This chapter we get to start off with a touching moment between Rosalie and Emmett that I hope everyone can appreciate. I really love this chapter so much.
CHAPTER THREE
When Bella was done with her bath, feeling relieved and refreshed, she was brought back to the living room where she found Edward's bed waiting, minus the iron posts and headboard. It was tucked in the corner next to the fireplace for maximum warmth. They had moved her couch just a tad to the right to make room for it, and the floor to ceiling windows were right there for her to gaze out at the forest and watch the rain drip down the glass. A number of blankets had been added on top of the golden comforter, as was a multitude of pillows of different size.
"This will be better for the baby too, since you'll be sleeping in a more comfortable and safer position for pregnancy. I can't believe I hadn't thought of this before." said Rosalie standing next to her.
"This is great, I know I mentioned it Esme earlier, but I didn't think you guys would get it done so fast." walking over to the bed, she had Rose help her into it, pulling the comforter and blankets back and propping the pillows behind her before tucking Bella in.
"Where is Esme, I really want to thank her for this?" she asked, sinking into the soft mattress with small, delighted moan, warmth quickly wrapping around her from both the blankets and the going fire next to her. She could already feel her eyes growing heavy, so close and ready to just fall asleep.
"She and Carlisle went out for a little while, they're going hunting and picking up some things for you and the baby?" Rosalie smiled, plucking some hair away from Bella's face, taking in the rosy glow she had, the glow of a woman carrying a child. She might be pale, thin as a stick, but she still had it in her eyes.
How Rosalie would do anything to be in her place.
"Eggs?" Bella asked sleepily, her voice a soft mumble as she leaned back against the pillows, her head lolling to the side, starting out at the darkening forest.
Rosalie laughed.
"Yes, eggs too." she laughed, but Bella didn't hear her, she was already asleep, her breathing even and eyes closed.
"Goodnight," Rosalie said, but it wasn't to Bella in which she spoke, but to the baby inside the human, leaning over to kiss the bulge beneath the blankets. She didn't move, and stayed their by Bella's bedside, hand over her stomach, eyes closed as she felt and listened to the little baby inside.
She heard Emmett enter, standing behind her, large hands on her shoulders, his nose planted in her golden waves, taking in her scent.
"I'm so sorry, Babe, that I can't-" his voice was thick with tears that he could never cry, regret heavy in his broad chest and enormous heart.
Rosalie leaned back against him, tilting her head back so she could look up at him. She reached the hand that wasn't on Bella up, to cup the back of his neck, playing with the short hair at the back.
"I wanted it too, Rose; a house and a big family, just like the one I had." he told her, remembering his sister and brothers, from when he was human.
"At that time, before you found me, I couldn't have imagined myself ready for that type of responsibility, but I did eventually wanted to settle down. I was still young then, you know?"
"I know," she said, her voice low and soft so not to wake Bella.
"We don't talk about it, and that's ok, I know it gets you upset so I never bring it up, but I think about it sometimes. What it would be like if we had a little boy or girl, what they would look like, what we would name them."
"Henry, if it was for a boy, like my friend Vera's baby. You reminded me of him, when I first found you, so innocent with those cute dimples and curly hair. I always wanted a little boy just like him, just like you."
"Elizabeth for a girl, as pretty and as smart as you. Then there would be George and Louise because we can't just stop at two" he added with a wink. "maybe we would have twins, my brothers were twins. "
"You would have been a great daddy," she smiled, the picture of it all crystal clear in her mind.
"And you would have been a great mommy." he kissed her then, slow and long. It was a sad kiss, one meant to comfort rather than ignite lust. And when they were done, he sat behind her, leg on either side of her, and held her from behind, gently rocking as she let out small dry sobs, mourning something they never even had.
Jacob had never wanted it to come to this. He never wanted to be Alpha, didn't want that responsibility, that tie to the land and people, his freedom completely gone. Yet here he was, an Alpha, claiming something that he had denied for so long.
He felt the bonds fall from his spirit and body the second he had accepted his birthright. He could feel the power gathering inside of him, the freedom from his brothers and sister wolves strange and hollow. An alpha's power came from their pack, and Jacob no longer had a pack. For a moment he felt the terrible loneliness of what he had done wash over him like a violent tidal wave.
