Author's Note
Please forgive any spelling and/or grammar errors. I hope you enjoy it, please let me know what you think!
I'm trying really hard to finish this story up by the end of the month so I can focus on the other Bella/Jasper story I started. I kept mixing up details of what happened in which story, so I paused that to finish this up first - at least the rough draft of the remaining chapters. Thanks for your patience if you're anxious for an update in that one - I promise it's coming soon!
The theme song for this chapter is Love Song by The Cure.
PS I'm not Stephenie Meyer, so I don't own anything :(
Ch 16 Part 2: The future never looked so good - Jacob
Year 8 - 2013-2014
August
Jacob was working on the roof while Ness was inside painting one of the bedrooms. It was the first day they'd not been working together, and he couldn't wait to finish up and rejoin her. He'd spent more time today thinking about her than he had working. Being together was better than anything he ever dared hope for. They'd been living in their new house for three weeks, and had made significantly more progress on the renovations than he'd expected too since there'd been two of them working - on their first home together.
The first week, they'd remodeled the kitchen. New cabinets, countertops, backsplash and appliances. The second week, they'd put new hardwood floors through the house, everywhere except the bathrooms. Those were getting new tiles at some point in the future. This week, he was focused on the outside while Ness decorated and unpacked the inside. Next week, they were hoping to tackle the gutted bathroom before he started his new job. Though Ness's classes started in a few days, and that would limit the progress they made too. Ideally, they hoped to have the majority of the house completed before her family came to visit the following week.
Her family had been shockingly supportive when she called to announce that she wasn't returning, rather that she'd moved into Jacob's house in Washington, and that she'd be transferring for her senior year.
All Jake had asked for, was that they wait a couple weeks to give them a chance to settle in before coming to visit. He had no intention shying away from including them in the life he was building with Nessie or of being themselves in front of her family. But he did want them to have the chance to get into a routine before her parents arrived to take stock of things.
The one sticking point he had regarding them, was Ness's need to get a little temporary distance from them. He'd detected the need when she spoke of how they all still babied her more often than not. It made her unhappy, and he couldn't stand that. He didn't know how it would go over when he butted in, but he planned to regardless when they visited.
Their visit would also provide an opportunity to deliver all of her belongings. Since Ness didn't have the majority of her stuff yet, and she'd insisted it was unnecessary to buy new things when her parents would soon be bringing the rest, she'd taken to wearing a pair of his sweats and one of the tank tops she'd brought with her to work on the house in. She looked adorable, and he loved how easy going she was, not wasting hours each day getting ready just to spend the day getting sweaty and filthy at home.
Within the first week of living there, their home had become a convenient meeting spot for Quil and Kyra to come from Seattle with their kids, and Paul and Rachel to come from La Push with Thomas. Occasionally, Jared and Kim came too, and like Jake and Ness, they didn't have any children yet either. It was nice that they had an extra room that the kids could play in while they ate dinner, played games, or watched sports together. Once in a while, his friends even pitched in to help with the renovations.
Jacob put the ladder away and stepped inside, listening to the water running in the kitchen. He followed the sound to find Ness cleaning paint supplies in the sink.
"Our bedroom is done," she said, tilting her head to the side, giving him access to drop a kiss on her neck. A little thrill ran up his spine at the way she said our.
"Ready to hunt?" he asked, nipping her earlobe playfully.
"I'm too tired. I'll just wait and go in the morning," she said breathily, pushing her hips back to rub enticingly against him. Too tired, huh? Somehow he doubted that was her reason for postponing.
"I was thinking… Do you remember when you showed me about Brady offering his blood?" The pulse in her neck jumped against his lips, then sped, her heart racing so fast it sounded like a single continuous note.
"Yes." The exhaled word was barely audible, but with it came a wealth of anticipation.
"What if you drank some of mine?" Jacob offered, sucking lightly on the base of her neck, hinting at what he was offering. He nipped her lightly, not hard enough to break the skin, but definitely making his point. Based on the smell of her, it worked to arouse Ness as well.
"Mhmm," she moaned, leaning back against him more fully. "Are - Are you serious?" she asked, breaths coming in rough, shallow pants.
"Let me take care of you," he requested, guiding her over to the table and pulling her into his lap. He glanced pointedly at where she'd started a pan of vegetables sauteeing on the stovetop while a couple chicken breasts were baking in the oven for him. He wanted to do the same for her.
"I've never -"
"I know," he said, tipping his head when he saw her staring, tempting her to accept his offer.
He was a little surprised, but extremely pleased that it wasn't hard to convince her to try this. Initially, when he'd seen the memory of Brady offering, he'd been intrigued by the idea. That had startled him. He'd expected to be repulsed. Disgusted with the evidence that she was like their natural enemies. But he wasn't. Because she wasn't. She didn't lose control and massacre dozens when she encountered blood. She could smell and taste it, and still be her. For Ness, it was just her meal of choice. Same as he would pick pizza over meatloaf.
"Don't let me drink too much," she requested softly, kissing his neck lightly.
