WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN

≪•◦ CHAPTER THIRTEEN | SHE DOES KNOW ◦•≫

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     Colby had never told a human about what she or her family was, nor did she ever think she would. But here she stood, outside Bella's place after school, about to expose herself as a witch. Part of Colby hoped Bella going into the woods with Edward was some weird way of her figuring out Edward and his family were vampires, and that was what Bella wanted to talk to her about, which would make this a lot easier.

     Taking a deep breath, Colby knocked on the front door. After a few moments, the door creaked open, revealing Chief Swan. "Hey Chief Swan, Bella invited me over if that's okay with you, of course," Colby said with a nervous smile.

     Charlie moved aside to let her in. "Of course, you're always welcome here. I'm actually about to head out, but you're welcome to stay as long as you like," he said with a warm smile. "Bella! Colby's here!" he called out.

     Bella quickly descended the stairs, her face lighting up when she saw Colby. "You two have fun. I'll be back in a few hours," Charlie said, waving goodbye as he walked out the door.

     "Let's go upstairs?" Bella asked sweetly, nodding towards the stairs.

     "Yeah, sure, lead the way," Colby replied, following Bella up to her room.

      Once they were inside Bella's room, Colby felt the weight of her secret pressing down on her. She glanced around nervously, taking in the familiar surroundings. Bella sat on the edge of her bed, patting the spot next to her.

     "I need to talk to you about the Cullens," Bella said, her eyes filled with speculation.

     Colby took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. "Okay, uh what is it?" Colby asked, trying to best to act oblivious.

     "I know they're vampires. And I know you knew too, didn't you?" Bella asked, Colby found no sign of betrayal in her voice, "I've known since your accident. I saw Edward 'disappear' from his car saving you. I also stupidly dismissed the fact I met a coven before with their same eye color."

     Bella blinked, surprised by the fact Colby didn't deny anything. "So yes, I knew. But it wasn't my secret to spill. However, I do have a secret of my own." Bella's curiosity was piqued. "What is it?"

     Colby hesitated for a moment, then decided to just rip off the band-aid. "Bella, I'm a witch. I come from two of the oldest witch bloodlines." Bella's eyes widened even more. "A witch? Like, with spells and potions and all that?"

     Colby nodded. "Yes, exactly. I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. Here, let me show you." She held out a small piece of paper in her hand and whispered a the incantation, "Incedia" A small flame appeared, before she closed her hand and extinguished it. Bella stared in awe. "Wow, that's incredible."

     Colby smiled, but her expression quickly turned serious. "Bella, you just cannot tell anyone, just like with the Cullen's secret, it'll be dangerous for us as well as you okay? My family can't even know that you know. It's too dangerous." Bella nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I promise, I won't tell anyone. Your secret is safe with me." Colby felt a surge of relief. "Thank you, Bella. I appreciate it." Bella nodded, "How did you know that I knew about the Cullens?" Colby then asked out of curiosity, "Edward told me you knew." Bella said which made Colby merely nod.

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     "Hey, Dad?" Colby called out, stepping into her father's office. Christopher was hunched over his computer, fingers flying across the keyboard.

     "What's up, sweetheart?" he replied, not taking his eyes off the screen.

     "Do you have anything going on this weekend?" Colby asked, leaning against the doorframe. Christopher shook his head, finally glancing up at her. "No, the schedule is pretty open. Why?"

     "Would it be okay if I spent the night at Bella's this weekend?" she asked, her tone hopeful. "What did the boss say?" Christopher inquired, raising an eyebrow. Colby chuckled. "Boss isn't in, she's working late today, so you're in charge." Christopher smiled, leaning back in his chair. "Oh, in that case, yeah, sweetheart, I don't mind. You planning on leaving for her place soon?" Colby nodded. "Only if that's okay." Christopher chuckled, waving her off. "Go have fun."

     Colby grinned, watching as her dad returned to his typing. She grabbed her already packed bag from the couch and headed out of the house, keys in hand, making her way to Bella's.

     As she rounded a tree, she spotted Bella spraying down her truck with a hose. "I am officially yours for the whole weekend," Colby announced, walking up to the brunette.

