DISCLAIMER: All Twilight Saga characters and (most) ideas belong to Stephenie Meyer.

A/N: I apologize for the short fight scene in the previous chapter. I didn't want to copy the one from the book (that's a lot of copying) and I also mainly wanted the focus of this story to begin ASAP.

I'm sorry this update has taken so long! I have a ganglion cyst in my left wrist and it's been causing a lot of pain. It broke one of the bones it's next to. I have been wearing a brace for a while now (I hate that thing!) and went in this morning for a CT scan. I go back to the specialist in a week and a half, and we'll see what he says other than that the arthritis in my wrist is far more advanced than it should be for someone of my age (I'm 21!) I apologize for delayed updates and I will try to get them up more often. College starts again in a month and between that, working full-time, and whatever else the wrist specialist throws at me to fix my wrist, I'm not sure how it will go.

I'm warning you now that the way I portray Bella in this story will be different than the way she's portrayed in the books. I'm going to be putting her through some "changes," as you will see in this chapter. Thanks for reading!

** I go in for surgery on the 27th. I am working on the next chapter, trying to get it done quickly. School starts again on the 26th (for my class schedule) and I have not had constant internet access. We've been getting a lot of storms here on the east coast, and even a little rain causes my internet to act up even with Cox Cable (probably because I live in a very rural area). I've been working overtime the last few weeks, trying to rack up as much money as I can to last me until I am able to start working again. I am certainly looking forward to a few weeks off work, but not the lack of income. I will try to type more, but I'm not sure how well that will go with one hand :P I have not forgotten about this story, and I'm not certain many people have been reading it, but unfortunately I have more important things to worry about than typing this story. Writing has always been my outlet for my excess emotions, and it has been on the back burner for a while, which is not helping me one bit, but life happens, and I have to focus on what's important in my life. I hope those that do read this story enjoy it, and please review!

I stared at him, unable to speak. That was the real question, wasn't it? Was my love for Edward enough, or was my love for Jacob stronger?

"Bella, I told you this already. When we returned from Italy, I told you that if you wanted someone else, I would not stand in your way. I love you, and I want you to stay human. I want you to live a human life, and I want you to be happy. All I care about is your happiness. As long as you are happy, I can live with your decision."

I looked at him, searching for anything that would give him away, anything that would tell me if there was anything but truth in his words. As I looked at his face, I saw the pain and sadness I was causing him.

I still didn't know what to say; I still didn't know what the right choice was. I had wanted immortality ─ forever ─ with Edward. I had wanted it from the time I realized what he was. But now, I wasn't so sure. Which one could I not live without?

I remembered back when Edward left me; the pain lashed at me from the memories. And I remembered how, after a few months, Jacob helped me. He was my person sun, fighting the pain that I had suffered when Edward left. And I remembered how it felt when Jacob had to leave me ─ under Sam's orders and not of his own free will. I remembered how he fought the command and snuck into my room, just to keep his promise, before I found about the wolves. I remembered how it tore open the hole and widened it when I had finally begun to think it was going away.

And I knew who I couldn't live without. I lived through Edward leaving, even if I barely did. But Jacob was there for me when I needed him. And I didn't know it at the time; I didn't know that I loved him. I was too hung up with Edward that I was refusing my feelings for Jacob.

And I almost didn't live when Jacob left.

I looked at Edward, and the pain on his face was growing more evident as the silence stretched on.

"Bella?" he whispered, knowing the answer.

"I'm sorry," I choked.

He took a deep, shaky breath. "As long as you're happy."

I nodded, unable to speak.

"Do you want me to take you to him?" he asked softly.

I nodded meekly, scared to speak.

He turned and walked toward the drive way and opened the door for me. I climbed in and he walked to the driver's side and got in. We drove in silence; we were about a mile from the La Push border when he came to a stop and turned to look at me.

"Bella," he said, "I love you. I won't stand in your way because I want you to be happy. But if he hurts you… I don't know if… I don't know what I'd do. I love you enough to let you go, because this is what I want. I want you human, warm, clumsy, soft. And Jacob can give you so much more than I can. If you ever need me or want me back… I'll be waiting. Until the day you leave this world. And I will follow soon after."

"Edward, I… I love you, too… I'm sorry it's not enough…" I said, my voice breaking.

He began driving again, and once we reached the border, he got out and came to open my door. He took my hand and pulled me gently into his arms. He pulled my face so I was looking up at him, and leaned in.

This kiss was different, of course. It was soft, gentle, pleading. It was goodbye.

