CHAPTER 13: Home Again, Home Again

Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight

We sat on the beach, watching the waves roll in. It would've been nice to be out there, surfing again, but after what happened, it kinda put a damper on everything. Leah was sitting up on a straw mat, and had my head in her lap, absently ruffling her fingers through my hair. "Do you think Bella will finally be done with the leech for good, and stay with Jake? You know her better than the rest of us."

I pushed myself up to sit beside her. "You saw how she fell to pieces after the attack. There's no way that could've been a put on. I think she was hit hard by the fact that he could be gone in a flash. I'm sure she realizes there's no assurance that he'll always be in a cozy corner of her life. She loves him; and we all know it. She just needed a nudge to admit it to herself."

"I still worry. Jake's been through so much with the stupid girl. How could she resist him all this time? What an idiot."

"Lee, I worry too, about us. I mean … when we get back to La Push, when all the magic of this island is just history, will we still hold on to what we found here? I love you, Lee. What I feel for you is real. It's going to cut me deeply if it falls away to nothing on our return."

"Tell you what, Call. I'm not on the rebound—far from it. And I didn't fall for you just for the hell of it. I didn't have a plan to even look for love; it just happened.

"Look … This isn't some freakin' fling. When I told you I loved you, I meant it. That's not gonna vanish just because the geography has changed.

"And another thing—you are worth it."

She crooked her finger at me. "C'mere, you lovesick fool."

Leah fisted my hair, and drawing my face close to hers, purred in a low breathy voice, "Em, I love you. Believe it."

Her mouth was on mine before I could respond verbally. And then, there was no disguising my body's response. Once more, our PDA was probably raising some eyebrows on the crowded beach. Man, that girl's kisses made my toes curl.

# # # # #

Embry and I reluctantly left the beach and trudged back to the hotel. We opened the door to Jake's room, and lo and behold, there was Swan, in the bed, wrapped around our boy. I started to chuckle, and Bella's head raised off of Jacob's shoulder.

"What's so funny?"

"You are, girl. First, you whine and complain about being stuck with Jake in your bed, and now, it looks like you're stuck to Jake in the bed … voluntarily."

She sputtered, "I'm only trying to keep him warm."

Jacob spoke up. "Yeah, I guess I'm not so hot anymore."

"You never were, moron."

"Hey!" Jacob countered.

"I'm teasing. Anyway, your normal temperature is slowly returning.

"You guys hungry? Em and I are gonna order room service. What can we get ya?"

Jacob groaned, "Anything!"

Embry brayed, "Damn, Jake, you'll be getting dinner in bed."

I looked at Embry with narrowed eyes. "Don't get any ideas, sweetie."

# # # # #

Embry and I helped Jacob sit up to eat, and afterwards, we all sat around and talked.

Leah finally got up and said, "C'mon, Tink, let's go get cleaned up and ready for some shut-eye."

I began to panic. Who would take care of him, if I left? Embry was the most sensitive of the wolf pack, but Jacob was in need of a woman's touch. "If you don't mind, I'd rather stay here with Jake."

"Really? Okay then; Bella you'd better come with me and pick up your stuff."

She winked at Embry, blurting, "Looks like we'll be bunking together again."

Grinning, Embry answered, "No problem. See ya, Jake."

"Hold up, Em. Before you leave, can you help me to the bathroom? I'm about to bust."

I heard the mattress squeak as Jacob shifted his weight—that, and several grunts of pain.

"Bells …"

"Hmmmmn …"

"Bells," he repeated. "You awake?"

Still a little groggy, I stupidly answered, "What?"

"Sorry to wake you, but my leg hurts like hell. Do you think you could get me some of those pills?"

"You don't have to be sorry. It's fine. I don't want you to lie there in pain all night."

"Just two this time, tho'."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

I got up and crossed the room. Rifling through my purse for the Percocet, I grabbed the bottle and a glass of water, and returned to Jacob. Placing the tablets in his palm, and with one hand behind his head, I tipped the glass up to his mouth, letting him swallow the medicine.

After putting the glass and bottle on the nightstand, I settled back into bed.

Jacob muttered, "You know what?"

"Shh … try to get some sleep."

"I don't want to—now that reality is finally better than my dreams. But as I was sayin … Bad as I hurt, I'm glad that damn shark took a bite outta me."

"How can you even think that? You were nearly killed."

"Can't you see? It was that kick in your gut that jump-started your heart."

I shook my head, stunned. "You certainly have a way with words, Jake. Now go to sleep."

Snuggling down into the pillow, my attempt at sleeping was once more interrupted.

"Bells …?"

"What is it? Is the pain worse? Do you want me to get another Percocet?"

"No, that's not it?"

"Then what is?"

"I just need you to do something else for me."

"Like …?"

"Will you tell me that you love me … please?"

"You know I do."

"Then say it."

"I love you, Jacob."

"Thank you. I'll go to sleep now."

"G'nite, Jake."

"Nite, Bells."

I woke up to Jacob attempting to get out of bed.

Suddenly alert, I sat straight up. "Jake, what are you doing?"

"What does it look like? I gotta use the john again."

"Wait. Stay there, mister. I'll help you."

"Jeez, you worry too much, Bells. I'm pretty sure I remember how to walk."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that, considering you were almost a shark's mid-morning snack yesterday."

