I don't own Twilight

News and Annoyances

"You guys sit tight," Charlie said with a sigh as the doorbell rang again, "I'll go see who is at the door."

Edward turned to me as Charlie left and took my hand in his.

"What do you think your dad was going to tell us?" Edward asked as he rubbed circles on the back of my hand with his thumb.

"I don't know, but he looked kind of upset," I said. "Hopefully he can get rid of whoever is at the door quickly so we can find out what is going on." Even though I couldn't see the door form where I was, I scowled in its general direction and cursed whoever it was that interrupted our meal. I wiped the scowl off my face when I heard footsteps walking toward the kitchen, and to my dismay I heard two sets of footsteps instead of one.

"Bella, you have a visitor," Charlie said as he walked into the room with Jacob following closely behind him. I worked to keep the disappointment off my face due to Jacob's lousy timing.

"Oh, I didn't know you were eating dinner," Jacob said when he saw our plates, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."

"It's fine," Charlie said, "We were just finishing up anyway."

"Are you sure?" Jacob asked.

"Yes. Why don't you guys go hang out in the other room while I clean this stuff up," Charlie said.

"Thanks Charlie," Jacob said as he started walking to the other room. I grudgingly got up to follow while Edward grabbed his crutches and stood up to follow me.

"I'm sorry," I whispered to Edward as we walked.

"Why?" he whispered back.

"You'll see," I said as I plastered on a fake smile and went into the living room. Jacob was of course sitting in the middle of the couch so Edward and I were forced to sit apart.

"Jacob, this is Edward," I said as we sat down, "Edward, this is Jacob."

"Hi," Edward said as he leaned his crutches next to him on the arm of the couch.

"Hey," Jacob said, barely glancing at Edward, before turning back to me.

"So, how did you get here, Jake?" I asked.

"I actually finally finished the car I have been working on," Jacob said proudly. "The drive here was my test drive."

"Wow Jake, that is great," I said with a genuine smile, because I was slightly impressed.

"That's pretty cool," Edward agreed.

"Yeah," Jacob said while still ignoring Edward, "So, I thought I would come and see how you were doing."

"I'm fine," I replied, "I got my stitches out, which is nice, but physical therapy and regular therapy are kicking my ass."

"You are doing great," Edward said with a sweet smile in my direction.

"Thanks, but you are the one with the real progress," I said as I smiled at Edward before turning back to Jacob. "Edward walked today."

"Cool," Jacob said, sounding less than enthused.

"Jake, it's a big deal," I scolded.

"You're right," Jacob sighed, and finally turned toward Edward, "that is great, man."

"Thanks," Edward said, and I had to bight my lip to keep from laughing when I heard the sarcasm in his voice.

"So Bella" Jacob said as he turned back to me and, to my horror, stretched his arm behind me on the couch, "how is it being back at school?"

"Fine," I said, and had to fight not to grit my teeth "There have been some difficult moments, but thankfully I had Edward to help me and keep me sane."

"I suppose it would help to have to someone with you who understands what you have been through," Jacob agreed reluctantly.

"Yeah," I said with a warm smile for Edward. "But it's more than that. There is just something about Edward that keeps me calm."

"That's nice," Jacob said as his arm dropped onto to my shoulder.

"Um, Jake," I said, feeling completely uncomfortable. "Do you think you could get me a glass of water?"

"Sure," Jacob said much too eagerly for my taste before he jumped up and rushed to the kitchen. I sighed with relief when his arm was gone and I moved over to snuggle into Edward's side.

"Nicely done," Edward said, and I knew he was referring to my tactic to get Jake to leave.

"Thanks. Now do you see why I apologized?" I asked as I lifted my head to look at him.

"Yeah, he is a little oblivious to anything that isn't you," Edward said.

"I know, but I don't know how to get him to back off without hurting his feelings," I sighed.

"So you put up with that just because you don't want to hurt his feelings?" Edward asked and I nodded. "You are a good person, Isabella Swan."

"I try," I said and smiled as Edward leaned down to brush his lips against mine. Our kiss deepened and I reached up to bury my hands in Edward's hair while one of his found the back of my neck to pull me closer.

