I of course own no part of Twilight or any of Stephenie Meyer's wonderful characters...
Chapter 14
The very first thing I noticed was the smell… that salty, rusty, coppery scent that made my stomach cringe and churn. Then I noticed the searing pain that ran from my wrist to the bend of my elbow. That's when I saw the blood. There was so much of it; it was all over the floor around me, as well as all over me. I heard a blood-curdling growl and turned my head to see… Jasper? I started to smile at him, Jasper Hale was crouched down not twenty feet away from me, but there was something different about him, something… very wrong. Another noise from the other side of the room caused me to jerk my head away from Jasper. I heard him before I saw him…
"Jasper, NO!" the velvety sweet voice warned. How I had once yearned to hear that melodic velvety voice again... Edward. He was in the shadows; I couldn't make out more than his silhouette. Even as he stepped closer, approaching me slowly, carefully, his arms stretched out in front of him, hands up toward Jasper, I couldn't see his face clearly. He was trying to position himself between Jasper and I; Jasper growled again and as I turned to look at him, this time noticing the 'Happy Birthday Bella' banner hanging overhead, he sprung at me, there was a second growl and I screamed.
I jolted from my bed soaked in sweat, my fists full of sheet and feeling the scream about to escape my lips. I fell back against my pillow gasping for air and trying to calm myself. Only a dream… Only a dream… I chanted to myself. The digital display on my nightstand said it was 5:03, so I flipped off the alarm and got out of bed. I grabbed my things and headed to the bathroom hoping a warm shower might help me wash the nightmare away.
When I got out of the shower and was dressed for the day, I headed downstairs to find Charlie already sitting at the kitchen table reading the morning paper, drinking a cup of coffee and chewing on a bagel. He smiled as I entered, "Good morning birthday girl!" he said warmly.
I froze, and my mind went to the dream as my eyes went to the calendar. It was my birthday, and I hadn't even realized it, at least not consciously – apparently my subconscious had picked up on the fact.
"Nineteen huh?" Charlie was saying as I was brought back to reality.
I just smiled at him and grabbed myself a cup of coffee as he stood and started getting ready to head in to the station.
"Any big birthday plans today?" he asked. "I figured I'd order pizza, so you don't have to cook."
"Thanks dad," I smiled at the gesture. "No, I don't really have any plans. Jake's coming over to hang out after school, but that's all."
Charlie nodded as he put his gun belt on and slipped into his coat. "Well you have a Happy Birthday Bells," he said giving me a gruff peck on the cheek as he walked out and got in his cruiser.
I finished getting ready for school and curled up on the couch planning on reading another chapter or two in 'Wuthering Heights' before time to leave. I found however, that I couldn't focus on the pages in front of me. My thoughts instead kept returning to the dream; I couldn't believe it had been a year since that near fatal party. I wondered where they all were. I hoped Jasper had forgiven himself. I hoped they were at least together, wherever they were. My chest tightened as I thought about them; I missed them all so very much.
I grabbed my bag and shoved my tattered novel inside it before shutting off the lights and heading out the door. The sky was gray and full of clouds as I stumbled off my front porch and out to my ancient truck. I was silently praying to get through the day without anyone at school realizing that it was my birthday when I pulled into the student parking lot.
When the last bell rang I couldn't wait to get out of there. The day had been pretty uneventful. The only one to make mention of my birthday was Angela, and she knows that I don't like the fuss, so she just smiled at me and quietly slipped me a card as we were leaving the cafeteria. The card was signed by her and Ben and had two movie passes and a gift card to the restaurant we frequented in Port Angeles inside. I hugged them both and thanked them when I saw them before sixth period.
I hurried to my truck and tossed my things inside pulling myself up and in after. I had spent the majority of the day thinking about the Cullens, well most of them.
I was surprised when I arrived home to find the cruiser in the driveway and Jacob's Rabbit parked behind it. There was a truck parked nearby also that I didn't recognize. Jacob must have heard me pull up because I had no more than registered that he was there when he was pulling me out of the truck and into his warm embrace. I squealed as he spun me around the yard in his arms, "Jake!" trying unsuccessfully to keep the laughter out of my voice.
