Chapter 4: Anything For You

(Song: Seether featuring Amy Lee - Broken)

“Shit!” Jacob swore under his breath as he bent to pick up the pens and other supplies that had fallen out of his backpack when he’d accidentally knocked it off of the table he’d been sitting at.

It was starting to sprinkle, so he was trying to gather his things in a hurry to make it into the university building before he got caught in a downpour. As usual, nothing was going his way since his backpack took a plunge over the side of the table where he was now on his knees trying to round up the errant supplies. He stopped long enough to scowl up at the sky as the steady rain began to fall.

“Oh come on, give me a break will ya?”

He heard a soft laugh behind him. “Your wish is my command.”

He turned to see Bella standing over him with an umbrella to shield them both. He grinned at her before picking up the rest of his belongings while she remained poised over him, making sure the rain didn’t hit them much. Finally, he stood up and slung his pack over his shoulder before taking the umbrella from her.

“Thanks Bells, I swear you’re like my guardian angel.”

She laughed. “Oh I wouldn’t go that far! But you know I’m always willing to help out a friend in need.”

Jacob couldn’t help the smile that spread over his face at her laugh. He’d missed her laughter lately. There was never enough time for the two of them to get together and hang out like they used to. He missed those times, the hours they’d spend laughing and joking about anything and everything. The late nights they’d sneak into each others rooms, trying to keep their laughter quiet so as not to alert their parents.

At first he’d  blamed their recent lack of seeing each other on the fact that they were so busy with school and work, but he knew that wasn’t it. Lately he couldn’t spend time with his best friend because he had his fiancée and their unborn baby to cater to. Then there was the wedding to finish planning. There was also the fact that he often had to keep the peace between Vanessa and his father whenever they were in the same vicinity.

Most of all, he was getting the feeling that Vanessa really didn’t like Bella at all. He really couldn’t figure it out though. When he’d told Vanessa that he wanted Bella to be his best man, she’d pitched a fit. Vanessa had told him in no uncertain terms that all of his groomsmen would be men and no women would be allowed unless they were her bridesmaids. So he said Bella could be one of those since Vanessa’s cousin was going to be a groomsman, but Vanessa still refused to have Bella in the wedding party.

“If you want her in the wedding Jacob, make her an usher,” she’d snapped. Then her voice returned to its sugary sweetness, “But Embry will be your best man. I know how close you and he are, so he won’t turn you down.”

After that, Jacob had kept his mouth closed and let Vanessa plan the entire thing with his mother’s help since she’d finally convinced his father to grudgingly let him marry Vanessa. He only butted in when he had to keep Billy from strangling Vanessa.

“How’s the wedding planning going?” asked Bella, jarring him out of his thoughts.

He rolled his eyes. “It’s going…”

She laughed again.. “That bad, huh?”

He shrugged, “I think mom has things under control now, she seems to keep Vanessa much calmer these days.”

Bella chuckled. “That’s good. How’s your dad handling it?”

The scowl on his face was her answer. “Right. Okay, moving on. Did your mom get to book that hotel ballroom for the reception? The one she called my mom about the other night.”

Jacob sighed. “Yeah, she did and I’m glad. That’s one less thing I have to hear Vanessa whine about. Now I think all that’s left is booking the place for the wedding ceremony and ordering the wedding invitations so we can send them out to everyone.”

Bella frowned. “Wow, you are cutting it close, aren’t you? Isn’t it supposed to be held in about a month from now?”

“Yeah,” came his muttered response, “but mom swears everything will be perfect before then, so I’m taking her word for it no matter how much Vanessa seems nervous about it.”

Bella’s only response was a nod as they neared the building he’d been heading to. Through the glass doors, they could both see Vanessa impatiently tapping her foot and glaring at them both. Jacob knew she wasn’t venturing outside because it was raining and Vanessa never liked to mess up her appearance if she could help it.

He turned to Bella and gave her a hopeful smile. “I have a while before my next class. Can you join me in the student lounge for a bit? We could watch TV in there.”

