Copyright disclaimer: Twilight and all recognizable characters are sole property of Stephenie Meyer.

Chapter 34: Perfectly Unbroken

Bella got Atticus back to sleep soon after Jacob put the pack-n-play up in Collin's extra room. It was a snug fit with all Collin's man toys, a desk and the pulled out futon. She turned off the lamp and left the room with the door cracked since she forgot the baby monitor. Hopefully, they'd be able to get everything out the following day, quickly and without any further drama.

Of course, Bella expected Kaleigh to be upset but never for her to go full, wacko crazy in the driveway practically naked. That never even seemed like a remote possibility. It all happened that way, she'd never forget it. She kept trying to expunge the memory of Kaleigh announcing she was pregnant by Jake, but wasn't successful quite yet. She believed him after hearing the whole truth, but the initial ill feeling still lingered.

At first, she expected Jacob would go on to have more children with his wife, but the weeks together had only brought her closer to him. Bella was pretty damn possessive of Jacob as well. She could never blame it on the wolf like he did, he was her baby's daddy first and that meant something. That mean bitch didn't deserve to have his children. She was so happy they were done with her, but were they really? She suspected Kaleigh was going to make the divorce way more complicated than it needed to be.

She found Barry and Collin having a beer in the kitchen. "Where's Jake?"

"Outside, making some calls."

Collin handed her a water bottle. Barry looked like he was about to explode so he finally said what was on his mind, "Who knew, B? You never told me you wanted to be a reality TV star. Our life in LA was dull compared to this."

"Please. I'd love to be dull again." She kept looking towards the balcony door waiting for Jacob to come back inside.

Barry drained his beer and sat the bottle firmly on the counter. "No more fibbing." He pointed to her and then to Collin. "All this shit is weird, nothing's natural. Men appear out of nowhere at the drop of hat. I might say that was my number one fantasy at one time, but what do you do, hun... to make it all a reality? You're a cultural anthropologist for Christ's sake!"

Collin held onto a sound in the back of his throat until Jacob walked through the door, "Ummmm."

"Bells, can I talk to you a second?"

They walked across the living room and he lowered his voice to tell her a few important details. He had been on the phone with Embry mostly. Seth was going to hang around the house as watch. He didn't know how far Kaleigh would go to inflict revenge on them. Several of the guys would be over in the morning and they were going to start moving out the rest of their things. He wanted her to take the baby and go to Charlie's. Someone would drive her.

She shouldn't care, but Bella didn't want Jacob to have anything else on his conscience. "What about Kaleigh? I think she needs help."

"I sent Mack a message. I think he's going over."

"Barry's asking questions again. I know it's late, but I feel like we should come clean. You brought him in the middle of this life. It only seems fair."

"Yeah, it's fine. Collin really likes him too, but he admitted he needs to take things slow. I've always said, if you trust him, I trust him."

They ventured back over to the bar. "Please assure me, my friend will never have to endure that sort of ordeal ever again."

Bella felt Jake's hand on her back. "I don't plan on it."

Barry grabbed the bottles and tossed them in the trash. He told Jacob to forget it, he was too tired to talk. "I know B needs her rest, so we'll pick up this conversation in the morning." Barry pulled her arm, but Jacob grabbed her waist. Collin already told them, he only had the futon and the sofa in the living room. Barry told her in private he never dreamed he'd be spending the night at Collin's place so soon, but tonight was obviously not the night to profess his extreme crush.

Jacob wasn't about to let them go off to bedroom. He reached to remove Barry's hand but he let go before they made contact. "You'll be taking the couch."

"And leave you with Bella. I don't think that's a good idea. She and I have discussed this at length. Quit pushing her before she's ready."

"I've always appreciated your concern for Bells, but no one's pushing. She and I have slept together before."

Barry mumbled. "Obviously."

"No, I mean actual sleep, in the same room, same bed. You saw a small portion of what I just went through this evening. The last thing on my mind is taking advantage of Bella."

Barry looked to her for confirmation. He wanted to know what she wanted. Bella mouthed she was fine. She meant with Jake. "Barry, I know you're tired. We all are, but if you can handle the condensed version, I'm ready to give you some answers. Tomorrow, I'll tell you the expanded parts."

"I'd like that. Start with, who in the hell are you people?"

