Disclaimer: I do not own them. No, I do not.
Just a forewarning. Bella does something in this chapter that she doesn't normally do. At least not my Bella muse. Not once, but twice. Sorry in advance for her bad language. I don't use it often, but it does slip out. Like in this chapter. If you don't feel comfortable with that I understand. You don't have to read it.
Thanks again to everyone who is reading this. I can not begin to explain how much it means to me.
Sam had advised them to be smart and keep their eyes open. Which meant that Charlie could not find out that they were outside. Jacob and Embry had been put on Bella watch. Seeing as they were the two she trusted most. Jacob hadn't been happy to find out that Embry had gotten put on the first nights watch. Technically, Bella wasn't supposed to know that they were watching her, but he had warned her about Embry being outside her house before she had left his. Sam had told him that Emily had explained everything to her. Including imprinting. Luckily she hadn't outed him. That was for him to do and him only.
He stayed close enough to Bella's that he could be there as soon as possible if anything happened. He had talked with Embry a little while ago and so far everything had been quiet.
Embry? Jacob thought calling out to his best friend.
Yeah? he answered after a few seconds.
I'm gonna head home and get some sleep. I'll stay in wolf form, just in case you need me.
You'll be the first person who finds out if anything happens.
I'd better be. Jacob thought before turning to go home.
Thoughts of her flew through his mind. The tickle fight from earlier that night made him laugh. He'd had her sprawled across his bed while he kneeled over her from the floor. Her screams of protest had turned to laughing while Billy and Charlie encouraged him from the living room. She lay under him breathless as he smiled down at her. She smacked him playfully on the chest before sliding out from under him. Pretty soon he heard Embry laugh too.
Dude! Get out of my head! Jacob thought with a laugh.
Then don't think about her so much.
Easier said than done. You'll understand when you imprint.
Everyone who had imprinted knew to take it easy when thinking about their mates in wolf form around Paul and Embry. Paul didn't mind as much since he had been used to it for the past four years. Embry on the other hand, was still new. Jacob hoped that his friend would find someone soon. He could care less about Paul.
XXXX
Bella stared out the window into the darkness. She knew that Embry was out there somewhere. If she could get his attention, maybe he would come and talk to her. She saw a flash of gray on the other side of the street. Maybe if she turned her light on, that would get his attention. Sure enough, a few seconds after she had turned on her bed side lamp Embry came out of the trees. She opened her window motioning for him to come into the yard.
"Stay there. I'll be right down." she said before closing the window.
She crept down the stairs, skipping the stair half way down that creaked so loud that it could wake up the dead. Embry was buttoning his shorts as Bella stepped onto the porch.
"Hey." she said sitting on the top stop.
"Hey." he said sitting next to her.
"Is it okay that we're doing this?"
"I don't see why not. I can hear everything within three miles of here."
"What if one of the pack needs you?"
He retrieved a cell phone from his pocket. Bella nodded as she brushed a piece of hair from her face.
"It's good that you called me over. I wanted to talk to you."
"About what?"
"Jake."
"What about him?"
"There's something he hasn't told you..."
"He kept being a werewolf from me for almost a month. So him hiding something doesn't surprise me." Bella said with a shrug.
"He'd never talk to me again if he found out that I was talking to you about this."
"Seeing as he can't kill you."
"Yeah. Um, Sam said that Emily explained imprinting to you."
"Yeah."
"Well, how would you feel if one of us imprinted on you?"
"Meaning that I'd be someone's mate? Embry, have imprinted on me?" Bella asked with wide eyes.
"What? No! I mean, no offense. You're pretty and everything, but it's not me."
"It had better not be Paul." she said with a groan.
"I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Especially you. It's Jake."
"Jake has imprinted on me?"
"Ever since that day in the meadow."
Bella let out a ragged breath, letting silence fall over them. Jacob had imprinted on her? That explained why he had the sudden urge to touch her every time they were together. Emily had mentioned that most wolves needed contact from their imprints on a regular basis. Meaning, whenever they could get it.
"I'm only telling you this so you know where you stand with him. He's head over heels for you Bella. You're all he thinks about, you're all he talks about. I know you have trusts issues because of you ex, but please don't shut Jacob out. I know you wouldn't do it on purpose. But he'd be destroyed if you did."
"Embry." Sam said walking through the shadows.
"Busted." he said with a laugh.
"Looks like it." Bella said with a smile.
"You turned your phone off. It's almost dawn. And you need sleep. So does she. Head home, I'll keep watch for the next hour."
"I'll see you later Bella."
"Bye Embry. Thank you."
"You're welcome." he said with a smile.
"You should go back inside Bella. You're dad is waking up." Sam said once Embry left.
"Okay."
Bella quietly opened the door and went back inside. She grabbed a bottled water from the fridge before heading back upstairs. Again, she stepped over the loose stair and was at her door when her dad opened his.
