Jacob had heard of angels. Bella would often go to church on Sundays and Jacob would sometimes wait outside for her. She'd come running down the steps grab his hand and run over to the wagon, where they would wait for Charlie. Jacob would always ask her if she had said goodbye to the Pastor and other members of the congregation, and Bella would roll her eyes and say, "of course I did Jake, you silly goose." But Jacob didn't want people saying bad things about Bella being rude and unladylike, and he certainly didn't want them to think he was a bad influence on her, or, Charlie might have put a stop to their friendship. Luckily most people knew exactly what Bella was like and accepted her childhood friendship with the 'Indian boy' from the reservation. But Jacob still liked to remind her every so often of how she should behave.

It was one Sunday when Bella told Jacob about angels. Jacob believed in the great spirits and the spirit animals of his tribe, but he was intrigued to hear about angels.

"Oh, Jake, they are the most beautiful creatures you could ever see!" Bella gushed. Jacob doubted they could be more beautiful than the deer that ran in the woods or the colorful butterflies that fluttered on the air, but he listened anyway.

"They are always dressed in white, and have a bright shining light that glows around them. They can almost blind you with their beauty." She explained twirling and throwing her arms around enthusiastically.

Jacob had laughed as she excitedly continued to tell him how he couldn't help but fall in love with an angel if he ever saw one.

"Have you ever seen one, Bella?" Jacob asked.

"Well no, I haven't, but..."

"Then how do you know that they're beautiful? How do you know they're even real?" He questioned carefully, after all he didn't want to upset her.

"How do you know your spirit animals are real? Have you ever seen one?" Bella responded.

"My dad says that my great grandfather is a spirit wolf who protects my tribe. I believe I've seen him out in the woods watching over us." Jacob couldn't be certain of course that the wolf he had seen was his great grandfather, but he liked to believe it was, so he wasn't really lying to Bella.

"Jessica Stanley's, seen an angel, she told me so and Pastor Sullivan said they were real, but we wouldn't always be able to see them." She'd put her hands on her hips and jutted out her chin, "…and my dad says that my mom is an angel now, so angels must be really beautiful, especially as my mom is one!"

Jacob couldn't really argue with that. If Bella wanted to believe in her angels, then who was he to question her belief or their existence.

The day Bella Swan came home to Forks, Jacob thought that maybe Bella was right about angels because as soon as he saw her, Jacob thought he really was seeing an angel, or the nearest thing to one.

Bella stepped down from the carriage and Jacob's thoughts when right back to his and Bella's talk on that Sunday morning years before. She was wearing a pure white dress, with a blue sash around her middle. Her skin had always been pale, like ivory, but would have a sun kissed glow in the summer months. Today however, she looked paler than he ever remembered, and her skin was a complete contrast against her chestnut hair. Her curls were piled up on her head and Jacob's eyes were drawn to her perfect profile and slender neck.

His breath hitched as his eyes travelled down to the swell of her breast. The skin on her chest was tinted with a light pink blush that disappeared underneath the delicate lace of her bodice. As Bella glanced up and caught Jacob's eye, he finally understood how beautiful an angel could look, because he really did believe was seeing one.

Jacob stood back a little as he watched Charlie and Bella hug each other. He tried to ignore the stern woman at Bella's side, and he was pleased that Bella's Aunt Esme appeared to be ignoring him too.

Jacob did however notice the well dressed young man who had helped Bella down from the carriage and was now stood at her side being introduced to Charlie.

"Dad I would like you to meet, Edward Masen. Edward, will be staying in Forks for a short while on business, and has become a good friend of mine."

Jacob felt the sting of those words. He was Bella's good friend - best friend - and he didn't like the look of this Edward.

"Bella had mentioned you in her letters, it's good to finally meet you, Edward." Charlie shook the young man's hand.

Jacob watched as Bella said hello to his parents. They were frequent visitors to the ranch and wanted to be there to welcome Bella back home. They hugged and talked while Edward and Esme spoke to Charlie. Jacob wasn't particularly interested in what they were discussing. He was focused purely on Bella now, as she came to stand in front of him.

"Jacob Black is that really you?" She asked, smiling up at him.

"The one and only." He replied stiffly, unsure of what to do or say.

She looked so ladylike all dressed up, and now she was stood right in front of him, he felt shabby and dirty in comparison. There was a time when he would have just reached out and pulled her to him in a tight embrace, but Jacob didn't think that would be appropriate anymore. So he stuck out his hand as an invitation for her to shake it, which she did.

Jacob looked at her dainty fingers as they curled around his. They were so pale and tiny compared to his own huge rough hands. He quickly let go as he saw Edward approach to stand at Bella's side.

"Jacob, I'd like you to meet, Edward Masen, a good friend of mine..."

Edward stuck his hand out for Jacob to grasp.

"...and, Edward, this is Jacob Black."

Jacob shook Edward's hand firmly.

"It's good to meet you Jacob, I've heard all about you."

Jacob nodded to Edward, just as Esme called to Bella. "Come, Isabella. Inside now, you need to rest after the long journey."

Jacob noticed the hard look Esme shot his way. He also noticed how Edward held out his arm, and Bella placed her small hand on it. With another smile in Jacob's direction, Bella followed Edward's lead into the house.