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

Several songs have always floated around in my mind for these two over the course of this story, but Michael Bublé's "Close Your Eyes" has always been at the top of the list. The lyrics and music are so perfect. Give it a listen.

Chapter 52: Close Your Eyes

"Good morning, Mr. Black."

Bella walked her fingers up Jacob's bare chest. He opened his eyes. "Good morning to you, Mrs. Black. Did we even sleep last night?"

"Barely, but actually, it's almost noon and your daughter is starving, so let's get up and make pancakes. I need fuel before another round."

"Really, my tiny unborn daughter knows about pancakes already?"

"Yep, warm pancakes, with melty chocolate chips and hot pools butter. That's what she insists on the first day after her parents tied the knot." She giggled. He knew her weakness for chocolate chip pancakes. They brought the supplies to make all their favorite foods for their three day honeymoon in a remote cabin about 30 miles away from the reservation. Some of the pack was always close by keeping watch, but since things had been calm, Alice wasn't seeing anything and Seth and Amy had a safe honeymoon trip, Jacob felt there was little risk to give Bella a real getaway. Soon, they'd have two little ones and the idea of long weekends alone wasn't going to be feasible for a long while.

They shared the pancake responsibilities. She measured ingredients, he stirred, she poured the batter and Jacob flipped. Bella kept catching him staring at her.

She threw a dish towel at him. "What? I look a mess, don't I?" She'd pulled her wild hair up without even brushing it and slipped on her robe, but hadn't done much else to herself. She probably desperately needed a shower after all the sex they'd been having, but her hunger prevailed. She had to eat before anything else.

He shook his head, "No, you look perfect."

"Liar."

Jacob stepped in front of her. She squealed when he lifted her on top of the counter. "I wouldn't lie about that."

"The pancakes! Don't let them burn."

He reached over and switched off the burner and pushed the skillet to the back of the stove top.

Jacob stepped in between her legs. Her robe opened up. "I'm not wearing any undies."

"I'm well aware of that, Bells."

He closed the distance between them and kissed her breathless. She pulled back, "I'd have more energy if you fed me my pancakes first. They smell so scrumptious."

"Not as scrumptious as you."

"I probably smell like sex."

He nuzzled against her neck. "Exactly, mixed with your sweet natural scent and my precious pup. You're damned near intoxicating me right now. I want you again."

Bella wrapped her legs around his hips. His boxers did little to hide how much he meant that statement. She was ready to let the pancakes go cold. They could reheat them later. He stepped away a second and came back with half of a pancake in his hands.

"Bite?"

She took one hearty bite and hummed with pleasure as the taste covered her tongue. He opened his mouth wide to swallow the rest down.

"Hey, no fair. That was mine."

Jacob brought the whole stack over and they took turns taking big messy bites of chocolate chip pancakes out of each other's hands. Bella giggled at the sight of chocolate all over their fingers and lips. When she stopped laughing, she felt a tiny tickle in her belly. She thought she'd felt it a couple of times before but wasn't sure. It was way earlier than she felt Atticus, but the book said it happened that way in subsequent pregnancies. They were also able to find out they were having a girl way earlier than she thought was possible. No one else had found out the sex of their baby yet, but at her appointment last week, the nurse told them.

Bella grabbed Jake's hand and placed it over her stomach. She knew it was silly, that he couldn't feel that slight flutter, but she still liked it when he covered her belly with his hand.

"I wasn't joking. She likes the pancakes. I felt her."

Jacob rubbed over the slight swell just under her navel. "I can't believe I made a girl."

Bella patted his cheek. "Hey, I helped too. You didn't make her by yourself."

"Yeah, but it was my swimmer that made her a girl. That's science, Bells. I'm not being a chauvinist." Jacob knelt in front of her. "Hi, little princess. Mommy and Daddy love you. Thanks for giving us a thumbs up about the pancakes." He kissed her stomach. Jacob was so reverent with her when he talked to their child. He stood up. "This is everything. I'm so glad we're doing this. Everything was so fucked up when you were having Ace."

"I know. I love watching you fall in love with her. Look at me, I'm crying again."

He kissed both cheeks and reminded her they were happy tears. He asked if she was full and she said she better stop since they were grilling steaks later.

