Chapter 10- This is it!
(JPOV)
It was getting closer and closer to the end of my wife's pregnancy. As each day passed my normally cheerful wife turned rude and pissy. When we weren't at school, she was usually sleeping. She spent barely anytime at the main house. When she wasn't sleeping, she was nesting. She had changed JR's room about a hundred times. She would move the furniture around, switch the positions of pictures on the walls, and fold and refold all of his clothing. On top of his room, she kept baby-proofing the house. I went into our kitchen one day to find a lock on the fridge that even I couldn't get open. Worst of all she completely ignored me most of the time. It hurt that she didn't want to spend time with me, but I knew it was just from all the hormones in her body, so I tried not to take it personally.
I spent as much time as I could at the main house. This, however, was almost as bad as being in my own home. It was getting close to Christmas, and this family went overboard for Christmas. One afternoon I walked in the back door to be pushed back out by Emmett and Jasper. I raised an eyebrow and Emmett offered an explanation
"Trust us; you don't want to be in there. The decorating demons have come out to play again. Ouch!" Emmett was rubbing the back of his head and I saw a piece of twisted metal lying on the ground at his feet. I knew what he meant though; Alice and Esme were decorating for Christmas. The piece of metal had been thrown by one of them; my guess was Alice, for his decorating demons comment.
"Emmett, you and Jasper have orders. Take Jake with you, but go find us a damn tree!" God could Alice yell. Even though she was tiny, she was loud. When we made no effort to move a muscle she continued. "Get Moving. I was serious before Jazz, if you guys don't get us a damn tree and soon you might as well move into a monastery, because you won't be seeing any action for awhile!"
"Damn it! Let's move guys. I want the opportunity to have sex with my gorgeous wife sometime in the next hundred years." Jasper was really worried, and I couldn't blame him. That pixie was a force to be reckoned with.
We ran from the house into the woods searching for the perfect Christmas tree. Every time we stopped at a tree that we liked Jasper's phone would ring. After the fifth time this happened I grabbed the phone out of his hand so I could give Alice a piece of my mind.
"Alice enough! I'm sick of this shit. Would you please just tell us where to go to get the tree that you want? Since obviously you don't like our choices." I heard an audible gasp and then a sigh. Surprisingly she gave in and told us exactly where to go. We had the tree down and were back at the house in a matter of minutes. In the short amount of time that we had been gone Esme and Alice had turned the Cullen residence into a winter wonderland. Every inch of the house was covered in decorations. There were about fifteen boxes sitting in the living room next to a tree stand. I knew these had all the tree decorations in it. Emmett held the tree straight while I tightened the screws that would secure it into the stand. Esme made him move it a tiny bit one way then a tiny bit another way for almost a half hour before I was allowed to tighten the screws all the way.
As we finished with the tree I realized there was an amazing aroma coming from the kitchen. I stepped through the door to see a cookie lover's paradise. Bella had dozens upon dozens of every Christmas cookie imaginable cooling on racks or baking in the oven.
"Wow Bells. These smell amazing." As I went to reach for a crispy cut out my hand was smacked away. I winced because she had hit me so hard two of my fingers broke. "Ow! Bells that hurt."
"Jacob Black! Back away from those cookies, they aren't for you. I'm making them for the pediatric unit at the hospital. Those poor kids being stuck in the hospital during Christmas, they need some extra cheer. I'll make some cookies for you and Ness later. I'm sorry I hit you so hard."
"I'm fine, see," I wiggled my fingers in her face. "No harm done, I'm already healed. But I will hold you to that promise for cookies." I decided to leave before I was tempted again and lost my whole hand.
The following couple days at school rushed by and it was the weekend before I knew it. Friday afternoon was the first time in a week that Ness stepped foot in the main house.
"Fuck! Shit! God Damn it!" My beautiful wife let off a string of profanities. Every family member was at her side in a second, worried something was wrong. All of a sudden Edward started laughing.
Edward, what the hell are you laughing at? This doesn't seem like a funny moment. We must have all been bombarding him with the same questions because he quickly tried to compose himself. Since Ness was still mumbling profanities under her breath Edward explained what was going on between chuckles.
