One more month. You were shocked in all honesty. He was behaving and actually working while going to school part time. Oh how you wished this Jacob had been around years ago. Sighing, you sat back on the couch staring blankly at the tv. Jacob decided to spend the week with Evie and truth be told, you missed his company.

Buzz. Buzz.
Your phone went off pulling you out of your daze. It was a message from, lo and behold, Jacob. You smiled as you read the message. 'Y/N, be ready in like 20 mins! I want to take you somewhere' You sat for a second, a bit confused. He never really planned surprises since you didn't let him drive your car. Quickly shaking off the confusion, you climbed the stairs and sifted through your closet, picking your black and white summer dress with black flats.


You were about finished fixing your hair when the sound of the front door shutting caught your attention.

"Y/N?" Jacob called out as the house was dead silent.

"Up here!" You called back. Running to your closet, you grabbed a small backpack to store your things in. As you waltzed downstairs, you could hear Jacob speaking softly. "Jacob?"

He abruptly stopped as he heard you call to him, "Yeah?" He checked over you once with an all too interested look. "Now don't we look adorable." His statement caused you to blush, "Mind if this once I drive?" Much like a dog, he tilted his head and forced his puppy eyes on you.

A groan escaped you as you hesitated, "I guess? Just try to get me home in one piece."

He swiped the keys from you excitedly, "I'll try my best." He grabbed your hand and led you outside to the driveway. "I hope you wore comfy shoes."

"Why? I swear if you take me to another one of those-"

"No, no. I learned my lesson on that." He chuckled as the two of you got into the car.


The wind blew against your face, the air was cool but not cold enough to even call for a light jacket. The clouds filled a good portion of the sky and did a good job of hiding the sun. Add to it that you two were driving through somewhat rural roads, meaning the sounds of a hectic city were almost nothing. No doubt a most perfect fall day. You inhaled deeply, jolting as a familiar scent hit your nose. A bit frantically, you searched your memory to place the scent. "I know that smell."

Jacob smiled softly, "I hoped you'd remember it. Any ideas of where we are heading now?"

You thought as hard as you possibly could. As you heard the sounds of shouts and corny music, your memory kicked in full swing. The Old Town Carnival. "Jacob..." You almost whispered as a flood of emotions and fond old memories rushed over you. "Are we really going?"

He merely nodded, "Are you happy or should I turn around?"

"No! I mean this is," Pausing to collect your words, you grabbed his hand, resting on the center arm rest, and intertwined your fingers with his. "Just, why?"

"Well I figured we could start over. Give what we had another chance. And what better way than to go to the place we had our first date?" He pulled your hand up to his face and kissed your knuckles before letting go to turn into the parking lot.

After finding a parking spot, he hopped out of the car and ran over to the other side to open your door. "Wow, Jacob. What has come over you?" You chuckled softly as you stepped out and grabbed his hand.

"Eh, I have a lot of things I need to make up. Small things like this should hardly matter." He intertwined his fingers with yours and led you to the main gate. He paid the ticket booth and got a stack of tickets.


The two of your rode a majority of the rides, save for the kid ones which seemed to be Jacob's main interest. You shared plenty of deep fried foods and sugar drenched sweets. Oh the mixture was not going to sit well with either of you but it mattered so little as you two continued to walk around. He offered to try and win you prizes, and he failed most of the time but to you it was the thought that counted.

"How about we try this game?" You pulled him over to the stand with the rubber ducks in a small pool. The attendant explained that the more points you racked up, the better the prize. "No skill needed. Just pick a duck. Shall I go first?" Jacob nodded as you pulled out your tickets and handed five over. After picking three ducks, you totaled eight points only earning you a hand sized plush.

Jacob chuckled, "I see where they get you with this one." Jacob declined the attendants offer to try. "No thanks. I think she is happy with that one." He laughed as he kept a grip on the few other prizes he had won.

The sun began to set, turning the sky into a mass of different colors. Jacob suggested that you two head home before you blew away more money. "Come on, Jacob. One more ride?" You begged him with your best puppy eyes. A defeated sigh was his response, along with a soft smile and nod.

"Which one did you want to ride?" His gaze followed your finger as it pointed to the Ferris Wheel. "Alright." After purchasing the tickets, you two stood in line which was still long, as it always was. "You know, in all the times we have come here, we never got on this one."

"The line was always too much of a wait. And we always had to be up early the next day."

Nodding his head, Jacob looked up to the Ferris Wheel. "Do they stop it at the top?"

"Yeah. That's why it is such a long wait, they let you enjoy the view a bit." You glowed with excitement as you two inched closer and closer.

Finally your turn to get on the Ferris wheel, and you almost jumped from the gate to your seat. Jacob chuckled as he followed you and closed the first half of the lock, letting the attendant do the rest. He threw his arm around your shoulders as the wheel moved slowly, letting people off and letting more on. It seemed a bit slow, but neither of you seemed to mind.

