((Disclaimer: No, you guessed it: I do not own Twilight or New Moon, which includes the characters that are portrayed in them.))

CHAPTER 3

Bella's Point of View

"Twilight, again," he murmured. "Another ending. No matter how perfect the day is, it always has to end."

"Some things don't have to end," I muttered through my teeth, instantly tense.

He sighed. (Twilight 495)

Out of my inexperienced senses, I heard a barely audible sound that reminded me of an old chair that groaned under human weight. The creaking ceased for a moment, and then got louder. One second, I was sitting on Edward's lap and the next he disappeared from underneath my fingertips. There was an undeniable pounding behind my eyes that I couldn't ignore.

Where had Edward gone?

And the creaking... the awful noise...

-----

I vaguely remember pulling a pillow over my face to drown out the horrible disturbance in the corner of my bedroom. Only I didn't bolt upright until I discovered that I wasn't dreaming. I sat up too fast, and all too quickly I felt myself dizzy.

"'Bout time. It's 9:30 in the morning."

My eyes widened to the appearance of Jacob sitting in my chair that was perched in the corner, still rocking lazily back and forth. So that's where the noise was coming from. I blinked, trying to take in his radiating profile. The sun shown through my curtains hit him just right, almost taking my breath away. I pulled the blankets up to my chest, utterly embarrassed of the pink pajama's I wore. "What are you doing here, Jacob? And how did you get in?" My voice shook with surprise.

"Your window was cracked open. And as for the first question," he stood up, smiling genuinely. I saw a hint of the old Jacob in it, which made me overwhelm with uninvited sadness. "I was just wondering if you had any plans today."

"Well, if you wanted to know what I was doing today, couldn't you of just called me and asked over the phone?" My eyelids lowered to a playful glare. I really didn't like surprises.

"Absolutely not." He crossed his arms over his chest, a stance of teasing authority.

"Why is that?" I asked, truly curious.

"Because how else would I get you to fall in love with me other than spontaneous visits in your bedroom?"

I undoubtedly notice the shifting of the bed when he sat down next to me. I clutched the covers even tighter than before. "Well, I really don't have much planned today except a date with my laundry."

"Good. Since I had promised to take you cliff diving and screwed up the plans, I took the liberty of deciding we needed to do some quality bonding without the idea of extreme sports." He looked at me from under his long eyelashes. "So how about it?"

I stalled for a response by running my thumb over my cotton sheets. If I went with him, would I regret it later? Would the hole inside of me gradually get bigger if I continue these charades with Jacob? Could I ever get over Edward if I stayed with Jacob?

Edward...

"Yes," I said with a desperate note in my voice.

"Okay," Said Jacob, his eyes full of light. "Get ready. I'll... umm... be waiting outside." He quickly kissed my cheek and headed out my bedroom door.

I slowly edged my way out of my bed and grabbed my toiletries and clothes before making my way into the bathroom. I turned on the shower and got in, the scolding, hot water blistering my back. The pain of it was washed away by the thing eating me on the inside. I started to think that maybe I couldn't do this. I looked at my open hands and closed them in a fist. I would do this--if not for my benefit, then for Jacob's.

Once I finished my human moment, I wrote a note to Charlie saying I'd be with Jacob. I walked outside and found the werewolf himself leaning against the Rabbit. I smiled faintly. He walked up and immediately wrapped his arms around me. "Please," he whispered in my neck. "Don't let him in. It's just us. Just think about us." He held me like it was all he could do to hold me together. I knew he was referring to Edward... I shuddered at the thought of him again and just nodded.

Jacob moved away, putting space between us. "It's a beautiful day; very rare not to see a cloud in the sky."

I looked up. "It is." My mood lifted suddenly. I smiled fully now, "So, what are we doing?"

"You'll see." He walked to the driver's side and got in.

I got in the passenger side of the Rabbit. This wasn't good; too many surprises in one day. Jacob's hand reached over and grabbed mine. The severe warmth of it comforted me. I turned my head and studied his rough features. There seemed to be no trace of what happened last night lingering on his expression. "Can you at least give me a hint of where we're going?"

"Nope."

Despite my nerve of surprises, I was curious as to what he was up to.

He chuckled. "All I can say is I hope you'll like it."

After about fifteen minutes of complete displeasure, I watched as Jacob pulled into a pier. Boats were lined, big and small. My eyes roamed the area, confused. I looked at Jacob for an explanation that would make sense.

"I bought a last minute ticket on a mini-cruise," he said, smirking.

"What?" I asked, dumbfounded. Somehow I knew something like this would happen.

"It's only until sunset, Bella."

"I nearly drown, and you take me on a boat the next day." I lifted an eyebrow.

"Oh, stop complaining." He rolled his eyes.

We got out of the car and he led me by hand to an old boat - a very old boat. Rust covered every inch of it, chipping the red paint that once read "The Swan" on the side. I stopped, my eyes wild. "Is this safe?"

"Of course it is, now c'mon." He wrapped one arm around my waist while gliding me along with him as we climbed aboard the ramp.

"Now wait, let's just think about this rationally... I am not going on that thing." The matter was, I hated boats. Seasickness really grabs hold of me -that and the fact that with my luck, the outcome of Titanic was bound to be the end of my life.

Jacob swung me over his shoulder. "Really, Bella. It's going to be fun."

"Jake, please," I begged.

He ignored me.

"Well, ello mates. 'Bout time you showed up. We were just about to set sail." I poked my head around Jacob's arm. My butt was still launched on his shoulder; otherwise the first thing greeting what looked to be the captain. I slouched down, embarrassed. I could feel the heat rising to my face.

"Captain Sawyer, this is Bella Swan." Jake turned around so I could fully face the captain. He had sandy brown hair and tanned skin. The wrinkles that were embedded in his face told me he was in his late 30's to early 40's. I perked my upper body up and gave a slight wave before Jake turned again.

"Ah, the same last name as this my lady here." Captain Sawyer gave a pat on the railing, referring to his boat. "Make yourselves at home. It'll be another 9 hours before we dock again." He gave a smile before disappearing.

9 hours...

I was going to die.

----

Three hours after we left precious land, I felt my legs envy for the solid ground. I clung to Jacob's torso as if he were a lifeline.

"Bella," Jake whispered in my ear and caressed my face in both of his hand's. "Look."

I turned my head, my ear pressing to his chest. There was a light blue haze to everything. Just about 20 miles off, I could see civilization that had nothing to do with us. I looked back up at Jacob and smiled like an idiot.

"It's not that bad, is it?" He smirked.

I rolled my eyes and shivered from the icy wind that blew between us. "I guess not. I thought I'd be sick by now."

He studied me for a moment then asked if I was cold.

I nodded.

"I should have warned you to bring a jacket," he mumbled, the corners of his mouth folding down.

I leaned against him and ran my hands up underneath his shirt. His body heat warmed me enough.

He shrugged, blushing. "That works, too."

----

We sat on a bench that was built in on the side of the boat now, a blanket around the both of us. My head rested against Jacob's collarbone. Despite my first thoughts, I had enjoyed the trip. The sites were beautiful. I still was surprised that I didn't get sick throughout the journey. Even after dinner, I hadn't felt a thing. About 98 of the time Jake and I were cuddling. And the other 2 were all about food.

The sun was setting and it was the end of another day. "Thank you," I said, my voice muffled against Jake's skin. "I think you just made my life."

Jacob shuffled so we were even closer than before. "No problem." He brushed some hair away from my eyes.

Even when the hole inside of me wasn't filled, I felt complete.