An Occasion
Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.
A/N-thank you very much to the everyone who read and reviewed the last chapter.
Chapter Seven-Too Much
Jacob and Bella had been staking out the old men for days with no joy. Billy, Harry and Old Quil went about their daily business as if nothing was amiss. The most exciting thing to happen was when Old Quil clocked them in the distance watching the local store that he owned. He ambled over to them; a big grin spread across his face. He knocked on the driver's side window of the restored VW Rabbit and waited patiently while Jacob rolled it down.
"Hey kids." Old Quil doffed his cap at Bella and Jacob, his grin turning conspiratorial. "Just a word of advice, you're a bit conspicuous here. There are plenty of other places you can park up if you want more privacy." He lowered his voice, giving them both a sly wink. "And don't worry, I won't tell your folks I saw you. We'll keep it just between us."
Bella wished she didn't blush so fast, that she had some ability to keep her emotions in check. In an instant her cheeks were rosy with mortification at what the elder was implying. She had a feeling the old man had done it deliberately to catch them out.
"That was so embarrassing!" Bella said to Jacob as she watched Old Quil stroll back to his store with his hands in his pockets, whistling a happy tune. "He knows!"
"I don't see how." Jacob complained. "We've been so careful."
"Not careful enough, apparently." Bella sighed. "We officially suck at being detectives."
"You don't want to give up?" Jacob didn't even bother to hide his disappointment. "Even though nothing has happened, I was kind of enjoying myself."
"I was, too." Bella admitted. "But I'm not sure where we go from here if they're onto us." She sighed, picking at a stray thread on the hem of her shirt. "And it's getting a bit difficult making excuses to Edward about why I've been practically living in La Push for the last few days."
"Oh." Jacob ducked his head to hide his expression from her. "Does that mean Jake and Bells Private Investigators is officially over? I'll miss seeing you every day."
Bella reached out with her hand and touched his shoulder gently. "Jake, I enjoy your company. I'll still come over. Just not every day."
Jacob looked up at her from under his incredibly thick lashes. "You will?" He asked, a hopeful note rising in his voice.
"Of course, I will. We're friends, aren't we?"
Jacob's answering smile was like the sunshine and the birdsong. It warmed Bella's heart and she found herself smiling back. "Yes, we most definitely are." He laughed.
Edward was on Bella as soon as she entered the house after Jacob had dropped her off outside. His arms went around her immediately, his lips at her ear. "Where have you been?" He demanded. "I have been out of my mind with worry."
"You knew I was with Jacob." Bella replied testily. Her leg was throbbing and itchy. She was due to have the cast removed in the morning and tomorrow couldn't come fast enough. She extricated herself from Edward's confining embrace. "Why are you even here?"
Edward stiffened, and a low hiss sounded in her ear as he pulled her close again. His arms tightened around her; he was clearly annoyed. "You know how I feel about you spending so much time in La Push, Bella. Its not safe, I…."
"Don't you start all that again!" Bella snapped. She pushed on his chest and he let her go. "Its up to me who I spend my time with. Jacob is my friend."
"You barely know him." Edward argued. "After everything that happened after prom, can you blame me for being concerned. He's not the kind of company that you should be keeping – "
"Enough" Bella cut him off angrily. "There's nothing to worry about with Jacob. Unless there is something you're not telling me?" She narrowed her eyes and glared at him suspiciously. "Why won't you tell me what you know about the black wolf?"
Edward ground his teeth together. His hands were balled up into fists at his sides. "There's nothing to tell."
Bella took a deep breath to stem the tide of her anger and frustration. She knew Edward was lying. He did know something, it was obvious, but he didn't trust her enough to share, and she found that infuriating. "Have it your way then."
"What do you mean?" Edward asked as he followed close behind her as she hobbled toward the stairs. "You can't expect me to let you – "
"Oh, yes, I can." Bella whirled around when she reached the bottom step. "You can't control everything I do, Edward."
