A/N: Still don't own it. Wish we did. We could be author rockstars like SM. Of course, we'd use it be around the hot actors.
A little fluff...Moving right along.
The next chapter will be the big date! Where should they go? Review and give us your ideas.
BELLA POV
When Edward leaves, I try to keep myself busy. The uneaten steaks go in the garbage and the throw from the couch goes in the washing machine. Since I've given up all rights to my room to Jake, I sneak in only to get a change of clothes before taking them to the hall bathroom to shower. Being as quiet as possible, I move all of Renesmee's bath toys to the edge of the tub as the water heats up and step in, closing the shower curtain behind me. I let my mind wander as I wash my hair. Tonight went... much better than I had anticipated. I had expected to come home, make dinner, and wallow in self pity. When my daughter wakes up, I will have to thank her profusely for her scheme. And have a talk with Jacob about why he went along with it, when the outcome could have been heartbreaking for her. Heartbreaking for all of us, actually.
When the water turns cold, I abandon the shower and get dressed. I leave my hair wet and bundle it on top of my head, not wanting to deal with it right now. After checking on Renesmee to make sure she is still sleeping soundly, I walk downstairs and outside to sit in my favorite chair on the front porch. He wants to take me on a date. My husband. A date. I don't know what this means for us, but it's a step in the right direction. The two of us alone together, with our clothes on and not angry, will be a feat in itself. We'll actually have to talk.
Some time before dawn, I hear Jacob shuffling around the kitchen to get a glass of water. He walks out onto the porch with his hair standing on end, holding the glass and sitting down next to me. He watches me carefully before saying anything.
"You alright, Bells? You didn't get stampeded by the elephant, did you?"
I shake my head and give him a small smile.
"I'm fine. Are you going to tell me when you decided helping my daughter get Edward and I in a romantic setting would be a good idea?"
He shrugs, looking smug. "I couldn't tell her no. She gives me those puppy dog eyes... Besides, you're my friend, Bella. You fought like hell to be with your vampire back in Forks. After you married him, had his baby and turned into a leech yourself, why would that change? I did the right thing. Leave it alone."
I mull this over for a few minutes and stand. "You'll need to learn to tell her no at some point, Jacob. She needs to learn she can't get everything she wants." With that, I walk inside and leave him on the porch. Renesmee will be awake soon and now that she's eating regularly, I want to have breakfast ready for her.
JAKE POV
I'm sitting at the table in the kitchen, inhaling sausage links when Nessie comes practically dancing into the room. The grin on her face lights up the room and she's all sunshine and rainbows, and shit if it doesn't make me grin right back.
When Bella said I needed to learn to tell Ness 'no', I had a lot to say to that, but she left me on the porch, and the subject was dropped. It doesn't work that way. No isn't in my vocabulary when it comes to this child. I watch her little face fall after she looks around the room, and I would do anything to put the smile back on her face. She looks over at me with her brow furrowed and crosses her arms over her chest. Uh oh. She glares at Bella and her face gets all red. Did I already say uh oh?
"Where is daddy?" She seethes.
Bella looks surprised. Probably by the tone in Nessie's voice. I look between the two of them with wide eyes. Back and forth like a tennis match, waiting for the explosion.
"He went home, Essie. Don't talk to me like that." Bella is trying to stay calm, I can tell.
"You ran him off again, didn't you? You always mess it up!" Oh hell. Here it comes.
"Renesmee Carlie Masen, you go to your room. I am your mother and you will talk to me with respect!" Bella points to the stairs. I just widen my eyes and look at the floor. I'm not about to get in the middle of this. I have no right.
I hear Nessie start to say something a couple times, but she just turns to head up the stairs. As I look up, she looks back at me. Asking for help. I just shrug and she scoffs at me, running up. Great. I look at Bella, her expression daring me to say anything. They are both pissed at me and I didn't even do anything! It's like living at home with Rachel and Becca all over again. I'm the lone male in this group, and I should just get used to the fact that I'll never win.
I decide against saying anything to Bella, who looks like smoke should be coming out of her ears. I grab a plate and start putting breakfast on it to take to Nessie. Bella snaps at me, "What do you think you're doing?"
I raise both my eyebrows, wondering what the heck the big deal is. "Bringing Nessie her breakfast."
She glares at me. Wait, what? What the hell did I do? "You need to stop spoiling her, Jacob!"
I raise my eyebrow, completely confused as to what her problem with me is. "I agree that she shouldn't talk to you like that, Bella, but she has to eat. I don't think that's spoiling her..." I frown, not really sure what I'm supposed to do next. "I'm not trying to step on your toes here, Bells."
She sighs and I see her relax some. She doesn't say anything, but she nods, so I finish making the plate and I bring it up to Ness. She is staring out the window and ignoring me, still mad I didn't intervene on her behalf.
"Come on, Ness. Don't be mad at me." My voice sounds much whinier than I would like.
