Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Differences Between Us Make Us Special

By Midnight Dreamer

Chapter 06: Family they never knew

Edward and Isabella dressed for the funeral of a man who left them in the orphanage six years ago. Not sure exactly why they had to attend, they dressed none the less. Vicky had said it was the right thing to do. To pay respects to the man who helped bring them into this world, cause if not for him Vicky said she would have never met the two wonderful children. They couldn’t agree more. If he wouldn’t have given up on them; they wouldn’t have the large network of family and friends they have now.

Two hours later they were strapped into the back of Vicky’s Mazda Rx and was on their way back to the small town of Dellmark. Pulling up in front of the church where the services were to be held they saw several family members they remembered from the time they lived here.  They exited the car and each took one of Vicky’s hands. It was an agreement they had come to on the way there. Vicky would pretend to be the foster mom who they were living with. They didn’t want to see the looks of pity they would receive it everyone knew that they still lived at the orphanage even though they were extremely happy there. None of them would understand. A woman who looked a lot like their father approached them.

“You must be Edward and Isabella yes?”

Edward and Isabella nodded. They were unsure if the woman knew of their disabilities. Not like it mattered as long as the two were in the same room they could communicate as if they were like anyone else.

“Do you know who I am?” the woman asked again.

Edward and Isabella thought back to everyone they had met when they lived here but could not recall who she was.

“No ma’am I’m sorry we don’t.” Edward spoke this time.

The woman was taken aback at first but then smiled at the two.

“I am your aunt on your father’s side. His half-sister. We didn’t get along well so it is no surprise that he never mentioned me. Who is this lovely woman with you?”

“This is our foster mom Vicky.” Edward answered again.

This caused the woman to look at Isabella for a moment and then at Vicky. Edward could hear what she was thinking and relayed that to both Vicky and Isabella.

A foster mom, already so soon after his death. I didn’t even know they were placed in a orphanage yet. I thought one of the aunts were taking care of them.

So she didn’t know their father had placed them into the orphanage over six years ago. They must have really been out of touch.

“Oh I didn’t know they placed you already.”

Edward was unsure whether or not to tell the lady the whole truth. But as always Vicky covered for them.

“Why don’t we sit and talk after the service and the children can fill you in on what has been going on.”

“That sounds lovely.”

“I’m sorry but we didn’t catch your name?”

“Oh my, dear I am so sorry. My name is Renee. My husband Charlie is inside the church. I was looking for the children, my brother sent pictures but I haven’t received any since Isabella’s kindergarten photo. I just figured if I looked for two who looked like Edward and Elizabeth I would know right away who they were.”

“Well Renee, it is a pleasure to meet you and perhaps the children can fill in any blanks that you have over the missing years, after the service. Let’s all get inside it looks like they are about to start.”

Isabella grabbed tightly to Vicky’s hand. She was unsure whether to trust this Renee woman. Edward seemed pleased to have family that actually seemed concerned for them. He wondered why they never met her. He made a mental note to ask.

(E&B)

The service at the church ended quickly. Everyone seemed sad to see the passing of Edward Senior. Many came over to give their condolences to the children. Edward knew most were just for show. Aunts and Uncles who have known where they were for the past six years would plaster on fake frowns and say even faker I’m sorry’s. It was all a show for the rest of the on lookers who had no idea where the two only children of Edward and Elizabeth Masen have spent their last six years.

They rode to the cemetery outside of town to lay him to rest next to the mother they didn’t know. Edward was only two years old when she passed. He never blamed Isabella. In fact it made him love her more to know that he still had a visible piece of his mother with him. More fake tears were shed. Soon the funeral was over and the rest of the attendees were heading to one of the others houses for some type of dinner. Vicky of course declined the invitation. As they headed to the car they were once again stopped by Renee and a man they assumed to be Charlie.

“Would you like to go somewhere and grab a bite to eat? I know the others are heading elsewhere, but I just don’t feel very welcome there as I don’t really know any of them.” Renee asked.

“I know just the place to go. Follow us.” Vicky said getting into her car.

Edward and Isabella smiled for they knew exactly what Vicky was thinking. It was the one place they could all be themselves. A small cafe’ not but a mile from the orphanage. The baker Louie always let the kids try anything new he had. He made it a special once a week on Fridays when he knew the three would be in.

Upon entering the shop the three took their usual seat at a booth in the corner. Renee and Charlie joined the three sitting across from them. Renee looked around smiling as she took in the atmosphere.

“It is a very lovely place. You come here often?”

As if hearing her question Louie arrived at the edge of the table wearing a large smile and carrying a tray of what looked to be freshly baked pastries.

“Edward, Isabella, Miss Vicky. To what do I owe this special pleasure? I am sure it is not Friday.”

He placed the tray down on the table. Edward and Isabella smiled at Louie and each took one of the warm pastries.

“No Louie it is not Friday, I fear the children have received bad news. Their father has passed. Drunk driving accident. We just left the funeral and decided to grab a bit to eat while they get to know their Aunt Renee.” Vicky put emphasis on Aunt Renee.

Louie knew the truth about them and how special they were. It was after one of their many visits that they decided to fill Louie in on their secret. They sat in the booth and waited till closing that day and told him. He didn’t seem at all surprised. After that he was like the uncle they never had. Louie winked at Vicky and smiled at the kids.

“I will be back with your usual drinks. What can I get for you two?”

“Tea will be fine thanks” Renee said.

“Coffee for me.” Charlie said.

“Be back in a jiff. You kids enjoy those I have been working on them for days awaiting your weekly visit.” Louie grinned and made his way back to the counter.

