Twenty-Seven: Mila
This whole imprinting thing was hard still hard for me to believe. Embry had been patient with me which was great. Every question I had he answered it with no problem; even the ones that I asked over and over. I could tell he was getting tired of it but he never said no. The other imprints were helpful to. Emily was so excited that I finally knew and there were literally no secrets between us. Embry had told me that Ava guessed and was ok with it.
It had been almost a month since I had found everything out. Initially, I thought everything was going to be the same. I was kidding myself. Now that I knew everything I wasn't able to be care free like I was before. I was always looking out for Sabrina and any other leeches. When I first found out Dr. Cullen and his family were leeches I freaked out. I mean he was around people and blood all day. Not to mention two of his daughters worked at the local high school. But Embry explained to me that they didn't drink human blood. I wondered if they were the same coven that made the treaty in the first place. The guys told me everything but refused to tell me that. I assumed it was because they really didn't know.
Embry and I spent every day together. I was waiting on the day I would get annoyed or feel like I needed my space but it hadn't come yet. I was happy, really happy being around him. We hadn't made it official or anything quite yet. Embry had meant every word he said when he told me we could take it as slow as I wanted. I was literally calling the pace on everything. Whatever I wanted to do, we did. There was no other word to describe it other than great.
Christmas was exactly one week away and I still hadn't gotten Embry a gift. He said he didn't want anything but I couldn't let the holiday go past and not get him something. It was too late to shop online so I had to go into town to shop. Ava had a late afternoon meeting in Port Angeles for work. So we were heading down there. The snow had just started falling, which was kind of late for this area. As we travelled down the highway, I couldn't help but smile looking at the snow covered trees.
"So can I expect to see you on Christmas?" Ava asked me. Thanksgiving didn't work out the way I planned it. I woke up before Ava and headed towards Emily's to help cook. I was going to go back home but just like most nights, I lost track of time. I was having so much fun being with the pack and the imprints that I ended up falling asleep. When I woke up it was the next day and I was at Embry's.
"I'm going to spend Christmas Eve at Embry's but I'll be home by three."
"I feel like I haven't seen much of you. How about we go to dinner after my meeting?"
"That would be great." I smiled at Ava. She was right. I hadn't seen her much since Embry and I had…well since we had been spending time together. It was literally like playing tag with Ava. She was usually gone when I woke up and asleep by the time I got back to the house. If I even went back. I had been spending about four nights a week at Embry's. I dropped Ava off at her job and drove around Seattle looking for Embry's gift.
It had been almost an hour and I was about to give up when I spotted a small store front. It boasted hand carved treasures. You couldn't go wrong with hand carved treasures so I pulled over and walked in. I had been walking the aisles for about twenty minutes when I saw the perfect gift. I eagerly grabbed it up and headed towards the counter.
"Hello, did you find everything ok?" the older woman asked me. I smiled and nodded my head yes. She smiled and passed me my bags. I was running late for meeting up with Ava and made the mistake of walking while looking for my phone. I didn't see the small group of girls walking down the sidewalk and crashed right into them.
"I am so sorry," I said stopping down to pick up the bags. I grabbed them and stood up. A pair of strong hands grabbed my hand and pulled me up from the ground. "I'm so sorry."
"It was an honest accident Bella. She's fine," one girl with a short haircut said to me. She smiled as she took the bag from my hand. "I'm Alice," she said holding her hand out. I smiled and shook it. As soon as I felt the coldness my eyes got big. She was one of them. I had to let Embry and the pack know.
"I'm Alice Cullen," she quickly said "No need to let the pack know. We're harmless really. This is Bella, and this is Renesmee. Although you may know her as Nessie," she smiled as she pointed to each of the girls. I gave a half smile and waved. This was my first time meeting the Cullen women. I had seen Nessie in passing around La Push. I had never actually talked to her though. I couldn't get over the fact that they all looked so beautiful. Their skin was smooth, not a hair was out of place, and their wardrobe was amazing.
