One Shot

It kind of chops and changes but I think its easy enough to follow… Feedback much appreciated xx Ari

Xxx

"Bellaaa, where are my footy boots?" Jake yelled down the hall. Jake's room looked like a tornado had hit it, a myriad of training gear, everyday clothes, shoes, uni books and computer cords covering the bed and floor. An open suitcase lay open by the door, half filled with wrinkled t-shirts in disarray. Bella tripped into the room, the missing boots dangling from her fingertips, "lose these?" she asked. Jake's face lit up at the sight of his favourite boots.

"Thank goodness for you babe, I would never have found them," Jake laughed, jumping over a pile of clothes, plucking the boots from Bella's hands, and placing a kiss on her cheek. Bella shook her head "how are you going to cope by yourself in another country," she asked, "you can't even manage when I'm here keeping an eye on you."

"More reason for you to come to then huh bub?" Jake replied. Bella ignored his comment, busying herself pulling the shirts Jacob had chosen to pack, out of the bag, folding them carefully before rolling them and packing them tidily into the black case.

Bella and Jacob had spent the last four years, in and out of a relationship, but for the last 9 months things had been going well. Their relationship had matured, and they no longer fell out over things that weren't truly important. During the course of their off and on relationship they had remained the closest of friends and Bella had supported and encouraged Jake through four years of university and his blossoming footy career alongside her own studies. Over the last nine months Jacob's career had made leaps and bounds as he was made captain of his club team, winning awards regularly for his performance and being selected for multiple representative teams where he continued to shine. Bella stood, proud as punch on the sideline at every opportunity, yelling her lungs out each time he got the ball, made a tackle or scored a try.

"Babe, how many t-shirts do you need!? You can't take your entire wardrobe," Bella commented, not looking up from the folding to give away the tears, rolling slowly down her cheeks. "Well you won't be with me to do my washing every couple of days soooo, at least two weeks worth," Jake joked, throwing multiple pairs of socks at Bella's head. He knew the struggle she was going through, the thought of leaving was hurting him just as much. Bella grabbed the socks, squishing them inside the shoes that were lying on the floor next to the bag before wrapping each one in a plastic shopping bag and positioning them on top of the pile of shirts. "Where are all your shorts and pants? You'll need a couple of hoodies for winter, it might be hot when you arrive but come July it will be cold!" Bella commented as she stood up, making her way to the bed to start folding the shorts and pants Jake had pulled off the shelves. She was trying to hide her emotions from everyone, going about the motions, only showing the excitement and pride she had for Jacob rather than how much it was killing her to see him leave. As she walked by him, Jake pulled Bella into his arms, wrapping them tightly around her narrow waist, burying his face in her hair.

"Baby, stop," he whispered, pushing the hair off her neck and placing kisses up to her ear. He felt her let go, the muscles in her neck and back loosened as she leaned on him to hold her up, heaving sobs pouring out of her chest.

Three months earlier, as the excitement of Christmas and the summer holidays approached, Bella and Jacob were planning their escape to the beach with a group of friends, finishing up internships and assignments for their summer school papers. Bella was organizing a trip to the northern beaches and bays where her parents had taken her as a child, she couldn't wait to show Jake the amazing bush walks, fishing spots and waterholes that she remembered so fondly. Their relationship was the strongest it had ever been, both happy and so in love. A letter one day threw a spanner in the works. Jacob's performance on a recent representative tournament had caught the attention of foreign scouts. The letter offered Jacob the opportunity to play in an Australian tournament the following season. Bella's heart soared, she excitedly told everybody about Jacob's achievement, her pride visible from the smile that was plastered on her face for the next week. Jacob too, was immensely excited. Though he remained humble about his skills, he too was proud of the impression he had made on the scouts.

As the tears continued to pour down Bella's cheeks, Jacob held her closer to him rubbing his hands gently over her hair and back. He had been waiting for this. She had been so busy supporting him and making sure everything went perfectly that nobody had taken the time to ask her how she really felt about the whole thing. Everything was changing. In many ways, it had already changed.

Jacob's imminent departure put their summer holiday plans on hold but nothing could have prepared them for the news that Jake's father Billy quietly shared at the dinner table one warm January evening. His health had taken a turn for the worst. His doctors had sent him for scans, confirming his greatest fear. Cancer. Terminal. Bella and Jacob hadn't known what to do or say. Billy had been the biggest supporter of their relationship and he was a rock in their world. Few words were spoken after the announcement and as Bella began clearing the table, in true Black family fashion, jokes started flying around the table as though nothing had happened.

Bella clung to Jacob momentarily before pushing him away, wiping the tears with the back of her hand and pushing her hair back off her face as she moved past Jake to the bed to continue folding.

"Bells, please," Jake pleaded with her, "talk to me. Open up." Bella kept folding. The determination on her face was almost laughable but Jacob knew she was merely burying her feelings deeper. The flush on her cheeks showed her embarrassment of letting go in Jake's presence.

"Baby, you're worrying me. Let me in. Tell me what you are thinking," Jacob continued to push. All of a sudden Bella dropped the chinos she was folding into a pile on the floor.

"What do you want me to say Jacob!?" she yelled, " what do you want me to say? If I say don't go, I'd be selfish, if I say go it looks like I don't care! I want to be selfish Jake. I want you to stay. I'd be crazy if I didn't. I'd give anything to be able to wake up in your arms every morning, to feel your lips on mine, for you to give me your jacket when it's cold but Jake I can't do it. I can't hold you back. Those far off dreams we used to talk about at night on the tray of your truck out by the lake when we barely knew each other - yours is coming true Jake! It scares me Jake. When did we grow up? This is all happening so quickly. What if you meet some gorgeous blonde Aussie girl and never come back. What if this is it Jake? I can't face it." Jake grabbed Bella in his arms once again, smashing his lips to hers. Pouring all his emotions into a passionate kiss that left them both gasping for air. The passion continued as they battled for dominance, as Jake picked Bella up, before placing her halfway up the bed. Bella lay back, taking Jacob with her.

