Chapter Fifteen

And the arms of the ocean are carrying me

And all this devotion was rushing over me

And the questions I have for a sinner like me

But the arms of the ocean deliver me

Never let me go - Florence and the Machine

-0-

How long I lingered in the shower I don't know, but it was hard to move away from the scalding heat of the water. I felt a cold deep inside my bones, one I knew I wouldn't be shaking any time soon but one I kept trying to shake off anyway. When I finally had managed to extract myself from beneath the stream, I'd found myself in front of the bathroom mirror, eyeing the nasty bruising now forming across my back.

It terrified me how close I'd came to never seeing those I loved again. How close I'd come to actually dying. I guess I had technically, if it hadn't have been for Jacob and Sam it would have ended up being a more permanent condition. What made it worse was it had all been by Bella's hands and her lack of remorse right now was killing me. An accident I could accept but the fact is she'd pushed me because I'd been trying to stop her from doing something dangerously reckless.

Something had changed inside of me now in-regards to my sister. I loved her dearly, I truly did but what had happened today had shook me in the worst way possible. Never had I ever in my wildest dreams thought she'd be capable of hurting me in such a way, but today I found out just how wrong I'd been.

Pulling on a pair of leggings and my thickest jumper after drying my hair I headed back into the bedroom. Part of me was incredibly tempted to just crawl into bed and sleep away the day but something told me there was still a lot more we had to get through before sleeping became a reality.

"Everything okay?" I asked Jacob, stepping back into my room. His hulking figure was stood in front of my window, his arms crossed over his broad chest as he stared out towards the trees.

He turned as I entered, and the look on his face made me pause. Something was wrong, his expression was hard, his eyes wide with grief.

I went cold…

…but before I could move towards him or ask what had happened the phone rang in Jacob's hands and he seemed to snap out of that stunned silence he'd been lingering in and answered, lifting the receiver to his ear.

I watched this time as his face turned cold.

"Swan residence…Charlie's not here…." He growled into the phone, his other fist clenching tightly at his side. "…he's planning the funeral…"

Then he hung up the phone. "Filthy bloodsucker." He muttered under his breath. The face he turned back to me was one of struggling composure.

"Who was that?" I asked, as he tossed the phone onto my bed, earning a displeased growl from Gizmo who was trying to sleep on one of my pillows.

"Dr Carlisle Cullen." He sneered, shaking his head.

I didn't ask why he'd hung up on the Doctor because frankly I didn't care. I didn't understand why they were so suddenly interested in dropping by or calling, it had been months since they'd all upped and left, breaking Bella in the process.

Wait…

"Funeral?" I repeated slowly, drawing Jacob's wide eyes back onto me. Again, his face twisted into an almost agonizing grief, the pained expression almost making him look childlike again.

"Harry Clearwater had a heart attack this morning." He said, "He's dead Grace."

I felt my heart sink.

"Harry died?" I whispered, shaking my head in disbelief. Blinking back the tears as they formed, I quickly crossed the small room and wrapped my arms around Jacob, holding onto him. Jacob buried his face into the crook of my neck, holding me impossibly tight but I welcomed it all. "I'm so sorry Jake."

Harry was dead. My heart broke for Sue and the kids. Today was just one hit after the other, poor Harry. My Dad was going to be devastated.

"Who was that on the phone!"

I jumped at the sudden intrusion and spun around to face Bella who'd just come rushing into the room looking panicked.

"Get out." I told her but she didn't budge, in fact to make things even better Alice had suddenly appeared at her side, looking impossibly white…if it were even possible for her to go any paler that was. "Both of you get out!"

My patience wearing incredibly thin and I wanted to lash out. To do something to slap that selfishness right out of her. Who did she think she was barging into my room like this and bringing Alice! After everything that happened today, after everything she had done, where did it all end?

"Who was on the phone Grace!" Bella yelled making a mouth to move forward and I flinched, surprising even myself. When I thought about it though, why would I not be afraid of her, her eyes were wild and manic just like they'd been on that cliff.

