AN: thanks for the reviews and thanks to bluebaby for beating this chapter. Sorry if I didn't send the preview to all, I just thought it was better to update sooner...

"The pain I feel now is the happiness I had before.

That's the deal."

C.S. Lewis

26. Goobye Cullen's.

I closed the door of Jacob's room behind me and answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Dear Isabella! It's so nice to speak with you again." Aro's voice whispered.

I shivered; fear and concern for the Cullen's were my only thoughts. "Is everyone okay? How is Edward?" I asked frantically.

Then I heard the door open and close again, I turned to see Jacob watching me with concern written all over his handsome face.

I heard a chuckle through the phone. "Now, now sweet Isabella. Don't you want to know how I have been? No small chit-chat with me?"

I started to get angry and was going to snarl back an insult but Jacob's warm hand on my shoulder centered me. I took a deep breath. "Aro... we both know that you're well, being a vampire makes you as healthy as a horse. Now can you please tell me what happened?"

"Since you're asking so politely... I'm the happy owner of the entire Cullen clan." Aro's smirk could be felt through the line.

I stood there in shock and then I felt myself falling, my legs couldn't keep me up. Jacob's strong arms encircled my waist and I felt him holding me tightly to his chest. "How... Why..." I managed to choke out.

"Where should I start? Hmm... they came here expecting punishment for not changing you, so they were aware that I wouldn't be lenient with them. We discussed a bit about you and your unwillingness to become a vampire. Edward was sure that given some more time he would make you change your mind but I could see through Kate, my gifted bond-seeing vampire, that the bond with you had been totally severed. Actually I'm quite curious about that..." Aro said leaving the phrase hanging between us.

I knew if I wanted to know the rest of the story I needed to answer him first. I debated a bit about how much I should tell him. "When you asked me to leave Edward... I wasn't sure if I could do it but when I met Jacob again... it all clicked into place. I knew that I had feelings for Jacob that run deeper than I imagined but I hadn't realized how much more they were until I didn't let myself love him back." I took a deep breath. "Edward behaved in a way that I didn't like when he was back from his hunt and we had a huge fight... from then on I realized that I could live without him and given a chance to remain human I could enjoy it."

"I'm impressed... I thought that I might convince you to join us eventually but you seem sure of your place in Jacob's arms. He is with you right now, isn't he?" Aro asked seriously.

"Hmm... well yes." I stammered, looking around to see if he actually was here with us.

"I can feel two heartbeats through the phone Isabella. I don't know how you managed to reveal our deal to him and keep him though." Aro said.

I bit my lip. "First tell me more about the Cullen's." I countered.

He laughed. "Are we doing tit for tat? Fine, I told them that your loss to the vampire world was huge and that you were a human knowing our secret. I promised to spare them in exchange for Edward and Alice. Obviously dear Jasper insisted on being included. So, why is he still there with you?"

I grounded my teeth. "You're an insufferable son of a bitch!" I snarled. I didn't like how he was tormenting me.

"Tsk tsk Isabella, such a language. Being with a dog brought you down a peg or two? Mind your words with me, I might be nice but I'm still the king of the vampire world and I pretend you're respectful, are we clear? Now answer my question."

I was shaking slightly and then I realized that it wasn't me but Jacob. I turned in his arms and buried my face in his chest, his scent rich and woodsy enveloped me and I felt Jake holding me more tightly and stopping simmering. "Because he loves me and he knows that I'm not with him due to your machinations but by choice. Because he trusts my heart and he really believes that I'm his mate and so do I."

"Such sweetness... I forget sometimes how you mere humans have this nuances of feelings, he is a remarkable young man your wolf. Where was I? Ah yes, Jasper wanted to stay too. I agreed nicely but the family didn't want them to stay here with us, so we argued and finally all of them decided to stay. As agreed I allowed them to keep to their diet. Now, all is settled. I believe that we won't have any further contact. I erased the memory of you from almost everyone, the Cullen's refused the offer but they promised not to speak about you where they could be heard. Have a happy life then." Aro concluded.

