CHAPTER 11 EIGHTEEN CANDLES

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"UUUHHHGGGGGGRRRR... whassss thaat?"

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Jake jumped to his knees with the pillow clutched around his head.

Rolling over, I laughed, fumbling for the alarm clock. Jake looked really disoriented.

"Better?" I asked turning back over to watch him.

"Yeah...I guess so... why do you have an alarm clock that would wake the dead?" he asked throwing the pillow at me and hopping off the bed.

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"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed." I teased as he stalked into the bathroom.

"I didn't get off the side of the bed, I got off the END of the bed.' He snapped back.

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I pulled the covers over my head and buried myself deep down into the still warm bed. .

Any other Saturday we'd be able to snuggle and sleep in. But today, this Saturday, we had a ton of stuff to do and a strict schedule to keep.

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I don't remember falling asleep with Jake. That's weird.

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"Jake!" I hollered.

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He pulled open the bathroom door and dove back into the bed.

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"Where ARE you?" he laughed, rolling around digging thru the covers.

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"Right here!' I lifted the secret flap giggling.

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His eyes dawned with laughter, excitement and love.

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"Can I come in too?" he begged .

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"Aww...Jake. I just saw you the way you looked when you were like eight!" I smiled at him. He's so irresistible. He crawled into my arms and lay-down next to me. I let my arm fall, closing our secret tent off to the world. I played with his hair and stroked his forehead.

"Happy Birthday, beautiful." he whispered rolling onto my chest coming in for a long kiss.

We lingered in that kiss for a while happy and content.

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"Jake!" I pulled away remembering why I was calling out to him.

"I don't remember falling asleep with you last night! Were you here, or did you sneak in later?"

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JPOV

"You don't remember?" I questioned dramatically. Boy I could have some fun with this.

Her eyes crinkled up. "No... what should I remember?"

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I pulled her on top of my chest and lay back playing, nervously with several loose strands of her hair.

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"Don't you remember me undressing you? In the bathroom?" I asked in the voice, that drives her crazy.

Her eyes went wide for a split second.

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"Yes." she smiled. " We took a shower together. I was half froze from our midnight motorcycle ride."

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"Yes...it was nice , wasn't it?" I growled lightly into her neck and started with fiery kisses to her mumbled something but it was lost against my lips.

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"I stayed in the bathroom a little extra long, getting ready for bed after you left.

I thought we were gonna make love for your Birthday, so you wouldn't have to wake up like this."

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"Like what?" she snapped back at me.

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"This. A cranky 18 year old virgin." I teased.

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"Jacob! You Rat!" she snapped jumping up on her knees, tearing the blanket tent apart.

Her little fist started to pound on my chest.."You had absolutely no intention of making love to me last night! Admit it !

Admit it ! I DID NOT MISS OUT!

SAY IT! I DID NOT MISS OUT!."

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"Okay!, Okay~ UNCLE!" I laughed, grabbing her wrists and wrestling her onto her back.

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"That's not funny, You're not funny, anymore " she pouted, turning her face away from my effort to kiss her.

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I pulled back in surprise that she turned away from my kiss. Our eyes met again painfully.

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"Jake, you know how badly I want you." her eyes burned with unsatisfied desire.

It almost looked like real physical pain. My heart twisted.

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" ..you know how much...aww forget it! We don't have time for this shit ! Let me GO!" She tried wiggling free of me with all her might.

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"Stop, Bella." I ordered softly into her ear. " Let me... Let me make it up to you right now." I pleaded, " Let me love you...for your Birthday." I lowered myself onto her taking both wrists firmly into one hand, I let my other hand go to her cheek, her neck, pausing over her breast as my mouth came to meet hers.

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"Stop, Jake, we can't." She exhaled loudly.

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I let her go and we sat up.

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"Why? Why can't we Bella?" I asked in frustration equal to hers.

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"One, because we're gonna be late for our parade." she said jerking her thumb at the clock. "And two, because I'm 18 now and you AREN'T.

That makes you jail bait, Black!"

She squealed with laughter and jumped out of the bed.

