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One Bite Changes Everything by Heartbroken1

Chapter 21 - Good Cop, Bad Cop

Jacob Black

Standing next to Sam, I found myself lost in thought. I looked at Bella. She smiled at me. Maybe it was just all the talk of this wedding, but I found myself thinking more and more of the day I would make Bella my bride.

Recently too, I found myself scared that Bella might leave me. I hated the thought that she could choose that leech over me. She thought he didn't love her. I knew different. Part of me -- a very small part -- felt guilty for not telling her he was here. I wondered what she'd do if she ever found out.

She can't! That's all there is to it, I told myself.

I focused on Bella again. She was still looking at me, grinning. I winked at her and she blushed slightly. She turned her attention back to what the Justice of the Peace was saying.

"You may kiss the bride," he said.

Sam took Emily into his arms and kissed her passionately. Bella giggled.

Emily turned to hug Bella and I shook Sam's hand. "Congratulations!" I said. "I'm really happy for you, Sam."

"Thanks, Jake."

As Sam took Emily by the hand, heading for the door, I stole the chance to take Bella into my arms for just a moment. "Come here, you," I whispered seductively. She giggled. "I can't wait 'til it's our turn."

"Me either," she responded. My heart fluttered at her words. I knew I thought about the day I would make her mine, but I wasn't sure she thought of it too. I knew I was young, but I couldn't imagine ever loving someone more than I loved Bella.

"Hey," Sam said, "we've got a party waiting."

We laughed. I took Bella by the hand and we followed them out to the car.

When we arrived back at the Uley residence, it was decorated for a celebration complete with a big banner hanging from the porch. "Finally! Congratulations!" I laughed when I saw it. Emily had waited a long time for this day.

Bella pulled my hand up to her lips, kissing it gently.

"I'm so happy for them," she whispered as we walked up to the crowd of well-wishers gathered in the yard. All the pack had come. They were mulling around. Billy was talking with Sue Clearwater.

"Bella. Jake." I was surprised when I realized whose voice called our names.

"Dad!" Bella ran to Charlie -- who was in full uniform -- hugging him tightly. She missed her dad so much. I wanted very badly to be able to put things back to normal by wiping Victoria off the face of the earth. That was the only way Charlie would get some rest.

"Hi, Charlie," I said, shaking his hand. The dark circles under his eyes gave him the same look as the Cullens when they hadn't fed in a while. I almost laughed at my observation. "It's good to see you."

"Thanks for taking care of my girl," he smiled.

"My pleasure." I looked down at Bella and winked. "Hey, thanks for letting us stay at your house while we had our fixed." Bella blushed.

"No problem. I'm glad someone could use it." He chuckled. "I'm sorry Bella set fire to your kitchen."

"Dad." She buried her face in my shoulder, embarrassed. This was something she would never live down.

"May I have your attention?" Sam asked. He cleared his throat and continued, "if we could get everyone to take a seat, we'll get started." He looked adoringly at Emily who stood next to him.

"We want to thank everyone for coming to help us finally celebrate our marriage." Everyone laughed at his emphasis on finally. "Please enjoy yourselves. Eat up!"

Paul howled and Charlie looked at Bella confused. She just laughed, shrugging.

I left Bella alone with Charlie to give them some father daughter time. It'd been a while since they'd been able to actually talk. Quil and Embry had been trying to get me alone for a few days now and I thought this was the perfect chance.

"What's up?" I asked as soon as we were out of sight -- and earshot.

"I think you need to tell Bella about Edward." Embry got right to the point.

"And I think you don't," Quil chimed in. It felt slightly like they were pulling the good cop, bad cop thing on me.

I looked from one to the other as Embry continued speaking, "Look, Jake, she has a right to know that he's here."

"I can't risk it," I mumbled.

"If you are afraid that she will choose him over you then that's even more reason to tell her," Embry insisted.

Quil just dropped his eyes to the ground as if he agreed with that statement.

"You saw as well as I did what his leaving did to her," I responded defensively. "Can you honestly stand to see her like that again?"

"Not to mention the way she looked when she showed up at the garage that day," Quil added, shaking his head at the memory.

"Jake, can you honestly say that you're not afraid she just might choose him over you?" Embry asked.

"Of course I worry about that. Wouldn't you?" I snarled. "But don't you see the bigger picture? She's been through too much already. More than anyone should ever have to endure." I paused, running my fingers through my hair. "I won't give him the chance to break her again."

"Besides Embry," Quil jumped into the conversation, "bloodsuckers are heartless creatures bent on killing and destroying. That's exactly what he did to her -- he destroyed her."

"But he said he never stopped loving her. What if she still loves him?" Embry argued.

"That's exactly my point! If he left her because he loved her, what would stop him from leaving her again. I won't allow it." I dropped my voice, "I can't."

"I see your point, Jake. But if she finds out that you knew he was here and didn't tell her, she's gonna be really upset with you." I knew Embry was right.

"Do what you want, Jake. We'll be there for you either way." Quil stated, placing his hand on my shoulder.

"Thanks, guys."

The rest of the reception was nice. Bella caught the bouquet and Quil caught the garter. Tradition says they had to share a dance, but Quil put Bella's hand in mine and said, "I'd rather not end up with a broken face."

I held Bella close as we swayed back and forth gently. I knew Bella hated to dance, but she hated being the focus of attention even more. Right now, she was doing two things she despised.

"It's not that bad, is it?" I whispered in her ear.

"I just wish everyone wasn't watching." She blushed slightly.

"So close your eyes and pretend it's just you and me," I suggested. As she closed her eyes, I felt her body relax. I pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head.

"Hey, behave yourself, Jake," Charlie chided. Bella tensed against me.

"Focus on nothing but me," I reminded her.

"Yeah, Jake, behave yourself," Jared suggested, "he's got his gun." Everyone roared with laughter.

I reached up and stroked Bella's hair carefully. She sighed and laid her head on my chest.

When the music ended, I hated to release Bella from my arms even though only slightly.

As the sun set, I looked forward to the best part of my day. We headed back to Charlie's to get our stuff. Tonight Bella would be sleeping in La Push. That thought was a comfort. The bloodsucker couldn't get her here. At least, not the worst of the two who were after her.