Disclaimer: I take it as a compliment that you think I own Twilight, but I do not.
All of the Cullens came to Port Angeles to welcome me and Edward back. Alice danced toward us and gave me a tight hug. Esme was more patient and waited until we walked over to the rest of the Cullens before pulling us into an embrace. Carlisle shook my hand and Emmett slapped me playfully on the shoulder. I winced at the force and Edward noticed and threw him a warning look. Even Rosalie smiled and wrapped an arm across my shoulders. Jasper kept his distance and smiled warmly at me before hugging his brother.
"Oh Bella, I saw the whole thing! What a trip you had! I wish I was there, it looked so niceā¦" Allice chattered to me on our way to the cars. She continued all the way home, retracing mine and Edward's steps for the past two days as of we didn't actually walk them. I just leaned into Edward's chest in the backseat, answering her occasional questions that her visions didn't answer.
Jasper dropped me off at my house. Edward said that he would pick me up in half an hour so I had time to unpack and to unpack himself, even though he really only needed half a second, not an hour.
"It's all part of the charade, love," he simply replied with a kiss to my cheek before I stumbled out of the car, dizzy from his sweet breath.
I walked to the house, grabbed the key from under the eave, and stepped inside. I immediately noticed that the television wasn't on. I was puzzled. Usually Charlie was watching a recap of sports events. I remembered it was Saturday and thought he might have been out fishing with Billy.
I heard muttering in the kitchen. I looked inside to find Charlie on the phone. He looked more anxious and stressed than I had ever seen him in my life. He also looked like he had been crying. His forehead was tightened into lines of worry and his eyes were red and swollen. His voice was urgent as he spoke into the receiver too soft for me to hear what he was saying.
He lifted his head to find me staring back at him in confusion. He quickly ended his conversation and turned to me. His dark eyes pleaded with me.
"Bella, come sit down here," I never heard him so grave before. I complied and sat next to him at the kitchen table.
Charlie took a deep breath before he turned to me. "Something happened while you were gone. Jacob went missing about 26 hours ago."
My heart sunk to my feet. I felt my breath catch. Somehow, I knew it had to do with me marrying Edward. Once again, I caused Jacob pain. When was this ever going to stop? I would go on hurting him for the rest of our lives.
I sprung from my chair and headed out the door. "I'm going to La Push," I called back to Charlie.
I needed to find out what really happened. Charlie didn't know the whole story, obviously. Jake could never be kidnapped. He must have run away. I almost thought that maybe his disappearance was for the better between us. We might be able to heal faster. I immediately pushed the idea out of my mind. Jake didn't deserve to be apart from his family and friends. I did.
I drove to the little red house with my hands shaking on the wheel. I climbed out of my truck and ran as fast as I could to the door without stumbling and hurting myself. I did fall and thought that I deserved every scrape and bruise I got.
Billy was opening the door for me right when I got to it. His face was grave, but not worried. "Come in, Bella," he said in a raspy mutter.
"Billy, what's wrong? Is Jake alright? Where is he? When will he come back? I can't believe this is happening!" I blurted out as I sunk to the sofa.
"He's in Canada right now. He left his human form, so the pack has been keeping watch on him. He'll come back when he's ready, but that's not anytime soon for him." Billy stared blankly at the wall.
"Is there anything we can do?" I was desperate to help bring Jake back.
"No. He will come when he's ready."
I noticed that I had stayed my welcome and stood up and left the tiny house. I was getting into my truck when I was Seth Clearwater coming my way. He waved at me and smiled genuinely. I waved back tentatively.
"Hi Bella. Did you come because of Jake?" he asked.
I nodded my head yes. I didn't want to talk to Seth right then, even though he always lifted my spirits. He reminded me of Jake before all this happened. I fought back the tears. They came anyway, but just rested in my eyes, making my vision blurry.
Seth took my hand and patted it reassuringly. "Don't worry. I talk to him once in a while to make sure that he's doing fine. He just needs to be alone."
An idea hit me. I could check up on Jake through Seth. I looked back at him. Yes, he would be more than willing to help. After the battle with Victoria, Seth was eager to maintain his status of being a helpful grown wolf. I glanced at him, his too-young face. He was still a kid.
"Seth, will you do something for me?"
"Sure, Bella. What do you want?" he asked as he looked down at me. Did he grow again?
"Could you tell me if anything happens to Jake? I'm so worried about him." My voice broke as I said his name. I stared at the ground in humiliation that I had caused him to run away.
Seth was hesitant to answer. "Okay, Bella, but he's not going to like it. I just hope he doesn't find out."
"Thanks, Seth." I climbed into the truck before he could reply and drove away. I didn't want to give him any time to change his mind. I looked down at the clock. Holy crow! It was fifteen minutes after Edward said he would pick me up and I was in La Push. I immediately felt guilty. Edward would be frantic right now trying to find where I was. I remembered that my future was invisible when I went to La Push and I felt even worse. I was hurting everyone I loved. Again.
When I crossed the border I saw a silver Volvo parked on the side of the road. I broke out into sobs as I steered the truck over to come to a stop. I tripped out the door and fell into a pair of cold arms. I buried my head in his chest and clung to him as tight as I could. He squeezed back just as hard.
"Edward, I'm sorry! Charlie just told me that Jake was missing and I had to go to La Push to find out what happened. I should have waited for you!" I apologized into his shirt.
He sighed into my hair. "I know, love. Alice told me what happened." He breathed deeply, probably inhaling my scent. "I'm so sorry."
We stood there for a few minutes, lost in each other. I relaxed eventually. I couldn't help but feel safe and content in Edward's arms. He picked me up and walked over to his car. "We should go. I smell rain," he murmured in my ear. He placed me in the seat ever so gently and buckled my seatbelt before kissing my neck.
He held my hand strongly the whole way back to my house. His hand in mine was conversation enough. Once in a while he would kiss mine or brush his against my cheek. He didn't need to do that, though. His dark eyes told me that he had all the concern in the world for me.
He opened the door for me and helped me to my feet. Charlie must be inside, I thought, or else Edward would have carried me. I wrapped both arms around his waist and let him carry almost all of my weight.
We sat down on the sofa and Edward rubbed soothing circles in my back as I breathed deeply to suppress my sobs.
Charlie noticed us and came in worried. "Bella, what's wrong?" I looked up and regretted it when I saw his anxious eyes. He had enough to worry about. He didn't need a moody girl to deal with, too.
"I'm just tired from the trip, I guess," I lied. I didn't feel like talking to him right now. "I'm going to take a nap, okay Dad?"
"Okay," Charlie replied in a small voice. I could tell that he really didn't know what to do with me. He never dealt well with emotion.
I let Edward lead me up the stairs to my room. He stopped at the door and kissed my cheek softly and whispered, "I'll be back," before going back downstairs. He had to make Charlie see that he was leaving before he could stay with me.
I sat down on my bed and tried to believe what Billy and Seth told me. Jacob would be back. It was just a stage. At least he kept some connection with the pack. That had to mean that he was coming back.
Edward came through my window silently and laid me down on my bed. He stroked my hair lovingly and whispered comforting thoughts. I laid there telling myself that everything was going to be alright, hoping that it really would be.
A/N: Oops! In my explanation, I said that Portillo's was in Berwyn. Wrong, it's in Forest Park. Also, I forgot to mention Jeri's popcorn reference. She's talking about Garrett's popcorn stores, a chain of two or three shops downtown. They are really good. Sorry for the mistakes! And as always, review please! I love to hear your opinions, whatever they may be!
--Loie
