Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Growing Up

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 14:

“Glad you could make it out of the bedroom.” I told Garrett when he walked in to the gym.

“Please. It wasn’t like this when you and Bella first mated?”

“No. I showed self-restraint.”

“What does self-restraint mean?” he asked.

“Never mind. Where is the unluckiest woman alive?”

“She is coming. She had to park the car.”

“You have her parking the car?” I asked, somehow not surprised.

“Yes. She is very independent. It has taken everything I have in me to stop her from calling her sisters and spilling the beans. They are still searching and think Carmen and Eleazar are off helping the Cullens find Bella. Maybe they are.”

“Bullshit. Eleazar used to be Volturi just like she says Carlisle was. If Carlisle is in this with Jasper which we already knew, I guarantee Eleazar is. He is how the Cullens found Nia. How they are finding gifted humans and changing them.”

“It seems that way.” Garrett agreed.

“Look after tomorrow she can tell the world. So long as she doesn’t tell them where we are going.”

“She won’t Peter. We will be right behind you.”

“I don’t know her. I’m not sure I trust her, Garrett.”

“Do you trust me?”

I took a deep breath.

“I know I can count on you, Garrett. You say I can trust her then I can trust her.” I told him honestly. “Now let’s drop it. Her parents are going to be here in a minute.”

“Yeah I am interested in how they are going to take the news. Does her step father even know that Bella is alive?”

“Nope. Renee was supposed to tell him on the trip down. Should be interesting.”

“Have you told Renee or Charlie about your feeling and what you are planning on doing about it?”

“Nope. That should be interesting too.”

“Oh goody. I can’t wait to see their faces. So now that Bella is graduating does this make her an official nun? Does she get a card? Because I’m pretty sure she is violating some of the rules of the Catholic Church every night. Sometimes in the afternoon as well. Shouldn’t the Pope know about this?”

I didn’t bother to reply. I never can tell if he is joking or seriously doesn’t know any better. Best to assume he is joking. I would hate to think my only vampire brother in arms is that much of an idiot.

He has to be kidding.

I turned and saw Renee, Charlie and a very confused looking gentleman walking in. I stood up and waved them over where I had saved seats by simply glaring at whoever attempted to sit in those around me. It worked.

They walked over and Charlie actually offered me his hand. I took it. Renee further surprised me by hugging me. What the fuck?

“You must be Phil?”

He laughed.

“Yeah and you must be the vampire?”

Fuck. Renee looked panicked. I guess Phil thought this was a joke.

“Keep it quiet Phil.” Renee told him.

“You are serious?” He asked, probably hoping this was a bad dream.

“Look at my damn eyes, Phil. Does it look like I am playing? I would love to go lift a few cars for you but I have to watch my girlfriend graduate.”

Phil said nothing but did sit down.

I leaned over to Charlie and Renee.

“You three need to follow us back to our place when this is over.”

“Why Peter?” Charlie asked.

“Why? Cause I have some things to tell you.”

“No. Why after all this time and going to extreme lengths to keep you and Bella’s location a secret have you suddenly paid for plane tickets to fly us here for her graduation.”

“We will talk about it after graduation. There are some things you probably are not going to like but you have to trust me when I tell you it’s for the best.”

“Oh God, you two are not going to get married are you?” Charlie groaned.

“I…” What the fuck? “No, but what the hell Charlie?”

“Just asking.” Charlie responded throwing his hands up.

“He is going to change her, Charlie. How can you be so stupid?”

“Renee…” Phil scolded.

“Shut up Phil. You don’t even believe me.”

“I believe that for some reason you have let this man hide your supposedly dead daughter for over a year, lied to me about it and think he is a mythological creature.”

“Just shut up Phil. You are going to feel pretty stupid when Peter lifts a car over his head after this is over.”

“Yeah. Stupid. That’s what I would feel.” Phil whispered but did shut up. I guess I see where Bella gets it from. I think I just shivered a little internally.

Charlie looked like he was about to say something but the ceremony started. Mother Superior walked out and the graduates filed out the back and sat down.

“You’re kidding me. You put her in a girl’s school? Freaking brilliant, Peter!” Charlie smiled.

“Of course he did, Charlie. They are soul mates. He wouldn’t want her bothered by other boys.” Renee told him sharply.

Charlie’s smile just left his face. I thought I had made progress there. Thanks Renee.

