~A/N Jacob's POV as promised and it's super long. Lots going on in the chapter. I would love to hear from those of you that pick up various clues I leave throughout. Still going slow, it's what you guys want, right?

Copyright disclaimer: Twilight and all recognizable characters are sole property of Stephenie Meyer.

Chapter 37: A Strong Foundation

Jacob finished with the meeting. He sent two of the guys to do patrol, Sam was swinging by the kid, Canyon's house to keep an eye on him. They were probably days away from having a new wolf. Everyone else was headed home. Leah was at Bella's and participated in the meeting through the mind link. He stopped the doctor before going inside.

"Hey, Carlisle can we speak in private, maybe out here?"

Edward creeped in from the side. "I thought you had words for me first, dog." No doubt he'd been reading his mind about how annoyed he was at him for speaking to Bella.

Jacob pushed him out of his way. "No, later. Get the fuck out of here. I swear I'm renaming you gnat instead of tick. You swarm around like an annoying insect. But while you're standing there, Carlisle can be my witness. Stay away from Bells. Don't follow her, run her off the road or anything remotely close to bothering her."

Carlisle broke in," Edward, please tell me you didn't."

"She willingly stopped. I would never drive dangerously around Bella and her child. These mutts have done nothing but overreact since they reemerged. She and I were merely conversing about her paying Esme a visit."

"Edward, Esme knows Bella is busy taking care of her child and working on some projects for the Quileutes. She's been in touch with Alice and Rose."

The gnat twisted his face to prove how disappointed he was feeling that Bella's problems weren't with the family, they clearly were only with him.

"I'll phone from now on."

"That falls under the bothering category. Listen, we appreciate what you all are doing here to protect Bells and Ace, but I need to speak to Carlisle in a professional sense, you may go now." Jacob brushed his hand at Edward hoping he got the point.

"What? Is she sick? The baby? I told her the world is bombarded with germs. She shouldn't be going to that crowded market. Can't you provide for your own meals?"

Jacob realized Edward was probably not going to listen about leaving and fighting with him at the moment was too much. He still had some work to accomplish. He started to open up to Carlisle about James's bite. Edward was reading his mind and blurting out things ahead of him. He let plenty of bad words slip through his subconscious, as well as how close he and Bells were when he noticed her unmarred skin.

Edward turned around and looked over the deck railing towards the forest. Carlisle was intrigued. "That's very curious indeed, Jacob. I honestly have no medical reason for something like that to occur. I guess you realize something supernatural took place."

The bloodsucker stood off to the side wallowing in his own form of self-pity. It had been a long time, but he wasn't over her. Bella realized in the nick of time, she wanted to remain human. It was obvious to Jacob, Edward only reminded her of a series of very bad choices that were almost irreversible. He'd been warned, Jacob was going to be blunt with Carlisle. He told him that his first theory was the mark, so he went on to explain about the marking ritual, but Bella's was a little different than the other imprints. It was a human mark, not exactly a wolf mark since he didn't change until a couple of days later.

That caught Edward's attention. "The whole lot of you are barbarians, no wonder she doesn't smell the same or even act the same as a matter of fact."

"Son, perhaps you should go on a hunt. Jacob tried to spare you."

Jacob laughed at that remark. That isn't what he was trying to do, he just wanted him to get the hell away from him.

Edward remained.

Jacob continued. "Or could Ace's conception and growth inside her be the true reason she healed even though he's a long time away from shifting? We don't have anything to compare it to. Kim and Rachel are mothers and marked mates, but obviously were never infected with venom. However, I know for a fact they don't have healing abilities. Kim broke her ankle on the ice last winter and it was a drawn out recovery. Rachel is a spaz in the kitchen and needed nine stitches when Willow was only about six months old. They all come down with normal colds and illnesses. Bella said she had not been sick since having the baby, but she had a normal postpartum recovery. There doesn't appear to be unexplained healing going on. My mark scarred over and didn't go away. Ace has been sick twice, but he did get better fairly quickly each time."

Carlisle told him maybe it was an anomaly without explanation. He offered to draw some of Bella's blood if Jacob would allow it. "I wouldn't dare ask to take the infant's unless it was absolutely necessary. Think about it. Bella and your son are healthy and that's all that matters."

