Hello, dear readers!

This chapter is still about Marcus, but then Bella and Edward will be the protagonists again. I wish you a lot of fun!

Sandra


Chapter 120

Little Games


Jake


Listening to my sister bathing with her boyfriend? Anything but that! It was enough that I had to watch parts of it in her head afterwards.

Dad nodded at me in frustration.

"If you had known, what kind of problems you'd have to deal with us, would you still have knocked on our door?" I asked once, while Mom got her shoes from upstairs.

"I would have waited until you moved out!" he teased me.

'Ass!' I thought amusedly and immediately got a blow to the back of the neck.

Not solid of course.

Then I heard Mom already upstairs in the hallway.

Edward looked up directly.

"My heart, you look adorable!" he purred, holding out a hand to her.

Mom stopped halfway down the stairs as if she was stupefied before slowly descending the remaining steps.

But he was right. With a dark blue wool sweater with a wide playful collar, she wore her hair loose and dark tight cloth pants. Simple elegance. Fortunately, with relatively flat shoes. Our whole ice packs had taken Marcus at the moment in seizure. Whereby Mom would probably come up with something better in case of emergency.

"I just put on shoes!" she said, confused.

She was also right about that. She had been wearing that all day.

"True, though!" stated Dad.

I smiled and continued to observe.

He gallantly led Mom down the last few steps and gave her an old-fashioned reverential kiss on the hand. He then held out her coat. Gently, he slid it over her shoulders, breathing a kiss on her cheek. He handed her her purse, took his key, and held out an arm under which she hooked herself. He led her to the car, opened the door, held out one hand to help and the other he placed on her back. Little things, but each one Mom seemed to notice rapturously. Mmm ... Leah was right. With Dad, it looked classically distinguished. You could really learn something from him!


I had let Becky know that I was going to the movies with my parents in Portland.

She would rather have come along than meet her girlfriend. The girl was lovesick, crying her eyes out, and dragging Becky down with her mood. But that's what friends were for. However, I didn't know exactly when I would pick her up.

Her answer to that echoed beneficially in my head: 'She would wait for me. Forever, if it had to be!'

Since we hadn't checked beforehand to see when any showings started, we sat together in a small bar opposite the movie theater. We still had plenty of time until our movie started.

A tragicomedy. A film I probably would never have chosen on my own, but my parents had overruled me.

We sat at a small round table.

My parents were currently refraining from their usual confidences, but that was only because we were just grilling Mom together.

Christmas presents! After all, it was only a little over a month until Christmas. Leah and I always came up with something special for Mom, if possible. Well, let's say since we knew that there is no Santa Claus. That had - embarrassingly - lasted a long time. That's what happens when you tell gullible children such crap. We already had a plan for this year, but it wouldn't be the last Christmas by a long shot. Her first - and so far only - answers were not at all up for debate. First: Kind children! For one thing, we were surely the dearest children in this world! And if there was any doubt about that, it was her own fault. She had raised us, so she also had to live with the consequences. Secondly: Nothing! I didn't even discuss about that!

Mom had just disappeared into the restroom when a man sat down with us without being asked.

He had to be about forty. Suit type. Made a greasy impression. And quite arrogant.

"Hello, boys!" he chatted us up.

"Hello?" I meant questioningly.

"Good evening," Dad said more formally.

"Tell me, the lady sitting with you is certainly your momy, isn't she?" he asked.

"And what do you care?" I inquired.

"Well, I ... she's very pretty," he meant.

"Yes, that's her!" confirmed Dad.

"And you want to pick her up!", I stated.

"Pick up is such an ugly word!" he defended himself, which basically just confirmed it.

Especially with that disgusting grin on his face.

We said nothing, but only looked waitingly toward him.

"Oh, come on, boys. Your momy is really hot. There would be something in it for you,!" the guy now struck a different tone.

"Plain talk!" I demanded directly curious, but already Mom came back to us.

The man stood up immediately. He smiled sleazily and pulled the chair back so Mom could sit down.

That didn't seem nearly so elegant as it did earlier with Dad.

"A very good evening to you, miss. I was just raving about you to your lovely sons! How I've admired you from afar!" he fluted.

He sat down opposite her - still smiling unsympathetically.

Between Dad and me. He apparently wanted to give the impression that he was on the best of terms with us.

"My ...," Mom began questioningly as Dad winked at her, "... sons," she finished a little more convincingly.

