Lost To Me

by Lynn7808

Edward leaves, Bella eventually falls in love with Jake and has his twins. The day she is to come home from the hospital she disappears leaving only a note. What happens when she returns sixteen years later? Not the typical Bella leaves Jake story.

14. Chapter 12

A/N: Finally Chapter 12. Sorry that this one took so long to get out, but RL happens, and writers block too. Because I felt bad I wanted to make it up to you and here it is, in all it's 18 page glory. I have a feeling this one is going to get you guys worked up, but we shall see.

Since I haven't done this in a while.
Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer.

Chapter 12

Bella sighed, as she looked out at the water slowly moving down the bayou. She was trying to recall eight years her life, something she often found herself doing, especially lately; she hoped that if she thought of her past enough, that she would never forget it. Being so near to death all this time with Victoria, that was partly the reason behind her reminiscence. The other was that, in the hours after waking that first time in Mexico, Bella had realized that it wasn't Jake who she had seen in the room with her, it was Emmett. Upon this realization something inside Bella snapped, and she gave up, isolating herself; she completely shut herself off from everyone around her.

Once they relocated from Mexico to Colorado, she found that she could remember bits and pieces. She remembered the conversation she had had with Edward, when he chose to leave her and the Cullens once again; this time, though, he wasn't abandoning her for what he thought was her own good, but for his own good. Edward was still fighting an internal battle with himself; the need for blood was too much, especially in a city like Telluride. The family told him that they would come with him, support him, help him fight the monster within, but Edward knew that Bella needed them more, and so once again he had made the decision to remove only himself from her life.

Edward had walked into the room Bella was staying in, as she watched the leaves in the forest behind the house swaying in the wind. She never once looked at him while he talked to her; it was too hard for her to see him after what Victoria had made him do. She didn't hate Edward or blame him, not in the least, but she was scared of him. When he got to his feet and walked over to her she, could feel the hair on her arms stand on end, and when he gently pressed his hand to her shoulder she shrunk back into the cushion of the chair. Out of the corner of her eye, she remembered seeing his shoulders fall and his head hung closer to the floor. Before the door clicked closed she heard him whisper, once again, that he was sorry.

After Edward left, things got foggy for Bella; she couldn't remember much of anything. From what Emmett has told her, the years following his departure were bad for them all. They had lived in Telluride for only a couple of months, after which they'd decided to move yet again, as Carlisle suspected that the constant cold was the cause of Bella's night terrors. The overall decision was then made, and he gave his final notice to the local hospital and left the following morning. The family would move to California, the thought being that the warmth would help Bella, and eliminate the memories of the cold damp room that were currently seeping into her consciousness.

Disappointment came, when Bella would wrap herself in the thickest of covers and take showers so hot her skin would turn the darkest shade of red. The most disturbing things happened to her in California; she would wake, screaming in her sleep, and every time someone would come to her aid she would end up attacking them. She'd break her nails clawing at their stone faces, and once she even broke her wrist in the process of punching one of them. Her eyes would sometimes snap open, then, and she would scream out for Jake. The first time that Jake didn't come to her when she called him, was when Bella lost it. Jumping out of bed, she tore through her bedroom screaming his name. When it seemed as if she wasn't calming down, Carlisle had to sedate her.

After that first night the family had a talk, considering whether or not to call Charlie and let him know where Bella was and what was going on with her… But how could they do that without implicating their own kind? Bella had scars all over her body, and they knew Charlie would demand to know how they'd been put there and by what; Bella's wrists were riddled with silver half moons, and in some places full circles of teeth marks shone on her skin. But it was her back that was the worst of their worries. From her shoulder blades down to her tail-bone ran a humongous scar; not to mention that besides that, there were also the places where the staples had done their job of holding her together. How could they tell Charlie anything, even how she had managed to survive all that she'd endured?

It was a shock to all of them the second time Emmett touched her in Mexico when she screamed out to them. It had only been hours since Carlisle had cut her back open to clean the wound to prevent further infection and sew her back up, but her back had completely healed. All of it, the staples had to be removed because there was no further need for them, though Bella was still in pain. Her skin had grown back together so quickly that it was pulling just like any healing wound would. At the time they had to put her out, and constantly rub creams on her skin to smooth her, so as to not cause her pain when she moved.

It was decided that night that they wouldn't call Charlie until Bella was ready for him to know, because everything would have to be told, he would insist on it and the fact that Bella screamed out both Edward and Victoria's names in her sleep would not get past him. In truth they didn't want Charlie to know about them for their safety as well as his, but if Bella wanted everything told to him, they would do it.

As the years went by the tension built more between the Cullens; it was hard for them, in California, living in that type climate; the only time they could get out was at night, there weren't even rainy days, and while Carlisle thought the sun and the warmth would do her good, it clearly wasn't. She was still crying out and attacking in her sleep and it seemed the longer time went on the worse she got.

For more than a year Bella only saw Emmett as Jake. She always told him that he was warm and that she needed him. She would beg him to sleep in bed with her at night and hold her throughout the day. Jasper had tried to hold her but she would flinch away from him and when out of desperation they bought a heating blanket to wrap Bella in so that Emmett could hunt, at night she would cling to him nearly more often than not, making him reconsider hunting as she sobbed into his chest. Emmett's heart broke every time he would leave the house knowing he needed to hunt but hearing her beg and cry in the background not to. It was a cycle that none of them knew how to break. Emmett would hunt as quickly as he could, but when he got back to Bella there was a blank face and nothingness. Days would follow where Bella wouldn't eat or sleep, sometimes she wouldn't blink for so long that Esme would have to put drops in her eyes so they wouldn't dry out; she was catatonic, and there seemed to be nothing for it.

The times where Bella seemed sane enough to talk, which were few and far between, Esme would ask her if she wanted to go home, or if they should call Charlie. Bella would look at her with terror written all over her face and tell her no. He couldn't see her like this; none of them could. She didn't want her father or Jake to know what had happened to her, she didn't want to put them through the pain she was putting the Cullens through; she was a burden and she knew it. Then she would slip back into nothingness and Esme would wait for the next time hoping for her sake that at some point she would say yes. She never did.

The breaking point for Emmett in California was another night Bella had begged him to stay with her;

he was there holding her as she slept, while Rosalie watched on from the rocking chair, wondering if that would have been her life if she would have lived through her attack. When Bella started thrashing around in the bed Emmett sat her in his lap and held her tighter and when she started screaming for Jake Emmett couldn't handle it anymore; he told her he was there, and he forgave her for leaving and that he just wanted her back.

'Bella,' he'd said, trying his best to imitate Jake. 'I need you back, please Bella.'

Bella didn't wake, after that. She stopped fighting but then the fingers that were once digging into his ribs turned into gentle caresses, and he looked at Rose not know what he should do next. Whispering her love to Jake over and over, her arousal hit them both, and Rose's heart broke at the same time that her anger flared. Bella was kissing his neck and ripping the buttons off his shirt open, and in the next moment when her lips met his he was shocked so much that he let out the groan that he had desperately wanted to hold in.

Rose had flown from her seat and out the door. Emmett felt a rush of anger himself and stood up, throwing Bella back on the bed causing her head to smack into the hardwood headboard in the process. He was out of the room before he could smell the blood.

Emmett and Rose stayed away after that, which only made Bella worse. The Cullens didn't know what to do, Carlisle himself was stumped; they couldn't even take her to get help for fear their secret would be exposed. He ran tests of his own on Bella not really knowing what they could accomplish but he did it anyway.

