Twilight Fan Fiction ❯ So Long As You're With Me ❯ The Rise of the Tide ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: (See 1st chapter)

“Jacob, let's just think things through here before we go doing anything r-!”

 

 

A/N: Yay! I'm so excited! As always, thanks to my awesome beta Wildmage89, without whom my work would be just average. LoL Thanks girl!

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It takes the better portion of an hour for Jake to convince me that he's not going to try to rape me while we're trapped in his house, a long hour in which he sighed a lot while I tested his temper. Once he finally encourages me into calming down it's another half hour before my clothes are dry and I'm redressed. Jake swore I was overreacting but I'll be damned if I walk around his house with his clothes on. Uh-uh, not when he thinks I actually look good in them. Then again, if I can look good in an over sized t-shirt and sweats what will he say to my rather tight jeans and tank top…?

 

I shake my head. I don't even want to know…

 

Other than that it would definitely give someone the wrong impression if any of the guys decided to randomly show up. I can only imagine what Billy's facial expression would be if he came home to a Bella wrapped in his sons clothes after they've been trapped in his house together. What would you say if you walked in on something like that?

 

Exactly why I couldn't take that kind of chance.

 

While I redressed Jacob explained that he was going downstairs to check on our late lunch, though I hardly saw the need. It was already going on 6 at night but Jake, insisting on ignoring my logic that dinner would be more suitable, was determined on his pizza idea.

 

I sigh as I throw my hair in a ponytail and finally head downstairs. It smells like something is burning, and seeing as Jacob's the only one downstairs it would be a lie if I say I'm not worried. I enter the kitchen and the burning fumes hit me like a ton of bricks. It is painfully obvious at this point that something has not survived the cooking process.

 

“Jacob what is that smell?” I ask and Jake looks over his shoulder at me, a bit bashfully, like a child who just knows he's done something wrong but is unwilling to admit it.

 

“Jake…?” I insist a little more forcefully and he finally turns around so that I can see what's in his hands.

 

As expected our previously frozen pizza is absolutely burnt to a crisp and I glare surreptitiously it, to the werewolf holding it.

 

“Sorry about that. I got sort of, you know, sidetracked while it cooked,” Jake tries to explain and the way he shuffles in place almost makes me laugh. Instead, I sigh and toss the black diskette that was once pepperoni into the trash can by the counter.

 

I swear I hear the can cough.

 

“If I'm going to be stuck here with you for the next 2 days,” I start and grimace a bit. The idea is still quite a bit to handle, after all. It's not that I'm afraid of being here with Jacob, per se, it's the idea that maybe, just maybe, he'll do what he promised and will be able to make me fall completely for him rather than Edward…

 

I clear my throat and start again. “If I'm stuck here with you for the next 2 days do you think we can have something, I don't know, maybe edible?” My surly tone would be enough to make even Charlie back off a bit. But not so with Jacob Black. His grimace slips into a grin before my eyes and he shrugs.

 

“Sure can. We got some fish Dad caught the other day in the freezer, fish in the fridge from this morning, and, I know you won't believe this, but we've got some fish seasoning too.”

 

Though I try to stave it back a giggle escapes me and I grin to back it up. “You know, I think I'm in the mood for some fish. How about you?” I ask sarcastically.

 

Jacob's grin widens and he chuckles as he exclaims, “Sounds like a good idea to me.”

 

He digs a paper wrapped package out of the refrigerator and sets it on the counter where he motions for me to join him. But as soon as he unwraps it I nearly jump to the other side of the kitchen, blanching the entire way.

 

“UGH!” I exclaim and Jake looks as me as though I've sprouted an extra head.

 

“What is it?”

 

I gesture wordlessly at the fish and try to convey all the possible things wrong with the situation. First of all, they are completely whole. Both tails and heads are still attached to them while mouths gape openly, betraying the fact that there is no water to suck. Secondly, the smell is absolutely awful. And thirdly, my personal favorite, as soon as Jake unwrapped them blood slowly started oozing from each of their bodies, dripping onto the pristine white counters and nearly making me gag. I try to tell Jacob all of these things but all I can do is stare at them in horror while his expression clouds into concern.

