DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyers owns these characters. We've only borrowed them for this story.
Chapter 18
Nessie's POV
I had nothing to say. I mean, my mother never, ever spoke to me that way before. Unfortunately, I knew she was right-about all of it. However unfair some of her "rules" seemed, I knew I deserved the punishment. I can't believe I let my jealousies and insecurities get the better of me. After all this time with Jacob I can't believe I didn't trust him, or his motives. And she was right…I can't believe I didn't trust my own mother. I knew a little about their past as humans, but I also knew that my mother nor Jake would ever do something to hurt me. And to top it all off. I hurt my father. Terribly. How could I do that to my family? Jake walked over and put his arm around me and kissed my cheek.
"Ness, you ok?"
"Uh, huh. Yeah, I'm fine." I said tears dripping down my face. "Jake, I deserved it. All of that and more. How could I have ever doubted either of you?"
"Well, I gotta say Ness, I was pretty pissed off --especially earlier when you told me what you had been thinking all this time." I looked into his heavy brown eyes.
"I know Jake, the thing is I was as ready to take our relationship as far as you were-no doubt in my mind about it. But when I heard what you were saying…NO, you know what? I have no excuse. You may be understanding but I don't deserve it. I was wrong and that's the end of it. I WILL make it up to you Jake, I promise-to all of you."
"It's ok Ness. It will work itself out. I know you're mom, she's mad now, but she'll let up. She loves you….Your father on the other hand…" He let out a chuckle. I smiled. I knew what he meant. When my father wakes up and hears about this, my mom's outburst will sound like she was laughing in comparison….if he wakes up. I let Jake hold me. Both of us understanding the undertone of those words.
Bella's POV
"I've got it! I've got it!" I heard Carlisle in the other hut. He was behind me as fast as lightning. The whole family followed suit. I had spent the night in Edward's hut lying by his side. Wiping his face and talking softly to him. Praying for him to hear me and wake up. Now Carlisle was in the hut with us. A warm smile of relief on his face. "Bella. I think I have it. I've tested it several times. I think this will work." He was holding a vial of reddish orange liquid. The serum. "Please Carlisle, give it to him now. I don't know how much longer he can hold on. He spent the whole night mumbling-delirious." Which was a funny turn of events because he always though my nighttime ramblings were so endearing, but now his were a grave reminder of the situation. Oh how I longed for things to be as they were. The family waited in the doorway. I backed away and Carlisle approached Edward.
"I have to bite him to insert the serum. I have no needles strong enough to break the skin. I'm not sure how he will react…it may be painful for him." I nodded and then turned toward the family as looked on "I know Edward loves all of you. But would you mind if I were here alone with him during this?" Esme spoke quietly
"Oh, of course, Bella dear. We understand. Carlisle, please save our son." And they all walked out leaving only me and Carlisle with him. I held his hand and nodded to Carlisle to begin. Now, all we had to do was wait.
Hours passed. I happened to look up for a moment and noticed Edward stirring. "Carlisle, he's moving! Does he look like his normal coloring is coming back?" Carlisle walked over and examined him. Suddenly Edward started thrashing and yelling in pain. "No! You can't leave me!...Oh the pain…the pain!...It burns!" He was in agony. It took all our strength to hold him down. This went on for over an hour…then suddenly he was quiet. I leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips. "I love you Edward. Forever. Don't you ever forget that." And I stood up to walk out. "Bella, I told you he may react badly. This just means the serum is working. It has to clear the virus from his system. His color is almost back to normal. Don't worry. It's only a matter of time, I'm sure of it." I smiled at my father-in-law and kissed him on the cheek "Thank you." and walked out the door.
I stepped outside for some air. Not that I needed air, but I needed the space. The hut was beginning to close in on me. His suffering was tearing me apart. I couldn't bear to see him this way. Alice came over to me. The pain I felt mirrored in her face. "Bella, I see him clearly. He's going to be fine. Only another hour and 4 minutes." I smiled. Even thought I knew she was probably dead on, I couldn't help but still fear what Edward would endure during that time. And what would happen after he awoke. "Alice, do something for me."
"Of course Bella, anyth…Oh Bella please, don't do this. He needs you. He loves you." I smiled but shook my head.
"Alice, I…I need to do this. I know he does and you know I love him. But it's the only way I can sort things out. I have to do this for --our future. Please watch over him. You're the only one who can guide him now." I kissed her on the cheek and walked toward the jungle.
Jacob stepped into my way as I reached the edge of the village. "Bella, where are you going?!"
"I am leaving Jake. Please go back to Nessie and the family."
"Wait, I don't understand. Carlisle said Edward is getting better."
"Yes, he is. He will be fine." He put his hands on my arms gently.
"Then why are you leaving? I thought you wanted to see him?" I moved his hands.
"I do Jacob but I can't right now. I still need to sort things out. What happened this last week has wreaked havoc on my mind…not to mention my heart. I'm glad you and Nessie are ok now. But Edward and I have some work ahead of us."
"What, you don't love any more? He makes one mistake and that's it? That's fickle Bella, even for you." And he gave me his famous Jacob smirk.
"Of course I love him Jake! I said I'd love him forever and I meant it. I love him so much it destroys me to be away from him! But I have to walk away for a while. I need time to think. Don't you see, he doubted me Jacob. He doubted me after all I've sacrificed to be with him. You know about that more than anyone!" He put his head down. I'm sure he was recalling the events in our lives before his love for my daughter was clear. Many of my human memories were fading, but some still stood out strongly for me. I knew how I felt about Edward before I was turned. And I also knew how those feelings became even stronger after.
"Yes, you're right Bella. I do. I also know that I would do anything to stay with Nessie if she needed me like Edward needs you. Are you sure you're doing the right thing?"
"Yes Jake. I'm sure. I need some time away from all this. This last week has been so insane with emotions. All I could think about was if he would survive. Now that I know he's going to be ok. I need time for me. I need time so that when Edward comes to me I can give him the answers he needs. Now, please go back to the camp. Take care of Renesmee and make sure my family gets home safely." I kissed him gently on the cheek and went off into the jungle.