Chapter 31: Time Flies
Bella had a great time getting to know Peter and Charlotte. Charlotte was incredibly sweet, and Peter was an absolute hoot, listening to some of the wild things that came out of his mouth. His unique brand of offensiveness was something the likes of which she had never heard before. His declarations were a blend of off-putting and hilarious, all rolled up into a mishmash where she couldn't help but laugh. Despite his words, though, Bella could tell that Peter's heart was in the right place.
They spent the entire morning lounging by the pool behind their house, deep in conversation. Bella kept her no sparkle bubble up around Charlotte and added Peter into the mix to see how she would cope with covering two people.
It was great finally being able to talk with others about her real life. Other than her mom, she hadn't had anyone she could laugh with or vent to. Peter and Charlotte enjoyed hearing her stories about those early days, figuring out how to lure drug dealers into those dark and scary alleys. They shared their own tales, giving her new ideas and angles to try, even if her usual tried-and-true methods worked pretty well. It sounded like it was a lot easier if you had a partner, letting you work as a team.
Hearing stories of their lives through the decades was fascinating, as they held perspectives that humans living today just couldn't have. It was also intriguing to hear what they could remember of their human lives, but it saddened Bella to learn how fragmented those memories were for her new friends. According to them, it was very common for a vampire to lose many of their human memories when transitioning into a vampire. They were quite surprised when she said that she had a perfect memory of her entire human life.
Peter once again theorized that it must have to do with her brain, which he thought was the root of all her powers, and Bella tended to agree. It made sense that her bubble originated from within her brain, as her bubble was what almost all her powers were derived from. Although she couldn't really attribute her explosive power to her brain, she had observed that she seemed to generate energy somewhere in her body, as she always felt better after expelling it, either through using her abilities or creating explosions. It seemed that even vampires thousands of years old, according to Peter, were stumped by the mysteries of vampire powers.
Peter and Charlotte continued to explain to Bella the intricacies of vampire life and the challenges of being immortal while living in a human society. Peter seemed very well-connected in the vampire world and spoke about some of the other vampires he and Charlotte knew. According to him, there were vampires scattered across the United States, but not in significant numbers. As Peter explained, since vampires couldn't have children, their population didn't grow like that of humans. Excluding newborns, whom he considered more as cannon fodder, he doubted there were more than several thousand vampires in the entire world.
Hearing that there were so few vampires helped explain why it had taken Bella so long to meet others like her. Still, she had a few lingering questions. "How does one become a vampire? I have a very vague memory of that bitch biting me. Is that what did it?"
Charlotte nodded. "Yes, to turn a human into a vampire, you would have to bite them, but instead of draining them dry, you push venom into their bloodstream." She saw Bella looking at her questioningly, likely due to the mention of venom. "Vampires refer to the fluid they secrete as venom. It's what entered your system five years ago and caused you all that agony for roughly three days. During that time, the venom was transforming your body into what you are today."
She saw Bella nodding in understanding, but Charlotte felt she should elaborate. "Be mindful of ever changing someone, Bella. When a vampire changes another, they are responsible for that new vampire and must watch over them until they can function independently without risking exposure to humanity. It is quite a responsibility, and don't expect them to have the same experience as you did. Listening to your early days, you truly got through it quite easily. I know you think differently, but trust us, you did."
Bella nodded, knowing they clearly understood these situations better. As they continued with their tales, she learned that their closest friend was the vampire who had turned them many years ago, a man named Jasper, and his wife. Bella found it intriguing when they mentioned that Jasper was an empath and described what he could do with his power. However, what struck her silent was hearing about his wife, Alice, a real live psychic who could actually see the future. That one was hard for her to wrap her head around and made her wonder what other talented vampires were out there. She could do some really crazy things with her powers, but the idea of actually seeing events in the future seemed to be on an entirely different level of weird.
After spending all morning covering Peter and Charlotte, negating their sparkling selves, Bella realized she hadn't felt strained at all. She figured now was as good a time as any to start testing the limits of her ability, especially in terms of distance.