"Now we can't DO IT till YOUR Birthday!" she announced with arms crossed.

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"Oh My God! You're KILLIN ME, Bella!" I pounded my fists once into the spot on the mattress she just occupied 5 seconds ago.

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"Jacob, I suggest you go home and get ready. We have to be at the school on the damn float in less than an hour. " She disappeared into her bathroom and locked the door.

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Looking around the room, I found my cell and keys.

She was right. We didn't have time to goof off today.

I barely had enough time to shower, get dressed and get over to the school. I know Bells was gonna need more time than me.

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I was pacing nervously in front of the giant wolf float.

Wouldn't it be something if I phased. It just cracks me up everytime I look at this stupid float.

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"Oh! oh!..here SHE comes, AGAIN..." I tried ducking away.

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"Mr. Black!, Jacob Black! Yes! you!.. Its a darn good thing you're one of the last features in the parade! " Ms. Culbertson ranted. " PLEASE! FIND OUR HOMECOMING QUEEN!" she screamed and stalked off to yell at someone else.

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I hit Bell's number on my cell phone for the 10th time this morning. It went straight to voicemail, again.

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"Bells, I know you're pissed at me...please don't be.." I whispered into the phone.

"Ms Culbertson is having a shit you aren't here, there aren't too many people left in front of us...you aren't gonna make me do this alone are you? I'm soo sorry. Believe me I wish I could do it all over differently."

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I was leaving my desperate apology on her voicemail... when I saw the flashing lights.

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Charlie's cruiser was making its way thru the overcrowded pathways to the back of the school.

" I see you, Bells...I love you." click. I shoved the cell phone back into my pocket.

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Charlie's cruiser had attracted a lot of attention. Ms Culbertson came running over.

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"Finally!" she grabbed my arm, digging her 3 inch fake nails into me.

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Charlie pulled the car up to my knee caps and popped out faster than a cop at the donut shop.

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"Jake! So, you just HAD to make the Princess, uh, err Queen upset on the big day? Huh?"

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'"Charlie,I don't know what happened. I didn't know she was so upset." I said swallowing hard. "I didn't mean to make her .."

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"Jake..." he said sternly. "You did the right thing. I see you're getting some

experience with the female, uhh, should we say, EMOTIONAL side."

He patted my shoulder firmly. "It must have been difficult to do the right thing...but, damn!

These girls don't know what's best for them! Do they, Jake?"

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"Uh, Charlie...what exactly did Bella tell you?" I had to know.

"Bella wouldn't tell me anything...you know that" He scoffed rolling his eyes.

"Renee filled me in when she called me to help get her here."

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He shoved his hands in his pockets and kicked the dirt around.

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"Charlie?"

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"I KNOW I KNOW! ..Damn Jake..." he looked around and leaned in close to me.

" You WOULDN'T have SEX with her..." ahem **cough, clears throat** and sets cop shades back over his eyes.

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Freakin Charlie. I snorted to myself trying hard not to laugh out loud.

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"Good man, Jake!' he nodded vigorously and walked over to the car.

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The back door opened on the cruiser and Renee got out rolling her eyes giving Charlie a thumbs up. She ducked back inside and pulled back out with an arm full of girl crap and stepped back.

The first thing I saw was a big FLUFF of white, then a sparkle of diamonds, and a flash of scarlet red.

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I couldn't take it all in at once. She was beautiful. Shes always beautiful...but this was story book beautiful. I would discover little things all day about her, but the first overall impression had me speechless. My heart beat rapidly, I knew the words would never make it

to my mouth. I knew she was my imprint but I ignored that as much as I could. No one knew it...and I'd NEVER tell anyone.

I wanted us to end up together FOR ONE REASON: because its what we want and NO other reason.

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She was in a fairy tale white poofy dress, her shoulders bare, showing off just how delicate she was. Her little crown and scarlet red QUEEN banner across her chest, might as well have been the Scarlet letter J.

God! I knew she hated those 2 things. The torture they gave her made me smile.

Silly Bella. Her small feet had jewelry on them. You couldn't call them shoes, they sparkled like her crown and there was nothing but a lethal 3 inch spike on them for her to stand on.