 

“Bella?”

 

“They're-they're staring at me!”

 

Absolutely brilliant; Way to go Bella…

 

Jacob's eyebrows disappear into his hairline and he stares at me blankly before he bursts out laughing. I hardly think it's funny but he hardly notices as he guffaws his big shaggy off. Finally he turns to me and says, “Fine. I'll clean, you start the rest okay?”

 

I glower at him for a minute before I nod once and head straight for the pantry. At least I know I can do this part. I scan the shelves and choose the 4 biggest of the rather small potatoes I can find and run them under the warm water of the sink for a minute. I place them in the microwave and begin chopping up vegetables to go with it all, hardly noticing what I'm doing.

 

Jake seems immersed in carefully chopping the heads and tails off of the fish, cleaning and gutting them while glancing at me ever so often whenever he throws some of it in the trash. We work on in a comfortable silence that's a bit disconcerting and I realize that this feels just too comfortable. We move around each other as though it's routine; he shuffles to the side without my having to say anything when I reach for something out of the refrigerator. But as he reaches over the stove I instinctively shield his hand from the flame with my own.

 

In fact, it's only when it's time to actually work together that things get hectic. “Jake, grab the flour and the seasoning for me,” I order gently and he complies only too well.

 

“Everything else looks good,” he comments and I snort.

 

“You forget I have a father who can't cook to save his life. I've picked up a few things for keeping us alive.”

 

Jake laughs and we fall silent again as all of our concentration is focused on seasoning the fish.

 

“You know,” Jacob starts as he fills up the frying pan with oil, “this feels a little like we're married.”

 

I freeze in the act of putting the seasoning away but choose to ignore him. Unfortunately my mouth doesn't get the message and I blurt, “Why would you say that?”

 

He shrugs and leans against the counter to look me in the face. “Oh you know, cooking together in the kitchen together. I do all the dirty work and you do all the hard stuff…you know, couple stuff.”

 

I shake my head and begin flouring up the first fish to place in the frying pan. “I don't remember my parents cooking together when they were together…” I tell him, mostly to shut him up so that I can stop feeling so uncomfortable. What he's saying is exactly how I'd been feeling only minutes earlier. I'm wondering just what that says about me…

 

Jacob runs a hand through his hair but smiles as he comes to stand right next to me and comes within two inches of my face. I try my best to ignore him, but it's kind of hard to be calm when the guy you're desperately trying to convince you're not in love with is right in your personal bubble.

 

“You know what I think Bells?”

 

“No, but I'm sure you're going to tell me anyway so let's get this over with.”

 

He laughs and leans even closer to me, forcing my chin up with one finger so that I'm looking him straight in the eyes. I roll mine, trying to seem completely nonchalant while my heart is thumping so hard there's no doubt both of us can hear it.

 

“I think that you'd like us as a couple,” Jacob murmurs and for once, with him so close his body is radiating heat, I have to agree with him…

 

“Really? What gave you that idea?” I manage and I'm extremely proud of myself for sounding so calm. In reality there's a screaming monkey in my head demanding to know what the hell is going on while yelling that I should be trying to run away.

 

Jacob shrugs and leans down so that our lips are almost touching and I can't help the gasp that slips out of my mouth. Our chests meet and I find it slightly hard to concentrate on the fact that we were fixing dinner a moment ago.

 

“I just know,” he starts, “You'd love me as your boyfriend. My excitement, my creativity…”

 

“-Your pigheadedness-” I throw in.

 

“-My absolute sex appeal-”

 

“-Your stupidity-”

 

“-and the way you shiver when I get close to you.”

 

“You're right. What's more attractive than getting sick every time my boyfriend walks in the room?”

 

Jacob chuckles and murmurs in a seductive tone of voice, “So you think I'm attractive?”

