Chapter 52: Bella's 30th Birthday Bash
The relentless Texas sun beat down on the dry, cracked earth, casting long shadows as Peter and Bella circled each other in Peter and Char's front yard. Bella's eyes were locked on Peter's, every muscle in her body coiled and ready to spring at the first sign of movement. She had been waiting for this day for years; it was their first match since she had left Texas all those years ago. Bella knew this was the calm before the storm, but she was ready. This was her time now.
Peter struck first, launching himself forward with the raw power of a seasoned brawler. Bella moved like water, her body reacting instinctively as she sidestepped his initial punch, the wind from his fist brushing past her. Her feet shifted effortlessly, absorbing the force of his follow-up attack.
Peter came at her again, his fist aiming for her ribs, but Bella was quicker. She blocked him with a sharp elbow, and without missing a beat, she countered with a swift jab to his chest, the blow landing with precision. Peter grunted as the force of the hit drove him back a step, but he was far from finished. He recovered instantly, his body a blur as he swung a wide hook at her head.
Bella ducked just in time, the punch slicing through the air where her head had been moments before. With the grace of a supernatural predator, she retaliated, her leg snapping out in a swift kick to Peter's side. The force of the blow sent him staggering back, a grunt of surprise and pain escaping his lips as he fought to regain his balance.
Peter grinned, wiping the dust from his face, before charging again, swinging with all his might. This time, his fist connected solidly with Bella's shoulder, sending her stumbling back. But she quickly regained her footing, planting her feet firmly on the ground, and without hesitation, she went on the offensive.
Bella closed the distance between them in an instant, her fists a blur as she unleashed a series of rapid, precise strikes. Each hit landed with a satisfying thud, forcing Peter to stay on the defensive. He blocked what he could, but Bella's relentless assault was beginning to wear him down. He hadn't seen her move with such speed before, and the way she was striking—calculated, efficient—was unlike anything he had taught her.
Despite knowing he was overextending himself, Peter swung with a powerful uppercut, determined to regain control. But Bella was ready. She twisted out of the way, using his own momentum against him as she brought her knee up into his stomach. The impact was brutal, forcing Peter to double over in pain, but he wasn't done yet. With a desperate burst of strength, he managed to grab her arm and, with a grunt of effort, threw her to the ground.
Bella hit the dirt but was back on her feet in a heartbeat, her movements fluid and precise. Her eyes locked onto Peter as he charged at her again. Without hesitation, she surged forward, and they collided with a force that echoed like thunderclaps across the Texas landscape. The sound reverberated with each brutal exchange of blows as they traded punches and kicks, neither willing to back down.
Peter's brute strength was undeniable, but Bella's rigorous training under Yoshitaka was beginning to wear him down. She anticipated his moves with uncanny accuracy, countering each attack with swift strikes and perfectly placed kicks that kept him off balance.
Peter, growing desperate, managed to grab her wrist, attempting to pull her into a bear hug to halt her relentless assault. But Bella was faster. She twisted her body while driving a sharp elbow into his jaw. Peter staggered back, momentarily stunned, and Bella didn't waste a second. She unleashed a rapid flurry of kicks, each one driving him further back toward the fence line.
Peter swung wildly, desperation fueling his attack, but Bella was already moving, effortlessly dodging his strike. With a swift spin, she delivered a powerful kick to his chest, the force of the blow sending him hurtling backward. He crashed into a wooden fence post, the wood splintering and shattering under the impact. Before Peter could even think about getting back on his feet, Bella was on him, seizing the moment to press her advantage.
She moved with lethal precision, her leg sweeping out in a blur, knocking Peter to his knees. As he struggled to rise, Bella closed in, her left hand gripping a fistful of his hair. With a sharp yank, she wrenched his head to the side, exposing his neck. Her teeth hovered at his throat, ready to deliver the killing blow. A triumphant smile curved her lips. She had finally beaten him.
The thrill of victory surged through Bella as the sound of clapping reached her ears. She turned, spotting Charlotte standing nearby, amusement dancing in her eyes as she took in the scene.
