A/n: My Theory:If Edward never came back, and Jacob and Bella lived out their lives the natural way, Bella is then the only possible being destined for Jacob's imprinting since there would be no Renesmee. That one act of Bella jumping off that cliff completely changed their destinies.
Anyway enough of that, I've always wanted to give Jacob his happy ending which is why I wrote this story. I hope many of you agree and like my story. Please read and review. Enjoy!
Chapter Two – Imprint
"Let me get you some dry clothes or something," Jacob mumbled, he lead me into his living room and sat me down on the lumpy couch he hesitated for a few seconds, looking at me as if he was trying to figure something out but then he leaned in and kissed my cheek and headed for his bedroom, when he returned he was wearing a new pair of sweats and he had carried with him some grey sweats and a black hoodie, "Put these on" he said, "They'll be too big but you'll freeze in your own clothes, your soaked through," he turned away to start the fire letting me get changed without watching, I respected that.
When I was changed I took my pile of wet clothes across the room to lay them out in front of the fire to dry, but Jacob took the pile from me, "Let me do that," he said and arranged them out, when he finished he took my hand and led me back to the couch, he sat down and pulled me down with him and we curled up together. I suddenly felt very tired. So I closed my eyes I felt Jacob lightly stroking my hair and I felt more content than I had in months.
If me and Jacob were going to work I was going to have to tell him everything, the reasons behind my recklessness and why I was stood on top of the cliff today, what I intended to do. And I knew Jacob wouldn't judge me, he'd help me through my troubles as he always had.
"Bella?" he whispered,
"Mmm?" I replied half asleep
"Are you awake?" he asked
"Mmm," I agreed,
"Do we need to talk?" he asked, "I mean back on the cliff, was I out of line? I didn't want to do anything I shouldn't have it just… I…" he struggled to finish his sentence, but I lifted my head to look into his eyes, my tiredness was washed away for now, "I'll probably regret it later because I know you don't feel the same way about me as I do for you, and I get it, I just don't want you to feel like I forced myself on you," I silenced him with a quick kiss on the lips, his eyes were clearly trying to comprehend my actions
"We do need to talk," I agreed,
He sighed, "I thought it might be like that,"
"No, you don't understand, Jacob," I looked down at his hand resting in my lap and I linked my fingers through his, "I've not been… myself, in a really long time," I said quietly I looked back up at Jake who was watching me intently, "But you've been helping me a lot more than you know, a lot more than even I knew,"
"I just want you to be happy again Bella," Jacob said
"I know," I smiled, "I know you do,"
"I can't stand seeing what he's put you through and what he's still putting you through, you can do so much better than that Bella," he said
"Up on the cliff today… I saw the way my life had gone and it scared me, I realise that he's never coming back for me and in that second I knew that I finally have to let go. If I keep holding on to him as tight as I have been I won't be able to survive much longer,"
"Hold onto him? Weren't you trying to forget?" Jacob asked, "You said it hurt too much to think about them,"
"It does…" I said quietly, "But the real reason I was on a self destruct mission with the bikes and the cliff diving…" was I really about to admit my insanity?
"Self destruct?" Jacob choked out, "Bella, what was you trying to achieve?"
"I was hearing… things, whenever I did something dangerous, whenever the adrenaline rush…"
"What did you hear?" Jacob asked
"I could hear him," I said, "talking to me as if he was right by my side," I could feel Jacob vibrating next to me, "Jake, take it easy," I kissed his hand, the one that was linked through mine,
"Sorry," he said stiffly, I could feel him purposely tense his body, after a few moments his shaking slowed to a stop "Go on,"
"Hearing him never caused me any pain, not like the nightmares did, he was always there but always out of reach," I continued, "instead hearing him eased my pain, up until today anyway,"
"What changed?" he asked
"Honestly? I don't know, suddenly hearing him brought me more pain than ever,"
I saw a flash in his eyes as he realised something, "Bella? What were you doing up on that cliff today?" he asked sitting up his eyes wild with fear, "You were about to jump from the top, without me there, weren't you?"
"For the adrenaline rush," I murmured, "I knew I was supposed to wait for you but I couldn't I just had to…"
Again I could feel Jacob's muscles tensing trying to control himself so I stopped, "Perhaps your subconscious was telling you to move on," he said deciding not to dwell on what I said, I could tell it had upset him.
