Chapter 1: Lost

"Bella, he's only been gone five days." Charlie's voice rang through the silence. "He'll be home by the end of the week."

I knew he was only concerned. The zombie from last fall was already returning. Unconsciously, I would wrap my arms around my torso in attempt to hold myself together, though there was nothing to fall apart. Unlike last fall, Edward called me everyday, and also, unlike last year, I knew he was coming back. All the Cullen's would be back by Friday night, but it was only Wednesday and I had the rest of the week ahead of me.

I no longer worked for Newton's, the camping and outdoor equipment store in town, and I had graduated school, so there really was nothing for me to do.

I thought about calling Angela, but I knew she had already left for college.

Edward, Alice, and I were leaving in a few weeks. Charlie assumed we were going to the University of Alaska, in Juneau, but the reality was that we would be staying in the northern most part of Alaska.

It was also assumed that Carlisle and Esme were moving to France now that all their "children" were off to college. Just another lie for the unsuspecting people of Forks.

"I have an idea," Charlie broke my thoughts. "Since I have to work today and clearly you have nothing planned, why don't you take a trip to La Push to see Jake." He looked upset. "Billy hasn't answered my calls in a few weeks, see what's up with him for me, Bells, won't you?"

La Push, home to my personal sun last year. Billy wasn't talking to Charlie? I wondered why. As far as I knew, Jake had healed well and was fine.

"Yeah, sure dad. I'll go see Billy and Jake." He smiled and left for work.

After I heard his car pull out of the driveway, I cleaned my cereal bowl and put it away. I took the stairs two at a time, avoiding the noisy step and went into the bathroom for a shower.

Taking more time than necessary to wash my hair, I finally turned off the water. Stepping out of the shower, I wrapped myself in a towel. I wiped the fog off the mirror with an extra towel and examined my complection. My skin seemed to have more color since Edward's return to Forks, and now that Victoria was gone, it seemed even better. My face was still pale, as always, but never as pale as Edwards.

Someday. I thought briefly.

Quickly I got dressed in jeans and I thin long sleeve tee shirt. I brushed my hair back into a low ponytail and skipped down the stairs. My day seemed to have a brighter outlook now that I had an agenda.

I stopped in the kitchen, it was early still, so maybe I should call first to see if they were awake.

Dialing the number, I had no hope that someone would pick up, but to my surprise, Billy picked up after the third ring.

"Hello?" He mumbled, sleepily.

"Oh, hi Billy, it's Bella." I was enthusiastic. "Sorry if I woke you. Is Jake around?" I thought I would stop by and see him. It's been so long…" I cut off, realizing I was rambling.

Billy chuckled a deep, throaty laugh, but his voice was very serious when he spoke again. "Yes, Bella, I think it would be a very good idea if you came over for a chat. See you soon." He hung up before I could say anything else.

I realized that he didn't answer my question about Jake. It was raining outside, no surprise, so I grabbed my jacket and pulled it on. It was cold from sitting in the drafty hallway and I instantly thought of Edwards cold, strong arms around me. I shivered as I sloshed through the rain to my truck.

The rumble deep in my trucks engine made me jump. Edward tried to convince me to borrow his Volvo while he was gone, but I refused. My red truck brought comfort to me. Edwards insisted on leaving me the keys anyway incase I changed my mind.

Fifteen minutes later I was rumbling my way into La Push. I cut the engine in front of the little house that seemed so familiar to me.

I expected to see Jacob running through the door to see me, but instead Billy's wheelchair sat firmly in the doorway, waiting for me.

I followed him into the cozy entry and he wheeled into the living room while I took off my jacket and sneakers.

The house was quiet and I knew Billy and I were alone. "Where's Jake?" I asked, failing to hide my curiosity.

Billy's face was void of all expression. He didn't speak, only motioning me to sit on the couch. Squeezing by him, I sat down and continued to question him.

