Warnings: Lots of fluff. And an ending that is unexpected (?) and not fully addressed—until the next chapter, that is…

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, it belongs to Stephanie Meyer. Not me.

Chapter 36: Pointing Up If It Can't Point Down

Jacob's POV:

It was possibly the most endearing thing he'd ever seen.

Bella was shopping with Edward for baby clothes. They were laughing and picking out bibs that said 'My daddies love me' and bottles of baby blue and light green, finding onesies with printed monkeys on them who were playing and eating bananas, choosing beanies of all different kinds, including a small one that looked like a sock monkey; but, overall, they were happy and laughing and joking and bonding over their baby. Edward's and his baby.

It was the most incredible vision; if Jesus was resurrected and Jacob was given the opportunity to talk to him first, he'd not budge; and if that was a sacrilege, then he was glad he wasn't religious enough to feel guilty about it.

For months, Bella and Edward had been playing a game of zigzag, not avoiding each other, but making sure their paths wouldn't cross more than necessary. Lately though, they'd been talking and trying to be friends again, and it seemed they'd finally decided to give it a real shot. Of course, Alice had to coax Bella into it and Edward played the stubborn gentlemen of 'I'd hate to make her—and myself—uncomfortable' before it actually happened.

Jacob smiled at the scene. It'd been awhile since he could have them together again. Awkward visits to see Jacob and make baby talk to Lyla while Edward was away made Jacob feel like he was hiding a lover, not a friend; and it put a strain on him and the baby. Luckily, they wouldn't have to do that any longer.

He patted his belly contentedly as he picked up a light earth-coloured onesie. It was different shades of orange and brown, with a dark brown hoodie that had small ears corresponding matching paws on the hands and feet. Jacob cooed over it before placing it in the shopping cart and considering another piece of baby clothing. It was a small knitted sweater coloured with different shades of green lines across the chest and next to it was a small dress in light shades of blue. He picked these up, too, with a smile and placed them into the shopping cart.

He walked over to where Bella and Edward were playfully bickering over whether they should buy a small teddy bear onesie that doubled as footie pyjamas or a small outfit that's theme was a duck, complete with webbed feet and a bill beanie. "Hey," Jacob greeted cheerfully.

They paused to glance at him, then did a double take. Bella placed the duck outfit down, saying placatingly, "You know, maybe we have enough clothes for now. I mean, with the baby shower Alice is planning for Jacob and Seth… Maybe somebody else will pick it out?" She glanced at Edward nervously.

Jacob gave her a confused look. "Nonsense. Bella buy it; it's not like she can't be a lady bug and a duck. I mean, think of all the lady bug outfits she already has. It'll be fine." He smiled reassuringly and reached for the outfit.

Edward reached out a hand to stop him and hesitated before speaking. Then he said, "I think she is thinking about all the lady bug outfits she has…" At Jacob's puzzled expression, Edward continued, "I think maybe Bella just realized that the baby has enough clothes for now and we can always get her a duck outfit when she's older. Sacrifices, you know," he said with a half-hearted grin.

Jacob continued to look puzzled, before narrowing his eyes at them suspiciously. "Oh, I get it. You think I have too much clothes for Lyla, do you?" Bella's eyes widened. Edward winced.

"Well…" Edward started.

"Not in so many words…" Bella finished lamely.

"I think we have a sufficient amount," Jacob said. "Actually, I've been planning ahead. I've bought clothes for Lyla until eight months. She's going to need them. Especially winter clothing. It rains here more than the sun ever shines by ten times, and she'll need all the clothes we can give her." Jacob raised a challenging eye to Edward and Bella, who looked, in Jacob's eyes, properly contrite.

"Well…" Edward started, but once again trailed off, not sure how exactly to continue.

"Good," Jacob declared. Airily, he asked, "Now that's settled, let's buy her some shoes, shall we?" He grinned.

[][][]

When they returned to the Cullen household, Jacob could smell carnitas cooking. He sniffed deeply and let out a contented sigh.

Esmé had decided to really take up cooking and was currently going through Italian foods, Thai foods, and different variations of Japanese. She'd also tried her hand at sushi, but only Bella seemed to like that and not enough to eat it regularly. At the moment, she was deeply engrossed in the Mexican history and cuisine.

As a Vampire with a family full of Vampires, she couldn't exactly taste the fruits of her efforts. However, Jacob, Bella, and Charlie were only too pleased to be her taste testers—and the happy consumers of her food.

Jacob, as of late, had been encouraging her to try to get a job as a chef. Why not? She was clearly perfect for it, loved doing it, and it'd only be another plausible excuse for why the Cullens made so much money—and she loved doing it. And Jacob loved eating it.

It was to the point that whenever he had a craving, he'd ask Esmé instead of Edward, and Esmé would whip up whatever weird meal his child demanded. It was a perfectly suited situation.

Grabbing a handful of shopping bags, Jacob stepped out of the car door when Edward opened it with a 'thank you' and walked to the door. Opening it and leaving it open for Bella and Edward, who followed close behind, he walked up the stairs and to the nursery room. Flicking on the light, he placed the bags on the floor near the crib and sat in the rocking chair in the corner.

The room was a pine green, with orange and brown accents, highlighted by hardwood flooring covered by a maroon rug. Jacob sighed and reached down to unpack the clothing. Edward took it out of his hands. Literally, pulled all the bags out of his hands and dashed about the room before picking Jacob up and swiftly carrying him to their bedroom. Jacob let out a squawk of protest before relenting with a huff. Edward changed Jacob into a pair of soft pyjamas before laying him gently on the bed.

"You're tired," Edward murmured, wrapping Jacob up in the blankets and pressing a light kiss to his eyebrow. He rubbed a hand gently over Jacob's swollen belly. "Sleep," he crooned.

"Well, if you're forcing me," Jacob said with a tired smile, curling up in the blankets and slowly falling to sleep.

Edward chuckled and caressed Jacob's hair once more before leaving the room, pulling the door closed quietly and going downstairs into the living room where his visitor had been waiting.

He supposed it was time to settle this, then.

…TBC…