~The responses last chapter were amazing. I'm overwhelmed. I can't wait to reveal the rest of the chapters. I'm literally restraining myself to not update too quickly. I want to give you time to digest each and everyone of them.

I'm pretty darn sure this one will drop some jaws, "Oh no she didn't," and similar phrases, but this is how I saw it going. Can't argue with the muse.

Chapter 51: Beginnings and Endings

"Hey, beautiful. How you feeling? Damn, honey, when you say you need a nap, you mean it."

Bells had been out for hours. The doctor gave her a sedative, she was so hysterical the whole ride to the hospital.

She looked around the room like she was trying to get her bearings. She finally spoke up. "We're at the hospital?"

"Yeah honey," before Jacob could say anything else, she broke down just like she had done in the ambulance.

"I know what I did. I didn't listen. I never listen and now I've lost our baby. You must hate me right now."

Jacob grabbed hold of her and held her close. He told her to stop crying, "I could never hate you, honey. Calm down and listen so I can tell you everything. Better yet, look at this." He grabbed the printout off the nearby table. "You don't remember, do you? Everything's fine."

"I'm so groggy, I'm not sure. I just remember crazy Kaleigh and hitting a table and then so much pain." He handed her the picture and she immediately calmed down. "Is that our baby? And I'm not miscarrying?"

"Nope, as far as the doctor could tell, everything seemed completely normal. Can you see it? Or should I say he or she? I guess our baby really isn't an it. We listened to the heartbeat too. You're about eight weeks. I just won some money from Lahote too. No one else got pregnant until I knocked you up first on our epic first date."

She laughed. "It wasn't a competition."

"I still win," he bragged.

Bella had trouble believing nothing was wrong, she'd been in so much pain. Jacob told her it was a spasm, most likely some kind of ligament pain in her abdomen. The doctor wanted her to take it easy for a few days since she probably had a strain, but the baby appeared to be perfectly healthy for an eight-week fetus. She wasn't cramping any longer and never had any bleeding, so the prognosis was excellent. Carlisle was working on getting her released so she could rest comfortably at home.

She wanted to know how Ace was. Renee and Monica were at the cabin helping out with Barry. They said he was perfectly fine.

"What happened to Kaleigh?"

"She had a seizure in the ambulance, I heard. I think she's stable now." He wasn't sure what she'd taken or what the doctors did to reverse the effects of the OD. "Her parents are trying to have her transferred to a private psychiatric facility. I spoke with them and Mack. It wasn't my favorite moment. Charlie said she'll probably escape the criminal charges because of the breakdown. Their lawyer was here as well. I guess she's going to claim mental illness. We're still implementing a protective order. She won't be allowed anywhere near you, me or our children ever again."

"I want to hate her, but I guess she really is sick, hooked on drugs or both. I'm sorry for talking to her in the first place."

"Yeah, well, Sam and Embry should have gotten rid of her quicker. I've been so worried about vamps coming back, I never dreamed she would be your most imminent threat. I thought the divorce meant we were rid of her for good."

He agreed with Bells that hopefully, this time they really were done with her, but she still felt uneasy about things.

Bella recovered quickly. Going home and resting was the best medicine. Jacob made certain Barry, Renee or anyone that volunteered to pick up the slack stayed with her while he was working. Bella insisted it wasn't necessary to have help for two full weeks, but Jacob wouldn't take no for an answer. He, initially wanted her to use a sitter for Ace until she was out of the first trimester. All the other pregnant mates were in good condition. Everyone had their first checkups. It was going to be crazy that last month when they were all due within days of each other.

The weeks passed with no life-altering occurrences. Before they knew it, Christmas Eve had arrived and it was Seth and Amy's wedding day. The pack could use an elaborate celebration. There was so much to celebrate: healthy babies and Mommas, Renee was practically in remission from her MS, lots of couples in love and a long stint with absolutely no signs of leech activity. Jacob was looking forward to his own wedding only two weeks away. He and Bells weren't doing anything nearly as grand as Amy and Seth. They went all out with their holiday themed wedding and reception, but they'd been planning a good year. He and Bella would only have the pack and their family, not the whole reservation in attendance.

