Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of Stephenie Meyer. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author Notes: I wanted to give a quick shout out to BellaLuna27. She has been an awesome reviewer and keeps me inspired to crank these chapters out!! Make sure you go to her page and show some big love and support her story!! Thanks!!
Story Notes: Bella finally makes up her mind to contact Jacob, how well will it go? Also...find out who surprises her with a visit!
"There is always a multitude of reasons both in favor of doing a thing and against doing it. The art of debate lies in presenting them; the art of life lies in neglecting ninety-nine hundredths of them."
~Mark Rutherford~
Chapter 12 :::Debate:::
The moment I walked into my house I heard Charlie's voice bellowing out, and Billy laughing. I cringed but went into the living room and stood behind my Dad's chair to see what he was yelling about.
"Hi Bella." Billy said, and raised a hand in hello, his eyes studying me suspiciously.
I forced out a half smile and waved back. "Hi" I muttered, and quickly turned my attention back to Charlie.
He was sitting in his recliner watching a football game or, games I should say, on TV. His feet were crossed at the ankles and propped up on the foot rest. In his right hand he had the remote, furiously shaking it at the television as he quickly flipped back and forth between channels, and he had what seemed to be a, chicken bone? in the other hand. Yes, I did say a chicken bone. My father; a college educated - grown ass man, the Police Chief of Forks who had duly sworn to uphold the law and protect the citizens to keep us sane and safe, did indeed have... a chicken bone in his hand, waving it wildly in the air chanting.
"Lucky lucky chicken bone!" Charlie shouted. "Lucky lucky chicken bone!"
I raised a brow in confusion, but more in amusement. "Uh, Dad. What on earth are you doing?"
I glanced over at Billy who just shrugged his shoulders and laughed.
Charlie turned to me with a serious expression on his face. "I'm checking the scores Bella, The guys and I at work are playing a football pool and I'm in the lead so far!" he said, excited.
"Okay....but that's not what I'm worried about." I said, trying to contain my laughter. "Of all things, why do you have a chicken bone in your hand?" I asked.
"Oh!" Charlie said and brought his hand down to look at the bone in his hand. "It's my lucky chicken bone Bells!." he proclaimed. "It helps my teams win!" he said, beaming up from his chair with confidence. He turned back to the television to give another quick shout at it. "Now go on and play before you hurt the vibe!"
My jaw dropped as I twitched it to one side. "Uh, play?...um...hurt the vibe?" I asked, bewildered. But Charlie never answered me, he just kept fussing at the game on the television as if the players could hear him.
I knew it, my Dad had officially lost it. And here I was not too long ago, thinking that I was the one that might be in possible need of professional help. At least now I knew it was hereditary.
I laughed and shook my head as I walked out of the living room and muttered. "Only you Dad, only you..."
I made my way into the kitchen to fix myself something to eat. I had spent my morning with some entertaining individuals. Which, in their own ways, were doing a great job of making me feel like I truly was the only normal one around here. Between Edward asking me to let him torture himself by curling up with me at nighttime, and with Charlie and that chicken bone of his, I thought I was doing pretty good. Oh, and I can't forget to include Jacob's unnatural, sudden need of wanting me to be his girlfriend.
"Hey Bells!" Charlie called from the living room.
I yelled back playfully. "What do you want old man?"
"I forgot to tell you that Jacob called this morning!"
"Did he leave a message?" I asked, shocked.
"Nope! He called while I was gone to the store!"
"Okay, thanks Dad!" I said, not wanting to question him further with Billy around.
I quickly put my plate into the sink and washed it up, then put the last of the beer that Charlie had sitting out into the refrigerator.
Charlie called out to me again. "Oh Bella?"
"Yeah Dad?" I blurted back.
"I'm not old!...I'm mature!" he said, trailing off in laughter with Billy joining in.
I rolled my eyes and laughed. "Funny Dad...real funny!"
I could hear Charlie and Billy bantering between each other as I made my way up the stairs to my bedroom. I was still surprised that Jacob had called, but what he had called for I had no clue. I knew he still had to be mad at me. But then again, maybe he was just trying to reach out and apologize, to set things right between us.
