Chapter 7: An Unwelcome Visitor
Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight
I woke up when the sun started to peek thru Jacob's dusty window. I had no idea what time it was. There was no clock on the dresser, and my cell phone was in my purse in the other room. And darn it, the floor was ice-cold and I didn't want to get out of this nice warm cocoon.
I took a really big breath, and reluctantly tried to pry myself out of Jacob's arms. He woke up with a start and grasped my wrist as I was climbing out of bed, "Trying to escape again, huh?"
"Yes, warden—I'm going to get dressed—it's morning." I had things to do. I couldn't stay in bed with him forever.
"It's cold out there, Bells; come back to bed."
"Don't you want some breakfast?"
"Not when you're around. I don't want breakfast ... I don't want anything ... I don't need anything else when I'm with you."
I don't believe you. Just wait till your stomach starts rumbling.
I stared at him intently, ignoring his last comment. Changing the subject, I asked "How are you feeling this morning?"
"I don't know," he truthfully answered. "Dumb and Dumber haven't shown up to push me around yet. Yeah, I'm really looking forward to that."
I couldn't help laughing.
"I definitely have to get up ... breakfast ... Hey, can I borrow a pair of your socks? This floor is freezing."
Still holding my wrist in his steel grasp, he retorted, "Sure, sure. I don't think they'll fit, but you can use a pair if you want."
"Which drawer are they in?"
He rubbed one eye with the back of his hand, yawning. "Dunno."
"What do you mean, you don't know? They're your socks, aren't they?" I'm definitely going to begin tutoring Sunny, here, on how to organize his drawers.
"Yeah, but I throw them in any old drawer after they're washed."
"How do you ever find them?"
"It's not like I wear them very often, Bella—wolf thing, remember?"
I rolled my eyes, even though he probably couldn't see them and began rifling through his dresser drawers.
I found a pair of clean white socks—at least I think they used to be white—but underneath was buried a rectangular object neatly wrapped in a piece of muslin. Curiosity getting the better of me, I carefully unwrapped the bundle. It was a hand carved picture frame, beautifully detailed. In it was a photograph of Jacob and me taken by Charlie, about six months ago. Jacob had a big smile on his face; I was looking up at him. His arm was draped about me casually, my arms encircling his waist. A lump started to form in my throat, and my eyes teared up as I read the inscription carved underneath. Jake and his Bella, together forever. Hereally had been in love with me all this time, andI was too blind to see it.
I sighed, grabbing the socks. I sat on the edge of the bed, and pulled them up over my feet. Gosh his feet were big. The socks were dangling off my toes. I guess a body Jacob's size needs feet big enough to keep his frame upright and steady. And let's face it, Jacob was a Towering Inferno!
I got up and sauntered into the kitchen to see what there was for breakfast. Billy was making noise as he puttered around in his bedroom, so I figured I'd better get the food on the burners.
I found the eggs easily enough and I scrambled about eight of them in a bowl. I grated up a couple of potatoes and added them to a frying pan that was already buttered and sizzling. My stomach was impatiently growling. Why was I such a martyr? I should have saved myself some stew last night.
While the potatoes were browning, I made Jacob a smoothie with the pasteurized egg whites, milk and OJ. Now where did Charlie find those straws? Ah, the box was right in front of the honey. If it had been a vampire, it would've bit me ... I poured some of the honey into the shake ... I figured why not? Then I stirred it up to a froth.
I stumbled back to the bedroom, nearly taking a nosedive—darn floppy socks! A surprise greeted me. Jacob was already sitting up in bed.
My mouth dropped open in surprise. "How did you ...?"
"Dunno, I just forgot I was busted up, and here I sit. Wolf thing, Bells."
"Whatcha got there?" he asked as he licked his lips.
"An orange Julia ...It's got egg protein mixed in it so you can heal faster."
I stuck the straw in the large glass, and said, "Do you need help with this?"
His hand shot out—taking the glass—and in three slurps, the container was empty.
"I'm not that incapacitated," he chuckled.
"Holy crow, you are feeling better."
"Damn straight, c'mere, girl. How about a good morning kiss, since you forgot to kiss me goodnight?"
His memory must have been very selective, because I can remember our lips puckering up several times last night. What did he classify as a goodnight kiss?
"I was tired... you were tired ..."
"Trust me, I'm never that tired."
I sat on the bed and stroked his cheek with my hand. God he was beautiful. I leaned in and softly kissed his waiting lips. As I pulled back, he caught the back of my head.
"I'm a growing boy, Bells, and there wasn't the least bit of nutrition in that kiss. Everyone knows that kissing is the breakfast of champions. I'm afraid I'll be needing a lot more nutrition, cuz I'm really, really hungry—hungry like the wolf." He sang the last line.
"How do you remember the lines from all those old songs? But seriously, don't you guys get brain strain thinking up all these corny comebacks?"
"Nah, it's naturally in our genes ... it's a—"
"Wolf thing. I GET IT, Jake."
