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Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.
Chapter Eight-Bella's Revelation
Jacob frowned as he dropped his hand from Bella's face. "Why do you suddenly want to see the pack?"
"I just thought if we are really going to make a go of this I need to start facing up to things, that includes your brothers, and Leah of course." Bella studied him, wondering why he looked so cagey.
"I don't think that's a very good idea right now, Bells." Jacob tried to dissuade her. "I mean I've only just got you back. I want you and Ethan all to myself." He leaned down to kiss her, savouring the feel of her mouth moving with his.
Bella was flushed when the kiss ended, making Jacob smile. He loved seeing the effect he had on her. He touched her cheek with his fingers, stroking the soft skin, thinking that he had managed to put her off.
But Bella was still determined to follow through with Billy's advice. She took Jacob's hand from her cheek and kissed his fingers. "So how about it? Why not invite the pack over here for dinner? I'll cook." She offered.
"It's a bit short notice, Bells. Maybe some time in the future." Jacob tried one last desperate attempt to stop her going ahead with her plan, but she remained adamant.
"Jeez, Jake, anybody would think that you didn't want me to see them. Come on, I'm not naïve. I understand that they will be apprehensive around me, especially Paul. I expect I'll get called a few names by him, but this needs to be done. Don't you think?" She gave him a bright smile, already planning a menu in her head.
"It's a lot of people to cook for." Jacob hedged.
"I want to do it. I'll need to go shopping, with the imprints coming along as well, I'll need to cater for them, too." Bella began to hunt around for a bit of paper to write her ideas down.
"You want to invite Emily and the others too?" Jacob exclaimed in surprise. "Why?"
"Just something your dad said." Bella finally managed to find a scrap of paper and a pencil. She began to jot down some ideas.
"What did my dad say?" Jacob glanced behind him at Billy, who was having a quiet discussion with Charlie.
"Oh, nothing much." Bella did not want to disclose anything of her private discussion with Jacob's father. She knew Jacob might kick off if he knew what Billy had suggested. "Just something about facing things head on. That's what I plan to do."
"Bells, I really don't think this is a good..." He was interrupted by the sound of Ethan waking up, crying.
"Can you see to him?" Bella asked. "I'll just serve up lunch and then afterwards I'll pop into Forks to stock up on some food.
Jacob ran out of things to say. She wouldn't be persuaded that this was a bad idea. The most he could do was try and keep Leah away from her. One word from his pack sister about imprinting could send Bella spiralling again. He would not allow that to happen. He couldn't lose her, not again. Jacob headed off to collect Ethan from his room, his mind and heart heavy with worry.
While Bella was preoccupied in the kitchen making up the food, she sent Jacob off to contact the pack to make sure they could all come. She had arrived back from Forks with bags of food, it must have cost quite a bit of money. Jacob had tried to give her some toward the cost but she waved him away, saying it was the least she could do after all that the pack had done for her in the past. After this he had done his best to get his dad alone, so he could grill him on exactly what he had said to Bella, but Billy had managed to avoid him. As soon as Bella divulged that they were having Jacob's friends over for dinner, Charlie and Billy had excused themselves, saying that there was a game on later. They relocated to the Swan house, giving Jacob no opportunity to find out exactly what his dad had been saying to Bella.
Reluctantly, Jacob had contacted everyone, inviting them over. He was irritated when they all said yes, a huge hint that Embry and Quil had failed to keep their mouths shut. They must all know about Ethan already. After he made the last call, he picked Ethan up and looked him right in the eyes. "I'm going to need all your help today, little fella." He said ruefully. "You'll be a good distraction."
Ethan smiled, revealing his little white baby teeth. His black hair was standing up in spikes, making him look extra adorable. Jacob smiled back at him. "You will definitely break some hearts when you're older, Ethan."
Ethan's arms whirled in the air, a habit he had when he was getting overexcited. Jacob was sure his son would take off one day. He laughed as he stood and spun Ethan around in a circle, making him giggle with delight.
Bella was exhausted when she finally finished making up the food. She had decided to go for a buffet in the end. There was not a big enough table for them all to have a sit-down meal and she thought this was her next best option.
Jacob looked after Ethan while she was busy, it had been a good bonding experience. Jacob could not imagine even going one day now without seeing his son or Bella. He didn't want them to go back to Jacksonville at all and vowed to himself that he would make sure she stayed. If it was just a job that was keeping her in Jacksonville, then he would make sure to find her one here.
"Can I have a quick shower, Jake? I feel all sweaty." Bella pleaded as she combed her fingers through the tangled strands of her hair.
"Go ahead." Jacob was just feeding Ethan, now becoming quite the expert at spooning the food into his son's mouth.
"I wish I had brought a change of clothes with me." Bella said regretfully. "This shirt has food stains on it."
"Just borrow one of mine, honey." Jacob offered. "It'll be fine with your jeans."
Bella gave him a wistful smile. "Well, it wouldn't be the first time I've worn your clothes."
Jacob grinned at her. "I much prefer you without clothes."