Bella smiled at me and then her face looked shocked when she saw Charlie and Renee and Phil. I talked to her about our plan for them but she didn’t know I planned to have them come to her graduation. She thought they were coming in the morning. After today it wouldn’t matter if Jasper found out where we had been. Bella and I were off on a plane to Africa tomorrow night. Garrett and Kate would call her sisters and inform them of what Kate had learned and then they would be coming to Africa right behind us. Charlie and Renee… well I had a feeling that if Jasper couldn’t find Bella to hold them over her head he may take them anyway and see if they had knowledge of her being alive and any knowledge of how to contact her. If she knew they were in danger she would take Jasper head on no matter who was with him. Either way, Charlie and Renee would be having a visit from Jasper soon. I knew it. Easiest solution? Remove them from danger. Now we just needed to get them to agree. We could do it though.

I hoped. I had a feeling if they didn’t, things could get bad fast…

Bella turned around again with a big smile and started waving at Charlie and Renee who waved back. Phil still looked shell shocked. Poor bastard. I guess he really didn’t believe Bella was alive. Or maybe it was her appearance. Kate finally walked in and sat next to Garrett who was next to me on my other side. Charlie glanced at her, then back at Garrett, then back to Kate, then back to Garrett.

“Where did you pick up the two new vampires?” he whispered.

“Walmart. You can get everything at that damn store.” I whispered back.

Charlie scowled but sat back. You’re not going to marry my daughter are you? Asshole. No. I just saved her life and kept her from being a slave for the Cullens, hid her for a year, went to extra lengths to make sure you knew she was alive, snuck you down for Christmas, bought phones so you could stay in contact, Took care of her every need, and got her through high school. God forbid, I am good enough to marry her. Fucking asshole.

The Mother Superior started speaking. Shit. This wasn’t going to be short.

An hour later I saw my girl walking across the stage. I’m not an emotional man but I think I would have cried right then if I could. Only Bella brings out emotion in me it seems. Charlie was crying… the pansy. Phil still looked like he had seen a ghost and was near three vampires. Renee just kept clapping. She had tears. That was cool. Women were supposed to. Lookin at you there, Charlie. Guess I wasn’t much better.

I watched Decker hug Bella after she got her diploma. Bella had medaled in every meet she had competed in. She even won first in her last one.

I couldn’t help being a little nostalgic. Thinking of everything we went through. First reaching out to her in that burning ballet studio. I told her to come with me if she wanted to live. I didn’t know it at the time but her comin with me taught me to live for the first time in my long life. Neither one of us liked ourselves when we first met. We liked ourselves and loved each other just fine now. I remembered the first kiss. The first time makin love to her. The look on her face the second day of school at 5 AM. The look that said she wouldn’t give up. Takin her dancing. Our Sea World trip. Christmas in Houston. Sitting on the couch reading at night with her in my arms.

The ceremony was finally over. She ran to me and I pulled her in my arms. Next was Charlie and Renee. She looked at Phil who was also crying a little. He finally pulled her in. I could imagine the thoughts going through his head.

“You know I always thought your mother took your death a little too well. I guess I know why now, huh?” he whispered in her ear. Bella laughed.

Bella turned to me and grabbed my hands. “Nice surprise.” She said and then kissed me.

I shrugged my shoulders. “I get it right every now and again.”

“Yeah you do, cowboy.”

“She calls you cowboy? You call him cowboy?” Charlie asked, raising an eyebrow.

“She calls him Uncle Petey too. Want to know when she uses that particular name?” Garrett asked, grinning. Normally I would have told him to shut it but Charlie kind of deserved that.

Yeah. His face just turned red. Bet you hope I marry her now, don’t you daddy?

They followed Bella and me to our house. Walking in I could see they were impressed. Bella had done a lot of decorating.

Garrett and Kate went to his house. Kate had been pretty cool. She was a nice grounding force for Garrett. Or she kept him in the bedroom so much he wasn’t as annoying. He mentioned he likes it when she shocks him. Weird couple, those two. I didn’t have any strong feelings that I couldn’t trust her. I guess she would be okay.

“What are these medals on the wall?” Renee asked.

“Those are Bella’s.” I quickly told her. I was proud of those things.

“You won swimming medals, Bella?” Renee asked.

“Yep.” Bella replied proudly.

“You were in a sport, Bella?” Charlie asked.

“Yes. Swimming. Keep up Charlie.” Renee snapped.

“Could everybody hold up? Bella I am so glad to see you alive but can we talk about the fact that I am supposed to believe that Peter here is a vampire?” Phil asked.

Bella looked at me.

“You want me to explain baby?”

“Could you stop calling him baby, Bella?” Charlie asked.

