Chapter 16 - End

I became aware again.  For a moment I contemplated whether this was heaven, or hell.  An existence without Edward, even in paradise, would be the latter.  My eyelids were so heavy, and so I deduced I must still be alive, but then that relief was surpassed by the realisation that the story was not over, I may have to suffer greatly still.

I heard voices, my fingers became aware of sensation, cold and steely skin and I knew I was in Edwards arms.  I was in his arms and he was running.  I tried to lift my chin and open my eyes, but I couldn’t.  I made out the voices as Carlisle, Alice and my beloved Edward as they crashed through the trees, I was not the only one being carried.  I slipped into the black again.

The first sound I became aware of again was crying.  Someone in the room with me was sobbing and suddenly I realised it was me.  I knew in my heart the outcome of the battle, we had won, but as Alice had predicted we had lost.  Emmett, Rosalie and my heart told me that there was more.

I opened my eyes to see Edwards strong face, “Bella” he said, “I almost lost you” he pressed his lips against mine, “I almost...”

I nodded, and then though I dreaded the answer, “Jacob?”  The guilt flooded through me, remembering my last wish.

Edward went very still, and then he started to tell me what had happened.

As he spoke I heard low heart wrenching howls echo through the woods and heavens above.  Rain crashed against the window.

Edward began, “When you hurt yourself Bella, and everything got crazy, i thought I would go out of my mind, I couldn’t get the focus to fight properly, I couldn’t concentrate, everyones thoughts got so frantic and it was like a huge hurricane inside my head.  Aro was putting up a good fight and then someone, I think Demetri, handed him the stake and I knew I was finished.  Carlisle had you and Esme out of there, I had faith you were going to survive, even in an altered state, although I knew Carlisle would try everything first to save you.  I prepared myself for death, almost willed it, I was glad that you would live at least.  Then before I could even step forward Jacob was there, in between us, and he took Aro on, the stake doing nothing against his huge coat.  He fought so hard... Bronte too... they overpowered Aro and the battle turned in our favor with him out of the picture.  We cleaned up, killed the remaining vampires and thought it was done.”

“It wasn’t?”

“Bronte hadn’t known about the burning, she didn’t understand that a vampire can.. collect itself... and so she didn’t dispose of Aro in the way that was needed to rid us of him completely”

“He came back?”

“Bella, it was so quick, none of us realised it until it was done, he just appeared and with... the dagger, he just plunged it into Jacobs back... we finished him then, but well Jacob was...”

“Where is he?” I roared jumping up, Edward held me back.

“He is downstairs Bella, with Bronte”

I ran, taking two steps at a time on the stairs and burst into the room.  I saw him then, lying on the floor, Carlisle bent over him, Bronte at his feet.  I was surprised to see him as a man, in my mind I was sure I would find a wolf lying there.

I stood for a minute, relief washing over me as I saw his huge chest rise and fall.  Bronte curled around his feet.  I spoke “Bronte”

She looked at me with hatred and scorn, “GET HER OUT!” She screamed, and promptly burst into tears.  

Jacob opened his eyes, “Bella?” he said, his voice breaking into a whisper.

I ran to him, and Bronte responded by curling herself tighter around Jacobs body.

“Jacob, Jake... are you... what... how are you?” 

His face was calm, and I could see the tiny beads of sweat pricking through his skin, he was so beautiful, “Not too bad” He said, and cracked a hint of a smile.

“Jacob, I’m so sorry, I never ever meant for any of this to happen, you are so precious to me and I’m so sorry, Jake... forgive me, I’m so so sorry...” I spoke frantically, needing him to stand up and bounce around like the guy I knew.

“Bella... friend...” Jacob whispered, “You were worth it, to see you here alive is all that fight was about, we won...”

“But you... are you... can you phase? Can you phase and fix yourself?”

Bronte began to wail a lament, rocking back and forth on her knees.

I looked at Carlisle.  He shook his head slowly.

“Jacob, phase.  Phase and heal yourself” I demanded

“I can’t Bella” Jacob said softly, “I’m done for...”

“Done for..? No! What do you... what are you saying? You can’t... you won’t...”

Jacob lifted his huge hand and touched my face, “I love you Bells... you were worth the trouble”

I leaned in and kissed his forehead, “I won’t hear of this dying talk!” I said smiling as best I could, holding back the tears, “I’m going to get Edward, he’ll talk you round”

“See you Bells” Jacob whispered, dropping my hand.

I ran from the room, straight into Edwards arms and he held me tightly.  As he stood with me there, Brontes soft voice struck up a lamenting cry, the wind grew wild outside and the  howls of the wolves outside shook the ground.  

“JACOB!” I screamed, and wrenching myself from Edwards embrace I ran back into the room.  My friend lay where he had been, but his chest was still.  I fell to my knees, agony ripped through me and I couldn’t breathe.  Edward lifted me into his arms and I let go, sobs shook me and I cried for my friend.  The sacrifice he had made for me ultimately was one I would never forgive myself for.

I had wished he be taken instead of Edward, and I had got my wish.  Even now as I sat curled up in Edwards arms, his cold lips finding mine in the dark, crying into his still chest, I was glad of it.  Life without Jacob would be painful, and I would miss his face and his voice forever, but I could live that life.  I could get through that pain.  Losing Edward would have sent me straight to Hell, I would not survive it.  

Thanks to Jacob I would not have to.