Disclaimer: This is all Stephenie Meyer.

Author's Note: You guys rock. Thanks for the reviews! The dinner scene is here. Bon Appetit!

Family Tree Chapter 9

BPOV

I stared at the phone for all of ten seconds, and hesitantly picked it back up again. I took a calming breath in an attempt to steady my erratic heartbeat and dialed the Cullen's home phone number.

On the first ring, Alice picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hi Alice, how are you?"

"I'm fine Bella, what's up?"

As if she didn't know.

"I just found out that Charlie invited Jake and Billy over for dinner."

"Yes, I know."

I rolled my eyes.

"Do you for-see any problems?"

"Problems, no. Issues, yes."

"Could you be any more cryptic?" I sighed impatiently.

"I wouldn't stress out too much. I don't see anything horrible or dramatic happening."

"Good. I was really worried." I replied relieved.

"Well, I'd be worried too, if a teen werewolf was coming over." She sniggered.

"Alice." I warned.

"Don't be such a spoil sport. I think we've been pretty understanding with the whole werewolf thing. After Edward saw you two kissing…well. Let's just say I'm surprised Jake is still alive."

I felt frozen. I stood there for over a minute, unable to think.

"Bella?"

"I'm here."

"Look, he was able to control himself. Your werewolf friend isn't dead. I think you should be happy right now."

"How could I ever be happy with the way things are?"

"It's not a sin to be happy over good things. Be thankful for what you do have and for all of your happy moments. Don't let anyone take that away from you."

"I'll try." I whispered.

"Bella…I've been meaning to ask…about that kiss." Alice probed.

"What about it?" I said nervously.

"In the vision I'd seen…it looked like you were enjoying it, for a minute or so."

My eyes narrowed.

"Are you accusing me of something?" I could never remember being mad at Alice, but I felt my temperature rising.

"Of course not Bella. I was just wondering…if that's what happened. If it did, it's not my business. I'm sorry if bringing it up has caused you to be uncomfortable."

I wanted this conversation to end. I wasn't willing to even think about it let alone talk about it with someone else.

"Is Edward there?" I asked hesitantly, changing the subject.

"Not yet." She replied.

"Will he be back soon?"

"In about five minutes. He went for a quick hunt."

"Can you have him call me?"

"Sure."

"Alice?"

"Yes?"

"I didn't mean to be touchy. I'm just not ready to talk about that right now."

"I know. I'm sorry I was prying."

"It's ok."

"Good night Bella. Be safe. If you need anything or if anything weird starts happening, we'll be around. I mean it."

"Thanks."

"K, bye."

"Bye."

I hung up the receiver, both relieved and disappointed at the same time. I was relieved that I didn't have to explain to Edward why he couldn't come over this evening, but at the same time disappointed that he wasn't there. I really wanted to air some things out with him. I knew I had some explaining to do, and he'd been such a gentleman since the incident.

I sighed and pushed away those thoughts, focusing on Jacob instead. I was nervous that he was coming over, but ecstatic at the same time. I'd missed spending time with him, looking at him, talking to him. He was so beautiful when he relaxed. His warm brown skin and deep set eyes always calmed me down. I missed our easy camaraderie that had fallen by the wayside. I knew that I didn't have any right to his friendship. I'd royally blown things as far as he was concerned, but I could still hope. I hadn't yet given up on the idea of a future that he was a part of.

I pulled out the giant pot and filled it with warm water, turning the knob on the stove as I went. Once the pot was filled I added a dash of kosher salt and turned the stove to high. I pulled out a large bag of spaghetti and laid it on the countertop. Then I took out onions, tomatoes, garlic cloves, and Italian sausage. I got out a saucepan and added a bit of olive oil. I made quick work of chopping the veggies and had them in the pan in a flash. I simmered the mixture and gradually added tomato puree. The water was boiling and I turned the bag of spaghetti upside down so that the pasta slid into the water. It splashed my arm and I cried out in pain. I ran to the faucet and put cold water over the blister that was now forming.

Damn it.

I heard Charlie leave the bathroom door upstairs and walk into his room. Then, simultaneously the doorbell rang and the phone rang. I grabbed the phone and hit TALK as I skidded to the door and opened it.

"Hi." I said with a smile as I saw Jake.

"Hey Bella." Edward's smooth voice cooed over the phone.

"Hey Bella." Jacob said shyly.

"Why don't you come on in?"

