Breaking Dawn

Chapter 14: Thursday, August 17th

I wake up with a blanket or two over me, and it's dark outside. I'm still curled up by Jacob's feet, a fire going in the fireplace. There's a cup of water next to me as well.
I look around the room and find that Jacob and I are the only ones in here. My guess is I fell asleep and they didn't want to wake me. They've always been thoughtful like that.
I lay my head back down, staring into the dim fire. There's a coziness in the room, something unusual for me to feel when I'm away from home. I look at Jacob. He's still comatose, but he looks so peaceful. It makes me happy to see that he's not furrowing his brow, or bearing his teeth. Not to say he's always mad, but we're in the Cullen household, somewhere that he hates.
I get up, slowly and carefully as if I could wake up Jake. I find my way upstairs, where Esme, Carlisle, Edward, Billy, and Seth are. 
"Good morning," Edward greets me, pulling me into an elaborate hug.
"Mm," I mumble, still waking up. "Where is everyone?"
"Alice, Jasper, Rose, and Emmett have gone hunting. The wolves are all sleeping at home."
I'm slightly surprised to see Billy and Seth here.
"Any news?" I ask.
"Nothing too exciting," Seth jokes.
Billy gives me a saddened look. "He'll be okay," I remind him.
"I know," Billy starts. "He won't die, but Bella..."
I know where he's going with this, so I shake my head lightly to stop him. "Now is not the time for this talk."
He nods slowly. "I agree."
I look at the clock, finding out that it is four in the morning. "Why haven't you two gone to sleep yet?" I ask Billy and Seth.
"I told Seth to get some rest, but I want to stay awake just in case," Billy says.
"Yeah, Seth, you should get some rest," I tell him. "Nothing is going to happen until later, you can sleep in Edward's room."
Generally, Edward wouldn't have a bed, but he got one for me to sleep in a little while back. We generally just lay in it and talk, but I have slept in it once or twice.
Seth nods his head, and he struggles to keep his eyes open. He drags his feet, knowing where to go presumably because each vampire smells distinctly different to the wolves.
I lean my head into Edward's chest, tucking my hair behind my ear. I let out a sigh.
"Did you sleep well?" Esme asks.
"Uh, yeah," I say. I'm not lying, exactly, but I could've slept a bit longer.
She smiles at me sadly. She knows what I'm going through, and what Billy is going through. It's hard for everyone.
I look up at Edward. "Can we talk?"
He nods, grabbing my hand and walking downstairs, back to where Jacob is. This isn't exactly where I wanted to talk, but it's not like he can hear us.
"So, are we even still partners?" Edward asks immediately.
My jaw hangs ajar slightly. I didn't expect him to be so blunt. "Are we?" I ask.
"It is your question to answer. I know how I feel, but I don't know how you feel."
"You know how I feel about you, Edward, but I... I also have feelings for Jake."
"I know," he says blankly.
I figured he knew, I just needed to say it aloud. "I don't know what to do," I admit.
"Do what you want Bella, I'm not going to take away your happiness."
I sit in the chair and rest my head in my hands. "I can't live without you, or without him."
"You have to pick," he says.
"I don't think I can."
He sighs. I look up at his golden eyes, which means he has gone hunting recently. He stares into the fireplace, which is lit but burning low.
I grab his hand, closing my eyes. "I'm sorry for hurting you."
"Bella, as long as you're happy, I'm content."
"I know you're not, but I'll accept that as a compliment."
I yawn, trying to hide it but failing. "Bella," Edward mumbles. "Let me drive you home."
"No, I can't miss anything. What if Jake wakes up?" I ask.
"He won't. Carlisle decided on 5:00 p.m. to wake him, and nothing will happen between then and now. Charlie has been worried about you."
I let that thought roll around in my head before finally agreeing. I do need to shower anyway, and sleeping in my own bed seems not half bad.

I trudge up the stairs and hear Charlie snoring. I close my bedroom door and fall onto my bed. Edward takes my sweatshirt and socks off for me and tucks me into bed. He kisses my forehead, then closes the curtains so I won't have to deal with the rising sun. He leaves through the door since my dad is sleeping anyhow.
My eyes flutter, and I am sleeping again within minutes.

I feel a gentle push on my shoulder. "Bells," Charlie says softly.
I rub my eyes, turning my head to find him.
"Good morning, when did you get here?"
"Uh, I don't really know, sometime last night." I sit up, and Charlie straightens himself to stand up. "What time is it?"
"It's 9:00 a.m., I didn't want you to sleep all day."
"Thanks," I mumble, standing up.
Charlie and I exchange a look, then he nods and says "alright", and walks out of my room.
Today is the day, the day Jake will be woken up. I need to get ready.
I get in the shower quickly, then put on some loose jeans and a sweatshirt. My outfits have been getting lazier with my aging.
I'm greeted at the Cullen household door by Carlisle.
"What's wrong?" I ask immediately. I would have assumed Edward would greet me by the door, but instead, he's standing by Carlisle.
"Jacob is awake, but something is wrong," Carlisle says.