Chapter 1

Jacob had never been more nervous in his entire life. That's saying a lot considering all the near-death experiences he'd had since phasing into a wolf for the first time when he was just sixteen. He had to admit though that most of his life-threatening encounters had been since meeting and befriending the Cullens. Seven years had passed since he had stood with them against the Volturi, and things were different now. She was different.

Jacob sat not so patiently waiting for Renesmee to arrive at the only descent coffee house in the small town of Forks. A tradition that had been in place every Saturday morning at 09:00AM for over a year. It was a time they used to discuss each other's lives, books they'd read, movies they'd seen. Time to decompress with a friend. However, this morning, he had decided, would be the morning he told her how he truly felt. Of course she knew he loved her. He had been there protecting her and being everything she needed since the day she was born. Over the past few months however, Jacob could not deny that the love he had for her was changing, progressing into something more mature. He was uncontrollably falling in love with her.

The bell hanging on the door of Fork's Café and Bakery rang out startling Jacob out of his deep thoughts. Disappointed and relief seeped through him as he realized it was not her. She was going to have to get here soon, or he may just chicken out. Jacob only felt semi-comfortable discussing his feelings and intentions with Renesmee after he had confided in his best friends which just so happened to be Renesmee's parents, Bella and Edward. Though they were hesitant regarding Renesmee's age, they understood that she was fully mature no matter her actual age and had known the day would come sooner or later. Jacob was a good man, and they could only hope that Renesmee was ready for the proclamation Jacob had in store for her.

Jacob had imprinted on Renesmee the first time he saw her on the day she was born only seven short years ago. He had committed his life to her in that moment and promised himself, Bella, and Edward that he would always do everything in his power to assure her safety and happiness. However, they had decided together that telling Renesmee about Jacob imprinting on her too soon could make her feel pressured into a relationship and future with him. After all, Jacob was the one that imprinted, not Renesmee. They had been through so much together since that day and he had evolved from caretaker to playmate to friend.

The bell rang out again, and Jacob looked up. There she was. As beautiful as the first spring flower and the last leaves of the fall, his Renesmee.

Jacob realized that imprinting on Renesmee has some effect on his feelings, but he becomes increasingly convinced as he watches her approach that he would love her either way. How could he not? She is absolutely gorgeous and perfect in every way. Her long, light-brown hair sitting atop her head in a messy bun. Her eyes, much like her mother's had been in her human life, were a deep, chocolate brown. She had full lips and cheeks that always seemed to be the color of roses. The less she tried, the more beautiful she was to Jacob. Today in just a blue t-shirt, blue jeans, and converse he was completely mesmerized. It wasn't until she approached him and began to speak that he came back to his senses.

"Hey! Sorry I'm late. You'd think living in a house with no one that sleeps, someone would have thought to wake me up on time. Have you been waiting long?"

Jacob returned her smile and stood to return her hug as he replied, "Nah. It's no big deal. Only about 15 minutes." Her arms slipped around his waist and his heartbeat quickened at her touch. Geez get a grip, Jacob he thought to himself.

"Are you feeling ok?" she asked as she pulled slightly away from his embrace.

"Of course! Why do you ask?' I replied perhaps a bit too nonchalantly.

"Your heart is racing, Jacob. I can hear it fluttering as we speak. What's going on?"

Damn vampire hearing. Jacob liked to think he had an abundance of talents, but unfortunately controlling his heart rate wasn't one of them. I suppose it's now or never.

"I, uh… I actually wanted to talk to you about something pretty important. Let's sit first. I ordered you a coffee. Regular with cream." I pulled out her chair for her with trembling hands and walked around to my chair.

"Oh, thanks!" she exclaimed as she sat. "I could really use the caffeine. So, what's up? Everything ok with the pack?"

"Yea, they're all doing great. It's nothing like that," Jacob replied. Averting his eyes to his knees searching for a temporary boost of confidence. He'd had this conversation in his head a hundred times in the last few months, but now that he was looking at her, looking into her eyes, words failed him.

"Well then, what is it?" Renesmee asked as the waitress brought over their coffee orders.

Jacob thanked the waitress and continued. "So, you know how wolves imprint sometimes?"

"Yes."

"Like Sam and Emily or Quil and Claire or-"

"Jacob, I get it," she laughed. "What's your point?"

"Well… I've imprinted. On you." It came out in a rush of words. I realized I was holding my breath waiting for a response, hoping that she understood. Confusion etched on Renesmee's face. Please just say something.

"Renesmee?"

"Jacob, I… I don't even know… when did this happen?"

Jacob took a deep breath and trudged on. "It happened the first time I saw you. The first time I looked into your eyes I felt a pull towards you, a promise of the future. Everything I've done since that moment has been for you. Up until a few months ago, my feelings for you were platonic. I wanted to be what you needed, and you needed a friend and a confidant. But recently, those feelings have begun to change, to strengthen." I looked into her eyes and took her hand in mine. "I'm falling in love with you, Renesmee."