"Looks like we got on just in time." You gestured to the horizon; the sun was almost completely hidden by the time you got high enough to get a better vantage point.

The sky was painted with shades of pink, magenta, orange, and a hint of gold. "This is why I wanted to come up here. Nothing better than an eagles view of the world." You spoke softly to not disrupt the almost complete serenity, which was being disrupted by the cranking of the machines gears.

"It's not bad at all." Jacob spoke with a different tone causing you to look over to him. Without much hesitation, or warning for that matter, he grabbed your chin and gently placed his lips on yours. The sudden kiss hitched your breath and caused your cheeks to flush red. It took you a couple of seconds to react, before your face relaxed and returned the kiss. Your lips glided along his, your tongue ever-so subtly dragging across his lower lip. You could feel his mouth curve upward into a smile, as he gave a small nip to your bottom lip. He pulled away, too soon in your opinion, giving you a smug smile, "My, you look so gorgeous in this lighting."


Returning home, you placed the few prizes you had won on the table and kicked off your shoes. You didn't even realize you were this tired until you knew you could relax for good. Jacob had already plopped himself on the couch, his eyes closed as he took a moment to really sink into the sofa.

"Happy to be home?" You leaned over to back of the sofa and stared down at him.

Opening his eyes slowly, he nodded. "Yeah. Evie and I were out all morning and then you and I were out there all afternoon. I am gonna sleep really good tonight." Slowly, he closed his eyes and placed an arm under his head for a pillow.

You laid on the other side of the couch and turned the TV on. You put it on the Cooking Channel as it was the only channel with something even remotely interesting on, "So, Jacob. I have to go on a small trip for work. I'm going to be gone about four days."

"Do I need to stay with Evie?" He didn't even budge as he groggily spoke.

"If you want, but you are more than welcome to stay here." Turning your head, you looked over to him, a bit unsure if he was actually falling asleep or just quite relaxed.

"I think I'll stay here. More privacy." His cheek rose as a smile crossed his face. "Get to walk around naked? Yeah, like I am gonna pass up that opportunity." Chuckling, he finally moved his head to get a glimpse of your reaction.

With the most unamused look, you peered at him. "No. Last thing I need is your nude all over my sofa and house in general."

"You can't stop me, you are going to be gone."

Slapping him with a throw pillow, you made your point clear that he needed to at least wear undergarments. He agreed to your terms without much of a fight.


Cracking your eyes open, you blinked repeatedly to help your eyes adjust to the light in the room. You checked your phone, 3:12AM. You looked over to see Jacob still sleeping like a baby. Not wanting to disturb him, you threw a small blanket over him, turned off the TV and headed up to your room. Instead of sleeping, you began to pack for the trip. As you folded in a few tops, an eerie sensation washed over you. Your instincts roared at you that something was about to go horribly wrong.

Brushing off the feeling the best you could, you hastily finished packing and laid down. You tossed and turned for an hour or so. Sleep was being driven off by the uneasy feeling. 'Perhaps I am just nervous of leaving Jacob home alone for so long.' Nodding at the thought, you decided that was the cause and closed your eyes.

Unfortunately, it wasn't long before the feeling of your bed sinking behind you, woke you. Turning in time to see Jacob settling himself down, you noticed he froze as you leered angrily at him.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." He spoke with a delicate voice, as though he was determined to make sure you feel back to sleep easily. He quickly settled under the comforter and brushed a few strands of hair from your face.

You curled up next to him, pressing your face into his chest. Though you couldn't explain it, you just had an overwhelming feeling to get close to him now. Hugging his chest, you got as close to him as your bodies would allow.

"Are you alright, Y/N? You are never this clingy." Jacob petted your head as you made yourself at home in his arms. After assuring him that nothing was wrong, he gave you a light head kiss before continuing to pet your hair as you both drifted off to sleep.


It was now day three of your four day business trip and honestly, you were so ready to go home. You missed Jacob, Evie and your own room. Mostly your own room.

As you rested on the bed, you flipped through the limited channels of the hotel's cable. You and Jacob texted everyday, almost constantly, but today he hadn't even said hello. Admittingly you were a bit worried but figured he was just sleeping in today. Buzz. Buzz. Hastily you grabbed your phone, a message from Evie? This was unexpected. She knew you were out of town.

As you read the message, you felt multiple waves of confusion rush over you. 'Call me. It's urgent.' You quickly dialed her number, your heartbeat raced in your ears as time slowed to a crawl. All of the possibilities trampled your mind as the phone rang twice.

"Y/N." Evie sounded tired and upset. Her breathing staggered like she had been crying or exercising. You doubted it was the latter.

"Evie, what's wrong?" Your voice shook as you tried to prepare yourself for whatever she was going to say.

A deep sigh made its way to your ear, her breathing steadied as she gathered her words. "Jacob got arrested again."

Every muscle in your body tensed, your heart and lungs felt like they were going to implode. "W-what?" You couldn't process the words, no matter how many time they repeated in your head.

