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 26

"Bella, so lovely to have you here!" Ms. Opal exclaimed as she gave Bella a hug in greeting.

Bella smiled and returned her hug saying, "It's good to be here. Sorry I haven't been visiting lately."

"No, it's alright, no worries. You've been enjoying your summer and I'm sure school will be starting up again soon."

"In a week, yes."

Ms. Opal allowed Bella into her house, closing the door behind her and moving to sit on her couch, the brunette joining her. She smiled as she felt Shadow give her hand a lick in greeting as he took a seat next to his mistress's feet. Once they were settled, Ms. Opal rubbed a hand over her small baby bump and asked, "So has anything new happened in your life recently?"

Bella stiffened for a moment before asking in return, "What makes you think something new has happened?"

"Because your aura has dimmed a little. It's not that vibrant to begin with, but it's dimmer than usual. Something must be bothering you; want to talk about it?"

The brunette looked off to the side, being silent for a moment. She did want to talk about it with her, it was the reason she was here. She wanted her unbiased, objective view, to get her opinion on her situation, and help give her some sort of clarity and answer. Ms. Opal she knew she could trust to help her, even if she didn't know all the supernatural elements to her dilemma. Deciding she made a good decision, Bella nodded though she knew the older woman didn't see it.

"Yes, I would like to talk about it."

Ms. Opal settled back into the couch cushion, getting comfortable while giving the teenager her full attention.

Taking a deep breath, Bella began to speak. "Well, first off, Jacob and I are together now."

Excited clapping met her ears, followed by a little squeal. Realizing what was happening, Bella blushed and ducked her head as the woman next to her celebrated the news. After being congratulated, Ms. Opal asked for her to continue.

"So yes, we're together now and I'm really happy with Jacob. I even love him, am in love with him, but it seems like my ex is still hellbent on causing me trouble. He doesn't abide by the restraining order I have against him and…well…"

"What is it, dear?"

"It seems like his actions are becoming more…unpredictable and so much so that his father has called an old friend that has a lot of…authority…to try and help me out."

"Authority? Like, law enforcement?"

"A lawyer, you could say. He made it sound like he could stop him if he wasn't listening to his father anymore."

"Okay. So, he's here offering his help. Why not take him up on his offer?"

"Because I'm afraid it's going to open up a whole can of worms that could cause more harm than good. And I'm…I'm afraid." Bella let out a shaky sigh. "I would talk to Jake about this, but he's too close to the situation like I am, and I already know what he would suggest doing. I don't know what to do about it all and I don't want anyone to get hurt. But Edward, my ex…I've never been afraid of him before, but I am now. And I'm afraid that someone—anyone—could get hurt. But I'm not sure what the best course of action is to take. I don't know if I should just handle it on my own, or let the lawyer step in."

Ms. Opal nodded slowly, processing all the information Bella had just told her. As she did, she couldn't help but wonder if there was more to it than what Bella had told her, if there was something about it all that she couldn't say. If so, she wouldn't press her about it, for the girl had come to her for advice. And advice she would give her young blind protégée (at least she liked to think of her as such).

Reaching out her hand, she took hold of Bella's hand gently held it in her own. Rubbing it comfortingly, Ms. Opal said, "You seem to have a lot you are dealing with, and it isn't fair to you. But you are also finding it unfair for those around you that you care about because this is affecting them as well. It's understandable that you don't know what to do or how to handle this situation with your ex, especially with so many things being thrown at you. But I will say this: if you believe you've done all you can to get your point across and stop him, to make him leave you alone and he still refuses, then it is time to let someone else handle it."

"But I have. My dad did with the restraining order and even Jacob does by sending him away from me, but it doesn't work. He's still out to get me."

"Then I think it is time for this lawyer to handle it. I don't know what kind of lawyer he is—he could be completely unconventional for all I know—but if he believes he can handle it and put a stop to it for good, then let him and you not worry about it anymore. And when it's over, you will finally have your peace. And as for this can of worms you speak of that you're afraid getting him involved will open, don't you think it's better to take that risk and deal with it later rather than suffer through this dangerous stalking you're going through now?"