Bella rolled her eyes at him as she turned and headed to the bathroom. "Down boy." She yelled over her shoulder, making Ethan gurgle, the food in his mouth dribbling down his chin.
Sam and Emily were the first to arrive. Emily had brought some muffins with her, handing them to Bella as soon as she stepped inside the house. She was wearing a pretty floral dress which came down to her knees, her black hair parted at the side to hide the scars on her face. "I made these, my boys love them. No meal is complete without them, right Sam?"
Bella glanced at Sam; he gave Emily a small smile as he nodded. "Right." He then turned his attention to Bella. "So, you're back?" He phrased it like a question.
Jacob shot Sam a glare, he was bordering on being rude. He quickly came up behind Bella and embraced her. "Yes, she's back."
"Good to see you, Sam." Bella said politely, feeling better with Jacob's arms around her. She studied Sam covertly, he hadn't changed much, he was still as hard to read as ever, but she was sure she detected a sadness in his dark eyes that hadn't been there before. He was dressed casually in just jeans and a t-shirt, the opposite to Emily's dressier look.
"Come, Sam." Emily took his hand, giving Bella a sweet smile as she did so. "I'll just check over the food to make sure it's all done."
Bella knew an insult when she heard one. "I can assure you, Emily, the food is ready and perfectly edible." She tried to keep her tone even.
"Oh, I know. It's just my boys like their food a certain way, that's all." Emily gave her another saccharine smile before heading over to the kitchen table where Bella had laid out the food.
Sam hesitated a moment before following her. "She doesn't mean anything by it." He said by way of apology. "It's just it's usually her role to feed the pack."
"I understand." Bella replied magnanimously. She was still seething over Emily's reference to 'her boys,' it was enough to make a girl want to puke. She felt a twinge of sympathy for Sam as she watched him join his imprint.
"Well, that went smoother than expected." Jacob whispered to Bella.
"I suppose." Bella agreed. "I mean at least Sam didn't grill me or anything. He seems sad though, Jake."
Jacob turned her around in his arms. "He's had a lot to cope with."
Bella knew that Sam could hear their conversation perfectly well, so she didn't get Jacob to elaborate. However, she was curious to know what he meant. She would have to wait until later because the others were arriving. Quil was the next to turn up, he had little Claire with him, which surprised Bella. She just assumed he would come alone. She glanced down at the little toddler, who seemed utterly bewildered by everything that was going on around her.
"Hey, Quil." Jacob greeted his friend nonchalantly.
"Hi, Jake. Hi, Bella." Quil nodded at them. "Sorry it's my day to spend with Claire. I had to bring her. You don't mind, do you?"
"Um…no." Bella reassured him quickly. "She will be good company for Ethan. Jake, why don't you go get him and introduce him to Claire?"
"Sure." Jacob led the way over to Ethan, who was playing in his playpen with some of his favourite toys. Quil whispered his thanks to Bella as he passed, and she was again struck by the sadness and resignation shining in his dark eyes. He had much the same look as Sam. She didn't have much time to ponder this because Seth and Leah arrived together.
This was the first time that Bella had seen Leah since the newborn fight. She was struck again by the other girl's beauty. Leah was stunning. Time had only made her grow more beautiful. She was dressed casually in jeans and a halter neck top, showing off her toned shoulders and arms. Leah had grown out her short hair and it now fell to her shoulders in a black wave. Seth hadn't changed at all, except to fill out more. He was as tall as Jacob now, but he still wore his happy grin, showing off his laid-back personality. As soon as he saw Bella, he lifted her up into a beat hug.
"Good to see you, Bella." He said sincerely.
Bella smiled at him. "You too, Seth. Thanks for coming."
"Food smells good." Seth breathed in deeply, inhaling the smell. "It will make a change from muffins."
Bella tried not to laugh. "Emily brought some with her."
Seth exchanged a dubious look with his sister. "I should have expected that." He muttered.
"You're looking well, Swan. Or do you go by Cullen these days?" Leah asked sarcastically.
"Lee don't!" Seth warned his sister.
"It's okay, Seth." Bella assured him. "It's Swan, Leah, you were right the first time."
Leah gave her a wry smile. "What's with the oversized t-shirt?"
Bella looked down at herself, she had borrowed one of Jacob's t-shirts, it fell to her knees. "Oh, I got food down my top so I had to use one of Jake's."
"Come here." Leah muttered in exasperation. Before Bella could protest Leah grabbed the bottom of the t-shirt and knotted it around Bella's slender waist, making it look much more fitting. "That's better."
"Thanks." Bella said, feeling completely bewildered.
"Don't mention it." Leah replied.
Jacob reappeared just then. He saw Leah talking to Bella and he quickly got between them. "Why don't you go check out the food, Lee?" He suggested pointedly.
An annoyed look crossed Leah's face at his words, but she didn't protest. "Later, Swan." She mumbled as she followed her brother into the kitchen.
