Chapter 19: Love Vs Reality
Jacob was thankful that Bella suggested they go out to the shack that day. It was his turn to patrol tonight and he wouldn't be able to see her. As he raced through the forest, his mind was flooded with thoughts of the miracle he experienced that afternoon.
I can't explain it Embry. It's like, I knew she was pregnant, but when I felt the little guy fluttering inside of her, he just became so real, you know? He's my baby, my flesh and blood, growing inside of her. He's part of me and part of Bella. Sure, sure, it's such lousy timing, and here I am grinning from ear to ear. I shouldn't be happy, and yet, I am.
Paul was rolling his wolfy brown eyes. Well, goody for you, just don't give my girl any ideas. I like things the way they are. The only fluttering I want to be around are her eyelashes—or better yet, make that a see-through nightie.
Embry snapped at Paul's tail. Attaboy, Paul. Take Jake's happiness and crush it into a fine powder, and huff and puff and blow it all away. Why can't you just be happy for him for a change? No one asked for your opinion anyhow.
Paul turned, nudging Embry away with his snout. Can It, Call. Who are you—Jake's guardian angel?
Hey, let's not argue. I've had a great day, and don't want to ruin it. But I'm telling you guys, just wait 'til it happens to you. It's like, life altering.
I'll say. One day you're waking up to an alarm clock, and the next it's a freakin' baby wailing.
Okay, enough said; let's focus on the job here, huh?
Anything you say, Daddy. With that parting comment, Paul ran on ahead.
The remaining two trotted side by side. I don't care what Paul says. I'm happy for you, man.
Jacob returned home after his shift; he had no problem falling into a deep sleep. Morning came and Jacob hopped out of bed, the glow of yesterday's events still lingering in his head—that is, until a couple of hours later when the phone rang. Then it all hit the fan.
He was immediately aware of who the caller was. "Jacob Black?" he heard a female voice say.
"Yeah …"
"Well, the young stud from La Push is home, is he?" Renee pulled out all guns as her verbal assault traveled over the wires. "I hope you're proud of yourself, young man. What is wrong with you? Weren't you ever taught where babies come from?"
Trying to remain respectful toward Bella's mother, he responded with. "I'm really sorry, Renee. It was an accident."
Renee's foot was tapping the floor in frustration. "Just peachy! You're sorry—that makes it all right, does it? I suppose it was just an accident that you two happened to be in bed together. The wind suddenly picked up, and the twister deposited you on the mattress, like Dorothy of Oz. I've got news for you, Jacob, you're still in Kansas, and there's no good witch to make this all go away."
Speaking of witches … "Hold on—I'm gonna make this right and—"
"There's no way in hell you're going to make this right. My daughter is pregnant; another unwed mother! Just what the country needs. Do you realize what you've done?"
He took in a sharp inhalation of air, and ran two fingers across his brow. "I'm not stupid. I know I'm gonna have to work hard, and I am working hard. I promise I'll be a good father. I'll be finished with school by January."
"Oh, what do you know—there's a school in La Push? Did they teach sex education, or were you absent on those days?"
The heat from his body was understandably starting to rise. He began pulling his tee away from his neck. If she was in the room right now, it would take the whole pack to restrain him from throttling her scrawny neck.
"What do you want me to do, Renee? I can't help myself; I love her."
"That is not the point, you little idiot."
"That is the point, and what's done is done. She's having my baby and that's all there is to it."
Renee stood up abruptly from her chair. "No, that's not all there is to it. You're going to stay away from her. You can't support her, and your future is next to nothing. For Pete's sake, you're still living in that hovel with your dad. Did you think that Bella was going to move in with you? There's no room in there for a stray cat, let alone a woman and a baby—not to mention she'd be living in absolute squalor.
"Bella is coming to Florida, and live here. You are never going to see this child, do you hear me?"
"Yeah, well, let me tell you something, Ms. Dwyer." He was suddenly shouting at the top of his lungs, and his body was beginning to vibrate. Billy wheeled into the room as he ranted on. "You listen to me now! Not you or anybody else is going to take Bella away from me. That baby is mine, and if I have to hide both of them away somewhere, I will."
Billy grabbed the phone from his son. "All right, Renee. I think you've said enough. I can't have you getting him all riled up. Nothing you can say will keep them apart. I'm sure you can appreciate that these two love each other."
"Love … what do they know about love? They're irresponsible kids. Love won't put food on the table. And another thing, I'm holding you and Charlie partly to blame for this situation. Maybe if you watched your son more carefully, this wouldn't have happened."
He glanced over at Jacob, winking at him. "The way I heard it, it was your daughter that seduced my Jacob."
Renee plopped back down on her chair, the words getting caught in her throat.
"This conversation is over. By the way, if you so much as try to get Bella and that baby down to Florida, you'll have the whole of La Push fighting you. Word to the wise—don't even attempt it. Bye, Renee, nice talking to you, eh?"
