Eyes Wide Open

JacobxBella

Rated M

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or the franchise, as it belongs to Steph Meyers

Eyes Wide Open

Chapter 18

When Jacob had informed the Pack about the reason why the redhead they were chasing was still lingering around, the Pack was very upset about it. Jared and Paul both agreed that if the Cullens hadn't returned and Bella hadn't become involved with them, then they wouldn't be chasing after Victoria while she was after Bella. However, Emby and Quil both said that that didn't matter anymore and that their priority now was to not only protect their lands and try to catch Victoria, but to also protect Bella now that she was living in La Push, especially now that she knew where Bella was currently living. Sam agreed as well and thus Jacob ordered guarding patrols around the Black home, even putting them in place the moment Bella moved back home with Charlie. And though Paul was greatly reluctant, he and the others did as told nonetheless.

Bella, now with the knowledge that Victoria was still around and the reason why, had begun to worry about not only her own safety, but that of Jacob's and the Pack's. She knew Jacob didn't blame her for the fact that they were still trying to catch the cunning vampire, but she blamed herself. Even though she no longer associated with the Cullens, because she had Victoria was out to get her to avenge James. She was walking disaster, but Jacob reassured her that everything was going to be fine. Needing to believe him, Bella would trust him and instead concentrate on her work or spending time with Shadow. She never really left the Reservation anymore, but she decided that today she would go into Forks and pay not only Charlie a visit, but Angela as well. But first, she wanted to stop by Ms. Opal's place and visit her for a while. Though she had no way to get there because Jacob was currently gone and Billy was visiting Harry, Bella figured that she would just have to walk.

Grabbing her white stick, Bella whistled for Shadow and the black puppy bounded towards her, tail wagging happily at being able to leave with his mistress; it wasn't like she didn't allow him to tag along anyway. Opening the front door of the Black residence, she was surprised to see the green aura she recognized as Embry in front of her. Smiling she greeted, "Hey Embry."

"Hey Bella," Embry replied. "How'd you know it was me?"

"Your aura."

"Ah, right. You can tell like Ms. Opal can. Were you headed somewhere?"

"Yes, I was headed to go see Ms. Opal, actually. Do you want to tag along?"

"Sure thing. Besides, Jake asked me to check on you anyway while he was gone."

Bella nodded and stepped out of the house, closing and locking the door with the spare key Billy had given her before walking beside Embry with her moving her white stick back and forth on the ground in front of her. Shadow trotted along beside Bella happily, tongue hanging out of his mouth as he did. As they walked, they talked about this and that, Embry telling Bella that Sam and Jacob have had to come up with multiple strategies to try and corner Victoria now that they knew she had the power of evasion. Hopefully one of them would work and they could catch her before she got away again. Not for the first time, Bella apologized for causing the mess that they were in, but Embry brushed it off and told her not to worry about it, confident that they would catch Victoria and they could all go on peacefully with their lives.

They walked along the road to the Phillips' home until finally reaching it fifteen minutes later. Stepping up the porch, Embry lifted his fist and knocked on the door, he and Bella waiting patiently for someone to answer the door. They both heard Randall's voice call out for them to wait a moment, and not long after he opened the door. Nodding at them he greeted, "Hello Embry, hello Bella. I imagine you're here to see Opal."

Nodding Bella replied, "Yes, we are. Is she here?"

"She is, but I don't think now is a good time."

Frowning Embry asked, "Is something wrong?"

Before Randall could answer, Ms. Opal's voice called, "Randall, who's at the door?"

Ms. Opal stepped into view and Embry thought she looked a little under the weather. Bella took in her blue aura and noticed it looked a bit more vibrant than usual, particularly around her midsection. Wondering what that was about but not wanting to outright ask, Bella smiled and greeted, "Hi, Ms. Opal."

Smiling Ms. Opal replied, "Hello Bella, hello Embry. Please come inside."

As Bella and Embry stepped inside, Randall asked his wife what she was doing out of bed. Though he was saying it lowly, both Embry and Bella heard him ask Ms. Opal that question, as well as stating that the doctor told her to rest as much as possible. Hearing that caused Bella to frown in concern. What's wrong with Ms. Opal? she couldn't help but wonder.

Thanking her husband for his concern but insisting she was fine, Ms. Opal sat down on the couch next to Bella and said, "It's good to see you, Bella; you too, Embry."

Shadow looked up at the woman before yipping and jumping up into her lap. His sudden presence to Ms. Opal surprised her, but she just giggled and petted him, greeting him while Bella told her his name. Bella looked up towards Randall when she heard him seeming shuffle back, noticing his silver aura was a bit further back than previous. Ms. Opal smiled at her husband and said, "Randall, he's a puppy. He won't hurt you, especially if he's Bella's dog."

