Last time on P & C's...

"Hey old man. You stretching your legs up there? Getting used to being fit and healthy and on your own two feet again?" I say to the pile of dirt. I hope, wherever he is, he's a least able to walk.

"How's all the salmon everyone put in there? I brought you this to wash it down with," I say, rummaging through the loaded shopping bag, pulling out the last Rainer I found stashed in the back of the fridge. "And some desert," I squish the little plastic covered package of chocolate Moon Pie into the dirt next to the can of beer.

I brought a few more things: his reading glasses, his subscription copy of Sports Illustrated that came this week, a hair tie in case he loses the leather tie my sisters braided into his long hair, and his tooth brush. Dad was always a stickler for oral hygiene.

"One last supper" I say, pulling a can of warm soda and another packet of the marshmallow sandwich out of the plastic bag and tearing it open. "Cheers dad," I say, holding out the pie, saluting and cracking the can of drink as I sit my ass down in the wet mud a share a meal with my father for the last time...


Chapter 53- Graduate to the top.

"Would you change the god damn station Jacob? I can't handle any more of this shit!" yells Quil from the back seat.

It's Thursday night, and on Thursday nights they play the top country songs from the decade before of that same date. I like listening to it.

Today has been a really cool day. Senior day. I could just pretend to be a normal senior, hanging out with my friends, holding on to my girlfriends hand like I don't have a care in the world. I wasn't the guy who got dumped last summer by a chick who just got married to some other rich guy. I wasn't the guy who had almost a month of school with 'mono' –not sure if many people are buying that story. And for a few hours, I wasn't the guy whose dad has just died leaving him an orphan.

I was just me, Jake.

It's actually been a kind of warm day— for Forks— and we got to go swimming in the community pool all morning. Then after lunch we chalked up the whole school. I never knew Paul Lahote was such a good artist, so too, is Ben Malek. By the end of the day, there was a kaleidoscope of colors drawn over the front brick entrance of building one, washable graffiti and murals down the path and steps from the school to the parking lot. The girls did all sorts of rainbows and flowers and girly stuff, while us guys created a whole barnyard of animals all with disproportionately large junk between their legs. Ness and I combined our skills and did a great thunderbird flying over cliffs and the beach. T'ist'ilal.

Ness practiced her signature, over and over again: Dr. Renesmee Black; Mrs. Renesme Black; R. C Black; Jake & Ness 4 Eva. It's was cool... And flattering.

And then it got so much better when someone—I have my suspicions that it was Garrett, whose father just happens to be pig farmer—let a little piglet go in the hall of building one and it shat just outside Miss Gordon English Room. So freakn' funny.

So today has been a really cool day. I've actually been happy, not faking it; not manically higher than the real me wants to be. Just… happy.

Happy, just like listening to the music back to 2005 makes me, back when my mom was alive, and so was my dad. Life was easy and simple and my biggest problem was choosing between peanut butter and jelly, or cheese. Cheese was usually the choice. My dad still used his legs, and he'd dance with my mother on a Thursday night around the living room. It's Thursday night again, and the Rascal Flats are singing about blessing the broken road. The sound track to my year.

"Pleeeeese put something from this decade on," Ateara whines again.

"No," I say, catching Quil's eyes in the rear view mirror, "my car… my music." I give him the best 'eat shit' smirk I can.

He lets out a long moaning growl of discontent and Seth and Emb just laugh. We're over halfway into the hour long drive to Port Angeles. The latest Fast and the Furious is out, and we're on our way to see it. Anything that combines supped up cars, street racing, and 'The Rock' is alright by me.

Today has been a good day.

I turn up the volume, drowning out Ateara's pussy wining and keep on driving. It's good to get out of the house for something more than school, and to hangout with just the guys. Where we can burp and fart and pussy-talk as much as we like without worrying about the girls hearing.

We're in my car, I drove to the Res after school to pick everyone up. I stopped in at the house on my way to Quil's, I've not been living in the empty, haunted, cottage for the last two weeks. Too many memories. I've been staying with the Cullen's instead.

My sisters stayed another week after the funeral. Once the legal stuff was sorted out and they were happy I wasn't going to be homeless until I left for Massachusetts, they got the hell out of Dodge. Nessie's mom helped us sort out the legalities of ownership transfer. There is seventy-four years still left on the land lease that the house sits on and it's been arranged for it to be transferred to the three of us kids. We've decided we're going to keep it for a place for us all to stay when we come home. Rachel's even considering living in it for a little while. If she can change some of the more lingering memories.

The girls sorted out dad's clothes before they left, but his room is still set up. It's pretty much the same as it always was, only now… he's not there. I get now why Rachel and Rebecca find the house too haunting for them, there's too many memories. They have two ghosts chasing them now.