"Care for a shower and a nap?"

"Sure, does that include anything else?"

"Only, if you're up for it. It's been a long day and night, little Momma."

She reached for his crotch and stroked the reemergence of an erection. "You're definitely up for it."

He admitted as soon as he imagined cleaning up in the shower together, his blood pooled south. Bella grabbed tightly to his neck, he hoisted into his arms and carried her the short distance to the bathroom. Her robe was lost somewhere in the living room.

Their shower evolved from cleaning up to getting dirty again. Jacob was worried shower sex was too rough for her but her powers of persuasion were very convincing. Bella joked if she gained anymore weight he couldn't hold her up so easily.

"Please, you don't even feel heavier. I could hold you up all night even if you put on a hundred pounds."

She promised him she wouldn't gain that much in her pregnancy.

She appreciated so many things about her husband, but his strength was a plus. Jacob held her up like she was made of air. Her thighs rested on his arms as he drove himself in and out of her body against the shower wall. Bella loved the way their slick bodies felt smacking together under the spray, but the rental cabin didn't have much of a hot water heater. As soon as the first bit of cold water rained down on her head, she yelped. Jacob hit the water off. They fled the bathroom for the adjoining bedroom. The fire was still going so the room was nice and toasty.

He sat down with her on his lap. Bella kissed all over his face. "Is honeymoon sex the best sex ever?"

"Maybe or maybe our sex is the best sex ever. Let's test it again, climb back on my cock, Bells. I'm already feeling deprived without you there."

She positioned herself exactly where she needed to be again and slowly slid down on his erection inch by inch.

"Mmmm, I think you're right, husband. Being filled by you will never get old."

She moved her hips. "You're killing me, Bells. I was so close in the shower. I don't want this to end too soon."

Bella told him she had faith in his abilities to keep satisfying her. They had two full days left on their honeymoon. It was no time before she found her release, but before she fully came down from her high, he switched their position. Jacob knew exactly how to turn them over without breaking them apart. She was flat on her back with her legs against his chest.

He kept his weight off her as he plunged into her over and over without pausing. That's how it was with them. He knew how far to take it, when to pull back and to go slower, but also exactly how to fuck her senseless. This time, she begged for him, "Faster, harder, deeper."

He loved it when she was vocal. "So fucking sexy, my Bells. I love you."

She was at the peak of another orgasm. "I love you more."

Bella opened her eyes to the kisses that were tickling her ribs. She had no idea how long they'd been dozing.

"What are you doing?"

"Worshiping your body."

"Haven't you already done that multiple times?"

"Hit me hard if I ever forget one single second? You deserve more than I even know how to give."

Bella ran her fingers through the back of his hair. He was kissing his way across her stomach again.

She commented she should get up and make a call to see how Ace was doing. Jacob said he'd already checked. "He's fine. He's with his grandparents and plenty of other doting babysitters. He doesn't even miss us."

She stuck out her lip. "Don't say that. I don't want him to forget me."

Jacob climbed up her body to kiss her pout. "Kidding, Bells. Leah said he was babbling, 'Ma Ma Ma Ma' all the time, but he's happy. That's the important news."

"I want to video call them later. I need to see his squishy cheeks."

He promised they would if the signal cooperated. Jacob offered her some water. He said he should get up and start the steaks. He was starving and he knew she must be too. She said she was famished, but ran her foot up the back of his thigh as her hand sought out certain parts that she truly had a hunger for.

"Again? Jeez, lady. You're a maniac."

"Guilty. Are you going to make love to me again or not? I have needs too, these hormones are soaring and we're still making up for all those lost years."

He wrapped his body around hers and slid into her slick heat in one fluid motion. Her request was answered with action instead of words. They got busy doing what they craved most from each other. Sure, real life would creep back in when they left their honeymoon and every normal day would not be like this. Bella was certain even the days when she was crabby or too tired for sex or the house was a wreck or she was pissed at Jacob for one of his messes, that she would always feel this much love from him. They'd come a long way in a short amount of time. Moment like this had her looking forward to each day the future had in store for them.

