Disclaimer: It all belongs to SM. I only own the story line and whatever future characters decide to pop up.
A/N: Beta'd by: MADMAMABEAR...THANK YOU SO MUCH! LOVE Ya!
Sorry for not updating sooner, I've had a bad two weeks and real life can be a pain in the ass at times...LOL, anyway I'm working on Chapter 6 now so hopefully I can post it later this week until I can get back to my weekend postings...thanks for hanging in there with me. I really do appreciate it a lot.
There's also something special for TWILUVERGAGA toward the end of the chapter. She wanted to see more of a non sexual relationship between Jacob and Bella. There will be more dreams or flashbacks into their childhood and their life together.
Please read and review, Fave and Follow. I am very thankful and I appreciate all the favorites and follows also all of my wonderful reviewers. I enjoy writing and I hope all of you enjoy my story, I know I've been saying this a lot but I am new to this, so please be kind and review. Even if it's to ask questions. I don't mind...and in the words of Alice Cullen "show me the love!"...couldn't resist it, anyways here's the next Chapter.
What Could Have Been
Chapter 5
"Charlie?"
"DAD!"
Charlie POV
"Bella? Why don't you head on in the house and keep Billy company for a little bit. Jacob and I will be in soon. We need to have a chat."
"Ummm...Dad? Please?"
"Now Bells!"
I watched my only daughter walk away with her head hung down and tears in her eyes as she left Jacob and me to go into the house and await the outcome of whatever this was. I watched her back as it disappeared into the red house. Jacob looked like he was scared to death. He should be. Messing around with my little girl, behind our backs. What's been going on over here? Anyway, enough of my inner monologue. Now to deal with Jacob.
"Come with me Jacob! We need to talk!"
"Yes sir"
We walked into the woods for a ways until I was certain that we were alone to talk freely. Jacob still had this look on his face like I was bringing him out here to kill him. The only reason I didn't is because he's not Cullen. I found a spot and motioned for him to take a seat.
"Jacob, I want to know exactly how long you and my daughter have been messing around?"
"Well umm...we started this yesterday Charlie, and things just sort of happened from there."
"What just sorta happened?"
"We had sex for the first time and before you start yelling at me and Bella, you should know that we weren't planning on doing it and that we were responsible and used protection."
"Ok, but what are your intentions with my daughter Jacob?"
"I really do love her but I am afraid to tell her, because she might still be hung up on Edward and I'm afraid if I say it that she won't return my feelings. And that really scares the shit out of me Charlie. I've been in love with her since we were kids and I can't help how I feel. I just want her to be happy and to see her smile and laugh like she used to."
"I'm not going to pretend that I am alright with what you two have done, but I think I understand what you're saying. Does Billy know that you two...are...umm..."
"NO! Oh God no, he doesn't know anything about it. I haven't told him yet, I'm afraid to because he might just kick my ass!"
" I don't think your dad will be kicking anything, but he might be a little disappointed in you for not waiting. I will be honest with you about something Jake, your dad and I have always wanted you and Bella to be together. We kinda had you two paired up since the day you were born. Even Renee could see you two grown up and together, she loved the idea of our Bella with her Indy boy as she calls you affectionately. The only problem I'm seeing right now, is Jake you're sixteen and Bella's eighteen, and the law kinda frowns on adults dating minors."
"Charlie, the Tribe allows us to marry at the age of sixteen. Some of my friends are already married. I understand about the law, but Bella was dating Edward and he was seventeen. Just a year older then me! It's just not fair!"
"I see. Ok. I will allow it, only if we sit down and talk to your dad first. And if he's ok with the two of you seeing each other. Then it's alright with me, on one condition."
"Anything Charlie."
"You take care of my little girl and don't hurt her like Cullen did. Because if you do and I find out about it? Well let's just say that I am a damn good shot, understand me?"
"Yes sir! I hear ya, and I promise you I will never hurt her ever! I love her too much to ever hurt her because it would literally kill me!"
"Oh, and one other thing, please be careful and give her some time to say I love you back. She just might surprise you ok Jake?"
"Ok, got it Chief!"
"So, why don't we go back to the house and let Bella know that we are cool. Ok?"
"Sure, sure."
"Oh and Jacob, I know your mom would approve of her, you know how I know?"
"No."
"Because she reminds me and Billy of Sarah all the time."
"Yeah, she does remind me of my mom. I think, Charlie that's why we are so close to each other and why we seem to know how we feel and what we think without even saying a word. It's like we are two halves of the same soul or something. Ya know?"
"Yeah, I know what you mean kid. Billy and I have always seen that connection between you two. Anyway, let's get back before my Bells thinks I've killed you. Shall we?"