“You prefer she call me cowboy, Charlie?” I asked. Guy must have blood pressure problems. His face gets red quick.

“I just thought when this whole thing started, you said she could date whoever she wanted. Did she even have a chance in a girl’s school?” Okay, the old man was pissing me off.

“I did date during the summer, Dad. I went on one date, anyway.” Bella answered for me.

“Did you not like the guy that you couldn’t give it more than one date?” He asked.

“No. He tried to rape me while I was drunk and Peter snapped his neck. Then Peter tossed his truck into the water and made it look like a car accident.” Bella replied as if discussing the weather. “We finally admitted our love for each other after that. It was an important night in our relationship.” Now she was gooey eyed. That was an awesome night.

Charlie was no longer red. Now he was as pale as I was.

“That is so sweet.” Renee said. Charlie and Phil were staring at her now. She is a strange one.

“Excuse me? Vampire?” Phil spoke again. Bella looked at me and nodded.

I grabbed Phil before he knew what was going on and ran him at vampire speed out the door and to his rental car. I sat him on his feet. He looked around trying to figure out how he got here. I crawled under the car and picked it up by the frame, finally standing and lifting it over my head. I kept it there and looked at him.

“Vampire. Got it? We good? You need me to throw this fucker into the middle of the lake?”

He stared for a few seconds and then nodded his head. “I got it. I’m good.” I gently sat the car back down.

“Good. Now come inside. We all got some talkin to do.”

I walked in and saw Bella telling Charlie and Renee about her competitions.

“Okay folks. Gather round. We got some talkin to do.”

All three sat down on the couch without a word.

Bella nodded at me. I would talk. She would assist to calm everyone if needed.

“The reason I didn’t care if you knew where she was is because the two of us are leaving tomorrow. No, before you ask, you don’t need to know. But you will be able to talk to her as much as you normally would. I am turning her into a vampire.”

“What!?” Phil asked.

“Phil, I will let Charlie and Renee catch you up later. Right now I’m going to need you to listen okay? I don’t want to pick up any more cars. I would bring some neighbors in and drink their blood but it attracts attention. I’m not the only one who lives around here.”

Phil nodded.

“Now I have some bad news or good news. Depends on your point of view. Jasper Whitlock is going to be desperate to find Bella. If he had found her by now he would have taken both of you, Charlie and Renee, and used your lives to get Bella to do what he wants. Since he won’t be able to find her he will eventually come for the two of you. One to see if you have knowledge that she is alive and two to see if you have a way of contacting her. He will bring Edward and will know about the phones. He will call her and threaten your lives.”

“How do you know this?” Renee asked.

I shrugged my shoulders.

“Peter knows things sometimes Mom. It is important to listen to him.” Bella helpfully added on.

“I know if you go back home, Cullens will be there soon if they aren’t already there.”

“That’s why you had us down here?” Charlie asked.

“No. I asked you down here because I wanted Bella to have her parents at her graduation. But it does give us an opportunity. An opportunity to take you out of the equation. Put you someplace safe so they can’t use you to control Bella.”

“What do you mean put us some place safe?” Charlie was already getting pissed.

“You want to be a burden to your daughter? You want to put her in danger?”

“Peter…” Bella started and then held my hand. Calm down Peter. This is a big deal for them.

“What are you saying Peter?” Renee asked.

“I am saying that you three aren’t going back to your homes. After you left yesterday I had two people I paid, use the keys neither one of you hide very well outside, pack the items Bella said would be special to you. They will go into storage until it is safe for me to ship them to you. Everything else stayed. You three are leaving, flying out of Houston tomorrow using new IDs. You are going to have separate houses next to each other in Hawaii. I am giving you ten million dollars apiece to live on. Don’t spend it like crazy. Remember you need to stay low.”

“Whoa! Hold the hell up! You lifted a car and now I have to leave my life behind?” Phil asked, obviously upset for some reason.

“Yeah. Unless you want to be tortured by a guy who ain’t as nice as I am to give him information on Bella’s whereabouts that you ain’t got. Renee and Charlie know how to contact her. If they want to keep that they will have to leave. They can’t go back home. I would suggest you go with them Phil.”

“What do you mean if we want to keep contacting Bella?” Charlie asked. No longer mad at least.

“You want a vampire to hold your life over Bella?” I glanced over and saw Bella’s eyes were misting.

“No. No I don’t.” He admitted.

“If he catches you and you have that phone he is going to be able to call her. She will know. That means we got to come rescue you and Bella ain’t ready to help me take on untold numbers of vampires that Whitlock would have guarding you. She isn’t ready yet.”

