Chapter 6: it's a small world after all
Bella shifted from foot to foot as Quil stood on her front porch. In his hand were the same flowers she wrapped just an hour ago.
"Quil?" she questioned in surprise. Her hand was protectively covering her stomach. A small part of shame filled her as she covered her bump from him. Not that it mattered what anyone thought of her, but she could see the questions running through Quil's mind. What was she doing here? How did she get here? Where were Edward and the rest of the Cullens? Was the baby Edwards?
Bella put on a fake smile as she whispered to Quil.
"just pretend everything is normal and I'll talk to you after dinner."
"um hello? Hey! You can't ignore me and make googly eyes at my brother!" the little girl standing in front of Quil complained.
Bella turned beet red, grateful her aunt came to her rescue.
"Ayana! My darling!"
"Aunty Monica!" the little girl, squealed.
Bella took this as an opportunity to disappear into the kitchen. She was so grateful the food was done, she just had to put the pie in the oven.
Unlike her parents, her aunt and uncle were big participants in the family dinner. They loved helping in the kitchen. Food was a family affair.
A small smile lit her face when loud laughter was heard coming from the dining room. just as she had turned the oven on and closed its door. Bella felt warm, calloused hands grip her hips and a hot chest press into her back.
A warm nose pressed into her neck, inhaling her scent.
She had no clue why, but she didn't move. She didn't scream, and she didn't feel disgusted either. matter of fact, she felt turned on.
How long had it been since she had been touched sensually? Her husband, ex-husband she would say, refused to sleep with her after their clumsy and painful first night, and from there she had a touchless marriage. He wouldn't even kiss her. two months later they found out she was pregnant. It was nothing like she hoped for. Just two weeks later, she awoke to a dead baby.
But right now It was Quil who was touching her. She had been around the pack more than enough to know when their wolves were on the surface. Quil Atera was all wolf. Not a man in sight.
A growl emitted from his chest.
"you smell like us. why do you smell like us."
Fire crept up Bella's body as she leaned into him. The way he touched hed her body, made her feel as if she had known Quill for years.
What was this? What was going on? And that was a good question why did she smell like him? Was it because they had seen each other earlier?
"Wolf, whatever this is, we can't do this here. Please wolf, after dinner..please.." she begged in a whisper.
Immediately hot hands were lifted from her hips.
"after dinner." Was the sharp voice of Quil the man.
"Everything okay in here Bella Bee!" Uncle Chester questioned as he walked into the kitchen. however, he stopped when he saw Quil just a few feet from her ." Hi! You must be Big Quil's son. I see you've met my niece Bella!"
"And you must be Mayor Chester! My dad and Ajana have told me so much about you."
"your father can't shut his big mouth about you, son, why don't we all head into the dining room and chow down huh? Come on Bella Bee, let's get you off those feet. Your aunt and I can handle the rest."
As Chester leads them out, Quil's hands gently graze Bella's lower back.
It just so happened that was where her muscles had tightened and were sore.
Bella held back a moan. Quil was using his thumbs and knuckles to wring out the knot in her back
How in the world did he know she was tense?
Her uncle turned to look at her with an arched eyebrow.
" you alright Bella bee?"
" Yep. Just fine."
When they entered the dining room, her uncle was loud in their approach.
" Hey Q! Ajana! Theirs someone I want you to meet!"
Sitting at the table drinking a glass of wine and laughing was a man with long hair. He looked exactly like Quil.
Wait… was this Quils father? She could have sworn Charlie told her the man had died years ago.
There was no way this could be Quil Ateara the 3rd. He had once been her father's and Harry Clearwater"s best friend. Her father would talk about him a lot. She knew it hurt him to have lost both his friends and yet here one of them was. Alive and well.
Big Quil's eyes got huge when he looked at her.
He put his wine down and stood.
" Isabella? Isabella Marie Swan? As I live and breathe, look at you girl. You are all grown up."
Bella sneered
" excuse me? Don't you dare stand there and act like my father isn't grieving the death of one of his best friends!" she accused angrily.
"Woah woah, let's slow down here Bella Bee. Do you two know each other?" Her uncle asked
Even though her father and Chester were brothers, they had grown up in two different worlds.