"Maybe," I said
"I know you love him," he said, he felt me flinch, "it's obvious that you do, but Bella, he's not healthy for you, look at yourself, please don't take this the wrong way but you're acting like a junkie,"
"I know," I broke into a sob,
"Hey, hey," Jacob cradled me, "please don't cry I'm sorry okay, I won't mention it anymore more,"
I pulled my head away, "That's not it," I wiped my tears, "today on the cliff," I started, "I think I found my rehab,"
Jacob sat up, "What?" he asked
"I've never realised before because I was too blind to see it," I said softly, "but I love you too, Jacob,"
"Yeah, as my friend right, not as much as him," Jacob wasn't believing what he was hearing, I couldn't blame him after everything, after how I've behaved
"More than my friend," I couldn't agree that I loved him more than Edward, but I definitely felt a lot more than friendship for him, I pulled his head closer to me and looked into his eyes, "I'm in love with you too, Jacob,"
"Please Bella, I know you've felt guilty about our feelings not being the same, believe me I can handle that, I'll be whatever you want me to be, just don't give me false hopes, that I don't think I could handle,"
"I'm not saying these things out of guilt," I told him, I hoped he could see my sincerity, "Truly Jacob, I'm in love with you,"
"What about… him?" he swallowed hard
I couldn't speak, my feelings for Edward were still there but I had to get passed them if I wanted to be semi happy with Jacob, "I'm not sure yet," I replied finally, "but you're here, you've always been here for me and you promised you always will be here,"
"Of course I will, Bella, you know that. You don't have to do this for me; I'd rather be your friend than not be in your life at all,"
"Jacob, just kiss me," I told him
He watched my face a few seconds trying to decide how serious I was, I met his gaze to show him I was being serious, then finally he pulled me into him and he kissed me hard, I responded with the same hunger he held for me and again I was shocked by how much I wanted Jacob, how had I not realised the intensity of it before now? It wasn't the same intensity I felt with Edward though, with Jacob it was more natural, I needed him like I needed air, like I needed the sun.
"Is this really what you want?" Jacob asked me a while later, "I'll understand if you don't,"
"Yes," I whispered, "I have to go on with my life, and I want it to be with you,"
"Really?" he asked
"Really," I told him, but something was bugging me, "But there is one thing I need to ask you," I said
"What?"
"You know the imprint thing?" I asked
"Yeah?"
"What if you find your mate that way and leave me? Will you promise to always be my friend then? I need you in my life, Jacob,"
"Bella," Jacob sat up to look me in the eyes, "You are the object of my imprint, I don't see anyone else, I can't see their faces, all I see is you,"
"I am?"
"You always were, I just never told you before because I could see you didn't want that, it's why I had to push you away at first," he explained, "Whoever we imprint with, well were allowed to let them in on the secret, but you Bella, they told me not to because of your ties to the…" he stopped just before saying their name, "But I couldn't abandon you, not after making you that promise, or because of the way I feel about you," he kissed me again and then we curled up together on the couch I felt more relaxed now, I remembered what Jacob told me about the imprinting, he said it was hard to resist that level of adoration. He was right. "The wolf is whatever his object of imprint needs him to be, whether a friend or lover or both, it's his job to make her happy." He explained, "You don't need me to be just your friend anymore Bella, you want to feel loved again and that's what I'm here for,"
We lay in a comfortable silence for a while and then we heard the front door open and close. Billy Black was wheeled into the living room by Sam Uley. There was no mistaking the looks on their faces something bad had happened, both Jacob and I sat up straight
"What's wrong?" Jacob asked
"Harry Clearwater died this afternoon," Sam said,
"Oh my god," Jacob gasped, "The heart attack?" he asked, Sam and Billy nodded. I suddenly felt so very selfish, Harry Clearwater was sick and I was about to pull a stupid prank like jumping of that cliff earlier, why hadn't Jacob said anything? "Dad, are you okay?" Jacob asked
"I'm so sorry," I whispered
"It's going to be hard all round," Billy nodded
"Where's Charlie?" I asked
"He's still at the hospital with Sue. There are a lot of… arrangements to be made," Billy said and wheeled himself through to the kitchen.
"I'd better get back there," Sam mumbled and turned to leave but then turned back, "The female got away again," he told us, "Jared, Paul and Embry are keeping watch," then he walked out the door. So Victoria was still loose? A shudder went down my spine; I had faith that the pack wouldn't let her get to me, the object of a brother's imprint.
"I guess I should take you home," Jacob turned to me, "you should be there for Charlie when he gets back,"
"Are you okay?" I asked him
He nodded, "I'll be fine, worry about you for a change, Bella," he took my hand and we went out into my truck and he drove me home.