Chapter 10
BPOV
The first thing I noticed, as soon as I opened my eyes, was that I'd somehow ended up in the woods behind Charlie's house without any recollection of having gotten there.
The night was shrouded in darkness as far as the eye could see. Not a single ray of moonlight could penetrate the thick overhanging canopy and this, combined with the billowing fog, was making the visibility even worse. The trees made ominous shadows on the moss covered forest floor… the silence around me was oppressive and terrifying in its completeness.
'Don't panic…don't panic…Come on…think!'
'How the hell did I get here? Why can't I remember walking into the forest? Weird…the last thing I do remember is coming home from the hospital, exhausted, and collapsing on the bed. How did that end up with me stumbling around in the forest?!?'
'Oh heavens, the stupidity…Who the hell cares how you got here, you idiot?! Don't you know how dangerous this is?? This is Forks for heaven's sake!! Vampires…Werewolves…Supernatural creatures…Sound familiar? Any of that ring any bells?? I can't believe you're dumb enough to just roam around this god forsaken place…in the middle of the night no less! Now quit dawdling and just get the hell out of here…fast!!'
Suddenly, uncomfortably aware of the danger I'd put myself in, I turned around and frantically looked for the trail which I knew would lead me out of the forest directly to Charlie's house. But I couldn't find any trace of it.
Thankfully I saw a pinpoint of light in the distance…strong enough to penetrate the fog and the darkness…and started running towards it praying that I was going in the right direction...
But to my horror, instead of getting closer, the light kept moving further and further away. No matter how fast I ran, I just wasn't fast enough! It almost felt like I was trying to run through water…and was just as frustrating and tiring. The sound of my footsteps and my gasping breaths was deafening in the previous stillness, leading to an enhanced sense of urgency.
'I HAVE to get out of here…Oh God…get me out of here!'
Finally I just couldn't go any further. I was horribly out of breath and there was now a very painful stitch in my side. I collapsed against a tree for a much needed respite, gulping in deep breaths of air.
I looked around me, trying to get a sense of where I was when I came to the realization that I had accidently stumbled into a clearing of some sort…a very familiar clearing! With a sense of shock and disbelief, I realized that I had stumbled into Edward's meadow!!
'Wait a minute…How did I end up here?? I couldn't have run such a long distance. I must be missing something. What the hell is going on here?'
Far from being comforting, the meadow…so beautiful and entrancing during the day time…was downright ominous at night.
Some voice at the back of my mind…a sixth sense perhaps…was warning me that I had to get away from this place…that I was in terrible danger…
My sense of preservation…of survival…kicked up a notch and I started running again…away from the meadow.
'Wait a minute…didn't I just pass that tree over there?'
The moment I stopped running, I discovered that I was in the exact some spot that I had been in a while ago…in the meadow!!
'Shit!! What's happening to me? Am I running around in circles? Or is my mind playing tricks on me?'
I felt like I'd been running endlessly…with no noticeable progress. This time I couldn't get a hold of my emotions and despair overwhelmed me. Tears ran down my cheeks… tears born out of frustration and fear.
'Oh God…I was NEVER going to get out of here, was I? I was stuck here…maybe forever…'
Feeling helpless and desperate, I started screaming for help…hoping that Alice, Jasper or someone from the pack would hear me and come to my rescue.
"HELP!! Somebody, help me!!"
As soon as I stopped, I heard some movement in the distance and was overjoyed. Someone had heard me! They'd find me and then I'd be safe!
"Over here!!" I kept shouting in the hopes of helping them to pinpoint my location faster.
One moment I was all alone in the forest and the next, two figures stepped out of the shadows of the trees into the clearing.
Two figures with pale skin… their glowing, red eyes, chilling me to the bone…
'HOLY CRAP!!'
My worst nightmare had come to life and was standing right in front of my eyes in the forms of James and Victoria!!
'But wait a minute…It couldn't be them, could it? They were both dead…Killed by Edward…a long time ago. How in hell is this possible? Am I losing my mind?? Oh God…'
They were both much more menacing than I remembered…their eerie, preternatural grace sending shivers down my spine. They were terrifying… deadly… remorseless…and I was doomed!
'This is it. No hope of a miraculous rescue this time around. No chance of any mercy. I'm going to die…painfully.'
I was trembling from head to toe...frozen to the spot in terror.
"Well well well…Look what we have here, love", James addressed Victoria, gleefully rubbing his hands together…his words, laden with malice. "Didn't I promise you a feast? Well, this is it! What more could you ask for than our dear, lovely Miss Swan? Or should I say Mrs. Cullen?"
Victoria had an unholy smile on her face but her eyes were horrifyingly empty of expression…and filled with hunger.
"Darling, can I please have the first bite? I am oh so thirsty! All that running has tired me out. I am in desperate need of refreshment."
