AN: Okay, this is the chapter you've been waiting for. It was not an easy decision when it came to Little Jake. I hope it doesn't disappoint. Thanks for all the great reviews; they are truly appreciated. It's always nice to know someone enjoys my story. Happy early Thanksgiving! If you get a chance, let me know what you think.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Bella Swan drifted in a cloud of darkness feeling nothing but her own breathing. The blackness enveloped her entirely, depriving her of any bodily sensation. It was without depth but seemed endless at the same time. Her mind tried to perceive some sense of where she was, where her body was. Her immediate impulse was to try to wave her hands in front of her face, but she felt no hands, no body, no connections at all. It was so disconcerting having no idea where her physical boundaries were, so disorienting to float in this dark abyss. Slowly she started to feel the fringes of spacial awareness pulse through her. At first, there was a soft light pulling her toward the surface of this blackness like a magnet; it was like a portal out of this numb vacuum.

Bella felt her body slowly reconnect with the world. She gradually opened her eyes to soft white light, feeling cool feathery earth under her body and surrounded by green fronds and trees. She was lying in a green forest meadow so alive with vibrant wild flowers and so perfectly manicured Bella thought she must be dead; this is surely Heaven. Their scent was sweet and fresh, it almost made her want to roll around in this utopia.

In the distance Bella heard a familiar rhythm she couldn't place; it sounded so familiar. Where did she recognize from? I should know this, Bella thought. I should remember this, but I don't know how I got here. Where am I?

Bella pulled herself into a sitting position, glancing around to orient herself. She couldn't tell where the light was coming from but it seemed like midday in the foggy forest meadow. There were no animals or insects but she could hear them just beyond the fog, just out of sight. It was reassuring but she'd feel better once she knew where she was and how long she'd been here. The drumming rhythm seemed to get louder when she stood, but she still had no idea where it was coming from or what it was. Bella moved closer to the fog and felt it clear away from her with each step. She was on a dirt path taking her away from this beautiful meadow; she took each step carefully and constantly tried to see into the fog. She eventually emerged into another clearing that was still slightly foggy.

Bella heard the sound of a drum become more distinct, more organic. As she searched into the thinning fog, she saw she wasn't alone. There were two people here; they were standing close together facing her as if to greet her. Bella's heart started to pound and race when she saw Edward standing with Jake, his hand on their son's shoulder. Their serene countenance instantly started to soothe her apprehension. This had to be a dream because only in her most cherished dreams did she envision Edward and Jake together like this; so calm and beautiful as the family she always hoped for. Bella felt tears of absolute joy falling from her eyes. She wanted to run to them and embrace them, love them both with her entire heart and soul. She wanted to tell them both how she her love for them stretched into infinity and beyond.

With each step she took, Bella heard the drumming get louder and clearer. The rhythm became a distinctly organic thumping, and she knew it could only be one thing: a heart. It wasn't nearly as loud as she initially thought it should be. In fact, the pace was becoming slowly disjointed and thready. When she finally stood face to face with the men she loved more than anything, Bella noticed Jake's face wasn't as inviting as before; his smile was slowly melting into a painful grimace. Edward's smile also slowly changed into anguished intensity. Edward looked like he was on fire. This alarmed Bella; she stepped back to truly see them again. Jake's dark shirt had a moist spot growing over his sternum. As Bella watched, the spot became a misshapen stain spreading toward his waist. Jake pulled his hand up to his chest where the stain started; his hand became red with blood. Bella pulled away, her hand over her mouth to stifle a scream. Jake pulled the fabric away from his chest to reveal a gapping jagged hole in his chest where his ribs and organs should be. Edward slowly brought a bloody beating heart up between them; it was Jake's heart. Tears of sorrow were streaming down both Jake and Edward's face; they were both in agony. Once the moment solidified into her mind, Bella saw them start to fade into the fog like ghosts. She screamed and screamed, but there was no sound except the slowing stuttered rhythm of Jake's heart until she finally heard asystole.