"Okay, let's start doing some real tests to see how well I can cover you guys. For the first test, Charlotte, why don't you walk away from us slowly while I focus on what I'm feeling? Peter, try and distract me. Maintaining my concentration is probably even more important than my actual ability, since covering you doesn't seem difficult at all." Bella saw Charlotte nod before she began walking toward the barn.
Bella observed Peter smile wryly as he began speaking. "So, Bella, I haven't told you yet about my vendetta against carnies, have I?"
Bella raised her eyebrow speculatively, wondering where Peter was going with this, and tried to remain focused on maintaining her bubble on Charlotte, who was now roughly 15 feet away. The blazing Texan sun was directly overhead, pushing the temperature close to 90 degrees.
"You see, my mother was in a freak show... Don't ask me what her gimmick was; all I'll say is she wasn't the bearded lady. Anyway, I've always hated those traveling shows with a passion. So in 1949, when a traveling circus came through Houston, well, that just wouldn't do."
Bella listened, her eyes flicking between Peter and Charlotte, who was now a good 50 feet away. Glancing at Peter, she saw he had a wide grin on his face as he continued his story, his eyes glinting with mischief.
"If you can believe it, they claimed to have a real live werewolf locked up in a cage. I found him behind the main tent, already confined and waiting to be wheeled into the Big Top," Peter said, smiling malevolently. "After breaking the lock and dragging him out, the beast really howled up at the full moon as I bit into his hairy neck and sucked him dry. His blood did taste kinda gamy, but I'm pretty sure he was just a hairy human."
"But the pièce de résistance," Peter continued, his grin widening, "was when Char and I came upon the Fratelli sisters. You see, they were conjoined twins. Well, that was a first for us, and we just couldn't pass up a chance like that. As I bit into Dorothy's neck, her other half Bethany turned her head and screamed until Char joined in, biting into Bethany's neck, and we slowly drained them… or her… or it dry."
The sheer outrageousness of the imagery popping into her head became too much for Bella. When Peter started humming in pleasure and smacking his lips at the memory of draining half a conjoined twin, she couldn't hold back any longer and burst into uncontrollable laughter. Doubling over, she glanced at Charlotte, who was now standing a bit over a hundred feet away, sparkling like crazy again. Smiling, Bella shook her head. The absurdity of that whole situation, combined with Peter's gleeful recounting of such a bizarre and twisted tale, had just been too much for her.
Composing herself, Bella focused on Peter. "Okay, okay, you broke me." She noticed how proud Peter looked and couldn't help but ask, "So how much of that shit was actually true?"
Peter laughed. "Please, I love going to the circus. Char and I even joined a traveling circus once in the early '50s. I was Powerhouse Pete, the world's strongest man, and Char was Nina Needle, the world's most deadly and accurate knife thrower. We still have the large, cloth banners they used to showcase us and to draw in the crowds. If you'd like, we could take them out of storage later and show you."
Bella could only shake her head. Nina Needle… Powerhouse Pete… whose twisted mind came up with all that? "Yeah, I'd like to see those." She refocused, as that was only the first test. "Alright, new test. Charlotte, come on back, and let's do a straightforward test: you walk in one direction, and Powerhouse Pete here can walk the other way."
By the time it got dark, they had done thorough testing, and Bella discovered that her ability to cover others to negate their sparkles was already quite advanced. She had been able to cover both Peter and Charlotte without difficulty for the entire day. They determined her range was about 100 feet before she began to feel any strain, and anything beyond that was pushing it. Charlotte was particularly excited about the prospect of venturing into the city during the day and was already making a list of the sights she had always wanted to see in the sunlight.
That night, Bella and Charlotte drove to some of Charlotte's favorite clothing stores. While Bella was in the dressing room trying on various outfits, she pulled out her phone and quickly sent a text to her mom.
Bella: Mom, you won't believe it, but I met some others like me. Good news—they're cool, and I'm going to spend some time with them learning everything. IMPORTANT: Do NOT call. Text me back that you got this message. I'll call you when I can, but it's very important that we keep the knowledge of you knowing about me a secret. Talk to you later.
Bella continued trying on clothes, until she felt her phone vibrate with a reply. She quickly looked at the message.
Renée: Got it. Have fun and be careful. Call when you can. Love you.
