Disclaimer - I only own the straight gangsta shit ha ha and the OCs
Thank you.
Props to my Beta MalloryKnoxx
"Where there's a will – and there is a fucking will – there's a way – and there is a fucking way."
Teddy Bass, Sexy Beast
Jacob's POV
I strolled into Edward's place with Santiago following behind me. It was a Thursday and not much was going on so we were going to hang out and watch a game or something.
"What up?" Blaze hollers sprawled across the couch.
"Same ol same." Santiago replied plopping down next to him. I head deeper into the apartment against my better judgement searching for a certain blond.
I find her in the kitchen with Esme preparing something smelling wonderful while Mary Alice held a sleeping baby and Isabella held a fussy one. She looked tired and worn out.
"Lemme see her." I offered as a hello and held my hands out.
Isabella rolled the idea over in her head before handing the baby to me.
I scooped her in my arms and held her close.
"What's her name again?"
"Charly." She answered sitting down and rubbing her face.
"Charly..." I cooed to the baby. "You're so beautiful."
A string of 'awes' sounded throughout the kitchen, and I smiled at them shaking my head. Women are always so surprised to see a man interact with a baby. I guess they scare most men, but not me. I love babies and children and all that kind of shit. I come from a big family and there was usually a baby around.
"You look very comfortable with a baby, Jacob." Mary Alice smiled at me.
"What's there to be uncomfortable about?"
"Nothing. She's just teasing." Esme answered.
"Since you're so comfortable, can you handle her while I grab a shower?" Isabella gave me a hopeful look.
"Sure."
"Oh, thank God! I'll be back in a jiffy." She almost ran out of the kitchen.
"What's up with her?" I jerked my head towards the hall.
Mary Alice smirked and Esme shot her a look before looking back at me.
"Edward isn't... used to babies. Isabella has been doing everything on her own."
"Maybe he just needs some encouragement." I said not knowing what else to say. Edward wasn't a man I wanted to piss off. He would warm up to the baby or not. His deal.
"Ha!" Mary Alice rolled her eyes, "I'm going to lay Mallory down. She's getting so heavy and my arms are numb!"
"Now that all the cooking is done, you're going to lay her down?" Esme teased.
"You know it." Alice called over her shoulder.
"She's such a diva." Esme said with a smile and wiped her hands on a towel. "I'm going to check on the guys and see if they need drinks or anything."
I gently jiggled the baby and watched as her eyelids drooped. Noises of pots and pans being dropped in the sink made me look up. Rosalie was cleaning up, but her eyes were on me.
"What?"
"Nothing."
I raised my eyebrows and stepped around the island.
"That look, what is that for?"
"Nothing." She sighed. "This, it's just a different side of you. One I didn't expect."
"Oh, so I couldn't possible know how to take care of a baby?"
"I didn't say that, I just-"
"Wait," I interrupted, "You like it! You think it's cute. I bet it gives you baby fever."
"What the hell is that?" She threw the dish towel on the counter.
"Baby fever is when you have babies on the brain." I said softly stepping closer to her.
"That's the last thing I would have on my mind right now. You should know that."
I knew I was playing with fire and it was way too soon for me to be implying the things I was, but I couldn't help myself as I moved even closer to the goddess before me and dropped my voice again.
"I've spent nearly every day with you for the last year. I know you better than every one else here right now. I know as hard as your exterior is that inside, deep down you wish for a fairy tale happily ever after."
"You've got it twisted." She stared at me with glossy eyes.
"It's okay for you to still have that. You don't have to grieve forever. Nobody expects you to."
"Jake-"
"No, you need to hear this. Life goes on and so will yours."
"It's not that easy. You have no idea how I feel." She glared at me her blue eyes becoming clear.
"I think you feel guilty because seeing me with this baby brings your feelings about me to the surface and maybe it's my babies you've got on your mind."
She balled her hands into fist, and I waited for her reaction, unsure of what I would get.
"You're lucky you're holding a baby." She seethed before stomping out of the room.
