A few days later after the funeral, I found myself making more progress than usual. I wasn't breaking down as much and my transition of being alone wasn't as bad as I thought.

Of course, Sam made sure a member from the pack was usually here everyday to keep me company.

"You don't have to be here." I told Seth.

"I'm not going to self destruct. I'm okay."

"I know." Seth responded as he watched me from the kitchen table.

"I'm just here for the food." He smiled jokingly.

I let out a laugh and continued to make a pie.

"See, I knew I loved you for some reason."

He gave me a cheeky grin and got up.

"Did you need any help?"

I shrugged. "Do you know how to make pies?"

He looked at me and shook his head.

"You want to learn?" I questioned.

He shook his head again and I laughed.

"Then no, I don't need help. Go find something to do. You're hovering and it's making me antsy."

"Yes ma'am!" he said kissing my cheek and leaving the room.

I finished making about three pies before the 'sift change' happened and Seth no longer had to stick around.

"You guys seriously don't have to do this." I told Seth and Jared.

They both shrugged.

"Its okay. We like spending time with you…"

"And your food." Seth smiled cheekily.

I let out a laugh and handed him a pie.

"In that case, this is for you."

He took the pie and hugged me. "Did I tell you I love you recently?"

I let out another laugh and shook my head. "Get out of here."

He gave me a kiss on the cheek and then walked out the door.

"So do I get some pie?" Jared asked with a smile.

I rolled my eyes laughing and brought him into the kitchen.

"Blueberry, mixed berry, apple or cherry?" I asked.

"Blueberry?" he said shrugging.

I nodded and gave him practically the whole half of the pie.

Just as I sat it down in front of him he dug in. I laughed and walked back over the oven to get the next pie out.

"Do you even taste it?" I asked as I set the hot pie on the cooling rack.

"Yes," he smiled. "And it was amazing."

"What a charmer." I teased.

"Are you making more?" he asked watching me.

"I was thinking about it…"

"But?" he asked.

"I need to go to the store for more stuff. Want to accompany me to the grocery store? I would leave you here but I fear for my pies."

Jared let out a laugh and stood up. "Come on, Lets go. I will drive- but the next pie better be all for me."

"Yes sir!" I said, turning back to make sure the oven was turned off and then went on my way with Jared.

We got to the store in no time and I pulled out a cart. We went up and down every hour and I think he was shocked how many ingredients I pulled off the shelves.

"Here, let me take it," he said referring to the cart. It was getting a little over stuffed.

"Thanks," I smiled and then continued with my shopping.

"Does Sam know you buy all this? Or more like pay for all of this?" Jared asked as we loaded it on the cashier belt.

"I don't know. I think he knows I buy a lot of food for the pack, but I don't think he's really ever seen how much."

Jared looked a bit shocked but continued on with me nonetheless.

After we were done, we got back to the house and found shifts had change.

"Hey, where were you guys?" Jake asked.

"Grocery shopping," I said as I brought in some bags.

The boys helped me put things away and then take things back out as I wanted to make some more pies.

"You can go my man. I got this," Jake said to Jared.

Jared gave him a look and sat down at the table.

"And miss out on my pie? No thanks. I will be happy to stick around."

I let out a laugh. "Not that I don't love you both, but where's my boyfriend?" I asked.

"He should be home soon." Jake said looking at the clock.

Quickly, I formed my pie and heated it up with my powers.

"Got to love a fresh warm pie," Jared smirked as I handed it to him.

"Go, get out of here. Share some of that with your girlfriend if it makes it home would ya?" I asked as he got up from his chair.

"Mhhm," he said as he took a fork from the drawer and began eating it on his way out.

Jake and I chuckled. "It not going to make it home is it?" I asked.

"Nope," Jake laughed. "Not even half way."

I was almost done making my second pie when Sam stepped through the door.

"Hey you two. Thanks Jake." Sam said as he came over to give me a kiss.

"Mmm, smells good." He said.

"Too bad this one isn't for you." I said as I heated the pie with my powers again.

When it was cooked, I turned around and handed it to Jake.

"Get out of here. I'll see you later."

"Thanks Bells." He said kissing my cheek. Quickly he said goodbye to Sam and was out the door.

"I missed you," Sam said nuzzling into my neck as we stood in the kitchen.

"I missed you too," I cooed happily. He pulled me into a long soft kiss that I couldn't help but love.

"You know, as much as I enjoy the company, I don't need the guys to be here 24/7. I am fine on my own."

"Its not 24/7." Sam mended as he kissed my forehead.

"Sam," I whined as he walked to the fridge.

"Come on Bells, just let me do this."

"You aren't doing it. The guys are." I said.

He looked at me with hurt in his eyes.

"You know what I mean," I said gently as I walked over to him. "I can see how tired the guys are. I don't want them going through patrols, babysitting me and trying to find time to spend living a life."

"At least they are getting free food." Sam said.

