Chapter 4:

What a way to kill the mood!

"Thank you for tonight, Jake." We now were under the cover of the tent, snuggled up together in an oversized sleeping bag. The entire tent was illuminated by a small kerosene lantern, which hung from the roof by a single hook. Rivulets of rain were angrily pounding the tent outside, and it provided the background music for our state of bliss.

"Everything was perfect. You were right—it definitely has been the best experience of my life. I don't want it to end."

"Me either. It feels good to be bad sometimes, doesn't it?" Jacob pulled me closer—if that was even possible—and touched his lips to mine, letting it linger.

"Yes, but I still want to know what you told my dad in that big head of yours to get us here!" I finally answered and rolled over on top of him.

"I asked him if I could take you to the carnival and if I could borrow his car. That's it," Jacob simply replied, his eyes sparkling with the light from above us. "You mean, you didn't think about this part, but I thought you said—" this obviously took some preparation beforehand. How could Jacob block his intentions completely out of his head?

"Remember when I got a call on my cell at the carnival and I left you to answer it?"

"I remember. You said it was your dad—it was Seth, wasn't it?" that scheming dog!

"Yeah, he called to say Leah was out looking for me, but then I got the idea for this and asked him to set it up for us. I knew you wanted to be alone together again. It's been almost two weeks!" Jacob's expression was smug, and he began kissing my neck where traces of Nahuel's bite marks could no longer be found.

"Remind me to thank him later." I thoroughly relished the touch of his lips on my skin. Man, I was so easily distracted! Then, the wheels in my mind began turning, and I rolled off him.

"Jake! Seth's good friends with my dad, and he's sort of my uncle! How could you do this? He'll tell on us for sure—or at least his mind will!" Without saying a word, Jacob slipped out of the sleeping bag, unzipped the door to the tent, and a few seconds later returned fully dressed, doused with raindrops and my clothes in hand. I could sense that I had said something wrong.

"It's almost eleven." The tone of Jake's voice convinced me that he was livid. "I need to get you home to daddy." He then tossed me my now soaked clothes.

"What's wrong, Jake?" I confusedly asked him. What had I said to make him so angry with me?

"I hate this, Nessie. I try to romance you, and you keep bringing up how Edward will be furious that we've slept together." Jacob didn't even look at me as he spoke, but at least he was being honest with me.

"I can't take this much longer. I might just go ahead and tell him myself if he doesn't already know. I might lose my life in the process, but I'm already in hell as it is!" His confession made me frown, and I searched for the right words to say. I was disgusted with myself. I had to go and ruin a perfect moment with my apprehensions. How pathetic could I get?

"I'm sorry, Jake. I told you before that I don't want them to think I've failed them." Somber tears were streaming down my cheeks. Jacob sighed, pulled me into his arms, and instantly relaxed.

"I overreacted. I know it means a lot to you, but don't I mean something to you, too? We should be happy, and I feel like were being forced to be miserable. We have to steal away to have these moments together." "You're exactly right." I gasped for air between sobs. Being in his arms made me so utterly content. We had been best friends for my entire life, and now we were soulmates, destined to be together. Why shouldn't we be happy? Why should we be denied what our hearts desired?

"I love you, Nessie. I really do. I want to be with you always." Jacob then let me go, nervously fumbling for something in his soaked shorts pocket. "That's why, well, um...I didn't plan on doing this tonight, but—" He was now hiding something between his huge hands. My heart started to thump wildly in my chest; I could feel it beating in my ears. I knew what he was about to do.

"I know this is going to be incredibly cheesy, but...I mean it with all of my heart." Jacob closed his eyes as if he was mustering up the strength needed to speak the next words. He then confidently opened them, let out a breath, and grabbed my left hand with his own.

"Renesmee Carlie Cullen…will you marry me?" A small, opened black box was now positioned in his right hand. A shiny, silvery ring with a modest heart-shaped diamond in the center now came into view. On each side of the heart were intricately cut details. It was completely beautiful—far beyond my wildest dreams. I couldn't speak; I was trying to keep my heart from leaping out my chest. He shyly blushed when he saw my eyes admire the ring. Yes, Jacob was blushing!

"I know it's not much. My dad helped me buy it. I know you're used to extravagant gifts, but—"

"It's perfect," I interrupted him. My sadness was forgotten, and my entire being filled with elation. I peered up at his flushed cheeks and simply said, "Yes."

"I will do this right from now on. Let's get married before you go to New Hampshire. Then, they'll have to let me be with you." Jacob was so persuasive, but I liked where he was headed. "I know Edward wants us to wait until you're done with college, but why put off the inevitable? Bella and him got married the summer after she graduated from high school—before she was supposed to go off to college." And with those words, he slipped the ring on my left hand. A perfect fit indeed.

"And then they had me," I said under my breath, holding my hand up to the lantern to take in its splendor. But I didn't think he heard me.

"Hmm?" Jacob scooped me into his arms, lovingly kissing me at the thought of becoming my husband. But I ignored his question. He had me under his spell again, and I had a feeling I was going to be late getting home.