A/N: Sorry for the last chapter being so short, this is a tad bit longer. So we continue….

Previously in Chapter 23

Jacob's POV

When Bella touched my shoulder giving me instructions for the day, I felt those old feelings of when she would crawl into my lap and nuzzle into my neck. I missed her sweet smell that assaulted my senses each time she was close to me. I missed her so bad that I wanted to scream. I kept cool though and didn't get my hopes up too much. As long as Edward was in the picture I knew the likelihood of her coming back to me was slim to none. Again…I had to try. In the meantime I enjoyed my sweet little Leah.

…Chapter 24…..

BPOV

It almost felt silly that I was giving Jacob instructions on Leah when Jessica was sitting right there working, but it made me feel better. I knew that I couldn't always have Jacob here when I left the house, but for the time being it made me feel more secure. I asked myself, was the security of having Jacob there worth the friction between me and Edward?

Probably not.

I knew that the nurses were highly trained to react to whatever issues Leah had. I knew this because I had handpicked them and trained them myself, but it scared me beyond belief to think that Leah's life was so fragile, that I could lose her at any moment. My baby meant the world to me and Edward was going to have to understand. At least until I could get a grip on my uneasy feelings. I loved Edward too. I was between a rock and a hard spot right now; and trying to deal with everything around me was making me sick inside. I had a wedding to plan but most importantly I had a child that depended on me, my decisions about her welfare could save her life. So I couldn't feel too bad about that, any good mother would do the same.

On my way to meet Sue I called my dad. He had been gone to his favorite Forks fishing spot for the last few days. I just needed to hear his voice and maybe unload all my inner feelings that I was struggling with.

"Hey Dad." I could feel the tears seeping into my eyes, threatening to spill over at just hearing his voice.

"Hi Bells, I am almost back to your place. Are you home?"

"Um, no…I am on my way to meet the wedding planner." I sniffed quietly hoping he wouldn't hear the distress in my voice.

"What's wrong honey? Is everything okay?" He knew me too well and did hear the sniffle I tried covering up.

"I'm fine Dad; I just needed to hear your voice."

"Is there something that I can do for you?" He was always so quick to make me feel better.

"You said you were almost home right?"

"Yep."

"How about meeting me at the caterers and helping me choose the final menu. We could use a little one on one time."

"I could do that. I took a shower this morning before pulling out of the camp site so I can drive over now. Where is this place anyway?"

"The old gas station on Dawn Avenue… it's now Tastefully Yours Catering, our wedding coordinator recommended them."

"I'll be there in ten minutes. See you then sweetie. Bye."

"Bye dad."

I pulled into the parking lot and found Sue waiting on me in her car. Just as she stepped out of her white Lexus my dad pulled his thirty foot RV into the lot. I quickly told her that Charlie would be taking Edward's place at the taste testing. She smiled as he opened the door greeting us with a wave and a how are ya.

I made the proper introductions and couldn't help but notice Sue's eyes lingering on my dad a bit longer than they should have. I smiled to myself and thought maybe there was a love connection in the works.

We were greeted by a very feminine male Demitri, when we walked into Tastefully Yours.

"Greetings." Demitri said in an all too bubbly manner.

We all said our hellos and made introductions as he seated us at a round table and poured us all glasses of ice water.

"We will get started with a few samples from the kitchen. We have several wonderful selections to choose from. Not all will be sampled today but this will give you an idea of our expertise in the culinary arts." Demitri clasped his hands together bouncing in delight. He turned and made for the kitchen to retrieve our delectable little bites.

"Now this is a Creamy Lobster spread served on toast rounds, one of my favorites and certainly a crowd pleaser." Demitri placed small plates in front of us with a bigger plate of the Lobster spread in the center of the table. We each took a bite of our creamy delicious morsels, each one of us moaning as we bit and chewed our offering.

"I take it that you all approve?" Demitri giggled as he excused himself to bring out a few more appetizers to sample.

After we made it through the appetizer selections, I wasn't sure of what I wanted. Everything we sampled was delicious. I wished Edward was here to give us his input. I watched Charlie and Sue smile and speak between themselves about the food but also about my dad's love of fishing. I really felt all alone in trying to decide the menu since the two of them were in their own little world.

I cleared my voice politely snapping my two non helpers out of their bubble.

The cocktail hour appetizers would be easier to select as opposed to the dinner menu. Too many delicious things were offered and I was having trouble deciding.

Dad thought we should do a surf and turf so that people would be guaranteed to like something on their plates. Sue giggled and somewhat agreed. I thought it better to give a beef and chicken combination on each plate. It made selecting the appetizers that much easier. In the end I chose the lobster spread on toast rounds, basil and mozzarella stuffed cherry tomatoes and broiled mushroom caps stuffed with chicken and Asiago cheese. Assorted chesses, nuts and olives with assorted crackers and a fruit tray would also be set out on a table at the reception.

I told Demitri that I would call him back later in the day after I spoke with Edward and give our final choices for dinner.

