Four-Carlisle
We enter the home slowly. Bella is working hard to make sure that the pants, two sizes too big, do not drag on the wet ground. A wave of comfort washes over the area and I spot Jasper tucked behind Alice and Emmett, focusing in on Bella. Alice grips his hand tightly behind her back.
"Hello," Bella says nervously. It's as if she's never been to the home before. The front door snaps shut behind us and she lets her left hand drop to her side. I set my jacket and scarf on the hook near the door and then drop my bag on the accent table. No one moves for a few moments and then she says, "I'm going to say it. This is weird. It's weird, right?"
With that, the tension breaks in the air and Emmett pushes forward. He wraps Bella in a hug; a squeak and a whoosh of air rush out of her at the sudden pressure. He drops her with a grin. Esme also comes forward to give her a hug. Running a hand over her hair, she says,
"We're so happy to see you again. Please, come in."
Alice lets go of Jasper to grab hold of Bella's hand. She traipses into the dining room and sits down on the bench seat with Bella. The table is already set for her, complete with a pizza and a small bottle of lemonade. Jasper takes the furthest seat from Bella, eyes nervous and wide. It's a wonder he's able to control anyone's mood with his own emotions running so wild. I have to trust that Alice has seen no danger for Bella, or she wouldn't be here right now. Rosalie is notably missing but I can hear her moving around upstairs. I excuse myself and make my way to her room.
"Edward's not here," Rosalie says before I can even knock on the door.
"I'm not here for him, I'm here for you," I say. "May I?"
The door flings open and I enter. It's nice to see Rosalie's touch on this room again. Alone, Emmett is something of a slob. Rose holds him accountable, and I can see that she's already gotten him to clean up his clothes that were previously strewn all over. Rosalie lounges on the canopy bed. It's situated to face the massive pane glass wall overlooking the creek and the forest beyond the home. She does not look up at me from her book as I enter.
"How may I help you?" she asks. Her voice is toneless, bored. I take a seat at the foot of the bed. "You reek of human, so I'm guessing Bella really is back in our lives."
"Downstairs," I confirm. Rosalie rolls her eyes and flips a page. "Are you staying with us?"
"For now, I suppose," she answers, still tonelessly. "Edward and I parted ways this morning. He's fine, for the record. Finally thinks he can be alone with himself, which was not easy. God, the way that boy can brood." It's an interesting statement, coming from her, but I let it slide. "Are you and Bella blissfully together?"
"What?" I ask, off guard at the sudden shift in discussion. "Rose, no, that's not…Alice strong-armed her into coming over tonight."
"Oh good, so I don't have to start calling her my mommy?" Her voice is bitter now, but not so bitter that I can't hear notes of relief.
"Where is Edward now?" I ask in an attempt to shift the conversation back. Rosalie levels me with a sharp look, but takes the bait.
"New York, Finger Lakes area. He wasn't sure if he wanted to go toward Ithaca or Buffalo, so I'm not sure where he's landed. He's thinking about getting a new degree, something he hasn't gotten before. Demonology, or folklore studies, maybe. He thinks he'll have a leg up there. Understandably, I parted ways when we got too close to Rochester for my comfort." I nod, thoughtful. We have homes in both of those cities, from prior lives, and I hope he chooses to use one. Each member of our family has a set of keys to every property we own, mostly scattered throughout the northernmost parts of the United States. We tend to move linearly from one end of the country to the other over a few decades in order to maintain our cover. Our faces are not easy to forget.
"Where have you been all this time?" I ask.
"All over," Rosalie says. "We spent a lot of time in Alaska, and then through the Dakotas. During a particularly stressful moment, we swam into Canada. He didn't do too well for a while. Personally, I don't understand why everyone is so hung up on Bella. She's incredibly ordinary."
