Again, this is Stephenie Meyer's world, not mine. I'm just rewriting the end of New Moon in a way that's a little more satisfying to me. This is an Edward/Bella story, so don't worry! He'll be here eventually. I'm just having fun playing with some "what if" questions. What if Bella hadn't jumped? What if Alice had called Edward or missed Bella at her house? What if Edward had already been heading back to Forks to check on Bella? I'm hoping this story will have some fun flirting with different answers to those questions!
Please review if you have a chance; this is my first fanfic and I'm always looking for ways to improve!
Jake and I returned to his house, stumbling rain-drenched, into his little den. The house felt sad, though nothing bad had happened there. Just knowing that Billy was out, dealing with the death of a friend and council member, was enough to make the normally cheery house a place of silence. Jake briefly disappeared to change into some dry clothes, coming back with a hugely oversized t-shirt and sweatshirt for me. I gratefully changed in his bathroom before we both collapsed on the couch. Jacob was quiet, obviously thinking about Harry. I stayed quiet, not protesting when he tucked me under his arm and rested his head on top of mine. We both needed comfort: him for the death of a family friend and me for the death of my delusions. Because as I lay there, curled up beside my best friend, I realized that it was time for me to grow up. Not let go: I didn't think I would ever be able to do that. But it was time to stop throwing myself at the next adrenaline inducing activity in the hopes of hearing the voice of someone who was never coming back. It was the responsible thing to do. What if it had been me that had died that day? What if that current had swept me away, out to sea, never to return? How could I do that to Charlie? To Jacob? After everything they had both done for me, they deserved better than that. I owed them both my life. It would just about kill me to give up those few moments when I could hear Edward's voice again but I would have to do it. Because there were other people who loved me and they did not deserve to get a phone call about some horrible accident of my own making. The hole in my chest burned in protest and I felt tears gathering in my eyes but I resisted the urge to cry. It was time to grow up.
Jacob must have dozed off for a moment because he suddenly jumped, startling me. He chuckled in embarrassment and then stood swiftly, pulling me up with him. "Come on Bells," he said. "I should get you home. I'm sure Charlie will want to see you."
We drove to my house in silence. As we pulled up, Jake killed the ignition. I went to open the door but he suddenly pulled me into another of his bone-breaking hugs. "I'm so glad you didn't jump off that cliff Bella," he murmured into my hair. "When I didn't see you on the beach…and then saw you standing at the edge of that cliff…" He swallowed. "My heart almost stopped. I've never run so fast in my life. If you had been hurt," he shook his head, "I don't know what I would have done. Thank you."
Hearing those words again, coming from someone else I loved, not as much but loved enough, made tears prick my eyes again. I knew I had made the right decision today as he held me close; I could not cause him any more pain. As I sat there, wrapped in his arms, more thoughts began to swirl through my head. Jacob wanted me, wanted to be with me. I knew he loved me and I loved him enough that I wanted him to be happy. I could make him happy. Sure, I would be completely giving up on the man I truly loved, loved to the very core of my being, but maybe Charlie was right. Maybe I had to accept what Fate had dealt out to me; my mother had left Charlie heartbroken and alone but he had recovered. He had put his life back together, found some small measure of happiness. Maybe it was time for me to do the same.
I could make that choice right now. If I lifted my face up to Jacob's, pressed my lips gently against his, he would not question…at least not tonight. It would be enough. I hesitated, my breath starting to pick up, my heart starting to pound. Jacob, sensing my sudden reaction, began to release me. I took a deep breath and looked up into his dark eyes. They went wide, seeing the conflict on my face. Very, very slowly, he leaned in, keeping his eyes on mine. And then suddenly, I heard Edward's voice, as if he were sitting beside me. "Be happy, Bella," he whispered. I froze, shocked into stillness as surely as if I had been paralyzed. Jacob saw my sudden panic and immediately backed away, trying to hide the expression of hurt on his face. I swallowed tightly and turned to escape. I opened the door…and instantly everything changed. Jacob reached out, slamming the door closed, suddenly shaking.
"Jacob, what's wrong?" I asked.
"There was a vampire here," he hissed through clenched teeth, looking around wildly. I also began to look around, a cold sweat breaking out. The street was empty; my house was dark. There was nothing to be seen.
"You said was?" I whispered. "Do you think she's gone?"
Without answering, Jacob got out of the truck, closing the door behind him. I could tell he was taking deep breaths, taking in every scent he could. He followed the smell right around the side of my house, pausing below my window. He scrambled up the tree, pushed open my window and climbed inside. All this time I was glancing around me, trying to take in every sight, waiting for something to burst through the car door. Then Jake was suddenly back, running back to the truck and jumping inside. He was shaking but he did not look so furious.
"Whoever it was, they're gone," he said, trying to calm himself. "They went up to your room but then they left."
"Was it Victoria?" I managed to say.
He shook his head tightly. "I didn't recognize the scent," he admitted. "It was a bloodsucker I don't know. I should take you back to my house…"
Just then another set of lights came down the street: it was Charlie. I thought of him, being here alone and upset, while a strange vampire stalked the house. I gulped and shook my head. "No, I'm staying here. I'm not leaving Charlie alone," I said loudly, interrupting whatever Jake had been about to say. "And I don't want to drag him out of his home when he's grieving. My imagination for excuses is dry right now so can we please just stay here? It wasn't Victoria, so it could have been anyone. Maybe she's got a friend, maybe…" My throat closed up suddenly. No, it couldn't have been one of them. None of them were coming back. But the sudden hope was almost overwhelming.
Jake's eyes narrowed in reaction to the change in my expression. "I'll run patrol," he said finally. "I'll get some of the guys down here to keep an eye on you. Do not leave this house, do you understand me?" He waited until I nodded. "I don't like this Bella. But I'm trusting you to not get yourself killed." With that, he got out, opened my door, and led me inside, keeping me tight against his body.