Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: We hope you enjoy this chapter as much as we did. :-)

Thanks to our lovely betas JUL5857 and SueMe. We love you!

.

.

Hostage of Love

Chapter 7

Back Home

.

Maybe I'm a dreamer

Maybe I'm misunderstood

Maybe you're not seeing

The side of me you should

Maybe I'm crazy

Maybe I'm the only one

Maybe I'm just out of touch

Maybe I'm just not enough

…

Maybe it's hopeless

Maybe I should just give up

What if I can't trust myself

What if I just need some help

Maybe it's time to change

And leave it all behind

I've never been one to walk alone

I've been always been scared to try.

…

So why does it feel so wrong

To reach for something more

To want to live a better life

What I am waiting for

Cause nothing stays the same

Maybe it's time to change

…

Cause nothing stays the same

Maybe it's time to change

.

Maybe, Sick Puppies

.

.

Charlie picked her up from the airport and they drove home in comfortable silence. The air smelled familiar, carrying the rich, clean scent of the forest, the slightly musky smell of crumbled leaves and the fresh aroma of rain frozen on the ground. Bella didn't realize she had missed it that much.

She noticed Charlie's eyes on her periodically and when she looked at him he would just smile at her, letting her know how happy he was to finally see her again. At the airport he hugged her so tight she thought he'd never let her go - so not Charlie, and that made her realize even more how much he wanted her finally home.

Home... she thought with a small flutter in her heart. Had anything changed? Would the house display a "woman's touch" already, now that Charlie was with Sue? Did she change things around? Did she add some cute curtains to the windows? Or maybe she had planted flowers in their front yard? Bella actually felt excited to discover all the things that might have changed and genuinely happy to see Sue as well. Looking at Charlie, she saw a happy sparkle in his eyes. She couldn't remember seeing that in a very long time. He deserved happiness and someone to take care of him.

Home... she thought again. It felt good thinking about it. She finally felt strong enough to face what she needed to face for so long now. She had prepared herself mentally, so often had rehearsed this moment; she had grown up after all. Life had not been easy all the time. She had needed to learn how to deal with many different situations and how to stand up for herself. Bella was aware that she looked like a woman now. Her face showed the three extra years she had gained, not that she had gotten wrinkles; she just didn't look like a teenage girl anymore. Maybe it was her shorter hair too, but she also knew that she was a beautiful woman now, at least that is what she was told by some of her friends anyway.

Charlie suddenly entered the Forks City line. Her heart started to beat faster as she looked around, trying to make out familiar faces. "Dad, everything looks just the same!" she exclaimed excitedly. She had missed the trees, the dark clouds and even the clean washed roads from the rain. "It smells wonderful!"

It smelled like home...

Jake!

Bella briefly smiled. Of course, she would always associate home with Jake. She wondered if he already heard that she was arriving today. What was going through his mind? Would he try to contact her, try to see her? Or maybe he didn't want to see her at all? Well, he is going to have to see me, she thought with determination. I won't take no for an answer, I will talk to him. I will explain myself to him. I will tell him how much I love him, how much I always loved him, and how sorry I was for what I had put him through.

After all she knew he might be in a serious relationship with Leah, but Bella owed him an explanation at least. She could only hope that one day he would be her friend again. He had 'ignored' her letter, but he was not going to ignore her in person...

She felt strong; she was ready to face him. She would let him rant and rave if he needed too. He had the right to do so. She would take it willingly. She had been so stupid in the past, and now she would do her best to right that wrong.

"Home sweet home," Charlie said grinning and pulled up in their driveway, parking his cruiser next to another car, Bella recognized as the Clearwater's old Cherokee. The door of the house opened and Sue stepped out onto the porch.

Bella held her breath in anticipation, as she looked at Sue's smiling face. Sue was waiting for her to come home. She got out of the car and walked up the steps to greet Sue.

Sue gave her a big hug. "You have no idea how happy you made your dad by coming home, Bella. Welcome Home." Sue pressed her shoulder slightly, and quietly added, "It's good to see you alive and well."

