Heyyy guys. Just letting you know, this will be my last update until at least June 10th. Finals have finally come around, and this weekend will be devoted completely to studying. I just wanted to leave you with this in your mouths. I promise, the next few chapters after this one are really going to get your gears going. We're almost done, maybe another 12 chapters or so. Sooooo much is going to happen! I can't wait to get to writing this summer. Maybe I'll even knock out the sequel!

One more thing : I'm glad you guys enjoyed the last chapter. I've gotten a lot of "sweet because he's nervous" and I'm glad you all appreciated that. Also, Bella will not get pregnant in this book, or the next one. I refuse to believe that these characters are irresponsible enough to, you know, forget a condom. Also, I didn't make the scene have incredible sex. I don't believe that anyone can have incredible sex their first time, and it makes me sad when people portray it that way. Girls get damaged their first time. It's not full bliss, as you'll see in this chapter. I hope you guys will agree with my non-fairy tale way of seeing things.

Chapter 34 – The Morning After

Bella's POV

I was weaving in and out of consciousness. I really didn't want to wake up and face the day. I wanted to stay curled up, wrapped in strong, protective arms. In a nice cozy bed. The smell of the woods intoxicating me. But finally, my eyes wouldn't stay shut. They fluttered open and I let out a soft sigh at the sight before me. His eyes were shut, feather light. I could see his eyes moving behind his eyelids, indicating deep REM sleep. His lips were slightly puckered, looking like he was just waiting for me.

I smiled and moved forward a little, butterfly kissing his lips with my own. I didn't want to wake him, like I had been miserably awoken by my own sleep system. As gently as I could, I lifted his arm and slipped out from under it, feeling a sharp pain press through my thighs and abdomen. I lowered his arm back to the bed and staggered back a little, surprised I didn't bump into anything and fall over. The pain subsided as I looked on my angel, lying motionless on the bed, besides his breathing.

The smile deepened. I couldn't believe I was this lucky. To be a part of this supernatural world, so intense and secret. To be the someone to someone else's life. To be their everything and to feel such love and devotion. My heart skipped in my chest at the thought of Jake expressing his love to me. At the same time, a sharp pain sliced through me, at my core. I took in a deep breath and glanced around for a towel. I found the one I had dropped on the floor the night before. I wrapped it around my still naked form.

As quietly as I could, which was a great accomplishment, I tip toed to the door, opened it and left the room. I sneaked down the hallway and slipped into the bathroom. I giggled as I shut the door behind me. I felt like a mistress, sneaking away from my beloved's chambers. It could have something to do with the fact that I did not want to face Billy, in case he had any inkling of what had happened last night.

I went to the shower and started it, all the while feeling the uncomfortable feeling in the depth of my womb that vibrated out to my thighs. As the water warmed, I began the usual bathroom routine. I paid particular attention to brushing my teeth. I draped the towel over the towel rack and then stepped into the shower.

The relief the hot water brought on was immense and miniscule, both at the same time. It seemed to take away my worries, my concerns. But the pain intensified. I leaned against the shower for support, feeling the stinging sensation as the water ran over my aching core. I was there for what had to be ten minutes before my body adjusted and I felt comfortable moving. I pushed away from the wall a little.

The memory was quick, and sweet. Jake had stopped me from getting him off in the shower. Here. Less than twelve hours ago. Less than twelve hours ago, I had been a virgin. I smiled and stepped under the water, wetting my hair. I reached for the shampoo and as I put some in my hand, I thought of Jacob. He had hovered above me, on the bed, working his finger in and out of me. I had been anxious. Nervous, impatient. I was afraid of backing out. Not because I didn't want him to do it.

No, I had wanted him to do it with all my heart. I was giving him everything. With last night came our future. We would forever be together. This same thought had come across to me last night, as he had been pleasuring me. I was giving him forever. But what if, that same idiotic spark in the back of my head spoke, what if Jake wasn't my forever. Just like Edward wasn't my forever. What if the imprinting had gone wrong? Like everything had always gone wrong for me.

I shook my head a little, making the thoughts retreat. I was Jake's imprint. I had given him my whole being.

Jake, just do it. Please, just go, the words fluttered back into my head. Words of fear. But I had already made my decision. I had made my decision the moment I had asked him to take me, here, in the shower. I wanted it. Part of me had just been unsure.

I wasn't unsure now.

I had smiled up at him, smiled as he said Bells, tell me what to do. In that moment, everything had hurt. Losing your virginity would hurt with the smallest of men. Jake was no small man. Jake was... Wow. I smiled now, running my hands through my hair to rinse out the shampoo.

It had hurt so much, the way he stretched me. But at the same time, it felt perfect. Like he was made for me. We fit perfectly together. It's why I had smiled. The fear, the unknown, unsure. It all fell away as I looked up at him and he had such fear in his eyes. Fear for me.

Then he moved and everything I knew was pain and pleasure. One did not come without the other. Most of the time, the pleasure out ranked the pain. He was glorious, the way he moved and filled me. I shuddered a little, running the conditioner through my hair now.

