Summary: The Swans have a precious secret that they most protect at all cost. What happens when the family moves to Portland, Oregon and come across their own kind? Will they let their guard down? In Italy, The Volturi are beginning to notice something peculiar happening with some vampires. Will love, hope, and resilience be enough for the Swan family to prevail over their enemies?
"Nobody, who has not been in the interior of a family, can say what the difficulties of any individual of that family may be"- Jane Austin
Stephenie Meyer owns everything twilight related.
Chapter 1
As the rain began to grow heavy against the windowpane, Bella could not shake the feeling that something didn't feel right. She felt a sense of uneasiness, as she sat with her knees tucked under her chin in her little alcove enclosed by her emerald green curtains.
Bella and her family just relocated to Portland, Oregon about a week ago from Buffalo, NY. She is not sure where this sense of dread is coming from, but she is positive it has nothing to do with the move.
Change in environment is usual for her family and absolutely necessary. Her father had resided here many years ago, before Bella was born, before he met his beautiful wife.
He normally doesn't like to show too much emotion but Bella remembered seeing the excitement pour out of him when he had found the perfect home for them.
Staring out the window and deep in thought, Bella jumped at the sound of her mother knocking on her door, "Darling, you're going to be late if you don't start getting ready".
Bella rolled her eyes and leaned her head against the window listening to the rain as it turned into a soft pitter patter. "Isabella, I don't hear you moving around," her mother said in a low voice from the kitchen.
In this house, there is no need to yell, her mother is on the first floor but Bella can hear her as if she was standing in her room. Not wanting to irritate her mother she started her habitual routine.
Bella enjoys routine, she thrives off of it.
Relocating is something she is not able to control, but how she does her hair, her style, and how she carries herself is. It is all about the small details, they are the most important to her. The moment she sits in her vanity it's her world.
Her style inspiration comes from her mother, most young ladies don't want to be anything like their mother but Bella is very fond of hers. Her mother is benevolent, gracious, and proper.
Bella wishes she could be more like her mother but at times rebellion rears its ugly head. Bella likes to get a rise out of her mother sometimes, test her patience just a bit. Bella and her father have a rather close relationship, he unquestionably dotes on her. She is the only child, so all their attention and time goes directly to her.
Bella decides on a half up half down hairstyle, with a few wavy strands to frame her round face. She has thick chestnut brown hair, her mother always says a woman's hair is her crowning glory. Bella adds a delicate black bow as the final touch and goes straight to her walk in closet.
She decides on a white button up, rolled at the sleeves and tucked into a simple black skirt. She placed a thin creamy cashmere sweater on her shoulders, dainty jewelry and her basic brown watch. She slipped on some white ankle socks and Mary jJanes to complete the look. When she was satisfied she grabbed her brown leather backpack and headed for the kitchen.
Bless my mother's heart Bella thought as she made her way around the upstairs balcony, heading for the stairs. Her Mary Janes made a rhythmic tap as she walked along the hardwood floors.
Her mother chose a soft moss green floral design, a pimpernel pattern for the upstairs wallpaper. At first Bella was not a fan, but now Bella is starting to see her mother's vision.
The wallpaper is very elegant and compliments the historic doors and their trim, her mother had all the hardware on the doors changed to a bronze goldish shade.
Beautiful family paintings line against the wall on the floor, waiting to be set up in their perfect spot.
Bella runs her fingers over the banister, taking her sweet time, and enjoying the small details her mother has placed in their new home.
This home is by far the richest in character than any other home they have lived in, Bella was anticipating nothing but opulence and elegance when her mother was finished.
The grandfather clock struck full of chimes as she made her way down the last step, right on time Bella thought.
"Are you nervous about your first day?" her father asked as they sat at their little breakfast nook. Her parents insist on having meals together though they don't eat. So mealtimes consist of Bella eating and her parents watching.
"No, not really," She replied as she played with her toast.
"Bella, please don't play with your food, it's not ladylike" her mother said from the other side of the table.
"I know how much you enjoyed Buffalo, but I hope this place can bring you some happiness," her father said rather optimistically as he turned a page to the newspaper he was reading.
