A/N: I disrupt my order here a little, but wouldn't you rather hear from Jake than Edward? MarinaNamaste is my beta. She is awesome.


"Well what do you want me to do here, Jake? I'm swamped!" my sister screeched though the tiny hole in my phone.

"Rachel! I'm on my way!" I said for the thousandth time. "I'm sorry that Quil took the jet to fly his girlfriend out to visit and that I had to fly commercial. I'm in Seattle. I rented a copter to take me up the La Push. But the fucking airlines lost my luggage. I don't need anything, I'm just calling to tell you!" Damn but she could make things so much more difficult than they were. I was waiting for the pilot to file the flight plan so I could get up to La Push.

"Well, Jake, it's just a mad house around here. We had two sponsors pull their funding for three scholarships. And then Charlie…and dad is so worried…and Paul's an asshole!" she broke off and I could tell she was stress crying.

"Okay, listen," I said, my voice soothing like I was calming a frightened animal, because that's what my sister is like when she's stressed, "we'll pull some money from the library project that isn't set to begin for two years and funnel it there. That gives us some time to find new sponsors. And if worse comes to worst, I'll cough up the money. I got more than I need." The pilot gave me the thumbs up from the hanger, I grabbed my bag and stood up. "I'll be up there in an hour and I'll take care of dad. Can you hang on for an hour, Rach?"

"Jake, I'm sorry. Yes, I can hang on for an hour," she said after I heard her take a deep breath.

"And you knew Paul was an asshole when you married him. But that asshole has a big, squishy heart, too. So don't go stomping on it too much, okay?" I said with a smile in my voice.

"How'd you get so great?" she asked and I heard sniffle.

"We'll discuss that over dinner at Charlie's when he pulls outta this. I gotta go. I'll see you soon." I climbed into the helicopter and an attendant closed and locked the door.

"Bye, Jacob. I love you and be safe!" That was the last thing I heard before the rotors fired up. I'd used this company many times in the past so they knew exactly where to take me. I'd even had a pad built in dad's back yard. It just made it easier than always having people pick me up.

The other good thing about taking a helicopter is that it flew low enough for me to still use my cell phone. I'd conferenced with Quil and Embry on the plane—thank Taha Aki for airplane wifi. But I shot texts off to Ruby, Emmett, and the managers of the cities I was set to visit from the helicopter. All texted back well wishes and love, plus Ruby wanted an address so she could send my father some cookies. By the time I finished all that, the helo was landing in dad's back yard.

I waved to the pilot who smiled again and gave me a thumbs up. He was a good guy. I hopped out and bent low for much longer than necessary. I'd seen those YouTube videos where people are too stupid around helicopters and lost a hand or their scalp. I opened the back door and dropped my computer bag on the kitchen table.

"Rachel!" I called out.

"In here!" she called from the office. I stopped for a moment to look around our newly renovated kitchen. When Rachel came back from college so I could go, she was hell-bent on keeping everything exactly like my mom had it. But something changed when I got into Harvard. She and Paul got married and started running the local hotel. They hired Embry and Quil who had both finished their Associate's degree in business. Jared and Sam both helped with maintenance and Emily made all the food. She had some money rolling in and dad told her that if mom were alive she'd really want to give the place a makeover.

And Rachel was off. I had to admit, she kept the essence of mom's spirit, but then treated her renovations as if she was building a monument to mom.

Dad was right on board with her. Rachel insisted on moving back home and taking care of dad and Paul didn't care as long as someone fed him.

My eyes scanned over the minty green cabinets that replaced the 70's avocado. It was warm and inviting with accents of gold and cream. She'd kept that old clock that no one liked, except mom, and after we bought our second Casino, Rachel replaced all the appliances with state of the art industrial sized ones. It was still our house, only modern.

We'd decided to make everything handicapped accessible, so the counters were a little lower and we took out the island so there was more space to move a wheel chair around. We'd made sure the new additions had wider hallways and all the bathrooms had railings and roll in showers. Dad refused to move bedrooms, though. I got that. So we simply added on to his and that included a new bathroom, too.

