"I'm gonna pick up the pieces
And build a Lego house
When things go wrong we can knock it down

My three words have two meanings
There's one thing on my mind, it's all for you

And it's dark in a cold December, but I've got ya to keep me warm
And if you're broken I'll mend ya
And keep you sheltered from the storm that's raging on now"

September 13th-14th, 2006

"I'm sorry." Bella repeated for the fifteenth time…or possibly the hundredth. Joanna had honestly lost count.

Joanna scowled at her sister who, for all of her inhuman beauty and newfound grace, was still exactly the same personality wise. Which made it that much easier for Joanna's fears about losing her sister to vanish. Their hearts may no longer both beat, but Bella was still her sister in every other way. "Bells, I'm fine. Really. I didn't mean to scare you."

Bella sighed unhappily, but was distracted by Renesmee patting her cheek for her undivided attention. The mother and daughter looked perfect together, and the fact that Joanna could sit in a nearby chair without being in danger of being eaten was a damned miracle. That, and the instant she'd screamed, Bella and Jacob had both been instantly at her side, their argument forgotten. Bella had been terrified that she'd scared her sister, and Jacob was terrified she'd somehow been hurt. They'd both been wrong. Her heart had been pounding, adrenaline effused throughout her system, but she'd gone from fear to anger in a split second. Them fighting would solve nothing. Jacob would still be imprinted on her, and Bella would have come to regret hurting him, considering he still was her best friend.

After seeing Bella break off her attack on Jacob, the rest of the Cullen's had quickly decided that reuniting her with Renesmee was not likely to be an issue. It wasn't, even though Jasper was at his wits end by the time Bella and Edward had retired to their cottage. A cottage the Cullen's had kept secret from Joanna. She wasn't too upset by that though, she had no decorating skill.

In the mean time, Joanna made a trip back to Charlie's and ate lunch with him before he had to go on another shift. His birthday gift made her cry. It was a wooden music box, with lines of text engraved inside the lid. He admitted he'd learned to carve from their neighbor just for this. Joanna froze for a moment, tracing the words with one finger and taking in the engraved trees that surrounded them. She handed the box back to him, a beseeching expression on her face, "Will you read it? I want to be able to hear your voice."

He nodded, but Charlie barely made it through reading the words. "To my daughter: Be brave, have courage, and love life. I am always with you, to support - protect - & encourage you in every step of your life. I may not carry you in my arms anymore, but I will always carry you in my heart. In my eyes, you will always be my baby girl. Love, Dad."

Joanna flung her arms around his neck, and cried. He may have cried too, but they would never speak about it. "I love it, Daddy." Joanna whispered, turning the key and letting the music play. It was…familiar. She stared speculatively at him.

Charlie shrugged, "That part was your mom's idea. She used to sing that song to you girls at bed time. Always worked better for you than it did for Bella."

"It's perfect." Joanna assured him, even as he started pointing out tiny flaws in the wood where he'd made mistakes. She'd just grinned him, and had kept hugging him until he had to go. Charlie made her promise to give Bella her gift and to make sure Bella called him, he would answer even while he was on duty. "I will, Daddy."

"Happy birthday, JoJo." He said, hugging her at the door, "Have a great night and stay safe."

The high of his sweet gift stayed with her as she showered and changed into a dress Alice had given her before she'd left. She played the music box over and over again as she put on make up and dried her hair. Her mood had picked up even more at the expression on Jacob's face when they met back up at the Cullen's. He had only seen her smeared with blood or fresh faced with her hair knotted at the back of her head. He'd also never seen her in anything other than shorts and a loose tee or tank. The dress flattered her figure, and the dark eyeliner she'd lined her eyes with made her look more mysterious than usual.

"You look amazing." Jacob told her, kissing her so so carefully.

Joanna laughed softly at his over the top reverence, "It's my birthday! My sister doesn't really want to eat me, and I have a date. I feel amazing."

He smile pridefully at her, "I'm your date. I like it."

