Hey Y'all! i love seeing the guesses and the comments of what you think. Please let me know how you like the story!
P.s It's come to my attention I should be saying I do not own twilight.
Bella, Emmet, and Rosalie slipped out of the house, the approaching storm creating the perfect cover for them. Bella felt a familiar thrill, mingled with a need to release the frustrations she had been holding inside.
Rosalie's eyes glinted with eagerness. "I've missed this," she said with a hint of nostalgia as they made their way further into the forest. "It's been too long since we had a storm to break in."
Emmet, always the enthusiastic participant, grinned. "Absolutely. I'm excited to see what you've got, Bella."
Bella managed a small smile. "It's good to be back. I didn't realize how much I needed this."
As the first raindrops began to fall, Bella's thoughts drifted back to the origin of their tradition. Nearly ten years after she became a vampire, and Charlie's sudden passing had left her overwhelmed, broken and hurt. It definitely didn't help when Edward insisted it was too soon for her to be seen in her hometown—fearing it would raise questions about her supposed death—and eventually after a large fight with him, Bella had found herself on a cliffside, screaming into the wind and throwing large rocks over the cliffside of where they were staying in Scotland.
It was there, on that solitary cliff, that an hour and a half later Rosalie and Emmet had found her. They had watched for a few minutes in the rain, protected by the umbrellas they had taken with them to find her. After conversation Bella hadn't had the frame of mind to listen to Rosalie had left Emmett standing there with both of them, despite the rain that immediately soaked her hair and clothes, and wordlessly picked up a large boulder and started smashing it apart with a determination that mirrored Bella's own fury. Emmett, ever the supportive presence, had joined in, and together they had turned Bella's emotional storm into a physical one until she had been spent and Em had to carry her home.
It was since then that every chance they had they snuck off to have their little 'rage parties'. Granted, it had been years since the last one given the way their family had branched off to do their own thing. The sounds of the storm brought her back to the present, and she watched as Emmett found them a large enough space to safely let everything loose as the storm continued to build.
Rosalie launched into her routine, smashing a boulder with powerful precision Rosalie never liked to talk about what she was letting go, but then again neither did she. Bella clenched her fists, trying to channel her frustration into her movements. Her first throws were hesitant, the feeling of letting her raw, unfiltered anger to the surface was foreign after so many years.
Eventually she fell into a routine, she would let out a shout or scream, thinking of a moment where she had to shove her anger down and striking.
Emmet observed with a mix of admiration and surprise. "Wow, Bella. You've got some serious strength. Didn't think you'd be this powerful after not working out for a while."
Bella nodded, letting loose a loud, breathless laugh. "I guess I still have some strength left. It's good to be able to use it."
Rosalie, noting Bella's continued intensity, saw the raw energy in her throws. When Bella's movements showed no sign of slowing down, even as Rosalie and Emmet started to wind down, Rosalie's concern grew. She exchanged a glance with Emmet, who was clearly impressed but less perceptive of the deeper emotions at play. An hour later, when she finally started to slow down, her breaths were coming in short pants and she was spent by the time she fell to the floor next to the couple, lying on her back and staring up at the sky which was currently still angry.
They sat in silence for a few minutes, the rain and wind were unforgiving, but Rosalie could sense that this was what Bella needed and so she sat with her, lying back beside her to stare up at the sky and be there in silent support.
"I forgot how good this feels," Bella said finally when the storm has subsided, her voice a mixture of relief and quiet admission. "I've been feeling a bit… stifled lately. Edward's protectiveness, it's like I'm being held back, even though he means well. And going back to high school, it's just… frustrating. I didn't realize how much I needed this."
Rosalie's smile was warm but tinged with understanding.
Emmet grinned, clearly still impressed by Bella's strength. "You can always tell us when you need us, little sister."
Bella managed a weary smile. "Thanks. I didn't realize how much I needed this. It's good to get things off my chest, even if it's just breaking boulders."
Rosalie let Emmett help her up, and when Bella made no move to get up on her own she looked back down at her coven mate. "Bella? Are you okay?"
"Yes, yes." She smiled, the action not quite reaching her eyes. "I think I'm going to stay here a little longer and just think. I so rarely am alone anymore it feels like." The grin shifted to one of amusement.
"Well… Okay but don't stay too long." Rosalie told her, linking her arm in her husbands.
"I won't, I promise. Just let them know I went for a hunt."
When Emmett and Rosalie had left, she laid back down, star fished out on the dense forest floor.
She eventually dusted herself off and began to pick her way through the tree line, leaving the destroyed clearing behind her.
Bella's steps grew slower as she wandered deeper into the forest, the cool night air soothing her frazzled nerves. Her thoughts a were a jumbled mess that had slowly started to unravel as she moved. It wasn't until she noticed the change in scent that she realized she was approaching the treaty line.