My room was the same, but we'd knocked down the wall between my room and the girls' old room so it was double the size. Oh, and a bed big enough that my feet didn't hang over the end. All in all, it really was a nice, little, modern home built around the foundation of the old.

I walked down the hallway to the new wing where Rachel and Paul kept their bedroom and home office. She was sitting at the desk and her face was illuminated by the glow of her monitor. Her fingers were moving rapidly over the keyboard and she paused when I came in.

"Where's dad?" I asked, knowing full well he was at the hospital with Charlie. Rachel just looked at me like I was an idiot. She didn't address it though.

"Your idea about funneling money from the library in Houston Fort Bend," she looked back at the screen, "until we can shore up donors was a good one. It's plenty, but we need to make sure it's legal before we actually do it. I don't want anyone to come back and say we're embezzling. I just can't let those ten kids who were promised money not go to school because some assholes reneged on their promise." Her tone was much calmer than the last time I talked to her.

"I'll look into it tomorrow. I wanna go check on dad and Charlie. How's he doing?" I looked down at her and her eyebrows raised in question. "Dad, not Charlie."

"Not good. Harry's death was unexpected but he'd been having problems. Charlie's heart attack hit him in the glass jaw. No one saw it coming," she said sadly. She still had an immense amount of guilt for not coming home when Harry died. At the time, she'd still been too raw from mom's death. She just couldn't do it. We'd talked all that out. She'd done more than make up for lost time when she came home and told me to get the hell out of this town and accept the offer from Rice.

"Is my car in the normal spot?" I asked. I didn't know what else to say.

"Yeah. And bro?" she said, begging for my eyes. "Dad called Bella. I just wanted to give you a heads up." I held her eyes and nodded. She knew my pain here. She thought I hadn't had the balls to come home for her wedding. I remember the day I got her invitation in the mail. It had to be forwarded from my house in La Push. I was so angry that she didn't even know enough about me to know I wasn't in La Push anymore.

It only took a week of heavy drinking to finally figure out that wasn't her fault either. I had dumped her. She begged me to try the long distance thing but I was too chicken shit. I was convinced that she was going to find some else, some one better off at school and that it would be easier for me to dump her before she dumped me.

By Thanksgiving I was so miserable I wanted to see if she was still willing to give it a try. But I fucked that all up, too. I was so nervous I didn't say much to her when we finally made it to Charlie's house. And listening to her talk about all her classes and new friends. I knew I could never compete with that. And my stupid seventeen year old anger fuel by jealousy reared its ugly head and that was the last time she came home, except to get married. And I stayed away to prevent any stupidity repeating itself.

So I had caused that. I was the reason she never came back to Forks to see her father. Part of what fueled my intense need to push myself is that I never pushed myself with the long distance thing. I had placed a mental limitation on myself—that she would always find someone better than a poor kid from a rural reservation. I pushed myself to earn everything I had in order prove myself wrong.

I had set my limitations. I was the only one would could break through them.

"You okay?" Rachel asked.

"Yeah. Just regrets. You know," I answered. She stood up and wrapped her arms around my waist and squeezed me tight.

"So you were a scared little asshole when you were a kid. You've become so much more. If Bella Swan walks into the room, you keep your head high, you got me?" I looked down at her.

"Yeah. I just don't want a repeat of that last Thanksgiving."

"You are not that dumb kid anymore." She patted my chest with her palm for emphasis. "And she has never been that dumb kid. There will be no repeat," she assured me. "Now go."

"Okay." I squeezed her back.

"So what's up with your luggage? Any word?" she asked, stepping back and her eyes surveying my ripped jeans and my faded Port Angeles football t-shirt with a grin. I didn't even think to change when I got the call. I just got the go bag Ruby always kept ready for me and left.

"They said it would take three to five days to have it shipped up here. I got some stuff in my room. No one cares what I look like here," I commented. She nodded in agreement.

"Well, I washed everything that was in there just in case. I'll fold it while you're up in Forks. It will be all nice and fresh when you get back and you can have a nice shower…or bath— in the NEW JACUZZI TUB!" she said excitedly.

