Just as everyone began to stand to help clear the dishes, the doorbell rang.

"That'll be Edward," said Bella, as she stood and ran to the door. She re-entered the kitchen towing Edward by the hand. He looked like an image from a fashion magazine with his chiselled jaw and tussled hair. He wore a button down collared shirt that fell at his shoulders as if it had been tailor-made for him. Bella looked up at him with unyielding adoration as his gaze burned into hers with equal fervour. Their love was so overwhelming it was as if it radiated out from them, lifting those privileged to witness it. It was apparent to Renesmee how in love they both were.

"Happy Thanksgiving Chief Swan. Hi everyone," said Edward. His arm winding around Bella's waist.

"Hi Edward," answered Charlie, obviously familiar, "Say hi to your folks for me too, will you?"

"Will do," he replied as he turned back to Bella, "You ready? I've got a surprise for you at home."

"I was born ready," she said. "So," she smiled, pulling Renesmee to stand, "we might leave you men with the washing up. Bella lent forward and kissed her father's forehead. "See you later dad."

Renesmee called as she was pulled from the room, "Bye Billy, bye Jacob, thanks for letting me stay here Charlie."

The room was silent as the front door shut with a soft click.

Jacob just sat at the table, staring at the now closed door. He hadn't realised she'd be leaving so soon. He'd figured he was going to have all afternoon to steel a moment alone with her. Her absence left a big hole right in the middle of his chest.

The chair scraped on the floor boards as Charlie stood. "I think we might have got the raw end of the deal here, fellas," he said as his eyes scanned over all the dirty dishes.

"Leave it Charlie," said Jake as he took the dirty plate from Charlie's hand. "I'll do it. The game will be starting in five minutes. You two go and watch it. I'll be in soon."

"You're not headed over to the Underwood's?" asked Billy. Jake shrugged, scraping the scraps off the plates. "Na. Aponi's family are going up to the Makah res this afternoon." He paused at the table adding, "I don't think we're going to last much longer anyway."

Billy watched his son with a knowing eye. The Underwood's were a good family but Billy wasn't a fan of the way the teenage girl openly threw herself at Jacob. He'd thought Jake had handled her advances during high school well, and he had been surprised when Jake had brought her home for the first time three weeks ago. There was something about her that the long-standing Chief disliked. She wouldn't be missed.

Jake plied a stack of plates up and started to carry it to the sink, smiling his broad smile he called over his shoulder. "Anyway, I think I'll have some quality male bonding time with my Pa and his besty instead!"

-o~O*O~o-

Renesmee enjoyed the evening with the Cullen family. Edwards mother, Esme and his father, Dr. Carlisle Cullen were the perfect hosts. Edward had indeed surprised Bella with a romantic getaway to a cabin up the coast. Renesmee was happy for the couple. The problem still remained, how was she getting back to Charlie's house?

As the evening wore on, Renesmee decided to broach the subject with Bella. Bella was worrying over her, acting like the sister both girls had always wanted. "Are you sure you'll be okay tomorrow on your own? You can use my truck if you want to go somewhere. Sleep in my bed tonight, okay?" Bella fretted.

"Thanks," accepted Renesmee. "I might take a drive around, go for a hike or something. Um, Bella. I was wondering… how am I getting home?"

"Oh yeah, let me phone Charlie and he can come and get you." She nagged at her boyfriend as she picked up the phone like she lived there, "Edward, you should have had me drive here so Renesme could get back."

"Sorry Renesmee, I didn't think," he said to Ren. Turning to Bella he asked, "Do you need me to drive her?" Bella shook her head as she shushed him.

Renesmee smiled inwardly, they were like an old married couple sometimes. She listened in while Bella explain the situation to Charlie, asking him to come and pick her up. "He's on his way," she said, hanging up the phone. Renesmee said her good nights and decided to wait on the porch, feeling a little overwhelmed by the scene of 'perfect family' before her.

Before long she could hear the sound of gravel crunching, as headlights came up the drive. Expecting to see the police cruiser, she was surprised to see Jacob's Rabbit pull up next to the front steps.

"I thought Charlie was picking me up," Renesmee said, flustered as she leaned into the window.

"Let's just say he and dad have enjoyed the evening a little too well. If you know what I mean," Jacob chortled. He turned around looking to the front porch as Renesmee climbed into the front seat. "Where's Bella?" he asked.

"It's just me. Edward's taking Bella somewhere special tomorrow so she's staying with him tonight."

Renesmee felt the air thicken with tension as Jacob set off. The silence in the car was only interrupted by the purring sound of the engine and the discreet strains of the radio. Neither of the two knew what to say. Renesmee was inert in her seat, afraid any conversation with him would make him more familiar, make her fall further. She hoped a nonchalant reserve would help her heart to wait. Wait patiently.

