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Chapter 13 – Changes are good sometimes
Jacob took my hand in his. It felt warm and I snuggled up next to him as we walked down the sidewalk towards East Division Street towards the station.
"So, Bells I have to ask you something." Jacob said kind of low. I looked up at him as we strolled slowly down the street and smiled. My smile was met with a look of concern that was more then apparent on his face and it made my heartbeat shudder just a little.
"What?" Hearing a bit of frenzy in my voice that I hadn't meant to be there.
Jake stopped and turned to me, with my hand still in his. His nervously looked everywhere but at me. So, with my free hand I reached up and placed my hand on the side of his face and took a step closer. "Jake, what is it?" His eyes met mine and an uncontrollable tear leaked out of my eye and rolled down my cheek. I suddenly really didn't know if I wanted to hear what he was going to say.
"Bella, I know that we have something really special. We've known each other since we were in diapers practically and well last year we got closer, right." He again looked away and had a slight grin on his face. I heard him take a deep breath in and watched his chest rise with the intake of air and with a heavy sigh it deflated and he looked back at me. Reaching up he took my other hand in his and continued. "I don't want you to think that I expect you to just fall the place where we left off." My breathing seized.
"Wait, wait…hold on Bella." He said while squeezing my hands. After another deep breath he said. "It's just I think Alice is trying to get you to "Like" her brother." He paused for just a second, and I was stunned enough that I couldn't get a word out. "If you want or even if you think you want to see what happens, I wouldn't blame you Bella."
He started to speak and again and I pulled my hands away from his. "Jacob Black, are you crazy or are you just looking for an easy way out. Maybe I should have been asking you this exact thing yesterday because Andi seemed very at home when she came into the garage." I was trembling now and more tears were threatening to break through. "You know this isn't easy on me either. I want to stay in Forks; I don't want to go back to Phoenix or Florida for that matter. Staying here, and being close to Charlie and you are the only things that I've thought about for the past 6 months." I took a deep breath in and took a step closer to him. "Jacob, I know that we're just teenagers and our Dad's think we're just kids. I know that finding the person that you are supposed to be with is a life long journey for a lot of people. But I think that I've found my partner. I think that he's the boy that I would follow into the woods when I was 5 years old, even though I was told not to. That boy was the one that brushed my knees off when I fell and held my hand when I was being clumsy. He was my assistant chef during Mud Pie baking." I grinned at him and tears, happy ones spilled down my cheeks. "Jacob, your face is the first thing I picture in the mornings and the last one I think about at night before I fall asleep."
Jacob placed his index finger on my lips and shushed me from continuing my lunatic like babble in front of complete strangers that had stopped and stared at us. "Bells, I'm just saying…if you ever wanted to see where things might lead, I'd understand." The grin that had been subtle on his lips grew wider. "I won't be happy about it, and I might even stomp my feet like a 5 year old, but I want to know that we are together because we want to be, not because of some strange connection that we have together."
I took a step away from him again. Why was he saying these things? Andi. Andi came to mind. Anger rose in my throat, he was putting this all on me because of something stupid that Alice had insinuated, was he taking this opportunity to throw "an out", out there. Well, if that's what was going on, he'd have a fight on his hands. Shaking my head I looked him right in the eyes and said. "Jacob, maybe you are the one who needs to do some thinking." With that I turned on my heel and started to walk away from him. My feet had carried me about 4 or 5 steps when I felt two heavy, strong hands on my shoulders and I was spun around.
In front of me now was a Jacob that I hadn't seen before, his eyes were almost black. He hands squeezed my shoulders and pulled me into him. Warmth invaded my chest when mine met his and I suddenly remembered awkwardly that I was braless. If Jacob noticed he showed no signs of how our bodies were melding into one another. I felt his breathing become more rapid, and deep and then he lowering his face to mine. His look was so intense I felt that he was peering into my soul, then his lips crushed down on my own. He'd never kissed me like this, I wasn't sure if I liked it or not. After the initial shock though, we began to fight for dominance almost. Then compromising we the same rhythm and from those first hard kisses they became softer. The kisses were swift and allowed us quick breaths before one of us would meet the other again. All the while, one of Jacob's hands stayed on my shoulder the other wove its way up my neck to the base of my hair and he entwined his fingers in my braid. I allowed my hands to wrap around to his back where I felt the taught strength of his muscles. Sighing into him I broke our kiss and placed my head against his chest.
WOOP WOOP.
Being so caught up in each other, neither of us noticed as Charlie pulled up to the curb in his cruiser.
WOOP WOOP.
Once again the siren sounded and this time it was just enough to break us from our silent battle of wills. Then, I heard a car door open and slam forcefully.
