*For those of you who have already read my story, Firebird, up to date, you will find that I am going back and revising the story. I feel that I have grown a bit in my writing skills and I found that I was not satisfied with the way that it was written. Here is my revised Chapter One, starting even before the original Chapter One. Let me know what you think.

*I in no way shape or form, own these characters, or any rights to the unbelievable fortune that Stephenie Meyer is surely raking in due to the invention of these characters.

*My dear readers, I will be a bit late with the next chapter, as my power cord to my laptop has died and I'm having to find another one with out spending, $1,000,000. Be back soon. I promise.

*I have no beta, so please excuse grammatical errors. Reviews are most appreciated, educational and motivating. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 12

Bella had seen Jake off to work in his new truck. He had gotten a huge kick of the remote, engine starter. Kissing him goodbye, she spent her morning at Emily's, planning Sam and Emily's wedding, drinking several cups of Emily's nourishing teas and had even begun her own education in horticulture with Emily, in her now restored to normal, greenhouse.

By 1:00pm, she found it hard to keep her eyes open. The fatigue of early pregnancy was taking it's toll on her, demanding a nap.

There had been little time or space for honeymooning, living two doors down the hall from her father-in-law, but Bella and Jake had found a few moments here and there to slip away, into the night to the hot springs, for some private time.

Jake was exhausted to say the least, but he swore that it was worth every yawn on the job site, the following days. This had gotten him more than one knowing smile from the boys at work, and punches on the shoulder, with various lewd remarks.

Jake just couldn't find it in himself to remove his wedding band, as of yet, and proudly wore it to work. It spoke for him, that he was married to the hottest, and best hearted woman in the world.

Bella arrived at Billy's, relieved to see that Billy had already made a sandwich for himself for lunch. Yawning loudly, she collapsed into her bed and fell into a deep dreamless sleep.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Charlie arrived home for lunch, smiling to himself as he entered the house, to see Renee, wide eyed and on the phone, credit card in hand, to the Home Shopping Network. She was intense with excitement. Currently, she was ordering baby Seahawk's jerseys in pairs, for ages newborn through 3T. Charlie hoped that if the babies were girls, that they wouldn't mind being dressed in them on game days. Next to Renee on the sofa, was an extremely dog-eared copy of the Sears Catalogue.

Touched by her enthusiasm for their coming grandchildren, he walked over to the back of the sofa and hugged her and kissed her on the cheek, from behind.

Just as she was ending her order, Charlie walked to the table and removed his gun belt, setting it down on the table's surface, just as he had done for the past eighteen years.

"Thanks for the hug and kiss, Charlie, but you smell a little, well, funky." Charlie sniffed himself, self consciously and looked sheepish. "Sorry. I had to go out and check on some vandalism at the fish cannery this morning. I'll just grab a shower real quick." Winking at Renee, he ran upstairs and laid out a fresh uniform on his bed, then went to the bathroom, disrobed, and turned the shower on hot. When it heated, causing steam to flow out of the top of the curtained shower, he climbed under the hot spray and let half a day's tension wash away. Grabbing his Stetson soap on a rope, he began to scrub the fish cannery off of himself.

Renee sat downstairs, watching the shopping channel, dying to know what the sex of the babies were, so that she could go ahead and choose some of the adorable crib sets. Suddenly she smelled, familiar cologne. Obsession.

Her blood froze and her hands began to shake. Very suddenly, she stood and spun around.

There stood her worst nightmare. Phil stood in the doorway to the kitchen, holding a kitchen knife and slipping the flat steel of it between his fingers.

"What are you doing here?" Renee spotted Charlie's gun belt with his 9 mill, on the table, but forced herself not to look at it. She didn't want Phil to notice it. She walked slowly toward the table and Phil, the sound of rushing water from upstairs filling her ears.

"It's a dangerous thing to leave your back door unlocked, Renee."

Renee held his stair, slowly moving closer to the table.

"I'll tell you what I'm doing here. You're a little whore, who needs to be taught a lesson. Apparently you didn't learn the last one and you ran off to good ole' Saint Charlie."

Phil still stood, sliding the blade between his fingers.

Renee found herself infuriated. "Lesson? You almost killed me Phil!" Renee slowly reached the table and gradually backed up, as in fear, and wrapped her hand around the handle of the gun.

"You've always been looking for an excuse to run back to him, haven't you?" Renee cocked the hammer, slowly, while he was talking. He moved toward her, switching his grip on the knife. Just as Renee saw his eyes change from stalker to murderer, she pulled the nine mill and shot him point blank, three times in his middle.

