A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed! It absolutely makes my day.

A special thank you to Sunflower Fran for designing the new banner for the story.

Jacob had several ideas for how to proceed from where they had left off the other night. Maybe it was just in his head, but he could have sworn Bella's goodbye hug was longer and tighter than what would be for a normal person with platonic feelings. It buoyed his confidence to think so. The more he dwelt on it, the surer he became.

Well, she said she wanted to hang out. He picked up his phone, dialing her cellphone number; at least Cullen's money was good for something.

"Hello!" she answered on the third ring.

"Hey, Bella! It's Jake."

"Hey, Jake, what's up?" she asked. He could hear talking behind her, but he wasn't sure exactly what was being said.

"Well, I was wondering if my best girl would want to hang out with her best man today?" he grinned as he spoke.

There was a slight pause. "Actually, I already am in the middle of something…unless you'd like to join? It's at the Cullens' house though."

More voices in the background, one sounding particularly upset. Although being in the middle of their house was likely to be a miserable affair, Jacob couldn't shirk the idea that aggravating Edward would be a bonus to getting to spend time with Bella. It would be weird and mildly uncomfortable, but he would do what he could to make sure they weren't all PDA the way they had been at the dinner.

"What're we gonna be doing?" he asked.

"Oh!" she sounded surprised. "Well, Esme and I are going to cook dinner—a full meal now that you're coming—and then it's game night. It's Emmett's turn to pick, too, so we're all in for a treat," she laughed.

Jacob was doubtful it would be all she made it out to be, but he wouldn't turn down a homemade meal. He knew Bella liked to cook, and she didn't get to do it for anyone other than herself anymore.

"Sounds just peachy," he responded. "When should I be over?"

"Oh, anytime is fine!" she assured him.

"I'll be over soon then!" he hung up as soon as they said their goodbyes. He made his way to the rabbit before setting off across the boundary line.

Jacob didn't expect the scene he walked in on. He heard loud music being played along with what sounded like a professional singer along with a slightly deeper voice singing along; though not on par with the former, it wasn't bad, and it was certainly animated.

Carlisle was the one to answer the door, a finger to his lips asking for silence. Confused, Jacob followed him. He found Edward playing the piano animatedly while Esme and Bella sang in the kitchen.

I didn't know Bella could sing, he thought. Granted, she wasn't trained, but her alto voice made the music sweet to his ears. He didn't care about the occasional sharp or flat note like some people might. And she never told me she liked 70s music…

As Jacob walked closer to the kitchen, he was even more baffled when he saw Bella starting to dance along. She and Esme were obviously into the song, occasionally taking turns spinning each other, Esme steadying Bella as she needed it.

"I'm not that chained up little person still in love with you!" they sang in unison, smiles bright. (Jacob wondered how Bella didn't see the irony of the song.) Still, seeing Bella so happy was a rarity, and he took it in until the end of the song, when they drew out the ending with melodramatic vibrato, the piano twinkling to match.

"Bravo!" Carlisle laughed, clapping. "What a show!"

Jacob gave a little clap as well, leaning against the wall and endeavoring to ignore the sickly-sweet stench of the house.

Bella saw him and blushed a bright red; he thought she was beautiful.

"You never told me you could sing!" Jacob grinned, going to hug her. He loved having her in his arms, but this embrace was all too brief.

"I can't, I mean—I don't. Not really," she shrugged.

"Evidently you do!" he insisted. "And it's great, Bella. It's really great."

"Well, thank you," she said, "but really, I wouldn't be nearly as entertaining without Esme and Edward."

Esme walked over, wrapping an arm around Bella's shoulders. "I love being musical with my children. Besides, cooking is supposed to be a bonding experience, and we're making memories!"

Bella hugged her around the waist. "You know, I'll never understand why some people hate their mother-in-law, but I guess I got extremely lucky."

Psh. Maybe she did, but it's not like you did, is it? Charlie hates you. Jacob smirked at Edward as he walked up. He was just met with an eyeroll. Trying to be the bigger man then?

"It's not as if the bar is high," Edward murmured, then proceeded to ignore him. That aggravated Jacob more than he anticipated.

