A/N
So this was supposed to be the planning of the prank except, I couldn't stop writing the scene at Charlie's house. So, it will be the next chapter.
I Hear You
Chapter 36
BPOV
Edward…hummmm gonna miss me are you?
"Uhhhh hmmmmmm, I am. Plus if that dog is going to hang out here all night, I am going to make sure he remembers whose girlfriend you are." He said then took his tongue and ran it down my jaw line down my neck and then places moist wet kisses along my collar bone. He then grabbed my hands and placed kissed along my wrists and then on the palms of my hands.
Geese Edward why don't you just pee on my leg to mark your territory? Oh that's right that is what dogs do.
"Bella," he said between kisses, "I am not" more kisses "marking my territory".
Right Edward. if you aren't t…osed skin?
"You are just too much to resist." He said stepping back to flash me that doubly damned crooked grin that is pretty much guaranteed to make me forget anything.
"I have to go Love, the boys are waiting." He leaned back in, and gathered me to him for a whole body hug, and one last kiss that I felt all the way to my soul!
I opened the door for him, and watched him walk into the tree line. He turned and waved at me before disappearing. I closed the door and then set about cooking. I took out some breakfast burritos out of the freezer and popped them in the microwave for Charlie. I knew he would be hungry when he woke up.
I was chopping onions and the chili peppers when Charlie came into the kitchen. "Morning Bells" He mumbled.
"Good evening Dad." I said laughing. I went to the microwave and pulled out the burritos. I put them on the table, and then poured him a cup of coffee, I had brewed. "Here Dad."
"You didn't have to make breakfast too." Charlie said as he sat down.
"I didn't. I just reheated something I made and froze. I made enough of those burritos and froze them so that you would have about 6 days worth of them. I have something's to talk to you about so eat up."
Charlie nodded at that and dug in. I started to brown the ground venison, chili's and onions. I had made chili so many times over the years that it was like second nature. I glanced at the clock and saw it was about 5:15pm. When that was close to done, Charlie got up and put his plate in the sink.
"I am going to take a shower and then we can talk." He patted my shoulder on his way out of the kitchen.
Ok, full Charlie is happy Charlie. Keep up a positive attitude, and maybe he won't flake about me considering school on the East Coast. I waited until the venison was fully browned then drained it. I then opened the kidney and black beans, drained and rinsed them, and added them to the mixture. Next came some chopped fresh tomatoes, more chili peppers (sliced not diced) some medium salsa and some chili powder. I gave it a stir and set it on a back burner to cook. I was cleaning up my mess when Charlie came back into the kitchen. He took his coffee cup, refilled it then sat down. He settled himself in the chair then looked at me.
"What's going on Bella?" He asked taking a sip of his coffee.
"Dad, you know I was planning to stay around here to go to college. I um, well got accepted to an out of state school. If I decide to go, will you be ok with it?" I asked, then pulled out another chair and sat down myself.
"Yes." Charlie said nodding. "Why wouldn't I?"
"Well when I say out of state, I mean not too close to Washington."
"How far away Bella? Is it in driving distance?"
I shook my head at him. "No."
"What school are you talking about?" Charlie said, his eyes narrowing.
Don't be sad Dad, don't be sad "Dartmouth University." I said not quite looking him in the eye. I stood up and grabbed the acceptance letter out of my bag. I handed it to him and sat back down.
"Bella, Dartmouth is in New Hampshire. That's the other side of the country. It isn't even in our time zone, it's three hours ahead." He said
"Just look at the letter Dad."
He opened the letter and began reading. His facial expression was calm, so I wasn't able to tell what he was thinking. When he was done, he picked him head up and said "You were awarded a scholarship for the whole first year's tuition? Did you apply for it?"
"No, it looks like they awarded it to me for the essay I wrote." I said. "I had no idea they did things like that."
"Room and board can't be too much. We do have a bit of a college fund." Charlie said with a grin.
Ok, throw the big guns and gage his reaction...hahaha I said gage as in shot gun…"Dad, I wouldn't need that if I decide to go." I said looking at him.
