A/N: This chapter took me awhile to get where I wanted it. I want to say thank you to my readers who gave me suggestions for Bella's bracelet. I hope you enjoy the choices and if your suggestions didn't make it in the first round fear not there will be additions either in this or in the upcoming sequels. To my fearless beta Mist Thank you for helping me narrow them down to five and for kicking my ass and not letting me trash anything:) And if you guys want to check out two other stories of mine there is only one place to do so. You must be 18 years or older but I have two exclusives there. Just Give Me a Reason and A Whole Other Life in My Eyes both are Jake and Bella so join and check them out:) The site address is trickyraven . ning .com be sure to remove the spaces between the dots
It had been two hours since Jake had heard anything from Sam at the hospital. He had put Bella's clothes away and went home for more of his own as well as the other tools he would need to complete Bella's bracelet on time. His wolf was getting antsy and there was nothing he could do to help. Bella still had several hours to go on that stupid pain study and there was no way Jake could be around Dr. Cullen without the wolf clawing to get out, so he did the only thing he could he stripped and let the wolf take over, running his usual route to the borders of La Push and back. He could hear Embry in his head but the wolf was too much on edge for him to respond so he just kept running his route with his nose to the ground smelling for that red-headed bitch that was out to take his world away from him.
Embry was worried for his best friend. It was like even though Jake was running with him he wasn't really there. His wolf was as focused as Embry had ever seen. Nose to the ground searching for the scent he had smelled at Bella's house. She was long gone. Jake knew that, they all did.
"Come on Jake man, talk to me. I know you are scared something will happen to Bella, but you need to slow it down. She is gonna need you when she gets here. YOU! Not the damn wolf."
"I know that Em, why you think I am doing this now. He is going crazy. I have to let him run or when Bella gets here I am afraid as to what he will do Em."
"Jake, man it will be okay. You know Sam and Paul and I will not let him hurt her."
"I know man but he wants to mark her and honestly if I didn't know that Bella would be worse off without me I would go to the alpha cabin and stay until she goes home. I am scared as hell, for her, for me."
"Jake I got your back dude and so do the rest if the guys, that bitch won't get anywhere close to her, so that wolf in you just needs to back off a little bit."
"Thanks man, I think I am gonna go try to work on Bella's bracelet for a while. He is content for now that the redhead is long gone. I really wanted to get at least one charm done today."
"Jake man are you sure you want do this Friday."
"I am more sure than ever Em. She was my life before this wolf thing and now I can't even function without her."
"Okay dude, I will see you later."
Jake was working on the first of the five charms. It was an infinity symbol carved out of a piece of their driftwood tree. Where it all began for them, but in truth there was no beginning. They just were Jake and Bells for as long as he could remember and there would be no end for them either. In death as in life they would be just Jake and Bells. As he carved he thought about all the moments he and Bells had had over the years. It became clear to him that his Dad was right. She was his destiny all along. A destiny that could no longer be denied by Bella or anyone else. He worked hard at carving the small piece of wood into just the right shape. He didn't hear Paul come in to Sam's shop.
"Hey kid you okay," he asked.
Jake looked up, shocked to see Paul standing in the doorway. "Yeah, Paul I am better now. The wolf has calmed down a lot since I went for a run."
"Good to know because Little Bird will need you more than ever now."
"Have you heard from Sam since this morning?"
"Yeah, he called a few minutes ago. He said Little Bird is showing signs of being a true Alpha's Mate. She is scared to death but refuses to call you. She doesn't want you to see her as weak."
"I don't see her that way Paul I never have even before this."
"I know you don't Jake, but you also know Little Bird has issues with her self-esteem which is why those bloodsuckers got close to her in the first place."
"Can we not talk about bloodsuckers for ten minutes I have had enough of them for the day besides the way my wolf is this afternoon the mere mention of bloodsuckers and he drives me nuts."
"Sorry, man. Can I see," Paul asked as he motioned to the small disk of wood Jake was busily carving.
"Sure, sure," Jake mumbled as he became engrossed in making the charm again.
Paul came and stood behind him and looked down. He watched in awe as Jake's steady hands carved away the excess driftwood. Carefully following the pencil lines with the chisel.
"Where did you learn to do that?"
"Dad taught me from the time I could pick up a chisel but I am only good at the little things like the charms. Dad has carved much bigger pieces. Rumor is he has already started on our wedding presents. At least that is what Embry says. Talk about pressure huh?" Jake said without even looking up.
"Yeah," Paul said deadpanned. "Do you think he could teach me?"
"Sure, he would love to teach someone else like I said these little things were as far as I got before I discovered oil and grease. I can ask him for you if you want."
"That would be great thanks. So did Embry tell you what he was making?"
"No, but I have a good idea. It is probably a bedroom suite and a cradle. Much like the one he made for mom as her wedding present. When he sent those to Rebecca he promised Rachel and me that he would duplicate them for us when we married. It was the way Mom wanted it he said and if I had to guess he began working on them as soon as Bella returned to Forks."
"Wow, dude that is heavy. Speaking of Rachel, how is she I haven't seen her around here since we graduated."
Jake finally looked up from his half carved charm. "That's because she hasn't be around. She stays at school even in the summer. Dad is hoping that once her degree is finish she will come back at least but I am not holding my breath. And if she does STAY AWAY FROM HER!"
"Whoa, Baby Alpha, I have no intentions of hooking up with your sister. I was just asking cuz she was one of the only people in our class that didn't look down on Sam and me despite the shit she took because of that."
