Babies, Babies, Babies
Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.
A/N-thanks for the kind reviews, Nikki.
Part Twenty Three
Jacob was worried about Bella, even though he had tried his best to reassure her, he could see that Rachel's words had hit her hard. She was very quiet afterwards and spent most of her time with the children so she could easily avoid discussing it. He cursed the fact that he had pressing work to finish. He was behind on rebuilding the engine after delaying it to sort out his hot headed sister. So despite wanting to sort things out with Bella he had to leave her and go back to work on his project. It wasn't only Jacob who noticed that something was up with Bella. Billy did too. The sadness was written all over her although she did her best to hide it. He would catch her staring into space with an anxious expression on her face when she had a break from the children. When he asked her what was wrong she would jolt back to life, plaster on a big smile and assure him that she was great, that everything was fine.
Charlie and Sue arrived about six in the evening. Jacob was still out in the garage hard at work. Bella had already fed the children and was now whipping up a meal for the adults. While she was preoccupied in the kitchen, Billy pulled Charlie and Sue to one side so he could talk to them about Bella. Charlie became anxious at once as he began to worry that his daughter was falling into her old depression, but Billy quickly assured his friend that wasn't the case. He had to be careful as Charlie was still in the dark about the supernatural element that surround him, but Billy hoped to change that fairly soon. He was in talks with Old Quil and the other elders, trying to get them to agree to let Charlie in on the secret. It was slow going but he hoped that a decision was on the horizon.
"No, I think it's more like she needs a release from all the pressure. She has been amazing with my grandchildren. They really adore her, little Jet toddles around after her everywhere…no I think she needs a break, so does my son. They are carrying burdens that most people would crumble under…."
"I've been trying to rearrange my hours so I can be here more." Charlie rubbed a hand over his face as he glanced anxiously at Bella as she floated around the kitchen.
"I've managed to juggle some of my shifts at the hospital. Lee has offered to help out more, and Emily says she is willing to help too." Sue put a hand on Charlie's shoulder when she saw his worried face. "It will get easier, it's still early days."
"I was thinking perhaps we could give Jake and Bella some time off." Billy suggested. "Their relationship is very new, well romantically speaking, and they haven't had a chance to just relax and have a little fun."
"I could get someone to cover for me Saturday." Sue said as she looked between the two men. "Perhaps they can go out on a date then."
"No, it would look too engineered." Billy shook his head. "No, I think we need to be more subtle, plan something where everyone can have a little fun and relax. God knows we all need it."
"You're thinking of arranging a bonfire or something?" Charlie interjected. "Isn't that what the youngsters like doing, getting together and stuff without adult eyes watching." He smiled as Sue stroked his cheek with her fingers.
"I think that sounds a wonderful idea. We could start it early, we can all attend, even the kids, and then later on in the evening we can all head home and give the others time to have their fun." Sue kissed Charlie's cheek, making him redden slightly.
Billy had to laugh at his friend's embarrassment at Sue's affectionate display. "Well Chief, what do you think?"
"I think we have a plan." Charlie said as he looked toward his daughter again.
Bella locked herself in the bathroom when her cell rang. She wanted to talk to the caller in private. Charlie, Sue and Billy were chatting amiably in the front room as they entertained the children. Jacob was still working in the garage. So it gave her a chance to slip away unnoticed. "Rosalie?"
"Emmet and I are waiting for our flight. It's chaos here." Rosalie said distastefully as she avoided the swarming crowds at the London airport. "I have spoken to Carlisle and Esme; they told me that Edward still hasn't joined them. They are going to cut their own visit in Denali short and are going to head back to Forks. I think you'll find that they will be with you first, so wait for their call. Are you still in La Push?"
"Yes." Bella whispered as she held the phone tightly in her hands.
"Stay there. You better update your wolf boy on what I have just told you. He needs to tell his pack that Carlisle and Esme will be around." Rosalie advised.
The blonde's words made Bella's stomach churn. She still hadn't told Jacob anything about Alice or Edward. She hadn't wanted him to worry, and with the Rachel debacle just upsetting things further, it had just made the situation even more difficult. "I haven't told Jake anything." Bella confessed quietly.
"Why the hell not?" Rosalie was astonished.
"I didn't want to worry him, there is so much going on here…I…"
"That's just a feeble excuse Bella Swan and you know it." Rosalie replied heatedly. "He needs to be made fully aware of everything. You don't want Edward and Alice to blindside him. Do you trust your wolf boy or not?"