She turns toward me with her hands on her hips. "Jacob, you're supposed to be on my side!" She sounds whinier than I do. Small consolation, but...
"I'm sorry, Ness! Sometimes I can't be on any side. She's your mom. She was right..."
She makes a hmph sound and stalks to the other side of the room, pulling clothes out of her dresser. "I want you to take me to my daddy's house. Please."
I nod dumbly, leaving her to eat her breakfast and to get ready, going downstairs to clear her plans with Bella.
RENESMEE POV
I stare out the window while Jake drives to daddy's house. I don't believe them that mama didn't make him leave. I know I shouldn't sass, and I didn't mean to... I just don't know what's going on. I know they think I'm a kid, blah, blah, but I'm part of this family too. Broken or not. I unhook myself as soon as we stop.
"Have mama pick me up, Jake." I say as I open the door and climb down.
"Yes, ma'am," he grumbles.
"Thanks," I call as I run to the house, throwing the door open and stepping inside, with my hands on my hips. Daddy comes out of the living room immediately. He smiles at me and kisses my forehead.
"Hey there, sweetheart."
I start tapping my foot. My hands are still on my hips. "Daddy? Did mama send you away? Is that why you were gone this morning?"
He adamantly shakes his head. "No, sweetheart. I came home because we have more talking to do and we need to take things slowly. I can't promise you that we'll all live together someday, but I can promise you I'll do everything I can possibly do to make sure that happens."
I smile and nod, satisfied with his answer. "Okay." I suddenly feel guilty for being so mean to mama. I frown thinking about it and look at daddy, catching myself.
His voice is stern, "Renesmee, you show your mother respect at all times, understood?"
I nod, looking at the floor ashamed, "Yes, daddy."
He puts his hand on my back. "Okay then. Do you want to play some music?" I nod enthusiastically and follow him to the piano. I smile smugly when daddy puts the sheet music up and I see his ring is back on his finger.
EDWARD POV
I feel ridiculous, watching the clock and the door when it gets closer to time for Bella to arrive. Why in the world do I feel nervous? I'm not sure, but I do. By the time I hear her car in the driveway, I'm pacing next to the piano while Nessie plays.
"Daddy! Stop! You're making me nervous!" She throws her hands up.
I look at her timidly. "Sorry, Ness."
Emmett, who is now sitting on the couch, is looking at me with amusement. "Geez, Eddie. You're still not very smooth." He jumps up and bounds to the door to greet Bella.
"Sis! Not just going for a ride...you're the engineer of the Edward train!" He laughs at himself and I can hear his eyebrows raising over and over.
I almost fall over at what I hear next - Bella declaring "Choo choo!" I laugh, looking toward the entryway and Emmett looks like a proud papa, picking her up and spinning her around.
"That's my girl!" He declares. They walk into the living room arm in arm.
Suddenly I feel overwhelmed. I don't even know how to act with my family and Nessie here. I want to take Bella in my arms. I clear my throat feeling every one's eyes on me.
"Hi, Bella." I move toward her and kiss her cheek, talking quiet though I know everyone can hear me. I really don't want an audience. "I realized I don't have your phone number..." I stammer, stupidly pulling my phone out and handing it to her so she can put her number in it.
She smirks and programs punches numbers into my phone. "That would explain why you didn't call today. I hoped you were weren't of those guys." She laughs quietly and I smile my crooked smile at her.
I look over Bella's shoulder at Nessie. She is beaming, but quickly looks away so I don't know she's watching us carefully. Her mind is going haywire with excitement and hope. Bella turns around to follow my gaze. "Come on, Essie, we should get going."
Nessie jumps up off the bench, hugging Emmett and Rose before coming over to me. I squat down to her level to give her a hug and she puts her hand on my cheek, blasting me with images of Bella looking sad...Bella staring at the picture I left on the bed and looking lost...Then she shows me last night, focusing in on Bella and I and how happy and easy we were with each other...She shows me what has just happened in the past few minutes and what she hope for the future. I nod slowly, giving her a big hug and whispering to her that I'll do my best. I kiss her forehead as I stand up again.
Bella gives me my phone back, and I slide in into my pocket. She hugs Emmett and Rose and I walk her and our daughter to the door. Nessie hugs me one more time and then runs out to the car, leaving Bella and I standing in the doorway.
"So, I'll um, see you tomorrow?" Bella asks, biting her lip.
I nod, leaning down and kissing her softly. "I'll text you and let you know how to dress."
She nods, "Okay..." She puts her hands in my hair, pulling me back down to her lips and I smile before pulling back again.
...I love you... I hear her thoughts say.
"I love you too, Bella."
Her eyes widen and she gasps, covering her mouth with her hand. I expect her to ask me questions or freak out that I heard her again. Instead, she surprises me, as only Bella ever could.
She grins at me, her eyes wide. She turns to walk to the car with her head held high, calling over her shoulder, "Text me tomorrow and I'll expect you at 8:00 sharp!"