15 Years Later

BPOV


The sound of a light morning drizzle hitting the brick roof over my head soothed me. I did not sleep well last night whatsoever. It was another night of insomnia, but not wanting to get out of bed and do something about it. I smiled softly to myself as the bed jostled. My smile grew when I looked over at the sleeping form next to me.

"Good morning." I whispered softly, leaning over to place a kiss on my husband's forehead. He stirred before groggily opening his eyes. His deep brown eyes burned into me with so much love and adoration it sent warmth throughout my body.

"Mornin' love." His extra husky voice from just waking up brought another smile to my face. I lay back down and curled into his chest. There were still some days that I could not comprehend how lucky I was to be married to the most amazing guy who is also my best friend. It filled me with happiness thinking of how I became Mrs. Bella Black.

"Imprinted? What the heck is that?" I mumbled in my seat next to Jake. The look in his eyes sent emotions running deep throughout me. I knew he was serious, but this was something he left out of his explanation earlier.

"It is a wolf thing." Jacob sighed. He grabbed my hand and began rubbing circles into the back of it. "Imprinting isn't something we can control. It happens to all of us at some point or sometimes never. It just depends."

"What is it exactly? Like when an animal is born and it imprints on its mother?" I questioned, trying to control the confusion and anxiety running through my body. Jake let out a small laugh.

"Not exactly. Imprinting is finding the one who your soul belongs to; your soul mate. It becomes an unconditional tie for the wolf and that person, whether or not that person feels the same way. The wolf will do anything and be anything for that person, regardless of anything else. Every other obligation becomes secondary to the imprintee." Jake explained calmly. He must have seen the look on my face when he said soul mate.

"So what does it mean that you've imprinted on me?" I asked nervously, apprehensive of the answer. Jake sighed heavily again.

"Bella, you already know that I love you more than anything. There isn't anything in this world that I wouldn't do to keep you safe, happy, and protected. I knew all of this before my first phase, but it became all that much more real after I saw you there on the beach. It is like my gravity was taken away and the only thing holding me down to earth is you." He looked over to meet my eyes. I didn't know what my expression was. It is so much to take in.

"Jake…" I mumbled, feeling the tears beginning to pool in my eyes. Could I love Jake with the same amount of tenacity that I loved Edward? Could I let go of Edward? Thinking of his name was like sending a bullet through me. I pulled my arm instinctively over my chest.

"I know this is a lot for you to process. I know how you still feel towards him. I am not pressuring you or pushing you into anything you don't want Bella. I will always be here waiting for you. In any form you want me to be." Jake pressed a hot kiss to my temple and got out of my truck. He began to jog back in the direction we drove. After he left, I felt the literal and emotional missing of warmth. The night was spent with many questions and a healing process I never thought would come.

I was at Billy's once again at an unreasonable time. It didn't matter. I had made my choice and I needed to follow through with it before I lost my courage. I repeated the same thing to Billy as I had the previous day. Waiting at the beach this morning was even worse than yesterday. Today I knew I was giving up a part of me that I held onto; the pain that I could not get rid of, but was so ready to be free from. Today is a day for change and chance.

"Hey." Jake said softly from behind me. I turned to face him slowly. I paused briefly to truly look at him. His russet skin was glowing with the faint sunshine that was breaking through the clouds. His form towered over me, but I felt no fear. He grew almost an entire foot after his phase and he truly looked like a man for being 16. His glossy cropped hair shimmered from the sunlight. I studied his face for a long moment. He lost the childish roundness to his face that he had. His jaw was defined and strong. His eyes bore into mine with nothing but love. It was then that I knew I could love Jake and love him adequately.

Without losing my courage, I closed the distance between us in a run. I threw myself into his arms, trusting him to catch me completely. I closed the distance between our lips with more passion than I had shown in my entire life. It felt right. Like everything in the world came together and clicked in that moment. I am not naïve and realize there will still be heartache, but with Jake, I can overcome it. Jake returned my kiss with just as much fervor. After a moment, we broke apart, breathing heavily.

"I'm ready Jacob. I am ready to take the next step of my life with you by my side. I am not promising that I am perfect. I am not healed, but I am ready to take that step. I need your help, but I know now that this is where I am meant to be."

The rest is history. Jacob proposed in a beautiful candlelit ceremony with all our friends and family there three years later. We were married on First Beach in an equally beautiful ceremony. The pack killed Victoria 6 months after Jacob and I became a couple, making it much easier for me to truly progress with him. Getting over Edward was a lot harder than I thought, but with Jake's love and support, I was able to fully close the gash he left in my heart.

Six years into our marriage, we found out we were pregnant. I never thought about having kids, but once I heard the little heartbeat of my baby, I never truly knew what love was. Sarah Renee Black came along and has been nothing but wonderful in our lives. Jacob is the best father to our daughter and the best husband to me.