Bella released Peter and stood, circling around him as he remained on his knees, still reeling from the defeat. With a smirk that spoke volumes, she extended her hand to help him up. After all, Peter was getting up there in years.
Peter swatted her hand away, though Bella could see he wasn't truly upset. "What the fuck was all that Kung Fu shit? I thought I taught you how to fight like an honest vampire!" he barked, standing up and brushing the dust off his jeans.
"You did, but I couldn't help but pick up a few new fighting styles while I was traveling through Asia," Bella replied, a playful glint in her eye. She glanced over at Char with a wink. "Let's go again. I'm sure that first match was just a fluke."
After two more matches that ended with the same outcome, Char stepped in to save her husband from any further humiliation. "Enough sparring. I'm bored," she declared, striding over to Peter and wrapping him in a consoling hug. Leaning in, she whispered in his ear, "Don't worry, honey, you still drove me wild, and later tonight, I'll show you just how much." She felt Peter puff up his chest, his confidence returning, and when she stepped back, his trademark smirk had reappeared.
Turning to Bella, Char smiled as she noticed her friend trying to adjust her shirt, which had ripped in an inopportune spot. "Let's head inside and catch up. We haven't heard from you since we parted in the Alps. You said you were going to explore the rest of Europe, but it sounds like you got sidetracked in Paris for over a year." Char's smile widened into a playful smirk as she continued, "You know, I had a chat with Alice, and she might have hinted that you were making inquiries about a certain, as she so distinctly put it, 'fuck-hot' French vampire. Any juicy stories you'd care to share?"
Bella huffed, shaking her head with a smirk. "That's really gross, Char. Why would you ask if I had the hots for my stepdad?" The rightfully confused looks on her friends' faces only made her laugh. "How about we go inside, and I'll tell you a good tale."
After changing into a new shirt, Bella joined Peter and Char in the living room. She plopped down on the couch across from them, considering the best way to admit to her little transgression regarding vampire law.
"Okay, so I know I never mentioned this before, but before I met you guys—or even knew for sure I was a vampire—I kinda told my mom everything." She looked at her friends and was surprised that neither of them seemed shocked by her admission, so she continued. "Actually, I'd been living with her on and off for the past few years before we met in Houston."
Peter cut in, grinning wide. "No shit! I gotta say, little lady, that poker face of yours needs some serious work. I don't think I've ever seen anyone's eyes bulge out of their head as hard as when you heard what happens when a vampire spills our secrets to a human. We figured it was best not to call you out on it. You know, the whole 'Don't ask, don't tell' kind of deal."
Shrugging, Bella couldn't help but flash them a guilty smile. "Thanks for that. But even before you filled me in on the laws, I knew how important it was to keep the secret. I made sure my mom didn't say a word about me to anyone, and I promise she never did. But anyway, back to last year. After my travels through Europe, I met up with my mom in Paris for a little vacation—she'd always dreamed of going to Europe. We were having a great time until we ran into a vampire..." She let the tension build, seeing that she had both Peter and Char's undivided attention. "And that's when we met Jean Paul, the vampire Alice told you about. To my surprise, Jean Paul and my mom hit it off right from the get-go. One thing led to another, and now my mom's finished with her newborn year, and she and Jean Paul are still off on their honeymoon."
"That's wonderful, Bella. You know, I've never heard of a mother-daughter vampire duo before. You're very lucky to be able to keep your mom in your life. How has she adjusted to being a vampire?" Char asked with curiosity.
Bella paused, thinking it over. "Well, she's happy now, but it sure wasn't easy for her in the beginning. She struggled a lot more than I did. Seeing what she went through made me realize just how lucky I was. There's no doubt in my mind that if my mom had been alone like I was, she would have exposed the vampire world on day one. Thankfully, she had me and Jean Paul to guide her every step of the way."
Peter nodded, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I'm glad it all worked out. Just make sure you don't go blabbing all our vampire secrets to your other family members. You weren't planning on having two vampire daddies, were you?"
Bella chuckled softly. "Don't worry, Peter. I promise I didn't reveal our secret to my dad." She hoped her poker face had improved over the years.
