Morning Folks. All things twilight belong to SM. No copyright infringement is intended.


(BPOV)

Bella woke the following morning still wrapped in Paul's arms. She was grateful that he had stayed, the simple act reaffirming his promise. She carefully slid out of bed and gathered what she needed to shower.

By the time she reemerged from the bathroom, Billy had returned home. He sat at the table with his newspaper, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee flooded the kitchen. She kissed his forehead without a word before gathering items for breakfast.

Billy grunted in greeting, never taking his eyes off the sports section. He finally looked up in surprise as a drowsy Paul joined them with his nose in the air, chasing the smell of coffee.

"Morning, Chief," Paul said as he sat at the table, and Bella set an empty cup in front of him. "Thank you, Bells." He reached out to catch her hand as she turned away and asked, "You okay?"

Billy mumbled, "She's a bear in the morning. She'll talk when she's ready, son."

She nodded in silence and returned to her task as Paul snickered on his way to the coffee pot.

The smell of sausage and french toast pulled Jacob from his slumber. He stumbled sleepily into the kitchen just as Bella moved everyone's plates to the table. Oblivious to the remaining tension between the others, Billy put away his paper and began prattling on about the storm the night before. Bella listened to them all talk while she ate in silence, nodding her head at the appropriate times. Meanwhile, her mind whirled around the idea of renting Charlie's place and the possible opportunities that came with it.

Despite Jacob's protests, moving out seemed the most obvious solution. She would miss seeing him every day, but she knew that being apart was something they could manage. Jacob had handled her being away at college like a champ, although he was at her side constantly when she came home. They had discussed what each truly wanted a million times. The physical chemistry between them had always been there. Romantic feelings had come and gone, but never at the same time.

If Jake and I won't ever be a couple, we should probably stop living together like a couple. Sleeping next to each other, snuggling, and less-than-innocent kisses on the lips all had to end. She tried to keep a straight face, blinking back tears as she thought of permanently losing the comfort those things brought her. Even if they didn't want to be a couple, Jacob Black was Bella's other half. He always had been.

Now, whether or not it was Reagan, it was time for him to be the other half to someone else. Glancing beside her, she knew who she'd chosen as her own.

"You okay, Bells?"

She looked up from her plate and rubbed her eyes. "Yeah," she lied. "Tired."

Paul's hand on her knee under the table was a small comfort as she tried to finish her breakfast.

Jacob offered to wash the dishes before heading to work so that Bella could get started on her day.

She walked Paul outside before he left, his own work waiting. His lips were soft and gentle as he kissed her goodbye, promising to check on her later.

"Thank you for everything last night," she said hoarsely, finally finding her voice.

"Thank you for breakfast." He cupped her cheek in his rough palm and looked over her face worriedly. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"I will be. I just need to deal. Work will help." Bella sighed as he pulled her into a tight hug, letting his body heat soak into her tense muscles. She unclenched her jaw and relaxed against his chest.

Paul said, "If being here is too much for you today, take your laptop to my house. The internet info is on the bottom of the router in the living room. You can work there, sleep, or do whatever you need to, if you'd like."

A genuine smile split her face at his kind offer, and she hugged him tighter in thanks. "I appreciate that. If I go over there, I'll text you."

"Sounds good, Babe." He placed one last feather-light kiss on her lips. "I want you to know my spare bedroom is all yours if you need somewhere to stay. I'll try to let you have all of the personal space you need. I'm honestly not home much other than to sleep, anyway. If you still want to move out of here and stay in La Push, it's an option. It's okay if you don't want to, though. No pressure."

Bella's chest filled with butterflies as her stomach churned nervously. Perhaps they could discuss that one day, but it was much too soon.

"I'm going to talk to Charlie later," she whispered, not wanting Jacob to overhear. His insistence that she stay would only begin their day with another argument. She still felt too frazzled and guilt-ridden to deal with another confrontation.

"Hey," Paul suggested, "Aren't Leah and Dean talking bout finding a place together? Maybe they could be your roommates, Bells. You'd have a wolf living there to keep you safe, and I'm pretty sure Dean would throw a punch for you already."

Bella chuckled as she pulled away. "You might be right about that, but he's no match for a bloodsucker."

Paul barked out a laugh at her unexpected use of the vampire slur. The sound lit her up, sending affection-filled warmth through her limbs.

"It might be a good option, though," he pressed before reaching over to pat her butt.

"I'll think about it," Bella said and stood on tiptoe to kiss his nose. He chuckled as she walked back inside, waving goodbye.