"NO WAY! REALLY? You're pregnant?" I asked excitedly. Rachel always told Paul that he'd know when she was pregnant because she would install a Jacuzzi tub in the house because "birthing puppies requires some luxuries."

She nodded excitedly. "But don't tell anyone yet. I haven't even told Paul. I'm just waiting for him to notice the tub. But I don't like keeping things from you."

I pulled her into another hug. "Love you, sis! You're gonna be a great mom."

"Okay, enough mushy shit. Go take care of our father and Charlie," she encouraged. I loved my sister, but when she was done being emotional, she was done.

I walked down to the shed that was still red, but a completely new build. I punched in the code and waited for the door to rise. I still drove my little Rabbit when I was in town for nostalgic reasons. It had a custom paint job now and it ran like a dream. It also had a kick ass stereo system and leather seats. Having unlimited funds was actually pretty nice. I didn't have extravagant tastes, but I liked my old comforts done nicely.

I missed the gentle knocking sound of my diesel engine and paid attention to it as I drove up to Forks. It reminded me of the thumping rhythm I'd had on the treadmill this morning. I decided that I'd run on the back roads tomorrow. The treadmill was great for pushing my pace, but nothing compared to running on a real road. Mentally plotting my route took the rest of the drive to the hospital.

The lady at the front desk was very helpful in directing me to Charlie's room. I knew most of the people who worked here, one of our first philanthropy projects had been to update the surgical center here. I'd always wondered if Harry might have made it if they had better equipment back in the day. I had been very hands on for that project. It even included a large surgical theater and all the equipment they told me Harry would have needed to survive.

"Chief Swan was taken up to the ICU just about an hour ago. We gave him a private suite knowing how good of friends you are with him," Ester informed me.

"Who's the doctor on call?" I asked.

"Dr. Gerandy. He's called in a heart specialist from Seattle to perform the triple bypass he's going to need tomorrow." She must have seen the questioning look on my face because she added, "Chief Swan told us to tell you any important details as soon as you came in. He knew you'd want to know and he didn't want there to be any problems. See?" she held up a signed form with Charlie's signature at the bottom.

I nodded and smiled at her. "Very good, Ester. Thank you. I'm going to head up and talk to the doctor." Charlie had given me power of attorney when I graduated from law school and told me to "draft him up a will" including a DOR statement. I questioned him because I was not his kin and asked if maybe he wanted to name Bella.

"Now, Jake, I don't ever want to put Bella in a position where she'd have to decide to not revive me. You know how she is. She'd never be able to do it and I don't want to be any kind of burden on anyone like that." So I had agreed. It also meant that I could be included in his medical decisions in times like this.

Charlie was a penny pincher. He'd never go full out on the costs and I knew how to solve that. I'd just pay for it. I'd make sure the insurance company cover every single dime he was entitled to and then I'd cover all the extras. I told Dr. Gerandy as much when I saw him up on the third floor. He smiled wide and told me all about the Surgeon that was flying in tomorrow to perform the surgery and the other surgeons at Forks General were excited because they'd get to observe. Apparently this was a big deal.

When I finished speaking to the doctor he pointed towards Charlie's room. I walked slowly towards the door and hesitated before entering. Charlie and I had become very close during my college years. When I was drafted by Rice to play college ball, he became an avid fan of college football. We even played fantasy football online and he was so supportive throughout all my schooling. When I hit that academic wall, I could call him and he'd help me break through that barrier. My dad was supportive, but he was my dad. He had to say nice things. Charlie was always honest and it was a different point of view.

I wasn't sure if I was ready to see Charlie incapacitated. But I had to. There was no other option.

I knocked and then let myself in.

"Hey!" I said in a loud whisper. I saw my dad first and he stood to come give me a hug. I looked over at Charlie who was awake while I embraced my dad.

His hospital gown was open in the front revealing shaved patches on his chest where adhesive pads were stuck to his skin with wires attached. There was a central line inserted in his neck and an oxygen tube crossing his face and stuck up his nose. Yep. It was hard seeing him this way. I turn my attention back to my father before my face revealed my thoughts and fears.

