Being There
Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.
A/N-thanks for all the lovely reviews on this story. I really appreciate it. Nikki :)
Part Twenty Seven
Bella served up the dinner; she had managed to find enough ingredients to make a lasagne. Jacob helped her with the cutlery and plates and made her laugh when he exaggeratedly pulled her chair out so that she could sit. "You're taking this gentlemanly thing a bit too far now."
Jacob grinned at her as he shoved some lasagne in his mouth and chewed with his mouth open. Bella rolled her eyes at him as she placed a napkin on her lap and daintily took a bite of her food. "Now who's putting on airs and graces." Jacob joked.
"You know I will be maintaining high standards when we get our own place." Bella said in a mock posh accent. "Shoes to be taken off at the door, no elbows on the table, no chewing with your mouth open; stuff like that."
Jacob grinned at her before his expression turned serious. "We haven't really talked about that, Bells. Where we're going to live."
Bella sighed as she stabbed at her lasagne with her fork. "I know. But really our choices are limited. Dad has been talking about redecorating my room and sectioning off one end and turning it into a small nursery for the baby."
Jacob frowned. "He wants you to stay at home?"
"Yes. For a while anyway and to be honest Jake, what other options are there at the moment. I only have a part time job, you're still looking for work and when will you even have the time to do any with the constant patrolling. There's school to think about too." Bella's happy mood dissipated as she went through the long list of obstacles.
"I will get work, Bells. I promise. Sam and I have been talking he has agreed to let me take some time off to search for work and then we'll work my shifts around it. The money my mom left us will help too." He said earnestly.
Bella reached across the table and took his hand. "I know, Jake. We will work it out somehow."
"You could move in here." Jacob suggested as he laced his fingers with hers. "I know it's small but maybe we can extend out the back or something."
Bella looked around at the small house. There wasn't much space; she tried to envision it full of her and the baby's things and failed. The other problem was Jacob's sisters. Rebecca was married but Rachel would be coming home at some point after she finished college. With her added into the mix the house was just too cramped. "I don't think it would work, Jake. To be honest I want a place of our own to make it ours. This is your dad's house and I would feel uncomfortable changing anything."
Jacob felt disheartened. The thought of Bella moving in with him permanently was something he was looking forward to. "Don't you want to live with me?"
"Come on Jake." She said irritably. "Of course I do. I'm just trying to be practical."
Jacob shrugged off his melancholy. He knew she was right it was just getting frustrating that there was no way they could build their own place. His dad had plenty of land just lying empty. He would always have to be close by so he could be there to check on Billy's welfare daily. If only there was a way to make some serious money so that they could buy the materials they needed to make a start.
"What are you thinking about so hard?" Bella asked him as she saw the intense light in his eyes.
"Just how it all comes down to a lack of funds. If we could raise some money we could build our own place nearby." He told her.
Bella's eyes brightened. "Build our own place? I would love that. It could be close by so you can watch over Billy and I won't be too far from dad. That would be a dream come true."
Jacob smiled at her enthusiasm, it gave him more motivation to make it happen. It may take a while but with the pack's help he was sure he could pull it off as long as he raised the money. They discussed what sort of house they would like to build all through dinner and dessert and retired to bed in a happy and positive mood; making love to celebrate their decision.
XXXXXX
The next morning Jacob was the first to wake. He spent a moment just watching Bella sleep, her head was resting on his chest, her legs tangled with his. He saw the rise and fall of her chest as she slept, a small smile on her lips as she dreamed. He wondered what it was about, she would occasionally mumble but he couldn't make out the words. After a while she stretched her arms and her eyes opened. When she saw he was already awake she gave him a lazy smile.
"Good morning handsome. Have you been watching me?"
Jacob laughed as he leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips. "Uh huh. I love hearing you talk in your sleep, it's the best time to hear you spill your secrets." He teased.
Bella's eyes widened. "What did I say?"
Jacob grinned at her. "Oh the usual, what a lovely, thoughtful boyfriend you have and how you can't wait to make him a cooked breakfast this morning."
"You ass." Bella hit him lightly on the chest as he kissed her again, making her gasp for breath when it was over.
Jacob climbed out of bed and held out his hand to her. "Shower?"
Bella ignored him. "I thought you wanted me chained to the kitchen making you a cooked breakfast."
"Hell yeah, but after a shower." Jacob lifted her up without warning making her squeal. He laughed at her reaction as he carried her to the bathroom.
XXXXXX
Jacob had braided Bella's hair while it was still wet from their shared shower. She hoped that when it dried off and she untied it she would be left with smooth waves. She rummaged through the cupboards in the kitchen humming to herself. Spending time together alone had been just what they both needed and it made her yearn to be able to spend every day like this. All night Bella had been dreaming about the sort of house she would like to live in and now that Jacob had put the idea in her head she was determined to make it happen. Her eyes rested on the book she had started containing Sarah's stories, that was their best chance of making some serious money and fast. She needed to get to work on it if she wanted to make things happen.