"All in good time, honey. You're too impatient! Haven't I always told you that the right seasoning is vitally important to make the food more appetizing? Trust me; good things come to those who wait. You need to give some time for our presence to sink in…for her fear to reach its peak… "
I shuddered. It was almost like they were discussing the menu at an exclusive restaurant…deciding what to order. The really terrifying part was that…here… 'I' was the only dish on offer!!
My entire life was flashing before my eyes…all the mistakes I had made…all the regrets…all the things that were now going to be left undone…
Like telling Charlie that I loved him…telling mom how much I appreciated her unconditional support … and most importantly telling Jake that I was sorry…
James walked up, behind me and held my neck in a vise like grip. He tilted my head to one side and carefully rearranged my hair, exposing my neck to his hungry gaze. He then ran his finger…gently, almost lovingly…down the side of my neck all the way to my hand…
"Lovely…so lovely…and all grown up. I'm so impressed. You've been haunting me for six years now… You're the only one who got away… I'm not used to being denied, you see…Your intoxicating scent, that delicious taste that still lingers on my tongue…Ummm…It wasn't enough…not nearly enough! I've been waiting for this opportunity for so long now. I'm going to savor each and every drop of your blood…"
He buried his nose near my pulse point and shuddered in ecstasy…
I whimpered in fear…
"Yes! You're afraid, aren't you? Don't bother denying it…I can almost 'taste' your fear…I WANT you to be afraid! I WANT you to think about how much it will hurt…how long it'll go on…how the last few moments of your life will feel like…Oh…you're gonna be so delicious!"
He actually licked my neck…a long, slow sweep of his tongue…and hummed low in his throat…His posture was taut…rigid…tense and there was a sick…disgusting look on his face. Almost as if…this…what he was doing to me…was turning him on…
'Oh God…I'm going to be sick!!'
"I wonder if your precious Edward told you that human emotion, especially fear enhances the taste of your blood."
'I will not beg…I will NOT beg…Please God…give me the strength…the courage…to face death with dignity…'
James looked at Victoria and spoke in a loving voice, almost as if he was a teacher, teaching his student a valuable lesson. "Did you know that the human body has the astonishing ability to regenerate and replenish large quantities of blood? As long as you ensure that the trauma to the human is not too great, you can enjoy a kill for a long amount of time…sometimes even weeks."
'WEEKS?!? Dear Lord no…PLEASE!! Don't let the ordeal go on for weeks…I'm not strong enough for that. Please let me just die now…as soon as possible!'
Victoria seemed unbearably excited by the prospect of being able to torture me for a long period of time…
"Yes!" She hissed. "That sounds so good…I want her to suffer…for a long, long time. I love the idea of her mate being able to see her suffering, hear her screams in my thoughts…he has to pay for what he did to you, my love…He has to pay for murdering you…"
I was snapped out of the trance I'd fallen under.
'What the…?!? Did she just say 'murdered'…as in 'dead'? How can that be?? What the hell is going on here? How can someone who is dead be standing across from me, threatening to kill me?!? That's not possible…right? Am I really losing my mind here?'
And then, in the blink of an eye, James had disappeared…almost like he'd been a figment of my imagination!
In his place…still holding me in the same inescapable grip… stood the most beautiful person that I'd ever laid eyes on…
I'd always thought of Edward as heartbreakingly beautiful…but this creature…even put Edward to shame…
He was tall…almost six feet tall…lean but well built…with thick, silver blond wavy hair and blue eyes the color of a stormy ocean… The only word I could think of that could be used to describe him was 'gorgeous'…
I was mesmerized…awed…
'No no no…don't fall for it! Be careful…be very careful. There's something about him Bella…I don't know what it is…but, it's something in his eyes…it's just off! He's dangerous…more dangerous than anyone you've ever encountered…probably even more dangerous than the Volturi!'
'Oh shut up! What the hell do you know anyway? How could someone so beautiful be dangerous??'
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I was aware of the absurdity of my reaction…but I just couldn't seem to help it…I seemed to have no control over my actions or my thoughts for that matter…almost as if I'd been put under some kind of a spell by a master magician…
"I seem to have scared you and for that I am indescribably sorry. Please…forgive me. I didn't want to do this, but know that it was necessary…"
Even his voice was heavenly…hypnotic…arresting…and I felt like I could listen to it all day…
"Who…who are you?" I asked in a dreamy voice…
"Not now…not yet…you'll come to know me soon enough…"
'I wonder what that means…oh who cares…he's so beautiful! I want to look at him forever…'
"Today, I just wanted to see you…to get to know you a little better…"
I just knew that I was blushing…
"Why? Why me?"
"Oh, let's just say I was curious about you. I'd heard so much about you. I'd been told many times about how beautiful you are…how unique you are…how special… I just had to come see for myself."
