6. WAKING UP

Raeleigh

As I drove home that night-or, morning rather-I wasn't paying much attention to the road that shimmered wetly in the moonlight. I was thinking about the promise I was compelled to make Jacob, trying to sort everything out, to force it all to make sense. Despite the unfairness of the whole shebang, I knew he was only trying to protect me. But from what? At first I just wanted in on their secret-but I could tell in Sam's eyes that it was much more than that. Sure, I still wanted in on it. I mean, how many guys do you come across with a secret that they're 'in for life', a practical life sentence?

I slowed my bike to a stop and looked behind me. There wasn't anything there, but I looked as if Emily's house was still in perfect view. I felt guilty, and regretted getting angry with Jake and Sam. They were only doing what they felt was best. And obviously, I thought as I narrowed my eyes toward Emily's, there was no danger.

Or so I thought.

I'd decided to take a shortcut to my house, a dirt road I discovered about two days ago, when I saw the thing. It just came out of nowhere. One minute there was nothing but darkness surrounding all around me. The next minute, my headlights illuminated what looked like two wolves crossing my path. Two abnormally large wolves, to be exact. Instinctively, I swerved to miss the them but my bike slipped and tumbled over, now on top of me, and we slid all the way down the steep hill.

I didn't feel the pain at first, due to the fact I was in complete shock-but that didn't last very long. When I raised my head up to examine myself, I immediately noticed the metal rod sticking out of my calf of my right leg. It was then when the pain suddenly hit me harder than I anticipated. My head and my stomach rolled, the rust-and-salt smell of the blood pulled me under. Everything above me seemed to twist and turning, and soon…darkness engulfed me.

When I woke up, the pain in my leg and head woke up as well. Although I closed my eyes, due to the fact they wouldn't stay open, I caught a glimpse of the large bed I lay neatly tucked in-a bed that wasn't my own, mind you-with a machine at my bedside that steadily beeped. I assumed it was used to monitor my heart, and I soon realized where I was. A hospital. Usually, I'd wake up to something much more pleasant than this, and now I wish I hadn't woken up at all…because it was then when it all came back.

The wolf. The accident. The metal rod in my calf.

"Tell me," Jacob said softly, suddenly. I hadn't noticed anyone before, so the suddenness of his voice startled me. I listened intently, still confused as to whether this was all a dream. Nothing ever made sense anymore. "How bad was it? I want to know everything."

There was a sigh and a few audible footsteps coming from one end of the room to my bedside, and then the squeak of the chair as they sat. I waited in my perfect, comfortably large, white bed, perfectly silent, perfectly still and listened.

"I had never felt so helpless in my entire life," My mother began softly, slowly, "I didn't know what to do anymore. That first week was the worst-I was afraid I was going to have to admit her into a hospital."

"But she snapped out of it," Jacob grunted, his words more of a statement than a question.

"No, it only got worse at first," she explained sadly. "She barely ate, and hardly moved. She had nightmares every night, and every night I'd wake up to her screaming. I just-I didn't know what to do, Jake. I was so afraid to say the wrong thing and upset her. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I ever admitted her."

They were silent for a long while. It killed me, hearing how much pain I had caused her through the years. Five long years.

"After a few months, she…you know…she seemed to get better…"

"But?" Jacob prompted after a short moment.

Mom sighed and I could feel her eyes on me now. I could only hope the tears that welled up in my eyes wouldn't squeeze out to show I was listening in on them.

"She was so…empty. I mean, she went back to school and saw her friends, she started eating, got tremendously good grades, and acknowledged people when they spoke to her…but her eyes were so blank; no sign of happiness left behind. I almost didn't know who she was anymore, you know?" She removed her gaze upon me and turned to Jacob now.

"Yeah," Jacob whispered so softly, it was hard to hear.

"You know, there were lots of little things she stopped doing-she wouldn't listen to music anymore; I found her CD player stashed in the attic; she stopped singing and dancing all together. One of her favorite things to do is laugh…and even then. And although she was in the same room as the TV, staring up at it like she would, I knew she wasn't watching it. I finally figured it out after talking to the family doctor-she was so afraid to fully let go, and move on."

"Out of sight, out of mind," Jacob whispered.

"Exactly." Mom sighed again. Mom sniffed, which only meant she'd been crying now. It killed me. "It was so difficult. We could hardly talk; I was so worried about saying the wrong thing, something that would upset her-the littlest things set her off. She didn't even phone her friends back, and after a while they just stopped calling.

Jacob was silent, verbally, but I still heard the shakiness in his breathing. He'd been fighting away the tears. I almost heard him shuddering. I shuddered too, remembering every detail. And then I sighed, slowly exhaling. "She seems better now, though. Nothing like before."

I felt Mom smile as she rested a warm hand on my left leg and gave a little squeeze. "Yeah. Ever since she started hanging out with you, Jacob Black, My babygirl is coming back. She's smiling more, eating all the time, and constantly on the go. When she comes home, her cheeks are pinker than normal, she's got light in her eyes again. Jacob, because of you, she's happier."

