Thank you to everyone who's read, favorited, followed, and especially reviewed so far! Also, a special thanks to skydancer-earthwalker for the very encouraging review, which is most of the reason why I'm already posting this chapter!

Addy knew Charlie hardly slept that night at all. She could hear him wander aimlessly throughout the house until the sky turned a light gray to signal morning.

She hardly slept, herself. Sometimes she just couldn't stop the occasional tear from slipping down her cheek.

Bella left them.

Just packed up her things and left.

There had to be a reason for that, right? More than just Edward, right?

She craned her neck from her pillow to look over and see the picture beside her bed. She begged herself to smile at the memory, but what did it matter? Bella didn't want to be with her anymore.

She pulled herself from bed around eight, she knew that attempts at sleep were futile at that point.

Charlie sat at the kitchen table, the paper opened slightly in front of him. His eyes simply stared forward, blood shot and squinty, his mouth a mere line under his mustache.

Addy sighed and walked in, pursing her lips as she began towards the coffee machine. She had never cared for coffee, but she was smart enough to realize that her and Charlie both needed a kickstart.

When it was nice and hot she poured off two cups of the black liquid and placed them on the table, one in front of Charlie and one across from him for herself. She wandered to the fridge to grab creamer before joining him at the table.

"Here," she mumbled, shoving the bottle towards him and his cup.

The motion startled him, pulling him from his trance and back to reality.

"Thanks." He nodded curtly as he poured a dash of the creamer in.

They sat in silence as they both stared off into their own worlds, casually sipping from their mugs every now and then.

An hour passed like that.

"I'm going to stay here, no matter what," Addy finally spoke, her voice little in the empty house, "if you'll still have me, that is." She added, afraid of overstaying her welcome.

It took Charlie a moment to wrap his boggled mind around what she had said.

And it warmed his heart. He couldn't even answer right away.

"I'd like that. Thank you, Addy."

She nodded in response and took another sip of coffee.

She hadn't called her mother yet, she racked her mind a good part of the night trying to figure out what she would say.

What could she say?

Addy and Charlie moved automatically that day, carrying out their everyday motions. Neither of them really knew what to do. There was nothing to do, Bella made her choice. And it wasn't them.

They couldn't do anything to fix or change that.

It wasn't until two days later that something happened.

Charlie got a call from Renee.

In a hospital.

In Phoenix.

With Bella.

Both Charlie and Addy insisted on flying down there immediately to see Bella, but their wants were quickly declined. They were given the same story of how Edward and Dr. Cullen had followed her down to Phoenix to try and reason with Bella to come home- she fell down two flights of stairs and through a window at the hotel.

Though it seemed a bit outlandish, they went with it.

And the biggest shocker to the pair?

Bella wanted to come back to Forks.

"I just think it's a little weird, Uncle Charlie. She made that ginormous ordeal of the whole thing, and then decides she wants to come back? It just doesn't add up, does it?"

Addy sat on the kitchen counter, her feet swinging back and forth as she spoke.

Bella had returned home with her leg in a cast and a new set of rules and curfews.

"You know, Addy, it is a little weird. But I'm sure as hell not complaining." Charlie shrugged, grabbing a beer from the fridge.

Addy sighed and rolled her eyes, reaching a foot out to tap Charlie's leg as he walked by.

The clunky sound of someone descending the stairs pulled Addy and Charlie to them, their eyes finding Bella and Alice immediately.

Alice had played "dress up" with Bella and had managed to get her into a prom dress, with her hair and makeup done.

How Alice had managed to get Bella to agree to all of that was beyond both Charlie and Addy- Bella never cooperated for them.

Edward showed up, averting his eyes as he made his way towards the group by the stairs. He could hear the bitter thoughts of Charlie and Addy as they looked upon him disapprovingly. He deserved it all, he knew it.

"Chief Swan, Addyson," he addressed them, finally looking up to meet their eyes. Charlie's, the same brown as Bella's, but Addyson's a blue so deep that someone could easily drown in them.

"Hm."

They both responded- Charlie's hands shoved in his pockets and Addy's aggressively crossed over her chest.

They bid their farewells, no more friendly than their welcomes had been.

"I'm going to bed. Let me know if Bells doesn't come home."

Addy nodded in response as Charlie made his way to his room, his lights turning out soon after.

She sighed and she dragged her bare feet along the cool floor. She ended up in the living room, reruns of I Love Lucy playing on the flat screen.

A few hours passed, the small blonde wriggling around on the couch in search of comfort.

A knock on the door broke her tranquility, her curiosity rising as she approached it.