"This is hilarious. (laugh) You'll be (laugh) joining me in a second. (laugh) Ness just realized (chuckle) that Christmas (laugh) is only a few days away. She's trying to figure out (giggle) how the hell she is going to fit behind (chuckle) the wheel of her car to go shop (giggle) for everyone in Seattle." He started laughing so hard that he couldn't continue, everyone but Ness joined him when they realized she wasn't hurt. When death rays came out of her eyes, focused solely on me my sudden fit of giggles quickly died in my chest.
"Glad you find me humorous. I however don't see what is so funny about this. I have to drive because I need to buy everyone's presents and have no idea how I'm going to manage it."
"Ness, baby, I'll go with you if you want. I promise to let you go to some stores on your own to get my gift. I'd really rather you not be alone right now, even if it is just to Seattle."
"No Jake. I'm going tomorrow and I'll only be a few hours, I'll be fine."
"Please Ness?"
"NO!"
"Renesmee Carlie Cullen Black, let me come with you! I want to make sure you and JR are ok, and that way you don't have to drive."
"No. I'm sorry Jake but I can't be in a car with you right now. You are in no way one of my favorite people at the moment. It is your fault I'm currently this whale of a person. So no, you can't come with me!" I turned and sulked off. I went through the back door and headed home. Once inside I went right to the guest bedroom, stripped and crawled into the bed. I knew it was the hormones talking again, but I couldn't help but take that personally. I heard the front door open, close, and my wife's soft footsteps on the stairs. When I heard her stop outside the room I was in I pretended to be asleep. She walked in and I heard her sniffle. She whispered an "I love you" into my ear and kissed my cheek, before turning around and going to our master bedroom. I almost jumped up and ran to console her; I hated to see her in pain in any way, but I decided not to. She needed to feel a bit of the pain that I had been feeling recently. I'd make sure to tell her tomorrow before she left that everything was forgiven and I loved her. I fell asleep and dreamt of my sweetheart and our son.
Since I had gone to sleep so early the previous day I awoke very early Saturday morning. I headed down to the kitchen and started making a huge breakfast for the both of us. I made eggs, French toast, pancakes, waffles, hash browns, bacon, sausage; I even made a quick batch of blueberry muffins and threw them in the oven. I heard the shower start just as I was pulling out the hot muffins. I knew she would smell the food as soon as she was done with her shower. I was right, not long after I heard the shower cut off I heard her come down the stairs.
"Jake?" She sounded confused. I walked to the base of the stairs and wrapped her in a hug.
"I love you. I'm sorry I slept in the other room last night, but what you had said in front of everyone really hurt. I know you love me, but it still broke my heart to hear you say you didn't want to be around me." As I finished my little apology I saw tears falling down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry too Jake. I didn't mean to hurt you. I am so happy we are having JR, but these crazy hormone levels are starting to get to me-" I stopped her then with a kiss. I broke away and told her I understood. She kissed me again and I carried her into the kitchen to eat.
After we finished eating the huge meal I had made, my beautiful wife headed up stairs to get ready to leave for Seattle. I followed her so I could dress and say goodbye as she pulled out of the garage. I quickly pulled on a pair of jeans, designer of course, and a polo shirt, again designer, why tempt the wrath of the pixie by wearing anything else. My wife came out of the closet pulling a very cute jewel toned maternity shirt over her head. Since in Forks she had to hide her pregnancy, she made sure to flaunt it when we left town. We headed downstairs and I helped her put her coat on to head to the garage.
We took it slow, and I loved every minute of walking with her hand in mine. As big as she was now she had a sort of waddle that was simply adorable, I would never tell her that, but it was. We reached the garage and she opened the door with the keypad located out front. The noise of the door brought the whole family to wish her a safe trip. I pulled her into a hug and kissed her sweetly. I told her how much I loved her and said I'd see her tonight when she got home. I walked to stand on the front porch while she went to get in her car. I knew she wouldn't take any other vehicle since she had that special external trunk lock on her car. She opened the door and stood there.
