Disclaimer and A/N : All characters belong to SM I just play with them. I want to give a big shout out to my wolf girls Mist, Noin, TayJayFan and Shadowlynx for the banner, the betaing and prereading and most of all the encouragement when I was ready to throw this story out the window.
Jacob left Sam and Emily's about 7 PM. He was finally able to go home; Emily sent some food for Billy and invited them both to breakfast in the morning. All Jake wanted was to spend some time with his dad and go to bed. Sam had given him the rest of the week off from patrol. Sam said he needed to work on controlling his wolf if he wanted to see Bella anytime soon. He walked into the yard and saw the garage door open, saw the destruction he had caused. All of a sudden, he was afraid to go inside his little red house, afraid he would hurt his dad or worse.
"Jake, don't be afraid. Sam says you have more control over your wolf than the rest of us combined."
"Whatcha doing here, Em?"
"I figured I could clean up the garage before my shift."
"Embry, it is not your mess."
"I know, but I owe you so much, man. Besides, you are my family, dude. I remember the first time I went home. I was scared shitless and I'm not as close to my mom as you are your dad, so I figured I would come and make sure you made it through the door. I mean I know how scary it can be going home and being around someone who is not part of the pack, but you did great around Emily. Besides, Billy has missed you a lot and, besides, and at least he knows."
"That is the hardest part about this whole thing, Em. He knew what Bella was doing with the Cullens and he didn't do enough to stop her."
"He did though, Jake. Talk to him, talk to Bella, before you make any judgment about his part in all this. Sam says he has fought tooth and nail for you two since the beginning. He loves you, Jake. I have seen it, not just these last few days, but for a long time. These last few days have been rough on him, he has missed you. Now get in there so he can see your ugly mug."
"I'm going, I'm going, and thanks for taking care of him, Em."
"You're welcome, man," Embry yelled as he took off for Jake's garage.
Jake went the rest of the way up the steps, placed a hand on the doorknob, and took a deep breath before entering the house. He slowly opened the door, fully expecting his dad to be sitting in front of the TV watching the Seahawks play, but the living room was empty. He walked inside and looked around before heading to the kitchen. He wasn't sure what he thought had changed in the little red house. He had only been gone four days but it seemed like a lifetime ago. He went towards the kitchen to put the leftovers in the fridge when he noticed a note on the counter in his father's strong handwriting.
Jake,
I didn't know if you would be home tonight or not, although Sam said you might be so I am leaving you this note just in case. I am at Charlie's with Sue and Harry having dinner. Bella wanted us to come. She said Charlie was getting tired of all this fancy cooking and just wanted a good old fashion fish fry, but really I think she is just missing you a lot. I will be home around 9 and if I know Emily she sent some leftovers. You can have them. Get some rest and we'll talk when I get home. Remember I love you no matter what.
Dad
Jake put the note down and headed out the door with the leftovers in hand. When he got to the garage, he found Embry putting away the tools he had scattered just a few days ago.
"Whatcha doin' out here, man? I thought you would still be talking to your dad."
"He is at Bella's with Sue and Harry. Apparently, Charlie has been missing Harry's fish fry. Dad said he thinks Bella is just missing me," Jake said as he handed Embry half of the leftovers and a fork.
"Speaking of Bella, what are you going to do about her man?" Embry asked as he sat down on the old bench seat and dug in.
"I really don't know, Em. I know she didn't keep this from me because she wanted to, she had to, but in my heart I can't help but feel betrayed in a way. All this time she has known what they were. Hell, she knew our legends were true before I did. I just don't know how to deal with that."
"Talk to her before you pass judgment, Jake."
"Coming from the guy, who just three days ago, told me he couldn't be my friend because I was friends with her."
"I know, Jake. I was listening to Paul, but after talking to you the last couple of days, I realized she is special. Hell, she was attacked by a vampire and lived to tell the tale, Jake, not that she would. She keeps their secrets like she will keep ours. I know she has always made you happy, regardless. I have seen through Sam and Jared's memories what happened between you two on the beach on Sunday. She literally stopped you from phasing, not once but twice, dude. No imprint has ever been able to do that. I mean, look at Emily and Sam and the guilt he carries because of it."
"What if Dr. Cullen enforces the treaty and doesn't let me see her Em?"
