Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or its characters
September 10, 1942…
Bella
The nice gentleman Esme and I had struck up a conversation with the entire bus ride from California to Washington helped me down the train steps. It was a long journey to Port Angeles. After we'd arrived in California, we took a day's rest at one of the local hotels before getting on the train that would bring me home.
And here I was, home.
"How are you feeling?" Esme asked, linking her arm with mine.
"My feet are a little achy, but other than that, I feel fine."
"Well, if that changes, you just let me know."
"I will, Es. But trust me, I'm fine."
"Ladies." A young man in uniform approached us with a rolling cart that carried our bags. "We have your belongings here. Is there a car we can take these to?"
Before I could respond, a deep, familiar voice answered for me.
"Yes, that would be mine."
Esme and I turned swiftly, coming face to face with my father.
My heart jolted in my chest at the sight of him.
He was the same as he'd always been. Nothing much had changed. Still wore his familiar brown trousers with a tan button down shirt and his mustache and hair were all unchanged. But it felt as if I was seeing him for the first time. And from the look in his eyes, how they took me in and paused longer than normal at my belly, I could tell he was feeling the exact same way.
"Father," I said, unsure how to greet him. Did I hug him? He was never one to hug. Did I wave? Was I overthinking this?
Fortunately, he answered my unspoken questions for me by approaching me and wrapping his arms around me, my belly pressing against him. I felt my body stiffen at his touch, but then again, I rarely hugged my father and the last time I saw him we ended it on bad terms. So, I hugged him back. Esme took a step back, giving us a moment as my father sighed, his hand running down the back of my head and pulled away.
"You look gorgeous," he said, cupping my face between his hands. "I do hope the trip wasn't too taxing. We could've come to you."
"It was fine. Esme was a great help," I said, pointing to her. My father looked at her and a hint of panic hit me. What if he was rude to her? What if-
"Charles Swan, nice to meet you. I believe we didn't get introduced to last time we saw each other," he said, extending a hand to her. To say I was shocked, that was an understatement.
Esme seemed to be just as surprised as I was. But she took my father's hand and shook it.
"Esme Cullen, I am Carlisle's wife. Pleasure to meet you as well."
"And thank you for looking after my girl," my father added.
"Izzy is family. We take care of our own."
I noticed my father pursed his lips, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he gave her a grateful nod and then motioned for the young man with our bags to follow him.
Perhaps he is trying to do things right.
I took hold on his arm and Esme held my other one as we walked back out to the humid air in Port Angeles. As my father and the young man loaded our bags to the trunk of his car, Esme helped me in the passenger seat before sitting down in the back.
The ride back to Forks was filled with my father asking polite questions about how our trip was and how I'd been feeling while traveling. He also went as far as to ask Esme about Seth and how he was fairing in the war, much to our shock. He didn't ask a question about Edward, however, didn't even mention his name. But I was going to give him time and see if he would bring it up on his own. If he didn't, then I would. He wasn't getting out of it, no way.
"Has Alice arrived yet?" I asked.
"She arrived yesterday with her husband. They're all at home waiting for us," he said. "Jane and Marcus included."
I could feel the annoyance building inside me, but I bit it down.
"Of course they are," I whispered to myself. "Will they be there tomorrow for your party?"
My father rolled his eyes at this.
"Yes, they will. Along with everyone your mother thought to invite. I told her not to do this, but she was insistent. What can I say? It's really hard to say no to your mother."
I nodded, unsure of what to say because frankly I was still debating on when I was going to bring up the whole Cullen issue. One thing I was sure about, I wasn't going to do it today or during my father's birthday party. I didn't want to ruin the occasion, but it had to be done afterward. I needed to get with Alice and see how long she and Jasper were planning on staying in town so I could find the right time to bring it up.
Finally, after two hours, we made it home. Mom was already on the lawn when my father pulled into the driveway and the second he parked, she ran to the passenger door. She gasped when she saw my belly and very gently helped me out of the car before pulling into a tight hug.
"Oh!" I groaned. "Mother, I'd like not to have my baby before the due date."