"What are you doing up this early?"
"I was thirsty." She said, holding up her water.
"Go back to sleep Bells." He said before heading to the bathroom.
Like she could really sleep. She only had half an hour before her alarm clock went off. Plus the talk she had just had with Embry was running through her mind on replay. She groaned wishing he hadn't told her.
She didn't need to be thinking about this right now. Could she really picture herself with Jacob? She'd be happy, he would be ecstatic. But if he hadn't imprinted on her than she wouldn't be thinking this right now.
Her relationship with Jacob had always been open, he knew her better than anyone. She knew him better than anyone. She knew the real reason why he had never had a girlfriend. He wanted the girl to matter, he didn't play around with peoples emotions. And he didn't want the girl he dated to do that to him. Bella was the only girl who had been that for him. 'Oh man, why haven't we realized this already?' She thought as she sat up in bed.
If they had dealt with this last year when she first came to live with her dad, Edward would never have been in the picture. Then she wouldn't have anything to base her feelings on. She was grateful to Edward for teaching her what it felt like to love someone. To trust them with everything you had. Her heart was completely mended and she was ready to move on. All she had to do now was tell Jacob.
XXXXX
Bella barely paid attention in school that day. Angela noticed a change, and pulled her off to their side on the way to lunch.
"Is something going on?"
"You're a really perceptive person aren't you?" Bella asked with a laugh.
"It comes from being an observer. What's up?"
"Just thinking."
"About what?"
"A guy." Bella said letting shy smile play across her lips.
"Really? Anybody I know?"
"He doesn't go here. He lives in La Push."
"I seen some of them. Those guys are hot!"
"He's my best friend."
"That's so sweet. Have you told him how you feel yet?"
"Not yet. One of our other friends let it slip that he liked me."
"And now you can't stop thinking about him. Isn't that how it usually happens?" Angela asked laughing.
Bella was glad that it was Angela, not Jessica that she was talking to. Jessica would want to know everything, and would more than likely ask if he had a friend for her. Bella cringed, imagining Embry with Jessica. She would never have put Jessica off on Paul. She valued her friendship with Jessica, even if she could be a little annoying. Angela's eyes met hers across the table and they smiled before Mike interrupted the moment. Bella tuned him out, while Jessica hung onto his every word. Why hadn't they worked out? She would have to talk to Jessica about that.
XXXXX
Bella reached through the drivers side window to grab the mail from the mailbox. She sorted through it as she walked up the walk way. She saw something she wasn't expecting, and she dropped the rest of the mail on the stoop.
"Shit!" She growled in aggravation.
She picked up the rest of the mail as she unlocked the door. Why would Alice write her? She tossed the rest of the mail on the counter and her bag on the kitchen table as she turned the letter over in her hands. She closed her eyes remembering the last time she had seen Alice. She hadn't even gotten to say goodbye to her properly. Her hands shook as she opened the letter. The paper was new. Alice had changed her monogram paper. Two red hearts, with the letters A and J in the middle were interlaced at the top. So Jasper must use the paper too. Bella bit her bottom lip to keep from smiling. She could see Jasper using the paper just because Alice wanted him to.
My Dearest Friend Bella,
I know that I am the last person that you would expect to contact you. I miss you, so does Esme. She wants me to tell you that she loves you as well. Jasper also would like to say hello. He's trying to take my pen from me as we speak! He wants to apologize for what happened when you saw him last. He still feels dreadful. Emmett asks about you when we speak to him. He says he misses his klutzy, human friend. I'll enclose his address and you may write him. I would have e-mailed you, but I like writing long hand better for long letters. I'm sorry for changing my e-mail address. At the time we thought it would be best if you weren't able to have contact with us. I'll enclose mine and Jasper's e-mail addresses.
I hope that you are well. I don't think that I could stand it if you are still grieving. You have to understand that it was for your own good. Leaving you nearly tore Edward apart, literally. Carlisle and Emmett had to pull him from the house and into the car. We don't talk to him much. He doesn't want to talk to anyone. He moves around a lot as well. The last I talked to him he was in London.
How is Charlie? Please tell him that I miss him dreadfully. Do you think that I could have his e-mail address? I want to able to keep up with him, he'll tell me the truth when I ask about you. You always did keep your feelings inside. You don't have to be strong for everyone.
I do have word from Edward for you. He knows that he hurt you. He says he dies a thousand deaths every time he thinks of what he did to you. Can I tell him about you? He would like to know how you are. I thought that I would ask just in case you didn't feel comfortable letting him know how you're doing. I won't tell him anything if you don't want me to. I'll let Jasper talk to you now.
I love and miss you,
Alice Cullen Hale (Yes, we are married now. Can you believe it?)
