Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Catharsis

By Mama4Dukes

Chapter 19:

The following week took some getting used to. Every evening at six pm, the wolves and the Cullens were trained by Jasper, Peter, and Charlotte to fight newborn vampires. Afterwards, there would be a mad scramble for the kids to finish up their schoolwork. During the day, Esme and Rose took turns going to Alison for counseling.

On Thursday night, Seth Clearwater changed into a wolf while the other wolves were training. They, of course, all rushed back to the reservation when they witnessed his transformation, especially when they saw through their shared telepathy that Bella and Emily were hugging him and patting his fur like he was a newborn puppy. He was supposed to be a ferocious, vampire-killing fighter, not a lovable pet, after all. Leah’s brother had known the change was coming so he had been prepared, and was very calm about the situation. Everything had been explained to him when Embry, Jared, Leah, and Paul had changed into wolves in front of him over a year ago. Seth was indoctrinated into the pack and joined in on the training sessions.

After that, everything proceeded normally for about ten more days when the wolfpack received a surprise when Brady Fuller and Colin Littlesea became wolves. They were only in eighth grade. Levi wasn’t surprised. He pointed out that his pack had been between the ages of twelve and fifteen when they first phased. The new wolves were trained by Jasper to fight newborns, but he suggested that they were too young to participate in the actual war.

The following week, Jasper gave the seniors a break from training since they had final exams. During that time, he helped some of the younger wolves with their school projects, which were due. The younger wolves had an additional week of school after the seniors graduated. At the end of the week, Peter and he met with Charlie Swan, Levi Uley, and the elders to discuss logistics.

“Alice had another vision,” Jasper explained. “They plan to attack on June 20th, which is Edward’s birthday. Bella is to be his birthday present.”

“But isn’t he no longer attracted to her blood because her scent has changed?” Billy asked.

Jasper grimaced. “He wants her for his sexual gratification.”

“You have got to be kidding me? He’s twisted!”

“Yes, he is twisted. His plans have changed. He now wants to decimate La Push and rid the reservation of any Quileutes so that he can kill off the wolf gene. To that end, he has created forty newborns to do the task quickly.”

Peter spoke next. “His plan is to arrive in La Push in the dead of night when all the residents are still asleep. Victoria will lead the newborns there while he grabs Bella at your house in Forks.” He turned to the map on the dining table. “Edward will drive to this house in his own car. Victoria will lead the newborns through the Olympic National Forest. We can head them off before they enter Forks.”

“What if one of them breaks through and is able to enter Forks or La Push?”

“We’ll just have to make sure it doesn’t happen, but this is where we have to ask a favor. Do we have permission to enter La Push during the battle if it becomes necessary?”

The elders turned to each other with conflicted eyes. Levi Uley decided to intervene. “If you’d like my opinion, I am going to suggest you grant them permission. They have proven to be friends by coming here to assist us with this battle. You have sat in this room and watched a baseball game with them, held conversations with them, and have come to no harm. If their presence in La Push saves the life of even one tribal member, then it is worth relaxing the laws.”

“I agree with him,” Charlie concurred.

“As do I,” Old Quil agreed. Billy and Harry soon followed suit, and the discussion moved on to what to do about Edward Cullen.

“When he comes here, he’ll realize your house is empty. After that, he’ll run to catch up with his mate. By then, the battle will be in full swing,” Peter explained.

“Who will be protecting La Push during the battle?” Charlie asked.

“Well, we figured that the two younger wolves-Brady and Colin can remain in their wolf forms and patrol the reservation together. There is another alternative, which we would need your approval for. We could have Esme remain on the reservation with the younger wolves. Frankly, we’d feel safer that way. She is our weakest fighter and we fear for her safety. She’ll still be able to provide protection for the humans.”

“Agreed. She can remain in La Push,” Billy decided.

“The wolf Quil Ateara has told us that his imprint lives in Forks and will be without protection. Alice has suggested that Bella invite her to La Push for a sleepover, if that’s amenable to you.”

“Nothing odd with that request. Lauren practically lives at our house anyway.”

With these plans made, the meeting soon ended. Charlie worried about his daughter. Her ex had an unhealthy obsession with her. He was psychotic-and psychotic people tended to be irrational and unpredictable.

---

On Friday evening, Paul, Jared, and Kim graduated from the tribal school. Jared and Kim had plans to move in together into a house, which was assigned to them by the tribe. Free housing was a perk assigned to wolves. He had a job lined up with the public works department as a trash collector. Kim would continue with her part time job at the childcare center.

Paul surprised everyone-well, everyone except for Bella and his parents-with the news that he would be attending Evergreen State College in Olympia. “I have to make something of myself or my imprint will reject me. I can’t have that happen,” he declared.

His parents were proud of him and credited Bella with getting him on track. They vowed to support him to the best of their ability so he would graduate from college, and so did Bella.

---

On Saturday, Bella, Sam, Lauren, and their buddies sat in their caps and gowns at Forks High School as the graduation ceremony proceeded.

