Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Protecting Maddie

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 08:

BPOV

I walked back to the house 10 minutes after Peter left me sitting there. Maddie was asleep in Alice’s arms. It was still pretty early for her to go to bed but she had been through a lot. I made some Mac and Cheese and brought it to her in the living room. She woke up the minute I sat down. I cast a curious glance at Jasper and saw him shrug his shoulders. I wasn’t sure how I felt about him manipulating Maddie but if it kept her calm… I wonder if he could keep her calm all night. Give her a night of rest. Maybe she could sleep in. My baby has been through so much the past couple days. Both of our lives have turned upside down. Our safe happy lives. We only needed each other right? I mean we had friends and relatives but it was really the two of us. We were one. We were a team. We didn’t need anyone else.

I wasn’t avoiding life. Just because he fucked my brains out, the fucking cowboy thinks he can psychoanalyze me. He doesn’t know shit about me! Except of course how to give me mind blowing orgasms to the point that I can’t walk.

“You okay Mommy?”

“Yes baby.”

“I was worried about you and was going to come after you but I got very sleepy all of a sudden.”

“It’s okay baby. You need your rest.”

“So do you. Are you going to eat? You need to eat and then we can go to bed. Aunt Alice told me Jasper set up our bed in one of the bedrooms. You can eat and we can go to sleep.”

Our bed. It was, wasn’t it? Was I babying her by sleeping with her all the time? I mean I have been because of the nightmares but was I planning on doing this forever? One day she was going to grow up and my bed was going to be very lonely. How long would it be before she left me for bigger things? Or worse, how long before she turned down bigger things because she was afraid to leave me alone?

I really didn’t have a life of my own, did I?

“Where did Peter go?” I asked Alice.

“He walked towards the back. I think he is in his work shed working on a car.”

“He works on cars?”

“Yeah, classics. He’s pretty good at it too.”

I don’t know why I was surprised that he had hobbies. I guess there is a lot I don’t know about him.

“You like him don’t you?” Maddie asked me now sitting by my side and eating her Mac and Cheese.

“Of course I do sweetie. He’s helping to keep us safe.”

“No, you really like him. That’s why you were upset. You really like him and you think Dad would be mad about it, right? That’s why you were crying?”

“No, Maddie. I don’t think Dad would be mad.” Maybe I did.

“I don’t think he would. Are you scared I would be mad?”

Damn it. I wanted her to go to bed. Not asking about my feelings towards Peter.

“Would you?” I asked her. I noticed Alice and Jasper had slipped out quietly and it was just the two of us.

“I don’t think I would. I am not really crazy about him, I mean he thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is, but he does protect us, and he is obviously crazy about your butt and…”

“And what sweetie?”

“He is the only guy I’ve ever known who can make you smile when he walks into a room. You look so happy Mom. It’s hard to explain. I don’t know if I like him. But I like the way you are around him. I’ve seen the smile you have in the pictures of you and Dad. I never saw that smile on you that I can remember since Dad died. Not until you met him. It’s kind of neat to watch. And I wouldn’t be mad about you being happy. Even if it is with a sparkly vampire guy.”

I wanted to cry. But I had cried enough.

“I’m going to bed, Mom. You can come when you are ready. Go talk to him. He seemed pretty upset when he stomped in the front and went out the back of the house. He moved so fast it nearly freaked me out. But after the past couple days it takes a lot to freak me out now.”

And with that Maddie was gone. The princess has spoken. Now to carry out her orders.

I opened the door of the workshop. I heard the sound of metal being bent in the workshop. I walked as quietly as I could, even though I knew he would hear me. Probably already did. I saw him under the hood of a red sports car. Looked old.

He stood up but didn’t turn toward me. I guess I came out here. This was my show.

“I’m a single mom and I don’t know if I will ever be able to become a vampire. I am a widow and I still get choked up over the thought of my dead husband. I have a daughter who is half angel and half demon. But if you are willing to give us a chance, then I can be brave enough to do the same. If you want me I will put my heart out there for you. Do what you want with it.”

That’s all I had. I don’t know what else there was to say. I was very nervous and very scared and kind of excited.

I never saw him move. I just found myself in his arms and his mouth on mine. When he let me come up for air he smiled down at me.

“Glad you came to your senses. I’m gonna make you laugh and be happy and feel loved and I will do the same for your daughter. I’m also gonna kill the motherfuckers out to get her. As soon as that is done, I am taking you on a date.”

I had to laugh. “Fine cowboy. Let’s go inside and check on my daughter and then maybe watch some TV?”

“Am I gonna have to watch some chick flick while you cuddle into my side and tear up over some lady getting cheated on by her husband and sister?”

“Maybe…”

“Sounds like a plan.”

