A/N: I haven't had as much time lately as I would like to write, so updates are going to be a little slower . . . sorry! Hopefully, things will get back into a routine next week and I will find more time. I do have a few more chapters already written, so as soon as I do some editing, I will get them up. Thank you for taking the time to review! It always makes my day to see how many of you are reading and enjoying this story.

CHAPTER 27

Bella POV:

Dad was waiting for us and immediately folded me into his arms as soon as I walked into the house. Of course, I lost it yet again. I wondered if this river of tears would ever end. Leading me gently over to the couch, he eased me down and sat there beside me while I tried to get a hold of myself.

I knew Dad wasn't comfortable dealing with emotional females, so I sucked it up as best I could and tried to stop crying. Jake sat down in the chair near the couch after taking my suitcase up to my room and held out the box of Kleenex. I took it with a small smile and tried to mop up while he said to Dad, "She's been though a lot, Charlie. It's quite a story and I really hope you're ready for it."

"Of course I am," he told Jake then he turned to me and added, "Bells, you know you can tell me anything, right?"

Knife through the heart, Dad. Thanks. "Yes, I do, and I'm sorry that I didn't before," I sighed. "I have been lying to you for so long, and I have hated every single minute of it."

Charlie's forehead creased as he looked at me in surprise. "Lying? What are you talking about?"

I glanced over at Jacob who gave me a small nod to let me know he was there to help when I needed him then I took a deep breath and turned to Dad. "I have been lying to you about Edward and his family for two years now. Not because I wanted to, but because I had to. Everything I have to tell you is going to sound . . . completely unbelievable, but just know that it's all true. Billy and Jacob know all about it and can back me up. And you can't tell anyone."

Dad looked at me then Jake then back to me. "Alright, you have my undivided attention, Bells. Start talking."

So I did. I poured out everything about the Cullens and how they were "vegetarian vampires" and how there were some that were not. He gave me a look of disbelief then turned to Jacob who assured him it was true. Then I showed him the scar on my arm from James and explained how it came to be and how Edward had sucked the venom from it to save me.

"Oh my God, Bella. So that whole story about falling . . . you could have . . . " he started then I stopped him by saying, "But I didn't." I didn't tell him that I wanted to be changed. There would be another time for that.

I launched into how Edward left to protect me, and then how when I jumped off the cliff (which I forgot he never knew about and led to a whole other discussion of how stupid that was - duh!), Edward thought I killed myself, and I had to run to Italy to stop him from doing the same.

I then skirted over the whole Victoria and her newborn army adventure deciding maybe that was too much for right now, and went into how I became pregnant by both Edward and Jacob and how rare that was and how I already had Edward's baby, but was still pregnant with Jacob's. I had to admit to myself how ridiculous all of it sounded as I told it.

Dad was very quiet while I talked, Jacob adding things every now and then, and I wondered if he thought I should be committed or something. Then the tears stung my eyes again as I told him about Carly. "She's so beautiful, Dad. It's been killing me, not knowing how to tell you about her. I have wanted so badly for you to see her . . . " Suddenly, I remembered the pictures I snapped of her on my cell phone, and I cried out, "Wait! I have pictures," as I dug into my pocket to pull it out. "Here, look." I pulled up the first picture and held it out to him.

I could see the look of awe on Dad's face as he took the phone from me to gaze at the picture there. Moving his head slowly back and forth, I heard Dad say softly, "It's you, Bells. That's you when you were a baby."

The tears that threatened a minute ago, now ran freely down my face again as I watched my dad look at a picture of his granddaughter for the first time. "I wish I could bring her here to meet you in person, but . . . she's gone. Edward . . . took her . . . and now . . ." I couldn't finish as the lump in my throat grew so large with my tears that I could get any words out around it.

Jacob moved over to the other side of me and put his arm around me to draw me close. I leaned into him to try and pull some strength from him as Dad asked, "What do you mean 'Edward took her?' Where did they go?"

"We don't know," Jacob answered for me. He quickly filled Dad in on what happened then added, "Do you think you could track the cars for us? Maybe find out where they went? I know they have a head start on us, but . . . "

"Damn right I can. I'll run the plates right away and see what I can find," Dad told him then he looked at me. "Bella, I will find her for you. That bastard can't just run off with my grandchild like that."

"They know how to disappear. If they don't want to be found, we won't find them."

