Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N-thanks for the awesome reviews. Nikki :)

Part Six

Jacob reread Bella's letter over and over, trying to read between the lines. All he could see was the word friends, she had used the word several times throughout the letter, even signing off as your friend, Bells. Is that how she really still saw him, as just a friend, nothing else? Of course they had only just become reacquainted with each other again, and he hadn't been expecting anything to happen right away, but he had hoped that their renewed relationship would be leading somewhere further down the line. At least he had hoped so. But from what she had written to him it was apparent she wasn't thinking along the same lines. Once again he had gotten his hopes up. He was just glad he had it in writing. Bella Swan wanted nothing more from him then his friendship; there was no future for them at all.

He put the letter away, his face grim. Marching out of the garage Jacob went over to Paul's car and climbed in. He sat behind the wheel for a while before turning on the engine and pulling away, heading in the direction of the hospital.

Bella felt much better after catching up on some sleep and taking a quick shower. She was already back at the hospital sitting with Billy by Charlie's bedside. "He looks brighter don't you think? I'm sure I saw the old fool grin to himself a little while ago." Billy smiled weakly at Bella.

"Yeah, I think he'll be waking up soon. He just wants to keep us waiting, you know dad." Bella returned his smile. She felt Billy take her hand in his and hold on tight.

"It will do him good to see your face when he does decide to wake up." He said.

"I hope so." Bella felt choked up at Billy's kind words. She glanced at Charlie; his eyes were still closed, his face as pale as ever, but in her heart, Bella finally began to believe that he would soon wake and she would be right here when he did. She wanted hers to be the first face that he saw, so that he knew his daughter had finally come home.

An hour later and Jacob arrived to pick Billy up and take him home. Bella was pleased to see him. She smiled at him brightly as he walked into the room, but for some reason he avoided her eyes and looked straight at Billy instead. "Ready to go?" He asked his father.

"Yes, I suppose." Billy patted Charlie's hand before he left. "I'll be back later on you old fool." He promised him.

Bella followed them both out of her father's room, unsure as to why Jacob was being so frosty with her. Had he read the letter? Surely he couldn't be upset about what she had written? Unless? A cold feeling began to form in the pit of her stomach; perhaps she had read him wrong and he didn't want to renew their friendship, with the possibility of exploring their relationship further on down the line. She must have misread his signals completely. He was probably just being kind to her because Charlie was in hospital injured. He was doing what Jacob always did, looking out for people in trouble. Her brow furrowed as she leaned against the cold wall and raised her eyes to look at him.

"Did you pass on my letters?" She dared to ask.

"Yes I did." Jacob replied coolly.

"Did you read yours?" Bella just couldn't stop herself asking. She had to know.

"I did. Thanks." Jacob was still acting odd and distant. It seemed that his attitude was all the answer that Bella needed. He wasn't interested.

"I see." She decided to match his coldness. She leaned down and kissed Billy on the cheek. The older man seemed bewildered at the tension between both of them.

"Is everything alright?" He asked cautiously.

"Fine. We need to go dad." Jacob took hold of the handles of his dad's wheelchair and began to push him back down the corridor. "Bye Bella." He called over his shoulder.

"Yes, goodbye Bella. See you later." Billy turned and waved at her, still confused over his son's strange attitude.

Bella waved back automatically, watching them both until they rounded a corner and were out of sight.

Bella sat by her dad's bedside and stared into the distance. The constant beeps of the machines he was hooked up to faded into the background as she became lost in her thoughts. She was going over what she had written in her letter that may have offended Jacob in some way. But when she went over her words, she couldn't think of one thing that would have upset him. She had poured her heart out and now she was regretting it. Her heart felt heavy in her chest and the hope that she had been feeling earlier when she had shared that sweet moment with Billy had faded away, and she was left feeling low and depressed. Bella hoped that the other pack members wouldn't take her letters the wrong way too. Perhaps they thought she was being facetious. It had seemed like a good idea at the time. But it was too late now, Jacob had delivered them.

The door to Charlie's room opened and Renee came inside. She smiled at her daughter and pulled up a chair. "Are you okay, baby girl?" She asked in concern when she noticed Bella's sad face. She reached out and hooked some of Bella's hair behind her ear.

"I'll be fine. Just a little tired I guess." Bella shrugged.

