A/N: Vulgar language warning.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Everything belongs to Stephenie Meyer, the creator of Twilight.
Bella smoothed down her skirt one last time as she watched in the mirror. She nodded in approval and grabbed her purse. She looked like she meant business and she did.
She was resolved to go into work today and get back to her normal routine. No more would she allow herself to be plagued by thoughts of Jacob or what she had done. She was Edward Cullen's wife, Renesmee Cullen's mother, and she intended to act like it. She had no idea why she had let Jacob get to her like he did but now that was all going to stop. If it was some sort of sick twisted need for attention on her part, she'd get it from her husband.
She went down to the kitchen to find Renesmee, still in her pajamas and sipping coffee at the table.
"Hi, Mom," Renesmee grumbled.
Bella laughed. "My, don't we sound cheery this morning. Didn't sleep well?" She pulled out her thermal mug and poured some coffee into it.
"Long night," Renesmee offered up as an answer and then hugged her knees to her chest.
Bella shook her Splenda packet while she watched her daughter with concern. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Renesmee shook her head. "Nah." Her eyes then roved over her mother more intently. "Mom, are you going into work today?"
Bella nodded as she stirred in her skim milk. "Yes, we're getting a new shipment this morning and Angela and I have to go over some things."
"And you're going dressed like that?" Renesmee asked in disbelief.
Bella nodded again and placed her lid on her cup. "Mmhmm. Why?"
When she didn't answer, Bella turned to look at her and saw Renesmee pouting. "I just thought, with me being home, you'd want to spend some time with me."
Bella sighed and set her cup down before heading over to her daughter and hugging her tightly. "Oh, honey. Of course I want to spend some time with you. But I have to go in today." And stay far away from your fiancé. I'm so sorry you have such a horrible mother with absolutely no self-control. I don't deserve to be your mother. "I'll tell you what."
Renesmee turned her face up expectantly to her and Bella smoothed her hair back.
"Why don't you come meet me at the shop around lunchtime and we'll have a mother daughter lunch? What do you say?" Bella was still feeling guilty and she knew that in no way did a lunch make up for all that she had done. But it was a start.
"Okay." Renesmee hugged her again, laying her head against Bella's stomach. Bella continued to stroke her hair.
Bella glanced around. "Where's your father? He wasn't there when I woke up this morning."
Renesmee pulled away and shrugged. "He went to work. Not before he made sure to embarrass the crap out of me and Jacob some more, though."
Bella forced herself to ignore the thrill that ran through her body at Jacob's name and focused on her daughter. "What happened?"
Renesmee shook her head and sipped her coffee. "Nothing, Mom. Dad was just being Dad. You know how he is."
Bella rolled her eyes. "Yes, I do." She sighed and then kissed Renesmee's head again before heading back to the counter to grab her things. "I'll talk to him and see if I can't get him to cut you guys some slack. Just," She sighed again and turned around. "Try to cut him some slack as well, honey. He's been through a lot in the last twenty four hours."
Renesmee rolled her eyes this time. "Yeah, I know. I'll try, Mom. But seriously, he's got to stop giving Jacob a hard time. It makes him feel like crap."
Bella kept her eyes glued to the counter. "Where is Jacob? Is he still sleeping?" No, Bella, you did not ask that. You do not care. What is wrong with you?
Renesmee sighed sadly. "He went for a run. He always runs in the mornings. Says it helps him clear his head."
Bella's fingers gripped her coffee tightly. It's not your business, it's not your business, it's not your—"Everything okay with you two, honey?" Goddammit, Bella.
Renesmee shrugged again. She brought the coffee mug to her lips, averting her mother's gaze. "Of course, Mom. Why do you ask?"
Bella took a deep breath. Renesmee wasn't telling her something. Whenever her daughter avoided her eyes, it meant she wasn't telling her everything; something Renesmee had done since she was a child. She just prayed to whoever would listen that it had nothing to do with the way she had acted last night.
She pasted a smile onto her face. "No reason." She slung her purse over her shoulder. "Okay, sweetheart. I'll see you later today, okay?" She kissed Renesmee's forehead before walking out of the kitchen. "If you need me, call me, alright?"
"Okay," Renesmee grumbled behind her.
Bella turned back around and stuck her head in, giving her daughter a bright smile. "I love you."
Renesmee smiled tightly back at her. "I love you, too." Bella felt like Renesmee had stabbed her in the heart with those four words.
