I'm back! I'm sorry it's been so long, my mother in law ended up staying with me for a while which added a whole new dimension of cramped in our tiny home. Student teaching started which means I have little time other than getting phone calls in the middle of the night from my husband because we're in two different time zones (thank you deployment.)

Thank you all for your patience. Next chapter coming soon, let me know what you think of this one.


I was just coasting, never really going anywhere
caught up in a web, I was getting kind of use to staying there

Out of the blue
I fell for you

Now you're lifting me up, 'stead of holding me down
Stealing my heart, 'stead of stealing my crown
untangled all the strings, round my wings, that were tied.
I didn't know him, and I didn't know me
cloud nine, was always out of reach
now I remember what it feels like to fly
You give me butterflies
You give me butterflies

Kiss full of color, makes me wonder where, you've always been
I was hiding in doubt, 'til you brought me out, of my chrysalis

I came out new
all because of you

Now you're lifting me up, 'stead of holding me down
Taking my Hand, 'stead of taking my crown
untangled all the strings, round my wings, that were tied.
I didn't know him, and I didn't know me
cloud nine, was always out of reach
now I remember what it feels like to fly
You give me butterflies
You give me butterflies

~Butterflies-Kacey Musgraves


"Bella, can we go somewhere to talk?" Jake asked, anxiousness coloring his tone.

"Yeah, I really don't think I should drive right now..." I trailed off, knowing I was still in a state of shock.

"I don't want you passing out on me," Jake agreed. He looked at me with a silent invitation as I closed the door behind me. I tried to regulate my breathing which was nearly impossible considering my heart was jumping out of my chest.

Although Jake's eyes were anxious, he seemed strangely calm. We drove in silence to First Beach where I was only hours earlier. Thoughts swirled in my head as I expected him to confirm my suspicion.

He opened my door for me and walked beside me as we reached the beach. He sat beside me, waiting for me to fall to pieces. I grasped the grains of sand as his eyes met mine.

"You're a werewolf," I blurted out. Jake pursed his lips before he nodded.

"How did you figure it out?" Jake asked.

"It took me a while, but after this morning...I saw that wolf's eyes, Jake. I couldn't place those eyes, but I knew in that moment that the wolves weren't going to hurt me. I got home somehow without having a panic attack and Googled werewolves," I answered, crossing my arms around my chest.

"I clicked on a link that gave me a Quileute legend and that reminded me of Old Quil's legend...And suddenly it all made sense...You talked about how you are a protector and Seth said 'blood sucker.'" I admitted.

"Then, I remembered those dark brown eyes the brown wolf had...And I remembered who they belonged to," I confessed. Jake listened with rapt attention as he sat criss-crossed.

"Bella, there were a thousand times and if you don't want to talk to me after this, I understand," Jake said, studying me for any signs of distress. There was a lingering question that bounced around my head...

I knew that vampires could hurt people, after all they can kill people. Edward's family was a fluke; most vampires fed on humans. If vampires can kill people, could Jacob?

"Jake, I just have one question for you," I murmured, meeting his anxious gaze.

"Only one?" Jake asked, with a chuckle. The hardened line his lips made vanished for a moment.

"This one is important," I said, playing with my fingers.

"Do werewolves kill people?" I asked, my voice shooting up an octave. He studied me for a moment before he chuckled and shook his head.

"Remember how I told you I was a protector?" He asked softly. I bobbed my head before he responded.

"We are designed to protect people. Since they exist, we do," Jake explained. My eyebrows furrowed as I thought about who 'they' were. Then, it occurred to me, he was talking about vampires.

"So you don't kill people?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

"Bella, do you seriously not care that I morph into a giant dog?" Jake asked, raising his eyebrow. My eyes widened as I looked at him with confusion.

"You didn't answer my question," I said, urging him.

"You're scared that I'm a murderer?" Jake questioned.

"I can't sit around and look the other way if you're hurting people...There are innocent people, Jake, people like Charlie..." I said, heat coursing through me as I said the words with venom.

