if you don't want to hear me bashing Jacob then please don't read the author's note at the end. as always, Twilight doesn't belong to me
Chapter Twenty-Six
Weeks continued, until on a rare sunny but still snowy day I heard the front door knock.
Charlie had to work longer than usual, thankfully there weren't attacks happening anywhere near Forks anymore so I knew that he couldn't be the one that was knocking on the front door. They were still prominent in Seattle; it would only be a matter of time before something would happen—tipping the scale over for good.
I also knew that none of the Cullens nor Jasper (Rosalie wouldn't come over even if you asked her to) were here, since it was a sunny day. That and they knew they couldn't loom over me all the time. It wouldn't get me anywhere if they didn't let me live life without them around me all the time.
Wearing a quarter length sweatshirt, some sweatpants, and wool socks I went down the stairs and towards the front door. Opening it, I took a step back at the sight before me. Looming over me, at six and a half feet tall was Jacob Black.
His skinny, adolescent body had transformed into a lean, muscular body. His long, beautiful black hair I was jealous of had been hacked off and his hair was cut short around his head—though it wasn't anywhere near a buzzcut. His warm chocolate eyes weren't warm and welcoming anymore, they were dark. His features weren't soft and babyish, they were hard and unforgiving lines
"J-Jacob?" I could only stutter this out, a part of me wanted to take the front door and shut it in front of the native boy in front of me. I knew better though, there was this aura around him—letting me know that Jacob wasn't completely human anymore.
Jacob didn't answer me, instead he came into the house without asking permission. I frowned deep this time, him thinking that he was a visitor, but he wasn't. He was an unwelcome visitor, an intruder who came into Charlie's house as though it was his house and not Charlie's.
"Jacob?"
I came closer to Jacob, watching as he went through the first floor of the house as though he was expecting one of the vampires to come through a doorway. He started heading up the stairs when I rushed forward and tried to go up the stairs and block him, instead I fell forward and hissed when my knee collided with one of the stairs, a burst of pain reverberated throughout me. I knew for certain that I would end up having a nasty bruise.
Something broke Jacob from his concentration, most likely my knee colliding with the wooden stair. He turned and looked down at me, worry present in his eyes. He bent down and went to help me, but I raised my hand up and glared at him, "no thanks. I have a worse matter to attend to, such as you are barging into the house as though you own it and not Charlie."
Jacob dismissed me and scooped me up in his arms, I flinched from the heat that was radiating from him. It was weird, alienating to me. I preferred the cool, freezing temperature that my vampires gave me instead of this hot, scorching heat that came from the werewolf that was holding me.
"Put me down, Jacob!" I snapped at him, making Jacob flinch this time. It was as though I had slapped him across the face instead of ordering him to stop man handling me. If I were anymore angry than I currently was, I probably would have slapped him across the face.
Jacob sat me down on the couch and then sat down on the coffee table in front of me. The wood groaned from the weight added on it. A werewolf sitting on an old coffee table probably wasn't the best idea right now, especially if the said coffee table was going to crack and break right underneath him.
"I know that we aren't close friends, but we did grow up together…." Jacob started, I stiffened as I knew what he was about to do.
I opened my mouth, ready to tell him that I wouldn't stop being friends with the Cullens and Hales, especially since I was the girlfriend of one of them because they were vampires. He expected this though, and he shot me a look—one that chilled me to my core, a look that had never been given to me before.
"Bella, I don't think that you should still be friends with the Cullens…or that you should continue dating one of them." Jacob was careful when he told me this, knowing that he was walking on thin ice enough as it was. I frowned back at him, before I opened my mouth, "I don't remember asking you your opinion on my life choices. I especially didn't tell you to tell me if I should still be dating Jasper."
Jacob's hard features tightened, when I said Jasper's name a sourness soaked the deep red skinned boy's face. It was as though I had told him I was dating the devil and would continue to do so despite the fact I would end up in hell.
"You don't know what you're getting yourself into. They're dangerous, Bella. I'm your friend, I'm looking out for you, everyone is looking out for you."
"You're just as dangerous as they are, Jacob. Don't be a hypocrite. Let's not forget that you're a wolf in sheep's clothing too. Only you're a real wolf in sheep's clothing," I remarked, my voice absolute. Jacob froze, his eyes widening before he growled deeply, enough that my heart raced in my chest.
