(BPOV)

It was still dark when Bella woke, laying directly on top of Jacob. Her stomach growled, and she needed to pee terribly. Bella lifted herself from his body as gently as possible and searched for her clothing. She snickered as she pulled her underwear back on over her boots and rushed to finish dressing.
"Are you leaving?" Jacob's voice was coarse, groggy.
"I'm sorry, Jake, I have to pee," she said bluntly, and he chuckled. He stood up to grab his shorts, pulling them on swiftly.
"Come on. You can use the bathroom in the house," Jacob said.
"I…" Bella hesitated. "Jake…"
"Bella, you're doing the pee dance right here. You won't make it another twenty minutes," Jacob said and grinned at her. He pulled on his sneakers and led the way to the house. They crept inside quietly, and she made a mad dash upstairs for Jacob's bathroom. He was standing in the dark and staring out the kitchen window when she came downstairs. She grinned at him gratefully.
"Better?" He whispered, smirking.
"Much, thank you," she said. Jacob turned to her silently and held his arms out. She rushed into them without hesitation and held him tight, sighing deeply.
She felt whole.
Jacob kissed her forehead and rested his chin on top of her head.
Jesus, was he taller? She blushed thinking about what had happened earlier in the garage. Other things had felt bigger, too, though she'd thought it was because they hadn't been together in weeks. She looked down at the sneakers he'd only had for two months. Just like Charlie had described the year before, his toes were nearly poking out of the top.
"We have to get you some new shoes," she said, and he chuckled.
"I think I need 16s now, Bells," he said.
"At least," she said and sighed. She needed to head home, but she didn't want to leave him. "Do you patrol this morning," she asked him.
"No. Seth got in trouble for mouthing off to Sam, so he's got some shitty patrol times for the week," Jacob said, smirking.
"I see," Bella said softly.
"Are you ready to go home?" he asked her softly.
"I probably should," she said. "I need some food anyway," she grumbled. "Some hummus and pita chips are calling my name back at Charlie's."
"Since when do you eat that stuff?" Jacob smirked down at her again.
"Just something new," she said.
Something she'd been craving like mad all week long after seeing it on a stupid commercial. Bella suddenly remembered her truck was at Sue's and cursed.
"Problem?" Jake asked.
"I gotta walk back to Sue's. My truck is there," she said and blushed.
"I take it that your visit wasn't planned," he said, grinning. She couldn't help but smile back.
"No. No, it wasn't," Bella chuckled.
"I'm glad you came," he said, cupping her face. He leaned down to brush her lips with his. She couldn't help the soft moan that escaped into his mouth.
"I love you," he whispered against her mouth before pulling away and threading his fingers through hers. "Come on, I'll walk you to the truck."
They held hands as they walked to Sue's house. Neither spoke a word, the silence between them feeling thicker the closer they got to their destination. Charlie's cruiser remained in the drive. He had stayed the night with Sue again.
"What do you have planned for today," Jake asked, surprising her.
"Nothing, actually. I was hoping to go have a chat with Emily at some point," she said.
"I see," he said. He began to open the truck door for Bella and paused, staring at her. He obviously wanted to say something, but the words weren't coming. Bella stood on her tiptoes and pulled him down to kiss her. He returned her kiss eagerly, wrapping his arms around her waist, cupping her hips. She shoved her fingers into his hair, lightly tugging on his shaggy locks. His thumbs slid down, circling lazily over her hip bones as he consumed her mouth with his own. Bella pulled away slowly and rested her forehead against his chest as she caught her breath. When she looked up at him again, he stared back at her in need. She had not realized that he was trembling until now. Bella slowly opened the truck door and climbed inside. He watched her silently as she slid into the center seat. It took a second for him to realize she wanted him to come with her. He slid into the driver's seat and pulled the door shut as he turned the ignition.

Bella was grateful for whatever this latest development was. They remained silent throughout the drive and as they made their way into the house. Bella tossed her jacket on the back of a kitchen chair when she got inside. She tied her hair up into a bun and went to the sink to wash her hands. Jacob sunk into a kitchen chair as Bella pulled eggs and bacon out of the refrigerator. She began cooking breakfast for them both, stealing silent glances at Jacob and being greeted with playful smiles.
How did we get back to this shy, just finding each other sort of feeling? Every single glance he sent her way made her feel damn near giddy.
Unable to help herself, Bella pulled a container of hummus out of the fridge and started snacking on it as she cooked breakfast. She blushed as she caught Jacob watching her eat. Their silence continued through breakfast, though each stole playful glances at the other. Jacob continued to watch her eat with amusement. Pregnancy was making Bella fall in love with food all over again. She sighed, shoving her plate away. He stole the remaining strip of bacon she had left and shoved the whole piece into his mouth.
"I haven't seen you eat like that in over a year," he said, grinning.
"I warned you I might get fat," she teased him. He leaned toward her, brushing the back of his fingers along her cheek.