But for me, the more time I have, the more comfort I get from the memories it holds. It's my home, I love that little red cottage. But saying that, once the girls left and Ness stayed a night back at her house, it was weird—and spooky—I don't like staying in the house by myself. So I was happy to spend the last few weeks of school in Carlisle and Esme's home when they offered. She's a great cook, he's great at checkers. Dad used to love checkers. And Ness is the best and softest 'bed toy' a boy could ask for.

I have to give Rachel some credit though. She's coming back in time for my graduation. I'm trying not to focus on the face that it's Paul's too, though. She's only gone to stay with Becks for a couple of weeks and Lahote is picking her up from Seattle this very minute.

We're graduating tomorrow. Class ranks were announced yesterday and it was confirmed that I'm valedictorian. Ness is so freakn' proud of me; I know dad would be too. I have my speech done. Tony helped me write it. He and Marie flew back in a few days ago. I've never had a parent help me like that. It's was so much easier with his help.

My future self is rooting for me. And so are a lot of other people.

Casa de Cullen is pretty crowded this week. Alice is back home for the summer, Emmett is home until pre-season in July, and Nessie's parents are staying in Edwards's old room. It's prefect. I keeps me remembering all the things that are right with my life, not what is wrong.

Today is a good day— I don't have to see the entire path, I just have to take one step— My future self is rooting for me, I release expectations on what I thought my life would be like.

We drive some more, the windows are rolled down after Seth let off the biggest death breeze in Native American history. Embry, not wanting to be left out, adding to the fumigation. I miss hanging with the guys, even if they do smell like road kill. Suddenly, the radio cuts out, my phone over the speaker system stepping in.

"Shut up! Shut up, would ya!" I say to the fuck-wits in the back seat dick slapping each other with an empty water bottle and a dance shoe of Nessie's that must have fallen out of her bag. I answer with a press of a button on the dash console. Shit, I love this sound system she bought me. "Hello?"

"Hey baby, you almost there?"

It's Ness, "Yeah, another five or ten."

"Good. Hey… I was just wondering, what do you like best, black or royal blue?" she spills out in a quick breath.

"Um?" what the hell is she talking about?

I must be on speaker phone too, because Alice pipes in then, "she's got it in her head to wear that same black lace get up she had on in your calendar under her graduation gown tomorrow, but her mom bought her this cute little blue bustier and I think it's much more scholarly. So it's up to you black lace or blue sateen?"

Oh, fuck my balls, that sounds amazing, but all I can think about is that I'm in so much shit for being on speaker. Ness has promised me an extraordinary celebration gift in the form of graduation-hat sex with those stay up stockings she has on in the July page. Unfortunately,all this is crystal clear on the tweeters on the dash and from the pair of 6 x 9's on doors in my little red rabbit hurtling down the Pacific Highway with three straight, one gay, horny Indian teenage boys inside.

"Black!" calls Quil form the back seat, laughing like a fucking idiot. Embry sniggering too. They're both so dead.

There is silence on the end of the line for a good ten seconds as all three turds in the car with me make kissy noises and fake sex sounds.

"Am I on speaker phone?" Ness asks, though I can tell from her tone that she already knows the answer. And I can tell from her tone too, that even though I agree with Quil and would have liked to see her in the black number too, I'm never gunna see it now.

"Maybe?" I am so fucking dead.

"Please take me off speaker phone Jacob." So dead.

I lift my phone, pressing the handset button and slowly hold the phone to my ear. Behind me, Quil is calling out asking, "Hey? What this about a Calendar?" I ignore him.

"At least they didn't know about the calendar," Ness says in a defeated tone. This time it's only me hearing what she's saying. "You did good keeping it from them for this long babe." There's no real irritation in her voice. I love how easy going she is. I really could spend the rest of my life with this amazing girl by my side. "But please, don't tell them about the photos in the calendar. I mean, you can tell them a little, tiny bit, but absolutely no detailed descriptions and if you value your balls, never ever show them. Okay?"

"Yes," I say in a mollifying tone. "I'm not gunna show them the photos." As if. No one get to see my Nessie's assets but me.

"Oh now I have to see it," laughs Embry from the back, shaking my seat as I drive one handed. I look at him over my shoulder, mouthing for him to 'shut the fuck up!'

"I was never gunna even tell them about it," I say into the phone. Nodding now to Quil, who is groaning in disappointment, 'Yes, I'll tell you about it,' I silently mouth again. I have to throw that horn dog a bone or he's gunna ransack my room. And he'd find it too, it's only just hanging behind my bedroom door. God they're good photos though.

"I suppose Quil's never going to shut up about it if you don't tell him something, just remember to keep it more or less PG-13." Such a cool chick.

"Okay babe, I promise you, with the structural integrity of my precious nads, that Quil will never lay eyes on it."