Bella nodded, her heart in her throat. "Yeah..." she whispered, feeling a slight stab of guilt for making her... them... worry for so long. Everyone in the pack knew her secret had expected her to be changed into a vampire right after the wedding. She should have told them earlier...

"Come on in and have some iced tea with us." Sue said, interrupting her train of thought.

Bella happily accepted. Bella whole heartedly thanked her for taking care of Charlie while she was gone. The little twinkle in Sue's eyes had not gone unnoticed. Bella wondered what that was all about. But then again, Sue knew both of the worlds she had been 'running' with. Sue knew what happened to Jacob, how she broke Jake's heart and how she just left him behind. Bella also had this feeling that Sue also knew about her feelings for Jacob, too. It seemed strange, but what was 'normal' in her world anyway? In any case, Bella felt confident that she could trust Sue.

The following few days were relaxing and just what she needed to reconnect with Charlie, in addition to settling in as best as she could. Sue left them alone, so they could talk about everything in peace. Bella appreciated the gesture. She and Charlie talked about most of what had happened, why her marriage had failed and about her life in Jacksonville. Naturally, she had to leave all the super natural aspects out of her story. After Charlie had learned that Bella was working hard on herself and her education, he had told her that he was very proud of her new, independent life.

"Guess you grew up, kiddo," he said and they both had to laugh.

They spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning alone as well. Bella wondered out loud why Sue wouldn't even stop by, while taking a hearty bite out of a chocolate cookie and giggling through a funny scene of the movie she was watching. "The Santa Claus" had always been her favorite Christmas movie and it was just too funny seeing Tim Allen slowly turn into Santa Claus.

"Sue's with her kids and -" Charlie started, but stopped mid-sentence, looking at his daughter with an uneasy smile. "Bells, I really need to tell you-"

Bella held up her hand, telling him to stop. "Dad, don't. Please. I don't want to talk about it. Not today."

"Bella, you really should know..." Charlie insisted, shifting on the sofa uncomfortably.

Bella shook her head and bit down on her lip. What was there to know? She had already figured out that Jake and Leah were together. She didn't want to know any details. "I promise, dad. I'll listen to you later, but not today. It's Christmas." Bella peered at Charlie, silently asking for his understanding, but she felt guilty, too. She should at least ask her father about Billy and how he was doing. However, she was hesitant, too scared of what she might hear.

Charlie nodded, reluctantly, and turned his gaze back to the TV.

"Dad," Bella then asked quietly. "You didn't stay away from the Clearwater Christmas Party for me, did you?" Charlie had mentioned that both of them were invited.

"Bella, trust me, this quiet time with you here is very refreshing. Sometimes, those loud parties can be tiring with half of the LaPush boys cramping up Sue's space and eating her out of house and home," he noted, smiling broadly.

Bella couldn't concentrate on the movie anymore. Her thoughts were all over the place. Maybe Jake wasn't just "with" Leah anymore; maybe they were married by now. Maybe that was what her father wanted her to know. Maybe that was the reason why he didn't answer her letter. Maybe that was the reason why Sue treated her so nicely. If Jake was happy now, there'd be no reason for Sue to be mad with her anymore.

All the 'maybes' were driving her insane. Bella started to fidget in her seat. She needed to stop thinking about him and all the possibilities or she'd burst into tears and freak out Charlie entirely. Bella got up and went into her room.

Hours later, when she had calmed down a bit, Bella decided she was going to cook a nice meal for herself, Charlie and Sue. She hadn't cooked for other people in so long, and she really missed it. So she went downstairs and told Charlie, asking him to give Sue a call and invite her over for dinner the next day.

The next morning, she drove over to the market and picked out all the ingredients to cook a nice beef roast with mashed potatoes and corn on the cob. She hurried back home to get the meat browned and into the oven. While she was chopping the carrots and the onions she was thinking of all the meals she used to cook in this kitchen. All the meals Jake had enjoyed on so many occasions...

She longed all of a sudden to cook for Jake, she wanted to prepare all of his favorite meals and bake the cookies and pies he so enjoyed. Was there any hope that he would let her do so one day again or was it too late already?