She flips another page and lapses into silence. Rosalie has always been a struggle for me. Her open disdain for her life as a vampire is a great regret of mine. Though I've tried to be sparing with those I've saved over the years, it's always ended up a decision I've made for them. I know that is her chief complaint with Bella, who has actively chosen to give up many of the things Rosalie could never have. An apology for changing Rosalie can only go so far, and it's a decision we both live with every day with some modicum of regret. I wouldn't trade our time as a family for anything, but I'd willingly change things if it meant her happiness. Emmett coming into our lives was a great redemption for her happiness, but immortality is still a battle each day. I remain silent; anything I say will be the wrong thing for her right now. She takes the silence as an opportunity to try to make another dig at me.
"So our human is holding court down there, huh?" she asks. She throws the book to the side and swings her legs over the edge of the bed. "My greeting is overdue, I suppose. I should go give her my warm wishes, as well. Don't worry, I won't bite," she adds with a sneer as I shoot her a warning glance. "She'll still be perfectly healthy enough to be your new love."
"That's enough, Rosalie. I've made myself very clear on Alice's vision, and I'd like that to be respected." My voice is stern, traces of anger in it. Rosalie raises an eyebrow at the reaction.
Although it's unnecessary, I take several slow breaths in and out to settle myself. Anger is not a motivating emotion for me, but the endless barbs and suspicious glances thrown my way wear on me, particularly because there is nothing there to see. Churlishly, I wish Alice had never spoken up. It was fuel to a non-existent fire, and it's a fire I've been unable to smother since. I'm already exhausted by this evening; I know I'm going to have to be incredibly cognizant of my every move. I don't like feeling like a specimen in my own home.
We go downstairs together, Rosalie in front. Her hair swings back and forth as she saunters, making an entrance. It's an odd sight to see. Alice and Esme, dressed to the nines in whatever designer Alice has decided is the newest and best, stand in direct opposite to Bella. The grey hospital sweat suit is comically large on her and swallows her in a sea of fabric. Emmett could not be more at ease, while Jasper sits rigidly, taking in the scene but saying nothing. The pizza is still untouched, and Alice is trying to convince Bella to eat. She shakes her head.
"The sound of chewing is gross enough to human ears, let alone supersonic vampire ears," Bella says. "It's so uncomfortable to know that you all hear every last ounce of my humanity at all times. I'll take it home!" she adds as Alice's face darkens. "Compromise, right? I'll eat, but in the company of my human father. I shouldn't stay too long, anyway."
"On that note, it was lovely seeing you, again, Bella. Maybe we can do this in another six months. Maybe not. How often do you want to hurt my family? It'll really depend on that," Rosalie says, dropping onto a seat next to Emmett. Bella pales for a moment and then flushes.
"Rosalie!" Esme scolds.
"No, she should say it," Bella says. Her voice shakes for only a moment before she continues. "She's right to. I've caused you all way too much trouble, more trouble than I'm worth. Edward's gone, I basically forced Esme's son out of her life, Jasper lives in fear of me, Rosalie had to stay with Edward for his own safety, Alice is on supernatural guard duty, and Carlisle is on medical guard duty…why wouldn't Rosalie want me gone? The only person I haven't harmed is Emmett, and that's because my humanness is a punchline to him. I hurt you all the time, and for what reason? Because I'm selfish and don't want to lose you all?"
There is a silence following her words. It seems none of us know what to say. Objectively, she's not wrong: keeping Bella safe is a full-time job for several of us. She's prone to danger and accidents. Edward knew this when he brought her into this life, however, and he's left without picking up any of the pieces. Rosalie sits back in her chair, arms folded over her chest. She stares at Bella with both of her eyebrows raised, a look somewhere between smugness and impressed.
"At least you admit it," she says.
"I'm sorry that I've caused so much pain to all of you. I thought avoiding you all the last six months would change things, but I'm right back in it, and I don't want to keep hurting you," Bella says. "Rosalie, I'm sorry that you had to leave your home because of me. Jasper, I'm so sorry that I caused you any distress; I don't blame you at all, you know. It's entirely my fault for not being careful with that damn wrapping paper."