     Just then, Edward landed on Bella's truck with a thud before gracefully dropping to the ground, startling both girls. "Could you act human? I mean, I've got neighbors," Bella said, frantically looking around.

     "One of them being Colby," Edward pointed out, smirking. "What's that supposed to mean?" Colby asked, slightly offended but mostly amused.

    Edward just sent her a mischievous grin, making her roll her eyes. "I'm gonna take you to my place tomorrow. Emmett will also be kidnapping you, by the way," he added pointing towards Colby as he abruptly fixing the dent in Bella's truck with a swift motion.

     "Thanks. Uh, wait, like with your family?" Bella asked nervously, Edward merely nodded, "Yeah." Colby could see the nervousness wash over Bella, "What if they don't like me?" Edward and Colby both let out a laugh, "So you're worried...not because you'll be in a house full of vampires but because you think they won't approve you?"

     "I'm glad I amuse the both of you." Bella said rolling her eyes, "They're harmless, trust me." Colby said as Edward looks towards the road junction. "What is it?" Bella asked confused, "Complication. Emmett and I will pick you two up tomorrow."

    "Um. Did you understand the whole complication thing?" Bella asked Colby as  Edward drives away in his car. "That is all you so no not even a little bit." Colby said with a chuckled as a truck parks, "oh sweet, come on I'd like you to meet someone." Bella said with a smile as she tugged on Colby to follow her towards the truck as a boy with long hair steps out and takes a wheelchair out.

     "Hey. Come to visit your truck?" Bella asked as the boy walked up to them after helping an other man, who Colby assumed was his dad, into the wheelchair, "looks good. You got that dent out." The boy said with a chuckled, "Yeah. And oh this is Colby, Colby this is Jacob Black and his dad Billy." Bella said pointing at each individual, "It's nice to meet you guys." Colby said with a smile, "You too." Jacob said with a sweet smile.

     "It's a pleasure, Colby. And actually we came to visit your flat-screen. First Mariners game of the season. Plus Jacob here...keeps bugging me about seeing you again." Billy said teasingly. "Thanks, Dad. Nice."

     "Just keeping it real, son." Billy said as Charlie walks from around Billy's truck with cans of drinks in both hands, "Pale Ale" Billy smiled, "Well done, Chief. Harry Clearwater's homemade fish fry."

     "Good. And hey Colby heard you were spending the night?" Charlie asks as he puts the cans in Billy's lap and pushes Billy towards the door, "Yeah Bella and I wanted to have some time together this weekend, plus my house is a bit noisy." Charlie nodded and chuckled, "It great to have you here."

      "Any luck with that Waylon case?" Billy asked as Charlie headed for the house, "Well, I don't think it was an animal that killed him." Charlie says as Colby walks in between Jacob and Bella, Jason has mentioned a murder case that hit a lot of people close to home. "Never thought it was." Billy stated, Charlie jerked the man's wheelchair back before speaking, "Spread the word out at the rez, huh? Keep the kids out of the woods." Charlie says as he turns Billy around, him now facing the three teenager, "Will do. Don't want no one else getting hurt, do we?" Billy said with a barely visible smirk as his eyes were trained on Bella, before quickly flickering to Colby.

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Colby sat on Bella's bed beside the brunette, their legs crossed as they waited for their boyfriends. The room was filled with the soft hum of anticipation. "Emmett is riding here with Edward," Bella said, glancing at Colby with a reassuring smile. "He can drive my truck to the house with you so your family isn't suspicious."

"Thank you," Colby replied, her voice tinged with frustration. "I just wish they'd get over the historical bullshit. Everyone is so nice, and they're truly not the big bad vampires my mom makes them out to be." She sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping. Bella gave her a sympathetic smile, unsure of how to respond. Colby had expected as much.

Before either of them could say anything more, a knock echoed from the front door. Colby's eyes widened with a mix of hope and anxiety. "I beg that it's the men and not my mom," she muttered as the two girls made their way down the steps. Bella opened the door, and Colby sighed with relief upon seeing the two Cullen boys standing there.

