Hey guys - here is the next chaptaaaar :]
Sorry its taken so long to update - coursework kind of came first i'm afraid :/

Hope you enjoy...
:D

Chapter Four

"Oh, hey Leah," Jacob said and walked a few steps towards me. I felt my heart thump against my chest so hard that it hurt, but I would choose this pain over what I had endured for all those years any day.

"'Sup?" he said casually. A laugh forced its way up my throat, but I suppressed it with a shake of my head; I had done well – given nothing away as to why I was there. Jake looked a little confused at the silence that was longer than was polite.

"Umm... hey. Ca-can I talk to you outside for a second?" I didn't meet his gaze.

"Sure. You definitely done shouting at Bella now then, yeah?" He joked. I rolled my eyes, still not looking at his.

"Yeah," I said in a small voice, "I'm really sorry about that Bell-" but I broke off as soon as I realised that Bella wasn't in the room.

"Where is she?" I asked blankly, not understanding – wherever Edward went, Bella was usually there too. I noticed Edward's expression became guarded, but it was Carlisle who answered.

"The baby was born yesterday," he stated in a tone that had a slight edge to it. I looked confusedly to Jacob for an explanation but my stomach did a somersault as I did so.

"The birth didn't go quite to plan, I'm afraid," Jacob said, glancing at Carlisle as though asking permission to tell the story. I saw Carlisle nod infinitesimally, but wished that he had said to wait for later. Why did I have to stand here listening to yet another story about Bella? Sure, I hoped she was OK and everything, but did I really need to know the details? Especially when there were way more important things at hand... like getting my life back.

Little did I know that as I hoped to get my life back; upstairs, someone else was getting their life taken away from them.

I listened in horror as Jacob recounted the details of the birth. I felt my cheeks flushing red as guilt flowed through me at how selfish and arrogant I had been. Of course Bella's life was more important at this particular moment in time. Or should I say death.

Edward had to leave the room – I could sense he never wanted those images recounted before him again – the pain must have been unbearable. How well I knew that...

"How is she?" I whispered, my eyebrows pinched together, and biting my lip.

There was a silence.

"She's burning." Carlisle said.

"I should only last maybe two more days, though," Alice said quietly, "I've seen it."

"And the baby?" I mouthed this time. How could a child so small and defenceless survive a birth as traumatic as that?

At this, Jacob's face lit up, and he was the first to answer, "She's doing fine. She's asleep at the moment. Her name is Renesmee," he said softly.

His quick reply threw me for a moment. I'd had no idea he was this involved with the Cullens. Edward came back down the stairs at that point, trying to shoot Jacob a warning glance without me noticing, but I saw. A spasm of annoyance shot through me. What was it with keeping things from me today?

"She's awake," Edward said quietly to Rosalie.

"Do you want to meet her?" Jacob's eyes were wide with excitement, but the annoyance was still there inside me.

"No, Jake!" I said a bit too sharply. His face fell, and I flinched at the sight of hurting him, "sorry, I mean, sure I would like to meet her. But not now. I need to talk to you Jake," I said seriously.

The smile was back.

"Sure, Leah. I need to talk to you, too. I think there'll be some changes around here," he grinned, "We'll be back in a minute, 'kay Edward?" Jake called as he started over to the door. That was strange, I really don't remember them being that good friends. Or maybe I was just too wrapped up in my own emotions to notice.

I shot a glance at Edward, when I realised he hadn't replied. He was staring at me with an expression of pity on his face. It half looked like he wanted to stop me from walking out the door. I frowned at him, and slowly followed Jacob out of the house.

We walked silently around to the back, by the river.

"Jake," I started, but he cut in front of me. I let him carry on, at least then he might let me have my say.

"Leah, it's true," he said, looking me in the eyes, and then starting to pace," you know, what we used to say, that there is someone for everyone out there. And that you know it when they come into your life." He looked at me.

My breath caught in my throat, and relief and happiness flooded through my had-been-tense muscles.

It was me.

He was going to say that he had finally realised his feelings and come to his senses. It was me he had wanted all along; I was right there in front of him for all that time and he had only just realised it. It was me! How could it be anyone else? And isn't fate meant to work this way? I was just about to confess to him! It was perfect. My lips broke into a smile, knowing it was the truth, and that I was about to get everything I had ever wanted.

It was me.

"Leah," he said, smiling, shaking his head in awed disbelief.

"Jake," I breathed, my chest constricting as my swollen heart thumped impatiently against my ribs. I reached my hand towards him, trembling and he caught mine in his. His warm skin burned mine; the fire kindled a desire inside me, so strong I could barely see. He took my other hand and looked intensely at me, his deep brown eyes fierce with joy.

"It feels like the whole world revolved around that one moment, Leah, that moment when I first looked into her face. Leah, I've imprinted. I can't believe it's really happened but... it's her. Renesmee."