"What are you talking about Bella?"
"Edward and Alice were also accepted to go to Dartmouth. Dr Cullen has a house in New Hampshire in the town next to the college. They are planning on living there. I could live with them." I said.
"Bella, did you think about this? What happens if Edward decides to flake on you again? Can you honestly tell me that you are going to be able to handle that? Look at what happened last time." He said concerned.
Be cool Bella, and don't let him know yet that you will be married before you go away to school. "Dad, please. I am not going to discuss that with you. That is between Edward and me."
"I think that I am going to have to talk to Carlisle and Esme about this." He said.
"That's fine. I'll let them know you will be calling." I said getting up so that I could stir the chili. "It's 5:45. Billy and Jacob will be here soon. I need to make the cornbread. Oh yeah, Dad I am going to sleep at the Cullen's again tonight. I don't want to be alone in the house. Alice is going to pick me up at nine o'clock. Esme said it was fine, and that I should consider staying there tomorrow too if you are doing a third overnight."
"Fine Bells, I'll be in the living room." I nodded at him and then got the ingredients I needed. I was just putting the cornbread in the oven when I heard Billy's truck pull into the yard. I didn't greet them when they came in the house, because I was pulling the plates and glasses out of the cabinet. I was reaching for a bowl when a very large brown arm reached above me and grabbed it.
"Bella, you stink." Jacob said backing up. "Did you bathe in Vampire today?"
"Har har Jacob; you're too funny for words."
"No Bella, you really do stink." He said wrinkling his nose.
"Edward said something about making sure you remember who my boyfriend is." I said to him cocking my head to the side.
"It worked, please go take a shower." He said. I will finish up doing whatever it is you need to do."
"No way Jacob."
"Charlie!" Jacob bellowed. "Tell your daughter to take a shower she smells like onions!"
"Jacob Black! I can't believe you just did that!" I hissed at him.
"What's the problem kids?" Charlie said coming in the kitchen followed by Billy.
"Bella stinks and she needs a shower."
"Jacob is an immature dill weed who thrives on making my life miserable."
"Can't handle the truth Bella?" He challenged.
"Dad can you believe he said that to me?"
"Billy's right, you two should just give it up and date." He and Billy both broke out in laughter.
"UGH!" I turned back to the chili and stirred it. I then check the corn bread. "Take the cornbread out in 8 minutes. DON'T FORGET!" I then stormed out of the kitchen and headed upstairs to shower. "Stupid juvenile werewolf." I muttered to myself as I turned on the shower.
I managed to shower quickly; I even washed my hair super fast. I was still angry with Jacob. As much as I love him, he drives me insane. Dried off and put on fresh clothes before turning to put my hair up. I wasn't going to bother to dry it, dinner was almost ready, and I knew that Alice would make me shower again at her house. I have no idea why they each think that the others stink. I think they all smell great, really. I made my way down stairs where Jacob was cutting the cornbread into squares. I pushed him out of the way and started to pile the squares on a plate. Then, I turned to the chili and gave it a final stir. I went to open the fridge when I felt Jacob's arms encase me, and his face nudge my neck.
"You smell so much better now Bells, all girly and not so vampy." He said.
Count to tem Bella, don't blow up…one Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi…I pushed him away from me, and swatted at him. "I smell all girly? That is so thoughtful of you to say Jacob, especially after telling me I stink, and dragging my dad into the conversation. You," I said raising an eyebrow at him "are as bad as Emmett." With that said I turned back to the fridge and pulled out the sour cream and the cheese.
"I am not anything like a leach BELLA, and you know it." He said adamantly.
"You have no idea how similar you are, JACOB." I mimicked him. "Dad, Billy; dinner is ready."