I pulled my cell phone out of my back pocket and flopped down on my bed, stretching out across the width of it. I debated on whether or not to call Jacob back. I didn't even know if I was ready to talk to him yet, but if he really was trying to apologize, then I at least needed to give him that. I know I would want the opportunity to do so, if I had hurt someone that I truly cared about.
I held my arm out away from me on the bed, and absentmindedly flipped the phone open and closed, over and over again in my hand. I knew I needed to call Jacob back, even Edward had said so, which was strange. Edward had told me before leaving the meadow this morning that I really needed to work things out with Jacob, that I needed to sit down and find out what was on his mind. That was so unlike Edward, who in the past, didn't like me being around Jake. Maybe he knew something I didn't, maybe he knew that Jacob was truly hurt and felt bad for him. I shook my head, no...there had to be something else.
With the flick of my wrist, I threw my phone onto the bed and watched it land between my pillows. I pulled myself off of the bed and began pacing back and forth. I thought about not calling Jake back, maybe it was too soon, I was sure we needed some more time to cool off. Especially Jacob, he had left here in such a fury, there was no way he could just be fine by now. I knew he had to still be upset about me refusing to take our relationship any further.
I turned and glanced toward my pillows where my cell phone was now hidden. I wrung my hands together and continued pacing. I didn't know why he didn't try to call my cell phone as well, it was unlike him to not call both. Then again, he could have simply been trying to call Charlie and not me.
No, what would he want with Charlie? That didn't make any sense so I crossed off that theory.
I just had to quit analyzing this. Another bad habit of mine, I over-analyzed everything. That is something that I needed to leave for Edward to do, he was of course famous for that.
I rolled my eyes, more at my own self than anything. I realized how ridiculous I was being. It wasn't going to kill me to call Jacob back. After all, at least he had made an attempt to contact me, so I could at least do the right thing and return his call.
I went over to my bed and pulled my cell phone out from between the pillows. I knew Jacob was home alone, being Billy was here, so at least I didn't have to worry about him answering the phone. I flipped it open and promptly dialed Jacob's number, sitting down on the bed to wait impatiently.
Jacob answered before the first ring even finished. "Hello?"
"Jake, hey...it's me Bella." I said nervously.
"I know..." he said,
Click ….. The phone went dead.
My jaw dropped as I pulled my phone in front of me to stare at it in shock.
"Did you just hang up on me Jacob Black?" I said aloud to my phone, pissed.
I couldn't believe that he had just hung up on me. What the hell was that about? I thought to myself. I absolutely, and in no way, shape, or form deserved that. The more I thought about it, the angrier I became. I was almost in my right mind to drive over to his house and chew him out. This was truly unbelievable, I was livid that he would do such a thing to me.
I immediately decided to call him back, he was going to hear it from me, that is...if he stayed on the phone long enough to hear it. I flipped the phone open and dialed the numbers, punching them forcefully with my index finger, pushing the pads of the keys almost through the phone's key pad.
Ring
"Come on Jake, answer!."
Ring
"Answer you hairy dog!"
Ring
"Ugh! Pick up the phone you mangy mutt!"
Ring
"Fine! Ignore me!" I slammed my phone shut and threw it behind me on the bed.
Now he was avoiding my phone call! Why would he even call me, if he didn't want to talk to me in the first place? I shook my head and fell back onto the bed, wanting to cry, but didn't know if it was worth it or not.
Suddenly, a knock at the front door caused me to sit right back up. I jumped up and ran to the window, looking out. There sat a silver Volvo, right behind my truck, I froze.
"Shit!!" I spat frantically. "Shit Shit Shit!!" Edward was here and I didn't know how well this was going to go down with Charlie or Billy. This was definitely not a good thing! I hadn't even had the time to tell Charlie he was back yet, I had to think fast.
I hurriedly turned and ran from my bedroom, almost tripping over my own feet as I flew down the stairs towards the front door. I quickly pushed my way past Charlie who was walking to the door and opened it myself, hoping to delay the confrontation that I knew was about to occur between Edward and Charlie. I knew Edward would respect my Dad regardless, but I couldn't control what would come out of Charlie's mouth.
I let out the biggest sigh of relief known to man, when I saw who was standing there, smiling away all perky and happy. It was my best friend in the whole world. It was Alice!
