AN: First, sorry for the long wait on the update. Yes, it was longer than I planned but such is life. I've had horrible writer's block, but somehow I squeaked out another chapter. Anywho, I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint. Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Emmett Cullen was still seething with anger at Edward when he reached the tree line. He took his time on the thin path tracing its way through the forest like a deep brown snake. It was peaceful here in the forest, so quiet and green. Holding his hands out along the trail, he was able to touch the green ferns lightly showering the air with dew. Yes, this walk was what he needed to bring his blood pressure down to a reasonable level. The pain in his chest was throbbing less, but it was being replace with a deep disappointment and the painful aching truth of how Edward had damaged Bella so completely. Why? How could Edward throw her love away? He would never understand this.

As Emmett approached the tide pools, the forest receded back against the coast like a giant green blanket. He saw his sons perched at the edge of a large pool watching the fish zigzag around the dark algae-covered rocks. Emmett marveled at how fast his sons had grown up. It seemed not so long ago that he just about fainted when Rosalie announced they were having twins, boy no less. He remembered the day they were born, how tiny they looked cradled in his arms staring up at him and making cute baby noises. Rose had a long, hard labor but she made it look easy; that was typical Rose though—a beauty even when she was doing the hardest work any human could possibly do. Kyle and Liam were lucky to have her as their mother; she was truly amazing as a parent, so patient, loving and when she had to be, she was so strong. Emmett realized how lucky he was to have such a wonderful family, to have such an incredible partner in life. Not everyone had this. He suddenly felt sad for the family Bella was denied. She should have had this too.

As he approached the pools, Liam looked up then nudged his brother. They rose from the edge of the pools and moved toward their dad. They exchanged a look of concern. Something was wrong.

"Hey dad, what's up?" Kyle was swatting the mud from his jeans as he spoke to his father.

"Are you boys ready to leave? We're getting ready to head home for dinner." Emmett helped Liam brush his coat clean of random twigs and mud.

"Yeah, I guess. Hey, did you hear that freaky sound earlier? It sounded like someone breaking in two! It scared the crap out of us. Kyle almost fell into the pools when he heard it; it caught us off-guard." Liam smirked at his brother.

"Dude, I told you; I stepped on a slippery rock. I was not scared." Kyle's ears and cheeks turned pink with embarrassment.

"Man, you were ready to cry! I saw your eyes tear up!" Liam was smirking at his brother.

"No way! I was not scared and I didn't start crying! I told you; I almost slipped then something flew in my eyes." Kyle was turning red now, but from annoyance.

"Alright boys, that's enough. Yes, I heard it. It was nothing; just a drift log breaking out of the sand."

The boys exchanged a strange look. They had been trying to dislodge a small branch from the beach when they got here and made no progress to even budge it. Whatever moved that log must have been really strong. They both instantly got the feeling there was something more to this story, but the look on their father's face made it clear he wasn't going to talk about it with them. Maybe they could get the scoop from Lily when they got back to Forks.

As they moved toward their father, Emmett took the lead and walked back along the trail he came from. He already felt more relaxed and calm after spending some time with his sons. They always had this effect on him. Sometimes their rambunctious ways got the best of Rosalie, but they always made him feel so whole and content. They were a large part of his connection to the world. They reminded him so much of himself and they brought out the best in him as their father. Yes, Emmett was grateful for his family.

As they reached the clearing to the beach, they saw Edward and Jasper racing up the trail to a group of people. Their frantic pace sent a chill up his spine. Emmett automatically went into a defensive posture. He scanned the area and saw no immediate threat on the beach. They weren't running away from something; they were running toward something. He scanned ahead and saw his family standing further up the trail towards his Hummer. He immediately recognized his wife, sister and mother. This confused him; what were they doing here? Something was wrong. He saw them surrounding people he didn't recognize. Oh no. He saw someone lying on the ground.

"Dad, what's wrong??" Liam now sounded scared, worried by the sudden change in his father's demeanor. Emmett answered, "I don't know but we need to find out now."