“I have a job.” Charlie argued.

“You had a job. You officially became a missing person when you landed here.”

“I’ll do it. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep Bella safe.” Renee said.

“Good.” I nodded.

“Thanks Mom.” Bella smiled.

I looked at Charlie. He finally nodded.

“Look at it as an early retirement. They have some great fishing in Hawaii. You’re houses are going to be on Kauai. Beautiful island, I hear. Never been myself. Not the best place for vampires. That is why it will be ideal for you. It will be the last place Whitlock would even think to look. He will give up eventually. I know this will work.”

“Renee…”Phil started.

“Phil what do you do for a living?” I asked. I knew but I wanted him to say it.

“I’m a baseball player.”

“Phil how old are you?”

“34.”

“You are 34. Have you made it to the majors?” I hated to point this out but it needed to be done.

“No. I haven’t.”

“Phil I am giving you ten million fucking dollars to go live in fucking paradise with your wife. You think you are gonna get that kinda money playing minor league ball?”

“No. But it is not about the money. I love to play…”

“Ten Million Dollars Phil! Buy you a damn X Box and play Major League baseball on that. Get you a batting cage in your back yard. I don’t give a damn. Take the money and go live in paradise. Or stay in Florida and become a vampire snack. This isn’t a hard choice. Don’t make it one.”

“Okay.” Phil finally said. Renee kissed him on the cheek.

“How do you have $20 million dollars Peter?” Charlie asked.

“That knowing shit. Works real good with the stock market to. Let’s just say the nineties and Yahoo and Bill Gates were very, very good to me. I have more than you can imagine Charlie. Don’t worry about it. If I’m ever good enough to marry your little girl she will be well taken care of. Bella would you get the envelopes darlin?”

Bella walked to the desk and pulled out the two large manila envelopes. She laid them on the coffee table.

“Inside are plane tickets, bank cards and pin numbers to your accounts in the Cayman Islands. They are untraceable. No one will even know your names to be able to trace them. I did the IDs myself. Bella and I are the only ones who know your names now. Passports, DLs high school diplomas. Renee, I threw in a degree from Notre Dame in there for you. Very impressive GPA.”

“Our houses are next to each other?” Charlie asked quietly.

“Yeah. Bella likes the idea of her family being in one place.” I smiled. Bella did as well. She was evil.

“William Stark?” Charlie asked.

“Bella told me Anthony Stark was taken.” I said shrugging my shoulders.

“Catherine Simmons and Mark Simmons. I like it. Do you like it Phil?”

“Yeah I guess.” Phil could be a problem.

“Phil, I appreciate that this is a lot for you to take in. But I need you on board man. I can’t have you guys found. If you are found it causes a whole lot of shit. Shit Bella and I don’t need. In a couple years, maybe this will be over and you can all stop being fucking millionaires in Hawaii and go back to Jacksonville and Forks if that is what you really want. Enjoy the humidity and mosquitos in Florida. Play in the rain in Forks. But right now Phil, I need you on board. No contacting Aunt Bee in Mayberry to let her know you are alright. You are missing people now. Milk Carton missing. Got it?”

“Yeah. I got it.”

“If ya’ll need more money for some reason call Bella and let her know. No jobs! Nothing that puts your names on anything that it doesn’t need to be. The houses are paid for and the tax records are under another name. The bills will be paid for automatically from a separate account. Just stay low and chill the fuck out. Think of it as an early unexpected retirement.”

They all nodded.

“Great! Let’s eat! I’m starving. Dad you want me to grill some steaks?” Bella asked.

“Yeah. That would be great Bella.”

“Come help me. You all have a long flight tomorrow and I don’t want you having to rely on airplane food.” Bella seemed relieved. I think she just wanted them to get on a fucking plane and be safe. I wanted that too. As long as they were safe, another part of her was safe.

Bella went to get up but Garrett walked in with Kate. Kate smiled. She did seem okay. It took Garrett a couple days to convince her about the Cullens and her mommy and daddy. But once she put two and two together she came around. Least that was what Garrett says. I would still be watching her.

“Hello all. I am Garrett and this is my Kate.”

“You are vampires too?” Phil asked.

“Give the man a prize.”

“Why are her eyes gold?” Phil asked.

“She feeds off the blood of animals.” Garrett replied.

“What do you and Peter feed off of?” Phil asked quietly.

“Not animals.” Garrett grinned.

Phil turned very white.

