Chapter 6: Weathering the Storm
Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight
Jacob shook off his stupor, and returned to the Taj to get his bike. He pulled back the tarp, and to his dismay, the back tire was flat. Great—of all times for this to happen. He quickly uncovered the second cycle and revved her up. He was speeding toward Forks in a split second, chasing after the girl he loved. Why hadn't she waited? He didn't get a chance to say a word to her. He was just stunned. That kind of news would addle anyone's brain.
For once he thanked his lucky stars that the old Chevy was a snail in contrast to his transport. He roared down the pike and pulled up alongside the truck. Waving his arms at Bella, he tried to get her attention. Of course the obstinate girl kept right on driving, ignoring his attempts to signal her. He could be just as obstinate. He leaned on the horn. Beeeeeeeeeep! Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!
She turned her head, and glared at him, then she rolled down the window. "Go home, Jacob. Just leave me alone."
"I can't leave you alone, not now, not ever. Why are you being so stubborn? Now, pull over!"
Bella refused to listen, and stayed on course.
Jacob was desperate, so putting aside his own safety, he gunned the engine and swept around the vehicle. The motorcycle halted in front of her bumper. She either had to slam on the brakes or run him over.
The truck came to a screeching halt, the tires smoking in protest. Phew! Good thing he had adjusted the brakes last month.
Bella stuck her head out the cab window, shouting at him. "God, Jake, are you crazy? I could have killed you."
His long legs un-straddled themselves from the seat of the bike; he kicked the stand into place on the asphalt, then he walked toward the Chevy. He opened the other door and slid onto the seat beside her.
Bella eyed him, incredulous. "What are you doing?"
"What does it look like? If you're leaving, then I'm goin' with you."
"Didn't you hear what I said back there?"
He nodded. "Heard every word."
"How can you sit there, or even look at me?"
He laughed, humorlessly. "Good question ... I don't know. You're probably gonna be the death of me yet. If only I didn't love you so much. I'm such a sucker for you."
She shook her head in disbelief. "Why aren't you angry? Why aren't you yelling at me?"
Jacob shrugged and slumped back into the seat. "Do you actually think I'm not upset by all of this? My girl giving birth to half-human baby? I'm not exactly thrilled about the whole thing. But there's nothin' much I can do about it now, is there?
"You're too good for me, Jake. I'll only cause you more heartache. I should just let you go."
Bumping her shoulder with his, he responded. "C'mon, don't say that. We'll figure something out."
Her tear ducts erupted. "How? How could I have been so stupid? What am I going to do? It's hopeless."
She sobbed into her hands, as Jacob pulled her into his side. "And what is the pack going to say about this?"
Sh**, the pack. He hadn't thought that far ahead. They'd probably be out for blood. He wondered, would the child even have any blood?
"Let me worry about that. I'll handle the pack." I hope.
Getting out of the truck, he carted his bike to the rear and stowed it in the bed. He stepped up into the cab once more and nudged Bella gently to the other side. "Shove over, Bells. I'm driving. We're going back to my place."
Jacob was leaning against the door of the Rabbit. The conversation was still in progress. "You're absolutely sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that two pink lines means pregnant."
"Well, the kit could've been defective."
"Highly unlikely." Bella plopped down on the old orange crate, and sighed.
"You're grasping at straws, Jake. There's no way out of this. And no, I am not having an abortion."
"Hey, did I say that?"
"Not in so many words. But ... I can't do it. This baby is innocent. He didn't ask to be born. It was my stupidity. Why should he pay the price? I deserve what I got."
Shifting his weight, Jacob crossed one foot over the other. "Does Charlie know?"
"You're the only one I've told so far. I just found out this afternoon, and came straight here."
"You've got time yet. Anything could happen between now and then. So, let's park it for now, okay?"
He lifted her from the crate, holding her snugly and kissed her hair. She murmured into his chest. "I wish I had never set eyes on Edward. I was meant to be with you. Why didn't I see it sooner?"
"I don't know, Bells. Maybe all this will make us appreciate each other more."
She pulled away from his embrace. "I've gotta go make supper. Will you come to the house and eat with us?"
"Jeez, I guess I could squeeze in the time, but what's for dessert?"
"Chocolate roll—I made it last night."
"All right then. Five thirty?"
"Uh-huh."
He gave her a high five, and walked her to the waiting vehicle.
Jacob patted his stomach. "I never had a tamale before you blew into town. Now I'm ruined. Sometimes I feel like I'd kill for one."
"The tamale killer, huh? Nice ring to it," Charlie chortled.
"I'm serious. These are great. Ya got any I could take home with me?"
"Only give him two. The rest are mine."
"My gosh, are you both going to duel over my tamales?"
Giving her a wink, Jacob commented, "Not if you give me three."