"I am sorry Paul."
"For what dude. It's not like you ever gave me any shit and your Dad, Charlie, and the Clearwater's always took care of us. Anyway, I didn't come here to get all girlie and shit."
"Well, why are you here exactly?" Jake asked suddenly puzzled at Paul's appearance.
"I wanted to discuss Little Bird's safety with you. I don't like the fact that the bloodsuckers are going to be her only protection during the day."
"I am not either, but there is no way Sam will let me go to school with her not with his sudden do school or else policy."
"Well, see that is why I am here. I talked to Sam and he got the okay from Dr. Fang but he said I had to talk to you about it. I propose I patrol Forks around the high school and have lunch with Little Bird every day for the next month while she finishes school."
"Sam was okay with this?"
"Yeah, look Jake I know I haven't been the nicest to either of you but I see now she is paying too heavy a price for doing nothing but loving someone and believing their lies. I see Dr. Fang doing his best to make her whole again and I know most of the Cullen's mean no harm but that douchebag should have left her alone and now she has the redhead bitch after her. She is the mate to our future Alpha and should have a wolf guarding her at all times as Emily does."
"Yeah, good luck with that dude. Bella doesn't like to be told what to do. You should have seen her the other night when I told her about the redhead."
"I am not worried about Little Bird. She doesn't have me by the dick like she does you."
"Ha Ha Lahote, give her time she will have you wrapped around her finger in no time. But if Sam and Carlisle say it is okay I am cool with it. I know you will protect her with your life if necessary. Now do you want help me here or not?" He said as he held up the rough charm.
"What do you need me to do?"
"Start sanding brother. Use the 50 grit first, then the 75 grit, the 100 grit, 120 grit, 150 grit, and finally the 220 grit on the outside and back of the charm. Do them twice using tack cloth in between each sanding. There is some in Sam's cabinets over there. Use the tiny wood rasp over there to smooth out the inside of the holes in the center. After that this one needs two coats of clear varnish. Remember to sand with the grain. If you have any questions just ask. I am going to be over at the work bench working on tracing out the next one. It has two parts so it is going to take some work.
Jake picked up his sketch and the pieces of cherry and maple and headed to the work bench. He had taken his sketch earlier and used it to line up the pieces of wood before applying glue to the pieces clamping them together with the squeeze clamps. Now that the glue had dried and he had sanded the edges so that it looked like one piece of wood and not two. He placed carbon paper on top and his sketch on top of that. He traced intricate design on the two pieces of wood listening to Paul as he dragged the sandpaper across the first charm.
Emily was getting worried Jake and Paul had been in the shop for hours without a peep from either of them. This was unusual for her boys. They usually had come in for a snack or two by now, especially Paul. She made her way down the back stairs to Sam's tool shed and opened the door. She gasped in awe of what she saw. Jake was engrossed at the workbench tracing what had to be an intricate design on a piece of clamped wood, but what shocked her was the sight of Paul who was now covered from the waist up in sawdust. The tip of his tongue caught in his teeth as he lovingly sanded the tiny piece of wood. Emily hated to interrupt them but she knew they had to be hungry by now.
"Boys, I hate to interrupt, but I figured maybe you guys were hungry."
Jake and Paul both looked up to see Emily standing in the doorway with a picnic basket in one hand and pitcher of lemonade in the other. Jake scrambled from his position at the workbench to take the items from her.
"Thanks Em, this is great." Jake said with a smile as he spread out the sandwiches and chips out on the clean area of the workbench.
Paul sat the charm down on the table and went over to the workbench. "Thanks Em, you are the best. How long have we been out here anyway?"
"It is just after three. Sam called a little while ago. Said you weren't answering your phone. He said that he, Bella, and Billy would be here around seven maybe later depending on Carlisle and that Carlisle would be at the treaty line at eight. He wants you to escort him here so he can discuss what the plans are for the immediate future."
"Got it," he said as he stuffed another sandwich in his mouth.
"Can I see?" Emily asked as she gestured towards the piece Jake had been tracing for the last hour.
"Of course you can. It is not like they are a big secret or anything. I should have started it first I guess. It is gonna be difficult to complete in a short amount of time."
Emily peered at the sketch that was loosely tacked to the wood and tears immediately sprang to her eyes. There staring at her was Jake's wolf but that wasn't all. He was wrapped around a much smaller much lighter wolf. The smaller wolf was curled into his side much like Bella always seemed to be. They were lounging on a background she would recognize anywhere. It was the tattoo of the spirit warriors. She wiped the tears from her cheeks. "It is beautiful Jacob. She will love it."
"You think so?"
"Yes, I do." Emily said as she kissed his cheek and headed back to the house to start her dinner prep.
"Sam is gonna kill you for making her cry you know." Paul interjected.
"Shut up Lahote, and get back to sanding before I fire your ass."
"Sure, sure." Paul said as he glanced at the other charm before returning to the infinity symbol he was sanding. "Just to let you know there is now what in hell I am sanding that thing but Emily is right Little Bird will love it."
"That's okay I kinda want to do this one myself besides I already had to sand the wood down to get rid of the seam anyway. Jake finished his lemonade and went back to tracing.
By the time he and Paul finished for the day the infinity charm was done and the wolf charm was completely sketched out. It was only a little after four. Paul headed home to get a shower and some sleep. Jake went in Sam's and took a shower as well making sure to pick up after himself and put the dirty clothes in the hamper and the towel back on the towel bar to dry. He emerged from the bathroom to find Emily making yet another casserole.