"Good," she says, ending the conversation. She takes a steadying breath, the speaker of the phone crackling on the out breath. "So, you'd prefer the black over the blue?"

I smile at her abrupt turn back to the point of the phone call. "Once you go Black, you never go back," I say, I can feel my teeth clicking in the back of my mouth. I know she loves it when I do that. I'm doing my best though to keep the sexiness disguised from the three ass wipes listening to every word I say.

"I'd have to agree with you there Mr. Black, I'd have to agree."

I turn off the highway, into the mall parking lot where the theater is. "Hey Ness, We're almost there. I'd better let you go."

"Yeah sure, I've got to get Ali off my case about tomorrow's outfit."

"I'm sure you'll look beautiful in whatever you wear."

"I'm going more for the 'sexy senior' look. But I'll take beautiful too."

"That's because you are beautiful. My beautiful girl." I can feel the goofy smile on my face. I don't care, she is beautiful and it's my job to tell her.

Seth's hand reaches out and presses the hands-free button on the center dash, putting us back on speaker. "Okay Ness," he says to her, effectively cutting off the fledgling flirt we had developing. "We all know you're beautiful. There is no doubt that Jake thinks you're beautiful. But your stud man here has to find a parking spot or we're gunna be late and get shitty seats. So say goodbye, and you can welcome him home with your sexy black and blue whatever's in a few hours."

"Right, I can take a hint," she giggles. "Hi guys, bye guys. Bye sweetie."

"Bye Ness," they all sing out. Kissy falsetto voices, Embry reaching over my shoulder to give me a nipple cripple.

"Fucker, I'm driving!" I say grabbing his fingers and twisting them back unnaturally. "Bye Ness," I say, drowned out by Call's pussy crying. I press the hang up button and all hell breaks loose as I pull into a lot closest to the theaters.

"Please… Pleeeeease tell me she made you a sexy calendar," Quil beg-asks, his hands in prayer position as he leans to the front.

I look at him, turning into a space and killing the engine. Ness said it was okay so long as it's PG-13. "She made me a sexy calendar."

"Why… why the fuck didn't you tell me about it?" He turns looking at Embry, who's smiling at me in the rear view mirror holding his bruised fingers. "You better have not known about this already."

Embry hold up his hands in defense, "hey, this is the first I've heard of it. Raven's not said a god damn word. What I want to know is… why don't I have one?"

We all pile out of the car, walking four abreast up the street.

"Ness said she chickened out."

"Raven chickened out? What the hell is she so doing in these photos Jake?"

"Well, August is my favorite, but in the January page…"


.

It's after ten when I get back to the Cullen's house. Emmett, both the doctors, and Marie are watching a movie in the TV room. "Hey Jake, how was it?" Marie asks as I step through the foyer.

"Yeah, it was pretty good. The first one is still my favorite."

"Oh yeah, Vin Diesel all the way," says Emmett as he stuffs his face with popcorn.

"I was thinking more along the lines of Michelle Rodriguez, but…" I shrug, my lips scrunching up as I hide my cheeky smile and shrug with false sympathy. "All walks of life Em, whatever tickles you're fancy."

"Get out of here," he laughs, throwing a cushion in my direction.

"And you call yourself a football player," I quip as the cushion misses me by a good foot.

"Whatever!" he calls out as I head into the kitchen to grab a drink and to find Ness.

I hope she's gunna show me some of that sexy lingerie she called about.

.

Esme is sitting at the counter, typing on her laptop, "how was your movie?"

I get out the big gallon jug of milk to pour myself a glass, stealing a cold chicken leg from tonight's leftovers while I'm at it. I'm shocked there even is leftovers with Emmett in the house. My mouth is full of food as I answer back, "good."

"Did you fill up on junk food?" she asks, looking up from the screen, "have some fruit." She points to the big bowl of fruit that is always sitting on the counter of Esme's kitchen. Apples and oranges, bananas and an uncut pineapple tonight. "There's some cherries in the fridge too."

I down the glass of milk and put the jug back in the fridge, grabbing a small handful of cherries.

I might just hand feed them to Ness if she's still up.

"Thanks Mrs. C."

"No worries darling," her hands reaching up as an indicator that I have to stoop down. I do, and she pulls me in for a motherly goodnight kiss on the cheek. She's been doing that for the past three weeks. It's soothing. I haven't had a motherly goodnight kiss for nine years. I miss it.

I miss him.

"Night," I whisper, giving her a quick little hug, a half-eaten chicken leg in one hand, and a handful of cherries in the other.

"Night sweetheart."

I'm walking down the hall, towards Nessie's– our—room when Esme calls out, "don't' forget to brush your teeth."

"I won't," I reply, my mouth full of chicken again.

She nags me like a mother. I pretend to hate it, but really I like it. She can nag all she likes. And I will brush my teeth. Even dad used to nag about that.


