The next few days were entertaining to say the least. Izz didn't avoid him, and he knew she wouldn't, it wasn't her style. His Izz didn't run, never had, never would. One of the many reasons he loved her. Though she wasn't avoiding him, she did make sure they weren't alone. Ever. Whether she quickly found something to do elsewhere, or pulled someone in, Jake hadn't had an alone moment with her since their kiss in his bedroom. Kiss he'd been replaying in his mind continuously. Which had forced him to take many, many cold showers.

Jake didn't kid himself though, he knew it would take a lot more than sexual attraction to win her over. Though he wanted her body, in a very bad way, what he was after was her heart. His price would be her love, the rest, well that would be a perk. An unbelievably hot and sensual perk.

Reminding her of all the reasons why they had fallen in love in the first place was absolutely essential in finding an entry into her heart once more, and spending time with her was the only way to do so. That much he knew, figuring out how to carry out that plan was the problem. For days, Jake and the bloodsucker clan brainstormed, coming up with very little. For 'people' who had lived centuries, they sucked at playing cupid. Of course they would debate Izz was not easy to swoon. Thanks to him. Just when they were gonna throw in the white flag, it was precisely Izz who gave them the solution. Go fig.

Knowing he didn't have a job, apart from patrolling Forks, and needed one, Izz offered him a security position at Rain, with Sam, Jasper and the guys. Jake's answer, HELL YEAH! Like he was gonna pass up the chance to be near her on a daily basis. Besides, he really did need the freaking job.

Putting their differences aside, and helping him out, was extremely noble of her, but that's who Izz was. She would've done the same for any of the guys, he knew that, reason he didn't dare read too much into it.

Effortlessly catching the walkie talkie thingy thrown at him, Jake turned to his sister. Watching Izz through the one-way glass, he hadn't been paying much attention, but thanks to werewolf reflexes, he didn't have to be. Lucky him, otherwise it would've meant a smack in the face.

"Fridays are our rowdiest days" Rachel said "Izz wants you up here at the club, ok?"

"Sure" he nodded, placing the ear piece in. He was dressed in the black on black uniform, jeans, t-shirt, and sneakers, a small umbrella logo on his left peck the only splash of color, it clearly marked them as workers, but also made them easy to hide, in need be, smart. "Who am I working with?"

Rachel checked her Blackberry, looking all business-like and in-charge. His bossy sister had definitely been born to give orders, reason Izz had chosen her for the job. He couldn't help but be proud of her, a smile crossing his face. "Embry and Emmett" she answered "Seth's at the door" He couldn't help but wonder where Izz was gonna be. By the small smile forming in the corner of his sister's mouth, she knew it "Izz goes up and down all the time" she said, answering his unspoken question "Usually she chills at the club, but tonight she's leaving early. And no, I don't know why"

"I wasn't gonna ask" he frowned, lying through his teeth.

Rache rolled her eyes "Of course you weren't" she said sarcastically as she grabbed another walkie talkie thingy from the desk, closing the drawer with her hip "Sorry, little brother" she smiled, walking past him to the door "But, you've always sucked at hiding your emotions"

The giggle drifting from the hallway made it crystal she had heard his growl. Taking one last look at his girl, who was downstairs, sitting on a pool table, playfully swinging her legs as she talked with Kim, Jake turned his receiver on and headed to the club.

It was obvious why Rain was such a hit, the place was freaking awesome. No matter what you were in the mood to do, you could do it there, hungry, Em's dinner was it, feeling playful, there was pool, bowling, and an arcade, and if you wanted to dance, head upstairs. Though the bloodsuckers had a giant role in the development of Izz's dream, it had her stamp all over the place. For someone who knew her, the way he knew, it was impossible not to think of her when you walked around the place. From the color scheme, dark, rich colors, her favorite, to the décor, modern yet classic, comfy yet elegant, Rain was an extension of who Izz was.