"Then we kidnap her and bring her to the rez, problem solved."
"What if she isn't my imprint, or God forbid, HE comes back when she is better?"
"She is your imprint, Jacob. You have to believe that and once she realizes it, you won't have to worry about it anymore."
"I hope you are right. Are you done?" he asked as he got up from the bench seat.
"Yeah," Embry said as he put the Tupperware in Jake's outstretched hand.
"I am going to do these dishes and then lay down for a while before Dad comes home. You can leave the rest of this, I will finish tomorrow. Go home get some sleep."
"I can finish it. It won't take long. Besides, do you really think if I went home, Mom would let me sleep? She thinks I am on drugs, or drinking, which cracks me up considering she has spent at least half my life drunk."
"Well, you can always crash on my couch, dude, and I will wake you up for patrol."
"Thanks, man, I will be in soon. My patrol starts at 8."
Jake bounded up the steps and let himself back in the house. He quickly washed the dishes and headed to his bedroom. His room seemed so much smaller than when he left it four days ago. He laid face down on his bed, on top of his covers. His legs hung off the end of the bed, but it didn't take him long to fall into a deep sleep. His alarm woke him up at 7:45. He extricated himself from his too small bed and headed to the bathroom before waking Embry up for patrol. He made Embry and himself a few sandwiches and they ate in silence before Embry headed out.
"I'll see you Saturday, Jake."
"Okay, you and Paul be careful out there."
Jake headed back to the bathroom to take a shower before his dad came home. He had a hard time fitting comfortably in their shower these days. Everything seemed so small and this concerned him greatly because if everything else in his world was so much smaller, he could not even imagine how much smaller his Bells would seem to him. He sighed as he thought of his Bells. He still wasn't sure what he would say to her, how he was going to explain to her the things he'd learned that she was still unaware of. He turned off the shower and stepped out. The wheels of his mind were still turning as he got dressed and sat down on the couch to wait for his dad to show up.
Billy felt his fatigue weighing him down as he and Harry pulled up in front of his home. Sue had stayed with Charlie and Bella to help Bella get ready for bed, and for school the next day. The Cullens were out of town until the next evening when Carlisle was scheduled to meet with Sam, Jared, and Jacob. Billy really didn't know why they were gone, but Charlie said Carlisle had to consult with other doctors on Bella's injuries and the rest of the Cullens went to check on Edward in Alaska. No one was sure when they would return. Bella had looked so tired when they arrived that Billy asked Charlie if he was sure dinner was a good idea on a school night. Charlie told him that today had actually been the best day Bella had had since she'd returned to school and started physical therapy. Charlie had also voiced his concern that Bella wasn't sleeping enough at night because she was refusing to take her pain meds. The thing that affected Billy the most was the sadness in Bella's eyes and he knew it had everything to do with Jacob's sudden disappearance. Sam had told him that Bella asked about Jacob everyday and wanted to know when he was coming home. He sighed as Harry got out of the truck to get his chair out. Lost in his own thoughts, he didn't notice when Jake opened the door and bound down the steps. Jake took Billy's chair from Harry and sat it down next to the passenger door before opening it.
Billy turned expecting to see Harry's grizzled face only to come face to face with his only son. He had grown and changed so much in four days. Gone was the gangly teenager with the sunny smile, who only wanted to spend time working on his car and hanging out with his friends. In his place, was a muscle packed shape shifter, who looked 25 and had a sadness in his eyes and a set to his jaw that wasn't there before. He felt the heat radiating from his son's hands and arms as Jacob lifted him from the truck and placed him in his chair. Billy wanted to say something to his son but he really didn't want to do it in front of Harry, who was standing off to the side quiet and still, like he was afraid to move. Jacob broke them both out of their stupor.
"Thanks for bringing him home, Harry. I appreciate you looking out for him while I was gone."
"No, problem, Jacob, no problem. Billy, I will call you later."
"Okay, Harry. I will see you tomorrow night."
With that, Jacob turned his father's chair around and headed towards the porch. They were silent as they made their way through the yard and up the ramp. Jake opened the door and pushed his dad into the living room and he couldn't help but hear his father's sigh.
"Dad, you okay?"
Billy didn't answer, so Jake asked again.