"Alice!" I shouted happily, jumping up and down as I reached out and wrapped my arms around her, hugging her tightly.
"Oh my! Bella! You sure are happy!" Alice said, laughing.
I pulled away from her and looked her up and down, smiling ear to ear. "Because I've missed you!" I said, ecstatic. "And you look beautiful! You haven't changed a bit!"
Alice beamed her beautiful smile and glanced over my shoulder at Charlie, who had been watching the delightful reunion the whole time.
"Hello Charlie! It's good to see you again!" Alice piped in her angelic voice, and she bounced past me making her way in, giving Charlie a hug.
I turned to watch and giggled softly to myself as I watched Charlie's cheeks and ears turned red, he had always been smitten by her.
He hesitantly wrapped his arms around Alice and patted her on the back. "Well, it's good to see you too Alice." he said, not sure of how to react to her sudden burst of affection towards him.
He pulled Alice away from him and looked down at her with a raised brow. "My you're awfully cold, doesn't that heater work in that expensive car of yours?" he asked.
I froze for a moment wondering how Alice was going to play that off, when I heard Billy snicker in the living room.
Alice playfully dismissed his words with a flick of her wrist. "Oh of course it does silly!" and flashed him her award-winning flirty smile, fluttering her eyelashes.
That was all it took, and Charlie was instantly putty in her hands. "Okay, you girls go do whatever it is that you do, I've got a game to finish watching." and he turned around and walked back into the living room.
On our way up the stairs both Alice and I heard Billy blurt out. "Maybe you should have Jacob come over here and check that heater out for her." Alice and I both stopped and glanced at each other. "Huh" was all Charlie said.
We turned and quickly darted into my bedroom as I shut the door behind us. "Ugh! I can't believe Billy would suggest that!" I spat, furiously.
"Was he talking about the same Jacob that Edward has told me about?" Alice asked, keeping her voice low.
I nodded. "Yeah, same one." I bit at my lower lip in thought before blasting Alice with a barrage of questions. "When did you speak to Edward? When did you get here? Why do you have Edward's car?"
Alice laughed and shook her head. "Wow Bella, slow down would you?" she swooped to my side and grabbed my hand, pulling me over to the bed. We both sat down as she began to answer my questions one by one.
"I spoke to Edward this morning, after he saw you in the meadow." she said softly.
"He told you we were in the meadow?" I asked, curious.
Alice sighed, a human habit she had picked up to fit in, same as Edward. "Well, I saw it before it happened, but he just confirmed it for me." she said, smiling more to herself than me. "But like I said, I did see him after that, when I followed Carlisle in his car, so he could bring Edward's car back."
I sat quietly for a moment trying to take in and process what Alice had just told me. "So, Carlisle is here?"
"Yes, he is!" Alice said happily.
I shook my head, confused. "Is..he here to stay or what?"
"Yes, Bella he's staying....All of us are staying!" she chirped. "Isn't that great!"
My face lit up, I was so excited I reached out and wrapped my arms around Alice hugging her again.
"Alice! That means you're staying too!" I cried happily.
Alice pulled away from me, smiling. "I figured you would be happy about that!"
"Oh! I am! But what made you all decide to come back?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
Alice turned and stretched out on the bed as she spoke. "We all came back to support Edward." she said. "My brother needed us and so, here we are!"
"He needed you? Edward did? For what?" I quickly questioned, shaking my head.
"Wow Bella, you and your twenty questions! What's with you today?" Alice said playfully.
"I'm sorry Alice." I said, a bit embarrassed. "I just wanted to know what was going on. Edward has only been back for two days, and all of a sudden the whole family is moving back!"
Alice sat up in surprise and looked at me suspiciously. "Two days?" she asked, incredulously. "I..hmm...I guess I need to speak to my brother." she said as she furrowed her brows in confusion.
"What's going on?" I asked, becoming frustrated with her vagueness.
She reached out with her hand, patting my knee. "Oh don't be silly Bella, nothing is going on. I just haven't had the time to really sit down and talk with Edward, that's all it is... you worry wart!" she said reassuringly.
"Uh huh, sure." I muttered.
With the feeling in the room becoming uncomfortable, Alice quickly changed the subject. "I have a great idea!" she said enthusiastically.
