A/N: Ok so my exams are finally over and I'm out for the winter. Ever since that last chapter I've been studying nonstop. Thank you all so much for your patience. I think you guys must be psychic or something, the reviews stopped right at ten. I wish I had gotten more considering the chapter before I got about fifteen. I will be writing as often as I can now to make up for the lost time last week, but I will stick with my ten review minimum quota, now for the much overdue next chapter.
RPOV:
"Nessie please what is going on inside your head?"
Jacob is getting agitated; I've been sitting still for a while debating my options. I put my finger up in hopes that he would quiet down so I could think. This slight movement seems to placate some of his unease. I think it creeps him out when I – or any member of my family for that matter – stand too still for too long.
I let my mind wander back to that one specific word, "choose". Jake gets to "choose" where we go. What wonderfully uncommitted choice of words. This shows that he is undecided, and the undecided can always be swayed. But how do I go about doing it? I cross my legs on the bed and make sure none of my skin is in contact with his while I flip through my options. What would anyone else in my position do?
Mom would probably try some sort of underhanded compromise. She would give him two choices, one of them being what she really wanted and the other being so totally outrageous that he would never agree to it. The problem is that this is only some silly trick-or-treating destination, it's not like he's going off to leave me for some battle or anything. How outrageous can I get? I could say "Hey Jake, how about it's La Push or the moon." Ha he would build a rocket himself if that's all it would take. No, the one way compromise won't work here.
Alice would undoubtedly use the guilt trip method she is so infamous for. I could wine about how I had really won the match and he knew it. Trying to get him to fess up to a loss probably isn't the best strategy. He is a guy after all, and I think his ego may be slightly larger than my dad's so this tactic is probably out. However, I do believe that if I annoy him enough he might give in, on second thought probably not. I could pull the if-you-love-me-you'll-do-what-I-want card, but that's a cheap shot that I've only seen Alice use once when she trying to get mom to go on a trip to Paris for the weekend to go shopping. Even if I could find a way to pull it off, it's not me at all. Apparently I have some unyielding power over him that gives meaning to his life. I could never abuse that and he knows it. He knows I could never hold him to justifying his love by menial actions especially under the imprinting circumstances. That just leaves Aunt Rose.
Aunt Rose has already hinted at ruthless seduction, but could I even be sultry? After a moment of thought I decide if Jacob was involved, yes.
I can already see it in my head. I would place my still raised hand lightly on his knee. He would shiver slightly, not from the characteristically cold touch that plagues my family, but the warmth that only my skin can give to him. He likes the warmth.
He's sitting next to me so I would roll over his lap and fall back on my heels so that I would be on my knees in front of him. I can see his face in my mind's eye as he would war with himself to not be over excited by my sudden proximity. I would place my free hand on his chest and trace the contours of his collar bone, chest, stomach not letting my eyes wonder to his angelic face. All this time I would only think of him incase any of my thoughts could escape through my fingertips.
"Jake," I would whisper as I slid my hand from his knee into his fingers. I would wait until his mind became clouded causing silence or stutters due to incoherency. That's when I'd crawl in his lap and lean my head against his chest. If all went well, he still wouldn't be able to make logical thoughts much less speak.
For my grand finale I would lean back and try my hand at dazzling. Looking strait into his eyes I would finally ask the question while trying to sound as seductive as possible. "Can we please go to La Push? You know that would make me really happy." Both my hand would slide up his biceps, around his shoulders, and stop on the sides of his face. I would listen to his heart rate as it sped up. Using only the tiniest pressure I would nod Jacob's head yes with my hands still resting on his cheeks. There wouldn't be a rejection; he wouldn't be able to think strait. Then, I would lean over and press my lips softly by his ear and whisper, "Thank you," before tracing his jaw line with the tips of my nose. Ah what a delicious scent; I can already taste it on the back on my tongue. Once I got to his chin I would look into his bewildered eyes before crushing my mouth against his full lips.
The sound of my sudden laughter brings me back to reality. That could never work. Jake would come to some time, and when that happened he would pull back to give me a firm "no" then hold me up against his chest again.
