AN: Hi guys I am overwhelmed by the positive response that chapter one got. This chapter is a bit longer and I really like the direction Bella's story is going in. Full disclosure I am unsure about her final pairing at this point, but I don't think I will make it obvious until the last possible moment, but that might also change as things progress. As always, I welcome your feedback and thoughts. Don't be shy. I also don't have a Beta so, please excuse any grammatical errors or spelling mistakes I might have missed.

Also not sure if I have to mention this, but I obviously have no rights to Twilight, Meyer has those, I just like to play with the characters.

Happy reading…. I hope.

BPOV

Charlie pulls the cruiser into Billy Black's house. I hadn't been here since I was little and was making mud pies with Jacob and his sisters. Although the house showed signs of age it hadn't really changed much at all, and for some reason, I found that comforting.

"You good Bells?" Charlie voices his concern as I continue to stare at the home that is filled with memories of a past long forgotten.

"Yeah Dad, it just hasn't really changed much has it" I respond. Charlie looks back at the small house and after a second, shrugs.

"Well, come on then", Charlie says as he exits the car.

Following behind, I am slightly taken aback as Dad opens the front door and strides right in.

"Billy you better of saved me a beer", Charlie's way of announcing himself.

"Sure did, but you have some catching up to do" I hear Billy from the room we are about to enter.

"Well that's an unfair advantage of being on the home turf old man" Charlie and Billy continue to banter back and forth till Billy seems to realise I have tagged along for the visit.

"Bella… It's good to see you kid" Billy smiles with such warmth I swear if I did it, it would split my face into two.

Charlie looks at me from his spot on the couch as if to say, 'Come on Bella you can respond'.

"Hey, Billy… I hope you don't mind me coming down too I…"

"Kid you are welcome here anytime", Billy turns to Charlie, "honestly Charlie what nonsense have you been telling poor Bella here, I should just revoke your privileges and only let Bella be allowed to visit" he winks at me.

And they are off again with their sparring match, it makes me smile.

After taking stock of my surroundings and going down memory lane, I realise I hadn't noticed that someone was missing.

"Ah, Billy... is Jacob home?" Is it weird that I wanted to hang out with him?

"Sorry Bella he went out a while ago to drop something off at his friends, but he shouldn't be too much longer" I can tell he is unsure about Jacob's return time.

"That's okay, I might go for a walk to the beach to get some air" going to the beach feels like a great idea, its almost as if I need to get out of the house and go out into the sun.

"Are you sure Bells?" Charlie worries, the concerned look is back, and for the first time since he left, I feel it is unwarranted.

"Yeah dad I'll be fine just going to go for a wander, it's been a while since I have seen La Push" I give him my most reassuring look and start to back out of the room. The need to escape the house is back.

"Alright well don't go for too long okay?" Charlie worries.

"Seriously Charlie you sound like an old woman, Bella will be fine..." Billy fires to Charlie, I take this as my chance to duck out, just as they get right back into their sparring match.

The walk to the beach is short and yet somehow my head feels clearer than it has in months. Even before he left. I find an old piece of driftwood to sit down on and just look out to the sea.

It is a nice day out so there are other people playing further down the beach. The fresh air continues to clear out my lungs and the sunshine warms my face. I find myself relaxing in the warmth of it.

"You should watch out or your pale skin might get burnt in this sunshine" a voice that sounds as smooth as honey filters through my relaxation, and yet I don't startle.

Keeping my eyes closed I smile and find my self responding to the stranger without acknowledging them.

"I am enjoying the warmth too much to care about getting a little burnt"

A shadow falls over me, sighing I open my eyes.

I am wholly unprepared for the person who is standing in front of me. He is beyond tall, with muscles that scream strength and danger, and yet I still have this profound sense of peace.

I find myself staring at him and wondering why someone like him would even approach a pale face like me. And then it clicks, I know this man. That voice.

"You're Sam, right?" I know I am not wrong.

"It's nice to see you looking more alive Bella" Sam grins at me.

He found me in the woods when I was in the deepest pits of despair, I remember finding comfort in his reassurances that he would return me home safely and found a strange sense of belonging in his arms.

I realise I had yet to respond to him, and yet when I look at him, he is also examining me.

I found myself with this need to thank him for that night.

"Sam, ah, thanks for you know bringing me home that night…" I trail off not knowing how to fully express my gratitude and also still not being completely okay with talking about that.

"It is no problem at all Bella, I am just glad to see you are getting back to yourself". He speaks with such reassurance I feel I could spill every thought in my brain to him and not feel the slightest bit of shame.

"Although I do really hope you put some sunscreen on this morning at the least" he adds with a wry grin.

"I am sure I will survive either way" I can't help but taunt back.

"I am sure you will" again sparing a cheeky smile.

"Well, Bella, I have to be off now, but don't be a stranger to the Rez, it seems to suit you" Sam starts to move off.

I don't know how to reply to that, so I give a small "Thanks" and he is gone.

Once Sam is out of sight, I realise that I feel a little warmer than I did when I left the house this morning and it causes me to smile. Checking my phone, I notice that I have been gone a couple hours and so figure I should head back to Billy's.

On the walk back I find myself hoping Jake is home as I don't want to leave the Rez just yet.