Fic: W.W.B.D?

[kermit-thefrog.livejournal.com]

Title: W.W.B.D? Part 1/2

Rating: PG-13 for some language

Summary: In the "Fast Cars and Freedom" verse. Bella is home from college for Thanksgiving, and must confront the Cullens.

Warnings: None

Books: Breaking Dawn/Eclipse/New Moon

Disclaimer: Meyer made this sparkly shit up. I wrote what I wished had happened.



It was good to be back in Forks. I’d forgotten how much more comfortable my old bed was than the school-issued mattress in my dorm, I didn’t have to worry about someone throwing my wet laundry on the floor, and, surprisingly, the food was better. Charlie had been taking cooking classes at the local community college, and said that from now on we could share culinary duties.

He’d been cautious about inviting me home for Thanksgiving. He knew that Forks had a lot of memories of the Cullens and Edward for me, but I was determined not to let memories keep me from living my life. I wanted to spend time with Charlie and tell him all about Dartmouth, and catch up with my friends who would be home for the holiday as well. I saw it as an opportunity to make amends to people I’d been so obliviously cruel to while I was obsessed with the Cullens.

To my surprise, both Sue and Leah Clearwater joined us for Thanksgiving dinner. Sue said she couldn’t stay long, since Emily would need help preparing dinner for the rest of the tribe, but she dropped off a delicious-looking pumpkin pie and chatted with Charlie in the kitchen while I set the table in the dining room.

Leah watched me closely, her arms folded and her expression unreadable. I felt a little nervous, and I knew she was probably wondering if I was planning on seeing Jacob while I was home.

“Um,” I said, fishing for a neutral topic of conversation. “Why does Emily need help with dinner? She can feed those guys pretty well all by herself.” I wanted to smack myself when I realized that Emily was far from a neutral topic, but Leah only exhaled sharply through her nose.

“She’s seven months pregnant,” she informed me, her voice as tight as her smile. “Sam insists that she not spend a minute on her feet and that everyone do everything for her until she pops.”

I was speechless for a moment. “Oh. Wow. That’s...” Great didn’t seem like the right word, but neither did Too bad, so I settled for a sympathetic shrug. She rolled her eyes and focused on the pile of linen napkins on the table.

“It’s all anyone talks about these days,” she said quietly. “It’s nice to get a break from it.”

After a moment’s hesitation, I made a decision. I put down the last spoon and headed into the kitchen, where Sue was putting on her coat. She saw me and glanced over my shoulder at Leah.

“Is she coming?” she asked. “We really should get going. I’m sorry we couldn’t stay, Charlie--”

“Mrs. Clearwater,” I said before I lost my nerve. “Could Leah eat with us?”

Sue blinked, and Charlie looked uncomfortable. I knew Leah could hear me, but I didn’t hear her objecting.

“Bella, that’s sweet of you, honey,” Sue said. “But we always eat together, and Emily does need all the help she can get these days. Leah understands--”

“Mom, I’d rather eat here,” Leah interrupted, coming to stand next to me. She glanced at Charlie. “If that’s okay with you.” She amended.

I felt bad for putting Charlie in the middle of this, but he scratched his head and looked at Sue, who was pursing her lips at her daughter.

“Sue, if it’s all right with you, we wouldn’t mind having Leah here,” he said gently. “We’ve certainly got enough for three.”

Sue looked at him, then Leah, ignoring me. She sighed heavily and gave Leah a meaningful look.

“I don’t know what Sam will have to say about this, but all right. You come home as soon as you’re done.”

Knowing what I did about the pack, I knew Leah probably wouldn’t have much choice, but she nodded curtly, her eyes defiant.

Sue gave me and Charlie cursory smiles before she left, and Leah’s shoulders relaxed as her mother’s car disappeared down the street.

Charlie turned to us and raised his eyebrows. “So. Anyone hungry?”

****


“So, Bella,” Leah asked once we had tucked into our turkey, stuffing and Charlie’s cheddar mashed potatoes. “What classes are you taking?”

“A little of everything, sounds like,” Charlie commented, and I laughed.

