Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Protecting Maddie

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 02:

BPOV

I couldn’t sleep. There was a vampire in my living room. Not that I wasn’t used to vampires. Okay, I was used to Alice. She stayed over sometimes when she knew I or Maddie was going to have a bad night but this was different. I don’t know why I had the reaction to him that I did. He was… not beautiful, much too rough for that. He was just sexy as hell. Those jeans and his biceps and that damn cowboy hat. I have hardly looked at a guy since AJ died. I had not gone on one date. My life was about the sweet little bundle sleeping in my arms.

But damn.

I mean he was hot.

I never think anyone is hot. This guy could be trouble. And I’m supposed to be with him all day every day for two weeks and who knows how much longer? Not good. I have to keep my focus.

He was a human eater. But he couldn’t be all bad right? I mean Alice trusts him and Alice would never let anyone around who would be a possible threat to Maddie or me. I knew that for a fact. Maybe I should ease up on him. Try to make the best of this situation. He was here to protect us. I mean I’m sure he has a million other things he could be doing. I wonder what he is doing now.

Maddie stirred and started mumbling in her sleep. I looked at the clock and it was 3 AM. Right on time. I held her closer hoping to hold off the dreams. Before we moved off the Base one of the little girls who Maddie went to daycare with ran up and hugged her. Her dad was in AJ’s platoon and told his wife how AJ died saving them. The little girl overheard them and told Maddie. Maddie was only three. But she understood. She still dreamed about her Daddy jumping on a bomb and begging him not to. I took her to a few child psychologists but all they told me she was reacting naturally and would deal with her father’s death in different ways as she got older. But the nightmares never stopped. They still occurred once, sometimes twice a week. I had taken to sleeping with her rather than running down the hall when she screamed. The child psychologists told me sleeping with her was a bad idea. The child psychologists could go fuck themselves.

She tensed in my arms and I held her tighter and whispered in her ear that it would be alright. She stirred a little, almost opened her eyes and relaxed again. Maybe this time we avoided it.

She relaxed against me and I finally fell asleep.

I woke up at 8 to the sound of my washer running. What the hell?

I pulled on a robe and walked into my living room to see Peter still there. On the couch. Watching TV.

In a pair of Boxer shorts and his cowboy hat.

“Uh…”

“Oh shit! Good morning Bella. I didn’t figure you would be up since you didn’t sound like you got to sleep but a few hours ago.”

“You, uh… you’re wearing…”

Peter looked a little ashamed at least.

He grabbed his hat and pulled it down.

“Sorry ma’am. I know you don’t like me wearing my hat in the place. My apologies.”

“You’re in your underwear Peter!” I finally got out.

Peter looked down his toned chest past his beautiful pale abs and grinned.

“Yes ma’am. I needed to wash my clothes since I came straight over here and didn’t bring a change of clothes. I was wondering if we could go to my place later and pick up some things.”

“Yeah…” stop staring at his chest Bella… “Yeah of course. Uh, you think you could maybe find something to put on until your clothes are washed? My daughter will be up soon.”

“Oh yeah, sure. Uh… do you have a robe or something?”

Did I? I mean I had mine. I thought for a minute.

“Yeah hold on.”

I walked into my room stopping by Maddie’s and thanking God that she was still asleep. I looked in the back of my closet and saw it. My hideous pink cotton robe. Alice gave it to me for Christmas three years ago saying this pink shade was all the rage. The color reminded of the time Maddie vomited that strawberry smoothie she drank before going on the Ferris wheel at the fair we attended when she was 4. But it was long and fluffy and should do the job until his clothes were out of the washer.

I walked in to see him sitting where I left him, only this time he was leaned back with his arms behind his head. Same sexy smile. It was starting to piss me off. I tried to throw the robe on his face but he of course was too fast and caught it in his hand.

“This?”

“Yeah. You asked for a robe.”

“This is… pink. And kinda a vomit colored pink.” He observed with a look of disgust.

“You needed a robe, you got a robe. Your clothes should be ready in an hour, then you can go to your place and get some clothes.”

“Uh, don’t you mean we can go?”

“No, I mean you can go. I have to call my boss today and make up a fake family emergency to explain me suddenly taking a two week vacation.”

“Actually Bella, Alice told me to stick to you and not let you out of my site. Which means if you want me to get clothes you two are coming with me.”

I rolled my eyes. This was going to be more difficult than I imagined.

“Peter we need to talk.”

“Of course Bella. Not talking would be an awkward way to spend our time.”

“How do I know you won’t attack my daughter?”

He looked taken aback. I hope I didn’t offend him but I had to know.

“I only go after bad people Bella. You know, muggers, rapists, lawyers, politicians. Didn’t Alice tell you this?”

“She mentioned it. But what about if Maddie gets a paper cut?”

“What about it?”

“How do I know you won’t get some crazy bloodlust and go after her? I can’t be taking chances Peter. Not with her.”

“Bella I don’t get crazy blood lust. I may drink from humans but that doesn’t mean I go after every human in the world. The smell of blood doesn’t bother me at all. I mean you trust Alice right?”