"Okay-okay, I get the point." He gestured to his terry cloth cover-up, laying on the back of a tufted chair across the room. "Can you hand me the robe over on that chair? This stupid hospital gown doesn't leave much to the imagination."

I had to admit, those gowns were pretty scanty, and not very fashionable. Still, they had their uses.

Jacob put on the robe, and using me as a crutch, hobbled and winced his way to the bathroom. "Hey, Bells. D'you think you can get Embry in here to wash me up?"

I looked at him dubiously.

"I'm not gonna fall." He put up two fingers. "Scout's honor."

Embry took to the task like a personal valet. When he came out of the bathroom, I asked, "How does it look?"

"It's coming along. Another day, and it'll be nothing but a bad memory. Oh right, he doesn't remember a thing," he added, chuckling.

Jacob finished donning a Hawaiian shirt, and entered the room under his own power. "Let's eat; I'm starved."

# # # # #

It was our last day on Oahu, and I was an invalid sittin' in a damn car almost the whole freakin' morning. We mostly drove around the island, taking in the views, and stopping at a few souvenir shops along the way, my pals draggin' me around. What a pain—literally. The only bright spot was that Bella was hangin' all over me in the back seat. Sweeeeet!

By the afternoon, I was a little better, and I got to sit on the shore, staring at the ocean, feelin' the salt spray, the cool Hawaiian breeze, and my girl's form next to mine.

My heart weighed a ton, as I groaned, "I can't believe this week is gone already. Tomorrow at this time, we'll be headin' to La Push."

I sighed, regretting that it would end so soon. I turned, looking into her big chocolate eyes. "I'm sorry I had to spoil these last two days for you."

Bella's mouth dropped open. "Don't talk like that. I'm just so thankful that you're alive. I would've never gotten to see this beautiful island either, if not for you. So see?"

"Yeah, well …"

She squeezed my hand, and rested her head on my neck, and I thought, At least I got the girl. I mentally crossed my fingers to keep it that way.

Bella and I slept in the same bed again that night, and Embry and Leah did the same in the other room.

I looked around the suite the following morning, committing it all to memory. Bella took a few pictures, and we packed our belongings. Well, Bella actually did most of my packing, makin' me sit there and watch.

After breakfast, we went to the registration desk to check out. I knew it was stupid, but a lump started forming in my throat at the thought of leaving here. Aside from being shark bait, this trip was worth about a million bucks, at least to me, and I couldn't be happier about the way things turned out. It was just too bad that I had to leave this all behind. I only hoped my luck in love would continue once we stepped off the plane.

Flying back to Washington, everyone in our little group was quiet. We were probably experiencing that letdown feeling, you know, like the day after Christmas, when there's not that much excitement to look forward to. Leaky roof, crappy broken down Rabbit, patrolling—ugh! I had to get outta this place … off the rez—or at least on the outskirts—and I'd hopefully be taking Bella with me.

The shuttle dropped us off at Embry's. He took Leah home, and I drove the ol' ancient Chevy to Charlie's. I helped unload Bella's luggage amid her loud protests, and carried them to the house.

Her dad was all smiles, standin' in the doorway. "Welcome home, kids."

He noticed how energetic Bella seemed, and gave me a look. I gave him the high sign. Charlie was fist-pumpin' all the way up the stairs as we carted the suitcases to her room. Bella followed with her purse and a small bag with her souvenirs.

As soon as I entered the room, that sickly-sweet fragrance slapped me in the face, burning my nostrils. Goddammit, was that lousy tick back? My heart seized, knowing what a forgiving pushover Bella was. Would she take him back, and leave me in misery? Why, oh why, oh why?

The color must've drained from my face, 'cuz Bella asked, "Jake, you all right?"

Charlie chipped in, "Yeah, Jake you look like you've had a brush with a ghost."

Somethin' like that. He's dead, but still hangin' around … my neck, the filthy leech.

"I'll get you some water."

While Charlie went downstairs, Bella asked, "What's wrong?"

"You shouldn't have left your window open."

"My gosh, Jake, what are you talking about?"

"Bells, he's been here."

"Who's been here?"

"Cullen."

"Whaaaaat?"

"There's no mistakin' it. I'd know that freakin' odor anywhere."

Her arms began flailin' about. "But he left. His whole family left?"

My heart was quiverin' with the strain. "I'm tellin' ya, Bells. It's him. I hate to ask this, but if he's here again, where does that leave us?"

Bella bit her bottom lip. "No, no, no … this doesn't change anything. Not a word, not a letter, nothing—he never looked back. It's too late. I don't want to see him, or talk to him. I'm yours now."

I searched her eyes, desperate for a sign. "I wanna believe you."

Charlie interrupted us, returning with the water. I drank it in a couple of gulps. "Thanks, Charlie. I'm feelin' better. I really need to go. Let my dad know I'm home."

Bella followed me outside, as I stood beside the truck. "Jake, I'm not going back to him. I mean it. I love you."

I shook my head sadly. "You can understand why I'm worried. I'm so nuts about you, and now that you've chosen me, I'll go crazy if you backpedal on me."

"I won't. I promise."

Bella flung herself into my arms, and I crushed her to me, afraid to let her go. With her hands about my neck, she pulled my head down, her lips trailin' along my jaw. I couldn't resist, and caught her mouth, franticly seeking the truth in her kiss. The need in both of us exploded. Her hands were everywhere, and without words, her lips convinced me that she was truly mine.