Bella bit her bottom lip while looking at Vanessa out of the corner of her eye. If looks could kill, Bella knew she’d be a scorch mark on the pavement despite the rain.

“Sorry Jake, but I have to do some research before my next class or I won’t be prepared for it.”

At his fading smile she added, “But we’re having barbeque ribs tonight if you want to join us. I know you love the way our cook makes them just as much as dad does. We could eat them in the media room while watching movies, if you’d like.”

Jacob’s smile returned full force until Vanessa’s voice interrupted. “Jake sweetie, your mom called me and wanted me to let you know that we’re all meeting tonight with the owner of one of the places we want to book for the wedding. If we get this then we can order the invitations tomorrow!”

Bella could only watch as the smile and light left Jake’s face once again. She knew that meant he was upset that once again he couldn’t spend time with her because of wedding plans. Although she hadn’t seen much of him lately, she still got plenty of text messages and phone calls that let her know how much he was missing his best friend. She knew how much he needed her, but there was so much getting in their way lately, so she couldn’t be there for him like he wanted.

She knew it was specifically Vanessa’s doing even though she never came out and said it. Whenever Jacob seemed to seek her out, Vanessa always interfered. It was as if the woman had a radar that kept track of both of them and whenever it sensed that the two of them were anywhere near interacting with each other, it warned her so she could make sure to keep Jacob away from his best friend. Jacob might still be in denial that Vanessa hated Bella, but Bella knew what those icy glares and sharp words meant.

“Oh, well, I guess some other time then Bells?” Jacob replied in a soft voice.

Bella nodded. “Sure. Um, I’ve got to get going. I’ll see you around Jake.”

He gave her a sad nod in reply as he followed Vanessa into the building.

Vanessa hid the triumphant smile from Jacob and Bella as she walked back into the building. Once again she had succeeded in keeping Jacob away from that meddlesome goody-two-shoes. She was getting tired of always having to keep an eye on those two. She couldn’t wait for the wedding day to get here, nor for the birth of the baby.

If she had her way, Bella wouldn’t even be allowed to the wedding itself, but she knew that was an impossibility since the Swan family was practically an extension of the Black family. Still, she could hope that Bella would feel too uncomfortable to attend the wedding and she had about a month left to make sure that’s just what Bella would soon feel.

From the looks of it, her plan seemed to be working already, but she still had to find a way to get Jacob to stop trying to include the woman in his life somehow. He didn’t need that woman for a best friend, he had Embry Call for that.

Best friend! Yeah right! No matter what he said, Vanessa knew there was so much more to their friendship than was said. She knew that Ms. Swan was the only thing on earth that could keep her from getting what she wanted and she wanted Jacob Black.

She rubbed her hand over her belly as she sat in the chair next to Jacob, sure in the knowledge that not even Bella could compete for Jacob’s affections once the baby was born. Oh yes, Vanessa would be living the dream. She’d be married to one of the most successful, wealthy businessmen in Seattle and they’d be starting a family to boot. Her life would be perfect.

****************************************

(Song: Amy Lee - Sally’s Song)

Bella walked through the gardens of her parents home, her thoughts turned towards her best friend. It seemed she just couldn’t stop worrying about him, so much so that she’d skipped the rest of her classes and returned home. It’s where she’d spent the rest of the day aimlessly walking around or sitting on one of the benches.

The last look she’d seen on Jacob’s face before he’d gone into the building with Vanessa had set off alarms inside of her. She couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling that something was wrong, something she couldn’t put her finger on. She felt as if something really bad was going to happen and that he’d need her to be there for him when it went down. However, she feared that she wouldn’t be able to do that. At least not the way he’d expect her to.

Bella wanted nothing more than to be there for him, but she knew she was only fooling herself these days. The more he stayed away, the more she missed him. And the more she realized she missed him, the more she knew it wasn’t just his friendship that she missed. With his impending wedding to Vanessa, she knew she was losing more than just her best friend.

