Chapter 39 – It's a…

Thanksgiving Day

JACOB

I didn't know what made me swing by the Swan house. Bella didn't live there anymore, and going to Uncle Royce for help was out of the question, even if he had connections to get her new address.

Charlie walked out and headed to the truck, a white box under his arm. He placed the box on the front seat before going back in the house. I wondered what was in the box. An upstairs light came on. With a smile, I got out of my car and made my way over to the truck. My grin got wider when I found the door unlocked. For a cop, Charlie was not very wise.

The door creaked as I opened it. Right in front of me was the box. With a quick look over my shoulder, I saw the light was still on. Careful not to rip the box, I lifted the lid. A red and white stockings greeted me – Isabella, one said in red glitter. The next, Edward. The final one made me angry – Baby Cullen. What the fuck!

I thought I had kicked her hard enough to rid her of the baby. Maybe she had lost it and the bastard, Edward, had knocked her up. Either way, the kid was mine. Bella was mine, too.

I heard a noise behind me and closed the door. It again creaked but it wasn't too loud to draw suspicion. By the time I was back in my car, Charlie was coming out of the house again. He got into the truck and drove off with me following. I had a feeling he was going to see Bella.

BELLA

Time had a way of moving without you even noticing. Before I knew it, Edward was pulling out Christmas decorations... and right after Thanksgiving dinner, much to Esme's delight. And boy did the man have a plethora of lights and ornaments. With all the boxes brought down from the attic, I could probably open a pop-up store and make a killing. I hadn't even seen what was inside the one-hundred-plus plastic tubs. Each tub was labeled – kitchen, living room, den, master, outside.

"Every room has its own theme," I overheard Esme telling Dad.

"What?" I croaked out in question.

Both Dad and Esme turned toward me. "Bells?"

I shook my head. Oh, please, don't ask Dad.

"Is Christmas not your favorite holiday anymore?"

And cue Edward looking over his shoulder at me. The corners of his mouth curled up and his eyes lit up with his curiosity.

I bit my lip, turning away. How was I supposed to answer? I looked forward to Christmas every year growing up, and not because I loved helping Grandmother Swan decorate the house and make cookies. It wasn't even the childlike fantasy of Santa and his reindeer I held on to even after I learned Dad and Grandmother were the jolly man in the red suit. It was more than the lights, the tree, the songs, and the stories of Christmases of long ago. It was the spirit of the season. The giving and not expecting anything in return I loved. However, the last handful of Christmases were a letdown, not because I missed her. I could feel her presence as I decorated the tree. Feel her when I dropped off toys at the hospital. The spirit of the season was ever-present. But the last five years, I had woken to an empty house, finding the tree unlit, though there were presents underneath from me to Dad and from him to me. I hated it and was to blame. Had I told Dad how I felt about being alone, he would have stayed home with me. Hindsight was a bitch.

Being able to spend it with dear friends and family this year was something I never thought would happen. I was secretly excited.

Dad sighed. "If it isn't, then I wasted a lot of time the last few days prepping a bit of a surprise for you."

Huh? I turned hesitant eyes on Dad. "A surprise?"

Smiling, Dad stood and left the room. I heard the front door open and close. Jumping up, I made my way to the entry hall, hearing as Esme told Edward he better not. I didn't even care what she meant.

My hand was reaching for the door handle when it swung open. Dad came back inside with a box tucked under one arm. I followed him back into the living room.

"You haven't answered me, Bells? Is Christmas still your favorite?"

"Yes," I answered simply.

I didn't miss the smile on Edward's face as Dad handed me the box. Ridding the box of its lid, I found a red stocking with my name in red glitter on the white fuzz. I fingered the lettering. My last one fell apart last year, and I hadn't bother replacing it.

"Sue she made you a new one," Dad said.

"Thank her for me."

After setting my stocking aside, I went back to the box and I found two more red stocking with white fuzz. The next one had Edward's name on it. The last one, fell from my hands into my lap after I read the name. Not Black or Swan, but Cullen. Dad had listened, had heard me when I told him I wished the baby I carried was Edward's instead of Jacob's. Was this his way of telling me he understood and what he would do if he was me? Or, was it Sue's idea? Or, did she not know it was another guy's?