We were insane together. Our hormones bounced off each other and multiplied. He drove me up a wall, and I brought him with me. There was such passion in his eyes, it carried straight through me. He had started moving faster. It had increased the pleasure. The pain became less known.

Would it always be this way between us? Like we always needed each other, like I always needed some part of him on or in me?

Everything was lost with two words. Oh, yes.

I had unleashed a primal urge inside Jake. In turn, I had released it into me. It had taken me by surprise. My mouth had opened quickly to tell him to stop, but then it was gone. What I had thought was going to hurt intensely became nothing but passion and pleasure. The pain was there, somewhere, in the back of my mind, but adrenaline made it miniscule.

Jake was a god when he was lost in himself. Because even when he was lost, something inside him knew how to please me. I knew last night was not going to be our best. But from what Renee had told me about sex for the first time, I hadn't expected to be pleased whatsoever. Jake had completely turned that around. Not only was I pleased, I had orgasmed. I hadn't thought it was possible.

I took in a deep breath to steady myself, rubbing a loofa over my skin. In that final moment of consciousness last night, everything coursed through me. All the pain that had been masked. All the glow from the pleasure. All the love, the passion, the fear, the strength... The desperation to never disappoint him or to be alone.

I held onto that desperation, and the fear, the worry. All the negative feelings. I stepped under the shower and let the water wash it all away. Nothing could hurt me anymore. Jacob was my soul mate, my imprint. I had given myself to him, and I would never regret that decision. We were made for each other. I couldn't believe I'd ever had a doubt or fear about it. I smiled, running my hands over my shoulders and chest, making sure all the soap was off me.

I leaned down and turned off the shower, standing there in the silence for a moment. I soaked in all the heat, all the warmth that reminded me of my lover. I giggled at myself and stepped out of the shower to dry off. I heard voices in the kitchen, and a clatter of dishes. I towel dried my hair and then wrapped it around me, heading to the bathroom door. I opened it as silently as possible and snuck back to Jake's room.

I found my bra and put it on before turning to Jake's closet to find something to borrow. I slipped on a shirt that looked like he would tear it if he tried it on. It fit me better than the one I had worn the night before. I scrounged around the clutter on the floor and found the pants that Emily had brought me before. Maybe Charlie would remember my clothes when he came over today?

Fully dressed, I turned to the bed. Jake was lying in the same position that I had left him in. I walked over to him and kneeled beside the bed. I gently ran my fingertips through his hair before leaning forward and placing a slightly more firm kiss on his cheek. I pulled my hand away quickly as he mumbled cutely and rolled over. I fought a giggle as his final movement was to throw his arm over his face.

I watched him fall still and then stood up, going to the door. I left the room, peeking through the crack as I shut the door. I took in a deep breath and turned my back to my Jacob and greeted the world. With that breath, I took in the delicious smell of breakfast.

"Mmm, smells like Emily's here," I said as I came around the corner, grinning. Emily turned around, smiling as always. She looked at me, then looked me up and down. Suddenly her smile became a grin. A knowing grin. She laughed aloud and I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, knowing my cheeks were beat red. I glanced at Billy and he smiled. Well, at least it didn't seem like he was clued in on the secrets of the bedroom.

"Don't be such a wolf, Bella!" Emily said, referring to my greeting as she turned back to the stove. I smiled, hoping the color in my cheeks would die soon. I took a seat at the kitchen table with Billy and turned to him.

"Heard from my dad yet?" I asked, pulling a napkin off the holder and towards me. I began to fiddle with it. It was weird, talking to Billy now. I had just slept with his son-

"Yep. He should be here pretty soon. I was hoping he could make it for our late breakfast, but you know him," he said, flipping through the newspaper. I smiled. I don't think I'd ever seen Billy read the newspaper before. The sight was amusing. I glanced at the kitchen clock and saw it was already 11:30.

Then a plate of food was being set in front of me and there was no room for my own thoughts. Emily kept both Billy and I talking nonstop. Talking or laughing. I was so appreciative. I didn't think I wanted to sit in an awkward silence.

As we were all licking our plates clean, a car pulled up out in front. I leaned back in my seat, peering out the screen door. Before I noticed who it was, I realized it was utterly overcast today. It looked like it should be raining. A car door slammed shut and I saw my dad coming up the stairs, my overnight bag slung over his shoulder.

"Hey dad," I called, getting up from the table to relieve him of my stuff. He came inside and handed the bag over, also wrapping his arm around my shoulders and hugging me.

"Hey kiddo," he said as I heaved the bag onto my shoulder.

"Geeze dad, did you get me the kitchen sink?" I asked, indicating to the bag. I turned around to start walking to the room. I saw Emily had already cleared our plates and was readying another one for Charlie.

"I didn't want you to need anything," Charlie said, and I smiled. I could hear the embarrassment in his voice. It was endearing.

