Chapter 7 – Truth In Life

Bella sat by Kate bedside and hadn't left. Rosalie stuck by her side and they were both surprised when they watched as Jake sat beside her as well. Jake had been silent since he had brought Kate back to the house. She was lucky; she only had a mild concussion from hitting the tree and a broken rib from the vampire hitting her across the mid-section. Bella reached over and touched Jacob's forearm. "You should get some sleep Jake."

Jake looked up from Kate to her sister Bella. "I can't sleep."

Rosalie's lip curled. The wet dog smell was really starting to fill the room, but Bella wouldn't leave her little sister. "Jacob, I'm not one to care about you mutts, but Bella's right. You've been sitting here for the last almost 48 hours. You need to get some kind of sleep."

Jake shook his head. "When I say I can't; I meant I really can't. I've been so mean to her the few weeks she's been here. I don't understand how she hasn't told me to go screw myself. Every time we bumped heads I got meaner and meaner with her." Jacob sighed heavily as he ran his fingers through his already disheveled hair. "Some of the things I said to her. I can't believe they came out of my mouth. Bella, you were right when you said I was in love with her; because I am."

Bella nodded. "So why haven't you done anything about it? Why be so mean and push her away?" She asked curiously.

Jake shook his head again. "Because in my mind pushing her away and losing her is easier than losing you all together." Jake stood from the chair as he walked over and looked out the huge window as he crossed his arms over his chest. "You're going to give birth in a few days and Edward is going to change you and I still can't get my head wrapped around it all." He looked back at his best friend and the once love of his life as before he looked over at the beauty that lay in the bed. He wished she would just sit up and argue with him. "I-I mean I still love you but it's not the same love I once felt for you. It's a whole different kind. More of a sister or best friend; it's not the same that I feel when I'm around Kate."

Bella smiled softly. "Jake, you already know I'm always going to love you; just not the same way I love Edward. You're never really going to lose me. You imprinted on my little sister, you're pretty much family now. But you've got to figure out how to let me go. We'll always be friends and I'm sure even being imprinted to Kate you'll still be over protective of me and her, but Edward has taken over the overbearing overprotective role."

Jake scowled. "Yea well he's been doing a shitty job of it. He's been a dick this whole time you've been pregnant."

Bella smiled as she chuckled softly. "I understand why he's so upset with me. But it's not going to change my mind. I'm doing this for the both of us. It's our only chance at having a child and I'm strong enough to do it. I have an obscene amount of faith in Carlisle. I always have; I always will."

Carlisle smiled gratefully as he walked into the room as he proceeded to give Kate a once over. "You've always been very gracious with us Bella. And you're family now and I also understand why you are doing what you're doing. I'm sure Edward understands it as well, he's just scared he's going to lose you in the whole process."

Bella shook her head. "I'm not going anywhere he's stuck with me for an eternity; which is exactly what he wanted."

Jake watched Carlisle. "Is there any change?" He asked honestly.

Carlisle nodded slightly. "Her skin is back to its normal color it was terribly pale yesterday. She seems to be breathing much better; even with the broken rib. She's improved quite a bit over the last two days. She's definitely out of the woods and should be waking up soon."

Jake felt relief flooding his entire body at Dr. Cullen's words. It made him feel better that she would be waking up soon.

"She's thinking about you."

Jake's head snapped up as he watched Edward leaning against the door frame. "What do you mean?"

"She's thinking about you. She remembered seeing you, Leah and Seth come to her rescue and you stayed behind with her. It's the same scene she's been playing in her head since you brought her back to the house. It's on a consistent reel. At first she was upset with you because she overheard your conversation with Bella, and it hurt her feelings about the things you said to her. But once you stopped the vampire from killing her it was replaced with you saving her." Edward stated honestly.