Principal Greene stood at the podium and spoke. “As you know, the class valedictorian is selected by the faculty from amongst the students with the strongest grade point averages. In addition to academic success, the student must be of strong moral character, show commitment in his extracurricular activities, and be an upstanding citizen. This year’s valedictorian has proven to possess all of those traits and more. Due to personal hardship, he left Forks High School at the beginning of his senior year, two academic years ago. And then, he returned to us in September to finish what he had started. He came back with a new resolve, made new friends, and joined new clubs. His determination and triumph from adversity has impressed the entire faculty. He is the first valedictorian who was chosen unanimously. This year’s Forks High School valedictorian is Samuel Levi Uley.

Sam stood up to a rousing, round of applause. He walked to the podium and faced the audience. He caught sight of Charlie and his mother, watching him proudly from their seats. To her left sat his great-grandparents. He also saw his brother Embry and Tiffany Call. He even saw Leah giving him a smile and a thumbs up. He looked around and saw the elders-Old Quil Ateara, Billy Black, and Harry Clearwater. They were all here to support him. Well, except for Paul and Emily-they were here for Bella, and so was Jacob Black. The point is, they were all here, and they were a positive part of his life.

He looked back to see Bella smiling at him, took a deep breath, and began his speech. “Thank you Principal Greene and the faculty and staff of Forks High School for selecting me to be the valedictorian. I wasn’t sure if I deserved to be valedictorian, and I told this to Mr. Greene. Two years ago, I dropped out of high school because I couldn’t handle the pressure of maintaining the image of perfection. I was the perfect student, perfect athlete, perfect son-or so I thought. I really wasn’t because, as you all know, there’s no such thing as perfection. I was living a lie-doing things I didn’t want to do, until one day, I simply couldn’t do it anymore. I won’t go over the details of what transpired except to tell you that I needed the time to get out of my funk. I will tell you that during those two years, I received words of encouragement, which were really uplifting from members of the community in both Forks and La Push. The advice given to me by one man really stood out. I recall running into Chief Swan on a day after I dropped out of school-way before he was married to my mom. He was pumping gas next to me and told me, ‘We all hit rock bottom once in our lives, son. It’s what you do with the knowledge you gain while you’re there that gets you to the top.’ Well, I can tell you unequivocally that he was correct. I learned a lot during my foray at rock bottom, and while I don’t plan on ever being there again, I am grateful for the time I spent there because I was forced into learning more about myself, and what I needed to crawl out of my hole and become successful again. So, here is my advice to my classmates. It’s okay to admit defeat and it’s okay to fail-just learn from your mistakes, and you’ll come out of it stronger.

“Before I go, I need to acknowledge my mother, who has been a tower of strength for me my entire life. Not once did she lose faith in me, even when I dropped out of high school. I may have grown up without a father, but my mother fulfilled both roles admirably. Second, I would like to thank Elder Quil Ateara of the Quileute Nation for being a source of support and a mentor throughout my entire life. I also want to thank my new friends at my lunch table for giving me a chance to be your friend, and for accepting me for who I am. When I returned to school in September, I was concerned that I would be an outcast, but on my first day back, I met this wonderful group of students who welcomed me with open arms. I can tell you that we will all be lifelong friends, especially after planning prom and graduation together. By the way, if I never see a balloon again, I’ll be happy! We must have inflated thousands of balloons with those two events combined. Finally, I want to thank Chief Swan for those words of wisdom two years ago, and for being a wonderful stepfather to me.

“In closing, I’d like to tell you that the other night, we had Chinese takeout for dinner. When I opened up my fortune cookie, the quote inside was very relevant to what I spoke of today. ‘Failure is the mother of success.’ So, my fellow classmates, go out there and fail, learn from your mistakes, and then succeed big! Congratulations!”

After he returned to his seat in a hail of applause. Principal Greene handed out the diplomas, and when the final one was given out, he declared them all high school graduates.

The first thing Sam did was to find Bella and give her a big kiss on the lips. “I love you, Bella.”

“Ditto. Now let’s go and greet everyone before they think we disappeared.”

“Fine.” He pulled her into his arms again and kissed her one more time. “I really do love you, Bella.”

“I love you, Sam.”

The couple walked hand in hand to the other side of the gymnasium to be congratulated by friends and family. Just as they reached Alison and Charlie, Bella turned and ran straight into the arms of woman with golden brown hair. Sam noticed the woman had Bella’s smile.

“Mom! You came.”

“Of course I did. I wasn’t about to miss your graduation. Congratulations!” She kissed her forehead, and then took a good look at her. “You look happy, healthy, and together. Good. At least you’ve survived living with your father.”

“Where’s Phil?”

“Ah, he just got called up. He is now, officially a Seattle Mariner.”

“But you’re going to miss his game. Are you sure you’re okay with coming to my graduation.”

“Honestly, Bella. You’re much more important to me than Phil is. I wouldn’t miss this day for the world.”

Bella tugged at her mother’s hand. “Come and meet everyone.”

“Okay, okay. I’m coming.”

She hugged her mother one more time. “I really missed you, Mommy.”

“I missed you, too. Don’t worry. We’re living in the same state now, and once you begin college, I’ll see you often.”

They approached the rest of the family, and Bella introduced her mother to everyone.