Jacob said they should start first with Bells, a normal teenage girl that had a unusual knack for attracting supernatural beings. As soon as Jacob said that word, Barry asked if he was going to need another beer.

"No Bar, you need to be sober so you won't doubt this conversation ever happened. I was married to a teenage vampire."

"Excuse me, what? That sounds like a bad sitcom."

"I know, right. Actually, it was a colossally bad real life event, but it's all true." She told him how they met at school and how the unnatural attachment between them formed rather quickly. Bella didn't want to dwell too long on those parts. Jacob spent a lot of that time hurting and she didn't want to relive it for several reasons. He helped her tell some of the parts. He was a much better story teller in her opinion. Of course, Barry interrupted plenty. He double checked the facts when something sounded completely impossible which was the majority of it.

"So all of you are wolves, not security?"

"Yes, we provide protection to Bella because we are wolves," Collin answered. Bella could tell her friend was even more nervous around Collin than he had been about his good looks. He had been taking a few steps back the more Collin revealed.

"And her stalker is top vampire, not top mafioso?"

"Yes."

Jacob told him if it was too much to absorb and he wanted to go back to California or Texas or anywhere, they'd help him. "Being in our world carries certain risks."

"But Bella can't leave?"

"No, she has to be with us."

Bella would ease Barry's worries a little later by assuring him, she wanted to be with them. It was no longer a have to situation.

"I... I don't want to go. I mean, I like my job here. I'm sure I can search closer to Chief Swan's residence. Does anyone do hair in Forks? I bet it's lots of old lady hair, isn't it?"

Collin broke in and told Barry he was welcome to stay with him a little longer if he preferred big city hair salons and he could still see Bella and Atticus as much as he wanted. Bella saw his face brighten up after looking rather doom and gloom for the past thirty minutes while he heard how dire her circumstances could be.

"Take your time, you don't have to decide tonight. I have to go back now, but Collin's giving you options. I want you to do what you want to do, Barry. I've grown accustomed to you always being around, having my best interest at heart, but I wouldn't be a true friend if I didn't support you the same way." The talk seemed to satisfy a little bit of Barry's wildest curiosities. All the men insisted she head to bed and they'd be doing the same, shortly.

Bella was trying to fall asleep, but Jacob still hadn't come to bed. She was probably a little too excited about sleeping with him for the night than she should be. She only made her speech about not being together just because he was leaving Kaleigh a little more than 24 hours ago. Sometime later, the futon creaked and Bella felt him join her. She must have finally dozed off. He didn't say anything and he stayed on his side, but she wanted to acknowledge him in some way.

Bella found his hand down by his side. They threaded their fingers together. "You shouldn't have waited up."

"I didn't. I just wanted to say goodnight."

"Night Bells." She felt him move towards her and she was struck with fear. There was no way she could handle him kissing her again. She'd give in and she knew she shouldn't. He very gently pressed his warm lips to her forehead and then quickly retreated. Mixed emotions moved through her. It was for the best and they both knew it.

She only got about six hours of rest but it was good sound sleep. Once, Bella opened her eyes and saw where she was, who she was with, it made sense. They went to sleep on opposite sides, but she was currently draped over his bare chest as Jacob's arms held her tight. He hadn't woken up, so she was shamelessly staring at him. Her hand had a mind of its own and before she knew what was happening, her fingers hovered over his jaw. She ached to touch him, but she couldn't. It was too soon, but then it was just a touch. Wasn't it? Jaw rubbing wasn't over-the-top or was it? Bella seriously felt like a nut.

She debated what to do next. It was probably best to pull away. She imagined Atticus would be awake any minute. She wondered how to extract herself from his hold when his grip tightened across her back. His warm hand made contact with her skin just under the hem of her top. He wasn't sleeping after all.

"Jake, let go. I need... "

"You need what, Bells?" Holy moly, his morning voice was gruff and sexy.

"I...I... the baby."

Her son came to her rescue because he made his first fussy noises. Jacob released her, but instead of allowing her up, he said he'd get him.

"He'll be wet."

"I know. I'll change him. I've changed hundreds of diapers by now."

"Hundreds? I'm not so sure about that, but okay."