"Dad, are you okay?"
When Billy still didn't answer, Jake turned his chair around and he saw something he rarely ever saw his dad do. Billy was crying silent tears. Jacob hadn't seen his dad cry since they had taken Rachel and Rebecca to the airport. His tears then were silent, just like they were now. Jake knew his dad wasn't crying because he was sad; he was crying because he felt like he failed as a Father. First, Rebecca got married and moved all the way to Hawaii, and then Rachel left for school and had yet to return, and to top it all off, his only son turns into a giant dog. Jacob didn't know what to say so he just dropped to his knees and laid his head in his dad's lap like he did when he was little. He felt Billy's body shudder as he placed his hand on Jacob's head, running his fingers through his short cropped hair then placed a fatherly kiss on his head before speaking.
"Jacob, I love you, son."
"I love you too, Dad," Jake said as he sat up and looked his dad in the eye. "How was Bells, Dad?"
"Not good, son, she misses you very much. She is physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. Charlie is beginning to worry about her again. The Cullens have left for a while. Dr. Cullen will be back tomorrow as planned, but the rest of the Cullens have gone to Alaska, so it is just her and Charlie. Sue is going to help as much as she can, but what she really needs is you, son."
"Dad…"
"No, Jake, you need to listen. I know you are upset and angry at Bella, at the Cullens, but Bella couldn't tell you her secret anymore than you would be able to tell her yours if she wasn't your imprint. She didn't keep it from you or Charlie or anyone else because she wanted to. She didn't want to put you, or me, or Charlie in danger. Hell, Son, I don't blame you for being upset about the whole situation but she needs you, son. She needs to be able to draw on your strength. She is your imprint.
"Dad, how can you be so sure of that?" Jake asked as he took a seat on the sofa.
"Jacob, did Sam tell you what he saw happen on First Beach on Sunday?"
"Yeah…"
"I saw it happen with my own eyes when Charlie was ranting and raving and she calmed not only your wolf, but Sam's as well. She is meant to be the future Alpha's mate."
"And if Dr Cullen says I can't see her?"
"He won't do that because he will see the extraordinary amount of control you have and he will see that you would never hurt Bella."
"And if Bella doesn't want me when she finds out what I have become? I mean, her last supernatural boyfriend almost got her killed and left her without the ability to walk. How do I know I won't hurt her?"
"Jacob, just as I knew long before you started to phase that she was your imprint, I know in my heart that you will never physically hurt Bella. I know you are afraid because of what happened with Sam and Emily, but you and Bella are different. You have always protected Bella. Even when you two were little, you shielded each other."
"Okay, Dad, you ready for bed?"
"Yes, Son."
"Oh, by the way, Emily and Sam have invited us to breakfast in the morning."
"I think I will sleep in tomorrow, Jacob, but you go ahead and go."
"Dad, are you okay," Jake asked as he helped his dad into bed.
"Yeah, Charlie is coming by in the morning after he drops Bella off at school. He needs a friend right now, Son."
"There is something you aren't telling me, old man, spit it out. I need to know everything, especially when it comes to Bells."
"She has quit taking her pain meds, which is slowing her recovery. She is exhausting herself and no one knows why. Charlie and Carlisle are both very concerned. As I said earlier, Carlisle has gone to consult with some pain specialists and the top researchers in paralysis in the country. He is doing everything he can to get her better, Jacob, but she has got to help herself."
"Okay, Dad thanks for telling me. I will see you tomorrow. Good night."
"Night, Son, and remember no matter what, I love you."
"I love you too, Dad," Jake closed his father's door and headed outside, phasing almost before his feet hit the porch. He took off into the woods, letting his wolf senses lead him towards the boundary of La Push.
"Jake, I thought Sam told you to take the rest of this week off."
"He did, Em; I am just blowing off steam. Dad says Bells is not doing well. He is worried and now, so am I. Is Jared watching out for them tonight?"
"Yeah."
"Hey Jared?"
"Yeah, Jake"
"Is she asleep?"
"Yeah, but she is tossing and turning. She has been for the last few days. Did you know she talks in her sleep, Dude?"
"What has she been saying?"