“Only four this semester,” I replied. “French and Italian for my Comparative Literature class, psychology and brain studies, and women’s studies. It was really hard to narrow it down to four classes. They’re all amazing.”

Leah looked impressed. “I’m glad. And you’re on that Pacific Northwest Trust scholarship?”

I nodded. It had been a miracle that Charlie had gotten wind of the scholarship I’d earned back in my sophomore year and convinced me to accept it. At the time I had only done it to make him happy, I was so far into my Edward-withdrawal depression. But now that I was financially independent for four years--and consequently college tuition was one less thing for Charlie to worry about--I had to admit, it was a Godsend.

“It sounds great,” Leah said, with a trace of wistfulness. “I’ve enrolled in some classes at Forks Community College, but my mother keeps telling me I should be clearing my schedule to help out when Emily has her baby.” She stabbed a rather large slice of turkey on her plate. “I told her I’d rather be learning anthropology than changing diapers.”

Charlie gave a “hm” of support, and I figured that the new source of tension between Leah and her family was familiar to him.

“You should always get more schooling,” he said sagely, ladling more gravy onto his stuffing. “That’s what I believe.”

Leah flashed him a smile, and I switched the topic of conversation to the book I was reading in my Comp Lit class. By the time dinner was over, Leah was looking more relaxed, until she glanced at the clock.

“Sorry, I should be going,” she said, the light going out of her eyes as she stood up. “Thank you for having me. It was good to see you.”

I picked up her plate and mine to take into the kitchen. As she headed for the back door, I put the plates in the sink and turned.

“Leah?” I said just as she’d opened the screen door. She glanced back at me.

“I’m not here to see Jacob,” I said, addressing the very patient elephant in the room at last. “I don’t want to stir up any drama while I’m back, and I just thought you should know that. And you can come by here any time you want, if you need to get away for a while.”

She tilted her head at me, and the best I could describe her expression was a cross between wonder and thoughtfulness.

“Thanks, Bella,” she said at last. “I have to say, college really agrees with you.”

I took the somewhat barbed compliment with a grin, and Leah loped out the door and across the lawn.

The rest of the day was spent dozing on the couch while Charlie watched football, and scrolling through my new phone wondering who I would call tomorrow and make plans with. I had just dragged myself off the couch and back to the kitchen for a second slice of pie when the house phone rang. Out of habit, I picked up.

“Hello?”

“Bella?”

I froze. It was Rosalie.

I slammed the phone back into its’ cradle and was still standing there shaking when the phone rang again. I knew it would still be her, or one of the Cullens, at least. With the exception of her, Jasper and Emmett, none of them had taken my breakup with Edward well at all.

I was still deleting emails from Alice and Esme, Carlisle had called so many times that Charlie had told him personally to stop bothering me, and Edward--well, he’d been the worst. He had sent me extravagant pieces of jewelry (all of which I had shipped back at great personal cost, since most were “one of a kind” and had to be sent to the original jewelers themselves) and had followed me everywhere, to the point where I had filed a restraining order against him (something Charlie said I should have done years ago.)

The phone didn’t stop ringing, so I finally reached out and picked up, not saying a word into the receiver.

“Bella? Hello?” Rosalie sounded impatient. “All right, just listen. We’re in Nice, and last night Alice Saw you coming back to town for Thanksgiving, and she and Carlisle and Esme are packing to fly to Forks tonight and convince you to take Edward back. I just thought you’d like to know.”

I heard Emmett’s voice in the background yell “Break out the garlic!” and I let out a laugh in spite of myself. I was glad that these two, at least, had supported my decision.

“Emmett, be quiet,” Rose said with a snort. “Bella, I know you’re there. What you do next is up to you, but don’t let them guilt you into anything.”

In spite of myself, there were a couple of things I had to know before she hung up.

“Where’s Edward?” I said, dropping my voice so Charlie couldn’t hear. “Why isn’t he coming himself?”

