AN: I briefly considered waiting to post this on Bella's actual birthday, but I'm too impatient. This will offer some background on Jamie and has an appearance by our favorite DILF Charlie. Also, Jake and the wolves. Oh and I do not own Twilight!

Song of the Chapter: Dog Days Are Over by Florence + The Machine

The dog days are over, the dog days are done...

Chapter 5

Bella had been sleeping peacefully, cuddled up in her warm bed under her warm covers in her cozy bedroom. She didn't get to sleep until about an hour after Jasper had left, her mind reeling from their conversation. She had laid it all out for him, telling him where she had been, what she had done, who she became after they had left. It's like she had finally closed a door that had been jammed open, telling Jasper that she has forgiven him. It's the absolute truth.

Dr. Jones had told her that she needed to let the past go or it would consume her, ruin her. So, she did. She had closed the doors that needed to be closed – breaking contact with her mom, letting go of anything that even reminded her of Edward and the Cullens, actually talking to her dad. That led to both of them healing. She hadn't let her trauma consume her, and while her depression would never go away completely...

She was able to tell it to fuck off more often than not.

She was able to enjoy a very peaceful and deep sleep. She deserves it, it is her birthday after all.

Well, maybe someone should have told that to the little purring beast pawing at her face. "Fitz, go away," Bella rolls over with a huff, trying to sleep just a little bit longer. It doesn't deter Fitz, who jumps over her and goes to the other side, pawing at her face with loud 'meows'. Cracking her eyes open to glare at the cat, she finds her annoyance melts quickly – still on a high from last night – and smiles, reaching a hand out to scratch his head. "Thanks for the wake up call."

She leans over to her nightstand and grabs her phone, seeing that it's one in the afternoon. She has about fifteen text messages all wishing her a Happy Birthday. Some of them were from the people she went out with last night, saying how sorry they were that they missed her leaving and hope she has a great day. It was more out of an obligation than an actual friendship. The others though, they genuinely made her happy. There was one from Jessica, from Mike, from newlyweds Angela and Ben, from college friends. She quickly sends a thank you to each of them, before seeing that Jake also sent her a text.

happy birthday, bells! officially an old lady, do u get a senior citizen discount now?

Smirking, she replies, I'm so gonna tell Vanessa you said that :P

When Edward left, after she had gotten a swift kick in the ass from her dad and was seeking help, she had started spending more time with Jacob Black. They spent most of their time in his garage, fixing up old cars – well, him fixing up old cars and her hovering while trying to absorb as much as she could. He had taught her the basics, all while describing his plans to open his own garage. She fully supported him then, and now she was just so proud of him for achieving his dream.

Jake opened up Blackwater Automotive five years ago with Seth Clearwater, the latter looked up to Jake, so Jake taught him everything he knew about cars. The business had been quite successful, not just fixing up La Push residents' cars, but Jake had a penchant for fixing up old classics and selling them to collectors.

That had started when someone had found out about Bella's very old and very classic truck and had offered the girl a stupid amount of money for it. Baffled, she had talked to Jake, who was able to talk to the guy, upping the price if they fixed it up a bit. The man agreed and Bella split the money with Jake, who had put it away to save up for what would be Blackwater.

Half of the money paid for a good amount of her college expenses, along with help from Charlie. She paid off the remainder of her student loans with the sales money from The Lion and The Lamb.

While Bella and Jake had thought feelings between them were growing, they had shared one kiss, before breaking down in laughter.

"No," they both agreed with a grimace, before hugging warmly and agreeing to never talk about it again. The two had realized that what they had confused for romantic feelings for each other was just pure genuine affection and love. They were best friends and that was perfect for them - Jake was a warm hug waiting for her when she needed it, she offered him a girl perspective and advice when he needed it.

Then the whole wolf thing happened.

The Jake she loved was gone one day, replaced with this different person – more irritable, more hotheaded, acting weird around Sam Uley. His other friends Embry and Quill had apparently abandoned him, which she had though caused his change in mood. He had hit a growth spurt almost overnight, standing about a foot taller than her when he had been just an inch or two taller than her before. He had gained weight too, not weight – muscle. He was pure solid.

Puberty had hit Jake like a truck, or so she thought.

One day in February, she and Charlie went to the reservation so Charlie could watch some game with Billy. Bella had found Jake in the garage, slamming things and grumbling to himself. He was being a complete dick and she snapped at him, telling him to pull the stick out of his ass.

He exploded. Literally exploded.