It took Jake a split second for his eyes to take in the difference in lighting and refocus. The doors had opened not five minutes prior and it was already halfway filled, many kids dancing to the blaring music, and others hanging out with friends, enjoying it from their booths. Thanks to the blacked out windows of the dj booth, typical 20/20 human vision couldn't make out it was Blondie in there, mixing up the tunes. It also couldn't pick up on the fact that Emmett was hiding in the pitch black of the northwest corner, keeping a watchful eye, a fangy grin on his face. Embry was hanging out by the alcohol-free bar. As far as the guests were concerned, he and Jake were the only securities on premises.

No wonder the singles guys, aka the pups, were kept away from the club, it was girl heaven up there. Jake and Embry weren't so much making rounds, but running away from the overfriendly. From across the dancefloor, Embry pointed to his ear, then his radio, holding out three fingers. As soon as Jake changed channels, his friend's voice came through.

"Did you hear, Izz's leaving early?"

"I heard" Jake answered, obviously annoyed he didn't know why.

"Heard she has a date" Emmett butted in, making Jake wanna punch him in the piehole, one, for being so damn nosy, and two, for always being so freaking cheery. Hello! Izz going on a date was not good news.

"Heard from who?"

"The grapevine" the bloodsucker laughed

"Is guy talk always this stupid?" Blondie grunted, joining in what should've been a convo between Jake and Embry. Did anyone ever get any privacy anymore? "As far as it being a date, we don't know if it is or not, but she is going to dinner with Chris tonight" she added, causing Jake to growl.

"Holy fuck!" Emmett complained "Mind turning your mic off next time you do that shit, you just blew my ear drum"

"Don't be such a pussy" Embry laughed "It'll heal"

Blondie's sigh was of obvious annoyance "No word if this is a romantic dinner, or just friendly, but either way, its obvious the human's not gonna give up easily"

Jake chuckled dryly "Wonder if eating through a straw would simmer Romeo down"

For the first time, Jake heard Blondie laugh, out loud and full heartedly. "Too bad hurting the human would mean hurting Izz" Yeah, too bad "Point is, you gotta up your game, Fido. Like now"

Yeah. Like now. Pissed as hell, he grabbed from his back pocket the cell phone Bella had given him. That little punk was really messing with his game plan, but there was no fucking way he was about to sit back and do nothing. Not in his nature. He only typed one word before hitting send, TONIGHT.

Not a second later, he got a response. On it! :)

… ***** … ***** … ***** …

Everyday you learn something new about yourself. Too bad its not always something you wanted to know. As it turns out, Izzy learned she was a masochist. She had to be. Why else would she ask Jake to work with her. If having him at home was hard, having him near her practically all day long, on a daily basis, it was torture. And for that reason, she made sure never to be alone with him. The lip lock action that went down in his room, not gonna happen again.

Funny, she used to love being able to feel his presence, being able to know when he was looking at her, it used to make her feel special. It was one of the reasons she had kept hope for so long, cause she had felt that sharing that connection meant they were meant for one another. Now, it sucked. She always knew when he was around, and she always knew when he was looking at her, which was all the time.

Izzy could literally feel Jake's stare as she walked out of Rain. Her skin feeling warm and tingly, as if it was his touch on her, and not his eyes. It took all her will to walk out without turning back. One look into those dark eyes and she wouldn't have gone. She could say otherwise all she wanted, but in her heart, she knew she wouldn't have gone.

Chris was parked across the street, waiting for her. Always waiting for her. The smile he gave her reminded Izzy she so didn't deserve his love. She would give anything to love him the way she loved Jake, but as Ma said, you can't rule your heart. As she walked over to his Honda, she remembered she hadn't changed into her ballerina flats, which she usually wore when she went out with him. The shoes were in her car, which Seth was gonna be driving home. For a split second she thought of running over and changing, but she figured it wasn't a good idea and walked over in the 5 inch booties.

"Sup, love" he smiled as she got in.

She wasn't quite sure how to greet him anymore. A kiss seemed too much, yet a handshake was a no-go. Up until a few days, this was the guy she was gonna marry, for god's sake. Someone should right some sort of dealing with your not-so-much ex etiquette book. She went with the kiss on the cheek.

The drive to Port Angeles was filled with the usual small talk, work, his friends, her friends, stuff they'd done since they last saw each other. Jake was not mentioned, and neither was the whole 'here's your ring' moment, which should've made things easier, yet only made them more awkward. It was the giant pink elephant everyone was ignoring. Or russet wolf, which was their case.