The idea was almost laughable. Her appetite was significantly smaller now that she'd stopped growing. Very rarely could she even finish a small deer considering her diet was supplemented with human food here and there throughout the week when she joined him or tried to fit in among humans. And Jacob was considerably larger than a deer. Even if she drank her fill, it'd probably not be more than three pints. Plus, if she only took a little from him, she could drink from him a few times during the week if necessary.
"I heal fast. You'll be fine," he reassured her, swallowing thickly and shivering when he felt her teeth scrape against him.
Then they were sinking into his skin. A slight pressure followed by a pinch. Then it was just the erotic sensation of her lips sealed onto his neck and her tongue lapping at his skin.
"Hmm," she moaned, twisting to straddle him even as he felt the wound beginning to seal shut while she sensually suckled at it. He knew all evidence of what she'd just done had already vanished from his person by the time her mouth left his skin.
The sound of her satisfaction was an aphrodisiac. He instantly reacted, his rod stiffening in response to her need. She didn't bite him again. Instead, she traced the shell of his ear with the tip of her tongue and ground her hips against his, her hands tearing at his pants to free his erection. It was the hottest thing he'd ever experienced.
"I need you," she gasped, as he ripped her sweats at the crotch only to be greeted with the feel of her damp flesh sans underwear, already so ready for him.
She was seriously trying to kill him. After a couple weeks of threatening to follow his lead and start going commando too, she'd finally gone and done it.
"Not half as much as I do," he insisted, taking the condom she fished from his pocket while he'd been busy touching her. He'd taken to carrying a number of them around with him, because he never knew when or how often they'd come together. Nessie was adventurous, and her need for him was every bit as insatiable as his for her.
His words spurred her on, and the second he had the condom on, she slammed her hips down on him, taking him in fully. He guided her, arms wrapped tightly about her as she rode him fast and hard. Each movement was jerky and rough, a desperate race to the finish.
Ness's nails raked down his back and he bucked roughly into her in response making them both moan. Hands roamed, molding and caressing, kneading, holding on for dear life. Their mouths came together in a clash, wild and desperate, swallowing the satisfied sounds torn raggedly for each other's throat. Their frenzied, passionate joining was a tempest and he surrendered to the maelstrom of her fully.
In no time, he felt her muscles fluttering around him, squeezing him impossibly tighter. The vice grip of her channel tore his release from him, and he spent a half thrust behind her.
Jacob held her afterwards, feeling the fanning puffs of her panting breaths gradually slow against his neck. Then she stiffened.
"What is it? Did I hurt you?" he demanded, running his hands carefully over her back. They'd never been anywhere near that aggressive with each other. This encounter had been primal and savage in comparison.
"No, definitely not," she breathed, lazily stretching against him like a cat waking from a light nap in the sun. Her back arched gracefully, sliding her chest over his. "I just… I've had a disturbing thought," she admitted reluctantly, eyes squeezed tightly shut and a grimace twisting her lips.
"Are you going to share?" he prodded when she didn't elaborate.
"You'll regret asking," she warned, but he kept her pinned with an inquisitive look. With a long sigh, she ducked her head and explained, "I just realized this is why Papa has never hunted with me around. Jazz and Bella always go alone."
Jacob burst out laughing. "You never realized this was why?"
"I try not to think about their sex life, thank you," she said drolly, and even though he couldn't see with her face buried against his neck, he imagined her eyes rolling too. "But also, drinking has never had a sexual component for me before now," she admitted quietly.
He understood. Nourishment and sex were primal desires, and she was only just beginning to unleash the hedonistic side of herself. It had always been kept in check and tightly controlled. Enticing her to freely indulge herself had been a welcome endeavor these last weeks, and something he intended to continue doing on a regular basis.
"It was intense," he stated, rubbing her back.
"Very. Did you enjoy it?" she asked. The uncertainty in her voice made him frown. That was the most intense orgasm he'd ever had.
"What do you think?" he asked, pressing into her deeply and allowing her to feel that he was already hard again.
She gasped. "I'll take that as a yes," she said merrily, her eyes smoldering as she stared at him.
"I guess it's a good thing I recover fast. We can do this anytime you want," he promised, standing up and laying her out on the table.
Slowly, Jake removed their torn clothing, replacing his condom with a fresh one and teasing her body to a fever pitch as he torturously made love to her again.
September
Ness was busy showing Edward and Jasper the view from the back porch they'd built the weekend before with Paul and Quil's help. She'd been rushing about gushing over the place since her parents had arrived an hour earlier. Jacob took the opportunity to talk to Bella privately.
"She'll never want for anything," he promised, listening to Ness extolling the virtues of the view the porch provided of the water. It was for that reason that he'd gone to the extra effort of building it off the second story instead of just doing a porch against the back of the house.
"I know," Bella said quietly, a small smile on her face. He'd forgotten over the years how quiet she usually was, only talking when she had something to say.
"I love her," he added, wanting to make sure she understood he'd do right by her daughter. He could still remember the limitations she'd insisted upon when she woke to her new life. She'd not wanted him to steal her away, yet here he was doing that very thing.
