The rest of that week went by fast. I spent as much time with my Jacob as I could, even though we never got any alone time. Sam had us running patrols again after the newborn invasion, even though Alice assured us that everything was fine. I was glad to know that the little newborn that had given herself up had been allowed to live. She was struggling a little with the 'vegetarian' style of living that the Cullen's lead, but Edward had assured us that that was perfectly normal.
As patrols decreased after that first week or so, and in the time that I wasn't home, on patrol, or being with Jake, I'd begun spending time with Seth going over to see Bella and Edward. That suddenly came to a stop one day though when Jake and I received a wedding invitation for Bella and Edward. Jake was furious. I tried to calm him down. After all, it was her choice, and he had no right to tell her no, but he wouldn't listen. We were in his house and he nearly tore the door off his hinges as he ran out, phasing the moment he exited the premises. I sighed and walked out, taking off my shorts as I went and phasing.
I took a moment to howl, as I only felt myself and Jake, to let the others know that we had something to discuss. I felt Sam seconds later, pressing into my mind to figure out what was going on.
We just got Bella and Edward's wedding invitation, I said, and I heard him give the equivalent of a mental sigh.
He's freaking out over that? Sam asked, and I realized that he must have already known about the wedding.
Yeah, he's irritating me, I said, giving a wolfy laugh as I caught him up.
I can hear you ya know! Jake snarled at me.
So sorry, I said sarcastically and he gave me the wolf look equivalent of "shut up or you die", to which I gave him my signature "I'm your Imprint, you wouldn't hurt me," look.
Soon, when we reached the usual meeting area in the woods, quickly met by Sam, then I felt the others phasing too, and they reached us as well.
We can't let this happen! Jacob said, outraged. I rolled my eyes, and gave Sam my best "make him stop" look.
It's her own choice, Sam said. She knew what she was getting into when she started in this relationship with Edward.
But our job is to protect human-kind! Letting her marry that leech, we may as well sign her death certificate! He'll have changed her within the first month! Jacob raged.
Enough. This is none of our business. We have no say in whether or not love should be allowed or not. Sam said.
Whatever, Jacob said, turning around from the rest of us.
Where do you think you're going? Sam asked.
Well, I'm obviously not getting any support here. Think I'll go on my own for a while, He said.
I was stung. He was going to leave. On his own. That meant he would be leaving me behind.
You would turn your back on us? Your brothers? Your Imprint, too? Sam asked. I was glad that he had brought me up, even though I wouldn't have had the courage to have done it.
I...That brought him up short. He obviously didn't want to leave me. I could tell in his thoughts. And you can't lie when you're a wolf. It's basically impossible.
Jacob. Think about this for a second. Saying that Bella and Edward can't marry is like saying that you and I couldn't – I started to say, but he cut me off.
Are you seriously thinking about us getting married? He laughed, and I was suddenly in a lot of pain. I knew he loved me, but he didn't want marriage. I was very hurt. First leaving me, now no marriage? I felt tears in my eyes, and I felt the pack cringe in recognition of my pain. Everyone knew the pain of Sam's rejection of Leah. Could the pack handle another one?
But I... I started. But then I turned, and my paws shot out from under me as I took off.
Matt, no, that isn't what I meant! Jacob shouted after me, and I heard him start running, but I felt something. Truth. He didn't really mean that. But somebody was stopping him from coming after me. Seth and Paul. They'd gotten in his way. I felt someone running after me. Leah.
Matt... She said.
Stop. I just need some time to myself. I said.
He's just confused as to why we're not doing anything about this wedding thing. She aid.
Kinda figured.
Look, come back. Let him explain himself.
What's there to explain?
He loves you. Can't you see that?
Not at the moment.
He just said it like that because of the fact that we're dealing with a marriage between a leech and a human. The marriage that you two are talking about is just one between to humans.
I just don't know.
Trust me. Come on back. She nuzzled me, and I looked at her.
Thanks.
You're welcome, little cousin.
We ran back to the clearing, but when we got there, Jacob was gone.
Where's Jacob? I asked. Nobody answered me.
Where is he? I asked, and this time, my wolf whined.
He ran off. Sam said. Something in me jolted, and I felt the pack cringe away from me and my pain.
I howled, and my feet flew out from under me as I started running. I could smell his scent, and it was heading... towards his house.
I barreled down the path, hesitating only when I came out near the road, and then when the coast was clear, I flew across the road, and phased to my human self. I cautiously opened the front door and found Billy sitting in the kitchen, an eyebrow raised and his lips forming an exasperated smirk.
"His room," He whispered. I nodded my thanks and made my way slowly down the hall.
I heard him throw something and it smacked the wall. I opened the door carefully and stood there while he faced away from me, his body shivering with anger.
"What?" He asked through his teeth. He was trying his best to keep calm.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, and he whirled around, his eyes wide, his mouth forming a small 'o'.
