CHAPTER TWELVE
Since Waylon was handling the repairs, the only thing Bella and Charlie had to worry about was the living room furniture, but they decided to wait until the repairs were done.
It was still early—not even ten am so Charlie suggested they finish up chores. "The lawn is looking like hell with all the foliage. I'll get the leaf blower and the rake out. "It's dry out, so the timing is perfect.
"I've never used a leaf blower, Dad, but you can teach me."
"Alrighty, let's do this."
By noon, the yard cleanup was done, so Charlie suggested they go out for lunch and take the new truck out for a spin. He allowed Bella to drive to Port Angeles and applauded when she was able to back into a parking stall in one go without using the backup camera.
"Great job, kid! Most kids wouldn't be able to do that. That driver's ed teacher in Arizona must have been top-notch."
Not really, Bella thought. It had been her father who taught her how to back into stalls and parallel park the first time around.
"Thanks, Dad," Bella replied.
They had lunch at a BBQ joint in Port Angeles, then headed back to Forks because Charlie needed bait for fishing. This time, her father took the wheel. "I'm fishing with the guys tomorrow, but I'm hesitant to leave you home alone after the incident with Edward. Why don't you come with us?"
Bella considered this. She really didn't know how to fish, but part of her agenda was to spend more time with her father. So, she replied with, "Sure. I don't know how to fish."
"We'll all teach you, don't worry. I think Lieutenant Lahote is coming along. Sometimes, Paul or Sam tag along."
"Oh, are Paul and Sam brothers?"
"Of a sort. They are stepbrothers, and they get along well. Lieutenant Lahote is married to Sam's mother. Paul is Lieutenant Lahote's son, and Sam is Allison's son."
Bella considered this information. She was pretty sure Sam had lived with Emily the previous time, but then again, she knew nothing about Paul except that he had a temper. Of course, that was not too long after he had phased for the first time. And when she really thought about it, why would the pack have shared sensitive family information with her? She had dated the enemy during her first foray into Forks. Bella thought it was arrogant of her to even consider that they would have been chummy with her.
"So, they all live together on the reservation?" Bella asked.
"Until recently, yes. They lived together in the bigger Lahote house, but I believe Sam moved into Allison's old house, which they kept. Sam lives there with his fiancé Emily."
"I see. I was just curious."
"It's okay to ask questions, kiddo. Now, let's head to Newtons."
XOXO
Later in the afternoon, Bella and Charlie went to the homecoming game. As the chief of police, it was his duty to stay engaged with the community. He kept Bella close to him because he was still wary after last night's events.
Lauren and Katie sat with them as they watched the game. At some point, the girls decided to hit the refreshment stand. "Just make sure you stay together," Charlie advised.
"Okay, Daddy. I'll see you soon."
Bella was cold, so she ordered a hot cocoa. "Make that two," a male voice said from next to her. It was Paul. "Hey."
Now, if Edward's smile was sweet and boyish, Paul's smile was devilish and devastating.
"Hi," Bella greeted her new friend.
Paul paid for the two beverages, and they stepped away from the refreshment stand. "I wanted to make sure you were okay. I heard what happened last night from my dad." He reached out and caressed the bruise on her jawline. "I can't believe he did that to you."
"I know, but everything is cool now. There's a restraining order in place."
"Good." Paul looked down at his feet, then seemed to muster up his confidence and asked, "Do… Do you want to hang out together sometime? Maybe go to the movies or something. I mean. I don't have a license yet, but I bet I can ask my mom or my brother to give us a ride to Port Angeles or something. We can…"
Bella reached for Paul's hand to stop his rambling. "I think that's a great idea. You tell me when. I'll give you my number."
So, the pair exchanged phone numbers before going back to hang out with their friends, who consisted of the kids from both the baseball and softball teams.
"Do you play baseball, Paul?" Bella asked.
"Are you kidding me?" Paul looked nonplussed.
"He's the catcher," Lauren explained.
"Cool. I had no idea. New girl, remember?"
"Oh, yeah."
"Anyhoo," Lauren continued. "We're all going to the annual Halloween party at the La Push Tribal Center. Are you coming?"
"I suppose I can. I'll have to ask my father."