Demitri also had several place settings to choose from, it was easy deciding on that. I wanted something simple so the plain white china was selected.

I left my dad and Sue in the parking lot talking. It was so funny to see them so engrossed in each other, it was time for my dad to finally date someone and realize that he couldn't fish his days away. No matter how much he loved fishing. He needed a girlfriend.

I headed back to the house…it was time that I had a heart to heart with Jacob.

EPOV

I addressed the problems at the hotel that needed my attention and then left to go home. I called Bella as I left the hotel and she was just en route home as well. I asked her to meet me at the little wine dive on the edge of town so that we could talk in private without Jacob being within ears distance. I wanted to also see how the food tasting went and more than anything I wanted some time together.

She agreed so I turned my car around and made my way to the wine dive.

I grabbed us a booth in the corner of the almost empty bar. As I waited for my beautiful girl I ordered us both a glass of their finest white wine.

I stood and walked toward Bella when she opened the smoked glass door and entered. I escorted her to our table with my hand on the small of her back. I guided her to our booth in the corner.

"Hey baby." I leaned down to kiss her cheek. She smiled

"Hi. I'm so glad that you suggested this." She took her seat sliding in, giving me enough room to sit next to her. "I thought it would be easy to decide the menu but Sue wasn't much help since I asked Charlie to join us." She gave me a crooked smile.

"Oh…has Charlie found himself a lady friend?" I chuckled.

"Um yeah, you could say that. They were in their own little bubble and I felt like it was the third wheel."

"Just think…if Charlie hits it off with Sue, maybe he will stick around longer. Ya think?"

"Hmm, I didn't think of that, but maybe." She took a sip of her wine and leaned her head against my shoulder.

I relished this small moment of it being just the two of us.

Her finger was running around the rim of her wine glass, she looked deep in thought.

"What are you thinking about?" I rubbed her leg softly.

"I want to apologize to you Edward." She looked at me with sorrowful eyes. My eyebrows furrowed.

"I want to apologize for making you feel second best. For having Jacob at the house so much this past week, I know it has made you feel awkward to say the least." Her lips were pressed together into a tight line.

I shrugged and kept rubbing her leg. She put her hand on top of mine.

"No really Edward, I wouldn't like it if the shoe were on the other foot. It's just that Leah means the world to me and I'm so scared of losing her." Her eyes were glossy.

"I know baby, I do realize that but I would be lying if I said that Jacob's almost constant presence isn't getting to me."

"I'm going to have a talk with him when I get home. He needs to know that I'm not going to change my mind about marrying you. He is my past." She smiles brightly at me.

The air has been cleared and I'm happy knowing that she is going to set the record straight with Jacob.

"Thank you sweet girl." We kissed sweetly.

We didn't spend much time at the wine dive but we savored our glass of white wine then went home.

BPOV

Jacob was reading to Leah when Edward and I arrived home. He perked up when he saw me enter her room. I knew right then that I had to have my talk with him.

"How was Leah this afternoon?" I kissed Leah's lips and she started saying her ah's and making happy noises at me.

"She was the best little girl in the world." Jacob smiled and kissed her forehead.

"I know she's the best girl in the world but was she junkie?" I smiled at him.

"Yes, she was pretty junkie but Jessica and I were able to get her cleared out." He folded up the book that he was reading and walked it over to the bookshelf.

"Hmm, okay. I hate that she's been so junkie. It makes me so uneasy." I sat down in the chair next to Leah.

"You don't need to worry with me here you know." He sat on the floor on the other side of Leah's chair.

"Yeah, I wanted to talk to you about that." I looked him in his eyes and I could tell he knew what was coming.

"Jacob, you know that I appreciate the fact that you have been so willing to come over and help me with Leah." He nods his head. "I want to also let you know that it's causing a little friction between me and Edward." He raises his eyebrows. Like he doesn't know yeah right

"I'm not interested in getting back together with you. That ship has sailed." I bit my lip because I felt like I was a little too blunt.

"Oh…okay. I understand Bella. I'm sorry if Edward is feeling insecure about me being here."

"Jacob, he's caught the looks you've been giving me. He's not stupid." I cock one eyebrow at him like shame on you.

"I admit, I have loved being here with Leah and I really like seeing you. Can you fault me for trying one last time?"

"There was a time that I would have accepted you back with open arms but I'm in love with Edward and he's very good to both me and Leah. That should make you very happy."

"It does Bella, I'm sorry for being an ass and making waves. I'll apologize to Edward." His tail is between his legs but I'm happy he has admitted to what he's done and is willing to make things right with Edward.

Leah picks this very moment to drop her sats and her monitor alarms. Jacob and I both jump from the loud startling monitor. I can't lie and say that Jacob and I don't work well with one another in scary situations.

Jacob grabs the ambu bag while I get the suction and start suctioning her trach. When I feel that we can start to gives her breaths with the ambu bag, I disconnect her from the vent and Jacob starts bagging her.

