Chapter 14 - Mambo!
A/N: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters, Stephanie Meyer does. I do not own West Side Story, I believe United Artist Picture does. Ruby and Peg come from my imagination.
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“All you need is love” – The Beatles
“Loving is enough” – Maria, West Side Story
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After making a quick stop at Jacob’s house, where she took a nice hot shower and changed into the clothes her grandmother gave her (somewhat shocked that her grandmother had worn the outfit), she jumped back into her car and drove off.
Her hands shook a little as she drove from her nerves. She figured a moderate amount of fear was normal, smart even, and as long as she did not let it consume her, she would be fine. She said a silent prayer to the Goddess for strength as she reached the clearing. She parked her car among the others, in almost the same spot she was in the last time she was there.
From her car, she could just make out the Cullen family at one side of the clearing, with Edward and Carlisle standing slightly to the front. On the other side of the clearing, the pack was standing in human form, with Sam and Jacob in the lead. A huge gap stood between the two groups. She shook her head and laughed wondering if when she opened the door if she would hear fingers snapping and the opening number to West Side Story.
She left the keys in the car because Emmett was going to drive it back to his house for the night. She was the last to arrive, as she did not possess supernatural speed, only four-wheel drive, so of course everyone turned to look at her arrival.
She walked confidently towards them wearing a black velvet cape with blood red satin lining that peeked through with every step she took. Even though it had belong to her grandmother, and the women was shorter than Ruby, it still dragged behind her as she walked, soaking up the evening dew that clung to the grass.
Ruby had always been a small girl, barely 5’3”, and with a mostly bubbly personality but now, she looked ominous, dangerous even, with the hood falling low over her brows. She walked towards the space between the two families, acting as a buffer, knowing that whatever family she would have choose to stand next to, it would have been perceived as choosing sides and she refused to be that juvenile.
“Bernardo,” Ruby said in greeting to Sam, “Riff,” she directed to Carlisle, and then bit her lip to prevent her laughter. Jacob and Edward both cracked a smile; Jacob because he had just seen the movie with her last week and Edward because her mind was cooperating and he saw the reference she was making. Some from the two groups got her joke, but most just took it as Ruby being Ruby – meaning she could be a little weird at times – and Bella was worried the girl had lost her mind.
Her arms were hidden beneath the material of her cloak but when she greeted them, they appeared out of two slits in the side.
Carlisle brought the conversation back to business. “Ruby, you will be with Bella as she walks around leaving her scent. This way there will be no traces of Edward being with her and your presence will strengthen the human scent. Jacob and Edward will be waiting when you are done. The rest of us will be returning to our house for one last practice session.”
“Sure. Which way do we go?” Ruby asked.
“North.”
“And north would be…” Ruby asked, as she pointed in a million different directions.
“That way,” Carlisle pointed, trying to hide his smile of amusement. “Touch as much as you can and linger in certain spots, let your scents really permeate the area. Then return to this spot, where the boys will be waiting to take you to the mountain.”
“What about Charlie?” Bella asked worried about her father.
“I told Charlie that I decided to keep Billy in the hospital for a few more days. I then informed him that I was leaving town for two days and having his best friend and the chief of police there to watch out for his best interest would be beneficial to his recovery. This way they will both be safe and out of the way.”
“Alright, let’s get going Bella.” Bella glanced at Edward and squeezed his hand before following Ruby. “E, please be careful with my baby. Also she’s a little dirty, you remember the bet don’t you?” She chuckled when he rolled his eyes. “Ok, guys, be right back.”
The girls walked until the canopy of the trees blocked out what little light the moon was giving off and Ruby had no choice but to light a flame in the palm of her hand.
“Ruby, you can still change your mind. You can go home or go to Sam’s house. This is so dangerous. I don’t want you getting hurt. You can still back out.”
Ruby looked back at Bella, tilted her head and smiled. “What and miss all the fun? Nah.”
The two girls walked in mostly silence, as Ruby desperately tried to keep track of every turn they took and every weirdly shaped rock they passed, so she could find their way back.
Bella watched Ruby run her free hand over the leaves, just as she was doing, and noticed the ring on the young witch’s hand.
“Hey, nice ring. Where did you get it?”
Ruby raised her hand and looked affectionately at the ring. “Jacob gave it to me.”
Bella looked confused for a second. “But you’re wearing it on… doesn’t that mean…” Ruby smiled at her and nodded her head. “Oh wow. You’re engaged. Umm, congratulations.”
“Thank you.” It was silent again, only the sound of the occasional bird.
“Don’t you think you’re too young?” Bella asked.
