Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Protecting Maddie

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 05:

“Look Bella, don’t freak okay? I didn’t say anything cause Alice told me not to. She said you think vampire mating is a load of crap. It’s really not a big deal. Just forget about it.”

She turned and stared at me. Her expression was hard to read.

“I had a soul mate Peter. He’s dead. Sorry if there has been any confusion.”

And with that she turned and walked away almost running.

Ouch. I’m not going to lie. That hurt a little. Still I could see where she was coming from.

Okay, it hurt a lot. But I had to be a big boy now.

I quickly followed her and saw a seat at least was open next to her. I didn’t say anything until I heard her quietly crying with her hair around her face and her face in her hands. Fucking Alice.

She finally stopped and wiped her eyes.

“I’m sorry Peter. I shouldn’t have said that. It was rude and you have been nothing but nice to us. I wish I could take it back. It was nothing against you and I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”

I smiled the best I could.

“No sweat darlin. I know… I mean I understand… Okay, I have no idea what you went through or go through on a daily basis. I’m not the pushy type. Just relax. I’m here to protect you and that’s what I am going to do okay?”

“Alice knew, didn’t she?”

“Yeah. She’s the one that told me.”

“And you believed her?”

“A part of me didn’t until the first time I stared into your eyes. All doubts were gone then. But that doesn’t mean anything. I’m not pressuring you or proclaiming my undying love here. I like you. I won’t lie about that. I like you a whole lot Bella. And I think we could be good together from what I’m learning about you. But I know, or at least I think I know, where you are in your life, and I’m not trying to intrude. I just want to make you safe. You and Maddie.”

She nodded slightly. “Thanks Peter. It… it’s a shock is all. And in the spirit of total honesty I like you too. You’re the first guy I have liked in a really long time. But I’m not turning into a vampire. I can’t. I have to be here for Maddie. I…”

“Bella, relax. Nobody said you had to turn into a vampire.”

“Really?” she asked raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah really. Nobody, not me or anyone else, will ever make you do or be something you don’t want to be.”

“It’s not that it’s so bad, you know, it’s just I have a daughter.”

“I know Bella. Really, let’s just relax and get you through the next couple weeks. If you want me to stick around I will. You might find you like me being around. Or not. If you don’t want me around, say the word and I’m gone. Just don’t kick me out now. I can’t leave you. Not with you in danger right now.”

She seemed like she was deep in thought. She finally turned to me and smiled. “I wouldn’t kick you out. I mean who would keep Brandon away from me? Just, let’s not bring it up again, okay?”

“Whatever you want Bella.”

“Do you have to do what I tell you? Is that part of it?” She asked smiling.

“No. I just like making you happy. You’re a good lady who I happen to think is gorgeous. I like keeping beautiful women happy. So let’s leave it at that.”

She wiped her eyes. They were almost as red as mine.

“So what time does Maddie’s team go out?”

“Another hour.” She sniffed.

“What do we do till then?”

“Sit, watch.”

Okay.

I looked at my phone prepared for a long round of Angry Birds. Power is at 2 %. Great. So yeah… I’m bored…

“So you wanna go make out under the stands?”

That caught her attention. She looked surprised and then laughed.

“You are so funny Peter. Thanks, I needed that.” She smiled and bumped her shoulder into mine.

Yep, that’s me. Funny Peter. Probably shouldn’t tell her I was serious.

BPOV

I’m going to kill Alice. I just have to figure out how. I mean of all the people she sends me, she sends a vampire mate? What the hell? No way she didn’t do that on purpose, either.

If I was 18, I would be jumping all over him for the chance to be a vampire. But I’m not that girl anymore. How can he be my mate? What a bunch of bullshit that is anyway. I mean, I remember Edward told me once that when vampires loved someone they never changed their minds. Then he left me in the fucking woods. Asshole. Nothing says I love you like dumping a girl in the woods and not even walking her back so she doesn’t get lost and has to have a big Indian guy find her and carry her out of the woods. Edward was so romantic that way.

Peter at least wasn’t pushing the issue. I mean I liked that about him. But I couldn’t have him forever. I was going to get old and have grandkids hopefully. And then I would die. Maybe see AJ. I don’t know much about religion. I’m not sure what I believe actually. But a part of me always hoped I would see him again.

But still in the meantime…

I mean it wouldn’t kill me to live a little. Have my way with his rock hard cold smooth body. I wonder since he has such great control if he could have sex with a human?

No! Bad Bella. That’s the kind of thinking that always gets you in trouble.

Still, I haven’t had a romantic relationship with anything that doesn’t require batteries in damn near 5 years.

I mean AJ wouldn’t hold that against me would he?

I don’t think he would. But then what? Maddie gets close to Peter and I have to dump him before she figures out that he isn’t aging? Course she was going to figure that out about Alice one day too. And Alice would never leave me or her. I would never ask her too. I guess it was pretty clear that as long as my best friend was a vampire she was going to find out one day.