"After all, at first I thought you were the same age as the two of them. Young and attractive. But you exude a class I've never seen before!"

Class? What did this guy know about class? This one was very far away from any class!

Dad and I suppressed our chuckles.

"Great!" Mom doubted as well, rolling her eyes unnoticed in front of him.

"Excuse me. I haven't introduced myself yet. How rude of me. My name is Winston. Clifford Amadeus Winston the Third."

"Amadeus?" I chuckled, earning a scowl from the guy.

"Can you at least play the piano ... with that name?" chuckled Dad.

"Probably better than you, young man!" he now became brash.

"Certainly not!" replied Dad only lapidary.

"You're really running your mouth, boy!" he reprimanded Dad and immediately turned his attention back to Mom. "You know, ma'am, with boys that age, you can't let the reins too loose," he meant now having to educate Mom about raising children.

Mom raised her eyebrows miffed.

"Well, Mr. Winston the Third, I think there's nothing wrong with their upbringing!" Mom clarified unequivocally.

"Of course not, Miss. Your sons are really charming!" he said quickly.

'What's going through his mind right now?' I asked Edward mentally.

"A boarding school for the two of us. In Europe or something. As long as it's far away!" Dad whispered inhumanly softly.

"Yes. Lovely sons!" grumbled Mom softly.

"Madame. May I invite you to a glass of champagne at the bar. Surely the young gentlemen can manage without their delightful mother?" the guy now asked seriously, having risen from his chair and holding out a hand to Mom.

"Why not," Mom said lightly, and Dad looked genuinely shocked. "You allow me to say goodbye to my ... sons ... properly!" demanded Mom and rose.

At the same time, Dad also stood up from his chair.

"Why certainly!" the guy grinned victoriously.

She put her arms around Dad's neck and kissed him profusely.

Meanwhile, I looked at the stranger's face whereby my laughter grew wider and wider.

His grinning expression changed visibly. At last it was a chalky horror, when he then stormed to the bar and loudly demanded a whiskey.

My parents smiled at each other in love.

I took a quick glance at the clock and rose.

It was time for the movie.

"I should go out with you guys more often!" I stated as I drained my glass. "It's fun!"


The movie was better than I expected.

We talked relatively seriously about the plot as we drove back to Saco.

On the way, I sent a message to Becky that I would be right there, but I didn't get a reply.

Not a single light in the house was on as we turned into the small driveway.

Under cover of darkness, Dad jumped up to Becky's window behind the house.

She was not there. I was getting nervous! But I was TOO worried.

We drove home and Becky was sitting on the bench in front of the house.

Her girlfriend had given her a ride in the car, because she thought we wouldn't be on the road too much longer. Although Leah's light was on upstairs, no one opened up for her.

Dad said Leah and Marcus were - fortunately - already asleep.

Becky had simply forgotten her cell phone at home.

Quickly, I took off her jacket and hugged her tightly so that she warmed up.

I was simply just relieved. What horrible images had emerged in my head in the last few minutes?

"Becky, we have something for you!" Mom then stood in front of my star with a small box in her hands.

"So that something like today doesn't happen again," Edward added.

With fingers still trembling slightly from the cold, Becky opened the box.

Keys as well as a radio control.

"For all the houses," he was still explaining, and Becky gratefully took my parents into her arms.

Me too.

A very nice gesture that my star was always welcome with us. Was she actually anyway, the two had already said often enough. And Becky felt comfortable here. She didn't just say it, one could see that about her. She loved her parents and enjoyed spending time with them and her brother. But here she felt completely free. Even when my parents were with us - like now.

Since it was still a little too early for us to go to bed on a Friday night and we humans were all still pretty awake too, Edward made us tea.

We told Becky - snuggling with me in a blanket - about the movie. And how this weird guy wanted to pick Mom up.

"Why didn't you make it clear to him right away that your MOTHER was engaged!" Mom now accused Edward in particular.

"You were back before we could get to that point! And where do you get off just accepting his invitation?" Edward now asked played nasty.

Becky and I fled before this turned into a serious argument.

By the time we reached my room, there was already nothing to be heard from downstairs.

Maybe they just wanted to get rid of us, too.

Becky stood in front of my desk, curious and smirking.

Economics spread over it. A disgusting subject. How could anyone want to study something like that voluntarily?

She found one of the last tests and started laughing, her cute dimples popping up.