After lots of consideration, he felt confident they could have a mini-honeymoon, not too far from the reservation. After all, he was allowing Seth to take a real honeymoon in Colorado, but Embry and Leah were accompanying them so they'd have some backup. Monica was incessantly complaining about feeling stir crazy on the reservation. She actually invited herself and asked Quil to go. Jacob thought they were going to have a full out war when Quil pondered the invitation. Claire and Monica did not get along. They all knew that and now Claire and Zane were arguing all the damn time because he knew she was jealous of Quil's new companion even though she denied it. If these menial squabbles were the worst he had to deal with, he couldn't complain. Quil was working the situation to his advantage. Jacob warned him the night of Seth's bachelor party.

"Monica might be a flake, but don't use her, man. It's not right. Could you attempt to act your age instead of inciting teen drama 24/7?"

He defended himself. "True, my first impression of Monica was pretty bad. Reeking of vamp clouded my judgment. However, she's a cool chick. We enjoy each other's company. She knows I have no plans for getting attached. The truth is absolutely nothing is going on. Claire is the one that's turned it all into drama. I just keep quiet. She needs to realize her relationship with Zane is just as pointless as me starting something up with Monica. I'm not and I don't plan on it, like ever."

"Yeah, but you acted like you were going to take her on a skiing trip as Seth's tag-along. We all thought you were going to say 'yes'. Correction, Bella didn't believe it for a second. In fact, she and Monica got in a little tiff about it. She told her she was inappropriate for asking in the first place."

He smiled, "Bella gets me."

"Yeah, she gets all of us, but I'm serious, be careful. You're not the type to be cruel. If you see Monica's getting attached, do the right thing."

Quil promised he would.

Bella wrapped her arms snug around his waist and rested her head on his chest. He loved holding her like this. They were slowing dancing at the reception after Bella had given it her all in a series of fast paced party and line dances. She kept it up for longer than he predicted, but she had a lot more energy recently. She was also lucky to rarely feel nauseous. Rachel was pissed at Paul the majority of the time since she had severe morning sickness from day one.

Bella looked up at him and studied him with those warm chocolate pools that were her soulful eyes. Getting lost inside them was one of his favorite pastimes, especially when he was also buried inside her beautiful body while they made love. That thought reminded him he was ready to take her home.

Jacob stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers. She spoke up, "We're next."

"Yes, almost official." It was weird, but she already felt like his wife. He'd slipped up and called her that many times to others. Billy said their spirits were already joined in a sacred unity that was above and beyond what any document issued by the state would compare to. It was still important to them to participate in the tradition of a real marriage ceremony in front of their loved ones, with their son by their sides.

Jared tapped Jacob on the back. He was out of luck if he thought he was cutting in on this dance with his future bride. Bella had already danced with all of them more than once. The night was winding down. Ace had nodded off a good hour ago. Bella was smart enough to set up the pack-n-play in the corner since she expected it to be a late night.

"Sorry, bro, but you're not going to believe this."

They'd had so many near perfect moments blown to hell. Honestly, not much would surprise him. "What?" he said with great annoyance.

"Your crazy ex wife is here, out front. She's not alone, that guy Mack is with her. She said it's important. She needed to talk to you and Bella and knew we'd all be here tonight."

"Seriously, did the asylum honestly let her go already or is she an escapee?"

Jared shrugged. "Collin was going to get Charlie. Maybe he should call it in."

"Un-fucking-believable." Jacob squeezed her tight and kissed her one more time. "Let me handle this, baby. Stay close to Ace and I'll be right back. I don't want her to disrupt the reception anymore than she already has." Hopefully, Seth and Amy didn't know their wedding reception was being crashed by a psycho.