Gone was Jake, replaced with a giant russet colored wolf, the size of a minivan. The sheer size of the wolf in the small garage caused him to tear through the wall like paper, the roof falling down on them with it. Time slowed down for Bella, in what she thought were her last seconds alive. She processed that Jake was now a giant wolf, that the roof was going to probably kill her, and that she had survived all of what she had gone through - had swallowed her pride and worked her ass off to get better - to die from a fucking roof collapsing on her head. Un-fucking-believable, she cursed, raising her arms to shield her head, hoping at least it would be quick.

It never came, instead the wolf had moved quicker than possible and knocked her to the ground, shielding her body with his. The roof came down on top of him, landing on his back. He snarled, more agitation than pain. Once everything settled, the wolf looked down to make sure that the human underneath him was safe and covered. Two voices then screamed out, alerted from the loud noise of the crash and snarl.

"Jacob!"

"Bella!"

Bella could only focus on the giant wolf looking down at her with warm brown eyes.

Jacob's eyes.

She reached her hand out to touch the top of its head, the wolf leaning into her touch. "Jake?"

The wolf huffed and bobbed his head as if nodding. Bella exhaled a shaky breath, watching as the wolf stood and nudged rubble out of the way with his snout, clearing a path for Bella to walk. Charlie had made it over to them first, quickly grabbing Bella and pulling her behind him, keeping her between him and the giant wolf. Billy rolled his wheelchair right up to the wolf, dodging Charlie trying to grab him and pull him back.

"Billy-"

Billy ignored him, needing to soothe his scared son. "Relax, son...relax...come back, that's it."

A very naked human Jacob, something she wishes she could scrub from memory, was then standing there. Charlie, while very confused, immediately took his flannel off and handed it to the naked boy.

At that moment, the Pack had burst through the tree line in their wolf forms, having been alerted of Jacob's transformation by the erratic panicked thoughts of a new wolf and the images of Bella and the destroyed garage. The look of shock on Charlie and Bella's faces made Billy chuckle a little bit, "Guess we have a lot to explain."

Billy had called for a meeting, explaining everything from the legend of the wolves to the Cullens and their treaty. Sam Uley, the acting Alpha, had explained their pursuit of a certain redheaded Vampire on their land, which had in turn caused Bella to have to explain everything about Edward and the Cullens to her dad.

To say he was not pleased of the world his daughter was involved in was an understatement.

She had pointedly avoided telling Jasper that her dad knew about them after he had told her about the Volturi and their own mind reader. There was just no need, her father and Jasper will never meet and she doesn't want to put her dad in unnecessary danger.

She just hoped he never shows up in Alice's visions.

For Charlie, while it was not pleasing to hear the world his daughter had been involved in, it had made her reaction to Edward leaving make a lot more sense. The intensity of the teenaged relationship, the looks Edward gave her, the looks she gave Edward. It all made sense. Talking through her abandonment had helped the father and daughter to grow just a little closer, tightening their already unbreakable bond. Charlie had realized just how close he had been to losing Bella. That would never happen again.

After Jake phased, he had assumed his mantle of Alpha, his birthright, and had instructed the Pack to continue patrolling their land – and Forks – for the redheaded Vampire. After a particularly close call where they almost caught her – and she was slippery – she had retreated to the water, never to return. The Pack did nightly watches at the Swan's house, making sure the redhead wouldn't harm them, until Bella left for college. With no sight of Victoria, Bella was able to breathe a little easier, especially since the redhead had no idea she would be across the country.

Charlie had decided after Bella graduated that after being a twenty-year veteran of the police, and now being aware of the supernatural world that existed, it was time to retire. Finally following their childhood dream, Charlie and Billy sold their homes and bought their own house in La Push. A cozy rancher style with three bedrooms and a large living room 'man-cave' adorned with all the Washington sports team memorabilia in the world. The boy-men were now able to fish any day they wanted and stay up late and watch whatever sport was playing. The Bachelor Pad, Bella and Jake would tease them. In reality, they loved it; they loved the happiness it brought their fathers. Jake knew his dad was a little hurt by how little Rachel and Rebecca came to visit, and his Alpha duties keeping him away from home, he knew that his dad was a little lonely. Him and Charlie living together was perfect. He usually spent his times asleep at Sam and Emily's, crashing in their spare room. The latter had deemed herself the Wolf Mom, spoiling all the hungry little pups with food galore. He loved it, and he was able to bounce ideas off of Sam, his second in command.

Two years after Bella left for college, Jake had imprinted on Vanessa, a Nursing student at University of Washington who had come to the beach one Saturday with her friends. Jake had explained the whole imprinting phenomenon to Bella, so when she received the '911 IT HAPPENED' text, she smiled and promised to be home for Christmas to meet the girl.

She was lovely.

