Monday was busy. The phone was ringing off the hook and we had a bunch of walk-ins as well. There seemed to be a run on car problems and our schedule was filling up. I was even eating lunch at my desk, Jake had only had time for a quick bite too since he had just received three parts that had been delayed in transit and the vehicles needed to be ready today. Just after lunch my phone rang. Not the office phone but mine. Everyone knew I was at the garage. I looked. Leah? I pressed accept.
'Ness. It's Leah. Look, Seth ran into Mike. He can't get a hold of Jake to talk with him."
"What? Shit! Jake's here. I'm working with him at the garage for the summer. What happened? "
"Seth ran into Mike at the grocery store. Mike grilled him about you and Jake. And I mean grilled. Like how long you've been together, where you met, what you thought of Forks, if he thought you'd be back. It sounded horrible. I don't know what's up with this idiot. Seth told Mike your name but was smart enough not to say your last name or where you're living. He says he acted like he doesn't know Jake all that well – I gotta give it to the kid. He said he doesn't know where you are but basically said he'd e-mail Jake to tell him Mike was looking for him. Mike apparently threatened him to do so and nearly punched him. Seth was so scared, said he nearly phased. Mike was really, really angry. What exactly did you do to him again?"
"Met him. Big mistake. He went to school with Bella and Edward, Leah. He knows there's something fishy. He called Charlie. If we don't nip this in the bud there could be some dire consequences. I'll have Jake give Seth a call."
"Ness, how quickly you forget. Have him phase – Jake will know exactly what happened. "
Will do. He's under a Suburban right now. I'll wait until he's done. He'll freak. Any other news – Charlie and Sue – that's good, right?
Yeah, I'm happy for mom, Charlie's a great guy. We'll be like sisters, kinda…"
"Sure. The kind that are not related and usually mortal enemies type sisters."
"You got me Ness. I'm working on things. "
"Does this mean, Charlie will know everything?"
I don't think they've conferred with Jake yet. My gut is mom doesn't want to tell him."
I don't think Charlie really wants to know either and Bella certainly thinks it's a bad idea. But I'll ask Jake to call Billy and Sam. How are your new plans working out?"
I haven't phased since you left. So that's what…three and a half months. There's no precedent for me though so I don't know how long… it seems counter intuitive but I'm really looking forward to that time of the month again. I know I used to hate it but…"
"…it's a positive sign. Yeah, that's what I tell myself too – when I'm in agony. "
"Jake has been perfect for you, Ness. He sure takes care of you. And vice versa."
"Leah, I forget you know everything; I block it out to keep my sanity, just like with my family. But yeah, he's the only one. You'll see, someday when you least expect it, it will happen for you again too."
"Better to have loved and lost…I've been told but I really don't think that's the case." bitter Leah was re-emerging.
"Hopefully some normalcy in your life will be good for you. I do have to tell you though that Edward will probably fly in. I hope it doesn't set you back, but we need to know what Mike is thinking."
"I understand Ness. I was there; I want no part of any more Volturi visits. I'll be fine, whatever happens."
"That's what I told your mom."
"What?"
"Charlie and Sue. I kinda hinted…well maybe more than hinted." She could almost see my grin through the phone.
"Thanks, Ness, for giving them the nudge in the right direction."
"I got the nudge myself from Claire."
'She will be so happy to know that…especially when she's older."
"I'll definitely show her. It was really sweet."
Thanks for the talk. I should call when there isn't a crisis. Have Edward call Seth if he wants to arrange another 'run in' with Mike. That might be the best plan. And have Jake call Sam about mom and Charlie." Her voice didn't falter as much as usual when she said Sam's name. She is getting better – it's just been way too many years. I briefly thought of Jake and wondered if it would have been the same for him if I hadn't come along. I shouldn't go there.
"Will do. Thanks again, Leah."
Conveniently, just as I hung up the office phone rang three times for bookings. I just got the last appointment in the system when Jake stepped in.
"How's everything, Ness?"
"Office-wise, great. Twenty bookings today for the rest of this week and into next week. Supplies ordered and the part for the VW will be here by tomorrow."
"And?"
"Not here, Jake." I was shaking my head. My whole body was probably shaking.
"Hell. Not. Come here." He sensed something was really wrong, stood me up and held me. Then he pulled me into the back room. "What's wrong?" It was easier to show him the call with Leah. He kissed me.
