Babies, Babies, Babies

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

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

Part Eighteen

Charlie knew something was up by the secretive glances and silly smiles that his daughter and his best friend's son were shooting each other across the breakfast table. He watched as Jacob and Bella passed each other different things across the table, like the sugar bowl. Jacob had an odd habit of piling about three heaped up tablespoons on his cereal, much to Charlie's disgust, the kid should be careful about all that sugar, but as he watched Jacob's gaze linger on Bella and his fingers stroke hers as he took the bowl, Charlie knew for certain that something had changed between them. It was definitely confirmed when Bella giggled like a schoolgirl with a crush at one of Jacob's rather lame jokes. She never did that, normally she would roll her eyes and call him out on how bad the pun was, but not today. She seemed to find everything that Jacob said endlessly amusing and he was no better. If his grin got any wider it would cover his whole face.

"Will you two stop, please?" Charlie finally had enough. "I'm having trouble keeping my breakfast down as it is. When did all this start?" He gestured between them as they both stared at him in bewilderment.

"What do you mean?" Bella asked.

"Oh come on, I may be old but I'm not blind, now that I have just been dipping my toe in the dating pool myself I have become very aware of the signs." Charlie stated pompously.

Bella cringed. Dipping his toe in the dating pool? Seriously? She was still finding it a bit hard imagining Charlie being all romantic with Sue Clearwater. They had been on two dates now; thankfully she hadn't witnessed any PDA's between them yet. "Dad, you know me and Jake. We've like known each other forever." This time she did roll her eyes.

"Yeah, since we were in diapers." Jacob interjected as he winked at Bella.

Bella shook her head at him. "You may have still been having issues controlling your bladder when you were three, Jake. I can assure you that I didn't at the age of five."

Jacob frowned at this rejoinder and his expression made Charlie laugh. He picked up his breakfast and headed out of the kitchen. "I'm going to finish this in the front room. I don't think I can witness any more of this." He stopped before he reached the door, his humour having suddenly deserted him as he spun around and glared at Jacob warningly. "Just because I approve doesn't mean I want to see you getting handsy with my little girl, got that?" He barked at Jacob, startling him. "And if you are staying here then you sleep downstairs and stay there, no sneaking up to Bells' room. Otherwise you and I will fall out very quickly."

"Dad." Bella's face flushed in mortification.

"Right, Charlie, Chief, Sir." Jacob mumbled. Charlie nodded at him before he continued on his way. But Jacob didn't really know when to shut up. He recovered from Charlie's warning very quickly as a smirk crossed his face. "Do you follow the same rules at the Clearwater's?" He called out.

Bella put her head in her hands and groaned.

"Jeez, your dad has a good aim." Jacob was rubbing the back of his head where Charlie's spoon had hit it. It didn't really hurt him; he was a wolf after all with a quick healing ability. But Charlie didn't know that. The Chief had definitely overreacted.

Bella switched on the truck's loud rumbling engine and proceeded to back out of the drive. They were heading back to La Push so Jacob could help Billy get ready for the day. They also wanted to check on the children. Despite Rebecca being back and Rachel, that didn't mean they still weren't anxious. "You really should learn to keep your beautiful mouth shut sometimes."

"I have a beautiful mouth do I?" Jacob smiled at her as he shifted across the bench seat and slipped his arm across her shoulders. "I could put this beautiful mouth to good use." He teased as he leaned close and began kissing the nape of her neck.

Bella swerved suddenly, the feel of his hot lips on her sensitive skin were too distracting. She glared at him, motioning for him to behave. Jacob grinned and shot her a playful wink as he settled back in his seat.

As soon as Bella pulled up outside Jacob's house they heard the sound of yelling. Paul's voice was instantly recognisable as was Rachel's, but they didn't seem to be arguing with each other. Bella couldn't hear as distinctly as Jacob and she could tell by the look on his face that he knew who the other person was. All amusement had left his face now to be replaced with anger. Bella quickly grabbed hold of his hand as he marched toward the house. "Easy, Jake." She warned him.

Jacob inhaled sharply as he tried to calm himself down. Bella was right he needed to focus. He didn't know yet whether the children were in the house or not, or his father. But he knew who Rachel and Paul were rowing with, it was Solomon. Rebecca's husband was yelling in his own language. Jacob had no idea what he was saying in response to Rachel's accusations. "If the kids are inside I need you to take them out, Bells. They shouldn't be listening to this."

"Becca?" Bella asked as she accompanied Jacob inside.

"I can't hear her." Jacob strode ahead and burst into the front room, startling everyone except Paul who had already heard his approach. Jacob could see that his pack brother was on the verge of shifting. He was obviously riled up because Solomon was yelling at Rachel and he wanted to defend her, but the last thing any of them needed was for Lahote to explode into a raging ball of fur in the middle of the room. "Leave." Jacob ordered Paul. His pack brother shook his head fiercely as his muscles bunched under his tan skin. He was standing in front of Rachel defensively. Solomon didn't know how close he was to getting his head ripped off. "Paul, leave now." Jacob said again, but Lahote wouldn't leave Rachel. Jacob cursed under his breath.

