Chapter 3: The Deal

Jacob

The next morning came and Jacob sprang out of bed in a hurry. The dim, dreary weather outside did little to change his already excitable mood. He wanted to talk to Edward before Renesmee arrived home later that afternoon. He had something very important to clear with the father of his imprint before she arrived.

As he was falling asleep the night before, an idea had come to him. Why make the whole shift in their relationship awkward? He had been dreading the upcoming shift, knowing the it was inevitable. Honestly, he had no idea how to go from best friends to more without something terribly awkward happening. With his luck, it would send them spiraling backwards and make things even harder.

Jacob pulled on his clothes, imagining how that conversation would go. "Hey, I know we're friends and have been since you were born, but I think you're really hot."

He winced, pulling on a plaid shirt and some jeans. No, that certainly wasn't how he wanted things to go. That had 'failure' written all over it in his opinion.

Instead, he pictured a different scenario. A fun, perhaps slightly less awkward one. Telling her he was falling in love with her like that should be smooth - flawless. What if he just flat out offered to let her take him for a boyfriend test spin? That way, he could work on wooing her with no pressure - after all, it was just a silly Christmas present. It would give him an opportunity to let her see what he had to offer. According to Leah, she had said she wanted a boyfriend, and he wasn't about to deny his imprint anything she wanted. Now all he had to do was make sure her father was on board with what he had planned.

He grinned to himself as he jumped into his truck and made his way to Edward and Bella's cottage. One boyfriend, coming up!

"You're joking."

Jacob shifted in his chair, letting Edward scan his mind as he sat with him at the kitchen table of the cottage. Bella was out doing some last minute Christmas shopping (as she always did) and he was left alone with Renesmee's father. He watched as Edward ran a pale hand through his coppery hair, his eyebrows pinched together in thought.

"Your plan is to literally gift yourself to her?" he asked skeptically.

"Technically, yes. A boyfriend for Christmas. She said it herself."

"You heard Leah say it," Edward corrected him. Jacob glared at him, mentally begging him for a break.

It's just something fun that I want to do for her. I want her to see what it's like to be with me….that way. Give me a break, please. I've never asked you for much, and I've always followed your rules. And you know I'm not one to follow rules.

"That you are not," Edward agreed.

I'm just asking for this one day.

Edward winced as he listened to Jacob's thoughts, pressing his lips together. "You think this is a good idea?"

"Honestly Edward, do you think I would I do it if I didn't?"

"Honestly, no. You're a little overzealous at times Jacob, but I know you would do anything for my daughter."

Something I've proved, time and time again. She comes first. Can't you see how happy it makes me to give her what she wants?

"Yes, but is what she wants perhaps the best thing?"

Jacob nodded firmly. "She's full grown. She's a woman now….we both know that. She's been away at school for an entire semester and….and even before she left things were…different," he said, jiggling his leg nervously under the table.

I've always loved her. It's just….a different kind of love now.

"You couldn't possibly know that yet, Jacob."

"How would you know?" Jacob asked. He mentally pleaded with Edward, showing him bits and pieces of his memories of Renesmee before she left for school. The tentative touches, longing gazes and cautious yet flirty conversations between them were clearly not the actions of best friends.

It was starting to change, Edward. Without my control. She needed space and I have given it to her. Willingly. But before she left for school…things were changing.

"I agree," Edward said, giving him a nod.

You have your happiness with her mom. I've been content to love her as a friend since she was a baby. But now….now she's older. Grown up. She's a woman Edward. Let me love her the way you love Bella. Please, just give me this. I'll never ask you for anything else.

Edward gave him a wry stare. "Can I have that in contract form?"

"Do you want to see a grown man beg? Is that what you're hoping to get out of this?"

"No," Edward admitted, giving Jacob a small smile. "No, I won't make you bed. I just want to consider aspects. Say this 'boyfriend for a day' goes well. Then what?"

"I'll throw in a gift receipt if she doesn't like me," he quipped.

"Clever," Edward replied, rolling his eyes. "Be serious."

"If she wants to go back to being friends, then….then fine. It's not like I'm going to show up here and hop into bed with her."

Edward answered with a growl.

"Don't go all vampy on me. I just want to show up here and….and maybe take her on a date. Cook her dinner. Maybe hold her hand. You know I wouldn't push her, Edward. Come on."

Edward relaxed slightly, inhaling deeply. "I know you wouldn't, Jacob."

Jacob sighed, leaning back in his chair. He was relieved that Edward was being somewhat open to his ridiculous idea for a Christmas present. He just wanted to give Renesmee what she wanted for Christmas - simple as that. Now all he needed was Edward's support. His relationship with Renesmee's father had improved drastically over the years and they had let their bygones be bygones. Nothing in the past mattered; it had been laid to rest. Jacob was her best friend and protector and would lay his life on the line if it meant keeping her safe and her father knew it.

I'm asking you because I have respect for you, he offered as a last ditch effort. He wanted Edward's support with this; he knew he already had Bella's.

Edward sighed, gazing at him across the table. "I suppose I am only postponing the inevitable."

"I knew you'd see my side of things," Jacob said triumphantly. He reached across the wooden table and grabbed Edward's stony hand in a firm shake. "Now….I've got some errands to run. Do you mind if I come by and say hello tonight?"

"Could I stop you?" Edward asked with a twinkle in his golden eyes.

Jacob shook his head. "Like to see you try."

With that, he hurried out of the cabin and jumped back into his truck. Speeding to the nearest Wal-Mart, he grabbed a cart and headed to the holiday section to load up. He grabbed a big red bow, a dozen boxes of Christmas lights, and anything else that he could get his hands on. When he hit the checkout, the cashier grinned up at him as she rung him up.

"Big Christmas planned?"

He grinned. "Biggest one yet."

Cue the 'awwws'. Next up: Renesmee returns home and our starring couple is reunited.

I have a list of cutesy activities planned for our duo, but what would you like to see them do? (No, screwing like bunnies doesn't count! Lol) Is there anything special you think Jake would do for Renesmee while he's her boyfriend?