Ok, so Chapter 24 is here and that means we are one step closer to the wedding. It should be in the next two chapters. I hope you enjoy this one with the meeting with the pack. Major kudos to preciousfairymom80 who cowrote the meeting. I am inexperienced with writing wolf-speak (lol) so we role played it and had fun. If you are looking for a great Jacob Bella fic go check out her story Dusk and her one shot Real Good Man. If you are wanting a great Edward Bella fic then you should check out Choices by venomaddict. All of them are in my favorite stories list.
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or it's characters but I do own my original characters and this plot line. I also have Edward in bed next to me every night being my personal air conditioner!
Join the R & R Revolution (read and review everything!)
Read, Review, and Enjoy! Thanks!
Chapter 24
EPOV
I almost felt sorry for Bella having to go shopping with the girls so I offered to tag along and play interference if things got too hectic. Bella seemed grateful for the company. Seven hours later, we were finally leaving Seattle (we had gone shopping there for a better selection and Alice said that there was a maternity store that specialized in early maternity clothes and maternity clothes for multiples).
We decided to wait at the airport for Carlisle, Emmett, and Jasper to fly in. They arrived and got into the cars, Alice had enough sense to bring several cars so that everyone would have a seat. We drove back to the house and spent the evening talking and joking with each other.
The next morning Carlisle, Esme, Jasper, Emmett, Bella, and I headed off into the woods to meet up with the pack and discuss the boundaries and treaty for the wedding. Rose and Alice were staying back to take care of baby and wedding stuff they said.
Sam, Jake, Quil, Paul, Jared, and Embry met us at the line and stood facing all of us. I instinctively pulled Bella closer to me and I noticed Jacob smirk.
We all just stood there, staring at each other and finally Sam broke the silence.
"So, what brings us out here this morning?" Sam said in his alpha voice.
"We are here to discuss the treaty and boundaries for Bella and Edward's wedding," Carlisle said.
"I heard that Sue Clearwater will be attending the wedding," Sam said "and that Jake here has also been invited?"
"Yes, Bella invited them seeing as how Sue is seeing Charlie, Jacob and she were childhood best friends," Carlisle said.
"And there will be more of your kind attending as well" Sam inquired.
"Yes, our sister coven from Denali and their mates will be down for a few days for the festivities. They are also like us, they don't feed on humans so you have nothing to worry about with them," Carlisle said.
"Yeah right, nothing to fear about our natural enemies," Embry muttered and Sam quickly shifted the conversation.
"Jake do you want to go to the wedding?" Sam said turning to Jacob.
"Jacob, please say yes" Bella pleaded with him.
"Yeah," Jacob said cocking an eyebrow, "I got a bet going with Seth to see how soon she trips, it should be quite entertaining" Jake snorted.
"JACOB!" I growled "That is my fiancé you are making fun of"
"Yeah and she's my gravity challenged friend," Jacob retorted rolling his eyes, "your point?"
"Jacob? Are the only reasons you want to come to see me making a fool of myself and to protect Sue? Is that all I am to you, entertainment?" Bella said, looking like she was about to cry.
"Reel in the hormones Bells," Jacob said, "I was just kidding."
"You better have been kidding. That is my little sis!" Emmett leered at Jacob and Esme shot him a warning glance to reel it in.
"Ok, back to the topic at hand, the wedding, Sam, would you allow your pack to cross the boundary line? We do not have a problem with it as long as they stay in human form" Carlisle said.
"No deal," Sam said firmly.
"Jake, Seth, and Leah will be the only ones in human form," Sam said taking a stiff stance, "the rest will stay in wolf form hidden in the woods."
"I am sorry to say this Sam, but no wolves on our property if they are on all fours," Carlisle said and Jasper and Emmett stifled a laugh. Before I could say anything Bella broke from my arms and started yelling.
"Carlisle, Sam! Enough! This is my wedding and I will have who I want at it! As long as no one sees them in wolf form then let them cross the god damn line!" Bella yelled as she straddled the boundary line between Sam and Carlisle.
"That's my girl," Jacob murmured lowly at the same time I murmured it. We shot each other glances before turning our attention back to Bella.
"You would leave us vulnerable in our human forms to slaughter us," Paul shouted.
"And you would have an advantage having the property surrounded from the woods!" Jasper shot back.
"Paul," Sam chastised
"Jasper!" Esme scolded
"EVERYONE!!!" Bella shouted bringing the attention back to her. "Why is it so damn difficult to say 'yes, you can come to our house for the wedding as long as you behave yourselves and don't expose yourselves?' I mean really! COME ON!"
"Ok how about a compromise," Jake offered and Bella shot him a thankful look.
"What sort of compromise dog?" I asked and Bella glared at me. If looks could kill I would be dead. "Uh I mean Jacob?"
"You let us have three wolves on the property. Surely you almighty vamps can handle three insignificant wolves?" Jacob offered, hiding a smirk. He did have a point and Bella looked hopeful at the suggestion.
