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Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.
Part Twleve-Charlie's Suspicions
The Swans ended up staying the night at the Black's house. Bella and Jacob drove back to the Forks to collect a few essentials for Bella and Ethan, then came back. When they all retired for the night, Bella automatically followed Jacob to his room. Charlie had a coughing fit and Billy had to slap him on the back. He gave both his daughter and Jacob a sour look as he tried to make himself comfortable on the couch. However, he didn't say anything about it, much to their relief.
The next morning Bella got up early, leaving everyone sleeping. Ethan was already wide awake, so she gave him his breakfast first, and then prepared everyone else's. The three men finally emerged an hour later, led to the kitchen by the delicious smells emanating from it. Charlie rubbed his aching back.
"Bad night, Chief?" Billy quipped as he eagerly rolled his chair to the table, reaching across to grab some toast.
"Yes, I did have a bad night." Charlie complained grouchily. "I'm not getting any younger, you know. I'm too old to be sleeping on your old couch. I need a soft, firm mattress."
"Oh, we know." Billy muttered as he bit into his toast. "You never let us forget."
"Very funny." Charlie shot him an annoyed glance. "You're no better."
"Your jealousy is so unbecoming from a man your age." Billy laughed as Charlie grabbed some toast and began to spread butter on it.
Jacob walked over to check on Ethan. The little boy was playing with his food. He had already eaten and was fiddling around with the leftovers. "Hey there, little guy. Did you get mommy up early again?"
Ethan began whirling his arms around in his excitement at being spoken to by his daddy. The bits of food he had clutched in his little fists sprayed over Jacob.
Bella laughed as she watched him wipe some flecks from his face. "That'll teach you to disturb your son while he's having fun playing with his food." She said in amusement.
"Yeah." Jacob took a cloth and cleaned the rest up. "Need any help, honey?"
"No, I'm good, just sit down and I'll serve the rest." Bella waved her hand at him distractedly. Jacob gave her a kiss on the cheek as he went to join the old men at the table.
When Bella had finished serving everyone else, she finally got to sit down herself. She took two slices of dry toast and cut them in half. Charlie noticed she was only picking at her food and that her complexion appeared paler than normal. "Are you feeling well, kiddo?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." She lied. She was feeling nauseous, a sure sign to her that she was definitely in the family way again.
Jacob looked at her meaningfully. He took her hand and squeezed it in solidarity. Bella gave him a wan smile. Ethan began to cry, feeling a bit ignored. Jacob got up and pulled his son out of his high chair. He set him on his lap as he finished his breakfast one handed. Bella was still struggling with hers. She could feel her dad's eyes on her, he had a suspicious expression on his face as he studied her.
"You know your mother used to turn white like you just before she was sick." He stated suddenly.
"Dad!" Bella spluttered, choking on her piece of toast.
Jacob rubbed her back in soothing circles as he frowned at Charlie. Billy just looked at them, feeling completely bewildered. "Why did you say that, you old fool? We're trying to eat here."
Charlie settled back in his chair and crossed his arms as he glared at Jacob. "Been sowing your seeds again son?"
Billy choked on his coffee, spraying it all over his shirt. "What the hell are you talking about, old man?" He huffed indignantly.
Charlie watched Bella turn paler, as what little colour she had, faded from her face. She glanced to the side at Jacob who was in a staring contest with Charlie. Her stomach churned and she suddenly pushed her chair back, quickly running for the bathroom.
A tic along Charlie's cheek began to pulse as he watched her leave. "I see my suspicions are correct."
Billy was still not getting it. He looked between his son and Charlie, who were still glaring at each other. "Will someone fill me in?" He demanded.
"It seems that your son takes after you." Charlie snapped as he tore his gaze away from Jacob and glared at Billy instead.
"What does that mean?" Billy demanded again. "What is your problem? One bad night on the couch and you're attacking everyone like a bear with a sore head."
"It means that your offspring has got mine pregnant again. Bells is in the bathroom right now because she is suffering with morning sickness." Charlie seethed.
Billy's head whipped around to Jacob, who was holding Ethan in front of him like a shield. He gave Billy a sheepish smile. "Surprise!" He said weakly.
"But...but...I mean, seriously?" Billy spluttered in disbelief. "Bella hasn't been back a week yet and you already..." he ran out of words. "I guess you do take after me."
"Is that all you have to say about it?" Charlie argued.
Ethan clapped his hands together in delight as he watched his two grandfathers stare daggers at each other. Jacob stood up silently. "I don't think we're going to be getting congratulated any time soon. Let's go check on mommy, shall we?" He walked toward the bathroom, leaving the two older men to argue amongst themselves.
Bella sagged against the cool bathroom tiles and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. She hadn't suffered with morning sickness with Ethan and counted herself lucky. It seemed this time she wasn't going to escape it. She sighed in resignation as she thought about her dad's reaction. Who would have guessed he would have noticed the signs? She wasn't looking forward to the interrogation. The door opened slightly and Jacob peered around. He was holding a smiling Ethan in his arms.
"Are you okay, Bells?" He asked in concern.
Bella struggled onto her feet. "I'm fine. I suppose I better get used to this."
"Second time around, huh?" Jacob said sympathetically.
