Hey all! Thank you for all the support with me dealing with my personal problems. You all are the best! I just wanted to warn all of you that Jacob is a little... what's the word I'm looking for.. happy ;) in this chapter. You'll know what I mean hehehehe!
*Jacob's POV*
"Mom?" Asherah asked after a few minutes of long awaited silence.
Bella reached out and tucked a strained of hair behind Asherah's ear. "Another question?"
Asherah nodded and I sighed deeply, letting my frustration be known.
"Jacob!" Bella hissed.
I shrugged. "What? She's asked all the questions she could have possibly asked. I'm tired of talking about your past." I paused and took Asherah's hands in mine, laying them on my lap. "I know this is a lot of information to get a handle on, but honey, Edward's with your sister. I married your mother and we all couldn't be happier."
Asherah stared at me for a moment, then turned back to Bella with a smile that matched her mothers perfectly. "That was my question." She sighed, leaning back into the couch.
"What was?" I asked, touching the back of her head.
Asherah turned her head to look at me and my hand slid to her cup her cheek. "I wanted to know if she regretted her decision."
"Oh," Bella gasped, leaning away from Asherah. "No, no… never. Not a day goes by that I think of my life being different. My life is with your father and that's who I'm always meant to be with."
I smiled smugly and nodded to myself.
"See?" I asked, dropping my hand to her shoulder and shook her lightly. "Now are you convinced?"
She nodded and yawned.
"Go on to bed and I'll bring you in some ice."
"Okay," she sighed.
I got up and helped her to her feet. I went to turn towards the kitchen, but Asherah's arms locked around my waist. "Thank, dad."
"For what?" I asked, patting her back.
"Being my dad."
I chuckled and bent down to kiss the top of her head. "Wouldn't want it any other way. Now go lay down. I'll be right in."
"M'kay." She said and kissed her mother before hurrying down the hall.
I got the ice for Asherah and placed it in a towel for her. By the time I went into her room to give it to her, she was already sleeping. I smiled and leaned against her doorframe to watch her. She was a woman, but the way she slept made her look like my little girl. I could see her entire life in the innocent look on her sleeping face. I saw the tiny girl fighting for her life; the determined toddler, trying her hardest to keep up with the boys; the young brave girl who survived a vampire attack; and the teenager sleeping in front of me now. As each day passes, she looks more and more like Bella. My smile grew as I saw the woman I love in our child. I couldn't contain the pride bursting from my heart at the family Bella and I created. The life we made together. It almost made me feel silly that I ever doubted her love for me when we were teenagers.
"Hey," Bella whispered from behind me, snaking her arms around my waist and kissing my bare back.
I reached behind me and pulled her around so I could see her. "I love you." I said, looking into her deep brown eyes. The eyes that each one of our children had.
I watched her smile fade as she saw the seriousness in mine.
"I love you too, Jake."
I cupped her face in my hands and brought my lips to hers. I didn't want to rush this kiss. I didn't want to take this moment for granted. My lips moved with hers slowly, making her heartbeat speed up. When I felt her body melt into mine, I scooped her up and carried her into our room without breaking our kiss.
I laid her on our bed and marveled over the woman in my arms. I admired her for everything she ever gave me. I held her close to my body, reminding myself that she was truly mine in every sense.
"What?" Bella chuckled, her cheeks turning a dark shade of red. "Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked, looking down at her own body before looking back into my eyes.
"Just reminding myself how lucky I am."
Bella moaned and locked her arms around my neck. "Maybe I should have Ash ask you questions about Edward and I more often."
"Don't you ever say his name while we're in bed together… naked… again." I growled into her neck.
Bella giggled and wrapped her legs around my waist.
"We're home! Thought we should announce ourselves." Christina's voice sang through the house.
I moved to get out of bed, but Bella moaned and held me with all her strength. "Stay, they'll go to bed."
"Dad, we need to discuss something." Alex called out and I heard him sit on the couch.
I moved my lips to her ears and laughed quietly. "Or not."
"Dad!" Both Christina and Alexander yelled at the same time.
I leaped out of bed and threw my shorts on. I spun around and pointed at Bella sitting up in bed. "I swear, stay right where you are. You never listen to me when I tell you that, but this time I mean it. You get dressed and I'll ruin your clothes. You fall asleep and I'm waking you up."
"Hello, Father!" Christina's voice rang through the house.
I hurried out my bedroom and ran into the living room. "You're going to wake up your sister!" I hissed.
"Well what the heck are you doing in there? Normally you're up our butts the moment we come home from a patrol! I mean-" Alexander cut off when Christina slapped the back of his head. "Hey!" He yelled at her, holding the spot she hit. "What was that for?"
"Shut up." She snapped.
I pulled them apart, but kept the smile on my face. Nothing could break my mood tonight.
"Dad? You on something?" Christina waved her hand in front of my face.
"No," I said quickly. "Speak."
"Well," Christina went into her normal business as she paced in front of me.
"He's near." Alex jumped in front of me. "I saw him walking down the beach. Edward read his mind-"
Christina pushed him down on the couch. "Are you alpha?"
"I will be."
"Not until I hand it over and right now I'm in charge!"
"I don't care who tells me what, but someone better fill me in, now!"
"Look, dad," Christina started, but Alex cut her off once again.
"Edward said he was only thinking about Ash. He didn't hear anything bad in his thoughts. Seems like the guy really likes her. But personally, I don't think we should let him anywhere near her. I mean, she's got a boyfriend and if you ask me, this dude seems really obsessive. He only met her once, not to mention the fact that that one time he met her, he punched her out." Alex paused as he balled his hands into fists.
"Can you stop and take a breath?" Christina punched his shoulder.
"I'll figure this out. Go to bed." I demanded.
Christina snorted and started down the hall to her room.
"Bed? It's still early!" Alexander complained.
"Go to your room then." I growled.
"Am I in trouble?"
I opened my mouth to talk, but Christina walked back into the living room and grabbed his shoulders, shoving him towards his room.
"Did I miss something?" He asked as she forced him down the hall.
"Don't you always?" Christina chuckled.
"How was your run?" Bella asked them in the hall.
"Oh come on!" I groaned to myself.
I walked into the hall to see Bella in her bathrobe and slippers. She smiled up at me and looked back at Christina and Alexander. "Did you find anything?" She asked them.
I slipped my hands around her waist and pulled her back into our room. "I'll fill you in."
"I'd like to talk to my kids." She couldn't hold in her laugh.
I bent over so my lips were at her ear. "Do you like teasing me?"
She nodded, biting her lip.
"Goodnight, guys." I called over my shoulder and kicked the door shut.
"Another run?" I heard Christina offer.
"I thought-" Alexander cut off when I heard Christina force him outside.
I turned towards my wife to do as I promised, but the robe she was wearing laid at her feet. I threw my arms around her, listening to her laughter as we flew backwards towards the bed.
