Change of Plans

JacobxBella; Edward

Rated M

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or the franchise, as it belongs to Steph Meyers

Change of Plans

Chapter X

After a few more hours spent together on First Beach and in La Push, Jacob finally took Bella home. Everything between them seemed to be normal once again, especially now that they were on the same page concerning the life growing inside of Bella. Well, at least for the most part. They were glad that they had finally talked with one another, and properly this time. But one thing that was definitely major was that Bella was putting her foot down with the leech, something Jacob was glad she was finally doing. She had been letting him control and walk all over her for too long, so he was glad she was putting a stop to it, even if she wasn't going to break up with him. But he would love it if she broke things off for good and forever.

Pulling into her driveway, the rumbling of his motorcycle loud in the otherwise quiet street, Jacob said, "We're here."

Bella got off the motorcycle from her position behind Jacob, her bookbag secure on her back, and smiled at him. Rocking slightly on her toes, she said, "Thanks Jake. And not just for bringing me home, but for talking with me and picking me up and…yeah."

"It's no problem, Bells," Jacob replied with a smile. "I was happy to. And just so you know, I'll be nearby later tonight."

Knowing he meant that he would be standing guard over her and her house, Bella nodded in understanding. Honestly, she was glad he was going to be on watch. It made her feel more comfortable and that she could actually sleep tonight. She took a step back as to turn around and walk to her front door, a 'goodbye' on her lips, but she found she couldn't say it just yet. She didn't want to say 'goodbye' to Jacob yet, even though he would be by later. Stepping back up to him, she wrapped her arms around his neck in a hug, holding him closely, tightly, like she didn't want to let go. Jacob in return wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her just as tightly and closely, though not enough to hurt her.

"Bells," Jacob said softly.

Bella pulled away slightly to look at him, looking into his dark brown eyes as they looked back at her. His eyes, just like him, were beautiful and were like the warmest molten chocolate. Those eyes, that could look deep into her soul and see all the parts of herself that she tried to hide from the world and him. And yet, no matter how much she tried, he always saw her, the real her. And somehow, as much as she hated herself, he loved her and every part of her.

They didn't realize how close they were until the sound of a car honking broke them out of their quiet observance of one another, causing them to jump and look off to the side. Their eyes widened at seeing that Charlie had pulled into the driveway, a furious expression on his face. Quickly pulling away from Jacob, Bella caught herself on her feet as she had stumbled and spoke up as her dad stalked over to them.

"Dad, it isn't what you think," she said, only for him to stop next to her, but glare at Jacob.

"Boy, tell me you did not bring Bella home on a motorcycle," Charlie all but demanded of Jacob.

Jacob smiled sheepishly at him before looking apologetically at Bella. "She asked me to pick her up from school and we hung out on the Res first."

Bella let out a strangled noise at Jacob selling her out, though she couldn't really be mad at him about it. They were both guilty in concerns to the motorcycle, and if one of them went down, they both went down. She watched her father's face turn red in anger before he began shouting, demanding them both go inside the house so he could properly scold them both. Jacob quickly shut the motorcycle off and parked it before hopping off and hurrying inside with Bella. As they entered, they both couldn't help but laugh together at Charlie's reaction—or overreaction—to them being on Jacob's motorcycle. Well, at least he hadn't said anything about how close they had been, because Bella wasn't quite sure what to make of it, even though they had once been much closer.

After being scolded and yelled at for ten minutes, Charlie had eventually cooled off and invited Jacob to stay for dinner, to which Jacob agreed. As the men were in the living room watching some sort of mechanic show—something that was right up Jacob's aisle—Bella set to work in the kitchen. For dinner, she prepared T-bone steaks, baked potatoes, and buttered broccoli. She did have to stop momentarily to rush upstairs to throw up, as the smell of the cooking meat made her stomach churn. God, why couldn't she be pregnant and not have to experience morning sickness and nausea? Once she had gotten over that, she went back to preparing dinner, and soon she, Charlie, and Jacob were all seated at the table eating. She had made sure to prepare two steaks for Jacob, and the three of them all were having a good time.

Dinner soon came to an end, and Bella found herself thinking that she didn't want Jacob to leave. She knew he'd be back later, but he had to get his motorcycle back home before coming back, and Edward was bound to show up during the time he was away. Once the dishes were cleared, Jacob announced that he had to get back to check on Billy; not a lie, but also something Charlie would buy and understand. Bella also knew that Jacob was thinking the faster he left, the quicker he could return in his wolf form under the cover of night. She and Charlie walked him to the front door to see him off, Charlie telling him to be careful as he left on his motorcycle. Jacob saluted the police chief and told the brunette he'd see her later before revving up his bike and pulling out of their driveway. Once he was straight on the road, he waved and took off on his motorcycle out of sight.

