Chapter 20: A party, a wedding, and a serious talk.

The pack throw a barbecue to celebrate Bella regaining her memories. After a serious talk about their future, her and a Jacob finally get officially married.

"There is, and always will be, only you."-Jacob Black

Bella POV

Our dads were delighted to hear that my memories had come back. We'd went straight to Jake's after we'd left the Cullen's mansion. My dad could tell straight away; father's intuition he'd said.

Not long after we arrived we ended up at a party at first beach. The pack, their imprints, and Jake's dad and mine we're all there. Just family. The men were fighting over the barbecue. Emily had made muffins, and cupcakes. It was heaven.

I felt great! Whole, and alive, like I had been woken from a deep sleep that I'd been in for days. I had missed Jacob terribly, even though he'd never left my side, I'd missed holding him, and kissing him, and sleeping with him by my side. Just – him.

After an hour of being at the beach, I'd managed to let go of him, so that we could both circulate the party. I had come to the realization that we both relied too heavily on each other, and we needed to work on that. It wasn't healthy, we were always going to be together, from now until the end of our time, so our anxieties over losing each other needed to be worked on.

I sat on my own for a while just watching the pack milling about, feeling content. I glanced over at Jacob, making sure he wasn't too far from me, and sighed. Alannah was hovering over him – again – desperately trying to gain his attention. He was answering her questions, with a sigh, but not really entering into a conversation with her.

I was irked, but not because she was very obviously trying to flirt with Jacob, that didn't bother me any-more. I knew how much he loved me, and he was clearly not interested in her at all. It was Quil I was annoyed for. Alannah was his imprint – and whilst there was clearly no love loss between them – she showed no interest in him whatsoever.

It made me wonder about imprinting, it was a connection that was meant to help the wolf, strengthen him, keep him safe, and grounded, but Alannah did nothing for Quil. There was no relationship there at all, he tried of course, tried engaging her in conversations, and get to know her more. But she always brushed him off, answered the questions with one worded answers then sauntered off to hassle Jake.

His grandfather, old Quil, was just as much at a loss as we were. Things like this don't seem to have happened before.

I looked over to Quil to see him sitting in the sand staring forlornly out to the vast sea. My heart broke for him, he was tied to this promiscuous woman for good, yet she showed no respect for him, and there was nothing he could do about it. My blood began to boil.

"If the wind changes, your face will stay like that," Leah joked as she sat beside me on the sand. I hadn't noticed that I was scowling until Leah had pointed it out. I made an effort to relax, in-case Jacob saw. Although I was pretty sure he'd already picked up on my mood.

I glanced over at him, and sure enough he was watching me, a worry line ceasing his forehead. I smiled to show him that I was OK, he smiled back and turned back to Alannah, who was asking him yet another question.

"Ten guess as to what you're pissed about?" She smirked. Glancing back to Jacob and Alannah. "You know you've nothing to worry about, right?" She added.

"Oh I know," I said "I'm not bothered with her throwing herself at Jake, he's not interested, " I replied. Leah smirked. "I'm pissed off with how she's treating Quil. He deserves more, so much more."

"Yeah, that gets to me to." She admitted.

"I understand that there's no love between them, but she doesn't show him respect, hasn't tried to get to know him, and every chance she gets she's trying to flirt with my husband. It's not on! I'm just sick of it." I hadn't realised that my voice had risen an octave, enough for Jacob to hear me clearly, and for Alannah to know that I was talking about her.

I could see Leah smirk in the corner of my eye, but I paid it no heed. I'd gotten myself wound up again, and I could feel Jacob calling me over to him through our connection. His need to comfort me overwhelming us both. I stood myself up, rather ungracefully, dusted myself off and went to him. The pull was too strong to resist.

I made it to Jake, and wrapped my arms around him, hugging him from behind. Even though we'd last hugged just an hour ago, I'd missed him. This whole thing with giving each other some space was going to be hard.

