Sunrise Sunset
~Last time, Bella went headfirst into a trap and nearly died and then she came home to Hermione. Carlisle smoothed everything over, and now life is somewhat quiet again. Edward and Bella are inseparable, and Hermione saw what she thought was a Grim.
Chapter 16
May had been a peaceful month, there were no threats from Victoria, and there was no sight of Laurent. The month of may was for relaxation, fishing with Charlie, shopping with Rosalie and learning how to drive with Jacob.
She really enjoyed her driving lessons; it was the only time she got to spend time with Jacob. Sure, she and Charlie were over a lot to watch the game with Billy; but Jacob had been spending a lot of time with Bella as well when she was not running around with Edward. She did not let it get to her, she had all she needed friend wise. Bella had all the girls as friends at school. Hermione had the Cullen's and the Hale's and her uncle Charlie and Billy of course.
"I think that after this lesson, it is safe to say you don't need my help anymore," Jacob said handing her the keys to his blue truck.
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked surprised, "you could always show me how to change the oil and how to change a tire."
"You'd really sit and learn all that?" Jacob asked surprised, hopping into the passenger side of the truck.
"How many girls have asked you to teach them that you sound so surprised?" Hermione asked with a giggle.
"Well not many," he said rubbing the back of his neck, "well you'd be the first actually."
She laughed as she put the truck in reverse and petalled the gas lightly. She reversed to the end of the driveway before backing up onto the road like he had showed her last time. "How was that?"
"That was good," he said before he laughed, "better than the first time I tried to show you."
She laughed, "So where to today?" she asked as she put the gear in first, fiddled with the clutch easing off the break and stepping on the gas.
"Fell like taking a walk on the beach?" He asked looking at her with that expectant look.
"I would love to," she said happily.
"You have been happier lately," he said lightly, "are you feeling more at home here now?"
"I've always felt at home here, Jacob," Hermione said keeping her eyes on the road.
"Bella have been coming over once or twice a week," Jacob said slyly, "But I only see you on days we drive."
"That's not true," she said laughing, he pointed to the side road that took them down to the beach. She took the road and continued with, "Charlie and I come over once or twice a week to watch the game and I come along fishing every other Saturday. It's not my fault you are busy with other things."
"Ok, so I exaggerated a bit," Jacob said with a huff, "I just wish we could spend more time together is all."
"Jacob Black, all you had to do was ask," She said with a huff before smiling, "and since you ask, I am literally free all the time. Charlie seems to think that I spend to much time reading and walking in the forest looking for animals that do not exist. It's one of the reasons why he insisted I learn how to drive."
"You don't spend all your time with the Cullen's?" Jacob asked in a surprised tone, "the way Bella goes on about it. It's you and her against the world."
"More like her and Edward against the world," Hermione said with a laugh.
"And what do you mean creatures that don't exist?" Jacob asked surprised.
"Well I keep seeing a large black dog when I am near the woods out back, last time I saw him was a couple weeks ago," she paused to turn up a little winding dirt road, "This is right isn't it?" she asked.
"Yes, this is right," he said, "what do you mean you see a big black dog? How big are we talking? You haven't tried to follow it have you?"
"He's a large black, long haired dog, looks like a Grim from where I'm from it's a superstition," Hermione said, "If you see it, it means you're going to die."
"Sounds like someone's imagination has run away with them again," Jacob laughed, "I don't think I have ever seen a dog like that around here."
"It's not just my imagination Jacob," she said parking the truck is a makeshift parking lot. She turned to look at him, "how about this if I ever see him again, I will call you and we can follow it together?"
"How big are we talking, like as big as a wolf or bigger?" he asked, happy that she mentioned it to him.
"About Great Dane sized," she said, "standing I'd say he comes up to my waist."
"That's not too big," he said with a surprised face, "Just promise you wont wonder into the forest alone to follow it. Promise to call me first."
"Of course, I will call you," she said with a happy smile. "come on I'll race you!" and just like that they were racing to the water, he of course raced passed her to the water. He turned just after he made it to watch her run towards him. He could not help it, watching her run towards him made him want to run towards her. When she goes closer to him, he picked her up and swung her around as he twirled in a circle. After a few minutes they fell to the ground laughing, they were both a bit dizzy.
They played in the sand building a castle with a mote, little people made from sticks and stones, and it even had a workable bridge. When the day was over, they drove in silence back to Jacobs house, where she was to meet Charlie, as they were going to be having dinner with Billy and Jacob.