He's giving her breaths and I'm talking to her and telling her that she's going to be fine.

Edward darts into the room taking all of the activity in. He's pale and asking if he needs to call 911.

"No Edward, she had a mucus plug and I was able to get it out. Jacob is giving her some breaths to get her oxygen saturation back up. I think she will be fine." He's nodding his head but stands back out of the way and watches us work on Leah. I suction her mouth and nose clearing excess mucus and clearing her airway more.

When Leah's sats are up to a decent range we reconnect her to her ventilator.

"I think we should do a Xopenex treatment to open her lungs up more." Jacob suggests.

"Good idea, I'll get that started." I open the Xopenex box and start preparing her breathing treatment. "Baby, will you call your dad and let him know what just happened and ask him what he suggests we do?"

"Uh, yeah….I'll call him right now."

We put Leah back into her bed and get her comfortable. This episode was far less severe than the last one but it still makes my heart race not knowing if it's going to be the one that takes her life.

Her life is so fragile.

Edward says that Carlisle will come and check her out in the next few hours but he said it sounded like we had everything under control. Jacob thanked Edward for calling his dad and then he asked to speak with Edward privately.

Edward nodded his head and followed Jacob from Leah's room.

When Edward returned to Leah's room, Jacob wasn't with him.

"Where is Jacob?" I asked him.

"He got a call from someone and said he'd catch up with us later." He smiled at me, probably thankful that we were alone with Leah.

"Did he apologize to you?"

"Yes, he said he was sorry and that he understood that you were off limits." He sauntered over to me and picked me up out of the chair, sitting me back on his lap.

"And…?" I leaned in and kissed his sweet full lips.

"And I didn't have to kick his ass." He gave me his half cocked sexy smile that melted me from the inside out.

"Really? Well I'm glad you two handled it like big boys." I put my forehead to his.

"You are mine Isabella."

"Yours…forever." Our tongues mingled, swirling, claiming one another in a loving fashion.

My heart was full of love for the two people in this room. I would be a happy girl if this could be forever but I knew in my heart I wouldn't have Leah as long as I'd have Edward. My heart broke another tiny piece as my thoughts drifted to my sweet Leah.

Leah was still in her bed with sleepy eyes. No matter how bad her episodes were they always made her sleepy. She didn't have enough reserve and it wiped her out. We let her relax and turned on soft music for her to listen to.

"How about I order us pizza tonight?"

"I'd love that, and salad too?" I was trying to watch what I ate because I wanted to look great in my wedding dress.

"Of course I'll order salad, you want cheesecake?" Edward's eyes lit up when he asked me about the cheesecake.

"Edward! I don't want to roll down the aisle to you, so no, please do not order cheesecake or I'll be tempted to eat it." I gave him a chaste kiss then went to lay down in Leah's bed with her.

The pizza arrived and we ate in Leah's cozy room. We put a movie on and all three of us watched it until it was time to do Leah's bedtime routine. This time I showed Edward how to put her pajama's on and how to clean around her trach and change the 2x2 gauze there as well. I showed him how to use the ambu bag and let him practice a few times. Leah actually liked to be bagged in nonemergency conditions. After we finished getting Leah ready for bed we both said prayers with her and then kissed her goodnight.

EPOV

It felt good to be with my girls this evening. Bella showed me how to take care of Leah and do the routine things that she required. I was far from being comfortable with bagging her and especially in an emergency situation, but I was willing to keep practicing and do my best to learn everything there was to know about my sweet little Leah. I wanted Bella to trust me just like she did Jacob but I knew that would come with time.

I was also happy that Jacob was man enough to apologize to me for intruding on Bella. He knew damn good and well that she was mine. I don't know what got into him to think he even had a chance but he did make things right between us and I was good with that. I didn't want animosity between any of us. We had to be civil with each other for Leah's sake. Jacob knew that as well and promised me that he would back off. He even congratulated me and said the best man won Bella's heart. I did agree with that.

I didn't have to kick his ass either which was a good thing. Not that I would, but I surely felt like I wanted to this past week.

Tonight when Irina comes for her shift and Bella makes her way to our bed, I'm going to show her just how happy that she is mine. I want to ease Bella's stress of the wedding planning and also make her forget just for a moment about Leah's desating episodes.

I want to show Bella love. How much I truly love her and just how special she is to me.

I was counting down the days until she would be my wife…

…

A/N:

Do you approve with how Bella handled Jacob and how she apologized to Edward? I told you it wasn't anything to worry about.

What about Leah's little episodes. ..they seem to be coming more frequently!

Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter. I'm working my way toward E &B's wedding and a few other things…..

I hope to have more time next week to really get busy with what I wanted this story to project.

I will most likely write during the night since I will be without night nursing the whole week. Wish me luck…..it's a big job to stay awake and alert all night long but I do it for my little girl.

Please review and tell me what you think will happen next. I like to hear what you all are thinking. :)

MUAH! XO