says to me so I can have a few minutes to say my own goodbyes.

Once the siblings are outside, I turn to Charlie and give him a half-smile. "So…we'll see you again tomorrow?" It was as if I had to check if my dad wanted to see me again.

"I hope so," he gathers me in for an embrace. Charlie isn't the affectionate type but I can tell by his hug that he misses me. I wrap my arms around his waist, resting my head on his shoulder, savoring the rare moment. "I better see you up until you leave," he kisses the top of my head.

"Of course you will."

I I I

"It's not the Hilton…but I guess it'll do," Alice scans our hotel room as Edward and I unpack.

"There's no room service like the front desk said, but at least there's the continental breakfast downstairs in the morning," I tell her. "And, we have clean towels."

She sits on her bed and bounces on it a few times. "Definitely not the Hilton," the Hobbit mutters.

"What'd you expect, Alice?" Edward rolls his eyes at her. He has fewer expectations than his sister, which is a good mentality to have when staying in a small town.

"Hey, I'm not complaining," Alice defends herself. "It just takes some…getting used to."

I smile at them both knowing it's an adjustment. Being a famous fashion designer and a movie actor, staying at a low class hotel in the middle of nowhere, is definitely a downgrade from their usual high-end accommodations.

I'm happy Edward is making the best of it and Alice is…well, she's trying. He made her repack her bags at least three times and said to only bring the bare essentials for the weekend, which still consisted of three bags to our one duffle bag each. Not to mention the extra shopping bags she picked up in Seattle along the way.

"So, who wants to use the bathroom first?" I ask.

"Me!" Alice stands with her hand raised. "I'm dying to wash my face from all the travelling we've done today."

"Don't take too long, Alice. I know your bedtime ritual can take like an hour," Edward raises a knowing eyebrow.

She makes a face at him. "Aren't you lucky we don't have to share the same bathroom anymore…" Alice grabs her toiletries and pajamas and heads to the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

Edward chuckles after we hear the lock turn. "It was awful for the both of us when we had to share a bathroom when we were younger. Alice is a neat freak and me…well…I'm a guy."

"You two shared a bathroom?"

There was only one bathroom at Charlie's, which we shared so I know what it's like. But surprisingly, Charlie wasn't that bad. Being the Chief of Police in Forks, he was rarely home to utilize the bathroom like I did. They had showers at the station and a cot he could sleep on for the nights he was buried in his work.

"My mother gave Emmett the bigger room with the bathroom since he was the oldest. Alice and I had an adjoining bathroom we'd always keep locked from each other. I really don't understand how getting ready for the day and getting ready for bed takes the same amount of time?" Edward shakes his head. "The morning part I get, but at night…all you have to do is brush your teeth."

"Not if you're a girl," I chuckle. "...Or Alice."

Edward is right in saying she has a ritual. Someone like Alice doesn't simply brush her teeth. She has to remove her makeup and apply all the necessary face creams and lotions to keep her skin looking young. Alice also likes to brush her hair before bed to get rid of any tangles she might have even though her hair wasn't even passed her shoulders.

After the three of us are set for bed, Edward turns up the heat to a comfortable temperature since it's a lot colder here in the Northwest. I also packed us our own blankets because I didn't trust the hotel sheets, which we threw on the floor. Getting used to staying at fancy hotels with them, I became more conscious of where I laid down as well.

"No hanky-panky on this trip you two," Alice warns us after Edward turns off the lights. The only light that can be seen is from the street lamp by the nearby window peeking through the closed curtains.

"Just plug your ears," he replies.

"Edward!" I playfully hit him on the arm he wraps around me, pulling me closer to him. He laughs softly in my hair, kissing me on the cheek.

"Get your own room…" Alice answers back sarcastically.

I I I

The next morning after breakfast, I drive us to La Push to meet up with Jacob for lunch and so they can see a little bit of La Push afterwards. Hopefully, I'll get to see my other friends who I met through Jake as well. On our drive there, I show them the area where we go cliff diving as we pass by it on the freeway.

