Chapter 38: The Wrong Way

"Mom, did you hear me? I asked what you were in the mood for?"

"I don't know, sweetie. I might sip on hot tea is all."

Bella thought that was weird. Her mother was the one that called and asked if she wanted to eat with her at the diner. Jacob offered to hang out with the baby to give them a break. She was starting to think something was up, maybe Jake knew as well.

Renee noticed her friend behind the counter so she started waving and yelling "yoo hoo." She was just getting off her shift. Her mother waved the woman over and introduced her to Bella. The first thing Bella noticed was the waitress, Shelly was very young, maybe just out of high school. Her mother told her she'd see her in a few days for some plans they'd made.

"Mom, that girl is really young. What could you possibly have in common?"

"My goodness, Bella, were you always so preoccupied with age?"

Maybe she was, but not the same way she used to be as a teen hoping never to grow older than Edward.

"Shelly is lots of fun."

"Fine, I'm glad you're making friends, but something is going on with you. I know I abandoned you, and those had to be difficult years for you and Dad, but I'm here now and I truly want to understand. Is something wrong?"

Renee patted her hand and told her to stop being such a worrier. She barely acted like she was paying attention to any of Bella's attempt at conversation. "I think I'll have soup after all. What are you having?"

Bella decided on half a turkey club, and a cup of soup while her mother ordered the bowl of the vegetable soup. She also got her hot tea while Bella ordered iced.

The food came in very little time and Bella was no closer to figuring out her mother than before. She was often ravenous at the end of the day, nursing certainly boosted her appetite. Bella dug into her sandwich first and then started sipping on the soup. She noticed her mother was still fidgeting with the tea. Renee was thinner than before, now that she studied her closer.

Bella was fed up with the runaround. She was about to push a little harder, but Renee was finally eating. It all happened in a flash. First, she was sipping on spoonful of soup and then she was violently choking. A few customers and the manager came over to offer their assistance. Bella didn't know what to think or do, maybe she should dial 911. Had she sucked a veggie down the wrong pipe? Her mother finally stopped gagging and started to calm down.

Of course, everyone wanted to know if she was alright. Bella was surprised that her mother wanted to leave, but insisted that all was fine. She pushed away her food. Bella didn't even have the check but she left more than enough to cover the tab on the table. They walked to Renee's little efficiency.

Bella insisted on coming up with her mother. Something was definitely wrong, Renee climbed the stairs at her apartment like an old lady. She'd never seen anything like it. She was just with her days before and she seemed her normal self, whatever that actually meant.

"Thanks, sweetie. Your mother's ready for bed. I enjoyed our night out."

"Are you serious? Mom, what the hell is just happened?" Renee looked away, but Bella persisted. "I'm not leaving until you fess up. If you weren't feeling well, why did you invite me out?"

She was expecting to hear her admit something simple like she had a sore throat or an upset stomach but her ears must be deceiving her. Renee didn't even sound like herself, but Bella saw her lips moving as she admitted the truth. "I have multiple sclerosis, I have for years. It was manageable at first. I hardly believed my diagnosis, but it's progressed and it's becoming much more severe."

"What does that mean? Mom, I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have fussed at you." She didn't know much about MS, but it wasn't life-threatening or so she thought. "How severe?"

"I frequently have trouble swallowing. My mobility is becoming more and more troublesome."

"Well, you've moved recently, who on earth is your doctor? I'd like to go with you to your next appointment and gain some insight, maybe you need a change in medication. I assume you're on some."

"Oh, about that. I'm done with doctors and their conflicting opinions and those nasty pills all have too many side effects."

"Mother. You just admitted you have a serious condition and it's getting worse. You need to be followed by a competent physician. I'm going to do some research, we'll go to Seattle if necessary. Perhaps, you're suffering more lately because you're completely non-compliant. Does Dad know?"

Bella was nearing the point of anger, but she didn't think that was fair. Who was she angry with? Maybe herself more than anyone.

"Your father doesn't know and I'd appreciate it if you'd keep this to yourself. I only confided in Billy. He understands." It all made sense to Bella now. Billy had a portion of his independence taken from him and that's why her mother sought him out and confided in him. "I'm sorry, honey. I know you're getting your life back on track. I don't want to bring you down with my problems. Watching you trying to make a fresh start with your little family is what keeps me going. I'm rooting for you and Jake and I adore my grandson. He's the light of my world."

Bella left Renee soon after because she insisted she needed some rest and would be better tomorrow. That's how it was, good days and bad days. She came home with a heavy burden. Why was her mother so stubborn? Bella really didn't know how to behave, it wasn't her body experiencing a debilitating illness. It would've been so much easier if it had been a mid-life crisis.

She found Jacob sitting alone on the couch. "Hey, where's Atticus and Dad?"

He switched off the TV. "I wore the kid out, he crashed. Charlie took Sue out for dinner and a movie. I'm not sure if those two kids are coming back tonight if you know what I mean." He did an exaggerated wink, but Bella could barely feign a smile and Jake noticed right away. "You look upset, honey. Wanna talk about it?"

Bella plopped down next to him. "Mom's sick."

Jacob wrapped his arm around her. "I suspected there was something going on. I caught some portions of the hushed conversations between her and Dad. I wanted to give her a chance to open up to you before I said something. How bad?"

Bella told him what she knew which wasn't much.

