SM owns all things twilight related.
Thanks to my beta JigsawRose.
Chapter 9
Jacob POV
Holy cow that kid has lost his mind. I wonder if that stuff is actually in the blood. I don't think James actually hit Bella either. What did he mean I wasn't good enough for her? He hit her twice and Bella did nothing. How is that possible? What was she thinking? To stop Charlie in the beginning that doesn't make sense, Charlie would never hurt him…And Billy, poor Billy he just sat there and watched, what could he have been thinking while he watched all of that. I should have brought him home last night like Bella said however, no, he wanted his mother…But Bella was distraught herself, not in any condition to handle two kids even with her folks there. Why is she seeing a shrink, she don't need that garbage she is a great woman. Ugh what a mess. How in the he…
"Jake?"
"Leah. What are you doing here?"
"I clean your house and tend to your father, remember." She looks at the clock. "Why are you home?"
"I mean, why are you in my room…And yes I am supposed to be at work I had a long night and running late."
"You too?" I look at her.
"You had a rough night?"
"Yeah no big deal, though, just did something that should have been done ages ago."
"You okay?"
"Yeah, free finally. You okay?"
"Leah, honestly I don't know."
"Okay... Jake this is what I would like to do; call your work tell them you are taking the day off-illness or personal day- , I will make sure you dad has all he needs here, and then you and me go anywhere or do anything we want. You look like you could use a friend, I know I could, and a nice day off having fun. What do you say?"
"You want to spend the day with me?"
"Yeah, I want to help you feel better."
She wants to be with me?
I think I like this idea. If she wants to spend time with me, than I will do it!
I don't know why I like this idea so much but I do. I allow her to call work for me, and help her make sure my dad has all he needs and we both head out.
We go get some brunch, and walk around talking. I talk to her about what happened that made her night so long, she tells me she broke up with her boyfriend and that idea made my heart flutter a little, she explains how she was ready to settle down and he wasn't…She wants a family and a home, and she didn't see him in her future so she decided it was time to end it. We get to a park and sit down; I talk to her about Seth. Finally unloading and letting myself break down, I cry. She holds me, and comforts me, just like Bella does when I need it. This time it is different, I don't understand what is so different about it but here is something that is definitely not the same. When I am all finished we get back up and start to walk the town, while we alk we share out intest . We walk past a building with the name 'Carlisle Cullen' written on it. Outside the building is Bella's car.
What is she doing there?
Bella suddenly walks out with Seth. I watch them come out as Bella stops by the car and kneels down to hug Seth. I stop all movement and watch because if Seth looses it again someone needs to be there to help Bella.
"Is that Bella and Seth?" Leah breaks in. I nod in response not looking at her. "Let's go over there then." She takes my hand and pulls me in that direction. Bella shoots her head to the side to look at me.
"Jake what are you doing here?" She glances at Leah nervously then lookes back at me.
"Hi, I'm Leah. You must me Bella."
"Uhh… yeah, I remember you. How are you?" she looks back at the building.
"Oh please don't worry I won't say anything, promise." Shock rolls over Bella's face. "I think it's great you are doing what you need to for your son. I would do the same if I had kids."
"So you two…" Bella waves her finger between me and Leah clearly changingthe subject.
"Oh…uhhh… no we are just hanging out." I shove my hands in my pockets.
"Hey, do you mind if Seth and I walk up the block and back?"
"Yes"
"No" Bella and I say at the same time.
"Bella I know you don't know me that well but I promise we will be in your sight the whole time," she leans in and whispers, "I know you two need to talk I just want to give you some privacy. I won't hurt him I swear."
Bella looks at me out of the corner of her eyes. I nod to her to let her know I trust Leah. She stares at Leah for a minute, doing that damn gauging thing.
Really Bells, come on. You just can't help but do this, can you? Ugh if it makes you feel better, you have been through a lot especially lately.
"Alright but for your own sake don't leave my sight." Bella tells her.
Leah nods and walks over to Seth. "Hey buddy how about we walk up there and back?" She points up the road to show him where she is talking about. He looks at Bella…She nods in confirmation.
"If you would like to…I'm okay with it."
Leah holds her hand out and he takes it shy like, and they start to walk.
"You like her don't you?" Bella asks.
"Yes, she is my friend." I look down and toe the ground beneath me.
"I know you like her more than that." Bella smirks at me.
"I don't know about that yet Bella, this is our first time hanging out and I just happen to see your car, then you guys. Leah suggested we come over…She is a good person Bella. You should know that, you did that voodoo shit that you do." I laugh at her.
"Well Jake I have learned to trust my "voodoo shit", as you call it." She smiles back. "Does she know?"
"Yes." I look away.
"Jaaakee why?" wow whining this is new, Bella!
"Look Bella I know this is going to sound selfish but I need someone, and Leah is that person, I know she will protect our family." Our? Shit did I just say OUR? It's not ours, anymore stupid. "I mean…"
"Jake your fine relax, it is ours. Do the boys know about her?"
"No."
"That explains the leeriness, from Seth." She looks over her shoulder. "You should… bring her around them but watch Seth." She looks back at me.