"Carlisle? Please say yes" Bella begged and Carlisle nodded his acceptance to Sam.
"Very well, are we done here?" Sam asked eager to leave.
"YAY!!!!!!" Bella squealed and ran to Sam and threw her arms around him to hug her thanks
Sam was shocked at first but patted the top of her head and chuckled, "you're welcome Bella, we are all quite fond of your father," he said smiling down at Bella.
"Thank you all" Bella said and blushed. "I know how difficult this must be for everyone."
"Well your father has practically become part of our tribe, and therefore in relation, so have you," Sam said.
"I appreciate you seeing Bella as family just as we do. I am sure that the night will go off fine and there will be no issues seeing that we will all be there for her," Carlisle concluded. "Well, until then, the wedding is Saturday, September 5th and starts at 8pm in our back yard."
Embry and Sam nodded and turned to leave with the pack behind him, all but Jacob, who stood looking like he was debating something.
"Hey Edward, Bella, can I have a minute?" Jacob said.
"Umm, yeah I guess that would be fine," we said in unison.
The rest of my family walked away some but didn't fully leave.
"Look, Crystal will kick my ass if I don't ask you," he said rubbing the back of his head, "and I know you know that a smart man does whatever will make his pregnant wife happy," Jake said smiling at Edward. "So anyways I want to invite you two to dinner tonight."
"Tell me about it, I spend every waking moment trying to keep Bella happy, remind me to tell you about 'Edward Fucking Cullen' sometime," I said to Jacob and Bella blushed while shooting him a glare. "We would be happy to attend and maybe it will do Bella some good to be around someone else who is expecting."
"Very funny guys! Don't make me go all hormonal pregnant woman on you! What time would you like us there Jacob? "Bella said
"Well we could do it around 6," Jacob said deep in thought, "we could do a fire in the backyard and grill out."
"Perfect!" Bella squealed in delight.
"Guess you don't like your burgers rare anymore, huh Cullen," Jacob snorted.
"Hahaha, funny Jacob. Should I bring the puppy chow?" I said. "Or do you like Kibbles and Bits?"
"You know what Cullen," Jacob said in a fit of laughter, "without the whole bloodsucker thing, I think we will get along great," he said sticking his hand out in an offer to shake.
"I think you are right Jacob. Just do me a favor before the wedding and get a flea collar man, your fleas are getting annoying" I said as I shook Jacob's hand and pretended to scratch.
"Ohoh, good one, preppy boy," Jacob shot back. "Be nice and I'll show you my bike."
"Bike? Hell yeah! Fleas? What fleas? " I said.
"Oh great, are you two going to strike up a bromance?" Bella said and pretended to throw up.
"Yeah, I'll show you how to ride," Jacob smirked, "then you can really put some excitement between bells legs" he laughed.
"HEY GUYS! I AM RIGHT HERE!" Bella said, stomping her feet and pouting like a 3 year old.
"Awww you're so cute when you do that," Jacob said with mocked sweetness, "come on do it again."
"That's it! I am leaving!" Bella said and we heard laughter break out from all around us. Apparently my family and the pack had heard and seen Bella's little tantrum and found it as funny as Jacob and me.
"Hey guys," Jacob called after Bella and me, "before you come could you stop by Charlie's," Jacob said and paused for a second, "take a shower, cause I don't want no vampy smell funking up my house. That shits a pain to get out of the cushions."
Bella shot Jacob a glare at the idea of her stinking and I laughed and flipped him off. "Febreeze or baking soda work wonders to get animal odors out of furniture; maybe they will work on vamp too!"
"Bye Dawson, bye Joey" called Jacob.
*****
We got ready for dinner at Jacob and Crystal's house. I put on a pair of purposely faded jeans, a plain white t-shirt, and a dark blue almost black ribbed v-neck sweater. Bella got to wear her new maternity clothing; a below the knee khaki skirt with a wide elastic band waist and a baby blue empire waist baby doll maternity shirt. She slipped on a pair of blue sandals and we were out the door.
We climbed into my Volvo and I programmed in the address into the GPS. About an hour later, and two wrong turns we were finally there. The GPS wasn't familiar with the smaller roads of La Push so Bella ended up calling Jacob for directions.
We pulled up to a little green house and Jacob and Crystal were outside to greet us.
"Bella! I have heard so much about you! I am happy to finally meet you," Crystal said and pulled Bella in for a hug but couldn't get too close due to the baby bumps.
"It is my pleasure Crystal," Bella said before giving Jacob a hug as well.
"Whoa Bella! What is Cullen feeding you? Your bump is huge!" Jacob remarked making Bella blush.
"Remember Jacob, she is having twins. Carlisle said it was normal for her to be showing this much at this early stage," I reminded him before shaking his hand firmly.
