AN: Life is very hectic for me right now, with getting ready to go back to school and all. That's why I haven't posted in ages. So, yes, sorry for the delay. There will be more soon. Very soon, depending on how many reviews I get. This chapter is pretty much just filler, but it's important filler.

Chapter Ten – Come Clean

It was agreed upon by all that Jake and Bella should be left alone, since the whole point of the visit was for a reconciliation between the two of them. They were ushered out of the castle for a walk, where they could be alone.

The sun was out and shining, and Bella's skin glittered like it was covered in diamonds. Luckily, there wasn't anyone around to see how her skin brilliantly refracted the light.

"So, how have you been, Jake?" the girl asked as they walked, their shoulders almost but not quite touching.

The young man was surprised by how easy it was to slip back into a friendly relationship with Bella. He had expected there to be pain and anger, like he had felt upon receiving the letter, but he didn't. In her presence, he just felt calm. Apparently time really did heal all wounds.

"Well, mostly good," he responded honestly. "You look a lot better than I expected you to."

Bella wasn't sure how to take that, and chose to see it as a compliment. She knew she was more beautiful now than she had been fourteen years earlier, but she also knew that was not what Jacob had meant. What he had meant was that she looked less like an undead bloodsucker than he had expected her to.

"Thanks," she said, only a touch of sarcasm in her voice.

He shrugged, understanding the tone of her voice. "You're the one who chose to give up your humanity," he pointed out.

Bella sighed. "I know," she replied.

That was unexpected, Jake thought at her response. Fourteen years ago, she would have gotten angry with him for his comment. Of course, fourteen years ago, she had been a hot-tempered teenage girl.

"I don't regret doing it, Jake. Especially, in light of my talent. You have no idea how much happier all of them are now that they don't have to struggle with the blood lust," she went on to say.

"But are you happy, Bells?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

"Yes," she responded without hesitation. "Blissfully so, most of the time. But…I miss you, and the rest of the pack. You guys were my family."

Jacob winced a little at her comment. "I know, Bella, and I'm so sorry for the way I acted, and the things I said. I just – I didn't know how to let go of you," the tall, muscular man admitted.

"I know that, Jake," she replied. "And for what it's worth, I am sorry about what I put you through. You deserved so much better than that. I feel awful about everything."

"It doesn't matter now," the werewolf insisted. "There's no other way it could have been. And, believe it or not, I actually got over it." He grinned as he teased her.

"I'll admit, I had kind of hoped you would imprint once I was gone," the dark haired vampire stated.

The boy laughed. "Believe me, so did I. But it's not something you can force, you know? God knows I tried to with you. But I don't expect it to happen any more. No one's imprinted since you guys left," he explained.

Bella frowned. "Well, you just haven't met the right girl yet," she insisted. "It's not like you're limited on time here or anything."

Jacob smiled. "Yeah, that's true. Is it weird for you, not growing or changing? Because it feels completely normal for me, and that's kind of weird in itself."

"I don't really know," Bella admitted. "Time is such a strange concept for me now."

Jake nodded in understanding. When you had all the time in the world, it stopped meaning so much.

There was silence for a moment, before Jake stopped walking and pulled Bella into his arms. "I'm really glad you came back, Bells," he remarked. "Even if you do smell awful."

"Same to you," she teased back. "I mean, you're worse than a wet dog. But, I'm too happy to care. You guys are my family just as much as the Cullens are."

"Hell yes, we are!" Jake exclaimed. "So you better not disappear on us like that again. I mean, seriously, Bella. No letters in twelve years?"

If the girl had still been human, she would have blushed. Instead, she just looked down. "Sorry," she murmured, her golden eyes large and wide when he put his hand under her cold chin and turned her face back to his.

"Don't worry, I can't help forgiving you. Just don't let it happen again," the young man scolded gently.

The girl sighed in relief, and smiled. "Don't worry, Jake, I won't disappear again."

They moved on, then, talking about less heavy matters. They talked about their families and the extensive traveling Bella had been doing.

"Claire seems lovely," Bella remarked after Jake finished talking about the recent wedding.

"She is," Jacob confirmed. "And I've never seen Quil happier. It's insane, really. They're so in love that rooms actually get brighter when they walk in."

Bella giggled at that. "Like Sam and Emily were?" she asked, remembering how the first of the Quiletes had imprinted.

"Worse, actually," Jake replied, rolling his eyes.

Bella looked at him doubtfully. "Is that even possible?" she asked.

"Must be, because they are," Jake answered. "You'll see. Later, when Quil isn't afraid that you'll eat her. It's like they forget anyone else is in the room."

Bella nodded and smiled. Sometimes that happened to her and Edward. They didn't mean to, it just happened. It was beyond their control.

"I'll bet it's sweet," the girl replied, happy for the man who had been like a brother to her.

"Sure it's sweet, but too much sugar will rot your teeth," Jacob teased, causing Bella to smile.

"Jake, I don't think rotting teeth is something either of us need to worry about," the girl insisted.

The werewolf flashed her one of his huge grins. "Yeah, you're probably right," he conceded.

Bella smiled, and glanced up at the castle. "We should probably head back inside," she remarked softly, almost as though she didn't want to go; didn't want the moment to end.

"You're right," Jake agreed. "But don't worry. You'll be seeing plenty of me before you take off again."

Bella gave him a relieved smile. "Thanks, Jake."

"Any time, Bells."