I looked to the side and saw Peter watching the stage as the teams performed. He glanced over and grinned at me.

I mean it has been a while. Even before AJ died he had been deployed for 6 months. It has been a long damn time. Had I planned on going without anyone the rest of my life?

Yeah I guess I had.

Damn. That sucks.

“What are you thinking about so damn hard?”

“Being lonely and batteries.” I mumbled under my breath. Oh shit. He’s a vampire. He heard that. I worked up the courage to look at him. Yep he caught that. He was grinning at me.

“Hey I think Maddie’s team is next.” I told him, pointing at the stage. They were on the side preparing to come up.

“Hey guys! You miss me?” I heard Alice say sitting on my empty side.

“Fuck you, you little pixie bitch.” I whispered. She heard me.

“Bella, did I do something to upset you?” She asked with that damn annoying smile. Peter looked a little pissed too.

“You know exactly what you did. I bet you saw it coming to, didn’t you?”

“Bella, look…” She at least looked a little ashamed.

“Hey its Maddie’s team, shut up!”

I stood and started clapping. I always get nervous when this happens. I hate surprises. Especially surprises that may send my baby bouncing off a mat. I glanced at Alice and she nodded. It would be okay. Alice was yelling. I was clapping. Peter was… kinda looking like he wanted to be somewhere else. But then he stood and started clapping.

I watched my little angel jump, tumble, dance, twist and jump for the next 3 minutes and thirty seconds. They were perfect. I was worried last night would affect her but her balance was perfect. She was all smiles. The team ran off the stage and I started to walk to her.

“So what’s next?” I heard Peter ask.

“Now we wait for another hour and a half for awards and see how they did.”

“They won.” Alice responded.

Leave it to Alice to take the suspense out of things.

“Wait, they don’t do anything else?”

I stopped and looked at Peter. “What else would you like them to do?”

“It’s just… she had her hair done last night. She was up at 4 getting dressed, here at 6 getting makeup put on, warming up for over an hour, all so they could perform for 3 and a half minutes?”

“Congratulations Peter. You pretty much just summed up competitive cheerleading. A lot of work goes into those three and a half minutes.” I told him slightly offended.

“Hey I understand that. I guess I just thought, I don’t know… it seems like there should be more.”

I was about to explain the error in his thinking when I heard my angel run up.

“Mommy! How did I do?”

I got on my knees and pulled her into my arms. “You were perfect sweetie.”

“What did you think Aunt Alice?”

“Perfect. Nobody can touch you.”

“Cool. Hey Peter. Give me a high five!”

Maddie raised her arm and Peter raised his hand. Instead of slapping his hand she stopped her palm on his.

“Are you okay Peter? You are so cold. It’s really warm in here. He’s cold like you Aunt Alice. You think he has temperature problems like the one you told me you had?”

Dammit!

“Uh… yeah, I guess he does Maddie.” Alice replied hesitating.

“Are you guys related? Seems weird. I would imagine something like that runs in the family huh?”

“No Peter and I aren’t related. He’s related to Uncle Jasper.”

“When are we going to see Uncle Jasper? Doesn’t he want to come see me cheer sometime?”

Shit, I had to put a stop to this.

“Maddie why don’t we sit down and watch the other teams.”

“Yes, you sit with Peter and Mommy and I are going to go look at the clothes they have for sell at those booths. We can buy your trophy too.”

“Wait, you have to buy her trophy?” Peter asked.

“Yep.

“Alright then.” He nodded.

“You don’t know what place we got Aunt Alice.”

“I’m going to take a chance and say first! Sound good?”

“Sure.” Maddie told her with a big smile.

Alice grabbed my hand and pulled me away. I saw a look of panic on Peter’s face.

“Alice! We shouldn’t leave her alone with him! She is suspicious already!”

“Right, so it can’t harm anything anyways. Now look we need to have a talk about telling her.”

“No! We have discussed this before!”

“Bella she is too smart to believe our bullshit for much longer!”

“Forget about that. Peter’s my supposed mate? What the fuck Alice?”

“Yeah about that. I was going to talk to you. Kinda feel you out, see if you were ready to date again.”

“And you send a vampire over after telling me I’m his fucking mate?” Bitch!

“He is your mate Bella.”

“Bullshit. I don’t believe in that stuff.”

“So vampires exist but soul mates can’t? Yes I know what you are going to say about AJ. But it is possible to love more than one person in your life Bella.”

“Stop looking for my arguments before I can make them! I hate that!”

“Hey, my bad, sister.” Alice raised her hands and backed up.

Dammit, I want to stay mad at her. But that was just too funny.

“You bitch.” I told her when I stopped laughing.

She wrapped her arms around me and pulled me in for a hug. “I love you too Bella. So what do you think about his ass? Pretty nice huh?”

“Alice, you are going to pay for this.”