Within the results Carlisle found his answer; when he tested her blood it showed that it had mass amounts of venom in it. He was shocked that they couldn't smell it moving within her. Looking closer at the samples of her blood and the venom Carlisle found something that he never had even considered before: different vampires had different properties in their venom, and while small traces of Edward's venom was found in Bella's system, Victoria's was almost overpowering her. The strangest thing about the vampire venom was that it showed up on all of the scans and where the fluid in her body was just black on the screen the venom was bright white in color. What scared them all the most was that it was everywhere, the blood had carried it to every one of her organs, her brain included. Something had to be done.

The night they left California, Bella was confused. Why were they moving? Esme sat down with Bella once the questions started she told Bella that Carlisle had been called into the board room that morning per the request of a Detective Alexander Walker. As soon as Carlisle was seated Detective Walker asked him flat out of he knew the location of one Isabella Marie Swan. Hearing the news Bella's hands had flown to her gaping mouth and she knew; Charlie had found them. He was coming for her and she was scared. So scared that she didn't let Esme finish her story when she bolted for the stairs and began tearing into her clothes stuffing them into her bags as quickly as she could. She was screaming at the Cullens that they needed to get out of there that they couldn't see her like this; she didn't want them to see.

When they arrived in their newest home Bella was in awe, the Cullens had purchased a Greek Revival Plantation home in a small town not far from Lafayette, Louisiana. The home was huge like the other homes the Cullens had owned; this one was by far her favorite. From what the realtor told them of the house it served as a hospital during the Civil War and barley survived only to be restored later.

On the property there was a main house and a detached guest house as well, which sat along a bayou and had acreage with it which would make hunting easy for the Cullens. It also wasn't far from Lafayette University and there was a hospital in town that Carlisle had begun working at. Instead of volunteering her time at the hospital like she normally would have Esme chose to stay home with Bella and care for her. She was still slipping in and out of herself. Some days Bella would be Bella and other days she would stare out the windows or just at the walls nearly all day.

After everyone was settled into the home Carlisle continued to run frequent tests on Bella, he decided that he was going to give her medicine to thin her blood hoping it would help the venom separate then hook her up to a dialysis machine to clean her blood. It was working ever so slowly but it was working nonetheless.

The one thing Carlisle didn't take into account when he had started with Bella was the fact that vampire venom, although it would separate from her blood like he thought it would, it would also regenerate. She was hooked to the dialysis machine three times a week, he was happy in the beginning just knowing that it was working, but as his tests showed it wasn't working fast enough, the venom was regenerating almost as quickly as her blood was being cleaned. Yet she showed improvement proving that it was still working.

Over the last five years Bella went from staring out windows and at the walls for hours on end to only losing herself for mere minutes here and there throughout the day. Her nightmares, although still a nightly occurrence, were getting better as well, she was no longer lashing out in her dreams or waking up screaming out Victoria's name in the middle of the night. It had been years since she had mistaken Emmett for Jake and for that both he and Rose were thankful. Though it had brought the three of them closer together. It surprised Bella that she and Rose were as close as they were.

Bella heard the door to her house open and turned peering down the hall. Alice danced down the hall and into the sitting room Bella was in. When Bella was well enough Carlisle thought it best that she be moved into the guest house, the main house although huge only had four bedrooms and Bella's room was cramped with all of the equipment Carlisle had bought to treat her. Wanting some sort of privacy and independence she agreed.

Moving in the guest house was one of the best things that Bella could have done. She knew the Cullens could hear her as the guest house was only furthest from the pool and away from the main house but she was happy and almost felt like the adult that she now was.

Alice made her way into the room still noticing Bella standing watching the water ripple from the warm wind outside. She could smell the smoke from the fireplace- this small guest house had three of them, one in the sitting room, the kitchen and the bedroom that Bella had slept in. It seemed they were always lit; Bella was still so cold, Carlisle contributed it to the vampire venom in her body although it puzzled him that as the years passed her body temperature was still slowly dropping.

Staring out the window Bella drew in a breath; Alice knew what she was going to ask beforehand, but waited.

"Have you seen him today?"

Alice was nearly bouncing on the balls of her feet in excitement and couldn't help when she squealed, "I have!"

Noting the excitement in her voice Bella turned to see Alice smiling and still bouncing in place. It must be good.

Rushing toward Alice but stopping so no contact was made she noticed the flick of pain shoot across Alice's face before she quickly recovered.

"Well, tell me where was he, is he ok?" Bella was shocked at the excitement bubbling up within her.

"He was in his cruiser as usual, but the vision was a good one he was so happy, Bella, I wish you could have seen him, he had a smile on his face and I swear his eyes were twinkling!"

Bella felt the tears start to pool in her eyes, blinking them back she didn't dare fight the smile that made it onto her face. Charlie was happy; she had waited for news like this for a while now.

Bella had been asking Alice to look in on both Charlie and Renee. Alice could get visions of Charlie but they were always few and short. He was almost always at work, never at home, which meant he was always in cop mode, but this news was good, Bella couldn't help but wonder what he was so happy about.

Renee was a different story entirely, Alice had never met her so she was never able to have any visions of Renee but to her shock two years ago Rose and Emmett both went to Jacksonville, the last place Bella knew her to be and searched for her. They found her working at a day-care center and after following her for days they told Bella that she seemed happy, and that she and Phil were still married, and that he wasn't playing baseball but coaching a minor league team. The night they returned they brought pictures with them. Emmett thought it was the greatest thing in the world to break into her house to steal pictures for Bella. Rose thought Emmett was an idiot because what kind of thief would only steal pictures. Upon copying every picture in the album they found and the one Emmett had stolen off the wall she made him take them back.

When they handed Bella the album, she thought her heart was going to explode. There, on the first page, was a picture of her twins sitting at a bonfire on their father's lap. Jake. Ali had her hair in braids one on each side and was missing a single front tooth while CJ was missing both and his hair too was in braids. She smiled because Jake hadn't cut it. She realized the picture was new when her eyes met the cake two sets of hands were holding, it was split down the middle with one side sporting a cowgirl theme, the other a football theme, but what held Bella's attention was the little wax number that was smashed between the line of icing down the middle. Six. Her children were six years old.

She had taken the rest of the pictures from Emmett and Rose, clutching them to her chest as she made her way back to her house. Sitting near the fire she must have flipped through that album a hundred times trying to memorize every detail she could. Renee didn't have a lot of pictures of Jake or the kids, maybe in another album, but the few she did have were good enough for Bella. The rest of the pictures were of her childhood- with Renee in Arizona, a picture or two of her and Charlie when had come down to visit her when she stopped going to Forks, and there were a few pictures of her when she arrived at Forks. Bella gasped at the picture of her and Edward at the prom, and cried at the picture of her and Edward at her 18th birthday party before everything went to hell. It seemed as if Edward didn't think that Bella would have sent them to anyone. The tears Bella had been holding fell when she flipped to the last page of the album; there, written in Rose's elegant writing, was a line of numbers: Renee's phone number.

Bella reached for Alice's hands. When they made contact Alice stood frozen until Bella squeezed letting Alice know that she was ok, in the next instant Bella was in Alice's arms and she was jumping them both up and down. The emotions hit Jasper like a tidal wave and as he was running out the door everyone else in the house started to follow. Blowing through the door and down the hall he too froze at the sight before him. Bella and Alice were hugging, Bella crying and Alice still squealing. He could feel the joy and shock coming from Alice, but he smiled when he felt Bella's emotions. She too was happy, happier than she had been in all the years that they had been together.

