Chapter 8: Things to Do
Disclaimer: S. Meyer is the owner of Twilight.
On the way home, Bella confessed. "Whew—I am so glad that's over."
"You and me both!" Jacob pulled one hand away from the wheel, and yanked up on his tee. "Lo and behold—the absence of bullet holes."
"Good thing, because this is our last night alone together. I need you running at peak performance," she teased.
As they drove up to the house, Jacob said. "I still can't believe your dad gave us all that money. Oh, sh*—sorry—crap, I just remembered, we need to open up a joint checking account."
"I'm way ahead of you, mister. Leah and I made a 'to do' list."
They walked into the house and discussed the list as Jacob helped Bella with the dinner. The food was in the oven and he was getting down the glasses as his bride set out the plates and utensils.
"Okay, we'll go to the bank on the way to school on Monday. Saturday's out of the question, we'll be too busy cleaning up here and moving my stuff. We need to get to the bookstore too. Should've done that last week, I guess." She smirked at her husband.
"Hey, don't look at me. It's not my fault you had other things on your mind. I was defenseless; you were constantly attacking me."
Bella threw a cloth napkin at him. "Poor baby, you were so put upon.
"Our first class doesn't start until ten thirty, so we'll have to make it quick. I'll call Leah and tell her we'll be taking our own car."
Jacob didn't like that answer very much, and his lips drooped into a frown. "Jeez, I was hoping we could go apartment hunting after school. I'm still cringing at the thought of sharing you with a household of people. We'll have to be so quiet. Let's face it, I love hearing you moaning and screaming my name."
Jacob threw the napkin back at her, and of course she couldn't catch it. Throwing it at him again, she leaned back against the table. "As if your ego needed any more stroking."
"Hey, I can always use more stroking. My ego wasn't exactly what I had in mind though." There was a glint of a flame in his eyes, as he stealthily moved toward her.
Bella sensed his subtle advance, and slowly stepped backward, one foot at a time. All at once he sprang forward. She jumped slightly and ran in the opposite direction.
He chased her around the table. Bella was shrieking, Jacob was howling and the noise ended when he grabbed her from behind. Warm brawny arms encased her, pinning her arms to her sides. His torso was nearly one with her spine. He rubbed his cheek up and down her neck, then he pulled her shirt aside to gain access to her now bare shoulder. Turning her towards himself, his hands slid deliciously down her arms. Her weak protests were silenced as he smothered her in kisses on every geographic area he could find. Walking her to the wall, he pressed against her, taking her face in his large hands. His lips danced with hers for some time before he finally released her and sighed.
"God, Bells, why can't I get enough of you?" His smoldering eyes searched hers for some unspoken answer as he lifted her effortlessly.
She tried to push him away with her hands on his chest. "Jake, we're going to be eating in 20 minutes."
"I don't care; we'll eat later. Come with me, please . . . Right now, I'm hungry for one thing—that one thing that only you can share with me." His head cocked to one side, as he looked at her imploringly.
She was utterly defeated. She had no defense when it came to that look on his face. Her arms laced tightly around his neck. "Lead on, wolfboy," she murmured. "You know I'm always helpless whenever I'm in your arms."
The roast was a little overdone when they finally set fork to mouth, but neither of them were complaining. Jacob and Bella turned to each other and suddenly she burst out laughing. Jacob had a knowing grin on his face. "We'd better find an apartment fast," she giggled.
"Yeah, I can't see myself 'taking you' in the garage," he remarked. "Too dirty, too cold, and too suspicious!"
Later that evening, Bella was curled up to Jacob on the couch, her legs tucked to the side, his arm about her shoulder. They were watching a movie, when she heard him whisper in her ear. "You can't dodge her forever. It's only gonna make it worse." He hung on the last word elongating the 's'.
She patted his hand and leaned her head against his. Turning slightly, she whispered back, "Tomorrow . . . I'll do it tomorrow."
He kissed her ear and whispered again. "That's what you said yesterday, and the day before and the day before that. There's never gonna be a perfect time, whether you think so or not." Hesitating for a few brief moments, he took hold of her hand. "Okay, do you want me to do it?"
Bella let out a huff and sat up straight. "Hand me the phone. I hope you know—you just ruined the last day of our honeymoon."
"Jeez, Bells, she's your mother, not the wicked witch of the East. Look—I'll sit right here, next to you, and if the conversation gets too hot, give the phone to me. I'll charm her into submission. She'll be so docile, you could sell her magazine subscriptions."