The day passed swiftly after that, followed by the next. Aside from Reagan's distant silence, things were quickly back to 'normal' for Bella, Jacob, and Paul. She focused on work and chores while spending as much time with Paul as possible. Jacob had given her more space, which seemed to be helping. He was so heartsick over Reagan that even the wolf was a moping mess. Bella was unsure how to help him aside from holding his hand and allowing him to talk. Even their hugs had been limited, as neither seemed to trust themself. The strain on their relationship was visible to everyone, though no one dared to ask questions.

Alex called to check up on Bella by the end of the week, inadvertently reminding her of the packet of information he'd given her. Though he did not ask if she'd gone through it, Bella could not help but wonder if she should. She had put the envelope away for safekeeping, intending to look through it with Paul when she was ready. After their recent drama and her hopes of moving out, she was unsure if anyone else should ever see it.

She and Alex talked for a long time, and he even mentioned his new case. She teasingly reminded him not to fall for his subject.

Bella's twenty-third birthday came quickly, and the date left her feeling bittersweet. Despite her own lack of communication, she missed her mother. Renee had stopped sending emails or checking on her through Jacob and Charlie. By late afternoon, Bella was disappointed to have not heard from her. She called Renee's phone a few times, feeling further disconnected with each ignored ring. Finally, she gave up, deciding to focus on the many loving messages from the pack, and assumed her hare-brained mother must have forgotten the date. It would not be the first time, and the thought of that one consistency was comforting.

The relationship dynamics in Bella's life were all changing. In the deepest recesses of her heart, she was excited and afraid. Not for the first time, she wished someone like Alice could tell her what the future had in store.

Then again, she thought, perhaps not knowing is better. She needed to learn how to appreciate all she already had.

Jacob arrived home just as she opened the refrigerator door to start supper.

"Don't do any of that," he called out as he checked the bottoms of his bare feet for dirt. His smile lit up the space as Jacob jogged into the kitchen to wrap her in a hug. She sighed as he held on longer than the 'new usual' and let herself lean into him like she had not done in weeks.

It's my damn birthday anyway, damn it. And an extra special one at that. Bella had never gotten to spend her birthday with Jacob. She had always been back at Renee's or college. The one birthday she had while living in Forks had been the worst birthday of her life - and thank goodness Jacob had not been part of it.

Since neither had ever spent an actual birthday together, Bella and Charlie inadvertently started began a tradition when she was seven. Every year, a small birthday cake would be bought and shared between Bella and Jacob on her last summer day in La Push. It had meant so much to both of them that Charlie moved mountains to help her repeat it every summer.

Today wasn't her last day in La Push, but she would move out soon. Spending her actual birthday with Jacob seemed fitting, somehow. She had come full circle and was ending a cycle.

Bella asked, "How was the patrol?"

The question immediately wiped the joy from his face as Jacob scrunched his nose in a scowl. "She came back today," he said as Bella pulled away to shut the refrigerator door. "First time since your weekend away. It's been a couple of weeks. Do you think that it could be one of his sisters?"

Bella scoffed. "I was just thinking of Alice earlier. It's a small female, right?" She crossed her arms over her chest as she leaned against the kitchen counter. I'm not sure why I didn't wonder before, but who else could it be?

Jacob nodded, moving in to hug her a second time. "Happy Birthday, by the way."

"Thanks," she said as she leaned her forehead against his chest and sighed. "I guess it could be Alice, but I don't know why there would be any need. She has visions of the future. She has to know that I'm fine."

"Which means she has to know how long you weren't fine," Jacob grumbled.

Despite the bitterness over the abandonment, Bella couldn't bear to think of Alice getting destroyed. The very idea had her blinking back tears. "What will you do if it is her?"

"Talk to her," Jacob said.

Bella pulled away to look him in the eye. "Really? You won't threaten or let the others tear her to bits?"

"Nope," he said with a tight, forced smile. "I know how you felt about Alice. We'll have to warn her to stay out of La Push. The returned visits are causing some problems."

Alarmed, she moved out of his embrace and pulled herself onto the counter. "What problems?"

"Growth spurts. Fevers. Bad tempers."

Oh! The heightened vampire presence must be activating the gene! Bella swallowed hard and asked, "Who?"

Jacob snorted and said, "Collin and Brady are the only ones for now. We thought they would phase a few years back, but it never happened. They both recently turned eighteen. The pack is supposed to watch for signs in the younger ones to be safe. Sam doesn't want any new wolves to phase and spend hours freaking out alone."