He hadn't earned it the title of Alpha, Sam had, he was the first to phase, to do his duty and rise to every occasion putting the tribe first no matter. The position was his no matter what the blood in Jacob's veins had predetermine. Sam was the Alpha.
But he couldn't let Sam kill Bella.
What have you done, Jacob! Sam's voice was both sad and angry, stunned at what Jacob had just done.
I won't sit aside as you kill my imprint, Sam. he shook his large head, widening his stance, readying himself.
You would….you would choose your enemies over your own family? Sam was shocked, mortified and hurt.
Bella is my family, she has been since we were three years old making mud pies in the front yard. Said Jacob
And the Cullens, they're not our enemy, they never have been. I thought they were too before, I was ready to kill them all today, to kill Bella if she was turned, but I realized something when I had the time to think it all over again. They're more human than us, they have more more compassion and loyalty, and are capable of great love.
Sam felt as if he was going to be sick.
How can you still fight for that girl, she made her choice, imprint or not she is the first to deny an imprinted wolf. Clearly there is something wrong with her. Sam snarled.
Why because unlike Emily and the others she got to keep her free will, got to choose if she wanted to be with me or not. I rather have her choose then have some ancient power forcing her to be with me. he would have spat if he could, instead he stomped his paw, digging up dirt
Emily never got the chance to choose you, Rachel, my own sister, didn't choose Paul either and Claire is too young to even understand what the hell is happening. At least Kim had a crush on Jared before he imprinted on her. She sat next to him everyday in class for an entire year scribbling his name on her notebook and he never once noticed her.
He hadn't planned to make such a speech, to hurt his brothers, but it was the truth, the terrible truth of imprinting and of their relationships, of how wrong it all was, even his own.
Bella might never have chosen me, but you forget what imprinting means; to be whatever she needs you to be. A protector, a friend, and that's what I have been and will continue to be until the end of my life. He reminded Sam, the two snarling at one another.
I may choose to destroy myself for her, but you are choosing to destroy the entire pack over her, Sam. If you attack, no matter how many of the pack survive, you will be a murderer.
Is this it then, Jacob Black? Sam asked, hackles raised, muzzle pulled back from his fangs, drool dripping between them. Behind him Paul and Jared bristled, ready to help him. Even if you can defeat me, the pack will never follow you anymore.
Have you not been listening to me, I'm not going to fight you, Sam, not unless you hurt Bella first. He relaxed himself, showing that he was not going to attack.
I will not take the Pack from you, I don't want to either way, so that's not something you have to worry about. But I'm not a part of it anymore either. Jacob explained to him.
Do you belong to a coven now, Jacob? Sam spat, disgusted.
I belong to Bella. He answered.
If you come for the Cullen's, I will stand between you. I won't let you kill innocent people. Jacob turned his back to him then, to the entire pack and raced away from the uproar he had caused, listening with a pained heart to the mournful howls his Pack. He didn't have much time to waist to think of what he had done for too long, he had to get to the Cullen's and warn them. He went with the relief that at least the only one with a chance of outrunning him was Leah, he could take her down easy enough if he wanted to, though he would rather not have to at all.
He took comfort when he realized a few minutes later that they weren't after him. The others were probably still trying to understand exactly what happened. It was then that he realized he couldn't hear the others in his head anymore. That took a much needed advantage away from him. He only hoped that Sam would rethink his choices before it was too late. For his own sake and the rest of the packs.
That day had begun like any other, Jacob had came home from patrol just in time for a rainy sunrise, had breakfast with Billy and Rachel, watched bad TV, bickered with Paul to get the hell out of his house…..so how did it change so completely? How did it come down to him all alone, an unwilling Alpha without a pack, cut off from his brothers and choosing vampires over them?
Jacob blamed Bella. Her and her damn smiles and laughs, her big brown eyes and soft lips. He blamed the stupid fluttering of the baby inside her against his hand, the sound of it's tiny heart. She owed him big time. He wanted a five course meal and a foot rub in return for this bullshit, he deserved it damn it.
Then he heard it, the sound he had been so afraid of. The soft impact of paws against the earth, chasing after him. Damn. He threw himself forward, pushing himself to go faster, rocketing through the black forest. He just needed to get close enough so that Edward could hear the warning he was screaming in his head.
RUN! THEY'RE COMING FOR, BELLA, RUN! he prayed Edward could hear him, that he would move fast, to do what they had to get Bella out of that house and onto the public roads, to leave Forks.
