Chapter Seven: Got Milk?
It had been a month and a half since we returned from Isle Esme. School would be letting out soon, and my stomach was fluttering constantly with nerves about attending a new college. Things with Jake were almost back to normal. He would still worry when I was in the shower too long, and I would still worry when he would visit La Push. We both kept expecting the other person to fall back into the difficult depression of the old routine that we had been facing for so long. Old habits die hard…
This particular evening we were lounging around our room flipping through our college handbooks. I had just received a letter in the mail about orientation in the late summer. Jake and I would be able to wear our wedding bands again; as we wouldn't really need to hide our marriage in college…it wasn't so unusual in this day and age for people our pretended age to be married. At this point, Jake's pretended age was 19 and mine was 18. In truth Jacob's age was about 40, and mine was 22. If people knew that I was married at the age of 11…
I was lying on my stomach sprawled across the bed. My legs were bent at the knees and my feet crossed at the ankles. Jake was reclining on the thick Oriental rug that covered the hardwood in the middle of our room. I glanced at his body over the handbook. I felt that familiar sensation growing in my lower abdomen. He was oblivious to my ogling as his eyes were closed. His hands were behind his head displaying his inner arm muscles as they strained against his grey t-shirt. His dark hair was trimmed short, just the way that I liked it. His right leg was bent against the floor and his left ankle was supported by his right knee. I admired his defined calf muscles as he flexed and extended his supported foot. I was growing bored with my current distractions and flipped the book closed.
I took a deep breath and dragged myself, still lying on my stomach, to peer over the edge of the bed, "Jakey?" I pushed my eyebrows together to feign confusion. I wasn't a seductress, so I didn't bother trying to "purr" his name.
Jake twisted his head, tilting it up to look into my eyes. He raised his eyebrows quizzically. "Yes?" Step one of 'Operation: Get-Jake-In-Bed? Check!
I grinned widely, "I think I just head Esme and Carlisle leave." I had overhead Carlisle earlier asking Esme to go with him to a double feature at the Cineplex, and my parents were on an extended hunting trip. I drank in his beauty as the sentence I had just spoke sunk in. He's mine, all mine. I thought to myself.
Jacob's grin matched mine as he lunged at me, powerful yet graceful. In the first few years we destroyed two beds, knocked countless holes in the walls, ripped pillows and sheets, and took out our closet door once. Esme had pulled us aside, explaining what would happen if we ruined another piece of her house. Neither of us wanted to be abstinent, so we adjusted the power we put behind our…well…behind. "We're alone," he sighed into my ear, raising goosebumps on my neck.
"Whatever should we do to keep ourselves busy, kind gentleman?" I batted my eyes and did my best impression of Scarlett O'Hara. That woman had power. That woman could seduce the pants off the Pope.
Rose, Jasper, Alice, and Emmett had already left when we returned from our little getaway. My parents had decided to stick around, claiming that they had finished their classes early to get a head start on summer break. I missed them throughout the year, so I didn't complain.
After our return from spring break, Dad insisted that I talk to my Mom about 'things' that had happened. She was eager to put her psychology degree to use, and at the same time upset that she needed it after all. After four weeks of talking through my guilt and fears and tendency to fall back into the old routine, I found myself wanting to be with Jake based on attraction and passion rather than guilt and duty.
Jake crushed his lips onto mine. I welcomed him eagerly, parting my lips; I was in no mood for foreplay. His tongue ran across my bottom lip before it snaked into my mouth. I felt it run across my…Oh God! I quickly pushed Jake away, holding my hand over my mouth. "What the hell did you eat, Jake!" I screamed. My stomach was convulsing as the taste lingered in my mouth.
Jacob was clearly caught off guard. Defensively he spoke, "I just had a glass of milk! Geez, I'll go brush my…"
Before he could finish his sentence I was in the bathroom leaning over the toilet. I heaved, emptying my stomach into the little porcelain bowl. Oh God! That was…unexpected. I sighed, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand and getting up to wash my mouth out. "No more milk," I whispered quietly.
Jacob appeared around the door, leaning in cautiously. "Babe…I'm really sorry." He looked terrified. One minute we were hot and heavy, and the next all that I can think about is getting as far away from him as possible. Talk about whiplash. He crept closer, being sure not to breathe on me. He hugged me close, and then reached for his toothbrush and paste.
I slowly slinked into the bedroom and sank onto our bed. I laid back and closed my eyes. I had to get control of my body. I emptied my mind, thinking of nothing in particular. One, two, three, four…
My stomach growled, waking me from my deep dreamless sleep. I had barely laid my head back before I had fallen asleep. "What's that smell? Jake?" I looked around the room for Jacob, but I didn't see him anywhere. My eyes settled on the culprit of the scent that was invading my flaring nostrils.
A plate of food sat on the bedside table. A heaping serving of eggs and sausage were set next to a bowl of strawberries. What time is it? A soft glow was peeking through the curtains of the window. I feel so rested…I guess I really needed a few hours of sleep. Maybe I was just really tired. Foot steps approached my doorway. "Jake?" I mumbled between bites. It was so good, and my stomach was so empty.
Edward popped his head around the door jamb, "No Ness, just me." He eyed my disheveled clothes, wet with sweat.
Its not what you think, Dad. I thought to him. Although it could have been…stupid milk. Edward frowned at that thought. I looked down at my plate of food before an embarrassed grin covered my face. I quickly shoved another bite of eggs into my mouth.
"I know Ness, I was just worried about you. We all are." He smiled softly. "Jake called me while you were asleep. He stayed up all night watching you." He answered my thoughts. "I kicked him out to clear his head about 20 minutes ago. Told him not to come back for an hour."
"All night?!" I gasped. Had I really slept throughout the afternoon and night? I have never needed to sleep so much…what is wrong with me?
"Yes, Carlisle has been waiting for you to wake up to check you over." Edward spoke, worry coloring his voice.
I rolled my eyes. Of course. They probably interrupted Carlisle and Esme's date just to have them sit around and wait for me to wake up. "Dad, I think you are making a big deal out of nothing. Maybe my body is just telling me to go hunt and not drink milk." I sighed exasperated. Every time that I fell down, I would have to get a full check-up with Carlisle.
"This is a big deal, Ness. Vampires don't get sick without eating food. If you were a full vampire…maybe it would make since, but considering that you do eat food…" He sighed and threw his head back. "Please Ness, just humor me. You got sick, then you slept for over 14 hours."
"Really, Dad, I feel much…" I stopped, my stomach lurched, "…much…" I blinked trying to steady myself on the bed. "…b…b…" I ran for the bathroom, slamming the door behind me.