Jacob agreed, but he had it in his head something extraordinary was going on and he hadn't been able to stop thinking about it since he saw with his own eyes. He would leave that decision up to Bells. He stayed way longer than he ever intended so he made his way back to the house. He was so close to being finished with his present now. Rachel texted earlier a package came addressed to him. That meant his next gift to Bells would be complete.

He thought everyone was in bed so he only turned on the lights he absolutely had to. Embry stumbled in about thirty minutes after him. Jacob asked how patrol went in the morning. He was free after the meeting and Jacob was the only other one that knew what he'd been up to.

His brother started making a couple of sandwiches and offered to make him one as well. "No thanks, I'm stuffed from Bella's cooking, but I'll take a glass of cold milk if you don't mind."

Embry brought the glass over and sat down a few chairs over to eat. Jacob shook his head. "Like that helps. I smelled it the minute you stepped inside the door."

His brother hung his head low. He wasn't embarrassed or ashamed, but Jacob knew this was one huge secret for some reason and he promised to stay quiet unless it affected the job of protecting his family. Embry deserved a break and even though he'd insisted this was only about blowing off steam, Jacob was hopeful for him... for both of them.

"You about done?"

Jacob studied the sketch. He couldn't decide. He thought it looked right, maybe it was time for a second opinion. Rachel came from down the hall. Maybe a third was also in order.

"Is this a boys' only powwow or can big sis join in?"

Embry looked at Jake and squinted his eyes, like no more talk about you know what.

"Of course you can stay, I'm ready to show both of you one of the things I've been working one." Rachel clapped her hands together in excitement. Jacob pushed away his makeshift barricade and lifted up the drawing. "What do you think? Does it look like them?"

"Holy shit, brother. I thought you were designing houses." Jacob said he was but this was his most important job recently.

Embry concurred. "Yes, it's just like a photograph. She's going to love it." Jacob had taken his favorite picture of Bella and Ace, which happened to be that spontaneous selfie the night he was missing them both like crazy and had it printed. Then he started studying it and turned it into one of his best pencil sketches in his opinion. Rachel got all weepy. She said Bella was going to appreciate that more than any gift he could ever buy.

"I mean, the details are so exquisite. I can count each and everyone of his long lashes. You captured the spirit of them so beautifully. I haven't seen you draw people since you were fifteen and used to copy comic book heroes."

"I don't really, that's why I took my time to get it right, but I actually bought her something as well. It all connects." Jacob opened the small box that came in the mail. He pulled out the woven leather bracelet that had the sterling silver mother and child charm. He also had several extra clasps so he could add to it. Bella would have a proper charm bracelet that she could decide what she wanted to add. He told them he was going to clean up the edges of the wolf with some fine grit sandpaper and rub in a special oil that would have it looking fresh and give her the sketch and the bracelet hopefully some time tomorrow.

Embry got up to head for the shower, but before he left them alone, he told Jake, he really liked the turn around they'd all witnessed. Embry and Jacob had worked through a bunch of issues over the past few weeks. Kaleigh made it easier by falling from grace in a way. The blame game was over for them. Jacob needed to return some calls to the lawyer but he'd put it off for a few days. She was digging in now and refusing to sell the house and property, so Jacob was insisting on her buying him out. He wasn't going to continuing paying on it. He always made the house payment. Her lawyers were longtime friends of her parents. They found ways to stretch everything out. Was there such thing as miracles? Kaleigh had become a completely different person over the stress, Jacob hoped there was a possibility she could revert back to a rational human being before this dragged out much longer. He was seriously thinking about appealing to Mack. His lawyer would not advise it because of the pending assault charge, but it might work. He'd keep his plans to himself for now.

Jake told Rachel he was turning in soon. "I know the sketch isn't all you've been doing. Why are you always working after hours and spending all that time at the library? I can keep a secret... even from Paul."

