~A/N This story is still getting a lot of views which is great. Thanks so much to my reviewers. This chapter is all about Bella being filled in on what has happened to her.
Disclaimer: All known characters belong to Stephanie Meyer, I own nothing.
Chapter 7
Jacob was about as large and strong as a man could be, but the second Bella spoke his name; anyone could have knocked him over with a feather. Time stood still while they all waited to see if she would speak again. She must have gotten her bearings, because her next thoughts were of Edward. Bella was struggling with her voice when she finally turned to her husband, and choked out, "Edward, what happened to me?" Her hands were trembling as she brought them to her throat. It was a sign that she felt discomfort there.
Edward moved in closer and took her left hand in his, "Bella, love, it's okay, you don't have to speak. I am here. Everything is perfect now that you have come back to me." He looked to Carlisle, no one was sure what to do. Jacob was losing his mind, he wanted to push Edward away and put his arms around Bella. However, he knew that is not what she needed right now. It was obvious she was terrified and confused. No one knew if she remembered giving birth. She had most likely expected to wake up as a vampire. Jacob wondered if she remembered any of those things. What would her reaction be to the truth?
As Bella's doctor, Carlisle took over the situation. "Bella," he flashed a small pen light over her eyes as he spoke, "It's Carlisle, Bella. You have suffered a trauma to your body." He chose his words carefully, not wanting to overwhelm her. "You have been unconscious for days and I only recently removed a tube I had inserted in your throat to help you breathe. That is why your throat feels scratchy and sore. As soon as you are able to drink a little water, that will get better. You do not have to talk, but if there is anything you want to know, please ask. We are all so relieved you are with us again. I would like to examine you, but first there are a few people that would like to say 'hello'." Carlisle looked to his family, Jacob and Charlie. He nodded and in a hushed tone told them, "Assure her, just let her know you are here."
Edward had already had his moment with Bella, so Charlie stepped in very close and placed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Bells..." was the only word he got out. She looked completely shocked seeing her father. She had to know some of what was going on, since her father was not suppose to be here or know what had happened. The surprised look quickly faded and was replaced with relief. She had missed Charlie, it was obvious. Perhaps, she thought she would never lay eyes on him again, but now they were together again. Her eyes filled with tears. Charlie was worried he upset her, but those were tears of joy. She halted his fears when she squeezed his hands, and said, "Dad."
Jacob had to go next, he could not hold back any longer. Bella had said his name, he was the first one she thought of when she woke up. Jacob knew it was not a contest, but it meant the world to him and he was pretty smug about the look the bloodsucker gave him. She turned her head slightly to look into his eyes, there was a slight smile on her lips when she said, "You stayed?" Jacob thought it was a question more than a declaration.
"Don't you know by now, you can't get rid of me that easily." he wore his signature grin, the one that Bella loved so much. "I am not going anywhere," he added. Edward's glare was attempting to burn through Jacob, but he did not care. If him being here expressing his devotion to Bells was inappropriate or unconventional, he did not give a flying fuck. Jacob knew this was the only place he was suppose to be.
The telltale blush darkened her cheeks and Jacob heard her heart speed up. She licked her dried lips and said, "I'm glad."
The other bloodsuckers got the hint from their brooding brother that those two needed an interruption, so they all took turns to welcome Bella back to the living. That was not completely accurate, considering the source, but Bella was happy to greet each of them. Alice started blabbering about getting Bella a makeover or something as soon as she was up to it. Jacob highly doubted that was the first thing on her agenda. He wondered if anyone was going to bring up Edge. Why hadn't Bella asked? She must have still been a little confused. Carlisle broke up the family reunion when he asked Bella if she was up for an examination. He thought it was necessary to get an assessment. It was standard procedure when a patient regained consciousness after an extended period of time.
Charlie let Bella know he was staying in the room below and he would be up here in a second if she needed him. She was shocked to hear that, "You are sleeping here?" Her father gave her one more comforting hug, before leaving. All the others had left the room as well. Jacob stayed, he did not plan on walking out despite Edward's staring.
The leech finally spoke up, "Jacob, Carlisle needs to examine Bella."
Carlisle said he could stay if it was fine with Bella. He mentioned, "Jacob has assisted me several times in the care of Bella. We work well together, don't we Jacob?"
Jacob was not sure if that was true, but if Carlisle was going to allow him to stay, he was going to agree. "Sure, sure."