Standing up from his spot on the coffee table, Jacob stalked forward and grabbed me by the arm, "what did you just say?"
Clouded by fear, I gulped, my mouth becoming dry. Jacob tightened his grip on me, enough that I gasped, "I-said that you're a wolf." The hand continued to grip tight on me, not any tighter, but enough that let me know I was about to be swallowed by dangerous waters.
"Did those leeches tell you what we are?"
I screamed as my arm began to break, enough that something in Jacob made him drop his hand from my arm.
His eyes widened as hot tears fell down my cheekbones. I held my arm with my right hand, with only one eye being able to see him I could clearly see him for the first time in my life—he might have thought that the Cullens were the monsters but in my eyes, he was the monster. He was the one who caused me harm.
"They didn't have to tell me anything. I already knew there was something odd about you all. It didn't take long for me to come up with the conclusion that since they're vampires that means you must be werewolves. After all one cannot exist without the other," I spat out, the adrenaline being the only thing that was keeping me from passing out in front of him.
"I'm not a werewolf, Bella. We're wolf-shifters. There's a difference," Jacob remarked, enough that I laughed bitterly at him.
"Honestly, and that's coming from the chick that you just broke her arm for no real reason either, I seriously don't give a fuck! All I know is that you better start running right now because if you don't, you'll have a real reason to be fearful of my vampires!" I spat out, the pain was beginning to outweigh the adrenaline, which wasn't a good thing. I just needed to save face for now then I could pass out and wake up to my vampire doctor father putting my arm into a cast.
Absolution appeared on his face; he had gotten my opinion on the matter. He nodded his head, "then I guess this is the last time I'll see you. Goodbye, Bella."
The door shut behind him, I didn't hesitate and pushed the button that automatically connected to Esme's number. She answered immediately, "Bella?"
"Help me," was the only thing I could manage to croak out to her before my eyes fell closed and I landed in a heap on the floorboard.
I didn't know how long I was passed out, or when I was discovered, but when I woke up to the sight of the white hospital ceiling tiles, I immediately knew I was somewhere safe. The florescent lighting though harsh was nothing compared to the harshness that came from Jacob Black. The old Jacob Black was buried, it never really had a chance to discover life, this monster took over him. He didn't get to be happy, one little thing and this wolf spirit in him would spring out and take over him if he ever got angry at someone.
"Bells?"
I was slumped back against the two pillows the clinic provided, I merely let my head slump to the side where I heard the voice, noting that Charlie was sitting in the padded chair that was next to the hospital cot. Tear streaks were stained across his cheekbones, he was still wearing his uniform, and he looked twice his age. It was as though he was waiting for me to wake up from an coma instead of waking up from the pain of my arm breaking.
"Dad?"
Charlie got up from his spot and came forward before he bent down and hugged me gently, "thank God that you're okay! I got a call from Esme telling me that you had called her, when you didn't answer her, she went over and saw that you had passed out. Carlisle checked you over when you got here, your arm is broken in three places! Do you remember what happened?"
Soft footsteps came down the hallway, the door opening allowed me to see familiar golden irises. The gentle features of Carlisle Cullen were marred with worry when his eyes landed on me. Though he was clean and proper outwards I knew on the inside he was a mess. He knew something happened to me, something that was more than me just falling down the stairs and breaking my arm.
"Bella, it's good to see you're awake," Carlisle informed me, as he reached us. Charlie moved away from me, while Carlisle reached us. He reached his cool hand out and ran his fingers through my hair in a fatherly manner. Charlie didn't have a look of disgust in his eyes, he was more relieved that I had been found in time.
"I want to check over you before I ask you some questions. Charlie, can you please wait in the lobby? I'll come and get you when I'm finished," Carlisle requested, Charlie sighed before he nodded his head. He bent down and kissed me on the forehead. He went out of the doors, Carlisle staying composed, but as soon as the doors were closed, and Charlie couldn't hear him anymore he was in front of me completely in a second—looming over me like the father he was.
