I pushed the quilt off of me and slipped off the bed. Jake wasn't present. Cold air was no longer lingering in my cozy room. The window was tightly shut and the currents were drawn. Light somehow managed to flitter in.

I ambled out my room, over the threshold, and clomped down the stairs. The steps cooled the bare soles of my feet. I was sure my hair was knotted at the back of my head. I sighed.

Jacob's husky voice rumbled from the kitchen.

"It was quite a rough night," Charlie grumbled.

"Sure was. I had to check that Bella was fine." I could imagine Jake trying to pull off a calm facade for my father.

Charlie grunted. "So that's what I heard last night?" His tone was accusing.

"Probably," Jake responded.

I was leaning against the wall, still on the stairs. I wondered if Jake knew I was eaves dropping.

"You better keep your hands to yourself, Jake," Charlie said. His voice was all Officer Swan type.

"I am Charlie."

I choked back a giggle.

"Okay," Dad said. There was more to it though. He was clearly saying I'm-watching-you.

I bit my cheeks.

Jacob sighed and the chair he'd been sitting in scooted back.

He was suddenly at the bottom of the steps. "Good morning Bells."

"Hey Jake!" I exclaimed with excitement. I flung myself down the stairs and jumped at him.

He caught me in time. He hugged me and muttered in my ear, "You little sneak."

I laughed.

Charlie grunted from being us. He ambled over to the couch. Promptly plopping down on the cushions, he said, "Haven't you kids ever heard of PDA restrictions. It applies here too."

Jake set me down. I frowned at Charlie. "Where's all my freedom going?" I questioned him.

His only response was to turn on the TV. I waited for an appropriate response. He began flicking through the channels.

"Charlie," I complained.

The old man just shrugged.

I trotted over to the kitchen. After picking a random bowl from the cumbered, I poured Cheerios into it. Fixing it up with a spoon and mild, I sat down and inhaled breakfast.

Jake sat beside me. He stared into my face intently.

Around a mouthful of cereal, I said, "I'm surprised Charlie let you off the hook."

"Not exactly," he sighed.

"You seem down," I remarked. Frown lines wrinkled between his eyebrows.

All he said was, "It was a rough night."

Charlie cleared his throat loudly from the other room.

Jake rolled his eyes.

I leaned over to him and peered up at his red-brown face.

"Just eat," Jake said.

I pushed my bowl over to him. "I'm not hungry anymore. You need to eat."

Jake raised his brows. "Is there something wrong? Are you feeling okay?"

"Don't be ridiculous," I said. I sat back in my seat.

The doorbell rang.

I jumped up and down the hall to the front door. I swung it open.

Edward beamed at me.

"Bella!" he exclaimed.

He scooped me up in a huge hug and kissed me smack on the mouth.