Chapter 16: Caught in the Act
Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight.
School started up, and both Jacob and Bella were busy. Jacob was taking online classes in addition to his regular classes at the high school. With any luck, after the baby was born, he would only be one semester behind her. If she stayed out for two semesters, they'd both be in the same grade.
Their little hideaway—which Jacob named The Jacob Black Love Shack— was working out well—after Jacob brought in an air mattress. Bella had been complaining the ground floor was always so cold and hard as a rock. Then on the days it poured, they spent the afternoons in the Taj.
The poor boy tried his best to stay away from her open window on those days, but sometimes, he just couldn't help himself. Truth be told, Bella—just as desperate to see Jacob—kept a lookout for him, on some of the rainy nights. She kept a supply of towels in her closet for such occasions. The added bonus was she had the pleasure of drying him off, being sure to sop up every tiny drop of water from his glistening wet body.
A couple of months had passed and the couple still hadn't spilled the beans about the baby. Bella was dreading it, but Jacob was in some ways looking forward to the day, so they wouldn't have to do all this sneaking around.
One day, she and Jacob were in the Taj; he was getting increasingly irritated. It had been non-stop raining now for five days straight, and just looking at Bella was driving him insane; it wasn't doin' her any good either.
Jacob dropped what he was tinkering with. He wiped off his hands on a nearby rag and pulled Bella up off her permanently assigned seat—aka, the old orange crate. His brawny arms had her imprisoned while he assaulted her waiting lips. As he broke the kiss he whispered, "I know you think it's risky, but we barely get to see each other anymore. I can't stand it; leave that window open tonight, 'cuz I'm comin' to visit right after my patrol."
Those big chocolate eyes gazed up at him looking frightened. "It scares me to death. I'm always afraid that Charlie will think there's an intruder. He's liable to shoot first and ask questions later."
He leaned his forehead against hers. "I'd rather get shot than have to stay away from you for one more day."
"You may think that now, but wait 'til you're bleeding all over my sheets. Be reasonable, Jake."
"I'm in love, why would I be reasonable?"
With a smile on his lips and a glint in his eye, he reiterated, "Just keep that freakin' window wide open, honey."
They finished up in the garage and sprinted through the downpour into Jacob's little red house. He got out his one and only umbrella and escorted her to the truck. Kissing her once more, he said, "See you tonight, sweetheart."
The patrol members that night consisted of Embry, Jared, Sam and of course our hero. The rain was blinding, and there were no vampires to be seen anywhere. Sam called it a night earlier than usual, which was okay by Jacob. He'd sooner be under the sheets with Bella than under the rainy canopy with the guys anyhow.
On the way back, Embry, curious as always, asked Jacob, "Quil told me about the big secret. So when are you gonna break the news to Charlie? I mean, pretty soon, there will be no mistaking her condition."
"Try telling that to Bella. She'sterrified of telling her parents. To tell the truth, I'll be glad when this is all out in the open. I'm exhausted from holding it all inside. One of these day, it's gonna slip out, whether she likes it or not.
"Get this, Em, she thinks she's protecting me. She wants all the fallout to come down on her head. You know it's not all her fault. He's gonna be really mad at me; that can't be helped. But still, what's the worst he can do, forbid us to see each other?"
Embry stopped, lowered his furry head, pawing at the muddy ground. "You said it not me, man."
"Nah, he wouldn't do that . . . would he?"
Letting out a low growl, Jacob remarked, "Thanks, Em, now I'm gonna be chewing on that thought all night long."
"What are friends for?" Embry chuckled.
Jacob moved swiftly and got to the Swan's residence in a matter of minutes. It was still pouring and after phasing back, he decided to stay out in it for a while to wash away all the mud and matted leaves.
He looked up to be sure the window was open. "Psst! Bells," he half whispered. "I'm comin' up!"
Mother Nature's shower worked wonders. He was clean as a whistle before catapulting himself through her bedroom window.
He didn't bother to put on his shorts, since he was walking flush against Bella, pushing her gently backward toward the bed, even as she was toweling him off. Quickly throwing aside the covers, he laid her on the mattress, and scrambled to lie beside her.
Bella reciprocated every amorous move of her young lover. She was on fire, nearly consuming him with her passion as well.
Charlie got out of bed to use the toilet. While he was occupied, he heard the low moans and heavy breathing coming from Bella's bedroom. What the . . .?
He flew down the stairs, grabbing his gun. When he got outside her door, he listened but heard no sounds. Cocking the hammer on the weapon, he hesitated a split second.
Jacob was snuggled up to his sweetheart, kissing the back of her neck, after their love making session. His keen ears, now no longer focused on his previous activity, heard that click. Uh-oh. He was instantly alert, and pulled the sheets over the both of them.
Bursting through the door, her dad shouted, "Freeze—police!" Then recognizing her lover, Charlie let out a gasp, and covered his eyes. He lowered the gun, and yelled through clenched teeth, "What the hell's going on in here? Never mind—I know what's going on here. You two get your damn clothes back on and come downstairs now!"
Swallowing hard, Jacob choked out, "Charlie, I—"
Charlie put out his hand, palm out to stop him in mid sentence. His eyes remained closed as he bellowed, "I don't want to talk to you right now, Son. Just put on your pants and get down those stairs."