"I just saw your young man taking Billy home. He really is a looker isn't he? You are a lucky girl." Renee bumped her shoulder against Bella's, hoping to cheer her daughter up by mentioning Jacob, but it seemed to have the opposite effect. Bella's expression became more melancholy.

"Jacob isn't my young man, mom." Bella said shortly. "In fact I think you'll find he won't be coming around so much from now on."

"Why not? Have you two had a fight?" Renee couldn't understand it. She had seen the longing looks that Billy's son had been giving her daughter.

"No nothing like that. He just let me know where I stand that's all." Bella swallowed the lump in her throat, turning her eyes away from Renee before she saw the flash of sympathy in her eyes.

Jacob drove Billy home, not saying much at all. Billy tried to get him to open up about what was troubling him, but Jacob was not having it. He parked the car outside the house and helped his dad back into his chair before following him inside. As usual the house was a mess. Rachel and Paul were still in the bedroom; the morning's washing up had not been done and magazines and papers were scattered around the living room. Jacob's mood darkened as he began to clear up after his slovenly sister and her equally lazy other half.

Billy went into the kitchen to make them some food, only to find that the shopping hadn't been done either. What the hell had Rachel been doing all day that she couldn't have time to pop to the local store? Billy slammed the cupboards shut and turned to look at his son. "We need to have a little talk with Paul and Rachel."

"With pleasure." Jacob replied with a grim smile on his face. It would lighten his mood to tear a chunk out of Paul.

"Jake, what is eating at you?" Billy asked again.

"Nothing." Jacob muttered.

"Why were you so cold to Bella? Have you had words?" Billy demanded.

"You could say that." Jacob said mulishly as he thought about the letter.

"Well whatever it is, make up. That poor girl looked devastated by the way you spoke to her." Billy snapped, losing patience with the whole thing.

"Stay out of it, dad." Jacob warned him. "Oh, by the way she wrote you a letter." He tossed an envelope over to Billy.

Billy caught it easily and opened it, wondering why Charlie's daughter felt the need to write to him.

Hey, Billy,

it's good to see you again after all of these years. You look just as I remember you. I've missed your wise advice and your great stories. I often think back on those times when I lived here and came to La Push for those special bonfire parties, where we would all be snuggled up near the warm fire, and listen, as you took us on a journey back into the past with your amazing story telling skills.

They are some of my favourite memories of my times living in Forks. I also loved to watch the friendship between you and my dad. The way you shared banter and jokes, but mainly the way you stuck up for each other. You were always there for him and I am so grateful for that, because for a long time I wasn't.

What I am trying to say in my usual rambling way is thank you. Thank you for everything that you did for me back then when I thought that my world was falling apart. Thank you for the great advice, the love and kindness that you showed me even when I least deserved it. But most of all thank you for Jacob. He was and still is my rock. I wouldn't have got through without him. He is the best, and that is a testament to you and Sarah. He had great parents to learn from. I care about him so much and all of you.

I know it must seem strange me writing to you, but I have never been good with words. I can't wait for my dad to wake up so I can watch you and him share the same banter that I loved to witness in the past.

Thanks again, Billy!

Bella XXX

Tears moistened Billy's eyes as he read the letter again. Her words brought back memories of those bonfire parties; the times when Harry was still alive and he and Charlie would share a joke and beer together. He had been blessed with good friends through his life. Bella's letter had touched him deeply.

Jacob looked at his dad curiously. What had Bella said to him that had him so upset? "Are you okay?" He checked.

"Read this, and when you have, go back to that girl and make it up to her before you lose her for a second time." Billy passed him the letter.

It took Jacob only a moment to read it. His heart constricted in his chest as he realized what an idiot he had been. He had got it wrong, so wrong. "Shit." He cursed under his breath as he read the same lines over and over.

But most of all thank you for Jacob. He was and still is my rock. I wouldn't have got through without him. He is the best, and that is a testament to you and Sarah. He had great parents to learn from. I care about him so much...

"What is it?" Billy was startled by the look of panic on Jacob's face.

"I've just screwed up royally." Jacob handed the letter back to Billy and began to leave the house. "I have to go." He called out as he slammed the front door after him.

Moments later Billy heard the car start up. He rolled his chair toward the window and stared out at the car as it disappeared into the distance. "Go get her son." He whispered, a smile crossing his lips.

A/N-thanks for reading!