((Chapter 10))
They attempted to push through the door at the same time, but that was like nailing jello to a tree. In other words, didn't work so well.
"Dude, I live here." Jake insisted.
He pushed through the door, followed immediately by Seth, and Billy sat on the couch, a cup of coffee in his hands, his shoulders moving up and down
as his body shook with laughter.
"Gonna need a bigger door, bigger house too,but for now this is all we got, don't tear it down boys."
"Where's Bells?"
"Where's Bella?" They asked simultaneously.
"Look around you, that girl has already cleaned this house, made me coffee, and breakfast since you've been gone. I don't think I've ever seen so much
nervous energy in such a small body. I sent her on some errands for me to keep her busy. She'll be back in a few minutes. No need to get all
in an uproar about it."
Both of them nearly collapsed in the floor with relief.
"Where in the world did you think she was going?" Billy asked.
They looked at him, and he got it without them answering.
"Ahh to see the Cullen's. That girl is braver than most, stubborn as all get out too. Gets that from her daddy, gets her looks from her mama, thank god for that." He joked.
A few minutes of idle chit chat later, they heard the truck roaring to a stop in the drive. Seth was up and out the door before either of them could blink twice.
"I didn't know that boy could move so fast, unless it was dinner time." Billy remarked.
"That's called the Triple F Equation dad, Females, Food,and Fast Cars equals motivation for any guy. You know that." Jake said laughing.
"That's my boy"
"Now I think I'm headed for a nap, in my own bed, if you don't mind." Jake said, stretching and yawning.
Billy nodded.
"We'll wake you for lunch." He said
"Make it dinner. I'm exhausted. Playing chaperone is tiring work."
"Never give up easily do ya son?"
"Never say never. You taught me that, you stubborn old goat. So blame yourself." Jake said endearingly.
"Fighting mother nature may be a bit harder."
Jake knocked on his head "Hard head." and poked his arm "Thick skin. I'm good. Night dad."
"Night son." Billy was still chuckling as Jake went into his room.
Seth had met Bella at the truck, helped her out and wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off the ground, kissing her soundly, before setting her back down.
"I.. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you..Billy asked me to go.." she said pointing to the groceries in the cab.
"Baby, baby, all that matters is that you're here, and you're fine." He grabbed her good hand and kissed the back of it, turned it over kissing her palm, then each of her
fingers.
He laid her palm on his chest, above his heart, and looked down at her.
"I. love. you." He formed each word with such intensity and passion, that she was speechless.
"Too soon?" He asked her, concerned.
"I..no.. no not at all. You just said that so beautiful, so perfect, if I follow it up, I'll just ruin it." She blushed deep crimson.
Touching his thumb to her lower lip "Never."
Looking up into his eyes, she took his hand and placed it over her heart, letting him feel the rythmic thumping for a moment.
"I love you."
He smiled and it took her breath. Leaning over he brushed his lips across her cheek, to her ear, murmuring
"Just so you know I have never wanted anyone as much as I want you. It's killing me too."
"That's good to know. I was starting to wonder if you were made of stone."
"You make" clearing his throat "parts of me feel as if they are." He added
She giggled, blushing.
He kissed her softly, before walking around to grab the bags out of the truck.
"I can help" she insisted.
"You sure can, come here for a minute." He shifted the bags to one hand, taking her hand in his and lacing their fingers together. "There, that helps me more than
anything else."
She rolled her eyes, but grinned in spite of herself.
The walked into the house, Bella first, followed by Seth. She did not like the look on Billy's face.
"Are you okay, where's Ja.."
"Bella, would you mind running back to the store for me? I'm so sorry I forgot I needed 's fine, he's snoring." He added, forcing a laugh.
"I..well..sure I guess."
"Do you have enough money left from a bit ago, or do I need to give you some more darlin?"
"No, I have enough,Billy. Seth, you want to come with?"
"I need Seth here to help me with something." Billy said quickly. Too quickly and too tense Bella noticed.
She turned to walk out the door without a glance backwards. After they thought she was out of earshot, she heard what she thought it was about.
"Charlie, Bella's dad, called."
"Oh, did you tell him?"
"I was going to have him come down so I could explain it in person, but I didn't get a chance."
"What's going on?"
"The Cullen's have been pressing. They think the wolves are holding Bella against her will. Of course Charlie still knows nothing about who they are as a species,
or the wolves either. But they keep calling, coming by. Demanding to see her. They say Charlie isn't telling them the full truth. Said to deliver a message.
That she had better be home by midnight or he was coming to get her himself, to make sure she's SAFE." Billy spit out that last word.
"You think they'd break the treaty?" Seth asked grimly.
"Dr. Cullen? No. Edward? He's more volatile,so hard to say. But I think he may if he gets desperate enough."
"Fuck. Sorry, Billy."
"No worries kid. I've said worse since I found out."
Bella walked down the steps quietly, sneaking across the yard to her truck.
She wished she had told Jake goodbye, she wished she had told Billy thank you for being so awesome, but more than anything, she wished she had told Seth she loved
him once more, because she knew now what she had to do.