A/N: Hello, my lovelies. :)
Um, as you may or may not have noticed, it's been a long fucking time since I updated JCMS. So I decided to do three drabble series that focus on the most important people in Jacob's life in order to reconnect with the fanfiction world and Jake, although he has been pinging around my brain for some time now.
First up is this family-centric series, and tomorrow I will post two sets that focus on Jakey's friendships. You'll see Bella appear in the first two, because she falls under the category of both family and friends.
Thanks so much to ahizelm, SorceressCirce, and naelany for prereading. Love you ladies!
Hope y'all enjoy.
BILLY
My father and I float steadily along the water, Billy completely at ease while my mind races.
He, of course, senses this. "Jacob, just relax," he says, casting his line over the side of the too-small boat. Well, too small for me, anyway.
"There are other things I should be doing right now, Dad," I remind him for the tenth time. My leg bounces with suppressed anxiety, rocking the boat.
"You've patrolled the last four nights, you deserve a break. They'll be fine without you for a few hours."
He raises his hand, cutting off my protest. "Jake. Relax."
SARAH
Not much startles me these days, what with my wolfy super-senses, but the simplest memories of my mother never fail to throw me off-balance, to shock me with their intensity.
"Jacob, honey, sit still." In the mirror, she bites her lip. "I'm going to cut it crooked if you keep fidgeting."
I sigh. At seven years old, it's difficult to sit still even long enough for a haircut.
"Sorry, Mom."
She bends down, kissing my cheek.
In the here and now, I shiver, pressing my hand to the spot she'd kissed.
After all these years, I can still feel her.
RACHEL
Phone calls with Rachel are exhausting.
"Y'know, I'm graduating in a few months, which means I'll be home... for a while."
"I know," I mutter.
"You don't want me home, dear brother?" she mocks.
"Of course I do." It's the truth, even though she drives me nuts.
"You know, if by some miracle I find a nice guy, I might just stick around."
I snort. "Fat fucking chance. This is La Push we're talking about."
She is quiet for a moment. "Do you have any older friends who might be interested...?"
I shoot out of my chair. "No! Jesus, no."
REBECCA
I walk in and find Billy on the phone.
He looks up. "Oh! Here he is."
He mouths Rebecca, handing me the cordless.
"Hey, Becca."
"Hi, Jakey! How are you?"
"Decent. How 'bout you? Where in the world, and I mean that literally, are you and Solomon now?"
She laughs. "Back in Hawaii. He placed first at his last surfing competition, so we're taking a break."
I want to say "come home," but I know she won't.
"Miss you," I blurt out instead.
"I miss you too, honey."
I sigh. Of my sisters, she reminds me the most of Mom.
BELLA
The four of us are crammed in my living room, driven inside by the rain. The pizza boxes are empty, lying on the counter near what is left of the six-pack of Coke.
I lean on the back of recliner, which Charlie occupies. We watch Billy tell Bella his favorite jokes – all of which are seriously god-awful.
But I grin she laughs with my father; her delight is absolutely infectious.
Charlie looks up at me, clearly amused. He extends his can of Coke to me, and I oblige, tapping mine against his.
I smile, still gazing at her. "Cheers."