Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, Stephanie Meyers does. I do own this plot and storyline. I own my own original characters and a sweet little Chromebook I just love.
All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 12: Reality Hits You Hard!
EPOV
Morning comes way too early and announces itself as my alarm goes off. I just lay there for a few minutes, willing my brain to wake up enough for me to move. While basking in the comfort that this bed is offering me, I blink away the sleep as best as I can, and try to think of the last time I slept that well.
I finally make it to the bathroom for a quick shower and my morning routine. After dressing, I head downstairs to make some coffee. As I walk into the kitchen, I see Bella startle out of the corner of my eye. I didn't notice her sitting at the bar with her laptop open. It appears as if she wasn't expecting anyone to be up this early.
"Sorry," I mumble headed for the full coffee pot.
"I guess I'm not the only one who needs coffee before dealin' with the masses," she laughs quietly.
After pouring myself I cup, I take the seat next to her. "Nope, at least not before the first cup," I mumble inhaling the aroma of caffeine before taking a sip.
"I grew up with Emmett, he wakes up at top speed so I need a few cups to be able to deal with him," I explain to her. "He's the jokester among us and wakes at full throttle. He and Rose lived at home during college and even then, he still acted like a toddler most of the time."
"Wow, how long have they been together?" she asks clearly interested in getting to know more about our family.
"They've been together since high school and it was love at first sight, so they say," I respond shrugging. "They married right after their high school graduation and went to the University of Washington together. Emmett studied sports medicine and until recently, was the physical therapist for the Seattle Seahawks, while Rosalie studied special education and has been the special education administrator for Seattle ISD for the last few years."
Cassie quietly pads into the kitchen, climbing into her mother's lap. She looks over at me and offers me a sleepy smile before laying her head on Bella's shoulder. Bella instinctively tries to run her fingers through Cassie's hair, but is met with resistance. Her hair is tousled and her pajamas look as though she went ten rounds with her pillow and won.
"Good morning, pretty girl," I whisper to her but she just smiles again and Bella continues to try to smooth down the stray strands of hair.
"She's considered nonverbal, however, we're workin' on our words. Right, sassy girl?" Bella asks her. She receives a sweet, 'Yeah,' in response.
Everyone else starts to descend into the kitchen for coffee as Bella shuts down her laptop.
"Hop down, baby, so we can get you dressed," she tells her. As Cassie climbs down, we all quietly drink our coffee, waiting on Bella to get Cassie ready. Jessica comes in and fixes Cassie's sippy cup with juice.
Once Bella, and a now dressed Cassie, are back, we load up into the large Jeep-like vehicle from yesterday and drive down to the activity center. Everyone else is already at the pavilion with two large coach buses lined up along the drive leading to the activity center. There's also a few new people that I haven't met yet.
Bella begins to hand out a blue shirt that has the Swan Lakes logo embroidered on the left side of the chest and staff in all capitals on the back. Everyone takes a second to appreciate the gift and then I notice that the quality of the shirts isn't cheap. I shouldn't be surprised, but I am.
"Thanks everyone for being on time. I know that there are some new faces here today for quite a few of you," Bella states. "Sam, Emily, Garrett and Kate, these folks are the Cullen family. They're gonna help us out this weekend," Bella then turns to us and suggests that we introduce ourselves quickly as Jake, Leah, Emily and Seth need to head out.
"Everyone will be assigned stations. Make sure you stay at your station until you're relieved," she further explains.
"Carlisle, you're manning the First Aid station. If ya need backup, call for Emily. She's an RN and will be walkin' the outside area and vice versa," Bella starts handing my father a stack of papers.
"Thanks, sweetheart," he replies, glancing at the papers he was just handed.
"Sarah and Edward, both of y'all are in charge of the kitchen and pavilion areas. Edward let Sarah know if ya have any questions," Bella directs as Sarah walks up carrying a few boxes. I jump up to help her. The boxes contain Danishes and Kolaches that are still warm.
"Esme and Jessica will be at the sign in desk for when the buses arrive," she hands my mother stack of papers as well.
"Thank you, dear," my mother states softly, taking the papers from Bella.
"Emmett will be manning the therapy and exercise area, and Leah will join you once the buses are unloaded.
