Hey guys

Well, first of all I have to apologize for this very late update! You guys don't deserve it, and I'm really sorry I kept you waiting.

Also, i really struggled with righting this chapter. I felt like there were a of emotions that needed to be depicted, and I hope I did that.

Again, thank you muchly for all the great, supportive reviews! :D And, yes, I know muchly is not a word x)

Well, here the chapter is then, enjoy! ;)

Disclaimer: I don't own any of SM's characters/plots, except for the plot I have created off hers. But yeah, I don't own most of it ;)

Chapter 14: Polar Opposites

Using my instincts rather than my vision, I made my way to my apartment door.

"Hey Bells." I almost dropped my bouquet out of fright.

The person's- who I didn't know had been standing there- voice was awfully familiar. Oh, Crap.

I leant down to place my bouquets safely on the ground, all the while silently praying.Please, please God, please, not…

And then I took a deep breath, stood up, turned around and came face to face with someone who I hadn't seen in averylong time.

Jacob.

EPOV

The sun had almost completely set when Carlisle and Esme's house came into view, the air cooling down as the moon began to shine through the cover of clouds that had formed.

Jasper rolled his eyes at me when I walked into the house, shaking his head and chuckling disbelievingly from where he sat on the couch.

Back already?

I sighed, flopping down onto the couch parallel to him, "I'm only a couple of hours early," I said defensively, and Jasper simply chuckled again.

Oh, by the way, he thought a moment later, Alice saw that you would be home early. She's at Rose's studio; she wants you to relax. She said that she'd call you if anything came up, you know, with Bella.

"Thanks," I said, smiling lightly. Jasper was about to say something else, but was interrupted by an adorable, familiar giggle coming from the kitchen. For the first time, I acknowledged the mixed smell of human scent and something utterly repulsive- peanut butter? - wafting through to the room.

I flitted towards the kitchen, and stopped at the doorway, smiling.

Esme was in the kitchen, leaning against the breakfast counter, and watching happily as Jenny and Ben took turns mixing what must have been cookie dough in a bowl. They had made a mess of the island, but my selfless mother didn't seem to mind at all- and I could understand why. It was clear how quickly she had become attached to Bella's children, just like I had.

Esme looked up at me and waved me in, "Come on in, Edward."

Ben's head shot up at my name, and he grinned at me. Jenny looked up and smiled, too.

I was always reminded so much of Bella when I looked her children's eyes. They were the same, gorgeous, deep brown as hers.

"Hey guys," I strolled into the kitchen, "What are you cooking?"

"Peanut Tubber cookies," Ben announced proudly, and I chuckled at his nickname.

"Bella came over earlier to fetch them," Esme told me, "But they wanted to stay a little longer."

I nodded, surprised, and couldn't help wishing, petulantly, that I had returned earlier.

Esme laughed lightly at my wistful expression.

I stood there for a few minutes, chatting to my mother and the kids, watching fondly as the squealed delightedly over Esme's cooking lessons, before heading out of the room again.

Emmett was sat in front of the flat screen, the Mariners game showing. Surprise, surprise.

"Oh hey, man," Emmett said when he noticed me, "Back so quickly?"

I rolled my eyes, "It's not that early, Emmett."

He chuckled deeply, amused, "Sure, sure. Don't you think it's kind of pointless, you hurrying back so that you can stroll around the house?"

I sighed, and flopped down onto the couch next to him, ignoring his question.

Of course, Emmett was right. Despite my luck that day with finding some mountain lions, I had found it hard to stay so far away from town. A certain brown-haired beauty kept taking over my thoughts, and I had found myself running back soon enough. Especially after remembering Alice's uncertainty for Bella's future. What if something were to happen to her, and I was miles away?

Of course, now that I was back in Seattle, and only a relatively short drive away from Bella's apartment, it was tempting to simply go back now, even though I was only expected a few hours later into the evening. I did live in the same building, after all.

"WOO! Score for us!" Edward's booming cheer made me jump up.

He laughed, "Woah! I caught the mind reader by surprise- there's a first."

"Emmett, shut it. There are humans in this house, whose ears most probably cannot take that sort of noise," I muttered.

Emmett grumbled something about my need to 'chill', but didn't get a chance to say anything else, as I felt my phone start to vibrate in my pocket.