He put me down and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. I teetered, dizzy from his spinning and he pulled me closer to him chuckling. He kicked the truck door closed and led me toward the house. Right outside the door he stopped short and pulled me into his arms, I watched his eyes turn to dark pools as he leaned his head down into mine. My breath caught as his lips touched mine. I wound my arms around his neck and pressed into him, catching him off balance and pushing him up against the front of the house. Jacob groaned softly into my mouth and held me tighter still. He finally broke the kiss and gently pulled me off him.
His breath was ragged and his grin was cocky when he spoke after a moment, "Damn Bells," he ran his fingers through his shaggy dark locks, "gonna rape me in front of your own house? And with the Chief sittin' right inside no less?" he chuckled softly.
I felt my face flush, which of course only made Jacob laugh outright. I didn't know what had come over me. Charlie could have opened that door any time… It was Jacob's fault. He just… had that effect on me. Sometimes when I kissed him or even just looked into his eyes it was like everything else disappeared. I chewed my bottom lip nervously and tried to catch his expression from behind the veil of my hair. He was still grinning that incredibly annoying, albeit sexy, cocky grin of his. Suddenly feeling indignant, I turned from him and stomped back to my truck to retrieve my keys and bag. I tried to stomp past him and into the house but he wouldn't let me.
"Jacob Black you get out of my way," I demanded.
He pretended not to hear me. He was leaning casually against the front of the house with one big strong arm held out blocking my path into the house. His hair was hanging loose to his shoulders, and his T-shirt seemed molded to the chiseled flesh beneath it. He caught my wandering gaze and chuckled again.
"Jacob!" I snapped harshly, "I am not playing with you. Get. Out. Of. My. Way!"
"Or?" he asked expectantly still battling laughter.
I realized I had nothing to threaten him with; he was bigger, stronger, and faster than me. He saw my shoulders slump and knew he had called my bluff. He laughed again and draped his arm around my shoulder. As we were stepping into the house he said, "You know, you really shouldn't be so mean and grumpy on your birthday." I froze.
Just then there was a chorus of "Happy Birthday Bellas". I gasped and spun around to see Charlie, Billy, Sam, Emily, Embry, Quil, Paul, and Jared all smiling happily. I turned to look at Jacob, and his sheepish lopsided grin made his guilt evident, he leaned down to brush my cheek with his lips as he whispered "happy birthday."
"You did this." I sighed shaking my head; it wasn't really a question.
"It was my idea," he admitted, "but Charlie called everybody and Emily made the cake, I just showed up." He paused a second and added, "You didn't really think we'd let your birthday pass by without acknowledging it did you? I can't believe you're not more excited."
I rolled my eyes and went into the kitchen to hug and greet the others. True to his word Charlie had brought pizza for dinner, which disappeared so fast that he thought he had misplaced one. He's obviously not used to feeding the pack… I thought to myself and laughed.
The cake was absolutely beautiful, and of course delicious. It was three tiers of chocolate decadence, iced pink with tiny red and white roses trimming the edges. The number '19' was piped repetitively around the sides of the bottom two tiers in white. While the top tier had 'Bella' piped in white twice separated on either side by more of the tiny roses. On top she had scribed 'Happy 19th Birthday Bella' and there were two candles a '1' and a '9'. I couldn't believe Emily had made it herself, and I expressed as much to her as I thanked her with my mouth full of cake and Jake's arm around my shoulder.
After overindulging on Emily's cake Jacob led me to a chair by the kitchen table that had been shoved to the side to make more room. I noticed for the millionth time just how big Jake and his all friends really were; the house was a little cramped under the strain of them. No one seemed to notice though, there were chairs in the corners; Charlie's chair had been pulled in closer. Quil and Embry were on the floor near the sink, Sam sat in one of the kitchen chairs near them and he pulled Emily gently onto his knee. Billy's wheelchair was in the doorway near Charlie's chair they were both smiling warmly. Paul and Jared were sneaking more cake while everybody else was distracted.
"Now for the good stuff," Jacob whispered mischievously as he pulled the chair out and gestured toward the table. I don't know how I hadn't noticed it before, but there were several wrapped packages on the table. I groaned inwardly. "Be a sport Bells," he warned as though reading my mind, and winked.
