*Disclaimer: I own nothing recognizable, all those rights go to Stephenie Meyer. As all song rights go to the listed artist. I only own any original characters.
A/N: First, as always, I want to thank all of you who have reviewed, read, and added this story to their favorites and to their following list. All of your support means so much to me
I hope I managed to get back to everyone that left a review and was able to answer your questions. Again, Thank You all for your support!
This is the Christmas Party Chapter. Hope you all enjoy the kids fun.
I know it's gonna take some time
but I've got to admit
that the thought has crossed my mind
this might end up like it should
I'm gonna say what I need to say
and hope to god that it don't scare you away
don't want to be misunderstood
but I'm starting to believe that
this could be the start of something good
Song- Start of Something Good
By- Daughtry
"ISABELLA, QUIL, EMBRY!"
Hearing Sue's angry yell only caused the three mischievous tweens to laugh harder as they darted through the dark cool forest occasionally stumbling through their laughter as they made their way to the small shack bordering the property line. They were close to their shelter when their feet took hold of an up turned root causing the trio to stumble and slide down the small incline in their continued fit of laughter.
'Jack and Jill fell down and broke their crowns,' hummed through Bella's thoughts in a sing song voice only making her laugh harder as she made her way to stand only to stumble in her attempt. Suddenly she was hit with a sudden pull that made her bones ache to obey, causing her to turn her head and for the laughter to die as the world around her went silent. Her eyes saw it, connected to it and through the darkness and the lush green foliage Bella's eyes didn't miss the emerald pair of orbs that were locked onto her; causing her mind to flashback to that night at the shop.
The night of so much death, the night she was almost crucified; only to be spared by the owner of those emerald eyes. Eyes she would know anywhere because they looked at her in a way some might say as if she was its prey, but there was something else in those eyes that made her feel it was something else. What? she didn't know but even with the intensity shinning in those emerald eyes, she knew it had nothing to do with prey. It was like the first time she saw them, they called to something deep inside her; something primal that she didn't understand.
A hard tug on her arm and her name being yelled snapped her gaze backwards to see Embry and Quil still chuckling as they attempted to help her to her feet. "Come on," both boys yelled as they took off again.
Yet Bella remained frozen as those eyes clouded her once joyful carefree thoughts. Another shout for her brought her back to reality; slowly she pulled herself up only to feel as if her feet were locked into place. She needed to know if they were still there; turning her head over her shoulder she looked back but all that remained was foliage.
"Bella!" hearing her name called in a bit of annoyance and anticipation caused her to shake her head in an attempt to clear it, before turning and running up to the laughing boys entangled in a double headlock causing her to smile and laugh at their struggles and banter. As she reached the boys, she gave Quil a smack to the back of the head while giving her best mimic of Sue. In a blink the boys disentangled and ran up next to the their counterpart all three shoving and laughing at each other as they crashed through the double doors of the small shack that held the parts of a torn down Chevy truck. In a single action all three launched themselves onto the bench seat along the back wall as their laughter simmered into a silence.
Taking a deep breath, Bella pushed the veil of dark curls from her face and as she tilted her head back onto the top of the headrest, her eyes took focus onto the tin rickety roof above as she panted in an attempt to catch her breath. She couldn't help but feel she was like the tin above her head. Not to sturdy, bending under the pressure but firm enough to hold up (even if it was barely). The rusted, worn, scoured metal looked so much like her soul, yet even through the flaws it belonged here and it did all it could to try to stay connected even if it caused another fracture or rust spot. It held on in hopes of those calm sunny days.
Bella closed her eyes for a moment as she took it all in, and the thing is unlike the roof, it never fought the sun like she did. She had closed herself off to even the thought of it; after all it's hard to let go of the storm when it's all you ever seemed to know.
A bump to her shoulder had her peeking out from under her lashes to see Embry's soft smile as he mouthed his concern. "¿Estás bien?"
(Are you okay?)
Bella smiled back before looking back up at the roof. She didn't know how to answer that question. Was she okay? Two days ago it would have been a simple no; but now, now things weren't so cut and dry. The boys beside her - one with a soft smile, the other with a sly smile - yesterday broke further through the storm than Seth could on his own with his sweet smile. In that short break of the storm, it was like Old Quil said. She had managed to go numb to all those harsh feelings and let herself just go with it and enjoy the comfort and the familiarity these boys provided, resulting in a spark to ignite in her scoured soul to a light she thought was forever snuffed out.
All of it resulting in her looking at things with her blinders pulled down and for her to see Samuel beyond the black and white and into the grey - allowing herself for the first time in a long time not to despise Samuel's company. She mentally smiled as she thought back to last night; it was the first time she decorated a Christmas tree and she enjoyed it and even though it wasn't something she'd admit aloud, she enjoyed the time with her brother.
All to quickly that mental smile slipped into a frown. Manny and her uncles never put a tree up; what was the point when everyone was always gone. Well, all of those but those left behind to watch after her.
A lump in her throat built as she thought of the loss of Kristy and Tim then her Papi and uncles and in the manner of how she lost them. That was part of the reason she didn't know if she was okay as she definitely wasn't over the loss and guilt of her foster brother and sister or her unique family.
Involuntarily she rubbed her hands up and down on her pant legs, while it didn't show because it wasn't really there she swore she could feel it. Like there was so much blood on her hands due to all those who died around her yet she lived on; making it hard not to feel like their blood was on her hands because she didn't do anything to help. All she did was run.
