A/N Here's another chapter for y'all. be sure to review and tell me your thoughts!

Chapter 38

After a very sad goodbye, Jacob left for the battlefield to carry Bella up the mountain. He furiously wiped the tears forming in his eyes.

"I want him to have a clear head." He heard Bella say from the clearing.

"Whose head is unclear?" Jacob asked, coming up from the brush to the woods.

" No one's, I hope," Bella replied. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Alice said there's a storm coming," Edward said.

Jacob nodded. " Yeah, I can feel it. We should get going."

"I'll see you in a couple of hours," Edward told Bella, kissing her on the forehead. Jacob then walked up to her and scooped her into his arms bridal style.

After a few hours, walking up the mountain, Jacob set Bella down on her feet. There was a minimal conversation between the two considering what has happened over a few weeks. All of Jacob's thoughts were consumed with Anabelle and what she was doing. He wasn't scared of the battle itself, but what the stress was doing to his imprint.

"Thank you," Edward said, appreciatively. Jacob nodded before walking towards the tent Edward set up.

"Where are you going? Shouldn't you go back to the pack?" Bella asked from the comfort of Edward's arms. He walked towards the tent and shook his head.

"No, I'm staying. You need my connection with the pack."

"You're not going to fight?" Bella further asked.

"Seth will spell me in the morning. He's not happy about missing the action but it will keep him out of trouble." Belle nodded before following Edward to the tent, leaving Jacob to stare out into the cliff, thinking of Anabelle.

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Anabelle sighed loudly before sitting herself on the couch and grabbing the remote. It was now 9 o'clock and she was utterly numb. She was so overcome with stress and fear, she had barely eaten the spaghetti Emily had made. She couldn't help but think of Jacob and what he was doing. Was he scared? Was he missing her? Or at least thinking of her? She swallowed the thought, was he with Her?

She shook her head, trying to rid her thoughts, but they wouldn't leave her. Why would Jacob choose her? A chubby, unathletic girl with the inability to have children or even run a mile. Compared to a thin, petite, brunette with pale skin and the ability to do all those things and so much more.

Even after all of this was over, she couldn't help but fear the future. Yes, she was young. 14 years old. She had her whole life ahead of her. And she was very blessed by the spirits that they chose Jacob to be with her all through the way. They had only known each other for almost 2 months. It has easily been the happiest and most terrifying 2 months of her life.

Ever since that visit to the hospital, Anabelle could only see Jacob. He was her gravity that held her down and kept her from escaping to an imaginary hell she, in the past, couldn't leave. Tears fell from her eyes when she remembered her many times she had lost herself. She recalled the first time when she was ten years old.

It was her birthday and her father planned a trip to Seattle, the only time he was there to celebrate on the day. They went to a carnival and her father splurged on tickets and food all day. The day started nice enough. They ate turkey legs, drank soda, and ate ice cream. It was the ideal day.

It wasn't until she and Paul went on a ride called the Zipper where Anabelle felt funny. At first she felt good and excited after the ride was over, but as she was walking back towards their father she felt a little woozy and her breath came in gasps. She immediately told her father, knowing that this wasn't her normal.

After ten minutes of not feeling good, Paul asked if it was best if they go to the hospital. Even at 12 years old, he was doing whatever he could for his sister. His father agreed and they immediately went to the nearest hospital. Once there, after many tests and scans, the doctors discovered a tiny hole in between her two atriums.

"I advise doing this as quickly as possible. You don't want the hole to grow in size because there is a possibility of clotting that can travel to the brain. We need to place a stent to close the hole."

Anabelle shuddered at the memory. After a few weeks of recovery, she started counseling during school to help with her anxiety. Her grades had dropped drastically and it took her a few months to get equipped with going to the hospital ever so often. It was terrible to think that your normal was different from everyone else's.

Anabelle wiped the silent tears on her cheeks and stood up to go to her room and take a shower. She knew Emily was probably asleep so she was careful to be quiet. When she made it to the bathroom, she peeled her clothes off and turned on the water, and placed the metal stopper on.