He stepped away from me and motioned behind me. Quil was waiting in a car parked about hundred feet away. I took a few steps backward, watching his face. The pain was evident but I couldn't bring myself to regret my decision. I felt a tear trickle down my cheek as I turned and walked toward the waiting car. I got in the passenger seat, watching Edward as I did so. His face crumpled in pain as Quil made a wide U-turn and headed towards Jacob's little red house.

Quil didn't say anything until we got to the house.

"He's been asking for you," he told me as we got out of the car.

I gulped as I walked to the door; Quil stayed outside. Billy was waiting by the door.

"He's in his room," Billy told me and then wheeled himself to the tiny kitchen on the other side of the house.

I walked down the short hallway and stood outside the door. I debated on whether to knock or not.

"Come in," Jake called weakly just as I was about to knock.

I opened the door a couple inches and peered in. Jake was lying on his bed, his right arm in a sling and his right leg propped up on pillows and wrapped in bandages. He was covered in sweat.

"Hey," I said quietly as I stepped into the small room, avoiding his gaze.

"Hey," he replied, pain filling his voice.

"I know you think… you think that I came to… to tell you goodbye," I whispered.

"So then what did you come for?" he asked bitterly. "To tell me off? To tell me you love me but you choose him? To rub it in my face?"

"Shut up," I said angrily. "I came to tell you that… that yes, I do love him… but… but I choose you…" I said, still unable to meet his gaze. I heard him inhale sharply and felt his eyes on me.

"Bella," he gasped. I looked up and saw him staring at me. In that same instant, something in the air changed. There was an electric current, and suddenly, he was my whole world. He was my everything, and I would do anything, be anything, for him. He was my soul mate.

"You… we… imprinted," I gasped, my breathing sharp. I took the few short steps into his small room and kneeled next to his bed. He reached his left hand across and took my hand in his, a smile on his face.

"I didn't think it would ever happen…" he murmured.

"Jake…" I said, getting up to kiss him.

Our lips met and I felt like an electric current was running through me. His lips were soft, warm against mine, and as our lips moved together, I could see the same scene I had seen before, a collage of my family mixed in with La Push and Jacob and the wolves, Jacob standing as protector, keeping me safe.

"Bella," Jake whispered, pulling away slightly to look at my face.

I was confused. Why did we just imprint? If he was going to imprint on me, why didn't it happen the first time he saw me after he phased? Why now?

"Jake…" I whispered, a lone tear trickling down my face.

"It took long enough… I'm so glad… Finally, I didn't think you would ever choose me. I had to do what I could, of course, to make you realize that you loved me, but… I never imagined you'd choose me, let alone that we'd imprint."

"Jake, why now? Why did we imprint now, and not the first time you saw me after changing… I don't understand. I'm glad you did… It means that I know for sure you'll never leave me."

"I don't know, Bells. Maybe because you were fighting it so hard? We can talk to Sam and the Elders if you want, try to find out."

"We can, we'll see. Right now we need to focus on getting you healed. You have to be more careful, Jake… I couldn't take it if I lose you, Jake."

He snorted. "Bells, I'll be more careful. I let my guard down trying to protect Leah. Won't happen again, I promise."

I heard the front door open and shut, and Billy's voice floating down the tiny hallway, but I couldn't make out what he was saying. Jacob looked toward the door expectantly as Charlie walked in, confusion clear on his face when he saw me.

"Hey, Dad," I said, not meeting his gaze.

"Hey, Bells, Edward called. He said that you'd need a ride home from Jacob's. He had to leave suddenly, had a family emergency. Carlisle is the only one who stayed behind so he could help Jacob."

I turned away and nodded. I felt the familiar pain lashing at me, but it was different. It didn't hurt as much, because I had Jacob now, and would for the rest of my life.

"Thanks, Dad. I'll be out in a minute," I replied. I heard Charlie huff as he turned and went to the living room.

I looked at Jake's face, and saw pain.

"Bella, I… I know we imprinted, but… are you sure? I saw the pain it caused you when he talked about Edward, and I…"

"Jake, I'm sure. I only feel guilty, because I drove him away from his home, the place he loves. It's not fair to him… but I made my decision. It's the decision I can, and will, live with, because it's the only decision that made sense. Now, get some rest and I'll be back in the morning. Bye, Jake, I love you," I told him and smiled. I leaned to give him a peck, then got up and headed for the door.

"Bye, Bella, I love you, too."

I shut the door behind me and went out to the living room.

