As her plane touched down in Seattle USA, Tori took a deep breath to calm her chaotic nerves. She hadnt set foot on US soil in over 5 years and she didnt think she would be returning.
Tori Swan was born in London, England. Being an only child her parents decided each year , they would travel across the ocean to stay with her dads brother Charlie. Tori loved visiting, her Uncle Charlie lived in a small town called Forks in Washington which was surrounded by trees and one of the rainiest places on earth. Charlie used to take her fishing or drop her off at La Push to play with the boys there. The only downside was when her cousin Bella would visit at the same time. Tori didnt have a problem with her, but for some reason, Bella hated Tori's guts. She would be cruel to Tori every day they were in close proximity. It usrd to seriously upset her, but eventually she learned to ignore it and got on with every day life.
As Tori walked through the airport to the exit she replayed the conversation she'd had with her uncle the week before.
C- Tori, I don't want to hear any complaints. Your moving in with us and thats the end of it.
T- Uncle Charlie, it's fine, i dont need to be a bother, i just wanted to tell you what.. what happened.
C- Not happening kid, Richard would never forgive me if i left you to fend for yourself in England when you can easily stay here. I promised him when you were born i'd take you in just like he would have done with Bella.
Tori sighed, silent tears streaming down her cheeks as she thought of her parents who had died two weeks ago. Looking around at the almost empty living room she felt her heart give a painful tug.
T- alright, i'll come to America.
C - Good girl, now pack your essentials and i'll book a flight for Saturday.
T- Alright Uncle Charlie. Love you.
C- Love you too kid. It's going to be okay.
Tori found a bench at a bus stop and sat down, her uncle, before the flight, had let her know he had work so he had asked Bella to come and collect her from the bus station in Port Angeles . She was dreading the reunion but felt so tired from the flight and weeks of hardly any sleep she felt she could easily drift off in the car. Glancing at her watch and realising the bus wouldnt arrive for another ten minutes, she sighed.
It would be a long day.
Isabella Swan was angry. She had been angry for the last week, snapping at everybody including her boyfriend Edward and yet he had no idea why. How dare Charlie invite that prissy swot to come and live with them. Bella had never gotten along with her 'perfect cousin' hating that she was naturally pretty and graceful whereas Bella was dull and clumsy. Bella would watch in constant envy when Tori would happily hang around the boys from La Push, she was confident and happy all the time and it just annoyed Bella like mad. Charlie wouldn't hear a word against her, even telling Bella she had to go and collect her from Port Angeles. like she was going to drive almost two hours to pick her up! No, she could make her own way here.
Bella smiled at Edward when he picked her up to go to his house for the day.
A passing thought of Alice seeing she was deliberately not going to get her cousin crossed her mind but she shook it off as quickly as it came.
Tori had finally given up. She had been at the bus station for two hours now and had finally come to the conclusion that Bella was not coming to get her. Taking a deep breath and checking her purse, she hailed a passing cab. Instead of climbing straight in the tapped on the front window.
T - excuse me sir, how much will it be for you to take me to Forks please?
Cabby- Forks? you realise thats about a two hour drive dont ya? It'll cost a pretty penny.
T- well i have $67, could you get me as close to Forks as possible please?
The man seemed to take in her exhausted state, seeing her shivering slightly as thunder clapped overhead.
Cabby- Sure, i can get you to the hospital there if that will help? its on the outskirts.
T- Thank you so much! That would be a huge help.
Tori placed her small carry on in the footwell of the backseat and climbed in. Pulling her thin Jacket closer she noticed the man put the heating on and gave him a small smile, leaning her head against the door she watched as trees surrounded them.
Cabby- Miss? Miss were here, wake up.
Tori jumped when she felt a hand shake her shoulder.
T- I, i'm so sorry!
Cabby- it's fine, were at Forks hospital, just walk down this road for about ten minutes and you'll get to the emergency room. I'd take you closer but i need to get home.
T - no, no thank you, youve been a huge help already.
