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 XXVI
Two weeks had passed since Jacob had spirited Bella away to her prom and she had fully enjoyed herself for the first time in what felt like a long time. In the passing of those two weeks, a lot had occurred for Bella and before she knew it, final exams were upon her and her fellow seniors, as well as the rest of Forks High's student body. Exams had been a bit tougher than she thought they were going to be, but it wasn't anything that she couldn't handle. After all, she made sure she had studied to the fullest of her ability until she knew everything she needed to know. And now, with getting her final scores back in time, graduation was right around the corner. Bella wasn't looking forward to wearing the hideous yellow garb, but she couldn't deny that it was to represent her accomplishment in making it to the finish line of her high school career.
Being four months pregnant now, Bella once again briefly wondered if anyone would be able to tell if she was under her graduation robe on graduation day. Then again, all of Forks High School knew she was thanks to Edward, so it wasn't a secret. She supposed she was just being self-conscious, especially now that she was sporting a gentle swelling of her stomach. Jacob insisted that she looked fine and that the tiny bump just made her more beautiful to him, while her friends told her that she didn't look any different from before.
"Besides, it won't be completely obvious you're pregnant until another month or two," Jessica had told her one day after taking their final exams.
Also during those two weeks, Bella had not heard much else from Jacob since he told her he would give her a definite answer to whether he and the Pack would rejoin the Cullens in their fight against Victoria or not. He still wasn't telling her if he and the Pack were all in again or not, but she was holding out hope that they would put their differences and ill feelings aside for the time being. After all, it was important to all of their survival. She just had to believe Jacob would make the right decision soon enough.
Finally, it was graduation day, and Bella was both excited and nervous about it. She was proud of herself for making it that far despite all that had happened to her since she stepped foot into Forks. As she stood in front of her mirror, she zipped up the yellow graduation gown and looked at herself before placing a hand on her stomach, not at all visible through the gown. Rubbing the swell, she looked down at her tummy and asked, "Baby, can you please not make me sick today? It's important that I make it through this ceremony without having to leave to puke. Just hold out for me, okay?"
"Bella!" Charlie's voice called from downstairs. "Come on, kiddo! It's time for you to graduate!"
Nodding to herself, Bella grabbed her cap and made her way downstairs, following her father out of their home and to his police cruiser. Climbing into it, Charlie drove them to the high school, soon pulling into the parking lot where a sea of yellow graduation robes and caps were congregated, as well as the families and guests of the other graduates. Getting out of the car, Bella smiled as she instantly spotted her boyfriend standing among the crowd, though easy to spot as he was almost a full head taller than the tallest man present. Walking over to him, she smiled as she said, "Jake, you came."
Jacob grinned and hugged her close saying, "Of course, I did, Bells. I'm not going to miss your big day."
Letting of of Jacob, Bella turned to Billy and hugged him as well, thanking him for coming to support her. Billy hugged her in return, telling her that he wouldn't be anywhere else right now before congratulating her. He then greeted Charlie and asked where Renee was, to which Charlie explained that she had called stating she and Phil could not make it to the ceremony, but sends their love and well wishes. It wasn't too much longer before it was announced that all graduates make their way to the gymnasium, as the ceremony was soon to start. Giving her a quick kiss, Jacob told her, "I'll see you after the ceremony."
Bella nodded before waving at the three men and moving to join her graduating class inside the gym. It was time for her to graduate high school.
The graduation ceremony honestly passed by in a bit of a blur for Bella. She didn't remember most of what happened, but did remember standing with her row and moving to walk across the set up stage to receive her diploma. The moment her name was called for her to walk and get her diploma, the gym erupted into a loud chorus of applause, cheers, and whistles, gaining the attention of the other attendees. Looking out into the crowd, Bella had blushed in embarrassment at not only seeing Jacob, Charlie, and Billy cheering her on, but the entire Pack as well; Leah and Sam were more subdued. Soon, the closing speech was commenced, and after the turning of the tassels, they were then announced to be high school graduates.
Caps flew into the air as everyone cheered, Bella simply taking hers off with a smile. Making her way through the crowd to her family and friends, she ran into Angela and Jessica, the two girls giving her hugs and the three of them congratulating each other. Letting Bella go from her hug, Jessica asked, "Hey, are you going to go to the Cullens' graduation party tomorrow night?"
"Their what?" Bella asked.
"Their graduation party. Alice is throwing one, and the entire senior class is invited to their mansion. I'm definitely going; what about you? I mean, I know you aren't really on good terms with them right now, especially Edward, but it'll be fun to unwind."
The brunette was still thinking about the idea of Alice throwing a party and inviting a bunch of humans into a den of vampires. Granted, no one but her knew that, but she found the notion stupid on her part. If Jasper was present and he couldn't control himself in the sea of humans, it was surely to be a bloodbath. A part of her wondered if she should attend to make sure that didn't happen, but the bigger part of her wanted to be nowhere near that house again. Shaking her head, Bella said, "No, I won't be going."
"Oh, boo! Angela's not going either, so I'm going to have to go by myself."
Angela shrugged with a smile and said, "You know parties aren't really my thing, Jess. Especially a crowded one, which I'm sure the Cullens' will be."
The three of them conversed for a minute longer before Bella bid them 'goodbye' and finished making her way to her family. Reaching them, she was soon wrapped up in hugs a plenty, everyone congratulating her on a job well done. Hugging his daughter, Charlie said, "I'm so proud of you, kiddo."