She kept her composure, though. "I'll see you later, honey. Bye."
"Bye," Renesmee called back.
Bella grabbed her keys off of the key ring and stepped out the front door. She strode to the car, her heels clicking on the sidewalk loudly, and opened the passenger door after hitting the fob in her hand. She tossed her purse and packed binder onto the seat and then closed the door before walking around the front of the car.
She nearly dropped her coffee.
There was Jake, strolling towards her, his dark grey t-shirt soaked down his front. He was breathing hard and the sweat was pouring off of him, drops raining off of his spiky hair. Bella nearly groaned at the sight of him. Why did he always look so good? Even when he shouldn't? Why? She was just thankful he had worn a shirt. Had he been shirtless, she could not have been held responsible for what she might have done.
She shook her head to clear away those thoughts and backed up into her car door when he approached her.
Those dark eyes held her captive once again.
"Bella." Just the way he said her name in that husky tone of his made her feel near weak in the knees.
He leaned in slightly, entrapping her again between his big arms, leaning his weight against the car. She closed her eyes tightly and shivered when she felt his warm breath on her face. Edward, Edward, Edward. Renesmee, Renesmee, Renesmee. Bella, get a fucking grip. "Bella," he whispered. "Where are you going?"
She didn't answer him. She couldn't. She was too busy fighting off the spell he always had her under whenever he was around. She was just thankful that they couldn't be seen from the house where they were.
He gripped her left hip in his large hand, kneading it and almost making her moan aloud. He was burning her again, through her clothes. The way he touched her, it sent jolts of electricity directly to her core, like lightning.
"Where are you going?" He asked, enunciating each word and sounding stern this time around, like he wanted an answer, expected one even. That made her eyes snap open. She shoved him back angrily and turned to her door, opening it. All she had to do was get in and lock the door….
"None of your business," she hissed.
His right hand shot out of nowhere and slammed the door shut, preventing her from opening it. "Dressed like that? It is my business," he replied back with just as much venom.
She whirled on him and gritted her teeth. "Get your hand. Off of my car. Right now."
He didn't move. Instead, he watched her, still breathing harshly, his eyes lit up with something that Bella still could not name. She had only seen it once, in the kitchen last night, when she had tried to slap him.
Bella stared back at him, not giving an inch. "Now."
Who the hell did he think he was? Talking to her like that? Like he owned her? Did he treat her daughter like that?
He took a couple of deep breaths and then slowly retracted his arm. Bella waited until it was back at his side to turn back around and open the door. Before she could get in, his hand grasped her arm, gently. She sighed in annoyance and faced him. "This is getting a bit old, Jacob."
"Bella," His eyes tightened. "We need to talk."
She felt the same ache from last night start to throb inside her chest. She swallowed quietly and removed his hand from her arm. "There's no need. We already did, last night."
She again went to leave and again, he stopped her, catching her wrist. "We really didn't. Bella, this is important," he pleaded.
Bella covered her face with her hands, in partial attempt to fight the tantalizing scent working itself up her nasal passages. Apparently, sweat only added to his appeal. "Jacob," she sighed. She then dropped her hands and faced him head on. "I don't know how else to say this so I'm just going to say it. This cannot happen. I love my daughter and I am not doing this to her. So, you need to stop. As flattering as all of this is, it's not happening. So, please, stop. You said you love Renesmee but do you really? Did you ever? I'm starting to think you are someone who is looking for the next fuck. Someone I should warn my daughter against marrying so she doesn't get her heart broken. Because someone has to give a shit about her, and obviously, that's not you. So, you keep looking for that next fuck. It's not gonna be me. Maybe I am some stupid attention-starved housewife who is willing to jump into bed with any guy, even her daughter's boyfriend, just to get her rocks off to you but that is not the case. I love my family. It's time for you to stop playing this game. I will never touch you. And I swear, Jacob, if you even so much as look at me the wrong way again, I'll make sure to have Edward throw you out on your ass and you will never see Renesmee again. Do you understand me?"
Her rant caught him off guard and his eyes widened. She took advantage of his distraction, not waiting for any response, and got into the car. She immediately shut the door, locking it, and buckled her seatbelt. She shakily started the car and refused to look at him as she backed out of the driveway. She didn't need to to know that he was hurt. She could feel it, deep inside her chest, and the pain only got worse the farther she drove away from him.
