Pairing: Bella/Paul
Genre: Drama
Rating: M
Words: 1000
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight and don't pretend to make money from Fanfiction.
Fade to Black
The thirty year old, rusted station wagon pops and sputters its dying breath the moment she pulls into the drive of the yellow house. With a deep sigh, Bella closes her eyes and leans against the headrest. Jake told her the car needed a radiator and soon, but with money going to bills, she and Paul couldn't afford the much needed part.
A light tap to her window holds the tears at bay. The habitual smile graces her lips, forcing Sam to reciprocate. Glancing at the keys, deducing the pointlessness of removing them, Bella folds the personal check in half and tucks it into her back pocket,.Bella muscles the door-moaning and cracking in protest-open and steps into the warm embrace of a brother.
"I called Jake. He's on his way."
She nods her thanks and snuggles into his chest, breathing in the scent of comfort. Warm lips press against her temple before she pulls from his strength to climb the steps and into the house.
"Mommy," Conor calls out, running to grab her around the legs. In her weakened state, she stumbles before returning the hug.
"Hey, Mom." Braden, the middle-aged six year old, wraps his arms around her waist.
Emily bustles from the kitchen and shoos the boys away with a dishrag. "Conor, Braden, go help clean up the Legos."
Conor tears down the hallway, sliding in his footie pajamas with his older brother in tow.
"Have some wine," Emily says, with a smile, her eyes meeting Bella's after the boys disappear into Jonah's room.
"Got anything stronger?" Bella asks.
"Rezshine?"
"Perfect."
Bella slouches in a chair at the table, accepting the shot glass placed in front of her. "Here," she says, sliding the folded money note to Emily while tossing the molten liquid down her throat.
Emily takes her own shot, grimacing at the burn, shaking her head. "Bella Lahote, if you don't put your money away, I'll tear it up and set it on fire," she threatens, picking up the empty glasses and carrying them to the kitchen.
"It yours, Em. I owe you."
"Nonsense."
"You feed them, help Braden with his homework, bathe them, and make sure they are in their pjs. You're more of a -"
"Hush that bullshit up right now," Emily cuts into her self pity, pointing a finger at Bella. "You are and will always be those boys' mother."
Headlights of the Black's Auto tow truck silence Bella's retort. Pushing away from the table, they head outside to greet Jake. Immediately, her best friend grabs her in a bear hug, squeezing her tight.
"Can't breath, Jake," she says, keeping her arms locked halfway around his waist.
His chuckles lifts her spirits, and she melts against her rock. "Hey, honey." He kisses her hair. leaving his arm around her shoulder. "We brought you the Rabbit. To borrow," he adds, killing her protest before it began.
"Here." Shoving the keys in Bella's fisted hand, Leah pulls the girl from her husband and embraces her before the blares, startling them both..
"Get away from the horn," Jake growls to the bouncing twins in the front seat while securing the tow cable to the station wagon.
"You guys are coming to the twin's birthday barbeque this weekend, right?" Leah's glare makes Bella wench.
"I have to work this weekend. Can I drop the boys off for a sleepover?"
"Of course, Bells." Jake interjects. "We'll be glad to have them."
"Thanks, Jake," she says, snuggling back into his arms. "For everything."
"Anytime, honey."
"Alright you heathens, get in the backseat." Leah orders, climbing into the mammoth truck.
Bella waves goodbye to the disappearing vehicle.
"Giddy up, Uncle Sam."
The squealing child receiving a piggy back ride draws her attention as Sam's growl further excites the small boy.
Her growing smile is genuine when she thanks the man who's like a brother.
Placing the boy in the backseat, Sam ruffles Braden's hair before closing the door. "No need to thank me, Bella."
With the boys packed in the Rabbit, Bella travels the dirt road leading to her and Paul's two bedroom cabin tucked into the thicket. Once in the driveway, Braden jumps out of the car and slides his seat forward to collect his baby brother from the backseat.
"I'll get Conor, baby." She says, handing Braden the keys. "Open the door for me?"
"Sure, Mom." He takes off and scales the steps to unlock the front door.
She gathers the sleeping child from the backseat, hefting him into her arms with a Conor into his room, she tucks him in the race car bed and kisses his hair. The bed on the other side is empty with the pillow and comforter stripped from the mattress.
"Braden, baby, what are you doing?" She asks her son who's making the couch his self appointed outpost.
"The man of the house protects the family, and that's my job until Daddy gets home." He shakes out his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle blanket and punches his pillow before settling for the night.
"Oh, Son," she sighs. Their eyes meet, killing her speech. The same expression mirrors his father's. She nods and sweeps his hair from his forehead for a kiss.
Light snores crept from the living room and into the kitchen, giving the greenlight for her nightcap. Kicking off her shoes, she puts the basket of eggs Kim dropped off into the fridge and grabs a glass and the whiskey bottle from the top shelf. Dimming the lights, she steps onto the front porch, swiping the cigarettes from under the fake flower and pours herself a drink, relaxing into her rocker.
The midnight moon shines bright on the white pickup truck as her husband pulls into the driveway.
"Car died tonight," she offers in explanation to Paul who makes his way up the steps. "How much of your paycheck is left?"
The whining of the screen door answers her question.
"Put your son to bed," she whispers into her glass.