 

This time I nearly buckle but decide it's time to change tactics. There's no way Jacob Black is going to get the best of me. Not when I know my IQ is at least 200 points higher than his…

 

“Yeah, Jake. Don't you know I'm madly in love with you?” I whisper and Jacob's eyes widen in surprise.

 

“She finally admits it…” He says around the grin plastered on his face.

 

I nearly laugh. “Definitely. The only reason I've been able to resist you all this time is because I was too blinded by that vampire. I'm finally starting to see clearly…”

 

This time Jake's eyes harden slightly and he wraps his arms loosely around my waist, pulling me, if it's possible, even closer to his body. “Well it's about time,” he complains quietly.

 

I slowly reach up and wrap both of my arms around his neck and pull him so close I can practically taste his breath and for a second I have to collect my bearings. It would be so easy to just give in right now…

I mentally give my mind a shake and sigh onto Jacob's lips, “There's something I've been meaning to tell you Jake…”

 

He partly closes his eyes but smiles and murmurs back, “Yeah?”

 

I smile and try to hold in the laugh that's bubbling up inside me. “I just wanted to tell you…I can't believe you totally fell for it.”

 

I lean away from Jacob, release my arms from around his neck and watch his eyes slowly open to reveal confusion. I can't help the laugh that escapes me and I giggle out, “Got ya!”

 

I turn away from him and feel his arms drop from my waist. I'm still laughing as I pour some flour out onto a paper plate and carefully start covering the fish in it.

 

“Wow Jake I thought for sure you'd catch on when I confessed my `undying love' for you. Geez, you're dumber than I remember,” I giggle as I reach in the fridge but notice with a pang that Jacob hasn't said a word.

 

I turn to look at him at my side only to realize that he's turned away from me, back facing me while his shoulders shake slightly. Oh, crap.

 

I think I made him cry.

 

Words can not even express the guilt I feel right at this moment. But I've said words things to Jacob that's he's always brushed off. Maybe this time was just the final straw. I carefully cross the room and place a hand on his right shoulder.

 

“Hey…I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that to you…” I start apologetically and he slowly straightens without turning to me.

 

“Don't sweat it. It's not your fault you're in love with a bloodsucker…” He grumbles, and I freeze.

 

“Jake, we've been over this. I can't just forget about him…”

 

“Bella? There's something I…I wanna tell you too.”

 

I try to smile encouragingly and whisper, “Anything.”

 

He turns his head and I finally get a look at his face, and he looks as though he's far from crying. In fact, he turns and smiles at me and I take step back from him on instinct.

 

That's when he turns and throws a fistful of flour at me.

 

“Jake!”

 

While I sputter and wipe the white stuff out of my eyes and nose Jake doubles over laughing exclaiming, “Got ya!”

 

He clutches the counter for support, trying his best to stay upright and I glare dangerously at him. I glance at the stove where the oil is bubbling and grin. Jacob, too busy laughing, doesn't notice as I turn off the stove and grab a fistful of flour, throwing it as hard as I can straight into his mouth.

 

This time it's my turn to laugh as I watch Jake gag and spit out a rather large quantity of wet cooking product. I'm not going to lie and say it wasn't completely satisfying. After all, he deserves it.

 

I expect him to be angry as he straightens up and I cross my arms to smile smugly at him. “There. Now we're ev-!”

 

I scream and hold up my hands to shield my face as Jake grins and throws another huge amount of flour at me. Laughing insanely I scoop another bit off the floor and toss it across the kitchen at him.

 

Of course it's all downhill from there.

 

20 minutes later the kitchen is completely covered in sticky flour, the floor resembles a snow lover's paradise and everything from the counters to me and Jake are covered. Jacob's normally shaggy brown hair contains streaks of white so that he looks more like Billy than Jacob while his clothes are a mess. I don't even want to know what I look like, but judging from the stringy clumps of flour on the ends of my hair that I can see I probably look a mess.