"I don't know how you do it Em. You feed us morning, noon, and night. You keep us in clothes and you keep this house spotless despite the endless track of dirt we seem to bring in here."
"I do it because you guys are family Jake and you need to be fed besides it is not like I have anyone else on the rez that wants to be in my company. They are either too afraid of Sam, scared my scars will rub off on them or hate me because I took Sam away from Leah."
Jake sighed as he saw the pain cloud her eyes.
"He still loves her you know and so do I. I just wish he could have told her the truth from the beginning. I don't know if it would change where we find ourselves now or not but I do know he wouldn't be carrying around the guilt he carries for her or for this." She said as she pointed to the ruined side of her face. "We were fighting over her you know that night. I wanted him to go to her to tell her the truth. Make it right and tell her he still loved her regardless of the imprint. I was more than willing to be just his friend back then if it meant Leah would be happy. He said he couldn't that the council forbade it. Only imprints and the council were allowed to be in on the secret. I slapped him and called him a coward for letting other men control his destiny and he lost control and phased right here in the kitchen. He hasn't left my side since and whatever talk we had regarding fighting the imprint is now moot. As a result Leah hates us both."
Jake pulled Emily into a bear hug. "Em, we will work it out somehow. Maybe Bella and I can talk to Dad see if he can sway the Council to change their mind or something. This isn't fair to you or Sam or Leah."
Emily pulled out of his embrace. "I didn't mean to dump all of that on you Jake. I know you have a lot of other more pressing matters to worry about besides the fact that Sam would be mad if he knew I shared all of that with you."
"Don't worry about it. Tell him I pulled it out of you I can take the heat."
"Thanks Jake for listening."
"Any time. I mean that I owe you so much already."
Jake picked up the broom from the corner of the kitchen and began sweeping. Emily sighed and went back to dinner prep.
Paul stumbled out of the shower. His phone had been ringing nonstop for the last five minutes and frankly it was driving him insane. Not bothering with a towel he ran in the kitchen grabbing the receiver almost crushing it in the process.
"What the fuck do you want Sam." He grumbled.
"How the hell did you know it was me?"
"Because you are the only one with enough balls to call my house twenty times in a row when you know I am here and not answering."
"So why didn't you answer on call one and save us this conversation."
"I was in the shower, ALONE asshole."
"Wow that has to be some kind of record. What has it been a month since you have gotten any?"
"Two, but who's counting after that stalker I needed a break."
"I tried to tell you she was bad news brother."
"I know, so what was so important that you had to call over and over?"
"I wanted to make sure you had gotten my message before I have to go back to Bella's room."
"What all of a sudden you don't trust Emily to deliver a message?"
"Well I would but she never called me back."
"That's probably because Baby Alpha made her cry and she didn't want you upset with him. He is her favorite after all."
"What?" Sam asked gritting his teeth.
"See, and you wonder why she didn't call you right back. Don't worry he didn't really do anything to her. He just showed her one of the charms he made for Little Bird and she got all sappy and shit but he is her favorite I wasn't kidding about that."
"That's because unlike the rest of you assholes he cleans up after himself and does what he can to help her."
"Oh and like you helped her all that much before Little Bird and Baby Alpha came along."
"I tried she was always shooing me out of the kitchen or wherever she was working."
"Maybe that is because you can't keep your hands off her man."
"Okay, seriously Paul I need to get back up there. Sue is coming to pick up Billy soon. He is going to be staying with her and Harry for a while."
"Is he okay?"
"Yeah, but he doesn't want us to have to worry about having to take care of him with all that is going on with Bella right now. He wants us to focus on her protection and recovery for the time being."
"That old man is smarter than I have ever given him credit for Sam."
"I know Paul. Now Emily gave you the message. Eight sharp and don't be late. Carlisle says everyone is coming back from Alaska tonight except for Edward. He is still trying to track Victoria. He wants Jasper and Emmett to be with the girls at school and I can't say I hate the idea. Did you talk to Jake about you patrolling around the school while Bella is there?"
"Yeah, he gave me the go ahead."
"Good Carlisle said while you and Bella are eating the Cullen's will do a perimeter sweep just to be on the safe side but that will not start until Monday. Carlisle refuses to let her return before then. Her pain levels are greater than any of us imagined and do you know she has been doing homework this whole time with no pain meds whatsoever."
"How much longer does she have before he can give her anything?"
"Two hours. I will be home around seven or so depending on if Carlisle wants to wait till drugs kick in or not. I am hoping I can just get her the hell out of here and give her pain meds at home. Charlie is coming by in an hour and we are gonna discuss the new pain meds then."
"Okay, I will see you at eight then when I bring Carlisle to you."
Sam hung up his cell and headed back upstairs.
Jake was sitting at the table trying his best to finish his dinner before Sam arrived home with Bella. Paul and Embry sat across from him and were working on their third plate of food and Jake was only half way through his first plate. He was quiet as he got up and took his plate to the sink.
"You okay Jake?" Emily asked concerned when she saw his half eaten plate of food.
"Yeah, just not very hungry right now."
"She will be home soon Jake."
"I know but she is hurting Em."
"Hey how about I make you and Bella a plate and set aside some dessert. She may not feel like eating but just in case."
"Sure, Sure I am going outside for a while."
Paul got up to follow and Embry stopped him. "It's my turn. I will go. Something tells me he needs his best friend and not the pain in his ass."