Wait up, Jacob, my legs aren't as long as yours. Jacob practically tripped over his own legs, he hadn't expected to hear anyone else in his head again, much less Seth.
What the hell do you think you're doing, Seth! Go back, go home! It was an order, but not an Alpha Order, so Seth actually didn't have to do what he told him, but he hoped that the brat would listen to him either away.
Seth didn't answer right away, but Jacob could feel the kids excitement roll off of him as he continued after him. Jacob could see through his eyes as he could see through his. The night scene in both of their visions were bleak, but the only difference is where Jacob saw despair, Seth saw hope.
Jacob hadn't realized he was even slowing down, that or Seth had suddenly gotten faster as he was suddenly at his flank, running in position beside him.
I'm serious, Seth, this is no place for you. Go back!
The gangly tan wolf gave a snort.
I've got your back, Jacob…..and Bella's. I won't stand beside Sam and-
Yes you will, you have to even though I don't want you to dirty your hands like that. Maybe Sam will let you stay back. Said Jacob, not wanting to imagine Seth tearing into Esme and Carlisle, the way it would destroy him to do so.
I won't do it, Jake! Seth shook, showing Jacob exactly how he felt about the matter in his head, Edward, Carlisle, the way Bella had stroked his fur on that snowy mountain.
Go back, Seth!
Is that an order, Jacob? Seth's question had Jacob coming up short, skidding to a halt and turning on the young wolf.
I'm not ordering anyone to do anything and I NEVER WILL! Jacob declared, adamant to get that fact across, that he was different, that he wasn't like Sam.
Seth cocked his head to the side, in that dopey way domestic dogs did, and plopped down on his haunches beside Jacob
It's unsettling not knowing what they're thinking. I didn't notice it at first, but now I realize that the packs aren't linked. Seth said, starting out between the maze of tall trees, thoughtful.
We should get moving again before Sam sends someone after me. Seth was right, they needed to get moving again. He didn't bother to argue this time, it would just be a waste and they needed to get to the Cullen's.
They fell into a run together, Jacob matching Seth's speed, not wanting to push him too hard to have to keep up with him. Seth stayed on his heels, holding the Seconds traditional place on his right flank.
I can run somewhere else. Seth offered, his nose dipping a little. I didn't follow you because I was after a promotion.
Jacob gave a huff, a dog like sigh.
You can run wherever you want, Seth, it makes no difference to me. He knew Seth was just trying to do the right thing.
There was no sound of pursuit, but still they both stepped it up a little. They no longer could tap into the packs mind, which meant they would have no warning of any attack. It was the fact no one was following them that actually had Jacob worried the most, it meant they were taking their time to think of a better plan of attack. Or for everyone's sake, deciding not to.
We'll run patrols, keep an eye out for them. Said Seth.
And if the pack challenges us will you attack your brothers, your sister? Jacob's eyes narrowed, his voice tight. He was fully prepared to do this alone.
Then we should sound the alarm first if they challenge us and then fall back. Was his answer, as if he had been ready for that question.
Ok...Good answer, but um, then what? Seth finally seemed to deflate a little at Jacob's follow up.
Um, to be honest I don't think I could fight them. Seth whined before perking up. But I think they would be just as unhappy about fighting us as we are about fighting them. That might just stop them there, give us time.
Will you stop being so optimistic! the growl Jacob let out wasn't an aggressive one, he was more frustrated than anything. Your getting on my nerves.
Alright, then you want me to be all doom and gloom or just be shut up completely? he was always so eager to please.
Just….Just please be quiet for a little while, ok, I need to think. Jacob did his best to try to keep some of the edge out of his voice. He wasn't angry with Seth, maybe a little annoyed, but he didn't hate the kid.
No problem, Chief. Jacob rolled his wolfish eyes, he could practically see Seth's cheesy grin inside his head.
They made it across the main road unseen and continued through the forest that ringed the Cullen's house. He wondered if Edward could hear them yet. If they had any clue that they were coming. If Bella knew he was coming back.
Maybe we should think something like 'we come in peace' so that they know it's us and not the others. Suggested Seth.
Go for it. Jacob encouraged.
Edward? Seth called in his head. Edward, are you there?
Silence.
Ok, now I feel kinda stupid. He huffed in an embarrassed sort of pout.
