I just want to give a HUGE thank you to all the readers and reviewers so far! I've reached 4k+ hits and 1k+ visitors! Super exciting and humbled by it all! And to think I started this all on a whim.. I love you guys!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned in this story. They all belong to Stephenie Meyer. I'm just using them for non-profitable entertainment usage. However, I do own my OCs mentioned in this chapter; Bailey and Kendra. :)

Chapter 19: Tomorrow

Days went by. Jacob wasn't sure how many; he'd lost his concept of time.

The hospital room was overflowing with goodies from everyone she knew. Fruit baskets and chocolate assortments littered the floors and spare bed. Large, colorful bouquets were all squeezed together on the windowsill, some on the floor as well. There were cards everywhere; even on the futon sofa Jacob had taken residence on.

He never left the room. Thankfully, there was a bathroom with all the accommodations he would need to stay tucked inside the room. Clothes and food had to be brought to him daily or else he wouldn't have gotten them at all. He hardly interacted with any visitors that came. He just stared and stared and prayed.

Bailey was hooked up to numerous monitors. She had an NG tube inserted through her nose, an IV in her arm, and many wires taped to her belly and chest. Machines bleeped constantly, and it annoyed Jacob terribly. He was paranoid and frightened; every sound the machines made alarmed him; he would always assume something would go wrong and he would lose Bailey forever. He couldn't handle it.

Although the heart monitor and the rise and fall of her chest assured him of her steady heartbeat, her unnatural stillness and pale complexion still made her look like death. He wished she would wake up soon. He was lonely and miserable, and all he truly wanted was to look into her cinnamon eyes and bask in the pink tint of her cheeks that looked even more vivid and lively during her pregnancy.

He could no longer feel awed at her growing belly or the twins inside her, now hooked up to machines to monitor their lives. The tiny lives of his children, the ones he felt he failed to protect and shield from any harm. The thought alone would haunt him forever, he was sure of it. There were no amount of words he could think of or express that would fully define just how sorrowful he was.. just how much he hated himself. And he secretly hoped she would hate him too because maybe, just maybe, he could feel better about himself.

Jacob would just have wait.. until she finally woke and released her wrath on him. Or so he hoped for. That's all he could bring himself to hope for.

It was all he thought he deserved.

Her throat burned something fierce, and Bailey nothing but nausea the moment she gained consciousness. Her vision was blurry, but she blinked the cloudiness away and found herself staring at a stark white ceiling. She felt slightly uncomfortable lying on her back, and the pressure made her restless.

She turned her head to the side and saw Jacob sleeping among a pile of cards and gift baskets. She opened her mouth to speak, only to snap it shut immediately. Talking hurt, and clearing her throat only worsened the burn. She whimpered, reaching an arm out to him in desperation. She stopped however, when a gentle hand settled on her shoulder.

"Now, now, sweetheart, we don't want to tear that IV out of your arm," a nurse said cordially. "Why don't you relax for a minute. It'll take a while to get your orientation back."

"Please," Bailey whispered. "He's my-"

"We know, sweetheart. He just got to sleep. I'll help you as to not disturb him," she replied.

Bailey gave one last forlorn glance at Jacob before nodding reluctantly. "My throat, it hurts. Can I have water?"

"I'll have to remove this first. You won't be needing it anymore," the woman replied, tapping Bailey's nose.

The nurse pushed a button that made the bed rise, moving Bailey into an upward position. She placed a long bib along Bailey's neck and put on latex gloves, removing the little pieces of tape. The nurse told her to take a deep breath, and she slowly pulled the tube. It felt unnatural, and Bailey gagged when the last of it was removed.

"I'll help you to the bathroom and and bring you a cold cup of water," the nurse said.

Bailey found herself off balance. Not only because of weakened leg muscles but also because she felt as though her center of gravity had suddenly shifted. She rubbed her belly, which she felt had also changed in size, and voiced this to the nurse.

"You've been out for a while, honey. It's been a week and two days, to be exact," she replied.

Bailey was stunned into silence.

"Are my.. are they..?"

"Your babies are perfectly healthy. You should know; it's a mom thing."

Bailey nodded, gazing down at her belly warmly. Of course they were fine; she new it all along. She could feel them. There was no reason to be worried. She would know it immediately.

When Bailey was finally left to herself in the bathroom, she stared at herself in the mirror. The shower was a bit small, but thankfully there was a small stool she could sit on for comfort. As the hot water pounded on her back and down her head, she stared at her reflection, the shower door left wide open.

Her skin was mottled with an array of bruises, already yellowing in some places. Red and purple blossomed across her left cheek. She could distinctively see the outline of hand marks on her skin, overlapping and criss-crossing. And for some reason, she felt nothing for them. Just indifference.

She emerged from the shower donning a loose pink sweatshirt and black leggings that came from a box signed by Alice in fancy script. Bailey couldn't help but notice there was an abundance of boxes from Alice in her room, all piled neatly in a corner.

"That girl has been in and out, twice a day bringing in boxes for you," the nurse said, shuffling in the room with a pitcher and a cup. "Sit, sweetie. I'll pour."

She sat at the small round table that was showered with candy assortments, pushing them aside to make room for her cup. "Thank you."

"No problem," the nurse said, pulling out a packet of saltine crackers. "We'll start you off with light snacks for now; get your tummy used to solids again."

With that, the nurse left Bailey to herself again. She didn't bother to question how long she would have to stay or what they planned on doing with her. She already accepted the fact that she might be stuck there for a while. It wasn't an issue with her.

