AN:Hello again. First, I would like to say how truly sorry I am that it's taken me SOOO long to update. There have been so many things going on in my life. Explanation below, do not read if you do not wish to, it is a tad bit long.

My sister, who thought she couldn't get pregnant, found out she was 2 months along, and had a beautiful baby girl named Isabella Katherine. Not too long after she found out she was pregnant, I found out that I was as well. I was ecstatic; I love children and couldn't wait to start my family. I found out on a Friday, went to the Dr's on Monday, and Tuesday was told that the hormone level was too low. 1 week later I had a miscarriage. I don't think I have ever felt so much heartache in my life. It's been about 9 months since then, I would have had my baby if the pregnancy lasted. I am still hopeful for future pregnancies, but my body doesn't agree. My mom had a hard time with miscarriages, and I hope it isn't genetic.

To top everything off, since I last wrote, I lost 2 people in my life that were close to me. An amazing young man named Brian David (BD). He was in his early 20's, and training to be an RCMP officer. He surprised everyone with taking his own life. He was one of the happiest and loveable people I have ever met. I swear he didn't have an enemy in the world, and to this day I regret losing contact with him after high school.

I'll get to the second person in a moment. The last week of January, my 4 month old kitten got startled and fell from the top of the stairs through the railing. Fractured his C1 vertebra and had to go to the emergency animal hospital. So far he has cost us about $2500, but I knew it would be worth it. He was too young to put down and since they said there were no other injuries, and no neurological damage, I just couldn't end his life so short because of wanting the money all to myself. I gladly paid anything that was needed for him.

1 week to the day later, my store was robbed, me and one other girl was working. I am only 23, and she just turned 20. It was very scary, and although it was slightly hidden, I'm pretty sure the gun WAS real, and it looked to me to be Semi, or fully automatic, which was the scariest thing I have ever had to go through. At the end of the night right before he left, he pushed us to the ground using the gun, and said if we moved he would empty the clip in our backs. I didn't move an inch. Then 2 days later, I lost the second person in the past year to murder.

The second was a man I grew up with, he was like a brother to me, and my 2 brothers and sister have all been very close to him. My mom was like a second mother to him and when he wasn't at my house, my brothers were at his. Late one night he was walking home with a friend after drinking over at my sister and her fiancé's house (He was best friends with him as well, he was going to be in there wedding party, which was scheduled (unintentionally) on his birthday of next year. He left wearing her fiancé's jacket, and headed home, during the walk they were approached by an 18 year old boy who already has a record, and the boy stabbed him in the heart. I don't think I've ever cried so much in my life. The funeral was memorable, and I swear everyone I've ever met was there. He was an amazing man, he had just turned 25, and his girlfriend was 5 months pregnant. He was an only child, and well loved. He will be missed greatly by everyone he knows.

I also moved out with my boyfriend, and no longer had a keyboard for my computer until about 24 hours ago, which thank you random people in the Wal-Mart parking lot who thought it would be a good idea to throw a slushy on my windshield FYI, my wiper fluid thing is broken and had to CAREFULLY drive to the nearest gas station to clean it off.

I'm sorry about my rant, but I haven't really talked to anyone about how I'm feeling so it was nice to get that out.

Here is what you've all been waiting for, sorry for the wait:

Chapter 11: Friends

BPOV

I woke up next to Jake, who was passed out on his stomach without a shirt, his arm on my stomach was warm, and so he must have overheated throughout the night and taken it off in his sleep. Good thing I didn't do the same, since I was known for doing that when I got too warm. Jake's back was smooth and well defined. It didn't take a genius to figure out that he works out on a regular basis.

Reluctantly, I quietly got out of bed and made my way to the bathroom to go through my morning rituals. When I arrived back in my room, Jake was awake and putting his shirt back on. To say the view of his perfect 8 pack abs as he pulled his shirt over his head, was mesmerizing was an understatement. I looked away before he caught me staring, and sat down at the vanity Charlie bought for me for my 13th birthday to do my hair for the day.

