(A/N: The part of this chapter in between the stars is a flashback, which is why it's in past tense, unlike the rest of the story in present tense. This chapter took me a really long time to write, so enjoy!)

Part Six

"After all this time

I never thought we'd be here

Never thought we'd be here

When my love for you was blind

But I couldn't make you see it

Couldn't make you see it

That I loved you more than you'll ever know

A part of me died when I let you go"-Lifehouse, Blind

When morning comes, Jacob wakes up and listens to see if Scarlett and Leah are up yet. The house is silent.

Jacob reaches into the pocket of his jeans and his hand closes around the ring that he offered Leah fifteen years ago. He is amazed that he still has it, even though he promised himself that he wouldn't lose it.

When he opens his hand to look at the ring, he is flooded by memories of the day he asked Leah to marry him. If he concentrates hard enough, he can remember their exact conversation.

*

Jacob had taken Leah to the cliffs, their spot on the cliffs.

He didn't make a big speech or get down on one knee or any of that romantic stuff. He just stuttered out the words "Leah, will you marry me?"

Leah closed her eyes when he said this. He couldn't tell what she was feeling; if she was happy that he'd asked, or if she wished that he hadn't.

Finally, after a long time, she said two words: "I can't."

Those words stung. He didn't ask for explanations, just nodded and said "I understand."

That night was the first night that he started to consider running away.

Leah probably knew that something was up, but if she did, she didn't say anything.

One night, Jacob told Leah that he thought he was going to have to leave for a while. He said it was so he could think things through, and break the imprint, and that was one hundred percent true. But it was also to get over being rejected by Leah.

The next morning, he was gone.

*

Jacob watches his memories like a movie in his head. Even with the super-fast healing that all werewolves have, the pain left by Leah's rejection never fully healed.

Jacob is pulled out of his thoughts by the sound of Leah waking up. He quickly stuffs the ring back into his pocket as Leah enters the room.

"Good morning, Jacob," she says in her fake cheery voice.

"Morning," Jacob answers, his voice scratchy.

"Would you like some breakfast?" Leah asks, still fake happy. "We have plenty of cereal in the kitchen."

"Sure," Jacob mumbles.

Scarlett walks into the kitchen while Jacob messily eats a bowl of Lucky Charms, and Leah is pouring milk into a bowl of Cinnamon Life.

"Morning, Mom," she says. When she sees Jacob, she quickly adds, "Hey Jacob. I'm going over to Uncle Seth's." She says this to Leah.

"I'd like to see Seth again," Jacob says to himself.

"I'll invite him over later," Leah says absentmindedly as she sits down at the opposite end of the table from Jacob.

As Scarlett slams the door shut, Leah stirs her cereal and says, "I guess we're alone now."

"Guess so."

They both stare at their cereal like it's going to tell the future.

"Look, Leah-"

"Don't say anything. I'd like to eat in peace, thank you very much."

They don't say anything until they are both done eating.

"Have I already said that I'm sorry?" They say this at the exact same time, then stare at each other in disbelief.

"What do you have to be sorry for?" Jacob asks.

"For…for not marrying you. For making you run away. For yelling at you when you finally come back."

"Oh, Leah," Jacob whispers. He wants to kiss her and forgive her, but he knows that it isn't a good idea, so he just stands there with his arms awkwardly by his sides. "I'm sorry for leaving, and for being so hurt by you saying no. And I'm sorry for imprinting in the first place."

Leah shakes her head slowly. "I sound like a criminal compared to your reasons for saying sorry."

Jacob remains silent. Never in his life has there been a time when he has wanted to kiss Leah more than now. He shifts his weight nervously from foot to foot, trying to think of something to say.

"Would you…would you get mad if I kissed you?"

"No," Leah whispers. She closes her eyes as Jacob's face comes closer to hers and their lips meet.

Suddenly, it's like all their problems are gone and the only thing that matters is them.

"I love you, Leah Clearwater," Jacob whispers into her ear, so quietly and quickly it's almost like it didn't happen.

They are everywhere. On top of each other, pressed against the wall, on the couch that is much too small for them.

"I love you, Jacob Black," Leah whispers. The door of the house chooses this time to fly open, just in time for Scarlett to hear her mother's words.

Scarlett can't figure out what to think. Maybe she should be happy that her mother and father are together, so she can have a normal family. Maybe she should be mad that her mother is taking Jacob back, because her life will never go back to the way it was.

"W-what are you doing?" Scarlett stutters. She doesn't wait for an answer, just retreats to her room, the only safe place in her life anymore.

(A/N: Reviews still means previews for signed reviewers, so review. And let me know if you see any typos.)