Y'all...
Chapter 50. What?
I had zero intention for this story to be this long. It's going to be longer than Watermelon Sugar at this point. Whoops.
I hope you're all still enjoying it. Feel free to let me know in the comments. ;)
If you bowed out because things are taking too long, that's a bummer. Things are about to change. Sometimes Bella needs a little push from an unexpected source. Who knew?
Without further adieu... Please enjoy. xo.
Heavy topics were avoided that afternoon as Renee and Bella lay in the sun, watching Leah completely slaughter Phil at volleyball. Eventually, they welcomed a few other beach-goers into their game, and despite the flurry of activity around her, Leah still kept her eye on Bella. It was as though Leah was checking to make sure Bella was watching, turning to her each time Phil faltered and laughing when Bella and Renee cheered them on.
Eventually, Phil told them he needed a break, trotted over, and plopped onto the blanket beside Renee. "Damn, Bella. Even with a team behind me, Leah's still kicking my ass."
Bella laughed, watching Leah spike the ball over the net. She clapped and yelled, "That's my bitch!"
Leah turned toward her, beaming and panting from her efforts. "Bells, when's dinner? I'm wasting away over here."
Chuckling, Phil muttered, "She read my mind. It's getting late."
Bella asked, "What do you have going on in the kitchen? I haven't cooked for you two since I moved to Washington."
Leah must have overheard because she yelled, "Swan! I want your damn enchiladas!"
Bella shook her head as she turned back to Renee and Phil. "Mom, want to run to the store with me? I can still make them like Jorge taught me."
Renee's eyes lit up at the mention of her old friend. "That sounds great!"
Bella stood and pulled an oversized t-shirt on over her bikini, preparing to head inside as Leah excused herself from the game to approach them. Scoffing, Leah tugged on Bella's sleeve when she reached her side. "Is that one of Paul's shirts?"
"Uh-huh."
Renee laughed. "Baby, you're wearing your old bully's t-shirt?"
Bella rolled her eyes, grinning. "Like Leah already told you, we're friends."
"Yeah. Friends. I'm sure he'd let you wear his entire wardrobe if you wanted." Leah wagged her eyebrows, smirking, making Phil and Renee laugh as Bella lightly backhanded her arm. "So you're going to the store for shit for enchiladas, yeah?"
"Yes." Bella nodded.
Leah asked, "Will you make that rice and the guacamole, too?"
"Yes, dearest," Bella teased. "Anything else?"
"Chocolate cake?" Leah wagged her eyebrows again.
"You're fucking spoiled," Bella muttered as Leah leaned over to press a loud, smacking kiss to Bella's cheek.
"Thank you!" Leah giggled and Bella's eyes fell straight to Leah's ass as she watched her jog back toward the game. "Come on, old man! Get out here."
Indignantly, Phil yelled, "OLD?!" Renee chuckled as he grumbled, "Oh, it's on now!" He bounded across the sand to rejoin the game, immediately jumping to spike the ball toward Leah's feet. His 'teammates' cheered as Leah gaped at Phil, feigning shock. For the second time since meeting him, Bella heard Phil cackle.
Grinning, Renee stood to follow Bella to the house.
A few hours later the four sat together for a dinner as comfortable and lively as brunch had been. Afterward, Phil helped Leah clean up the dishes and kitchen while Renee led Bella onto the back patio to enjoy the night air.
"So…" Renee said after glancing toward the kitchen through the sliding glass door to ensure Leah and Phil were out of earshot. "How are you doing, Bella?"
Confused, Bella asked, "What do you mean, Mom? I'm fine."
Renee's eyebrows raised skeptically as she hesitated. "You and Leah…"
Bella frowned. "What about me and Leah?"
Renee took Bella entirely by surprise as she asked, "Does she know you're in love with her?"
Bella's mouth fell open and her breath caught in her throat. "I… Mom? Why would you say that?"
