BELLA

When I woke up, I was still in Jacob's warm, tight embrace. I tried to wriggle free but he was holding too tight. I didn't want to wake him so I just laid there watching him sleep. I thought about the events of yesterday and realized I was still okay. I was worried that once the news sank in, the emotions that I thought were dead would come crashing back. I was surprised to find that they stayed away even now.

Besides, I knew I couldn't ask for anyone better than Jake right now. He was so kind and understanding. He respected enough to let me make my own decisions. Edward was never like that. Once he deemed something to dangerous, I wasn't allowed to do it. Jacob actually let me live my life. He even got in on the dangerous things a lot. We rode our bikes almost daily. It was amazing what practicing with him had done for me. I hadn't been to the hospital in over three months.

I wondered if Charlie had stayed or just went home. I knew how much he trusted me with Jake. I knew this because he had a hard time leaving Edward and I alone in the living room. I didn't even want to think about what he would've said if he knew about Edward's night time visits. I laughed to myself.

I wasn't sure how long I laid there before Jake started stirring.

"Morning." he said when he finally opened his eyes.

"Morning." I said with a smile.

"Is Charlie still here?" he asked. He raised his eyebrow.

I knew he was thinking the same thing I was early. Did Charlie really trust him that much?

"I don't know." I said then added jokingly, "I've been stuck in your death grip since I woke up."

"Sorry." he said laughing.

"I don't mind." I smiled then gave him a small peck on the lips. "So what are we going to do today?"

He looked uncomfortable for a mintue.

"You have pack stuff, don't you?" I asked. He nodded biting his lip. "It's no big deal. I can go back home and shower then you can come get me when you're done."

I was used to him having to patrol a lot. We worked around that schedule. He always made time for me. Another reason why I loved him so much. I did understand that he had responsibilities and I never complained about the little time we had together. In fact, I found I cherished it more than my time with Edward.

The only times I was away from Edward were when he was hunting and we had different classes. I took that time with Edward for granted and was lost when he left. When Jacob helped me find myself, I vowed not to take anything with him for granted. I cherished everything we did, no matter how little time we had to do it.

"Actually, Sam said if you wanted to come today, you could." Jacob answered. He still looked uncomfortable about moving forward with the conversation.

"Wouldn't it be dangerous if I did?" I asked.

Something wasn't right. Sam always made me stay away when the pack was working. It was always for my safety. I understood and never fought him on it. What was different about this time?

"We aren't anticipating this becoming dangerous." He said. "It's possible but Sam thinks you'd be able to help if it did."

"Okay, why don't you just tell me what's going on?" I said.

He gibberish was getting on my nerves. It was equally annoying that there was something he didn't want to tell me. He knew he could always tell me anything. I wouoldn't flip out on him or anything. Why was he tiptoeing around on this one?

"We weren't completely honest with you yesterday. We decided that we didn't want to give you any more unexpected surprises on your big night." he said.

I nodded. It couldn't be as bad as they thought. The worst thing thing possible was Edward's return. I survivied that one unscathed. I didn't think there was any reason for them to worry about ruining my night.

"Your bloodsucker isn't the only who decided to make a reappearance. The whole families back." he finished.

Okay, I thought nothing could be worse than Edward's return. The whole family.I didn't think I could handle seeing all of them again. Would they still want me to be part of the family? Would they even like me anymore?

I knew that I commited the worst possible betrayal to a vampire family. Their were the mortal enemies of the wolf. What if they didn't want to have anything to do with me anymore? What if they hated me? I didn't think I could handle that. Especially not from Alice. She was my sister in so many ways.

"Oh." I said.

I think he could see the emotions on my face.

"Are you going to be okay?" Jake asked.

"Yeah." I said. "But what does their return have to do with today?"

"Dr. Cullen," he said the name with disgust. "Wishes to have a meeting. They've been gone so long that all of us think it would be beneificial for us to meet and go over the finer points of the treaty. Embry told us they went to him to request it. Sam and I talked about it after you went to bed. Sam thinks that it should be your decision to go or not. I agree with him."

I couldn't answer right away. I didn't think I could handle seeing them at that particular time. Then again, I really missed and wanted to see them. I wished Jacob was like Alice. Then he could tell me whether or not they still accepted me. Then I could make a decision about seeing them.

"I don't know, Jake." I said. "What if they hate me?"

"I don't think it's possible for anyone to hate you." he answered.

"Nice try but Rosalie hated me before they even left." I denoted. "Can you imagine how she'll feel knowing that I run with wolves now?"

"Hey, they're the ones the left you, Bells." Jacob stated. "You should be busy hating them not worrying about them hating you. They made a decision and now they have to deal with the consquences of that decision."

"But I have consquences now too." I said my voice cracking. "I still love all of them. I don't want them to cut me off after all the time they've been gone."

"I know but you made a decision too. And as hard as it is, if they don't accept it then you have to choose."

