Jacob and I spent the whole night making love to each other, my new strength enhancing the experience ten fold. We got up the next day and took a long bath before heading over to the garage to work. We beat Embry and Angela there, so while he began laying down the new tile in the reception area, I got to painting our office.
It was a nice sized office, about twenty feet by twenty feet and I knew that two desks would easily fit. We had decided on a medium beige color for the walls, which would match the earthtone tile that was going to be laid.
Angela and Embry arrived a few minutes later, and they got to work getting the rest of the stuff done. Angela and I knocked out the painting quickly, finishing it just as the guys were ready to start laying the tile down in there. We swapped rooms, Angela and I beginning to paint the reception area. Everything was done a few hours later, so we decided to go to a local diner for some lunch.
I ordered a huge double cheeseburger and fries, Jacob ordered the same, but got a side of hot wings as well. Embry ordered a ginormous nacho platter while Angela got a chicken salad. We sat and ate, talking about the furnishings that would be coming in a few days. We picked out a dark chocolate colored sofa with matching chairs for the waiting room and got two oak desks with leather seats to go with for in the office area. We also ordered two high chairs to sit in while checking out our customers behind the counter in the reception area. We ordered several desk top computers, two of which would be going in the office, one on the counter, and two in the docks. The tech people were coming on Tuesday to hook everything up and test things out. Our business cards had arrived, along with receipts and other office materials we would need. We were almost ready to open, so we decided to talk about an opening date.
"So, when do you think we should open?" I asked, taking a huge bite out of my cheeseburger.
"I was thinking a week from Monday. That gives us 7 days to add the finishing touches and put up some flyers. I also have an add running in all the local papers with coupons and stuff." Embry said.
"Sounds good to me! You guys ready?" Jacob asked. We all agreed, and I felt the nerves kick in making my stomach flutter. It was finally happening, and I hoped it would be a huge success. Jacob and Embry had an excellent reputation around the reservation and in the small towns surrounding it, so hopefully it would draw in the business.
We finished our food and paid our bill, then headed back to the garage to clean up the rest of the stuff we left laying around. We shut off the lights and locked everything up, then said goodnight to each other. I handed Angela the keys to the cottage because she wanted some alone time with Embry and it was difficult for them to find a place where they could be intimate.
Jacob and I drove over to the Cullens house, both for me to train more and to see if Carlisle found out anything more. I was sad to find out that he found nothing more yet, and that Jasper had to go hunting. He and Alice wouldn't be back until later that evening, so Edward said he would work with me. I knew he could fight, and besides, I still had some pent up annoyance toward him so it would feel good to knock him around a bit. Jacob went inside to play some video game with Emmett, leaving Edward and I alone outside.
"Are you ready, Bella?" he asked.
"No, I have a question before we start. Where did you and Amanda go after the incident the other day?" I asked, hoping they were able to work things out.
"I took her up to Canada for a few days. She was really upset with me and we needed to work some things out. Everything is fine now and she has completely forgiven me, even though I'm finding it hard to forgive myself" he said.
"It happened, Edward. Lets not dwell on it anymore, ok? Just don't pull anything like that again, because Jacob wont be the only one you have to worry about" I said, grinning.
"Ok, got it. Lets get going because we only have 2 hours before Esme and Rose have dinner ready for you and Jacob" he said, charging at me.
I easily deflected each of his strikes and met him blow for blow. He really was an adept fighter, almost as good as Jasper and I found myself having fun fighting him. I got lost in my excitement and he took advantage, picking me up and throwing me into the nearby forest. I hit the ground hard, then rolled, jumping quickly to my feet. I glared at him as he made his way over to check on me.
"Don't EVER let your guard down like that again, Isabella! One small mistake like that will get you killed!" he snarled. I rolled my eyes, then ran at him, my body slamming into his with a thud. We rolled around for several seconds, finally stopping when he had me pinned.
"We are going to have to work on that, Bella, because if you let the enemy gain an upper hand like that, it could result in your death" he said, panting slightly even though he didn't need to breathe. I was beginning to feel uncomfortable in this intimate position, so I quickly moved my legs and kicked him off of me, landing him on his ass 20 feet away from me. I got up, laughing at his expression, so I brushed myself off then went to help him up.