Renee chuckled and reached over to pat Bella's hand. "Oh, baby." She sighed. "I think you're probably the only one that doesn't see it."
Bella shook her head. "I care about her very much, yes. But am I in love with her?"
Was she? Bella had been contemplating her feelings for Leah for days. If she were honest with herself, she would have to admit that she'd wondered about her feelings for months. Bella already knew she'd do anything for Leah, but was she in love with her?
Renee said, "If it's any consolation, honey, I think she feels the same way."
Bella looked toward her mother, unsure how to respond to that. "Mom, I…"
"You should see the two of you together," Renee said. "It's very intense. You move, she moves. Like magnets."
That part wasn't as surprising. Bella had already contemplated the wonders of their dynamic and emotional connection between them. But to admit to something so altering, like being in love, was terrifying. She couldn't be in love with Leah. 'In love' fell under the potentially heartbreaking 'more' category. Bella couldn't allow herself to suffer that kind of pain again. Leah had already said she planned to start dating again, too. She certainly hadn't admitted wanting to date Bella despite their connection.
Suddenly, Bella couldn't help but wonder if Leah had said that because it was true or because she wanted to see Bella's reaction. And what was your response? You choked so long on your feelings that Leah fell asleep before you could respond. You were too busy worrying about the slight possibility Leah already had someone else in mind.
The thought of Paul reminded Bella of his comment about her and Leah 'running off into the sunset together.' While Bella had refused to admit it to herself then, the idea didn't seem so far-fetched anymore. Leah had been her focus over the last week, and Bella had barely acknowledged anyone else. Going home early because of the theft became more disappointing as Bella realized what little time she and Leah had together in Florida would never be enough. She would be content to spend the rest of the week with Leah here.
As Bella turned to watch Leah through the glass door, she couldn't help but smile as she caught Leah and Phil flicking soap suds at one another, laughing beside the sink. Leah fit in with everyone Bella loved seamlessly, and witnessing it now filled her with warmth and a sensation only Leah seemed to provide; Home.
Leah turned toward her, meeting Bella's gaze through the glass. She smiled and winked at Bella, who instantly giggled and shook her head as she looked away - directly into her mother's smug, knowing face.
As heat filled Bella's cheeks, she couldn't help but laugh again. "Shut it, Mom."
Renee chuckled. "You should tell her, Baby."
"Easy for you to say," Bella said and scoffed. "She's not your best friend, and to be honest… I don't know what my feelings are." Admitting more than she had to anyone, Bella whispered, "I'm terrified of losing her. She's kind of all I have… I mean, there's Quil and Paul. Embry, too, but now that he and Quil are together…"
Renee beamed. "They are? Charlie didn't tell me that."
Bella laughed. "I don't think most people know. I'm not even sure Leah knows it. It's not my business, you know?"
Renee sighed. "Well… if they're happy, that's what matters. Does Leah make you happy?"
"We're not together, Mom."
"That's not what I asked you, Bella. Does she make you happy?"
Bella hesitated before nodding. "Very. Leah is…" Bella glanced back toward Leah and Phil through the door, "Everything. I don't know how to explain it well, but she makes me a better person. Stronger, somehow. Leah makes me feel more confident and less afraid of things I want for myself. Most things, anyway…"
Renee's smile turned sympathetic. "Then you should tell her that. Life is too damn short, baby. I suspect Leah already knows anyway, but you should still tell her." Again, Renee leaned over to pat Bella's hand before staring out across the moonlit ocean.
Renee and Bella didn't even hear Leah and Phil step outside until he popped the cork on a champagne bottle behind them, making both jump and scream in surprise. Leah tried to hold still as she laughed, supporting the glasses while Phil poured.
Renee asked, "Phil, what are you up to?"
He grinned. "Well, I just learned that yesterday was Leah's birthday and these two didn't tell us. And, since I haven't had a drink with our baby girl here since the wedding, I think it's high time we have one." He turned to Bella, winked, and handed her a filled champagne flute.