The familiar scent of wolves became stronger, and Bella followed it with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. As she emerged from the trees, she saw a large house sat in the center of a small meadow. The house was clearly freshly constructed, and Bella's curiosity drew her closer.
She approached, still hidden in the tree line. She had just been about to step out of it when the door opened and of all people, Paul came out onto the porch. He was focused on cleaning his hands, but looked up when the wind shifted, and a fresh scent pulled his attention to where noticed Bella's presence. He was clearly surprised to find her standing there, hair matted from the downpour she had sat through, her clothes were positively filthy and the tights she had worn were ripped from the effort she had put into releasing her earlier emotions.
"Swan," Paul greeted her, nodding his head in a casual greeting. If he was at all surprised to see her, especially in this state, he wasn't letting on.
Bella looked at him, then back at the house, her curiosity piqued. "Hi, Paul," she replied, and in a motion that seemed to Paul second nature, she smoothed the mud splattered dress that had been black hours ago while reaching her other hand up to smooth the dirty hair from her face. She started taking a step closer to the house but suddenly stopped as she felt an uneasy sense of being so close to the treaty line.
Paul seemed to sense her discomfort. "Don't worry, it's just outside the tribal lands," he explained. "We wanted to make sure Jacob and Renesmee have a place they can use without having to split up. Renesmee's an imprint, so it's important."
Bella's eyes widened slightly. "Really? You did all this for Renesmee?"
Paul shrugged, a hint of pride in his demeanor. "Of course. It's important to take care of our own."
An awkward silence fell between them. Paul stood on the porch, while Bella remained on the grass, both seemingly unsure of what to do next. Finally, Paul cleared his throat.
"Do you want to see inside?" he offered, gesturing towards the house. "I mean, if you're interested."
Bella looked at him, considering the invitation. After a moment, she nodded. "Sure, I'd like that."
As Paul gestured towards the house, Bella took a deep breath and stepped inside, her senses immediately taking in the fresh, new smell of the wood and construction. The interior was modest but thoughtfully designed, radiating a warm, inviting ambiance.
Bella stepped inside the house, her senses immediately enveloped by the clean, fresh smell of newly cut wood and construction. She glanced around, taking in the modest yet inviting interior. Her fingers brushed against the smooth, polished surfaces of the furniture, a stark contrast to the muddy state of her clothes and hair.
"This is the living room," Paul's voice broke through her reverie, carrying a note of pride. He followed a few steps behind, giving her space to explore. "We wanted it to be cozy, something Jacob and Renesmee could feel at home in."
Bella nodded, her eyes scanning the room with genuine appreciation. "It's really nice," she commented, her voice soft. She moved down the hallway, her footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. Her fingers traced the grain of the wooden walls, savoring the tactile sensation and trying to ground herself in this unfamiliar yet unexpectedly comforting place.
"This is the kitchen," Paul said, stepping into the room behind her. "We figured this would be the middle ground for everyone so… you know we can all eat."
"It feels so… open and warm," she said, her voice appreciative.
She continued down the hallway, her curiosity leading her past a small restroom and into the master bedroom. The room was neatly arranged, with a comfortable-looking bed and simple furnishings.
"This is the master bedroom," Paul explained, leaning against the doorframe as Bella looked around. "Jacob and Renesmee's space. The bed is supposed to be here soon and Sam's been hand making the frames we all need due to our size.
Bella nodded, moving on to a small guest room across the hall. It was charmingly modest, with just enough space for a couple of guests.
Bella's heart ached with appreciation as she moved on with her exploration only to find herself back in the living room. She looked down and noticed the mud she had tracked in, a stark reminder of her disheveled state.
Bella turned to Paul, a slight hesitation in her expression. "Are you sure it's okay for me to be here?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "It feels so close to the line." She admitted sheepishly.
Paul shrugged, a casual but sincere gesture. "You're Renesmee's mother," he said. "We figured you'd be here anyway. That's why we built the guest room. It's for family, after all."
Bella's eyes softened and she felt tears that would never fall prick the back of her eyes. "Thank you, Paul. I know I owe a thank you to everyone in the pack but for now, thank you."
Bella's eyes wandered around the room, overwhelmed by the warmth and care that had gone into the house. She glanced down at her mud-splattered dress and the dirt she had tracked in, her cheeks warming with a blush that would never come.
"I should, probably go before Alice sends a search party." She was only partly joking when she said it; speaking while she stepped backward and made a move toward the door, her steps quick and determined.
"Swan," Paul called, coming to the doorway before he seemed to reconsider something and cleared his throat again. "Look, Bella." She halted suddenly, unsure of if she had heard him correctly.
"Did you just call me by my name?" She asked him, the surprise evident on her face.
"Please, just let me say this okay?" He spoke gruffly his face reddening slightly, his usual bravado crumbling under the weight of the moment. She had to hide the amused smile on her face at his clear lack of comfortability with this moment.