A loud rush like a train instantly swooped in around her, pulling her back into the darkness. Bella flailed around this dark void, trying to stay in the forest, desperate to find her son and the love of her life. This darkness was not the same; there was no numbness from her pain. She felt her tears and throat choking on an inconsolable cry. Now she felt like she was the one on fire with agony.

Suddenly, Bella heard the harsh beeping of machines alarming, and muffled voices. A pungent antiseptic smell invaded her nose. Her awareness sharpened as she felt her achy muscles sore from lying in one position too long. She opened her eyes to harsh fluorescent lights, and a faded curtain surrounding her. Bella felt an uncomfortable IV site in her left antecubital space. There was a probe on her finger monitoring her oxygen levels, and EKG electrode pads stuck to her chest beneath her unbuttoned blue blouse. She had a thin white sheet over her legs and waist. She was in a hospital.

A female voice beyond the curtain was loudly calling for a Dr. Evans. Another voice responded by saying the ER doc was in surgery assisting with a trauma patient. A phone rang in the distance and Bella continued to listen to the voices, getting her bearings and gathering her strength. Just as she was getting ready to slide off the gurney and disconnect herself from all the unnecessary equipment, a dark haired woman in purple scrubs pulled open the curtain partially to enter the space.

"Whoa there Miss Swan! Where do you think you're going? We haven't cleared you yet to be discharged," the woman with the name tag 'Emily, RN' said, pulling Bella back onto the gurney.

"I'm fine. I mean, I feel fine. Where am I exactly?" Bella asked feeling the weakness of a sudden shock still lingering in her body. Her legs felt like they were made of cement, and her head was fuzzy. It was like she was hung over. This can't be a hangover though, she thought.

"You're in the Forks Municipal Emergency room, and if you were fine you wouldn't be asking that, so you just sit tight until I get a stable set of vital signs off you and clearance from one of our providers."

Bella felt the blood pressure cuff tighten and nurse Emily check her other vital signs. She wrote them down on a clipboard and pulled the medical monitors off Bella's body.

"Now you sit there, okay? DON'T move, or I'll order up some more tests that will be less pleasant. If you can to this, I'll speed along your discharge. You seem to be better now, so I imagine you just need someone to take you home and rest." Emily smiled wryly at Bella as she walked back around the curtain. Bella heard Emily speaking with another female voice, the same one from earlier, then walking toward her.

A tall, slim woman wearing a white coat entered the little treatment area. She wore a stethoscope around her neck and had badge identifying her as "Angela, PA" (physician's assistant). Angela reviewed the clipboard and pulled the stethoscope from her neck, making a motion to listen to Bella's heart.

"Ms. Swan, you look much better, and all your tests seem to confirm everything is fine." Bella sat back and took some deep breaths as Angela listened to her chest. This was so strange, surreal.

"You sound nice and clear. How do you feel?" Angela's face seemed so familiar.

"I feel okay, just tired." Bella's memory was suddenly jogged. This is Angela Weber from Forks High school. "Angela? Are you Angela Weber?"

"Yes, I am, Bella. I wasn't sure if you'd remember me. Sometimes old friends don't immediately remember me, so I stay in my professional mode." Angela smiled warmly at her, lightly squeezing Bella's arm then folding her own arms together.

"It's great to see you. I just wish our reunion was under better circumstances," Bella said chuckling softly.

"I'll say. You gave your family quite the scare. Do you remember what happened to make you lose consciousness?" Angela's eyebrows knitted together into a concerned expression.

"Not really. I just remember it getting dark then I woke from this awful nightmare. Is my dad here?" Bella swung her legs over the side of the gurney, ready to leave.

"Uhh, yes. Your dad and a few others are here waiting in the ER waiting room." Angela paused uncomfortably. "Well, you seem fine to go home with them. I won't hold you up since it's the holiday. I'll get your paper work finished and then you can leave. Just give me a minute." Angela smiled again and walked away back to the central station.

Emily reappeared carrying supplies to remove Bella's IV site. As Emily bandaged Bella's arm, Angela returned with her discharge paperwork and a bottle of Tylenol.