Jake walked over to me and kissed the top of my head, wishing me a good morning before walking out my bedroom door half asleep. The kiss felt wonderful, and I'm not sure he even meant to do it. He was so sleepy looking, and so adorable.

After I got ready for my day, I went downstairs and started making pancakes for the three of us. We started our day out like we had been since we arrived, except right after eating breakfast, Jake grabbed the keys to the old Chevy truck he fixed, and walked out the door without saying a word, so of course I had to follow him.

"Jake, wait up. You're not going to say where you're going?"

"Oh, hey, sorry. I was distracted. I just really want to get the rabbit fixed. I need to have it done before school starts so we both have something to get to school in. I know you aren't 16 yet, but until you are, I can teach you. And you can drive this big thing to school. I know it's noisy, but it works great and it's free, and it's practically a tank." Jake said, "I'm meeting Embry and Quil there, you'd like them, they're… different. Haha." Jake rambled, smiling.

"Wow, um, thank you, for the truck, and helping me I mean, and I met Embry at the… Um, we met already" I replied, smiling back. His smile was infectious, and I couldn't help it. "Um why don't I come with you? You can show me where you live, and introduce me to your friends."

"Sure, sure. I don't see why not, it could be fun. Let's go." Jake said, taking my hand and pulling me to the truck. We drove to La Push in silence, and were greeted by Embry and Quil.

"Hey, Bella." Quil said the second the door opened and I walked out, with help from Jake of course. He acted like we were already friends.

"Quil, right? I said looking from one to the other. He shook his head yes, and walked over, took my hand and kissed it.

"Mon, Cheri. I am the better of the three musketeers, you'll learn that fast." Quil stated matter factly.

I had to laugh. "More like three stooges and you're Curly." Jacobs laugh filled the air, as Embry patted Quil on the back. "Sorry."

"Oh, Bella. You don't need to apologize" Embry said, "Quil needs a good verbal smack once in a while."

"Hey, I do not." Quil replied, and then they started to wrestle.

"Wow, they're in really good shape." I said, hoping to find out why Jacob has the body he has. Jacob didn't disappoint in his answer.

"The three of us train kids in Martial Arts for self-defence at the after school centre down the street. There are a few girls that train gymnastics and dance as well. Maybe you could come by sometime. It runs all school year, and we don't charge anything. The centre takes donations to keep it running though."

"Um, yeah, sure. I guess I could join you guys sometime. I have to admit though; I would probably cause more accidents than anything."

"That's fine." Quil smiled, "We don't mind playing doctor."

"QUIL!" Embry and Jake both shouted, as Embry elbowed Quil in the side, starting another wrestling match.

"How about we just get the rabbit fixed up?" Jake said, and they stopped wrestling, fixing their clothes and playfully shoving each other as they walked towards a large garage. I followed them inside and sat on a cars back seat that was leaned up against the side of the garage. From the looks of it, it wasn't from Jakes "rabbit". It was newly upholstered with a bed sheet, and was very comfortable and large enough to lie on.

Jake and Embry started working on the car as Quil opened a mini fridge and handed each of us a can of root beer, then sat down next to me. For the next several hours, I watched Quil, Embry and Jake tinker with random parts of the car, grab more soda's, and get half naked. I guess it was a guy thing? Personally, I wouldn't want all that grease touching my skin. I would make sure I was fully covered.

Around noon Embry suggested we head to the local convenience store. They put their shirts back on and we walked down, Jake pointing different things out on the way. We grabbed a slice of pizza each, some more pop, and a couple bags of chips. As we walked, I didn't notice anything from the way there, and wondered where we were headed, until I heard the sound of crashing waves. Jake led us to the beach, and it was so beautiful. Embry and Quil sat down on some logs that were placed in a circle around a fire pit, and finished off their pizzas before opening the BBQ chips.

Jake and I walked along the beach, holding hands and eating our pizzas. I couldn't help but think of my mom. She loved the beach and would take me there every chance she got, even if it was cold out, just to walk around the sand. We were finished our slices and were quite a distance from Jake's friends.