"Bella," Esme says gently, "we all knew what the potentials were when a human was brought into our lives. We chose to have you here just as much as you chose us. The consequences were not necessarily expected, but we knew they were there. Please hear me when I tell you-when we all tell you-that." Rosalie scoffs but says nothing else. I nod in agreement-Esme has verbalized the exact thoughts in my own mind.
She doesn't respond, and instead fiddles with the ace bandage I've wrapped around her hand. She pulls determinedly at a stray thread and then makes a face as she undoes the entire bandaging. Wordlessly, she holds her hand out and I rewrap it, making sure to rip the thread off.
"Your hand won't heal if you don't leave it alone," I scold softly. "Try to leave the bandage on for the next few days, please."
"What happened, anyway?" Alice demands. "Something blocked my vision until you were in the hospital."
"I punched a werewolf in the face," Bella answers, same as before. She says it casually, as if it is an everyday occurrence, but the rest of the table sharpens their focus on her.
"One more time?" Emmett asks, a grin spreading across his face.
"I punched a werewolf in the face," she repeats, allowing a small, satisfied smile. Emmett lets out a roar of laughter, clapping his hands together in delight.
"Bella, can you please stop collecting monsters?" Alice asks in exasperation. "That explains the block in my vision-I can't see past them. Trust you to find the next-most dangerous monster to spend time with!"
"Trust me, I won't be hanging out with him for a while," Bella says, all amusement gone from her voice. Her face darkens at the thought.
"What happened? You never did tell me," I say. "Come to think of it, you deflected with a question about animal cruelty."
"Jacob wouldn't take 'no' for an answer," she says. From the corner of my eye, I catch Rosalie lean forward in her seat. "Jake thinks we should be together, I do not. I told him that from the start, but he decided he didn't care, I guess?" She trails off, and Esme asks the question we're all wondering.
"Bella, did he…?"
"No!" she cries. "Oh my god, no, nothing like that." Her face is beet red, and runs a hand over her face. I let out a gush of air that I didn't realize I was holding. "Well, no, not 'nothing,' because he did sort of trap me and make a move, but I punched him and yelled a whole bunch of stuff about him taking what's not his, and then I left." She begins to fiddle with the bandage again and I place my hand over it. "Sorry," she says. I take my hand back once I'm sure she won't undo the bandage again. "Anyway, that's how I ended up here. Alice caught wind and stormed the hospital."
"Don't spend time with him again," Alice says. "Not alone. I can't see you when you're with him, and I don't trust him."
"I won't," Bella says, adamant. "Although now I'll actually have to call a handyperson when things break at the house, which is a bummer."
"Bella, hiring a plumber does not rate higher than your own safety," I tell her. "Call any one of us to come over and we'll help you, okay?"
"Which brings us back to our earlier discussion: you shouldn't feel like you have to funnel all of your effort into making my life easier. Rosalie, would Edward come home if I weren't here?" Bella asks. Her voice challenges Rosalie to answer truthfully, though honesty has never been a problem for her. Bella is expecting a yes, and I can see her already making plans to move out of Forks. The idea of her departure is an unpleasant one, and I can tell that I'm not the only one to think it. Frowns form on the faces of everyone around me. Bella chews on her lip, waiting for an answer.
"I…don't know," Rosalie finally says. "I wish the answer was 'yes,' but I don't know. He's still brooding over you, but I think he's accepted his loss." Her eyes flick to me, accusing, and Bella follows her gaze. Brown eyes scrutinize me, looking for answers. Her brow furrows in confusion, but she looks back to Rosalie. "Don't look at me like that, Carlisle has more answers. Or Alice. I'm over the human drama." Languidly, she rises from her seat. She casts a look to each of us and then makes her way back up the stairs. Bella watches her go and then drops her head onto her arm on the table. Emmett leaves to follow her, and pauses behind Bella. He places his hands on her shoulders and bends down.