“For what?” Ruby was genuinely confused.
“To get married. It’s a big step, don’t you think?”
“No. I love Jacob and I know he loves me and I know we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together. I mean I know we’re going to get married and have kids and eventually grow old together so why wait to start our lives together as husband and wife.”
“But…”
“Bella, what do you think is going to happen? That the moment I get married I’m going to turn into a Stepford wife? Mindless and with no identity, proud to only be Jacob’s wife? Do you see that happening to me?”
“Well, no but…”
“Bella, I know you’re worried about me but I think the reason you’re so worked up isn’t because you’re worried about me but because you’re really worried about you.” Bella did not answer, just kept on walking looking around nervously. “If you marry the right guy, if you marry the guy, you don’t change, because the right guy wouldn’t want to change you. Eddie loves you.” Ruby let out a short laugh, when she noticed Bella looked sick with nerves. “So you’re not afraid for a vampire to bite you but you’re scared to marry the man you love?”
“Marriage isn’t always a guarantee.”
“No, it’s not. But you are not your parents. I’m a firm believer in ‘All you need is love’ and ‘Loving is enough’. Maybe your parents needed other things than the love that they were getting from each other; maybe they only loved each other and were not in love with each other, who knows? One thing is for certain, them not being able to make it work doesn’t mean you won’t be able to make it work with Eddie. My parents, hell just about all the generations of Taylors, have had blissfully happy marriages; puts a lot of pressure on me. We don’t follow in our parents footsteps, we make our own path.”
They walked in silence some more, Bella contemplating everything Ruby said. She knew Ruby was not pushing her to marry Edward but trying to open her mind to the idea of marriage not being a bad thing, the end of the world. Bella wondered if she could do it - marriage. She loved Edward more than anything and she knew, knew without a shadow of a doubt, that he loved her, so what was she so scared of? A couple of yards of white fabric and a ring on her finger? She wanted to spend forever with this man, a man who was going against what he wanted and was going to turn her into a vampire. He was going to kill her, no need to deny it or pretty it up, all because that was what she wanted and she couldn’t give him a wife. “You’re right,” Bella said after some time. “I may have been overreacting. Just a little.”
“Hey, like my grandma says: ‘even the smartest person is a fool when in love.’ Trust me on that one.”
When they had gone far enough, Ruby indicated that they should head back. When they were nearing the clearing, Bella fell over a rock and cut her hand.
“Damn. Bella, are you ok?” Ruby extended a hand and helped to set Bella on her feet again.
“Yeah. Just a little blood. Nothing I’m not used to.”
Ruby laughed. “You are the only person I know who can get mortally wounded by walking down the block.” Bella laughed also and Ruby began to walk away.
“Wait. I have an idea.” By the time Ruby turned around, Bella was already rubbing her bloodied hand over low hanging tree branches, leaves, bushes and rocks.
“What are you doing?” Ruby watched as Bella pressed her palm to the dirt ground. “Oh, that’s not sanitary. Come on, let’s go.”
Edward could smell the metallic and distinct aroma of Bella’s blood and as they cleared the last of the trees. He appeared in front of them in a blur.
“What happened?” He was trying, and failing, to hold back the worry from reaching his voice.
“What do you think?” Ruby responded. She walked past them to stand near Jacob and muttered, “The girl is the biggest klutz.”
“It’s ok. I’m fine. I fell and cut my hand.” Bella held up her palm to show him and he took her hand gently into his.
“This is dirty. What were you doing, rubbing it all over the woods?”
“Well…”
“Bella. You didn’t.” He sounded exasperated.
“I did. It will drive the newborns nuts.”
Edward began to lead Bella towards where he abandoned his pack in the clearing. “Let me get the first aid kit and patch this up.”
Ruby clucked her tongue. “Hello? Remember me. Supernatural healer here,” she said pointing to herself. As she got closer to Bella, she rolled her eyes, “First aid kit. Really?”
Ruby grabbed a hold of Bella’s injured hand. Bella felt the wound get ice cold for a few seconds, so cold, it almost burned, before warming up again. Bella looked in awe at the unmarred skin of her palm. “Thank you, Ruby.”
Ruby just nodded her head slowly. Edward and Bella walked off some, Edward inspecting her hand, and Jacob moved to stand in front of Ruby.
“Are you ok?” Ruby noticed how he did a worse job of hiding the worry than Edward.
“I’m ok. Just a little lightheaded.” She brought her hand to her forehead and rubbed it gently. He grabbed her head in his massive hands and softly kissed her just below her hairline.
“You seem to be getting better at that,” he muttered, giving her another little kiss. Ruby sighed at the good feelings she was experiencing whenever his lips touched her skin.
