Being There
Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.
A/N-thanks for all the lovely reviews. You all rock! Nikki :)
Part Three
Billy rolled his chair through the debris in the hallway until he reached the living room. He was startled to see not only Jacob, but Bella, Sam and Embry as well. When he looked at Sam, a subtle change came over him. "Is everything alright?" He asked cautiously.
Sam just shrugged. "I'll let Jake explain. Come on Embry let's give them some space."
Embry gave Jacob a sly grin and hugged Bella quickly as he passed, making Jacob shoot him a dark look. "See you later."
Bella blushed red as she watched Sam and Embry leave. Sam turned quickly and told Jacob to be ready later for his first shift. This made things even clearer for Billy; whose face now registered surprise. He glanced uneasily at his son who looked back at him, eyebrows raised.
"Well dad have you something to say?" Jacob asked.
Billy coughed nervously. He glanced at Bella than back at Jacob. "What do you mean?"
"Dad cut the crap, you know why the hall is all messed up." Jacob glared at him making Billy flinch.
"You know son maybe this would be better discussed when Bella has gone home," Billy suggested, giving her a nervous smile.
"She knows dad. Bells was here when I..." he clenched his teeth, he hated saying the word phase, but that was the term the others were using. "Phased."
A gasp left Billy's mouth as he stared dumbfounded at Bella. She shrank back behind Jacob again hating the intense scrutiny, it had been bad enough when the others had stared at her. "You saw?" Billy finally found his voice.
"Yes," she replied softly.
"Are you okay?" Billy rolled his chair forward and gazed up at her.
"Yes, I'm fine." She smiled tentatively at him.
Billy let out a relieved sigh. "I can't believe it. Jake I know that you must have a lot of questions but..."
Jacob cut him off. "Sam told me all about my new role. What I want to know is why you didn't warn me. Your supposed to be my father." His anger began to increase and Bella had to grab hold of his hand to calm him again. He pulled her into his arms and buried his head in her shoulder matching his breathing to hers. The hot feeling that was running up his spine faded away and he felt calm again.
Billy watched their interactions closely. He saw Bella stroke his son's back and whisper soothing words to him. He had never seen anything like this before, the very fact that she had witnessed his son change and was still by his side, showed an inner strength that was very rare. He could see that she obviously cared for his son. At first he had wondered whether she was just using Jacob to make herself feel better, but Billy could now see just how close the two of them had become. He waited silently for them to pull apart.
"I'm sorry," Jacob said eventually. "I have to reign in my anger. Sam warned me that it would take time to control myself."
Billy looked sadly at him. "No I'm sorry. Everything you have said is true. I can understand why you are angry at me, but Jake would it have made your life easier knowing that this was going to happen to you. I wanted you to be spared the worry and fear of when it could occur. Maybe I was wrong but would you have believed me anyway?"
Jacob frowned. "No probably not."
Bella looked between them, she felt in the way. Jacob and his dad really needed some space to talk things through privately. "I think I may head home now Jake," she told him. "It's getting kinda late and my dad will be wondering where I am."
Jacob's face fell. "Do you have to? I really need you here." He begged her.
"No Jake, you and Billy need to really talk and Sam told you he would be back. I'll see you tomorrow. Night Billy," she began to leave the house, Jacob trailing behind her.
When they reached the old Chevy he pulled the door open for her and helped her in. As he closed the door he looked up at her pleadingly. "Promise me that all this hasn't affected us, Bells. Promise me that I will see you tomorrow."
Bella reached out of the opened window and caught his hand. "If it makes you feel better then I promise. Don't worry Jake. I have to go."
Jacob reluctantly let go of her hand and stepped back as the loud engine rumbled to life and she began to drive away. He didn't move until the the tail lights of the Chevy disappeared into the distance.
XXXXXX
"That's better Jake. Now try and beat me..." Sam's wolf took off at high speed.
Jacob followed the black wolf as it twisted and turned through the trees in a graceful dance. He had found it hard to keep up with Sam at first, but with practice he was becoming more adept at controlling his wolf form.
"I'm just behind you now, Sam..." he put on another burst of speed and overtook his leader, making it to the forest's edge first.
"See I told you it would get better..." Sam stood beside him, his huge chest heaving with each rapid breath he took. Jacob was astounded by how much his senses had sharpened, especially his sight, smell and hearing.
His senses had been overwhelmed at first when he had phased again after Sam collected him for his first patrol. The sounds and smells of the wildlife had been a shock to the system and he had trouble getting used to his new form. Sam had been endlessly patient with him as he made mistake after mistake, but eventually Jacob became accustomed to using his new body and his agility and speed were improving at a rapid rate.
"Paul will take over from us soon..." Sam's voice rang through his head; another thing he had to get used to. It was the way they all communicated when they were in their wolf forms. The only downside to this was that the others could hear every thought and private fantasy he had stored in his head. Sam had told him it took skill and a lot of time before he would learn to keep his most private thoughts hidden.
"I'm glad I feel washed out..." Jacob hung his head and took deep breaths. He caught a glimpse of his russet toned leg and let out a whine. It was all still too surreal.
"It will get easier, Jake. You have done well for your first shift..." Sam's wolf shook it's massive fur coat as he began to head back toward La Push.
"Thanks..." Jacob followed Sam back slowly, every muscle in his body aching.
XXXXXX
Bella had arrived home to find Charlie sitting in the living room watching the flat screen. He greeted her with a tired smile. She had headed to the kitchen and made up a quick meal and they had eaten it in companionable silence before she bid him goodnight and retired to bed. For once she fell into a restful sleep; her dreams filled with a russet coloured wolf and a little boy and girl with hair as black as Jacob's.