"Long time no see, son!" he said as he squeezed me.

"It's only been a few weeks, old man," I said and released him. He walked back over to his recliner and sat back down. It was so good to see him walking again. It'd been about a year since he became fully mobile, and he gets tired real fast, but he can do without his chair most days. When I got to Rice, one of my friend's fathers was a doctor and told me about Diabetic Neuropathy. We started small by rubbing Vicks on his feet at night and he gave me the name of a doctor in Seattle that Rachel agreed to take him to see. The old fart even started taking Tai Chi when I got my first black belt in karate. We'd practice together in the yard when I'd come home for breaks.

"I know, seems like longer," he whispered and looked at his friend.

"How ya feeling, Charlie?" I asked and walked over to his bedside.

"Like a truck hit me," he croaked out, but he smiled and adjusted his oxygen tube.

"Well, I talked to the doctor and he said one of the best surgeons in the country is coming up here to play with your special ticker. Your case isn't necessarily rare, but he wants to show us a new procedure so he's doing it for cost since the rest of the surgeons here get to watch and learn," I reported. Then a thought occurred to me, "You don't have a problem with that do you?"

"No, son, I don't," he chuckled. "If my messed up heart can help someone learn something, then let people look at it. I knew you'd take care of all the details." I grabbed his hand and squeezed gently. "It's good to see you. I hope I didn't mess of that schedule of yours. I know how busy you are."

"Naw. It's a great excuse to take some time off. Quil and Embry told me to take my time because all our properties are 'well oiled machines' now." Just then my pocket buzzed. I pulled out my phone and saw Embry wanted to do a video call. He was worried about Charlie, too. "Speak of the devil," I said and swiped the screen.

"I'm in a room with Charlie so don't say anything inappropriate," I said and then turned the camera to include Charlie.

"Hey Chief!" Embry's voice called. "How are you feeling?"

"I just asked him that," I chuckled. Charlie answered and I handed him my phone so he could talk to Embry without me. I went over and sat by my dad in the less comfortable chair.

"Did you take care of everything, son?" he asked me.

"Yeah, dad, just like I said. That surgeon from Seattle just wants costs covered for the procedure. Charlie's insurance will cover most of it. He doesn't have to worry about the rest," I explained. "The hospital is pleased to have someone with that notoriety come in, so they might even handle some of the uncovered costs. I'll handle it. Charlie's a good man. Everyone wants this to come out right."

"You're a good man, too. I don't know how your mom was able to cultivate so much goodness into you in the little bit of time she had with you, but she did a good job." His eyes were glassy with emotion.

"You had something to do with it, too. You taught me what's important. I spend my money on the important stuff." He reached up and ruffled my hair like it did when I was a kid.

"Those are some nice duds you got on there, kid," he smiled pointing at my ripped jeans.

"Well, the fucking airlines lost my fucking luggage," I said through gritted teeth. "And this is what I was wearing when I got your call. I didn't think clothes were more important than your best friend." I knew he was kidding.

"It's not even Sunday and you got your holy pants on!" Charlie chuckled. He was apparently finished talking to Embry and he was listening to our conversation.

"I think they got your morphine set a little too high there, Chief," I retorted.

And then the door opened.

I was not prepared for the Bella that came through that door.

Her hair was longer than I had ever seen it and styled to perfection. Her blue wrap dress hugged every curve I could remember having my hands on. But her face, I was not prepared for her face. Her smoky eyes and overly done face made her look so…so…not Bella. She went directly to her father's side and grabbed his hand.

"Oh, dad! I got here as soon as I could! Billy called me and I drove as fast as you would think was safe," she confessed. He smiled at her with longing and gratitude.

"I wouldn't necessarily call it safe," said the man who followed her in. He was tall and slender and wearing a suit that had to cost no less than $3,000. I know because I'd worn one for a photo shoot I'd done for a journal article about rising Entrepreneurs. On the top of his head was a crown of copper hair that was styled to look messy. I own casinos, so I'm totally a betting man. I'd wager he paid upwards of $200 on a weekly basis to get it styled to look like that. So far, I was not impressed.

