Being There

Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N-thanks for the lovely reviews on this story. I really appreciate it. Nikki :)

Part Twenty Six

The weekend finally arrived much to Bella's relief. She was beginning to get some strange looks as she kept rushing out of the classroom at odd times to visit the toilets. Morning sickness continued to plague her and she was jealous that Jessica seemed to glow while she felt so rough. Jessica's grandmother had finally arrived and she had asked her granddaughter to come back home so that they could all sit down with Jessica's mother to talk about her returning home. Jessica was feeling very nervous about seeing her mother again and it was only Quil's patient support that kept her from falling apart.

Jacob picked Bella up after school, he had her bag that she had already pre-packed in the back seat of the Rabbit. Charlie was coming over later after his shift, Billy had persuaded Charlie to join him and Harry on an overnight fishing trip. He worried about Bella being alone overnight until Billy told him she could stay over with Jacob. He had been about to protest when he realised how pointless it was; she was already pregnant.

"How was school?" Jacob asked as she climbed into the passenger seat.

"Awful," Bella grouched. "I felt sick during Biology and had to run out while Mr Varner was in the middle of issuing a lecture. I didn't have time to ask to go to the bathroom. I ran out of there and tripped, right at Lauren's feet as well. Believe me she hasn't let me forget it either. At lunch she kept going on about it and mimicking me. Everyone was laughing."

Jacob took her hand and kissed it. "I'm sorry honey. Hopefully the sickness will wear off soon."

"It better. I am not having this weekend ruined. I've been reading up on it and I've packed ginger biscuits, fruit, especially bananas and apples and pickled onions." Bella's smile brightened when she thought about the onions.

"Onions? I thought they would have been the worst thing to eat." Jacob felt puzzled. He hated onions.

"I love them. I seem to have a craving at the moment. I made dad go out the other night to get me some. Actually I fancy some now." Bella began to reach behind her for her bag.

"Perhaps you should wait until after dinner, Bells." Jacob said hurriedly.

"Yeah maybe you're right." Bella sighed.

Jacob gave her a quick kiss on the lips as he started the engine. He was going to make sure that the pickled onions went missing.

XXXXXX

Harry with Billy helping was loading up his truck with fishing gear. He packed a tent and some sleeping bags as well as Billy's overnight bag containing his essential medication. He waved as Jacob parked the car outside the house. Jacob quickly got out and opened Bella's door for her so he could help her out.

"Wow, when did you turn into such a gentleman?" She teased him playfully.

"What do you mean? I've always been like this." He gave her a smug grin and she batted his chest lightly.

Harry and Billy came over to them. "How are you, Bella?" Billy asked. "You look well."

"Thanks." Bella leaned down and kissed his cheek. "Although I've been suffering a bit with morning sickness."

"That's a shame." Billy mused. "Sarah had that when she was carrying the twins. She was alright with Jacob though. Funny that."

Bella froze as Jacob gave his dad a warning look. "Twins? You think I might be carrying twins?"

Billy coughed nervously as Harry chuckled at his discomfiture. "Not necessarily, Bella. It was just that Sarah..."

"You've said enough, dad." Jacob pulled Bella's bag out of the back of the car and put it across his shoulder. He took Bella's hand and began to lead her into the house.

"Billy did Sarah crave anything when she was carrying the twins?" Bella called over her shoulder.

"Yeah. Pickled onions." Billy hollered back at her.

Bella turned paler than normal as Jacob shook his head at his dad and shut the door firmly behind them.

XXXXXX

"Twins, Jake. What if it's twins?" Bella questioned him, a desperate tone to her voice. "It runs in families you know. How will we cope with twins?"

Jacob took her face in his hands. "Honey, calm down. It may not be twins and if it is, we'll cope. Stop stressing."

"Stressing. Jake how..." Her breath was stolen from her as Jacob pressed his lips to hers. She immediately relaxed against him as he slid his tongue in her mouth and intensified the kiss taking her mind off of her worries.

"You're trying to distract me." She said breathlessly when he pulled away.

Jacob gave her a lazy smile. "Yes. Is it working?"

"Uh huh." Bella slipped her hand behind his neck and tugged his head closer to hers. She kissed him deeply, savouring the taste of him. His arms encircled her waist and he lifted her bodily against him as their passion began to ignite.

"Put her down, Jake." Billy tutted as he burst through the front door, followed not just by Harry but Charlie as well.

Charlie's face turned red as he witnessed their passionate display. "I might have to rethink this staying over idea." He muttered.

"Come on chief, even you were young once." Billy teased him.

Bella hid her face in Jacob's chest, she felt so mortified. He placed her carefully back on her feet as he glared at his dad. This was the second time he had embarrassed her in a matter of minutes. "I didn't hear you arrive Charlie."

"Obviously not." Charlie said irritably. "My deputy dropped me off."

Bella finally plucked up the courage to look at her dad. "Hey dad, looking forward to the trip." She gave him a sheepish smile.

"Yes, as long as this old fool eases up on the jibes." He pointed at Billy who had a big grin on his face.

"You love it old man." Billy laughed.

Harry clamped his hands on both of their shoulders. "Right men, valuable fishing time is being wasted on this pointless banter. My lovely wife has made us enough food to last a week. If we leave now we can be sitting by Coopers Lake within the hour, sipping cold beer and eating my Sue's delicious picnic."