"Huh?" Edward asked.

"Sure. Thanks." Jake replied, and I stepped aside so Billy's wheelchair could pass.

I closed the door behind me.

"Um hey." I said into the receiver.

"Who's there?" Edward asked cautiously.

"Billy and Jacob." I admitted.

"What?" He snarled.

"Don't worry, Charlie invited them to dinner. I just found out."

Silence.

"I'm coming over too."

"You don't have to do that." I whispered. "Come over at bedtime…then we can talk."

"I'm not leaving you alone with him." Edward hissed.

"I won't be alone, ok? Charlie's here and so is Billy."

"Well that's a relief." He snapped.

"Look, its going to be ok. Alice said so."

"When did you talk to her?" He nearly growled.

"A few minutes ago. Please Edward…I don't want this to turn into something bad."

"Fine Bella. But I'll be watching." He warned.

I shook my head sadly. All the machismo was getting to be a bit much.

"Ok. Well I'll see you later."

"I love you Bella." He said fiercely.

"You too." I replied, noticing that Jake was standing in the doorway.

I hung up before Edward could say anything else. I knew he would be pissed, but I didn't want Jacob to get angry. I really needed to talk to him.

"I'm still cooking dinner. Do you want to wait in the living room? Charlie will be down any second." I offered.

"I'm not really here to see Charlie." Jacob admitted. "I'll join you in the kitchen, if that's ok."

"Sure." I padded into the kitchen and continued to stir the sauce and noodles. I pulled out a loaf of French bread and smeared it with a half stick of butter and some crushed garlic. I felt Jake's eyes boring a hole into the back of my head. I was relieved when the kitchen duty was done. Now all we had to do was wait for everything to cook. I turned around and pulled out a stool. I faced Jake and suddenly…didn't know what to say.

His beautiful eyes stared back at me. I heard Charlie come down the stairs.

"Hey Billy! Hey Jake!" he called into the kitchen. In no time I heard the Television switch on and the sounds of yet another baseball game filled the small house.

"So." I said stupidly.

"Yeah."

We sat there like two adolescent children, completely awkward.

"Bella? I'm sorry about the way I acted before."

"I told you, it's ok." I squirmed uncomfortably.

"I'm not just talking about the kiss. I mean…all the things before. I've been a real pain in the ass."

I didn't want to agree with him but there was some small part of me that was appeased by his admission.

"It's been really hard, we're both living in a world that seems impossible." I said with sincerity. "I sometimes wish that things could have just been normal, you know? No vampires or werewolves or anything. Just people."

"Yeah, I know what you mean." He muttered.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I have no right to complain about anything. I guess I'm just a selfish teenager under it all." I looked down guiltily.

"You're not selfish for wanting a normal happy life Bella. Trust me, I want that too. But it's an impossibility, for me anyway."

"Don't say that Jake, your life is not over. You're too young to think that way."

"You know how we used to joke around about how old we really are? Lately, I feel like I'm a hundred. I'm tired. I'm sick of this role that I've been cast into. But there's no way out for me. I have no choice. The only thing that could ever have made me think it was worth it, is knowing that you are safe. That I had some small part in keeping you that way, despite all the pain I've caused you. That at least has to count for something."

"It counts for a lot Jacob. It doesn't erase the past year, but I know that the times we had before all of this happened were special. And you're here, now. I never thought I'd get to spend time with you again." I looked at him, hoping.

"Well…I'm tired of staying away from you. Tired of pretending that I don't care, when I really do. Yet, it's still hard to be here. I can smell him in your house Bella. I can smell him on your clothes. It's difficult."

I lowered my eyes. I knew it was too good to be true.

"Then why are you here Jake?" I whispered.

"Because…some things have recently come out. My dad will tell you about it in a little while."

I looked up, completely confused.

"Is it bad?"

He shook his head no. "Well, I guess it would depend on how you look at it." He added.

"Gee that's helpful."

Ding.

"That's the bread, hold on." I walked over to the oven and pulled the bread out.

Jacob licked his lips.

"You hungry?" I asked.

"Starving." He replied.

I took out a bread knife and cut off a large piece. It was piping hot. I handled it gingerly and placed it on a paper towel in front of him. He ate it in one bite.

"Wow." I looked at him awestruck.

He looked at me sheepishly. "I can eat a lot now."

"I can see that. It's nice to be able to cook for someone other than Charlie."

