Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, but I sure wish I'd had the idea first.

Title: Just a Chance

Summary: When her love for Jacob becomes more than she can ignore Bella makes a startling decision. How will Edward take her decision? And where will it take her?

Warning: This fic is rated 'M' for later lemons, some language, and whatever else happens to pop up.

A/N: I'm on the hunt for a beta if anyone would like to point me in the right direction. This is my first fanfic, so I hope you enjoy. Happy reading!

-Bella's Point of View-

Nothing had been the same since I'd gone with Alice to save Edward from the Volturi. I still loved him more than anything. He was my breath.
I felt like I needed Edward just to exist. Everything would have gone back to being exactly the same, except now there was Jacob.
I thought that maybe having Edward around would help to lessen my feelings for Jacob. I had hoped that now I wouldn't need Jacob to feel whole
and that I wouldn't love him anymore. But I did need Jacob to feel whole…He was my sun. He brightened my day just by grinning and taking my hand. That was normal, wasn't it?
Could best friends hold hands?

"Bella?"

I screamed. I'm been so wrapped up in my thoughts I hadn't even noticed Edward standing there. He must have come in through my window.
I glanced at my alarm clock. The red numbers glowed 2 a.m. I couldn't believe that I'd stayed up so late.
My worry dissipated as I took in the sight of my pale Adonis. He was perfect, from his amber eyes to the way every piece of clothing clung to his body.

"What are you still doing up love?" Concern laced his voice as he closed the window and sat down on my bed.

"Just thinking," I said with a strained smile. "What are you doing here?"

He cupped my face with a cool hand. "I was worried. Alice said your future has been blacking in and out, so I thought I'd come watch over you" He cocked a perfect eyebrow.

"What exactly have you been thinking about?"

I sighed. "I've been thinking about Jacob. It just doesn't seem fair to me Edward. I hate hurting him. It hurts me too."

I was a little shocked that I'd admitted so much to him. I'd never been much of a liar though.

Edward kissed my forehead. His complete love for me was maddening sometimes. A normal boyfriend would be seething at the idea of his girlfriend loving someone else. Sometimes I just wanted him to be angry with me, to stop acting like such a love stuck martyr every time I did something wrong.

"The dog will get over you in time. Human memories fade quickly. Twenty years from now Jacob will barely remember the feelings he has for you now."

Edwards blunt words brought tears to my eyes. I didn't want Jacob to forget me! A part of me wanted him to love me forever. But did that mean I wanted to love him forever?

Immediately, Edward was beside me brushing away the tears. "I only want your happiness Bella. If you think that the mutt is what would make you happy, then I won't stand in the way."

Unexpected anger filled me. I shoved against Edward's granite chest. He didn't budge and I winced at the pain it caused.

"Will you stop this martyr act for five minutes! You should care! This whole situation should bother you. The fact that this isn't effecting you at all just doesn't seem natural."
Edward's lips twisted into a sarcastic smile. "If you haven't noticed Bella this relationship is anything but normal."

"Well there are times when I want normal Edward. Sometimes I just want to be able to make-out with my boyfriend without being pushed away! Maybe even try…" I let my sentence trail off as a blush flooded my cheeks.

"Go to sleep Bella. I don't want to talk about this anymore tonight and you need sleep."

I laid back on the bed obediently and Edward pulled the covers over me. He pressed a cool kiss to my lips.

"I love you Isabella Swan."

"I love you too Edward."

He slipped under the covers and I curled up beside him. The situation wasn't settled and I was still angry. When I finally fell asleep Jacob was still resting heavily on my mind. I had to find some way to fix this. I just wanted everyone to be happy.

When I woke up the next morning Edward was already gone. I glanced at my clock again. Eleven o'clock? I slept much later than I usually did, even for the weekend.

Charlie was watching TV once I made it downstairs.

"Morning kiddo. I went up earlier to wake you but you were sleeping like the dead. Jacob called for you already."

