CHAPTER 45

Bella POV:

Jacob and I settled into our little house in La Push and began the journey of living our lives together. At times it seemed surreal, and at other times, the most natural thing in the world. I stayed at home and readied our nest for our baby, while Jacob ran his patrols, worked in his dad's garage on another Harley and spent time with Jared's Dad, Chuck, on his idea about building more houses for the pack. He was really taking his job as Alpha seriously and I was very proud of him.

The two of us were becoming quite domestic . . . I would cook a nice dinner and then we would sit at the little table in the kitchen to eat and talk about our day, then we'd stand at the sink side by side to do the dishes before retiring to the couch to spend the rest of the evening watching some TV before bed. I teased Jake one night about us acting like an old married couple, but he didn't seem to think it was very funny. In fact, he stayed very quiet the rest of the night. We never really talked about marriage. I just always assumed that he wanted to get married, yet he never said a word about it. I, on the other hand, was very happy with the way things were.

A couple of weeks before Christmas, I insisted that I couldn't wait any longer to get a tree, so on a gray Saturday afternoon, Jacob and I trudged into the woods to find a tree.

"Are you sure we can't just drive into Forks and buy one at the tree lot by the grocery store? That's where Dad got his and it's a nice one," I whined after 15 minutes of tripping over tree roots and freezing my ass off. I looked up at the gray sky and thought, At least it's not raining . . . yet.

"Are you serious? No, I will not pay fifty bucks for some skinny, pathetic looking Charlie Brown tree. There are plenty of good trees right here," Jacob countered. Then he stopped to look at me and add, "Come on, Bells. Sing a Christmas carol or something. Get into the Christmas spirit!"

With a roll of my eyes, I began singing, "Jingle Bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg . . ."

"Very funny," Jacob shot at me as he turned to continue his trek to find the perfect tree. I had to smile when I heard him start whistling JingleBells.

After another ten minutes or so, I heard him say, "Hey, look at this one."

Jacob stopped so abruptly, I ran into the back of him. "Umph. Jake!"

Turning back, he smiled, "Uh, sorry. But look at this tree. I think this is the one."

Walking around him, I took a look at the nicely shaped pine tree standing proudly in front of me. It was just as tall as Jake, so it had to be about 6 foot 4 or 5, and circling it, I couldn't see any big holes that would have to be turned to the wall.

"So?" Jake prompted.

"I like it. But how do we know there isn't a family of squirrels living in it? Remember the movie, Christmas Vacation where the squirrel jumps out of the tree?"

"Would you stop basing real life on everything you see on TV or in the movies?" Jacob laughed at me before sighing, "I will check it for squirrels, I promise."

Finally giving him a smile, I replied, "OK. This is the one. Now chop it down, Paul Bunyan, so we can go home and have hot cocoa," I added, rubbing my hands together and blowing some hot air on them to warm them.

Jacob did his best lumberjack impression, and soon we were making our way back to the truck dragging the tree behind us. I had already made a trip into town to get a tree stand and some ornaments and lights, so when we arrived back at the house, Jacob hauled the tree in and had it up in no time.

I opened the boxes of ornaments while Jacob strung the lights on the tree, and as Christmas music played in the background, I once again found myself very thankful that he never gave up on me. I could have missed out on all this . . . then suddenly, I felt a movement in my belly. "Oh, wow," I breathed.

"Yeah, I think it will look pretty good," Jacob commented as he stepped back to view his progress with the lights.

"No, not the lights," I clarified. "I just felt the baby move."

Jacob's eyes lit up just like they did every time I mentioned the baby. He quickly dropped the lights and came to sit on the couch with me. "Yeah? Can I feel it yet?"

I was now six months pregnant and my stomach was rounding and sticking out quite a bit more, but so far, only I could feel the baby. "I don't know. You can try. Here, give me your hand." I took Jacob's hand and placed it where I had felt the baby move just seconds before. We waited patiently for a full minute then as I looked up to see the disappointment in Jacob's face, I felt it again.

Jacob's disappointment turned to glee in a second as he shouted out, "I felt it! I felt the baby move!" Just seeing the joy in Jacob's eyes brought tears to my own. I again was feeling very lucky. Looking up at me, I think I saw a glimmer of a tear in Jacob's eye as he said in awe, "That was so amazing."

"Yeah, it was," I agreed slowly with a nod of my head. Then a smile curved onto my lips and before long, I saw Jacob grin then a gurgle of laughter escaped my lips and soon Jacob joined in. I couldn't ever remember a time that I felt so much joy that it bubbled out of me in the form of laughter. As Jacob pulled me into his loving arms I melted into him and thanked God once again for giving me this wonderful man.

