Folktale

Chapter 31

Bella's P.O.V 

That weekend...

When Edward mentioned a housewarming barbeque this weekend, I figured it'd just be us and our family. He told me to invite my friends - meaning Emmett and the rest of the gang, but I never did. I didn't have to because he called them and invited them. Unfortunately, an invite to Rosalie also meant an invite to Alice which included Jacob. I don't know how or why he got over his dislike of Jacob, but apparently he did because he didn't seem to mind when Jacob showed up at our front door.

Now, here we are, on my huge from yard with an incredible view of the lake beside my house. The sun was at it's highest point in the sky, the air was cool, not too cold, not too hot. It was a beautiful day with my father by the grill with Carlisle chatting away, laughing at each other's jokes as Esme caught up with Rosalie and Alice. Emmett and Jasper had gone on a beer run and Jacob... Well, Jacob was just standing by.

But my attention... My attention was at the lake. Right in the center of lake where Edward and Toby played on a small boat, looking down at whatever fish they found. Toby laughed, pointing down and looking at his father with the biggest smile I've ever seen. Edward has that same smile. They're so... Alike... And they have my heart completely.

"You're awfully thoughtful," a voice said from behind me. I turn to see Jacob. He stops right beside me and looks at the lake where Edward and Toby are. "You've basically given birth to his twin."

I chuckle. "Yes. Nine months of carrying him and ten hours of labor, and he looks just like his father. It's annoying."

Jacob laughs. "Yeah, well that's DNA for you." There's a slight pause and he says, "I know that look on your face. The look that something is bothering you... You've had it all day. Is everything okay?"

God, I thought I was better at hiding it. I give Jacob a small shrug and say, "it's not important."

"Are you and Edward okay?"

"Yes, we're fine..." I run my hands through my hair. Edward and I are fine... But I still can't get this feeling off my chest. Feeling like... Something is wrong. I groan, trying to shake off the feeling. "We're okay. We're okay. I'm okay."

Jacob sighs. "Well, it seems to me like you need a beer. Let me go check what's taking those two so long." He pats me on the shoulder and leaves.

When I look back at the lake, Edward has Toby on his lap and they're both looking at the sky, pointing at each cloud. Toby turns in Edward's arms and throws his arms over his neck and attacks his father as if he's a shark. Edward goes along with the game, their laughter so loud I could hear them from where I stood. Maybe it doesn't matter. Maybe it doesn't matter if Edward has kept that woman the only secret friend he has. I should be glad he has friends outside of me. I laugh to myself, watching my boys play when it happens.

 "It kills me because of the pain it'll cause to my mother... My mother... Micheal... They won't be okay, they'll suffer-"

I turn quickly, expecting someone behind me but there's nobody there. I'm completely alone. Everyone is by the grill which is yards from where I am and Edward is in the lake with Toby... who said that? 

"No, Isabella. No, no, you're not thinking straight. All of this is causing you so much pain... You're seeing all this in such a negative light because you're not okay, you're out of control, Isabella and you need to calm down."

There's a dark hallway... I see a dark hallway and just around the corner, through a half-opened door I see Edward arguing with a man. He's much older, probably in his fifties...