 

Jacob doesn't seem to mind our mess in the slightest. In fact, as soon as the last handful of flour is thrown he finishes frying the fish, sets both of our plates and insists that we eat. Of course I only protested that we clean as much as my rumbling stomach would allow. Which wasn't all that much.

 

As soon as we're seated, smiles still plastered on our faces, Jacob shoves his mouth to the brim with fish and potato, sits back and moans his contentment. I ignore him for the most part and smile down at my own plate, quietly complimenting myself on a job well done.

 

“Damn Bella, this is delicious,” Jacob comments and I roll my eyes.

 

“You don't have to be nice Jake, we already know you're in love with me,” I tease dryly, but in true Jacob fashion he only shrugs and replies, “Just because I'm in love with you doesn't mean dinner can't be good. It just means I'd be more comfortable telling you I hated it.”

 

It takes a second for his statement to sink in, and when it does I let out a great snort of laughter. But then I can't stop and I laugh so hard my sides ache and my head hurts. Jacob joins in and we fall all over each other laughing; I tilt sideways onto his shoulder and it takes us a few minutes to regain control of our heaving lungs.

 

So absorbed in catching my breath I hardly notice that Jacob has stopped and is staring down at me with a weird look in his eye. I freeze, a smile still plastered on my face, and look back up at him, suddenly bashful under his close scrutiny. I self-consciously tuck a piece of flyaway hair back behind my ear and ask him aloud, “What?”

 

He seems to snap out of his reverie and grins even wider as he replies, “You've got flour on your eye.”

 

I pull away from his shoulder, close my eyes and rub a hand over them both. Sure enough my hands are covered in the white stuff and I giggle a little as I do a second swipe to make sure I've caught any remnants.

 

“Wow, I probably look gorgeous right now,” I mumble sarcastically and Jacob shrugs.

 

“I've always thought so,” he comments and I blush slightly at his underlying words. I glance around the rest of the kitchen and gesture at the mess that we'll have to get to work on.

 

“Compared to this room I look like the Mona Lisa. We should get to work while I'm still feeling up to it,” I tell him and rise to clear my plate at the sink.

 

Jake gets up as well but gets there much faster than my human speed will allow. What a show-off…

 

“Ugh, I need a shower,” I complain as I wipe my arms and shirt off. Jacob laughs and goes to the closet, pulling out a mop and a broom.

 

“Yeah, you look like you could use a bar of soap.”

 

I glower at him. The ass just laughs.

 

“No but seriously, you go ahead and get cleaned up. I'll deal with this…whatever it is.”

 

This time my glower vanishes and I stare at Jacob blankly as he starts sweeping all of the excess flour into a small pile on the other side of the room. I snort, grab a rag and begin wiping off the nearest counter.

 

“You know as well as I do that if it's just you you'll be up all night. Unfortunately my good conscience won't let me rest if I do that to you.”

 

Jacob laughs but waves his hand at me. “Don't worry about it. There'll be plenty for you to help with when you're all clean. Trust me, this crap isn't going anywhere any time soon.”

 

I narrow one eye at him suspiciously. Something is up. He must not think I'll actually go and leave him this entire mess, which will then in turn give him the idea that I care too much for him to allow him to take on such a burden on himself. I snort. Somehow I wouldn't put it past Jacob.

 

Then again, maybe he's just being nice. I cock my head to the side and look Jacob up and down in a manner that says quite clearly I know he's up to something. He stands, tall and proud, leaning casually against the handle of the broom, smiling at me broadly while his dark eyes sparkle with amusement.

 

Not for the first time today I notice how much-hotter-Jacob Black has become…

 

“Are you sure?” I ask him once more, but I'm already washing my hands in the sink.

 

Jacob nods. “Positive. Now get! My poor sensitive nose can hardly handle such a pretty girl matched with that smell.”

 

I stick my tongue out at his teasing and whack him on the arm as I pass. “Maybe it's just your upper lip you smell…” I retort.

 

I stomp up the stairs, but even my loud thudding on the wood can't drown out Jacob's laughter.