"And what did you see?"
"That you're perfect! You didn't break…even when you thought you were going to die…you didn't beg for your life… You were truly magnificent! Even more so than I'd been led to believe…you passed your test with flying colors. I'm truly satisfied…"
"Is that a good thing? You being satisfied?"
'What the fuck are you doing?!? Snap out of it you idiot!! He's doing this to you somehow… he's got you under some sort of a spell or a trance or something…he's making you see things that don't exist…'
"Oh most definitely! You have no idea how pleased I am… I have to admit, before meeting you, I was a little skeptical…but you have put all my doubts to rest! Now I am totally convinced…You would most definitely be a most glorious addition to our kind. Edward Cullen is a misguided fool and a huge disappointment! His idiocy has deprived us of your presence for six years!! But no matter…six years is nothing…not when you have an eternity to look forward to! But now that I have found you at last, I find myself impatient for you to take your rightful place by my side…
Something about his words…the way he said them…was enough to penetrate the thick cocoon that his presence had created around my senses… A chill ran down my spine…
'Oh God… Oh God…Oh God…What is wrong with me? Why am I behaving in such a way? What did he do to me?? What does he mean by that? Who is he??'
"That idiotic ex-husband of yours almost ruined everything! I have to admit to being very upset with him when he let you go… all the millennia of waiting…down the drain! I wanted to crush him like a bug, I was so angry!! But now, finally, after a long wait, everything is back on track again… or it will be…just as soon as I have you."
He was so engrossed in speaking, that he let go of me and moved away, pacing around…earnestly explaining the situation to me....
As soon as he let go of me and moved away, the 'spell' he'd put on my senses shattered and fear…mind numbing and terrifying…seeped into my psyche…
'Oh God…This is not good…this is so not good!! So why are you still standing here like a lamb to the slaughter?!? RUN, you idiot!!!'
I didn't wait around for further instructions from my more sensible, more insightful self. I took advantage of his distraction and ran…stumbling along the way…praying desperately for some miracle.
"You can run…but you can't hide. Give in gracefully, darling. There's no escape from this. You belong to me! Together we're going to change the world! You'll see…the faster you accept this, the easier it'll be for both of us… It'll only hurt for some time…I promise!"
I knew it probably wouldn't make any difference to him but I felt it needed to be said. So I called out to him "If I wouldn't change for Edward who I loved, I'm certainly not going to change for YOU!! So leave me alone!!"
I could hear his laughter behind me, taunting me in its amusement…its indulgence…
He wasn't even making an effort to run, knowing that I had no chance in hell of outrunning him…making me feel horribly inadequate and helpless in comparison. I was hopelessly certain that I was only prolonging the inevitable…and making my suffering worse in the process. It felt like he was only toying with me, readying me for my eventual fate…
I turned around to try and see if he was closing in on me and before I knew it, I had hurtled headlong into an obstruction. I struggled desperately…trying to recover my balance and keep running but something was blocking all my efforts…something that felt like bands of steel…and the more I tried to escape, the tighter they became…
I was horrified to discover that the 'something' that was holding onto me, was a pair of arms… gripping me tightly…making escape impossible…
'Oh God, he's caught me and now I'm going to face a fate worse than death...'
I squeezed my eyes shut, not wanting to look into the eyes of my executioner. I wasn't brave enough for that…
'I don't want this…I don't want to become a vampire… Maybe I can say something…do something…to enrage him so that he gives up on the idea of changing me and kills me right away!'
Through the haze of my terror, I slowly became aware that the arms holding me were not cold like a vampire's but burning hot!
I opened my eyes quickly…eager to know the identity of my rescuer and felt a surge of relief so great that my legs gave out from under me…
Jacob tightened his arms around me…almost lifting me off the ground and into his arms…supporting my weight easily, effortlessly…
"Are you alright? You aren't hurt, are you?"
I shook my head mutely.
Once he was satisfied that I was unhurt, he continued with his interrogation. "What's going on here, Bells? What are you doing out here, this late at night? Don't you know by now how dangerous these woods are? When are you going to learn, huh?"
Even though his questions were a little harsh, his tone was soft and caring…just like the Jake of old…
And even after the terrible ordeal I had just been through, I could not help but realize how momentous this occasion was…the moment that I got 'MY' Jake back…
My heart jumped in joy. I threw my arms around him, hugging him close to me.
Unfortunately, my vocal cords still seemed to be frozen. Even though I wanted to answer his questions, no words came out of my mouth.
And then, before I could say anything, I became aware of a lot of movement all around us. I looked over his shoulder to see the rest of the pack standing behind him. Quil stepped forward in his human form and spoke to Jake, who was still holding me close.
"Jake, come on man. We should leave. We don't want to get involved in this. This is between her and the leech. It doesn't concern us in any way."