"Is that it? Really?" Jake asked, a smile breaking across his face.

"If you're hurting people..." I began, but before I could finish he lifted me into his arms. He wrapped me in his arms so tightly, I struggled to breathe.

"You're scared because you think I'm a murderer, not because I turn into a furry massive dog," Jake said with relief. I didn't understand why it was such a hard concept to grasp, he was still Jake.

"Jake-can't-breathe!" I said, beating on his chest in attempt to break free.

"Oh! Sorry honey," he murmured, releasing me. I took a deep breath appreciating the air filling up my lungs.

"I'm not a murderer," he said softly. I let a sigh of relief leave me before I wrapped my arms around his neck. I didn't care that he could turn into a wolf, I cared if innocent people were hurt.

"If I was, it would kind of defeat our whole purpose," Jake laughed.

"What do you mean?" I pulled away to look at his expression.

"We're protectors, Bella. We exist because they do," he explained. My eyes widened as I understood who he meant by 'they'. If Jake knew that there were vampires that meant...

"Vampires?" I said.

"What happened to Laurent?" I asked, fear gripping me. What if he was still out there? If he was out there and knew where I was then that meant that Victoria could find me easily.

"The black-haired leech?" Jake asked.

"He's gone, Bella. He was almost too easy for us, we can take down one bloodsucker with the size of our pack," he answered. I breathed a sigh of relief before I pressed my cheek to his chest.

"How did you know him?" Jake asked. I gulped before I replied. I couldn't find the words to adequately explain so I pulled away from him for a moment. I felt my left hand for a moment before locating the scar.

I held up my hand for him to inspect it. He looked inquisitively at me for a moment before recognition flooded his features.

"Bella, did he bite you?" Jake asked, clenching his fists.

"Do you remember my accident last year?"

"Yeah, you were in a cast at prom," Jake answered, clenching his fist for a moment.

"It wasn't an accident," I murmured.

"What happened?" Jake asked, anger flooding his features. I closed my eyes for a moment to collect myself.

"I was with Edward's family last year when we ran into some trackers...James caught my scent and became obsessed with finding me. They tried to protect me, but I thought he had my mom..." I broke off, recalling James' threat.

"James beat me up pretty bad; he bit me," I admitted.

"How are you not one of them?" Jake asked, beginning to shake. He reminded me of when I told him about the guy at the party. I took a cautious step back before I continued.

"Edward sucked the venom out, but the scar is still there." I replied.

"So, Laurent was James' friend?" Jake asked.

"Yes, but he came to tell me something else," I said, fear returning to my features.

"Bella, you're safe, he's gone. He can't hurt you anymore," he soothed, pressing me to his chest. He didn't realize the gravity of this situation with the all-too real reality that Victoria was looking for me.

"It's James' mate, Victoria. He came to warn me about Victoria..." I admitted, tears filling my eyes.

"Victoria wants revenge?"

"She wants a mate for a mate," I confessed.

"Bella, I promise we will keep you safe. She won't get to you, I won't allow it," Jake assured me. I didn't want him getting hurt in the crossfire for me. I couldn't allow him to sacrafice himself for me.

"Jake, this is my fight," I reminded him. I didn't want Jake fighting my battles for me even if Victoria was way stronger than me.

"Bella, she's a vampire. No offense, honey, but she can kill you. Hell, that black haired leech was set on killing you," Jake reminded.

"Jake..." I started, but he cut me off.

"Bells, this is what we do. We protect our people, it's our job. I will keep you safe," he promised, gently reaching to push a way-ward hair behind my ear.

"Charlie..." I murmured, my voice cracking. I could deal with her coming after me, but Charlie was off limits.

"We'll run a detail on your house, he'll be safe," Jake suggested.

"Thank you," I said, pressing my face into his chest. He chuckled before his thumb found my chin; he tilted my chin up so he could look at me.

"For what?" He asked, his breath fanning my face.

"For saving me earlier," I answered. If Jake and his pack didn't arrive when they did, I would have been Laurent's next meal.

