Babies, Babies, Babies

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

Part Thirty Two

Jacob woke up to the sun shining straight in his eyes. It seemed the bad weather had passed for the moment. He and Bella and fallen asleep on the old couch the night before, both of them tired out after a long day. Jet and Marlon were in his old room, Rachel had taken over the room she used to share with her twin and Billy was in the main bedroom, which pretty much meant Jacob was reduced to sleeping on the couch, along with Bella. But he had to admit even though the couch was too short for his long body, waking up with Bella in his arms about made up for the uncomfortable sleeping arrangements. She was literally draped across his body, her head was tucked under his chin and her legs tangled with his. To Jacob this was what heaven felt like. He lay still so as not to disturb her, instead he revelled in the sound of her breathing as her chest rose and fell with each breath she took. The sound of her heart beating strongly in her chest was like music to him and her sweet scent washing over him was definitely his most favourite smell in the world.

The house was peaceful like this, all the occupants were asleep and you could hear a pin drop in the intense quiet. Jacob never had much time to enjoy just being, there was always something going on, something to take him away from where he truly wanted to be, which was here with the girl he loved cradled safely against his body. He yearned for some privacy though, and wished there was more room in the house or at least some spare time so he could romance Bella properly like he wanted to. They hadn't even gone out on one date. Instead they had been plunged into parenthood and heavy responsibilities with no time to breathe or try and make sense of their chaotic world. It hadn't helped that Rachel had seemed hell bent on riling everyone up and upsetting things. He wanted to believe that his sister had turned a corner and was making an effort, but after speaking privately to Paul and getting to see the imprint bond through Lahote's eyes when they were phased it was blatantly obvious Rachel was being less than sincere. Jacob didn't know what she was planning but she was definitely not spending time with the kids and befriending Bella for altruistic reasons.

This knowledge saddened Jacob especially because he knew how much Billy would be hurt if he knew and Bella too probably. He had decided to keep his ambivalence to himself while he kept a closer eye on Rachel. It had been so long since he had seen his dad relaxed and he didn't want to burst his bubble just yet. Maybe spending time with her niece and nephew would be a good thing for Rachel in the long run. She would get to know Jet and Marlon better and Bella too, then perhaps her attitude would change and he wouldn't have to tell his father anything. Jacob was hopeful by nature, although recent events had dampened his normally sunny demeanour, but he really wanted to believe people could change for the better, and Rachel was still his sister, despite her bitchy side.

Jacob heard Bella's breathing change as she began to wake up. He glanced down to see her brow wrinkle a little before it smoothed out and her eyelids slowly fluttered open. She was so cute and incredibly beautiful, only she had no idea. He watched as she smiled and stretched her limbs, pressing her body unconsciously closer to his as she moved. He couldn't hide the fact that he was very turned on and he saw that she noticed as she finally became aware of exactly what was pressing between her legs.

"Woah, morning to you too." Bella blushed as she scrambled to one side, her smile widening in embarrassment.

Jacob laughed as he sat up and cupped her face in his hands. "Sorry honey, I can't help it." He kissed her sweet mouth and sighed when he heard the patter of tiny feet. Jet was awake and moving around. He counted to five in his head then…

"Mom….mom….mom…."

Bella smirked at his chagrined expression as she kissed him hard one last time before she got up and headed toward his old room. "Perhaps you should take a cold shower, stud." She teased as she glanced at his crotch.

Jacob grinned as he watched her saunter off down the hallway.

"Bella…" Rachel hollered as she held Marlon away from her. He had just barfed all over one of her favourite t-shirts. Her loud voice startled him and he began to cry. "Bella!"

Bella ran into the front room with a worried expression on her face. She was cradling Jet in her arms, whom she had been trying to put down for an afternoon nap. Now Jet was upset and so was poor Marlon. He was wriggling madly as Rachel threw him a look of disgust as she held him up under the arms. "Just take him will you." She snapped impatiently, dropping her sickly sweet act for a moment.

Bella had to put Jet down by her feet as she took a wailing Marlon into her arms and tried to comfort him. She couldn't hide her irritation at Rachel, who seemed more concerned about her stupid clothes than her nephew. "Did you wind him correctly? And you can't hold him like that…" She chided Rachel.

"I gave him his bottle, what more was I supposed to do." Rachel grabbed a paper towel and wiped her t-shirt down. "This stain is never going to come off. I saved up for ages to buy this…."

"Who cares about your stupid shirt?" Bella snapped. She placed Marlon on her shoulder and gently rubbed his back. His cries quietened as he finally let out a soft belch.

"I do…." Rachel suddenly stopped her tirade as she caught the irritated expression on Bella's face. She knew she had screwed up. It was hard putting on an act twenty four seven. She reined in her temper and tried to smile. "I am sorry. This is all new to me."

"I know." Bella sighed and carried Marlon over to the couch so she could sit down. Jet toddled after her and Bella helped her climb onto the couch beside her. "But one thing you have to learn with young children is patience."

Rachel didn't like receiving a lecture from Bella about patience. She could be as patient as the next person. It wasn't her fault that Marlon was such a greedy baby and sucked his milk down like a vacuum. No wonder he had wind. "I'll try and be more patient." She muttered. "I was trying to help. I know you and Jake wanted to go out this afternoon. I was going to look after the children."

A horrified expression crossed Bella's face which she quickly hid before Rachel noticed. There was no way she would entrust Jet and Marlon with Jacob's sister. Even if she was trying she was too forceful and rough. She had no clue how to be tender or patient. "We can't go to the bank anyway, Jake has sourced some extra work and he needs to concentrate on that today, so…" She shrugged.

