APOV

We all heard the car turn up the driveway, and I sighed when I became aware of the who and why. And perhaps snidely, the what.

"Billy is on his way again, 2 minute warning." I informed the rest of the house. "He wants another go at convincing Bella she should stay with him on the reservation."

Emmett and Jasper came in to join me in the foyer, Emmett rolling his eyes.

"Because we're going to let that happen," he stated.

"I know. He brought a guest though, so behave. "

Esme joined us, and gestured for us to go into the living room and act normal. "Just because he knows doesn't mean we need to ambush him on the porch. And we don't know what his guest knows."

True enough so we did as bid, Emmett turning on the tv as though that would somehow make the whole situation feel more natural.

"You know, I'm just saying here, if it were one of us we'd already be parked in the garage and hauling in the shopping," I commented impatiently.

"You mean you or Rose," Emmett jabbed good naturedly.

"No I meant you plural as in you'd better help haul our stuff in or Rose is going to hand you your ass," I jabbed back, grinning when I heard Rose's laughter from upstairs.

"Yeah yeah yeah."

Jasper couldn't help but grin over at Emmett, and then kissed me on the nose. We'd all been trying to play the sibling card in front of Bella, and it felt good to feel Jasper's arms around me, even if it was a stolen moment.

"Seriously though, the point stands. They're especially slow today," I continued, drawing out the vowels.

I perked up as I heard the car door (finally!) open, another door open, and then footfall on the steps.

"Baby, calm" soothed Jasper, flooding me with his ability. I squeezed his hand in thanks before I moved off of his lap and onto the couch.

The doorbell sounded, and Esme smoothly transitioned into her patented interacting with the humans role.

"Billy, please come in! It's good to see you again. Has there been any news?" Esme queried, welcoming our guests with practiced ease.

"No, sorry to drop in on you like this Esme," Billy blushed, I could feel it from a different room. "I brought my son Jacob over to see Bella. They're close as family, and I thought she'd, well, like to see him," Billy finished.

"Ah I see," Esme responded calmly. "It's lovely to meet you Jacob. I'm Esme. I'm sure Bella would love to visit with friends, I'll just go get her. Billy if you'd like you're welcome to step through to the living room."

"Uh, yeah thanks," Billy responded, and placing a hand on Jacob's shoulder steered him toward us.

I was about to bounce out of my seat to greet this Jacob when I was hit with another flood of calm. It's not that it had much of a dampening effect on my enthusiasm as much as it provided a reminder so I smiled in amusement at my husband, and turned to greet Billy from my seat.

"Hey Billy! Who's this with you?"

Billy had stopped in the doorway, not realizing I guess that several of us were in the living room. I turned to see what my siblings were doing, and almost laughed out loud. Emmett was seemingly absorbed by whatever sports game was on, and Jasper was reading from a book I didn't even realize he'd had. He closed it, and stood up to shake hands with Billy and smile at Jacob before heading upstairs. I knew he had the ability to see beyond the surface with people, but every time I saw it in action I couldn't help but fall in love with him all over again. Clearly Billy would be more at ease with fewer vampires in the room, and apparently Emmett would be damned before he'd leave. I snorted under my breath, and smiled winningly at Jacob, who smiled nervously back.

"Ah, yeah this is my son Jacob. He's a very good friend of Bella's. Thought she might like to see a familiar face."

"That is super thoughtful Billy. She's doing well, all things considered, but I bet she'll love this" I responded.

"Jake!" we all winced as Bella hollered down the stairs.

The boy in question turned at the sound of her voice, and even Emmett's irritation at Billy's machinations was put on pause at the painfully adorable hug shared by the two five year olds.

Esme, Edward, and Rose followed closely, and I smirked as Rose subtly but clearly tagged Emmett out and took his place. Edward sat beside me on the couch, and Esme laughed at Bella's excitement.

"Bella-love, would you and Jacob like to come have a snack in the kitchen?" she asked.

"Yes! That would be great! Hey Emmett?" Bella called excitedly. "Could you show Jacob how you made dessert last night? If that's okay Esme," she remembered to ask.

"Ice cream for a snack wouldn't normally be okay, but since Jacob is visiting we'll make an exception" she laughed again in response. "But a big salad for dinner, okay? Carlisle made us promise good nutrition for you."

"Awesome!" Bella jumped up and down.

"I dunno Bells," called Emmett, already in the kitchen. "If you keep me waiting much longer I may just eat all the ice cream myself."

Bella giggled, already assured of her hold over Emmett, and pulled Jacob's hand toward the kitchen.

"C'mon Jake. I don't think Emmett will eat all the ice cream, but he's pretty big so you never know. Wait 'til you see what he does with the cookies!"

I couldn't help but be pleased at Bella's complete confidence and exuberance in the face of Billy. There could be no denying that Bella was receiving the best care possible on this planet during this ordeal. One glance at Edward's and Rose's faces told me they were thinking the exact same thing I was. Esme of course was too kind a soul to harbor any feeling beyond pleasure at seeing Bella so happy.

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BPOV

"Bella? How come you don't wanna come stay with us?" asked Jake within seconds of Emmett handing us our treats and heading to the living room.

I stopped eating for a second and looked at Jake in surprise.

"I…I don't know Jake. I mean, where would I sleep? You guys need all your rooms for you and your sisters, right?"

"Yeah but you could stay with me Bella. I wouldn't mind."

"I just feel really safe here Jake. And, and, I don't know how to explain it. I want for my mom and dad to come home really really bad Jake. I feel sick in my belly if I think about it too long. But if they don't? This is where I need to be. It feels right. I know you and Billy and everyone want to help me and take care of me, and it's awesome that you can come and visit me! And I bet that the Cullens would bring me to come visit you too! But when I'm sad Jake? And scared? I need to be here. I wouldn't be happy if I had to go away Jake." I explained.

