The clouds never broke, even as the day turned to night, the thunder and rain continued. Carlisle, Esme and Alice had left on a hunting trip, leaving the rest of the Cullens and Jacob's pack to keep a watch over Bella. Jacob preferred to stay upstairs, waiting outside Carlisle's office where Elle was being kept for observation. While Carlisle was away, Edward had been asked to check on her every few hours. Jacob kept an eye out every time Edward rushed upstairs and down again, but every time he left with a quick shake of his head. Elle wasn't ready to talk yet.

Jacob sighed heavily and got up, he'd been sitting for hours, and walked slowly down stairs. Bella was awake, her legs dangling over the edge of the lounge, her head in Edward's lap. Rosalie was hovering between the kitchen and the living room, getting Bella more cups of blood when she asked for it. Jacob tried to swallow the vomit that kept coming to his mouth at the thought of it. As if on cue, Bella glanced up and spotted Jacob, her face lighting up.

"Jake! Come over here, come talk to me." Bella said, her grin wide and cheerful. Jacob shot a quick look at Edward, who nodded once without taking his eyes off Bella's face. Jacob shrugged and walked over, sitting himself by Bella's feet.

"I didn't think you would come, even though Seth and Edward said you would. I didn't believe them."

"Why not?" Jacob asked gruffly.

"Because your unhappy here. I know you're worried about everything else, too…but you came anyway."

"You wanted me here." Jacob answered, not wanting to get into why he really came downstairs.

"I know, but you didn't have to come. It's not fair for me to want you here. I would have understood if you didn't."

It was quiet for a minute. Rosalie flipped through channels on the TV while Edward kept his face blank.

"Can I ask you something?" Jacob asked quietly, glancing over at Bella who took a steady sip from her cup.

"Of course."

Edward was staring fixedly at the TV, trying to act like he wasn't listening to their conversation.

"Why do you want me here? Seth can keep you warm and he's probably easier to be around right now. But when I walk through the door, you smile like I'm your favourite person in the world."

"You're one of them." Bella replied.

"Why, though? You didn't answer that."

"It feels…complete when you're here. Like all my family is together. It's nice. But it's just not whole without you here."

"I'll never be part of your family, Bella." Jacob grumbled.

"You've always been a part of my family," she disagreed.

"That's a crap answer."

Bella stayed silent for a moment, her face scrunched up. After a few seconds he face relaxed, and she started snoring lightly. Edward sighed. "It's been a long day for her, she's exhausted. She would have fallen asleep earlier but she was waiting for you."

Jacob wouldn't meet his gaze. "Right, well next time she gets cold just call Seth in, alright?"

Edward nodded curtly, pulling a blanket over Bella as Jacob stood to leave. He decided to take over patrol of Leah, so she could have some sleep. It didn't seem like Elle was going to talk to him anytime soon. He trudged down the front steps, not caring that his clothes soaked through from the rain within seconds. He took them off and folded them beneath a tree that was relatively dry, letting heat run down his spine until he phased to wolf form.

Hey Jake! Seth said happily, he at least still had some energy left in him. Leah was slightly less eager.

Leah, I'll take over so you can get some rest, okay?

Sure. No problem.

Leah walked away, Jacob felt her phase as she hit the edge of the trees. Jacob set off around the track they had marked into the ground, the dirt had turned into slush because of the non-stop rain, making it slippery. Jacob tried not to think as he ran, but to no avail. As thoughts rushed through his brain, Seth watched on in silence, keeping his head down through the pouring rain.

How's Elle doing? Seth asked after a while, replaying images that he'd seen through Jacob's thoughts.

Fine, she hasn't really said much so far…not to me anyway.

Seth heard the frustration and worry in his head. It'll be alright, Jake. She's probably just getting rest like Carlisle said. She went through a lot.

More than you know, kid. An unwanted image of the ultrasound revealed more than Jacob had wanted Seth to know.

Elle's PREGNANT! Why didn't you say something, Jake!

Because it's none of your business, Seth. You won't be telling Leah either, not until I talk to Elle.

Sure, Jake. No problem.

They ran the perimeter until the rain had stopped in the early hours of the next morning. Seth had taken a short nap while Jacob ran alone, thankful for the peace and quiet.