Disclaimer: I do not nor have I have owned Twilight
AN: I have no excuses for why I haven't updated in almost two months other than I have not felt led to write. This chapter was unfinished in my notebook for over a month before I sat down with it yesterday. I'm sorry you guys. I'll try harder to be more vigilant about writing.
Bella and Jake's relationship was growing stronger by the day and she felt herself trusting him a little bit more every day. She wasn't the unsure, standoffish girl that he had met on Halloween. She knew that he wouldn't hurt her but she had trouble letting people in ever since she had found out that Edward was cheating on her for the first time. Breaking an almost two year habit hadn't been easy, but Jake had been patient and loved her through it.
Jake wasn't the same person that she had met either. He wanted to be good for her, take care of her, give her everything she wanted or needed. He had been looking into every college scholarship he could find and he was waiting to hear back from three of them before applying to med school. The University of Washington had a great medical program, even if it didn't compare to Stanford; where he had originally wanted to go. That wasn't in the cards since his dad needed him now more than ever and he also couldn't ask Bella to uproot her life when her career was just starting to take off. Yes, it was a sacrifice but it was one that Jake was willing to make.
Bella came home to find Jake hunched over his laptop on her sofa. Since he couldn't afford internet for his apartment she would let him use hers whenever he needed it. She shed her jacket and kicked off her shoes before sitting next to him. He brushed his lips over her temple before going back to what he was doing.
"FAFSA? That's a student loan, I thought that you were only applying for grants and scholarships," she said as she saw what he was doing.
"My sister in Hawaii works for a college on the island and she suggested it. If I don't get any of the grants or scholarships that I apply for than this will help. She said almost everyone who applies gets accepted."
"How many have you applied for?"
"Four grants, and three scholarships. I heard back about one of the scholarships and I didn't get it," he said with a heavy sigh.
"Don't get discouraged. One of the others will come through."
"How do you know?"
"Because, they would have to be crazy to deny someone as amazing as you. Don't let one rejection get you down."
He smiled before closing his laptop and turning to face her. He could finish what he was doing later. He leaned in to kiss her, his lips applying a gentle pressure to hers. The kiss only lasted a few seconds before she pulled away. He placed his forehead to hers, ready to bring up what had been on his mind for the last couple of days.
"What would you say if I asked you to move in with me?"
"Is that a hypothetical question or do you really want me to move in?"
"I've been thinking about it. My place is closer to your office and its closer to school when I start. So it makes more sense for you to move than me," he said logically.
"Emmett would be there constantly since he only lives five minutes from you."
"Then we'll just have to tell him that he can't come over whenever he wants."
"You make it sound so easy," she said with a bemused smile.
"It's not like you've never lived with someone you've dated before."
"Actually, I haven't. Edward kept stuff here with the intention of moving in but he never actually did. Emmett never made him feel welcome," she admitted quietly.
"Well, that changes things," he said with a sigh.
"I want to move in with you," she admitted, reaching to run her fingers through his hair.
Jake placed his forehead to hers with a half-smile. He was thanking his lucky stars that she was willing to take this step with him. He thought that he would have to try harder than he had. It probed to him that she had finally moved passed what had happened to her in the past and that she trusted him.
XXXX
After talking to her landlord and spending the day packing up her bedroom Bella was not in the mood to cook dinner. Since Jake's cooking skills were fairly limited and they were trying to save money they decided to go to Emmett and Paul's for dinner.
Bella hadn't seen Emmett in almost a week and hadn't talked to him since deciding to move in with Jake. The first people she had told were her parents; since she felt that they needed to know of the significant change that was taking place. Charlie as usual was didn't have much to say other than to ask if the neighborhood was safe and if Bella felt that she was ready to move in with Jake. She had answered yes to both questions and that seemed to appease him. Renee on the other hand had a lot of questions which she fired off one after the other.
Bella was still on the phone with her when Jake came in from work with more boxes for her. She mouthed hello to him and he kissed her temple silently before taking the boxes to the kitchen. Bella released a loud, frustrated sigh once she was off the phone a few minutes later.
"Renee, huh?" Jake asked from the bedroom.
"Yeah. Apparently, she still thinks that I am five."
"I'm sorry that you had to put up with that," he said coming back into the room in only a pair of sweatpants.