"Dad, I'm ready," I told him as I walked towards the door. He said goodbye to Billy and followed me. When I was outside, I saw my truck in the driveway and froze, surprised.

"I didn't think you'd want to ride in the cruiser," Charlie told me, his face turning slightly red.

"Thanks, Dad," I replied and smiled and then added, "you can drive though."

He chuckled as we walked to the car and we left.

"Bella?" he asked as we drove down the dirt road leading back to Forks.

"Yeah?" I asked, confused.

"What happened… with Edward? I mean… he sounded upset when he called. He told me that you wanted to see Jake because of the accident, to make sure he was okay. And that he took you there instead of home, because you wanted to be there when Jacob woke up. But his voice implied something else."

I cringed. Of course Charlie would be paying attention today, of all days.

"We… broke up," I told him, my voice thick.

"Oh," was all he said.

"I… I finally realized my feelings for Jake. And… I spent all weekend with Alice debating to myself. Edward just wants me happy, and he loves me enough to let me go so I can be happy. And I know it is Jake I can't live without. Edward left once, so who's to say he won't do it again? Jake… Jake was there for me through it all, he was my rock. And that's not something I can ignore."

Charlie didn't say anything else. Either he didn't know what to say to comfort me, or he didn't want to say the wrong thing and upset me. But I knew he was relieved that I chose Jacob; I could see it on his face.

When we got back, I went about getting his dinner together. I decided to keep it simple and made spaghetti and meatballs.

Charlie and I ate in silence. I was thinking about the new connection between Jake and I, the imprint, and trying to figure out why it took so long to happen. The only logical explanation I could come up with was that I was too hung up on Edward, too focused on him, unable to let him go, that I was fighting it and preventing it from happening.

I cleaned up dinner and then went upstairs to read before bed. First, I checked my e-mail and found a new one from Renee. I replied to it quickly, telling her about the (fake) shopping trip and sleepover with Alice. I decided to tell her that Edward and I broke up, because I knew she would hear it from Charlie soon enough, anyways.

I then shut the computer down and grabbed my copy of Wuthering Heights. I lay in bed and tried to focus on reading, but it wasn't enough to keep my mind from wandering back from today's events.

I knew my choice was the right choice because the imprint confirmed it. And while Jake was my whole world now, a part of me would always love Edward. My heart ached for the pain I caused him, but I obviously couldn't change my mind. I was angry with myself for driving his family away from their home.

Tonight was going to be difficult because I wasn't used to be alone. I longed for Edward to hold me and hum my lullaby while I slept, but I realized it wasn't Edward I wanted; it was Jacob.

I curled into a ball and cried, unable to hold it back any longer. It had to have been well after one in the morning before I finally fell into a restless, nightmare-filled night.

I woke up to bright light shining in the window. My eyes were dried out from crying, and there was nothing left to cry about. Today was the day I would start living my new life with my new family.

I got out of bed and went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and shower. Afterwards, I got dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, grabbed my jacket and went downstairs to eat before going to Jake's. Charlie wasn't in the kitchen; I knew he must have already been gone to fish, so I glanced at the clock.

Holy crow! I thought to myself. No wonder Charlie was gone; it was almost noon. I ate my cereal quickly, and left, hoping to catch Carlisle while he was at Jake's. I had a few questions I wanted to ask him, like why everyone left.

When I pulled up outside the little red house, I noticed Carlisle's black Mercedes and parked next to it. I was getting out of my truck just as Carlisle was walking out the door. He noticed me immediately, and I knew he wanted to talk to me because of his expression. I waited by my truck.

"Bella, just the person I wanted to see," Carlisle said with a grim smile.

"Carlisle, I need to know…"

"They did not leave because of you. They took Bree up to our family in Alaska so that she is further away from temptation. We are going to try to rehabilitate her, and she does not seem unwilling. She actually seems excited, because from what Edward picked up from her thoughts, she hated the way she was living. She hated killing innocent people."

"How did you―" I began, but stopped when Carlisle smiled a little wider and chuckled.

"Bella, you are not hard to figure out. Of course you worry that you drove Edward and our entire family from his home. And Edward suspected you would ask, as well. He is happy for you, Bella. That is all he's ever wanted. And he is happy that you will be living your life the way you are meant to. They'll be back in a few months or so, whenever they decide Bree will be able to handle it. She is still in her first year, but she's been living this new life for almost six months, so she already is learning control very well."