Emmett broke into a sprint running along the beach toward the trail, followed closely by his sons. He followed his brothers up toward his family, keeping alert to any danger and ready to fight if necessary. He momentarily thought of what his family was doing there, but questions were second to everyone's safety.

As he saw Edward and Jasper reach the group, someone from La Push reached the down to check the incapacitated body on the ground. Esme, Rosalie, and Lily were huddled together, each scared and transfixed by the body. Jasper had Alice in his arms, holding her tight to him. He was close to reaching the group when Emmett saw the body being lifted from the ground after Edward seemed to try resuscitation. He was too busy trying to identify the woman (yes, he could tell she was female now) being moved, that he didn't initially hear the confrontation until the sound of a fist contacting Edward's face startled him back to the moment.

The tall lean boy with long dark hair had just knocked his brother down then stormed away. Lily and Alice looked ashen. A flash of recognition hit him: that was Bella's son!

"What the hell is going on here?" Emmett was shouting, not sure whether to chase down that boy and return the beating or shake his hand.

Edward was still crumpled in a state of shock on the ground. Rosalie and Esme quickly moved into his arms and clung to him. His boys seemed just as confused as he was. Lily was crying hysterically, gripping onto her parents like she saw the end of the world. Jasper was dazed, holding his family but pulling himself together quickly. As he watched Edward slowly stand, Jasper spoke.

"That was Bella. She seems to have had a shocking reunion with us; I'm not sure but I think she fainted. Then Edward had the unexpected pleasure of meeting Bella's son, Jake." Jasper nodded in Edward's direction. The family watched Edward as the unbelievable situation started to puzzle itself together.

"Why did Jake smack Edward down? Not that I blame him, but I don't get it." The Cullen women exchanged puzzled expressions; something else happened here today. Emmett ignored they're inquiring looks; this was not the time to rehash the hostility he felt for his brother at the moment. He was trying to leave his personal feelings out of the present situation. He needed to get to the bottom of why his family was so distraught.

"He said he was giving me what I deserved for his mom. I imagine he hasn't exactly heard good things about me." Edward was holding the left side of his jaw which was starting to swell and turn a strange shade of purple. Emmett wasn't sure how to feel about this; all he cared about at the moment was how Bella was doing.

"Is Bella ok?" Everyone was silent, tense and full of fear.

"We don't know" Esme said. Tears stained her face as she reached out for Edward, embracing him. Edward looked broken and raw with emotion; he closed his eyes and let the tears leak from his eyes.

Lily was still crying, but trying to say something. Everything she tried to say came out as a strangled whimper. She continued for a few more moments before starting to cry again. Alice and Jasper whispered soothing thoughts to her, rocking her in their arms. Alice steeled herself against her husband then quickly let go of them, running after Bella and whoever carried her away.

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Charlie and Billy had just pulled the turkey out of the oven when they heard the back door slam open then shut. It startled them. Jacob was holding a lifeless Bella in her arms.

"What happened, Jake?" Charlie shouted, clearing a spot on the sofa for his daughter.

"Bella and Little Jake just had a run-in with the Cullens on the trail to the beach. I think she fainted. She's breathing and her heart rate is fine but we need to get her to the hospital quickly just in case." Jacob Black paused to give Billy and Charlie a knowing look. "I think it was just too much for her to take in."

Charlie made a grim face, thinking of how carefully Bella had kept Jake from the Cullens to avoid just such a reunion. As he finished filling in Billy and Charlie, Little Jake came storming in the house. Jake Swan had the look of a twister, fierce and ready to destroy anything in his path. His appearance stung them all; Jake must have met the Cullens along with Bella and something terrible transpired. Jake stopped briefly to look at his mom; his expression was tortured but was quickly replaced with rage. He grabbed his Jeep keys and tore out of the house.

Charlie ran after him, calling his name but a few seconds later they heard the sounds of the old Jeep growling to life and racing away. Charlie came back into the house with a terrified expression.

