Happy New Year!
Chapter 27:
Bella stood still, not wanting to move an inch and scare him off. But she also didn't think she was able to move. She was frozen stiff, shock and astonishment flooding through her dead veins. The wolf stood opposite her, just as motionless, both staring into the others eyes.
Then the wolf let out a cross between a huff and a snort, disappearing behind a few trees. He came out in human form a few seconds later, just before Bella's eyes grew wet and glassy. Perhaps it was the reminder she was no longer the girl she was the last time they saw each other. She had changed a lot in those years. He hadn't. He looked a little older, more mature, but nothing dramatic. He still had his shaggy dark hair and deep brown eyes.
"Jake..."
Her face met his chest seconds later, his arms crushing her in a tight hug. She hugged him back, clinging on as if her vampire life depended on it. He was just as warm as she remembered, even more so now. The smell didn't bother her as much as it should have, though she realised why the Cullen's had always complained.
"I missed you."
They both said it at the same time and then laughed despite it all. Bella pulled back to look up at him, finding a small – if slightly sad – smile on his lips. "I'm sorry, Jake," she whispered.
He nodded, one hot, large hand cupping her cheek, "Me too."
"You don't have anything to be sorry for."
"I'm sorry about how I left things. I didn't think I'd ever get to see you again, to tell you that."
More tears erupted in her eyes. Seeing him again made her realise just how much of a mess she had made of everything. "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I was so stupid, so blind ..."
Jacob frowned, "What do you mean?" He glanced at her left hand on his arm, noticing she wore no ring, "What happened?" he asked.
She shook her head, "I'm not going to dump anymore of my problems on you."
"Bells, tell me."
She sighed and stepped back, her arms dropping to her sides, "I found out I was pregnant on our honeymoon. We went back to the others as soon as we could. They were staying in Alaska. I wanted to keep her, even if she might kill me in the end, but he was insistent ... He killed my baby, our baby," Bella shook her head, "For some reason, I managed to forgive him. But then after four years, I found out he – he was and had cheated on me."
Jacob looked murderous. He had every right to be. He had fought for her to choose him over Edward, and now it had all been a lie. Edward was just as flawed as anyone else, even more so. "If I ever –"
"Jake, there's no point. It's over. It has been for over a year."
"Where are you now? Alone?"
Bella shook her head, a faint smile gracing her lips. He still worried. He still cared, even after everything she had put him through. That was a true friend. "No, I stayed in Italy for about a year after. I met another vampire there, and he invited me to stay in Virginia with him and his brother. And I met a girl, probably the only other human on the planet who knows what dating a vampire is like. She's a good friend."
The two sat down on the forest floor, leaning against a tree trunk as they exchanged what had happened between then and their last meeting.
"Embry and I set up our own garage in Port Angeles. We started out in La Push but there isn't really enough trade there. I'm still fixing up cars in my spare time, selling them on now. Sam and Emily had two kids, Caleb and Jess."
"Have you imprinted?"
Jake shook his head, "No, I don't think I ever will. My great-grandfather didn't. I don't think Alphas really do imprint, unless they need to. I've dated, but, well ... nothing serious."
"What about ... How's Charlie?"
"He's doing okay. He and Sue married a couple of years ago. He and Leah seemed to get along quite well, much to everyone's surprise. I guess, she lost her dad and he lost you. They kind of need each other."
Bella smiled, despite the sadness inside her at leaving Charlie, "I'm glad he's happy." That's what she had worried about most after the Cullen's faked her death. Charlie could have never found out the truth, about vampires. She didn't know how he would have taken it and she didn't want him becoming scared of her.
"Bells, he knows. When he and Sue became engaged we all felt he had a right to know about the pack, especially as his two step-children were part of it. So, he found out about vampires too. He worked out about you, so I told him what happened – the truth. He still hopes one day you'll go back."
"He doesn't mind?"
Jacob shook his head, "No, I guess we all know where you get your weirdness from now," he replied. Bella smiled, to which Jacob smiled back at. He chuckled but asked a serious question, "What are you doing here, if you're living in Virginia?"
Bella shrugged, "I don't really know ... I just started running. I had a weird feeling ... I just needed to be alone, I think."
"You okay now?"
She nodded, "Yeah," she smiled, "You know, Mystic Falls is just like Forks. They even had a werewolf there for a while. And I found out witches are real, too."
Jacob shook his head, a smile on his face, "You really do attract the supernatural, don't you?"
They moved and led on their backs, looking up at the sky. She wanted to tell Jacob about Damon, but she really didn't know how to. If he had imprinted or met someone else, she probably would have said earlier. But she didn't want to hurt him, if he still had feelings for her.
"Bells, what is it? I know you better than anyone. Tell me."
She rolled onto her side, looking over at him, "I fell in love."
He turned his head, meeting her eyes, "I kind of guessed that. You wouldn't move from Italy to Virginia if there wasn't something about him. I just want you to be happy, Bells. And I'll kill him if he hurts you. I really will."
She nodded, picking at the grass beneath her hand and smiling slightly as she thought about Damon, "He's different. He's lived, unlike Edward. He was hurt as a human, too. He knows what it feels like. And I took my time. I didn't rush into anything."
Jacob nodded, looking a little sheepish as he spoke, "You know, I have kind of met someone. I didn't want to tell you earlier. I wasn't quite sure, didn't want to shove it in your face."
Bella rolled her eyes, "Jake, you'll always be my best friend. I want you to be happy. I'm glad you've met someone. And just so you know, if she hurts you, I'll kill her."
He chuckled and looked back up at the sky, Bella following, "I know, Bells, I know."
Damon will be back in the next chapter, promise...
Thank you so much to all those who voted for me and this story at the Burning Diamond Awards! It's such a great idea and I'm privileged to be a part of it. Congrats to everyone else who was nominated!
E. x