'Didn't concern them??? Between me and the leech?? What was he talking about? Weren't they going to kill 'him'? Rescue me?!?'
To my horror, I saw that Jake seemed to agree with Quil. His expression was a blend of reluctance and unwilling acceptance…His arms tightened around me…once…before he slowly set me down on my own feet.
"Jake?!?" I could hear the hysterical note in my voice…the absolute terror…
'He can't be thinking of just leaving me here…he's not going to abandon me…not my Jake…'
But even while I was trying to convince myself of this, he started to slowly back away from me.
I tried desperately to hold on to him…but he just kept eluding my grasp.
"Don't leave me here Jake…Please…"
"Quil is right Bells. This is between the two of you. I can't get involved in this again…the last time just about killed me. I can't go through this one more time…I just can't!"
"What are you talking about? You can't just leave me here!! Don't you see? He's going to kill me…I don't want to die…Oh please…please…" By this time I was sobbing uncontrollably, not even ashamed of sounding so desperate and needy.
"Come on Bella! You don't really expect me to buy that, do you?? This was YOUR choice! You chose…this life…this…this…THING! And now, you're begging me to SAVE you? After everything that you put me through?!? Sorry sweetheart…but it doesn't work that way! I'm done dancing to your tune! I'm out of this!! Now why don't you be a good girl and go back to your hubby dear, huh? He seems to be getting pretty desperate there…"
'HUBBY dear?!? Did he mean Edward?!? Is he trying to imply that…that 'person'…that 'creature' is actually Edward?!? That's just not possible!! No way, no how…'
But true enough, the moment I turned around to look, I saw him…Edward… standing some distance away from us…looking at Jake and me with a tortured expression on his face.
"What the hell are YOU doing here?" I spit out angrily.
"Bella!!" Edward sounded hurt and shocked. "What do you mean, what am I doing here? Where else would I be but with my wife?"
'Okay, now I'm sure that something is definitely wrong! Why is Edward suddenly referring to me as his WIFE?'
But before I could decipher the increasingly complicated situation, Edward said something that scrambled my thoughts completely.
"Come on darling. Let's go home. Everyone's waiting for us. Don't you remember?? Today's the day we've both been eagerly looking forward to for so long. Today is the day of your transformation! I can't wait for you to become one of us!"
"WHA…?!? Edward…NO! I don't want that. I don't want to be like you anymore. Don't you remember what happened? We both came to a decision on this topic… How could you forget that?"
"First of all, it wasn't 'our' decision, it was 'yours' and second, I haven't forgotten. I just don't believe you. Of course you want to be one of us. You've told me so…many times. In fact you've begged me to change you. It's alright sweetheart. You're just getting an attack of nerves. Once we get back home, everything will be just fine. You'll see…"
He stepped forward, extending his hand towards me. I backed away…leaning into Jake again.
Edward's eyes suddenly went black…his indulgent expression changing into one of anger.
"What nonsense is this, Bella? Stop this childishness at once. Now come on…we're going home! Right now!"
I turned towards Jake in desperation.
"Jake please…don't let him take me anywhere…I swear, I don't want to go with him…I don't want to become a vampire. Take me with you. Help me…save me…"
Jake smiled at me ruefully. "Oh honey, if only you'd said this six years ago…But now it's too late! These years have opened my eyes and I've come to the realization that you're just not worth it. You're not worth all the pain and the heartache…and you're definitely not worth saving anymore! You made your own bed, Bella…now I hope you're happy in it!"
"JAKE!! Nooooooooooo…."
I think it was the scream that broke the unending sequence of events and ultimately brought me back to reality…putting an end to my hellish nightmare.
Thankfully I was exactly where I was supposed to be…in bed at Charlie's house…though definitely a little worse for the wear…
The last vestiges of my dream still clung to me, the terror not fading away easily. I was soaked through with sweat and my heart was still pounding rapidly in my chest…my breath coming out in pants… the tears, showing no signs of abating anytime soon…
'A dream…it was just a dream…no need to be upset…you're at home, in bed, safe and sound…'
Except that… it had felt so real…
I sat up in bed and switched on the lights…trying to control the sobs wracking my body.
"What…What happened? Is everything all right? Are you hurt Bella? Why are you crying? Talk to me honey." Alice rushed into the room, followed closely by Jasper.
"Nothing's wrong, Alice. I just had a nightmare. I'm alright…just a little scared."
She sat down beside me on the bed and hugged me close… "Shhh, honey shhh… Don't cry…it's not real…you're safe…everything's alright…Don't worry… I'd never let anyone hurt you…"
I also felt Jasper's presence in my mind…soothing and gentle…calming my fears…My tears subsided…leaving me completely drained and limp.
