A/N: Ah! Christmas with the family Saturday, fun?

Song for Chapter

Breathe – Taylor Swift ft. Colbie Caillat

(Ps. It's going to be a sad one.)

Chapter 49

I slowly descended the stairs. Usually it was because I was afraid of tripping, but not today. Today I was scared for the talk I would inevitably face. I knew that there was one person who had carried me through my ups and downs. We'd known each other since we were younger. He was my best friend.

I took a deep breath as my foot hit the ground floor. Tension hung in the air and it forced me to lift my gaze from the floor to his eyes. His eyes were cold. I could help but search his face for a glimpse of his warm heart. I knew it was there, I just didn't know where. Even in the uniform he was wearing I could still see the outlines of his clenched muscles.

"Hi Jake." I said meekly.

His façade seemed to fall for only a second before his muscles were clenched again. "Can we talk?" He asked.

I nodded. "Sure. Where do you want to go?" I asked softly.

He reached out his hand for mine and I placed it in his. "Let's go outside." He pulled me toward the door and I followed.

The air was cold and pungent which wasn't rare for Forks. I had forgotten my coat so I wrapped my arms around myself to keep from freezing. Jake must have gotten the memo because his warm arms enveloped me in a bear hug as we awkwardly walked toward the woods. I guess if someone hadn't known better they would have thought we were a couple.

Jake led us into the woods until we reached a small clearing with a natural bench. He sat me down and stood in front of me. I shifted uncomfortably and feared about what he would ask or say. I knew that Jake could be a little over the top when he did things.

Jake opened his mouth but the words didn't come out. He closed his eyes and took one more deep breath. "Bella." He started.

I scrunched my eyes together. "Jake." I huffed back sarcastically.

He frowned at me. "Bella, I'm serious. Just listen to what I have to say."

I nodded. "That's why I'm here isn't it?"

He rolled his eyes and took another deep breath. "Bella, I don't think you should go to England."

I shook my head. "Not going to happen. It's the only way to make sure Charlie and Renee stay safe."

Jacob's posture turned from tense to frustration. "No it isn't Bella. We have enough power with the pack to handle just about anything. I'm not worried. Charlie and Renee will be fine."

I shook my head. "I can't, no I won't take the chance Jake. I have to do what I have to do."

Jake shook his head. "No, please just listen to me."

I shook my head. "No, listen to yourself. What you're asking me to do is unbelievable. Why would you want me to risk the lives of me and my family to stay here in Forks?"

Jake's face grew distorted and he dropped to his knees. I watched in awe as his large warm hand cupped my face. The simple gesture was intimate though. He didn't touch me like a friend touches a friend but as a lover touches a lover.

"Bella, it's me. Don't leave me." He pleaded. Tears spilled out of the corners of his eyes and I understood. That unknown look that he gave me, the want to go with me. It all fit.

"Oh, Jake." I stated in disbelief.

He wrapped his arms around me and held me close to his body. "Bella, I don't have money or fancy cars." He pointed out. "But I love you Bella. You could stay with your family. We could have children and we could grow old together." He gazed into my eyes. "Just let me love you Bella."

I was now aware of the tears that were running down my face now. So many emotions were running through me at the same rate. I felt disbelief, embarrassment, and then guilt. "I-I-I love Edward." Was all I could get out.

Jake stood up and his face grew angry. "How could you love something that is dead? Does the cold excite you? Does the fact that he'll never die and you will even register to you? To be with him you will have to die. You will never be able to see Renee or Charlie again. If you choose him then you are dead to me and life itself."

He shook his head. "You know, never mind. Good luck with the after life. You're as good as dead to me now." He growled.

I stood and reached for him. The tears were freely running down my face. "Jake, no. Please, don't hate me."

He glanced back at me. "Too late." He muttered.

He ran. There was a flash of fur and then he was gone. I ran toward him and tripped. Pain shot through my ankle and I tried to stand but got nowhere. The tears had stopped and now my cries were just dry sobs. I cried for Jake, for myself, and for the truth in Jake's words. To love Edward was to never come back.

EPOV

I waited idly on Bella's bed waiting for her return. Jake must have gotten the memo that I read minds because his thoughts were floating randomly through things. Charlie had left for the day so I maneuvered myself around the house to get a better look at what they were doing.