"Jake took off! I tried to stop him, but he's quick. Beat me to the Jeep in no time flat." Charlie tried to shake of the ominous feeling creeping into him. "Billy, I need to get a hold of Embry or Quil. Who's on patrol for the tribal police today?"

"I think Embry's on today. Quil's home with his family for the holiday." Billy quickly found the cordless phone and started to dial the emergency number for the tribal police. "Yes, this is Billy Black. I need to get a hold of whoever is on patrol today; it's an emergency." The dispatcher quickly connected Billy to Embry who was patrolling the village; Billy filled him in on Little Jake and Bella's situation. Embry called for an ambulance for Bella then went looking for Little Jake on the road leading toward the highway.

Charlie felt a horrible tension in the air. The way his grandson tore out of the house like a bat out of hell made him very nervous and suddenly sorry he ever let him drive. Charlie grabbed the phone again and called his station, putting out the word to the deputy on duty to start moving toward the La Push reservation looking for Jake. He was suddenly terrified Jake was too upset to be in control of that old Jeep, but maybe the Forks police or the Quileute police would stop him before anything bad happened.

As Charlie hung up the phone, he heard someone enter the house through the back door.

"How is she, Charlie?" Alice Whitlock stood in the doorway, looking like she was ready to collapse too.

"I'm not sure, but we called for an ambulance."

"Where's Jake, Charlie?" Alice was getting frantic, and her voice was strained.

"We don't know. He just took off. I called the highway patrol and the tribal police, so I hope they get hold of him soon before he hurts himself. Alice, what happened?" Charlie's face seemed to age twenty years with worry.

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Jacob Swan had never felt like this before, like he was ready to tear out of his own flesh, peel away his own skin. There was a tight fist around his chest, like some monster was squeezing it maliciously. Everywhere he saw red, like he was bleeding from his eyes. He was so angry and so hurt, feeling the poisonous truth snaking its way through his veins.

I'm that asshole's son. He's the prick that broke my mother's heart and left us alone. He left us alone; he didn't want us.

This thought rang through Jake's head on infinite loop, like some insidious lie, but it wasn't a lie. He felt the demons of his mother's pain unleashed, ravaging his open, tender heart stabbing at it with their steely knives. Each strike they made was more poisonous than the next.

Jake couldn't even begin to wrap his mind around the truth of this toxic revelation, but the look on Lily's face confirmed his dread. How could his mother keep this from him? Why did Edward Cullen leave them? Why did his mother keep them a secret?

Jake's red vision started to get blurry with hot, angry tears. All these years he wondered who his father was; now he knew and he wished he was still in the dark. Why was he kept a secret from the Cullens? Wasn't he good enough for them?? Wasn't he good enough to be Edward's son??

This thought only fuelled his rage toward Edward and his mom. Jake wondered how many people knew who is father really was. Did Charlie and Uncle Jake know? They had to know, he thought. This only made him more furious. Lily figured it out, so some of the other Cullens must have known too. Great, I'm just a big fat idiot for not figuring it out. Jake felt his muscles straining to twist the steering wheel from its column.

As Jake sped along the highway with no particular destination, the rain started up. Jake continued to fume and cry and yell angrily at the top of his lungs. He wanted to drive until he ran out of gas, then run until his legs couldn't carry him anymore. He didn't care where he went, just as long as he could get away from all the misery consuming him, torturing his soul. He felt this anguish all the way down to his bones, all the way into each fiber of his being. Nothing could quell the agony blistering from each cell in his body. It was like he was set on fire, burning alive with pain.

Still lost in the ocean of despair, Jake didn't see the logging truck emerge in front of him from a forest road until it was too late. The screeching of rubber on wet asphalt made an eerie sound, and was followed by the crunching of metal and glass.

Jake lay off the side of the road, after he was thrown from the Jeep. The green forest around him started to turn red again, but not from his anger. Now he was truly bleeding from somewhere but he was unable to move. As his breathing became shallow, all he could think was of his mother. I'm sorry, mom. I'm so sorry.

