Fate

High Days & Holidays

Bella

The BBQ was in full swing, Mom insisted that we were to sit with the Whitlock's, being both neighbourly and welcoming. Basically saying if they were friends with the Chief and his family they were good people. Small town politics were alive and kicking right here in Forks. The Doctor and his family hadn't arrived yet and I found that strange, Peter mumbled something about making a damned entrance and I thought that a little odd. If you were different wouldn't you want to blend in rather than draw attention to yourself? Jasper and the other two certainly hadn't.

"Damn, I've never seen Rose dress down before, normally she tries to blow the socks off folks," Char said quietly, but I heard even if nobody else did.

"She's a changed woman, Char. Sees more than just her own reflection nowadays" was Jasper's equally quiet reply.

"Is she really beautiful Jasper?" I ask trying not to let the twinge of jealousy I felt to the surface.

His head whipped around, realising I could actually hear them. But before he could answer my father said,

"Wow, she's like one of those model types from your magazines Ren. But her boyfriend looks like he could throw a mean curve ball!"

"That's Emmett, Charlie. That boy's into electronics and all that newfangled stuff" Peter said and I could still feel Jasper's eyes on me. Everyone rose as the four approached and I felt Jasper's hand on my elbow and heard him whisper,

"I prefer brunettes, not blondes"

"Hey what's wrong with blondes?" Char demanded,

"You, my dear sister-in-law are the exception to the rule" he answered, smacking a big sloppy kiss on her cheek and she laughed.

"Unhand my wife, you smooth talker!" Peter demanded laughing and I think they did it on purpose to distract everyone's attention from the Cullens.

Mom was the only one besides me and Chucky who hadn't met them all yet. Esme was charming and had a lovely way about her that put everyone at ease.

"Hello again Bella dear, are you enjoying the day?" she asked before introducing me to Emmett and Dr Cullen,

"Yes, thanks, Mrs Cullen it's been good so far" I replied smiling at her and held out my hand waiting for her to take it,

"It's Esme sweetie," she said patting it and giving it a small squeeze.

Emmett had thrown his arm across Rose's shoulders and sent their scent straight at me so I knew where they both were and turned to say,

"Hey Rose, how are you?"

She laughed and asked how I did that and my father sniggered. Telling them about how I recognised people by their smell and then regaled them with the story of Mike Newton and our first day at kindergarten. Also telling them I could pinpoint places of origin too, by their voices. So the thought they try me out and I knew Dr Cullen thought he had me fooled by his Americanised speech.

"Okay, Emmett's from Tennessee, Rose is New York State, Esme from Ohio, all three Whitlock from Texas, but not all the same place, Jasper's from Houston definitely and of course Dr Cullen is from London, England!" I say, hearing the gasps from all of them.

"If you were to guess little britches, where do you think?" Peter asked and it was almost as if he himself wasn't sure and his endearment made it more obvious to me at least.

"Brownsville for you I'm sure, Somewhere around Big Bend for Char, maybe, but that's just a guess okay. I'll think on it a bit and give you a better answer later okay?" I say giving Char a hug and hear a little sob from her.