Chapter 13

"Hey Bells, been a while," Charlie said. I told him that I would be going to Dartmouth this fall. He thought it was a good idea since he hadn't really gotten a degree. Jacob and Billy were there watching a game on the flat screen TV; that wasn't surprising really.

Nessie played with Jake and Charlie and Billy a little, believe it or not. But she got along with everyone so there wasn't a problem with being comfortable around each other. I cooked but ate little—since I didn't have to eat I was just acting. I made some lasagna, but it tasted like dirt. I'd probably cough it up sometime later, maybe.

I snuck off to my old room—still decorated the same since I moved out. I grabbed some books I left behind and a few CDs I wanted to listen to. I found the Linkin' Park CD that Phil gave me. I pulled up the window and someone grabbed my wrist firmly.

It couldn't be Charlie or Billy, obviously, and the grasp was too tight to be Edward. It spoke, Jacob spoke. "Going somewhere?"

"Just to the car to put these away," I held up my burden as evidence.

"You're comin' in this way?"

"Duh! I can't have gone upstairs then somehow appear at the front door. Charlie doesn't know everything."

He nodded thoughtfully and I leaped out of the window and ran. I went to the car and opened the back door. I placed the books and CDs on the seat next to Nessie's car seat. I turned around and darted for my window. Climbing walls was fun. I made my way back to my room where Jacob was waiting, sitting in the rocking chair, this gave me Déjà vu.

He got up and walked over to me. His hands were on my shoulders, "Now please don't punch me. You're a lot stronger than last time so…" he trailed off. He leaned in and my stomach knotted—I was relieved that I wouldn't have to worry about nausea. I would do what he wanted and get it over with; I would punch him later.

His hot lips touched mine—ice cold. He was on fire where ever he touched me. I moved my lips with his, hoping that this is what he wanted. I decided to give him a bonus so I locked my arms around his neck to pull me closer.

His hand lifted the fabric at my waist slightly; a different, cooler grasp pulled me away. The feel and smell was familiar; Edward. I was relieved that I was not the one to end it. He looked at me then at Jacob, I swore I had an innocent look on my face—I didn't want to kiss Jacob.

I went into the hall and they followed, I straightened myself up before I went down stairs so no evidence from the last minute or so were visible. They were quiet until it was time to leave. I kissed Charlie on the cheek and waved at Billy. I carried Renesmee and Jake followed us to my car. I settled Nessie in and went to face the conversation that would follow the embarrassing incident in my old room where both of them had been with me prior to today.

"What were you thinking kissing her?!" Edward growled. "She's married, remember? You were there! You were pulled off of her and dragged away by your fellow dogs!" His jaw clenched with an audible snap.

"Listen," Jacob had his hands up, cautioning. "I'm sorry; Edward, but we do love each other—"

I cut him off. "It's different Jacob! It's a different!"

"I know, now can I finish?" He paused. "I don't want to lose you or Nessie, I love you both. And that time with the newborns… it' didn't seem very real. This time it was harder, sort of… I mean because of the smell." He stopped to focus on Edward. I looked at him, he was tense. I grabbed his arm with one hand and stroked it with the other.

He acknowledged that and relaxed slightly. "This is the second time you've been harassed by men recently." He hesitated. "I need to know…" he sighed and continued; this seemed like a hard topic for him. "Did… you… enjoy it?" he said the words slowly.

"No," I really wasn't sure. I reached up to kiss him. I stood there inhaling his sweet breath as our lips moved in sync. Jacob made a gagging sound—I guess he didn't like to see PDA, but he did like to participate in it. "But that I did enjoy." It didn't help much, but a smile was playing on the corners of his mouth. His jaw relaxed as he came out of his minor crouch.

I looked up to see Charlie and Billy staring at us through the window. I felt like I would blush, but my dead heart ensured that my cheeks wouldn't be flushed. I refocused on the arguing men before me. They were still fighting about me but more reasonably—sort of.

"…Look I didn't mean it, I'm sorry," Jacob was saying.

"You're how old, sixteen? Your hormones are raging; your mind is screaming fantasies constantly! The girl you truly love isn't old enough to date and the other girl you love it married. It would be funny when she looks your age and she's really only five and you get thrown in jail."

I giggled then was silent, seeing Jacob's expression. "I could hurt you, you know. But then your neck might snap." I told him. He took a step back.

"I'm sorry, Bella. But you might pack up and leave any second, and I wouldn't get a chance to do that again. I might not even get a chance to say goodbye."

I thought that through. He did have a point. I looked at Edward who was staring at me. "You ready to go home?"

"Yes." He sighed. He opened the door on the driver's side, I got in. As he crossed the front of the car I saw him glowering at Jacob. Jacob was trembling, our signal to get out. Edward climbed in quickly and slammed the door and I sped away, tires screeching against the asphalt.

At the turn on the corner I saw Jake a lot bigger and fabric was strewn across Charlie's front yard. Jacob ran into the forest, most likely to calm himself. "Forget about it," Edward's voice was rigid and cold. I wanted to ask but I thought better of it and kept my mouth shut as we drove back to the Cullen house.