"He's such a sweetheart about you guys," Bella said fondly.

"Sam's a good guy," he nodded.

Bella teased, "Remember when you thought he was on steroids and starting a gang?"

He laughed as he reached up to muss her hair. "You should go get ready for dinner."

Sarcastically, she quipped, "Gotta make it first, smart guy."

"Not on your birthday. Come on. We're going somewhere." He held his hand out for her to hold as she hopped down from the counter.

"Is this a casual dress event?"

"You'll need your gear."

My baby is done? Bella squealed in wide-eyed excitement and asked, "Maiden Voyage?"

"Yes, ma'am." Jacob stepped back and laughed as she hopped around in a circle before darting into her room to get ready.

"Jeans and boots!"

"With Bells on!"


Jacob and Bella rode around La Push for a little while, enjoying the weather. The day was overcast but dry and warm for September. She was confused when they arrived at the beach until Jacob pulled a blanket from her saddlebags.

"Uh, Jake?"

"Yeah?"

"What's the plan? You have a picnic supper hidden in there, too?"

Laughing, he wrapped his large hand around hers and firmly tugged her toward 'their' spot.

Bella loved this beach. They had been coming here for years, killing time with long walks, talks, and embarrassing confessions. They had played here as children, fought, laughed, screamed, shared their secrets, and cried.

Jacob was three the first time he grabbed her hand on this beach and held it as if it belonged there. He kissed her for the first time at seven, an innocent peck on the cheek as he greeted her, happy she came to stay for the summer.

The second time Jacob kissed her, he was twelve and bravely taking on a dare from Quil. Bella exacted her revenge by daring Quil to kiss Jacob. The cousins had gaped at each other awkwardly as Bella laughed until she cried. After that, kissing got removed from their mutual dare options.

Jacob gave her his first real kiss on this beach at fifteen. It was as awkward as every teenager's first kiss is supposed to be, with bumping teeth, too much tongue, and not knowing where your nose is supposed to go. He thought he loved her then. As always, summer ended, and they went their separate ways.

Bella returned to Arizona to find her mother had married a man only six years older than Bella. Though she came to like Phil, it had been a shock - one that Bella wasn't entirely comfortable with at the time.

Leaving her newlywed wannabe vagabond mother to her freedom, Bella volunteered to move in with her father. Charlie bought her a truck, and she immediately began attending Forks High School.

And then, she met him, and everything changed.

Bella shook away her reminiscent thoughts. She didn't want to think about Edward. Especially not on her Birthday. Bella wanted to be present with Jacob, the man who had been her first at everything and the best friend she'd ever known. The same man she would crush when she finally moved out. It made her feel like shit.

Jacob frowned and looked over at her. He squeezed her hand, silently asking what was wrong. She shook her head and squeezed his hand back, a promise of another time. The dazzling smile he gave her instantly lifted her spirits, the same as it always had. Each chuckled over their unspoken conversation, and Bella hoped the coming changes wouldn't destroy all of their relationship dynamics. Jacob would always know her better than anyone else.

For a moment, Bella hesitated as she wondered what Jacob was scheming, and she stumbled over her own feet.

Cackling at her folly, he said, "I'm going to have to carry you out of here tonight."

Bella snickered and quipped, "What makes you say that?" Paying attention to her path rather than where they were heading, Bella collided with Jacob's back as he stopped.

"That's why," he said as he yanked her in front of himself to see.

Jacob need not point them out as Bella gaped in surprise. The wolves, Charlie, Sue, Billy, Angela, and the imprints waited on blankets and lawn chairs surrounding a bonfire. Folding tables, heavily laden with food, had been carried out and set up under an enclosed canopy and mosquito netting. Multiple coolers of iced-down cans of beer and soda sat amongst the crowd.

The sun was just beginning to set, leaving the sky above them with brilliant shades of pink and orange. It made the setting feel peaceful and serene. Her loved ones cheered their arrival merrily, and many hollered, "Surprise!"

"Happy Birthday, Baby."

Bella gasped as she spun around to find her mother and Phil. She could hear Charlie's amused snort over the collective laughter as Bella threw herself into Renee's waiting arms.

Bella cried, "I thought you forgot!"

Renee laughed as she squeezed Bella tighter. She stepped back and looked her over as if it had been years rather than months apart. "I missed you, Baby," Renee said as Phil stepped up to hug his stepdaughter.

Bella turned to wave at the others before lightly backhanding Jacob's abdomen. He grunted at the impact, humoring her.