"You're crazy," Alice shakes her head. "No way would I do that."

The waves are choppy today from the breeze and overcast around La Push so this wasn't the best day to be around the cliffs. "It's not as scary as it seems once you actually do it. It's a nice adrenaline rush."

"I'll save that for you and Edward," Alice leans back into her seat.

"What do you think?" I ask Edward with a smile.

He smirks back at me from the passenger side. "Well…since I have to keep my manly ego intact…of course I have to say I'm down to jump from any height you want."

I I I

Making our way down the muddy path to Jacob's house, I see him and a girl standing outside holding hands waiting for us to pull up. He lets go of her hand and jogs over to open the driver's side door.

"Hey, Loca!" Jacob practically yanks me out of the driver's seat and into a tight hug. I laugh at his boyish ways and hug him back with equal force.

"Hey, Wolf Guy," I chuckle, a teasing nickname I gave him because of his tribe's ancestry to supposed werewolves.

It feels great to see my best friend again. It's only been a few weeks after we parted ways in Volterra, but it still seems like forever.

"You cut your hair," he takes a strand and examines it.

"Only like an inch…to get rid of the split ends," I reply, somewhat amazed that he's even noticed—I barely notice it and didn't even bother telling anyone…not even Edward.

"C'mon, Bells. If you started growing an extra ear, I'd notice," he scoffs playfully. "I thought you'd never get here. Emily wants you to stop by her and Sam's place later. She's cooking dinner for everyone. It'll be the first time in a long time since we have the whole gang together again."

"That sounds great," I smile excitedly. It'll be nice seeing my old friends again.

"Ahem," Edward clears his throat.

I blink toward him forgetting for a second that Jacob and I aren't alone. I got so caught up in catching up that I forgot I came with company. And apparently, so did Jake.

"Oh, yeah…umm…guys…this is my girlfriend Renesmee. Nessie, this is Bella," Jacob introduces me. Nessie?

Renesmee is a beautiful young girl. She has high cheekbones, a straight nose, strong jawline, and full lips. Her hair is almost like Edward's in an unusual bronze color and pale-skinned like the Cullens. Must be the Alaskan weather?

Looking at her, I now understand what Jacob means about how she reminds him of me with her chocolate brown eyes. If I ever have a girl, I'd like to have a daughter with the same beautiful features.

"It's finally nice to meet you," Renesmee extends her hand to me. I walk up to her and take it politely. "I know it sounds cliché, but you're all Jacob talks about."

"Besides cars…" Jake adds sheepishly.

"You're all he talks about, too," I smile back. "I'm glad he's found someone who makes him happy." She and Jacob both blush. "This is my boyfriend, Edward, and his sister and one of my good friends as well, Alice."

"A pleasure," Edward smiles with a handshake. Renesmee is frozen for a moment, in awe, and has to blink a few times to recompose herself.

Edward Cullen's dazzling charm strikes again!

"Same," she replies shyly.

Jacob discreetly rolls his eyes. "And that's Alice," he points to her to get his girlfriend to focus away from my boyfriend and his handsome features. I really don't blame her because I know full well the affect he has on women—but, he's mine.

"Lovely to make your acquaintance," Alice comes around Edward, giving her usual friendly smile with a handshake of her own, but in a more graceful fashion than her brother's.

Renesmee looks a little overwhelmed by the Cullens. The siblings are—for a lack of a better word—beautiful. So are their older brother, Emmett, and mother, Esme. Their father, I have yet to see since he's the only one who appears to have a normal occupation as a doctor in Chicago.

But I'm sure his features are as striking as the rest of them. Sometimes I think their family's features are photo shopped.

"Uhh, so…my dad told me to make sure you say hi to him, too. Before we leave," Jacob turns to me, breaking the awkward silence between the group.

"Oh! Yeah…of course."