I push open the door with my shoulder and I am— as always— hit by the magic exotic sent of Ness in the room. It's lit only by candle light, warm and dim, and relaxing. Maybe a little bit sexy too. She's sitting on top of the bedspread in her pajamas. They're nothing more than long grey cotton jersey pants and a baggy black tee shirt. Her hair is wrapped up in a towel like a turban and she's got a mud mask plastered across her face. No sexy lingerie, but she's still beautiful to me.

"Hey," she says looking up from her tablet, pictures of beaches on the screen. We're thinking we might go on a road trip this summer, down the coast to California for a few weeks, maybe into Mexico, too. "I didn't hear you come in." She stands, her little pintsized height endearing as she walks around the bed to me. "How bad were the guys after I hung up?"

"Not too bad actually. They were mollified after I gave then just enough information."

"PG-13?"

"Barely even PG," I reassure, leaning down and kissing her lips. She smiles at me, white caked on mud mask breaking into tiny pieces down the front of her black shirt.

"Oh shit! I always forget about these things," she says, scurrying over to the bathroom sink to wash off the forgotten mask.

She's warming up the water, running a wash cloth under the stream. She looks back at me, holding my gaze as the tap is abruptly switched off and the wash rag is rung out.

"I got you a late night snack," I say holding up the handful of fruit as I toss the now fleshless chicken bone in the trash.

"Ooh, yummy. Thank you, babe," she says, lifting her chin towards my reflection. I see a look in her eye as our eyes meet in the mirror; dark brown, almost black, uniting with sunburst melted hazelnut. That look; it's love, it's unadulterated, all consuming, comfortable and still spine-tingling love. It's reflected right back at me.

I kick my shoes off, my shirt following and I toss it in the basket in the corner. Ness is bent over the sink, washing the mud off her face, her round tight ass is womanly and inviting. As she straightens, I hand her a towel and come to stand behind her. We watch each other in the mirror as she dries her face. Her skin is like porcelain, pure and smooth. I'm a full foot taller than her, and standing behind her like this, the tip of her towel turban reaches just above my chin.

My hands reach up, untwisting the towel wrapped over her head, her long hair falling in a thick roll, heavy with a protein treatment or something. "You want me to help you wash this out?" I ask, lifting her hair up and draping it over one shoulder. My head leans forward, lips brushing over the edge of where her oversize shirt has fallen off a shoulder. She's got a beautiful neck.

She nods, leaning her tiny frame against me.

I still have the small handful of cherries in my hand and I twist one around, holding it out by its stem for her to take with her mouth. She does. Her pink, pouty lips opening and then closing around a deep juicy globe, a small smile on her lips as she begins to chew. I do the same, holding up a cherry and dropping it in my mouth.

We do this a few more times, her mouth taking the fruit right from my fingers, both of us rolling the juicy flesh with our tongues, all the while her back is pressed hard to my chest. I reach an arm out for the little bin on the corner of the counter, and I hold it out for her to spit out the pits. I copy a moment later.

Then, still staring into each other's eyes in the mirror, I reach a long arm out to the shower, turning on the hot tap and waiting for it to heat up.

"You gunna show me this graduation outfit?" I mumble against the shell of her ear, her eyes closing as she enjoys the sensation.

"That's for tomorrow," she whispers, her hands bunching up on her oversized t-shirt, lifting it up and over her head. It falls to the floor. So does her grey sleep pants, leaving in their wake a beautiful woman in a royal blue sateen bustier. It's strapless and formfitting, pressing her boobs, pushing them up like two squishy marshmallows. I love marshmallow. Her waist is tight and her hips are gently flowing out, a sexy sateen panty to finish off the look. It's extraordinary.

"I'm going with the black tomorrow," she smirks at me in the mirror, the unsaid invitation of come hither in her eyes.

I love my life.

Without any further words, I spin her around, pulling her little body to mine and crashing my lips down on to hers. I've been sporting a raging boner since I found out she had sexy lingerie somewhere in this room and that there was a chance I was gunna get to see it tonight. It's consumed my mind and The Big Chief, for the past three hours.

My hands are all over her body, the silkiness of the material sooth and gliding effortlessly. It's sensual, but it's not as good as her skin. My hands slide between the material covering her ass and the milky white flesh underneath and slide the panty down over her backside.

"God you've got a perfect ass," I say, kissing along an expanse of exposed skin, leapfrogging over her shoulder and to the top of her breasts where they're pushed up and just asking to be eaten. I devour, chewing and licking over the half-moons that are escaping the lingerie while my hands knead and soften her ass.

My fingers come up, undoing the first of many hooks in the back of the corset like thing. It's so fucking hot, but there are so many fucking hooks. Inch by inch the curve-clinging costume comes away, until, with one last catch, it falls down, exposing her beautiful breast and all of my Ness in all her Nessie perfection.