I would be carrying her a lot today. For MY SAFETY!

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She fiddled around with her crap for a long time, avoiding eye contact. Renee fussed over her hair and crown. I just watched her from a far.

Ms Culbertson came rushing over to her. "HURRY! BELLA! HONEY YOU NEED TO BE ON THE FLOAT NOW! You look beautiful! Come on hurry."

Bella shoved some stuff at Charlie and some at Renee.

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"Jake!" Charlie called walking to me. "This stuff needs to stay with her. Put it on the float somewhere."

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'Yes, sir!" I said taking the hand off and scrambling to the top of the float. I stuffed it all under our seat on the float. It was perfect.

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The fire truck in front of us started up. IT WAS REAL LOUD NOW!

Music started playing...people were hopping up on the float. My heart started beating really fast...I was shaking.

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Sam and Paul popped up on the float, both giving me a huge smile and quickly turned away, leaning over the edge. They reached over and a second later Bella popped up

onto the float with a high pitched scream, and a huge POOF of her dress.

She landed gracefully on her feet supported by Sam and Paul.

Paul leaned into her. "What underwear are you wearing today, Bella?"

He kissed her cheek and she smacked him playfully.

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Paul jumped over next to me as Sam pulled Bella to him. I was glad my brothers accepted her. They would always love and protect her. Sam and Paul are the older brothers I always

wanted growing up.

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"Everything's gonna be OK, Jake." Paul advised ."You'll be fine. I know this is a lot on you guys. Try to have fun, Little Bro!" he jabbed me in the ribs.

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"Oh,Hey! We're on the vamps! The Pack paid Emmett a visit last night." Paul grinned wickedly. " He'll play straight and Em's covering the youngest leech- shit all day. You got protection, little bro?" He winked, sliding a couple condoms into my hand.

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"So, you and Rachel?" I asked turning to him.

"Yep, me and Rachel. I know, I'm lucky! But I'm HAPPY, too! I'll make her happy.

I swear to you, Jake."

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'You know I loathe this fucking imprint bullshit. I think its a crock! I think you can fight it."

"Who wants to fight it when it feels so fuckin great!" Paul defended.

"Sam should have fought it" I glared in his direction.

When Paul stepped away there was no one but me and Bella. Face to face.

Sam smiled and waved bye from behind her. I nodded my acknowledgment, and Bella

broke her eye contact with me.

She took a step and stomped past me.

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"You were supposed to wear your suit!" she snapped and plopped down in her chair in a huff.

"Whatttt? " Sure as shit, I looked around, the entire court was in their formal attire.

Well that's strike two! I only had one strike left..I think.

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I was formulating a plan to sweep her off her feet when she was suddenly surrounded by all the girls. They all looked beautiful and the yearbook photographer was on the float taking pictures. Wheres Quill? I wondered.

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If I jumped off now, I could be in my bedroom in about 4 minutes and back out to the road just outside the rez 5 -6 minutes later.

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I grabbed my cell and hit home, jumping off the float.

No one noticed.

"Dad!" I hollered into the phone.

"What's wrong Jake?"

"I'm on my way home, on foot...I need to be in my suit! Will you get it ready, I'll be there in 3 and a half minutes... please Dad."

"Oh no...Jake..hurry." My dad urged as I disconnected and fought the urge to phase.

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Billy was on the porch when I got there. I sailed thru the front door with my shirt off and my pants falling to the floor. Toed off the shoes, jumped into the pants, pulled on the button up shirt..."Arrrghhh" Buttons! " Slipped on the dress shoes.

"Dad! The tie!"

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" Come here, Jake.."

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I kneeled down against his knees like I'd done a million times in my life.

Yeah things could be a struggle for us sometimes..but we had it all.

We loved each other, we respected each other..we'd been there for each other thru it all.

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"There! you look amazing, son! I'm proud of you."

"I'm in the dog house with Bella, Dad... it sucks."

Billy smiled at me, knowingly. " I know, Jake. But just keep your head up you're a good guy...give her the space to be mad, and she'll come around. A little sweetness and patience goes a long way with a upset woman."

