Summary: What does Jacob and Bella's relationship look like to the rest of the world? Quick oneshot from Sue Clearwater's POV in New Moon. 500 words. (This wasn't beta'd.)
"Mrs. Clearwater, do you want some more pasta?"
I shook my head. "Thank you, dear, but I'm fine."
Jacob smiled and went back to talking to Bella. Something about Quil's affairs with a senior girl- it seemed to be an update, as Bella was nodding her head and would smile every once in a while, saying 'yeah, you told me that.'
Like a puppy, Seth hung on to Jake's every word. I chuckled. Well, that was fine. At least Jacob was a good role model, someone who I'd want Seth to look up to. He did well in school, didn't do anything too stupid in his free time, and treated Bella with nothing more than utmost respect.
I vaguely wondered how long they'd been dating. Of course, like everyone else, I'd heard the stories of Bella Swan's catatonic state. Couldn't move for days, the poor dear, and wouldn't respond to anything for months except with "yes"s and "no"s. I'm not sure what exactly took her out of the daze, but it's good something did. I don't know how Charlie could have stood it. And even after that, Billy had told me how much weight she had lost, the bags under her eyes, her jumping at every word... it was as if a steamroller had reamed over her.
She seemed so much healthier, now that she was with Jacob. She smiled often, even when there was nothing to smile at, and even offered some jokes of her own. They were turned three-quarters, facing each other, and their knees were touching companionably.
I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. It was so innocent between these two. So romantic, in a way. The kind where she was precious, invaluable, and Jacob wouldn't do anything to hurt her, risk that love. I had only been in the room for fifteen minutes and I already heard wedding bells. Jacob was so unassuming with her, his movements friendly. A stoke on the wrist, a arm slung around the shoulders, a finger put up to her lips to jokingly stop her from talking. They fit perfectly together. Like two puzzle pieces.
I turned to listen to the rest of the conversation. I glimpsed Leah on the phone- probably talking to Sam- and my husband was talking to Billy about some new fish he caught.
I looked down at his plate absentmindedly.
"Henry Clearwater," I said loudly, nudging him in the side with a smile. He looked away from Billy, startled by the sudden interruption. "I declare, there's more red stuff on that plate than in the rainbow. I promise the salad won't bite." I made a pinky-swear motion at him, and he just laughed. Reaching over to the salad bowl, he scooped out three pieces of lettuce and ate them, wincing the entire while as if it physically hurt him.
"Happy, dear?" he said, and the table laughed. I rolled my eyes good naturedly and saw Bella and Jacob sneaking out the front door.
Oh, to be young and in love...