"Bella please don't go. Don't die. Think of Charlie.." Jacob squeezed me in his arms tighter there in the doorway of Charlie's house, while Alice waited in the car. "Think of me." I looked up into his eyes and saw the tears in them. What was I doing to him? What had he ever done to deserve the same pain that I had felt the day Edward left me in the woods?
Alice revved the engine. I looked back at her and pulled myself free from Jacob's grip. "I have to do this, Jake." I started for the car.
He reached for me, those long arms stretching, though he made no move to follow. "He left you, Bella. I never will. I love you too much to hurt you like that."
I stopped. Turning slowly, I peered at Jacob again, right into his eyes. I searched for the conviction behind his words, the truth. And I found it. I turned quickly away from him and peered through the open window at Alice in the car. "Alice.. I can't go."
She blinked at me, then her eyes narrowed. "Bella.. think carefully. If you stay here with.. him.." she shot an accusing look over my shoulder at Jacob "..Edward will die."
I shook my head slowly. "You can stop him, Alice. You have to. I'd only slow you down," I thought carefully, then added "I don't have a passport. You said you didn't have time to forge one for me."
Alice looked me in the eye again and frowned. I knew then that I had lost her. I had lost her and the rest of the Cullens. But the pain was not as bad as I thought it would be. After all, I had lost them all several months ago. "Bella.."
"Stop him, Alice. I know you can," I said quickly, then turned away from her. I could only hope the lie about my passport would be enough to keep the Cullens from going to war against the werewolves when they came back. If they ever did return at all. The real reason I could not go was standing on the porch, waiting for me.
Jacob had lowered his arms slightly while I had talked with Alice but now he opened them for me again, his eyes imploring and so full of hope.. and love.
I ran to him and threw myself against his warm body, nestling my head against his chest. I barely heard the sound of Alice's car screech away down the road as I had one ear pressed to Jacob's chest while his large, warm hand shielded the other side of my head. I clung to him so tightly I could feel each quiver going through his body. But this wasn't him fighting to keep from turning into a wolf; he was shaking from the force of his sobbing as he buried his face in my hair.
"Oh Bella.. thank you. I won't let anything happen to you.. we'll find Victoria, we'll stop her. You'll be safe, you'll see. I won't ever leave you," he babbled, pausing only when I lifted my head to gaze up at him, tears flowing down my cheeks as well.
"I love you, Jacob.. I love you," I whispered, then louder "I love you.. I'll never leave, never." He shuddered again in relief and joy and lowered his head. I stood on my toes at the same time, our lips pressing together fiercely. Closing my eyes I became limp in his arms, my head tilting into the kiss, tasting his breath, feeling the warmth of his powerful body against me.
He effortlessly picked me up and turned slowly, carrying me back into the house. Part of me still ached for Eward, and always would. But I knew I had found true unconditional love with Jacob. Edward loved me for as long as it was convenient for him to do so. Jacob would love me no matter what. In that moment I was his, and he was mine. And that's how it would be for the rest of our lives.