Joanna shrugged, moving towards the house, "Actually, I was referring to Ness, but I suppose I can split my attention."

Jacob came up behind her, making enough noise so as to not scare her when he nuzzled the side of her neck and wrapped his arms around her waist, "You sure? I'm kind of needy."

Joanna ran her fingers through his lightly jelled hair and turned them both a bit so she could kiss him a little more firmly. She grinned at him, "I think I can handle that."

Amazingly, and to Emmett's dismay, Bella and Edward emerged from their cottage just in time to see Joanna and Jacob kissing on the front porch. Bella was not amused, her lip pulled up in disgust, "No wonder Jo smelled a little like wet dog."

Joanna grabbed her sister's cool hand, "Come on, Bells, it's our birthday!"

"I'm still eighteen!" Bella groaned, but went with her twin, shooting Jacob a look as they passed.

"Nope, we're nineteen now!" Joanna sang, scooping Renesmee out of Rosalie's arms, "Ness, we get to have cake soon!" Renesmee smiled toothily at her aunt, grabbing a handful of her brown hair with a gentleness that was out of place in an infant.

Evening came far too quickly. Seth snuck into the house to party with them, and was warmly embraced. His sister was lurking out in the dark. They sang to Bella and Joanna, and the human, Jacob, and half-vampire ate cake.

"Best I've ever had! Thank you!" Joanna exclaimed, embracing a stunned Esme.

Esme stayed perfectly still for a moment before wrapping her arms around Joanna. "You're welcome," she whispered, sharing a look with Carlisle.

Joanna pulled away first, smiling at her sister's mother in law, "Shame Bella can't partake. I'll have to eat some for her too."

Esme watched the human girl bounce away and gave Carlisle a weak smile as he came to her side, wrapping his arm around her.

Jacob held a forkful of mostly icing out to Renesmee, "Nessie, this is the really good part."

Half the vampires froze. Joanna grimaced.

Bella sucked in an audible lungful of air, "Nessie? You nicknamed my daughter after the Loch Ness Monster?"

Joanna shot her sister a bored look, "Don't hurt him Bells, I'd like to keep him around."

Bella grabbed his arm and started dragging him to the door, "Oh, I'll bring him back in one piece, but we are going to have a talk." She huffed as she flung the door open with barely a touch. "I'm so glad you like my daughter, really, I am, but…Nessie? No way."

The glass rattled in it's metal casing as it swung shut behind them.

"I'll make sure she doesn't hurt him." Edward assured Joanna as he headed out; Emmett, Seth, and Rosalie on his heels.

Jasper stayed where he'd been much of the evening, sitting by the fireplace watching Alice as she cooed to the baby and took her to the window to watch the exchange outside. Joanna didn't bother to go look, she was sure her human eyes wouldn't be able to see anything, and her faith in Bella remained strong enough that she wasn't too worried about Jacob. Anyway, she would play nurse again if need be, and enjoy every minute of it.

Joanna sat down near Jasper, "You okay?"

He dragged his eyes to her, "No."

"She's the exception, isn't she?" Joanna asked, ticking her head towards where her sister had gone. She had heard too much about the insanity that came with being a newborn for her to believe that Bella was typical.

"Yes." He agreed, and sighed when she raised her eyebrows at him for more, "You would likely not be so fortunate. I don't agree that premeditation helped. It has to be Bella's ability."

"And our abilities are not the same." Joanna concluded, "Edward has said as much. Her mind is silent while mine is static on a radio, too much going on to bother understanding unless I focus on what I want him to see or know." She looked him over, "Bella told me you have scars that only vampires can see too. I'm sorry. It sucks."

He didn't respond, just stared past her shoulder at the wall.

"We've both got damage, but I hope someday you can learn to smile again. Not just for Alice. It makes life easier." Joanna told him. "Don't worry, I'm still learning too. It would be nice to have forever to get it figured out."

He looked at her again, his features shifting ever so slightly, "You would join our family?"

