CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE
(JPOV)
I watched Bella while she slept, her body still naked with mine on the floor of the living room, and the pizza we had ordered long since forgotten. The restful and contented look on her pretty face made me reach out and caress her cheek with the backs of my fingers. I wanted her face to be the first thing I saw every morning.
"You're so damn beautiful." I breathed aloud, seeing her thick lashes cast shadows from the daylights glow that lit up the small room.
She was pregnant... with my child.
I felt the genuine smile spread across my face as I thought of the life we had made together... the life our love had created. Bella turned over in her sleep, her hand instinctively reaching out for me as she curled the blanket around her. I drew her body close to mine, tucking her head under my chin and closing my eyes. My heart and soul being at rest for the first time in weeks with her.
I was startled awake soon after by the sound of a frantic knock coming from the front door. I shook my head, trying to clear the disorienting sleep from it as Bella stirred in my arms. Her breath hitching when the knock got louder suddenly.
Her eyes were wide in alarm when she woke up then with a start, her hands quickly gathering the blanket to her bare chest.
"Who is it?" She asked, reaching for me when I got up and pulled on my jeans.
"I'm not sure. Stay here, honey. It's probably just Sam or one of the others from the pack that needs something. I'll be right back."
I crossed the house in a hurry when the knock came again, the pounding nature of it making me concerned that it was about my father, who had yet to return from town. I unlocked the deadbolt and threw the door open, my gaze landing on an irate Charlie now standing on my front porch. His face reddened with his temper as he glared at me.
"Where the hell is Bella?" He demanded, barging past me into the house without warning.
"Charlie- What are you doing here? What-"
"Don't play that game with me, Jacob! Like you don't know!" He yelled in accusation, his eyes narrowing my way before he stormed off into the living room. "I know Bella's here with you!"
I heard Bella's timid and shocked voice call out in surprise when he marched in, seeing her barely covered in the blanket, his movements halting from the sight.
"Dad?"
I cringed as Bella struggled to keep herself covered, her face turning red from embarrassment and her eyes meeting mine with a plea in them. I went to her, bypassing Charlie and helping her wrap the blanket better around her naked frame.
"Well isn't this just cute. Where in the hell is Billy!" Charlie shouted, placing his hands on his hips as he turned away from us with clear horror etched on his face.
"He's in town picking up some meds, Charlie." I replied, grabbing a shirt from my room and handing it to Bella. "Here, honey."
She took it from me with shaking hands and hurried off into my bedroom while Charlie began on a tirade. His words loud and harsh with us. I forced down the anger that tried to build from the tone he took with her and reminded myself that this was her father and he was justified to be upset.
"I can't believe this. Of all things to walk into! I come here to find the two of you- Like this-" He paused with a shake of his head as Bella came back out to stand in front of him, his gaze angry when he addressed her further. "Is this why you're over here! Instead of staying at the house? Did you think I wouldn 't find out?
Bella glanced my way, her look full of a panic I wanted to take from her, and her eyes glossy when she tried to answer him. "No, I left so you could have some time to yourself. With everything that's happened-"
"When were you gonna tell me Bella?" He snapped. "Huh? How could you be so careless? Didn't you listen to anything your mother and I ever said to you about this stuff?"
Bella shook her head to him in return, her tears beginning to spill down her face. I took a step forward then, reaching out for her hand and lacing our fingers together as she tried to understand him. He wasn't making any sense.
"Tell you- what?"
"You really don't have enough respect for me to just tell me the truth? You're gonna pretend it's not true?"
I felt the dread sink into me as he turned his gaze my way, realization dawning on me from the knowing look he wore.
"Dad... I-"
"When were you going to tell me that you're pregnant, Bella?" Charlie yelled, the anger in his tone causing Bella to flinch at the sound. I pulled her closer to me, as she met my gaze with disbelief.
"You know?"