"I know," she repeated, likely listening to her daughter's happiness as well.
"We need you guys to give us space for a while. She needs it," he added, figuring this might be the best time to broach the subject.
"What are you talking about, Jake?"
"She's not a child anymore, Bells. But you all still treat her like the baby more often than not. She still feels like she has to ask permission to do things or fight to defend her choices. I know she's your daughter and always will be, but she needs you all to see her as more of a friend. Stop censoring yourselves around her - laugh and joke and tease her just like you do with each other," Jacob explained, laying out all the sticking points Ness had shared with him over the last month.
"We do," Bella insisted, her face pinching with distress at the idea she'd ever made her daughter unhappy.
"You don't. At least not often enough. She's shared her memories. I've seen it happen more often than even she does, and I've felt how it hurts her. It's frustrating and dejecting for her," Jacob stated, placing a comforting hand over Bella's icy, stone one. He fought the instinct to jerk away at the wrongness of her skin. She was still his friend, even if his instincts were slow to recognize her as such.
"We've never intentionally done that," Bella whispered, concerned as she shook her head in denial.
"True. But don't you remember how you felt around the Cullens when they'd discount your opinion or how small and insignificant you'd feel next to their strength when you were human? That didn't mean they loved you any less, just that you weren't like them. Ness is like that now. She doesn't have your strength. There are differences that set her apart for you guys. She already works to overcome those, then everyone still treats her differently. Always trying to coset and protect her. I know you see her as precious, but for her it translates as weak and separate," Jake said carefully. He didn't want to hurt his friend, just shed some light on the situation, and perhaps instigate a change that would ultimately benefit Nessie.
"She's told you all of this?" He nodded and she sighed. "She's never said a word to us," Bella murmured woefully.
"Because she loves you, and would never want to hurt your feelings. I think some time apart, a couple years maybe, will help you readjust your thinking and perspective," Jacob began, and rushed to continue when he saw alarm flicker across Bella's face. "I'm not saying don't visit. Often even. Just don't try to move back to be around every single day."
"I'm sure this has nothing to do with you wanting to have her all to yourself for a while either," Bella quipped dryly.
This was something Jacob was prepared to fight her on if she refused. But he hoped she'd understand where he was coming from and agree. "Of course it does. I'll freely admit I want to be selfish and spend every moment of every day with her," he replied, shrugging.
"I'm so glad you two found your way back to each other," Bella said, surprising him. Apparently she was willing to go along with his assessment. Probably she saw the truth in what he said, and like him, wanted what was best for Nessie. In that, they would always be in agreement.
"Me too," he said, hugging Bella. Her startled laugh made him squeeze her tighter. "I've missed our friendship," he admitted. He heard from Jasper more often than Bella these days. They just didn't have all that much in common anymore.
"I didn't want to ever give her a reason to be jealous or doubt."
"And here I thought you were just all caught up with Jazz," Jacob joked, not knowing what else to say to that revelation. It was something he and Ness had yet to discuss. There wasn't much of a point to dredge the topic up. He rarely thought of his youthful crush on Bella, and Ness didn't seem to care, so the topic had been pushed aside in favor of more pressing or favorable subjects.
"That too," Bella agreed with a secretive smile. "It still feels like those first few weeks in a new relationship where everything is shiny and new, and you get excited at just the thought of seeing the person."
"It's nice to see you so happy," Jacob said honestly.
"I'm glad things worked out for you too. It's easy with her," Bella said softly, seeming lost in a memory. The words struck a chord with him and he suddenly remembered their long ago conversation. He'd once said that's how it would be for them. Somehow he knew it never would have felt as natural or made either as happy as he and Ness were now.
"The easiest," he replied, grinning. Ness was the source of his radiant sunshine, the fuel for his happiness.
"My turn I take it?" Jazz drawled, standing still as a statue in the garage. The two men faced off and Jacob noted that even now Jasper had the look of a warrior prepared to attack. For the first time, Jacob realized Jasper wasn't here as his friend. Rather, he was here as the father of the woman Jacob was newly residing with.
"Yep," Jake said lazily, leaning against the back wall of the messy room. They'd not had time to organize it yet. "Plus I'm hoping to get your help," he added.
"You want help knocking this down?" Jazz asked, eyes flicking about though the rest of his body remained frozen. "You'd make a good wrecking ball. Bet I could toss you through the walls a few times and we'd be good."
"Funny. You're a real riot. I need help coming up with a reason to get Ness out of town for a weekend so I can turn this half into a dark room as a surprise for her," he explained. As soon as the words left his mouth, He saw the approval in Jasper's gaze. The minute relaxing of his stance.
"I always hoped it would be you. You're exactly right for her in every way," Jazz stated calmly. Privately, Jacob agreed. And it was even better because they'd come to the same conclusion themselves, and weren't just together because a supernatural force told them to be. "Call Rose. She'll enjoy guilting Mae into coming for a visit when you're ready to do it," Jazz recommended.
"Thanks, I'll do that. And thanks for this," Jacob nodded, pulling out the compass, pocket watch the other man had given him so many years ago.
