Chapter Four

Bella opened her eyes in the darkened room the next morning and stared until her eyes began to adjust. The drapes were pulled shut, so she had no idea what time of day or night it was. Jacob's form sitting at the side of the bed began to take shape in the gloom. She watched silently as he counted the dollar bills in his hand and then stared at the money he held.

She took a breath and he turned his head toward her.

"Hey. You're awake."

She nodded. "What time is it?" Just as she said it, she noticed the lit digital display clock on the nightstand. Seven-thirty am.

"How much do you have?" she asked him quietly.

He fanned the bills in his hand out so she could see. "Eighteen dollars," he sighed. "And the Rabbit is almost on empty."

She got up from the bed and caught sight of her bride-attired reflection in the dresser mirror. He saw her face crumple and she sat abruptly back down on the bed.

"I'm so sorry Jacob." She covered her face as the tears began.

"Don't be sorry, Bella. Don't be sorry. Be glad." He moved over so he was seated beside her and pulled her against him. "Thank god I made it there in time. I wasn't sure I would. Yesterday morning something just snapped and I started running for home. Maybe I knew you needed me," he murmured, kissing the top of her head.

"How do you know me so well, Jacob?" she murmured against his chest.

"You know why." He stroked her back. "In the meantime, I don't know how we're going to eat. You don't happen to have any money, do you?"

She sniffed and shook her head.

"Well, I don't know how much more time we have in this room. They're going to see we broke in soon, so we really need to get the hell out of here before they find us."

He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and cleared his throat before he asked her. "Do you have a plan Bella? I mean, do you know what you want to do?"

Bella's eyes shifted and she avoided the question. "I'm hungry. Do you think we can at least afford a donut or a bagel from the grocery store or something?"

He really wanted to talk this out, but he didn't want to press her. Decisions needed to be made and soon. God only knew what everyone was thinking back home. As far as they knew, Bella just up and disappeared. The last person to see Bella was Edward. When he left her with Jacob. No bueno.

They weren't going to be able to stall the inevitable for long. Not with no money, no ID's and Bella in a wedding dress. Cos that wouldn't draw any attention. Right.

Bella sat in the dark and tried not to think as she waited for Jacob as he showered. When it was her turn, she turned the water on to almost scalding and focused on the torrent pouring down on her. She'd already wasted a whole morning avoiding the repercussions of her actions the day before. But things like that catch up with you and you have to pay the piper eventually.

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For $3 they were able to get a bag of bagels and a small carton of orange juice that they shared. Bella gave Jacob a brief lesson in bargain shopping. They really wanted donuts, but 6 pre-packaged bagels were on sale and cost less than 2 donuts. So bagels it was.

This little shopping spree took quite a bit of time since Bella couldn't actually go into the store herself. So Jacob had to go back and forth a few times, reporting prices and choices, while Bella made the final decisions.

No one had noticed them leave the motel when they snuck off. The day was overcast, but warm and muggy, so Jacob turned off the main road and found a secluded spot off a dirt road. They climbed up on the hood of the Rabbit and ate their bagels as the sun fought its way through the dark clouds.

They were quiet as they both sat back against the windshield and shut their eyes. Jacob knew forcing Bella to have a conversation when she wasn't ready to talk, would just cause her to clam up. So he sat back and waited. When she was ready, she would give him some answers.

He knew her so well.

"I didn't plan it."

It came out of nowhere and Jacob finally relaxed, letting her get it all out. She waited a few moments before she went on.

"I was fine. I thought I was ready. I thought I could do it. I felt strong. But then… "

He reached for her hand at the same moment she reached for his. She took a moment to compose herself.

"But then the music started and my dad was there with me, holding my arm so I wouldn't fall, leading me down the aisle. I saw all the people in their seats, all the familiar faces. And as we got halfway down the aisle, I saw your dad. He was sitting with Emily and her cousin, with little Claire on her lap. She had her thumb in her mouth and she was twirling her hair around her chubby little finger. And she looked up at me with those dark eyes, and she made me remember – " Bella buried her face in her hands as the tears came.

Jacob's arm around her shoulder felt warm and safe. Finally, her sobs turned to sniffles interspersed with a few hiccups.

"What did she make you remember, Bells?"

She leaned her head on his shoulder.

"I remembered the vision, on the mountaintop. Remember, I told you? I saw it Jacob. Two little dark-haired children. And I wanted it." A sob came from her chest. She stared up at the sky. "Charlie had my arm, and I thought I was gonna lose it for a split second. So I looked up at the altar," she turned and looked into his eyes. "And I saw you. It was you, waiting for me there."

He stared at her, stunned. "You saw me?"

She nodded. "I'm crazy, aren't I? I mean, hearing Edward's voice in my head after he left last year, then having visions in the middle of a kiss, and then "seeing" you waiting for me at the altar. I mean, I must be certifiable."

"Hey, the vision I understand. That was one hell of a kiss."

She smiled for the first time that day. "Yes, it was."

They both leaned back against the windshield. "So what do you want to do Bells? We can't go too many places with you looking like Madonna in Runaway Bride."

"Julia Roberts," she murmured.

"Whatever. You get the point." He sat up and looked her square in the face. "It's not too late, Bells. I can take you back there right now and you know as well as I do that Edward would take you back. You can still go be Mrs. Bloodsucker, if that's what you want."

"You would do that? After all I put you through, you would take me back there to him?"

He looked down at their joined hands and then back at her eyes. "If that's what you wanted," he said softly. "I would bring you back."

Bella turned away, studying the clouds intently. "I knew when I let him go, it had to be completely. And I wasn't ready or able to do that. I thought it was him that I couldn't live without. Until yesterday. When I saw you again. It's impossible to live without the air, without the sun. At least for me it is," she smiled ruefully. "When Edward brought me outside and I heard your voice as you came through the trees. Right then, at that exact moment – I knew. I thought it was him I couldn't live without. But I was wrong."

Jacob slid off the hood. "Well let's go, then. I'll help you tell them."

He saw the look of hesitation on her face and recognized her old habit of hugging her chest when she was lost.

"Bella, people are worried about you. We need to let everyone know you're alright." His eyes darkened as his brows knit tightly. "You don't think anyone would try to hurt you, do you?"

She knew who he was talking about. "No," she shook her head. "No one will hurt me. I'm not afraid of that." She winced. "I just feel bad."

"I know, honey. But I'll be there with you. You won't be alone."

Her eyes darted as she thought. "One more night? Just give me one more night. I promise, tomorrow I'll be ready. Okay?"

He nodded reluctantly. "If that's what you need. I'll at least check in with Sam in a bit, and make sure the message that you're okay gets back to Charlie."

He climbed back on the hood and split a bagel in two, handing Bella the other half. If anyone had driven by, they would assume they were a bride and groom taking a break on their way to their honeymoon. But the road was quiet as it stretched its way out to the horizon.

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