Prom
Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to SM.
A/N-thank you for the kind reviews!
Part Five-Getting Ready
"Oh, my dear." Old Quil held up the velvet pants in front of him. "They are as good as new. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome." Bella had spent the last fifteen minutes sewing up the rip. She was touched by the old man's emotional show of gratitude, even more so when he swooped down and planted a dry kiss on her cheek. The velvet tux clearly meant a lot to the old guy and she was glad that she had been able to do something to repair the damage.
"You are lucky your young lady is skilled with a needle, my boy." Old Quil wagged his finger in his grandson's face. "She's just as talented as Mrs. Quil." His rheumy eyes became wistful behind his thick glasses as he took a few seconds to reminisce. "Now put these back on." He shoved the pants in Quil's hands and watched sternly as his grandson carefully got dressed again.
Bella caught Jacob smiling at her proudly and she returned his smile shyly, feeling a warm glow inside at his obvious pride in her. She had never experienced that feeling with Edward. It was a nice change and boosted her confidence a little.
"Now, time is ticking on. We need to get you home so you can get ready, my dear." Old Quil clapped his hands, breaking Bella out of the spell that Jacob's sweet smile seemed to have her under. "I'm sure we can all fit in my truck."
Quil suddenly looked hunted. "Pop, you know you're not supposed to drive long distances."
"What are you implying, my boy?" Old Quil said indignantly. "Are you suggesting I'm too old to drive my truck? I've been driving Henrietta since I was a young man in short pants."
Quil groaned in defeat. "That's not what I'm saying. Remember, after you had your last check up, the doctor recommended you only drive locally because your attention sometimes wanders."
There was an alarming screech as the old man fiddled with his hearing aids. "I can't hear a word you're saying, my boy. You need to learn to speak up. Now, we can't waste anymore time dilly dallying. We need to get Bella home so she can change into her frock. I know how long it takes for you young ladies to get ready." He smiled at Bella kindly. "It used to take Mrs. Quil hours to get ready for a night out, especially the older she got. There was the long bath with the essential oils, then the makeup of course. Mrs. Quil would never leave the house without her war paint." He chuckled at the memory. "Her hair was always perfectly coiffed and she always smelled lovely. What was that perfume she used to wear, Quil?" He looked toward his grandson for confirmation.
"Joy." Quil said impatiently.
"What? Speak up, my boy."
"IT WAS CALLED JOY." Quil bellowed.
"Will you stop shouting? I am not deaf." Old Quil said testily. He shook his head disapprovingly in Quil's direction, before facing the others and continuing on with his story. "And of course she couldn't go anywhere without her teeth. She was always losing them you see. We would always be delayed because Mrs. Quil had set her teeth down somewhere safe and could never remember where that safe place was. Do you remember, Quil?"
Quil had a hand covering his face. He had never been so mortified in his life. Through his splayed fingers he could see the others trying to stifle their laughter. They were enjoying things a little too much at his expense, especially Jacob and Embry. Bella was an innocent in all this, but they weren't. Quil vowed silently that he was going to get some pay back for his humiliation, one way or another.
Bella was shaking with nerves when Old Quil finally swung Henrietta into her driveway. The ancient truck was even older than her red Chevy, if that was even possible. The brakes squealed alarmingly as the old man put his foot down to bring the old beast to a shuddering halt. Old Quil had insisted that Bella and Quil ride with him in the cab, while Jacob and Embry took their chances in the flatbed. All through the journey the elder had been cracking jokes, grinning merrily while he spun the wheel back and forth, veering from one side of the road to the next. Quil had been forced to grab the wheel on several occasions when his grandfather was in danger of coming off the road altogether. If it hadn't been so frightening, it would have been funny. Hearing the old man bicker with his grandson about his driving ability was hilarious. He was insistent that it was Quil's constant interference that was distracting him from keeping his eyes on the road, not that he was bothering to look. He was too busy talking and laughing at his own jokes.
Jacob and Embry looked as green as Bella felt as she swung open the heavy iron door and practically fell into Jacob's open arms. He wrapped her in a comforting embrace and Bella leaned her head against his broad chest, gratefully soaking in his solid presence.
"Hey, none of that, boy." Old Quil appeared out of nowhere and tapped Jacob on the shoulder. He glared at him suspiciously. "Let the poor girl breathe. I'm sure she can stand on her own two legs now."
This was getting ridiculous now. Jacob was fast running out of patience. He was regretting going along with this farce. He had every intention of putting the old man out of misery and telling him the truth. But one look into Bella's beautiful brown eyes had him melting. He knew she would be upset with him if he did. She had such a big heart. He sighed and reluctantly let her go. Old Quil quickly took his place by taking Bella's hand and placing it in the crook of his elbow as he escorted her up to the front porch like an old fashioned gentleman.
"We'll wait here, my dear." Old Quil eased his bulk into Charlie's recliner and smiled in satisfaction. "This is a comfy chair I must say. Ooh, it swivels too." He swung around in it, laughing merrily to himself.
"Oh god, he's found another toy." Quil muttered in an aside to Embry. "Wait for it."
"Quil, I'm gonna have to get me one of these." Old Quil chortled as he took another spin in the chair.
While the old man was entertaining himself with Charlie's chair, Jacob took the opportunity to follow Bella up to her room while the elder was distracted. He knocked on her door cautiously. "Bells, it's Jake. Can I come in?"
"Okay." Bella called out.
