Posted without the benefit of spell check, because who needs that little button anyway?

It is difficult to know at what moment loves begins; it is less difficult to know that it has begun.

HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17

Cupid's Chokehold; Chapter Twenty-Seven. Bella.

The sun was up when I opened my eyes the next day. I could hear the waves crashing on the sand and a little girl laughing down at the beach. I was warm even when a cold breeze came in to the room through the open window sending chills up my exposed arm. I pulled the thin sheet up over my shoulders and curled back in to the warmth Jacob was providing. His face was clear of lines while he slept and he looked closer to his actual age than usual. His shaggy hair was sticking up in ever direction and I smoothed it down for him. He shifted slightly so I pulled my hand away and tucked it back under the covers and close to his chest.

I liked being so close to Jake. I liked how comfortable I was, how safe I felt and how normal it seemed. This was what I was supposed to be doing at my age. Never mind the vampires and werewolves at the moment. I pressed my cheek against Jake's chest and felt it rumble.

"You awake, Bells?"

"Yeah. You?"

"My eyes are open."

"You're probably awake then."

I didn't move from where I was nestled and Jake made no attempt to move either. If it weren't for Jake's too fast metabolism we probably would have stayed there all day. And our fathers that were probably in some other part of the house, quietly discussing on how to handle this predicament.

"How did you sleep?"

I thought about it. I couldn't remember any dreams, but with the way they were going recently, that was a good thing. I couldn't remember waking up at all once I had fallen asleep. "I had a very lovely night, thank you."

"I aim to please," he had a cheeky grin plastered to his face.

"How'd you sleep?" I sat up a little and stretched out.

"Well, you talk in your sleep—"

"You knew that."

"And you kick—"

"No I don't!"

"I have bruises! And you steal the blankets."

"What do you care? You're a few degrees away from boiling water in your hand," I laughed. Jake pulled me closer and tucked his face in to the crook of my neck and shoulder. He needed to shave and his stubble was itchy against my skin.

I looked out the window, the sun was higher in the sky than when I normally woke up. It was possible that Charlie was at work or dealing with what ever needed to be done to find a new house. I didn't even know if Charlie had insurance or savings. I should probably start picking up shifts at Newton's again.

"Jake!" Billy called from the back room.

Jake cussed under his breath and got up from the bed begrudgingly. "I'll make us some breakfast," I offered.

"Thanks." He kissed my forehead before heading to the door. "I love you, Bella."

I leaned forward and grabbed his wrist before he left the room. His father called out again.

"I love you too, Jake."

He smiled and pulled me up to him. He kissed me on the lips, hard and quick.

"Scrambled eggs?" Jake asked.

"How about French Toast?"

He smiled at me, thinking something that I couldn't figure out. "How'd I get so lucky?" Billy called out again and Jake turned down the hallway and ran into his father's room.

I picked through the clothes Angela brought over and pulled on a worn out pair of jeans. I rooted through the shirts, but Angela's conservative button-ups just weren't what I was looking for. I didn't want to wear the hospital provided t-shirt again… a dark t-shirt was on the floor next to the closet. Looking in to the hallways to make sure it was clear, I brought shirt up to my nose a breathed in. It smelled like Jake, but with a little clean cotton thrown in to the mix. Smiling, I threw off the hospital shirt and pulled on Jake's. It was way to big so I pulled my hair tie out and tied the shirt up in the back.

When I walked in to the kitchen I realized that Jake had shut the door last night, but it had been open this morning. Charlie must have opened it at some point. I knew Jake and I weren't going to get away with that scot-free. I began to make the French toast, pushing whatever speech Charlie was going to bestow upon us later on. I heard Charlie on the front porch talking on the phone and took out more pieces of bread to cook up.

When they were all cooked up Jake and Billy came out from the long hallway, followed by Charlie from the front porch. "Smells great, Bells!" Charlie said approvingly, he sounded chipper but obviously very tired. I could tell that he hadn't slept well (with a peak to the living room I could see that he slept on the couch) and that he had been running his hands through his hair all morning.

"It does smell wonderful, Bella."

Billy looked at the table, I had cleared it off and covered it with a table cloth I found in one of the drawers. The toast was on a platter and powdered sugar and maple syrup were next to it. "I'm gonna go out for a little bit. I missed the sea breeze."

I tried not to be offended, but it was too hard. Billy rolled himself out of the house. When Jake, Charlie and I sat down at the table I realized Billy probably didn't care about the sleeping arrangements. It was Charlie who was going to do all the lecturing.

"Bella, I talked with the school this morning. You can stay out for the rest of the week if you need to, Ms. Cope just said to be sure to turn in your senior project on time. Did you finish that?"

I looked at my plate. The powdered sugar was mixing and melting into the syrup I had been drizzling on it. My stomach turned and I lost my appetite. "It was on the computer. I'll have to redo."

I sunk a little in my chair when I realized what I had lost. All my clothes, all my school books, the bedspread Charlie had probably spent hours considering. All of it was gone. Of course, the important things; Charlie and Jake, were perfectly fine. That was what I needed to focus on. Papers could be rewritten, books could be replaced, and clothes could be shopped for. I couldn't get another family. "It'll be fine. Maybe I left some of my notes in your shop, Jake."

"We can go check later," he nodded. I looked at him for the first time since he had sat down at the table, he looked like he was ready to go back to bed.

"Do you need a nap Jake?"

"I'm fine, Bells."

We all sat in silence until Charlie cleared his throat. "Uhm… if you two—if you two are going to, er, share a room that door needs to remain open, at all times. Do you two understand me? I understand that the sleeping arrangements leave something," he creaked his neck, "to be desired, but that is no excuse for--- for anything."

"I'm sorry, Charlie," Jake said quickly, not letting me speak, for which I was thankful for, "I always sleep with my door closed, I didn't think about."

"Just don't do it again," he stared down at his plate intensely.

"Of course not. And Charlie, that couch is a pullout. It's no Hilton mattress but it's not bad either."

Charlie blushed, "Oh."

&

After breakfast Jake went over to have a meeting with Sam and his brothers. I couldn't even imagine the chaos there. Charlie went out on the porch to finish his phone calls. The phone rang as I did the dishes. I dried my hands off on the jeans that I was wearing and picked it up.

"Black residence."

"Bella, I need to talk to you."

AN: Hey everyone! Sorry for the wait, you know the drill by now though. Unfortunately, I'm going on vacation and most likely won't be able to post anything for a month. That does not mean I won't be writing. I just won't be posting. (Most likely, if my Wi-Fi works, then there should be no problem.)

On another very important note, someone nominated me for the Best Jake/Bella Award at the Silent Tear Awards. You can vote on August 1 at

silent-tear-awards dot yolasite dot com

It would make me happy.