"I still think you should come with us. Then we could be family for real. And I don't know if you can come visit us. I heard my mom tell one of the others that the Cullens aren't allowed on the res," Jake stated.

I made a face. "If they can let you and Billy here, I think it's only fair for them to be allowed to take me to visit you guys, Jake. And I bet you can come visit here whenever and they wouldn't mind. They're really really great."

"Yeah. They make great ice cream sandwiches, that's for sure. I may come visit you for the snacks" Jake replied.

I grinned and nodded.

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RPOV

I was more interested in listening to Bella and Jake than I was in small talk with Billy. I was sure that Alice would think up a suitable retribution for leaving the effort of conversation up to her and Esme, but if Bella was my one chance at motherhood, Billy be damned.

I had to snort when Jacob started hounding her the second Emmett left the room. Sure Billy. Leave the guilt trip up to the five year old. Jackass. Part of me was fully aware of the desperate acts I would stoop to were the situation reversed. Given where the battle lines were being drawn though, I couldn't find it within my heart to empathize with the dogs. Bella was my girl. Well, our, at the very least, I grumblingly acknowledged. Clearly there was to be no separating her from Edward. I'd have had no problem going nine rounds with him either, if I thought for a second that the attachment wasn't reciprocated. It was, and Bella's happiness came before my own. I snorted softly again in amusement. I would be the first to acknowledge my selfishness. While certainly I felt familial obligation to Carlisle and the rest, let it not be said that I ever tried to convince anyone that I wasn't wholly self-absorbed. It was a novel feeling therefor, to find myself completely unable to act in any way other than that of preserving her happiness.

Even if that meant sharing her with Edward.

EPOV

I couldn't handle anymore of the forced politeness taking place in the living room and sat at the piano within a few minutes of Billy sitting to coffee with Esme and Alice. I could still hear everyone's thoughts, but the distance and ability to focus on my music was a welcome relief, and I lost myself in the notes that Bella's presence in my life pulled from my soul.

I wasn't sure how long I'd been under, but a warm presence made itself known at my side. My hands stilled on the keys, and I turned to smile at Bella. An already in her pajamas Bella, smelling sweetly of freesia and strawberries from her recent bath.

"Holy crow Bella, how long have I been playing?" I asked her confusedly.

She laughed softly. "I dunno Edward, but it's almost eight o' clock now. Alice is going to read to me, but I like it when you're there too. I just didn't want to interrupt. I didn't know you could play the piano," she smiled dreamily. "You're really really good. Maybe you can play tomorrow night too?" she asked.

"Of course I will Bella," I replied as softly. I kissed her on the top of her head and stood, helping her to her feet. "Let's go get that story before Alice yells at me. You know how vicious she can be." I smiled to show her I was kidding, and she laughed at the idea of dainty Alice being mean. I picked her up at the foot of the stairs and carried her the rest of the way to bed. It had been a long day, and the poor kid was already half asleep.

"Jesus Edward. Clearly a short story tonight. You know she went down to you a half hour ago right?" Alice asked me, perturbed.

"Actually I didn't notice she was there until a few minutes ago Alice. I was pretty focused."

"Yeah I guess. C'mon Bella-love! How about The Emporer's New Clothes?" asked Alice.

"M'kay. I like allegories the best," Bella responded sleepily.

Alice, Rosalie and I all blinked at her for a moment.

"Bella how in the world do you know what allegories are?!" Rose asked in amazement.

"My mom. She insists that we discuss stories as we read them. It's nice sometimes. Sometimes though it's nice when my dad reads to me. He just tells me the story and I can enjoy it. Momma always makes me learn something too," she finished, yawning.

"Yeah I know what you mean Bella. I like to read for pleasure too," I finally said, amused and sad at what she'd shared.

I sat in the rocker while Alice and Rose assumed their positions on either side of Bella. Rose stroked her hair and Alice began. Bella was fast asleep within five minutes of her head hitting the pillow, and the three of us sat quietly, sharing the moment.

Alice was the first to break the silence. "We're going to have to ask her for details tomorrow. Billy was dancing around coming right out and asking. I wouldn't push her if I didn't think she could handle it, but we need to know what she saw if we're going to have any chance of finding Renee and Charlie. The odds aren't great even with that information. Not knowing they were taken by those like us."

Rose stiffened immediately.

"I know Rose, I know. I'm not saying we push her. I'm saying we bring it up, and let her set the pace, and it ends if she gets upset. You know Jasper will help, and we'll all be there to love her. It'll be fine. It's just going to suck, watching her relive it. Poor Jasper's going to be working overtime."

Rose looked only slightly mollified, and glanced at me to gauge my response.

I nodded at her. "I know. I agree. But it's true too that we can't delay any longer. We can just be there for her. I say after breakfast, provided she sleeps through the night. I'll sit with her though, if you'd like to spend time with Jasper and Emmett," I responded.

Rose looked like she was about to argue again but Emmett stood in the doorway. "Babe you know I have absolutely zero qualms with Bells getting your undivided attention during her waking hours. Can't I get her sleeping ones?" He crossed the room, kissed Rose softly, picked her up, and with only a minor eye roll, Rose allowed him to escort her to their room.

Alice watched them go, and then got to her feet. "I'll pity Jasper in the morning. I'm going to save my pity tonight for you Edward. I want Jasper's attention this evening as well. Might I suggest headphones so the special ability isn't compounded with the regular ability of excellent hearing?" She grinned as she danced out of the room. I rolled my eyes, and went to get my headphones and a book. I made a mental note to mention sound proofing to Esme, if Bella were indeed to remain with us.