638Bella arrived at the airport to see her southern-sweet cousin Sookie waiting anxiously and excitedly beside a medium built dark haired vampire with a pale complexion hovering beside her. He also had long sideburns, eyes darting around the crowd in a shifty manner.
As the teenage girl approached her cousin, Sookie swivelled round with a grin to greet her, "Bella! Oh honey, I missed you so much! How's my baby cus been doin'?" Sookie grabbed her in a bone crushing hug. She was always very protective of her little cousin. Sookie was so motherly, kind, caring and sweet until someone hurt what was hers then god help that poor SOB. She could be vicious when it came to those she cared about.
"Sook, I'm fine, now let me go I need to breathe" Bella cried, surprised at Sookie's strength.
Sookie released her youngest cousin with a sheepish expression.
"Oh, now where are my manners?" Sookie said and turned around to smile at the dark haired men on her left, "Bella I'd like you to meet my boyfriend Bill. Bill this is my baby cus Bella" Sookie stepped aside and put her arm around the man's waist. He looked rather... creepy. Looking upon his plain face she studied his expression. He seemed rather sly and Bella supposed he was handsome enough but the way he held himself seemed arrogant and practised.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Bella" He spoke with an exaggerated southern accent that really gritted on her nerves. 'God, Sookie and her idea of a southern gentlemen' Bella thought wryly.
"Likewise" Bella grabbed his outstretched hand for a handshake when she felt his cold palm touch hers he seemed to freeze. Bill held onto her hand and looked in the brunette's eyes very intensely. His dark eyes stared into Bella's in awe.
Still holding onto her hand Bella coughed awkwardly. 'Why won't he let go of my hand? I knew he was a creep' Bella thought awkwardly.
Sookie, thankfully, seemed to notice Bella's predicament. Grabbing onto his shoulder Sookie said, "Bill, d'ya mind going to get Bella's suitcase while we catch up?" She asked politely with a big grin on her face.
Bill thankfully seemed to snap out of whatever state he was in and let go of Bella's hand.
"Of course darling" Bill replied in his drawl and pecked Sookie on the cheek. He then walked away and Bella watched as Sookie stared at his retreating form disappearing into the crowd at the airport. She then sighed dreamily. 'Girls got it bad', Bella observed.
"So tell me everything" Sookie turned to Bella and levelled her with a no-nonsense stare. She looked so much like gran at that moment, it made Bella smile a little.
"Can we talk about it later? It's kind of... personal" Bella whispered to her big cousin. Sookie observed her for a moment before placing her arms around her shoulders and squeezing her shoulder affectionately.
"Of course Bells, just tell me when your ready to talk" Sookie told Bella. Bella had always been too shy, too sweet and too sensitive. She always seemed to take on too much responsibility, Sookie knew and never let anyone take care of her. 'Well that's going to change!' Sookie thought. She and her gran knew that is was Bella's time to be cared for now she was away from her immediate family. From what she had heard over the phone and from seeing her now Sookie could tell Bella had been through something traumatic. 'god help who ever hurt my baby cousin' she seethed. She would wouldn't let anybody get away with hurting her cousin in any way shape or form.
Sookie and Bella caught up while Sookie led her through the airport. When they reached a dull yellow run down little car Bill suddenly appeared again.
"Oh here let me take that for you Bella" Bill spoke in his annoying southern accent. He took Bella's carry on bag before stashing it in the trunk. He then opened the back seat of the car and looked at Bella expectantly.
'Dear god, not another over protective vampire'. Bella sighed. How is she going to deal with this Bill?
Sookie slipped into the passenger seat with an approving look on her face. 'I'm glad that Bill will treat Bella right. He's such a gentleman'
The drive to Bon temps was mostly silent with the exception of pleasant chatter between the two cousins.
Sookie braced herself for what she was going to tell Bella.
"Uh Bella, how do you feel about vampires?" Sookie asked uncertainly with an eye dart to the man driving. Bella stiffened but when she noticed Sookie watching her intently with a worried look on her face forced herself to relax. Bella shrugged.
"I don't really have an opinion, to be honest. I suppose it depends on the individual vampire. Don't worry I'm not some extremist vampire hater Sookie. You know me better than that" She replied diplomatically.
Sookie expelled a big gust of air and smiled, looking very relieved.
