~A/N Thanks again for all the awesome reviews with the last couple of updates. This is kind of a fluffy chapter, but there are some necessary reveals. (hint hint)

Copyright disclaimer: Twilight belongs to Stephanie Meyer

Chapter 21

Jacob woke up to soft, cool lips kissing their way up his chest. "Umm, Bells; what are you trying to get going so early this morning?"

Her left hand slid down his stomach, and she started to giggle, "No trying, it's already started from what I can feel."

The little tease was right, he was raring to go. He flipped her over in one swift movement, so that she was underneath him. "Jake, I have to go make breakfast; I was only messing around."

"So am I," and she got more than she bargained for after trying to kiss him awake. Afterwards, she tried to pull away from him in order to get up, but he would not let her. "No, Bells; how often do we get to stay in bed without responsibilities? Edge is still at Sue's, Rachel can take care of Dad and Paul. Come on, stay a little while longer."

She stopped squirming and rested her head back on his chest, "You are right."

Jacob reached up to feel for the mark, "Can you see it?" she asked.

"I can, but I doubt the average human eye could. It's faint. Any of the pack, could probably see it, but they all know better than to put their faces that close to your neck."

"Are you disappointed? You know, that it is not prominent?"

"No, of course, not." He reached out to slowly stroke the mark. I can feel the indention deep in the tissue. Here try it, can you feel it?"

She took her fingers and carefully stroked the bumps.

Jacob sucked in a breath, "What...what did I do?" she asked.

"I can feel you touching it, like deep within the recesses of my mind, not physically. It's mental."

She performed the same ritual around the area. He look mesmerized. "Yes, I felt it again. That's it, the deeper connection. No one else may be able to see it, but it's like it is our own personal message written in braille under your skin. We are the only ones that can translate it."

"Wow, that is very beautiful . I love it. I feel like writing that down."

"Thanks, Bells; sometimes shit like that comes easy to me."

She laughed, "Gosh Jake, you really are romantic, I'll write that down too."

Jacob felt himself grow serious after holding her for awhile.

"Where did you go? Are you thinking about yesterday?" she asked.

"Yes, but I'm thinking about all of it. Look at all that has happened to us... that's still happening. It should not be like this. It's so fucked up, Bells. I guess I am just missing out on the fact we never got to be a regular teenage couple."

"But we are still a couple, that is what is important."

"Yes, honey; don't get me wrong. I love what we have now and I am not about to give up living with you or sex, but we skipped a bunch of steps. Bells, do you realize that I have never even taken you out on a date." he put his finger on her lips. "And don't you dare say that time at the movies was a date when I had to put up with that Newton kid."

"I wasn't, I was only going to say, let's do it. I would love to go on a date with you. I know you are so busy and stressed right now. Let me plan something. When would be a good day?"

"Well this week is out, because of the wedding. How about one day next week, I'll carve out a few hours, just let me know."

Jacob was the one that had to get going with the day. He had calls from Charlie, Sam and Carlisle. He had a lot of things to discuss with each of them. "How about you handle, Charlie for me first, Bells? I know he's dying to see you and make sure I did not do wicked things to you yesterday," he pulled her in for one more long, luscious kiss, "even though, I did."

He met with Sam first. They were pretty much avoiding the truth that if they did not have Hollister in less than 3 months, all of them could be destroyed. They went over a few strategies that Jacob was going relay to Carlisle and Charlie later. Sam asked if he should reschedule his honeymoon. "No way, I would not do that to you. You aren't going far and it's only a few days. Maybe someday, I will need you to cover for me for the same reason."

"Oh, so you are going to ask Bella to marry you?" Sam inquired.

"Not right now for obvious reasons, but someday soon, I hope." If he was completely honest, he worried the whole marriage thing was a bigger deal to him than her. He wasn't sure how she felt about it after Edward. He decided to keep his intentions to himself, at least til the threat was eliminated.

Jacob hated to go back there, but he met with Carlisle at his house. Carlisle told him everything he knew about Aro. He gave him the details of the most powerful vampires that surrounded him at the Volturi. "So you are telling me, we all have no hope if he comes back here seeking retribution?"

"I don't see how we can stand against them, Jacob. I am only being practical. It was obvious he knew about the wolves. He smelled the air as he was leaving, but he still left. He is a peculiar being. I am not sure why he has so many absolutes and yet he allows someone like Bella to live. It made no sense that he let her go the first time when she went to save Edward. That is what makes him so dangerous, he is very unpredictable."

