A/N: Hello my darling readers. I won't make this long because I know how much we're all waiting to see Jacob's reaction. This chapter is a little shorter, and I apologize for that. I didn't want to get into more drama at this point in the story. As you can guess, I'm a sucker for cliff hangers. I love the suspense factor in any story. Also, I just wanted to thank all of you for the reviews, story follows, and favorites. It really warms my heart to see how much you guys enjoy reading what I enjoy writing. So enjoy!
Disclaimer: Once again I will state that in the first part of this chapter a lot of the wonderful writing in Stephanie Meyer's. The characters are hers but the story line and idea are mine.
Jacob pulled away to look at me, shock covering his entire face, "What?"
"When you got hurt, I thought I lost you. It hurt me so bad and at first I didn't realize why. Then as I was unconscious-"
"Bella, you passed out? Because I got hurt?"
"Yes, now let me finish. When I passed out I started having these dreams like visions. I could see you and Billy coming to visit Charlie and bringing my truck. I could hear your voice telling me the tribe legends, which at the time you didn't believe in. I remember going to prom with Edward, and you were there; you told me your dad's warning. Then after Edward left, you were the one to light my life back up. You're the one who took care of me when no one else could. I've been too wrapped up in Edward to see that you've always been here for me. And I'm sorry I've never seen that before. Edward left me, he crushed me. You got me back in one piece; and I love you. I realize it now. I love you Jake and I'm sorry."
He pursed his lips as he measured how much I meant it. A smile flashed across his face briefly before he spoke, "Can I kiss you Bells?"
I let out the breath that I'd been holding and nodded. "Yes, you can. I'm yours now. You don't have to ask anymore."
He crushed his lips to mine and it was like everything was right in the world again. Everything else disappeared. There were no vampires or werewolves. No Volturri breathing down my neck, rushing me to make the change. It was just me and Jake. Until he hissed through his teeth and I realized where we were and that he was still hurt.
"Jake, stop! We have to stop!" I demanded. "Lie down, you idiot, you'll hurt yourself!" I jumped to my feet and pushed his good shoulder down with two hands.
He surrendered, leaning back with a gasp of pain, but he grabbed me around my waist and pulled me down on the bed, against his good side. I curled up there, trying to stifle the silly sobs against his hot skin.
"My Bella. I like the sound of that." He smiled as he set his chin on the top of my head.
"I know." I took a deep breath, trying to control myself. "Me too."
"This is the first time I've had my girlfriend in my room, you know."
"Um, Jake?"
"Yeah?"
"I haven't TECHNICALLY broke up with Edward yet." I muttered.
"What, so you come here devoting yourself to me when you're still with that leech?"
"I wanted to make sure you knew. I wanted to put you first. I don't know how long it's going to take when I go to do it and I wanted to make sure you had the comfort of knowing. Please don't be mad."
"Bells, I can't be mad at you after that kiss." He laughed with a bit of effort, and then winced. "But promise me that you really ARE leaving him?"
"Of course Jake. I promise. Do you want me to go and do it now?"
"No, just lay here for a while. Please?"
"Sure Jake. Just don't move around too much. You're still hurt."
He looked at the ceiling, his stare intent, as if he were reading something that was written there. "I'm glad you chose me Bells. I'm exactly right for you. It'll be effortless for us - comfortable, easy as breathing. I'm the natural path your life would have taken. . . ." He stared into space for a moment, and I waited. "If the world was the way it was supposed to be, if there were no monsters and no magic. We wouldn't have had to go through this. But I'm glad you chose me anyways Bells. It proves to me that our love really is strong."
"He was like a drug Bella." His voice was still gentle, not at all critical. "I'm so much healthier for you. Not a drug; more like the air, or the sun."
The corner of my mouth turned up in a half-smile. "I used to think of you that way, you know. Like the sun. My personal sun. You balanced out the clouds nicely for me."
"So you were going to get married, huh? He proposed?"
"We don't have to talk about that."
"It's okay. I've got you now. It won't kill me to know what would've been if I hadn't changed your mind."
I had to wait for a minute before I could speak. When I was pretty sure that my voice wouldn't break, I answered his question.
"It wasn't really my idea . . . but, yeah it meant a lot to him. At the time I didn't have anything else to think about. So I figured, why not?"
Jake nodded. "That's true. It's not such a big thing - in comparison."
His voice was very calm, very practical.
"Yes. In comparison," I agreed.
"Do you think that after…. You know….Do you think you would've tried to stay in contact with me? I mean it's not like you'd have to keep it a secret from me."
"I…I don't know Jake. I would've liked to but I don't know how I would've been as a newborn. They're unpredictable and scary. I saw this girl at the field. She was the last one and she surrendered. Carlisle was going to keep her; show her the alternate life. She was going crazy. Her hands were scraping the ground and she was screeching like she was dying. All because I was standing near her; she could smell me and it drove her insane. I couldn't help thinking that I would be like that. I would be her in a year or so; and that terrified me. So while I was waiting at the Cullen house, I talked to Alice. She knows about my decision but she promised Edward wouldn't find out until I wanted to tell him. She told me that it was a possibility that I would be like that, no one knew for sure. So instead of choosing a life of bloodthirsty misery, I chose you."
"Wow that was some story Bells."
Just as I opened my mouth to speak there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Jacob shouted, so close to my eardrum I winced a little.
Billy wheeled himself in looking a little glum. "Bella, the Cullen boy is outside. He wants to speak to you."
"What?!" Jake and I said in unison.
"He said the short black haired girl told him you were here. He seems pretty upset."
"Bella you don't have to go out there to see him. You can stay in here with me." Jake told me, his voice rushed.
"It's okay Jake. It's now or never, I guess." I pushed off the bed, careful not to hurt Jake, and followed Billy to the front door.
"Bella no matter what, the wolves can protect you. Don't be scared." Billy tried to calm my nerves, which he mistook for fear.
"I'm fine Billy. This is just going to be the hardest and weirdest break up I think anyone will have to suffer through."
I walk outside to find Edward leaning against my truck with his head down. As I walk towards him, he steps forward and turns towards me.
"I knew something was wrong after the way you acted at the field. Is there anything I can do to persuade you differently?"
"I'm sorry Edward," I muttered knowing he could hear me.
"You're only human," he whispered.
"That's the most miserable defense I've ever heard."
"But you are human, Bella. And, as much as I might wish otherwise, so is he. . . . There are holes in your life that I can't fill. I understand that."
"But that's not true. That's what makes me so horrible. There are no holes."
"You love him," he murmured gently.
"I do. But I care about you too," I said. It was the best I could do.
"Yes, I know that, too. But . . . when I left you, Bella, I left you bleeding. Jacob was the one to stitch you back up again. That was bound to leave its mark - on both of you. I'm not sure those kinds of stitches dissolve on their own. I can't blame either of you for something I made necessary. I may gain forgiveness, but that doesn't let me escape the consequences."
"I should have known you'd find some way to blame yourself. Please stop. I can't stand it."
"What would you like me to say?"
"I want you to call me every bad name you can think of, in every language you know. I want you to tell me that you're disgusted with me."
"I'm sorry." He sighed. "I can't do that."
I sighed. "I know. You're too much of a gentleman."
"Manners have nothing to do with this. I'll leave you to alone. Goodbye my sweet Isabella. I will always love you."
As I watched him turn and walk into the forest, I felt a pang of sadness in my heart. A part of me will always care for the vampire who once held my heart.