Stephenie Meyer owns everything Twilight.

JACOB:

"I'm not done with you yet," I growl, and Bella's eyes widen with excitement. "Let's go get some food first though. You're going to need lots of energy," I tell her and smile.

I hold her hand, and we walk back down to the ground floor. She does what she has to do before locking up, and I patiently wait outside for her. I have been back in Port Angeles for a few days and have spent most of the time outside the shop. I tried to keep away, really tried, but when I spoke to Embry last week and he told how much Billy had changed, it got me thinking. My dad had done a complete u-turn regarding Esme - they are now working together in both the Forks and La Push communities. She's even employed Sam for casual work around her home and at the shop. I couldn't believe it when Embry told me. He also said Billy had started seeing Sue Clearwater again and seemed a lot happier. Emily, unfortunately, had been put into clinic on a semi-permanent basis, until she can prove she's not a threat to Bella, Esme or myself.

After talking to Embry, I decided that I would visit Billy that weekend, and over dinner he confessed he had been to see Bella at the new shop in Port Angeles. At first I was furious, but I didn't want him to screw up and make things worse between us. When he told me that things had gone really well and they had even parted with a handshake initiated by Bella, I was even angrier - but this time it was from sheer jealousy. How can she make amends with him and not me?I knew she hadn't declared that she loved me or anything, but the fact that she was willing to speak about me, and to Billy at all, was a really good sign.

I had tried to move on emotionally from her, but no girls held any interest for me anymore. I'd been working up and down the state for the last few weeks, and I still couldn't get her out of my head. I decided that I needed to see if things were truly over for us, or if I still had a glimmer of a chance. I watched the shop for a few days, checking to see if anyone came and visited her specifically, but no one did - not even that controlling numbskull, Edward. Bella looked lonely closing the shop each night, and I admit I followed her home, as I was worried about her walking the streets of the city alone at night. I was trying to work the courage up to approach her when I saw her put the 'to rent' notice up in the window this morning. I knew it was an omen.

The plan was to hang around until she closed up, but when I saw her take the shop sign down to try to re-hang it, I found myself pulled to her. I had spent too long viewing her from a distance; I needed to see her up-close. She looked tired and yet happy. I had to fake surprise when she looked down, shocked to see me. I didn't know how she was going to react, but was staggered when she fell down into my arms and wouldn't let me go. When she told me how much she missed me and had started crying I was already as hard as steel. I quieted her down, told her it wasn't too late for us, and when she asked me if I wanted to see the room upstairs with a look of pure lust on her face, I knew everything was going to be okay.

I wine and dine her in a pizzeria, and then we head back to her new apartment. I like it, and Bella seems much more comfortable here, she seems happier in her own skin. In her bedroom I give her my very best attention, pushing her to the edge numerous times and giving her multiple orgasms. I'm not even interested in my own pleasure and satisfaction. I would be very happy just taking care of her needs, making sure she is protected and looked after - and is coming noisily several times a night. She won't let me go to sleep without giving me a mind-blowing, eye-popping blowjob first though. Just thinking about her lips around my cock is enough to make me almost shoot my load. She falls asleep cocooned in my strong arms, and I give thanks to whoever is listening that I'm back with my girl, and this time I won't be losing her again.

In the morning I feel like a new man. I wake up insanely early, eager to get the ball rolling and use my modest trust fund to get a piercing shop up and running as quickly as possible. I look over at my girlfriend's snoozing body, and as much as I would like to give her a rude awakening, I know how exhausted she is, so I leave her alone until I am just heading out the door.

"Bella. Bella, " I whisper, not wanting to leave without saying anything. A sexy smirk appears on her face, and it takes everything I have not to get back under the warm covers with her.

"Are you leaving?" she asks sleepily.

"I'll see you after work," I promise, and I give her a slow, lingering kiss that I know will keep her warm until I see her again tonight.

BELLA:

I am so happy at work today that I have to pinch myself to stop my constant, inane smiling. I wonder if Jake has any idea how happy he makes me? I am also starting to get into the swing of things at work. The customers aren't quite as friendly as the people from Forks, but when I do strike up a conversation with someone interesting, I find myself talking to them for hours. It makes me feel like I fit into the world a bit better. There is a lull in the late afternoon, but it is broken when Edward comes into the shop with his new girlfriend - and boss - Irina.

"Hi, Bella. You remember Irina?" Edward looks the healthiest I've eve seen him.

"Sure, how are you?" I beam genuinely at them both. Looking at Edward now, I struggle to see what I found so attractive in him. Thank God I dodged that bullet, I think.