Charlie and Billy exchanged a smile. "Right off we go then." Billy swivelled his chair around and disappeared out the door.

"Bye then dad." Jacob called after him sarcastically.

Charlie came over to Bella and gave her a hug. "Rest up kiddo and don't overdo it, okay. If you need me call me on my cell."

"Thanks dad. Enjoy yourself." Bella said as she returned his hug.

"Will do." Charlie then glared at Jacob. "You look after my little girl."

"You don't need to even ask." Jacob put his arm protectively across Bella's shoulders.

"Good. I'll see you both tomorrow evening. Come on then Harry." Charlie followed Harry out of the house. Bella and Jacob were finally alone.

XXXXXX

"At last." Jacob murmured as he picked Bella up in his arms. "I thought they were never going to leave."

Bella laughed as she kissed him. Her arms wound around his neck as he carried her into his room. He quickly shoved his clothes off of his bed and lay Bella down. He gazed at her for a moment, she looked so beautiful with her flushed face and happy smile. Her long, shiny hair fanned around her as she looked up at him from her large brown eyes. "What?" She asked him.

"You're so beautiful, Bella." He joined her on the bed and gently embraced her, one hand settling on her stomach. It was slightly protruding now that she was a few weeks along, not enough for anyone to notice unless they were really looking.

Bella put her hand over his and laced their fingers together. "I've really missed you. I'm hoping that Jess will be able to go home after her talk with her mom and grandmother. Then you can sleep over again."

"I hope so." Jacob leaned down and kissed her gently. "It's hard sleeping alone."

"Yeah." Bella returned his kisses, one hand slid into his hair and played with the silky strands. He had been growing it out again lately and the ends were now resting on his neck.

They slowly undressed each other, enjoying the fact that they were alone so could take time to explore each other's bodies without fear of interruption. Jacob kissed his way down Bella's body, exploring and worshipping her soft skin with his lips and tongue. She lay supine on his bed as he massaged her with his skilful fingers, his hands stopping to caress her breasts and travelling down to her most intimate area. She moaned loudly, making Jacob grin as he hovered over her, capturing her lips in a heated kiss.

"You're amazing, did I ever tell you that?" Bella said breathlessly.

"Yep, but you can say it again." Jacob kissed a sensitive spot behind her ear making her squeal.

They made love slowly, savouring the rare time alone. They eventually fell into a sated sleep, wrapped in each others arms.

XXXXXX

Bella was the first to wake, she had a craving for pickled onions. She managed to slip out of Jacob's arms and tiptoed out of the room. She glanced back at him, a fond smile on her face. He looked so peaceful lying there, his head resting on his arm. Bella closed the door quietly and made her way into the living room. Her bag had been left near the couch. Opening it up she rummaged through the contents and was alarmed to find that she had forgotten to pack the jar of onions.

"Damn," she mumbled. She pulled out a ginger biscuit instead and munched on it as she walked into the kitchen so she could get a glass of water. She sat down at the kitchen table and finished her biscuit and drink.

Her eyes wandered around the room as she considered turning on the television, but she really didn't feel in the mood to watch anything. It was then that she noticed the pile of tapes that Billy had been recording for her, they were filled with the stories that Jacob's mom used to tell him as a child. A smile lit up her face as she went over and retrieved them. Now would be a good time as any to make a start on the book they wanted her to write. Bella placed the earphones that were attached to the recorder over her ears and pressed play, immediately her ears were filled with the husky tones of Billy Black as he told the story of a young boy and his adventures.

Jacob woke up to find the bed empty. He stretched and yawned before getting up. He slipped out of the bed and made his way down the hall; glancing in the bathroom to see if Bella was in there. She wasn't, that meant she was in the main part of the house. He increased his pace and soon saw that she was sitting at the kitchen table writing furiously, a pair of earphones on her head.

"Hey Bells," he said as he sat opposite her. She glanced up at him and smiled, taking the earphones off of her head. "What are you doing?"

"I'm writing up some of those stories your dad has recorded. Your mom had an amazing imagination, Jake. They're so captivating and obviously based on you." She said eagerly.

"Me?" He asked in surprise.

"Yeah, the little boy she called Joshua who has all these amazing adventures sounds just like you." Bella told him. "Have you listened to the tapes?"

"Not yet." He admitted.

Bella passed him the earphones. "You should. I'll go make us something to eat while you listen."

Jacob smiled at her as she headed toward the kitchen. He put the earphones on and pressed play. His dad's voice filled his ears. "The little boy was called Joshua, now he had a very curious nature and loved exploring. He was loved by everyone for his sunny demeanour and happy grin. These character traits certainly got him out of a few scrapes; he would flash his big brown eyes and batter his long black lashes and he would instantly be forgiven. His best friend was a little girl called Belinda..."

Bella watched Jacob's reaction covertly as he listened to the first story on the tape about the little boy called Joshua and his best friend Belinda. It was called the 'Mud Pie Adventure.' She knew that Sarah had based the story around them when they were very young. In fact a lot of the stories featured things they had said or done. Bella saw Jacob wipe at his eyes as he became lost in memories of their childhood, just like she had done. With a wistful smile Bella began to make them both something to eat.

A/N-thanks for reading!