Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Protecting Maddie

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 33:

“I know Dad. Maybe next year. Things are kind of tight as always.”

“You ever thing of moving back to the States, Bella?” Charlie asked, frustrated.

“Dad, you know I miss you. But I have a career here. I have to support Maddie. She is starting College this year in London. That is kind of expensive. We will get on the computer as soon as our web connection is back up. But this year it is just too tight. I’m sorry.”

“I understand. Sue and I are having Leah and Seth and all their friends for Christmas. It should be a packed house. Their wives and the kids. I just hate the thought of you and Maddie spending another Christmas alone.”

“We aren’t alone Dad. We have each other.”

“I know. Give her a kiss for me. She sounded different. Her voice did anyway. Is she feeling okay?”

I listened and heard her upstairs moaning. Again. Alexander had apparently grabbed her as soon as she was off the phone with Charlie. Sounded like they were in the hot tub in their room. I heard splashing.

“Yeah, Dad. I’m pretty sure she is feeling great right now.”

“Glad to hear it. I love you Bells.”

“I love you too old man.”

I hung up the phone and looked at Peter. He knew what I was feeling. He understood.

“I hate lying to him.”

“I know baby. But it is necessary.” He pulled me too him.

“One of these days he is going to get on a plane to Turkey without telling me and be surprised to learn we never lived there.” I am surprised he hasn’t done it already.

“I know. One of these days we are going to have to fake you and Maddie’s death.”

“We can’t do that to him Peter.”

“You know we have to. It’s inevitable.”

I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to think about it. I get forever with my baby. But it’s a steep price to pay. I would pay it any day. But I would like to hold off on the bill as long as possible.

I brought up a thought I had been having more and more recently. “What if we just told him? It’s not like we can be any more in trouble with the Volturi idiots. I’m sure they already want us dead.”

Peter was quiet. He had the same thought in the past. I heard it in his head, in between the sex positions and costumes he wanted me to wear.

After a few seconds he finally responded. “Let’s give it some thought baby. I mean… let’s just give it some thought. If we tell him are you going to tell the Webers? Somehow I don’t think they might be as understanding.”

“I know. But the Webers don’t push as much to see Maddie and they never push to see me. Sometimes… I know they love Maddie, but sometimes I think that… maybe we remind them too much of AJ.”

“You would think they would want to be reminded. You and Maddie never forget him.”

“I know. I guess people just deal with things differently.”

“What about Renee? You going to tell her too?” He asked.

“Shit, I don’t know Peter! Okay. I get it. It’s a dumb idea.” I gave up.

“Darlin don’t be like that. I ain’t sayin we shouldn’t tell them. I would like to meet your parents. I am just saying it ain’t as simple as showing up on Charlie’s doorstep and saying, hi Dad, we’re home. That’s all. We need to think about a lot of variables…”

“GOD YES YOU FUCKING BEAST!”

Thoughtful Peter just went out the window.

“Jesus Christ will she ever get tired of that? Can’t she learn to shut the hell up? You need to talk to her, Bella. At least I was always quiet when I was…”

“Fucking my brains out?” I helped him.

“I was going to say making sweet love to you, but I guess that works.”

“Yeah but I wasn’t quiet.”

“I know but…”

“Peter she is a very… passionate girl who is still only months old. You have to let her have her space.”

“Speakin of space then, how bout we get our own place?”

“No Peter.”

“Bella…”

“No Peter.” Maddie said from the bedroom.

I smiled at him. Guess that answers his question.

“See? She is being loud just to fuck with me! If she can hear that…”

“I only listen when you try to talk my mother into leaving me.” Maddie said walking and wearing a robe, smelling like chlorine and… yeah.

“Maddie if you are old enough to be doing that don’t you think you are old enough to live on your own?” Peter asked.

Maddie sat down between us, pushing Peter aside.

“Of course I’m old enough. But I don’t want to. You know me and Mom…”

“Yes, yes, you and your mother stick together. I get it.”

“She is my best friend Peter. You wouldn’t take my best friend away from me, would you?” Maddie laid her head on my shoulder and gave Peter her best sad face.

“No Maddie. But all I’m saying is we could all get separate houses. Like when we were in Wyoming and Jasper and Alice lived next to us.”

“Someone say our names?” Alice danced in followed by a striding Jasper.

“Yes, I was just suggesting to Maddie that we have separate houses next to each other like we did in Wyoming.”

Alice responded quickly. “No, I like living together in one giant palace. This place fits me. Where is Alexander, sweetie? I thought we heard you two starting up round 26.”

