*I in no way shape or form, own these characters, or any rights to the unbelievable fortune that Stephenie Meyer is surely raking in due to the invention of these characters.
*I'd like to send a huge thank you to my reviewers. You all are what helps me to hone my writing and also gives me confidence to allow these characters to take on their own life. Some of you have also given some very interesting food for thought. Love you guys!
*I have no beta, so please excuse grammatical errors. Reviews are most appreciated, educational and motivating. Hope you enjoy.
Chapter 10
Motley Crew
An unusual caravan of Werewolves and Vampires made their way back to La Push. Bella road behind Jake on the VTX. Leaning her head against his back, she wrapped her arms around him and traced through his shirt, the ridges of muscle on his abdomen, memorizing each rise and dip. Jake took a hand off of the handle bars and covered Bella's. His skin was warm through his shirt, but his bare hand was positively hot on her small cool hand. A misty rain begin to fall and Bella suddenly felt as if the cool mist was baptizing every fear that she had ever had, away. Edward was gone, never to haunt her or control her again and Victoria was merely an afterthought, now. A footnote in the history of her life. She leaned back a bit and dropped her arms, letting them lay near her sides, palms out. She relished the feeling of being washed clean. A new Bella had been born. A Bella that would never be afraid of anything corporeal ever again. She felt as if she had always been a caterpillar that was wrapped in its chrysalis. Tonight, as she felt the wind and rain fly past her face and hands, that finally she was breaking free. Caterpillar Bella had turned into Butterfly Bella and there was no telling just where in life her wings would take her. Once again wrapping her arms around Jake, she kissed his steaming back through his rain drenched T Shirt. Her heart was full. There would be no stopping Bella Swan or Jacob Black and each one would see to that for the other.
Bella smiled, eyes closed into the rain as the bike turned into La Push, the VTX, being the leader in the caravan. She didn't care who saw or what they thought anymore. Reaching up she dug her fingers into the slightly shaggy hair sticking out of the bottom of Jake's helmet, raking her fingers down his neck. She felt him shudder under her touch. Relishing the feeling of her effect on him, she continued to rake her nails down over hard shoulders, the indentation before his bicep and then over the swell of the bicep itself. She shivered with the pleasure that touching him caused her, her eyes nearly rolling into the back of her head. There was something about barely escaping death's clutches that made her feel so alive. Everything seemed to feel so raw and stimulated her deep down. The vibration if the bike was driving her overly sensitive nerve endings, nearly over the edge.
Pulling into Emily's driveway, she was off of the bike before Jake could even put the kickstand down, unsapping her helmet and dropping it to the ground. Reaching for Jake's she unfastened his and pushed it backwards off of his head. Looking in to Jake's eyes for only a moment she saw unbridled desire in his, reflecting her own. Digging her hands into his wet, black hair, he pulled her close to him with one arm, cupping her jaw with the other and kissed her, lighting a bonfire in her senses. She kissed him back with all of the wanting in her soul, opening her mouth wider to take more of him in, grabbing onto the back of his head, refusing to let him go. They party of people inside rushed outside as one huge wave, reveling and cheering over the victory, just achieved, but they just swept around Jake and Bella as they continued to burn, him sitting on the seat of his bike and her straddling one of his legs. Suddenly, a burst of cat calls and whistles seemed to bring them both out of there secluded world, causing them to pause and smile, but exchanging a look that assured the other that this was a business that was yet unfinished.
Bella laughed out loud, still in Jake's embrace as she saw the pack, raising Leah on their shoulders. Leah actually wore a well earned smile and even a laugh as they carried her toward the house. The Cullen's were there cheering them on. Looking up to Emily's front porch, Bella made eye contact with a grinning Rosalie and Emmet. Rosalie paid her an almost unnoticeable nod of approval. Bella was coming into her own and Rosalie had discovered a new found respect for this little woman, once so introverted that she would stand with slightly bad posture with her arms wrapped around herself, as if she was terrified to let the world touch her. Now she looked as if that door had been flung wide open and life was pouring in.
