Happy Independence Day America!

I am still kind of nervous about having just published my first lemon in the previous chapter. I am really hoping everyone enjoyed it...Even though it was from Bella's past.

I am always challenged when I am writing pain and hurt, since it's very difficult to put that kind of thing into words. I hope I was successful in writing her pain into the context of this story.

This chapter is Jake and Edward's POV. Jake comforts Bella and Edward broods about her.

This one is another short chapter but longer ones are ahead.

Stay tuned.

Chapter 10

Jake's POV

I hopped into the Rabbit and rushed over to Bella's house. I hurried to her door and didn't bother to knock, since she sounded so upset on the phone. When I walked in the door I called to her and she answered from upstairs. I took the stairs two at a time and found her sitting on her bed, her face stained with tears, a box of tissues on the nightstand. Immediately I sat beside her on the small bed and gave her a hug.

"What is it?" I asked as I rubbed her back lightly.

"I was just looking at old pictures and thinking about the past and all of a sudden I lost it," She sobbed. "I'm better now."

I just sat there and hugged her tightly. She felt so warm and vulnerable, as though she needed to be held close. We sat there for a long time, not saying a word. That's the way it was between Bella and me. We didn't need to talk to be connected. We were just comfortable being together.

"I need to ask you something, Jake." Bella pulled her head from my shoulder and rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hands.

"Okay." I looked into her eyes, trying to read what she was going to say.

"This is kind of embarrassing. I don't quite know how to word it, but I'm going to try my best." She began. "Every time you and I are together I get the feeling that there is something you're not telling me. Like you want to say something, but then you don't."

That was another part of the special bond that Bella and I had. There was like this premonition when one of us needed the other, or when one of us was hiding something from the other. There were only two things I was keeping from her, and I wasn't sure which one she could be referring to, so I pretended not to know what she was talking about.

"What?" I gave her a big smile.

"You know what I mean!" She smiled back and pushed my shoulder, not budging me, even an inch.

"Bella, the only reason I'd keep anything from you is to protect you." I confessed.

Now I wondered...was she talking about the fact that I had told Edward that she had fallen to pieces after he'd left? Is it possible she sensed that I had kept that from her?

Or…was she talking about the fact that every time I left her I felt as though my heart was being torn from my chest.

She sighed deeply. "Let me put it in different way," she paused. "Tell me the truth, Jake. How do you feel about…me?" She looked straight into my eyes and when our eyes connected it was like I was connected to her and I couldn't look away, no matter how hard I tried.

I wished I could avoid her gaze and make up something other than the truth. Because I was sure the truth was going to be too much for her to hear, especially as emotional as she was at the moment.

Instead I cleared my throat and told her…"I love you, Bella. You know that" Hoping that would be a sufficient answer.

"I do know that, Jake. Is there more?" She persuaded

"This is hard for me, Bella. I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

"Well, I want to know." Was her reply.

"Okay." I still hesitated but maintained eye contact with her. "Bella, I'm in love with you. " She just stared back at me. Her face didn't really appear surprised, nor was she embarrassed or uncomfortable in anyway.

But there was a long moment of silence that made me uneasy. "Aren't you going to say something?" I laughed slightly.

She just shook her head at first then answered me. "I don't know what to say. I love you Jake. You know I do. I am just so confused right now." She put her head back on my shoulder and put her arms around my neck.

I hugged her back tightly and rubbed her back again. We held each other for a long time, sitting side by side. I didn't know what else to do. She was so close and her body was so soft. I felt her hug me tighter so I returned the tighter hug, then I felt her move her face deep into my shoulder.

I could feel the warmth of her neck right next to my mouth. I debated with myself, torn between the feelings I had for her and my obligation as her friend. I took a chance and pressed my lips lightly to her neck. My lips tingled with longing to touch more of her. She didn't tense up so I did it again and she tilted her neck slightly, giving my lips better access. I continued to give her gentle kisses up her neck until I got to her jaw and closer to her lips.