Jacob walked outside with a couple of the guys that were aware of what was going on. Mack met him first. Jacob was tempted to punch him again. That felt so good the other time, but being cuffed pretty much sucked. He kept his balled fists at his side.

"I know this looks bad. I tried to get her to send a letter instead, but she insisted. It had to be in person."

"What? Insisted on exposing us to more of her insanity? Get her the hell outta here, Mack. My brother just got married. This is a celebration. We also have a protective order, she's breaking the law-again. What crackpot let her out already?"

Kaleigh stepped out of the shadows looking quite different from the Kaleigh he remembered. She was wearing sweat pants and a baggy shirt. She didn't have on makeup and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail high on her head. Jacob had seen her look that way a few times when they were in college. In fact, their first meeting had been him running into her after an all-night study session. He'd been in a bad mood after studying with Mack, but Kaleigh completely changed his course that day. She looked almost exactly the same as that morning he bought her a cup of coffee.

"Jake, I promise. I'm not here to cause trouble, but I need to say this to both you and Bella. Will you please go get her?"

"No way. You tried to kill her."

"I wasn't myself. It was the drugs. Well, that's not the whole truth, but I was on a collision course with disaster and I should have never driven to La Push that day. I'm better now, I swear it. What could possibly happen with the army you surround yourself with?"

Mack insisted they hear her out. He wouldn't have brought her if Kaleigh was still a danger to herself and others.

Jacob nodded at Collin to go after Bella. Charlie stepped out and was saying hell no, but Jacob said he wanted Bells to decide for herself. A few seconds ticked by with Jacob and Kaleigh staring at each other with a certain distance between them. Bella slowly approached the small gathering in the parking lot. He pulled her into his side and held her in a protective clutch.

Kaleigh started talking fast. She probably knew she was on borrowed time. She apologized first. She explained it was her mother that first offered anti-anxiety meds after the night Jacob left her.

"I took too many, but they helped or at least I imagined they did. I got my own prescription, but then the doctor wouldn't give me a refill. I took some drugs from a client's home and no one ever found out. That's when I took whatever I came across during showings. Someone eventually complained. The partners knew how my behavior had changed. They voted me out or they would turn me over to the authorities. I was mixing prescriptions that weren't mine and drinking heavily at Mom's in my old room each night. I've been an absolute mess these months during the divorce proceedings. Jerome made me realize, that's all on me, it's not anyone else's responsibility."

Jacob was questioning in his head, who the fuck is Jerome and how did he ever convince Kaleigh she was wrong about anything? It finally came out that was her new psychiatrist from the facility she'd been staying. She tried therapy one other time but only bullshitted through her sessions. After the overdose and realization that she could have killed Bella or her unborn child, she finally started listening.

"I would never hurt a child. You know that wasn't me, Jake. You knew me, the real me. I'd wandered so far, I was lost. Sure, it was easy to blame Bella, but I knew all those years ago, you weren't committed to me like I was to you. I heard all the warnings from Mack and my parents not to pursue our relationship. You never gave me all of your heart and I was hell-bound to get it, one day. I never stepped down from a challenge and we were happy, at times. I always had hope until one day things changed and I didn't."

Jacob nodded, he owed her that much. They did have some good times before the day she spoke of, the day he announced he had a child with another woman.

"You shattered the glass castle I'd constructed for us in my mind when you admitted your cheating and the result. She had your son and I felt worthless. I was losing you for real even though I never admitted to myself, I'd always been losing. You have no idea what it felt like to be the other woman and I was your actual wife." Kaleigh took a deep breath and insisted she was on the mend once she admitted those things to herself.

Bella broke in. "Kaleigh, I mean it when I say I'm sorry for the pain I caused. The love I felt for Jake and the need to do what as best for our son clouded my judgment at times. I could've done many things differently."

Jake added, "We all could have."

