***WARNING: Contains mentions of forced abortion****
Resurrection
Bella Cullen glares at the nineteenth century piece of blasphemy on the third finger of her left hand, staring back at her in mocking promise. Gaudy jewelry entices her in pretty black ink letters, but the damn thing is heavy. Her fury locks onto the cold, wet thing's reflected wounded plea. She refused his presence as he took from her body without regards to her demands. The mirror spiders as she removes her bloody fist from the shards. His eyebrows pinch together as he diverts his honey orbs to her wound.
Edward vanishes like a mirage. Sorrow stares back at her through the facets of her splintered life. The sun hides behind icy clouds in her niche of Forks. Bella glances at her bloody knuckles and turns the tap on cold. Blood mixes with water as it swirls in a clockwise motion down the drain.
When Edward courted her she dismissed red flags thinking it a romantic, storybook love. He pissed her off when he dismantled her truck forbidding her to see Jacob. The bulletproof car felt unnecessary, but sweet of him. She tolerated his chides as if she were a child. However, she'd never forgive him for violating her person and murdering their child.
Joy had filled her soul the moment she felt the nudger shift in her womb. Edward was a bit shocked with the development, but she thought he could've been persuaded. The pain and discomfort of carrying the unnatural fetus didn't deter her determination to finish the pregnancy. She felt robbed of the experience to hear her baby squall its way into this world.. Motherhood ripped from her leaving an echoing emptiness where life once took root.
A throat clears to bring her from the depths of the bloody whirlpool in the sleek white porcelain sink. Carlisle offers her a shy smile before he enters the room. The soft medical bag clicks against the countertop as he removes supplies from its pocket. She flinches and fights to withdraw from his arctic touch as he takes her hand.
His unnatural hurt stare searches her blazing hate. "Please stop Bella. I only want to care for the wound," he says.
Bella gives one last attempt before she relinquishes and allows the doctor to do his job. She hisses through her teeth as he extracts slivers of glass from her broken skin. "Sorry," he says as he looks at her with an apologetic grin. "Esme bought some more liners for the bleeding. She put them in the cabinet under the sink."
Her patience slips as she snatches her hand from his grasp once the bandage is secure. He tucks the medical items away without commentary. She fidgets with agitation at his proximity in her space. Relief floods her nerve endings as he departs. Bella follows eager to reclaim her spot.
Carlisle turns to her once he steps over the threshold. "Bella," he says.
Bella watches as he drops his head with a heavy sigh as the door clicks shut on his speech. She refuses to lift her fixated stare from the illusional shield. Trust is given freely until a breach. Carlisle may not have orchestrated the heinous crime, but he didn't defend her either. Family, a word he once used while including her, but now she couldn't be bought in on his definition.
Bella knows someone who understands the meaning. She turns to brace herself against the smooth marble countertop and closes her eyes. Her lungs swell with her deep inhale as she imagines the two black haired little boys, who visit her imagination, chasing each other in the grass. Their laughter echoed so loudly it fills her luxurious bathroom as she chuckles to herself.
Their squeal at the father's arrival makes Bella untuck her legs and stand from the porch swing. Bella rolls her gaze over his glistening toffee skin as he strolls from the woods. A shiver tingles through her as she squeezes her thighs together in response. She bites her lip as she grazes over his pecs and up his thick neck. Her eyes snap open to stare desire in the face.
An uncontrollable laugh bursts from Bella's lips as she picks up the silver backed antique brush to comb her wet knots. Today marks the seventh day after her loss. Carlisle graciously told her to wait seven days before engaging in sexual activities. Bella snorts and leaves the bathroom to dress for the day. As if she'd ever let Edward touch her body again.
Bella drops to her knees to recover her tacky cornflower blue suitcase from under the expensive wardrobe. She pops the silver clasps as she stares with a half smile into the sea of flannel and denim. Gentle fingers roam over the wrinkled memories. The fleece robe lands in the middle of the floor without grace as she dresses. At the bottom of the vintage luggage is her prize.
She pulls the worn, scuffed black and white Chucks from the bottom. Her finger runs across the instep of her left shoe. The printed names on the side are smudged but legible. Memories of a time inside a tiny garage fill her. Jake -n- Bells, his sunshine smile lit the dim shed as he looked into her eyes. "Forever,"he promises.
The decision is made as she slips her feet into the shoes. She tosses Edward's promise on the Cortinella white dresser without care. Her left hand feels lighter as she grabs her keys to the red monster Jake fixed for her. Bella leaves the small cottage not even bothering to lock the doors. La Push is the safest place when making a prison break.
She didn't, however, count on a surprise visitor. Bella gives Rose a once over before continuing on the path to the main house. The family presented the house as a marital gift for some privacy. Edward moved them into the cottage shortly after the espionage, and she was grateful. Her desire to be around any member of the family dwindled to nothing this past week.
Bella couldn't hold back the involuntary, ridiculous, humanistic growl at the intruder. As far as Bella is concerned, their truce was over the day she failed to protect her. She called Rose, trusting the leech to help her. Instead, Rose abandoned her when she needed her. Lesson number one keeps drilling her. Never trust a vampire, didn't Edward caution her once about the fact?