She was losing her everything.

She was finally admitting it to herself. Sure, she had always loved him, but now she knew she was falling in love with him.

Bella stopped walking and looked around the gardens to see if she was alone. There was no one around as far as she knew.

She took a deep breath before speaking clearly and convincingly. “I, Bella Swan am in love with my best friend. I’m in love with Jacob Black.”

***************************************

(Song: Adele - Make You Feel My Love)

Jacob had just finished working out in the exercise room that his father had built upon his mother’s request back when Jacob was just a little boy. The work out was his only respite from Vanessa since he knew he was going to go take a shower and get ready for the meeting.

He quickly toweled his sweat-soaked torso off before tugging on a sleeveless tee and making his way back to the main house. As he walked into the foyer, his mother came down the stairs wearing a very nice floor length dress.

“Mom, when are we supposed to meet with the owner of the place we’re having the wedding at?”

Sarah looked up at her son in confusion. “What meeting?”

“Isn’t that why you’re dressed up?”

She smiled as she patted his arm. “Your father and I are going out to dinner with Charlie and Renee.”

Jacob arched an eyebrow. “Is Bella going too?”

Billy walked out of his office and gave Sarah a kiss on the cheek. “You look beautiful, my dear.” He turned to Jacob, “As for Bella, no, she’s not going with us. I’m sure she’s still at the library surrounded by books.”

“Right,” mumbled Jacob as he walked towards the stairs. “Well, have a good time.”

As soon as he got to his bedroom, he retrieved his cell phone from his nightstand and checked his messages. There was a voicemail from Vanessa.

“Jacob sweetie? I’m so sorry, but I just realized that I got your mom’s message wrong. We’re going to have a meeting tomorrow not tonight, but we can still get together tonight if you want.”

He immediately deleted the message and looked at the text message she’d sent later. @ home planning wedding on comp if u want 2 talk via chat.

He scowled and texted her back. Got ur VM & ur txt. Not feeling well. Gonna call it an early nite.

She immediately texted back. What’s wrong? Need me 2 come & take care of u?


No. just gonna sleep. TTY tomorrow.

Ok. Love u sweetie.


Ditto. He sent the last message, then punched the number two and the call button so his phone would speed dial Bella’s phone.

He listened to the ring tone until her recorded greeting came on. Sighing, he hung up and tossed his phone back on the dresser thinking his father was probably right. Bella was probably still at the library studying, especially since it looked like the barbeque dinner had been cancelled by her parents. Running his hand through his hair, he decided to just go take a shower and call it a night like he’d told Vanessa.

*****************************************

Bella looked up from her seat at her desk when she heard the tap on her door. She smiled at her father as he walked in looking rather dapper in a semi-casual suit sans tie.

“What’s up dad?”

Charlie gave his daughter a sheepish look. “Honey, I’m sorry but your mom and I forgot to mention earlier that we’re not having the barbeque dinner tonight. We’re going out with Billy and Sarah.”

She gave her dad a confused look. “Oh, okay. I thought Sarah and Jacob were supposed to be meeting with an owner of one of the buildings where the wedding is going to be held?”

Renee shook her head as she entered the room. “No sugar, Sarah told me she was going to spend tomorrow narrowing down choices with Vanessa, then they’d make calls to see which one would be available for the selected date.”

“Hm, guess there was a mix-up then.”

Renee smiled. “The cook is making some veggies and grilled chicken for you for dinner, okay?”

“That’s fine, thanks mom.”

“No problem. Oh and here’s your cell phone, I found it on the table in the foyer.”

Bella giggled as she accepted the phone from Renee. “Oops, guess I forgot I set it there when I was looking for my Ipod in my backpack.”

Her parents chuckled as they left her room.

She waved to them from the top of the stairs, waiting until the front door closed before she went  back into her bedroom and closed the door. Looking at her phone, she noticed she had one missed call but no message. Checking the log, she discovered Jacob had called her less than ten minutes ago.

