Copyright disclaimer: Twilight and all recognizable characters are sole property of Stephenie Meyer.

Chapter 40: Our Time

Bella strolled back inside the garage less than hour later. Jacob smelled food.

"Care for a break?"

She spread out an old blanket and told him a picnic sounded nice. Jacob stepped outside to use the hose to clean up. He came back in the garage and admired the lovely image of Bella bent over making them a special picnic setting for their lunch.

"Those jeans are superb. I just noticed them."

"Finally. I was beginning to rethink my purchase." She fell onto her knees and patted a spot close to her. Jacob sat down next to her and gave her leg a squeeze. "Seriously, Bells you are one hot Momma."

She found that amusing, so she giggled, squinched up her face and tweaked his nose. Bella started revealing what all was in her bag. Jacob thoroughly enjoyed his break. Once the food was finished, he scooted even closer to Bells. If she'd given the okay for kissing, he was going to take full advantage of it whenever he could. He held her chin and lifted her face to him.

They shared another sweltering kiss. The heat between them elevated each time they came together. "I'm glad you're here. This place was never the same without you. Only now does it smell right to me. Not to ruin our romantic mood, but remember I needed to say a few things."

"Sure, I've been a little anxious to hear what you wanted to say."

"So, I noticed you haven't asked about Kay in a while."

"Oh, well, I figured it was a sore subject and you'd share when you were ready."

Jacob told her that nothing much had changed but Mack was not pressing charges. That issue was over and done with and he also admitted to Jacob that he was plenty concerned for Kaleigh. She was living at home and her mother was the driving force behind all the hardball tactics. Mack was encouraging her to get out from under Selene's thumb. He wasn't about doing favors for Jake but he thought Kaleigh needed to see a professional and he just about had her convinced. He only cared about her healing and moving on, "So there might be hope. Maybe she's going to take care of herself for a change and stop trying to pay me back for being a shit husband. I was. I admit that."

"Well, I was a shit wife to Edward. It's true, he tried and I quit early on. Maybe you and I aren't marriage material."

"Bite your tongue, Bells." He grabbed hold of her and and pulled her into his lap. "Better yet, let me do that for you." Jacob captured her mouth with his again, he was determined to kiss a retraction out her. He pulled away from her swollen lips and told her how he saw it. "That's only because we married the wrong people. I think you and I on the other hand would be the poster couple for marriage."

"Maybe. If you plan on asking, you'll have to ask permission for my hand. I hope you realize that."

"Damn, I'm not sure Charlie's my biggest fan just yet."

"Not Charlie, my son. I run all my biggest life decisions by him."

"Oh, is that all. Well then, I'm a shoe-in. I'm his second favorite person on earth."

It was time to get serious. He loved playing around with her, they had been far too serious for far too long. He mentioned marriage, but that wasn't much of a joke, especially now. "Bells, I was waiting to find out for sure but I've been trying for a freelance job. I just made my submissions last night before midnight. I feel pretty confident even though I haven't heard back yet. It might be a week to ten days before I get a definitive answer."

"Jake, that sounds amazing. What all does it entail?"

"I won't have to leave La Push, which is a must. Maybe eventually I might do some traveling but I plan to take you and Ace with me if I do." He told her the offer and about the possible sign-on bonus. "I'm buying a place if that happens. I want to make you and our son a home there. So we're moving slow, but I'm also way ahead in some respects regarding our future. I hope that's okay. I didn't like what you said about doing it alone. It struck a nerve."

"I hate that I said that. You know I'm sorry and I know you're sorry for your response."

"Yeah, I know. We're over it, but Ace deserves a real family. I want him to have me there, not only for pop-ins and dinners, so if this goes in my favor, would you be willing to try sooner than we planned?"

She nodded her head in affirmation. "Yes, I think it sounds like a good plan. Thank you for putting us first and for trusting me with your plans."

Jacob promised he had backup contingencies if he didn't get the contract. He wasn't giving up.

"Neither am I, Jake. I won't ever give up again."

He held up her hands with his clasped over them. "Whatever the outcome, good news or bad news, we handle it together."

Jacob dropped some logs on the ground. Bella was on her way out with Ace. Even though he was watching them ready to join in something that was everyday and ordinary to the pack, the occasion felt special and celebratory. She was home and she was never leaving.

