Babies, Babies, Babies

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

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

Part Two

Bella could see that Jacob was sad; it was in every line of his body as he moved, and it was showing in his expressive dark eyes, even though he was trying his best to hide it behind an overly bright smile. It showed when she would suddenly glance his way while she played with Jet and he was supposed to be preparing Marlon's next feed. She would catch him looking at her and even though he averted his gaze quickly she could see the sadness on his face. It hurt her to see him this way; it was all her fault and as another hour passed she deeply regretted foisting her company on him again and dredging up all his old feelings. Bella knew she had unwittingly been selfish, after she had promised him faithfully that she wouldn't be that way again. But just by turning up unexpectedly she had only been thinking of her wants and her needs, she had not thought about how it would affect him.

"Looks like I'm going to have to wake Marlon up from his beauty sleep, his next feed is due." Jacob's voice interrupted Bella's inner guilt trip. She smiled at him weakly before turning her attention to Jet, who was finally beginning to tire. The little girl yawned and rubbed her eyes. "Could you put her down for me? She's in my room for the moment." Jacob gazed at Bella for a moment before sighing and turning to pick up Marlon.

Bella bit down on her lip to stop her own tears from flowing. Jacob's melancholy was infecting her or maybe it was vice versa. She blamed the irritating Elise for bringing the mood down in the first place. Bella wondered briefly what the girl was to Jake, but then she decided it was none of her business either way. She picked up Jet and carried her into Jacob's room. The last time she had been in his room was when she had been telling him goodbye. The tears she had been holding back began to flow and she had to wipe her eyes furiously before Jet noticed. She gently placed the little girl on the bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. Jet's eyes were already closing; Bella envied her the ability to drop off to sleep so easily. That was something she had never been able to master. Kissing the little girl on the forehead Bella crept out of the room, left the door ajar and headed back to the front room.

Jacob was giving Marlon his second bottle. Bella hovered in the doorway and watched him, overcome once again by how gentle and caring Jacob was. He had always had a calmness about him that put people at ease. His bright smile and sunny nature made children relax in his company. Bella had seen it before with Emily's niece Claire and her little friends. Jacob wasn't afraid to goof around with the children; he was always in the thick of it and never tired of amusing the young children when others would get bored. He was amazing that way. He was amazing in lots of ways. Bella finally drifted over to join him just as Marlon was finishing up his feed. Jacob flashed her a sad smile as he expertly winded the baby by rubbing gently on his back. They both laughed quietly when Marlon let out a loud belch.

"I think I better change him now." Jacob got up from his seat.

"I'll get the changing mat." Bella hurried over to Marlon's baby bag which was filled with the necessary essentials and quickly pulled out the mat and unfolded it onto the floor. Jacob then carefully put the baby down and began the onerous task of changing his diaper. "You are so good at this." Bella praised him as she watched him place a clean diaper on Marlon. "You make it look so easy. You're going to be a great dad one day, Jake."

Jacob stiffened at her words. He glanced up at her and Bella felt her heart constrict at the hurt on his face. "Don't say things like that to me, Bells. Just don't."

"Jake, I never meant…." Bella stopped talking. What could she say? She remained silent as he gently put Marlon back in his pram; the infant's eyes were already drooping. He really did love his sleep! Bella approached Jacob cautiously, her eyes roamed his face, he wouldn't look at her directly, he was very tense and flinched when she took his hand in hers. "I'm sorry." She whispered.

"I know you are, Bells. It's just talking about me being a dad…don't you…I mean don't you ever think about having kids of your own? I mean that vision you had, the one you told me about. Hearing that was sheer torture for me. Knowing that you were rejecting a happy future with kids of our own for…for…" Jacob took his hand out of hers and turned away so she could no longer see his face. "That was like a knife to my heart, Bells. It really was and still is. Seeing you with Jet today…it just…I can't…" He was too choked up to continue.

Bella was horrified and felt deeply ashamed. She had never given a thought to what her confession had done to Jacob. She had only told him in the first place to ease the pain of her leaving, to show him that he meant so much to her and if it hadn't been for Edward, her life would have been with him. Instead her words had caused him even deeper pain. Of course he would think that she was rejecting him, as usual she had not thought through her actions. She was completely self-absorbed. She had wept in front of Edward when she had left Jacob and her tears had been all about her pain, she had pushed aside both Edward's and Jacob's hurt. "I'm sorry, Jake. I never meant to cause you more pain. I was never rejecting a future with you, not like you think…its…I…" Bella ran out of words. There was nothing she could say which would make him feel any better. The damage had already been done. Instead she slipped her arms around his waist and leaned her forehead on his broad back. Her tears soaked the back of his t-shirt. He remained tense for a long time before he eventually turned around and hugged her. More guilt swamped Bella as she realised she was still taking, when would she ever learn?

Jacob and Bella retreated to the couch. Neither of them had the energy to speak, both were feeling emotionally fragile and a little drained. Jacob put the television on low and they both sat together in silence staring sightlessly at a cooking show. Bella wasn't aware of when she fell asleep, it was only the sound of movement that jerked her awake. She glanced at Jacob and saw him rubbing his eyes. It seemed he had fallen asleep too.

"Wore you out did they, little brother?" Rebecca was standing in front of them smiling in amusement. Next to her stood a dark skinned man with a bright smile, he had his arm around Rebecca and his eyes shone with mirth. This had to be Solomon, her husband.

Jacob rolled his eyes as he looked at his sister. "Feeling rested?" He asked.

"Definitely." Rebecca leaned forward and ruffled Jacob's hair. "Thanks for babysitting." She turned her attention to Bella. "Hey, I remember you. You're Charlie's kid, right?" She held out her hand and Bella tentatively shook it. "I always knew you and Jake would end up together, it was obvious from the moment you met."

Bella's face drained of colour as she saw pain flash in Jacob's eyes which he quickly hid before Rebecca or Solomon noticed. "I'm hungry, sis." He interjected quickly trying to change the subject. "You promised me food in payment for the babysitting duties."

"That I did." Rebecca put her arm through Solomon's. She spoke to him in a language that Bella didn't understand. Solomon laughed and headed to the kitchen. "My wonderful husband is a Chef by trade so he will make you something that will make your mouth water. You are staying for dinner right?" She asked Bella.

"I'm not…"

"Yes, she is." Jacob interrupted and took her hand, squeezing it gently.

"Aww you two are so cute." Rebecca squealed. She ruffled Jacob's hair again before bounding into the kitchen after her husband.

"Jake, why didn't you tell her the truth?" Bella whispered.

"Later." Jacob put his fingers over her lips before she could protest anymore. "I just want to have a relaxing time with my family and my best friend. Can you do that for me, please?" His fingers lingered on her lips as his eyes begged for her understanding. Bella looked at him for a long time before she nodded in agreement. She saw his shoulders relax and he smiled at her. "Thanks." He took his fingers away and squeezed her hand again. "Dad will be due home soon. Perhaps you can call Charlie? The more people here the better. There is still a bit of tension between dad and Becca, you know because of the whole not telling us about the kid's thing!"

"So I am going to be the distraction am I?" Bella teased.

Jacob's smile faded and his expression turned wistful. "You are always a distraction." He said huskily.

Bella became choked up again and they gazed at each other intensely until Rebecca called out to Jacob to show her where the cooking utensils were in the kitchen. Jacob sighed at the interruption and reluctantly left leaving Bella staring after him.

A/N-thanks for reading!