Chapter 39: Doubt and Truth About Past Families

Faye POV

While waiting for Rose and Emmett to arrive, Robyn decided to take a shower and change her clothes. She left the bedroom door cracked open, so I wandered into the living room and plopped onto the couch. The TV was on, playing Supernatural . I couldn't help but snort at the irony of watching a show about monsters and hunters, given our current reality. Ivy, on the other hand, was completely engrossed.

When Robyn came downstairs, she was holding a pen and paper. I tilted my head towards her feeling a bit confused. Ivy groaned in annoyance, clearly invested in the show as I looked away from the screen.

What's that for? I asked, gesturing to the notepad.

Robyn blinked, then smiled. "It's for Charlie. I'm leaving him a note so he doesn't worry when he comes back to an empty house."

I nodded in understanding and turned back to the TV, earning a pleased murmur from Ivy, who was thoroughly engrossed in the episode, clearly thrilled to finally watch it now that I was finally looking back at the screen.

Once Robyn finished writing, she joined us on the couch. Her eyes widened when she realized what was on the screen, and she let out a snort. "The irony is hilarious," she muttered, shaking her head.

I smirked and nodded, equally amused. Yep. Couldn't make this up if we tried.

Shh! I'm watching this, and you two are ruining it, Ivy huffed. I like this show. It's almost as good as SpongeBob! Almost…

Robyn chuckled softly, shaking her head at Ivy's dramatic declaration. "High praise coming from you. I didn't think anything could top SpongeBob," she teased, leaning back against the couch.

Nothing can top SpongeBob, Ivy shot back, her tone indignant. But this comes close of what I watched so far, so shh.

Robyn and I exchanged a small chuckle but stayed quiet, letting Ivy soak in the episode. I decided to switch control with Ivy so she could watch it more comfortably which she seemed to greatly appreciate.

After a few minutes, I decided to continue the conversation with Robyn. Did Rose and Emmett say when they'd be here?

She shook her head. "Not exactly. Just that they were on their way."

I sighed, I feel like it's taking forever.

"You're just being impatient—it's only been, like, 20 minutes," she said with a smirk. Then, after a pause, her expression softened. "But you're not wrong," she admitted with a small, wavy smile. "I want everything to go smoothly." She ended with a quiet sigh, her shoulders sinking slightly.

I nodded my head in agreement. I knew the feeling. This would be our first time going out with Rose and Emmett— together, as a family. The thought was both exciting and terrifying. I didn't want anything to go wrong. What if we messed something up? What if they got tired of us? Or worse… what if they realized we are too much after all?

My stomach twisted at the thought, and from the corner of my eye, I noticed Robyn fidgeting with the pen in her hand. She let out a sigh, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "They won't get tired of us," she said firmly, though I could still hear a trace of doubt lingering in her voice.

I made a surprised noise. How did you know what I was thinking?

She let out a small chuckle. "You accidentally mind-linked me some of your thoughts."

Oh.

"Yeah," she said with a soft smile, twirling the pen between her fingers. "Like I said, they won't get tired of us. They wouldn't have invited us out if they didn't want us around, right?"

I guess, but.. I hesitated, my thoughts spiraling again. I knew what she was trying to say, and part of me wanted to believe it. But the doubt was still there, heavy and persistent.

What if they only want us around because they don't want to deal with the effects of being apart? Like last time…

Her expression softened, and she placed the pen down, leaning closer. "You're worried it's just obligation. That they're only doing this because they have to."

I let out a noise affirming what she said, the words sticking in my throat.

Robyn placed a reassuring hand on my head. "It's not like that. You've felt it too, haven't you? The way they look at us? I'm not sure what that look is… but something I do know is that they care about us."

I wanted to believe her. I really did. But the weight of my doubts was hard to shake.

Before I could respond, Ivy, still staring at the TV, let out an amused snort. Relax, you too. Rose and Emmett like us. You could probably trip and break a priceless vase, and they'd make sure you're okay first—and then make the vase apologize to you for being in your way.

Robyn and I both burst out laughing, the tension breaking like a snapped string.

"I don't think she's wrong," Robyn said with a grin, her voice lighter now.

Yeah, okay, I said, smiling despite myself. Maybe we'll be all right.

Not maybe, Ivy chimed in, eyes still on the screen. Definitely. Now hush, you're ruining the good part.

With that, we settled down and quietly finished the episode. Once it ended, Ivy let out a dramatic sigh and said she was bored, so we decided to switch back.

To pass the time, Robyn and I decided to play a game we'd made up—mind Rock, Paper, Scissors. It was simple but fun. We'd count down from three, and on zero, I'd mind-link my choice to her while she called hers out the regular way. It was a weird twist on a classic game, but it kept us entertained.

Again!

"Okay, ready?" Robyn asked, her eyes glinting with playful determination.