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Jasper had just gotten Lily into his wife's Porsche, along with Esme and Edward when Alice came sprinting back from the Black residence. She had the look of a wild woman, so out of control.
"Jasper, we need to get on the road now! Jake took off and Charlie said he was beyond angry, and he's not sure Jake's thinking straight." Alice's face said she was afraid Jake might get reckless and hurt himself.

"Okay, everyone buckle up!" Jasper peeled out of the parking area at lightning speed.

They headed back toward Forks, scanning the forest roads for any vehicles. There was no traffic at all. Everyone was quiet, but alert. Edward felt his heart pounding in his chest, scared for the boy who punched him.

Just as they were ready to slow down for a tight curve in the road, they saw red and blue flashing lights ahead. Two patrol cars were parked in front of the scene of an accident. Edward felt his blood turn to ice. There was an old Jeep partially crushed under the broad side of a logging truck. Two police officers were scrambling around trying to help the victim who seemed to be at the side of the road.

"LET ME OUT!!" Edward yelled, frantic to get to the victim. In seconds he was running to assist the officers. He felt his heart physically stutter in horror; before him lay Bella's son, bleeding and broken.

"I'm a doctor! Let me assist you. I need any first aid supplies you have now!" Edward quickly assumed control of the situation, assessing Jake for trauma. Jake had broken bones, but what alarmed him was the blood he foaming from his mouth.

"Oh my god! Edward, save him!" Alice was screaming. Lily was white as she sat in the car with Esme. Jasper refused to let his daughter out of the car, commanding Esme to keep Lily there with her.

As Jasper moved to Edward's side to help, one of the officers came running up to them with emergency medical supplies. Edward quickly assessed Jake's breathing with a cheap stethoscope from the bag. He felt chills when he discovered one of his lungs was collapsed. Edward scrambled through the bag for some makeshift tube to insert into the side of Jake's chest. He found a rubber tube and a guide wire for the job. After quickly cleaning the area, Edward made a small hole in Jake's chest with a pair of medical scissors and inserted the tube. Jake's shallow breathing improved but he didn't regain consciousness. Edward started dressing the obvious wounds he saw, but knew there wasn't much he could do here in the middle of the forest.

"Is EMS on its way?" Edward yelled at the closest officer. He was continuing to evaluate Jake for shock, hoping the internal bleeding wasn't severe.

"Yes! They should be here in 2 minutes. They were called out for another emergency, but we've redirected them here." Edward listened again to Jake's heart, and heard it become faster. Jake was going into shock. He did a quick neurological exam, hoping Jake didn't sustain any spinal injuries when he landed on the ground. As far as he could tell, his neck and spine were okay, but he directed Jasper to brace his neck anyway as a precaution.

"Jasper, do you have your phone? I need to call Carlisle!" Jasper quickly pulled out his phone from his jacket pocket and pulled Carlisle's number up on speed dial. The phone rang at the Cullen residence.

"Hello?" Carlisle answered in a casual voice.

"Dad, get to the hospital as soon as you can! Bella's son has been in a car accident. I'm here with him now, but he's going to need surgery quickly." Edward's voice was clear, yet urgent.

"I'm leaving now. Talk me through what you know while I head to the car." Edward heard his father running out of the house towards the garage.

"Jake's got broken left tibia and fibula, probably a broken right humerus and clavicle, a collapsed right lung, with probable broken ribs and internal bleeding. I've stabilized the broken bones and inserted a chest tube, but he's going into shock. EMS should be here in a minute. That's it for now."

"I'll call the OR to open up a room. I might need your help, Edward. Everyone's on call today, for the holiday."

"I'll ride along with Jake. We'll be there as quick as we can." Edward ended the call, worried for the boy he was trying to save. He felt a strong need to cradle him, hold him tight and make this all pain go away for him. He couldn't explain his urgency, but it was like his own life depended on Bella's son survival. Edward needed to help Jake, to protect him from the possibility of death that hovered over him like a dark cloud.