Bella,
Words cannot express how sorry I am for what happened the last time I saw you. I hope that one day you can find it in your heart to forgive me. If I hadn't acted like a savage beast you and Edward would still be together. It hurts me to know how much pain I have caused the both of you. Please, don't hold him at fault for our leaving. He wanted to stay, but out of duty to his family he left.
All my best,
Jasper
Bella choked back a sob as she set the letter in her bag. She dug her palms into her eyes to stop the tears that were threatening to spill. The two of them had been like family to her for a short time. Now they were asking for her forgiveness over something neither of them could control. She felt guilty for making them feel guilty. Alice, because she felt like she was betraying her brother by contacting her. Jasper, because he felt like he had been the reason that she and Edward weren't still together. Edward had made the decision to leave. No one had forced him to pack his things. But they'd had to pull him from the house kicking and screaming just like Carlisle had said. God, she felt horrible.
A knock at the door pulled her from he thoughts. She checked her reflection in the mirror by the door, not wanting to scare the person away. She opened the door to see Jacob leaning against the railing. His arms were gripping the railing while the rest of him stretched out in front of him.
"Hey." she said with a smile.
"I didn't think you'd mind if I came over. I needed some peace and quiet."
"What's going on?" she asked coming outside to stand next to him.
"My sister and the baby are at my house. Dad's having a blast, 'Unk Jake'...Not so much." he said shaking his head with a sigh.
"Come on. I was getting ready to start my homework. Did you bring yours?"
"It's in the car. I'll be there in a minute."
"I'll wait." she said with a nod.
Bella watched him stride to his car then averted her gaze when he turned to walk back. He wasn't supposed to know that she knew that he had imprinted on her. Now would be the best time to talk to him about it. They were immersed in homework before Bella approached the subject.
"What did you do after I left last night?"
"Nothing much. I went to bed early."
"You sure you didn't check up on Embry?"
"Did he tell you I did?" His head shot up as a look of guilt spread across his face.
"No. You just did." Bella said before grabbing his hand.
"I'm done." he said closing his Chemistry book.
"That's good because I want to talk to you."
"Can we go into the living room or something? My legs are starting to cramp from sitting in this chair."
"Sure."
She pulled him into the living room. She sat down on the couch as he lay next to her. His legs hung over the side, but he claimed that it was better than sitting in the kitchen chair. She ran he fingers through his hair as he closed his eyes.
"There's no easy way to say this so I'll just say it. I need to talk to you about two things. Which do you want first, the good news or the difficult news?"
"Difficult news. That way there's an upside." he said with a sigh.
"That's what I would have chosen too. I got a letter from Edward's sister and brother in law today."
He stopped breathing for what seemed like forever. Her fingers never stilled in his hair. She was using his need for contact to sooth him. She could be sneaky when she wanted to be.
"What did they want?" he said after a few minutes.
"They wanted to let me know how they were doing. Alice, Edwards sister and I were very close when Edward and I were together. And Jasper, his brother in law did something the last time I saw him that he still carries shame for. He wanted to apologize. Even though I have never blamed him for it."
"What did he do?"
"I cut myself by accident at my birthday party. Jasper lashed out. Edward was able to get in front of me. He pushed me into a glass table, which made it worse. Their father, Carlisle was able to stitch me up. My dad doesn't even know that it happened."
"Where are they?"
"Alice and Jasper are in Alaska."
"And Edward?"
"Alice thinks he might be in London."
"What about the rest of the family?"
"Their parents are also in Alaska. And their brother and sister, Emmett and Rosalie are in Tacoma."
"They're still in Washington?" he asked as his eyes flew open.
"That surprised me too." Bella said not stopping from stroking his hair.
"Are they coming back?"
"No."
"What's the good news?"
"Embry told me something last night."
"He came over here?" Jacob asked pulling away from her.
"I asked him to." Bella said putting a hand on his arm.
Jacob sat on the edge of the couch with his head in his hands.
"What did he tell you?"
"That I'm your imprint."
"I'm-"
"Going to forgive him and move on." Bella said, finishing his sentence.
"No. That's not it." Jacob said shaking his head.
"Jacob don't get mad at him please? He did it because he was tired of seeing you get hurt."
"He's the one who's going to get hurt. He had no right to tell you." he said as he started to shake.
"Calm down." Bella said rubbing his back.
"What all did he say to you?" he asked taking her hand off of him. He pulled it to his chest, before flinging himself against the back of the couch.
"Careful, my dad can't afford to replace the couch!" Bella said smacking him lightly on the arm..
"Sorry. He said that he didn't want me to get hurt? That's all?"
"He also told me that I needed to be honest with you. And if you would give me a chance instead of talking about how you're going to silence Embry I will."
"Okay." he said turning his head to face her.
