Chapter 3

One Perfect Night

It didn't take Jake long to get the answers he needed. I toyed with the idea of taking his jeans and boxers again, but before I could he was already dressed.

"Come on," he said, holding out a hand to help me off the floor.

"Where are we going," I asked.

"Just go get dressed," he said. "We need to go get something to eat and pick up a few things."

"But Alice said," I started.

Jake interrupted. "Alice said for you not to pack. I need to get some clothes. I only have this and the shorts that I took off in, and those are pretty shredded."

I smiled. I was going to go shopping with Jake. I got up, walked down the hallway and threw on a pair of jeans and a nice light blue blouse with some dressy sandals. I also threw on a little makeup and threw my messy and still wet hair into a sloppy ponytail.

"You look absolutely beautiful," Jake said. "I almost don't want to take you out."

"What? Why would you say something like that, Jake," I asked. I was confused.

He snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me close. "I'm not sure I want to share you with the public," he said grinning impishly.

I smiled back at him. "You know, we could order in." His face lit up.

"Hrmm. Decisions decisions. Stay in, and get you all to myself, or go out and have to share you with everyone else," Jake said.

"I've got some candles, and we can eat at the little table." I said. I really didn't feel like going out, and it was still humid out. "Besides, it's hot and humid out."

"Get the table set up. I'll be right back." He took off out the door before I could respond.

I set the table and put the candles in their candlesticks. I was going to wait till he got back to light them. I decided that I'd listen to some music while I waited on him.

I popped in my favorite Josh Groban CD and began dancing around the room. I was grateful that Jake couldn't see me. I still wasn't graceful though I had outgrown most of my klutziness. It also helped that I took a couple of dance classes while in college as electives.

The first CD finished and the disc changer had started on the second one, another one of Josh Groban. It was halfway over by the time Jake got back.

"What took so long," I asked. He'd been gone for a couple of hours.

"Patience, dear. Dinner first," he replied, cryptically.

I put the food on the table and started lighting the candles. Jake had bought enough food to feed a small army. I giggled. I had forgotten how ferocious a werewolf's appetite could be. Forget the fangs, their appetite alone was scary. I don't know how Billy kept food in the house with Paul stopping by as often as he was before I left.

I sat at the little table waiting on Jake, who was rifling through the surplus food that couldn't fit on the table. He put something in the freezer and then began looking for something in the cabinets.

"If you will tell me what you are looking for, I'll tell you where to find it," I said.

"Wine glasses," he said. I could tell by the tone in his voice he was getting frustrated.

"China cabinet behind you, hon. Do you want some help," I asked, hoping to help soothe over whatever was bothering him.

"No, I've got it. You just relax," he responded.

I stepped out on the back porch to watch the sun finish setting. The clouds were streaked in pink and orange. It was a habit for me. Every evening that I could, I would watch the sun go down. I often thought of Forks while I watched the light fade into the west.

He slipped up behind me silently and put his hand on my shoulder. "Dinner awaits, love," he stated.

When I went back in, he'd reset the table. It was gorgeous. The candles were lit and fresh. The center of the table held a small vase with a single rose in it. The plates were already filled with an assortment of dishes from the local Chinese restaurant.

"Everything looks beautiful," I said.

"I wanted tonight to be perfect," he responded.

We caught up on old times. He told me how Seth and Leah finally told their mom about the pack. He told me about Leah and Mike Newton getting together. He told me about Paul and Rachel getting married. He told me about Sam's and Emily's wedding.

I interrupted. "Did you get in touch with Sam earlier?"

"No. Sam was extremely busy. Em's gone into labor," he responded.

I was saddened to hear all that had happened in my absence. Most of all I was sad that I hadn't been there for my best friend. I was also a bit jealous. I wanted children and here lately the biological clock had started ticking like a time bomb.

"So what did you find out," I asked.

"Quil and Embry are already gone," he replied. I sighed. "Don't worry about it, at least not tonight. We'll talk to them tomorrow and I'll be able to talk to Sam then, hopefully. Tonight it's just us, and that's all that matters."

I smiled. We finished eating and he led me to the couch. He sat me down and then proceeded to sit next to me. He started digging in his pockets, looking for something. He was nervous about something.

I guess he found what he was looking for and then proceeded to get off the couch and onto the floor. It was then that I figured out what was going on. "Isabella Swan," he said. "I've loved you since you breezed back into my life. I loved you before I changed, and even more afterwards. You are my everything. Please say you will do me the honor of being my wife."

I was stunned. In his hand he held a little black box. Inside the little black box was a wedding set. It was basically three rings in one. The middle ring, meant to be an engagement ring, was a marquis cut solitaire. The two surround rings had much smaller diamonds. I wanted to ask him when did he get this, but I also didn't want to spoil the moment.

"Yes."

He scooped me up in his massive arms and kissed me soundly. I didn't want him to let me go and he didn't for the rest of the night.