Babies, Babies, Babies

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N-thanks for the kind reviews, Nikki.

Part Twenty

"You were great in there." Jacob said to Bella as they both sat out on the front porch and watched the sun go down. The sky was a blaze of red above them as day gave over to night. There was a cool breeze blowing and it blew tendrils of Bella's hair out of her loose braid. Her brown eyes had a wistful light in them as she stared out at the horizon. Her pale skin appeared almost translucent. Captured against the stunning backdrop of the sunset Jacob thought she had never looked so beautiful. He reached across and caught hold of her hand, entwining his fingers with hers. She turned to glance at him and smiled but she still seemed far away and he wondered whether she had even heard him. "You okay?" He asked instead.

"Yeah, I was just thinking how stunningly beautiful it is here. I can't imagine why anyone would want to leave." Bella smiled at him again.

"You're stunningly beautiful." Jacob grinned as he leaned close and kissed her softly on the lips.

"Charmer." Bella laughed softly as she kissed him back. They were interrupted by Charlie and Sue as they came out of the house. They both sighed at the same time as their peaceful interlude came to an abrupt end.

"Ready to go, Bells." Charlie asked, he was smirking, well aware of what he had interrupted. "Sue is going to stay on here and get the children ready in the morning…."

"If you could come by at eight then that will give me enough time to leave for work." Sue interjected.

"What are you finishing each other's sentences now?" Jacob teased. "That is so adorable." He felt Bella nudge him in the side but he could see that Sue and Charlie weren't offended. In fact he was quite sure that the normally cool and in control Sue Clearwater was blushing a little.

"Enough of that now." Charlie blustered as he kissed Sue on the cheek and began to leave. "Say your goodbyes, Bells." He called over his shoulder.

"I'll be here at eight." Bella assured Sue, who nodded in response as she headed into the house. She then turned her attention to Jacob who was leaning down to kiss her again, but the sound of Charlie's horn stopped them.

"I hate your dad right now." Jacob said to Bella as he glared across at Charlie.

"Feeling's mutual, son." Charlie called out with a big grin on his face.

"I'll see you tomorrow." Bella rolled her eyes at her dad.

"Seth will be on watch tonight. You know just in case you get any late night visitors. I have to patrol." Jacob whispered to her as she began to leave. Bella nodded and waved to him as she climbed into the cruiser with Charlie.

It was a quiet night. Even the normal sound of the wildlife going about its nightly business seemed muted. The sky was clear and awash with stars. The moon was like a large round disc lighting the way. Jacob thought he could almost touch it if he reached high enough. He was glad he was out running alone. It gave him time to think in peace without his brothers listening. His head was mostly filled with Bella, but underneath was the worry over what was coming in the future. It was mixed with elation at the thought that Bella had essentially committed her future to him and his family. Her passionate declaration that she was always going to be there for Jet and baby Marlon proved it. He had never seen her so determined. It was his sister Rachel who was upsetting things. She was still pushing Paul away which was causing his pack brother untold agony and she appeared to be ready to flee just like her twin. Who knew what damage that would do to Paul?

All Jacob could hope was that Rachel came to her senses after she really took time to think how her actions were impacting on others. She was stronger than Rebecca who had always been very selfish and flighty. Just because she was imprinted with Paul did not mean she couldn't pursue her ambition to be a doctor, in fact if anything it could be just what the reservation needed, a medical practitioner in the know about the pack. They were vulnerable without anyone being able to treat them on the rare times their injuries were life threatening, if Rachel achieved her ambition than it could benefit them all.

"Is that Alice's car?" Charlie glanced at his daughter as he parked behind a yellow Porsche with tinted windows. The vehicle was so bright it almost seemed to be glowing in the dark. Bella sighed heavily as she unbuckled her seat belt and climbed out of the cruiser. Almost instantly Alice appeared out of the gloom. She skipped over to Bella and embraced her before she had a chance to react, before turning her attention to Charlie. She gave him a bright smile which flattered him immediately. Out of all the Cullen's, Charlie always said he liked Alice the best. "Hello, Alice." He greeted her.

"Hello, Charlie." Alice said smoothly as she linked arms with a reluctant Bella. "I am so sorry to intrude at this late hour but I have missed Bella and hoped it would be alright if I had some girl talk." She actually fluttered her eyelashes at the older man as she tried to charm him.

"Your brother isn't here, is he?" Charlie frowned as he scanned the immediate area.

"No it's just me." Alice smiled ingratiatingly again.

