~So pleased with the reviews last update. I'm glad no one panicked. It should be expected to have bumps along the way to reconciliation.

Thanks to the guest reviewer that reminded me of Adele's song, "When We Were Young" It was my inspiration for these chapters.

Chapter 39: The Heart Knows

Bella found Atticus in certain misery rolling around his crib. He wasn't about to cry it out and go back to sleep on his own. She wasn't sure why she got so mad, Jake was only making a suggestion which wasn't exactly cruel and Renee had said something similar once before. Bella stood up to her mother as well. Let me do this my way was her mentality. She and Jake were getting carried away down there on the sofa and it felt amazing to finally let go. She had to admit she was also frustrated. Bella sat in the new rocker Jacob bought her, he trashed that old one Edward used to sit in long before she ever came back. She wasn't sure how he explained that certain destruction of property to her father. Atticus really wasn't hurting or in too much distress like he pretended to be, he was more overtired than anything. He just needed the reassurance his mommy was there for a few minutes. She rocked and nursed him for several minutes until he was sound asleep again. That took all of fifteen minutes, but she'd sent Jake away and now she was sitting there alone in the dark reliving the mistakes they'd made. She felt a heavy burden of regret.

Jacob was so understanding and compassionate when she talked about Renee. Bella was the one that initiated the makeout session, but he had to act childish when he clearly promised to stop in the beginning. Truth was if Atticus hadn't cried, she wouldn't have stopped. Bella was damn certain, she would've gotten naked and mounted him right there in the living room. The baby cramping the parents' style was a casualty of parenthood, wasn't it? It kind of made them more normal as far as Bella was concerned. Telling him he wasn't needed wasn't normal though. That sucked, but Jacob blaming her sucked as well. Jeez, both of them sucked terribly.

Bella decided to go to bed, nothing to stay up for now. Jacob had already sent a few messages of apology. She typed out an answer that she was going to sleep and it was over and that she was also sorry. She told him they should forget about it but also that Atticus was fine and resting peacefully again. The misunderstanding was lame, but she was too tired and upset to kept rehashing it, they could sort it out properly tomorrow.

Bella nervously chewed her nails when she looked around the empty kitchen. Maybe she single-handedly screwed up all their progress because it was the first morning in over a week, Bella didn't have a morning surprise from Jacob. She'd been telling him, every single day wasn't necessary but now that there wasn't a note or a cup of coffee or a smoothie or even a bubblegum machine toy which was the funniest gift yet, she missed the entire ritual. He gave her a cheap looking compass one day and she kept it by the bed and stared at it more than was normal. It was something only the two of them would get.

Charlie, on the other hand was in a good mood. It seemed like his night alone with the one he loved went way better than hers. Was he whistling? He practically skipped down the stairs before proceeding to get down on the floor with Atticus so they could have their traditional morning greeting. He stepped in the kitchen and informed Bella coffee was plenty. He was in a rush.

His upbeat demeanor made her feel even worst. Why did she make Jacob leave? He could've come upstairs with her. They should take care of their son together and then maybe Atticus wouldn't be so picky when it came to going down for the night. He had his father around a lot, but more interactions would be better for all of them.

Bella saw her father looking around the blank countertop. He kept quiet, but then the doorbell rang. "That must be it. He forgot his key today."

She didn't have time to respond. Charlie came back with a single, long stem red rose in a glass vase. He started laughing. "Uh oh, the boy screwed up, didn't he?"

Bella snatched the vase out of her father's hands. There was a card. She scooted backwards until she hit the stove then turned the other way around, so she could read the note in private.

"There, coffee's done. See you tonight. Bye, Dad."

"If the wolf's in the doghouse, you'd think he knows better than only sending one rose. That's not enough to make amends. What did he do?"

"Really, Dad? I'll tell you everything that went on here last night, if you promise to reveal exactly what has you in such a good mood this morning."

Charlie grabbed his travel mug and turned around. "Bye, Bells." She heard him open the door. "Another delivery, you come sign for this one. I'm late."