I nodded. Ready.

"Three, two, one… zero!"

Rock! I sent the thought confidently, only to see Robyn held out her hand in the unmistakable shape of paper at the same time .

I groaned in defeat as Ivy burst into laughter.

I told you to pick scissors, but nooo~ Ivy teased, barely containing her giggles. You just had to stick with your whole 'Nothing is better than rock' philosophy. She mimicked my voice dramatically, making Robyn snort.

Pouting a little bit, I grumbled under my breath, I still stand by that statement…

Ivy let out a snort, This is the fifth time you lost in the four game we just played. Feeling determined I looked back at Robyn with a stubborn stare.

Again! I will win this-

Before I could finish my sentence there was a knock at the door making us look at it. I tilted my head up and gave a good sniff.

Campfire and wood.

Emmett.

Go ahead and open the door, I said softly.

Robyn glanced at me, her brow furrowed, looking both confused and slightly tense.

It's okay, I assured her. It's Emmett.

At that, her shoulders relaxed, and she nodded before heading to the door. I stayed close behind her, not wanting her to feel alone. When she opened it, we were greeted by Emmett's excited grin.

"Hey! Are you ready to go?" he asked enthusiastically.

Robyn smiled shyly and nodded. "Yeah, we are. Let me just…" She turned to grab the leash off the hook and after I gave a nod she quickly clipped it to my harness. We agreed that whenever I'm in dog form, I should at least wear the leash when we go out—for appearances.

Without a moment's hesitation, she scooped me up into her arms, holding me firmly but gently.

We stepped outside, heading toward the car parked in the driveway. Rose sat in the driver's seat, a pair of sleek sunglasses perched on her nose. She looked effortlessly cool—so much so that I couldn't help but admire her. My tail began wagging before I could stop it.

Rose noticed and chuckled softly. "Well, someone's excited," she teased, her smile warm and amused.

Meanwhile, Emmett swung open the back door with a dramatic flourish, bowing deeply. "Your chariot awaits, my ladies."

Robyn giggled, immediately playing along. "Thank you, my good man," she replied in an overly regal tone as she climbed into the back seat, still cradling me.

I let out a contented huff as I nestled into her lap. The energy in the car already felt light and safe, and for the first time all day, my nerves began to settle.

Rosalie cleared her throat, drawing my attention to her. She offered me a small, apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, little bear. I looked everywhere in my room, but I couldn't find your clothes. If you want, we can pick out some new ones when we get to the mall."

I shook my head quickly, saying no, which earned me a few confused glances. Sliding off Robyn's lap and onto the seat beside her, I looked up at her. Do you mind taking off the harness?

Her brows furrowed, a flicker of confusion crossing her face, but she nodded and reached to unclip it. "Uh, okay," she murmured, her tone uncertain.

Once the harness was off, I glanced out the window, double-checking to make sure the street and sidewalk were clear. When I was certain no one was around, I let the shift take over. The change was seamless, my body morphing back into its human form in the blink of an eye. I stretched slightly, adjusting to the familiar sensation before glancing up to meet the others' stunned expressions.

Their wide-eyed shock made me laugh softly. "I—uh—finally finished the spell to keep my clothes on when I shift," I explained, a grin tugging at my lips.

The silence lingered for a beat before Emmett broke it with an excited laugh. "That's awesome!" While Rosalie blinked, shaking her head as if to clear her surprise. "Well, I guess that solves the clothes problem," she murmured, her lips quirking into a warm smile.

Robyn let out a breath she'd been holding and ruffled my hair playfully making me swat her hand away. "You could've given me a heads-up. I thought something was wrong!"

I chuckled softly. "Sorry, I just really wanted to see your reactions."

Their laughter filled the car before Rosalie spoke up, her voice light but firm. "Alright, enough surprises for now. We've got a 30-minute drive ahead of us, depending on traffic. Buckle up, everyone."

Robyn and I nodded, quickly securing our seatbelts as the car began to roll forward. With that, we were off, the hum of the engine settling into a comfortable rhythm.

Rosalie's gaze stayed fixed on the road, her hands resting comfortably on the wheel, while Emmett lounged in the passenger seat, exuding his usual playful energy. He turned briefly to glance at us in the backseat, a teasing smile already forming. "Alright, so what's the first thing you two want to do when we get there?"

Robyn and I exchanged a quick, uncertain look before she broke the silence. "Wait," she asked cautiously, "what do you mean? Aren't we just getting a haircut?"

Emmett twisted in his seat, a mix of amusement and confusion flickering across his face. "What? No! We're making a day of it." His grin widened, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "You know, like a proper family day out."

Rosalie's lips twitched upward, her gaze flicking to the rearview mirror to catch our reactions, though a faint line of confusion crossed her brow. Emmett's grin faltered slightly when he noticed how stunned we both looked. "Is that okay? Why do you two look like we just told you we're going skydiving?"