"Hey, I have you know Baby Alpha and I have bonded." Paul said.
"Sure, sure." Embry mumbled as he headed out the door.
He found Jake in the garden sitting on the bench Sam had built at the edge. "Hey dude, you okay?"
"Yeah Em, I am okay just hurting and wish she would get home already. It has been 2 hours since the study was supposed to be finished."
"I know but dude you get to spend the whole week with her."
I know and as much as I want to be excited the wolf is gonna make it pure hell and then there is the charms for her bracelet. How am I supposed to get those done with her here 24/7?"
"We will think of something." Whatever else Embry was going to say was cut off because he and Jake both took off in a dead sprint through the back yard to the front as Sam's truck rumbled down the road coming to a stop in the front yard. Paul was bounding off the porch as Jake wrenched the truck door open pulling Bella out and holding her close.
"Catch you the flipside Little Bird. How about you cut Baby Alpha some slack and not leave him for a few days huh?" Paul said as he kiss the top of her head as she melted into Jacob's chest. He took off towards the woods behind the house.
"Paul," Sam called after him
"I know Boss eight o'clock I won't forget."
Jake had taken Bella in the house without a word. When they got inside he gently placed Bella on the sofa. He took her shoes off and her jacket as she clung to his shoulders. She was shaking and Jake didn't know if it was from the cold or the pain. He sat down next to her and pulled her into his lap as Emily brought their plates in the living room and sat them on the coffee table in front of them. Jake picked up her plate feeding until she shook her head letting him know she was done. Jake sat still for several minutes just stroking her back trying his damnedest to stop her shaking but the overwhelming vampire smell was starting to burn his nose and causing him to shake himself. He closed his eyes taking deep breaths.
"Jake are you okay?" Sam asked as he noticed the shaking.
"Yeah, Sam I am fine."
"Jake"
"It's the smell Sam."
"Yeah, Mrs. Cullen helped her dress before we left. How about you let Emily help her with a shower while you and I go for a run so you can get the wolf back under control before Carlisle comes. He sees you shaking like that and he will rethink you being around her."
Jake was torn. He knew Sam was right but he and the wolf both struggled with leaving Bella.
"Jake, Embry and Emily will be with her the whole time. Come on by the time she is out of the shower we will be back and you can put her to bed I promise."
Without a word Jake stood up with Bella in his arms and took her to the bathroom. He carefully stripped her of the offending clothing and placed her on the shower seat. Emily came in with her night clothes while Jake pressed his shaking lips to hers and left them room. He phased before his feet hit the ground. Paul, Jared and Sam did not say a word to him for the thirty minutes he ran. He ran as far as fast as he could trying to escape the pain that was coursing through his body. Pain at having to leave his Bella behind when she needed him the most. Cursing the wolf and the vampires that were pulling him away.
Thirty minutes later he stepped up on Sam's back porch. Cleaning off his feet and hands off in the bucket Emily kept at the door so that when it was muddy she would not have to clean up muddy foot and handprints all the time. His naked torso was still covered with mud but at least he wasn't tracking it everywhere as he entered through the back door. He was immediately hit with the scent of his Bells as soon as he entered. Embry was sitting at the kitchen table when he entered and saw his nostrils flare as her scent hit him.
"She is on the sofa asleep dude. She refused to go to bed without you no matter how much Em and I tried to convince her otherwise. Take a shower and get cleaned up. Em has already headed to bed. She put your plate in the oven said she better not find out that you didn't eat it."
Jake just nodded his head and grabbed a pair of his athletic shorts off the dryer and headed to the bathroom. Truth was Jake did not trust his voice right now inside his head or otherwise. Today had been much tougher than he had expected and frankly all he wanted to do was take a shower and take Bella to bed for the rest of the week but he couldn't so he showered as quickly as he could and slipped on his shorts. Toweling his hair before placing it back on the towel rod. He headed towards the living room.
Jake scooped Bella up without a word and headed for the bedroom. Stripping out of his shorts after laying her on the bed he curled around her tiny frame. She sighed and settled against him. The shaking had stopped and she was finally warm and Jake breathed a sigh of relief for the first time since Sam had called this morning. His Bells was safe and content and so was the wolf for now. He held her for several more minutes until he was sure she was going to be all right with his absence before getting up and putting his shorts back on and heading for the living room where he knew Carlisle and the rest of the pack waited.
When he came out they all looked up from the kitchen table where they were talking quietly. He took it all in and he notice Carlisle had Jasper with him along with a big burly vamp he guessed was Emmett took in the corner assessing everything.
"About time you got your ass out here Baby Alpha. What were you and Little Bird doing in there anyway?"
"Paul" Sam warned. He knew Jake's wolf was on edge and he didn't need Paul pushing Jake's buttons in a room full of vamps. Especially considering both Emily and Bella were sleeping and it was his house.
"I am just giving him a hard time Sam."
"Back off Paul. You know he has had a tough night."
Jake to his credit didn't say a word. He just went to the oven and pulled his plate out and took a seat between Paul and Embry. Shoveling the food in as fast as he could without looking like a complete animal. Everyone was staring.
"What," Jake mumbled around the mountain of mashed potatoes in his mouth.
"We have never seen anyone eat like that before." Emmett said.
"And besides Bella how many humans have you really watch eat?" Jake asked.
"None really I try to avoid watching them eat at all. It makes me miss real food too much.
"Okay then. I didn't get dinner earlier and Emily will kill me if I don't eat what she fixed for me."