Sue, Charlie and Bella had a wonderful evening. Sue was impressed with her cooking skills and promised to return the favor soon. She wanted Bella and Charlie come to her place and have a small welcome home celebration for Bella. "How about a New Year's Eve Party," Sue suddenly suggested.

"Um, I'm sorry, Sue, but I have to go back before New Year. Renee wanted me to be there with her and Phil for their New Year's Party. But thank you so much for your invitation. I really appreciate it." Bella saw the dissapointed look on Charlie's face right away and felt a little guilty, but there was only so much she could do about that.

That night, she lay in her bed, knowing she needed to go see Jake soon. She had only so much time left before she had to go back to Florida. Jake had not called or come by, not that she'd really expected him to do just that, but she had hoped he would. Deep down she had known Jake would stay away. It hurt badly, but she understood.

"Tomorrow, I will see him, no matter what," she whispered into her pillow. It would be the hardest thing she had to do yet. Bella only hoped he wouldn't hate her - this she wouldn't be able to handle. Her mind wandered back to almost three years ago when she had walked in on him and Leah in that small clearing in the woods. She couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if he had been alone that night.

She also remembered how she simply had needed to make sure he was okay after what had happened at her wedding. She cringed and felt her stomach drop as she thought back to that awful moment. She would never be able to forget the hurt, desperate look on Jake's face and how he had begged her not to go through with her 'honeymoon plans'.

She had been so stupid then. She had chosen Edward, never even clearly thinking about that it really was always her sun, her light, and her warmth that she wanted and needed. Edward had fogged her mind with his predatory powers of persuasion. Unfortunately, she found that out only too late. "Oh, I really hate him," she murmured upset and slammed her fist down onto her mattress. "I even hate thinking about him!"

She would never forget how he had urged and enticed her to go find Jake. He had wanted her to find Jake and Leah and ultimately destroy Jacob, knowing what it would do to him, but also knowing how much it would hurt her as well.

"Argh, stop it already, Swan," Bella snarled at herself. It was hard enough dwelling on all those terrible 'what ifs'. It was the past and she wanted to move on. The next big step was clearing things up with Jake. "I have to stop stalling," she said resolutely.

She was going to see Jake.

.

.

The next day, Bella entered the small diner in Forks. She wanted some time to relax and get all her thoughts together for a while, and she thought this was done best away from home.

She sat down in a small booth and ordered herself some coffee. Her flight back to Florida would be the day before the New Year. That gave her five days. She needed to see Jake before then. There wasn't much time left. Bella sighed. She'd wasted so many days already, days she could have been at Jake's to clear things up.

She decided to go and see Jake today, but she wanted to wait until early evening when she thought Jake would be home. She was feeling anxious and excited at the same time. Still, she was going through with her plans.

The waitress put the large mug of steaming black liquid down in front of her. Bella generously added sugar and cream to it, lifted the mug and brought it to her lips. The coffee ran smoothly down her throat, soothing some of her anxiety. She looked up, when the front door opened and a new costumer came in.

Bella recognized her at once. She hadn't changed much since the day she had last seen her. In the woods… with Jacob… having sex… Bella gasped, her anxiety sky-rocketing.

It was Leah. A softer version of the Leah she had known, but nevertheless and unmistakably Leah.

Bella's eyes moved from Leah's face to the bump in front of her chest, realizing it was a baby. Considering its size it couldn't be older than a few weeks. Bella gasped again and her coffee mug almost slipped out of her hands.

Leah quickly surveyed the busy diner, searching for an open table and then her eyes had narrowed in on Bella. Leah's eyes widening in surprise. Bella fought the instant urge to hide behind her hair but offered Leah a meek wave, letting her know that she had recognized her too.

Confidently, Leah moved across the diner and walked straight toward Bella's table. Leah looked absolutely stunning. She was tall and lean and despite her apparent recent pregnancy, she was gorgeous and simply glowed.