Barry sandwiched his way in between Monica and Bella. It was just like the old days. Jacob reluctantly agreed to travel for a big job he was working on for Mr. Thumying. It would be their first time apart since she'd moved back to Washington. She missed him like crazy but it was only two nights. Bella rubbed her hand over her enlarged abdomen. She and Jacob had been married almost three months, Atticus had a birthday coming only weeks away. Their daughter would soon make an appearance as well. Life was moving in fast motion and she rarely ever stopped smiling.

"You did good, B, this is a damn nice house. It already feels homey too. Especially, this sofa. I feel like we're sitting on a cloud. Must have set the big guy back several grand."

Bella informed him they were literally sitting on Kaleigh's money.

"What?"

"Yep, she sent us a wedding gift. She reimbursed Jacob for all those crazy bills he inherited. It turned out she had the money the whole time to pay them off."

"She seemed like she was a force to be reckoned with either way you look at it, but you're officially done with her forever, right?"

"Yes, she is completely smitten with Jerome and told Jacob in her letter they are sure to marry eventually."

Bella agreed with Barry, she loved the way Jacob remodeled their dream house. They had a great view and were centrally located to most everyone on the res. She knew their home would be a constant hub for pack gatherings, but she didn't mind a bit.

Barry got busy locating what he wanted to watch, "Bar, I swear. Do we really have to watch this?"

"Zip it. Yes, you know I love this housewife shit. We have so many seasons to catch up on from multiple cities."

Barry insisted they catch up on trashy reality TV since Collin hated when he watched such things at home. Bella tended to agree with Collin, but after a few episodes, she was sucked in and talking about backstabbing bitches like she was one of the onscreen characters.

Monica leaned forward. "This is great, the three of us together again. I'm glad you invited us for a sleepover. Barry's right, this new house kicks ass. Would you ever have dreamed this scenario a year ago?"

Bella thought about where she was exactly a year ago. She was pregnant then too, but most nights ended with her bawling about being alone and Jacob being married to another woman. At least, some things were the same. She had her two best friends with her again.

Barry got up for more wine. He poured sparkling cider into Bella's glass. She was eager to start a new episode, but Barry paused it.

"Can I ask a serious question?"

"I don't know, can you?" He did a fake laugh in response to her dumb joke.

"You're in sync with this pack. Do you agree with me that Collin feels left out? There's absolutely nothing I can do about it either and every time I bring it up, he changes the subject."

"I don't even know what you're talking about. Left out of what?"

"The other guys are having pups, that's what."

"Oh, but not everyone is. The teenagers certainly aren't and Brady is very much a confirmed bachelor. Quil's not having one either, of course."

Monica made a weird noise in the back of her throat at the mention of Quil.

"I know, but you know what I mean. I think Collin wants a kid too."

Monica reminded him tons of gay parents existed. "Then have one. You could definitely adopt, but why would you want to already? You guys are still brand new as a couple."

Barry and Bella both knew how intense the relationship with a wolf could get. New wasn't exactly the same to them.

Barry said he would love to adopt one day, but this was about Collin's wolf and his desire for procreation. "And you know, we can't bring some stranger into this crazy world where we reside. I highly doubt any of these possessive creatures would share one of their mate's uterus to carry our child either. This is one instance I regret I'm not a woman for my man."

Bella wrapped her arm around him. "Barry, you and Collin are exactly who you both need to be. This isn't the time to second guess your relationship. From what I hear, Collin struggled in the beginning worrying he was letting the guys down for being different. He tried to fit in and he was miserable. If it's true that he wants his own biological child then he'll tell you about it when he's ready. I think you're worrying for nothing because one day, I can totally picture you both being excellent parents. My gosh, you're practically Ace's third parent as it is. You will be a father one day, I'm sure of it, but don't force the issue. It will happen when it's time."

Monica blurted out, "Fine, I'll do it, but not this year. I'm looking forward to having a banging summer body this season." Bella and Barry busted out laughing. "What? I said I'd be your surrogate, that's awfully damn generous if I do say myself. Why are you both laughing?"

Barry wasn't even being insulting. He simply stated facts, motherhood and Monica didn't really go together. Truth was, she was sweet to Atticus and the other kids that came around, but from the beginning, she never would take care of Bella's son alone and Bella wouldn't be comfortable with it either. To hear her volunteer for such a selfless act did seem like a joke.