Handing him the money she stepped out into the pouring rain, gave him a small wave and started walking in the direction he had pointed. Within minutes her clothes were soaked through and her teeth were chattering. Maybe it hadn't been the wisest idea to wear shorts and a tank top with only a featherlight jacket when she knew it would rain. Oh well.
Walking into the hospital she stopped dead as her eyes fell on the most beautiful couple she had ever laid eyes on. The womans brown hair cascaded down her back. she was petite and had an air of confidence. Her face was heart shaped and pale but the smile on her was blinding. She held the arm of a man who looked as if hed stepped right off the modeling stage. Blonde hair, high cheekbones and pale skin. They walked towards the doors she had just entered. As they were about to pass, Tori spoke up.
T- um, excuse me?
'Yes? Can i help you?'
T- Im sorry to bother you. do you by any chance know Chief Swan?
'Charlie?'
Nodding, Tori continued.
T- I hate to ask, but could you by any chance give him a call for me? I dont have a mobile and i need his help. My name is Tori.
Carlisle and Esme Cullen looked at each other, having an almost silent conversation which wouldnt be noticed by the humans around them.
C- Any ideas?
E- I'm not sure, she looks a bit like him but i dont think Bella has mentioned any family. In any case we cant leave her like this, shes freezing and looks exhausted.
Turning to Tori Carlisle gave her a soft smile.
C - of course, if you'll come with me to my office i can give him a quick call.
E - Come on dear, My name is Esme and this is my husband Carlisle, lets get you into the warm while he calls Charlie.
Esme lead her gently into the office and sat her down on one of the chairs. She immediatly took his spare coat from in the cubboard and draped it over Tori's shoulders.
E- there, hopefully that may warm you up a little.
Meanwhile Carlisle was waiting for Charlie to answer.
Ch- Swan.
C - Charlie? It's Carlisle.
Ch - Hey Carlisle, everything okay?
C - i'm not sure, weve had a young girl walk into the hospital asking for me to contact you. She said she needs your help, Her name is Tori if that means anything to you?
Ch- Tori? Fuck, why the hell is she there? Is she okay?!
C- Charlie, Charlie calm down, shes soaked through but isn't harmed as far as i can see. Just cold. You know her then?
Ch- Bella didnt tell you?
C - Tell me what?
Charlie sighed.
C - Tori is my niece, shes come from England to live with us after my brother and his wife died a few weeks ago. I'm in Orange county and couldnt pick up her, Bella was supposed to get her hours ago from Port Angeles. Have you seen her? is she with Edward?
Even though Esme was talking quietly with the girl, Carlisle knew she was listening to his conversation with Chalie. He saw her eyes flicker to him when she heard Bella had left her cousin in a foreign country to fend for herself.
C - Carlisle can you get hold of her and get her to pick up Tori? I won't be home for another few hours and i dont really want her waiting at the hospital, it's been a long day for her.
Catching the miniscule nod his wife gave Caflisle responded.
C - Charlie. How about she come home with me and you can collect both her and Bella once your finished with work? my shift just ended and i know Bella is having dinner at ours anyway this evening, in fact, Esme had just arrived so we could go to the store.
Ch - oh er.. if thats alright yeah, it'll probably be about 9 that i arrive, that alright? Can i talk to her? Actualy wait, Carlisle?
C - Yes Charlie?
Ch - dont um, dont take this badly, just can you keep an eye on her round your boys. Just she isnt too fond of teen boys getting too close.
Another look from his wife and Carlisle wondered if she had picked up the unspoken message too.
C - Of course, here, i'll pass you over
Handing the phone to the young girl Esme walked towards him, giving the girl some privacy.
E- Carlisle do you think...
C - I don't know, we'll keep an eye, maybe you go and warn them now that shes coming. I wonder why Alice didnt warn us already.
Esme stepped out to call her children, she felt sickened that something unpleasent may have happened to this girl in the company of boys. after speaking with Alice, Esme sat thinking. Alice hadnt seen her coming, hadnt even seen Carlisle and herself deciding to bring her home. This only ever happened with the wolves, where Alice couldnt see. But Esme was positive that Tori was just a general human, not a wolf. Feeling a little cross that Bella would treat her cousin like this, she plastered on a smile just as Tori and Carlisle walked out of the office. Tori still had the coat wrapped round her shoulders and Esme smiled at her husband when he refused it back, saying she could keep it on for now. Taking Tori's hand she noticed no flinch at the cold temperature and lead her towards the car.