Joanna sighed, "I'm a fragile human. Rosalie has offered to turn me, but...I'm still thinking. Today, with Bella, it's helped a lot. She's still Bella. Is that the same with all of you? Even if it takes a while?"

Jasper gave a tight nod, "We become the best, or worst, of our human selves."

Joanna gave him a small smile and left him alone, returning to the cake for one last bite. Esme watched her with pride. Damn, the woman was so maternal Joanna would have eaten cake all night just to please her. Fortunately for Joanna's waistline, Bella sulked back in, trailed by the others and finally Jacob.

Bella stopped in front of her sister, too abruptly for it to have been a human movement. She didn't move like a human anymore, Joanna noted. They'd have to work on that before she even thought about leaving the Cullen property. She still remembered how to pout, "Jacob's an idiot."

Joanna giggled at her disgruntled twin, "He likes us though, so he's not that bad. Plus, uh...I've been calling her Ness. Gonna have to be mad at me too."

"Can't be mad at you. Love to too much." Bella told her, "You sure I don't need to kick his behind."

Joanna rolled her eyes, "No, Bella. You don't need to kick his ass. Really, I'm okay. He's pretty and he's sweet. Also, I kind of heard his wolf before we actually met." She chuckled awkwardly, not able to look at Bella's shocked face, "Seems like something bigger is going on here, and he's grown on me pretty quickly. Really, Bells, are we sure he's not part octopus?"

A lively banter continued until Renesmee gave an adorable yawn in Bella's arms. Edward hugged his wife, "I think we should put this little one to bed."

"Where does she usually sleep?" Bella asked.

"She's never slept in a crib. She's usually in someone's arms." Rosalie explained, "Or Joanna's chest. Her heartbeat reminded Nessie of you."

"She's getting too big to cuddle the way she likes." Joanna whispered, smoothing her niece's hair down, "Sleep tight, Pretty."

Bella smiled warmly at her, "You should sleep too, you're barely keeping your eyes open. Edward and I will show you the cottage tomorrow, I'm sure you'll love it."

"Can't wait." Joanna told her honestly, "Good night, Bells, and happy birthday."

For the first time all day, Bella didn't argue, "Happy birthday, Jo."

Jacob was quiet on the ride home, even though he'd insisted that he drive her. Joanna didn't push it, content to lean into the warmth of him. He stopped her before she got out of the worn red truck, "Jo." She stopped, hand on the latch, and locked her eyes with his. He looked sadder than she'd ever seen him, "Edward mentioned they need to leave soon."

Joanna wouldn't lie to him. She couldn't. "Yeah, people will start to notice that they don't age. The plan was to go off to college, Bella would be human for a year of school and be able to wean our parents off of seeing her, but now…" She pinched her eyes closed, "I think it'll happen soon. They won't just be able to move though. Charlie will refuse to believe excuses for why they can't see him. Bella's illness will take a turn for the worst and then there'll be an 'accident'. The story of the Cullen family all tied up in a neat little bow." The blue eyed girl sighed, looking at her hands, "I've tried not to pay attention to those conversations. I can't imagine lying to Charlie about Bella being dead. It's been hard enough these last two weeks."

Jacob looked pale, something that was so out of the ordinary that Joanna felt her stomach sink before he even voiced his realization, "You're thinking of going too."

"Yes." Joanna answered honestly, but slid a hand to cup his cheek, "Just thinking." She kissed him gently, easing closer until she was straddling his lap, her dress pulled awkwardly askew. The steering wheel dug into her back, but she didn't care. She couldn't stand that look on his face, and needed it gone, "I promise I'm just thinking. It's just hard to lie to Charlie."

Jacob held one of her palms against his chest, "Yeah, you love him."

She smiled softly, "I do. He gave me this music box today, and it is the most amazing thing I've ever been given. He is the only human I feel completely good about being around." Hurt flickered across Jacob's face, and she laughed softly, giving him a quick peck on the lips, "Jake, you are not a human."

He finally smiled, giving her an adorable bashful chuckle, "I forget sometimes."