"Of course, Bella, anytime," Jake said, pulling me closer. I pulled away a moment later before I started to walk along the shore. The wind cut across my cheeks while arranging my hair into a tangly mess.

Jake looked ahead at me before he asked.

"Do you need a minute or?"

"Come on," I urged. He probably thought I was still in shock over his admission. His signature lopsided grin spread across his lips before he joined me.

"How many of you are there?" I asked curiously while I looked at the sand under me.

"Well, there's a pack. There's Sam, Quil, Embry, Leah..." Jake answered. I raised my eyebrow as I cut him off.

"Leah?"

"Yeah, that was a surprise. She started phasing with her brother after her father died," Jake explained. Poor Leah, it must have been hard for her to lose her father and then find out...

"Poor Leah," I said with a frown.

"Don't feel too sorry for her, she makes our lives hellish on a regular basis," Jake said with a sigh.

"It must have been awful to lose your father and then," I said, thinking aloud.

"It was rough on her," Jake agreed.

"Who else?" I asked, squinting to meet his gaze. He stuck his hands in his ripped jean pockets as he continued.

"Jared, Seth, Collin, and Brady," Jake answered.

"So how do you become a werewolf?" I asked, curiously.

"Do you remember the origin legends?" Jake asked. I recalled Old Quil's telling the legends during the bonfire.

"Yes," I nodded.

"Well, it's a genetic thing really. The original members of the tribes, like the chiefs, were werewolves. They're often called shape-shifters. Anyway, some of us are born with the gene and we don't start phasing until we're teenagers," Jake replied.

"That's why you look so different now," I said, my eyes widening.

"Yeah, I started phasing soon after you left for Jacksonville. At first I phased all the time. I grew like a foot," Jake said. My mind flashed to prom night when I saw him with his long hair; I recalled his hair reached his shoulders.

"You cut your hair..." I murmured. Jake pushed up the sleeve on his left arm. On his tricep was a intricate tattoo.

"When did you get that?" I asked, studying the intricate design.

"After I joined the pack," Jake answered.

"Sam was the first, right?" I questioned.

"In my generation and he's the alpha or the head of the pack," Jake explained.

"Does the gene skip generations?"

"Yeah, sometimes. We've had more members since..." Jake trailed off. I felt an eyebrow raise at his words. What external circumstance could trigger it? He looked at me hesitantly fora moment before he continued.

"The Cullens came," Jake said, he seethed. I nodded my head as I possessed the information. It all made sense though, if vampires settled near then there had to be a counter-effect.

"It makes sense," I agreed.

"Did the numbers decrease when they left?" I asked. Jake looked confused as I fired off my next question.

"Well...Um...Yeah, I guess. I don't know, there's been more phasing recently," Jake responded, tripping over his words.

"Are there vampires in the area?" I asked curiously. If there were vampires in the area an increase in numbers of the pack could be explained. Jake shifted for a moment before he looked out to the crashing waves in the distance.

"We ran across a few scents, but until today we haven't actually seen one," Jake answered. I must have looked green because he moved his hands to my shoulders as if he was trying to steady me.

"Bella, you're safe. I promise," Jake said, his ebony eyes meeting mine. I let out the gust of air I was holding after he spoke. I closed my eyes before taking a deep breath.

I was certain that when I left for Jacksonville, I circumvented the danger. Since Edward left, I figured her vendetta would expire.

"I believe you. I trust you," I smiled halfway at him. Jake already won my trust, he did so many months ago, even in my inebriated state many months ago, I trusted him.

"Thank you," he muttered like an answered prayer.

"Bella?" He called. There was something else on his mind, I could tell by the crinkle on his forehead.

"Yeah?"

"Are you really okay with all this wolf stuff? I mean, I was fully expecting you to run away and scream." Jake said, his eyes meeting mine. He crossed his arms around his chest.

I thought I made it clear that I didn't care what he was if he didn't hurt people. Jake couldn't choose what he was, it was already determined for him. On the other hand, I wished he told me earlier.