"Say you'll come, Bella," Jenny Cameron pleaded. "It's a ton of fun, and it's one of those events that promotes community relations between La Push and Forks, so it's really important to the tribe."
"Sure. My dad told me I have a great uncle and aunt on the reservation, so I don't mind doing my part."
"Oh, yeah? Who?" Paul asked.
"Dad calls him Uncle Quil."
The Quileute kids gasped, and then Jenny said, "I think Mrs Ateara used to be a Swan."
"Yeah, I think she was my grandfather's sister. I haven't met them yet. Or I might have, but I was too young to remember."
"Well, then, definitely join us."
XOXO
The following day, Bella joined her father when they went fishing. Lieutenant Lahote brought Paul along, and they joined them in Charlie's boat.
Meanwhile, Billy Black joined Harry Clearwater and a man Bella didn't recognize on another boat.
"Hey, my dad said you were coming along, so I thought I'd join him. I hope you don't mind," Paul said.
"Not at all. I'm glad you came. I don't know how to fish at all."
"I'll teach you."
"Cool."
XOXO
It turned out Bella was a dab hand at fishing, especially after her father explained that it was similar to swinging a bat. "Hold the rod off to your side, open the bail, bring the rod back, and release the line. The object is to keep the lure and line parallel with the water," Charlie explained.
"So, kind of like stopping at the point of contact with the ball?"
"Exactly."
"Easy peasy," Bella said as she cast the reel.
"Haha! She's a natural, Charlie," Harry Clearwater called from the other boat.
"Who are the people with Billy?" Bella asked because she technically hadn't met Harry yet.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Bells. That's Harry Clearwater, and that's Joe Cameron. You, of course, remember Billy."
"Hello." Bella waved to the other boat.
"Hi, Bella!" They waved back when she was suddenly tugged forward. Paul reached over and put his arms around her to steady her.
"She's got a big one. Help her reel it in, Paul," Lieutenant Lahote instructed. "Reel down first; now, pull the rod up, reel down again."
"Dad, I've been doing this since I was eight," Paul said.
"Yeah, well, this is Bella's first time."
Bella heard someone yell, "Keep the pressure constant."
"Give it some slack again. It's a big one," Charlie said. "Bella, don't tense up your wrist so much. Hold the butt of the rod up against your forearm."
"You got it, kid. Keep going," Joe Cameron yelled from the other boat.
She wasn't really paying attention. She was more focused on the feel of Paul's hands on hers as he helped her reel in the fish. His fingers brushed against hers as he slackened the line and then put more tension into it. When the fish was next to the boat, he gave her hand a squeeze and said, "Keep it steady. I'm going to net the fish for you."
Paul released Bella, though unwillingly, and netted the fish for her. There was a huge round of applause from everyone and lots of congratulations for Bella.
That looks to be at least twenty pounds. You caught a big one, Bella," Charlie said, giving her a hug.
"Damn! I guess we know what we're all having for dinner tonight," Lieutenant Lahote said.
"Hell, yeah." The guys in the other boat said.
They caught several more fish, mostly trout—and divided their catch between everyone. "Hey, dinner at my place?" Harry Clearwater offered. "I think we've got enough here to feed even your family, Joe."
"Probably."
"Sounds good," Charlie stated. "I think the kids have a Halloween thing tonight anyway."
"Yeah, they do."
They headed home after that. Bella took a quick shower and changed. She wore her black leggings and a black sweater, then topped it off with a black headband with cat ears on them. Emma made them for her one day when she was feeling artsy, so Bella kept them. It was as good as it was going to get as far as a Halloween costume was concerned.
Bella and Charlie headed to Harry's house, where she met Sue, Leah, and Seth. Leah looked very sad, and she wondered why. But then Sam entered the house, and she realized the reason. It was because Sam had imprinted on Emily and abandoned her.
"Hey, I'm Bella." She held out her hand.
"Hi," Leah said morosely.
"Leah!" Jenny Cameron walked into the house. "You've met Bella. She's our new first baseman. Leah used to play first base. She just graduated in June."
"Oh, yeah? Are you playing college ball now?" Bella asked.
"No, um…"
"Leah had an incident with her prick ex-boyfriend. He asked her to marry him, then disappeared for two weeks, broke up with her, and then moved in with her cousin."
