Ben
Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to SM.
A/N-thank you for the kind reviews. It looks like everyone's views are still split regarding Esme fostering Luka, though I think its leaning more towards the side that she shouldn't. Thank you all so much for expressing your opinions, it's given me much to think about, especially as I am struggling so much to write anything at all. :)
Chapter Twenty-Seven-Ben's Birthday
"Look, there's not a lot we can do about it right now." Jacob rubbed the tops of Bella's arms as he tried to calm her down. "It's Ben's birthday tomorrow, let's concentrate on that first. Then once its all over we can sit down and have a proper conversation with Esme."
"Ugh, it annoys me how much you always make sense!" Bella replied irritably. "Don't you get bored with being right all the time?"
Jacob grinned as he tugged gently on a strand of her hair. "It's just one of my many talents." He teased lightly.
"As humble as ever I see." Bella felt her mood lightening as she teased him back. Jacob always knew how to pull her out of the doldrums. "Well maybe you could use some of that talent by helping me in the kitchen. I've got a birthday cake to make."
Jacob pulled a face of mock horror. "I thought you didn't trust me in the kitchen."
"Not when you're using the stove." Bella smirked as she tapped him lightly on the chest. "But even you couldn't possibly mess up when I'm supervising."
"Don't bet on it." Jacob mumbled under his breath as he followed her into the kitchen.
Jacob was amused at how much Bella got lost in her own world when she was baking the cake. He imagined he could see her building the confectionary creation in her head as she whisked and measured. It was as if the choregraphed freedom of her actions, free yet orderly, did the same with her stress levels. As she made the cake, he noticed she would often smile and make notes in a small notepad she stored in the kitchen draw, as if giving herself ideas for future inspiration.
She had relegated him to the kitchen table. While she commandeered the stove, he sat and used the cookie cutter to cut different shape biscuits. When he was done, she gave him an appraising smile, ruffling his hair affectionately, before taking the filled trays and placing them carefully in the oven. Soon Jacob was overwhelmed as their aromatic fragrance overpowered every other scent in the room. Their delectable aroma pervaded the air, sending his mouth watering. It got even worse when Bella pulled them out of the oven to cool, he was so very tempted to grab some and indulge in the decadent pleasure of tasting the freshly baked cookies. Instead he was forced to merely inhale the gorgeous scent that emanated from their baked, warm depths.
"You look like you're in cookie heaven." Bella laughed at the longing look on Jacob's face.
"Or cookie hell." Jacob grouched. "This is too much, Bells. Let me just have one." He pleaded.
"Nope!" Bella said firmly. "This is all for Ben."
"He won't notice." Jacob's hand hovered over the chocolate chip cookies. They were his favourites. "Ow!" He yelped when he got a stinging smack on the back of that hand from Bella's wooden spoon. "You are heartless, honey."
"Aww is ickle Jakey all upset 'cos meany weany Bwells wouldn't let him have his cookie?" Bella said in a baby voice.
"Yes, I am." Jacob joined in the game. He gave her the benefit of his best puppy dog look, hoping that she would melt and give in. Bella laughed at his lame attempt and shook her head. He sighed dramatically. "I never thought you would deny a hungry werewolf some much needed sugar."
"You're not gonna make me feel guilty." Bella sang off-key as she returned her attention back to the cake. "You wait until I start on the muffins."
By the time Charlie came downstairs early in the morning he was greeted with the pleasant aroma of muffins. As he walked into the kitchen, he saw rows of them covering the cooling racks, golden domes cracked perfectly down the centre. Each one was still warm to the touch. Charlie picked one up, his fingers spreading around it reverently. "You've outdone yourself this time, Bells." He mumbled. His eyes never left it as he used his other hand to tear off a piece, allowing a small column of steam to rise upward, deepening the aroma in the kitchen.
Charlie put the piece inside his mouth as he left the kitchen. Instead of chewing he let the crumbs melt on his tongue, his eyes closing to deepen the pleasure of the moment. He was in ecstasy. "I have such a talented daughter." He mused proudly as he wandered into the living room to find Jacob and Bella curled up on the sofa together, fast asleep. "Aww…would you look at that?" His heart melted at the sight of them, much like the muffin in his mouth. "They must have been up all night making all that food. I'll let them sleep in." He decided as he tiptoed out of the room and closed the door.