Then tonight in the middle of her just letting go by living and forgetting, those emerald eyes had found her. Why would they follow her; what did they want with her? Did they want to finish something? Did they just want to haunt her so she would never forgot what she ran from? Did they want to as they did that night at the shop protect her? She didn't know. Then again she didn't know if they were even real this time; for all she knew they could be part of her imagination. A way of her mind reminding her of the blood on her hands and that she didn't deserve to even try to see beyond the storm.
A muffled snickering caught her attention enough to shift her gaze too see Quil biting his lip as he tried to contain it. As he felt two sets of eyes on him he looked up and the gleam of mischief and amusement became infectious, causing all three to again topple over laughing uncontrollably and for all that worry and doubt to disappear. Bella's head landed on Embry's shoulder in an attempt to keep herself from rolling to the ground as they all remembered their prank and Sue's face and yell of frustration.
The clearing of a throat had all three looking up from their perch to see an amused Seth and what appeared to be an annoyed Jacob with intense eyes on Embry. "I'd ask what's so funny but that would just be redundant," Jacob's voice a sickly sweet tone, his eyes still glued onto Embry causing Embry to shift a bit uncomfortably at his friend's look and tone.
"It would. So dudes, you going to stand there all night and eye us up? Especially you, Jakey. I mean I know I'm one hell of a sight but it's starting to get creepy."
"I'd love to take a seat, Quil, but It seems that between you and your ego you've already caused it to be a very tight fit," Jacob bit back, his eyes still focused on Bella and Embry's positioning.
"Well, with those jealous looks don't think I'd let my ego get between you and me," Quil's voice suddenly becoming sultry as he patted his lap. "See, always room for you," he finished with a wink causing everyone to snicker.
"I don't know if I should feel wierded out or left out," Seth snorted as he flopped down onto the wooden crate.
"When it comes to me, I'd say left out."
"You are so narcissistic," Seth snorted.
"Hey! With these looks, how can't I be?"
Bella couldn't help the snort of amusement at Quil's response. Unfortunately for Bella her amusement was short lived as she felt Embry's tension in his shoulders from where her head rested. Curiosity had her looking up to find her pillow's discomfort was Jacob eying him intently. 'Boys,' she snorted before she kicked at the wooden crate causing it to hit the standing boy's leg and for his focus to shift down.
"Take a load off, Boyscout."
"Much prefer the couch."
"Oh, of course and you should feel free to take a seat," she smirked as her eyes met his. "But seeing as I'm not giving up my seat, as my truck, my bench we can get everyone else's vote. Hey, maybe you'll get lucky. So, Quil, you giving up your seat?"
"Nope, can't get up as I feel the seat molding to my ass for maximum comfort."
Bella could feel an internal eye roll at his comment along with a mental note to make sure to reupholster the seat before turning her attention back to the matter at hand. "Embry?"
"De ninguna manera!"
"For those who are failing Spanish, let me translate. Um-Hum, Quil-"
"Hey, I'm not failing."
"Dude, you have an F. I know you can be a bit half full kind of guy but in this the F doesn't stand for fantastic, it stands for failing," Embry snorted.
"Well, thank you for clearing that up for me, Watson. But let Sherlock here set it straight, my dear Watson. See, to fail means I have to try - you know, give an effort - and I can honestly say since the moment I stepped into Ms. Harbaugh's class I haven't even so much as picked up a pencil or looked at the board. See, no effort given, no chance to fail."
"Then what do you do?"
"Elementary, my dear Watson, I try to guess the shapes of the cracks in the ceiling. So far I've made out a bunny and I'm on my way of working out a possible-"
"Fascinating, Quil. But let's not give the mystery away, never know when one of them wants to play old McDonald and guess the farm animal with the ceiling's poor construction," Bella cut in with an annoyed tone before reverting back to finish up her point. "As I was saying, for those of you who need help on the translation, he simply said, 'NO WAY'."
"Uh, No. Just saying no would have been the simple way."
"Maybe for simple people," Seth chuckled.
"Hey, Guys! Words hurt you know," Quil's voice becoming serious as he eyed the group. "But lucky for you I resemble that remark," he snickered, breaking the odd tension and removing the feeling of foot in mouth from Seth.
"SOOOO if you wanna sit on the bench with us, that only leaves one way," a saccharine smile gracing her lips as she looked up at her self-proclaimed Boyscout's confused frustrated look. "Quil's lap," she winked. Causing everyone to break out laughing, and for Quil to wink and pat his lap all the while trying to keep a serious face as he beckoned his friend.
"I'll pass."
"Then let the crate seat ya' where the good lord split ya," Bella laughed as she nudged the crate with her foot again, causing everyone, even Jacob, to laugh as he lowered himself to his wooden seat.
"Well, now that is settled. How long you three hiding out?"
"Depends, Sethy, on how many rounds of egg nog it takes for Suzy to calm down," Bella shrugged.
"Well, then you better settle in for a long stay; don't think she has ever been that pissed," Seth chuckled. Granted she was his mom, but it felt good to take a step out of that mold of the good little boy she built for him. Unfortunately, he was tasked with distracting his mom and other potential super sleuths from looking for the trio while they went to work on their latest holiday prank.
"Have to say I don't believe there is another decoration like it," Jacob snorted. "Nothing like pulling up to a house to see Santa standing on the roof with one hand up in a stilled wave, a smile adorned on his face while his other hand rests around his waist as a golden stream flowed out the front and to the snowy earth below," amusement evident in his voice as he remembered the sight and his dad's once somber mood lifted at the inappropriate yet funny sight.
"Hey, Santa just wanted to express every right a male has."
