Part 37
By Tekhne
"Jake, we need to talk," she'd said when she called. "In person. As soon as possible."
This was bad. It wasn't just what she said; I could hear it in her voice. I didn't want to go, thinking if I could just prolong this, it might not happen. After all, everybody knew what 'we need to talk' meant. At least she wanted to do it in person instead of by email or over the phone. I couldn't say no. I could never say no to her. Not even for this.
The drive down was Hell on Earth. What had happened? Everything seemed so perfect over the holidays. Was there someone else? I tried not to think about it, but it wouldn't go away. I kept looking for any reason to go slower, but I couldn't find one. Instead, I raced down the highway, rushing to hear the words that would destroy my world.
How would she say it? "It's not you, it's me." Surely she wouldn't use a cliché.
I arrived fast. Too fast. I could sit in the car here in the parking lot for a few minutes without feeling guilty. A few more minutes that Bella could be mine. Bracing against the steering wheel, I took several deep breaths. I could do this. I could.
The walk to her door was like swimming against a stormy current in the ocean. Before I became a werewolf. I stood for a moment on the stone slab in front of the door before I knocked.
Bella opened the door. Her eyes were red. She must have been crying, but Bella didn't cry. So this was hard for her, too. But if it made her cry that much, why do it?
A smile flickered across her face as she recognized me and flew into my arms. "Thank goodness you're here!" she whispered, her face pressed against my chest.
I held her tightly. This didn't feel like a break-up. It didn't sound like a break-up. I exhaled, suddenly realizing that I'd been holding my breath since I'd knocked on the door. She wasn't breaking up.
My relief was short-lived. After all, something had her terribly upset.
"Bella," I murmured into her ear. "Bella, what's wrong?"
With one hand, I pushed the door shut behind me. Then I carried her to the couch.
"What is it? Tell me, honey."
She sobbed and lowered her head. "I'm late."
"Late for what?" What could be so important? Obviously this wasn't what she had called about. Maybe I could get her there on time. "How late?"
The sobbing stopped, replaced by… laughter?
"About two weeks late, Jacob."
"Two weeks late for—oh. You mean—" It wasn't a break-up. I felt a ridiculous grin spread across my face. Bella wasn't leaving me. I kissed her. I couldn't stop kissing her.
"Jacob," she mumbled between kisses, "did you hear me?"
I cradled her face in my hand. "I heard you."
"It messes everything up. I'm sorry." She shut her eyes.
"Messes what up?" What was she talking about?
She opened her eyes and watched my face carefully. "Our plans. Your timetable. It ruins everything. I'm so sorry."
"Bella, that's crazy. It doesn't ruin anything. It just changes things." Charlie would be upset. It had barely been two months since our uncomfortable chat on the airplane. But he'd come around. And there were more important things to think about right now. "Do you feel okay? Have you been sick? Have you been to a doctor?"
She shook her head. "I'm not even sure. I've tried three of those tests since I called you, but I keep messing them up."
"I thought they were supposed to be easy?"
"The first one I dropped in the toilet. I had bad aim. I kind of made a mess." She was blushing. "I bought another one—after I fished the first stick out to throw it away. And cleaned up the mess. The second one wasn't so bad, but I still couldn't aim right. I just made another mess. It would really be easier if guys had to take the tests, you know. They can aim with more precision."
I laughed. "I'd do it if I could."
That got a grin from her. "The third time, I tried using a cup and putting the stick in the cup. The whole thing turned blue. No plus. No minus. Just a lot of blue."
"So how do we find out?"
"I called student health. There's a blood test they can do." She swallowed hard. "Will you come with me? I'm not good with needles."
Werewolves, bloodsuckers and attempted date-rape don't seem to faze her, but needles freak her out. Go figure. "Of course I'll go with you."
Her body relaxed against mine. "Thank you for coming, Jake."
"I'll always be there when you need me. As soon as I can, no matter what. Always."