"Are you sure, Bella? Embry likes my hair down," Leah said as she looked into the mirror. She was seated on a chair in her bedroom, and I was standing behind her, trying my best to put her hair up. Tonight was the big Holiday Dance, and Embry had finally talked her into going with him.

"I know, but tonight when you're dancing, he can lean down and run his lips along your shoulder and up to your ear . . . " I stopped and smiled into the mirror at her.

A slow smile curved onto Leah's lips as she nodded, "Yeah, I might like that."

"I know you will." I continued curling hair and gathering it up and securing it with pins until I thought it didn't look too bad. I had never done this before, so I went to the internet, of course, where I learn everything I need to know, and watched a video of a woman showing how to do this hairstyle. After watching it at least ten times, I decided to try it, and now, I was glad I did. "I think it looks very glamorous, Leah."

Leah turned her head back and forth and I held a small hand mirror up so she could see the back. The front was swooped to the side, and I had pulled out a section of her bangs then secured them with a rhinestone clip that matched her dangling earrings. "I guess. I'm not used to looking so . . . "

"Sexy?" I supplied.

"Yeah. Are you sure it's not too much?" she asked.

"I think it's beautiful," we heard from behind us as Sue walked into the room. "Look at you, Leah. Embry won't know what hit him."

I had to laugh at that. Embry was in for a shock. Leah's dress was enough to give him a heart attack, but with the hair and the make up . . . well, he was really going to be the envy of every guy there.

Leah rolled her eyes at her mom as she stood up to say, "I just hope he appreciates all this effort for a stupid dance."

"Now, Leah. Don't start that again," Sue scolded lightly. "This is important to him. You can stand it for one night."

I smiled at Leah and watched as she rolled her eyes once again as Sue asked, "Are you sure about that dress? It's kind of . . . sexy, isn't it?"

It was. The dress Leah picked was short, mid-thigh, tight fitting and jet black. It was a halter style, hooking behind her neck, and dipped low enough in the front to show some cleavage. "Well if I'm going to go to this thing, I want to make a statement."

"Oh you'll make a statement all right," I commented.

"Yes, it's what kind of statement I'm worried about," Sue added.

"Come on, Mom. I'm 21 years old and going to a high school dance. How pathetic is that?" Leah stopped to spray some perfume then added, "At least I want to look 21 and not blend in with all the other little girls."

"Well, you won't blend in, that's for sure," Sue said just as we heard the doorbell ring downstairs. "I guess I'll go let Romeo in."

As Sue left the room, Leah slipped into her black heels and looked at me. "Well?"

"You look great, Leah. Just let me get downstairs first so I catch see Embry's face. I'll make sure Jake is behind him to catch him when he faints."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Leah practically growled. "Let's just get this over with."

I hurried downstairs to find Embry standing with Jacob and Sue. "Wow, look at you," I said in awe. "You clean up pretty good, mister."

Embry was dressed in a black suit that he borrowed from Jared's dad. His mom bought him a dark red shirt and black and red striped tie and I had to say, he looked really handsome. "Yeah, I didn't think it turned out too bad," Embry answered as he held out the corsage in his hand and then asked, "Is this OK?"

It was a red rose corsage on a wrist band. "Yes, it's very pretty. Good choice. I hope you're ready for this," I warned him. "Leah looks stunning."

"Yeah?" he asked hopefully.

"Can I come down now?" we heard Leah whine from upstairs.

"Just a second! I'm getting the camera ready," Sue shouted back.

I moved to stand beside Jacob as Sue held the camera up and hollered, "OK. Come on down."

My eyes were glued to Embry's face as Leah descended the stairs. I heard him gasp as I watched his face go from shock to excitement to maybe even a little lust. "Wow, Leah. You look . . . fuckingawesome." Then realizing what he said, he turned quickly to Sue and said, "Oh sorry. I mean . . . "

"No, Embry. I think you got it right," Sue said with a grin.

Leah smiled as she said to Embry, "You don't look so bad yourself."

"Thanks," Embry said quietly, as he was still quite stunned at the Leah standing before him.

A minute went by until finally Leah asked, "You gonna give me that flower or are you going to carry it around with you?"

"Oh yeah, I forgot," Embry replied, as he tore his eyes from Leah's face to look down at the corsage in his hand. "Um, it goes on your wrist."

Leah held out her hand and let Embry slide it on then she smiled up at him, "Thank you. It's really nice."

"OK, let me take a couple of pictures then you two need to get going," Sue ordered.

With a sigh, Leah stood next to Embry and looked at Sue as she encouraged them to smile. I looked over at Jacob and caught him staring at Leah. As I nudged him, he jumped and then turned his head to me. "Like what you see?" I teased.