Maddie and Alexander have pretty much been going at it nonstop since Alexander passed Peter’s test. He even knew the name of her imaginary friend she had when she was 4. Peter didn’t even know that. I heard him tell her he loved her last night. The first time he ever said it. They weren’t even having sex. My eyes misted a little. She whispered the same to him.

“Oh we did start, until I heard Peter try to talk Mom into leaving me. I guess I got Alexander a little worked up. He was annoyed.”

“Peter!” Alice shot him a dirty look.

“That wasn’t what I was doing! We were, I mean, Jasper you know what I’m saying?”

“I quite like it here.” Jasper leaned back on one of the plush sofas with his hand behind his head and his feet kicked out.

“Thanks brother. You are a lot of help.”

“I understand where you are coming from Peter.” Alexander said, striding in. Even inside the damn wind seems to make his hair flow behind him. Almost like he has a guy who walks around blowing a fan in his face.

“Alexander!” Maddie replied irritated. Looks like someone isn’t getting sex for ten minutes.

“I don’t think Peter means we should leave your mother, dear. He is simply saying we should live on the same land in separate houses so Daddy Peter doesn’t have to hear how I make his little girl feel all night and day long.”

“Hey now…” Peter started.

“And… so you don’t have to hear what he is doing with your mother.” Alexander winked at me.

“Well we can’t exactly break up this place.” I pointed out.

“Yes and sound does tend to carry here. I wouldn’t mind moving.” Alexander replied shocking the hell out of me.

“Where would you be interested in moving, Alexander?” I asked, curious.

“I am simply a member of the family. I really don’t care. I personally would like to have a smaller place. The kind of place Maddie grew up in. In the country of America. I’ve never had a small house. The idea of living in a home where I was within a few footsteps of her at all times appeals to me. I believe we could find houses next to each other or have them built. I mean we are extremely rich. We can pretty much do what we want.”

“You would leave your palace?” I asked in somewhat disbelief. This place was gorgeous.

“This old place? It’s too big. It was a fun place for me to play before, but now I have a family. Maddie should have the life she talks about with such fondness. Maddie also has a strong appetite and I can’t imagine Sand Cats and Fennec foxes are very tasty to her. Besides sound carries in these halls and you Peter, aren’t exactly quiet yourself. And Bella. My, my, my, Bella. I can hear where Maddie’s enthusiastic responses come from. However, Maddie hearing you have sex with Peter cuts down on my… what’s the word… action, so to speak, as much as Peter hearing Maddie cuts down yours.”

“It doesn’t appear to have slowed you action at all.” Peter sarcastically replied.

“Maybe we can go to Louisiana near Garrett and Charlotte?” Jasper asked more to himself.

“No! Snakes! I can’t believe they went back to that.” Maddie replied with a look of disgust.

“Alice? Do you have a preference?” She should get a say. She will be doing the fucking decorating.

“I have lived everywhere Bella. At least it seems like that. Anywhere we live, as long as we are all together, I am happy.”

“Peter?”

“Don’t care Bella. As long as they are having… that… where I don’t have to hear it. Soundproof houses are a must.”

I really had no care. As long as my little girl and my sister were around. And Peter of course.

“Maddie?”

“I want to go to Texas.” She whispered, not looking at anyone.

“Texas? It’s kind of bright there baby.” I pointed out.

“Alice and Jasper lived there while we did Mom. Peter lived there. We can control the weather. Making it cloudy shouldn’t be that big of a deal when we want to go into the city.”

“Maddie you know if we do that too often we could seriously screw up weather cycles. We can’t just make a storm whenever you want to go to the mall.” I reminded her. I had been reading about meteorology ever since I picked up that little power. Not as simple as just making it rain.

“We can go back to the land Peter owns. Rebuild the house. Build two more. It could work Mom. We could be isolated enough that no one would notice us.”

I looked around at Jasper, Peter and Alice. I realized it was never really a question. Once the words left Maddie’s mouth we were bound for Texas. We lived to make her happy. Always have and always would.

“Plus we would be close to Dad, Mom. We could visit his grave at night and make sure it’s being taken care of.”

I wasn’t surprised by that statement. She scratched Alexander’s face last week when he accidentally tore the chain of her locket in the “throes of passion.” The locket chain that now also held mine and AJ’s wedding rings. That chain and the ring Peter gave her, never came off. Alexander learns new things about Maddie every day. Sometimes in a hard way. Mainly that she can have anger issues about certain things. We replaced the chain quickly.