"God I love you," I say, my lips back on to hers, she tastes like cherries, sweet and tart and juicy. My hands are everywhere as hers undo the four buttons of my Levis. Little fingers tug on the waist band, sneaking between my boxers and my ass, giving a good tight squeeze as she tries to push down with her knuckles.

I help her, pulling down my pants and shucking them off, all the while our lips never parting. Then my hands wrap around her waist, picking the little body up as her legs wrap around me. From the back, I reach around, feeling her wetness, my dick comfortably close as it lines up and enters her in one smooth, long, flowing motion.

God it's good to be home.

I step back a single step, shutting the bathroom door behind us as we move together. I press her body against the back of the door as I start to slam into her. Again and again we pick up speed until I'm riding her hard and fast. She breaks off our continual kiss, panting as her head softly bangs against the door with each thrust. Her nails dig into my skin in such a delicious way as she holds on for the ride.

We are both so in tune, both of us have been waiting all evening for the other, both building exceptionally fast, both starting to lose our minds together. Her feet are atop of the marble counter of the vanity of the small bathroom, the one I broke my hand on almost a year ago. What a difference a year can make.

Her strong and flexible toes are holding on to the counter as her knees open wide and I stand between them. I hold her around the waist, pulling her body into me with each movement, bringing us both closer to that point of release.

"Jake!" she calls, "Jake," a throaty gluteal plea of want.

"Oh Ness." Our lips crash together once again, lips and tongues and teeth all mingled and hitting together in a hot wet mess of loving excellence.

We continue on— fucking while standing upright— the steam of the still vacant shower fills the space, warming us further and creating a wet sheen to both our skins— russet and warm cream.

She's so light and still so strong as she holds herself up. My body feels the power surging between us as we move. Ying and yang in perfect harmony.

She continues to make some more incomprehensible sounds as her wet and tight walls start to ripple her orgasm, her final climax is a cut off cry as she loses all sense of time and space. Two more thrusts and I pause on the out stroke, moving back inside her with one mighty plunge. I push in deep, my love spilling all the way inside.

Together we move a few more concluding thrusts until we're both done. Spent. Fulfilled and reunited.

I maneuver her so she can stand on her own two jellied legs, she just makes it on tip toe. Huffing and panting from the exertion, she leans her head on my bare chest, pressing sweet kisses above my heart.

"Oh my god," she pants. "I love you so much Jacob. I missed you tonight."

I look down at her, her eyes are closed and her lashes fanning over her cheeks as she bumps her head back against the door in an absent and quiet reverence of what we have just shared. Her mouth is slightly open as she attempts to catch her breath and her chest is heaving as I watch her heavy, full breasts moving with each breath while her ribs contract and her flat stomach sucking in. Her nipples are a rosy pink, hard and budded, and inviting me to suck. So I do, slipping out of her and bending at the knees to take a little cherry bud between my lips.

"Oh my god," she shudders, her arms wrapping around my head and pulling me closer. I suck harder, flicking a nipple with my tongue then with a popping release liberate it, a smile on my lips and on hers too.

"Love your boobies," I say, standing straighter.

"Love your lips on my boobies," she chuckles back. Her smile illuminating her already radiant face.

Cupping my hand around her neck, my thumb lightly glides over her swollen and reddened lips. Then, she closes her eyes as my finger lovingly brushes over a cheek that's slightly pink, colored by a combination of the exertion of holding on, the steam of the hot water, and the flush of a woman well pleasured. I love her skin. I love her. Period.

She takes a deep, rapid breath and her eyes open to mine; hazelnut meeting with dark bitter-sweet chocolate. I kiss her quickly but meaningfully, "I love you," I whisper against her temple, kissing her lightly again.

She holds me close, pulling our hearts closer together as she says, "I love you, too."

Today has been more than good, it's been extraordinary.



"Best speech ever," Alice sings out as she skips up to a group of us out the front of the school gym. We're a small school, and no one cares how many come to graduation. Between me and Ness we have ten.

"Who knew you were so funny Jake!" Seth says punching me in the shoulder.

It's wasn't that funny of a speech. Tony helped me do it. I suppose I did get a few laughs between the serious stuff though. I'm exceptionally grateful that I had that speech written out on cards though. I can't concentrate on anything this afternoon.

We had the ceremony rehearsal this morning at school, and then we were allowed to go home to get changed. And oh shit, did we get changed. Me in the bedroom, Ness locking me out of the bathroom as she put on the hidden sexy lace. She was laughing like a banshee as she just let me have little glimpse of what she put on. Knowing full well the effect it was going to have on me.

Eventually she gave me a quick two second flash of that vada-voom push up black bra that takes her C's to crazy double D's. She's got it teamed up with a garter belt around her tiny waist and long thin straps over her thighs attaching to these eye-rolling-to-the-back-of–the-head-sexy, thigh high, lace top stockings.

