Thursday Night at Carver Café
Thursday night at Carver Café in Forks, Washington, meant one thing—the Swan family was eating out.
Bella would have much preferred staying in and making something simple. Or better yet, she could have been at Edward's, curled up with some snacks and pretending to listen to whatever classical music he was currently brooding over. But no, she was here, fulfilling her unspoken civic duty of ensuring that Forks' beloved police chief stuck to his routine. The locals seemed to enjoy seeing Charlie in his natural habitat, and who was she to break tradition?
Lost in thought about what Edward was up to—and more importantly, what she could be doing if she were with him—Bella didn't notice Ash Nightsun's arrival right away. Charlie, however, did.
"Oh, it's Dan and his nephew—the one in your biology class," he announced.
Bella snapped out of her daydream and followed his gaze.
They were just entering the café from the far end of the block. Ash had just turned the corner, walking beside a man Bella didn't recognize but who bore a striking resemblance to him. More rugged-looking, though with the bruises on Ash's face, he was giving rugged a run for its money.
The man spotted Charlie and waved. Ash, meanwhile, locked eyes with Bella and flashed a bright, crescent-eyed smile. Okay, that was a very pretty smile.
A few more steps brought them within talking distance.
"Charlie!" Dan greeted with a grin. His smile was friendly, but not as effortlessly dazzling as Ash's.
"You at Carver's on a Thursday? Never would've guessed," Dan teased.
Charlie scoffed. "Thought I'd shake things up. Might even get the steak."
Dan let out a chuckle. "Bold move."
As they reached each other, Dan gave Charlie a quick side hug before turning to Bella.
"You must be Bella. I've heard good things about you—from both of them." He gestured toward Ash before extending his hand for a shake.
Bella blinked in surprise. Not many grown men felt the need to shake hands with teenage girls they'd just met, but she took it nonetheless, a little awkwardly.
Charlie, ever the social butterfly, made things worse. "You two headed in for dinner? If you don't have plans, you could join us."
Bella mentally screamed. This was literally the last thing she wanted. She wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone, especially not a new adult and definitely not Ash, whom Edward had more or less warned her about.
Dan hesitated politely. "Only if you're sure we're not intruding…"
"Please," Charlie grinned. "I insist."
And just like that, Bella's night officially went downhill.
The regular hostess looked surprised when Forks' beloved police chief asked for a table for four. Dan, however, was apparently a local hero—he'd rescued the hostess's neighbor's cat from a tree last week.
Ash seized the opportunity to tease. "A cat, Uncle Dan? Really? I'm gonna have to start calling you a model citizen from now on."
Dan shrugged. "It wasn't even during a shift."
"Even worse," Ash sighed dramatically. "A volunteer hero. Disgusting."
They were seated in a corner booth, Dan and Ash on one side, Bella and Charlie on the other. Unfortunately for Bella, that meant she was directly facing Ash.
The adults quickly became absorbed in discussing work and local happenings, leaving Bella silently praying that Ash wouldn't attempt conversation. Naturally, he did.
"So, how's everything going? We haven't really talked in school since... you know." He smiled, his tone easygoing.
"Things are fine," Bella answered flatly.
Ash nodded. "Cool, cool. So, school's ending in a week. I was thinking of taking a day trip to Seattle and was wondering if you and Jessica wanted to come. It'd be fun to go with more people."
Bella hesitated. Oh, great. An actual excuse to go to Seattle appears, and now I feel bad about lying.
"Um… depends on the day, but I'd like to," she said smoothly, though she wasn't sure how convincing she sounded.
If Ash noticed her hesitation, he didn't mention it. That somehow made her feel worse.
Orders were placed in a blur, and Bella found herself being observed.
Ash tilted his head slightly, as if studying her. She could practically see the gears turning in his head.
It wasn't hard to figure out why Edward liked her—delicate features, porcelain skin, nice hair. She looked like she belonged in Forks. Meanwhile, Ash was well aware he stuck out like a sore thumb. But he liked standing out. He liked attention.
Charlie eventually turned the conversation toward Ash's living situation. "How's Forks treating you so far? Worried about being away from your grandparents?"
Bella perked up at that. Ash didn't live with his parents? That was… interesting. Before she could ask, Dan spoke up.
"I'm more surprised you didn't go to Hannah's. L.A. would've been fun."
"You could've gone to L.A.?" Bella asked, incredulous.
Ash nodded. The unspoken why didn't you? hung in the air.
"I dunno. Big cities are cool, but they don't really feel like home. New York was fun, but Forks seemed like a better fit. I like the wilderness more than the city."
Charlie launched into a speech about Forks' great sense of community. Bella, meanwhile, tuned it out, lost in thought.
By the time their food arrived, she'd come to the same conclusion she always did—every decision, every sacrifice was worth it if it meant she got to be with Edward.
