This is a Bella and Jacob story. This is also a Bella and Edward story. But essentially this is a Bella story. A story about her growing up, in the way she never got to in the originals. This is my alternative version of things, with some completely new places and people. I hope you like it.

Enjoy and please review!!!!!! All suggestions, comment and critique welcome

Prologue - First kiss

He leaned in to kiss her. She was limp and did not seem to respond or enjoy it. Jacob pressed his lips harder against Bella's and persisted. He was determined to finally get Bella to understand how she feels about him.

**

Bella was resisting Jacob's kiss by just standing there limply, hoping it would all stop and they could go back to being friends. Her thoughts were rushing through her mind like wildfire.

No, stop it, you're ruining everything! We're friends, no, no... it will all go wrong and you'll leave me... I don't want to lose you...

**

Jacob persisted and held Bella even closer. He could feel his determination faltering but he wasn't giving up just yet. He gave it his all.

Com' on Bells...just listen to your heart!

**

Bella felt Jacob's lips press against hers even harder with a sort of desperation. As if he might give up any minute now unless she responds. And then she truly would lose him. She finally realised that that was the last thing she wanted and she feared it more than anything else.

I don't want to lose you Jake...you're the most important, constant thing in my life! You are my best friend. You're my rock. And you've loved without asking anything...without any questions...I don't want to lose you...I don't have to lose you.... I love you Jake...

And so Bella kissed Jacob back with ferocious passion, as if she'd woken up from a deep, dark sleep, a nightmare that kept her a prisoner of her own mind... All of those sleepless nights, feeling numb. And now that she finally let go of her fear, she felt a fire in her belly that she never knew was there.

**

Jacob felt Bella kiss him back with such passion that she pushed him back against the wall in the hallway, crushing the telephone on the wall so the receiver was left dangling. He was taken aback by the ferocity, but just gave into the feeling of happiness that spread from his lips down to the tips of his toes. At some point their kiss became a little less urgent, but was still deep and passionate. They just kissed. He lost track of time.

**

Bella was finally ready to unlock herself from Jacob. She looked at him with a combination of surprise and joy. She was free of the gut wrenching pain and emptiness that had torn through her since last September when Edward left. She felt elated and high on happiness. She loved Jacob! It was such a relief to finally admit this.

"I love you." Words ran out of her mouth as if they had been trapped there for too long waiting to be uttered. "I love you Jake. I. Love. You." She took his warm hand, kissed it and put his palm against her cheek. And then she lifted it above her head and twirled in the hallway of Charlie's small house. Bella Swan loves Jacob Black...Bella and Jake!

**

Jacob was stunned by the kiss and the look on Bella's face when he finally opened his eyes. He kissed her for so long fearing it was a dream and he would wake up. But it wasn't. Bella looked at him the way he longed for since she came to Forks a year ago.

And then she finally said it!

She loves me...Bella Swan loves me.

He was looking for traces of the pain, pity, regret, fear or all of the above. But there was nothing. She kissed his hand and placed it on her cheek, and then started twirling. Twirling!

She really loves me...Bella Swan loves Jacob Black.

"I love you Bells! But you already knew that..."

Jacob started laughing and Bella joined in. She kept twirling until finally her clumsiness took over and he pulled her in for another long kiss so she wouldn't fall on her face.

***

After another long kiss, during which they managed to drag themselves to the sofa and sat down, they both relaxed and sat in silence. Bella was engulfed by Jacob's huge frame and listened to his heart beating. Her mind wandered.

This feels right. This is good.

She smiled to herself and settled in even more deeply into Jacob's back. He made a satisfied noise but said nothing.

Hm, Charlie will probably be pleased with this....CHARLIE!

She suddenly remembered where Charlie was and sat up. Jacob tensed up and looked at her with concern. She smiled at him and lay back.

It was Harry Clearwater's funeral today. Charlie was there to represent the Swans as Bella was deemed to frail to come. So Jacob was on babysitting duty to ensure Bella stayed safe.

"Not really a wonder." She whispered.

"What do you mean?" Jake looked at her with concern once more.

"Oh, I mean, no wonder you are babysitting me today. Both of us should really be at the funeral..." she smiled weakly at Jacob. He exhaled with relief.

"Oh, you mean the months of catatonic depression, followed by ridiculous acting out including trying to kill yourself on the bike? Culminating in jumping off the cliff? Don't be silly Bells. You've been through a lot and you don't need to be at a funeral."

He was going for humour and light relief.

"That's just it! I've been so wrapped in my own stuff, I've not really paid attention to anything else and now Harry is dead. I should be there for Charlie, for Billy...I should be there for you. And here you are, once again, here you are for me." With that she kissed him lightly and smiled.

Wow, how blind was I? He's been here all this time. With patience, dedication. And love. Above all love, that I've dismissed all this time in a stupid hope that Edward would come back... how dumb... well at least I am finally free. And I'm happy.