The others arrived all together. Embry gave Bella a hug when he greeted her, Jared and Kim gave her polite hello's before disappearing to join Sam and Emily. Paul, true to form, insulted her. "Got tired of slumming it with the bloodsuckers, leech lover?"
Jacob growled, but Bella held up her hand, indicating that she would handle it. She looked Paul up and down, wearing a polite smile on her face. He was wearing tight fitting jeans and t-shirt, obviously to show off his muscular frame. "Still an asshole I see, Paul. It's nice to know that some things never change, including your narcissistic personality."
The other members of the pack burst out laughing at this comment and Paul satisfactorily shut his mouth, stalking past her to join the others, an annoyed scowl marring his handsome features.
Jacob pulled her into a tight hug. "That was a classic, honey." He whispered in her ear.
Bella just smiled.
The food didn't last long. With the packs huge appetites, it was consumed within half an hour. Bella busied herself during this time topping up drinks and making polite conversation with the imprints. Jacob was showing Ethan off to his brothers. Little Claire followed them around, captivated by the smiling baby.
Bella wiped her brow as she dumped all the used plates in the sink. So far meeting the pack again had gone a lot smoother than expected. She turned her head to check that no one was looking her way, especially Emily, and dumped the uneaten muffins in the bin discreetly. It seemed that Emily's 'boys' were a bit tired of her signature bake.
"I saw that, Swan." Leah's voice from behind made her jump. Bella had forgotten how silently the wolves could move.
"Jeez, you startled me." Bella held her hand over her racing heart. "No one was eating them so I thought I would get rid of them. I didn't want to upset your cousin."
"Yeah, like I care." Leah gazed over at Sam and Emily. As she did so, Sam turned his head and looked right at her. Leah quickly turned away. "Come for a walk?"
"Now?" Bella asked in surprise.
"Yes. I want to tell you something." Leah confided.
Bella was stunned. Why would Leah want to tell her anything? "If you want." She agreed. "I'll just let Jake know."
Leah stopped her. "No, don't tell him. He would try and stop you."
"Why?" Bella asked suspiciously.
Leah gave her a wry smile. "You know why he wouldn't want you to talk to me."
Bella's heart began to beat louder in her chest. Leah could only be referring to imprinting. "Okay." She mumbled, giving in to the inevitable. She glanced over at Jacob, who was still proudly showing Ethan off to Seth, Quil, and Embry. While he was preoccupied, she slipped outside with Leah.
They strolled next to each other in silence for a while. Bella didn't know what to say and Leah seemed in deep thought. They reached the garage and Leah stopped, she leaned against the cool metal walls and finally looked at Bella. "I'll be leaving tonight." She revealed.
"Leaving?" Bella gasped. "Why? I mean how?"
Leah's eyes became distant as she spoke. "Because I can't bear to be in Sam's head anymore. I know that he loves me, but he's tied to Emily in such a way that I can't break through. I need to kick start my life again. I'm stagnating here."
"Can you just go like that?" Bella asked in surprise.
"I told Sam and he released me." Leah confessed. "He knows what an impossible situation we're all in."
"Is that why he looks so sad?" Bella questioned.
"You saw that?" Leah sounded surprised. "I thought I was the only one who could tell."
"No. I've seen it not just in Sam's eyes, but Quil's, and even Jared's today." Bella admitted. "None of the pack who have imprinted are really happy inside, are they?"
"No." Leah replied. "On the surface, maybe, but not here, in their hearts." She placed a hand over her chest.
Bella copied Leah and leaned back beside her. "All their choices have been taken away. They can't choose who to love, where they want to go. All their dreams dashed. It makes me glad that Jake never imprinted on me. If he had I would never know if he truly loved me or just had to because I had a hold over him." This revelation was like a grey cloud lifting from over Bella's head. The threat of Jacob imprinting no longer seemed as frightening as it once had.
"You know the only one in that room who is truly happy is Jake." Leah pointed out. "That's why I haven't kicked your ass, you know. Jake's happy and in love. I haven't seen that in any of my brothers. So, for that reason alone I'm glad you came back."
Bella had to laugh at this comment. "Then I guess I should take that as a compliment."
"Whatever." Leah pushed away from the wall and began to head back inside the house.
Jacob had finally realised that both Bella and Leah were missing. His stomach churned as he carried Ethan around the house, searching for her. It appeared he was too late when he saw both girls come back inside. He studied Bella's face, she didn't look upset. In fact, she looked quite calm. He hurried over to her. "Bells?"
"Hey." Bella smiled at him as she took Ethan into her arms and cuddled him. "You're getting sleepy, aren't you, sweetie." She cooed at him.
"Is everything alright?" Jacob asked her anxiously.
Bella's smile widened as she reached up and kissed him gently on the lips. "Everything couldn't be better. You know what, Jake?"
"No." He felt totally confused.
"I'm so glad you never imprinted on me." Bella declared. "Right, I'm putting this one down for a nap. Be back in a second."
Jacob stared after her as she walked away, completely stunned by her sudden confession.
A/N-thanks for reading!