I I I

After the usual introductions and catching up with Billy for about twenty minutes, the five of us head to the local diner where I waitressed for a few summers. The same people and the same staff are there who greet us with genuine smiles. Charlie must have sent out a broadcast that I was coming home for the weekend because everyone appears to be expecting me—minus the two new friends I came with.

The people of Folks for some reason, I swear, are all at the diner today—and gawking at us, especially at Edward and Alice. I know it's a small town and word gets around fast, but this is the first time I've seen people actually staring. Everyone is normally pretty easy going and tends to mind their own business since nothing exciting ever happens around here.

Up until we arrived.

The other customers keep turning in their seats to talk to us even after their food has been brought out to them. The men are very fascinated about what Alice does and the older women are giggling like little school girls at Edward. This feels like a meet-and-greet signing.

Or the Twilight Zone.

Both are trying their best to be polite to the inquisitive diners and focusing on the people at our own table at the same time.

I feel bad for Renesmee because she looks uncomfortable with the situation. Jake says she also comes from a small town in Alaska and has pretty much been sheltered her whole life so this was a new experience for her. Her and her family had only been in Forks for a few months and I know she's still trying to adjust.

She also seems like a shy kind of girl and has barely eaten anything on her plate. Jacob, on the other hand, is stabbing his food with his fork and shoving it in his mouth like an animal.

Clearly, he's annoyed but doesn't say anything. Renesmee would glance at him every so often and I can tell she wants to comfort him somehow but doesn't know what to say.

"Alright everyone, let's let these kids enjoy their meals. They didn't come here to be bombarded with a million questions. I'm sure ya'll have your own food to finish and tabs to pay."

The crowd looks toward the deputy and quietly disperses as he requested.

"Thanks Roger," I smile appreciatively.

Roger Manfred is a few years older than Charlie with a white mustache and bags under his eyes. You can tell he's lost a lot of sleep from his years on the job. He's somewhat of a heavier set man from consuming too many peach cobbler pies he loves so much at the diner.

I saw his cruiser parked outside, just by the entrance when I glanced in his direction after hearing his voice.

"My pleasure," he winks with a tilt of his hat. "If any other folks cause you kids trouble, you let me know."

Charlie probably sent him over to check up on us. It wasn't hard to see the people milling around outside and the curious looks they have on their faces.

Roger is a good man. Charlie is his boss but I know he often gives my dad good advice on the cases they work on together and even some on parenting—his kids grown, living in Maine with their own children. Roger is almost like a second father to me; Charlie asking him for favors to check up on me when he'd have to go to the next county over when they need extra help with an investigation.

"Sorry about that, guys," I half-smile at the table. "We don't get many visitors here. Even when we do, people just stop by for lunch or dinner and don't stay very long."

"Getting to know the people here is kind of fun," Alice gives a girlish giggle.

"Wasn't this supposed to be a quiet getaway for you two? Or I guess…three?" Jacob finally speaks, raising his eyebrows at us. "Come tomorrow, this place will be swarming with paparazzi."

Alice rolls her eyes at him. "Do you really think the people here will tell the reporters where we are? They don't seem the type."

"Oh, you'd be surprised," he mutters back.

"Bella?" She looks to me, blinking.

"To be honest, I'm not really sure?" I shrug. "I've never seen the people here get so worked up over anyone not from around here."

"Even when my family and I moved here a few months ago…we didn't get much attention," adds Renesmee quietly. I'm glad she's contributing to the conversation. "I mean…people asked some questions about where we were from and things like that, but not much."

"So…what are you Hollywood folks gonna do if the paps show up in Forks looking for you?" Jacob leans into the table. His question is directed more towards Edward.

Edward keeps his cool, sipping his water before answering. But Jacob is right—what are we going to do? The whole point of this mini-vacation is to get away from the media.

"There's really not much we can do but try to avoid them," Edward simply answers. "Forks is a small town so it won't be that hard to find us. Even if we checked out of the hotel and stayed at Bella's house, they would still know where we are. We'll just have to make the best of it while we're here."