"Uh, sorry. I am . . . I am just amazed. She really looks . . . um . . . "

"Yeah, I know. I doubt they make it all the way to the dance without stopping somewhere to have sex first," I whispered.

That made Jacob laugh out loud and Leah demand, "What's so damn funny, Jacob?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all. You look gorgeous. Now smile for the camera." Then turning to me, he elbowed me and ordered me to behave.

Finally the pictures were done and Sue told them to have fun before going back to the kitchen to finish dinner for her and my dad as he had called earlier and said he was on his way. I watched as Jacob left my side to walk over to Leah and say, "You look hot, Leah. Better be careful. I don't want Embry getting the shit kicked out of him fighting over you."

That made Leah snort, "Yeah, whatever."

"I mean it. You look really . . . beautiful. Please try and have some fun."

Leah looked over at Embry and smiled then said to Jacob, "I will. I promise."

"Good. Now get out of here you two crazy kids," Jacob added as he ushered them to the door. "And Embry, you lucky dog, don't forget to get her home by midnight or she'll turn into a pumpkin."

"The coach turns into a pumpkin, dork," Leah huffed. "If you're going to make a Cinderella reference, please get it right."

"Whatever," Jacob sighed. "Go. Get out of here."

Once they left, Jacob closed the door and smiled, "Kids. They grow up so fast."

I walked over to wrap my arms around his waist and say, "Yeah, just think. It won't be long before we'll be doing this with our own kids."

"Yeah, right. Like you think I would let any daughter of mine walk out of here looking like that? Over my dead body," Jacob said gruffly.

I had to laugh at that. "I hate to tell you this, Dad, but you probably won't have any say in it. Girls are like that."

"Not my daughter," Jacob pouted. "She will love her Daddy so much, she won't ever look at any of those nasty boys."

"Well, come on, nasty boy. I'm tired and I want to go home," I told him.

That brought a smile to his lips. "Me, too. Let's go."

Later that night, as we lay in bed, I got to thinking about how much my life had changed in the last year. I was all set to marry Edward and live out eternity with him. I never in a million years could have imagined that by Christmas, I would be living with Jacob and expecting his baby.

Thinking back, I remembered how important it was to Edward that we get married and how dead set against it I was. Marriage was something I thought I never wanted. It hadn't worked out so well for my parents, and I didn't really see the need for it. Jacob and I were happy living here together. I didn't see how a piece of paper and a ring would make any difference.

But, as I lay here beside Jacob, the man I loved, his arms wrapped around me and I felt our baby move inside me, suddenly, all I could think of was being married. Of being Jacob's wife . . . making that commitment to him that said "I love you and only you for as long as we both shall live." I wanted our baby to know that it had two parents that were committed to each other and wanted to be a family.

"Jacob?" I asked. "Are you awake?"

"Hmmm?" I heard him hum in my ear. "You OK?"

I blurted out, "I want to get married."

That woke him up. "What? Are you serious?" Jacob asked as he pulled on my shoulder to roll me onto my back so he could see my face.

"Yes, I am," I answered.

"Where is this coming from? I thought you hated the idea of marriage."

"I thought I did, too," I began. "I mean, it didn't work out so well the first time." I saw him cringe at the mention of my marriage to Edward. We never talked about it . . . ever. "Marriage to me was just a formality. An excuse to spend a lot of money on some fancy party and get free gifts, you know? I never knew anyone that had a happy one. But, now . . . well, now I feel so different. I want to be your wife, Jacob. I want to belong to you, and only you, as long as we both shall live." As I placed my hand on his cheek, I added, "I want us to be a family . . . a real family."

I could see that Jacob was still somewhat stunned by my announcement as he just stared at me for a second or two until he whispered, "Are you sure?"

"Yes. More sure than I have ever been about anything. I love you, Jacob, with all my heart. Will you marry me?"

Again, there was silence. Suddenly, I felt my stomach churning as I waited for his answer. I always assumed that Jacob wanted to get married. Now as I laid here beside him and waited, I wasn't so sure. "Jake?" I prompted.

I watched with disappointment as Jacob crawled from the bed and quickly left the room. That was definitely not the reaction I was expecting. Sighing, I sunk back into the pillows and thought that maybe it was too soon. I had only been divorced from Edward for a couple of months . . . or maybe it was Carly. He would be her stepfather . . . maybe that was something he wasn't ready to deal with.

I lay there torturing myself until finally, a few minutes later, Jacob came back into the room and turned on the light beside the bed before easing himself down to sit beside me. As I sat up and looked at him, I noticed he had something in his hand, but I couldn't quite make out what it was.

