I let myself in.
"Hey Billy. Is he awake?" I asked.
"He woke up about half an hour ago, just before the doctor left. I think he's been waiting for you."
I flinched then took a deep breath. "Thanks."
I hesitated at the door to Jacob's room, not sure whether to knock. I decided to peek first, hoping- coward that I was- that maybe he'd gone back to sleep.
I felt like I could use just a few more minutes.
I opened the door a crack and leaned hesitantly in.
Jacob was waiting for me, his face calm and smooth.
The haggard, gaunt look was gone, but only a careful blankness took its place. There was no animation in his dark eyes.
It was hard to look at his face, knowing that I still loved him. For some reason this conversation had went over much better with Edward than I had expected.
I stepped in and shut the door quietly behind me.
"Hi, Jake." I murmured.
He didn't answer at first. He looked at my face for a long moment. Then with some effort he rearranged his expression into a slightly mocking smile.
"How are you feeling?" I mumbled. What a stupid question to ask.
"A little stoned. Dr. Fang isn't sure how much pain meds I need, so he's going with trial and error. I think he overdid it."
"But you're not in pain."
"No. At least I can't feel my injuries." He said still smiling mockingly.
"Jake…" I tried in a pained voice.
The wry humor left his face, and his eyes warmed up. His forehead creased, like he was worried.
"I… I'm staying human." I whispered softly.
His eyes went wide and he tried to move to sit up.
"Don't do that! You'll only make it worse." I said fretting over him trying to get him to lay still. My hands hovering helplessly over his body afraid if I touched him I would make it worse.
"Then come here. I want you to hug me." He said pouting at his immobility.
I laughed at him softly.
I curled up on the bed and hugged him as tight as I could, making sure not to hurt him.
He was smiling brightly before suddenly it broke off into a scowl.
"What did he say?" Jacob asked sharply.
"For me to be happy. And to name my first baby after him at least." I said smiling.
"He just backed down?" Jacob asked incredulously.
"Only because he's not going any where. I am however… that is if you can put up with me all the time." I said suddenly wary. It would be my luck that once I had made up my mind he'd change his.
"Have you lost your mind? Of course I can put up with you all the time." Jacob said.
"I love you, Jacob Black." I whispered laying my head on his warm chest.
He sucked in a deep breath. "Really?" he asked so softly I wondered if I was hearing things, but I answered him any way,
"I really do love you Jacob Black. I chose you." I said kissing his chest.