"Did you forget that we're going to Paul and Emmett's for dinner?"
"Yes. Can I have like, half an hour doing absolutely nothing before we go?" he asked with a sigh.
"Sure, long day?"
"The work of a personal trainer is never done," he said sullenly as he sat next to her on the couch.
She stood and then told him to lie down on his stomach. Before he could question what she was doing she was straddling his back and making slow work of his tired muscles. She dug her elbows into his back, applying pressure until she felt his spine align into submission.
"It's good to know that you learned a thing or two from when I do this for you," he said, his voice muffled by the couch cushion.
"I had a good teacher," she complimented.
"Can you do my neck now?"
She pressed the pads of her thumbs gently into the base of his neck, working in slow circles until it was pliant under her fingers. Once she finished she placed a kiss between his shoulder blades before climbing off of him.
"Do you want to take a shower with me before we go?"
"I took one before leaving the gym. I'll get dressed while you're in the shower," he said, climbing off of the couch.
He followed her into the bedroom and watched as she went through the closet to find something to wear. Once she had set a sweater and a pair of jeans on the bed she noticed that he was watching her. She gave him a curious look which he answered with an easy smile.
"Is there a problem?" she asked cautiously.
"You haven't given me a proper greeting since I've been home," he accused in a mocking, hurt tone.
"How could I have forgotten? It must have slipped my mind," she said, lacing her arms around his neck.
He leaned down to brush his lips to hers before rubbing his nose against hers. She kissed him one more time before pulling away reluctantly. He waited until he heard the shower start before going to the dresser to grab a pair of jeans and a thermal henley shirt. The shower turned off as he ran his brush through his hair.
Bella came into the room with her silk bathrobe tied loosely, and Jake could see the outline of her breast. He was transfixed on that certain spot when Bella asked him a question.
"Jake," she said a little louder to get his attention.
"Hmm?" he asked distractedly.
"As much as I love your admiration for my boobs I'm going to need you to run to the liquor store and buy the nicest bottle of wine that the twenty bucks in my wallet will get you."
"Do I have to?" he whined.
"If you go now, I can be ready sooner and we can leave Paul and Emmett's before nine. We'll have time for at least an hour and a half of 'personal' time before we go to bed."
"Can you be ready by the time I get back?"
"It's gonna take me longer than ten minutes to dry my hair," she said with a shake of her head.
Jake sighed in defeat before heading into the living room to grab the money from her purse. Her hairdryer was the last thing he heard before shutting the door behind him. He walked the two blocks to the store at a brisk pace. The foot traffic was light and due to his size, people tended to give him room. He was in and out of the store in less than five minutes and Bella was putting on her shoes when he got back.
"I thought that it was going to take you longer than ten minutes to get ready."
"I turned myself into The Flash and frankly I could use a little applause," she said breathlessly.
Jake laughed but clapped for her anyway as she grabbed her purse and keys. She pulled him out the door and scooted across to the middle seat when he started his Jeep. He draped an arm over the back of the seat, brushing his fingers over her shoulder as she placed her head on his shoulder.
Fifteen minutes later they arrived at Paul and Emmett's at the same time Paul was getting home from work. Paul nodded in Jake's direction after hugging Bella. Once inside the house the smell of chicken enchiladas hit Bella and she sighed in relief. There weren't many things that Emmett could cook, but he made the best Mexican food that Bella had ever had.
Emmett came out of the kitchen with a beer for Paul and Jake then suggested that they watch the hockey game that would be starting soon. Bella followed Emmett back into the kitchen, putting the wine in the refrigerator before sitting at the table.
"What's up Buttercup?" Emmett asked, sprinkling cheese over their dinner placing it back in the oven.
"How would you feel if I lived closer to you?"
"Are you thinking about moving into Jake's building?" he asked, not bothering to turn around.
"I'm moving in with Jake," she clarified.
Emmett turned around slowly, his eyes wide and a grin on his face.
"You are the only person who knows besides my parents. Jake's going to see his dad this weekend so don't say anything."
"I can't tell Alice?"
"No, she'll tell everyone."
"I love you Kid; you know that, right? You're the best best friend a gay guy could ever ask for."
"Aww, don't get all sentimental on me," she said, wiping a fake tear from her eye.
"I'm proud of you. This is a step in the right direction," he said before pulling her to him.