Leaning up against a wall he threw his arm out when Emmett came charging into the room thinking something was going on with Bella; he was protective like that. But he and the rest of the Cullens and now Thomas were watching the display. Carlisle smiled; Esme grabbed Rose's hand and squeezed gaining her attention.

After nearly ten minutes of screaming and jumping around Emmett grew impatient like he always did and asked what the fuss was about. When both Alice and Bella answered at the same time they both burst into a fit of laughter, then Alice told them of her vision. Emmett quirked his brow, as Alice explained about Charlie. Charlie smiling had such a big affect on Bella, but Emmett still didn't fully get it, though it was huge that she was letting Alice touch her; for the longest time, it'd only been Alice, Thomas and Jasper that Bella wouldn't allow that close to her.

The Cullens stayed with Bella that night, stunned by the fact that Bella wouldn't stop talking. Soon after the squealing and explaining about Charlie, Bella went into the kitchen to cook something to eat. Once they finished dinner Bella leaned over, grabbing the now ratty album off the coffee table and began to tell them everything that she could remember about each of the pictures it held.

When she came to the picture of her kids and Jake at their birthday she choked up while stroking his face in the picture. She wanted to tell them everything she could about him, Jasper knew she was on the verge of breaking down and it seemed that Rose noticed too. Grabbing the picture from Bella's hand she studied the picture closely. Looking at the smile that lit his face, Bella had told them it wasn't her smile, that her smile on him was bigger, better and brighter just like the sun, but she could still tell that he was happy. She noticed his short spiky hair and his skin it so golden it glistened against the fire light. He was good looking, Rose hated to admit- she wondered at the same time what Bella had ever seen in Edward. Between him and Jake, they were two completely different individuals.

"If he wasn't a dog, I think I may have given you competition," Rose stated in a matter of fact way while thrusting the picture back at Bella.

As Bella reached back for the picture, her mouth popped open as well as Emmett's, and Rose just shrugged nonchalantly, "He is a dog though, of course, so no worries." Rose shot her a wink as she stood, grabbed Emmett's hand, and walked out of the house.

The months that followed were good for Bella, just hearing the news that Charlie was happy made Bella realize that she too wanted to be happy, or as close to it as she really could get. She signed up for writing classes as at an extension office, and even put in applications around town. Carlisle and Esme both encouraged her to do the things she wanted to do, and Alice helped in her own way. Bella was nervous the first time she went out; it had been years since Bella had actually let herself be around other people. Years since she would wear something besides sweats and the thickest wool blanket or robe she could find. Alice had bought her an entire wardrobe, Bella of course put up a fight when she found out the money Alice had spent and even more so when she saw the clothes- making the exception, and not wanting to push Bella too far, Alice bought normal clothes with very few designer labels; she'd told Bella she couldn't help it, and Bella gave in after that.

Knowing that Bella was uncomfortable with the scars on her wrist Alice bought her numerous leather cuffs or watches with a cuff as a band the covered the scars on her wrists perfectly; but, Alice being Alice, she stated that the clothes had to match so Bella was now the owner of numerous skinny jeans tank tops and pull over shirts, i addition to the dozen other numerous selections in her wardrobe. Alice said it was edgy, Bella thought it was comfortable, and comfortable made her happy.

The Cullens minus Alice were sitting in the living room waiting on the weekly call from Edward when they heard the door slide slowly open. Bella had just gotten back from work. Not long after she had put her application in at the small bakery and catering company in town they had called her back hiring her on the spot. They needed the help as the new school year was starting and most of the old employees had graduated or quit over the summer.

Jasper could sense the nervousness flowing off of her and he quirked his eyebrow at Alice, who walked out from behind Bella and grabbed his hand smiling a sad smile. Clearing her throat before she came fully into the room Bella stood shifting back and forth on her feet. All eyes were on her; her heart began to beat at the quickest pace they had heard it in a long time and all of the Cullens stood, though Alice had decided to sit.

"I…" Bella looked around the room and began to wring her hands and fidget. "I want to go home" It came out as a whisper and her head dropped.

Esme gasped out in shock and excitement. Carlisle held her close and he too was now wearing a smile. Rose and Emmett's faces were blank, not angry or upset but just blank.

"Oh Bella we're so happy," Esme gushed while rushing to her side, then her smile waned, before finally disappearing, as Bella said, "You want me to leave?" Her nervousness having turned to sadness at hearing Esme's words.

"No, no, that's not how I meant it, dear. We loving having you with us, but we hoped some day you would go home to your family. Bella, Charlie will be so happy to see you I'm sure he's been a wreck these past years and you'll get to see your children!"

Emmett coughed and stole Bella's attention, as he asked, "What made you decide?"

Bella met eyes with Carlisle as she spoke, "I'm getting better I think we all know that." Carlisle nodded for her to continue. "When I was at work today a girl my age came in with the request that we prepare the food for her father's wake" A tear slid down her cheek. "He was Charlie's age, and I'm getting better, and I can't not go and at least let him know that I am okay, well as okay as I think I am going to get."

"Then you need to go" Rose said while nodding at Bella. "You know that he is healthy and happy now thanks to Alice and her recent visions of him, go home and let him know you are still here and you love him, he deserves that."

"Carlisle do you think I'm okay to go? I don't think I'll stay long, but what am I going to do about the treatments and my medicine?"

"I'm glad you asked, Bella. Alice had the vision you were going to be leaving us soon, I took the liberty of purchasing a portable machine for you." He stated while walking out of the room, presumably to get the machine from his office.

After making the travel and hotel arrangements with Alice, Bella left the main house. Walking into her house and closing the door Bella leaned her back against it and smiled. She was scared and nervous all at the same time, but she missed Charlie and hearing the girl today made her nearly have an attack right there in front of her. Knowing that she was doing better how could she not at least see Charlie and let him know that she was alright? She didn't want to be lost to her family anymore and the thought of never seeing Charlie again and him possibly dying without knowing she was okay had been plaguing her since this afternoon.

Pushing off the door, Bella made her way down the hall and began to pack. Just she was dragging the zipper closed she heard a knock on her bedroom door, Thomas stood in the frame with a slight smile on his face.

"You ready? I'll get your bag; Alice is going to drive us to Lafayette to catch the plane."

Bella nodded while heaving the bag off the bed, making her way across the room she stopped when she noticed Thomas holding out his hand, "Your bag, I'll get it for you. It looks heavy."

Bella dropped the bag and made a wide arch around him, she was worried how this was going to work out, she hadn't been around Thomas alone in a long time and she wasn't really sure if she trusted him or if that being around him wouldn't bring Victoria back. She knew either way, however, that she had to do this for Charlie. Thomas had offered to come with her, to help with her treatments while she was away.

The normal forty five minute car ride to Lafayette was only twenty minutes thanks to Alice, and when Bella looked in the rear-view at Thomas he almost looked green. Alice shot her a smile and a wink, "We wouldn't have taken my car if I knew he wasn't going to get sick."

Seven hours later Thomas and Bella were stepping off the plane at the small airport in Port Angeles, looking around the runway they noticed a car with a woman standing beside it. Walking in the direction the woman ushered them in and they waited for their bags to be loaded. They had reservations at one of the hotels on the pier and as soon as Bella and Thomas were settled in he hooked her up to the machine and began her treatment. While waiting for the treatment to end Bella told Thomas that she knew they wouldn't be able to make it to Forks before it got too late, so the plan was to wake up in the early morning hopefully before Charlie could get to work or fishing, and catch him.