"Well, Bella you're all set. Do you have any questions or concerns?"

"No, I'm fine. I think I know what to do if I have a repeat performance." Bella smiled gratefully at Angela.

"It's good to see you again. Maybe we'll see each other again soon, but under happier circumstances, as you put it. You take care." Angela touched Bella's hand and squeezed it before she walked back around the curtain to see another patient.

"Charlie's coming in now to get you." Emily guided her off the gurney and toward an exit. Charlie was waiting for her with such worry in his eyes. If she didn't know him better, she'd think someone just died. Charlie's face was pale and worn. His eyes were red and wet with tears.

Bella felt relief wash over her as she fell into his arms. Her father hugged her like she just returned from a long journey. It was a little confusing and scary. She pulled herself away from his embrace and felt him slip his arm around her body, guiding her out into the waiting room.

"I'm okay, dad. You don't need to get upset." Bella said trying to soothe Charlie's distress.

As they cleared the exit, Bella saw Jacob Black waiting for her with Billy and several other members of her Quileute family. Embry, Quil, Claire, and Sam were all standing at the distance end of the room quietly talking, each looked forlorn. When they realized she was present, the room fell into a grave silence. Charlie started walking her toward a long hallway leading into the main part of the hospital.

"Charlie, where are we going? The exit's that way," she said pointing behind her.

"Bells, we're not going home. At least, not yet." Charlie voice was rough. Jake took her free hand and squeezed it gently. He was silent, his uneasy face troubled. Bella was getting scared now. Not able to form words, Bella walked silently along with them. It felt like a death march, too quiet and ominous.

The group appeared at another waiting area that was already full of people. Bella didn't immediately recognize the people, still trying to figure out what she was doing here with her family.

Jacob Black moved ahead to a group of free chairs clearing away a couple old magazines. Charlie continued to guide her, prompting her to sit in one of those chairs. When she sat, she felt the eyes of every person fall on her, waiting for something to happen. Bella scanned around, instantly recognizing the Cullen family. Her heart began to race and she felt herself grow cold. Her eyes were wide with fear as she saw Alice, Esme, Jasper and Emmett all wearing the same pained look, all so tense and on the verge of tears. Charlie snapped his fingers, jerking her attention back to his face.

"Bella, I have something I need to tell you, but you have to stay calm. Okay, honey?"

"Charlie?" Bella's eyes wandered over to Alice, their eyes locking. Bella glanced back at Charlie again. "Charlie, what's wrong?" She pulled her arms over her heart, frantically trying to figure out what was so crucial that everyone she ever loved was here with her in this room. Suddenly, she felt a strangling pain around her heart like it in a vice. "NO!"

"Bella, there's been an accident…" Charlie was speaking slowly as Jacob sat beside her and placed an arm around her, as if to brace her from some emotional impact.

"NO!!" Memories of the encounter at the beach crashed down on her like a mountain. Jake's face throbbed behind her eyelids as she squeezed them shut, tears glistening from the edges.

"NO!! NOT JAKE!!!" Bella opened her eyes, wild with panic. "DAD, WHERE IS HE?? WHERE'S MY SON??"

"Bella, Jake's in surgery. He's been in there for over an hour. Dr. Cullen and Dr. Evans are trying their best to fix him. He has some broken bones and a collapsed lung, probably had some internal bleeding. They are doing everything they can." Charlie's voice broke.

"How? Dad, how did this happen?" Bella searched his face, but something inside her knew it was bad.

"He took off in the old Jeep, lost control of it in the rain and crashed into a logging truck. Bella, I am so sorry…" Charlie's eyes glistened with tears as he hung his head before her.

Bella bolted up and searched for an information desk, wanting an update from someone medical about her son's condition. She ignored the Cullens in the room and steadied herself for any news about Jake. She smoothed her hair back and straightened her blouse, then approached a receptionist.