Wondering what he wanted, she punched number two then the call button and let her phone speed dial Jacob’s number. She listened as the phone rang until she heard his recorded voice. Instead of leaving a message of her own, she hung up the phone and tossed it on her bed with a groan.

What was she thinking? Of course he’d be with Vanessa right now even though they didn’t have that meeting after all. She was certain he wasn’t interested in answering his phone regardless. Shaking her head, she went to finish up on the computer before heading down to the media room for a movie night alone.

******************************************

(Song: Evanescence - Anything For You)

Jacob fell back on his bed wearing nothing but a towel around his waist and stared at the ceiling. The shower had left him clean and now he was feeling a bit sleepy. He sighed wishing he could go to the library to find Bella and ask if she still wanted to have movie night with him, but he knew better. He’d never find her in a huge place like that.

He could have the front desk page her, but the more he thought about it, the more he didn’t think it was an option either. She sometimes hated being interrupted and he was a little uncertain that he would stay awake for movie night anyway.

Still, he missed her and the good times they always had. Closing his eyes, he thought back to the night of their senior prom, remembering how the two of them had gone with separate dates, but ended up spending most of their time together.

Bella stopped the movie she’d been watching, unable to concentrate on it since her thoughts kept wandering back to Jacob. Sighing, she closed her eyes and let her mind wander back in time to one of the best nights she’d had with him. That night Jacob had helped her to make-believe in fairytales. She’d been able to pretend, just for that night, that everything was perfect.

Eighteen year old Bella sat next to her date, Embry, watching the couples on the dance floor moving to the DJ’s beats. She glanced over at Embry just in time to see him blush and look away from her. She knew he’d been staring at her when he thought she wouldn’t notice, but he had yet to say anything, much less ask her to dance. She was still amazed he’d managed to get past his shyness enough to ask her to the prom as his date even though they’d all ended up going as a group in one limousine.


Granted, everyone was all paired up, but it was still a group thing. Leah was with her current boyfriend, Mark. Quil was with Leah’s cousin, Amy. Jared was with his long-time girlfriend, Kim. Bella was with Embry even though they were just friends and Jacob was with his current girlfriend, Victoria.


Embry and the guys had all gotten dressed at Jacob’s house then went by limo to pick up each of the girls at their own homes. Then once everyone had been picked up, they’d gone to take pictures at the hotel before going out to eat at the only restaurant in town where all the teens who wanted to be seen as ‘hip’ were going. That choice had been Victoria’s since she was the one who loved to be seen as part of the ‘it’ crowd. 


Everyone else just went along, more eager to eat quickly so they could get to the prom itself. Well, the majority did anyway. There were a couple who couldn’t wait for the ‘after’ part of the prom.


By the time they’d finally arrived at the prom, the hotel ballroom was already packed and rocking. Quil and Jared had immediately dragged their dates to the dance floor and Leah and Mark had followed soon after. Jacob had tried to talk Victoria into a dance, but she was more concerned with being seen on his arm and rubbing elbows with the other cool kids. At first Jacob really didn’t mind talking to others there, he was a very charismatic and friendly guy after all.


Eventually though, he wanted to dance, so he let Victoria go off on her own when she told him she was fine with it. That was the cool thing about Victoria, she wasn’t a clingy girlfriend but she loved any and all attention given to her by anyone who mattered.


Jacob made his way towards the table that his group had claimed for the night and was surprised to see that Quil, Amy and Leah were now sitting there with Embry and Bella. He could tell that only Embry and Bella still hadn’t danced since the others looked a bit sweaty and disheveled already. He sat down in the empty chair next to Bella and looked around for Leah’s boyfriend.


He leaned over the table and shouted loud enough to be heard over the music. “Where’s Mark?”


Leah gestured to the refreshment table. “Getting drinks, we’re refueling.”


She shared a knowing grin with Jacob before he turned to lean closer to Bella’s side.


“Enjoying yourself?” he asked.