"Bella, why on earth did you wear those today of all days?" Angela asked for the tenth time that morning, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration as Bella nearly slid across the kitchen floor, almost breaking her ankle for also the tenth time since she had arrived.
Bella sighed loudly and removed her heel as she leaned against the wall.
"I don't know, Ang. Just….stop giving me a hard time already and come help me, will you?"
Angela dropped her hand and rolled her eyes. She walked over to Bella and offered her hand. Bella took it and held onto Angela tightly as they slowly made their way back to the front. Once they were in a safe area, Bella released her and walked over to an empty table. Angela sat down opposite of her and watched as Bella removed the heel from her aching foot and began to rub it soothingly.
Bella winced but continued her meeting with Angela. "Okay, so we got this morning's shipment and it's all put away?"
"Yep."
"And you're going to start putting our fall flavors out front and on display?"
"Yep. I have Jessica already on it."
"Okay? And the book shipment?"
"On schedule for tomorrow. The trucking company already called to confirm."
Bella nodded in approval. "Good. So, everything is right on schedule then."
"Yep," Angela agreed. "I told you, Bella, we had this well in hand. You didn't have to come in this morning. You could have spent some time with Ren." Bella rolled her eyes at the all-too-familiar nickname. She hated it.
"No, I couldn't," Bella mumbled.
Angela's brows arched as she sipped her tea. "Trouble at home?"
Bella shook her head and made a note in her binder. "No, everything's fine. I just….had a lot to do today. That's all."
Angela stared at her doubtfully. "Uh huh."
Bella glared at her. "Drop it, Ang."
Angela shrugged and took another sip of her tea. "It's dropped. Okay, so we confirmed that that author, Ms. Brandon, is coming on Saturday to do the book signing."
Bella's eyes widened and her jaw fell. "This Saturday?"
Angela's brows furrowed. "Yeah. You told me to confirm it with her manager for the 14th. Did I get that wrong?" She asked worriedly.
"Um, no, no. I'm sorry, Ang. I just forgot. I'm sorry. This Saturday is fine. I'll just have to rearrange some things, that's all. Edward can take Renesmee and Jacob to lunch." Bella waved a hand dismissively.
Angela arched an eyebrow. "Jacob?"
Bella rubbed her forehead roughly. "Um, yeah. Her fiancé."
Angela squealed, making Bella look up. "What?"
"Ren's engaged?! How could you not tell me?!"
Bella continued rubbing her forehead. "I forgot, Ang. Edward and I just found out ourselves."
"Oh my God! Okay, Bella, I want details. How did she meet him? What does he do? Is he handsome? How is Edward taking it? Do you like him? Is he good for our Ren? Why didn't you tell me she's seeing someone? Are you okay with this? Is he going to the same school? Tell me."
Bella dropped her hands, ready to tell her best friend to stop with the twenty questions, when she saw Renesmee walking through the door. She smiled at her daughter when she waved and started making her way over. "Why don't you ask her yourself, Ang?"
Angela turned around and jumped out of her seat as Renesmee reached them. "Oh my goodness, Ren! Look at you!"
Renesmee laughed and hugged Angela back. "Hi Aunt Ang!" Bella sat back in her chair, choosing to prop her aching foot up on Angela's vacated seat.
Angela pulled back, grinning at the young girl. "Let's see the ring."
Renesmee smiled wide and lifted her left hand up for Angela to inspect, who then gasped and marveled at the band she saw there. "It's gorgeous!" She exclaimed. Bella felt the guilt overtake her as she realized she had never asked her daughter to see her ring. What kind of mother was she? "Come on, you need to show this to Jess and the girls! And then you need to tell me all about him!"
Renesmee laughed again and glanced back at her mother. "Be right back, Mom." Bella nodded, smiling back. Once they had walked away towards the back, Bella let out a deep breath and continued to rub her forehead, eyes closed.
"Excuse me, miss, you don't happen to work here by any chance, do you?"
Bella opened her eyes and took in the young man standing in front of her. She had never seen him before. He had honey-colored hair with light eyes, a decent build and seemed to be in his late twenties. She smiled kindly at him.
"I'm the owner. Is there something I can help you with?"
The man's smile turned into a smirk. "You're the owner? Wow. You look way too young to have this kind of stress on your shoulders."
Bella blushed slightly but remained polite. "Thank you. You're very kind. Was there something you needed help with?"
His smirk got bigger. "Well, yes. Several things actually. But right now, you look like the one who could use some help." He squatted down and reached out to touch her foot. "Did you hurt your ankle?"
