Chapter 7: Spilled Beans
Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight.
Jacob's voice echoed from deep inside the engine, and he nearly hit his head on the hood as he reared back to yell, "He said Whaaaat? Good thing I wasn't there. That house isn't big enough for me and my wolf."
He wagged his rear end back and forth. "One flick of my tail and Esme's antique vases would be ceramic jigsaw puzzles. Slam, smash, uh-oh."
The snickering began, as he removed his head from his personal money pit, and wiped his hands on an already greasy rag.
Bella stood beside him, bracing her arms on the body of the car. She leaned back slightly to avoid getting any grease on herself. "I don't get it. What's so funny about breaking Esme's antiques?"
"Not the breaking part, Bells, it's the putting the things back together. I can just see them gluing each little piece. They'll look like Picassos, when they're done."
Her hand instinctively touched her abdomen, tracing circles round and round. "They might need those Picassos to help me raise this baby."
His laughter faded quickly as her comment grounded them in reality. Jacob suddenly felt the need for some fresh air. He snatched up her hand and pulled her toward the door. "C'mon, Bells, let's take a walk on the shore."
With fingers interlaced, they sauntered along the beach. Not a word was spoken. The only sounds were the gulls overhead, and the rush of the salt-water as it beat upon the pebbled shore. Bella watched; her eyes following the waves as they crashed and retreated, leaving flecks of foam behind.
They made the long circuit and arrived at their bench. Jacob sat and patted the area next to him. Bella shook her head and stepped away.
"You ready to go back?"
"No, let's stay a while longer."
"Well, take a load off then. Come and sit here with me."
Bella's gaze traveled the whole length of the driftwood. Her fingers ran along the smooth surface. "This old piece of wood holds a lot of fond memories for me. I don't want to destroy that by sitting here today."
"Hey, girl, I'm insulted. You're in this spot with me—that should add another good memory, at least in my mind."
"Jake ... I'm sorry ... for everything that happened—for all these bad memories."
"Don't start that again. The past can't be changed. Look ... I love you. Now come sit down, will ya? I need to warm you up." He winked at her and teased, "Do I hafta come and getcha?"
Bella turned away, staring at the ocean. Jacob hopped off the log, and came up behind her, his arms imprisoning her waist within them. He nuzzled the side of her neck. "Okay, you win, so let's sit on the sand."
He plunked himself down, and pulled her onto his lap. Bella didn't put up a struggle in the least, not that she could escape his iron clasp anyway. She was getting cold, standing there in the wind, and Jacob was always so warm. "How's this?" He asked, knowing full well that she was more than agreeable.
"Hmn, hmn."
Jacob was in the mood for a kiss; maybe that would also improve her mood. He angled her head just right, wet his lips and went for it. Every kiss was like the first. He'd never tire of that overwhelming feeling. She was feeling it too. He could tell by the way she got all soft and clingy, and the way her heart pitter-pattered in her chest.
Her wolf boy grinned after peeling his mouth away from her. "How's that?"
"Better." Yep, he did it again. Jacob conquered the gloom that had descended on her, resulting in a smile breaking out upon her lips.
Jacob kept her close, snuggled and warm against him. "Beautiful day," he murmured into her hair.
"Only because I'm here with you," she responded.
They sat together like that until the alarm clock in Jacob's stomach went off. Feed me, it screamed. Jacob shrugged; there was no arguing with his stomach. It was time to refuel his muscled mass. He helped Bella to her feet and they walked back to his little red house.
That night, Jacob was patrolling when those damn thoughts splashed across his sub-conscious like the headlines on a newspaper. What he wouldn't give for a little bit of privacy.
Quil nudged Jacob's shoulder with his muzzle. Whoa, this is news! How did you hide this from us for so long?
We're your best friends, why didn't you tell us? So what are you gonna name the kid?
Edward jr.
Embry slowed to a walk. Bad joke. No, really. Do you have names picked out?
No.
You don't seem too excited about it.
Quil interjected, I know it's bad timing and all, but still ...
You may as well know—the baby isn't mine. It's Edward's.
But I thought— Embry began.
Yeah, apparently so did the leech.
Damn ... Sam is gonna go ballistic.
Quil, do me a favor and try to keep a lid on it for now, okay?
Sure, Jake anything you say.
The following days, Bella spent most of her free time in Jacob's garage. She seemed to be running on all pistons except for the occasional times when she got that pained expression on her face. That's when she would remember that she was housing Edward's child in her womb.
Jacob would always be on the lookout for it and his arms would immediately wrap her up in his love. His words though, fell on deaf ears, despite his best intentions. He repeatedly whispered, "It'll be okay; somehow it'll all work out. I don't want you worrying."
Even though his words were hollow, his strong embrace kept her calm.
Charlie was still in the dark about the recent development, but by the end of the week, things became quite clear. He stepped over the threshold of his front entrance after work one day, and found an envelope addressed to Bella in very elegant script. Apparently, someone had inserted it underneath the door. Upon lifting it up, several bills slipped out along with a note. Now, ordinarily, he would not have intruded on her privacy, but as he scooped up the money, he quickly discovered he was picking up a trail of hundred dollar bills. Charlie was doubly astounded to find that it amounted to fifteen hundred smackers. One guess as to who would be giving his daughter money. Was this Edward's way of making amends? Paying her off?