"What? I don't know about that."
"Your choice, but I want you to know, I'm okay with her. If it matters." She shrugs.
"You like her?"
"I didn't say that, I said… I'm okay with her."
"Ummm… okay." Confusion clearly covers my face.
"Just make sure she knows I'm the mama and when I'm around I trump." She stares at me, in the eye.
Now have you seen animal planet, when there is a lioness that has a baby in danger and the mama is over it ready to kill. Well that my friends, is what Bella looks like, it is downright scary.
"Bella we are nowhere near that place yet."
She raises and eyebrow "Yet…"
"Bella…"
"Jake my 'voodoo powers' are speaking to me." She laughs. "Relax and let it happen just please do me the one favor of making sure she knows her place, and don't you dare blow me off." She points at me with her little finger.
"Okay Bells relax. If things get that far I will pass on the word."
Damn she can be scary when she wants to be!
"Ewww, I don't like to let them crawl on me."
"I do it tickles."
Seth and Leah are back. Seth looks like he likes her. Bella thanks Leah and puts Seth in the car. We say our goodbyes and Bella takes Seth back to school, and Leah and I leave.
We head back to my house, when we walk in there is a note from my dad.
Jake
I had to step out for a bit,
be home for dinner.
Dad
"Well my dad had to step out, so I guess it's just us. What do you want to do?"
"I don't care what do you want to do?"
What are we in high school? Girls are so complicated.
"Why don't we just sit and watch a movie, I'll get the popcorn and you go pick one out."
"How about I make the popcorn and you pick one out."
Oh for shit sakes!
"Okay." I walk over to the movie and get the bloodiest, goriest movie I can find that we have.
This should teach her. I pull out the movie and put it in then sit on the couch and wait for Leah.
After a little while, she walks in and looks at the screen. Rolling her eyes she says "Saw- Really? You have to be joking."
"You said to pick one out. I did."
"Fine." She sighs deeply and sits down. Her hip brushes mine as she gets comfy and I sprang to alert in my pants. Hey it happens when it's been a while. I clear my throat and shift a little to hide my discomfort. Leah looks at me with questioning eyes, and I shake my head as if to say I'm good, but believe you me, nothing is good right now.
Leah laughs through the whole movie. Yelling every so often how bogus something is.
Is this chick for real? I thought only Bells did stuff like this. What the hell is going on?
The movie ends and Leah heads home. While we are at the door saying goodbye I get this strange urge to kiss her. I hold off obviously, I'm not a hormonal teenager, I can control myself. When she is gone I start dinner, wondering when I will get to see her again.
BPOV
I get up and the first thing I do, before I even shower I get a phone book and look for a child psychiatrist. The first one I see I call and find out I can get Seth in right away, then I call into work and let them know I will be late due to a family emergency. My boss understands. I go take a quick shower and ask my mother to get the boys up.
After breakfast I drop Billy off at school and take Seth to see this Dr. Cullen. When we get in his office, after introductions, I explain last night to him, he asks about Seth father. So I tell him all about it. Seth face is total shock. I never told Seth about his dad in detail, I just told him his dad is unsafe for him. Dr Cullen visits with Seth alone, the whole time I am in the waiting room I am a ball of nerves. Finally I am called back in. I sit down right next to Seth and wrap my arms around him.
"Well Ms. Black…"
"Bella, please call me Bella."
"Alright Bella, I think we are not in need of any medication. In fact I think with firm discipline we may be able to get this under control."
"Okay, what do you have in mind?"
"Well for starters I think… if this happens again, you remove Seth from all people. Take him to a room and he sits there alone. You need to make it clear to him it is not to hit or manhandle you in anyway."
"Alright."
"I think I need to see him weekly until further notice. He needs to express himself freely."
"I try Dr. Cullen…."
He holds up his hand. "Carlisle, you want to be called Bella then please call me Carlisle." I nod. "I understand you try but from my understanding Seth doesn't feel comfortable enough to talk to you just yet." My heart just dropped to my gut. To know your kid doesn't want to talk to you is probably the worst thing ever.
"Okay, anything else?"
"He has explained to me that he feels closest to his grandfather right now, so I would suggest keeping those two together as much as possible, he needs good male remodels he can trust."
"What about Jake?"
"That is a situation where you go off of him. He is a bright boy Bella and can articulate what he need and wants well." I nod in agreement.
"I can't let him run my home though."
"That's not what I am saying; he needs discipline, yes, and when he makes mistakes as all kids do you get on him right away. Most kids get the three strikes and you're out, with Seth I think that we shouldn't do that. One time, first mistake and he gets punished. I understand you have taken the TV away for two weeks, I would stick to that. He mentioned spanking, now I know it's not illegal to spank a child but with Seth I think that would be violence leading violence. We are trying to get away from that, taking things away seems to be the best option right now because when he has nothing, he will learn if I want to be entertained I need to behave. He expressed how he likes to watch the games with his grandfather as well. I think missing a few games is a well thought punishment, however your father shouldn't stop as well or he will never learn. He needs to miss it to understand it."
I nod. "Okay."