"I can tell she is having nightmares but I can really tell what they are about from this distance, so nothing makes a whole lot of sense at this point; she just says your name a lot. Sam give you any idea as too when you might get to see her again?"
"Friday at the earliest, man. We have a meeting with the bloodsucker Doc tomorrow night and then we will see. I know one thing; I want that damn treaty amended ASAP. She needs me regardless of the stupid imprint."
"Do you feel the pull of the imprint like Sam described?"
"Yeah, the only thing I don't feel is the pain that he told me about. It should be crippling by now but it is just a constant ache."
"Is that why you doubt the imprint?"
"Yeah Em, that among other things. Listen guys, I am gonna go hit the hay. I will see both of you tomorrow," With that, Jake phased out and ran home.
Bella woke up the next morning in pain and missing Jacob more than ever. She knew what he was doing was important to his tribe but it was like all the color had been sucked out of her life. Forks was always overcast to begin with but with Jake gone it was like night time had fallen and she was in a permanent nightmare. The nights were the worst, her nightmares had returned in earnest without Jacob to chase them away. It was one of the reasons she quit taking her pain meds, because she found it difficult to escape the nightmares when she was in a drug induced sleep. She turned off her alarm and struggled to sit up and transfer herself into her wheelchair when she heard a soft knock on the door.
"Come in."
"Good morning, Bella. How are you this morning?"
"Good morning, Sue. I am the same as I have been for the last month."
"How is your pain level this morning?"
"Same as it has been for the last five days."
"What can I do to help you, besides helping you downstairs?"
"My physical therapist is trying to get me to be as independent as possible, so if you could just make sure I don't fall transferring back and forth that will be great."
"Okay, lead the way."
Forty-five minutes later Bella was transferring herself from her chair to the front seat of Charlie's cruiser and Sue was getting in the truck with Harry. Charlie put her wheelchair in the back of the cruiser and drove off towards Forks High. Ten minutes later, Charlie was headed for La Push and Bella was on her way to her first class.
Jake was sitting at Sam's kitchen table, eating and thinking about Bella and what he would say to her when he saw her again.
"Jacob, are you listening to me? I mean, you are the one who wanted to know all about Bella's week at therapy."
"Sorry, Sam, I got distracted for a minute."
"I remember what those days were like, but Billy is right she has become quieter and more withdrawn as the week has gone on. I am hoping once you are with her again she will snap out of it. Remember we have to meet Dr. Cullen at the treaty line at eight."
"I won't forget. I have a paper to do for English class. Can I go up to the cabin and work on it? Charlie is going to be with Dad until he goes to get Bella at two."
"Yeah, just be careful not to be seen if you phase. Oh, and you might want to phase this evening before the meeting to blow off some steam before the meeting."
"Okay, I will see you at 7:30 then at the treaty line. "
Jake got up and grabbed his book bag he had placed by the door and headed out the door. He worked on his paper until lunch then took a nap until three, when he headed back down the mountain to see his dad and ask how his day with Charlie had gone. He walked into the house to find his dad in front of the TV, watching the game. He walked over and placed a kiss on top of Billy's head.
"Hey, Dad. How did your day with Charlie go?"
"It didn't; he got called in almost as soon as he got here. Sam went to pick Bella up from school and she is going to be staying with them this weekend. City Council told Charlie if he wants to keep his job, he has to start working doubles on the weekends."
"So what will happen with Bells, when he is working?"
"I told Charlie she could come and stay on the rez, either at Sam's place, our place, or the Clearwater's."
"Dad, do you think that is really smart?"
"Son, Bella will know about you guys soon enough and we will just be careful when Charlie is around. Besides, I talked to Sam and he thinks it is a good idea for her to be close by on the weekends."
"How am I suppose to meet Sam at 7:30 at his house if Bella is gonna be there?"
"Easy, he said he will meet you here instead and he said not to worry, he will bring you some dinner."
"Okay, Dad. Do you need anything?"
"No, Son. You go on and have a run but don't go too far."
Sam waited outside of Bella's school. He was kind of glad Charlie got called in today. He hated that Charlie would be gone most of this weekend, and every weekend for the foreseeable future, but he imagined that would make Jake and his wolf happy.