She smiled. “Yeah.”


He could tell that wasn’t entirely the truth. He knew Bella liked to dance and Embry didn’t. He’d warned Embry that if he asked Bella to be his date, he’d have to dance with her and Embry had agreed to do so. Unfortunately it looked like he was going back on his word.


When Bella turned to watch the dancers again, Jacob leaned back behind her and caught Embry’s attention.


“Well?” he mouthed.


“What?” Embry mouthed back.


Jacob rolled his eyes at his thick-headed friend. “Ask. Her. To. Dance!” He mouthed each word with emphasis.


Embry turned beet red and mouthed. “I can’t. You do it.”


Jacob raised an eyebrow as he mouthed, “Seriously?”


Embry glanced at Bella who was nodding to the music before he gave a defeated nod to Jacob.


Jacob shrugged as he mouthed, “Your loss.”


He waited until a new song started before he leaned closer to Bella and gave her his smile. “Want to dance Bells?”


Her face lit up for a moment before it faded as she glanced at Embry. “Um, I don’t…”


“It’s okay,” Embry waved towards the dance floor while still blushing. “Go ahead.”


Bella smiled as she gave him a kiss on the cheek before taking Jacob’s hand and letting him lead her to the dance floor. There was an upbeat song playing, so the two of them launched into the groove as soon as  they’d found a spot for themselves. They remained out there for two more songs before taking a break for some drinks.


By the time they’d returned to the table, Embry was involved in some games and laughter with Quil and Mark while Leah and Amy were out on the dance floor with several other girls dancing in a group. Jared and Kim, who had spent most of the time out on the dance floor up ‘til then, were now nowhere to be seen.


The rest of the night seemed to pass quickly for Jacob and Bella. Since their dates had found something else to occupy their time, Jake and Bells ended up spending their senior prom together.


They laughed and danced for most of the night, stopping to rest every now and then while chatting happily about the fun they were having or laughing at their friends antics. Jacob rarely let go of Bella’s hand unless they were dancing to a fast song in which they weren’t close together for, but he held her hand as he led her to and from the dance floor. He also held it as they sat at the table unless his arm was slung over her shoulders.


It didn’t take long before the two of them seemed lost in their own happy little world which they’d created that night. Everyone else seemed to cease to exist around them as the night went on. Being together had made their night much better, unfortunately it also made the night pass a little too quickly for them. Soon the DJ was announcing that the last two songs were going to be slow numbers for all of the couples out there.


Bella was certain that Jacob was going to go in search of his girlfriend at that point, but she was surprised when the first slow song started and Jacob held his hand out to her.


“Shall we?” he asked with a smile.


She took his hand and stood up, leaning close to him she asked, “Shouldn’t you dance these last two with Victoria?”


He winked at her. “Victoria isn’t interested in dancing. Besides, I’d rather dance with my best girl. She fits me better.”


Bella was glad he wasn’t looking at her as he led her to the dance floor because his last words had her blushing from head to toe. He’d said words she’d always dreamed of hearing someday from a guy who meant the world to her. If only Jacob was the guy she’d always dreamed of, the one whom she would be everything he’d ever need.


Jacob stopped in the middle of the floor and wrapped his arms around Bella’s waist. He hugged her to him for a moment before putting some space between their bodies and moving to the music. By the time he smiled down at her, her blush was gone.


“Thanks for dancing with me tonight Bells.”


She smiled back. “You’re welcome Jake. You know I’d do anything for you. Always.”


He chuckled softly. “Same here. Always.”


He reached up and brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Before I forget, I wanted to tell you, you look beautiful tonight.”


“And you look very handsome,” she whispered back.


He gave her a tender smile. “Thanks.”


She nodded as he pulled her closer before they danced the rest of the song in companionable silence. It wasn’t until the second song started that Jacob spoke again.


This time his voice was low and husky, near her ear as they swayed to the ballad. “I’m sorry Embry was a bad prom date. I warned him that you liked to dance when he told me he wanted to ask you to this.”


