Babies, Babies, Babies

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N-thank you for the kind reviews, Nikki.

Part One

Bella watched as Jacob bottle fed Marlon. She was fascinated by how gentle he was. Jacob was so tall, strong and muscular; to see him cradling the infant boy in his arms was just so surreal. He reminded her of a popular poster that had been around years ago in the nineties; Renee had of course had it plastered on the wall of whatever apartment they were staying in at the time. She often left furniture behind but this always travelled with them. It featured a buff half naked man holding a baby just the way Jacob was holding Marlon now. Only for once Jacob was wearing a t-shirt, which probably was down to the fact that his sister was home and there were children in the house. She watched as he held the bottle in his large hand, his whole focus was the baby in his care and she couldn't help swooning at the picture of domestic bliss in front of her. He was going to make a great dad one day and she couldn't stop the flicker of jealousy running through her as she thought about who the lucky lady would be.

Bella felt a tug on the sleeve of her shirt and peered down at Jet who was looking for some attention of her own. She had her own bottle; she was sucking on the teat furiously just as she had with her dummy when Bella first arrived. Her large dark brown eyes, framed with the most luscious lashes Bella had ever seen on a child, gazed up at her. Bella smiled at the little girl before leaning down to pick her up. Jet dropped the bottle she was holding and Bella winced as it landed on her foot. Jet beamed at her mischievously before she reached across to try and grab a tendril of Bella's hair which had come loose from its bindings. "No you don't, missy." Bella caught Jet's hand and shook her head at the little girl. Jet pouted and wriggled on her lap trying to break free and grab what she wanted.

Jacob looked over at Bella and grinned. "She sure is precocious." He said in amusement. Marlon had finished his bottle and Jacob expertly winded the little boy. Marlon let out a huge belch as a fake windy smile crossed his lips, he then yawned adorably and his eyes fluttered closed. "And this one loves his sleep." Jacob continued as he peered down at the contented baby.

"Like someone else I know." Bella became lost in memories. When she used to stay with Charlie on her yearly visits when she was very small, she would often come over to the Black's house with her father and play with the twins and Jacob himself, when she arrived Jacob always seemed to be just waking up from a nap. He could be very grouchy when disturbed. He had some epic tantrums as she recalled.

"What are you thinking about?" Jacob asked when he caught the wistful smile on her face.

"You, do you remember the first time I came to visit, when I accidentally fell head first onto one of your mud pies? Jeez the bawling you did? I think the whole of Washington State must have heard it." Bella wrinkled her nose as she pictured three year old Jacob in her head.

"I never thought you would have remembered that." Jacob sounded choked up as he spoke. He looked sad and Bella felt a lump come into her throat. They locked eyes for a moment before Jet demanded attention again. She had taken advantage of Bella's preoccupation and managed to grab her hair and yank on it. Bella had to bite really hard on her bottom lip to stop herself yelling in pain, while Jet giggled and clapped her hands in delight.

Jacob and Bella decided to go for a stroll. The day was too nice to stay indoors. They wanted to take advantage of the sun before it disappeared again. They dressed Jet in a light jacket and made sure her brother was wrapped up against any chill. Jacob left a note for Rebecca and her husband before they left. Jacob pushed Marlon in his pram while Bella used a stroller to strap a wriggling Jet into and off they went. Jacob suggested they head for a small park nearby; it had children's swings and a slide. He hoped that Jet would wear herself out on the play equipment. He had never known a kid with so much energy. He couldn't stop himself glancing at Bella as they walked side by side. He had missed her so much, and to have her turn up today so unexpectedly had thrown him through a loop. He longed to ask her why she had chosen now to come and see him. Was there a specific reason? Was she changing her mind? Or was that wishful thinking on his part? She appeared happy and relaxed as she pointed out different things to Jet as they walked. The little girl was lapping up all the attention and was for once not trying to escape the confines of her stroller.

They reached the little park in record time; other children were there with their families. It seemed everyone wanted to be out on such a rare sunny day. Jacob hailed a few people that he recognised. He saw them studying Bella curiously; she was hunkered down in front of Jet as she unstrapped the little girl and lifted her out of the stroller. Marlon was still fast asleep and showed no signs of waking any time soon. Bella took Jet's hand and helped her over to the baby swings before she lifted the eager little girl into the swing and began to gently push her. Jet giggled happily as she wriggled in her seat, waving her hands in front of her excitedly.