Bella made her way to the cafeteria for lunch and she was dreading every second of it. Since she had been back to school, lunch was the worst. Mike had been relentless since the Cullens left earlier in week. He didn't dare approach her when Jasper and Emmett were in the vicinity, but the minute they left, he pounced asking her why she wanted to be involved with those rez kids, was she really that hard up and a thousand other questions she didn't even bother to answer. If only Jake was there at the end of the day to make all the questions, comments, and whispers worth it, because he would smile at her like the sun and the clouds and ice that seemed to permeate her soul these days would disappear.
She pushed herself up to the empty table on the other side of the lunchroom from where Mike was sitting and pulled the bagged lunch that Sue had made her this morning. She was quietly munching on her apple with her head in her math book, so she didn't see Mike approaching her.
"Hey Bella, why are you over here by yourself? You know, if you'd let me push you to lunch, you could have sat with us."
"Mike, go away. The only reason you offered to push me anywhere is so that you can get out of class early. I refuse to be your hall pass."
"What is wrong with you, Bella? Since the Cullens left, you've seemed like a very bitter person. I mean, can you really blame Edward? It's not like you are the same, are you?"
Bella bit her lip to try to stem the tears from falling but even that didn't stop a few from escaping."
"Mike, what did I ever do to you except try to be your friend?" she pleaded.
"That was before the Cullens started paying attention to you and now that Edward is gone, and you are crippled, it seems that we are good enough for you again, huh?"
Bella straightened up in her chair, placed her math book and her lunch bag in her lap, and looked Mike in the eye before speaking. "Mike, I didn't come to you, you came to me and offered to do things for me. I realize I got caught up with the Cullens and forgot about my other friends here, so I do not expect any of you to forgive me for that. So, please just leave me be because I don't have the time or the energy to make up my so called transgressions to you." Bella whipped around and rolled away as fast as she could.
Angela had been quietly watching Bella's exchange with Mike and decided to follow Bella out of the cafeteria.
"Hey Bella, wait up," Angela called after her. Bella spun around when they reached the hallway.
"What do you want, Angela? You want to tell me what a bad friend I have been too, or remind me that Edward left me because I am no longer the person I was? Or maybe you want to tell me how sorry you are I am hurt and you want to help me. Yeah, that is my favorite one these days the pitying looks everyone gives me."
"Bella, I know you are upset and having a rough time and I know none of us have made this any easier on you. I just wanted to tell you I am sorry for not sticking up for you with the rest of the guys. I want to be your friend, Bella. I only want to help you if you need it and I do not pity you. You are the strongest person I know. I just wanted to ask if you would mind if I called you this weekend and maybe I could come and help you catch up with school work."
"I guess that will be okay. I really have to go now. I have to go to physical therapy and Charlie will be waiting for me."
"Okay, I will call this weekend. Take care of yourself, Bella."
Bella turned back around and continued to push herself towards her locker and the parking lot. She got all her books out of her locker and placed them in her book bag, which was now in her lap. She was only about a quarter of the way through her makeup work and only had a few more weeks to get caught up or she would have to make it up in the summer. It was going to be a long three weeks. She closed her locker and headed out the door. She reached the end of the sidewalk and looked up, expecting to see Charlie's cruiser in the parking lot. Instead, she saw Sam standing beside the passenger side of his pick- up truck. Bella pushed her way to him.
"Hello, Little One," Sam said as he took her book bag and lunch bag from her lap. He threw her book bag in the back ad held her lunch bag up, realizing that it was still full. "You didn't eat lunch today?" he asked.
"No, lost my appetite, thanks to Mike. Where is Charlie?"
"He got called in by the City Council this morning and has to work doubles on the weekends until further notice." He said as he lifted her out of the chair and placed her on the bench seat, buckling her seatbelt before straightening up and placing her lunch bag in her lap. "Eat, Little One, you will blow away in the next thunderstorm if you don't." He shut her door then went around and climbed in the driver's seat.
"This is my fault, isn't it? Charlie has to work this weekend because of me?"
Sam turned to look at Bella. "Bella, look at me." Sam waited until she was looking him in the eyes before continuing. "This is not your fault, any of it," he said as he ran his hand over the scar on her wrist. He saw her eyes widen as she put it together.
"You know don't you, Sam?"
"Yes, Bella, I know. I know that none of this is your fault."