"Hey, honey," he said as he pulled me around so that I was standing in front of him. I steadied myself and leaned forward and kissed him long and hard.

"Hey," I replied as I pulled away. He smiled brightly.

"What's got you so worked up, darling?" he asked gently, as he rubbed his hand up and down my back, soothing me.

"Sorry, I was just working through some things in my mind – stuff that was bothering me. I didn't realise that I'd gotten so worked up." I replied, not knowing that he'd heard my conversation with Leah.

He simply nodded in understanding, and brought me closer for another hug. Knowing exactly how to calm my emotional state down. Drawing me into him, into our own bubble, where no one else existed but us, gave me comfort and security.

"Jake!" Sam suddenly called, interrupting our peaceful bubble. We both looked up and Sam motioned for Jake to go over. Jake growled.

"Go on," I laughed. "Personal space, remember?" He only growled in response and pulled me tighter to him. I turned so that I could face him. "Hey, it's OK." I said softly. "It's only going to be for a few minutes. I'm not going anywhere." He nodded and kissed me hungrily before letting me go and setting off at a jog.

"I'm not a bitch you know." A sharp voice snapped bringing me back to reality. I turned to Alannah and frowned. I had forgotten she was there.

"I never said you were?" I replied perplexed.

"Then who was it you were talking to Leah about, if not me?" She tutted. My face turned pink as realisation dawned on me. I felt mortified, and ashamed, that she'd heard.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realise that you could hear." I could feel Leah move closer to me. Ready to jump in to defend me, but it wasn't needed, I had done wrong. There was no excuse for my actions.

"Who I do and do not talk to is none of your business..."she began haughtily.

"It is when you're constantly throwing yourself at my husband!" I snapped back. My anger getting the better of me. I made an effort to quell the flames of anger rising inside of me. I didn't need Jacob worrying about me again.

"I'm not constantly throwing myself at Jacob!" she exclaimed indignantly. I chuckled slightly sardonic. "It's just...I'm finding it hard, you know?" her whole demeanour changed, as if she'd run out of steam. I could practically see her walls dropping as she let in her fear. My heart panged for her. I knew how she felt.

"Yeah, I do know." I began in a softer voice. "It must be really hard to uproot you're entire life, leaving your friends and loved ones behind for someone you barely know."

"Did you have to do that for Jacob?" she asked.

"No. I've known Jacob for years, from we were kids. We've always had a deep connection. But I did have to leave someone I loved behind in order to be with him. It was hard at first, but in the end my love for Jacob overpowered the other love I'd had, and it made me see clearly that the love I'd had before was wrong. In the end it was easy to let go."

"The vampire?" she asked innocently. I merely nodded. She paused for a few moments mulling something over before she spoke again. "I was in love with someone from my reservation. He was my entire world, I loved him with all that I'd had. I'd even had the rest of our lives mapped out. But, he too was a wolf, and when he found out that Quil had imprinted on me, he broke it off immediately. He refused to even try to work it out. That devastated me. Jacob reminds me of him, I guess that's why I keep trying to cling to him."

I was stunned into a silence. I'd had no idea what she'd been through because of this imprint. No idea that imprinting on a woman, essentially from another pack, was even possible. Fate could be cruel in unusual ways. I cast my mind back to when we first met. She would've still have been with her boyfriend then, and must've been instantly drawn to Jacob because of that. But her whole world had been torn apart by the imprint, and she'd had no one to seek comfort off because of it. I felt my heart soften towards her.

"It must've been so painful for you, " I began gently, treading lightly. "and I am so sorry you had to go through that. But, you can't keep attaching yourself to my husband because he reminds you of your former love.

This is a safe place, filled with people whom you can confide in and trust. We may not feel like family to you, but if you open up to us, build that trust, we can help you through it. Talk to Quil. He is actually a fantastic guy, and could help you through this."