I started to tear up and tilted my head so my hair fell in front of my face so Jake wouldn't see. I was stupid to think after spending all this time with me that he wouldn't know something was up. We saw a driftwood log in the sand near the edge of the forest. It was placed like a bench. Jake pulled me over to it, and held me close to him.

"How you holding up?" Jake asked, in the sweetest voice ever.

"Good, considering. I just… I need some more time." I knew that in situations like these, talking about it was supposed to make you feel better, but I felt like, if I spoke about them, about Renee and Phil, that the already cracked pieces of my heart would shatter into billions of irreparable pieces. I just knew if I could go one whole day without crying, that it would be safe to talk. Before then? It would just be sobbing and mumbling, because the second I open my mouth, I know I'll break.

"I hear ya." I knew Jake would understand. I doubt he wants to talk about everything just yet either.

JPOV

"Good, considering. I just… I need some more time." Bella said, tears streaking her face. I wish I could to something to help her through this, but I know that nothing will help. She lost 2 parents at once. I couldn't imagine how she is feeling right now, even though, I'm sure I come pretty close.

"I hear ya." We sat there without speaking for a few more minutes. I knew that Bella wouldn't want to go back to the guys looking like she was crying. I placed a light kiss to the top of her head, making her sigh in what I hoped was contentment. I just want her happy. I want us both happy, and every day I realized more and more that she is what's making me happy, she is what's getting me through this. I think that we are each other's rock.

I placed another kiss to her head, just above her temple, to get the same sighing response. I couldn't help it. I couldn't seem to keep my lips off her. I kissed her temple, pressing a bit harder than my featherlike kiss before it, only to hear what seemed to be a quiet moan of happiness. I'm sure she either didn't realize she did it, or thought it was too low for me to hear, because she hadn't turned bright red yet, which she definitely would if she knew I heard what I heard.

I cupped her cheek, making her look at me. I noticed a remaining tear on her cheek and wiped it away with my thumb. I placed my thumb on her chin, and my fingers underneath, tilting her head up to look at my while my other hand was wrapped around her, holding onto her waist.

"You're too beautiful to cry." I said, not knowing where it came from, and there it was. Oh, I couldn't help but smile. It was there, that beautiful pink hue to her cheeks and neck. Her lips quivered, like she was afraid, or was about to cry again. It was like I wasn't in control over my body, because next thing I knew, I was leaning forward, and I did it.

I pressed my lips softly to Bella's, lingering for a moment, and hearing that adorable whispered moan once again, before pulling slightly away and licking my lips, only to press my lips to hers again. She pressed back, and I swear she practically purred when I pulled her closer to me, wrapping both my arms around her waist. Kitten would definitely be a nickname I would use more often, only in private though. I don't think Charlie would appreciate it very much, and he would DEFINITELY not let me sleep in the same room as Bella anymore.

I heard Embry and Quil talking around the bend of trees that were hiding us from view on our driftwood, and pulled back from Bella, not even TRYING to hide the smile on my face.

"Mmmm." Bella moaned quietly, again, probably not realizing I could hear it, as she bit her lip, and added another thing to my list of 'adorable things Bella does'.

I shifted so that we didn't look so obvious, but kept my arm around her back. When Quil and Embry came around the trees they thought nothing of it, and later that night, when we were alone in the garage, I told them Bella wasn't interested in them, only me, and they laughed and called me her big brother figure. I wouldn't tell them about the kiss. Not until I talked to Bella about it.

After finishing up the rabbit, and saying bye to the guys, Bella and I hopped in the truck, and drove back to the house in silence. When we got inside, Charlie wasn't home. There was a message on the answering machine saying he went to play poker with some guys from the station, and left a number we could reach him at.

Bella called and let him know we were home, and that we would be fine without him, but he was already getting ready to leave, because he had to get up early in the morning. She hung up the phone and started dialing the number to a local Chinese restaurant. She ordered enough for the 2 of us, being told by Charlie that he had eaten already, and planned to head straight to bed when he got home anyways.