At this point, I didn't even know what normal was. Seeing Jake this vulnerable was strange; he was always such a macho-man. He acted tough all the time, but underneath that cool and confident exterior...

"Bella?" He tried again, attempting to get my attention. I drew myself out of my thoughts.

"I'm sorry it wasn't more of a theatrical performance on my end, I should have run away and screamed bloody murder," I said slightly teasing. A smile broke out across his lips as he chuckled.

"You're my best friend, Jake, no weird supernatural stuff can change that," I assured him. His eyes tightened as I spoke before he enveloped me in his arms. My eyes closed as I breathed a sigh of relief; no more secrets.


When we left the beach, Jake drove us over to Emily's. As we entered the dirt driveway I noticed many cars lined up.

"Is there a gathering or something at Emily's?" I asked Jake. He turned to me after parking at the end of the driveway.

"Not really, she has dinner sometimes at her house. With her, it's always an open invitation," he answered. He shut his door before he came around to open mine.

"Do Emily and Rachel know?" I asked curiously.

"Yep, they've known for a while now," Jake replied.

"How did they respond?"

He chuckled before he shook his head.

"Not as well as you did." My eyebrows furrowed at his words. This wasn't my first time dealing with the supernatural. When I left for Florida I envisioned myself finally cutting free from the supernatural.

It was clear life had different plans for me. If there were vampires, there had to be an enemy to them; it was simply nature balancing itself out. I could feel Jacob's gaze on me as I kept my attention on the loose gravel crunching below me.

"I was expecting..." Jake said, trailing off. He didn't have to finish the sentence; I already knew what he was going to say. Running. Screaming. Fleeing for the roof tops.

"Did Emily and Rachel react that way?" I asked curiously.

"Along those lines," Jake replied. We reached Emily's creaky porch before he opened the screen door for me.

"It's customary to knock you know," I said, reminding him. Jake shot me a smug grin before chuckling.

"It's hard to sneak up on werewolves," Jake winked. As I was rolling my eyes at his smart-ass comment, Emily greeted me.

"Bella, it's so good to see you! There's a plate waiting for you in the living room," Emily said, a wide smile across one side of her face.

"Thank you, Emily, it's great to see you as well," I murmured before embracing her for a moment.

"Hey Em," Jake said, waving.

"There's two plates waiting for you," Emily said with a chuckle. I peered over at Jake before rolling my eyes at him; his appetite was insane. Jake smiled impishly at me, then winked at me.

He walked over to Sam as I heard Leah call my name. I scanned the room to see her; she was lounging on the couch sipping a beer.

"You know, don't you?" Leah asked, her deep brown eyes piercing mine. I suspected she meant that Jake was a werewolf.

"How'd you know?" I asked, my eyebrows furrowing together.

"I'm perceptive. Wild stuff, huh?" She asked, with a snicker. The supernatural became common place for me so I shrugged.

"I forgot you were vampire girl," Leah said, with a frown.

"For a while, I guess," I said, with a huff.

"Glad you're on our team now," Leah smirked. Rachel stared at me from the opposite side of the living room as she propped herself against the wall. Her dark ebony eyes met mine before she walked over to me.

"Jake told you," she murmured, setting her hand on the table. I nodded.

"I guess you took it well, since you're still here," Rachel said, raising an eyebrow.

"It was a surprise, but it makes sense," I said, meeting her glare.

"I know all about you, Bella," Rachel said, sipping her beer. I wasn't about to stoop down to her level.

"Really?"

"You dated a vampire for a while and you went home to Jacksonville to escape. And now you come back and waltz into Jake's life," Rachel said shaking her head.

"I'm not going to hurt Jake," I said, realizing she was probably scared I was going to hurt her baby brother.

"How much longer are you going to string him along? He's not a crutch you can just use when you're lonely," Rachel huffed. I was taken aback at her comment. I knitted my eyebrows together as I shook my head.