Bella wanted to bolt and run. She didn't want to talk to Leah. She was scared of what she might find out. But then, Leah had never really bothered talking to her, so why should today be different? Bella lowered her head and stared into her coffee. Maybe, if she ignored Leah, Leah would ignore her too…

A pair of long, toned legs stopped right next to her table. "Hi, Bella. I'll be dammed, what a surprise to see you in here."

Nope. Not lucky today.

Bella looked up, forcing half a smile upon her face. "Hi, Leah."

"You don't mind if I join you, do you? It's so crowded at this time of the day and there seems to be no tables open right now…" Leah said and sat down, not bothering for Bella to respond. Ignoring Bella, she loosened the fabric in which she carried her sleeping baby and removed the baby's hat, putting it on the table. It was a gesture so motherly, Bella wanted to weep. Her eyes assessed the baby's hair—shiny, black, thick and curly-and the skin tone—soft and copper, and then settled on the baby's hat. It was brown, hand-knitted and had tiny wolf ears. Suddenly, Bella felt sick to her stomach.

The waitress came and took Leah's order.

"Congrats on your baby," Bella choked out, clenching her hands to fists under the table. "How old is it?"

Leah beamed at her brightly. "He's two months old. His name is Yuma." She pulled the fabric down, letting Bella see her sleeping baby's face completely, which was scrunched up in deep sleep. The boy's long lashes casted shadows on pronounced cheekbones, his puckered lips made small, sucking sounds, and the nose… the nose was unmistakably Jacob's.

Bella's heart just sank and she felt a sharp pain in her chest.

The baby moved and whimpered softly; sticking a tiny fist out of the sling he was being carried in.

"There, there," Leah cooed. "You are one hungry little puppy, aren't you?" Quickly, she opened the rings that held the fabric in place and pulled it loose, supporting her baby with the other hand. Again, the boy whined, more vigorous this time. "This baby simply has no patience," Leah explained proudly and brought the baby across her stomach, positioning his head in the bend of her elbow. Unabashed, she unbuttoned the top of her blouse, enough to expose her plump breast.

Bella watched the baby's mouth open widely. He grunted, moving his head from side to side impatiently as he hungrily searched for his mother's nipple. Leah laughed and helped him to latch on. Then she grimaced and hissed. "Whoa! Easy there, sweetheart. This nipple is no chew toy."

For a moment, they silently watched the baby's rhythmic sucking and swallowing—Bella absolutely stunned, Leah almost overflowing with love for her tiny boy.

"He's beautiful…" Bella rasped eventually, swallowing down a sob. "Is it… is he… Jacob's?" Bella asked, digging her fingers into her thighs.

"Most likely," Leah answered smirking, and put a streak of her chin-length, glossy hair behind her ear. "He could be Sam's though, too, but when I really look at him closely…he has more Jake's face, doesn't he?" Leah laughed.

Bella could only stare at Leah. WHAT?

Leah laughed out again and winked at Bella. "It was one hell of a weekend when I went into heat… It was surprising to say the least, and overwhelming. I believe it can be really painful if you don't have someone to scratch your itch, if you know what I mean." Leah snickered. "But I had Jake mostly for that. He was always really eager to help me out... but so did Sam."

They stopped talking when the waitress came to put down the hot chocolate Leah had ordered in front of her and waited for her to leave.

Bella just stared at Leah in shock. "Sam?" she finally questioned. "I thought he is with Emily."

"Well, it's a long story Bella, this imprint crap is not really what it appeared to be at one time, trust me," Leah said with a wink of her eye, leaving Bella even more confused. "And with me being in heat... Man, the wolves were going insane," Leah went on. "If it weren't for Sam and Jake, the whole pack would have run down my front door."

The baby mewled and Leah positioned him on her other breast. Yuma latched on and was content, while Leah went on talking, caressing the boy's tiny feet. "I hadn't been feeling well for a couple of days and thought that maybe I was getting sick or something, but then all of a sudden I was as horny as I've ever been before."

Bella felt more and more sick in her stomach, but she couldn't move, nor could she take her eyes of Yuma and Leah.