"We have no choice, we have to destroy the psycho vamp. My pack is at a deficit though. We have to sleep, the younger ones have school, not to mention the fact we can't run around the city as wolves. You seven are going to have to take up the slack."

"I agree Jacob. Edward, Rose, and Emmett are out right now searching."

"Okay, I think Charlie has something for me. I am going over to the station to meet with him. We need to keep each other informed at all times, no matter how small of a detail. If you know something; contact me right away and I will do the same."

Carlisle agreed. "Oh one more thing, Jacob. Am I to presume, Edge will no longer be visiting us?"

Jacob did not need to answer that, the look on his face was enough. "That is what I thought. Would you allow me to give him one more physical? You can bring him to my office at the hospital. We can meet in the evening, no one will be around. I need to go over the formula I have been using to calculate his growth patterns. I can explain it to you in detail. You should be able to understand how to track it when we are gone. Bella will want to hear all I have to say, so the three of you let me know when is a good day."

"As soon as I tell Bells about this, she is going to get all anxious and start worrying about it. Can we come tomorrow about 7 pm? Will that work?"

"Yes, that will be perfect."

Jacob saved the best for last. He knew Charlie was pissed at him last night, and he understood why, but Charlie did not get it. There was no way that he could fully understand. Bella was his daughter and her life had been in danger and then she disappeared without a word for the entire day. He hated putting him through that, so now it was time to face the music. Hopefully, Bells smoothed things over by having coffee and breakfast with him this morning.

"Jacob, come on in." Charlie motioned to him from his desk. Jacob was big, bad alpha last night, but when Charlie was all official sitting behind his desk in uniform, he kind of intimidated him.

"Charlie, let me apologize for last night," was the first thing out of his mouth.

Charlie held up his his hands to stop him, "No, no don't Jacob. I know Bella is safe with you. She and I had a long talk, I need to let go; but you two need to understand that she will always be my little girl and I am going to worry."

"Of course, Charlie. I can't imagine what I will be like one day, if I have a daughter."

He looked uncomfortable thinking about that. "I know it's none of my business, Jacob; but Bells has been through a lot. I hope you two will put off children for a good while. She has enough to handle, seeing how Edge is so different."

"Don't worry, Charlie we are not planning on expanding the family so soon."

"Yeah and if I had a dime for every parent that said that before their 'oops' baby, I would be a rich man."

Jacob was not about to discuss that any further with him. Bells took the shot, and she planned on taking it every three months. That was as careful as they were going to be, if anything happened then it was meant to be and he would not apologize or listen to Charlie's "I told you so's". Charlie opened his computer, and told Jake to come around and have a look.

"I searched for medical related thefts. Take a look at what I found, there were a couple close together. One was from a medical supply company and another was from a lab. Here is where it gets interesting. An employee from that lab has been missing for over a week. We need to send some of the pack and maybe a couple of the Cullen's down to that lab. I even have the guy's address. I assume I am going to need your noses if we are to be led in a certain direction. It's a good lead, huh?" Jacob thought it was an excellent lead and he was going to get on it right away.

Jacob, met up with Rose and Emmett alongside the road, so they could all drive to the Solutions Lab on the east side of Seattle. Edward went on his own search which was fine by Jacob. He hoped he never saw that conniving bastard again. The three of them sniffed around. Charlie had given them a cover story and the manager thought they were part of the investigation. They followed the human scent of the missing technician back to his loft apartment. There is where they caught their biggest break yet, that fuck Hollister had been there. The scent was strong enough that they were able to follow it to another location. After that, his scent faded, but inside a rundown condemned house was the corpse of the lab employee. Jacob called it into Charlie first and he gave them enough time do their own search before he called it in to the Seattle PD. The only other trace of him was remnants of a box of needles and syringes.

Jacob had been right with his theory about Hollister, but they still missed him. He was one step ahead of them, but at least they knew he was still in the area. That was both good and bad because they had to catch him, but the fact he still remained told Jacob one critical thing. He still had Bella in his sights, if he didn't; he would not be so close knowing full well Edward turned on him. He ended up staying out really late. The need to protect her was greater than anything else. He drug himself in, close to midnight. He had missed another bedtime with Edge. He found his dinner wrapped up on the stove. Bella had texted him several times and he kept telling her, he needed a little more time. He peeked in on Edge, Bella was asleep in his bed. He got a shower, and then went to get Bells, to carry her to bed with him. He had to hold her tonight or he was never getting to sleep. She sort of stirred when he lifted her, "Jake."

"It's okay honey, go back to sleep," and she did not say another word when he got her situated in their bed. He placed a gentle kiss to his invisible mark and she mumbled once more, before he joined her in sleep.

