I'm sorry for not updating, but this is a big chapter and I wanted it to be just right. Without further ado:

Bella PoV

I gathered up my homework into my bookbag. I had stayed home to study because I couldn't concentrate when I worked at Sam and Emily's. But the silence here was so unbearable.

I smiled with satisfaction. Leah and I were almost back to normal. It might be the only normal thing in her life so I intended to patch things up with her as much as I can.

She was always the leader in our friendship, not that I was pining after the position. I listened to her rant about and trash Sam and Emily. I nodded at all the appropriate times and agreed whole-heartedly. It was completely awful what Sam had done to her, or so I thought at the time.

She knew the story about what had happened with me from her father. She asked me about and was confused as to why I didn't want to "bitch" about him like most girls did. I wasn't ready to talk about him especially since most of the problems I couldn't talk about with anyone. I was still loyal to them. That was part of my problem. If we had been two humans madly in love, I could open up, maybe, to someone. But all the reasons he left me were part of a secret I kept even though some may say I was entitled to get some revenge.

There was a soft but urgent knock on the door. It's probably Jacob. He's been talking to Gwen and Devon since he ran into her and Paul imprinted.

I opened the door.

It was not Jacob.

And I was not awake.

"Bella," he greeted softly in the velvet voice that I only heard in my head.

I didn't do anything. I'm going to wake up soon. And when I do, the imaginary beauty of seeing him again will probably move me to tears.

He watched me carefully. I was still silent.

I haven't woken up yet. I don't think I'm going to anytime soon.

"Edward," I said. I sounded surprised. The word was unfamiliar to my tongue. I hadn't said it in months.

"May I come in?" he asked. It reminded me of how vampires need to be invited in in old movies. I nodded and stepped to the side.

"Let's sit," he said. I brought him into the kitchen. So we could be face to face. And so I wouldn't be tempted to cuddle into his side onto the couch and inhale his scent and turn into a blubbering mess. If I did that, the dream would probably end there, and I would be even sadder when I woke up.

His black eyes were very serious. "Bella, I am the bearer of tragic news. It pains me to say this, but Jacob was kidnapped, and we couldn't find him. We can only presume him dead."

"Oh my God," was all I said. Okay, so this detail would be good for when I woke up. Although Edward coming back to me would be blissful, it is a good thing the dream is fake because it means that Jacob is still alive.

"I've realized that life's too short, even for me," Edward said, " And I would be crazy to go another day without telling you how much I love you."

"You love me?" I asked, remembering him saying the exact opposite when he left me. The Edward of my dreams never told me this, mostly the exact opposite actually.

"I never stopped," he said.

"But you said..."

"I know. I thought that if you believed that, you would get over me quickly."

"There's no getting over you," I said quietly.

"Ditto," he said with the crooked smile. My other dreams never got it right. This was the real smile. I'm glad my memory of him has improved.

"Did it ever get any easier at all?" he asked.

"My friend Leah helped somewhat," I said, "But I never forgot you. I just got a little better at distracting myself. Did it get easier for you?"

Edward shook his head. "I tried tracking Victoria. I wanted to ensure your safety, but I'm rather awful at tracking.

"Bella, I was an idiot. Death can come despite any precaution I could take. I can't play God and try to hide you from danger. All I can do is be here to protect you when it comes. I love you so much, and I can't think of anything worse than being away from you any longer.

"I don't know what to do about the future and our immortal complex, but all I know is that I shouldn't be wasting today apart from you to ensure we have a tomorrow. I know now that I couldn't ensure that if I wanted to."

"Wow," was my response. I had never heard Edward talk like this, ever. Jacob's "death" has given him a new Carpe Diem mindset. What's with my subconscious today? It's playing Edward so realistically and so differently.

"I spent the last months of his life ignoring Jacob when he was right all along. I am an awful, moronic man for thinking I could live without you."

I was just staring at him now. My dreams never contained this much dialogue. It was mostly just ogling. It was so vivid too. When did I fall asleep anyway? I backtracked what I was doing before it started. Maybe I fell asleep while studying. It isn't a far-fetched idea.

"Bella?" Edward asked. I got a really good look at him. His face was the same, but he looked so rugged. His neck and clothes were caked in dried mud. His hair was askew in all the wrong ways, and he had the dark circles under his eyes. He looked like he had run here all the way from Ithaca.