"Rose and Kate will be inside assisting with the learnin' stations. Kate's a life skills teacher at Normangee Elementary School," a lady with reddish-blond hair makes her way over to Rose and they start whispering. I can only assume that she is Kate.
"Jasper, Eric and Tyler. I'm gonna need you guys at the fishin' dock, while Alice and Sam have the riding arena.
"Yes!" Alice squeals, throwing her hands in the air like she just made the winning goal.
"Jake and Seth will join you once the buses are unloaded," Bella laughs out at Alice's enthusiasm.
"Garrett will be our security for this weekend and Billy and I are here to help keep everything running as smoothly as possible.
"Also, we'll all have a radio. If you need help, or feel overwhelmed, please don't hesitate to call for reinforcements. If for some reason you become uncomfortable, let Billy or me know. Just have fun and enjoy the day. Any questions?" she asks before turning toward Jake and Seth, who are standing off to the side.
There's a chorus of 'No, Ma'am's.'
"Jake, y'all better hit the road," she states with authority.
"There's some Danishes, Kolaches, juice and coffee on the table up here. Grab somethin' to eat and then head to your station to make sure everything's set up. Your radios are already there. Now, let's have some fun and enjoy the day," Bella exclaims.
I notice my mother kiss my dad on the cheek the grab a Danish before heading off to the sign-in table. Sarah wraps her arm easily through mine, and I escort her into the center and into the kitchen. We start by pulling out drinks and snacks that will be distributed at each station. After setting all that out, we go over the menu for lunch and start the prep work.
It is going to be a busy day.
A short while later, I hear Bella making the announcements on a PA system, but it's muffled since it doesn't feed directly into the kitchen area. I instinctively walk to the doorway to listen. I can see the crowd gathered at the front gate lining up at the sign-in table.
"Welcome to Swan Lakes. We are all so excited to have you join us this weekend. While you are here, you will learn many new things and have lots of fun doing it. What do you think, little ones? Are you ready to have some fun?
"Parents, if you could help form a line at the table to sign in. We have Esme and Jessica there to help you with that. They are also be going to give you a paper bracelet to wear while you are here this weekend. Also, if you would like to reserve a spot at one of our summer camps, you can sign up inside the activities center before the end of the weekend. Now let's have some fun!" she cheers.
About a half hour later, once all the children and their families have been signed in, Jessica and my mother walk into the activities center talking to each other. "These have got to be the sweetest children. I just want to hug and kiss them all," I hear my mother tell Jessica.
"I know, and my heart just breaks for them. Some of them didn't have the best living situations at home so they were adopted or they are in and out of foster care. Bella knows all the regulars by name and will remember the new ones the next time. She never forgets them. But, then again, she knows what they go through on a daily basis," Jessica replies.
I start loading the snacks and drinks onto the XUV that is by the back door, to deliver to all the stations. Emily raises two fingers to her mouth in order to create a whistle that pierces the air around us, and gain everyone's attention.
"Welcome, everyone. I just want to remind you that if you need assistance at any time, please let a staff member in a blue shirt know. We have a pediatrician on staff and I am a RN. We will get you the help you need. Anyone carrying medication that needs special attention, such as a refrigerator, please check it in at the First Aid center to you left. Thank you, and enjoy your day," she finishes.
I head over to the First Aid Center first in order to drop off a case of cold water for my father. As I am leaving, I hear him call out to me.
"So, what do you think?"
"This is pretty amazing. I'm just in awe of all that she has done for these kids and their families."
"Yeah. I've seen special needs camps, but there's nothing out there like this. Most places are too scared to take the risk. They are afraid of liability suits in case something goes wrong," my father explains.
"I can see that. But, being here? It...just feels...right. You know?"
My father nods his head, "Yeah, I know what you mean, son."
He pats me on the shoulder, "You better move on to the other stations. Enjoy today."
"I have no doubt, dad that I will."
My next stop is the exercise station where Emmett and Leah are.
Once I set the cooler of snacks and water down, I stand back and watch him interact with a boy about ten years old. Emmett helps the boy out of his wheelchair so he can do the ring swing and I swear he has more upper body strength then some football players. "You are one strong little dude," Emmett tells him and the little boy's smile grows, showing some of his teeth.