"And that is what, Quil?" Bella asked almost regretting asking as soon as the words left her mouth.
"To write his name in the snow." The nonchalant tone along with the answer caused the room to erupt in a fit of laughter.
"So how did you pull that light show off?"
"Easy, Boyscout," Bella smiled devilishly. "Have Sethy run interference by keeping Suzy and my keeper busy, scale the pine to the branch right below the roof line, climb up, pull free the string of lights from the back of the house, give good old Saint Nick a way to relieve himself," Bella chuckled as she jerked her thumb to Quil who pulled out a hand held drill, "then allow it to flow freely."
"Impressive, Quil."
"Now I'm not one to turn down credit, and I'd be more than happy to claim it if I didn't think I'd get my ass kicked for doing so, but this genius didn't come from me."
"What, Boyscout, a girl can't have some mischievous ingenious ideas?"
"Psh! All Jake knows about girls is mostly from Leah and that is bitchy. Which you have in spades," Quil laughed.
"What Quil means to say is while Leah has her bitchy side, she has never been one too hang or cause the mischief; she is more like the one to lord it over our heads," Embry sighed.
"Well, then I guess we aren't so different," Bella smirked as she looked at all the boys. "Because, boys, I'm willing and ready to lord anything and everything over you heads if necessary."
"Girls!"
"Yeah, we are pretty awesome," she mused making sure to throw a wink to the group only to see Quil spinning the knob to the drill. Lifting her head off Embry and stretching her arm out behind him she smacked the backside of Quil's head. "Put that away before you hurt yourself."
"Awe, Bella, you care."
"Yeah, that I'll have to clean blood off my tools. Another hole in your head wouldn't make much of a difference. In your case a lobotomy would probably do you some good."
"See, I'm still getting caring out of that."
"Always a half glass full," Embry snorted.
"Positivity will get you things."
"Yeah, like my foot in your ass if you don't put that back."
"See, I see that as you being a better extension of me then," he chuckled causing Bella to lunge over Embry at him and for Quil to scramble quickly to the floor laughing. "Okay, okay. I'm going." The group snickered at the two as they watched Quil dart off to the tool chest on the far side of the shed and return the drill.
"You know I'm shocked you let him rattle your cage."
"Ah, Boyscout. You jealous that you weren't the one rattling my cage or that I wasn't lunging at you?"
"Maybe both," a sly smile played across his lips.
"Mess with my tools and you might succeed at both."
A loud smack echoed through the four walls, officially cutting off Jacob's retort and taking away Bella's focus as she like everyone else looked down at the floor where the sound emanated from.
"Cards?"
"Nothing gets by you, Jakey."
"Quil," ground out between Jacob's teeth.
"What? Don't call you Jakey? Come on, man, she gets a nickname for you and I want one too. I mean after that moment and all we shared earlier with those looks."
Jacob raised his warning gaze to his witty yet at the moment annoying friend. While Quil might act before he thinks and appear dumb he knew that look and he knew if he kept it up he could kiss his ass goodbye. Jacob was one of the most level headed and laid back of the group, but the boy could fight if needed. Quil's arm stung at the memory of the last punch he had taken, and now in front of the girl Jacob liked Quil could only imagine how much more the impact would be. Deciding on self-preservation, he took the smarter route.
"As Jake so keenly guessed the item, may I suggest a card game? Texas Hold em, play for what you got on you?"
"I wouldn't mind taking you boys for all you had, but seeing as all I have on me are my clothes,I'll pass."
"All the more reason to play," Quil devilishly winked only for his devilish features to contort in pain as he felt his leg go numb and for him to drop to the cold floor. Yep, he was right. Jake not only dead legged him but the hit was way harder than normal. "Or not," he weezed out.
"Go fish?" Embry threw out trying to distract from the loud mouth on the floor.
"To slow," Seth sighed.
"Slap jack?" Jacob mused.
"The chance to whoop your butts and slap you around with no retaliation, I'm in."
"No objection here," Embry and Seth called out.
"Slap jack sounds great," Quil groaned as he made his way to sit as he rubbed his leg.
"Snacks?" Seth questioned with a brow raised.
Bella rolled her eyes. "You know where they are; might want help though seeing as you're grabbing for five."
"That leaves me since I have use of all my appendages," Embry chuckled as he stood only to feel a pull at his pant leg.
"Don't leave me; they are both so wicked."
Embry rolled his eyes as he helped his current invalid friend to his feet. "Let's go, flash," he chuckled as he followed Seth and at Quil's attempt to keep up.
Bella rolled her eyes at the boys.
"You seem to really be enjoying yourself."
"I am," her voice soft. "You know I was starting to think you weren't going to show."
"Almost didn't," he sighed.
"If you didn't want to-"
"You're wrong if you think I didn't want to. Just a lot of variables."
"Care to enlighten?"
"Do you?"
"Touche," she looked up at him. "Not now, not here. Someday, maybe-"
"Same deal," he said softly his mind wondering would she really share what she guarded with him. But his heart racing quickly at the thought of her finding out what his dad went to great lengths to do to her and that pushing her away from him. "So, going back to you saying that you were wondering if I was going to show, does that mean you were thinking about me. Missing my awesomenes?"
"Starting to wonder who is more full of themselves. You or Quil. And when I say Quil, I mean both Senior and Junior," her retort causing them both to laugh. "But no, I was wondering because it's hard to get at these three unlike it is with you by calling you boyscout."
"You know it's rare for me to do this but to quote Quil earlier, See, I'm still getting caring out of that."