"I don't." Joanna said with a giggle, "You're so damned warm. Which really is going to be great this winter. I hate wearing coats."

"I do love you in a tank top." Jacob muttered, kissing from her lips to her jaw, drifting farther down to the heavily scented skin where her neck met her shoulder.

Joanna arched against him, pressing them even closer together, tangling her fingers in his hair, which was in need of a cut. Desire hit her like a brick, settling low in her stomach. He continued kissing her there, the feather light touches so incredibly gentle. They weren't enough, not nearly enough, and she could tell he was holding back, "Jake?"

He stopped instantly, pulling back and giving her distance she didn't actually want.

Joanna gave him a smile, "I'm okay. It's just…you don't have to be so gentle." An actual blush came to her cheeks, "I think I'd like something from you for my birthday." His dark eyes told her he would give her anything she wanted. "It was never allowed…before…I had to maintain the illusion of each man being my only. They weren't allowed to leave marks, not unless they paid for my time long enough for me to heal."

"You want me to hurt you?" Jacob said, voice incredulous and soft.

She shook her head, rushing to correct him, "Oh, no, no, no. I mean, we could talk that through later if you want, no judgement here. I was thinking more along the lines of a hickey though." She stroked his temples, "I know everyone else can smell you on me, but I'd like to have some proof for myself."

The grin he gave her did nothing to quell her desire. "I can do that too, but I still haven't given you your actual birthday gift."

Joanna shifted her hips, eliciting a groan from Jacob, "Ooh, that sounds exciting."

"I hope you like it." He muttered, suddenly looking bashful as he dug in the pocket of his shorts, careful to not dislodge her from his lap. "Can I see your wrist?" He asked, and Joanna held up hand without a second thought. Jacob sweetly kissed the back of her hand before affixing a bracelet around her wrist. He immediately started rambling, "I know it's just been four days, but I wanted you to have this. It's the Quileute version of a promise ring. I can make another one if you don't like this one. You don't have to wear it if you don't want to, but I-"

"I love it." Joanna cut in, smiling down at the woven band, blue and gold threads coaxed into a strap capped on both ends by a gold clasp. She'd asked for a hickey, but this was so much more permanent. "I love it." She repeated, drawing him in for a kiss.

Jacob resumed his nuzzling of her neck shortly after, teeth grazing just for a second before he started sucking, still so gently, but enough that when they said goodnight, Joanna was marked by both his mouth and his bracelet. He couldn't lose her. There had to be a way for them to be able to stay longer, then he'd have more time with Joanna before she had to make a choice.

Joanna woke the next morning to her cell phone ringing, and ended up scrambling after the thing as it skittered to the floor. Bella was the clumsy twin, how had she even survived nineteen years? Joanna flicked the phone open, wondering who was calling, "Yes?"

"Joanna!" Alice, voice much sharper than usual, "What is that wolf of yours about to do?"

"Huh?" Joanna said in confusion, hearing the now familiar sound of Charlie cutting wood out behind the house. An unfamiliar engine sound drew her around to the front window.

Alice hissed, "Charlie's plans for the day just got completely wiped out by wolf!"

Joanna watched Jacob dismount a motorbike and make a beeline for the side of the house, pointedly not looking up at the window. "Oh no." She gasped, halfway throwing herself down the stairs, "Oh, Alice, I think he's about to do something really stupid."

"No!" Alice screeched, "Don't get involved. Come with Charlie after, he'll need you."

A half hour later Joanna found herself sitting in the passenger's seat of his patrol car, holding Charlie's hand. He was pale, and had every reason to be. He finally looked at her when he'd been caught by a stoplight, "JoJo, you don't turn into an animal or something, do you?"

Joanna tried to smile at him, brushing dirt off the sleeve of his jacket, "No, Daddy, I don't."

Chapter lyrics from 'Lego House' by Ed Sheeran. The next chapter will skip most of the next month and will move the plot along pretty firmly. You guys have gotten kind of quiet, hope you are still enjoying!
-Jenn