Disclaimer: Once again I do not own any part of Twilight or the characters! No Copy Right Infringement Intended.

A/N: First off I want to thank my Beta BelleoftheWhitts for another amazing job at editing for me! She has a small son who keeps her on her toes and I am so grateful she's able to help! :D Read on!

Chapter 2

The heaviest weight you will ever lift
is the problem you refuse
to confront.

I shared an anxious look with Charlie as the pounding on the door got louder. My father looked back at me with wide eyes filled with trepidation.

"Let me in Charlie. I have to explain..." his voice was pleading.

I gingerly picked up Lizzie and took her into Charlie's living room, thankfully Charlie had it on the Disney Jr. channel and Mickey Mouse was on. I needed my sweet girl to be distracted. It was likely to be an epic show down and she didn't deserve to be in the cross hairs.

I heard the door open and Charlie's calm voice, "Look Jake." He began in a placating tone, "She just got home... Don't do this now."

"She has a baby?" Jacob's voice was soft and if I wasn't mistaken sounded heartbroken, "Is she married?"

I couldn't stand being talked about like I wasn't there, so I walked to where he could see me and stood with my arms crossed protectively across my chest. I stared at a fixed spot on the floor. I couldn't look at him directly.

"I don't see how any of this is your business Jake. You were the one who chased me out of Forks... You're the one who pieced me back together just to shatter me all over again..." I took a deep breath, my hands clenched into balls at my side as I fought the urge to look at him. I had an overwhelming desire to see him, to compare his face to Lizzie's. To see the face I had conjured in my mind SO many times.

I heard his footsteps as he got around Charlie and was trying to come closer to me. I held my hands up defensively, my breath coming in short gasps. I wasn't ready for this! I wanted to see him again on my terms, not like this.

"Bella." his voice was soft as honey and pleading, "I didn't mean any of it... I was under Alpha orders at the time, I … Let me explain."

"I can't do that right now, you HURT me." I told him warily, not hiding the pain in my voice.

Before I could say anything else Lizzie was running into the room and I watched in shock and fascination as she stood in front of Jacob with a fierce scowl on her face. Her eyes shining with fire and her tiny body shook. She was about as fierce as baby kitten; that didn't stop her from trying to be a lion.

"You hurt Mama?" She asked him angrily and before I could grab her she sunk her baby teeth into his leg.

I reached out quickly and pulled her away from his as he swore loudly, reaching down to rub the spot.

"Elizabeth Sarah Black!" I scolded, "We do not bite people."

"I sowwy Mama." She shrugged giving me an apologetic smile.

I looked up then realizing I had spoken her full name and the full implications because of who was in the room. The room grew eerily silent, I looked up into Jacob's face and he was slack jawed. His eyes were intense and burning while looking at the small child in my arms. He looked more or less the same. His face was the same. His shoulders were broader and he'd grown even taller... But he was still Jake.

Jake and Lizzie looked more alike than I had originally thought. Before I thought she was me in miniature. Really they had the same shaped eyes. I couldn't stop seeing the pieces of Jake that my Lizzie had inherited.

His eyes moved up to meet mine and it was like I was rooted to the ground. I couldn't move even though I wanted to. I watched the myriad emotions play out on Jacob's face.

Shock

Awe

Remorse

Guilt

The physical weight of his emotions making him drops to his knees. He wasn't breaking eye contact.

I was filled with warring emotions and I wasn't sure what to think. I didn't understand what was going on. What was happening?

"Oh Bella, I am so sorry." he choked, tears leaking out of the corner of his eyes and streaking down his face.

Something about seeing Jake so defenseless and broken, on his knees crying, caused my heart to clench painfully in my chest.

Handing Lizzie to Charlie, I walked over to Jacob slowly, almost like I was approaching a wounded wild animal. I slowly dropped to my knees. With the gentleness of a mother I wiped the tears away.

"I have a daughter?" he whispered. I think it was more for him than it was for me.

"You have a daughter." I confirmed.

Questions were swirling around in his brown orbs, as he studied me intently.

I sighed, shaking the cobwebs from my brain and stood up. I looked over to Charlie and the sweet girl in his arms, and then back to Jake.

"Hey Dad, do you think you could take Lizzie out for a while?" I asked, "You can take my car, I think Jake and I need to talk."

"Sure, Bells" He responded, taking the keys from my outstretched hand.

I began pacing the room replaying my last confrontation with Jacob and I couldn't take it anymore. His words echoed over and over again.

