Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
THE FORGIVENESS ONLY SHE CAN GIVE.
Chapter Two.
Bella's POV.
Marriage does not unite two people; it entangles them:
ABRAHAM MILLER, Unmoral Maxims
Two hours, fifty-two minutes and twenty seconds until we reach Forks.
Two hours, fifty-two minutes and nineteen seconds until we reach Forks.
Two…
"Stop it." I heard my husband's voice gently demand as he pried my fingers from his arm that I had been clutching with unseen strength.
"Stop what?" I said dumbly with a slightly apologetic look on my face as I tried to smooth away the indentation I had made on his arms with my finger-nails.
"Stop the final countdown that you have playing in that head of yours." He said with a small smile on his face as he briefly took his eyes of the road to look at me.
"I don't have a final countdown running in my head." I said sounding very much like a petulant child.
"Right Bella. I'll believe that." He said indulgently as he pulled my hand up to his lips for a gentle kiss.
It had been seven years since I left Forks behind and I never thought, even in my wildest of dreams that I would be returning. I never wanted to but I was compelled to do so.
"Sweetheart, talk to me." Jacob said softly, not once taking his eyes of the road as he effortless changed the gears of our car; speeding towards Forks.
"I'm scared Jake. I can't do this. I can't go back there." I replied automatically. This was one of the things I loved about my relationship with Jacob. I, for some reason, could always just tell him how I felt. I never had the need to keep something from him. After all he had seen me at my absolute worst.
"Bella, baby, you can. You know you can. You are one of the strongest people I know. You have literally been to hell and back. You can do this sweetheart." His reassurances were kind and sweet but they did nothing. I knew that even though I had told him everything that had happened to me in Forks, it was nothing compared to what actually happened in Forks.
"These were some demons I never thought I'll have to face again. I mean Jake, what if nothing has changed. What if they are the same way? I can't go through that hell twice in one lifetime. I don't know if I'll make it through this one."
"For the love of all that is holy! Bella, you sound like you are being forced to walk the plank into the shark infested waters below. Isabella, you are my wife. I took an oath with God as my witness to love, cherish and protect you until God himself has decided to take me away from you. I love you Isabella. You are not returning to Forks on your own. I will be there and I will protect you from everything and anything. Yes, I agree with you when you say that you have your demons to face, but we shall face them together, just like everything before. Okay?"
"I know Jake. It's just hard." I mumbled as I lay my head on his shoulder.
"I know it is, sweetheart. I know it is." And with that no further words are spoken as we allowed a comfortable silence to fall over us that soon lulled me to sleep.
"My beautiful Bella, we have arrived." Jacob whispered as he gently cupped my face in his large hands. Even though I knew that he knew that I was awake, I refused to open my eyes and just relished in my husband's touch; a touch that signified so much to me- love, security, sanity.
"Bella, sweetheart, you need to open your eyes to see the new house; our new home."
"I'm sure I'll still love it with my eyes closed." I sighed softly while nuzzling Jake's hand with my nose.
"As your husband and the man, who orchestrated the building of our home, I will take that as a compliment but I made changes to the plans you gave me Bella." Jake admitted sheepishly as he ran his hands down the side of my face.
"What did you do?" I asked cautiously while opening one of my eyes to my guilty husband.
"I made changes. When we first decided to move back to Forks, what did I tell you?" Jacob asked smiling at me with complete and unrequited love.
"To talk to the architect you sent and give him the plans for my dream home." I answered, still very wary of where this conversation was headed.
"And did you?"
"No," I admitted. "My dream house is little bit on the pricey side, Jake."
"Isabella, sweetie, we have been over this and over this. Money is not something that could limit us. Because of my father and the ridiculously large salary I am paid, we could buy a private island and not feel it."
"A private island, Jake? Seriously?" I asked while raising my eyebrow.
"Okay, maybe not the whole island but you get my point." He replied.
"I know we don't need money and I know we are well of financially but Jake, do we really need to spend so much money? Can't we just be comfortable?" I asked as I played with his wedding ring.
"Yes we can be comfortable and no we don't need to spend all that money but Bella, I studied my ass of in college to get my business and cooperative law degrees so that I could provide for my family and I plan to do just that. I know spending money is not your thing but I want you to live like a queen because you are my queen. And when we have kids, I want them to run free and having a big home with lots of room just makes that dream so much closer to reality." Jacob said softly while looking out the window.
"How many kids we talking, bub?" I asked trying to little the mood as I noticed how tense my husband looked.
"As many as you give me." He said before leaning over to place a searing kiss on my lips. However when I pulled back something caught my eyes which in turn caused me to burst out in laughter.
"Jake," I said through my giggles, "who is that?" I asked pointing to a very round-bellied man who was bouncing on the soles of his feet while waving a handkerchief in the air.
"Who?" Jake asked turning to where I had pointed. "Oh, that's Harry Samson. He's our groundskeeper. His wife Janet is our cook and Leah their daughter is the housekeeper."
"Housekeeper? Cook? Groundkeeper? Jacob how big is this house?" I asked, slightly afraid now.
