Chapter 2

Upon entering the attic, I am blown away for the third time. Dad has had the attic converted into an art studio/ library. Two of the walls were converted into floor to ceiling windows that offered the most amazing views of the forest and our cute small suburban neighborhood. The bookshelves were even fully stocked with copies of my and Bella's favourite books.

The library area had bean bags and a shaggy carpet, and it all seemed so cozy. The studio part however had pretty much everything I could possibly need, to channel all my artsy potential. It honestly looked like an art supply store threw up all over the place, and I'm so for it.

Before I could take an in-depth inventory of all the supplies, I hear a small scratching noise and follow the sound to a large tank that's been mounted on the wall. On one side it had a large area of dry land and a cool looking cave surrounded by little fake plants. The other side had a shoebox size swimming pool with a little island. The whole thing was topped with two heat lamps.

Slowly inching its way out of the cave was a small painted turtle. It was so tiny and precious and I couldn't help but let out a small squeal. I immediately reached in and plucked the little guy out of the tank before he could retreat back to the cave.

He literally sat in the palm of my hand with room to spare. As I calmed myself down, I really studied the little guy. On his back, in gold, was a birthmark in the shape of an ankh and a name for him instantly popped into my head : King Tut.

"Good morning your majesty," I softly pet his back. "No need to be afraid of me. I am but your humble servant. Your wish is my command, and I promise to protect you with every ounce of my being."

His head slowly came back out of his shell and I swear, when we made eye contact, I felt an instant connection take root deep in my stomach. It was like I could feel his nervousness about being handled so abruptly, but also a small budding of trust at my declarations. To deepen this connection, I sent back every once of joy and love that I could conjure towards him.

"That's it my little king. I won't hurt you. I love you so much. Now, how about a snack hmm?"

I cradle my newest treasure close to my chest and make my way to the kitchen.

oOoOoOoOoOo

The kitchen was empty when I got in, but I had already expected that. Dad wouldn't come out of his office until Uncle Billy showed up with Jake and the truck, and Bella was definitely still busy unpacking.

While looking for something for my King to munch on, I also perused the cabinets and fridge to see what I could whip up for dinner. Luckily there were enough ingredients to make spaghetti and chicken parmesan. There was only sliced white bread in the bread box, but I miraculously found a packet of yeast buried in the pantry so fresh baked breadsticks would round out the meal.

I set his majesty up in an empty shoe box with a handful of loose grapes and a small tea dish of fresh water. Then I set the music app on my phone to my 'Oldies' playlist and let Brandy by Looking Glass relax me into a cooking trance.

I was so into my cooking that I didn't notice anyone else had entered the kitchen until my music was turned down and the chuckles began to register. I whirled around and a grin split my face as I was scooped up into a bear hug by one of my favourite Quiluets from the Reservation.

"Jakey!" I squealed as he spun me in a small circle. "Ohmygod I can't believe you're here! And you're so big! Like 6 foot already! What have they been feeding you down at the rez? How have you been? And your sisters? And where's uncle Billy? God I've just missed you so freaking much!"

He chuckled as he set me down. "Breathe Lily. One question at a time, yeah? I'm good, better now that you're here, and Rachel and Rebecca are good too. Rachel's in her senior year at Seattle University, and Rebecca is living in Hawaii with her new husband. He's like a pro surfer or something and their expecting their first child- a boy. Dad's outside with the Chief and Bella looking at The Beast."

The grin hasn't left my face and I just take a moment to re-familiarize myself with the Jake standing in front of me. Gone was the baby fat and in its stead was sharp cheekbones and piercing brown eyes. His hair was much longer now too, left loose and reaching just past his shoulder blades. He was beautiful, like a ray of sunshine peeking through the clouds on a rainy day. My sunshine.

I snap back from my roaming thoughts when Jake starts to speak again. "You okay Lily? I kinda lost you there for a second."

I nod my head and give a sheepish smile. "Yeah I'm good. I just haven't seen you since last summer and you've changed so much. I mean look at you."