"I'm Dr. Isabella Swan. I'd like to speak to someone who could update me on the status of Jacob Swan. He was brought in as a trauma patient." She spoke with a surprising authority and clear focus.

"Dr. Swan, I'll go check to see if someone can give you an update."

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Jasper quickly left the OR waiting room, unable to take the avalanche of pain any longer. He felt the air thick with despair and dread, all clinging to the hope that Jake Swan would live. He also felt the intense focus of the surgeons working on Jake, fighting for his life with every skill they had. It was too much. He had to take a walk, move away from this massive surge of intense emotion.

Emmett followed him out into the parking lot. The silently stood together, looking out onto the forest beside the medical compound. Both felt the weight of the world on their shoulders.

"Let's take a walk." Emmett led the way into the forest. They slowly trekked into the ferns and rain, making no attempt at conversation. They needed to regroup; their families would need their strength soon enough.

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Dr. Evans, Carlisle and Edward were moving quickly over Jake's open chest, trying feverishly to find the hidden source of the hemorrhage. They had already dealt with the immediate collapsed lung, but soon found the internal bleeding was slowly increasing. Blood kept oozing into Jake's chest cavity, and he was still on the edge of shock even after six units of blood. Jake's rapid cardiac rhythm beeped out on the monitor, but they didn't need it; his heart was exposed to all of them.

"Dammit, Carlisle! I can't see where the hell all this blood is coming from! It's got to be a slow arterial leak somewhere." Edward's green eyes were intense, trying to see through all the oozing. His forehead was covered in beads of sweat and he was covered up to his elbows in blood.

"Tell the blood bank we need more blood. Uncross-matched, if necessary. And we need more sponges on the field." The circulating nurse quickly dropped the special gauze on the sterile field and moved immediately out into the hall to call the blood bank. Moments later, she returned with more blood and hung it for infusion.

"The family wants an update, and another physician named Dr. Swan is here also for an update."

Edward and Carlisle froze for a moment then resumed their quick and agile search. What??

"There it is! I found it; it's a pulmonary artery. It looks like it was nicked by the same rib that collapsed Jake's lung. Sneaky bastard!" Edward felt like he just won the lottery. He quickly clamped it off and tried to repair it. It was a delicate job, but Edward's extensive years of experience in cardiac surgery made him feel more confident Jake would be okay. The oozing stopped, and they meticulously scoured the open wound looking for any more vicious surprises. Once the bleeding was under control, they all took a deep breath.

It was touch-and-go there for a while as Jake hovered in shock and cardiac arrest. He was in respiratory arrest when arrived at the hospital but they were able to stabilize him quickly. Edward felt like his own soul hung on the line, his own life in the balance. It was the worst feeling he ever had, but he had to focus on what was medically needed to be done. Issues of the soul would have to wait so he compartmentalized it and moved on.

"This boy is damn lucky you're in town, Edward. He just about used up all his lives in this one go-around," Dr. Evans said in a slow Southern accent, as he stood back and flexed his very tight shoulders. Edward and Carlisle exchanged a quiet look over the open chest, carefully closing Jake's ribs around his heart. Before they did this, Edward very gently caressed Jake's beating heart with a feather-light touch. He felt a faint electric shock move through him directly from Jake; it made him remember Bella and how she used to do that to him so long ago. Carlisle cleared his throat, prompting Edward to proceed with closing the chest cavity. They moved on to Jake's other injuries, debating whether to delay any more surgery until he was more stable.

"Okay, guys. Looks like you have things just about wrapped up. I am gonna head back to my ER. I bet it's near backed up with food poisoning patients." Dr. Evans groaned thinking about it after this tiring case.

"Thank you, Mitch. You are a good man in a fight. I'll be by later to lend a hand if you need some help." Carlisle waved his bloody glove at Dr. Evans as he walked out to post-operative desk, ready to sign whatever needed to be signed.