Monica took offense immediately. "Well, screw off then. That's the last time I try and be nice."

"Monica, being a surrogate mother takes a little more thought than being nice. No offense, hun. I just don't think you'd go through with it. Bella's right, we aren't in a rush. I was just thinking out loud."

"Yes, of course, you would need the mighty Alpha Queen's approval on everything. She is all-knowing and full of solutions. More like full of something else, but let's drop and start back this shit TV."

Bella had no idea where all that hostility was coming from. "Lower your voice, Mon. Ace is sleeping. What the hell is your deal? This was supposed to be a roomie reunion. I don't know what you're getting so pissed about. If you have a problem with me then fill me in what I did, exactly. What did I ever do to you, but care about you and make sure you're protected?"

"Sure you did at first, but then you turned on me. Just admit it. You don't think I'm good enough for your pack. Barry is, but I never made the cut and you've been stabbing me in the back since I got here."

"That's not true. Is this about Quil? I didn't know the full story when I first mentioned him to you. There's things you don't understand. All of us are still learning if you want the whole truth."

"Oh, I understand plenty. You all have been warped with all this supernatural mess... imprints and markings. If you'd really take a minute of clarity, you'd see that it's sick. Quil shouldn't be attached to the little bratty bitch and yet you're encouraging it. Neither of you have any idea what life has been like for me, the pressure that I'm under. I'm split in two parts and I'm literally damned if I do, damned if I don't."

Barry tried to secretly pull Monica's wine glass away. She snapped at him that her tantrum wasn't about being drunk. Bella didn't know what else could've caused her strange outburst. What was she even talking about they didnt' know? The three of them lived together for years. They knew her inside and out.

"It's obvious you're becoming attached, but I thought you were fine with only being friends?"

"Go to hell! You and Bar get hot sexy men and I get a buddy while I'm stuck on this godforsaken reservation. How's that for fair? Maybe, I could be a good person again if I had a sweet protector that wouldn't let the monsters claim me as well. For a second, I almost thought anything was possible, but thanks for opening my eyes again to just how bad my life sucks."

"I'm sorry Monica. I had no idea you were hurting so much. Please, calm down. You can tell us anything, you know that right?"

Monica frantically shook her head the whole time she gathered her stuff to leave. Barry tried to stop her. Their evening was ruined. Bella didn't realize how stressful the situation had gotten for Monica. She didn't have a clue what was going on. This seemed like more than her having unreturned feelings for Quil.

Collin opened the door. He said they heard shouting. "Is everything okay?"

"Fine, I was just leaving."

Barry pulled Collin aside and asked it he would drive Monica back home and see that she got inside safely.

Bella immediately got on the phone with her mother to see if she'd check on her when she got back. Renee confirmed that the mood swings were getting worse and that it's especially bad after Monica's early morning phone calls. Bella assumed those calls were from Monica's mother.

She fell back on the couch with Barry and started to cry. "Am I the worst friend in history?"

"No, babe. She's losing it. We were joking around, she totally wigged out. That's not our Mon. I have no idea what's going on with her? She's about to make it worse too."

"How so?"

"She's going to try and seduce Quil. I told her not to."

"He'll break her heart. I should warn him."

"No idea what is actually going on, but I think Monica's heart is already broken."

At least, Barry and Bella salvaged a little bit of the evening. He made her fudge brownies and the two of the watched two more hours of TV together. He carried her to bed when she fell asleep. Barry joined her for a little while since she was woke up groggy and asked him to sit with her longer. He told her not to let the shit Monica said get to her.

"You're really good at this job and I doubt you were ever given an instruction manual."

"Nope, not even a pamphlet. I just want to help her."

"You can't. She needs to help herself. She seems really bitter right now. Oh yeah, I was going to gossip earlier but we never got the chance."

"Really, about what?"

"I know something you don't know."

Barry tickled her as he kept up his teasing "Stop, tell me. What do you think you know?"

He said it was a good thing she was already in the bed because this news would put her on her ass. "Brady is no longer happily fishing the seas. He got hooked."

"No way, by who?"

"You gals are there day in and day out, but you're all blind apparently. Brady and Brit are getting it on. Zane's going to get a step-daddy. Mark my words. I'm never wrong."

