"I regarded home as a place I left behind in order to come back to it afterward."
Ernest Hemingway
Chapter I
The Swans Sisters Return
Bella and Clara Swan, with their suitcases in hand, stood by their old house in Forks. After being away for years, they returned to live with their father, Charlie Swan, just in time for their senior year of high school. Excitement and anxiety mixed inside them as they embarked on this new chapter.
Their mother, Renee, passed away when the twins were little, and their father fell into a deep depression. Unable to care for them, he entrusted them to his sister Mary in Phoenix, who lovingly raised them as her own since she couldn't have children of her own.
Despite living in Phoenix, Charlie kept in touch with Clara and Bella, taking them on vacation to California every year to escape the rainy and wet Forks. He understood their dislike for the gloomy weather, knowing it might remind them of their late mother.
Unfortunately, the girls didn't have many memories of their mother, only stories passed down from their aunt. Charlie rarely mentioned her, as it seemed to be a sensitive topic for him, given the pain of her departure. He had his hands full as a police officer in the seemingly quiet yet mysteriously charged town of Forks.
Now, with Clara and Bella back, Charlie found himself adjusting to having his daughters around again. He was used to a bachelor's life, with weekends spent watching football and fishing. But he was willing to put in the effort to form a strong bond with the twins, with the help of his friends from the reservation.
After carrying the girls' luggage upstairs, Charlie mumbled awkwardly, "Your rooms are upstairs, the bathroom is on the left. If you need anything, I'm downstairs. Just call, the walls are quite thin here. I'll leave you to unpack."
Stepping inside the old family home after several years felt nostalgic for the sisters. The cozy property had three bedrooms, a small bathroom, a kitchen, a hall, and a living room where their father would usually watch football while sipping beer.
With excitement, Bella and Clara started unpacking their belongings, making their rooms feel like home again. Bella's room had purple walls and curtains, contrasting with an old wooden floor adorned with a fluffy green rug. In the center stood a large wooden bed covered with soft lavender-colored sheets. Charlie even ensured there was a desk near the window to let in the most light.
Clara's room wasn't much smaller than her twin's, featuring light blue walls that perfectly matched the blue curtains. The ancient floor creaked slightly with the slightest movement, and a fluffy brown carpet added warmth. A brass wooden bed adorned with beautiful blue linen took center stage, accompanied by a small desk on the side.
Clearly, their father had put thought into making their rooms feel comfortable and welcoming. However, their first encounter with Charlie upon arrival was a bit awkward, and none of them exchanged many words. But that was okay, as Bella and Clara were not as shy as their father, and they didn't feel the need to talk constantly.
As evening settled in, Charlie, Bella, and Clara gathered in the cozy living room of their old house. The crackling sound of the fireplace added to the warm atmosphere as they sat together on the couch, talking about their plans for the next day.
"Hey, girls, I was thinking we could head into La Push tomorrow to visit Billy Black's place," Charlie suggested, trying to sound casual.
Bella and Clara exchanged curious glances. "Who's Billy Black?" Clara asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Oh, he's an old friend of mine from the reservation," Charlie replied vaguely, keeping his secret close to his chest.
"You mean the place where you spent all those weekends fishing?" Bella inquired with a grin.
Charlie chuckled, "Yeah, that's the one. La Push is a small community, and Billy is one of the respected elders there. I thought it might be nice for you two to meet him and his son, Jacob."
The twins nodded, intrigued by the idea of exploring a new place. They were unaware of the supernatural secrets that lay hidden in La Push, as Charlie had never shared that aspect of the reservation with them.
As they continued chatting, Bella couldn't help but bring up the topic of their mother. "Dad, why don't you talk about Mom much? We barely know anything about her."
Charlie's face softened, and he sighed deeply. "I know, girls. It's just... it's not easy for me to talk about her. Losing your mother was one of the hardest things I've ever gone through."
Bella and Clara could sense the pain in their father's voice and decided not to push further. They understood that he must be hiding something from them, but they respected his need for privacy.
Changing the subject, Clara asked, "So, what's there to do in La Push? Is it a fun place?"
"Oh, you bet," Charlie replied, relieved to talk about something less sensitive. "La Push is beautiful, with stunning beaches and great spots for hiking and fishing. The community there is tight-knit, and the people are welcoming. It's a different vibe from Forks, but you'll love it."
As the night went on, they made plans to visit La Push the following day. Charlie mentioned a quaint little café where they could grab some delicious fish and chips, promising they'd have a memorable time.
Despite the excitement for the upcoming outing, Clara couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something her father wasn't telling them. She wondered if it had something to do with La Push or their mother, but she knew better than to pry further.
Unbeknownst to Bella and Clara, Charlie's reserved nature masked a big secret about the supernatural world that coexisted with their own. He had stumbled upon strange occurrences in La Push in the past, but he had made a vow to keep it hidden from his daughters until the time was right. He couldn't risk involving them in the dangers that lurked beyond the veil of the ordinary.
As the night drew to a close, Charlie retired to his room, leaving Bella and Clara to chat quietly in their respective bedrooms. Both felt a mix of excitement and curiosity about their new life in Forks and the mysteries that awaited them in La Push.
Little did they know that their time in Forks would be filled with adventure, revelations, and a bond stronger than they could ever imagine. For now, they cherished the moments spent with their father and eagerly looked forward to their trip to La Push, unaware of the supernatural secrets that lay just beyond the horizon.