Finally, keeping his arm around Bella's waist, Jake led them slowly up the stairs to the mad party that was raging inside. He smile as Emmet sidled up to Bella with that normally playful grin plastered on his face. Yelling a bit to be heard over the crowd, he spoke into her ear. "So little Bella torched the red headed bitch. Bad ass, Bella!" Bella laughed out loud at what was truly an Emmet moment, her laughter lifting Jake's spirits even higher. Her laugh had a new and almost free, melodic tone. Navigating inside the house, Bella was pleased to see Leah getting patted on the back and playfully rough housing with some of the pack, even allowing herself to laugh a bit. Following the group with her eyes, she suddenly noticed one member that was not playing around with the revelry, but wearing something of an intense look on his face as he watched Leah laugh and play. Bella suddenly wandered if the solitary Embry might just feel a bit more than pack camaraderie for Leah Clearwater. Now, this was an interesting thought.
Bella and Jake melted into the crowd, now, Bella suddenly feeling herself being hoisted onto the shoulders of Emmet and Jasper. Music blared from the living room and Bella was having the time of her life. Finally as things begin to chill off a bit, Emily shouted for everyone to bring it down for a toast to the newly engaged couple. Bella was gently placed next to Jake, in front of an unbelievably set table, sure to make even Martha Stewart to cry with jealousy at the bounty of beautifully presented food that covered its surface, not to mention the very plain white, two tiered cake that she had picked out earlier. It was dazzling and so tastefully decorated with the green, puffy hydrangeas and ivy, gently making their way down and around the cake.
Now that Bella's attention was on her surroundings, she found her vision blurred with tears of appreciation. The room sparkled with what must have been a hundred different shaped and sized candles, twinkling in the twilight. The smiling faces of the people she loved all gathered around her and of course, her Jake. Alice and Jasper actually looked as if they were truly having a great time, too. Rosalie looked that if she could have, she would have had tears running down her cheeks with pride and happiness for the new found Bella. Carlisle and Esme, ever themselves beamed quietly. The pack of course was a bit more rowdy, and Charlie and Billy stood in the corner nearest Bella and Jake. Bella squeezed Jake's hand to discreetly get his attention, motioning with her head over to Billy and Charlie. The two best friends, one standing, one in his wheel chair, both wore massive smiles, with unhindered tears in both of their eyes. It suddenly hit Bella, how much this must mean to them both. Their children, joined in a most sacred and unbreakable union after years of a true and sometimes difficult friendship. Charlie's hand lay on Billy's shoulder for a moment and gave it a squeeze. Bella looked back at Jake and they shared a meaningful glance. Sue Clearwater, she noticed was standing very close to her Dad.
It was Billy who wheeled forward into the center of the room and stopped to address the room. Charlie handed him his champagne flute and Billy raised it to the room and then to Bella and Jake.
"To the woman who fulfilled my son's heart's desire, and to the son who has fulfilled mine. May time smile upon you, may your love and life be fruitful," Billy paused for a moment, "And may you bring at least one kid into this world, named after his grandpa Billy. Cheers!"
A roar went up from the happy crowd. Of course the Cullen's didn't sip from there flutes, but they reveled in the fun of the party. Several people stepped forward to toast the newly engaged couple. Each toast was special and heartfelt, but the room fell silent as Leah stepped forward. No one was sure exactly what Leah would say.
"She raised her champagne flute. "To Jake who finally got his girl and to you Bella, one hell of a fighter. I'd go into battle with you any day. Cheers." Leah then faded back into the crowd, but her toast left Bella speechless and with a tremendous lump in her throat. Jake glanced over at Bella, a slightly shocked look on his face. It was almost as if he himself had a new found respect for his girl. "I didn't think that Leah would ever think highly of anyone ever again. What exactly happened, back there, Bells?"
"I guess it just comes down to the fact that we worked together and survived together. I know, Jake, that you know that fighting and surviving together seems to bind people for some reason." Jake nodded his head, truly understanding these words, thinking to himself that truer words were never spoken. He realized that he and Bella shared a new understanding together that few people ever got the chance to understand first hand. There were men and women overseas, who surely understood that very feeling, but so many would live their whole lives through without the understanding of this bond.