She glanced back at Jacob. He was still sleeping in a strange position, snoring loudly. It was comforting to hear familiar sounds, although she wanted to hear his voice, feel his arms around her once again. She would be patient and let him have his rest; she'd already slept long enough.

Bailey nibbled at the corner of the cracker sheet, absentmindedly rubbing her stomach. That was how the pack came across her when they decided to make another visit.

"Bailey?!" Emily whispered in disbelief.

She looked up from reading the nutrition facts, raising a brow in surprise. "The whole gang's here," she mused.

And she was suddenly bombarded with a flurry of kisses and hugs and more gifts as she tried to usher them to a larger venue so Jacob could catch up on his z's.

"Auntie Bailey, your lap is getting smaller!" Claire exclaimed.

"Yes, sweetie; I'm making room for your little cousins to be born," Bailey said sweetly.

"Is that why your tummy looks like a basketball?" Claire asked.

"Mhmm, yes sweetheart."

"Mommy told me I came from a stark," Claire said wisely. "She said I was dropped of in a basket by the hospital."

Bailey kissed her forehead affectionately. "I'm glad the stark sent you to us."

"Mr. Stark-bird sent me cupcakes to tell you if you're having girls or boys," Claire announced excitedly.

"Oh, really?" Bailey asked with genuine surprise.

"The doctor told Jacob. Word travels," Emily whispered.

Bailey nodded. "I'd love a cupcake."

"Here, here, here!" Claire chanted, pulling out a white box from a bag.

Bailey carefully opened the box, where she saw clusters of thick white frosting and rainbow sprinkles. The cupcakes were slightly larger than the normal size, and the wrapper was black so she couldn't see the color of the cake. Claire bounced excitedly in her lap, clapping her hands in anticipation. She peeled back the wrapping slowly, waggling her brows teasingly at Claire.

"Oh my goodness," Bailey whispered, bringing her hand to her mouth as she eyed the blue dyed cake.

"Baby boys!" Claire blurted out.

Bailey stared speechless, her eyes watering.

"Y-You don't like boys?" Claire asked sorrily.

"Oh, no, no, sweetheart, of course I do," Bailey said in a watery voice. "I'm just sad I can't eat this cupcake all by myself. Won't you help me?"

"Yay!" Claire cheered.

She tossed the wrapper aside and they both bit into the blue cupcake. Icing was all over their mouths and the tips of their noses. They both pulled away, giggling at each others' frosted faces. That was when Jacob suddenly walked through the door.

Bailey and Jacob eyed each other silently, not even breathing. He suddenly took quick strides toward her, bending and cradling her face in his hands. His form completely obscured her in his shadow, effectively blocking the sun. He captured her lips and kissed her heavily, finding her nothing short of adorable with frosting on her radiant face.

Claire complained of "boy cooties" as she was strategically pulled away by Quil. Jacob took the initiative to deepen the kiss, teasing her tongue with his and tasting the cake she had just bitten into. She cupped his neck gently, moaning as he kissed her further. He pulled away slowly, releasing her lower lip from his teeth after he nibbled on it.

She rested her head against his chest, breathing deeply. "You're awake," she whispered.

"You're awake," Jacob repeated, running his hands through her hair.

"You're here," she said, her voice trembling.

He lifted her chin, staring into her dewy eyes. "With you."

Everything, everything she had held in suddenly burst from her like a dam.

"Jacob," she sobbed, throwing her arms around his neck.

"I've got you. I'm here," he murmured.

"I.. I was so scared. I thought I would lose them!"

"Our little boys are safe. You're safe. I'm here.. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, baby."

"You weren't there.. You didn't protect me!" she cried.

Jacob held her tighter, squeezing his eyes shut. "I know, I know," he whispered.

"I.. I needed you," she gasped, clamping a hand over her mouth.

"We should sit down. Don't overexert yourself," Jacob suggested.

She took in a shaky breath, stepping away from him. "Where were you?!" she demanded bitingly.

Jacob gawked at her with a pained expression. "Bailey..."

Emily decided to intervene, placing her hands on Bailey's shoulders. "Don't do this to him, Bailey," she murmured. "He's your Imprint. He feels terrible."

"You-"

"Let go of the anger. I understand your feelings, but you should consider his too," Emily said sternly. The scarred half of her face seemed to darken as she spoke. "I would know."

Bailey nodded reluctantly, whimpering when she felt another bout of nausea. She immediately burst into another wave of tears, bringing her arm up to cover her eyes. Jacob gathered her in his arms again and kissed her wherever he could; her cheeks, lips, forehead, nose. She fell apart against him.

He hooked his arms under her knees and settled her in his lap when she began to hyperventilate. He stroked her belly until she calmed, allowing her to curl up in his lap and rest against him. Her eyes drooped and her breathing slowed as she placed her hands on his.

"I'm sorry," Bailey muttered, eyeing the pack who watched them in silence.

"Don't worry about it, Bailey. We should probably get out of here anyway," Emily spoke up.

"I'm sorry for interrupting, but I'm afraid the patient cannot sleep out here," a nurse said, pulling out Bailey's wheelchair. "We'll have to bring her back inside.. She has to be attached to the monitors when she's asleep."

"I got her," Jacob said, standing with Bailey in his arms.

"Sir, the chair-"

"I said I got her," Jacob snarled, walking past the nurse.

"Don't mind him. He missed her. A lot," Emily said.

Sorry it's so short!

Review?