I gave him a look and he sighed.

"I need you to listen," I said softly.

Biting my lip, I looked at him. "I can't let the guys be stretching themselves thin because I need them to be saving all their energy and time for the big fight."

Sam looked at me confused for a second before going wide eyed.

"Wait!" I commanded before he could say anything.

"I need you to hear me out. I can't just sit by and do nothing. James is planning and getting ready. I cant let myself be off guard and comfortable. Until he is gone, I will not rest."

Sam looked at me sadly. "And I know how much you don't want me to fight this. But I need to Sam." I let out a breath, "I also know, the only way you will let me do this is if you put yourself in the fight. And as much as I hate it and don't want it to happen, I need to realize that I need you in there."

Sam nuzzled into my neck.

"I need you guys to take care of the vampires. I need you to protect the people and do what you do best."

"Im not losing you," he mumbled as he kissed my neck.

"You're not going to. But I need to fight this."

"I cant." He said holding me closer to him.

"Sam," I pleaded as I pulled away a bit. He met my eyes and I saw hurt, pain, but most of all love.

"Please." I begged.

He ran his face over my cheeks, forehead, in my hair, down my neck, over my chin and across my lips.

"Okay," he whispered. "Okay."

We cuddled a while longer before I went back to making a few pies. Instead of using my powers, I shoved them in the oven and waited for them to cook.

As I was cleaning up my mess, I couldn't help but wonder, what now?

I pondered my thoughts a while longer till all of the cleaning was done.

"Do you think I can call the Cullen's?" I asked turning to him, "for training purposes" I added.

He had this look but then it faded and he nodded.

"I just want to be ready," I told him, stopping over to the table to give him a kiss. Sam took me by the waist, moving me to stand between his legs. He let out a sigh and bowed his head-, which was his way of showing me he was stressed.

I raked my hands through his hair and down his neck. Over and over I continued my motions till I leaned down and kissed his head. Backing away from his embrace, I walked over to the phone and dialed Carlisle.

"Hey Esme," I said sweetly. It was great to hear from the Cullens. For some reason, I always felt as if I never really got to sit and chat with them.

Esme and I ended up talking for a while before I asked for Carlisle.

"One second dear," she told me as she called for him.

I waited with patience and the smooth male voice came on the phone.

"Hello Bella," he said with a velvety tone.

"Hey Carlisle. How are you?" I asked.

"Very well thank you. And you?"

"Good thanks. I actually called to ask you if you would be willing to start my training again. I know we kind of lost base on it and I wanted to pick it up again."

"Sure Bella, I would love to. But if you don't mind me asking…is it okay with Sam and the wolves?" he asked.

"Yes," I breathed with a small smile on my face, "Plans have changed slightly Carlisle. I'm taking up the battle with James and I know my family is going participate so, I guess we will all need some training."

I continued to tell him the whole story; from everything that happened with Charlie's funeral to my history with James. It seemed like forever until we got back to the present.

"Well Bella, Our family would love to help you train and if you would allow us, I'm sure my family and I would also like to help you in this fight,"

"Carlisle," I said already feeling the guilt creep up on me.

"Bella, it would be our honor. It would be the least we could do for you- our peace keeper and friend."

I smiled at the sweet words and was a bit speechless on what to say.

"The more the better right?"

"Right," I breathed.

"Good. Then it's settled. My family and I will be participating in this…war too." He said.

I wasn't sure if I was to say yes or not. Its not like I wasn't happy- I mean its great to have more people back you up, its just I felt so guilty.

Carlisle and I stayed on the phone, talking a bit more about the dates of training and such.

When it was all settled and organized we said our goodbyes and I walked into the living room to find comfort from my boyfriend.

"Everything okay?" he asked as I plopped my body down on the couch and laid my head in his lap.

I put my hands over my face and sighed, "I feel guilty," I told him. Moving my hands, I looked up at his brown eyes, "They wanted to help- more than just the training. Apparently my brain decided to run away when Dr. Cullen volunteered himself and his family to stand beside us and fight in this lovely mess."

"They're what?" Sam asked.

"Yup," I sighed, "I have just found some more recruits."

"Well," Sam said rubbing my arms, "look on the Brightside. You have more people to help you win this. It gives you a better ability to face James."

"How so?" I asked.

"I'm sure that the Cullen's and all of the wolves can fight off the vampires while you take care of James. Its not like he found any friends with his abilities."

I sat up and looked back at Sam, "true."

"And im sure you will have Catie and Nate with you in this, so this should be a piece of cake." Sam told me with confidence.

"When did you become so easy going with all of this?" I asked.

"I'm not, but im trying to act and think all positive and so far, that's the best I got." He exclaimed with a yawn.

"Mmm," I moaned leaning over and giving him a kiss, "well its good enough for me."

Getting up from the couch, I took his hand and dragged him upstairs with me for a nap.