"Bells, will you calm down? This is only a check up?"

The three of them were sitting in Carlisle's office. He had been held up with a consult, but his nurse said he was aware they were waiting and he would be in shortly. She gave them a strange look.

"I'm trying, but what if something is wrong? You know what he already told us about..." she looked to Edge, not wanting to say aloud what they already knew. Carlisle did inform Bella a while back that Edge was not retaining certain vampire attributes like strength, speed or agility. It wasn't possible with his purely human diet. Neither she nor Jacob cared, he did not need them; but she was always concerned that down the line, it might affect his overall health. "Ugh, did you see the way Amber looked at me? Who knows what people are saying about me? Jessica works here, I am sure rumors have already spread. Oh well, I don't even care. None of them mean anything to me." Her legs continue to bounce even though Jacob held one of them down.

Edge was busy browsing through Carlisle's medical books. Jake stopped him from getting any more down. "One book, buddy. You don't know if Carlisle has them in order. Come over here and let me see what you got." He brought him the book, "Gross Anatomy, you interested in that?"

He shrugged, "I like everything." He climbed up in Jacob's lap and the two of them turned through the pages. Bella had calmed herself down, while she watched them discuss the book. She loved watching the two of them together. The door opened about ten minutes later.

"I apologize for keeping you all waiting. This won't take too long. How about we get started by me taking some measurements and then I will show you how to do the same," he looked at Jacob, "and how to keep track when I am gone." Carlisle weighed and measured Edge's height, as well as his head circumference. "That's good, very little change since the last time. He has really started to slow down. Even though his initial rate of growth was so rapid, it is not going to continue. That is promising news because I know you are concerned, Bella about having to hide him. I don't think that will be the case from here on out. Of course, you will have to say his physical age is 4 or 5 right now, but I expect in the next five years he will only appear to be 10 or 11."

Bella breathed a huge sigh of relief, "That is great news, Carlisle. Kids are a wide range of sizes at any given age, so we can say he is big for his age and no one will know. I still not sure how I will explain him to my Mom. Jacob and I have decided to tell her we adopted him, but she is probably going to have a small fit about it. She is still reeling I left Edward, thinking that was a rash decision."

Jacob had another topic to discuss, "Carlisle, what about the intelligence? How are we suppose to explain that to people?"

Carlisle motioned for Edge to come closer, he patted him on the head, "He's gifted...people will just have to except that answer. Perhaps, he could hold back a little in certain situations."

"You hear that, Edge? When you meet new people, talk about Sponge Bob...and not in Italian." he added.

"Can I talk about legos?" Edge asked.

"Sure, sure, you can talk about legos."

Bella reassured him, "Edge, I am sure there are plenty of things you can talk about. Be yourself, like you are with Claire. It will be fine."

Bella was such a good mother in Jacob's eyes. She always had a solution to balance out the circumstance.

Carlisle asked if it would be okay if they sent over some of Edge's favorite books and they agreed. "I am sure Alice and Rose would like to send gifts occasionally, would that be fine as well?"

Bella answered, "Not too extravagant, please; but sure. I'll send pictures and updates too." They left his office feeling a whole lot better about Edge's health and well being.

Jacob was out with Paul, Sam and Brady the next afternoon. Paul finally asked the question all of them had been dying to know. "What about the mark?"

Jacob explained it to the best he could. "Bells and I tested it." I sensed it when she touched it. I was not anywhere near her and had no idea when she was going to do it and I still felt it in my mind."

"Dude, that's crazy. It might really come in handy, you know just in case..." Paul trailed off, not wanting to piss Jake off.

"In case, what? Don't even say what you are thinking because she is never going to be unprotected." He did not want to think about what Paul was suggesting. He meant in case Bella was ever taken from him, but he did not know if it was that powerful that it could lead him to her and he damn sure never wanted to have to test the theory.

There were only three days left before Sam and Emily's wedding. Both Jacob and Bella were completely overwhelmed. He was almost constantly gone on the hunt for Hollister and she was consumed with making food for the wedding. Sam and Emily were going to keep it small and simple, but having the pack in itself required a lot of food. They had started using their new kitchen because of the extra space. Bella and Rachel were so excited that it was all done except for some of the decorating they were trying to agree on. Jacob really missed Bells and every night he came home late, she was already fast asleep, exhausted from being on her feet all day. They really were going to need that date night by the time next week got there.