Bella laughed as she looked up meeting his beaming smile. That smile was unlike any of the others. It didn't just break through parts of her storm; that smile chased all the storm clouds away. 'No! Can't go there,' Bella screamed at herself. 'You need to be more careful and not just drop your guard because look at where that route has gotten you'. "Yeah you're right, that is something that is rare, especially with what comes out of his mouth," she snorted.
"Heads up." Bella's head jerked towards the beckoning, grateful for the distraction. She knew she wanted him in her life as he was the sun to her darkened sky. Like all the boys were but none more than Jacob. She just had to make sure she was strong enough this time around for loss and what would they think of her and the things she did?
Without thinking she raised her hand to grab the incoming object.
"Okay. Girl has skills."
"You have no idea, Boyscout," she chuckled as she popped the top.
"So what do we have the pleasure of having?"
"Room temp soda; so you're lucky it's kind of chilly in here."
"Hey, gossip queens, since we are dragging one leg and the grub, how about one of you deal," Embry called out.
Bella chuckled as she slid to the floor pulling Seth's empty crate to her before taking the deck and placing it on top to shuffle. After one last run through of the cards she set the deck aside as she felt a presence next to her; and looking up from under her lashes she saw the beaming smile that turned the dark into light. This time she didn't feel the push to him and she was grateful that she was getting herself under control. With a click of her tongue she smirked at him, "You think you can hang?"
Desperately craning his neck right and left his eyes searching the room in a panicked frustration and desperation, he hoped to catch a glance of her whereabouts. She had been elusive all evening. She was here then there, but mostly she was with Embry, Seth, and Quil. So of course that meant she spent most of the night in trouble with their pranks and actions.
"If this was charades, my guess would be owl," chuckled into his ear.
"Have you seen her?" was his only response as he continued to scan the room.
That was enough in Jared's book, pushing on his best friends shoulder he managed to spin him around to face him before he pushed his friend's back into the door frame. "Sam, seriously relax! It's a party; try to have you know – what's the word - oh right, some FUN."
"A party? More like a circus! Look around you half the families of La Push are here," he snapped.
"Exaggerate much?"
"Exaggerate! Jared, I didn't invite any of these people," he gritted out as he waved his hand around at the unexpected guests. "Especially that one," he sneered as he took in Billy's presence and the fact that man had the gull to even come.
"No, you didn't BUT Bella did. Well not everyone but she did invite Quil, Embry and Jacob, and hence Jacob's dad being here. It's not like he was going to leave his dad alone on Christmas. I know he did shitty stuff but the guy doesn't remember and before you say it yes we all know you do. As for the rest, well my mom and Sue invited everyone else's whole families; so it did get a bit more crowded but don't they say the more the merrier?" he snickered.
"NO, not when I am trying to have a family Christmas with my sister."
Jared sighed as he continued to watch Sam's eyes dart around the house in search of his sister's whereabouts. "Sam, you are so missing the point here. You wanted Bella to settle in, start nesting. Well in a sense she took the first step in doing that by inviting the gang here. Since being here outside of Seth she hasn't reached out, now she has and you have to take that as a small victory, because for the first time since coming here she has made a true attempt to lay claim to this house and to more people - hence laying down a set of roots."
Reaching up and pinching the bridge of his nose, he allowed tension to leave his body as he laid his head back onto the door's decorated frame. He hated that his friend was right and he could only still see within the confines of his blinders. True this is far from what he had planned or wanted, but Bella's demeanor last night and mostly this morning was different. Something inside seemed to allow her to see this place as more than a prison as she started to allow herself to see this place more as a home.
"I know none of this is easy, but you got to let the leash go a bit. Hell, look at Leah; she hasn't once bad mouthed the girl all day. And she even laughed at that Santa prank. Right there should show you this isn't so bad." Jared chuckled because seeing Leah laugh at something that pissed off her mom so much was an oddity. In that moment she acted more like Harry then Sue. Everyone loved Sue as she was a good woman but she could be a bit intense with traditions and expectations. All things that as Leah got older plagued her and her actions almost making fun dissipate from her life, leaving her mostly business. Everyone knew Sue wanted her daughter to be strong and take advantage of the new world around them that was less anti Native American and less anti women. While her intentions were good, they backfired a bit.
Sam chuckled as he remembered how Leah had helped Bella prepare for the day. It shocked him to see Leah so willing to help on her own with no forceful action from her mother, father, or plead from him causing the memory of the moment he pulled her aside after her time with his sister. "What has you so pro Bella all of a sudden, Leah?"
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Sam" she huffed before sighing and looking up to meet his apprehensive eyes. "The yesterday I really saw it was tearing you apart, and it wasn't fair to make you choose. And it wasn't fair I put your hurt on her because she is hurting too. So I figure backing off on the girl could help mend fences. Besides, she isn't all that bad, the girl is short tempered sure, but so am I. So who am I to judge? She is actually funny too, you know?" she smiled. "But most importantly, she's the only other girl in this group. I need an ally even if we have our differences."
It was true Bella and Leah went at it over her refusal to wear a skirt, but as if a switch had been flipped finally both girls - after some name calling - laughter could be heard as a compromise came to be of a pair of dark highway waist jeans and a red cropped sweater with a small heeled black boot. Bella even allowed Leah to curl her hair a bit.
Sam could feel his face scrunch up at his distaste of the outfit. While it was harmless and everything was covered, he couldn't help hating it; she looked even more grown up than eleven. Sam couldn't believe how she changed as she was always so short and looked so young, but now she was tall for her age and looked older. But when she wasn't dressed up she still had that young look that flannel and baggy shirts managed to bring out, but now she looked like a young woman and he hated it.