Suddenly, Charlie stepped forward, tapping a fork, lightly on the side of his champagne flute, dropping the hum of chatter down. "Before I begin, I can't help to say this about this group. What a Motley Crew this is!" A loud laugh rang out as everyone in the room took into account the fact that human, non shape shifting, non- immortals were the minority here. Charlie's face sobered and he began to speak. "Bella, your mother and I named you, because of what a beautiful baby that you were." Charlie looked into Bella's eyes as he spoke. "I know that we didn't have much of a chance to really get to know each other when you were growing up, but this past two years, well," Charlie had to stop for a moment to keep his voice from quivering with emotion. He swallowed hard. "You have brought a meaning to my life that I never knew could exist. You are and I'm sure, always will be, the best thing that I have ever created in my life." Bella was crying now. Hot tears ran unchecked down her cheeks. "Honey, if there was a name that meant radiant, then that is what I would call you tonight. You positively glow and the sunshine that you have brought into my life has positively changed me and the way that I look at the world. I've seen things through your eyes, that I never would have ever considered, myself. You're brilliant, gorgeous, inside and out and I love you more than I can ever say in words." Charlie then turned to Jake and began to speak. "Son, I have watched you grow up from a baby. We, that is your family and I have been through some truly hard times together. It makes me more proud than I can say to see the man that you have grown to be. I just want you to know, that I could not have willingly parted with my Bella, to anyone else. I know that we've already discussed this, but I want you to know that you have my blessing. To be honest, the two of you together, is a blessing for me to see. Life can be so painful. So cruel. But its things like this that make it all so worthwhile. Here is to what I'm sure will be a very happy future. God Bless you both. Cheers!" Charlie raised his glass and downed the rest of his Champaign, then stepped forward and put his arms around both Jacob and Bella wrapping them both in a hug. Whispering to them both, he said, "I love you both." He quickly pulled away, sniffing and stepped outside on to the front porch to pull himself together. Sue Clearwater followed him out.
Jake and Bella accepted well wishes and hugs from all who were present before Emily announced that the table was open. Most of the party descended on the table. Jake and Bella quickly dodged out of the way of the pack as they attacked the food, both laughing. "Hungry Bells?"
"Not for food particularly." Bella sent him a more than suggestive look. "Perhaps I'll have a piece of cake in a bit, but for now, I'll just sit back and let everyone enjoy the party. Jake nodded his agreement and with a squeeze of her hand, joined the line in front of the spectacular buffet.
Bella found Emily and hugged her close. "Thank you, Emily. This is above and beyond what I could ever have imagined. It's all so beautiful!"
Emily was shining, she loved these kinds of things. "I'm so happy that you are enjoying yourself, Bella. I'm so happy for both of you." Emily wrapped Bella in another hug and then hurried off to refill the punch bowl.
Bella stepped back a bit and watched the happy crowd. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement and casually watched as Embry continued to eye Leah. It was precisely at that moment, that Leah seemed to notice too, looking slightly embarrassed, but she boldly returned his stare. Suddenly she began to walk toward him and they just stood staring at each other for a moment. Without a word, Embry grabbed her hand and she followed him out the front door and into the rain, walking toward the beach. This had Bella intrigued, but as the party raged on, she felt a pair of eyes on her and met Jake's stare evenly, without any of the shyness that she had battled in the past. She smiled slightly and raised an eyebrow at him. Suddenly, Jake's look turned hot and Bella's insides immediately responded. As Jake walked toward her and took her hand, she too followed him out into the misty rain, without a thought. Taking her into the forest, they found their way into a mossy clearing. Bella's hair was dripping and Jake's white T Shirt was sticking to his perfectly sculpted body. White heat flashed between them and suddenly, Bella had her back up against a huge pine tree, kissing Jake sensless, hunger that would not be sated. She raised her arms as he pulled her shirt over her head. She jumped up and wrapped her legs around him and only broke the contact of their lips long enough to sweep the material of his shirt from between them with her one good arm. Carrying Bella away from the tree, he laid her down on the soft mossy floor of the forest and dropped down over her, devouring the skin on her neck and the tops of her breasts with unbelievably hot kisses. Bella reached for the button of his jeans and unbuttoned them surprisingly quickly with one hand, yanking the zipper down, pushing them down with great force, using her feet and then wrapped her legs around him once again. Reaching behind her back, Jake unsnapped her bra and began his assault on her breasts, leaving her panting and grabbing handfuls of his wet black hair. Pushing him up, she undid her own pants and pushed them down, panties and all and once again wrapped her legs around his waist. Steam rose off of the heat of his skin, Bella was on fire. Urging him on with her hips, Jake slammed into Bella, causing her to cry out and her eyes to roll back into her head.