"Look at you, Bells. What's this contraption you have my son bound in?"

She giggled. "You make it sound like I'm torturing him. It's a baby wrap and if you take a closer look, he's happy."

Jacob could see his son's point. He'd be pretty happy too if Bella tied him against her chest. Bella told him that she didn't want him to get chilled and that way she had her hands free in case they needed help putting together the food table. He took hold of one of those hands and walked her over to the spot he'd set up for them. He stopped her before she sat down to plant a very possessive kiss to her lips and then a sweet one on their son's cheek who promptly giggled and started wiggling around Bella's wrap thing.

"Jake, everyone is out here."

"Um, yeah, in case you didn't get the memo, they kinda all know we're into each other. Our secret's out."

She never could hide her blush, "Oh, let me think. Is it the infant in between us that clued them in?"

"Yeah, I think they suspected a decade ago when I chanted your name incessantly each time we were phased, but returning with my son was another red flag."

Bella said, in that case, she was going to be bold, so she puckered up and gave him one more kiss before plopping down at the picnic table. "Mom said she would watch him later inside if we stay out late." Bella said that worried her a little since her mother hadn't been feeling well. "I don't want to upset her, but she was really shaky the other night. Maybe she shouldn't carry him around, but then if I say that, it could backfire and make her slip even further into depression. I'm almost certain that's what's going on with her."

Jacob said even though Billy was in a wheelchair, he would keep a keen eye on both of them and maybe they could see if Charlie and Sue would hang around as well. He told her he understood if she wanted to cut their evening short. Truth was, Jacob had imagined them staying so late that Bella might be persuaded to stay the night. He kinda hated thinking about the day coming to an end.

The whole pack came out. It was like old times only better, because this time Jacob wasn't thinking the whole time about how he had to get Bells back to the treaty line soon or that obnoxious bloodsucker would start trouble. Kaleigh only came one time to one of their outdoor functions and Jacob remembered she complained and they left after an hour or so.

He watched Bella from the corner of his eye. She was in her element with the other mates. They'd welcomed her in their group without hesitation. He also watched her carrying on a conversation with Leah. She was true to her word and never acted like she might know something was up. Jacob bounced his son on his lap in front of the fire. He appeared captivated by the flames. He was getting more and more aware of his surroundings. It was good to get him outside and a part of the action.

"One day soon, you'll be chasing those bigger kids." That was crazy to think about but it was true, he was growing up quick, everyday he was changing and learning something new.

He felt her step in behind him. Jacob looked over his shoulder. "Done gossiping."

She slapped his back. "That's not what we were doing. You two look cozy, may I join you?"

Jacob extended his arm and pulled her into his side. She told him it was probably time to take Ace inside. "Don't look so down. I'm going to come back out. I promise." She said she was going to get him settled. They already had the pack-n-play from his afternoon nap in Embry's room so she could hopefully get him down.

With Bella inside, Jacob had time to check up on the kid. Canyon was still leary being around everyone at once. Jacob remembered those days, worrying about screwing up or losing it. He gave him a pep talk and he relaxed a little more. Jacob encouraged him to introduce himself to all the mates. He hadn't met everyone yet.

Bella was back before Jake knew it. "How's Ace?"

"He's good, he got his second wind so the grandparents are taking turns with him. I gave up on trying to get him to sleep right now."

"And Renee?"

"She's practically a different woman again. She claims every time she's with Atticus, she's better."

"Makes sense, he improves my mood every time I get a glimpse of those fat cheeks and that toothless grin. We can use this. Renee should stop being stubborn and start taking care of herself. She wants to be present in her grandson's life."

"Jake, I'm so happy right now. I know that sounds cheesy, but being out here, all of us together feels right."

"Cuz it is, baby." He stood up and pulled her off to a spot that wasn't so close to the congregation. "You look cold. Emily brought blankets. Wanna share one?" He wiggled his eyebrows at her. The others were starting up some stupid game led by Quil. He was trying to distract Claire, because he was upset she'd brought a guy with her. He was clueless. All the rest of them knew Claire and Zane were a thing. Jared and Kim tried to calm him down, it was innocent enough for now. They were still kids.

They climbed into one of the chairs Jared crafted in his spare time. He had all sorts of different ones he'd handmade. This one had plenty room for two. Jacob didn't need the blanket but he liked the idea of being inside the covers with her.