You sound kinda stupid. Jacob charted, a laugh.
Think we're close enough now for him to hear us? Seth asked.
I think so. they were less than a mile out from the Cullen's house.
Edward, if you can hear me, you've got a problem.
We've got a problem. Corrected Seth.
They broke through the trees then, entering into the big lawn. The house was dark, Bella was probably sleeping he thought. The vampires moved within the dark shadows inside, that he could tell. Edward had come out, standing on the porch waiting for them. On either side of him stood the big one, Emmett and the soldier, Jasper. They were snow white under the pale light of the moon. It made Jacob's skin crawl, they looked like ghosts.
"What's happened, Jacob...Seth." he added the end as a greeting to the smaller wolf, giving him a smile that practically had Seth swooning. Jacob snapped at him, warning him to watch his thoughts.
Jacob stopped a few feet infront of them, the smell so much sharper to this nose, it felt like it was burning him just to inhale it. Behind him Seth whined quietly, hesitating before coming up to flank Jacob. It was harder for him, because of his inexperience, but he did better than the others in tolerating the smell. He seemed to have found Bella's faint scent coming from the house and focused on that. It's what Jacob did as well.
To answer Edward's question Jacob let his mind run over the confrontation with Sam from the time he left the Cullen's earlier. When they got to the part where they learned about the baby, and what Sam planned to do, Edward hissed and leapt from the porch. Seth thought with Jacob, filling in the gaps after Jacob had left the pack until catching up with him.
"They want to kill Bella?" he snarled. "Do your laws mean nothing now? She's still human, your protection should still apply to her!"
Emmett and Jasper, who did not have the same advantage as seeing into their heads were confused, taking there brothers inflectionless question for a statement. The two were next to Edward in a flash, there teeth exposed as they began to move towards Seth and Jacob.
Hey, now, not us. We want to protect Bella. Seth thought, looking to Edward pleadingly for assistance as he backed away, head low,
"Not them," Edward held out an arm and shook his head. "It's the others, the Pack is coming."
The two rocked back on their heels, Emmett staring out towards the forest, still ready for a fight while Jasper kept his own gaze on the wolves currently in front of them.
"What's their problem?" Emmett demanded, looking up towards a window where Jacob could see barbie standing, listening, watching. He noticed she was standing at the end of a bed, a bundle of blankets pushed up next to the window. Looking closer, Jacob realized the bundle was Bella, curled up on her side towards the window, glimpsing a peak of her pale face poking from the covers. The glow of a fire illuminated the top of her head like a halo. What he would do to be curled up beside her.
"There problem is the same as mine," Edward hissed, glaring at Jacob having caught his thoughts just then about Bella. "The fetus. They see it as threat, not just to Bella, but to other humans. To them."
"Only the Pack has their own plans to handle it. We need to have everyone here. Call Carlisle now! He and Esme need to get back right away, I don't want the pack catching them while their out by themselves." he told Emmett, who immediately pulled out some fancy cell phone from his back pocket, his fingers dialing a number within a few short seconds before he was on the phone, explaining the situation
Jacob whined. He had been afraid of this, that they would be seperated.
"They aren't far," Edward reassured them, his voice dead, and his eyes more so, having lost that earlier flare of anger when Jacob had been thinking of Bella.
I'm going to take a look, Said Seth. Run the western perimeter to be on the safe side just incase they sent a scout.
"Will you be in any danger, Seth?" Edward asked, his tone the same, though he was obviously concerned.
Don't think so. Both Jacob and Seth thought.
But maybe I should go too, just in case. Jacob added.
Seth shook his head.
No, you should stay. They'll be less likely to challenge me. He pointed out. I'm just a kid to them, they won't bother with me too much.
You're just a kid to me too, Seth, I'll feel better if I-
I might be the youngest, but I'm still a wolf, Jake. I can do this much. He turned on Jacob, almost angry, his eyes blazing with a confidence and determination Jacob wasn't used to seeing in Seth.
Stay. Coordinate with the Cullen's. I'll be back soon. And then Seth was darting into the darkness. Jacob wasn't going to order him around, and the kid was right as much as he hated to admit it.
Seth was a wolf, a protector, and he needed to have more faith in him.