Jake was singing along with Toby Keith's 'Red Solo Cup', when his truck told him that he had a call. Turning down the radio, he gave the command to answer, through the OnStar system.

"Hello, this is Jake."

"Jacob, it's Charlie." Charlie could hear the road in the background. "Look, son, I know that you are going to Sue's for dinner, but I need for you to stop by here before you go home. Don't say anything to Bella about coming here." Jake could hear a frightened level of strain in Charlie's voice that he had never remembered hearing before. Jake pulled over to the side of the road. "Charlie, what's happened?"

"Just come over here and we'll talk. I need to take care of Renee for now." This rattled Jake. At least, he figured, that Renee was okay, if Charlie was taking care of her. "Okay, Charlie, I'll be right there.

"Thanks a lot, Jake."

As Charlie ended the call, Jake squealed back onto the road, kicking up gravel, pushing his new V8 for all it was worth. As he approached Charlie's house, he felt as if he had swallowed an anvil. Multitudes of police vehicles were there, along with the County Coroner Van. There was crime scene tape over the front door. He parked his truck as closely as he could get to the house and jumped out of his truck, running for the door, only to be stopped by a strong grip on his upper arm.

"Woah, there. You can't go in there! This is a crime scene." The policeman felt Jake's bicep tense up and lost a bit of his bravado. Jake steadied his anger his breathing at being confronted.

"Look. I'm Charlie Swan's son-in-law. He called me and asked me to come here."

"One moment, please, said Fork's token Barney Fife, cop. The cop radioed to confirm Jake's story. Charlie stepped over the crimes scene tape. "Get your hands off of my son-in-law!"

Barney Fife lowered his head. "Yes, Chief." He slinked away, pouting like a petulant two year old.

"Come in, Jake, but stay in the living room." Jake walked in, a nervous feeling in his belly. The first thing that he saw, was the lifeless form of Phil, slumped against the wall with a huge whole in his chest. A trail of tons of blood streaked down the wall behind him, making a pool underneath of his body. Jake saw the County Forensics team, shooting pictures, dusting a kitchen knife, and a hand gun for prints.

"Woah!", was all that he could say. His eyes wondered over to the huddled figure of Renee, arms wrapped around herself on the sofa. Charlie quickly moved to her side and wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. Jake sat down on the sofa on the other side of Renee, hugging her to him, as well. It was evident what had happened here.

If nothing else, Jake had a new found respect for the woman that he had only ever thought of as the woman who left Charlie and took Bella with her.

"I just wanted you to see for yourself, Jake. Bella will be much more at ease if she hears it from you." Jake understood and nodded in agreement.

"Please tell Bella, not to come here. It would only upset her and I'm going to bring Renee to my Mom's new place out in the Olympia Forest. Mom will stay with her during the day, but Bella is welcome to come and visit." Charlie rubbed Renee's shoulders as her shock coursed through her body. The numbness was wearing off and the reality of what could have just happened was beginning to have its effect.

Giving Renee a kiss on the cheek, Jake raised up. "Don't worry, Charlie. I'm on it and I'll be there for Bella in any way that she needs me. We'll still go to Sue and meet Dad, there. Sue will be a big comfort to her. She's just good at things like that."

Charlie smiled and shook Jake's hand. I'm glad that Bella's married to you, Jake. I'm glad that she has you." Charlie couldn't say anymore words, as the reality of what could have happened sunk in with him too and he moved Renee on to his lap and began to rock her, crying silently into her hair. Jake turned and left them to comfort each other. The hard part lay ahead of him.

Jake sat on his bed across from Bella, holding both of her hands. Having just recounted the drama that Renee had been through, he awaited her reaction. He had awoken Bella out of a deep sleep, which he felt terrible about. She needed her sleep so badly, but she deserved to know. Bella was quiet for a while and finally she spoke, surprising Jake.

"Wow, my Mom's pretty badass!" Jake burst out laughing, not the reaction that he was expecting. Bella continued. "Well at least Phil got what was coming to him and at my Mom's hand, at that! Poetic justice. Okay, I'll bring Emily and visit her tomorrow at Grandma's."

Jake hugged her up. In his opinion, his wife was a badass. All of the danger that she had seen, had made her strong, instead of fearful. She showed the same pride for her mom, that Jake felt for her own strength at this moment.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sue's house smelled wonderful as Bella and Jake walked into the front door. Jake had walked into Sue's house a hundred times, since Harry's death, to talk to Seth or Leah about pack business, but nothing prepared him for what he walked in on today.

Sue Clearwater, was straddeling Billy's lap, caught up in a deep kiss. Both were fully clothed, but clearly feeling passion toward one another.

