Chapter 24

Jacob walked out of his house, having said bye to Billy and walked to the edge of the woods before shedding his clothes. He began to then make himself angry, thinking of not being where Anabelle was and having the redhead on his land. He phases in a snap, his body contracts and forms into his russet-colored wolf.

He was flooded with the thoughts of his pack mates as soon as his phasing was complete.

Jared - 'Hey Jake.'

Embry - 'What's up man, how's Belle?'

Leah - 'Look who decided to show up.'

Paul - 'What the hell was that?'

Paul's voice boomed making everyone cease their speaking. Jacob winced, arriving at the lumber yard and catching Paul's eye. Everyone was silent, having seen exactly what Paul had seen.

Paul - 'You tried to kiss her!?'Sam - 'SILENCE!'

Sam shouted, making everyone look towards their alpha in submission.

Sam - 'Paul, you knew this would happen eventually so don't act so surprised. He's not doing anything wrong. And Jacob, I suggest you learn to block out your thoughts. I'm sure everyone, including Anabelle, will appreciate it.'

He moved to the highest mountain of lumber, commencing the start of the meeting.

Sam - 'Now, to start the whole reason we are here. The redhead is still looming around our land so I wanted to make sure everyone knew what their role was. Paul, Emily suggested that you ask your father if Belle can recover more at our house instead of yours when she comes home. Provide more protection for her and, I don't mean any disrespect, but I doubt your father will be of any help.

Paul nodded in submission, knowing he could make that happen.

Sam - 'That is all for right now. This meeting is over. Jared, Embry, go back to your post, I will be here to relieve you in a couple of hours."

One they were dismissed, Jacob and Paul ran back to Paul's house and phased back into their human forms before dressing. Paul scowled at his packmate and drew in a deep breath. It was only a matter of time. "Hey, Jake. Are you free on Friday this week?"

"Yeah, I'm free. Why? What's up?"

"Belle has a meeting and tour at the high school. I did all the paperwork with my dad and I'm going to surprise her when she gets out of the hospital."

"She got into the early graduate program?" Jacob asked following Paul into the house and into the kitchen.

"Yup, just like I knew she would. She's too smart for any of the freshman work. She'll fly through it this summer and be ready for the sophomore year."

"Do you think she'll be safe there?" Jacob asked, suddenly scared not having Anabelle close during the day.

"She should be. The leech lover and the rest of the leeches are graduating in May so they should be gone by summer. We'll get the redhead any day now. I would have never entered her if there was danger." Paul was surprised when Jacob didn't glare at the ground or roll his eyes at the mention of the leech lover leaving. He was starting to believe that he was totally over her and thankful his sister wouldn't have to deal with Jacob's pity parties and blindness when it came to Bella.

"Don't you have to turn in an essay explaining why you want to be an early grad?" Paul smiled sheepishly.

"Turns out she had already written it before her surgery. I found it with the letters she wrote to everyone."

Jacob chuckled. "She's always planning ahead."

"Yeah. She sure is."

Anabelle smiled bright when Rosalie walked in holding a small poker case under her arm. "What are you doing with that?"

"I am going to teach you how to play poker. Maybe you can teach your wolf boys some things. Or use your skills against them." She said sitting down and beginning to shuffle a deck of cards. "So...are you excited to be going home tomorrow?"

"Beyond excited. Although I'm not a huge fan of going back to school."

"Well, you have one more week at home before even thinking of school," Rosalie said, taking out some poker chips from the case. "So, tell me. What's up with you and the wolf boy?"

Anabelle blushed and shook her head, her mind filling with images of Jacob. "He asked me out on a date after I got out of here. He said that he really likes me and wants to see where it goes."

"And I take it you want that as well?" Rosalie guessed.

"More than I like to admit." Anabelle chuckled. "I've never met anyone like J. He can brighten my day just by smiling. Not to mention he's been here, with me instead of at home doing whatever he wants to be doing. We do our homework together and he always makes sure that I'm comfortable. He's one of the only people that I can talk to about anything."

Rosalie smiled fondly at the young girl. It brought her back to when she first met Emmett. He was dazzled by Rosalie and thought she was an angel. "After being together for over 75 years, Emmett still makes me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world. You'll have to meet him sometime. I'm sure you would like him."

"It's a date," Anabelle exclaimed, taking the chips Rosalie handed to her. Rosalie then proceeded to teach Anabelle how to play Texas Hold'em.

"Now that you know how to play, let's see if you can beat me. If you win, I'll give you 50 bucks. If I win, I have to dress you for your date, whenever that is."

Anabelle grumbled and shook her head. "You're going to put me in a dress. I just know it."

Rosalie dismissed Anabelle's comment and dealt the first hand. They played for the next 20 minutes, both of them getting close to having all the chips. In the middle of a hand, Rosalie suddenly scrunched her nose and rolled her eyes. "Brother wolf is here with lover wolf." Anabelle giggled before looking towards the door to find Paul and Jacob watching them.

"Playing poker I see," Paul noted.

"Yup and I am all in." Anabelle proclaimed pushing all her chips in the middle of the table.

