Blood Moon

Bella had just pulled up in front of her father, Charlie Swans house. Sitting in her chevy avalanche, Bella stared up at the house that had been a memory for the past 4 years. Her old truck had died a year and a half ago and from there she was stuck riding Jake's bike from their Seattle apartment to get to the college, several rainy months later she finally was able to make an investment and bought herself a new truck. Right after she had graduated high school she moved to Seattle Washington where she attended the University. Bella was a English major, taking on the side Linguistics and a creative writing program, in hopes to become an English Professor and an Author. Her boyfriend Jacob Black of 5 years attended college with her but as an Architect major, he and Bella planned to meet up at Charlie's later that night, Jake was finishing his finals which was like always running late into the evening. A small knock on the window caused Bella to jump lightly, turning to face the window she smiled as she saw her father looking back at her, his face played host to a few more wrinkles then she remembered. Taking off her seat belt she slid from the truck and immediately wrapped her arm around her father. "Happy Birthday Bells" Charlie whispered, kissing her on the forehead quickly. "21 years old, my little girl is officially all grown up" he teased as he ruffled her hair. Shrugging her shoulders, Bella blushed and forced a smile. Bella was never big on her birthdays and the fact that her father loved to make a big deal on her birthdays, always set her a bit uneasy. "Dad" she muttered, obviously annoyed. "Come on Bells this is a major milestone in any persons life, let us celebrate just this once" Charlie begged as he watched his daughter disappear into the house. "Its just another day dad" she called back. Charlie smiled and shook his head as he followed after his daughter, thinking to himself she didn't change as much as he had expected, still the same old Bella that he loved. Stopping in the living room he listened for any noise indicating to which room she had gone. Bella cleared her throat, sitting on the couch she stared at her father who quickly turned his head in her direction. Taking a seat in his favorite arm chair he smiled. "So how are you and Jacob?" Charlie asked in hope that she had completely moved on from the terrible heart break she suffered when Edward left almost 7 years ago. "Uhm, we are still together if that is what you are asking." Bella said modestly. What her father didn't know was that they were sharing an apartment together and had been since their freshman year in college. "That's good, you two make a good couple" Charlie added, in an attempt to make conversation with his daughter whom he hadn't seen in 4 years. "Thanks" she muttered back. Looking around the room nervously, Bella rose to her feet. "I'm going to go and fix dinner, Jake should be here in about an hour" With that she left the room. Moving around the kitchen Bella began preparing a new recipe that she had been perfecting; Ratatoulie. It wasn't until a pair of warm hands grabbed her gently around the waist, that she realized Jacob had arrived. "Jake" Bella breathed, shaken a bit from his sudden appearance. "Sorry Bella, I didn't mean to scare you" Jacob said quickly before kissing her along her neck. Shrugging away shyly she turned around to face him. "Jake, my dad is in the other room, later okay" Bella whispered quiet enough that only he could hear. Making a puppy dog face, Jake pouted. "Yeah, your right sorry" Jake muttered before putting a bit of distance between them. Sniffing the air Jake closed his eyes for a brief moment before opening them. "Dinner smells good babe" he added before touching the small on her back. Turning around to walk from the room he stopped. "Happy birthday love" Jake added before walking into the living room where Charlie was watching the game. "Didn't hear you walk in Jake" Charlie spoke, keeping his eyes on the tv. "Yeah I wanted to see Bella first" Jake replied as she sat down on the couch. "There is something, a favor I'd like to ask of you Charlie" Jake spoke, his shakey voice a dead giveaway to his nervousness. Charlies eyes moved their attention from the TV to Jacob who was looking very edgy. "What do you need Jacob; you aren't in trouble are you?" "I'd like to ask you for your daughters hand in marrage" Jake said quickly Charlie looked at Jacob silently for 5 minutes before moving his gaze to a picture of himself holding a little cream colored, brown haired girl. After what seemed like forever his face broke into a grin. "You have my blessings" Charlie said before Bella entered the room. "Dinner is on the table" Bella said before she assessed the scene. Looking from her father who was grinning to her boyfriend who looked nervous, she blushed. "What is going on?" Bella asked curiously as she walked further into the room. Jacob looked to Bella and then back to Charlie who gave a light nodd. Getting to his feet he walked around the couch to Bella, who just looked at him blankly. Taking a deep breath Jacob reached in his pocket and took out a small box, getting to his knee he looked Bella straight in the eyes. Opening the box he smiled. "Bella... Marry me?" Standing in the living room Bella felt as her heart began rapidly beating. She stood their in a trance like state before she was finally able to look around the room. The first thing she saw was her father who was beaming brightly at her; a glint in her periphial vision caught her attention and she quickly looked down. "It was my mothers" Jacob said as he watched Bella look at it curiously. 