Jacob opened the door and walked in to find Bella gazing uncertainly at a dress which was laid in prominence across her bed. He came to stand beside her, reaching out and winding his fingers around her trembling hand. "Is this the dress you were supposed to be wearing?" He asked gently.
"Alice picked it out." Bella stared at the blue satin dress with the fitted bodice and subtle diamante decoration. "It's a designer and worth a lot of money." She chewed on her bottom lip anxiously. "It's a pretty dress but it's just not-" She sighed and lowered her gaze to the matching heels lying on the floor beside the bed.
"It's not you." Jacob finished for her.
"You know me so well." Bella gifted him with another one of her shy smiles and he felt his heart leap in his chest. She was just so freaking adorable.
"You don't have to wear it. It's your choice. Wear what you feel comfortable in." He urged her.
"So, I can wear my jeans then." Bella giggled, blushing.
"If you want." Jacob laughed along with her as he glanced down at his dark jeans. "I mean I'm wearing jeans. We can be matching."
Bella considered his proposal for a moment before looking up at him from under her long lashes. "You know that's not a bad idea. I've got a pair of skinny black jeans. They're pretty smart and if I pair them with a dressy top that should do. Don't you think?"
Jacob was dying inside from her cuteness. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and kiss her until they were both breathless. Clearing his throat awkwardly, he smiled. "That sounds perfect." He agreed gruffly.
The silver diamante stones dotting the thin spaghetti straps of Bella's top shimmered when she moved. The red silk clung to her curves before flaring out over her slim hips. The vibrant red suited her, bringing colour to her translucent skin and highlighting the red tones in her brunette hair. "What do you think?" She asked Jacob nervously. "This is one of the presents my mom sent me for Christmas. I don't normally wear red. Edward prefers me in blue. She was rambling now. "But do you like it?"
"Bells, I love it. You look beautiful." Jacob said earnestly.
There was so much sincerity and admiration shining in his eyes that Bella knew that he meant every word. She felt the usual blush coat her cheeks and she ducked her head, a pleased smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks."
Jacob was bursting with happiness. He knew Bella struggled accepting compliments and was glad that she had accepted his without question. He watched as she started fussing with her hair. He loved her hair, it was thick and luxuriously long and fine as baby's.
"I don't know what to do with my hair." She mused as she gazed anxiously at her reflection in the mirror.
"I think Embry can help with that." Jacob teased.
"Embry?" Bella glanced at him curiously.
"It's our secret but Em's got a flair for these things. Can I call him up?" Jacob asked.
"Okay." Bella shrugged, smiling shyly again. "Go for it."
Bella held her breath in trepidation as she walked slowly down the stairs. She was determined not to trip up. Embry had worked his magic on her hair just like Jacob had said he would. He had braided both sides of her hair away from her face, while leaving the back to fall in long, silky waves down her back. Ribbons in subtle shades of red and pink were expertly interwoven through the braids, adding to the overall effect. When Bella reached the bottom step and saw the stunned admiration on all the boys faces, a relieved smile lit up her pretty face.
Old Quil was the first to recover. "You look lovely, my dear." He said with moisture welling in his eyes. He poked his grandson in the back. "Doesn't she, Quil?" He continued sharply.
"Yeah, awesome. Just awesome." Quil struggled to find the right words to express himself.
Old Quil rolled his eyes in disbelief. Quil junior was going to have to up his game if he wanted to hold onto Bella. The elder could see the way Jacob Black was eyeing her up. He couldn't blame the boy. Bella was a stunning young lady. Not as gorgeous as Mrs. Quil had been in her day of course. No one could match his beloved wife.
"Forgive my grandson's lack of eloquence. He's just overwhelmed. Aren't you, my boy?" Old Quil elbowed his grandson again. "What he's trying to say is that you look stunning. Absolutely stunning. You'll be the belle of the ball. Right, Quil?"
Quil tugged at the collar of his itchy shirt. He was certain he was breaking out in hives. He could feel Jacob's steely gaze on him, making him feel even more uncomfortable. "Yeah, you'll be the ball of the bell, Bella. Definitely."
Old Quil scowled at his grandson and poked him in the back again. "Get the records, boy. It's time we were leaving."
"Records?" Bella asked as her confused gaze flicked to Jacob. He had stopped glaring at Quil and was smiling at her in open admiration again. "What records?"
"I've been looking through your dad's vinyl, my dear." Old Quil chuckled. "He's got good taste for such an uptight man. I thought I'd bring some along and give them a spin tonight. It'll give me a chance to play some real tunes, not all that thump thump nonsense that passes for music these days."
"I think they've already got a DJ." Bella said nervously.
"What was that?" Old Quil put his hand behind his ear. "I can't hear you."
"SHE SAID THEY'VE ALREADY GOT A DJ. YOU CAN'T JUST GO BARGING IN AND TAKE EVERYTHING OVER LIKE YOU USUALLY DO." Quil bellowed irritably. He was losing patience with his grandfather now. His body was itching all over. He noticed Embry grinning at him and he glared at his friend.
"How dare you?" Old Quil snapped. "I would never do such a thing."
Quil rolled his eyes to heaven, begging the spirits to save him. But they weren't answering his prayers just yet. His grandfather was fumbling with his camera again. He was forced to pose along with the others for another group shot, but managed to gain some satisfaction when he noticed Jacob's jealous glare as he slid a sneaky arm around Bella's waist and pressed his cheek to hers. There was a bright flash as his grandfather took the picture, and then they were ready for the off.
"Let's go." Old Quil declared enthusiastically. "This will be a night never to forget."
A/N-thanks for reading!