Chapter 33:

Bella POV:

Jake went out on his first patrol in a long while. He was terrified to leave me, and I was terrified for him to go out. But I insisted he go. I had to practically shove him out the door. It was very early in the morning, and I was going back to work today at Newton's. I was glad that I had somewhere to go today to get my mind off of what was really going on.

I was sitting at the kitchen table finishing my breakfast, and I kept thinking about Leah. Did the Volturi know about her? I didn't think they did. They didn't even know about the pack until they came running out of the woods that day. What if Aro found out about Leah? I shuddered. He would want her. I knew that he would.

I had taken advantage of the extra time I had to put a load of laundry in the washer before I ate my breakfast. Now I headed out back to hang it to dry while I was at work. I felt very uneasy out there until I noticed a pair of eyes in the trees behind the house. Then Seth padded out of the woods and came over to me. I smiled and said, "Hey Seth. I'm glad to see you." He sat down and watched me as I hung up the last few items in the basket.

I picked up the basket to head for the house. I turned to Seth and said, "I'm leaving for work in about a half hour."

He nodded and trotted back to the tree line and sat down. I waved and went into the house.

I finished getting ready, and made my way out to the car. I was wearing one of the new outfits that Alice bought me. I had on a pair of khaki pants and a navy blue shirt. It felt good to wear clothes that fit, but it felt weird to let my baby bump show. People would know that I was pregnant now. It wasn't my own little secret anymore.

Jacob POV:

"Would you PLEASE think of something else, Jake? God, I need to get a woman." Embry and I were out on patrol. I couldn't get what happened in the kitchen between Bella and me out of mind.

"Sorry, bro. Bella would kill me if she knew that you saw that, so don't say anything." Seth and Quil were patrolling the opposite side of the reservation.

"At least when I patrol with Quil, all I see is cute little Claire, digging in the sand, or playing Candyland. But you! Dude, you're X-rated! How am I supposed to look at Bella now without wanting to jump her?"

"That is my wife you're talking about Embry, come on."

"Sorry, but you remember what it was like for us at first with Sam and Emily, right? Yeah, you're that only ten times worse."

Whoa, that was bad. Focus, Jake, focus. I finally focused my mind on the patrol. I forced myself to think about what we were looking for. I still couldn't figure out how this bloodsucker had come in, run around and got out without any of us seeing it. And to take something that belonged to me – that burned me up.

"Me, too. This must be some super leech or something," Embry added. "Hey, you sure you don't want me to stay out here with you?"

"No. Sam should be here any minute. You go and keep packing up the garage. I really want to move into the new shop this week. I'll be there later this afternoon when the others are done with school."

A few minutes later, Sam showed up and Embry took off. Jared and Paul would take over for Seth and Quil. Seth had to get to school. Of course this would happen just as the new school year was starting. At least Embry and Quil were done with school now.

"What's up? Anything new?" Sam wanted to know as we took off to the north.

"No."

"I couldn't sleep last night, Jake. I'm really worried they'll find out about Leah somehow. I know if this dude knows she's here, he'll want her."

"I know. I've thought a lot about that, too. Maybe we shouldn't have her out on patrol."

"It would piss her off, but I thought that, too. But, if she's not on patrol, she'll be going into town to see that smart ass she's dating, Ivan, or whatever, and we can't protect her there."

"Evan, Sam."

Sam just growled at me.

"OK, chill, I get it. You decide on this one, OK? I want her protected just as much as you do."

Sam and I finished our patrol then I headed over to the garage to help Embry pack things up to move. The bank had finally finished the paperwork and Mr. Collins had given me the keys to the shop. We were taking this week to move in then we would get back to work. At least, I hoped things would work out that way.

Before I even got close to the garage, I could hear the music blasting. I laughed. Embry had this thing about blowing out his hearing with loud music. I decided to stop in the house first and see Dad. I hadn't talked to him for a couple of days, and I kind of missed him.

I walked into the house and hollered, "Hey Dad? You here?"

"Yeah, Son. Be right out!" he hollered back. He must have been working on his woodcarving.

Rachel walked out of the kitchen. "Hey little brother! What are you doing here?" She gave me a quick hug.

"I came to pack up the garage, but I wanted to say hi to Dad," I answered.

"Hey, Jake!" Dad said as he rolled into the living room. I went over and gave him a hug. Not like me, but for some reason I really felt like doing it.

He looked at me and knew something was up. "Come on in here and sit down and have a talk with your old man."

I walked into the living room and plopped down onto the couch. It still felt weird coming back here knowing I didn't live here anymore.

"So, Jake, what's up? You look worried," Billy said.

I smiled at him. "I'm sure Rachel and Paul have already filled you in on what happened. It's a freak show we live in, Dad. A fucking freak show."

He laughed. "Yeah, Paul told me you had a bloodsucker here and he took Bella's ultrasound picture. But why? Why would he care? Do you think he still thinks that it could be Edward's?"

"He might. I hope that is all he wants, Dad."

"What else would he want?" Billy asked.

Rachel and Paul didn't tell him? Just then I heard, "Hey Jake! Can you come here and help me for a sec?" Rachel called from the kitchen.

I looked at Dad and said, "Be right back." I got up and walked into the kitchen.

Rachel pulled me over to the sink and whispered, "We didn't tell dad they might be after you. I didn't want to worry him."