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"Listen to your, Dad, Jake. He knows a thing or two about a woman or two." Charlie then coughed a bit as he leaned into the door frame.

"Hey Charlie! Thanks for coming." Billy smiled and they shook hands.

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"Its what I do today!" Charlie laughed." How far did ya think you would get in those shoes Jake?"

I looked down at the stupid black leather dress shoes.

"C'mon! grab your Dad, lets go!"

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Charlie scooped Billy into the front seat, I dismantled the chair in 15 seconds.

Billy's job was to pop the trunk, and it was in.

We had the whole thing down to an exact routine.

When we hit the road outside my house, I could see the parade still getting thru the gate of LaPush.

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I leaned back in the cruiser and pulled out my cell phone thinking I should call Bella.

What! 5 missed calls.

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First pissed off Bella..." Jake! where the hell did you go"

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Then..."Jake...I KNOW! I'm sorry...where are you?"

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Then message #3. "I just heard your message from this morning...I'm sorry Jake..

I am..I don't know what's come over me...Don't let me ruin this! Please."

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#4..."Jake, I don't blame you if you don't come back..I've been impossible

But, I would really, really like it if you would do this with me!

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#5. Shes crying. "Jake..I love you. I'm sorry."

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"Charlie! How much longer? Can you see her? " I hollered thru the glass.

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I kicked the stupid shoes off into the back of the cruiser and jumped out of the car.

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I ran easily along the road and across the field.

Running was like breathing for me since I turned wolf. It was so easy, my body actually ached for it. As I came up the the boundary of the rez on the highway I saw it!

I kicked into high speed clearing the low fence easily and ran down the side of the highway.

I saw the edge of the forest slope up off the rez...Excellent!

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I ran up the slope, jogged about 15 paces alongside the float till Bella saw me, then I JUMPED, about 20 meters, landing at her feet.

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She launched herself off the chair onto me and we fell on my back laughing.

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I held her tight to my chest."Happy Birthday, Beautiful!" I said brushing her lips with mine.

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"I don't ever want to fight with you Jake! I love you!" and she pressed her lips passionately to mine...pressing up hard on my body running her fingers along side my shoulders, neck, and up into my hair.

"Wait! wait!" I have something for you, Bella." I remembered pulling away from her a little and digging into my front pockets.

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She laid comfortably on my chest unconcerned with anything going on around us.

I set the little gift box on my chest, and folded my arms back behind my head.

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"Ooooooo! whats this!" she sang wide eyed breaking into her cutest smile .

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She untied the dainty ribbon and flipped the box open. " A bracelet! How cute!"

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"Its a charm bracelet ", I corrected her.. 'See the heart."

"She twisted and turned the little sterling silver heart in her tiny fingers.

"Awww, it has your name and birthday on one side and mine on the other!

And look ! A cute, tiny, perfect cedar wolf...for Homecoming, huh?"

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" Kinda.." I smiled at her.."I made that one "

"You made this! Oh my gosh, Jacob, he's beautiful...so are you!" she said lowering her lips back to mine.

"Guys! Guys!' Jake! Bella!" The Homecoming court was yelling at us now trying to get our attention.

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The marching band starting playing ,the fire truck in front of us turned its siren on.

"Oh shit!" I rolled Bella to the side and jumped up. The crowd cheered.

"Bella!" I laughed grabbing for her hand! I pulled her to her feet, and the crowed cheered louder.

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Oh yeah! You guys could have told us we were in downtown FORKS!

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We stood there and waved while the court threw handfuls of candy into the crowd.

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The entire Homecoming day just flew by in a giant blur.

We had so many pictures taken of us, I couldn't even force myself to smile anymore.

I loved AC/DC...but at this moment...I CAN NOT listen to another riff of Back in Black

without going DEFENSE on someone.

Yeah, that means we won the game.

Quill and I had just finished our third trip through the food line and I leaned back in my chair thinking how nice it would be to go to bed right now.

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Bella leaned over and rested her head on my chest.

"I'm so tired, Jake...I can't wait to take off these shoes."

