Chapter 19
We get back to the house in time to hear the phone start to ring. I run to pick it up and it's Jacob. "Hey, Bells, how's life?"

I roll my eyes and fill him in on some of the stuff going on with me, including the 'Janet and Ryan' episode and my 'Bucket-List'. He growls into the phone. "I'll need to have a talk with the lee-…Edward…about your safety after we finish our conversation…and uh… a belly-button ring, Bells? What crazy things is he letting you do?"

I shake my head at his attitude. "I had been thinking about it for a while. So, anyway, I'm going to Florida to visit my mom in a few weeks. I've never been to Disney and it's almost always sunny there so I won't be able to go after…well, you know… Oh, uhmmm…Jake, I wanted to ask you…"

"What's with the hesitation, Bells? You can quite obviously ask me anything. You know that." He says quietly.

"Well, when Edward and I are there for the wedding in August…do you think you or one of the guys could show us around a bit? Edward's never been there and I never really got to see the touristy stuff…and since we'll never be allowed to go back on the rez after…" I stutter my way through my request.

Jacob sighs. "Aww, Bella…If it'll make you happy… Valerie and I will personally give you both a guided tour of the Quileute 'touristy stuff'…" I can hear the humor in his voice. "And in this one time TV offer, we'll even throw in some stuff that only the wolves and vamps have seen."

"All joking aside… Thanks, Jake, this means a lot to me." I smile softly at the phone.

"Sure, sure…" He says. "Now, let me talk to him…"

"Ok, but be nice." I reply before handing the phone to Edward.

"Yes, Jacob…? Yes, it's all taken care of…" He sounds bored. "Bella has filed a restraining order and...Don't be stupid, my family and I are completely capable of keeping her safe… Now you're just being insulting. Good-bye, Jacob."

"Sorry, honey…" I whisper to him and kiss his cheek as he hands the phone back to me. "Jacob Black, the Cullens are perfectly able to protect me… You have no right to be making trouble with them over this."

"I just offered to send 1 or 2 wolves out to help keep you safe… What's wrong with that? I'm worried about you." Jake says with an air of surprise.

I gasp. "How dare you suggest Edward can't take care of me without a wolf nearby?! I'm insulted on his behalf! Never say anything like that again!"

"Ok, ok! I'm sorry! I didn't think it was a big deal!" He says, getting defensive.

"Ugh!! I can't believe you! How would you like it if someone suggested that you couldn't take proper care of Valerie?" I shake my head… dealing with my ex-husband is so tiring.

"Ok! I get it! Jeez! No need to go there, Bells… That's a low blow!" He swears.

It's my turn to sigh. "Sorry, but you know how I feel about all this. So just try and go easy on us, ok?"

His low soft tone makes me strain to hear him. "Even with the whole 'imprinting thing' it's just not easy to let go of protecting you. It was my job for so long… Anyway, Val wants to talk to you."

"Oh, my gosh, Bella, did I hear Jake right? You got a belly piercing?! How cool! I can't wait to see it! Better yet, send me a picture." Her excited voice makes me giggle.

"Yes, I'll send a picture… but not 'til I can change it out. I'll be getting a couple of prettier rings than the one the guy put in. Edward's insisting on getting one for me. Oh and don't tell Charlie. He was always funny about this kind of thing." I say.

She giggles back. "Ok, I won't tell, and I'll tell Jake too. I gotta go, Bells. I'm making dinner for Jake and the guys, so I've got shopping to do. It was great talking to you!"

I grin into the phone. "Yeah, Val… you too, g'bye." I turn to Edward.

His face looks like something is burning him. "He's right, Bella…He took care of you for 9 years…and I can't do it for 9 weeks?"

"Edward, look at me." I say, starting to panic. "Don't forget that while I was under his 'protection', I was attacked and almost killed. The physical pain Victoria's attack put me through can be compared to the emotional hell I went through when you and your family left me. Do you understand me, yet, Edward? Ryan's assault is NOTHING compared to Victoria's…in the same way that the emotional pain of Jake's imprinting and leaving me was NOTHING compared to the way I felt when you left. You are not only capable of protecting me, but you also do it better…" I stare deeply into his eyes. "Tell me you understand…"

He nods and holds me close. "I do… Nobody will ever hurt you like that again. I promise."

I hug him back and say, "Don't you doubt your ability to take care of me…and don't let Jake get to you. He knows in his heart that you will keep me safe… Heck, in a little over a year, you're going to make me nearly indestructible, remember?"

He rolls his eyes at my little joke. "How can I forget? Oh, on the 17th Alice has decided we are all going to 'Murphy's' and she has already made a reservation…"

I look at him funny. "Why are we doing this?"

He smirks. "Because it will be St. Patrick's Day, Bella, and you'll be having the corned beef special…whatever that may be…"

I start to laugh and he joins me. "Alice!"

Days later…
I sit with my family in my living-room, wearing a green dress that Alice bought me, after coming home from dinner at 'Murphy's'. "Thanks, Alice, that was yummy, but I'm not Irish…so this is a little weird."

She rolls her eyes. "First of all, Bella, Carlisle is Irish, so that makes you and all of us 'honorarily Irish'…and didn't you know that everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day?" The whole family laughs as she does an Irish Jig and Edward plays 'Irish Eyes are Smiling' on the piano. "Listen up, everyone! Our Florida trip is coming up. I'm packing for all of us, so nobody needs to worry, okay, guys? Bella don't argue; you know you need my help on this one!"

"Can I at least have a little input about the stuff I'm going to be wearing? Please?" I look from Alice to Jasper (who just shakes his blonde curls) to Edward (who looks at Alice like she threatened his car or piano) and back to Alice. "Come on…"

"Nope! So just deal with it, Bella." Alice's grin is evil.

I sigh. "Alice…I am 27 years old and a respected member of the faculty of an Ivy League college. I think I'm capable of packing a suitcase." I look to Edward for support.

He shakes his head and says, "Love, I can protect and defend you from any threat in either of our worlds…except my sister. Just go along with her and the world as we know it will be safe." The rest of the family cracks up but I just sigh and give in.

Alice is thrilled. "Yay, you won't regret this, Bella, I promise! Oh, my gosh, I only have 10 days to pack for 8 people!" She runs out of the house at vampire speed.