Chapter 12

I felt unique that day. A very weird strength was glowing inside me. It could have been the experience of nearly turning into a vampire, or maybe the way I knew I should gather myself to cover for Jacob's sleep, but mostly I think it was the determination I had to set all what I had wronged right.

I entered the room where Jacob was. I held his hand and prayed. He was as still as he had been the day before, except that many of the needle holes that were scattered all over his arm were healed. I didn't know anything about medicine for sure, but I thought his arms healing could be a positive sign though it was a bit strange that some of the scratches were still there.

"I promise it will be alright, Jake" I said then kissed his forehead, and I noticed it was less warm than the usual, and I wondered it it's something to worry about.

Sue and Charlie had stayed the night in the living room to be help around, they had just slept on the couches and I knew how uncomfortable this could be. Leah and Embry were running around in their wolf forms.

I knew from Sue that Edward was torn into pieces, and luckily Alice's presence was so much in our favor. As soon as Carlisle heard the story from her, he announced he is bound to the treaty if the wolves were able to forget what Edward had done. I was relieved that we didn't have to fight with the Cullens after all.

Billy had come to visit us early in the morning, he was accompanied with Rachel and Paul. They all gave me the blaming look and the avoiding attitude. I understood their reaction, as much as it did hurt. But what was so annoying was how Billy was treating Charlie. Why was he determined to treat us both the same way as if we were the same person?

"So you just come, storm into the house without a single greeting?" Charlie asked in anger. Oh my dad was pissed.

"The one I'm here to visit isn't able to reply to my words. Surprisingly, the reason is known to us all" He said while glimpsing at my side and I swallowed hard.

"Billy, would you please stop this bullshit!?" Replied Charlie in fear, he was obviously worried I'd crumble and faint.

"He should let it out Dad" I said calmly "I understand" I couldn't raise my eyes to look at any of them.

Leah and Embry then stormed in their human forms. They helped Paul with Billy's wheelchair. That's when I got a nice idea, that may give me a chance back to Jacob's father's heart.

I tried to ignore the negativity and focus on different ways to be positive. I did my best to think of things that Jacob would have done if he hadn't been injured. I called Lizzie to arrange the store working hours. I told her there was a family emergency that made him leave the country urgently. I asked her if she can extend her working hours for a week till he returns, and she gladly accepted. Maybe we could be friends after all.

Carlisle came in to check on Jake, he said he was stable, but there were no signs of him remaining unconscious for long. I told him my observation about Jacob's temperature, he gave a discomforting sigh and remained silent. As I showed signs of panicking he said that it may be normal since he and the wolf were resting.

His words were alarming but I tried to hold on to positivity. He told me not to worry and confirmed that it's more probable that Jacob wakes up soon.


I decided to have my family and Jacob's all for dinner. Seth joined us later after his work. He was still so guilty about Edward slipping through him. I tried to comfort him telling him that we could all have been deluded by Edward and his charm. I felt so conscious saying that considering all the eyes that were deeply looking at me.

I meant to cook all Billy's favorites. The man was in love with my spaghetti with meatballs, so I prepared them along with salad and roasted chicken breasts. He tried to be angry with me but as I expected just like his son he couldn't resist the food.

After the meal, Rachel gave me a very formal 'thank you' then she was helping Billy outside the house when I announced my plan.

"No Rachel, I think Billy should stay here and be close to his son" I said.

My dad looked at me with shocked eyes, and if I were to confess, I loved the surprise in his look a little bit too much.

Billy remained silent while Rachel replied to me.

"I don't think so, he can't stay here Bella." She said coldly.

"Oh yeah? Why not? It's his son's house!" I replied with a smile.

"But you know, he wont be comfortable!" she snapped

"I have a plan Rachel, he would stay in our room, we have a minibar upstairs along with the bathroom, and he will be beside Jacob and there won't be any need him to come downstairs during the night" I talked calmly, and I could see I impressed them all.

"Oh yes grandpa, please stay" said Serena with puppy eyes.

Billy smiled at her that's when I knew he was thinking about it.

"But there are medicines as you are well aware" said Rachel "and you know that I visit him late in the night to give him the meds, I can't come here, you are so far away"

"Rachel, if Paul would bring me the meds later then help me bring Billy upstairs, I'll make sure everything is taken on time, I promise"

"Alright" said Billy "Only on one condition!"

"What?" I asked

"Serena sleeps by my side" He smiled.

"Sure, grandpa" I replied while she ran to his lap.

I forced Charlie and Sue to go back home after dinner, They were both so tired from the effort they helped me with. I arranged to prepare a floor bedding for me and the kids beside Jacob's bed.


After everyone went home, we were left with Billy in my living room. Later Paul was supposed to come with his medicines and bring him upstairs. Serena was playing around us while Harry slept in the crib.

Billy was silent, watching TV, I tried to engage him into several conversations that would break the ice but he would just nod or reply with one word. I thought deep then decided to clear things.

"He will wake up, Billy I am sure" I said

"I know" replied Billy "My son is strong"

"He should, I can't live without him" I said within my tears. "I know you think I caused this, and you are so very right, but if I could give anything for him to be awake and healthy"

Billy remained quiet.

"Billy, please try to forgive me" I went on "Help me forgive myself, I want to be the wife he deserves"

"You hurt him so much Bella every time" he said "he never felt safe."

"I know" I said within my sobs "and I know I am too later but I will always be by his side, even if he didn't wa-" I couldn't go on further and I felt all the strength I've been having all day had vanished as I cried more.

Billy wheeled himself to my side and started patting my shoulders.

"Ok Bella, be easy on yourself, he will be alright"he said as his kindness won over his anger.

The door knocked to interrupt our moment and it was Carlisle visiting again to check on Jacob. Serena would be in distress whenever he was near but she calmed down after everyone confirmed that he is here to help her daddy.

I lead him to Jacob's room while he started looking at the screens of the devices attached to Jacob. He said Jacob's temperature was still going down, and then we went downstairs to find a worried Billy staring at the both of us. Carlisle then asked me for a moment alone at the house's porch. I stared at Billy awaiting his permission, then he nodded and said I can go.


"Bella, I am so sorry for what Edward did!" Carlisle said as we were at the porch "It has been all my fault trusting him, after he had drifted away before"

I managed to remain silent.

"I don't know if you knew, but Edward left our family and fed on human blood for some time" He sighed then added "He was feeding on evil human's blood, but it still wasn't right"

"I knew Carlisle" I said embarrassed with my previous negativity.

"And you would still be with him?" He asked then knew the discussion wasn't proper so he completed "Sorry. Anyway he let me and the whole family down, but it's still hard losing him that way"

"I'm sorry you had to lose a son Carlisle, but I was there and I swear Jake wasn't going to kill him if he hadn't –" I stopped because I couldn't complete.

Carlisle sighed and decided to change the subject. I would have been thankful if the other subject wasn't more dreadful.

"About Jacob" he said "I think I'm close to guessing what is really happening"

"And?" I asked with loud breaths

"Bella, the good news is the venom had left his body and his life isn't in danger" he said.

"That's great, but?" I asked scared of the rest of the information

"I'm sorry, but I think the wolf is dying."

I gasped

"In the morning when you mentioned his temperature going lower than usual, I suspected that something was wrong with his wold. Then I changed the cannula's location and now when I looked at where it was attached I found that I can still see traces"

"Oh my God, Carlisle" I was screaming.

"Yes, I think that's how his body reacted to the venom" He went silent then added "And Bella he will be needing you now more than ever, because he will be waking up to a completely different level of strength"

"And I'll be there" I said with confidence.