"Guess I gave it to the wrong person," Jasper said drolly, crossing his arms.
"It's meant a lot to me," Jacob admitted, running his thumb over the top.
"I'm glad you waited. She'll never have a reason to doubt what she feels now. You gave her the chance to have a million experiences she wouldn't have had if you'd always been together, and she had the chance to grow strong enough to stand beside you," Jasper said carefully. He'd clearly put a lot of thought into the circumstances of his daughter's relationship.
"I get it," Jacob agreed. If they'd gotten together sooner, especially given her unusual life, Ness might not have felt as comfortable standing up to him or voicing what she wanted. She needed a chance to discover her voice before she'd been expected to use it. He'd needed the same - if for different reasons.
"Is there anything else you wish to discuss with me?" Jasper asked, and Jacob suddenly felt slightly uneasy. The sensation creeped over him like snakes slithering across the floor to wrap around his ankles.
He had no clue what the blond was looking for or what he wanted to hear, so he tried, "I love her."
"Yes, I'm aware of that - I can feel it," Jasper said patiently, perhaps even amused. The uneasy sensation broke for a moment in the wake of his reply, and he realized he'd been picking up on Jasper's mood.
"I'm not really sure what you're looking for here," Jacob confessed, a little confused.
"Your promise - that you won't pressure her before she's ready," he instructed, expression becoming menacing.
"Uh, Jazz, we're already having sex," Jacob said awkwardly, shifting uncertainly. He'd promised Nessie that he'd never be scared of her fathers, but he'd also not expected to have to share intimate details with them.
Jacob watched as Jasper pinched the bridge of his nose, and suddenly he felt the other man's discomfort and slight annoyance. "Yes, I'm aware of that as well. I was referring to children."
"Oh! That," Jacob said loudly, relief filling him.
"Yes. That," Jasper said very deliberately.
"We've already discussed it. Neither of us are ready," Jacob explained, hoping that's all that needed to be said on the topic for a few years at least.
"Good," Jasper said, nodding.
"I take it you're aware of Nahuel then," Jake stated, frowning as he thought of all that Nessie had shared.
"Yes, but I believe Mae handled the situation just fine on her own," Jasper said proudly.
"Do I still have your blessing?" Jacob wondered, thoughts naturally wandering towards marriage when the subject of children was introduced.
Momentary surprise fluttered across Jasper's face, but it was brief. There and gone. If Jacob had blinked, he'd have missed it thanks to the warm smile that replaced it. "As I said before, I always hoped it would be you," Jasper repeated, giving Jacob a quick nod.
He'd saved Edward for last, not knowing how his reception would go. A father-son relationship would probably never be in the cards for them, there was too much history between them, but they needed to at least become friends with one another.
The two were silent for a long time, each studying the other. But standing with the boyish vampire now though, Jacob felt not an ounce of animosity or resentment.
It suddenly seemed petty how he used to deliberately bait Edward with his thoughts. Once upon a time, he'd cared more about one upping the vampire than he did about the people involved. Now, the situation was very different. He cared far more about respecting Ness's privacy and their relationship. To the point that it was almost easy to focus solely on the innocent moments between them, especially since their relationship didn't only revolve around a sensual form of intimacy.
Who's going to get this started? Jacob silently asked, making Edward smile reluctantly, if fleetingly.
"I owe you an apology," Edward said quietly in response.
"Just one?" Jacob quipped, trying to lighten the mood. A ghost of a smile flickered over Edward's face, but again it didn't last. Foreboding settled in Jake's stomach like a lead weight. Please tell me this isn't about Nessie - that you're not against us, Jacob begged internally. That would hurt her so much to know her dad didn't support her decision.
"For interfering in your relationship with Natalie," Edward finally explained.
"Forget about it. Things worked out the way they were supposed to," Jacob said lightly, sighing in relief that that was all this was about. He'd already assumed Alice's interference had been at Edward's urgings. It almost always was. The soothsayer had trouble telling her favorite brother no.
"You don't want to know what Alice saw?" Edward asked, blinking in confusion.
"No. I have everything I ever wanted. I didn't know it was possible to be this happy. I don't want or need answers about that chapter in my life. It's already closed, shelved, and gathering dust."
"I'd like to know," Ness said, stepping through the door to join them on the porch. "Sorry, couldn't help eavesdropping," she added, glancing guiltily at Jacob.
"Sure you couldn't," he bantered, kissing her lightly when she reached his side. Seeing the way she lit up at the way he unabashedly displayed the small physical affection in front of Edward made him indescribably happy. He loved being able to give her such a meaningful gift. And the fleeting caress was no hardship on his part. He nearly ached to touch her anytime they were close.
"I wanted to make sure he behaved himself," she admitted, taking his hand. "Well?" she asked, directing the question to Edward. He'd been silent during their exchange, but Jacob was pleased to note he actually looked happy about it.
"Ness, what's the point of bringing any of this up now? Besides, Alice can't see my future," Jacob said, not wanting to potentially upset her with a future that would no longer happen. He didn't like that his past with Natalie had ever hurt her, and he now knew it had - even if she swore she was glad it happened.