I had never seen him like this. I didn't know my brain could get all his facial features and gestures perfect but change so many other things about his appearance. It was all very strange.

He followed my eyes and smirked. "I haven't stopped running since I came to my senses. I probably could have showered somewhere though. I don't know if you've ever seen me so...raggedy."

I laughed. I should just enjoy this dream while it lasted. As Edward said, seize the day and all that. It was nice just talking with him like this.

"I love you," I told the figment of my imagination.

He smiled and then frowned. "Even after everything I did to you?"

"Always," I told him.

Then he leaned over and kissed me. It was like lightning except it didn't go away. It was soft and magical and exactly the same. I kissed him back with all my might.

It was all so tragic. Water filled my eyes and started to streak down my face. He broke away and frowned.

"What's wrong? Am I too late? Have I broken you beyond repair? Do you want me to go?"

I quickly shook my head. "It's just going to be so painful when I wake up."

"When you wake up?" he said. Then he laughed and kissed me again, but it wasn't really a kiss because he was smiling so widely.

"I am so in love with you," he said between chuckles.

"Stop laughing!" I commanded him.

"Bella, listen to me," he said, "The possibility of you dreaming is as high as the possibility of me dreaming."

I blinked at him. Is it possible that he's really here, in my kitchen, telling me he loves me?

"I don't know how to be sure...my dreams are very vivid. Although never nearly as pleasant."

"Well there's your first sign. How about this? Let's just live in your dream. And enjoy it. And I promise that when you wake up, I'll still be there."

I laughed. Dream Edward was crazy. But I nodded and told myself not to get my hopes up. Dream Edward and Real Edward were completely separate people.

"I'm sorry Jacob didn't get to see you before he died," Edward said sadly, "That is all my fault and is very much a tragedy. You two were so close and I separated you."

I should probably tell Dream Edward that Jacob is alive, but something held me back. I didn't tell him that, but I said something to make him stop frowning. "Jacob emailed me. We went back and forth for a long time."

Edward was very much surprised. "I can't believe he did that." Then he smiled sadly again. "I'm glad one of us was smart enough. I am forever in his debt. I'm going to miss him. You know, we used to be close. I think I may have once been his favorite uncle. I just wish things could have ended differently between us."

I nodded. I wasn't entirely sure this was a dream anymore. If it was, it was very real. Every detail of my kitchen was right. Could I walk around the entire house or town and still not know if it's real?

If this was a dream, is Jacob really dead inside of this world? Or was this world just like reality except for Edward showing up?

Maybe this was reality. The dream was too long and far too happy for it to be in my head.

"I'm not sure if I'm dreaming anymore," I told Edward. He smiled.

"And look, I'm still here," he said.

"Yes, well, I'm not 100% sure," I told him, "Not yet."

The cop cruiser pulled into the driveway. Charlie? He was never in my dreams. Now reality is do much more plausible.

"Should I go?" Edward asked. I shook my head.

"You don't seem like you're going to be leaving me anytime soon," I said, loving the possibility of that, "So he should learn that sooner than later."

Edward nodded and-did I see fear in his eyes? I laughed a little.

"Bells?" my father called.

Charlie's face turned red when he saw Edward.

"What the hell are you doing here? Do you know how much damage you've cause you no good- I should arrest you for trespassing. You should be ashamed of yourself."

"Dad," I said, "I let him in. It's fine."

"Fine?" Charlie shouted, "Was it so fine the last few months, Bella? It didn't seem that way!"

I winced at the memory.

"I'm sorry, but I had to talk to Bella. Jacob's dead," Edward said.

Charlie's face turned red but in shame. Okay, I was wrong. This is real. This is happening. And it's very bad.

"I-I'm sorry, Edward. I can't believe it. Jacob was so young. It's awful," Charlie said.

Edward nodded and held up a hand dismally. "I most definitely deserve all of your anger after what I did."

"Poor kid. How did it happen?"

"He was kidnapped," Edward said, "The police had to close the case. There were no real leads."

"Your poor parents. And Alice. Please pass on my condolences."

Edward nodded. "Of course."