Rose scoffed. “Well, you know Eddiekins. He doesn’t think that restraining order is worth the paper it’s printed on, but he still goes on and on about how he won’t force the issue, that it’s your choice and no matter what, he’ll never stop loving you and someday you’ll realize that, blah blah blah.”

I shivered, closing my eyes. I could hear the stone-cold certainty in his voice just from her description, and for a second I wanted to sob. Would this ever be over? I could have punched my old, besotted self repeatedly for confusing Edward’s relentless obsession with me with anything like love.

I shook myself out of that little pity party and asked my next question. “And Jasper?”

“Oh, he wanted to come, and Alice was all for it,” Rosalie replied. “He thought he could be a big help if you needed persuading.”

My heart lurched. The idea that Alice, who had considered herself my best friend, would have willingly used her mind-controlling husband against me made me feel sick.

“But Emmett sat on him and told him that wasn’t fair to you,” Rosalie continued. “I agree. It’s bad enough that Alice is psychically stalking you and Carlisle and Esme have no problem with it.”

I felt a rush of gratitude towards Emmett, and for Rose for presenting a united front against the rest of the family on my behalf.

Before I could respond, there was a scuffle on the other end, a playful shriek from Rose, and Emmett’s voice boomed over the line.

“Bella, you don’t have to see them if you don’t want,” he said. “I’m sure Carlisle respects Charlie enough not to bother you at your home, at least. Or if you want, I could call Leah Clearwater--aw, Rose, don’t make that face--and I bet she’d offer some backup.”

I considered this. True, it seemed as though I’d made a slight inroad as far as becoming Leah’s ally, but we were still far from friends. And I had promised not to create drama with the Quiletes while I was home. It looked like I’d have to go solo.

“Thanks, Emmett,” I said warmly. “But I think I’ll have to handle this myself. Thank you for not letting Jasper come along.”

“I can chain him up, if you want,” Emmett said cheerfully. “Rose and I have a lot of restraints at our disposal.”

I giggled. “That’s okay. Just keep an eye on him and Edward, that’s all I ask.”

“Well, if you’re sure,” Emmett said, a trace of concern in his voice.

I nodded, sobering when I thought of the inevitable reunion coming my way. “I am. I need to do this for myself.”

Comments

[gehayi.livejournal.com]

Bella being nice to Leah! Bella actually trying to build a life that doesn't include co-dependency, abuse and death! Rosalie and Emmett being on Bella's side and warning her about her stalkers!

WHY ISN'T THE SERIES LIKE THIS? It would be infinitely cooler!

[arynia.livejournal.com]

Oh, I really wish the series could have gone this way! I hope you write more in this verse.

[hyperactivator.livejournal.com]

Wonderfull.

[aubreyfrog.livejournal.com]

If only Bella had been this smart.
This was great and a much needed version of the book. Thanks for sharing!

[xxburningsoulxx.livejournal.com]

Bella having brains. This must be a dream because this will never happen in real life.

This is pure awesome.

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

What a GREAT setup! :-D This seems to be one spitefic to keep track off. I really like what you've done with everyone. Charlie and Emmett continues to be awesome! *loves on them* And Leah is running towards awesome herself... :-D Love it!

[melissatreglia]

This is my most favourite of spitefics, right here. I love how not all the Cullens are in complete agreement with Edward's attitude on the breakup (ie. Emmett and Rosalie supporting Bella's bid for freedom). And Alice is just too creepy, what with the future-stalking, using Jasper to coerce Bella, and all.

I like how this Bella has begun to move on with her life; a life that does not include Edward or the Cullens, and involves college and using the brains God gave her to become a better person. College definitely does agree with her!

*runs over to Pt. 2*

[kermit-thefrog.livejournal.com]

Thank you!! Hope you like Pt 2 just as much!

[mibamonster.livejournal.com]

I feel really sorry for Leah in this. She so obviously is a strong woman, with so many talents, and then she's forced into this traditional female role, having to take care for her ex's pregnant wife and baby... And Bella is interesting! That's a nice change.

[kermit-thefrog.livejournal.com]

Glad you liked it! And yes, Leah always deserves better than she gets in canon.