"The guys are apart of it too," he told her. "But I don't mind taking all the credit," he joked.

I snorted.

I felt two pairs of eyes on me and decided to make it look as though I'd stirred in my sleep. I wiggled a little in my bed and slowly stretched my body out, forced a yawn, and opened my eyes. Instantly, my eyes met Jacob's and blood filled my cheeks. I smiled a little and slowly closed my eyes once more. "Hey."

"Hey, sweetheart," Mom said softly and caressed the top of my head. Shivers ran all around my body at her soft touch. "How are you? You ok?"

"Yeah," I told her and opened my eyes again. I yawned, this time for real, and nodded. "You don't have to worry about me, anymore, Mom." I smiled. "I'm okay."

"So?" Jacob started and crossed his arms. He gave me a firm look, "What happened?"

I froze. How could I tell them that I saw two wolves, too big to be normal, without them thinking I was crazy? I stared up at Jacob contemplatively. "I saw…" I started but stopped myself. I shook my head a little, trying to find the right words. "…something."

Mom and Jacob were silent for a moment, staring down at me, completely expressionless.

I exhaled deeply, knowing they wanted more than what I'd given them. "Wolves," I finally spoke and crossed my arms. The muscles in my arms hurt, but I ignored it. "There were two of them, a brown one and a dark gray one. They just suddenly walked across my path and when I saw them, that's when I crashed. I was just startled," I explained, leaving out the size of the animals. "Hey, is the bike okay?"

"Don't worry about the bike, let's worry about you," Jacob told me, giving my good leg a slight squeeze. "No bikes…not for a while at least."

I didn't argue.

"The doctor said you have to use your crutches for the next few weeks, maybe even a month or two," he explained. "Okay? And I want you to use your crutches all the time. I don't want to see you stumbling around all over the place."

Just when I was about to spat off at him, he leaned down and kissed my cheek ever so gently. It took me by surprise-the warmth of his lips against my cold skin-and the action. He pulled away, replacing his hand on my blood filled cheek and caressed it gently with the side of his thumb. "Get some sleep, yeah?" I didn't argue. I couldn't argue. I watched in awe as he and Mom left the room, giving me one last caring glance before shutting the light off and closing the door behind him quietly.

I slept better that night, though my dream replayed the incident of the accident. Just when I saw the too large two wolves, everything seemed to be replaying in slow motion. I watched as they looked over at me. There was something about them that made them familiar. It made no sense, but nothing ever did anymore. And just before I slammed into the ground, I shot up in my hospital bed, lightly covered in sweat.

The room was illuminated enough for me to navigate without having to turn on the too bright lights, and I'd decided to head to the bathroom to rinse off. I started first without the crutches, but when Jacob popped into my head, I made up my mind to go grab them, just in case he decided to make a surprise check-up.

The night went by fast and by morning, I was well enough to go home. Jacob was insistent about the crutches, though I tried to tell him it was easier to get around without them, but he wouldn't listen. And to make my morning go from pearl gray to completely harmonious, the guys welcomed me with gentle hugs and kisses, and even a bouquet of red roses. "Guys…you didn't have to…"

"It was nothing. Don't worry about it," Emily told me, giving me a gently hug. I couldn't wrap my arms around her due to the fact I'd probably fall over and hurt myself more, but I did manage to rest my chin on her shoulder. "How did you sleep last night?"

"Great," I lied as she pulled away from me.

She smiled and gestured toward the door, "C'mon, let's go home."

I fell asleep during the drive home, which was, unfortunately, only fifteen minutes long. I guess near death experiences can do that to people. When I fully came to, I drowsily made my way toward the house, fighting with the crutches as they occasionally got stuck in the mud, and with a little effort, I made it up into the house. Emily was cooking, no real shock there I suppose, but so was Billy and Mom.

Well, Mom wasn't really cooking, she was more or less helping out with non-food items, such as silverware, cups, plates…

Charlie was here too, and for once not in uniform. "Hey kiddo," he called and kissed the top of my head as he whooshed passed me.

"Wait, what is this?" I asked to no one in general, pointing toward the kitchen.

"Remember, I told you we were having a cookout? Well, I figured we'd bump it up a day since you've barely eaten any of the food they gave you at the hospital. I bet your starving," Mom explained and disappeared into the living room.

"Oh," I whispered. The doorbell rang suddenly and I practically jumped out of my skin. I did squeal in shock though. Embry and Paul teased me about it, mimicking the noise. "I'll get it," I called and answered the door.

"Raeleigh!"

A/N: Hey guys! Thanks so much for all of your wonderful reviews! It helps me, you have no idea how much to keep this story going! I would love to thank my best friend Burtantae, Amila, Michelle, My Mom, Dad, my Grammy Faye, and all those who've actually sent reviews. I love you all...you are what keeps me wanting to write this story! Also, another thing: This story is mainly about Raeleigh in learning what she went through after the death of her father-just in case you were truly wondering. Thanks again guys.

I do NOT own Twilight Saga's characters...Stephenie Meyer does. I just like to play with them. :D