Returning to Forks
The phone call came early in the morning, waking Bella from a restless sleep. She stared at the vibrating phone on her nightstand, the name “Mom” flashing on the screen. The last time her mother called this early, it was to ask if Bella had seen her missing car keys. This time, the tone was different—hurried and tense.
“Bella, honey, it’s your dad,” Renee began, her voice trembling slightly. “He’s been hurt. Badly.”
Bella sat up, heart pounding. “What happened?”
Renee explained that Charlie had been injured while responding to a dangerous call. A routine arrest had turned into a scuffle, leaving Charlie with a shattered leg, a few broken ribs, and a concussion. He was out of surgery for his leg and stable now, but his recovery would be long and difficult. Renee’s voice softened as she said, “He needs someone to help him, Bella. He’s too stubborn to admit it, but you know he won’t ask for help.”
Without hesitation, Bella replied, “I’ll be there. Just don't say anything to him, you know how he is. He'll insist I don't need to bother. I'll just have to get a few things squared away with school and get packed up. I can get up there in the next day or two."
"I won't tell him," Renee insisted. "But give him a ring just to check in so he doesn't think you're ignoring him either."
---
The drive to Forks felt surreal. Bella hadn’t been back since graduating high school four years ago. Phoenix had been a welcome escape at the time, offering sunshine and a life that felt bigger than the dreary, rain-soaked streets of Forks. But now, as she drove past the familiar trees and gray skies, she felt an unexpected sense of purpose.
Pulling into the driveway, she saw the cruiser parked slightly askew, a crutch leaning against the porch railing. Charlie must’ve insisted on getting himself into the house without help, she thought with a small smile. He had been released from the hospital before she could get there, but Billy Black had been there to get him back home and settled.
When she stepped through the door, the house smelled exactly the same: a mix of coffee, rain-soaked wood, and the faint musk of Charlie’s old flannel shirts. She found him in the living room, leg propped up on the coffee table, a sour look on his face.
“Hey, Dad,” Bella greeted, dropping her bag by the door.
Charlie’s expression softened when he saw her. “Bells. Didn’t expect you here. What are you doing here?"
She shrugged, moving closer to check on him. “I figured you’d try to convince me not to come, so I didn’t give you the chance.”
He grumbled something about being fine on his own, but the way his shoulders relaxed told her he was relieved. His leg was wrapped in a heavy cast, and he was laid out on his recliner to stretch his torso as much as possible to relieve the pain from his damaged ribs.
“I’m here to help,” Bella said firmly, crossing her arms. “You’re not getting rid of me until you’re back on your feet.”
Charlie sighed, giving her a resigned nod. “Guess I don’t have a choice.”
---
That first day passed quickly as Bella settled in. She took inventory of the fridge, which consisted mostly of leftover takeout and a near-empty carton of milk. Shaking her head, she made a mental note to go grocery shopping the next morning. For dinner, she threw together a quick pasta dish, surprising Charlie with her improved cooking skills.
“Where’d you learn to cook?” he asked between bites.
“College roommates,” Bella replied with a grin. “Turns out I’m pretty good at it.”
Charlie chuckled, but his eyes were filled with gratitude. “I appreciate this, Bells. Really.”
She waved him off, hiding the lump in her throat. “Don’t get all sentimental on me, pops. Just focus on getting better.”
That night, as she lay in her old bed, Bella stared at the ceiling, listening to the rain tapping against the window. Forks wasn’t where she expected to be again, not at twenty-two and so close to graduating college. But Charlie was alone and had no one to rely on so she decided to shove her disappointment out of her mind and make the most of her time here with Charlie. She had missed him over the last few years and didn't want him to feel guilty for her decision to come help.
---
The next morning, Bella woke to the sound of rain—a constant, familiar rhythm in Forks. She stretched and took a moment to reorient herself, the worn flannel sheets on her childhood bed grounding her. A quick glance at the clock told her it was still early. Charlie would probably still be asleep.
After a quick shower, Bella headed to the kitchen, determined to start the day right. She rummaged through the pantry and fridge, piecing together enough ingredients for pancakes and eggs. By the time she poured the first pancake onto the griddle, the sound of crutches tapping against the hardwood floors echoed down the hall.
Charlie appeared in the doorway, his face lined with the weariness of recovery. He looked surprised to see Bella bustling around the kitchen. “Smells good,” he muttered, making his way to the kitchen table.
Bella grinned over her shoulder. “Figured I’d treat you. Don’t get used to it, though. You’re still on dish duty.”
Charlie chuckled, the sound rough but warm. “Fair enough.”
They ate in comfortable silence, the occasional sound of forks scraping against plates filling the room. After breakfast, Bella cleared the table and helped Charlie settle back into his recliner, propping his leg up on a pillow.
As she tidied the living room, Charlie cleared his throat. “You don’t have to put your life on hold for me, you know.”
Bella paused, turning to face him. “I didn’t put my life on hold, Dad. I just... adjusted it. Besides, it’s not like I had anything major going on in Phoenix. This is where I need to be right now.”
Charlie frowned, clearly not convinced. “You’re twenty-two, Bells. You should be out having fun, not babysitting your old man.”
She crouched beside him, resting a hand on the arm of the chair. “Dad, you’d do the same for me in a heartbeat. This isn’t forever. Just let me help, okay?”
He studied her for a moment before nodding gruffly. “Okay.”
---
Later that afternoon, Bella decided to tackle the grocery shopping. Forks Market was just as she remembered—small, with narrow aisles and shelves stocked with the essentials. She grabbed a cart and began methodically checking items off her mental list.
“Bella Swan?”
She turned to see Angela Weber, her old high school friend, standing a few feet away with a surprised smile. Bella felt a rush of warmth at the sight of her familiar face.
“Angela! Hey!” Bella replied, stepping forward for a quick hug.
“What are you doing back in Forks?” Angela asked, adjusting her glasses. “I thought you moved to Phoenix for good.”
“I did,” Bella said, shrugging. “But Charlie got hurt, so I’m here to help him out for a while.”
Angela’s smile softened. “That sounds like you. Always putting others first. Is he doing okay now?”
Bella waved her hand dismissively, though her cheeks warmed. “It’s no big deal. And he's a little beat up but nothing he won’t recover from. What about you? Still in Forks?”
“Yep, still here. Working at the high school library while I figure out my next steps,” Angela replied. “We should catch up sometime. Maybe grab coffee?”
Bella nodded. “I’d like that. It’s nice to see a familiar face.”
As they parted ways, Bella felt a small sense of relief. Forks might not have been her first choice, but seeing Angela reminded her that there were still good things here and connections she could rebuild during her stay.
---
When Bella returned home, groceries in tow, she found Charlie half-asleep in his recliner, the TV quietly playing a fishing show. She unpacked the groceries and started dinner, letting the routine of cooking ground her. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, she felt a strange but welcome sense of accomplishment.
As she sat across from Charlie at the dinner table, their plates filled with roasted chicken and vegetables, Bella caught him smiling.
“What?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Just glad you’re here,” he said simply.
Bella smiled back, the weight of responsibility feeling a little lighter. “Me too.”