The doctor started testing her reflexes. Bella responded well until he tried them on her legs, first at her knees and then her ankles. She had a look of shock on her face. Her bed had been adjusted and her head was high enough she could see him tapping her legs, but she was not feeling any of it. "What happened? Why can't I feel that, Carlisle?" Bella looked to Carlisle, then to Jacob. Lastly, she turned to Edward and the reality of the entire situation finally hit her. She remembered, "The baby...oh Edward, I lost him. He is gone, I lost our baby." Her fears had turned to sorrow and then confusion all at once.
"No, love, our son is fine. He is healthy and remarkable just like his mother. You can see him as soon as you are well enough."
"Then it was real?" Bella asked.
"What was real, Bella?" Edward inquired. He wanted her to take the lead and ask what she remember.
Bella turned back to Jacob, "You, Jake, you showed me my son in my dream, but it was not a dream. It was real, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, Bella, he is real. He loves you so much." Jacob assured her.
Carlisle thought it was the right time to fill Bella in on her condition. "Bella, it is the middle of the night. You still need lots of rest while you are healing, but I am going to tell you what I know. If it is too much, we can postpone it til morning. Do you feel okay, do you want to know?"
"Of course, Carlisle, I still feel foggy, like I am caught between reality and a dream, but tell me about EJ. Tell me what is wrong with my legs." she pleaded.
Carlisle reminded Bella how hard the brief pregnancy had been on her body. He told her about how the fall had broken her back, and that they almost lost her. "Bella, I delivered your son by Cesarean. He is healthy like Edward said, but because Edward is his father, he is different. I don't want you to be alarmed when you see him. He will not look or behave like a normal newborn. Do not worry, though, Rose has been caring for him non-stop since his arrival. Even you helped, dear."
"How is that possible?" she did not understand.
"Well, thanks to Jacob, Esme had been collecting your breast milk. EJ was not too fond of formula, so Jacob came up with that idea all on his own."
She started giggling, and Jacob felt his cheeks heat up even more than usual. "Um, thanks, Jake for making sure my son got what he needed."
Jacob broke some other news to Bella, "Oh, yeah, Bells, I changed his name to Edge. He likes it, in fact, we all do excluding..." and Jacob cut his eyes towards the bloodsucker.
"Edge, huh, I'll think about it, but why don't you like that, Edward?" Bella was the ever persistent diplomat.
"Bella, it is not a real name. You never stated you wanted to use a name such as that. I have been calling him Edward and despite anything Jacob says, he responds well to his given name."
"Oh, well, I thought we would call him EJ, so everyone is not repeating Edward or calling him little Edward, or whatever, but..." Jacob could tell Bella was thinking hard, she was probably saying Edge, EJ in her mind over and over. "I guess I should see him again, and decide what suits him."
Jacob faked coughed in his hands, "It's Edge, you'll see." and Bella was quick to give him a scolding look. The two of them had there own silent form of communication. Perhaps, it was necessary because of Edward's over-protective nature and mind reading, but most likely it developed out of their mutual understanding of one another. In reality, those knowing glances and unspoken requests were second nature to both of them before Edward returned from leaving Bella. Their connection was deeper than Bella had ever admitted out loud. Edward had conceded the fact, as well, in a moment of weakness when he offered Bella to "make puppies" with Jacob. That was a freaky conversation Jacob never wanted to think about again.
"He's sleeping?" she asked.
"Yes, Bella, he is hybrid, but he has all the normal functions and requirements a human does. He has developed rapidly, I am following that closely; I think it will slow down eventually." Carlisle was trying to ease Bella's mind. There were still many questions about Edge that had yet to be determined.
"Does he need blood, or want it?" She remembered the blood she had to drink while still pregnant. It seemed to be what the infant was craving, because she got a little better after consuming it.
Edward answered that question, "Not sure if it is a want or a need, Bella; but he has taken some everyday since he was born. The first day was the most, but he is not aggressive about it."
Bella's gaze once again was on Jake. Her mind was getting clearer, so she asked, "How are you okay with this? What happened to Sam's pack?"
"Don't worry your pretty little head about it, Bells. I took care of everything with Sam. We are allies again and any kid of my best friend's is a friend of mine. We are cool. He likes me," Jake looked back to Edward, "a lot." Jacob knew he would have to come clean to Bella. He could act all nonchalant for now, because that is what she needed, but he was going to kill the baby when he thought it was a monster. He owed her the truth eventually.
