Babies, Babies, Babies

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N-thanks for the kind reviews, Nikki.

Part Twelve

Bella spent the morning looking after Marlon and Jet with Billy. Jacob had to leave to work on a truck a neighbour had dropped off for him to repair. Sue, who had stayed overnight with Leah to help with the children, left for work at the clinic, while Leah went home to rest before she headed out to her own part time job. It was quite a restful morning, Marlon was an easy baby, when fed he usually dozed for a while and wasn't one to make a fuss when he woke. Jet was harder. She was a bundle of energy and Bella found herself chasing the toddler around the house. She had forgotten to put her hair up when she first arrived and she was reminded of her mistake when Jet pulled her hair and burst into playful giggles. Bella had to scold the little girl which caused Jet to pout and play up a little more. But after a while Bella fell into an easy rhythm with the children and found herself enjoying her time with them. Billy made them all a big lunch when twelve rolled around and Bella took some out to Jacob in the garage. He was covered in grease and oil but his face lit up when he saw her and he eagerly took the piled up plate of food from her. Bella had to laugh when he kissed her cheek and left a grease stain. She wiped it off as she kept him company while he ate.

"Thanks for this, Bells." Jacob grinned at her as he leaned against the hood of the truck. "How's the kids?"

"Jet has kept me on my toes, but other than that it's been fun actually." Bella returned his smile as a wistful expression crossed her face.

Jacob noticed of course, he always noticed everything about her. He finished up his lunch and looked at her enquiringly. "What are you thinking about?"

"Oh it's silly." Bella shrugged as red tinged her cheeks.

Jacob hunkered down in front of her and peered into her eyes. "Nothing you say would ever be silly. Come on, spill." He urged her.

Bella rubbed her hands on the front of her jeans as she averted her eyes from his. She didn't know how to put it into words without sounding like an idiot, but this was Jake, her best friend, she could say anything to him, yes he might tease her, but he always listened. "I was just thinking about what my own children might have been like." She whispered. "You know their personalities and stuff. Would they be full of energy and mischief like Jet or laid back like baby Marlon?"

Jacob saw tears glimmer in Bella's eyes. He had guessed that she had been thinking about her future with Cullen, and the fact that she would never get to be a mother if she went ahead and married him. He had to admit it hurt him to hear her talk of children, especially after the vision she had shared with him after their epic kiss on the mountaintop. Bella's eyes finally met his and she gasped, finally realising how painful this must be for him to hear. She reached out and touched his cheek gently. Jacob put his hand over hers and pressed her fingers hard into his skin.

"I better get back." She said after a while. Bella didn't know how to apologise to Jacob for bringing up the subject of children, but she could see on his face that though it had hurt him to hear her mention them, he still understood. She smiled at him sadly before pulling her hand away and walking slowly out of the garage. Jacob watched her go as a single tear slid down his cheek.

"Marley's asleep." Billy told Bella when she had finished clearing up the lunch dishes. "But this one…" He smiled fondly at Jet who was jumping up and down, eager for more attention. "Is still full of beans."

"I thought I might take her to the swings or something. She seemed to like that before." Bella suggested.

"Good idea. I can keep an eye on the little fella." Billy held out his arms to Jet and hauled her onto his lap. "You better behave Missy." He said to her in a mock stern voice. Jet just stuck her thumb into her mouth and smiled cheekily. Billy ruffled her hair playfully as Bella picked Jet up and slipped her warm jacket on. "I really appreciate this, Bella." Billy said gratefully. "Everyone has been so good, rallying around…" He became choked up as he ran out of words.

"It's a pleasure, Billy. Honestly." Bella rushed to reassure him.

Billy smiled at her gratefully as he waved goodbye to Jet, who was now impatient to be gone. Bella strapped the wriggling little girl into her buggy, waved goodbye to Billy and left.

The last time Bella had gone for a stroll around La Push was when Jacob had been with her, but this time she was alone with Jet. She greeted a few people that she recognised as she passed but she noticed a few staring at her curiously as if they were wondering what a paleface was doing there in the middle of the day. Bella just shrugged off their curious glances and kept up a running commentary for Jet about different things as they passed them. She wanted to keep Jet occupied; she played up less when spoken to. It didn't stop the mischievous toddler from kicking her shoes off and pulling off her socks as they headed toward the little play park. Bella had to keep retrieving them. The park was empty when she reached it so there was plenty of space for Jet to play. They started off with the swings. Bella adored hearing Jet giggle and watching her wave her arms as she pushed her back and forth. After a while Jet got bored and pointed to the small slide. Bella lifted her from the swing and helped her to climb up the slide instead.

