The morning started slow, the kind of Forks morning that looked exactly like every other one gray light leaking through the curtains, faint drizzle tapping against the roof, the quiet hum of a house that slept too much.
I stretched, rolled out of bed, and padded to the bathroom. A quick brush of my teeth, a splash of cold water on my face, and I already felt more alive than I had any right to thank you, Rob's mysterious healing clause. Clothes came next. I tugged on a pair of comfy dark-wash jeans and a pale blue knit top that hugged just enough but not too much, paired with clean sneakers. Casual, but neat. Even in a town where flannel was practically a religion, I wasn't about to look sloppy. If Forks people wanted to gawk, I might as well give them something nice to stare at.
The kitchen was silent when I walked in. Charlie's cruiser was still parked outside, which meant he was probably upstairs, still asleep. Sheriff Swan, protector of Forks, late sleeper extraordinaire.
I decided to play housekeeper. Coffee first always coffee first. I measured out the grounds, hit the button, and let the rich scent fill the room. Bacon went into the pan with a satisfying sizzle, pancake batter into a bowl. Juice poured into glasses, plates set on the counter. My hands moved automatically while my brain wandered:
In my old life, breakfast was ramen or burrito bowl . Now here I am, flipping pancakes like I'm auditioning for some "Perfect Niece of the Year" award. At least I can do something for Charlie if making breakfast and coffee is all it takes, then that's enough.
Footsteps creaked on the stairs. Charlie appeared, hair slightly mussed, still blinking away sleep, pulling on his sheriff's jacket halfway like he couldn't decide if it was too early to commit to being law enforcement yet.
"Smells good," he muttered, already reaching for the mug I'd set out like I was his personal coffee fairy.
"Coffee and breakfast, Sheriff. You're welcome," I said sweetly, sliding bacon onto a plate.
He sat down, fork in hand before I even put pancakes on the table. "Thanks," he mumbled around the first bite. Stoic, gruff… and yet the way his shoulders relaxed said more than words. He liked this.
Halfway through his pancakes, he cleared his throat. "Uh, just so you know… Billy's coming over today. Bringing Jacob. We're gonna watch the game."
I raised a brow, stabbing my pancake. "Noted. Do I need to provide commentary? Or just snacks?"
Charlie smirked faintly, sipping his coffee. "Neither. Don't worry about food tonight. I'll pick something up, and Billy usually brings something anyway."
I nodded casually, but my brain was already whirring. Jacob Black. Future alpha werewolf. Imprinting. Renesmee. Messy love triangle. Yikes. It was surreal, thinking about him not as the brooding wolf from the books and movies, but as the awkward teenager he still was.
After breakfast, I rinsed the plates and wandered toward the back door. The drizzle outside made the yard look like a painting lush green grass, damp earth, and endless trees vanishing into mist. The air smelled clean, too clean, like the world hadn't yet caught up to pollution levels I knew from 2025. I wrapped my arms around myself, staring at the forest edge. Beautiful, yes. But also a little too quiet, a little too eerie.
Inside again, I barely had time to shake off the chill before the sound of tires crunching on wet gravel reached my ears. A car door slammed. Then another.
Showtime.
I opened the front door just as Charlie appeared from the hallway. His whole face lit up in a way I rarely saw, like a teenager who'd just been told there was free pizza. If I hadn't witnessed it myself, I'd never believe Chief Swan was capable of looking so… eager.
"Amara," he said warmly, "this is Billy Black. And his son, Jacob."
Billy gave me a kind, measured look, his weathered face showing sympathy before he even spoke. "I'm sorry for your loss. I heard about your parents."
A dull ache pulsed in my chest. Not because I felt it because it was supposed to hurt. If he hadn't reminded me, I probably would've forgotten. Thanks for that, Billy. Out loud, I managed a polite, "Thank you. That means a lot."
Jacob shifted beside him, tall for his age but still lanky, dark hair brushing into his eyes. He shoved his hands into his pockets, suddenly shy. "Uh...hi." His voice cracked just enough to make it awkward.
I softened my smile. "Hi, Jacob. Nice to meet you."
We all moved back inside. Charlie's energy was practically vibrating as he gestured at the living room, pointing out every change the new rug, the throw pillows, the lamps. Watching him beam with pride, I thought, If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I'd never believe this was the same man who communicates mostly in grunts and shrugs.
For once, the Swan house didn't feel like just a house. It felt like a home and Charlie was proud to show it off.
Billy and Charlie had settled comfortably in front of the TV, voices rising and falling with the game as though nothing in the world mattered beyond touchdowns and fouls. The room smelled faintly of coffee and the savory hint of the snacks Billy had brought along.
Jacob and I, however, ended up at the dining table with a bowl of chips and salsa between us, a couple of cans of soda fizzing quietly at our elbows.
At first, Jacob just… stared. Like I'd dropped out of a movie scene and somehow landed in his dad's living room. His dark eyes widened, and he nearly forgot to breathe before flushing and tearing his gaze away.
I arched an eyebrow, amused. Cute. Puppy energy.
But after a few minutes of small talk, the awkwardness eased into something friendlier. He wasn't tongue-tied anymore, just a normal teenage boy, and that made the conversation easier.
"So," I asked, dipping a chip into salsa and crunching thoughtfully, "what do you usually do when you're not stuck here watching football with the grown-ups?"
Jacob grinned, shoulders relaxing as he leaned back. "I mess around in the garage a lot. Fixing up cars, bikes… anything with an engine, really. Sometimes I hang out with my sisters, though they're kinda bossy. And, uh video games, too. But mostly cars. They're my thing."
I nodded, impressed. "Hands-on. That's cool."
He lit up at the approval, then said with a shrug meant to look effortless, "You should've come to my school. Would've been fun to hang out there."
I tilted my head, smirking a little. "Bella would be alone, then. Plus, Charlie already decided all this. Not much I could do."
Jacob leaned back in his chair, trying for a smooth grin. "Well, his loss. Guess we'll just have to make the most of when you visit."
I sipped my soda to hide the laugh threatening to spill out. Boys in 2004 really thought a one-liner could win hearts. So innocent. So harmless. So stupid.
The game's roar from the living room carried through, but for a moment, the world felt small just me, Jacob, chips, and the silly attempts at teenage coolness.
Time passed in an easy rhythm Jacob telling me about the car he is helping for bella gift by charlie, me tossing in questions or sarcastic little comments that made him laugh. The bowl of chips was nearly gone when Billy finally called out that the game was wrapping up.
Jacob straightened reluctantly, clearly not ready to leave just yet. "Hey," he said, grabbing his jacket from the back of the chair, "you should come by our place sometime. I could show you the garage, maybe even let you help out if you're into cars."
Billy, rolling up to the doorway with Charlie right behind him, nodded warmly. "You're welcome anytime, Amara. Our door's always open."
"Thanks," I said with a smile. "I'll keep that in mind."
Jacob gave me a little wave before following his dad out. Charlie saw them off at the door, exchanging the kind of easy, longtime-friend goodbyes that spoke of years of history between them.
When the cruiser's headlights finally faded down the street, I climbed the stairs back up to my attic room. The night air slipped in through the crack of my window, carrying the faint scent of wet pine. I curled up by the sill for a moment, chin on my knees, watching the drizzle blur the trees at the edge of the yard.
If this place didn't have vampires and werewolves, I thought, a wry little smile tugging at my lips, it would actually be a really good place to live.
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