CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

(BPOV)

Jacob was the happiest I'd ever seen him when Shawn and Martha agreed to spend the night with us on the Reservation. I set up the guest room for them and when they were comfortably settled, they both thanked me and I headed for bed myself.

I paused once I reached the kitchen and peered ahead at the mess still there, but I was simply too exhausted to finish all of the cleanup tonight. I loaded the dishes in the sink and managed to wipe down the table before a set of arms took hold of me from behind and drew me backwards.

"I can get the rest of this, Bells. Don't worry about it. You should get off your feet. It's been a long day." Jacob huskily whispered at my ear, the feel of his warm breath sending a trail of goosebumps over my skin as I settled against him there.

"I can't leave all this for you. That wouldn't be fair. You've had a long day, too."

"Sure it would. You served us so you get to put your feet up now. Come on." He implored. "You look beat."

"Okay, if you insist." I finally conceded and he smiled, as he placed his chin on my shoulder.

Both Brenner and Clarissa were already asleep in with Rachel and this left the house far too silent.

"The quiet is sort of nice." Jacob sighed.

"It's different." I added.

"Yeah, that too."

"I'm gonna miss him being around here, Jake. He's one of a kind that boy. He's so special."

"I know what you mean. I'm going to miss him, too. But I'm glad that Rachel is back for him. Trust me, not much is really going to change around here, Bells. They'll be over all the time. I talked to Rachel earlier and she told me that she plans to stay close to dads for now with Gentry. They're all going to be there with him. I think it'll be good for dad to have a houseful again. He's missed that."

"I had no idea she planned on living back with your dad on the Reservation. That's great news. I think you're right. Your dad needs her the same way she needs him right now. It will be good for Gentry to have some bonding time with her, too. They need that."

"Yeah, although, he has plans to try and rent a place with Leah." Jacob hedged.

I turned and peered up at him in disbelief at his admission.

"What? Really? When did he tell you that?"

"Yesterday."

I smiled as I thought of Leahs happiness, knowing that she deserved it more than anyone after all she'd been through over the years with Sam and Emily. It was finally her turn to get the kind of real love that she deserved and I was truly thrilled for her.

"I can't wait to see what the future has for them." I softy countered then. "They're good for each other."

"They are." He readily agreed. "That's what happens when you love someone."

"Oh, and what's that?" I feigned.

"You wanna spend every waking moment that you can with them."

His dark gaze went glossy when he said this and I took his face tenderly in my hands with my reply.

"I know exactly what that feels like. To love someone so much it takes your breath away. That's how I feel every time I look at you. I'm so thankful I got another chance to love you, Jacob."

He drew me in for a kiss that soon became desperate and when I pulled away, both of us were breathless.

"I know you're tired, but I wanna take you somewhere. Come with me? Please?" He breathed against my lips and I nodded without hesitation as he pulled me forward.

He kept me close as we headed for the woods and I paused briefly there at the forest line with a hit of amusement in my tone.

"Where are we going at this hour? What about Clarissa and Brenner? Shawn and Martha? We can't just leave."

"We can." He assured me with another kiss. "Rachel knows I'm taking you somewhere. She has the kids for a little while. It's okay. Come on."

Hand in hand we took the familiar trail that led us to our favorite place and just before we stepped out onto the sand of First Beach, Jacob whirled around and placed his warm hands over my eyes.

"Do me a favor and close them? Just for a minute?"

"What are you up to?" I chuckled. "Now I'm really suspicious."

"You should be. I have something up my sleeve." He half laughed and I merely shook my head.

"You don't wear shirts enough to have something up your sleeve." I teased in return, keeping good on my word to keep my eyes closed until he told me to open them again.

"Okay, fair game. You make a good point with that one, but for my sake, just go along with it."

I sighed and felt him soon retake my hand and guide me along the sand.

"I'll trip...-" I warned. "You of all people know how ungraceful I am."

"-...and if you do, I'll catch you...-always. But bare in mind, I have no intention of letting you fall."

"You never have-" I countered. "I trust you completely."

We took a few more steps forward and I felt my breath hitch when he whispered his reply.

"Okay Bells, you can open your eyes now. I'm ready."

I slowly did as he said and I gasped at the sight before me.

Dozens of lit candles lined the sand that led the way to our bleached out driftwood, and tears swiftly filled my eyes when my gaze landed on the white canopy tent sitting just off to the left. It was beautiful and I couldn't find the right words as he gently tugged me forward.

The canopy was filled with pillows and in the center was a picnic basket with rolls, assorted fruits and cider.

Jacob released my hand and reached down for the glasses before popping the cork and holding out a glass to me.

"You did all this?" For me?" I tearfully questioned.

His answer was sincere and immediate and it made my tears spill down my cheeks.

"I'd do anything for you."

"It's beautiful. How did you- wh- when did you?"

"With a lot of help. I couldn't have pulled it off without the pack. Mainly Gentry. He was the biggest help." Jacob admitted with a bashful grin touching his handsome face. "I've missed you, Bells."

I stared down at the arranged pillows and blankets and saw his eyes sweep over me with a heated glance that made my knees go weak with my own admission.

"I've missed you, too."

The words had barely left my mouth before he reached for me, his lips meeting mine with a fire that stole any prior thought or intention.

He hauled me up in his arms like I was weightless as the wind whipped around us, and the waves crashed loudly onto the shore. The night air was chilled enough to make me shiver but once I was secure in his arms, the cold left me as quick as it'd come.

I couldn't get close enough to him, and when a needy moan left my parted lips, he wasted no time in stripping me down naked and laying me on the pillows with a lust filled groan of his own.

"I love you, Bella."

"I love you more, Jacob."

"Make love to me." I nearly begged him. "All night long."

"Until the sun comes up." He breathed.

We made love until my body was left trembling and all our strength was gone with nothing more than the sounds of the waves carrying out to us from the far off shore.

A/N: To my awesome readers, I want to thank you for following this story to the end. Only a few more chapters to go before the next sequal comes along. Please read and review! More surprises to come.