"Well Edward, looks like we're just about done. Do you want to go update the family?" Carlisle waited as the bloody drapes were removed from Jake's body and he was covered with warm blankets. Edward silently nodded his head. The anesthesiologist and a couple other surgical staff wrapped up all the necessary loose ends and transferred Jake to a gurney. After Carlisle and Edward discarded their bloody, gruesome surgical gowns, they scrubbed their hands over a large deep sink and watched the red streaks spiral down the drain. They walked quietly toward the front OR reception desk, ready to put everyone's mind at ease.

As they came around the corner to the desk, Dr. Evans was standing with Bella, giving her the rundown in detail. She had her back to them and didn't see them approach.

"Like I said, your son is one lucky young man. If it weren't for these two miracle workers here, I'd be giving you some very bad news." Dr. Evans gestured to them for Bella. As she turned to face them, she locked eyes with Edward. "Gentlemen, this is Dr. Isabella Swan, Jake's mother."

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Lily sat in a cold plastic chair, rocking herself quietly in the corner of the cafeteria. No one notice her absence after she said she needed a drink of water. Everyone was so preoccupied and afraid for Jake that they weren't paying any attention to her.

She felt someone move next to her. When she looked up, she saw Billy Black sitting in his wheelchair quiet and radiating a calm she craved. He smiled a small warm smile at her, making her feel a little more at ease.

"You're Carlisle's granddaughter, aren't you?" Billy gently probed Lily's sallow face. She had the face of an older person, perceptive and gentle. Her tears were dried on her cheeks, and she had dark circles under her eyes. Billy could tell she was very worried for his grandson, Jake. It touched him how transparent her feelings were. She loved Jake, not in a romantic way, but as a kindred spirit.

"Yes sir, I am. I'm Alice's daughter, Lily." Lily held out her hand in polite greeting and automatic respect, just like her parents had taught her. Billy took it with another smile and shook it gently. Lily looked so fragile right now, Billy was afraid she would break like a delicate glass sculpture.

"I'm Billy, one of Jake's grandpas. Actually, I'm an honorary grandpa, but I've been watching over Jake since he was a baby, so I guess I'm as connected to Jake as if he were blood." Billy grinned quickly. "I put in the man hours." Lily laughed. It felt strange to laugh, but it felt good.

"I met Jake yesterday at the grocery store, with my mom." Lily paused, not sure how to connect herself to Jake, but knew they did have this undeniably powerful connection. Several seconds passed without Lily speaking. Billy got the impression she was flustered with her words right now.

"You know Lily, I believe we are all linked. Everyone in the world is linked together as a family, a universal family. Sometimes those bonds aren't very strong, so it's hard to relate to everyone, but sometimes those invisible bonds tie us so closely together to new people that we can't really explain it or understand it. It just tightens around us, tying us together in this endless line stretching out into the past and the future." Billy looked at Lily, and saw a light going off in her head. Yes, this young one is special; she knows.

"Yes. We are linked." Lily stared back at Billy, sure he knew exactly what she saw and how she felt about Jake. Lily shifted her gaze to a window facing the forest. The sat together silently as a gentle drizzle began to fall.

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Edward and Carlisle walked slowly toward Bella, feeling the space build with awkward silence. Dr. Evans made a strange face and addressed Carlisle again.

"Well Carlisle, thanks for including me in on the action. Edward, always a pleasure seeing your fine work. Good day, gentlemen. Good luck, Dr. Swan." With the silence broke, Carlisle shook his friend's hand again and repeated his promise to check in at the ER before he left for the night.

"Well, Bella." Carlisle extended his hand in greeting. "This is a surprise. I'm sorry we had to reunite under these conditions, but I'm happy to see you again and even happier to give you good news." Bella was holding her breath until this very moment. "Jake is going to be okay. He suffered an extensive blood loss, a collapsed lung and some broken bones, but he's going to be okay."

Bella threw herself into Carlisle's arms, so grateful for his efforts. She was crying silently into his chest. He held her close and kissed her hair. He rubbed her back reassuringly as he felt her sobs.