"I don't give a damn who was on the phone Bella, get the hell out. After everything you've done today, you really think you get to stand there making demands?" I spat, pointing at my door. "Get out!" I yelled but Bella remained, pacing frantically before moving for me once again.

"Who was on the phone?" she screeched, reaching for me. Jacob shifted quickly to tuck me behind him a little and out of Bella's reach.

"Carlisle Cullen!" he replied, glaring down at Bella who frowned in confusion, turning her dark-brown eyes onto Alice who was shaking her head, looking down at her mobile.

"It wasn't Carlisle it was Edward." She wailed, snapping closed her phone. "He thinks you're dead, Rosalie called him, told him about me being here, what I saw."

What she saw? This time it was my turn to frown as I looked between them, watching as Alice's eyes went wide and distant.

"He thinks your dead. He's going to Italy." Alice told her. There was a long pause as Bella and Alice continued to look at one another.

"No!" Bella shrieked suddenly and I jumped, shifting closer to Jacob one hand on his back and the other on his arm as his hand rested against the front of my thigh. "Why would he do that? He left me, he didn't want me anymore."

"Oh Bella. Edward loves you, that's why he left. He thinks you're dead now thanks to your friend over there." Alice spat, shooting a dark look in Jacob's direction. Something inside me bristled dangerously, but Jacob's hand on my leg kept me grounded. "I don't think Edward planned on outliving you for very long."

"What the hell's going on?" I asked, beyond confused at this point. Alice's dainty features finally turned to me.

"Edward's gone to Italy. To the Volturi…he's going to ask them to kill him and if they refuse which they very well might because of Aro's friendship with Carlisle…Edward's going to make a public stand…expose himself to the city." She explained, "At which point they'll have to kill him and probably everyone who saw him."

I felt grateful she'd explained but still felt so incredibly out of my depth. Who were the Volturi and why did Edward need to go all the way to them to die.

"No! Alice what do we do we can't let this happen!" Bella gripped Alice's arm uselessly, her face twisted into a desperation I'd never seen before.

"No Bella you have to stay here, taking you… if I'm captured trying to help Edward, I'll be labelled an accomplice. If you're there, you won't stand a chance, you smell amazing and you know more than you should…" Alice tried to reason with her and I almost felt grateful to the Pixie like vampire for trying to talk my crazed sister out of this little rescue attempted. "I could get you killed!"

"I'll just go alone if you're too afraid." Bella snorted in disgust. "I almost get myself killed daily. Just tell me what I need to do to save him!"

"Get your ID and passport. I'll call the airlines."

"Hang on a minute!" Jacob growled, looking between them both. "Bella, you can't be serious! Harry's just died, Grace almost just died, your family needs you here!"

I knew before he'd even finished talking that his words would have no effect. "Tell Dad I'm sorry." She whispered, "But I'll be back…" She looked at me with what I assumed was remorse before she bolted from the bedroom, Alice, quickly following her, already booking two flights to Italy.

I should stop her, I knew I should have tried…

…but what would have been the point.

-0-

Bella was gone.

Again.

And I somehow had to find a way to tell Dad, a task I was dreading more so because of everything else that was going on. I couldn't think too much about the fact that my sister was basically running head long into the mouth of hell to rescue a boy who'd left her broken for months, nor could I think about the fact that there was a very real possibility she wouldn't return home. If I thought too much on that, I don't think I'd be able to survive.

I loved Bella. I hated what she'd become, what she'd done but I loved her, so much that the idea of her not coming back was almost crippling. Had it not been for Jacob, holding my hand as we drove to Sue's I was sure I'd have shattered into a thousand pieces.

I was so done with this day, with everything that had happened.

I was exhausted and not just physically. Mentally to. I was just so ready to go home, crawl into bed and hide away from the rest of the world. Just for a little while, but I knew that was impossible, there was so much to do.

