Chapter 36: The Healing

"What's that?"

"Oh, it's a scone from Sweet Concoctions. Jacob dropped it off."

"Really?" Her father looked over her shoulder. Bella apologized there was only one.

He mumbled, "Stingy brat. He used to eat me out of house and home."

"It's huge, I can share."

"No, I'm just teasing, if Jake wants to buy you biscuit thingys and ignore getting back on my good side, that's his prerogative. I'll take that heart healthy oatmeal you like to force on me."

"Dad, you know Jake's trying his best."

He said "maybe," before asking what else he left her, but Bella hid her note and picture in her pocket. She held up the coffee and took a long sip. The rest was private between just the two of them. She made her father's oatmeal. He played with his grandson while she dished it up in a bowl.

"So I guess he thinks he's welcome to use his spare key anytime he feels like it?"

"You gave Jacob a spare key?"

"Yes, I don't even remember how long ago, when I was most worried about you, kiddo. I wished I'd known the full story back then. Sorry bastard, I'll never get over him abandoning you in the forest."

Bella assured her father Jacob would never abuse his key privileges and she certainly didn't want to dredge up Edward. It was bad enough they resided in the same town once again. "I want Jake around more. We have things to work on and it's important for Atticus."

Charlie told her he agreed, but could she please take her time. He didn't think they could survive getting it wrong another time. She felt the same way.

Kim texted her later and asked if she enjoyed her scone. Bella said she did. They invited her to come for lunch later if the baby wasn't napping. She really didn't have anything else to do, so she promised to be there just after twelve.

Everybody else was happily chatting away when Bella realized she was zoning out. She guessed her friends noticed. "Bella, dear. Aren't you hungry?"

"Um, yes, I'm just taking my time."

"Well, little momma, Ace is happy with his Auntie Emily right now so you better eat up. It's one of the rules of motherhood, stuff your face when the baby's happy."

Kim spoke up. "I bet Bella's still full from her breakfast."

Rachel was a bit nosy. "Oh, do tell. Did you have a special breakfast? I can't remember the last time I wasn't eating on the run in the morning. All I had time for on the way to school with the kids was an energy bar."

Bella looked at Kim. She knew she wasn't going to hold it in. "Go on. I swear, all of you have the biggest mouths."

"Well, Jacob walked in here at the crack of dawn and wanted to know what Bella liked here. I said she likes everything because my sister runs a first-rate establishment. He corrected himself and asked for her favorite item on the morning menu, then bought her a specialty coffee and had us put it in an insulated travel mug so it'd stay hot along with a warm, blueberry scone right out of the oven."

Emily kissed Atticus on the cheek. "Oh, your daddy is being so sweet. I have a feeling this little family is going to be intact before the end of the month."

"Everyone can chill out. Yes, it was nice and thoughtful, but it was only breakfast. No one needs to have cartoon hearts coming out of their heads just yet. Don't forget he's still married. Who knows how long this divorce process will take."

Rachel said ignore that technicality. Everyone else had forgotten that psycho. Bella doubted Jacob ever forgot since Kaleigh was doing her best to make his life difficult. She also told her one thing she noticed since Jacob had been back was he never stops working. "He gets up at sunrise, goes to the garage, comes home, showers, leaves again, comes in late and reheats food or makes a sandwich and then he pulls out his laptop or his sketchbook and goes until he can't keep his eyes open. He does that for you and my nephew. I'm not sure what all he's up to. I know you don't expect him to accomplish everything at once. He's very secretive and never shows me what he's working on, but he's planning for the future. I've never seen him so focused."

Bella admitted she thought he was working too hard. They all shared some advice with her. She needed to make him feel like he was wanted around and that she was open to taking a chance again. It wasn't easy to shift gears after all that time thinking they shouldn't be spending too much time together. She admitted he was coming over for dinner. Kim thought she should go full scale romantic with candles and aphrodisiacs for dinner, but Bella reminded them of Charlie.

"How about I make one of his favorites instead?" She knew her father also really liked her stuffed chicken. Bella finally stopped toying with her food and ate her sandwich so she could head over to the store. She grabbed a couple of BLT's to go. She shook the bag at the front of her car. She didn't have to shake it twice before Quil, her escort for the day appeared. Bella offered to let him ride back to town with her, but he said Jacob preferred them to follow as wolves so if anything happened another wolf would be sharing the mind link. She told him to eat up, that she was going to feed the baby in the backseat before she started back.

