It was only 2:00, they had plenty of time. Bella was glad because now, she was able to talk to Billy, without a huge crowd. Jacob pulled up the old cribs and put them in his sister's old room. He had taken all of Rachel things and put them in the basement. He was already decorating it and putting on a fresh coat of light brown paint. He had taken the twins and put them to sleep. He was in there right now, adjusting everything it was funny to see. Bella found Billy in the living room, she cleared her throat to get his attention. He grunted.
"billy, I can understand-"
"you don't understand a thing bella swan." He snapped as he cut her off. "you have no idea what I had to go through watching my only son become imprinted to some cold one and then to see him fight his own pack and family for you! And then you spit in his face and crush his heart by marrying a cold one and then disappearing! Five years Bella! Five years Bella! Did you even think! Think about Charlie! Did you ever think about yourself! I watched you grow up! And then you ran away! you ran away Rebecca!" Billy gasped and Bella did too. Rebecca, the prodigal daughter who never came home. Rachel was here but it was only because of the imprint that was already strained. Rachel was barely around, she didn't even sleep in the house. She slept at the Clearwater's.
"oh Billy. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I can't speak for Rachel but the time I spent with Rebecca, I can tell she missed you. She missed home. She would ask so many questions. It was why she sent the boys with me. She wanted you to have a piece of her. It's hard I know. And I'm so sorry. Maybe with the twins being here, it would give her the motivation to come home." Bella told him. As she went to stand back up Billy's bare feet grazed her. They were freezing. Bella quickly walked to Jacobs room where she brought a bag. She pulled a bottle out of the bag and headed back to Billy. She sat on the floor Crossed legged this time.
"Bella what are you doing?" he asked
"helping you." She said as she removed his socks. They were regular white socks. They wouldn't do. "your feet. They're cold. The temperature in here is pretty warm which means there not enough blood flow in your feet." She explained to him as she began to massage his feet.
"what-ahhh wow! Oh wow! Bella I can feel that! I've never been able to feel my feet. What is that amazing smell?" he asked excitedly.
Bella chuckled. "it's roman chamomile and peppermint. It helps with pain and relaxing the body, but it also awakens the senses. Can I massage your arms and hands Billy? I know you carve but you want blood flow in those too."
Billy nodded to engrossed in the sensations he was feeling. He hadn't been able to feel something like that in a long time. Jacob helped him with the basics but when it came to the actual therapy part he didn't know much and whatever he could do was limited because of his responsibilities with the pack.
For two straight hours, Bella massaged his hands, arms, feet and neck. Even with his eyes closed, he could feel the gentleness, the compassion, the concern. A few tears fell. Other than Jacob and Charlie, none of his close companions too the time to educate themselves about his diabetes and how it worked. Not even the pack and there were a few times they had to check on him while Jacob would leave town where they would check on him. But they never really could get the hang of it. The paralysis intimidated them, especially the wheel chair. But watching Bella, she didn't cringe or pull away. it felt good.
"Thank you, sweetheart. I'm sorry I snapped. Its been rough. And I know the years have not been nice to you either."
Bella went to speak but as she raised her wrist to pull down his sleeves, Billy gasp. "Bella, did Jacob give you that cuff?" he asked
She blushed and nodded.
"and you know what it means right? Because the tribe members they will know and approach you, the pack will too. Especially the elders. That cuff is very specific. It's the cuff I gave my Sarah, it's the cuff my father gave to my mother and so on. It goes all the way back to Ephraim. That cuff is special. Are ready to carry the burden and hard work that cuff represents?" he asked her as he held her hand.
"I am. I truly am Billy." She said
"good. Very good. Welcome to the family sweetheart. Of course you always have been. Besides , in the eyes of the tribe…if you wear that cuff. You and Jacob are already married."
Bella gasp and Jacob stormed in. "dad! I was going to tell her! Bella i-"
"ssh! The twins are sleeping and relax Jake. Seriously relax. I'm not scared of marriage like I used to be. If were married... than were married. I told you I would accept everything that goes along with being committed to you. Now, get your dad into a cooler change of clothes. Its warm in here and I sure he's feeling it now that his blood is flowing properly." Bella kissed Jacob on the cheek and did the same for Billy. She headed to the kitchen, the pack would be here soon.
