Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Differences Between Us Make Us Special

By Midnight Dreamer

Chapter 08: Visiting with Family.

Summer was closing in fast. Edward and Isabella were looking forward to this summer over every other one in the past. The reason for this is because instead of staying at the orphanage they were going to be spending the summer with Aunt Renee and Uncle Charlie in Washington. This would be their first trip out of the state of Illinois. Edward couldn’t wait to see what there was to do out west. Isabella was looking forward to her time out there but wasn’t too thrilled with the idea of constant rain. Edward would chuckle at her every time she brought it up.

“It’s not like you’re gonna melt like the wicked witch Bella…”

“No but I may melt like sugar cause I’m so sweet.”

“Yeah okay…nice try. I know better than that you can’t lie to me remember.” Edward said tapping his temple.

“Yeah whatever Eddie. You know you love me.”

“Of course I do. And you love me too.”

“As always brother you are correct.”

“I wonder if we’ll make any friends out there this summer.”

“Of course we will Eddie, with your stunning looks and my award winning personality we should be swarming with friends before the summer is through.” Isabella said with all seriousness.

They both looked at each other for a moment and then burst into hysterical laughter.

“I don’t know how you said that with a straight face.” Edward said while trying to catch his breath.

“I didn’t say it genius I thought it so of course I could keep a straight face.” Isabella was laughing also.

Even though no sound came from her lips you could see the joy and happiness dance in her eyes. It was how she expressed herself. If you couldn’t tell by lookin at her you could tell by the weather. It would seem a little less dreary or slightly brighter than normal. Edward wondered how her emotions would affect the weather patterns in Washington. It was always raining and if Isabella was extremely happy sometimes she couldn’t control how it changed. How would they explain it going from rainy on second to bright and sunny all of sudden? Needless to say Isabella had been wondering the same thing. But that didn’t stop the raging happiness welling up inside of either of them for the upcoming trip to spend the summer with the only blood family they had left.

(E&B)

Summer had finally arrived and they were all packed and heading to the airport. Vicky was sad to see them go but they would return two weeks before school was to start again. So she too would get time to spend with them over their vacation.

“Good luck out there. Be careful and look out for each other. Don’t let anything happen to one another and come back to me in one piece.” Vicky called to them as they boarded their flight.

To any on lookers she would appear to be their mother sending them off somewhere for the summer. To a camp maybe or to visit grandparents they haven’t seen in a while. The truth was that she was in their mind the mother they never had. They still loved the memory of the mother they never knew but Vicky was the one to raise and take care of them over the years.

Once seated on the plane Edward took out a book on the state of Washington that Vicky had purchased for him so he could read up on the state. Isabella on the other hand pulled out a stack of letters with blank paper, stamps, and envelopes. She apparently didn’t plan on falling behind on her return replies to all of their friends. She even went as far as to ask if she could give them Aunt Renee’s address so she could get letters in return. Renee had said yes obviously. Edward never was one for writing. But he figured since Isabella couldn’t speak her mind she felt the need to voice it on paper. It made sense to him. They both settled in for the long 3 ½ hour flight.

(E&B)

Upon landing in Seattle they disembarked and got their luggage. They stood by the receiving gate looking for Renee or Charlie. They weren’t sure who would be picking them up, just that someone would be there to get them. Isabella was using a nearby seat to stretch her leg muscles out from having to stay seated for so long. However she did manage to have a stack of outgoing mail to be dropped off at the post on the way to the house they would be staying at for the summer. Suddenly some called their names. Edward looked to Isabella and she was staring at the door way. It was Granma Masen who came to get them. Both ran to hug her. She wrapped them both in a hug and then leaned back to look them over.

“Boy you two have grown like weeds. I swear you are even taller than the last time we saw you at Edward’s party.”

“Granma you know we kids do that right? We grow.” Edward said while chuckling.

“Yes dear I guess you are right. I just wish you didn’t do it so fast.” Granma said as she led the pair to an old beat up red Chevy truck.

“Granma why do you drive this old beat up truck?” Edward asked.

“Well Edward you see, your Grandpa built this truck for me years ago out of scraps and parts he found at an old junk yard down in La Push.”

“La Push?” Edward asked.

“Oh that’s the reservation on the outskirts of town. You’ll see, we plan on takin you kids to the beach while your here. I’m sure Charlie will talk you into going fishing with him and his friends down there. They are a real nice bunch of kids.”

“Fishing really. I read about the Reservation in the book Vicky bought for me to read on the way here. Are the legends true? Do they really turn into werewolves and stuff?” Edward and Isabella both looked excitedly at Granma. She shook her head and chuckled.

“You kids should know better than to believe everything you read. They are just old tribal stories told by the elders to amuse the children of the tribe. They have been told and passed down through the centuries. Perhaps Charlie’s friend Billy will regale you with a few legends while your here.”