“I guess that settles it. We are moving to Texas.” Alexander smiled at her. Another person who is now wrapped around her finger. She had Alexander the Great wrapped around her finger. Only my girl.

“But first, I would like for you all to accompany me on a trip.” Alexander spoke up.

“A trip?” I asked him.

“Yes. As you all know I am sure, Christmas is next week. I always go to Jerusalem on Christmas.”

“Okay. I got no problem with that. Any reason why? I thought you guys worshiped all kinds of gods in your day?” Peter asked.

Peter actually looked interested which wasn’t a surprise. Some things Peter didn’t joke about. A man’s beliefs were one of them.

“Yes, that is how I was brought up. We had a damn god for everything. Always angering the gods. Hoping the gods blessed us in battle. Hoping the gods gave us rain. Hoping the gods allowed us to find more people to conquer. Okay the last one was mostly me. But yes, I believed in many gods until I found Jesus.”

“Got religion did you?” Jasper asked, smiling.

“No, I literally found Jesus. I had been in Jerusalem to observe a potential Jewish uprising that had been rumored. Apparently the Jews thought the one mentioned in a prophecy had been sent by God to destroy the Romans. I heard such wild tales about this future king, I had to see for myself. The feats I heard convinced me if they were true, he must be a gifted vampire. At the time I was only around 300 myself so I was very interested in meeting other vampires. He was no vampire.”

“You met Jesus Christ?” Holy shit.

“He was actually known as Yeshua Bar Yehosef at that time. We were in Jerusalem after all.”

“You met him?” Alice asked, eyes wide.

“Yes. Only once in a manner of speaking. I listened to him speak often though. I was amazed at his words. I saw him perform miracles. History cannot begin to record the number of miracles he performed. One day I am sitting at the back of a crowd of thousands. I have my hood down over my face to hide from the sun. The crowd parts and he walks by me. I looked up and he smiled at me. He touched my shoulder.

“Hello Alexander.” He said. Then he walked on. I was speechless. Those simple words touched me to the bone.

I watched him die on the cross. I had never wanted to cry as a vampire, as much as I wanted to cry that long day. I conquered the known world but he showed me true strength that day. I heard he rose from the dead. I never went to check. I had no doubt it was true. I saw his name become the most revered name in history. Jesus the Christ. The Savior of mankind. Sort of makes Alexander the Great, conqueror of the known world, pale in comparison. About 1000 years ago I began making a trip to the site where I last saw him speak. It is how I observe Christmas. I would be honored if you would all join me this year. It will be the first time I have ever had anyone with me. The first Christmas I will ever have with a family.”

“Wow.” I replied.

“You think he would hold drowning a Bible against a person?” Maddie asked.

Alexander and Alice laughed.

“I am pretty sure he will forgive you for that Maddie. You were after all only trying to make holy water to rid the world of Cullens. I can’t imagine a loving God who would hold that against you.”

“That’s good.” She said, looking relieved.

“I think I can say we would be honored to accompany you to Jerusalem Alexander.” I told him without hesitation.

He said nothing but he smiled.

My future son in law was full of surprises.

One week later we were standing in a large field. It was unremarkable. Alexander walked to the middle of the field and sat on the ground. He stared into the distance as if watching someone speak.

“Alexander? May Maddie and I see what you are thinking about?”

“Of course Bella.” He replied, his eyes never looking back.

I looked at Maddie and nodded. We read his mind and both of us gasped. He had a perfect memory of the last time he saw Jesus in this field speaking to the crowd. Jesus Christ himself. He remembered every word.

“Maddie?”

“I see it, Mom.” Her eyes were wet. They had recently became a beautiful shade of yellow. I believe I felt tears pooling in mine as well.

We all sat down by Alexander, Peter on one side and Maddie on the other. Crossing our legs underneath us as we sat on the earth.

After thirty minutes, Alexander ran the sleeve of his long sleeve shirt across his eyes and stood.

“Thank you all for being here.”

“Of course son. Your family now. We stick together.” Peter said patting his back and making the rest of speechless. Christmas miracles can happen.

“Mom?”

“Yes baby?”

“I’m never saying Jesus Christ during sex again.”

I had to laugh a little.

“Neither am I baby. Neither am I.”

We retreated to the hotel in Jerusalem we were staying at. Maddie and Alexander had their own room as did Jasper and Alice. Everyone convened in mine and Peter’s room though. It was time for presents.