"We'll get through this. I'll talk with Seth see what else happened. As soon as we close up I'll get the real scoop. Call Edward – have him book the flight. We need more intel on Mike."
"Intel, Jake? Is this the FBI?" I joked as I was comforted in his arms. That broke the tension and he started to part my lips with his tongue. Just then I heard the door chime. "Shit, Jake." I grabbed an oil filter off the shelf. "Stay here." I whispered.
I exited closing the door behind me.
"Hi. How can I help you? The customer wanted an oil change I booked it immediately even though I knew Jake didn't have time. I'd do it myself. I told the customer to be back in an hour. She was very happy about the efficient service and left her keys. Jake opened the door once she'd left.
"Ness, you're crazy. Call Edward."
"We can't let Emmett down. We'll see Edward tonight. It would be too suspicious if Edward showed up today anyway. Go to work. I'll take this new one since I overbooked you." I wanted to kiss him but instead tried to step around him. He pulled me close again to kiss me softly.
"Somethings are more important than Emmett's rules" he said. I kissed him back agreeing completely.
I finished the oil change between phone calls, but I also heard a little squeal. Jake came to look at it and noticed the fan belt was a little loose he tightened it and the car sounded as good as new.
"This belt looks fine Ness, no cracks. Just ask her when she last had the timing belt done. That's usually the one that craps out the whole engine. Usually needs to be done every 100000 miles. It's about $500, not cheap, but beats a $10000 engine. Just charge for the oil change. I've gotta go replace some brake pads then do a tune up. And then I need to call the Corvette guy about a pricey repair – he must love that car. Can you call Edward? He'll worry if Seth calls Billy and Billy calls Charlie and Charlie calls Bella…"
"Geez, Jake, you'd think we live in a soap opera." All he had was a dirty rag in his hand – it missed me.
"Aye, aye, Boss!" I decided he deserved a salute.
I called Edward and he was going to book a flight out within the week. I told him we'd see him tonight to discuss things and we'd bring take-out.
As soon as I finished imputing the finished work order the lady was back. She told me that she'd heard the squeal for months but kept forgetting to get it checked and almost insisted on paying for the repair. I told her the boss said it was gratis. I passed on Jake's concern and she said she'd look into it certain she'd bring the car back if it had to be done. I like happy customers. I booked at least 10 more appointments that afternoon, Jake's week next week is more than half booked and it's only Monday. We're in trouble with Edward gone – it looks like it will be some late nights at the garage. By the end of the day customers were strolling in to pick-up their vehicles and clear up their tabs. I knew Jake had month end reports to get to Emmett as well as a fully booked day the next day. We closed up past six again and went through the drive through for burgers. I figured we'd go straight to the house but Jake pulled up at our place.
"Let's go" he pulled me out of the car. I hesitated. "Just a few minutes alone. We'll get there soon." He said. We sat on the couch and poured out our fries. Coated them in ketchup – the only way we eat them. We fed each other fries after we'd finished our respective burgers. We managed to get lost in each other and our silliness which proved Jake's point. There's always time. Jake finished his hot fudge sundae and wiped his hands before pulling me onto his lap for a kiss to end all kisses –deep and sensual, tender and seemingly without end. When he kissed me gently in short bursts to bring me out of my reverie, I smiled. Only Jake could make me forget all my worries for a minute and focus on love.
We got to the house by seven and Esme worried when we didn't have food but relaxed when we said we'd eaten. Edward actually smiled and pulled mom closer to him then I did the same to Jake.
Dad did book his flight for Wednesday and was meeting up with Seth. At that, Jake remembered he hadn't gotten the rest of the story. I called Leah.
"Leah, is Seth home?"
No, he's with the pack."
"I'll let Jake know. He wants to talk to him. Thanks. Call you soon."
I scooted Jake out the door reminding him to undress. There were questioning looks from my family but since Emmett wasn't there it was silent.
Jake came back in less than ten minutes wearing just his pants and sat down. I grabbed a bag for his stuff and put it at the front door. Good thing too; he had his boxers in with his shirt.
"Jake next time I have to tell you to also get dressed again." Almost everyone concurred but then Jasper said 'once seen cannot be unseen' which reminded all of us of the Emmett incident with Jake in the buff.