Bella thought he was joking, but another guy was standing there, with a half dozen roses. These were a pretty peach shade. She needed to read two notes now. Bella went back to the first one.

I screwed up. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it, Bells.

She already told him to forget about it and she was probably more to blame than him. Bella smiled when she inhaled the aroma of the roses. They were pretty, even if she didn't deserve them. Why did he send two separate flower deliveries? Maybe it was a mix-up.

Bella opened the next card.

Listen to the wind, it talks.

Listen to the silence, it speaks.

Listen to your heart, it knows.

I can't take credit for that. It's a old proverb. I just wanted to remind you how close we've been and how much better everything was getting. I love my son, he's perfect and you're a great mother. I'm an idiot. I'm not going to stop until you forgive me.

The doorbell rang again. It was the full dozen white ones now.

You're beautiful, Bells and your soul is as pure and unblemished as these roses.

Atticus got fidgety and needed a change by then. Bella was so discombobulated. It was one little bump in the road to making up. He couldn't possibly keep sending more flower deliveries. This was overkill and it had to be costing him a fortune.

The next delivery guy knocked a good half hour later. He also informed her he was the first one from earlier, but they had specific instructions for spreading all the deliveries out. He even offered to bring in the arrangement because it was huge, all colors of roses, two full dozen.

The guy handed her another the card and a small gift bag that he shook. It rattled.

I forgot to say, I love you too!

Bella screamed in a playful way to her son, "Oh my gosh, your father is crazy. He has to quit."

She grabbed her phone and called. "Enough Jacob. I get it. You're sorry. We had a dumb fight. I wasn't even mad thirty minutes later, but if you don't stop sending these delivery people to my door every fifteen minutes, I'm going to be pissed. I'm not getting anything done and Atticus might be taking a nap eventually."

"Okay, I won't send anymore, but do you like them? I never sent you roses before. I was too broke when we were kids."

"Yes, I love them, but you don't have to do this. I love wildflowers just as much. The single rose would've sufficed, but I really loved the proverb. That was my favorite. It's a beautiful sentiment."

"Oh yeah, I have a confession, I might have illegally picked those flowers that one time from the old lady across the street."

Bella giggled, she already knew. Mrs. Pratt came over that night and wanted to file a report with Charlie. She was furious. Her garden was her life.

"Um, yeah, Mrs. Pratt died, but whoever bought the place keeps up her flower garden."

"Oh, that's good to know. I might check it out for next time. Also, don't know if you checked out the bag, but I wouldn't recommend eating those. Willow found them under her bed and she couldn't remember if they were from Valentine's last year or when she was in first grade. I was only trying to create nostalgia."

Bella opened up the bag and saw the conversation hearts. The box was crushed and almost empty. She was pretty sure there was a dead ant at the bottom so there was never a chance she might eat them.

"Jake, I love everything, but I'm truly sorry. I started it."

"Damn, Ashley's yelling about an emergency. I've sorta been slacking all morning orchestrating all this apology business. I have to go work, but you're positive, we're really okay?"

"Yes, we're fine. I'll talk to you tonight. Barry wants to come down and take me shopping Friday. Can you still spare two wolves? I know Canyon is keeping the pack a little busier than normal." Bella was surprised the evening after they had the special family dinner, the newest wolf emerged. Jacob said they had it covered, he worked well with Sam and Embry and that if Collin wasn't joining Barry then Brady and Jared could go. She promised they wouldn't take up more than two hours of their time. They said their good byes again and Bella got busy figuring out where to put 43 long stemmed roses.

It was so great being back together with Barry. Bella didn't even know what she was looking for when she wanted to go shopping for a few new wardrobe pieces, but her bestie took charge and helped her make the best decisions with the money she had. Bella got one new pair of jeans, a skirt, 3 new blouses and a dress. Barry insisted on buying her some lingerie as well. He wouldn't take no for an answer and he also bought Atticus three new outfits because he was about to cross over into a bigger size. They had lunch at a small cafe. The baby was content to sleep in his stroller so that was nice, because he'd been a handful while shopping.

"So, time for a progress checkup. Tell me how you and your wolfman are and I'll tell you all about my sexy beast as well."