During dinner, Charlie and Billy would always tell stories about growing up, causing Hermione and Jacob to laugh constantly. Sometimes Charlie and Billy would argue over who got them in the more trouble and they would get lost. Hermione and Jacob would make funny faces at each other across the table when they did this. Sometimes Charlie and Billy would make faces with them, and sometimes they would just let them carry on.
When Charlie and Billy would fish without Hermione, they would talk about their kids getting together, not Bella and Jacob but Hermione and Jacob. They were a much better fit, plus Bella was in love with Edward.
After dinner, they game was turned on but instead of sitting with Charlie and Billy to watch it, Jacob took her out to the garage to show her, his latest project.
"What do you think they talk about when were not around?" Hermione asked curiously as they left the parents to do parent things.
"Probably planning our wedding," Jacob said laughing just to see her face. She looked surprised and then stunned and then laughed and tried to gently punch him in the shoulder as if to say, ha yeah right. "I'm serious," he said laughing, "isn't that what old people do?"
"I'm sure that's exactly what they want," she said laughing but when he looked at her eyes, they weren't crinkled in annoyance, they were wide and her cheeks had the tiniest bit of a blush to them.
He stepped closer, he was within arm's length now, he slipped his arm around her shoulder pulling her to him. He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly. She did not leave him hanging she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. It was comfortable and probably the closest thing to intimacy either of them has had with a member of the opposite sex.
"Thank you," she said looking up at him, her caramel eyes seemed brighter than normal, but he could not determine why.
"Why are you thanking me?" he asked slightly confused, "I'll give you hugs anytime you want."
"Well yes for the hug, but also for teaching me to drive and spending the afternoon with me," she said her head still on his chest.
"Hermione, Jacob," they heard Billy call from outside, "Time to come in."
"Well be…" the words came out low at first and Jacob had to clear his throat, because looking down into Hermione's eyes made him forget how to speak, "We'll be right there," he called back.
The pair let go of each other but did not part company, he pulled her hand and together they left the garage. He wanted to badly to kiss her, but he did not have the courage to do so yet. Jacob and Hermione sat and talked quietly while the game finished up. After they left Jacob quietly cleaned up the kitchen.
"What is wrong son?" Billy asked cautiously, this could be just what he needed to get his son and the niece of his best friend into the family.
"How do know when you're in love?" Jacob asked seriously.
"Well describe your feelings to me son," Billy said moving closer to the chair Jacob was leaning on, "leave nothing out."
"Well its not just today to be honest with you," Jacob said shrugging his shoulder, "I want to be near her, since before I started teaching her to drive, I've been drawn to her. I just want to hold her close." Jacob heaved a sigh plopping into the chair that he was leaning against.
"I have noticed Bella has been around more recently," Billy said curiously, "what is she about, I thought you said she was dating the Cullen kid."
"Yes, she is, and she does," Jacob said, "why are you not surprised?"
"I know a lot more than I am at privacy to tell you," Billy answered in an authorities voice, "Don't worry about the Cullen's for now, you know of the treaty, they have not broken it, and they will not break it willingly. There is much you don't know."
"Alright," Jacob said sighing, "I will let it go for now. Hermione said that she saw a large black dog in the woods a few weeks ago. She called it a Grim."
"Ah yes," His father chuckled, "it's rumored that if you see it, it means death."
"You have to be joking," Jacob said in a hysterical voice, "she wants to follow it into the woods next time she sees the damn thing."
"Language," Billy chuckled, "I said it was just a rumor, you see it before you are about to die. I do not think that this is a grim she saw. Trust a lady to be sensible."
"I made her promise to call me if she sees it again," He said shrugging his shoulders.
"As for knowing when you're in love, I'd say you are well on your way," His father said before switching the tv off, settling back into his chair before rolling to his room, "good night son."
"Good night, dad," Jacob said before he to went to him room.
…
The following week, third week in May.
It was a Saturday, and Alice and Rosalie had insisted that they go with her to pick out a car. With Charlie's help she had taken and passed her driving test. She picked out a shiny golden yellow mustang that had about 40k miles on it. Charlie had surprised her with the idea, and with the help of the Cullen's and her family lawyer she was given money from her inheritance to buy a car. It was not much, she spent about 15K. Carlisle was able to cut a few strings for her, and boom there she was.