"But Brit's a mom and she's a lot older."

"Not that much, she got pregnant young and besides, Brady's into it, the whole cougar vibe." He knocked on her head. "Pay attention, B."

"Well, I'm getting Jake to speak to him. Brit doesn't deserve anymore games after what her ex did. Are you sure Brady wants to settle down?"

"Positive. This pack is in great shape or it will be once we help our friend. I don't like the dark places she's dwelling in."

Bella closed her eyes and remembered how things had gone with Monica, she whispered, "me either," before drifting off to sleep again.

Sure enough, Quil was a gentleman when Monica went through with her plans, but he had to let her down easy. However, she didn't take it well. She'd been isolating herself in her room for weeks now and no one could get through to her. It was like she'd become a complete stranger to Barry and Bella.

Bella had a surprise visitor one afternoon.

"Hey, Claire, who dropped you off?"

"Aunt Emily. I thought I'd come play with Ace or do some cleaning for you. Aunt Kim says you're all nesting. Is that true?"

Bella said sometimes she was, but other times she craved a long nap. It was sweet that Claire wanted to help.

They had a seat in the family room while Atticus played with his over-sized block set. Bella couldn't help but notice Claire staring at her shoulder. It was a warm day and she was heavily pregnant so she was wearing a sundress with spaghetti straps.

"Does it hurt?"

Bella knew what she meant. The mark.

"No."

"It feels good, doesn't it?"

She felt a little uneasy wondering where this line of questioning might go. Bella thought Claire would be more comfortable discussing this with Emily or Kim.

"Yes, the mark connects me to Jake. It's a symbol of our love, much like Atticus."

All the mates, imprints or not were marked after the attack if they weren't already. Claire knew this. Everyone knew.

"Zane says it might break the imprint with Quil."

"Whoa, hold on. Claire, are you and Zane... "

"No, of course not. He's talking about in the future, when I'm ready. He says I'm sad or mad all the time and he's just trying to help."

Jeesh, Bella breathed out a huge sigh of relief.

"Is he pressuring you, because honestly, Uncle Jake will set him straight." And Quil, but Bella didn't think that was a topic to bring up to him unless they were eager to witness a murder in La Push. "You can tell us. I know how teenage boys can get."

"Can I be honest?"

"Yes, honey, of course."

"Yes and no. I think he's pressuring me, not for actual sex, but maybe more like pressuring me to prove I love him more. I'm just really confused."

"I know. It's a very confusing situation and I truly believe sex would add to that. You're still so young."

Claire folded her arms in front of her. "Yes, I hear that a lot."

"I didn't mean it in a bad way, you're also very mature for your age. I know some kids your age are already sexually active. I'm just leery for you to rush things along since you admit you're confused."

"Quil is always quick to point out he thinks I'm just a girl. Wonder what he'd think if Zane made me a woman?"

Bella's instincts kicked in. Her eyes were opened. "You said you wanted to be honest, Claire. Are you with Zane, to prove to Quil you've grown up?"

She got very quiet and seemed to take forever to answer Bella. "I didn't mean for it to get so out of hand. I really do care about Zane."

"Of course you do, sweetie."

Claire got emotional and said she didn't know what to do anymore. "What if I break Zane's heart and he ends up hating me? What if Quil falls in love with Monica and she gets marked? I'll lose both of them."

Bella assured her Quil and Monica were barely speaking anymore and that would never happen. She scooted in closer and hugged the sobbing girl. Bella was a grown woman and a mother and she still had a hard time wrapping her mind around the connection with Jacob all those months ago. She felt lots of compassion for her. Claire eventually calmed down and lifted off Bella's shoulder. She kept her hand close like she was asking permission. Bella knew she needed the connection so she silently gave her permission. Claire lovingly caressed her fingers over Bella's double mark proving they were indeed connected like sisters. Not everyone could get away with touching a mating mark. Monica tried to touch it in the beginning and Bella actually took a swing at her, it felt so uncomfortable. Claire's touch felt natural, like Rachel's or any of the other mates.

"It's so beautiful. It's like I can feel the love."

Bella covered her hand. "We do love you, Claire. You're our sister."

"Tell me what you think will happen. You're so good with reading everyone."