"-and I'm guessing you think the same as me considering your dating one" Bella added cheekily hoping ease off some of the serious atmosphere in the car.
Both Sookie and Bill appeared stunned,
"Bella, how did you know I am a vampire?" Bill asked cautiously and looked at her in an assessing manner.
"It's pretty obvious. Why is it some big secret?" Bella asked curiously. There was that otherworldly difference that surrounded Bill and make it obvious he wasn't a human. Did they expect Bella to be an idiot? She was 18 years old and graduated high school early. She may not be the most worldly person but she could tell the difference between and alive person and a dead one.
The car ride was silent after that. Sookie sat pondering Bella. She wondered if she was a bit different like Sookie. Sookie could tell the difference between vampires and humans because of their glow but she assumed that was because of her telepathy. Then again, Sookie has never been able to hear Bella's thoughts. Sookie assumed she has just never heard her but she never actively tried. Sookie concentrated on Bella focusing in on her mind... and couldn't hear anything. Her brain patterns seemed completely different. It wasn't like a vampire but it was like running water; fluid and changing. She couldn't hear her thoughts, she was there but wasn't a void. Sookie was amazed.
By the time they arrived at grans house it was almost midnight.
Bella went to open her door but before she could reach the handle the door was swung open and Bill was standing there with an outstretched arm. Bella sighed mentally. She took his hand hesitantly feeling the cool texture of his palm. She let go immediately and left him walking up to the old farmhouse with Sookie on her heels. A rush of fondness and a feeling of homecoming engulfed her at the Stackhouse farmhouse. This is where she spent the best years of her childhood. Moving around constantly with her mother did not provide a place where she truly thought of as home. This was her true home and always would be.
Adele Stackhouse dashed outside and embraced her youngest grandbaby when Bella reached the porch.
"come on, let's get you inside. You must be hungry. I made you a late dinner, honey" came the loving voice of Bella's grandmother. She was lead to the kitchen and placed down at the table.
After a delicious southern home cooked meal, Bella was stuffed. She hadn't been this full in years it felt like. She decided all she wanted to do was collapse on her bed and pass out.
"Well I'm off to bed now, I'm so exhausted" She announced to everyone in the room, standing to lift her plate to wash. Bill and Sookie sat at the table with her with Sookie munching on some fruit and Bill sipping his true blood politely. Bella had to smile at her gran having readily stocked True Blood. Of course her gran would want to be the perfect southern hostess to vampires and human alike.
"Of course dear, I'll just tidy up those plates and you best be gettin' to bed dear" Her gran said from her place at the kitchen sink with a pointed look at the plates she was about to carry. Bella dropped the plate and looked down. She was getting older her gran, Bella felt a wave of guilt for her gran doing so much work. Her gran had just cooked her a wonderful meal, welcomed her into her home and now she had to clean it all up.
"Gran ill do that before I go to bed, don't worry about it" Bella said and walked over to the sink and tried to take over. Sookie was less than pleased and stood.
"Oh no you don't missy. You march straight to your room and get some rest. I'll help gran out. Just you get to bed, okay?" Sookie proclaimed dramatically, hand on her hip.
Bella sighed and opened her mouth to argue but was cut off by Bill.
"She is right of course. Would you like for me to run you a bath before you retire?" Bill stared at Bella kindly. 'what is up with this guy?' Bella thought uncomfortably.
It was three to one, she didn't have a choice, "Oh uh, no thanks Bill. I'll just go get my suitcase..."
"-no need. I took the liberty of retrieving your belongings and placed them on your bed. It is getting quite late Bella you should go to sleep soon". Bill heavily suggested or more like told Bella. She was wondering if he always ordered people around like this.
Bella really was too tired to argue or deal with Bill so she simply gave Sookie and gran a hug and kiss on the cheek before telling them goodnight. She then said goodnight to Bill and walked away.
She thought she saw a brief flash of disappointment in Bills eyes just as she passed by him. No, she must just be imagining things. It's too late and Bella is simply fatigued from her plane ride.
She entered her childhood bedroom that was now hers again, closing the door softly behind her. The room was exactly as she left it except a new double bed. Blue curtains, teddies on her bed, a desk, private bathroom and large victorian styled wardrobe. Her bedroom looked out to the graveyard at the back of the house. Bella immediately changed into her comfortable sweats and drifted off to sleep thinking about how different her life will be.