NTYP Chapter 12

DISCLAIMER: Steph Meyer Owns Characters

A/N: Don't forget to see Taylor Lautner on The Teen Choice Awards tonight ! *drool* 8/9/10

He will probably never love me the same way again.

The pain ripped at my heart relentlessly.

"Bella?"

I gasped and looked up, stunned.

Two brilliant eyes stared back at me.

"Edward!" I flung myself into his arms. "Jacob is…he doesn't kn…"

"I know, Bella. I know."

"What do we do?" I cried.

"There's nothing that can be done. Let him live, that's all we can do."

"But…but I was going to tell him…"

"What Bella? Tell him what?"

My tears soaked his baby blue shirt as he cradled me. I couldn't tell him I was planning on breaking up with him and confessing my love to Jacob. What reason did I have now? Jacob didn't want me…he didn't know me.

"What if he hates me?"

"Why would he hate you, Bella?"

"I don't know. Just, what if he doesn't like me and doesn't want to be my friend?"

"Did he say he didn't like you? Was he mean to you?"

"No."

"Okay then. That should answer your question."

"Ahem…" We both turned to see Alice standing in the doorway. "You two okay?" She asked in her always sugar-sweet voice.

"We're fine, Alice," Edward said, and I just nodded.

"Carlisle is seeing to Jacob. It's wonderful he's come out of all this." Alice said, a little too chipper.

"He's removing the Dog's feeding tube," I heard Rosalie say as she came to stand beside Alice."

"This is so exciting!" Alice squealed. " I wonder what he'll want to eat first. Aww, Bella…don't cry," She walked over to me and wiped my tears. I hugged her.

"Can you see anything Alice? Will his memories come back?" I sniffled.

"I can't see anything that involves him, Bella," She looked at me with sad eyes that glowed from the recent feeding.

"Oh. Right…"

"I really don't see why you are crying over fido…"

"Just leave, Rose," Edward glared at Rosalie and she shook her head, grumbling to herself as she stomped off.

"Bella, would it be alright if Jasper spent some time with you?"

"No, Alice. I don't think telepathic prozac will do much for me righ…"

"Carlisle needs me," Edward was out the door in a flash.

I looked at Alice who was looking back at me, our expressions matched. What was going on upstairs? I rushed past Alice and started up the stairs. Of course Alice flew right past me.

As I got closer to the bedroom, I could hear commotion. Everyone must be in there but me, I thought.

There was so much yelling, but I couldn't make out anything being said. I heard deep groaning as I made my way into the room.

Jacob's bed was surrounded by vampires.

I ran to Edward's side, and watched as Carlisle was placing several pillows around Jacob's head.

What I saw terrified me. Jacob's body was rigid, his head thrown back, the veins in his neck and temples bulging.

He was making a terrible grunting noise and his body was jerking much like it had when he was infected with venom.

"He's having a seizure," Carlisle informed me.

"Why?" I asked, horrified.

"His body reacted to our presence. He began to phase."

"Do something!" I looked around at everyone as they watched Jacob's writhing body.

"All we can do is wait for it to pass, and make him as comfortable as possible."

I looked at Carlisle in disbelief.

"Why did this happen?" I cried.

"His brain misfired the information. He's not ready…"

"Jake!" I reached my hand out to him.

"No Bella, don't." Edward took hold of my arm.

Jacob's maple skin was beginning to turn a hint of blue.

"He can't breathe! He'll die!" I shouted at Carlisle.

"It will pass Bella, then he'll breathe. Just wait…"

"No!" I couldn't watch his body convulsing or hear the frightening groans that rose from deep within his throat anymore. I turned and ran out of the room.

I ran down the stairs, but I could still hear Jacob making those terrible noises.

Edward swept me up midway down the stairs and I was laying on the sofa in a matter of seconds.

"Is he ever going to be normal? Will he ever not be hurting, or sick in some way?"

"Bella, this is normal after brain trauma. Seizures are more common than you think."

I shook my head. "I wish everything were back to normal, before my life ever.."

"I understand. Bella," he leaned in "I want to make it better for you."