"And there's no way you guys are staying at my place," Jacob shakes his head, talking to himself more than us. Renesmee shoots him an irritated glance. Jacob clears his throat and sits a little straighter, explaining himself. "I'm not trying to be rude…we just have a small house."

"We would never impose that on you, Jacob," says Edward.

"I don't know why everyone is already sounding so paranoid?" Alice looks around our table. "Even if the paparazzi knew we were here, they'd have to drive like five hours just to get here, giving us time to wander around and sightsee. Besides, it'll probably take them a few more hours to actually find us if we don't stay put for very long."

"And by the time they arrive, we could already be leaving," I add to try to sound more positive about the situation.

My main concern is Tanya Denali. I don't want her knowing where Edward and I are. He left his cell phone at home to avoid unwanted disturbance, namely her. If Emmett or Rosalie wants to get a hold of him, they'll have to call Alice or myself directly.

"I'm not too worried," Edward says casually. He then looks at me, "I'm just sorry that our vacation will be ruined if they do. I know how much you wanted a relaxing weekend away from everything." He gently rubs my forearm.

It's okay…" I force a smile. "I'm just happy you wanted to come here."

It wasn't so much getting away from everything; I just want some quiet time with Edward without looking over my shoulder to see if anything we did was caught on camera and twisted into some controversial cover story for a tabloid magazine to showcase the next day.

"Umm…" Renesmee starts quietly. We all turn our attention to her, waiting for what she has to say next. "Well…my parents are actually out of town this weekend at a medical convention. They won't be back till late tomorrow night so if you guys want…you can crash and hide out at my place till then."

"Really?" Alice looks excited. No one was prepared to hear her offer her place of residence to us.

"Nessie," Jacob gives her an unsure look of opening her home to strangers—even though he knew us.

"That's very kind of you…but–" Edward begins.

"I don't mind—really," she interrupts him. "Sorry," she blushes for sounding more eager about the idea than she wants to show. "We have a pretty big house…surrounded by the woods. We're secluded on a private road and there's a no trespassing sign with a gate once you get off the main highway. I don't think anyone would think to you look for you out in the woods."

"Are you sure, Renesmee?" I ask.

"Yes," she nods with a small smile. "It'll be nice to have some guests in the house. It's kind of scary at night when the house is practically empty and really way too big for just three people if you ask me. Jake comes over once in a while to keep me company when my parents are working late the local hospital but it still takes some getting used to."

"It's a pretty cool house," Jacob nods. "Open space, wood flooring and paneling…and lots of windows. But kinda eerie sometimes with weird noises coming from the woods."

"Jacob!" Renesmee scolds him with her eyes. She probably doesn't want him trying to frighten us away.

"What?" he gives a clueless shrug. "Okay, it's really not that scary. It's just the animals scurrying around and the owls hooting at night."

"Like I said, the house takes some getting used to," Renesmee says quietly, looking a little embarrassed by Jacob's unnecessary add-ons. "But it's a really comfortable home…I promise."

"We'd love to!" Alice pipes. Edward and I look at her as if the three of us took a vote and we lost.

"Great," Renesmee's eyes light up for a brief moment. "I know my parents won't mind. They prefer me spending time with friends than staying home alone."

Jacob sighs, rolling his eyes but not saying anything.

Friends, huh?

"So? What do you say, Eddie? It's only for one night." the Hobbit leans into the table so she can look directly at her brother because I'm sitting in between them with Jacob and Renesmee across from us.

He thinks for a moment, looking at me, for some kind of sign. I merely shrug. Either way, I really didn't care. Whatever is convenient for everyone is fine by me. Besides, I'm not the celebrity everyone wants to be around—it's them.

Edward softly chuckles, looking at us one-by-one.

"I guess you'd better prepare your house for a sleep over," he says to Renesmee who finally shows a genuine, happy smile.

Author's Note: Sorry again for the long update. Life's been hectic. Hope you enjoyed! Please don't forget to review! Thank you.