She could barely find her voice, but managed, to yell, hoarsely, "hard, Jacob. Take me hard. If I could crawl inside of you, right now, I would." Jake silenced her with a finger in her mouth as for a moment, he paused and smiled, impishly down at her and began thrusting, pounding into Bella. Immediately Bella felt herself spasm around him, not caring who heard her loud cries of unbelievable pleasure. Jake pounded on, causing her to fall over the edge, over and over again until, panting, he hoarsely pleaded, "Come with me, Bella?". He didn't have to ask. Three more thrusts and they were both crying out. Jake fell to the side of her and they both lay. The misty rain falling on their bare skin. Neither of them knew that such pleasure could exist. It was almost animalistic, but it was so right, just then.
"My God, woman." Jake panted into her hair. "You could very well be the death of me, but oh how happy I would die." Jake raised up on one arm and giggled along with Bella, but the laughter suddenly came to a hault as they heard something strange a bit of a ways off in the woods. They exchanged questioning looks and quickly redressed, brushing bits of moss and pine needles from there close and picking them out of Bella's hair.
Grabbing Bella's hand, Jake led her quietly and carefully toward the noise. Hiding behind a tree, they both peeped around, sharing shocked expression as they witnessed Embry and Leah, twisted together in the very act of love that they had just been experiencing themselves. Jake turned to Bella, putting a finger to his lips, but smiling wickedly. Ever so quietly they picked their way back through the forest and into the party with the story that they had gone for a short walk on the beach. Alice gave Bella a knowing smile, thumbs up, and a wink. Bella had to laugh. And so the evening raged on for quite a while.
"Unbelievable", Bella thought to herself. She never thought that she would see the day that the Cullen's and the pack would party together. She watched on casually as she noticed Esme whispering in Jake's ear. Jake nodded at Esme. Bella could read his lips. "Out on the porch." She could see that he had said. "Intriguing", Bella thought, but let them go on about whatever it is that Esme wanted to talk to Jake about. Bella's world was a happy one. She smiled around at everyone in the room. A moment later, Jake walked back in, a slight look of deep thought on his face.
"Is everything okay?" Bella was a bit confused by the look that he had on his face.
"Sure, Bells. Everything is great!" Jake's smile was genuine and Bella felt more at ease.
"So you have some explaining to do, Bells."
"Really? What did I do that needs explaining to you?" Merriment danced in Bella's eyes. They were interrupted, however by Emily happily passing out cigars to anyone and everyone that would have one. Bella got a huge laugh as she looked at Esme and Rosalie with arms linked, cigars sticking out of their mouths.
Jake accepted his with thanks and asked for a light from Emily. Emily just looked smug and suggested that he ask Bella for a light. "Oh yeah! I almost forgot!" Bella ran over to her purse in the corner and removed the lovely velvet lined box with the Zippo in it. Hanging on to it for a moment, she took a moment to set up the giving of the gift to Jake.
"I wear this ring with pride, Jake. I love knowing that everyone knows that I am yours and I cherish it, knowing that it belonged to your Mom. I hope that I can do it justice." Jake was already touched and his face reflected his emotions as Bella continued. "I know that you will give me a wedding ring on our wedding day, but I also know that I won't be able to return the favor in kind, due to the fact that you phase, and, well, with a metal ring on your finger when you phased, just wouldn't be a good thing." Jake looked at the love his life with amazement, understanding that she had already thought about that point. "So," Bella continued, I bought this for you today. It's not much, but it is a token of my undying love for you, Jake. It is also the very thing that saved my life today, along with Leah."
Jake was truly intrigued now. Bella handed him the box and Jake received it, making eye contact with Bella, his eyes shining. Opening the box, he let out a gasp. "Oh, Bells, it's beautiful. Taking it out and turning it over in his hands, the candle light suddenly highlighted the engraving on the back. Reading it, Jake was speechless. He found it impossible to speak, so he just pulled Bella to him and held tightly on to her. After a moment, he smoothed her hair back from her ear and whispered two words. "I do."