She blushed further and lowered her leg down to the ground before he could grasp it. "No, I'm alright. Just resting. Thank you, though."
He chuckled. "Forgive me but I noticed you hobbling in here a few moments ago with your friend." She narrowed her eyes at him. "I was eating at a table near the bakery," he clarified. "You were hard to miss." He smiled warmly at her. "I'm a doctor and I just wanted to make sure you were alright."
Bella shook her head. "Thank you, but I'm okay. I was just breaking in these new shoes," she offered as an explanation.
He reached out and gripped her leg gently, putting her foot on his knee. She immediately felt uncomfortable, regardless of the reassuring smile he was giving her. "It will only take a moment." He started to touch her foot, inspecting it softly.
She was about to protest and pull her foot away when she was cut off by another voice, a very angry voice. "What the fuck is going on here?" He hissed.
Bella's eyes snapped up to find Jacob glaring down at the doctor, his body visibly shaking. Bella had never seen him this angry before. He looked like he wanted to rip the man's head off.
The doctor placed her foot down carefully and stood up. "She merely hurt her ankle and I was making sure it wasn't broken," he defended. Bella was sure that was the end of it but then she saw the man's amiable smile turn into a cocky smirk. "She didn't seem to mind."
Jacob started to shake worse and his expression was pure murder. "Jacob."
He didn't look at her. Instead he took a step closer to the doctor. Bella gasped and got to her feet. It turned out to be a mistake. She cried out in pain and dropped to the chair again.
Jacob's head snapped in her direction and he was immediately on his knees, shaking gone, holding her foot, looking it over worriedly.
The doctor sighed. "You should get that looked at."
She grimaced when Jacob's fingers pressed a tender spot. "Thank you, I will. Thank you for your help."
The man nodded. "Now that I know you own this place, I'll certainly be back." He gave her a wink and when Jacob turned rage-filled eyes on him, the man smirked at him again. "To check on the patient."
He then smiled warmly at Bella. "Have a nice afternoon. I'll be back soon."
Bella didn't say a word. She was in too much pain and truthfully, she didn't care what the man had to say. She wouldn't be seeing him again and if she did, she'd politely tell him to fuck off. She was a married woman, not another notch on anyone's bed post. And after that little display, he'd be lucky if she didn't just kick him in the nuts the next time she saw him. It actually sent a wave of exhilaration through her at the thought. That's what he'd get for treating Jake that way—
Holy shit. Had she actually just thought that? Dammit, Bella.
Jacob watched the man until he had left the store and then turned his dark eyes on her. His fingers hit a particularly sore spot and she whimpered. His eyes softened and he laid his hand gently on the area. Sure enough, his warmth radiated throughout her leg. She started to feel better, at ease, safe. So many different emotions ran through her at once but all of them were positive and all of them were somehow connected to Jacob.
"Are you okay?" He asked quietly. Bella blinked in shock. His tone was much softer and kinder than it had been moments earlier. His brows arched expectantly and she cleared her throat. "Yeah. I'm fine."
He dropped his gaze back to her foot. "How did you hurt your ankle?"
"I, uh…." He raised his eyes back to hers and she swallowed hard. He was getting to her again. She felt herself falling into him once more, like she was being pulled by an invisible force field that would not be happy until she was molded against him, encased in his arms. Why did this keep happening? How was she supposed to push him away at this rate? Hadn't anything she said this morning made a difference? The look in his eyes told her no, it didn't. She knew she was in trouble then.
She closed her eyes and rubbed them. "The shoes. I tripped in the shoes in the back. That must've been when I hurt my ankle."
He scoffed in disgust. She opened her eyes, wondering why he was disgusted with her, when she saw him frowning down at the shoe she had left on the floor. "You shouldn't wear these things here. You're lucky a twisted ankle is all that happened. You could have seriously gotten hurt." He turned his eyes on her and she saw worry and pain in them. How had her getting hurt affected him? To that magnitude? How?
They glanced around and took in the people staring at them, some whispering to one another. Bella winced and turned her face away in shame. Today was not a good day to be the owner. He glared at them and then removed her other shoe. "Is your office in the back?"
Bella nodded wordlessly. He handed her the shoes and then stood up. He went to grab her when she moved away. "Jake, no, don't," she insisted.
He laid a hand on her legs. The warmth rushed to her nerves again, calming them. "Relax, honey. I'm just moving you to someplace quieter where you can relax. Come on."