Just as Jake's breathing started to slow, the ambulance pulled up and paramedics sprinted to the scene. They started their own assessments as Edward explained who he was and what he'd done so far. They carefully moved him onto a backboard and stretcher, but not before stabilizing his neck with a foam collar. IV fluids were pouring into Jake as fast as possible, and they began to bag him when he stopped breathing.

The Cullens all stood at the side of the road as they watched Edward and the paramedics load Jake into the ambulance. Each had tears streaming down their faces. Lily and Alice were the first ones to break down and cry, holding each other tightly. Esme was steadfast, silently embracing them as Jasper quickly walked back to Alice's Porsche.

"Okay, let's get going. We need to let the others know what's going on and get a hold of Bella's family." Jasper was teary but very in control of his emotions for the moment. He struggled to stay strong as he was bombarded with the family's fear and grief. Now was not the time to buckle under the avalanche of dread.

Jasper handed Esme his phone and she dialed Emmett's cell.

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Jacob Black stood outside his father's house waiting for the ambulance to arrive. What was taking so long? As he paced in the front yard, he saw Emmett Cullen on his cell phone while his family loaded into the Hummer.

Jacob stopped in his tracks as he observed Emmett freeze up then start jogging in his direction. Emmett had just ended his call when he reached Jacob, his face was grave.

"You're Jacob Black, right?" Emmett was tentative, not sure how to break the horrible news.

"Yes, I am. What's wrong? I can tell by your face, Emmett."

"Bella's son has had a car accident. He's been injured and is on his way to the hospital now. My brother Edward is with him now in the ambulance. It's not looking good. You need to get to the hospital as soon as you can."

Jake ran inside and updated Charlie and Billy. They both went felt the blood drain from their faces. Bella lay on the sofa, still unconscious.

"Charlie, I'm going to head to the hospital now. You stay with Bella until the ambulance arrives. Don't tell her anything until we know more. It might send her over the edge again."

"I'll call Laurent now. He needs to get here pronto!" Charlie moved for the phone again, racked with guilt for letting his grandson drive. Charlie couldn't shake the feeling this was his fault. He should have listened to Bella and kept Jake from driving. He felt his body shake with sorrow. He quickly called Laurent who was at Heathrow International airport, in London for business.

Laurent quickly booked a direct flight to Seattle. Luck was on his side as the departure was only minutes away. As Laurent waited for his plane to take off, he prayed for his son, prayed his ex-wife was strong enough to get through his ordeal without him. He could only wish he was closer, physically and spiritually. He prayed again, for the life of his son. Jake was the world to him, and he couldn't imagine life without his extraordinary presence. In that moment, he didn't know he wasn't the only one praying for Jake's life.

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At that same moment, Edward said another prayer for the life of Jake Swan. He didn't know this boy, except he was Bella's son and had a killer right hook, but as this day unfolded Jake had become someone so important to him that he would do everything in his power to fight for his life. If it were possible, he would even trade his own life for Jake's, shouldering the pain and fear he surely must have felt moments before this gruesome event.

Edward couldn't shake the fury in Jake's deep green eyes as he confronted him. Jake looked at him with pure hatred, but there was a flash of something else there for the briefest moment. It looked like surprise, followed by a realization. Jake knew something important, and this revelation is what broke his anger from his body. It pained Edward to see that same look of pain Bella had so long ago. It echoed on Jake's face, clear and strong. His stomach twisted at the thought of all the heartache he caused her and her family, time and time again. With a strong but tortured heart, he vowed to never be the cause of any more agony for Bella or Jake. He would spend his life trying to be worthy of their forgiveness, but first he had to give Jake a fighting chance at survival.

The ambulance came to a halt as it pulled up the emergency entrance of the Forks Municipal hospital. Dr. Evans, the ER doctor on duty was ready at the door along with Carlisle. They were gowned, ready for whatever injuries Jake had. Jake was quickly unloaded as the paramedics barked out vital signs, assessments and their interventions at the scene and en route. Edward added his own report as he climbed out of the back of the ambulance. The ER staff already had pulled Jake's medical record and Carlisle ordered the OR to get ready for trauma surgery. Jake was obviously too unstable for transport to Seattle.

