Baby Fever [Jacob & Edward]

11

Jacob can practically feel the sigh of relief when they step into the diner. Bailey rushes over to them like she'd been waiting, menus at the ready before she can even say hello. He's sure his smile is a little subdued, but he's trying to adjust to the fact that this had accidentally become something real to him. If he scared Edward off, it was actually going to matter more than him being put on desk duty. So, he tries not to be too obnoxious.

They're seated quickly and Bailey waits for them to find what they want on the menu despite it being a busy Saturday morning. He orders what he usually does and Edward just orders coffee. He can see the remark on the tip of Bailey's tongue before she can even purse her lips.

However, something makes her swallow her comment, instead giving him a polite smile before scurrying away.

He wonders what that was about. 

Truly, the plan was to stop being so intrusive. It really was, but as soon as Edward places one of his hands on the table, Jacob scoops it into his own and holds it. It was almost second nature despite the fact that he's done it a total of two times now. Edward hasn't objected to it yet, eyes too busy checking in on Bear who is making little noises in her car seat. 

Eventually, his food arrives, but before he can take a bite, Bailey tilts her head and takes in a  deep breath like she was preparing herself for something.

"Can I talk to you about Bill and the kids?" She mutters. 

He can feel Edward's eyes on him now and he tries to school his face, giving her a stiff nod, before letting go of Edward's hand. She leads him over to a corner where there are less people milling about.

"Why are we talking about your ex-husband and nonexistent children?" Jacob asks as soon as they're out of earshot.

"I heard about you two having a spat at the station." She says and it takes everything in him not to roll his eyes. Of course it got back to them. Everything he's ever done gets back to them. He couldn't go to the supermarket without it getting back to them. That's what happens when your sister owns a diner and you've known every employee since you got your first chin hair. 

"Lee, I already talked about it with Quil." He says, hoping she'll drop it at that. 

"Yeah, I know. Just...promise me you won't fuck this up."

The statement makes Jacob reel back a little. Was his love life that big of a mess that he was having to make promises like this to people who weren't even involved in it? 

"You love him, we can see that," Jacob tries his best not to look around him at the rest of the staff, "I don't think I need to explain this to you, but imprinting on someone is a bigger deal than just your run of the mill love." 

This felt a lot like an intervention. One little misstep and they were stepping in like he'd done something abhorrent and unforgivable.

"Leah told you?" Jacob huffs, quirking an eyebrow. He can feel the flush running up his neck as he tries to focus on something else.

Bailey stares at him so long that he eventually ends up having to return her gaze. He immediately regrets it, not liking how amused she looks.

"Hun, we could smell it on you the first day you brought him in here. Could hear it in the way you talked about him before we'd even met him." She says it as if it's the most casual thing in the world. 

Jacob's not even sure how he's supposed to respond to that.

"Pretty sure Mikey could see it too," she says, leaning in like it was a secret, "you might want to do that boy's heart a favor and make sure it's clear, though."