Atticus was worn out from their visit, so ten minutes into his nursing session, he nodded off, sound asleep. That was great for Bella since she made a mental list for what she needed from the store. He would sleep if she kept him in his carrier. She let Quil know the plan, he retreated to the woods and Bella started the drive back towards Forks.

She was preoccupied with thoughts about what would go with her stuffed chicken and a great song on the radio. Bella was singing for one of the only people she allowed to hear her terrible voice, a sleeping baby. She heard the roar of engine behind her, so Bella glanced in her mirror. The driver flashed the lights.

"Ugh, what does he want?"

Another flash and then an actual honk.

"Oh, for goodness sake." She waved her hand. He wasn't going to stop tailing her obviously. Bella put on her blinker, slowed down and pulled off to the side of the road.

She got out in a huff, but carefully shut her door. Atticus was still sleeping.

"What? Why are you following me, Edward?"

He slowly approached her vehicle. "You've been avoiding me."

Edward sent messages occasionally and she rarely answered other than the standard, I'm fine.

"There's nothing for us to say to each other. I wouldn't call it avoidance."

"The dog relied on me for your care not too long ago, now you all act like I'm one of the enemies. The pack of mongrels still needs us, especially me. I would think you'd be more cordial. Esme's feelings are hurt. You haven't stopped by."

Bella never meant to hurt Esme's feelings if that was even true. She had planned to catch up with the Cullens eventually. The truth was she texted Rose a few times and told her to tell her a good time when Edward wasn't around.

"Okay, I'll talk to Jake. Tell Esme and Carlisle I'll visit just as soon as I can make arrangements. Now if you'll excuse me, the baby's sleeping and I need to go to the store. Bye, Edward."

"You take that little baby all around and out in public with every germ known to man. That doesn't seem healthy or safe."

Bella was beyond annoyed now. Edward knew zip about infants, she was certain. He knew damn well she also was always protected. "It's fine. Babies aren't that fragile and neither am I. Atticus doesn't need to grow up in a plastic bubble."

"Well, if we'd been so fortunate to share a child, I would've been a little more cautious with the both of you."

Bella felt revulsion at the mere thought of that. What a weird thing to say, not to mention literally impossible. She needed to bolt and leave this conversation because it had gone from bad to worse.

Edward had other ideas, he grabbed her arm. It was about that time Quil emerged from the woods in human form. "I suggest you let go of her right now, bloodsucker."

Edward let go and held both hands up like he was surrendering. Bella looked past Quil and saw Sam, Jared and Leah. Quil must have sent out a distress signal as soon as she stopped.

"Everyone seems to be overreacting, don't you think? I was just having a word with my wif... um, with Bella."

Was he seriously about to call her his wife? This is why she didn't want to talk to him. Edward started getting sappy and delusional every time Bella gave him the time of day. She told Quil they could sort it out, but she needed to go shopping. Leah came down the embankment and said she was joining her.

"So that's the way it is now? These dogs control you. I guess since Jacob broke his marriage vows, you're going to be pathetic and let him have his way with you again with no repercussions for his abominable behavior. I'm disappointed in your lack of morals, Bella. You're a mother, you'd think you would want to set an example for your young son."

She might regret it at the end of the day, but Bella raised her hand to slap the shit out of our ex. Leah saved her fragile bones by stopping her mid-slap. "Not worth it, chica. Seriously. Back off, Chilly Willy. There's only one pathetic creature in this gathering and it's most definitely not our alpha queen. You're an embarrassment to the undead." Bella couldn't have said it better. She got in the car and waited for Leah to jump in with her before peeling out, leaving Edward in a cloud of dust.

Bella banged on the steering wheel, but then lowered her voice because of Atticus, "Woohoo, that was fun. I've never thrown gravel at someone."

Leah chuckled, "Yeah, that was a nice touch. Black will be proud of you. Your coolness factor just skyrocketed."

"He's not going to be happy with Edward, I'll have to tell him all about it when he comes over for dinner."

"Yes, you should, but I'm pretty sure he already knows. Our news travels at lightning speed."

