SM owns Twilight. We just want to live in her world a bit longer.
Chapter 30
It's true what they say about makeup sex being amongst the best around. It is like putting lotion on a sunburn; it soothes an ache in your soul, as well as your body.
Bella also discovered that when Jake kissed or licked over his mark, it set her body on fire. He could almost make her come just by kissing it. Almost.
It was fortunate that Charlie was at work when they got home from the meeting because there was no way they could keep their hands off each other, nor could they stay quiet.
It was unfortunate that Bella had to go to work just before lunch, and by the time she got to the cafe, she was exhausted and a little sore. Jake stayed at the cafe while she worked. He didn't want to be far from her, but it made it very hard for Bella to concentrate on what she was supposed to be doing.
When the shift ended Jake, drove her home, and they continued reconnecting until Charlie returned from work. They went to bed early that night, tired and sated. The following day continued in the same fashion.
When Wednesday morning came, Bella snuck out of bed and managed to get to work without waking Jacob. She had the early shift at work, and as tired as she was, she was happy to get it out of the way early.
She was kind of hoping that someone might visit her at work today, but when 2 pm rocked around, she said goodbye to Mary after seeing no one but customers all day.
She hoped to see Jake waiting for her when she arrived home, but he wasn't home. They hadn't made any plans, but still, she was disappointed.
When she climbed the house steps, there was a large white box leaning against the front door, with a big red bow.
Bella gingerly picked it up and walked inside with it. She dumped it on the kitchen counter and opened the envelope.
Happy Birthday, Bella. I'm sure you will look stunning in this for your party tonight. I miss you heaps. Alice
Bella smiled. At least someone had remembered her birthday. Last year she had forbidden presents, and no one listened. This year, all she asked for was no party.
She carefully opened the box and pulled back the tissue paper. Inside was a black, strapless dress with a small red belt and a pair of red ballet flats to match. Bella held it up against her body; it should fit perfectly.
Suddenly the front door opened, and in walked Jacob. She was momentarily distracted by seeing him before noticing Emily, Kim, Rachel, and Leah come in behind him.
"Happy Birthday!" they all called out as Jake pulled in for a toe-curling kiss.
"What are you all doing here?" she asked when Jake had released her mouth from the kiss. "I said no party," she frowned at them.
"It's not a party, promise. Just a few people around for dinner, drinks and a bonfire out back," Leah said with a mischievous smile.
Bella frowned, "that sounds an awful lot like a party."
"It's just pack. So it's like a typical Saturday night," Emily suggested.
"On a Wednesday," Bella pointed out.
"Plus, Charlie," Jacob added.
Bella growled, "I'm too tired for this."
"Yes, makeup sex will do that to you," Leah said, dumping an armful of stuff onto the kitchen bench.
Bella's mouth gapped open, and she stared at Jacob. He held his hands up defensively, "I haven't said or thought anything, I promise."
Leah tapped her nose, "you're lucky Charlie doesn't have a wolf nose. This place reeks of sex."
Bella groaned and walked towards the front windows and threw them open. There were giggles from the kitchen.
"Ooh, this is pretty," Kim said, picking up her dress from the box.
"Cute shoes," Rachel added, peaking into the box. "Where are they from?"
"Alice," Bella said.
"She has good taste. I'll give her that," Kim sighed, staring at the dress.
"She also has unlimited time and unlimited resources."
"True," she replied.
"Alright, you, upstairs," Leah said, pointing at Bella. "Take a bath, relax. You are not allowed back downstairs until five o'clock," Leah told her. "I'll come up and help with your hair and makeup around four."
Bella just stared at her.
"Go!" she told her again. "Go find a book to read in the bath. You need to relax."
Bella smiled, "can I take Jake?"
"Nope!" Leah dismissed her. "I need him down here. Plus, I don't want to be listening to that."
Bella blushed but conceded, "fine," she grumbled. She grabbed the gift box, kissed Jake, and stomped up the stairs.
She had to admit that a book and a bath did sound like a good plan, but she would never admit that to Leah. She set the bath running and laid the outfit on the bed. When she got back to the bathroom, someone had left her a sandwich on the counter to eat. She was actually really hungry.
"Thank you," she called out before shutting the door. Bella settled into the bath, ate her snack and started to read her book. She didn't get too far before setting the book aside.
"You'd better not be drowning in there," a voice woke her from the other side of the door, Leah.
"What? Oh, sorry, I fell asleep. Ugh, the waters all cold," she complained.
"Rinse off under the shower. I'll meet you in your room," Leah told her.
But the time five o'clock came, Bella had honestly had enough of Leah. All the poking and prodding reminded her of Alice. For a werewolf who rarely even wore a bar, she surprisingly knew her way around hair and makeup.