Sam nodded in agreement before speaking. "Okay, enough picking on Jake. I want to get this meeting over before either of the ladies wake up and come looking for us. Carlisle you said you think these missing hikers could be a result of Victoria but as far as you know she hasn't been around since the night Bella took off for Phoenix."
"Yes, Sam. Jasper and Emmett searched from Seattle to Forks and back again tonight and there is currently no sign of her so I believe that means for the time being Bella is as safe as she could be. However, I believe she will eventually come and try to exact revenge on Bella as Laurent said she would the night we took Bella away from here. He said that if we killed James and not Victoria she would eventually come for her. I believe she is just biding her time until she believes Bella is vulnerable and unprotected. So if the missing hikers and teenagers are a result of vampire kills they would be from a coven we have never come across. What I learned from Charlie about the teenager is they believe he ran away to Seattle with his girlfriend but there is still no sign of him there."
"So, what do we do?" Jake asked.
"We wait, we watch and we make sure Bella never goes unprotected for any reason and we do our best to get rid of her pain and get her stronger so she can have these surgeries and get better."
"Is Edward going to be returning?"
"Not now Jacob. I think it is best for all concerned if my son stays on Victoria's trail instead of here in Forks. I have Bella's new medicines and the schedule for them to be administered. I would like to show you how to do it before I leave. First I have changed her school day meds. She complained that the ones I had had her on made her fuzzy. Keep the other daytime ones for the weekend and non-school days. I have also added a couple of muscle relaxers to see if relaxing those back muscles help with the pain at all. She has a pill she gets twice a day and 2 shots at night in the areas were the biggest bone fragments are." Carlisle pulled out an x-ray and showed all of them the two areas of her back he was talking about. "I think these are the two areas causing her the greatest discomfort because the bone chips are pressing on nerves along her spinal column. I hoping these shots will relax those muscles enough to back her off of the pain medication."
After another 15 minutes of showing the boys how to administer the shots to Bella, Jasper, Emmett, Carlisle, Sam, Paul, and Jared all took off leaving Embry and Jake alone with the girls.
"So Jake do you really think we can trust what they say?"
"Yeah, I think they really care about Bella in their own way and Carlisle has yet to say no to any condition Sam and I have made. You staying?"
"Might as well, your Dad is at the Clearwater's and my mom is probably passed out in someone else bed."
"Okay, well I will see you for breakfast." Jake said as he head down the hall towards the guest room where Bella slept. He quietly closed the door behind him and stripped again before climbing in bed with her and pulling her to his chest. He fell asleep rubbing gentle circles on the affected areas of her back.
That was the last full night's rest Jake got until the charms were done. Wednesday morning started a routine. He got up and ran patrol from four to six AM he ran patrol from six to nine he worked on the wolf charm. He was meticulous and Paul watched the whole time.
"Paul you know this is really getting creepy you have been watching me like a freaking hawk for two hours now. Why don't you go see if Bella needs you?"
"Nope she doesn't need me she is working on that stupid history project of hers and helping Embry with his paper. She is snug as a bug in a rug Baby Alpha."
"Well go take a nap or something this probably won't be done till tomorrow. I have to stop at ten to make sure Bella takes her meds and then Embry and I have patrol until noon. Then I have to make sure Bella eats and takes a nap. I will work on it again after her nap until four or so. If you wanna come back after two to see what it looks like you can. I just can't take the starring anymore Lahote."
"Okay, Baby Alpha, don't get your panties in a bunch. I am going."
The second night Bella's nightmares returned. She woke up screaming and Jake did his best to calm her but the best he could do was hold her as she fell into an uneasy sleep. His wolf didn't like her distress. Hell he didn't like her distress. It made him sick thinking about her dreaming over and over about the red headed bitch and her mate getting her. So Thursday was difficult for both he and Bella. She clung to him in the shower and cried. She barely ate any breakfast at all and after breakfast instead of doing schoolwork she wanted to go back to bed. So Jake did the only thing he could do he took her back to bed. Sure it would make the bracelet almost impossible to finish on time But Bella needed him here at least for now.
She was sprawled across his naked chest running her fingers through his cropped hair causing him to purr. He let her continue in silence for a while before speaking.
"Bells, we need to talk honey."
"I miss your long hair. It just isn't the same." Bella said trying to distract him from what she was sure he wanted to say.
Jake grasped her chin and made her look at him. "Bells, spill. I mean I know you had nightmares when you came back and you had them when I was gone, but last night was different wasn't it? I was afraid you were gonna hurt yourself."
"Jake can we not talk about that."
"Bells, we have to. I want you better and these nightmares are either gonna cause permanent damage that Dr. Cullen will not be able to fix or the lack of sleep will make you too weak to do anything so tell me what is going on in your head at night.
"Jake" Bella whined.
"Come on Bells I am not only your boyfriend and imprint but I am your best friend right?"
"Yeah, Jake but..." She trailed off
"But what Bells?"
"Can we go to your place and talk about this where there is not a lot of wolfie ears around."
"Bells, you do know they can see everything that happens when I am phased at least when I think about it they do."
"Really? Everything?"
"I keep that stuff blocked or at least I try to but it has slipped in a few times."
"No wonder they look at me like I am naked all the time."
"Bells, it is not like that really."
"I know Jake, but can't we just keep this to ourselves for a little while."
"Sure, sure, but that means we have to get dressed or at least you do. How bout we go to the beach instead. It is a little overcast and it should be deserted this time of day on a school day."