"I'm not trying to control you." Edward said in a pained voice. "I'm only thinking of your safety. If it was any of your other friends…"
It had been a while, this anger, building slowly ever since prom. Edward was treating her like a wayward child. She was sick of it. He never listened. He overrode her wishes, often guilt tripping her in order to get his own way.
"Is this really just about my safety?" The words popped out of Bella's mouth before she had a chance to stop them.
"What do you mean?" Edward demanded.
"Are you jealous?"
"What?" Edward scoffed. "I am not jealous of Jacob Black."
"Your behaviour says otherwise." Bella frowned suspiciously. "I think your jealous because I've spent more time with him lately then you."
Edward's eyes blazed with indignation. "This is only about you. All I care about is that you're safe."
"Then you have nothing to worry about, because I am perfectly safe with Jacob Black. Goodnight, Edward. You can show yourself out."
The next day the atmosphere remained frosty between them. Even though Edward was supposed to be the one accompanying her to have her cast removed, Bella decided to ask Charlie to take her instead. To her surprise, her father looked as pleased as punch that she was leaning on him for support.
"Of course, I'll take you, kiddo." He said with a broad smile.
Edward went into a fit of pique when she contacted him about the change of plans, only to find he already knew, courtesy of Alice.
When Charlie dropped her off at school the next day just before midday, she found Edward and Alice waiting for her in the parking lot.
"Shouldn't you be in class?" Bella grouched as she walked slowly to join them. Even though it was relief to have the heavy cast removed, her leg still felt very stiff and awkward.
"Bella!" Alice trilled as she skipped toward her-her tawny eyes were brilliant with excitement, she was holding a small silver wrapped square in her hands.
Bella had a sneaking suspicion it was a present for her upcoming birthday. She'd told Alice she didn't want anything, not gifts or even attention. Obviously, like Edward, she was ignoring her wishes.
"I know I'm a day early, Bella. I just couldn't wait." Alice's pixie face glowed under her spiky black hair.
"Keep it down." Bella said grumpily. The last thing she wanted was some kind of celebration. It was just another day; she had no interest in making a big deal of it.
Alice ignored her protests. "You can open it now. Unless you want to wait until tomorrow night." She added slyly. "What time will you be at the house?"
"I didn't know I had plans to be there." Bella said, her tone harsher than she intended.
"Oh, be fair, Bella!" Alice pouted. "You aren't gong to ruin our fun like that, are you? Tell her, Edward!" She complained.
"I'll get her from Charlie's right after school." Edward promised her with a small smile.
"I thought my birthday was about what I want." Bella said heatedly. "And, anyway, I have to work."
"You don't, actually." Alice informed her smugly. "I already spoke to Mrs. Newton about it. She's trading your shifts. She says to tell you 'Happy Birthday.'"
"You had no right!" Bella fumed, feeling her anger rising again.
Edward rolled his eyes. "Please, Bella, this childish display is unseemly."
Bella was incensed at the patronising way he was talking to her. She fixed him with her most steely glare. "I will not be coming over. I already have plans."
Edward rolled his eyes. "You don't, Bella."
Alice let out an irritated sigh. "This can be easy, or this can be hard, Bella, but one way or the other – "
"JUST SHUT UP, ALICE!" Bella finally exploded as she reached the limit of her patience.
"Bella?" Alice stared at Bella wide-eyed, her face registering hurt.
"Bella, apologise to Alice right now." Edward scolded her. "I can't understand why you are acting this way."
"You know exactly why I am acting this way!" Bella blazed, losing the last of her self-control. The absolute nerve of both of them, hijacking her birthday plans like that without consulting her. "I am sick and tired of you not listening and trying to control every aspect of my life. Let me make myself clear – I will not be spending my birthday with you or your family. I'm spending it with Charlie, Billy and Jacob Black in La Push. So there!"
A/N-thanks for reading! Please review.