Bella woke with a knocking at the door. Shuffling across the room while rubbing her eyes the knocking continued. Swinging the door open she couldn't help but smile at the sight, Thomas was pushing a little cart full of every food that they no doubt had at the small breakfast buffet downstairs.

"I don't think I am going to eat that much."

Pushing the car slowly past her making sure to stay away from her as far as he could without running into anything Thomas stopped when he got the middle of the room. "I didn't think you could, but this was what was left of the morning buffet, I grabbed what I could before they cleared it out, it doesn't last long."

Looking behind her Bella noticed that the clock read nine fifteen. Grabbing a small stack of pancakes from the tray Bella shoved them into her mouth, how could she have slept so late.

Between chewing and trying to wiggle into the tight jeans Bella saw food fly out of her mouth while asking Thomas why he didn't wake her earlier.

"You needed the sleep, don't you remember you nearly passed out after your treatment, I was almost worried about leaving you in the room by yourself."

Using her fingers to shove the rest of the pancakes into her mouth she nodded her head slipped on her shoes and coat and walked toward the door. Pushing the food down her throat she looked back at Thomas who was picking over the tray.

"We need to get going it takes about an hour to drive to Forks from here and Charlie is either going to be working or already out on the boat if we take too long."

Thomas followed her out of the hotel through the parking lot to the rental car; making his way to the passenger side of the car he noticed that Bella wasn't opening her door as well. Looking back he saw Bella standing by the trunk.

"Aren't you going to get in?"

"I've haven't driven a car in years." It was true and she was sad to admit it. The last car she had driven was well not a car at all, it was her monster of a truck, and it was before she was put on bed rest with the twins, Alice always drove Bella to school or work and when they went shopping.

"No time like the present." Thomas gestured toward the driver's side.

"I don't know if I remember how." It sounded stupid and Bella knew it, but it had been so long, how could she have gone so long without even driving a car?

"You will, come on you said we needed to go didn't you? Well, let's go, besides I have no idea where anything is around here I'd probably get us lost in the woods."

The last words registered and made Bella swiftly move to the front of the car, they couldn't get lost in the woods.

Falling into the driver's seat Bella took a deep breath noticing the new car smell. Reaching out in front of her she felt around for the bar to pull the seat forward and didn't catch anything. Leaning back with a puzzled look on her face Thomas chuckled, and Bella glared.

"It's on the side of the seat."

Running her fingers along the side of the leather seat Bella felt the switch she was searching for and pressed it forward, until it wouldn't move forward anymore. Looking to her left she noticed that Thomas was shaking in silent laughter and scowled at him. "It's not funny okay? I can't help being short."

By the time they made it to the gas station just a few blocks down the street, Thomas wasn't laughing anymore and Bella thought she had whiplash, what was up with these new cars?

Thomas went inside to pay for the gas that Bella decided she wanted to pump and pick up a few snacks and some drinks. As Bella was fighting the hair out of her face a rumble of laughter caused her to stiffen. Slowly turning on her heel Bella squeaked and jumped behind the pump peering round at something she never really thought she would see but desperately wished she would.

Jake.

She silently thanked god then and there for the wind blowing in the direction that it was because he surely would have noticed her scent, wouldn't he? The wind carried his laugh along with it, and it slammed into her like a truck. She couldn't take her eyes off of him; he was walking down the sidewalk with a smile on his face - her smile; he as laughing too. Her heart melted at the sound of his laughter and she barely noticed the tears streaking down her cheeks. Her breath caught again though, when something interrupted her vision of him, the back of another person's head, which held a ponytail, medium long brown hair sweeping from side to side as Jake's hands locked around the person's waist, pulling the body closer to him. Then he kissed her, her arms slid around his neck, his hands pushing into the back pocket of her jeans drawing her ever closer to him. Bella watched on, unable to pull herself away, all she could see of Jake were his golden toned forearms and the muscles in them flexing with every tug of her jeans. When he pulled the girl in between two buildings Bella couldn't help but to walk out from behind the pump and across the parking lot to watch. Standing behind a sign Bella watched as Jake pinned the girl up against the brick wall of the building they were standing in front of. He pulled his hand out of her back pocket and let it roam down her thigh as he hitched it up and over his hip, pressing himself into her. His lips never left hers and her arms never dropped from his neck.

Bella felt something, in that moment, something she hadn't felt in years and it shocked her; it was a tingle in her lower belly. She was confused by this, how was watching the love of her life grinding against someone else in an alley turning her on. But it all became clear when she refocused on the couple and realized that it was her and Jake and instead of being nearly eye level with the woman he was now looming over the top of her, kissing her and nipping along her jaw, her leg was still hitched around his hip and she was smiling now her head pressed into the building while his kisses moved down her neck.

Bella felt a warm hand come down on her shoulder, and she jumped a foot into the air screeching as she went. The noise promptly stopped Jake's make-out session and sent him out from between the buildings and her dashing back behind the sign. She thought her heart was going to beat out of her chest; Thomas looked startled as well.

"What the hell are you doing?" she whisper yelled.

"I came out of the gas station to a puddle under the car and no you in sight, I thought…. what the hell are you doing?" he snapped back.

Looking around the sign he noticed a crowd had gathered across the street, the people that were eating at the little café were all outside looking around, and when Bella grabbed his shirt and pulled him behind the sign with her he was shocked.

"It's him, he's…..he's right there, with his imp…girlfriend." It had to be his imprint, right? His loud laugh, her smile on his face, the way they were touching each other in public, she knew Jake was affectionate, but he never even touched her like that when they were out.

"Him who? Bella are you okay?" Thomas asked, concern lacing his voice.

"Him! Jake him!"

Thomas quickly shifted to the side to look, Bella saw his eyes grow wide.

"What is it?" she whispered.

"He's coming over here, what do you want to do?"

"Shhh! God, he can probably hear you!" she whispered in a panic.

"God we need to get out of here like now" Then she heard a car horn which made her jump a little and then a female voice yelling his name. Peeking out from behind the sign, she saw the look on his face. He was staring right at the gas station parking lot, but the girl was pulling him back while a car sat in the middle of the road the driver yelling at Jake out the window.

Giving up Jake slowly backed out of the middle of the road and onto the side walk. The girl was running her hands over his face, but he wasn't looking at her he was still looking at the parking lot. When his name fell off her lips with worry behind him he turned his head toward her and shot her a smile and from what Bella could tell told her he was okay. The girl threw herself into one of the open seats still holding onto his hand and Bella could tell that she had sighed. Jake knelt down in front of the girl, dropping a kiss to her lips, then whispering something into her ear; she shook her head as she smiled and watched him as he walked away.

Bella stood as she watched Jake walk down the sidewalk and when he turned into a store Bella started to walk after him but was stopped when she felt Thomas's hand on her once again startling her into stopping.

"Do you really want to do that?"

"Can you please-?" she didn't have to finish her sentence before Thomas took off walking in the direction Jake went.

Straightening her clothes Bella looked at the rental car, the gas station attendant was sweeping up the powder she had sprinkled on the spilt gas to clean it up. Bella walked over to her telling her she was sorry and slipping her some money she got in the car and parked it in one of the spaces closer to the store.