Oh, no. This is not a dream. Edward really thinks Jacob is dead! They all do!

"Um, Bells. I was going to take Harry out. He's having trouble with the family again. Do you want me to stick around?"

"No, Dad. I'm ok," I said. I smiled for reassurance. But it just made him sigh.

"Alright," he said. He went upstairs.

Edward was frowning.

"Bella, I saw his memories. I am so-"

"Past is the past," I said, "You didn't know how unstable I would be. I need to talk to you though. About Jacob."

Edward nodded. "I wanted to tell you something too. I talked to Carlisle yesterday. Rose and Emmett want to hold a memorial service here. This was where Jacob was born and Forks was more home to him than any other place in the world. He had so many good friends here."

"Edward, I need to tell you something," I said loudly. But he didn't look at me. Instead his head was turned to the window that faced the woods.

"Edward?" I said, frightened by his intense stare. I squinted at the trees.

Jacob was appearing from them.

Edward was out the front door before I could react.

"No, no, no, no!" I yelled, chasing after him. He had already darted into the woods. Jacob had run when he saw his uncle. I gave up chasing them. I was too slow and too human. "Edward, come back!" I called.

I walked back to the house and put my head through the door.

"DAD, I'M GOING TO LA PUSH!" I yelled.

"WHAT HAPPENED TO EDWARD?" he yelled back.

"FAMILY BUSINESS!" I yelled.

I got my keys out of my bag where they had been resting with my Calculus notes only what? An hour ago? I had a lot more on my mind than math now.

Jacob PoV

The man made of stone knocked me to the ground, leaving my lungs devoid of air.

"Jacob!" he yelled, completely overjoyed. I, on the other hand, wanted to see anybody but him.

"Yeah, yeah, it's me," I said when I could breathe again. He pulled me up and brought me into a boa constrictor hug. I tried to push him off, but he was too strong even though I was a lot bigger now.

"Gerroff me," I choked out. He finally did.

"I can't believe you're alive!" he said.

"Alive?" I asked, "Of course I'm alive."

"Jake, we thought you were dead."

"You did?"

"Why are you here?"

"It's a long story," I said.

"A story that hopefully explains why you smell like wet dog, why you are towering over me, and how you almost outran me?"

"Yeah," I said, "That's in there. Tell me about Mom and Dad though."

"They're devastated," Edward said, "Completely heartbroken. But when they find out you're alive, they'll be so happy."

I felt really guilty over my parents. "I had to go," I told Edward. I explained to him about when I first phased and how I was told to come here. I told him about seeing Bella again, adding in a lot to make him feel guilty about. Then I told him about how I learned about my first family and what I did and about the guys. I also told him about how I helped defeat Laurent.

"You?" he asked, "You killed him?"

"It was a team effort," I said, "But I was a big part of it, if I say so myself."

"I didn't know he reverted back to that lifestyle. He and Irina were very fond of each other," Edward said.

"I know," I said, "But he was killing people. He was looking for Bella and tried to kill Leah, who is now in the pack which unfortunately makes her my sister."

"I'm not saying you were wrong. I'm just saying it's unfortunate for her."

I nodded.

His phone beeped. He looked at it then smirked at me.

"Your parents' plane has landed," he informed me.

"You told?" I roared at him.

"No," he said, "They want to hold a memorial service for you."

"Let me talk to them," I said, "It should be me."

"Are you sure they'll be okay with that?" Edward asked. He pointed behind me. I turned around. Sam and Paul were in wolf form about twenty yards away, baring their teeth at Edward.

"You should probably go, Edward," I told him.

"I'll see you later, Jacob," he said, "And for the record, I'm very happy that you're alive."

"Sure, sure," I said. He was such a drama queen. The reunion with the others would be ten times more emotional. Great.

I ran over to Paul and Sam.

"Hey guys," I said. Their looks were disapproving. Both phased back.

"They're all coming back?" Sam asked. I nodded.

"Crap," Paul said.

"What are they going to do when they find you?" Sam asked.

"I don't know," I said, "One way to find out."

"I don't like it," Sam said, "We'll be nearby."

"Okay," I said, nodding. They stared at me when I kept nodding for a long time.

"Okay," I repeated. I wasn't sure if I was ready to see them again. It had been a long time. I was different. And I had hurt them a million times.

