Chapter 20

I stole a quick glance behind me to see if Edward was still standing there watching us, but he was gone. I flushed red, embarrassed that we'd put on such a show in front of him. Jacob and I had been kissing for several minutes, completely wrapped up in each other physically and mentally. If what he said was true and he did still love me he was probably hurting now.

"It doesn't matter now, Bells. He saw it in my head…" Jacob held me tight as he reassured me.

I thought about what Jake said. What exactly would Edward have seen? I didn't understand what I was thinking when my eyes locked with Jacob's. It was like all the pain, all the fear and anxiety that I'd been through in the last year no longer mattered. All my hopes and dreams disappeared for a blink of a second, only to return twice as strong with Jacob by my side. I felt a physical need to be wrapped in his arms every second of every day just taking in his scent and his warmth. But these were all things I felt with my heart, not things I consciously thought about. Would Jacob have been able to understand what was happening enough to allow Edward to get a look at the whole picture?

"Let's go inside," He squeezed my hand and pulled me toward the house.

Neither of us said anything as we made our way up the stairs. Jacob sat on my bed and pulled me into his lap, wrapping his arms around my waist and nuzzling his face into my neck. I could feel a smile on his face as he held me.

"What happened, Jake? I mean, how? I thought it was a love at first sight kind of thing?" I was so happy that he had finally imprinted on me, but I wanted to understand it. Sam and the elders hadn't given us much hope that we could end up together.

"I got a pretty good idea of what was going on before you looked at me, Bells. Do you want me to tell you about it?"

I nodded fervently so he continued.

"I'm not sure how, but as soon as I felt the pull toward you everything made sense. It was all leading to this, Bella. Everything was. You coming to Forks, the day we walked on the beach, even you falling in love with him. It was all so that one day we would be standing here together."

I shook my head, not understanding what he was saying. "But Jake, why didn't it just happen before? When we were standing on the beach the first time? Or the hundreds of times since? I don't get it?"

"I couldn't shift yet when we first met. And then, well, I think I wouldn't let myself imprint on you after that." He turned to the window so I couldn't see his face.

"What do you mean, wouldn't let yourself?" I still couldn't understand. I turned so that I was facing him and crawled back in his lap. I wanted to be able to see his face when he explained what happened. It was a day that neither of us would ever forget, and I wanted to understand his emotions as well as my own.

"I thought you were going to chose him," he said as he looked out the window.

Suddenly I could feel his fear, as if it were my own, like a knife in my heart. I cringed slightly, and Jacob held me tighter.

"I know, Bella! You feel it too, don't you? I felt it from you, standing out there talking to him. You were confused and afraid. I thought it was my own emotions, but I saw it in your face. I was feeling your fear, your confusion!" His eyes were bright as he explained the connection.

"I do… I feel it." I swallowed, trying to dislodge the lump in my throat. It hurt to try to think of a reason he wouldn't want to imprint on me. Did he not want to spend the rest of his life with me?

"But Jake, I still don't understand. Why couldn't you imprint on me?"

"I think you had to chose me first. I had to know that given the choice you would chose me." He turned to face me, his eyes burning into mine.

As soon as he said it, I knew he was right. He had always been afraid that I would chose Edward over him.

I thought of Edward again and what he had seen in front of him and in Jacob's mind. The love I had for him was gone, but I didn't want to hurt him. "What all did he see?"

Jacob watched me, thoughtful. "He saw it all."

I remembered that Jacob could sense my anxiety but probably misinterpreted it. "I just don't want to hurt him."

He nodded, although obviously not agreeing.

I buried my face in his chest and sighed. Jacob didn't understand, and I didn't want to talk about Edward anymore. "So why can I fear your… your feelings? Sam never mentioned that at the bonfire."

"I'm not sure," he shrugged. "I'll have to ask him about it later."

"So what happens, exactly, when someone imprints on someone else? I mean, what next?"

"I'm not sure, Bells," Jake said, laughing a little and breaking the tension in the room. "It's a first for me, too. But I know what I'd like to do…" He eyed me cunningly.

I could feel his mood change within me, side by side with my own. I wondered if it was normal to feel your lovers emotions, or if it was just something that happened when you imprinted.

Maybe neither. Maybe it was something extraordinary.

I thought for a moment about our relationship. In the second where he imprinted our ties were stronger than any legal paperwork or religious ritual could create. Our love was perfect and undeniable. Someday we would be married and have children who could carry on the traditions and way of life of the Quileute tribe. Of Jacob's tribe. Of our tribe. And our children, if necessary, will have the ability to change their bodies to protect all of us.

Jacob's lips touched mine in a soft kiss before he slid me off his lap to sit on the bed. I stared at him as he stood in front of me. His strong, dark skin pulled tight over his bare chest, rising and falling with every breath he took. I could feel that he was nervous. My own heart started hammering in my chest as he knelt to one knee, taking my hand in his.

"Bella?" He started, looking deep into my eyes.

I couldn't control the deep red blush that took over my face. He's going to propose! Fear ripped through me before I could think to control it. I don't want to get married yet!

He realized his position and laughed slightly at my reaction, "Bella, no… I'm not proposing! Just listen!"

I relaxed at his words, exhaling a long breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.

"I have wanted this for so long, Bells. I knew I wanted to be with you the first time I saw you. Now we can love without fear. You and I are meant to be together, and this only proves what I've always known. I'm not asking you to marry me now, " he stifled a laugh, "but someday I would like to. I want to spend every day making you happy. You are the love of my life."

Tears were beginning to pool at the corners of my eyes, threatening to break lose. Every part of me wanted Jacob. I slid off the bed and into his arms, accidentally knocking him off balance. Together we tumbled to the floor, giggling at ourselves. "Jake," I said as I pushed myself to a sitting position on top of him. "I love you."

And with that I leaned in to kiss him.

The End.