It was about the principle of supply and demand. Actually, one of the subjects I reasonably understood, but the test was written the day after Marcus and Jules were attacked. My thoughts had been anxiously with Leah the two days after.

"The economy serves the purpose of satisfying needs of people that they cannot satisfy themselves in a society based on the division of labor," Becky explained to a question I got completely wrong on the test.

She said it pretty matter-of-factly. Except for two, three words, maybe. Satisfaction.

I smiled as charmingly as I could.

I was very much in the mood for satisfaction right now!

"And what are your needs?" I inquired.

Her blue sapphires sparkled in my direction, forcing me to walk toward her.

"Many!" she smiled coquettishly at me and ran her tongue sensuously over her lips.

"And can I help you with that in any way?"

She raised her hand against my belly, forbidding me to take the last step towards her. Her hand slipped under my sweatshirt and her pleasant gentle fingers slid over my skin.

Quickly my shirt was on the floor and my jeans and boxer shorts landed briskly with it, but she forbade me to touch her. She was driving me crazy, just with her fingertips. Again I made an attempt to touch my star as well, but again she slapped my fingers.

"I'll check the offer!" she grumbled cheekily, continuing to caress my naked body appraisingly.

She added her enchanting lips and I quivered more and more. She caressed herself over my body trembling with desire. For ages she tormented me. Teased me more and more.

At some point I couldn't stand it anymore. I lifted her up in my arms and threw her onto the bed.

Torturing her as much as she tortured me! Slowly I took her clothes off, one piece after the other. Massaged and kissed devotedly her soft body from head to toe.

I enjoyed pampering her persistently. To taste her silky skin. To take in her beguiling scent. To see her arousal. To feel her uncontrolled breathing. To hear her cursing!

"Jake. I can't take this anymore. I'll break up with you if ...!" she threatened in the meantime, but I didn't let her finish talking.

I chuckled and kissed her until she forgot the threat again.

Again and again! Until I thought I was losing my mind and we found the sweet satisfaction for which we both only craved ...

When I looked at the clock for the last time, it was just after four in the morning and we quickly fell into a restful sleep, which we both really needed after that night.


Becky was still asleep when I woke up.

It was already light outside.

No idea what time it was. My alarm clock glowed so brightly in the dark that Becky usually put something over it. But I also didn't care. I moved a little away from my star, lay on my side and stroked over the small birthmark on her shoulder blade and further over her graceful back while I looked into her angel-like face.

I would love to wake up next to my star every morning. Look at her feminine curves in detail. Stroke over her delicate skin.

Gently I let my lips brush over her shoulder.

My lips hurt?! How could that happen then?

An enchanting smile settled over her mouth.

I could not help it and gently kissed over it.

To my regret Becky unfortunately woke up.

I had not wanted that. But she looked cute again.

She rubbed her eyes and afterwards combed her fingers through my long hair.

"Good morning," she whispered, smiling beautifully and placing a light kiss on my lips.

"Ouch," she followed up still, with a droll fright on her face, grabbing her own lips with her fingers.

Hers didn't seem to be doing any better than mine.

She stretched and turned onto her back. The fingers that had been busy at her back followed her movement and found themselves, as if by magic, at her shapely bosom. Playfully I circled the tips and stroked over them tenderly. They straightened up immediately.

Fuck it that my lips hurt! They demanded to be greeted extensively. I didn't mean to be rude, after all! And Becky was anything but angry about it.

She pulled me over her, tickled through my hair, massaged everything she could reach, wrapped her legs around me and my center kept building more and more.

Miraculously, I still thought about contraception and Becky sat on me. We refrained from kissing. It hurt yes.

But we looked deeply at each other, provided our eyelids did not flutter with excitement, and firmly interlocked our hands with each other.

Finally, we kissed each other after all. Intensive and demanding. I could not help it and she did the same to me.

Becky let herself fall right back into the pillows after this exciting wake-up.

I packed away the condom and realized that my lips were now burning even more.

Sweet flames of love! I did not allow any other explanation!

I quickly climbed back into bed again and my star snuggled up to me.

"Good morning!", I said then also once. Yes, I could endure it like that every morning.

I pulled her close to me, adjusted the covers over us, and she actually fell back asleep while I just slumbered away.


A soft knock, however, brought me out of my dozy state a little later.

"Good morning," Dad murmured softly, carrying a small tray.

I had to blink a few times, but I was immediately wide awake.