"Bank?" Rachel tried to keep her tone light. "Why would you need to go there? Any special reason?"

"Um….just need to deposit some money." Bella shrugged again, trying to act as if it was no big deal. She cursed the fact that she had mentioned where they were supposed to have been going. Now she had aroused Rachel's curiosity.

"Well if it's just depositing money. I could do that for you." Rachel struggled to keep her tone nonchalant. She didn't want Bella to suspect anything.

"No…um…I need to sign a few things." Bella forced a smile onto her face. "Thanks for the offer."

"To deposit money, why would you need to sign anything?" Rachel pressed.

Bella ignored her questions and stood up. "I'm just going to put Marlon down and get Jet settled for her afternoon nap." Bella picked Jet up in her free arm while she cradled Marlon in the other and swiftly left the room leaving a very annoyed and frustrated Rachel behind.

Bella was lying next to Jet as the little girl slept. She didn't want to leave the bedroom in case she encountered Rachel again and got another interrogation. She suspected that Rachel's questions were her merely trying to initiate conversation but Bella couldn't face deflecting them anymore. She didn't want to slip up and reveal exactly how much money she wanted to deposit. That would send Rachel's antenna quivering and she would be like a dog with a bone demanding to know where the money came from etc. Bella didn't want the hassle.

While she was sorting things in her mind she felt her cell phone vibrate in her pocket. She quickly fished it out and answered the call. It was Rosalie.

"Just letting you know, Emmet and I are back in Forks. Damn plane got delayed otherwise we would have been here sooner." Rosalie informed her.

"Have you seen Carlisle and Esme?" Bella asked.

"Yes." Rosalie's voice softened as she spoke about her adopted mother. "Esme told me she gave you some money for the children. Spend it wisely, Bella. That much money can sometimes be more of a curse then a blessing." She sighed heavily as if remembering her own human life. Money had certainly not been a blessing for her.

"I will." Bella fell silent for a moment. She couldn't admit that she hadn't even banked the cheque yet. "Any sign of Edward or Alice?" She asked instead.

"I'm afraid not. Carlisle has done his best to track them but no luck so far. Just stay on the res and I'll keep you informed alright."

"Okay." Bella felt crestfallen. She had hoped Carlisle would have been able to track down his wayward son and take him away. It would be one less thing to worry about. But with all the Cullen's now on his tail she hoped that both he and Alice would be found very soon. "Thanks for this, Rose, and thank Esme and Carlisle for me."

"Of course. Stay close to your wolf boy, Bella." Rosalie warned her as she ended the call.

Rachel chucked her t-shirt in the wash and turned on the machine. She was still irked that it had been ruined and that she had slipped up in front of Bella. She knew the other girl was trying to avoid her since she hadn't come back out of the room. Rachel changed into another, older shirt and headed outside. She wanted to try and call Rebecca back. Her twin had still not contacted her. Rachel hid behind the house and tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for the call to connect. It seemed an eternity until finally someone answered.

"Lo…" It was a male voice that she didn't recognise.

"Who is this? Where's Rebecca?" Rachel demanded.

"Chill madwoman." The male said irritably. "Becks, a mad lady on the phone for ya. I don't appreciate being yelled at this early in the day. I won't pay your bill again, darling." He called out sarcastically.

Rachel fumed quietly as she waited for her twin to take the call. Who the hell was this man? It wasn't Solomon. "Who is this?" Rebecca slurred as she finally answered the call. Was she drunk?

Rachel gripped her cell harder. "Becca it's me."

There was a heavy sigh on the other end. "Are you stalking me?" Rebecca mumbled incoherently. "I'm trying to chill out here. You upset Devon…"

"Devon? Rebecca where are you?" Rachel demanded.

"I'm in a commune…somewhere." Rebecca said vaguely.

"Is that waste of space with you?"

"Who?"

"Solomon!" Rachel hissed.

"Oh…no he's riding the waves somewhere. He'll be back whenever." Rebecca yawned. "What is this Rach? Are the kids acting up? Just relax and they'll calm down. Tell Jet I'll see her soon… sometime…."

"Becca, shut up and listen." Rachel interjected desperately. "I can get my hands on some money. A lot of money. If you come home to your kids then you'll have enough to take care of them. I know this is what you want really. Come hom…."

"How much money?" Rebecca's voice sounded much sharper now.

"Lots…"

"How much?" Rebecca demanded again.

"Thousands, hundreds of thousands." Rachel blurted out. There was a long silence. "Becca, are you still there?" She could hear voices in the background. Her sister must be talking to that Devon character again. "Rebecca, answer me."

"I'm here." Rebecca came back on the line. "The money isn't stolen is it? You're not trying to trick me into coming home?"

"No." Rachel snapped. "The money came from legitimate sources. But you have to come home to claim it. The money was settled on your kids. It's all theirs…."

"Uh huh." Rebecca whispered something to her companion that Rachel couldn't understand before she spoke again. "So, I just like come home, claim the money as Jet and Marlon's rightful parent and the money is mine…"

"Ours." Rachel corrected her. "Well your children's technically but I'm sure you won't mind sharing some of it."

"Yeah. We're sisters, twins. Rebecca and Rachel." Rebecca laughed throatily. "I have some business to take care of here and then I'll head home. I'll be there by the end of next week, okay."

Rebecca ended the call before Rachel could say anymore. Rachel felt worry welling in her gut as anxiety kicked in. Rebecca hadn't sounded as grateful as she had expected. In fact at the beginning she had been quite rude. Biting down on her bottom lip Rachel wandered back into the house. She didn't see Paul Lahote hiding around the corner with a grim expression on his face. He had heard everything.

A/N-thanks for reading!