Bella shared how great the mornings, the gifts and the trips down memory lane had been. She even divulged the misunderstanding over getting carried away on the sofa.

He laughed at their obvious foolishness, "You know at this point, most ex's would just say 'fuck it.' We still love each other, let's start getting it on again."

"Aren't you the one that gave Jacob warnings about not pressuring me?"

"Yes, my dear, but I had no idea the lengths he'd go with foreplay. I didn't know there would be boxes of old pictures, Native American proverbs, special jewelry, drawings or scones. I was wrong to ever question his motives. He's in it for the long haul. You two are each other's one. Why not say you're back together? You want to be a real family with him, tell him."

"It's too soon."

"For who?"

"For all of us. Anyway, I told you everything, so dish, how are you and Collin? I was disappointed he didn't join us."

"Yeah, he's busy trying to train the manager to have more responsibilities. He knows he's needed on the reservation more or this new clinic is just a pipe dream. I might end up styling all that fine, blue hair in a small town after all. He's thinking about subletting the townhouse."

Bella told him he'd have way more clients than old women when the word got how amazing he was at hair. "My dad would totally let you cut his hair. His favorite barber just retired." She was getting excited about the possibility Barry might move to the reservation with Collin. She missed him.

"So is it official? You and him are a thing, more than friends."

"He's different."

Bella got her warning tone, "Barry." She knew how he could be. "Different's good and Collin's great."

"I know, trust me, I know, but he's a deep thinker and I'm used to super shallow. We're taking it slow, but he trusts me and I trust him. He's really opened up about the ex and I told him a few stories about my father. You know that's a big deal for me."

"Yeah. I do." Bella had a good feeling about them if they were actually talking about important issues and their pasts.

Barry said he wasn't ready to place his bets on which one of them declared in a relationship first on Facebook. He admitted he still had his own room at Collin's which was okay. They were also taking things slow, but he added that didn't mean they weren't having fun. She and Jacob could use some of that in his opinion. Then they got into a insult battle on who was the bigger slut. Eventually Barry, confirmed Monica still held the title.

"All kidding aside, she's struggling, B. Her mom's a wackadoodle, but she's determined to hang out for her little grandmother. She doesn't have long according to the doctors."

Now Bella was extremely worried about their friend. Monica hadn't been keeping in touch nearly as much. Barry said he was prepared to invite her to come live with him. He'd even asked Collin. Bella decided to call her that evening and see what she could find out and maybe cheer her up. It would be nice to have the trio back together again.

Barry found Collin, maybe Monica could find a handsome, confident man and Bella had a brilliant idea. She knew one or two that might fit the bill.

Barry was suspicious at Bella's sudden silence, "What's going on in little, rapid fire brain of yours?"

"That's for me to know and you and Mon to find out. Thanks for today. I had fun, but I promised Jake we wouldn't be out all day."

Bella had barely seen Jacob since the couch make out turned blowup which evolved into the start of her own florist shop in her father's living room. He'd rush in, say hello, kiss Atticus and fly out the door, basically for several days in a row. He said he was super busy, but Saturday night she got an invite.

All day tomorrow, you, me our son... come over. We're having a bonfire later, but I'm working on the bike starting early.

She was started to type yes when he sent the last bit.

Don't forget the warm soda :)

Bella opened the door to the garage and stepped back in time. The scent of dust and engine oil transported her along with the sight of a dismantled motorcycle, Jake with a wrench in his hand and upturned milk crate.

"Hey, Bells. I didn't expect you so early. Where's my boy?"

"Oh, Willow snagged him when I walked in the door. I'm surprised you didn't hear us."

Jacob turned down the loud music. That might have something to do with it and also she didn't drive a loudass old truck anymore. She was a little more stealth in the Jetta. Bella shook her small paper bag. "I brought four different kinds, not sure what you're in the mood for."