Edward's POV
Esme handed out beers and Jacob walked into the room holding Charly. Esme gave me a strange look and left the room. Whatever face she made at me, it wasn't a good one.
"What's the deal?" I asked nodding to Jacob's arms.
"I'm holding her so Bella could take a shower." His voice and words held no malice, but in his eyes I saw judgment. It was a lighter version of what my mother had been giving me, and what I just realized what my sister was giving me.
They expected me to help with the baby. Charly wasn't my baby. I didn't even know what to do with her.
I sure as hell wasn't going to be shown up by some kid though.
"I got her. Hand her here."
"You sure?" Jacob chuckled.
"Fuck yeah, I'm sure. What the fuck is your problem?"
Aro, Blaze, Carlisle, and Santiago all turned to watch our interaction like it was a fucking game or something.
Jacob handed me the baby, and I held her like she was glass. Then she started fussing. All eyes were on me, and I was wondering why I demanded the baby in the first place.
"Is there something on my face? Am I supposed to be telling a story? Why the fuck are you guys staring at me?"
Aro and Blaze snickered while Carlisle gave me a small smile.
"It's- this is the first time I've ever seen you hold a baby." My cousin said between chuckles.
"Fuck you! Over there giggling like a little bitch."
Charly's fussing changed to soft cries and for the first time in my life, I wore a 'what the fuck do I do?' face.
"Hold her closer and rock her." Carlisle suggested before turning back to the television.
I pulled her tiny body against my chest and leaned back in the rocker, moving it slightly. Her cries faded to whimpers before settling down to quiet again.
We watched the game for a few minutes before Isabella walked in wearing jeans and a tee with her wet hair wrapped in a towel.
"Hey, did-" Her words cut off as she stood there staring at me. Esme stepped beside her and they wore matching looks of what I could only describe as amazement.
"What?"
"Nevermind. You just relax with Charly. I'll handle it." She gave me a sappy smile and dug her phone out of her pocket. I rolled my eyes and turned back to the television once again as she took pictures. If I knew holding the baby made her that happy, I would have done it before.
The next couple of hours went by with the guys watching and talking sports while the women were in and out and every one kept fucking staring at me. Carlisle was feeding Mallory when Isabella came over handing me a bottle and a small cloth thing.
"What's that?"
"It's her bottle and a bib. This one is a burp cloth. I thought you might want to feed her." She smiled at me encouragingly.
Once again, every body was fucking staring at me.
Carlisle looked at me with mild amusement and nodded slightly.
"Okay." I said taking the items from her. "She's still asleep."
"Wake her up. Do you need help?"
"Hell no." Fuck yes.
"Okay. I'll be in the kitchen if you need me."
"I'm a man. I got this." I assured her and waved her away. She cut a sly grin my way before walking away.
I so didn't have that shit.
I shook Charly and she let out a little huff and wiggled with her eyes remaining closed.
"Hey." I jiggled her again. "Wake up."
Blaze sniggered, and I gave him a look.
"Charly. Wake up. Charly. Hey."
Nothing. This kid could sleep through an earthquake.
"Rub her belly." Carlisle offered.
I rubbed circles on her little stomach and spoke to her til she cracked open one eye at me.
"Do you want your bottle?"
"She's not going to answer you." Aro laughed.
"Fuck you."
It took a couple of minutes for me to fasten the neck thing on her. I held her in my left arm while I held the bottle up to her mouth. She poked her tongue out and made a face.
"It can't taste good. It smells like shit."
She opened and closed her mouth mimicking a fish so I figured she wanted it. I held it to her mouth and she moved her head around searching for it. Once I got everything down I rocked slowly while this little baby girl snuggled into me, eating greedily.
I felt a warm pressure in my chest.
"I think I have heartburn."
This time is was Carlisle that responded with a soft chuckle.
"What?"
"Oh, nothing. Do you need some Tums?" He smirked at me.
Isabella's POV
"Are you nervous about lunch with Anthony?" Esme asked laying on my bed while I went through my closet.