The phone rested in the palm of her hand. She stared at it as if it were a rattle snake. Nervously she dialed the number and waited.
Renee's voice answered. "Sweetie! Oh my gosh. Phil, it's Bella. How are you? Is everything all right?"
"More than all right, Mom. That's why I'm calling."
Her mother was practically jumping up and down with excitement. "Well don't keep me in suspense, sweetheart. Tell me all about it."
"You better sit down, Mom." Bella gritted her teeth; Jacob nodded at her in encouragement, and squeezed her hand.
"Jacob and I have great news to tell you." She ducked her head as if Renee was there in person and winced.
At first, there was a stretch of silence, then the storm broke out. "Isabella Marie Swan, didn't I teach you better than that? How could you? And wait'll I get my hands on that Jacob. Six weeks—just six weeks until the wedding, you should have been more careful."
"Mom," she uttered, to no avail. "Mom!" Renee was not listening at this point. Bella stood up and began to pace.
"How far along are you? Are you going to be able to fit in a decent looking wedding gown?" She was so looking forward to see her baby girl walk down the aisle, and now all her dreams of a beautiful wedding were dashed to pieces. Her only child had thoughtlessly deprived her of a well deserved wedding ceremony. Was that too much to ask?
"You're not listening. I haven't finished yet." Bella exclaimed. She shrugged her shoulders, throwing one arm up in the air.
Renee was turning blue in the face, as she continued on her tirade. "I don't want to hear any excuses. There is no excuse. How many times have I told you to be safe, Bella. I practically tattooed it on you. Maybe I should have, right where Jacob couldn't miss it!
I was in labor twenty two hours with you, and this is the thanks, I get? Is it asking too much to see my daughter married, and at least looking like a blushing bride?"
Jacob pushed Bella aside and grabbed the phone from her. "Renee," he started. His eyebrows shot up as she yelled into the phone.
"Jacob Black, I'd-like-to-wring-your-neck. The one thing I was looking forward to has been ruined because of your lack of control. Didn't they teach you anything in school about where babies come from?"
He raised his voice. "Renee!" he barked. "Listen to me. We're married."
"Don't use that tone with me, young man. If you think for one minute—"
All of a sudden, her brain registered what he just uttered. Renee pulled at her hair. "Whhhaaaat! Put Bella back on the phone."
"You're married?" she wailed. The tears started falling, and Renee's cries could be heard clear across the room.
Drawing Jacob's arms around herself, Bella answered. "Yeah, Mom, that's what I've been trying to tell you. And no, I am not pregnant, and yes we are being careful."
"Well, that's a relief to hear, but I am still very upset with the both of you. What about the wedding? You know I've been anxiously waiting to come to Washington to help with all the arrangements. This is such a devastating blow.
"I'll never get this chance again. What were you thinking?"
"It seemed like a good idea at the time, still does. I love him, Mom, but I'm sorry that this is upsetting to people. So this is our plan—the wedding is still on. We'll renew our vows in front of everyone, and no one except family and close friends need to know about our elopement. How does that sound?"
"All right then. Are you still going to wear a wedding gown?" She sniffled a few times.
"Yeah, and the wedding will be at First Beach." Bella snuggled against Jacob as he brushed his lips along her neck.
"Well, good grief, why didn't you say so in the first place? I want an email, outlining all the preparations, and I'll be up there on July fifth. You hear that Phil, they eloped!"
"Okay, I better let you go, Goodnight."
"Goodnight, sweetheart. Give my love to Jacob, and apologize to him for me, will you?"
"Sure, Mom. Bye."
Bella put down the instrument of torture and was just about ready to collapse. Good thing Jacob was there holding her up.
As they lay in bed that night, Jacob started running his fingers gently through her hair and blazing a trail of fire along the side of her ear and down to her throat. Pushing up on an elbow, he leaned over her, laying his cheek next to hers and rubbed it against her soft flesh. His heart began to race and his breath accelerated. Bella turned over to face him, stroking her finger across his jaw.
His voice was low and husky. "Bells, I know it's late . . . but . . ."
"It's okay. This is the last day of our honeymoon. Let's make the best of it." Her eyes lit up as she smiled at her sweetheart.
He smiled back at her and his face reflected a man in love. "I can't help it. I want you, I'll always want you."
The light from the moon streamed into the window as the two lovers once more made a little bit of heaven right there in La Push in a small green house beside the forest.