On the one hand Jacob and I had discussed me telling Dad about everything that had gone down on the beach, but I didn't want to put that on him. If he found out just how close a call it had been I was scared how he'd react. Plus, with everything else going on, Harry's death included I made the decision to keep the beach quiet and even though I knew he hated it, Jacob agreed to do so as well.

It seemed almost like we were back to just being Jacob and Grace, like the last few weeks hadn't happened. I knew a lot of it was to do with the beach this morning. It had shaken us both more than I think we were ready to vocalise. All I knew was I didn't want to waste any more time. If he loved me like I loved him then we'd figure the rest out as we went along. I didn't care that he was a werewolf, I just cared that we were together. Something had, changed between us, but it was almost as if whatever it was between us, young love or whatever had become that much stronger.

I felt connected to Jacob in a way I hadn't before but at the same time I couldn't deny that there was still something between us, some chasm that we hadn't yet crossed. I put it all down to the fact that we still needed to talk, but that could wait for now. There was still so much left unsaid but as we pulled up in front of the Clearwater's, it was all put on the back burner.

A few figures hung about outside on the porch, some I recognised, some I didn't. Jacob's hand squeezed mine just that little bit tighter, drawing my focus onto him. With a small smile and a gentle kiss to my knuckles he climbed out the truck, holding the door open for me to follow. I slowly climbed out but hovered beside the truck.

I wanted to tell my Dad, or I knew I had to but I couldn't inside, not with everyone there. I looked up at Jacob and he nodded his head, seemingly understanding what I was saying even without me saying it. Pressing a kiss to my forehead he hesitated before reluctantly turning and heading towards the house. I watched him go, hovering beside the truck before taking a few steps away from it and crossing my arms, bracing myself for what I knew was going to be a not so great talk with my Dad.

"Grace."

I turned quickly as Sam Uley appeared from behind my truck. He had on a black cotton t-shirt and a pair of ragged cut off shorts. He nodded serenely at me, his eyes doing an obviously quick assessment of my body before he met my gaze. I didn't feel uncomfortable under his scrutiny like I would have before. I understood he was there when Jacob had dragged me from the ocean, there when Jacob had been pounding his fists against my chest trying to get me to breathe. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

"A little beat up but alive." I replied with a shrug, tucking my hands into the sleeves of my jumper and crossing my arms. "Thank you for what you did on the beach."

"That was all Jacob…he wasn't letting you go without a fight." Sam replied, giving me a speculative, almost penetrating look. It was one that screamed I know something you don't. "I'm just glad you're okay."

A small smile forced it's way onto my face and I nodded, "Me too." I said softly, appreciating his concern. For a moment it was hard to remember why I'd had such an issue with him, whilst I still had my reservations about Sam and the pack I knew now that everything that had happened between Jacob and I hadn't been their fault, or at least not completely. Jacob had been the one to pull away from me, the one who had decided to step all over our budding relationship.

That was over now, I had forgiven him…

…hadn't I?

I frowned at the insecure feeling now welling up inside of my chest. When put together with everything else going on inside of me right now I was beginning to feel slightly overwhelmed and even angry.

Bella was gone, to chase after a boy who'd left her broken and shattered for months. Harry was dead. I'd almost died, drowned even because of my own sister. Then there was Jacob, the boy who I loved with everything I had yet who had left me high and dry for weeks, breaking my heart with his constant secrets. I knew why he had done it, even understood in some way but nothing had been explained, not really. It was only now I was realising I hadn't forgiven him, my heart still felt bruised and battered. I wanted to forgive him…but maybe forgetting was going to be harder…could we ever get back what we had…

I loved him I truly did and I felt as though we were really reconnecting, so what was getting in the way of me feeling good about that?

"Grace?"

Snapping out of my rampant thoughts I looked up to see Sam staring down at me in concern and it was only now I realised I'd completely tuned out whatever it was he had been saying. Uncrossing my arms and tucking my hair behind both ears I shook my head. "I'm sorry…I think I'm still a little out of it." I offered in way of an apology. "It's been a…big day, lot to try and process." I admitted.