"Of course I know. Well- actually- it was your mother who called me with her suspicions based on your last few emails to her. I thought she was crazy until I took the time to put it all together in my head. You being sick like you were for days and the lack of appetite... your emotions... I should have known for shit's sake. I feel like a fool for not picking up on it before now. Any idiot with eyes can see what's happening here, and I come in to find you two naked!"
Bella's body shook like a leaf and I felt her sinking against the weight of his words. Her voice full of emotion when she replied to him.
"We just found out ourselves, dad. I was going to tell you."
"So, it's really true. You two are... expecting?" He asked, staring at us with a paled expression now. The sound of a horn honking from outside and my father entering the house forced Charlie to pause, as he wheeled himself in to join us. The smile on his face vanishing when he saw Bella's mortified expression.
"Charlie, what brings you by here, old friend?" My father asked, seeing Charlie still glaring at me.
If looks could kill...
"Bella's pregnant, Billy! Your son got my daughter pregnant. That's what brings me by."
Billy went mute at this, his eyes meeting mine as Bella let out a gasp and turned herself into me. I wrapped my arms around her, trying to ease some of the panic that was trying to consume her.
"Jacob-" She whispered, looking up at me with a desperation behind her gaze.
"Shh- It's okay, honey."
My fathers tone changed suddenly, making me snap my head up to him when he spoke to Charlie.
"Alright- now you listen here, Charlie. You know I love you like family, I always have. But you're acting out of anger and it's upsetting your daughter and I know you're surely not accusing Jacob of being careless with Bella. It takes two- need I remind you what it was like to be so young and in love- cause you were too once- in case you forgot. I certainly haven't."
"Yes- I remember, and look how well that all worked out, Billy. Renee and I have been separated for years."
"... because you didn't go after her like you should have."
Charlie snapped his mouth shut then, staring at my father in disbelief at his words.
"Billy!"
"I'm sorry, Charlie. But it is true and that was in the past- where it will stay, but Jacob and Bella are here now and they need our guidance and support. They don't need you yelling and your finger pointing blame."
"Wait- Wait a minute! You didn't even act shocked or surprised when I told you she was pregnant! Have you known this all along?"
My father let out a heavy sigh, meeting my gaze from across the room.
"I've suspected so - yes."
"... and you didn't bother to tell me?"
"What good would it have done if I got you all worried and worked up lie this for nothing? I wasn't sure myself, Charlie."
"This is unbelievable!" Charlie sighed, storming out into the kitchen after Billy now.
Bella stared after them, her face paled and her eyes still wide when I tightened my hold on her.
"He's so angry, Jacob."
"He loves you, Bella." I reminded her. "He'll calm down, honey."
We followed behind them, listening to the two of them bicker back and forth like an old married couple. When the sun set and darkness began to fall in, I knew Charlie's anger was beginning to fade. I could see it slowly leaving him when Bella threw her arms around him, his tone changing the moment he held her. I watched him swallow down any further biting comments as he looked down at her and she told him how much she loved him.
I kept my distance, leaving the two of them alone to have their moment as dad and I headed outside onto the porch, the sound of the crickets surrounding us as we waited there.
"I'm gonna be a grandpa." Billy chuckled, patting me on the arm beside him. "And my boy is gonna be a dad."
"Yeah..." I replied, still feeling as if this still wasn't real. That somehow I was dreaming.
"You scared?" He asked, turning his chair toward me. "Cause it's okay if you are, Son."
"A little..." I admitted, unable to stop the smile that soon spread across my face to him. "... but I'm more excited than scared. I want to give her everything, dad."
"You will. I know you will. Don't worry about Charlie. I know him well. He's just scared for her like any good father would be. He'll come around with a little bit of time."
I hoped my father was right and that Charlie wouldn't hold onto his anger, for Bella's sake alone. Seeing her tears made me desperate to fix it for her. That's what you did for those you loved the way I loved her. You put all of yourself on the line for them and you made no apologies for doing so. Whatever Charlie needed from me to lessen his worry for her- I would give it.
A/N: Hello again! Hope you enjoyed this chapter and please review to tell me what you think? Till next time...