---

I was glad she was giving me a chance. But I knew this wouldn’t be easy. She did sit on my lap and we talked quietly in that rocking chair while we watched Maddie sleep. Bella started yawning. It was easy to forget how tiring these past couple days have been for her. We had a lot to talk about but it could wait till morning. If she was gonna give me a chance I was gonna do this right. I had one shot at true happiness in my existence and I wasn’t going to fuck it up. She fell asleep in my arms and I gently picked her up and lay her next to Maddie. I pulled the covers over the two of them and stood over the bed watching them. Breathing in and out in perfect rhythm with each other. They were beautiful. I saw Alice slip in. She stood next to me smiling down at the two.

“Beautiful isn’t it?”

“Yeah they are.”

“I mean the love a mother has for a child. And the love she returns. She really is a sweet kid, Peter.”

“I guess.” I allowed. “I mean I suppose she can be. She asked me the other night if I wanted a pillow and blanket to sleep on her floor.”

“They would do anything to make each other happy.”

“Yeah, I think I have figured that out.”

“You are going to be a part of that.”

“You saw this?”

“Yes, I have had visions tonight based off decisions Bella and Maddie have made. And I see her as a vampire again.”

“What makes you think she will be a vampire? She will most likely stay human for her daughter.”

Alice smiled. She knew something.

“What?”

“What makes you think she will have a choice in the matter? What’s meant to be is meant to be whether we are in her life or not. She was always meant to be a vampire. Besides what makes you think Maddie won’t one day…”

“You saw this?” I asked, emotions ranging between outraged and hopeful.

“I have seen brief visions of it Peter. But not because of us. She will be a vampire by choice because she will never leave her mother.”

“Never?”

Really? Never?

“No. Not her mother and not…”

“What?”

“Not you. Give it time Peter. All things are going to happen as they should. My visions of the future can change based on changing decisions. But some I have had for a long time. Some visions nothing can change. I first saw Bella 40 years ago as a vampire in a vision I had. It was brief. Bella and I laughing by a stream in the mountains. I always assumed she would be a vampire I met in the future. Until I saw her for the first time in Forks. Edward didn’t want to hear it. He hoped that vision would change. He thought he could stop it. But those visions, Peter, those visions don’t change. There was also another vampire by the stream with us. She looked a lot like Bella. I was braiding her hair. A young lady maybe 18. She was as beautiful as Bella. When Maddie was born I understood then.”

“You plan to change them?”

“Only if they ask. But I don’t think it will be me. I don’t think they will ask. Maybe Maddie will when she is older. If she does I imagine it will be Bella who does it. But not Bella. Bella, I don’t know how. But she will be a vampire. I have known it before I ever met her. Before she was born.”

I had to take a minute to digest this. This was a lot. How much else shit did Alice know that she wasn’t saying?

“How much more shit are you keeping to yourself?”

“Nothing else. I haven’t told Bella about her or Maddie because it is pointless and there is no reason to worry her. You can’t fight fate. If I saw their deaths I would fight it with my whole being. But being a vampire. I will stay out of it. She would try to stop Maddie the same way Edward tried to stop her. These visions Peter, they can’t be changed. All we can do is love them and be with them through the trying times.”

“Still, we should tell Bella about this.”

“I will one day. But she has enough to worry about now, don’t you think? I haven’t seen Maddie being a vampire for at least another ten years. Plenty of time to talk about it. At least I know she will be alive in ten years. Charlotte and Garrett were in Louisiana. They will be here in the morning.”

“Any visions on the lady behind this shit?”

“Nope. But I am looking. Very hard. I don’t like this threat. Did you know Maddie is my Goddaughter? She is as close to a child as I will ever have and I do not like her being threatened. I want her to have a happy life. As a human or a vampire.”

Alice walked out. I leaned over and kissed Bella on her cheek. I hesitated a second and decided to do the same to Maddie. I walked into the living room to see Jasper sitting staring at the wall.

“Sending some of your happy juice in there?”

He nodded. “I don’t plan to make a habit of it but the little girl is on edge and so is her momma. They both been through some emotional shit today. They need their sleep.”

“Can’t disagree with you there brother.”

“You did good tonight with her, Peter. But you aren’t home free. You realize this right?”

I nodded. “I do. I’m just gonna try to make her happy. That’s all I can do.”

“Just don’t push it Peter. Let it happen naturally.”

“Good advice. You want to watch some TV?”

“What time is it?”

“1 AM. Where is Alice?” I asked him.

“Hunting.”

“Cinemax?”

Jasper nodded. “Cinemax.” He said with a smile.

Alice returned 3 hours later ending our B movie Skinemax marathon. She was not impressed. I argued the merits of Lord of the G String being as good as Lord of the Rings. Throbbits beat Hobbits any day in my opinion.

She though Bikini Beach Shark Attack was not the masterpiece I held it to be. The woman has no taste for fine cinema.