"Some warning would have been nice," she playfully admonished.

"Then it wouldn't be a surprise." He grabbed her hand and turned his back to her as he said, "Hop up. There's one more thing we need to do. You walk too slow."

Bella laughed as she jumped onto his back, and he braced her with his hands under her thighs. He briskly walked away from the crowd as Bella noted one important missing person.

She asked, "Did you put all of this together?"

"With a little help," he admitted. "I had a few ideas, but Wolf liked this one best."

"Really?"

"Yep. Wolf finally gets it, Bells. It feels like he finally understands what we are supposed to be. Maybe our sex life confused the shit out of him. I don't know. Truly, Bells, I hope we can move forward now."

"How does he feel right now?"

"Honestly? Content to have you with us, but I think he's missing Rae as much as I am. He's starting to love her." He chuckled and admitted, "My obsessing probably isn't helping."

The optimism in his voice gave her hope, but it did not change her decision. She fully intended to ask Charlie about the house before he got drunk.

They turned the corner around a small copse of trees, and Bella's grip around Jacob's shoulders tightened as she froze.

"It's okay, Honey," Jacob said softly, slowing his gait.

Paul waited with a tight smile, looking smug as he stood by a small, hooded figure - one that energetically bounced on the balls of her feet with her tiny hands clasped in front of her.

"You already knew," Bella choked out over the tight lump in her throat. Despite an entirely different appearance, Bella would know that almost-human energizer bunny anywhere. "I don't know if I'm ready for this," she whispered and blinked back tears. "You should have told me."

"Please don't be mad at me for this." Jacob stopped to set Bella on her feet. "I wasn't trying to trick you earlier, but I needed to gauge your reaction before we granted her request to see you. When you seemed concerned that we would hurt her, I knew this needed to happen. I know you get tired of me being so fucking pushy, but I hope it gives you some closure."

A whimper escaped Bella as the hood fell back, fully revealing Alice's smiling, flawless face. Her long, dark Auburn wig looked natural against her pale skin, hiding the permanent nearly-black pixie cut underneath. Dark grey leggings and black boots were visible under a garish black velvet hooded cloak with an oversized dark gray bow at the throat. Alice looked like a living doll. It was ironic, considering what she was. Jacob once called them mannequins.

It had been six years to the day since Bella had last seen her so-called sister. Despite the anger she had carried for years, she was overwhelmed with a sense of relief.

Bella ached to run to Alice and hug her as she had done with Renee, but it was sure to put her wolves on edge. Instead, she walked toward Alice and Paul on shaky legs with Jacob's hand clenched tightly in hers. As soon as they came close enough, Bella's other hand reached for Paul's. He took hold of it without a word, not even glancing at her as he watched the tiny vampire's every move.

Alice choked back a sob, shaking her head. Her wind chime voice cracked as she said, "Bella …I'm so glad you're still alive. I didn't know. I swear I didn't."

Having already been given this detail by Alex, Bella asked, "How? I mean, why would you all think I was dead, anyway? How could you not see me?"

Alice said, "All my visions of you went black. It started the day we left. After a few weeks, I stopped seeing you entirely. It was as if you'd vanished."

And no one ever thought to swing by and fucking check? Bella couldn't help the anger licking up her spine. The Cullens had every detail they needed to learn if she was alive. It wouldn't have been difficult at all.

"Why didn't you make sure, Alice?" Bella asked, "Was it easier to believe I died after you abandoned me?"

"No," Alice nearly whispered as her face fell. Her voice grew in volume with her temper as she continued, "No, Bella. It wasn't easier. Leaving you wasn't easy. Accepting you were dead was not easy! I did come here to check on you, and you were not here. You hadn't been in school in weeks, your bedroom was untouched, and I couldn't see you anymore. After that, I went to Renee's and found nothing. She had turned your old bedroom into a yoga studio. There were no forwarding addresses for you anywhere in that house. I came back to Forks, assuming I must have overlooked something. There was a message on Charlie's answering machine from Renee, asking him to call her when he returned from making the funeral arrangements. It was about two weeks old, and I could only assume the worst."

"Bells," Jacob said and frowned. "That must've been when Harry died."

"Oh my god," Bella muttered as she thought back over the timeline. She must have assumed I'd return to my old school in Phoenix. The truth was that Bella had been living in La Push while recovering from her mental breakdown.

"I lived with Jake at the time. That's why you didn't find me at Charlie's or Renee's. I was here. I didn't finish my senior year in Forks. I missed too many days and dropped out for the rest of the year. I redid my senior year in Florida the next year."