Her father grew up in a small town America while Chester grew up in a big city. Chester had never set foot in Forks, so it was funny that he was now friends with one of her father's best friends who was supposed to be dead.
Big Quil answered for her, a soft look in his eyes as he approached her.
" Isabella's dad is one of my best friends. We grew up together. I briefly mentioned to you two that I had to leave my home for some complicated reasons. It's just a shock for Bella to see me. However, something Bella doesn't know is that her father knows I am alive and well. He and I talk at least once a week. But I am proud of the way you were getting ready to pummel me. You have your dad's fiery spirit."
To her surprise, her uncle let out a chuckle. Which then turned into a full belly laugh.
" well, it's a small world after all, because your best friend is my brother. Bella Bee here is my niece."
Big Quil's eyes bugged out of his head.
"no fraing way! I was wondering what she was doing out here! Now it makes sense. Well, with that out the way, can we eat? Oh Bella I want to introduce you to my wife Ajana, my daughter Ayana, and my son, who I'm going to assume you know ."
Big Quil's wife Ajana had dark skin and beautiful long braids. She wore a red and orange dress. The woman was quick to pull Bella into a warm hug.
"Hello, beautiful. You are glowing with life."
Bella blushed, not used to being complimented in such a way.
When it was Ayana's turn to greet her, the little girl who looked exactly like her mother sneered at her.
"I don't like you and we are wasting our time. I want to eat."
Big Quil and Ajana were quick to scold their daughter. The latter grumbled an apology. Bella however wasn't offended at all. She found it funny. It was obvious the little girl was jealous.
"Well, then shall we eat? No point in the food getting cold." Aunt Monica said as she gestured for everyone to sit.
To her surprise, Quil sat next to her. his hands gently grazing her thigh.
What was with the touching? She didn't mind it but she did find it strange. Before she married Edward, Bella, Jacob, embry and Quil had all hung out from time to time. He was always joking. The funny one of the group. But now and then she would see the seriousness in his eyes. the burdens of a man who had lost too much, too soon. and then as soon as she said yes to Edward's proposal, she completely lost touch with the pack. she doubted they had wanted to see her anyway. Especially after the way she hurt Jacob, the way she did wasn't right but what did he expect? She was marrying Edward, it had been her choice. Not Jacob's.
A horrible smell brought Bella out of her thoughts. It was the potatoes, they were making her nauseous.
As if he already knew what was going on, Quil was quick to take the potatoes away from her and place them downwind.
"Thanks," she whispered lowly.
Quil nodded wordlessly and stuffed a steak in his mouth.
"so Bella, what brings you to New Mexico? Have you taken a tour of our lovely state yet?" Ajana asked with curiosity in her eyes.
Bella shrugged bashfully and said "Just needed a change of pace. I started at the university today. So I'm looking forward to that."
"the university? Really! you know Quil just started there today as well! What's your major?" ajana asked with interest.
Of course, Quil would be at the university. Why wouldn't he be? This day just kept getting better.
" psychology."
"what a small world! I'm a part-time professor at the university. The psychology department is where I teach!" ajana told her in excitement.
Bella nodded quietly, not caring for the attention, but she was grateful she would have a familiar face to look to around campus.
Sensing that his niece was uncomfortable, Chester took over the conversation. Being the exuberant two they were Big Quil and Chester began to tell a story of how they accidentally locked themselves out of Chester's office.
Feeling nauseous and tired, Bella politely excused herself from the dining room and headed into the kitchen.
She checked the pie, glad it was done, and placed it on the counter to cool. She then stepped outside to get some fresh air. She found herself immersed in Monica's garden. There were so many different flowers and tall trees. They even added a nice porch swing, to make it even more comfortable.
She sat on the porch swing, allowing her body to relax. however, that didn't last long before a heat like no other immersed her. long legs were now in her view. Looking up, she locked eyes with Quil.
Yellow eyes met brown ones.
"you owe me an explanation, little girl. You are carrying my pups and I want to know why."
Three things went through Bella's mind as she looked at Quil.
1. Quil ateara was hot.
2. Did he say pups? As in multiple?
3. Quil Ateara was hot and she'd let him take her right here in the garden if he tried.