"I don't think that's a good idea." She tried to stand but before she could collapse in pain, Jake caught her and swept her into his arms. He made sure to keep her legs clasped together tightly so nothing was shown. "Is that your binder?"
Bella nodded again, staring widely at him. He leaned her down so she could grab it. She shut it quickly and deposited it in her lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck, one hand holding the shoes. He then carried her to the back.
Once they passed through the double doors, Jacob stopped and brushed his lips near her hair line. She glowered at him and he had the decency to smile sheepishly. He then squeezed her tight to him, deeply inhaling at her neck which gave her goose bumps, and then pulled away. She saw his eyes shining with devotion and adoration. It almost frightened her, the depth with which he was looking at her. Almost. That is if she somehow didn't already know innately that this wasn't a bad thing.
"Bella," he whispered reverently.
He went to walk again when Bella stopped him this time.
"Jacob," she whispered back. She had no idea why she did it. She couldn't have stopped it if she tried. That force field was back in full force. She leaned in and kissed his neck softly before leaning her forehead against it, closing her eyes.
She felt more than heard a noise escape his throat but she couldn't tell what it was exactly. But it made her open her eyes and draw back. She stared up at him sadly. "I don't know what's wrong with me."
She saw her pain mirrored in his eyes. "Shhh," he whispered soothingly when he saw the tears forming. "Nothing's wrong with you, honey." He kissed underneath her eyes sweetly. "What do you say we have that talk now?"
She nodded, though she couldn't see how any amount of talking would make this right, and he kissed her forehead one more time before continuing on his way.
Bella couldn't believe how easy and….right this felt. Like him carrying her was something that was meant to happen every day and would be perfectly acceptable for mother and son-in-law to do. A feeling that was immediately challenged when she heard Renesmee's worried voice.
"Oh my God, Mom, what happened?"
Renesmee, Angela and Jessica rushed to her side. She forced a chuckle. "Nothing, sweetheart. You know me, I tripped."
Angela glared at her. "Again? What did I tell you about those shoes? Did you break anything?"
She went to answer when Jacob cleared his throat quietly. "No, she just twisted her ankle. She'll be alright. But she should get off it for a little while. And she should ice it."
All eyes snapped to him. Renesmee watched him proudly and almost possessively. Angela looked him over uncertainly before seeing Renesmee's expression. Then the realization dawned on her face at the same time as Jessica's.
Renesmee laid a hand on his shoulder and turned to the other two, beaming. "This is My Jacob." Bella internally winced at the way she had introduced him, just like yesterday. It bothered her and it bothered her even more that she was bristled by the fact that Renesmee had clearly been claiming her territory. Her mind wandered back to Jacob wanting to talk and again she wondered how a talk would solve all of this between them.
Jacob chuckled. "You can just call me Jacob." The others chuckled, too.
Renesmee continued to introduce everyone. "This is Angela, the manager of this place and my mother's best friend since high school." Jacob's eyes lit up and he grinned.
"Nice to meet you, Angela."
She smiled back. "Likewise."
"And this is Jessica. She's also known Mom since high school and she helps out here."
Jessica rolled her eyes. "Ren, I practically run this place, who are you kidding?" They all laughed and then a blonde walked up.
"Bella, my goodness, what happened?"
Bella rolled her eyes at Lauren's feigned concern. Sure enough, when her gaze landed back on Lauren, the girl wasn't even looking at her. All her focus was on Jacob.
"Nothing, Lauren," Bella said through gritted teeth. "I just fell." Jacob's head snapped in her direction at the tone of her voice and he gripped her tighter.
"Oh, well, I hope nothing's broken."
"Nope."
"That's good. So is anyone going to introduce me?"
"Sure," Renesmee spoke up. "Lauren, this is My Jacob." She then turned a sly smile on her. "My fiancé." Bella nearly sighed in irritation. Lauren was a few years older than Renesmee but somehow, ever since they met when they were younger, there had always been this tension between them. Any chance they had to gloat over the other, in anything, they took the opportunity to rub each other's noses in it. Regardless of the talks she had had with Renesmee over the years, telling her to be the bigger and better person, her daughter still partook in this massive pissing contest every time the two were together. It irked Bella to no end.
Lauren looked downright annoyed at that fact but then shrugged it off to turn a dazzling smile on Jacob. "Hello, Jacob. How very nice to meet you," she purred.
