CHAPTER NINE

DON'T CLOSE UP

"So explain this again?" I groaned as Bella and Edward sat in my room. Bella had some sort of crazy theory due to a dream.

Bella sighed again at having to explain it again, "The intruder, the army. They're all Victoria's puppets. She's hiding behind them. Letting someone else decide."

Edward shook his head, "It's a long shot, Bella."

"But it makes sense," I said. Bella looked at me gratefully. I continued, "Victoria was with James. They told each other everything. Including all James knows about Alice."

Realization dawned on Edward, "So she'd know how Alice's visions work."

"Victoria's tactical and smart. And she's got too much riding on this to take any chances. It's too important to her." I concluded.

"Are you sure you're not Jasper with all this strategic thinking stuff?" Bella smiled at me teasingly.

I dug my head into my pillow, "Go away."

They laughed.

Jacob faced us in the center of the field. Jasper followed several paces behind us.

Jacob mocked Edward, "You're not fighting? What, you pull a muscle or something?"

"He's doing it for me," Bella told him, "Okay?"

Jacob scoffed, "Whatever. Just tell me the plan."

Jasper stepped forward, "This field will give us an advantage in battle. We can lure the newborns with Bella and Callie's scent, but it needs to end here."

"Edward, Callie and I are going to a campsite. But even if he carries me or Jasper carries Callie, they'll pick up our scent," Bella explained.

"Your smell, however, is revolting," Edward told him.

"Dude," Jacob started, "you really don't want to start comparing stinks-"

"He means," Bella cut in, "your scent will mask mine or Callie's if you-"

"Done," Jacob said, looking at me.

"Let's test it," Bella looked at me.

The next thing I knew Jacob picked me up and started for the tree line.

Jacob set off into the woods, holding me close. "We'll see if that works. Personally I think I smell great. You ever notice anything?"

"Jacob, stop." I begged.

He stopped walking. And he looked down at me. I rolled my eyes, "I didn't mean stop walking. I meant stop acting like everything is normal and fine."

Jacob resumed walking, "Would you rather I be all gloom and doom?"

"No, that's my job," he chuckled. "I don't want to get used to being happy."

"Why on earth would you not want to be happy?" Jacob looked at me like I was crazy. Well... I am crazy.

"Because it's all gonna come crashing down. Like it does every time I feel happiness." I said sadly.

Jacob slowed down, "Callie... waiting for the other shoe to drop is not way to live. I promise you that the guys ...and even the Cullens will be alright and come out of this alive."

I looked up at him, "Can you promise that you'll be alright?"

He smiled down at me, "I've gotta be alive to convince you that you love me. So yeah, I can."

I ignored the first comment and laid my head on his shoulder.

"Can I at least tell you some good news?" Jacob asked.

"Sure..." I sighed.

"Embry imprinted on your friend, Angela," He said.

I gasped excitedly, "I knew it!" I threw my hands up triumphantly in the air. Jacob chuckled at my antics.

Bella and I climbed out of my jeep just as Dad and Alice came out of the house laughing with each other. Dad smiled, "Don't be a stranger, Alice. Hey girls."

We were both shocked into silence and just waved. Alice flitted over to us, "Your alibis for the battle are all arranged."

"Really?" Bella asked.

"I told your father that my whole family's going camping this weekend. So you and I are having a sleep-over at my house," Alice grinned proudly, "Me, he likes. Actually, you and Edward will have the house to yourselves tonight."

Bella stared at her blankly, "...Alone?"

Alice nodded, "We're all going hunting, powering up for the fight. You're welcome," Then she looked at me, "I called Angela, said you were too shy to ask yourself, but if she wanted to hang out. She practically invited you herself. Both of you, go pack."

We entered the kitchen to find dad making himself a sandwich, "The sister, I like."

Bella moved to the sink and I sat at the table after I got out some cereal to eat. Bella tried to act casual, "So, Dad, I was wondering... why you never got remarried after Mom."

Dad looked surprised at the change in subject but shrugged, "I don't know. Guess I never met the right person. Why?"

Bella shook her head to herself, "I thought maybe it was 'cause you – I don't know – gave up on the whole institution. Of marriage. But... you still think it has value?"

Dad grew suspicious of all this marriage talk, "Sure, marriage has value. When you're older. Much older. Like your mom – it worked out great for her the second time. Later in life."

"... I guess."

"You definitely don't want to have to get married, because you weren't... careful..."

I laughed at what Dad was trying to get at. But Bella didn't get it, "...What?"

"I mean, there are things you need to know, when you're – physically intimate-"

Bella blanched, "Oh no – tell me this isn't 'the talk'-"

"I'm just as embarrassed as you are-"

I laughed at that, "I doubt that. No one's as embarrassed as me right now."

"Besides," Bella said, "Mom beat you to it ten years ago."

"You didn't have a boyfriend ten years ago," Dad said matter-of-factly.

Bella scrunched up her nose, "I think things still work the same way."

Dad sighed, "So you two are taking precautions?"

"Please-" Bella said, "I mean, really, please don't worry about it. Edward is... old-school."

"I don't know what that … is..." Dad said, "Like a technique or something-?"

"Oh my God!" Bella blushed, "I'm a virgin!"

Dad freaked out like Dad's do when hearing words like that, "Ah! Ah!"

Bella, mortified, bolted for the stairs.

Dad grabbed his sandwich and mulled over the new information, "A virgin... Liking Edward a little more."

I giggled, "Trust me Dad, Edward's whole family is old fashioned."

Dad gave me a look, "Do I have to worry about you and Jacob...?"

I almost choked on my cereal, "Me and Jacob? Who told you that?"

He gave me a look and it dawned on me, "Bella... I'm gonna kill that girl."

Dad took a seat across from me and the table, "All she said was that he has feelings for you but you're pushing him away."

I sighed, "It's not like I'm... being a bitch or something..."

"I know," Dad reassured me, "But I'm just wondering what's going on. You don't like him?"

"I do, more than like..." I trailed off.

Dad let that sink in, "Me and your mother-" He broke off and tried again, "I hope what happened between us didn't... scare you from relationships... I mean you went out with that Tyler guy."

"Tyler didn't matter Dad. I know that sounds mean.. or something but... Tyler couldn't hurt me because I didn't care about him."

Dad realized where I was going, "But you care about Jacob. He could hurt you." At my nod he sighed, "Honey, you can't let yourself close up at …. love. Jacob's a good kid. And you're a great, beautiful girl. You have the potential to be really happy with him. You just have to give it a chance."

I let that sink in. Everyone was telling me the same thing. When was I going to listen?

There it is! Almost the fight scene! What am I gonna do next?

REVIEW!

RegalGirl94