"That's good to hear," Peter nodded, then asked, "So, can your mom do any of that freaky shit you can do?"
Bella shook her head. "Nah, so far she's been completely normal. Maybe all the freaky shit came from my dad's side of the family—assuming vampire abilities are even hereditary. Who knows what really causes them?"
Bella had a great visit with Peter and Char, spending a couple of fun-filled weeks with them. During that time, Peter hooked her up with the guy he and Char used to make fake documents. He worked out of Chicago, and Bella planned to go there after a quick stop in Phoenix.
Bella was finally ready to return to school and finish college, but with Bella Swan now being 30 years old, she knew she would have to do it as someone else. She had already decided that for this next go-around at life, she would be Marie Smith, age 19.
When Bella arrived at her home in Phoenix, a strange feeling washed over her as she stepped inside, knowing her mom wouldn't be there. The house looked exactly as it had when her mom left, frozen in time as if waiting for her return. Her mom had only planned to be away for a month, but now, Bella doubted she would ever come back. After discussing it, they decided to keep the house as a stopover for Bella whenever she was in the area and as a place to store her things.
During her travels overseas, Bella had accumulated a lot of items, shipping everything back here. The sight of her old room, now almost filled to the ceiling with boxes, served as a reminder that if vampires weren't careful, they could easily become overwhelmed with possessions. It was a warning she'd heard before, but staring at the overstuffed room now, Bella knew she would have to try and do better in the future.
Bella spent the next day carefully packing up all the items her mom had requested, boxing them up and shipping them to one of Jean Paul's homes in France. She tackled the refrigerator next, relieved to find that it hadn't lost power during her mom's absence, sparing her from the stench of spoiled food. Finally, she hired a maintenance company to handle the general upkeep of the property, ensuring everything would be taken care of while the house sat empty.
"Happy birthday, Bells," Charlie said, his face lighting up as he watched Sue place her special double chocolate fudge cake in front of Bella. The rich aroma of the cake filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of pine that always seemed to linger in the house. The few candles on top flickered softly, their flames steadying and growing stronger as they settled.
"Thanks, Dad," Bella replied, her smile widening as she glanced around the kitchen table, taking in the small gathering. It had been a quiet evening, just the way she liked it.
Sue had prepared a good meal for everyone—though thankfully, Bella hadn't been expected to eat any of it. Seth, on the other hand, had enjoyed it immensely, really wolfing it down. Bella was glad to see him here; they'd spent some time together over the past few days while Charlie was at work, and she was pleased with how easily they got along. She had yet to meet Sue's daughter Leah, who was also a wolf, but Leah still refused to see her and risk getting any of those vamp cooties on her precious wolf ass.
"So, the big 3-0. How does it feel?" Charlie chimed in, grinning widely. He was thrilled to have Bella back, especially on her birthday. He had always missed celebrating her birthdays with her in person when she was a child, so having her here now, and for a big one like her 30th, felt like a real treat.
"It's funny, Dad, but I really don't feel a day older than 20." She laughed along with Charlie, pleased to see Sue and Seth reacting positively to her joke. Sue still seemed to harbor some reservations about her, but Bella could tell that they were softening with each passing day as they spent more time together.
"Here, Bella, I got you something," Seth said with a smile, handing her a small, neatly wrapped gift.
Bella hesitated for a moment, frowning slightly. She had told everyone she didn't want any presents—without a car and only a backpack to her name on this trip, she had to be careful about what she carried. Still, she couldn't help but smile as she took the gift. "Thanks, Seth."
She looked down at the small package. It felt light in her hands—though, to be fair, a hundred pounds felt just as light to her now. Grinning, she tore off the wrapping paper and opened the plain brown box inside.
When she saw what was inside, she burst out laughing and pulled out a Dracula bobblehead. She placed it on the table, watching as its oversized vampire head wobbled around, the figure dressed in his trademark black suit. His white face had blood dripping from the corners of his mouth, and, of course, it had fangs.
"Thank God I don't have fangs," Bella said absentmindedly. Now that would have been hard to cover up.