"There's a man from Thailand. I know him from the conferences I attend in California. He's a leader in global architecture and he's specifically interested in structures that can withstand Mother Nature's fury. That happens to be my strong suit. He and I talked on several occasions and he gave me his business card." Jacob was looking to get hired on with his company as a freelance architect. He would be fully responsible on how much work he did and in his own time. "I just have to prove myself. I have to present ten large scale designs in a relatively short amount of time for his investors' approvals, so that's why I feel like I'm working nonstop."

"I'm proud of you. I believe in you and so does Bella. Share this news with her. That's what partners do."

He'd been tempted many times but he really wanted the job in the bag before he told her. "I don't want to let her down if it doesn't happen. I mean, I've got the garage thing, but I need more money to get through the divorce without losing my shirt completely. I want to provide for my son. I also need the sign-on bonus Mr. Thumying is promising. I really want to buy the abandoned the Mahoney house."

"Seriously, I thought it was condemned. Didn't that guy end up in a mental institution when his plans failed so miserably?"

"I think he had a breakdown because his company went belly up and he's broke, but I can do something about that so-called condemned thing. That's my first design plan to woo Mr. Thumying. I know what the builders did wrong. I have a solution to save the house. It will take extensive redesign and I'm going to have to tear half the damn thing down, but there's a small cabin nearby that comes with it. I'm going to build this house with Bells in mind. We're going to raise our kids there. I've seen it in my mind many times."

"You dream big little brother, always have. That's one of your best qualities. Okay, I promise I'll keep everything hush hush until you're ready, but it'll cost you?"

"What? You always were the worst of the worst with your blackmailing."

"It's a simple question. Does Emb have a girlfriend?"

"Go to bed, Rachel."

"So the answer's 'yes?' I knew it."

Jacob never said that but he wasn't about to discuss any of Embry's love life with her. It was far too close to home and those women talked. The were a band of gossips.

"One more thing, Rach. Can you make extra of that smoothie mess you blend up in the morning?"

"Why Jacob, are you craving antioxidants?"

"Hardly, it's not for me. I thought Bells might appreciate it. I doubt she wants a pastry every morning. I want to give her healthy shit too."

"Gotcha and you're going to be dropping off Bella something every morning now?"

Jacob told her that it was the plan for now. They had to rebuild and he'd decided the best way was to remember the best parts of their past while celebrating their present: things like taking care of Ace together, being a family with the pack and allowing time to get to know who they were as adults. They'd rushed before without thinking and he was grateful for their son, but they needed to build a firm foundation. It reminded him of the plans for the Mahoney place. Those dumbasses cut corners and rushed and the house could have very well fallen off in the ocean. Jacob knew how to fix it. He hoped his plans for his relationship with Bella were just as good.

Jacob twisted the key in the backdoor slowly, he was running a few minutes later than the day before. He sat down the box and took the smoothie to the fridge. He needed to finish his note. He unfolded the paper to read what he had so far.

Hey,

So, you might be wondering if I'm making a habit of this and the answer is "hopefully." I've been thinking a lot about how we used to be. We were so close back then, best friends with the potential to be so much more. However, all that time, he over-shadowed that potential. Now, nothing stands in our way, but our own hardheadedness. I'm not keeping count anymore, Bells, about who did or didn't do what they should have. I plan to spoil you like crazy for now. I don't want anything in return. I have no ulterior motives other than wanting to make you smile everyday I leave you a note and a treat.

He'd stopped there. He needed to jot down something about the smoothie. It looked disgusting but Rachel swore by them. Jacob hoped Bella didn't think he was playing a joke on her by bringing that pale purple concoction to her. He watched all the stuff Rachel put into it and he almost gagged.

He was just going to finish off the note when her scent wafted through the room. He looked up and saw her coming down the stairs with Ace on her hip.

"Morning, you two."

Bella walked over to Jake. Ace was already kicking his feet with excitement. His face lit up to see his father. Jacob reached for him and motorboated on his fat cheek. "What's this?" She was pointing to the box in front of him.

"Oh, well, I was about to write it out, but I'll just tell you. I need to get going. This is that box I mentioned. There's some old pictures and stuff that might remind you of some good times. Also, there's a blueberry-kale smoothie with oats in the fridge. I hope it doesn't make you hurl, but Rachel drinks them all the time."