Renesmee thought about their evening together all those weeks ago, how comfortably their conversation had flowed. How right it had felt waking up in his arms. How stupid she had been to choose her fears and ambitions over this, whatever this was.

The eroding hole in her chest made her shoulders slump in on herself. She sat with her hands folded in her lap as she desperately attempted to blink the threatened tears away. She sat still even though inside she was dying to reach over and hold his hand.

Jacob could feel the sorrow rolling off her. He was desperate to ask her what was wrong. This was the only chance he'd get. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see her whispering to the song on the radio. A quiet, sad, melody emanated from her lips. Jacob reached to the volume and turned it up for her slightly. After a few minutes, deciding there was no better time than the present to talk to her, he pulled over the side of the road. Taking her hand in his, he turned to her, his eyes drinking in the details of her face. The moonlight was coating her flawless skin.

"Renesmee, tell me what's wrong. I saw you this morning after we drove past. I hate seeing you like this. What's the matter?" he asked, his voice a soothing plea. She looked back into his deep brown eyes and she felt her sole reflected back in them. His heartfelt concern broke her reserve. "Me, I'm what's wrong Jacob. I should never have pushed you away last time. And now I have to live with the consequences of my actions."

He rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb as a silent tear fell across her cheek. "Don't cry Ness," he begged. "What do you mean?" Hope filling him but still needing the conformation from her.

She battered the tear from her cheek, sniffling. "What do you think I mean, Jacob? I have to watch you with another woman. I know I have no right to, but…" she dropped her head hesitating, then, deciding to just lay all her cards on the table she added. "I don't want to see you with anyone else."

His fingers drifted up to her face, his hands cupping either side of her jaw. "Do you want to be with me? Do you want to try?" he breathed.

"Yes," she admitted, her voice barely more than a whisper. "I can't seem to function without you." She leaned her face into his hand, closing her eyes she felt the calloused gnarls of his palm. "This last month has been totally shit. I feel like half of me is missing without you. But I don't even know you." Red robin told herself to be quiet, in fear of scaring him off. But she couldn't keep it bottled inside any longer.

Jacob clutched her by both wrists, his eyes piercing in to hers. "I was so annoyed with you; you know? I don't know why? You're right, we hardly know each other. I was thinking how much I wanted to give this a chance. I could tell it could have been good… Better than good… But then you shut me out before we could even start it." He licked his lips as he moved closer to her. "I think you're beautiful, Renesmee. Inside and out. I feel it too. I want to know everything there is to know about you. You make me feel like I can do anything. You keep me grounded."

His eyes locked with hers as she looked back up to him. "When I'm with you I feel like I'm whole, I just never knew I was missing anything." He closed his eyes, taking a long slow breath, his head gently shaking from side to side. "These last few weeks, I felt like I couldn't function without you either." His eyes were brimming with tears, the same as hers.

She couldn't believe he was saying these things to her. He still wanted her? After she'd cast him aside without a second thought. There he was, saying she made him whole. She felt she didn't deserve so much from him. Ness knew she would take all the love he'd lavish on her nonetheless.

His eyes closed as he bent in to kiss her. His lips soft and hot against hers. She reached up as they came together with a hard and tender passion. Her heart was soaring in her throat as his tongue slid between her lips, deepening the kiss. The feeling was immense and overwhelming and it took all the willpower she had to put her hands on his chest, and gently push him away. "We can't," she muttered against his lips.

"Why not?" he implored, his heartbreak carried in his voice. "What more do you want? I don't understand, Ness."

"It's simple Jacob," she said, her voice quiet. "Aponi. I won't be some other woman on the side."

Jacob had totally forgotten about the girl who had sat, or rather knelt, in that exact seat just that same morning. "You're not, Ness. We actually sort of half broke up this morning," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck, his cheeks flushed. Renesmee wondered, was he blushing from getting caught cheating, or from the heat of kissing her?

"What does that mean? Half?" she asked disbelieving.

"It means she wouldn't take a hint, that's what it means. But I'll break up with her properly tomorrow. Okay?" He bent his head down so his eyes were lined up with hers. He was overwhelmed by the intensity in her emerald gaze. "Please don't turn away from me again. Promise? Truthfully, she doesn't mean anything to me. She kind of gets on my nerves if I'm being honest. I don't know why I was even with her."

He slammed his palms onto his legs, rubbing along them like he was pacing with his hands, he let out a frustrated breath. "What I feel for you is different. So much more. Much more real. You and me. Us." He gripped her by the arms, his giant hands wrapping around her bicep, as if the grip would will her to understand his conviction. "I just know it, Ness. Were two halves of a whole. Promise you'll let us get to know each other better. See if we're right?"