Bella had a few more things on her mind, "I guess everyone was wrong, it did not kill me. I understand why you did not change me Carlisle. We have to figure out what is going on with the baby first. I am feeling really tired, but I don't feel like I have had a baby. I don't feel like I had an operation." Bella's hand went to her stomach, and curiosity got the best of her. She pulled her gown up a little and looked only to see her familiar skin. It looked the same as she remembered, flat and pale. Those pink lines Jacob had witnessed were not even there. "You are not telling me everything, how do I look like this?"
Edward wanted to put an end to this line of questioning. He did not think she was strong enough to hear everything. "That is enough for tonight. Carlisle, I think Bella might need a sedative to help her rest."
"No, Edward, I said I was tired. I don't need to be drugged. I asked a question, and I want the truth."
Jacob was going to give those vamps about a minute to spill it or he would. Bella would never be one of them. She had her heart set on it. It was the only way she thought she could have her forever with the bloodsucker. He hoped she would not be too disappointed. She had a son now. He had a heart, Jacob knew that meant he was not immortal. The whole forever thing sounded overrated to Jacob anyways.
Carlisle came through when he told her that she had indeed expired. He acted quickly, by injecting her with venom. They had prepared for that moment, so Edward had stored up more than enough that it would take to change her. He did not have to bite her because of that. She looked extremely confused, but let him continue. He reminded her of the bite she suffered from James. She looked down to her arm to find even that scar was gone.
"Oh my God, how?" she gasped.
"Bella, it is obvious you are completely unique compared to anyone I have ever encountered, you are immune. You have healed miraculously except for your back, but I am confident that will come in time. There was so much damage and the nervous system does not heal as quickly as bones and skin do." Carlisle could not contain his excitement. Bella, was in a way, his greatest miracle. He had lived his existence trying to save those who were near death, but in turn, condemned them to a life of vampirism. He had protected several from true death, but at what cost. Bella, was his first true success story.
"I can't be one of you?" the truth finally had sunk in. Her eyes were staring at only Edward. She had avoided Jacob's gaze during the entire reveal. She knew he was probably ecstatic to her fate, but she honestly had no idea where she stood anymore. Her future had been decided, but now it was not. The reality of life was weighing heavily on her. The future, her future was not set in stone; it had yet to be lived.
"I am sorry, Edward."
He was quick to correct her, "There is nothing to be sorry for, love. None of us could have ever expected this. It is no ones fault. I still love you the same. It changes nothing."
She could not hide her regret when she looked from Edward to Jacob, "Yes it does, it changes everything."
Bella asked to have her bed laid back down. She was exhausted and there had been so much to process. She wanted to know if Carlisle could stay a little while longer. "There are a few things more, I want to ask you, doctor to patient. Could you two give us some time alone?" she told Jacob and Edward. "Jake, you look exhausted, go back to bed."
"Sure, Bells," he told her. He was so grateful she was awake, he did not care she seemed to be kicking him out. At least, she was giving the bloodsucker the boot too.
Jake was about to walk out the door when she said one more thing, "Thanks."
"For what, Bells?"
"For just being you, that's all." she looked a little embarrassed to make such a declaration in front of Edward, but Jacob always seemed to be what Bella needed. He was himself.
The leech was hovering outside the closed door when Jacob reminded him, Bella wanted privacy. "You need to get away from that door, I know what you are doing."
"If Bella has concerns, I have a right to know, I am her husband. There is no reason for you even to be here, dog. Bella is awake, go home to your family. I will take care of mine. We don't need your help, Bella does not need anything from you." That was it, Jacob despised touching these things, but he shoved Edward further away from the room.
"When Bella tells me she doesn't want me here, then I will leave. Now get the fuck away from the door you creepy stalker. You need to hunt, your eyes look like two glass marbles boobing around in your head. Go! I got at least two wolves outside that will assist me getting you out of here."
Edward finally conceded, he moved past Jacob in a flash to go on a much needed hunt. Jacob headed back to the sofa in hopes of getting at least an hour of sleep more.
Three hours later, it was mid-morning and Jacob woke to Charlie's stare. "Jake, Bella wants to see you."
The news sounded like music to Jacob's ears, but first he had to make a quick trip to the bathroom. He wanted to look his best for Bells instead of the way he felt. One day, he was going to get a full eight hours of sleep. Hopefully, it would be next to Bella, but if was going to get a super quick shower, he better drop that train of the thought immediately.