"Good morning to the birthday boy!" Charlie declared as he pulled open the curtains in Bella's room, letting in the warm shafts of sunlight. He turned to find Ben sitting up in bed, Wilbur clutched tightly to his chest. "So, are you ready to get up and enjoy your special day?" He asked his son.
Ben gave him a tentative smile as he nodded eagerly. Charlie smiled in response as he bent down and lifted Ben up into his arms. "You are gonna have such a fun day." He continued brightly as he carried Ben carefully down the stairs. "Your sister has been up all-night baking. I know she has made a special birthday cake just for you. Aren't you lucky?"
Ben trembled with delight, his brown eyes shining with excitement. Charlie ruffled his hair and took him into the kitchen. He was once again greeted by the smell of freshly baked goods. He saw Ben's eyes widen in awe at all the goodies on display. Chuckling, he plopped the little boy on one of the chairs and asked him what he wanted to choose for breakfast.
"Cookies!" Ben giggled.
"Cookies coming right up." Charlie laughed as he carried over some of the trays. "What ones would you like?"
"That one. And that one. And that one. And that one." Ben reeled off happily. Charlie felt a warm glow inside at seeing the little boy so animated. Ben wasn't normally as vocal as this, but it seemed that he was finally feeling settled enough to show his happiness.
Soon Charlie had an impressive array of cookies placed in front of him and his son. He added some of the delicious muffins into the mix. Ben was in seventh heaven as he tried to cram a whole muffin into his mouth in his eagerness to eat everything in front of him.
"Hey, slow down there, kid." Charlie chuckled as he passed Ben a cold glass of milk. "Use that to wash it down."
Ben lifted the glass with both hands and gulped it down quickly. Afterwards he plunked the glass down and grinned at his father. Charlie was amused no end at the milky moustache that covered Ben's upper lip. "Like father like son, huh, Ben?" He tickled the little boy in the side, sending Ben into a fit of giggles. "I've got to get a picture of this." Charlie decided as he held up his cell in front of both of them. "Time for a selfie, Ben." He suggested as he leaned his head close to the little boy's and took a picture.
Jacob ran the comb skilfully through Bella's wet hair. It always amazed her how gentle he was; how his huge hands could move so dexterously, weaving her hair into a tight braid that would leave her hair in waves when she unbound it. When he finished, he kissed the back of her neck and squeezed her shoulders. She leaned back against him, reclining partly on the sofa and partly on him. His arms circled her. He was so warm.
"Feeling more relaxed now?" He asked.
"Definitely." Bella agreed.
Waking up to find all her hard work from the night before in disarray, and Ben already up and bouncing off the walls because of all the sugar he had consumed for breakfast, had not been the best start to the day. She had managed to hide her annoyance from the birthday boy and her father, but she couldn't hide it from Jacob. He had done as he always did, he ushered her up into the shower, then afterwards he had gently combed her hair, knowing the subtle motion of the brush strokes through her thick hair would soothe her frazzled nerves.
Upstairs she could hear the sound of Ben's giggles. Charlie was giving him a bath. The sound of her little brother's happy laughter was like a balm to her soul. She knew she was stupid to overreact about the food. This was Ben's special day, if he wanted cookies and muffins for breakfast, who was she to say no.
"Do you think I can be too uptight sometimes?" She asked Jacob.
"Never." Jacob said with a teasing glint in his dark eyes. Bella gave him an exasperated look. "Alright, maybe a smidge." He admitted.
"I wish I could be like those happy-go-lucky girls who don't let anything faze them. I hate being such a worrywart." Bella sighed.
"Don't be so down on yourself. You've had a lot to worry about." Jacob reminded her. "But today, you…we…can put that all aside and just enjoy Ben's birthday."
"Yeah." Bella agreed as she snuggled against him, drinking in his comforting warmth. The sound of more excited laughter, followed by the splash of water coming from upstairs made her smile.