"I want to Jacob, but I won't give you any promise you can't accept."

He leaned in to kiss her again, then his arms wrapped around her. "Trust me. I want you." He pulled her closer, his cheek leaning on the top of her head. He breathed in the delicious smell of her hair. "You smell amazing." He added, distracted by her physical presence.

He looked at the clock on the stereo, 11:15. "If it wasn't so late, I'd go over and break it off now. I swear, first thing in the morning." He kissed her again, this time with even more passion. His lips parting as he pushed his mouth on hers. He ran his tongue along hers.

She moaned into his mouth as she broke away from the embrace, both hands flat on his chest, gently but firmly pushing him away. Her inner woman screaming for her to continue, her conscious winning though. "I told you when I do something, I do it one hundred percent. And that includes relationships. And it unquestionably includes my integrity. This," she indicated, her hands flicking between the two of them. "This isn't happening until you're free to do it properly."

"Okay, as much as I don't want to admit it. I get it," he conceded.

"But when you are free. I'll be waiting. Waiting patiently for you."

They smiled across at each other, letting the energy that was surging around them stitch their souls together. He turned, starting the car, seizing what small victory he could. "Let me take you home," he smiled. As they set off along the road, his fingers interlaced through hers. Renesmee looked down at their hands. Unsure if this was crossing the imaginary line she had drawn. She left it there in any case, giving him a little reassuring squeeze.

- o ~ O * O ~ o –

As they arrived at the house, the sounds of merry singing could be heard wafting through the window. "Sounds like they've continued to enjoy the evening," she said as they entered.

Jake slapped his father on the arm, "Come on old man, you're too ancient to be drinking like a frat boy."

"Oh loosen up, Jake. We're just remembering all the things we're thankful for," slurred Billy as Jake wheeled him towards the door.

Charlie, who was in a slightly better condition, stood to help. Renesmee stood in the doorway as she watched Jacob lift his father in to the car.

"Oh I forgot. Renesmee," Billy called from the vehicle, "you're invited down to Second Beach tomorrow. We're having a salmon bake and a bonfire. I thought you might like to hear some of the tribe stories."

She scanned over at Jake who looked as though the event was a surprise to him. His eyes met hers as he smiled a nervous smile.

"That would be lovely. What time?"

"Any time after lunch. We'll be starting the fire up around two. But I'm sure it'll go well into the night."

"Thanks Billy. I'd love to come. But I won't be able to stay too long, my foster parents are picking me up to take me back to Sequim at four."

She smiled, genuinely touched that she had been so easily accepted into the small community. She waved as the car backed out the driveway and returned to the kitchen to make herself a tea. Charlie said his tipsy goodnights and headed upstairs to sleep it off.

She was at the kitchen counter, waiting for the kettle to boil when she heard the hurried footsteps on the floor. She turned in time to see Jake as he dashed across the room. He pulled her into his arms, his lips frantic against hers. She returned the kiss with equal fervour. Her hands combed through his long black hair as they stood in front of each other, their bodies were pressed together. He could feel her breasts pushing into his chest the way they rose and fell with her gasping. She could feel his desire growing as it pressed into her stomach through his pants. She stopped him before things could get too out of hand.

"What was that for?" she asked leaning her forehead into his shoulder.

"We forgot the leftovers. I was more than happy to run up to get them," he laughed. "Do I need a reason to kiss you?"

"Yes, you do. While you still officially have a girlfriend, anyway," she scolded as she pecked him quickly. She went to the fridge to fetch the leftovers. He watched as she bent over into the fridge and couldn't help but come up to her from behind holding her by the hips.

She squealed and stood up straight as she battered his hands away. Her face flushed a bright crimson. "Wow, Jacob. Slow down. This is all new to me," she handed him the tin foil package, avoiding eye contact.

"Oh. Sorry, Ness. You know you have a naturally amazing ass? My body just responded on its own. I am a boy remember. We don't always think with our brain."

"My ass is only from a direct result of many, many lunges and stairs. Nothing natural about it. I did happen to notice that you are indeed a boy and it's pretty easy to guess what you were thinking with. But until you're a free agent, hands off," she smiled, eyes wide in a fun tease.

He cocked his head to the side and thrust out his bottom lip in a childish pout. "So am I forgiven? You'll come tomorrow?"

She giggled in spite of herself. "Yes and yes. Now go. Your dad's waiting." She placed her hands on the small of his back and marched him to the door. "See you tomorrow. Attendant patiemment," she warbled as he bounded down the porch steps.

He paused and turned to look at her, "What does that mean?" his wide, perfect smile flashing in the darkness.

"Just that I'll be waiting patiently."

"It'll be worth the wait," he called as he hopped into the driver's seat and sped down the road.