"Dad!" Jake squeaked. Sue jumped and nearly fell on the floor, trying to untangle herself form Billy's chair. It was apparent to Jake, that even though his Dad's accident had lost him the use of his legs, that it had not cost him the use of other abilities.

"Jacob, since when do you just walk into people's houses unannounced?" Billy tried to make that sound like a reprimand, but he felt just as guilty as Jake did. Bella just turned her face toward the kitchen and tried with all of her might not to giggle. She knew that once she started, she wouldn't be able to stop. Pulling herself together, she turned to Sue.

"Okay, what can I do to help with dinner?" Sue gave her a thankful look, that Bella completely ignored witnessing her private moment with Billy and hurried with Bella into the kitchen. Jake just looked at his dad, incredulously and then plunked down on the couch in front of the T.V., tired from work and secretly proud of his old man.

Once Bella had basted the wonderful smelling pot roast, once again for Sue, while Sue whipped up mashed potatoes, Sue offered to give her a tour of her home. Apparently, Harry Clearwater had been quite handy with his hands. Bella was enchanted with the house.

The front porch, wrapped around the Queen Anne style house. The banister was hand turned in Harry's workshop and spindled gracefully. Around the back, the porch became screened in and to Bella's delight, there was a white wicker porch swing, and a large framed hammock, that faced the woods, where hundred of fireflies blinked and flirted.

The house was four bedrooms and two bathrooms, the master bedroom featuring a rounded room with a witches cap, style roof on it. The rounded room, provided lovely views all around the Clearwater's beautifully secluded property, deep in the trees and had a built in, rounded window seat. The perfect place to read, Bella thought.

Bella especially loved the Master Bathroom, with it's Jacuzzi Tub and enormous, double massager head shower. The place was immaculate. They didn't have time for Bella to see the two car garage, due to the pot roast being ready, but Bella showed huge appreciation and enthusiasm for Sue's decorating abilities and the fact that the house was to different shades of the loveliest greens, that worked so well together. The roof shingles were hand shaped, shake shingles and added to the Victorian charm, of the house.

Setting the table, Bella and Sue spoke freely, obviously enjoying one another's company. Bella was famished and dinner was smelling so good. She almost gave applause, when Sue added garlic to the mashed potatoes and pulled homemade ranch dressing out of the fridge. Wow, this woman could cook!

Jake and Billy sat in silence, their eyes planted on the T.V. screen. Cleary, this situation was a little awkward for them. Sue set the table while Bella got drink orders for everyone and began pouring. Soon, it was time to face the music and sit down together, at dinner. Bella suddenly wondered about the very romantic relationship that they walked in on, only an hour before. Sue was soft spoken, but as most of the Quileute's, didn't believe in mincing words. She was also cunning. As she caught everyone with their mouth's full she burst out with, "Bella how did you like the house?"

Bella held a hand up and finished chewing the flavorful, tender, beef. "I think that it looks like a fairytale, Sue. You have such a flare for decorating and Harry was obviously so talented at architecture and construction." Bella smiled, truly enchanted with the house.

"I'm glad that you feel that way, Bella, because I want to sell it to you and Jake for an extremely reasonable price. You see, I'm moving in with Billy and I had such wonderful memories hear with Harry, that I really just want that kind of love to continue within these walls.

Jake choked on a mouthful of roast beef. Billy patted him hard on the back. When he finally regained his breath, it was his turn to talk. "Is that what that was all about when we walked in? How long has this been going on?"

Sue had fire in her eyes. "Jacob Black, if you're insinuating that this was going on while Harry was still alive, I'll kick your ass, phased or not phased!"

Jake hung his head. "That's not was I was, well, it just caught me by surprise is all."

Billy squeezed Jake's shoulder. "I can understand that son. It was a little uncomfortable, but you have no idea what I have had to endure with the two of you, two doors down from me." Billy gave them a crooked smile and then laughed as he caught Sue giggling into her napkin.

"So anyway, kids, Jake, do you find the house to your liking?"

Jake spoke this time. Bella had already shared her feelings about the house and it was apparent that she wasn't just placating Sue.

"I have always admired your home, Sue, and the peaceful setting. I was always a bit jealous of Leah and Seth growing up, because of their huge back yard. Of course I like it, Sue, but I don't think that we could ever afford something of this size and charm.