Releasing the hammer on the gun, Charlie stepped into the hall, closing the door behind him. He walked down into the living room and holstered the .45. Then he sat on his Lazy Boy with his head in his hands.
Bella donned her PJ bottoms, nervously jabbering at the same time. "I told you this was risky. But no—you had to push your luck. Was this really worth it?"
Jacob handed Bella her top. "Hey, don't lecture me. Your dad will be doin' a fine job on his own. Anyhow, I'm relieved it's over. We don't have to hide anymore. And anytime I get to love you is worth it to me. And come off it, Bells you can't deny it was worth it to you too. You were dyin' for me to make love to you, and you know it."
Bella picked up her hair brush. "You really think it was worth it?" she remarked sarcastically. "How can you say that? He's going to kill me—he's going to kill you."
Jacob yanked it out of her hand. "Here, let me do that."
He ran the brush over the back of her head lovingly. "I love your hair. Don't ever cut it. It's so beautiful."
"Give me back that brush," she grumbled, "and don't be changing the subject."
She looked up and down at the handsome devil standing there in his altogether. "Well, put your pants on, idiot. Charlie's waiting for us."
He was grinning? What was wrong with this picture? "Jeez, I love it when you get all huffy like that. It's so freakin' hot!"
He reached out and pulled her toward him, smothering the words that were attempting to erupt from her lips.
Bella straight-armed him, and smacked him on his bare chest. "Stop that! We're in big trouble here. Pants—you need your pants."
He suddenly got serious again. "They're sopping wet! Just hand me a towel."
Those chocolate circles went round and round. "Oh—right. That'll go over just great."
Jacob shrugged those massive shoulders of his. "What am I supposed to do then?"
Charlie yelled from downstairs. "Bella, Jacob, get down here. I haven't got all night."
Tossing Jacob an exasperated look, Bella told him, "Wait here."
She ran to Charlie's room, and came back with a pair of sweats, and threw them at him. "These should fit."
As they ambled down the stairs, Jacob joked, "Here we go, descending to our doom. You can hide behind me, if you want."
Bella elbowed Jacob in the ribs. "How can you joke at a time like this? Aren't you the least bit worried?"
"It's my coping mechanism, Bells. You get all flustered; I joke. You really want to know how I'm feeling? I'm scared sh**less."
Charlie looked up as they walked toward him. "It's about time. Now sit down, both of you."
Jacob replied, "If you don't mind, I'd rather stand, Chief."
"Me too," Bella agreed.
Charlie had simmered down some, while he waited for them. He stood up then and looked them in the eyes. "Do you two realize how dangerous that was? I could have shot you, Jacob. Actually, I still feel like putting a bullet in you."
He thought about what had just transpired in Bella's bedroom, and his anger began to surface again. "This is not happening under my roof again, or anywhere. This is just plain irresponsible. Bella you should know better. And Jacob, I expect you to keep it in your pants until you're old enough to take care of her. Am I making myself clear?"
Jacob crossed his arms in front of his chest, and lowered his head in shame. "I'm sorry, Charlie. I'm just so in love with your daughter, I—"
Shaking his finger at the tall boy, Charlie barked, "Didn't you hear me earlier? I said—I don't want to hear any of your excuses. Now get out, and I don't want you near my daughter until you can show some self control. I mean it—I don't want to see your face around here for at least two months. Bella, you get back to your room. We'll finish this conversation tomorrow."
Bella tossed her head at Charlie, at the same time, grabbing hold of Jacob's arm. "No," she blatantly responded.
Jacob turned to her, mumbling, "Maybe I should go."
"Jacob, you stay right where you are. You're not going anywhere."
Her dad was still processing her disrespectful comments. Shocked, Charlie narrowed his eyes. "What did you just say to me, young lady?"
"I said, no. You heard right. You know, mom is a little more open about what went on between you when you were our age. We didn't do anything that you and mom didn't do. C'mon, Dad, you can't tell me—"
Charlie stammered, turning red. "That was different. Your mother and I were planning on getting married."
"You think we haven't thought about that? Anyway, you can't keep us apart, and that's that. I need him, Daddy, especially now."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Jacob stepped forward. He swallowed thickly—as his throat had gone dry as the Arizona desert. He blurted out the news. "I guess it's time you knew. Charlie . . . Bella's pregnant."
The red in Charlie's face turned an alarming shade of purple. "Whaaaaat? God dammit, I should have shot you—I should have shot you twice!"
Then, his eyes began glistening with teardrops, and he turned away slowly walking into the kitchen. He leaned against the back of a kitchen chair bracing himself with his arms. Suddenly, he became agitated again, and tearfully knocked it over onto the floor, along with two others in his path. He stepped out the back door, slamming it shut with enough force to pop the hinges off.
Bella flinched at the sudden noise of the chairs crashing to the kitchen tiles. She had never seen Charlie act like this before. Jacob held her tight, buzzing the side of her face lightly in an attempt to calm her. He laughed humorlessly. "Jeez, that went over pretty well . . .." Then he added as an afterthought, "Maybe you better go hide that gun."