Chapter 16: Too-Much-Information Alert

Chapter Number: 16

Chapter Name: Too-Much-Information-Alert

Page Numbers: 308-328

Date of Chapter:
September 11, 2006

Summary: The chapter begins with Jacob, Seth, and Leah running the woods sniffing out the trails. Leah makes quips about the “bloodsuckers” while Jacob and Seth ignore her. She remarks on how Jacob has changed, and he replies that she has as well. Jacob suggests they hunt on their way back to the Cullens. Leah isn’t pleased with this idea. Jacob tells her it is all in her head, and she cuts him off telling him it didn’t really matter. She would hunt anyway.

Leah suddenly thanks Jacob for letting her stay in his pack. He tells her he hasn’t minded having her around. They banter playfully back and forth until she shocks him by stating she wants to remain in his pack even after the Cullens were gone. She tells Jacob that they only have to put up with each other while they’re in their wolf forms. Very quietly, Seth admits he wants to stay as well. Jacob tells the brother and sister wolves that this won’t be a pack much longer. He encourages Seth to live his life. Leah agrees with Jacob, but asserts that the situation is different for her because she planned on leaving. She wants to go to college.

On their way back, Jacob hears Seth grumbling inside his head. Seth understood that he must stay in La Push and take care of his mom. Leah wouldn’t do that, and the idea of her remaining with Jacob scares him. They come upon a herd of deer. When Leah has trouble eating her prey, Jacob reaches out to her with his mind. This seems to help her, and she is able to eat in peace. He comments internally that she isn’t the same girl she used to be because she is away from the constant pain of being near Sam.

Jacob reminds Leah that he won’t be pleasant to be around once Bella is gone. Leah tells him that his pain will be easier for her to deal than her own. She says that Bella is his Sam. She tells Jacob that his pain will be worse because at least Sam is alive and happy. She says she might even help him through his pain. Jacob admits to himself that he likes her ability to perceive the images in his head objectively. Leah then shocks and angers Jacob by claiming to understand Rosalie’s perspective. After he calms down a bit, she responds that she understands how it feels to be a “genetic dead end.” She then explains to Jacob how she feels like a freak being the only “girlie-wolf.” They argue back and forth over how Leah may do the same thing if she were in Rosalie’s shoes. She understands Rosalie’s behavior and motive. She said she’d do the same thing for Bella as Rosalie is doing because she would want them to do the same for her.  This is too much for Jacob and he ends the conversation.

Jacob phases back to his human self and returns to the Cullen home. He immediately hears the X-ray machine whirring. Jacob runs into Alice and she informs him that Bella’s pelvis may be broken. They overhear Rosalie saying she knew she didn’t hear a crack. Alice quips to Jacob that Edward is going to end up ripping Rosalie to shreds and she’s surprised that Rosalie doesn’t see it. She ponders that maybe Rosalie thinks Emmett will save her. Jacob offers to take care of Emmett while Alice helps Edward with the ripping.

Jacob tells Carlisle that they are safe to hunt. Carlisle begins giving hunting directions, and Rosalie hisses because she will not leave Bella alone with Edward. She says she will hunt when he does. Jasper, Emmett, Esme, Alice, and Carlisle depart. Although he planned on sleeping, Jacob decides he cannot pass up a chance to annoy Rosalie. He plops down by her and puts his stinky foot in her direction.  He begins to irritate Rosalie with blonde jokes. When she fails to respond to his joke, Jacob asks Edward if she’d heard it, and Edward tells him no. He tells her his joke; she threatens his life; he tells her to bring it, and Bella scolds Jacob. He asks – hopefully and fearfully – does she want him to leave. She exclaims “No! Of course not.” He and Edward both sigh at the fact that Bella isn’t over Jacob yet.

Rosalie leaves to get Bella another cup of blood. Soon after her departure, Edward asks Jacob and Bella if either of them had said something. Neither had. Edward crawls over to Bella and asks her what was she just thinking about; she hesitantly responds “Just . . . Esme’s island. And feathers.” Edward asks her to say something else. Then Edward shocked both Jacob and Rosalie by placing both of his hands over Bella’s pregnant belly. Edward realizes he can hear the baby. He then tells Bella the baby loves the sound of her voice and is happy. Bella talks to the baby while Edward relays “messages.” Jacob notices that the burning and pain is gone from Edward’s eyes.  Bella tells Edward she has named the baby “EJ.”  Edward then learns the baby loves his voice too. Rosalie asks about a girl name, just in case. Bella tells her “Renesmee.” Edward, in a very shocking move, lays his ear on Bella’s large belly, and in wonder exclaims that the baby loves Bella – he adores her.

Jacob then realizes he is all alone now. Edward was his comrade-in-arms in the war against the fetus, Bella, and Rosalie, and Edward has switched sides. Edward is supposed to hate the fetus more than Jacob. Jacob feels betrayed. Jacob stands abruptly. Edward sees Jacob’s pain. He throws Jacob a set of keys, and tells Jacob to go.

Characters Involved: Jacob Black, Leah Clearwater, Seth Clearwater, Carlisle Cullen, Rosalie Cullen, Edward Cullen, Alice Cullen, and Bella Cullen.

Characters Mentioned:
Sam Uley, Paul, Jared, Quil Ateara, Emmett Cullen, Esme Cullen, and Jasper Cullen

Place Visited: the forest adjacent or surrounding the Cullen’s home and the Cullen Home

Memorable Quotes:
“Of course not. I just love to coddle those darling leeches.”  Leah to Jacob – page 309.

“I wasn’t born a compassionless shrew.  I used to be sort of nice, you know.”  Leah to Jacob – page 316.

“I’m talking about being a genetic dead end, Jacob.”  Leah to Jacob – page 317.

“None of them have a mind of their own.” Jacob to Leah  – page 319.

“Even though I don’t think too much of her, I’d probably do the same as the bloodsucker.”  Leah to Jacob – page 320.

“Edward’s going to end up ripping Rose into small pieces, I think.” Alice to Jacob – page 321.

“I’ll take Emmett… You can help Edward with the ripping part.” Jacob to Alice – page 321.

“I’d like to beat you dead.” Rosalie to Jacob – page 324.

“Holy crow, you can hear him!” Bella to Edward – page 325.

“I love you so much, little EJ, of course you’re happy.” Bella to Edward – page 326.

“Playing with Renee and Esme.  I was thinking . . . Ruh-nez-may.” Bella to Rosalie – page 327.

“Go, Jacob.  Get away from here.”  Edward to Jacob – page 328.

Important Information Learned:
Leah tells Jacob he is a good pack leader and wants to remain with him.

Leah feels she is a genetic dead-end.

Jacob and Leah pressure Seth to return to Sam’s pack after Cullen’s leave.

Jacob and Alice bond over their mutual dislike of Rosalie.

Jacob plans to go full wolf once Bella is gone.

Jacob assumes the La Push pack is staying away so the Cullen’s can hunt.

Chapter Prepared By: Goodnight Elizabeth