"This is almost too comfy. It's been a long day. Hope I don't fall asleep."

Jacob put his arm around her. "I'll carry you inside if you do or I might have some ways to keep you awake."

"I'm listening. What ways?"

Jacob surrounded her and Bella sunk deeper into the chair. "That's it, lie back on me and relax. It's been a very productive day." He started to rub her shoulders a little.

Bella said a little too loudly, "Oh, that feels soooo good, Jake."

Quil stopped giving his run down of rules and all heads turned their direction. They weren't that far away. Bella quickly explained herself. "My shoulders. I carry lots of tension there because of the baby... all the lifting and holding. He's just giving me a rubdown. I mean... "

Quil raised his voice again, "Anyway, as I was saying, the first person to get five, takes the round. Try your best not to listen to Jake and Bella's rubbing or you'll get distracted."

Jacob tried to restart the back massage, but she twisted her shoulders and made him stop. "We can't, they're all watching us now."

"Didn't we establish earlier, they all know."

"I know that they know, but I don't want an audience."

"It's just a back rub."

She said sure that's all it was at first, but then what if he kept rubbing and then things happened, like she blurted out more sex noises or worse. They really needed some alone time. Jacob took his hands off her back and shoulders and wrapped them around her stomach instead. Bella started playing his fingers. "I have no idea what they're playing over there. Quil is still explaining and none of it makes sense."

Jake said he thought he was making it up, anything to keep Zane a safe distance from Claire. Bella stated the obvious, "He's too overprotective."

"I know, but he practically raised her. Can you imagine me when we have a girl? I'll be a young man's worst enemy."

Bella's hands stilled and he heard her heart quicken. Jacob pushed her hair out of his way. She'd been growing it back out and it was almost to her shoulder blades now. He kissed her on her neck, so close to the mark but he wasn't supposed to touch that until she gave permission. It was basically calling to him at the moment so he was testing the limits. He moved his lips to the shell of her ear. "You know Ace deserves to have some siblings, right. We're going to have more kids, Bells... lots more."

She stuttered, "l-lots?"

Jacob practically growled in her ear. "Turn around, honey. I want to kiss you."

"But... "

He hoisted her up over his legs so she was sideways in his lap. Her hip pushed into his erection and she sucked in a breath. He chuckled. "All the time when I'm around you, now about kissing."

Bella wrapped her hands around his neck and they let all else fade into the background. He knew she was right, that the others would see or sense they were getting hot and heavy over there, but Jacob had endured equal displays over the years. It just so happened he and Bells were the new couple that couldn't contain themselves.

Bella got all goofy when she'd been thoroughly kissed. "Jake, are you my boyfriend?"

"Gee, Bells I guess so. I was trying to gather the courage to ask you to go steady. You're pretty progressive asking first."

She swatted at him and he laughed harder at her. He grabbed her hand, but she flipped the table on him by bringing his fingers closer to her mouth. She started kissing his knuckles and then straightened out one finger that she took into her mouth. The sensation went straight to his cock.

"Fuck, baby." Bella kept sucking his digit while her other hand journeyed down to his crotch. She started stroking him through his jeans. Now he was making hushed sex noises. "Stay with me, tonight. Embry's taking off with Leah. You brought changes of clothes for you and Ace. Don't go. I need you close to me."

She paused all the things that were about to drive him mad with lust. "But I'm Mom's ride. I need to take her back into town."

"Give her your keys, Bells, or we have half a dozen other people that could take her. I mean it. I want you with me, even if it's only to cuddle."

"Jake, you and I both know we're doing more than cuddling right now and if we go to bed together, I don't know if I can show restraint."

"So... "

Bella lovingly trailed the back of her hand down his cheek. "I think you're right. I'll stay, but I should go inside and make sure our little monkey really gets to sleep this time. An interruption again would pretty much suck."

Jacob kissed her cheek. Yeah, it most definitely would because he thought she just gave him the okay and even though he planned on waiting a little bit longer before making his move, tonight might just be their night.

~Thanks for reading.

I would greatly appreciate some song inspirations, mostly lovey ones, not exactly raunchy, lol.

What do you think happens next? Guess what? I often have a few surprises up my sleeves. I would not be upset to go over 900 reviews with this update. ;)