"Charlie said you haven't been calling him back. He's worried." Still, Billy said nothing, I came here for answers and I was determined to get them.

Sensing my frustration, Billy cleared his throat. "Jacob is gone."

I knew he couldn't mean that Jake was dead, but I couldn't understand what he was trying to say.

"Jake…gone?" I stumbled out.

"Yes. He got your wedding announcement and left."

Now I was truly confused. "What wedding announcement?" I demanded.

"That's right. His note did say something about you not wanting to send an announcement." He muttered. I was becoming more and more frustrated.

"Billy?" I asked. "Can I see the announcement?"

"Yeah, yeah." He was still muttering as he left the room. I could hear him rumbling through the drawers in the kitchen. "Ah ha!" I heard him exclaim as he rolled back into the living room. My eyes followed him until he stopped in front of me.

He handed me an envelope with Edwards neat script across the from addressing it's contents to Jacob Black.

I took our the letter and read it over to myself, fuming.

Jacob

I'm breaking the riles by sending you this.

She was afraid of hurting you, and she didn't

want to make you feel obligated in any way.

But I know that, if things had gone the

other way, I would have wanted the choice.

I promise I will take care of her, Jacob.

Thank you-for her- for everything.

Edward

"I can't believe him." I muttered under my breath.

"What's that?" Billy asked, eyeing me curiously.

"Nothing. I'm sorry Billy. He never told me about this. Where did Jake go?" Edward was going to have a lot of explaining to do when he got back.

"No. He just left."

"Well, can't you find him?" I was getting angry now.

"Sam has ordered the pack to remain human. Jake hasn't changed back since he left."

I was standing now, my face red. "You won't even check? What if he's dead? He's your son!"

"Please, Bella," his voice was calm. "I know he's my son. He's not dead, I know that. He will return eventually, when he's ready."

"How do you know he's not dead?"

" 'It's a wolf thing,' I suppose you could say. The others would feel it." It hurt me to hear him quote Jake that like. "are you really willing to break the treaty?" He eyed me cautiously.

"It's complicated." I said, a little calmer. I sat back down on the sofa.

"Explain." He grunted.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to really go into the details with Billy, bit then I thought that if he understood, he would be able to convince the others to make an exception to the treaty.

"Did Jake tell you about my encounter with the Volturi last spring?" I started.

His eyes lit up with sudden interest at the name, apparently it meant more to him than it had to Jake. "He told me what you told him." He replied, clearly eager to hear more.

"Well, there was more to it than what I told Jacob."

"I figured"

I waited for more, but clearly he was waiting for me. "I know too much. The fact that I know about them at all proves that-thank Jake for that, by the way.

"It makes them uncomfortable to have a human know this much." Billy looked a little confused.

"The vampires have a rule just like yours. To keep your identity a secret. Edward never told me, I guessed. Just like I guessed with Jake."

"Good imagination." He muttered, half smiling.

"Well, they want me dead. Either dead or one of them. And they plan to visit soon to check." This seemed to provoke the reaction that I was looking for.

"The Volturi intend to come here? That's why your vampire was so intent on taking care of the population problem in Seattle. To postpone their visit." Realization dawned on him as he was speaking more to himself than anyone else.

"Well," I interrupted his thoughts. "That population problem was because of me, mainly. They were after me. You know that."

"Right, right."

"If they come back and find me, and I'm not a vampire, or dead," I added dryly. "Then they will either change me themselves or kill me, depending on who they send."

"I see." Billy really did seem to understand and the idea of the Volturi visiting seemed to concern him almost as much as it did Edward.

Curiosity got the best of me. "Why do you react like that when I mention the Volturi?"

He paused, thinking about his answer. "Because the Volturi can overrule any treaty made between our people and the Cullens, and the Volturi are stronger than us. They could easily wipe out our entire line." I shuddered. "I'll talk to Sam and the elders tomorrow and see what I can do. Please come by Friday morning at the same time."

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