Bella smiled and quickly texted back.
Bella: Will do. Love you too.
Putting her phone away, she emerged from the dressing room with several outfits she planned to buy.
The next morning, they all walked out into the front yard for Bella's first lesson in vampire fighting.
"Alright, why don't you start by going up against Char?" Peter said with a smirk. "Let's see what we're working with."
Bella assessed Charlotte, who was wearing another pair of cutoff jeans and a red blouse. She noted their differences: she was taller and had a longer reach, which she hoped would work in her favor. As Peter yelled for them to begin, she crouched lower, seeing Charlotte give her a smirk and a wink. Having never fought anyone in her life, she was unsure what to do; overpowering a human drug dealer certainly didn't count. She tried to strategize, her mind racing.
Determined to just go for it, Bella pulled back her arm and swung wildly at Charlotte's face. But Charlotte was faster. In a blink, she dropped to the ground and used her legs to sweep Bella's out from under her. Bella found herself tumbling forward, disoriented. Before she could react, she felt Charlotte's teeth at her neck.
Bella felt the rough dirt against her face as she lay sprawled on the ground. Peter's boots appeared in her line of sight, and he crouched down, his ever-present smirk visible. "Congratulations, Bella. You're dead," he said, chuckling.
Peter's amused expression was both infuriating and motivating.
"Alright," Peter continued, his tone more serious, "I see we have a lot of work ahead of us. Let's get started."
Charlotte sprang to her feet as Bella rolled over onto her back. She watched as Charlotte smiled and extended her hand to help her up.
Bella returned the smile, reaching out to grasp Charlotte's offered hand. This was going to be fun.
As the day turned to night, Bella learned a humbling truth: while she had spent the past five years believing she was the strongest person in the world, that meant absolutely nothing when facing another vampire in combat. Time and again, Peter and Charlotte effortlessly bested her. Each match saw her getting knocked back on her ass and ending with her face in the dirt, her pride bruised but her spirits soaring. She loved every moment of it, the thrill of the challenge and the promise of getting stronger.
Bella hoped Peter and Charlotte wouldn't tire of teaching her. She knew she would never stop striving to improve, her determination burning as fiercely as ever.
After the first week of rigorous testing, they all agreed it was safe to venture out together during the daytime. Bella had improved her concentration tremendously, so much so that even Peter's antics couldn't distract her from maintaining her no-sparkle bubble around Charlotte. She and Peter even engaged in some light sparring sessions, and although she got her ass kicked repeatedly, her bubble never wavered, staying firmly in place around Charlotte's body.
To mark the special occasion, Peter drove his prized classic car, which Bella had learned was a 1965 Mustang. With the top down and Bella seated in the back, Peter took off, grinning wildly, as they ventured out in the daylight for the first time. Their first stop was a charming residential community where Charlotte had grown up. Her family's home was still standing, and it was evident they had been well off, as all the houses on the street looked quite nice to Bella's eyes. This was the first time in nearly a century that Charlotte could visit her old home during the day. Her smile was radiant as she pointed out places and things that sparked a memory.
Later that night, they ventured to a rundown area of Houston for a meal together. It gave Bella the opportunity to see how Peter and Charlotte, as they termed it, 'hunted.' It was fascinating, and she was relieved to find herself agreeing with their choice of meals. She had to modify her own techniques, as she had been relying on her bubble more and more over the years. For her, it was truly a return to basics, using a lighter once again.
After the first month, Bella could honestly say it was some of the best times of her new life. Living with Peter and Charlotte was fantastic, and doing things with other vampires was a blast. She was so happy to finally have friends she could be open with who could keep up with whatever she wanted to do. Often, she found Peter and Charlotte to be even wilder than her, introducing her to new experiences.
From her admittedly poor start, Bella had steadily improved in her combat training. But it wasn't until her second month that she truly began to grasp the nuances of vampire combat. Although she still lost all of her matches, her progress was noticeable. Peter often nodded approvingly as she sparred with Char, her usual opponent.