"Why?" I demanded putting my hands on my hips and looking down at him.

Jacob looked at me, his chocolate gaze holding me captive, "That night I got home after being with you. I got sicker. My skin was burning and everyone kept watching me like they were waiting for something. I was shaking and I couldn't control the rage inside of me and all of a sudden I was on all fours but I wasn't human. I was a wolf. A huge, fucking wolf! I could hear Embry and Sam in my head telling me to calm down. It's a wolf thing, being able to communicate telepathically. When we're in our wolf form we're linked; it's like watching several TVs all at once." He paused, taking a deep breath. "Sam was the Alpha at the time. When an Alpha gives you an order you physically can't break it; it's like someone putting a muzzle on you. You have to do what they say."

My anger deflated and I sunk onto the floor across from Jake contemplating what he said to me. "I don't understand..."

"No one is supposed to know about us. It's part of the stupid treaty with the Cullen's. And even though you knew about them we weren't supposed to tell you. I told Sam that I loved you and I would tell you everything, that you could be trusted. He didn't think it was safe and told me I needed to find a way to make you stay away... I refused. Then he ordered me to tell you something that he knew would make you bolt. I didn't want to Bella. I didn't mean any of it. You don't know how hard I tried to fight it; how inside I was SCREAMING that I loved you. You weren't just... You weren't... You were my first too Bella. You're the only one I've ever been with... I've never wanted anyone but you." His eyes dropped as his shoulders hunched forward.

I felt the tears slipping down my face. How could I blame him when his tongue was tied, literally? "I was coming to tell you I was pregnant." I whispered, "I had just found out and I was so scared. And I needed you Jake. When you... I almost got an abortion. I went to a clinic and I even made it into the room, but I couldn't... I couldn't kill... No matter how I felt then..." The remorse I felt of almost going through with something so evil still stung.

"I'm so sorry." he cried.

We spent the next couple of hours talking. He filled me in on the pack, how he took the role as Alpha shortly after I had left. It was in his destiny, being Ephraim's grandson. He described all the wolves in the pack. He told me about imprinting and the Sam/Emily/Leah love fest. This explained Leah's animosity towards me. She was a lone wolf, not able to have children; my heart went out to her. Losing her father being the catalyst for phasing the first time, even affecting her little brother! I told him about stealing from the Cullen's, about settling down and investing the money I had. I talked about Lizzie's birth and how scared I had been. The first few weeks home and I was terrified I would break this tiny human who somehow belonged to me.

"Have you imprinted?" I asked Jake tentatively dreading his response.

His eyes were filled with an emotion I couldn't place, "I hadn't... not until I looked in your eyes today."

The words were running through my head, and it was too soon. How could I ever trust him? I understood it was a wolf thing, that he would be what I needed; the only problem was I didn't know what that was.

"You don't have to say anything Bella. I'll be whatever you need me to be. If you need me to be your friend, I'll be your friend. If you just want me in your life for Lizzie. I'll be in your life for our daughter..." he rambled, echoing my thoughts.

"Friends" I decided, speaking softly. "We can start as friends."

I wasn't ready for any type of physical contact from him so I pushed myself up from the ground and went to take the lasagna out of the oven. Not only keeping myself busy, it helped me gain the distance I needed in order to gain clarity. I got to work chopping up a fresh garden salad while Jacob watched me work. The silence wasn't unpleasant; it was almost like old times.

"Maybe you could come by La Push tomorrow?" he asked, "You could bring Lizzie to see my dad."

I turned suddenly, shocked I hadn't thought of it sooner. Billy. I'd never given a thought to Billy. Poor guy didn't know he had a grandchild. I was a horrible human being.

"Sure, sure" I agreed falling into old patterns, "We'll come by tomorrow, though you might want to warn him." I added with a frown.

Jake nodded, "I'm gonna go, I know you have a lot to process."

I watched him go and then got back to prepping the salad. I set the table and arranged the food so that it all fit. I even toasted some rolls.

When Charlie came back, I had just finished getting a small plate of food together for Lizzie. I was using my luggage as a booster seat.

He walked into the room sniffing, and the words 'following your nose' came to mind. "It smells great in here, Bella." Charlie stated appreciatively.

"Mmmmmm zanya" Lizzie growled.

Dinner was a great way to really break the ice. Charlie kept laughing at Lizzie saying "Mmmm" and nodding after every single bite.

