Chapter 28: "Goin' Green"

Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight.

Just when things were starting to look up—and here she was looking up all right—right into the sea blue eyes of Derek Miller. What in the world was he doing here? Better yet, why was he here? He knew that she and Jacob were a couple. Didn't Renee tell him that she was married to him, for Pete's sake? Oh god, Jacob was due to come home any minute. He was going to hit the roof, when he spotted her friend encroaching on his territory! Jacob was loving and patient, however he did have one glaring vice—a flaming hot, jealous streak—especially concerning this guy.

Bella was in a daze for a moment. Stunned to say the least, she opened her mouth, but the words weren't forthcoming. They were strangled in her throat. She didn't know what to say. After standing there for what seemed like hours, she eeked out, "Derek, what a surprise. Won't you come in?" Crap, why did she say that?

The gorgeous hunk from Jacksonville stepped over the threshold, grinning at her the whole time. "I see you're still living with your dad, huh?"

She motioned for him to sit down on the couch. Biting on her lip seemed in order at this time. "Um … not exactly. My dad got remarried and moved out."

Bella stood there awkwardly, and finally blurted, "Can I get you something to drink?"

"Just some water's fine." D'arvit! Why does she still have to look so beautiful? I thought I was getting over her, yet here I am, torturing myself.

Her hands were at her sides, but he couldn't help noticing that little hunk of metal encircling her ring finger. It couldn't be a wedding ring, could it? Nah, it didn't look like one. Anyhow, surely Renee would've mentioned something if her daughter had gotten married. Or would she?

Bella came back with a glass of ice water, and sat across from him. "So, what brings you all the way up here to Forks?"

Her chocolate eyes were playing with his emotions unmercifully, but he couldn't bring himself to look away. What brings me to Forks? As if you didn't know. It's you, girl. I can't stop thinking about you.

"Vacation. My parents came here to visit. You know, get some cool air, see some real pine trees. So, I decided to tag along. Frank wasn't too keen on it, but I figured I'd get to see you again so why not? It's nice here; different from Florida." Plus it's got an added attraction, for me anyway.

"How long are you staying?"

Why was she chit chatting like this? She was feeling sort of reluctant, but she needed to let him know she was married—and had a baby upstairs. The longer she waited, the harder it would be to tell him. He would understand though, wouldn't he? Bella had only known him for a few weeks. So what did she care about what he thought anyway?

"My family's going to be here for eleven more days, but I've been to the campus over at Washington State University. It's a beautiful campus, so I've decided to stay. I've already put in my application to enroll for this semester. Maybe I'll see you in class."

Oh great! This is getting worse and worse. "Well, probably not this semester, but Jake and I will definitely be there next semester."

Derek's smile was fading. He leaned forward in his seat, his brow furrowed in confusion. "I thought Jacob was still in high School."

Leaning her chin on her left fist, she displayed her ring. "Jake graduated early. He's already completed one semester of college and finishing up summer school. By this January, he'll actually be a few classes ahead of me."

Bella took a deep breath. "Look, Derek, there's something I need to tell you. It doesn't sound like my mother has kept you up to date on my life. I'm sorry for that, but Jake and I are married."

The light in his eyes was extinguished. He swallowed thickly. "I guess my trip here was kind of wasted, huh?" Derek bowed his head and gazed at the floor. "I shouldn't have said that, even though it's the truth. I'm still in love with you, you know."

Sighing, he added, "Well … at least we can stay friends." Married … wait'll I see Renee again …

She couldn't stand the pain plainly evident in his eyes. Sitting down beside him, Bella took his hand. "So I was right—my mom didn't tell you, did she? She must've had her reasons, but I'm sorry all the same, Derek."

What do you say after dropping a bombshell like that? "I know this will sound stupid, but would you come to dinner tomorrow night. I'd like you to meet Jacob. Afterwards, we can go to a bonfire at La Push so I can introduce you to our friends."

He forced a half-smile. "Okay, but will you make chocolate macaroon cookies for dessert?"

Bella laughed at his comment. "Two dozen. So you'll come then?"

"Yeah, I've got to meet the man that beat my time."

Just then, Jacob waltzed through the front door. "Hey, Bells, whose car is that out—"

Hearing the laughter, he stopped dead in his tracks as he saw Bella sitting next to a tall, sandy haired guy—and holding his hand! 1… 2 …3 … 4 … Breathe, Jake, breathe.

That face, that hair, those eyes—he had seen it all before in the picture that floated down off her nightstand so many months ago. Only now, he was actually here in living color. Crap, that photo didn't do him justice either.

The green headed monster was making its way to the surface. He knew he was being childish and stupid. There was no reason for him to be jealous, and yet—no buts about it—he was.

Jacob calmed himself somewhat and walked over to the couch. "You must be Derek, right?" He attempted to smile, but it died on the way to his lips. Removing Bella's hand from her friend, he quietly said, "Can I have my wife's hand for a minute, I need to talk to her. We'll be right back."

The back door creaked open quickly as Jacob shoved it to let them pass to the porch at the rear of the house. He pulled Bella by the arm until they reached the bottom step. "What. In. The. Freakin'. Hell. Is. He. Doin'. Here!"

Bella clicked her tongue, and glowered at him. "I don't know, Jake. He came on vacation with his parents and wanted to visit."

"Well, I don't want him here."

She rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Yeah, you've made that pretty obvious. For cryin' out loud, Derek is a friend; you don't have to get so territorial about it. How can you be so jealous, and I might add—extremely rude?"

"He was holding your hand," he said between clenched teeth.

Patting the air up and down with her hands out flat, she hissed, "Jacob Black! Keep your voice down; he'll hear you."