Jake seems to understand because he pulls me into another tight hug. "I may have grown a bit since you've last seen me, but nothing else has changed about me Lils. I'm still the same guy who made mud pies with you when were were four and went mermaid-unicorn hunting with you when we were 10. I always have and always will be here for you, and if I ever start to act like a jackass, you have my full permission to bash me over the head with a frying pan, like in Tangled okay?"

I chuckle at his reference to my favourite Disney movie and nod into his chest, pulling back. "Come on, let me introduce you to The Beast. I pretty much gutted the old thing and rebuilt it from the ground up. You know how to drive stick?"

I nod my answer to his question and we quickly arrive outside to see our fathers behaving like 15 year old's- play wrestling on the grass- and Bella standing by, incredibly awkwardly.

I clear my throat and bust out my best impression of aunt Sue. "William Black and Charles Swan! You stop that foolishness right this instant or you can both go without supper! I wont have you dragging half the front yard into my clean house!"

They both freeze the moment I start speaking and I see Bella turn and give me an incredulous look. Her lips pinch together and she's definitely screaming "What the fuck?" with her eyes. Before she can say anything, the sound of uncle Billy's and dad's laughter startle her.

"Little flower!" Billy laughs as he hauls himself and Charlie up from the ground. He brushes the fallen dead leaves and dirt off himself as he approaches; a face splitting grin gracing his features.

He scoops me up into a hug like Jake did but there's no twirl. Just a nice tight and warm hug. I pull back a bit from his as he returns my feet to the ground, and give his face a quick look over.

He looks the same as always to me: laugh lines around his eyes and mouth, but the small patches of greying hair at his temples is new. "Hi uncle Billy. Are you sure you should be wrestling like that with daddy? That grey in your hair shows you aren't getting any younger. Wouldn't want you to break a hip or throw out your back now, would we gramps?"

A look of mock outrage crosses his features and in the background I can hear Jake laugh "Oh she's gonna get it now." Before I can even attempt an escape, Billy has me pinned to his chest with one arm and the other ruthlessly tickling me, and he doesn't stop until I'm screeching mercy and threatening to pee on him.

"Now, what did we learn little flower?" Billy asks. His hand is positioned to begin his ruthless attack again if he doesn't like my answer.

"That your as young and spry as a spring chicken, and the grey hairs are just a fashion statement?" I huff out trying to catch my breath and calm down.

He chuckles and kisses my head as he lets me go. "Right in one sweetheart and don't you forget it."

I send him a quick salute and say "Scouts honor"

After a pause, we both laugh at that because the one summer I was enrolled in scouts was an absolute disaster. It was like I had switched bodies with Bella or something, with how clumsy I was being. I mean I know I'll never become a pro athlete, but I'm much better than Bella: the walking hazard.

After taking a quick look at the truck, Uncle Billy begins leading me back to the house and I notice that were the only two still outside, and it's starting to get a bit chillier.

The warmth of the house welcomes us as we step inside. I can smell that dinner is nearly finished and head to the kitchen.

I see my sister pulling the breadsticks out of the oven, has already pulled out the chicken parm, and has transferred the spaghetti to a large serving bowl. Dad is sitting at the countertop island with a beer and Jake is setting the table behind him.

On my way to the fridge to grab Uncle Billy a beer as well, I press a chaste kiss to my dads cheek, and he gifts me a small smile. "So, how do you like the truck?"

"It's amazing daddy. Thank you for thinking of us." I turn to Jake and catch his attention. "You really did an amazing job. I remember what it used to look like, and no offence Uncle Billy but it's looking 1000 times better now." Jake preens at the praise and Uncle Billy chuckles as I hand him the beer. "None taken little flower."

I shoo him and Dad to the table that Jake has finished setting, and Bella and I bring the food over. Just as I go to sit down, I hear small grunt coming from King Tut's box, and rush over to see what's wrong with him.

I can feel that he was beginning to get a bit anxious with all the noise we were making, and the fact that it's been a few hours since he'd actually seen me.

"Oh, my sweet king. Its alright mama's here now, no need to worry. You wanna hang with me while I eat some dinner? I'll even introduce you to your aunt Bella, hmm? How does that sound?" I can feel whatever the turtle version of relief is through our bond and grab a dish towel on my way back to the table.

When I sit down, I put the folded towel by my plate and rest King Tut on it. I can feel everyone's eyes on me, but I ignore it until im sure his majesty is settled.