"She's trying to figure the best way to sit down," Edward whispered to us. The girls started giggling and I joined the guys in a small chuckle. She finally decided to turn with her back to the seat and her feet hanging out the door. I knew she was then going to try to spin herself to fit behind the wheel. She started turning her body to sit in the seat correctly and had to stop; the side of her stomach hit the wheel. I heard a soft 'Damn it' come from her lips. I heard the others around me and tried to stifle my own laughter when she just glared at us. She reached down and moved the seat back as far as it would go. She turned again and safely was sitting behind the wheel. I could tell from where I was standing that with the current chair position she couldn't reach the pedals. She started to move the seat forward and had to stop when her belly hit the wheel, her feet were just able to reach the pedals. She smiled over at us triumphantly and we all started laughing as she flipped us off, closed the door and backed out of the garage. She sped down the driveway and was gone. I started to walk inside and Alice grabbed my hand to stop me. I could tell she had something to tell me.
"Just spill it Alice. What did you see?"
"Just fair warning, she's decided to stay in Seattle for the night. I packed her a bag and made reservations for her at the W. I just wanted you to know so when she calls you don't flip out. As far as I can tell nothing is going to happen. I've slowly gotten a handle on you and her over the years, but it still comes in and out on me. I really want to know when that little boy is going to grace us with his presence, but I can't get a definite read on it. I see snippets but I can't tell when it is." Emmett came running out of the house with her last comment.
"What one goddamn minute! Are you telling me Alice Cullen, that we could bet against you and possibly win something for once because you are going in blind?" Emmett was bouncing like Alice normally did. He hated never having a chance against Alice. I felt the floor shaking as he kept bouncing.
"Emmett can you stop bouncing? You're making me sick man." He looked at me surprised, when he realized what he was doing he quickly stopped and looked sheepish.
"Sorry, but this is great." He turned to the open door and bellowed, "Living room, now. I want to propose a friendly wager." The three of us headed inside and found everyone but Carlisle, who was still at the hospital, waiting.
"Emmett, what is going on in your head now? Can't you block me out with something other than that? Bella, love, please make it stop." Emmett must have been picturing Rose. Edward only called for blockage by Bella when we were picturing compromising positions. Good job Emmett.
"Sorry Eddie, but it's the quickest way to make you cut yourself off. So here is my plan-" He was cut off by a squeal from Alice.
"Yes! This will be fun. I want December 27th. I'll be right back." She ran up stairs and disappeared.
"Now that she is gone I'll continue. Since Alice is having problems seeing exactly when JR will be born, I want to start a baby pool up. You buy into the pool with $1000. You then pick the date that you think JR will grace us with his presence. As you all heard December 27th is already taken. Who else is in?" All of a sudden numbers were being thrown at Emmett. He held up his hands and everyone stopped. "Let me get some paper and a pen. I want to right this all down. I call Christmas Eve." One by one family members started calling dates. Esme took January 2nd, Rose the 1st, and Jasper New Year's Eve. Edward took the 28th, and Bella the 29th. Esme called Carlisle and he wanted December 30th. They all turned to me.
"Sorry, not interested." Surprisingly they just let it drop. "I'm going home for awhile. Alice and Bella I have something I wanted to ask you two, whenever you get a chance could you stop over?" Alice had reappeared with her $1000 for Emmett and they both nodded yes to me. I quickly got up and left. I just wanted to wallow in my own thoughts for awhile waiting for Ness to call. When I reached the house I sat down on the porch swing I had installed just after we moved in, it would be nice come spring time to sit out here with JR between us and swing gently while listening to the forest. Even now in the dead of winter I could hear animals moving around, it still surprised me that they came so close to the houses, considering almost all of those living within the walls of the three structures would stop at nothing to drain them of their blood. I was daydreaming about all the things we would get to do with JR, I didn't realize how long it had been but I felt my cell phone buzz in my pocket. I looked at the display and saw it had been hours since I left the main house, and Ness was calling to tell me about staying in Seattle.