She wasn't objecting and every nerve in my body was pushing me to continue. I lightly touched my lips to the edge of her mouth and then our lips touched and my heart was pounding in anticipation. I lightly pressed my lips to hers and kissed her, softly at first then with more pressure until she started to kiss me back. I was lost in the feeling of finally kissing her after years of wanting this moment.

I put my hands on her waist and she wove hers around the back of my neck and up into my hair. Her lips parted and I kissed her deeper, gently rubbing the inside of her lips with my tongue and I heard her gasp quietly. I felt her tongue on mine and my whole body shook like it had been electrified. We gripped each other even tighter and continued our kiss, desperate for more contact. I had never felt like this before.

My mind began to wander. Thoughts of my body pressing into hers crept into my head. If I didn't pull away soon I feared I'd press her into the bed and make love to her right on the spot.

I kissed her gently, slowing my lips and trailed off back down her neck where I had begun. She was breathing heavily and she didn't remove her hands from my hair right away. Then I felt her hands slowly unclench and run smoothly over the back of my head and follow down to where my hair ended in the middle of my back. She didn't speak at all, I wondered if she could.

I wondered if I could.

Her eyes were still closed as I gazed at her. "Bella? Are you okay?" I asked quietly. I guess I could speak after all.

"Yes, I think so." Guess she could too.

"Okay, well I think we need to go downstairs. I am going to have trouble keeping my distance if we stay here," I told her honestly. Hadn't she asked for honesty a few minutes ago?

"Sure," she said pulling herself off the bed. I followed her down the stairs and into the living room.

"Hey, you want to come home with me? We could work on your truck this afternoon?" That seemed innocent enough. Working together in my garage was something we had done dozens of times.

"Good idea. Let me get my coat."

A few minutes later we were in my car on the way to LaPush. It was as if nothing had gone on between us. Well almost. I still felt like my heart was beating a mile a minute when she stood near me.

Edward's POV

Saturday morning dawned dark and dismal. I lay in bed and thought about Bella. Just thinking about her made me forget everything else in the world. She was so beautiful and mysterious. It was clear to me that I still loved her. I always had. Yet she hadn't so much as given me the time of day since I had returned.

I considered her apparent relationship with Jacob Black and recognized the burning feeling in the pit of my stomach as jealousy. She and Black had always been close but it was apparent that now they were even closer. How would I handle that if I found out for certain.

I wanted to talk to her about our past. I wanted to know about the last five years of her life. I wanted to reach out to her and take her into my arms…I realized right away that there was really no point in my fantasizing about her. I was waiting for her to come to me! No matter how difficult it was, I had to just wait.

I closed the 'Bella door' in my mind and listened to the silent house. I knew Emmett would be gone already, having to leave for Seattle early. I rolled out of bed and headed toward the kitchen to make coffee. As I waited for it to brew I looked out over the large yard. Even in the rain of this November morning I could see where Alice's flower garden was. It must be beautiful in the summer, I surmised.

Soon I heard quiet steps and Alice entered the kitchen. "Coffee?" she yawned.

"It's almost ready. What are you up to today?" I asked her.

"Marie and I are taking Emma shopping. She's growing so fast and I want to get her a new outfit for Thanksgiving." Alice's voice was upbeat, even though she hadn't had her coffee yet. She was even perky even first thing in the morning, very unlike most others I knew. "What are your plans for the day?" She asked me as she began pouring us each a cup of steaming coffee.

I reached and took my cup from her hand and took a sip. "I was thinking I'd go car shopping. I don't feel like driving that rental anymore."

"You're working Monday and Tuesday, right?" I nodded. "Could you come grocery shopping with me on Wednesday? We can get the food for Thanksgiving. I have to pick up the fresh turkey at the market and a few other things."

"I can do that. I assume Emmett's working on Thanksgiving?"

"Yep, holidays and football go hand in hand. I'm going to go get ready. Have fun car shopping," She called as she left the kitchen, coffee in hand.

I took my shower and pulled on a heavy sweater and blue jeans. Then I headed out to Port Angeles.

What do you think of the kiss? Poor Bella is so confused!

Review and tell me your thoughts! Thanks.