"Who got the last move in, huh?" I asked, punching him in the arm as we walked back to the house.
"It wont happen again, I can promise you that" he chuckled.
We walked into the house laughing, and Jacob looked up from the game. Emmett hit the pause button so that they didn't lose their game.
"How did it go?" Jacob asked, noticing the dirt all over us.
"It went very well, but Bella has to learn how to not let her guard down. She recovered well though, I might add." Edward said, rubbing his butt. Jacob got up and walked over to me, wrapping his strong arms around my small frame.
"Did you kick his ass?" He asked me, kissing me softly.
"I sure did! But he's right, I do have to work on keeping my guard up. Besides that, it went really well!" I laughed, taking his lower lip between my teeth and tugging on it.
"If you don't stop doing that I'm going to have to bring you into the woods and have my way with you again" he growled. I felt the shivers going up and down my body as I recalled our last encounter in the forest.
"Hmm, sounds good to me" I murmured, molding my lips to his and sucking on his tongue. Things were starting to heat up between us but before it could get too far Emmett decided to stop us.
"Enough you two! Keep that going and I'm going to have to grab Rose and go all caveman on her" he laughed. We all started to laugh, my face flushed with arousal. I glanced over at Rosalie and busted up over the look on her face.
"How about I tear your leg off and beat you over the head with it, darling?" she asked, innocently. This sent us into another fit of laughter, causing Esme to come out of the kitchen to check up on us. She just shook her head, herself laughing at her "children".
"Dinner is ready, Jacob, Bella. Come into the kitchen and eat" she said, leading us. We followed her, sitting down at their massive table. She put a plate full of food in front of each of us, and I inhaled deep at the delicious smells wafting from it.
She had made rotisserie chicken with mashed potatoes and asparagus. I was starving from the long workout with Edward, so I dove into my food. Esme just smiled as we ate every single piece of food she gave us, Jacob asking for seconds. Even though my own appetite had grown exponentially, he still ate way more than I did. I was glad that my enhanced metabolism prevented me from gaining anymore weight, so I didn't feel guilty eating as much as I did.
She cleared our plates, then brought us each a huge slice of apple pie that she had baked. We wolfed that down, then sat around talking about the wedding. I explained that everything was all arranged, that we sent out the invitations and they should be getting one any day now. Alice left a note saying she was almost done with the dresses, but she wanted to have one more fitting a week before the wedding, which was now in 35 days.
"Jacob and I were wondering if we could take our honeymoon at your island that you sent us to for Christmas a few years ago? We both loved being there and it would be perfect for us" I asked.
"Absolutely! I'll make the arrangements tomorrow for you both. I'll book the airlines for you as well, this way you have nothing to worry about except getting there" Emse said, smiling her gentle smile at us. I got up and hugged her, thanking her for her generosity.
We left a little while later, me wanting to shower and go to bed because it was such a long day. I had Jake drive home because my eyes were starting to droop, and before I knew it, he was shaking me gently, waking me up. I trudged into the house and went up to my room, getting out my pajamas while Jacob ran a bath for me. He came into my room a few minutes later, noticing how tired I was, so he picked me up and carried me to the bathroom. He removed my clothing, then gently set me into the tub. He helped wash me up, massaging my sore muscles as he spread the soap over me. He rinsed me off, then washed my hair for me with my favorite strawberry shampoo. He rinsed that, then put conditioner in my hair, combing it through my long locks. Once all the tangles were out, he rinsed my hair and went to grab my towels off of the vanity. I stood up, and he wrapped one around my body and another around my head. He dried me off completely, then put my pajamas on. Once I was dressed, he picked me up and carried me back into my room, laying me down on the bed. He kissed me softly, then went to take a shower. I tried to stay awake, waiting for him, but I fell asleep before he made it back. I felt him lay down next to me and sighed as he pulled me against his body. I snuggled into his warmth and we both well asleep.
