CH 8
A/N OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS ME!! there has been a good response to these last two chapters. so much so that i decided to post yet another chapter, just for you!! Thanks to klcspartangirl1220, Twi-Twanger, jrwcmor for reviews, alerts and really loverly comments :D you guys rock :D enjoy, and please review!! xx
Life at the Cullens' was eventful to say the least. There was always something happening, either Emmett was taking me spinning in the middle of the night in the Jeep, Alice was playing Dollies with me as the toy, Esme and I were baking or Jasper and I were writing guitar duets. And that was when I wasn't with Edward or being examined by Carlisle. I was always exhausted and slept quite well considering my current condition. I couldn't sleep in many positions and this was annoying because I was a restless sleeper. However, I didn't suffer from as many nightmares, so it wasn't all bad. I stayed in the games room because it had an en-suite, but I would often fall asleep in Edward's room and slept soundly through the night. No-one at school knew about me being pregnant and I was going to keep it that way. It would cause more unnecessary attention which was the last thing I needed.
I had been at the Cullens' for 10 days, when he turned up. Esme and I were sitting in the porch, me drinking home-made lemonade and us both enjoying the rare summer sun. We were waiting for the muffins to bake and the others were at school and work. Enjoying the peace and quiet, I listened to stories of when Emmett was a new-born and had just found out how strong he was. I was laughing when I heard tyres crunching on the gravel. I pulled myself up and sped to the door. I didn't want to be seen and I knew no-one was expected for an hour, so I hid in the living room, behind the door. I heard braking tyres and the thud of heavy footsteps.
"Where is she? I know she's here. Why isn't she at school? Charlie let it slip where she was, so don't try and act dumb with me Missus. Tell me where she is! Bella, we need to talk," came a gruff voice.
"Bells, come out and talk to me, please?" the voice was getting louder and I hid behind the door.
"Impressive house, Ma'am. Now, tell me where she is!" Esme, exhaled loudly, and before she could speak, I cut in.
"I'm here, Jake. I'm in here." I stepped out from behind the door.
"My God, Bella! What's going on?"
"Jacob, it's not bad, honest. I'm a couple of months gone-" I was cut off by a hug. He gathered me up in his arms and I couldn't breathe. Esme tried to help, "Erm, please don't do that."
"I'll do what I want. Thanks all the same," Jacob retorted and held me tighter. That's when I started to scream. I kicked my legs and thumped his back with my fists, yelling unintelligible words and tears streaming down my face. Jake just looked at me, set me down and backed away slowly, watching me as he went. As hard as I tried, I couldn't calm down. I chased him, punching him when he got too close and shouting at him, asking how he could hurt me like that and what had I ever done to him. Esme attempted to restrain me but she gave up; I was too upset. She kept muttering, "She's never been this bad, what's gotten into her?" but I ignored her questions. I slapped Jacob once more in the face, mustering up all the strength I could, before finally backing away and falling into a vacant armchair. Esme led Jacob out the room and he just kept staring at me.
"That's not my Bella," he said, "What have you done with my Bella?"
I sat for a while, concentrating on my breathing, and listening to the hushed murmurs from across the hall. I heard the phone ring, and Esme answering and hanging up quickly. I wished that Edward would come home, but I couldn't ask him to leave school for me. I closed my eyes, blocking out the noise from across in the kitchen and waited. Soon enough, I heard three cars speeding down the driveway, and I couldn't feel more relieved. I recognised all three engines now; Edward's purring Volvo, Emmett's growling Jeep and Carlisle's almost inaudible Mercedes. I pulled myself to my feet and walked to the door, waiting for my angel to see me. No later than the engines had all cut off, had Edward arrived at the door, closely followed by Alice and Jasper, who looked curiously around the room.
"I smell dog," whispered Jasper and Alice shushed him, never looking away from me. I was too caught up in Edward's golden eyes to notice what they were saying. I registered that his eyes were more golden today than yesterday, something which troubled me greatly, but I was too frightened to ask, in case I offended him. My thoughts were interrupted by a crashing from the kitchen. I stepped forward to investigate, but Edward wouldn't let me past. He turned to Jasper who nodded and left Alice and I looking expectantly at Edward. I excused myself to the bathroom, and slipped past Edward. I sped to the toilet and locked myself in. I was sure I heard growls, but it must have been the wind.
When I left the bathroom, I ventured outside to find Jacob squaring up to Edward and Jasper. I ran to meet them, but was cut short by I sharp pain in my abdomen. I held my stomach and grimaced, but as suddenly as the pain came, it went again. Edward ran over to me and lifted me into his arms. I watched as confusion and pain crossed Jacob's face. I turned my face into Edward's shoulder and he carried me indoors. I sat down on the sofa in the living room and sighed.