"She saw Natalie's," Edward clarified, and Jacob glared at Edward for butting in.
"If it's bad, I want to be happy that we're together instead," Ness said.
"I am! You know I am," Jacob swore, squeezing her hand meaningfully.
"Yes, I do. But I also want to know because if you would have been happy with her, I want to make sure you're even happier with me, and that you never regret missing out on that opportunity," Ness admitted, almost reluctantly as she winced a little.
"You already do," he promised, kissing her softly.
"Sorry, Jacob. Her wishes trump yours," Edward said.
"Figures," he muttered, but used his free hand to wave Edward on. "Well, let's get this over with."
Edward glanced at Ness again for confirmation to continue. "What did Alice see, Dad?"
"While it's true that Alice can't see you, she saw Natalie's future at Quil's wedding. That's where I was while you two were dancing," he added pointedly. Jacob remembered calling for him, and being furious and confused when Edward ignored him. "It was years from now. There was a picture of you - you were older. Maybe forty," he said, meeting Jacob's intense stare.
"Oh," he said softly, recalling the various times he'd considered quitting phasing to be with Natalie and age normally.
"Yes. Natalie was speaking to a teenage girl. From her appearance, I assume she was your adopted daughter. She -"
"Jake," Ness whispered, interrupting Edward and spinning to face Jacob. She looked entirely too distressed for his liking. "That's what I meant. What if I can't give you that? What if we can't have kids?"
"Nessie, have you ever questioned whether Seth regrets being with Alice, or thought that he was unhappy?" Jacob asked.
"No, of course not," she replied quickly, shaking her head immediately.
"He knows she can't have children. It doesn't matter to him. So why would you question me? Us? Don't you know you're enough for me?" Jacob demanded, pulling her into his arms.
"You're right. Sorry," she murmured, ducking her head, embarrassed. "Guess I just got caught up there for a minute."
"I love you. You. You're everything - more than enough," Jacob said, lifting her chin and kissing her lightly.
"I love you too," she said, kissing him again.
"Well, go on, Edward. What else?" Jacob prompted, glaring at the boy for his part in upsetting Nessie.
"Natalie was telling her that you and she were divorcing. That she and the girl were going to move to London to live with Natalie's boyfriend. She promised you'd try to visit at Christmas every year, but that she'd probably be too busy exploring Europe during holidays to miss you anyways," he said, painting a bleak outlook for the future he'd almost sacrificed everything for.
He recalled how rarely Charlie had seen Bella before she'd moved to Forks, and that had been with them living only a few states apart - not opposite sides of the planet.
"Are you saying she would have cheated on me?" Jacob asked, stunned as he noted the rest of what Edward had revealed. Based on Edward's expression, that was precisely what Alice saw happen, and Edward had seen her do it through Alice's thoughts. "Hmm. Yeah, she probably would have." He'd never have kept her happy, not in the long run. They'd each changed while together, and probably would have continued growing further apart over the years.
"Why didn't Alice just tell Jake?" Nessie asked, seeming more distraught by what she'd learned than he was.
"Alice tried just telling you, but it didn't change anything. In fact, it happened sooner. Probably because Jacob tried so hard to prevent it," Edward explained, and Jake knew that's precisely what would have happened.
If he'd found out at Quil's wedding, he'd have probably cut all ties with his past right then and there. Particularly after the way Billy had treated her, and the confusion seeing Ness back then had caused. He'd fallen so hard for Natalie back then, he'd not have wanted to risk losing her if he could help it. Funny how time changes perspectives as well as people.
"Oh," she said softly, squeezing his hand as though to offer comfort. He loved her so much right then, appreciating her compassion.
"Alice spent months searching for ways to alter that future. She didn't want you to give everything up only to eventually lose your family despite it all. You and Natalie always drifted apart then she'd cheat, and you'd lose your daughter. Nothing worked," Edward informed them, trying to justify his interference.
"Until she decided to try and make Nat jealous. It poisoned things and sped up the eventual outcome before we got as deeply involved," Jacob said, the missing pieces from over the years coming together to form a clear picture the way a detective's evidence board typically did with the dots all connecting and lining up.
"Yes. Alice feels terrible, but neither of us wanted that to happen to you. Only a handful of happy years before you lost your wife, daughter, and future," Edward reiterated, ducking his head the same way Ness was wont to do.
"I get it. Your intentions were well-meaning. But, Edward? You've got to stop trying to control people's lives. They have a right to live it the way they choose - without your interference. Mistakes and let downs are part of life. You have to start being straight with people instead of trying to manipulate them," Jacob said clearly, mentally adding, Don't pull this with either of us again. We won't be your puppets to toy with, no matter your motives. I can't promise either of us will forgive you for it in the future.
"Understood," Edward said quietly, giving a single sharp nod in agreement. "And I do approve - of the two of you - not that you need it. But you have it, regardless."
January
"Give that back!" Ness cried, chasing after Jacob as he leapt up the stairs, taking them three at a time.
