AN: These characters are not mine.
Jake flashed a grin and pecked Bella on the cheek.
"How is everyone?," Bella asked hastily.
"Everyone's fine," he reassured her. "Quil got cut, but he'll heal fast. And Paul's disappointed that we didn't actually fight."
Bella smirked. "Yeah, he's got a little rage thing going on there."
Jake chuckled, and said, "You know Bells, I gotta hand it to you. You've really livened things up since you moved out here."
"God, I'm such trouble. Maybe I should just head to some other part of the country where I'm not starting civil, er, monster, wars," she said, frowning. "Nobody is worth what I've put you through." She gnawed her thumbnail.
Beat.
"You know, I think that's a good idea, Bells. Somewhere sunny where the vamps won't be, because they seem to take a liking to you. Maybe back to Florida."
Bella did a double take. Jake didn't want her to stay?
He gave her a serious look. "Kidding! I'm kidding, Bells! Geez, you're so gullible." He flashed his pearly whites.
She went to fake-slap his cheek, and he caught her hand, licking her palm softly, then the back of her hand. He kissed it, raised his chocolate eyes to meet hers.
There's that look, Bella thought. The one that always gets me.
And sure enough, he pulled her head to his with both hands, kissing her fully. Once more, deeper, and a third even more passionate.
"Don't you ever leave me, kid, and that's an order," Jake said. She smiled. "Yes, sarge." They kissed again softly.
"Ahem." *cough*
It was Edward, who had had a few words with Ramona before emerging from the woods.
He looked vageuly nauseous. "Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to have a few words with Bella, if you don't mind Jacob."
Jake looked peeved, but his calm side prevailed. "Alright. I'll meet you in the club house, Bells." He kissed her once more, letting his mouth linger on hers. He winked at Edward.
Bella jutted her chin at Edward, slipped off Boleyn's Blaze and placed it squarely in his palm. It darkened immediately.
"I know you meant this to help protect me, but it's caused nothing but trouble, Edward," Bella said. "You… you have to let me go."
He kicked the moss underfoot, avoiding her eyes.
"Yes. You're right. I never should have sent you the ring. It's just… I feel like I was born to take care of you, and if I can't be with you, then this seemed like a good idea. But clearly I was wrong."
"It is ridiculous to think that this ring, amazing as it is, nearly started a war," Bella said.
"Actually—it did start a war, back in the 18th century," Edward said.
Bella quirked her mouth. "Of course it did. Nothing with you is simple. I knew that." She looked toward the club house and spotted Jake peering her way. He was talking to Kate, rocking back and forth on his heels, and he pointed at Edward and mimed taking pictures.
"I think they need you for photos," Bella said to Edward.
Edward spun his back to the club, moving Bella in front of him so Jacob couldn't see her.
"I still think you're in some danger when you're with the wolf pack, Bella." He sighed. "I beg of you to rethink things. Rethink your choice."
She bit her lip and pushed her hair off her eyes.
He took her hands, the cold of his skin shocking her slightly. She was used to Jake, her own personal space heater since that night in the sleeping bag.
The sleeping bag. She recalled how toasty and deliriously wonderful she felt that night, close to hypothermia, when Jake had heated her and brought her back to life. Again.
She needed to go to him. "Edward, I've chosen Jacob. I know the risks, which I think are actually less than you think. Besides, if I'd chosen you, there are far greater risks with your family around than with the pack. Jasper salivates every time he saw me. I feel like a big sirloin."
She turned toward the house and began walking. "C'mon. I have to go."
She was 10 steps ahead when she realized Edward wasn't following. She turned to look and saw him floating, receding away from her slowly.
"Tell them goodbye for me, Bella. I should never have agreed to be an usher, although the off-chance that I'd see you at the wedding was enough of a draw. Goodbye, my love. See you on the other side."
He sped away quickly, leaving a trail of vapor.
It made her sad, the thought of what love they'd shared, which had dissolved into air like that vapor. And once again, she had to lie and cover for him as he ditched his responsibilities.
But as she walked toward Jake, beaming and laughing on the porch as he waved at her, she felt ridiculoulsly content.
Kate grabbed her arm. "Where's Ed, Bella?" Both Bella and Jake raised a brow at the mention of Ed. "Oh, he wasn't feeling well. He's sorry he had to leave abruptly."
"Dear me," Kate said. "There go the complete wedding pictures. Well let's do you and Jacob instead."
They stood before the camera, Jake's arms wrapped around Bella, and Kate thought she'd never seen such happiness captured by a camera. Perhaps not even her own, just a few minutes prior.
But one thing Edward had said gnawed at Bella. "See you on the other side." She pushed it out of her mind to ponder later, and pulled Jake's big hand to her heart.