"We're just about to go to dinner. You should join us," Bella said with a smile.
"Thanks for the offer but I can't. I already have plans," I looked down at my phone "And I'm actually running late. Maybe another time," I said quickly as I tried to step around them.
"Are you sure?" Bella asked me. I was about to tell her no thank you again when my phone started to ring. It was Ava calling.
"Hey I know I'm late and I'm sorry," I said when I picked up.
"Actually I was calling for a rain check. Turns out this quick work meeting is turning into an all-nighter. I'm not going to be able to make it to dinner. I already told Jeff. You can head home now. I'm gonna catch a ride back with a coworker."
"Ok," I said slowly "I'll call you later." I hung up and slipped my phone into my purse. Alice suddenly appeared by my side and wrapped her arm in mine
"I know a great place," she said smiling and started pulling me in the direction they were walking from. Alice and Nessie were walking behind us. I felt like I was quickly being led to me death and if Nessie wasn't there I really would have been freaking out. I knew that they all knew about the rules which meant I had nothing to worry about right? I kept telling myself that over and over but the feeling of reassurance was nowhere to be found. Instead I pulled out my phone and text Embry what was going on.
I didn't expect an answer right away. He was working in the shop and patrols had been slightly increased. They still hadn't caught Sabrina which meant that I was still in danger, somewhat.
"I'm so sick of this restaurant," Nessie said as we stepped into the small Italian restaurant we ended up stopping at. I could tell she wasn't happy about the food choice. We followed behind the waitress and were led over to a small table in the corner. Bella smiled as she pulled her chair out.
"Come on Nessie. You know how important this place is to me," she told her. Nessie rolled her eyes and pulled her chair out. Alice sat next to Bella, Nessie next to me. A young woman came over with a smile on her face and menus in her hand.
"How are you doing this evening? Can I get you ladies started with something to drink?" she asked smiling. Alice and Bella smile back at her.
"They'll have a water," Nessie said pointing to the Alice and Bella "I'll have a diet coke and Mila what do you want to drink?" she asked turning to me. I was confused and wasn't expecting them to order any food or drinks. I cleared my throat.
"I'll take a Sprite if you have it." The waitress smiled and walked away. Nessie passed a menu to me. I flipped it open and slowly looked across the menu. I didn't have any idea what I wanted to eat. Not that I was hungry. I wasn't really in the mood to eat but I had been invited out. I decided I would order something just for sake of show.
"You should try the mushroom ravioli. It was my favorite meal here," Bella said smiling at me. Her eyes were very light.
"Was?" I asked.
"I haven't eaten much in the past couple of years," she said laughing "But when I did eat I loved the mushroom ravioli."
I smiled and went back to looking at the menu. I didn't have the heart to tell her that I hated mushrooms. Instead of her horrible suggestion I decided on to go very stereotypical. I choose to get spaghetti and meatballs. Nessie decided to get braised beef and tortelloni. The waitress smiled and took the menus from us. I felt like a sitting duck. Bella and Alice sat and stared at me. They were smiling but it was still creepy. Nessie looked like she would rather be anywhere but at the table. The silence was killing me.
I turned and started to people watch. They were laughing and talking and we all sat at the table like complete strangers. Well we weren't strangers but you could tell something was off.
"So Mila, Nessie said that you and Embry are dating?" Bella asked me.
"What? No we aren't dating per say. We're just friends." I quickly said before taking a long sip from my drink.
"Oh I thought you guys were together," Alice cut in. "I can't see your future. That usually only happens when someone is close to the pack. It drives me crazy that I can't see Nessie's future."
"Wait you see the future?" I asked confused.
"Yes all vampires have some sort of power. Alice can see the future. I'm a shield. I can protect myself and others from just about anything. And Nessie has a very unique trick of her own," Bella said cutting in "Why don't you show her Nessie?"