I knew as I hung up the phone she was confused. I also knew she would immediately realize Alice had probably already told me. A few minutes after I hung up with Ness, I heard some twigs break and then my best friend and her sister-in-law came running through the trees into the clearing surrounding our house. We headed inside to the living room. I explained that I wanted to do something special for Ness for Christmas. I had a few ideas but as soon as I settled on one, Alice jumped up and started hugging me.
"Jake that is a perfect idea. I have so many things we can do. Ok, so let's see, first two we need to invite our Quil and Claire, their two boys and their families. We should probably invite the other elders as well, right? Of course I'm right. Umm, the other wolfs families should be invited too. So let's see, we're looking at what, about forty people, not including the 10 of us. Well only two of us will be eating. Bella, do you think you can manage making Christmas dinner for forty-two?"
"Huh? What are you talking about Alice? Why would forty of the Quileute's be here at one time, and why would I be cooking them Christmas dinner?"
"Oh sorry. I'm so used to Edward being attached to your hip and telling you everything going through everyone's heads. Jake has decided as a Christmas present to Ness he wants to have everyone over from the rez Christmas day. Of course, being the best cook out of all of us you would be making dinner."
"She was really upset when you went to see Claire without her, Jake. This is perfect. I'll cook; we'll have to come up with a good menu, maybe some old Quileute recipes."
"Great, I'm glad you are both on board. I'm going to go down and invite all those who I think should come. I know I really don't have much else to do. I am right in assuming you will handle all the details, right Alice?"
"Yup! Go down to the reservation and start knocking on doors Jacob Black."
I decided to wait until the next morning to head down to La Push. I knew that everyone would want to visit with me and I wanted to have an entire day. I was right. I spent hours at Quil and Claire's, who promised to inform their children of the plans. I went to see Sam and Emily's two daughters, then Jared's son and daughter. I decided then to hit my extended family. First was my niece, Paul and Rachel's daughter, Sarah. Next I spent time with my nephew, Ephraim, named for my great-grandfather. He beat me up more than Quil did the first day I visited. He screamed at me for hours when he learned we'd all been back in town for months and hadn't come to see him, he was so much like his mother it was scary, and it made me miss Rayche a lot. Then it was time for another one I wasn't looking forward to. Leah had always been a pain in my ass, and unfortunately her daughter was just like her. So much so sometimes I wondered if Leah was back from the dead. The good thing was, Lizzie always warmed to me pretty quickly. Everyone was overjoyed for a huge Christmas dinner. I started home and realized it was dark out. When I looked at my watch I cringed, Ness had probably been home for hours. Shit! I ran at top speed to get home. I tried to be as quiet as possible when I got to the house.
I stripped down to my boxers and crawled into bed with my angel. I pulled her close and fell asleep quickly. I had no idea what time it was, but I couldn't figure out why Ness was reaching across me. Her movement continued so I woke myself up to ask her what was going on. When I saw her face I knew something was wrong.
"Ness, baby, what's wrong?" She didn't answer me at all. I realized then she had been reaching across me to her cell phone on the bedside table. She dialed a number quickly and placed the phone to her ear.
"Carlisle!" She never called him that, she always called him Grandpa. "I think it's time!" Time? Time for what? Oh my god. The baby! It's time for the baby! She's in labor. Uh, um, what the fuck do I do? How do I help her? Wait, no, JR can't be born yet, I'm not ready to be a father. I need more time to prepare.