Bella rolled onto her back and listened to father and son interact. Once Atticus knew he was being attended to, he was happy and no longer whining. Jacob changed the diaper in an impressive 45 seconds before bringing their son to her.

"He's smacking his lips, so I guess he wakes up like me... starving."

"Yes, that's true."

Bella sat up and adjusted her pillow before bringing her son to her breast. He latched on quickly, she lifted her eyes to Jacob. He'd seen her feed their son several times now, but he had this goofy expression on his face at the moment. He was standing next to the bed. She saw him reach down and pick up a shirt. He slipped it over his head. That's when she realized he had slept in bed with her in only his boxer briefs. She averted her eyes when he went for the jeans next. Bella solely focused her attention back to Atticus. She wondered if their son was aware of the many changes in such a short amount of time? Probably not, he was always so happy and content. She guessed as long as his needs were met, he didn't pay much attention that they were living in several different places.

Jacob started to leave, but she wanted to know what the plan for the day was. Bella expertly switched sides and patted the bed next to her. "Wait. Talk to me for a minute. I'm worried about you going back over there."

He told her he could take care of himself if she couldn't tell, but this had nothing to do with his physical power. The events had to take a toll on him emotionally. He said he needed to call a buddy of his that owned a storage facility. He was going to rent a truck and pack up all he could get in and store the rest for later. He didn't want a damned thing from the house, but his personal items, like his clothes and shoes and his computer which housed all his designs. He'd get as much as he could from the garage apartment, because once he found a place to stay, he'd need some furniture. He also promised all of their things would be delivered safely to Charlie's.

"You don't want me to stay with Dad, do you?"

"Haven't I proved to you, I'm willing to not make it all about what I want anymore?"

"Yes, I guess you have, but I'm asking you to be honest. Are you apprehensive for me to stay in Forks instead of on the reservation?"

"Of course, I am, but we've protected you there before. I'm confident you'll be fine as long as you always let me know where you're going. At this point, your comfort is what's important. I don't have a place for you just yet. I don't even know where I'm staying. I can't crash on Dad's couch indefinitely." Jake said he'd compromise if she would be willing to come to the res as quick as possible if a situation arose, so she agreed without hesitation.

Atticus was getting fidgety which meant he was probably full. Bella lifted him up to her shoulder making sure her top fell and covered everything up in the process. "Sure, you don't want a few minutes of cuddles, Daddy? Your day is probably going to be eventful and long."

He reached for Atticus who let out a satisfied burp during the switch. They both laughed. Jacob propped him up on his legs and started up a very animated conversation that had the baby in giggles. Bella leaned into Jake and reached out to hold their son's hand. It felt natural to be close to them. She had to admit, it always felt natural, even when he was supposedly a happily married man. Now, that the invisible barrier had been lifted, she wasn't nearly as hesitant. She knew the technicalities, like he wasn't divorced, but something was different between them and it literally happened overnight.

Jacob told her someone would be over soon to take them. He handed Atticus back. He leaned over and kissed the back of his head. Bella felt his hand cover hers. "I'm sorry I didn't say it back."

She felt heat flush her face. That admission of love in the back of her car had been a bit juvenile. She was hoping he hadn't been paying attention. It really wasn't the right time for such things. He'd just ended his marriage.

"Jake... "

"No, I'm not trying to pressure you either, but you need to know, dumping you out in the hallway that morning and hiding the imprint were only two of my worst moments. I've missed too many opportunities to tell you how much I love you. It never was one of those cases that I wasn't sure if you felt the same. I knew you did... I felt it, but I still kept silent. That was the hardest part all those years ago. I watched you leave even though I felt the unspoken love between us. I'm not talking about the declarations of friendship love. Bells, we loved each other deeply and in a way most people do not understand. Even so, we continued to hold back, hurting each other to the point our relationship seemed irreparable. I just want you to know, with our son as our witness, I never stopped loving you either. He is living proof to that."

Bella quietly whisked away a tear. Jacob squeezed her hand and pushed up from the bed to start the daunting task that was before him the remainder of the day. She didn't tell him her true reaction to his declarations. He'd been wrong about one thing. They were not irrevocably broken no matter how many mistakes they'd made in the past and present. She felt it deep within... they could still be fixed.

~Thanks for reading.

I know it's not too long of an update, but I needed this bridge chapter to catapult us into the next part of our story.