I glanced at Robyn again, unsure of what to say. Her expression mirrored mine—caught somewhere between shock and uncertainty. After a long pause, I finally cleared my throat. "It's okay," I began hesitantly, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my overalls. "It's just… neither of us ever really had family days before."

Emmett blinked, the light in his eyes dimming just slightly. "What do you mean?" His tone was softer now, the usual buoyant energy replaced with genuine concern.

I sighed, keeping my gaze down. "For me, it was foster homes. My foster parents only took me places if it made them look good—like they were checking a box to prove they were 'responsible.' Anything else didn't really happen."

Emmett's face fell, the cheerful sparkle in his expression all but gone. I risked a glance at Robyn, offering her a small, encouraging smile. "You don't have to say anything if you don't want to," I murmured.

Robyn hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper when she spoke. "My parents… they only spent time with me if it was convenient for them. Usually, it was at business dinners with clients or events where I had meet potential marriage partners which was usually a client's son who was way older than me." She looked away quickly, but not before catching the way Emmett's jaw clenched and Rosalie's grip on the steering wheel tightened just slightly.

Trying to soften the tension, I decided to ask, "I mean, what about Charlie or Renee? Did they ever do family stuff with you in this life?"

Robyn offered a small, apologetic shrug. "Charlie's busy with work most of the time. When he's home, it's kind of… awkward. He prefers staying in. And Renee…" Robyn trailed off, biting her lip. "She was always off being 'free,' chasing new hobbies. Sometimes we'd go shopping, but it was mostly just her trying on clothes. I don't know if that counts."

The car fell silent again, but the quiet felt heavier now, like the weight of unspoken anger and sadness hung in the air. Rosalie's lips pressed into a thin line, her knuckles pale against the steering wheel, while Emmett's shoulders sagged for a brief moment before he straightened up, determination flickering across his face.

"Well," he said, his voice bright with forced cheer, "that all changes today." He turned fully in his seat, a wide grin spreading across his face as his gaze softened. "This is our first official family day out. You know what that means?"

Robyn and I shared another glance, still cautious. "What?" we asked together.

"It means," Emmett declared, "that today is about you . Whatever you want to do, we'll do it. Besides the haircut, obviously. So?" He raised an expectant brow. "What's going to be on the list?"

Our eyes widened in surprise, and I could feel Ivy's excitement bubbling up within. Deciding to take over, Ivy's voice came out bright and eager. "I want to see the food court! Me and Faye agreed on a bacon burger!"

Hearing Ivy's enthusiasm, Robyn relaxed a little. Even Rosalie smiled warmly, her voice soft as she said, "That sounds like a great idea, little pup." Ivy nodded her head seemingly satisfied before giving me back control.

Emmett nodded in agreement seemingly happy, then turned to Robyn. "What about you, little bird?"

Robyn blinked at the nickname, most likely still unused to the way it made her feel cared for. She fiddled with the hem of her shirt, hesitating before speaking. "Well… I'd like to get a video game. Something I can play with you guys."

Emmett's face lit up, his grin widening. "Now that's what I'm talking about!"

He turned his attention to me next noticing my brown eyes peeking through my bands, he smiled. "And what about you, little bear?"

I took for a moment, my expression thoughtful as I thought about what I would like to do. "Well, I'd like some nice books to read. Maybe some fun fact books. And… a new family game to play. Something other than Uno," I added, my voice a bit hopeful.

Rosalie glanced at her with a soft smile. "That sounds lovely, baby bear. Of course we can do that."

Robyn hesitated again before chiming in. "If we're going to the bookstore… can I get a new comic? I'd like to have something to read." She paused, her voice dropping slightly. "If that's okay?"

Emmett laughed, reaching back to ruffle our hair playfully. "Of course it's okay! We can find something awesome together."

Robyn and I couldn't help but exchange a small, tentative smile. I could feel myself starting to get a bit excited of how this day is going to go. "How about we start with haircuts, then hit the game store, grab some food at the food court, and end with the bookstore for comics and books?" Rosalie suggested, her eyes focused on the road.

I practically bounced in my seat, my excitement mingling with Ivy's, causing me to nod eagerly. Robyn's amused chuckle filled the car. "Yeah, that sounds perfect," she agreed with a warm smile.

I caught a glimpse of Rose's warm smile as she kept her eyes on the road, quietly listening to the conversation. Emmett was enthusiastically listing his favorite comic book characters, while Robyn jumped in with her own picks, playfully teasing him with hints about upcoming superheroes.

And me? I could hardly wait until we arrived.

End notes:

I hope you enjoy this chapter! Sorry if this chapter is somewhat boring, I needed this chapter to get to the next chapter. Don't worry, the next chapter would be when they get their haircuts! There will also be some drama and fluff in the next one so be prepared!