Babies, Babies, Babies

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N-thank you all for the kind reviews and for following this story, Nikki.

Part Thirty Eight

Bella and Jacob lay on the floor with the children between them. His bed was far too small for them to be all together, so he had pulled out an old mattress that his father had stored away for future use, covered it in blankets so that all four of them could lay down. Marlon was awake and gurgling quietly to himself as he continued to do his new favourite thing which was studying his hands. He held them above himself turning them this way and that, his eyes followed their every move and the expression that crossed his face when he saw his fingers curl and uncurl tugged at Bella and Jacob's heart strings. He looked so cute. Jet was next to him; her thumb was in her mouth as she slept curled up on her side. She had hardly awakened when Jacob had lifted her out of her bed and placed her on the mattress. They felt guilty for disturbing her but they really needed the kids close by, to check that they were really there, alive and well. Jacob and Bella knew they wouldn't be getting much sleep anyway.

"I'm scared, Jake." Bella whispered as she looked lovingly at Marlon as he waved his hands up and down, getting excited as he remembered he could use them to grip his feet. "I don't know what to do."

"Neither do I." Jacob confessed. He was still feeling ambivalent about his decision to allow Jasper and Alice to leave. Had they been playing him? He hoped not. He knew inside that he had little choice at the time but he knew he would never forgive himself if it turned out he had made the wrong decision. He was in agony inside, but he tried to hide his anxiety. Bella was distressed enough for both of them.

"You're worrying about letting them go, aren't you?" Bella said astutely. She reached across and stroked his cheek with gentle fingers. "It was the right choice."

"How did you know what I was thinking?" Jacob tried to smile but failed as he caught her hand and kissed her palm.

"Because you're you and I'm me." Bella caressed his cheek again. "Don't hide your fears, Jake. That's what got us into so much trouble before."

"You're right." Jacob's eyes glimmered with tears. Jet rolled onto her back, her thumb finally leaving her mouth as she snored with her mouth open. This made them both laugh despite the tension between them. "No one will hurt them, Bells." Jacob vowed afterward. "I will defend them and you with my life."

"I know." Bella let her own tears fall as she gazed worriedly at the children.

Having to tell Billy about the latest threat was worse than telling him about Rachel's betrayal. Jacob watched his father hide his face in his hands as he breathed deeply. He tried to contain his devastation as Jet was sitting in her high chair nearby as Bella helped her with her breakfast. Billy inhaled sharply until he had some modicum of control again. He glanced over at Bella; she had dark circles under her eyes and appeared exhausted, though she was putting on a bright smile for the Jet's sake. Jacob didn't look much better, it was clear neither had found any rest the night before.

"Sam has made sure the house is fully covered, and the borders too. I will need to leave soon to take my turn on patrol." Jacob ran a hand through his messy hair. He needed a shower.

"Before you go I want you to contact Paul and get him to bring your sister here." Billy surprised Jacob with this request.

"Are you sure?" He hedged.

"Yes, there is something I need to ask her." Billy said cryptically.

"What exactly?" Jacob studied his father warily.

"Nothing for you to worry about. Go and freshen up. I'm fine." Billy forced a smile onto his face as he gripped Jacob's shoulder.

"If you're sure." Jacob was too tired to argue. Whatever came of his father's talk with Rachel, he was sure to find out later.

Rachel was stunned when Paul informed her that Billy wanted to speak to her. She had spent a miserable time in his falling down shack of a house that he shared with his alcoholic father, feeling immensely sorry for herself and aggrieved at the circumstances she had found herself in. She couldn't believe that everyone seemed to be blaming her for things that were out of her control. She had only been trying to do the right thing and reunite Becca with her children. Bella had somehow managed to turn everyone against her, even her own father. She had been trying to make an effort she had gone to the bonfire party to ask her brother for help in talking to Billy, but he had blatantly rejected her in front of everyone. Then Bella had the cheek to tell her to leave. She wasn't even from the reservation. How dare she order her to go? She had no right. Then Paul, she had been so angry that he had not taken her side and effectively dragged her away. Was it any wonder she had lost it a little. Who could blame her?

"Come." Paul said tonelessly as he led the way out of the house. He bypassed the mess in the yard and headed for the Black's house. He didn't bother to check if Rachel was following, he could sense that she would. However he wouldn't give her the satisfaction of thinking he was waiting for her. He was tired of being tied to a woman he really didn't like that much and who seemed hell bent on self-destruction.

"Wait for me." Rachel screeched as she tried to keep up with his long strides.

Paul sighed heavily as he increased his pace and left her further behind.

"I'll take the kids out the back for a while." Bella offered as soon as she saw Paul enter the house. There was no sign of Rachel but when he greeted them he told them she was on her way. "How are you Paul?" Bella asked politely as she began to gather the children's things together.

"I actually have no idea." Paul's shoulders slumped. He looked careworn and completely beaten down. Bella had never thought she was would see Paul Lahote like that. "Want some help?" He offered. Bella nodded and passed him Jet's warm coat so he could help the little girl to put it on while she dressed Marlon.