As Jake was whisked away, Edward walked quickly along with his father, giving him a brief rundown of the events at the beach, and Bella's condition. Another ambulance was already on its way to collect her down at La Push. Edward was still worried about her, but he had to focus all his attention on Jake for now.

"Edward, Dr. Evans will accompany me to the OR but I think I may still need your help. You still have privileges here since your last cardiac rehab clinic, so I think if Jake has a shot at survival, he'll need you there."

Edward nodded his head, and headed for the OR locker room to change.

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The Cullens started to arrive along with Jacob Black. They each rushed into the ER waiting room, asking the receptionist for permission to see Jake. She told them he was being prepped for surgery and no one was able to see him. Since Jacob had accompanied Jake to the ER a number of times for minor bumps and bruises, he was able to get some information from one of the nurses who recognized him as family.

Alice was the first to ask. "Jacob, what's going on? Is he going to be alright?"

"They're taking him to the OR for surgery. He has a broken leg, a broken arm and ribs. They think one of his ribs punctured one of his lungs and it collapsed. They're not sure about other injuries yet." Just the idea of all the damage done to his nephew made Jacob want to vomit. He started to pace and take deep breaths. The awful taste of bile rose in his throat. He fought it back with a sip of water from a water fountain.

As the Cullen family moved anxiously around the waiting room, Jacob pressed himself into a cool white wall, slowly sinking onto the floor beside a chair. He made so many deals with God to spare Little Jake's life he was sure he'd have to be reincarnated a thousand times to fulfill his side of the bargains. Jacob finally had to step outside to get some fresh air before he threw up in the waiting room.

Jasper held Lily, her tiny limp frame cradled in his arms. She couldn't speak, but felt tears make permanent tracks down her face. She felt the thin strand of the invisible bond shrink down to a microscopic thread. Jake's life was on the line. She felt more tears escape, as she prayed for Jake's wounded heart and soul.

Alice and Esme sat together holding hands and rocking together, startling at every sound coming from the ER treatment areas. They heard urgent voices and machines alarming. Esme mustered a small smile for Alice, silently mouthing "It will be okay" to Alice. Alice closed her eyes and willed any grace she had to be given to Bella's son, her nephew.

It wasn't long before Emmett, Rosalie and their boys joined them. They were updated and began their own worried pacing, attempting to soothe each other with hugs. Jacob watched the Cullens bond together. He saw how much Jake meant to them even though they just met him. The worried like he was one of the family…

Suddenly, it clicked in his mind. Little Jake found out about his father. That's why he ran, why he was furious. He suddenly became frightened for Jake. All these years, they kept the truth from Jake at Bella's request. She wanted to be the one to tell him at the right time. Jacob disagreed with Bella, but since she was his best friend and Jake's mom, he honored her wishes. Now he wished he told Little Jake long ago when he first asked him about whom his father was. Maybe things would have turned out differently. Jacob approached Alice.

"Jake knows, doesn't he?" He spoke softly, not wanting to include everyone on in the conversation. Unfortunately, it was so quiet, everyone heard him anyway. They all watched Jacob.

"Yes. He knows." Alice's voice was a whisper, but it sounded like she was using a bull horn to make her announcement. Her face was pale and drawn, aging her ten years. Tears continued to fall from her face as Jacob hugged her unexpectedly. Alice melted into Jacobs embrace and sobbed, quietly saying "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"

"Shh. It's going to be okay. Jake is going to be okay." He said into her hair. They held each other for what felt like an eternity rocking back and forth, each silently pleading with the cosmos for Jake's life.

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In the OR holding area, Jake was being prepped for surgery. Edward, Carlisle and Dr. Evans scrubbed in, then gowned up for the procedure. Jake's mind was a drifting in between harsh lights and shadows. He thought he heard beeping and smelled antiseptic being scrubbed into his skin. Suddenly, he felt something warm and comforting envelop him; it was peaceful and free of pain. As he started to feel at ease, the blackness overcame him and he drifted into a numb void.