 

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“Oh my God…”

 

The warm water from the shower is like a balm both on my frayed nerves and my disgusting skin. One look in the bathroom's mirror tells me all I need to know about my physical appearance. Not only is there matted flour plastered to my scalp, but as soon as I let my hair out of it's now loose ponytail a cloud of the stuff covers the bathroom floor and any part of me that might have been flour free.

 

My face has it the worst considering I look like a ghost, or like I stayed inside all summer…

 

…or like a vampire…

 

My head snaps up at the unexpected thought and my heart immediately sets to thumping as hard as it possibly can without completely jumping out of my chest. Okay, that wasn't what I had in mind. I shake my head and jump in the shower, mindful of the fact that the water is blisteringly warm, but I need the distraction.

 

“Alright, really Bella, it's time to get a grip on yourself,” I mumble under my breath as I reach for the soap on the edge of the tub. “You're driving yourself crazy. Between Edward and his family of vampires, and Jacob with his crew of werewolves I just…You know what, scratch that first part. I'm talking to myself in the shower. I'm pretty sure that constitutes as crazy…”

 

“I've been trying to tell you that for weeks now.”

 

If I had underwear I would have jumped completely out of them and hit the ceiling o f the bathroom. I peak my head out of the shower curtain, making sure that every inch of my body (including my neck) is covered and hiss, “Jacob what the hell! Can't I even take a shower without you breathing down my neck?”

 

I can't help but notice that he looks like he's enjoying my predicament just a little too much as he grins at me.

 

“Trust me Bella, if I was breathing down your neck right now you would hardly be coherent,” he comments and I glare at him.

 

“You're right. I'd be too disgusted to speak.”

 

This time Jacob's smile falters a bit but he continues as though the fact that I'm naked in the shower is of little consequence to him. “I just thought you'd enjoy a towel and some clothes but if you want to walk around the house naked who am I to complain?” He says and I notice the towel and fresh clothes in his arms.

 

I glare at him for another second before I spit out, “Thank you. Any chance you brought me some girl clothes this time?”

 

He actually nods and I can't help but drop my glare as he tells me, “I raided Becca's old closet and she left some stuff here. So yes, I did bring you some `girl clothes'. Feel better?”

 

I'm too stunned to react to his smug grin but when he sighs and bends over to pick up my filthy jeans, underwear and shirt I nearly balk. “What are you doing?” I demand and he looks at me like I'm crazy again.

 

You know, it's one thing for me to think I'm crazy. To have Jacob think I'm nuts is getting me to consider going to some sort of rehab for the insane. I'm sure my stories of dating a vampire, being hunted down by said vampire's enemies and being in love with a werewolf would give even the most skeptical therapist a field day.

 

“I'm taking your clothes to wash them. I swear I'm not going to go and sniff them or anything,” he replies and rolls his eyes as he walks out the door.

 

I duck my head back under the shower tap and lather as much shampoos as my head will hold as I grumble, “I wouldn't put it past you…”

 

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A few minutes later I feel so clean it's almost like floating. And what's even better, Rebecca's clothes fit me almost as well as my own. Though the blue bottoms are a little long the matching shirt could be my own, my only complaint being that it rises slightly every time I stretch over my head. But that's not nearly my biggest complaint.

 

“…in the shower but the water's stopped so I think she's about done…”

 

I catch Jacob's voice as I hit the bottom stair and as I turn the corner I realize he's back on the phone. He turns, sees me and grins as he talks into the phone. “Oh hold on a sec Charlie she's right here,” he says and holds the cream receiver out to me.

 

Charlie? I mouth and he shrugs. I roll my eyes theatrically and take the phone from him.

 

“Hey Dad.”

 

“Bella? Oh, Thank God you're alright. When I came home and you weren't here...Are you okay?”

 

Ah, so many ways to answer that question… “Yeah I'm fine. What about you?”