"Jacob knows now too, doesn't he?"
"Yes, he does."
"Does he hate me now?"
"No, Bella he doesn't hate you."
Bella fell silent with that revelation and looked down at the lunch bag in her hands. There was no way she could eat that now. She was ashamed, ashamed of her choices, ashamed of caring for no one else but herself for so long. Sam looked at her as he pulled into the parking lot of Forks Hospital. He could tell she had not eaten any more of her lunch. He pulled into the parking space and threw the truck into park before turning to look at Bella.
"Okay, we are here, Little One, but we are not going in there until you eat that lunch of yours."
"I can't, Sam."
"You can and you will, Isabella. You have plenty of time. Your therapy session doesn't start for 45 minutes and it only takes you 15 minutes to change. So you will sit here and you will eat every bit of your lunch and you will take your pain meds starting this afternoon after therapy. Starting today, you will be staying with me and Emily on the weekends and I refuse to let you spend the day and night in constant pain anymore. Jacob and Charlie have enough to worry about without having to see you in pain when the pain medication would help with that."
"But Sam…."
"But Sam, nothing. Eat."
Bella could tell by the look on Sam's face it would be pointless to argue, so she took her sandwich and the carrots out of her bag and she began to eat in earnest. She managed half of the sandwich and handful of carrot sticks, before sighing and placing them back in the bag. "I can't eat anymore."
"Okay Little One, but I want to see you eat a whole sandwich before this weekend is done and you will clean your plate tonight, no arguments or excuses." He took the bag from her lap and ate the other half of her sandwich in two bites, along with the rest of her carrots, before getting out the truck. He grabbed her workout clothes from her book bag and her chair from the bed of the truck before coming around and opening her door. He unclipped her seatbelt and lifted her up and out of the truck, placing her gently in her chair. He laid her clothes in her in her lap and he began to push her towards the hospital doors. When they got inside, he let go and let her push herself to the therapy room. "You want me to stay?" he asked.
"If you don't mind, kinda helps to have someone I know here." She said as she headed for the changing room.
Sam took out his cell phone and dialed Emily.
"Hey Em," Sam said as Emily picked up her phone. "Can you get the guys move the furniture in the guest room before you Sue come to Charlie's?"
"I guess, I thought you were coming back after you dropped her off at therapy."
"I was but she wants me to stay. Em this is too much for her; they work her until she is so exhausted she can barely hold her head up and her book bag is loaded down with school work that she doesn't seem to have time for and now they are discussing added two hours to her daily therapy in the summer. Jake is going to flip when he sees her."
"Doesn't Carlisle see what this is doing to her?"
"No, he left on Tuesday and he won't be back until tonight."
"You need to tell him Sam."
"I will love and tell Paul and Jared to make sure they are gone before we get home."
"Will do, see you at Charlie's."
"See you then, I love you."
I love you too Em," with that Sam hung up his cell phone.
Two hours later, Sam watched an exhausted Bella push her way toward him. They pushed her to her limit every day here. He understood why but when he thought about the fact that she had only been out of her casts a week today, had a month's worth of school to catch up on, plus missing her afternoon classes and having to do them independent study as well as work from her morning classes, he was surprised she had the strength to get out of bed every morning. He took over pushing of her when she made it to him. "Come on, little one. I called Emily, she and Sue are gonna meet us at your house to help you get cleaned up and packed for the weekend."
Sue and Emily pulled up to Charlie's and got out. Sue went up and unlocked the door. Emily followed close behind.
"Come on in Emily, there is no one else here. Don't be shy. Bella will not bite as a matter of fact she is probably as shy as you.
"Auntie, I am just afraid she won't like me when she finds out the truth."
"She will like you Emily, don't worry. Just watch what I do when Bella gets here and just be patient."
Fifteen minutes later they pulled up in Charlie's driveway. Sue and Emily must be inside already because they weren't on the porch. Sam hopped out of the truck and got Bella out. He got her chair up the stairs without any problem. He opened the door, pushed Bella through, and caught sight of Emily and Sue sitting on the sofa in the living room. He pushed Bella the rest of the way in before going over to Emily and enveloping her in a hug and placing a gentle kiss on her lips, causing Bella to blush. Sam pulled away from Emily and began introductions.