She then found herself walking over to the girl, the closer she got the more Bella realized that this girl was perfect for Jake. She was almost as tall as him she knew that, she was beautiful with her long brown hair and lighter skin, as she got closer she could hear the girl telling the waitress her order it was a big one and it made Bella smile. Stopping in front of the table Bella took the girl in even more now that she was closer in proximity, her eyes were a shade of green Bella had almost never seen before-they looked like her mom's birthstone, the peridot- she had freckles on her skin, too; Bella was almost jealous. She remembered a time when she was younger that she wished for as much as a birthmark to adorn her pale skin. When the girl looked up at Bella and smiled she couldn't help but smile back. There was no way this girl wasn't Jake's imprint, they matched in every way even her smile matched Jake's.

Stuffing her hands into her pocket Bella shifted on her feet. Not knowing what to say but wanting to say something at the same time, she was saved when the girl spoke first.

"Can I help you?"

"Uh, yeah… I….I'm new in town and was wondering if there were any good places to eat?" Bella wanted to smack herself- really? A place to eat? She was sitting outside of a café for god's sake.

The girl was still smiling when she told her the numerous places she knew of around town, Bella shivered when the girl mentioned the restaurant where Edward had taken her for the first time.

Gesturing toward the chair in front of her the girl asked, "Did you want to sit?"

Pulling out the chair while looking back down the sidewalk she knew she shouldn't she could get caught, but she couldn't help it at the same time. If this girl was Jake's imprint that meant that he was happy, it meant that her kids were happy. The thought warmed Bella but stung at the same time.

Sipping her drink Bella could clearly see the girl waiting for her to say something, but she couldn't answer as she was still taking her in; Bella couldn't take her eyes off of her. The sight of Jake being so happy and the thought of her children happy as well wouldn't stop coming up in her mind.

"So, are you in town on business or visiting family?" She asked while taking a drink of her hot tea.

"Business," Bella blurted out before she stopped herself. She was quickly realizing that she couldn't see Charlie, if Jake found out that she was here she knew what he would do: either he would fight the imprint, or he would send Bella away at once and tell her to never return. She couldn't do that to him, to let him see her only to send her away again or worst of all try to fight the imprint breaking the girl's heart and her children's as well.

"Oh really, what kind of business?" The girl was interested and not just making conversation.

"I own a bakery down south and was considering buying another, maybe starting a chain," Bella stumbled on her lie.

"Really, my friend Emily just opened a bakery in a town not far from here, it's in La Push."

Nodding her head Bella felt the tears start to well up in her eyes. She pushed up from her seat not wanting the girl to bear witness to her falling apart. Seeing Jake was one thing, thinking about her children another, but knowing Emily was her friend had confirmed it for Bella, this was his imprint and she had to leave before she ruined everything for him.

"I…um, I've got to go. Running late, you know" Bella said while turning away.

With a bewildered look on her face the girl stood as well. "It was nice meeting you; I'm Lauren by the way."

With a quick nod, Bella took off. Walking across the street she noticed Thomas already standing by the car. She panicked and picked up her pace while throwing the hood of her coat up over her head. Hitting the unlock button as she jogged toward the car she threw the door open and jumped into the seat, growing impatient as Thomas slowly slid into his side as well as she started the car. Slamming the car in reverse she nearly hit a car behind her in her haste to leave the parking lot. Thomas was clutching the dash and yelling something at her, but she wasn't paying attention, she had to get out of there and she had to do it now. She considered bypassing the hotel all together, but the drive had calmed her down just enough for his voice to register and when his hand touched hers on the stirring wheel she completely snapped out of it.

Shooting her head to the side she glared at him. "What were you doing back there, he could have caught me?"

"No he wouldn't, when he left the tux shop he headed over to a car parts store and was talking to a younger man about parts for dirt bikes." The two words Thomas spoke stabbed her in the chest. Tux… was he getting married? And dirt bikes, was it really possible that Jake had kept them all this time. She didn't know and she never would.

It was like she was on autopilot again; Bella hadn't realized that she was sitting in the hotel parking lot with her foot on the brake until Thomas reached over and put the car in park for her causing it to roll slightly forward.

"He was renting a tux" she stated casting a glance in his direction.

"Yeah, and it was crazy expensive. That guy is huge, Bella."

"Did he say if he was getting married or not?"

"No, all he said was I'm Jacob Black here to pick up my tux. He wasn't really in there long; he got his tux and walked to the car parts store. I left him there so I could come and find you. Are you ok, Bella, I saw you talking to the girl he was with, did she say something to you? Recognize you?"

Sighing Bella pressed the palm of her hands into her face. Opening the door she climbed out and began walking across the parking lot and to her room, before the door could click closed Thomas was there getting her medicine out of the bag. It was still early in the day but Bella was tired and she really just wanted to curl up into a ball and sleep.

After she took the medicine Thomas gave her she told him that she was tired and wanted to sleep. When he opened his mouth she answered fore him, "We're not going to see Charlie, not anymore."

He sat down in the seat in front of her putting his elbows on his knees, "Bella you know you have to talk about this, right? I mean I know you are getting better but you drove all the way back here with a blank expression on your face, you almost ran two stop lights and you didn't blink once. Don't let whatever it is she said to you set you back, get it out don't let it bottle up."

Nodding her head Bella scooted back on the bed curled up and pulled what she could of the comforter over her. Thomas stood shooting her one last glance as he grabbed the spare key to her room off the top of the TV and walked out the door. He would have to call Carlisle about this for sure.

Once in his room he made his way over to the phone and dialed the Cullens. Carlisle picked up at the first ring and Thomas told him what was going on with Bella, well as much as he knew anyway. When Carlisle told him that he had suspected something like that would happen Thomas was shocked that they even agreed that it would be a good idea for her to go in the first place knowing there was a possibility that she would slide back into her old ways. Carlisle shocked him again when he told Thomas to sedate Bella and just let her sleep until morning when they would leave to come home; it really would be the best for her.

After the phone call with Carlisle ended Thomas went into Bella's room and already found her half uncovered and whimpering Jake's name in her sleep. Moving to the bed he pulled her shoes off pushed the hood of her coat off her head, and carefully lifting her legs he placed them under the covers. After tucking her in he slipped the needle out of his pocket and gave her the sedative knowing she would be out most of the day and hopefully late into the night.

Now that Bella was sleeping in her room Thomas had to figure out what he was going to do the rest of the day. As he sat he thought about how close he was to his old home. Seattle was only a couple of hours away and he considered driving there, for what reason he really didn't know. It wasn't like his family was still there to visit. Shaking those thoughts from his mind he was determined to help Bella do what she had come here to do, to see her father.

"Excuse me, Miss?" Thomas said while waving the front desk clerk toward him.

Shuffling out of the back office she made her way to the desk with a smile plastered on her face. "Yes can I help you with something sir?"

"Yes actually you can, I have to step out for a bit I have an important meeting that I need to attend, but my friend is pretty ill. I'm a doctor and I gave her a pretty strong dose of cold medicine hoping the sleep would help her. Is there anyway you could tell her that I have stepped out for a couple of hours if she were to wake?"

Nodding before he had finished his sentence he continued. "My room number is 215 and hers is 217 they are adjoining rooms, if she needs anything please have her call this number for me please." Slipping her his business card with his cell phone number on it Thomas began to turn when a thought struck him.

"How far is Forks from here, Miss?"

"Oh it's just a ways down the highway it's about an hour away, do you need a map or directions?"