Bella loved the dress. It was beautiful and very comfortable. But the thing she liked most about it was that it showed off Jake's mark. It had healed incredibly fast and was barely visible to the naked eye, just a few faint white marks. However, she knew it was there. She could feel it pulsing under her skin, and Jake promised her that the wolves could see it. She wasn't ashamed of it like she probably should have been. Instead, she loved it. It brought her closer to Jake. It tied her to him, strengthening their bond. It was almost like it was growing stronger by the day.
Bella gentle touched the mark as she studied herself in the mirror. She felt her body react to it almost instantly.
"Hey! None of that," Leah scolded her. "You're done. Off you go. I'm going to get ready now."
Leah basically pushed Bella out the door, and she stepped down the stairs, careful not to fall down them, making a grand entrance. Of course, that was the last thing she wanted.
When she finally made it to the bottom, Jake greeted her, anxiously waiting for her.
He smiled a wide smile at her, "Happy Birthday Bells, you look perfect," he said before pulling her in for a kiss. His fingers skimmed over his mark, while he continued to kiss her and it made her knees feel weak. Jake wrapped his arms around her waist to hold her up.
Someone cleared their throat, and Bella looked up at her dad, standing very awkwardly a few feet away.
She blushed and stepped away from Jake but ran her hand down his arm until she could hold his hand.
"Happy Birthday Bells," Charlie mumbled, clearly embarrassed having witnessed the private moment between the two teenagers.
"Thanks, Dad," she said. Bella quickly walked up to Charlie and pulled him in for a hug.
Bella had been thinking about many things while she was soaking in the bath, and one of them was Charlie. She couldn't believe that a month ago, she had planned to never make it to this birthday alive, and in doing so, would have cut Charlie out of her life forever. She would have broken him when they faked her death. She couldn't believe how selfish she had been.
"I love you," she whispered to him. Then, she quickly wiped her fallen tears over his shoulder.
"Um... I love you, too," he gruffly said.
She pulled back and smiled at him. Charlie frowned, "what's wrong?"
"I haven't been a good daughter to you."
"Bella-" Charlie started to interrupt her.
"No, Dad, please just let me say this. I have taken you for granted, and you have been the best dad a girl could have asked for. So, thank you for everything."
"Oh, well, thanks, kiddo. I've really enjoyed having you here, with me the past eighteen months. You've certainly made my life a lot more full," he said, looking around at the kitchen and lounge filled with people.
Bella smiled, "yeah, they are great people. Family. And, even though I've done some dumb things, they've still accepted me."
Bella spied Eva sitting very nervously on the couch with Seth. "Excuse me, Dad," she said as she walked with Jake over to the young couple.
Bella talked with Eva and Seth for a little while. Eva looked very uncomfortable, holding herself very straight on the couch. She claimed everything was fine, but Bella continued to observe her throughout it the night.
She tried to help the girls in the kitchen, but they ushered her out, and the boys took her outside. They had set up a small bonfire that was already lit, and a few logs had been moved to circle it. Most of the guys were outside chatting and laughing. They wished her a happy birthday, and it seemed that no one was holding a grudge against her for her latest selfish decision.
Eventually, she relaxed as she sat with Jake. She sincerely hoped that her party this year was better than last year. At least there were fewer vampires, for one.
"Colin and Brady on patrol?" Bella asked Jake. Charlie was inside watching a game on TV.
"Yeah," Jacob said grimly. "Apparently, Colin is the one who told the Elders. My dear old Uncle Kevin had been hoping that this would happen."
"Oh," Bella scowled and squeezed Jake's leg. Even his extended family had turned on him.
"Sam is making him run double patrols for a little while. Brady offered to run with him tonight."
"Should have placed a damn order on them all," Sam grumbled.
"It was bound to come out anyway," Jake muttered.
"Dinners up!" Emily called from the back door.
The girls had prepared a huge batch of beef enchiladas with rice and refried beans. As per usual, the boys made sure the girls got their food first, then Charlie, before the wolves descended on the food.
They took their paper plates piled with food outside and enjoyed the meal around the fire. Bella couldn't help comparing this to her party last year, where there was no food. She had to eat with Charlie before heading to the Cullens. It was lovely to be able to enjoy a meal with family and friends.
After dinner, Bella was surprised that the girls had managed to smuggle a cake inside while she wasn't looking.
They were all crowded around the dining table inside. Bella huddled into Jacob's side, hiding from all the attention. They were about to start singing happy birthday when all the wolves suddenly looked towards the front door, on high alert.
"Brady," Sam said in his alpha voice. Bella felt a chill run through her bones. Then she heard it, a second wolf's howl.
"Colin," Jared said.
Sam, Paul and Jared all turned and kissed their girls before walking in unison towards the front door. When they opened the door, they heard them howl again in unison.