"Thank you and please, treat them well." I whispered, but he had already closed the phone call.

I felt Jacob taking the phone from my hand and throwing it on the chair. Then before I could react I found his mouth on mine. I responded to the kiss and put my hands around his neck. When we separated for air he said, "You aren't going to knee me, are you?"

I smiled at him, remembering fondly how I brought Paul down. Then Jacob's eyes turned serious again. "Are you well Bella? Any... regrets?"

I pushed down the tears that were threatening to fall. "I'm not happy about the Cullen's in Volterra but I know I made their staying as easy as possible. It'll have to suffice... I'm sorry that Edward will have to suffer with the weight of his loss and the guilt of having his family prisoner there. I wish... I wish I've never followed him when he tried to kill himself..."

Jacob looked at me. "Bella, we both know that it was the only way for you. I don't think you would have survived to the guilt of letting him die. But now we are here, you and me and we'll be happy."

I sighed and placed my head on his chest. "The Volturi aren't the treat then, what might that be?"

Jacob shook his head. "I have no clue; we'll have to keep our eyes wide open. Now, would you mind telling me what kind of bonding games you have in mind?"

I laughed. "I'm not telling it'll be a nice surprise for you too."

Jacob tried his puppy-dog eyes and a really cute pout. But I shook my head. "Nope... you won't convince me with anything you try."

He laughed. "Okay you stubborn woman! Keep your secrets, but don't expect me to help you out when it'll be your turn to do them."

I tried his puppy-dog eyes back at him and he sighed. "Well... I might help you after all..." I went on caressing his broad arms and I felt him shivering. "Keep this up and you're on your way for full help from me."

I smirked and took a step back. "I don't know... maybe if I do the same to Paul he'll offer to help me too."

Jacob growled and took my wrist, with a little energy on his part he managed to pull me towards him and then push me onto his bed. I found myself lying on my back with him on top. His mouth was so close to my ear. "Don't you dare ever say that again, you are mine Bells." and then he kissed my jaw; he slid down with his hot mouth on my neck. When his lips were on the crook of my neck he lightly bit down. I felt his teeth marking me and I arched my body feeling a shot of heat reaching down to my toe. "Remember Bells... mine."

I managed to whisper, "Yes... just yours." before he caught my mouth again and I lost myself in my Jacob.

Much later we emerged from our make-out session, both breathless and needing more. But Billy was home and we knew that the weekend was looming near. It was just a matter to wait a few more days.

Jacob had moved us, and now I was half lying on him. "So, have you thought abour what you're going to tell Charlie?"

I sighed. "I debated for a while and then I thought that I want to tell him the truth. I mean... part of the truth... I'll tell him that we're going on a road trip to cement our relationship and hopefully I might just get a talk about contraceptive..."

I heard Jacob whine. "Charlie is so going to hate me! I'm going to get the 'touch my daughter and die' speech."

I chuckled. "Probably... but keep your mind on the final goal... that is you're going to touch his daughter and she's going to enjoy it and... he won't be there to know and shoot you."

Jacob's hand went under my t-shirt then and I felt him caressing my back, I bit back a moan. "Is she really going to enjoy it?" said a smirking Jacob.

I moved my hand down on his chest reaching his trousers and I heard his intake of breath. I pulled my hand up again and smirked. "I'm sure he'll enjoy it as much as she will."

He laughed and held me close. "He sure will."

Unfortunately it was time for me to go back and cook dinner for Charlie. I stood up with Jacob's help. "Tonight I'll cook his favorite food and then drop the bomb... wish me luck."

Jacob pulled me to him and kissed me passionately, when he let go he whispered. "Good luck my Bells."

I nodded not able to form coherent words, if only a kiss could reduce me this way... I couldn't imagine how intense sleeping with him was going to be.

I reached my truck and drove home. After a quick shower I put myself at work with dinner. Charlie would definitely know something was going on, but hopefully he loved me and Jacob enough to trust both of us alone for two days. Also I hoped that my mission to get Allison back would be successful and bring back joy and happiness in his life.

AN2: ready for Charlie and Bella?