Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or the characters in it. That honor is Stephenie Meyer's. (:

Chapter One: A New Start

Bella's POV

I walked up the front steps as I dug my house keys from my pocket. It was raining again, typical weather for Forks, Washington. It had been only a month since I had said goodbye to Edward. I don't even know how I did it. But regardless, it happened…

******Flashback******

All I could see in my head was Jacob Black. After visiting at his home I knew what I had to do. I knew I had to choose between them. I knew this day was coming… but I was always so sure on my decision, but now I had completely changed it. I sat down on the park bench next to Edward trying to hide the pain in my eyes. But Edward saw right through me. "Bella, honey what's wrong?" His expression was confused, worried, and very anxious.

"Edward… there is something… I have to tell you. You are going to hate me…" I stared down at my hands not wanting to see his face.

"What is it Bella? You know I could never hate you." His brows turned down slightly leaving a crease in his forehead.

"Oh I'm sure you could." This was it… it was coming. I had made up my mind and there was no going back now. He knew there was something wrong so I couldn't change my mind at the last second. The words sort of just… slipped out, "Edward, I want to be with Jake." My eyes widen slowly as I said those words. I hadn't been sure of what to say and I had just blurted that out. I glanced up as pain flickered through him.

"Are you sure?" He looked at me. His eyes were looking straight into mine. His beautiful, liquid, topaz eyes. I nodded slowly but I wasn't so sure of myself anymore. I had lost him once and now I was just sending him away? How insane was I? "Okay so you want me to leave?"

"No Edward that's not it… It's just… I want the opportunity to explore a relationship with Jake. You know, and I know, and he knows that I'm in love with him. And you also know how much I love you… but…" I didn't know what else to say and Edward saw that. "You hate me." My voice was barely a whisper.

"No Bella… I love you more than anything and if this is what you want then… so be it. But don't think that if he hurts you I won't be here. I will always be here… if you ever change your mind. I love you Isabella Swan… and I'll be watching." He stood up and kissed me one last time. He then kissed my forehead and was gone.

"I love you too, Edward…" My voice was quiet. This was my decision but I still felt the pain of a thousand heart breaks, I'm sure Edward was feeling a lot worse. I went home and cried. I must have cried for at least a week, but Charlie didn't say a word. He didn't ask questions or mention Edward. He just carried on with life but I knew he hated seeing me like this. I put on my coat and drove to La Push to see Jacob. My Jacob.

******End Flashback******

I turned the key and walked into the house. I shook my head with a small smile playing at my lips. Charlie was asleep on the couch, snoring of course, and there was a half empty box of pizza on the kitchen counter. That's Charlie for ya, 'If Bella isn't home, resort to pizza.' I chuckled softly and cleaned up the mess in the kitchen before shuffling into the living room to wake Charlie. "Dad, Dad wake up!" I shook him lightly, and with a snort he bolted upright. "Evening' sunshine," I teased.

"Hey Bells," he answered groggily. He rubbed his eyes before he spoke again, "So how was La Push?" He smiled wide at me. He was all too thrilled about the fact I was dating Jacob Black instead of Edward Cullen.

"Same as always Dad, It was fun." I rolled my eyes at him and he chuckled lightly. "Well I better get you up to bed before you pass out on the couch again." I stood up and pulled Charlie up with me. I half dragged him over to the stairs and helped him to his room, and once he was in bed I shut the door and headed towards my room.

I gathered up my toiletries and went to take a shower. The hot water felt nice on my skin, which felt unnaturally cool without Jacob's heat to keep me warm. I got out of the shower and pulled on some plaid pajama pants with a simple black tank top. I then brushed through my hair and put it into a messy bun. Just then I heard a low thud from my bedroom and I went to see what it was. It was Jacob! He was lying on his side across my bed with a huge grin on his face. "Jake, what are you doing here?" I asked in a whisper.

"What? I can't come spend the night with my girlfriend once in a while?"

"Not when your girlfriend's father is chief of police and keeps a gun next to his bed!" I said as I walked quickly over to my bed. Jake smiled and took me into his arms. I let out a sigh of contentment as his body heat started to warm my cool skin. His kissed my hair and I smiled. All of the sudden Jake wasn't Jake anymore, at least to me he wasn't. He was a beautiful bronze haired angel. I all but jumped out of my skin as I shut my eyes tightly. When I opened them again I saw Jake with a worried expression.

"Baby are you okay?" His eyes were frantic.

"Y…yeah I'm okay… just tired." I replied.

"Okay well you get some sleep now hunny." He kissed my forehead and I closed my eyes waiting for sleep to take me. I soon fell asleep while Jacob's warm arms held me against him. I felt safe there, complete…or was something missing?