Hello guys, how are you? From my part, I am incredibly well, even though I am a bit sad. It's hard to say but it has to be said. Moving On is coming to its end. This has been a marvellous experience and I am going to miss all your reviews. I think this is why I was dragging this story a bit; because I honestly don't want it to end. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I love you guys and that I am going to miss you. I don't regret starting this story at all, because it was worth all the difficulties. Your encouragements have made me realize that I could one day dream about becoming a writer. Thank you all so much. I love you guys!
P.S: this is not the last chapter, don't worry. The last chapter might be the next one and it is going to be named Epilogue, so you'll know.
JPOV
"What are you thinking about?" Bella asked. She was sitting in my lap, facing me, and I had my arms around her, holding her tightly to me, and fearing- I might add- to let go. I was dead jealous even though I wouldn't admit that to her. No need to scare her off. It was my nature and having a Greek God lusting over her wasn't helping. I tried to tell myself a million times that she loved me and that she had gotten over him, but every time I saw them together, I felt my heart tightened. They seemed to have a complicity that I couldn't comprehend and I couldn't deny that I felt insecure.
What if she decided that she could have better? What if I wasn't enough anymore? No, she wouldn't ever even think about something like that. I didn't need to read her mind to know that she was in love with me; but I couldn't shake off the feeling that we could drift apart any second, and that if she was determined, I wouldn't be able to hold her in place.
I liked Edward but I couldn't keep from comparing myself to him. I hoped time would ease my pain.
"Jake?" Bella placed a hand on my cheek. Oh yeah... what was I thinking?
"About you, of course," I told her. I leaned in to kiss her but she pulled out of my grasp and got up. I stared at her, momentarily dazed but she didn't give me the chance to recover. She was already tugging on my arm, forcing me to get up.
"Come on, I have a surprise for you," She said with a mysterious smile. I couldn't resist smiling back. I got up and followed her, my hand still in hers. When we got out of the house, she tugged on my arm again.
"When did you get so slow?" She teased.
"Slow, huh? I'll race you, come on!"
I released her hand and began to run but I have barely covered a hundred metre when I stopped. I turned to face her and her face was amused. I went to her once more and she giggled. No matter how stupid I felt, I couldn't help but laugh too.
"I don't know where we're going," I said.
"It doesn't matter, let's race there," She laughed at me.
"Yeah, I know I'm stupid, now let's go." She took my hand and we began to walk. I had no idea where we were heading but I didn't care. I was going to make the most of every minute we spent together. We walked and walked, and after several minutes she stopped.
"I almost forgot," She said, fumbling in the front pocket on her jeans. "Now put this on." She put something in my hand and I looked down. A blindfold? I wondered what she was planning but I obeyed, securing the blindfold on my eyes.
"Now be careful. I hope you don't fall down because I won't be able to catch you," She snorted, "I can't even catch myself" On cue, I heard a crash and Bella muttered, "Hello ground how are you today?" I was about to take off my blindfold but she stopped me. "No, don't. I'm alright. Besides, we're almost there."
"Okay, but be careful. You'd think you were the one with the blindfold," I grumbled.
"Stop grumbling, we have arrived."
My blindfold was removed at once and my jaw dropped at the scene in front of me. On the ground lay a checked picnic blanket, a basket next to it and another two soft blankets. Several perfumed candles were scattered everywhere and I gasped when the sweet aroma filled my nose.
"Oh God, Bella," I couldn't find the words to describe what I was feeling. She had done that for me , and no one else. I briefly wondered when she had had the time to do all that, but I pushed every question aside.
I looked back at Bella and she had her hands clasped in front of her heart and her eyes were shining. I didn't know what she thought about this but it meant the world to me. I closed the distance between us and I took her small form in my arms. My senses were instantly filled with the scent I had become so used to, but would never get enough of. We stayed like that, wrapped in each other's arms for a long time before I pulled back to admire the amazing sight in front of me once more. I took her hand and lead her to the sample of paradise she had created just for us. We sat down and she showed me the contents of the basket: Chicken and potato salad, homemade 'lunchables' made with assorted crackers, sliced cheeses & sliced meats. Afterwards, cut fruits such as melons, grapes & oranges.
Then she took out a bottle of champagne.
"Where did you get that?" I asked. She leaned closer to me with a mischievous look on the face.
"You don't want to know," She whispered and then giggled.
We ate in silence although she would glance at me from time to time and I would let out a sigh of happiness. The food disappeared in a blink and Bella teased me about how much food I could eat in a minute, and I laughed freely for the first time in days. I had always had a big appetite and the werewolf in me had only increased it by ten. It seemed to be a source of amusement to her, and I knew that I would do everything to hear her angelic laugh every day of my life.
"So what do you think of my little surprise?" Bella asked, scooting closer to me. She pressed her back to me and I wrapped my arms around her, inhaling as much as I could.