"You don't have to," Paul said, "That leech is the only one that knows, and he can't get you if you come back to La Push."

I snorted. "I can't hide out there forever. No, I have to see them."

"We'll be behind you," Sam said, "And our couch is always open, just in case."

"Thanks Sam," I said, "We're going to need to work out a new treaty I think."

Sam nodded. "We will. I don't think your grandfather could have predicted your circumstances."

"Okay. So...I'm going to go."

"Despite my very low opinion of them, I don't think they're going to kill you," Sam said.

"I'm not afraid," I mumbled. Although I kind of was. Mom would be angry eventually. And she had a bit of a temper...

XxxxxX

I held my breath as much as I could so no one would hear me.

Edward's trail from where he left me led me to the whole family. They were at the bottom of a hill that led to the main road. Mom's usually impeccable appearance was missing. Her hair was unbrushed which was probably a result of the steady rhythm of petting it was getting from my father. Everyone's eyes and expressions were dark.

My stomach twisted so hard from the guilt that I was actually cringing. I had to show them myself soon. I couldn't hide here forever although I contemplated it. I would watch them live their lives and mourn over me while I was close at hand.

That was a ridiculous idea, of course, but it presented some advantages.

I don't know how to do it.

Do I just pop out like "Wa-la! Here I am!"

My mom was kneeling on a spot on the hill. Dad had wrapped his arms around her and buried his head into the golden hair.

Edward turned his head directly towards me. That's my cue, I guess.

"Mom? Dad?" I said loudly.

The impact was very sudden. It was like a slab of concrete slammed into my chest. If I wasn't bigger than her or so strong, I wouldn't have kept my balance. Mom did hurt my ribs though

"Jacob! My baby boy," she sobbed into my chest. I hugged her back as tight as I could. It wouldn't hurt her.

"Hi, Mom. I love you," I said, kissing her forehead. I was smiling like crazy. I had missed my family more than I had let myself think.

"I can't believe you're here, you're alive," she said. She pulled my head down and repeatedly kissed my cheeks and forehead repeatedly.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I had to go away for a while, but I'm back."

"Why?"

"It's a long story," I chuckled, "All in good time."

"My baby boy," she cooed again, hugging me tightly enough to bruise. Not that I cared.

Dad came up behind Mom and hugged me. "Don't you ever do that again," he said, chuckling.

Aunt Alice snuck her way in. I was nearly a whole two feet taller than her now and way bigger. I hunched over and swallowed her frame with mine. Like my mom, she kissed my face a few times. I had always been close with my aunt.

Grandma hugged me tighter than even Mom. "Okay, ouch," I said laughing. She laughed too and released me.

Grandpa came in for a hug. He was the patriarch of our family so he had to carry them through the difficult time of my absence.

"I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused. I shouldn't be welcomed back so graciously," I said.

Grandpa smiled at me and quoted, "For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." Then he hugged me again.

"Jacob, it's been a while," Edward said with a wink. I smiled at him and punched his arm. Don't ruin the family moment, Uncle Eddy.

My mom put her arms around my waist. "You have a lot of explaining to do, Jacob Henry Cullen," she said sternly with her cold cheek pressed to my stomach.

"I know," I breathed, "But I had very good reasoning, I swear."

"Never good enough to leave," she said looking at me with eyes like coal.

"You can judge that later," I said sadly.

Mom removed her arms and took a step back, scrunching up her nose.

"I was a bit emotional to notice before, but Jakey, you smell absolutely dreadful," she said. My family nodded in ascent. I wasn't going to tell them that they smelled just as bad. It was taking all my control not to gag at the smell or shiver at the cold.

"I believe Jacob has a story to tell us," Carlisle said, "One that will hopefully explain all of the questions we have. To the house?"

They had two cars parked by the side of the road above us. Paul stepped cautiously out of the woods and looked at me. I nodded that it was okay, but he stayed there until we were out of the woods. Thankfully, no one noticed, except Edward of course, but they could have and that would be bad. Yet he stayed. I smiled. It most definitely wasn't a direction from Sam, either.

The house was only a few minutes away.

Grandma smiled when we entered the house. "Feels good to be home," she said.