"Okay." Was all she said, crossing her arms and bringing her thumb up to her mouth to chew her nail as she tried to remain as inconspicuous as possible.
"I'm sorry." he said after a long pause, causing her brows to knit with confusion. He held his hand up to stop her from speaking. "I didn't know you were going to be out there, and I'm sorry I hurt you." He gestured to her exposed arm, which she shifted her position to grab at that arm.
"It's fine." she quickly told him, smiling reassuringly. "I feel like a real vampire now." She joked, the laughter she forced sounding just that. "Besides, you don't have to apologize, if Em hadn't interrupted, I could have taken you."
The familiar banter seemed to offer a brief respite for both, but the tension remained. Paul's shoulders relaxed slightly, his usual grin appearing. "Sure, only because of that stupid shield thing you've got going on. It did all the work."
Bella managed a small smile, though her discomfort was evident. "Sure, sure. Whatever makes you feel better, Lahote," she teased, trying to inject some normalcy into the interaction. "I really need to get going."
Paul's expression shifted to one of genuine concern as he watched Bella turn and at vampire speed make her way down the stairs and out of the clearing. "Later, Swan," he said, his voice softer than usual.
Paul stood on the porch, a mix of relief and awkwardness lingered in his gut. Shaking off the last of the awkwardness, he turned back inside to continue begin airing out the clean chemical smell he knew would be inside and would drive whoever worked in the house next crazy.
As he opened the windows, hoping to dispel any lingering odors, Paul realized something odd: the house didn't have the sharp smell of vampires that he had expected. Normally, the scent of a vampire would permeate any space they occupied, but the house was surprisingly neutral.
He continued his work, opening more windows and ensuring the house smelled fresh for the pack. As he did, he couldn't shake the sense of something being off that had settled over him. Normally, the presence of a vampire so close to the treaty line would have set off alarm bells. Patrols would have been dispatched, and the pack would have been on high alert. Yet, he suddenly realized now, there had been no such reaction. It was almost as if Bella's presence had been accepted or overlooked.
Paul's thoughts circled as he tried to make sense of it. It finally dawned on him: Bella was Renesmee's mother. Despite being a vampire, her connection to the imprint might have made her presence more acceptable or less alarming to the pack. It was an unsettling but plausible explanation for the lack of reaction.
Bella emerged from the shower, feeling clean again with the comforting touch of her silk blue pajamas against her skin. The steam from the bathroom still lingered in the air as she entered the living room, brushing through her damp hair where Edward was settled comfortably with a book in hand.
"Isabella, Love," Edward greeted, a smile on his face as he set his book aside. "How was your hunt?"
"It was good," Bella replied, slipping onto the couch across from him and putting her legs across his lap as she usually did during their nights in together. She was pulling the brush with slightly more force than necessary through her still slightly knotted hair, avoiding his eyes.
Edward's gaze narrowed slightly, sensing something off with his wife. "Are you okay? You seem a bit… off."
Bella hesitated, considering her options of either trying to bring back up their earlier argument or offering some semblance of the truth to him. The settled on a half-truth, though it tasted wrong to her. "I'm just feeling emotional… I saw the house that the pack built for Jake and Renesmee.." She smiled softly, fondly remembering the warm atmosphere.
Edward's interest piqued. "Oh? How did you find out about it?"
Bella shifted slightly, putting her brush on the coffee table and reaching for her own book she'd been reading. "I stumbled upon it while I was following a deer I was hunting."
"And how did you see inside?" Edward asked, his brow furrowing in concern.
Bella chose her words carefully. "The mailbox said it was for them, so I went inside to take a look."
Edward's frown deepened. "Bella, you shouldn't have gone in. The pack will know as soon as they smell you all over it. What if it wasn't for us to see?"
"I know," Bella said, fighting the knee-jerk reaction she had to tell him otherwise, her tone softening. "I just really wanted to see it."
Edward's expression softened into an affectionate smile. "I understand. You miss Renesmee. Our daughter will be here soon enough."
Bella felt a wave of relief wash over her as Edward chose not to press further. "Yes, I do, I know she won't have changed anymore but the time and distance away is so hard." she agreed, her voice filled with quiet resignation.
She settled onto the couch, opening her own book and letting the silence envelop them. As she skimmed the pages of her story unseeing, she let her mind wander to the inviting atmosphere of the house. Such a stark contrast to the modern, minimalist look the Cullens kept as the standard for their homes. She understood why, less to pack meant easier to up and leave, but she realized how much she missed the security and warmth a lived-in home gave.
She started chewing on the inside of her cheek as she reread the same passage for the third time, her thoughts turning, and she couldn't help but wonder why it had felt so wrong to mention Paul's presence at the house. The thought lingered in her mind, but for now, she focused on the quiet comfort of being with Edward.