"Opal, you know I'm afraid of dogs," Randall replied, causing Ms. Opal to laugh. To save himself anymore embarrassment, Randall excused himself and went to his and Ms. Opal's bedroom, closing the door behind him.

Shaking her head Ms. Opal said, "He'll get over it, don't worry. So what brings you here?"

"Bella wanted to visit and I decided to tag along," Embry said, rubbing Shadow's head as the Lab pup made his way to Embry's lap.

"Oh, that's so nice of you. Bella, has there been any progress with you and Jacob?"

Blushing heavily Bella stammered out, "W-We're just f-friends! There is no p-progress to speak about."

"I smell that lie heavily, Bella. Tell me the truth, and Embry won't repeat this conversation to Jacob. Will you, Embry?"

The pointed look the blind woman gave Embry made him immediately nod, promising to not repeat the conversation to Jacob. Though, he couldn't help it if Jacob saw it in the Pack mind.

Ms. Opal nodded and turned back to Bella, waiting patiently for her to speak. Bella bit her bottom lip for a moment before finally saying, "Well, we um, we've already had a…first date. But we haven't gone on one since then. I know Jake has feelings for me; I mean, it's not like he hides it. And…and I think I'm starting to like him like that as well. Or rather, I may already like him like that and am just realizing it. He's…he's all I think about sometimes, and he just makes my day and makes me happy just from seeing him or knowing he's right there. Being with Jake is so easy, so natural. When I was with my ex, I don't think I've ever felt like that before."

Embry was surprised to hear exactly how Bella felt about his friend, considering she never really said while Jacob would always say. Hearing that she basically returned Jacob's feelings made him smile and want to go tell his friend but knew he couldn't because he promised Ms. Opal. And he refused to break a promise to the kind woman.

Grinning brightly at the brunette's words, Ms. Opal took Bella's hands in hers and asked, "You know what this means, don't you?" At Bella's silence she continued. "You have to let Jacob know how you feel. He can't keep wondering forever, honey. You have to let him know."

"But I don't know if I'm ready to do that yet."

"I didn't mean now, I just meant when you were ready. But if he loves you and you love him, then I think you should let him know that."

Bella blushed deeper than she already had. "I didn't say that I loved him."

Ms. Opal gave Bella a deadpan look. "Bella."

Embry couldn't help but chuckle as Bella ducked her head. Ms. Opal laughed and gave the young girl's hand a gentle pat. Bella looked up at the woman's aura again, once again taking notice that her midsection seemed brighter than the rest of her. Deciding to change the subject off her, Bella asked, "Are you feeling alright, Ms. Opal? Randall sounded as if you are sick."

"Yes, I'm alright. I am sick you could say, but nothing bad."

"Is that why your aura is a bit brighter around your midsection?"

Smiling Ms. Opal nodded and took Bella's hand, placing it over her stomach before saying, "We found out that I'm pregnant last week. Randall and I are going to have a baby."

Both Embry and Bella looked at Ms. Opal in shock before congratulating her, giving her hugs as they did. Ms. Opal thanked them and continued to tell them that it was a surprise, considering they couldn't conceive years before when they really wanted children. She told them that her and Randall had become content with the fact that they wouldn't ever have kids, but felt blessed to finally be having one, even if they were just forty-one and forty-two. Bella told her that they would be fantastic parents and she couldn't wait to meet the baby when it finally arrived. Embry went on to say that he was going to spread the happy news with Jacob and Quil and they'd have a celebration, prompting Bella to propose a small party to celebrate the good news. Ms. Opal told them that she didn't need to do that, but Bella insisted while promising to hash out the details later. It wasn't long before it was time for Bella to go and visit her father, and her and Embry bid Ms. Opal 'goodbye' and they and Shadow left the Phillips' home.

Alice gasped as she was struck with a vision before grabbing her head as if in pain. Jasper gently took his mate's shoulders into his hands before asking, "Alice, what is it? What do you see?"

The Seer was quiet for a moment before finally saying, "Bella is going to visit Charlie, but it's hazy because she has one of those wolves with her."

"Okay, but that's good right? She's going to visit her father, nothing wrong with that."

"Yes, it wouldn't be if…"

Jasper frowned. "If what?"

Amber eyes looked into equally amber eyes before Alice said, "If Edward wasn't going to intercept them. And though I can't see much, I know it's not going to be good when he does."