Moonlight in Forks
Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.
Future Talk
Nearly a fortnight had passed since the newborn battle. Things were finally settling down. At Bella's firm request the Cullen family kept their distance, for which she was grateful. If Edward or Alice were hovering about, she saw no sign, so hoped that both finally understood that there was no possibility of a reconciliation any time in the future.
Without school or the threat of Victoria hanging over her head, Bella felt more lighthearted-freer. She spent as much time as possible with Jacob. He still had his patrol duties to perform, but his schedule was more relaxed now. Unfortunately, the whole newborn debacle meant that his education had suffered a severe blow. There was no chance that he would ever be able to catch up now.
Jacob wasn't the only one whose education had suffered, most of the pack had been affected in the same way. Seth hadn't been running as a wolf for as long as they had, so wasn't as far behind as the others, and now that the newborn battle was over, he had much more of a chance to make up for lost time.
The elders gathered, debating how they could help the younger generation, who had sacrificed so much to keep the tribe safe from monsters. Old Quil suggested a fund should be set up for them, for money to be set aside for their futures, as none of the wolves would be able to leave the reservation to go to college-even getting a normal job would be out of the question with the responsibilities that came with being one of the protecters.
Billy said that the old man's idea was good in theory, but where was the money coming from to contribute? Questions would be asked by those not in the know, about why his son and the others were being singled out for special treatment, when there were many other deserving cases on the reservation.
"It just wouldn't work." He said regretfully.
They all looked at each other, all feeling downcast. Even Sue didn't have much to contribute. She wondered what her husband, Harry, would have said about the whole thing. She still missed him dearly. With her children dealing with their own trauma, she had to remain tough to get over her own pain so she could support them, and take her deceased husband's place on the council. It was her strong personality that allowed her to face the supernatural world with grace, but right now she felt as defeated as the men.
"Maybe it isn't our place to decide." She said eventually. "Maybe it is theirs. I think they should be included in this meeting."
The men looked at each other and nodded sagely, because they realized she was right.
A few days later Bella met up with Jacob carrying a hamper full of food. As it was such a lovely day, with a splash of rare Fall sunshine, they decided to have a picnic. Bella had packed all of Jacob's favorite foods. There was more than enough for at least three helpings. She knew how much it took to fill his wolf stomach.
Fall was Bella's favorite season-and not just because it heralded the arrival of her birthday-she loved the way the flamboyant colors of the summer flowers below were soon echoed by the foliage above. It was a second chance to bloom, for the green to glow with new hues as pretty as any petal. It was the promise of the most beautiful rain, the warmest of golds and berry-reds as the leaves turned on the trees.
In this buoyant mood she greeted Jacob with a warm smile and passionate kiss. He returned her smile tenderly, touching her face-his eyes, so full of love and adoration-searched her face minutely.
"I've found a perfect spot for our picnic."
"The beach?" Bella joked. That's where they always ended up.
"Ah, no." Jacob laughed. "Somewhere different this time-I've found the loveliest patch of grassland, within walking distance from here, where the wild flowers are still in bloom."
That sounded very appealing. "Show me." Bella said enthusiastically.
Jacob was quiet, thoughtful, as they strolled together hand in hand. Something was clearly on his mind, but Bella didn't want to pressure him. She was sure he would reveal all in good time. So, she let herself enjoy the sensation of the warm wind on her face, gazing up at the sky to find it unusually cloudless, a perfect azure blue.
When they arrived at the spot a little while later, Bella had to agree, it was the perfect spot. Patches of summer daises interrupted the grass with splashes of white and yellow. Bella instantly lay back, ignoring the slight dampness of the ground, and looked up at the beautiful sky.
Jacob lay down next to her and held her hand. "Its beautiful here." He murmured.
"It sure is."
"It will be your birthday soon."
"Uh huh."
"Have you thought how you want to celebrate?"
"As long as I'm with you and those I love-I don't really care." Bella declared airily. "The only downside is my age."
"Your age?" Jacob turned his head to the side to look at her. "What about it?"
"I'm going to be nineteen, Jake. That makes me officially a cougar." Bella wrinkled her nose in disgust at the thought. Jacob's resounding laughter that followed that statement was like the soundtrack of her soul. She grinned ruefully. "Its annoying that I am a whole two years older than you."
Jacob reached out and stroked her hair. "So? I look at least ten years older than you."
"I don't care really, but I…" Bella hesitated, not wanting to explain this one, but it was probably best to get it over with. "I have to think about college and other things. I might have to go away. And you…"
"Are a high school drop out?" Jacob finished for her.
"Jake, don't say that." Bella said fervently. "You had no choice. I know its not going to be easy, but you can catch up. I'll help you in any way I can."