"Remember the last time we talked at your house before you changed? About how you wanted a girlfriend that didn't play mind games, was up front and honest? And knew you better than anyone else? Including Embry and Quil?"
"Yeah." he said still staring at her.
"Do you realize that you described me?"
"Oh God, you're right! We could have been together before I changed. Then you would have been an instant imprint. That's never happened before."
"Too bad it couldn't have happened. I wasn't ready to date you then."
"I know."
"Did you think of me that way then?"
"Honestly? No. I guess I was too blind to see that what I was really feeling was something more than friendship. Changing kicked it to the surface."
"Yeah, no shit." Bella said with a laugh.
"So when did you start to think of me that way?"
"I guess it was when I had a dream where you were in wolf form. I was riding on your back through town. You brought me home and you phased back to yourself while I was still on your back." If she was going to be honest with him, she was going to be honest with herself too.
"Was I naked when I phased back?"
"No." She said with a laugh.
"That's why it was a dream. When I phase back from wolf form I'm naked."
"Really?"
"You wanna find out?" he asked, quirking an eyebrow at her.
"Some other time."
"Definitely. So when did you have it?"
"Last weekend. The night you came to see me."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Like you, I was still trying to wrap my head around it."
"Now?"
"I'm glad that you know. It feels like a weight has been lifted off of me."
"Me too." he said, kissing her temple.
She curled her body into his, and lay her head on his shoulder. He turned his head to hers again, and tilted her chin with his fingers. Their eyes met before he threaded his fingers in her hair. She closed her eyes as she readied herself for what was about to happen.
"Open your eyes." Jacob said, just above a whisper.
Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at him from under her eye lashes. She sighed as one of his hands came to rest on her shoulder. He smiled as he leaned in. Their lips met in a tender kiss. As far as first kisses went, it was sweet and intoxicating, and left both of them wanting more. She sighed against his lips, as she put her hands on his arms. His muscles flexed under her fingertips, making her grip his arms harder. His body melded to hers, as he turned to lean over her. She leaned back against the arm of the couch, before linking her arms loosely around his neck. Her fingers splayed across his shoulder blades loving the heat that was consuming her in waves.
His tongue brushed against her lips asking for entrance. Edward had always held the cards when they kissed. He had always left her wanting more. While she was left wishing that for once that he would let his guard down and kiss her the way she wanted him to. The way that Jacob was kissing her now. The moan in the back of her throat was cut off as she opened her mouth to him. He groaned before pulling away. She gave him a surprised look before he got off of her. He sat on the edge of the couch, looking out the front window.
"What's wrong?" she asked putting a hand on his back.
"Someone's coming. It sounds like my dad and Becca."
"He's coming over to watch TV. It's the first Mariner's game of the season. I forgot it was Monday for a minute."
"Glad that I could be the one to do that." he said, giving her a sly smile.
She leaned up to sit behind him. She slid her arms over his shoulders, and down his chest to rest at his stomach. He linked their hands, before kissing the corner of her mouth. She rested her head against his shoulder blade as she saw headlights pull up outside.
"I should go help him." Jacob said, pulling her arms away.
Bella went into the kitchen, realizing she didn't have anything made for dinner. She gripped the refrigerator door, as Jacob wheeled Billy into the house.
"I hope your not planning on cooking anything fancy. It's just a baseball game Bells." Billy said seeing her.
"Nope. Just getting stuff out to make sandwiches. Beck isn't staying?"
"Sounds good to me." Charlie said coming in.
"I didn't even hear you pull up."
"I pulled up while Billy and Jake were outside." He said taking off his holster.
" Becca left the baby with Leah, she didn't want to leave the her alone with him too long. Bella and I need to finish our homework. We were working on it before you got here." Jacob said walking into the kitchen.
She gave him a smile as he came between her view of Charlie and his dad. He smiled down at her, before putting a hand on top of hers.
"You two go ahead. I'll make Billy and I something." Charlie said before coming into the room.
Jacob let go of her hand and walked to the table to open up his book bag. Bella sat across from him, his eyes meeting hers. Charlie left the room, and Jacob brushed her leg with his hand under the table.
"How am I supposed to do homework with you doing stuff under the table?" she asked, using air quotes for the word homework.
"You're smart. You'll find a way." Jacob said, winking at her.
"You're trouble." she said with a laugh.
"Don't you forget it." he said, grinning evilly.
The two of them pretended to do homework half the night. Occasionally Billy and Charlie would hear Bella laugh and Jacob's low voice could be heard shushing her. Yes, things were back to way they used to be.
At least that's what their dad's thought. Little did they know that their two kids were playing footsie, holding hands under the table, and occasionally sneaking kisses when they knew neither parent was looking.
Okay, they're together. Everybody happy? I know I am. I was getting tired of keeping them apart. This is by far my favorite chapter. And not because of what you think you pervs! Ask me and I might tell you why.
