If you want to support (To continue with the chapters and improve the quality of the language)or read some advance chapters+10 please follow me on: patreon.com/Jayjayempi
It was very early in the morning when Nate came down the stairs with his suitcase ready, the wheels softly bumping against each step as the scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the house. He paused for a moment when he saw his grandmother in the kitchen, sitting in her favorite chair with a cup in her hands, dressed in her gray flannel robe, her hair pulled back into a messy bun.
Nate felt a warmth in his chest seeing her there, so familiar and present.
"You didn't have to get up so early just to see me off."
She looked up over her glasses, a crooked smile on her lips.
"Old people get up early even if they don't want to."
Nate left his suitcase by the door, holding back a smile as he adjusted the sleeve of his sweatshirt.
"Still, thank you."
His grandmother settled back in her chair, taking a sip of her coffee before looking at him curiously.
"Are you picking up Alice in a taxi on the way to the airport?"
Nate sat down across from her and shook his head gently.
"No, Alice is coming with Edward, and he's taking us."
His grandmother raised an eyebrow, setting her cup down on the table with a soft tap.
"Seems like no one in this town cares about skipping class."
Nate let out a short laugh.
"Seems like it."
They had a light breakfast, a couple of slices of toast with jam and coffee, in a quiet, peaceful silence. Nate's grandmother flipped through the newspaper, though she didn't seem to be truly reading it, occasionally casting quick glances at her grandson, as if trying to memorize him before he left.
The sound of a car engine stopping made Nate stand and peek out the window. Outside, the Cullens' Jeep was parked in front of the house. He saw Alice get out from the passenger seat, closing the door softly as she adjusted her slightly damp short hair before looking toward the window. When she met Nate's gaze, she gave him a small wave and a quiet smile that drew a smirk from him as he lifted his hand in return.
Nate opened the door before they could knock. Alice walked in calmly, shaking off her coat gently before approaching Nate and taking his hand, giving it a light squeeze before turning toward his grandmother.
"Good morning, Mrs. Winter. I'm glad I get to say goodbye before we leave."
Edward, who was coming in behind her, nodded with a polite smile.
"Good morning, Mrs. Winter."
Nate's grandmother set her cup aside, crossing her arms as she held back a smile.
"I've told you to call me Maggie, Alice. You practically lived here for two months while taking care of my grandson."
Alice let out a small laugh.
"Thank you, Maggie."
His grandmother turned her gaze toward Edward, raising an eyebrow.
"You however, should still call me Mrs. Winter."
Edward forced a small, strained smile.
"Of course… Mrs. Winter."
Nate chuckled softly before grabbing his suitcase and turning to his grandmother, leaning down to hug her tightly. He felt the scent of soap and coffee on her robe and the firm beat of her heart as she wrapped her arms around him.
"I love you, Grandma. I'll be back as soon as I can."
She didn't say anything at first, just hugged him tighter with a short sigh.
"Take care of yourself, Nathaniel. Remember to call often."
Nate nodded with a calm smile.
"I'll call you every day."
Maggie made an amused face.
"Every day? Don't exaggerate, I'm not that free either. A couple of times a week will be fine."
Nate laughed as he leaned toward her.
"Alright, deal."
Seeing it was time to leave, Alice stepped closer to say goodbye. Maggie looked at her with a mix of humor and complicity.
"Take care of my boy, will you? Lately, I think he seems smarter than he actually is."
Alice smiled as she took Nate's hand.
"Don't worry, Maggie. I'm keeping an eye on him."
Maggie nodded with satisfaction.
"I hope so."
With those final words, they left the house. They climbed into the Cullens' Jeep, Alice taking the passenger seat while Nate settled in the back with the luggage. Their eyes met in the rearview mirror, and Alice gave him a knowing smile before reaching back, searching for Nate's hand, which he held firmly as Edward started the engine.
As they drove away, Nate watched his grandmother's figure grow smaller through the window, her hand raised, a faint, hidden worry on her face. Nate waved back, a warm knot forming in his throat as the house disappeared in the distance.