I moved back and started pulling more ingredients out of the cabinet so that I could start making the peanut butter brownies. I ignored the men behind me as they piled the food on their plates and raised the temperature on the oven. I was glad that Jacob had not shut it off, since it wouldn't take too much time to preheat. I remembered that I forgot to put out the tortilla chips and quickly poured them into a bowl and placed them on the table. I measured and mixed and then poured the batter into a baking dish. I opened a whole bunch of miniature peanut butter cups, and placed them in the batter. Then I took a ½ cup of peanut butter and placed it in the microwave to melt it. When it was done, I poured the melted concoction over the batter and then ran a butter knife through it to spread it. As I was finishing up, the oven beeped letting me know that it was hot enough. I put it in the oven set the timer, and then went and sat at the table. I reached for the chili and noticed that everyone was staring at me.
"What?"
"Nothing" Billy and Charlie muttered.
"Do you always hum and dance when you are cooking?" Jacob 'Mr. Subtle' asked.
"What are you talking about?" I said honestly not understanding what he was asking.
"Bella, you were humming and sort of swaying while you made those brownies."
"No way. I don't do that."
"Yeah Bella you do. Renee used to do the same thing when she was cooking." Charlie said.
"Oh, I never noticed." I said lamely. "Are you going to eat or let my chili go to waste?" I said trying to cover my embarrassment.
We finished dinner and the men all went into the living room to watch the game. I cleaned up the kitchen and put some chili in a few containers. Two smaller ones to freeze and one larger one for Jacob and Billy to take home. I cut up the still warm brownies and brought them into the living room for the guys to eat. I still had a while before Alice would pick me up, so I sat on the couch next to Jacob and watched the game.
APOV
I watched the scene through the window. Jacob and Bella were sitting together on the couch. He was absorbed in the game and Bella was fidgeting on the couch. Finally Jacob got tired of her moving around and pulled her in close and draped an arm around her. She wasn't happy about that by the look she game him, but he just ignored her. She gave in after a minute and relaxed into him. "Poor Bella, she is going to smell like a dog again." I said to Rosalie. She nodded and went back to her magazine.
We decided to drive over early and get her. It was 8:00, so it wasn't that early, just an hour or so. I picked up my phone and called the Swans house. I watched as Bella untangled herself from Jacob and went towards the kitchen to answer the phone. "Hello?"
"Oh thank God Bella. I was beginning to think you were enjoying being snuggled up to that dog." I said.
"Well, hello to you too Alice. I was enjoying being snuggled up on the couch. Wait, how do you know that? You can't see me when I am with any of the Quileutes." She said suspiciously.
"I am outside with Rosalie. We have been her for a while. We thought we'd pick you up early."
"Did Edward send you?"
"What? No Bella, he didn't. I am a bit insulted that you would think so." I said.
"Right Alice, like I don't know you are here early for a reason." She said.
"Well, I came to rescue you and let you in on plans for tonight, but if you want to continue to be molested by the dog, then by all means don't let me stop you…"
"Alice…I don't need to be rescued. Jacob is my friend, a bit of a caveman like Emmett, but my friend. I am ready to go though. I'll just let Charlie know that I am leaving early. Give me five minutes and then knock on the door. "
"Fine Bella, five minutes. Bye." I hung up.
"She certainly had grown a bit of a backbone lately." Rosalie commented not bothering to look up from her magazine.
"I think that the injury she suffered made her inner personality come through more. I personally like it, well, not when it is directed at me I mean."
"She is much more fun when she isn't cow towing to 'Edward the impossible'" Rosalie said closing her magazine. "Let's go in now and see how uncomfortable we can make the dog."
I nodded and got out of the car. We walked up to the door at a normal human speed and rang the doorbell. It was a minute before Charlie answered. "Oh hi Alice, and um Rosalie? We weren't expecting you this early. Bella mentioned that you would pick her up at 9:00."
"I know Charlie, but we just got back from shopping mad I just had to pick up Bella to show her what I bought! It is so exciting!" I said with all the enthusiasm I could muster. It was a stretch, since his whole house reeked of dog! It really was repulsive.
"Oh, does Bella know you went shopping?" Charlie asked hesitantly.
"Well no, but if you don't mention it, she won't know until we get back to my house." I said then winked at him.
