Epilogue – Jake's POV

Life was good.

The Cullens remained in Forks for a few more weeks, tying up loose ends before they left with a sad goodbye. To my disapproval, the Cullens would stop by, especially Alice, to check in and see how Bells was doing. To my extreme displeasure, Edward promised he would keep an eye on our relationship. Agg.

Hala planned on making her way back to her apartment, but had new plans and a new destination.

"Vancouver?"

"Yeah," she said, brushing the pleased Toulouse. He knew just the two of them were leaving and he was very happy with this outcome. "The music scene there is a bit more hopping. Hopefully I can get a better paying job. Plus, it's closer."

"Closer to where?" I asked, still glaring at the cat.

"To here. I don't want to just pick up and leave. I have a lot to learn here now. I have a half-brother, a new best friend. Disappearing just seems rude. I'm sure you wouldn't let me disappear anyways," she winked, sticking her tongue out as she began to fight with Toulouse to get him into his crate.

So she left. Two weeks later, she moved to Vancouver. Same even took a trip up there to help her.
Things were quiet though. Bella and I had much to explain, as well as to work on. The occasional visit from Hala always brought a bit of spice to the rez though. But things changed. The first few times she came down, she stayed in my sister's room. Then she drove down a fourth time. I didn't even know she was in town until she called.

"I'm at Leah's, Jake! You should come over!"

"What?" I grumbled form my sleep. Of course only Hala would call at three in the morning, "When did you get here?"

"Like, a moment ago!"

"Like, OMG, really? Why didn't you call me sooner? Wait, why are you at Leah's?"

"She's been a bit lonely, so I thought I'd hang out with her."

"Okay…"

"Jake, go back to sleep."

"Okay." Click. Back to sleep.

When Bells came over that morning, I brought up the subject. I then realized I was out of the loop for something.

"I guess it's more comfortable for her, since you know… they are both girls?" I tried to figure it out, but everything sounded better in my head. Bella only giggled as I continued to make assumptions.

"They're friends, Jake. She wants to be with her friend."

"I'm her friend too though…" I pouted overdramatically.

"Jake, just… it'll be okay." For some reason, the grin on her face disturbed me as she snickered.
I needed to pay a visit to Hala, I noted to myself.

******

When she had returned to Vancouver, I cleared time to go up and surprise her. I figured it was my turn to see her since she always took time out to see me.

I pulled up to her apartment complex but didn't see her car, which I had finished repairing months ago before she made her move. I decided to explore the new place, but found that quickly boring. So I began to play around and tweak the Rabbit (as if I could do anymore to it) until she came home.

Her car finally showed up and I snickered to myself as I walked up behind the vehicle.

Hala's thin frame appeared and I tapped lightly on her shoulder, "Hey there stranger!"

"!" Hala screamed at the top of her lungs, spinning around with her small thing in her hand. Next thing I knew, that thing was pointed at my face.

"What the—"

"FOR FREEDOM!" Something clicked, and the bundled fabric shot into my face, smacking me right in the left eye. But before I could react, the fabric expanded into a small umbrella, frightening me. I tumbled back, falling on my ass.

"What the hell Hala?" I shouted, cradling my new injury.

"Oh Jake, it's just you," she said as if nothing had happened. She began to fold back her umbrella.

"An umbrella? That really fucking hurt!" I cursed, gently patting around my eye as it started to swell.

"At least I didn't use the mace." Hala knelt down, "What are you doing here? Let me guess, she's bad in bed."

"No! I was coming for a surprise visit," I growled. She brushed lightly over my eye, quickly pulling away when I winced, "By the way, fire? Don't you mean rape or something?"

"It has been proven that more people will come to your aid if you yell 'fire'. Helpful tip for the future, FYI."

"HHHAAAALLLAAAA!"

"Speaking of which!" Hala suddenly was in shock at the voice. But not as shocked as I was.

"I brought the bat! I'll save you!" Leah came sprinting, weapon in hand, ready to kill.

"Leah? I thought you were off at college!" My jaw dropped.

"Whoa, what's Jake doing here?"

Hala blushed, "He came here for a surprise visit…"

"Oh…" Leah suddenly looked awkward as well.

"What are you doing here Leah?" I asked, still confused, shocked, and just plain baffled.

"I go to a community college here." She answered as she glanced Hala and pointed to her, "I'm rooming with her at the moment."

Hala looked at Leah. My jaw dropped again.

"Oh. My. Word." Bella giggling. Hala visiting Leah. Leah following Hala. "You two are together?"
Hala was blushing even more, trying to hide her face behind her bangs. It was Leah that answered, "Yeah. You could say we both came to conclusion that boys suck and started to get close."

"I-I didn't realize Hala swung that way…" I muttered, still shocked beyond hell.

"Well, I never swung a way. I mean, I dated guys and they all pretty much sucked. And one beverage after another lead Leah and I to admit how much boys are terrible and things began to blossom. We thought it was just the booze… But then yeah…" Hala kicked the ground innocently.

I had never seen her flustered before.

I started to laugh at the irony of the situation. And as I started to laugh, Hala and Leah watched for a moment then joined in. Maybe there was a happy ending for everyone. They just don't always come in the same package or at the same time.

"It's about time you got what you deserve, Hala," I smiled at her. And she smiled back as Leah locked an arm around her.

"Come on, I just got a six pack of beer." Leah winked.

Like I said before, life was good.