Jake frowned. He didn't know she'd heard the conversation he was having with Bella. It was probably what made her leave the house in the first place. Jesus Christ he was an idiot. He didn't know why he hadn't heard her moving through the damn house. Maybe he had and just assumed it was one of the Cullen's, but they'd all been out hunting up until he heard Seth and Leah howling about a strange vampire scent. Once he'd phased it was then Seth told him Kate had been walking down her normal path and Jake tore through the trees at top speeds to get to her.

Jake was pulled from his private thoughts when a whimper caught his attention. His eyes looked down as he could see Kate slowly moving around.

Her head was pounding slightly as she moved around. "Oh God."

"How are you feeling Kate?" Dr. Cullen asked in a soft voice.

"I feel like I was run over by a steamroller." She stated honestly. It earned a few chuckles in the room. "My head hurts."

Dr. Cullen nodded as he pulled her eyelid up and flashed his pin light in her eyes. He cringed when she groaned knowing the light was probably too bright. "Edward, will you turn the room light off? When she opens her eyes it will hurt less."

Edward nodded as he reached over and flicked the switch.

Rosalie helped Bella stand up as she walked over. "Kate, are you okay?" Her hand grabbed onto Kate's left hand.

"Oh my God, Bells you're hands are freezing. Go put some gloves on or something." Kate exclaimed. Kate slowly sat up and opened her eyes as she surveyed the people around her. "How long was I out?"

Carlisle helped her sit up and was also checking out the rest of her body to make sure everything was working the way it should. "You're going to have to take it easy you've got a broken rib and a mild concussion." The rib will take a few weeks but the concussion isn't as severe and should only take a few days and you'll see the different when you're breathing."

Kate nodded as her eyes involuntarily landed on Jake. She noticed he was the only one who wasn't making eye contact with her.

Carlisle finished checking out Kate and nodded. "I think you'll be okay. When you start to get hungry just let someone know and well get you something." He watched as she nodded and he ushered everyone else out of the room leaving Kate and Jake alone.

Jake pushed his hands into the front pockets of his jeans as he stood there. He could feel his body heat rising and should've just opted for his shorts and no shirt, but he wasn't trying to make anyone uncomfortable with the tan flesh display, so jeans, sneakers and a t-shirt it was. He exhaled heavily. "Kate, I'm…" God he felt sick to his stomach. Not a lot affected him but this – if he didn't say it right – this would haunt him forever. "Kate I'm so sorry about everything. This was entirely my fault. If I just would've admitted how I felt for you and told you the truth about everything you never would've gotten hurt."

Kate blinked as huge tears slid down her cheeks. "What do you want from me Jake? I mean honestly. We can barely get along, we are always fighting and when we aren't fighting we're ignoring each other."

"I just want a chance to get to know you Kate. I know life isn't perfect and it's not easy, but I would like to try. I know I've been a jerk; if I'm completely honest with myself I've been a complete ass. I should've known better. My dad would skin me alive if he knew the way I'd been treating you. Or even the things I've said to you. My father raised me better that that and I'm completely dishonoring our family name and dishonor the memory of my mother and grandfather and everyone else whose passed in my family. I have to grow up and take responsibility for my actions and take my place in my tribe. One of my responsibilities is setting things right with my imprint." Jake stated honestly.

"What's an imprint?" Kate asked curiously.

"Basically, an imprint is a wolf's soulmate. The first time I saw you and our eyes locked, I imprinted on you. Imprinting is the strongest bond in our world. When we phase for the first time and join the pack it's a lifetime bond and when we imprint it's a stronger lifetime bond. Imprints come before anything else; they are held at a high standard and you're my imprint. Imprinting doesn't make me do anything or fall in love with you; it makes me want to be around you all the time. I know what you're feeling and when you're feeling it and I'll basically be whatever you want me to be in your life. The ball is in your court. We can be friends, lovers or even have a brother/sister relationship, but I'm always going to be your protector. It will ALWAYS be my job to protect you." Jake's eyes never left Kate.

"Wow…That's kind of – that's a lot to take in." Kate mumbled.

Jake smiled softly. "So what do you want Kate?" He asked.

Jake didn't realize he was holding his breath waiting for her answer.