Billy waited near the front window. He peered out on occasion. From a distance he could see some of the wolves patrolling within the tree line. He recognised Embry and Quil. Sam would know that Jacob would feel better knowing his closest friends were the ones nearest to his family. Jacob was patrolling further afield with Sam. They were the two strongest wolves and they hoped to pick up some clue as to what was going on. Eventually Billy saw his bedraggled daughter marching up the porch steps. She had a disgruntled expression her face. This talk was going to be far from easy. If Rachel thought he had called her here to forgive her then she was completely wrong. Billy geared himself up for another battle as he rolled his chair down the hall to meet his daughter.

Paul and Bella exchanged a weary look as they picked up the children and took them out the back to give Billy and Rachel their privacy.

"Well, I'm here." Rachel crossed her arms defensively across her chest as she refused the seat Billy had offered her.

"I see that." Billy said coolly. It seemed time away from the family had done nothing to stem the tide of Rachel's anger. "This conversation will be short so it doesn't matter if you stand up like a spoilt brat. Sit or don't sit, the choice is yours."

Rachel's mouth opened and closed before she reluctantly took the chair opposite her father and glared at him. "Are you ready to forgive? I tore the cheque up, didn't I? You have no grounds to banish me now."

"I am not here to discuss the cheque or your banishment. I want to know about the last time you spoke to Becca and what she said to you." Billy pressed. He saw Rachel's expression turn mutinous and he sighed heavily. "Don't make me say anything else that I regret, Rachel. Just tell me. Have you had further contact with your sister?"

Rachel bit down on her bottom lip as she studied her father carefully. "Will you lift the banishment and let me come home if I tell you? Paul's place is a tip." She wheedled.

"You are in no position to bargain with me over anything." Billy roared. "You are fortunate to be a guest in Paul's house. You eat his food; you use his facilities without paying him a damn cent. So if you don't want to be evicted from there either I suggest you show some gratitude and help out."

Rachel knew she had crossed the line. Her father's heavily lined face had turned slightly red in his fury at her criticism of Paul's house. She swallowed thickly. She really wanted to come home so she knew she had to force herself to play nice. If she told him about Rebecca than perhaps he would be more lenient. "The last time I spoke to Becca was two days ago. She is on her way here…." Rachel mumbled.

"With Solomon?" Billy eyed his daughter warily, trying to assess if she was lying or not.

"She was vague about his whereabouts. No, she is getting a ride with her new friend Devon or whatever his name is." Rachel spat sarcastically. "She mentioned something about a commune she's been staying in…."

"Where?" Billy interrupted her. He didn't like the sound of this. A commune? And who was this Devon character?

"Becca wouldn't say." Rachel grouched. "But she is definitely on her way back and ready to see her kids. She's missed them and wants to…"

"What?" Billy froze as he leaned forward in his chair. His hands gripped the armrests as he glared at his daughter fiercely. "There is no way on Earth Rebecca will be taking custody of Jet and Marlon again, she is not fit. I know she has been abusing drugs, we caught Solomon out. Did you mention the money?" He demanded.

Rachel shrank back. "Yes….but I didn't tell her how much." She lied. "Becca wants to be a proper mother again; she was just scared that's all. But now there is money she will be able to…"

"Rebecca will not be doing anything. Do you realise what trouble you've caused by contacting her in the first place? We were all under immense strain as it was and now you pull this, all because you wanted to get your greedy hands on what wasn't yours." Billy didn't hold back even when he saw tears spring into Rachel's eyes. "I know you lied about college. You dropped out after only one semester. So don't think you can weasel your way back into my affections by being duplicitous." He slammed his fist down on the arm of his chair for effect. "Is there anything else you can tell me?"

Rachel shook her head as self-pitying tears rolled down her face. So her cover was blown, they all knew now what a mess her life had been before Rebecca had tracked her down and given her the perfect opportunity to return home and save face. Rachel felt like her world was crumbling around her. "I don't know anymore. Can I come home now?" She begged.

"No. Not yet." Billy turned away from her. "I need to see proper remorse, Rachel. You can go now….and while you are staying at Paul's perhaps you can earn your bread and butter by helping out in the house."

Rachel stared at her father's back as he wheeled his chair into the kitchen. She had never felt so upset in her life. She waited a few moments to see if he was going to change his mind but when he said no more she fled outside and began to cry. As she began to walk back toward Paul's she took her cell out and called her sister. Rebecca answered on the second ring.

"Well?" She said abruptly without even a hint of greeting.

"I'll do it." Rachel whispered brokenly. "I'll bring Bella to wherever you want and the kids too. Her name is on that account, she'll be able to draw out as much money as you need for you and the children." Rachel wiped the tears from her eyes. "Just tell me when and where. And it has to be just you, Becca. Just you."

"Of course." Rebecca's tone was much softer now. "We're twins. You watch my back I'll watch yours. We'll both be able to start over after we get the money, sis."

Rachel heard the faint sound of laughter. "Who's that?"

"Oh, just some people in the background. Gotta go, see you soon, twin." Rebecca ended the call leaving Rachel feeling less than happy.

A/N-thanks for reading!