"No, I never suffered with this while carrying Ethan." Bella replied unthinkingly.
There was an awkward silence for a moment. "Jake, I'm so sorry. I didn't think." She apologised.
Jacob took a deep breath and gave her an understanding smile. "It's okay, honey. Don't stress."
"But Jake..." Bella looked at him imploringly.
Jacob touched her cheek gently with his hand. "It's fine, Bells, stop worrying. I'll get to experience it this time round."
Bella placed her hand over his. "What the morning sickness?" She teased him gently.
Jacob laughed as he leaned down to kiss her. "Yeah, that too."
With Jacob's arm around her shoulders, Bella finally plucked up the courage to leave the bathroom and face her dad. He and Billy had finally stopped bickering and were now suddenly united in their disapproval of the latest turn of events. They both sat in the same position, arms crossed, and grim expressions on their faces. If it hadn't been such a serious situation, Bella would have found it comical.
"Well go on then, out with it?" She wearily sank down in one of the armchairs, while Jacob stood beside her holding Ethan.
"How could you be so reckless, kiddo?" Charlie questioned her, disapproval clear in his tone. "The first time is understandable…just. But twice?"
"We were just so excited to be back together, Dad." Bella pleaded with him.
"Yeah." Jacob chipped in. "We celebrated."
"Evidently." Charlie snapped.
Billy rolled his eyes at his son's explanation.
Bella rubbed her aching stomach. "I know this all seems rushed to you, and maybe it is, but Jake and I are happy to be giving Ethan a little sister."
Jacob put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Yes, we are. We know we can deal with this." He said firmly.
"How do you know it's going to be a girl?" Billy asked her curiously.
Bella placed a hand on her flat stomach and smiled at him wistfully. "A mother's instinct. I know just what to name her, too." She glanced up at Jacob who was smiling down at her.
Charlie's face softened as he looked at his daughter. She was glowing and despite her pale complexion, she looked happy. "Are you going to call her Sarah?"
"Yes." Bella turned back to look at them both. "After her grandmother."
Moisture pooled in both Billy and Jacob's eyes as they thought about Sarah Black, she was never far from any of their thoughts and it was a fitting tribute that the first girl born in the family should be named after her.
"She would have loved that." Billy said huskily. "Congratulations to you both."
"Thank you." Bella smiled at him and then turned to Charlie. "Dad?"
Charlie gazed at his daughter, huddled close to her son and Jacob, they looked a solid little family. He got up from his seat and walked over to her, leaning down to give her a hug. "Congratulations, kiddo." He whispered.
Bella felt a tear slip out of the corner of her eye. "I love you, Dad." She said simply.
"I love you too, kiddo." Charlie responded, wiping away a tear of his own.
Charlie and Billy sat on the back porch of the Black house; they had retreated out there to give their children some privacy. Ethan had fallen asleep, finally succumbing to tiredness after keeping everyone entertained with his antics.
"Well, who would have thought my daughter's brief visit would have ended up like this?" Charlie said aloud in wonder as he popped open his can of beer and gulped it down.
"You can say that again. At the beginning of the week, I had no idea I was a grandfather and now I will have a granddaughter to look forward to meeting." Billy opened his own can and took a long swig of the beer.
"Do you think they'll be alright? It's a lot of responsibility for ones so young." Charlie frowned worriedly.
Billy glanced at his old friend, a sentimental glint in his dark eyes. "Did you see how happy they were, Charlie?"
"Yes." Charlie conceded. "I've never seen Bells look like that, ever."
"Well, there's the only answer you need." Billy said firmly. He clinked his can against Charlie's. "Here's to Jake, Bella, Ethan and little Sarah when she finally arrives."
"You're an old fool." Charlie replied fondly as he clinked their cans together again, before taking another long drink.
Jacob and Bella wandered outside to check on their dads as it was getting late. The night was drawing in and they had expected them to come in hours ago. To their astonishment they found the two men fast asleep. Billy's chin was resting on his chest as he snoozed, and Charlie was sprawled across the bench seat, a half-empty can clutched tightly in his hand.
"I don't believe it." Bella shook her head in disbelief. "They are going to have serious hangovers in the morning." She began to pick up the used cans and piled them in a heap.
"Serves them right." Jacob said wryly. "Ugh I'm the one who has got to move them."
Bella giggled at his disgusted face. She reached up and pinched his left bicep. "It will put those muscles to good use." She teased.
"We could always leave them out here and make use of the bed without any interruptions." Jacob suggested, only half joking.
Bella looked tempted for a moment until she glanced down at her dad, who was now sliding off the bench seat. "As lovely as that would be, I would feel guilty if these two drunkards ended up with hypothermia because I wanted to enjoy myself." She said regretfully.
"I suppose." Jacob agreed grudgingly. "Well, you push my dad's chair in and I'll try and move Charlie."
Bella gave him a wink as she took the handles of the wheelchair and pushed Billy inside. Jacob looked at a comatose Charlie and sighed. "Come on, future father-in-law." He put his hands under Charlie's arms and hauled him upright.
"You're under arrest." Charlie's mumbled as his eyes flared open before closing again, his head falling onto Jacob's shoulder.
Jacob rolled his eyes as he hauled a comatose Charlie inside.
A/N-thanks for reading!