His icy lips gently touched mine. I didn't want to, but I mashed my lips hard against his. I need to get over Jake. Edward's stone lips didn't give at the pressure I applied, and I felt the slight pain as my teeth broke my skin. He slipped his freezing tongue between my lips, and swept up the blood.

"I can't do this," I mumbled between our lips, "Edward.."

He let go and sat back, giving me some much needed space.

"Edward, I can't do this…"

"Okay, no more kissing, Bella. I don't mind.."

"No Edward, I can't do this…us."

His face remained emotionless as he took in my words. Then I saw the crease slowly appear between his eyes. He stood slowly, then walked away from me.

I sighed and threw my head back against the arm of the sofa. Even if I could never be with Jacob, and it was obvious I couldn't just get over him, I wasn't going to be with Edward when I didn't want him.

I listened for a moment. There were no more terrible sounds coming from upstairs. Thank God, it was over.

This time, I slowly made my way back to the room, afraid something horrifying would be waiting for me again. That seemed to happen a lot lately.

Carlisle had Jacob turned onto his side, and was rubbing his back. Jacob was breathing hard and deep, his arms curled around his chest.

"What the fuck smells so bad in here?" I heard Jacob complain.

I ran to his side and imitated Carlisle's actions. Jacob looked up at me weakly.

"I was wondering where you were," his voice was tired and gentle.

"He'll be fine, Bella. I administered a depressant. It should keep this from happening again for a few hours."

I nodded and looked back at Jake. His eyes were drooping, but he was fighting it.

"Your dad's coming to get you tonight, Jake." I said, trying to comfort him. "Right Carlisle? He can go home."

"That's right. There's no reason to keep him here, especially after what just happened."

"Wha-at..hh..hap-pened?" Jacob mumbled.

"The seizure was caused by your being here. It'd be best to get you home as soon as possible."

I continued kneading his back with my palm as he drifted off to sleep.

Charlie came over with Billy a few hours later. They both shed tears at the Doctor's good news about Jacob.

The pack stopped by not long after, filling the house with hoots and hollers at the fact their brother was finally awake.

The loud celebration didn't last long. Carlisle wasted little time before telling them about Jacob's amnesia.

A feeling of dread spread through the large living room. Nobody could look at the other, afraid of what their face would display.

The large Cullen home, filled with Jacob's friends and family, held no wars, no fighting, no rivalry.

It was so strange to see my wolf and vampire friends bonding over Jacob's tragedy. It shouldn't have been a tragedy since he was alive, and yet it was. He was a new Jacob.

Esme, Alice, and Rosalie whipped up some steaks and mashed potatoes with gravy for everyone. That wasn't all. There must've been twenty or so side dishes, too. I was impressed at the buffet they had cooked up in such a short amount of time.

The food covered the kitchen counter tops and the dining table. There wasn't even room for us to eat anywhere, so the pack and I just made ourselves comfortable on the floor.

Charlie and Billy sat at the iron table out on one of the many covered porches.

I was surprised nobody even seemed to have noticed Edward wasn't around.

Ow...

A roll hit me in the head, "Jared!" The Quileute boy was such a clown. He just laughed as he stuffed half a steak into his mouth without a fork.

"Nice shot!" Quil laughed from the kitchen.

Animals…

"Hey, Bella." Embry sat down beside me, holding a plate piled high with food. "How's Jake?"

I quickly chewed the mouthful of green beans and swallowed loudly before I answered.

"Good. I think."

"You think?"

"Just when I think he's okay, something bad happens."

"The seizure?"

"Yeah."

"And…losing his memory.."

"Don't remind me."

"Sorry," He picked up the roll that Jared had thrown at me, stuffing the whole thing into his mouth. "Ya know this... might be … temporary." He tried to chew and talk at the same time.

"I hope so. I really hope so, Embry."

He pulled me closer to him and placed a warm arm around me.

I heard roaring laughter coming from the kitchen. Paul was sharing his favorite blonde jokes with Rosalie, who was jabbing back with her own regarding dogs.

Though I'd always wanted it like that, all of us together, It felt wrong that Jacob wasn't there, eating, laughing and joking with the rest of us.

Embry's arm tightened around me as Carlisle blew past us, causing a gust of wind. I watched the vampire's streaked form ascend the staircase.