"There there…All better now? Good. Now try and go back to sleep sweetie. I'll sit here with you and keep you company till you're asleep, okay? Don't worry, Jasper and I will guard you through the night…make sure you're safe. How does that sound, huh?"
I gave her a strained smile. "Thanks Alice…that's a great offer…but I don't think I can go back to sleep tonight. I'm gonna go, make some hot chocolate instead. And then, I'll stay up and keep 'you' guys some company, okay?"
"No… Don't get up. Stay right there. Jasper can make you the hot chocolate, right honey?"
"Yeah sure… I make a mean hot chocolate! Be right back."
The moment Jasper left the room, Alice glanced at me worriedly. "You sure you're okay, right? Is there anything else you need? How about you talk to me Bella…tell me about your dream? It might make you feel better."
As I recounted the horrifying nightmare, I started trembling…the terror of it too fresh…too acute for my comfort. Sometime in the middle of my narration, Jasper came back with a hot, steaming mug of hot chocolate.
By the time I was done, both Alice and Jasper had grave expressions on their faces. I was still too upset to catch the quick, worried glance they exchanged…
"All right…That's it! I'm going to go over there and knock some sense into that idiotic mutt, right this minute!! He's had enough time to brood! I'd hoped that he'd come to his senses on his own but enough is enough! He's coming here and having a conversation with you, even if I have to drag his sorry ass all the way from La Push to here! You coming Jazz?" I'd never seen Alice getting so furious before…
"Alice, no!" I was horrified, to say the least. "Things are screwed up enough as it is. No offense, but I don't think you going over there and dragging him here is going to make things any better. I just have to accept the fact that I've lost him."
I had gradually come to this realization over the last two days…days in which there had been no contact…no communication from him and was trying to be stoic and brave about it…even while my heart was crumbling away…piece by piece…inside me. I'd already made up my mind to leave Forks as soon as I could…and stop making Jake's life miserable. Now if only Charlie would hurry up and get better soon so that I'd be able to get out of this emotional hellhole quickly…
"Just let it go, please? There's no need to create further complications." I pleaded with Alice.
"Jesus, Bella! Have you even looked in the mirror in the last couple of days? I'm sorry to say this, but you look horrible! You hardly eat, unless I force you to…you hardly talk…and you've hardly slept!! You've been in this funk ever since you last saw him. What am I supposed to do, huh? Just sit around and watch you make yourself sick?!? Well, I'm sorry I can't do that! So if you insist on staying this way and not doing anything about it, then maybe I should stay away from you for a few days!" She walked away, irritation and frustration in every line of her body...
'Way to go Bella…now you've even managed to piss off Alice…just what you needed at this point of time…Congratulations…You sure do know how to run off all your friends don't you?'
I sighed…It's been 2 days now since he walked out on me…
49 hours, 19 minutes and 45 seconds to be precise…
2959 minutes….
177585 seconds….
'But who's counting….right?'
And since then, time, for me has slowed down to the slowest possible crawl… dragging by endlessly.
Even the parameters by which I measure the passage of time have undergone a radical shift in the last couple of days… the new parameters being, time involved in Charlie's recovery and the time since Jacob's abrupt departure…
Charlie's recovery…while excruciatingly slow…has been coming along nicely. He's still in the Intensive Care Unit but the doctors are no longer classifying his condition as being critical. This in itself is a miracle considering the fact that he had three bullets embedded in his body just four days ago.
Although utterly thrilled about his progress, I can't help but wish that he'd just wake up…soon…
For a person who hates hospitals, I had to admit that I'd handled being cooped up in one for the last few days surprisingly well. But to be fair, I think it had more to do with Alice and Jasper's presence than anything else.
Since the time we got here, either Alice or Jasper have never been far my side for more than a few minutes at a time…keeping me company…taking care of me…making sure I ate three square meals a days and going home to sleep each night. Having someone around to take care of us has been a god send because, honestly speaking, neither Renee nor I have been in a particularly sound mental state since this whole ordeal began.
I'm really grateful for their company…for more than the obvious reasons. Other than giving me some much needed support, the hidden benefit of their presence is that, it has helped to keep the overt hostility of the pack in check… Especially Leah and Quil, who haven't bothered me again after the confrontation two nights ago…
As exhausted as I was…I definitely wasn't up to going another round with them right now...
My only regret is that it seems to have also kept Jacob away…
'Maybe he's not staying away because of them…maybe he's staying away because he doesn't want to run into you again!'
'Just shut up already! I know that he doesn't want to see me! I've accepted it, alright? You don't have to keep rubbing it in my face, again and again!!'
What really got to me was the fact that Jake hadn't even been back to check on Charlie's health since he left that night. I knew how close the two of them were and it killed me that my presence was so abhorrent to Jake that he'd even abandoned the man who he loved and respected almost as much as his own father just to avoid me.