I told Charlie all about Jake and what he told me. Charlie was thoughtful, "So if he had just looked in your eyes that day..."

"He would have been able to tell me everything." I supplied.

"You wouldn't have left."

I shook my head sadly. If Sam had never given the order, Jake would have had no problem looking me in the eyes... I knew then that I would never be able to forgive Sam Uley. He had made me miss out on 3 whole years... Not just with Jake, but with my father. Time Lizzie could have had bonding with her family.

How different would life have been? The whole pack could have been family. Jake and Charlie could have been with me when I delivered Lizzie. My sweet Elizabeth could have started her life surrounded by people and being loved unconditionally by everyone.

What if I had come back earlier? What if I hadn't left at all?

But you could drive yourself crazy trying to think of all the what-ifs. There was no use crying over spilled milk. No sense in dwelling on the past either.

I woke up before Lizzie the next morning and took the opportunity to take a quick shower. As much as I loved the hot spray on my body, as a mother time is always limited. Showers were a necessity, but it was also a luxury. I was just finishing buttoning my jeans when Lizzie sat up with a huge smile.

"Good morning pretty girl." I cooed sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Hi." she waved happily. It would never cease to amaze me how she could wake up each morning with a smile.

"Do you remember that man that was here yesterday? The one you bit?" I asked her gently searching her eyes.

"Jaqwob?"

"Yes sweetheart, Jacob. He is your daddy."

"Dadee?" her face scrunched up adorably.

"Yes."

"See Dadee?" she asked her eyes wide and hopeful.

"We will go see Daddy after breakfast."

"Mmm num nums." she grinned smacking her lips together.

Breakfast was our usual routine hot oatmeal with fruit. This morning is was blueberries.

Charlie had already gone to work, but he knew what my plans were for the day. That I was going to be heading down to La Push. We had talked in great detail the night before. He told me Renee and Phil moved last year but she hadn't given him a forwarding address. She blamed him for my leaving. Unfortunately this sounded like Renee. So unless she showed up in Forks it was unlikely I would ever find her. It hurt, but it wasn't debilitating. I had taken care of her more than she'd ever taken care of me and we had been estranged for years. When I wouldn't tell her where I was or where I was going, only that I was pregnant... She was not very forgiving... She was the one who had encouraged me to get an abortion. Telling me at my age I didn't want to be saddled down with a child. It was only when I was in that cold white unforgiving room that I realized she resented having me…

Charlie told me he would meet me in La Push for the evening. We were going to be having dinner at Sue's house. Really it was more because he wanted me to like Sue. She had been keeping him well fed and happier than I had seen in years, so of course I was already won over. That didn't mean I had to be open about it, yet.

Charlie mentioned that he was thinking of selling his house and moving onto the reservation permanently. There was more than enough room at Sue's place. I told him it was a wonderful idea, he deserved to be happy. While the thought of strangers in my childhood house was unsettling, the place was in pretty rough shape. It would need a hell of a makeover if it was going to sell anywhere near the comps of other homes in the area.

I myself had already thought about building a house for Lizzie and I, either in Forks or on the Res. But I decided to wait until I knew what was going on with Charlie first. He told me I could stay in his house for as long as I liked. I'd be lying if I said the prospect wasn't tempting.

He was truly a great father. Having Sue in his life made him more open to affection and being a mother did the same for me...

I washed the breakfast dishes and grabbed Lizzie. I gave her a quick bath then I changed her into a pair of sparkly skinny jeans and a long sleeved purple striped shirt that said 'Shooting Star' in creative lettering. I put on her purple pair of Chuck Taylor's and grinned.

I was wearing jeans as well, along my favorite red blouse. My hair pulled back into a side pony tail. Lizzie's was plaited in an intricate braid down her back. Putting the purple headband with the large flower on her head was the finishing touch.

I wasn't nervous on the drive to La Push. In fact I found it to be quite refreshing. I pulled to a stop in front of the familiar red house and I bristled. As many good memories as I had about this place, the one really bad memory was the only thing that came to mind. I couldn't help but notice that the house looked much bigger, than the home I conjured from memory.

I helped Lizzie out of the car and set her on her feet to let her walk.

"Dadee Dadee." she was chanting.

The front door open and Jacob was completely disarmed by the tiny girl on the front stoop.

"Hi, Lizzie." he greeted her thickly.

"Hi Dadee" she grinned reaching for him.