"Well, I have to try." I could see the determination in his eyes and knew I couldn't stop him now if I wanted to. Then his eyes softened for a moment as he looked at me. "Bella, this is all so . . . I don't know what to believe, but I can see how much you're hurting. I have a feeling there is more you're not telling me, but let's save that for another time, OK?"

I smiled and nodded. "Yeah, OK."

Adding his own smile, Dad said, "I love you, Bells. I'm glad you're home." I leaned forward and let my dad wrap me in his arms and hold me. I had to admit, it felt really good to be back home. Letting me go, Dad stood and moved toward the door as he asked, "Jake? Will you stay with her while I go to the station?"

"Yeah, of course, I'll be here."

"OK. I'll call you as soon as I know anything." And with that, he was gone.

I turned to Jacob and sighed. "Well, that went much better than I thought it would."

"Yeah. I noticed you didn't tell him about me. You think me being a wolf will freak him out?"

"No. I just didn't want to throw too much at him all at once."

Jacob smiled at that. "Yeah, OK," he admitted as he pulled me close to him again and I melted into his bare chest.

"You think he'll find anything?" I asked hopefully, knowing it was a stupid question.

"I don't know, Bells. I hope so, but . . . "

"I know. I know."

We sat there for awhile, just silently staring out into the dim lit room. I could hear the ticking of the mantle clock, and the hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen . . . and Jacob's steady heartbeat under my head as I rested it on his chest. Once again, Jacob was holding me together while I was trying so hard to fall apart.

I was still so tired from whatever drug Rose had put in my tea, and as the adrenaline wore off, I was having a hard time keeping my eyes open. Jacob must have sensed this as I heard him say, "Bells? I think maybe you would be more comfortable in your bed. You think you can rest there awhile?"

I nodded my head as I was just too tired to respond any other way. Jacob smiled as he stood then picked me up to carry me upstairs to my room. "I could get use to traveling like this," I muttered into his bare shoulder.

I felt him chuckle as he returned, "Anytime."

Jacob walked into my room and set me down on my feet to pull back the covers on the bed then clicked on the small bedside lamp. He then gently pushed me to sit onto the bed before he kneeled down to remove my shoes. "OK, honey, just lay back and rest."

I did as I was told and laid back onto my bed, which felt so pleasantly familiar. Jacob pulled the covers up then leaned down to plant a soft kiss on my forehead as I asked anxiously, "Are you leaving?" Suddenly I couldn't stand the thought of being alone.

"I just want to step outside for a minute and connect with the pack. I need to let them know what happened. See if they know anything, OK?"

"OK. Hurry back," I mumbled into my pillow. I felt another soft kiss brush my forehead as my eyes fluttered shut then I heard Jacob run down the stairs.

The next thing I know, I heard snoring. Snoring? I opened my eyes to see I was back in my room at Dad's, and then it all came back to me . . . why I was here. But obviously, I wasn't alone. I turned over to find Jacob laying beside me, snoring as he slept. I had to smile at him . . . he always looked so young and innocent in his sleep. I reached to gently brush his hair from his forehead, and he jumped. "Huh? What? You alright?"

"Yes. I'm sorry . . . I didn't mean to wake you."

"Oh, it's alright," he yawned. "How are you? You were sleeping by the time I got back."

"I'm OK, I guess." But I wasn't. The pain in my chest was growing and trying so hard to consume me . . . I kept shoving it away, but it was relentless. Where was my baby now? Was she missing me?

"C'mere, honey," I heard Jake say softly as he pulled me into his arms.

"Why would he do this to me? Is he that angry at me? Is this to punish me?"

Jacob sighed then answered, "I don't know. If what Paul overheard is true, maybe he is just trying to keep her safe. I know I would do anything to keep our baby safe. But, I really think he should have talked to you and told you what was going on. To drug you and leave, well . . . that's just fucking wrong."

I snuggled deeper into his body, relishing his body heat. "Thank you for staying with me, Jake. I really need you tonight."

"I need you every night, Bells. I wouldn't be anywhere else."

I smiled into his chest at his admission, then soon, both of slept again.

The next time I woke, daylight was streaming through the window. A flash of the last time that Jake spent the night flew through my mind and I looked over to find him still here . . . and still asleep. If only he had stayed that morning . . . would things be different now? Don't go there, Bella . . . if they were, you wouldn't have Carly. Then the pain returned and I squeezed my eyes closed for a moment as I tried hard to stay calm and keep the tears at bay. That's when I heard, "Hey, good morning. Did you sleep?"