“I have. The more you do it, the easier it gets. I’ve even healed myself today.”
He pulled back from her and looked at her with wide eyes. “You did?” She could easily see the relief in his reaction and she knew it was because he could worry a little less about her in the battle.
“It wasn’t a huge like a stab wound or a broken bone, but I healed it. I was running late, as usual, and I was brushing my teeth with one hand and shaving my legs with the other when I slipped. I think Bella might be rubbing off on me because by some freak of nature, I ended up slicing my knee wide open and I was bleeding like a stuck pig. But I figured I should try to heal it, so I concentrated on it, and the damn thing stopped bleeding and new skin grew over it. It was like I never got hurt. I finally figured out how to do it.”
“You’re sure that you’re completely healed? You’re ok? No pain?”
“No pain. I’m great, Jacob, I promise. Now let’s go, we have things to do.”
They walked over to Edward and Bella, who had put on a thick jacket.
“OK, Cullen, where am I going?” Edward pulled out a map in response to Jacob’s question and pointed to where the four would meet up.
“It’s about a nine mile hike. Ruby and I will go this way,” Edward indicated on the map, “and we’ll meet up in a few hours at the most. Try to take detours every so often, back track and take the long way.” Jacob nodded then turned to Ruby.
“See you in a few hours honey.” He leaned low and gave her a kiss. Then he looked at Edward and pointed his finger at him. “Watch yourself with my girl.”
A part of Ruby thought it was nonsense to give a warning to Edward when she could take care of herself – and, she thought, it is only Edward – but another part of her, a small part, a part she was somewhat ashamed of, shivered at the possessiveness in his voice.
Edward only smiled and said “Likewise.”
Jacob walked over to Bella, put one arm under her knees and used his other to support her back as he lifted her effortlessly. Bella looked more than mildly annoyed with the situation but Ruby was able to see the subtle attraction and excitement her aura was giving out. Ruby just smiled serenely because she knew she could trust Jacob. Then Edward and Ruby watched as Jacob jogged off with Bella.
“And then there were two,” Edward said.
“So Eddie, how are we doing this?”
“I’ll carry you. It will go much faster that way. You can carry the pack,” he told her as he handed her the huge oversized bag, “and you can get on my back.”
Ruby clapped her hands and jumped in place. “Yay. Piggy back ride.” Edward shook his head laughing.
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“All you need is love” – The Beatles
“Loving is enough” – Maria, West Side Story
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After making a quick stop at Jacob’s house, where she took a nice hot shower and changed into the clothes her grandmother gave her (somewhat shocked that her grandmother had worn the outfit), she jumped back into her car and drove off.
Her hands shook a little as she drove from her nerves. She figured a moderate amount of fear was normal, smart even, and as long as she did not let it consume her, she would be fine. She said a silent prayer to the Goddess for strength as she reached the clearing. She parked her car among the others, in almost the same spot she was in the last time she was there.
From her car, she could just make out the Cullen family at one side of the clearing, with Edward and Carlisle standing slightly to the front. On the other side of the clearing, the pack was standing in human form, with Sam and Jacob in the lead. A huge gap stood between the two groups. She shook her head and laughed wondering if when she opened the door if she would hear fingers snapping and the opening number to West Side Story.
She left the keys in the car because Emmett was going to drive it back to his house for the night. She was the last to arrive, as she did not possess supernatural speed, only four-wheel drive, so of course everyone turned to look at her arrival.
She walked confidently towards them wearing a black velvet cape with blood red satin lining that peeked through with every step she took. Even though it had belong to her grandmother, and the women was shorter than Ruby, it still dragged behind her as she walked, soaking up the evening dew that clung to the grass.
Ruby had always been a small girl, barely 5’3”, and with a mostly bubbly personality but now, she looked ominous, dangerous even, with the hood falling low over her brows. She walked towards the space between the two families, acting as a buffer, knowing that whatever family she would have choose to stand next to, it would have been perceived as choosing sides and she refused to be that juvenile.
“Bernardo,” Ruby said in greeting to Sam, “Riff,” she directed to Carlisle, and then bit her lip to prevent her laughter. Jacob and Edward both cracked a smile; Jacob because he had just seen the movie with her last week and Edward because her mind was cooperating and he saw the reference she was making. Some from the two groups got her joke, but most just took it as Ruby being Ruby – meaning she could be a little weird at times – and Bella was worried the girl had lost her mind.
Her arms were hidden beneath the material of her cloak but when she greeted them, they appeared out of two slits in the side.