Food was good, as usual, not as good as Em's, but better than Fork's Diner, and given the distance from town, it was a lot more private. Though going by the topics discussed during dinner, no one would suspect they even needed it. For once she wished Chris would just speak up and say what he was feeling, what he wanted. Fighting and arguing would be a lot better than the false smiles and 'everything is ok' attitudes that didn't go with the situation they were going through.

Finished with their tiramisu and decaf coffee desert, there had yet to be any mention of the baby daddy issue. As Chris paid for dinner, she picked up the to-go orders from the maitre d, considering the food was for Billy and Jake, having Chris pay for it was just wrong.

More small talk as they drove back. Usually, it was that small talk that she loved about Chris, whatever hell was going on at home, he made her forget. Now, it was getting on her last nerve. As he went on about the next stereo system he had installed, she had had enough.

"Are we just gonna pretend like we didn't just cancel our wedding?"

Chris stopped talking mid-sentence and swallowed hard, never removing his eyes from the road. "We didn't cancel it" he finally said "Just postponed it"

What? "Chris" she shook her head "You know…"

"I've always known!" She couldn't help being shocked at his outburst. "I've always known, Izz" he whispered, his hazel eyes meeting hers for a short moment before returning them to the road "I always knew he would come back. Always knew you'd be face to face to him one day. You had to be" He wasn't angry, wasn't upset, Chris was resolved. "Its his land, his family, his people. We both knew he would come back one day, didn't we?" He didn't wait for an answer. Good thing, cause she didn't really have one. "He might've not been aware he was leaving his son behind, but he did know its where his woman was"

"I'm not his woman"

"A part of you will always be his" he answered "I can't change that. No matter how much I would love to" Didn't that make two of them. "I always hoped his return wouldn't be for a very long time" he chuckled dryly "Once we were married, maybe had a few kids" he glanced over at her "Once your heart belonged to me and me only" She sighed, doing her best not to cry. How long would that have taken? Would her heart ever truly belong to Chris? "You know?" he smiled, turning away "For a moment, I actually believed it would happen" She did too.

"I love you, Chris"

"I know" he smiled "But not like him, ha?" he quickly shook his head "Don't answer that" She wasn't planning to. "And you know what sucks?"

"What?" she heard herself ask.

"I totally get it" he chuckled "You love him the same way I love you. You're drawn to him like I'm drawn to you. You can't let him go. Same way I can't let you go"

Her eyes hadn't drifted from his handsome face for an instant. Even though he wanted to appear his usual self, the pain she was inflicting on him was all over his features. It killed her to know he was hurting, and even worse to know she was the reason for it.

She had no idea what to say. She couldn't deny still having feelings for Jake, there was no point. And Chris knew where he stood with her, there was no denying that either. Nothing she could say would change anything. And so, the silence lingered, it wasn't until Chris began to get out of the car that she realized they had gotten home. She stared at his handsome face as he walked over to open her door, always the gentleman, extending his hand to help her out. Though she had become an expert at walking in heels, he always treated her like she was gonna slip at any moment. Placing his hand on her hip, he guided her to the front door.

Life would be so much easier if you could choose who to fall in love with, wouldn't it? Chris was perfect, handsome, funny, sexy, smart, kind, extremely patient and understanding, and he loved Jojo. The big but…he wasn't Jake. Looking at him, she knew she loved him too much, and yet it wasn't enough. For once, she wished her heart and her mind would play nice with each other. Ugh!

Opening her front door, the plan was to invite Chris in, maybe offer him a beer, knows after that talk, he needed it. Hell, she needed a few shots. One look at her living room, and she slammed the door shut once again. Oh lordie!

Turning around in speed lightning, she slammed right into Chris.

"You ok?"

"Yeah" she lied, realizing she answered far too fast "I'm…" about to pass out "…good"

Heaven knows what her face looked like, but as always, though he might've not believed her, he didn't question her "Alright" he nodded "Well…we should…call it a night?" Not trusting her voice, she nodded. She needed to get Chris away from her house. ASAP. "Ok" he sighed, the disappointment in his face lasted a second, before he hid it with a smile.