"There's no way," Rosalie said, raising an eyebrow. Anabelle then raised her eyebrow causing Rosalie to narrow her eyes. "Ok fine. I'm all in." She then did the same and pushed all her chips in the middle as well. "I have three of a kind."

"Ha!" Said Anabellle, smacking her cards on the table. "Full! House! And I'm not talking about the TV show." Both wolves looked at Anabelle in surprise. "Thank you." She said, grabbing a crisp 50 dollar bill out of Rosalie's hand.

"You won fifty?" Jacob asked.

"Yup."

"It was nice playing with you, Anabelle. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go check in with Kelly." They exchanged goodbyes before Rosalie left and Jacob took her seat. Just when Anabelle was going back into bed, Julie walked into the room with a big smile on her face.

"Hey, Anabelle. I have a surprise for you."

"I love surprises. Hit me with it." Julie walked further into the room to allow a furry creature with four legs to walk in. Anabelle gasped. "Is that a golden retriever?" She asked, the dog trotting straight in her direction. She didn't know what came over her but she moved to the edge of the chair and pulled herself to the ground and pulled the dog towards her, petting it behind the ears.

"Woah my God! Anabelle are you alright!?" Julie said running over to the young girl. Jacob and Paul also became alarmed, stepping closer to be near Anabelle in case something was wrong.

"What do you mean? Of course, I'm alright. Why wouldn't I be?"

"You went to the floor very fast. Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm sure. I didn't feel anything." She assured Julie, going to let the dog once more. "You are so cute. Yes, you are." She said aimed towards the dog. "Was I not supposed to do that?"

"It just happened rather quickly. But if you say you're fine, I believe you but if you feel any discomfort, tell me ok?" Anabelle nodded before continuing to play with the dog. Julie left then to check up on her other patients.

"I want a dog." She said, looking at the retriever with a loving look.

"Why? You have 7 wolves on the res." Paul scoffed sitting on her bed and turning on the TV.

"Yeah. Seven giant wolves who can't cuddle with me in bed." She said, rolling her eyes.

Paul chuckled and looked slyly at Jacob. "I'm sure SOME wouldn't mind trying to fit." He laughed hotly, Jacob smirked and shook his head while Anabelle blushed.

"Yall are terrible." She said, shaking her head and grabbing a book from a small shelf next to her. She started to read them, trying to pass the time, anticipating for tomorrow to come so she could finally be home.

The next day arrived quickly and Anabelle was bouncing in her seat when breakfast was served. "I'm going home today, I'm going home today." She sang, taking a bite of her eggs. Julie chuckled from the front of the room, writing Anabelle's last schedule on the whiteboard.

"You're scheduled to leave after lunch so around that time, the doctor will come in to take out your IV and draining tube. Scott and Kelly will be coming before lunch to say their goodbyes, ok?" Anabelle nodded, sad to know that today was her last day here.

She turned to see Jacob and her brother appear at the door, shit-eating grins appearing on their faces. "You're going home today." Paul said sitting next to her.

"I know. I'm so excited!" Anabelle squealed. Jacob smiled at his imprint, his mood already lifting as her scent consumed him. He carefully pressed a kiss to her cheek, watching a blush over take her cheeks and neck.

Anabelle finished her breakfast while Paul was explaining where she'll be staying for the next week. "You mean I'm not going home?"

"No, you're going home but 'home' is Emily's for right now. With me patrolling and Dad having work, there's not someone who can help you at home. Emily will be able to help you more than me or Dad can. She can help you get around and shower. Help you dress if you need to. Plus you'll be closer to the pack when you need to be protected." Anabelle nodded, happy that Emily will be there to help her. She was the pack mom, so to speak. She was the one Anabelle went to to seek comfort when she first found out about the wolves. She had a kind heart and beautiful soul.

There was a knock on the door revealing Scott, Kelly and Rosalie. "Just wanted to pop in and say goodbye." Scott said. He gave Anabelle a light hug before handing her a price of paper. " These are the stretches that we've been doing the past week. I advise you to do them before every meal and before you get out of bed. Along with before you go to bed, ok?" After a nod from Anabelle he brought out a breathing machine from a bag. "I also want you to do this as much as you can. You put your mouth over this tube and breath deeply, as deep as you can. This will help you use the full capacity of your lungs. Here, try it."

Anabelle placed the breathing tube in her mouth and took a deep breath. The tab moved in between 2000 and 2500. "That was good but we're aiming for 4000 to 5000. So I need you to do this as much as you can to help those lungs. Ok?" Anabelle nodded, taking the machine from his hands.

Next was Kelly and Rosalie, both sporting bright smiles. "You gonna give me some homework too?" Anabelle asked with a smile.

"Well, we do have some paperwork for you." Rosalie said, handing Anabelle a plastic folder. She slowly took it from the blond and opened it.

She gasped loudly and looked up at Rosalie with a shocked expression. "Are you serious? No way!"

"What is it?" Paul and Jacob both asked, looking over Anabelle's shoulder.

"I'm eligible for a Make-A-Wish!?" She exclaimed, the face lighting up with the biggest smile she had ever seen.