Charlie walked in the house, "Yes! Stuffed chicken breast."

Bella walked around the corner. "How'd you guess so quick?"

"This nose doesn't lie when it comes to your cooking. What else you got going?"

Bella told him twice baked potatoes, a tossed salad with homemade vinaigrette and a fresh baked french bread. "I made dessert too, but that's a surprise."

"I have the feeling this isn't only to fatten up your pop." Charlie patted a barely there belly.

"Well, Jake's coming over and I wanted him to feel welcome. He's been working really hard and not getting hot meals most nights."

"I doubt he's skipping meals, knowing him like I do."

Bella mentioned inviting Renee but she hadn't heard back yet.

"She has plans."

"Oh, with who?"

"Some new friend of hers, a waitress at the diner, I think. Who knows with that woman."

Bella was curious if her mother was sticking around. She remembered what Sue said. "How is she even affording an apartment? Shouldn't she get a job soon?"

"I told her something similar and as far as the apartment goes, how do you think she's affording it?"

"You? Dad, she's not your responsibility anymore. I really need to talk to her." Renee was always trippy but at least she held down jobs when Bella was growing up. She didn't understand this habit she'd acquired for letting other people take care of her or chasing men that were too young for her for that matter. Although, Billy wasn't barely legal or even a couple of decades younger, he was most definitely her age but he was also her ex's best friend. She wondered why she hung out with him so much lately. Wasn't there a code not to do that sort of thing? Part of this might be Bella's fault for faking her death, but she'd been back well over a year and her mother was still behaving carelessly. Her father told her good luck, he'd talked until he was blue in the face.

Bella told her father a few instructions about turning off the oven at the buzzer and asked if he could watch Atticus.

"I have to get ready."

"Ready? Are we dressing for dinner now?"

She rolled her eyes and waved him off. She knew he was teasing her. They normally sat in front of the television, Charlie in his uniform pants and an undershirt he wore all day. Bella usually wore comfortable clothes that were often stained with baby drool or some type of food splatter.

She stood in her closet after her shower. A dress was trying too hard, but then jeans seemed wrong for some reason. She wasn't putting on yoga pants or sweats, that was for certain. Bella needed to go shopping, her wardrobe was so blah. She picked up the jeans she wore to lunch and frowned. "Oh my God, these are mom jeans. I'm only 27 years old!" Forget looking desperate, the burgundy sweater dress was totally appropriate for fall. Bella pulled it over her head, adjusted her hair and added a few accessories. She had to wear her boots with it or she looked like she was trying to show too much leg. Now she was thinking she should play it safe and slip on black leggings, but a car door slammed outside.

Bella wanted to be the one to answer. She'd never ran so fast downstairs in her life. She took a deep breath, smoothed her clothing out and turned around to see her father staring at her like she'd lost her mind before opening the door.

"Oh hey, Jake. Right on time."

He smiled at her and she swore for a minute time stood still or maybe they went back in time. She didn't see that smile very often and she missed it.

He had a bouquet. She wasn't expecting that. He pushed the little pumpkin overflowing with fall flowers into her grip. "These are for you. I thought they'd be nice on the table. The lady at the flower shop insisted they were a top seller."

"I love them. They're lovely. Thanks." She asked what else he was holding down by his side. He lifted a stuffed wolf out of his bag. She laughed. "A baby wolf. How adorable. It's even wearing a diaper."

Jacob said he checked and there were no parts that could be chewed off and become a choking hazard. "Can I give it to him?"

"Of course."

He went straight for his son with the wolf. Charlie started telling him what skills they'd been practicing. Bella said she needed a few more minutes to finish up. She was going to dress the salad and slice the bread. She pulled the iced tea out of the fridge. Bella smiled at the caramel apple trifle she'd hidden in the back. They were going to love that surprise.

They were going to have a nice sit down dinner at the table. Bella grabbed the platter of chicken first. She couldn't believe what was transpiring on the living room floor when she looked over. Her Dad always spread out the furniture when he played with Atticus. She quickly sat down the dish and ran for her phone. Jacob and Charlie were both crawling around in circles while her child watched in amazement. He was up on all fours as well but fell forward after a few seconds. It was obviously a lesson in crawling and Jacob had the baby wolf making howling noises to top it off like it was a puppet show. This required video proof or no one would ever believe her.