I opened my eyes to smile at him. "Yes, I did. I feel a little better," I lied.

But he knew . . . just like he always knows. "Yeah, right. Sure you do." Jacob shifted so he was propped on his elbow, looking down at me. "It's OK to be upset. It's OK to be mad as hell. Whatever you want to feel, go ahead. Don't try and hide anything from me."

That's when I smiled and reached out to gently touch his cheek. "I love you, Jacob. I really do."

"Good. Bout time," he returned with a grin as he leaned down to kiss me softly on the lips, lingering for just a moment before sitting up to stretch and yawn.

I rolled my eyes at him as I threw the covers from me and announced I had to use the bathroom. "I need to call Dad, too."

"I know you probably don't feel like eating anything, but you really need to . . . for the baby," Jacob reminded me.

I stopped to look at him and say, "Oh, God . . . Jake, I'm sorry. I don't want you to think that I've forgotten about our baby."

"No, I don't think that. I was just going to offer to make you some breakfast."

"That's sweet, but I really don't think burning down the kitchen on my first day home is a good idea," I teased.

Jacob's face broke out into a smile. "She's joking . . . a good sign. Come on, I can at least manage scrambled eggs and toast," he said as he climbed out of bed to stand in front of me, dressed in only a pair of gym shorts, his muscular bare chest only inches from my fingers. Suddenly I had an urge to run my fingers over those pecs and abs . . . but told myself, this is not the time for that.

"Alright, go ahead. I'll take out the phone and dial 9-1-1 to be ready to hit send in case things get out of hand."

Jacob laughed softly as he kissed me on the lips then I heard him trot downstairs to the kitchen. I used the bathroom then went back to my room to pick up my cell phone and call Dad. The deputy on duty, Mike, told me that Sheriff Swan was on the phone and he would have him call me as soon as he was finished. I thanked him with a sigh then made my way downstairs to see what kind of mess Jake was making in my kitchen.

I walked into the room to find a mess of egg shells, bowls, forks, pans . . . and Jake at the stove, shaking his hips in time to the song playing on the radio. Smiling, I stopped and watched him, until he turned and noticed me standing there. "I know I made a mess, but I promise I'll clean it up," he told me with a grin as he stepped over to pull out the chair for me.

I gave Jacob an appreciative smile and sat down to eat my breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast and orange juice. It was actually quite good and I told him so as he sat down across from me with a plate heaped with eggs. "Thanks," he replied as he shoveled in a forkful of food.

We ate in silence as I found I was much hungrier than I thought I was. Jake was right . . . I had to remember that I still had another baby that needed me, and this one was completely dependent on me right now. I managed to eat most of my breakfast which made Jacob very happy.

"I think I'll go up and take a shower while you clean up. Is that OK?"

"Yeah, of course," Jacob returned as he picked up my plate to put into the sink.

He had his back to me as I stood up to go, so I said, "Jake?" When he turned to look at me, I went to him and put my arms around his waist. "Thank you."

Pulling me closer, he bent to whisper in my ear, "I love you, Bella."

It was music to my ears. "I love you, too . . . so much."

We stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other until I felt his lips on my neck. They were gentle kisses, meant to soothe me, but again I was reminded of the night we spent together so long ago. "Jake," I breathed as I turned my face into his and captured his lips in a kiss.

It surprised him at first then his lips moved with mine as the kiss quickly deepened into something else. My hands found their way into his hair as his pushed into my back, pressing me closer to his warm body. His tongue brushed against my lips and I parted them to allow him access to my mouth. Sighing as his tongue caressed mine, I wanted nothing more than to drown in this feeling of being with Jacob . . . to shut out everything else I was feeling . . . but the moment ended as the phone on the wall let out a shrill ring. I jumped as Jacob pulled away and grumbled, "What is it about this kitchen?" as he picked up the phone with a gruff "Hello?"

I realized it was my dad as Jacob didn't say much but just listened. Finally he said, "OK. Thanks for calling," and hung up.

"What?" I asked anxiously. "Did he find anything?"