"What does he want Edward? Please, be nice to him. I don't want any fuss, OK? And, if he asks why you can hold me, but he can't, tell him he will have to ask me that, you got that?" I told him, worry colouring my voice. He simply kissed my forehead, nodded and left me with Alice and Esme. Rosalie and Emmett left the room to join the others outside. I sat and watched TV, but I didn't pay attention. Carlisle came and checked me over, and left again. Alice gave me a shoulder massage which was a good de-stress, but I wasn't completely happy. I worried about both Edward and Jake, despite our history. Alice, as if she read my mind, asked,
"What's the deal with you and Jacob anyway Bella? You seem to back pretty far."
"I really don't wanna talk about it right now. Not yet anyway." I sighed and stood up.
"Now, I am going to sort out whatever needs to be sorted out. You coming?" I asked.
I strode out the door with Alice in tow and got to the door.
"Well," I murmured, "Here goes nothing!"
"-you leach! You think I'm going to let this happen? You can't take her away from me, and you know it!" I heard Jake say, he sounded really angry and upset.
"Jacob, that's enough! Be nice to the Cullens! Now, what is the matter here?" I asked as I made my way along the garden path to them.
"Bella, I'm sorry about earlier-"
"No, I'm sorry Jake. I didn't mean any of it. I'm sure you've been informed of the past erm events? Yes, well, what is the problem with me liking the Cullens? They are good people Jake, and they have been helping me get through this. You weren't there, were you? I tried to reach you, but you ignored me. Now, if you have something to say about them, say it!" I said with determination. I walked towards him, watching him carefully.
"Now, please be calm Jacob. I don't want you having to go home on a bad note," Edward said, his voice giving off no emotion. "Please," he said, "For Bella's sake."
I could see that Jake was trying to control his temper, but it was getting the better of him. He was shaking, and this was something I had never seen before. I stepped forward, but Edward pulled me back. I stood behind him, blocking my view, but I could hear a low growl, it was like an animal.
"Alice! Get Bella inside quickly!" I heard Jasper shout, but I wouldn't budge. I stood there and watched from behind Edward as Jacob fell to the ground, still shuddering and he began to get bigger. It was nothing I had ever seen before. I screamed and hid my face, burying it in Edward's shoulder and waited for it all to end. I could hear the growling getting louder, but the ground stopped shaking. When I looked up, Jake had gone, but in his place stood a giant wolf. I stared at it, and it stared back. It didn't run away, but stood its ground watching me and ignoring the others. I stepped out from my hiding position and walked slowly towards it.
"Jake? Is that you? This is ridiculous! I don't understand any of you! How couldn't you tell me about this? I could have helped you Jacob! This is what you hid from me isn't it?! Well, that's just fine! Leave me to be the clueless one! And, to think I was blaming myself all this time! You lied to me Jake! You lied to me all this time, and I believed it all. How could you?"
I let myself cry in front of him, which is something he had never seen. He simply stood there and watched me. I fell to my knees and sobbed, my emotions getting the better of me. I felt something on my shoulder, and it was the animal's head. One solitary teardrop landed on my head and I had to laugh. I stroked his head and asked him,
"What am I going to do with you? I'm the only one allowed to cry here! I'm the one that's pregnant! Oops!" I bit my lip and bowed my head, blushing. Jake growled and looked towards Edward, then back to me.
"No Jake! It's not his! I . . . it . . . I don't know who the father is Jake. I was, well, you can kinda guess yeah?" Edward walked over to me and picked me up into his arms.
"Well mutt, now you know why, don't you? You have caused enough havoc for one night and so I suggest you leave us. Bella can call you and you can call her, but don't turn up here unannounced again, you hear?" he said, and I couldn't name the emotion in his voice. I looked from man to beast and rolled my eyes.
"You two aren't going to get along are you?" I half laughed half sighed. Jake looked at me and rolled his eyes back, not looking once at Edward.
"On you go Jake, Billy will be worried, and I will call you when I'm ready. Bye." I patted his head gingerly and wriggled out of Edward's hold to walk back to the house. When I turned to wave, he was already gone. He left a trail of unsettled leaves in his path as he headed into the forest that was the Cullens' back garden. I shrugged and ventured indoors. I yawned and bid my good-nights to everyone and went to bed. I fell asleep, feeling slightly happier than I had earlier, and it felt good.