Jacob felt very emotional as he watched Bella play with the little girl. It was something he thought he would never see Bella do, in fact he had often daydreamed about such a scenario, but it was their children that Bella was playing with. Hurt washed over him and he had to look away for a moment lest Bella notice that he was upset. He concentrated on Marlon instead; he pulled the thin blanket over the sleeping baby and tucked it closer around him to ward of the slight chill in the air.

Jet stayed on the swings for quite a while before she became bored and wanted to be let down so she could try the slide. Bella was flushed with the effort of keeping up with the excitable little girl and was already feeling tuckered out after Jet climbed the small slide for what seemed the hundredth time. "You had enough yet, sweetie?" She asked. Of course she knew Jet wasn't going to answer, but by the mutinous expression on her pretty face Bella guessed she wasn't ready to go yet.

"We don't see your kind here often." A female's voice startled Bella. She turned around to find a young Quileute woman standing behind her. She couldn't have been more than twenty or so. She was holding onto the hand of a little boy, he looked about two. Bella was taken aback by the girl's statement and didn't know how to respond. Jet was tugging on her hand trying to get her to help her to climb the small slide again. "I ask you again what are you doing here?" The girl continued. Her tone was not in the least friendly.

"Same as you." Bella replied coolly, she was irritated by the stranger's attitude. It was something she had never come across before and she was stunned by it.

"She's not yours." The girl stared down at Jet who for once was remaining still. It seemed the astute little girl was picking up on the tension.

"Do we have a problem here?" Bella demanded, she lowered her voice so she didn't upset Jet.

Before the girl could reply Jacob was suddenly by her side. She felt his warm hand on her lower back as he glared at the other girl. "Perhaps you should move on, Elise." He stated coldly.

Elise seemed surprised to see the Chief's son cavorting with a pale face. Her eyes showed confusion as she glanced down at Jet again and then at Marlon sleeping peacefully in his pram. "Are you slumming it Jacob?" She sneered as she looked at Bella distastefully.

Jacob narrowed his eyes. His hand pressed harder on Bella's back, she didn't know why this girl had a problem with her, she didn't even know who she was, this was the first time she had ever seen her. When Bella visited La Push she hardly saw many of the others in the small community. She was mostly alone with Jacob unless his best friends Quil and Embry were there and of course the pack too. She began to wonder if her reputation had preceded her, but that would be ridiculous. Jacob said no more to Elise, instead he guided Bella away from the other girl and they both left the park.

Jacob was silent on the way back to his house, his brow was furrowed and he seemed deep in thought. Bella wondered whether this Elise girl had a thing for him, which was the only explanation she could think of to explain the girl's reaction to her. Jet kept pulling her socks and shoes off her feet and Bella was kept busy picking them up on the way back. In the end she gave up and let Jet wriggle her bare feet in front of her as she stared delightedly at her toes. Bella felt like some of the fun had gone out of the day and wished that they had not come across the bitchy Elise. The encounter seemed to have darkened Jacob's mood as well. It was a relief to Bella when they reached the familiar redwood house.

"Perhaps I should go now?" She suggested tentatively. Jacob had been so quiet that she was beginning to think she had overstayed her welcome. It had been kind of him to spend any time with her at all; perhaps he wanted some space again.

"Why would you do that?" Jacob demanded suddenly. Anxiety was shining in his dark eyes and it took Bella's breath away, she had never seen her confident Jacob ever look anxious and it threw her for a moment. She instinctively reached for his hand and curled her fingers around his. "You'll stay?" He pressed as his eyes dropped to their joined hands.

"If you want me to." Bella smiled at him weakly and he returned it, although it seemed a little forced. Something was clearly troubling him and Bella assumed it had something to do with Elise. Jet began to wriggle impatiently in the stroller as she tried to escape. Bella tore her eyes away from Jacob and bent down to release the little girl.

Jacob picked up a still sleeping Marlon carefully and he led the way back into the house with Bella and Jet trailing behind.

A/N-thanks for reading!