She'd been getting ready to go out, but he'd snatched her scarf away. Initially, he'd intended to wrap it around her himself, but her startled expression, with her rounded eyes and mouth forming a perfect little O, had been too priceless not to react to it. They'd both been busy this last week, and he half hoped she'd decide to stay in and cancel her plans if he delayed her, especially with the snow coming down in torrents. Plus, he just loved playing around with her. They always had so much fun together.
"Nope. Not gonna happen," he taunted, darting into their bedroom.
"Jake! You're going to make me late," she whined, laughing even as she tried and failed to sound serious.
"It's just Rachel. She can wait," Jacob insisted, holding the scarf high over his head, his hand actually pinning it to the ceiling as she came towards him.
He caught her around the waist with one arm to prevent her from jumping up to get it. Retaliation came in the form of a nip to his chest. Gasping at the slight sting, he released her and yanked back before she could do it again.
"That's cheating," he accused, attempting to give her a stern look of disapproval, but her giggles ruined it.
"I'm serious! Stop messing around," Ness said, hands on her hips. With her wild bronze hair and sparking eyes, she looked like a tiny spitfire.
"Come get it," he challenged, waving the scarlet scarf like a matador cape.
Ness charged him like a bull. Jacob just barely swung it away before she reached him, his arm knocking into their dresser in the process. When Ness's momentum didn't stop, and she plowed into him, he fell back against it, laughing even as the odds and ends atop it crashed to the floor.
When she bent down to grab the hand-carved wooden box he'd made while staying with his dad the previous fall, he almost stopped breathing. It was upside down and the lid had landed almost a foot away. A stutter in his chest made him hesitate just as her hand started to lift the upturned box.
Ness was still giggling when he finally breathed, "No, wait -"
"Jacob, what… " she gasped, staring at the ring lying on the floor, suddenly revealed. "It's so beautiful," she murmured, carefully picking it up and staring at it curiously.
"I really should have hidden that better," he said bemusedly, feeling one side of his lips quirk up as he watched her. Nerves and embarrassment battled it out in his gut, and he wasn't sure which would emerge the victor.
Slowly, Ness looked up from the ring. Wonder and dawning comprehension lit her face, a long-awaited sunrise following after an endless frozen night.
"You want to get married?" she asked quietly, the words a soft caress of fur, gentle and loving.
"Of course we're going to, but -"
"So sure of us?" she interjected, surprised.
"Of course I am. But, I wasn't planning to ask you like this," Jacob said quickly. He'd been thinking about a good way to do it since the day she'd shown up at his apartment, but so far nothing had seemed grand enough. He wanted the moment to be perfect. But no time like the present, and somehow this seemed more fitting for them and their relationship.
"What were you planning?"
"Something romantic?" Jacob tried, wincing at the pitiful reply, and knowing it was lacking.
"Sure, sure," she mimicked, placing the hand not holding the ring on her hip, and giving him an expectant look that was part sass and part intrigue. "And what makes you so sure that I'd say yes?"
The teasing question set him at ease, allowing him to relax enough to banter with her a bit as they usually did. "Well, I was going to wait a bit longer - until I knew you were sure of me."
"Hmph. You mean until you were brave enough to ask Papa for his blessing?"
"Ness, I asked for that a couple years ago," Jacob stated seriously, all playfulness gone.
"What?" she asked, suddenly dumbfounded. The bowed-shape of her lips had parted just a fraction as she absorbed the revelation.
"I've had that ring for a while now, and Jasper knows," Jacob explained.
"You were that sure of us?" she repeated, realizing he'd wanted this even before she came to him.
"No," he admitted, remembering that year when he'd made the decision to wait for her. Because no one else could ever possess his heart. Not like she could. Like she did. "But I hoped," he breathed, reaching up to cradle the back of her neck, his thumb idly stroking the sensitive skin beneath her ear.
"Ask me, Jacob," she commanded, love glowing bright as a burning ember in her eyes.
"Renesmee Carlie Cullen, will you marry me?"
"What? No declarations of undying love or confessions of -" Nessie began, teasing him even as she choked on the ball of emotion lodged in her chest.
"Ness!" Jacob cried, even as he saw the wet sheen of joyous tears fill her eyes. Damn, exasperating woman!
"Yes, Jacob. Yes. I love you - forever. Yes, yes, yes!" she cried, peppering his face with kisses.
He captured her mouth with his, possessing it as completely as she possessed him. Their limbs tangled together, her legs finding their way to lock around his hips.
"There's no rush or anything, but I'm glad you know how serious I am about us," Jacob whispered, taking the ring from her and slipping it onto her left ring finger. It fit perfectly and seemed to shimmer against her luminescent skin.
"Make love to me?" she requested, pressing tighter against him and using her gift to show them tangled up in each other on the bed.
"You'll never have to ask twice," he vowed, his need to fulfill her desire a compulsion. Privately, he was also rather pleased about how much better this night had turned out than he'd even dared anticipate.
March
"Here. Try this one," Billy recommended, handing over a different lure to Nessie. Obediently, she switched the one on her pole out for the new one his dad had selected.