"I smell him on you, he came over, didn't he?" Carlisle almost hissed this; his nose winkled back from the smell that came from me. I didn't ask him how Jacob smelt like to him because that wasn't important. I nodded my head, allowing him to know that Jacob had come over.
"What happened?"
There was no one else in the room, so I had no problem with recounting what had happened when Jacob had come over. Carlisle didn't show any emotions, though I could see in the corner of my eye his wrists were tightening with each word I told him. A soft hiss came from his mouth, as though Jacob was in front of us, when I told him that Jacob had broken my arm.
As soon as I was finished Carlisle spoke, "do you want me to talk to Sam about this? Jacob just Phased, so he's more inclined to be more animalistic. Still, that does not excuse what he did to you."
If it were anyone else in his family, I was certain that they wouldn't ask me questions. They would let their action show for what they thought about what would happen. They knew they couldn't do this, they knew I wouldn't let them do this, even if there was a part of me that wanted them to.
"Sam? He must be the leader then…" I drifted off, before I shook my head at him, "no, even though a part of me wished you would I know that it wouldn't solve anything. Besides, you need to be the better person here. I think that one of you need to be patrolling the house, making sure that none of them…most likely Jacob…won't come close to me again."
Carlisle nodded his head, before he bent forward and held me in his arms. I loosened my arms, and at that moment as I was held, I realized I wanted to be one of them. I wanted to be a vampire. I knew I would be leaving Charlie and Renee behind, my school friends that I didn't see after school were easier to say goodbye to. Charlie would be harder to say goodbye to, but Renee I barely spoke to and when I did it was just a relay of old news.
"Dad?"
It was so easy to let that word fall from my lips, as I referred to Carlisle as my dad and not Charlie. Carlisle pulled away from me, nodding his head to let me continue. I took a deep breath, looked down at my hands, before I looked up again.
"I've decided I want to be one of you, I want to join this family fully," I whispered, confessing this to him. Carlisle peered at me with no reaction upon his features, he was still, as though he was a mere beautiful sculpture. He finally gave me a gentle smile, one that didn't reach his eyes completely.
"As much as that warms my heart, Bella, are you sure that you want to become one of us? Are you sure it's not the aftershock of what just happened? You really want to become one of us?"
I reached my hand out, letting my hand take his hand in mine. I brushed my fingers against his hand, the smooth marble texture healing to me. In the beginning it was Jasper being near me that made my panic subside but having my true family around me seemed to do just the trick also.
"We need to tell the family then. Do you want to come over tomorrow? It can at least give you a night to think it over…" Carlisle looked at me with patience before I nodded my head.
"That's fine, Dad."
The next day I arrived at the house, Carlisle coming and picking me up since it was the weekend, and I wasn't at school. Charlie was at work though he had written down on a note when I should take my medication. The large cast on my left arm was enough of a reminder for me to know I needed some pain relievers.
Carlisle opened the passenger door for me, and I smiled gratefully at him, before we went up the slicked driveway. My comfortable slip on shoes made muffled sounds on the driveway, my outfit only consisted of some sweatpants and a sweatshirt. My hair fell around me in its natural slight wave style, I wasn't in the mood to deal with wearing something with more thought put into it or looking more than I felt.
We went through the garage and came into the kitchen. The family was sitting in the living room, waiting for me. It unnerved me to be honest, but in a few seconds, Jasper was in front of me and Carlisle was handing me off to him. Jasper wrapped his arms around me and lead me into the living room before sitting me down on the loveseat with him next to me.
Esme was near the fireplace, motherly love shimmering from her golden eyes. Carlisle cleared his throat as he went to stand next to his wife, "I have called a family meeting because Bella has something, she wants to tell us that affects the whole family, not just her."
Alice was beaming where she stood, almost jumping up and down in excitement. It was no surprise that she already knew I wanted to join the family; she must have known the moment I had thought it. There was no other way she would have known. There were no surprises when it came to Alice, well there were rarely things that could surprise Alice.
Edward was calm, though his eyes were warm and respectful. He had his arm wrapped around Alice's waist, keeping her in place. He nodded his head in my direction, an acknowledgement in which he was telling me everything should be all right. I could only hope that he was right.