Renee rolled her eyes but laughed. "Phil, you know that stuff goes straight to my head."
"One glass won't hurt you, sweetheart," Phil said as he handed one to Renee.
Leah straddled the low wooden lawn chaise and sat behind Bella between the armrests. Bella moved to fit more snuggly between Leah's legs as she leaned against her.
"Mmm," Leah hummed after her first sip, enjoying the taste. It vibrated from her chest to Bella's back, making her shiver, but the actual sound sent blood rushing to her cheeks. Bella caught Renee's knowing smirk as her mother looked away, quietly sipping her champagne.
True to her word, the glass of champagne went straight to Renee's head, and she soon headed to bed. Phil wasn't long behind her.
Bella had a hard time that night as her conversation with Renee and her feelings for her best friend plagued her mind. She considered the reactions of those back home if she and Leah pursued a romantic connection. Paul would gloat and probably try to insert himself physically at every opportunity. Quil would also act smug but wouldn't tease them. Sam and Jacob would probably give them grief at every given opportunity, and then there were their parents to consider. Sue and Charlie were not only long-established lovers, they both had important roles in the community. Sue was on the tribal council and a well-known nurse at the hospital. And Charlie was the Chief Of Police. People had to vote for him to keep that position, and Forks wasn't the most progressive town.
Then again, Bella's mental health, lack of popularity, and romantic connections had not affected Charlie's job status thus far. Perhaps she overthought that for nothing.
Bella couldn't help but allow her mind to wander about the benefits of a potential relationship with Leah. They already held hands in public and people never addressed it. Bella thought about the prospect of family dinners, dates, and being able to kiss or hold Leah at the beach, parties, etc. She contemplated what it would be like to wake up in Leah's arms every morning, free of nightmares and safe, content with her limbs entwined with hers - and it made her feel happy. It was difficult to admit she wanted more of that feeling.
Was Renee right? Could I just be overthinking everything for fucking nothing when everything I want and need is right beside me? Unable to keep her eyes off the sleeping beauty beside her, Bella traced her thumb across Leah's jaw toward her ear. Leah's eyes fluttered open, meeting Bella's affectionate stare, then smiled as sleep immediately reclaimed her.
Eventually, Bella curled into Leah's side and fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
They had an early lunch with Renee and Phil at a local Bistro before the girls got back on the road. Bella wanted to deal with the theft situation as soon as possible. Bella wished they could stay longer and hoped she could convince Leah to fly to Florida with her for Christmas.
As they said their goodbyes in the Bistro parking lot, Renee whispered into Bella's ear, gently reminding her that life was short and she should tell Leah how she felt. Afterward, Renee made Phil pop the trunk of their car to retrieve a large white box and handed it to Bella.
"Con-graduation," Renee teased as she raised the top for Bella to see the handmade quilt folded neatly inside.
Bella grinned as she lifted part of the quilt to examine it. "Are those our old road trip t-shirts?"
"Yep. I couldn't finish it in time to send it before graduation, but I thought it might be nice… You know, to keep you warm up there. I know Charlie says you're always complaining about being cold."
Bella laughed and nodded before hugging Renee tightly. "Thank you. I love it."
"I knew you would," Renee cooed as she squeezed Bella one last time and kissed her cheek. "Let me know when you're home and safe?"
"We will," Bella said as Renee turned to Leah for one last hug. Leah's eyes lit up as Renee whispered something in her ear and glanced toward Bella, smirking. Leah grinned and kissed Renee's cheek, thanking her for allowing Leah to come along.
Phil gave Bella one last hug as well. "Come back when you can stay a little longer, huh? Bring Leah, too. I owe her a rematch."
"Yes, you do, but I'll just win again," Leah teased, pretending to flex her muscles as Phil laughed.
Bella tried not to tear up as they got into the car and drove away, promising she'd do a better job contacting her mother. Renee shouldn't have to hear everything about her from Charlie… and Bella suspected there would be plenty to tell her after they got home.