"Bells?"

I motioned to the stockings. "Whose idea was the last one?"

Edward moved toward me, reaching for said stocking. I batted his hand away. I wanted an answer from Dad before I revealed the name on it.

"All Sue told me was she made the three I asked for. Is something wrong with it?"

"What does she know?"

I hoped Dad could deduce what I was asking.

"Nothing about the full situation," he answered being a little cryptic, indicating the stockings.

A smile formed on my lips. Edward again tried to take the one I dropped, and again I batted his hand away. His parents laughed. "Give me a minute."

My gaze moved to the stocking. "Why?" I asked after a moment more.

Dad's hand went to his jaw. "Think of it as a possible way of sticking it to someone."

"Hm. There is that."

"All right," Edward started, looking between Dad and me like he was watching a tennis match. "What are you two talking about?"

Dad chuckled. "You might as well show him."

"The stocking?" Esme asked.

I nodded.

"I'm confused," she said.

"So am I," Carlisle commented.

I nodded, fearing if I opened my mouth, I would start laughing. Not that the stocking was funny, but the moment was. But the Cullens wouldn't be amused. Picking the stocking up and lifted the toe up. I turned it toward Edward and his parents. Edward raised an eyebrow. A gave myself a few seconds more before letting the red part fall, revealing what was hidden.

Esme gasped, her right hand going to her chest. Carlisle sat there, a smile on his face. But it was Edward's reaction I wanted, needed. When my gaze moved back to his, I saw a mix of emotions. His love for me and the baby, and his concern.

"Turn the lawyer off," Carlisle said in a gentle voice.

Edward swiped a hand down his face. "It's hard to do, Dad. On one hand, I would love for the baby to carry the Cullen name, but on the other… I don't know." His eyes moved to the stocking again. "I would be furious if I were in Jacob's shoes."

I blew out a long breath. Dad's intentions were good, but why he made the suggestion was not.

"He's nothing but a sperm donor," Dad spat. His take on Jacob had changed dramatic the last few weeks.

"Sperm donor or no, he has rights," Edward argued. "Unless he signs away his rights or a judge terminates them, then the law is on his side."

Edward had a valid point, and I hated it.

"See any way to get a judge to do that?" I asked.

"I'm afraid not, sweetheart."

"Hang it anyway. What's the likelihood of him ever seeing it," I remarked, handing it over to my husband.

JACOB

I drove passed the house Charlie stopped in front of, turning around at the next road. I parked across the street and watched the house. After a few minutes, two other cars stop outside it. A big brute gets out and walks around the car, helping out a tall blonde bitch. The next held the damn dark-haired pixie that arrived right after I attacked Bella. She was with a blond bastard that appeared to be a good head or two taller than her.

The two couples stood outside chatting and laughing before the guys retrieved covered dishes from their respective trunks, handing them to the two whores. They started walking toward the front door and stopped when a black Mercedes parked in the driveway.

An older couple got out and the two guys went over, helping with some covered dishes.

~~ Reaching for Love ~~

Placing the package down on the welcome mat, I stood and stared at the wreath on the door before turning and walking away. The whole outside of the fucking house was decorated. It was a disgusting display of holiday spirit if I ever saw one. White lights covered the eaves on both levels. Color lights hung from the trees and shrubs. Carefully placed lawn ornaments dotted the front yard. I wanted to kick each one. Destroy them. I couldn't, not if I wanted to stay in this damn game Bella insisted on playing.

EDWARD

Pulling into the driveway, I saw the package on the porch. My brows drew together as I thought about whether Bella or I had placed an Amazon order. I came up blank.

Dialing Emmett, I hoped he and Bella were inside.

"Hey, Edward."

"Check out what's on the porch. And don't let Bella know."

~~ Reaching for Love ~~

The box contained an outfit for a baby boy. What the hell? Only Bella and I knew the sex. How had the sender known?

Pulling at my hair, I reread the note.

You think you're safe from me. Think again, Bella. Even the big brute of a guy can protect you. I will get to you, Bella, and when I do, you'll be… I'll let you fill in the blank.

Here's a little something for our baby.

Jacob