"What's going on?" Charlie asked.
Everyone ignored his question. Jake cupped Bella's face and kissed her hard before unwinding her arms from around his waist.
He looked at Seth, standing nervously next to Eva, who looked like she was about to freak out.
"Seth, stay here. The rest of you with me," Jake commanded as he strode out the front door.
Bella's heart was racing, and her anxiety increased as the last of the pack left the house. It was eerily silent.
"What is going on?" Charlie yelled out louder this time. Bella turned to her father; he was glaring at her.
"Um…" she said nervously. "You know they do security on the rez; well, they were called away. There must be something going on."
"Called away how? There was no phone call," Charlie asked sceptically. He walked towards his gun belt.
"Dad, what are you doing?" Bella asked nervously. She didn't know how to answer any of his questions.
"If there is a problem, I should be there."
"No!" Bella yelled. "Dad, please, stay here. They will handle it."
"Handle what? What is going on?" Charlie was yelling again.
Eva started sobbing. Seth was holding her tight against his chest.
"Please, Charlie, you are scaring Eva and the other girls. We are equipped to handle these kinds of situations. So please just leave it for the moment. Help me keep the girls calm," Seth said in a composed voice.
Charlie looked between Seth and Bella, trying to decide what to do next.
"Seth, take the girls into the lounge. Bella, come with me," he said as he walked towards the kitchen.
The rest of the girls complied immediately. Seth gave Bella a wide-eyed look and then mouthed, "good luck," before taking Eva to sit down on the couch. Seth sat down, and Eva sat on his lap. Looks like they are moving past the friendship stage quicker than even Bella predicted.
Bella reluctantly followed her dad into the kitchen, still unsure as to what to tell him.
"What has this got to do with wolves?" Charlie asked with no preamble.
"W-what?" Bella stuttered. Whatever she was expecting, it was not that.
"I heard the wolf howls, just like you did."
"Dad…" Bella was going to try and play it down.
"No, don't lie to me. I'm sick of all the lies and the secrets... I've heard all the legends."
Bella looked shocked.
"I grew up on the reservation with Billy, Harry and Quil Snr. I attended many bonfires when I was younger before they became closed off. My Aunt Molly was married to Old Quil. Did you know that?"
Bella shook her head again.
"Now, two of my best friends are dead, and the only one remaining has kept so many secrets from me that it has put a wedge between us. I'm not a fool, Bella.
"I saw those boys all grow up nearly two feet in a month. They look ten years older than they really are. They are extremely warm to the touch, running around with no shirts on in thirty-degree weather. Eating mountains of food. And now, doing security work that apparently I'm not qualified to do, after thirty years on the job!"
Charlie paused his speech to catch his breath. He hadn't asked any questions, and Bella couldn't refute anything he had said.
"Are those boys, and Leah, apparently, wolves?" Charlie asked her outright.
Bella swallowed and nodded her head.
"Uh-huh," he seemed to be taking this better than Bella would have thought. "The only thing I haven't figured out is who the cold ones are?"
Bella was frozen, like a deer caught in headlights.
"Vampires," Seth said as he entered the kitchen silently.
This seemed to finally stump Charlie.
"Vampires?" Charlie said incredulously. "Like burn in the sun, sleep in coffins, I vant to suck your blood, vampires?"
Seth laughed a humourless laugh. "They do drink blood, but none of the other stuff is true."
Charlie's face suddenly paled, and he turned back to face Bella. "The Cullens… please tell me they are not…" he swallowed, unable to say it.
Bella's eyes filled with tears, and she tried to blink them away. Finally, she tentatively nodded before adding, "but they were… are vegetarian. They only drink from animals."
Charlie's face turned pink, then purple. He raised his hand and pointed at Bella, "YOU NEARLY MARRIED A VAMPIRE?" Charlie screamed at her.
Bella nodded her head.
"And, you knew what he was?" Charlie asked
Bella nodded again.
Charlie started pacing in front of Bella, walking from one side of the kitchen to the other.
"They have this way about them. Everything about them invites us in. Their voice, their face, even their smell. They are the ultimate predator. It makes them very hard to resist," Bella tried to explain away some of her guilt.
Charlie stopped pacing for a minute to study her face for a second before continuing his pacing. "I can't believe this," he mumbled. "Where did I go wrong?"
"I'm so sorry, Dad. I wanted to tell you for such a long time. But there are laws and rules, and not just anyone can know."
Seth suddenly looked towards the front door.
"I'm going to go outside and phase," Seth said as he stalked towards the door.
Just as he reached out to grab the handle, the door flew off its hinges. It collided with Seth, and both he and the door slid across the floor towards the stairs.
Bella looked up and stared straight into the blood-red eyes of a vampire.
A/N thanks for all the reviews and suggestions. I love reading each one.