Especially when Quil arrived and eyed her as she darted up to him. It bothered him further when Embry arrived and gave her the same look. He almost wanted to demand Leah take her upstairs and undo it all and put her back into one of his baggy flannel tops and loose jeans. But he refrained; he knew Leah would probably knee him for criticizing her work, and then call him a hypocrite for her being okay to wear it but not his sister.
He knew where that would lead. Leah accusing him of her dressing slutty. He might not know a lot about women but knew enough from what Harry had advised him and this was one of those let sleeping dogs lie. But it was more than just Leah's reaction it was the fact that Bella smiled and seemed happy, comfortable. Almost like the first time she truly felt she could be a girl, no longer having to pretend or hide who she was, like she was truly accepted. It made him wonder about what she had gone through, but he knew better then to ask. Time and place was key and Christmas wasn't the time or place.
A small inner chuckle rang out when his worry eased about her trying to grow up to fast to the moment she was climbing up trees, onto rooftops and drilling holes in Santa for a spout for his staged relief onto the lawn. It showed that she wasn't past throwing on some flannel or baggy shirts. She might have been happy to have the change to dress girly today, but deep down she was still - he wanted to say innocent - but after her trouble making, he stopped himself on that thought.
Deep down she showed that she wasn't lost to things her age even if it caused trouble. It also showed him a side of his sister he didn't know existed. A fun, rebel, prankster laid inside the girl that at one time could barely form a sentence or show emotion. Again it made him wonder what her life was like before she found her way home, and who and what formed and molded her. It was frustrating she wouldn't say anything at all, but as they say, you can't get blood from a stone. So for now, he could let it go a bit.
"Dude, looks like Sue finally came down from her raging," Jared's amused observation pulled Sam back from his thoughts to see Sue's posture more relaxed and her laughing now.
"You know, I think my mom has finally felt the holiday spirit."
"Oh, your mom finally felt the spirits, Leah. But not the holiday type; more like the type that come from a store and mix well with eggnog," Jared snorted.
Leah smirked as she leaned up next to Sam
"Think it's safe to get the gang. You mind, Jared?"
"Not at all, I enjoy a brisk walks," he snorted.
Sam watched as Jared darted out the backdoor before leaning over and placing a small peck onto Leah's head, causing her to turn and look at him with a smile yet a bit of confusion. Sam wasn't one for PDA, so it took her a bit by surprise for him to be so open.
"Thank you, Lee Lee."
No other words were needed as she knew what for. Thing is she might have started it out for Sam's sake but in the end she was glad she did it for her sake; because she meant all she said to him earlier that the girl was more than she thought and someone she could see herself getting close to.
"This isn't very boyscout of you!" Bella screeched as she sat straddled and stretched out on top of Jacob as he laid flat on his back using it as leverage as he pushed on her right shoulder with one hand and held out the last jack in his other hand just out of her reach.
While the others made innuendos, jokes and snickering sounds as they watched the two wrestle for the last five minutes over the card Jacob had been quick to snatch from the make shift table before Bella's hand could slap down. In their eyes the move was brilliant on Jacob's part. Yet they all wondered how long before the hot tempered girl would just knee him for it.
As Embry was about to place a bet to the possible takers the door swung open, causing all to still in shock as Jared entered the shed pausing as he took in the scene before him.
"Dude, you are SO lucky Sam sent me," he laughed knowing Sam would have blown through the roof at the sight of Jacob and his sister; and that Jacob would probably be like his dad in a wheelchair after Sam broke both his legs.
Bella suddenly felt herself flying backwards and landing on her rear as Jacob darted to his feet. Bella huffed as she pulled her dark veil of curly hair away from her face. "How about a little warning next time you plan dumping me like I have the plague," she bit out before turning her attention to Jared. "Well, don't just stand there gaping. If you're going to insist on having your pie hole open, then how about speaking and say what Samuel sent you for."
"Straight to the point, firecracker," he winked. "Here to let you know Seth's mom is about five sheets to the wind right now, so you're all safe to come back up for dessert and the last bit of traditions."
Bella wanted to argue and wanted to say, 'So what. They were having fun and he should try it,' when she noticed Seth, Embry, and Quil already on their feet and darting for the door excited. Sighing she made her way to her feet, figuring the last bit of tradition must be one hell of a good thing for them to tear out of here like that or maybe it was just the dessert. Bella took a step forward to follow when she felt a hand around her wrist stopping her. Turning slightly she saw Jacob with his sunny smile eye her before winking and slapping his hand down.
"Slapjack, you lose," he shouted before running off leaving Bella stunned for a moment before taking off after him. Both weaving and dodging each other as they made their way up to the main house. As they crested the hill, Jacob's foot grabbed that upturned root causing him to stumble and allowing the perfect moment for Bella to strike as she leapt onto his back causing him to fall onto his hands and knees.
"I only lost because you cheated," she hissed into his ear.
Quickly he pushed himself off the ground causing Bella to squeal as she gripped her legs around his waist and arms around his neck. "And if I admit to my wrong doing, what would be my punishment?"
"Well seeing as these kitten heel boots are a bitch for the terrain, how about a horsey back ride back to the house?"
"Sounds fair," he chuckled as he took off.
"Darn right it does. And if you make good time and don't falter with me on your back, you might even earn a sugar cube," she stated trying to keep her tone serious yet amusement was evident.