Three years after that another little bundle of joy came along. William Charles Black has been the feisty, but most loving little boy. Hey, he is named after both of our rambunctious fathers.

Here we are, three years later, living in a beautiful home in La Push with our beautiful family. If someone would have said to me 15 years ago that this would be my life, I would have told them they were absolutely insane. Now, I wouldn't change a single thing.

"Jake, we got to get going. I want to get to Port Angeles and back before it gets late so we can actually be on time to dinner at Sam and Emily's." I said, shaking him gently.

"I know sweetheart." Jake grumbled, sitting up and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"That was easier than I expected." I grinned happily. Jake gave me a small smirk before leaning over for a kiss. He moved to pull back, but my hand on his neck held him there. After a few moments longer, I let him pull back.

"What was that about?" He grinned, looking quite smitten. I returned his smile while getting out of bed.

"I just love your kisses." I smiled with a wink. His smile grew larger as he got out of bed. "I'll go get the kids ready. Will you make breakfast please?"

"Sure thing babe." He said, playfully swatting my behind as he walked by. I shook my head with a laugh. We may have been together for 15 years, but we still loved each other like the first year. Marriage only made us stronger.

I walked down the hallway before coming to a stop at the front of my children's door. I could hear them playing together. I opened the door and looked in; my heart immediately overflowed with love at the sight. Sarah had built a huge tower with Legos and Willy was attacking it with his dinosaurs. Both had huge smiles as they played together. Sarah is the spitting image of her father; long, silky black hair that flows to her mid-back, russet skin, and the cutest little nose. She has his personality as well; so genuine and caring for others, acting without thinking, having a temper, and loving unconditionally. Willy on the other hand was the spitting image of me; curly dark brown hair, a light russet skin tone, and big doe brown eyes. He's shy at times and quieter than his sister, but he is not afraid to get rowdy either. Both of my children are such a mixture of Jacob and I. I don't see how a girl could be any luckier.

"Good morning my sweet little babies." I cooed coming into their room. Both turned excitedly towards me.

"Mama!" Willy cried enthusiastically while running into my arms. "Sissy and me were playing King Kong but with my dinos!" He shrieked with a smile. I let out a small laugh at my crazy boy.

"That's really special sweetie." I kissed his forehead and hugged the little girl wrapped around my leg.

"Willy loves his dinosaurs." Sarah said with a smile. I bent down and kissed her forehead as well.

"Mama loves you both as much as a million dinosaurs weigh." Willy's eyes lit up at my comment. The little boy loves and knows more about dinosaurs that humanly possible.

"That's a lot of love, Mama." Willy smiled sincerely. I ruffled his hair playfully.

"Is it time for breakfast!?" Sarah asked enthusiastically, running out of the room and down the hall. I could hear her excited chatter as I carried Willy towards the kitchen.

Jake had made their favorite breakfast. Fruity Pebbles with the Quileute special on the side. The Quileute special truly wasn't anything besides toast and jam, but the kids loved calling it that.

"So kids, today we are going to Port Angeles. We have to go to the mall and find a gift for Leah and Mako's wedding." I explained to my kids as they happily munched on their breakfast. Sarah's eyes lit up.

"Mommy, could we please stop by the bookstore!" She turned on her best puppy dog eyes and I couldn't resist.

"Sure sweetie." Her grin grew even bigger at my response.

"Oh boy." Jake murmured under his breath.


A few hours later we were at the only mall in Port Angeles. It was nothing compared to Seattle, but still overwhelmed me all the same. There were more people than normal. My guess was that Christmas season was starting even earlier this year. It was a little nerve wrecking, but Jake soothed my nerves and led the way through the crowds expertly.

"What store are we going to, Mama?" Sarah asked with her eyes bright.

"Things Remembered. They sell a lot of cute gifts for things just like weddings." I explained with a smile. We finally reached the store and were out in less than 20 minutes. It had to be a new record. With Sarah's help, we picked out a beautiful photo album and Christmas ornament that would be sent to us with their names engraved. Just in time for their December wedding.

"Wish it would have been that easy when shopping for Emily." Jake laughed his deep and husky laugh as he pushed the cart that Willy was riding in. I elbowed him in the side teasingly.

"That was different. Emily is my best friend. I had to find something extra special." Jake rolled his eyes at my explanation. I stuck my tongue out at him and we both began to laugh.

"Mama, why is that lady staring at us?" Willy's curious voice broke our laughter as we both turned serious. We exchanged eye contact briefly before stopping to talk to Willy. In that one moment, I could read everything in his eyes. The deep brown that I loved so much was saying 'Don't worry. I won't let anything happen.'

"Where at, baby?" Jake asked, kneeling down next to the cart. Willy pointed in the direction of the food court. I followed his direction and felt my heart fall to my stomach. No. This is impossible. It can't be happening.

"Alice Cullen…"


Review and tell me what you think happens next!

Love,

GVE