Jasper wrinkled his nose and turned to me, "Were you here?"

"Once or twice," I said.

"Have you showered at all since you left?" Mom asked, genuinely inquisitive. I laughed.

"Once or twice," I joked.

"There isn't much of a difference, really," Dad teased.

"Well, Jacob, you must realize that we have a lot of questions," Grandpa said.

"Yeah," I said, "I don't really know where to start."

"Just out with it," Edward said. Shut up, Edward.

"Well, a few weeks ago I found out who my parents are. My first parents," I clarified, "Uh, and it's a familiar name."

"His father is the grandson of Ephraim Black," Edward said. Mom shook her head.

"But that would mean..." she said, letting the ending stay silent.

"Ding, ding, ding," I said, trying to laugh to make it comical.

"So you turn into a giant wolf?" Dad asked. I nodded.

"That...is actually pretty cool," he said. I grinned widely. Only Dad.

"I can...get used to that," Mom said. She laughed once without much humor, "Out of all the kids in the world, I stumble upon the orphaned werewolf."

I smirked. I was so happy with how accepting they were. The rest of my family also agreed that they were fine with my lupine side.

"Thanks, guys," I said.

"We have more questions," Mom said, "Like why did you run away?"

"The fever and the growing? They were all things that happen right before a werewolf changes so when you and dad were hunting, I turned into one for the first time.

"Oh, honey," Mom said sympathetically.

"Yeah. Wolves can hear each other's thoughts so the others told me to come here."

"There are more?" Carlisle asked. I nodded.

"The vampires trigger the change so when we came last year, they started turning into wolves again."

"Interesting idea," Edward said.

"It's true," I said, angry that he didn't accept it as such.

"So what have you been doing?" Dad asked.

"Laurent and Victoria came back. They're looking for Bella." Edward growled softly. Like he had the right to be angry about that. "We keep an eye out for them. Laurent was trying to kill a member of the pack, and we killed him."

Almost everyone went completely still.

"You fought him?" Mom asked. Her dark eyes were wide with her eyebrows nearly disappearing into the blonde.

"It wasn't like I was alone," I said, "There five other wolves." I left out how I was the first to jump in.

My mom went very tense and still. It went on for a long time. Dad took her hand and shook her a little.

"You were fighting Laurent?" she asked again with pure terror.

I nodded. "It's okay, Mom. I'm like, the size of a horse. Nobody got hurt…except him."

"I just don't like the image of you fighting a vampire," Mom said.

"It's my job."

"Who made it your job?"

"It's kind of a birthright thing," I said. She sighed.

"I won't get hurt, I promise," I said crossing my heart for a little comic relief.

"So Laurent is dead?" Aunt Alice asked. I nodded. "Poor Irina."

I frowned. "I know, but he was trying to kill a girl. And in a very James manner."

"A shame. I had seen him living like us a few times," Aunt Alice said, "But that one did go back and forth a lot."

"Okay, enough about Laurent," Mom said, "Where have you been living?"

"La Push has a nice selection of motels, and then Sam Uley's couch."

"Uley. That name's on the treaty," Grandpa thought out loud.

"Yeah, he's in charge."

"Have you been eating?" she asked.

I smirked. "Yes, three square meals and then some."

"Good. Did anyone know you were here?"

"Just Bella and the pack."

"Bella?" Edward inquired. It made me angry that he thought he was allowed to show up and suddenly care about her.

"Yeah. Bella. She was a wreck when I got here," I said, providing an onslaught of mental images for him. He cringed in pain and tore at his hair.

"Jacob, don't," Alice said.

"He destroyed her," I yelled at her, "I had to come and put her back together. Don't go near her, Edward; you're just going to break her again."

Edward opened his mouth but then closed it.

"Please do not fight," my mom said. She glared at Edward, "Stop antagonizing him about that girl. We thought we had lost him, for Christ's sake, and you're going to make him want to leave again?"

"Sorry, Mom," I said, looking down at the floor. She smiled at me and pet my arm.

"Sorry, Rose," Edward said.

"Apology accepted. My God, it's been a big day. I'm almost yawning."

I smiled. "If you'll have me, I'd like to move back in. I have overstayed my welcome at the Seashell Motel."

"Ew, a motel," Aunt Alice said.

