Chapter 8: "Jacob"

Disclaimer: The proprietary elements of Breaking Dawn, including its original treatment and all of the characters, belong solely to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

Bella's POV

Esme sat beside me on the couch, her arm around my shoulders. "If anything happens to him, Esme—if Elizabeth is harmed in any way, I swear I'll—"

"You've got to be strong now, dear. Edward and Carlisle helped you bring her safely into this world. They'll bring her safely home."

I pulled my knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around my legs. Hold yourself together.

Be strong. How ironic. I was stronger now than I'd ever been, but I felt weaker—more vulnerable somehow—than when I was human. Maybe because there was so much more at stake. My husband. My daughter. Eternal happiness. It all hung in the balance, and I was helpless to weight the scale in either direction. Unless…

"Jacob…" I breathed.

"Excuse me?" Esme asked softly.

"I need to see Jacob. Can we contact him?"

"Oh. Well…I suppose," she answered, questioning me with her eyes. "But, do you think you're ready for that? It might be…difficult…for you to be around someone of his kind right now. Perhaps when Edward returns—"

"No," I interrupted. "Now. Please."

Esme considered my request for several seconds. It wasn't unusual for me to want to see Jacob, was it? He had been my best friend.

"Well, you are quite controlled for a newborn, Bella. We've all been so impressed. Let me speak with Emmett and Rosalie," she began. "Perhaps with all of us here—"

"Yes, thank you. Please hurry."

Less than an hour later, there was a knock at the door. Jacob.

Calm, Esme reminded us gently with her eyes, then moved gracefully towards the door to greet our guest like the perfect hostess.

She left Emmett, Rosalie, and I standing still as statues in the pale-on-pale living room—all at varying levels of stress. Surprisingly, though, I seemed to be the most relaxed. As Esme approached the door, taking her time I noted, Emmett and Rosalie flanked me on either side.

"Oh, come on, it's just Jacob," I said warily, glancing first at Emmett, then at Rosalie. "Is this really necessary?"

"Wait until you catch the stench, Bella," Rosalie reminded me, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

I rolled my eyes—about to say something in Jake's defense—then stopped short as Esme opened the door and a gust of wind swirled across the threshold. He wasn't alone.

"I guess it's not a bad idea to stay close…just in case," I amended quickly, then held my breath.

"Don't you worry, little sister," Emmett teased. "We've got your back."

We waited as Esme escorted Jacob through the entry hall and into the living room. Thankfully Leah and Seth (who I could hear talking now) waited just outside the door. Three werewolves would have been a bit much. But I understood why they came. Protection.

"Sorry about the tag-alongs," Jake shrugged, speaking to Esme. "I can't seem to shake those two."

"Of course, Jacob. We understand. Won't you please join us in the living room."

As my eyes met Jacob's now, I thought that maybe it was possible our friendship could survive this. He still looked like my best friend. But he wasn't the one who had changed. What did I look like to him?

He smiled his familiar smile, the smile of a kindred spirit, and I was sure our friendship was intact. It was just like before, when we were hanging out in his homemade garage, just two friends killing time. Easy and normal. He was just my friend, the way it was supposed to be.

His grin widened, and he shuddered slightly. "Good to see you up and about. But, I gotta say it, Bells. You're a freak show."

I grinned back, falling easily into the old pattern. This was a side of him I understood. He came a step closer.

Emmett growled. "Watch yourself, mongrel."

"No, he's right. The eyes are really something, aren't they?" I laughed.

Rosalie sighed. "Oh let's just skip all this. Can't we put the dog out now?"

Jacob ignored her. "Yeah, super-creepy. But it's not as bad as I thought it would be."

"Gee, thanks."

He rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean. You still look like you—sort of. Maybe it's not the look so much as…you are Bella. I didn't think it would feel like you were still here."

Jacob was close enough now that I could feel the heat of his body in the air between us. My throat burned in response. I didn't want to breathe, but I had to talk to him. I locked my muscles in place again, hoping I could keep them frozen. Worst-case scenario, I would stop breathing and jump through a window or something.

Nervously, I took a tiny breath in through my nose, ready for anything.

It hurt a little, but my throat was already burning, anyway. There was an animal edge to his blood that instantly repelled. Though the loud, wet sound of his heart was appealing, the scent that went with it made my nose wrinkle. It was actually easier with the smell to temper my reaction to the sound and heat of his pulsing blood.