With Seth gone, Edward and Jacob stood facing one another, both uncomfortable. Emmett was still on the phone with either Esme or Carlisle. Jasper was watching the spot where Seth had disappeared into.
Rosalie still stood protectively upstairs at the foot of Bella's bed, guarding her. Which he realized they must have moved into the living room, foyer whatever the hell the rich bastard wanted to call it after he had left. The stairs were probably too much for her body to make it upstairs so they were keeping her on the second level.
This was so wrong. Things should never have come to this, where he had to protect her from his brothers that she should have been calling family instead of these leeches. She had been happy among them once. Sure she was teased for awhile, but they had started to warm up to her, she had made friends with the other imprints: Emily and Kim. She should be with them, catching up with his Rachel, helping Emily in the kitchen and talking about books with Kim. If only Edward had never come back, things would have went down the path they were supposed to go, but then things got so twisted.
Now vampire Barbie didn't just have to protect Bella from her own family, but his as well. He stared for a long moment, thinking about what to think at Edward, what to tell him, what type of plan they should concoct to handle this, but all he could think about was Bella, the peaceful look on her face as she slept. Her soft lips, parted and perfect, how he wanted to kiss them again. Wake her like sleeping beauty from this hell they found themselves in.
Edward gave a hiss of warning, eyes narrowing at Jacob's south bound thoughts.
Alice appeared on the porch then, staring at Jacob with anxious eyes for a long moment before slotting herself into Jasper's side, his arm coming around her to hold her close against him.
"You're right. If I hadn't called that night, jumped to conclusions, things would have gone exactly as they should have with you and her." Edward finally said, his eyes on the same spot as Jacobs. Bella. "She's your imprint, the two of you are half of the same soul. You're meant to be together, no matter what capacity that may be in."
"We should have told her the truth, should have told her you imprinted on her. But when you didn't I didn't see any reason for me to." he shook his head.
"Things could have been so different."
Edward sighed, seeming to think over what he was about to say.
"Alice saw your future." Edward told him.
"There was a single moment of doubt, when Bella was so close to changing her mind when she had visited you after you were hurt." he continued. "In that moment, if Bella would have chosen you Alice had seen you after you stopped phasing, you would have gotten married on the beach, simple and small like Bella would have wanted."
Edward smiled, the most devastatingly tragic smile Jacob ever saw in that moment. The burning man he saw was now a drowned ghost of regret. And then he dropped the final blow.
"You would have had two children. Matthew and Sarah. They would have had your smile and her eyes." he at least had the courage to look at Jacob. "I'm so sorry."
You bastard! Every part of him felt like it was being torn apart, stripped into thin ribbons at the future they could have had, the future and happiness lost to him. Jacob snarled, snapping his powerful jaws at Edward. I fucking told you! She could have had it all with me!
Alice was the one to stop Jasper from jumping in, whispering something in his ear.
"I know, I do. I could have and should have walked away when Alice told me about her vision after we fought the newborns, let Bella have that future with you. But I couldn't do it, I was too selfish, I love her too much, I depend on her to give me a reason to exist in this world."
Why would you tell me any of this? Jacob growled, furious to be tormented like this.
"Because you can still have that future. If you can convince her to let us get that thing out of her, I'll leave her, and this time I'll keep my promise to never come back. It's not too late for the two of you." he told Jacob, his eyes far away.
You really don't know Bella as well as I do. Jacob scoffed, ruffling his own fur with a shake of his body. I've already talked to her, and her mind is set, I know that she won't change it for anything even for you or me.
"Then that thing will kill her, no matter how much she fights, no matter her own confidence that she's strong enough, her body will eventually give out under the stress the fetus is causing her."
That thing, that fetus is a part of her, a part of her that she will never get back if she loses it. He explained, remembering his sister Rebecca, when she had called sometime after she had moved to Hawaii with her husband with the happy news that she was pregnant. She lost the baby a month before her due date in November that year.
"It's not impossible to move on, I've seen it, Esme she-"
You can try to lie to me, but you can't lie to yourself. You know whatever you're about to say isn't true. So don't even bother saying it, not when you can see into people's heads, know how they feel.
"This isn't the same, those were human children, what's inside Bella is a monster, killing her slowly by the minute!" It was obvious that Edward was surprised that Jacob wasn't taking his side on this matter.