A grin crossed his face and I felt my heart melt. It was so good to see him smile.

"It's too bad." He commented, "That bloodsucker can't enjoy your cooking."

I froze.

The truth of that statement hit hard. It was something I'd always been bothered about. I mean, I knew he was a vampire. He didn't eat human food…and yet, I'd often wished that he did. It was awkward in restaurants, always being the one eating while he sat there and watched. It was unsettling, in a way. I also knew that his habitually turning down dinner was just one of many reasons that Charlie didn't like him. "He thinks he's too good for us." Charlie would say to me.

How right he was.

"I'm sorry. That was mean to say." Jacob looked mortified as he watched me.

I turned my eyes toward him and breathed in deeply.

"It's ok. No harm done."

It was a good thing he couldn't see my heart.

"No, it's not. I always end up saying or doing something wrong. I suck at this." He got up from the chair and loomed over me.

I wrapped my arms around him.

"It's ok. Really. I don't expect you to feel any different. I just want you to be yourself, ok? I've really missed you."

He held me that way and we stood there silently until Charlie walked into the kitchen.

A giant smile erupted on his face and I extricated myself from Jacob. I didn't want Charlie to get the wrong idea.

"See, you've grown at least a foot!" I joked and begged Jake to play along with my eyes.

"No, you've just shrunk, that's all." He replied smoothly.

"How much has he grown since he was here last?" I challenged Charlie.

I stood close to Jake and saw the corners of Charlie's smile dip just a bit.

"Oh, a good two feet, I'd wager." He said. He slipped out of the room and I sighed in relief.

"Sorry, I just don't want Charlie getting the wrong idea."

Jake looked at me curiously and then seemed to make up his mind about something.

Before I could ask him what was up, I heard the hiss as a dollop of sauce hit the stove. I ran toward it and turned off the heat, removing the pan from the burner. I also turned off the noodles and poured them into a strainer in the sink. I shook the strainer, getting the hot water off of the already overcooked noodles. I turned around to talk to Jake, but he'd gone into the living room. I didn't blame him. Would things always be this weird?

Jacob's POV

I didn't know how much longer I could stand it. Being so close to her in that kitchen, the domesticity of the scene making it so easy to pretend. She was so soft, so warm. She felt so right in my arms. I wanted to hold her to me and never let her go. I would appreciate her as no one else ever could.

I pulled myself away from that happy place. I didn't deserve that. No, I was still a monster. I also knew that as long as those bloodsuckers were in the picture, I had to remain out of it.

I could wait.

I plopped onto the couch and it creaked under my weight.

"How's it going Jake? Haven't seen you lately." Charlie slapped my knee.

"Yeah, I've been pretty busy lately." I remarked vaguely, leaving out unnecessary details.

"Bella's really missed you, you know." Charlie lowered his voice.

"I've missed her too." I looked over at Charlie and dared to speak the truth aloud. I glanced at my dad and he was sitting as though he was made of stone. I'd upset him again.

I sighed.

"Dinner will be ready in about five minutes." Bella's sweet voice called out. "I'm just making the salad."

"Ok honey." Charlie called back. "Do either of you need to wash up?"

I shook my head no and my dad did the same.

Then my dad straightened up and looked pointedly at Charlie.

"Charlie…before we sit down, I wanted to give you a chance to give your opinion on something. When you told Bella about her history, it made us realize that she doesn't know anything of the Quileutes. She doesn't know about our people, her people. I think it's important to remember your ancestors, to learn the wisdom that has been passed down from generation to generation. We wanted to ask your permission first, to teach it to her so that she may better understand the way things are."

Charlie caught most of it but his eyes remained confused.

"I don't understand why you would need to ask my permission. You'd have to ask Bella. It's up to her." He took a long draught of his beer.

"Well, the reason I wanted to ask you first…is that we'll need her to come down to La Push this weekend. She would do a sit-in with the women, and be spiritually cleansed. Then she would listen to the histories from the elders. At the end of the month, we are having a celebration, a rain dance. We would need your permission for her to participate as we all will be using our pipes. We feel that it opens up the mind and takes away barriers, allowing us to better interact with the spirits."

"Is it dangerous? An illegal substance?" Charlie looked worried.

"It's not very strong and after an hour or so, we're fine. It's not illegal on the reservation." I offered.

Charlie seemed to consider it. "Well, if it's safe, and I have your word, and Bella wants to do it…it's ok with me."