"I don't give a sh** if he hears me or not."

Pulling her arm out of his grasp, she turned toward the door. "You're being ridiculous. I'm going back inside; anyway, he'll be leaving in a few minutes."

"That's not soon enough. I want him out of here, now!"

"I'll get rid of him right this minute if you promise to come in with me and play nice."

"Okay, just because I love you, but this conversation isn't over, Bells."

They returned to the living room, and Jacob pasted on his most charming smile. "Sorry, 'bout that. I had something important to tell Bells. I didn't want to forget. You know how we guys are. Oh … I'm Jacob, by the way." He reached out as Derek stood, and shook the guy's hand, his eyes traveling over Derek, sizing him up at the same time.

Derek nervously brushed his hair back over his ear. He's not going to belt me, is he? Man he's big. "Yeah, I figured. Bella showed me your picture, while we were in Florida."

They both turned as Bella cleared her throat. "It was nice seeing you again, Derek. We won't keep you. You probably have a million things to do. Your family's probably waiting for you too."

Jacob drew Bella to his side tightly, in a show of possessiveness. Bella glared at him in annoyance.

"Well, I guess I better be on my way then." Time to go, Derek. I can feel the tension in the air.

"Okay, so see you tomorrow at 6:30?" Bella reminded him.

"Sure, I'll be here." I probably can't wheedle out of it now. I already said I would. What was I thinking?

Jacob's mouth dropped open a couple of inches. Did she invite that fair-haired lover boy to dinner? Damn, he'd have to play nice for a couple of hours. He didn't know if he could keep up the act that long.

Bella started toward the door to see him out, but Jacob wouldn't let her go, and she had to drag him with her. Geesh, the big lug would barely budge. She waved, as Derek got in his car and drove off. When the door was closed, she shot Jacob another dirty look.

Jacob backed away from her, an innocent expression spreading over his face. He stretched his arms out in a questioning gesture. "Whaaat? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Those chocolate eyes narrowed, zeroing in on her jealous lover. "Like what? You mean like you're an ass? That look?"

A loud exhale whooshed out of him. "I resent that. I'm not an ass; I'm a wolf, remember? Jeez, Bells … okay, so I guess I did act like an ass, but only 'cuz I'm crazy about you." He grabbed her from behind, snaking his arms about her waist. His ear was pressed against the side of her head, and he ran his cheek up and down, lightly skimming it next to hers. "I know I don't need to be so overly protective of my mate," he crooned. "What can I say—I'm jealous of any guy that glances in your direction. I can't help it. I go stark raving nuts!"

He kissed her neck repeatedly on a pathway to the area behind her ear. Then all at once, he jerked back, remembering the last lines they spoke before Derek left the house. "Wait a minute, though. Did I hear right? You invited Snaggletooth to dinner tomorrow night?"

"Yes, and—"

"And you think I'm okay with that?"

Her hubby didn't miss the smirk on her lips as she announced, "Well, if it's going to bother you that much, I guess you can stay away until he leaves."

Jacob shook his head in disbelief. If she thought he would leave her alone in the house with that guy, she had another thing comin'. He fired back loudly, "Over my dead body!"

She hid a smile but it secretly beamed inside of her. Bella had never seen Jacob this jealous before. She shouldn't admit it, but it was kind of sexy seeing her wolf boy so intensely possessive. Whoa, hold onto your hormones, little girl! Nothing more seductive than a jealous werewolf.

His piercing voice woke Liam up, and he began to cry.

With hands on her hips, Bella complained, "Now you've done it. You woke the baby. He's probably hungry too. I better go get him."

Pushing her away gently, he remarked, "It's okay, I'll get him for you."

Seeing his son in the crib, made his jealous mood disappear for the time being. He lifted him in his big hands, nuzzling his tiny face. "C'mon, buddy, let's change your diaper and go see mommy."

Jacob carried Liam downstairs and handed the hungry little guy to his mother. As he watched their son nursing, he thought how easy it was to stop his crying. Change his diaper, sing him to sleep, keep his tummy full—that's all he needed. Too bad that couldn't happen when people got to be adults. He realized his jealousy stemmed from fear—a senseless fear of losing her.

Smoothing his hand over his baby's head softly, he looked up at Bella, and his heart melted. Her face turned toward him, and their eyes locked. "I don't want to fight anymore, Bells. I'm really sorry. I'll be good the next time your friend shows up."

"Good thing, because if you were expecting to mambo tonight, this jealous rage of yours had better be gone."

After a few minutes, Liam had finished nursing and fell asleep again.

Jacob lowered his eyes, looking very repentant. "The thing is … I just … I can't stand the thought of you with another guy. So, can you forgive me for being such a jerk? I love you so much, it hurts sometimes, Bells."

"I know … but, Jake, I'm wearing your ring; we have a son. You're my husband, and I love you. No one can ever take me away from you. I'm yours. Why can't you understand that?"

She placed the sleeping infant against the back cushions of the couch. Beckoning to Jacob with a curled index finger, she cooed, "C'mere, stupid."

His head was hanging down as her arms enveloped his shoulders. She met his mouth with her own. He was forgiven. Two awesome kisses later, she pulled away. "I really should get supper started."

The mambo was playing in Jacob's eyes. "Supper can wait," he growled. "Stay here."

He picked up his son and climbed the stairs, depositing Liam back in the crib. Then bounding down the stairs, he rushed to Bella's side. Jacob scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom.

Needless to say, the make-up sex was well worth the previous altercation. Let's do this again sometime, he thought. Maybe Derek's visit here wasn't so bad after all.