"Didn't take Colby Salvatore as a beggar," Emmett teased, a smirk playing on his lips as he stood slightly behind Edward.

"Oh I don't beg," Colby shot back with a smirk of her own. Bella handed Emmett her truck keys as they exited the house. "Don't scratch him," she warned with a laugh, locking the front door and following Edward to his Volvo.

Emmett chuckled, glancing back at Colby. "You ready?" he asked. Colby couldn't help but glance towards her house, the trees providing a veil of privacy. Despite this, worry gnawed at her.

"If you—"

"No! No, I want to go. I'm sorry, I'm just—" Emmett pulled her into a comforting embrace, allowing her to release a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "It's okay, Colbs. Just breathe," he murmured, guiding her to Bella's truck. He opened the passenger door and helped her in. Colby fiddled with the fabric of the sweater Bella had lent her as Emmett hopped into the driver's seat.

"She needs a better sound system for this thing," Emmett remarked once they were on the road, adjusting the stereo.

"We can get her one for her birthday," Colby suggested with a shrug and a laugh. Emmett chuckled, placing his hand over hers to calm her nerves.

The drive was silent, the only sound being the hum of the engine as Emmett followed Edward's Volvo. They arrived at the three-story house nestled in the woods. Colby watched as Edward exited the driver's seat and opened the door for Bella, Emmett mimicking his movements for Colby.

"What a gentleman," Colby said as he helped her out. Though she could manage on her own, she appreciated the gesture.

Colby kissed Emmett's cheek as they entered the house after Bella and Edward. "This is incredible. It's so light and open, you know," Bella said, admiring the house.

"What did you expect? Coffins and dungeons and moats?" Edward teased.

"No, not the moats," Bella replied with a small chuckle. "Not the moats," Edward echoed, laughing. "Honestly, a little pond would be kinda cute, or a pool," Colby mused.

"Doesn't it rain too much for a pool?" Bella asked as they ascended the stairs.

"You'd be wet anyway," Emmett added with a grin. "It's the one place we don't have to hide," Edward said, speaking to Bella.

"I told them not to do this," Edward muttered.

"To not do what?" Colby asked as Bella and Edward rounded the corner ahead of them.

"They made Bella food like they did for you. Esme's really enjoying using the kitchen," Emmett explained. They walked past Bella and Edward, and Emmett went to help as Colby took a spot beside Rosalie.

Esme approached Bella with a warm smile. "Bella, we're making Italiano for you," she said sweetly.

"Oh, um," Bella stammered, clearly taken aback by the gesture. "Bella, this is Esme, my mother for all intents and purposes," Edward explained, his voice filled with affection. Bella, trying to make a good impression, smiled nervously. "Buongiorno?" she attempted, earning a bright smile from Esme. "Molto bene!" Esme responded warmly.

"It gives us another excuse to use the kitchen. Worked out well with Colby," Carlisle added, smiling towards Colby.

"The food was amazing, and this smells incredible," Colby said, earning grateful smiles from both Esme and Carlisle.

"I hope you're hungry," Esme said, her eyes twinkling. Colby remembered the late lunch she and Bella had shared, but knowing her own appetite, she figured Bella might still be hungry too.

"Yeah, absolutely," Bella replied, trying to be polite.

"She already ate," Edward interjected. Just as the words left his mouth, Rosalie, who had been silently fuming, shattered the bowl she was holding. The sudden noise made Colby jump.

"Perfect!" Rosalie snapped, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Emmett quickly moved towards Colby, wrapping his arm around her waist and placing his other hand on Rosalie's shoulder in an attempt to calm her.

"Yeah...it's just because I know you guys, I know you don't eat," Bella said, trying to ease the tension. Carlisle walked over to Esme, who smiled reassuringly. "Of course. That's very considerate of you," Esme said.

"We can always take it for dinner tonight. I'm sure Charlie would love it," Colby suggested, trying to lighten the mood. "Excellent idea," Carlisle agreed kindly.

"Just ignore Rosalie, I do," Edward whispered loudly to Bella.

"Yeah. Let's just keep pretending like this isn't dangerous for all of us. Colby included. Does she even know?" Rosalie asked, glancing back at Colby.

