Chapter 24 - Aggravation

The seductiveness of freshly brewed coffee tempted her from sleep, perfuming the air with its heady, thick aroma. Bella opened her eyes to find sunshine streaming through the open windows and Jacob's warm smile shining down on her like a ray of warm light.

Waking with the dawn, he had lain next to her for hours, watching over her in sleep. Seeing her eyelashes flutter softly open to greet the day, Jacob again wondered how it was that he got so lucky. A thousand hopes and dreams were wrapped up in the small woman beside him.

Bella smiled lazily. "Good Morning."

Without hesitation, he leaned down, kissing her lips long and slow. Her eyes were still closed when he pulled away, but Bella snuggled deeper into his warmth, allowing him to bury his nose in the halo of her soft curls.

"Good morning," he replied.

"Mmmm...I dreamed about you last night." Bella glanced up at him, sleep still heavy in her eyes, but they shone with happiness.

"I dreamt about you too," he confessed quietly. "You and me, warm, here in this bed, thirty years from now." Bella said nothing but he could feel the curve of her lips against his chest. "What are you doing tonight?" he asked, winding one of her curls between his fingers. Always so soft, so beautiful, he thought. "I wanna take you out. Do this the right way. We've kinda gone about it a little backwards."

"Really?" she asked, surprised by the romance of his gesture.

"I've waited a long time to hold you in my arms. Now that I have, I wanna do this right. Take you out on a real date, hold doors for you... shake in my shoes like a sixteen-year-old kid when I pick you up at your father's house. We need this."

"I'd love to, but today, I can't," she said regretfully. "I really do need to go home. I have to spend some time with my dad. How about tomorrow night?"

Jacob rolled over to his back, sighing heavily. "I have patrol. I'd get out of it, but..."

"No, I understand," she said. "I don't want you to miss it. It would make things worse. Some of them already hate me and i don't want you to-"

"They don't hate you Bells." It was sort of a lie and he knew it, but the simple truth was that the pups didn't know her. By the time he was finished with them, they would at least respect her. "How about Friday night?" he asked, effectively ending that conversation. He didn't want to think about patrols or punishments, at least not this morning.

"Oh Jake, I wish I could but I need to go to Port Angeles and have some meetings with Matt and Leah if Charlie is doing better." Then seeing the crestfallen look on his face, she quickly offered, "Tell you what, why don't you meet me there? I should be done around six or so. Would that be alright? Will you come?"

The sentiment had the desired effect she hoped for. Jacob smiled again, then kissed her softly.

"You couldn't stop me if you tried."

ooo000ooo

A few hours later, Bella was making out with Jacob like a teenager on the steps of her father's porch. It was hard to let him go, harder than she'd ever imagined it would be. Now that she'd finally let him in, it would be impossible to walk away again. The thought made her warm with happiness. Life, though a complete clusterfuck of mistakes and problems, was finally giving them something right.

Until she walked inside.

The house was clean, but that was the most she could say for it. Charlie sat sullenly on the couch, arms crossed over his chest, glaring at the Lifetime movie playing across the television screen. Sue was torturing him... slowly. What's more, it was on purpose.

Bella would have loved to launch into a tirade on his childish behavior but the look on his face told her now was not the time.

"Hey Bells," he greeted her. "Jake drop you off?"

"Yep," was her singular answer, not planning on giving her father an inch.

"Didn't have the guts to come inside and face me like a man after kidnapping you for two days?"

Bella felt her irritation rise. Charlie had no right to accuse anyone of not acting like a man after the crap he'd been pulling. "First of all, he didn't kidnap me, I left willingly. Second, I didn't invite him in. Third... do you really think that you ought to be saying one word about my behavior when you're the one who has been lying to me all this time, not taking your pills and acting like a two-year-old brat?"

"I'm your father," he stated, refusing to look over at Sue who was passively smiling at the television.

"That's right, you are," she agreed. "I'm also twenty-five years old in case you've forgotten. I hold a degree and I've been on my own since I was nineteen. Don't start lecturing me over something you've wanted to see happen since I was three."

"So, you and Jake are..."

"We're figuring things out." Bella turned on her heel, marching toward the stairs.

"Next time I expect him to come here and ask..." he shouted.

ooo000ooo

By Wednesday, Charlie had become unbearable. The days were creeping slowly by, and Bella felt like a servant. If she was lucky, she'd have five minutes to shower. When Leah called stating that she'd found an apartment for them, Bella cheered internally. As much as she hated to admit it, her father was a pain in the ass. A big one. It would be a relief to get back to work, not to mention having some personal space again. Granted, she'd lived alone for several years, but sharing a place with Leah and occasionally with Matt when he was in town would be nothing compared to living with Charlie.