"I think that in three or four years, you and Quil are going to fulfill your imprint. I think we were all wrong to assume you were so different since you were a child when he imprinted. There's no reason not to believe that your love will flourish and grow just like the rest of us. I know these next few years while you continue to mature, will be difficult, but the end result will be worth the wait. I think you know what you need to do as far as Zane is concerned also. Take it from me, you don't want to make a devastating mistake. Those are so hard to recover from."

"I miss him."

"I figured you did and he misses you. Hey, I was going to make burgers tonight. Wanna help? I have extra and I was going to bake cupcakes."

"Extra enough for a bottomless pit?"

"Yep, two of 'em. Why don't you call Quil while I pull up my recipes on my tablet?"

"Let's make filled ones! Quil loves peanut butter."

"I know. That's a great idea and Jake loves the cream filled ones. We'll make both kinds."

"Maybe we can put on stupid Adam Sandler movies after we eat. Quil loves those."

Bella dropped a stack of pans like a klutz. "Oh yeah, but we've seen all of them at least a dozen times."

"No, there's a new one, like a western or something."

Bella blushed. She knew about it but was playing dumb. "Okay, you can suggest it, but don't tell Jake I have a wicked crush on that one actor."

Claire laughed out loud, "Oh, I know who you're talking about. Uncle Jake would be so jealous."

"Yes, he would, so it's our little secret. Every woman is entitled to one secret celebrity crush." Claire held up her little finger and they pinky-sweared to keep it to themselves.

Jacob pulled her aside in the kitchen since Claire volunteered to change Ace in the nursery. "I hope you know what you're doing?"

"Trust me. They both need a safe place to feel normal again. It's going to be fine, better than fine."

Jacob said he did trust her. He gave her a quick kiss as soon as he heard a knock at the door. "Why's that idiot knocking?"

"He's being courteous and mature. Go answer it."

Claire breezed past them with the baby on her hip. "Wait, Uncle Jake, I'll get it."

Jacob and Bella stopped and watched Claire swing open the door. Quil was dressed nice and carrying two separate bouquets. He seemed frozen for a few minutes as he took it all in. There was Claire extremely happy to see him for a change and she was looking more grown up each day. The fact she held a baby in her arms was probably sending all sorts of signals to Quil's wolf. He finally shook his head to escape his trance. He handed one bunch of flowers to the mother-to-be and the other to Claire. Jacob took their son so the ladies could put their flowers in water.

"Flowers, jerk? Trying to make me look bad?"

"I can't help it if you're not as classy as me, Black." Then Quil picked up one of Claire's carefully constructed gourmet chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter filling and crammed the whole damn thing into his big mouth. He repeated, "Classy," with his mouthful of cake, frosting and peanut butter.

Claire punched him in the gut. "Where are your manners, you big lug? We haven't even eaten burgers yet. I swear, one day if it's the last thing I do, I'm going to get you trained. Sorry, Aunt Bella." She started trying to clean up the crumbs in Quil's wake.

Quil smiled with a new confidence Bella hadn't seen before when Claire dabbed a napkin next to his mouth to whisk away some leftover chocolate. He patted her on top of the head. "You got taller."

Bella noted she was already taller than her. Claire was a beautiful child and it was obvious to anyone looking she was evolving into a beautiful young woman. Her long, wavy black hair fell down her back. She was tall for her age and filling out in all the places that made her feminine. She met Quil's dark eyes with her own sparkly green ones and joked, "Trying to catch up a little to my gentle giant." Bella didn't need supernatural hearing to catch the gulp Quil made.

Jacob broke the spell when he guided Quil out of the kitchen. Bella heard him add, "Take a deep breath, baby steps, go a little slower."

"How slow?"

"About three, preferably four years slow, bro."

~Thanks for reading.

If you have read my other stories, you would know I have never pursued the Quil/Claire relationship because it made me uncomfortable. So, of course, that meant I had to go for it at least once. #teamClaire wins this time. I appreciate all the opinions on this subject.

Anyone catch the funny I made when Bella and Claire were chatting?

Not into revealing too much, but now is the time to get your prescriptions in order or pull out that bottle of wine or two you've been saving cuz we're about to go crazy!