Jacob Black stood on her front steps, a bashful grin on his face as she opened the door.

He had been over on multiple occasions, though he was wrapped up in Bella's very existence each time.

"Jacob, funny meeting you here at this hour." She raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk gracing her lips.

He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck, shrugging, "Yeah, what a coincidence, huh?"

She giggled with him for a moment before stepping to the side and gesturing inside, "Why don't you come on in? You're all dressed up with nowhere to go, I see?"

Her eyes went up and down, taking in the black dress shoes and pants with the white button-up shirt that he wore.

Jacob chuckled again and nodded, wandering towards the couch and plopping down. Addy followed suit, already tucking her feet underneath Jacob's thighs. He laughed at her gesture, the small blonde simply shrugging at him.

"So, what brings you to my humble abode at such a time?" Addy raised an eyebrow, Jacob sighing and resting his head against the back of the couch.

She watched in curiosity, taking in his gently sculpted features. He was a handsome enough kid- his hair was a little long for her liking but he was still pretty cute.

"My dad paid me $20 to go tell Bella to break up with her boyfriend," he trailed off nervously, sighing at himself.

She stared incredulously at him, her disbelief evident on her pretty face. It took him a moment to turn and face her.

They stared at each other for a moment, open mouths with traces of smiles lining their lips.

And then they burst into laughter, Jacob throwing his head back and running his fingers through his hair.

They enjoyed their time together, laughing about little nothings for the time being- cars, softball, simple fun facts about their families.

"I'm no softball player but I wouldn't mind throwing around a ball with you some time if you wanted!" Jacob grinned, shrugging.

"I'd like that! I haven't pitched to anyone in forever."

It was well into the night before either of them realized how long they had been talking.

Jacob stood, stretching out his limbs and hearing his joints crack as the shiny Volvo pulled into the driveway.

Addy released an exasperated sigh, groaning with disgust as her eyes found the headlights outside. Jacob chuckled, raising an eyebrow at her.

She shook her head and giggled, "I don't know, I just don't like Edward that much. He's, trouble."

Jacob watched her carefully for a moment, grinning down at her before turning his attention back to the incoming couple with a grimace.

"I better get going," Jacob grumbled, "but it was really fun with you tonight. I'm glad I came here." He added, Addy grinning back up at him.

He began towards the door, turning around once more and opening his mouth. He shut it quickly. And then reopened it.

"Don't forget about what I said, I'm down to play some catch whenever."

Addy nodded and smiled, "Thanks, again. I'll call you!"

It was obvious that Edward and Bella were waiting for Jacob to leave before they came in, and so Jacob wandered out and Addy hurried to her room before she would have to deal with anyone else.

END OF BOOK ONE

Nearly two months had passed since Bella returned home and Edward brought her to prom. Addy found herself calling Jacob not days after their first encounter.

Charlie was happy to bring Addy to the Black's house on the reservation, pleased that her and Jacob were forming a friendship.

Jacob hopped down the ramp, a bright smile lighting up his features as he greeted her, "Addy, hey! You ready to ball?"

Addy giggled at him, waving as she approached.

"Let's go! I'll show you my nasty curveball." She winked at him, receiving a large belly laugh in return as he led her to the backyard.

She pitched to him for hours filled with laughter.

"Do you want to pitch to me a couple times?" She asked, raising an eyebrow and holding out the ball to Jacob. He eyed it wearily for a moment before snatching it from her hands and nodding.

"Just you wait," He laughed, handing Addy his glove and walking towards where she had been pitching from.

"If you hit me with the ball, I swear, I'll kill you, Jacob Black!" Addy giggled out, Jacob rolling his eyes at her before pulling back.

He pitched the ball to her, it was a decent pitch that she hardly had to reach to grab from the air. He looked at her expectantly, his eyebrows high and a small daring to form.

"Wellllll? How'd I do?!" He asked, earning an eruption of laughter from Addy in turn.

"It wasn't bad!" She nodded, Jacob's smile finally coming into full bloom, "I was pretty surprised."

The insult hit Jacob only a moment later, his mouth falling open in mock-shock. He fell into laughter quickly after, racing towards Addy and swooping her into his arms, spinning her in circles as she shrieked out in happiness.

Their friendship had only grown from there, they spent almost their entire summer together. She introduced him to Madison briefly, and he even introduced him to his two best friends- Quil and Embry.

Addy had sat on the small couch in Jacob's makeshift workshop/garage, her feet lazily tossed up on the arm of it.

"Jakeeee, can't we go do something exciting? I'm so bored!" Addy cried out, groaning in frustration.

