Two chapters in 1 day!

Enjoy!

She opened her eyes. The room was dim, but the TV was on, casting a bluish color on the wall. Her head pounded, and her entire body ached. Biting her lip, she turned her head to the left, and almost cried in relief.

Aunt Joy was sitting in a chair, asleep. Grace just stared, starting to take in that she was in the hospital. Then it all came back.

The need to leave. Calling Aunt Joy.

Rushing to the stairs. Zach catching her.

Falling, the snarling and Zach screaming.

All the memories rushed through her head, making it hurt. Grace whimpered, causing Joy to wake up.

Her eyes filled with tears, as she grabbed Grace's un-injured hand. "Oh sweetheart."

Tears began to block Grace's vision, as the feeling of safety entered her. But the warmth she has felt at the bottom of the stairs wasn't there anymore.

"It's only been twelve hours, but you had everyone worried. The police came to the house, they had to bring Zach here, but he was going on and on again about a weird rust colored wolf, but there wasn't one in the house. The claw marks on his face say otherwise, but there was no sign of an animal."

Grace frowned, then coughed. Joy stood up, and pushed a button behind the bed, then reached for a cup. Taking the straw, she held it while Grace greedily drank to cool water. A nurse came in, and tutted Joy away, then began to check Grace.

"Now honey you look like you're been rung through the ringer." The older woman's eyes were filled with sympathy. "I'll call the detective back once I'm done it you feel like talking?"

Grace nodded, just wanting to get it over with, and puzzled about her Aunt's comments.

A wolf?

She had never seen one, least of all in the house. Must have been one of Zach's claims to try and get out of what he did to her.

The nurse fluffed the pillow, and started to put the blood pressure cuff on, and Joy smiled.

"No worries Grace. We'll be heading home soon."

Her heart calmed, her eyes closed almost feeling the sea air, smelling the forest and the soft purr that filled her ears.

"You know that your dad is going to be called again right?"

Jake sighed, looking over his shoulder to Quil standing in the doorway of the garage. Jake shrugged, and turned back to the rabbit's engine. "You're one to talk."

Quil snorted. "Yeah, but I have the 'in', everyone loves Grace's baked treats so I send those as bribes, and everyone is terrified of my grandfather."

Jake smiled at the mention of Grace. Last night they had dinner with Quil's family, and Grace smiled so much it just brightened the room.

"I hope you know what you're doing."

He stood up from under the hood, and turned to his best friend, wiping his hands off with the oil rag. "What do you mean?"

Quil stepped into the garage. "With my cousin. I hope you know what you're doing."

Jake took a deep breath, and mentally hoped he would be this protective of his sister Rachel when the time came. "Honestly I'm winging it."

Quil didn't even flinch.

"Kidding Quil. Honestly."

"Her wellbeing is not a joke."

"She has a name, Grace."

"I KNOW WHAT HER NAME IS JAKE!"

Jake stepped back, seeing the anger in Quil's eyes, followed quickly by the anguish.

"Quil, I don't want to hurt her, I couldn't."

The other teen shook his head. "You could." The message spoke loud and clear, making Jake stiffen.

"No. I couldn't."

"So you're telling me that in the span of a week you're over her."

Jake swallowed. "Yes." He threw the rag into a stack of crates. "Embry made me focus yesterday and I saw the light I guess."

He stared at Quil, letting every emotion he felt run through his face. "Bella made her choice. I will always want her to live and experience life, that may be the protector side of me, but since she continues to want death then I have no reason to stay and pine my life away. Grace fills a part of me I never thought was missing until I found her. She is what I want, I will protect to my last breath, and hopefully love the rest of my life."

Jake placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "The imprint led me to her, and I can't thank the spirits enough that I have two best friends looking out for her."

Quil raised an eyebrow. "I thought we were supposed to have your back."

Jake smiled. "I am happier that you have hers, so you can knock sense into my thick skull."