It was weird for Bella, having Jacob around during more intimate moments with her new family. Since the wedding, she had found herself fitting in more comfortably, though she attributed that to the confidence and security she was feeling. Though she was still acutely aware of how much more adept at things the other Cullens were than her, she was becoming more comfortable with being silly and doing things like singing and dancing in the kitchen, things reminiscent of her childhood.

"I'm just surprised to find you like this," Jake said. "I didn't think this was your thing."

"Oh," Bella responded, "Well, Renee and I actually used to do stuff like this frequently. We sang together all the time, especially in the car and while doing chores. We weren't necessarily good, but it was something that we had fun with."

"You never told me," he sounded baffled.

"You never asked," she shrugged, "and it didn't come up."

There was an awkward pause before Esme, ever the gracious host, interjected. "Shall we finish getting the lasagna ready? Or would you like me to do that?"

"Shoot, sorry, Mom! Let me finish seasoning it, and I'll pop it in the oven." Bella turned back to the counters, seeming perfectly content and at home.

"I'll get the salad together then," Esme smiled, going to a spread of vegetables already laid out. She started chopping much faster than a human ever could safely.

Bella looked up at Jacob after she placed the pan in the oven and had to laugh.

"You look so confused!"

"I just wasn't expecting it to be so…normal in a kitchen where most people in the house don't eat," he explained, eyebrows pinched.

"We don't eat, but Bella does," Edward explained, walking over to where Esme was working and tossing the salad after she added the ingredients. "So, we learned how to cook—well, Esme and I, at least."

"Hey!" Emmett's yell was heard from upstairs. He ran down the steps, joining the group in the kitchen (Bella was suddenly grateful for its large size). "I've managed a few recipes!"

"Emmett does make the best cereal," Bella said, as serious as she could be before she broke out in laughter.

"You know what?" Emmett huffed. "I'll take it. Getting the ratio of milk to cereal is a very delicate task that requires the utmost skill and concentration."

Bella giggled. "I suppose you're not wrong…in a way."

"Besides, it's not my fault everything says season to taste. My taste wouldn't have me eating it at all!"

Bella looked over at Jacob, still laughing, but noticed he looked even more weirded out than before. She decided she'd better give him some sort of help.

"Emmett, why don't we go ahead and get a game set up?" she asked.

His grin looked almost diabolical. "If you insist, little sister."

Again with those familial terms, Jacob groaned inwardly. Outwardly, however, he asked, "What are we playing?"

"We're breaking out the GameCube, boys! It's "Mario Party" night!" Emmett then disappeared at high speed to the livingroom.

Bella sighed in relief; she had some chance at victory then—small, but present.

Jacob hated to admit he was having a good time. Everyone was on teams or had to take turns (They really need a better system) just because of the limitations on numbers of controllers, but it still managed to be fun. A significant portion he attributed to watching Bella get competitive. At one point, however, she left the controller to Edward and disappeared into the kitchen. When she came back, she was holding a wine glass.

"Are you drinking underage?" Jacob scoffed. "What would the chief think?"

"It's wine, Jake," she defended herself, though she still blushed, likely embarrassed. "I tried some on the honeymoon for the first time since drinking laws are different there, and now I like to have the occasional glass or two. It's very rare I do so anyway. Besides, this happens to pair well with the food we are about to eat."

Jacob didn't expect it of her, but he supposed drinking laws really were pretty inconsistent in some ways.

"They have certainly changed over time," Edward responded to his thoughts. Before he could snap at him for it, Bella interjected.

"What has?"

"Alcohol laws."

"Isn't that the damn truth," Emmett snorted. "I remember when the drinking age was eighteen, and my family still made moonshine!"

"I remember the prohibition," Rosalie leaned against him.

"That passed during my newborn year," Edward reflected. "I remember the uproar leading up to its ratification though."

"Well, I remember when alcohol was the safest thing to drink," Carlisle laughed.

Jacob blinked, surprised. "Doc, just how old are you?"

Carlisle gave a wry smile. "I was born in the 1640s."

Jacob didn't know what to say. "What the f—"

"There are ladies present," Esme admonished him before he could finish.

"Oh, um, sorry," he apologized; he actually liked Esme. He glared at the others who snickered on his behalf.

"Don't feel bad; she's had to get on to most of us at one point or another," Jasper assured him. "And I'm sure she'll have to do it again."

The oven timer went off, interrupting their conversation, and Jacob and Bella went to eat, Edward following behind shortly after.