Emily and Sam's wedding was in the tribal hall. Claire and Edge stood up with them. Everyone thought they were adorable. Bella had Seth take tons of pictures. An outdoor wedding would not have been practical at this time of year, the holidays were approaching. Although, the weather was nice enough, that some of the reception extended outdoors to a large deck area. Jacob was happy to get Bella out for their for first dance. She was hesitant, "You know I can't dance, Jacob."

"You don't have to, just let me hold you and move with me." She was easily convinced when he pulled her close in his arms. "Bells, you know how many days it's been?"

She giggled, knowing what he was talking about, "I know, I could not help it. I have been extra tired; I promise I won't fall asleep on you tonight."

"Good, I am holding you to that." he let his head dip down to the curve of her neck to place a few kisses where he knew would drive her wild. He might as well get the mood started right then. They were in their own world until Quil butted in.

"Hey Jake, look over there." Jake turned in the direction Quil was motioning to. He saw Embry dancing with Leah. That was a shock to him, but Bella had a goofy grin on her face. "I have been watching them and they have been dancing for awhile now and she hasn't ripped Em's nuts off or anything. I'm thinking about cutting in, you know; just to see what happens."

"No...no Quil, don't." Bella stated. "You need to leave them alone, okay. Go find a dance partner elsewhere."

"You heard her Quil, get out of here. You have already ruined my dance with Bells. Leah won't be so nice."

Quil heeded their advice and headed over to the single ladies table, Jacob secretly thought it was the reject table, but he kept it to himself.

"Alright, Bells...spill."

"What do you mean?"

"You don't act surprised in the least that Embry and Leah are together over there. I have noticed some strange behavior out of both of them for the past few weeks. What is going on? I am their alpha, nobody should be keeping secrets from me."

"Jake, it was not my secret to tell."

"So they are a thing?" he asked.

Her silence gave him the answer he was looking for. "I would have to say it seems like a good thing. It may be a little awkward when everyone else finds out, but I am glad for them."

"It's only the beginning stages, Jake. She started exploring a friendship with him and they ended having a lot in common. I think we should continue to keep it quite until they are ready."

"Well, that is not going to happen now that Quil is onto it. Oh well, maybe Leah will give him an ass whipping later. He is due for one."

The night went by quickly and everyone stuck around to give Emily and Sam a proper send off. Jacob noticed Leah and Embry were MIA, perhaps, she had enough for one night. It said a lot that she even came to the wedding. Bella made good on her promise that night and made up for all the days she had missed being with him.

Jacob had told Bella Wednesday was the day he had set aside for their date. Sam had just made it back from his honeymoon, so he felt fine leaving everything to him for the evening. She insisted they go early, apparently there were several things she wanted to accomplish on their first date. He felt kind of bad leaving it all up to her, but apparently she had something up her sleeve that she was extremely excited about. She first told Jacob the directions to a parking lot in Port Angeles. He thought it was weird, but she was the boss, he did what she said. He saw the car before they turned in, Alice was jumping up and down beside it, "The fucking car, Bells. How did you know?"

"Alice might have spilled some of the goings on when I was unconscious." He could not believe Alice had delivered them the Venom, the black one; exactly what he had requested.

"You're speechless, right?" Alice asked him. He was quickly circling the car, admiring everything about it. His picture had not done it justice. Seeing, touching and listening to the purr of the engine brought his obsession to whole other level. "So, you have it for the rest of the night, but be careful."

"We are going to get arrested, aren't we?" he asked.

"No, I have you covered, no one is going to arrest you, Jacob. The only stipulation is you can't keep it." she laughed.

"Duh, how would I ever explain a car like this. Seriously, though, thanks Alice." They went over the details of when and where they would switch back cars.

"Ready, Bells?"

"Sure, I guess. Are you going to drive fast?"

"What do you think? This car only goes fast."

"Well we better get off the main roads then." They drove on familiar roads Jacob knew, they drove fast as the road allowed, but he never came close to how fast the car was known to go. Jacob was not about to take that risk with Bella. He was having the time of his life. He was not sure how Alice did it, because there were only a handful of these cars in the world. He had almost forgotten the day he asked her about it. That seemed like a lifetime ago when he was still uncertain if Bells was going to recover.

"Where to honey? I am really hungry. We can anywhere you want."

"I want onion rings." she stated.

"What?"

"And you know as well as I, there is only one place to go for onion rings," she stated.

"Bells, you seriously want to go to a drive-in fast food joint on our first date?"

"You said anywhere, come on...I am really craving them."

She had him there, "Okay, fine; if it's onion rings you want, we will go. I am sure it is not the first time someone sits there and eats greasy food in a million dollar car."

"Holy shit, Jake! This car cost a million dollars?"

"Yeah, give or take a few thousand."