"I was a little out of my mind those days… Being in heat is…" Leah laughed again, waving with her hand dismissively. "Sam was still the Alpha back then and... you know..." Leah stopped, staring at Bella, and then she blurted out, "Who could resist the Alpha... I tried, but..." She shrugged and smirked smugly. "I wonder how Jake managed to share… He was so dominating and possessive at the time.

"Jake is the Alpha now?" Bella wondered out loud.

"Jacob was always meant to be our Alpha. We've been waiting so long for him to accept his fate and take responsibility," Leah exclaimed, looking like the old Leah for just a moment. "Jake has been our Alpha for almost nine months now." She trailed off and looked at her sucking baby admiringly, all calm again.

Bella only wanted to cover her ears and run now. How could Leah talk to her as if she was her bestie? She definitely wasn't, never had been. Bella didn't want to hear how they had screwed each other. The visual she had from finding them going at it in the forest was reminder enough for an entire lifetime. And now she was telling her she was screwing Sam as well? What was going on down there in La Push?

"Did you know that's what happened to Embry's mom?" Leah asked, twirling a strand of her hair between her fingertips.

"What? That Jake mated with her?" Bella gasped horrified.

"No, silly." Leah cackled like a hyena. When did Leah actually become that overly humorous? "Kateri went in heat, even though she never phased. She had been barren for years and suddenly, bam! The men on the Rez practically went crazy with her smell… but it was Billy she chose and several months later, Embry was born."

Bella groaned and buried her face in her hands. Leah really was too talkative for her liking. She suddenly very much wanted back the old, bitchy Leah. Did she want to know about Billy and – gulp – Embry's mom? Hell, no! Things are getting pretty weird around here.

"But how could you... How could Sam...?" she heard herself ask despite the awkward situation she already was in, realizing at the same time that it would open the doors to more of Leah's, uhm, gossip…

Leah's head snapped up and she glanced at Bella arrogantly. "It's complicated and... actually... It's none of your concern." She leaned forward and stated cooly, "We heard that you're separated from your leech now."

Bella blushed and shifted in her seat, feeling even more uncomfortable. She wasn't used to talk about her private life so openly, but she also wasn't ashamed of the divorce anymore. If anything, she'd only been ashamed to have married Edward in the first place... Bella straightened and answered in a calm voice, "I broke up with him two years ago." It was all Bella was willing to share. The only people who deserved the whole truth were her parents and Jake.

"At least you don't stink as bad anymore," Leah responded and waited for Bella to tell her more. When Bella stayed silent, her lips pressed to a thin line. "What are you doing here anyway?" She glared at Bella. "Messing up everything all over again?" Leah asked with a disgusted expression.

Bella suddenly was annoyed. How rude would it be at this point if she just stood up and left?

No! She had promised to herself, she wouldn't run away anymore from uncomfortable situations. So she straightened her back instead and told her the same thing she was told only a few moments ago. "Leah, I believe this is none of your business," Bella called out to her, with a sudden burst of confidence.

Leah leaned over the table and hissed aggressively, "Stay the hell away from Jake. I won't let you hurt him all over again! He's been through enough thanks to you!"

Bella flinched and knew it was time to leave. Seeing Leah and the baby just was too much to handle, and now Leah practically threatening her... She couldn't stay here any longer. Her stomach clenched painfully. "I really need to go now. Charlie is waiting for me. I promised dinner would be ready when he comes home…" She jumped up, placing the money for her coffee on the table. "Bye, Leah!"

Bella grabbed her jacket and her purse, and hurried to the bathroom, feeling sick and overwhelmed by all the information. She was scared now, too, scared that she might have lost Jake forever. Even though she had known that Jake was with Leah, it felt like a huge stab to her heart - knowing Jacob was a father. The tiny bit of hope Bella had carried deep inside her, that he might try and love her again, slipped away and left Bella shocked to the core.

She splashed cold water onto her face, trying to shake off the sickness she felt. She looked at herself in the mirror. Yeah, she looked just about how she felt right now, defeated and very sad. When she slowly made her way back out of the bathroom, thinking this day just couldn't get any worse than it was already, she was proven wrong...