The note was face up, staring at him, begging to be read.
My Dearest Bella,
Nothing can erase what I've done. He got that right. I'm so sorry; I never dreamed this could happen. I know at this time you want nothing more to do with me, but please accept this money. It will help you with the expenses for our child. What? He read that line twice, as his face heated up to the boiling point.
Know that whatever you need for him, I am willing to do. Our whole family will support your decisions as to where you will live, and how to obtain childcare so you may finish your schooling. If ever you change your mind, I will accept you back without question. I love you still.
Yours Always,
Edward
Charlie entered the kitchen with the paper money, note and envelope in his hand. He threw it all onto the table, muttering curses under his breath. That Cullen boy really did a number on his daughter. Being the chief of police, he couldn't very well murder him, but maybe he could turn a blind eye if Jacob went over there and taught him a lesson or two—or three or four. He never was a violent man himself, but by god, that thought gave him an extreme sense of satisfaction.
He sat at the table, not moving an inch and waited for his only daughter to come home. The longer he sat there, the more his thoughts turned to Bella and how she must be feeling. His heart was softened—his little girl—so much suffering had befallen her lately.
Bella came in, only to find Charlie looking at her with tears in his eyes, and holding what appeared to be a letter. The first thing that sprang to her mind was that something had happened to Renee.
"Oh my gosh, Dad, is Mom all right?"
"She's fine. It's you I'm worried about."
Uh-oh, did he know? He couldn't, could he? No, Carlisle would never betray her confidence. Her coat and backpack were quickly hung on the wall peg, and she sat beside him at the table. Charlie handed the envelope to her and said, "This came for you."
As she finished opening the envelope, one hand flew up covering her mouth. Her face burned with the flames of guilt. She felt her dad's eyes on her, but she couldn't bring herself to look at him. The secret was out. It was an embarrassing revelation, but also a relief. She and Jacob didn't have to carry around that burden by themselves any longer. But her poor dad; she'd let him down. He must've been so disappointed in her.
With her eyes focused on the table, and her voice sounding more like a squeak, she explained, "I was going to tell you when the time was right. I had to be sure first." She finally looked up at her father. "I don't blame you if you're mad at me."
Charlie didn't blink an eye, his voice soft and even. "Who else knows?"
"Just Jacob and the Cullens."
"I see ..."
Oh no, what was he thinking? "Dad—please don't say anything to Mom."
"I don't intend to. I'll leave that up to you. But what about Jacob? How is he dealing with this?"
"He's definitely not happy about it, but he's been a saint. He didn't even yell at me when I told him,"
"You know, Bells, that Jacob is a good boy, and some day he'll be a good man. I wish—"
"You don't need to say it. I tell myself ever day that I should have chosen him over Edward. I know that now. I was so stupid, blinded by Edward's good looks, and his flattering words. Jacob just seemed so ordinary next to him. I should have looked into his heart instead. There's nothing ordinary about that."
Bella buried her face in her hands. Her voice cracked as she said, "I messed up. I'm ruined. I've ruined my life and yours, and Jake's too. Can you ever forgive me?"
Charlie stood up, and reached out to her. He gathered Bella into his arms, and hugged her tight. "You're still my daughter, kiddo. Nothing you could ever do would make me stop loving you. Sure, I wish none of this had happened, but we'll manage somehow."
He kissed the top of her head and whispered, "How about I order us a pizza for tonight, huh? I'll even let you pay for it."
Her head tilted back, and a half smile dawned on her face. "Can you break a hundred?"
After the kitchen was cleaned and the pizza box pitched, Bella called Jacob. "Charlie knows."
"Good. Can I tell my dad now?"
"Won't the elders get upset if they find out?"
"Jeez, you're right. I better wait a bit. So is everything okay? You're square with your dad?"
"Yeah, considering. I'm glad it's over. I hated hiding all this from him."
"Me too. You know what a blabber mouth I am. I was afraid something might slip out."
And slip out it did. He was talking to Billy the next evening about the money that Edward had given to Bella. His father naturally made a comment.
"He has his nerve. Did he think he could make up for what he did by giving her money? I hope she gave it back to him."
"Not! She's gonna need that money." Crap, did he just say that?
"She's going to a more expensive college, eh?"
"Uh ... college of hard knocks actually."
"Son, sometimes I have no idea what you're trying to say. Would you like to clarify that?"
"I was hoping to hold off a while longer, but here goes ... Bella's pregnant."
Billy cleared his throat, and calmly said, "Okay, so we'll deal with it. Have you decided what you're going to do about it?"
"Whoa, hold on, Dad. I didn't get her pregnant. Far from it. I'm lucky she lets me even kiss her."
Jacob looked up at the ceiling, and Billy nearly bolted out of his wheelchair.
"Are you telling me that the Cullen boy is the father?"
"I wish I could say otherwise, but ..."
"The council needs to hear about this. And what about Sam?"
"Embry and Quil know, but they promised not to spill the beans."
"Get me the phone."
"What? Now?"
"You heard me. Yes, now."
Sh**, Sh**, Sh**!.