'How do you do it Bella? How do you manage to screw up everyone's life so effectively?? Jake, Charlie, Renee, Edward, Alice… Everyone around you…everyone you care about, ends up getting hurt some way or the other!
Have you ever stopped to think that it might be you? That caring about you is what makes them so vulnerable? Think about it…you've single-handedly managed to hurt the people who loved you most in the world by your actions! And their only fault was that they loved you…beyond measure!'
"Oh Bloody Hell, Bella…Stop it this instant!" Jasper's sudden exclamation startled me out of my bout of self recrimination.
I had forgotten that he was still present in the room. He came and sat down beside me on my bed.
"Listen to me, Bella. You need to stop blaming yourself for everything that's happened, okay? None of it has been your fault! I know you're smart enough not to believe that kind of crap! Honestly, how could you believe that you've alienated Alice or Charlie or even Edward for that matter? All of them care about you…they always have and they always will!
Now as far as Jacob is concerned…I don't think you've really alienated him either. Think about it…If he didn't still care about you, why would your presence affect him so strongly, huh? He just needs some time to deal with the shock, is all. Trust me honey, I know what I'm talking about. Now stop thinking about this so much and just try to get some sleep, okay? Everything will be much better tomorrow. And don't worry about Alice…I'll talk to her, alright?" He gave me a fleeting kiss on my forehead and a warning glance before suddenly blocking all the negative emotions passing through my mind.
'Oh what a relief…'
Even then, falling asleep was quite challenging…I tossed and turned for hours, finally falling into a restless slumber sometime around dawn…
I was startled awake by the sound of my cell phone ringing. I checked the display only to groan in irritation.
"You have the most horrible sense of timing you know that, right?"
"And…Good Morning to you too, beautiful! Why so grumpy?? Did I interrupt anything?" Dylan answered cheerfully.
I got out of bed reluctantly, knowing that this call would last too long for me to be able to get back to sleep.
"Eww…get your mind out of the gutter!! You didn't interrupt anything…expect my sleep!!"
"Bella Sawn…still in bed at 11 am? GASP! Scandalous!!"
"Ugh…that's waaayyy too chirpy for me, alright? You seriously need to tone it down! I can't take it right now…especially since I haven't even had my daily dose of caffeine yet!"
I was feeling horribly tired and sluggish. I slowly dragged myself into the bathroom and splashed some cold water on my face. The mirror showed the toll all the sleepless nights had taken on me. I had deep purple bruises underneath my eyes which were swollen from all the crying.
"Then what are you waiting for? Get your lazy ass out of bed and go make some of your wonderful coffee! Oh and loads of breakfast too! Both Lisa and I are famished!"
It was like a jolt to my system, making me feel more alert than I had felt in days…
"What?? What?!? What're you talking about? You're here?? Like seriously here?? In Forks?? Here?? Now??" I was too excited to sit still. "I can't believe this!! Oh my God!! You're here!! WOW!!"
Dylan just chuckled. "Alright Bella. Slow, deep breathes, okay? That's right…calm down…you're behaving like you're on a sugar high!"
I could totally imagine the smirk on his face at this moment.
"To answer your question, of course we're here. Where else would we be when our best friend needed us? We're just sorry it took us so long to get here. Anyway, according to this GPS we'll be reaching your house in 15 minutes. We'll talk more once we get there. Now go and get on with that breakfast I asked for, woman! And keep in mind who you're feeding, okay?"
I couldn't keep the silly grin off my face. The moment we hung up the phone, I hurried around changing out of my sleepwear into jeans and a comfortable t-shirt, brushing my teeth and pulling my hair up into a ponytail. I bounded down the stairs into the kitchen, switching on the coffee maker and getting out the makings of French toast.
I almost felt like a new person…especially in comparison to how I was feeling last night. For the first time since I had gotten to Forks, I almost felt like my usual self…happy, optimistic, full of hope…It was a good feeling.
I turned around and almost jumped out of my skin, startled to see Alice leaning against the kitchen door…observing me with a perplexed smile on her face.
"Geez… Didn't anyone tell you that it's rude to sneak up on people? You scared the crap out of me" I chided her gently, holding a hand against my wildly beating heart.
"I can't believe this is the same Bella that I walked out on last night! What's got you in such a good mood today? You're actually buzzing around…smiling…and singing!! My god…it's been ages since I've seen you this way!" Alice exclaimed.
Before I could give her any kind of reply, there was a loud pounding on the front door followed by, "Yo Woomaan…Open Up! Where's my food?"
I spared a quick grin at Alice's thunderstruck expression before running out of the kitchen to open the door and jump straight into Dylan's waiting arms, knocking him back a few steps with my momentum.
"Oomph…whoa…What've you been eating lately?" Dylan asked me teasingly.