Bella circled Char, her eyes locked on her friend, searching for any subtle movement that might telegraph Char's next move. She knew that keeping her eyes open and being aware of her surroundings was just as important, if not more so, than raw strength. She also understood that unpredictability was key; a trained fighter like Char could easily intuit what was coming if she didn't work to keep her off balance.
Faking a left, Bella quickly rounded on Char and kicked hard with her right leg. Her foot connected solidly with Char's midsection, but while Char doubled over in pain, she managed to grab onto Bella's right arm and flip her over her head. Bella went flying and scrambled to her feet as fast as she could, only to find Char already upon her.
Bella worked to dodge Char's punches and kicks, managing to block most of them. Spotting an opening, she went for it, but quickly realized it had been a ruse. As she felt herself falling forward, she braced herself for the inevitable. A second later, she felt the familiar sensation of Char's teeth on her neck. Despite the outcome, she smiled. Their fights were lasting longer now. She could anticipate moves and now understand why certain techniques worked and why others didn't. She could feel herself improving each and every day.
"Nice one. Let's go again," Bella challenged, a determined glint in her eyes.
She sprang to her feet and swiftly assumed her fighting stance, ready for the next battle.
One aspect of vampire life that had greatly surprised and delighted Bella was learning about their heightened sexual appetites and seemingly endless stamina. The idea of being able to go nonstop for hours on end made her wish all the more for someone special in her life. Char had promised to introduce her to some eligible vampire bachelors they knew, so Bella was keeping her fingers crossed, hoping to hit it off with someone. The prospect of finding a man who could fuck her into oblivion filled her with an overwhelming desire. God, she needed someone. Her fingers could only do so much.
Whenever Bella started to hear Peter and Char engage in their private time, she would jump out the window as fast as she could. She was a firm believer in the adage, "out of earshot, out of mind," and with Peter and Char being neither quiet nor shy, this was for the best. Despite her best efforts, she had unfortunately caught them in the act several times, both in the house and in their pool. While she certainly tried not to look, she couldn't help but notice that Char had much to be grateful for when it came to her husband.
One positive aspect of her friends' frequent alone time was that Bella knew they would be preoccupied for hours, giving her the opportunity to practice her abilities in solitude. She would often fly miles away, ensuring her scent couldn't be tracked, and find a secluded spot where she could let loose with her powers without fear of being discovered. This allowed her to continue honing her abilities without any distractions. Even though she could now control her bubble to an unbelievable degree, there was always room for improvement, and she didn't think she would ever stop working to better herself. When she felt it was safe to return, she would fly back to their house, always feeling more refreshed after expelling her built-up energy.
It was a couple of weeks before her third month of living with Peter and Char that Bella decided to take a long weekend away to give them some extended private time. She headed straight to Phoenix to visit her mom, excited to recount her experiences and newfound knowledge face-to-face. They had spoken over the phone many times, but this would be the first time seeing her mom in person since her visit to Orlando.
"Mom! I'm home," Bella called out, her voice echoing through the house as she stepped inside. She could hear her mom's heartbeat quicken from the bedroom, a rapid, excited rhythm that intensified upon hearing her voice.
"Bella! It's great to see you." Renée rushed forward, wrapping her daughter in a tight hug. She had missed Bella terribly these past months. Learning about the laws of vampires had been a shock to them both, and Renée had been eager to see her daughter again in person. After holding Bella close for a good minute, she pulled back to really look at her. Bella seemed genuinely happy, a wide smile lighting up her face.
"Come, let's sit down and catch up. I hope you have some pictures on your phone to share," Renée said, her curiosity evident. She saw Bella nod, pulling out her phone and wiggling it playfully. Renée's heart raced with anticipation; she was dying to see what other vampires looked like. She wondered if any could possibly be as striking as her daughter.
Bella spent the day talking with her mom, recounting everything she had learned. They discussed the rich history of vampires and their culture that Peter and Char had shared with her, including what she had been told about the Volturi. They looked up the castle on Google and neither could believe that's where the rulers of the vampire world lived. Bella eagerly detailed her fight training and the progress she was making, feeling proud of her daily improvements. Being home again felt wonderful, and the day was incredibly relaxing. Her mom hung on every word, eyes wide with fascination. She had always been a big fan of the supernatural, believing in all sorts of weird things even before Bella's transformation. They truly had a fun-filled weekend together.
