Picking up the Pieces

Chapter One

This is dedicated to my best friend who recently lost her husband. She's a beautiful woman who doesn't deserve the hand she was dealt. I love you, Pam...

Not mine...I'm not Stephenie Meyer. I wish I was. Dang it. But, oh well...

Summary: Isabella Black lost her husband in the cruelest way possible. He wasted away and was ravaged by the evil, silent killer, cancer. Five months after his initial diagnosis he dies, leaving Bella with their two young children, John, seven and Grace, five. A year after his death, Bella packs her home in Phoenix and drives back to Forks, Washington to be closer to her family. Will she finally find a way to pick up the pieces with the help of her family, friends and a green-eyed cop?

Chapter One

One year later ...

"Grace Rachel and John Jacob, get your butts in gear!" I yelled. "The SUV is leaving in ten minutes with or without you!"

"You don't have to go, Bella. Jacob ..." Billy trailed off, wringing his hands nervously.

"He's gone. I need a fresh start, Billy. I love you very much, but being here in Phoenix is too much. Every day I see something that reminds me of Jake, of our lives together. This house was supposed to be our dream and now? It's crumbling and in disrepair because I can't do it. I know it's not fair for me to take the kids away from you, but I need to go. It's been a year since he was diagnosed and I need to start new," I rambled, running my fingers through my hair. "I've got a new house and new job up in Forks, close to my folks. It'll be good."

"I just wish it wasn't so far away," Billy frowned. "Forks is so different from Phoenix, Bells."

"That's the point, Billy. I promise to bring the kids down on breaks and you said you'd come and visit. I'll hold you to it, old man," I quipped, holding my finger out, wagging it at him.

He captured my finger and pulled me into an embrace. "I got it, Bella," he said, hugging me tight. "I'll miss you, kiddo."

"I'll miss you, too," I whispered against his neck. I inhaled deeply, relishing the scent of my father-in-law, which in turn was the scent of my late husband. Musky and spicy with a hint of tobacco. It brought me solace and sadness. "I'm planning on stopping in Los Angeles, Sacramento, Medford, Portland, and Seattle before making it to Forks. Our road trip is turning into a quasi-vacation. We're visiting the famous sites in those towns. It'll be fun. I hope."

"Call me anytime and be happy, Bells," Billy murmured, taking my face in his hands.

But, you have to stay alive and happy for me. Promise me, Bells!

I shook off that memory of Jacob's last words to me. I wasn't happy. To be honest, I miserable. No amount of counseling, anti-depressants or time could fix that. Perhaps distance would. "I'm trying, Billy. That's why I'm moving. I can't be happy here," I sighed. He nodded, kissing my forehead. Turning away from my father-in-law, I bellowed up the stairs. "Any human under the age of eight better be downstairs in thirty seconds or you're staying in Phoenix!" Pounding feet filled the house and my two children were in the kitchen in a heartbeat. "Okay, munchkins. You ready for our adventure?"

"Yeah!" John squealed, bouncing on his toes.

Grace had some more trepidation about moving. She bit her lip, barely nodding.

My children were a perfect blend of Jacob and me. John was going to be tall. At seven, he was already up to my shoulder and eating me out of house and home. He had black hair with light brown eyes. His skin was caramel colored, a mixture of my pallor and Jacob's rich russet skin. John had more of my facial features, but Jake's coloring. Grace, who had just turned five, was more delicate and petite, like me, but held a lot of Jacob in her features. She was paler than her brother with dark brown hair and hazel eyes. However, her expressions were all Jacob. It scared me how much they looked alike.