Listen, I'm not exactly thrilled the love of my life is having someone else's baby, but from what I see she seems fine. I know why the Pack is scared of it, but why are you? What did they know that he didn't.
"Excuse me, Jacob, do you mind switching forms?" Alice finally spoke up, "I would really like to know what's going on."
Jacob shook his head, there was no way he could do that, especially with Seth out there by himself.
"He needs to stay linked to Seth." explained Edward, his face a hard mask, the burning man once again returning.
"Well, then maybe you could be so kind as to tell me what's happening, Edward." she suggested a little haughtily, hands on her hips.
With a clipped tone, Edward explained the situation in emotionless sentences. Alice hissed at this new knowledge, of what he pack thought and planned to do. She turned and glared at Jacob, as if this was all his fault, and in a way he supposed it was. He shouldn't have phased when he did, he had lost his temper, allowing the pack in his unguarded mind, showing them what they needed to see to find a threat with the situation.
Nobody's out here. Seth reported, closer, coming back. It's all quiet on the western front.
They might plan to go around. He told Seth.
Then I'll make a loop, just in case. And then he was gone again.
"Carlisle and and Esme are on the way." Emmett announced. "Fifteen, maybe twenty minutes top."
"We should take up a defensive position," Jasper suggested, his tactical mind working in overdrive, thinking of every possible strategy and weeding out the best ones to fight the wolves.
Edward gave a nod of agreement. "We should all get inside then."
I'm going to run perimeter with Seth. If I get too far for you to hear my thoughts, listen for my howl as the warning and find a way to get Bella out of here. He told Edward. You'll be outnumbered, they know how to kill you after watching you practice for the Newborn battle, you won't have much of a chance against them.
"Thank you, Jacob." Jacob pretended not to hear him, not even staying long enough to see them back into the house before he ran toward the west. He didn't need the leaches thanks and he didn't want it.
Still not finding much, Seth told him. That was either very good or very bad. Jacob hoped it wasn't the latter.
I'll take half of the circle. Move fast-we don't want to give them the chance to sneak past us. Said Jacob. Seth lurched forward with a sudden burst of speed. They ran in silence, keeping their ears open to any disturbances in the forest, the crackle of breaking branches, the quiet of the animals, anything that could give them an idea something was coming.
Something is coming up fast! Seth suddenly alerted him after fifteen minutes.
I'm on my way! Jacob hurried towards Seth.
Hold your position, I don't think it's the pack….It sounds different. Seth told him, tuning into the noises he had been hearing. They both caught a scent on the wind, he could hear the hum of an engine, the familiar smell of it's inner workings. He could even smell the expensive leather of the interior and food, he smelled food.
I'm going to meet up, follow them up to the house, make sure the others can't take them out on the road. Seth told him already rocketing for the roads before Jacob could even tell him how much of a bad idea that was.
Lucky for him, barely two minutes later, Seth was back reporting that Carlisle and Esme had gone shopping for Bella earlier, and stopped for a quick hunt on their way, it was lucky for them since the car would be harder to attack. They were probably already safely in the garage bringing the groceries in.
Oh, and Carlisle thanked me for the guard duty on the way up the road. He's a nice guy. Seth said, thinking about the how well the Cullen's have treated him, how they didn't baby him. Jacob rolled his eyes.
I don't think Sam is going to go through with a attack tonight, Jake. Now that we let the Cullen's know, they don't have the element of surprise, it would be a suicide mission. Seth was doing a good job, Jacob noted, they weren't leaving any gaps.
Hey, Jake? Seth interrupted his thoughts.
What is it?
Um, does Edward really think Bella might die? Seth's question was a whisper, gentle, obviously not wanting to upset anyone.
Seems like it. But I'm not so sure, but then again I also don't know what he knows.
Are you ok, Jake, I mean-
I'm fine, Seth. It was short, curt, and screamed 'drop it!'
Jake? If this kept up he was going to bite the kid.
What is it now, Seth!? He growled, a deep irritated rumble in his chest.
Do you think Bella will let me feel her belly, I never felt a baby kick before? That was not what Jacob had been expecting.
You'll have to ask her, but I don't think she'll mind. She practically ripped my hand off getting me to feel. He told the kid. Bella seemed excited that he felt it. She was surrounded by people who despised the thing inside of her, it made her happy to have someone else just as excited.
It's going to be so cool, I can't wait! He trotted, a dog like skip.