"Bella, this is Emily. Emily, this is Bella. I know you ladies have things to do so I am gonna stay down here and enjoy Charlie's TV while you ladies get Bella ready for the weekend. Call if you need me to carry anything." He said as he placed another kiss on Emily's lips.
Sue pushed Bella to the foot of the stairs and waited while Bella struggled to get into the chair lift. Sue could see how exhausted Bella was but she knew unless Bella asked for help, she didn't want it. She waited until Bella was secured and on her way up the stairwell before she picked up her chair and headed up the stairs. Emily followed close behind her, watching what Sue did to help her. She couldn't help but notice how quiet Bella had was. She hadn't uttered a word since she'd come through the door. Emily was watched from the doorway as Sue helped Bella out of her clothes and Bella used her transfer board to slide onto the shower seat.
"Emily, Bella can do most things for herself when it comes to bathing and getting dressed. She just needs someone to stay by the door in case she needs anything. I also stay close to her when she transfers in or out of the shower, so that if she slips, I can catch her. Same thing goes for when she goes to bed or the bathroom. She has a portable shower seat that can stay at your house until Charlie's schedule changes. I will get Sam to put it in the bed of the truck before we leave." Sue stopped talking and went over to Bella, watching her as she transferred into her chair. "Bella, I am gonna show Emily around your room while you finish and get your overnight bag ready."
"Thanks, Sue."
"I will bring you some clothes when I come back, okay?"
"Okay."
Sue and Emily went down the hall to Bella's room. Sue got her bag down from the closet.
"Is she always this quiet?" Emily asked.
"Yes. For the most part, Bella has always been quiet, but in the last week, she has shut down, mainly because she just doesn't have the energy to talk. She fell asleep at the table last night. I think it is all a little much for her to be honest and with her not taking her pain meds; it just takes that much more out of her. I am really hoping Jake can make her see reason about that."
"Sam has already talked to her about that and he is making her take them, starting this weekend."
"That is good to know. Okay, I have laid out several outfits for her to choose from; can you help her pack while I get her meds together?"
"Yeah."
With that, Sue left the room with Bella's clothes under her arm, leaving Emily to wait on Bella. Ten minutes later, Bella came in.
"Sue laid out some clothes for you. If you don't like something, or if I can help, let me know."
"Thanks," Bella said as started packing her toiletries and adding the clothes on top. "Can you pack up my laptop for me?"
"Sure," Emily replied and she went straight to work. "You need anything else?"
"No, my books are already in the truck."
"I will get Sam to get this stuff and we can be on our way. I hope you are hungry. I fixed a roast with all the trimmings and chocolate chip cookies for dessert since Charlie said they were your favorite."
"You didn't have to go to all that trouble just for me."
"I always cook a lot, so it's no trouble. We usually have a lot of people over and I try to take care of Billy and Jake too, so when I cook, I cook a lot and freeze some for later. Don't worry about the house being cramped this weekend. Sam has told everyone to give you some space. He knows you have a lot of schoolwork to catch up on."
Bella unhooked herself from the chairlift and transferred into her chair. Sam and Sue came out of the kitchen with Bella's meds in hand.
"You pretty ladies ready to get this show on the road?" Sam asked.
"Sam, you need to get Bella's shower seat, overnight bag, and laptop bag from her room."
"Okay, Little One, where is your jacket?"
"Upstairs on my closet door."
"Bella, I am gonna take these leftovers to Charlie and Harry, if that is okay."
"Sure, Sue; take as much as you want."
Sam appeared at the top of the stairs, loaded down with Bella's stuff.
"Sam, you could have made more than one trip," Bella said with a smile.
"Don't worry, Little One," he said as he descended the stairs. "I can handle this." He dropped her jacket in her lap. "Put that on, it is cold out there." He opened the door and ran out to load her stuff in the truck. He came back in and his hair and shirt were wet. "Okay, let's get out of here before the drizzle turns into a downpour. Hood up, Miss Bella, you will not get sick on my watch."
"Sam, did anyone ever tell you that you are bossy?" Bella grumbled as she pushed herself out onto the porch.
Sam threw his head back and laughed. "All the time, Little One, all the time." He got her down the steps and into the truck and they all headed toward La Push.