Best Kept Memory

"Well," he said. "I have to hand it to your dad and uncles. They really know how to fix a place up." Jacob and I lay on a blanket in the backyard.

"Mhm," I agreed snuggling closer to him. My head rested on his chest, my arm hung lazily across his waist. He tightened his arm around me. "Though, I'm sure Esme had a lot to do with it," I giggled.

"This weather sure beats Forks'," he commented.

"Yeah, and look you can even see some stars," I quipped.

"Eh, who's looking at the stars?"

I looked up at him, his eyes locked on mine. I'm not sure how long he'd been watching me, and was surprised I hadn't noticed sooner.

"What're you thinking," he asked.

I rested my head back on his chest and reached up to press my hand to his cheek.

"Really…" he laughed.

"Yup."

"But your parents are here."

"Jake, we're both adults. And they understand," I said.

"Still. I think it'd be best to wait till they leave. When is that anyway?"

"A couple days."

"Can you wait till then?"

"Sure, sure," I said imitating his tone perfectly. "But I'm surprised you can." He laughed.

I thought about the projection I'd shown Jacob. It was a memory of the last night of my most recent visit to La Push two weeks ago. Jacob and I were lying, just like tonight, on First Beach just talking about nothing when he all of a sudden he propped himself up oh his hands effectively rolling me off of him. But before I could protest I caught sight of the look in his dark eyes. I'd never seen it before, they were intense and full of fire, but not rage or anger. It was passion.

"Jake, what's wrong?" I asked.

"I don't know, Nessie." He sat straight up now, his hands, palms up, in his lap. He looked like he was looking for the answer in them. I sat up and scooted closer to him, his arm warming me through my jacket.

"Aw, c'mon. You can tell me," I nudged him, but he was quiet. "Jake…please tell me what's bothering you."

He finally spoke. "Nessie, you know I love you, right?"

"Of course I do," I answered quickly.

"And that I would do anything for you. And that your happiness is the single most important thing to me in the world. And that you're basically my world," he was no longer asking, just stating.

Jacob turned to me, pulling his knees up. I did the same and managed to nestle into the space between his legs. He wrapped his arms around his legs and me creating a warm cage. He leaned forward, our cheeks inches apart. I could feel his hot breath on my cheek. I heard his heart begin to beat faster. It was then I realized I wasn't breathing. I closed my eyes, trying to center myself, but all I was aware of was the scent of his hot skin. At that moment every memory worth remembering of me and Jacob flashed through my mind before settling on one. It was the moment we first met, right after I'd nearly killed my mother during birth. It was then, even after just being born, I knew that Jacob was mine, forever.

"Jacob," I whispered, my eyes were still closed, I hoped he'd sensed the seriousness in the use of his whole name.

"Mhm."

"I love you."

"I love you more," he responded in our usual manner.

"No," I sighed. "I mean I'm in love with you."

I felt him pull back, I opened my eyes and he looked at me wide-eyed.

"What? Are you sure?"

"Sure? Of course I'm sure," I was confused, and a little offended by his question.

"No, no. I only mean…well are you sure?" He was clearly at a lost for words, not untypical, but still a bit irritating. He released me from his enclosure of warmth and leaned back on his hands.

"Yes," I said seriously. I got to my knees and placed my hands on the ground on either side of him. "I know how I feel. When I was younger you were the perfect playmate. When I was going through my awkward teen "years" you were the perfect best friend. And now I'm ready for a relationship, and I know you will be the perfect man for me."

He thought for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "I just don't want you to feel like I have to be the perfect man for you. You have the choice." It was when he said those words that I realized he thought I was only saying what I was saying for one reason. Because I was his imprint.

"No, Jake," I leaned forward until Jacob was on his back and I hovered over him, our noses nearly touching, my long golden brown curls creating a curtain on both sides of us. "I truly am in love with you."

"Nessie, are you—"

Before he could finish I pressed my lips to his unsuspecting mouth. He didn't resist like I expected him to. Instead he wrapped one arm around my waist pulling me closer to him. With his free hand he cradle my head and in one swift smooth motion, without interrupting our kiss, he rolled us over so that he was on top. The weight of his body was oddly comforting. He pulled away after a few moments.

"Jake," I began, breathless.

"Shhh, Nessie. Let me say something, and I need to know you understand."

I nodded wordlessly, confused.

"I don't want you to think that just because you're my imprint that you're obligated to love me. I'm here to be whatever you want me to be, but that also doesn't mean that my feelings for you aren't genuine. I love you, Renesmee. With everything that I am and ever will be. I'm in love with you."