"We're engaged." Irina smiles sardonically at me, raising her eyebrow in the hope, I imagine, that I will be furious.

"That's great news. You are perfect for each other," I smile sweetly back.

I ignore her, especially as she looks disappointed not to have gotten a rise out of me, but hug Edward. Edward grins back at me before looking at her like a lovesick puppy, and I have to remind myself that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

"Thanks, Bella. It's great that we're still friends. Irina wanted to talk to you about the shop maybe making our wedding favors for us, but I can see you're busy. Maybe we'll come back during the week?" Edward said.

"That would be great." I wave, and they leave, passing Esme arriving with new supplies. She nods politely to the couple. The shop's quiet period is over, and customers start to bring goods up to the counter again just before closing time.

"How's tricks?" she asks, as she heads towards me laden with goodies.

"Am I pleased to see you," I tell her as she sets the box down. I can't wait to tell her my good news. "I've thought of what to do with the large room upstairs," I say teasingly.

"Well done, I knew you'd come up with something," she replies.

"I was wondering, if it was alright to you about subletting it out to another retail company?" I say giggling.

"Great, do you have someone in mind?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.

I try to suppress a smile, but I can't help but grin wildly. "Jacob. He wants to start a piercing shop if that's okay with you."

"Bella, that's wonderful news!" She grabs my hands with hers. "Does this mean you two are back together?"

I nod enthusiastically, and we whoop with joy together, jumping up and down on the spot. We earn a few bemused looks from the local customers, but we smile back at them and they chuckle along with us.

"Where is he?" she asks, looking around.

"He's gone to sort things out with his lawyer and bank." I hug her again.

"I'm so pleased for you, Bella. You two deserve all the happiness in the world." Esme looks at me with such pride and love, I think I might get choked up.

"So, how is old Forks? How's the shop?" I say changing the subject.

"Good, thanks. Embry came in the shop yesterday and he asked after you." Esme starts to put the products she brought away.

"I miss Embry. How's he coping without Jake?" I wonder out loud.

"Really well, he's got his own receptionist now; I think her name is Rachel. She's a cousin of Jacob's. Billy suggested her. I can just tell he is going to fall in love with her," she says conspiratorially.

I grin as we conspire to help Embry get a girlfriend, and we set out the new products. I am standing precariously on a table, hanging up a banner promoting a new fresh facemask when I run out of tape. I ask Esme to get me some more, and she goes out back to get some when a new face comes into the shop.

"Hello, great place," a stranger says to me, after looking around for a while. He is quite tall with perfect blonde hair; not my type, but I'm sure Esme would appreciate him as eye candy.

"Thanks, it's not mine. I manage it for the owner." I smile back at him, still holding the banner up. You know how some people you just instantly like? This guy is one of them; he has a really healing aura about him. I watch him as he walks around the shop, attentively looking at the mini blackboards explaining our ethical cosmetic policies and sniffing various products. He is nodding and smiling to himself, deep in thought. He comes back and stands near me, looking up as I pray Esme quickly finds the tape so I can get down.

"I'd heard about it from friends and decided to come look for myself. I actually have a business proposal for her if she's available. My adopted daughter, Alice, is thinking about opening a franchise in Seattle. This would be perfect if the owner is interested?" he asks looking towards the back room.

"Thank you. Well, my boss is just out back. I'm sure she'd be open to discussing any ideas you might have." Upon hearing he has a daughter, I take a sly look at his hands - but he isn't wearing a wedding ring.

"Sure, if she's not too busy. I can wait." He smiles patiently up at me, as I keep one hand up in the air holding up the banner.

I hear, "Hey, baby", and turn around to see Jake standing below me.

"Hey," I say softly.

"You ready to go home yet?" His eyes are full of want. He lifts his arms up, and holding me by the waist, brings me down. I let the banner fall like ticker tape to the ground. He presses my lips to his, and we kiss.

The man standing next to me clears his throat, and we break apart as I blush and Jacob smiles wolfishly.

"Sorry. What's your name? I'll go and get her, " I ask politely, remembering him and sensing he is in a hurry.

"Dr. Carlisle Cullen," he replies, and my mouth drops, as I recognize his name and gasp.

"ESME!" I shout, and run to the backroom to go get her.

...

Final thoughts?

Wow, I've finished my first ever multi-chapter fanfic. Yay me!

And thanks to *you* for sticking with me on this journey :) And if you've not left a review before, now would be a perfect time...heh heh.