I could see from Jacob's face it wasn't good. "They found two of the cars, the Mercedes and the Porsche, at the airport in Seattle. They were parked in the lot near the private jet terminal. He's working with the airport to find out what jets took off and what flight plan they filed."

"Carlisle and Alice," I mumbled. The four of them must be traveling together. I should have assumed they would split up. "And the others?"

Jake shook his head as he replied, "Nothing yet."

I swallowed hard and turned to rest my hands on the back of a kitchen chair, using it for support. I knew my baby was gone, and I would never see her again unless Edward wanted me to. She would never know me as her mother . . . how could I bear it?

I felt Jacob's large hand on my shoulder. "Hey, Bells. I'll stay by the phone. Why don't you go ahead and take that shower?" he suggested softly.

Giving him a nod, I pried my hands from the chair to walk slowly from the kitchen to the stairs. As I trudged laboriously up each step, I heard Jacob on the phone: "Hey, Leah, it's Jake. I'm with Bella and I'll be here all day. No, shit . . . I forgot all about school . . . because this is more important . . . yeah, Charlie found two of their cars at the airport in Seattle . . . "

I stopped and closed my eyes for a moment as I realized what day it was. School . . . Jacob was supposed to start his senior year today. I thought about marching downstairs and ordering him to go to school, but I knew Jacob well enough to know that there was no way he would leave me now. And I was ashamed to admit to myself that I needed him too much to ask him to go.

I left him to his phone call and closed myself into the bathroom. As I stood under the hot water, I shut my eyes and thought of the time I spent with Carly the last two days. Memories washed over me like the water from the showerhead: Running my hand over her fuzzy head, seeing her smile at me for the first time, holding her close and smelling her clean baby scent, giving her a bath and even feeding her a bottle . . . all of it seemed so precious to me now because it might be the last moments of time I ever spend with her.

Carlisle had promised me that she was doing very well, and so far, her rapid development had not caused her any pain or stress. But he still had no idea how long that might last . . . her body could still shut down at any time. My body slid down the back wall of the shower until I was just a sobbing heap on the tub floor. I couldn't stand to think that she might get sick and I wouldn't be there to hold her and comfort her . . . or worse yet . . . she could die without me ever seeing her again. My baby girl . . . oh Carly . . .

Time went by and from somewhere I heard a pounding noise . . . and a voice . . .

"Bella? Hey, are you OK in there?" Jacob shouted as he knocked.

I tried to pull myself from the pit of grief I had fallen into enough to answer him, but I couldn't. As it swallowed me up, I was paralyzed with an intense sadness and fear . . .

"Bella? Answer me!" The door burst open and soon I saw Jacob's face above me as he pulled back the shower curtain to find me shivering on the floor of the bathtub as the water had gone cold long ago. Quickly turning the faucet to shut off the water, Jacob crooned softly, "Oh, honey, come here," as he scooped me up into his arms and held me against his very warm bare chest. "I'll have you warmed up in no time." He then grabbed a couple of towels from the bar on the wall then made his way to my bedroom to sit on the bed, cradling me in his lap.

Jake used one towel to cover my naked body, and one to rub the water from my hair. The heat from his body was seeping into mine and soon my body stopped shaking. Once he was done with my hair, he dropped that towel on the floor and scooted so he was leaning against the headboard of the bed and just held me on his lap.

I have no idea how long we sat there. I felt like I had all those months ago when Edward left me: empty, lifeless, wondering what I had done wrong. Only this time, I knew what I had done wrong. I had fallen in love with my best friend and betrayed my fiancé. I had not been true to my feelings and now I was being punished in the worst way, by losing my baby. I guess I was too stupid and naive to think that Edward would never react in this way.

"Bella? Talk to me . . . please, honey. Let me know you're going to be alright," Jacob whispered in my ear.

I turned my head so I could look up at him. His eyes always showed me exactly what he was feeling, and now they were so full of worry and love, for me. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you."

Jake's smile tugged at my heart. "I know. Don't apologize. I can't imagine what you're going through. I know how much I love this little baby, and it's not even here yet." I looked down to where his huge hand covered my middle where our baby was growing. "If something ever happened to Junior . . . well, I don't think I could handle it as well as you are doing right now."

Placing my hand on top of his, I felt his lips brush my forehead. I suddenly realized that I was naked under the towel that was laying over me as I leaned back and felt Jake's chest on the skin of my bare back. "Um, maybe I should get dressed," I suggested, trying to sound not as embarrassed as I felt.