"You would be just as lovely," he said, staring at her mouth. The next thing she knew, Jacob lifted Bella into his arms and carried her to her room. He set her down next to her bed and turned to lock her door. She had kicked off her boots when he turned around, reaching for the zipper on her dress.
Jacob stepped up behind her, taking control of the zipper. He slid it down slowly, placing delicate kisses on her spine along the way. He slowly peeled the dress off of her, appreciating the matching set underneath all over again. Jacob reached over to flip her radio on before lifting her to carry her to the bed.
Jacob laid her down gently and crawled over her, resting his elbows at her sides. He brought his mouth back to hers, kissing her languidly. Instinctively, Bella had wrapped her legs around his waist, rolling her hips upward against him. He chuckled into her mouth. She was so lost in her explorations that she was confused when he stilled above her.
"What's wrong," she asked, dazed. Jacob looked her in the eyes, again unable to say whatever it was that was lurking behind the bewildered expression on his face. Jacob moved further down the bed, placing gentle kisses between her breasts and belly. He paused as he reached her lower abdomen and hesitantly lowered his ear.
Jacob looked up at Bella, wide-eyed, as tears slid down his face.
He hears her. Bella gently stroked her fingers through his hair, trying to comfort him. Jacob wrapped his arms around her, hugging her to him as he cried.
He cried for a long while, unwilling to pull his ear away.
Nearly forty minutes had gone by as they had laid there in silence. The morning sun was streaming into the room and across his face. Despite everything that had happened, despite whatever may come ahead, Bella knew she'd treasure this moment for the rest of her life.
Jacob finally stirred, sat up at the side of the bed, and rubbed his face in his hands. Bella gave him a small smile.
"I'm so sorry," he said, shaking his head.
Bella closed her eyes and bit her bottom lip nervously. Please, please, love her as much as I already do, she prayed.
"I'm kind of jealous," Bella said, grinning. "I haven't heard the heartbeat yet."
"Have you been to a doctor yet?" he asked, staring at her bedroom floor.
"Confirmed blood test. I was supposed to see the doctor yesterday, but they moved the appointment," she said. When she opened her eyes to look up at him, he was staring into her face. "That's why I came back so quickly," she said, reminding him of their run-in in her hallway.
"So, I, uh, guess the birth control didn't work," he said, smirking.
"Yeah," she scoffed. "Apparently, antibiotics make them stop working. I guess we'll know better next time."
Jacob looked up at her, grinning. "Next time, huh?" He leaned down to kiss her before putting his ear back to her belly. After a moment, he sat up again and shook his head.
"Who knows?" he asked curiously. Bella sighed, hoping he wouldn't get mad.
"I don't care who knows, Bells, I'm not upset," he said. "What I missed out on is my fault, not theirs." Bella let out a sigh of relief and smiled at him.
This was the Jacob she knew. Whatever he'd done, whatever he'd needed to do while he'd been gone had calmed him a great deal. Whether or not he was ready to step back into his many adult roles or not had yet to be seen. However, they'd just added an even larger responsibility to his shoulders.
He wasn't running away screaming yet.
"I'll tell you if you want to know, but you should be aware first and foremost that not one of them is Charlie," she said and chuckled.
Jacob nodded, staring off across the room. "He's gonna shoot me," he said and laughed.
"Your dad knows," Bella admitted. Jacob looked over at her in surprise. "I'm sorry, Jake, it wasn't on purpose," she said with regret.
"I'm not upset with you, honey. How did Billy react?" Jacob threaded his fingers through Bella's and kissed the back of her hand.
"He cried. He's happy, Jake," she said, and he sighed with relief. "I swore him to secrecy. I wanted to tell you myself."
"We should let him tell Charlie," Jacob joked.
"I'd like him to live long enough to hold his grandchild, Jacob," she teased back.
"I missed you," he said softly, crawling back over her. "I'm sorry it's taking me so long to get my shit together."
"You are seventeen with the life of a fully grown man, Jake," Bella said sadly. "All things considered, I think your shit is pretty well together. You needed some time, and that's okay."
Jacob leaned down to place a kiss along her collarbone before looking her in the eyes. "I need you to know that I don't regret taking the time away that I did. I love you. I missed you like fucking crazy. I do think it helped me work out some of my anger and guilt so, no, I can't say that I regret doing what I had to do."
"Jacob, I understand," Bella said. "I understood all along. I missed you. I worried. I was scared for a hot minute when I realized I might be pregnant. Then when I found out for sure, everything just clicked into place. She is our proof, Jake. Of our love, our future. Everything," Bella said. She reached between them to cup her abdomen lovingly.
"She," Jacob asked. "Already ordering pink balloons?"
Bella laughed, leaning up to kiss him. "You saw what I saw. She's going to be so beautiful, Jake."
"Do you know when it happened for sure?" Jacob asked her.
Damn. Please be okay with that answer, she thought. "I'm roughly nine weeks, Jake." She watched as he mentally did the math.