"Let's do this for a week and see how this goes. I will see you next week to discuss the next step."
I stand with Seth, and thank the doctor. We head out the door to my car.
"Mama, I'm sorry I hurt you."
I drop to my knee and hug him, telling him everything will be okay, and I will always be here for him. I hear footsteps and turn to see Jake and Leah. Fear about someone knowing about what happened with Seth boils over in me. Leah assures me my business is private to her too and she will not say anything. After a few pleasantries she wants to take Seth so Jake and can talk. I declined at first but Jake gives permission. After some coaxing from Jake and a quick check with what my gut says, I agree but tell her to stay in my sight for her own sake. I just don't want him to hurt her too.
Jake and I talk about him and Leah and where this thing with them might be going, and I ask him to pass along the known message, 'I the mama and when I'm around and she backs off'. He swears they aren't there yet, but I am not taking any chances. I won't stop at blood if she over- steps the mark, why can't you see that Jake? After a while he agrees to pass along the message if it's needed. I let him know I am okay with her; he looks shocked but relieved at the same time. We laugh as he pokes fun at my sixth sense, and then Seth and Leah walk up chatting about something. I thank Leah and put Seth in the car to take him home.
I leave Seth with my mother, as well as informing her about the strict instructions on how to deal with Seth. I will fill her and dad in after the kids are in bed and rush to meet Alice for lunch. When I get there Alice greets me with a sympathetic look and a hug.
"So you are getting wasted this weekend, you need it honey, and Rose and I decided already that what's not brought for you we will be footing the bill."
"That's good because, my lunch date with Jas sucked; I was so distracted with what was going to happen that I was so rude."
"Bella you can explain your mind was elsewhere and it had nothing to do with him and if he doesn't like it well then screw him. Not literally either." She laughs. I huff a laugh through my nose.
We talk about how hard this is for me. Yes I know it hard on Seth too but sometimes even moms need to vent and make things about them too, that's how we get back to being all about our children. Besides it is being done with my friend away from my son. Alice provides the comfort I need.
"You said you took him to Dr Carlisle Cullen?"
"Yeah…Why what's wrong with him?" Panic is setting in. Damn it I sent my son to a quack.
"Nothing Bella calm down. I just know of him he is good. He is Jazz's friend's father."
"Who is that?"
"Jazz, the guys I met last weekend at the bar."
"No Alice, his friend?"
"Oh, Umm… Edward Cullen. He has a little girl and is divorced too."
"Alice stop." I hold up my hand. "Don't do the cupid thing please I just can't do that right now."
"Relax I wasn't going to. Bella you are so full of shit right now I am not going to add to that." I sigh in relief.
There is a heaven.
I look at my watch. "Ali I have to get to work I have missed half a day already, see you Friday?" I reach in my purse for some cash.
"Yeah, Bella don't worry about it, I got this."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, go to work, see you Friday."
We hug goodbye and I dash to work. I go straight to my boss's office and explain I will be missing some work and give a simple explanation, nothing too detailed. He says its fine he can help me out.
After work I get Billy and we head home. We walk in and Seth is at the table, Billy gives him his homework and goes to hug my mother. Seth scowls at the pile of work.
"Seth you know you need to do your work, when you get suspended you have to do all your work here, now there is no TV so you should have plenty of time to do it. Hop to it." I point to the stack of work.
"What's for supper mom?"
"Your dad is bringing home pizza. He decided after last night we should take it easy."
"Oh okay."
I talk to Billy about school and some show he watched. Dad walks in with pizza and Seth, relived with the break, cleans up the table and helps dad get the table set. We eat our pizza, and after supper we watch some TV. Then it's time to get the kids down for the night, after all that is done I go down stairs and explain what Carlisle said to do with Seth. We are discussing what the doctor said and Billy screams. I should have known that wasn't a one night thing. I take off up the stairs, tripping half way up, when I get to Billy's room Seth is there trying to sooth him. Unlike normal it isn't working, Billy is getting worse. I walk over pick up Billy and send Seth back to his own bed.
"Mama, will Little Bill ever love me again?" Seth, clearly distraught over the pain of his brother's trauma, asks.
"Baby he loves you, you just scared him. Like all things this too will need to heal. You broke you brother's heart, now you must wait for it to mend. I know it's hard, baby but we will all be okay." I pull him to my side as Billy is latches on to me like a life line.
"Promise?" Seth looks at me tears in his eyes.
"Yes baby I promise. Now off to bed." I follow him to his room and tuck him back in as best I can with one arm, when I leave I run into my dad.
"Bella don't promise that boy something you can't deliver."
"Dad, I am his mother and I have every intention on following through." I crease my brows at him.
"Alright Bells. Good night, oh and uh be careful not to get that one used to sleeping with you okay?" He points to Billy.
"Dad, if it helps, he will be in my bed for as long as he needs."
He holds his hands up in surrender and I turn on my heel and go to my room. I lay down cuddle Billy to me; right before I fall asleep something hits me…
I will be talking to mom soon, par daddy's request I'm sure. Ugh. Oh well that tomorrows issue to be delt with accordingly.
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