Jacob was quiet for a minute. He stared up at the tips of the treetops, almost black against the light blue sky. Then suddenly he grabbed Bella around the waist and pulled her onto his chest. More serious than she had ever seen him, at least, since he'd gotten past turning into a werewolf, he told her about his own plans for the future.
"I won't be going back to school, Bella."
"Jake!" Bella cried.
Jacob put his forefinger over her lips to quieten her. "I'm old enough to leave school and take a high school equivalency test." He took a deep breath. "Its not just me-some of the other guys are doing it too. The elders came to us, asking what we wanted to do, and that's what we decided."
"Is that your only option?" Bella asked. "Are you sure that's what you want?"
"For obvious reasons, I can't leave La Push, at least not for a long time."
"Like going away to college." Bella sighed.
"Exactly. Just like Sam had to stay-so do I."
"Of course." Some of the brightness seemed to have gone out of the day. The clouds were getting patchy, it wouldn't be long before they covered the whole sky.
"Sam was in line to receive a college scholarship." Jacob revealed.
"I didn't know that." Bella murmured, thinking how much this must have impacted Sam. He was the first of the current generation to transform, because the Cullen clan returned to live nearby in Forks, Washington. When Sam first became a werewolf, he was traumatized because he had no idea what was happening to him; he thought he was going crazy. After vanishing for two weeks, Sam returned home, amidst many rumors.
It was Old Quil Ateara who recognized Sam's "symptoms" and notified the elders (Billy Black and Harry Clearwater), who secretly explained Sam's condition. In the early days, Sam was bitter over his fate in life as a werewolf but slowly learned to accept his role as protecter and leader. He was a good Alpha, and the pack had an enormous amount of respect for him.
Then of course Sam imprinted on Leah's cousin Emily Young. He accidentally scarred Emily during an uncontrolled transformation, and ironically, it was this tragedy that brought them together as a couple. Sam regretted hurting Leah but couldn't help but adore Emily. When Leah also became a werewolf, it caused tension in the pack because of Sam's guilt over Leah and Leah's continued love for Sam –it was a no-win situation, tough on everybody-all his plans for the future shattered in one fell swoop.
"So, you see, honey. My situation isn't so bad. Others, like Sam, have had it worse. He had to give up a lot more." Jacob took her face in his warm hands, searching it for a brief time. "I love you. I want us to be together. We've never really discussed it, the future, but I know I want you, Bella. I hope you want me."
"Of course, I do!" Bella cried stoutly.
Jacob smiled at her affectionately when she said that. "I knew it. Its just nice to hear you say it." He brushed his thumb over her hot cheek. "I just don't want anything standing in our way when the time comes, you know. So, I intend to be ready. I plan to take care of you."
"You take care of me already."
"I'm being serious, Bella."
"I know." Bella put a calming hand over his. "I just don't want you stressing out over the future. Or pushing yourself too hard. We'll muddle through somehow."
"I don't want to muddle through." Jacob's words came out in a rush. "With Dad's disability, the paperwork to leave school will be easy. And, well, Dad is thinking of taking out a small business loan."
"You are starting your own business?" Bella gazed at him, wide eyed. He had taken her completely by surprise. He was so young in years, but so mature in life. The thought of starting up a business was scary, but somehow, she knew that Jacob would succeed at whatever he tried. She was proud, scared, amazed, stunned, all rolled into one.
Jacob tried to sort through the myriad emotions crossing her beautiful face all at once. She seemed pleased. He hoped she was pleased. "I've always been good with my hands. I'm a self-taught mechanic. I'm a good craftsman. My Dad taught me a few things there. I think I can set up shop in either of those trades if I want to."
"It's going to be an awful lot of pressure, Jake." Bella worried.
"I'm not going in blind. I won't be alone. Dad's going to handle the financial side of it. We've talked long and hard about it. I think the whole idea has given him a new lease of life. I spoke to Sam, too, and he supported my decision. He even hinted he might like to form some kind of partnership with me in the future."
"Wow, Jake, this is huge!" Bella had been taken completely by surprise. It wasn't often Jacob could do that; she knew him so well. He still seemed nervous, clearly worried that she wasn't on board with the whole idea. She rushed to reassure him. "I hope you know I support you, too. But that doesn't mean I can't worry about you, does it?"
Jacob's answering smile was the sunshine and the birdsong. "I can take care of myself, Bella, honey. You don't need to worry about me." He kissed her until she could barely breathe, happiness flooding through him.
"Woah!" Bella said breathlessly. "You were really that worried about my reaction, huh?"
"Just a little." Jacob admitted. "I thought you might think I'm moving too far, too fast."
He kissed her again. Bella felt his desire, his need. His skin was so warm, she wanted nothing more than to touch him all over. His body shifted, pressing against hers, he was hard, she could feel it through his jeans. It was getting more and more difficult to put a stop to things once they had started. They needed to find a place to be together, and they needed to find it soon.
A/N-thanks for reading!