"What the sam hell." Charlie said as his stepped up on the curb. Jacob took a quick step back but never really let go of me and looked shell shocked at him.
"Um, well sir…" he stuttered. This was the first time I'd heard the boy not be able to get his words out and I didn't blame him. "Bella and I, um… we were just heading…" then Jacob looked down the street and pointed a little.
"To find you." I finished. "The movie just let out a few minutes ago, and we were heading to find you, but you found us first." Charlie gave me a look that sent my cheeks to a crimson color almost immediately. Then I noticed the people that had stopped to stare at us slowly start to walk away.
"You two…" He pointed at each of us and then opened the cruiser's doors. "In the car. Now." Jacob's hands dropped from me and we didn't even look at each other. We walked over to the car. I got in the front passenger seat and Jacob sat down in the backseat. Charlie adjusted his gun belt and slammed Jacob's door first and then mine. He took a deep breath and I heard him say to those who were still watching. "Nothing to look at here. Move along." And waived them on their way.
"Jake…" I said nervously as I watched Charlie walk up and down the length of the cruiser before coming around the front and heading for the driver door.
"Bella…" He said from the backseat.
"Be still, be very very still. No sudden movements ok." I said and then couldn't help but giggle a little bit. I laughed when I felt a hard nudge against the back of my seat.
"No funny Bells, not funny at all, the man has a gun!" Jake said nervously.
Charlie got in and put his seatbelt on. He adjusted the rearview mirror and pointed it so he could see Jake. Starting the car he picked up the walkie and called in and said that he'd be out of the area for about an hour or so and he'd radio in when he was back. "Son, Bella, I think that we need to have a talk." With that said he headed out of Forks and towards La Push.
I didn't dare turn around to look at Jake, and didn't dare say anything. Fidgeting with my fingers kept me occupied as we traveled the 2 lane highway surrounded on both sides by high pine trees. About twenty minutes later Charlie pulled the cruiser into the Black's driveway. "You two wait here." Charlie got out and walked up to the door of the faded red house, it seemed like a second home to me more then my grandparent's house in Phoenix even did.
"What do you thinks going to happen." Jake said from the backseat. I shook my head not knowing.
We watched as Billy came to the door and Charlie went in taking his hat off as he passed through the doorway. The door stayed open and a few minutes later Charlie stepped out on the porch and waived at us to come inside. "Here we go." I said.
Jacob and I walked up to the house; my heart was beating so hard in my chest that I was sure they could see it through my shirt. Then I felt Jacob take my hand. Smiling I didn't even look at him, but we walked now stride in stride with each other and it didn't feel like we were going to our executions so much. We climbed the stairs to the house and Jacob paused so I could go in first. He might have been being a gentleman or a chicken and that's something I'd have to tease him unmercifully about later if we lived.
Charlie was standing next to Billy with a stern look on his face and Billy was looking at his hands, which were placed, in his lap.
"Dad." I started "Jacob and I, well…" Looking up at Jake I was hoping for some support and didn't really find any. He was standing looking straight ahead like he was in a military inspection or something. So I nudged him with my good arm.
Jacob cleared his throat. "Ok, well." He said while taking a small step towards them. "You see, Bella and I well, we like each other. We've been talking all year, well, since she was here last summer really." I could feel the nervous tension flow from his arm to mine and that's where things got a bit fuzzy.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Charlie…Dad. Ever since last year when Bella was back on Summer Break, we've been meaning to tell you something." I looked down at the hand holding mine and it seemed larger and more mature. Looking up from this hand, I saw a well muscled arm attached to a broad shoulder and that to a thick neck which led to my Jacob's beautiful face framed with short cropped black hair. Looking into his chocolate velvet eyes, I smiled into them. "Well, we've decided we're going to get married."
"Well I'll be damned." Charlie said. He popped up from the couch and crossed over to us. He patted Jacob on the back, and I was locked into a strong hug next. "I'm so happy Bells, every since you and Jake were little we all thought you'd be perfect for each other." Charlie released me from the hug and I crossed the room to where Billy sat. He was smiling but I could see a bit of concern on his face.
Kneeling next to him, I gave him a gentle hug. "I'm not taking him away from you Billy. We're staying close, I'm going to try and get a teaching job close by, and so we'll always be here for you." He smiled a bit more and I kissed him gently on the cheek.
"Bella, it's not that, it's just I wish his mother was here to see this." His eyes glistened with tears that had not fallen and he smiled and I smiled.
Then the fog lifted.
"And what are you smiling about Bella?" I heard Charlie say in a stern voice.
I blinked and looked at him, he didn't wear a face that looked happy at all. Glancing at Billy who was wearing a grin from ear to ear made me realize I'd missed something.