"I love it," I said sincerely, and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "More than I can tell."
"I love you, Jacob. Don't ever, ever forget that," She said as she turned to face me. I leaned in and kissed her on the lips. It was supposed to be a chaste kiss but she wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me closer to her. Afterwards we just lay down and I was once again enveloped in thoughts.
Usually, being phased brought the most amazing feeling in the world, you felt free of all your worries and responsibility; but this... these emotions that I was feeling at this moment were even greater than when I was a werewolf. I was feeling so amazingly good that my heart threatened to burst. After being surrounded by people-mostly the Cullens- for a whole week, spending some time alone just the two of us felt wonderful and I savoured every minute of it.
"I love you, Bella," I told her. She smiled. She was still my Bella and would always be.
JPOV
I couldn't believe I had actually agreed to go on with this. Of course my beloved Alice had come up with the idea that there was no better way than a prank to punish someone for a previous one.
"Payback's a bitch," She'd said. And it would be a bitch indeed. We were all waiting for Bella to come back. We knew she had arranged a romantic evening for her boyfriend; it was so sweet of her that I almost backed away from what I was preparing myself to do, but we needed to get back at her for her prank, right? I had to admit it did not please me at all. I mean, a prank on Emmett or Edward was alright with me, but Bella was like a sister to me.
"She'll be here in one minute," Alice announced, making Emmett grin. They sure as hell was going to enjoy this. "Okay so this is really important," Alice said, taking my face in her hands. "Stay concentrated, and please get control of your emotions, because right now I'm feeling everything you are: fear, hesitation, shame, et etcetera, et etcetera... I don't want Bella knowing we're planning something, alright?"
"Yep," I said. "Don't worry I'll be fine. This is going to be fun."
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed me lightly on the lips. Bella arrived just in time and I straigtened myself.
"Hello, guys," She smiled. From the corner of the eye I saw Alice wink at Jacob. The latter had not been particularly thrilled with the idea, but had gone on with it. He had consoled himself with the fact that Bella would not be mad.
"Hello, Bella," I started. "How are you today?"
"I'm good and you?"
"Fine..."
"Okay enough chitchat! We've got to go!" Alice stepped forward.
"Where are we going?" Bella asked as Emmett, Edward, Rosalie and Jacob began to follow Alice outside.
"You are going nowhere. Vampires and werewolf are going shopping; Jasper rescued you," Alice said.
"Yep," I explained. "We could stay here while Alice and Rosalie drag these poor boys to shopping." Bella's reaction was as planned. She beamed.
"Thank you for rescuing me, Jasper."
I smiled back at her. "No problem."
"Okay let's leave now so we can finish earlier," Emmett said.
"Oh no, Mister, we have hours of shopping to do so leave the complaining for later..." Alice said as they walked away. I went in the kitchen and sat down on a chair.
"Do you have something to drink?" Bella asked. Silly Bella. We stocked food and drinks here because of her, and after so much time she still asked.
"In the refrigerator," I answered. She opened it and took out a bottle of orange juice, which she poured in a glass. I stopped staring and thought about what I was going to do. How was I going to start it all? Fortunately it seemed like fate was on my side because I heard a shriek ans when I looked back at Bella, her shirt was strained with juice.
"Something brushed with my shoulder," She said. Okay, maybe it wasn't fate at all.
"You must have imagined it," I told her.
"I didn't," She persisted. "Anyway, can I take one of Alice's shirts?"
"Of course," I said. Alice had so seen this coming, if I knew my wife after all these years. Bella went upstairs and I knew the time had come. Eventually, I was beginning to like the plan. There was always the anticipation before a prank and that was what I was feeling. I waited two minutes before I went upstairs. Bella had removed her shirt and was searching in Alice's closet. She lifted her head when she heard me enter and her first reflex was to cover her chest with her arms, but not before I could see how beautiful she was. No wonder Jacob loved her. No, forget that. That was the man in me speaking. Her shocked expression was soon replaced by embarrassment as her cheeks reddened.
I didn't let her speak. I stepped forward. I was about one foot from her when I lifted a hand to her face. She stepped forward immediately, and she almost fell down. I caught her but as soon as she steadied herself, she moved out of my grasp. I stepped forward again but she took a step back, and then another... and another... until she was pressed against the wall.
I put my arms around her and her emotions went wild. She was a lot more than confused. She was anxious.
"Jasper, what are you..."
"Shh..." I put a finger to her lips. "Let me speak." I took a deep breath and started. "I've been wanting to tell you for some time, but we were never alone, and the rare time we were, I couldn't find the courage to talk to you. I have developed... feelings for you, Bella. Feelings that aren't at all... brotherly."
I could almost hear the click as her mind assembled everything.
"But... Jasper, wh-what about Alice?" She asked incredulously. "I thought you love her!" Her voice had risen and I had to force myself not to wince. I lifted my hand once more and brushed her hair from her face.