Charlie waved after him before stepping back inside with Bella and closing the door. As he did, Bella said, "I'm going to go take a shower now."

She turned to head up the stairs, but stopped when Charlie asked, "Bella, are you falling for Jacob?"

Quickly turning around, her face reddening as she asked, "What?"

"I mean, the way you two were wrapped up in one another when I pulled in earlier, I thought maybe your feelings for Jacob were surfacing. I know you have them, but you won't let them be free, especially with Cullen around. And uh, well…what you two did…and the baby…"

Her father trailed off, his own face turning red from his words. He quickly cleared his throat before asking, "Anyway, do you like him romantically? Are you falling for him for real this time?"

Bella opened her mouth to answer—whether to confirm or deny, she didn't know—but found she didn't know what to say. Instead, she quickly bid Charlie 'goodnight' and rushed up the stairs to her room. Reaching it, she took a deep breath to will the blush away from her face. She couldn't believe Charlie had asked that of her, but she also couldn't blame him for asking, especially with the major shift in hers and Jacob's relationship. But she had also run away from the question because, just for a second, she thought he might be right. However, she wasn't ready to confront that just yet. Looking at her bedroom door, she took another deep breath, knowing there was a presence inside. Grabbing the doorknob, she turned it and opened the door, expecting to see Edward waiting for her. Instead, she found Alice, though that wasn't much better.

As soon as the door clicked shut behind her, Bella said, "Alice."

Alice looked at her from where she was perched on her bed before her nose scrunched up in disgust. "You smell like that dog."

"I imagine so, as I've been with him for the past couple of hours," Bella replied, instantly annoyed with Alice calling Jacob a dog.

Giving an unnecessary sigh, Alice stood up from the bed and walked over to Bella. She looked her over for a moment before speaking. "Bella, you need to forgive and listen to Edward."

"I need to?"

"You don't need to, but it would be preferable if you did. He only means well and is just looking out for you and your best interests. And no offense, but that thing inside you is not of yours, or his, best interests. He loves you so much, Bella."

The brunette squinted her eyes at the vampire before saying, "Alice, I love Edward too, but if he really loved me like how he and you say he does, then he would stop trying to force me to terminate this pregnancy."

As she said this, her mind couldn't help but input, You mean, you think you love him still.

Alice looked off to the side for a moment. "I don't think he minds that you're pregnant-"

"He does."

"-but he just doesn't want you to have Black's baby."

"Yeah, that seems to be his only issue here; it's Jacob's."

The pixie-like vampire frowned in annoyance at Bella, not liking how she was talking smartly to her. She didn't like this Bella; it wasn't a nice one. Huffing in annoyance, she looked the brunette square in the eye and said, "Bella, if you really loved Edward, you'd get rid of that baby. I can't see your future as a vampire anymore because of it, and I have to still see that future in order to keep our promise to the Volturi."

Bella tensed at the mention of the Volturi, but she wasn't the only one to do that. Alice suddenly tensed up as well, but then glared at the window. There was only one reason why she would do that, and Bella knew it was because Jacob had returned, and rather quickly at that. Looking back at the Seer vampire, Bella said, "I think you've overstayed your welcome now, Alice. Leave, and keep in mind that it's my decision whether I continue with this pregnancy or not. And I've decided that I'm going to continue with it, and you can tell Edward I said that, whether he likes it or not."

Alice looked at her with an expression keen to one of being hurt and agitated, before disappearing in a blink of an eye, signaling her departure. The moment she was gone, Bella let out a sigh of relief, though she couldn't help but wrap her arms around her middle, wanting to huddle in on herself. She really hadn't needed that confrontation from Alice, or the reminder of her promise to the Volturi. Shaking her head, she left her bedroom and stopped to get a clean towel from the towel closet, then went into the bathroom and locked the door. Sighing, she got undressed and turned on the shower, setting the water to a warm temperature before stepping under the spray.

As she stood underneath the spray, Bella couldn't help but wonder about Edward, specifically if he would ever come to truly respect her and her decisions. She wondered if he would ever do that, or if he only wanted her to do things according to his agenda. Right now, it seemed obvious to her that he wouldn't and probably never would, especially if he was sending Alice to convince her to do what she had already told him she wouldn't. And damn Alice for trying to guilt trip her! But she wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of giving in, not anymore.

