"I'm surprised Edward wasn't glued to your side," Abel says as he walks through a Floridian airport with Bella to visit Bella's mom with her. He's always seen Renée as his aunt.
"He wants to get back on your good side," Bella says, not knowing Edward's ulterior motives of sending Bella across the country to Florida. "And Mom's missed you."
"ABEL?" Renée grabs the teen up and she yanks him into a right, warm, loving embrace. "Oh, my God!"
Abel laughs emotionally as he hugs Renée back. He hasn't seen her since he was ten and Renée visited Hilarie when she and Jason were separated. That was a good year. The abuse was worse than ever when Jason and Hilarie got back together.
Renée pulls away first and she looks Abel over. "You look just like your mom, thank God," she says. "Oh, I miss Hilarie so much."
"I do, too, aunt Renée," Abel replies. "All the time."
"Oh, it's so good to see you again," Renée gushes. "I can't wait for you to meet Phil. I think you'll love him! Come on, come on!" She grabs Abel and Bella by their hands and she drags them and they quickly grip onto their bags before they're left behind.
*****
"I never saw Uncle Charlie more relieved when Edward suggested I go instead of him," Abel says to Bella as they walk along the beach near Renée and Phil's house. "I don't think he trusts in."
"Neither do you," Bella says.
"I have my reasons for not being Edward's biggest fan," Abel says. "He's controlling, he's an ass, he's selfish... but I won't come between your relationship because I know you love him."
"He's not that..." Bella trails off when she sees Abel's face. "He'll change once I'm a vampire. He is the way he is because I'm human and he thinks he's protecting me."
"That means nothing, Bells," Abel says as they walk back across the sand toward Renée and Phil's house. "Emmett isn't controlling. He has green flags all around him. He's not controlling, he's not an ass, he's only selfish in sex. I hope Edward does do better when you're dead."
"Don't think of it that way," Bella pleads.
"How else am I to think of it?" Abel asks. "You'll be dead before you've lived."
Bella says nothing because they find Renée sitting on a lawn chair. Abel goes inside and he sees one of Phil's trophies on the mantle and he goes to look at it.
"They're not championships, but..."
"These are good ranked trophies, Phil," Abel says. "You'll get a championship trophy soon enough."
"God, I hope so," Phil replies. "I'm glad you came down, Abel. Renée really wanted us to meet and when Bella called to say that you were coming down with her to Jacksonville, Renée was beyond thrilled. She told me all about your mother."
"My mother was one of the best women I ever knew," Abel says. "Died defending me."
"A hero's death, huh?"
Abel smiles softly. "Exactly," he replies as he joins Phil on the couch and the man pours him some lemonade. "I miss her, but I know she's found Peace because she died a hero."
"Good mothers are better heroes than the ones in the movies," Phil utters and Abel hums in agreement.
Abel's glad that Phil's not saying 'sorry for you loss' or 'I'm so sorry about your mother' like everyone else likes to do. He was glad when Renée only brought up how he looks like Hilarie and how she misses her so much.
Phil and Abel focus on looking outside where Renée and Bella are sitting and talking.