"Me too, Bells" ! I yawned. "As soon as the dancing is kicked off do ya want to leave?"

"That would be great." she cooed sliding her hand across the clean crisp white shirt,

undoing one button so she could slip in and feel my chest.

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BPOV

I couldn't stop thinking about last night. How amazing he is. I can't wait until we have the opportunity to fully enjoy each other. We agreed that we wanted to be 18 and that it should

be the "perfect time" not a wham bam, or in the back seat of some car.

We both wanted a memorable experience.

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"I sure could use a shower" I whispered to him,leaving a warm wet kiss below his ear.

"I bet you need a shower." he whispered huskily against my lips taking me into a deep kiss.

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"Jake. Jake. Its TIME, Jake." Embry was tapping Jake's shoulder incessantly.

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" Oh! Damn! Its TIME!' Jake jumped up and adjusted himself and Em disappeared.

"Wait Jake! What's going on?"

"Nothing! Stay here!." he grinned and kissed my hand. "Be right back!"

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The lights went off and the spotlight hit our DJ/Emcee for the night.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, as is customary, the King and Queen will lead off the dancing portion of the evening with their court, right after this special presentation."

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The lights went off and a soft song started playing that was vaguely familiar.. then the spotlight hit the center of the room and there was Jake. Belting out the lyrics...

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"You're 18 Candles..." to the song 16 Candles, with Embry and Quil on Doo-Wop backup.

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"Oh my god!" I covered my face with both hands as he made his way over to me.

God! He looked so sexy and he was singing in THAT VOICE! He wrestled his tie from his neck, and unbuttoned his shirt a couple buttons.

"Oh My God!"

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"...You're Eighteen Candles...doo doot de doo...And I Luuuvvvv You So!"

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He grabbed my hand, put down the microphone and spun me around the dance floor, while the song played on and Em and Quil kept singing.

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Jake was still singing softly in my ear.

"'Jacob!" I gushed. "I can't dance!"

"Yes you can." he said seductively. " Just pretend you're making love to me."

He pulled me tight to his chest and whirled us around the floor,my feet were literally off the ground.

"I love you,old lady." he teased kissing my neck.

"Old lady? Watch yourself, jail bait!' I teased back.

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When we got back to our table, a cart was rolled out with a giant birthday cake blazing 18 candles.

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Everyone sang Happy Birthday, Jake held me tight. He made me feel so loved and so

apart of everything in his life. As if I'd always been a permanent fixture in it.

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A new slow song started. Jake twirled me away from everyone on to the dance floor.

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"Jacob Black! That was so sexy." I reached up to kiss his neck there was this spot, I could never resist putting my lips to.

Quill danced over to us, and gave me a Birthday kiss on the cheek. I thanked him for the special present I would never forget.

"They got it on film Bro! Now we'll all have a copy!"

"Thanks Quill. Jake shook his hand."

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"What?! You all gonna forget about ME?" EM shouted jumping in between us all.

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" I need to kiss the birthday girl." Em cooed. He reached all the way around me pulling me up against him off the floor . It was a pretty long, seductive lip lock,

and I started wiggling my feet back n forth , wanting the ground back under my feet.

Couldn't help wondering how long Jake was gonna let this go. I made the little protest sounds but tried NOT to open my mouth against Em's hungry kiss.

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I felt the heat of Jake's face next to ours. My eyes flew open, but Em kept his closed.

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"EM! I know you've lost your mind, so I'll go easy this time." Jake GROWLED menacingly;

"PUT. HER. DOWN. NOW. " he demanded using THAT VOICE.

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Em pulled his lips off mine with a big smack.

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Grinning ear to ear he said, "Happy Birthday , Bella. You KNOW, I'm Jake's SECOND don't you...His second in command. ANYTHING he can't finish or can't attend to I DO!"

He winked at me and ducked just as Jake's fist came around in a left hook.

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"Love you too ALPHA!" he shouted from the other side of the room, and disappeared out the side door.

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"I think Em's been drinking!" I said all exasperated.

"DO YA THINK!" Jake growled, pissed that he missed him.