"Jake is my best friend, he's been incredible to me. He helped me out on a bad night, and yes, I made a mistake that night. I own up to my mistakes. But I'm not the girl who left this town two years ago, I grew up. I don't need to be saved, I picked up the pieces by myself," I said, standing up. Although I was a few inches shorter than her, I stood firm.

"I understand you want to protect your brother, and I'm not going to hurt him. I really don't appreciate being judged by you or being pushed down for messing up when I was seventeen. I'd like to think we're all better than our worst days," I murmured.

"We're both women, and the last thing we should do is tear each other down. We should be on the same side, we've both got enough to deal with," I said, trying to compromise.

Jake walked quickly up to my side. I could feel Jake's frustration radiate off his body as he began to shake

"Rachel, lay off," Jake instructed, meeting his sister's gaze.

"Jake, I'm fine," I assured him, turning to him for a brief second. For a brief second, his eyes grew lighter and he grew less tense. As he met Rachel's gaze again, his body tightened. He seemed to try to press in front of me to protect me. I edged him so that we were hip to hip, I didn't need protection.

"I don't want to hear it, I've had enough of your high school drama. You've been nothing but a royal pain to Bella. You should apologize to her," Jake said, his dark eyes growing angry.

"She doesn't have to apologize. I want a genuine one," I cut in. Rachel's eyes grew wide as she took in my words. Jake looked down at me with a smirk.

"Damn Rach, you just got out sassed," Embry hollered. Rachel shook her head before she retreated. Paul walked after her in attempt to calm her down. I took a deep breath as I closed my eyes.

"Good for you," Emily said, bringing me in for a hug. Leah arose from her seat on the couch and held out her hand for a handshake.

"It's about time someone shut up her whining," Leah chuckled. Jake leaned down to whisper in my ear.

"'Atta girl," he whispered, his breath heating my ear. I could feel my cheeks heat up as his warm breath enveloped my cheek. Emily smiled, noticing my cheeks reddening at Jake's proximity.

"Jake and Bella," Sam called, beckoning us over to him. I looked at Jake questioningly before walking beside him to Sam.

"Jake told you," Sam said, his dark eyes meeting mine.

"Yes," I murmured, knowing immediately what he was talking about.

"I won't tell anyone," I promised, answering his unspoken question.

"It's best for everyone's safety," Sam said.

"She figured it out on her own," Jake said, meeting Sam's gaze. The corners of Sam's lips lifted slightly.

"That doesn't surprise me," Sam laughed.

"She's a smart woman," Jake agreed, winking at me. My thoughts shifted to Rachel; I wondered if she was upset.

"Is Rachel okay?" I asked, slightly above a whisper. Jake chuckled before shaking his head.

"She's fine, she needed a minute to cool off," Sam assured me. I didn't mean to hurt her feelings, I simply wanted to stop being a doormat.

"She was treating you like shit, don't over think it," Jake whispered in my ear. I let out a breathless chuckle, he knew me too well.

"I don't want to burn bridges," I murmured.

"She'll get over it," Sam said, with a small smile.

"Bells, do you want to go back to my house?" Jake asked suddenly. Charlie was on duty all night which meant I'd be at the house alone.

"Sure," I nodded.

"It was great to see you, Bella. We'll see you soon," Sam said, smiling brighter at me.

"Thank you for having me."

"Bella!" Emily called, running in from the kitchen.

"It was so good to see you, Bella. Please come around anytime," Emily smiled before enveloping me in a hug.

"Thank you, Emily. I will," I assured her.

"Do I have your number? We should hang out sometime," Emily said, whipping out her phone. I laughed as she handed me her phone. After I put my number into her phone, we said our goodbyes.

Jake and I walked side by side on the gravel drive way.

"You held your own back there," Jake said, breaking the silence.

"Thanks, I'm not used to it," I shrugged. From childhood to near adulthood, I rarely spoke up for myself. I learned gradually overtime, but it did not come easily for me.

"You're a strong woman, Bella. Start seeing yourself as one," Jake suggested.

"Thanks, Jake," I said, blush creeping on my cheeks.

