Reunion of Pasts

Chapter 5:Recognition

Mom, Lyle, Carlisle, and Edward looked up at my entrance.

I saw the recognition on Carlisle and Edward's faces when they realized who I was.

"Oh, Claire, I'm so glad you're here," mom said before Carlisle or Edward could speak, standing up, and running to hug me.

I rubbed my mom's back as I said, "Mom, I talked to you on the phone so it's not that big of a surprise that I'm here."

She pulled away making our arms fall away from each other to look at me sternly, "But I'm your mother so I worry about you."

I smiled. Same old mom, I thought.

I heard someone clear their throat to see Carlisle, Edward, and Lyle looking at them.

"Hey, what about me," Lyle complained.

"You're injured, you idiot. I can't hug you but I can say 'hi'," I said, walking up to him, shaking my head.

He just rolled his eyes at me.

I smiled at my brother's antics. I look at Carlisle worried.

"How bad is he hurt," I asked him.

"He has some broken ribs, his skull was dented a little, blood pressure was loss," Carlisle answered.

I look at my brother, raising an eyebrow. "Dented?"

Lyle shifted a little. "I was in the passenger seat."

"He also has his right arm and leg broken," Carlisle continued.

"Thank god for that," I heard mom mutter.

I gave mom a pointed look. "Actually it was luck." I turned back to Carlisle. "How long will he have to stay here?"

"A few weeks until he's ready to walk and play soccer again," he answered.

I nodded.

I looked back to my mom to see that she's a little tired so I suggested.

"Hey, Mom, why don't you go back home I'll watch Lyle since I miss the little squirt and barely spent any time with him."

She hesitated before nodding. She got her jacket and her purse and left.

"Get some sleep, Lyle. It's late," I told him.

He groaned. "Your not my mother."

I grinned at him. "No, I'm your older sister. So gets some sleep."

He groaned but listened.

"Be-uh Claire," Carlisle said, "let's talk outside so we don't wake your brother?"

I nodded before walking out the door with Carlisle and Edward following suit.

Once the door was closed, Carlisle and Edward gave me questioning looks.

"Bella, why are you here in California," Edward asked. "And why did you call that women 'mom'?"

"Ok, ok. First, my real name is Claire Bennett but my family goes by Butler now. Second, 'that women' is one of my adoptive parents. Third, I live in California for a year but I had go away for protection until five months ago," I explained.

"Why," Edward asked.

I sighed. "How about I'll tell you guys and your family because I don't want to explain more than once?"

Carlisle and Edward nodded. "How about-"

Carlisle was interrupted by Edward's phone. Edward picks it up and I could hear a perky voice by the closeness.

He closes his phone and said, "That was Alice she said to come now, she said to put a note next to your brother saying you left for work early."

"Easy enough," I said without hesitation.

I did as I was told and followed them both out to their car that was before Edward took my car keys.

"You might not catch up with us if you drove," he had said.

To say I was angry was an understatement I was furious with him but agreed stubbornly.

As we passed by trees, I saw a house that was almost like the one at Forks the Cullen's used to live in.

As we slowed down to the driveway, I could see a pixie figure I could point out as Alice, practically jumping up and down in excitement.

I sighed before getting out of the car. This is going to be a long night.