Bella was very genuine when she continued. He knew she never faked it, "I'm glad you've found help and you're getting better. I mean it. This was a very emotional and complex situation. I'm thinking, we're all so much stronger than we were six months ago. I know I am."

Kaleigh nodded, "Are you sure the baby's fine? I didn't cause any damage, did I? No one would give me answers. I was so worried. Jerome used his contacts to get some information from the hospital after the transfer. He's such a wonderful man. He said you were fine and released the first night. I still fretted. I would've never been able to forgive myself it I hurt your unborn child. Let me tell you, after a long look in the mirror, I only saw a stranger, one that I despised. I promised everyone that loved me, no more lies, no more drinking, no more pills, no matter how hard it hurt to quit. Some days, I still crave the escape, but I've never worked at something so hard as I'm working my recovery. You know, Jake. Everything has always been easy for me, but this is a constant challenge."

Jacob could spot lies easily, normally. He'd never witnessed such an honest moment with his former wife. He also noted Kaleigh sounded extremely attached to this psychiatrist she was seeing. Hell, she was calling him his first name but he didn't question it. He was glad she was receiving legitimate help.

Bella said their baby was perfectly healthy. Jacob added that he and Bella were getting married after the new year. Kaleigh didn't seem to react to the news. She must be expecting it.

Mack approached and held out his hand. "Truce?"

Jacob shook his former nemesis's hand. "Yeah, I guess. You're still an asshole."

"Agreed, but admit it, I'm also a better architect than you." Jacob wasn't agreeing to shit. Mack spoke to Bella next. "Bella, it was pleasure. My only regret is we didn't get to know each other better. You really are a special lady. Take care of that little boy of yours and don't let this big, dumb animal ever step out of line." Touché, the moron didn't realize how accurate that insult was.

Bella shook Mack's hand, "Thank you, Mack. You have my word. I will make him behave." Mack lifted Bella's hand like he was going to give her a kiss, but Jacob shook his head slowly, so he let go without risking the last part.

Mack headed back to the car. Bella said goodbye to Kaleigh, as she gave Jacob a gentle nudge towards Kaleigh. They were once husband and wife and she was silently giving him the go ahead to say his final goodbye.

Kaleigh yelled for her, "Give that sweet baby a kiss for me, won't you?"

"Sure, I will tell him KayKay sends her love."

Bella disappeared inside and Jacob was alone with the woman he had loved for a time.

"I mean it, Jacob." She whisked away a few tears. "I hope you have a good life. I want that for you."

"I hope you do too, Kay. What's with all the Jerome this and Jerome that? It's just us now."

"Oh, well, technically we're bending the rules. Actually, we really clicked, but we're just kinda seeing where it goes. I'm outpatient now and he's in the process of finding me another therapist to un-complicate the situation. You might find this amusing. Mother hates him."

"Why? Sounds like he's done you a world of good."

"He's Creole, born and raised in New Orleans. He graduated from Tulane and he's mixed race."

"Say no more. I get it now, but he's a good guy?"

"Yes, most definitely. I know what you're thinking, maybe he takes advantage of crack-ups like me, but I swear it wasn't like that. For the first time in forever, I feel in control of my own life and I'm finally believing I will get better and be proud of myself, not the self I think others wanted me to be. I have a long way to go, but I'm truly trying. I guess there's nothing else to say, but goodbye and thanks for some truly spectacular memories. You were my first true love and even though I know I never was yours, I like to think I helped you through some dark times."

"You did, Kay." Jacob closed the distance between them so that he could hug her for the very last time. She tiptoed up and kissed his cheek. He was relieved. It was so much easier parting this way instead of all the hatred and name calling. Jacob brushed that same strand of hair that was always falling over her left eye.

Jacob said what was on his heart, "You deserved better than how I treated you."

"Yeah, maybe, but so did you."

~Thanks for reading.

Let me have it.

Next chapter is really long and has a little bit of everything ;)

-Honeymoon, anyone?

-Unexpected behaviors

-The final #team is selected