Bella blinked in response. She hadn't thought about it the Aro situation that way. Was it better to deal with any consequences after Edward was dealt with or just continue to suffer both Edward and the consequences together? She didn't think she could handle both right now and her main priority concerning Edward was getting him out of her life permanently. Aro had all but said he would have no problem killing him if he didn't comply with whatever he would do the first time. It wasn't like she was hoping for Edward's death, but if that was what it took to get him to leave her alone, then maybe agreeing to Aro's offer wasn't so bad. And like Ms. Opal said, it would probably be better to take the risk of dealing with the consequences of knowing about vampires with Aro later.

Already knowing she was agreeing with the woman, Bella nodded and answered, "Yeah, I think you're right. Maybe it is worth the risk of opening the can."

"Then you have your answer." Ms. Opal gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Everything will work out in the end, you'll see."

Grinning Bella thanked the woman and hugged her, feeling safe and secure in Ms. Opal's warm embrace. It almost felt like hugging Renee, but better and more motherly. Finding herself snuggling into her Bella rested her head on her shoulder, basking in the comfort the older woman was giving and whispered, "Thank you."

Ms. Opal smiled and continued to hug the brunette, slowly rocking her as she did. She had suspected this for a while—and Bella's action right now seemed to confirm it for her—that the girl didn't have a strong mother figure in her life. Not to say she didn't have one, but probably not like how she would have liked one while growing up. So, it wasn't any surprise to her that the young girl gravitated to her, especially with her helping her through her blindness and helping to give her advice when she felt she couldn't talk to anyone else. And she herself was quite fond of Bella as well. Though she had a child of her own growing inside her for the first time, she was happy to think of Bella as her surrogate daughter.

Their moment was suddenly interrupted when the front door burst open, startling the two women and causing Shadow to hop up from his place on the floor and bark loudly. Looking at the intruder, they saw the familiar golden aura of Jacob and as Shadow's barking calmed down, Bella exclaimed, "Jake!"

"Bella, what the hell?" Jacob said as she stepped inside the house.

"Hello to you, too," Bella replied sarcastically.

Ms. Opal cleared her throat and asked in a stern voice, "What brings you to barge into my home without so much as a greeting and begin verbally attacking Bella?"

Realizing how bad that indeed might have looked, Jacob rubbed the back of his head sheepishly as he cowed slightly under Ms. Opal's stern gaze. Though the woman was blind, her focused gaze could be very scary, especially if she got irritated or angry. It was like she was staring right into one's soul and could read a person inside and out with a single glance. Clearing his throat, Jacob apologized before explaining why he was there.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Opal; that was rude of me. It's just…I heard Bella was here and found out she drove herself to La Push, though Paul finished driving her here." Jacob then looked around. "Where is he, anyway?"

"He ran off after we got here," Bella answered.

"You drove here by yourself, Bella?" Ms. Opal asked.

Suddenly feeling sheepish herself, Bella stammered out, "Y-y-yes. B-But I had Shadow with me."

Jacob, having closed the door and moved to stand in front of Bella, said in reply, "It was very reckless of you to do that, Bella."

"I know that already, I knew it before I started driving. And you don't have to reprimand me about it, Paul already has." Bella's tone was defensive despite her agreeing with him. Crossing her arms, she glared up at him before continuing. "And I made it here in one piece, as you can see. Shadow led me here just fine, so I don't need you to scold me about it more."

The Shifter glared down at her as well. "That doesn't change the fact that you did it knowing good and well you can't see."

"Are you holding that against me now?"

"No, just that you decided to drive while blind."

"Well it wasn't like you were available to bring me here."

"You couldn't have waited?"

"I needed to see Ms. Opal immediately. I needed her advice."

"About what?"