"Rach, I gotta talk to him about it. I need some answers and he might be able to help. He's a strong man. He's not going to have a stroke or anything. Come on!" I whispered back.

She gave me a mean look. "Jake, I mean it! Don't worry him with this."

"Why? What are you so worried about?" This wasn't like her. Rachel was a strong, mouthy girl.

"I'm worried about you, OK? You dumb ass. I'm worried about you." I shook my head as I pulled her into a hug.

"Well, thanks, Rach. But I'm OK. I have a whole wolf pack watching out for me. I'm not going anywhere."

She pulled back and looked at me. She took her hand and wiped away the few tears that had slipped from her eyes. Then she smacked me.

"Hey! What was that for?" I asked her.

"For making me worry. I hate worrying! And for making Paul do more patrols," she said while picking up a towel to dry a pan in the sink.

"OK, now we get to it. That's what's really pissing you off. You can't make out with Paul 24 hours a day. You need to take a break once in a while. God, I don't know how you have any lips left," I said with mock disgust. "And that's all I want to think about you doing, OK?"

"You should talk." She hit me with the towel and told me to get out of her kitchen.

Dad looked up as I walked back to the living room and said, "I know your sister is worried about something. I guess she thinks the old man is too fragile to hear it. But you don't, so spill it."

I sat down and told Dad everything. I needed to talk to him. I needed him to give me his thoughts and advice.

I finished talking and he sat there quietly, thinking. He shook his head and said, "I never saw this one coming. We are mortal enemies, made to kill each other. How could he think that he could get one of each to mate without killing the other? It must be done scientifically. In a lab, maybe. I can't see any other way. I have never heard of this type of thing before."

"But do you think it's even possible? Carlisle said that he has heard of vampires getting a human pregnant, but that the woman always dies before giving birth. So, I don't see how . . . Oh, I don't know. It all sounds like a bad horror movie."

He looked right at me and said, "Son, are you afraid that he will come for you?"

Was I? "A little I guess. I am more worried about Bella and the baby. And Leah."

He nodded. "Well, son, I think you are doing all you can right now. Patrolling around the clock, making sure that someone is always watching the house, and keeping tabs on Leah. I still think it is safest here on the reservation."

"Yeah, I think so, too." I stood up and said, "Thanks, Dad. I better get out to the garage and help Embry. We really need to get moved into the new shop."

"I'm going to miss you working here. I won't get to see you as often," he said.

I smiled. "I'll miss you, too. It's still weird to walk in here and realize that I don't live here anymore."

He laughed. "Well, this will always be your home, son. Even if you don't live here."

"Thanks, Dad." I reached down and hugged him – again. I was getting soft. "I'll see you tomorrow."

I walked out the back door to the garage. Embry had turned down the music and was on his cell phone. I walked over to him and shoved him in the shoulder to let him know I was there. He smiled and said into the phone, "OK, baby, I gotta go. Bossman just walked in. See you tonight."

"Hot date?" I asked with a smile.

"God, I hope so. After patrolling with you this morning, it's either that or a cold shower," Embry said with a laugh.

I rolled my eyes. "I feel for you, bro. You KNOW what I get to go home to."

"Geez, cut it out, will ya!" Embry walked over and threw more tools into a box.

"Sorry. Here, let me help you put these boxes in the truck."

We went to work packing up the garage. It felt good to hang out with my best friend and do some manual labor and get my mind off of things I didn't want to think about.

Bella POV:

I just got off work at Newton's and was walking to my car. I unlocked it and slipped inside. Just then, my cell phone rang. "Hello?"

"Hello Bella." It was Edward. "Can you meet Alice and I in front of your Dad's house to talk?"

"Sure. I just got off work. I'll be there in a few minutes." He hung up. What's that all about?

I started the car and put it in drive. I pulled up to Dad's house and saw Edward's silver Volvo parked down the street. I opened the door and stepped out and there was Edward. I jumped and grabbed my chest.

"Sorry!" he said with a soft smile.

"I forgot how you just appear out of nowhere." Alice stepped out behind him and said, "Hi Bella!"

I slammed the car door and said, "So, what's up? Have you heard something?"

He nodded. "Carlisle and I are leaving this afternoon for Italy. Instead of a phone call, Aro sent a summons."

"What does this mean? Alice did you see anything else yet?" I asked hurriedly.

"No," Alice answered as she shook her head.

"We are going to Italy in person so Carlisle can talk and I can try to read what Aro is thinking. Although with me there, he will be guarded. I'm not sure I will see what he is really thinking unless he slips somehow. I'm more afraid of what he may read from me," he said.

"Why? What do you mean?" I asked.

"I am so afraid he will see Leah. I will have to try hard to bury her in my mind," he answered.

"Call and let us know what happens right away, OK? And, be careful."

He smiled. "I will, Bella."

"Edward?" I reached out and touched his arm. "Thank you. You don't have to do this, you know." I said quietly.

"Yes, I do, Bella." He smiled and reached out and touched my cheek with the back of his hand. Then he bent down and kissed me quickly on the cheek.

Alice said, "Edward, we have to go. Carlisle is waiting on you."

He nodded and walked toward his car.

Alice reached out and squeezed my hand. "I'll let you know as soon as I know anything. We're going to watch until you get in your car and get on the road to La Push." She let go and walked to the Volvo.

I got into the car and took off for home.