She sighed in content when the warm water hit her back, giving her the much-needed warmth she desired. She basked in it, hoping it would give her comfort. It didn't. She glanced at the clock and saw that it was 10:58. She sighed sadly before quickly washing and stepping out before wrapping a towel around her body.

She quickly dried herself and dressed in some comfy pajamas before sliding into bed. Wrapping herself in her comforter, she looked at one of the pictures at her bedside table. It was one of her favorites. Jacob and Anabelle were sitting on the beach, their clothes soaked with sand and water. Paul had captured it. They were smiling up at the sky, laughing at something Paul had said. The wind was blowing through their hair and their cheeks were bright from the cold. She smiled at it before sighing. "J, wherever you are, just know that I love you. And will always love you."

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Jacob growled lowly when he heard another round of chattering teeth coming from the tent. He quickly stood up, shaking the snow from his fur, and phased back into a human. After putting on his cutoffs, he ripped open the tent and poked his head in. "I can't sleep with all that teeth chattering." He pushed himself in, noticing Bella shivering on one end and Edward on the other. " You didn't think to bring a pillow or a blanket?" Jacob asked.

"I should have chosen a site lower down." Edward chided himself.

"No, it's fine," Bella replied. "I'm just a little cold." She looked pointedly at Jacob who narrowed his eyes at her. He rolled his eyes before sighing.

"Fine. I'll just lay down next to you. But keep your hands to yourself." Jacob said adamantly. Bella nodded shyly before opening the sleeping bag for him. Jacob grabbed the sleeping bag and pulled it over Bella snuggly, laying down stiffly in the middle of the tent.

Jacob caught a look at Edward who surprisingly looked unbothered by the fact Jacob was laying down next to Bella. "I know you have no ill intentions, Jacob. You love Miss Lahote very dearly, that is certain." Bella rolled her eyes at the mention of the little girl who took all of Jacob's attention away from her. She didn't like the thought of Jacob with a little girl who was unable to do anything of purpose. She then cuddled into Jacob's arm making him still.

"Bella." He said warningly.

"I'm just cuddling into your arm, Jake. It's cold." Jacob let it go but moved his torso away more, trying to find a comfortable position. It didn't take long for Bella to fall asleep, leaving Jacob awake with Edward staring at him.

"Are you going to say something or just stare at me bloodsucker?" He asked, looking at the vampire with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm just trying to figure you out, dog. Your mind is far more difficult to read than Miss Lahote's". Jacob growled.

"You are to have nothing to do with Belle. I already don't like the idea of her and the blondie being friends. She's lucky I even took her to your house when she hurt her hand."

"She has made Rosalie rather bearable to be around. I did want to ask you to tell Paul to thank you for sending that video of Miss Lahote's concert. Everyone was pleased to see her doing what she loved."

This seemed to please Jacob some. "Well as you know, Belle didn't grow up with a mother so she has grown attached to the blondie. I'm glad she's happy, that's all that matters to me. I love her." He moved slightly and sat up, keeping his back turned to Bella who cuddled more into his back.

"Because of the imprint." Edward assumed.

"No," Jacob replied flatly. "As I've explained to Bella, imprinting does not mean love at first sight. Imprinting just leads you to find who you are meant to be with faster. It all goes to show that my crush on Bella was just me being childish. But after this is all over and your coven leaves, I can give her the life she deserves."

Edward chuckled. "That's very noble of you Jacob. From what I can tell, Anabelle is quite taken with you. The last time I saw her, she couldn't stop replaying what happened with Bella in her head. That.." He paused. "Unfortunate event a few days ago led her to a lot of thinking."

"What kind of thinking?" Jacob asked. "Like doubts? Or problems?"

"Something of the sorts," Edward replied. "Mostly angry towards Bella. But after that had worn off some, she was thinking about you, and what she can't give you."

"If this is about kids th-"

"Not exactly." Edward interrupted. "She was concerned about plans. Mostly her future career and what that career will do to you and her. I know she wants to travel but she's scared of what that will do for you because she knows you have an obligation to your tribe."

