Bear

Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to SM.

A/N-thank you for the kind reviews. This story is just a bit of fun. I will add to it from time to time if I'm feeling in a humorous mood.

Chapter Two

For once it wasn't the smell of his sweetheart's blood that was driving him crazy. Bella smelled like wet dog, and being confined in the car with that potent smell streaming under his sensitive nose, was more than Edward could stand. He was forced to open the car window to let in some fresh air. He breathed a sigh of relief as the brisk breeze dampened down the infuriating dog's scent.

"Edward." Bella complained as her long hair whipped around her face. She dragged it back into a loose ponytail with her fingers. "It's freezing. Close the window."

"I can't my love." Edward said desperately. His voice sounded strangled.

"Why not?" Bella was getting impatient. It wasn't like she could seek warmth from him, he was too cold. Instead she was forced to draw her knees up to her chest and wrap her arms around them.

"I'm sorry, Bella. But the smell of that infernal puppy is driving me to distraction. His scent is all over you. You must stop him sleeping in your bed. For one it's not hygienic and two its stopping me visiting at night. The creature is so hostile toward me every time we're in the same vicinity." Edward shuddered at the memory of Bear chasing him around his love's bedroom, nipping at his heels.

"How dare you say that my baby Bear isn't hygienic?" Bella glared at him, feeling deeply offended. "I bathed him only this morning."

"I can tell." Edward grumbled.

"You are just being ridiculous." Bella said dismissively as they reached the school's parking lot. She opened the passenger door of the Volvo when Edward parked next to Rosalie's bright red Ferrari. "I think you're just jealous."

"Jealous!" Edward exclaimed. "Now you are the one being ridiculous."

"Am I?" Bella climbed clumsily out of the car and scowled at Edward. "I won't have you making derogatory comments about my precious Bear again. If you can't accept him, then..." She left the rest unsaid as she slammed the car door closed in a fit of pique and sailed into the school building without a backward glance.

Bear was waiting for Bella when she returned from school with a wagging tail and lolling tongue. He leapt up at her eagerly, barking in joy when she picked him up and allowed him to slavishly lick her face in greeting. Edward's top lip curled back in distaste as he watched the disgusting animal slobber all over his love. He noticed Bella looking at him and he smiled stiffly. "What a good dog." He mumbled as he reached out to pet Bear gingerly on the head.

The annoying little beast nipped at his fingers before he had a chance to stroke the little devil behind the ears. It started to bark loudly, the sounds bouncing off the walls and reaching such a crescendo that Edward had to put his hands over his ears. "Make him stop, Bella." He pleaded.

"Oh, stop being such a drama queen." Bella retorted irritably. She pursed her lips and kissed Bear on the head. "He's being silly isn't he my little baby Bear. You are such a cutie." She balanced the dog against her body so Bear's chin was resting on her shoulder while talking to him soothingly.

Edward gritted his teeth as he watched the infernal dog grinning at him over Bella's shoulder as she carried him into the kitchen. "You won't win." He mumbled under his breath as he shot the young pup a death glare. "There's not room for three of us in this relationship."

"He smells just fine to me." Jacob laughed as he lifted the little puppy up until they were on the same eye level. "The bloodsucker is just talking out of his chilly ass."

Normally Bella would have warned Jacob not to call Edward names, but she was so annoyed with her boyfriend that she didn't bother this time. Edward had flounced off in a huff after finding that Bear had chewed his way through his expensive designer jacket which he had left hanging over the back of one of the kitchen chairs. "I shut Bear in the kitchen for half an hour while I did my homework and to stop Edward complaining about my precious baby's smell, but after five minutes I had to let him out, he was whining so much and scuffling at the door. It's not his fault that he wanted something to chew."

Bear grinned, his tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth as he looked at Jacob like they were co-conspirators or something. "Exactly. Young pups are always hungry, so they'll chew on anything they can eat."

"Yes, like someone else I know." Bella eyed the empty fruit bowl which had been full before Jacob arrived.

"I don't know what you mean." Jacob put Bear down and watched the young pup scoot off toward his little basket which was placed in prime position in front of the flat screen. A game was on and Charlie was sitting in his recliner, chugging back a beer. "Hey, Charlie." Jacob said casually.

"Hey, kid." Charlie raised his beer in greeting. "I called your old man, he's on his way. Harry's giving him a lift. You'll stay and watch the game with us, won't you?"