Then Jacob held out his hand and said with a tender smile, "Merry Christmas."

There on his hand was a small box wrapped in Christmas paper. "What? I ask you to marry me, and you give me a present and say Merry Christmas? What's going on here?"

"Just open it."

I took the box and tore at the paper and as it fell away, I realized what I was holding. It was small box from a jewelry store. A ring box. Quickly, I looked up into Jacob's eyes. He just smiled and once again said, "Open it."

I pushed open the box then sucked in my breath as I saw this beautiful white gold ring sitting on a bed of black velvet, with a nice size square cut diamond winking back at me. "Oh my God . . . Jacob."

"I know it's not big and fancy, but . . ." he began until I put my hand to his mouth to stop him.

"It's perfect," I said softly. And it was. It was big enough to be beautiful, but not too big to be showy. It was nothing like my last engagement ring . . . something I felt that was never mine. This was . . . perfect.

Jacob took the ring from me then held my left hand in his as he gazed into my eyes and said, "I planned on proposing on Christmas Eve. I wasn't sure what your answer would be, but I knew how much I wanted it and I hoped that maybe, just maybe, you would too. I love you, Bells, more than life itself, you know that. You and this baby are everything to me. And I want that commitment . . . I want to belong to you as long as we both shall live. Bella, I love you, and yes, I want to marry you." Then with a smile, he slid the ring onto my finger.

Staring at the diamond ring on my finger, I felt the baby move. "I guess Junior approves," I told Jake with a smile as I took his hand and put it on my belly. As we sat there on our bed, feeling our baby move, I knew that this was right. This was what I wanted . . . what I had been waiting for all my life. Looking up, I said with a smile, "I guess I kind of ruined your big surprise moment, huh?"

A slow grin grew on Jacob's face as he replied, "No. I was really pretty nervous about it. I was so afraid you'd say no, I was making a list of arguments to counter whatever you might throw at me."

That made me laugh. "Really?"

"Yeah. You blew me away tonight. Never in a million years did I expect you to propose to me."

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I told him softly, "Well, I'm glad I did. I love you, Jacob."

Pulling me close he whispered into my ear, "I love you, Bells. So much." As his lips traveled down my neck, I felt that familiar shiver run through me that only Jacob could cause. Soon, his lips found mine and as he laid me back against the pillows, I surrendered to the feeling of being completely loved and desired. I relished the feeling of his strong hands on my body, making my skin feel electrified every where he touched. I let my hands travel over his muscular shoulders and back, feeling every dip and kneading them with my fingers. I moaned as his mouth found my breast, his tongue swirling over the tip. Soon I was in a frenzy, needing that release that only Jacob could bring. "Jake, please . . . I need you."

Agonizingly, Jacob kissed his way up my body until finally, he was on top of me, in position to enter me, and then . . . "Yessssss," I purred into his ear as he pushed slowly into me, filling me up and making me feel whole. Moving slowly at first to build the moment, I rode along with him, raking my fingers through his hair until he moved faster, taking me with him until I was wrapped around him and begging, "Yes, please . . . yes, faster, oh Jake, yessss . . . yessss!" . . . then the explosion inside that led to pure bliss.

As I came down from my high, I felt Jacob jerk with his release as he hissed, "Oh Bella, yessssss."

We clung to each other, our bodies slick with sweat, as we panted for air. Jacob looked into my eyes and whispered, "I want this for the rest of my life, Bells."

Smiling at him, I confessed, "Me, too."

Taking my left hand in his, Jacob brought it to his mouth and put a kiss on top of the ring that now sat on my fourth finger. "We'll be happy, Bells. I promise. I'll love you forever."

With a shake of my head, I corrected him. "No, Jake. Not forever." I had been offered forever once, and it wasn't what I wanted. "But as long as we both shall live, which I hope is a very long time."

I could see by the smile on Jacob's face that he understood. He knew. "Maybe 70 or 80 years?"

"We'll see," I answered softly as my hands snaked around his neck. "Kiss me, Jake."

"Mmm, I love when you're bossy," Jacob sighed as his lips met mine. As I once again melted into him, I knew we would be happy. It wouldn't be perfect. I knew there would be bumps in the road that we would have to get over, but I felt like together, we could handle anything. Jacob and I were a team . . . he didn't call all the shots, make all the decisions. He let me be who I was and didn't try to change me. He was my soul mate in every way, and I would spend the rest of my life showing him how much I loved him.

My decision to marry Jacob led me to believe that finally . . . FINALLY, I had made the right choice.

A/N: Awwww . . . those of you who have read my stories before should know that I love a happy ending. But wait . . . there's more! Please read the Epilogue that follows! ;)