Rosalie was standing over by the windows that overlooked the backyard. She wasn't looking at me, her back was turned to me. Emmett was next to her, confliction apparent as he fought between being excited for me and comforting his wife. I pitied him, it was hard for him to be happy for the whole coven sometimes and keeping his wife happy too. Then again Rosalie was a complex person.
"Go ahead and tell us, Bella," Esme spoke, her rich honey voice once again assuring me that I was in a safe place. I could voice my opinions. They were nothing like the wolf-shifters, like Jacob, who made sure that those who challenged them would have a painful memento.
I blushed and looked down at my shoes, "I—I'm sure that yesterday you learnt about what happened to me. Jacob Black—" this time everyone, even Rosalie, hissed as they remembered what had happened, but it only made me feel braver— "decided that he should warn me about you all. When I told him, I knew what he was and claimed that he was a real wolf in sheep's clothing he broke my arm. I chose you, and I'll keep choosing you, so I terminated my so-called friendship with him. I'm an enemy of the wolf-shifters now."
No one said anything, the crackling of the fireplace being the only sound in the room other than my breathing. "I woke up in the clinic and realized. I've never had a true family, yes, I love Charlie and Renee. Renee isn't there for me. I'm sure she only checks in to make sure that I'm still alive. Charlie tries his best but it's not the same…it's always been odd between us…
"When I came here to Forks, I didn't expect anything different but then I met you all. I learnt that you were vampires, I didn't immediately accept you, that much I know, but you are my true family. I have parents who love me unconditionally and are there when I need them, not a second too late. I have siblings I never thought I would be blessed with. A mate who loves me just the way I am, and would go through obstacles and face them head on to be with me instead of giving up…" I took a deep breath, Rosalie had turned her head to the side, as she let me know I had her attention.
"What I'm trying to say is…I want to be a vampire."
Silence and then voices were coming from all angles. I couldn't grasp what was happening, Esme was excited along with Alice. Edward was happy, I could tell along with Emmett. Carlisle was able to show that he was elated with the news, but Rosalie merely turned to me with a disappointed look—shook her head—and walked out of the house.
Alice sighed, "I know that you want us to have a vote to see if the whole family agrees Carlisle but everyone except for Rosalie have agreed to have Bella change into a vampire. She'll come to terms to it eventually, but it will take a while. Just know, Bella, that Rosalie does not hate you. Far from it."
I could only nod my head, but with that out of the way, I added, "I want to be changed when I'm twenty. I know that it's a little older than you. I just want to experience college a little bit and be old enough that I don't have to live with Charlie anymore.
"By then we all will be gone, and we won't have to worry about people wondering what had happened to me and thinking you had something to do with this. Oh, and we'll have to do it anyway outside of Forks, since there's the whole no biting policy between you and the wolf-shifters."
"That will be perfect, and yes, he will be the one to change you!" Alice chimed in, making me blush and send her a narrowed look. She giggled before she took Edward's arm and moved closer to me and Jasper. They sat down on the stylish couch and Esme along with Carlisle went to sit in their own armchairs.
"She didn't even ask him the question, love," Edward pointed out, Alice merely waved her hand in dismissal, "details, details!"
I sighed and turned to Jasper, "so will you? Will you be the one who will change me? If you don't want to, I'm sure that—"
"Yes."
His voice was soft, a mere whisper, but it was with enough conviction that tears began to rise in my eyes. A few fell and I laughed, feeling all the tension begin to follow out of me. I didn't have to worry about him telling me he wouldn't change me, because honestly it was him, I wanted to change me and not Carlisle.
I leant up against him and he wrapped his arms around me without hesitation. I felt my eyes close, the stress of the week I had been battling with finally subsiding. I could finally take a deep breath and know that another thing in my life was coming together.
Next year I would be a vampire.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: MY OPINION ON JACOB BLACK.
I think that Bella shouldn't have flirted with Jacob and led him on in the first book, but I also believe that Jacob is an emotional and physical abuser, and it would have led to something bad if they had stayed together. Jacob kisses Bella without her permission and holds her roughly. He doesn't respect her personal space and personally, I believe it was dumb that they made him mate with Renesmee. Breaking Dawn was my least favorite book of the whole saga, that's just my opinion. So I can't stand Jacob. He's an asshole. The end.
-Emmy