"Well as you are already here I suppose you two could catch up, but don't make it a late night." Charlie opened the front door and headed inside.

Thus far Bella had remained silent as she tried to work out exactly what Alice was up to. She had been ignoring Alice's texts and voice messages. She knew that Edward's sister would be upset and would try to defend him but Bella felt she couldn't face her right now, but once again she had been ambushed. She pulled her arm away from Alice and stepped back. "What are you doing here?" She whispered fiercely. "Seth is nearby."

"Well he was." Alice smiled, showing off her perfectly even white teeth. She wrinkled up her pert nose as if she could smell something foul. "Jasper is giving him the run around although I can still smell him. The dogs have such a strong odour."

"Jake is patrolling. He will see through Seth's mind what is happening." Bella snapped.

"Maybe so, but by then we will be safely out of harm's way." Alice turned her head to one side as she studied Bella. "I've missed my sister." She confessed softly. "We all miss you, Bella, especially Edward. He is distraught without you. We are all worried about him. We all think it would do him good if you could perhaps just speak to him, reassure him that this separation is just temporary…"

"But it isn't." Bella said in frustration. "It is over between us. He betrayed my trust too many times. I couldn't let it go on any longer. Please respect my decision."

"But you forget I can see your future Bella." Alice's brow furrowed and her playful demeanour became serious.

"Still?" Bella shook her head in disbelief. "I have been with Jake. How can you see anything?"

"There have been times when you have been alone. I see glimpses, vague images." Alice put her hands on Bella's shoulders, making her flinch as the cold infected her skin through the thin jacket she was wearing. She wondered how she had stood it before.

"What have you seen?" Bella demanded. She was getting anxious now. Her brown eyes roamed Alice's face as she tried to guess what was going on in the petite vampire's head.

"I see you with Edward." Alice whispered. Her golden eyes became unfocused as if a vision was unfurling in her mind's eye right at that moment. "I see you together, you are in his room, you are…." She stopped talking suddenly as an embarrassed smile crossed her lips. Her eyes came back into focus. "I really don't need to see the rest."

"Alice what the hell are you inferring?" Bella pushed Alice's hands from her shoulders. She couldn't stand the cold any longer.

"I think you know." Alice smiled again as she touched Bella's cheek with her fingers. Bella shivered. "Come, talk to Edward, please?"

Bella knew she had to bolt. She didn't want to listen to Alice any more. In fact she felt a little afraid of her; she would never have admitted that before. It was like the fear she should have felt toward the Cullen's because of what they were was only now making itself known. Bella backed away from Alice and then tried to run toward the house, although she knew in her head it was futile. If Alice wanted to kidnap her she could easily do so. But Bella reached the house easily, no one stopped her. She glanced over her shoulder to see Alice standing rigid at the end of the drive. Her eyes were unfocused again and she was frowning. Bella watched her in confusion for a moment before she saw Alice suddenly spring to life. Within a flash she was back in her yellow Porsche and speeding off down the road.

"Bella!" Jacob came darting out of the forest on the side of the road. His eyes were wild as he searched for her. She called out to him and he hurried to her side. His limbs were shaking and he seemed to be having trouble stopping himself shifting. "What was the pixie doing here?"

Bella slipped her arms around his waist and put her head on his chest. The thundering beat of his heart soothed her frazzled nerves. She felt him pull her closer as he wrapped his arms around her tightly until there was not an inch of space between them. "She wanted me to talk to Edward…"

"Dammit." Jacob cursed.

"She's gone now. I think she got the message." Bella didn't really believe that but she didn't want to worry Jacob. He had enough on his plate already, the last thing he needed was more added pressure. No, she would wait and contact Rosalie first to try and find out the truth about what was happening with Edward.

"Why can't that family leave you alone?" Jacob stroked her hair back from her face as he gazed into her eyes. His whole face showed his anxiety and worry.

Bella hated seeing him look that way. "Hey, it's fine. I'm fine. Alice wanted to say her piece but it's over now. She's gone." She tried to reassure him but could see it was having little effect. "Jake, please it's okay."

"No, it's not. I'm going to stay around this area tonight. From tomorrow I am going to make sure that when you are in Forks that you are well guarded."

"The pack won't want that pressure, Jake. They've only just started getting their lives back. I don't want to cause more trouble." Bella pleaded with him but he wouldn't be swayed.

"You are one of us, Bells. We protect our own." He stated firmly. "If I could keep you in La Push I would but I know Charlie won't go for that. So this is the way it has to be."

A/N-thanks for reading!