She smiled warmly at Seth. "I love it. Thank you. You know, when I visited Transylvania, I actually went looking for Dracula. Sadly, I didn't find him—or any other vampires who could tell me if there was any truth to the stories. But I did find a whole cottage industry built around the legend. They even had tours of what they claimed was Dracula's castle, so naturally, I had to check it out."
"That's a great story, Bells, but the rest of us might want some of that cake. How about you make a wish and blow out those candles so I… I mean everyone, can have a piece?" Charlie uttered, eyeing the cake longingly.
Bella nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Sure, Dad." She glanced over at Seth, who was grinning even wider now, clearly anticipating what was to come. Bella sighed, clearing her throat. "Actually, you know, Sue, this cake looks mighty good, and chocolate was always my favorite. So after I blow out the candles, why don't you cut me off a slice too?"
Charlie's eyes widened in surprise, his mouth opening as if to say something, but before he could get a word out, Seth jumped in with enthusiasm. "Make it an extra-big slice, Mom. Bella's been without for way too long."
Bella stared at the birthday cake, the flickering flames of the candles reflecting in her eyes. She took a deep breath, thinking about the wish she was about to make. For the past ten years, her wishes had always been the same: to meet a man. But this year, she felt the need to wish for something different, something that seemed like a far more pressing concern.
She closed her eyes for a brief moment, letting the thought take shape in her mind, then blew out the candles in a single breath.
As Sue began cutting the cake, she cast a skeptical glance at Bella, hesitating for just a moment before handing her a large slice.
Bella accepted the slice with a smile, her fingers picking up the fork beside it. The utensil felt foreign in her hand; it had been so long since she'd last used one. It was sad as the cake really did look good. She glanced at Seth, hoping for some sort of reprieve, but all she got was a devious grin. Shit. So much for that wish.
Resigned, she scooped up a big piece with her fork and reluctantly put the cake in her mouth. She chewed slowly, trying her best not to grimace or cough—God, it tasted awful. Not wanting to hurt Sue's feelings, though, she held firm, not showing any displeasure. She knew the cake was probably amazing—Charlie certainly seemed to think so, judging by the way he was devouring it. With a deep breath, she forced herself to take another big bite…
"I thought you couldn't eat human food, Bells?" Charlie asked, his eyes wide with surprise as he watched Bella go in for a third bite.
Seth chimed in with a smirk, enjoying the situation immensely. "What are you talking about, Charlie? Bella loves chocolate cake. Don't you, Bella?" He leaned in a little, his grin widening. "That's it, isn't that frosting creamy?"
Charlie glanced between the two of them, his brow furrowing as he sensed the undercurrent of mischief. "Alright, what am I missing here?"
Bella swallowed the large bite with effort, feeling the weight of it settle in her stomach. She paused, needing a moment before she could force herself to finish the rest. She had quickly figured out that if she didn't chew and just swallowed the cake in chunks, it was slightly more bearable. Using a napkin, she dabbed away the crumbs from her face, trying to maintain her composure.
"I kinda lost a bet to Seth," she admitted with a sigh. "And this... was my punishment."
Charlie raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "What were you betting on?"
Seth, unable to help himself, jumped in with a broad smile. "I told her I could beat her easily in a race. She begged to differ. She lost. It wasn't even close." His laughter echoed through the room, clearly enjoying the moment.
Bella rolled her eyes as she finished the last bite of cake, the foul taste lingering unpleasantly in her mouth. "Hey, vampire pride and all that. I had to stick up for my team." She pushed the empty dish far away from her, unable to hide the slight grimace crossing her face as she tried to ignore the queasiness settling in her stomach.
"What would have happened if you'd lost, Seth?" Sue asked, a hint of disapproval in her voice. "You wouldn't have had to drink…" She hesitated, not wanting to finish the thought.
"No, no, nothing like that," Seth responded quickly. "Now, I knew I was going to win, so it didn't really matter what we bet. But Bella said she was going to make me a custom clown outfit for my wolf form and record the whole thing on her phone."
Charlie burst out laughing. "I wish you had won, Bells. I would've paid good money to see that."
"Yeah, me too," Bella replied, thinking about how funny it would have been.