Talk about stares and spectators, people were circling the car the entire time they were eating. Bella ignored them and thoroughly enjoyed her onion rings. Jacob scarfed down his burger and fries as well as some of her onion rings. He enjoyed watching her eat, she was so cute. "You are really hungry today, huh? Did you skip lunch or something?"

"Um, actually, I didn't feel so good earlier. I was worried about making our date perfect, but I feel great now."

"Oh, well it is, you know. I am having a great time. What's next?"

"Home, let's go watch a movie together snuggled up in bed."

"Damn Bells, if I had known you were such a cheap date, I would have taken you out a long time ago. Are you sure that is all you want to do?"

"Yeah, you know I am not fussy, Jake. That is exactly what I want to do."

Alice met them at the treaty line. Jake hated to watch it drive away, but at least he had the experience and he had it with Bella. It would be a great memory for them both.

He got Edge asleep and crawled in bed to see what Bells had picked out for them to watch. "Again with The Princess Bride?"

"Aww, please, I wanted to see if it's different now that we are together."

He could not argue with her about that, she looked so sexy in one of his worn out t shirts. The reality was, he wanted to suggest turning everything off and getting down to the good stuff, but a movie is how she wanted the date to end; so he humored her.

They had made it about 3/4's of the way through the movie, until Bella started rubbing her foot up and down his leg. He knew as soon as she began that, they were not making it to the end. Then the kisses started. First she kissed his bicep and then she maneuvered herself up to kiss his neck. Finally, she whispered in his ear, "Jake, you won't think I'm easy if I put out on the first date, will you?" That was the last straw, that whisper went straight to his crotch. The movie and the lamp went off in the next second and he and Bells found all kinds of ways to make it a first date neither would ever forget.

**2 months later**

Jacob was becoming more and more tense as each week went by, with no trace of Hollister. They were on borrowed time, all of them knew it; but Bella tried not to let it get to her. She still believed in Jacob and the pack. Her Dad was showing signs of fatigue and stress as well. Sue cautioned him; he had to eat better and get more rest, that he was no good to Bella from a hospital bed. She worried he was nearing a breakdown. The catering business had kind of leveled off. They had to decline the Forks' orders for now, but they kept steady business on the reservation. Bella, Rachel and Emily had their routine down pat and they completed each day's orders in record time. Bella had been on a mission to complete decorating the house. She always assumed she did not like this type of stuff, but she actually did. She and Rachel had similar taste and they were enjoying themselves picking out the finishing touches. They were both looking forward to landscaping once spring arrived.

Rachel had found a local artist that made the most unique art out of sheet metal. She and Bella were dying to get a few pieces. "He is only there the second Friday each month." Rachel mentioned at dinner that Monday night. "I have a doctor's appointment, Jacob do you think you could take Bella?"

Jacob shook his head, "Nope, I have an important meeting with the council. You will have to wait til next month."

"Jake, come on, what about someone else?" Bella begged.

"No, Bells you know I don't let you leave the reservation without me," he reminded her.

"Jacob Black, I know you trust your pack with your life everyday. Why can't you send a couple of them with me and I will be protected? Come on, please." She had her bottom lip stuck out like a pouty, little girl.

"Answer is still no, honey."

Jacob looked to Paul, like he might consider letting him being in charge of Bella.

"I can't, but I think Embry is available Friday. What about him and Jared, you know Jared has the best nose. You trust both of them."

She knew he was still going to say no, and even though she understood; her emotions finally took over. "Dammit Jake, just this one thing. I want to feel normal again. I am sick of it, he has held us hostage for months now. I try to stay positive, but I am going out of my mind." She hated the way they were all looking at her, she knew she was being petty and pathetic. She ended up slamming her fists at the table. She jumped up and ran up the stairs before they could all see her cry.

Jacob came up to console her soon after, but she was embarrassed to face him. He was only trying to protect her. "Come on, Bells, look at me," he pulled at her shoulder until she rolled over. "I am not making any promises, but let me talk to Embry and Jared. Give me the directions and I will go scout out the place in the morning, on Friday. If I think it is safe, I will let them go with you. It has to be a quick trip and if at anytime on the way, they don't feel comfortable, they are bringing you back."

"Okay, thanks baby. That is a good compromise. Sorry, I lost it down there. I don't know what got over me," she pulled herself together and climbed up in his lap.

Jacob stroked her hair until her sniffling started to subside. "Stress, same as all of us, but you are right you should be able to feel normal. I am going to try, okay?"

~ Thanks for reading. Any feelings or predictions?

Warning: this was the calm before the storm.