After they arrived back to Hermione's they were greeted by Bella, Edward, and Charlie. "sweet car!" Charlie said ecstatically, he started going on about stats and what year it was and this and that. Edward laughed because she looked absolutely in love with the car. She just stared at it as Charlie spoke.
"How does she drive?" Charlie asked with a lovesick longing gaze towards the golden vehicle.
"Would you like to take her for a spin, Uncle Charlie?" Hermione asked with a smirk.
"Please?" he begged all but falling on his knees.
She did not say a word just tossed him the key and gave him a big thumbs up. He was gone in a second and did not return for a good fifteen minutes. Alice and Rosalie said their goodbyes and headed home to go hunting with their mates.
"Did you have a good drive," she asked when he handed her back the keys.
"It was very smooth," he said sighing in happiness.
"Uncle Charlie you can drive her next time we go to see Billy if you want," Hermione suggested.
Charlie jumped with glee pumping him fist into the air, Hermione and Bella laughed, as they settled in the kitchen. Charlie watched Bella and Hermione make a large salad from leftovers from the fridge. Lettice, chopped onions, chopped tomatoes, shredded chicken breast from the night before, raisins and cranberries, black beans, and some left-over broccoli. We watched as Bella dumped an entire bag of croutons into the bowl while Hermione poured the Caesar dressing in. Bella mixed the salad, and Hermione set the table for three.
"I never get tired of watching you girls make food together," He said as they sat down at the table, "you do it so seamlessly."
"We haven't had the chance to do this much recently," Bella said shrugging her shoulders.
"So, have either of you thought about what you want to do after you graduate next year?" Charlie asked taking a bite of his food.
"I'd actually like to open a book store," Hermione said after taking a sip of water, "we have a small one but you can't really order anything and you have to go to Seattle to get anything good."
"You know, I believe the family that own the one in town are looking to sell and retire," Charlie said thoughtfully between bites, "I can look into it for you if you would like?"
"Oh, Uncle Charlie, that would be wonderful," Hermione said smiling happily, "I have always wanted to run a bookstore!"
"it's my pleasure," Charlie said grinning, and then turning to Bella, "what is your plan?"
She shrugged her shoulders, "maybe Hermione will hire me, and I can spend the day reading all the new books."
Hermione smiled, "I don't have a problem with that," she commented, "but I expect you to not be too biased if we do book displays."
"Me biased?" Bella said sarcastically, "never!"
The tree of them laughed, they finished eating with some light banter. The girls cleaned up and Charlie grabbed a beer from the fridge and went to the living room to switch on the game. Hermione and Bella chatted while they cleaned up the dishes from dinner. As they were cleaning up Bella asked, "So you'd really let me run a bookstore with you?"
Hermione looked at Bella with a smile she hadn't seen since they were kids, "Of course I would," she said rinsing off the glass she was watching and handed it to Bella to dry, "no matter what happens in the future."
"You and me against the world, right?" Bella asked with a smile.
"Always," Hermione said going back to washing the dished, Hermione looked up and out the window. "Bella look," Hermione said suddenly, pointing out the window.
Sanding there was a large black dog, Bella looked at Hermione then back out the window, "What are you pointing at?"
"You don't see the black dog?" Hermione asked in wonder.
"I don't see anything Hermione," Bella said looking at her confused voice.
Hermione put the dish rag down and walked out the back door towards the woods where she clearly saw a dog. Bella followed just to be sure that she was going to be ok, but she did not see what Hermione was claiming to see.
"Hermione," Bella called, when Hermione took off into a run, "where are you going?" Hermione was father away from her now, "Hermione wait," she called but Hermione didn't slow down, "Shit," Bella said when her shirt got stuck on a bush, she pulled her cell phone out to see if she had a signal. She looked around her Hermione she did not see her anywhere. She headed back towards the house, she had to talk to Charlie, she had to talk to Carlisle, maybe they would know what it was she was chasing.
TBC…
A/N: Well, there you have it, the next chapter, I think there will be one or two more filler chapters before we get to the events of the second twilight book. Please review and tell me what you think. I have given a lot of hints so far on what will happen in the filler chapters. I know the chapter is a little short, but I wanted to leave it to your imagination till the next chapter. Please feel free to review, I love it when you try to figure out where I am going next!
Thank you for all the reviews and favs and follows for the story and for those of you who has subscribed to me as an author, you have no idea how happy it makes me.