He grabbed my chin with his hand and planted a good one right on my open mouth. It carried enough galvanizing current to curl my hair. Wow! My brain started to get fuzzy. What was I about to do before he electrified me? I couldn't remember. Furthermore, I didn't care that I couldn't remember. Did I even want to try to remember? Nope—I sat there like a stunned idiot. Then my stomach growled again. Oh, breakfast—but apparently not the breakfast of champions, sigh ...
I trotted back to the stove. Billy was wheeling out of his bedroom. "Hey, Bella, good morning. Something smells delicious. Are you sure Charlie can't hire you out to us for awhile. We could use some edible food around here."
"I don't know, Billy, Charlie's kind of fond of me, and I think his stomach is too."
"Charlie's lucky to have a daughter like you."
"And you're lucky to have a son like Jacob. He must be such a joy to have around to help you."
"Yes, it's just the Joy Luck Club at our house all the time," he said with mock seriousness.
"Oh no, not you too, Billy. I'm beginning to think I'm in the twilight zone. Everyone here is a comedian, and I'm stuck in the role of the straight man."
"I'm smart enough to leave that comment alone," he chuckled.
I shook my head in amazement.
The potatoes were almost ready, so I pushed them aside with the spatula and poured in the eggs.
When they were finished cooking, I portioned out some for Billy and placed it in front of him at the table, along with a fork and some juice. He peered up at me appreciatively, a smile crinkling up his face.
"Thanks, Bella."
"My pleasure," and yeah, it was.
This time I put some food on my plate, and then filled up the one for Jacob. I put both plates and some more OJ on a cookie sheet and carefully carted them into the bedroom. I didn't want these treacherous socks to trip me up or I would literally have egg on my face.
Jacob took one whiff, and looked like he was in heaven.
I held his plate and handed him the fork. He frowned, frustrated as he struggled to maneuver the eggs into his mouth.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm right handed," he answered exasperated.
"Here, let me help you."
That's when I heard a slight rustling behind me. Then a voice mocking me, repeated, "Here, let me help you."
"'Leah," Jacob nodded in acknowledgment.
I turned to her, offering a smile.
Leah's eyes narrowed, "Gawd, what the hell are you smiling at, leech lover? And why are you still here anyway?"
Jacob interceded, "She's not that leech's lover anymore, Leah—if it's any of your business. And ... if you can't control your tongue, then you can turn around and leave. Don't let the door hit you in the butt on your way out."
She stood up taller, if that was possible, and placed her hands on her hips. "I just came by to see if you needed any help. Obviously I was mistaken. It looks like Little Miss Damsel in Distress here, finally made herself useful for once."
"Yes, she has. She's been doing all the cooking and cleaning. She's taking care of me besides."
"Taking care of you?" she snorted. "It's her fault that you're in this sorry state. You're totally busted up, and you're defending her?"
I looked down at the bare floor and whimpered, "I'm really sorry, Leah. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. You don't know how sorry I am."
"You're sorry! Well that's just peachy. Look—Go tell that to someone who believes it. If that bloodsucker had drained you the first day you met, we'd all be a lot happier!"
"That's it!" Jacob yelled. "Leah, get out now!"
"It's true isn't it? My apologies if the truth stings a bit. I'm just being honest. No one else has the guts to say it out loud."
"Get out!" Jacob repeated.
"Whatever ... By the way, Tinkerbella—nice outfit ... Fashion advice: lose the socks."
Leah marched out of the room in a huff. I fairly threw the plate of food onto the dresser and followed after her—right on her heels.
Jacob was yelling at me. "No, Bells, let her go!"
She whirled around, noticing me following after her. The scowl on her face was menacing.
"What is it now, Tink?"
"I have something to tell you." I hope I can get it out without you biting my head off.
She questioned me in that sarcastic tone of hers. "Now what could be so important that you have to bother me? I'm in a hurry here."
"I wanted you to know that I said goodbye to Edward. I doubt that you would believe it, but I do love Jacob—I really do."
She gave me another scathing look. "The light bulb finally went off, did it? Now that's the first sensible thing that I've ever heard leak out of your mouth.
"Look, Tink, I've got something to tell you too. That's my pack brother laid up in that bed. And if you break his heart, after all the torture you put him through, I will personally hunt you down and rip your head clean off your scrawny neck. Is that clear enough for you?"
I nodded weakly and she added, "Good, now go away and leave me alone." With that being said, she stomped out the front door.
Her words stung, but I knew that I would do my best never to hurt him again. Somehow, that thought numbed the bite of her tirade.
I wheeled around and spied Billy gazing at me slyly. I shrugged my shoulders and ran back to Jacob's room. It felt like a sanctuary, being with him after that verbal assault.
Jacob's voice broke the silence. "Don't let her get to you, Bells. She hates everyone."
"Yeah, but what she said ... it's true. This is all my fault. I'm nothing but a magnet for danger. I draw innocent people into my gravitational field, like some big Super Nova."
Jacob's dark eyes bore into mine, a skeptical expression on his face.
"Don't look at me like that," I stuttered, "You know it's true. I'm an endangerment to everyone whose lives I touch."
A Jacob grin spread across his face, "If you're through, can I ask you something ...? Can I please eat now?"