Shaking his head, Jacob was amazed by Seth's enthusiasm and ability to find the upside to almost anything.
We've done the circle a few times now, can I go in and see Bella? He practically begged Jacob, shaking with excitement.
Jacob thought about it. The kid had been the first to go on patrol once they got here before Jacob joined him, and he wasn't sure when the last time the kid had ate or rested since he was on patrol with same before the shit hit the fan. It only seemed fair he supposed.
Alright, just be careful around the blonde female, she's very protective of Bella. Jacob warned him, giving him permission to go inside. Make sure you eat something too, you're going to need the energy.
Yes, mom. Seth teased him, rolling his eyes as he looped back to the house, his tail wagging.
When Seth got to the house, and after putting on his pants, he was actually polite enough to knock on the damn door. It was Esme who answered and let him in, welcoming him with a big smile and the gratitude of what they were doing for them.
"I wanted to see, Bella." he told her, looking around with big eyes as he took in the luxuriousness of the house. He had never seen anything like it before with it's big windows, stark interior, made homey with expensive furnishings and trinkets from around the world it appeared.
"You have a really nice house." he told Esme.
"Oh, well thank you dear, I decorated it myself." she gave him a big smile, her eyes and smile soft like his moms. "But I'm afraid that Bella is sleeping right now."
"Oh," his face fell, his entire posture slumping in a full body pout.
How could anyone resist such a sweet and handsome young boy, Esme thought, taking in the childish innocence that clung to him so thickly. In a way, he reminded her a bit of Emmett. She tried to think of a way to ease his disappointment.
"But if you're very quiet, I'm sure you can peek in on her," she said quietly, almost as if it was a secret what she was doing. "Follow me."
Seth practically bounced as he followed Esme upstairs to where Bella was. They were met with a wall of pretty blond vampire at the top of the stairs, glaring at Seth.
"Rose, he just wants to see her. He's here to help protect her, remember that." Esme said, her voice gentle but strict. After a few more seconds of glaring at Seth and receiving Esme's old stern stare, she finally stepped back, bringing them in the living room where Bella was in bed in the corner.
Bella had turned over, facing the side of the fireplace, a full body pillow tucked between her bent legs and curving around the shape of her belly. Some of the blankets had been kicked off, and she was shivering. Staying quiet, he tried to approach and pull the blankets up but was stopped my a cold hard hand on his shoulder. His instinct screamed at him to phase, but he kept his control, looking at Rosalie who was holding him back.
"I-I just wanted to pull the blankets over her, she looks cold." he told her, nervous and intimidated by the vampires extreme beauty and the promise of pain in her eyes.
"Rose, let him go, it's alright." it was Edward this time that came to his defense and after another staring match, looked back to Seth.
"You better not wake her up, she needs her sleep." she warned him before removing her hand from his shoulder.
Getting to Bella, Seth pulled the comforter and then the throws over her, blushing at the little sigh she made as she cuddled further into her pillow, reacting to the warmth from both the coverage of her blankets and the heat that radiated off of him. She seemed to move towards him, seeking out his heat. She mumbled something, but he couldn't tell what it was, it wasn't too clear. She reached out her hand grasping and unable to let her keep searching blindly he gave her his hand, which she brought to her chin.
"Don't leave again, Jake." the words she had spoken before were a sleepy drawl, but it was clear for all to hear, even Jacob who had finally made it back to the house, running a tight circle around it, a little wag to his tail as he heard Bella call for him in her sleep.
"Don't worry, Bella, Jake could never leave you alone for long." Seth whispered knowingly.
He liked Edward a lot, but Jacob was his brother, he's seen the imprint through Jacob, felt his love for Bella. He wanted Jake to be happy, but he also wanted Edward to be happy. He was so nice to him. He felt really bad that there wasn't a way for both of them to get what they want. Too bad there weren't two Bella's that would solve so many things. But that was stupid, you can't clone people.
"Would you like something to eat, Seth?" Esme asked him, and he took notice of all the vampires in the room. He felt a little out of place, nervous, his instincts in overdrive. But his heart kept it all under-wraps.
"That would be awesome." Seth said very quietly so that he didn't wake up Bella. "Maybe something that I can eat with one hand since she kinds stole my other one."
Esme gave sweet, motherly laugh and even Carlisle smiled.
"I think I can find something."