"The morning of the battle?" He took a deep breath as she nodded.
"I believe so. I think the vision we had together was a sign," she said softly. "Not just telling us that we had a future, but that it had already begun. I think she came to be right then and there." Jacob turned to smile at her with so much love, she nearly wept.
The front door slammed downstairs, ruining the moment. Bella had a strong suspicion that Charlie had wanted to make sure they knew he was back. Jacob moved out of her way as Bella climbed from the bed. She changed into some pajamas as he laid back down, lost in thought.
"I should probably go clean up the breakfast mess,' she said. "You can stay in here if you'd prefer."
"A little nap would be nice. It's been weeks since I've slept in a bed," Jacob chuckled.
"Well, your snoring is a dead giveaway, and I'm sure Charlie's already noticed two plates downstairs," she said chuckling.
"I don't mind if he knows I'm here, Bells," Jacob said, standing. He walked over and cupped her face in his hand before tucking a loose curl behind her ear.
"I'm not saying everything is better, but I'm done with the solitude. I was planning to try to talk to you today anyway. Well, hoping to," he admitted. "If you'll still have me…"
Bella cut him off as she raised onto her toes and pressed her lips to his.
"You are my home, Jacob," she whispered as she pulled away. "It doesn't matter where you take off to or how many times you push me away. I chose you. With or without any imprint," Bella looked down at her hands on her belly. "She chose you, too, Jacob. She's our Hope."
"Our hope?" he questioned.
"Yeah," she chuckled, blushing. "I kind of already named her… if you like it, anyway," Bella said. "Sarah Hope."
"Sarah Hope," he repeated and chuckled.
"We can think of something else if you don't like it," she offered.
"I love it," he said and hugged her close. "My mom would have been so thrilled with that, Bella. Thank you."
"I'm so relieved you aren't angry. That you don't hate me," she admitted, hugging him back. Jacob guided her back to the bed, pulling her into his lap.
"I can understand why you would have worried how I would react," he admitted. "I am ashamed of it, too. I never wanted to make you feel like you couldn't tell me anything. Especially something like this."
Bella reached up to wipe fresh tears away. "I'm sorry, Jake. I cry fucking constantly now. You'll get used to it," she huffed and rolled her eyes.
"Well, I guess it's time to get my head out of my ass," Jake grumbled.
"Yeah, it is," Bella blurted before she could stop herself. Surprisingly, he laughed. "I can't seem to control my mouth these days, either," she apologized.
Jacob leaned in to kiss her. "You used to do that because of Cullen. Now it's because of me."
"Do what?"
"Apologizing for things you can't control," he said.
"Listen, Jake, Edward was mentally fucking abusive. You are not," Bella argued.
"I have been," he said, scowling. "The way I see it, you are sitting here apologizing to me because you were afraid of how I'd react. You were afraid I'd hate you as if I'm not just as responsible. That tells me quite a bit, Bells. I can't treat you like that. I don't want to treat you like that."
"Treat me how?" she asked.
"Like an asshole," he said and huffed. "I'm supposed to be the guy you can tell anything. Not the one that you're afraid of."
"Jacob Ephriam Black, if you think for one second that I'm afraid of you, I'll gladly slug you right now," Bella challenged him, grinning. "I am not and never have been afraid of you," Jacob smirked, kissing her on the forehead.
"What I'm afraid of is hurting you," she admitted sadly. "It's not the first time I've told you that, either. I've brought a lot of bullshit into your life, and I honestly just hope that someday you'll forgive me for all of it."
"I still don't know how to deal with this guilt, Bella," Jacob admitted. "I don't, and I'm working on that. I don't want to keep punishing you for the bullshit inside of my head. I forgive you for the kiss. I do, honestly. You didn't deserve the way I acted over everything afterward, though."
"I understand why you did," she said.
"That doesn't make it right," Jacob said. "I promised to take care of you and I need to start doing it."
"We can make things right again," she said. "We're supposed to take care of each other. Together."
"We've gotta work on our fucking communication skills," he countered.
"That might take a while, Chief," Bella said.
"Well," he said as he helped her to stand, "I'm not giving up."

Bella left him alone to go clean up their breakfast mess. In the kitchen, she found a bed-headed Charlie drinking coffee and watching the news.
"Saw you leave with Jake this morning," he said and chuckled.
Bella blushed. He'd definitely seen them kissing next to the truck, then.
"Why were you up so ear…" she began to ask and backtracked, remembering Leah's hint about Charlie and Sue's sex life the night before. "Nope! Nope! Never mind. I don't want to know," she said. Charlie barked out a loud laugh.
"Sucks, doesn't it? Wait till it's your kid dating one day," Charlie teased.
Her back to her father, Bella glanced down at her stomach and grinned.
"Don't worry, Dad. Someday when I do have kids, you get to give them the sex talk."
She cackled as Charlie spit out his coffee.

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