I whipped it out, flitting out of the room at the same time, and felt my stomach drop when I saw who the caller was. Alice. Jasper's message earlier from her suddenly rung loud and clear in my ears.

She said that she'd call you if anything came up, regarding Bella.

What if something had gone terribly wrong? Was Bella in danger?

I took a quick breath, and pressed the answer button.

"Alice? Is everything alright?"

"Edward," Alice's voice was odd, it sounded like she was nervous, but was trying- and failing- to sound calm.

"What is it?" I said urgently, "Is Bella ok?"

There was a deep pause of suspense before her voice came back on the line, "She's…" Alice hesitated, "I can't see her anymore, Edward. It's probably nothing, like all the other times, but… Just check on her, please!" She begged.

I was already in my Volvo, the car purring to life, "I'm on my way over there," I assured her, before hanging up, not waiting for a reply. I sped out of the driveway, and pulled onto the highway. A small, fading voice in the back of my mind told me that I was overreacting- and also reminded me that Bella's children were still at the house- but my wild, troubled worries that Bella's future could be on the line overrode all other thoughts.

I was pulling into the parking lot to our building in record time, and because there were other people there, I was forced to walk at a tantalizingly slow pace for show.

The elevator was empty, and thankfully Bella's floor was too. I flitted out of it and towards her door, freezing for a long second as a series of things registered through me.

I could smell Bella's strong, burning yet healthy scent, and for a split second that relieved all of my tension.

But then a voice registered through my ears and mind, and I froze.

A male's voice, "…And the times have changed-"

"Jake… please let go." Bella's voice was high pitched, pleading.

Jake?

Jacob.

Werewolf.

No.

I ripped open the door, growls erupting, and burst into the room.

BPOV

"This place is nice, Bells," Jacob commented as he strolled around my apartment, "Yeah, great space… very open."

I sighed, frustrated, and leaned against the side wall, my arms crossed. I was still completely baffled as to what the hell Jacob was doing, here in Seattle, showing up out of the blue.

After I had gotten over my initial shock of Jake's appearance, I had demanded Jake what he was doing here. Of course, he couldn't have just answered me straight out then. Instead he had insisted that I let him into the apartment, and what other choice did I have but to grudgingly oblige? Jake clearly hadn't changed as much mentally as he had physically- although I was still finding it hard to wrap my mind around the fact that he had managed to grow even more and was god knows how many heads taller than me now.

Jake turned to look at me from where he had been standing at the window, "What?" His tone had that irritating what did I do? Ring to it, but despite my annoyance, I couldn't deny that the deep gravel to his voice, and the way his brow furrowed - and simply his Jacobiness- brought back a thousand memories from all those years ago back in Forks, and the contrasting happiness he had brought to the hole that had been in my chest…

"Bella?"

He was standing in front of me now, his tone softer, and bringing me out of my thoughts, "How have you been?"

I had to grit my teeth and hold back the lump in my throat. There were so many things that he didn't know, some that he should have, simply because I owed it to him, but I couldn't form an articulate response.

I have an abusing husband, whom I've run away from with my children. I've basically cheated on him with another man- or vampire; who happens to be Edward Cullen, one of the bunch of vampires whom you hate.

Of course, none of these were exactly good icebreakers. And I certainly wasn't looking forward to Jake's reaction when- if- the words came out. Maybe he could leave without knowing…

I suddenly glanced at my watch, and was struck with panic. It was still relatively early in the evening, and Edward wasn't due back for a good few hours longer, but knowing Edward like I did, I wouldn't be surprised if she showed up earlier than when he was due.

And I was fairly sure Jacob's feelings about Edward leaving me had not changed, and boy did I know about Edward's feelings towards me hanging around a werewolf. They could not meet.

I suddenly realized that Jacob was still waiting for me to say something.

I took a deep breath before ignoring his question and asking my own, "Jake, what are you doing here?"

He paused for a moment before responding, "Can't I visit you, Bells?"