"No, that sounds delicious. Thanks. Do you have time for breakfast? I swear I won't put kale in it."

"No, honestly, I'm late already." He kissed Ace one more time and asked Bella where she wanted him.

"The swing's fine. I need to make something for Dad."

Jacob put his arm around her and gave her squeeze. "See you later, Bells. I heard you're going out to the res."

"Yes, I'm taking Atticus to visit some of the council. I think I might make them some food. Rachel invited me to dinner too. Will you be home yet?"

"I can be if you're going to be there."

She smiled at him and he was happier than he'd been in a long time.

The garage was hopping all morning. Jacob had been under a Dodge for nearly an hour, but he had to get the orders out before two o'clock so they'd be there the next day. Ashley floated by him and kicked at his foot. She kept babbling about something. He pretended it was too hard to hear her and would talk to her after he was done with his job.

She disappeared back in the office. It wasn't unheard of that she could do the ordering. Jacob made a super easy system that even a ten year old could navigate, but when he went inside she was taking pictures of herself behind the desk. The laptop was closed so she was not accomplishing a damn thing.

"I need to order unless you plan on it."

"Oh, no, you know what we need."

"So do you, if you'd read the list."

She laughed it off and said she'd watch the front instead. Jacob gave her credit for that. She knew how to snag the male clientele. He swore plenty of guys came in with so-called "problems" with their cars when nothing was actually wrong.

Jacob could feel Bells a mile away. She was at the garage. He jumped up from behind the desk. What if something was wrong with Ace? He hadn't heard from her that she might stop by. The only message he got all day was she enjoyed the yummy smoothie.

He stopped at the door and listened. Ashley was chatting away about how Bella was back. He cracked the door and saw his son in the stroller with Bella holding tight to the handle. She was annoyed, it was obvious and he smelled food. He told her he wasn't expecting anything in return but it seemed she was bringing him lunch.

He couldn't help himself, he was spying on the two women.

"So, how are you? I heard."

"Heard what, Ashley?"

"You know, about Edward and all. How are you dealing with the breakup?"

"Seeing how that was almost a decade ago, I'd say I dealt with it fine. It was my idea, actually."

"Oh, well that's not how I heard it from Lauren."

Bella asked where Jacob was.

"He's in the office, working. I'll check if he can be disturbed." Ashley finally stopped yapping and bent down to take a closer look at Ace. "Well, look at you, little cutie. I guess this is Jacob's son. Anyone could spot that." She lowered her voice for affect. "I heard that story as well, but don't worry your secret's safe around here. Anywho, this little man is so handsome just like his daddy."

"There's no secret to keep. Jacob and I have a son together. Everyone already knows." Bella started pushing the stroller. She looked like she was ready to mow Ashley down. She pointed to the office, so Jake quietly closed the door. "Is that where Jake is? I'm here with his lunch and to visit with our son."

Jacob ran back to the desk to pretend he wasn't eavesdropping. Ashley tried to stop her. "Wait, customers aren't allowed in the office." Bella swung open the door. "Sorry, Jake. I told her."

"It's fine, Ashley, my family is not the same as any old customer. The orders are done, so I'm taking a lunch break, please don't disturb me for the next half hour."

She faked laughed and smiled at Bells and shut the door.

"Seriously, did you get a load of that get-up? Her heels are at least six inches. Does she really dress like that everyday in an automotive garage?"

"I don't pay attention to how she dresses and she doesn't even come in everyday, Bells. Who cares about Ash, whatcha got in the bag? She's holding out on me, huh, Ace? I smell beef, grilled onions and melted cheese."

Bella unwrapped everything from the bag. "I made a big batch of super-stuffed Philly cheese steak sandwiches. I just dropped off Dad's. I called Old Quil and he seemed pretty excited. I think Quil was listening in, so I expect him to be there as well. I made plenty." Jacob didn't waste any time digging in.

"Are you eating the other one?"

"No, I had a salad at home. Those are both yours. There's kettle chips as well and leftover trifle." Jacob was happily stuffing his face while Bella paced around the small space. He had a cold ham and cheese in the fridge, but this sandwich from Bells would really stick to his ribs. "She's something else, isn't she?"