Then Jacob continued. "You must have known it would eventually happen, right." He was looking at my dad. "Charlie…" his paused and cleared his throat. "Mr. Swan, I really care about Bella, we've kind of bonded over the past year. You know I wouldn't ever do anything to hurt her." My brave Jacob never let his eyes wonder from the target that had become Charlie.
Billy was next. "Well, with these new happenings…we're going to have some new rules." He said still smiling but also shaking his head. "Charlie, what do you think?" He asked.
"Oh yea. Rules. Lot's of them." Charlie replied.
For the next 30 minutes the rules were put in place. Jacob and I were not allowed at either house alone without adult supervision. There would be no more overnight visits like happened on New Years Eve and texts would be monitored. We were reminded that we were still kids and we were expected keep the PDA down to a minimum. One of the last stipulations was that we were not allowed in each others rooms…unless the door was wide open and an adult was in within hearing range.
Charlie had to get back to work, so it was agreed that I could stay at the Black's house until his shift ended at 5:00 p.m. As he was leaving he asked me to come to the car with him. Jacob stood in the doorway and watched as I followed him down to the car.
"Bella, I wish you would have said something." Looking at me I saw the twinkle in his eye. "Finding out on the street of Forks is not how I would have wanted to find out that my only daughter is dating the son of one of my best friends.
Smiling up at him I said. "I know Dad, I'm sorry. We were really going to say something to you." "We ran into Alice and her brother at the movies, and something that Alice said upset Jake and we kind of had an argument and well that's when you drove up."
A smirk came across his face and he arched his eyebrow at me. "From what I saw there wasn't much arguing going on. By the way Bells, you are going to tell your mother." He finished up.
"Well, about that, there are some other things I want to talk to you about. I was going to wait a little while, but maybe we can talk tonight when you pick me up." Knowing that I needed to get his approval to stay, I figured it would be like killing two birds with one stone if I told her about Jacob and wanting to stay in the same conversation but that was something still in the works.
Nervously he agreed we'd talk later and left to return to patrols. I waived to him as he drove back down the street and out of site. Turning back towards the house I saw Jacob leaning against the doorway. His smile was warm and welcoming, but I knew we still had some difficult things to talk about. He was still that little boy that had been scarred and was afraid that the things he loved most in the world would all leave eventually. Having no intentions to leaving him was something that he needed to know and believe, that would come with time as well.
We spent the first hour and a half on the couch in full view of Billy. He seemed to be taking this parental supervision thing seriously. As time went on my arm started to throb a little and Jacob had gotten me some aspirin.
"So Bella, how'd you hurt yourself this time?" Billy asked.
Smiling weakly, I told him the story and left the part out about Jacob carrying me wrapped in a towel to my room and then helping me get dressed, even though he'd been a complete gentleman about it.
Billy fixed us some lunch and I we planted ourselves back on the couch. The day's events had caught up with me and as we sat and watched I Love Lucy reruns I started to nod off. Leaning into Jacob I fell asleep.
I'm not sure how long I had been sleeping when I was woken up but a knock at their door. When I did wake though, Jacob was no longer sitting next to me and I listened to Billy wheel himself through the house to the door. Trying not to eves drop but really it being unavoidable, I heard him say "Hey Andi, yes Jacob's back. He's in the garage working on the Rabbit." I couldn't make out what she said next but then I heard. "You should go on out there, I'm sure he'll be glad to see you."
My heart sank and I felt betrayed a little. We'd just stated to our Dad's that we were together and he's encouraging another girl to go visit Jacob in the garage. Was I going to be allowed in the garage alone with him, without stupid adult supervision? Well, we were going to find out.
As Billy wheeled himself back to the living room I stirred purposefully and then sat up on the couch. I rubbed my eyes and Billy asked. "How's your arm feeling Bella? Need some more aspirin?" Holding out the bottle to me, I shook my head no.
"No, Billy, it's feeling ok. Thank you though." Looking around I then asked innocently. "Where did Jacob go?" I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and looked straight at him.
"Oh well, he's out in the garage with Andi, would imagine they are working on the Rabbit." He smiled weakly at me. "Bella, Andi doesn't know a whole lot of people around here yet. She's doesn't mean any harm and well, Jacob thinks of her as another sister. You shouldn't be concerned about her, and it would be nice if you actually got to know her a bit." I silently agreed, even though every second that they were alone in that garage I didn't trust her as far as I could throw her.
"Do you mind if I go out there?" I asked politely.
"Nope, I don't think there is any harm in that. I trust you kids. You need to remember Bella; I've got two daughters, one that's getting married in a few weeks. Charlie, well he's only got you. Give him some time to get used to his baby girl having a boyfriend." He winked at me and then finished by saying. "Why don't you grab some soda's and head on out there? I know that all Jake has out there are warm ones."