“Relax Phil. I’m not hungry. I ate a Boy Scout troop last night. That should hold me over for a few days.” Garrett clapped him on the shoulder and Phil jumped in his seat.

“He’s kidding Phil. Garrett doesn’t eat boy scouts… right Garrett?”

“Right you are Bella. Too small, not enough blood.”

Bella just moaned.

“So what will you be eating, Bella?” Charlie asked.

“Mostly Peter’s…” Garrett started.

“Garrett you are going to want to shut the hell up right now.” Bella said glaring and practically growling. “I don’t know Dad. Peter usually goes to large cities and finds people who are usually involved in some illegal type of behavior. I will probably do that as well, honestly.”

“I see.” Charlie mumbled.

I needed to change the topic. Something safe. I was panicking here.

“Kate is Garrett’s Mate the same way Bella is mine.” That should be good. Put the attention on them.

“Mate?” Phil asked.

“Not now Phil. Wait till we get to Hawaii.” Renee said patting Phil’s leg.

“Yes. We just found each other last week. We have been making up for lost time. Of course even our best efforts can’t compete with Peter and Bella.” Garrett mentioned while taking a seat.

“Yes. You have quite the mouth on you Bella. I am impressed.” Kate winked. Bella just turned bright red. Shit. Fucking Garrett. Fucking female Garrett.

“You are having sex? She is human. You are a vampire. How can a vampire and a human even do… that?” Charlie asked, glaring at me, once again as red as Bella was.

“I would say very carefully Charlie, but from what I have heard, Bella doesn’t seem to be careful at all.” Kate winked and patted Bella on the back.

“What you heard?” Charlie practically yelled.

“Yes Charlie. Vampires have very, very good hearing. And we live next door. Bella is foul mouthed screamer, aren’t you Bella?” Garrett said. He and Kate must have planned this. I would kill them both and go pick up two new vampires from Wal-Mart.

Now Charlie was staring back at me. “You are having sex with my daughter?”

“Don’t be stupid Charlie. Of course she is having sex with him. They are soul mates, they live together, for God’s sake look at the man. If I didn’t have Phil or he gave me the okay I would jump his ass right now.” Renee added in. Bella just moaned again.

“I can see where Bella gets her vocal skills from Renee.” Garrett winked. Renee smiled. What the fuck?

“Yes. She gets it from me. I’m not surprised. When I am having sex, my mouth just seems to run away. I tend to get a little bossy.”

“You were never like that with me Renee.” Charlie said, seemingly dazed.

“Maybe you just never did it right.” Renee glared at Charlie. Bella wants them to live next to each other. Is she optimistic or sadistic?

“I scream with Phil. Don’t I say naughty words when you make love to me, Phil?”

“This probably isn’t the best place to discuss this Renee.” Phil whispered.

“Don’t be ridiculous, we are all adults. Some of us have been adults for a very long time.” Renee said.

“Don’t be too hard on yourself, Renee. You aren’t that old.” Charlie commented. I cringed.

“I was talking about the vampires, you asshole.”

“Can we please get this conversation off of sex? Please? I’m freaking begging here people.” Bella pleaded.

“Freaking? Nice word Bella considering fucking is every other word out of your mouth at night.” Garrett smiled.

“Garrett I really should have just killed you.” I told him.

“Wait, when should you have killed Garrett?” Renee asked. Unfortunately it was Garrett who spoke.

“Oh I can answer that, Renee. It was the first time I met the two of them. I had known Carlisle Cullen for years. He asked me as a favor to look for Bella. At the time of course I only thought she had been kidnapped. By a stroke of luck I found her at the mall one night. She saw me and drove off. I followed her on foot. She finally slowed down, I jumped in the passenger seat of her car and the next thing I know, she jumps out of a moving vehicle at 60 miles an hour. I’m there sitting in the passenger seat, trying to figure out where the fuck the driver went, when the car goes up a bridge guardrail and lands in Lake Travis. I suppose I could have jumped before but all I could think about was… did that really just happen? Did that little girl who drives like a maniac really just jump out of a moving vehicle she was driving? So I am underwater contemplating this and decide to get out to see if she is still alive. I walk to the shore to find Bella limping to the water. Peter shows up, we fight, Peter cheated by having Bella put a log under my foot and tripping me. Then Peter is about to kill me. Bella talks him out of it, Peter explains what the Cullens are really up to and the three of us have been besties ever since. The Three Amigos. Of course Kate is here now so we will have to update the name.”

At least that brought silence to the room. No one said a word. Even Kate was shaking her head.

Finally Bella took a deep breath and stood up.

“Who wants some steaks?”