Carlisle brought the conversation back to business. “Ruby, you will be with Bella as she walks around leaving her scent. This way there will be no traces of Edward being with her and your presence will strengthen the human scent. Jacob and Edward will be waiting when you are done. The rest of us will be returning to our house for one last practice session.”
“Sure. Which way do we go?” Ruby asked.
“North.”
“And north would be…” Ruby asked, as she pointed in a million different directions.
“That way,” Carlisle pointed, trying to hide his smile of amusement. “Touch as much as you can and linger in certain spots, let your scents really permeate the area. Then return to this spot, where the boys will be waiting to take you to the mountain.”
“What about Charlie?” Bella asked worried about her father.
“I told Charlie that I decided to keep Billy in the hospital for a few more days. I then informed him that I was leaving town for two days and having his best friend and the chief of police there to watch out for his best interest would be beneficial to his recovery. This way they will both be safe and out of the way.”
“Alright, let’s get going Bella.” Bella glanced at Edward and squeezed his hand before following Ruby. “E, please be careful with my baby. Also she’s a little dirty, you remember the bet don’t you?” She chuckled when he rolled his eyes. “Ok, guys, be right back.”
The girls walked until the canopy of the trees blocked out what little light the moon was giving off and Ruby had no choice but to light a flame in the palm of her hand.
“Ruby, you can still change your mind. You can go home or go to Sam’s house. This is so dangerous. I don’t want you getting hurt. You can still back out.”
Ruby looked back at Bella, tilted her head and smiled. “What and miss all the fun? Nah.”
The two girls walked in mostly silence, as Ruby desperately tried to keep track of every turn they took and every weirdly shaped rock they passed, so she could find their way back.
Bella watched Ruby run her free hand over the leaves, just as she was doing, and noticed the ring on the young witch’s hand.
“Hey, nice ring. Where did you get it?”
Ruby raised her hand and looked affectionately at the ring. “Jacob gave it to me.”
Bella looked confused for a second. “But you’re wearing it on… doesn’t that mean…” Ruby smiled at her and nodded her head. “Oh wow. You’re engaged. Umm, congratulations.”
“Thank you.” It was silent again, only the sound of the occasional bird.
“Don’t you think you’re too young?” Bella asked.
“For what?” Ruby was genuinely confused.
“To get married. It’s a big step, don’t you think?”
“No. I love Jacob and I know he loves me and I know we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together. I mean I know we’re going to get married and have kids and eventually grow old together so why wait to start our lives together as husband and wife.”
“But…”
“Bella, what do you think is going to happen? That the moment I get married I’m going to turn into a Stepford wife? Mindless and with no identity, proud to only be Jacob’s wife? Do you see that happening to me?”
“Well, no but…”
“Bella, I know you’re worried about me but I think the reason you’re so worked up isn’t because you’re worried about me but because you’re really worried about you.” Bella did not answer, just kept on walking looking around nervously. “If you marry the right guy, if you marry the guy, you don’t change, because the right guy wouldn’t want to change you. Eddie loves you.” Ruby let out a short laugh, when she noticed Bella looked sick with nerves. “So you’re not afraid for a vampire to bite you but you’re scared to marry the man you love?”
“Marriage isn’t always a guarantee.”
“No, it’s not. But you are not your parents. I’m a firm believer in ‘All you need is love’ and ‘Loving is enough’. Maybe your parents needed other things than the love that they were getting from each other; maybe they only loved each other and were not in love with each other, who knows? One thing is for certain, them not being able to make it work doesn’t mean you won’t be able to make it work with Eddie. My parents, hell just about all the generations of Taylors, have had blissfully happy marriages; puts a lot of pressure on me. We don’t follow in our parents footsteps, we make our own path.”
They walked in silence some more, Bella contemplating everything Ruby said. She knew Ruby was not pushing her to marry Edward but trying to open her mind to the idea of marriage not being a bad thing, the end of the world. Bella wondered if she could do it - marriage. She loved Edward more than anything and she knew, knew without a shadow of a doubt, that he loved her, so what was she so scared of? A couple of yards of white fabric and a ring on her finger? She wanted to spend forever with this man, a man who was going against what he wanted and was going to turn her into a vampire. He was going to kill her, no need to deny it or pretty it up, all because that was what she wanted and she couldn’t give him a wife. “You’re right,” Bella said after some time. “I may have been overreacting. Just a little.”
“Hey, like my grandma says: ‘even the smartest person is a fool when in love.’ Trust me on that one.”
When they had gone far enough, Ruby indicated that they should head back. When they were nearing the clearing, Bella fell over a rock and cut her hand.