“Yes I trust Alice with mine and Maddie’s lives. I have seen Alice put a band aid on a cut on Maddie’s knee and not flinch. But you have to be more addicted to human blood because you drink it all the time, right?”

“Actually vampires that abstain from it have a harder time controlling themselves. I have absolutely no problems.”

“Oh,” I guess maybe that’s why Jasper went after me that time…

“Besides, Maddie smells just like you. And I could never harm you, so it goes without saying that I could never harm her.”

Oh okay. Well that makes me feel better… wait.

“What do you mean you could never harm me?”

Peter had a momentary look of panic.

“Uh, you stink?”

“Excuse me?” What the fuck?

“Your blood. Uh, it doesn’t smell that great to me. Yeah that’s it.”

“I do not stink!”

“I didn’t mean it like that! I just… look you are going to have to trust me. I have no desire to drain you or your daughter okay?”

He looked sincere. Alice trusted him. I trusted Alice.

“Okay.”

I don’t stink.

---

I listened to her sleep until 6 AM. I wondered what she was dreaming about. I heard her mumbling in her sleep. I heard Maddie mumble in her sleep. It’s a miracle either of those girls get any sleep the way they talk all night. I told her I wouldn’t listen so I turned the TV on so low that only I could hear it. They show the weirdest shit at 6 AM. I mean Sumo Wrestling on ESPN? Still it was entertaining and took my mind off the beauty sleeping down the hall.

At 6:30, I decided to really look around the living room. It was a little weird to see photos of Maddie, Bella and her deceased husband filled the bookshelves and tables. Pictures of the three of them smiling and laughing. A picture of her husband in his Army uniform. Good looking guy. My Mate. I couldn’t help but feel a little jealous. I mean I shouldn’t. But still. This isn’t going to be easy. Judging by these pictures they had a great life together. They looked so happy. Maybe, just maybe, I could make her happy too.

At 7:00, I decided my clothes smelled hideous. Okay they weren’t that bad but a man needs to smell good around a woman he could potentially love. Luckily I wore underwear so I undressed and started the washer. Feeling quite naked I put my hat on. It always made me feel better. At 8:00 Bella came out. Too find me wearing my Hat.

Shit.

At 8:05 she gave me a hideous pink robe to wear.

At 8:06 we had the conversation where I nearly told her she was my mate so her blood held no appeal to me. At 8:07 I told her she stunk.

Way to go Casanova. Great cover. Smooth.

Now I was sitting in the living room listening to her move around the kitchen. I smelt food in the air. Smelt like bacon and eggs. Yuck.

Almost as if drawn by the scent, young Madison walked into the room, sleep in her eyes and her hair in tangles wearing an oversized green Army T shirt. Without a word she grabbed the remote control from next to me and sat on the floor in front of the television.

She switched the channel from the Rodeo I happened to be watching to some Nickelodeon Channel. Happy teen girls were running all over the place talking about boys. She is 7 right? Much too young for this.

May as well start the conversation.

“Good morning Maddie.”

She turned to look at me. That wasn’t happiness to see me.

“Nice robe.” And she turned back to the TV.

“Maddie, breakfast is ready.” Bella yelled from the kitchen.

Maddie got up and took the remote with her, sneering at me. As soon as she reached the kitchen she flipped the bitch switch to off and smiled, running to Bella and hugging her.

“Good morning Mommy! Did you sleep good?”

“I always sleep good next to my favorite child.”

“Mom, I’m your only child.” She replied, rolling her eyes. She then turned to me as Bella turned to the stove and mouthed that it would be staying that way. I felt a shiver go down my spine.

Possessive much?

Maddie sat at the table, still all smiles, as Bella placed a plate in front of her.

“Guess what Maddie? Mommy is taking vacation for the next two weeks. It will just be the two of us for two whole weeks.”

“Awesome! What are we going to do?”

Bella looked thoughtful.

“I haven’t really thought that far ahead baby girl. I’m just going to enjoy spending time with you.”

“Sounds great Mom!”

Maddie sounded happy. Maybe this would thaw the ice queen out some.

She ate in silence, while Bella chewed on a piece of bacon and watched her while reading the newspaper. Bella was watching her more than reading the newspaper. I can see what Alice meant. The idea of turning into a vampire would hold no appeal for Bella. I may have to stay with her for the rest of her life as a human and then… what? Go insane once she dies? Once I saw her that was it. When I locked eyes with her I knew she would be it for me for eternity. Fucking Alice!

Maddie finished her plate and Bella took it over to the sink and began washing. Maddie came into the living room and sat down on the floor facing me. She still had the remote in her hand.

“So Peter, what are you doing here?”

“Uh, I needed a place to stay for a few weeks and your Aunt Alice talked your mom into letting me stay here.” That sounded good.

“Why couldn’t you stay with Aunt Alice?”

“She was uh…”

“She doesn’t like you, does she?”

“What?”

“Why else would she have to talk someone else into taking you in? She must not like you. She can talk Mom into anything it seems sometimes. Mom is too kind to tell her no.”