"Oh!" She pulled away, tears glistening in her eyes. "I'm sorry, honey. But look at you! Oh, you're glowing!"
"Thank you, Mother." I turn to Esme and offer her my hand, pulling her in. "Mother, this is Esme. She's Edward's Aunt and she was kind enough to travel with me."
"Of course." My mother shook Esme's hand. "Thank you so much for accompanying her and for being there for her when I haven't been able to. Truly, I cannot thank you enough."
"You have nothing to thank me for. Isabella is family and we look after each other."
"You girls head inside," my father said as he opened the trunk of his car. "I'll get the bags."
Mom wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Come, honey. Alice is so excited to see you."
She led us inside and as we were walking through the threshold, I heard, "Izzy!"
Alice came running from the living room, arms wide open. I only had a fraction of a second to look at her before I pulled into a tight embrace, my belly pressing tightly against her.
"Ow, Alice!" I laughed. "If you guys keep squeezing me like this, this baby will pop right out of me."
Alice pulled away and gasped at the sight of my belly, her hands shooting out to touch it.
"Oh, my! You two certainly don't waste any time, did you?" She wagged her eyebrows.
"Alice!"
"And you!" Alice pulled Esme into a hug next.
And just as she left my line of sight, my eyes met Jasper's. Who, to my shock, was standing right behind her. My eyes immediately went to the cane that helped him stay upright and happiness bubbled in my chest at the sight of him. The last time I saw him he was in a wheelchair and now there he was, standing tall. He smiled at me and nodded his head, urging me to go in for a hug, which I did. Seeing him, hugging him brought back all the memories of when we first met. Memories of Edward.
"Looks like the prosthetic is doing great," I said.
"I'll be running in no time," he said with a smile. There was a slight pause and then he asked, "How is he?"
"Well, he doesn't go into details about what is happening, but so far, he's been okay."
He was, I was sure of it.
"That's good to hear. Maybe you can get me the address you write him to, I'd like to write him a letter."
"Of course."
"Izzy!"
Marcus then showed up and there was an evident hint of surprise in his expression as he took in my belly. Regardless, he still hugged me and told me how glad he was that I was home. Then, Jane showed up and she couldn't have looked more uninterested if she tried. She gave me a once over and the corner of her lips twitched in distaste.
"Jane," I greeted politely. "How good to see you."
"Likewise," she said, but the way she twisted her lips said otherwise. Her eyes drifted over to Esme who was still in conversation with my mother and Alice and said, "And you must be?"
That caught her attention. Esme looked at me looking for confirmation that she was Jane and I nodded slightly.
"Esme Cullen. I am Carlisle's wife."
Jane's expression hardened.
"You brought a Cullen into your father's house?"
Everyone in the room went silent.
Except for my father's footsteps as he descended the stairs.
"I've set up your bags in your old bedroom. I figured since we have your old beds in there, you and Esme can share it," he said.
"You let her bring a Cullen into your house?" Jane asked my father, her voice rising.
My father sighed, looking down at his oldest friend as he said, "It is my house, Jane. You don't like it, the door is right there."
Alice and I looked at each other, our expressions mirroring each other. Did our father actually stand up to Jane Vulturi? Did he actually do that?
My father offered Esme an apologetic smile and said, "I believe dinner must be ready, is it not, Renee?"
My mother nodded, stunned as well.
"Y-yes. Why don't we all head to the dining room."
Everyone nodded. Jasper offered Esme his arm and she gladly took it as they slowly made their way to the kitchen. Jane, regardless of my father's words, strode in as well with her son in tow. Alice and I were the only ones left in the living room.
"Did that really happen?" I asked her, unsure if I imagined it.
"Something is up with our father," she said, shrugging. "He's never been as attentive to me as he's been lately. And I've also heard from our mother he's been keeping his distance from Jane as of late."
"What do you think it is?"
Alice shrugged again. "Perhaps he's finally seen the viper she really is. Why he is friends with her and for this long, I will never understand."
"Perhaps I can provide some insight to that," I said.
"What do you mean?"
"I reached out to our uncle in New York. He came to Pearl Harbor to see me."