She knew it was going to hurt what she had to do, but it needed to be done. The promise to Volturi could be dealt with later, or the Cullens could deal with it themselves, but she no longer wanted a part of them and their life, not if it meant continuing to be hassled and harassed like this. It was time to let Edward go, for real this time. She was going to break up with him, break things off with Edward. And this time, it would be for good.

The next morning, Bella pulled into a parking spot at Forks High School, turning her precious red, rumbling truck off. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath before getting out of her truck and shutting the door, locking the vehicle, and putting her bookbag on her shoulder. As she walked to enter the school, she mentally prepared herself for what she was going to do, what she had to do. Once inside, she stopped by her locker to get the needed books for her morning classes. Just as she shut her locker, she saw Angela coming her way.

Smiling at the brunette, Angela greeted her saying, "Hi Bella. How are you this morning?"

"Hi Angela. I'm…not really okay, to be honest," Bella replied to the bespectacled girl.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, it's just something that I have to do today. Hopefully it will happen as soon as possible."

Angela looked at her strangely before a knowing look came over her face. Nodding in understanding, she asked, "Have you been thinking more about what we talked about yesterday? Have you spoken with Jacob yet?"

"Yes, to both of those questions. And because I have spoken to Jacob and thought about everything, I must do what's best for me and the…you-know-what."

Before any more could be said, Edward appeared next to her suddenly, interrupting the conversation she was having with her friend. Looking down at her, Edward said, "Bella, we really need to talk."

Nodding in agreement, Bella said, "Yes, we do need to."

Taking a deep breath, the brunette looked up into the vampire's Adonis face and said, "Listen Edward, I've been doing some thinking during the past few days, and I have come to realize something."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, I've realized that you aren't good for me. You're not good for me and never have been. I thought you were and that you were everything I could ever want in a romantic partner, like a fairytale. But I've realized that I was wrong and that you're not. I must do what's best for me, and honestly, you're not what is best. I'm sorry Edward, but it's over. I'm breaking up with you, for good this time."

She hadn't realized just how many people had been listening in, but the surprised murmuring of the nearby students that witnessed the breakup quickly reached her ears. Bella felt embarrassed that so many people heard her break up with Edward—she was okay with Angela hearing it—but she wasn't ashamed of it. She held her head high as she looked at Edward, the vampire looking at her with shocked amber eyes.

Edward couldn't believe it, he really couldn't. Bella, his precious Bella, was daring to break up with him, and so publicly too. How could she when she loved him so? No, this was just a little prank she was playing, her trying to get back at him for his continual insistence of getting rid of Black's puppy. Frowning, he said, "Bella, don't be ridiculous. We're not breaking up and won't ever again; you love me."

"Maybe, but not enough to continue being controlled and manipulated by you. I'm serious Edward, it's over; we're through."

The murmuring of the crowd seemed to get louder, all of them talking about how Edward—possibly all the Cullens—had been controlling and manipulating Bella all this time. It would certainly explain a lot between them, such as Bella suddenly being isolated from the first friends she had made upon arriving at Forks High, only to associate with Edward and his family. It really did seem like public liking for Edward and his family was quickly turning, and they were becoming an enemy by public design.

Bella could tell that Edward was furious with how things were turning out. Nothing was going at all in his favor, and now everyone was turning against him. Even though she had wished for not so many people to witness her breaking up with him, perhaps this was a good thing. This made the breakup all the more real, and everyone now had an idea as to what the real Edward was like—without knowing he was a vampire, of course. Bella continued to watch Edward's face, seeing an array of angry emotions moving across his face. She expected him to walk away, or tell her she was being ridiculous again, or even tell her they weren't finished talking yet. Instead, he suddenly smirked at her. The smirk was downright sinister, and Bella could not stop the bad feeling she got in her stomach.

Looking her in the eye, Edward finally spoke saying, "Fine then, Bella. If that is what you want, we'll break up. That works just fine for me, as I had no plans on raising another man's baby anyway."

The collective gasp that ripped through the hallway was deafening, everyone completely shocked at what they had just heard. As for Bella, she was absolutely horrified. She couldn't believe what Edward had just done. The vampire had deliberately revealed her pregnancy to everyone! Well, not everyone, but everyone was sure to know by end of first period. Bella looked at him completely hurt, not believing he would do that. However, she didn't stick around to hear anything else or see anyone else's face as they looked at her, for Angela had grabbed her hand and pulled her away from Edward and through the crowd of students. As they quickly walked down the hallway, Bella could feel the tears begin to sting her eyes, though they had not yet formed. This really wasn't how she wanted that to go, and now she was probably going to be a social pariah once again.