Jacob shook his head. "That wouldn't stop me from following her wherever she wanted to go. I know all of her dreams and desires. I know she wants to go to cooking school in Texas where her mom went, and then move to new york and build her own 'Culinary Empire.' And lastly, make Taylor Swift's wedding cake. At least that's what she what's on her big list."

"She has a very creative mind." Edward chuckled, "She has a very kindred spirit and I like her perseverance. Her mind is very vivid and colorful. I'm glad she is.." He paused. " Happy with you dogs."

Jacob chuckled. "You know if you weren't a bloodsucking demon with a bloodsucking family, I might actually like you."

" Well, I hope you learn too soon. Anabelle is special to everyone in my family. It would be great to be civil for her sake. Just until we leave." Both men seemed to be in mutual agreement for once and both were pleased.

Maybe these two supernatural enemies could be friends.

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Jacob trotted around the area the tent was set up, communicating with the pack about the battle. He would be leaving in a few minutes to be with the pack to sneak up on the newborns.

His ears perked up when he heard Bella's voice. "Mrs. Cullen? I at least want to hyphenate my name. But as long as I get turned and stay with you forever, then I'm fine with whatever else you want."

Jacob stilled. Then what was this all for? Making sure she's protected from the redhead, patrolling her house every GODDAMN day? Jacob continued walking towards the couple until he was in front of them. "You're marrying him? And turning into one of them after?"

"Wait, Jake!" Bella said, but Jacob was already walking away.

"I can't believe you, Bella," Jacob said.

"Wait, Jake stop!" Bella cried. "I was going to tell you. But that brat interrupted during our conversation!" Anger poured itself through Jacob at the mention of his imprint. He quickly turned around, giving Bella a harsh glare.

"Don't you dare speak of her like that! She is not a brat, or a child, or any other demeaning word you have described her as. She is a person with feelings who deserves respect. What has she done to you for you to treat her like this?" Jacob was now yelling, and he could see from the corner of his eye that Edward was watching him intently, no doubt making sure he didn't hurt Bella.

Jacob would never hurt Bella, or any woman physically on purpose. He just wanted her to know the pain she was causing. "I talked to Edward last night, and as you know, he can read minds. And maybe not yours but he can read Belle's. And after that little stunt you pulled, she was starting to have doubts. Because YOU brought up the topic of kids. And because you didn't know what kind of pain that caused, she had to endure painful memories being brought up again."

After taking a deep breath, Jacob continued. "Belle's mother died in childbirth. And yeah I know, your mom is flighty and you didn't have the best childhood. But she barely had a childhood at all. She didn't grow up with a mother figure in her life. Instead, she grew up with a temperamental older brother and father whose only concern was the money he made. She had to learn at a young age that she would never have a mother that would listen to her and teach her what it means to be a woman, let alone a good person."

"She had to learn that by herself. Not only that but she had to grow up with a health condition, leaving her to think that something was wrong with her. When in reality, she is the sweetest, smartest, and the open-minded girl that you will ever meet. So don't bring her up again when it's me you're mad at." Jacob ended with a huff before turning to leave, having said what he wanted to say.

"I'm only bringing her up because I love you!" Bella yelled back. "It all started when you blew off our plans to go to her stupid birthday party and imprint on her. You didn't even know her Jacob and then the next day, l see you two going to the movies. You both, no doubt, had dinner before that. All I asked of you was time to figure my shit out!" Jacob sighed and bowed his head, letting Bella continue.

"I thought that if I kissed you a few days ago, I would finally see what it would be like for us. I'm falling in love with you Jake. You're my best friend and I want you to be happy." Bella was now standing behind him, tentatively putting a hand on his back. Jacob turned around, noticing how close his body was to Bella's. He looked at her chocolate brown eyes filled with tears and couldn't help but feel bad.

He was so overcome with emotion that he didn't notice Bella pushing her face towards him, claiming his lips in a soft kiss. Not thinking clearly, he kissed her back liking the taste of them, making him not pull back. This gave Bella confidence to grab his neck and further deepen the kiss. But it wasn't long before Jacob pulled away before very softly muttering one word.

"Anabelle."