I smiled inwardly. Just the chance to share some of our customs with her…would be very special. Something that she and I would have in common. Something that bloodsucker would never share with her.

"Dinner's ready." Her musical voice called. I stood up hastily and made my way to the table. I felt awkward and too large for the chair I was sitting in, but I masked my discomfort as well as I could.

BPOV

I'd already set the table when they all marched in and sat down. I'd moved aside one of the chairs so that Billy could maneuver his wheelchair in place. I placed salads in front of each of them and went to the refrigerator to take out the few dressing selections that we had. I set them on the table and then sat myself.

It was unusually quiet as everyone ate. The only sound was the scraping of forks on plates and the clinking of glasses as people drank. When the meal was finished, or at least, when we ran out of food, (which we did rather quickly with Jake eating) I stood up to clear the table.

"Uh, Bella, I'll do it." Charlie offered uncharacteristically.

"Are you serious?" I stared at him incredulously. Since when did Charlie offer to do the dishes?

"You sit here. Billy wants to talk to you."

I tensed, waiting for the news that would undoubtedly hurt me in some way.

Charlie stood up awkwardly, nearly knocking over his chair and took our plates, balancing them haphazardly. I tore my eyes away and awaited a crash, but he luckily made it to the sink without dropping anything. I then turned hesitant eyes to Billy.

He spoke quickly, but carefully, as though he had planned what he was going to say for a long time.

"Bella. You now know that you are a descendent from a member of our tribe, a member of my family even. For this reason, we have decided to offer you an opportunity to come down to La Push and learn more about our tribe and our ancestors. This of course takes a long time to do…but we would have you come down on the weekend and participate in a woman's spiritual cleansing. You would then be able to listen to the elders as they tell the histories. Once you've done this…you would be able to participate in a rain dance at the end of the month. We need a female member of our family to perform, and both of my daughters are unavailable. You could stand in their place."

I was stunned. Honored, and humbled by his words that rang with sincerity.

"The dance and rituals are not difficult to learn, but they take practice. You would need to spend a few afternoons a week learning. We take our ceremonies very seriously, and if you choose to participate, we will expect you to fulfill your duties as a member of our family. So think carefully, because this is a commitment on your part."

Billy's wise eyes bored into mine.

"When would I have to decide?" I asked slowly.

"By Friday. That way I can let the others know that you are coming."

I smiled at Billy. "Ok. I'll think about it." A million thoughts raced through my head, but they were completely jumbled. I didn't want to commit to something so serious without considering everything first. I looked at Jake and he seemed disappointed. Not wanting to seem rude or ungrateful, I added, "Thank you, both of you, for inviting me. It means a lot to me and it's a great honor."

Jacob smiled and Billy's face remained passive. I wouldn't want to face him in a game of poker.

Something then occurred to me. I turned toward Charlie and he was standing there with his feet crossed leaning against the sink. He hadn't said anything. He must have been able to read my face because he smiled. "It's ok with me if it's something you want to do."

I smiled at him. "Thanks."

"You want to watch the end of the game?" Charlie asked Billy.

"Sure. Then we better get back home." Billy looked at Jacob, and then at me.

"You kids want to join us?"

I looked at Charlie and then at Jake.

"No, we'll be out front, if that's ok." I replied.

Charlie nodded his head and Billy wheeled himself into the front room. Jake and I walked out the front door, letting the screen door close with a click. It was unusually cold and I shivered involuntarily.

Jacob sat on the porch and let his legs swing over the edge. I sat down as well and an icy blast of wind hit me. Goosebumps littered the surface of my skin. Jake looked down at me and I looked up at him. Hesitantly he placed his hand on mine. It was as warm as a fire and I scooted closer to him, to suck up the warmth that radiated naturally from his skin. I placed my head on his shoulder and he lifted his arm, enveloping me in the soft flannel shirt he was wearing. He smelled like leather, a little like the inside of my truck.

A deep part of my soul was soothed.

"Isn't this nice?" he whispered.

"Yes." I replied honestly. "I've missed you."

"So have I. I've missed the simpler times. Sometimes the world seems so complicated. I wish I had a time machine."

"I know what you mean." I snuggled closer, wanting this moment to go on forever.

"Are you really considering coming down to the reservation?" Jacob asked curiously.

"Yeah…I am." The truth surprised me.

"Do you…feel drawn to our culture at all?" He continued.