“No I won’t. You may be thanking me for this when it’s all said and done.”

---

“So Maddie, you did really good up there.”

“Thanks Peter. Hey you want to go walk around? Check out the booths. Maybe you can find something to buy me.”

“Uh, sure. What do you want?”

“Nothing. Just wanted to see if you would. You’re kinda easy like that aren’t you?”

“What are you talking about now?”

“Just that money doesn’t mean a lot to you. If I asked you to take me to Disney World you probably would right? Because you like my Mom?”

“No I wouldn’t. Not unless it was to drop you off the top of Magic Mountain.”

“That’s not very nice Peter.” Maddie gave me her grin.

“Neither is going through someone’s cabinets and fridge.”

Hah. Yeah didn’t know I knew about that. Wiped that grin off her face.

“You weren’t in there. I know Mom didn’t tell you. How did you know?”

Shit.

“Your Mom told me when you were getting your hair done.” Yeah, take that.

“Mom wouldn’t sell me out like that. Try again.”

“I just know okay? I have… security cameras in the house.”

“No you don’t.”

“Yes I do.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Next subject.”

“Fine, if you’re going to get an attitude about it.”

“I don’t have an attitude!”

“Who is after Mom?”

“What?”

“Who… is… after… my mother?”

“I don’t know.”

“That, I believe.”

I think that was an insult. But I’m not sure.

“So, you uh… did your flip things really good.”

“Thanks Peter. Are you having fun?”

“Yeah this is a great time.” If you are a 7 year old girl.

“It’s okay. I will stay here if you want to go track down my Mom and stare at her butt some more. Do you think someone will try to hurt her butt? It seems to be what you pay the most attention too.”

“I… uh… I’m good. I think I will just wait… here… with you.” Dammit!

“Peter, we need to have a serious talk.”

“Here?”

“Why not here?”

“It’s loud?”

“Yes it is. And yet I have been speaking at my normal range and you have no trouble hearing me at all.”

“Maddie…”

“Peter are you an honest man?”

Where the fuck did that come from?

“I like to think of myself as an honest man.”

“Then let’s be honest with each other and lay our cards on the table.”

“Okay…”

“You like my mom. You really like her. I don’t mean like, hey I think you’re cool. You really like her. You want to try to have some sort of romantic thing with her. I get that. I know I can’t keep her to myself forever. But I can keep you away from her. All it takes is me telling her you scare me. That’s it. She would believe it too. And you would be gone from our lives like that.” She finished snapping her fingers.

“Why would you lie to your mom?” This shit was getting old.

“Who says I would be lying? You do scare me Peter. Have you looked in the mirror lately? In case you didn’t notice your eyes are a deep red. And I don’t think they are contacts. Are they? Remember you said you were an honest man.”

“No, they aren’t contacts. I have an eye condition.”

“When you walk in the sun you cover your skin up completely. You even had your hands in your pockets when we were walking under the skylights in the Mall. Your skin is cold like Aunt Alice and you are both very pale. Come to think of it I have never seen Aunt Alice in the sun either. I keep asking her to take me to the Water Park in New Braunsfels. She did once. At night. Strange huh?”

“I got no problem with the sun.”

“Yeah? Let’s go outside right now. Take off your hat when we go outside. Why are you wearing a long sleeve shirt? It’s like a hundred degrees outside.”

“Maddie look,”

“No Peter. The thing is Mom notices these things. She is too smart not to. But she acts like she doesn’t. She knows whatever the big secret is and she doesn’t want me to know. Me and Mom don’t have secrets. So if she is keeping this from me it must be big. And I want to know what it is.”

The thing is, she wasn’t being bitchy. She was dead serious. Why the hell hasn’t Alice seen this already? Where the hell is she?

“Look Maddie. If you seem to think your Mom knows some big secret and is keeping it from you, why don’t you just respect her wishes and not worry about it?”

“Yeah I’ve been doing that for a while with Aunt Alice, but the problem is Peter, my Mommy, my everything, was scared to death last night, for no reason. You went into our home while we stayed outside and Mom squeezed me to death in the hallway. Then she ran to the bathroom and threw up. See something isn’t right and it involves Mom being scared so I have to make it my business. So are you going to tell me what it is that you and Aunt Alice really are?”

I lowered my head. I remember Jasper telling me Edward’s old girlfriend figured out what he was. I had no idea at the time that it was my Mate that he was talking about. And it appears vampire detecting has been passed down.

“Look, why don’t we bring this up when we get home? This isn’t the best place to talk about this.”

“Hey guys, you two look like you are in deep conversation.” Bella said, walking up with Alice. Thank God.

“Yes Mommy, Peter and I have been having a great conversation.”

“And what are you two talking about?” Alice asked. Shit. Maddie wouldn’t…

“Peter was going to tell me what he and Aunt Alice really are. Isn’t that interesting Mom? But you already know, don’t you?”

Yep. She just did.