 

The line crackles as Charlie sighs. “Right now? Frantic. It's gonna take a lot more manpower than we originally thought to clear the roadways and people are going crazy here. At this rate it will take us at least 2 days to get to you…”

 

This statement more than anything has me reeling. “At least? Dad you said you'd be here by tomorrow night!” I complain but I can't help but notice the small flicker of relief that snaps up in my brain. For a moment I'm confused but Charlie starts talking again and I ignore my weird emotions for the moment.

 

“I know Bella and I'm sorry. Really I'm trying my best as it is but things are a little crazy around here. Between the roads and the fact that there's another storm coming in a little later…”

 

I sigh and run a hand over my face. “It's alright Dad, I understand. Just…take your time and try to relax. I'll talk to you tomorrow when you've got more details for me okay?” I try to console him.

 

“Okay Bella. You're sure you're alright?”

 

I roll my eyes but then realize Charlie can't see that over the phone. “I'm sure. Besides, if anything happens I've always got Jacob here with me. We'll be just fine.” I glance quickly around the room and heave a sigh of relief when I don't spot Jacob anywhere.

 

“Alright. I'll call you two kids tomorrow. Be careful and stay inside.”

 

His authoritative police voice bleeds into his concerned dad one and I nearly laugh. Instead I tell him, “'Night dad.”

 

“'Night Bells. Tell Jacob I said to be gentle.”

 

The last thing I hear is his muffled chuckle on the other line before he hangs up. I stare at the handset for a moment as though it's just insulted me and gasp, “So much for protective fathers!”

 

I slam the receiver back down on it's handset and, shaking my head, walk back into the kitchen to where Jacob last disappeared.

 

“Hey. Whatever you said to Charlie you better have a good…explanation…”

 

My voice trails off as I turn the corner and note two things: One, Jacob is nowhere to be found. And two, the kitchen is absolutely spotless. I stare in admiration at the now clean floor and counters, the neatly wrapped extra fish we cooked and spotless table.

 

“What about an explanation?”

 

I round on Jacob who's just walked back into the room and exclaim, “You-you cleaned it! All of it! How did you…”

 

Enjoying my amazement he chuckles and holds up the towel thrown over his shoulder. “You were in the shower a pretty long time you know. Thanks for leaving me all the hot water,” he jokes and I even manage a weak smile.

 

“Anytime,” I tell him and laugh as he lets out a mighty yawn that would have cracked my jaw had I attempted it.

 

“Tired?” I tease and he shakes his head as he smiles.

 

“Just a little. Saving your life is exhausting as it is without having to clean up all your messes,” he tells me and follows me as I make my way back to the stairs.

 

“Now there's a reverse of the roles. I could swear that it's always me cleaning up your mess?”

 

Jake shrugs. “Minor details. I still save your life on a daily basis.”

 

I smile and shake my head. “Minor details.”

 

We climb the stairs together but stop and face each other once we're at the top. He stares at me for a second, one of those uncomfortable stares that makes me wonder if he can't completely read my mind. But then I freeze as I remember that that was Edward's specialty, not Jacob's…

 

“Well,” I start awkwardly considering where my thoughts have led me and Jacob's eyes snap up to mine. I shuffle uncomfortably and tell him, “I'm, uh, going to bed now. I guess I'll, you know, see you in the morning!”

 

Jake's easy grin makes me feel a little better and he pulls me closer to kiss me on the forehead, to which I have no immediate insult handy.

 

“'Night Bella. Try not to do anything stupid while I'm sleep will ya? I really don't feel like running around in the rain for you again.”

 

He winks and I nod before I turn away to the guest room just down the hall from Jacob's room. Despite my earlier nap I'm more tired than should be expected and the bed looks almost as welcome as the shower. The room looks pleasant enough and I wonder how many girls have stayed with Jacob and Billy besides his sisters in the past few years.

 

Probably not many, I answer my own question as I settle down into the blankets.

 

Somehow the thought gives me comfort and I smile gently to myself as I slip into sleep.

 

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BOOM!

 

Unfortunately, I knew sleeping twice in one day would be just too lucky. And considering my past streaks of luck I should have completely expected this.