"I've always been fascinated with the way your people talk. It's so soft, lilting almost. Like a feather floating on a thermal."

"There's poetry in your soul." Jacob remarked, after a moment of silence.

"What do you mean?" I was intensely curious about how he'd come to that conclusion.

"I don't know, it just seems like, you would be good. If you ever tried to write."

"I have, and I'm not any good." I admitted.

"You should let me be the judge of that." He said softly.

I felt my heart thump erratically. My body was as warm as if I was sitting in front of a heater. I was completely at ease. I wasn't worried about anything.

"Why is it that I feel so comfortable when I'm with you?" I asked.

"I don't know." He said.

"I mean, it's like drinking a cup of hot cocoa on a cold day, or baking chocolate chip cookies. It makes me feel, cozy, I guess."

He smiled a toothy smile. "So I'm like chocolate then?"

I blushed.

He stared at me, captivated.

I turned away and looked out into the forest. There were times when I didn't trust myself, and now was one of those times. I'd been aching to be close to him again, but I realized that I was falling into old patterns. I was leading him on, even now. Just so he wouldn't leave. So he wouldn't hate me.

It wasn't right.

I pulled back and he lifted his arm. I wanted to tell him so much…

The screen door squeaked open and Billy's chair rolled out.

"I'll see you next week Billy. It was good to see you again Jake." Charlie stepped outside.

Jake extricated himself from me completely and I immediately felt a void opening up inside. I watched as Jake helped Billy down the front porch and into the Rabbit.

"You better come inside Bella, it's cold." Charlie said behind me.

"I'll be in soon. I just want to sit here for a minute." I replied.

"Ok. Not too long though." Charlie warned, and he stepped inside, closing the door completely behind him. The front porch light flickered on and I sighed.

What a night.

EPOV

I watched the Blacks leave and stared at Bella as she wrapped her arms around herself and rested her chin against her knees. I wondered what she was thinking. I couldn't tear my eyes away. I'd heard every word they'd said to one another, had scrutinized her face as closely as I could from this distance.

It had taken inhuman strength for me to stay put as they'd snuggled together. I wanted to rip his throat out. Whatever semblance of a truce he and I had made was over.

Bella belonged to me.

The force of the jealousy that had been burning like a fire in the pit of my stomach all night threatened to overwhelm me. I hadn't asked Bella about the kiss, hadn't brought it up. I assumed he had been the one to initiate it. But after seeing what I'd just seen…I wasn't sure. The only time I'd ever seen her so happy was when I was holding her. She looked at him the same way that she looked at me.

It was killing me.

I was so angry, I couldn't risk getting near her. There was a dark part of myself that wanted to show her who she was dealing with. I wanted to shake some damn sense into her head. I wanted to pick her up and carry her upstairs and throw her on her bed. I wanted to smother her and unleash my passions. I wanted to drink from her, sucking up her sweet blood in retribution for all the suffering. I wanted to take all of her so that there was nothing left, nothing that anyone could take away from me.

I growled and swallowed the venom that had gathered in my mouth. I thirsted for her and could smell her…she was so close. I prowled the perimeter of the forest, fighting with myself. I struggled to remember why I loved her, why I couldn't let the beast within have his way with her.

I tried to shake the smell that was making it hard to breathe. The fire in my throat was burning so fiercely. I felt I would die if I did not quench it.

Then, I heard it.

A soft sob came from the porch.

She was crying.

I sank to my knees and let my own misery wash over me. How could I be having these thoughts about the one that I loved? I would rather die of endless thirst than harm her. She was going through something…had been so distant lately, and I had been too stupid to notice. I was forever turning my thoughts inward, worrying about the future, worrying about myself and my inner demons.

The struggle was endless. It was a war that would wage itself on every last bit of my resolve until there was nothing left. I kept fighting…and getting nowhere. There was no simple solution. Every path was painful, every avenue, agony.

That lovely girl owned me and I had been too stupid to recognize it. Even if she loved someone else, my mortal enemy…I would always love her. I had to let her have what she wanted and needed. My feelings didn't matter.

I was damned.

I sucked in the cold air and copied her posture. I wrapped my marble arms around my knees and sat there quietly in solemn communion with her.

I willed myself to be calm, to be steady.

I wondered what she was doing. She raised her head and scanned the forest with her eyes. She looked so small, so alone.

"Edward?" she whispered.

I was by her side in an instant.