A tall African American girl with deep brown skin, black coily curls on her head, and an absolute drop-dead gorgeous smile. Vanessa seemed a bit nervous to meet Bella, having heard nonstop about Jake's best friend and Bella tried her best to put the girl at ease. She frequently commented on how cute the new couple looked together, how Jake better treat her right, and how happy she was for them. Jake gazed at Vanessa like she was the Sun and Bella's heart warmed at the sight. About three months of dating, Jake explained the whole wolf thing and imprinting to Vanessa, she took it...well. At first, she thought he was crazy, then he phased and she screamed, then she calmed and he explained. It took a little bit of time, a talk with Bella, and she settled. The girls had become fast friends, so Bella's outsider perspective on the wolves helped Vanessa adjust. Nothing really changed, she was falling fast for Jake, and he was already smitten.

Bella smiles at the next text, from the imprint herself. Happy Birthday, Bella! can't wait to see you for thanksgiving! And don't worry, I'll kick his ass for you myself. Love you! :)

Little did Vanessa know; Jake was planning to pop the question at Christmas. She had been the one to help Jake pick out the ring. Since this was their first Christmas in their newly built house, Blackwater Auto was steady, and Vanessa had gotten hired at a local hospital - Jake had thought it was the perfect time.

Feeling another pawing at her face, "Alright!" Bella huffs at Fitz, tossing the covers off of herself and pulling herself from her bed. Fitz guides her to the kitchen, making sure she didn't forget where his food is. Bella plops a can of food into his bowl and sends a reply to Vanessa, before heading to the living room. She plops down on her couch to doze and relax and watch television and relax some more. Fitz comes to join her when he's done eating, making himself comfortable on her chest. Bella closes her eyes and smiles, scratching his head.

Taking a deep breath, she enjoys the serenity of the moment, the calmness, the stillness.

This is something she used to dream about when she was younger, just lying about without a care in the world. Not having to worry about paying bills, how she was going to get money to pay the bills where they were going to live when they're evicted, how they were going to eat, what if the washer or dryer blew, or the heating, or the AC, how would they afford to fix that.

Now, she doesn't have to worry about anything. All of her bills were on auto-pay, she has enough money in her bank account if an accident does happen, she has plenty of food in her pantry, she has a home that is hers alone, she has steady income, she has a life.

She can exhale without a weight on her chest anymore.

The sound of her phone ringing snaps her awake, having dozed off for a bit. Grabbing her phone off the dark brown coffee table, she sees who it is and answers with a smile.

"Hey, dad."

"Figured I'd give you a little time to sleep in," Charlie says, Billy yelling out an enthusiastic 'happy birthday, Bells!' in the background. "What he said."

She laughs, "Thanks, dad. Thanks, Billy!"

She had gotten over her little aversion to her birthday. Her main problem with her eighteenth was that she was a year older than Edward. The horror, she rolls her eyes now at the thought of being an older woman in a relationship with a younger man. Safe to say, she grew up and matured. She didn't really like receiving presents, feeling that that money should go to more useful things – such frivolities could have been used to buy groceries or pay a bill, or at least that was ingrained from her brain from the ages of six to seventeen from living with Renee. She was lucky if Renee remembered her birthday half the time, being so scatterbrained and forgetting what day it is most of the time. And if she did remember her birthday, she usually got Bella a gift that would have been more suited to Renee and whatever hobby she had picked up that month.

Now, though, she can appreciate her birthday and gifts she receives. Case in point, Charlie.

"Did you get the card?" Charlie asks and Bella glances to her coffee table seeing the very basic, very Charlie birthday card. It had come with a gift card to her favorite small bookstore in Philadelphia, she was both touched and amazed that Charlie remembered from her making a fleeting comment about it. But that was just her dad. He remembers the little things. They mean the most to him, that's how they are the most alike. An image of her snow tires enters her mind and she smiles.

"I did, thank you, dad," she replies, hearing him clear his throat – his telltale sign of being uncomfortable with an emotional moment.

"So, what are your plans for the day?"

Bella sighs blissfully, "Nothing."

"I'll drink to that," Charlie chuckles.

"Blitz took me out last night for my birthday," Bella explains, trying to ignore the whooshing in her gut a last night's events come back to her. Best not to say anything to Charlie and worry him, "I just want to relax today. I have a deadline coming up that I don't really want to think about."

"How is it coming?"

"It's coming. About fifteen more chapters to write."

"If you need any more help-"

She smiles, "I appreciate it."

After the success of The Lion and The Lamb, she had been asked to write a trilogy. She agreed, but wanted to write a more crime centered book, dropping out of the Fantasy Genre. She has had enough of the Fantasy for a life time. Thankfully, she is using Charlie and his expertise and experience as a police officer to write it.

