Chapter 20: Parties and Proposals
Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight.
Wednesday morning dawned bright and sunny, and that afternoon was no different. Jacob met Bella at the parking lot behind Dr. Patel's office just as he promised. They strolled into the reception area together.
All eyes of the seated women glommed onto the hunk of eye candy as Jacob entered the room. He flashed his famous Jacob smile in greeting. There were nervous titters sounding here and there.
Bella rolled her eyes. She tried to keep her voice low, as she said, "You're loving this aren't you?"
He got a wounded expression on his face. "Hey, I didn't do a thing. I can't help it if I'm naturally irresistible. Those ladies are doin' the ogling. Tell them to stop lookin' at me like that."
Bella didn't answer; she just clicked her tongue.
Putting his arm around her, Jacob accompanied Bella to the receptionist desk to sign in. The woman handed Bella several forms to fill out on a clipboard along with a ballpoint pen.
Jacob casually slipped a finger through one of her belt loops, hoping to show that he belonged to this pretty lady. They ambled over to adjoining seats, and after sitting down, Bella scooted as close to him as possible. Jacob's smile was smug now. He definitely was loving that. He'd never seen his Bella acting so territorial before.
He played with her hair as she filled out the forms. She turned, whispering to Jacob. "What was your mother's maiden name?"
"Tacheenie."
"Can you spell it for me?"
"T-a …. Damn, I can't spell it out loud. I have to write it. Hand me that pen."
She handed him the clipboard and the attached pen. He scrawled in his mother's maiden name, then glanced over the rest of the information. He didn't like the fact that the baby wouldn't bear his surname, at least not yet. He let it slide for now; they'd talk about that later. He didn't want anything to mar this day.
He followed Bella into the examination room, sitting beside the table where she sat waiting. The nurse handed her a gown and a paper drape for modesty. Jacob held the clothes for her.
Dr. Patel was a petite lady with dark eyes and long black hair drawn back into a braid. She was warm and friendly; Jacob and Bella liked her immediately. After examining Bella, she answered all their questions and commended Jacob on being there for this first appointment. Then she asked what kind of birth they wanted. Jacob had no idea. Bella however had researched the area online and decided on a water birth. Dr Patel said that Bella would be followed by a certified midwife for the rest of her appointments unless there was something out of the ordinary happening.
Apparently everything looked good. She told them the pregnancy was about four and a half months along and to expect the child to be born about the middle of April. She shook their hands and went on to see the next scheduled mother–to-be.
Bella put on her clothes, and sat back down on the table while Jacob handed her shoes to her. She had barely put them on when Jacob swooped her up in his arms, swinging her in a circle.
"Jake and Bells are havin' a baby," he crowed.
"I know!" Bella answered, laughing.
He set her down gently, then covered her mouth in sweet kisses. A nurse barged into the room, then red-faced in embarrassment explained, "Oh, I thought you two were finished in here."
Jacob swiveled his head in her direction, and with a smirk on his face, gloated, "Not quite!"
The months sped on by, and Jacob and Bella studied, worked and loved each other. They saved up as much money as possible for the coming medical bills. Bella was starting to waddle at seven and a half months, feeling unattractive and ungainly. Jacob thought she looked cute. He loved her all the more knowing she was growing his child inside of her, even when she was crabby or weepy, or both. Luckily, Jacob's sunny disposition would have her smiling in no time.
Leah organized a baby shower for her. There were the usual games and food, and of course, diapers, onesies, and—surprise—an infant carrier.
Quil and Embry held a shower for Jacob too. He was given burp cloths, ear plugs, (a gift from Paul), bubble gum cigars, plastic goggles, a nose clip, and a volume of Infant Care for Dummies.
Charlie sprang for a crib, and Renee unbelievably sent a gift card for Babies R Us, so Bella could buy a stroller.
Jacob laughed at Charlie's attempt to help him put the crib together. You'd think he had never handled a screwdriver before in his life. Jacob took Bella aside, and led her into the kitchen. They could hear Charlie muttering under his breath in the other room. "Isn't there a game on tonight?"
"I don't know. Why?" her brow furrowed in confusion. What a funny thing to ask.
"Can you call my dad and ask him, then? I can get this thing put together in twenty minutes if he stays out of my way. Otherwise, this could go on for hours," he chuckled.