Sam nodded his head understandingly, "At least you know everything now, it's safer for you that way." Sam said and with that I had to agree. On the one hand not knowing anything would have been safer but because of my connection to Jake, because of my sister's stupid decisions being in the know was a lot safer for me than going forward blind. "As for the imprint…"

"Imprint?" I asked, feeling more out of the loop now than I ever had. This had to be a wolf thing right, otherwise why would Sam know about it as well. Apparently, Sam thought I knew if the look on his face was anything to go by and the way he shook his head at my look of confusion, frustration marring his handsome features. "He still hasn't told you."

"Told me what?" I asked tiredly, but before Sam could answer he shook his head and glanced at something over my shoulder. Turning my head I clocked Jacob striding over with my Dad and if the look on Jake's face was anything to go by, he'd heard out conversation and wasn't happy Sam had let something slip.

I couldn't ask him anything though, so for now I tucked it away determined to ask him later. Right now I had to tell my Dad about Bella and I wasn't looking forward to doing that on top of everything else he had going on.

"I don't know…"

"Then what do you know Grace?" he barked and I flinched back away from the tone, not used to hearing it but I think I understood he wasn't angry at me he was worried about Bella and rightly so, throw in the fact he was grieving as well and I suppose I had to try not to be too offended he was looking at me as though it was my fault.

"Edward was in trouble, that's all I know. Alice was going to go alone but Bella insisted on going as well." I replied. "Dad there was no stopping her. When it comes to Edward, even after everything he's done…I've realised there's nothing Bella won't do, regardless of who she's hurting in the process." I finished bitterly.

Dad stared down at me, his brow furrowed as he tried to decipher some hidden meaning behind my words. Swallowing I looked away from him, blinking back the tears in my eyes…I was so completely done with crying over a sister who didn't even seem to care anymore. Dad turned away from me then, wiping his hand over his mouth before he looked up towards the sky, obviously trying to collect himself.

This was all too much. Even for him and it wasn't fair.

"I'll try calling her, tell her to get back…"

"Dad chances are they're on the plane, she won't answer and even if she does she won't be back until he is." I argued, confident in the fact that Bella would still choose Edward over her family, it was a no brainer.

"I can't just do-nothing Grace! She's my daughter!" he snapped again and I felt something inside of me snap.

I was so done.

"Yeah and so am I! I almost drowned because your precious Bella had another breakdown and pushed me off a damned cliff so go ahead…chase after her but it won't do you any good Dad, she doesn't care!" I yelled, ignoring the stunned look on his face I turned and started walking away, refusing to answer his calls after me.

By the time Jacob caught up with me I was positively shaking, I felt as though my whole body was vibrating. When Jacob reached out I flinched, and whilst I hated that look that fell over his face I couldn't sink into his hold. Instead I stopped at the side of the road and stopped, trying desperately to inhale but my lungs burned once more with every breath. Shaking my head, I sat down on a nearby log and placed my head on my knees.

It was suddenly all too much.

"Grace?"

What the hell had I done? I'd told Dad about the drowning?

"Grace, baby you gotta breathe –"

I tried to breathe but I couldn't, tried to force air into my lungs but there was nothing, my breath stayed shallow.

Spots began to dance through my field of vision. I was going to faint.

My sister was gone and she may never come back, I'd never know what happened to her. I'd all but died less than three hours ago. My boy-friend was a werewolf. My sister was chasing her vampire boy-friend to a place unknown. Harry was dead.

"Grace, baby please!"

I gasped, inhaling greedily as my hands shot out to grip Jacob's shirt. Only now did I notice he was on his knees in front of me, a look of pure terror on his face as he stared at me. I burst into tears, the dam breaking and I threw myself into his arms. "Oh, Jake what am I going to do?" I sobbed into his shoulder, clinging to him as tightly as I could.

"Ssh, it's gonna be fine baby. Just breathe for me. Just breathe." He whispered, his warm hands rubbing soothing circles on my back, his lips pressed against the crook of my neck.

