Puppies and Promises

Chapter 13: Details

Chapter 13: Details

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. . . . .

Charlie sat still for a full minute in his Lazy Boy, then a loud sigh filled the air, and he ran his hand over his face.

"I guess what's done is done. But, dammit, Jake, I trusted you."

"I'm sorry, Chief, but you know I'm nuts about Bella. I couldn't stay away from her. It was killin' me."

Bella butt in at that point. "Dad, it's not all his fault; I had a little something to do with it. I got his motor started, and things just got out of hand. Anyhow, you know I love him."

He leaned forward in his seat, his hands clasped together. "Yeah, well, I'm glad for that at least. So, now, what are your plans?"

"We're gonna get married, Charlie."

Her eyebrows just about hit the ceiling. "Thanks, Jake. You tell my dad before even discussing it with me?"

"Oh, coooome ooon, Bells. You knew where this was headed. I've always wanted to marry you."

"That's not the point."

"Now don't go all pig-headed on the boy. I agree with him. It's a great idea."

Bella turned her head away, and huffed, "Then you marry him."

"Let's not argue, huh? The fact is, you're carrying Jake's child, and he wants to do the honorable thing."

"I'm not saying I don't want to marry him, it's—oh, forget it, you males can't understand where I'm coming from. You're both thinking from the wrong side of your brain."

"Maybe so, but onto something more important ... You kids are going to need a place to live. You're welcome to stay here, you know."

That was a load off my mind. What a relief. I smiled at my soon to be father-in-law. "Hey, thanks, Charlie. What do you think, Bells?"

She shrugged. "All right, I guess, after my lease is up."

Charlie stood, brushing his hands together. "Well, now that this is all settled, let's drink to it. You two are having root beer, by the way."

. . . . .

That evening, I sat beside Bella on her futon. We were watching a movie, or tried to anyway. There were still some unanswered questions cloggin' up the air I breathed. With two fingers, I maneuvered her head so that we were face to face. "I really need to tell you something, Bells. I know what you're thinkin'; I'm not stupid. I realize we're young just like Renee and Charlie were, but we won't make the same mistakes. I'll make sure of that."

Bella had a faraway look in her eyes. "My mom hated this place, and I think that'll be all the difference with us. I love it here, Jake. I don't ever want to leave."

"You're not mad at me, then? I mean ... for getting you pregnant."

She sighed, shaking her head, "Like my dad said, what's done is done. It was my fault; I'm the one who told you I was safe. I should've been more careful, or warned you ... or something."

I winced, as I asked, "Are you still gonna marry me?"

"For gosh sakes—yes, I'll marry you, but I expect a decent proposal from you. I couldn't believe you put it out there in front of my dad. You're supposed to propose to the girl first, you idiot."

She tapped my shoulder to emphasize her point

"Point taken. But you know what?"

"No ... what?"

I let my lips explain what was in my heart. She jerked, not expecting my amorous attack. I hung on, pulling her closer, one hand on Bella's cheek, and the other tangled in her hair to prevent the girl from drawing away from me. When we finally broke for air, I said, "That's what."

Nuzzling the side of her head, I whispered, "You know I love you, Bells. Now, Charlie knows too. I couldn't help it. My mouth got away from my brain. Can you forgive me?"

"I always do. My gosh, Jake, how do you manage to get back in my good graces so fast?"

"Practice ... lots of practice."

. . . . .

Bella and I got married the following month ... on the beach ... in our bare feet ... with family and friends looking on. Seven months later, Liam Jacob Black came wailing into the world.

Five years later:

Liam and Carlie were begging me for a puppy, and so, Sam had some born at his home a few weeks ago ... Labrador retrievers. I figured I could use them for hunting purposes when they got bigger. Yeah ... I did say them. They were the last two of the litter, a male and a female. I couldn't separate them. That would've been too cruel. I stopped off at the pet store to get some supplies and one more item.

I waltzed into the house with my surprise. "Hey, kids, look what I've got."

"Daddy, Daddy," they shrieked, jumping up and down. "Can we keep them?"

"You bet. Bella, honey, can you come in here for a minute?"

My sweetheart entered the living room, wiping her hands with a kitchen towel. She looked at the kids so happy, and spotted the two puppies. "Well, mister, you did good. They're both adorable."

Liam asked, "What are we gonna call them, Daddy?"

"I named them—drumroll, please—Rosalie and Em-mutt."

Bella looked horrified, slapping one hand to her mouth. "Oh, Jake you didn't."

"Hey, don't give me that look. Rosalie specifically ordered me to name our first puppy after her. I promised, Bells. It was her wish, not mine." Good thing she couldn't see that my fingers were crossed behind my back.

With an eye roll, Bella huffed in exasperation. Just then, my other surprise peeked his little, whiskered, pink nose out of my coat pocket, eliciting a scream from my squeamish wife. It was a white rat, and I named him, appropriately—you guessed it—Edward.

The End