"Well don't worry, I think we've got it covered," I said. "I'll be right back, I'm going to take this to the room."

"Take your time. I can't wait to dig into some of Emily's grub. All I eat at that house now is reheated cardboard," my dad said. I giggled, knowing it was probably literally cardboard.

I opened the door to Jake's room and saw him pulling a shirt on over his head. I smiled as his eyes became visible. He broke into a bright smile as I shut the door behind me. He moved forward to help relieve me of my colossal burden.

"Hey," he said, smoothly as he lowered the bag to the ground. His arms came around me and he tucked my head under his chin. His hug was more packed with love than my bag was with my clothes. I took in a breath of Jacob and just wanted to fall back with him onto the bed. After a second more of being embraced, he pulled back and looked at me. His fingertips grazed past my chin.

"I love you," he said, looking straight into my eyes. A 1000 watt smile lit my face.

"I love you too, Jake," I said. His fingertips went to my cheek and he caressed me, rubbing his thumb over my cheek continuously.

"I didn't say it last night. I don't know what happened... Everything went so fast, I'm sorry," he said, pressing his forehead up against mine. I shook my head.

"Don't apologize. It was amazing," I said, pulling away so I could kiss his nose. He smiled again, but there was worry at the corner of his mouth.

"Are you ok?" he asked. I smiled a little, knowing he wasn't talking emotionally. I moved a little and realized it didn't hurt much anymore.

"I'm fine, Jake. It hurt earlier, but it's fine now," I said, looking up at him to try and reassure him. It seemed to work. He wrapped me in another hug.

"I love you, Bells," he said as he kissed my temple. I shut my eyes and savored the feeling of his lips.

Jake's POV

All the anxiety that had been running through me had now dissipated. I smiled into her hair as I twisted a little with her in my arms. Everything was fine as long as Bella was fine. As long as she was happy. I pulled away a little and brought my hand up to tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear as I brought my lips right up against it.

"Que Quowle," I whispered, feeling my heart and soul leave me through those words and settle inside her. She was forever a part of me now. As I was forever hers. She pulled back to look up at me, some deep emotion swimming around in her eyes before she cleared her throat a little and smiled. She leaned forward and kissed me once.

"Emily and my dad are here. She made breakfast and I'm sure you're hungry," she said and I brought her forward to kiss her forehead. My dear Bella, running away from two simple words. Words she didn't even understand fully. But I would tell her in time. For now, I let her lead me out the door.

I knew Bella was still working with herself with what Edward had done to her. I knew she was having issues. For her to put those issues aside last night, and give herself to me… I felt baffled. Halfway down the hall, I stopped. She nearly fell over, as she had kept trying to walk. I pulled her back to me and wrapped my arms around her waist, keeping her up against me. I looked into her eyes.

"Are you sure you still want to see that pixie?" I asked, watching her confusion turn into stern resolve. She gave a quick nod.

"I need to see if she really is to blame… It's killing me not to know," I said. My next weak attempt-

"Can't you just call her and talk to her?" She scoffed.

"If I know Alice at all, and how you said she wants to talk to me, she won't settle for a phone call," she said. I settled. I knew she was right.

"When?" I asked. She looked back towards the living room and then seemed to give it some thought.

"Around 3? Charlie should be going to work by then, and I should be ready," she said. I took in a little breath and let it out, nodding. I would be there to protect her. I wouldn't fail.

She wiggled free of my arms and then smiled at me before making her way to the living room, leading me again. She went straight over to her dad to start talking and I stood back, taking in the surroundings. I spotted Emily out of the corner of my eye and then turned to look at her. She was smiling at me. I made my way over to her, in the kitchen still. With every step, her smile grew into a grin.

"Bella's glowing. And so are you," she said, drying a dish with a rag in her hand. I couldn't help the small butterflies kissing the inside of my stomach. I turned to look at Bella. She was laughing. Something Charlie must have said. I thought I heard cooking mentioned. I smiled. Her glow was contagious. Emily nudged me with her elbow.

"You should talk to Sam about this. I know the, um, urges, become pretty insane. Something to do with the wolf. I'm sure you have a lot of questions," she said. I turned to look at her and she offered me an understanding smile. I grinned at an inner thought.

"What?" she asked, glancing around to see if she'd done something funny.

"Oh, nothing. Just that I know what you've been up to every time you glow now," I said and quickly dodged. The towel went flying past my ear.

"Jacob Black, you're such a prick," she muttered. I laughed and picked up the towel, then tossed it back to her. She smiled. God I loved my family. I made my way over to Bella, interrupting both Charlie and my dad. I stroked my thumb over her cheek and then kissed it. I felt her blushing. I went to her ear.

"I'm going to run over to Sam's. I'll be back soon, alright?" I asked. She nodded and I pulled away. I looked up to see Charlie looking somewhat hot headed and my dad grinning at his friend. I waved and then headed out the front door.

A/N : Alright guys, I'll talk to you all soon! Remember, I love reviews! They keep my spirits high! Wooooooo!