I inhaled and this time it was a complete success. I could breathe finally and it was the most glorious sensation I'd ever felt. My body began to loosen as I relaxed, the panic that had seized tight hold of my heart loosening just a little bit, enough to allow me to breathe at least.

"I hate this. I hate it and now…oh my god I told my Dad." I whimpered, fresh tears spilling over my cheeks. Jacob pulled back just enough to cup my face in his hands and press kisses to my forehead, my nose and cheeks and then my lips, silencing me.

"It's going to be okay, just give him some space. Let me take you home alright we'll wait there…you just need to rest baby."

I found myself nodding, realising as soon as he mentioned rest the exhaustion of the day how tired I actually was. I was physically and emotionally drained I just wanted to crawl into bed and hide away from the world. Dream away the nightmare I now found myself living in…but how could I with Bella still out there? As if on cue, as though he could read my mind Jacob sighed, letting his forehead rest against mine.

"As for Bella…she made her decision Grace, we just gotta pray Alice does like she said she would and looks after her."

-0-

What was happening to my life? I barely recognised it anymore.

"You doing okay?"

Looking up from the mug of hot chocolate I was nursing between my hands I met Jacob's worried gaze, before shaking my head. "No. No I'm not." I whispered. We'd gotten home not too long ago and my head hurt, today had been the mother of all days.

"What can I do baby?" he asked, his hand reaching across the kitchen table to hold onto one of mine. For a moment I didn't answer, I just stared at our joined hands. I felt that familiar connection thrum to life were our palms met.

"What's an imprint?" I asked, watching as his body stilled as though not expecting that question. To be fair I hadn't really thought I'd be asking him that, but I was ready, I just wanted everything on the table. i was tired of their being secrets between us. I watched as Jacob shook his head.

"We don't have to talk about..."

"I think we do Jake, if we have any hope of moving on from what happened I need to know why you pushed away." I said, squeezing his hand gently. "And don't give me some bull crap about protecting me...I know you well enough to know there's something more about why you pushed me away."

"I was trying to protect but um...I didn't want this Grace. I didn't want to be a wolf, I had no choice in this." he said, taking a breath, his hand holding mine tighter. He paused before lifting my hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss against my knuckles before sighing deeply and looking back at me. "I had a plan. Prom, College, we'd maybe go travelling together and I'd propose. We'd get married here, surrounded everyone we loved, we'd have a life together, a long and happy life, together."

That life, I wanted it because I'd seen it as well. Screw our age, I knew Jacob was the one for me. He was the one, I'd known it from that very first kiss. I felt my eyes watering, because knowing he'd imagined it too made my heart feel like it was to explode. I didn't understand though, I didn't understand how this fit in to him pushing me away, to the imprint.

"I imprinted on you. That day in the meadow, when our eyes met, that's when it happened." he said, his words rushed. He didn't say anything else and I nodded my head, looking at him, urging him to continue.

"Yeah but um, Jake you understand I don't know what that means." I reminded him, watching him grimace and nod his head. Taking a breath, he seemed to steel himself before he looked back up at me.

"Legends say that imprinting on someone is like, when you see her. It's almost like gravity moves and the in that instant she becomes the center of your world. Nothing matters more than she does. She, is the one holding you in place. Your imprint becomes the most important thing, the only that matter. You'd do anything for her, be anything for her and you can't fight it." He scowled. "Apparently whatever you want, I'll be okay with. If you want to be friends, a sibling, more...it's up to you."

"So, more than soul mates?" I whispered, the enormity of what he'd just told me, taking a moment to sink in. This was so much more than what I'd thought we had, it was so much bigger than anything I'd imagined. It explained that little earthquake of a moment in the meadow though, that was the imprint. "You're talking about love?"

Jacob nodded his head, his eyes still feverishly on me mine.