"I think you might want to refrain from letting her know about that. I won't tell her, but do me a favor and don't make her try anything on, ok?" He said glancing over his shoulder to see if Bella wasn't anywhere near him.
"That's fine Charlie. I promise I won't make Bella try on anything I bought tonight." I said and meant it, since I had not actually gone shopping this evening.
"Come in while I get Bella. She went upstairs awhile ago. She just doesn't like baseball. I'll call her for you yeah?"
"Don't worry Charlie; we know where her room is. You go sit down and we will get Bella. Aren't you watching the game?" I said.
"Well, yes."
"Then enjoy. We will say bye before we leave." I said as we headed for the stairwell.
JAPOV
I can't believe the gall of those bloodsuckers. They have the nerve to invade Bella's house while I am here, and stink the place up. I really needed to have a serious talk with Bella about vampire vs. werewolf etiquette. I am sure that there should be a rule about only one supernatural creature in Bella's neutral house at a time. I will talk to the elders to see if they can add a rider to the treaty.
"Charlie, what are they doing here?" I asked.
"They came to pick up Bella. I am on the night shift and she is spending the night at their house." He said refocusing on the game. "You let her spend the night at her boyfriend's house?"
"Jacob, her best friend lives there too. I worked it out with Esme and Carlisle. It is fine."
"You could let her stay at the reservation you know, we have the girls room empty since they aren't here anymore." I said indignantly.
"They have school in the morning, and it is just easier to have them all go together instead adding an extra twenty minute commute." Charlie said.
"Still, Edward is her…"
"Jacob, he isn't my favorite person you know that. Especially how everything went down, but she is 18 and can make her own decisions. If I object too harshly, she will just move out. I want her here as long as I can have her. Especially now that she is going to be going to Dartmouth in the fall." Charlie said sadly.
"WHAT? BELLA IS GOING TO DARTMOUTH? AS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE?" I yelled jumping up.
APOV
"Uh oh Bella, you need to hurry up." I said "Jacob just heard about Dartmouth, and here he comes."
"I haven't even made up my mind about it yet, how does he know?"
"I think Charlie must have told him."
"BELLA! WHAT THE HELL?" Jacob bellowed from the stair well.
Bella ran to the door and opened it. "What are you yelling about Jacob Black?"
He pushed the door open wider and then stepped back. "Your room stinks!"
"You are impossible! I can't believe I even entertain the notion that you are my best friend, my best male friend" she changed after hearing me squeak indignation at her statement.
"Bella, are you really going 3,000miles away to school in the fall?" He asked in a near whisper.
"I haven't made up my mind yet Jacob, but it is a possibility." She said softly.
"What about me? What about us? What about Charlie, and Renee and all your friends back here? How can you even consider leaving us?"
"Jacob. I can't talk about this right now. Nothing is set in stone, plus this is not the time or the place to be discussing this." I said firmly putting a hand n his cheek. "I will have a play date with you on Thursday after school Ok?" I said then drew him in for a hug. He picked me up and squeezed me tight.
"Bella, are you almost ready? I feel the urge to shower, from the smell." Rosalie said with an acidic tone.
"Cork it Blondie, I am not impressed with you, or the pixie here interfering on my Bella time." Jacob said without putting me down.
"In the same breath as that I am not impressed with your canine breath being spread throughout Bella room. Have you by chance brushed your fang at all this decade?" she said.
"Sucked on any babies lately?" He threw back.
"OK YOU TWO…Back to your corners. Jacob, put me down. Rosalie, be nice." Bella said assertively.
"The dog started it." "The leach started it" they both said simultaneously.
"Let's go. I don't want to hear it." She said. "Alice, are you ready?"
She walked out her door and down the stairs without a backward glance to anyone. Yep she certainly did get more assertive since hitting her head. We all looked at one another and just followed. She said bye to Charlie and Billy and then walked right out the door.
"So girls" She said, "you going to help me execute 'Never Ever Mess With Bella?'"