And then she covered it all up under that Jackie-O style plain black dress.

Don't' get me wrong, the dress is fitted and hugs her curves, and she's look really classy in it, but what's underneath it is straight from a fucking wet dream. It runs circles around the dress. So, needless to say, ever since I got a glimpse of what Ness has on under that dress, underneath that graduation gown, The Chief has taken control. He's driving this ship right now.

Ness is over talking to some of the girls. She looks so proper, covered up in that long black robe, black stockings and black heels peeking out from underneath. I know that she is anything but proper underneath it all.

Fuck me, I want inside her bad. And judging by the little smirks she keeps giving me, she knows it too.

"Are you sure it's no bother Esme?" Aunty Sue says as all the adults gather around. Everyone is coming over for a BBQ at the Cullen's.

"Of course not Sue, the more the merrier. Jacob's family is our family. And now with you and Charlie, you basically are family." Marie is nodding along with Mrs. C.; Mrs. Ateara, and Mrs. Call are standing there also, they're coming too.

"We might get going and start getting the food ready," says Nessie's mom.

So much for any ideas I had of getting Ness naked the second we get home. No, I'm going to have to suffer being cock blocked by Seth, and Embry, and Quil, and Paul, AND Emmett.

Marie calls out to her husband who is over chatting with Charlie and Mr. Lahote. "Come on fellas, let's leave these kids to themselves for a little while. There's some Prosecco on ice and I can hear the Bellini's calling."

So with a swirl of kisses and hugs and congratulatory handshakes, the adults all leave and the gang of us graduating seniors—and a few welcome hanger-on-ers— are left in the parking lot of our High School. For the last time.

I feel Nessie's arm wind around my waist, and my arm falls on her shoulders automatically.

We're all just milling outside the parking lot, yesterday's chalk drawings a little smudged from all the foot traffic. It's midafternoon, the sun is just hitting the top of the tree line. I look at Ness as she gazes up to the trees an exhilarated smile splitting her lips as her teeth are revealed. The sun is shining down on us, unobscured by the Sitka spruce above us and it's pleasant. She closes her eyes, and I can see her appreciating the warmth of the rays. Enjoying every moment for all it's worth. It's beautiful.

She's beautiful.

I think dad gave me that sunshine just then.

Some of the guys are talking about going for a quick soda at the diner before we go to Ness's house. Ness comes up onto tip toes, whispering into my ear. "You want to skip the diner and have one last detour on our way home from school?"

"I thought you'd never ask," I grin, taking her by the hand and calling to everyone that we'll meet them at home.

We drive off to a cacophony of catcalls and lurid gestures. Fuckers are just jealous.


It's much later that we'd realized when we get back to the house. Carlisle is finishing up with the grill, taking off his fake, sexy, six-pack apron off. Oh god, I think I'm scarred for life from that visual. Until I see Tony's with a sexy woman in a bikini on his. Seeing you're future father-in-law in that kind of shit will fuck a guy up.

"About time you two showed up," my sister says, giving me a hip bump and a noogie as we walk through the kitchen to the patio. I just hook an arm around her neck, the other hand still holding tight to Ness as we approach the serving table on the large back deck beside the Cullen's pool.

Everyone starts to grab a plate and load up with salad and meat. We kids find spaces around the edge of pool and eat on our laps as Alice turns up the music. Ness brings me over a cold Dr. Pepper, and we hold up our cans, toasting to the end of a chapter with a soft clink of aluminum.

It's a really light hearted night, kids jumping and cannon balling into the green-blue water. The olds are getting blotto on champagne and Alice and my sister are as high as kites on Ali's new crop. Ness has been trying to coax me into the pool all night, but I'm not interested.

It's hard to feel happy and sad all at the same time.

She's sat with me for most of the night, but after enough bugging from Seth, Ness finally caves, and get into her suit which, thankfully, is a simple green one piece. Without preamble, she takes a running jump into the water, splashing her parents from where they're sitting at the table.

A game of chicken fight starts up a little while later, Paul and Rach versus Emmett and Ness. My sister has no chance.

I get up, back to the kitchen fridge to go to grab myself another drink. It's a big sterling silver fridge, always stocked with so much good food. There's a special designated extra beverage shelf even, and I open the drawer to grab another soda. Only there's none left. Only a few diet ones and a few more beers.

They're Rainer's, my dad's favorite.

I take the long tall can, reminiscing at the feel of its smooth, cool sides under my fingers. I can't remember how many times I've gotten a beer out of the fridge for my dad. I'll never get the chance again.

I wish he was here today. I'm surrounded by so many people, so much love and friendship, but I just want my dad… just for one more day.

I'd wish he could have heard my valedictorian speech. I wish he could have seen me graduate high school. I wish he wasn't gone.

