(Jacob's P.O.V)

Two Months Before

"Bella," I murmured, "You know I love you. Why are you acting like this?"

"Acting like what?" Bella screeched, swiping a hand across her tear-stained cheeks.

I caressed her hair gently. "Acting like it's the end of the world," I said softly. "Just because you have feelings for Edward again, doesn't mean I won't stop loving you."

Bella laughed a little, her head tilting back. "You seem so sure about that." She stopped laughing and looked sad again. "Jake, you're going to hate me soon enough. Feelings are too strong to forget."

I kissed her on the lips quickly and then kissed her forehead. Murmuring, I said, "Bells, if you still have feelings for Edward, I'm not going to get jealous or upset. I know you love me, and I love you too."

"But Jake -," I cut Bella off before she could finish.

"Shh…," I whispered, putting my index finger against her lips. "I love you, Bells."

"I love you, too, Jake. And I always will."

Now

(Jacob's P.O.V)

I'm sleeping in bed in the house that I share with Billy when I feel someone slide under the covers next to me. Its hands wrap around my waist and the head rests on my chest.

Bella.

I open my eyes to see Bella's eyes closed. She's smiling, drifting to sleep in the comfort of my arms.

"Bells," I mumble, shaking her gently. "Bells."

"Jake…," she whispers in her sleep.

I kissed her forehead softly and stroke her hair while she sleeps peacefully. For a second I think I hear a whimper come from her, then I look at her and think it's nothing. But soon, Bella starts to squirm and struggle in my arms.

"No, no…," she shouts, her arms flailing everyone.

"Bella!" I'm alerted now, and I scoop her up in my arms and shake her.

"Get away from me!" Bella screams, her eyes still tightly shut.

"Bells, wake up. Wake up." I keep shaking her until she opens her eyes and starts to cry.

I sit her on my lap and rock her back and forth. My hands pat and stroke her back and hair. She's sobbing uncontrollably into my chest as I try to calm her down unsuccessfully.

"Shh, sweetheart. Don't cry," I whisper into her hair. "I'm here. Shh. Everything is okay." I keep caressing her hair soothingly.

"Oh, Jake," Bella sobbed. "It was horrible! The Volturi came again, and tried to kill me!" She hiccupped numerous times before continuing. "And…a-and… the C-Cullen's were on Aro's side and t-tried to k-k-k… k-kill me too."

I brushed some stray locks of her hair out of her eyes and kissed her tears away. "No, no. I would never let the Volturi" –I said the word in a snarl- "hurt you. I got you, Bells."

She wiped her red eyes. "P-promise?"

"I swear," I vowed.

Bella nodded ever so slightly and warmed her way back to my embrace. I rocked her back and forth and soothed her as her sobs began to subside.

I tilted her face up and gave her a sweet kiss. She kissed me back and wrapped her arms around my neck, pressing herself against me.

I laughed into her lips and pulled back slightly to kiss Bella's cheek. She pouted and folded her arms across her chest.

"What?" I laugh some more.

Bella smiles. "Nothing. It's just that you make me so happy, Jacob. When I'm sad, you're always there to comfort me. When I'm alone, you're always there for me." She tilted her head to the side and looked at me with her gorgeous brown eyes. "How on earth do I deserve a great man like you?"

I kissed her. "You deserve the best things, Bells," I say honestly. "But how did I even end up winning you over? How was I so lucky to fall in love you?" I tap her nose and kiss it.

Bella wraps her arms around my shoulder and leans in. "Maybe because I love you back."

We kissed for most the morning, and then we decided to go out and see the rest of the werewolf pack. I cooked us breakfast and then we were headed out the door to go meet Sam. But Sam beats us to it. When I open the door for Bella, he's there, panting.

"Sam," I say. "What's wrong?"

"It's them," he gasps. "The Volturi are back."