"Yes that would be great."

Unfolding the map on the counter the clerk highlighted the route which was easy enough to follow, "Hop on the 101 and you should be there in no time."

An hour later Thomas passed the Welcome to Forks sign, it was easy getting here, now to find her father. Thomas knew that he was the Chief of Police eight years ago when Bella was last here, but would he still be in that position now. Pulling into a small diner on the side of the road Thomas parked the car and walked in; as soon as the bell clanged every head in the place turned his way. It seemed this town didn't get a lot of visitors, and while everyone looked friendly enough he felt a little uncomfortable with every one starring at him so he quickly walked to the bar and sat down. When the waitress came by a steaming pot of coffee in hand he cleared his throat thinking it was now or never. "Excuse me, could you tell me where the police station is located?"

The waitress smiled sweetly at him and started giving directions when the bell clanged again, stopping in the middle of her directions a smile appeared on her face and she looked at Thomas, "Well, instead of me giving you directions you could just get them from the source. Paul, someone's here wanting directions to the station."

Turning in the seat Thomas noticed a man looking very much like Jacob walking toward him, he was tall with tan skin, short spiky hair, built almost exactly like him not as broad, but still huge, this man though looked like he was just a little bit pissed off and it really didn't help that as he walked over to him his hand was resting on the gun in his utility belt. Thomas stood slowly, not wanting to rouse any kind of unfavorable reaction, and extended his hand as he introduced himself, "Hi, I'm John Moore."

It was a lie of course; well most of it, his last name was Moore. Thomas felt the huge overly heated hand envelope his and his eyes widened. Was it possible to get a burn from skin to skin contact? "Officer Meraz," the man grunted out. Dropping Thomas's hand the officer looked down at him "Is there a problem, John, you seem new to the area are you lost or is there another reason why you want to know where the station is?"

"Actually I was looking for Chief Swan."

Paul's eyebrows shot up before the pissed off looked returned to his face, "And why's that?"

Thomas's heart began to pick up its pace when he couldn't think of a lie quick enough, and when Paul cocked an eyebrow at him he panicked "It's about Renee" Thomas blurted out before he really knew what he was saying and when he glanced a look back at Paul he saw that he wasn't any more pissed off looking than he was before so it was safe to say that he got her name right.

"Is something wrong with Renee or Phil?" Paul asked still looking somewhat suspicious.

"No we're just friends she and I in Florida, I told her about business that I had to do in Port Angeles and she told me that her ex-husband had lived here and she went on and on about him and his fishing since I too am fond of the sport. She thought he would be able to show me some good fishing spots while I was here." Thomas really didn't know the shit that was coming out of his mouth, but he thanked god that he listened to Bella enough on the rare occasions that she had talked about both of her parents, it was enough to soften the pissed off look in Paul's face and so that was a very good thing.

"He's not in today actually, he is fishing with an old friend of his. They're either on the Sol Duc or the Bogachiel River today, he normally doesn't get back before sunset, but he carries a cell in case of emergency. You want me to give him a call?"

Shaking his head Thomas really didn't want to leave without seeing for himself that Charlie was in fact okay, but he really couldn't stay much longer than he already had. It was getting to be late afternoon and even though he did sedate Bella before he left he didn't really want to chance her waking up with him being so far away.

"Maybe another time then." Nodding his head at the waitress and pulling a ten out of his pocket for the untouched coffee he stood to walk out of the diner.

"Do you have a card or anything I can give him since you are going to be in the area? I could tell him Renee sent someone looking for him."

"No but I am staying at The Olympic Lodge in Port Angeles, I'm in room 215 if he wants to give me a call this evening when he gets in that would be great."

With yet another grunt from the officer, Thomas walked closer to the door, as an elderly woman was pulling it open the papers on the nearby cork board flew in all directions fighting against the pins holding them down. Thomas's eyes were met with a Missing Person poster, the face on the poster was a once happy looking Bella. Scanning the room quickly it seemed all eyes were now back on their plates, Thomas quickly snatched the poster from the board, thankful that someone had half covered it with an announcement flyer.

An hour later Thomas was once again pulling into the hotel parking lot and making his way inside. Stopping at one of the local restaurants he had ordered something for both himself and for Bella. If she wasn't awake yet, he was hoping that if she woke sometime during the night she would be hungry.

Thomas made sure to stop at the front desk and let the clerk know that he was back, and that he needed a wake up call at ten in the morning so they wouldn't miss their return flight. Once on the second floor Thomas walked past his door and stopped at Bella's, slowly slipping the key into the lock he peered inside her room, it was dark since the shades were drawn which meant she still must be sleeping. Walking over to the small microwave Thomas placed her take out containers in and wrote her a note that there was food inside and that if she needed anything to knock on the door.

After eating his meal, Thomas placed another call to the Cullens this time though Alice picked up the phone. Before he could even speak she was shooting off questions left and right. She couldn't see him at all while he was driving and she had been freaked out enough to begin making arrangements of her own to come to Port Angeles. When Thomas told her what had happened there was dead silence on her end of the phone.

"Alice" Thomas whispered into the phone.

"I'm here, it's just…. He hasn't given up looking for her."

"No I don't think he has."

"Do you think he is going to call you tonight, get in touch with you? What are you going to say to him?"

"I don't really know, I hadn't really thought that far ahead, I just wanted to see for myself that he was happy and okay and hopefully tell Bella. She didn't handle today well; I'm a bit worried about her."

"I am too, but you will be home tomorrow and maybe she'll snap out of it?"

"I hope so, listen Alice I don't mean to run you off but I haven't had a shower since we arrived and I'm pretty tired as well I think I am just going to go to sleep. We'll be on the twelve o'clock flight out."

"Night" Alice said and with a click all he heard was the dial tone.

Thomas was roused out of his sleep, smacking the alarm clock near his head he frowned when he realized it wasn't the alarm clock that was making the noise. The clock was blaring one twenty-two a.m. Thomas heard the noise again and realized it was a knock coming from the door that joined his and Bella's rooms. Throwing the covers off himself he quickly unlocked the door and pulled it open.

Bella stood in the same clothes she had on earlier, but he noticed her hair was flat on the side of her head, her eyes red and puffy.

"Are you ok Bella, is there something I can get for you?"

She shook her head and walked past him into his room. Sitting on the edge of the untouched bed Bella looked up at Thomas and told him that she was fine.

Worry creased his brow as he made his way back to her. When he knelt down in front of her, her eyes met his and more tears spilled over her cheeks. Standing, Thomas walked to the kitchenette in his room. Pulling the paper towels off the roll he made his way back to Bella and handed them to her. The second the paper touched her cheek everything from that day poured out of her. The entire conversation with Jake's girlfriend, and her feelings about the whole situation, she told Thomas that she didn't really know what she was feeling that it was just one big jumbled mess. She knew she was happy that Jake had found someone and moved on and that her kids were happy, but at the same time she still loved him and her kids and the thought of someone else living the life she should have been living all along broke her heart.

As Bella sat sobbing Thomas didn't really know what to do, he wanted to be able to comfort her and tell her that what she was feeling was normal and that it would work out some how, but he also knew that their past was a rocky one and that Bella still wasn't really comfortable around him. When Bella asked him to hold her he froze, and when she walked over to him and hugged him herself he wrapped his arms around her and comforted her.

The comforting then turned to Bella asking questions of her own. And they were questions that Thomas really didn't want to answer, though he knew that he would answer her, if only because Bella had already told him things about her past and it seemed right for him to do the same.