"Okay."
Jake helped her dress and took her out in the living room where Emily handed him a picnic basket as they headed for the door.
"See you two after lunch." Emily called out as Jake wheeled Bella out of the house. "I hope this helps her. I don't think he can take another night like last night." Emily said as she shut the door behind them.
"That boy is stronger than all of us put together Em. He will endure a thousand nights of nightmares if he has to for her." Sam said as he pulled Emily into his chest and led her to the bedroom.
Jake sat there on that old driftwood log with his arms tightly around Bella as she poured her heart out to him about the nightmares that had plagued her since her return and the reality of her fears that plagued her at night crush Jacob. He was in real physical pain but he showed no outward signs of it to Bella. She told him of the ones where Edward and James both drained her. She told him of the ones while he was gone where they drained the boy who brightened her sad days and most of all she shared with him her greatest fear. It was one he never expected. She was fearful not for herself she said but for Jacob and his brothers and the Cullen's dying trying to save her and when the nightmare ended she had welcomed death because without Jacob and the pack she no longer wished to exist. The thought of Bella wanting to die turned his stomach and he knew like breakfast lunch would go uneaten for both of them. After she finished she cried heart wrenching sobs that added to Jacob's pain but he had held on as tight as he could without hurting her.
He wasn't sure how long he held her and let her cry but she was sleeping on his shoulder when Paul showed up looking for them.
"Dude Sam says to get your ass back to the house. Bella missed her afternoon meds and you are up shit creek."
"Damn it Paul. Can you bring Bella? I will take her stuff with me but I don't wanna jostle her."
"Sure dude, what happened?"
"I will tell you later." He said as he put Bella into Paul's arms and dropped the picnic basket in her chair and took off for Sam's. By the time he arrived the pain was unbearable, so much so that Jake had to leave her chair and the picnic basket at the bottom of the stairs while he crawled up them on his hands and knees. He managed to stand upright long enough to open the door. He heard Sam start to yell and then his entire world went black.
Jake opened his eyes and everything was out of focus. Soon he realize he was in Bella's room and she wasn't there. He tried to get up to go see where she was only to be stopped by Sam forcing him back down on the bed.
"Bella..." Jake said as he fought against Sam's arm as it held him against the bed.
"Don't worry Jake. She is just in the living room asleep. Paul and Emily are with her." Sam said as he let go of Jake and helped him sit up. "What the hell happened to you Jake?"
"I don't really know Sam. Bella and I went to the beach to talk and she was telling me about her nightmares and the pain started. Pain like I had never felt before not even that night I changed compared to this Sam. The further I got away from her the worse it got. I barely made it in the door."
Sam gave Jake a glass of water and pondered what Jake had just told him before speaking.
"Jake I think her opening up to you is strengthening the imprint. You are now feeling her pain as well as sensing it which makes these new meds even more critical because until you mark her you will physically feel both her physical and emotional pain."
"Shit Sam."
"I know kid. I know. Think you can get up now and go eat before Emily puts the rest of us on food lockdown."
Bella slept through dinner and Jake carried her to bed only waking her to give her pills. He gave her the shots in her back and rubbed Sue's salve on her scars before returning to the living room to find Paul waiting for him.
"So Sam gave me the night off of patrolling so I could take care of Little Bird for you so you can work on her present for the bonfire on Saturday."
"I will never get it done now."
"You won't know unless you try Baby Alpha. Go on I will make sure she is okay."
Jake headed out to Sam's shed. He opened the door to find Embry bent over the work table tracing the dream catcher on the piece of tiger stripe maple that Jake had picked out and sanded for that very purpose.
"Hey man, I got the pack charm all ready for you to finish over there on the table. The soda can and what the hell ever that blob thing is ready too."
"It's a mud pie, Em." Jake said with a laugh.
"What the fuck ever, dude. I will finish this one and bring you some food for later. Paul said I could help you sand the pack charm and the dream catcher and he would do the soda can and the blob. Don't worry about Bella we got it covered just get these done. Sam said we could all go down to the beach tomorrow before dinner if you got this done before then."
"Okay cool your jets dude." Jake said as he turned on the radio and went to work on the "pack charm" as Em called it as Embry finished tracing the dream catcher.
By 4 AM Jake was finishing the dream catcher and Em had began to sand it while Jake went to work on the last two. By six Jake had finished carving and Embry had went home at five to get a shower and some sleep before his patrol started at nine. Jake headed back in the house. He was hit by Bella's scent immediately. She was sitting at the table in between Sam and Paul and he couldn't help but growl low in his throat until she turned around to look at him. Any anger left his body as she smiled at him. She was well rested and pain free. He could tell before she even spoke a word.
"Jacob, I was going to wait for you but Sam said he had you working on a project this morning and it could take most of the day. Are you finished?"
"Almost Honey. How are you feeling?"
"Better, I missed you this morning."
"I missed waking next to you too. I am going to take a shower and then Paul and I have to finish that project for Sam and then I am yours for the rest of the day."
Jake went and got some clean clothes and hit the shower. Fifteen minutes later he came out to find a plate of food sitting next to Bella and she had her computer out typing away furiously, so much so that she didn't even notice when he took the seat next to her.
"What gives Bells, no good morning kiss or anything? I even brushed my teeth and everything." Jake said with a smile.
Bella finally looked up from her computer screen and puckered her lips in his direction. He gave her a kiss before digging into his breakfast. Seeing her so happy and healthy looking had renewed his appetite with a vengeance. He finished his first plate in record time and went back for his second.