“Damn. Bella, are you ok?” Ruby extended a hand and helped to set Bella on her feet again.
“Yeah. Just a little blood. Nothing I’m not used to.”
Ruby laughed. “You are the only person I know who can get mortally wounded by walking down the block.” Bella laughed also and Ruby began to walk away.
“Wait. I have an idea.” By the time Ruby turned around, Bella was already rubbing her bloodied hand over low hanging tree branches, leaves, bushes and rocks.
“What are you doing?” Ruby watched as Bella pressed her palm to the dirt ground. “Oh, that’s not sanitary. Come on, let’s go.”
Edward could smell the metallic and distinct aroma of Bella’s blood and as they cleared the last of the trees. He appeared in front of them in a blur.
“What happened?” He was trying, and failing, to hold back the worry from reaching his voice.
“What do you think?” Ruby responded. She walked past them to stand near Jacob and muttered, “The girl is the biggest klutz.”
“It’s ok. I’m fine. I fell and cut my hand.” Bella held up her palm to show him and he took her hand gently into his.
“This is dirty. What were you doing, rubbing it all over the woods?”
“Well…”
“Bella. You didn’t.” He sounded exasperated.
“I did. It will drive the newborns nuts.”
Edward began to lead Bella towards where he abandoned his pack in the clearing. “Let me get the first aid kit and patch this up.”
Ruby clucked her tongue. “Hello? Remember me. Supernatural healer here,” she said pointing to herself. As she got closer to Bella, she rolled her eyes, “First aid kit. Really?”
Ruby grabbed a hold of Bella’s injured hand. Bella felt the wound get ice cold for a few seconds, so cold, it almost burned, before warming up again. Bella looked in awe at the unmarred skin of her palm. “Thank you, Ruby.”
Ruby just nodded her head slowly. Edward and Bella walked off some, Edward inspecting her hand, and Jacob moved to stand in front of Ruby.
“Are you ok?” Ruby noticed how he did a worse job of hiding the worry than Edward.
“I’m ok. Just a little lightheaded.” She brought her hand to her forehead and rubbed it gently. He grabbed her head in his massive hands and softly kissed her just below her hairline.
“You seem to be getting better at that,” he muttered, giving her another little kiss. Ruby sighed at the good feelings she was experiencing whenever his lips touched her skin.
“I have. The more you do it, the easier it gets. I’ve even healed myself today.”
He pulled back from her and looked at her with wide eyes. “You did?” She could easily see the relief in his reaction and she knew it was because he could worry a little less about her in the battle.
“It wasn’t a huge like a stab wound or a broken bone, but I healed it. I was running late, as usual, and I was brushing my teeth with one hand and shaving my legs with the other when I slipped. I think Bella might be rubbing off on me because by some freak of nature, I ended up slicing my knee wide open and I was bleeding like a stuck pig. But I figured I should try to heal it, so I concentrated on it, and the damn thing stopped bleeding and new skin grew over it. It was like I never got hurt. I finally figured out how to do it.”
“You’re sure that you’re completely healed? You’re ok? No pain?”
“No pain. I’m great, Jacob, I promise. Now let’s go, we have things to do.”
They walked over to Edward and Bella, who had put on a thick jacket.
“OK, Cullen, where am I going?” Edward pulled out a map in response to Jacob’s question and pointed to where the four would meet up.
“It’s about a nine mile hike. Ruby and I will go this way,” Edward indicated on the map, “and we’ll meet up in a few hours at the most. Try to take detours every so often, back track and take the long way.” Jacob nodded then turned to Ruby.
“See you in a few hours honey.” He leaned low and gave her a kiss. Then he looked at Edward and pointed his finger at him. “Watch yourself with my girl.”
A part of Ruby thought it was nonsense to give a warning to Edward when she could take care of herself – and, she thought, it is only Edward – but another part of her, a small part, a part she was somewhat ashamed of, shivered at the possessiveness in his voice.
Edward only smiled and said “Likewise.”
Jacob walked over to Bella, put one arm under her knees and used his other to support her back as he lifted her effortlessly. Bella looked more than mildly annoyed with the situation but Ruby was able to see the subtle attraction and excitement her aura was giving out. Ruby just smiled serenely because she knew she could trust Jacob. Then Edward and Ruby watched as Jacob jogged off with Bella.
“And then there were two,” Edward said.
“So Eddie, how are we doing this?”
“I’ll carry you. It will go much faster that way. You can carry the pack,” he told her as he handed her the huge oversized bag, “and you can get on my back.”
Ruby clapped her hands and jumped in place. “Yay. Piggy back ride.” Edward shook his head laughing.