Alice scoffed and looked down at her expensive leather boots. "Once I saw that you were alive, I assumed you must have dropped out after we left or had taken off on your own." She glanced up at Bella mischievously and added," Fabulous raincoat, by the way."

Bella blushed as Jacob and Paul both laughed and let go of their hands."I wonder why you stopped seeing me."

Alice shrugged and admitted, "I can't see around these wolves, Bella. I figured it out while they were chasing me. I don't understand why I can't see you when you're away from them. I can't see your future, even now. They're too close."

"We are technically enemies," Jacob said suspiciously.

"Maybe it's a perk," Paul joked. "Some extra anti-vamp defense detail."

To Bella's surprise, Alice giggled. "It's inconvenient, is what it is." She shook her head as she grinned up at Bella affectionately. "Please say you'll forgive me. I can't physically stick around, but I'd love to call you sometime. If that's okay."

Bella opened her mouth to speak and shut it again, unsure how to answer. She asked, "What about Edward, Alice? Does he know you're here now?"

Alice's happy energy seemed to dissolve in an instant as she sighed. "Jas and I …we left the family. We're not Cullens anymore. Edward snapped when we thought you were dead. He tried to get himself destroyed, but I foiled his plans. He began to resent me for it. Your death was insufferable to him. Therefore, so was I - even if leaving you had been at his insistence. Even though I warned him the second he decided we were all going to leave, he wouldn't like the results of his choices.

We weren't allowed to mourn you, Bella. He was not well for a long time. Eventually, Jasper couldn't handle the constant rage and sadness. It was affecting our marriage. My friendship with Edward disintegrated when I finally told him that enough was enough. The only reason I learned you might be alive was Emmett called me. He said Edward found you, that you were back in the area, but I needed to see for myself."

Bella bit back a grin as Paul and Jacob gently grabbed and squeezed her hands simultaneously. "So Edward has no idea you are here?"

"None," Alice said. "Not that I'm aware of, anyway."

"I've seen him in Port Angeles twice," Bella said. "We haven't spoken yet."

A loud, sharp whistle sounded behind them, and Bella turned to find Charlie and Sue headed their way. She grinned as she let go of Jacob's hand and stepped out of Alice's view next to Paul.

"Oh! Charlie!" Alice's voice was barely a whisper as Charlie's mouth slowly dropped.

He looked over her tiny form in disbelief. "Alice?"

"Hi, Charlie!" She was bouncing in place again, reminding Bella of a very small, excited dog waiting for its owner after a long, lonely day. She laughed.

Jacob stepped into the way and growled in warning as Alice unconsciously stepped toward Charlie.

Alice blinked up at him, bewildered. "I'm not gonna hurt anyone," she said.

"Jacob!"

At twenty-one and six-foot-seven, Jacob still ducked under Charlie's reprimand.

Paul cackled and wrapped his arms around Bella from behind.

"She's a vampire, Charlie," Jacob said incredulously.

Sue tried to bite back her grin as Charlie said, "I don't give a goddamn what she is, son. She wouldn't flick a mosquito's ass, let alone eat a human." He gently guided a sheepish Jacob out of his way and let go of Sue's hand to hold his arms open. "Come here, kid."

Alice bounded into his arms and grinned at Charlie adoringly as she wrapped her tiny arms around him. Charlie smiled at Bella over Alice's head and rubbed her cold back with kind, steady hands.

Sue said, "We were coming to see what was taking so long."

Charlie asked, "Susie, you remember Alice?"

"Of course," she said. "We've missed Carlisle at the hospital."

"Bet you sure were surprised to see Alice, huh, Bells?"

She nodded, still grinning at Alice tucked under Charlie's arm.

Alice reluctantly pulled away. "Thanks, Charlie. I haven't had a great Dad hug since our last one."

His smile practically split his face as he harrumphed. Reaching for Sue's hand, Charlie said, "Guess we should get back to the group. See you in a few minutes, yeah?"

"Be right there, Charlie," Paul said before leaning down to kiss Bella's cheek. "You okay, Babe?"

Bella was at a loss for words. Over Alice's admissions, Charlie's welcoming reaction to seeing Alice again, and the wolves' gentleness with her despite being a vampire on their land. She knew then that she would allow Alice to call her. Perhaps she could confront her bitterness then, but it wasn't fair to place so much blame on Alice anymore. Bella still didn't understand why Alice had stopped seeing her altogether.

Perhaps when she finally talked to Edward, he would have a clue or two.