Chapter 7: Forbidden Love
When he saw me, Jacob stopped kissing Renesmee. He cleared his throat and looked at me quite awkwardly.
I raised an eyebrow. "Care to explain?"
"I was just—I mean—I didn't mean, that is—what I mean to say is—"
"We weren't doing anything, Mom, I swear," Renesmee interrupted him. "I just had a horrible nightmare and he wanted to make me feel better. That's all."
"Yeah, Bella, I would never—" Jake looked at me anxiously. I nodded in acknowledgement of the fact. "You know I wouldn't. But she's so beautiful, and she was so scared, I couldn't stop myself. It was like an instinct, y'know?"
I let out my breath slowly. "Yes," I simply said. And then I walked away, not able to take it any longer. It reminded me of the forbidden love Edward and I used to share. Key words were used to. I reminded myself that I was no longer in love with him. He had broken my heart once, and it had mended. But I wouldn't fall prey to his teasing and seducing ever again. And Jacob and Renesmee could have their forbidden love, unlike Edward and I. It wouldn't be forbidden any longer.
"Here's the rules," I began, looking right at Jacob. I knew if anyone were to break the rules, it would be him. Sweet Renesmee would never disobey me without temptation from a certain someone…
"Wait—there's rules? In dating?" Jake asked, surprised.
I rolled my eyes. "Always. Most are unwritten, but these are my rules."
He smiled awkwardly in understanding. "Got it."
"Number one," I continued. "Don't be excessive or showy."
"How exactly do you define excessive?" Jacob interrupted.
I groaned in exasperation. "What grade are you in, 3rd? You must 'romance,' whisper sweet-nothings, or hold hands in moderation. And definitely not too much in front of me." Inside I felt queasy. I should talk, of all people of excessiveness. Edward and I used to kiss, touch, or talk romantically anytime we had a chance. But, as I had to remind myself again, Edward's relationship with me did not work out. Maybe that was our problem.
Renesmee cleared her throat. "Momma? You okay?"
"Yes, of course. Sorry," I apologized.
"Number two?" Jake prompted.
"Er, yes, um—abstinence. Please."
"Mom! We would never! We told you—"
"We're too young!" Jacob finished for her. "Well at least, she is." He grinned ruefully.
My eyes shot warnings at him and he shut up. "And, number three—this is for you, Jake—Renesmee is allowed to have other friends, too. I don't want you two to spend every little second together. You both have lives besides each other." Again I cringed internally. How many times had I denied my friends for Edward? Did I ever really care about my social or academic life while I was with him?
"Aye, aye, sir—er, ma'am," Jacob laughed raucously. "I'm not quite as much of a control freak as she makes me out to be, Ness, don't worry." He laughed again, then sobered when he saw my face.
He was right. Edward had been the control freak. Why should I expect every boyfriend to be like him? That was unfair. I had based these rules upon the failures of my past relationship with Edward. Why couldn't I get him out of my brain?