Though she felt like dirt for pushing the kid away, she knew it was way better than him walking into the house.Izzy was so preoccupied with making sure the front door didn't open, she didn't realized Chris was moving in. Now pressed against the door, she prayed for all that was holy, it held their weight.

A million things were going through her mind as Chris cupped her face. Was this seriously happening? The passion, the lust, the need, it was all in his eyes, yet when he moved in, it was her forehead his lips landed on.

"I'm always gonna love you, girl" he smiled "And no matter what, I'm not gonna give up. Not until there's a ring on that finger" With a quick kiss on the tip of her nose, Chris walked away.

Unable to move, for various reasons, she stayed there, pressed against the door, until the white Honda drove off. It took several deep breaths, and a few tries, to get her legs to move. At a snail's pace, she stood, turned around and faced the door. Placing her hand on the knob, she took a few breaths more before opening it. Her heart went into overdrive.

"Oh my god" she breathed, placing her hand over her heart.

There must've been a hundred white candles. All around the living room, and forming a trail up the stairs, the lit candles illuminating the millions of colorful daisy petals that covered ever inch of the floor and stairs.

Locking the door behind her, out of habit and not logical thinking, which she had none of at the moment, she slowly made her way across the living room. She was expecting Jake to jump out at any minute, but the house was completely silent, making her wonder if anyone was home at all. Dropping the take-out bag at the foot of the stairs, she slowly made her way up, gasping as she realized the candles and petals lead all the way to her bedroom.

Couldn't say she wasn't expecting it, but the gasp still came. More candles in her room, not white anymore, colorful, same as the million more petals all around her room. On her bed, was only a single petal, neatly placed on top of a note, which even from a distance, she knew it was in Jake's handwriting.

A petal for every thought I had of you. One for every time I whispered your name. And one for every day I will spend loving you.

Leaving you was the biggest mistake I ever made. My love, my heart, my soul, and everything I am, belongs to you, Izz. Always had, and always will, I just didn't know it. Eternally yours, Jake

Unaware of the tears until a droplet landed on the note, she quickly wiped it off before it smudged. Wiping her face she ran to the door. And stopped.

What was the plan? Run to him? And say what? No, it would not be that easy. She went through hell and back because of him. He didn't just break her heart, he broke her soul, he broke her. And that's not even taking into consideration everything she went through with the pregnancy, with Jojo's birth. One gesture could not erase all that. She wouldn't allow it. She couldn't. No matter how much her soul was aching to run to his side, and she needed him more than air, she couldn't let her guard down. She would never allow him to hurt her. Not again. She wouldn't survive it.

With a sigh that burned her lungs, she marched back in her room and closed the door. But that's as far as she got, her knees giving out, she leaned against the door, pressing her forehead against the coolness of the wood.

… ***** … ***** … ***** …

Watching her go through her internal debate was devastating. As much as he wanted her to run out to him, he knew it was not that easy. He wasn't expecting her to, and completely understood why she didn't. But knowing Izz was hurting, was enough for his body to move on its own.

Of course she knew the moment he entered the room. She always had been able to sense him. Jake was the same with her. He always thought it was due to the whole werewolf senses thing, but now he knew it had nothing to do with that. They were soul mates. They could find each other in a crowd in a heartbeat, they knew each other by scent, by sound, by mere essence.

The moment Izz turned, his heart skipped a beat. The lighting that bounced off her silver blouse, plus the tears that pooled in her lovely eyes, made those jades glow like fireflies. In that moment, she was not the gorgeous mother he returned to, she wasn't that mature young woman in 5 inch heels, hip hugging jeans and chic top any longer. No, in that moment, she was that logo t-shirt, cut off shorts, converse wearing sixteen year old who stole his heart. No matter how much time passed by, she would always be that mixture of innocence and sensuality that drove him crazy. She would always be his Izz.

Not aware he was on the move until he was before her, he placed a strand on her hair behind her ear, completely mesmerized by those jade eyes of hers. But they had always had that effect on him, hadn't they?

Stroking the velvety skin of her cheek with the back of his fingers, they stood there, staring into each other's eyes. Had it been hours? Or maybe it had just been seconds. Time seemed to go haywire when they were together.