Jacob sat down in the chair and pulled me onto his lap. Right in front of Charlie! I flushed fiercely and cringed, just waiting to hear Charlie start yelling. …Or at least cough or clear his throat… I chanced a glance in Charlie's direction and he was actually grinning at me as he sat talking with Billy. I felt Jacob chuckling at my reaction and felt myself flush further as I noticed that several of the others seemed amused as well.
Jacob grabbed the gifts one at a time and announced who they were from, before giving them to me to unwrap. Emily gave me a beautiful hand bound book of recipes that she said she just knew I would enjoy. Some of them were things we had prepared together at her house. "You made this?" I asked, looking at the intricately designed cover incredulously. She nodded. "You are amazing Emily… absolutely amazing."
It was her turn to blush as Sam wrapped his arms around her and agreed with me.
Charlie gave me a leather-bound set of books called, 'The Great American Classics'. Renee sent me a card with a gift card inside and instructed me to use it to buy more stuff for my scrapbook. She also sent me a copy of her favorite classical music CD. Embry and Quil gave me a T-shirt; it was blue and had a big wolf head on the front. Quil laughed as he pointed out where they'd had the words 'I run with wolves' airbrushed on the back.
Once we had opened all the packages on the table, Jacob plucked me up from his lap and placed me down on my feet in front of him as he stood up and reached into his pocket. He withdrew a small cloth bag with a drawstring closure and handed it to me. "I um kinda made it myself," he muttered looking at his feet.
"It's beautiful!" I said looking at the colorful little bag and wondering why he seemed so… awkward? …Self-conscious?
He smirked, "the present's inside the bag Bella…"
"Oh!" I felt silly. I pulled at the strings and opened the bag. I turned it on its side allowing the contents to slide out into the palm of my other hand; and there was a beautiful silver bracelet with a wooden charm dangling from it.
"I made the charm," he explained, "but I bought the bracelet."
I pulled the bracelet up to examine the charm more closely. "Oh Jake," I whispered in awe, "it really is gorgeous! You made this?" The charm was a tiny howling wolf, the detail was amazing – you could see its teeth and the lines from the fur.
"Just something Billy taught me, he's a lot better at it," he said. His eyes met mine and his face brightened immediately. "You really like it?" He asked taking it from me and fastening it around my wrist as I nodded.
"I love it!" I assured him, and I really did. I stood on my tiptoes and wrapped my arms around his neck. He lifted me gently and I kissed his cheek. "Thank you." I said sincerely. "Now put me down!" I urged a little more loudly.
He chuckled again but complied without a fuss.
Soon afterward everyone started leaving. Jacob stepped out into the front yard to say goodbye to Quil and Embry as I was taking my gifts up to my bedroom. They had helped move the furniture back before heading out. Emily had helped me clean up before she left with Sam. Charlie was sitting in front of the TV still talking to Billy. I decided to go ahead and take a shower while Jacob spoke with his friends.
I showered quickly and had just finished brushing my teeth when I heard Jacob come back inside. I heard him on the steps and met him inside my room. He took in my wet hair and pajamas and smiled mischievously.
"Hmmm… Looks like I should've got back in here a few minutes ago." He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me gruffly to him.
I giggled and swatted at him playfully. He squeezed me tighter and lifted me off the ground. My heart skipped a beat and without thinking I wrapped my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. Jacob brought his lips crushing down on mine hungrily, almost brutally. My fingers twisted up in his hair and I pulled it gently as I returned his kiss with just as much hunger.
The sound of Charlie shuffling around in the kitchen jolted us back to reality. When we parted we were both gasping for air. How could I do that with Charlie right downstairs? Jacob's ability to make the rest of the world fade away is going to end up getting me in trouble… I thought to myself while trying to calm my breathing.
"I gotta go… Billy's waiting, " Jacob said still sounding pretty breathless himself. "I'll call you tomorrow." He leaned in for a chaste kiss, "Happy birthday Bells," he smiled and left.
I heard him tell Charlie goodnight before the sound of the door closing. A minute later I heard Billy's voice call a final happy birthday toward my open window before Jacob helped him out of his chair and into the car.
I watched them pull away from my window. When they were out of sight I flipped off my light and slid under my quilt smiling. I couldn't help thinking about how much better this birthday turned out compared to the last one; and it was ultimately all because of Jacob Black. Not so much as a paper cut, much less any vampire attacks to survive. I fell asleep quickly and without any fear of nightmares.