"Yes, we don't want that now do we?"
"NO! We don't!"
Jacob and I walked back to the little red house together in a much better mood than when we left. I have to give the boy some respect, he was grown up and very adult about taking responsibility for their actions and letting me know where he stands as well as him understanding where we parents stand as well. Now we just need to know where Bella stands. I guess we'll find out soon enough.
BPOV
I didn't hear yelling or screaming, so I wonder what was taking so long? They had been gone for a couple of hours and I couldn't see them or hear them. I kept looking out the back door window watching for any sign that would tell me that my Jacob was all right. Billy and Sue were peeking at me wondering why I was so upset and I guess I didn't have to tell Seth and Leah what was going on. I'm pretty sure they heard the whole thing with their supernatural hearing. I miss Jake so bad it actually hurts my chest, it's like I can feel his emotions and his pain all at once.
"Bella?"
"Yeah, Sue?"
"Why don't you come and sit down? I'm sure everything's alright between them and they will be home soon."
"I guess you're right. I just can't help but feel that something's wrong."
"I know Charlie very well and he's not going to hurt Jacob. He might scare the shit out of him but he loves him just as much as we all do. Don't worry so much and just relax, they'll be back soon."
JPOV
I can't believe what Charlie told me and how well he took it. I was truly scared that he would shoot first and ask questions later. I know how much he loves his daughter and finding out her best friend since childhood is in love with her and who also happened to take her virginity, well I'd say he was pretty good with the situation. Now all that was left to do was talk to my dad and Bella and then move forward. I hope?
We walked in silence the rest of the way back to my house, glancing at each other from time to time. When we got there I could hear the conversations inside and a very nervous Bells. Sue and Billy were trying to calm her down and Seth and Leah, well let's just say I could tell they had mixed emotions and didn't know exactly what happened. Charlie was the first one to the door and went right in, me on the other hand, I lagged a little bit, giving him a chance to speak with his daughter.
BPOV
I heard the door knob turn and in walked my dad and no Jacob. Oh my God! What happened to him? My dad came over to me and asked me to come out on the front porch and speak to him alone. I was a little nervous about what he wanted to speak to me about but I went anyway.
"What's up?" I said as I followed him out the front door. Dad said, "we need to talk Bells."
"What about?"
"You and Jacob!"
"Ok."
"I know what happened between you two and I want to hear your side of it."
"It just happened last night and we didn't plan it. He was hurting and I was hurting from him being in pain and it happened. We were careful Charlie I promise you that, it just felt right and uummm..."
"Ok, I get that but what I want to know is how you really feel about Jacob? Because I don't want to see him get hurt again either."
"I will never hurt him again! I love him too much to hurt him like that again. Edward and I are over and I want to move on with Jake! I'm in love with him Dad. I feel it deep down in my soul and I finally realized what I had been missing. Jacob fills that empty space in my heart, he always has and always will. I need him like the air I breath. I think about him all the time and I truly miss him when we're apart and I can't wait to get back to him where I belong. Right by his side, the way it was supposed to be."
"Alright, I am very happy that you two are together now and will stay that way right?"
"Yes, if he wants me."
"Trust me, he does."
"Now we need to talk about a couple of things but we need to do this with Billy and Sue because it also involves the Tribe and their decisions, ok Bells?"
"Yeah, ok Dad. Let's go talk to Billy and Sue."
We walked back in the house and Billy and Sue were sitting at the table waiting. We both took a seat and waited for Jacob to come in.
"Jake? You can come in now." my dad said, holding my hand. Jacob opened the back door and walked into the kitchen and sat down next to me. He grabbed my hand and waited for my dad to start things off.
"Billy, Jacob has something he wants to tell you."
"Ok, Jake, what is it?"
"I, or we... Bella and I had sex last night."
"I see son, and did you umm..use protection?"
"Yes, dad we did. I want permission to be with Bella. I already have Charlie's but I need yours and the Tribe's as well, due to the age difference."
"I see. Sue what do you think?"
"Well, he has a point, off the Rez, Bella could be charged because she's legally an adult and Jacob is not. But if she stayed here until Jacob turns eighteen then there would be no problems unless something happens off the Rez. Is that ok with you Charlie?"
"Well I don't have a problem with her staying, since that was the original plan in the first place. I'm good with it if the Tribe is."
"Me being Chief helps Charlie, so I approve of the decision. What about you Sue?"
"I really see no problem with the arrangement either. So Bella and Jacob can legally see each other as a couple on the Rez."
"Alright then, now that all of that is settled. I have one thing I need to say to my son. I am letting you know that I am disappointed in your decision not to wait until you're married to have sex."