"You need to haul him out of here." Bella whispered. She was very much aware of what was about to happen. She had seen Paul on the verge of losing it plenty of times. Rachel was ignoring them all, she was still shouting at Solomon, her finger jabbing in his direction.

"Try and control Rach." Jacob said in a low voice to Bella. "I'll get Paul out and….god I'll have to call Sam and the others to control him. The children…."

"Go." Bella replied. "It will be fine. Trust me."

"Bells, I…" Jacob was interrupted as a low growl ripped from Paul's chest. "Dammit." Jacob cursed as he hurried over to his pack brother and literally dragged him from the house, which was a struggle as Lahote was vibrating with anger.

When Jacob and Paul were out of sight Bella got in between Solomon and Rachel. Jacob's sister looked as if she was about to explode herself. Her eyes were alight with fire as she yelled insults at Solomon. "Will you both shut up?" Bella yelled.

"Stay out of this." Rachel tore her eyes away from Solomon and turned her fierce glare onto Bella instead. "I want to know what this ass has done to my sister."

"Where is Becca?" Bella demanded, she ignored Rachel's glare and matched it with one of her own.

"That is what I am trying to get out of this fool. He turned up late last night absolutely wasted. Paul threw him out of the house but my daft sister went running after him. She hasn't been back since, this asshole turned up blabbing rubbish no one understands about twenty minutes ago, and there is no sign of Becca." Interspersed between her anger, Bella could see that Rachel was anxious and scared for her twin's wellbeing. But the way she was dealing with it wasn't helping the situation. Rachel needed to calm down.

"Where are Jet and Marley?" Bella demanded. "And Billy?" She grabbed Rachel by the shoulders and shook her a little.

"Dad called the Clearwater's to ask them to help him track Becca down. Seth turned up in Harry's old truck and picked him up. They were going to scout around and see if they could see her. I told Paul to go too but he wouldn't leave me unprotected." Rachel spat sarcastically. "As if I need protecting? I can look after…."

Bella shook Rachel again. She was getting irate herself with the girl. All she wanted to know was where the kids were? Rachel shoved her backwards, irritated that Bella was manhandling her. Bella felt like she wanted to give Rachel a long hard slap. Seriously, the girl was almost as self-absorbed as her twin. "I don't give a damn about your hurt feelings. I want to know where the children are." Bella demanded.

Realisation seemed to finally dawn on Rachel. She glanced toward the hall. "In their bedrooms I think….I…"

"You think?" Bella pushed Rachel to one side and ran down the hall. The poor kids must be terrified at all the shouting and yelling. She checked Jacob's room first where Jet slept, but it was empty. With her heart thumping madly in her chest Bella ran into the twin's old room. She felt tears well in her eyes as she found a petrified Jet crouched next to Marlon's cot. She had her thumb in her mouth and was holding onto her stuffed bunny for dear life. Bella ducked down and picked the little girl up and cuddled her close. "It's alright now." She cooed. Over the little girl's head she glanced down at Marlon. He was awake but thankfully seemed oblivious to all the chaos. .

With Paul now under the watchful eyes of Sam and Jared, Jacob was free to go back to the house. He was angry that he had been forced to leave because Lahote couldn't control himself. His pack brother needed to get himself under control; he couldn't lose it like that every time someone shouted at his imprint. When Jacob returned he was relieved to see that things were much quieter. Bella was sitting on the couch giving Marlon his bottle, while Jet was pressed into her side watching. Rachel was sitting at the kitchen table, she was looking very sorry for herself. By the annoyed looks Bella was giving his sister, he sensed that she had really given Rachel a very much deserved dressing down. Jacob ignored his sulking sister and joined Bella and Jet. The little girl immediately crawled onto his lap.

"Where's Solomon?" Jacob whispered as he cuddled the little girl.

"He left." Bella replied in a low voice. "He only came back to get the rest of his stuff. He wasn't even interested in seeing his poor children." Bella's mouth thinned as she spoke. "I think Becca has taken off again. There has been no sign of her for hours. In fact I have the distinct feeling she sent Solomon back to collect some stuff she wanted as she was too cowardly to do it herself."

Jacob wanted to dispute what Bella was saying but he had a sinking feeling she was right. He kept his anger and disappointment at Rebecca hidden deep inside. "Where's my dad?" He asked instead.

"With Seth, they're scouting around looking for Becca." Bella finished feeding Marlon and carefully sat the infant upright so she could wind him.

The sound of a phone beeping seemed extra loud in the tense silence. Jacob looked toward Rachel as she fished around in her coat pocket for her cell. She found it and immediately checked the text message that had come through. Her face fell as she sat back down in her chair, she looked stunned.

"Rach?" Jacob stood up, still cradling Jet in his arms. He went over to his sister, who handed her cell to him wordlessly. He quickly read the message, it was from Rebecca.

"I'm sorry, Rach. I can't do it. I'm not strong like you. Take care of Jet and Marlon for me. I'll be in touch when I can. Becca X."

A/N-thanks for reading!