“That’s not true. Aunt Alice likes me just fine. She just had a lot to take care of and figured I would be more comfortable here and your Mom was gracious enough to allow me to stay.”

“So you’re unemployed?”

“No.”

“What do you do?”

Uh, what did I do? A large part of me wanted to tell her I drank the blood from criminals. But a larger part told me this would not be a good idea.

“I’m sort of a bodyguard.”

“Sort of, or are?”

“I’m a bodyguard.” Yep, that’s what I was.

“Who are you guarding? Mom?” Uh oh.

“No, of course not. Your Mom doesn’t need protection.”

“Then who?”

“No one at the moment.”

“So you’re unemployed.”

“I’m not unemployed!”

“What do you call a bodyguard with no one to guard? Sounds like unemployed to me.” She responded rolling her cute little evil eyes.

“Listen…”

“No, you listen. I don’t know what your game is, but me and my mom take care of each other. I don’t like the way you look at her. Like she is something to eat or something. It’s not cool.”

“I have no bad intentions towards your mother. I promise.”

“Good. I’m not that worried though. As if you had a chance with her.”

“Excuse me?” What the hell?

“My father was a hero who died serving his country and saving the men on his team. You’re unemployed. I think it’s safe to say you’re not her type.”

And with that little observation the daughter of Satan turned around and flipped the channel to a cartoon.

That little b…

“Peter, if we are going to go to your place to get your clothes we need to go this morning. Maddie has a cheer competition tomorrow at the Alamo dome and needs to get her hair done this afternoon.” Bella told me cutting off my thought.

“Wait if you have a place, why are you here again?” Maddie looked up raising an eyebrow.

“Plumbing problems.” I responded without thinking.

“Yeah Maddie. Peter has plumbing problems at his place.” Bella told her with a concerned glance towards me.

“Uh Bella, what do you mean by cheer competition? Isn’t football season over?”

Maddie laughed and gave her mother a big smile. “Isn’t he funny Mommy?”

Bella smiled back at her.

“Peter doesn’t have a little girl. He doesn’t know about these things. I’m sure you will teach him all about it though won’t you?”

The little devil turned at me with the biggest smile imaginable. “Oh yes Mommy, I will teach Peter quite a few things.”

Another chill just went down my spine.

Bella looked at my confused and horrified face.

“Maddie is on a competitive cheer team. She has been doing it since she was 5. Alice thought it would be a good idea to get her out of her shyness and help with her balance. She fell in love with it. We do it all year round. She goes to practice twice a week so we will be there quite a bit.”

“I’m a flyer.” Maddie told me with a grin.

“What does that mean?” I asked Bella, avoiding the smiling darling who was obviously full of shit, sitting in front of me.

“Maddie is the girl who gets thrown in the air on stunts. She gets to twist in the air and do flips and be caught by the other girls. She really loves it.”

“Wow. Impressive. Does she ever fall?” I asked grinning.

“No. I’m a winner. I win.” Maddie replied in a serious voice, all traces of a smile gone. She turned back to the TV.

Bella looked at me, no longer smiling.

“The dryer is done. You can put your clothes on. I’m going to get ready for the day. Maddie, why don’t you come with me?”

“Oh Mommy, I love this show and I am having such a good time getting to know Peter. Can’t I stay here for just a while longer?”

Bella glanced at me, obviously still not comfortable leaving her little angel in my care. I wasn’t exactly comfortable either.

“I uh, actually need to get dressed. I will take the bathroom real quick if that’s okay Bella?”

“Go ahead Peter. Maddie why don’t you go to your room and start getting ready? We need to go to Peter’s and then your hair appointment is at 4.”

“Yes Mommy.” The good little angel child responded walking to her room without another word. The little devil took the remote with her.

“Uh Bella, it’s kind of bright out. I was hoping we could go to my place after the sun went down?”

“No. She has to be in bed early tonight. She has to be at the Alamo Dome at 6 AM with her team warming up. Her hair appointment is at 4. It can’t be changed. If you can’t make it, then too bad. We will go without you and you can go to your place by yourself tonight.”

“Uh Bella, I can’t just…”

“Alice said it was a week before someone attacked me. That is far enough away that you don’t have to worry about it.”

“She saw you getting attacked in a week. That doesn’t mean you aren’t being watched or someone could make a split second decision to take you sooner, Bella. You know her visions can change based on last minute decisions.”

“Yeah, believe me. I know. Like deciding at the last second to fall on a fucking grenade. Last second decisions are a bitch.”

Bella looked very depressed now. Dammit Peter! Fix this.

“Look, it’s okay. I have my hat and a long sleeve shirt in my truck I can wear. My truck has dark tinted windows. As long as I keep my head down we should be okay. It won’t be the first time I have walked in San Antonio during the day.”

Bella looked a little better.

“You’re sure? You don’t mind?”

As if I could turn down those big brown eyes.

“No, I don’t mind at all.”

At least that got a smile on her face. The morning wasn’t a complete disaster.

“I’m ready Mommy!”

Oh yeah.