“That would be so cool. Wouldn’t it Bella?” Edward looked like he could explode. Isabella nodded excitedly at the idea of seeing a real reservation and hearing stories told about their culture. That was one of her favorite things. She loved to read up on all different kinds of civilizations. From the Incas to the Ethiopians. She loved it all. History was her favorite subject as well as English and Science.

Soon they pulled into the drive way of a two story farm house. It was just on the outskirts of a town called Forks, but not close enough to Port Angeles, to be considered part of it. Just past the house on the other side of the road you could see a driveway leading up into the trees.

“Granma who lives up there?” Edward asked Looking through the trees to a large white house up on the hill. It was far enough away that you could only see the outline of the house but close enough that you knew it was big.

“That Children is the Cullen house. No one goes up there though. You will meet Dr. Cullen at the hospital when we go to visit Grandpa later. They work together. He is a real sweet man. That wife of his is a real doll too. She works in the cafeteria at the school, but part times at the hospital kitchen.”

“Wow. Do they have any children?”

“I don’t think so dears I haven’t seen any. If they do perhaps they are older and already out of the house. I heard that they have fostered lots of children over the years. You see Mrs. Cullen can’t have kids. It is sad really.”

“That is, but I’m glad that they foster. I know a few kids who would have loved to come live in a house like that.” Edward told her.

“Would you have like it?” Granma asked sadly.

“No Granma I don’t think that is something Isabella and I would have liked at all. We love the orphanage and all the kids who come through there.” Edward said takin Granma’s hand. Isabella came up on her other side and wrapped her arms around her waist. Granma smiled at both of them and lead them into the house.

“Well your rooms are at the top of the stairs it shouldn’t be to hard to figure out who’s is which; you Edward you have your dad’s old room and Isabella you have Renee’s old room.”

Edward and Isabella found their way up the stairs to the rooms that would become theirs for the summers from now on. They spent the rest of the day exploring the farm and surrounding area. Around supper time Renee and Charlie showed up. Charlie struck up a conversation with Edward.

“So Edward your police officer friend said you were interested in law enforcement?”

“Yes Sir.”

“Well I just so happen to know the Chief of Police in Forks rather well if you would like to go spend some time down there and look around, you know get a feel for it.”

“Wow Charlie really. You really know the Chief of Police. Do you think he would let me look around and maybe go for a ride in the cruiser?”

“I can guarantee it.”

“Oh Charlie stop teasing the boy.” Granma scolded Charlie causing Edward and Isabella to laugh.

“What Charlie is trying to say is that he is the Chief of Police in Forks and that he wants you to come spend the day with him at the office tomorrow? It is bring your kid to work day and since we don’t have any children of our own he thought he would ask you since you seemed so interested in it.” Renee said.

“That would be awesome, but what about Isabella?”

“She could come too if she would like?”

“What do you think Isabella?” Edward asked looking expectant at his sister.

“No Edward you go ahead and I will find something to do around her with Granma, I have absolutely no interest what-so-ever in law enforcement.”

“Isabella said she would rather stay here with Granma if that is okay.”

“Sure. I am positive Granma can find something for them to do. Can’t ya Granma?” Charlie asked.

“Oh I’m sure I have just the thing to keep Miss Isabella as happy as a clam.”

“Then it’s settled I will be here at 7 am to get you Edward and then we won’t be home till supper so pack a lunch. Believe me you don’t wanna eat something out of the wheel of death.”

“Wheel of death?” Edward asked.

“That is what I and the guys at the station call the vending machine at the station. I don’t know who makes that stuff but god is it awful.” the face Charlie made had everyone at the table laughing.

It wasn’t till after supper was long over that Grandpa got home from the hospital. It was getting late and Edward and Isabella said hello and good night all in one breathe. Hugging all four of the adults the two headed upstairs to bed. Once in bed Isabella started talking to Edward.

“Do you really wanna go with Charlie tomorrow?”

“Yeah I really do. I love law enforcement. I want to help people when I grow up. What about you? What do you want to do when you grow up Bells?”

“At first I wanted to be a teacher. But now I think I want to work with homeless and foster kids. You know like Vicky and Mrs. Tanner.”

“That would be awesome Bells. We could be a team. I could help the kids get to you and you could help them find the right families for them.”

“That sounds wonderful Edward. I hope it really happens. I would hate for us to become like Renee and Dad were. Where we never speak and don’t know much about each other.”

“I will never let that happen Bells and you know it. Now let’s get some sleep we have a big day tomorrow. I can only imagine what Granma has up her sleeve to keep your mind occupied.” Edward chuckled.

“Yeah she is a crazy old bird… ain’t she.”

“Yes she is but it only makes me love her more.”

“Ditto big brother, ditto.”

With their first day in Washington at a close; Edward and Isabella fell asleep dreaming of the things they wished they would become when they grew up. Little did they know that all that would change in the days to come.