School was an unwelcome chore the next day. She ate breakfast alone as Charlie had already left for work. Bella made sure that she had all the books she needed for the day and then left in the truck to take the short drive to Fork's high. The car park was filled with teenagers, chatting in groups waiting for the bell to go. She parked the Chevy in her usual spot and jumped down from the cab onto the hard concrete. As usual she ended up stumbling and she fell right into Mike Newton who was headed her way as soon as he saw her truck pull in.
"You don't need to fall at my feet every time you see me, Bella," he quipped as he steadied her with his hands.
Bella sighed as she stepped back from him and brushed herself down. "You wish," she muttered irritably.
"In a foul mood again, Bella," Jessica's loud voice made her wince.
"It's school why would I be in a good mood," Bella grouched.
Jessica rolled her eyes and chewed on her gum as she studied Bella closely. "I could give you a makeover if you want. You wore those jeans twice the other week."
"She looks fine to me," Mike interjected, linking his arm with Bella.
"You would say that," Jessica snapped. "Well Bella, fancy looking more like a girl for a change?"
Bella stared at Jessica's bright yellow shirt teamed with a tight fitting skirt. She was wobbling about in heels, similar to the type that her arch nemesis Lauren wore. Jessica had been hanging around with Lauren a lot lately and was copying her style. "I'll stick to my jeans, thanks Jess." She said dismissively as she pulled her arm away from Mike.
"Whatever," Jessica sneered. She spun round and wobbled her way over to the entrance of the school, winking at a group of boy's who whistled at her.
"I like the way you look, Bella," Mike gave her one of his adoring puppy dog smiles and she groaned inwardly. It was going to be a long day. She headed into class, Mike trailing after her all the way.
XXXXXX
Just as Bella predicted the day dragged by. At lunch she shared a table with Angela and Mike. They were chatting easily when they were joined by Jessica and Lauren. The latter dumped her tray next to Bella's and made herself comfortable in the seat next to her. "Jess told me you need a makeover Swan." Lauren sneered. "Although I don't think anything would make your pale skin show some life."
Bella gritted her teeth,she heard Angela gasp at Lauren's bitchy comment and Mike choked on his sandwich. "Well at least I don't look like an extra from the Walking Dead, Lauren. Is that a skirt you're wearing or a belt? Everyone's been having bets all day whether you just forgot to get dressed today." The words flew out of Bella's mouth before she realised. It was not like her at all to retaliate.
Lauren's mouth fell open in shock as sniggers rapidly spread around the cafeteria, Bella had spoken quite loudly. "You bitch, Swan. I knew that butter wouldn't melt mask you wear was all an act." She snapped.
"Well at least I'm wearing something," Bella took a bite of her lunch and gave Lauren a sweet smile.
Lauren glared at Bella with pure hatred, she pushed her long blonde hair out of her face as she moved in for the kill. "Now we all know why Edward Cullen left you, he must have seen the real you and bailed as fast as he could," she spat nastily.
Bella didn't even realise what she was doing, her hand shot out and she slapped Lauren hard across the cheek making her head tilt back with the force of the blow. Lauren's screams echoed around the room as everyone stopped what they were doing and stared over at them.
"You'll be suspended for this," Lauren yelled at Bella, her hand covering her reddened cheek.
Bella sat at the table stunned, shocked at what she had just done.
XXXXXX
Charlie drove Bella home in the Cruiser. He had been called down to the school by the principal and informed that his daughter was on a two day suspension for giving another girl a black eye. He had been stunned to say the least. Bella had remained mute as her punishment was read out to her and she followed her dad to the car, feeling mortified.
"Why did you do it, Bells?" Charlie asked after a while. "This is not like you."
Bella shrugged. "I don't know. I lost control I guess. I shouldn't have let her bait me like that."
Charlie glanced at her briefly. He gave her a half smile. "If she provoked you then she probably deserved it."
Bella looked back at him in surprise. "You're not mad?" She asked in disbelief.
"No. Did I ever tell you about the time I was suspended from school for brawling?" He turned his attention back to the road ahead.
"No, what happened?" Bella asked curiously, seeing a whole new side to her dad.
"Well Billy dropped by my school, he was playing hookey and came to meet up with me so I could join him. Unfortunately I got caught climbing over the fence by William Sumner; he was the school goody goody. He began to taunt me saying that he was going to tell on me so I hit him. Gave him a huge black eye." Charlie smiled at the memory. "Well worth the suspension."
Bella sank lower in her seat. "Wow," was all she could think of to say. The day was certainly full of surprises.
XXXXXX
Jacob and Billy ended up coming over for dinner. Bella spent the afternoon in the kitchen making a roast dinner. It kept her occupied as she mulled over what had made her lash out at Lauren like that. It had been as soon as she mentioned Edward's name. Bella waited for the usual gaping hole to open up in her chest when she thought about him; but she felt nothing. She could breathe okay and there was none of the hurt and despair that usually hit her when she wallowed in her memories of him. How strange that her melancholy had disappeared overnight.
Everything was prepared when Jacob and his dad arrived. As soon as Charlie opened the front door Jacob pushed past Charlie and engulfed Bella in a bear hug. He lifted her right off the floor and the breath flew from her body as he squeezed her tightly.
"Jake," she puffed out. "Need air."
He released her at once. "Sorry Bells," he apologised quickly. "Don't know my own strength."
Bella smiled at him and took his hand. "I'm glad you're here," she confessed. "I missed you."
A sunny grin crossed Jacob's lips. "You did? I missed you too."
Charlie coughed behind them, interrupting their little moment. He looked between them thoughtfully. "Dinner ready yet, kiddo?" He asked.
Bella blushed and nodded. She saw Billy smirking at them both. "It's already served up in the kitchen." She said hurriedly as she led the way to the table, Jacob holding on tightly to her hand.
A/N-Thanks for reading!
