Babies, Babies, Babies
Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.
A/N-thank you for the kind reviews, Nikki.
Part Twenty Seven
"Why not wait until Charlie comes to pick you up after he finishes for the day, Bella?" Bella could hear the suspicion in Billy's voice and see it on his face. Her face flushed as she began to fumble for a viable excuse.
"Sit down, sweetie." Sue said softly as she gestured toward one of the empty chairs.
"But I really need…"
Sue sighed as she exchanged a weary glance with Billy. "Please, Bella. We know something is wrong. Just sit down, relax and let us help you."
"We already know about the little pixie's vision." Billy's words sent Bella reeling. She stumbled as she fell back in the chair Sue had pulled out for her. How did he know? And if he knew then that meant Jake had to know too. Is that what Billy and Embry had been discussing earlier? Is that why Jake's father had shot her that disappointed glance when he came back in from talking to Embry? And Jake….is that why he had run off to Elise? So many questions whirled through her head at once that it made her feel faint. Black spots appeared before her eyes and she felt like she couldn't breathe. From a distance she heard Billy say her name and then she felt Sue's hand on her shoulder and her voice whispering in her ear to remain calm and lean forward so she could take in air. After a few moments as she gulped in more oxygen the tightness in her chest eased and she was able to sit up again.
"Are you okay now?" Sue asked gently.
"Yes." Bella whispered. Tears pooled in her eyes as she forced herself to look in Billy's direction. He didn't appear angry as she expected but rather very weary. "How did you find out about Alice? I swear I was going to tell Jake before he left for his so called meeting, but he wouldn't let me speak…"
"As I can tell by your tone you know Jake didn't go to a pack meeting. Cullen was demanding to see him. Jake didn't mention it because he didn't want you to worry, but unfortunately Cullen read his mind and worked out that you hadn't told my son about the little pixie's vision. He used that knowledge to his advantage and I am afraid Jake took the bait." He paused for a second as he studied Bella. Her face had drained of all colour and she seemed to be beyond speech. "Bella, is there any truth in what Alice Cullen said? Are you having any doubts about your change of heart because if you are then…"
"NO I AM NOT." Bella suddenly came back to life as his words sparked a rush of anger. "I cannot believe you would even have to ask me that. I have devoted myself to this family, you can't deny that. Do you really think that after all this I would just run back to Edward? I made it clear to him I was never coming back, I said the words in front of your son, and if Jake can't see past his own lack of trust in me then…then I am not the one with the problem, am I?" The tears leaked down her cheeks as she spoke.
"Calm down, Bella." Sue said soothingly. "We knew but just wanted to hear you confirm it." She shot Billy an irritated glance. "But there has been a welter of confusion here. Please tell us everything before things escalate any further."
"I apologise, Bella." Billy was suitably chagrined. "I just worry for my son. Where you are concerned Jake has never acted rationally."
"Maybe Elsie would be a better match." Bella muttered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing." Bella pushed aside the vision of Jacob tenderly holding Elise's hand and tried to focus on the here and now. It was gone two and she needed to leave so she could go and meet Carlisle and Esme. So taking a deep breath she told Billy and Sue about the text she had received and her calls to Rosalie.
"I wish you had confided in us before, Bella." Billy ran a hand over his face as he pondered what to do.
"I'm sorry. I never expected it to get so out of control." Bella felt guilt swamp her as she looked at how worn down Billy appeared. This was exactly what she was trying to avoid, everyone had been under enough stress, but her attempts to stop adding more burdens had gone awry and created an even bigger mess. "I called Rose so she could help me deal with Edward and Alice; she has always supported me in that way. I had no idea that she had left along with Emmet, Carlisle and Esme. She did advise me to tell Jake what was happening but there was so much going on here, I just didn't want to put more pressure on him or any of you. I hoped that Carlisle, Rosalie and the others could sort Edward out without involving any of you."
"We understand." Sue said kindly.
Billy was quiet for a moment before he spoke. "I want to come with you when you talk to Carlisle."
"Billy, no." Sue was astonished at this suggestion.
"Yes, I think it's time I spoke with the head of the Cullen's face to face. My ancestor Ephraim certainly did, so I should too. There are things that need to be made clear."
"Ephraim was not in a wheelchair." Sue snapped. "And he wasn't in ill health."
Billy's eyes glowed fiercely for a moment as he locked eyes with Sue Clearwater. "I am perfectly able to do this." He snapped.
"You and Bella cannot go alone. I don't care if this Carlisle is meant to be friendly or whatever…." Sue was not intimidated by Billy's anger.
"I wasn't planning to." Billy replied grimly. "Your son and daughter will be coming with us. I need you to stay here and look after Marlon and Jet." He added before Sue could protest.
"I hope you know what you are doing." Sue muttered as she finally caved in, she knew Billy would not be swayed. She left to call Leah and Seth.
