Izzy meant it when she promised to come back before bedtime. Unfortunately, things came up in La Push. Izzy hadn't even reached her bedroom when she received a call about a dog fighting. After an entire night building new pens, the label called to say they'd been booked for a last-minute appearance on a local radio show. To top it all off, a pipe burst in the warehouse ruining hundreds of pounds of dog food.
Izzy was about to lie down for a long overdue nap when she received a call from Alice. Emmett needed to see a specialist at a hospital in Seattle. She had planned to bring Jasper along, but he refused to come out from under the kitchen table after a disastrous attempt at breakfast. With no other choice, Izzy dragged her weary body back to Forks. She nearly screamed when she found a to-do list waiting on the kitchen table. It seemed Emmett wasn't the only one upset by her two-day absence.
Izzy tugged at the lock. Satisfied that Emmett wouldn't be doing any more forbidden snacking, she crossed 'secure fridge and pantry' off the list.
With a knot forming in her stomach, Izzy sat at the kitchen table. It was time to complete item number one Alice's list. It had been bolded and underlined to ensure she wouldn't miss it.
Edward answered on the first ring.
"Bella," Edward said. "How's life in the lower 48?"
Izzy was surprised by his greeting. She'd expected him to be rightfully upset with her. Everyone else was.
"Busy as usual," Izzy replied. "I'm sorry I missed your calls."
Using her Cullen magic, Esme had yet-to-be-released new iPhones delivered for Edward and Emmett. Emmett immediately got his confiscated for trying to order Chinese food at 3 am. Edward on the other hand had no interest in greasy chicken. All he wanted to do was talk to Izzy. He'd tried six times with no success.
"No big deal," Edward said. "I'm sure raising hell with your motorcycle gang is a full-time job."
Izzy bristled. "I take it you've been talking to Emmett?"
Emmett couldn't call her father so he tattled to his hospitalized brother instead? So not cool.
"You know Emmett," Edward said. "He's always been big on the overprotective older brother act."
Protective? More like controlling.
You're not going anywhere with them!"
"I promise he isn't trying to be controlling," Edward said as if he could read her mind.
"Then why did he try to stop me from leaving with my friends?" Izzy asked.
Izzy was so over the Cullens versus La Push feud.
"It had nothing to do with your friends," Edward said. "Emmett is worried about you riding motorcycles. Those things are dangerous. My dad made us promise we'd never learn to ride."
Carlisle entered Bella's hospital room. In typical Cullen fashion, he came bearing gifts. Bella was baffled when she opened a new helmet, a leather jacket, and a pair of boots. He'd removed the price tags, but Bella knew he must have spent a pretty penny.
"I've also pre-paid for you to attend a safety course once your injuries have healed," Carlise said.
"That's it?" Bella asked, dumbfounded. "No lecture?"
Had her father still been alive she would have gotten the tongue-lashing of a lifetime for even looking at a 'donor-cycle.' She wouldn't have blamed him. She'd gotten out lucky with a broken wrist and a nasty case of road rash on her back.
"I'm not your father," Carlisle said. "Even if I were, you're an adult now. You're free to live your life as you see fit. All I ask is for you to be careful. If you're ever in trouble, know that I'm just a phone call away."
"There's nothing for you to worry about," Izzy said. "I always wear my safety gear and don't ride if the roads are bad."
"My mom says you had a pretty bad accident a few years ago."
"That was years ago," Izzy said. "Things are different now. I take precautions."
She didn't tell Edward the accident happened while chasing his ghost. She knew he'd blame himself.
Edward went silent. Izzy braced herself for a fight. It was her truck all over again.
"It's too dangerous. I'll buy you a new one. One with top-of-the-line safety features."
She wouldn't give in like she had last time. She wasn't giving up her bike. Emmett and Edward would just have to deal with their anxiety.
Much to Izzy's surprise, Edward changed the subject saying nothing more about her motorcycle.
"How's Jasper doing?" Edward asked. "Emmett says he hasn't been eating."
Izzy glanced under the kitchen table. "Better."
Jasper was chowing down on his third peanut butter and bologna sandwich. Disgusting, but at least he was eating instead of breaking dishes. It was a vast improvement over his meltdown during breakfast.
"Would you like to say hello to your brother?" Izzy asked Jasper, setting her phone on the floor next to him.
Jasper stared at the phone.
"Hi Jazz, it's Edward," Edward said. Jasper rapidly opened and closed his mouth. Izzy wished she knew what was stopping him from talking to his brother.
"I'll be home soon," Edward continued. "Save me a PB&B."
Jasper closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around his midsection.
Remembering what the doctors said about pushing him too hard, Izzy picked up her phone and stepped out of the room.
"He still isn't talking, is he," Edward said. "I'd hoped being home might help."
They all had, but Jasper still hadn't said a word.
"Do you know why he isn't speaking?" Izzy asked.
She'd already struck out with Emmett, but maybe Edward could shed some light on the situation.
"You should play the Major for him," Edward said. "It's not every day someone writes a song about you."