The nightmares started back, but this time there was a new detail. I was lying in the dark room, but this time, there was something hot touching my hand. When I tried to shake it off, it grasped me tighter. The burning was so uncomfortable, but if I woke up, I couldn't hear the whispers, which I now knew were Edward, so I had to endure the discomfort to be happy. I told Carlisle about my dreams, and he said that he would look into it for me, but I wasn't to stress. I didn't want to see what my baby looked like, I was worried that I might freak. Edward was reassuring, never standing too far away from me. Esme was great too. We talked about her past and my past and my mother, and I felt comfortable to talk to her.
However, I knew that the Cullens were different, but I didn't know the whole story. So, one Tuesday, when everyone was at home, I called a family meeting. I was nervous, because it was my first calling, but Esme knew what I was doing, and helped me along with what I had to say. When everyone was convened, I began.
"OK, first off, I'm sorry if I'm interrupting anything really important, but I have some things I want to say, and ask. Now, if you don't want to answer, then you don't have to, I'm merely curious." I avoided Rosalie's gaze at this point, as I knew she didn't like me and I didn't want to cause anymore reason for her to hate me.
"Carlisle, I want to start with you if that's alright?" he nodded and I asked him the most awkward question.
"How do you do it?" he looked at me with a confused expression, searching for clarity in my question.
"How do you manage to work in a hospital? I mean, I don't know much, only what I've seen in the movies, but shouldn't you be in pain if you are around, well, blood?" I blushed and Carlisle chuckled. "Bella, I have had years of practice, over four hundred really, so I guess I have become accustomed to it." I nodded and continued.
"Well you just answered my other question for you, so I will move on. I have spoken with Esme before, so Alice. Where did you find the Cullens? And how does your power work?" she gaped at me, astonished at how I knew so much, but she answered me anyway.
"I'm originally I'm from Biloxi, and I was wandering, waiting for Jasper and then I went in search of the Cullens." She giggled, "Quite a fright I gave them too!"
"Yeah, it's not every day you come home from hunting to find your stuff all moved out and a pixie freak and a soldier have taken over your quarters, let me tell you!" Edward laughed.
Alice continued, "As for my power, well, it's sort of psychic-ness, but less accurate. My beloved family relies on me too much!" she laughed and I nodded, absorbing all this new information.
"Jasper, I don't think I have any questions for you, apart from who changed you?" he squirmed slightly and answered "A vampire named Maria. She is still convened in the south, last I heard." I smiled gratefully and moved onto Emmett.
"OK Bear, are you stronger than everyone else here? And where did Rosalie find you?" he laughed at the bear comment, and answered me with a grin, "yeah, I sure as hell am, little sister! And she found me in a wood being mauled by a bear, so they think I was raised by wolves and fought with bears! Ha ha!" his bellowing laughter bounced off the walls.
Next, was the one I was dreading, Rosalie. I looked at her and swallowed before asking, "Why do you hate me so much?" nobody moved a muscle, all eyes on her. She stood up and said, "I don't have to answer that, so I won't." and she flounced from the room, her golden hair billowing behind her. I looked down at my hands, embarrassed, and Edward kissed my hair and whispered, "She will answer that when she knows the answer herself love, now it's my turn for questions." I looked at him and smiled meekly. Breathing deeply, I started.
"Why do you keep all those journals? They are so sad, and you write as though you are in a dark place. But, they stop, why is that?" I daren't look at him, but I felt his steady gaze on my face as he justified his answer.
"I wrote them because it was what I wanted to do. They weren't for anyone else, not that I mind you reading them, and it was the only other way I could express myself when I didn't have my piano. And they stopped when you arrived in Forks, because I didn't feel like I was in a dark place anymore. You brought me out of that love and I will never crawl back into that shell, I couldn't. Not for all the new moons that will ever be seen by man." He wiped away the one tear that I shed and I hugged him fiercely.
"Belly, you know why he can't crawl back into his supposed shell? His ego is too big to fit in it!" Emmett exclaimed and we all laughed.
"OK, thank you all for being honest with me. I feel like I know you all better now, I feel like . . . like family." I whispered and Esme hugged me gently. I squeezed her back, and from the corner of my eye I saw Rosalie standing at the doorway in the shadows, her head bowed slightly in sorrow, and I felt awful, but Alice quickly helped me to forget the sad feelings and replaced them with dread, only by speaking four small words: "Tomorrow, we go shopping!"
*************
A/N oohhh! please tell me what you think! it#f it's really bad, then i cud re-write it just for you, my loverly readers?!! OK so this rapid update wont last very long coz i have exams and stuff coming up, but i will do my best! persevere and i will do what i can :) ilyy LMBC xxx