"I do, of course, but what I feel towards you... it's different. I have been reigning it in for so much time but I can't resist it anymore. Whenever I see you... Bella, I don't want to be only a brother to you anymore."
I looked down as if I was ashamed but when I looked back at her, her expression had changed.
"Let's run away," Bella said. I stepped back in shock.
"Wh-what?" I stuttered. Passion hit me in full force. Passion... from Bella. She took a step forward ans I felt like our positions had been reversed. She put her hands on my chest and stood on tiptoes. What was I going to do? This wasn't in the plan! Calm down, Jasper, calm down, I though, I'm sure she isn't going to kiss you. Panic engulfed me as she leaned closer.
"I feel the same way," Bella whispered.
Oh God.
BPOV
I was searching in Alice's closet when I heard the footsteps. I looked up at Jasper and remembered I had taken off my shirt. I immediately put my arms in front of my chest. If it was possible to die from embarrassment, I would probably be dead and buried by now. I wished the earth beneath my feet could open up and swallow me. But of course that didn't happen. I expected Jasper to excuse himself and leave but instead he came to stand in front of me, and his hand reached for my face. I stepped back automatically as a wild though occurred to me. Oh God. Sure, he had seemed to be well in control since he and his family moved back here but how could I know when the urges to drink my blood became too strong for a vampire to bear? Especially Jasper?
I stumbled and I expected to fall but two strong hands steadied me. I stepped back again. I didn't want to die; I couldn't leave Jacob alone. And what about Charlie? This would break his heart. Jasper was closing the distance between us but I was suddenly confused. Why was he walking so slowly? Not that I was complaining but I knew that if he wanted, he could have killed me by now. My blood would be all over the place, and would ruin all Alice's clothes. Poor Alice.
My thoughts were cut when I felt something hard and cold behind my back. The wall. I didn't even remember walking; I thought I had stayed frozen in place. I was trapped. Jasper's hands went around my waist and I was suddenly struck by a thought. Maybe I could reason him. I didn't stood much chance but I had to try.
"Jasper, what are you..."
He pressed a finger to my lips "Shh...let me speak." I gulped but I suddenly felt relieved. He wanted to speak, and that meant he was in control of his thirst, even if I didn't understand his actions at all.
"I've been wanting to tell you for sometime," He started, "But we were never alone, and the rare times we were I couldn't find the courage to talk to you. I have developed... feelings for you, Bella. Feelings that aren't at all... brotherly.
Oh My. I wouldn't be able to say how much time I stayed frozen. Jasper... my Jasper, my brother had feelings for me. Lust Feelings. Was that why he had insisted we stayed home? Alone? Oh God, we were alone; did he think... My heart was beating so fast against my chest any second. Deep breath, Bella, breathe. Maybe he was just confused; maybe I could reason him.
"But... Jasper, wh-what about Alice?" I stuttered. I couldn't even form a proper sentence. How did I have the intention of making him see it was Alice he loved? "I thought you loved her!
With the back of his hand he brushed away some of the hair which were in my face.
"I do of course, but what I feel towards you... it's different." Yeah of course, you pervert! "I've been reigning it in for so much time but I can't resist it anymore. Whenver I see you... Bella, I don't want to be only a brother to you anymore."
Okay now, Bella, Plan A, push him away gently... My eyes caught a flash of blue just outside the window. Emmett had been wearing blue today, right? And earlier when something had brushed with my shoulder I had caught a glimpse of blue cloth disappearing through the door. Oh. It all clicked in my mind. Those mischievous vampires; and Jacob was with them! Well let's see who's the most mischievous of them all, I thought, laughing inwardly, but I kept my face passive.
"Let's run away," I told him. I saw him take a step backwards, and his eyes betrayed him. Shock was written all over him, so I had been right. It was a prank.
"Wh-what?" He stuttered. To make the most of the situation, I thought about my first kiss with Jacob, how it felt to be in his arms. How, with a simple touch, I craved more and more of him. I sent all these emotions to him. He felt it so forcefully that he stepped backwards again. I had to admit I didn't blame them for trying a prank like that. It was so funny to see his reactions. He was scared shitless, poor Jasper.
I put my hands on his chest and stood on my tiptoes. I lifted my face to his and I wondered how far I would have to go before Alice came running inside. Well, she probably already had a vision of my decision and had told the others, so I only had to wait for Jasper to back away. To disturb him even more, I thought about how much desire I felt towards Jake.
I leaned closer to him. "I feel the same way," I whispered. I was still leaning towards him and I couldn't wait for the moment when he would pull back. What if he didn't? No, he would, surely he would. I put my right hand on the side of his face and looked him right in the eye. His eyes flickered to my lips and within the next second, he was gone. He had been supporting my weight, and now I fell flat on my face.