“So I can assume you do come here often.” Renee giggled.

“Yes we come here weekly it is something we enjoy doing together. That and Louie has kind of adopted the pair as family as well.” Vicky said with a proud smile.

“Well that is lovely to know that the children are well loved and cared for.” Renee said seeming almost sad.

“Now as we mention back at the church you said you haven’t heard word of the children in what would it be…five years?”

“Yes the last Pictures Edward had sent to me was Five years ago. I believe it was Isabella’s school photo. After that I haven’t heard a word from him until I got word of his accident.”

“I see. So you have no idea of the children’s whereabouts since then either?”

“What do you mean they have been with Edward?” Renee looked shocked.

“Edward would you like to take it from here?” Vicky asked looking like she would get angry if she continued.

“Yes ma’am I would. Miss Renee we haven’t lived with Edward Senior in over six years.”

Renee looked shocked at this revelation.

“Where have you been staying with one of your Aunts?”

“No Miss Renee we have lived at the Orphanage for most of the five years. Except for a short period of time where we were taken in by a lovely couple called the Duvall’s. That only lasted a few months until their son James went all crazy and killed them.” Edward said this all very clinically so as to distance himself from the memory.

“Oh my dear. Were you children hurt at all? Where is this James now?”

“No need to worry Miss Renee. We were not hurt and James is in an institution for the criminally insane. Sargent Andrews keeps us updated and we are glad he is receiving help.”

“That is good to hear I suppose. So you are staying with Vicky now.”

“Um about that. I am not their foster mom. I actually work at the orphanage where Edward and Isabella remain in residence.” Vicky looked sheepish for her admission.

“Why would you say that you were their foster mom then?” Renee seemed confused.

“Most of the town do not know where we have been. Only that we no longer lived with Edward. They most likely were told we were off at some boarding school to save face. Only family knew what truly happened.”

“I didn’t know.” Renee seemed to get mad at this. “He never said a word to me.”

“I’m sorry Miss Renee. We didn’t even know you existed until today.” Edward replied.

“Well if that don’t beat all. I knew my brother was a stuck up ass but to throw his children away like yesterday’s trash is unbelievable. Did he ever tell you why?”

“He never said anything to us but we know why.”

“Why?” she looked truly curious. Edward wasn’t sure if he should tell her. He looked to Vicky and she just shrugged. He looked at Isabella and when she returned his look he knew it was time.

“He gave us away because he couldn’t deal with our disabilities as he put it.”

“Disabilities I don’t understand he never said anything about any disabilities to me, and you both seem perfectly fine to me.”

“Well Renee I will help the children out with this part seeing as it is hard to believe. It is not that they have a disability that most would notice. They can cover it rather well when they are together. But if you got either one alone it would be noticeable. You see Edward here is deaf, and young Isabella is mute.”

“Mute…i thought she was just shy?”

“No I assure you she is very much mute.”

“And Edward he doesn’t seem deaf. He answered any question I had as if he heard me perfectly.”

“Yes he is very gifted as is Isabella. Both can read lips and speak in sign language.”

“So they can communicate well with those around them? I don’t see that as a cause to give them up.”

This made Edward and Isabella swell with pride. Someone who didn’t see them as a disability.

“Well apparently your brother didn’t feel the same.” Vicky snarked back.

“I’m sorry for my brother’s behavior but I am not him.” Renee remarked back.

Louie chose that moment to arrive with their drinks.

“Coffee for Vicky and the gentleman. Tea for the lady and hot cocoa for my two favorite employees.”

Edward and Isabella smiled. Louie nodded to them and disappeared back into the kitchen.

“So…” Vicky started.

“So…I would like the chance to get to know Edward and Isabella if that is alright with them?”

Edward and Isabella’s heads snapped up and looked at Renee. Could they do that? Could they let someone else into their inner circle? They weren’t one hundred percent sure but they felt they should give it a try.

“If you leave your phone number and address I believe we could make an effort to get to know you. Isabella is an avid pen pal.” Edward said.

“I would like that very much.” Renee pulled a small notepad from her purse, writing a few lines she handed it over to them.

“Washington??” Edward asked.

“Yes Edward. Charlie and I have lived there since we were kids. That is where your father and I were born. Your grandparents still live there.”

“Grandparents??” Edward looked at Isabella.

“Yes didn’t you know?” Renee looked shocked.

“No ma’am we didn’t. Edward had told us that they were dead. The only family we knew of was our mother’s side. And when she passed giving birth to Isabella even they turned us away. We had only father until he gave us away too.”

“Oh my…you poor children. Well hopefully we can rectify this situation and you can one day meet them also.”

“That would be wonderful wouldn’t it Isabella?” Edward asked smiling again.

Isabella nodded her head. When Edward looked up he noticed it had begun to rain outside. He looked back at Isabella and saw the tears streaking her face. He reached a hand out to her. She grabbed his hand and slid into his side. Renee watched the two interact and found that the two had an extremely strong bond. She knew at that moment that no matter what no one or nothing would break these two apart.

“Well we must be heading back now; I think Mrs. Tanner will be worrying.” Vicky said bringing the group out of the solemn bubble that seemed to envelope them.

“Yes we too must be going our flight leaves in less than an hour. Please keep in touch. Send any pictures you have and keep us updated. We truly do wish to get to know the both of you.” Renee reached her hands out and placed them on each of their hands. Giving a slight squeeze. They left together after paying the bill. Going their separate ways. Upon returning to the orphanage there was a renewed energy to the three, as if they knew that this was going to turn out to be something good.