Chapter 9

Place Your Bets

Jen

Edward had just left with Bella after her change was completed. I held Nessa against me as we had our conversation. She would ask me something by touching my neck, and I would answer. Seth sat next to us, smiling at, what he heard, own one sided conversation.

I was ushered out of the room as Edward and Bella returned. Jacob tested Bella before letting her inside. Jacob and Seth stood in front of me as I walked into the living room.

"Boys," I hissed, "give her a little credit. She's controlled, more controlled than most normal vampires, let alone newborns."

"You're right," Bella told the Cullens. "She doesn't smell at all appetizing. Neither of them does."

I walked up to Bella, and Nessa touched my neck, showing she was excited that she could finally meet her mother.

"She thinks you beautiful," I told Bella.

She raised her eyebrow at me.

"How do you know?" Bella asked.

"She told me. She also told me she likes the nickname Nessa."

Bella showed her dislike for the name.

"It was either that or Nessie, and I knew you wouldn't like her named after the Loch Ness Monster."

"Where did the name come from?"

"A character in Wicked that everyone loved."

"I guess that is better than Nessie."

I handed Nessa to Bella, and Jacob was by her side in a second, being protective. Bella watched him for a few seconds before her eyes narrowed.

"You didn't," she hissed at Jacob.

She handed Nessa back to me, and I backed away.

"You know I have no control over that, Bella," Jacob said, defending himself.

"Pay up, Emmett," I said. "She's mad."

Emmett handed me a pile of bills equaling three thousand dollars.

"You imprinted my baby," Bella screamed.

Now, we would see who won the next bet. Jasper said that Bella would loose her temper when she found out and attack Jacob, who would get hurt. Emmett said Jacob would make it out unscathed. I bet that Bella would attack Jacob and he would make it out unscathed with another bystander getting injured.

Bella launched at Jacob. Jasper whispered, "Pay up." before he even finished, Seth jumped between Bella and Jacob and fell to the floor. He held his shoulder and groaned in pain.

"Pay up, boys," I said to Jasper and Emmett.

They each handed me four thousand dollars.

"Are you sure you aren't related to Alice?" Jasper asked.

"I'm just good," I replied before hurrying over to Seth.

He sat on the couch as Carlisle set his shoulder. He wasn't supposed to move for the rest of the day, while it healed. I handed Nessa back to Bella after she calmed down.

I sat down with my back against the armrest. Seth shifted so his head was in my lap, and his feet were on the other armrest. I ran my hand through his hair, and he smiled up at me. I pushed the hair away and kissed his forehead.

Using his good arm, he twirled a piece of my hair around his finger. He grabbed my hand gently and kissed my palm. I laced my fingers with his and we sat there, while he fell asleep. Jacob had him out running perimeter a lot late at night. I assured Jacob, his old pack would not attack, but did he listen? No. It's like he's lost and needs directions. He knows I know what is supposed to happen, but he doesn't take my advice. Men.

Carlisle walked over to Seth, and I gently shook him awake. Seth sat up and let Carlisle take the brace off his shoulder.

"Thanks, Dr. Fang," Seth said smiling.

"Anytime, Seth," Carlisle replied, returning the smile.

I got up and walked upstairs to my room. I changed for bed and brushed my teeth. I was putting a CD into my stereo, when someone knocked on my door.

"It's open," I called.

I heard the door open and close before I turned around. I saw Seth standing near the door and suddenly felt self-conscious. I had on pastel pink silk tank top and shorts. The top barely covered my stomach and back, and the shorts where, well, short. I walked over to my bed and pulled back the covers. I sat down and pulled the sheet over my legs.

Seth stood rooted to the spot. He kicked off his shoes and socks and walked over to my bed. He sat down on the other side form me. He reached for the hem of his shirt.

"Do you mind?" he asked.

When I didn't object, he pulled his shirt off and leaned back against the pillows. I felt a shiver roll down my spine. I got up and turning off the lights. I lay back down and felt his arm under me. He pulled me against, and I snuggled into his side.

I woke the next morning with my head on Seth's shoulder. He was drawing tiny circles on the exposed skin on my back. I ran my hand over his bare chest, as I kissed him neck.

"That felt nice," he whispered.

He pulled me on top of him and rapped his arms around my waist. He slipped one hand under the back of my shirt and ran it up my back. I gasped as fire ran down my spine.

"Lunch," Alice said, knocking on my door.

"We slept a while," I muttered.

I pulled on my robe and we walked down to lunch, if you could call it lunch. It was three thirty in the afternoon. Jacob, Seth, and I ate, while talking to the Cullens. After we ate, Seth and I walked back to my room. I pulled off my robe and began to brush my hair.

I saw Seth in the mirror. He was looking at my back. I turned and saw what he was staring at.

"What the hell?" I screamed.