With how large and strong Jacob was I almost panicked when he reached out and effortlessly lifted her into his arms. I was paranoid that he would use too much strength and crush her, but watching him, he was actually quite gentle.

They were both studying one another and my heart skipped a beat. Lizzie's hands were gently touching Jake's skin and she grinned.

"Same." she said with a blinding, toothy smile.

I watched in fascination as tears slowly leaked out of Jacob's eyes. The wonder and amazement shone brightly in his eyes as he held his daughter for the very first time. And while there was joy there was also sadness. I reached up surprised to find my own cheeks wet with tears.

"Yes." He whispered; voice thick with emotion, "Same."

Lizzie smiled brightly at him and leaned forward and sloppily kissed his cheek. He grinned at her and returned the gesture. My heart fluttered in my chest. Watching someone I loved, with my daughter. Wait what? Did I still love Jacob? I frowned as I pondered the thought. Deep down I knew the answer was a resounding yes, but I couldn't because I wasn't ready. I couldn't let go of the pain, not yet.

I followed Jake soundlessly into the familiar house. The interior had been redone I could see the walls were freshly dry-walled. The furniture had been updated and the once small space now seemed to even have an upstairs. It was so bright and inviting, I almost felt like I was in the wrong house.

Realizing I was standing and staring in awe, I closed my mouth smartly and followed Jake to a large sitting room. Billy was sitting on the couch, which looked way more comfortable than his wheelchair. His eyes were on Jacob and Lizzie. I took this time to study him. His black hair was streaked with gray, but his face was the same.

I stepped closer and waved awkwardly, "Hi Billy."

His eyes turned to me and the sadness and remorse in them nearly made me weak. I tried to smile reassuringly, but I'm not so sure that's how it came across.

"Lizzie." I called softly.

She turned in Jacob's arms and reached for me, I took her back easily and I kissed her. "That man on the couch is your Grandpa Billy."

She cocked her head for a moment before she struggled to get out of my arms. I sat her on the ground and she cautiously walked over towards Billy.

"Gwampa Biwwy." she demanded, "UP."

Jacob stepped forward and sat Lizzie in his lap and she snuggled against his chest. "Loves you." she sighed.

Billy sat still until his body visibly relaxed and he stroked the little angel's hair.

"Her name is Elizabeth. Sarah. Black." I told him saying each part of her name clearly.

His eyes filled with tears, smiling gently, his voice broke, "She's beautiful."

"Hey Dad, do you mind watching her for a little while?" Jacob asked.

"Of course not!" he exclaimed, "She'll be safe with me, Bella."

I smiled at him, "I know, thank you, Billy."

I let Jake lead me out of the house and once we were alone I raised my eyebrow in question.

"Some of the guys started a contracting business." he offered, "Billy told them they could test out their skills on his house." he chuckled shaking his head.

"It looks incredible." I told him still in awe.

"Yeah, Embry and I opened up a mechanic shop. We get pretty steady business."

I smiled remembering all the times spent in Jake's garage. Fixing Motorcycles and watching him work on the Rabbit... All our long conversations, the time he spent piecing me back together. Suddenly it felt just like before, when it was just Jake and Bella.

"I'm really happy for you." I told him fighting back tears, "You're really good."

We stopped walking and he looked into my eyes. His were molten obsidian that smoldered; I didn't even flinch when his hand reached up to cup my cheek. He was so warm... Too warm, but then again vampires were too cold. I leaned into the warmth and it was like I was in a trance.

He leaned forward slowly his lips brushing mine in a sweet chaste kiss before he pulled back, grabbed my hand and got me walking again. It happened so fast it was almost like I had imagined it, except for the tingle. The feeling of his warm hand encompassing mine felt right…

"We're going to head over to Sam's place. It'll give you a chance to meet Emily." he smiled.

My fingers gently touched my lips with my free hand and I chose to not comment. I would go with it for now, because for the first time in 3 years... I felt like me again.

A/N: Do you like it!? I hope you like it. I like it! Here is another chapter all good and ready for you!

POLL: With the Holiday coming up and my Beta going to another state with no access to the internet. I am contemplating doing a double update next week and releasing two chapters, the down side is then the next update won't be until January 8th.

So here is where you guys come in! Would you rather read 1 new Chapt Christmas day and 1 new chapt on Jan 1st? Or 2 on Xmas and biting the bullet and waiting an extra week for an update?

Let me know in your reviews what you think!

Thank you guys for all the love so far! I love reading your comments! Much Love, Tabby