Bella PoV
I didn't know where all the tears suddenly came from. It was as if Jacob's kind words had opened up something in me, something that had been shut down since the Cullens had left.
I had cried before, yes, but not like this. This time it felt like it would never stop. The tears kept running and running and all the while I was very much aware of Jake's body at my side. Frankly, knowing he was here kept me from falling apart completely. I hadn't realized this before but during all these months Jake had been my only constant in life. He had been there when I needed a friend, someone to talk to or to comfort me. And now he was here when all my emotions seemed to come out all at once.
I placed my hand blindly on his chest and when I felt the familiar heat combined with his strong heartbeat, it helped me to calm down. I tried to match my breathing with the rise and fall of his chest. Soon my tears began to seize, and the violent sobs quieted down. I felt him shift ever so slightly as he asked: "Better now?"
I nodded and tried to move away a little but Jake wouldn't let me. The grip of his hands tightened, and he pulled me closer to him. A weak smile crossed my face. „Jake, you have to let me go so I can dress. I'll be right back, promise." I said using his words from the night before.
Jake made a face but then he let me go. Very, very slowly.
„Don't look!" I shot him a firm look as I stood up, holding the blanket to cover me. Again, that face but then he turned away. Very, very slowly.
I turned to my dressed as quickly as I could, retrieving a bra, a top and a pair of trousers. After putting them on and making sure not too much skin was showing, I went back into bed. Immediately his arms wrapped around me again at an almost impossible speed and I was pulled back at his side. The comforting heat and the feeling of his smooth skin under my hand greeted me and I didn't protest when he buried his face in my almost dry hair and made a content noise.
Sometimes it was really hard to figure him out.
„Thanks…" I whispered while my hand drew circles on his chest.
„For what?" he asked, his voice muffled because his face was still buried in my hair.
„For coming back."
„To you? Anytime. You are the most important person in my life Bella and I will always come back, no matter what."