After the second book of the trilogy was released, she was able to buy this apartment outright with cash. That had been one of her proudest moments.

"I'm gonna let you go, Billy and I are heading to Sam and Emily's for the game," Charlie says, pulling Bella out of her thoughts.

"Alright dad, have a great time," Bella pulls herself from the couch and heads to her bedroom, "Love you."

"Love you too, Bells."

Deciding that she should maybe be a little productive today, Bella strips the bed and walks to the washer and dryer in her unit – something she was extremely grateful for as school had made her tired of going to laundromats – and tosses her bedding in and starting it. She walks into the bathroom and starts the shower, getting in once the water is warm. As she washes her hair, a smile forms on her face as she remembers Jasper's parting words.

She stops. He's coming back. He's coming back tonight. The whooshing in her gut returns and she quickly washes her hair, face, and body and pulls her fuzzy robe around her. He's coming back. Not that she doesn't want him too, she does. She had laid it all out for him last night, she had told him where she had been, what she had done, what she had seen, who she became. And they healed, together.

The little information he did give her was very shocking, and while he told her to not blame herself for the Cullens splitting, she did. How could she not? It was her birthday that had caused the family's demise apparently. While Jasper's words erased some guilt, it still lingers in her mind. She had broken up a marriage, her former best friend's marriage. She winces at the thought as she puts moisturizer on her heated face, picturing Jasper and Alice happy and together. From what he had said last night, he seemed okay. There didn't seem to be any bitterness on his end. And this Jasper seemed different, more comfortable, more confident.

Hot, her subconscious hisses, teasing her and her not so innocent thoughts. She feels a twist in her gut, guilt mixed with...desire. Yes, he's very hot, his change in demeanor from when she was younger and under Edward's spell is very sexy, to say the least. The way he towers over her, his smirk, his voice.

"No," she growls at herself, glaring at her reflection. Her face is flushed, not from the still steaming bathroom, and her eyes are bright and a little wild. She narrows her eyes at herself, "Not going to happen."

The bathroom is too hot, so she walks to her bedroom and pulls out some clothes for the day, a soft oversized band shirt and a pair of black leggings. Letting her hair air dry in its normal waves, she heads to her desk and puts on her normal everyday makeup. She wants to at least look presentable when he's here.

Glancing at the clock on her bedstand, she sees that it's quarter to four, she didn't tell him an exact time, but she figures should expect him whenever the sun sets.

Knock-knock.

She blinks, wondering if she was just imagined that knocking. It's bright and sunny out, and while the buildings in the city offer some shade, it would still be very risky for him to be out right now. It's probably just her neighbor's door.

Knock-knock.

Nope, that's her door. Feeling her heartbeat start to pick up, she walks to the door and peeks through the peephole.

Oh.

Opening the door, she smiles politely at the delivery person handing her a bouquet of chocolate covered fruit with a 27 balloon attached to it. The same person gets her that very same arrangement that she loves every year so she knows just who it's from.

"Thank you," Bella says, taking the bouquet and shutting the door with her foot. Bringing it to the kitchen, she places it on her island and her smile widens at the card attached.

Fuck strep throat.

Happy Birthday, Bella.

You're my fucking soulmate.

Love,

Jamie

Bella and Jamie had been assigned as roommates freshman year of college, something which Jamie describes as fate. They had clicked instantly, ever since move in day. Charlie and Bella had flown out the day before and stayed at a hotel, which allowed them to be at the dorms bright and early to move Bella in. Bella had shed a few tears before he left, seeing that he was struggling a bit too, telling her that the minute she didn't want to be there anymore to call him and he would come pick her up. After he had left, she had finished putting the rest of her clothes away when someone came crashing through the door.

Jumping, she turned to face her new roommate, who was balancing two boxes in her arms and two duffel bags on her shoulders. Rushing over, she grabbed the two boxes from the girl's hands before they fell to the floor.

"Thank you!" Jamie exclaimed, setting down the two bags on her twin bed with an exhausted sigh. She finally looked at Bella and smiled brightly, holding out her hand. "Hi, I'm Jamie!"

"Bella," she smiled shyly, shaking the girls hand.

They discovered they had a lot in common – both had come cross country for school, both were English majors, and both had a deep love for books. Bella had been intimidated almost immediately.

Almond shaped brown eyes, matching silky hair, and show stopping cheekbones, Jamie was absolutely stunning and held herself with confidence. Even dressed casually in sweatpants and a t-shirt, Jamie was beautiful. It was her confidence in herself, Bella noted. Later, Bella would realize that Jamie teased out her own confidence, allowing her to be truly comfortable in her skin and her appearance.