Jake held her hand in his as they walked toward the woods. I could see Bella shivering and I watched as Jake wrapped his arms around her. Her eyes sparkled and his were full of love and adoration. I couldn't believe that I had missed it from the beginning. Jake had always been in love with Bella.

When they had cleared the woods I walked back to Bella's bedroom and busied myself by counting the dust particles in the air. I had reached 2,000 when I felt this terrible feeling in my stomach. I realized that Bella should have been back by now. My mind started going frantic with thoughts. What if something had happened?

I slid open her window and with one leap from the top of her house I was halfway across the field. I picked up speed and heard her soft whimpering. It didn't take long for me to find her frail body shivering from the cold. She muttered unintelligible things and held her ankle.

"I'll kill the mutt." I snarled.

"I'll help you." She looked into my eyes and opened her arms to me as a child would an adult.

I scooped her up in my arms and she winced when her leg was jostled. "Your ankle's hurt." I pointed out with clenched teeth.

"I tripped." she explained.

The wind picked up and she pulled herself closer to me to block the wind. I couldn't help but imagine my teeth sinking into that dog's neck. He had caused physical as well as emotional pain to my Bella. He wasn't going to get away with it.

"You're mad." She stated running her warm hand along my clenched jaw and it loosened.

"Yes." I clutched her tighter and proceeded to pick up speed in order to get to the heat faster.

She winced again and I'm sure I sounded like a drunken sailor. By the time I was done with the mutt he would be running on three legs. She started shivering and then I was placing her on her bed wrapping various blankets around her. I got up to close the window and then went to find some hot chocolate and turn up the heat.

I rummaged through the kitchen looking for the coco powder and figured I'd better call Carlisle to come check on Bella's ankle. Finally I found some coco and started the water boiling and I heard soft limps and then continual smacking on the stair case.

I looked up to see Bella scooting down the stairs on her butt. Scoot, plop, scoot, plop. She had a determined look on her face and I couldn't help but laugh at her current situation. She tried her hardest to ignore me and continued her path down the stairs.

"Want some help?" I asked her walking toward the bottom of the stairs.

She nodded. "Please."

I complied by walking toward the stairs and scooping her into my embrace. She wrapped her arms around my neck and this time I was careful to make sure I didn't hit her ankle.

"Where did you go?" She asked me.

I placed her on the counter and lightly kissed her forehead. "Just to make you some hot chocolate. Where did you think I went?" I asked raising one eyebrow.

She shrugged. "To murder someone?"

I laughed. "Aw darn. I forgot. You're just too distracting for your own good."

I turned back around and grabbed a cup out of the cabinet. "Do you still want to go shopping with Alice?" I asked her leaning back on the counter.

She pressed her ankle up against my body and sighed. "My ankle hurts really bad. I think it's twisted."

I held up a finger. "Hold that thought. I need to call Carlisle. I think he's off today."

Before she could protest I whipped open my phone and held the appropriate speed dial number. He picked up one the first ring. "Carlisle speaking."

I relaxed a little. "Hey Carlisle, it's Edward. I think Bella twisted her ankle."

Carlisle paused. "Yeah, I'm heading back from the store now. Esme wanted some new drapes. We'll just swing by now."

"Thanks Carlisle." I thanked him and placed another kiss on Bella's forehead.

He hung up and the doorbell rang. "He's here." I informed Bella before walking toward the door.

After a few chuckles and sighs from Esme and Carlisle their short trip was done. Carlisle told Bella to take some pills and stay off of her ankle. He wrapped it in an ACE bandage and then they were gone.

She smiled. "I guess that means I'm out of shopping with Alice."

I rolled my eyes. "You would think that was a good thing, but you obviously don't know how Alice is without actually being there."

Bella sighed and rested her head on my chest. "One more day."

I ran my fingers through her hair and kissed the top of her head. "One more day." I repeated her.

A/N: Okay so next update they will officially be in England. I figured since it's really rainy over there and stuff. Let's go to England! Naw I really want to go to Greece. Wouldn't it be cool to just pick up your bags and move to a foreign country?

Kayla