At 6:40, Bella and Jacob were standing by his car. He was looking at her so wistfully. Bella easily read his mind.
"It's okay, Jake. You can kiss me if you want."
"You sure about this? I don't want you to ... you know, be afraid of me again."
Sensing his reluctance, Bella became the aggressor. Her arms snaked around his neck, her lips pressed to his.
He kept a tight rein on himself, not allowing his impulses to escalate. The kiss was sweet and tender, not as passionate as he would've liked but he couldn't chance sending her down in that hideous spiral again. They separated at last. Jacob went home to La Push and Bella went to see Carlisle for her next hour of therapy.
The following week, Bella decided to go to the Cullens' residence. Alice answered the door. "Bella!" she squealed, jumping up and down. She was immediately enveloped in Alice's arms. "Oh, Bella, it's so good to see you. I've missed you to pieces."
Emmett came flying down the staircase. "Hey, my favorite little human. Let go, Allie, I need to get in a good squeeze too."
Alice no sooner released her than Emmett had her lifted in the air, twirling her above his head. Rosalie was the next one to make an entrance. "Put her down, you big oaf. You're being so juvenile. What is she doing here anyway?"
Emmett set Bella back on her feet. "I don't know, Rosie-girl, why don't you ask her?"
Alice answered for her. "Don't bother. She's here to see Edward and Carlisle."
Rosalie looked confused. "Carlisle? I can see Edward, but Carlisle?"
"Don't look at me. I'm not telling. That's for the three of them to decide."
"Why couldn't I have some power that's useful? I'd like to look into someone's brain for a change."
"Man, not me. Who wants all that garbage floatin' around in my head?"
After an eye roll, Rosalie exclaimed, "Oh yes, you have so many other important things to think about in there. C'mon monkey man. Let's leave the little human alone."
Emmett wiggled his eyebrows. "You're right. I can think about something much more important." He swept Rosalie up in his arms, and ran up the stairs to their bedroom.
Alice turned to her friend. "I just heard Carlisle pull into the garage. I'll go get Edward; he's been sulking in his room for weeks."
Carlisle entered the room, surprised to see Bella there. "I wasn't expecting you until seven at my office. Is there a problem?"
"Yes. A big one."
"Let's go into the family room, and discuss it."
"Excuse me for saying this, but I need Edward here to hear this too—from my lips, not your mind."
They went into the room and sat across from each other. Edward came in looking the worse for wear, and stood behind Carlisle.
Speaking in his fatherly tone, Carlisle said, "You don't have to be shy around us. Say what you have to. We'll listen without judgment."
"I'm pregnant, pure and simple."
The doctor blinked in shock, knowing what this meant, but Edward went into a rage.
His eyes bored into hers, accusing her. "Why, Bella, why? I knew you shouldn't have trusted that filthy mutt. Look what he's done to you. Brought you down to his level—the gutter."
Carlisle put out his palm to halt Edwards blistering tirade. "I don't think you understand, Son."
The angry vampire sneered, and thundered on, peering at her, "Oh, I understand perfectly. She's in trouble and she's come to us for help. Well, you made your choice, love. Now bear with the consequences."
"Edward, stop," his father admonished. "The child is yours."
That stopped him all right—stopped him cold. "What ...? But ..."
Bella quietly explained, "I never slept with Jacob. You fathered this baby."
Edward sat on the seat adjoining Carlisle's. His anger had vanished, but his brow was furrowed. His thumb and forefinger of one hand were pinching the bridge of his nose; his other became a pedestal for his chin, while his elbow rested on his knee. "How is that possible?" he groaned.
"There have been some instances, so it is possible, obviously. What we need to do now, is come up with a plan to care for this baby."
Suddenly, Edward became very animated. "You'll live here with us. He will want for nothing."
"No, I won't do that. You can help support your child, but I won't live here. That would be a slap in Jacob's face."
"This is insane. I think I know what would be best for my child."
"Do you? This is my child too. I want him to grow up in a normal atmosphere."
"Normal ... as in a hovel in La Push? You can't be serious."
Carlisle rose to his feet. "This is getting us nowhere. Edward you need to apologize for your outburst, and we'll certainly talk about this later. Bella, you know we will do everything in our power to help you. If you'd let us, we would be glad to set up housing for you and the baby."
Edward departed the room in a huff, without a word of remorse.
Bella disregarded his rude exit. "Thank you, Carlisle. I think I'll be going now."
"I'll see you to the door. And Bella, I'm sorry for my son's actions."
As she stood in the doorway, she heard Rosalie say, "Did you hear that? A baby!"
Edward shot back, "This is none of your business."
"Hey, dude. We heard the news, so now it is our business."
"You tell him, Emmett."
Bella left the home and thought, Well, at least it made a few people happy. She knew there was no way that Charlie would be part of that group however, so she'd wait until the last possible moment to break the news to him.