"So what you working on Bells."
"I am doing the final edits on this last English paper and then I want to finish up that history project."
"So basically I will be watching you type this afternoon too?"
"I hope not. I am trying to complete it so we can spend the weekend being lazy."
"You're gonna give me an entire weekend of no schoolwork?"
"I figure if I can get it finished yes, why not?"
Jake let out a loud whoop and picked Bella up and spun her around before sitting her back in her back in her chair. Sam came running out of the bedroom pulling his shorts up as he went.
"What the Hell Jacob?" He asked as he looked to see them laughing at him.
"Bella is almost caught up with her schoolwork which means three whole days without schoolwork. Sorry we woke you Sam." Jake worked very hard to control his laughter as he could see Sam fuming and he did very well until Bella dissolved in a fit of giggles and Jake lost it.
"What the hell is so funny Little One?"
"Well, Sam...um your shorts are on inside out." Bella started giggling again fighting to catch her breath.
Sam looked down and sure enough his shorts were not only inside out but backwards. He looked at Bella with a serious expression. "You think this is funny Little One?" He said as he approached her and began to tickle her only to have her laugh even harder. "What the hell is so funny now?"
"You do realize I can't feel that right?" Bella said as she fought to catch her breath.
"Oh hell, you know what I am going back to bed. Jake go finish that project or no beach later and you Miss Swan get that paper finished and work on that project that you and Embry finished researching yesterday. I expect it to be done by the time I get up for lunch." Sam crawled back into bed laughing. In truth he was glad to see those two laughing. It had been a long few weeks for them.
After ten minutes of kissing Bella goodbye Jake joined Paul in the shed after checking with Emily in the garden to see if she needed anything.
"About time you made it out here Baby Alpha."
"Sorry dude, some of us didn't get any sleep last night and I was hungry."
"Well while you were stuffing your face and spending quality time with Little Bird I finished sanding these last two charms. I just have to go over them one more time with the tack cloth and then clear coat them. What are you gonna put them on?"
"Shit, I guess I will go down to the store and see if Aunt Joy has a leather cord or something."
"I got you covered dude." Paul said as he pulled out a charm bracelet with a braided leather tie at each end. "It was my mom's but I added the leather ties last night while Little Bird and Emily were sleeping."
Jake took it and inspected it. Upon closer inspection Jake noticed the detail that Paul put into the leather. There was a bell and a bird woven on each side. He knew what this meant to Paul. He loved his mother even though she was a drunk and he kept all of her things after his parents had died. He was finally letting someone else in and that person was Bella. It made his wolf on edge but Jake knew that Paul respected his relationship with Bella as much as Sam did.
"Paul she will love it. Thank you."
"Well this is part of welcoming her to the pack and I know Sam and Emily have their own gift for her. I don't know about Jared and Kim or Embry but I want her to know she means something to me too."
Jake put the completed charms on the bracelet and helped Paul finish the last two charms before putting the bracelet away and heading back inside to see if Bella was done. What he found lifted his spirits even more. Bella was sprawled out on the sofa sound asleep. He picked her up and took her to the bedroom and stripped her and laid down with her and he drifted off to sleep with her snuggled against his side.
The pack were all headed to the beach with Bella and the rest of the imprints. Jared and Embry carried the coolers. Sam was helping Emily set up for dinner, while Jake and Paul were getting Bella down to the beach in her chair. Paul left Jake to get her settled while he collect driftwood for their fire later. Jake spread out a blanket and got Bella out of her chair and settled her against him as they watched his brothers play football in the surf.
"Jake you can go play if you want. I will be fine with Emily and Kim."
"I know honey but I don't wanna play. I am happy here."
"I am happy you're here Jake." Bella said as she leaned against his chest.
They enjoyed each other's company and watching the rest of the pack play until they were interrupted by her friends from Forks and Mike Newton
"Hey Bella, skipping school again to hang out with the Rez riff raff again."
Jake growled low in his throat and Bella immediately squeezed his hand.
"Cat got your tongue, Swan."
Jake picked Bella up and put her in her chair before standing up to his full height. Turning to Mike.
"Newton, what the fuck do you want?" Jake asked as he felt Bella's hand on his back. "It's okay Bells. I just wanna know what his damage is. I mean how many times do you have to tell him no before he gets the message that he is not wanted."
"Jake..." Bella said just before Mike's fist hit Jake's jaw
Jake didn't even flinch as Mike crumpled on the ground holding his hand. Jake hovered over him as he screamed in pain. Jess and Lauren dropped to their knees and tried to help Mike stand up. Bella yelled for Sam and Angela stood off to the side mortified. Sam and Embry pulled Jake back.
"Jared, Paul get this pale-face asshole off our beach before your brother rips his head off." Sam said as he and Embry pulled Jake further down the beach. Jared and Paul picked Mike up and dragged him toward the parking lot with Jess and Lauren following closely behind. Paul and Jared dumped Mike at his car.
"Ladies you might wanna take your friend to the hospital and get an x-ray. His hand is most likely broken and Newton let me tell you Little Bird is off limits to you. You don't talk to her, you don't even breath in her direction. Got it. Because unlike my little brother back there I will rip your dick off and feed it to you. You ladies have a nice evening." Paul stalked off towards where they had left Bella.
