"Alright, everyone. Back up! Give her some space!"

Through the fogginess, a familiar voice called out in the distance. Struggling to fight off the darkness, I felt my senses slowly coming back into focus. Arms were wrapped around my stomach as my head rested against someone's leg. My eyes fluttered and I heard someone sigh in relief.

"She's coming around." The voice said soothingly, almost as if the person was proud.

"I don't know what happened." Another voice replied, worry heavily laced with small hiccups.

"You did the right thing by calling me, Jacob. I know how difficult that must've been."

"When she said Bella's name," Jacob paused hesitantly, "I knew something bad had happened. Bella is her best friend, and I know Autumn trusts you, Dr. Cullen."

Carlisle, the voice in my head cried out in relief. Remembering Edward's phone call, my body stirred and I was able to open my eyes. Jacob and Carlisle both looked down at me, their faces breaking into warm, cautious smiles.

"Welcome back, Autumn." Carlisle said in a low voice. "How are you feeling?"

"Still light-headed. But I'm okay." I smiled before sheer terror overtook me. "Is Bella okay?"

"She's fine," Carlisle reassured me. "We'll discuss that when we get back to my house."

I nodded, turning my attention to Jacob, whose arms were wrapped around me. He seemed to notice that too, because he blushed and let me go, motioning for Carlisle to help me off the ground. Carefully with Carlisle's support, I slowly got to my feet and brushed off my jeans.

"I'm sorry for leaving you in there," Jacob said, looking down at the ground.

"I'm sorry my stalker ex crashed our first date."

"That was some speech in there. What's the deal with him anyway?" His eyes met mine, a harsh coldness taking place over the warm chocolate color I had seen all night.

"There's nothing going on between him and me," I said, suddenly defensive. "He cheated on me and got my best friend pregnant."

"Clearly there's something still going on if he came all the way from Michigan to tell you he still loves you." Jacob said a little too bitterly. I took a step back from him, hurt written in my eyes.

"Well, clearly there's nothing going on here if you think that." I choked back threatening tears. "Maybe this was a bad idea."

"Yeah, maybe it was." Jacob snapped. "Instead of being with you, I could've made sure Bella was okay and not almost killed by a psychopath."

His words were a hard slap to the face and I gasped, my chest tightening from lack of air. Abruptly spinning away from him, I fled toward Carlisle, who was staring coldly at Jacob. Carlisle wrapped an arm around me as I let the tears spill down my cheeks, burrowing myself into the crook of his arm while he led me to his car. Sliding into the front seat, I avoided making eye contact with Jacob as we drove away, leaving him in the parking lot alone.

The drive to the Cullen residence was silent, which made me even more grateful for Carlisle coming to my aid. Leaning my forehead against the window, I stared at the passing scenery until the tears dried. Carlisle pulled a pack of tissues out from his jacket and handed it to me.

"Thank you." I muttered, managing a small smile.

"He's an idiot." Carlisle said, his eyes on the road as he pulled into the winding driveway. "His ego was a little bruised, but he'll come around."

"I don't think so. He's in love with Bella." I let out a hiccup as I wiped my eyes with a tissue.

"I saw the way he looked at you while you were unconscious," Carlisle said quietly. "Give him some time, he'll realize his feelings."

"Can you read minds like Edward?" I asked, looking from the house to the kind doctor.

"No," he replied, "but I can read people's body language. And I was a teenage boy once. We have a habit of making mistakes."

I didn't say anything while Carlisle parked the car near the house. Alice was standing on the porch, waiting for us. She held her arms open as soon as I got out of the car.

"I'm glad you're okay." She whispered into my hair as I embraced her.

"I'm glad you're okay too." I released Alice and turned back to Carlisle. "What happened?"

"Come inside. There's a lot you need to know." Carlisle motioned for me to enter, and I followed him into the kitchen where everyone else was sitting; only Edward was missing from the room, and I knew he had stayed with Bella at the hospital. "We almost had James this morning. But somehow he figured out Bella wasn't with us, and he backtracked, following Bella down to Arizona. He convinced Bella that he had her mom and he wouldn't hurt her if she came alone. She managed to slip away from Alice and Jasper, meeting James at an abandoned ballet studio. James was going to turn Bella into a vampire before killing her, just to get back at Edward."

