Chapter 2

Coming Together

Jake POV

I woke up the next morning still in shock from yesterday's events. Bella is alive. She had Quil's baby and now her daughter is battling for her life. I will move the Earth if I can to save that little girl.

I went through so much shit when Bella died. Bella was always like family. We have known each other since we were in diapers. When her father died I felt like I lost my father too. I was naturally upset when her mother was killed, but Renee was not like them. She had become selfish when Bella's dad died. She was bitter and Bella always felt like a burden to her. Naturally when she got pregnant with Charlie it was Renee's way of getting rid of Bella. That one mistake killed her and took the best thing in my life away from me. Now that I have her back, I will never let her go.

I know Quil is jealous of our relationship. Even with her being "dead" for 5 years we were able to pick up as if she had been living in La Push all along. We just have this connection. Honestly, there is nothing for him to be jealous of. I love Bella yes, but not in any romantic way. Would I give my life for her? In a heart beat, which is why I plan on sacrificing anything I have to for Charlie.

When we got home I talked to my dad and told him about Bella. My father is not an emotional man, but when he heard that his best friend's child was alive and that her daughter has leukemia he bawled like a baby. My father is a good man and has already agreed to get tested. As the chief of the tribe he made some calls and arranged a town meeting to get everyone to do something. My dad has always said you only live once so you better make it count.

I called Quil and told him to meet us at town hall at 1. My conversation with him didn't go as well as planned.

"Hey Man. My dad called a town meeting to ask them to help Charlie"

"Do you really think people that don't know Bella are going to help her? Come on man be sensible"

"You know Quil, just cause you couldn't man up and take care of Bella when she found out she was pregnant doesn't mean it is too late to man up now. This is your child. Do you not care enough about that to use every resource to help her?"

"Of course I do. I love Charlie even though I just met her, but I cant't believe you are making this into such a big deal."

"Quil I am going to ignore you said that because you are being an asshat. Bella needs you. Show her you love her like you say you still do and be there for her, no matter what she needs. I am telling you, if you don't help Bella raise Charlie, I will" I knew that was going to piss him off. I didn't care. This was my best friend we were talking about.

"Yeah you'd like that Jake wouldn't you? Move in on my girl"

"First of all she is not your girl. You decided that for her when you gave her up. Second, I don't look at her like that. She is my sister. That is it, but someone has to look out for them. If this doesn't work and Charlie dies, Bella is going to need everyone that loves her."

"DON'T SAY THAT JAKE. CHARLIE IS NOT GOING TO DIE. SHUT UP!"

"Quil I don't want that either. I hope like hell you are a match and can donate marrow to her. I just have to think of the what ifs."

"Just don't say that again Jake please."

"Ok man. Sorry. I am gonna call Bella and tell her about the meeting and then go pick her up. Did you tell your parents?"

"No they were asleep when I got home"

"Well prepare them now."

"I will Jake. Thanks"

"Sure. Sure. Talk to you later bro"

I swear that man can be unreal. I know he loves Bella and Charlie. And I know he is just scared, but he needs to over look that and be there now.

I called Bella and told her what was going on and that I would like to come get her so she could go with us. She agreed and said she would like to spend the day on the reservation visiting Quil's parents, seeing my dad, catching up with her old friends, and making sure Charlie knew what family was. So I did one better. I suggested to just say the night and she agreed. It sounded like she was planning to stay. I sure hope she was.

Quil POV

This was the last conversation I wanted to have with my parents. I knew they were mad at me for not telling them the truth about Bella and the baby. They had every right to be. I made a huge mistake and I don't know if I can ever make it right. Well here goes nothing.

"Morning mom, dad"

"Morning Quil" I could tell my mother was bouncing with anticipation to hear about her granddaughter. I just knew this was going to break her heart and I hated to be the one to do it.

"So. What is my granddaughter like? How is Bella?"

"She is beautiful mom. She's smart and sweet and so lovable. You are going to just adore her."

"I am sure I will"

Suddenly this sadness came over me. It was like everything clicked together at once. Bella leaving pregnant with my child, me being an irresponsible ass and letting her go, Bella being dead, her coming back to life, meeting my gorgeous daughter, and then finding out I may lose her. I don't cry very easily but at that moment my whole world came crashing down violently and I wasn't going to stop it. So there I was a grown man, falling to my knees bawling over everything I lost and everything I stood to lose. I couldn't lose them. If Bella decided she didn't want me, then that is the price I have to pay, but I would do whatever I needed to for my child.

"Quil. Honey what's wrong?" Mom asked helping me up from the floor.

"Mom, what have I done? How could I do that to Bella? My daughter? What if all this is for nothing?" The flood gates were open now. There was no going back.

"What are you talking about son?" My father asked

"Charlie, she's sick. That is why Bella came back."

"Sick? Sick how Quil? What is wrong with my granddaughter?" My mom started to sob.

"Mom, dad. Sit down. I…I made such a mistake. I didn't take care of my responsibilities. I abandoned Bella. If only I had done something, Bella may have more choices now."