They had stayed up all night talking about their lives. Jamie was born to Chinese immigrants in California and had come to UPenn to become an Editor, "I can't tell you a story, but I can tell you what's wrong with yours," she had joked, both girls laughing over their pizza.

From that day on, they were inseparable. After their freshman year, they had gotten an apartment for the rest of their schooling, able to afford it by getting hired and working long hours at a local bookstore café. Thankfully, they had been able to quit after Blitz had given Bella an advance for The Lion and The Lamb, which allowed them to cover rent. In her contract, she had negotiated that Jamie be her Editor, and due to the success of the book, Blitz hired Jamie when she graduated.

They had grown incredibly close over the years at school. While she had made other friends, Jamie was her constant through it all. A shoulder to cry on when some guy ghosted her; a person willing to fight a reviewer who had trashed Bella's book; a friend to laugh with until it hurt; and someone to knock some sense into her when she needed it.

"You're my fucking soulmate," Jamie slurred, taking another sip of the bottle. They had just gotten back from their graduation celebration and collapsed on the couch in their apartment. Both girls were clutching bottles of champagne from the party; very tired and very drunk and very happy and very proud.

Bella smiled at her words, agreeing with the sentiment and reaching her bottle up to clink with Jamie's. "You're my soulmate, too."

Sending a thank you text to the sick girl, she grabs some of the fruit to snack on and stores the rest in her fridge. Quickly swapping her bedding to the dryer, she decides to do nothing for the rest of the day. She orders her favorite take out and lounges on the couch, watching mindless television and reading and relaxing.

A couple of more deliveries come through the day – a cute care package full of bath bombs, a fuzzy blanket, champagne, and candles from Blitz Books; a very pretty sunflower arrangement and chocolates from her PR Rep, Shawna; a purple hyacinth bouquet from her very recent ex-boyfriend with a gaudy card telling her that he misses her and hopes she can forgive for his moment of weakness. She had caught the dumbass at a party thrown by Blitz completely belligerent from the open bar and groping some poor intern. Jamie had dressed him down brutally; that was angriest Bella had ever seen her best friend. She tosses the purple flowers right into the garbage, reminding herself to have another lock installed to her door. The idiot would apparently just not give up.

Placing the sunflowers by the window next to her gorgeous calathea, she glances up at the darkening sky. Her anxiety rolls around her belly. Oddly, her excitement does too.

Wasn't long until-

Knock-knock.

Bella stalls brushing her teeth at the noise, muted from her being in her bathroom. He's here, she knows it, she feels it. Quickly finishing up, she spits and rinses, checking to see that nothing is stuck in her teeth. Scrutinizing her appearance, she fluffs her hair a bit and then realizing what she's doing. Get a hold of yourself, this isn't a date!

Chiding herself for her antics, she walks to the front door, quickly making sure the apartment is clean and put together. Fitz has apparently made himself scarce, probably sleeping under her bed. One of her favorite candles is burning on the coffee table and her speaker is softly playing lo-fi, just something to fill the background.

Taking a deep breath, she opens the door.

Yellow. That's the first thing she notices.

Jasper's hair and the dozen yellow roses he's holding in his hands.

Beautiful, she thinks as she looks at the flowers and at the man holding them. She feels her heart flutter a bit and grins, feeling a little cheeky. "Front door again. I'm impressed."

Jasper smirks, shrugging his shoulders. "Rather not get my ass lit on fire."

"Smart," she snarks, stepping to the side and letting him inside, closing her eyes as his scent reaches her nose. He smells like a man, not artificial through any deodorant or spray or cologne, he smells like pure man – woodsy, kind of spicy, warm. Like she just took a shot of whiskey, warmth spreads from her belly to her entire body, lighting her on fire.

Opening her eyes, she finds him looking at her, smirk on his face.

Jasper's an empath, and he just felt all of those thoughts.

"Fuck."

AN: I definitely see Bella being a plant mom (calatheas are so pretty) along with being a cat mom. Her breed of cat is Nebelung btw, they are the best cats and usually only bond with one person and are super chill and cuddly. I feel that it's perfect for Bella. Oh, and don't worry! Nothing will happen to Mr. Fitz. I hate the trope of someone killing pets in stories.

My Jamie is the exceptionally gorgeous Gemma Chan, my Vanessa is the stunning Javicia Leslie (Batwoman!), just in case you needed a picture of my lovely OCs. And since Taylor is just a little too young to be my Jacob Black, picture Martin Sensmeiser, if you want.

I started a tumblr for this story, check it out if you want! Link in my bio.