Jacob laughed as they darted the last bit of distance all to Bella's laughs and squeals of delight. As they crested onto the stairs to the back deck, Bella went rigid. The joys she was feeling vanishing and her to become deathly silent as her heart rate sped up. She could feel them again, she could feel the intensity on her calling to that something deep inside her. As if a moth to a flame she was unable to fight causing her head to turn and for her gaze to shift to the far tree line. For a brief second a golden glow flashed among the darkness and lush foliage before fading and releasing the pull that called. 'From emerald to gold,' flashed through her mind as she remembered that night again and how her savior's eyes did exactly that.
Bella heard Jacob sigh deeply, just as she felt herself being lowered to the porch, causing her to flash her attention back to what was going on; and to see a stoic looking Old Quil, causing her to raise her brow in question. 'What did I miss?'
"I was just telling your transportation here, that while I might find this entertaining he might want to put you down before you head on in. Seeing as Sam already has a complex, no need to add any misconception to it now," Old Quil snorted appearing annoyed at having to repeat his words.
'Pull it together' she snapped at herself as she felt her feet hit the wooden planks below as she was ready to pretend, ready to keep trying to go forward. Not missing a beat Bella rolled her eyes in annoyance as she finally focused on the old man's words, "What's the big deal? It was all harmless fun. Leave it to him to overkill the big brother role," she huffed.
"So do I get that sugar cube?" Jacob's voice cutting in trying to divert her attention. She made strides, if he could help her keep moving forward by keeping her from fighting with her brother he would gladly do so.
Bella looked at him like he was nuts but couldn't swallow the laugh. She couldn't believe he actually took that seriously. "Hmm.. well, even though I think you might have stumbled once."
"That wasn't stumbling, that was prancing," as soon as the words left his mouth he slammed his hand over his mouth, but it was to late. It was out there for both Old Quil and Bella's amusement.
"Prancing, huh?" Bella laughed. "Maybe I should drop the boyscout and go with prancer," she winked.
"Come on Bella. I'll never live that down."
"Well maybe I could be bribed," his intrigue showed as he lifted a brow in question. "Tell me what this tradition is."
"Well, not sure if I should take away the surprise."
"Okay, Prancer, let's see if we can rustle up that sugar cube," she laughed evilly as she made her way into the kitchen, pausing briefly to look back at the elderly man on the porch.
"You coming in, old man, or are you going to freeze?"
"It's hardly cold enough to freeze, child."
"Uh, see that white stuff there is snow, so it means it's cold."
Old Quil snorted, "Maybe for you, child, since you grew up on the sunny coast, but a lifetime here has me adjusted."
"Adjusted... you? Or for that matter any member of the Ateara family?"
"I didn't say well. Now did I?" causing Bella to laugh. "Now go on; don't you have a snack to get the prancing boy?"
Bella's lips curled up mischievously as he darted into the kitchen.
"Hold up. Wait. I give. It's called the dice game. See we all sit-"
Old Quil waited until their voices faded proving they were deep into the kitchen before slipping down the back steps and making his way to the boarding trees. Bella's distracted nature caught him instantly and just like the girl he saw the golden glow that loomed. Taking one last look around to make sure he wasn't being watched by anyone from the house, he slipped into the woods.
"So you're saying we sit in a circle on the floor, roll dice and if you manage to roll snake eyes or any other double, you pick up a gift?"
"Yep."
"And this is fun?"
"Nah, not until the final round where after all the gifts are picked, and you roll a double then it's a free for all as you can steal from one another."
"Five finger discount, now that is something-" Bella stopped dead as she realized what she was saying causing her eyes to flick to the boy wondering where this was going to go. She couldn't believe she had been so careless to slip up and say such a thing. 'This is why this boy is dangerous, you allow your guard to drop around him, your verbal filter is non-existent,' she snapped at herself as she felt a surge of panic as he looked at her a bit intrigued and intently.
"I wouldn't really call it a five finger discount, seeing as you're allowed to steal," he shrugged. "Besides there is nothing any good to steal anyway. It's all gag gifts ie diapers, whoopee cushions, toilet paper, though Quil does enjoy that one, especially if it's the Charmin. Your right, the Ateara's aren't adjusted," he chuckled.
Bella felt like she just dodged a bullet yet still felt tense from her slip up. She hated the draw, the loss of self-preservation around him yet like a drug she couldn't fully stay away from him. She knew that he was the sun to the darkness that barred and clouded her life.
"Bella!" hearing her name called out so loudly caused her to jump. Turning quickly she came almost nose to nose with her brother; instantly causing her to back away from not only the closeness but the panic at what he might have heard. She knew if he heard her slip up he would press, he was more intuitive than her peer.
"I'd ask what you've been up to; but, well, I think I have a good idea."
"You probably do," she shrugged, still feeling nervous.
Sam could see the tension on his sister as clear as day, he knew she didn't fully trust him. Heck, he didn't even know where her feelings were at for him. While they made a small stride last night, today was a new day and while the interaction had been good, he knew with all the past that still haunted them caused her lack of trust.
He could see why after causing all that mischief she would be under tension with his presence; worried what he might say or do. 'Maybe she is even worried about being tossed out,' pulsed through his mind. While he would never throw her out of her home, it was one thing for him to know it because that didn't matter he needed her to know it.
'Now or never,' sighed through his thoughts as he pulled a small wrapped box from his pocket. He didn't miss how Bella's eyes narrowed at him as he did so.