Bella sat at the summit of Mount Rainier, the highest peak in Washington State, the world stretching out endlessly beneath her. The air was crisp and cool, tinged with the faint scent of pine carried up from the dense forests below. The snow-capped peaks around her were bathed in the soft glow of dawn, their jagged edges softened by the early morning light. She had just spent a wonderful week in Forks with Charlie, celebrating her 30th birthday, and now, up here, it was as if the world had paused just for her. The tranquility of the moment wrapped around her like a comforting blanket, the quiet so profound that it felt like the mountain itself was holding its breath, waiting for the day to begin.
As the first rays of the sun peeked over the horizon, casting a warm golden hue across the landscape, Bella couldn't help but smile. The sight was breathtaking, the sky painted in shades of orange and pink, the colors blending together seamlessly. The light reflected off the icy slopes, making them shimmer like diamonds, while the shadows cast by the towering peaks added depth to the vast expanse before her. It was so peaceful up here, far above the worries of the world, where everything seemed simpler, purer. The quiet allowed her to reflect on the past week.
While Bella had been alone with Seth, she had taken the opportunity to ask him if he thought their parents might get married one day. Seth had admitted that Charlie had been testing the waters, subtly asking him and Leah how they would feel about it if he proposed to their mother. Seth had told Charlie that he was glad to see his mom happy again and would be perfectly fine with them getting married. Bella couldn't remember much about Seth's father, but she knew he had been one of Charlie's best friends before his passing over a decade ago. The thought of Charlie finally getting the large family he had always wanted filled her with happiness. It seemed like a good possibility, and she hoped it would bring Charlie the fulfillment he deserved.
All the recent conversations about friends and family, combined with the reflection on her 30th birthday, had stirred something in Bella, prompting her to look up her best friends from her human years. It had pained her to do it, but she had been forced to distance herself from them, eventually cutting off contact altogether. Her trip overseas five years ago had served as the perfect excuse for a final, silent farewell. To her old friends, Bella Swan had simply disappeared, vanishing into the vast world, leaving only memories behind.
Looking up her childhood friends from Phoenix on Facebook while at Charlie's house had been an emotional experience for Bella. It was heartwarming to see their smiling, though noticeably older, faces. She had been pleased to learn that Sandy, who had always been so full of life, now had a little girl named Jackie; watching the videos of Jackie's first steps into her mother's smiling arms had been pure joy. Chrissy, too, had built a family, with two young children—a boy and a girl, both five now. But the news she'd learned about Amber weighed heavily on Bella's heart. Amber, who had married young and already had a 10-year-old, was in the midst of a divorce. Bella's instinct had been to reach out, to offer comfort and support, but she knew she couldn't.
Bella Swan had no social media presence, and soon, Marie Smith would be using a fresh email address, completely detached from her past. She planned to make friends when she returned to school, but she would tread carefully, knowing that building lifelong friendships would only lead to future heartbreak. The pain of severing ties like that once had already been more than enough.
The sun now hung fully in the sky, its warmth washing over her as she gently pushed away any lingering negative thoughts. Up here, at the top of the world, it was easy for Bella to believe that anything was possible, that the future held nothing but bright, endless horizons. The mountain had a way of putting everything into perspective, reminding her of how small her worries were in the grand scheme of things. She took a deep breath, the cool, crisp air filling her lungs, and as she exhaled, a profound sense of peace settled over her, as steady and unyielding as the mountain beneath her feet.
Standing up, Bella gazed around her. Other than a few birds flying in the distance, she was completely alone. Wanting to experience the beauty of the world from above, she launched herself into the sky, quickly passing through the few wisps of clouds around her. There, she paused, letting the sunlight wash over her, its warmth grounding her in the present moment. She had made her choice of schools before coming to Forks, and with her freshman year fast approaching, there was still much to prepare for. Smiling to herself, she shot off through the sky, heading toward Vegas to get started.
Full steam ahead! Next stop: college. And where else would Bella choose to go to school but Vegas, baby! Edward's coming soon, but Bella certainly doesn't know it—so she'll try dipping her toes into the dating pool. Let's hope she knows what she's doing.