When she asked him why he came back to the Cullens after Mexico he too had tears in his eyes. He told her the story of him going home to Seattle, how it seemed that in the years he had been away what little family he had didn't want anything to do with him anymore. How they thought he had walked out on his newly pregnant wife, whom he told Bella he found out was killed in a freak accident; Thomas knew without a doubt that the so-called accident had been orchestrated by none other than Victoria's own hand. She had taken everything from him, and what she didn't take was ruined. Thomas didn't know the Cullens that much but he knew just from the small amount of time that he had spent with them that they were nice and that he could trust them, so he stayed.

By the time Thomas was done telling Bella about himself he looked at the clock realizing that it was nearing four a.m. When he told Bella they should sleep she sunk down in the bed and asked him if she could sleep with him. When he moved to get out of the bed she pulled him to her side looking him in the eyes and she asked him to stay. So he did.

As Thomas lay looking at the ceiling he couldn't really tell if Bella was sleeping or not but he suspected that she wasn't, it was confirmed when she rolled from her back onto her side, and his body tensed when her hand landed on his stomach. Looking over at Bella he could see a longing in her eyes and it made him feel uncomfortable. Sure in the beginning before the hell with Victoria Thomas had thought Bella was attractive and in all reality he still did, but he knew what the look from her was about and she was giving him that look for all the wrong reasons.

When his hand slid down to hers he began to lift it off and Bella whispered 'Please' in a broken voice; he shifted to look at her. Both laying on their sides looking into each others eyes, they knew what they were doing, it wasn't right that they were about to do it, but they both had holes in their heart, him for his family and she for hers and they both wanted something to fill those holes even if it was just for a night.

Thomas moved his hand slowly up the bed between them; he tentatively cupped her cheek while staring into her eyes searching for any indication that she was forcing herself not to flinch back at his hand. There wasn't, and so while keeping his eyes open he slowly scooted closer to her, as his face grew near hers he watched as her lids fluttered closed. Ever so lightly he brushed his lips against hers. They were warm unlike the rest of her body which was now shivering with cold yet they as soft as he thought they might be. When he began to draw away he felt her hand slip into the hair on the back of his head and draw him back in to her. This time, she deepened the kiss. He didn't want to push her, but once her tongue swiped his lower lip, he opened his mouth.

With slow gentle strokes their tongues caressed one another, and he felt Bella shift closer to him. Her leg lifted when she shifted over, and he let his leg slip between hers, his knee rubbing her warmth. When she gasped into his mouth he once again began to pull back. Her fingers tightened in his hair and he heard her whisper to him to stay.

When he shifted closer to her his knee rubbed her again and Bella thought she was going to come undone. It had been nearly nine years since she had done anything like this with anyone before the babies, and the only person she had shared moments like this with had been with Jake. But she knew those moments would never come again, and she knew making love with Thomas wasn't going to heal her breaking heart. But Jake was moving on and he was happy, so why couldn't she be happy too, if even just for a little while?

Bella's hands moved to the hem of the white night shirt he was wearing and slowly began to pull it up, she let her pinky finger run the length of him, but only the side of his stomach and along his ribs, keeping their lips connected Thomas sat them both up so that Bella could remove his shirt. When the shirt was at his neck their lips parted and she pulled it the rest of the way off letting it fall on the bed behind him. She wanted to see him.

Other than the pack, and once Edward, she had never fully taken in a man. When she pulled back her eyes widened with shock, and an 'Oh my god' fell from her mouth along with a sad cry. There, running from his left shoulder blade down to his right hip bone, were four sliver scars. Thomas's chest was heaving as Bella's hand slowly reached towards him. When her fingers were placed over the scars he felt the heat of her touch and Bella felt the cold coming of them, "Victoria," dripped from her lips, venom lacing her tone.

Looking up at Thomas's eyes she saw that he wasn't looking at her but his head was back and he was biting his lip. When she said it again he nodded at her. Bella pushed Thomas back on to the bed still lying beside him; she slowly ran her fingers down and back up the scars that his torso held. Bella felt so guilty for him being dragged into this, for losing his family, and now, seeing that Victoria had done terrible things to not only her and Edward, but to others as well. Leaning over she began placing open mouth kisses along those scars, starting at his pecs and slowly making her way down, kissing in a zigzag pattern from scar to scar. When her hair fell over her shoulder and brushed against his flat stomach Bella could see it jump, and then suck in as he held his breath. Finally at his hip bone she kissed one last time and straddled him.

Sitting on his thighs it allowed him to raise to a sitting position, his hands slowly working the buttons on her shirt. When the last button was open Thomas moved both of his hands up at once and slipped his fingers into her bra straps and began lowering both of them down past her chest. It was slow and Bella almost felt tortured again, but at the same time she knew he was being careful for her and it warmed her to know that he cared that much. When the straps and shirt met the back of her arms she lifted both at the same time slipping out of the bra and shirt at once. The shirt pooled around her butt and she could feel it on the backs of her feet. Moving his hand slowly around her back he locked eyes with Bella and when he didn't see any sign of protest he twisted his fingers and the two tiny snaps on the back freed her breasts letting the bra fall between them.

A flash of heat ran up Bella's body so quick that she rotated her hips on his thighs and sighed, was it weird that she felt free?

Her head dropped back and a cry of pleasure escaped her lips when his warm mouth wrapped around one of her hardening nipples. He slowly swirled his tongue around the nipple while cupping her other breast within his palm. His skin wasn't as hot as Jake's and his hand wasn't big enough to completely swallow her small breast but it felt wonderful just the same. When his hand and mouth switched positions she let out another cry, and pushed her chest into him. She couldn't feel the smug smile on his face that she surely would have gotten from Jake and it almost hurt, but this wasn't Jake, and while Jake had no reason at the time to not be playful and cocky Thomas did.

Cupping her butt Thomas rolled forward laying Bella on her back with her head at the foot of the bed. He was hovering over her now dropping kisses to each of her breasts and down the center of her stomach. When he reached her belly button he let his tongue dip in and tasted her. He kissed along the band of her jeans and sat back on his heels slowly popping the button and then lowering the zipper. Looking at Bella's eyes again she smiled just so and he hooked his fingers into her jeans and panties and lowered them at the same time. Bella was wiggling against the tight jeans she was wearing and Thomas was backing closer to the headboard in order to get them off, when they were to her ankles he took each foot in his hand and worked the tight jeans around her feet.

Once the jeans were on the floor he moved quicker toward her and let his hips grind into her moist center, he could feel her heat and wetness through his boxers and she groaned at the contact. When Thomas moved forward his covered tip brushed right across her center causing his boxers to cling to his head from her wetness and his own. He then slowly bent back over meeting her half way to kiss her, as she lifted Bella began pushing his boxers down. When his erection sprung free from the confines of his boxers she stared down at him with wide eyes, he looked nothing like Jake. While he nearly could match him in length his girth was not nearly as big. Bella looked back at Thomas who was watching her intently each of them speaking the same words simultaneously.

"It's been a long time."

Smiling in unison Bella dropped back on to the bed while Thomas dropped down on top her their chests finally meeting, he could feel her nipples pressing into his chest and she could feel the cold from his scars on her belly. With a shift of his hips Thomas's burning head was at her tight center, and with yet another slow shift he was slowly slipping into her wetness. Bella pressed her head into the bed arching her body to him at the same time, growing tense. Thomas stopped letting her body get used to the feel of him and allowed himself to calm down enough to be able to continue. When the tension left her body and she arched again causing him to slip further into her he met her and with a slow long stroke he was fully sheathed inside her.