His newest trick was to command her presence with a bell that he rang, courtesy of Billy who thought it would be hilarious. "A bell for you to call Bells," he'd joked.

Bella was not amused.

The incessant ringing could be heard anytime day or night, leaving her to dream up ways on how to dispose of the stupid clapper. This particular afternoon she had been trying to scrub the house from top to bottom, constantly interrupted by the combined chime and Charlie shouting her name. A sort of childish defiance had settled over him. At one point, in a burst of anger he'd stated, "you wanted me to be an invalid, then by God! I'm gonna be an invalid."

In retaliation, Bella borrowed a mortar and pestle from the druggist and had taken to grinding up Charlie's pills, mixing the fine powder into his orange juice.

In the meantime, work emails piled up, her cell phone buzzed constantly, each time followed by Charlie demanding to know who was calling her. Interspersed with this were the pointed questions about she and Jacob's relationship. Questions Bella was not ready to answer.

She was up to her elbows in cleaner that afternoon when the doorbell rang, cussing loudly over the fact that whoever it was felt the need to accompany it with a knock, despite the fact that she shouted over and over that she'd be there in a minute. It didn't help matters that Charlie was laying on the couch, ringing his little bell and yelling for her even though being shot through the shoulder didn't prevent him from walking at this point.

On the way down the stairs, Bella tripped over one of the steps, falling on her bottom hard. "Goddamnit!" she swore. Limping, she went to the door, aggravated at having to entertain someone in this state. Short on patience, she closed her eyes, drew a deep breath and turned the handle. "I'm sorry, but this isn't really a good time..." as the words fell from her lips, she opened her eyes and saw Jacob standing in front of her, holding a bouquet of flowers and grinning for all he was worth.

Immediately she went from elated to embarassed. Jacob was dressed immaculately, wearing dark jeans, a black button down with the sleeves rolled up, even nice shoes on his usually bare feet. Bella on the other hand, wore a ratty t-shirt littered with stains, old yoga pants that were usually reserved for painting while her face was smudged with dirt and grime and her hair was falling out of its ponytail.

Yet, in Jacob's eyes, she was and would always be the most beautiful woman in the world.

"Bells, who's at the door?" Charlie called.

Jacob saw her wince visibly, her pink lips pulling into narrow lines and the muscles of her neck tensed up when she heard her father's voice. It was why he had come today. Patrolling around the Swan's the last few days, he'd heard each and every one of Charlie's demands, even ready to take a swipe at his own father for giving him that stupid bell. His girl needed a break and he was going to make sure she got one.

The look he gave her was similar to the one he used when issuing orders to the pack. It was one that left no room for argument. "You have thirty minutes. Go get ready to leave. Leah is going to come over and babysit Charlie and you're coming with me."

Bella didn't need to be told twice. She all but ran up the stairs, and in under a minute, Jacob could hear the hum of the pipes when the shower turned on. Then closing the door quietly behind him, he walked into the living room to do the one thing he'd been dying to do since he was an awkward, gangly fifteen-year-old boy.

Jacob Black would finally ask Charlie Swan's permission to take his only daughter out on a date.

Guns and greasy rags littered the surface of the coffee table. Clearly, he wasn't nearly as bad off as he seemed. Jacob swallowed hard. As a wolf, a bullet wouldn't hurt him. Though, the idea of Charlie filling his ass full of buckshot scared the piss out of him.

"Hey Jake! Those for me?" he laughed, nodding at the white and purple irises in Jacob's trembling hand. "You shouldn't have."

"Actually, they're for Bella. I thought she'd like them."

"Well, I'm sure she'll appreciate them." Charlie said, then picked up his shotgun and started shoving a rag down the barrel. "Figured I'd get these out and get 'em cleaned. Wanna make sure they're in proper working order. A good cop always makes sure his guns are as clean as his reputation. I'm sure Paul does the same thing."

"Yeah, he does it on Saturday mornings. Rachel's always complaining about gun oil on the table."

"Good man." Charlie lifted the unloaded rifle, squinted, looking through the sight, taking aim directly at Jacob's head when he squeezed the trigger. "So, what brings you by?"

Jacob winced slightly at the empty sound of the trigger pull. He could almost feel the bullet whizzing past his head... at the same time completely sure that was the whole point of Charlie's little exercise. "Well, sir, I'm here to take Bella out, if that's alright with you."

"Take her out where?" he asked. "The grocery store? I'm pretty sure she can still drive herself," he pointed out.

The old man wasn't going to make it easy on him, and Jacob was okay with that, but soon enough Charlie Swan would figure out just what his intentions were and where he stood with his daughter. For now he'd play along. "I'd like to take her out on a date."