I nodded, unable to speak. I wasn't sure whether to feel relived or upset. Relieved because I was not the reason for his family's departure and upset because the small part of me still missed Edward dearly.

"Bella… I know you remember your last birthday… Well, after Edward took you home, I was cleaning up in the living room, and there was some blood left on the floor. I should have asked your permission, and I apologize for not doing so, but I took the liberty of running genetic tests on your blood. I wondered if there was a genetic reason your mind was closed off to Edward; I didn't find a reason for this. I did find that you have a different number of chromosomes than humans, but I'm not sure why this is. You have twenty-four pairs, where humans have twenty-three and vampires have twenty-five. I asked Jake for his permission to run genetic tests on his blood, as well, and I'll let both of you know the results."

"So I'm not… human?" I asked, confused. I felt human. And I surely acted human. I'm really clumsy, I get flustered easily, and everything about my body was normal.

"You are human; your heart beats, your temperature runs at 98.6, you grow, you learn, you can be injured… I'm wondering if your body is undergoing changes that will happen soon. Just like with the wolves, when the wolf gene gets triggered, they grow extremely fast, gain muscle, and become really strong. But they still reproduce with humans. The fact that they still exist is proof of that. But these changes happen within a few months, usually around sixteen… at least, until a bunch of vampires come to the area and trigger it," he smiled slightly at his joke, his face relaxed. "I was wondering if I could get more blood, compare it to what I've already tested. And I wanted to keep an eye on you, to watch for any changes like that," he added.

I took a deep breath, taking everything in. I always suspected there was something different about me, but I didn't know what. It confused me why I was the only exception to Edward's gift. "Carlisle, what about my parents? If I have twenty-four chromosomes, wouldn't that mean that my parents do, too?"

"I was doing research after I ran tests on your blood. I discovered something in a few collections of files from my time with the Volturi. They talked about 'The Chosen One,' someone who is born to normal human parents, but has special powers, like a vampire, but is human. Once they undergo the changes, they become immune to vampire venom. When the Volturi find out about them, they are usually killed. The reason is because if enough of them come about, they could come together to destroy the Volturi. There have only been about a dozen. But the Volturi are so obsessed with power and greed that they don't want to risk it. When Aro gave me that collection, I hadn't left them yet. He wanted me to know about them, so I could report them if I came across any. I had forgotten all about it until I tested your blood. He never asked for them back, and I'm sure he still thinks I'd tell him if I came across any."

It took me a minute to register something, a conversation from when I went to Italy to save Edward. "Carlisle, what about… what about when the Volturi come to see if I'm still human? They'll kill me if I'm not a vampire. And as soon as they find you, all Aro has to do is to read yours or Edward's mind to know about me. They'll kill you all, and then come after Jake and me!"

"When they come, we'll tell them the truth. Edward doesn't know about your blood, and I plan to keep it that way. And as you were with Edward, I believe he'll ask Edward for updates, not me. And we'll tell them that you are with a shape-shifter, and that you imprinted. They can't kill you then, or at least they will have no reason to, because had you never met us, and had Jacob gone through the changes, you would have imprinted with him and found out about vampires anyways. But as Edward pointed out, time means something different to the Volturi. I don't believe they will come here for many years. And even using Demetri to track us, they won't be able to find you. At least I don't expect them to. And we can warn you and Jacob if they come to us, so you can leave and hide somewhere they won't find you."

"How did you know we imprinted?" I asked, of all things.

"Jacob told me. He's almost completely healed now; he just needs a few more hours. Unfortunately, Charlie did see him injured, so he's going to have to probably fake it for a bit. Charlie thinks he was in a motorcycle accident from what I understand. He'll have to refrain from phasing for a few weeks to give his body some resting time. He was ecstatic this morning, and I asked him if he used too much morphine because of his good mood, and he laughed and told me what happened," Carlisle responded, laughing a little.

I smiled, knowing Jake was going to be just fine, and knowing he was happy. His joy, my joy― this was going to take some getting used to, but I knew I had made the right decision. "Thank you Carlisle, for everything. I hope that when Bree is better, that you will return. I know how much you all love Forks."

Carlisle nodded, "We will, I'm sure. Edward will likely want to check on you, and I'll be waiting to see if you go through the changes. Speaking of which, when I come back by around six tonight, would you mind if I take blood then?"

"That will be fine. I will see you then," I said. Carlisle nodded to me and left, and I walked to the house, feeling more optimistic than I had the night before. I was positive about my decision, and eager to see what else Carlisle would find out with my blood.