Chapter 5: Life Adjustments
3 months later
"OK and you sure you have everything?" Aunt Monica asked her for the fifteenth time.
"Aunt Monica," Bella said as she adjusted the phone against her ear.
" everything will be fine. It's only my first day. Would you please relax?"
After three months of living with her aunt and uncle, Bella decided it was time for her to gain her life back.
She was quick to enroll in New Mexico University. Her uncle had a connection that granted her a full-ride scholarship. It was nice when your uncle was the mayor.
Her major?
Psychology. She wanted to be a therapist and help people with their traumas and mental health.
She had made up her mind that she wasn't going to be a victim. Her daughter was gone and that pain would always be there but she couldn't focus on that anymore. She didn't have that option.
"Aunt Monica, I'm alright. I'm just taking my intro classes this week. Plus my AP credits from high school helped push me ahead. Everything will work out fine. I'll go to class, do a few hours at the flower shop, and then be home for dinner."
" Bella I don't want you stressing yourself out. You don't have to work at the flower shop. My partner and I have it under control."
" yes you do but you both want to expand the business, so let me help. And if I get too stressed out, I'll call it quits."
" fine. I'll see you in a while. I love you."
" I love you more, auntie."
Bella hung up the phone as tears stung her eyes.
They were tears of gratitude. The past three months had been very hard. But she was grateful for the support her aunt and uncle provided. Not to mention the therapist they asked her to see. The therapist who just so happened to be a freaking vampire. But this strange woman was different. She didn't have gold or red eyes. Her eyes were bright blue. At first, Bella panicked when they first met but the women had a very calming presence. She assured Bella she meant no harm and was not there to eat her. Her aunt and uncle just wanted her to get the help she needed.
When Bella asked her new therapist if her aunt and uncle knew what she was, her therapist smiled and said "That's for me to know and for you not to worry about."
Something was going on between her therapist and her aunt and uncle but Bella let it rest.
She wanted to focus on her new life and the new life growing in her.
This time no one would take her baby from her.
…
A few hours later found Bella in her aunt's flower shop. As She gave the older man his roses, she felt a tinge of jealousy. He was buying roses to surprise his wife.
Edward had never done that for her. Bought her a rose anyway. The small stuff was what mattered Bella, not the expensive cars or diamonds.
She waved goodbye to the customer and was just about ready to lock up when a huge guy came rushing in.
" wait! Excuse me mam! " he yelled.
Bella sighed in annoyance. They closed at 500 it was 515. She was patient with the first man but this guy would have to shove it.
" sir, im sorry. We're closed."
" crap mam please wait. We have a family dinner tonight and I want to make a good impression! I'll pay you extra!"
Bella sighed in annoyance. Her feet hurt, she was nauseous and she truly just wanted to go home but… she also wasn't a jerk.
" Fine! but it has to be quick. I'm on the way to dinner myself."
When Bella finally turned around she gasped.
"Quil?"
The man standing outside the shop door gasped as well. His eyes were wide and brewing with shock. But that wasn't the only change.
Quill looked different. His hair was waist-length and he seemed to have gained more muscle. And yet the child-like roundness in his face was gone.
"Bella freaking Cullen? No freaking way. Of all the places you had to be. You had to be here? What in the world are you doing here?" he asked a tad but angrily, " didn't you have enough fun destroying Jacob's life?"
Anger blazed up Bella's spine.
"Who in the Davey Jones locker do you think you are? you pompous, self-righteous ass-"
Bella's angry rant was cut off by Quil's laughter. He was bent over, hands on his knees, and laughing.
"what the heck do you think is so funny!?"
Quil laughed even harder as he sat up.
"after all this time, you are still nice to people Bells. I mean who says Davey Jones's locker? Isn't that off of Spongebob?"
Bella couldn't help but laugh as well. He was right, she hadn't expected to say Davey Jones's locker either.
Once they calmed down, Bella cleared her throat but Quill beat her to the punch.
"I apologize, I shouldn't have greeted you that way. I'm going through some changes and im a little on edge. Can I still buy those flowers?"
" of course. What kind would you like?"
"I have no clue. What kind of flowers do you bring to a dinner party?"
"let's go with tulips and daisies."
As the bouquet was being made, the two stood in awkward silence as Bella picked out the flowers.