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"When him and Leah get together, I NEVER know what to expect anymore. They BOTH have issues!" Jake glared at the door Embry just exited with a million things running thru his mind.

"Are you ready, Bells?", he asked in a tired voice.

"I'm just tired. Will you take me home and let me sleep till noon, pleeease."

He rested his head on top of mine.

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"Awww, my big sexy lug, lets go." My turn to take care of him!

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JPOV

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We just had to walk about two blocks from the school door to get to Bella's.

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"Do you think your ma's gonna let me stay, Bella?"

"I would think so, on the couch anyways."

She paused for a long time. As soon as we could see her house, we could tell it was dark.

"What is with her!" Bella moaned. "She's ALWAYS out, anymore."

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"All the better for me to visit you my darling!" I tried sounding like the wolf in Red Riding hood.

Bella laughed and said I just sounded like a pervert.

I scooped her up in my arms and ran up the stairs with her.

We looked at each other and Bella shrugged her shoulders. Renee keeps forgetting to get Bella a key... so I kicked the door knob and it opened.

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There was a small light on and a note on the counter.

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Bella, be good.

I trust you and Jake.

Went to Seattle for a concert with friends.

Be back Sun afternoon. Luv Mom.

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Yes! Bella!"

I was done reading the note before she was.

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She turned slowly in my arms and started with the tie.

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"You were so sexy tonight, you know that don't you?" she purred into my chest then went to work on the shirt.

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BPOV

I'd thought about this shower all day.

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I undid all the buttons on the shirt and pushed it from his shoulders.

Taking his hand I led him into my bathroom.

I leaned in and and turned on the shower.

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"You LIKE it HOT, right ,Jake?"

"You know it..." he growled into my neck wrapping his arms around me.

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"We're not even out of our clothes yet!"

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He stepped back , undid his pants, toed off his shoes, stepped out of his pants leaving them in a pile on the floor.

I saw Little Jake straining to come out and play. Peeking hopefully from his confines.

It made me giggle.

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I stepped back my self, and with one hand reached behind my back and swift flick of the wrist my dress dropped to the floor, revealing a very sexy white Lycra lace one piece strapless bra, thong thing that had stockings, not pantie hose, attached to the thighs.

Jake's eyes about popped out of his head.

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"BELLA." he growled deeply and rushed me like a linebacker.

He grabbed me, pinned me up on bathroom wall.

He kissed me furiously all over. Even holding my leg over my head to get at my core.

He shoved his boxers to the floor...freeing Little Jake...who was HUGE and throbbing and swollen...I'd never seen EITHER of them like this.

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I gasped. I couldn't breath! Jake was pressing into me, crushing me against the wall.

He was busy running his hands all over me and trying to get little Jake in the game.

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Thrusting himself against me again and again...he growled loudly in frustration and swung me over onto the counter. With my ass supported, he used his hands to pull my hips to his at the edge of the counter. He used his hands to firmly control my hips, and get them to his. Little Jake was about to get into his happy place.

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" no...not like THIS Jake...please..not like this..." I pleaded quietly.

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I felt him take a deep breath and fall forward on to me. Our foreheads met.

We rested against each other.

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"Ohgod. NOT like this...you're right...not like this." he was panting , sweating and shaking. "See what you do to me? " He sighed heavily.

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"Someday we are going to fuck like that! " He warned with a sexy, crooked, half drunk grin.

"Just not the first time." he sighed lifting me off the counter.

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I pulled him into the shower.

As he pushed himself under the hot water, rubbing his face hard...I dropped to my knees, determined to give him the release he so badly needed.

I found more and more it felt deeply satisfying giving pleasure to him.

He didn't fight me or fuss at all. He completely gave into his need and my desire to love him in this way.

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After he was spent and weakened with release, I sat him on the bench and washed him with my sponge and shampooed the gel from his hair.

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"There. Feel better?" I asked bringing my face to his in a big cheesy grin.

"I love you, Bella." He whispered huskily...pulling me on his lap he bent me back gently in a passionate kiss.

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"Did you have a good Birthday, Bells?"

"The best ever, Jake."