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PS. LEMON ALERT. Just a tiny one, though.

Bella spent the next few days applying for jobs anywhere between La Push and Port Angeles online. Carlisle had been by to see Jacob and was impressed with his rapid improvement. Though he was not supposed to phase for a few more days, he felt well enough to begin some of the odd jobs he had promised to do. He, Embry, Emmett, and Rose had further discussed plans for the garage construction. Though he wanted to get his high school diploma, the state of Washington doesn't require auto repair and maintenance mechanics to be licensed. Jacob was grateful he and Embry wouldn't have to complete that hurdle right away, though the idea of future schooling wasn't entirely off the table.
Once Jacob returned to patrol, she saw very little of him. Bella tried to keep herself distracted and busy. She spent time with Emily, Leah, and Angela, who was now somewhat dating Embry. As far as Bella knew, Angela had yet to learn anything about the Cullens or the Wolves. She only hoped Angela would not be furious with her when she finally knew the truth.

Before long, high levels of boredom and visions of Bella sulking at home alone meant that Alice often came to the rescue. Bella even began to stay the night at the Cullen house from time to time. Jacob and Charlie had both been against the idea at first, for obviously different reasons. They both agreed that ultimately the decision was only up to her. It got a tiny bit easier each time Jacob was around them, though certain things could trigger the wolf from time to time. He had not felt the need so far to POOF out of his skin around them, for which Bella was grateful. The newfound friendship between some of the pack and the Cullens had been an absolute miracle. While a few of the wolves still were not fond of the vampires, none treated them with any disrespect now that they were contractually linked allies. Rose and Emmett obeyed the boundary lines, remaining only as far as the property lines went where the garage would be. Though it would be quite some time before it was constructed or would change hands, she already dreaded the day that the Cullens left town for good. She frequently had to remind herself that, at least this time, she would not lose contact altogether.
After a few weeks of constant company and no job interviews coming in, she felt it was time to rethink her plans. When Jacob and Embry approached her about eventually handling the scheduling and paperwork details at the garage, Bella applied to take online courses focusing on business management and accounting. However, it was too late for the current courses, and she would still need to find a job in the meantime. Bella barely had a chance to tell the Cullens her plans before receiving acceptance of her application and informed her tuition was paid in full. She thanked them all profusely, though who paid her tuition, none would say.

Charlie was beyond proud of Jacob for his seemingly recent change of goals. He was not as happy about her plans to move in with Jacob when the garage was up and running. When she told him, he had choked on his coffee before asking if she thought they might be rushing things. Despite any reservations, Charlie remained supportive and did his best not to mope about her plans to move out in the meantime. She began to see much less of her father as he started spending more time with Sue. Charlie had taken Sue "fishing" no less than six times in three weeks. Bella had brought it up to Emily, who agreed she believed there was more there than they were letting on. Emily had happily prattled along about how men only include women in their hobbies when they genuinely wanted to spend time with them. It certainly seemed to be true for Bella and Jacob. Edward had also written music for her, playing it with her right at his side. While she silently hoped to see her father finally move on past Renee and be happy, she also worried about the dynamics of her newfound friendship with Leah. Harry had not been gone six months yet, and Leah was still grieving him heavily.

Jacob and Bella had not stayed overnight together and rarely had any lengthy time alone since Rachel had moved home. To her knowledge, Rachel still did not know about the pack, the imprint, or that anything was amiss. The one thing Rachel had caught onto was the fact that her baby brother seemed to have far more freedom than she had at his age, and she resented him for it. There was a great deal of arguing going on over the way Billy did or did not run his household. Both Jacob and Bella had begun battling progressively frequent bouts of anxiety when they were away from each other for too long. He apologized for it more than once, claiming the distance affected him the same way. When they would finally live together, they would both feel better. In the meantime, he had to keep up at least some pretenses at home. Eventually, the stress became too much. Jacob would sneak into her house after a patrol to sleep. If Charlie was aware of it, he never let on. With everything on his plate, sleeping next to Bella for a couple of hours was the only peace Jacob was getting.

Eventually, Jacob snuck away more often to get away from Paul. Poor smitten imprinted Paul was following Rachel around like a lost puppy and eating everything in the house while he was there. For the most part, and to Billy's amusement, Rachel treated Paul like a nuisance. The entire pack was baffled. Usually, the imprint felt a similar connection, but Rachel did not seem attracted to Paul in the least. Paul was not one to give up. He was determined to get her to like him somehow, though thoroughly enjoying annoying the hell out of her in the meantime.