"He caused all of this." she snapped getting angry again.

"No he didn't." I replied hotly. "None of them chooses this. For some reason the fates above decided that you two belong together. They see something in you, that, clearly, no-one else does!" my anger got the better of me.

"Now, I am sorry for what has happened to you, I truly am, and we will endeavour to help you get through this in anyway you can, but you have to stop blaming Quil!

"He is a kind, generous and incredibly sweet person, and you would know that if you bothered to even get to know him. You may not be in love, but you got to start treating him with the respect that he deserves. I can see how hard he's trying to get to know you, and what you're doing to him in return isn't fair. If you're going to be his imprint then start by getting to know him. Imprints don't have to be lovers, they can be best friends, and he's one of the best ones to have – they all are.

But, if you're just here to get close to Jake, because he reminds you of your former love then you better walk away. Pack means family, and I'm not having you mess with my family. If you really want this imprint, then great, welcome to the pack, make it work, and learn to get along with all of us. If not, then leave. I don't care for time wasting, and I especially don't care for anyone who is going to hurt any one of my family."

I stopped having run out of steam. I stood waiting for a response, the beach was eerily quiet. Everyone having stopped what they were doing as I practically yelled at this poor girl. I began to feel bad. She was clearly in distress and I let my anger get the better of me. I should've handled it better.

She said nothing, just merely glanced at everyone, then took off.

"Well, that told her." Leah smirked.

"I was too harsh," I said quietly, everyone began to mill about again though so my conversation was drowned out by the noise.

"No. It needed to be said. But god help anyone who does hurt one of us." She smiled. I couldn't help but smile along with her.

"She's struggling and needs my help not my judgement" I said sobering myself up.

"She out-rightly said that she blames Quil for everything bad that has happened because of the imprint. You were defending your family. Her life may have been destroyed but it's not his fault. Its no one's fault...I know that now." she finished quietly then took off at a run down the opposite end of the beach.

"Bella? " Quil called. I turned to see him running towards me. I sucked in a breath, he didn't look mad or upset, but I was going to apologise to him anyway.

"Quil, I'm sorry." I began once he was close enough.

"It's OK, Bella. I'm not here to yell at you. I'm here to say thanks." He said.

"Huh?" I asked, he smirked a little.

"I want to say thanks for caring enough to talk to my imprint, and for defending me." He explained. I blushed a little

"Sure, what are families for?" I joked. He smiled then pulled me in for a quick hug.

"I have to go and check on her." He said, and I nodded in response. "See ya later, mama wolf." He added then run off in the direction that Alannah had went.

"Mama wolf?" I repeated staring after him.

I was then unexpectedly engulfed by heat as Jacob came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me. I sank into his warmth.

"You're back." I stated needlessly. He nodded onto my shoulder as he peppered my neck with kisses. I tilted my head slightly so that he'd have better access, but not enough to bare my neck completely to him in submission. "Everything OK?" I asked, I could feel the tension in his body. He wanted to talk about something serious.

"You're amazing," he said breathlessly as he turned me so that I was facing him, "I love how much you care for the pack." He lifted a hand to gently stroke my cheek. I sighed contently.

"Of course I do. I love them all. They're my family after all." I replied, he smiled. "Do you want to take a walk?" I asked sensing his needs.

"Sure, sure." He nodded. I smiled broadly and led the way to our little piece of drift wood that we always sat on. It was still close to the party, but far enough away for us to have a private conversation.

"So, lay it on me." I said as we sat down. I tried to keep the trepidation out of my voice, but I didn't quite succeed.

Jacob smiled slightly, sensing my nerves. "Sam said the time is nearing for me to take up my birthright..."

I breathed out heavily. I had suspected as much after Quil's 'mama wolf' comment. I yearned to be supportive, but taking up his birthright meant him placing me second, and selfishly, I wasn't ready for that.