"Oh, wow." Bella now felt Leah's pain. She remembered how it felt when Edward had broken up with her, and she didn't want anyone to feel that pain. At the same time, she understood how Sam had no control over what happened. He turned into a wolf and found his mate. And as Bella understood it, wolves had no control over who their mates were. They called the phenomenon imprinting.
"You know. You should come out and practice with us. It might make you feel better," Bella suggested.
"No, I don't think…"
"Yeah, come on! I'm going to run next door and grab my gear," Jenny said.
Before Leah could protest, the three of them were outside playing catch. Bella was borrowing a glove belonging to Jenny's older sister. Eventually, Charlie and Paul joined in, and although it would still be a long road, Bella was happy to see a smile on Leah's face.
XOXO
After dinner, the kids went to the Halloween party. Paul had stuck by Bella's side during dinner and afterward at the party. Like the other night, they danced and hung out with their friends.
"So, my dad said Sam is your stepbrother?" Bella asked.
"Yeah, his mom and my dad got married when I was nine. My parents are divorced, and I haven't seen my real mom since I was seven years old. We moved here from Seattle when I was eight. But for all intents and purposes, my stepmother is my mom."
"That's awesome. My parents have been divorced since I was a baby. I mostly lived with my mother until this year," Bella explained.
"If you don't mind me asking, why did you move back in with your father so suddenly? Not that I mind. I'm really glad you moved here," Paul said, reaching for her hand.
"Well, my mother remarried over Columbus Day weekend. Unlike your stepmother, my stepfather is not a nice guy. Fortunately, my father was around, and he filed for emergency custody. So, now, I live with him."
"That's awesome. I'm glad your father was around to look out for you."
"Yeah, me, too."
And they talked and danced for the rest of the night. Sometimes just the two of them, sometimes in a group. They joined in another line dance when Big and Rich's "Fake ID" played. And when Bella finally went home that night, she had a smile on her face.
XOXO
Bella brought her mirror into the bathroom so that she could talk to Taha Aki. Since she still had no bedroom door, there was really no privacy except in the bathroom.
"Hello, Mr Aki," Bella called.
"Hello, Bella. You've had a busy few days."
"I have. I met a boy."
"And a very nice boy, too."
"Thank you for telling me to scream the other night. I was terrified."
Taha Aki nodded. "I imagine you were. Now, let's talk. First of all, I think you're doing well in fixing your mistakes. Sending Edward Cullen in the direction of Angela Weber was a stroke of genius and also an unexpected kindness."
"Well, I figured that if I kept egging him on, he might become obsessed with me just to prove me wrong. Plus, I don't really think I'm his mate, despite what Alice Cullen told me; otherwise, how could I develop such an active disgust for him?"
Taha Aki nodded. "Very perceptive of you, little one."
"I think vampires don't have their mates assigned by the spirits, unlike the wolves. Because Carlisle chose Esme, Rosalie chose Emmett, and Alice chose Jasper. So, it goes without saying that Edward can choose whoever he wants. Right?"
"Exactly. So, is it possible that, during the first time around, when I made all my mistakes, Edward and Alice were using some kind of vampire trick on me? It occurred to me that I was so clumsy that I couldn't even walk without tripping, and it also dawned on me that somehow, I had been persuaded to abandon all the things I love, like my family, friends, and softball.
"Last night, I recalled something Edward had said when I first discovered he was a vampire. He said he was the world's most dangerous predator and that everything about him invited me in, including his voice, face, and smell. As an addendum, I'd like to say if Jared Cameron ever became a vampire, they'd have to work on that voice."
Taha Aki laughed at that last comment before his expression became serious. "It is our belief that Edward, and especially Alice, used powers of persuasion innate to vampires on you. That's one of the reasons why you were given a second chance."
"But now that Edward has been straightened out, what do I do about everything else. Are there going to be other incidents? What about Victoria, James, and Laurent?"
"I do not know the answers, but I can tell you the timeline has changed significantly. Nothing is guaranteed."
"I'm so confused."
"Yes, I know, but you need to just do what comes naturally to you. Goodnight, Bella."
"Goodnight, Mr. Taha Aki."