Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N-thank you for the awesome reviews and sticking with this story. Nikki :)

Part Sixteen

Despite the seriousness of the situation regarding her mother, Bella was able to shake her melancholy and find some practical ways to solve the problem. Secretly she was proud of how she was handling everything. Even as little as a year ago, Bella knew she would have fallen apart if thrust with all the sudden responsibility of caring for her father and trying to sort out her mother's issues. It showed her just how much she had changed. Once again she relied on Jacob for advice. To him it was simple. Renee needed to get a job and soon. He also told Bella that her mother should confess to Charlie about what she was going through. Bella had not been sure about the last part, but Jacob was usually right. So, in spite of her misgivings, she confronted Renee and told her to tell Charlie.

"He'll just yell at me that I told you so and chuck me out." Renee said in horror.

"No he won't." Bella replied firmly. "You can't keep this from him. He might be more understanding then you think. It's better than all this arguing. Anyway you are living in his house, he has a right to know."

"Since when did you become the adult?" Renee grumbled.

Bella refrained from reminding her mother that she had been forced to be an adult from a young age due to Renee's flakiness, but she kept quiet and just urged her to talk to her ex-husband. So, very haltingly, and stumbling over her words, Renee confessed. Charlie remained silent while she admitted that her marriage was in trouble and that Phil's gambling problem had made her effectively homeless and penniless. When she had finished he let out a heavy sigh.

"So I'm not the only one who screwed up then." He said.

His words lightened the mood. He didn't place any blame but actually spoke to Renee as an equal without shouting. Bella was relieved to see her parents actually having a conversation. Charlie pulled out his laptop and gave Renee practical advice, showing her the job pages on the internet and trying to find out what her options were. He also promised that she could stay in the house until he and Bella moved into the new apartment. The worry left Renee's eyes and she smiled and thanked Charlie. He patted her hand and continued to search for information about cheap accommodation.

"Dealing with mom's problems actually seems to have perked dad up. He was more like his old self as he tried to help her untangle her finances. They are actually getting along for the first time in...well...ever." Bella still couldn't believe the turnaround in her parents relationship.

Jacob smiled at her adoringly as he ate the lunch she had brought for him. "I told you that things would work out, Bells."

"Yes, and you were right. You usually are." Bella said in amusement. "You know despite all the problems that have been thrown our way, don't you still feel happy?"

Jacob bumped his shoulder with hers as he finished eating. "I came back to life the day I walked into that diner in Texas."

His words moved Bella, she felt her eyes become moist as she looked at him. His dark eyes were full of sincerity. She could see the love pouring out of him and she wondered why she had ever thought she would need anything more than just him; he was simply everything. "Ditto." Was all she could say.

Jacob put his arm around her and pulled her close, both of them remained silent. All they needed to feel content was each other.

More days drifted by and things slowly sorted themselves out. Renee found a job, unfortunately it was in Seattle, which meant she would need to move to the city. Bella was a little sad to see her mother leave, but it wasn't so far away that she couldn't visit regularly. Renee had borrowed some money from Charlie to put a deposit on a small apartment that she was going to rent. She promised to pay him back as soon as she had enough saved.

Jacob was doing so well at the garage that even Jim had to acknowledge that his hard work and honest nature had brought in extra customers that would normally have avoided Dowling's. After finding his clientèle expanding rapidly and his profits on the up, Jim decided to take a step back into semi retirement and offered Jacob the position of manager. Jacob was shocked at the sudden promotion, but it brought with it a much improved pay check and also the chance to change the garage to how he wanted it to be run. He agreed at once and couldn't wait to tell Bella the news. She was working in the diner on her regular late shift and he immediately begged Cora to let Bella have a break so he could share his good fortune.

"Jake that is so amazing." Bella gushed happily as she kissed him hard on the lips, earning a few catcalls from the customers. "Congratulations."

"This has really eased the financial pressure, Bells." Jacob said excitedly. "Once dad and I move into the new house I can start to do it up a bit better and..." he paused for a moment. "I was thinking, if we could get your dad some extra care perhaps we could slip away for a short break."

Bella was carried away by his enthusiasm. "God, I would love that." She bit her lip as she pondered the problem of who would look after Charlie while she was away. Renee would be too busy, she had only just started her new job and couldn't take the time off.

Jacob could see Bella's mind working overtime. He took her hands in his own and smiled brightly at her. "Don't fret, honey. I have it all worked out. Sam and Emily have offered to stay with Charlie while we are away. Paul and Rachel can look after dad, so there is nothing standing in our way."

"We can really do this?" Bella brightened up immediately. She was literally vibrating with excitement. The chance to get back on the open road again, even if it was just for a few days.

"We can do it, Bells. Now that you have your truck back we can head anywhere we want." Jacob's smile widened as he saw how happy Bella was. Her face was glowing and her eyes were shining. "I was thinking perhaps we could head to Vegas..."

"Vegas?" Bella became still as she studied him curiously. He was up to something she could tell. "Why there?"

"I always liked Elvis..." Jacob said meaningfully.

"Elvis..." Bella repeated slowly. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"I know it's not the most romantic proposal but, fuck we've waited for so long, and I was never one for the whole big ceremony. I always liked the idea of taking off and just doing it." Jacob looked at Bella hopefully.

"Eloping." Bella tested the word. She recalled the big, grand wedding ceremony that she had been forced to endure for Edward's sake. That had been his and his families idea. Not hers. She had gone along with it just to make him happy. But this, taking off on a whim, the open road ahead of them. Married by an Elvis impersonator. How awesome would that be? They could have a big party when they returned. That is when everyone got over the shock of it. "Could we really do it? Won't everyone be pissed at us?"

Jacob squeezed her hands gently. "No, I think they would just be happy that we finally got our acts together. I love you Bella and I want you to be my wife. I always have done. So what do you say?" He held his breath for a moment as Bella bit her lip in trepidation.

"I say..." she paused for dramatic effect. "I say yes." She threw her arms around his broad shoulders as he laughed in delight. He whirled Bella around in the middle of the packed diner, narrowly missing knocking over some of the tables, as the customers clapped and cheered them on.

A/N-thanks for reading! Short but sweet...