"Hey, are you calling me FAT?? How dare you?!" I punched him, in the gut…following our usual routine.
He raised his arms in mock surrender. "Now would I be stupid enough to do that? Of course not…cos it's the quickest way to incur your wrath, isn't it? And I am much too scared of you when you're…you know…all wrathful…"
"Oh shut up you moron!" I laughed affectionately. "It's so good to see you! God I missed you, Dylan! I STILL can't believe you're here!! But I'm so glad you are! I don't know how I managed these past few days without you…either of you! Speaking of which…where's Lisa? Didn't you say she was with you?"
"Well…look at that! I think I'm seriously offended!! I'm standing right here and you don't even notice me!?!" Lisa huffed impatiently from behind Dylan. "You know Dylan; I'm beginning to think that you were right all along! There might be some truth to your claims of Bella secretly being in love with you after all. Hmmm…interesting…"
She was grinning from ear to ear by the time she finished saying this, assuring me that she was only teasing.
"Yeah right! The only reason I didn't see you is that this giant oaf was standing in the way…blocking my vision! Oh come here you…Gimme a hug!!"
I held Lisa close to me, overcome by the fact that they were both standing here…on Charlie's front porch…in Forks! Their dedication, their love overwhelmed me! I found it humbling that they had flown almost halfway around the globe…just to be near me in my time of need! I think this was God's way of reminding me to count my blessings instead of cribbing about things that I didn't have…
After our happy reunion, Dylan went back to their rental car to bring in their luggage. I looked on in astonishment as he eventually managed to bring in all four suitcases as well as the two carry-on bags.
"Umm… Not that I mind, but are you guys planning on staying here 'permanently'?"
I couldn't help but notice the quick look they exchanged between themselves.
"Well… No… not permanently. But we are prepared to stay here as long as you need us. That's actually why we couldn't get here sooner. We had a lot of details to take care of back home. Taking a leave of absence is more complicated than either of us imagined it would be." This, from Lisa… the ever practical one...
I couldn't help sniffling. "You guys…I don't even know what to say. Except…Thank you…" I opened my arms again and held them both close to me in our patented group hug.
"Jesus…" Dylan whispered reverently, interrupting the emotional moment.
I looked at him questioningly…curious to find out what had set him off… only to see him staring over my shoulder at Alice.
"I feel like I've died and gone to heaven because such beauty, such perfection can only mean that you're an angel…"
I didn't know whether to be horrified or amused. Dylan…God help me…was flirting with Alice!
In the interest of Dylan's continued survival, I quickly scanned the room, making sure that Jasper wasn't lurking in any corners waiting for an opportunity to pounce.
"Hi, I'm Dylan by the way...Bella's friend from London. And you might be…?"
Oh Boy…the idiot was hell bent on committing suicide!
"Dylan..." I warned. "Stop being an idiot. She's much too old for you."
'Really Bella? That's the best you could come up with?'
'What?? Technically it is the truth!'
I could literally feel my 'other' self rolling its eyes at that…
'How about, she's married? And if her husband finds out, he would break each and every bone in your body without even breaking into a sweat… Don't you think that might have been a tad bit more effective?'
"Pfft...Bella…Don't be ridiculous! She can't be a day over 18...if that. Am I right?"
'If only you knew Dylan…if only you knew…'
"I'm Alice, Bella's…friend." I noticed that she had a smirk on her face while shaking his outstretched hand.
'Well…at least someone finds this situation amusing!'
"And 'I' am in love…"
Oh you have GOT to be kidding me…
Lisa could barely contain her laughter. We'd both been witness to many such incidents throughout our association with Dylan…who had the unfortunate tendency of falling in and out of love at the drop of a hat. Usually, I don't mind…because, I know that he's harmless…if a little impulsive, and under ordinary circumstances, I'd also find this situation hilarious especially considering the fact that Dylan was always so earnest while making such declarations.
But at the moment I was too frustrated to be amused!
Jasper's imminent arrival had the potential of turning this harmless encounter into something a little more…complicated. Just because Alice, Jasper and the rest of the Cullen's were so comfortable around me, it didn't necessarily mean that they were equally comfortable around all humans. And I was especially concerned about the kind of reaction Jasper would have to someone flirting with his wife! Call it a hunch…but somehow I didn't think he'd be as amused as Lisa and Alice seemed to be!
It was high time I took control of the situation. "Dylan…this is Alice, Edward's sister." I walked up to him and whacked him on the head. "And you better quit flirting with her this instant, before her husband decides to come and beat the shit out of you!"
"What?? She's married??"
I couldn't believe it…the idiot was actually pouting!!
Jasper chose that exact moment to walk into the room…looking around at all of us questioningly…
'Yikes…how much has he heard? Is he upset?'