"Whoa." I collapsed into a chair while Carlisle continued.

"Bella lost a lot of blood and had a few broken bones. But she's recovering in Phoenix right now. Edward managed to save her life just in time. The story is Edward went to convince Bella to come back and she tripped down the stairs, crashing through a window."

"I'm so sorry," I whispered before looking at each of the Cullens. "You all are risking your existence just so Edward and Bella can stay together. You risk everything just by me knowing about you!"

"It's okay, Autumn." Esme spoke up. "Bella makes Edward happy, and that's all we want as his family. And you, you make all of us happy. You both are a part of the family now."

"So now what? What about the other two?"

"Victoria ran off once she found out James was dead. Laurent left for Alaska a couple of hours ago." Carlisle glanced at his watch. "Edward will be calling soon to update. I'm on my way back to Phoenix to talk with Bella's doctor."

"Can I come with you?" I blurted as he kissed Esme goodbye.

"Sure. I could use the company." Carlisle smiled at me.

Five minutes later, we were on the road headed for the highway, Emmett lounging in the back seat. Watching the trees slowly decline as Carlisle sped down the highway, I contemplated asking him about Jacob's stories. This was the first time I had any time with Carlisle alone; usually, I was with Bella and Edward when I came over to the Cullens' house.

"What's on your mind, Autumn?" Carlisle glanced at me as he adjusted the radio volume.

"When Bella and I discovered that Edward was a vampire, it was because we convinced Jacob to tell us the Quileute legends of the Cold Ones the day we went to La Push Beach with our friends. He said that you signed a treaty with his great-great-great-grandfather, saying you wouldn't go on Quileute lands or feed on humans. I guess I'm just curious, what made you sign the treaty if you're supposed to be natural enemies with werewolves?"

"Vampires and werewolves weren't always enemies," Carlisle replied slowly, contemplating his words. "There was a time where we lived peacefully in coexistence. Until the Volturi decided to go on a rampage and slaughter entire communities of wolves after one of their leaders, Caius, was nearly killed by a Child of the Moon."

"Aren't the Quileutes Children of the Moon?" I asked.

"No, they're shapeshifters. There are two types of werewolves, just like there are two types of vampires. The Volturi didn't care about that; they just wanted all the werewolves dead. The Volturi still hunt down werewolves when needed, but for the most part, it's believed that most werewolves are dead. There are some in hiding across the world, those who managed to escape and kept their heads low for years." Carlisle paused as he thought about a distant memory.

"All those years ago," he continued sadly, "I signed the treaty with the Quileutes because Jacob's grandfather reminded me of an old friend I knew in Italy. And given my alternative lifestyle, as the Volturi put it, I didn't believe in the destruction of another man, regardless of what he was. Ever since then, we've kept the peace by not drinking human blood. It's not just a moral belief, but an honor to a friend's memory."

"I'm sorry about your friend," I said quietly, replaying Carlisle's words in my head. He nodded slowly.

"Thank you. Why don't you get some sleep? It's going to be a long car ride."

"Okay. Thank you for answering my question." I yawned, curling up in the seat. I barely heard Carlisle say you're welcome before my eyes shut, sleep overtaking me within seconds.

The sun hung low in the sky as Bella and I sat at the picnic table in her backyard, almost done eating grilled hamburgers with Charlie and Mom. Just as everything had been cleaned up, I looked up from laughing at Charlie's joke to see Jacob walking into the backyard. He had a bouquet of flowers in his hand, smiling warmly. I started to say something when he walked past me and handed the flowers to Bella. My stomach dropped and without a word, I headed into the house, leaving Jacob and Bella alone. As I watched them laugh from the kitchen window, Charlie placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Spying on them, are we, Autumn?"

I didn't answer as tears swelled in my eyes, my heart breaking as I watched Jacob lean toward Bella, his lips mere inches from hers.

"Autumn... Autumn... Autumn..."

"Autumn, wake up."

A hand was gently shaking my shoulder, bringing me out of my dream. I blinked slowly, adjusting to reality as Carlisle waited patiently. Rubbing my eyes, I looked outside and noticed we were parked in front of a hotel.