Jake was coming out of the bedroom. He had finally got Bella settled down from the trip to the beach. She was worried about what Mike might do to Jake because of what happened despite the fact that Sam assured her there was nothing he could do. Jake didn't even touch him. Although he wanted to he wanted to beat him within an inch of his life for ruining the best day they had all had since he joined the pack. He found Emily and Kim in the kitchen at the table with their heads bent over their own projects.
"How is Bella?" Emily asked as she looked up when he entered the room.
"Sleeping finally. I am going to finish her bracelet and then I have to find something to wrap it in."
"Jared, Embry, and I have that covered Jake." Kim interjected as she held up the pouch she was working on. Jared sewed the pouch together Embry did the beadwork tattoo and I just finished up the blue bells around the top."
"I can't thank you guys enough. I don't know what else to say."
"Don't say anything Jake she's pack, family and she means a lot to all of us. Before you head out can you help me with something in the bedroom?" Emily got up and headed towards her and Sam's room. Jake followed puzzled. "Shut the door." She said as she went to the dresser and pulled out two leather pouches. "Jake I have a gift for you to give Bella and your Dad tomorrow at the bonfire. I have to tell you Embry told me what you said to him at the Alpha cabin before I cut your hair. So when I cut the braids I saved them and seeing the way Bella is always running her hands through it. I am glad I did and I figure your dad would want it as a memento." She turned to see tears in Jake's eyes. She wrapped her arms around him. "I didn't do this to make you cry."
"Thank you Em for everything." Jake said as took the pouches from her and headed out the door to the shed. He let the tears flow as he finished Bella's bracelet.
Jake was pushing Bella towards his house where they planned to have tonight's bonfire. Normally they would have them on the beach but this was a pack only event so they were having it at the house instead. The closer they got the tighter the knot got in his stomach. Sam and Emily were already there with his Dad getting everything ready. They were going to welcome Bella to the pack and then eat and for that Jake was grateful. He didn't think he could eat before he gave her the bracelet. He had practiced his speech to her all morning and was ready to get it over.
They arrived and Jake pushed Bella around the back. The wood was stacked in the fire pit and the tables were all set up. The guys were playing around waiting for them.
"Hey there Little Bird about time you two got here. Baby Alpha, Billy said we could start in about five minutes. We are waiting on Harry and Old Quil."
"Okay. Bells, do you wanna go inside or wait out here."
"Out here if that is okay."
It's fine honey." Jake positioned her around the fire pit. "I will be right back. I am gonna go check on Dad. If you need anything the guys will take care of it."
"Okay Jake, I will be fine."
He ran inside taking a deep breath when he was out of sight of Bella. Sam saw the look on his face and smiled.
"Scary as hell isn't it?"
"Yep. What if she says no?"
"She won't she loves you Jacob." Billy chimed in just as Harry and Old Quil walked in the front door.
"I will go tell Jared to start the fire. Emily will bring the gifts out when she comes. Take a deep breath and bring your Dad out and come get your girl."
Billy felt his son's hands shaking as he pushed him out to the fire pit. Emily was coming behind them with the gifts from the pack. Billy knew his son was nervous but he also knew he was going to fulfil his destiny despite everything. He would be Alpha and he would claim his mate and that would start with this bonfire. Jake positioned Billy at the head of the fire pit and went and took his place in between Bella and Sam.
"We are here to welcome the new member to the pack and his mate. The pack welcomes new members by being there for him through his transformation and beyond. If he is lucky enough to imprint they welcome her with gifts and the solemn vow to protect her with their dying breath. Sam Uley and Emily Young step forward and welcome Jacob's mate Bella Marie Swan to your ranks." Billy's voice boomed through the night air.
Sam and Emily stood bringing their present with them and Sam spoke as he kneeled before Bella. "Welcome Little One to our ranks. You have already proven to be an asset to us as Jacob's gift will show but Emily and I would like to present to you this lap quilt. It was given to Emily by the women of the tribe when she was recovering. It brought her great comfort when I could not and we hope it provides you with the same comfort." Sam placed the quilt across her lap and kissed her on the cheek. Emily kissed her too. They went and sat back down.
"Now as Sam said Jake will present you with his gift which encompasses gifts from his brothers."
Jake stood and took the three pouches from Emily's hands. "I have two gifts actually. The first one is for both Dad and Bella. Bella the other day you said how much you missed my hair the way it was and I didn't know it at the time but Emily saved my hair for you and Dad. She wanted the two of you to have a keepsake and I am grateful for that." He went and gave Billy his pouch before going back to stand before Bella again. "As Dad said to you my brothers gifts are a part of my gift" Jake said as he knelt placing the pouch Emily made in her lap. He presented her with the pouch containing the bracelet. "This pouch was made for you by Jared, Embry, and Kim." He said as he opened it. "This bracelet was Paul's Mom and he wanted you to have it. He braided these leather ties just for you. The charms are from me. I made each of them to represent us. This infinity symbol is to represent our relationship. It began before we even knew it and it will never end. It is made from a piece of our driftwood log where we first talked about the monsters and magic. It is where we had our first kiss. The next charm is a dream catcher. I made this to catch all your bad dreams so that you sleep well at night even when I am not there, I made this mud pie to remind you that I loved you when we were children. I made this soda can to remind you of how we always talk about everything no matter what. And last but not least, this wolf charm represents us and the pack. They will look after you when I can't. They love you like a sister and would do anything in the world for you. That being said I still have to ask, Bella Marie Swan do you accept the imprint and all that it entails?"
Bella lifted her head and with tears in her eyes she said the only thing she could say. "Yes, Jacob."