“Very nice to meet you. I don’t know how you put up with Charlie. You have to be the bravest woman I know,” Renee said to Alison.

“Mom!” Bella protested.

“What, honey? If I’m anything, I’m very honest. You know how your father is a little nuts.”

“That’s what he says about you.”

“It’s a wonder you were even able to graduate from high school with us as parents.”

“Do you see what I had to put up with growing up, Sam?”

Renee hugged Charlie. “How are you?”

“Excellent. And you?”

“Oh, I’m on top of the world. Phil got called up to the Mariners. They flew him out to Boston. He’s playing tonight.”

“Hey, that’s great news! Congratulate him for me, will ya?”

“I certainly will. I’ll be watching the game from my hotel room.”

“You absolutely will not be staying at a hotel! You’re staying with us,” Alison insisted.

“Are you sure, honey? She’s a little nuts. Billy and Harry can vouch for me.”

“Charles Geoffrey Swan! Renee will be staying with us as our guest, and we will be watching the game together.”

“That sounds like a plan!” Levi stated. He held his hand out. “I’m Levi Uley. Sam’s uncle.” He used his cover because no one in their right mind would believe that he was Sam’s great-grandfather. He looked like he was still in his late thirties or early forties.

“Oh, very, very nice to meet you.” Renee reacted like most women did and checked him out from head to toe. “Are you a male model? I swear I’ve seen you in a magazine. I know! You’re an underwear model! You’re the guy with the big…”

“Mother! Oh my God! Stop!” Bella pulled Renee aside. “You’re embarrassing me. That’s Sam’s uncle and he’s married. You’re married!”

“Bella, I might be married, but I can still look. Did you check out the guns on that guy?”

“I don’t know, Mom! All I see is Sam’s uncle, and he can be really ornery! I don’t make it a habit to check out his guns!”

“Charlie, how in the world did we raise such a serious child? Are you sure she’s ours? Maybe she’s a foundling?”

“It’s possible, you know? Maybe the nurse at the hospital switched babies on us.”

Bella narrowed her eyes at her parents. “At least I have one normal parent.” She hugged Alison. “Two if I can get over the age thing with Phil.”

Ellen took the opportunity to introduce herself. “I’m Levi’s wife Ellen. You’re right. He does have nice guns.”

“Very nice to meet you. I’m Renee. If you get to look at him all day, you’re one lucky lady.”

“Uncle Billy, do something!” Bella cried desperately.

“Yeah, I think I’ll just adopt Bella. You two are nuts. You don’t mind me, do you?”

“No, at least you’re normal.” She leaned down to hug Billy.

“Congratulations, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Uncle Billy.”

“I really like your Mom, Bella. You’re just like her!” Paul noted.

“I am not!”

“Yes, you are! Remember the time we were in Port Angeles getting Rachel’s present and I pointed out the awesome truck to you, and you said, ‘Who cares about the truck? Check out the guy driving it!’ I remember everything clearly.”

“Yeah, you’re right. There was also the dude in the grass skirt at the hotel in Hawaii. Bella insisted on taking a picture with him,” Sam added.

“And that was a very nice picture you sent, honey,” Renee praised. “He was so fit!”

“He smelled like coconuts,” Bella said dreamily.

“Bella!” This time it was Sam who reacted. “Seriously? Enough about the dude in the grass skirt!”

“You’re the one who brought him up!”

“Oh, dear! I still haven’t hugged you yet. Come here, Sam.” Renee wrapped him into a bear hug. Then she turned to Paul and hugged him, too. “I know that you’re Bella’s buddy.”

“I am.”

“Well, it’s good to know that Bella has such nice friends.”

After that, more congratulations were doled out to the graduating pair, before they all headed to a party at the Swan home in Forks.

---

The following day, Renee went home to Tacoma because she had a job interview on Monday. She made sure to extract promises from everyone that they’d visit her, and in turn promised to secure tickets to a Mariner’s home game for them.

Once she left, Bella cried, “Oh my God! She’s going to hover over me when we’re in college next year. I just know it!”

“Oh, Bella. I really like Renee. She’s not that bad,” Alison said.

“Yes, she is!” Bella and Charlie both replied.

“Alright, who is coming with me to the store? I need to go grocery shopping.”

“I’ll go with you,” Charlie offered when the kids groaned. He smiled at the two recent graduates. “I want the lawn mowed and the floors mopped throughout the house before we get home.” When both Bella and Sam looked outraged, he added, “Clean the bathrooms and scrub the grates on the outdoor grill as well. Bye, kids.”

“This is so unfair,” Bella griped. “I swear they do this every Sunday. Have you noticed?”

“Yeah, no kidding. I’ll mow the lawn and do the grill grates,” Sam offered.

“And I’ll do the bathrooms and the floors.”

“Fair enough. I’ll see you in a bit.” He kissed his imprint thoroughly on the lips. “Let’s get the chores done quickly. I know for a fact that they’re going to Sequim.”

“Okay, I’m on it.”

An hour and a half later, they were done with chores. They soaked in their jacuzzi together and spent the day lazing around in bed. They treasured their time alone because tomorrow, Sam had to begin training for the upcoming battle in earnest.