"Jake, I loved you before all of this. That life you spoke of, I wanted that. If this imprint means we're destined or we're bound then what's so wrong about that?" I asked, "It hasn't altered my feelings, if anything all it's done confirm what I knew from the very beginning that we belong together."

"Don't you see Grace, there's no choice anymore. The imprint, this connection between us is always going to be there. I don't want to hold you back, I don't want you to have to settle for this..." he spat, indicating to himself. "What I am now, it does change things because like it or not I'm a werewolf, I'm always going to be this and I don't want to be the reason your life is in danger. That's why I tried to push you away because this life, this life wasn't what I wanted for us."

"Jacob you don't get to decide what our life together is supposed to be. Jake, I'm not settling for anything." I replied, pushing up from the table to stand in front of him, forcing him to look at me. "I love you and I want you. I want all of you and if that means werewolves and vampires then I can deal with that. Because your still you, you're still my Jacob."

"I don't want you hurt because of me." he whispered, his hands cupping my face. His eyes met mine, his guard was down and I could see it all. The long, the adoration, the desire for me. Jacob was naked in front of me, the raw heat and intensity of his gaze seared through my body.

"You pushing me away, that hurt me." I admitted and I watched him looked down sadly, the pain on his face unbearable. Cupping his face with my hands, I forced to look back up at me, meeting his gaze head on. "Screw the imprint because I loved before it happened, I am going to love you for the rest of my life and that's not the imprint. That's me. That's us." I whispered. "So please, just don't push away again."

Jacob's lips met mine, warm and soft and without hesitation I was kissing him back. His hands left a blazing trail of heat as they moved down, to wrap around my waist. His arms around my back, drew me closer to him. The kiss, gentle but demanding and full of promise had me learning into him, my hands against his firm chest.

I'd missed this.

I pressed my lips to his with urgency and he opened up to me, both of us fervently staking our claim to the other. The annoying need for breath forced me to pull away first, our heads pressing together as we held each other tight. As Jacob's eyes met mine, I whispered into quiet, closing my eyes at his response.

"Don't let me go."

"Never."

-0-

Before we get onto the review replies and such, can we just send some prayers Twin268's way. She's coping with a sudden loss of a family member and I just want her to know we're all thinking of her! Thoughts and prayers are with you beautiful!

So they're still working things out but they're on the right path to moving on I think? There is a lot of love between them, add the imprint it only heightens that connection. Jacob pushed her away to keep her safe not just from vampires but from the life she'd have with him. He was wrong, he knows that and he's done fighting it. Now the only fighting he'll be doing will be to protect her and protect their future.

Bella's gone though and lord knows what drama is going to follow her home. As you guys can see though, Grace didn't go with her. It wasn't even an option she'd have considered, she knows where she's needed and it's in Forks with the man she loves and the Father she adores.

I can't wait for Bella to come home. Their worlds are about to be turned upside down all over again.

Welcome and thank you so much to our new followers and favourites - xjoker13, Evie96, gingergalaxy7777

Vera - Thanks for the review love! AU is awesome, absolutely anything can happen and I love that, but no, sadly we need Bella for now. There's still a lot of trouble that girl needs to cause! Jacob is not happy with her, but knowing who he is he can't hate her...he still cares, but in coming chapters he's set to be really unhappy with Bella and won't want to know her! Hope you liked this chapter!

High Guardian - Thanks for the review and so happy to hear you liked the chapter. I hope you feel the same about this one! Can't wait to hear what you think on this chapter and the next ones coming our way as things in those chapters, well lets just say it's about to get really bad!

Guest - Hi and thank you for the the review! I'm like you, I've been burned by WIP fics before so I try to avoid them and only read completed, but I'm glad you made the exception for Grace and Jacob! I can't wait for you to read everything coming up! Hope you liked this chapter love!

Twin268 - Thanks love and don't you dare worry about reviewing or reading! Please just take care of yourself and your family and I'm so, so sorry for your loss! I'm sending my prayers and thoughts your way and we'll see you soon love! just please look after yourself! Always here if you need someone to talk to!