Jacob continued "he says that now that I have you fully by my side, and our bond is fully cemented. I now have the strength, power, and love that I need to be Alpha."

"I see..." I began shakily.

"I told him no." He interrupted, stunning me into silence.

"You did?" I asked. I tried to keep the hint of joy out of my voice. But I couldn't hide what I was really feeling from him. He smiled.

"Yes. Bella, I am not ready to put our relationship aside to be a leader. Most people, when they start a new relationship, spend a lot of time together, working on building trust, love, and everything else. We have been together barely a month, are married, but haven't had any time to build our relationship. "

"Jacob, we have the strongest bond we could've ever hoped for, we love, and trust each other implicitly, and will never leave the other. We are good. I don't want to stand in the way of your destiny." I said trying to be strong.

"And I won't stand in the way of yours!" he began desperately. "The pack, and my heritage will always be here, but these are some of the most important years of our lives and they won't be. I want to be selfish, I want to be normal. I want the opportunity to attend collage. I want you to attend collage. I want a honeymoon. We have never been at a more safer time in our lives. The Cullen's are moving away for a while, taking the threat of nomadic vampires with them. Sam is willing to hold down the fort for a while longer, just please, I beg you, let me be normal for a while."

"OK" I said soothingly, stroking his face. "I'll do anything you want, just as long as you're sure it's what you want. I can do with normal. It will be a nice change."

"I'm just not ready to put our relationship on the back burner right now. I came so close to losing you, and I need to feel close to you for a while. I know we're supposed to give each other space to grow, and try to be more independent, but I can't right now. I need you. I'm sorry." He'd said all of this in a rush, barely able to contain his emotions inside.

"You don't need to apologise, babe," I said gripping both sides of his face so that he'd look at me. "I understand, and I am perfectly fine with working on us first. We have plenty of time to grow together, and separately too. One step at a time." He pulled me tight and breathed in my scent. I instantly felt him relax.

"I love you so much." he sighed.

"I love you too, babe."

XXX

We held our official wedding two days later. It was much the same as the first, only my mom and her husband, Phil, were here, and a small gathering of my school friends attended also. It was perfect. Kim has came through with a hidden talent and had made a gorgeous ivory Grecian style wedding dress for me. With intricate beading on the bodice and straps, and paired with a pair of white strap sandals I felt so comfortable. My mom was my maid of honour, and Leah was my bridesmaid. Both wearing the same dress I had worn to our first wedding, in the same pink.

Alannah had surprised us all, stating emphatically that she wished to help in any way she can, she had amazing, creative craft skills, and created the most wonderful outdoor space with wild flowers, pale pink tulle bows for the chairs and a wonderful woven archway covered in daisies, tulips, bluebells, roses, ivy, and many more for Jacob and I to stand under. It was perfect. She'd also had a knack for saving huge amounts of money with coupons, and was able to create a marvellous spread of pastas, curry's, fried chicken, lasagne's everything and anything, all of our meagre budget of two hundred dollars. Including table clothes, party favours, and table decorations she was a god send.

We'd had another small talk after the intense conversation the night of the barbecue, where she agreed that her treatment of Quil was not acceptable, and not in anyway warranted, even though she was still slightly pissed with me, she could see where I was coming from and thus began to build a proper friendship between her and Quil.

I was ecstatic for them. Everything was finally falling into place, and I could not have been any happier.

Graduation came after our wedding, and being called up for my diploma as Mrs Bella Black had me feeling euphoric. It felt right, everything I needed and wanted without knowing it until my soul mate had came barrelling into my life, and changed everything in the most wonderful of ways. My life had finally gotten onto the right track, I no longer had any bloodthirsty vampires chasing me, and no Cullen's to contend with. I had a loving husband, and a family bigger than I could've ever imagined. Life was perfect.

XX

A.N. Next chapter will be the last, sort of like a five years on thing. After five long years this story will finally be completed, and I promise you won't have to wait long for the conclusion. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.