Halfway through the meal, Bella realized something: This was a perfect chance to get Carlisle to accidentally run into Ash.
Excusing herself to the restroom, she quickly called Edward and set the plan in motion.
By the time they finished eating, Bella was ready. Dan and Charlie were still chatting, so she turned to Ash.
"I'm gonna wait outside, get some fresh air. Wanna come?"
Ash grinned. "Sure." He excused himself from the table, promising Dan they wouldn't be long.
Outside, the evening air was brisk. Bella pulled her sweater tight, but it wasn't helping.
"Wanna borrow my jacket?" Ash offered, holding up his thick leather motorcycle jacket.
Bella blinked. "You—how did you even take that off? You were wearing it the whole time."
"Magic."
"No, you should wear it," she insisted. "It's too cold to go without one."
"Exactly my point." Without waiting for more protest, he draped the jacket over her shoulders.
Another gust of wind blew through, and Bella instinctively pulled the jacket tighter. It was warm. Unlike Edward's clothes, which were often freezing.
"…Thanks," she muttered. "But you don't have to do this just because I'm a girl. That makes it weird."
"Hey, if Edward were shivering, I'd give him my jacket too. It's not about chivalry, it's about me not wanting to watch someone suffer."
Before Bella could respond, footsteps approached.
Ash's head snapped up just as Edward and Carlisle emerged from the shadows, both dressed too lightly for the temperature.
"Bella," Carlisle greeted warmly. "Fancy seeing you here."
Bella gave him a quick nod, but her attention immediately flickered to Edward. He was giving her a reassuring look—until his eyes landed on the jacket.
His nose wrinkled, like he could smell Ash on her. Which, honestly, he probably could. His eyes narrowed at the garment like it had personally wronged him.
Ash, oblivious to the impending vampire tantrum, turned to Carlisle.
"You're Edward's dad, right?" he asked cheerfully. "My uncle mentioned you. You're the hospital's top doctor."
Carlisle smiled. "That would be me. You must be the new student Bella and Edward have told me about."
"All bad things, I hope." Ash smirked.
Carlisle chuckled. If only he knew.
Then, Carlisle's eyes landed on the bandages on Ash's hands. "Oh my, what happened?"
"Oh, didn't they tell you? Wild animal attack."
Carlisle's pupils dilated. He took a step closer, examining the wound.
Ash's smirk widened. He leaned in, lowering his voice just enough.
"Pro vitae causa," he murmured.
Carlisle went rigid. Edward stiffened.
Ash grinned. "I trust you understand what that means, immortal."
Carlisle nodded.
"Then… venari incipit."
And with that, he stepped back.
"Thanks for taking a look, doc." He tossed his jacket back on, nodding politely.
Charlie and Dan emerged from the restaurant. Bella practically threw the jacket at Ash, but he only laughed.
"Goodnight, everyone," he said cheerfully, as if he hadn't just dropped a nuclear bomb into their world.
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Hello, dear readers. Guess who it is?
Not your beloved author.
No, no, I am the ghost that has possessed him.
This fool thought he could take a week off for sleep and better health—something about "improving his quality of life" or whatever. Like I'd ever let that happen. If he doesn't burn out from lack of sleep, how else am I supposed to take full control of his body? Be for real.
So here we are, another chapter in your hands, because I decided to be charitable while hijacking this human vessel. You're welcome.
Anyway, the author is waking up, and I gotta go before he starts questioning why he suddenly has carpal tunnel from typing in his sleep.
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Yo, I don't even know what just happened.
One minute, I was peacefully asleep in my bed, dreaming of eating an entire cheesecake by myself. The next? I'm in front of my computer, and there's a full chapter staring back at me. Weird.
But hey, lucky you.
Also, in case anyone was wondering, the Latin phrases in this chapter mean "for the sake of life" and "the hunt begins."
Which is pretty ominous, right? You love to see it.
BTW, can we talk about how Carlisle and Charlie supremacy is real? These two are the only father figures in Twilight that deserved better. Justice for them ✊😤.
This chapter is also weirdly long—like, usually, I struggle with making chapters over 1,500 words because, you know, 🔥pacing🔥—but this one? It just happened. Honestly, I'm kinda proud.
Oh, and one last thing:
I love you just for clicking on this.
No, seriously.
As a token of my appreciation, I will personally seep through your floorboards tonight and leave a shiny little coin under your pillow. Just like the Tooth Fairy.
(Which, now that I think about it, is horrifyingly creepy. Who let a tiny winged creature break into our houses, steal our teeth, and leave us money in exchange?? Society really said, "Yeah, this is fine.")
Anyway, I do need sleep.
Like, desperately.
So I'm gonna go do that now.
Stay tuned for the next chapter of "Why Is There So Much Detail in a Twilight Fanfiction?"❤️❤️