Lost and Found
Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.
A/N-thank you for the kind reviews! Be warned this chapter is drowning in angst!
Part Thirty Six-The Harsh Truth
Old Quil called a meeting with Billy and Harry after Sam's surprising revelation. He hadn't expected this piece of news. Even though Charlie knew all about the pack, he didn't involve him in this particular conversation as it involved his own daughter. When the elder told the two men what Sam had revealed they were both stunned.
Billy's first thought was for Jacob and what this meant for his son. "Is Sam certain?"
"He assures me he is. But I'm not so sure." Old Quil replied thoughtfully.
"He mustn't be allowed to say anything to anyone right now. This could cause all kinds of upset." Harry lamented. "Charlie will go nuts and as for Bella…." He shook his head in disbelief.
"I warned Sam to keep this to himself and he promised me he would do so for the moment. But he is keen to tell Bella and I am not sure I can persuade him to hold off for much longer. I am beginning to think he developed feelings for Charlie's daughter a while ago and we all missed it." Old Quil sighed heavily.
"He can't say anything. He mustn't." Billy ran a hand over his face. "This will kill my son."
"Which one?" Old Quil demanded as he looked Billy straight in the eyes.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Billy glared back at the older man. He knew what the elder was implying and it angered him greatly.
"Let's just calm things down now." Harry, always the peacemaker, tried to intervene. He was surprised at Old Quil for bringing up such a sensitive topic. He and Charlie had been dancing around confronting Billy for so long in fear of upsetting him.
Old Quil ignored Harry and kept his cool gaze focused on an irate Billy. "You know exactly what I mean, Billy. You need to get your house in order. You have been neglecting Jacob in favour of giving Embry all of your attention. But your firstborn will be Alpha of the pack one day and he needs your support and guidance just as much as Embry does. Hiding the fact that you are more or less living with Tiffani Call, and keeping your former wife and children in the dark about it, is downright cowardly and cruel."
Billy's nostrils flared with anger at the elder's barbed comments. He heard Harry clearing his throat and when he turned to look his friend appeared shamefaced. "I take it you agree with him." He snapped at Harry.
"No one is saying that you haven't been trying to be there for your other children." Harry tried to take the sting out of Old Quil's words but the old man snorted derisively.
"That is exactly what I am saying and we all think it." The elder did not back down. In retrospect he wished he had spoken out earlier. Billy was the Chief of the tribe and was supposed to set an example to the others. How could any young person seek guidance from an individual who had cheated on his wife and then subsequently lied about it, hide the fact that he had a child with this woman for years, only to confess when he was caught out, to finally moving in with said woman and neglecting his former family. Old Quil was livid with Billy and was not going to pussyfoot around him like Harry and the others. He was too old to play such games.
"I love all of my children equally." Billy snarled as his hands curled into fists.
"Then show it. Man up and tell Sarah, Jake and the twins the truth about being with Tiffani, because when this news about Sam becomes known things are going to blow up in the worst way, and the person who will be affected most is Jacob. He shares a close bond with Bella Swan and will be devastated if it turns out that it is true that Sam has indeed imprinted on her."
"You don't believe Sam?" Harry questioned before Billy could issue a retort.
"I think the young man is confused. It needs further investigation that is why it is imperative that no one else knows about this, and why you need to have a long talk with your family." Old Quil said directly to Billy.
Billy didn't respond, he was still too angry at Old Quil's interference. Instead he got up and just nodded at the old man before marching out of the house. Harry sighed as he watched his friend go. "You didn't have to be so harsh, Quil." He said to the elder. "Billy knows he's messed up."
"The man is a fool." Old Quil replied bitterly. "And you are weak for letting him get away with it." The elder ignored Harry's shocked expression as he tottered to his feet and bid him goodbye.
With the elder's words reverberating around his head like a sore he couldn't scratch, Billy went directly to his old home. He wasn't thinking straight. He pulled up outside the little redwood house in his truck and killed the engine. It had been a while since he had been there. He felt a lump lodge in his throat as he stared at his old home. The front porch had been coated with fresh paint as had the outside. There was only one person who could have done that…Jacob. His son had obviously been doing what he should have done. He was making sure to help his mother and keep the family home in good order. In fact he had been doing a better job than Billy had ever done even when he was living there. Billy wondered how Jacob found the time do all these extra chores between running as a wolf, attending school and trying to find some spare time for himself. It blew his mind and compounded his guilt. The reason he resented Old Quil was because he had spoken the truth. He had been a neglectful father.
Billy took a deep breath to steel himself before he climbed out of his truck. He didn't know how he was going to break the news to Sarah about Tiffani. Even though they were divorced now, things were still raw between them. He had never been good at dealing with the emotional fallout from his actions and now was no different. Before he stepped foot on the porch the front door opened and he was confronted by his son. Of course with his heightened senses Jacob would have heard his approach as soon as he drove down the dirt track. Billy tried to muster up a smile but Jacob just stared at him stonily.
"What do you want?"
"I came to speak to your mother." Billy replied. He flinched as Jacob crossed his arms across his chest in a defensive manner. The muscles along his arms bulged, only reminding Billy just how much his son had changed. "I thought you'd be in school."
"I've been up patrolling all night." Jacob said coldly.
