Jacob Moves In
Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to SM.
A/N-thank you for the kind reviews!
Chapter Twenty One
Jacob reported a couple of days later that Leah's attitude was beginning to change. "Your talk really hit home." He confided to Bella. "She actually sought Sam and Emily out herself and finally made peace with them."
"Really?" Bella couldn't stop the pleased smile from crossing her face. It felt good to know that her advice had actually had an impact and helped someone.
"Yep." Jacob had a similar smile of his own. He was so proud of Bella. None of them had been able to deal with Leah's bitter emotions. In the end they had simply chosen to ignore it, which wasn't the ideal solution when they were all sharing head space. "The three of them are never gonna be super close or anything but at least Lee is willing to move on from her heartache."
"Good for her." Bella was feeling buoyant with happiness. For the first time in a long time things were going her way. It was easy to forget that she still had a vengeful redhead intent on revenge. She had been living in a bubble ever since Jacob had moved in. Life had felt normal and she had been revelling in it. "I think we should celebrate." She suggested suddenly.
"I like the sound of that." Jacob agreed. Bella was glowing. He thought she looked more beautiful than ever. He loved seeing her becoming more confident with each passing day. "What do you have in mind?"
"What about a picnic?" Bella continued eagerly. "Our dad's are spending the day fishing so I thought you and I could take advantage and head out to the beach with some food."
"Awesome." Jacob couldn't stop grinning. It felt like a date. He was sure that was Bella's intent even if she wasn't voicing the words out loud. "What can I do to help?"
"You are going to do nothing." Bella began to usher him out of the kitchen. "You rest for a change, Jake. I'll call you when I'm done."
It was a glorious sunny day. A rarity in Forks. They loaded the picnic in the back of Bella's old Chevy and took a lazy drive to La Push. Bella allowed Jacob to drive her precious truck while she kicked back and relaxed. She had her feet up on the dash as she looked out at the beautiful scenery passing by. "It really is beautiful here." She breathed. "I just never took the time to appreciate it before."
"Yeah." Jacob couldn't help but agree.
Life was so hectic that none of them had any time just to stop and admire the natural beauty surrounding them. First beach, the northernmost beach, was around fifteen miles from Forks. It was the only beach that could be accessed with a vehicle. The crescent shaped beach was famous for bringing in driftwood which made it dangerous to stand in the water. One spot in particular was special to Jacob and Bella, and this was where they headed once they had parked the Old Chevy. The old driftwood log stood proudly on the beach. It's wood had long ago been bleached out by the fierce winds and salt spray from the ocean.
"It feels like forever since we were last here." Bella declared as she kicked off her sneakers and let her toes sink into the soft sand. She closed her eyes and raised her face to the sky. She could feel the sun on her skin and the salt on her lips. She breathed in the sea air, letting it fill her lungs.
Jacob was hunkered down, spreading out the picnic blanket. He paused to watch her. Her long, shiny brown hair was hanging loose around her shoulders. The silky strands blazed red in the sun. He admired the smattering of freckles across Bella's nose. Her thick lashes settled softly on her cheeks as she kept her eyes closed and let the heat kiss her skin. She was so beautiful. Jacob had to fight the urge to scoop her up into his arms and kiss her delectable lips.
"I've sure missed this place." He said huskily instead.
"Me too." Bella opened her eyes again and turned to him, smiling.
Jacob squinted up at her as the sun got in his eyes. "I'll start unpacking the picnic."
"Okay." Bella settled down on the blanket, curling her legs underneath her. She was feeling very calm and relaxed. "Wouldn't it be great if life could be like this all the time."
"Uh huh." Jacob emptied the basket and spread the containers of food across the blanket. He was surprised to pull out a bottle of red wine. He looked toward Bella, eyebrows raised.
"Why not?" Bella teased. "I found it in the back of the cupboard and it just called to me."
"Do you remember the last time you drank some of this wine?" Jacob reminded her.
"I won't need the Black's miracle cure this time. It's only one bottle and you're gonna be helping me drink it." Bella pointed out. She produced two plastic cups from the basket and held them out to Jacob. "Go on pop the cork. I'm thirsty."
"Well you said this was a celebration." Jacob conceded as he opened the bottle and poured two generous amounts into the plastic cups.