"I love you, more, Jacob." This time he kissed me.

The memory brought a huge smile to my face, and having Jacob near me once again made me hopeful that this happy memory wouldn't be the last. It wasn't long till my huge smile was interrupted by a huger yawn. I tried to stifle it with the back of my hand but Jacob heard anyway, damn super wolf hearing.

"Alright," he said standing up. "Time for bed." He pulled me to my feet then wrapped his arms around my waist. He pulled me to his chest and kissed my hair. I closed my eyes, wishing the moment would never end. He loosened his embrace and placed a finger under my chin, lifting it so he could look at me.

"What're you doing? Open your eyes."

"No. I can't."

"What? Why not?" He asked perplexed.

"Because if I do you'll disappear," I said matter-of-factly. He chuckled, I appreciated that Jacob was the only person willing to still put up with my spontaneous childish antics.

"What makes you say that?"

"Because most things that are magical aren't usually seen by human eyes."

"I'm not magical, Nessie. And you're only half human," he countered. "Please open your eyes."

"Uh-uh," I muttered stubbornly, a small smile played on my lips.

"Hm," he pondered. "What can I do that'll make you open your eyes."

"You're gonna have to be creative, that's all I know," my smile widened.

"Creative…like this?" He kissed my forehead.

"Not quite."

"Like this?" He kissed my cheek.

"Uh-uh," I sighed.

"Am I at least getting close," he asked with a theatrical sigh.

"Maybe."

"Well, how about this?" I could feel him lean in, close. I felt his hot breath on my face. His intoxicating scent made my head spin. His lips brushed mine so lightly that I thought I imagined it.

"Closer," I breathed. He chuckled softly. It took half a second before I felt his lips pressed against mine. His kiss was tender yet sensual, full of feeling. Full of passion. I placed my hands on either side of his face, my palms burned against his skin, and pulled him in. His tongue parted my lips and I could taste his sweet scent, my knees buckled. His hands found their way up my back steadying me before tangling themselves in my hair. I hated that it had to end, but I reluctantly pulled away. I needed a breath. I finally opened my eyes. Jacob stared at me intensely, his eyebrows furrowed.

"What's wrong," I asked confused.

He let out a heavy sigh. "Do you always have to get your way?" A teasing smile broke over his lips.

"What can I say," I giggled. "I don't give up till I get what I want."

"Alright you little monster," Jacob took my hand. "Really, time for bed."

"Sure, sure," I grumbled.

*

After saying goodnight to my family who never slept, Jacob and I made our way to the back of the house, to my room. Jacob sat on my bed while I got myself ready for bed. Once I had gotten my hair into a single braid down my back, changed into sweats and a t-shirt, and turned off the small side table lamp, I crawled under the covers snuggling into his side. The dull moonlight leaked into the large bay window by the bed. Jacob sat on top of the plush down comforter, resting against my headboard with his hands behind his head staring straight at the wall.

"Tell me a story, Jake," I said drowsily. Ever since I could remember, whenever Jacob, with my parents' permission, was allowed to put me to bed I'd always had the same request. Usually his stories revolved around the legends of the Quileute people, those I favored the most. Jacob thought for a long moment before speaking.

"Once upon a time," he started. I knew this particular wouldn't be about his people and I let out a small sigh, he chuckled. "Once upon a time," he started again. "A very special girl and a very ordinary boy fell in love. The boy believed that he was the luckiest guy alive, because the girl was truly one of a kind. One day the boy planned to give the girl a gift. A magical gift. You see, the gift held all his love, and all his promises he had for her. With this gift, no matter the distance between them, he would always be with her. Because he put his soul into the gift." My eyelids grew heavy, but the story made me smile. Jacob paused and I was afraid he wouldn't continue. I could feel his weight shift next to me.

"But there was a problem," he continued. "The boy wasn't sure the girl would accept his gift. He was afraid that what she felt for him was just in the moment, that she would eventually find someone else to love. And although the boy knew that his feelings would never change, it was something that haunted his heart." Jacob paused again, only longer this time.

"What happened," I asked quietly and looked up at him "Did the girl accept the gift?"

"You tell me," he said matching my quietness, his eyes still fixed on the wall.

I looked up at him, one arm still rested behind his head, but he twirled something in his free hand. It was a small wooden box, the size of box meant to house a ring. I couldn't find my breath.

"Jake," I said finally. "What is that?"

"Open it," he held his hand out to me, the box looked e in his wide palm.

I shrugged out from under the covers, sat up and reached for the box. The wood was smooth and dark reminding me of Jacob's warm russet skin. I pushed the top of the small box up and gasped.