I sigh and peek over at Jake in my periphery. He must think I've lost my mind. I space out, unmoving for who knows how long then come back with unexplained laughter that turns into a seemingly unjustified sigh.
I look at the clock on the wall and realize that I need to act fast. Ok Nessie it looks like we're doing this our way. Hmm talking to myself probably doesn't help in my defense for proving my sanity.
"So Mr. Big shot where are we going?" I lie back on the bed and stretch my body out until my feet dangle off the edge. My eyes are closed, but I am all too aware that my shirt has pulled up to reveal the soft white of my stomach.
Jacob swallows hard before speaking, "Well I know how much you are against going around Forks so I am trying to think of somewhere else close by so that we can stop by Charlie's before we go. You know that would make him happy."
I open my eyes; Jacob has leaned back on his elbow and is now staring thoughtfully at me. I raise my eyebrow. "Hmm somewhere close that isn't Forks; that only leaves La Push." I try to keep my voice casual yet straightforward. Really, there aren't any other options when you specify by those restrictions. He sighs and I'm sure cringes as the validity of my statement sinks in, but I'm not sure because I've closed my eyes again.
Although I'm feigning casual disinterest to keep Jake calm the pit of my stomach is uneasy with anticipation and my muscles are tense waiting for a rebuff.
In Jacob's silence I concentrate on the gentle ticking of the second hand from the clock on the wall. My impatience is growing making me even more apprehensive, but I know I can't let him see that. I drum my fingers absentmindedly on the comforter to the rhythm of the second hand.
"Ness," his voice is hard, but I can hear the strain to make it sound lighter. "We aren't going to La Push." Anyone else would think that he's resolved, but I know him better than that. I can hear the struggle in his words over deciding how to make me happy and keep his dignity intact at the same time. Jake knows that's not possible with the only two logical locations left.
"Alright I guess its Forks then." I let disappointment color my words, but try to sound matter-of-fact like so he only thinks I'm trying to hide my displeasure. "Now that we have that settled . . ."
"Ugh Nessie stop, I know that's not what you really want. Stop trying to make everyone else happy; this is supposed to be for you." Hook, line, and sinker; I've been working him this whole time and he doesn't even know it.
I sit up and look at him with as much concern as I can muster. "Jake what do you suppose we do then. It's completely up to you." He growls under his breath then sits quietly again.
I lift my hand and place it under his chin forcing him to look me in the eyes. "Instead of trying to be all thoughtful to yourself, speak your mind. It will help you organize your thoughts."
Jake sighs but still doesn't say anything. I'm not sure if it's because he doesn't want to tell me or because can't form logical syllables. The silence progresses.
I figure I might as well make use of my time while I wait so I pull back the comforter and slide in between the sheets. I fluff the down pillows and wrap the covers around my shoulders. The sweet artificial scent of lilac from the fabric softener fills my nose.
"You're right Ness," Jake finally says. I stop wriggling and look up into his defeated eyes. "You did win the match. I'm not going to force you to walk around Forks if you don't want to. This is supposed to be your night, I've just been selfish. Who gives a damn about what the guys think? Half of them know what it's like since they've all imprinted too. They would do the same thing, and they know it. I can't not give you what you want, I love you." His eyes lighten as he finishes.
A short disbelieving gasp escapes from my lips and I lunge forward to wrap my arms around his neck. "You are the most wonderful person I've ever met Jake. I can't believe you would do this for me." Most of my astonishment actually is genuine. I'm surprised that my subtle manipulation truly worked. The best part, though, is that Jake is still utterly oblivious. This works out perfectly.
"Hey really Ness don't' mention it," he kisses the top of my head before looking at the clock. "I should probably be going now before your dad storms in here."
Jake leans forward again, but this time he presses his lips softly to mine. "Sweet dreams," he whispers as he jumps up and walks towards the door. Before the door shuts Jake turns around and smiles his perfectly breathtaking smile. The strong contrast of his white teeth against his russet skin is like the radiance of a sunset joining together night and day. I truly am in love with him.