"You're sorry? No. I'm the one that should be sorry. That was a jerk thing to do,"
"I shouldn't have said anything about marriage,"
"No, you were right. I have no right to stand in the way of love. Like you said, it's the same, as if you and I were to get married,"
"Really?" I asked.
"Yeah,"
"So... umm, what did you throw at the wall?" I asked.
"Oh, right, that. I was trying to find something," He said.
"What? I can help,"
"Oh, nothing. I can't even remember now," He smiled.
"Could I have a pair of shorts?" I asked.
"I don't think that's going to happen," He said, and his eyes dipped down to my waist and then back up to my eyes. I smiled.
"Come on then," I said and stuck my tongue out at him.
"With pleasure," He said, before picking me up and dropping me on the bed.
XXX
Within the next month, I was shopping with Jacob to find a suit to wear to Bella and Edward's wedding. He told me I looked good in every suit, even the one with the light pink tie.
"You know, maybe I should've brought Seth or Leah. At least they would have given me a straight answer," I stuck my tongue out at him.
"But you look gorgeous in everything that you wear," He said.
"Oh whatever. Go get a clerk would you? Maybe one of them will be of assistance,"
Finally, after two hours of shopping, I was settled with a black and white suit, complete with a ocean-blue vest and tie.
"Do you have one like this, except with a darker blue?" I asked the associate as I came out of the dressing room.
"We have one like that in navy. Will that be OK?" She asked.
"Yes, please," I said, before turning to Jacob. "You're getting the Navy whether you like it or not," I laughed.
"Whatever you say, pup," He said before leaning down to give me a small kiss.
The clerk cleared her throat and we broke apart quickly, and I was positive that I was now the color of a tomato.
Jake bought the suits and then we headed out for some lunch. I was surprised when Jake pulled us into the parking lot of Saruka's, the Chinese restaurant that he'd taken me to on our first date.
"Saruka's? After you just spent a good five hundred for these suits?"
"Nothing but the best for you love," He said.
I smiled as we walked into the restaurant. I was surprised to see that the hostess was the same little old lady from my first time here, and she must've remembered us because she took us to the same booth, and then asked if we wanted the lobster like the last time.
We nodded our consent and as we waited, I reached across the table and held his hand.
"I can't believe we've been together for only two months. It seems like a life time to me," I smiled
"Doesn't it though?" He asked, and I rubbed my thumb over his fingers.
When the waitress brought out our food and disappeared behind the counter, we dug in and were finished within minutes.
"That was great," I said, patting my stomach.
"Glad you thought so," He said.
"Are you OK?" I asked, and I reached over to smooth his hair down.
"Yeah, just nervous,"
"About what?" I asked, and he shrugged.
The waitress brought the check and took away our plates. When she came to get the check, she gave us our fortune cookies.
I reached over and wondered why it felt heavier than normal as I broke the little cookie.
I gasped as something silver dropped from the cookie wrapped up in the fortune. I picked it up from the table top and unraveled the fortune. It said:
Will you marry me?
I looked at the silver circle, a small ring with a single diamond, and silver twisted around so that it looked like a flower.
I felt my eyes sting with tears and I looked up to find Jacob smiling ear to ear at me, dropped onto one knee, and his fingers taking the small ring from me.
"Matthew Rich Clearwater, these past few months with you have been amazing. We've had our ups and our downs, but I love you, no matter what. Will you marry me and make me the most happiest man on this planet?" He asked.
I couldn't speak. Tears flowed down my face and I nodded, smiling so big that my cheeks were hurting. He gently pressed the ring onto my finger, and kissed me breathless.
He paid for the meal and grabbed my hand, pulling me to the bike, which he had exchanged the car with when we took the suits home. I jumped on the back, and grinned like a crazy person as we sped off in the direction of my house. I had to tell my mom.
XXX
"Married? But you just met!" My mom said, pressing a hand to her forehead.
"Mom, we're Imprinted. I've explained this already. You know how it works,"
"But it's just... you're so young. Are you sure?"
"Yes," I said, and she smiled.
"Well, we've got a lot of work to do then!" She said.
"Hold on, I don't want to plan this yet. Can we wait till Bella and Edward's wedding is done first?" I laughed, and she smiled.
"Just keep in mind you've still got to go through more schooling," She said.
"Please, mom, I've got one more year left," I said.
"OK. You two have a good night then," She said, and she disappeared into the kitchen.
I turned to Jacob and gave him a giant kiss, and I felt him stiffen below our waists.
"Already?" I giggled.
"You're gorgeous," He said.
"You're beautiful," I answered.
"You're insane," He said, wrapping his fingers in my hair.
"Only a little," I said, kissing his neck. "About you."
I licked a trail up his neck to his jaw, but something rang in my ears. The sound of a wolf's howl. We broke apart, and ran out of the house, phasing almost instantly.
What's going on? I asked, and I felt something that I wasn't accustomed to.
