Ch. 20-Jacob Black

"Bella!" He yelled, oblivious to the tension. The 6 foot tall Quileute man-boy took two large steps and swooped me in a bone-crushing hug. I held my breath and bit my tongue to keep from crying out at the sudden pressure on my ribs. No need to inform the whole room about the injuries. "I missed you babe!" He swooped down to give me a sloppy and overly wet kiss on my cheek, which I wiped immediately.

"Gross Jake!" I wiped my hand on his jacket, laughing. "I missed you too." I beamed happily. A not so subtle cough from Carlisle popped my Jacob induced happy bubble when I remembered his 'no'. "Jake....Carlisle thinks this isn't the best time for me to be going out with you." I pouted teasingly, "He expects me to stay here and talk with them about some stuff.... " As expected, Jacob laughed.

"You? Talk.....seriously Bells? I know he's like your pops or something...but you need some quality Jake time!! Please Mr.....?" Jake looked down at me questioningly, having forgotten Carlisle's last name.

"Dr. Cullen" I whispered to him.

"Right, Please Doc? Renee hasn't let Bells come visit us for like 3 years!! Billy wants to see her, she could stay the night...and I'll bring her back tomorrow? I'll watch over her and stuff. Promise. We're having a bonfire tonight...and all the elders will be there, so we'll all have adult supervision. They'll be so happy and surprised. She's like....their favorite person ever!! It's not really even fair how much everyone down at the rez completely loves her!" He teasingly shoved me, and I shoved him back.

"It's because I'm the most awesome person they've ever met." I boasted.

"Yea...sure. You and I both know the real reason they like you so much....anyway we should get going, Harry and some of the elders will want to talk with you after Billy does." He gave me a pointed look, and I sighed.

"So....I promise not to do anything illegal or stupid or whatever. I'll be with the tribe the whole time...can I go?" I asked grudgingly. I've never had to ask to go somewhere before. This does really suck. Maybe I should go live with Billy....and just visit Carlisle sometime? It's a thought....worth looking in to.

"Bella....." Carlisle started, and it already sounded like a 'no'.

"Look! It's tribal stuff...I'll be with a ton of adults, and I haven't been able to see Jake or Billy in years. I miss them. And I don't feel like talking, so even if I don't go, that's not happening."

"2 am Bella."

"Can't I stay the night? Please?" I basically begged. "The meetings don't end until late, like really late, and all Jake has is the bike. I don't like riding late at night, when we're both going to be tired, and it'll probably be raining, like it always is. I have my own room at Billy's still...."

"Okay, Bella" he sighed, defeated. "Text me to let me know you're okay? And Jacob? You had better take care of her."

"Hey, I think the entire tribe would kill me if I let this one get hurt. Besides...Bella's my favorite cousin in the world!!"

"I'm your only cousin."

"Yea, yea. Let's go."

"Wait! I wanna introduce you. Guys...this is Jacob Black. He's my cousin....I used to live with him and Uncle Billy in La Push when I was little. Jake this is Carlisle and Esme Cullen, Alice Cullen, Jasper Hale, Emmett Cullen, Rosalie Hale, and Edward Cullen." He smiled at them all, and greeted them before tugging on my hand. I smiled up at him and went to give Edward one more kiss before leaving.

"I'll call you later tonight?" I said biting my lip.

"I'd be offended if you didn't Love." He chuckled at my nervousness.

"I love you" I whispered.

"Love you too Bella." He hugged me and smiled as I hopped on Jake's back and he carried me out to his motorcycle.