“It’s okay,” she whispered back. “I’ve had a good prom anyway.”


“I’m glad.”


“Me too.”


He chuckled. “You know, we could pretend this is how we planned it all along. We came with separate dates because we didn’t want anyone to discover our secret.”


“What secret?” she asked.


“That we wanted to come here together…so we could spend the night dancing together. We picked dates who don’t like dancing for that reason,” came his husky reply.


“Oh, that’s a good secret.”


“Yeah?”


“Yes.”


His arms tightened around her waist. “I’m glad you’re here with me Bells. It just feels right to end the night dancing with you. I can’t think of a better memory to end our senior prom with.”


She hugged him back. “I agree,” she whispered so softly that he almost didn’t hear it.


There was a moment of silence before he sighed. “You know what would make this night even more memorable? It’ll definitely put a smile on our faces when we look back on it.”


“What?”


“If I climbed up your balcony tonight, pretending like I’m a prince going to see his princess. We could hold each other, like we used to.”


Bella swallowed as the song came to an end. Suddenly she was glad the prom was over. Pulling away from him, she hoped she gave him a genuine grin.


“Very funny, Jake! It’d definitely be something we could tell our grandkids about.” She swatted his shoulder as he winked at her.


“They’d love it! Like I said, it’d put a smile on all of our faces.”


“Whatever,” she rolled her eyes as the lights came on and Jacob led her back to the table where the rest of their group was gathering.


In no time at all, everyone had piled into the limo and were soon dropped off at their respective homes. Of course, most of them knew that Leah and Kim were going to tell their parents that they were spending the night with each other so that they could actually spend the night with their boyfriends in true prom tradition. So eventually Kim ended up at Jared’s house while Mark and Leah were staying in Jared’s parent’s pool house.


Bella had thought her night was over once she’d been dropped off at home where she’d been ambushed by Renee who wanted to know all about her prom until she was satisfied enough to let her finally go get some sleep. She was curled under her down comforter and falling asleep when she felt her bed dip under someone’s weight. Gasping in surprise, she rolled over to see Jacob smiling down at her, wearing what looked like a cape over his pajamas and holding a handful of flowers he’d obviously plucked from her parent’s gardens.


“Hello, my fair princess!” he whispered, trying not to laugh. “It’s your brave prince come to rescue you from the evil, lonely bed that’s holding you hostage!”


Bella gaped at him for a moment before she clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles. She couldn’t believe Jacob was actually going through with this pretend story he’d suggested. Still, as his best friend, she was going to go along with this make-believe fairytale for his sake.


She lifted the back of her hand to her forehead, pretending to swoon as she whispered, “Oh brave prince! Thank you for coming to my rescue! I was beginning to think I would die all alone in this huge, cold bed!”


“Fear not, my lady, I’m here to keep you warm!” He whispered back as he placed the flowers on her nightstand, untied the cape and let it fall to the floor. 


Then he yanked the bed linens away from her and mock glared at them. “Take that you evil beast! Make way, for it is my duty and honor to keep the princess from catching your foul cold!”


He crawled onto the bed and curled up by Bella’s side, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. “There, there sweet princess. I have chased away the loneliness, now let me tend to the warmth.”


With that, he tucked the covers around them both and settled his body around hers to sleep. He whispered against her hair. “I told you I’d come for you.”


Bella smiled in the darkness. “Yes, you did. Thank you, Prince Jacob.”


“Goodnight Princess Bella. Love you.”


“Love you too.”

Laying on his bed, curled up on his side, fast asleep, Jacob wore the smile he’d once told Bella he’d have whenever he thought back on their senior prom. It was a night he’d never forget.

Even Bella would never forget it as she slept on the sofa in the media room. She wore a matching smile, but only her dreams knew the smile was for an entirely different reason than Jacob’s was. Bella Swan had truly found her prince that night.

Her fairytale had come true, even if it had only been make-believe.