"She does know. I've already told her about my family and me," Colby said sternly. Rosalie seemed slightly taken aback but nodded nonetheless.

"I would never...tell anybody...anything. About you guys or Colby and her family," Bella said nervously. "She knows that." Carlisle said with a nodded an a glance towards Rosalie.

"Yeah, well the problem is... you two have gone public now, so..." Emmett said, rubbing circles on Colby's waist.

"Emmett!" Esme scolded.

"You and Colby are together too. The difference is you two are keeping it a secret. Doubt it'll stay like that for long," Edward said.

"Edward!"

"No, she should know. The entire family will be implicated if this ends badly." Rosalie said with a stern look.

"Badly as in...I, I would...become the meal," Bella said, her voice trembling slightly. Her statement made everyone laugh, except for Rosalie.

"Everything will be fine, Rose, seriously," Colby said gently, grabbing the blonde's wrist and tugging her back beside her. Just then, Alice entered, her presence immediately lightening the atmosphere.

"Hi, Bella!" Alice said sweetly as she and Jasper jumped off a branch onto the balcony and came into the kitchen.

"I'm Alice," the pixie-haired girl said, walking up to Bella and hugging her. "Um, hi," Bella said awkwardly, accepting the hug. "Oh, you do smell good," Alice remarked.

"Alice, what are you—?"

"It's okay. Bella and I are gonna be great friends. Just like Colby and I, which reminds me," Alice said, twirling around and pulling Colby into a hug that she immediately accepted. "And as always, you smell amazing," Alice giggled, taking her spot beside Jasper.

"Sorry, Jasper's our newest vegetarian. It's still a little difficult for him," Carlisle explained as Jasper offered a curt nod. "Pleasure to meet you," Jasper said.

"It's okay, Jasper. You won't hurt her," Alice reassured him. "Alright. Uh...I'm gonna take her on a tour of the rest of the house," Edward said, guiding Bella to follow him.

"Well, I'll see you soon," Alice said as Edward and Bella walked off.

"I think that went well," Carlisle said, smiling at Esme.

"Clean this up. Now," Esme told Rosalie, pointing at the shattered glass.

"I'll help," Colby said, stepping away from Emmett to assist Rosalie in picking up the glass carefully to avoid cutting herself.

"You actually told Bella?" Rosalie asked as they crouched down to pick up the pieces.

"Of course. Wouldn't be really fair now, would it? Besides, it makes it easier to gossip about family drama when everyone is in the know," Colby said with a wink as she threw away the pieces of glass.

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As the rest of the family dispersed, Emmett took Colby's hand and led her upstairs to his room. The hallway was quiet, the only sound being their soft footsteps on the wooden floor. When they reached his door, Emmett pushed it open and gestured for Colby to enter first.

Colby stepped inside, her eyes immediately drawn to the large, luxurious bed that dominated one side of the room. She turned to Emmett with a puzzled expression. "You have a bed?" she asked, her brow furrowing in confusion. "But you guys don't sleep."

Emmett chuckled, closing the door behind them. "Yeah, we don't. But I figured it might come in handy for other things," he said with a playful wink.

Colby rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. "Of course you did," she said, shaking her head in amusement. She walked over to the bed, running her fingers over the soft, plush comforter. "It's really nice, though. Very... inviting."

Emmett moved to stand beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist. "I wanted it to be comfortable for you," he said softly. "Even if we don't sleep, we can still relax and spend time together here."

Colby looked up at him, her heart swelling with affection. "You really thought of everything, didn't you?"

Emmett shrugged, a sheepish grin on his face. "I just want you to feel at home here. With me." Colby leaned up and kissed him gently, her lips lingering on his. "I do, Emmett. You make me feel at home."

They sat down on the edge of the bed, Emmett pulling Colby into his lap. Colby laughed as she straddled the man as he began kissing her neck, "Emmett, your entire family is here and even if we're quiet, they'll hear, everything. And I'd rather not disturb any of them like that. Especially Carlisle and Esme." Colby said breathlessly, Emmett chuckled, "Fine, fine." Emmett said as he forced them down causing Colby to laugh as she nestled into his side.