She nodded in agreement before burying her face in his neck. He rubbed her back reassuringly as she let out a calming breath. She had been itching to share this with him and he had given her the exact reaction that she wanted. This was a monumental occasion for her and she was going not to let one bad experience hold her back from what she deserved; a chance to be happy and to love someone and be loved in return.
The oven timer beeped, making Emmett pull away.
"Can you tell them that dinner's ready?" he asked, pulling the dish from the oven.
Bella went into the living room, putting a hand on each of their shoulders to get their attention and told them to come and eat. Emmett had the bottle of wine on the table by the time the three of came in. Bella poured herself and Emmett a glass and Paul grabbed him another beer while Jake stuck with water since he didn't want to be hammered when he drove home later.
"So, Bella says you two are moving in together," Emmett broached as they started to eat.
"That's right," Jake said with a smile, taking hold of Bella's hand and placing it between them on the table.
"I commend you for being patient. Most guys wouldn't wait it out for almost five months while she got over all of her issues."
"It was totally worth it," he admitted with a nod.
"Are you sure that you're not gay?" Emmett asked.
"Babe," Paul warned.
"I am positive that I am not gay."
"Yeah, back off, he's mine," Bella warned Emmett.
Jake squeezed her hand tighter before continuing to eat. They made small talk as they ate and the conversation flowed freely until Emmett announced that Paul and Jake were on clean up duty.
"Shouldn't I be helping them? You did all the work," Bella reasoned.
"You and I are going to have a talk on the front porch," Emmett declared.
Bella pulled on her jacket, pulling up the hood and then pulled on her gloves before following Emmett out the door. They sat on the stairs in comfortable silence before Bella finally broached the subject of why they were sitting outside in twenty degree weather.
"Do you have cancer or something? You aren't dying, are you?"
"What? No," he said with a scoff.
"Then why am I risking hypothermia?"
"I always thought that you'd have a stable relationship before I did," he mused.
"Yeah, that even surprised me," she admitted.
"If I ever screw up with Paul, do you promise to call me on it? Will you hound me until I make things right with him?"
"Did you do something stupid?" she asked, slightly scared.
"No, but I'm scared that I might in the future," he admitted quietly.
"You cannot predict the future and neither can I. If by some chance you make a mess of things with Paul then I promise I will hound and nag you until you grovel at his feet. Does that make you feel better?"
"It does. Because I know that you care that damn much. I care about you that much too."
"I know you do. Not everybody has a best friend who will move in with them to keep their lying, cheating boyfriend from moving in," she said with a small smile.
"Hey, that's just part of the job description."
"I love you, you Blockhead," she said with a small laugh.
"I love you too," he said, squeezing her shoulder.
Jake opened the door ten minutes later to find Bella snuggled into Emmett and his arms wrapped around her waist. Their heads were together as they talked quietly. Bella looked over her shoulder as he stepped onto the porch.
"You ready to go?" he asked, shoving his hands into his pockets to keep them warm.
"Yeah," she said, standing with Emmett's help.
"Take it easy, man," Jake said, clapping a hand on Emmett's shoulder as he passed him.
The ride home was silent and Jacob waited until they were at his apartment before asking her what she and Emmett had talked about.
"Just that our lives hadn't turned out the way that we planned and that we're okay with it."
"How did your lives not turn out as planned?" he asked as he climbed into bed.
"We both thought that I would be the one to live with someone I was dating first. Emmett was a little out of control before Paul came into the picture. He didn't just carry a condom in his wallet; his glove compartment was stocked with whatever he would need if he met some random guy while he was out."
"You mean condoms? That's not so bad, he was just prepared."
"Not just condoms. He had lube and things that shall not be mentioned in there. He cleaned it out the day after his first date with Paul."
"What about your life is different than what you planned?"
"Well, I didn't plan on staying in a relationship with a guy who didn't love me for two years because I was afraid of being alone when I was younger."
"Glad that I could help you move past that," he said with a kind smile.
Bella rolled over on top of him, straddling his waist before leaning down to kiss him. His fingers threaded into her hair as she opened her mouth to him. He had done more for her than he was aware of. He had shown her what it was like to really love someone. She now knew what it was like to love with her whole heart and how to accept someone for their faults and quirks.
