*Jacob's POV*

My heart jumped into my throat the moment Asherah's phone rang. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as I watched her reach for her phone with a shaky hand. I found myself rushing across the room towards her and ripped the phone out of her hands.

She gasped from the sudden movement, but didn't fight me for her phone back.

"Stay the hell away from my daughter!" I yelled into the phone and hung up before anyone on the other end could speak. I took her hand and slapped her phone back in it. "Tomorrow we're going to get you a new number." I muttered.

"Okay," her voice was only a whisper.

"Was it him?" Christina asked Edward.

"Could have been, the only thing I got was his surprise by Jacob's voice."

"Good." I growled.

"Jake, what if he's only trying to apologize?" Bella asked again. I watched her with wide eyes as she crossed the room to put her arm around Asherah.

"Are you kidding me?" I yelled. This was unlike Bella to not react protectively over one of our kids. I know it's just a human, but she should still be worried about it.

"What?" She asked innocently, startled by my tone. "He probably feels horrible for what happened, but you keep scaring him off."

"You of all people should know that it's never that easy." I shook my head, not understanding why she was so calm about this.

"Sorry, Mom, but Dad's got it this time. I don't think this is just an innocent thing." Alex stood at my side, tall and stern on his decision.

Christina stepped at my right side and nodded. "I agree."

"Okay, so act like a human father to the kid and not a werewolf." Bella suggested.

I shook my head, followed by Alexander. "Anyone messes with my family and they get to answer to the wolf. It's not my fault he messed with the wrong girl."

Bella rolled her eyes and shook her head. "When are you ever going to stop overreacting?"

"When I don't need to." I ignored the look Bella threw at me and stepped in front of Asherah. I placed both my hands on her face and pulled her in to kiss her forehead. "How do you feel about all of this?"

"Nervous." She sighed and leaned into my touch. I was glad she was being honest.

I wrapped my arms around her and held her close, nodding to myself before looking back at Bella. "And that's the reason why I act the way I am. She's scared and that's all I focus on- it's all I can focus on. Our daughter is terrified of this kid and I'm going to do all I need to, to keep him away from her."

It took her a minute, but Bella finally relaxed her shoulders and ran her fingers through Asherah's hair. "If she needs you, then by all means, protect her with everything you've got."

I smiled and leaned down to kiss her. "Knew you would understand."

Asherah giggled in my arms and I let go of Bella to look down at her, sandwiched between the two of us.

"What's so funny?" I asked her.

"Nothing." She smiled. "Just happy to see you guys together."

"Why wouldn't we be?" Bella raised her eyebrow, confused.

Asherah looked around me towards Edward and I shuddered. I held both Bella and Asherah tighter in my arms. There was no way I wanted to think of a different life Bella could have had with Edward. I could only see the life we made together. The kids we created together. There was no other life I would dream of living, and I hoped Bella thought the same way. By her smile and the gleam in her eyes as she looked over Asherah's head at me, answered my question. She was feeling the same way I was.

As if Bella read my thoughts, she leaned forward and kissed the back of Asherah's head. "I love your father very much. There's nothing or no one that could pull us apart."

Asherah nodded. "Good to know."

"Can someone fill me in, please?" Alexander asked, tapping my shoulder.

"No." Both Bella and I answered him at the same time.

"Alex, Chrissy, could you run a quick patrol?" I asked, catching Bella's glare.

I smiled down at her, kissing the top of her head. "Don't say a word, Bells."

She pursed her lips and shrugged. "I'm not."

"I'll go with them." Edward said and slipped out the door before anyone could speak.

"Oh I can't wait to get inside your head." Alex said as he followed his sister out the front door.

"Great," Bella grumbled. "Now he's going to find out, too. Why couldn't he keep his mouth shut?"

"You really want me to answer that?" I asked her. There were words I could say to answer that question, but with my kid in my arms, I didn't think it would be appropriate.

Bella shook her head and took Asherah's hands in hers. "It's best you didn't give your feelings on him." She said as she towed Asherah over towards the couch, pulling her down beside her.

Asherah stared at Bella, waiting eagerly.

I couldn't help but stand frozen. I was interested in hearing her questions, but at the same time I didn't want to hear Bella's answers.

"You have any questions?" Bella asked her and Asherah took a deep breath before starting.

"How do you feel about being around him now?"

My stomach turned as I waited for the answer.

"Nothing." Bella answered quickly. "There's no tension, no lust, nothing."

"That's good. Were you guys… serious?"

I snorted, already knowing the answer to that question. I couldn't help but feel smug about her answer. Bella's face turned red as her memory moved with mine. I could see into her eyes as she saw what I did.

Our first night together, the night I knew we had to be together forever. My fingers tingled as I remembered feeling her skin under my fingertips. Her warm scent filled my nose as I imagined it. My skin felt warmer with the touch of her hands. The beating of our hearts filled my ears. The memory made me smiling, matching Bella's perfectly.

"No, honey, we weren't. Nothing ever happened between us." She answered the question confidently and I felt like screaming from the rooftop.

Asherah nodded. "That's good. I mean that would be gross for Chris."

Bella shuddered and her hand moved to her stomach. I knew it was turning and I had to smile at that, too.

"Dad," I froze in place, my eyes wide as I looked at Asherah.

"Hmm?" I mumbled nervously. I didn't expect a question for me.

"I have one for you."

"S-sure."

"You and mom knew each other since you were little, right?"

I nodded.

"So you knew her when her and Edward…"

I nodded more slowly.

"How did you deal with that?"

I burst into hysterics, and both Asherah and Bella jumped slightly.

"How did I deal with it? She's married to me isn't she?"

"Well, yeah, but…"

"And that's all that matters."

"Answer her question, Jake."

"I hated it, okay! I absolutely hated them together and plotted ways to split them up. Turns out he left her on his own."

"Edward broke up with you?" She asked her mother.

Bella nodded, her eyes locked with mine as she answered Asherah. "Yes, he did. Back then I didn't think I would survive, but turns out it was the best thing that he could have done."

"That's great." Asherah leaned over to hug Bella.

"I agree." I added.

"Same here." Bella reached out for my hand and I took hers, pulling it up to my lips.