His friend smiled, and clapped Jake's shoulder. "Always." They stepped apart, and Quil moved to leave. "Sam wants me to run patrol, as punishment but missing school so much is really taking a toll on us."

Jake's thoughts flew back to his talk with Grace while his dad was meeting with Old Quil. Online courses, getting a GED, more flexibility.

"Hey Quil, I think I have an idea."

The phone rang again. Billy closed his eyes. At this rate Charlie's phone bill was going to be astronomical. He ran the soft towel over the rolling pin to polish it. He couldn't wait to see her expression when she saw it.

RING

Billy took a deep breath, placing the gift on the table. He rolled over to the phone, and saw the notepad, pens and baskets sitting on the table by the phone. He smiled, and shook his head. Grace worked wonders.

He took the phone off the hook, and pressed it to his ear.

"Hello?"

"Hey Billy."

"Hello Bella, how are you?"

She sighed. "I'm fine. How are you?"

"I'm doing much better. Charlie still have you under house arrest?"

"For the foreseeable future it appears. Is Jake there?"

"I'm sorry Bella but Jake is out."

He heard her mumble. "How long will he be out? He's been out every day."

Billy stiffened. "Well, pack business is rather time consuming Bella. But I will let him know you called."

She sighed. "Thanks Billy. I hope to hear from him soon." CLICK

He shook his head, and put the phone back on the base. He wrote down the time, and who called. He then placed the piece of paper in the basket, before wheeling around.

"She called again?"

Billy nodded, watching his son wipe his feet on the rug by the door before walking into the room.

"Let me guess, asking about me?"

Billy sighed. "Yes Jake. All she wants to do is talk to you."

Jake nodded. "Yeah. Anyway Dad I have an idea I want to run by you."

Grace smiles as Mrs. Falls talks about the new rocking chair that was made for her.

"Oh Grace dear, it is just so beautiful. All hand crafted, and I can't wait to rock some of the new grandbabies in it when they visit."

Grace slid the bread into a bag and twist tied it. "It sounds like you have a secret admirer Mrs. Falls."

The woman smiled. "He's been a wonderful admirer dear. If you ever need furniture, I'll let him know."

Grace pushed the box and bag over the counter, and took the cash to the register. "That would be great, but I think I'll have to see this rocking chair first."

The older woman nodded, and waved at Grace. "Keep the change dear." As she walked to go over to the grocery store.

She sighed, placing the change into the donation jar they kept under the counter. Moving to the sink, Grace looked through the glass into the back and saw Emily placing the cookies onto the trays for display, and others into boxes for easy pick up.

"Business appears to be going uphill."

Grace jumped, looking at Leah who had a clipboard full of the profits from this week. Placing a hand over her pounding heart, she nodded. "I would hope so."

Leah nodded. "It is, there have been four inquires today about possible cookie deliveries to Forks hospital. Not to mention the bake sale at Forks Church went over so well, that people have been visiting for business."

Grace nodded, wringing out a wet rag to wipe down the counters. "The bake sale was huge, and raised money for the Reservation Clinic and Forks hospital. I'm glad to get some business out of it."

Leah snorted. "Some? Grace you are seeing a 5% increase since that event. Heck, Dr. Gerandy was in here yesterday buying a chocolate cake for his wife. Forks grocery is looking into local businesses so there is another avenue, and we even had some people from Port Angeles stop by the other day before they went hiking."

Grace froze, before turning. "5%?"

Leah nodded. "I hope it'll keep going up, but not too much or else there won't be much for production." She moved to walk through the kitchen doors to the office, but stopped.

Grace paused wiping down the outer case. She was having enough of this.

"You need to talk to her."

The other girl stiffened, but didn't move. "No I can't."

"That's like saying you can't have cake on your birthday. It's your choice but it is the smartest decision."

"This isn't like that."

"I won't tell you what to do, but the only way to heal is to talk." Grace swallowed, thinking of all the times she talked to Aunt Joy, Old Quil and Quil. It had hurt, but it helped.