Pushing the bathroom door open and stepping out into the hall, Bella froze on the spot. She expected Leah to be gone, too, but when she checked the table where she had been sitting just moments before, her eyes spotted… Jake!

Her eyes glued themselves on to him as he greeted Leah. He kissed her lovingly on the cheek, and took the baby into his arms… ever so carefully. She could only stare at him with awe. He wore a fitted white button-down shirt and black jeans, looking absolutely gorgeous and sexy and— God, he took her breath away.

He had the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up to his elbows and his arms, deep russet skinned, were like tree trunks. Her eyes traveled even lower yet, passing his small waist, and her breath caught, her mouth went all dry. Why had she never noticed this tight, sexy ass of his?

Her eyes soaked everything in. She was mesmerized by what she saw.

Jacob sat down next to Leah, stretching his long legs out. Bella felt the panic rise up in her throat as she realized there was no way out, that there was no way to escape this humiliation of having to witness this 'happy family'.

Her heart skipped several beats, before accelerating to a frantic pace.

She thought she might pass out right then and there.

The waitress rushed passed Bella, almost bumping into her. She apologized and Bella stepped out of her way, before looking back to Jake.

Suddenly Jacob inhaled deeply. He turned his head, tilting it, and then his eyes zoomed in on her.

Their eyes locked.

She felt like she was looking right into Jacob's soul. All of his pain seemed to reflect in his eyes, reflecting every day, every month and every year that she was gone.

It hurt knowing that she had inflicted that pain on him, but at the same time she felt incredibly drawn to him. She kept looking into the depth of his dark brown eyes, knowing that all of her hopes and dreams lay within. She had dreamt of this moment for so long. Her eyes filled with tears, but she didn't dare blink them away. It was like there was no one else in the world but her and Jacob in that moment.

There he was, so close, and she would only need to walk across the hall and greet him. She would only need to ask him if they could talk. It would be the mature thing to do. Talk to him and clear things up. That was why she was here, right?

Bella noticed Jacob stand up, ever so slowly, never leaving her eyes for one second, his body now fully facing her.

Suddenly, it was all too much. Her emotions got the better of her. She could feel the tears behind her eyes, and although she really, really needed to talk to him, to be near him, to beg for his forgiveness, she couldn't. Not with Leah and the baby in close proximity. She needed to talk to him when he was alone. There was no way that she would let Leah hear everything that she had to say to Jake. His eyes had spoken volumes, she almost drowned in them. She was almost sure that she had seen longing and love in them. If only she were that lucky.

She offered Jake a sad, apologetic smile and a little wave, turned around and slowly walked out of the diner.

.

.

On his way to his next costumer, Jacob drove by the diner in Forks and stopped, seeing Leah's car stand in the parking lot. He parked his black Chevy truck and walked in, his eyes making Leah out in the crowd instantly. He walked over to her and his son, ordering a cup of coffee on his way to the booth. He was greeted by the owner of the diner and some of the other patrons warmly. Jacob smiled and returned their friendly gesture by waving his hand at them as well.

"Hey," he said smiling and pecked Leah on her lips. "I saw your car outside. Are you both enjoying your afternoon?" he asked with a deep loving voice. He took the baby from her arms, cradling him to his chest, and sat down beside Leah.

"Hey, buddy. How are you doing?" he cooed, placing a sweet kiss onto the baby's forehead. His ears pricked up when he heard a slight commotion across the hall. Then his nose picked up a scent….. strawberries and vanilla. He tensed slightly, sniffing the air, his expression changing. The hair on his neck started to tingle. Immediately, there was this all too familiar ache in his heart, only worse now, he felt a sharp pain and this stunned him beyond belief.

"Jacob," Leah called out to him, but he only raised his hand to gesture to her to be quiet.

Leah knew when he was serious, and he was very serious right now, she felt sorry for him. Damn Bella, she thought; really irritated now.

Jacob's eyes flew around the diner immediately, scanning everybody until he saw her standing by the bathroom door.

Jacob froze.

He felt the blood drain from his face as their eyes met and she held his gaze.

His world completely stopped!

Neither one of them could move. They were completely stunned by each other's presence.