Emily young was rushing, it was four a clock and she had to get to the blacks before bella swan did. She was probably in forks with her father anyway. Emily would to in position so that when Bella entered, she could see that she did not belong. Emily was the Alpha female and she and Jacob had a special bond. Jacob as alpha came to her for support. The pack did too and no one would ruin that. "come on Sam! Let's go! I want to get to Jacob's early so I can get the food ready."
"alright honey I'm coming, what has you so wound up today?" he asked
"nothing. Nothing. Have Kim and Jared help get the food to the truck, lets go."
Emily was rattled, a lot of the pack had shown up but didn't go inside yet. They helped her grab the food out of the truck and they moved as one to the front door. However, before they could knock. Jacob opened it. "hey! Head to the back, were having it outside. Everything's already set up."
"what? but Jacob I have to put the ham in the oven." Emily whined.
"don't worry Em. Bella cooked a ham and some other stuff. We have a lot of food. You can put your food on the table in the back the more the merrier you know. So yeah everybody head to the back yard. Fires already going."
Emily had to control herself. It was ok, everything was ok. She was the alpha female.
For the pack that had arrived a little early, they headed to the back as told. And what they saw had Emily stumble. The backyard was covered with tiki poles and fairy lights. On one side there were five long tables with a white table clothe and on them was so much food. There was no way Bella cooked it all. In the center of it was a huge bonfire and also lawn chairs and farther down their was a volleyball net. When had Jacob done all this?
"What do you guys think!? It was bella's idea. It really brings a different feel to our normal gatherings. Real homey. Alright well you guys can-" Jacob was cut of by a yell. "Jacob! Stop stich he has my arm!" bursting out of the back door was bella holding a small child on her hip and running ahead of her was a grey Pitbull with something in his arm. Suddenly Paul came out of the forest, fixing his cutoffs. "stich! Stich here boy." The dog immediately ran to him. Paul took what looked like a metal arm from his mouth. Everyone scattered and helped Emily put the food on the already overflowing table. They watched the scene in front of them. "hey Alpha!" Paul greeted Jacob as he shoulders bumped him Paul then kissed Bella on the cheek and said loud enough for everyone to hear "hey alpha female. You missing an arm?"
Sooner than later all sixteen wolves and ten imprints were in Jacob's backyard. Tension was in the air. Bella was leaning over the patio , watching. Paul was standing next to her. No would insult his alpha female tonight. "Paul, why don't you get some food. You haven't eaten yet?" she asked. "ill be fine izzy. You come first." He told her. Bella chucked. "ok, fine well go together." She said as she took his hand.
As they made their plates, paul putting more food on Bella's than his. "Paul, I'm not starving you know." She told him
"yeah but you are breastfeeding. I can smell it, Bella. Lactation pills. I can smell them. The twins get fussy when they're hungry and you know it."
All Bella could do was laugh. He was really breaking the tension for her. Bella turned to get a drink and found Seth. Just a few feet away. he was staring at her. hard.
Bella put her plate down and walked towards him. He breathed deeply and Bella put her hand on his chest.
"ka maluhia(peace) īlio hae (wolf)" she spoke to him. She could see the distress and concern in his eyes. His hand grazed over her face and her arm. Jacob stood back watched the scene before him. He knew Paul sticking to Bella's side would break the ice. If the angriest wolf could laugh with her and not blowup, then maybe they could accept her but seeing Seth look over her with so much protection and concern. It only boosted Jacob's confidence. Some of the younger wolves followed Seth's lead. They gently touched Bella's scars. They grazed over her face. Shawn, literally the youngest wolf. He was only ten. Broke the bubble of tension, when he hugged Bella. Jacob felt the shift immediately. The younger wolves had accepted bella as their alpha female. Unfortunately it would take a lot more to gain the older wolves trust.
Authors note:
First thank you for contiuing to read Second chance! i hope your enjoying it. For those who dont know women who are not pregant can produce breast milk. here is the link:
/content/article/breastfeeding-your-adopted-baby-0