"Okay, well, that's not as bad as it could be. I mean, it just sounds like Renee needs a new doctor. We can help her. I have some experience with these episodes of denial. Dad went through it. He still does when changes arise."

"We?"

"Sure, honey. This is your mother, Ace's grandmother. I'm here for both of you. We could speak to Carlisle, at least we can trust he knows all the best physicians in every field."

Bella thought that sounded like a good idea and Jacob admitted his father might be the only one that could reach her, so he encouraged their friendship. "I'm so dumb. I thought she was trying to make Dad jealous because he's into Sue and she hates not being the center of attention."

Jacob laughed. "Dad thinks of her as a friend only. He told me so." He picked her up and wrapped her completely in his embrace. Jacob kissed her head. "Everything's going to be fine. Don't get stressed out, Bells. It's a setback. I'm confidant she'll be okay or at least, get better."

She relaxed against him. "That's my specialty. I fret about things that are out of my control." Jacob listened to her fears and her regrets again. He didn't interrupt her or tell her how to feel. They probably sat there talking and cuddling for nearly an hour. Bella felt closer than ever to him. She wasn't sure how her need for comfort over her mother had turned into a growing need for something more with Jacob.

His hand was slowly stroking her hair, her cheek was against his chest and she felt so safe and loved. They were taking it slow, but that didn't mean they should never take a step forward. Jacob had been giving her butterflies with all his touching notes, and thoughtful presents. She'd been dying to show him a little more appreciation. Bella lifted up a little and kissed him on his throat but she didn't pull away quickly. Her lips lingered on his skin. She felt him swallow and his breathing picked up. He leaned back, but she lifted up more to be level with him. They were staring, face to face, so close they were breathing the same air.

"Bells, you take the lead. I'll stop whenever you say."

"You have to start to stop, Jake. Do you want to kiss me or not?"

He tangled his fingers in her hair and pulled her until they lips were almost touching. "Are you joking? Yes, always." Their mouths came together again with a certain sense of urgency. Bella changed her position without ever stopping. She needed to be closer, she needed his whole body against hers. Her knees pushed deeper into the couch cushions which pushed her center directly into Jake's eager member. Wow! Why did it always escalate so quickly with them? She thought a kiss would be nice and now she was considering so much more, right on this nice leather couch of her father's. They probably shouldn't be making out like this out in the open, but she wasn't prepared to stop by any means.

Jacob only stopped kissing her mouth to start kissing other spots that felt equally as nice. He lifted her up and promptly laid her on her back. He climbed over her and now her entire body was being pressed against the cushions. Her outside leg kept falling to the carpet. He reached down and pulled it back. She gave in and wrapped them both tightly around his torso. They were kissing, they were rocking their bodies against each other and she was almost ready to start shedding some clothes. His hand went up her top, but he pulled back to gauge her reaction.

"Keep going. I didn't say to stop."

He palmed her bra covered breast and they started up again. She wasn't even thinking anymore, Bella was just feeling and being with Jake felt right despite everything going on around them.

Jacob grinded into her more. She moaned as the pleasure commenced to building. "Bells, I want you so damn bad." He growled against her neck and then he was plundering her mouth again.

Bella had one word for him if he ever released her lips. Take. She wanted him just as badly. There was no reason to stop as far as she was concerned and then the whine echoed from the monitor. It was faint at first, but then grew louder and more insistent over a short few seconds.

She pushed at his chest. He lifted up and then fell back on her. "Seriously? He was sound asleep."

Bella wiggled her way out from underneath him. "Well, he's up now and he's ticked. I guess he's hungry or wet."

"No, he sucked down a whole bottle and I changed him. I thought you said he slept all night now."

She was beginning to take issue with his tone and Atticus continued to wail louder on the baby monitor. Bella tried to get up, but he grabbed her by the wrist. "I have to go check on him. He's not used to being put down by anyone but me. "

"That's because you spoil him. Let's wait a second and see if he cries himself back to sleep."

That did it. She was pissed. Ugh, he was such a man. Bella jerked her arm away and started for the steps. "That's very mature, Daddy, taking your frustrations out on your son. He's just a tiny baby, Jake. He doesn't know any better. Sorry, getting your rocks off is more important than your child's needs. You can let yourself out."

Jacob fell back against the back of the couch and pulled his hands through his hair until it stuck out in every direction and he looked crazed.

"That's not what I meant, Bells. It's just... dammit!" He tried to follow her, "Let me help."

She shook her head and waved her arms out in front of him. "Go, Jake. I've been doing this on my own for months."

She regretted the words as soon as she uttered them.

"Yeah, who's fucking fault is that?" Bella turned around again. If looks could kill, Jacob would be a dead man at the bottom of her father's stairs. He said they weren't going to toss that sort of shit back and forth anymore and yet he went there. There was plenty she could say back, but her child needed her. Bella knew they both made colossal failures during the past few tense minutes. She needed to get away from him before either of them said something else they couldn't take back. As soon as Bella made it the top of the stairs, the door slammed loudly.

She got her wish, Jacob was gone.

~Thanks so much for reading.

Sometimes, we stumble and have setbacks. #sorrynotsorry

Lots more to come. In fact, as the review count rises, this little tale just might end up being my most successful fic. Thank you so much in advance. Hitting a thousand reviews was a huge goal of mine and now I'm looking at having 3 stories with over a thousand. My readers are the best!

I also posted a three part Valentine's one shot on my story, Sketches (chapter 42, 43, 44) if you want to check it out.