A/N: Yeah, I was supposed to update my other fic first, but luckily for you guys, this one wouldn't leave my brain for long enough! Sorry the chapters are always short - the story comes to me in small bursts. Enjoy!
Chapter 9
Jacob POV
Damn, after Edward kissed me and ran away like a blue-balling asshole, I really needed to spark up that joint Embry gave me. But I didn't want to do it alone, so I called Embry and asked him to meet me by the river spot just bordering the treaty line. That's where we were now. I'd filled him in on the kiss mishap, and that I was not sure what to make of it. Embry unfortunately had no answers for me on that front. I vowed simply to try forget about it for a few hours or risk losing my sanity obsessing over it. The weed was great for that. We'd been quiet for a while, just passing the joint back and forth, when Embry broke the silence.
"So, you're totally in love with him, huh?" Embry asked, passing the joint to me.
I took a drag, shrugging sheepishly. "Yeah," I sighed, exhaling the smoke as I admitted the truth out loud for the first time.
Embry looked like he was debating whether or not to ask me something. After a bit of fidgeting, he decided to ask. "But isn't he, like, a little old for you?"
I considered his question for a minute. It wasn't something I focused on, but the thought had occurred to me when he would randomly do or say dated things. "No, not really. I mean, yes. He's lived a long time, so he has a lot of knowledge and says things that sound like they're from another era. But really? He's just a seventeen year old guy that got frozen in time. Just like me." I shrugged.
"Like you?" He asked, raising an eyebrow incredulously.
"Yeah. Cuz as long as we're phasing we don't age, right?" Embry nodded. "And we only phase when we're around vampires." He nodded again. "Well, if I've imprinted on Edward and I'm always with him, I will never age either." I shot him a knowing look.
Embry was awed as the realization hit him. "Whoa, it's like a loophole into eternity."
I grinned at him. "Crazy, huh?"
"Shit man," he agreed. He reached for the joint I was totally bogarting. "Gimme that."
Alice POV
Vampire hearing has it's advantages and disadvantages. It really helps if there's danger around, but mostly it is just intrusive. You end up hearing things that you're really not supposed to hear. Usually I try really hard to refocus my attention when my family members are having private conversations in their rooms. But today, I admit it - I was eavesdropping. Hey, don't judge me. It's really off-putting when you're used to seeing the future and suddenly you can't. And I was worried about my favorite brother. I just wanted to make sure he would be alright dealing with Bella's death. Even though I couldn't see his future, I knew it meant that his future was entwined with the wolf. I also knew in my gut that Jacob would take good care of Edward - Edward just needed to accept him fully. So, yeah, I listened in - sue me.
Unfortunately for me, conversations with Edward were often one-sided. I could only hear what Edward said, and it was confusing me. I started to lose interest when I noticed it had been silent up there for a rather lengthy amount of time. Then I heard the unmistakable sound of lips meeting and the gentle rustling of clothing. I barely had the time to rejoice in Edward's acceptance of the situation before I heard a soft thud outside and Edward's scent was gone. Geez, that boy needed to let go of his guilt. He needed a push in the right direction. And I would be the one to give it to him.
I raced after Edward, following his scent to his favorite meadow. I allowed my mind to speak for me as I approached him, sitting in the middle of the field, knees hugged tight to his chest. Edward, you need to let go of the guilt. Jacob is good for you. Don't push him away.
Edward shook his head, his features etched with shame. "I've cheated on her. She's barely been gone a month and I've cheated on her."
I sighed, sinking down to the ground next to him. "Bella would want you to be happy. And he can be the one to bring you happiness again. I can't see it, but I know it in my gut."
"You think Bella would be happy about this?" he scoffed, incredulous.
"Of course I do. She loved you both more than anyone else in the world, more than me, more than Charlie!," I insisted. "She would be content to know that you found happiness in each other."
"Maybe you're right," he conceded grudgingly. "But I'm not gay."
"Oh please, Edward. Pull your head out of the 1900s." I sighed in exasperation. "Besides, what is so wrong with being gay, anyway? The Spartans were gay!"
Edward watched his feet as he scuffed the ground with his shoe, creating a divet. "I think Jake only loves me because he has too - not because he wants to."
That's bullshit and you know it. I had to convince him. I knew his future depended on it, even if I couldn't expressly see it. Without Jacob, Edward would die. "Edward, think about it. A werewolf is a better mate for one of us than a human."
He quirked a disbelieving eyebrow at me. He crossed his arms over his chest, waiting for me to prove it.
"You won't crave his blood like you would a human. He's strong - strong enough that you don't ever have to worry about losing control. It would be good for you to lose yourself sometimes." He nodded slightly. I didn't need Jasper's ability to feel his resolve start to crack. "He could protect you from outside harm, just as you could protect him. He can keep up with you when he runs. He can be with you for eternity without you having to change him. With Jacob, you can be free. You're perfect for each other."
His lips turned up at the corners in a slight smile, and he rose slowly to his feet, extended his hand to help me up. "I should go find him. Apologize."
I nodded. He turned to leave, but doubled back to wrap me in a bear hug. "Thank you, Alice," he whispered into my hair. My pleasure. I gave his biceps an affectionate squeeze before pushing him away in the direction of the house. Now get out of here.
Meanwhile in Volterra
"Giovanni, you've done well, my child."
Giovanni effectively grovelled at the feet of his master. "Thank you, Master. Thank you."
"I trust that you remained evasive?"
"Oh yes, Master. The Cullens had all gone out hunting. The house was empty, and I left no trace behind. I masked my scent by bathing in lavender perfume, a scent that permeates from the air fresheners in their lair. I am certain they will not notice much difference, if only that the lavender scent seems thicker than before they left."
"Very good." Aro dismissed Giovanni and waved forward a woman, who looked as though she was approaching middle-age when she'd been turned. The woman came forward and curtsied. "Josephine, I trust you will have what you need with this?"
Aro thrust a mattress-hugging bedsheet into her awaiting hands. Josephine held it to her nose and inhaled deeply.
"This will do just fine, Master Aro."
A/N: Thank you all so much for your reviews, favoriting and alerts. I really appreciate you all. I'd love to hear from more of my readers, even if it's just a smiley face :) It would make me very happy!