"I see." Billy muttered guiltily. He didn't even know what schedule his son was on. He knew Embry's but not Jacob's. He felt shame course through him as Jacob continued to glare at him resentfully. "I'm sorry, I didn't know."
"How could you? It's not like you're ever here." Jacob replied bitterly.
"I'm sorry." Billy said again.
"Save it." Jacob turned away and led the way into the house. He called out to his mother that Billy wanted to talk to her.
Sarah was just getting ready for work. She clicked her tongue in irritation. Why couldn't Billy have called before turning up uninvited? She watched Jacob throw himself on the old couch and switch on the television. He looked tuckered out. It was just another reason to be angry at Billy. He had disturbed her son's much needed rest. "What do you want?" Sarah snapped as her ex-husband sidled into the house. "I'm due at work soon."
Billy rubbed a hand over his face. Old Quil was right, he was a coward. He couldn't do it. He couldn't tell Sarah about Tiffani. He wasn't in the right frame of mind to deal with her anger. He fumbled around for something to say but came up blank.
"Why are you here?" Sarah demanded again. Her eyes suddenly narrowed as she saw the guilt all over Billy's face. "Are you going to be late with the maintenance payments again because I swear Billy I will take you to court if you don't cough up? My wages only go so far."
Billy had forgotten all about that. He rubbed his face again and stared at the top of his work boots. "I'll get it to you as soon as I have it. I've just had a few extra expenses this month."
Jacob had to force himself not to spill the truth. He knew exactly what his father meant by extra expenses. He was frittering his money away on Tiffani Call. Jacob dug his fingers into the soft material of the couch. He wished that Bella was with him as he tried to keep his anger in check. She always managed to keep him calm when he felt stressed. Sarah and Billy began to argue over the money which only added to Jacob's distress. He was tired, emotionally worn down and just craved a bit of peace. He couldn't stand listening to his warring parents any longer. He got to his feet and stood protectively in front of his mother. He towered over Billy now; in fact his father was forced to look up at him.
"Get out." Jacob ordered.
"Jake, stay out of this." Billy warned him. "This is between your mother and me."
"I said get out." Jacob roared. His loud voice shocked both of his parents into silence. "Just go, Billy." He didn't bother to call him dad anymore. As far as Jacob was concerned he had stopped being one a long time ago. "You're not welcome here anymore."
"Jake….son?" Billy faltered as he tried to reach out for him.
"You're not my dad." Jacob said in disgust.
"You need to go, Billy." Sarah had finally found her voice.
Billy didn't know what to do. He stared pleadingly at his tall son, asking with his eyes for forgiveness, but Jacob remained irresolute. He just stared back at his father until Billy was forced to do as they asked and leave.
Bella was sitting on her bed with her school books spread out around her. She normally did her homework in the kitchen but she wanted to avoid Sam. She was still very angry with him for blabbing to Charlie about being in the Taj with Jacob. She heard a gentle knock on the door and sighed irritably when Sam opened it and edged into her room holding a hot drink in his hand.
"I made you some coffee." He held it out toward her.
"I didn't ask for one." Bella said coldly as she continued to concentrate on her books. A stray wisp of hair fell in her face and she shoved it away in annoyance.
"I know you're mad at me." Sam put the coffee on her bedside cabinet before hunkering down beside her bed.
"You don't say." Bella muttered as she still refused to look at him.
"But you can't stay mad at me forever." Sam continued. "You just can't."
Bella gritted her teeth. "Just watch me." She ground out. "I'm good at holding grudges."
Sam sighed and ran a hand through his tousled hair. He wished she would just look at him. How was he supposed to connect with her while she was like this? He blamed Jacob. This was down to him and his growing resentment toward him. It wasn't fair that he was putting Bella in the middle. "I was trying to look out for you."
"I don't need you to look out for me." Bella lost her patience with him, even though they had lived in the same house for years now he had never learned to read her moods. If it was Jacob he would have backed off and left her to brood until she was ready to speak. Sam just didn't get it. "In fact I don't want you looking out for me." Bella continued. "I can take care of myself."
"I can't take this." Sam suddenly blurted out as he got to his feet and began to pace back and forth. He put his hands in his hair as he gazed at Bella with desperation in his eyes. She needed to know, he wanted her to know.
Bella finally looked directly at him as he continued to pace agitatedly. "What's the matter with you?" She felt suddenly nervous. "Maybe we should call my dad." She began to slip off the bed so she could get the phone.
Sam stopped her. He put his hands on her shoulders and stared down into her anxious brown eyes. He paused as he saw his reflection in them. No wonder she looked so worried. He was shocked at the anguished expression on his face. But he couldn't help it; he was so desperate to spill his secret. Sam just couldn't wait any longer. "You need to know the truth about us, Bella."
"Us?" Bella felt totally confused.
"Yeah, me and you." Sam let go of her shoulders and gestured between them.
The phone began to ring in the hallway stopping Sam in his tracks. His face fell in disappointment as Bella pushed past him and ran down the stairs to answer it. He sank down on the edge of her bed and put his head in his hands. He could clearly hear from her side of the conversation that it was Jacob on the other end of the phone.
Sam could have cried.
A/N-thanks for reading! What a complete and utter mess, sighs.