"Who?"

"Ashley or is it Ash, your pet name for her?"

"Jesus, Bells. I shorten names. It isn't a pet name and I do my best to pay as little attention to her as humanly possible."

"Well, I'm certain she wasn't this glamorous in high school. I guess she got better with age. Lucky for her, I guess."

"How about her father left her with a wad of insurance money and she bought several enhancements to improve on her looks."

"Oh, well, maybe so. I swear some of those enhancements were almost ready to spill out in Atticus's face when she leaned over him. Who knows, he might refuse mine from here on out thinking they should be bigger, better and perkier."

Jacob almost choked on a pepper. "Seriously, you're talking crazy. He's never going to refuse you. He knows what you've got cooking up in there. Yours are quite fine and plenty perky. I should know."

She tried to hide her embarrassment but it was painted all over her cheeks. Jacob winked at her. She was quiet maybe five minutes and then she was back on Ashley Dowling again.

"How can one look that fine in cowprint? I couldn't fill a dress out like that in my wildest dreams. What about these jeans, Jake?"

She turned in a circle. "They fit good."

"Yeah, I always thought they were comfy, but last night I realized they flatten out my butt and are they too high waisted?" She lifted her top and exposed some skin above her waist.

Jacob sat down his sandwich and admitted a little bit of what she was currently doing to him. "I'm trying to take things slow, but you bring me delicious food and then beg me to think about your tits and ass. I can only show so much restraint. You look perfectly fine to me, Bells. There's no reason to be insecure and Ashley will never be my type. I deal with her for one reason and one reason only. I'm sure you can guess why?"

"Her enhancements?"

He laughed hysterically, but walked over to her. Jacob put his arms around her and hugged her tight against his chest. He was even bold enough to let his hands slide a little lower and give her a gentle squeeze. "Just right, not flat." He kissed the top of her head. "I meant the fact that she signs my paychecks, honey. You're the only woman I plan on looking at from here on out. Everyone else is merely in the background."

"Thanks, but I need some new clothes. I feel boring."

Jacob reached in his pocket. He'd just gotten some cash out from the ATM. "Here, go shopping, just take a couple of the guys."

"I can't take that. You're trying to save money."

"Bells, I can give you a couple hundred bucks. I got paid yesterday. It's fine. I insist."

She looked reluctant but she took the money and shoved it in her back pocket. "Okay, maybe I'll go Friday, but I'm paying you back. Billy and I are in negotiations for an hourly wage for whenever I'm working on the projects. He's offering too much, so I'm trying to make him think rationally."

She was seriously the only woman that would ever insist on lower pay, "Fine, but two wolves, that's the important part."

"Understood. Thanks, Jake."

"Thank you, for this delicious sandwich, but I should get back to work and you should get to the two Quils. They're probably starved by now."

He kissed Ace and Bella waved goodbye at the door. He already missed them, but at least he only had to wait about five more hours before dinner.

The driveway was full of cars. He guessed Rachel invited more than just Bells and Ace over. Jacob was hoping to get a moment of privacy to give her the gifts tonight. He didn't want to leave those things on the counter. He really wanted to see her reaction.

Bella's mom was there as well as Charlie and Sue. Kim and Jared had gone out with Sam and Emily for the evening so Quil and Claire were babysitting at Sam's place. Brady had stopped by for the free meal and Leah decided to make an appearance, but she was stuck to her mother's side trying to be casual. Bella, Rachel, Leah and Sue were the ones working in the kitchen while Renee commanded the conversation with Dad and Charlie. Willow was on the floor with Ace. Paul and Sage were battling it out on the PS4.

Sage yelled out. "You face the winner, okay Uncle Jake?"

"Sure thing, kid. I'm sure it will be you. You're kicking the old man's ass."

Willow held her hands over Ace's ears, "That's a buck in the swear jar, Uncle Jake."

"A buck, I thought it was only a quarter."

"We call it inflation. I learned that at school, so pay up."

He walked over to his sister and kissed her cheek. "She's a bossy little thing, pretty much the spitting image of you." Rachel pointed to the swear jar which was practically overflowing with bills. "Hot damn, she's rich."