I took another breath and relaxed. "Huh. I can see what everyone's been going on about. You stink, Jacob."

Emmett burst into laughter.

"Look who's talking," Jacob said, theatrically plugging his nose.

Esme shot a stern look at Emmett. "Jacob, won't you please sit down? Make yourself at home."

"Yes, sit. Good boy," Rosalie smirked. "But not there, no dogs allowed on the couch. Sit in the chair if you must."

"Can we get you anything?" Esme offered, as if Rosalie hadn't spoken.

"Yeah, like a bone?" Rosalie pressed.

"Any minute now, Beauty Queen, you're going to get tired of just taunting me. I'm really looking forward to that."

Emmett stepped protectively between Jacob and Rosalie. "Maybe we should wait in the kitchen, Rose. Bella seems to be fine. She's got this."

Leaning around Emmett, Rosalie hissed in Jacob's direction, "I have killed a hundred times more often than you have, you disgusting beast. Don't forget that."

"I'm so sorry, Jacob," Esme interjected. "Excuse us, Bella. Maybe it is best that we give you and your friend some privacy. Rosalie, Emmett. Now."

"That's some sister-in-law you've got there," Jacob chided after they'd disappeared from the room.

"You know she can still hear you," I smiled.

"Whatever."

I grinned. Same old Jake.

"Jacob, I need to ask a favor of you," I began hesitantly. Talking about this was going to be more painful than the burning in my throat. "It's Elizabeth…"

"Elizabeth, huh? You went with that one. Cool name. So do I finally get to meet her today? She's what, like two days old now? Where is the little monster?"

"Oh Jake," I cried, without tears.

"Bells, what is it?" he said, concerned and at my side. I just shook my head, unable to speak.

"C'mon, talk to me. I'm still you're friend, okay. Forever, now," he winked.

"She's been kidnapped, Jacob. Edward's gone after her, and now I may lose them both. You've got to help me."

"Whoa. Hold on. When did this happen?"

"I-I'm not sure exactly. I was sort of out of it…"

"Oh, I get it," Jacob said, making a face. "Well, that would explain what Sam and the others were so freaked about the day before yesterday. They picked up an unusual scent at abandoned car, ditched just off the highway. Definitely vampires, probably two. The trail led them as far as the treaty line, headed here. We all just assumed the out-of-town bloodsuckers were friends of yours. But then, why leave the car? Nice ride, too. It just didn't make sense."

"It was the Volturi," I managed. "They came for her. And they've taken her back to Volterra. Edward's on his way to Italy now. But I can't just sit here—I've got to do something. I need your help."

"The super-vamps?" Jacob replied, incredulous. "You're kidding me."

"Do I look like I'm kidding around here, Jake?" I almost screeched.

"No, okay. I'm sorry. Just—wow," he said, placing a fiery hand on my shoulder.

I recoiled at his touch, and he immediately withdrew his hand.

"Geez, Bella. Can I get you an electric blanket or something?"

"Shut up, Jacob."

"Okay, okay. Look," he began. "I know things have changed. But, I'll do whatever I can, okay? We'll get her back, Bells, don't worry."

"I don't think you realize what we're up against, Jacob."

"Hey, I'd love a shot at these Volturi bloodsuckers—I missed out last time they were in town."

I cringed, remembering the serious injuries Jacob had sustained towards the end of the battle with Victoria's newborn army. "Jacob, this is serious. If things go badly, it could mean a full-blown war. I want to avoid that at all costs."

There were already so many lives at stake. Carlisle, Jasper, Alice, Edward, and (I forced myself to think the last name) Elizabeth. My family—the people I'd sacrificed for. People I loved more anything in the world.

Suddenly I felt very selfish for drawing Jacob into this—I hadn't thought it through. Now I was putting him in danger, too. Selfish, selfish. But if it worked—if it brought Edward and Elizabeth home—I had to try.

"Jacob, I feel bad for even asking. You've done so much already…"

"You don't owe me anything, Bella."

"No, I do. I owe you my gratitude. You'll always have that, Jacob."

"For what?"

"Edward told me about what you did for us before Elizabeth was born, as Ephraim's heir and the true Alpha. You gave him your permission to deviate from what was agreed upon in the original treaty. You granted him permission to make an exception, Jake—to save my life."

"Oh that."

"Yeah, that. That was big, Jacob. Your decision kept the alliance intact. And that may become more important than ever now."

"Yeah, yeah. Anything for a friend. So, you've got my attention—let's hear your plan."