"I figured you would want to clean up from the car ride," Carlisle said. "Plus, I have a room here on reserve for the family to use."

"Thank you," I mumbled. Carlisle smiled before getting out of the car; Emmett was already standing outside, smirking at me as I slowly stepped out.

"Have a nice nap?" He teased.

"Sure, let's go with that." I rolled my eyes. Emmett's face turned serious.

"Are you sure you're alright?" He lowered his voice, concern dripping in his tone. "You were whimpering in your sleep most of the trip here."

"I'm fine. Just got a lot on my mind, which causes the whimpering." I lied, trying not to think of my dream. I knew Emmett would think it was silly that even in my dreams, I was jealous of Jacob's interest in Bella.

Emmett seemed to believe me because he motioned for me to follow Carlisle into the hotel. After checking in at the front desk, Carlisle led us to the elevators where he pushed the button for the 35th floor. As we headed down the hallway, I glanced down at my phone; there was a missed call from Angela and Jessica and a text message from Jacob.

Wincing at the memory of this afternoon, I clicked the screen off and slid the phone into my purse, too exhausted to deal with any questions or harsh confessions. Emmett opened a door at the end of the hall, beckoning me inside, Carlisle following behind.

"I told Edward we'd be over in a half-hour," Carlisle said as Emmett shut the door. "Does that give you enough time, Autumn?"

"Yeah," I said, taking in the hotel room. "This room is super spacious."

"We keep it that way since it's mostly used as an office when we're here."

"I like it."

Carlisle smiled as we looked around the room. After a couple of minutes, I headed into the bathroom to wash my face. The makeup had smeared around my eyes from crying and I grimaced at the mirror as I softly wiped the washcloth over my skin. Once I had removed all the makeup, I ran my fingers through my hair, untangling it from my nap. Satisfied with how it looked, I cleaned up the little mess I made before walking back into the room. Emmett and Carlisle both looked up when they heard me leave the bathroom.

"Ready?" Carlisle asked.

"Ready."

Twenty minutes later, we were standing outside Bella's hospital room with Edward and Bella's mom, Rene. Edward was talking quietly to Carlisle about Bella's condition when Rene turned to me.

"Thank you for friending Bella on her first day." She said quietly, tears swelling in her eyes. "I was so worried about her moving to Forks and not knowing anyone. She has told me so much about you, Autumn."

"I'm glad I friended her too," I said, taking Rene's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Bella is my best friend, and she makes school easier to deal with. Plus, having Edward around sort of helped ground her too."

"I can see that," Rene sniffled. "She's happy, and that's all I ever wanted for her."

"She knows that."

"Autumn?" Edward interrupted. "Bella's asking for you."

"Go on. We can talk later." Rene shooed me away as Edward stood next to her.

Taking a deep breath, I slowly walked into the hospital room where Bella was sitting on the bed, an IV stuck in her arm and monitors beeping. She looked up when she heard footsteps and beamed when she saw me.

"Hey, you!"

"Hey, yourself." I pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down, my eyes searching Bella's face. "How are you feeling?"

"Like a freight train ran me over," she groaned dramatically. "As soon as they can, they're going to put my leg in a better cast. And the doctor told me I'm going to have to wear a boot over the cast for a while."

"I'm glad you're alive," I mumbled under my breath, shifting my eyes to the window where Rene was watching us. "If James had killed you, I'd be devastated."

"I know, Leaf. I'm glad I'm alive too," she said, holding my hand. "Tell me about your date with Jacob."

"I'd rather not." The crack in my voice gave me away; Bella tilted her head in concern, her eyes boring into mine.

"What happened?"

"It was stupid for me to think he liked me."

"Why do you say that?"

"He basically said he had rather have been with you than me after my ex crashed our date."

"Whoa." Bella leaned back against her pillow. "Your ex was in La Push?"

"Yeah. I have no idea when he got there, or how long he's staying. But I don't want to deal with him. I have nothing more to say to him about what happened, you know?"

"Yeah." Bella yawned. "Sorry. I'm a little tired from the drugs they have me on."

"Get some sleep." I patted her hand. "I'll see you when you come home, okay?"

"Okay." Bella mumbled as she closed her eyes. Within a minute, she was softly snoring.