Jacob hoped that, someday soon, he and Bella would be able to eat a homecooked meal in their own house. Things could get a little heated while dinner was getting ready, and it could lead to me coming up behind her, large hands on those hips of hers, pulling her back against me so she could feel how hard I was while she tried to continue cooking. Then, I would turn her around and—

"Don't push it," Edward growled. His words were quiet enough that Bella couldn't hear what she said, but she heard the rumbling of the growl nonetheless. She looked concerned, narrowing her eyes between the two of them.

Don't eavesdrop, Jacob thought. Besides, you're just jealous you can never share that with her. You can't even share a real meal with her.

Edward shrugged. "Maybe, but what do I really have to be jealous of, pup?"

Leech, he glared.

"Enough with the sub-human hearing arguing, please. The human is getting annoyed," Bella warned.

"Of course. Sorry, love," Edward apologized, voice smooth and persuasive. Jacob hated it. It was too unnatural.

"Don't worry about it," Bella huffed, then held out her glass. "May I have another, please?"

"Just say the word," Edward took the glass from her, taking her hand to kiss it briefly, then poured her more wine. Jacob noticed her scent slightly change as the alcohol made its way into her system as they ate. It really was delicious, and he told Bella so, making sure to thank both her and Esme for their hard work. He ignored Edward's help with the salad.

By the end of Bella's third glass of wine, she seemed very relaxed and happy, cheeks rosy and eyes a little shiny. Edward took their plates when they were finished and began doing the washing up.

"You go play games with the others; I'll be back in there in a moment," Bella told Jacob. He was reluctant but gave in. If they were just going to do dishes and put away leftovers, he knew he would be in the way. Besides, he did enjoy the GameCube.

As soon as Jacob was out of the room, Bella made her way over to Edward. He was at the sink, sleeves rolled up, and was doing the dishes.

"Hey, handsome," she giggled, wrapping her arms around him.

"Hello, beautiful," he chuckled. "Feeling well?"

"I'm floaty," she buried her nose into the back of his shirt, breathing in his scent. "Mmm, you smell so good!"

He grinned, shutting off the water and turning around in her embrace. She reached her hands to go around his neck while his hands fell to her waist, gently stroking her there. They swayed a little, side to side, just staring into each other's eyes.

"Dance with me?" he asked her, golden eyes dazzling.

"There's no music," she pointed out.

"That's easily remedied," Edward assured her, and he began to quietly sing a romantic song Bella had recently been listening to on repeat.

She acquiesced, allowing him to slowly turn them, moving in a pseudo-waltz throughout the kitchen; surprisingly, she found it easier to follow without stumbling when she was slightly tipsy. He loved how it felt to have her move with him like this. The look in her eyes, like he was her entire world, warmed him through and through. With her heart beating so hard, he could feel it in his own chest, and it was almost like his own was moving again. It was moments like this that he wished would last forever; he was grateful all over again that she had made the choice to join him in his life, that they would have the chance to make their love last that long.

As he came to the end of the song, he spun her around carefully before bringing her into a dip on the last word.

"You are so very beautiful," he whispered before giving her a kiss, pulling her back upright. The kiss quickly got heated, and Edward pulled her as tightly against him as was safe. Bella moaned low in her throat, and it caused Edward's control to slip a little more. He backed her against the fridge, and she hitched a leg over his hip. He ran his hands over her lightly before he grabbed her thighs and lifted her, allowing her to wrap both legs around him. Her hands were in his hair, pulling, and he purred. The vibrations of it caused her to moan again, pressing herself against him to get whatever friction she could. He slowly rocked his hips against her, mindful to not shake the fridge too much. Her scent, tainted as it was by the alcohol, was still almost dizzying for him, as much as his was for her, if not more. He found himself losing his focus, not monitoring where other people were, and just giving into this moment with his wife.

His hands made their way from her thighs to her rear, grabbing her firmly, moving her slightly against him. His tongue made little flicks against her lips before dipping into her mouth briefly, back out, then back in, simulating what they could be doing, and causing her to whimper against him. He broke away from her lips to give her a chance to breathe but kept his lips on her skin, trailing his mouth from her jaw, down her neck to her shoulder, then back up. On his third pass, she held his head to a sensitive spot on her throat, a spot he normally devoted quite a bit of attention to.