"Dear Bella, it's okay. Jake is alive and strong. He's got a long road ahead of him but he'll pull through." Carlisle's voice was quiet and soothing, as if he were speaking to his own child. Yes, she always felt like one of his daughters. This made him choke up, knowing she trusted him with Jake's life.

"Carlisle, you said Jake had extensive blood loss. Why? Tell me what happened, please." Bella straightened herself and moved a fraction away from him, trying to be an adult, not one of Carlisle's kids.

"Well, one of Jake's ribs punctured one of his lungs then nicked an artery." Carlisle watched Bella's face ashen at the thought. "Luckily, Edward was here. He was the one who found it and repaired it." Carlisle gestured to Edward who stood back silently, watching them. His green eyes flashed again as he heard his name. "You have him to thank for finding the problem. He's really the one who saved Jake. I don't know if I'd have found it as quickly without Edward there."

Bella stared at Edward again, frozen in uncertainty. Edward gazed into Bella's warm deep brown eyes, trying to find words but his brain and heart were in battle for control of ability to speak. Carlisle cleared his throat again, releasing Bella from his arms.

"If it's okay with you, Bella, I'd like to update the crowd in the waiting room." Carlisle touched Bella's arm, drawing her attention again.

"Yes, please do. And thank you, Carlisle. I don't know if I'll ever be able to repay you, or even explain how truly thankful I am for all you've done for Jake." She embraced Carlisle again quickly. He hugged her back, then released her.

"No dear Bella. You have nothing to thank me for. Just take care of Jake. He'll need a lot of attention." Bella nodded trying not to cry, tears of undying gratitude escaped her eyes. Carlisle kissed her forehead again before leaving them alone.

Bella wiped away her tears as she watched Carlisle exit into the waiting area. Then she slowly turned to face Edward. In this moment, she felt the whole world spin beneath her feet. They stared at each other, both weary and drained. Edward tried to smile but his face still felt sore and bruised from where Jake punched him. Bella didn't move, her eyes taking in all subtle changes in Edward after their fifteen years apart. He was still striking to her; tall, more filled out but in a muscular way, his face had a few delicate laugh lines, but his eyes were unchanged. His deep green eyes sparkled unlike anyone else's she'd ever seen; except her son's of course. Jake had Edward's eyes for sure.

"Thank you, Edward," Bella said in a clear quiet voice. She rocked herself back and forth, clearly uncomfortable to be alone with him. This was painful for Edward. He could hardly stand being right in front of Bella and not able to touch her. He felt his heart yearning for her, squirming in his chest. Without warning, Bella stepped forward and embraced him tightly. He wrapped his arms around her and felt her melt into his arms. The feeling of wholeness was so overwhelming and satisfying, like that first taste of oxygen to a drowning man. Every cell in his body came alive, tingling with the familiar jolt of electricity that flowed through them. She sobbed into his chest, letting loose all the worst feelings of dread. Her son was alive. Their son was alive.

Time seem to stand still in this moment. There was nothing else in the world except them. The familiar smell of Bella's hair intoxicated Edward as he drifted in this bliss. Bella sunk into a sea of joy as she buried herself in his arms, never wanting to be free from them. As Bella's thoughts ran the course of this horrible day, she realized she had to tell Edward about Jake, about his paternity. She slowly let go, and lifted her face to meet his eyes. Edward felt her ready to speak, patiently giving her time to arrange her thoughts. He could die a happy man now, with Bella here so close to him staring into her eyes.

"Edward, there is something important I have to tell you." Bella took a breath and braced herself in his arms. Just as she was ready to speak, the receptionist, Gail, came around the corner.

"Dr. Cullen, your wife is on the line. She said it's very urgent she speak with you. Oh, I'm sorry; I didn't mean to interrupt." Gail didn't realize Edward wasn't alone. She felt very intrusive suddenly.

Bella's face fell and she dropped her arms away from Edward, shocked like she'd been stabbed. Edward's eyes widened in horror; Tanya, he forgot all about Tanya. Without warning, Bella quickly backed away and ran out into the waiting room. The air froze over as Edward felt his heart shatter into a billion slivers.