"soo? What brings you to New Mexico? Are the Cullens around?" he asked. It seemed he was on edge again.
"I don't think any of that is your concern." Quil sniffed and chuckled.
"of course, it's not. How much do I owe you?"
"20.00."
"for flowers!" Quil exclamimed.
"you decided to come to the store 15 minutes after we closed. It's 5:20."
"That's cold Cullen. Real cold."
"it's swan."
"interesting. Well, I'll see you around sometime I guess."
"Sure Quil goodbye."
"see ya."
….
Quil growled to himself as he got in his truck.
"aww come on Q, why do you have to be such a jerk."
He then punched his steering wheel, leaving another dent. The past three months had not been the best.
He decided not to give up his wolf, he just couldn't part with that part of him. But he could still feel the effects of the imprint. He had to drink at least two glasses of the stupid medicine, his mother had given him. At first, he only needed a tablespoon, but the pain in his chest had become unbearable. His sleep had been affected as well.
His dad would put Quil in a sweat lodge at least once a week. If Quill wanted to keep his wolf, he would have to learn to control it.
But that wasn't easy, the wolf had his own mind and his behaviors. It was a battle between man and wolf.
This month had to have been the calmest so far. The wolf wanted to go back to La Push, but Quill ignored him. He phased at least once a month and spent one week a month in the woods., giving the wolf the freedom to run. But other than that Quil was in control or at least he tried to be.
His newfound family helped him a lot.
His father was patient and understanding. He often sat by Quil's bedside when the night sweats started.
Then there was his new stepmother. Ajana, he had been wary of her at first, but the Ethiopian woman soon found a way into his heart. She had been a victim of the consequences of imprinting just like his parents. Losing out on the love of her life and wasting years without him. As Quill watched the couple interact, he realized they had true love. Nothing like when his parents were together. Ajana always had a plate of food for him, and a joke to tell.
And finally, his little sister, Ayana. He was wrapped around her finger, and she knew it. the little girl had somehow gotten Quill to participate in tea parties and braid each other's hair. She completely melted his heart. He never imagined he'd be a big brother. It was one of the best feelings in the world.
He currently was enrolled at New Mexico University. He accepted his scholarship and had attended classes just earlier today.
It was going to be a big adjustment, and now he had to add Bella Swan. Cullen? Whatever into the mix?
She had caused enough trouble for Jacob when she was living in Forks but then again Jacob put up with a lot of crap, that was his own fault.
So he couldn't be angry at her.
He had no right to judge the chick anyway. He wasn't a part of the pack anymore and therefore, he had nothing to do with the Cullens. They could go where the sun doesn't shine.
Besides what was the chance he'd see Bella swan ever again?
…..
" Q? You know you don't have to do this? We can stay home." Ajana told Quil as she straightened his tie.
" Ajana, It's all good. These guys are your friends. I don't want to be rude. Besides, I'm sure it will be interesting to meet the mayor of New Mexico. How did you guys become friends anyway?"
"Monica and I are childhood friends, we grew up together. Went to high school together too. We've stayed really close most of our lives."
"close? You two are practically like sisters." His father interjected as he put Ayana's hair into two ponytails.
"Can we please go? Im ready to see Aunt Monica and Uncle Chester." Ayana pouted
Ajana laughed.
" of course, my little flower but patience is a virtue."
Ayana rolled her eyes and made her way over to Quil.
"come on big brother, let's go to the car, Mommy and daddy are probably gonna get all kissy. They always get kissy before we have to leave somewhere."
"Who knows! We might have to make you kids another sibling." His father joked as he wiggled his eyebrows at his wife.
Ayana and Quil pretended to puke as they made their way to their father's truck.
…..
The ride over to the Mayor's house was only thirty minutes away. Quil carried the flowers tenderly ready to make a positive impression.
Ajana knocked on the door bouncing on her toes.
When the door opened, Quil was taken for another ride of shock. A scent so addicting hit him like a freight train.
Once again, he was faced with Bella Swan and this time there was a small bump protruding between her hips. The tight sexy, black dress she wore did nothing to hide the life growing within her.
Quil's nostrils flared.
This time the wolf was awake and had taken notice of the pregnant female before him.
Nothing good could come out of this night.