After not seeing Jacob for a few days, he finally had a day off from everything but patrol. Rachel had to work a morning shift, and Jacob was supposed to be sleeping. Bella silently hoped Billy would be away, and she would be able to surprise him.
She was slightly disappointed to find Paul snoring on the couch as she snuck inside. The front door squeaked as she pushed it shut and he sat up quickly, startled.
"Shit," he yelled before slapping his hand over his mouth to stifle a chuckle. "For fuck's sake, Bella, don't you knock?" He sat up fully and stretched.
"Don't you go home?" Bella gave him a smirk.
Jacob pounded quickly down the stairs and stomped into the front room. "Seriously, Paul, I'm trying to fucking slee…" His angry voice broke off as he spotted Bella. He swept her up into a hug before glaring back at Paul.
"Seriously," he said, pointing at him in a warning. Paul laughed and started to pull on his shoes.
"You don't have to go," Bella laughed, but Paul just shook his head at her.
"Yes, yes he does," Jacob laughed.
"Yeah, I do," Paul said. "I'm late for patrol anyway." He kissed Bella's cheek, shoved Jacob playfully, and slammed the door shut behind him.
"I swear to God, everything he fucking does is loud," Jacob grumbled and gave her a rueful grin. Bella reached up to cup his scruffy face.
"Hmm. Are you planning to grow a beard?" she teased.
"Just slacking," he said, grinning. He wrapped his hand around hers and led the way to his bedroom. It was much messier than he would usually keep it, and he glanced around apologetically. "I haven't been able to keep up with much this week."
"I can help you, you know," Bella offered and followed him onto the bed as he laid down.
"Oh," he teased. "What would you like to help me with, Miss Swan?"
He wagged his eyebrows at her flirtatiously, and she laughed.
"Hmmm, that wasn't the response I was hoping for," he said and leaned over her. Jacob slid his hand up her side and under her shirt, lightly teasing her breast with his thumb. Bella moaned softly, exposing the side of her neck as he lowered his lips to her flesh. Jacob kissed upward to her chin as she draped her leg over his waist.
It did not take long for their touches to catch fire. They shed their clothing between passionate nips and kisses. When Bella was naked beneath him, Jacob reached down to touch her sex, groaning as he slowly pushed one finger into her warm, wet center. Bella whimpered loudly, bringing a heady growl from him in response. He liked to take his time, but it had been weeks. She wanted him physically so much that she ached.
"I want you now, Jacob," she said, sliding her fingernails up his broad back and shoulders. Silently, he kissed her before adjusting himself over her opening. Jacob looked into her eyes lovingly before shoving himself inside of her with one hard thrust. The sudden, thick invasion of her body made Bella cry out loudly. Jacob kissed her tenderly, waiting for her to adjust to him. Slowly, he began pumping into her, increasing his thrusts with the volume of her cries. His headboard slammed loudly into the wall multiple times with his exertion as she lifted her hips to meet him. Bella vaguely remembered being grateful they were home alone before she orgasmed and cried out loudly. Jacob let himself go and cried out as he came. He hovered over her, catching his breath for a moment before rolling off of her and onto his back. Bella curled against his side, out of breath and seeing stars. They curled up together for a while, whispering sweet nothings until they both fell asleep.

It was sometime after one pm when they woke. Jacob hopped up from bed, wide awake and chipper as Bella stole another hair tie and put her hair up. His stomach grumbled as he dressed, and Bella laughed.
"Is there something I can make for you downstairs, or has Paul eaten the entire fridge already?" Bella asked.
"I have no idea. There better be something to eat or I'll kill him," Jacob laughed and slapped his rock-hard stomach.
"How about we drive into town and have lunch at The Diner for a change?" Bella asked. Jacob gave her a brilliant smile.
"I'll drive."