"Well why don't you turn around and look? I know you are avoiding it." He said softly while turning my face gently in the direction of the house.
"Jake…." I whispered completely in awe at what I was seeing. The house…our home was beautiful. With a shaking hand I reached out and opened my car door. Thankfully, Jake had enough sense to know I would need so help actually getting out the car and came around to my side of the door as my feet first touched the ground.
"Jake, are you sure this is ours?" I asked; wanting this to be real.
"As sure as my love for you. Do you like it?" He asked as his hands encircled my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder as we both looked at our home.
There was a peace and tranquility that surround this creation. It was by no means a small house and not something I would have normally looked at but knowing I wanted a family with his man, brought forth a love and deep seated affection for this home.
"I could see it Jake." I whispered as he leaned into my neck, placing a gentle kiss there.
"See what?" He asked softly as he allowed me a moment to take in everything.
"A little boy running around here; tripping and falling over everything and then there's our little girl. She's definitely a daddy's girl; running out of the house and into your arms as soon as you come back from work. It's perfect."
But as much as I would have loved to stay here, trapped in my husband's embrace, fully appreciating and admiring the beauty of the home he had built for us to start our life together in Forks, our groundkeeper, Old man Harry had other ideas.
"Finally, I get to meet the young Mrs. Black in person." He shouted out as he made his way over to where we were standing. "Madam, my name is Harry Samson and I am your groundskeeper." He said with a slight bow.
"Thank you, Harry but please call me Bella. The Mrs. and Madam part makes me feel old." I said chuckling while moving to embrace the jovial man.
"Jake, meh boy!" Harry exclaimed. "Finally made it up I see."
"Good afternoon, Mr. Samson. How are you today?" Jake asked with a chuckle as Harry started to shift from side to side with impatience.
"I am fine. Now hurry along you two. Let me show you the place."
"Thank you," I said softly to Harry while turning to playfully glare at Jake. "I had no idea that the house would be so huge."
"Well let's get the show underway." Jake said as he laughed slightly at my facial expression. Sighing softly, I turned my head into his chest and closed my eyes.
"Bella?" My husband called softly.
"Jake?" I said almost as soft as a whisper, "I love you."
If it was one thing I was known for, it was random moments of affection but with a husband like Jacob…who could blame me?
Without a word, Jacob lifted my chin gently and looked down at me with an indescribable look on his face. Slowly, he lowered his lips onto mine in a gentle chaste kiss that left my heart thumping out a disjointed rhythm.
"As I love you." He said softly, placing his forehead against my own.
Sighing, I moved myself so that I was comfortably tucked into my husband's side as I once again turned to face Ole Man Harry who had maturely started whistling show tunes during my moment of affection to my husband.
"Ah, young love. What I wouldn't give to be young and in love again?" He said chuckling with an almost dazed look on his face.
"And what is that comment supposed to mean, Harry?" A voice rang out which caused Harry's eyes to widen in fear as he visibly gulped.
"Nothing, dear." Harry responded turning in the direction from which the voice came. It was only then that I noticed that there were two other women standing not more than ten feet away from us. They were both dressed similarly and bore a striking resemblance to one another.
"Don't you dear me. I heard you loud and clear. Don't you dare try to get yourself out of this one!" The older of the two women fumed. "Why don't you take a step over here so that I can throttle you with my rolling pin?"
"Darling wife, the only reason why I said that was because I was remembering all the fun I had with you when we were younger; all the times I arrived late to work because of the many late night and early morning activities that we were part of." Harry said cheekily causing the older woman, who I now knew was his wife, to blush a deep crimson.
"Mom, dad, ew!" The younger woman shrieked while dramatically clamping both of her hands over her mouth as if she was going to be sick.
"Oh hush!" Mrs. Samson scolded her daughter before turning to face us once again. "Hello, darlings. You, Mrs. Black, are undeniably gorgeous. Your pictures have not done you justice. As you may already know dear, my name is Janet and I will be responsible for all your meals. I'll keep you fed and this is Leah our daughter. She's responsible for keeping the house clean." Janet said with a small smile.
"Pleasure to meet you Mrs. Samson and you as well Leah but please just call me Bella." I said while offering both women my hand to shake but surprisingly enough they both refused my hand opting to give me a hug instead.
"Well dear, I have dinner to get started since it's already three but stop by in the kitchen during your little tour. God knows you must be famished after that long trip from Seattle. Leah will show you around and you Mr. Samson will be helping me." She ordered as she turned on her heels and walked back into the house through a side door I had not noticed.
"Yes dear." Mr. Samson answered as he himself waddled over to follow his wife, pulling up his pants as he went.
"Sorry about them." Leah said with a small smile as she watched her father obediently follow her mother into the house.
"Don't apologize," Jake said with a small laugh, "I find them refreshing."
"So do I. Um…Leah how about we get this tour underway? I have no idea what to expect." I said gesturing for her to lead the way.
For the next hour or so, if not more, we went through every room in the house. They were all beautiful; each room telling a story of its own. It was clear to see that Jacob speared no expense at all when it came to the details in each room. He had everything imaginable built into the house: from a home gym and entertainment center to a garage for his tinkering and a library for myself. He had thought of everything.