It would be Jacob. I knew that with every fiber of my being. I trusted him with my life. I knew he wouldn't leave me like they did. I also knew he was right. The chose to leave and if they can't accept the choices I've made in their absence then they'd just have to deal with it.

I knew I should go with the pack today. I had to let the Cullens know that I haven't turned my back on them. I would make it very clear to everyone that I was neutral territory. I wouldn't turn my back on the Cullens anymore than I already had but I wouldn't leave Jacob or the pack. I loved both sides too much to leave either.

"I'm going." I said. "And I want to be able to address both sides. I have some things I need to say."

"Fine." Jacob said. "Do you want me to take you home before we go?"

I nodded. I needed a shower and a change of clothes.

"Okay. I'm going to tell Sam that you're coming then we can leave." he said.

"Alright. I'll meet you in the garage." I said.

He left the room. I gathered my shoes and purse then walked into the living room. Charlie wasn't there. I was still shocked by this. Maybe he figured since I was eighteen and out of high school now, sex was my choice. I walked back to the garage. I only waited a few minutes before Jacob came jogging out of the woods.

"We have to meet the rest of the pack in a hour and a half." he said.

We jumped in the rabbit and took off towards my house.

EDWARD

I didn't go home until the sun came up. I knew Alice probably informed the family of my mood. I just wasn't sure if she told them what was causing it. Everything was quiet when I got there. I could hear the idle thoughts of my family but no one was talking. I don't think I even heard anyone moving. I got the feeling the conversations and activities stopped the minute I walked into the house.

I knew I was right when I entered the dining room to find all six of them sitting at the table, staring at me.

'I'm so sorry, Edward.' Esme thought. I could see the sadness in her eyes. She looked more solemn now than when I asked her to leave nine months ago. I hated seeing my mother like that.

'Good riddance!' I growled in Rosalie's direction. I know she didn't Bella from the beginning but her brother could you a little sympathy. She glared at me for a moment before turning away.

'Maybe she'll still want to be friends?' Emmett suggested. I had to give him credit. He was trying. I really did appreciate that. Yet, somehow, I didn't think I could simply be friends with Bella.

Jasper didn't say or think anything. He just kept sending waves of peaceful calm. I smiled at him. Alice was sitting on the floor, in the corner looking sad and dejected. I felt terribly guilty at that moment.

Alice and Bella were like sisters before I made the family leave. Alice loved Bella as much as I did. I was so busy feeling sorry for myself that I forgot to ask her how well she was handling things. She looked at me with sympathy on her features. I had a feeling she could tell what I was thinking.

'It's okay, Edward. I understand.' she thought. 'I'll be okay."

"We need to talk about something, Edward." Carlisle stated.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing's wrong, persay." Carlisle stated.

He was carefully blocking his thoughts as he spoke. The only time the family block their thought in conversations was when it was bad. At least, bad enough where they wanted me to hear them say it first. I braced myself for it.

"Calm down, Edward." Jasper said soothingly. "Nobody's in danger. Nobody's been hurt. We just have to do something that you might not want to do."

I nodded.

"Thank you, Jasper." Carlisle said. "We are going to meet with the wolves in about two hours."

"Why?" I asked. Why did we need to talk to them?

"Because it's a nice gesture." Carlisle answered. "And they probably want to go over the finer points of the treaty. And redraw boundary lines. Just business stuff."

"Okay." I stated confused.

"The problem is," Carlisle continued. "It's possible Bella will want to be there."

I nodded. Now I understood why Jasper thought I might not want to do this. Was I ready to see her with him again? Could I be in control enough to have a friendly conversation with him while cursing him to the deepest pits of hell? Could I see how happy she was with him and force out a happy demeanor? I didn't think I could.

On the other hand, I didn't want her to think that I didn't support her decision. I wanted her to know that her happiness was important to me. I didn't want her to see that I was hurt because that would make her feel guilty. Not showing up would definately drag her down. That was something I wanted her to avoid. I wanted her to keep smile and not be upset about me.

I would go for her. I would put on a happy face and do my damnedest to make her believe it.

"And we need to establish where the family stands with her." Carlisle finished. "And find out where she stands with us."

I nodded again. We spent the next couple hours discussing what we were going to do about Bella. I stayed out of it. I was going to let the family decided what they wanted to do. As for me, I wasn't sure whether or not I wanted to even talk to her anymore.

I decided to just things play out. If we found a comfortable peace with eachother, great. If not, I find some other way to live this crappy existence without her.

I had decided on my run not to fight for her. She looked very happy with Jacob. Happiness was all I ever wanted for my Bella. Now that she's found it, God forbid I take it from her.

A/N: This was orginally supposed to be the meeting. I thought it might be good to establish a few things first. Also, I know I didn't write this in it because I couldn't find the right spot. The family knew Edward decided to stay because Alice had a vision of his decision. I hope you liked. REVIEW OR GIANT FLYING MONKEYS WILL EAT YOU IN YOUR SLEEP!!!! J/K BUT I DO LOVE REVIEWS!!!!!!