Monday night, Bella hugged her mom goodbye and headed back to Texas. She still wanted to spend more time with her new friends, but she had also started thinking about the future. Some things were now not as clear-cut as they had been before she learned she was a vampire.
Bella still hadn't seen Charlie since her transformation. They spoke on the phone every couple of weeks, and he had been very relieved when she had finally gone back to stay with her mom years ago. However, she had still not visited him or told him the truth about herself. Her original plan had been to explain everything to him during a visit, just as she had with her mom. But now, knowing the laws, she realized that wasn't possible.
Bella was now 25, and she thought she could still pull off that age, but if she waited much longer, Charlie would start to suspect something wasn't right. Hell, she would already have to somehow explain away the changes in her appearance, but since it had been nearly eight years since Charlie had last seen her, she figured she could brush off the differences to the passage of time. This realization put a real clock on when she could visit Charlie, and she knew it would most likely have to be the final time she saw him in person. She decided she would go later this year. She wanted to leave him with a better last impression than that of the flighty girl who quit college to wander the earth, as he so often liked to remind her during their phone conversations in those early years.
Back in Texas, Bella threw herself into her training with renewed vigor, channeling all her effort into improving, just as she had done with her previous obsessions. To her delight, she noticed she was getting faster. Her movements became more explosive, and everything started clicking into place as she continued to train and hone her skills. All her hard work paid off when, at the three-month mark of living with Peter and Char, she managed to beat Char for the first time.
Bella advanced on Char, her punches and kicks a blur of lightning-quick movements. It was their fifth match of the morning, each one lasting longer than the last. This one was approaching 20 minutes, and Bella was loving the challenge. As Bella searched for an opening, Char skillfully countered her attacks, doing everything she could to evade Bella's relentless assault. Each of Bella's strikes echoed through the air.
Finally, Bella swung, but overextended herself, leaving an opening. Char seized the opportunity and pounced with a series of rapid kicks, forcing Bella to retreat and regroup. Bella's eyes narrowed as she honed in on Char's movements, searching for any opening. Char moved with a fluidity and grace born from decades of practice and real-world experience—something Bella still lacked. Char maintained a confident smirk, trying to psych out her friend, fully aware that the battle wasn't going well for her.
Bella, undeterred, redoubled her efforts, pressing her attack with renewed determination. She feinted a left jab, drawing Char into a counter. In a swift move, Bella shifted her weight and delivered a powerful right hook that connected with Char's midsection, the impact resounding like two freight trains colliding. Char staggered back, clearly in pain, but quickly regained her footing, her eyes flashing intensely as she tried to shake off the blow.
The two vampires clashed again, their movements a blur of speed and strength. Char's cunning and agility allowed her to slip past Bella's defenses, delivering a solid kick that sent Bella stumbling backward. But Bella recovered quickly, her eyes locked onto Char's.
As Char surged forward, Bella saw her opening and seized the moment, pressing her attack with a flurry of rapid punches that drove Char back. Despite Char's skillful deflections, Bella's relentless persistence began to overwhelm her. With a sudden burst of speed and power, Bella launched herself forward, her fist connecting with Char's midsection with such force that Char gasped, her body instinctively recoiling from the impact.
Sensing her opportunity, Bella pivoted and swung her leg in a powerful roundhouse kick. Char, still reeling from the punch, couldn't dodge the strike in time. The impact sent her spinning, and Bella seized the moment. Pouncing swiftly, she pinned Char to the ground, her face pressed into the dirt with Bella's teeth on Char's exposed neck. The taste of victory was sweet, and Bella couldn't help but feel elated.
Charlotte felt Bella hop to her feet. As she rolled over, she saw Bella's victorious smile spread wide across her face. Bella extended a hand to help her up, and she accepted it with a grin. She had to give it to Bella—her relentless dedication over these last few months had paid off. Charlotte truly respected her tenacity and fortitude. All the hard work and countless hours she and Peter had invested in helping their new friend were finally bearing fruit.