"Do you have to? I kind of like holding you like this," he whispered as his lips put a few very sexy kisses on my bare shoulder and his huge hand began to slide ever so slowly up my leg. I could feel how much he liked it stirring to life under my bottom, and again I reminded myself that no matter how much I wanted it, I was not ready to go there just yet. Not now.

"Mmm, hmm, I'm sure you do, but I don't think that now is the time," I told him as I slid as gracefully as I could from his lap and scooted to the edge of the bed. I stood and quickly wrapped the towel around me then asked him to leave while I got dressed.

"God, you're right. I'm sorry. I'm such an idiot," he stammered as he jumped up off of the bed and headed to the door. "I'll be downstairs." And with that, he pulled the door closed behind him and I heard him hurry down the steps.

I dressed quickly and ran the brush through my hair that was now almost completely dry. I pulled it back and secured it with an elastic band, not really caring how it looked. Sitting on the bed, I felt like curling myself into a ball and just laying here forever. I wanted so badly to give into the grief I felt and just drown in it, but . . . moving my hand to my stomach, I realized that I did not have the luxury of being selfish this time. This baby needed me . . . I needed to find the strength to keep going for this baby . . . Jacob's baby. Again, I felt torn between them, but finally, I found the strength I needed to stand and make my way downstairs where I found Jacob slouched on the couch, staring at the dark, blank TV screen.

Easing myself down onto the couch beside him, I offered him a small smile. "Good show?"

"Huh?" He looked up at the TV then at me, finally realizing what I asked. "Oh, I didn't really feel like watching anything." Then he turned and said hurriedly, "I'm sorry, Bells, for upstairs. I don't know why I said that. I know it's not the time, but my hormonal body doesn't."

"Stop it, Jake. You don't have to apologize. I love you, and believe me, I want that too, but just not right now."

"I know that. I know . . . I'm just . . . I'm sorry, OK?"

"You're forgiven." I was happy to see his smile as he leaned back again and I joined him, settling back into the couch cushions with a sigh as I said, "I just wish I knew she was alright."

"You know how Edward is obsessed with her . . . he won't let anything happen to her."

"But if the Volturi make a threat . . . if they come for her . . . and she's not here, will they come . . . for me?"

Jake's eyes grew wide as he realized he hadn't thought about that then he turned to say, "You have to know that we will protect you, right? I would never let any of them hurt you in any way."

"I know that, Jake, but how can you watch me, run patrols, and go to school, which I know you ditched today, by the way."

Jacob shot me a sheepish smile before saying, "It's more important for me to be here. Look, Bella, I am so sorry that this happened. I keep thinking if only I would have told you as soon as I found out from Paul what he heard, but I didn't want to hurt you by telling you about him meeting this vamp in the woods, especially since . . . " he stopped, obviously trying to decide if he should go on or not.

"Especially since what, Jake?" I prompted.

Sighing deeply, he finally said, "Especially since Paul told me that Edward hugged her and then, before she left, she quote 'kissed him like she wanted to fuck him.' Um, that's how Paul described it, so . . . "

"No, I get it. And . . . I believe it. They have a history."

Jake's eyes shot up in surprise. "Really?"

"Yeah. Edward told me the night before the wedding about his first sexual relationship with a vampire. I put two and two together and realized later it was Tanya. Especially after meeting her at the wedding and watching her cling to Edward as she hugged him and kissed his cheek. Then when Edward introduced us, I got a really possessive vibe from her. I recognized her perfume on his jacket the night he came back after his three day disappearance when I was pregnant, and I smelled it again just yesterday."

"Are you fucking kidding me? You knew he was seeing this chick? Didn't it piss you off?"

"Of course it pissed me off, Jake! But, come on, I cheated on him first, didn't I?"

"Oh, so that makes it OK? Damnit, Bella! You don't deserve to be treated like that!"

"But he does?" I cried as I sat up straighter to look at him.

"No, but . . . it wasn't like that with you and me."

"Wasn't it?"

"No! I love you, Bella, and you love me. What happened between us just happened . . . we didn't meet out in the woods to fuck behind his back!" Jake shot at me. Then he must have realized how course that sounded as he quickly added, "I'm sorry, Bells. Shit, I didn't mean . . . "

"Just stop, Jake! I'm so sick and tired of everyone telling me how to feel, how not to feel, where to live, what to wear, who to love . . . I can't take it anymore!"