 

I awake to a rather loud clap of thunder and sit bolt upright in bed, confused for a second as to where I am. This does not look like my room. A flash of lightning so bright it illuminates the room startles me into turning on the lamp next to the bed.

 

“Alright Bella don't panic, there's nothing to be worried about…” I vaguely note that I'm talking to myself again, but the storm raging outside is bad enough that for the moment I don't rightly care.

 

I burrow deeper under the covers and throw the pillow over my head in an attempt to drown out the noise from outside, but I might as well try to stop the rain with all the good it does. Finally, after 5 minutes of wrestling around and muttering as many kid's songs as I know under my breath I give up trying to block out any noise and sit up again.

 

I have no idea why the storm is bothering me as I've never really had a problem with them before. I try to tell that to my chattering teeth and twisting gut but somehow the message just doesn't come in very clear.

 

“It's okay Bella you're completely overreacting. Somehow you can survive a vampire attack but a teensy weensy storm can-,”

 

There's another rather large clap of the thunder and the light bulb in the lamp by the bed shatters with a crack and I can't stop the small shriek that escapes me. For a second I consider going to Jacob's room but there's no way I'll make it all the way down the dark hall that separates us to get to him. Not to mention the teasing I would get in the morning for being such a wuss.

 

I wrap the blankets tighter around me and shut my eyes as tightly as I can. I try to convince myself that I'm completely fine. I'll wake up in the morning, the sun will be shining and I will crown myself Bella, the bravest storm survivor in the history of La Push…

 

“Bella?”

“AHH!”

 

Well so much for the brave part…

 

I turn over in bed to see Jacob's towering form in the doorway and nearly sing with relief. The fact that he's in my room in the middle of the night is completely irrelevant to the fact that he's there. The relief that washes through me is almost unnatural but I try to seem as calm as possible.

 

“Jake? What are you doing up?” Nice! Cool and collected that's what we're going for…

 

I can barely make out his outline in the dark but I can hear his shrug as he closes the door behind him and moves closer to the bed.

 

“I heard you scream. Is everything okay?”

 

I try to snort but it sounds almost like a terrified sob and I hurry to cover it up. “I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be fine? It's only the biggest storm of the century going on outside after all…” Great save Bella…

 

I can hear his chuckle and flinch as he tugs a bit of blanket back and sits on the edge of the bed. “Uh-huh, sure you are. Now scoot over.”

 

I freeze. This is an unexpected development…

 

“Why? What are you doing?”

 

“I'm going to bed, what does it look like I'm doing? Now scoot over it's cold out here…”

 

I heave a groan designed to let him know what I think of the whole situation and reluctantly scoot forward so that he can jump in the bed. Immediately everything under the blankets becomes like a fireplace and I find myself ecstatic at the warmth. On pure instinct I snuggle closer but Eep! when he grabs a hold of my waist and pulls me even closer to him.

 

“Gah! Jacob-!” I hiss but he quickly shushes me.

 

“Shhh, relax Bella. I'm not going to take advantage of you or anything. What kind of a guy do you think I am?”

 

“A dog…”

 

“Haha very funny. Go to sleep. Unless you want to stay up a little later that is…”

 

I elbow him as hard as I can in the gut but he only laughs and tightens his grip fractionally around me. “You are so dead in the morning Jacob Black,” I threaten, although my great yawn covers half of it.

 

Jacob yawns as well and he murmurs, “Right…death…gotcha…Get some sleep will ya?”

 

I open my mouth to complain again when his slight snore tells me he's already dead asleep. I can't help but smile at that and finally settle back onto the pillow that's not occupied by Jacob's head, grudgingly admitting that I'm completely comfortable here.

 

Maybe, I think to myself as I drift off once more, maybe he was right…this isn't so bad after all…

 

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A/N: Alright guys this is the part where you let me know how you liked this chapter and let me know whether it was up to par with the last one. Thanks to everyone, your support means a great deal to me : )

 

Until next time,

Stay Beautiful!