Jake nodded at Edward, who stood up and led him inside. The wolf was huge and he wasn't sure what Jake could do in this form to let Nessie know that he was there.

The wolf lay down on the floor and told him to put his little girl on the floor with her head on his side. Edward did.

The huge wolf's head craned around to nudge Nessie gently before settling down on the floor. All they could do now was wait.

Four hours later, Edward noticed that his daughter was breathing easier than she had in two days. Her color was getting better and she didn't seem so limp.

Two days later, as everyone watched with baited breath, Nessie opened her eyes for the first time. Jake hadn't left her side for that whole time. She looked around and saw her entire family nearby. Then she realized that she was laying against a furry body.

Turning her head, she noticed the russet colored fur of her wolf. "Jake?" Her voice was rough but she was heard. His head turned until one of his eyes lit on her face.

She giggled weakly as he licked her face: his way of telling her that he was glad to see her.

"Jacob!" Bella scolded. Both of them knew that she wouldn't like it if she'd ever seen him do it. But right now, she didn't care. Her baby was alive. Nessie was alive and it was all because Jake came back.

She knelt beside his head and lifted his head to look at her. "You saved me again, Jake. By saving her, you saved me. Thank you."

She hugged the shaggy wolf and then hugged her daughter.

Nessie curled up, facing her wolf's head and drifted back to sleep.

Over the next few days, Nessie steadily grew stronger. Jake, with very few exceptions, didn't leave her side.

He'd carry her into the bathroom for a shower each morning and evening and then sit outside the bathroom door to make sure that she was okay. When she was done, he carried her back to her bed where he would stretch out with her resting against his chest.

Edward frequently found the two of them sitting in the porch swing, napping. In fact, he'd taken a few pictures of it and had them stored on his computer.

Six days after Jake's return, he finally let her walk down the stairs to the living room on her own. He was right beside her the whole way though and ready to catch her if she fell.

The whole family had been thrilled to see her return to the land of the living. They had all been waiting at the bottom of the steps for her. Seth and Dani were there as were Shaun and Leah. Everyone was there. Nessie felt so much love flowing through the room, even without Jasper's help, that she felt tears welling up in her eyes.

Jake kept an arm around her as everyone stepped forward to tell her how happy they were that she was better.

"Nessie, I'd like you to meet someone. This is Danielle Montgomery. She was one of the officers on the scene that night."

"Seth, did you imprint on her?" Nessie exclaimed. He blushed as he nodded. "I'm so happy for you!" She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. Then, she surprised Dani by hugging her too. "Welcome to the family!"

"Someone else you need to welcome, Nessie," Leah said, stepping forward with Shaun in tow. "This is my imprint, Shaun Pelson, Danielle's brother."

"Oh Leah, that's so awesome!" She hugged Leah and then turned to Shaun. "Welcome to the strangest family on earth!" She giggled as she took in his blush and the way he ducked his head at her exuberance.

Jake pulled her back to him and kissed the top of her head. "I wish I hadn't run off the way I did. I've already apologized to Nessie. Now I'm apologizing to the rest of you. I should have waited for an explanation and I nearly lost the woman I love because of my quick temper. The only thing I can be glad of is that I didn't hurt her the same way that Sam did Emily. Of course, I know that you won't be able to just forgive me. Hell, I can't forgive myself yet. But I'm back and I don't plan on leaving, at least not without Nessie, for a long time to come."

"Well, two good things came of this whole mess," Nessie said, almost bouncing. "Seth and Leah both imprinted. Of course, it's kind of funny that a brother and sister imprinted on a brother and sister. But, Aunt Alice, we get to plan weddings!"

"Not until Rose and I get done with another one," Alice responded slyly.

Jake stepped around Nessie and went to his knees in front of her. "Nessie, I love you. I'm more sorry than I can say for what I've put you through. But I have to ask this. Will you marry me?"

Edward's mouth fell open. Bella, knowing what he was about to say, simply put her hand over his mouth before leaning over and whispering in his ear. "Not now. We'll talk about it later."

"Of course, Jake. I want nothing more. But we have to wait until I'm old enough. After all, I may have the body of a sixteen year old but I'm still only seven," she giggled.

"But you have the smarts of a college grad. I'm willing to wait. In the meantime, maybe you can help your aunts plan for two other weddings." He leaned in to her ear, knowing that the wolves and vampires would hear it anyway. "Just don't make me wait a full eleven years. I don't know if I could handle it."

"Never. I'll let you know when I'm ready." She kissed his cheek before grabbing Leah and Danielle by the hand and dragging them over to where Alice and Rose had wedding books laid out all over the table. "So are we planning three weddings or just two?"

"Three," Dani and Leah said together. They had both agreed on that: they loved their brothers but they didn't want to share their wedding with them.

Bella kissed her husband's cheek before heading over to the table to join the planning. Esme joined in as well.

"Well, guys, who's up for a Halo tournament?" Emmett asked, knowing that the women would be planning for a long time to come. All of the guys followed him into the other room.