Claiming a Swan

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven
Present...

It was a tense drive to the campground the following weekend. Aster took her sour mood with her. Bella hadn't meant to snap at her that day - everything in her life seemed tense...

They had scheduled the camping trip at the beginning of the month, it was the middle of November, and fallen colored leaves layered the camping sites. It was brisk out, she clutched her coat tighter somehow thinking that would make her warm up faster.

Bella hadn't said a word to Carlisle.
She felt like the weekend should be between Aster and her. She helped unpack their belongings and started setting the tent.

When she was younger she would often camp with Charlie over the summers. So she knew what she was doing. In a couple minutes - the tent was set up and Aster had made up the cots. They were all set.

Aster went to look for firewood. Bella was feeling out of sorts. Wishing there wasn't tension between them and didn't know how to alleviate that tension, when the truth was she was going to cause more by the end of it.
She decided on taking a walk to clear her mind.

As well as helping in collecting firewood. Rubbing her hands together, she walked down the path.

The campsite was secluded out in the country.

Bella wasn't worried about the mysterious figure that was going after a couple nights ago - and she didn't think the Volturi would follow her - if it even was the Volturi. It struck her how she wasn't worried about it, right then, when her real problems at the moment concerned her more than the supernatural.

After several minutes, bending down and collecting loose twigs and large sticks of wood - Bella made her way back to the campsite. She saw Aster was already back - just starting up a fire. "We have a fire." Aster spoke minimally.

"I'm sorry, Aster." Aster remained content - staring at the fire.

"I'm sorry for snapping at you.
Everything has just been really chaotic recently..."

"I understand, I just felt like I did something wrong."

"You didn't. I'm the one who snapped."
Aster sat up from her chair, and grabbed Bella's hands and clasped them. "I love you, Bella." Aster declares.

This makes her tremble... tears falling down.

"I love you too." Aster embraces her. Finding comfort in her.

"Now let's enjoy this weekend."

Bella couldn't agree anymore with the statement.

***

The fire grew to enormous heights, yet the chilled air fought with it till the flames were doused, and nothing but crackling embers. Aster and Bella retreated back into the tent. Beside each other, tucked into their cots beneath sleeping bags, their backs to the ground and their faces gazing upon the stars.

Bella blinked till her tiredness consumed her.

While Aster propped herself up on her elbow, watching Bella fall asleep.

Petting Bella's head till she heard snores.

She glanced at the bottom of her palm.

A fly sat upon it...

There it stayed till morning arose.

And when Aster and Bella woke the next morning - it went unnoticed as the fly's heart had quit beating when it had landed on Aster...