Jacob was excited that Bella had actually let him come in without any fuss. She usually would if he begged hard enough, but today was different maybe she wanted more alone time with him. They were best friends, but perhaps she too wanted them to be more than that. Then there was always the possibility that Bella felt the presence there, too, but he decided it would be better to leave that question unasked.
Bella felt a sense of relief as she peered outside the door into the empty woods. For some reason she had this feeling that someone was still out there. Trying not to let it get in her head she closed the door behind her glad that Jake had decided to come back whatever his reasons were. He was staring at her when she turned around and she attempted a small smile before heading to the kitchen. Jake grabbed her hand sending a wave of heat through her body causing Bella to have a real smile on her face. Jake followed behind her into the other room glad he had come back.
"Could you get some things out the fridge for me?" Bella asked letting go of Jake's hand as she walked over towards the stove and turning it on. He willing obeyed her simple task and began to remove her requested items from the fridge. He then placed each one on the counter slowly and deliberately watching her closely.
Bella was conceiting on the task at hand when Jake came up from behind her wrapping his arms around her waist. She didn't know how to respond as her body began to stiffen to the surprise action. Soon everything relaxed as her body welcomed the heat escaping from Jake's body. She leaned back against hoping that the clothes which numbed her body would dry out some. Even if they didn't she would go upstairs to change after putting out the plates and silverware.
Jake caught Bella off guard again as he turned her around giving her the most full blown kiss of her life. She tried to enjoy it as her mind wondered between Edward and Jake. She couldn't help but think that nothing like this could happen between her and Edward because of who he was and the fact that he had left her life. Instead of being dragged back into the past she let herself get caught up into the moment.
That's when she felt it. Like someone was watching them, though that couldn't be possibly because they would've heard Charlie coming in and no one every really visited them anymore. Bella flashed open her eyes catching a glimpse of something, but it couldn't be it was impossible she knew that. A whole new wave of depression swept over her as she walked towards the window with Jake right behind her. He gave her his hand and she unconsciously took it from him.
"Are you okay, Bells?" Jake asked looking at her with concern.
"Yeah, I'm fine. It's nothing," Bella answered obviously preoccupied.
Bella let go of Jake's hand walked back towards the stove to check on the noodles. After that she opened one of the cabinets pulling out three white plates that had a blue floral trim to them. She closed the cabinet and walked out to the table placing each plate at a separate spot. Once that was completed she walked back into the kitchen and grabbed some silverware for them to use. The whole time Jake stood behind her wishing he knew what he could say to her. Finally the silence was broken by Bella.
"Jake."
"Yeah," he answered with uncertainty.
"Could you check on the noodles for me in a few minutes? I'll be right back," she told him knowing he would say yes.
"Yeah that's fine. Where are you going?" he asked hoping she would tell him the truth.
"I need to go change. I've been wearing these soggy clothes for too long and I'm pretty sure I most of my body is numb from them," Bella answered trying to make him smile, which he surprisingly did.
He looked at her and realized that her clothes were still soaked through. His however had been dried by the time they had gotten back from the house. "Okay, take your time," he said almost as if it were a command.
Bella gave him a light smile and turn toward the stairs and took them one at a time. As soon as Bella turned around Jake's face became more serious as he turned around. He peered out the window into the seemingly empty forest that was near the house trying to decide what to do.
Bella finally reached the landing to the stairs letting out a sigh of relief. That trip seemed to take forever as she hurriedly walked into her room ready to take off the wet clothes that were sticking to her body. Her room was messier than usual with a disarray of dirty clothes that covered her floor along with random paperwork from school and work. She pulled out a pair of gray sweats from her closet and a navy shirt with the police academy logo on the back of it. Peeling off her wet clothes quickly she pulled on the dry warmer ones she had just picked out. She looked into the mirror staring at her reflection. Most of the color was gone from her cheeks and her damp hair hung loosely over her shoulders. Pulling it back into a ponytail she studied herself again trying to figure out some way to make herself look more presentable. Finally she gave up and turned away from the stranger that stared back at her.
"Jake did you check those noodles for me?" Bella asked as she walked down the stairs. She reached the kitchen and looked inside to find it empty. Not thinking much about it Bella went to the stove to remove the noodles and drain the water.
"Need me to do anything?" asked Jake coming up behind her.
"Can you take this to the table?" Bella asked handing him the bowl filled with macaroni and cheese.
"Yeah sure no problem," Jake answered taking the bowl from her. He was back in a few seconds seeing if she needed anymore help.
Bella took the chicken out of the stove and placed in a plate and carried it out to the table. "Where did you go?" she asked with a seemingly innocent question.
"I needed to get something from my car," he answered with a tone that hinted her to drop the subject.
Bella obeyed his silent command and tried to think of a change of topic.
"Are you more comfortable now?" he asked looking at her dry clothes.
She nodded yes not feeling the need for a verbal response. The awkwardness was engulfing them now when the door opened. All tension was let out with the entry of Charlie.
"Anyone home?" he asked knowing that the two of them were somewhere in the house. He smiled when entering the room showing his pride for Bella and his happiness that Edward might be leaving her constant thoughts. Causing Bella to blush and look down at the ground.
"Are you ready for dinner? I've made chicken and macaroni and cheese," Bella informed him.
"Sure sounds good. As long as you guys are ready," Charlie answered as walked over to the table.
The three of them sat down at the table to enjoy the delicious meal that Bella had made for them.