They had a large lunch together and enjoyed the afternoon. Bella ordered a steak dinner to go for Charlie, and Jacob ran it inside the police station for her while she waited outside. A tap on the window startled her. She smiled as she greeted the topaz eyes on the other side of the glass before he swung open the door. Bella stood and greeted Edward with a hug. His cold embrace made her shiver, and they both laughed.
"So you're back?" she asked happily. Wow, Bella. Chill.
Edward smirked and gave her hand a light squeeze. "Something is different," he said, looking her over. She blushed at his scrutiny.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure I just gained ten pounds at lunch," she joked and playfully slapped him away.
"Well, something is different," he said and grinned. "You look lovely, Bella."
"So how come you're home?" Bella asked, blushing. "Did you work things out in Denali?"
"Yes and no," he answered. "It may be a few decades before Irina forgives me. I don't blame her." He stared around at the passers-by gloomily.
"Hopefully she'll come around," Bella said. He scoffed.
"Everything I've done, yet you remain the optimist," Edward teased.
"She only hates you because you are protecting me," Bella said.
"As far as she knows, there's nothing to protect," Edward said seriously. "I'd prefer it stay that way for everyone's sake." He gave her a bright smile to ease the tension before narrowing his eyes at her again.
"Seriously, is there something on my shirt or something?" Bella huffed, checking herself over. He chuckled at her awkward display.
"You just seem different," he said. "You still smell like a dog, too."
Bella laughed and shrugged. "At least you don't want to eat me," she joked. Edward shot her a mischievous glance that said otherwise. Bella's face filled with heat as she blushed again, and he laughed heartily.
"That's still one of my favorite things about you, Bella," he said softly.
"Ugh," she laughed and rolled her eyes. "Why does everyone say that?"
"When you blush, you look very... alive, Bella. You become wide-eyed and flustered. It's adorable, actually," he said, smirking.
"Yeah, adorable. That's totally what I'm going for," she joked.
Edward gestured toward the front of the station. "Here comes your boyfriend," he whispered, leaning against the side of her truck beside her boldly. She shot him a warning glance, and he smirked at her again.
"Edward," Jacob cautiously greeted as he came out of the station with Charlie.
"Hello, Jacob," Edward said. "I hope you're doing well these days."
"Yep. Just fine," Jacob answered with all the forced cordiality he could muster.
"Cullen," Charlie grumbled curiously. "Thought you were in Alaska."
"Dad," Bella huffed at his boldness. Charlie turned to Bella, pointedly snubbing Edward.
"Thanks for the chow, kiddo. I appreciate that. Are you and Jake gonna go hang out for a while?" Charlie shot an annoyed glance toward Edward.
Edward bit back a chuckle and winked at her playfully. "I'll see you later, Bella," he called out. "Jacob," he said, and they nodded at each other as he walked away.
"Bella, why is he hanging around?" Charlie asked her when he thought Edward was out of earshot.
"He just got back to town, I guess. We just ran into each other," Bella said. "What's with the third degree?"
"He gives me the fucking creeps, Bella," Charlie said, and Jacob couldn't hold back his laughter. "Seriously," Charlie continued, "I just don't think the kid has good intentions."
"Dad," Bella said, annoyed. "You know you're being a little insulting right now, right? I'm here with Jake."
"Thank god," Charlie huffed and grinned at a chuckling Jacob.
"You guys are ridiculous," Bella said and climbed back into the truck.
"Listen, Bells," Charlie said, leaning into the cab. "I'm gonna be out on the rez after work."
"At Sue's?" she asked.
"Yes, at Sues. You guys go have fun. Be careful, and I'll see you later," Charlie said and walked away. "Love you."
Bella grinned at his rare presentation. "Love you too," she called after him as Jacob climbed into the truck. As he started the truck and pulled into traffic, Bella's head swam. Her stomach rolled with queasiness, and she braced her hands against the dash, steadying herself. She quickly rolled down her window to let the cool air into the cab.
"You okay?" Jacob glanced between her and the road, concerned.
"Yeah," Bella said as the sensation began to fade. "I guess his scent still bothers me or something."
"You want to go lay around your house and watch a movie before I have patrol?" Jacob asked and squeezed her other hand.
"That sounds like a great plan," she said and focused on the air rushing into the truck until they got home.

Thankfully, she felt fine a few minutes after they got to the house. Jacob and Bella started a movie but were not far into it before she was dragging him upstairs to her bedroom. They made love again, gently this time, and showered together before he left for patrol. Bella went to bed when Jacob left, nestled warmly into the t-shirt he had been wearing. She fell asleep surrounded by his scent and didn't even hear Charlie check on her when he got home.

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