We had retired to the kitchen after the tour where I spent the majority of my time there trying to get to know the Samson family and bit better. I had found out that initially Ole man Harry worked for Jake's dad and when my greatly adored father-in-law heard that Jake and I were relocating, he presented an offer to Harry to move with us and he readily accepted. Janet as it turned out was actually a former kindergarten teacher but quit after she had Leah. Leah was a college graduate with a degree in business but because of the state of the economy no one was hiring a fresh out of school graduate.
We were all caught up in our laughter as Janet provided and anecdote about Harry that we almost did not here the doorbell ring. Jacob took a sip of his wine before announcing that he would go and get the door.
"Bella," I heard Jacob call, "Did you have anything to do with this?"
"Do with what?" I asked as I rounded the corner from the kitchen and into the foyer of the house to see what I might have had something to do with.
What I saw however left me cooing and awing.
"Jake, they are adorable!" I squealed as I ran to my husband who now held the world's most adorable puppy in his arms while two more ran around and through his feet, biting and tugging at his pants. "Gimme! Gimme!"
"You had nothing to do with this?" He asked skeptically as he hand me the puppy that happily cuddled with me.
"Nope!" I said making sure to pop my "P" as I continued my cuddling session. "But that one has a note stuck to his collar." I said point to the one that had a bent tail and was having his own little war with Jake's pants.
Sighing, Jacob bent down and picked up the little monster before plucking the letter from his collar.
"It says: To my daughter, I saw them and thought of you. I hope they keep you happy. Yours truly, Papa Black. P.S. Hi son. Great now all I get is a post script greeting." Jake huffed.
Laughing, I gently kissed him on the cheek and walked over to the last puppy that was now asleep.
"Any idea for names?" Jake asked.
"Yup! Larry, Curly and Mo." I answered as I tickled the sleeping monsters belly.
"After the three stooges?"
"Why not? Come on boys. We got to meet the rest of the family." I called and like little soldiers we all marched into the kitchen.
Dinner was wonderful. Janet kept us all going back for seconds and thirds with a spread of grilled beef, classic mashed potatoes and a decadent chocolate cake for dessert. Larry, Curly and Mo kept us entertained with their puppy antics while Harry kept us entertained with his childish antics.
Soon it was time to retire for the night. Leah had begged to keep the puppies with her for the night and the little boogers followed her leaving me by my lonesome self. When I entered our bedroom, Jacob was already in bed, watching some sports game. Walking up to him, I kissed him chastely on his lips before whispering to him that I was going to take a shower.
It was here, with the water cascading down onto my back when the reality of why I was here; of why I was back in Forks, hit me like a ton of bricks. Tears poured down my eyes as I remembered every detail of had happened to me; of what they did to me. Emmett, Jasper, Edward- they were my brothers. I didn't deserve what they did to me: the rumors, the lies, and the deceit.
I did not know how long I stood under the water or that I was sobbing out loud until I felt Jacob's bare arms pull me out of the shower and dropped us both to the floor cradling me to his chest.
"Shh, baby girl, shh….I've got you!" he cooed over and over in my ear.
"Jake," I sobbed, "Make me forget!" I pleaded.
"Bella, no. Baby no…..not like this."
"Please!" I begged pulling myself closer to him, purposely rubbing my naked body against his.
He closed his eyes tightly as he lost control of his own body.
"Please!" I whispered in his ear one more time before biting down on his ear.
With a deep, ragged breath, he opened his eyes and I saw his desire and lust burning within him. Standing he lifted both of us off the ground before walking into the bedroom while dropping me unceremoniously onto the bed.
Like a hunter, he stalked me, looking down at me from the edge of the bed while I tempted him, twisting and turning my body, lulling him further into my trap. Slowly, he shed himself of his clothing all the while admiring my movements. Without warning, he pounced, trapping my body to the bed and pulling a cry of wanton need from me as he rubbed against me.
"You are a dangerous creature, Isabella," he purred into my ear as the moisture pulled between my legs, "And I am going to make you pay." And with that, he plunged into me, filling me and at the same time, claimed my mouth as he delved his tongue deep into my own mouth. My back arched of the bed as he allowed the animal in him to take over. My nails dug into his back and arms. With each thrust, he went deeper into me, soon pounding out against my sweet spot. I could not help but moan and cry out from the sensations that my husband brought forth in me. There was nothing sweet about this act. It was pure need; pure lust and I reveled in it.
Soon I felt the all too familiar coil in my stomach tighten. I knew Jake was also reaching his end as his movements above me became more frantic and his cries of pleasure became more animalistic.
"Let go Isabella!" Jacob demand as he bit down on my neck and that was all it took for me to explode pulling Jacob into his own orgasm as he shuddered and shook before collapsing on top of me.
Fully satisfied, I cuddled with my husband, burrowing further into his chest as his arms came around me.
"I love you, Bella." Jake whispered and that was the last thing I heard before sleep claimed me.