Thanks for waiting patiently. My first week of classes kept me pretty busy. I'm going to try and finish up the story in the next few days so I will tell you all how many chapters the story will be as soon as possible. Reviews will keep me happy and motivated.

Nessie

It's early, much too early for me to be awake, but Mom sent me a text saying they would arrive at some point early this morning. There's no way I am going to miss out on their return. It's the moment I have been waiting for. I must not miss it just because I am sleepy.

For the past two days I have been cooped up in my bedroom. I'm avoiding everyone here—including Lizzie. They all smell too appetizing. For some reason I can barely fight the urge to attack. It's terrible. I feel like I'm losing track of the person I used to be.

A car turns into our long driveway and I am out of bed. I already got dressed so all I have to do is wait outside. I listen from the front porch as more cars make their way toward the house. Finally, in the distance, I notice the red of Rosalie's car. Behind it I can see numerous other familiar vehicles. When they do finally stop, my heart is skipping with glee.

Dad steps out of the driver's seat and I lose my reserve. I run straight into his waiting arms. I take a deep breath of his neck as he squeezes me against his cold body. I shutter slightly, but enjoy the contact. It takes a moment before I realize the other cold arm wrapped around my back. "Mom!" I squeal, moving into her embrace. The tears slip out in my excitement.

I don't know how long I cry into my parents' arms, but when I do look up with moist eyes, the whole scene has changed. I'm surrounded by couples kissing and hugging. Some cry. Others squeal. And then I notice Beth, Colin's imprint. She's crying the type of tears that can only be tears of mourning. Where's Jake?

"He's right there, Renesmee," Dad answers my unspoken question. I look where his gold eyes are pointing and sure enough, Jacob is there. He leans against a tree and waits for me to notice him. When I catch his eye, his smiles his biggest grin. For a second I feel like everything is as it was again. I want to run up and kiss those hot lips. But the moment passes, like all great ones do, and I am left with the memory of the breakup.

Nothing's changed. We still can't be together because I still can't completely trust him. "You should talk to him," Dad says as he listens to the thoughts doing gymnastics in my head. "Tell him how you feel."

"I don't know how I feel," I admit.

"Then say whatever comes out at the moment. You will be fine."

"Be honest with him, Renesmee," Mom interjects. "And he will love you no matter what you're feeling."

Listening to Mom and Dad, I make my way over to where he is. I had forgotten how tall Jake really is. Even leaning up against the tree he towers over me. I have to admit that he looks sexy in his traveling clothes. I spend more time than a broken up girl should staring at the bulging muscles of his arms.

"You have no idea how happy I am to see that you're safe," Jake says with an audible cracking in his voice.

"I feel the same about you," I admit.

"Yeah, it was a close call. If it weren't for Bella, I'd be dead." The way Jacob says these treacherous words is as if it means nothing. He's so nonchalant about the whole thing. "Did she tell you what happened?"

"No," I choke out. "Tell me."

Jake removes his back from the tree and steps a little closer. The space I purposefully left between us now has diminished. Jake's black eyes stare down into mine own. He's so intense. I fight the urge to jump into his strong arms. "Jane bit me." The realization that vampire venom is fatal to werewolves sets in. "But your mom sucked the unclean blood out."

"How?"

Jake smiles and glances toward her. His gaze lingers just a second too long. My stomach knots as I wait. "Very carefully," he answers. "But I lost a lot of blood so my healing slowed some. I passed out before the fight was even over."

"But you're ok?"

"Physically, yes." Jake leans down the tinniest bit and I can smell the toothpaste on his hot breath. "But I'm not sure about my emotional state."

I take a deep breath and swallow the lump in my throat. "Jacob," I begin. "You know I love you. And you know I have always needed you. But I needed you more than ever this past week and you weren't here. I still can't be in a relationship with you."

Jacob tries to hide the water that glosses his eyes, but I see all the hurt. "Friends then?" Jake asks as his voice cracks. He sticks his hand out for me to shake, but I don't take it. The whole situation is becoming clear in my mind. I need time; I need space.

"Not even that," I reply as the tears begin to fall. "I need some time…away."

"Look, Ness, I'm really sorry. What I did was wrong. I should have stayed. But I can't leave you again."

"Jacob," I cry out. "I'm not asking you to leave me alone. I'm telling you to."

"This is what you want?" The tears begin to drip down his cheeks and off his chin onto my face. I taste the salty flavor of our sorrow.

"This is what I need." Jake takes two large steps away from me and rubs the tears off his face. The hurt outlining his features almost sends me running into his arms, but I stand firm.

"Sure, sure." He pauses and waits. I say nothing. "I'll be gone by tonight." With those last words Jake flies past me as one large convulsing blur. I hear the sound of paws hitting the earth as he races to his house. Soon he is out of earshot and I am left alone with my grief.