Jacob returned to the living room while she phoned Billy. She called to her dad from the kitchen. "Hey, Dad, Billy says there's a game playing on channel 12."
He perked up, then sobered again quickly. "Oh, no, sweetheart. I promised to help Jacob get this crib set up."
She sauntered into the room. "He doesn't mind, do you, Jake?"
Charlie shook his head vehemently. "No, Bells, a promise is a promise."
Jacob was behind him gesturing for her to be a little more convincing.
"You've been at work all day. You must be tired; go sit down and watch the game."
"Yeah, Charlie, I've got this. No problem." He winked at Bella.
Putting down his screwdriver, her dad glanced at Jacob. "Well, if you say so. Just let me know if you need any help."
True to his word, the crib, in under half an hour was assembled—just in need of the mattress support. Jacob carried it up to Bella's bedroom, attached the support and placed the mattress on it. Bella stood beside him, nodding her head in approval. They returned to the living room, Jacob joining Charlie for the last of the game.
Her dad went into the kitchen to get himself something to eat. Jacob took that as his opportunity to talk to Bella.
"Hey, Bells, I've been meaning to talk to you about something that's been bothering me ever since our first visit to Dr. Patel's office."
He took her hand and placed it over his heart, as he gazed into those big brown eyes of hers. "You know I love you; there'll never be anyone else for me. And now that the baby's birth is just around the corner, have you thought about … maybe gettin' hitched?"
Bella stared at him, a blank expression on her face. He waited a couple of beats. She seemed to be oblivious to what he just said. "Bella …."
There was still no response.
Leaning his head down closer to her, he pressed on. "Did you hear me? What do you think?"
Blinking a few times, she finally blurted. "Why are you doing this to me?"
Was she serious? He squeezed her hand a little tighter. "Why …? Isn't it obvious? You're gonna have my baby and I just think we should get married. I'm over eighteen now. I'm legal age."
She tilted her head defiantly. "So?"
"So, there's no problem. Your dad says we can live here 'til we can make it on our own. I'm just saying I want you to be my wife."
"You still haven't answered my question. Why do we need to get married? We're together; what difference could it possibly make now?"
He was starting to get a little irritated with Ms. Stubborn. He reiterated his former argument. "Why …? I'll tell you why … 'cuz I love you, and I want our baby to have a last name—that's why."
She pulled her hand away. "You're being ridiculous," she argued. "He'll have a last name."
Jacob stood up, straightening his shoulders. "Yeah, but it won't be Black!"
Lowering his voice slightly, he tried persuading her. "Look, it's my baby too. C'mon, Bells, be reasonable."
"Yeah, be reasonable," they heard a voice yell from the kitchen.
"Crap," Jacob mumbled. "Let's take this conversation upstairs." He pulled her to an upright position, ready to lead her to the bedroom. She slapped at his hand and sat back down.
"I don't want to go upstairs. This conversation is over."
He rubbed the back of his neck in exasperation. "You're not thinking clearly, Bells. It's your messed up hormones."
"Don't talk to me about hormones—it was your hormones that got me in this condition."
"Oh, now it comes out—you're blaming me for this. Well, it takes two to tango, Missy. I was just following your lead."
He was silent for a moment, trying to calm down. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. I don't want to argue with you, honey. It's just … I feel like you're okay with having my baby, but somehow, I'm not good enough for you to marry me. It hurts—it really hurts."
Bella let out a long drawn out sigh. "C'mere, stupid," she grumbled as she yanked him down beside her again. She brushed his hair back away from his forehead with her fingers. "This really means a lot to you, doesn't it? Okay, I'll think about it. Can I get back to you on it?"
"What? No, I don't want to wait. I need to know now. You know how I get when I have to wait. I'll be a basket case by then."
"You're being overly dramatic."
"Am I? I don't get it—I just don't get it."
"Me neither," she huffed.
Jacob bolted off the couch. "All right, have it your way. I'm leaving before I say something I might regret."
"Aren't you staying tonight?" she wanted to know.
He stormed over to the front door. "Not tonight. I need to calm down, and figure out why the hell you won't marry me."
"Suit yourself," she shouted behind him as he slammed the door.
Charlie came out of the kitchen, shaking his head. He didn't get it either.