"Does it?"

The whisper barely reached her ears. Grace nodded. "I think it does. Just remember how it used to be, how it could be. There is no point in dwelling on the past when it only hurts."

The bell rang, breaking the girls out of the spell. Grace turned and broke into a wide smile.

"Billy! Jake!"

Billy smiled, rolling up to her before holding his arms out. Grace eagerly stepped into a hug, feeling like she was hugging her dad all over again. She leaned back up, and took a deep breath, and stared at the boxes in Jake's hands.

"Is that mushroom pizza?"

Jake smiled. "Mushroom with green peppers and pepperoni, extra cheese."

Grace's jaw dropped. "How did you know?"

"You mentioned it the other night, plus," Jake walked over to the table where Billy was taking over as his own. "I felt like celebrating."

Grace looked back through the doors, and saw Emily and Leah hugging. She smiled, and started moving over to Jake. "I hope you brought enough to share."

Billy nodded, yes he did, and before I forget I have a late birthday present for you." He held up the tissue wrapped parcel. Grace felt her eyes begin to water, as she smiled. "Really?"

The Chief nodded. "I was occupied when your birthday came, and I felt bad so this is for you. I hope you like it."

Grace took the present, and tore the paper away before gasping.

The doors behind the counter opened, and Leah raced out, only to still at seeing Jake and Billy in the shop. Emily came up behind her, and smiled seeing the group. Then she smelled the pizza, and went back into the back of the shop to get plates.

Jake looked up at Leah, and nodded, and was taken aback by the smile that came across Leah's face. He turned back to Grace, and watched as she ran her fingers over the smooth wood. Billy had taken a piece of driftwood, formed it into a rolling pin, and then carved a beach with wolves on it. Billy had heard from Old Quil about her dreams, and knew that what she had seen was the pack. What she didn't know that the wolves on her rolling pin were Jake, Quil, Embry and Leah, the wolves she had encountered.

"Do you like it?"

Grace's eyes watered, she was too choked up to say anything. It was the most beautiful piece of art she had ever seen. "Like doesn't describe this Billy. It's breathtaking."

Billy began to get tears. "I'm glad you like it my dear. Welcome home."

Jake cleared his throat, and put an arm around Grace, who sank into his embrace. "I have some news too."

She looked up at him. "You do?"

He nodded. "Yep. I ran it over with my dad, and tomorrow will be my last day of school."

Grace stiffened, her eyes widening. "You can't drop out of school Jake!"

"I'm not going to be dropping out. I'm taking an online program to get my certificate." Grace's jaw dropped, making Jake chuckle. "All the odd jobs I'm doing around the reservation, learning about being the chief from my dad its taking a toll. I want to finish school, but I can't sit in classes."

"Jake you don't have to do all of the odd jobs, I can get Sam Uley or someone to help maybe."

That was Grace, trying to think of what was best for everyone. Jake shook his head. "No, they're my responsibility and I won't pass it off to anyone else. I'm not the only one participating anyway. Quil and Embry are too."

Grace took a deep breath, "But."

"Grace," Billy spoke up, knowing that Jake was pushing off telling her the secret for as long as possible. "We help each other out here on the Res, we take equal responsibility. You wouldn't let anyone just run your bakery if you had to do something else would you?"

Grace shook her head. "Exactly then. Jake won't shirk from his responsibilities, but wants to complete his schooling."

She looked down at the rolling pin, and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. It's not my place to meddle."

Jake squeezed her, making her look up at him. "It's not your fault, plus you're looking out for everyone." He pressed his lips to her forehead, feeling his wolf purr in contentment. "Welcome to the family."

Grace smiled, the tears falling as she held the rolling pin. She never felt like this in Montana. This connection and deep feeling of contentment. She turned into Jake, and wrapped her arms around him, breathing in the scent she couldn't name but made her feel so safe.

Billy smiles, Leah smiles and Emily stepped forward with the plates and a smile.

"Let's celebrate to the future!"