Babies, Babies, Babies
Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.
A/N-thank you for the kind reviews, Nikki.
Part Eleven
When Bella eventually got home it was gone ten. She was feeling exhausted from all the drama that had happened that day. She had been reluctant to leave but had little choice; she needed a change of clothes and a shower. Jacob had left to take his turn on patrol leaving the Clearwater's to stay with Billy and the children to look after them for the night until his return. Bella had promised to come back early the next morning and help out. Charlie was still at work, having been called in to deal with an emergency. So Bella was alone, and definitely in no mood to deal with visitors, but as she entered her room she found Edward sitting in the rocking chair by her window with a pained expression on his face. Not now! Bella thought in her head as she collapsed onto her bed and laid an arm across her face to hide her disgruntled expression from her fiancé. She felt the bed dip and knew that Edward was now sitting beside her. "I'm sorry about today." Bella mumbled before he could start lecturing her.
"I would have appreciated more than a text, Bella." Edward pulled her arm away from her face and peered down at her. "I know you had no choice but to go with your father to La Push, but you are an adult, surely he cannot keep dictating who you spend time with. Alice and Esme were upset that they didn't get to see you, as was I."
Bella felt irritation swell in her chest. God, there was more to life than talking about damn wedding dresses and designer shoes! Bella reined in her temper and sat up. Her long, chestnut hair swept around her shoulders as she avoided looking at Edward directly. She did feel guilty about practically abandoning him, but he was giving her little choice. He kept piling on the pressure and she wasn't ready to deal with it. "I'm really tired, Edward. It has been a long day. Jake and his family are going through a lot right now and he needs my support…."
"About that?" Edward was suddenly kneeling in front of her. He took her left hand in his own and kissed the gaudy engagement ring that he had given her. "I think this is all getting too much for you, my love." He gave her one of his heart-breaking smiles before continuing. "I can see that whatever drama is happening on the reservation is beginning to affect you emotionally and that concerns me. I think you should take a step back…"
Bella yanked her hand out of his hold. She saw him frown and hurt flashed in his eyes but she just felt too tired to care. He had no idea how tough it was for Jake and Billy. He had money and privilege coming out of his ears, even before he had been turned his life had been one of ease. Bella knew that if she even tried to explain it would fall on deaf ears. "You're right about one thing, Edward." Bella stood up and walked toward her window, pushing it wide open. "I do need to take a step back. I need to take a step back from this wedding. I have other priorities right now, like helping my friend, my best friend. Jake has always been there for me and it's time I repaid that favour…no that's the wrong way to put it. I want to support Jake and Billy and if you can't understand that… than perhaps you're not the guy I thought you were." She gestured for him to leave.
Edward appeared stricken. He rushed to Bella's side and cupped her face in his hands. She flinched at the chill which infected her skin from his touch and swallowed thickly when she saw the distress on his handsome face. "I assure you, Bella. I only ever have your welfare at heart. I worry about you. I didn't mean to sound uncaring about Black's plight. That's not what I intended to make you think. But I love you and I can't help but be anxious. You do understand that, don't you?" His golden eyes pleaded for her understanding.
Bella was tired, so tired. She didn't have the energy to pick apart Edward's explanation. It sounded plausible enough but his words had still irked her. "I need to sleep." She mumbled. "Can we talk another time?"
Edward smiled at her gently and carefully steered her toward the bed. He knelt down and unlaced her shoes before taking each one off. "I'm sorry. You sleep." He leaned forward and pressed his mouth lightly to hers. His sweet scent washed around her and Bella felt her eyes closing. Before she knew it she was out like a light.
Jacob patrolled the borders for most of the night along with Embry. It had been very quiet. The only sounds had been the normal noise of the wildlife as it went about its business in the dark. The wind was only light and for once the skies above were clear of clouds. Stars littered the heavens and Jacob stopped at the cliff's edge, the same one where he had rescued Bella all those months ago, and changed back into his human form. His mom used to tell him if he closed his eyes he could wish on one of the stars and it would come true. Of course it was just a sweet story that she used to tell to make the world seem magical, but in that moment, Jacob longed for it to be true. He sat on the cliff's edge and hung his legs over the edge as he gazed above him. Slowly he picked a star and then closed his eyes. He didn't say aloud what he wished for, but he prayed in his head for all the things that he wanted. He slowly opened his eyes and sighed heavily. He didn't feel any different or more hopeful. The same heavy burden weighed him down and he had a sudden yearning to go and see Bella and spill what was in his heart. But Jacob knew that Bella wasn't ready to hear everything, not yet. He sensed a change, but he wasn't going to push her. All he could do was wait, he had waited so long already. Jacob stayed on the cliff's edge for a long time as he pondered what was going to happen next and worried about his father and how on earth they were going to support the two young children on just Billy's welfare cheque and the small amount he was bringing in from his mechanical jobs.