Charlie's eyes moved from his daughter to the man, who must be Bella's husband. I watched her eyes closed in irritation. I knew that look because I had caused her to do that many, many times.

"If my daughter said it's safe, then it is. Unsafe for Bella under the speed limit, not over. She's telling me she actually did the speed limit," Charlie said dryly. I smiled and my eyes darted to my dad who was watching Edward with open disgust. I bumped his knee with my fist. We'd talked about his terrible poker face.

"I didn't mean anything by it, sir," Edward back pedaled.

"And you slept most of the trip, anyway," Bella added. She didn't look at the man, but smiled at her father. "I've brought all my stuff to cook for you when you get out of here. I'm so sorry, dad. I'm so sorry."

"Bells, that a'int your doin' whatsoever. And Jake here says that the best doctor in Seattle is comin' up here to work on me," he pointed at me. Fuck. I wasn't ready for that.

"Jake?" Bella asked. And slowly. Oh, so slowly—like time stopped slowly—her eyes turned and met mine.

"Hey, Bells," was all I could manage to say. I held her eye contact and watched so many things flash through them. Relief. Sadness. Anger. Fear. And—relief again. We must have stared at each other for a very long moment because my dad finally stood and extended his hand to the man.

"Edward, good to see you again," he said stiffly. Edward took his hand and shook it with a confused look on his face. "Billy. I'm Billy Black, Jacob's father."

"Billy!" Bella cried, "you're walking!"

"Yep," he stated proudly, "it's been a while now. Can't go very far, but I go as far as I can." I was still staring at Bella.

I could see her under all that make up. My Bells was still there. She was made up and dressed up like a Barbie, but she was there.

"Oh," Edward finally remembered, "you were in a wheel chair at our wedding. Yes, forgive me. I remember now. Congratulations." I moved my eyes to Edward now who was assessing my father. I knew men like him. He was taking in my father's clothes. They were all new and clean, but they were rustic to say the least. I lived in Seattle most of the time. I knew who Edward was, now. He was Edward Cullen. But Bella still worked under the name Bella Swan. I followed her reviews in the literary magazine.

"Yes," Billy affirmed. "And this is my son, Jake." I stood so I could shake the hand of the man who'd won Bella.

"Nice to meet you. Sorry I couldn't make the wedding, I was finishing up finals and couldn't make it when the invitation finally found me," I explained. I felt my dad step on my foot. He was telling me to shut up or we'd have another Thanksgiving on our hands. "Otherwise I would have come," I added, sneaking a quick look at Bella. Her eyes narrowed on me.

"You cut your hair?" she whispered.

"Ah, yeah," was all I could think of to say. I stepped back, determined not to say anything else that might be stupid or cause a fight.

"Bells, how long are ya here for?" Charlie asked, drawing Bella's attention back to him. My dad sat back down next to me and gave me a warning look.

"Sorry," I mouthed. There was still so much unresolved shit in my brain no matter how much karate I'd done or how far I'd run.

"Isabella and I have no set plans. We'll stay as long as you need us," Edward stated. He'd emphasized her whole name, like he was correcting Charlie for calling her Bells. I really didn't like this guy. He was my complete antithesis. Fuck. I'd pushed her into the arms of a total douche!

"What about work, Bells?" Charlie asked. "Aren't they gonna miss you?" He looked concerned, but Edward answered for her again.

"Isabella's company can do without her, don't you worry about a thing, Charlie." Bella's eyes closed again. She was counting. Fuck. He'd made her count. I only made her count like two times the whole time we dated and I totally deserved it both times.

"I've brought two manuscripts with me and Jessica, my assistant, will keep me updated through email. And I'm set for a bonus. Mr. Banner told me yesterday!" she said excitedly. I watched Edward frown at that. Ah, so Bella didn't tell him everything. I was about to mention her articles in the journal, but decided to hold off. What if he didn't know about that either?

This was going to be an interesting experience, I could already tell.


A/N: Thoughts?

I might post mid-week and show you my "thanks".