"You're welcome," he smiled, showing his dimple. I felt bad that I put him in an awkward with his sister. Jake walked around the car to open my door for me.

Jake opened the door for me hundreds of times, but I almost forgot what it was like to have a man open a door for me.

We drove past a few forests as I laid my head against the window's cool glass.

"What's going on in that head of yours?" Jake asked curiously.

"I'm sorry I put you in an awkward situation," I murmured.

"Bella, can you move your face away from the glass?" Jake asked, shaking with laughter. Crimson flooded my cheeks as I adjusted.

"I'm sorry I put you in an awkward situation," I said more clearly.

"You don't have to apologize. Stuff between us has always been awkward," Jake shrugged. I put my hand on his arm, "I'm sorry," I murmured.

"She and I are just different. She went off to college and became a nurse and then suddenly comes back to La Push after pretending like we don't exist for four years.

"After Mom died...she just changed, we all did. But she turned colder I think to hide the pain. Paul encouraged her to be more open about it and she's getting better," Jake admitted.

She and I shared leaving our hometowns in the dust to escape the pain. I couldn't imagine losing my mother like Rachel and Jacob had.

It made total sense why she was so guarded and withdrawn; wounds cause people to turn into people they weren't before.

"Poor girl," I muttered with a frown.

"It's hard to like her sometimes, but I love her. She's my sister, you know?" Jake asked, the corners of his lips turning upwards for a moment. I pursed my lips for a moment; I always admired how Jake was so dedicated to both his sister and father.

"I understand," I nodded.]

"Don't try to overthink it, Bells. You stuck up for youself, something you should do more often," Jake said, his eyes drifting away from the stretch of road in front of us for a moment.

"Thanks, Jake for helping me," I said, as I leaned back against the leather seats. He let out a huff before he rolled his eyes.

"It's all you, Bells," he assured me. He was wrong though; he never shied away from calling me out when I was being ridiculous.

Jake allowed me to be exactly who I was, I didn't have to change. The most bizarre component was that the more time I spent with Jake I became more myself more.

I always wondered how Jake was still single; he never talked about dating. He was very busy between helping with the pack and his dad.

Still, Jake could have any woman he wanted. He was such a gentleman, but not in the Victorian way. Instead, he was a modern gentleman who simultaneously respected a woman's freedom while somehow not being an asshole.

The next time I opened my eyes, Jake's gray garage door greeted me. He was already out of the car, walking around to my side.

He opened my door gently, he still didn't think I was awake.

"Hey sleepy girl," Jake murmured softly.

"Sorry," I apologized, my throat thick with sleep.

"Aren't you a sleep-deprived college student?"

"Yes," I laughed.

"You're fine, Bells. If you're beat, you can sleep in my bed. I have some work in the garage to do," Jake offered.

"Jake, you don't have to give up your bed." I chided.

"Bells, I barely use it," Jake reminded me. I rolled my eyes; he didn't' use it because he was out on patrol so often.

"That isn't a good thing," I reminded.

"That's fair, but you're practically dead on your feet," Jake said, kneeling so he was eye-level with me. He pushed gently back a few way-ward hairs behind my ears.

"Ugh, fine," I muttered as I got up. Jake walked beside me, making sure I wasn't going to topple over. He opened the front door. He navigated me through a few narrow hallways until he flickered on the light to his bedroom.

Jake's bedroom was accented with gray except for his blue striped comforter.

"How do you fit in this?" I asked.

"I don't, my feet usually dangle off. But you on the other hand should fit," Jake answered as he pulled the covers to expose the sheets.

I laid down in his bed, my head finding purchase on his pillow. Jake knelt next to me as he fixed the covers around me.

"Get some sleep, sweet girl. Give me a holler if you need anything, I'll be in the garage." Jake spoke, his dark ember eyes meeting mine.

"Thank you, Jake," I murmured.