"So Jake…" Dad started to get us back on track and possibly to get me out of the reverie of remembering staring at Jake naked like I did that night.
He retold the story from Seth's perspective and it seemed pretty much the same as what I'd heard from Leah. Seth also didn't mention our engagement which was good news from Dad's point of view.
So we strategized with Dad and Jasper about the best way to ambush Mike. It really was like an FBI sting. If Seth was game I think the plan was for him to go in alone and depending on the results, Edward might wander into Mike's path. Edward was going to say he was out of school for the summer and looking into residency at the hospital – good cover and Carlisle still knew most of the physicians there.
We had a plan. "Mom are you packed?"
She shook her head.
"I can't go. I can't be seen." Shaking her head more forcefully.
"But…"
"It's fine Ness, you're far more important." Mom's 'it's fine' is the same as Jake's – it's never fine.
"NO! You have to go. No one will see you."
She just shook her head. I hated using the mind-reading card but it was my only hope. I was more than worried.
"Dad, she won't let you in, right?"
He nodded to me despite mom's silent pleas.
"What is the longest you've been apart since your wedding?"
"10 hours – drive to Seattle, Jenks", mom answered in monotone. And that time apart was fraught with great memories, I thought sarcastically. Edward looked haunted but I pressed on.
"And since Italy?" Everyone in the room shuddered.
Mom was vague "a day and a half"
Dad answered "thirty hours and fifteen minutes, hunting, Alice stayed with her."
"You have to go, Mom. Stay at the cottage. Run in from Seattle."
"It's too dangerous. For you."
I hated this. My fault. Mom is strong, no doubt. But not for this. No one had actually sat me down and told me about the months before Italy. Not even Jake. But I'd learned a lot in almost seven years and everything I'd gathered was horrible: the haunted looks on Carlisle's and Esme's faces every time it was mentioned – even now, Rosalie still searching for redemption, Alice and Jasper lost in each other paralysed in the memory. Jake also crushed with whatever his role was that set this incident in motion. And mom and dad reliving it as we sat here talking about my future. I couldn't take it.
OK. Let down your shield. I want to know what Dad will think. Because I think you'll fall apart."
She still shook her head.
Edward finally spoke up. "We'll have Seth monitor. No one needs to go anywhere right now." Holding mom in his arms. The way she clung to him told all of us this was the right course of action.
Good, I thought, we'll deal.
Then Bella surprised all of us and started yelling. "EDWARD! YOU ARE GETTING YOUR ASS ON THAT PLANE! I want to know if Ness is in ANY danger! I don't care if I burn like I did during the transformation or longer or hotter if it will save our daughter!"
I clung to Jake with tears rolling down my face. It was all my fault. Then another realization. Mom remembers. She had always been vague or even outright lied about her recollection during the transformation. Dad – I looked up and he had either processed this at the exact same time or read my thoughts. It didn't matter. Looking at dad; mom had made her point.
"I'll pack," was his concession. But I had to do something. I squeezed Jake, knowing I should talk to him first but hoping he'd understand.
"I'll stay with you, mom," Jake kissed me and nodded. I got up and sat on her other side. "I love you," she pulled me into her cold embrace.
Both Esme and Alice also came forward in support. Mom wouldn't be alone, it wasn't the same but hopefully we'd help her through however long Edward was gone.
"Dad?" I called.
"I'll be fine, Ness. I'll buy a plane if I need to get home." I didn't believe his 'fine' either but he'd already promised mom. He nodded. Jasper couldn't leave Alice and Carlisle was too well known in Forks– dad was on his own. And there was the issue of Charlie to discuss – should he or shouldn't he know of our world.
Dad picked up my train of thought. "Jake, I'll also talk to Sue about Charlie." He hesitated picking out Jake's thoughts. "I was thinking the same thing. It really should be their decision. I'll let Sue know." Mom looked worried. But I don't think it had anything to do with Charlie. Dad just shook his head. He didn't like not knowing any better than I did.
I gave mom a big hug and a kiss. "Jake and I are going to take off. I'll be here after work – maybe late – seven-ish on Wednesday."
Both Alice and Esme confirmed they'd be there during the day for mom. Other than her outburst she had barely spoken all night. I didn't know how this would work. I didn't think it would work.
"Ness. I've got a phone." Dad said. "I'll come home." He tried to reassure me but I don't know if it was only to convince himself. It's a long flight.