Chapter 11

Jacob knew he was a little rough around the edges, and didn't want that to spoil his future proposal to Renesme. As soon as he got a buyer for his motorcycle, he would buy the ring and carefully lay out the details for an intimate proposal. In the mean time, he sat in his garage alone to think, though every idea that came to mind, he thought, was terrible.

He needed to talk so someone for advice, but was a little embaressed to do so. None of the guys in his pack were worth talking to, except for maybe Seth, but he figured his ideas would even be cheesier and more juvenile than his own. Jacob looked on the bright side, he knew he had time on his side. He wouldn't go for the plunge until he found the perfect idea for Renesme.

His mind wandered through a number of people. He'd already spoken to his father, though didn't think much of Billy's advice, despite his genuine words.

"I'm sure she'll love whatever you do, whenever you do it," his father's voice had said to him.

Great Dad, Jacob now thought to himself. He shook his head, knowing his father was, indeed, right. But it still did not lead him in any new direction.

"Maybe I should ask Edward," Jacob said to himself in a sarcastic manner. He laughed, suddenly realizing how crazy he was to be talking to himself, though simultaneously thought how nice it was to be alone in his private sanctuary. The dimly lit garage was the only place he had to himself. It was his thinking area.

He pulled out his phone and began scrolling through the names, stopping when he reached "Gramps", which Renesme had jokingly registered into his phone as Carlisle. Jacob thought for a minute and traced the buttons with his thumb. Of all of the men in the Cullen family, he thought Carilsle might actually have something useful to tell him, and in turn he wouldn't make fun of him.

Jacob thought of the rest of them. Edward was definitely out, as was Emmett. The last thing he wanted was Emmett cracking jokes on him. He was no better than the other Quileute boys. Jasper was too reserved for Jacob. The two of them interacted here and there but he didn't feel as comfortable talking to Jasper. Alice, he considered, but at the moment he preferred a male's point of view.

He took a little breath in and clicked send, tapping his foot against the asphault beneath him. He cracked his knuckles nervously before Carlisle picked up. Jacob knew he'd be surprised that he was giving him a call.

"Uh, hi," Jacob said to him, "It's Jake. Are you working?"

Carlisle made his way to the reservation and Jacob met him just outside the door of the garage.

"Thanks for meeting me here," Jacob told him, "I would have come to you but there's just... a lot of people there."

He nodded, "There's never a dull moment."

Jacob took a deep breath, "I need advice," he admitted right away, pushing open the door all the way.

"Alright," Carlisle said, intrigued, as Jacob hadn't elaborated on the phone. He glanced at the motorcycle in the corner of the garage with approving eyes.

Jacob laughed, "Get a good look because I'm selling it."

"Selling it?"

"What I need advice with, and I couldn't think of anyone else... my dad was very vague and I don't me started on the pack..." Jacob tried to beat around the bush and sound casual, "Well, you're kind of the mature, romantic one of the family, right?"

Carlisle laughed, "I guess there could be worse things I could be called..."

"When I sell that bike and get the rest of the money I need to get Renesme a ring, I want to plan the perfect proposal. I feel like I have the worst friggin' ideas." He ran a hand through his hair and sat down in a metal folding chair in the corner of the place, proppping a foot up on an empty, upside down bucket.

Carlisle strolled in slowly behind him with his hands behind his back, "Jacob, I'm sure anything you have planned will make her happy. She just wants to be with you."

"I know. That's what my dad said," he shook his head, "I need something though. An idea. Something good. I thought of all people you might have something worth listening to."

"Think from your heart," he said.

"My heart doesn't have anything good. I thought of the place where we had our first kiss... but that was your front step. I'm not doing it there."

Carlisle snickered, "Alright. What are some other places the two of you enjoying going?"

He shrugged, "Typical places, I guess. Sometimes we just go for drives to pass the time. The beach..."

"How about the beach then?"

"I thought of that. Isn't that a little too cliche?"

Carlisle shrugged again, "You have to think of what's special to you, and to her. Don't worry about cliches or what anyone else might think."

"There's nothing overly special about the beach."

"Alright..." his thoughts dug deeper and he eyed all the odds and ends in the garage.

"This is my favorite place to be," Jacob told him, "I feel free in here usually. It helps me think." He was surprised at his own willingness to open up to Carlisle.

"Is there a place like this for Nessy?" Carlisle asked him.

"A garage?" Jacob laughed.

Carlisle laughed back, "No, I mean like a place she likes to go. Somewhere she can think and have that same free feeling..."

Jacob thought for a moment, "She does like to paint. She's been painting a lot lately. Always in the same area." His voice drifted as the image of a particular landscape came into view in his mind. Renesme loved sitting on the very top of the cliff, not far from where he'd met Sam and the others earlier. She always told Jacob the space reminded her of him, and said she preferred to be on the reservation at times because it made her feel more spirtually connected to him. It was her 'me time' and she always went there to paint, sometimes with Jacob, but mainly alone. "I think I have the perfect place," he said.

Carlisle smiled at him, "Okay then."

Jacob snickered, "Thanks. Don't tell anyone about this."

"I won't," he said with an honest grin.

"Well, I guess you could tell Esme... but that's it."

Carlisle laughed and patted him on the shoulder, "Alright. Take care Jacob."

"Sorry I made you come all the way here for that."

"I needed to get out of the house for a few. Rosalie and Emmett were still arguing."

"She sure can hold a grudge," Jacob laughed, "Thanks Carlisle."

"You came up with it, not me. Good luck."