What!? This is real. I'm updating and continuing this fic. I'm sorry it's been so long. I won't bore you with my personal struggles. I truly want to complete this one. No promises on the others. We will see. If you've forgotten this little fic, you might want to go back and skim it once again. It's a fairly light read, almost all fluff. Oh wait, it's not. LOL!

The Long Way Home continues...

Chapter 22

Bella twisted her hands in her lap all the way back to the cabin. She didn't speak or look Jacob in the eyes even when they came inside and got ready for bed. He longed to share her mind again. It was so powerful to be like that with Bells even though he already had something similar with his brothers and Leah. This was different. He and Bells were unique, beyond imprinted.

Her thoughts and memories were not all pleasant and sweet; there was darkness there. Bella still hid her worst from Jacob even though he thought they finally buried the leech for good.

They laid in bed with Bella's back to Jacob. He reached out and tapped her shoulder. "Honey, you can show me anything. Think of all that we've been through together. Let me help you. I know you've already seen, and it's tearing you up inside."

Without turning over Bella reached up and squeezed his hands. He heard her thoughts, I need to sleep first but I'll wake you soon.

Bella slept. Jacob did not. The only peace he felt all night was that he knew she was safe next to him. The visions drained all her strength, so he was determined to lie there as long as she needed him to be patient. Why had their dads lied to them? It didn't make sense. Being so connected with Bella felt completely normal, but knowing the truth was hidden and buried all these years started a fury within him. Old Quil acted like there was an explanation for everything, but Jacob didn't see how he could ever forgive Charlie or his father. Maybe it was Renee, but they went along with it.

He couldn't stop saying what if? He doubted Edward would have ever come between them. Bella wouldn't have suffered so much damage. Now they were both damaged. Sure, healing had taken place, but it didn't take much to send her back to the dark place. And Jacob always followed her. He was there every time.

They weren't normal.

Jacob worked a little to get by, but mostly they just stayed in the little cabin in the woods. He used to be social. Their friends tried to include them, but everyone accepted Jacob and Bella did little with the entire group. It overwhelmed her, and he realized whatever Bells felt, he felt. This final revelation could be exactly what they needed to move forward and start living again. He was ready no matter how painful the truth was. It was about his mother. That much he knew. Bella was afraid for him to see, but Sarah Black was dead. How much worse could it be? There was no way to get her back. The events around her death had been slightly altered, but the result was still the same for Jacob.

Just before the dawn, Bella's breathing changed, and she started to move. When she finally whimpered, he took her hand hoping to calm the distress the nightmares brought. She opened her eyes to his. "Sorry, I got restless and woke you."

That wasn't true, but he didn't tell her that. "It's fine. Go back to sleep, Bells."

"No, if we're both awake, maybe I should show you the rest. I think it will be easier in the dark."

"Whatever is easiest, honey."

"It won't be easy, Jake."

"Okay. Take your time."

Bella curled into him. She didn't say anything else and soon he was mimicking her breath. He even concentrated to match his heart rate to hers. They were totally in sync. That's when the vision started.

Two young children hid in Jacob's tiny closet while Sarah and Renee argued. Bella's mom sounded crazy. Jacob's mom tried to calm her down.

"I don't know who you think you are. I appreciate you for watching Bella all these times, but I'm done. These past weeks were one disappointment after the other. Bella and I are going back to California—permanently."

"Okay, Renee. If you say so. I'm sorry you're so upset, but Bella needs to stay put until Charlie gets back. I made a promise to him. Maybe you need to take a few days for yourself, calm down and figure out a plan."

"Stop patronizing me, woman. I have custody. I'll call Charlie later. He knew Bella's visit was temporary. Where is she? Bella! Bella, sweetheart. Mommy's here. We've got to get going. We'll even find a McDonald's on the way, and I'll let you get the happy meal this time. You can have an ice cream cone too if you promise not to make a mess. A chocolate-dipped one. Today is your lucky day. Bella!"

Bella squeezed Jacob's hand tighter as they listened to the heavy footsteps all over the house. She was opening every door and slamming it when each room turned up empty for her daughter. She was sure to find them any second and then he'd lose Bells forever. Jacob didn't want to act like a baby, but he couldn't stop the tears from falling.

The voices got closer. Renee was in his room. This was it until Sarah shouted, "Get away from that door or else! I said no. You will not take that child from my house until her father arrives."

"Who are you on the phone with? What do you intend to do with that broom? Is it cleaning time for the little housewife?"

Sarah spoke loud and clear, "Yeah, I'm here. Send someone quick. I have a trespasser. A crazy woman. She might be on drugs. I'm going to have to strike her if she doesn't leave. Please, send Chief Swan. There's been an attempted kidnapping on his daughter."

"Why you filthy liar. She's lying! I'm her mother. I'm not a kidnapper." Jacob and Bella heard a struggle. He was about to open the door to see if his mother needed help when without warning, the closet was flooded in light.

"Come out, kids. It's okay. She left. But she'll be back. I'm sure of it. We need to leave."

Bella was shaking with fear, "Are the police coming? Where's Dad?"

"No, I was bluffing, and thankfully, it worked. Come on, grab your shoes; you can put them on in the car. We're going straight to Charlie." Bella eyed the broom still in Sarah's hand. She dropped the object, opened her arms, and hugged the little girl against her body. "I wouldn't have hurt her, Bella. It's just sometimes adults stop being rational when they're upset. Renee's upset right now, and I didn't want you to go with her until she's had time to calm down. She loves you very much, you know that, right? So does Charlie. We love you too, all of us, especially Jacob. You're a lucky little girl to have so many people that care about you."

Bella calmed down some when Jacob promised everything was going to be alright in her thoughts. The trio rushed to get outside and into Sarah's car. Once Jacob and Bella were secured in the back, Sarah left the driveway and the reservation as quickly as she could. She talked to herself a few times about slowing down since the kids were with her and voiced her frustration over how she wished Billy would have been home today. The kids stayed quiet, so they wouldn't be a distraction. Bella felt her heart racing like she'd been running a race. Jacob grabbed her hand again. He'd been pretty upset too, but now heading toward Forks, the two started to calm down because they were still together and hopefully Charlie would make sure that would always be the case.

The vision abruptly ended, "I can stop. Are you hungry because a big breakfast sounds good?"

Jacob shook his head. "No, thanks. I don't think I can eat. She's driving toward her death, isn't she Bells? I knew you were leading up to this, it's just... I wish I could say something. Scream at her to stop the car, anything to change it."

Bella threaded her fingers with Jacob's. "I'm so sorry. That's understandable. I don't want you to see, but it's important. I just pray when you know everything, you can still face me."

He cupped her face in his hands. "Of course. This is my favorite face on earth. We were little kids. It's not your fault. I can't remember everything, but it's not even Renee's fault. Like Mom said, people aren't rational when they're upset. She was upset too and probably drove too fast. It was a tragic accident."

"Jake, it was tragic, yes, but what you don't understand is it wasn't an accident. Sarah was murdered and I'm the reason."

~Thanks for reading.

You guys. If you still care about reading my fanfics, I adore you. I always had a plan for this story. It's just been a crazy time in my head lately and that never benefits my muse. Let me know if you're still with me. I love hearing from everyone. **hugs**