2 minutes had passed before Bella remembered that she had yet to give her answer. Smiling she held out her left hand, fingers spead apart. Jacob took that as a yes and placed the engagement ring on her ring finger. Pulling her close Jacob kissed her passionately, while still modest before bringing her into a hug. "This calls for a celebration" Charlie spoke proudly. "Not the Diner" Bella sighed. She knew her father and how he loved to brag about her and her latest achievements to everyone in town, his favorite place to do this was the Diner. Looking down at Bella, Jacob pushed a strand of her long brown hair out of her face. "Its been 4 years since we've had the pleasure of visiting everyone" Thinking to herself, Bella knew that she hadn't been around for a long time and she was eager to see what had become of her friends from school. Sighing she nodded her head "Okay then, but I'm not riding in your cruiser, I'll take my truck." Bella spoke Clapping his hands together Charlie got to his feet. "I'll meet you two there, Bella you don't need me to remind you to drive safe." With that Charlie grabbed his keys from the hook beside the door and walked from the house, the noise of his car engine fading announced that he had gone. "Well, thats our cue" Jacob smiled before walking side by side with Bella out to her truck. Climbing up into the cab, Bella shut the door and stuck the key in the ignition. "Sometimes I miss my old truck" She spoke before turning her key and bringing her truck to life. Driving through town Bella looked around here and there at buildings that had once been there, but were now closed down or refurbished. It was Jake who broke the silence, as they pulled up at the Diner. "I would like to drive us back home tonight if you don't mind" Jake said as Bella put the truck into park and turned off the ignition. Shrugging her shoulders Bella handed him the keys. "Be careful with my baby" Bella spoke, narrowing her eyes. She knew Jake liked driving wildly; his need for speed was as great as his need to breath. "You worry too much Bella" Jake joked. "Come on, we should get inside before your dad gets impatient" Sliding from the truck, Jake walked around the truck and took Bella's hand. The moment they stepped foot inside the Diner erupted into a series of claps. "Congradulations Bella" Mike Newton said, his tone sugguested that he still had some feelings for her and was bummed that she was no longer a possibility. Mike looked from Bella to Jacob nervously. "Oh I'm sorry, you two have never met. Mike this is my fiancee Jacob, jacob this is my friend Mike." The two men shook hands and with a small nod Mike walked away, Jacon himself walked over towards his sister and fell into a deep conversation. The next person to be at her side was Jessica; she was carrying an infant that looked to be around 7 months old. Spotting the infant in her arms Bella's eyes dropped to her left hand; it was ringless. Noticing Bella's curiousity Jessica spoke. "It's Mikes, and I have another little Newton on the way" Jess added rubbing her stomach which was lightly starting to bulge. "Are you two married?" Bella asked curiously. Bella sorta already knew the answer before she asked, the ringless finger sceamed it to her. "No, we aren't even together" Jess began. "So...?" Bella replied, trying not to come across to nosey. "Mike and I broke up after graduation, we are just friends with benefits, and now we are stuck together for the next 18-21 years." Jessica's eyes wandered the room until they fell upon Jacob. "Whose that hunk over there, I've never seen him before." "Uh, thats my fiancee Jacob Black" Feeling slightly threatened Bella continued talking. "We have been best friends since we were really young, our dads are also best friends." "When did you two get together?" Jessica asked curious. Siphering through her memories, she couldn't recall ever hearing about her dating anyone but Cullen. "We got together after Edward and I broke up, we've been together for 5 years." Bella finished with a proud voice. Jessica mouth was wide open in shock as she looked back and forth across the room between the couple. She didn't understand how every time Bella always had the good looking guys. She thought to herself she is hardly pretty. Looking up at Bella she studied her face before she faltered inside, she wasn't as plain as she thought, Bella was stunning. Jealousy welled up greatly inside her. Here Bella was, she came into school as a new student and won the heart of Edward Cullen that she herself had always wanted. Now here Bella is getting married to a hunky gorgeous man while she, herself was single with one child and another on the way. "C-c-congradulations" Jessica managed to stutter before turning and walking away to hide the tears that were close to escaping. Narrowing her eyes Bella watched Jessica walk from the Diner and leave. Turning her attention back to the room she scanned the faces until she found the one she was looking for. Jacob stood near the counter chatting with Charlie who was laughing, nearby was her soon-to-be father in-law, who looked as proud as any father whose youngest son was getting married could look. Smiling to herself, Bella knew they would be happy. Walking over Bella joined her fiancee and the family. A sudden tinging noise filled the room and all was silenced, all eyes looked up towards the front of the room where Charlie had a glass raised. Smiling Bella wrapped her arm around Jake and leaned into him. "I'd like to congradulate the engagement of my daughter Bella Swan to my soon-to-be son in-law, Jacob Black." Charlie paused for a few moments to yield to the cheerers and clappers that consisted of friends and acquaintances that watched Bella grow up. "I've known Jacob since he existed as just a fetus in his mothers stomach. Billy and I always secretly tried to push Bella and Jake together in their teen years until we gave up. Funny how things work out in the end..." Charlie looked across the room to his daughter before winking. "To the future Mr. and Mrs. Black" Bella turned to face Jacob, gazing into his face she reached her arm up and laced her fingers through his hair. "I love you Jake" Bella whispered. Leaning in Jake pulled her close and kissed her. "I love you too Bella, always have" Placing his hand upon her chest he felt as her heart beat began speeding up. A smile spread across his face as he realized the girl he loved and almost lost, was standing before him wearing his mothers engagement ring, she was his for as long as they lived.