He hung the receiver back onto its cradle while she sputtered. Turning his chair, Billy wheeled toward Jacob and grinning, gave him a high five. He muttered as he returned to the living room, "Wicked witch of the South East."
"Can I have some more of that please?" Jacob held out his plate as Bella served him another slice. "What did you say it was called again?" He placed the dish in front of himself and stabbing it with his fork, cut off another bite. "Man, this stuff is good."
"It's called steak Diane. Glad you like it." Bella glanced at Charlie. "Did you want some more, Dad? You better speak up before Jake eats it all."
"Nah, I'm good."
He waved his knife in Jacob's direction. "So, she actually said that you'd never get to see your own child? I can't believe it; that's a new low even for Renee."
Jacob swallowed another bite and sat back in his chair. "Hey, Charlie, can I ask you something? Now don't get mad now, okay, but how in the world did you and Renee ever get along?"
Charlie put down his fork. "Well, she wasn't always the harpy she's become. Renee was a little ditsy at times, but she used to be a lot of fun, adventurous even. I guess our marriage was a little too boring, too ordinary for her.
"Then there was the money issue. We always had enough for the essentials of life, but she wasn't content with that. and she just let the things of the world matter more to her than the people in it. I wish you could have met her when she was younger and not so preoccupied with keeping up with the Jones'. She was a beautiful person at one time.
"Still … she's not all bad. When this baby arrives, she'll be changing her tune."
After helping Charlie and his sweetheart clean up the kitchen, he and Bella went upstairs to her room while Charlie sat at his desk going over bills.
He sat on the foot of her bed, leaning back on one of his elbows and patting his stomach with his other hand. "I know I always say this, but damn, that was a good meal. I can't wait 'til I get to eat like that everyday.
"Hey, not to change the subject, but did you make your appointment to see a doctor?"
A long sigh escaped her. "Yeah, it's for this Wednesday after school with Dr. Patel. I'll let you know what she says."
"What are you talkin' about, Bells? I'm not letting you go to your first appointment all by yourself."
Bella took her robe down from the closet, and laid it on the bed. Chuckling, she said, "I'm a big girl, Jake. I'm sure it'll be okay to go alone."
Sitting up straighter, he admitted, "No … I mean … I really want to be there."
She pulled some PJs out of her dresser, and turned to Jacob. "All right, if you say so, but it's no big deal."
Jacob shook his head. "It is a big deal—it's a big deal to me."
He looked at Bella. She was still standing by the dresser.
"Hey, why are you way over there? C'mere, girl. How bout giving me some sugar. I haven't had any dessert yet."
Walking toward him, she stopped in front of him, near the edge of the mattress. Jacob stood, bringing her in closer as he captured her lips. Then nuzzling her hair, he inhaled her scent, sighing in contentment.
Keeping her voice low, Bella groaned, "I'm sorry my mom was so mean to you."
He continued kissing the side of her neck and head. "It's okay. That little conversation just makes me want to prove her wrong all the more." He hesitated for a beat, thoughtful. "She doesn't think much of me, and in a way, I can't say I blame her."
Bella peered straight into his warm brown eyes, and placed her hand on his cheek. "Well, I do. I don't care about money or things. That I can do without, but I can't do without you. I would die, maybe not physically, but deep inside, I would be empty."
"But think about it, Bells. I can't change the facts. One—I am seventeen. Two—you are pregnant. Three—I don't have a full time job. Four—I haven't even graduated from high school yet. I feel like maybe some of what your mother said was right—that maybe I'm not good enough for you."
"Don't say that! Do you think I'd be stupid enough to be in love with a loser? You're loyal, a hard worker; you protect your people for cryin' out loud. You can do anything, and be anything you want to be. Plus, remember … you are after all, irresistible too."
She nibbled his ear.
"Damn, woman, you make me crazy, you know that?"
"You love it," she fired back at him.
The expression on his face suddenly became serious. He pulled her closer still, holding her tightly. "You're right, I do—I do love it.
"Tell me something, Bells; did you ever imagine that after that kiss on the mountain top, you'd be here with me now?"
"Eww! I don't even want to think about what my life would be like without you. I'd be married already and scampering about the forest searching for my next warm blooded meal." Bella laughed. "And you'd never have tasted steak Diane."
"Whew, that was close. Steak Diane … I would have missed it for sure."
Bella shoved him in the shoulder. "You'd miss more than that, you idiot."
Their eyes made contact once more, and all levity flew out the window. He took her hand, feeling the smoothness of it. He held it to his heart, and sought out her mouth again.
All at once, he was overwhelmed by this feeling of pure love for her. "Jeez, girl, why do I love you so much? One of these days, my heart is gonna jump right out of my chest—I swear to god."
"Good thing I'll be there to catch it then," she smirked.
The mattress squeaked, as he laid her back onto the bed. "Don't say another word," he whispered.
Charlie noticed the quiet that suddenly prevailed upstairs. He sat down on his Lazy Boy and turned on the TV. Ignorance is bliss, he thought to himself.