Bella noticed Renesmee lay her head down on Jacob's shoulder. Lauren did, too.
"Nineteen is a little bit young to be settling down, isn't it? I never saw you as that girl Renesmee. Married? Right out of high school? My goodness. Should we be expecting another big announcement soon? I bet your parents are thrilled."
Renesmee's face reddened and Angela and Jessica scowled at Lauren. Jacob looked downright furious. Bella had had enough.
"Alright, that's enough. Everyone back to work. Renesmee, into the office. Jacob, please take me in there as well. Angela, I'll be back out soon. Please handle the front for now. Jess, please call the trucking company to confirm that they are definitely going to be here with our new shipment. Now being that we're having that book signing on Saturday, we need all the copies of that book we can get. Can you call from your cell? Good. Lauren, I need you to go up front and take over stocking for Jessica. I want those displays finished by closing today. Okay? Okay? Great. Now, let's go."
That probably would have sounded a lot more commanding and possibly intimidating had it come from Bella on her own two feet. However, given the situation, it came off as nothing more than a pleading. Lauren grumbled but stomped off to do as she was told, but not before giving Jacob a wink and sexy smirk. Bella had the notion to hop out of Jacob's arms onto her good foot and knock Lauren's head into one of the refrigerator doors but ignored it. Angela and Jessica both nodded, squeezing Renesmee's arm in sympathy as they passed. Renesmee then stormed off to the office and Jacob held Bella closer, following.
Once they were inside the room, Jacob closed the door and proceeded to lay Bella down on the couch she and the girls had put in there. He placed one of the pillows under her hurt foot gingerly and then sat on the other side. Renesmee plopped into an office chair at one of the desks and crossed her arms, glaring at her mother.
Bella sighed and held a hand up, gesturing to Renesmee. "Alright. Out with it."
Her daughter didn't disappoint. "Would it kill you once, Mom, to stick up for me?"
Bella shook her head, closing her eyes, rubbing them tiredly. "What would you have liked me to say, Renesmee?"
"Oh, I don't know, how about no, she's not knocked up, thanks for asking? Or we're absolutely thrilled for her? Or no, nineteen isn't too young? Or how about you're fired even?"
Bella didn't answer, just kept rubbing.
"Well?"
Bella dropped her hand, sighing.
"Come on, Mom. Why couldn't you say any of those things? Why is it you never stick up for me?"
Bella's eyes flipped open and she turned towards her daughter. "What are you talking about? I do stick up for you, Renesmee."
Renesmee snorted. "No, you don't. Take Dad, for instance."
Bella laid back down, covering her eyes. "Renesmee, you have no clue how much I intervene on your behalf with your father. No clue."
"Psssh, I never see it. And just now, with that two-faced slut. Why don't you stick up for me?" Renesmee sounded close to tears now and it pulled at Bella's heart. She dropped her hand and pulled herself into a sitting position, ignoring Jacob's worried glances.
"Honey," she said in a soothing tone. "I always stick up for you. I do. And I always will. You're my daughter and I love you but you know how I feel about your ongoing….thing with Lauren. We've talked about it time and time again. I've asked you to ignore her and you don't. I am not going to get involved with your spats. You're both old enough now that I shouldn't have to. She's my employee and you're my daughter. In my mind, it doesn't even compare."
A tear rolled down Renesmee's cheek. "Nice. I don't even compare."
"That's not what I meant. She doesn't compare to you. She's going to act how she chooses to act. I want you to be better than that. I don't want her to even be a blip on your radar. In the scheme of things, she doesn't matter. Ignore her."
"That's not fair, Mom!" Tears were streaming down her face.
Bella went to stand up and Jacob was right there to help her. He lifted her and placed her back on the couch. "No, Jacob," she protested. "I was trying to get over there."
He shook his head. "You're hurt."
"I'm fine. I just want to give her a hug."
He shook his head again before turning to Renesmee. "Nessie, c'mere."
She wiped her face and stood up. "No."
Bella went to get up again when Jake kept her locked in place. "Nessie, she's hurt. Come on."
Renesmee crossed her arms again. "So? Why should I care?"
Bella felt a pang in her chest and was surprised when she heard Jake growl at her daughter, "Because she's your mother. And you love her. And she loves you. She'd make it over to you if she could. Just get over here already."
Bella saw anger flash in her daughter's eyes. Oh no, this can't be good. "So, you agree with her. And you don't stick up for me either. Nice. Yeah, she is my mother, Jacob. What would you know about that?"