I threw my hands up in exasperation. "Sure, Jake, sure!" I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm, "It's been five freaking years with no contact, but oh! Apparently it makes sense for you to show up, out of the blue, -freakishly knowing where I live- expecting everything to be goddamn bliss, not to mention that I might be a bit confused, to put it lightly, that you would show up at all after the way you left things-"

"Hold up." Jake put his hot hands down on my shoulders, his eyes turning determined. He was shaking slightly, but I could tell that he was trying to keep calm. Suddenly I saw Edward's face in my mind, and I internally reminded myself not to push Jacob, because despite how much I used to trust him, he was still a werewolf. Even if he wasn't a young one, now, anyway.

"Bella, calm down," Jake ordered, and he loosened his grip on me, his eyes turning hard, "I know it's been a long time, and God it's so good to see you, but you have to understand, I've been worried about you. You didn't let me talk to you a few days ago when I tried to call you! What other choice did I have but to come and find you here in Seattle?"

I opened my mouth to say something, but he held up a finger and continued, "And, Bella, I'm not just here to pay you a visit, I'm here for Charlie as well. He wanted to come with me, but he had a huge shift coming up for him, said something about it being a real turn in his career or... Anyway, so he couldn't make it. But he misses you Bells," the hard façade that he had built up broke down, his eyes softening completely, pleading, "We all miss you."

Fantastic. Now he was trying to guilt-trip me. I opened my mouth, but again, he interrupted me, "I know Bella! I know that I made huge mistakes back in Forks, that I pushed you too much, but please. Please try and get where I'm coming from. It's been years, and you're married, and have kids, and the times have changed-"

Heck yeah they've changed. Just a hell of a lot more than you're aware of, I wanted to yell at Jacob. Of course, I couldn't go into that now.

I tried to pull myself out of Jake's grasp, but his hold only tightened, "Jake… please let go." Even I could hear the whiny ring my voice took on.

Jacob didn't respond at all.

I only heard the sharp intake of his breath, a millisecond second before loud, furious growls erupted into the room, that I instantly recognized as Edward's.

I only had time to turn halfway towards the door before I felt his cold hands firmly grasp my arms; and suddenly I was standing on the complete opposite side of the room, Edward standing in front of me with his arms spread out in a protective stance.

All this happened in a couple of seconds, and I felt slightly disoriented by the sudden movement and turn of events that it took me a moment to register anything else.

I stepped forward; placing my hands on Edward's back and tried to peek around him. He was still growling, and I tried to calm him down "Edward. Edward, calm down! It's ok."

At first it appeared that Edward had not acknowledged my words at all, but a moment later he turned his head- keeping his position- and his furious expression faltered momentarily to one of anxiousness. "Are you ok?"

I sighed, "I'm fine, really. It's ok, you can relax." He relaxed slightly when he saw that I really was fine, but his posture was still tense.

I felt my stomach drop as I remembered Jake, and I took that moment to look around Edward, "Jake, it's o… "I trailed off in alarm when I properly acknowledged Jacob for the first time since Edward had made his appearance. He was shaking furiously, his hands quivering at his head, his expression wild, yet etched with anger and confusion at the same time.

"Jake, are you ok?" I tried to step towards him, but Edward caught me at my waist and pulled me straight back behind him.

"Don't, Bella," He warned me, "He'll hurt you, and he's not stable."

Jacob's expression changed at Edward's words, and was now one of disgust and determination. Slowly, the shaking in his body began to die down, and I could see how hard it was to control his instinct, despite his obvious progress earlier.

"What the hell are you doing here?" He spat, glaring daggers at Edward. His eyes momentarily moved to meet mine in question, but moved straight back to Edward.

Edward's response was equally as icy, although he seemed to manage his composure slightly better, "I could ask you the same thing." I couldn't see his eyes, but his voice told me that they would have hardened and turned to dark shade of anger.

Jacob huffed, but no one said anything more, and a tens silence filled the room. I wondered worriedly what Edward was hearing in Jacob's mind at that moment.

Eventually, Jake turned his eyes to me. "Bells, you owe me one heck of an explanation. Now."

*********

An hour later, Jacob knew everything.

Edward had grudgingly agreed to let me explain everything that had happened over the past couple of weeks to Jacob, but he downright refused to leave me alone in the room, and I didn't argue with him about that- I knew it wasn't fair to ask too much of him. I could tell how uncomfortable he was, having me so close to Jake, with only the coffee couch in between the two sofas separating Jacob from us. Edward had stayed at my side, keeping his hold firmly on me the entire time I spoke. At the beginning, I had had some trouble getting hold of Jake's full attention; he had been too busy having a glaring contest with Edward.