Becky lay still on my shoulder and still with a dazzling smile.

And I was pretty sure I was grinning all over my face. I felt so really good today. I could tear out trees.

"I could guess," Dad muttered to himself, setting the tray down.

I bristled.

A tray was a rather atypical tool for my vampiric father.

I had to stretch a bit so that I could look at the tray.

Two cups. So far clear. A padded letter envelope. Okay, not inexplicable. But there stood a small bowl of strawberry ice cream on it, too. And a spoon.

"Ice cream?" I inquired quietly.

I didn't want to wake Becky up.

"Would you like to guess for what?" said Edward with an indulgent smile.

"For breakfast?" I asked further. I didn't want to discuss my burning lips with him now.

"It's almost noon!"

"Uh ...?" That was all I could think of.

Dad wanted to leave again, but I had one more question after that.

Just a little something.

"Dad, how much do you actually get?" I asked.

"Less than you fear!" he smiled, crouching beside the bed for a moment. "If I had been here in the room tonight and wanted to talk to you ... how much do you think you would have gotten out of it?"

"Not much!" I admitted sheepishly, looking a little embarrassed to the side. To Becky. I didn't have many alternatives lying in bed though. Her sleeping face looked like she was making fun of me.

"I don't feel any different. When Bella is in my arms, even if she's sleeping, I care about very little around me!" he explained seriously, which really calmed me down. "But if two of my kids are mentally cursing about sore lips, I still get it!" he winked, twirling teasingly through my hair and heading for the door.

Whereby I just wondered where my wolf healing was hiding.

"You're not really hurt. You probably just ... overused them a little!" Dad chuckled and left.

I smiled with relief.

I woke up my twinkling star and we had breakfast.

If ice cream passed for breakfast anywhere in this world.

We fed each other - we had only been given one spoon - licked over each other's now cool lips and it did take some willpower from both of us to leave the bed and actually get up. After showering and getting dressed, then we finally stood in the kitchen too and ate something decent.

The letter, by the way, was finally the replacement part for the music box the Abagnales had given me.


"Well, how's it going today?" I asked enthusiastically, hitting Marcus - knowing it would be way too tight - on the shoulder.

"Could pull out trees!" he whimpered more than he pronounced clearly and distinctly.

"It shows!" said Becky with a laugh.

She was also in a decidedly cheerful mood today.

"Yet. It works!" he tried to convince me.

I raised an eyebrow doubtfully.

"Small trees! ... Bonsais maybe ... Alright, grass," he corrected his answer.

Of course, except for Becky and me, everyone had already eaten breakfast, but at least they had left us our rolls.

Mom and Dad went shopping together and afterwards Portland was planned.

Marcus, Jules and their Ma had to get their personal things out of the house after all.


I helped Marcus pack. I sat on the floor and sorted everything he handed me into suitcases and boxes. Marcus did this without moving very much.

I smirked at how suffering he behaved in places. The division of labor would certainly be better the other way around for him and his aches and pains, but after all, I didn't know what all he had to take with him and where it was all stowed. In addition to his clothes and such, he also had to pack all his school records. So far, he had only picked them up here as needed or had done his chores here when Jules was arranging to meet after school or when he still had to work. It wasn't worth going to Saco first, then back to Portland, then to Saco again.

In addition, there was a box with personal things. A few books, CDs, two folders with important documents such as school reports, vaccination certificates, and so on. No one knew how long this unsolved housing situation would last. The only thing that was certain was that none of them would ever enter this house again. All three were convinced of that. There was no point in fighting over the house. His father was living with his new girlfriend, Maggie had been living with her boyfriend for a long time, and Marcus would be leaving for college next year. He didn't know which one yet, but it definitely wouldn't be in Portland, especially since he had applied to every university for a full scholarship. So only his mother and Jules remained. The house was clearly too big for them and also too expensive to maintain.

"Where did you apply?" I asked casually.

"Is it that important?" he evaded the question.

"Apparently," I confirmed his reaction.

"Have you ever heard of the Ancient Eight?" he mumbled almost incomprehensibly, as if embarrassed, and I dropped the CDs he just handed me in astonishment.

I swallowed.

Who didn't know them? The league of athletic universities. And they were THE eight elite universities in the northeastern United States. Brown, Cornell, Harvard, Pennsylvania, Princeton, Columbia, Yale. And Dartmouth!

"I guess that means yes," Marcus stated himself due to my inattention.

