FAGE… The 13th.

Title: Picking Up the Pieces

Written for: Jadiona

Written By: NCChris

Rating: M

Summary/Prompt used: Post-Twilight/New Moon AU - Jake/Bella/Paul MMF tragic romance; I do my own beta'g and banner making, so any errors or lame banners are all mine. I do not own Twilight or any of the characters, nor do I make any money from writing this story. Twilight belongs to Stephanie Meyer; I'm just playing in her sandbox. This is not an overly lemony fic, but there are a few scenes. Please do not read if you are under 16. Thanks!

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Chapter 1 – The Beginning

Disclaimer: Twilight and all its characters belong to Stephanie Meyer. This is a work of fiction based on her world and characters. I don't own any of it, except my plot bunny. This isn't an overly lemony fanfic, but there are some adult scenes. Please don't read this story unless you are old enough; 18+ would be best. I hope you enjoy this short story!

12 Months Later

Bella carefully moved around her room at the rehab facility. She lightly brushed her fingers over the top of the dresser, picking up her personal items as she came to them. She could just make out outlines, if she looked down, but it was easier by touch and it didn't make her head hurt as much. She'd almost become used to the dull ache behind her eyes. The doctors assured her that it would get better in time, or, at least, not get worse. Recovering from a stroke, even at her age, was seldom straightforward.

She carefully grasped her hairbrush and the collection of little carvings that had faithfully arrived every other week since she'd been released from the hospital in Arizona and flown to the rehab facility in Florida. She thought she might see about having them made into charms for a bracelet. She smiled a bit as she carried them over to the open suitcase on her bed. Her steps were a little unsteady from the weakness on her left side, but she didn't like to use a cane in her room.

Her mom, Renee, and her dad, Charlie, would be arriving soon to do her discharge paperwork. She hoped Renee could keep it together this time. Bella was tired of having to comfort her when she broke down in tears. She had enough of her own turbulent emotions without having to parent her mom through the turmoil.

As if her thoughts had conjured them, there was a knock at the door. Renee and Charlie loved their daughter and Charlie had finally won the argument over where Bella would be living after her discharge. Renee and Phil, while willing to have her as long as necessary, were heading into Spring training and baseball season. They would seldom be home in Florida and Bella still needed help most days. They had the resources to pay for the best home care, but Bella couldn't stand the idea of basically having a babysitter at 18.

Charlie, however, while busy himself, had a close-knit support network in Forks and La Push. Bella had already heard from several of his close friends, including Sue & Harry Clearwater, Billy Black, and even Joy Ateara, who reminded Bella that her great-aunt Molly had been an Ateara by marriage & they took care of their family.

Jacob, being the kind and gentle boy she'd made mudpies with as a little girl, kept her supplied with the tiny carved animals and endless bits of gossip about the goings on in the small La Push community. His friends, Embry and Quil, even occasionally sent her audio messages about Jake's embarrassing moments.

Bella dreamed of Forks at night. In her dreams, her vision was perfect and she didn't need a cane to keep her balance when she walked. Her head didn't ache and her voice wasn't perpetually husky, even though some of her rehab friends teased her that, if writing didn't work out as a career choice, phone sex operator was definitely still on the table with that smoky rasp. She felt calm and peaceful when she woke from those green dreams of the deep forest or the solitary gray dreams of First Beach.

Bella zipped the suitcase and turned toward the open door. Her decision had been made. She was going back to where it all started; devoid of vampires, but not of friends.