"Hey dad? Can turtles be registered as emotional support animals? King Tut gets anxious when he isn't near me often and I don't want to put him through that. I mean what about when we have school. If I leave him here he'll be a panicking nervous wreck by lunch."

My question surprises everyone out of their staring and everyone starts to talk at once.

"Flower, is that a turtle?"

"Awesome turtle Lils. Is that an ankh on his back?"

"Lily, get that thing off the table and wash your hands! That thing probably has salmonella, E-coli and aids or something!"

"Well Cherry im not entirely sure. I know dogs, cats and birds are but I don't really know much past that."

There's a small pause of silence, so I tackle their exclamations from least to most annoying:

"Yes Uncle Billy this is my turtle. Daddy got him for me. And yes Jake, that is an ankh on his back. It inspired his name: King Tut. Dad, can you find out for me? I'm pretty sure any animal can be classified as an emotional support one. I just want permission to bring his majesty with me to school."

I turn to my red faced sister. "Bella, please stop being a dunderhead. Turtles can carry salmonella, not E-coli, and they most definitely don't spread aids. Your ignorance is showing, so put it away before anyone else but us sees. Also, I'm absolutely positive dad would have had him checked before he brought him into the house. Didn't you dad?"

Charlie gets a bit red in the face, but answers out a quiet "Of course I did. Didn't want either of you girls getting sick. Plus I know that you've been wanting one for ages Lily, so I figured he'd be a nice homecoming present. Bella I know you don't really like animals, so that's why I set up the library instead."

Bella's face gets less red and she perks up a bit at that. "Library? We have a library?"

I nod my head feeling a bit smug. "Yes it's in the attic, along with my art studio."

Semi-appeased, Bella returns to her dinner, but I can feel dirty looks being sent towards me and King Tut, for the rest of the meal.

"Lils, he won't be able to just hang out in your pocket all day. He'll suffocate or something. How are you gonna carry him around?" Jake poses a very good question, but luckily I've already thought of a solution.

"Remember when Aunt Sue went all Molly Weasley and went through a knitting phase? I'm gonna ask her if she could make something that I can carry his majesty in."

"Like a turtle Bjorn?" Jake laughs.

I beam at him. "Yes exactly. Also super impressed you know the word Bjorn. 4 for you Glen Coco." Dad and Billy look a bit confused but Bella face palms at the reference.

The rest of our dinner consists of questions about what we've all been up to since we were last together. The atmosphere is nice and giving me all kinds of family vibes. Afterwards, Bella offers to wash since I cooked, but I know its to avoid awkward goodbyes with Jake and Billy.

Dad and I walk Jake and Billy to the door. "Don't forget, Sue is expecting all of you at her house tomorrow by noon the latest." Billy reminds and dad grumbles under his breath about demanding ladies.

"What was that Chief? Something about Aunt Sue being pushy? Im certain she'd love to hear that. Would you like me to give her the message?" Jake has a cheeky smile on his face and is poised to make a swift exit out the door.

Dad sends him a mock glare. "Jake, son, don't make me get my gun."

Laughing, Jake pulls me onto the porch for a proper goodbye. As the door shuts behind us, I can hear Uncle Billy joke "You better keep it next to you Chief. You're gonna need the protection from Sue."

Jake walks us over to the steps and pulls me into a hug. It's really nice and we don't speak, just enjoy the feeling of holding each other after such a long time apart.

When Uncle Billy comes out of the house, the moment breaks. Jake and I break apart, and I wave to the pair of them as they back out of the driveway. "See you tomorrow!" Jake yells out the window before Uncle Billy drives off. "Bye!" Dad and I yell back together.

We stand on the porch until we can't see their headlights, then head inside. A quick glance at the clock reveals that it's already 10:40 pm, and I can feel the day catching up with me.

As dad heads towards the couch, no doubt to see whatever game is on, I pop into the kitchen to rescue King Tut from Bella's Looks. While heading up the stairs, I throw out a "Goodnight!" to my dad and Bella, then grab a shower and change into my pajamas. After returning my little king to his kingdom (tank), I face plant into my bed and drop off into dreamland.