Jacob caught her in the act. "Hey no fair, did you take a picture, Bells? We probably look ridiculous." He jumped up and started stalking towards her. "Give me the phone."

"Nope, no way and I got better than a picture. I have two full minutes of video."

The chase was on. It didn't last long. Jacob caught her in front of the kitchen sink. He blocked her with his large body. She knew she'd never get away from him, but there was no way she was deleting that video. Bella held the phone over her head. He shook his head.

"There's no place you can hide that phone from me, now give it or I'll take it and you know that I know your passcode."

He did not, did he?

"It's easy, it's Ace's birthday."

Damn, she was so obvious. Bella clinched the phone tightly in her hands as she lowered it down. He probably would swipe it any second, but on a whim she dropped it in her sweater dress and caught the phone in one of the cups of her bra.

"I'm keeping that video forever, so back off! You and Dad crawling around in circles is one of the funniest things I've ever seen and I want the memory preserved for when our son is older."

"You think hiding it there will deter me?" He made his hand look like a claw. "I'm not afraid. I'm going in." Jacob was opening and closing his fingers like they were primed and ready to attack a boob. She wasn't sure if she was frightened or extremely aroused. A throat clearing behind them killed the quest before Jacob got too far.

"Is dinner ready or not? I'm starving." He walked over to the swing. They kept it near the table, so Atticus could feel like he was a part of everything.

Bella tried to pretend she wasn't the least bit embarrassed but her cheeks gave her away. She quickly got the rest of the meal spread out so everyone could make their plates. Jacob was the first to dig in. He and Charlie both talked with their mouths full about how good it was.

They ate until they were stuffed so her dad said he was getting a shower and letting his food settle before they dove into dessert. Bella could finally thank Jacob properly about her morning surprise.

"Thanks for the scone and coffee. I can't believe you had that picture."

He asked if her coffee was still warm and she told him it was perfect. "I have a box of pictures and mementos if you want to go through it sometime."

"I'd love that and I have something to show you." Bella reached for her chain and lifted up the charm. Jake's eyes widened and he leaned in for a closer look.

"I can't believe it."

Bella unhooked the clasp and placed the charm in his open hand. "I'd never get rid of this. The bracelet broke though."

"Hmm, let me guess, that hideous bauble Cullen added was too much stress."

"No, I hocked that ages ago when I need money for a special educational trip. Clumsy me got it caught on something. I can't remember for certain, but I saved the charm and strung it on this plain necklace."

"Can I borrow it?"

"Um... "

"I'll give it back, but in case you're forgetting, I skipped your birthday. I didn't forget, it's just everything we were dealing with and I was... "

"Still with Kaleigh. I get it. I knew why you didn't bring it up."

"Yeah, well, it's bugged me ever since. I think you sat up in that apartment all alone for your birthday and that sucks."

Bella told him she got plenty of texts and calls and Barry celebrated with her when he arrived a few days later. "I had our son. I wasn't alone."

She trusted him with the charm, but now she was super curious what he had in mind. Maybe he was getting her a new bracelet as a gift. She wasn't sure. She actually preferred a bracelet to a necklace so if that was his plan, she'd be happy.

"I heard there was a dangerous motorist on the road today. I'm not liking the fact you pulled over, Bells. Let the guys handle him."

"About that. I knew it was him so I didn't consider him dangerous... annoying, of course, but not dangerous. He can be so weird. Can you believe he questioned our parenting and said if he and I had a child, he'd be better at keeping us safe."

"Ugh, stop. That's enough to make me lose the fantastic supper we just ate. He has some twisted fantasies. There's no way you'd ever have children with him, his swimmers were fossilized long ago, I imagine."

"Gross, Jake. Not like I could ever even get that close. Remember, I told you about the frenzy?"

Jacob growled being reminded about Edward almost attacking her on their honeymoon. "Do you want me to get rid of him?"

"That sounds ominous."

"It's just the Cullens know, I'm not Sam. I make the rules around here. They don't throw that ancient treaty up to me. They know better."

Bella admitted Edward is strange and annoying, but she still trusted him with regards to her protection. "He mentioned you especially needed him. I'm sure that means something, so no, if you feel better with the Cullens around then you don't need to banish him."