"Mom I don't think she-"
"Nessie she's Embry's imprint. And since he is your boyfriend's best friend I think she deserves to see what you can do. Come on stop being shy."
Nessie let out a sigh and slowly turned to face me. She held her hand up and paused before touching my cheek. "It's not going to hurt but I have to touch you. Is that ok?"
"That's fine," I told her. When she touched my cheek I noticed she wasn't cold. I was confused because she clearly looked just like Bella. I was about to ask her a question when images started forming in front of me. Suddenly the restaurant disappeared and I was surrounded by water. I could hear people talking, well more like arguing, around me. Suddenly the water disappeared and there was bright light everywhere. Another woman smiled as she held me. I could see the pack slowly walking up to a beautiful house. Jake was there and he looked mad as he was storming over towards me. Then all of a sudden his eyes changed and a smile came across his face. Another flash of light, and I saw the clearing. Jake, the Cullen's, some other leeches, and the pack were standing on one side. A few hundred feet away stood a line of other leeches. I didn't know who they were but I was scared of them.
There was one more flash of light and I saw Nessie and Jake. They were standing on First Beach. Jake was smiling and had his hands on Nessie's cheeks. She smiled and kissed him. Suddenly he dropped to one knee. There was a gasp. Nessie pulled her hand away from me and the restaurant came back into focus. It took a few seconds for me to get my bearings. I couldn't believe it. Jake had proposed to Nessie. This was amazing! "Oh my goodness! Nessie I can't-"I started to say.
"Alice what is it?" Nessie asked her voice full of concern. Alice stared off into space before looking at me. I didn't think leeches could cry but if they could, Alice would have probably been in tears at that moment. She stared at me a little longer before turning and looked at Bella. Alice leaned close and her lips moved so fast I could tell what she was saying. I was about to ask what was going on when my phone started to ring. I looked down and Jeff's name was flashing across the screen. I was a little disappointed it wasn't Embry.
"Excuse me," I said standing up to answer the phone. As I walked away, I saw Alice look at Nessie and Bella. I couldn't tell what she was saying but Bella and Nessie looked sad. What the hell was going on? My phone stopped ringing. I was about to call him back when it rang again.
"Hello," I said putting the phone to my ear.
"Mila, it's Jeff," he said quietly. He sounded so sad. This couldn't be good.
"Jeff what's wrong?"
"It's Ava…there's been an accident."
"Oh my god! Where are you? I'm on my way," I said running back to the table. I grabbed my purse and looked at the girls. "I'm sorry I have to go." Alice grabbed my hand to stop me. I looked down at her hand and back up at her.
"What are you doing? Let me go!" I yelled at her.
"Mila I'm at home." Jeff said.
"Ok I'll be there soon," I said hanging up the phone. I tried pulling my hand away from Alice but her grip was like death. She looked at me with such a sad look on her face. I smiled at her. "I really have to go. Ava was in an accident. I have to get home and get Jeff so we can go see her. I'm fine really." Alice shook her head no.
"Mila you aren't fine," Alice said. How the hell did she know if I was fine or not? It didn't make any sense. What was she trying to say to me? Nessie jumped up and wrapped her arms around me. I could feel the stares from the people around me. A waiter and the manager came over to ask if everything was ok. Bella assured them it was and asked for the bill.
"Come on let's get out here," Nessie whispered. Slowly we walked out of the restaurant, my head on her shoulder. Alice and Bella followed behind us. Without me having to tell her Nessie knew where I was parked at. She quickly opened the door and helped me get in. "I'm going to drive her home." Nessie told them before she closed the door. She stepped closer to her mother and Alice before finishing up whatever she was saying. I couldn't believe what was going on. I tried wiping my tears but fresh ones always replaced them. Nessie climbed in the car and quickly pulled out of the parking spot.