The rest of the week went by quickly. We got everything done at the garage, and I was surprised when the phone started ringing once it was installed. Several people already wanted to make appointments for Monday, so I took down their names and gave them their times to be there.
Jacob and I spent the weekend looking at houses, even though we still had the cottage to move into just in case we didn't find anything. We wanted to stay in La Push, because that's where most of our family was located, but I was beginning to get frustrated at the lack of housing.
The last house we looked at brought my spirits up, and I excitedly jumped out of the truck after Jacob parked it. It was a lovely Victorian two story complete with a wrap around porch. It was dark gray in color, with white trim and porch. The owners were home and graciously took us for a tour. It had 3 nice sized bedroom, along with a huge master suite. There were mahogany floors throughout, and the kitchen was massive with brand new stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. The cabinets were made of cherry, and their color matched the floors perfectly. We went up to the master suite, which also has a small balcony overlooking the beach. The master bath was huge and had a nice sized Jacuzzi tub with a separate shower. There were two sinks set into the cherry vanity, and the counter top was the same granite that was in the kitchen.
The rest of the house was charming, each room a different color that coordinated well with all the other colors in the house. Besides the mater bath, there was another full bath upstairs, and a powder room on the main level. I was totally in love with the house, but it was way out of our price range for right now. We took down their number and promised to be in contact once we found out how much we would be eligible to borrow.
"That house was the prettiest one I have ever seen" I said excitedly.
"I know, Bells. It had more than enough space along with enough bedrooms for our future kids" Jacob said, grinning at me. I smiled back, taking his hand into mine as we drove to my house. I had saved up several thousand over the years, and I knew Jacob had almost as much. I hoped it would be enough as a down payment and that the mortgage payments would be within our reach. Everything was banking on the success of the business, and estimating on how many appointments we already had we should be able to live comfortably.
We got to my house and picked up Renee, Charlie and Elliot, taking them out to dinner. Billy and Sue were going to meet us at the restaurant, along with Seth and Leah. Embry and Angela declined, opting to spend the night at the cottage instead. I felt a twinge of envy, because with things so busy lately, my sex life with Jacob was slightly lacking. Don't get me wrong, we made love at least several times a week, but I was finding it harder and harder at keeping my hands off of him. I couldn't wait until we were married, this way we could make love whenever we wanted without worrying about anyone walking in on us.
Dinner was nice and lighthearted, and we told everyone about the house we looked at. Everyone was excited for us, and Charlie said he would help us out financially if we needed more money for a down payment. With the rest of Renee's divorce settlement from Phil, they were able to pay cash for the house in La Push and took the money they got for the house in Forks and invested it. They had a nice nest egg for when Charlie retired so between that and the thriving boutique they had nothing to worry about.
After dinner, we went straight home and I gave Elliot a bath for Renee. He was so funny, splashing and playing with his toys, and by the time we were all done, I was soaked from head to toe. I dried him off and put on his sleeper, then brought him to his tiny room. I sat down in the rocking chair and read him a story about the three little pigs. He fell asleep before I was able to finish, so I laid him down in his little bed, pulling up the little side gate that prevented him from falling out of the bed. I kissed him goodnight, then went to put on my pajamas. Jacob was already in bed, wearing only his boxers. He smiled as I came in, then watched me as I got changed.
"I will never get tired of looking at your sexy body, Bells. I'm so glad you put on the weight you lost after Edward left. It hits all the right places, making you even more perfect" he said, his eyes dark with lust. I felt myself blush at his words, and I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, suddenly feeling shy.
"Come over here" he murmured, patting the bed beside him. I walked slowly over to him, settling down next to him. I yelped when he yanked me down, his mouth covering mine in a heated kiss. We made out for a long time, but he finally pulled away before things could go too far. I snuggled against him, trying to form a thought in my clouded brain.
"Only 26 more days to go" he said, stroking my hair. He loved how soft it was and played with it any chance he got. I had let it grow a little longer the past few years, so it now reached my lower back.
"I know, and I cant wait" I said sleepily.
"I love you, future Mrs. Black" he said, drifting off.
"I love you too, Mr. Black" I said before sleep claimed me.