When did I get these clothes on? And how the hell did I get up to the main house? I had just been on my bed in my house, now I was sitting in a chair in Edward's old bedroom. Ness was lying in a hospital bed with stirrups foot rests next to me. She was sweaty and was panting. I had never seen her sweat before, and she only panted after we had just had really hot se-
"JACOB!" Edward's voice snapped me out of the direction my thoughts were taking. "Nice of you to join us again." Huh? What was he talking about? "You kind of zoned out after Ness called Carlisle." Seriously? Edward nodded. Then how the hell did I get here? "Jake, later. Right now Ness needs you. Hold her hand, try and keep her calm. Say anything that will soothe her. Her contractions are starting to get closer together, last longer, and are more severe. Carlisle is continually checking her cervix for full dilation. Once she is fully dilated we'll talk about what to do next." I did as Edward instructed of me. I took my wife's hand and tried to soothe her. The only problem was each time a contraction hit, she would squeeze my hand so hard I thought it was going to break. As if that wasn't enough, she would scream out a string of profanities telling me how much she hated me for doing this to her. Of course I sat there and took it, even agreeing with her to try and placate her. Oh man, this was going to be harder than I thought. Of course Edward sat in a corner of the room chuckling softly to himself, in response to both Ness's actions, her thoughts, and my own. Carlisle came back in to check Ness one more time, and announced that she was ready to go.
"Ok Ness, when the next contraction starts I want you to push and tell us you are. Edward, Jacob, when Ness says she's starting to push I want you to bend the leg at the knee on your side of the bed. Pull it up towards her head. Ness, please remember to breath. Follow Bella's example." I hadn't even noticed her come in the room. I kept hold of one of Ness's hands, Edward took the other one. He whispered something in his daughter's ear and kissed her cheek.
"Ahhh. Ok, I'm ready to start pushing. Carlisle, are you sure I can't have an epidural? Please. I don't think I can do this."
"It's a little late now Ness. Just breathe with your mother. Focusing on the breathing will keep you calm." I started breathing with the both of them. Two quick breaths in, two quick breaths out. I tried keeping pace with Bella, but I started breathing faster. I realized I was hyperventilating. Oh Shit!
"ROSE, EMMETT!" I heard Edward call for Blondie and Em just as I felt myself fall to the floor. Then everything went black.
I was awoken by a small hand slapping my cheek. Then I heard her. The little pixie was slapping me calling my name.
"Jake? Jake, wake up! Come on, get up mutt!" She smacked my cheek one more time, with more force than she needed to.
"Stop slapping me, I'm up. Damn you really are annoying, you know that right?"
"Sorry, just wanted to make sure you woke back up. Here, Carlisle said to fill you with sugar to help bring your blood sugar back up." She handed me a plate of cookies and a 2 liter bottle of soda. I forced it all down.
"Wait, what about Ness? I should be up there with her."
"Jake, you weren't any help up there. Rose is up there with Edward, Bella, and Carlisle; they'll make sure JR comes out healthy." With that comment I heard an extremely loud scream from my wife. It stopped then quickly started again. When it stopped for a second time I heard a sound that is the best thing I ever heard, an ear piercing cry, the first sound out of my son. I didn't even wait for anyone to call me up. I ran up the stairs and crashed into the room. There in my exhausted wife's arms was a little bundle of blue blankets and light copper skin.
"Come meet your son Jake!" Ness was all smiles, even though tears were streaming down her face. I rushed over to her and looked down into the most perfect face I had ever seen. Ness handed my beautiful little boy to me. I was afraid to hold him, but he just naturally fit into the crook of my arm. It felt so right to hold him. All of a sudden he opened his eyes and I was staring into a tiny set of emerald green orbs.
"Well, I can see he got something from his grandpa." I had heard many times that Edward's eyes were green when he was human. Edward was just in awe. I spoke aloud for the benefit of the others in the room. "He opened his eyes and they are emerald green. I would imagine they look like Edward's eyes before he was changed." Carlisle peeked over my shoulder. I saw him nod his head in affirmation of my observation. With that nod Bella was at my side in less than a millisecond pushing Edward out of the way.
"Sorry, I've always wanted to see the color your eyes were dear. Now I'll get to see them every day in our grandson's eyes. He is beautiful Ness." She kissed her daughter on the cheek. Hugged me around JR, then grabbed Edward's hand and left the room, Carlisle followed them. I sat down next to Ness, still holding JR. He looked at her and smiled, his green eyes twinkling. We sat like that for a long time, just the three of us, smiling at each other, until JR fell asleep. Even while holding my son, my brain still tried to register that I was a father. I just hoped that I'd be as good a father as my own had been.