"Right now, I'm in the mood for your company." Jacob hopped off the ground in one lithe movement, wiped his hands and brought her in for a hug. He kissed her temple and told her to have a seat. He basically laid out the damage. Kaleigh was fierce. The body work had already been completed by the guy they used at Dowling's. Jacob needed to put it all back together with the new parts he'd ordered. He didn't plan on finishing it all today, but hopefully soon. He promised they'd take that ride he mentioned a long time ago.

She watched him work, but also checked her phone fairly often. Rachel said she'd SOS if the baby needed her. Bella made small talk, Jacob would get really quiet when he was focused but she didn't mind doing most of the talking. She brought up her shopping trip and he asked what all she got. She tried to ask why he'd been so busy in the evenings, but he kept changing the subject.

She decided to see what he thought of her idea for introducing Monica to Embry if she ended up coming to visit in the near future. Bella found out it could be less than two weeks according to Monica's grandmother's prognosis. Her friend said, she was bolting as soon as the funeral ended. Her mother was trying to guilt her into living there permanently as well as introducing her to some suitable men which only meant boring to Monica. She said she'd rather be homeless. Both Bella and Barry assured her, she wouldn't be homeless if she came to Washington.

"I was thinking Embry might mesh well with Mon. How do you think he'd feel about being set up?"

Jacob stopped working. "It's a no for Emb, honey."

"Why? Monica's great. You met her. I know she's a bit quirky, don't tell me you don't think one of my best friends isn't good enough for your brother."

"I didn't say that. I'm just saying... "

"What? What are you trying to say?"

"Embry is involved... okay, but no one's supposed to know. He says it's casual, but I'm beginning to doubt it." Jacob started up with the bike again.

Was he serious? He couldn't say Embry was involved and leave it at that. Bella wanted to know the rest of the story. Why wasn't anyone supposed to know? He was a grown man, he was single. Thank goodness he was over that little crush on Kaleigh. That was the reason she thought meeting someone would be good for him.

"Jake, aren't you going to explain yourself?"

"Nope. I swore to Emb I'd keep quiet."

Ugh. Did brother confidence trump her? Bella tried to give herself a title but there wasn't one. They weren't even dating officially. They shared Atticus, but baby Momma was out, she refused to call herself that when they were being serious. Fine, she was going to hit below the belt.

Bella stood up in a huff and acted like she was leaving.

"Where the hell are you off to? Did you get a text?"

"No, but if you aren't going to be straight with me, then I'm leaving. I'm your imprint, Jake. I thought you could trust me of all people. I only wanted to know what was going on with Embry because he's like my brother too. I'm concerned."

He blocked her exit and dragged her back to the middle of the garage. She was kicking and making a fuss. "Let me go! I don't want to hang out here with you anymore."

"You're such a liar, Bells. Imprint, huh? You don't toss that title around very often. In fact, you never bring it up. Admit it, you aren't actually super concerned, you're just like Rachel, super nosy."

"I am not, I don't gossip like the rest of them."

"Sure you don't, you've been spending a lot of time with the other mates. I have a hard time believing you're only a listener. Embry will come forward when he's ready, until then... it's a secret."

She stuck her tongue out at him.

"Maybe if you made better use of that tongue, I might drop a hint."

"Are you saying what I think your saying?"

He cocked one eyebrow up, "depends."

Bella tried to do a sexy catwalk around Jacob. She circled the garage. He was watching her, grinning like a fool and then laughing out loud when she tripped on an old can.

"You ruined it now, buddy. I was going to show you exactly what my tongue is capable of."

Jacob played a little game of chase with her around the garage. When he caught her, she knew she wasn't getting free. Jacob brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Are we really okay after the other night?"

"Yes, I told you a thousand times, I didn't mean it. Let's forget about it."

"Okay, but is it the physical stuff that sets us on the wrong course? Are we dialing it back again or is it okay if I kiss you when I feel like it?"

Bella wrapped her arms around Jacob's neck, she stood on her tiptoes. "I said slow all those weeks ago, not stagnant. I think kissing is fine."

He leaned over and closed the distance so they could share a few tender kisses. Bella knew how easily they could get carried away, so she stopped before it got out of hand. He puckered up and gave her one more kiss that made an audible smack. She was just about to sit back on the crate when he admitted the secret.