When I had finally managed to get his attention, I told him as much as I thought was relevant, starting with Jack's abuse- which had taken a long time to get past, due to both Jacob's and Edward's fuming- all the way to meeting Edward and everything that had happened, minus the details in certain places. I had tried my very best to explain to Jacob how Edward had never meant to hurt me but he wasn't having any of it. He was fuming, and I could see in his eyes, with a jolt of irrational guilt, that he felt betrayed, too. Edward had remained quiet for the most of it, simply expressing his feelings by shooting death glares at Jake.

"Bella, have you forgotten what he did to you?" Jacob demanded, and I hadn't missed the pain that had shot across Edward's features. I felt annoyed towards Jake, especially since he was acting although Edward was not there at all.

"No, Jacob, I haven't. But Edward and I have already discussed this. I don't deny that what he did hurt me-" I squeezed Edward's hand gently,"- but I've forgiven him. He just wanted me to be happy in the end, Jake!"

"You could have been happy with me," He pointed out, earning a growl from Edward.

That was my breaking point, "Really, Jake? Have you forgotten how you ended our friendship, all those years ago? I admit, I was a nutcase, but you screwed up too! I'm sorry Jake, but Edward is a part of my life. You mentioned earlier that you wanted to be friends again, but if you can't accept this, then how can we? Trust me, Jake; I have enough on my plate to handle, as it is!"

"You're right. You do. Screwing someone else behind your husband's back is never good, Bells. What kind of mother are you?" I gasped at the implications as the pain rushed through me at Jake's words.

Of course, I knew that Edward would not let that comment slip, and suddenly he was up on his feet, towering over Jacob, his fists clenched, "Don't." His velvety voice was calm, which surprisingly made him seem more threatening and deadly, "Don't. Bella is a wonderful mother, and only tries her best. You may know the story, Black, but you can't imagine how hard these past couple of weeks have been for her. You are in no position to judge either, so if I were you, I would watch it."

Jacob stared at Edward with narrowed eyes for a moment, before he turned his eyes on me, "Sorry Bells. I still don't get this thing with you and Cullen, but I didn't mean to call you a bad mother. Sorry. Really." I was surprised that he would give in so easily in front of Edward, but I forgave him nonetheless. I knew this was hard for him, without having to control his anger as well.

Edward returned to his seat by my side, his jaw still taut.

I sighed, and turned back to Jake, "Well… Jake, that's it. There you go; you have your story, your explanation." The look that crossed his face then instantly made me suspicious, but I stayed quiet.

"Yea… I guess…" He hesitated.

"Was there anything else you wanted?" I prompted.

"You just gonna kick me out of your apartment?" He avoided my question.

"NO!" I didn't get a chance to reply, because Edward's sudden outburst interrupted me, making me jump.

"Edward?" I asked a moment later. He was holding on to me tightly, yet his glare was fixed on Jacob, who had a calm, determined look on his face, now.

"No, Black. You manipulative mongrel!" Edward seethed.

I was completely baffled. "What's going on?" I demanded above Edwards deep growls.

Jake sighed, "Listen Bella, don't be mad, and don't say no immediately, I just want you to hear me out…"

"Spit it out, Jake."

He raised an eyebrow at me for a long moment, before crossing his arms decisively and speaking.

"I didn't take Edward as a factor in this, but too bad."

Annoyingly, he paused again, and took a deep breath.

"Bella, you're coming back to Forks with me. Alone."

So what did you think about Jake? Did I get his... Jacob-y personality right? x)

Btw, I reeeealllly wanted to call this chapter Fire and Ice, but I didn't think it would be original since SM wrote a chapter called that in Eclipse :P Speeeaking of, the Eclipse trailer is OUT!! yay! *happy dance* xD even though I thought it was a bit short, I loveeed it! :D yes, random, anyway. :)

I didn't really consider this a proper cliffy, so don't get mad xD

Okay, well, I'm going to go, and work on chapter 15! :D hehe. Also, I'm still working on the plot for my new story, so... :)

Please review!

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