"Leave punching the wolves to us, okay?" Bella mumbles a response and Emmett chuckles before running up the stairs.
"Can I go home, now?" Bella asks, head still down on our table. She sounds exhausted, and I can't blame her; facing down a vampire inquisition is no easy feat, least of all when it's headed by Rosalie.
"Sorry, Bella," Alice apologizes, "but I figured it would be easiest to just get that out of the way."
Bella sits upright quickly and stares accusingly at Alice. She must have seen that this was going to happen. Alice shrugs with an apologetic grimace.
"Alice, I love you, but I need you to stop making decisions for me," Bella says. Her voice is gentle, but still firm. "I wasn't ready for that. I wouldn't have even gone to the hospital if I hadn't thought my hand was broken." Bella swings her legs over the bench and rises. "It won't be forever, but right now, I think I still need some space. I'll never break this cycle otherwise."
"I'll bring you to your truck," I offer. Bella nods and heads toward the door. I grab hold of the pizza-we certainly don't need it-and follow her out. Alice's wounded,
"I was only trying to help," follows me through the door, too quiet for Bella's ears.
The first minutes are tense and quiet. I pay little attention to the cars whizzing past as we speed smoothly down the road toward the hospital. Finally, in an attempt to break the awkwardness, I say,
"Penny for your thoughts?" Bella shifts as if pulled out of a reverie and looks over at me. There are shadows under her eyes, a frown on her lips. She stares absently at my hands on the wheel as she speaks.
"That'll be many pennies, please," she says, and then sighs. "I'm trying to figure out what I'll tell my dad about my hand and Jacob, which made me think about you fixing my hand and Alice blindsiding me into a pit of spikes also known as Rosalie. Then, that made me think about Edward getting a degree which means he'll be gone for years, and then it made me wonder when you'll all have to leave the area because you're not aging and technically it's college time for everyone. So then I wondered where you'd go, and if I'd stay in Forks or pursue college somewhere else, and then if I'd ever see any of you again." She pulls her gaze away from the steering wheel and up at me. "I think you owe me a nickel and three pennies, technically."
"How fast is your mind?" I ask with a small laugh. "Do you want your father to know the truth about your hand, or cover?"
"I don't know," Bella says with another sigh. She resumes looking out the window, but I continue to watch her. She gnaws on her lip again, a habit I've noticed she only has when there's too many things happening in her mind. I smell the unmistakable ting of blood as she chews. Without thinking, I reach over and pop her bottom lip free of her teeth with my pointer finger. She twists to look at me again and turns red. It's one of the few times I've been grateful that I cannot blush. "Bad habit, I know. Sorry."
"You broke the skin," I chide her. "If you don't want to tell your father the truth, I'd tell him that you and Jacob got into a fight, to explain why you're not spending time together. As for the college and moving thing…we haven't really discussed it. It'll be a discussion to be had, certainly."
We were waiting on Rosalie and Edward's decisions before choosing. By our calculations, we still have a few more years before we really have to make a choice, but it's always a thought in the back of our minds. Living in a large city makes it easier to blend into a crowd and cause less attention, but we prefer the small town life. It's safer and easier for Jasper, and there is an option to hide away in a way that is not available in a maze of skyscrapers and concrete. Here, with our home tucked in the rainy and overcast woods of Forks, we are able to live a private life. We're able to live openly and maintain our secret in peace. Alice has discussed going to college in Oregon, close enough that she could still keep an eye on Bella and Charlie. After what happened tonight with Jacob, I have the feeling that she's going to sink her heels in harder.
A small snore sounds from Bella; she's fallen into a doze in my pensive silence. Her exhaustion rolls off of her in waves. I park in a secluded copse of trees just off the road near the hospital to let her sleep for a short while. It would not do to have her fall asleep on her way home.
My cell phone buzzes with a text from Alice. I read it once, and then twice more. I have to work not to crush the phone in my hand as I process her words.
"The timeline hasn't changed. She'll still choose you."