"Yes, as am I," Billy said with a proud smile on his slightly weathered face. Bella smiled and thanked him before bending down to hug him.
Jacob patiently waited his turn before taking his girlfriend into his arms and hugging her close, kissing her sweetly as she held onto him. Breaking the kiss, he said, "Good job, honey."
Blushing, Bella simply replied, "Thanks, Jake."
Once everyone was done hugging and congratulating Bella, Billy announced that they would be holding a celebration on the Res that night to continue celebrating Bella. Upon hearing that, the Pack left to begin to set things up, leaving Charlie, Billy, Jacob, and Bella. Looking at his best friend and his son, Charlie told them that he and Bella would be there later. Right now, he wanted to spend some time with his daughter, the notion surprising Bella as she didn't often spend any father-daughter time with Charlie. Even so, she wasn't opposed to it and welcomed it, telling the Black men that she'd see them later before following her father back to his cruiser.
Charlie and Bella were sitting in a booth at the diner that Charlie no longer frequented, the place having a bit of a nostalgic feeling to Bella. After all, this was where she and Charlie had their first dinner together after her first day at Forks High School. It was almost poetic to come back after her last day. The two of them placed their food and drink orders with the waitress and were simply waiting on them to arrive while having a nice talk. Their conversation revolved around whatever they could think of, continuing over lunch when their meals finally arrived.
At one point, after swallowing a bite of his food, Charlie asked, "So, I've been meaning to ask, what are your plans for the future?"
Bella, twirling her fork in her salad, thought about her words for a moment before saying, "Well, I've been looking into taking classes at the community college. And after thinking it over some, I applied and was accepted."
"That's great, Bella."
"Thanks, I think so too. I mean, I know it's going to be hard, especially with me having this baby on the way, but I want to do this. I want to be able to prove to myself that I can do this, and prove to not only me, but my baby and anyone else that thinks differently, that I can be a young mom and still pursue the dreams that I have. It may take a little longer than most, and I may end up having to put them on hold for a little bit, but I'm going to do this and I know that I can."
If I survive the fight that's coming on the horizon, Bella couldn't help but think to herself.
Reaching across the table, Charlie took hold of his daughter's hand and gave it reassuring squeeze. Looking up into chocolate brown eyes that matched her own, Bella saw nothing but love and pride in her father's eyes as he said, "You will, kiddo. I know that you can do whatever you set your mind to do now, and Jake, Billy, and I are with you every step of the way. And just like I am, your child will be proud of you too, no matter what. I'm proud of you Bella, and I love you very much. I'm proud to call myself your father."
Tears welled up in the brunette's eyes, a few slipping down her face as she thanked Charlie and squeezed his hand back. Telling him she loved him as well, she wiped her eyes with the napkin he handed her before the two of them went back to finishing their meals, smiles on their faces as they did.
The celebration on the Reservation at Billy's was in full swing before Bella and Charlie even got there. After their arrival, it seemed to get into even more of a swing with the Pack being as rambunctious as ever. Charlie and Billy were having a drink on the porch while Sue Clearwater scolded them for drinking, particularly Billy in due to his health. Bella couldn't help but smile and enjoy herself, laughing when Quil suddenly jumped on Paul's back and Paul spinning himself around in circles to try and shake his brother off.
Jacob, having been conversing with Jared and Sam about something, made his way to Bella wrapped and arm around her, pulling her close to him. Kissing the top of her head, he asked in a low voice, "Want to go somewhere private?"
"Where to?" Bella asked as she and Jacob began to walk away from the others.
"To give you something."
They didn't walk too far away from the others. In fact, they only walked to Jacob's garage, going inside away from the laughter, shouting, and celebrating going on so they could be alone. Bella took a seat as usual on an overturned crate, Jacob doing the same next to her. Looking at her with a sweet smile, he said, "Close your eyes, Bells."
Trusting Jacob, Bella did so and heard a slight rustle before being told to open her eyes again. Opening them, Bella gasped at what was before her. Held in Jacob's hand was a necklace, but it wasn't just any old necklace. It was handmade, the chain being a leather strap while hanging from it was a pendant carved out of wood. The pendant was shaped like a wolf's head, the head shape being very similar to that of Jacob's wolf when he was phased. Taking it from him, Bella smiled and slipped it over her head to hang from her neck. Smiling up at Jacob, she hugged him close saying, "Thank you, Jake. I love it, I really do. And I love you, too."
"I love you too, Bella," Jacob replied, holding her close before pulling her into his lap. Pulling back, he smiled as Bella kissed him, his heart warm and fluttering like it always did whenever he and Bella shared kisses. The two of them continued to kiss in the privacy of the Taj before Jacob finally pulled away, resting his forehead against hers. He gave her one more kiss before saying, "I have something to tell you, but it's not graduation related."
"Okay...what is it?" Bella asked, suddenly wondering if she should be concerned.
Jacob was silent for a moment before saying, "I've decided that...well, the next time the Cullens have one of their sparring practices, the Pack will join them in it."
Chocolate brown eyes widened in shock at hearing that, her heart pounding in her chest. "You mean..."
"I've talked it over with the Pack and it's been decided. We're going to rejoin the fight against the redhead."
Author's Note: So sorry I've been away. It just seems like life is throwing itself at me, making it hard to dedicate to writing as often as I would like. Still, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and stay tuned for more to come. I really appreciate and thank you all for continuing to follow along. Love, SehunsBae37.