I could see Jake's face fall and I could feel a sinking feeling in my gut. Here it comes, the one parent who is going to yell.
"But, I understand how true love feels and works and fate gives us cards we need to deal with in life and after all, we only get one shot at it. As long as you're both being careful in that department and Charlie's good with it, then so am I son. I love you very much and I worry about you sometimes, but I know your heart is pure and that's what matters."
"Thank you Dad, this really means a lot to the both of us."
"Alright then, in a couple of days we will hold a bonfire to announce your status within the tribe."
We talked well into the night about Tribal life and what was to be expected of us both. We wanted to still keep our relationship low key for awhile because of all the vamp troubles as well as the Pack's reaction to it. We weren't sure how well everyone would react to me not being a member of the Tribe. I held Jake's hand and smiled at him while everyone kept talking about anything and everything possible. I started to get very tired and my eyes started to droop from exhaustion.
Jacob squeezed my hand tight and nodded in the direction of my bedroom. I nodded back and we both excused ourselves and rose from the table and then we bid everyone a goodnight. We walked to my door and Jake gave me a soft kiss and said "goodnight Bells, see you in the morning?" I said, "night my Jacob" and walked into my room and closed the door.
I heard Jacob's footsteps go down the hall and he closed his door for the night. I miss him already, so I decided to change into my night clothes and then I went into the bathroom and brushed my teeth and hair. I went back to my bed and crawled under the covers and snuggled down for the night. I drifted off into a very peaceful sleep shortly after my head hit the pillow.
JPOV
I closed my bedroom door and took my clothes off and flopped down on my bed and fell asleep to dreams of Bella and me. We were hanging out at the beach on a Saturday just chasing each other around like we used to do when we were little. We liked to hang around the tide pools and look at all the marine life that lived there. Bella always liked it there because is was so mesmerizing to see all the different kinds of life.
I remember that day very clearly. Our parents were talking on the blankets watching their two adorable kids play with each other. Quil and Embry were there too that day, playing tag with each other.
"Hey Jake, Bella." Quil said as he walked over to us.
"Hey Quil," I said in return.
"Why don't the four of us race each other down the beach?"
"I don't know Quil, Bella might fall."
"Hey guys, are we racing or not?" Embry said.
"Don't know yet Em, Jake's afraid Bella will get hurt."
"Awww come one Jake we'll take it slower for Bella."
"Bella? What do you wanna do?"
"If they promise to go easy on me, then I say ok."
"Ok, guys, there's your answer. Let's do it."
We lined up by our parents and made that the start line and the finish was set at the driftwood tree we liked to sit on and watch the sunset. Charlie was our starter who called the start of the race for us and my mom was at the finish line to call the winner. Charlie yelled go and we all four ran down the beach as fast as our little legs could carry us. Of course Embry tripped Quil and they went down in a tangled mess of limbs.
Bella and I just went for it and at one point she flew right past me and was hauling it. I was gaining on her and fast, my mom was cheering for us and so was my dad and Charlie. We were so close it was unreal, neither of us giving the other any leeway. Almost to the finish line and suddenly Bella tripped me up and we ended up crossing the finish line tangled together. My mom called it a draw, which means it was a tie.
Mom asked us, "are you both ok?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"Bella? You ok?" I asked her.
"Sure, sure, I'm fine Jake."
Mom helped us both up, dusting all of the sand off of us. She grabbed our hands and walked us over to everyone else sitting on the blanket. She handed us a big piece of watermelon to share between us. We said "thank you Mom" and Bella took a bite of melon and then handed it over to me and I took a bite and repeated the gesture. We always shared our food and drinks with each other when we were little.
We ate sub sandwiches, they had to be turkey and salami with a little mayo and mustard. Ruffles chips were our favorites, we liked to dip them in ranch dressing and then feed them to each other. We always made a mess of ourselves eating them, but it was so much fun. Bella was camping out in my living room with me tonight and Charlie would pick her up in the morning. Mom and Dad bid Charlie and Renee a goodnight and he and Mom gathered everything up and headed to the car.
Bella grabbed my hand and said, "come on Jakey, we need to go home now."
"Ok, Bells, let's go home," I replied holding her hand as we waved bye to Quil and Embry's families and headed for the car where my mom and dad were standing there waiting for us.
"Billy?"
"What Sarah?"
"You know they will be married one day. When they grow up they will build a family and a wonderful life together."
"You really think so dear?"
"I know so. Their love will be written in the stars because they are special, they were meant to be."
We got to the car and Dad buckled us in our seats and we headed for home and a camping trip in our favorite forest, in the living room, where all kinds of mythical creatures roamed and flowers bloomed that were so rare that you were only limited by your imagination.