He exhaled calmly, letting the tension ease as they drove along the roads toward Port Angeles airport, Alice's hand gripping his, and a long road ahead of them.
........................…
They didn't take long to reach Port Angeles. The hour-and-a-half drive felt brief, the gray sky accompanying them while the trees blurred in a damp green on either side of the road.
Edward drove with his usual calm, while Alice sat in the passenger seat, at times quietly checking her phone, at times turning to give Nate quick smiles as he sat in the back next to the suitcases. Nate remained quiet, looking out the window as he mentally reviewed everything he was leaving behind in Forks, from his grandmother to the routine that, little by little, had started to feel like home.
Upon arriving at the airport, Edward found a spot close to the drop-off area. He parked the Jeep smoothly, the engine cutting off as the hum of the airport reached them even inside the vehicle.
Nate pushed the door open and got out first, stretching his arms discreetly to relieve the tension from the drive. He bent down to grab his medium suitcase as Edward opened the back door, and between the two of them, they carefully unloaded Alice's two large suitcases, lining them up next to the Jeep. Alice already had her carry-on bag secured over her shoulder, watching closely as they arranged the luggage.
Nate glanced at the pile of suitcases, raising an eyebrow with a half-smile as he scratched his neck.
"Are you sure we're only going for a couple of weeks? Looks like you're moving."
Alice looked up, a flicker of surprise crossing her face as she adjusted one of the handles.
"I thought it was the essentials…"
Nate let out a short laugh, shaking his head lightly.
"Now I'm afraid to ask what would count as optional."
Alice gave him a small shoulder bump, hiding a smile behind a resigned sigh.
"Just help me carry them, Mr. Unprepared."
Nate smirked.
"Yes, Ms. Indispensable."
Edward watched their exchange with a quiet smile as they grabbed the suitcase handles and headed toward the terminal. The airport buzzed with movement: rushing passengers, families saying goodbye, the rumble of suitcase wheels, and flight announcements filling the air as they walked through the crowd.
When they reached the check-in line, Alice calmly checked her tickets and quickly peeked into her carry-on bag to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything.
When their flight was announced, Alice turned toward her brother, ready for their final goodbye. He leaned in, giving her a brief hug, his hand resting on her shoulder in a contained but genuine gesture.
"I hope you find whatever it is you need to find… and come back soon."
Alice pulled back slightly to look into his eyes, nodding.
"We will. I'll let you know if I see any sign of Victoria. If there's anything important, I'll call right away."
Edward sighed, relaxing his shoulders with a flicker of concern in his eyes before nodding.
"With Jasper and Emmett tracking her, I'm not worried."
Alice smiled softly, raising her hand to adjust the lapel of his jacket in a sisterly gesture.
"Take care of Bella while I'm gone."
"I will."
Nate stayed close, giving them space to finish saying goodbye. When he saw that Alice was ready to head toward the boarding line, he nodded toward the security gate.
"Go ahead for a second, I'll catch up."
Alice looked at him, a spark of trust in her eyes, her hand gripping the handle of her bag firmly.
"Don't take too long."
With one last glance at Edward, Alice turned and began to walk toward the line, her short hair swaying softly with each step as she disappeared into the crowd.
Nate turned to Edward, taking a deep breath as he held onto his suitcase firmly.
"Don't forget your promise."
Edward looked at him, tilting his head seriously.
"I won't. I'll take care of your grandmother… the way you took care of Bella."
Nate nodded in approval, his eyes locked with Edward's.
"And remember what we talked about. Don't think about leaving her alone again."
Edward showed a small, sincere smile, the kind he rarely let others see.
"I won't… And thank you for helping me understand that."
Nate smiled before giving him a light pat on the shoulder.
"See you soon."
Edward returned the gesture before walking back to the Jeep, his figure blending into the flow of the parking lot. Nate watched him leave, listening to the engine fade as the vehicle disappeared into the traffic outside the terminal.
He exhaled calmly, grabbing his suitcase as he began to walk toward the boarding line. Through the crowd, he spotted Alice, who had stopped to wait for him before going through security. Nate approached calmly, picking up one of her suitcases to lighten her load before they boarded the plane together.