Jacob knew he couldn't delay any longer; he needed to go home and face Bella. Even though he was worried that what the little pixie had said could be true, not knowing for certain what was going on in Bella's head was just making it all worse. He trudged slowly back to the house. His meeting with Elise had shaken him up too. He knew how vindictive she could be and worried what stunt she would pull to get back at him for rejecting her so harshly. He felt like his head was splitting along with his heart as his house came into view. He still hadn't phased so had no idea what was happening. As he approached he was surprised to see that his dad's specially adapted truck was missing. He didn't know of any meeting that Billy had to attend. Where could he have gone? Jacob increased his pace and was soon inside the house calling out for Bella and his dad.
"In here, Jake." He hurried into the front room to find Sue Clearwater sitting on the old couch reading Jet a story.
"Where is everyone?" Jacob could tell with his acute senses that it wasn't only his dad that was missing.
"Billy and Bella have gone out for a while." Sue kept her eyes averted from Jacob. Billy had warned her not to tell his son about the meeting with Carlisle. After his reaction to Edward's taunts he didn't feel that Jacob was in the right frame of mind to deal with anything further. Billy wanted a calm confrontation with the head vamp and didn't want his son kicking off. Sue didn't agree with keeping Jacob in the dark but Billy had made her vow to remain silent.
"Where?" Jacob had picked up on the fact that Sue didn't seem to be able to look him in the eyes.
"Just for a ride. Bella needed something from home." Sue kept her eyes trained on the book she was reading. Jet had picked up on the tension; she gazed up at Jacob with a frown on her face as she sucked furiously on her thumb.
"Like what?" Jacob tried to keep his tone light for Jet's sake.
"For goodness sake, Jacob." Sue replied in exasperation. "I didn't feel the need to interrogate the poor girl. Don't be concerned about their safety, Leah and Seth went with them."
Jacob wasn't a fool. He knew Sue was hiding something, but he also knew that he would not be able to prise the truth from her either. "I see. I'm just going to freshen up." He said mildly as he smiled at Jet. The little girl relaxed when she saw him smile.
"Okay." Sue began to read the book again and while they were caught up in the story Jacob managed to slip quietly out of the house without them realising.
Jacob took the motorbike. He didn't bother to phase, as soon as he did so Leah and Seth would be alerted to his presence. He knew they would be running to Forks while Billy and Bella drove there. Something was clearly up and he had a feeling it had to do with Edward Cullen. He guessed that Embry would have told Billy about his confrontation with the bloodsucker. He was obviously being kept out of the loop and he didn't like it. He tore off down the main road, ignoring all speed limits as he headed for Forks.
"That's Carlisle's car." Bella pointed toward the sleek black Mercedes which was parked across the street to her house.
"It's just coming up to three." Billy glanced at his watch. "Would they have just gone inside your house?"
"If it was Edward then yes but Carlisle wouldn't intrude until you invited him inside." Bell felt her face redden as she recalled the number of times that Edward had just appeared in her room without her knowledge. Looking back on it now she couldn't understand how she could have felt alright about that. "He must be waiting in the car."
"Well he knows we are here now." Billy turned off the truck's engine. "We need to wait for Seth and L…." He was interrupted by the sound of a motorbike's engine revving loudly. They both looked over their shoulder and saw Jacob sitting astride his motorbike staring over at them. He looked angry. "Damn." Billy cursed.
Bella felt her stomach churn as she quickly opened the door of Billy's truck and jumped down. Jacob locked eyes with her immediately. He turned off the bike and leaned it on its kickstand before striding toward her. Bella felt her body heat up and her heart thud painfully in her chest as she looked back at him. All she could see in her mind's eye was him leaning toward Elise and holding her hand. It seemed an age until he reached her, but was probably only seconds in reality. "Jake." She whispered. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Leah and Seth emerge from the trees by the side of the road. They seemed surprised to see Jacob standing there, at the same time the door to the Mercedes opened and Carlisle climbed out, followed by his wife, Esme. "Jake…." Bella said again as her eyes roamed his face.
Jacob looked over her head toward his father who was gazing at him worriedly. Then he turned to glance at Carlisle and Esme before finally he returned his attention to Bella. "I love you." He said quietly.
Bella's eyes opened wide at his words, she hadn't expected him to say that. "Jake I…" He put a finger over her lips before she could say anymore.
"Later, not now. I just need you to know that I love you, whatever decision you make how I feel about you is never going to change." Bella saw the crack in his armour as his eyes briefly showed his hurt and fear. He really thought this was it, that after everything they had been through the last few weeks that she would actually leave him and go back to Edward. She didn't know whether to be pissed or happy that he still said he loved her despite the fact that he expected her to go.
"I want to kick your ass." Bella hissed.
"What?" Jacob frowned.
"Not now, later." Bella turned away from him so she could greet Carlisle and Esme, who were watching them all curiously. "Thank you both for coming." She smiled and gestured toward her house. "Please come in, we really need to talk."
A/N-thanks for reading!