But he is.

Standing in the chill of the refrigerator air, the cool white light glaring in my face, I circle my fingers over the top of the can. Around and around, until, out of habit, a finger tucks under the pull-tab and it cracks with a hissing pop of expanding gas. The rich caramel malt smell hits me like punch in the gut. I'm taken immediately to the TV room at home; I'm fourteen, the Seahawks are playing the Green Bay Packers. That was the day dad let me have my own beer for the first time. I was so proud. I felt like a man. It was like I was sharing something sacred with him. That was a special day. I also remember that I spewed it all up a half hour later.

I don't really want to drink the beer, but I really don't want to put it back.

I shut the fridge door and head back down the hallway, past the stair that leads up the main bedroom wing, past the hall that leads to Nessie's room, through the TV room and out the front door.


The can is almost empty by the time Ness finds me. I've kept it down this time.

I'm sitting out on the front porch swing, staring at the myriad of old and new cars parked in the Cullen's front lawn. The mix of have and have-not's all coming together as one.

"I wondered where you went," she says, coming to sit by me, her warm thigh pressing against mine. She's got a towel wrapped around her, her feet are bare and her hair is dripping down her back. She's beautiful. She takes the beer can from my hand, lifting it to her lips and downing what's left.

"I miss him Ness," I say, my voice broken and forced. I've tried so hard today, so hard to keep my shit together, so hard to be happy, appreciate what I still have and not what I've lost…but the god damn beer was too much.

"Oh Jacob," she croons her arms circling around me as my head falls to the side and I cry against her shoulder. They're great big heaving sobs. Finally, I let myself release from the last few weeks, it all comes crashing down. I let myself feel sorry for myself.

Somehow, I sink down on her, seemingly shrinking in size until she's holding me, lifting me and helping me remain whole. We sit out on the front veranda of Casa Del Cullen for at least an hour. It's a clear night and the stars are out and moon is shining, casting an ethereal glow over her features.

We're pressed together, every inch of skin that can touch is touching. I'm sitting diagonally on the old wicker chair, one foot on the ground the other under me as hers drape over my thighs. We talk, and we talk, my best friend and me taking until it all doesn't seem so dire once more. As always, she's given me just what I needed… an ear. And an 'OK' to let it all out.

"You want to go back?" she asks, pushing back off my chest, her eyes flicking to the front door and the celebration going on out back. I can hear the soft thud of the music, splashes and squeals from the pool. My friends and family all together for the last time in a while.

I sigh, nodding as I stand, both hands gripping hers gently as I pull her up. "May as well rip the Band-Aid off," I say, fixing my hair that fallen out everywhere. It's a lot longer now and it goes back in a ponytail with only a bit at the sides falling out. I'm gunna keep it long like Dad from now on. "But I have something to give you first," I say reaching into the tiny front pocket of the cargo shorts I've got on. I pull it out, holding up the little gold ruby ring.

"Whaaat?" she gasps, a taken aback look on her face.

Oh shit, she thinks it's an engagement ring. As if, we've just finished high school. Who does she think I am, Bella?

"It's a class ring," I explain. "I wanted you to have one. So you know that you're loved and respected here, not like in Marymount. It's a ruby for your birth stone."

"Oh Jake," she says reaching out for it, "that so sweet baby, thank you."

"I got the dance team emblem on this side, and I know it's a little self-involved, but Spartans mascot one on the other," I explain, our heads pressed together as we look at the pretty little ring. Turning it around and showing her the engraved 'J & N' on the inside. "You and me, at high school."

"It's perfect," her eyes are a little glassy, not sad, just full of emotion. "Thank you," she smiles sliding it on her a finger.

"And it fits," I say more to myself than her. "You have the smallest fingers Ness. They actually called me to check I had the right size on the order. Apparently a four is like a kid's size."

She shrugs, smiling and sniffing just the tiniest hint, "at least shoes and clothes are cheaper in children's wear."

"Makes up for my giant clothes."

"Yes it does," she hums.

We're no longer talking about clothing.

My fingers lightly hold her chin, pointing it up until her lips are almost touching mine. "Love you, pretty girl."

She leans the rest of the way in, her lips meet mine in soft gentle loving and affirming kiss. "Love you, too."

We smile at each other for a while; sparkling eyes, and happy hearts. Our hands are linked in an easy embrace. Today wasn't as good as yesterday but it was still pretty good. This is real life.

My life will always be good because I have Ness by my side.

"Are my eyes red?" I ask, breaking us out of our silent exchange. We have to go back, I want to go back to the party. Even so, I don't want all the fuckers to know I've been crying. That's just between Ness and me.

She looks up at me, her hands either side of my face. "Only a little bit. And if any of them say anything, first, I'll kick their ass. And second, we'll just pretend we're stoned."

