Twilight Saga – The Alternate Ending

Chapter 1

We pick up from Bella leaving Jacob's room after the fight in the meadow.

Walking out of Jacob's room, I kept my eyes to the floor, I didn't have it in me to face Billy. The flood of tears was being held back by everything I had – and I couldn't understand it.

I couldn't understand how I could love them both as much as I did. Edward was my everything, and what happened after he left showed me how nearly impossible life would be without him. But then there was Jacob. I didn't think I would have ever loved anyone again – but yet I did love him, everything that had happened today had shown me that.

Stepping off his front porch I got into the truck and let the wave of tears take over. I lay my head on the steering wheel as the tears fell to the floor. How could this be hurting me so deeply? Edward was everything I had ever wanted and everything that I never felt I deserved, the very presence of him in my life was like an answered prayer.

As if he knew I was thinking about him, I felt a vibration in my jacket pocket. The tears gave way to sobs as half of me so desperate to answer was equally met by the other half that wanted to race back into Jacob. I answered the phone to hear his gasp in response to my tear strained voice

"Bella, are you alright, are you off Quilute land – I'll come and get you"

Shakily I took a breath

"No, I'm out the front of Jake's – I can't see straight enough to drive" and with that another wave of sobs racked me. "Bella, start the truck my love, I'll be waiting at the boundary for you, I hate to hear you like this"

The torment in his voice almost broke me, hearing him sharing my pain had me starting the truck, and filled with the resolve to drive it to the boundary knowing he was there.

As the truck rumbled to life I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, and put it into reverse. Starting to move, my thoughts turned to seeing him there on the bed, covered in bandages. Jake's room was so impossibly small he took up most of it, poor Billy was going to have a time looking after him… and it hit. I might not be able to love him in the way he loved me, but I could help care for him. I know he wasn't sure whether he wanted to see me or not, but I didn't have a whole lot of time left to be human, and I wasn't going to leave him in his hour of need.

Before I lost my resolve I jumped out of the truck and walked in the door

"Bella, what are you…"

I didn't wait to hear the rest of what Billy was saying, slowly I opened Jakes door

"Jake are you awake?" I whispered into the darkened room

"Bella, what are you doing back?" I could hear the croak in his throat, he had been crying – whether from his injuries or me I couldn't tell.

'I can't leave you like this Jake, this doesn't change how I feel about Edward – let me make that clear, but I need to see you get better and I need to help you"

As my eyes focussed in the darkness I saw him looking at me, seemingly weighing up what I said.

"Bella, I don't…."

"Jake, you don't get a choice in this – ok. I am staying. Now I need to make a few calls, but I'll be back. Relax" and I walked out, this was something I was not going to argue about with him.

Walking into the lounge I stopped and worked myself up to tell Billy

"Billy, I know I should have asked you first, but I'll be needing your couch for a few weeks"

Billy raised his eyebrows "That's not for me to decide – you really need to talk to Charlie. I could use the help, but I don't want this to work out worse for Jacob."

"I don't want to hurt him anymore either, but I know I can't leave him like this. After everything he tried to… after everything he has done for me, it's my turn to look out for him. He's my best friend."

Billy sighed and rubbed his forehead, he nearly lost his son tonight, and I had to remember that.

"Ok Bella, you can stay – but only under the condition that there will be no trouble with your vampire. Jake needs quiet and time to heal, no stress – you understand"

I felt my back straighten "I promise Billy, no stress – I'll go call Charlie now" and Edward I thought, oh geez – how was I going to tell Edward?

My phone started ringing before I could even dial his number "Bella, why can't Alice see your immediate future? What is going on?"

"Edward, I need to stay….. here, to help Billy look after Jake. I just can't leave him like this – he almost died today" The heart was thudding so loudly in anticipation of his response I was sure he could hear it.

"Bella, I don't like this. I don't think it's appropriate or safe for you there. Let me meet you at the border" I could hear him trying very hard not to demand me be there.

"I love you, you are my world – but my mind is made up. I can do some good here and I don't have long left – please Edward, give me this" I held my breath, I didn't want to argue with him, far from it – but I wanted him to love me enough to let me do this.

"I won't argue with you" I could hear the resignation in his voice, he didn't want to drive me away "But please call me tomorrow when you are heading home to grab your things I ache to see you again Mrs Cullen"

"I promise, I love you, and thank you….. thank you for understanding."