While they were eating breakfast Bella's cell phone rang, she assumed it was either her dad or Jessica. She was still waiting to hear how her friend's meeting with her mom had gone. She answered it without thinking.
"Hello."
"Baby girl." Renee's cheerful voice made her nearly drop the phone.
"Mom?"
"Of course it's your mom, sweetheart. How are you?"
Bella swallowed nervously. Renee was still in the dark about the pregnancy, she had been touring with her husband Phil and had been hard to reach. Charlie wanted to tell her when there was a more convenient moment. "I'm fine mom. How are you?"
"Well here's the thing, Bella. I'm here." Renee told her.
Bella exchanged a horrified look with Jacob. He could hear everything that Renee was saying. "What do you mean by here?" She questioned her.
Renee let out a tinkling laugh. "I mean I am outside Charlie's house right now, bags and everything. Where are you?"
"I'm...I'm in La Push." Bella replied faintly.
"On the reservation. Let me guess Charlie is off on a fishing trip and you are hanging out with the twins." Renee tutted.
"No. Rach and Beck don't live here anymore, that was a long time ago mom." Bella reminded her.
"Oh. Well are you up there alone then?" Renee sounded puzzled.
"No. I'm with my boyfriend." Bella reached out and took hold of Jacob's hand. He gave her a reassuring smile.
"You mean that Edwin boy came back?"
"No, mom." Bella began to get impatient. "Didn't you read the last e-mail I sent you? I am seeing Billy Black's son, Jake."
"Little Jake." Renee cried out.
"Not so little anymore." Bella replied sarcastically.
"No need to be like that, sweetie. I have been on the road and haven't had time to check my e-mails." Renee said in a hurt tone.
Bella sighed. "Is Phil with you?"
Renee was hesitant for a few seconds. "No. Phil and I are taking some time apart."
So that was why she was here. Bella felt Jacob put his arm around her comfortingly, she leaned into his warmth gratefully. "You broke up."
"It wasn't my fault, Bella. He was just not paying me enough attention. It was all about the game." Renee whined. "Will you be coming home soon? It's getting cold out here."
"Yes. I'll come home now." Bella tried to keep her voice calm. "I'll see you in about twenty minutes."
"Thanks sweetie." Renee ended the call.
Bella threw her cell phone on the table and put her head in her hands. "She hasn't changed, she's still the same selfish woman she always was. I should have guessed she had an ulterior motive for just turning up; it couldn't be that she actually wanted to see me." She said bitterly.
Jacob rubbed soothing circles on her back. "I'm sorry honey." He made sure he didn't say anything about Renee, he was angry on Bella's behalf, the woman was utterly self absorbed.
"I suppose I better go and see her." Bella reluctantly pulled away from him.
"I'll drive you. We'll face this together." He gave her a soft kiss.
"Thanks Jake. I love you."
Jacob took her hand and began to lead her out of the house. "I love you too."
XXXXXX
Renee squealed loudly when Jacob parked the Rabbit in the Swan's driveway. She ran down the porch steps and over to the passenger door. As soon as Bella opened the door Renee engulfed her in a tight hug. "There's my baby girl."
Bella returned the hug quickly before pulling away. "Hi mom."
Jacob climbed out of the driver's side and Renee's eyes nearly bugged out of her head when she saw him. "This is little Jake?" She questioned in disbelief.
"Yeah, I told you he had grown." Bella glanced at him and smiled.
"Grown." Renee gasped. "He is gorgeous sweetie. No wonder you wanted to keep him under wraps. You don't want any of the other girls snatching him away do you." She nudged Bella in the side. "You really should make more effort with your clothes baby girl."
Bella scowled at her mom and Jacob frowned. "I love Bella just the way she is."
Renee didn't seem to realise she had upset anyone. She continued to study Jacob. "How old are you? I thought you were like sixteen but I must have got that wrong."
Jacob went over to Bella and wrapped his arms around her. "I am, just had a growth spurt."
"And work out." Renee whistled approvingly. "Do you have any friends that might be interested in escorting a slightly older lady out for the night?" She joked.
Bella turned red with embarrassment. "Haven't you already done the cougar thing?" She snapped.
Renee giggled. "Well you take after me, sweetie. You are two years older then the stud here." She winked at Jacob playfully.
Bella turned redder. "Let's get in shall we." She muttered.
"I'll get the bags." Jacob offered as Renee took Bella's arm and walked back up the stairs with her. Bella glanced behind at Jacob, she looked desperate. He followed after them, vowing that if Renee said one thing to upset Bella he wouldn't hold back on telling her what he thought.
A/N-Thanks for reading!