Like Emmett, Edward avoided talking about what happened to Jasper. Izzy decided it wasn't the time to push for answers.
"You should also play Brother Bear for Emmett," Edward continued. "It might help him see that you don't blame him for what happened."
Brother Bear. Oh, Brother Bear. What happened in the woods that night wasn't your fault. You'll always be my Brother Bear.
"Can I ask you a question?" Edward asked.
A pit formed in Izzy's stomach. She'd been dreading this conversation.
"Have you ever written a song about me?"
She should have written him a song. She should have written him a thousand songs to show him that she'd never forgotten her first true love.
Izzy's phone lit up with a call from Paul. What now? Hadn't she suffered enough?
"Bella, are you still there?" Edward asked.
"I have to go," Izzy said, barely registering a crash in the kitchen."I'll call you back as soon as I can."
"Are you okay?" Edward asked. "What was that noise?"
Ignoring Edward's questions, Izzy hung up and called Paul back.
"Izzy, you need to come back!" Paul exclaimed. "It's the mama dogs. They're in labor!"
Already? They were supposed to have at least two more weeks to prepare for the pup calypse.
"How many of them?" Izzy asked.
"All of them," Paul replied. There's already a pup born and I think there's something wrong with it…it's not breathing right."
The pup wasn't the only one having breathing problems. Paul sounded like he'd just run a marathon.
"Paul, listen to me," Izzy said, keeping her voice low and even. "You need to breathe. Panicking isn't going to help."
Between Edward's return and the never-ending parade of disasters that was the Black Pack, Izzy was probably going to end up with another ulcer.
"I'll breathe when you get back here and help me!" Paul exclaimed. "I'm only one person. I can't do everything by myself."
Wait? By himself? That wasn't right. While Izzy had taken off, Jake was still supposed to be there helping Paul run the rescue.
"Where is Jake," Izzy asked.
"How should I know?" Paul said. "He took off after you two had your little tiff. Haven't seen him since. He's probably off pouting somewhere."
"So that's it," Jake said. "You're just leaving again?"
"They need me," Izzy replied.
The timing was far from ideal, but what other choice did she have? Alice couldn't just leave Jasper home alone.
"Has it ever occurred to you that we…I need you too?" Jake asked.
Izzy's battered heart threatened to break. Jake wouldn't even look at her.
"I won't be gone long." Izzy said, reaching for his hand. "I'll grab us something from the diner on the way back. My treat."
"Just go to your precious Cullens," Jake said, pulling away. "I'll be fine here on my own."
"Have you tried calling him?" Izzy asked.
Jake couldn't have gone far. He was probably at First Beach or taking a quick hike.
"He didn't answer," Paul said. "That's why I'm calling you."
"How long until the others get back?" Izzy asked.
Everyone had left early that morning to help with a puppy mill bust in Oregon.
"Sam says it will be at least four more hours," Paul said. "Right now, you're the best option."
Izzy had been frantically texting Alice but had gotten no answer. She must have had her hands full with Emmett.
"Alice and Emmett aren't due back for hours," Izzy said. "I can't just leave Jasper alone."
"Then bring him with you!" Paul snapped.
Had Paul completely lost it? Jake hated the idea of the Cullens being in Forks. He would lose it if he found Jasper anywhere near the rescue.
"But..but he's a Cullen!" Izzy stuttered. "Jake will freak!"
"I don't care if he's a card-carrying cold one," Paul snapped. "It's all hands on deck. Get over here and help me!"
With that, Paul hung up leaving Izzy in stunned silence. She couldn't bring Jasper to La Push, could she? The idea was insane. They'd had a hard enough time getting him on the plane with the help of three people and a boatload of sedatives. Izzy thought of the mama dogs and their babies. For their sake, she had to try.
Izzy returned to the kitchen. Jasper was curled up in the fetal position surrounded by chunks of broken ceramic. Another plate had gone to the big kitchen in the sky.
"Jasper, I need to go back to La Push," Izzy said, kneeling to eye level. "I want you to come with me."
Jasper remained still as a statue.
"I know this is a big ask, but I don't have any other choice," Izzy said. "Paul and all those dogs are counting on me. I'm begging you to help me help them."
Jasper's chin bobbed. He crawled out from under the table and rose to his feet.
"Thank you," Izzy said. "Go and put your shoes on. I'll go find the keys to your father's car."
Izzy stared at the key rack. A few days ago, it had been home to the keys to the Cullen's fleet of cars. Now it was empty. Alice must have hidden them from Emmett. What was she going to do now?
Something bumped against Izzy's arm. It was Jasper holding her motorcycle helmet. He tapped a non-existent watch on his wrist. Izzy bit her lip. What other choice did she have? Alice wasn't answering her phone. It would take precious time she didn't have to search the entire house.
"Are you sure," Izzy asked, taking her helmet from Jasper. "Motorcycles can be dangerous."
Jasper nodded.
"There will be hell to pay if your brothers find out."
Jasper shrugged his shoulders.
"Then let's ride," Izzy said, thankful she had a spare helmet. "Make sure to hang on tight and lean when I tell you to."