"And you really have a shot at a FULL scholarship?", I asked, stunned.

Sighing, he pulled a folder out of a box and opened it.

I blinked a few times to make sure my eyes weren't failing me just then. I looked at a school report.

Wow ...! Really impressive.

"How could that happen?" I inquired, pointing to the 'D' in Sport. Everything else was straight 'A's.

"My ACL tear last year," he answered simply.

I flipped through the top pages.

Numerous athletic awards, certificates of community service and extracurricular involvement with research institutions, various artistic course participation ... A certificate of third place in a singing competition? ... A 'diploma' from a cooking class? ... 'Dad, if you still have any objections to Marcus: Forget it! You won't find a better son-in-law in this world!'

My cell phone beeped, and I grinned.

I know!

he only wrote.

"How come you have such a ... strained relationship with your dad, with all the awards? He should be bursting with pride," I inquired though.

"My father doesn't trust that folder," Marcus replied.

I looked towards him questioningly.

He pulled a much thicker folder out of a cabinet and handed it to me.

I leafed through.

That showed a whole other side of Marcus. Assault. Drugs. Theft. Vandalism. Drunk driving. Juvenile court. Nasty letters from his school principal. Minutes of class conferences. However, most of it was at least a year and a half old.

"I wasn't exactly ... sociable. I didn't start taekwondo without a bad reason. I wanted to be able to strike. And did it often enough. Rules rarely applied to me. I wanted to be free and do my own thing. Who needs school when you could just as easily get through life without a degree? Drinking, smoking weed, fighting. That was basically my life, and I was completely satisfied with it when I was drugged up."

"Then this is all the rebellion Maggie and Ethan were talking about on the beach?" I asked, lifting the folder up a bit in evidence.

He nodded.

"And then what happened?" I asked about the reason for his change. After all, today he was seemingly the exact opposite of the boy reflected by these documents. A violent daredevil, with no regard for others, who wrote his own rules. I didn't know Marcus like that.

"Lily," he stated with a word and laughed. "When I met Lily through a mutual friend, it had gotten to me. Except that Lily didn't bother with losers. I came into the group and conformed to them. Actually only with the thought of catching Lily ..."

I interrupted him briefly with a raised index finger, flipped through the 'bad' folder and pointed to a specific page.

"You mean the group of people with whom the juvenile court judge sentenced you to do community service together with from the 'good' folder?" I held up the court order to him.

"They weren't saints either!" he clarified.

"But better behaved than you were at the time!" I stated.

He nodded.

"Considerably! ... In any case, we were asked more and more often what we wanted to do with our lives. We had no real answer. Enjoy life and see what was in store for us? Most adults didn't think much of it, but we didn't really care. One evening, it was last year during the summer vacations, we had drunk a lot and were pretty stoned, we actually talked about the future after Lily had gotten a real reaming at home. I was there and was quite startled. Her parents were actually pretty easy-going, were always in favor of enjoying youth and trying everything in moderation ... Until that time. It would be time to think about one's own life. The school report of the penultimate school year, which was imminent for all of us, would be decisive for college. The storm and stress period would now be over. Now other priorities should be set. Lily was the only one of us whose life plan was already more or less fixed, except for a few details. That was probably due to her family. In this one, everyone was so ambitious. And also successful. I don't really know what her father did. He worked for the government. She never said anything more about it. Her mother is a doctor, her two brothers are an architect and tax accountant, and her sister is currently studying engineering at MIT. Lily wanted to become a marine biologist. With these pretty concrete plans, she stimulated the rest of us to start thinking. In short, we began to plan our future and arrange our leisure activities so that they would look good on our college applications ... Not worrying about that the police could show up at any moment was quite simply enjoyable. And relatively new for me. I found that my life was somehow easier than before. So, I got my life back on track again ... After my grades steadily improved, my gym teacher approached me about the Ivy League. I read up on the requirements, never thinking in my life that I was cut out for it, but Lily was persistent about such things. Most of the other folder, I made with her or with the others. The cooking class was a gift for her. And I lost a bet for the singing competition," Marcus explained, as he continued to hand me things to wrap.

"Aren't you afraid?" I asked with a smirk.

"Why?" he shrugged his shoulders, uncomprehending.

"Of Edward?" I reminded. I looked to Marcus, fearing he would then have a heart attack now when he realized that Dad must have been listening to all of this - including, or should I say especially, his past - about our thoughts. But he seemed quite calm.