"Great job, little lady," Peter said, as the nickname he had given Bella had stuck. He watched as Char got to her feet, dusting herself off. Bella had certainly come a long way to be able to best Char—a feat not easily achieved. He smiled, seeing the face of a vampire who felt invincible. "Now, how about you show off those skills against me?" Bella's smile widened even further, her ruby eyes gleaming with confidence as she eagerly nodded.
Bella felt the aches and pains of battle coursing through her body. Char had really given her a beating before she had claimed her hard-fought victory. But hearing Peter's challenge, she disregarded the discomfort and crouched down, eyes locked on him as he mirrored her stance. They began to circle, each looking for an opening. When neither saw one, it became a matter of who would strike first. Bella took the initiative, her movements fierce and quick, forcing Peter onto the defensive immediately. The intensity between them crackled in the air, and the battle was on...
3 Minutes Later
Bella landed hard on her stomach, the force of the fall sending a plume of dust into the air. Some of it settled in her throat, causing her to cough. She hadn't failed to notice Peter's sharp teeth poised to rip into her neck. Still coughing, she managed a smile. Okay, maybe she wasn't an unbeatable badass yet, but she was getting there.
Life was good, and time seemed to fly by at Peter and Char's, but by the six-month mark, Bella began to think it would soon be time for her to depart. She felt a real need to see Charlie one final time, and then she was finally going to go abroad and see more of the world. Japan was at the top of her list after her visit to Forks. Peter had mentioned that some ancient vampires preferred swimming across the ocean to flying, as they felt more at ease in the water, and Bella was eager to try it herself. The thought of swimming across the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean filled her with a thrilling sense of adventure.
As the months passed, Charlotte could see Bella's fighting skills improving at an impressive rate. She now moved with the fluidity and confidence of a seasoned fighter, a level of proficiency it had taken her decades to achieve. Recognizing Bella's rapid progress, she had ceded the training matches to Peter, realizing there was little else she could teach Bella. Truth be told, she rather liked not getting pummeled day in and day out. Charlotte was amazed that Bella had never uttered a single complaint; instead, she took every beatdown and asked for more.
Today was like any other day, starting with Peter and Bella locked in a series of fierce morning battles. Afterward, she and Bella planned to head to a remote beach Peter and she had discovered long ago on the coast, hoping for some privacy. Beyond the sunbathing she eagerly anticipated, Bella had expressed a desire to learn how to surf, and she had offered to teach her. The novelty of going to the beach during the day still thrilled Charlotte.
The previous month, they had all taken a trip to LA, as Bella wanted her and Peter to experience the full effect of relaxing on the beach under the sun, surrounded by humans. Now that had been a crazy day. She and Bella had engaged in a playful contest to see who could get more guys to hit on them. She had beaten Bella hands down, though she was pretty sure it was because she wore a much more daring and skimpier bikini. It had been hilarious when one guy walked straight into a light post while staring at her, knocking himself out cold. Peter had gotten quite the thrill watching, knowing he was the only one who would be getting any action later that night.
Charlotte refocused on the battle at hand. The fight had been raging for what seemed like an eternity, but neither Bella nor Peter showed any signs of relenting. She loved watching Peter in action, even though she couldn't resist teasing him and openly rooting for Bella. It still amazed her that even while Bella was locked in what, at any other time, would be a true mortal combat match, she was still managing to make them all appear normal under the sun. She had asked Bella why she bothered blocking their sparkles at times like this when she didn't have to, but Bella had only smiled, saying she enjoyed the challenge.
Bella flew into the fence post, splintering it into shards before hitting the ground and rolling end over end. Her momentum ceased, and she shot back toward Peter in a flash. Locked in an epic battle, they had been fighting for close to an hour without either of them landing a killing blow. Char sat perched on one of the few remaining untouched fence posts, cheering from the sidelines, and to Bella's amusement, kept shouting out tips for her to take down her husband. Despite Char's enthusiastic coaching, neither she nor Peter had managed to prevail.