"Quil please. You are not making sense honey"

"Charlie has leukemia. She has had it since she was three. She has had chemo and all the tests done. Bella is not a compatible marrow donor and now without a transplant she could die. I can't lose my daughter. I just met her."

I saw a sight that moment that I didn't think I would ever see. My father, the strong, stoic, head of our family put his head on the table and cried. I lost it. I had never seen my father cry in my 21 years of life. My mother scooted her chair between my father and I, grabbed us both and we all cried together for the little girl that had drastically changed my life in the matter of a few hours. We sat like that for 20 minutes, got all of our emotions out and decided on a game plan.

"Son, I have to ask you this and I don't want you to get upset with me."

"Ok dad"

"How do you feel about Bella?"

"I am still in love with her"

"Have you told her that son?"

"She said she didn't come here for that and she doesn't want to talk about it."

"Well can you blame her Quil?" my mom chimed in.

"No. I can't. I want her back in my life though."

"Give her some time son. She has a lot to deal with right now. She will come around."

"I hope so."

"So when do I get to meet my granddaughter and what can we do to help?"

I explained what needed to be done and that it would a painful procedure. My parents both said they didn't care how painful it was. If it was going to help their granddaughter they would do it. I called Bella after I talked to my parents and asked if she would come by before the meeting so that Charlie could meet my mom and dad. She said Jake was coming to get her and I asked if I could come with him. After a short pause she said she guessed it would be ok.

Bella POV

Well Quil and Jake will be here momentarily and I am nervous as hell. The whole time Quil was here last night all I wanted to do was jump his bones. Nothing has changed. I still get the same butterflies that I used to when I see him. I am hopelessly in love with him. I have been since we were 13. Leaving and "dying" didn't change that. The only thing it did change was that I wasn't going to let my feelings for Quil get in the way of saving my daughter. I didn't trust him. The last time I gave him my heart he crushed it.

Having Jake back was great though. I missed him a lot.

I was getting an overnight bag packed for Charlie and I. Jake had invited us to stay and I wanted to spend as much time as I could on the reservation. Jake and Quil's friends were my friends too at one point. I missed Kim and Emily. Heck I even missed Paul and he was always an ass to me.

I hadn't planned on moving back here. I had planned on coming here, getting Charlie better and leaving. Now, after seeing Jake and how much Charlie loves him and her dad already, I couldn't imagine taking that away from her. Ugh back to getting ready.

I could hear Charlie talking to her doll and the conversation she had made my heart melt.

"Now Lulu you know we have to have that yucky medicine again."

"I know it makes us sick, but we have too. Plus daddy is here now to help us."

"Yes I love daddy too. Yes Uncle Jake is cute. Maybe we can marry him some day"

I was laughing and crying at the same time. She was so precious.

"What's wrong Lulu?"

"Oh you're scared? Me too."

"I heard mommy say that a new baby may help me get better. Maybe mommy and daddy can make one. That would be great."

"Yes I am scared daddy's mallow will not be good for me too. No Lulu I don't want to go to heaven either. I want to stay here with mommy, daddy and uncle Jake."

"I know Lulu. It will be ok. Just pray that daddy's mallow is good. Daddy will take care of us."

She went on playing and I went to the living room and cried. I know she is smart. I just didn't think she understood as much as she did. The last thing I want is for my little girl to be scared. No child should have to be afraid of dying.

The doorbell rang and as soon as I answered it Jake had me in his arms.

"Bella what's wrong? Is Charlie okay?" Quil asked.

"Yeah Quil. She is ok right now."

I told them about Charlie's conversation with Lulu and I could see the tears threatening to spill from their eyes. I even let Quil hold me while we both cried for our daughter. Of course Jake had to add the humor in to lighten the mood.

"So she wants to marry me huh? Well I will give you one thing Bella. Your kid has good taste."

"Jake….not funny." Quil snapped at him. Uh oh daddy protective mode coming up.

"Quil come on. It was a joke. Jake didn't mean any harm."

"Okay, Okay. So is my little princess ready to go?"

"Yep just about."

"Bella?"

"Yes Quil?"

"You look beautiful today.""Uh….thanks?" Was he trying to butter me up for something? Before I could ask Charlie came running out of her room.

"DADDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

"Hey angel. How's my girl this morning?"

"Good. Hi Uncle Jake"

"Hi Princess"

Jake and Quil started heading out the door and I could hear them talking to Charlie.

"Ready to go meet grandma and grandpa?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!"

I laughed at my daughters eagerness. It amazed me how she could be so sad one minute and scared and so carefree the next minute. She was truly a gift from the heavens and I refused to return her.

Hmmmm…..What was Quil thinking? He said I looked beautiful? I haven't slept in months, my hair was all over the place and my clothes were wrinkled. Either he still loves me or he has lost some of his vision in the last five years. I know we need to sit down and talk. I am just not ready to right now. Maybe soon.