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Disclaimer. Don't own Twilight. DURH.

Bella was the center of attention. People were all introducing themselves, all wanting to shake her hand or hug her. Bella liked touch, but not from people she didn't know. There was even no way for her to recognize any voices or footsteps because people were coming and going so quickly.

Finally there was a break in the crowd. Bella had a feeling Jacob had forced the break, feeling that she was overwhelmed.

They were not at the beach anymore. They were at the home Sue Clearwater, the wife of one of the Elders in the tribe. Harry, her husband, had been the first one to speak after Jacob had made his announcement. He had welcomed her. And then the other members followed, all of them coming forward to kiss the back of her hand. Bella didn't think this was necessary, but told herself to stay still and ask Jacob about it later.

There was food everywhere. Bella could smell all of it, mingling and making her not hungry. There were too many different things, a feast for the masses. Jacob sat her on his lap while he was eating and fed her little bits of his lunch, insisting she chew and swallow. She balked when he told her he would rather she be plump than too thin.

Sue Clearwater was a good cook, Bella had to admit. And from what Bella had gathered, her home was very large. If all of the people from the service were here then she thought it might be. But Bella also thought that it was not like modern homes, that it was very much Native American.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to introduce myself."

"Hey Rach, no trouble. Bella," Jacob turned her waist slightly so she was facing the woman. "Bella, I would like you to meet my sister, Rachel. Rachel, this is my Bella."

Bella smiled and put out her hand to shake it. "It's very nice to meet you."

The woman laughed and slapped away her shaking hand, pulling her into a hug, regardless of being on Jacob's lap.

"Your new so I know you haven't learned yet, but were a very friendly people. We hug. A lot. Probably too much from an outsiders perspective." The girl laughed, and Bella smiled sheepishly.

"It's great to meet you too. You're all our little Jacob has talked about since he met you. I feel like I already know you, not to sound creepy or anything." The girl laughed at her own joke. She slapped Jacob on what Bella thought was the head and Jacob grumbled out a laugh back at her.

"You better run Rachel. Paul's here ya know."

"Yeah I know. I just wanted to come say hey to my new sister. Better run before the wolf's breathing down my neck. Bella, I'll catch you around some other time alright? I can't wait to get to know you, honestly. And it was really great to meet you. Don't let Jacob get away with anything." She said the last with a laugh and then she was gone, her footsteps echoing and falling away in the crowd of people.

"And that was my sister Rachel." Jacob said with a chuckle.

"What did she mean by leaving before the wolf was breathing down her neck?" Bella asked, confused.

Jacob laughed wholeheartedly. "Paul is her mate. Rachel's just being stubborn. She knows that he's a wolf so he enjoys the chase."

"But I thought you said it hurts to be away from your mate."

"It does. Rachel doesn't ever go away for long. And she knows she'll have to accept him eventually. There are just a few more things she wants to do before she starts that part of her life. And Paul knows that too. But that doesn't stop the wolf from constantly seeking her. "

Bella thought about that answer and decided that it was not a bad thing. She could understand where Rachel was coming from. But Bella did not have anything to do. She wanted her life with Jacob to start. She wished it would have started sooner.

The 'lunch' lasted into the afternoon and Bella got anxious. She was not used to being around so many people. Her oversensitive blind senses were worn out and that fact was making her nervous.

Jacob noticed. He pulled her to the side of a group, stealing a moment of just the two of them for a minute. "Bella, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired." Bella said lamely with a smile.

"We'll leave soon. We'll say goodbye to my father, then go home."

"No Jacob! I'm fine really. I don't want to leave early."

"Bella we've been here for hours. It's time to go."

Jacob pulled her to him and she tucked her tired head into his chest. "Besides," He whispered into her ear. "I don't like sharing you with so many people. I'm ready to have you all to myself again. And I don't want Alice to think I've taken you captive" Jacob added with a smile and a laughing grumble in his chest. Bells smiled and squeezed him in a hug that he gladly returned.

Billy gave Bella yet another hug before they left. Jacob got a hug too and talked shortly with him before they left. Quill and Embry came to tell Bella goodbye as well and then the other boys followed. Jacob gave short orders about something like patrols that Bella didn't understand but let it go.

They tried to leave quietly, but with all eyes on them that was kind-of hard to do. Everyone noticed and a few people asked Jacob if something was wrong. Jacob replied calmly to the crowd and told them that they were both tired and wished to go home. Jacob said that he would bring Bella back soon to see everyone again. There were still hushed whispers all around them as they made their leave but Bella's mind did not comprehend their words.

Jacob's hand was tight on hers and his hand on her waist warm. He helped her into the car and Bella kept her head up, smiled, and waved when they pulled out of the gravel lot near the Clearwater's home. She did not know if anyone saw her wave or if it was for nothing, but Jacob didn't say anything and she thought that they were probably being watched.

As soon as they hit pavement Bella's head slumped. Jacob's hand in hers squeezed.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired. I'm blind, so my senses other than sight are always hypersensitive. And today with so many people and sounds and smells and hugging….I is just worn out. "

Jacob exhaled roughly. "Bella why didn't you say something sooner? We would have left as soon as you started to get tired. There was no reason for you to let it get this bad." His voice was hard and cold.

"Jacob. I'm blind. Hun you're going to have to get used to the fact that being around so many people kind of scares me. And that I'm able to holding my head up. And that I really enjoyed meeting all of your people today." The last was said softly and sweetly.

Even though Bella could not see it, Jacob turned his head toward Bella's and smiled at her. He pulled on her arm and kissed the back of her hand, rubbing his lips against her cool skin.

Bella exhaled; content and tired. She turned her head in Jacob's direction and closed her unseeing eyes, laying her head against the back of the seat and listening to the music that played over the radio.

Bella was being lifted. She had known this feeling before, but last time she had been inside. And dressed more decently.

Jacob laughed. "I thought you were out fro the day. Your snores could have woken the dead."

"Hey, I don't snore!" Bella protested with a yawn and Jacob's laugh continued.

She heard the car door shut and then a few steps later the squeak of her door as it opened.

"Where'd you get a key?" Bella asked, curious.

"One day at the bookstore. I kinda took advantage of you being blind and jacked your keys. Annnnnnnd then had them copied and brought them back and put 'em in your jacket and you never knew. I can blame it on the whole mate thing though. I have to be able to get to you at all times. And breaking down your door might be frowned upon. So the key seemed like a good idea. Your not mad are you?"

Bella laughed softly. "No, I'm not mad. I was just curious. You can break in any time you want." She said the last in her best sexy voice and Jacob's body stiffened slightly, making Bella giggle. She had the effect she had wished for.

They moved forward again and Bella heard the door close as softly as it had opened. Jacob turned on the light switch, not that it helped her any. He put her down on the couch and then sat next to her.

"Think you can go back to sleep?"

Bella sighed. "Yeah, I think I could. But firstly, Alice has been with Carlisle and Esme long enough. I'm sure she would rather be here. And I promised Esme that I would come over as soon as you brought me home."

"Ah, making sure that the date went well I am sure."

"Probably. But she has nothing to worry about." Bella smiled.

"So, do you mind I fi slip out while your gone? I'll try to be back by the time your back, but I can't guarantee that. I need to do some wolf business. But after that," his voice became low.

"I'm going to come back to that comment that I wanted some alone time with you."

Bella's heart fluttered slightly and Jacob came forward quickly to peck her lips.

"Take your time,"

She said with a smile.

"But I'll be waiting."

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