Looking at her face Bella was biting her lip, her eyebrows furrowing with every push in and then relaxing with every pull out. It wasn't long before Thomas lifted her hip so the angle changed and her nub was now making contact with his pelvis when their bodies would come together. Not long after, Bella was whispering that she was coming and when her already tight body clamped down on him he followed soon after. Letting his weight fall onto her softly so as to roll off her without crushing her, he stopped when she held him there and asked him to stay once again. Shifting his legs forward, he put weight on his knees so that he could look down at her, and he nodded to tell her that he would.

The ringing of a telephone woke Bella, when she tried to shift to her side she couldn't, when she looked down her body she noticed that Thomas's head was resting just under her breasts and his arms were wrapped around the small of her back pinning her in place. Thankfully all she had to do was reach out, the tips of her fingers made contact with the receiver of the phone and she carefully but quickly picked it up before it could ring again.

It was an automated voice telling her it was the ten o'clock wake up call. Placing the receiver back onto the phone Bella let her hands rest on the back of Thomas's head who was still sleeping deeply, running her fingers through his hair she thought about what had happened last night, and frowned. In the midst of their need for closeness and warmth they hadn't used protection. Bella wasn't really worried about getting pregnant at this point it seemed after all of these years her body was never really regular or close to being regular…. No what she wondered, was how many women he had slept with before he had slept with her.

The phone ringing again broke her from that thought. Looking at the clock it had been five minutes, probably another wake up call. Doing the same as before Bella picked the receiver up and put it to her ear; on instinct she answered in a raspy voice "Hello?"

The voice that flowed through the line stopped Bella's blood cold, and cut the air coming into her body. "This is Chief Swan, I was given this number by an officer of mine the other day. Is this John Moore?"

A chocking sound escaped Bella's mouth. Slapping her hand around it so that nothing would come out she could feel Thomas stirring, and when his eyes met hers he was smiling but that quickly diminished when he noticed the look of horror on her face. Scrambling up Bella's body he quickly took the phone from her and hopped to a sitting position on the side of the bed.

"I'm sorry this is Mr. Moore, come again?"

Bella flung herself over his back pulling the phone far enough from his ear so she could hear her father's voice.

"This is Chief Swan. One of my officers, Paul Meraz" upon hearing the name Bella gasped again, "gave me this number when I got in last night. I'm sorry for not calling sooner I didn't want to disturb your evening."

"Right, that's right did you have luck fishing yesterday, Chief Swan?" Bella's fingernails dug into Thomas's rib and he looked at her, she was shaking her head to the side and making a hang up motion with her hands. With a curt shake of his head Thomas turned back to the phone.

"We did!" Charlie replied; Bella could hear the excitement in his voice, and she sagged against Thomas's back a little. "Billy and I caught more fish than we have in a long time. My fiancée wasn't thrilled with the catch, she's got a lot of cleaning to do today."

Thomas turned to look at Bella over his shoulder once again and she was smiling but tears were running down her cheeks. Holding his hand over the receiver Thomas mouthed 'Are you okay?', and Bella nodded, excitement was in her eyes and she moved her hand in an encouraging motion for him to continue speaking.

"That's nice to hear Chief I know it is strange, and I'm not sure if Officer Meraz told you the reason for my visit."

Bella could hear rustling over the phone and a woman humming in the background- the fiancée, she wondered who the woman was.

"He told me Renee sent you this way, something about good fishing in the area while you are in town, if you'd like you could come out with me again this afternoon. My grandson was upset that we didn't take him along and told me I had to take him out on the lake."

Thomas could feel Bella's heart slamming into her chest at the mention of her son, not even bothering to look her way knowing what he would see Thomas drew in a deep breath and spoke again. "Well that would be nice, Chief Swan, but an emergency came up back home and I'm afraid I have to leave this afternoon. It would have been nice to be able to get some fishing in while I was on this trip though." Bella's weight moved off his back as he spoke, he still didn't look at her as she slid over to the other side of the bed.

Watching Thomas as he shook his head up and down, and then placed the receiver onto the base, he turned slowly and noticed that she had the cover drawn up and tucked under her arms, her head was hung low and he could see the stains of her tears on the fabric.

Scooting across the bed he touched Bella's arm and she stilled. It wasn't a good sign. "I'm sorry, Bella, when you fell asleep yesterday I wanted to make sure that he was okay even though you couldn't go to him."

Throwing the cover to the side without a word Bella faced the wall. Bending at the knee she stood and began redressing, when she was fighting her way back into her jeans the shirt now completely done up she turned and made her way back to the door. Thomas raised his hand to grab on to her arm as she passed but then he thought better and dropped it.

With her hand on the handle Bella looked back at him, and her voice was cold as she said, "Our flight is leaving soon, and I don't want to miss it."

Before he could answer the door closed and he was alone again. He could hear Bella slamming drawers in her room, now, no doubt in her haste to get out of there. He too packed his bags.

Hours later as the plane touched down on the small airstrip he could see the Black BMW waiting for them. Bella hadn't said one word to him since the hotel, not one, she wouldn't so much as look in his direction, and she had put on huge glasses that Alice had given her to cover her puffy eyes.

Once the trunks were loaded and Thomas had slipped into the back seat of the car, Alice's dark golden eyes met his in the rear-view mirror. While taking a breath, he shook his head to the side, then stared out the window. As soon as the car stopped Bella jumped out and made her way around the back of the house no doubt running back to her home in the guest room. All of the Cullens had gathered on the front porch to welcome them back, and the sight of Bella being upset drew Emmett out into the yard. He tensed, when he caught the smell of Bella, along with the musty smell of sex on Thomas, and his eyes narrowed dangerously as he turned to Thomas cowering behind them. Backing up out of fear, Thomas was saved when Jasper stood next to Emmett, murmuring words too low for Thomas to discern but enough to curb Emmett's anger and deter him from ripping Thomas to pieces. With a nod of his head, Emmett turned from the rest of them, and walked away.

Once in the house, Thomas told the Cullens that he was going to shower and then sleep; it had been a long trip, he'd said, but before he even got to his room Alice was hot on his heels. Despite seeing most of it in one her visions, she still wanted to know what had happened between him and Bella. With a scolding look in his direction, she rubbed his back when she saw the sorrow there. Following him into his room she sat and listened to the story, or as much of it as he knew and could tell her.

As he was walking toward the bathroom he stilled, when Alice told him that she would forgive him, and when he turned to look at her she tapped her temple, smiled, and then danced out of the room.

A few things; The Cullen's had lived in California for four years when Charlie found them, it wasn't long after the talk that he and Jake had in the last chapter. Six years total had passed when Emmett and Rose stole the pictures from Renee. This chapter is eight years total that Bella has been gone. I know what some of you must be thinking about Bella too. I was iffy on writting it like that but it was either Thomas or... someone else. It's been eight years and she just saw Jake and his imprint, she knows that he is happy and moving on and realizes that's for the best. So she tries to move on too.

Oh and please don't throw things or beat me BUT, next chapter is not going to be the reunion. My reason, this chapter really got away with me. The plan was for this chapter to lead right into the reunion; I already have 7 pages of the next chapter done and we are just getting there... don't hate me *hides under the desk*