Tori sat quietly in the back of Carlisle's car. They had insisted on cranking up the heat and finally, after twenty minutes, her hands had started to warm and her teeth stopped chattering. She felt exhausted, she'd been up now for 22 hours, having not slept the night before. The last thing she wanted to do was socialise but the beautiful couple had been kind enough to take her in until her uncle Charlie arrived after work. She was so tired that she couldnt muster up the irritation towards her cousin for leaving her. Her uncle had continuously apologised, saying he wished he had never asked her. After placating Charlie, assuring him Bella bad probably just forgotten, he explained that Dr Cullen would take her to his home and she and Bella would be collected later this evening. As the trees grew thicker and the road became more isolated Tori's eyes drifted shut.
The minute the girl fell asleep Esme started a furious conversation with her husband in the front seat.
E- Carlisle what does this mean? Alice didnt see her coming?
C - I don't know love, i admit i'm intrigued, she isnt a wolf thats for sure. I just want to know why Bella didnt mention her and refused to collect her. from what i could gather listening to them, Tori had been waiting in Port Angeles for hours and Bella never showed. She took a cab to Forks but he couldnt take her all the way so he sugested she go to the hospital. It worries me, especially as Bella is fully aware there are others around.
E- Do you feel it too? I feel close to her, as if she is someone to protect.
C - I do, and im not sure what it is. Did you warn the others? Jasper?
E- I did, he and Rose are going hunting. Edward and Bella are out at the meadow so it's just Emmett and Alice. Now that you mention it, can you smell her?
Taking a moment to sniff the air, he became even more puzzled.
C - hmm, i don't smell anything, Shes human, you can hear her heart and her blood pumping in her veins but you're right, she doesnt have a paticular smell.
E - What does this mean?
C - I'm not sure, but i can guarentee we will find out eventually.
Tori woke quickly just as the car stopped, glad nobody had to touch her to wake her again. She hated being touched unless she instigated it. Climbing out of the car she let a small gasp escape. The Cullens house was stunning, big open windows, lights shining. She wondered what it would look like in daylight. Shaking it off she followed the couple up the stairs and into what looked like a living room. Sat on the sofa was a biy, though he looked more man, lounging with his feet up playing a wideo game on the flat screen opossite. A young girl of around the same height stood facing the doorway, a confused epxression on her face.
C - Emmett, Alice, this is Tori, Chief Swans niece and Bella's cousin.
Alice waved.
Em - Hey!
T- Hello, it's nice to meet you.im so sorry for intruding like this.
Emmett shot up from where he was sitting, making Tori Jump back into Carlisle in fright. Esme started scolding him.
E - Emmett stop, youre scaring her.
Em- but, but Esme shes british! you didnt tell me she was brit...
He cut off when he heard Tori laughing quietly, Carlisle relaxed his grip on her arm where he had caught her. Tori took a deep breath and stepped towards the boy who towered over her tiny form. He was at least a ft and a half taller than her. Holding out her hand she said
' Nice to meet you Emmett, I'm Tori, and yes, i'm British. Now what game are you playing?' Emmett grinned and yanked her towards the couch. Alice passed her a controller and then engrossed both into a conversatiom about Mario Kart.
Esme and Carlisle stood in the doorway, shocked to the core. Due to being the vampires that they are, most humans tend to shy away from them on instinct. Bella was an anomaly, but even then it took her weeks to be fully comfortable with anyone who wasnt Edward. But this stranger, a girl they literally just met, happily sat playing video games with their son. Although they knew Emmett was practically a big teddy bear, he was still very intimidating with his rippling and bulky muscles. Eventually they settled into various seats, watching in shock as Tori managed to beat Emmett in the first race, this being a big thing in itself as none of them had managed it in years.