Bella stifled her gasp with her mouth. She saw pain fleet across his features before they settled into a calm mask, showing no emotion. Bella felt an ache in her chest and before she knew it, she had somehow maneuvered her way out of Jacob's grip, looser now in his shock, and got to her feet. She ignored the throbbing pain and glared at her daughter who had an equally ferocious stare.
"Renesmee Carlie Cullen, you apologize. Right. Now," Bella snarled.
Her daughter didn't say anything. Bella felt a warm hand on her shoulder and she turned to meet Jacob's gaze. "Bella, it's okay. She's just angry. At that age, I said a lot of stupid shit, too. I still do. Don't be mad at her," he sighed. "I'm not."
Before Jacob's eyes had time to work their magic and put her at ease, Renesmee interrupted.
"'At that age'? So now everything I say is 'stupid shit'? What is wrong with you? Ever since we got here, you've been acting really weird. You're supposed to be with me, be my boyfriend, but it seems like it's more important to you to please my fucking parents than it is to please me. You want to marry them? Go right the fuck ahead! I'm out of here!" Renesmee took her ring off and threw it at Jacob before storming out of the office.
"Renesmee!" Bella hopped after her. "Renesmee! You get back here this instant, young lady!" Jacob swung her back into his arms and laid her on the couch again. "Goddammit, Jake! I need to talk to my daughter!"
"I'll talk to her. Stay here," he ordered. He turned to leave but was stopped by Angela. She grabbed her coat and glanced at Bella.
"Don't worry, Bella. I'll talk to her. You know she always gets like this after dealing with Lauren. I'll take her home. Jess has the front." Before Bella had time to thank her, Angela was out the door, closing it swiftly behind her.
Bella's eyes fell on Jacob who pulled up the office chair Renesmee had been using to sit at Bella's head. He pocketed the ring and rubbed his face.
"I'm sorry, Jake," she whispered.
He dropped his hand and gave her a sad smile. "Why are you sorry, honey?"
She turned on her side to face him, moving carefully with her foot. She was going to burn those damn shoes. What the hell had she been thinking, wearing them?
"I'm sorry she said that. That's not….that's not her. We didn't raise her to be that way. She's not that way. That was inexcusable. She really isn't like that, Jake. She's a good girl, sweet, kind…. That was such a horrible thing to say, I'm sorry."
"Bella, when I was a kid, a lot worse things were said to me in school. So, don't worry about it."
She watched him sadly. She didn't know what to say, what to do. She just knew she needed to make this right somehow. The feeling in her chest was not a good one. He was hurting. Not only could she see it, but she could feel it, as well. She needed to soothe the pain.
She allowed her instincts to take over, just this once. She grabbed his hand and brought it to her face. She turned her head and kissed his palm before looking back up at him. She then laid his hand against her cheek, smiling at the familiar warmth.
He leaned in slowly, giving her plenty of time to pull away. But this time, she didn't want to. She knew he needed her; somehow she knew. Her heart beat faster with each inch he closed between them. Her breathing picked up its pace.
He kissed her softly, once, twice. When he pulled away, he frowned.
"Bella?"
She sniffled and stared down at their interlaced fingers. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm so sorry I can't stop. I'm sorry I keep hurting you and Edward and…" She took a deep breath. "Renesmee. I'm a horrible person, I'm sorry."
He cradled her in his arms and rocked her gently, smoothing down her hair and kissing her nose every so often as she cried silently against him.
"You're not a horrible person. I know how much you love your family, Bella. I know you would do anything for them, to keep them from hurting, to keep me from hurting. You're the best person I know, honey."
She sniffled and glanced up at him. "How can you say that? Think that even? You only met me yesterday. For all you know, I could be some woman who seduces her daughter's boyfriends when she brings them home, some woman you hear about all the time on the news. I'm not a good person if I can continue to hurt my family like this. If I can do this to my daughter. I love her, Jacob. She means everything to me. Everything. But, when you're around, all I can see is you, like she doesn't matter to me at all. My own husband doesn't. What is that? What kind of mother does that make me? What kind of wife? What kind of person?"
He sighed heavily and held her tighter to his chest. She was in such pain, realizing no matter what she did, whatever this was with Jacob wouldn't go away. It was something more than attraction, she realized that now. Here, as he held her, there was nothing sexual about it. She sniffled again. "And even now, you two just had a fight. She broke off your engagement. But, instead of working things out with her, you're here taking care of me, letting me cry on your shoulder. How can that be okay? How can that make me the best person you know?"