"Well, why don't we take this inside? I need to sit for a few, my feet are killing me," Crystal said before waddling into the house. I wondered if Bella would eventually walk like a penguin.
We stepped inside and there was a large rustic looking couch and recliner, side tables, and even a flat screen TV. There was a hallway to the left and the eat-in kitchen to the right. Jacob told us it was a 2 bedroom, 1 bath home.
Bella offered to help Crystal in the kitchen and Jacob asked if I wanted a beer.
"Sure," I said and took the ice cold bottle that he offered me. I peeked into the kitchen and saw Bella sitting at the table helping Crystal peel potatoes. Jacob opened the back door and led the way onto the porch for him and me.
"So man, what do you think of the house? I know it isn't much but it is home," Jacob said.
"I was half expecting to see a large pillow on the floor covered in fur and dog food and water bowls," I chuckled and was rewarded with a hearty laugh from Jacob.
"Well, I can't wait to come to your house and see the coffins and cobwebs. Sorry we only have beer or tea to drink. If I had more time to prepare I would have tried to get you some AB negative or O positive," Jacob shot back and then rolled with laughter.
"You know man, you really aren't bad for a dog," I said.
"And you aren't bad for an ex leech," Jacob replied and we smiled at each other. I could tell that we were on the way to becoming fast friends.
"Oh thank god!" Crystal said, stepping out onto the back porch followed by Bella. "We heard the laughter and thought we were going to find you two braiding each other's hair and painting your nails." We all erupted in laughter. This all felt so natural.
"Did you need me for something babe?" Jacob said, leaning down to kiss Crystal.
"Well, yeah. If you guys want to eat anytime soon then you need to get the grill going. The steaks are almost done marinating and the potato salad is chilling. All that's left is the salad and the deviled eggs," Crystal said.
"Ok hun, no problem. I will get it fired up right now," Jacob said before kissing her one more time before she and Bella went back inside.
"You seem to have it made," I commented as Jacob lit the propane grill.
"Well yeah, I think I do," Jacob said smiling. "But can I talk to you about something Edward?"
"I guess so. Is everything ok?" I asked. I was almost worried about what he wanted to talk to me about.
"Yeah man, the thing is, Sue told me what you did for Bella and how you came back and everything and I have to say that I don't know how you did it," Jacob said, looking off into the distance.
"I am sure you would have done the same thing if it was you and Crystal in the situation," I replied.
"How do you know?"
"I just know Jacob. It is something you do for someone you love. You will give anything to be with them and anything to keep them safe."
"Well, I must say, after I heard that I had no doubt that you were the one for Bella. Treat her right man," Jacob said before turning around to smile wickedly at me. "Or I will sniff you out and bite your ass!"
I burst out laughing and sprayed my beer all over Jacob.
"Damn man! This was a clean shirt. I don't have too many of them left. Crystal is gonna have my ass!" Jacob whined.
"Whipped much?" I said, laughing heartily and earning a glare and a smile from Jacob.
"Yeah, just you wait. You will be too," Jacob warned half heartedly.
"I already am," I said with a smile.
"Hey can you go grab the steaks?"
"Yep!" I said and headed inside.
I found the girls setting the table and talking and laughing lightly.
"Having fun love?" I asked as I wrapped my arms around Bella and kissed her on the cheek.
"Ewww! Beer breath!" Bella squealed and stuck her tongue out at me.
"Crystal, where are the steaks? Jacob said the grill is about ready," I said, letting go of Bella.
"They are in the fridge. Better hurry, you are starving 5 hungry people in here," Crystal said and jokingly shook her finger at me. I laughed and grabbed the steaks, half running them outside.
"The ladies are starving, or so they say," I told Jacob as I handed him the steaks.
"Well, let's not make them wait any longer," Jacob said as he placed two large and two medium sized ribeyes on the grill. "Oh wait, let me get yours off, you like it rare right?"
"Ass!" I shot at Jacob and playfully punched him in the shoulder.
The steaks were done 15 minutes later and the four of us settled into an enjoyable dinner. Bella asked Crystal what she was naming her baby and she said Miriam after her mother. We were asked about names so we said our top boy and top girl choice but said we still didn't know what we were having.
An hour and a half later we finally left and headed home. Bella didn't have to drive since I stopped after one beer and I think she was glad about it because she was asleep before we were out of La Push. We made it home and I woke her up to get her inside.
We were greeted by Alice who immediately wrinkled her nose at us. "WOW! You guys stink like wet dog!"
"Gee thanks," Bella said and smiled.
"How about a shower love?" I asked wiggling my eyebrows at Bella who giggled and blushed at the suggestion.
"Oh definitely Edward. And maybe later, doggy style!" Bella said and Alice made the gesture like she was throwing up.
I put my arm around Bella and led her up the stairs and toward another wonderful night.
Well? Are you joining the R & R Revolution? I would love it if you did and Edward is waiting to read your reviews. He promised another lemon if we get a bunch!