Jacob told her Edward was doing some reconnaissance for them. He was traveling around, seeking out their kind, making sure there wasn't any chatter about spies in the area. "But he's getting a stern warning, we have a meeting later tonight. He won't be following you again."

He offered to help her clean up. Bella had some containers ready to send a few leftovers home with him. They washed up the big stuff but her father had a dishwasher now so clean up went way faster than the old days. Atticus began to tire of the swing. He would be ready for bed soon. Charlie came back down and turned on the TV. Jacob volunteered to give the baby a bath, so Bella let him take over. She told her father they'd wait until Jacob came back down to serve up dessert.

Charlie surprised her, "You're right, he's trying really hard."

She agreed but they didn't discuss why her father said that out of the blue. He'd been extremely anger about all the lies and secrets. Jacob was one of his favorite people and it was a hard pill to swallow how much he'd disappointed him.

Bella served up the trifle, but Atticus was beyond sleepy. She asked Jacob if he had time to stay a little later since she had to put the baby to sleep. "I can stay. Has he been sleeping good for you lately?"

"Yes, it's amazing to get uninterrupted sleep again. I'll be back down in twenty minutes or so. Will you two be fine?"

"Of course, Bells. Jacob and I have sat in front of the TV together hundreds of time. Night night, big man."

Jacob kissed his son goodnight before she headed up to their room.

She found the downstairs eerily calm and quiet. The television was still on but no other lights were and her father wasn't around. She went ahead and changed into night clothes which were flannel pants and a t-shirt before leaving her room. Jacob had been watching her come down the stairs. He looked relaxed in the glowing light from the TV.

"Where's Dad?"

"He said he had an early shift and was headed to bed because he was already succumbing to a food coma. I agree. That meal was quite satisfying. Too bad, I still have a pack meeting and some work to do, turning in early sounds damn good."

Jacob turned down the volume and patted the cushion beside him. She had a seat with a reasonable amount of distance between them. He rested his head back and turned to the side to observe her. "You looked really pretty in that dress. I should have said so earlier."

"Um... thanks."

"You look pretty in that too."

Bella halfway snorted. She was pretty ragged in the worn out pj's. She shoved him. "Now, you're being facetious."

He grabbed her fingers and didn't let go. Jacob slowly rubbed her entire arm. "No, I'm not."

"I'm capable of judging when you're pretty which is all the time by the way."

Bella felt a swirl of warm feelings move through her, sitting there alone in the almost dark with him. She kinda felt like a teenager except all those years ago, she never did anything with him when Charlie would leave them alone for all hours of the night. He ended up turning her hand over with his underneath. Jacob stopped and lifted her arm again. He leaned in extremely close, she felt his warm breath on her skin. "What the hell is going on here?"

"What?"

"Your scar. I distinctly remember it there."

"Oh that. Well, it finally healed and went away."

"When? Why am I just now realizing this?"

Jacob rubbed two fingers over her wrist several times. Bella reminded him she almost wore long sleeves so he probably just hadn't noticed.

"It was a thick scar. You don't heal scars, Bells, especially from a fucking bloodthirsty vamp. I know it was there when I first found you in California." He cleared his throat. "You didn't have on long sleeves in bed in case you forgot." His voice was low and husky bringing up the sexual liaison. "But I guess I wasn't paying attention, um... the last time, back at the apartment, either."

She bit her lip. Of course, she didn't forget either instance when they'd been up close and personal and Bella honestly didn't know why she never showed him her arm. It was surprising and noteworthy perhaps, but she'd been fairly preoccupied since being back.

"Well, no. You're right actually. It looked the same for years, but when I was pregnant it got better and by the time Atticus was born, it was gone."

"How?"

She shrugged her shoulder, "I don't know. I was glad it disappeared, it made me self-conscious. I never questioned it. Do you think it means something or that it's a big deal?"

Jacob brought her wrist to his nose and took a deep breath of her skin, then he placed tender lips there and kissed her three times on her wrist. "Yeah, Bells I think it's a huge deal."

~Thanks so much for reading.

I don't get to post as often so I would love to hear from you. It's been awhile since Jacob had a chapter. His POV is coming up next. I'll have some insight to what's going on with his busy life. Hit me back with your theories about Bella's scar. Jake's right, it's a big deal.