"What the hell…" Of course, Jacob and his crappy timing would choose to walk back in the room right at that moment.

"Um, hey," I said to Jake as I reluctantly pulled away from Edward and let my head rest on his shoulder.

"So, you guys are a couple?" Jacob asked incredulously.

"Yep," Edward said happily.

"Did you know about this?" Jacob asked Charlie as he came into the room.

"Did I know about what?" Charlie asked as he looked back in forth between Jacob, Edward, and me.

"Did you know that these two are a couple?" Jacob asked.

"Yes," Charlie answered, and I could tell he was confused about what was going on.

"Are you okay with it?" Jacob asked.

"Yes. Edward is a great kid, and I know he would never hurt Bella," Charlie said still looking confused.

"I have to go," Jacob said as he set my water on the table and headed for the door. "Bella, Charlie, it was good to see you." Without a word to Edward, Jacob walked out the door and left the three of us in silence as we tried to process what just happened.

"So, does someone want to clue me in to what just happened?" Charlie asked, breaking the silence.

"Jake's not really thrilled that I am dating Edward," I explained.

"Yeah I got that," Charlie said, "but why does he care who you date?"

"I think Jacob would prefer it if Bella was dating him," Edward said.

"Yeah, he is kind of in love with me," I added.

"What?" Charlie exclaimed.

"Oh come on Dad, you can't tell me you have never noticed how he acts around me," I said.

"Well, maybe," Charlie admitted, "but I just thought it was a harmless little crush."

"No, it's more than that," I said with a sigh. "I feel kind of bad that he found out about Edward and I the way that he did. I hope he will be okay."

"Well, he is young, so I am sure he will bounce back and be in love with someone else soon enough," Charlie said.

"I hope you are right," I answered.

"Um, sir, what was it that you were going to tell us before Jacob interrupted?" Edward asked. I smiled gratefully at Edward for not only changing the subject, but for bringing up what I was most anxious to discuss.

"Right, that," Charlie said, and I could tell he was trying to get himself back on track.

"You looked pretty serious when you got off the phone," I said, "Nobody is hurt or anything, right?"

"No, no, it wasn't anything like that," Charlie said, "It was about Mike."

"What about him?" Edward asked quietly, and I could tell he was as nervous as I was about Charlie's answer.

"One of my co-workers called to tell me that the date of his trial has been set and that you two should be prepared to be called as witnesses," Charlie explained.

"You mean we are going to have to sit in a room full of strangers and talk about everything that happened that day?" I asked and leaned into Edward for support.

"Yes," Charlie said and reached over to take my hand, "I know this is going to be hard for the two of you, and I am sorry, but unfortunately it's necessary."

"So, when is the trial?" Edward asked, and as I looked up at him I could see the nerves on his face.

"In two weeks," Charlie said.

"That soon?" I asked.

"Yes," Charlie said, "I know it is soon, but it does give you a little time to prepare."

"I guess," I said.

"Bella, I know this is going to be hard, but I will be there with you, and Edward your parents with be there with you." I nodded and squeezed his hand and gave him a small smile.

"This might even be a good thing," Charlie said.

"What do you mean?" Edward asked.

"This might give you two some closure," Charlie explained.

"Maybe," I said. As much as I wanted to see the person who hurt me get punished, I still felt guilt over not helping Mike when I had the chance, so I wasn't sure if this was going to help or hurt me.

"Alright," Charlie said as he stood up, "Bells, I am going to go call your mom and tell her what is going on, and we will fill your parents in when they come to get you, Edward."

"Okay," Edward said and I nodded.

"Edward," I said as soon as my dad was out of the room, "Do you think we can get through this?"

"I hope so," Edward said, and I could tell he was uncertain as I was. I snuggled into Edward's side, let my head rest on his shoulder, and tried to forget what the upcoming weeks had in store.

Thanks to my beta Jenn! Thanks also to, the captains wife, sujari6, .best, debslmac, Iluvecookies, boo1414, ellaryne, Mireads, alisapay1, jansails, barbiedoll123, alc1002 for taking the time to leave a review.

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Happy Halloween!