"I'll like it here too, I know I will," She replied, sipping on her coffee, completely bored of the conversation.
"Do we need to discuss any rules, maybe that's the wrong word, but guidelines while you're at school"? Her father asked.
"Blend in," Bella said, simply.
"Exactly," Her mother replied, "Honey she will be just fine, stop worrying".
"I just want to make sure everything goes smoothly, while we are here," her father said, folding the newspaper and placing it on the table.
Bella could see that her father really loved being here and she would make sure everything fell according to plan so they wouldn't have to leave early.
"I have a good feeling about being here" Bella said the lie fell from her lips before she could stop it. She placed her hand on her fathers and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Her father in response stood up and gave her a substantial fatherly hug.
"Bella, while you're at school I'll be working on the house, if you need me just call me" Her mother broke the silence as she started cleaning up the dishes.
Bella's mother will usually choose her role depending on her mood during the move. She has ultimately decided to fill the stay at home mother role while we are in Portland. When we lived in Buffalo she worked as a librarian at the local library, which she thoroughly enjoyed but would like a break from.
"I'll be at the firm today until about 4" her father chimed in, gathering up the newspaper scattered on the table. Her father has been an architect for as long as Bella can remember. As the family moves, he will temporarily join firms creating designs that fit the time and region. His career allows him the ability to create beautiful buildings that will be almost as permanent as him.
After all the love yous and kisses, breakfast was finally over.
Bella grabbed her things and headed for the door.
"Don't forget your umbrella" her mother called out. "Also take my car, not yours" she added.
Bella wishes she could take her car, but her mother is right, it will draw too much attention. The goal of her family is to try and blend in, it's crucial for them if they want to stay as long as possible in one place. Her Bentley Continental is out and her mothers older model Audi Q7 in.
She grabbed her mothers key off the hook and headed out the front door, almost slipping on the porch that was wet from condensation and rain.
Oddly enough, Bella has some issues with being clumsy, her mother used to struggle with that before her change.
Once she composed herself, she carefully walked down the stairs to her mothers car.
The home has a beautiful wrap around porch with big white pillars, a porch swing, and big bay windows. The front door really ties the home together, with its carvings and a single large pane set into the upper portion of the door. This home is elegant and timeless.
The sky was covered with dark gray clouds, the rain had subsided for now but given the overcast Bella didn't think it would last.
Rich dark trees enveloped the road as far as the eye could see, creating a tunnel-like effect. The roads were extremely wet and Bella was driving carefully but she didn't want to be a student that was late on the first day.
Using her phone's GPS, Bella was able to find the school rather quickly, traffic was not as congested as she originally thought.
She pulled into the students parking lot, but had a hard time finding an open spot. It felt as though she was driving for an eternity when she finally found one.
Of course, the spot she found was rather far from the school.
Once she was parked, she stepped out of her car and pulled out a cigarette and lit the end.
She rarely smoked, it bothered her mother dearly.
Bella felt that maybe this would help calm her uneasiness. She kept out of sight, not wanting to get caught and took in her surroundings. Her mothers older model car was still one of the nicest cars in the parking lot.
So much for blending in, but at the moment she saw a rather flashy silver Volvo further up near the entrance. Bella's mother had a Volvo at one point, but wasn't a fan.
Bella took the cigarette and rubbed it out on her sole. Realizing she is going to be late if she doesn't get a move on, she starts her long walk to the school's entrance.
As Bella was walking, she took time to admire the beauty of her new school.
Quite unexpected for a public school, the building was made out of red bricks with white fixtures and many large windows.
Franklin High School was engraved on a stone right in front, this school by far was larger than her last school she attended.
There was a mix of students hanging around the front entrance and others racing into the school. As Bella stood there that feeling of uneasiness was starting to grow stronger.
Was she nervous about her first day?
Or was this something completely different?
Bella took a rather deep unneeded breath and walked into the schools double doors.
There you have it! I love this story already and I'm excited to see this story unfold and I hope you are too!
I plan on publishing a new chapter every week
Till next time!