"Anytime," he whispered. I heard him flip off the light as I snuggled closer in the comforter. As I started to drift off, I heard his footsteps across the floor. I felt a slight warm pressure against my forehead before I heard the door creak close

A few years ago, I would have flinched at the forehead kiss; now I welcomed the warmth as I drifted deeper into a comfortable slumber.

Sometime later, I woke up to the sound of the coffee maker. I knew Charlie was out of town, so I didn't have to tell him why I wasn't home.

I blinked a few times before I stumbled over to the lightswitch to turn on the light. I caught a glance of myself as I walked by Jake's bathroom mirror.

My hair was a mess and half my face was red from my pillow's imprint.

"Jake?" I called, opening the bedroom door.

"Hey sleepy girl," Jake called back. I followed the sound of his voice into the kitchen.

"Why are you making coffee at…" I said, skimming around the kitchen for a clock.

"Nine at night?" I asked curiously.

"Dad and I aren't morning people and I wanted to make sure there was coffee when you woke up," Jake said, shrugging.

My heart swelled at his kindness.

"Jake…" I murmured, throwing my arms around his neck. He caught me and steadied me before winding his arms around my waist.

"All this for making you coffee?" Jake asked with a snicker.

"Coffee is very important," I argued against his chest.

"It is," Jake agreed. I let go of him as I stepped out of his embrace.

"Where's Billy?" I asked.

"Some fishing trip," Jake rolled his eyes.

"No wonder he and my dad are such good friends," I laughed.

"They're two peas in a pod," Jake agreed.

"What have you been working on in the garage?" I asked.

"Why don't I show you?" Jake asked, leading me out of the kitchen. We walked side by side until we reached the garage.

Inside the garage, Jake was working on a car. It was clear the car was an antique; from my first glance at it I could tell it was a Mustang.

Charlie was obsessed with older cars and always wanted to buy one.

"Is that a '67 Mustang?" I asked curiously. Jake's eyebrows shot up as my words registered.

"Yeah, it is," he said, quickly recovering.

"My dad loves his Mustangs and I picked up a little bit from him," I answered his unanswered question as he got back under the car.

"I remember the first time you saw a Mustang in my garage," Jake grinned.

"You have a thing for them?" I asked with a chuckle. He pushed out from under the car so he could look at me for a moment.

"They're classics," Jake said.

"If you're just gonna stand there and stare at me can you get me a wrench?" Jake asked cheekily.

"I might as well hit you with it if that's the way you ask," I said, easily finding the wrench on his station.

"Can I get a re-do?" Jake asked.

"Try and I'll see if it works," I said, bartering.

"Beautiful Bella, can you please hand me a wrench?" Jake asked. Blush heated my cheeks at his words as I handed him a wrench.

His warm hand sought mine as I let go of it.

"You're blushing, aren't you?" Jake asked with a chuckle. He wasn't even looking at me when he said it.

I huffed as I leaned up against the wall.

"I can read you like a book, Bells." I loved and hated that about him.

"I know," I rolled my eyes.

"You talk in your sleep; do you know that?" Jake asked as my eyes grew wide.

"Did you watch me sleep?" I asked, my voice raising an octave.

"No, I went to check and make sure you were alive and you were talking up a storm," Jake laughed as he rolled out from underneath the car.

"What did I say?" I asked, combing my head through every embarrassing secret I had.

"You said 'home' a few times," Jake said with a crooked smile. I laughed, that wasn't as embarrassing as I thought.

"Well that's not so bad," I smiled. Jake became one of my favorite reasons for coming home, and in many ways, he became home.

"You like being back in Forks, huh?" He asked.

"Forks is nice, even though it's rainy and dreary. But that's only part of it," I smiled, pushing myself off the wall.

"What's the other part?" Jake asked.

"Well, home also means who you're with; and this right here is home," I explained, meeting his gaze. As his dark brown eyes met mine and he smiled impishly I felt the soft beating of something I never imagined I'd feel again.

Butterflies.


Wow. Well that chapter was heavier than usual.

Leave me a review to let me know what you thought about it.

XOXO,

Princessinblues