They had already destroyed a significant portion of the fence near the barn in their battle, and both of their clothes were torn in multiple places, evidence of the fight's brutal intensity. Bella aimed a knee at Peter's groin, but he moved just in time, causing her to hit his hip instead. The impact staggered him, making him briefly lose his balance. Seizing the opportunity, she jumped into the air and delivered a powerful uppercut to Peter's chin, the sound echoing like a thunderclap, surely loud enough to wake the dead. Before Peter could even land, Bella was on him, launching a relentless barrage of punches and kicks. Peter deftly deflected each of her blows before kneeing her hard in the stomach, causing her to stumble back.
Just as Bella readied herself to pounce back into the action, they both heard it...
It was the sound of Peter's phone ringing, safely held by Char to keep it from getting destroyed in the fray. Both Peter and Bella paused, stepping back as Char checked the caller ID. A smile spread across her face, and she tossed the phone to Peter. He caught it effortlessly, his own grin widening as he saw the name on the screen. Quickly, he hit the talk button.
"Howdy, Major," he greeted, his voice filled with genuine happiness.
Ah, it was his friend Jasper, the one they had told her so much about. Bella tilted her head slightly, straining to catch a hint of Jasper's voice, but he must have been speaking softly because she couldn't hear a thing from his side of the conversation. She noticed Peter's expression shift from cheerful to confused as he listened to his friend.
"No, nothing's wrong here. Char and I are fine." Bella watched as Peter listened, his initial confusion melting away and replaced by a growing smile. "That sounds great. Char and I will be happy to have you and Alice stay with us for a few days. Plus, you can meet our new friend Bella, who has been staying with us." He paused, listening intently before ending the call with a grin. "That's great. We'll see you two in 30 minutes."
Bella glanced at Char, who had walked up beside her as they both listened to Peter speak. After he ended the call, he turned to them with a big smile. "Good news. The Major and Alice are coming for a visit. They're already in Houston and will be here shortly." Bella couldn't help but return his smile, excited at the prospect of meeting two more vampires.
"That's great," Char intoned. "You'll like Alice, Bella. She's a real ball of energy. And who knows, maybe you can even get the Major to spar with you. He's the one man who can put Peter in his place."
Bella laughed, seeing the faux look of outrage on Peter's face. "How could you, Char? I let the Major win only out of a deep respect for my elders. Something you should always remember, little lady," he said, winking at Bella. "You've gotten pretty good out there. That last fight was a real barn burner."
Bella nodded happily, reflecting on how far she had come. She glanced at Peter, noticing he looked in pretty poor shape, his clothes torn and dirty. Looking down at herself, she realized she was no better off, covered in dirt with her shirt and jeans ripped in multiple places.
"I think we—or at least I—should go wash up," she said with a smile. "I want to make a good first impression with your friends."
Peter glanced down at himself and snickered. "You might be right. Come on, Char, you know I think Bella hurt my shoulder during that last fight. I really think it would be best if you join me in the shower and rub it while I get clean."
Char huffed, but a smile played on her lips as she winked at Bella, and the three of them headed back toward the house.
On the way back, Peter spoke up, his face reflecting a mix of confusion and consternation. "You know, it's weird that my knower didn't clue me in about the Major visiting. It has always gone off before when he was planning a visit." He shrugged, though the mystery still seemed to occupy his thoughts. Once inside, they split up, each heading to their respective rooms.
Bella walked into her room, shutting the door behind her, and looked at herself in the mirror. Yep, she definitely needed a good shower; she looked like she had been through a war zone. Stripping off her clothes, she opened her drawer and picked out a nice pair of blue jeans and a red top. Satisfied with her choices, she headed to her bathroom to clean up.
Just before stepping into the shower, she shook her head. Unfortunately, she could hear everything happening in the house, and it sure didn't sound like Char was working on Peter's shoulder at the moment. She quickly hopped into the shower, deciding to take an extra-long one. As the warm water cascaded over her, she tried to focus on getting clean and thinking about what it would be like to meet two new vampires.
I hope you enjoyed seeing the months pass as Bella made some lifelong friends. And considering they are all immortal, that's a pretty long life. The next chapter is one I'm sure you've all been waiting and hoping for: Alice and Bella together at last. Much will be revealed when the Seer meets the Shield.
I really enjoy reading your feedback, so comments are appreciated.