"A date, huh." Charlie set down the rifle, picking up a handgun and ejected the magazine. "Well, that's interesting since she spent the weekend at your place without you asking my permission."

Jacob could feel the hot flames fanning his face. It was like he was sixteen again- which was what he wanted from out of this- but he hadn't counted on Charlie pointing out that he and Bella had shacked up for two days. "I um, well, no, but Bella..."

"Bella might be an adult," Charlie lifted the pistol, practicing his aim, "but, she's my daughter. I may not be able to do much damage to you physically, but boy, you can be damn sure I'll enjoy filling your ass with lead if you so much as-"

"DAD!" Bella had walked in partway through the conversation ready to spit nails. Up until this point, neither Charlie nor Jacob had thought one person could express disapproval so succinctly with just a look. The calm menace in her voice only added to the absolute fear racing through Jacob's heart. "This is none of your business," she stated. "Do you hear me? NONE. Quit trying to scare him."

Bella crossed the room, leaning down and whispering vindictively in her father's ear. "If you want, I could always date some other jerk in town or better yet, I could find someone up in Port Angeles and never let you meet him. How about that? I could just not tell you and run off to get married. Wouldn't you just love that? Not getting to do a background check on someone until I'm barefoot and pregnant. Maybe for kicks I'll make sure he's knocked over a gas station or two."

Charlie's eyes flew open wide at the thought, his mind and heart racing in overdrive. "Now, Bells, that's not what-"

"Don't even start," she spat. "You and Billy have been placing bets on the two of us since the day Jacob was born. Just for that, you will not hear one word about our relationship until I am ready to tell you." Bella turned her vengeful eye on Jacob. "That goes for you too. Not a word to Billy or so help me, I will make sure you don't eat for a month."

"Now where's the fun in that?" She whirled around to see Leah lounging sardonically in the doorway, drumming her long nails and looking positively feline. "Seems to me if you want to make a valid threat you might... oh I don't know... turn him over to me if he pisses you off. You know, let me claw his eyes out..."

"Actually, I like that idea." Bella smiled wickedly at her father. "Dad, Leah is here to help you while I'm gone. I'm sure you're going to be on your BEST behavior for her, right?"

As she passed by Leah, Bella shared a conspiratorial glance with her. "Get rid of that damn servant's bell."

Once outside, Jacob kissed her soundly. "Remember how I said I wanted the full experience? Your dad threatening me and all?"

"Yeah. How'd that work out for you?" she asked.

"I'm over it."

ooo000ooo

Instead of the local diner her dad favored, Jacob drove over a winding road just outside of town to a small restaurant hidden between towering pines.

Inside he greeted the server with a smile, then led Bella by the hand in-between tables to a booth hidden away in the far back corner. Gesturing for her to sit, he then slid in beside her, throwing an arm around her shoulders.

"Come here often?" she laughed.

"You could say that. The owner is family." Jacob glanced up over the tall back of the booth. "Speak of the devil..."

"... and she shall appear," laughed a cheerfully familiar voice.

"Emily?"

"Judging by the surprise on your face, I take it Jake never informed you that he and the boys spend most of their time eating up my profits."

"No, he didn't, but I'm glad to see you. Do you have time to sit down for a few minutes? Take a break..."

Emily held out her hands in refusal. "Oh no, I am not ruining this. I just wanted to say hello."

"Ruining what?"

She smiled lightly, then walked away.

"Jake, what's she talking about?" Bella's questions were answered almost immediately when two servers came up to the table laying out drinks, salads and a basket of freshly baked bread.

He grinned at her sheepishly. "I might have made some plans in advance. Hope you don't mind."

Bella raised an eyebrow at him in mock scolding. "I should mind. I can order for myself. However, it just so happens I trust you and find all of this... incredibly sweet."

"I just thought that with everything going on and Charlie driving you crazy that you could use a night where someone else takes care of you. Besides... I might have missed you a little bit," he confessed, dropping a light kiss on her temple.

"I missed you too," she replied, resting her head on his shoulder. "More than you know."

For the better part of the next hour they cuddled and laughed. Emily popped by every so often just to check that everything was going smoothly, repeatedly turning down Bella's offer to join them. At the end of the night, Jacob paid the bill and was handed a paper bag which he passed off to Bella. "Hang on to this. No peeking," he warned, wiggling his finger.

They whizzed back through Forks, stopping at a small playground with old and rusty equipment that had heard the laughter of children for many years. Jacob swung off the bike and before she could blink, pulled her into his arms and carried her over to the swingset, paper bag dangling from her hand.

"What on earth has gotten into you?" she laughed.

"Not a thing except that I want you in my arms for the rest of the night and since I know I can't get that, this will have to do."

"Play your cards right and I will go home with you," she offered. "With any luck Leah will have Charlie knocked on his ass."