He just continued to rock her as she continued to cry quietly.
"I can't do this anymore," he croaked out, his voice breaking.
Bella waited for him to push her away since he obviously had come to his senses.
He didn't.
She pulled back to look at him. His face was crumpled in pain and she saw fresh tear marks on his russet cheeks.
"Do what?" Bella asked worriedly. She reached up to wipe away his tears. He took her hand and kissed it, holding it to his lips, sniffling. He kissed it one more time before releasing it and got to his feet.
Bella was terror stricken as she realized he was leaving her. Even though she knew he was doing the right thing and she needed to also, it still scared her and she felt a panic ensue inside her chest. She didn't understand it, but somehow she couldn't be without him.
He smiled reassuringly down at her. "I'm not leaving you, honey." He stroked her cheek tenderly. "I need to take you someplace we can be alone. Where no one's going to walk in on us or interrupt us."
Her eyes widened. Did he really expect after everything she had just said that she would jump into bed with him first chance she got?
And as always seemed to be the case lately, Jacob read her mind. "I'm not talking about sex, Bella. If that was all I wanted, we could have already fucked in here twice already and no one would've known a goddamn thing."
She nodded. That was true. Although, highly unlikely. It was a miracle Jessica or Lauren or any of the other employees hadn't come in here yet. They were always moving in and out of the office.
"We need to have that talk. I need to tell you why things have been happening the way they have. I don't want you to be in pain." He grimaced as he said it.
She stared up at him, waiting for him to continue. He raised his gaze to hers. "Do you trust me, Bella?"
Without hesitation, she nodded. How could she not trust those eyes?
He smiled and leaned down to lay his forehead against hers in relief. He then kissed it and scooped her up into his arms. "My car's out front."
She winced at the thought of being carried out in front of all those people.
"Relax, Bells. We'll go out the back."
Her brows arched at the nickname. Bells? No one had called her that since….well since her father. He just smirked at her and then kissed her forehead again.
He gathered her stuff for her and then carried her out the back as promised, not saying a word to anyone they passed on the way, ignoring all the stares.
Jacob pulled up to a children's park that was empty most likely due to the darkening skies.
They had driven around until he felt he had found an area that provided enough cover. Cover from what she had no idea but figured it might be the best since she was technically a married woman. She already knew she had quite a few explanations to give when she returned to work the next day.
He sighed in annoyance. "We've gotta make this fast, Bells. The storm's gonna hit soon and it's gonna be a nasty one."
Before she could respond, he was out of the car and helping her out of her side. Once he had her in his arms, he headed to the farthest bench, near the edge of the trees leading into a wooded area. He sat her down carefully and then removed his leather jacket, wrapping her in it instead. He then took his t-shirt off and laid it down next to her.
Bella arched a brow, wondering what he was doing. He saw her expression, sighed and got down on his knees. He immediately placed his head in her lap.
It was such a submissive gesture, it completely took Bella off guard. She felt him shaking against her. It wasn't like the shaking she had seen before, at her store, but different, more subdued, almost as if he were afraid. Her fingers wound into his hair and pulled through softly.
"Jake," she whispered. "What's wrong?"
"What if you never want to see me again? What if you hate me?" He mumbled against her lap.
Before she could answer, he continued, slowly raising his head to look at her. "If you chose him, to stay with him and keep your family together, I could understand, I could bear it. It would hurt but I could do it. For you. But, to be away from you…." He shuddered and grabbed her hands, kissing them.
"Jacob, have you hurt Renesmee?"
His eyes widened. "No!"
She smiled. "Then what on earth would you think would make me hate you?"
He sighed. "You'll see." He kissed her hands one more time and then stood up. "I'll explain it all to you afterwards but it's important that you see who-what I am first."
Her brows furrowed. "What you are…?"
He sighed again and started to take his jeans off. Bella averted her eyes, unsure of where this was going.
"Bells," Her eyes snapped to his unwillingly. "Honey, I need you to watch so you know I'm not lying to you."
Bella's eyes burned to travel south but she kept her stare leveled with his. She gave him a curt nod and he backed into the trees more.
He took a deep breath. "I love you, Bells."
Her eyes widened at those four words. Had he really just said that? She didn't think anything could shock her more.
She was wrong.