"It doesn't matter," Ms. Opal's voice cut into their argument, drawing the two teens' attention. Looking at them both she said, "There is no need to fight about it now. What's done is done, so just leave it be. Now Jacob, I understand that you're concerned about her and what she's done, but that is no reason to attack her for it. And if Shadow did direct her here without harm, then he is a very intelligent dog and trusted her ability to do so, or else he would have stopped her. And Bella, I'm sure you already know your decision to drive here was reckless, but you probably won't be quick to do it again. I will admit, when I finally accepted being blind when I was around your age, I myself did some blind joyriding—and let me tell you, I was good at it—but I also knew the worry it caused not only my parents when they found out, but Randall as well. So, to not worry them anymore, I stopped doing it. I won't tell you to not do it again but let this be a learning lesson for both of you."

Jacob blinked in confusion. "Don't you mean just Bella?"

"No, I mean you too. After all, your anger and behavior just now needed to be stopped, did it not? You can't be upset with the fact that Bella found a way to get here independently when you couldn't assist her, and despite how she did it there was no reason to yell about it. And you did sound a tad condescending when you told her she couldn't see."

"I…" Jacob looked at Bella, seeing her sad expression. Feeling guilty about his reaction to her driving, Jacob bent down in front of Bella and took her hands in his. Looking into her unseeing eyes he said softly, "I'm sorry, Bells. I shouldn't have gotten so angry with you. It's just that I really care about you and worry about your safety. I'm not trying to control you or anything, I was just worried when I heard that you drove here blind. And I should have trusted that Shadow would keep you safe as well. I'm really sorry, honey."

Bella smiled softly at him. "It's okay, Jake. I'm sorry too for making you worry about me."

"That's never going to stop."

"Yes, but I'm sorry it was due to my own actions. Even if I did make it here in one piece, I should have taken your feelings into account and be more conscious of my own safety. Can you forgive me?"

"Only if you forgive me."

Bella grinned and wrapped her arms around Jacob's neck, hugging him close as he did the same, smiling into her neck. As they reconciled from their small argument, Ms. Opal smiled at the intermingling auras, taking note of the rose-colored aura glowing between them. She knew that color well, as that was the color of the aura of love between two people. Like her, Shadow was happy to see them making up as well. He sat panting happily at them, his tongue hanging out of his mouth and his tail wagging happily. Looking up at Ms. Opal, he yipped happily. Ms. Opal looked down at him and giggled, reaching down to rub his furry head before standing.

"Come along, Shadow. I think I have some treats for you," Ms. Opal said, beckoning the Lab along. As Shadow trotted behind the pregnant woman, Ms. Opal also announced she would bake some cookies and that Bella and Jacob were welcome to them.

As soon as she was in the kitchen and out of sight and hearing, Jacob pulled away from Bella and planted a sweet kiss on her lips. Kissing her again he said, "I have some good news, Bells."

Bella nodded and replied, "As do I. Well, at least it should be good."

"Do you want to go first, or should I?"

"You first."

Jacob chuckled and kissed his love's cheek before saying, "Sam, Jared, and I teamed up with the Cullens today."

Chocolate brown eyes widened in shock. "What? Really?"

"Yeah, and we took down the redheaded leech. She's dead now, honey. We finally got her."

Bella laughed in happiness and hugged Jacob again, kissing his cheek as she did. "Oh my gosh, that's great! One less thing to worry about."

"I know." Jacob gently pushed on her shoulders and looked at her. "Now what news do you have for me?"

"Well, like I said earlier, I came to Ms. Opal to get some advice about my…stalking problem. I wanted an objective view and since she isn't close to it and I trust her, I wanted her advice. And talking to her helped me make a decision."

"Alright. And what decision is that?"

Taking a deep breath, Bella looked at the golden aura that was Jacob, taking in his outline before finally saying, "I'm going to call Carlisle and tell him that I do want Aro's help. I want Aro to deal with Edward."

Author's Note: I thought it was time to bring Ms. Opal back, for I missed writing her and her interactions with Bella. I think their interactions are of good importance to Bella in their own right, and I hope you feel the same. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and stay tuned for more to come. And thank you all for your kind reviews and for continuing to read this story. XOXO, SehunsBae37.