"In that case..." Jacob leaned down, covering her mouth with his and kissed her until she moaned with desire.

"Mmmm... you're not a good poker player. I can see right through you."

"Doesn't matter. I've got an ace up my sleeve." Jacob set her down in the swing, taking the bag from her hands.

"Does that mean I get to see what's for dessert?"

Jacob only smiled, setting the bag down in the dewy grass and walked behind her to push her on the swing.

Bella's peals of delight rang out through the quiet autumn air. It was a sound Jacob hoped he'd get to hear for the rest of his life.

When she was nearly breathless from flying, he grabbed hold of the chains, slowing down the swing and then twisted it over and over again. Her eyes were bright with mischief, daring him to let go. Jacob leaned in, pressed his lips to hers and then in one quick movement backed away to watch while the swing unwound itself. Bella leaned backwards, the long, dark curls of her hair cascading through the air in a waterfall of rich chocolate, her pink lips parted in laughter while a warm blush rose over her cheeks. The joy painted on her face was priceless.

The swing finally slowed as Bella dragged her small feet through the sand with a happy look of contentment that glowed from the inside out. Jacob's heart swelled, knowing it was he that made her feel that way. It was he that caused that rosy blush to rise over her skin. Tonight had been about one thing only, showing her how much he cared. In that moment, he knew that he'd succeeded.

If there had ever been any doubt in Jacob's mind as to whether or not he could make her happy, it was erased the second she leapt off the swing and threw herself at him. Bella's arms wound around his neck, her legs wrapped tightly around his waist and Jacob allowed himself to stagger backward, falling carefully into the grass. He searched her eyes, looking for any hint that she felt the same devotion as him, desperate to again tell her he loved her but not wanting to push her before she was ready. Time and distance had taught him patience. He could wait a thousand years if he had to, just so long as he could call her his own.

"Bells..." he whispered, cradling the back of her neck, drawing her closer in a warm embrace.

"Well, well, well... what do we have here? The police chief's daughter conducting herself inappropriately in public? You know, you could be arrested for this."

Bella froze. She knew that voice. Just like she knew the grating sound of nails on a chalkboard, it caused her to wince in agony.

Lauren.

Just like that, the happy bubble she'd been in for the last two hours had burst. Anger burned like wildfire in her chest. Lauren Mallory had no idea what kind of week Bella had. If she did, she might have thought twice about interrupting them, but of course, she was utterly clueless. "I don't think that this constitutes as illegal, but please, by all means, call the police. I'm sure they're well acquainted with you."

Cocking her head to the side, ignoring Bella completely, Lauren smiled seductively, biting her hot pink glossed lip. "Haven't seen you in a long time, 're looking...fit."

"Sorry, I'm sure we've met before, but I have no idea who you are," he confessed, much to Bella's delight.

"Well, it has been some time... at least since we've seen each other in daylight," Lauren noted, as though it were a matter of great significance. "Bella and I went to high school together," she added, almost as an afterthought. "The last time you and I bumped into each other was at a party on the beach. In fact, I still haven't gotten over you destroying my shirt," she chastised in a simpering, sweet voice.

That was when he recalled who she was. This bitch had given Bella no end of grief in their teenage days. She and her merry band of followers made it their mission to destroy anyone they saw fit. Jacob looked at her with disgust. Clearly she was trying to insinuate something had gone on between them and beside him Bella shook with rage. "Oh that's right. We were playing football and a friend of mine knocked me into you. Sorry about that. You had some kind of red drink that spilled all over the place." Not to mention that you screwed three of the pups that night, he thought.

Bella's anger turned into barely contained laughter, causing Lauren to glare at her openly before she turned her eyes back on Jacob. "Well, you could always make it up to me one of these nights. I'm sure Bella wouldn't mind."

"She might not, but I do. See, I don't chase after girls that like to sleep with seventeen-year-old boys." Jacob grinned when her eyes grew larger than saucers. "Oh, I see...either you didn't know they were that young or else you didn't think anyone would find out. It's a small town. Word to the wise... stay away from the reservation. We make our own laws and statutory rape is more than frowned upon."

She turned on her heel, walking away with anger, not bothering to look back when Bella shouted after her, "Have a nice night, Lauren!"

Then, picking up the forgotten bag of dessert, Bella walked over to Jacob's motorcycle, hopping on with a smile of glee.

"Where are we going?" he asked.

Bella grinned. "You just scored a lucky hand."

That night, they snuggled in front of the fire. It wasn't about making love or any other physical intimacy. In fact, the only thing they did that night was talk and laugh, eating the strawberries and chocolate that was contained in that little paper bag. When dawn broke over the horizon the next morning, the two slept peacefully wrapped up in each others arms.