Bella pulled her hair out of the tight braid and shook it, letting the silky strands fall in soft waves around her slim shoulders. "Perfect." She said to her reflection in the mirror. She put on a minimal amount of makeup and declared herself satisfied. The first visitors would be arriving soon. Billy, as well as the whole pack, had been invited to celebrate Ben's birthday.
The wolves weren't the only ones attending, Esme and Alice were bringing Luka. He had recovered enough that Esme felt he was well enough to attend the party for a few hours. Luka was eager to see his little brother. The conversation between Esme and Bella had been stilted on the phone, the former sounding confused by Bella's cool tone.
"Is something wrong, Bella?" Esme asked in concern.
"There is, but it can wait." Bella replied stiffly. "We can talk another time."
"Is this to do with Luka?" Esme guessed suddenly.
"Esme, I would rather not talk about this now." Bella sighed. "Can we just concentrate on the boys today, please?"
"Of course." Esme said solicitously. "I'll bring Luka over soon."
"Thanks." Bella was grateful that Esme wasn't going to press her for more information, but it didn't mean that the conversation wasn't going to be any less difficult when it happened.
Bella looked at her little brother's happy grin and felt a rush of love for him. His warm chocolate brown eyes found hers and he laughed, a sweet sound unblemished by past hurts. It was the infectious sound of a young boy who had found his place in the world, who was safe and happy. His little face glowed from within, and his fingers held Bella's as she waited for Jacob to take a picture of the two of them. She held him to her chest tightly, knowing that she would never let this precious bundle go no matter what she would protect him. Even to the point of death.
Ben had already received numerous presents. Everyone who came to the party had brought him something. He had been overwhelmed by all the attention, but had soon relaxed when everyone showed nothing but love and kindness toward him. It was the first time he had been around the pack en-masse, but already being close to Jacob helped him relax amongst Jacob's brothers. Of course, little Ben was a hit with the girls. Emily, Kim, and even the more reserved Leah, were showering him with affection and he was lapping it up. It had been ages before Bella had been able to reclaim her little brother back for herself.
"I have a very special surprise for you." She whispered to Ben as she lifted him off her lap and carried him to the back porch. Luka was waiting for him there, sitting between Esme and Alice on the porch swing.
As soon as Ben saw his big brother his eyes slowly filled with tears. He struggled in Bella's arms and she quickly set him down on his feet. Before she could blink back her own tears, he was hugging Luka tightly, his tears dripping down his cheeks and onto Luka's white shirt.
"Luka." He sobbed, overwhelmed at being with his brother again. "Luka."
"Happy birthday, little bro." Luka choked out, his own emotions getting the better of him. His arms encircled Ben tightly and he held him in an embrace that he never wanted to end, one that tells his little brother everything will be alright. "I'm sorry I had to leave you, Ben." He whispered. "I promise I won't ever leave you again."
Carlisle had just performed a particularly complex operation. It had gone well, but he was feeling unusually morose. He had been working around the clock, feeling reluctant to go home to an empty house. He was missing Esme badly. He hadn't realised how much having her to go home to rejuvenated his spirits after a difficult shift at the hospital. She was still refusing to take his calls, which only caused him further distress. He hadn't been hunting in weeks. His skin was paler than normal, he looked tired, with dark circles under his eyes. A lot of his colleagues had commented on it, but he brushed their concerns aside.
When his cell phone rang, he sighed irritably. When he saw who was calling his mood dipped even further. "What do you want, Edward?" He asked in exasperation when he answered the call.
"Carlisle, where have you been? I have left you several messages." Edward responded impatiently.
"I've been in surgery." Carlisle replied sourly. "Unless its an emergency then we can't take calls."
"Well this is an emergency." Edward said urgently. "We've got a problem, Carlisle."
"What?" Carlisle felt an icy trickle spread down his spine.
"I arrived at the stepfather's house last night to find it all cordoned off with police tape. Fred Harrison is dead, Carlisle. The detectives on the scene are treating it as a homicide. He was murdered."
A/N-thanks for reading!
