Chapter One

Bella

I was warm, and alive, thanks to Jake. He took me home after we woke from our nap at his house, and came inside with me.

Now, my mind buzzed as I stared at his dark eyes. His face was so close, I could kiss him, if that was what I wanted.

Did I? Could I?

Jake. Warm, kind, gentle, patient Jacob. My personal sun. He put me back together after Edward left. He cared for me and let me heal like I needed to. He taught me that it was okay to laugh and smile again.

He had pulled me out of the waves, out of the darkness.

He had saved me, in more than one way.

Affection and warmth blossomed in my chest, I leaned in that little bit of distance. . . .and kissed my Jake.

He responded as I knew he would, drawing me into his chest and kissing me back as fervently as I kissed him. His arms closed around my waist and tightened, making me feel secure even as my mind started to grow foggy from the kiss. My heartbeat raced and I shuddered when he used his tongue, stroking in and out of my mouth in a technique I'd never experienced before. I moaned in appreciation of the new method of making out.

The shrill ringing of the phone broke through the silence of the house, and the fog in my brain.

I groaned, reluctantly removing my lips from his. "I should get that, it could be important."

I grimaced, my voice sounded terrible and my throat still hurt a little when I spoke. Jake noticed my brief expression of discomfort.

"I can get it, Bells, go drink some water." He kissed my forehead and hurried to answer the phone.

I smiled, touching my lips. I could feel Jake there, they were still warm.

"Swan residence." My wolf's warm voice greeted the caller, as I turned to fill a glass with cold water. A growl reached my ears soon after. "He's making funeral arrangements, don't call again."

I jumped when he slammed the phone onto the receiver. "Jake?! What on earth is the matter with you? Who was that?"

He didn't respond, pacing and growling. I grew even more worried when he started to shake.

I nearly leaped out of my skin when the phone rang again. I answered this time, wanting to give Jake some time to calm down. "Hello?"

"Bella?" A familiar musical voice greeted my ears.

"Alice?" I whispered, my hands shaking. "What-?"

"Are you alright? I saw you jump off a cliff! After, the vision went dark, I couldn't see you anywhere!" She practically shrieked.

"I'm fine, Alice. What do you want?" Now that I was over my shock, I was angry.

"Edward thinks you killed yourself, I've tried to call him, but he won't answer. He's gone to Volturra, Bella." She told me frantically. "We have to hurry if we're going to get to him in time."

I heard the squealing of tires and a car door shut noisily. Shortly afterward, my front door opened and Alice almost danced into my kitchen.

"Come, Bella, we have to go." She said, walking forward and stretching her hand out.

I backed away from her, stepping closer to Jake's snarling, trembling form. I looked Alice dead in the eye as I spoke, to both of them. "It's okay, Jake, I'm not going anywhere."

The pixie sighed. "Bella, Edward need you-" she began, exasperated.

"No, Alice! I'm done with him!" I cut her off sharply, my tone firm. "He left me here, alone, in the dark while Victoria tried her damn best to kill me!"

"He didn't know-"

"I wasn't finished! Ever since I met Edward Cullen, I was living in darkness. Fear, anxiety, desperation-these were te emotions that I felt the most. Not love. If I stay with him, with your family, I will be living in the darkness for the rest of my life. I would be giving up everything I love, everyone I love. I can't live like that, Alice. I can't go with you."

Jake stopped trembling, visibly hanging on every word I said. I smiled at him, my heart swelling.

"I choose light. I choose life. I choose Jacob, but most importantly, I choose my family. My real family." I stared her down, daring her to say something against me.

"You choose that. . . .that animal over Edward?! How could you do such a thing?" The raven haired vampire screeched.

I loosed a growl of my own. "Don't. Call. Him. That."

Jake rubbed my arm, keeping his eye on the vampire.

"I choose Jacob, I have nothing else to say on the matter. Get out of my house and tell the rest not to contact me in any way." I commanded, my voice as cool as ice.

Alice shrieked one last time, her black eyes glaring at me, before she stalked off. The slamming of my front door and the squealing of tires informed me if her departure.

Once I was sure that she was far enough away, I took a deep breath and snuggled into Jake. "I'm sorry you had to deal with them."

"Hey, it's not your fault. It was totally awesome that you told her off, kinda hot, actually." He grinned, kissing my hair. I smacked his chest and giggled.

"Okay, goofball, I am going to take a shower." I pulled away, turning to do just that when he grabbed my arms and hauled me back toward him.

"I wasn't done with you, yet." No sooner than the words left his lips, his mouth locked onto mine, and he proceeded to kiss the day lights out of me. When I was breathless, he released me with a smug grin. "I'm gonna check in with Sam while you're in the shower."

"M'kay." Wow, the articulate one, aren't we?

Jake's laugh followed me as I climbed the stairs, I couldn't help my smile. He was happy Jake again. My Jake.

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I brushed my hair out on my bed, waiting for Jake to come up. I was relaxed from the shower and the free feeling I'd had since I gave Alice a new asshole. I felt great.

"You decent in there?" Jake called from behind my bedroom door. "If not, I can come back later."

I giggled. "Get in here, silly wolf."

"Huh, silly wolf, I like it. Is that your new nickname for me? No more Hot Stuff? Or Mr. Sexy?"

I threw my pillow at him. "Shut up! I never called you either of those!"

"Really? Why are you blushing, then?"

"Because you're being a egotistical, big headed-"

"Sexy wolf man you can't keep your hands off of?"

"Oh, you!" I huffed, irritated and threw my other pillow at him. Why couldn't he be serious? I was trying to talk to him.

"Hey, easy with those! You could damage my hotness." He griped playfully, jumping on the bed and crawling toward me.

"Jake, come on. It's been a long day and I'm trying to be serious here." I kicked at his hand as he tried to capture my ankle. He pulled me down by my legs and used my surprise to his advantage, attacking my sides with his fingers.

"Ha Ha! I am the king! Say it, Bells! Say it! Jake is king." He shouted, never ceasing his tickling.

I shrieked and laughed, attempting and failing to escape his grasp. "Jake, stop! Stop it! Please, stop, I was wanting to go to bed!"

His fingers stopped assaulting my sides and I sighed in relief, scooting upward until I reached the head of the bed.

"So, I guess I'll see you in the morning. Paul should be by in about an hour, you'll be safe tonight." He stood and walked in his usual graceful manned to the window.

"Wait! Please, stay." I whispered, knowing he would hear me. His head swiveled in my direction, listening even as his body stayed facing the window. "I don't want to be alone, tonight. I know that any of the wolves can protect me, and I know any of them could be here to keep me company, but I want you. I want it to be you who stays with me. I want you to be the one that I snuggle with, to get warmth. I want you to be laying next to me, in my bed, while I sleep."

I waited with bated breath while Jake stood facing the window, hoping he would say something, or do something.

I didn't have to wait long.

He joined me soon after my speech, staying on top of the blankets as he lay down. I curled into his side, snuggling into his warmth and breathing in his scent.

"Night, Bells."

Those words were the last thing I heard before sleep drug me under its heavy blanket.