The call to Charlie went surprisingly well. Billy had already told him about Jake having been in a motorbike accident and Charlie was too concerned about Jake's welfare than he was about me being out for the night, and foreseeable future.

The lights were off when I walked back into the house, but bedding had been left on the couch. It was surreal being here, like I was intruding – but so much like home at the same time. I knew that I would be of better use to Jake if I was in reaching distance, so despite what Billy might have to say I grabbed the pillow and blanket and heading to Jakes room. Thankfully it was a warm night; otherwise those floorboards would have been very uncomfortable.

Stretching my arms out I woke to the cold hard floorboards and for a second thought it was Edward. Opening my eyes to the dim light in the room, I felt at first a confusion, and then disappointment at the realisation that he wasn't there. Rubbing my eyes, I was caught off guard by a deep rumbling from Jacobs chest, rolling onto my side I found myself face to face with my best friend.

He was still asleep. I couldn't help but smile – he growled in his sleep, just like a puppy. Just wait till he woke up – with this information I would tease him for a week.

I could see that his bandages were fresh and that an IV had been put in whilst I was sleeping – Carlisle had been. Some night nurse I was supposed to be – I hadn't even heard him. My hope was that he understood why I needed to be here and didn't think badly of me for it. It was going to be hard enough dealing with Edward, I didn't have it in me to worry about how badly they might think of me.

Rosalie was the only person whose reaction I could count on, she would be happy to see me spend as much time away from her family as possible. Understanding the reasons behind her aversion to me was one thing, but it still didn't change how she felt about me.

I stood carefully, trying not to make any sound. The floor creaked lightly as I stepped towards the door, I had to get home and pack some things for my stay. The whole house seemed to groan with every move I made – good thing Jacob had never phased in here – the room wouldn't stand a chance.

My hand had just touched the door handle when I realised the room was suddenly very quiet. I turned to find Jacob looking at me – his expression surprisingly guarded.

"Good morning Mister" I couldn't help but smile, seeing him rested after everything that had happened yesterday in the field. He still looked hurt, but the injuries were not as severe as yesterday. His left arm was still hidden under a swathe of bandages, and the bruising on his neck and face was a lot darker – but he was better.

"You stayed" he mumbled roughly.

"Of course I did, I told you I would" I tilted my head slightly, I didn't understand, I thought he would be a little happier that I was here. "Why, did you wish I hadn't?"

He averted his eyes to the ceiling as a sense of shock came over me, I was so used to Jacob trying to keep me wherever he was – that this hesitation seemed to take the wind out of my sails.

"It's not that Bella – I'm glad you're here, really….. I am. But what are you doing? You chose him remember."

"Yes Jacob Black I did" I snapped "But I couldn't just leave you, I don't just say I love you to anyone, and even though I don't mean it in the way you would like me to, doesn't make it any less true". Taking a deep breath I continued "I need to know that you are ok, wait… it's more than that, I need to see you well. I never thanked you, you know… for saving me, before – when Edward left…."

Saying the words, I could feel a very faint outline of the hole that used to be in my chest. I could see him grimace, he didn't want my pity, or a mercy 'save'

"Now don't get me wrong Jake – I know you had ulterior motives" I raised my eyebrows suggestively and my reward was a slight smile on his lips "and it's not that I feel obligated to return the favour. But I want to be with you, I want to spend time with you, and being Nurse Swan meets both our needs right now"

He rolled his eyes and let out a small chuckle "Nurse Swan, does that mean you'll wear a uniform too?" I couldn't believe the cheek, but was too happy to hear his laugh to be offended. The deep and heavy discussion was off the hook for now.

"Listen Jake, I need to go home and grab a few things – I'll be staying here 24/7 at least for the next week, so we can argue the merits of love and friendship when I get back, I won't be gone long"

Settling into his pillow I could see he still had a long way to go, even our short conversation had seemed to tire him out. "Ok Bells, I just need to rest up a little more, but about the uniform…"

"No uniform – now cut it out" I grumbled turning bright red. I heard his chuckling all the way to the car.

Driving off the reservation I was actually surprised to not see Edward. I expected him to be as he was before the battle, pacing the border, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose, desperately waiting. This, this was something new. Flipping open my cell I dialled his number, his answering in a millisecond, now that - I was used to.

"Bella, I've missed you. Are you on your way home now?" His voice sent shivers down my spine – I still found myself fighting to accept that he was talking to me.

"I missed you too Edward, I'll be home in 10mins, I can't wait to see you"