"It's Leah. Embry and Leah are hooking up. You're right, imprint beats brother."

Bella covered her mouth.

That was not what she expecting.

Jacob swore her to secrecy. He told her to be careful around Rachel, she was cunning about digging up secrets. "Why don't they want anyone to know?"

He said he wasn't sure, but he thought it had something to do with the fact, this isn't their first liaison. "I had no idea, but they were getting it on way back in the beginning, during Leah's whole I hate the world phase. She thought Emb was a distraction and was tempted to throw it in Sam's face, but Embry was getting attached. They had a big fallout and when I stopped phasing and Leah realized she could do the same, she left to escape all of it. I think she broke his heart. For some reason now, they're both pretending no strings attached, but I think they're both full of shit. They aren't the same as they were when we were all pups. I think they'll figure it out on their own, but they don't need a bunch of unsolicited advice and opinions. When the time is right, they'll come out in the open."

Bella understood everything Jacob said and assured him he could count on her. "I won't betray your trust, but now we have a new problem."

"Oh no, not a new problem, Bells," he said with a heavy dose of sarcasm.

"It is to me, who can I introduce Monica to? I think Brady is too immature and that's what she usually goes for and it ends badly. No one else is single except Canyon and he's all of 16 so that's a big no."

"You're wrong. Quil's single."

"Ummmm, well... "

"Bells, you know Claire and Quil aren't like the rest of us. He's honestly going to want to settle down one day with someone and Claire will grow up and have her own life."

"I know, but they're almost too similar... Quil and Monica. I don't think it's a good idea."

Jacob brought up that one picture from the box. "Remember when Quil was sleeping in your lap and Embry took the picture?"

"Yes. I was going to ask when I recently came across that one. I forget how that came about."

He said one afternoon Quil got really sick and he begged Bella to take care of him. "He and Emb were hellbent on getting photographic evidence to show me later so I'd be jealous. I was highly annoyed, but Quil was legit sick for several days, so I couldn't kick his ass right away."

"Oh, yeah, poor guy, now I remember, he had a terrible case of food poisoning or something. He was miserable. He wouldn't tell me what he ate."

"He ate my science experiment."

"Why? That's crazy."

"Because, I lied and said you brought a new jello recipe. I didn't think the fool would fall for it, but I couldn't stop him once he started. He said 'damn, this is the worst thing Bella ever brought us.' I finally told him the truth and then the vomiting commenced." Crazy boys, Jacob could've poisoned poor Quil.

Bella was flooded with a ton of memories hanging out with those three: Jake, Quil and Embry. She should have appreciated them more at the time. She'd never take them for granted again. Jacob might have a point, Quil was a good man, crazy and unpredictable, but loyal and tender.

"Why are you so hellbent Monica be with one of the pack?"

"I don't know, it's just reassurance she'll be taken care of and always with me if she was to fall in love with a wolf like... "

"Like?"

"Like me, okay."

"Oh yeah, you're in love with me, aren't you? You never say it, so sometimes I forget."

Bella did her fake, exaggerated laugh.

"Are you going to let me work or not?"

She sat back down and changed the subject. Bella told Jake how Carlisle was conducting some research on Renee's condition for her, so that made her hopeful. She was still considering the blood test for herself which she dreaded, but knew Jacob really wanted her to do. She also got a warning text Atticus was getting sleepy.

"Your little Ace is starting to rub his eyes. I might need to take a break."

"You called him Ace. Why don't you admit it, my name fits him better." It was growing on her, everyone but Bella used it.

He told her to go back and check on him and then come back, he had something important to discuss with her. Bella agreed. Jacob walked her to the door and they even shared a parting kiss. Were they dating now? She should ask, but did it even matter? Bella and Jacob honestly didn't need a label, they were something, that was for certain and she had hope in the future. It had been so long since Bella felt that way, she wasn't sure how to react to it.

~Thanks for reading.

Any ideas, what important things he's going to tell Bella? I'm curious if you like this pace or you all want her to take Barry's advice?

Happy weekend to all my great readers!