"You have no idea how much I missed looking into your eyes" It was the one vision he had every time he closed his own. The moment he woke up after his first phase, having those eyes looking at him, filled with love and understanding. He would never forget that sight. But now seeing them filled with pain, with mistrust, it killed him. "I'm so sorry, Izz" he breathed "I'm sorry for everything I put you through. For all the times I hurt you" She opened her mouth, but he placed his index finger over her poutty lips, stopping her "I'm sorry for not realizing all along that it was you, and only you who my heart belonged to. For allowing stupid pride, and ancient rivalries to come in the way" And ruining everything. "I know there is nothing I could ever say or do to change or undo what I have done. But I can rectify it. I love you" She sighed. "You and Jojo are my life now. I will be the best father I can possibly be for him. And you, I will do everything in my power to get you to love me and trust me the way you did before. You are my imprintee, my soulmate, my everything" he cupped her face "We are meant to be together. And even if it's the last thing I do, Isabella Luna-McCarty, you will be mine"

Leaning in, his lips gently landed on hers. Her scent, her taste, her essence, it drove him crazy. Those soft, poutty lips, so sweet and savory, that intoxicating scent of hers all over him, claiming him. He could kiss her for all eternity and it wouldn't be long enough. But unlike the kiss that had taken place in his room, needy, desperate and longing, this one was soft, gentle, slow, caressing, giving, and so revealing. It wasn't just their lips touching, or their tongues mingling, it was their souls uniting, becoming one, as they ought to be, as they were meant to be, as they should've been all along. This was living, not existing as he had been for the past three years.

If they continued kissing, it was gonna heat up, real soon, real fast. Always had. Tends to happen when two people are crazy about each other. But it wasn't about lust, it wasn't about sex. It was about love. And he wanted to make that point real clear. As much as his body said wtf, he made his exit.

… ***** … ***** … ***** …

Those big black eyes, that handsome face, that fiery skin, that melting touch, and those lips, god, what that kid could do with those lips. Jake had always driven her crazy. Her mind could be yelling at the top of its lungs, 'NO, DON'T, STOP, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?' but her body and her heart pressed the mute button and did whatever they pleased. There had only been one person who could ever drive her to the verge of madness and illogic, and that was Mr. Jacob Black.

Should she had screamed and yelled and threw in his face every tear she shed for him, every insecurity he brought up, and every promise he broke. Of course! Could she? Nope. Her sappy heart wanted to hear him say he loved her. Needed to hear him say he was sorry. So long she waited to hear those words, she didn't dare throw a fit and rob her inner sixteen year old that pleasure.

Though they had made out like monkeys just a few days before, this kiss was different. Had she not fled the room that day, it would've lead to sex. Raw, angry, bed-breaking sex. But this kiss was leading to something totally different. Suddenly she felt like that 17 year old virgin at the top of the plateau, nervous and scared, yet excited and anxious at the same time. She could kiss this man forever.

Was she really gonna let this happen? Jake had been her one and only, and it was no secret she'd been dying to jump him from the moment she set eyes on him. But was she really gonna do this? Half of her was yelling "Go for it! Its been 3 years!" While the other half scolded "Have some pride! Don't give it up so fast!" In the end, she didn't have to make a decision.

Just as he had started the kiss, it was Jake who put an end to it. "I love you" he whispered as he backed away, her body instantly feeling cold and lonely without his touch. When she opened her eyes, she found herself alone. Jake long gone.

With wobbly legs, she ran to the window, which had been left wide open. Though it was as dark as the inside of a hat out there, she clearly made out the hind leg that disappeared into the woods. That russet wolf was hers, the howl only confirmed it.

The roller coaster of emotions she'd been through caught up with Izzy. Feeling like wet noodles, her legs went out, a loud thud filling the room as her butt landed, hard. Allowing her body to slump, she laid back on the petals covering her floor and sighed. Her heart was still pounding and she had no clear idea of what she was feeling.

"What a night" she breathed.

"And its not over yet" said a whimsical little voice, causing Izzy to laugh. She should've know the pixie had been involved. "I want deetz!"