Being There
Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.
A/N-sorry for the late posting of this chapter. Thanks once again for all the lovely reviews.
Part Thirty Seven
Bella and Jacob bumped into Kim and Jared as they headed for the beach. Kim raised her eyebrows as she studied Bella with a frown on her face. "Where did you get that outfit?" She asked, a hint of a sneer in her tone.
"It's on loan from Leah. Why do you ask?" Bella snapped, irritated by Kim's superior tone. After trying hard the past few months to get on with the girl, Bella had about given up being anything but civil to her.
"No reason." Kim gave her a sickly sweet smile. "Just surprised to see you all done up in tribal regalia. I mean you are not Quileute."
Jacob was just about to reprimand Kim for her attitude when Jared beat him to it. "Just shut up, Kim. Watch your mouth."
"Jared?" Kim looked at him aghast.
Jared just shook his head. "I need a drink." He walked away from her heading down to the beach. Kim's face reddened as she took off after him, calling out his name.
Bella exchanged a look with Jacob. "What just happened there?" She asked in confusion.
"It's fading." Jacob told her, lacing his fingers with hers as he led her toward the beach. "We've all noticed it the past few weeks. Jared is pulling away from Kim. She no longer holds as much sway over him as she used to."
"Has he talked about it?"
Jacob sighed. "No. I have tried on a number of occasions to get him to open up about his imprint bond with Kim, but Jared isn't like Sam. He just clammed up each time, refusing to admit how unhappy he was. Although we could all tell."
"You never said." Bella watched her steps carefully in case she tripped. Being heavily pregnant did nothing for her co-ordination problems.
"Well you've had a lot to deal with." He reached out and stroked her belly gently.
"You can still talk to me about stuff that goes on with the pack though, Jake. I want to help if I can."
"I know and I will. I just wanted you to remain stress free." He apologised.
Bella stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "You're too sweet. Did I ever tell you how much I love you?"
Jacob gave her one of his trademark grins. "Yes, but feel free to tell me again."
"I love you." Bella sang in an off key tone.
Jacob laughed and leaned down to kiss her on the lips. They stopped walking and continued exchanging loving kisses until they were interrupted by Embry. "Don't you two ever quit?" He asked, shaking his head.
"Nope." Jacob smiled down at Bella and kissed her hand as she giggled.
Embry ignored Jacob and gave Bella a shy smile. "You look lovely." He complimented her.
"Thank you." Bella returned his smile. "Brought anyone special along with you tonight?"
Embry shook his head. "Just myself." He quickly changed the subject. "You better get down there quick, Paul and Seth have already started on the food."
"Sounds about right." Jacob put his arm around Bella and continued down toward the beach. He glanced back once and saw Embry still standing where they had left him, a far away look in his eyes.
XXXXXX
Paul introduced his latest conquest. "This is Dana." He said with a grin as he stuffed in a muffin.
His blonde companion glared at him. "It's Dee." She reminded him, hands on hips.
"Right, Dee." Paul rolled his eyes behind her back as she piled some more food on her plate.
Jacob and Bella tried to hide their amusement. Paul had a different girl on his arm every week, none of them lasted. He seemed keen to sow his wild oats far and wide and showed no signs of settling down. Dee finished stacking up her plate with food and began to devour a sausage roll.
"Got enough there, Dee?" Bella quipped as she eyed the overfull plate.
Dee nodded, her cheeks swollen as she chewed. "This is lovely." Her eyes closed in ecstasy as she ate.
"Where did you pick up this one?" Jacob whispered to Paul.
"I fixed up her old man's car. I wasn't really that interested but I needed a date for tonight and well..." Paul just shrugged.
"She certainly likes her food." Jacob pointed over to Dee who had returned to the tables and was already filling up her plate with seconds. Bella was watching her in astonishment.
"We'll work off the calories later." Paul gave Jacob a sly wink as he called out for Dee to join him. "Come on Dana let's mingle."
"It's Dee." She mumbled through a mouthful of food as she walked over to his side. Paul took her arm and steered her over to Jared and Kim who seemed to be in the middle of a heated argument.
"It would serve Lahote right if he imprinted on that girl." Jacob said with a smirk.
Bella shuddered. "No, don't say that. Can you imagine inviting them for dinner? It would cost us a fortune every time she came. I've never seen anyone, besides you lot of course, who can eat so much."
Jacob swept Bella into his arms and placed a kiss on her pouty lips. "Are you suggesting that I'm greedy?" He teased.
"Yes." Bella said simply, rubbing her nose against his playfully.
"Enough of the PDA please." Billy called out. Charlie was pushing his chair through the sand. He gave his daughter a sheepish smile.
"Enjoying yourself, kiddo?" Charlie asked.
"Yeah, it's been great so far. Did mom come with you?" Bella gazed around looking for Renee.
"Surprisingly yes. She's over there with the Clearwater's. Sue has been keeping her company. I think she was growing tired of me and Billy talking about fishing." Charlie told her.