Jacob laughed and rolled his eyes, turning back to his rabbit he was working on.

"Addy, I want you to meet my friends, I'm sure they're almost here."

She groaned in response before giggling, Jacob chuckling and shaking his head.

The door to the garage flew open, sounds of laughter and whooping assaulting the previously quiet room.

"Jake is she here? The hot one?" A voice called out a cackle of laughter following suit.

Jacob's eyes widened, snapping to Addy. She looked to him with a raised eyebrow, a smirk already on her lips.

"Is that me? Am I the hot one?" She asked, the other voices falling deathly silent.

"Shit." One of them whispered.

The culprits stepped into view, their mouths thin and their eyes wide as they did.

"Hey guys."

Jacob bit his lip, glaring at the two.

They all went quiet, their eyes slowly roaming over one another.

"Yeah, she's the hot one." One of them mock-whispered, holding his hand up to his mouth to "hide" his words. The other boy looked to Addy quickly, a blush already creeping onto his cheeks.

Jacob sighed and raked a hand through his hair before chuckling and stepping forward, "Guys, this is Addy Davis-"

"I'm the hot one." She giggled and winked, standing up and shoving Jacob lightly. He groaned but smiled down at her for a moment.

"Addy, this is Quil Ateara,"

He gestured to the one who had "whispered" that she was indeed the hot one. His hair was curly and he was the shorter of the two, with a round face and a mischievous grin.

Quil shot a wink to Addy, the small blonde rolling her eyes briefly before shooting an enthusiastic one back with a smile.

He chuckled out loud and nodded, "I like her already."

"And this is Embry."

He was taller and lankier than Quil, with defined cheekbones and a pointed jaw. His eyes were dark and held no devil, and his smile was shy.

"It's very nice to meet you, Embry."

Addy held her hand out to him, the tall boy accepting it with a smile.

Addy had spent the whole day there that day, laughing with the boys and hearing their stories.

Quil and Jacob were working on the rabbit, their backs on the cemented floor and their brains in an engine. Embry had lingered in the doorway, his eyes observant.

"Embry?" He turned at Addy calling his name, raising an eyebrow.

"You can come and sit down with me, if you'd like." Addy smiled and he grinned back, wandering over to sit down beside her.

"So, you and Jake are pretty close now, aren't you?" He asked.

Addy shrugged and nodding, a grin on her lips, "Yeah, I guess we are. He's a lot of fun." Embry nodded in agreement, racking his brain for more to talk about with her.

"I think he mentioned it before, I just forgot I guess, but how'd you guys meet?" He internally slapped himself for sounding so stupid in front of her.

"Well I moved here from Florida, with my cousin Bella. She's Charlie's- well, Chief Swan's- daughter, so Jacob and Billy were basically always at the house."

Embry nodded as he listened, already trying to think of more to talk about with her.

They fell silent and Addy began to watch Jacob and Quil work, her eyebrows scrunching in concentration.

"Is Addy short for something?" Embry finally blurted out, wincing at his own stupidity.

"Addyson, Addyson Elaine Davis." She grinned up at him and Embry already couldn't help the pounding of his heart.

"That's a gorgeous name," he mumbled out, smiling.

"Ha! Get Embry the tissues, he's already wimping out." Quil cackled out, breaking the relatively calm atmosphere. Embry's cheeks blazed red as he shoved Quil's shoulder, earning another burst of laughter in response.

Addy groaned as she read her phone screen, her head flopping back on the couch. The guys all raised an eyebrow at her and she giggled and shook her head, "Charlie's here, he needs me to help him find some camera for Bella's birthday present."

"When's her birthday?" Quil asked.

"Tomorrow. Uncle Charlie's still getting a hang of this whole 'dad' thing." Addy shrugged, standing up and grabbing her jacket.

"It was really nice meeting you guys," she smiled at Embry and Quil, "and I'll see you, tomorrow, Jake? After school?"

"Yeah, of course!"

"Anddd I'll get to ride the bike?" Her eyes gleamed mischievously, her smile hopeful.

Jacob sighed and slowly nodded, "You'll ride, while I drive. Don't you get any crazy ideas, there, missy."

She rolled her eyes at him quickly before coming forward, hugging his side and beginning towards the door.

The guys watched her before she disappeared, though no one moved yet, they fell quiet for a moment.

"Dibs!" Quil broke the silence, throwing his hand up and the garage into an uproar.

"No! No way! No fair, she's my friend!"

"Quil, you always call dibs and it never matters!"

"Nope! This one matters!"