She was so preoccupied entertaining the toddler that Bella didn't hear anyone else approach. "You again!" The voice startled her and she spun round to find the same girl from her prior visit to the park, Elise. Just like before Elise appeared none too pleased to see her.

"Do you have a problem with me or something?" Bella whispered fiercely. She didn't like the way the other girl was glaring at her.

Elise rolled her eyes. "You don't belong here." She muttered sarcastically.

"Get lost." Bella matched her glare. She grabbed hold of Jet's hand before the little girl wandered off.

"No you get lost." Elise's eyes narrowed. "Jacob is the Chief's son and…"

"So you're jealous?" Bella shook her head in disbelief. She didn't want to get in the middle of this. Elise obviously had a thing for Jacob and was pissed that he wasn't interested. Bella picked Jet up and headed for the buggy.

"Stay away." Elise called after her. "I'm warning you."

Bella didn't deign to reply. As far as she was concerned the girl wasn't worth her time. Bella strapped a protesting Jet back into the buggy and walked away with her head held high.

When she got back to the Black's house she saw an unfamiliar car parked out front. It was quite old and had obviously seen better days. The paintwork was scratched and one of the side windows had a huge crack in it. Perhaps it was another project for Jake to work on. Bella pushed the buggy inside the house and wasn't prepared to walk into the middle of world war three. As soon as she entered the hall she heard raised voices.

"I needed space…." That whining voice was Rebecca. Bella glanced down at Jet who was wriggling madly, trying to get out of the buggy when she heard her mother speak.

"Space?" Billy roared. "You can't just walk out when you feel stressed, Becca. You have responsibilities."

"That's what I said." Bella frowned when she heard an unfamiliar female voice.

"You're supposed to be my twin." Rebecca retorted. Ah, so the other female was Rachel. Bella leaned down and unclipped Jet from her seat and held her against her hip as she wondered whether to intrude or not. "You are supposed to support me." Rebecca continued. "I came to you…"

"Stop being a selfish cow, Becks." Rachel snapped. "None of us have heard from you in months, and then you turn up expecting us all to wipe your ass and babysit your children, which we knew nothing about. Where is that lazy dolt that you married?"

"Jake threw him out." Billy interjected. "You never mentioned his little drug habit Becca?"

"He only smokes a joint now and then. You didn't need to put him out. Like I said I needed a few days to…" There was the sound of a slap and then Rebecca started crying. "I hate you Rach. How dare you hit me?"

"I'm trying to slap some sense into you." Rachel raged. "Jeez, I need some air."

Bella decided she better make her entrance as she heard Rachel storming toward her. They nearly collided. Rachel stopped and stared at Bella, her eyes looked her up and down before they darkened. "I know you, you're Isabella. You're the cruel witch who hurt my little brother…." She jabbed a finger into Bella's chest.

"I…I…I…" Bella didn't know what to say. Billy and Rebecca were still arguing in the front room. Jet had her thumb in her mouth as her eyes rested on the strange woman who reminded her fuzzily of her mother.

The front door opened making Bella jump. She spun around and felt relief wash through her when Jacob came inside. Right behind him was Paul Lahote. "Bells?" Jacob smiled at her before he finally seemed to notice his sister. "Rach?" His eyes opened wide in surprise.

"Hey, little bro…or should I say big bro." Rachel looked at him appraisingly. "You have no right to grow up without my permission. Come here." Rachel shoved past Bella and hugged her brother.

Bella noticed that Paul seemed to be acting strangely. His eyes were riveted on Rachel, he was looking at her as if she was some kind of goddess or the answer to his prayers. A slow smile crossed his face as he pushed past Jacob and held out his hand to a bemused Rachel. "Paul." He said.

Rachel glared at Paul and ignored his outstretched hand. "Yeah I remember you. Still an idiot I see." She shook her head at his crestfallen expression as she turned her attention back to her brother. "Please tell me you are not hanging out with his sorry ass?" She lectured Jacob. "He's trouble."

"But I'm Paul." Paul muttered again as he rubbed the back of his neck. He now looked hurt as he gazed at the object of his affection.

"He's changed, sis." Jacob stopped talking as he turned to look at his pack brother. It slowly dawned on him what was going on. He recognised the look; he had seen it countless times on Sam, Quil and Jared's faces as they gazed at their imprints. "NO WAY!" He noticed from the corner of his eye that Bella was staring at Paul, he slowly saw understanding cross her beautiful face. "Bell's, wait…no…wait…." He saw her bolt out of the door, still holding Jet tightly in her arms as she ran. Jacob immediately darted after her leaving a confused Rachel and a disgruntled Paul alone together in the hall.

A/N-thanks for reading!