"Growl for me, baby," she whispered. He did so, finally over the shock that something that should have her instinctively running away had her keening, on the verge of coming just from the vibrations and the grinding they were doing.

"What the actual fuck are you doing?"

Edward stopped, breathing hard, suddenly furious. Almost as furious as Jacob Black was, and Edward understood as he saw what they looked like in Jacob's thoughts.

There was Edward, with Bella pinned and whimpering against the fridge, growling with his teeth near her neck. He wasn't going to bite her, of course, and it was entirely consensual—but Jacob didn't seem to register that.

"Let me explain," Edward began, trying to get his breath under control.

"What?" Bella asked, confused; she was distracted by their more amorous activities when sober. Being tipsy and stopping in the middle of very heavy foreplay was bound to throw her for a loop.

"Get away from her!" Jacob yelled. "You're going to hurt her!"

"Hurt me? Please." Bella grumbled. "It took forever for him to even be a little rough."

Edward cast a glance at her for a moment before turning his head over his shoulder to see Jacob fuming, shaking.

"I'm not going to bite her," he tried to use a soothing tone. It was rather difficult considering he was still in a heightened state of arousal, but he managed it.

Fucking disgusting! He's all over her…and he was so close to biting her…he was growling…but did I hear her ask?...Wait, did she want that? I can smell her again…oh God…

"She likes it," Edward murmured quietly so as to not embarrass Bella. Even as he spoke, he was setting her down, helping her find her stability. She was completely red, of course, unable to look at Jacob. "I'd never do anything she didn't."

"That's fucking sick," Jacob snapped, volume way above what it needed to be for Bella to hear. "To want your natural predator at your throat, treating you like that, that's so messed up, Bella!"

Bella looked at him now, shock and pain in her eyes, tears welling then falling quickly.

"Watch your mouth, Jacob!" Edward snapped.

"Watch my—? Watch yours! Did you not see what you were doing?!"

"He was only doing what I w-wanted," Bella insisted, trying to wipe her tears away, just for them to be replaced.

Jacob scoffed. "Then you need help!"

Bella sobbed, angry and hurt and still a little drunk.

"Wait, shit, Bells, I'm sorry—" he took a step towards her.

"Get out of my house," Edward glared, pulling Bella into his arms.

"No, look, I just—" I need to apologize. I didn't mean to be that harsh! "I didn't mean it."

"Too late," Bella hiccupped. "And I don't believe you."

"But…"

"You just want to get in my pants!" she yelled. Jacob stopped, completely taken aback. He wasn't used to an angry, inebriated Bella. He didn't know how to navigate that minefield, and Edward wasn't going to help him; he was lucky he hadn't already thrown him out.

"That's not true," he insisted, hurt. "Bella, I love you."

She glared. "I. Don't. Believe You! That isn't how people who love each other talk to one another! Besides, apparently, I need help."

"It's just—"

"Bella, do you want him here?" Emmett's deep voice cut through everything, much more threatening than Bella had ever heard him.

"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "But don't hurt him, Em."

"No worries, little sis, I'm just going to help him find the door," Emmett promised. Edward saw Jasper waiting by the door as well, using his influence to calm the situation as much as possible. "Let's go, Jacob."

Jacob looked like he was going to protest again.

"Not now, man. You made my sister cry. Time to go and let her cool off. If she wants to talk to you, she'll call," Emmett started herding him towards the door. Jacob was angry and reluctant, but he allowed it to happen rather than start a fight he knew he would be outnumbered in.

Once they could hear the car drive away, Edward murmured to Bella, "He's wrong, you know. It's natural to want your mate the way we want each other. You can ask anyone here. You're not the first to like growling in the bedroom."

"It's true," Rosalie agreed. "The dog shouldn't have shamed you like that. He's just jealous."

"I know…at least, I think I know," Bella sighed, letting Edward wipe away the rest of her tears. "Can we just go back to the cottage?"

"Of course, love," Edward kissed her forehead. "Do you want me to carry you, or do you want to ride on my back?"

"Carry me please?" she asked. He picked her up, cradling her in his arms, and ran to their little fairytale home in the forest. He would spend the rest of the night taking care of her, making her feel loved and worthy and sure of herself once more.

And maybe, just maybe, planning a bit of revenge on Jacob Black.