Bella felt like she had just got a dressing down, but she couldn't deny that Rosalie was right, she was falling into her old habit of trying to be a martyr and save others from worry. But it had never really worked in the past and she knew Jacob would be hurt that she had kept the truth from him. It made her no better than Edward in that respect. "I trust Jake with my life." Bella mumbled.
"Well then tell him." Rosalie snapped impatiently. "What?" Bella heard Emmet whispering something to Rosalie in the background. "Our flight has been called, I have to go. Tell him, Bella." Rosalie ended the call.
Bella slumped against the bathroom wall and closed her eyes. She felt so tired, worn down and burdened with worry. Now she was going to have to face hurting Jacob again when she had vowed not to do so. Tears rolled down her face as she cried silently, trying to remain as quiet as possible so none of the others heard.
It was gone nine when Jacob finally finished working. His back ached from leaning over the hood of the truck for so long. He cleaned up his oily hands with an old rag before heading back to the house. After having a few days of fine weather, it was now raining again. It wet his hair and drenched his clothes as he jogged tiredly toward the front porch. The lights shining from the house felt welcoming as he ran up the steps and went inside. He found his father, Charlie and Sue deep in conference. They looked up when he entered the room and waved him over.
"Bella kept your dinner warming in the oven." Billy gestured toward the kitchen.
"I'll get it. Take my seat." Sue offered as she got up and smiled at Jacob.
"Thanks." Jacob returned her smile gratefully. "Where's Bells?"
"She was reading Jet a story and fell asleep herself." Charlie told him. "I left her lying next to Jet. I didn't want to disturb her."
Jacob felt disappointed that Bella wasn't there to greet him but he knew how exhausted she must be. He felt the same; he could happily join Bella in the other room and fall straight to sleep. However he needed to eat and by the looks on the faces of the adults it seemed they wanted to talk to him about something. Sue put a piled up plate of food in front of him and while he ate they all filled him in on the bonfire idea.
"Yeah, sounds great and everything, but I don't have the time to organise anything like that." Jacob completely misunderstood what they were trying to say. He was so bogged down with responsibility that he immediately thought that they wanted him to add this to his daily list of chores.
"No son." Billy assured him quickly. "Leave all the planning to us. All we want you and Bella to do is turn up, okay. You both need a chance to relax, we all do."
Jacob couldn't hide his relief that he wouldn't have to deal with the arrangements. "Cool. Yeah, we could all do with that." He continued to eat but he could tell that there was still something playing on their minds. Charlie was frowning. He put down his knife and fork and sighed. "What's wrong?" He asked reluctantly.
"Bells." Charlie turned to face him. "We've all noticed that she seems a bit down. Has she said anything to you?"
Jacob ran a hand over his face. What did they want him to say? He could hardly tell Charlie that his daughter was stressing over imprinting. He didn't have any idea about that side of things. "It's just been a long few days that's all."
"So everything is okay between you two?" Charlie pressed.
Jacob was getting annoyed now. He knew that Charlie worried about Bella more than the average parent, especially because of her past depression over Cullen, but she was with him now. Wasn't it obvious she was feeling overburdened and anxious about the future like they all were? "Everything is fine, honestly." He tried to keep his tone even but still there was a sharpness to it that they all detected.
Charlie smiled grimly. "Keep my nose out; is that what you really mean?"
"No…well…yes." Jacob couldn't help but return the older man's smile.
"I'm sorry, Jake. I just worry you know." Charlie reached across and patted him on the shoulder.
"I know." Jacob picked up his knife and fork again as he continued to eat. They left him alone after that so he could finish in peace.
Bella's brow furrowed as she dreamed. She was back in Volterra facing down Jane as her vicious red eyes glowed and the screams of the dying tourists echoed around the huge cylindrical chamber as the Volturi feasted. Bella put her hands over her ears as she tried to drown out the horrific noise. "Leave me alone." She cried out. "There is nothing I can give you. What do you want from me?"
Suddenly Aro was in front of her. He smiled ingratiatingly as he wiped the fresh blood from his lips. "Your shield my dear, we want your shield."
Bella woke up with a start. She inhaled deeply as she stared wide eyed around the darkened bedroom. She wasn't in Italy; she was safe in La Push. Slowly her breathing returned to normal. By her side Jet was still sleeping peacefully. Marlon was lying on his back, snoring softly through his open mouth as he slept. Bella lay back down and pulled Jet into her arms, feeling the little girl cuddling close to her eased her frazzled nerves and she finally drifted off again, although her dreams remained troubled.
A/N-thanks for reading! I have been asked by a few readers for longer chapters. If I do this it will mean I will only be able to update once a week if that because it takes time to type and edit everything. So I leave it up to you, let me know if you would rather fewer updates and longer chapters. Thanks, Nikki.