The four of us and Maddie had started a tradition after Peter and I got married. Seeing as how we had billions of dollars, buying numerous Christmas gifts seemed rather silly. We all decided to give each other one gift. One gift that would have personal meaning to the recipient. Price didn’t matter. It could be expensive or cheap or free.

Maddie began. She gave Peter a picture of herself sitting with her head on Peter’s chest on the couch in Wyoming. Her eyes were closed and she had her arms around him. He had an arm around her. The scene was so touching I took a photo. Maddie always kept it with prized possessions. She was eleven at the time it was taken. She had fallen asleep while watching TV with him. The frame was engraved.

It simply said ‘I love you.’

Peter hugged her, not trusting himself to say anything. He always gets choked up at the gift giving. Big tough Cowboy that he is.

I gave him his cowboy hat he had when we first met. The one I found him wearing in his boxers the first morning after I met him. Alice kept it for me over the years. It was time to give it back.

Peter handed Maddie a picture of Princess.

“That was taken yesterday.”

“She is okay?” Maddie smiled.

“She is doing great. You will see for yourself soon though.”

“What do you mean?”

“The houses in Texas will be ready in two months. I am having her brought to us. She will be waiting for you when we get there.”

“Are you serious?” Maddie asked, eyes already watering.

“Would I lie to you about your horse?”

“But what if I am too different? What if she is scared of me?”

“You won’t be. You are still you. She knows you. You and that horse know each other’s souls. Souls don’t change.”

Maddie jumped in Peters lap and hugged him.

I gave Alice the remains of the dress I escaped the Volturi in. She gave me the jeans I had ripped the ass out of in my first battle. Apparently she had snuck them out of the trash and had been carrying them with her all these years. Alexander gave Jasper autographed copies of several of the biographies written about him. We all laughed but I think Jasper was secretly excited.

Peter gave me a small box. It weighed nothing. I looked at him in confusion.

“Just open it.”

I opened the box. Knowing Peter it could be anything.

There were 6 plane tickets. Tickets to Seattle.

“What is this? We are going to Seattle?” I asked him confused.

“Nope. We are going to Forks. I don’t know about all the grandparents. But Alice, Jasper and I have discussed this in great detail. We think Charlie can handle it. We think he should know. The choice is yours on whether you want to use them or not. You and Maddie. But if you want to tell him, if you think he can handle it, we are with you.”

I looked at Jasper and Alice who both nodded to me. I looked at Maddie. She was staring at the tickets, not saying a word.

“What do you think baby?”

“I think it’s time for you to see you Grandpa, Mom. I know he can take it. I know he will stay quiet. He deserves to know. You two deserve to see each other again.”

I looked at the man who knew me better than anyone on earth. My soul mate. The one I could not live without.

“Thank you Peter.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say.

“I would walk through hell for you Bella. I can certainly survive meeting your father.”

Alexander spoke up. “I wanted to give this to you in private, Maddie. But the more I thought about it, I couldn’t. Your family means too much to you and now to me, not to do this with everyone present.”

“Okay…” Maddie had a strange look on her face.

“We haven’t known each other long. But from the moment we laid eyes on each other we knew we belonged together. I love you. When I say I love someone that is it for me. I said it to only one woman in my human life. I loved her deeply the same as your mother loved your father. I have never told a woman I loved her since that time. I know though without a doubt that you are my soul mate in the same manner that your mother and Peter are bonded. I want you to be my wife. I want you to wear this ring.”

He opened up a box with a beautiful topaz gem set on a simple silver ring. He knew Maddie preferred silver over gold.

“This stone is the only thing I could find that even starts to resemble your beautiful eyes.”

Maddie looked at me speechless. I didn’t know what to say. We had all expected this down the road but now? It was so soon. I mean it was inevitable. But still.

I looked at Peter the same time Maddie did.

He smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

“Follow your heart kid. You got a strong one and it has never let you down before. I got your back, whatever you decide.”

I smiled at Peter. I knew he was coming around about Alexander. But this was different. He wanted her happy. It’s all he has ever wanted.

“I’m not moving away from my mother.” Maddie told him, staring into his eyes.

Alexander laughed. “I think we all understand that Maddie. I would hate to take you away and constantly make sure you don’t try to hitchhike or steal a car to get back to her.”

“Then okay. I mean I do. No wait. That’s later. Yes. Yes I will marry you.”

Alexander placed the ring on her finger and rose. He cupped my little girls face gently and kissed her gently.

“I GET TO PLAN A WEDDING!”

Way to be in the moment Alice.