"Here's to us." Bella raised her cup in a toast. There was an enigmatic expression on her pretty face. Jacob wasn't sure how to read her. He raised his own cup and bumped it against hers. Bella smiled before taking a sip. "This is nice."
"Sure." Jacob drank a generous amount and smacked his lips together playfully. "Charlie has good taste."
"I think the wine was a gift." Bella said casually. "Dad is more of a beer drinker."
"Yeah, just like my old man." Jacob refilled his cup. He was already eyeing the food. His keen sense of smell was making his mouth water.
Bella noticed and laughed quietly. "Go ahead, Jake. Tuck in."
Jacob chuckled, partly in embarrassment. His stomach rumbled right on cue. Bella knew him too well.
When the picnic was over Jacob and Bella settled back against the driftwood log enjoying the last of the wine. In the distance they could see other people dotted along the beach. Some were walking their dogs. Others had young children with them.
Jacob noticed Bella watching the kids intently. He wondered what was passing through her mind. She looked thoughtful. "Are you okay, Bells?" He asked cautiously.
Bella tore her eyes away from the children playing in the sand. She smiled weakly. "It's nothing." She mumbled. Her cheeks reddened, indicating to Jacob that whatever was troubling her was definitely not nothing. He raised his eyebrows and looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to speak. Bella sighed. She dug her fingers into the sand and let the fine grains dribble from her palm back onto the beach. "I was just thinking that if I had stayed with Edward I would have lost my chance to be a mother."
Jacob's dark eyes widened at the turn in the conversation. He hadn't expected that. Bella had never expressed an interest in motherhood before. He considered his response carefully before answering. "You would have lost the chance to do a lot of things. You made the right choice, Bells."
"I know." Bella bit down on her lower lip as she glanced toward the children again. "It just makes me realise how naive I really was."
"So...are you saying you see yourself having kids in the future." Jacob asked curiously.
"Do you?" Bella turned it around on him. She cocked her head to one side as she waited for his reply.
"Definitely." Jacob said promptly. He smiled tentatively at Bella. "I know it sounds weird but it's always something I've wanted."
"It doesn't sound weird." Jacob's confession wasn't a surprise to Bella. He had sisters. His parents had been happily married until Sarah had sadly passed away. Bella was an only child, a product of divorced parents. She knew that her view on relationships had been coloured by her own experiences. "I guess I always worried that I would follow the same pattern as my parents." Bella drew a circle in the sand with her forefinger. "Like mother like daughter. Isn't that what they say."
Jacob was horrified by Bella's perception of her own ability to be a good mother. Renee had really screwed with her self esteem. He reached out and caught her hand. He laced his fingers through hers as she glanced up at him from under her long lashes, seeking reassurance despite herself. "Bells, you are nothing like Renee. When your time comes you'll be a great mom. I know it. You're kind, caring and have so much love to give. Any kid would be lucky to have you as a mother."
"You think too much of me, Jake." Bella's lips trembled as she spoke.
"I'm speaking the truth." Jacob said sincerely. He looked at Bella with such tenderness in his eyes that tears spilled down her cheeks. Jacob was shocked. "Please don't cry." He begged her.
"You love me very much, don't you." Bella whispered.
"Yeah." Jacob wasn't going to deny it. He had never hidden his feelings even though he had respected Bella's wish for him not to express them verbally. But now she was the one bringing them into the conversation.
"I don't want to hurt you." Bella continued thickly.
"You won't." Jacob replied confidently.
"How can you be so sure?" Bella asked doubtfully.
"Because you love me, too." Jacob sounded so earnest. Bella's breath hitched as she gazed at his handsome face. She didn't deserve him. He was too good for her. She felt conflicted. "You don't have to decide anything now, Bells. I can wait until you're ready."
Bella reached out and grazed her fingers over his lips. They were soft and pliant under her touch. Jacob closed his eyes as her fingers left his lips and began to explore his face. Her hand lingered on his cheek before caressing his brow. Wherever she touched his skin tingled. He felt her forefinger glide over the bridge of his nose before settling on his lower lip. He opened his eyes again only to find Bella's face hovering close to his. His breath caught in his throat as she drew closer to him. Their mouths were barely inches apart.
"Bells..." He said huskily, closing the gap right before they were interrupted.
A/N-thanks for reading!