"I don't know what happened exactly. He isn't talking to me." She paused still obviously having a hard time breaking the new to you, "If you can, it would helpful for you to come home today."

"I'll see what I can do."


Luckily your boss let you leave early so you could tend to this situation. Anxiously, you waited for the plane to take off. It was only going to be an hour flight but it was going to feel so much longer. 'What happened? He was doing excellent. He would have lapsed sooner.' Closing your eye, you tried to silence the thoughts.

As expected the flight felt like it took a millennium, your legs felt like they were chained to anchors as you dredged your way through the airport. Evie was waiting for you at the gate of your flight. "Evie. Any luck?"

She shook her head. "He won't tell me what happened. He just kept saying he needed to talk to you."

"I knew I shouldn't have gone."

Placing a hand on your shoulder, she looked at you with soft eyes, "Hey, it's not your fault. Plus you won't be around to babysit him constantly." Evie was right, but you still felt like some of the blame was going to fall on you.

After a quite long drive from the airport, you arrived at the steps of the county jail again. "I hoped I would never have to walk or even see these steps again." The two of you scaled the steps. causing you physical pain from just touching them. You went through the security checkpoint before being led to a room where inmates could talk to visitors. You sat in the chair and picked up the phone.

An officer walked into a small room on the other side of the glass, Jacob followed him clothed in the grey prison scrubs. After being uncuffed, Jacob sat across from you, took a deep breath then grabbed the phone. "Y/N." He lowed his head before speaking again. "I'm so sorry." You barely budged as he seemed to be on the verge of tears. "I don't know what to say to you. You expected so much better of me."

"Why don't we start with this: Why the fuck are you back in here?" You couldn't hold your tongue as you seethed with anger and disappointment.

Cracking a smile he tried to make you calm down a bit, "Long story short-"

"No. I need to know the whole story. I need to know why you can't stay out of this place if not for yourself then for me and Evie!"

A heavy sigh left him as he lowered his head, "Last night, I figured I would go out. I was going to just food initially but ended up at the bar. I had a few drinks and kept to myself. Some of your old 'friends' must have recognized me though."

"Jacob, what the hell? You are still on probation."

"I know! I know. I just thought I could get one or two and get out without much trouble. But my new 'buddies' decided to start some shit. I know I should have just walked away, but they said things about you. Graphic, sexual things that I couldn't let them get away with." His face molded from one of submission to pure anger. In all honesty, it unnerved you a bit. "Then one made a comment that.." He trailed off as he didn't even want to repeat what the man said.

The anger within you dissipated slightly as you pieced together what had actually gone down. "I respect what you did to protect my honor, but Jacob, they were just words. I doubt with you around-"

Swiftly he cut you off as he looked up, "He said he would make sure I wouldn't get in the way, he was saying terrible, horrific things. And the thought of losing you that way scared me more than losing you this way." He stared at you a bit longer, "If you want nothing more to do with me because I ended up here again, fine. But I know I am in here this time because some jackass needed and I mean needed to be put in his place."

You pursed your lips as he had a valid point but for some reason you couldn't let it go. "I don't know how I will feel about this after your time is done. Right now, I am upset that you went drinking. Not so much that you beat a man, but that you violated the only condition of your parole." You bowed your head, "Again, I will not come visit you in this god awful place. I will keep in touch, but seeing you will not be something I can do."

As he went to speak again the guard called out claiming Jacob's time was up. Jacob looked at you one last time, "Y/N, I hope things will be better next time we see each other. Know that I will always love and cherish you." A faint smile crossed his face.

"I love you too, Jacob. But I should have known better." With a weak smile you placed the phone on the hanger and stood up. You walked away, your chest began to physically hurt from the pain it was beginning to feel.

Evie sat in the waiting room and looked at you with sorrowful eyes. "I take it, it went differently than you expected?"

"Much. But I can't dwell on it this time."

"Are you mad at him?"

"Kind of. But I am glad he cared enough to stand up for me like that." As you two walked out the door Evie paused at the top of the stairs. "What is it?"

"This." She pulled out a small box, it obviously contained jewelry of a sort judging by the shape and logo on it. "He was planning to give you this when you got back. I asked me to give it to you. He told me he was originally going to propose but figure now you wouldn't see that as an option since he is back in here. Jacob said to keep it to remember what you two had these past few months and that you would remember him as that Jacob, not this jailbird Jacob." She placed her hands in the pockets of her hoodie and walked down the stairs.

You opened the box to reveal a silver band with a small black and blue opal surrounded by small diamonds. Clutching the box tightly, you fought back tears. Was it joy or betrayal that washed over you at the sight of the small stone? You couldn't say for sure, but you knew that you honor his one hope and remember the Jacob who constantly bugged you to take him to the bank to deposit his check, who would wake you up at three in the morning because he had to tell you a joke and the Jacob who kissed you on a Ferris wheel under the most stunning sunset you had ever seen. You removed the ring from the box and noticed a tiny engraving on the band 'For the one I love and will protect.'