The reality of what these kids go through hits me. Something we take for granted every day, is a challenge for them.
"Good job man," Emmett praises him as he sits back down and gives him a fist bump.
"He's amazing with them," I hear quietly behind me. I turn to see Leah with a small smile on her face.
"Yeah," I agree. "He loves kids and acts like one himself most of the time, so I guess he understands them better than most adults could."
"If acting like a kid brings a smile like that," she points toward Emmett and the little boy whose smile is as big as Emmett's. "He can act like a kid all he wants 'round here."
After watching Emmett and Leah work a few more minutes, I drive down to the fishing pier to drop off snacks. Pulling up next to the pier, I notice Jasper has a look of fear on his face. I start to walk over to him, but Eric beats me to it.
"Hey man, just relax," Eric tells him squeezing his shoulder in comfort. "You're gonna be fine. These kids just want to do something they wouldn't normally get a chance to."
Jasper takes a deep breath and lets it out. Calming himself, he then catches my eye. I just nod at him in support.
A little girl walks up, holding her dad's hand and looks up at Jasper. "Pink," she says in a soft voice. It takes me a few seconds to realize she wants the pink fishing pole. But there is no hesitation as Jasper helps her sit in one of the chairs that they have secured to the dock. She rewards him with a gentle smile and he returns it as he baits the pole for her. Jasper looks back up at me with a huge smile on his face, as if to say, I get to be a part of this. I get to help these kids have this experience, and I feel really good about that.
As I turn to leave, a little boy with braces on the lower half of his legs catches his crutch on an uneven board, but luckily doesn't fall. I can see the wheels turning in Jasper's head. He is going to be designing a new dock before too long. Now, maybe he will realize that his skills could be of great use here, too.
Next stop, the riding arena. Sam and Alice are standing by the gate talking when I pull up. Four horses have been saddled and tethered to the walker in the middle of the arena. As I approach, I hear Sam telling her how he met Charlie when he and Emily moved to Hilltop Lakes, and needed a place to board their horses.
"Charlie said he would be able to rent me a few stalls and that I was to bring the horses out here. Emily and I show up and start unloading one horse, who was stomping around and giving me hell; not wanting to get out of the trailer. Bella comes running out of the office, livid," Sam tells Alice while laughing and mimicking, what I would assume, is a very upset Bella stomping her way over to him.
"She was going on about how I wasn't doing it right, and that I needed to move out of the way before someone got hurt." He takes a breath and shakes his head at the memory.
"She starts petting and whispering to this high-strung horse, and he settles down almost immediately and lets her back him out of the trailer. She puts him in a stall while giving me an evil eye and then comes out and gets the mare, and does the same thing.
"After the horses are settled, she tells me she will teach me how to take care of a horse, as soon as I learn to respect them. And that is what she did. It took just over the next month or so to do it. As a result of her work, those are two of the gentlest horses I know. Bella's been a friend to me and Emily ever since," he finishes.
Soon after Jacob and Seth arrive, some of the children begin to come out to the riding arena. These kids are such a joy. The horses seem to know how they need to move or walk in order to accommodate each rider.
It is like they are one.
As I head back to the activity center to finish with preparing lunch, when I realize that I want to be here, daily, helping with these beautiful animals and seeing the joy on these children's faces. I walk into the center with a renewed spring to my step and another piece of my heart.
Rose and Kate are sitting in a semicircle with Cassie and three other girls making music and singing. Well, Rose is trying to sing, and the others are all laughing at her, and she couldn't be happier.
The instruments are all computerized, so as they play, colors flash on a huge screen that is set against the wall. The louder they are, the more colors will light up the screen.
All of these children are so precious, and this is what Rose was meant to do. Not filling out paperwork or sitting in meetings all day. This is reality, playing with these kids while teaching them.
Most people underestimate children, and the power that they have to understand and love, without question. There is no doubt in my mind that my family has greatly benefited from this experience today, and it's not even lunch time. These kids are amazing.
Kate catches my eye, and just smiles. Without thinking, I smile back and, for the first time in a long while, it is genuine.