"Nonsense." Sue simply stated. Both mine and Billy's houses are paid off and frankly, with Leah moving into her own place, and seeing that new guy she's been seeing, the last few days, it just leaves me and Seth in this big old house. It's full of a lot of memories for me. You know?" Bella gave Sue an empathetic look as she dabbed at her eyes. Billy reached across the table and squeezed her hand. Jake felt like a dog for starting his side of the conversation the way that he had. "So, anyway, kids," Sue continued. "I won't take a penny more then $125,000 for it, owner financed of course." Jake and Bella traded an interested glance. "Bella, if you choose, you could also put your next commission check down on it and that would leave you with a payment, of around $250.00 a month. There's plenty of room here for your growing family." Sue beamed at them both. "After you're done eating, why don't you all take some time on the porch swing and talk about it. If you really don't want it, I won't be offended, I'll just put it on the market for around $250,000, but Sarah Black was one of my best friends, and Billy and Charlie, one of Harry's best friends. This is my way of saying I miss you, but I've got your back, to Sarah, and I love you, too much to stay surrounded by your presence everyday, to Harry."

Jake and Bella looked at each other, studying one another. They both dropped their forks and knives and bundled up against the cold. The temp had dropped drastically and with it, the fireflies. Walking over to the outdoor fireplace, that Bella had missed the first time around, Jake lit the already prepared bed of kindling and the flame spread to life. He sat there silently feeding it for a moment, until it was crackling and taking on a life of it's own. He looked over at Bella, as her head turned toward the forest, the flame danced off of her porcelain skin, glowing golden in the firelight. She seemed happy here. Jake figured that even if Bella could just cover the down payment, that he could easily make the payments and utilities on his current pay. He worked sixty hours a week, for heaven's sake. He hoped to make Journeyman in a few years.

"Well, Bells? What do you think? Do you like the house?"

Bella smiled a dreamy smile. "I do. I can imagine our kids running outside in the yard and playing in the snow. I can imagine being very comfortable here in the forest with you, here, for the rest of our lives."

Jake grinned at her. She truly looked radiant, her pregnant glow, highlighted by the dancing firelight. She held her hands over the small bump that was already forming on her lower abdomen.

"Okay then. Let's take it. I guess that I'll just have to get used to the idea of my Dad and Sue." Both Bella and Jake could finally giggle over the awkwardness of the situation in which they had walked into.

Reentering the house, they both had smiles on their faces. Sue had lit the indoor, brick fireplace that casts a cheery glow, over the indirect lighting, tastefully placed throughout the house. "We'll take it!" They both said at the same time. Sue clapped her hands together and Billy rolled over and plunked her down on his lap.

Thank, the heavens for that, because Seth and I have been busy in the garage. Come have a look." Billy had excitement dancing in his eyes. Sue generously offered to let them go ahead and move in, in a week and to just make the down payment when, Bella got her second check. They would pay as if renting, until then.

The first thing that they saw when the opened the dark garage, was a massive, gift, wrapped with stork paper and a giant green bow.

"First you have to open this. This is for the babies. When they're older, of course." Sue was very excited to give this gift to them. Bella peeled the paper away, only to have Jake shout out, "Sweet!" Apparently it would be in use before the babies were old enough. It was a giant trampoline for out in the back yard, springless, and with a net that stretched around it, for safety.

Sue and Billy laughed. "So glad that you like it, Jacob!" Sue smiled at the fact that she was forgetting that,afterall, Jake was an almost eighteen year old, man. Of course, he would enjoy it. She probably would too, had she thought of it, sooner. Then, Billy turned on the lights and Bella froze, her mouth hanging open. This couldn't be real.

From floor to ceiling on one side of the garage, were the specially built shelves holding a multitude of different colors of glass. On the other, was a huge table, with all of the room that she would need to create the large piece that was commissioned. Shelves standing to the side of the drafting table, held everything that Bella would need to get started in her medium. Bella began to bawl like a baby. "Damn hormones!" She wept as she looked around, her hands on her face. Sue put her arm around her. "The council is proud of you and are happy to see some scenes from our reservation, represented in such beautiful art. We have all shown our appreciation, monetarily with some of our funds. Billy, it turns out, is quite the craftsman himself. You can thank him for these cabinets." Bella hugged Sue to her, firmly and then turned to Billy. Tears streaming down her face, she sat down in his lap and wrapped her arms around him, crying into his shoulder. He found it hard to hold back his own tears as he held his new daughter tightly. Jake smiled upon the whole scene. This was a life changing evening. Bella got up from Billy's lap and walked into the house with Sue, who had already had the papers drawn, Jake slapped his Dad on the shoulder. "So Sue Clearwater, huh? Alright!" Billy just high fived Jake and rolled on in to the living room, grinning from ear to ear.

Bella's cell rang and she answered it. It was Esme. Alice had seen their good fortune and decision and Esme was offering her services to help Bella decorate with Esme's limitless, Black Card, of course. It would be an early baby shower gift for Bella.