Chapter Twenty-Seven

"Where to next?" Nahuel said as we reached the car.

"Billy's, but I'm driving." I said.

Leah tossed me the keys as she climbed in the passenger seat.

Nahuel was angered even more by this, but said nothing.

I needed something to take my mind off the pain and help me focus on the mission at hand. I know it technically is all the same thing, but it doesn't hurt as much when think about it differently. I wonder how Jacob is taking it? I still can't understand how he could do this. Just the imprinting itself has to make all this hard for him.

As I drove, I tried to think of what to say to Billy. I couldn't do the same thing with Billy as I had Emily. First, I don't think crying with Billy would be such a good idea. He's male and he probably doesn't understand the emotional side of this as well as Emily could. And second, I don't know how well he would take to me "showing" him what happened. He doesn't care to see Aunt Alice, Dad, and I use our powers that much.

I was still at a lost when I pulled in the driveway.

When I parked, Leah and Nahuel immediately got out of the car and swiftly walked to opposite sides of the yard as before. I rolled my eyes. I had chosen two of the most childish people to come with me.

I jogged over to the steps and stopped. This was the first time I had seen or even talked to Billy since we had left. Did he know that Jacob and I were engaged? Did he even know we were together? Billy had not been one that liked mixing with vampires. He was better than he was before, but still it was a sore spot for him.

I finally got the courage to press on and walked over the door and knocked. I could hear Billy's wheel squeak on the other side of the door.

"Who is it?" he said. I could tell that he was right behind that door.

"It's me, Nessie."

Billy opened the door as fast as his wheelchair would let him.

"Nessie, sweetheart! Long time, no see! What are you doing in La Push? In Forks, even? Visiting Ole' Charlie, I'm guessing?"

"Um, not exactly." I said as he moved over to let me in.

I leaned down and hugged him before passing into the living room.

"Well, then to what do I owe this pleasant surprise?"

How could I respond to that question? Um, well Billy your son ran off because he caught me cheating on him. Only I wasn't cheating, he only thought I was. I really had nothing to do with it. It was all the other guy's fault. Na, I don't think that would work.

"I guess I should start at the beginning. Did you know that Jacob and I were together?"

"He's here? He came with you? Well, where is that son of mine, then?"

This was going to be a little harder than I thought.

"Billy, I mean that we are together, as in dating. Actually," I raised my head to meet his eyes. "Actually we're engaged."

"Engaged? Wow! Well, congratulations to the both of you, then! But where is Jake? I figured he would want to be here too when you told me. I did raise the kid."

"That's kind of what I'm here to talk to you about." I said, lowering my head again.

"If you're worried that I don't approve of this marriage because of you being a vampire, don't worry your pretty little head about that. You are who Jake imprinted on, and I've finally come to terms with it. I knew that this day would come, so I prepared myself."

I smiled softly. "Thank you, Billy. And I'm glad you told me that. But that's not what I mean, either. You see, Jacob's missing."

His expression then changed to one of concern and confusion.

"Missing? What do you mean missing? What happened?"

I scooted to the end of the couch so that I could reach him better.

"It would be easier if you would let me show you what exactly happened. I know you don't really like to see us using our gifts, but just the once?"

He nodded his head. "Okay, Nessie. Show me."

I placed one hand on each of his cheeks.

I replayed to him what happened from when Nahuel knocked on the door. I could tell he was not enjoying this by the expressions that seemed to continually fill his face.

The last scene I showed him was me running into the woods, calling for Jacob.

I slowly pulled my hand away. I wouldn't show him the last part. I was sure he could tell how much this already pained me.

"Wow," he said, after pausing to process everything I had showed him. "I understand. And you came here, thinking he would come home, right?"

I nodded. "I came back to La Push because I knew Jacob always went to First Beach when things got rough with the pack and he needed to think. I can tell he has been there, but he had already left by the time I got there.

I've already been to Sam's, too. I know how close they were right before we left, so I thought maybe we would talk to him about all this. Maybe not, though. Then I decided to see if maybe he came by here to see you. And I'm guessing no luck here either?"

Billy shook his head. "I'm sorry, Nessie. I haven't seen him since you left Forks."

I put head in my hands, resting my elbows on my knees. "I just feel like I don't know Jake at all now! I can't think of anywhere else he would ever go to or be at! I love him more than anything, but is that enough reason for us to be together?"

"If I know Jacob, and I believe that I know him about as well as you do, maybe a little better since I've known him his whole life and I know his ways, he will find his way back to you. He has my determination and pride, but yet, he also has his mother's heart and spirit.

When he falls in love, that love is strong. And the imprinting only makes that love stronger and deeper than any other love. Your parents love each other, your uncles and aunts love each other, your grandparents love each other, and I loved my wife dearly. But you and Jacob, you two have a special kind of love. The first time he held you in his arms, he knew that you were made to be there. My wife has passed on and the others I mention, they are no longer aging. They will forever be the age they are now.

You two are still young. You still have many years for your love to grow. Your love is also the first of its kind. We all knew, deep, down, that one day, great things would come from that love, too.

It doesn't matter if you are married, dating, by each others side, or not. You still love him…. and he still loves you, no matter what. And nothing, not even this, can change that."

I continued to think about his words as I stood to leave and walked to the door with Billy following behind.

Is it really possible that Jacob is out there somewhere and still loves me? Could we truly be together again? My heart swelled with joy as I thought of this.

I hugged Billy before turning to go. "I really hope you find him. And if he happens to come here, you will be the first person I call, that is, after I kill him. I'm sure you would like knowing the funeral arrangements." Billy chuckled.

I smiled. "Thanks, Billy. For everything." I leaned down to hug him once more and kissed him on the cheek.

He then turned and rolled back inside, shutting the door.

As I walked down the steps, I started trying to think like Jacob.

I'm upset with Nessie, so where should I go?

I walked towards the car and could see that Nahuel and Leah were still mad.

As I glanced at each of them, rolling my eyes, I got back in the car, this time on the passenger side.

Leah and Nahuel came once they saw me, Nahuel jumping in the front seat, and Leah climbing in back.

"Any ideas?" Nahuel said as we pulled away.

I shook my head. "Billy hasn't seen him. Just head towards town for right now. I just have to think."

I continued to ponder everything Billy had told me.

"When he falls in love, that love is strong. And the imprinting only makes that love stronger and deeper than any other love..... You and Jacob, you two have a special kind of love. The first time he held you in his arms, he knew that you were made to be there."

Something about that last part was making a small part of my mind pull towards an answer, I just couldn't completely grasp it.

"The first time he held you in his arms, you knew you were meant to be there."

As I continued to pull the answer from my mind, I finally grabbed it.

That's it! That was where Jacob was at, I knew it!

"You guys, I know were he is!" I practically screamed, and Nahuel slammed on brakes.