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iluvtopazeyes

disclaimer - i don't own The Twilight Saga

Chapter 24 – Realization

I felt warm tears spill out of my eyes as I looked at my family. I whispered, " We have to get them back…"

Alice's face went blank; she was having a vision. She was quietly dry-sobbing as she came out of it. I felt myself getting hysteric when she didn't answer my question, " What did you see?"

She showed the vision to Edward, he gasped. He looked at me and stated, " Bella…she saw Jacob…dead." My eyes widened to the size of dinner plates, probably, as I asked, " What?"

He looked at me and said quickly, " It was none of us. Bella, he died in a motorcycle accident." I looked at him incredulously, " But…but…he's a werewolf. He can't die from a motorcycle accident. He'd heal. No. NO!! HE CAN'T DIE FROM IT!"

Edward put his hands on my shoulders, trying to get me to calm down. I was at first, until I realized the calm effect felt very artificial.

" Jasper! Stop dammit!" He gulped and stepped away, and the calm feeling went with him. I looked at Edward and said, " We've got to go save him." I quickly ran to the door, tripping twice, but at the moment I didn't care. All I cared about was getting to Jacob in time.

I was thinking this when I slid on the patch of ice on the Cullen's front step. That's what I was thinking as my world spun and all went black…

I woke up to a beeping sound…it was rhythmic, even comforting. Then I opened my eyes. Ow. Bright. Too bright. I quickly shut them again before hearing Edward's voice trail in from the hall.

" How are we going to tell her? She's going to be utterly devastated."

I distinctly heard Carlisle's wise voice, " But she has to know, Edward. You can't just keep something like this from her. She'll be angry with you if you don't. You have to tell her that…I think she's awake. Her monitor just jumped. Edward I want you to go in there and tell her the truth."

I heard the door creak as it opened farther, and I felt the springs squeak as Edward sat down beside me. I opened my eyes again, anxious to hear what was about to be said.

Edward sensed my anxiety, because he asked, " Did you hear the conversation?" I nodded and added, " Only the last part."

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose like he had a migraine before saying, " Bella…you slipped on a patch of ice on the steps. Alice called and let everyone know. And…Jacob found out."

I sucked in a quick breath; I knew where this was going.

" Bella, Jacob was in an accident – a motorcycle accident. Bella, he didn't make it. I'm so sorry." My eyes – once again – prickled with tears.

I could feel my body reacting to the news before Edward knew it was coming. I screamed, and threw up, and screamed some more. Edward quickly yelled, " Jasper!" I felt my breathing speed up to be hyperventilating as Jasper came into the room.

I suddenly felt immensely tired, and before I knew it I was asleep.

I was in the meadow. Then, Jacob appeared out of the trees. Except he was see-through, and floating.

" Bella. Please don't cry." I hadn't even noticed the tears going down my face before he mentioned it.

" Bella, this is how things were supposed to happen. Everything happened for a reason; it was simply my time to die. Edward loves you, and you need to be with him. Those kids should've been his. Bella, now you can be with your children."

" But…you're supposed to be with Jessica. And the children need their father."

" Bella, don't you see? Edward is their father. Sure, biologically they're mine, but they deserve to be Edward's. He deserves them. Please, be happy. And remember…I'll always watch over you. And I'll always be present in your heart…"

He suddenly started disappearing, and I screamed, " No, Jacob! Don't go! Don't leave me!"

Then, I was alone. Then I remembered what he'd said – be happy. He doesn't want me to be sad. He said it himself.

I woke with a start – Edward by my side. His head was nuzzled in the nape of my neck; he was breathing cool, unnecessary breaths. I let a lone tear travel down my face. Edward wiped the tear away as I realized that Jacob had really spoken to me in my dream – it wasn't just my imagination making up the conversation. I smiled and turned to Edward.

" What?"

I smiled wider and said, " I'm done being sad about everything. Jacob came to me last night, Edward. He said to be happy. So, for him, and for me, and for you, and everyone else, I will be happy."

He smiled and kissed my nose before stating, " I love you."

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