The night the Black family learnt of Billy's condition Bella remained particularly quiet. Even Jacob's mum Sarah, who was visibly stressed over the news, seemed in better spirits. Bella knew Jacob would take the news hard, though he would be the one to remain the pillar of strength for his sisters and his mum. Jake and Billy were close, and over a bottle of Jack shared among Billy, Rebecca, Rachel and Jacob, Billy shared with Jacob his wishes for Jake to follow his dream and go to Australia. Jacob was torn and he lapsed into a habit of drinking with Embry and Quil, his two closest buddies, and house mates. He spent little time at home, throwing himself into training, working and spending time with Bella. Bella's encouragement for him to spend time with Billy fell on deaf ears.

Jacob was gentle with Bella. She needed this as much as he did. He needed her to know how much he loved her, how much he appreciated her. He dragged his lips away from hers, placing open-mouthed kisses down her neck and along her collarbone. His hands ghosted over her breasts and down over her waist, settling on her hips. "You," Jake said quietly as he lifted himself up to make room to pull Bella's soft grey tank top off, "are more than I could ever have dreamed of." Gently pulling the shirt over her head, and untying the red polka dot bikini top Bella wore underneath, Jacob continued his kissing trail, down the valley of her chest, palming her breasts in each hand…

Jacob and Bella spent countless hours together, but not once spoke about the inevitable – the distance they were about to face. They filled the hours exploring, having BBQ's with friends, watching movies that neither of them remembered anything about; they were merely a way to avoid silence. Bella helped Jacob with his training, and expanded her cooking abilities to fit his strict new diet. Two months had seemed like forever, to spend time together before Jacob's departure, but it was coming all too soon and once that plane took off, nobody knew what the future would bring.

Jake made love to Bella in the only way he could imagine right now, slow and gentle, paying attention to her every need and want. There would be time for the rough exploits they both enjoyed later. As he pumped slowly in and out of her, Jake stared into the eyes of his girl. Bella's eyes told him what he needed to know, when she couldn't find the right words. He saw the love and adoration in them, and knew it was mirrored in his own, he saw fear and confusion. Her soft moans indicated her impending release; something Jake was more than capable of helping her reach. While one hand remained resting over Bella's heart, the other worked her to release. To Jake, she had never been more beautiful than in her current vulnerability.

As the days drew closer, Jake was forced to say good-bye to more and more people. Though the season wasn't long, not knowing anyone would be Jacob's biggest challenge. By far he was more sociable than Bella, was the friendliest guy you could ever meet and had an amazing sense of humour but he had never been somewhere entirely new without one of the La Push boys. Bella had, but rather than trying to give advice, she just listened. Watching Jake say good-bye to Embry and Quil was hard. She knew they would miss their drinking buddy and chief DJ just as much as she would. There were a few stray tears, and many one armed man hugs, promises to keep in touch, and a pact made for when and where the next bottle of their beloved Jack would be opened and heartily consumed. Behind Bella's back, Embry and Quil assured Jake they would keep an eye on her and keep her entertained, maybe even introduce her to some more of the La Push girls. As Bella pulled herself up into the truck, and Jake backed out the driveway, the boys all sung out of key and tune, one of their anthems, Embry and Quil danced like idiots and Bella, well she did all she could to belt out the words amidst the laughter of their ridiculousness.

Bella lay spooning Jake in post-orgasmic bliss, running her fingers over the strong muscles of his back, drawing over the tattoo that adorned his left shoulder. Jake grabbed his phone, snapping a picture of them in their little bubble, setting it as his screen saver. They lay there for hours talking about the blessings that the last four years had bought them, and the adventures they hoped were waiting ahead. A call from Sarah that dinner was ready bought them back into reality. As they dressed they joked and laughed, Jake, cuddling Bella as they walked to the kitchen. Sarah laughed at them as they almost tripped over each other. The whole family was already at the table awaiting the pair. "Sit, sit," Sarah demanded gracefully before setting a huge plate of lamb on the table. Jacob began to dig in straight away. "Wait," Sarah laughed, "gosh boy, its cooked its not going to get up and jump off the table."

"Since it is a special occasion, tonight we will say grace and a prayer for Jake's travels," Billy announced.

"Naw shucks guys," Jacob joked, "but I really just want to eat."

Billy nodded at Rebecca, encouraging her to start. Rebecca spoke in their native tongue; first, a grace that Bella recognised, the Blacks used it regularly at family and tribal events, followed by a prayer that although Bella didn't understand a word of, was beautiful.

The next morning, Jake and Bella stood alone at the airport gates. All Jake's bag had been checked in, he had his boarding pass tucked into his passport. He was a ball of nerves and wouldn't keep still. The two of them walked the departure hall back and forth, until the final call for Jake's flight was announced over the PA system. The tears fell fast as they wrapped each other in their arms, whispering promises and declarations. Jake pulled off his hoodie, dressing Bella in its warmth before a final passionate kiss. As Jacob disappeared behind the gate, Bella found herself empowered. She already missed him, but Jake was following his dream, now was her turn to follow hers. She had the better part of 8 months to find her own way in the world before being reunited with the boy she hoped she would one day marry.

The future awaited them both; they only hoped that it allowed them to be within the confines of the same borders.

xx