She smiles, flicking me in the nose and jumping up for a quick kiss before I can bend down to her height. She taking the seriousness and sorrow out of what we've just shared. She's giving me my nads back.

Arm in arm we walk through the house back out to the deck. I'm still in shorts and a t-shirt, Ness has a towel wrapped around her. As we step outside, I pick her up and toss her over my shoulder caveman style. It might me be little manic, but the spontaneity and the lightheartedness I suddenly feel is freeing and very welcome. Then, with all the macho strength I can find, I take a running jump into the deep end of the Cullen family pool. All the while Ness squealing and giggling with joy as we dive, feet first into the water.

I don't have to see the entire path, I just have to take one step. And it feels good.


Everyone has gone home. We help the Cullen olds clean up by loading the dishwasher and moving the chairs back to where they belong. Alice and Emmett are playing video games in the lounge. Lazy shits.

"Kids," says Marie from the stairs as she steps down, Tony coming over to meet her. "Come here for a minute, we have something to give you."

Ness and I look at each other, both in the dark about what it is.

The four of us settle on the couch in the TV room, Emmett is already flogging Alice's ass in mortal combat.

"This is a graduation gift, for you both," Tony says as Marie holds out an envelope to us. Ness takes the offered gift, unfolding the seal and delicately taking out the wad of papers folded into thirds.

"We're moving back to The Hague in a few weeks and we'd like you both to come visit. You both need a holiday, and while you're in Europe we want you to see more than just Holland." Marie shifts closer to her daughter, smoothing over Nessie's long, curled hair like mothers do.

"We've booked you into a few different hotels, you're flights are on the 17th,"her father informs.

"Mr. Cullen, it's too much!" I say. They're so generous, I don't know what to say about their generosity. I feel so indebted to them, but I think they just see me as their son.

"Jake doesn't have a passport, only a card," Ness adds, less overwhelmed than me, but stunned nonetheless.

"We know," Tony chuckles, "that's why the flights aren't till the 17th. And that's why you're driving us to Seattle on Monday for our flight. If you go to certain Passport agents you can get one in just over a week."

Ness starts to shuffle through the travel papers, lists of hotels and connections printed out. "Amsterdam?" she asks doubtingly, "you're trusting us to go to Amsterdam unchaperoned?" She's lifts one brow, looking at her folks with doubt through her long lashes. But I see the shimmer of barely suppressed elation under there too.

"You'll be eighteen by then Ness. We have to trust you baby girl. And you've earned it this year."

"I tried to."

"You succeeded," he father says warmly, looking between us, his eyes landing on the way our legs and arms are pressed together. We are two people moving as one. His eye meets mine and he gives me a barely detectable nod, winking with his smile. "Besides, we couldn't let your eighteenth birthday happen without us, and we know young Jacob here wouldn't let you celebrate it without him."

No I wouldn't have.

Renesme slowly folds the papers back up, resting them down on the coffee table in front of us, the very same coffee table she hid a giant bottle of tequila out of my arms reach the night we met. She jumps up from where we're seated, throwing her arms around her parents arms. "Thank you! Oh god, mom, dad thank you."

Marie's arms lift up, her assortment of bangles and bracelets clinking as she holds her daughter close. Tony's arms holding both his girls like a big encapsulating belt.

I feel a little pang in my chest, just a little. I can't do that... I can't be held by my parents.

Ever again.

From my side of the sofa I just sit and watch as they hug. I'm happy for Ness, but felling a little sorry for myself nonetheless. Then, like he's heard my thoughts, Tony pulls back, one hand still on his wife the other out stretched, inviting me into the circle.

"Come here son," he says softly. And I lean forwards, kneeling on the woven floor rug, falling into his arms and Marie's and Ness's. They've included me. Like they know I belong with her. Like I belong with them.

Maybe I do.

Ness shifts an arm until it's wound around my back, her face pressing against my cheek. "Love you," she whispers, her smiling lips pressing against the shell of my ear, she sounds so hopeful and at peace; she sounds happy. "I get to show you my home."


Thanks so much for reading guys. Thanks so much for your reviews last chapter. Sorry I could write back to the guest reviewers.

Thank you Aretee for the input you gave me in this chapter. Senior day was a pretty boring affair in my school. It's the week after graduation that we really celebrate here in Australia. Schoolies week... oh my. The memories hey Pidge.


On a side note, I want to give a shot out to a new story I've been reading. It's a heartbreaking, manipulative alternative to the second third of Breaking dawn. The paring is muddled between Edward and Jake and broken Bella, and it makes for some great reading. It's called "Prophase" by bluedolls. It very under reviewed, but really well written and a very original twist on canon.

Give it a go if you're looking for something to read.

But review this chap first :-)


This story is winding down folks. A few more chapters in Europe then we say adios.

Unit next time, Marina.

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