She really came home, was all he could think.

She looked rattled, deeply shaken, and pretty pale, but still she was beautiful. She had grown into an even more gorgeous woman. Her features were more defined and, of course, she still had her beautiful chocolate brown soft eyes. He had been dreaming of those eyes almost every night since she had left.

A single tear ran down her cheek; her lower lip trembled a little bit. Yes, she had changed. Her hair was shorter, the soft curls tickling the slender line of her neck, and she had gained some weight, too. It suited her perfectly. She became a woman while she was away.

"Leah, please, take Yuma for a moment," he asked Leah, his voice toneless, and he handed the baby over.

He had known that Bella came back to see Charlie, but until now he couldn't bring himself to go to her yet. Naturally, he also waited for her to make the first move, and now she was right here in front of him... What was she going to do? What should HE do?

There was so much that he needed to hear from her. So much that he needed to tell her in return. He wanted to know why she hadn't told him about her divorce. He felt that he deserved to know and that he deserved an apology, hell... and a lot more… but he also owed her.

He always regretted what she was forced to witness in the woods …..with Leah. He still was sorry that she saw, and he wanted her to know this.

Jacob didn't know if things would ever be okay between them, if they could forgive each other, but they needed to try at least.

Slowly, he rose to his feet.

Bella turned her head ever so slowly, looking over to where Leah was sitting with Yuma. He could see her mind going into over-drive. Then she looked back at him, her eyes meeting his once more. The deep sadness in them mirrored his desperation.

She looked at Leah again and back to him, and then slowly shook her head, losing some of the tears she was holding. She smiled at him, with the sad look on her face, and gave him a small wave with her hand and turned to leave.

Before he could compel his body to cross the space between them, Bella walked out of the restaurant with her head held high.

Finally he jerked forward, but a hand wrapped around his arm, holding him in place. "Don't, Jake," a soft voice said. "Let her go, she needs some time right now."

Jacob slumped onto his seat, unwittingly rubbing his chest. It hurt, seeing her leave. Aw, Bella we need to talk! The tiny wail of his son pulled him back and suddenly, the noises and smells that had faded away when he saw her, hit him full force. He started trembling and clenched his hands, trying to regain control over himself.

"I need to talk to her," Jacob said, his voice raspy.

"And you will, but give her some time," Leah replied, giving him a look of commiseration. "It must have been hard for her seeing me with Yuma and then you showed up..."

Jacob rubbed his face and groaned inwardly. Things were starting to get complicated all over again… Bella had been so shocked. It was as if she didn't know about the baby. Wouldn't Charlie have told her?

"She was clueless," Leah said as if she was able to read his mind, and placed the baby from her one shoulder to the other. "I thought she should know and—"

"…you told her all the gory details. Way to go, Leah!" Jacob retorted and rolled his eyes. It was so typical Leah. He ran his hands through his hair, holding himself back from snapping at her. After a long uncomfortable silence, he finally asked, "Will you come by tonight?"

"I don't think so," Leah answered, and gave him an apologetic smile. "Sam wanted to see Yuma, and Mom wanted to see us, too. I suppose you'll be with Bella anyway, so I better make myself scarce, right?"

"Ah, Leah. Don't be like this," Jacob muttered, and tickled his son's chubby feet. "But you could be right, though. Bella and I, we need to talk things out. We just can't go on like this…"

Leah put the baby into his arms before leaning into his side.

Jacob left a couple of minutes later to go to his appointment with his costumer, feeling lighter than he had in a very long time. He finally had seen Bella with his own eyes.

His heart sped up just a little...

.

.

A/N: Sooooo... Are you angry with us now? Wanna slap us or throw your computer out of the window? We can only say one thing: TRUST US! I'm sorry I didn't respond to any of your reviews. It was just that I was sooooo busy re-designing our www(dot)jacobblack-n-pack(dot)ning(dot)com site... I didn't even upload this chapter although it was finished for the longest time *sighs* Let me tell you how proud we are about each and every one of your reviews. They really are appriciated. I'm trying to be good this time and respond to your reviews.

Lots of love, Nic (& JB)