Jacob looked quickly away when Billy turned to survey his success. Fishing was not his favorite pastime by a long shot, but he was content to sit and watch Ness pretend to enjoy it for his dad's sake. And honestly, there were worse ways to spend the day than sitting beside a large creek.
"Any nibbles, Jake?" Billy asked knowingly. Jacob had felt the barest hint of a pole jiggle some ten minutes earlier, a clear sign that a fish had successfully snagged the bait off his hook without getting caught up.
"Nope. Nothing," he lied. Billy moved to cast his line again, but Ness's derisive snort halted him.
"Hmph," Billy huffed, catching the look Nessie pinned on Jake. "Guess you should try again. Don't you think?"
"Sure, sure," Jacob agreed easily, reeling his line back in. You'll pay for that later, he mouthed at Ness once his dad was distracted.
Her shoulders shook with silent laughter, but she managed to mouth, Promises, promises, back at him despite that.
"We probably have to head back soon. Ness has that early class on Fridays," Jacob said, reminding his father.
Ness didn't have a class on Thursdays this semester, so she usually went to La Push and spent the day with Billy, then occasionally watched Thomas in the evening so Paul and Rachel could have a date night. Rachel wasn't feeling well this week, so Ness had suggested she and Billy go fishing instead, and Jacob had joined them when he got off work.
Most Thursdays Jacob worked from home then ran over afterwards to have dinner with Billy and Ness. The run took him just over an hour, and he usually got to talk to the youngest two wolves at that time since they'd met him along the way and run with him. Then later, when Billy was ready for bed, he rode back home with Ness.
When Ness did have class at Wash U, they'd drive into the city together, she'd drop him off at work, then head to campus. Sometimes she'd show up with lunch for him, which he'd quickly learned meant she wanted to have a quickie in his office. Then she'd pick him up at the end of the day and they'd head home together or go out somewhere in the city.
They'd quickly settled into a routine this last year. Some evenings when they stayed in the city, they just walked around down by the water. Others, they'd go to art museums, movies or out to dinner. About once a month, they'd go dancing. Occasionally, they'd ride the ferry boats or have a picnic in the park. Life with Ness was relaxing, always easy and fun. They never really needed to work at it since their desires were already in sync.
The nights they didn't stay in the city, they'd take chairs down to the tiny pebble beach behind their house, watch the sunset and wait for the stars to come out. Or they'd curl up in bed watching movies or reading. Sometimes Ness would work on projects, and indulge Jake as he interrogated her on every little thing she did for it. Other times he'd carve like wood animals while she did homework or edited a video clip.
Then there were the weekends. When they weren't in La Push, one or more of the Cullens would descend on them, insisting they missed her too much and needed to spend a day with their niece/granddaughter/daughter. A couple times, when they'd managed to free up a string of days, they'd go camping, enjoying the freedom of running through the woods and hiking the mountains together.
"You ready to be done with school?" Billy asked, smiling fondly at Nessie.
"Yeah. Only six more weeks," she announced.
"Went by fast," Billy said, shaking his head at the thought. Probably amazed that Charlie's granddaughter was about to graduate college.
"I started applying for jobs this week," she added. Jacob was privately a little concerned about that. She'd shown absolutely no enthusiasm for any of the jobs she'd applied for. They were all just... Mweh. He wanted more for her than that, but he was certain she'd figure that out for herself.
His own job was great. Much better than what he'd been doing at Philips. It wasn't cars, but working on airplane engines was entertaining and mentally stimulating. Plus, it paid really well. And there were other perks. He had a lot of freedom, and the people he worked with were nice.
"Anything promising?" Billy inquired.
"We'll see," Ness said, shrugging. "Too soon to tell," she added half-heartedly.
"Don't settle. Find something you love doing," Billy advised, picking up on the same thing Jacob had. He was glad his dad spoke up. It was different having a paternal figure offer advice. It came off less condescending and controlling. "Going to work shouldn't be a chore - you'll be doing it too long to endure that."
"I will. Thanks for caring, Billy," Ness said, smiling affectionately.
"You're my daughter," he replied, nodding at her hand where Jake's ring was proudly displayed. "Of course, I care."
"We finished the last room in the house," Jake said a little later when they were packing up. Neither Ness nor he had managed to catch a thing. Surprise, surprise.
"That's right!" Ness exclaimed, spinning to look down at where Billy sat while Jacob helped him navigate his chair from the bank to where Nessie's Volvo was parked. "I was hoping you might let us have that painting Sarah did that's in the twin's old room. I could replace it with an enlargement of my photo that you like - the one on the beach with Thomas, you, and Paul," Ness offered.
The downstairs bedroom was the first room they'd finished after their room, converting it into a guest room for various Cullens and pack members that showed up to visit. Sometimes they'd let them know in advance, other times, not. Edward visited, but refused to stay in the house, which Jacob found hilarious even when it made Ness smack him upside the head when he wouldn't stop laughing about it.