"Just try keeping me away." Jacob winked at Bella when she rolled her eyes, before heading back into the kitchen to finish her homework in peace and quiet.

Bella had to admit Jacob looked kinda cute. He was fast asleep on the sofa, little Bear resting on his broad chest as they both snoozed together. Nights spent patrolling had caught up with him and his eyes had drifted closed during the game. It was over now and Billy was itching to go. Charlie was outside with Harry, helping Billy into the latter's truck. It was left to Bella to wake up Jacob. She looked at him for a long moment, watching as little Bear rose and fell on his chest when he breathed. His thick lashes cast shadows on his cheeks, his full lips slightly parted. He was growing his hair out again and his long fringe fell across his forehead. Bella cautiously reached out and smoothed it back from his handsome face. Jacob stirred at her touch, his eyes opening to slits as he smiled at her sweetly.

"Am I in heaven?" He asked, his voice thick with sleep. "I must be because you're here."

Bella felt her face burn at his sweet compliment. "It's time to go. Your dad's waiting."

Jacob sighed, shifting slightly as he lifted Bear off his chest and passed him to Bella. "Take care of the little dude for me." He said quietly, tickling a sleepy Bear between the ears. "And you take care of her, or you and me will have words." The little pup opened his jaws and yawned, making Jacob and Bella laugh. "He's a cute one."

"Yeah, he's not the only one." Bella replied softly as she blushed again.

"Did you just call me cute?" Jacob teased. "That's one step up from being just sort of beautiful."

"Whatever." Bella rolled her eyes and slapped at his chest gently. "Get out of here, Billy's waiting."

Jacob laughed at her traitorous blush and leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. "Goodnight, Bells."

"Night, Jake." Bella raised her fingers to the spot on her forehead where her skin still tingled from his touch.

Bella's heart nearly jumped out of her chest as she was awoken by Bear growling and barking. She sat up and reached for the bedside lamp, switching it on hastily and flooding the room with light. To her astonishment she found Bear with his teeth sunk into the hem of Edward's designer jeans. Edward was trying to shake the puppy off but little Bear was clinging on for dear life.

"Call him off, Bella." Edward hissed. "Before your dad comes in here with all guns blazing again."

"Baby Bear." Bella crooned breathlessly as she scrambled out of bed and reached for the precious puppy. "It's alright. Mommy's here." She managed to unhook his jaws from Edward's pants and began to slather him in kisses.

Edward 's lips thinned as he examined the hem of his jeans. The ends had become all ragged. "Really, Bella. You should be reprimanding him, not comforting him."

"He was protecting me." Bella said indignantly as she snuggled Bear under chin. "What is he supposed to think seeing you creeping into my window in the middle of the night?"

"I always cree...visit you at night." Edward reminded her irritably. "I expected you to lock the little nuisance in the kitchen or something. I told you not to let him share your bed." He didn't realise he had screwed up until he saw Bella's eyes narrow dangerously. "Come on, darling. I didn't mean that really. I said it in the heat of the..."

"Go get him, Bear." Bella set the puppy back on his legs and watched with a grim smile as he charged toward Edward. Bear growled as he chased him around the room like before, nipping at his heels until he was forced to flee out of the window in case Charlie was awoken by all the ruckus.

The next morning a huge bouquet of red roses was delivered to the Swan house along with a wire dog crate wrapped in a pink bow. A white envelope was attached. Charlie had already gone to work so Bella took delivery of the items. She signed the docket for the driver then put her hands on her hips as she stared at the huge wire cage. Her father would never have ordered such a thing, and because the crate was accompanied by red roses she had to assume this was Edward's doing. Bella snatched the envelope dangling from the pink ribbon and ripped it open.

"I'm sorry for last night, my love. I don't like arguing. I was up all night thinking of a solution and here it is. The crate has plenty of room for Bear to run around in, but will also keep him safely out of our way when we are together. Don't worry about the cost, it is worth it so we can get things back to the way they were before. Inside the envelope is also a voucher for some free dog training classes. I think they will do Bear the world of good.

Yours faithfully,

Edward"

Bella's foot began to tap as she glared at the monstrous cage in front of her. She couldn't believe Edward's nerve. To think that he would believe even for a moment that she would put her precious little baby inside such a thing was despicable. He needed to be taught a lesson. Spinning on her heel, Bella stormed inside the house, heading straight for the phone.

A/N-thanks for reading!