"Dad you didn't?" Jacob gave Billy a dark look. "Surely you and Charlie can talk about something other than fishing on a night like this. It's supposed to be a beach party."
"Alright then we'll bore the women to death with sport instead. What do you say old man? Fancy sending Sue and Renee to sleep as we discuss the Mariner's latest losing streak." Billy joked.
Charlie laughed. "You're on. I better get this old fool some beer before he carries out his threat. See you both a bit later." He continued to push Billy's chair toward the alcohol; placing a case of the stuff on Billy's lap before heading back to Harry, Sue and Renee.
"Well at least they're happy." Bella said wryly. "I'm just going to have a quick word with mom."
"Okay don't be long." Jacob let go of her reluctantly and watched as she headed over to Renee and the others. He was missing her already.
Jacob saw Sam, Leah, Quil and Jessica standing near the bonfire talking, he went over to join them. "Hey guys."
Leah looked around for Bella. "Where is she?"
"With her mom." He replied. "So Lee, I have you to thank for Bells looking so hot tonight."
Leah smiled. "Yep. She took some persuading but she finally caved."
Sam smiled at her enthusiasm, he put his arm around her and kissed her. "Have I told you how sexy you look?"
Leah laughed. "Frequently."
The others laughed as Sam kissed her again, leaving her breathless as he pulled away. "Bella looks happy and relaxed." Jessica interjected as she looked over in Bella's direction. She was chatting animatedly with Renee and the rest of the Clearwater's.
"Yeah, she does." Jacob followed her gaze and grinned. Bella looked beautiful, her skin was glowing , some of her hair had come undone from it's braid framing her face. She threw back her head and laughed at something Harry had said, her lips parted in a smile.
Quil put his hand on Jacob's shoulder. "I'm pleased for you, man. You both have come a long way."
"Thanks, Quil. How about you two?" He raised his eyebrows suggestively as Jessica's cheeks tinged red.
"We're doing great." Quil put his arm around Jessica's shoulders and she smiled up at him happily.
"Yes we are." She said softly.
Seth suddenly ploughed between them as he went over to Leah and hid behind her. "Save me." He begged her.
"What are you playing at Sethy?" She complained. "Watch the dress. Mom will kill you if it gets ripped."
"You have to save me from the oldies. Dad's threatening to sing it's so embarrassing Lee. Billy and Charlie are egging him on. You've got to stop him. Mom's tried but he's refusing to listen. Come on he's scared of you, he'll listen if you tell him not to." Seth begged her.
"What do you mean he's scared of me?" Leah snapped as the others began to laugh at her insulted expression.
"Everyone's scared of you." Seth said it as if it was fact. "Come on." He tugged on his sisters hand, practically dragging her after him.
Sam smiled with amusement. "I better follow them and try to keep the peace."
"Is his singing that bad?" Jessica asked innocently.
"Sweetheart believe me you don't want to hear Harry Clearwater singing thriller and trying to do the moonwalk." Quil made a disgusted face.
XXXXXX
The evening went by too quickly. Leah didn't manage to prevent her dad doing his version of thriller. Jessica made the mistake of saying she wouldn't mind seeing his moonwalk, much to Harry's delight. He had drunk quite a few cans of beer by this time and was feeling very mellow and relaxed. The problem was he was no longer twenty years old and, as soon as he started his moves, his back gave out and Sue had to help him to his seat. Everyone laughed as she gave him a lecture about reliving his youth.
Billy took centre stage then. Everyone gathered around in a circle as he re-told the legends of the tribe. It was the first time that Jessica and Renee had really heard the legends and the two of them were especially transfixed as Billy weaved his story telling magic. Paul was glaring at his so called date. Dee had eaten so much that she was feeling full. She fell asleep leaning on his shoulder, her mouth open as she snored.
"There's gonna be no fun for him tonight." Jacob whispered to Bella. She giggled and snuggled closer to him, enjoying the feel of his arms wrapped tightly around her.
Jacob's eyes wandered around the group until they settled on Jared and Kim. They were sitting side by side, not touching. Kim looked downright miserable, while Jared just stared moodily into the bonfire as he listened to Billy speak. Jacob sighed, not everyone was happy it seemed. He then glanced at Embry. His friend had a far away look in his eyes as he drew circles in the sand with a stick. What was going on with him? He needed to find out.
"Ow." He heard Bella mutter as she fidgeted next to him.
"What is it, Bells?" Jacob asked in concern.
She glanced up at him, a worried frown on her face. Her expression contorted again as she clutched at her belly. "No...no...no, not now."
"Bells?" Jacob held her tightly as she groaned again. "What's happening?"
Everyone was looking their way now as Bella doubled over and cried out again. "The baby." She gasped. "Jake the baby is on it's way, my waters have broken."
A/N-baby Black is on his way...! Stay tuned!