"You mean because of the mind reading?"

I nodded.

"He already knows. He already knew it when he showed up at my house with you and Becky. At least to some extent, what my memories had already told him. The Monday after, on the holiday where we watched the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy with the group, I asked him privately to talk. I was afraid. I thought if he found out all about it, he would forbid me from seeing Leah. So, I thought it was better to tell him everything right away and assure him that that time was behind me."

"What did he say about that?", I asked curiously.

"That everyone has a past. Even him."

"We have a great Dad!" I stated with a smile.

Marcus confirmed it and we continued packing.

Much faster than expected, we were done. After all, it was only necessary to pack what was needed in the next few weeks and everything else that would actually be picked up and stored by a moving company was not out of the world if necessary.


In the evening we had a meeting with the whole group.

Nothing was planned, so in the end we just sat in Lisa and Jason's party room in the basement and spontaneously played poker.

Sunday passed leisurely. We strolled in pairs through the forest.

On two legs each, of course.

Marcus was feeling much better. By the time of his next game on Tuesday, he should have recovered enough to play.

We would all cheer him on together.

That he wouldn't be cheering me on Monday, I could just about get over. He had to work.

He would also have to work first on Wednesday. This annoyed Leah a bit, since it was the day before Thanksgiving.

The holiday itself was already completely planned, but everything was still open for the weekend.

And it was long. Thursday until Sunday.

We could drive away together with our friends while we were here instead of being at Grandma Renée's house.

In doing so, I mentally ran into a little problem.

Hand in hand with Becky, I stood at home afterwards with my best heartbreaking dog ... er ... wolf look in front of my parents.

"When does the next weekend actually start FOR US?" I asked convincingly sadly.

My parents looked at each other briefly and smiled indulgently.

"Wednesday," they announced unanimously.

That's exactly what we wanted to hear.

I was twirling my star enthusiastically through the air when the front doorbell rang.

Dad stood closest to the door and opened it.

"David? What happened to you?" Edward inquired and really sounded a little worried.

"I just found out that skateboarding is not a sport for a man approaching forty!" complained David as he continued to walk in.

He had a scrape on his temple, skin was scraped off his hands, and his jeans had significant stains and tears on one knee.

"I could have told you that before!" I said, smirking.

He looked at me with a played scowl and narrowed his eyes. Then he seemed to think about this gesture towards me and his face became lambent.

"Jaaakeee ...?" he purred exaggeratedly, coming closer to me, putting an arm around my shoulders in a chummy way and smiling extraordinarily - smeary - politely.

I rolled my eyes.

"Who?" was all I asked.

"Luces."

"Why?"

"Daniel skates and had his board with him ... and he left it with us," he explained immediately.

"A stupid idea!" I stated, tapping the scrape on his forehead.

He winced.

Seemed to actually hurt. His own fault if he tried it himself!

I chuckled, but I had quite understood his request to me despite the few words.

I quickly ran to the basement while my almost-brother-in-law, as well as my incredulous dad, were enlightened to the fact that I actually knew how to handle a skateboard.

Becky knew that. She had seen me live at the time. And made fun of the skaters in general. That's when she started haunting around in my head. Was that perhaps why I had hung up the board on the proverbial nail?

I found it among the Christmas decorations. But I also found something else and took it up with me.

"Maybe this is more your speed!" I opined, pressing Leah's old child's bicycle into David's hands.

Pink, with training wheels and child seat on the handlebars for her doll. Should be the right size for Emma.

While I was checking in our driveway to make sure I still had all my moves - and yes, I fell hard on the ground a few times - David brought his entire family over.

After all, Luces wanted to learn something, Deacon was equally interested, David was the custodian, Sonya was curious, and Emma was too young to leave her at home alone. Not that she would have wanted to.

I showed Luces the basics. First of all, the individual parts of the board, the basic position, how to get and brake momentum and - what was most important - how to fall.

Jazz and Em joined us late in the afternoon and tried their luck. Dad also stood on it once and cut quite a passable figure.

I personally prevented Becky from falling, while Leah most definitely let herself fall into Marcus' arms on purpose.

However, he did not try it himself. Another time, when he could move more painlessly.

"What does next weekend look like with you guys?" asked Jasper at one point in Edward's direction.

Only because of that the two had come here.

"No!" said Dad firmly, without either of us knowing what it was all about.