Bella woke up to find her bedroom empty. She was lying under the covers, still dressed in her clothes from the night before. Edward must have tucked her in; she couldn't remember falling asleep or him leaving. Well he seemed to have gone now. On her bedside cabinet was a single red rose. Bella avoided it, she had never told Edward that she preferred wild flowers, another thing he didn't know about her. Bella pushed that traitorous thought aside. How was he supposed to know if she had never told him? Bella yawned and stretched, she felt grimy and in need of good wash. She quickly undressed and headed into the shower.
The warm water felt soothing on her cool skin and she revelled in it. It helped relax her muscles and she was feeling quite calm as she dried off, wrapped a towel around her and headed back to her room. She nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw that Edward was back. He was sitting in the old rocking chair, a book perched on his lap. He lifted his head and smiled at her as she entered the room. "Morning my love. Feeling better?" He enquired.
Bella bit down on her bottom lip to stop the sharp retort which she was just about to utter. She really needed to put some boundaries in place. He couldn't keep turning up in her room unannounced like this. But why should it matter? He'll be your husband soon? Her conscience reminded her. Bella frowned as she rummaged through her drawers and pulled out a pair of jeans and a shirt. "I'm just going to get dressed." She muttered as she headed back to the bathroom.
When she came out Bella half hoped that Edward would have left again, but he was still there, twirling the red rose in his hand and looking thoughtful. Bella was dreading having to tell him that she wouldn't be spending the day with him but instead would be heading back to La Push. He smiled at her again when she approached and handed her the rose. Bella took it and returned his smile weakly. "It's nice, thanks."
"It's beautiful, just like you." Edward complimented her as he stood up gracefully and kissed her very carefully on the forehead. His lips lingered for a while and he inhaled deeply. "I love your smell. Lately it has been hidden behind the dog's foul odour. You're you again." He pulled back and touched her cheek with his long fingers. "I've missed this, missed us."
Bella felt her heart clinch in her chest, she needed to get the words out, and she needed to tell him that she was not going to be able to spend time with him. "Edward…." Her words were cut short when the sound of a snarling motorbike pulling up outside interrupted her.
"I don't believe it." Edward sounded incensed. "Black is here."
Bella could see that he was reading Jacob's mind. She hadn't known that Jacob was going to come and pick her up on the bike. It must have been a spur of the moment decision on his part. She sighed heavily, not really in the mood for a confrontation between them. When Edward and Jacob were in close proximity to each other, the insults would fly and inevitably she got caught in the middle. "I was about to tell you that I'll be spending the day in La Push, Edward." Bella interjected quickly as she saw his face darken. "Jake and Billy need my help with the children….Becca has…."
"Children?" Edward's brow furrowed as he studied her expression carefully. "Is this what it is about? Children?"
Bella stared back at him for a moment, not understanding what was going through his mind. She didn't have time to figure it out now. "I have to go. I'll call you." She said hurriedly before grabbing her purse and heading for the stairs.
Jacob was just about to knock when she flung the door open. His happy grin faded as he recoiled a little at the leech's stench which was all over her. Bella rolled her eyes at his reaction and grabbed his hand, bringing it to her face and pressing his warm fingers into her skin. "Does that block it out?"
Jacob had to laugh at her attempt to distract him from the fact that Cullen had been with her, was probably still in the house glaring out of the window like the masochistic asshole he was. Jacob pulled Bella to him and lifted her up into a tight bear hug, squeezing her gently before releasing her. "Now that definitely blocks it out." He conceded.
"If you say so." Bella still didn't quite believe them about their different smells but she let it go and headed for the bike. Jacob passed her the spare helmet and helped her to sit astride it.
"Ready?" He asked as he started the bike, revving it a few times for the leeches benefit. "Remember to hold on tight."
Bella slipped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his broad back. It had been a long time since she had been on a motorbike and she had to admit she missed the adrenaline rush it had given her. Edward would never allow her to travel on such a dangerous machine. She laughed as Jacob sped off without warning. Inside the house Edward stared out of the window, a calculating look on his face as he watched them go.
A/N-thanks for reading!