My mood jumped immediately. Jacob had called!

"What did he say?" I'd tried to hide the excitement in my voice but failed. Charlie smiled knowingly at me.

"He said something about you coming by today if you wanted too. He seemed like he really wanted to see you."

I bounded back up the stairs immediately. I grabbed a quick shower, pulled on some jeans and a green polo and was back downstairs.

"You want anything to eat before you go?" Charlie called.

"No, I'll eat once I get there. I'll be home later."

He yelled to drive carefully but I was already out the door before he could say anything else.

The drive to La Push seemed to take forever. The minute I crossed the boundary line I felt my worries ease. When I was in La Push I felt like a different person. I was happy and carefree. No one was trailing my every step to babysit me or scold me for being reckless. I was free to be completely Bella.

Jacob jogged to my truck as soon as I'd pulled in his driveway. I stepped out only to be enveloped in a crushing hug.

"I missed you!" He said, swinging me around happily.

"Jake…air…"

He set me down with a sheepish grin and a shrug, "Guess I forget how fragile you are Bells".

His words made me angry all over again. Why did everyone seem to think I was going to fall apart at any minute? My expression must have given away my anger because Jacob was apologizing as soon as I looked at him.

"Easy Bella-I didn't mean to make you mad. Just forget it; let's go inside."

He grabbed my hand and pulled me behind him. I smiled at the warmth of his touch. It felt so…alive.

Time I spent with Jacob always seem to fly by. It was dark outside already and I couldn't really remember where the day had gone. I was just finishing up my plate of pizza when I caught Jacob looking at me anxiously.

"Everything okay Jake?"

"Can we go for a walk before you leave? I want to talk to you." His face seemed serious. It made my pulse quicken. I had hoped we could get through a whole day without having a conversation about Edward, but it didn't seem like I was going to get my wish.

Billy glanced at me when Jacob walked out the door with a grim smile. Even though he disliked the Cullens, I think he sympathized with me.

I followed him out of the house and down to the shoreline. He didn't say anything; he just kicked at the sand around us. It was hard to see without any light and I was a little nervous about being off in the dark.

"Jake if you want to talk then talk. It's kind of cold out here." As if on queue I felt a shiver run up my spine. He turned and stared at me. I met his eyes and felt mesmerized. He really was beautiful. I had the urge to reach out and run my hands over his strong, bronze biceps. I moved closer to him in the dark. He snaked his arms around my waist and pulled me even closer. His warm skin chased the chill away instantly.

"I love you Bella."

I smiled up at him, "I love you too Jake. You're my sunshine."

The words sounded so matter-of-fact when I said them, like I was commenting on the weather.

"Then why can't that just be enough for you? Why can't we just love each other and forget about everything else?"

"Because it's not that simple Jake. I love Edward too. He's my other half and…"

Jacob threw his hands up in frustration, backing away from me, "But he hurt you Bella. He destroyed you and then you just let him back in like nothing happened. I never even got one chance to prove that we could be happy together and you've given that bloodsucker two! I helped pick up the pieces of yourself when you left you, doesn't that mean I deserve a chance to be happy?"

He pulled me close to him again, crushing me against his chest. His face was close to mine. I could smell the natural, woodsy smell that was my Jacob. I could feel his warm breath on my face. His lips seemed so close, so inviting…

"Just give me one chance Bells to prove that we can be happy together. Just let me love you the way you deserve to be loved."

In the dark I could just make out his handsome face, his pleading eyes, and the perfect curve of his jaw line. It would be so easy just to say yes and give myself over to Jake completely.

"Please Bells? Just say yes. Just give me a chance…"

A/N: Well there you go. I'm not a huge fan of how this chapter turned out. It feels a little rushed, but I just wanted to get the stage set for the story. Review with any comments, criticism, or just to say 'Hi'. This is my first fanfic, so I really hope you like it! I would also accept any and all comments!