DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyers owns these characters. We've only borrowed them for this story.

Chapter 7

Nessie's POV

"Nessieeee, Nesssieee, are you there?" Aunt Rose jostled me and pulled me out of my trance. I think I was blushing but I started talking again. Hoping she didn't notice the gulp I made. "Um, sorry, so as I was saying, our relationship has changed a lot in the last year, we are very comfortable around each other, but like I said, in the last couple of weeks, he seems distant-distracted. Especially when dad is around. I even went as far to ask dad to see if something was bothering him. Apparently mom has been covering Jake with her shield. Dad couldn't get a read. Don't you think that is odd? Why would she need to do that?"

"Well, have you talked to Jacob about this? Have you told him your concerns? After all you are very close and you should be able to talk freely about all of this with him? Why drive yourself crazy? Tell you what, your dad is supposed to be back later to talk to Carlisle about the details for the trip. So that will surely give you some private time…why don't you talk to Jacob then?"

Aunt Rosalie is right, if I don't talk to Jacob about this it'll keep bugging me and I'll never get the answers I need. Not to mention we were leaving next week so I had to do it before we left or I would spend the whole time driving myself crazy with worry. There should be no reason why he wouldn't tell me. After all, we have never had any secrets between us. Hopefully he'll be back soon. I knew he went to spend the day in LaPush so he could be here tonight to spend some time with me. All of the sudden, I caught his scent from the window. I thanked her and kissed her goodbye. I decided to go meet him in the woods before he reached the house. This way we could have this conversation more privately.

Jacob's POV

This was the first time I ever lied to Nessie, but I had to. I told her that I had to go to LaPush, but in reality I just needed some time. I don't remember the last time I felt this nervous about anything. I have to talk to Bella and I can't help but feel badly for excluding Edward. I'll just have to hope that Bella tells him when the timing is right. And I'm not in this county.

Bella's POV

Edward walked in the door and I still couldn't help but feel a jolt when he was near, but I can sense he was a little annoyed about what happened last night before Jake left. I hadn't felt right when Jake had asked me to shield his thoughts around Edward. Although I understood how intrusive that could be sometimes, so I agreed without asking for a detailed explanation. After all, I have known Jacob for so long, that I didn't think he was up to anything in truly deceptive. I'm sure he just needed some privacy and assumed it had to do something with the would tell us if we needed to know. Edward walked in the door, interrupting my thoughts.

"Are Jacob and Nessie here?"

"No, I think Jacob will be back later tonight, and Renesmee is at the main house. Why?"

"Ughh, I truly hate it when they block me and I have no idea what they are up to." I sighed at his remark.

"Edward, you know you can't go rifling through their thoughts like that. You always scold Renesmee for doing the same thing when she touches people." He looked at me still irritated.

"Yes, but I know Jacob is trying to keep something from me on purpose, isn't that why you were shielding him last night?" I guess I knew he would figure out it was me but I covered by scolding him.

"Now, Edward you can't know everything in his head. I am sure it has something to do with the pack. But whatever it is, he is entitled to his privacy." He nodded.

"Yeah, I know, but it's so frustrating. I hate to think that maybe he is doing something he shouldn't…you know, with Nessie." I laughed a little.

"Edward, that is part of her being an adult, don't you remember how we were?"

"It is exactly because I remember how we were that I worry. She is very much like you, she wants what she wants and fights until she gets it. If you recall, I was always the one asking you to behave, but Jacob, well… I don't think he shares my perspective on that." I walked toward him.

"Good thing we are a responsible, married couple now…" Edward caught my thought and moved in locking me in a hug. Then he planted a firm kiss on me. I never could get enough of him. I immediately melted and responded to his kiss, but the phone rang at that moment. Damn. It was Carlisle. He was waiting for Edward at the house to go over the details of the trip. "We leave a week from Friday and there is still so much to finalize." He said. "It's ok. Go on Edward, I think I'll catch up to Alice and the others, they left a little while ago to go hunting. I'll see you tonight…" I gave him a long hard kiss and then walked out.

As I walked down the path in a daze, I immediately smelled Jacob. I turned to see him following me. "Hi Jacob, did you just get back? Nessie is at the main house, but she'll back soon. She'll be so happy to see you." Jacob seemed very nervous for some reason. He swished his foot back and forth. "What's up Jake-something bothering you? He moved closer but seemed hesitant. "I have a couple of things I'd like to talk to you about Bells. And to be honest I am glad to find you alone. I didn't want Edward around to hear it." That took me by surprise. I thought Jacob's aversion to Edward had long passed. Whatever Jake wanted to talk about had to be serious for him to ask me to shield him last night, and now by excluding Edward from this conversation. But what in the world could it be?