"Yeah, Embry and Paul got into over Black Ops a couple of days ago. She raked in the dough."

Jacob dropped in a buck but Willow had big ears. "Make it two, I heard the D word after hot."

Bella was giggling while she stirred the pot at the stove. Jacob tickled her sides. "Oh you think it's funny, I'm getting played by a second grader?"

"Third, Uncle Jake."

Bella wiggled against him which felt a little too good. He needed to stick his head in the freezer to cool off. "Yes, I think it's a riot, but it's a good idea. Willow's our little entrepreneur. The way you guys talk, I'm sure she'll have college paid for when it's all said and done."

"Whatcha stirring there?"

"Marinara, you wanna taste?"

He was still touching her at the waist. This little display of flirting in front of everyone was causing a different kind of stirring, somewhere in his pants. Jacob got his mouth closer to her ear. "I always want a taste."

Bella dropped the ladle. "Careful, Bells." He picked up the spoon again with just a little bit of sauce clinging to it. "You blowing on it or should I?" Her cute little mouth puckered up and she blew a steady stream of air to cool it off. When she thought she'd done a thorough job, Bells shoved it closer to his mouth. Jacob slurped from the spoon. "Needs a tiny more salt, but it's good, really good."

He needed to step away from her, he also needed to visit the restroom to calm himself down. Taking things slow was necessary, but he was starting to apologize to his dick on a daily basis. "Sorry, buddy. I know it hurts, but one day we'll have her anytime we want."

Dinner was great and very filling. Jacob had a date with his nephew on the PS4, but first he needed to get Bella alone. She was talking about leaving soon to take her mother back to her apartment. Jacob was going to have to sit down soon with Bella and talk about Renee. There was something that was bugging him about her and it really wasn't the fact that she was nuts. His dad liked having her around and he and Rachel had discussed that friendship. Neither of them saw it as a problem, but he suspected Bella, Charlie and Sue thought that it was.

"Hey, can you spare a few minutes? I've got your present, go to the back porch. I don't want an audience."

Bella looked over at her mother and Billy entertaining Ace, so she nodded and started walking to the back of the house. Jacob grabbed the gift from where he'd stashed it. Rachel smiled from across the room. She'd wrapped the bracelet really fancy. He was probably only going to hand her the plain white box with a bow on it. He mouthed thanks to his sister.

Jacob turned on the light even though he'd prefer sitting out there in the dark with her. She needed to be able to see the sketch.

He handed her the present first and she eagerly unwrapped it. Bella held up the charm and gasped out a surprised noise. "Oh, Jake, it's so gorgeous, a new charm and the wolf looks brand new like the night you first gave it to me."

"Do you like it?"

"Yes, I love it."

"That's a mother and child."

"I know, I've seen them before. It's beautiful, honestly." Jacob asked if he could put it on her. He told her about the other links to add new charms.

"Thank you so much. This is perfect. I'm never taking it off except to bathe."

"I'm glad you liked it. There's one more thing."

"The bracelet's enough, really you shouldn't have."

"It's homemade, so don't worry, but I really wanted you to have this too." Jacob carefully unrolled the sketch and presented it to Bella.

This time, she cried. "That's us. I can't believe it. I didn't know you could draw like this. I know this pose. I have this on my phone."

"Yeah, it's my favorite one. Ace is laying on your hair like a pillow and you're both smiling."

"I love it. I'm going to frame it and keep it in my room. Thank you so much."

They had a couple of picnic tables out on the screened in porch so Jacob had a seat at the end. Bella sat down the drawing and climbed into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and started to stroke her hair. She told him she'd been looking through the box.

"Does it make you happy or sad?"

"No, not sad. Maybe a few weeks ago, it would've made me sad but not now. Do you know why?"

She rested her head over his heart and they stayed like that a few minutes. Life with Bella had been full of ups and downs, but the subtle changes that were taking place recently only appeared to be elevating them, no longer bringing them down. He was pretty sure he knew the answer to her question. "Yeah, honey, I know why."

~Thanks for reading.

I'm positively convinced I've turned this story into a puddle of goo. See, my angst has purpose, it leads to a grand makeup between the main characters.