I made sure the sheet was tucked against her before stepping out of the room. Emmett had offered to stay with Edward, so it was just Carlisle and I on our way home to Forks. The whole way home, I couldn't stop thinking about the last 48 hours; chills went down my spine as I thought about how close to death Bella came. Exhaustion replaced the adrenaline inside me once I had gotten home and filled Mom in, and with her help, I made it to my bed where I collapsed into a fitful sleep.

* * * * * * *

"Autumn! Bella and Edward are here!" Mom hollered up the stairs as I finished smoothing lip gloss on my lips.

"Coming!"

Gathering the sides of my dress, I carefully made my way downstairs where Mom was standing in the foyer. Edward and Bella were standing next to her, Bella's black walking boot sticking out from her blue dress. I grinned when I saw them; the initial shock of Edward telling me he was taking Bella to prom had worn off three weeks ago.

"You look beautiful!" I gushed, causing Bella to blush and Edward chuckled.

"You look good yourself. That dress suits you." Bella smiled, pulling me closer to her so she could whisper in my ear. "Jacob's been asking about you."

"I can't talk to him right now. It's just not a good time." I sighed.

While Bella had been settling in at home from Phoenix, I had another run-in with Reed at Mom's bakery. Unable to hold in my anger, I yelled at him until my voice went hoarse before slapping him across the face. Charlie had witnessed the whole thing and stepped in after my hand made contact with Reed's face, escorting him out of the bakery. Ever since then, Jacob had been blowing up my phone in an attempt to talk to me; I made it a point of not answering because I was still reeling from our date.

"Alright, get close together!" Mom said, taking out her camera. "Say cheese!"

The three of us posed for Mom, who was clicking away a little too happily. Once she was satisfied, Mom grinned at us.

"I want you guys to have fun tonight, but also be safe. Especially you," she pointed at Bella. "Alright? Good. Go on, get out of here."

I hugged Mom before following Edward and Bella outside to Edward's car, helping Bella into the passenger seat. Settling into the backseat, I stared out the window as Edward drove to prom. Dropping us off near the garden, Edward made sure Bella was comfortable on the bench before going to find a parking spot. As I sat with her, a twig snapped from behind us and we turned around to see Jacob standing by the tree, looking at us sheepishly. I sucked in a deep breath, my eyes locked on his. Bella broke the silence.

"Hey, Jacob! Are you crashing the prom or something? Are you here with someone?" I didn't miss the side glance Bella cast in my direction as she asked the last part.

"No." He said, looking guilty as he turned toward Bella. "My dad paid me to come talk to you. Twenty bucks."

"Let's hear it."

"Just... don't get mad, okay?" Jacob took a deep breath. "He wants you to break up with your boyfriend. He's just ... He said, and I quote, 'We'll be watching you.'"

"That's not creepy," I muttered under my breath. Bella shook her head, acknowledging that she heard me.

"Okay. Well, tell him I said thanks. And to pay up."

"Okay." Jacob smiled warmly at her before shifting his eyes back toward me. "You look beautiful. Yellow suits you."

"Thanks," I said sharply, avoiding his eyes.

"Can I talk to you for a minute? Alone?" There was a hint of desperation in his voice.

"I have nothing to say to you, Jacob." I turned away from him, wondering where Edward was.

"Autumn, please. Just hear me out." He pleaded. I closed my eyes and willed myself not to answer.

"I think I'm going to find Edward." Bella shifted her gaze to the parking lot, scanning for her boyfriend.

"Here, let me help." Jacob said, moving forward to help her off the bench. Suddenly, Edward was standing next to us.

"I'll take it from here," Edward said cooly, somehow managing to keep his demeanor calm.

"I guess I'll see you around." Jacob directed to Bella before giving me one last sad look and disappearing into the trees.

"I leave you two alone for a moment and the wolves descend." Edward chuckled softly as he linked our arms through his and led us inside.

As we entered the prom, I looked around in awe and admiration. The prom committee had decided on a Monte Carlo style. There were gaming tables and roulette wheels where guys dressed in tuxes and girls in gowns were playing for prizes as others danced and hung out with their friends.

"You really are trying to kill me." Bella muttered, glancing down at her cast.

"Prom is an important rite of passage. I don't want you to miss anything." Edward told her, smiling brightly.