They'd put off doing anything with the fourth bedroom until recently, not really having a use for it since they didn't need three bedrooms. Several ideas had been tossed around, and ultimately, they'd incorporated a little of each to make it into a lounge. The piano Edward had given Nessie for Christmas was in there along with bookshelves lining one wall. But there was also a dry bar, television and a sectional sofa.
That had been the final bit inside, and since Ness hated gardening, she'd called Esme to come spend a week helping her plant flower beds and trim trees a few weeks back to finish the outside. Jacob had offered to help, but she insisted she wanted her grandma to since Esme had such a knack for it. Jacob had to admit he hadn't minded being fussed over a bit that week. Esme had such a maternal way about her.
"I'd like that. I think it would have meant the world to her that you appreciated her work and wanted to display it. And you know I've been wanting you to give me that photo for years now," Billy said gruffly, ducking his head to hide the salty tears Jacob caught a whiff of on the light breeze.
May
"Jacob? I'm home! Where are you?" Ness called from the house. He could hear her moving around inside. Probably, she was going room to room looking for him since his Rabbit out front told her he was somewhere nearby.
"And that's my ride. She'll love it. See you, Jake," Quil said, wiping his hands on a towel and heading out the side door to where Kyra's car waited in the drive. She'd driven Ness from the airport in Seattle since Quil was here and needed a ride home anyways.
Rosalie had come through for him, and Ness had spent the last couple days with her grandma, aunts, and Bella celebrating her college graduation. She'd mentioned going to a party Saturday night too with her old friends from Wyoming, most of whom had just graduated also, but mostly she'd been with her family. It had sounded like she'd had fun at least when they talked on the phone. Jacob had stayed too busy to miss her as much as he'd feared he would.
"Garage! Come out here," he shouted back, hurrying to finish peeling the blue painters tape from around the door.
He'd hoped to have time to take a shower before she got back, but he'd run out of time. Paul, Quil, Jared, and surprisingly Sam had all come over the day before to help him convert half of the garage into a darkroom for Ness. They'd installed fans, a sink, electrical outlets, new insulation and drywall to ensure total darkness while sealing the garage door permanently shut, and built a dividing wall down the middle with a door to access the room. The space had ended up large enough that a desk could be added for her computer if she'd rather stay in the garage to work than use their shared office inside.
They'd finished late last night, and taken advantage of Jake's small stretch of beach to roast hotdogs and hang out like they used to. Quil had stayed over, and today the two had painted, hung an in use sign, and arranged all the supplies he'd gotten for her to be able to get started. Paul had been glad to get it all out of his place since Jacob had been storing everything he'd needed there for the last month.
Jared said it would have been easier simply to convert one of the bathrooms inside, but selfishly, Jacob preferred to have her workspace right next to his so they could talk and include each other in whatever projects they were working on. Next up was transferring all of his tools from his old garage in La Push to his half of the garage. Something he needed to do sooner rather than later considering his Rabbit wasn't sounding so hot these days. Might be time to start replacing parts again.
"Someone was busy. What is all this?" Nessie asked, stepping into the room and glancing around at all the changes he'd made in the last two days.
"Take a look," he suggested, nodding towards the open door.
"This is for me?" she gasped, understanding what it was before she was even two steps in.
"I drew up the plans a few months ago, but I thought it would make a good graduation present. Now you've got the office inside and this, so you can work from home or just play around whenever you want. Plus I have this half of the garage, so we can do our own thing while sort of working together," he explained. Jake had no idea what she was going to do next. She'd interviewed and received several job offers over the last week, though she hadn't seemed particularly excited about any of them, so he wasn't sure which direction she was leaning.
"Thank you," Ness said, moving closer to wrap her arms around his neck and pull him down for a kiss. He went willingly, every bit as overwhelmed and in love as he was the first time they kissed nearly a year earlier. "I was thinking… we don't really need money… "
"Right… " Jake agreed, nodding and raising a questioning brow at her.
Alice had a number of investment accounts in Nessie's name, so she was set for a dozen lifetimes. Add in that Jacob made enough to easily cover their living expenses since they rarely spent money aside from their mortgage, gas, and his food, then the occasional trip to see her family. So it wasn't like they needed her income. They were fortunate when it came to that. Much more so than he'd been growing up.
Ness bit her lip, and he barely stopped himself from kissing her again and biting it for her. "What do you think of me working for myself instead? Maybe someday I'll do a job like the ones I applied for, but I don't really want to commute everyday or only take clients that can afford to pay a ridiculous amount. What if instead, I pursue a career for fun rather than profit?"
"What did you have in mind?"
"I want to help new companies advertise. Make commercials, websites, billboards, that sort of thing. But I want to work with people that might not be able to afford professional marketing help. I figured I could maybe only charge for the cost of supplies, and donate my time and creative energy," she said, bouncing on her toes as she spoke, each word making her more animated.
"That sounds like just the right thing for you," Jacob agreed, scooping her up and spinning her around as she laughed. He knew helping others simply because she could would make her enormously happy, and give her a chance to focus on her own art.
"You really think so?"
"They'll be lucky to have you. I know I am," Jacob said truthfully, peppering her face with kisses.