Bella looked exactly like her normal self sitting up straight in her bed with a few pillows propped around her. She was out of her gown, wearing a soft gray t-shirt and blue jean shorts. Her hair was still damp, and Jacob inhaled deeply. She had also recently had a shower. The combination of sweet smelling soaps and her natural scent was enough to give Jacob a head rush. There was a half eaten tray on the table of oatmeal, yogurt and fruit. There also were a couple of empty water bottles and some bottles of milk next to the pump. Jacob had the goofiest grin when he said, "Breast pump."
"That's what they tell, me." she was shaking her head and laughing. "How, Jake, tell me how you know about these things."
"For the last time, I had sisters. Geez, Bells everyone acts like I have one of those creepy fetishes or something." He should have quit when he was ahead, but then he asked, "So, did you use it?"
"Yeah, look at all the milk I got, Esme should be in to pick it up in a bit. It's a lot, huh?" she was kind of proud of herself.
"How would I know if it's a lot, but I guess so."
"But I thought you were Jake Black, breast pump extraordinaire." she quipped.
"Shut up, Bells...you are never going to let me live it down."
"Nope," she said.
Thinking it was the perfect time, to change the subject, "How you really doing, Bells? Jacob turned his head side to side and got up to walk to the door to take another look outside.
"He's not here, Jake. I'm okay, I guess. It's no fun being stuck here in a bed. I feel helpless. Rose and Alice had to help me in the bathroom, it's embarrassing. I am such a burden, what if I am always like this?" her good mood was quickly going down the tubes.
"First off, you are not a burden and didn't you listen to Carlisle? You will get better, it will just take a little time." Jacob reached up to push a soft damp curl off her cheek.
"Of course, I listened; but you have to admit there is a lot of speculation. Carlisle has never seen anything like this." she puffed out her cheeks and blew the air out loudly, "I'm a freak of nature."
"No you aren't, the only freaks of nature are the Cullen's. God, Bells, what's is going to take to convince you."
"I don't want to argue with you, Jake. I wanted to talk to you about a few things. Didn't Dad tell you? Speaking of Charlie, Oh my god, I can't believe you told Charlie everything." Bella thought she was going to reprimand Jake, but in actuality; it turned out to be a huge relief. She was happy she did not have to lie to him any longer. She had missed him so much. She was not too thrilled about the thirty minute lecture he gave her on Edward, Jacob and all the ways her current path in life was wrong. Bella was struggling to admit the reason she really needed him right now. Esme interrupted them briefly to retrieve the milk.
Jacob was secretly wishing she was going to ask him to help her start divorce proceedings with Edward, but he knew he was getting ahead of himself. Bella would try and play the martyr a little longer, he was pretty certain. She obviously was not ready to ask him what she wanted to. He wanted to know how it went with Edge, "So how was Edge? He's amazing, huh?"
Bella immediately dropped her head into her hands and began to sob uncontrollably. She was a blubbering mess and Jacob did not know what he had done to set her off. She was trying to get it out but it only sounded like sniffles and muffled, "I can't, I can't."
Jacob wrapped one arm around her and started rubbing her back. He felt terrible for making her cry. He did not know what he did or did not do to cause this. Maybe this was that hormone crap he had heard about. Bella had been so through so much. She continued to cry and he apologized, "I am so sorry, Bells. Please stop crying, I can't stand it when you cry. Is this about your legs? You just need time, Carlisle said..."
"No, it isn't that or not all about that, Jake," she interrupted. Jacob looked at her with pleading eyes. She had gotten a hold of herself enough to start talking. He was not going to push, so he took both her hands in his and patiently waited. "I...I have not seen Edge, Jacob. Edward offered to bring him in this morning, but I said 'no'."
Jacob did not understand, but said, "Okay, may I ask why?"
"See I knew you would question me. Edward did not. He simply, 'Sure, love, tell me when you are ready' and then he left, because he had something to attend to." Bells looked completely lost, he was not going to tell her Edward had been attending to something frequently, so he would not have to stay with her. She looked defeated already, but she pushed Jake even more, "What kind of mother am I? Obviously, terrible. I can't take care of my own child, Jake. I am so scared, I don't even want to see him."