At 7 AM, I heard them arrive. They didn’t drive. They ran. Walking in without knocking I saw Garrett and Charlotte. She still looked great but her huge tits now held little appeal for me.

“So what were we called here for Jasper? Peter need to get an eyeful of Charlotte’s tits since he hasn’t seen us in a while?” Garrett asked with a frown.

I stood up and walked over, inches away from his face.

“I’m actually more of an ass man nowadays.” I growled.

“Is that right? And have you found a guy desperate enough to give that ass up to you?” He asked growling back.

“Yeah. Her name is Bella and if she hears you call her a guy she is going to kick your ass.”

He broke out in that infectious grin of his and hugged me.

“Congratulations, brother!”

I hugged him back. The fucking dork. Deadly in a fight but a fucking dork none the less. Charlotte walked over and hugged me.

“Okay darlin. We heard you needed help. Some vampires attacking your mate and you are scared of being outnumbered? That what you need momma here for? To protect your girl? Or your cute little ass?” Charlotte asked.

“Yeah. We may need backup. Four came to test the waters. But we are afraid more might come for the actual assault. I want to be prepared.”

“So where is the unlucky woman who is your mate?” Garrett asked.

“She’s asleep.”

That brought silence.

“She is still human?” Charlotte asked in disbelief.

“Yep.”

“Why? She scared of turning? Cause pain is a part of the game, Petey. I understand it is scary but c’mon. You are going to get her killed leaving her human.”

Alice was up in Charlotte’s face before Jasper could stop her.

“Bella isn’t scared of anything. She offered to turn and even said she would be trained with torture like a newborn in the wars if it would help.”

Charlotte backed up throwing her hands in the air.

“I meant no offense Alice. Just trying to wrap my head around this. Why don’t we all sit so ya’ll can fill us in?”

“Of course.” Jasper answered. “Bella turning isn’t the problem. The situation is a bit more complicated and she isn’t the target.”

“Okay, how complicated could it be?” Garrett asked.

I guess while everyone had been talking we had neglected to hear the soft little footsteps and quiet heartbeat walking down the hall.

She made her presence known with a loud scream.

We all turned, Jasper, Alice and I worried, Charlotte and Garrett with their jaws open.

Maddie was still screaming. She threw up both her hands making a cross with two of her fingers.

Charlotte moved towards her, probably trying to calm her down. Unfortunately Maddie took the strange red eyed vampire moving towards her as a threat. And she used all her power on Char.

“Get back vampire! The power of Santa Claus compels you!”

We all stopped at that. What? She was still holding her fingers across each other pointing them at Char who had stopped moving.

“Peter don’t just stand there! Tear body parts off! Attack!”

I heard Bella running down the hall. She picked Maddie up and moved her behind. Maddie leaned around Bella with her fingers still trying to use the power of Santa Claus to banish Char back to hell.

“What the hell is going on here?” Bella asked. She did not seem happy.

“Mom get back! Make a cross with your fingers! Peter isn’t doing his job!”

“Maddie calm down baby! If they were a threat I doubt Alice would be standing there doing nothing.”

I ignored the fact that she mentioned Alice and not me. Oh well.

“Uh Bella, this is Garrett and Charlotte. They have come to help.” I said quietly.

Bella took a deep breath. She finally nodded her head.

“Okay. Sorry. We are a little on edge. Uh, Maddie put your fingers down, sweetie.”

“She called on the power of Santa Claus, Bella.” Alice said smirking.

“So she was up listening to the Exorcist when we were watching it last month and she was supposed to be asleep.” Bella said with a glare towards Maddie who suddenly found a spot on the floor very interesting.

“I told you so, Bella.” Alice pointed out, probably not helping Bella’s mood.

“Hey kid, I’m pretty sure you were supposed to call on the powers of Christ. You should probably brush up on your Sunday School lessons before you go vanquishing anymore vampires.” I grinned.

She stuck her tongue out at me and walked down the hall back to her bedroom.

“Uh, Charlotte, Garrett, it’s nice to meet you. I better go get her ready for the day.”

Bella ran down the hall after Maddie. I turned to Jasper and nodded for him to continue.

“As I was saying before the tiny exorcist came into the room, the situation is complicated and not as simple as turning Bella into a vampire…”

“Holy shit, she has a daughter?” Garrett asked with way to much joy in his eyes.

“No she carries a tiny exorcist with her who is tight with Santa Claus.”

“Peter, she has a daughter?” Garrett asked again.

“Yes Garrett.” I sighed.

“Oh this is too good!” He started laughing. And kept laughing. Loudly.

“Vampires are trying to kidnap the little girl. And planning on killing anyone who stands in their way. Especially her mother.” Jasper quietly said.

Garrett stopped laughing immediately. His face turned serious. He has a soft spot for kids.

“So which direction are the bastards we need to kill?”