I shoved myself from the couch to stand a few steps away from him. Anger started to replace the sadness as my mind went into overdrive, thinking about how Jacob knew something might happen, but he said nothing. And Edward . . . meeting with Tanya, was she with him now? Did she suggest him running away to be with him? He just picked up and left, leaving me here to face the Volturi alone. Although I suppose he figured that Jacob would protect me . . . God, why was I always at the mercy of someone else? Why did I always need protecting? Because of Edward . . . because of who and what he was. I was suddenly so sick and tired of always feeling like a fragile china doll who needed someone to take care of her. I couldn't stand that I let him have so much power over me all those months . . . so much so that he took MY CHILD and just left me here . . .

Fury filled my body at Edward for taking Carly away, and at the Volturi for having so much control, and at the complete mess I had made of my life! Picking up the first thing I could get my hands on, which was a clay pot with a cactus from Arizona Mom had given me to bring here to Washington with me, I threw it as hard as I could at the fireplace with a guttural scream, "DAMNIT!" The pot smashed into pieces and dirt flew everywhere.

As I stood there staring at the mess, I realized it mirrored the mess my life had become. In shock at what I had done, my chest heaving, I turned on Jacob. "Fuck this shit, Jake! I am so damn sick and tired of being a pawn in everyone else's chess game. I can't stand not being in control of my own fucking life!"

Jacob carefully approached me, slowly reaching out his hands to grasp my upper arms. "Bella, I am sorry. I should have told you what I knew as soon as I heard it, and believe me, I will NEVER make that mistake again. You have every right to be pissed at me . . . "

"Yes, I do. But it's not you I'm really pissed at, Jake. It's him. Seeing HER behind my back . . . kissing her . . . and the fucking Volturi, having so much control . . . and it's not even really that . . . " I stopped and ran my hand over my eyes and through my hair then let out a sigh. "It's me. I hate . . . me, the girl I've become. I'm so weak and so . . . fucking pathetic."

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Jake spouted. "You cut your own arm and let the blood run in front of the red head, uh, Victoria, to save Edward . . . and what about standing up to the Volturi in Italy? And you carried his baby even when there was a good chance it might kill you. You are lot stronger than you think you are."

I rolled my eyes as I huffed, "Whatever." Stepping out of his hold, I walked a few steps away to say, "It's just that I've let myself be controlled for so long . . . by Edward, Alice, the Volturi, even you, Jacob. I just want it to stop."

"Then stop it. Right here, right now. Stand up for yourself and for what you want and need, Bella."

I closed my eyes and wished with all my heart it was just that easy. I felt Jacob behind me, as the heat from his body radiated toward me. "Bella, I love you, all of you. It's not just how beautiful you are when you smile, or you twisted sense of humor and mastery of sarcasm, or how great of a cook you are, although I have to admit I really do like that a lot."

I turned around to look at him as he went on. "You are loyal and brave and stubborn as hell. When you get it in your mind to do something, no one can change it. So, now is the time to get stubborn. Dig in and fight Edward. He can't take your baby away from you. It's wrong and you know it. I don't care if the Volturi are a threat . . . they can't beat a coven of vampires AND a pack of wolves if we all work together again."

"You mean, you would help me? You and the pack . . . would fight for Carly? I thought Sam wanted her . . . "

"Doesn't matter what Sam thought in the past. I am the Alpha now, Bella. I call the shots and if I think that Carly is in danger and needs our protection, then the pack will follow. Period."

"You're not just saying that because you love me?"

Jake smiled as he reached out to touch my face. "Of course it's because I love you. Because Carly is a part of you. But she is also half human, and I have vowed to protect humans against vampires. I will protect that part of Carly."

Leaning against Jacob, I rested my head on his chest. Once again, Jacob was my savior, my champion. I would have loved to do this on my own, but I knew that if I was going up against the Volturi to fight for my daughter, I would need help. And who better to stand by my side than the man I love?

My head tilted back as I looked up at Jacob and said, "Thank you. I love you, Jacob Black, with everything that I have. And I vow that one day, I will show you just how much you really mean to me."

His smile lit up his whole face as he bent his head close to mine. "I look forward to that day." Then he kissed me with so much love and passion, I found myself hoping that day wouldn't be too far into the future.