Jacob had listened enough, "Bells, you are not terrible. This is all new, and I am sure plenty of young moms ask for help and are scared. As for your husband, I have no words for him walking out when you are obviously struggling with something this significant." He wiped away some more stray tears. "I get that you are afraid, but you need to try Bella. I am going to bring him in and you can at least see him, let him see you are awake. You don't have to jump into everything and feed or diaper him, okay? Baby steps, you are going to be fine."
Bella tried to get herself together. She was so scared, but maybe Jacob was right and she could handle a quick reintroduction. "Uh, okay; but look at me Jake. I'm a mess, can you help me, get me a cool rag or something." Jacob quickly complied and went to the powder room to wet a cloth. He gently washed her face and had her blow her nose. He brushed all the wet strands of hair that stuck to her face. It felt good to take care of her. He had been helping Carlisle some, but this was completely different. She was awake and she was reaching out to him purposefully.
"I'll be back soon with your son," he ran from the room to see if Blondie would take turns and let Bella be the mom. He did not know if this was a good time, not knowing the baby's schedule yet. Charlie was in the kitchen with Edge, Esme and Alice.
"Hey, Jake, can you believe this little guy? He is growing before my eyes. Esme gave him a little baby food today. Most of it is on the tray, but he ate some. I heard about Bells. She is afraid to see him. How was your time with her?" Charlie was concerned when Alice told him about Bella's mood becoming extremely gloomy after they talked about the baby. Carlisle said it is normal for some new mothers to feel that way a few days.
"I have come to get Edge, Bella has changed her mind. She is going to give it a try." Jacob reached for his buddy, "Hey there big guy, you ready to meet your Mommy. She is awake now, but you have to go easy on her. You got me?"
Edge reached for Jake's cheek and again showed him Bells, "Not a good idea, I would not do that yet. She isn't ready." Jacob did not know if he should, but he talked straight to Edge like he was a regular person. He was not about to do baby talk with him. Jacob walked to Bella's room. He felt confident he was doing the right thing. Edge was going to make her better. "Knock, knock," he called out as he softly tapped on the door and pushed it slowly open. "Bells, your little visitor is here." Edge's big brown eyes were zeroed in on Bella's. He was bouncing up and down on Jake's arm, but he still had a firm grip on him.
Bella looked about as nervous as a little rabbit he passed by as a wolf last night. She was fidgeting with her shirt and chewing away at her bottom lip. Her chest was rising up and down like she had just run a marathon. Jacob took it slow, he would be the mediator. "Bella, this is Edge. Edge this is your Mom. Is that what you want to be called?"
She shrugged her shoulders, "Uh...I don't know. I guess I have never thought about it before, but I think Edward calls himself, 'father'."
"Of course, that proper bloodsucker goes by 'father' but Mommy suits you better Bells, at least while he is little." Jacob moved in a little closer with each word he spoke. "Okay, you two, I am going to put Edge on the bed, Bells." Bella started to relax some and Edge was beaming at her. He sat up on the side of her legs while Jake protected him from falling off the side of the bed. He was rubbing the baby's back with one hand and Bella's arm with the other. He was trying to fuse the two of them until nature took its course, or so he hoped.
Finally, she spoke up, "Hey, baby, I guess you are use to Edge now, since my friend Jake here likes to go on his own and make decisions." Edge grabbed Bella's fingers. "Ow, you are strong, I remember that, my little nudger."
"Nudger, really Bella...that is the understatement of the year."
"Shut it, Black; don't talk bad about my baby." she was suddenly feeling closer and closer to him. She took his other hand and grasped on tight. She held both his hands and slightly pulled, then he stood next her. Bella was still weak even in her upper body, so Jake kept his hand back there for the extra security. Bella got more comfortable and lifted the infant into a hug. He laid his head on her shoulder and both of them seemed like they were in their own world. "I think he is sleepy," she whispered.
"Yep, I think you are right, Mommy. He just ate, so it probably is his nap time." Jacob started rubbing small circles on Edge's back. Bella nestled her head against her son's, she herself started get sleepy. Jacob reclined Bella back a little more and made a few adjustments so that Edge was cuddled into her side. Come to think of it, he wanted to close his eyes for a second as well. His head soon rested next to Bella's hip and little baby feet stretched over his shoulders. It was such a peaceful scene, til the very second Edward opened the door.
Oops, that sounds awkward. I know, I know; there was no imprint when Bella awoke. Have patience, it is not over yet.
Love to hear your thoughts...