I laughed. "Not very luxurious. I'll go get my stuff and come back," I said. I bent down to kiss my mom on the cheek. "I'm sorry again, Mom. I really had no other choice but to leave." She hugged me.

"I know, honey. I'm so happy you're back."

I smiled at them all and headed out the door, into the woods. I could smell the scent of the other wolves when the wind blew in my face. I ran quickly to see if I could catch up with them.

All of the wolves were in human form at the border line. No one looked very happy.

"Hey, guys," I said. I had a tendency to attempt casualty in tense situations.

"They're staying?" Sam asked. I nodded.

"We're going to have to figure something out. Most of the treaty is void right now since we need a Cullen to be here and a wolf needs to go on Cullen territory."

"Yeah, I'm staying with them again."

"Ew," Paul said, "What about the smell?"

"What about the fact that they're all vampires?" Leah said, "This is crazy. You can't live there."

"Well, I am," I said, "I can't hurt them again."

"They don't have feelings," Leah scoffed.

"They're vampires not robots. They used to be humans too."

"Well, I used to be human too until they showed up."

"They were a million miles away! You can't blame them for that!"

"Enough," Sam said. We both had to stop.

"You can live with them, but you still have to run patrols-you know that right?"

"Of course," I said. I want things to stay as normal as they can.

"Alright," Sam said, "We'll deal with the rest later. Today's been long enough."

Rosalie PoV

I watched my baby sleep in his room. I was so terrified of losing him again. I had to make sure he didn't disappear. Sometimes I would close my eyes and remember the same lungs steadily breathing inside an infant. He had aged so much when he was gone. My baby boy was a man now. It all happened too quickly.

In sleep though, he looked young again. And he would be young forever, as he told me, if he so chose to be.

He let me entertain myself by tucking him in. I had kissed his forehead like I did when he was younger. I told him how he was so much older now. I told him how he had grown up so quickly. He must have seen the worry in my eyes at how short this time had passed, that the rest of his time will pass too quickly too.

"Well, I'm not going to be growing again for a while. Werewolves are frozen in time too. I might get taller but no gray hairs." I had smiled and told him how glad I was that he would be around for a long, long time. I wasn't going to have to lose him to time or bloodlust. He was sticking around forever. Maybe it was good luck that I stumbled across an orphaned werewolf.

I stroked his warm hand for a little before I had to go. I had business to attend to.

I first brushed my hair and put on an outfit that was not funeral attire. My boy was back and so was my sense of control over my life. I put on red lipstick too. It made me feel fierce, like hot blood was pumping through me once again. I felt fierce, a mother bear looking out for her cub.

I crept out Edward's door to nowhere on to the forest floor. I followed Jacob's scent from earlier today to the ravine which separated us from the dogs.

I didn't know how to summon one so I tried calling for them to come. I smirked at my joke. I was going to have to quit those now that I was the mother of one of them. I had so much material though.

"Sam?" I said loud enough for a vampire to hear. Jacob told me his senses were as good as mine, "Are any of you out there? I want to talk."

A huge, black wolf appeared on the other side of the ravine. He snarled at me.

"I'm staying on my side," I said, "I'm not going to attack you. Not while Jacob is part of your group."

He barked. I don't know what that means, but I kept talking.

"I'm Jacob's mother. I have my son under my roof now, but he's still loyal to your pack. We are going to have to find a way to not hate each other for him. This would be a lot easier if I could talk with you."

He barked and this time I knew it meant, "Not happening."

"I just want us to agree that we're not going to make Jacob choose sides," I said. The wolf nodded his giant black head.

"Good. And if Victoria's your enemy than she's our enemy. If we're looking for her, then Jacob's less likely to find her. I'm sure you don't want some of your wolves being the one to find her. She'll be harder to kill than Laurent, trust me. Vampire women are infamous for revenge, and we've all made her angry."

The wolf nodded again. I had found Carlisle insane when he wanted to make peace with the wolves, decades ago. Now I was doing the same thing to protect my child. Because when you're a mother or a father, there's no limit to how far you'll go to protect your kid.

What Carlisle quoted is from the Bible parable, the Prodigal Son. It seemed fitting. Make my day and review! Good night, y'all wonderful people. 333