She skirts around the other woman without pause. Rose reaches out and halts her progression. "Bella, wait -"
Bella jerks her arm from the loose cold clinch. "Don't," she spits like venom.
Rose drops her hand and says, "Bella, please, let me explain."
Bella backs away shaking her head. "No. I trusted you. I was willing to share a miracle with a friend, who'd never get to experience it and you weren't there!" Bella shouts. "They… did you even TRY to stop them?"
She dusts her hands together and walks away from the vampire. "Bella wait," Rose says as she falls in step with her. "Bella," she says jerking the human girl to a stop.
"Look, I didn't know. Alice said she - "
Anger colors Bella's cheeks. "Alice?" she sneers the question. The vampire in question was insistent from the beginning to be her best friend. Alice dragged Bella-doll around insisting she'd love it. They gossiped and played tricks on the other members of the household. It was one of the "human" experiences Edward wanted her to enjoy.
" … I was hunting. I'm sorry Bella," Rose says.
Bella looks towards her onetime conspirator and nods. She picks up her pace to the main house in a hurry to get the fuck out of Dodge. The female voice in the room before she blacked out. Alice, she knew it was familiar even though she was unable to place it at the time. This is one human experience she wishes she'd never remember.
Bella opens the creaking door of the red mammoth and climbs inside. She doesn't speak to the woman standing beside the truck as she closes the door. "I'll follow you to the treaty line," Rose says and slips into the forest. Inside the glovebox she retrieves the wolf charm bracelet Jake made for her and clasps it around her left wrist.
(===)
Jacob hears the unmistakable grind and rattle of Big Red blocks from his house as it keeps straight instead of turning. Blood rushes in his ears to dim the snarling beast as it comes to a growling halt in his driveway. A heavy sigh passes between his lips as he wipes grime from his hands. The soiled cloth is tossed aside as he steps from the garage. Bella never did willingly let anyone drive Big Red but him.
He watches as the weathered Converse steps onto the ground as his penmanship glares back at him. Jake promised her he'd always be there until her heart stopped beating. The boom from the truck's door breaks his trance as he captures her chocolate stare. She flusters about settling with her hands in her pockets. Neither speaks as they comprehend what's in front of them.
Jake takes his time studying the petite girl in front of him. A hint of pink tickles her skin, and her cheekbones are hidden. Dark bruises from lack of sleep outline her eyes but she looks healthier and alive. Last week the grim reaper stood over her shoulder waiting to carrying her away. The corners of his mouth twitch as he hears the slight increase in her heart rate.
His smile turns into a scowl as he zeroes in on her flat stomach. Days ago she harbored a science project with claims of keeping it. Anger flashes through his system even as he understands Edward's caution. The bloodsucker crossed a line. He didn't bite a human, but he did attack a defenseless one. It is Edward's bad luck the Alpha takes it personally - especially when it involved Bella.
Jake's ears twitch as quiet footsteps fall on the ground behind him. He counts the pack's eight heartbeats and sends a silent thanks to the Spirits one of his wolves has the sense to guard the treaty line. Leah would either have his nuts or demand a vacation day for this stunt. The nosey bastards are too restless. His wolves needed the down time, but the lack of vampire activity causes a rift in the pack's balance. They needed to burn some energy.
Her cheeks turn rosy as she takes hesitant steps towards him. He manages to hold onto his quivering form as her scent begins to soothe his senses. "Jacob," she breathes.
She is in his arms before he registers he even moved. Jake buries his nose in her neck and inhales the delicious scent of Bella. His wolf purrs as the soft female wraps herself tightly around his body. Salty water tingles his nose as she dampens his shoulder. "Shush, you're safe now," he promises as he strokes her back and nuzzles her hair.
Jake tightens his hold and walks them into the house away from prying eyes. He sits on the couch and tucks Bella against his chest. His arms hold her close as he absorbs her sobs. She needed to let it had a tendency to bottle her emotions inside until they ate her alive. The best thing he could do for her is wait until she is ready.
Her sobbing recedes into hiccups. Jake chuckles as the annoying disruptions in her breathing increase. The feather light slap on his pec sends him into a fit of laughter. "Stop laughing at me Jake," she pouts making him snicker.
His laughter catches in his throat as cool fingertips trace the divots in his abs. Jake clears his throat and gently removes her hand . "What made you want to come to La Push?" he asks.
He shifts his hold and she sits up straight. They survey each other a moment before Bella takes her bottom lip between her teeth. Jake barely contains the goan at the sexy nervous gesture. "The sun shines in La Push," she says, never breaking eye contact.
Jake releases the breath he didn't know was caught in his lungs. He reaches up and skims her cheekbone with his gentle fingertips. She draws her lip between her teeth again. His head cocks to the side as he pulls the plump flesh free. Warm air tingles his digit as his callused pad traces the indentions.