"Not really, well kinda. We've talked on the phone some, and I feel like we're beginning to have a relationship of some sort, but I'm a different person than I was and I'm not so quick to trust."
"This life will do that." Rosalie cut in over her glass of wine.
"You can't let all the darkness dampen your light." Mary Alice said grabbing a skirt out of my hand and tossing it in the floor. "Trust your gut with your brother; however, proceed with caution."
"Sounds much better than my plan."
"What was your plan?" She asked yanking things out of the closet.
"I didn't have one."
She rolled her eyes and smiled.
"So what are you going to tell him about Charly the baby?" Esme asked.
"The truth?" I shrugged.
"Nu-uh. Not a good idea. Not yet." Rosalie interjected.
"Why not?"
"Because of all the fucked up shit going on in your life. Do everything you can to protect that baby and keeping her identity secret is top of the list."
"Do you really think that?"
"Yes!" They all said in unison.
"I'm not good at lying..."
"Don't bring it up and try to avoid it in conversation." Esme offered.
"Ha, okay. I'll try."
"If you get uncomfortable or get yourself in a spot. Text one of us and we'll rescue you." Mary Alice smiled handing me an off white sundress and matching heels.
Anthony was already at the cafe waiting for me. He stood and smiled at me.
"Hello, Bella."
"Hi." I said as he pulled out my chair for me.
"How are you?" He asked sliding back into his chair.
"I'm good. You?"
"I'll be better after I eat. I'm starving." He grinned.
"Me, too."
We spend a few minutes browsing the menu and having small talk. For not knowing what role Anthony would play in my life, I felt oddly comfortable with him. He reminded me so much of my dad. I was subconsciously drawn to him.
Our food arrived, and I'd just taken a bite of my ravioli when he dropped the bomb I'd convinced myself he wouldn't.
"What's up with the baby?"
I grabbed my soda hoping a drink would get my choking under control.
Anthony watched in silence, just waiting for my answer.
"What... what do you mean?" I asked after I had downed half my drink.
"We both know where babies come from. I want to know where yours came from."
I was torn between telling him the truth and all the warnings to keep family secrets secret. But he was my family. Albeit, family I didn't know so well. I would keep Charly my secret a little while longer.
"I don't think it's any of your business." I replied steadily surprising myself.
"Bells," He furrowed his eyebrows just like my dad, "I'm your brother. You can talk to me about anything. I know you have to have questions, too."
He was trying to win me over with the endearment my father used for me, but from his lips it felt... off.
"You're right. I can talk to you about anything, but I choose not to. My life has completely changed this last year. I found out things about my family that sometimes I wish I didn't. I'm dealing with it on my own time. When I'm ready to talk to you about something, I'll let you know."
Anthony smirked at my little speech before his face grew serious again.
"Do you think he is still alive?"
Seven little words that made my heart fall into the pit of my stomach.
I ran his words over and over in my head as he ran his finger around the rim of his glass.
I hoped against all odds my father was alive and hiding somewhere. That he just needed a break or to get things straightened out.
Charly showing up and the Feds asking questions diminished my little flame of hope, but it was still there shining dimly. Holding out against the storm that was my life.
I pushed aside all the fear and rational thoughts.
"Yes."
My brother sighed and leaned across the table.
"You're naive, Bella. Just keep in mind I'm your brother, your family. I'll be here for you no matter what. Can you say that about Edward? Do you know all of his secrets? Do you honestly think you can mentally handle the kind of lifestyle you're headed towards?"
I stared into his cold brown eyes that mirrored my own and a thousand thoughts rushed through my mind. My emotions were changing gears rapidly, but I remained silent.
"Think about what I said and call me when you're ready to talk, to know the truth." Anthony spoke low and stood, tossing some bills on the table.
I listened numbly to his footsteps as he walked away. The half eaten plate on the table in front of me looked disgusting, and I felt like I was in another world in a room full of strangers. My bodyguard was standing against the wall close by, but it didn't make me feel safe or offer me any comfort.
I dug through my purse and pulled my phone out calling the only person I wanted to talk to.
"Hey, kid."
"We need to talk."