'How dare he!' hissed through her thoughts as she eyed the small silver wrapped box. This was the one thing she was dreading - gifts. She didn't want anything from anyone because one she didn't know these people well and two she could not give anything in return. She had no means of money, all her clothing was either borrowed from Samuel or in the case of what she wore now an assortment of clothing that had been acquired at the local clothing bank with Leah and Sue's help.
"Bella, please," his voice pleading.
In that moment her nerves rose as she could also now feel the eyes of others on her making her feel more pressured to cooperate. Swallowing deeply she reached out and took the small gift box. Glancing up, she eyed her brother again as he nodded to the box. Taking a deep breath she began to rip at the shiny wrapping and as the last piece of tape gave she let the silver paper fall to the floor as she palmed the small velvet black box.
Slowly, as if it would reach out and bite her, she pried open the box. As the lid finally rose to reveal the contents, her hands began to shake at seeing the contents as her mind took her away.
"Munchkin."
"You're one to talk," Mia snickered as she looked down over the railing from the log framed porch.
"Hence why I'm the only one that gets the privilege of calling you that," Cruz stated with a sly smile as he motioned for her to join him by the pine.
Rolling her eyes, Mia jumped over the railing landing on the balls of her feet on the grass below, before jogging up to meet her favorite uncle. "You know, I keep this spurt up it won't be long before you lose the use of that endearment."
Throwing his arm around her neck he began to rub his knuckles on the crown of her head as he pulled her down, causing her to squeal and laugh as she struggled on his hold. "UNCLE, UNCLE!."
"What? What is it, dear Mia?"
"NO UNCLE!" she laughed even harder as she wrestled against him.
"Yes, kid."
"FINE! I GIVE, I SUBMIT," causing him to stop.
"Close but not good enough. Because I reserve the right to that endearment until the day I die, no matter how gigantic you get. Because, Munchkin, you'll always be that doe eyed little girl to me. Got it?"
Mia rolled her eyes. "Yeah, got it," she huffed and with that his grip gave allowing her to stand.
"Now come here," he sighed as he took to the steps of the cabin's porch.
Mia threw another eye roll at her uncle as she made her way over to take a seat next to him. The moment she was settled he tossed a brown bag onto her lap.
"There are two things I'm not good at. Wrapping crap and dragging stuff out. So open it."
"And to think I wonder why you don't have a girlfriend."
"It's because I spend all my free time babysitting a whiney little kid."
"I don't think Jay's that whiney," she shrugged causing Cruz to chuckle before pointing to the bag again.
Shaking her head, she pulled the extremely light bag open; her brow scrunching at its contents. Taking the bag she tilted it softly to allow the item to spill into her right palm. Surprise caught her as a silver locket shone in the bright sunlight back at her. Quickly her wide eyes turned to the man next to her. "Five finger discount?"
"Nope. Not for this occasion," his words caused Bella's brow to furrow. "Today's your eleventh, and I know it's not an important number. But with the shit we pull on a daily basis, sometimes I wonder if we'll make it to an important number like a sweet sixteen; so I want to give this to you now," his words caused her to feel her chest to constrict a bit but she hid it. She gave him a warm smile before picking up the heart shaped trinket and chain to inspect it.
"What no name?" she mused as she ran her finger over the smooth metal.
"Cost extra," he smirked and for her to snort.
Her finger found its way to the edge and sticking what was left of her thumb nail into the seam, she pulled it apart. "There's nothin' in it," her voice showing her confusion at the internal bareness.
A small chuckle permeated from his throat as he took the locket and gingerly clamped the chain around her neck, before pulling back leaving the locket resting in the palm of his hand. As he looked up with a small smile, his eyes meet the doe ones before him, "No, there's not. See, Mia, what belongs in here are the photos of those in your heart."
"Well that would be you and all my uncles plus my papi."
"No, Mia, it wouldn't. Listen, we will always love you and you love us. BUT we are what is etched onto your heart. We aren't what or who is inside your heart. There is a big difference, Mia. You might not get it now, but one day you will, and when you do you put their pictures in there so you can show everyone what is in your heart, when words can't find you. Okay?"
Tears welled in her eyes causing her to look away but she held them at bay as she nodded her understanding and as she took the locket from him his calloused hands snapped it closed. While his words hurt because it felt in a weird way a goodbye, they were also comforting. Cruz was hardly ever serious or this emotional with his words, so knowing this and with determination she made sure to take his words and store them away, ensuring she would remember them for the day he said would come. She returned her gaze to his and with a watery smile, "Okay," flowed from her lips.
"Please don't be mad. I know you hate me going through your things or me asking questions; trust me I won't ask anything about it. This was in your pocket the night you came in. It fell out when your clothes were being gathered while you were out from your surgery. I'll admit I opened it, but nothing was inside. That's when I noticed the knotted and broken chain. I wasn't and I'm still not sure what this means to you, but I figured if you held onto it, it must have meant something."
Bella said nothing just continued to stare at the locket. She had forgotten all about it until now and she hated that she could allow herself to do so; but everything from that night weeks ago until now had been one big blur. As she looked at it now she remembered it breaking during the struggle with her assailant, and when she was freed by her savior, she still had the unconscious thought to grab it from the blood soaked cement to store it away in her pocket. It now looked like the day she first got it, making her heart race and for a warmness to build in her eyes.
"So that day up in Port Angles, I had the jeweler work his magic. He wasn't sure he could but he unknotted the chain, fixed the clasp and even buffed out the scratches and-" his voice wavered as the next words came, "blood stains off."
With a shaky hand she pulled the locket and chain from the box, allowing the box to fall and lay with the wrapping as she put the chain around her neck and fiddled with the clasp under her shaky fingers before managing to seal it securely.