Good thing the kids were distracted by skating. They rode up and down the driveway. Emma too, but luckily she was only sitting on the board.

"Bella, just say something too!" Em urged her, but she didn't know to what. "Eddie refuses to go ... camping with us!" he explained.

Grinning like a Cheshire cat.

Aha ... Camping was another word for hunting. It was predicted sunshine for the entire next weekend, which is why they had come up with this idea.

"Why wouldn't you want to go for a trip with your brothers sometime?" Mom inquired.

Edward pulled Mom into his arms, put his hands gently to her face, and looked into her eyes.

"Then I would break the promise I made to you. No one can persuade me to do that!" he said meaningfully and kissed her until she almost buckled in his arms.

It took her a moment to regain her senses.

I chuckled as I paid a little more attention to the kids again.

Who in this world could say, being kissed dizzy?

"But you can't really be with me every night," Mom then stated, which Dad only acknowledged with a puzzled face. "If we were flying to Renée's this week, you wouldn't be able to go."

"I would have visited you at night!" Edward wanted to clarify.

"And next year, when I take Zoey to Atlantic City for her second bachelor party? When you visit your friends in Alaska? If I have to go somewhere with my boss again professionally? ... Apparently I don't see the promise quite as petty as you do. I'll rely on your word when it comes to not being there for no real reason. Your completely stupid opinion from back then, for example," Mom meant and gave him a nasty look, which Dad also understood immediately.

He seemed vulnerable.

"However, I will not allow you to blindly defer because of this promise. Everyone needs their space to pursue their own interests. In order not to lose yourself. Just like Evelyn," Mom explained further and continued in a whisper, so that no child would notice. Or Sonya, who continued to be in the dark about so some things. "And it would be fun for you to be out with your brothers again, wouldn't it? You guys among yourselves. The great outdoors. Probably not around here either, so some variety on your menu. Paying attention to your basic instincts alone and no yakking about fashion, shoes, or naughty kids!"

"Hey!" Leah and I complained at the same time, but somehow our objection was lost in their kiss.

"I'll survive it if you're not with me for a night or two. After all, I'm not alone finally," Mom said in conclusion.

Em cheered enthusiastically after Dad gave them an affirmative nod after all.

Okay, so the consideration of a weekend trip with the group was off the table. But it didn't really bother me. We would find something. They planned to elope the Friday after Thanksgiving and be back here Sunday morning. Just in time for breakfast!

"And what are you doing all these hours without me?" dad inquired.

"Well, what we normally do. Hunting, too!" David interfered.

Everyone present looked in his direction in amazement.

What was he trying to hunt?

"I have to check, don't I, that my grill survived the move unscathed?" he said looking into the round.

My eyes were already shining with anticipation.

Was that called ...

"Pulled pork!" David confirmed my inner hope.

"How awesome is that then?" I asked tonelessly. At the same time as Leah, by the way.

"You dare to do pulled pork? Seriously?" asked Marcus, dumbfounded.

"Well, sure. Also four-hour spare ribs or beef brisket!" David clarified what he could rock on the grill.

And damn it, David could grill!

"Oh you ... holy ... trinity!" stammered Marcus reverently.

"Um ... sorry?" the vegetarian vampires, on the other hand, asked.

David explained it and my mouth watered.

I got so hungry! A big piece of pork neck. Prepared with a dry marinade. And then ... eighteen hours grilled. On the charcoal grill, of course. With a gas grill that was silly, and David referred to it on these gas parts anyway disparagingly as cooking and not grilling. Regularly, the coal had to be renewed and the meat sprayed with apple juice, so that it was not dry. Then the juicy meat was plucked apart and lovingly draped between a burger bun with an extremely awesome sauce and coleslaw. Even Mom and Sonya looked like they were hungry.

I wasn't quite sure, but it was entirely possible that I was drooling, while the cold-blooded people couldn't comprehend our general enthusiasm at all.

"But we're going for it this time!" Luces and Deacon had also understood what this was all about.

David nodded with a laugh and lifted Deacon in his arms.

The last time we had been able to experience this in Philadelphia, they had been too small to stay awake for that long in one piece. I was curious to see if they could keep it up.

"Eighteen hours? How do you do that?" asked Jasper.

"You guys need to sleep, too!" said Emmett.

"Oh no. You don't sleep with pulled pork, you celebrate it!" clarified David.


Thanks for reading!