The spell is broken and his hand falls to his side as he remembers she belongs to the enemy. Bella shies away from him and runs her fingers through her hair. He wants to protest as she removes herself from his lap, but he keeps quiet as she sits beside him. Mahogany tresses shield her face as she picks at the frayed hole on her knee. Jake sweeps the curtain aside to tuck it behind her ear and asks,
"What happened Bells?"
She shrugs her shoulders and knocks the hair loose to fall into her face. Jake reaches out and lifts her chin to direct her attention at him. Once he gains it, he holds it hostage and dares her to speak the lie on her tongue. "I chose to live," Bella says as she turns from his penetrating glare.
Jake feels his body grow cold with her statement. Even now, after everything, she still protects the bastard. He thought for sure he forced her to blame him for something, and yet again, she sacrifices herself to save him. Their definition of love is fucked up. Bella would never have to lie to cover his ass, ever.
Before he could declare the fact, she stands from the couch. "Hungry?" she asks as his belly rumbles it's approval. Bella chuckles and holds out her hand. "Come on, I'll cook," she says with a smile.
Jake takes her hand and follows her into the kitchen. She shakes his hand off as they pass a chair. "Sit," she instructs before rummaging through his cabinets and refrigerator.
He follows his instructions as he leans against the backrest of his seat. Bella discards her flannel overshirt leaving her in a white tank top. She puts her hair into a sloppy bun and begins the process of fried chicken with all the "southern fixins", courtesy of Paula Deen. Jake holds his hands over his hard on at the rise and fall of her ass as she bends and stands on her tiptoes. "I'm going as fast as I can," she calls with a chuckle as his stomach growls louder.
Times flies as she bustles around his tiny kitchen to prepare their meal. Her cheeks flush pink from standing over the hot stove. Wirey wisps glue to her forehead from her sweaty effort. Jake knew he'd never seen a more beautiful sight. . At least for the moment, he can pretend she is his and she wouldn't leave once she is done hiding from the bloodsucker.
Bella begins to line the dinner table with serving platters of food. Jake stands to get their plates and flatware. "A drink?" she asks as she skates around him to the fridge.
"Just a water, thanks," he says as he sets the table with the flatware before taking his seat.
She hands him the bottle of water and asks, "Should I make a plate for your dad?"
"Sure, sure," he says as he piles his plate full.
Bella dresses Billy's plate and puts plastic wrap around it before setting in the the microwave. Jake waits to take his first bite until Bella fixes her own plate. They eat in comfortable silence. He grunts with every bite, making her snort. "I think this makes you 35," Jake comments before taking on another mouth full.
He can't help his returning smile she disguises behind her own fork. "Thanks," she mumbles.
After his third helping to her one, Jake reclines in his chair to rub his full stomach. "That was awesome Bells. Thanks," he says.
"You're welcome," she replies with a smile as she stands with her plate.
Jake takes the dish from her hands and takes it to the sink along with his own. "I'll do that," he says.
Bella nods and nervously shuffles from foot to foot. "Jake," she says, stopping him from cleaning their mess.
"Yeah?" he quirks a brow at her.
She bite her lip before she shyly asks, "Can I stay here tonight?"
Jake forgets to breathe with her question. His heart pounds in his chest at having her stay at his house over night. He feels like the teenager he is as his mouth goes dry and his palms are sweaty. What he really wants to say is please don't ever leave, but instead he asks, "Won't your bloodsucker mind?"
He licks his lips with nervous anticipation as he waits. Bella shrugs her shoulders and crosses her arms over her chest. "Sure, Bells. There are towels in the hallway. Help yourself to a shirt from my drawer if you want," he offers.
"Thanks, Jake," she says and walks down the hall.
Jake exhales his breath at her departure. He makes haste with clean up duty and finishes putting away the sparkling dishes in their proper places as the shower shuts off. The dirty dish cloth is dropped off in the hamper on his way to his room. Armed with his fresh change of clothes, he enters the hall as she exits the bathroom. "Jeez Jake, you scared me," she says as she holds her heart in her chest.
Her statement fills his with boyish humor as he smirks at her confession. "Sorry," he says with a chuckle.
He doesn't remove himself from her path making her brush against him as she passes. Jake inhales the scent of his soap and shampoo covering her natural musk. The bathroom door closes behind him as he drowns in Bella's aroma left in the tiny room. His shower broke world records as the fastest he's ever taken. Once his bathroom ritual is complete, he walks to his room rubbing excess water from his shaggy hair.
Jake stops dead in his tracks in the doorway at the sight before him. Bella lies curled on her side with her head buried in his pillow. The sheet is balled into her fist as she holds it close to her face. He walks into his room and reaches over her to grab the other pillow. "Sorry, didn't mean to wake you," he says as she stirs and looks up at him through cracked lids.
"Stay, please," she says.
Jake doesn't hesitate to crawl in the bed next to her. He pulls her close into his chest as she wiggles to get closer. She sighs once before her body falls into rest. His arms tightens around her middle as he buries his face in the back of her neck. The moment his eyes close, Jake remembers nothing else but the feel of Bella in his arms at last.