The Painful Truth
Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.
A/N-thank you for the kind reviews and for following this story!
Epilogue
Bella could only recall vague images of what happened during the newborn battle. She knew it would haunt her dreams forever. She remembered the feel of Charlie's hand holding hers tightly as the crazed newly turned vampires charged toward her. Her scent seemed to drive them crazy, just as Bella had predicted. It had been hard to stay put, watching them draw ever closer. If it wasn't for her father standing firmly by her side, Bella wasn't sure she would have managed to stay strong. She remembered the wolves, with Jacob in the lead, followed by the Cullen's, with Carlisle at the front, appearing out of nowhere and ambushing the newborns. It had been hard for Bella to watch the actual fight. They were all supernatural creatures and their movements were so fast it was hard to keep up with the naked eye. It was the noise of the battle that really shredded her nerves. She would never forget the piercing shrieks of the vampires as the pack tore them apart, or the loud howls from the wolves when one of their own were injured. Then there was the rancid smell of burning, as they were forced to ignite the flailing limbs of the newborns before they could regenerate and carry on the fight. All through the chaos, Charlie had held his daughter, his expression stern, and his eyes staring straight ahead as he watched the proceedings unfold in front of him.
Then suddenly silence….
Bella woke up with a start. She rolled onto her side, her breathing only easing when she saw Jacob's broad back beside her. She pressed her face into his hot skin, her arms enfolding him in a tight embrace. Tears of relief streamed down her face. He was here, right next to her, solid, vital and alive. He had survived. They all had. Bella prayed in her head, thanking god, the spirits, anyone who was listening, that she was able to see a new day dawn. Jacob stirred restlessly. Like his brothers he had slept like the dead, his body exhausted from hours of fighting. He rolled onto his back and twisted his head around, alarmed to see tears streaming down Bella's face.
"What is it?" He questioned, reaching out to caress her cheek with gentle fingers.
Bella placed her hand over his and pressed it into her skin. She needed to feel him, to make sure this wasn't some kind of dream. "I don't know." She whispered. "I'm just so glad it's over."
"Hey." Jacob gathered her up into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "Believe it, honey. It is over. We did it. We survived."
"I love you." Bella closed her eyes as she buried her head against his chest. The heat from his body enveloped hers and she began to calm down a little.
The Cullen's were leaving Forks today. They saw no point in staying in the area any longer. There was nothing to keep them there. The newborns had been killed; the Volturi threat had been thwarted. Carlisle had met up with their representative Jane, and informed her and the guard who had accompanied her, that Bella had lost her life during the freak battle. Jane seemed pleased at this notion. She had hated Bella on sight, irked that her powers never worked on her. She got a sick pleasure out of the fact that Edward had lost his human pet. Jane and her compatriots had left soon after witnessing the aftermath of the battle. Seeing the devastation was enough proof to them that their presence was no longer needed. She informed Carlisle she would tell Aro about Bella's demise and couldn't stop herself giving Edward a gloating smile at his loss before she finally left.
Bella envisioned Edward in her head. She winced as she recalled the defeated look on his handsome face when he saw her rush straight to Jacob when the battle was over. She had flung herself bodily into his strong arms, winding her arms and legs around him, all the while kissing him wildly. When she had surfaced for air she had locked eyes with Edward. He had been standing with his family, his golden eyes showing his despair. He had finally seen for himself how much Bella loved Jacob. It pained Bella, having to witness his hurt, but in retrospect it was what he had needed to see, to finally force him to understand that it was over between them.
Bella had shared an awkward goodbye with the Cullen's. She could feel the distance that was already between them. Carlisle and Esme were as polite and loving as ever, both embracing her and wishing her a long and happy life. Emmet had ruffled her hair playfully while booming with laughter. Jasper had remained his aloof self, only giving her a small smile of goodbye. Alice had been the most upset. She embraced Bella, lamenting that she would miss her, and that she would always think of her as a sister. Rosalie deigned to give her a small hug before telling her that she had made the right choice. Saying farewell to Edward had been the hardest. She had felt Jacob's watchful eyes on her as she hugged Edward quickly before stepping back. She had gazed up at his mournful face, apologising and telling him he would find someone else to love. He had denied that would ever happen, and he expressed his eternal love, telling her that he was only one call away if she ever needed him. Bella had to gently tell him that she would never need to call.
Then they were gone…
Feeling Jacob's lips on hers brought Bella back into the moment. Her whole body relaxed and calmness came over her as she reciprocated. She felt his fingers tangle in her hair as he gently tugged her head back and trailed his lips along the column of her throat and down the nape of her neck. The heat from his touch made her skin vibrate and Bella sighed in bliss, a small moan escaping her mouth as Jacob continued his downward assault with his lips and tongue, sending her into a melting pool of desire.
"There you are." Billy said meaningfully as he watched Jacob and Bella emerge from his room. They were holding hands and looking at each lovingly. Billy grinned, turning to nudge Charlie in the side. "Are you gonna lecture them for staying in bed for most of the day, or shall I?" He teased.
Charlie rolled his eyes. "I think they're entitled to a bit of a lie in."
"We were up early, fishing." Billy pointed out mildly.
"True, but we haven't got a reason to stay in bed." Charlie replied with a glint of humour in his eyes. He laughed when Bella's skin flushed as his full meaning sunk in. "Relax, kiddo. You're young and in love, enjoy it."
"Very funny, dad." Bella mumbled.
Jacob chuckled. He sat down and pulled her onto his lap, kissing the nape of her neck as he did so. It was so weird to hear Charlie making a joke like that, but it seemed the older man was finally relaxed enough to tease them. Jacob was glad to see it. It was nice to see the old men chilled out, and relaxed. "I don't suppose you're gonna cook any of that fish you caught." He asked.
Billy and Charlie exchanged an amused glance. "We don't need to." Billy said. "We've all been invited over to the Uley's. It seems that Sam and Emily have reconciled. I think recent events have made Sam have a change of heart and realise where his true feelings lay. Even Leah is coming. It seems they have all managed to put the old heartache to bed and move on."
"Wow, I wasn't expecting that. But I'm glad." Jacob tightened his hold on Bella. She looked as relieved as he felt.
"We can all start living again." Charlie mused.
"Hear, hear." Billy echoed him.
"Which leaves only one thing." Charlie looked at Jacob and Bella keenly. They both gazed back at him curiously. Charlie leaned forward, a grin beginning to form on his lips. "When are you going to make an honest woman of my daughter?"
The End….
A/N-thanks for reading!
