Chapter 27 - Jared

The next morning, Bella and I got dressed and had a quick breakfast before we headed over to Sam and Emily's. I dropped Bella off while Sam and I headed to the beach to get things set up for the bonfire that night. "Can I talk to you about something?" I asked.

He nodded. "Sure. Everything okay?" He asked me.

"I'm not entirely sure. Bella's exhausted. I'm hoping that it's just because of everything that she's doing but she needs a break. I was thinking about us taking off for the cabin for a few days." I told him.

He nodded. "I don't see it being a problem. Things have been pretty quiet since the Cullen's left." Sam said.

"I appreciate it. I'm hoping that she just needs some rest and to re-energize." I said.

"Maybe. If not maybe take her to Sue, get her to check her out." Sam suggested.

"Yeah maybe." I said.

After we finished up at the beach, Sam decided to grab Paul for a lap around the Rez while I headed to talk to Billy. When I got to Billy's house, Jake let me in as he was on his way out. There was something strange going on with him. I shook the thought from my head and made my way into Billy's living room. "Jared. Come in, have a seat." Billy said greeting me.

"Thanks, Billy." I said, walking over to the couch and sitting down.

"What brings you by?" He asked me.

"Bella's been feeling exhausted and I thought that maybe a few days at the cabin might do her some good. Help her refresh." I said.

"She has been doing a lot hasn't she?" Billy asked and I nodded. "I also hear that the imprints are starting a business."

I nodded. I didn't know much about it but from what I'd seen in Sam's mind Emily wanted to start a catering business with the girls. "That's what I hear. Although I don't know much about it yet. I think they're still in the early stages of planning." I said.

"I'm sure that they'll do well. Both Emily and Bella are both great cooks…Rachel, not so much." Billy said laughing. I joined him. Paul was always begging for him and Rachel to come over to our house for dinner cause Rachel was a crappy cook.

"I get that. So is that a yes about the cabin?" I asked.

"Oh of course. Anything for Bella. After Rachel and Rebecca left, Bella kept Jake and I from starving." Billy said, wheeling himself toward the kitchen. It sounded like Bella. Always taking care of other people. He came back a minute later and handed me a set of keys. "You might want to go out there before you guys go and air the place out. I don't think anyone's been in quite some time." Billy said.

I nodded. "Sure. I'll take Paul up there with me tomorrow. I know Bella's gonna want a couple of days to make sure that you, Jacob and Charlie have plenty to eat while we're gone." I told him and he smiled.

"You guys just enjoy yourselves." Billy said.

"Thanks. Will we see you tonight?" I asked.

"Of course. Wouldn't miss it." He said, before I excused myself and left his house.

That evening, Sam, Paul and I were helping the girl load up all of the food to take to the beach. When we got everything unloaded, Paul pulled me to the side. "Heard you guys are heading to the cabin?" Paul asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, Bella needs a break from everything. I was hoping you would come up to the cabin with me tomorrow so that I could air the place out before we go. Billy said that nobody's been up there in a while." I said.

"Sure. How's everything been … between her and Kim?" Paul asked me.

I shrugged. "Okay I guess. They haven't really spent much time together. Bella's trying to give her the benefit of the doubt but it's hard considering everything that's happened." I said.

Paul nodded. We looked over to where Bella and Emily were setting up the food on the tables. "She looks like she's gonna pass out." Paul commented.

"I know. I don't think that she's sleeping well, but she hasn't said anything." I said. I had noticed that even though Bella was sleeping all night, that most of the time when she woke up she looked more tired than when she went to bed.

"Might not be a bad idea to talk to Sue or Old Quil about something that might help her relax." Paul suggested.

I nodded. "I'll talk to Bella about it. See if she's open to it." I said. It wasn't long after, when the girls announced that we were ready to eat. As always we let the Elders and then the girls fix their plates first. Then the rest of us fixed our plates. When I went to sit beside Bella she looked like she could barely keep her eyes open. "Babe, are you sure your up for the bonfire? I'm sure everyone would understand if you wanted to go home and go to bed." I said.

She nodded. "Yeah. I'm okay. I don't know what's going on with me." She said. "I've just been so tired here lately."

"It's okay. Maybe you just need some rest. Like a lot of it." I told her and she smiled at me.

"Maybe."

After we ate, Bella sat on the ground and leaned back against me, while we listened to Billy and Quil tell us the legends. After about a story and a half, I noticed that Bella's breathing had evened out, meaning that she was asleep. When story time was over, I got Paul's attention and asked him to bring Rachel over. "Hey Jared." Rachel said when she and Paul walked over.

"Hey, can you do me a favor?" I asked and she nodded. "I know that normally, Bella helps Emily with the prep and clean up but could you? She fell asleep a while ago and I think I should probably just take her home." I said.

"Definitely. I honestly don't know how she's still functioning. She can't keep this up, Jared. Let me Emily and Kim take some of the burden off of her. Let us know what we can do to help." Rachel offered.

"Thanks Rachel. I'll get you guys a list." I told her. She smiled at me.

I scooped Bella up and carried her home. When I walked into our bedroom, I laid her on the bed and took off her shoes and socks. I gently tried to slip off her jeans and she started to stir. "Jare?" She said.

"It's okay baby. Go back to sleep. We'll talk in the morning." I told her. She nodded and drifted back to sleep.

I headed into the bathroom and took a quick shower, before climbing into bed. I couldn't help but think about everything that had been going on. Bella was stretching herself too thin. I had to talk to her about it. She was going to have to let the other girls help her. It was starting to affect her sleep and for me that was a problem. As my eyes drifted closed, I knew that Bella and I had to talk.

A/N: Hope that you guys are enjoying this story. Some of you are hinting that Bella might be pregnant but I hate to break it to you…not yet. I will give you a minor spoiler though…it has to do with legend that was long forgotten. A position within the pack that nobody has thought about. Enjoy!