"Thanks Billy, I will. I'll also try and be patient with Charlie too." Giving him a quick hug I headed for the kitchen to grab 3 sodas from the fridge and then went out the back door. As I headed for the garage I almost immediately heard feminine laughter coming from that direction and the hair on the back of my neck stood up.
As I stepped around to the large bay opening, I saw Jacob leaning into the engine compartment of the Rabbit. Without saying anything I stopped and watched as Andi leaned against the workbench and obviously was taking the opportunity to check out Jacob's ass. I felt my temperature rise about 10 degree's and though sister/brother my ass!
Clearing my throat I looked straight at her. Her head snapped up to meet my eyes and of course I must have startled her but she stumbled and took a step away from the bench towards me. "Jacob, Billy sent me out with some cold soda's. I said.
He leaned up from where he was look and smiled at me. "Thanks Bella!" and then jogged the few steps between us and took a Coke from my hands. I stepped a couple steps and held out a Sprite for Andi. She took it and mumbled a thank you to me and then went back to leaning against the workbench.
The static in the air couldn't be missed by anyone but apparently Jacob.
"So what are you working on?" I asked following Jacob back to the Rabbit. He pulled out a lawn chair and offered me a seat. For the next few minutes he described how the alternator was shot and he was going to take it out and rebuilt it himself, then he'd hoped he could get the radio going at least.
Over the next hour or so I watched how Andi handed Jacob the tools he asked for and got it right every time. Occasionally I'd see a look in her eyes that told me I'd better be watching closely.
Then finally she asked. "So, Bella how long are you going to be in Forks this summer?" She tried to innocently add a smile on the question.
"Well, actually I'm going to probably start school here in the fall." I smiled just as innocently back at her and hers instantly faded.
"Oh." Was her only response. She looked down at the ground and shuffled her feet a little and then went over to Jacob and put her hand on his shoulder. Andi was touching my Jacob and she knew exactly what she was doing. "Well Jake, I'm going to get going home now. It was good to see you, we'll have to hang out soon ok." He turned to her and smiled.
"Sure Andi, you know you are welcome anytime right… you're my right hand out here." She then stepped towards him and hugged him tight to her. I noticed that his hands never came in contact with her and of course I wondered if it was because he was shocked or had grease on them that he didn't really hug her back.
"Good to see you again Bella. Have a nice vacation." She walked past me swaying a little bit more then previous times she'd moved. I didn't give her any response what so ever. The girl was trouble I could feel it in my bones.
After Andi left, Jacob washed his hands with mechanics soap and came over and knelt in front of my lawn chair. "So Bells, do you think I handled our Dad's ok today." His smile warmed my heart and I nodded.
"Jacob, I'm sorry about earlier. Really I'll talk to Alice, I should have said something to her before, and I just didn't want to hurt her feelings." Wrapping my arms around his neck I drew him into my embrace. As I buried my face into his shoulder I heard him say.
"Bella, I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have reacted the way I did. But really, if something does happen to change how we feel, we need to be open with each other, ok." I couldn't muster up a verbal or non-verbal response to that, I just held on tighter to him.
Rain started dropping on the tin roof of the garage and Jacob pulled away from me just a bit so we were face to face. This time I leaned up to meet his lips with mine. Taking his bottom lip in-between mine I tasted him and then hungrily asked for more. Slowly I teased his lips with my tongue and he opened his lips to mine. Turning our head sideways our tongues danced with each others and our breaths mingled. Not even consciously my hands dug into his shoulders and my knees parted just enough that Jacob positioned himself in between them.
The air was moist now because of the rain that continued to fall outside. Jakes arms wrapped around my waist and I could feel his body leaning into mine as our kisses grew in length. He pulled away in a moment and we found ourselves out of breath. He took my face in his hands and the feel of his rough skin on me made breathing even more of a task then it had been before.
Placing a single kiss on the side of my neck he scooted himself back a bit. "Bella, wow. We're going to have to slow down. You have this crazy effect on me and well, right now we're allowed the garage with out one of our dad's keeping their eye on us…but if we keep that up, and someone see's us, we won't even have that." And with that he winked at me, gave me one last kiss and stood up, resting his hands on the arms of my chair and hovering above me. "Plus as soon as I get this alternator rebuilt we'll have music…and then I'm going to show you the backseat of the Rabbit." He winked at me and chastely gave me another kiss on the lips.
Before he could pull back I held his face to mine. "I'm going to hold you to that Jacob Black." Smiling I let him go back to his work and finally go to appreciate the view that Andi had been enjoying all too much when I'd come out to the garage.