Taking a deep breath and a moment to pull back what threatened to leak from her eyes she raised her eyes to meet his, "I don't mind," she softly stated.
"Okay, it's go time for those who can still bend over without saying AH! MY BACK! To play a little game" Quil's voice bellowed through the house calling all the kids to the game and for laughter to erupt along with some annoyed looks at the remark, and for Bella's eyes to dart away from her brothers, and for an awkwardness to engulf them.
"Think you can hang?" Jacob playfully asked as he threw her words from earlier back at her, hoping to break the tension.
She nodded a soft yes; her mind still in a fog as her fingers still caressed the smooth locket.
"Good. Let's do this," he smirked as he popped a sugar cube into his mouth, instantly causing Bella to snort with a small smile gracing her lips that he actually ate the thing.
As she followed she suddenly found herself stopping. "Thank you, Sam," she whispered softly but loud enough she was sure he'd hear her. She didn't turn to look to be sure, all these feelings were overwhelming and she couldn't just let one day bring her down. 'One gesture doesn't make up for it all,' she reminded herself as she darted off to meet up with Jacob and the rest of the boys.
"And you thought she was going to bite your head off," Jared smiled as he clapped his friend on the back in support.
"Did you hear that?" Sam's voice becoming weak with emotion.
"Yeah, dude, she said she didn't mind and thank you."
"No, none of that is important."
"It's not?"
"Of course not," Leah huffed, "she called him Sam, not Samuel."
"She called me Sam!" he said his face turning to his friend and girlfriend with so much emotion. "Granted it's not Sammy, but Sam is better than Samuel," he stated before turning back to watch his sister take her spot in front of the tree with the rest.
Both Leah and Jared smiled at Sam's joy and nodded agreeing, knowing he couldn't receive a better gift tonight then the one Bella had just given him.
Bella hesitated a moment as the others took their seats in the circle, pondering for a moment if she should distance herself a bit from the boy that made her walls start to break down. 'No, I can handle it' she internally told herself as she rubbed the locket.
"Come on let's go win some Charmin and lord it over Quil," his amused tone catching her ear as she took her seat between him and Seth.
"No." Bella's voice stern, causing some confusion and disappointment in Jacob's features. "Why lord it over him when we can teepee his house?" she smirked.
"I like the way you think."
"Most do," her tone nonchalant as the first round of dice sprawled across the floor, revealing the first double.
"Game on," Quil crowed as he grabbed his obvious prize, resulting in Jacob and Bella nodding in knowing what to grab at all cost.
"Game on indeed," Bella smirked as she rolled the dice.
Making his way as quickly as his old body would allow through the thick brush, he finally stopped dead as he sensed it at the base of a large redwood.
"I know you are here; what I want to know is why you are here?" he bit out in his frustration. She wouldn't do this yet, not now. It was to soon and he would be damned if he would let this fall apart further than it already had. The road to redemption was being paved and he needed this time.
A moment of silence engulfed him before he felt a gust of air rush past him as a large silver lycanthrope dropped from the tree landing inches before him on the balls of its feet, causing the ground to shake under the impact and for the elderly man to step backward, only for a calloused texture to grab his throat, stopping his intentions as a growl emanated a warning.
'And I thought our shifters had anger management issues,' raced through his thoughts as he looked into the intensely angry golden eyes of the lycan. In a flash old Quil felt the grip that encased him gone, replaced by the feeling of weightlessness, followed by the wet snow covered ground.
"That girl you hover over and corrupt with false hope is part of my clan. You poison her mind with ideas of belonging, forcing her to believe in your ideals that benefit you. Yet she is nothing but some pawn used in a damn game between ticks and low life cowards like yourself. You are using her; you care nothing for her. "
The deep baritone voice of accusations quickly caught Old Quil's ears, causing him to raise his head and shake the haze of his assault to the hulking nude male barreling down on him. Whatever words he was going to retort with were lost as he gazed at the man, 'or was he a boy in the body of a man?' seared through his thoughts as watched in disbelief as he took in all the features of the seven foot enraged lycanthrope. His skin wasn't Caucasian, it was like the Uley's. It held a soft copper like tone, his hair was inky black, his facial features were hard as his eyes were narrowed and his jaw was squared. As Old Quil looked over the human formed lycan he couldn't help but see all the clues of this boy's native heritage. The only thing distinctively that marked him as a clan member in human form were the emerald eyes that now bore down on him, all the while a growl repatriated from his throat, and lips were pulled back showing his small but noticeable canines.
"PAUL!" a twinkling female's stern voice stopped him dead just as his hands were about to grab the older man. "RUN IT OFF!" The request or order given was only received by a deepening growl. "Paul, go and check on the girl. Verify her safety as we will be leaving soon." With a deafening snarl of frustration and defeat at the order, the boy backed away as he turned around letting his body break and reshape from silver lycan to a silver shifter wolf, causing Old Quil's eyes to widen in shock and disbelief as he watched. Once the wolf was on all fours he took to the dense forest never once looking back.
A presence making his hairs stand on end had him looking back to see a black cloaked entity stopping at the base of his feet. He knew now why his hairs stood on end as a black cloak only meant one thing, The Volturi .
There we have it, hope you all enjoyed the continued steps forward with Sam and Bella.
Also hope you enjoyed the tween banter, bonding, even the childish Santa prank. Managing to get a few laughs out of it all, here and there.
Hope the Jacob and Bella bonding moments were fun, and enjoyable as well.
please, take a moment and review as they are very much appreciated; however, as always, flames are not.