"Um Hmmm…To him…" I pointed out hoping Dylan would get the hint.
Fortunately…thankfully, it turned out that Dylan wasn't completely dumb…
"Oops! Sorry man…didn't know she was taken. No offense intended." He said, raising both hands in a gesture of surrender.
"None taken. Don't worry about it."
Jasper stepped forward and shook Dylan's hand, giving him a friendly slap on the back.
I felt relieved that the situation had been amicably resolved…this time at least! But I was determined to have a nice, long chat with Dylan…and soon…before he got into any more trouble!
The whole situation acted as an icebreaker and helped smooth the initial awkwardness between the new arrivals and my 'former in-laws' as they were now being referred to…
Once everyone had settled down, the conversation soon turned to other important topics such as Charlie's health and…unfortunately, for my peace of mind…Jacob.
Both Lisa and Dylan were indignant after being told the details of our 'so-called' meeting.
"He just WALKED OFF?!? What kind of an idiot is he?? And you haven't seen him since? Well what are we waiting for? Let's go and pound some sense into him!" Dylan flexed his well developed muscles.
Jasper and Alice were obviously, completely in favor of this idea!
"I have to say Bella, I like the way this kid thinks!" High praise coming from Jasper… "Let's go and do it!"
"Guys…guys…GUYS!! No one is going to pound anyone… so settle down! We're all adults here…so let's behave like that, shall we? Now I'm sorry for saying this but all of you need to stop interfering in this situation! I know you mean well but this is between Jake and me…and we'll handle it our way! So…no more interference!! Come on…promise me…"
After they had reluctantly given me their word not to interfere, Lisa…who'd been completely silent till then…spoke up, "So…I get it that he doesn't want to talk to you…but…what's stopping YOU from talking to HIM? Why don't you go and confront him? Explain the situation to him…say what you have to say…apologize…and then if he still doesn't want anything to do with you…tell him to go to hell!"
"NO! If Jacob doesn't wanna talk to me, then I'm gonna respect his decision, ok? I've already jerked him around enough! I'm not just gonna barge in on his life again and force myself on him! I'm gonna respect his wishes and leave him alone!! Please, please…I beg of you…don't force this issue any further…"
Lisa had an extremely thoughtful expression on her face. "Is that what you're doing, Bella…respecting his privacy? Do you really believe that… because it seems to me like you're just running away from the situation yet again! You're running scared…because you're afraid of his reaction! You need to stop Bella…you need to stop running away from your past…
Didn't you always tell me that despite everything you put him through; Jacob didn't ever give up on you…no matter what you said to him? Well…don't you think he deserves the same kind of dedication Bella? Don't you think he deserves a friend who cares enough to do whatever it takes to get him back… to mend your relationship? Don't you think he deserves some kind of an explanation?
How many times did you tell me how much you regretted losing him...how you wished you could apologize to him…how you wanted your friend back? Well this Bella…this is your chance! Are you going to just let it pass you by? Don't you think the least you owe his is an apology?"
Her words were like a slap in my face…a wake-up call…
"How can you call him your best friend if you aren't even prepared to fight for him…for your friendship? Isn't he worth it? Isn't he worth taking the risk of being rejected…of being hurt?"
'Of course he is! He's worth so, so, so much more than this…And as far as the question of what he deserves arises, he deserves everything…not just this but so much more! God…how could I be so oblivious…so blind?? And how could I give up on him so easily? Of course I can't give up… I have to fight for him!!'
"Hey where are you going?"
I snapped back to reality, realizing that my feet had already started guiding me towards the door before I was even conscious of my brain giving any of the relevant orders…
Apparently this time my heart had made all the decisions without bothering to consult my brain…
I felt better than I had in a really long time…the joy, the giddiness, the lightheartedness completely evident in my mannerisms…
I looked back towards my friends and gave them a broad, uninhibited smile.
"Looks like I'm going to go get my best friend back!"
But I soon discovered that the day's quota of surprises was not over…
The moment I opened the door… I found myself faced with the biggest one so far…
"Jake!"
A/N: - I know…I know…I'm Evil…You guys want some B/J interaction and I swear I was aiming for it in this chapter, but the story just took on a life of its own!! You know how that is, right? 'Sigh' I hope you guys will just be a little more patient…cos…as this chapter clearly indicates, next chapter will definitely be about Bella and Jacob's meeting! So…don't hate me just yet!
Anyway would LOVE to hear from you guys…questions, comments, suggestions…anything! Heck I don't care if all you want to say is 'hi'…as long as I get to hear from you! :D No, seriously…Your opinions mean a lot to me…so let me know what you think… pretty please… :(
Also, once again…a huge thanks to my awesome beta… She rocks! :) I seriously don't know what I would do without her all her helpful ideas, questions and comments! Thank you Cheryl…you're the best!