"We have an uncle?" She nearly shouted.
"SH!" I slapped my hand over her mouth. "I'll tell you about it later, okay? Let's just get through dinner first."
She nodded and I pulled my hand away.
"We'll see if the house is still standing by the time this is over," she muttered.
Dinner was a little… quiet at first. There was an obvious tension in the room emanating between my father and Jane. Why she was here when she was obviously displeased, I had no idea. I gave Esme an apologetic look because she shouldn't have to endure such rude behavior from someone she's never met before and who apparently only disliked her by Cullen association. Esme, as always, gave me an assuring smile. She was far too patient. A saint, even. And it made me appreciate her that much more.
"Izzy, what news from Pearl Harbor?" Alice asked, trying to break the tension in the room.
"Nothing much. The hospital has been running pretty smoothly and the new nurses are quite nice. The gossip isn't as good as before, but I can live with it."
"You're still working? Even while pregnant?" My father asked.
"Oh, trust me, this is a conversation my husband and I have been having with Isabella for a long time," Esme said, a teasing grin on her face. "We tried to convince her to stop working, but she will not let up."
"She's stubborn like that," Alice said.
"Thanks," I said, sarcastically. I turned to my father. "It helps me keep busy. I cannot be at home all the time because all I'll do is worry and overthink. I like feeling useful."
His mouth twitched before he asked, "Where are you living now? Are you living with his uncle?"
"More like we are living with her," Esme said.
"The house is Edward's. He made sure I was set up there before he left. Carlisle and Esme were kind enough to stay with me until they come back. Their son deployed as well."
There was a "hmph" from the other end of the table where Jane was located and luckily, everyone ignored.
"That was kind of him," my mother said before taking a bite from her stake.
"She is his wife," Alice said. "I wouldn't expect less of him. He is just so caring and protective over our Izzy. I honestly cannot think of a better match for her, don't you agree, Jasper?"
"Oh, absolutely," Jasper said. "If there's one thing to know about Edward is that he always takes care of his own."
This time Jane made no attempt at hiding her sarcastic laugh. My father cleared his throat loudly, shooting daggers with his eyes at Jane but she paid him no mind.
Marcus shifted in his seat uncomfortably and said, "Iz, how did you meet him, anyway?"
"Oh, yes, I would like to know that as well," my mother said. "How was it? Was it love at first sight?"
At this, Jasper and Alice laughed, and I kicked my sister under the table.
"We actually met the first day we got to the Harbor, at a party."
"You girls went to a party the first day you arrived?"
"It was our first day out in society after being recluses, what else did you expect, Father?"
"It wasn't my idea," I said, earning a kick back from Alice.
Our mother laughed and said, "Charlie, I think it is much too late to punish them for something they did over a year ago."
My father sighed, but nodded in agreement, urging me to continue.
"Well, anyway the girl we traveled with, Rosalie, introduced us to her then friend Emmett McCarthy and he introduced us to Jasper and Edward."
"Jasper and I got along quite well, but Edward and Isabella did not."
Marcus chuckled. "Why ever not?"
"Well…" I trailed off, unsure of how to explain it. I looked at Esme. "Forgive me, Esme, but your nephew was a pain when I first met him."
Esme laughed. "My sweet Edward."
"Oh, there was nothing sweet about him at first, I assure you."
"They would bicker every time they were in each other's presence," Alice said. "It was so amusing to see. Much so when you could clearly tell he was starting to develop feelings for her and she was too blind to see it."
Her words pulled at my heart and I suddenly found myself back in Pearl Harbor a year ago. All those times we ran into each other, all those misunderstandings and moments that I wished to take back just for the sake of having more time with Edward.
"And what would you bicker about?" My mother asked. "What made you dislike him?"
"It was a misunderstanding," I said, shaking the sudden sadness that plagued me. "But it all worked out in the end. Now, am I anxiously waiting for the moment he comes home."
Author's Note:
You can thank this wait on Bridgerton Season 3 Part 2 for the delay in finishing this chapter lol but I hope you guys liked it and more will be coming soon!