Later that afternoon, Bella was sitting with Jacob on the reservation. She was resting against his side while he had his arm draped over her shoulders. They were out by the lake looking at the water while the sun went down when she leaned up to look at him.

"Jake?" Bella asked. He seemed to sense her discomfort because he looked at her and had concern in his eyes.

"What's going on Bella?" She sat up all the way and Jacob held her hand. It was so warm; when Bella looked down and saw their fingers tangled together she smiled. He squeezed her hand gently. "Bella? You can tell me." Finally, she looked up at him.

"Have you ever considered a treaty?"

"What kind of treaty?" He asked without skipping a beat. She couldn't look at him and leaned up against him as she spoke.

"With the vampires; it doesn't make sense that you and the Cullens can't seem to get along." Bella could feel Jacob tense up.

"What kind of treaty Bella?" She stood up and turned to face him.

"I think the idea that you have to be separated is crazy. I don't understand why you can't work together for the good of everybody around you." There was fire practically growing from Jacob's eyes.

"They made their decision Bella. We didn't make it for them or ask them to choose that; it's just what they did."

"But can't it be fixed? That was so long ago." Jacob sighed.

"It's best not to mess with the past Bella." She nodded and turned to look back at the water, lost her footing and fell into the water. She screamed and heard Jacob jump in after her. He scooped her up in his arms and helped her out of the water, but she was still soaking wet. They laughed after he helped Bella get her footing on the ground. "Don't lose your ground again." He said and all was forgotten about the treaty between Edward's family and Jacob's tribe.


Jacob took Bella to the house so she could shower and change her clothes. She was covered in dirt and was glad for that opportunity. Bella was not one of those girls who can be covered in junk and be happy; plus she was wet, so any dirt she had on her turned into mud. But after she got out of the shower and finished blow drying her hair; she laid on the couch with Jacob. She rested her head against his chest as we sat there.

"Jake?" She asked. She could feel him turn his head to look at her, and she looked up at him.

"What?"

"Have you ever thought about marriage?" Jacob laughed.

"Marriage?" He paused. "Whose?"

"I've been thinking about us." Jacob choked.

"Us? Bella, we're too young. You might not be, but I don't get out of school for a few years. And you were so serious about Edward for so long. Are you sure that this is really about us and not you wanting to get back at him for leaving you?" She turned to look at him.

"Jacob! This has nothing to do with Edward." Bella sat up and looked straight at him. "Have you ever thought about us being together?" He sighed.

"Honestly?" She nodded and he looked into her eyes. "Every day since you came to Forks."

"Really?" She asked and then he nodded. "There's something about you Bella. I like the feeling I get being around you and the look in your eyes when we're together. It didn't seem to be there when I saw you with him." Bella sighed.

"I saw him today."

"You did?" Jacob questioned and she shook her head.

"He seemed upset that I didn't want to be with him, and then Alice, Edward and Rosalie came up to talk to me."

"What'd they say?"

"Alice didn't understand why I wanted to be with you." She sighed and rested back against him. He took her hand in his. "Rosalie didn't say anything. She looked at me; but I think she feels this is best for me. She hated the idea of me wanting to spend time with them because I was human and that could damage them; not only in our world but by the Volturi. I have already brought trouble to their family."

"You didn't do that Bella. Edward is the one who went to them in the first place. It wasn't your fault that he went to get himself killed." She sighed.

"Do we have to talk about him?" Jacob kissed the top of her head and rested his cheek on her head.

"We can talk about whatever you want to talk about." Bella smiled.

"Why didn't you tell me how you ever felt?" She questioned.

"You were new in town, I didn't want to scare you at first," He said, "and then when you got involved with the Cullens I couldn't tear you apart even if I wanted to. You know I tried." She glanced up at him.

"I'm sorry." She started. "I had tunnel vision, I wanted him to want me so much that I gave up everything; and then I was so excited when he did want me. I didn't realize how much it hurt anybody else." Jacob chuckled and nodded.

"It's alright Bella." He laughed again.

"What?" She asked.

"Charlie and my dad are going to be so happy."

"Why?"

"Because they have been preparing us to get married since we were babies and played together; but I don't think we should tell them what we're talking about until we're a little bit closer to it actually happening." Bella nodded in agreement.

"Charlie already feels like I'm growing up too fast. If he thinks I'm considering marriage in the near future he'll send me away for sure." Jacob was quiet for a long time. Bella sat there just listening to his heartbeat. It was something she'd never had with Edward; the warmth of his hand against her own, or the comfort of his beating heart to listen to. After a few minutes, she started to get worried that he hadn't responded. "Jake?"

"I think we have both been avoiding one thing." He started slowly. She looked at his hand locked with hers.

"What's that?" She asked without looking up at him.

"How do you feel about being married to a werewolf?" Bella leaned up and rested against the back of the couch so she could look into his eyes.

"Jacob, I love you, that doesn't bother me."

"It's not a life I would have chosen for myself." He started, but she cut him off.

"I know that, but it doesn't change the way I think about you."

"But, since I have it, there is greater chance that any son of mine could end up in that line too." Bella shook her head.

"Jake," she started, "that could happen no matter who you marry and have a child with. I love you, and nothing is going to change that." Jacob looked into her deep brown eyes.

"You're sure? Have you really thought this through?"

"I've spent the entire year with you, working with you; we've shared our lives together. There isn't any person in this world I feel closer to than you." Bella replied.

"I feel close to you too Bella." He smiled.

"So, let's not worry about anybody else. It's just you and me." Jacob smiled.

"I couldn't be happier."