Bella and I ate in silence. We watched an episode of Family Guy, and got ready for bed. Besides being busy all the time, I had no clue how to act around girls, but with Bella, it was as easy as breathing. After showering and making sure all the grease was off me, and I no longer smelled of sweat and oil, I changed into a pair of black boxer briefs, some grey sweatpants and a white tank. I made my way upstairs to find Bella brushing her hair, and wearing a thin strapped tank top, and little matching shorts that barely covered her… oh. GULP.

Two things I realized in that moment, which thinking back, had been every night, I just never noticed until now: 1, she wasn't wearing a bra beneath that tight tank top, and 2, those "shorts" were practically underwear on her… small, round, cute little ass… Ok, enough daydreaming. Time for bed.

I closed the door behind me, and made my way over to Bella's bed. She was already covered under a small purple sheet, and looking like she was about to fall asleep. I pulled the sheets over me after sliding in next to Bella, who was now out like a light, which crap, was still on, on the other side of the bed. I stealthily leaned over Bella to turn the light off, and when I turned it off, the light blew out making a noise and waking Bella up, of course to me on top of her.

Luckily she wasn't so far gone so she understood what I was doing, but that didn't help the fact that her now barely covered breasts were pressed up against my chest, and it took everything it me to make sure she didn't notice what was rapidly growing in my pants. I inched away from her, staying on my stomach to not make it very obvious and turned my head towards her to kiss her on the temple. She smiled before drifting back to sleep.

"Goodnight beautiful." I said before falling asleep next to her. That night I got the best sleep I've had since the accident.

BPOV

"I hear ya." I knew Jake would understand. I doubt he wants to talk about everything just yet either.

We sat there without speaking for a few more minutes. I didn't want to head back looking like I was crying, and I knew Jake understood. I was so comfortable in Jake's arms that I felt like I was going to fall asleep. My eyes closed slightly when I noticed Jake place a gentle kiss to the top of my head, making me sigh happily. I felt another kiss, just above my temple, then right afterwards, another one. This one was different, more determined and purposeful; it was right on my temple, with the perfect amount of pressure. I couldn't help the quiet moan that escaped my lips, but it was quiet, and the waves were loud, so I didn't think too much into it.

Jacob placed his hand on my cheek, forcing my face toward his. He wiped a tear away from my cheek, and tilted my head so I could look at him. His eyes were gorgeous. They were the perfect shade of brown, and you could just look right into his soul.

"You're too beautiful to cry." Jake said, making me practically melt, and my face heat up like a fireplace on Christmas. I realized in that moment that I was hyper aware of his lips, and oh my, they were coming closer. His lips were, oh, my god, pressing against mine. I didn't know what to do. I had never kissed anyone before, but his lips were so smooth, "Mmmm." and then they were gone. Where did they go? Can I have them back? And like he read my mind, Jacob pressed his lips back against mine, more forcefully this time, pulling me into him, causing a noise I didn't know I could make to form in my throat.

"Mmmm." I absent mindedly bit my lip, and smiled. Quil and Embry appeared from around the trees, eating another bag of chips. We left with them back to the garage, Jacob holding my hand the entire way. They finished up the rabbit, as far as I could tell anyways, but I'm no car expert, and when they had said bye, we hopped back in the truck and drove towards Charlie's house. Charlie left us a message and after calling him I ordered some dinner, and sat down to watch some T.V.

When the episode was over we went our separate ways and I got ready for bed. I dressed in my usual shorts and tank set, and snuggled into my bed, falling asleep almost instantly. Next thing I knew, Jacob was leaning over me with his hand on the light switch. And my, oh my, did he smell amazing. I don't know if it was his soap, or shampoo, or deodorant, or maybe just his natural scent, but I absolutely adored it. He leaned away and kissed my head, and as I drifted off to sleep I could faintly hear him whisper "Goodnight beautiful." to me. I didn't have a single nightmare that night, and I hoped that it would stay that way forever.

Hello readers. I want to thank you all for reading, reviewing, alerting, and favouriting. This story, although it's been a while, makes me so happy to write. I will be updating on a regular basis and Feb 28th - Mar 8th I am on vacation from work, not going anywhere though, so I'll update often.