Hey everybody! Here is my new story. Of course, everything belongs to Stephenie Meyer. (For those of you referencing, this begins on page 376 of New Moon)

If I turned my face to the side-if I pressed my lips against his bare shoulder...I knew without any doubt exactly what would follow. It would be very easy. There would be no need for explanation tonight.

But could I do it? Could I betray my absent heart to save my pathetic life?

Butterflies assaulted my stomach as I thought about turning my head.

And then, as clearly as if I were in immediate danger, Edward's velvet voice whipsered in my ear.

"Be happy," he told me.

I froze.

Jacob felt me stiffen and released me automatically, reaching for the door.

Wait, I wanted to say. Just a minute. But I was still locked in place, listening to the echo of Edward's voice in my head.

I grabbed Jake's hand. "Wait," I whispered.

"Bella, you don't have to pretend for me." Jacob said softly.

His words made me hesitate for a second, rethink briefly about what I was about to do. My hole ached, practically gasping for air. Even if this love was only a small, miniscule piece of what I was truly capable of, was that enough? Enough to be somewhat happy? Enough to make him happy?

I couldn't be sure that the answer was no.

I tilted my head up towards his face. It wasn't the hard face I had slowly been growing accustomed. It was a warm face, a sun. My sun.

I found myself leaning in. Jacob got the hint; he leaned in, too. I felt his breath wash over my face as he came closer. He mumurred, "Bella.." and then his lips touched mine.

I knew it would be different. But I didn't realize how different it would be. Warm, that was my body's first reaction. Not right, was the second. For a second I wavered. But then the voice came back to me, just a faint whisper, "Be happy." With new found courage and acceptance, I pressed my mouth slightly closer to Jacob's.

Jacob pulled my closer, putting his arms around my back and deepening the kiss. It wasn't anywhere close to how I felt with Edward, but it made me feel good. It didn't cut the edges of my hole. They throbbed, but not as bad as I expected. Not as bad, that was the key.

I moved my lips with his slowly. He matched my pace, being careful not to push me too far. My hands moved to his face and my fingers traced his cheekbone. I whispered, "Jacob.." He pulled back and looked at me and let me go. I started to protest but then he got out of the truck and came over to my side. No explanations tonight, hadn't I already thought that? Already committed myself to this possible, and probable, outcome? I took a deep breath. He opened my door and took my hand, being very gentle, and smiled. Not a smug smile, but a small Jacob smile.

I took his hand and got out of the truck. I felt his finger lace between mine as he shut the door and we walked toward the house. Charlie wasn't home. I felt a tinge of guilt. Harry just died and look what I'm doing...

Jacob must of felt my concern. "Hey, Bella, I don't want you to feel like you have to prove anything-"

I cut him off. He misunderstood. "No, that's not it. I was actually thinking about Harry."

"Yeah, Harry wasn't that old, really makes you think about living life, doesn't it?" We got to the door and he reached under the eeve to get the key. It's amazing what he had picked up from the time he spent with me.

I looked at him, "Charlie won't be home until late."

His eyes bore into mine, "My dad is probably going to be with him most of the night."

I opened the door and Jacob closed it. I started walking but he grabbed my arm and pulled me to a stop and turned me around, facing him. Our bodies were close, closer than I had anticipated, I had thought I had walked further. He brought his hands to my face and placed them gently around my cheeks.

"I want you to know this is all up to you. This...Bella, I know you still love him," the words stung but he said them softly, genuinely, not meaning to cause any harm but knowing that he would anyway, "so whatever happens, happens. I won't hold it against you, no matter what."

I was speechless. He had given me the ultimate escape, and choice. I wasn't sure how to respond.

"Say something." Jacob pleaded.

I hesitated and then spoke, "For now, this-it's enough." With that, he brought his lips to mine for the second time. This time, I moved my arms to go around his neck and he pulled me in closer, moving his hands to my waist. Our kissing was as slow and careful as it had been in the car, moving with a certain rhythm that was unique. Then it changed. Lightly, he traced my bottom lip with his tongue. I gasped slightly, not sure how to proceed. This was uncharted territory for me. Edward didn't allow this. This was new for me.

Jacob took my gasp has acceptance and continued. He was slow, and seemed to understand I didn't really know what I was doing and found some sort of way to help me along. His fingers played with the hem of my shirt. No explanations tonight, I thought to myself. Without reason or even telling myself to move, I found Jacob and I moving towards the stairs. When we got to the steps, he laughed a little and picked me up by the waist, carrying me to the top. I said nothing. I was afraid if I started to speak, I would lose it. And I couldn't right now. I just couldn't.

We stared at eachother in my bedroom doorway, both of us internally verifying the circumstances. He leaned over and kissed me lightly again. I walked backward into my room and he followed, continually kissing me, shutting the door behind him. I layed on my bed, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath.

"Bella..." Jacob spoke, suddenly unsure.

"For now, Jacob. No explanations for tonight." I spoke, accepting the life of partial happiness I was allowing myself.

He nodded, and started taking off his shirt.