Emmett's laugh was heard at once, followed by a loud noise, and a curse. I stood up and bean to laugh as well as Emmett, Rosalie, Alice, Edward and Jacob arrived. Never was a day boring with the Cullens around.
Alice came running towards me and lifted a hand for me to high-five. I grinned to her.
"Bella, I'm sorry but I have to go comfort my husband and persuade him I didn't see this coming. Great job, thought!" She left as soon as she finished.
"This was so freaking funny!" Rosalie said. Jasper's face was priceless! I didn't know you had it in you, Bella!"
"I told you not to underestimate her," Jacob said, scooting closer to him. "You were right, Bella They're great."
I was pleasantly surprised to hear such a confession from Jake. I was really glad he got along with the Cullens because it made things very easy.
"Thanks, Jacob," Alice exclaimed, appearing instantly. You aren't so bad yourself... for a wolf!" She ran away and Jake was behind her at once. After a few seconds they disappeared from my view but I could still hear their laughter.
"Children," Rosalie and I sighed at the same time.
{ }
The days became routine and everything went by much quicker than I would have liked. Very soon the day of the departure of the Cullens arrived and my heart began to sink, but true to his reputation, Emmett distracted me and made me laugh so much that I forgot completely that they were going to leave soon. It was not until lunch that I decided that I could make fun of Emmett a little bit more. I was sitting in their kitchen and Jacob and I were eating the lunch Esme had prepared for us. She seemed to be taking her mother's role very seriously and I was going to miss her deeply. I hadn't really grasped the fact that they were really leaving, but I knew that when realisation would dawn on me, I would break down. But this time I was stronger, and I had many friends who would always be there for me. And it wasn't as if they were leaving forever; I would eventually see them, even if it wouldn't be for a little while. I just had to hope that I had matured during the period of time they were away and that I could now endure many more heartbreak before actually breaking down as a whole.
From the corner of the eye, I saw Emmett eyeing both Jacob and I curiously and I had to admit that it made me uncomfortable.
"What is it, Emmett? Please tell me before I kill you," I exclaimed.
"How can you eat this?" He said, pointing at my plate. I sighed.
"This is a chocolate cake and it is the best thing that has ever existed," I answered.
"How does it taste?"
"Sweet," I said. "Very, very sweet. Want some?" I handed my plate to him but he shook his head in disgust.
"Ughh, no thank you."
"Oh come on, Emmett, just a bite," I insisted. Jasper stepped in. After my little prank on him, Jasper had been rather distant, and Alice had told me that an unlimited amount of time and reassurances had been necessary to persuade him that I was not interested in him. Alice even told me that Jasper said, I quote, "She can be quite scary when she wants to." I laughed out loud for days just thinking about it after that, and I had to admit it was nice to see that he was now hundred percent certain that I wasn't going to jump on him.
"Chocolate cake is the only thing that we can digest, did you know, Emmett?" Jasper said.
"Yes," Edward added. "And it tastes nice too. I ate some once but it's not really my thing." Emmett looked back and forth, from Edward to Jasper, trying to determine if his brothers were truthful. Their perfect face betrayed nothing and even though Emmett was bluffed, he eyed the cake doubtfully, frowning.
"It's the best thing I've ever tasted," Jacob said, taking another bite. "You should try."
Emmett's eyes lit up at Jacob's comment; he seemed to trust the latter more than any of us, and although I should have offended, I completely understood Emmett.
"Okay then," Emmett finally accepted. "If it's as good as you say... but Edward must take a bite first."
Edward gulped. "I told you: It's not my thing."
"Never mind, Jasper will do the honour since he has nothing against chocolate cake," I said, trying to hide a smile. The latter looked at me with a shocked expression and stalked out of them room, after shouting in my direction: "You truly are EVIL!"
"Thank you, my love!" I shouted back.
{ }
"Haven't seen you much, lately, sweety," Crystal said. Today was the 13th of February and it had been a month since the Cullens left, and surprisingly enough, I didn't feel lost or depressed without them. They promised they would visit soon and even though I missed them, I didn't have the time to feel sad. My life was very busy and I spent my spare time with my friends, who I knew would never let me down. I was happy; maybe happier than I had been in all my life, and it felt good. I was nothing if the luckiest girl on earth.
My eyes darted to the people in the room: Seth, Embry, Quil, Jared, Paul, Leah, Sam, Emily, Crystal, Angela, Charlie and Jacob. I smiled.
"This is going to change," I promised. "I'm all yours now."
Thank you all for reading, and don't forget to send me a few reviews to let me know you think of me. Once more, I love you!
To one of my favourite reviewers 'me': You are so good to me and I'm forever grateful. Here's a little song that has been illuminating my days for weeks now. Love Story by Taylor Swift. I wish you all the luck and I wish to know your name. I wonder if that's possible? Lol.