When we pulled up to the house; Jeff's car along with a few other cars I didn't recognize were parked in the driveway. Nessie helped me out of the car and we walked onto the porch. When we stepped inside it was like all conversation stopped. I guessed most of the guys worked with Jeff. They all wore bright yellow vests. I heard some laughing from the kitchen and found more people who I didn't know in the kitchen.
"Excuse me where is Jeff?" Nessie asked them. One of the ladies in the kitchen pointed to the back door. I opened the door and saw Jeff sitting at the same table I sat with Embry. There was another man standing over him, almost as if he was keeping watch. When I stepped closer he cleared his throat. Jeff turned to look at me. I was about to say something when he jumped up and stormed past me. I was left standing there looking confused. His friend came over to me.
"He hasn't really been speaking to anybody. He's having a hard time getting over what he saw."
"What?" I asked. I was had no idea who this man was or what he was talking about.
"Yea he said that when he went back to see her there was glass in her head. The car went off the road and rolled into the woods. She must have tried getting out the car or was found by some animal before it was called in. Her arms and hands were all scratched up."
"Why would they let him see her with glass still in her head? I thought they clean you up before they let anybody see you."
"Not when you're in the morgue."
"The…what…what did you just say?" I yelled at him. He suddenly realized that he messed up. He held his hands up and started shaking his head.
"Whoa I'm sorry I thought you knew!"
"KNEW WHAT?" I screamed at him. He didn't say anything to me. I guess he was worried about me screaming at him again. I walked over to him and grabbed his jacket. "What did you think I knew?" I asked him slowly.
"Ava didn't make it out the crash. Neither did Samuel the guy she worked with."
I couldn't understand what he was saying. I mean yes I had heard him but it didn't make sense. Jeff didn't say that Ava didn't make it. He just said it was an accident. Ava was supposed to be fine! I was supposed to see her when I walked in the house. All of these people had it wrong. The stranger quickly pulled my hands off him and walked back into the house. No, they were wrong. Jeff! Jeff could tell them all they were wrong. I ran in the house.
"JEFF…JEFF…JEFF!" I screamed as I ran through the house looking for him. He wasn't in the kitchen or the living room. People grabbed my arms trying to stop me from yelling but I threw them all off me. I burst into their bedroom. Jeff was lying on Ava's side of the bed with his back to the door. I walked over to him and watched him. He didn't acknowledge me in any way.
"Jeff you have to get out up. You need to tell these people, whoever they are, that Ava isn't dead. We need to get to the hospital. Come on Jeff get up," I said trying to shake him. Jeff yanked his arm away from me. I reached out to touch him again.
"Stop Mila! Ava is dead! She's gone and she's not coming back. I came in here to be alone."
My heart started to pound and my breath caught in my chest. It was true. Ava was gone. The tears started to fall and I heard a wolf howl off in the distance. I stepped out the room and felt like I was in a dream. Everything was in slow motion somewhat. Their voices were all distorted talking to me. I couldn't breathe. I needed to get out. I pushed my way past everybody and finally made it out the front door.
"Mila…Mila wait" Nessie yelled behind me. I didn't want to talk to her or anybody else. She kept calling for me to come back but I ignored her as I ran harder and straight into the forest. I know that it was a bad idea being out here. I could hear Embry yelling at me now, telling me how stupid I was and to go back. Sabrina was still out there but I didn't care. I kept running. Suddenly I felt something grab my arm. I let out the loudest scream. I tried kicking and punching my way out but it wouldn't let me go. It was something it was someone. I felt arms moving around my back and pulling me closer. Suddenly I smelled it. It was woods and the light hint of soap.
I looked up and right into his eyes. "I'm so sorry Mila," Embry said to me. That was all it took for me to let out the most gut wrenching wail I had ever made.
Hey guys, quick little note: This may be the only chapter you guys get this week. I jsut got a promotion at work and my birthday is on Thursday! But I will still be writing just won't have time to post anything else this week.
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