JPOV:
Tomorrow night is going to suck plain and simple. That is if I were going with anyone besides Renesmee. I still let my head hang as I descend towards the living room. I wouldn't call it walking, just kind of throwing my weight from one step the next and letting my body bob up and down awkwardly down the staircase.
As I turn to face the living room and slump down the last few steps I hear a loud burst of laughter erupt from the couch area. I look up to see that it is, of course, Emmett.
"Man Jake she played you like a fool." I cock my head to the side and furrow my brow. Alice, Edward, Bella, Rosalie, Jasper; the whole family is in the living room looking at me with various expressions of amusement.
"What are you talking about?" I look at Edward suspiciously. I'm sure his kind reading had been of some use tonight, stupid intruding vampire.
"Rose was curious about how Nessie would try and sway your opinion so we all listened in. However no one was really interested in listening to you not talk so I asked Edward for some commentary." Emmett seemed proud of himself for finding such a successful way of ruining my night.
"Jacob please, I edited heavily for both of your benefits," the traitor says. "And please don't think of me in that way. It was purely for curiosity's sake."
"Jacob if you're going to live in this house you must get used to having absolutely no privacy" "And being the butt of all of our cruel senses of humor," Alice warns with an edition from Emmett. "Besides," Alice continues, "you should have seen it coming. You were being manipulated in the ways only accomplished by a Cullen."
"I'm sorry, Alice, if I'm a clairvoyant, but that's still no reason to listen to our conversation." I'm fuming. Had I not learned such control by now my fists, at least, would surely be trembling.
Just then Bella rises from the couch and walks over to me. I want to be angry with her, to let my instinct of distrust and hatred towards vampires take over – I had been betrayed by my best friend after all – but that instinct had died out months ago, for this family at least.
Bella places her hand on my shoulder and looks deep into my eyes. Her eyes haven't reached the soft butterscotch tone like the rest of her family, but more of a honey color with a deep red base. "Jake please, you know we mean no harm to you. I would have stopped it had it gone that far, but you can trust me and Edward. You are my best friend I couldn't do something to betray your trust like that. Like Edward said it was mainly curiosity and he did edit for both yours and Nessie's benefits."
Looking into her eyes brings back a small bit of nostalgia that had been locked away. A smile spreads across my face, not just any smile, "her" smile. I pick her up and hug her against my chest. Just like old times.
I realize then that I really don't care that they listened in – although it is slightly embarrassing having such a lack of privacy. Now that I think about it I'm practically giddy, for lack of a better word. I know they do stupid shit like this to each other all the time. I have an almost perfect life right now; there is no reason for me to be upset. Damned vampires made me soft. Edward looks up at me and chuckles under his breath.
I set Bella back on her feet and look over at Edward. "You guys really suck, you know that?" I punch Edward in the shoulder and turn my head curiously as Emmett bursts into another fit of laughter.
"Jake you made a punny!" Emmett can hardly breathe through his hysterics.
"Um are you sure you bloodsuckers can't get high or anything?"
"No, and trust me he's tried." It is Rosalie that answers me this time with a grave look on her face like she's trying not to remember something that was particularly painful.
As loud guffaws continue to erupt from the living room I squeeze out the back door and flick a casual parting wave from over shoulder. I phase into wolf form and curl up under a tree beside the river mentally preparing myself for the severe verbal blows to my dignity that I'm sure will come from every angle tomorrow.
A/N: Ok guys so here's the next chapter. I hope you enjoyed it, and that it was worth the hideously long wait. Like I said before, whenever I'm not doing family stuff or trying to relearn Spanish I will type as much as I can. We are getting close to the end there will probably only be two or three more chapters after this so please review and get in any last minute suggestions you might have. If there are any of you who think themselves particularly funny, please review and give me as many cracks to use at Jacob's vampire costume as you can.
Oh I also wanted to give a special thank you all my international fans. My story is being read in twenty-two different countries! How cool it that? Also a special shout out to my four Slovenian fans. That is where my family hails from, and I think that it's kind of cool to have even that smallest of connections back over there.