"And what is that?" I asked.
"Why don't you come over and stay the night with me! That way we can catch up and I don't have to sneak around Charlie!"
I squinted my eyes and studied her expression, suspicious. "And why would I come stay at your house with Edward there?" I asked, digging for her motive.
"Bella! This has nothing to do with Edward! I just want to spend some time with you, that's all!" she said, trying to sway me. "I'll even do the dirty work and ask Charlie if you can come over myself!"
"Fine!" I spat playfully. "But will Edward be there?"
Alice turned her gaze towards the bed. "Yes" she admitted. "But I'll tell him to stay away from you if that's what you want."
I sighed and folded my hands into my lap. "It's okay, I'm not going to do that to him in his own house. Besides, we're getting along, so I'm sure it won't be so bad."
Alice smiled tenderly, her amber eyes dancing with question. "You still love my brother don't you?"
"Of course I do, and he already knows that. We've already discussed it." I declared.
"Well, if it helps any...he certainly loves you. He always has."
I nodded in confirmation. "I know, Alice. Now stop trying to play cupid." I said, laughing to break my sudden uneasiness.
"Alright," she laughed, and stood up reaching out her hand to pull me off the bed. "Come on, walk me out would you?"
I nodded and followed Alice down the stairs, stopping directly behind her as she stood in the living room.
"Hi Charlie!" her sweet voice rang out. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm leaving!"
Charlie turned around in his recliner to face Alice, and I noticed that Billy was watching them out of the corner of his eye.
"Alright... Bye Alice, Thanks for stopping by! It was good seeing you again!"
"Thanks Charlie, It was good seeing you again as well!" Alice chimed, as she turned and made her way to the front door. She quickly stopped and winked at me as she spun around, flashing her eyes back to Charlie.
"Hey! I've got a great idea!" Alice chirped, feigning the notion. "Why don't you come stay the night with me Bella so we can play catch up! We'll even go shopping tomorrow if you want, after all... I didn't have a chance to buy you a present for graduation! Please!" she pleaded.
Alice had caught me off guard, I had assumed she wasn't going to ask after all. "I uh..." I turned to look at Charlie who was listening but remained glued to the television. "Do you mind Dad?" I asked, afraid of the answer.
Charlie waved his hand in the air as he answered. "Yep, go ahead...do what you do!" and went back to his game.
I turned and look at Alice in bewilderment, I was confused at Charlie's lack of concern. He wasn't usually like this, and it had me a bit worried.
Alice smiled in triumph. "Well, I'll be back shortly to pick you up!"
"Sure." I said, as I walked her out.
As soon as I shut the door behind me, Alice spun around and gave me a quick hug. "I'm so happy! We're going to have a lot of fun tonight catching up!" she pealed.
I laughed at her enthusiasm. Alice was always the firecracker of the bunch, the infinite busy body, she had always bounced around.
"Yes, I'm sure we'll have loads of fun!" I said, pretending to be excited. I was excited to see Alice, but my stomach turned at how my being at her house for the night would affect Edward. Not to mention seeing the rest of the family. This was going to be a kind of odd reunion in ways.
"Oh don't be a party pooper Bella!" Alice said, furrowing her brows feigning sadness, it was as if she could read my mind. "Edward will be just fine...he's a big boy!' she said reassuringly as she winked.
Just then, Alice turned and glanced towards the road. "Hmm.." she said, hesitating. "It seems you have a visitor coming."
I looked out to the road. "Who is it? Edward?" I asked, frantically.
"Nope" she said, popping her lips on the 'p'. "Edward doesn't stink!"
As soon as Alice spoke her last word, Jacob came around the corner on his motorcycle.
"Oh no," I said, dreading the confrontation that was about to happen.
I noticed that Jacob was eyeballing the Volvo with fury. "You better go Alice." I suggested.
Chapter End Notes: Thank you for reading!! Please don't forget to leave a review!! I appreciate all thoughts and opinions!! Thank You!! :)
Influence for this Chapter: Song 'I'm Out of My Mind' by James Blunt
Coming Up... Chapter 13 "Confrontation' Bella has her "talk" with Jacob...and spends the night with Alice...How will it all go?
