SM owns Twilight. We just want to live in her world a bit longer.

Chapter 18 – The Future

Jake eventually fell asleep, clinging onto Bella like he thought she might disappear while he slept.

Bella heard her father get home. She held her breath as he ascended the stairs and went straight into the bathroom. After his shower, he went to his room and would sleep for most of the day. Thankfully he hadn't decided to check on her.

While she lay in Jake's strong, warm arms, she started to think about the future again.

From experience, she knew what Jacob's next move would be. He would leave her to protect her. Even just the thought took her breath away. It would be worse this time. She knew that she would not survive.

But would that just make it worse; when he did imprint?

Of course, it would hurt, but he would be happy, wouldn't he?

And he may not imprint. Not all wolves to imprint, or maybe it would not be until after she was gone.

Or maybe the legends are wrong. Maybe they were different.

Jake started to stir behind her, so she started stroking his arm.

"Hey," she whispered. "Feeling any better?"

He kissed her head, "Mhmm, thank you. You always seem to know what I need."

She waited for a minute for him to wake up further.

"Jake?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you promise me something?"

He stilled his breathing. "What?"

"Don't leave me before… before it is time. Don't leave me to protect me. Don't shut me out, please?" she tried to ask calmly, but the emotion was still evident in her voice.

He was quiet for a long time before speaking. "I thought about it… yesterday… but the pull is too strong. I'm not strong enough to stay away from you. The only way I could do it was if you needed me to do it." He shook his head. "You should, though… ask me to stay away. I'm not good for you."

She turned suddenly in his arms to face him; he needed to see how serious she was about this.

"Don't you do this to me again… It's not you. It's me speech is getting old. Let me make my own choices about what is good for me."

Jake groaned, "Bella, I haven't even told you all of it."

"What am I missing?"

"We can't have children together."

"What? Why?"

"Something about a fail-safe, stops children from the wrong imprint, or some bullshit. And I can't mark you either; it would tie you to me indefinitely, meaning you could never have children."

Bella frowned as she digested this new information.

"That doesn't make sense. We both saw the same vision, right? At the same time: at the imprint. Why would that happen and then have it taken away from us?"

"I… I don't know. None of this makes sense. Why give us the imprint in the first place if it isn't real? Imprints are supposed to be a gift. It's like a fucking curse."

"Do you believe that we are meant to be together?" she asked him, point-blank.

"Yes," he answered definitely.

"So do I. Screw them. They can't take this away from us. This may be a dumb decision, but I don't care. This," she said, pointing between them, "feels right."

"I love you," he said, kissing her hard. They kissed until they needed to breathe again.

"I love you, too," she panted.

"So, what now?"

"No more moping around, okay?"

"Are you sure about this?"

"Positive. I'm not going to spend my life… our life, being scared or worried about tomorrow. We have been through so much already. We can handle whatever else is coming together."

"You are amazing. Do you know that?" he asked, nuzzling his face in her hair.

Bella just rolled her eyes and tried to get up.

Jake pulled her closer, "can't we just stay in bed for a bit longer. I could make it worth your while." He was giving her a cheeky grin.

She tapped his ear, "have these stopped working? Charlie is home."

"Oh," his face dropped.

Bella laughed. "Come on, up you get. Do you want a second breakfast?" He gave her a guilty look.

They went downstairs, and Bella made him a couple of ham and cheese sandwiches.

"So, what's the plan for today?" she asked.

"I need to check in with Leah and Seth, and then I need to see Sam and organize patrolling schedules etc."

"Can I come with you? I don't have anything else to do... I actually have no plans at all. It is a very strange feeling."

He pulled her onto his lap; he hated the distance between them.

"So, what are you going to do with your life? Now that you still have one to live."

She poked him in the ribs. Happy that they could now joke about it.

"I really don't know. I don't have enough money to pay for college, and I didn't get good enough grades to get a scholarship. I could probably do an online course or something, but I'd need a job to be able to pay for it. What about you? When are you finishing school?"

Jake grimaced. "I'm not sure I'm going to."

"Jake, it's important."

"Why? My job is to protect you and the tribe from vampires. I will learn nothing at school that will prepare me for that."

"No, but what are you going to do as your day job. You know, to get paid the money, so you can buy the food, so you don't shrivel up and die of hunger," she half-joked.

"Ugh, I don't know. I'll have to talk with Dad about it. Maybe I can get my final year fast-tracked or something. But, what about you?" he asked. "What do you enjoy doing the most?"

"You!" she said with a grin. Jake burst out laugh, and she laughed with him.

"I'm sorry, I don't pay very well. Of course, you already know how poor I am."

"Hey," she said, serious now. "You know I don't care about money, right?"

"Well, I just thought with Cullen… I mean, they are loaded, even for rich people."

"Really?" she asked, raising her eyebrow. "That's what you think of me?"

"It's just… wait, no… I mean… I don't think that… Geez, stop talking, Jake," he said to himself. "Digging myself a hole here, aren't I?"

"Yep!" she said with a grin. She wasn't upset.

"I'm just not able to provide for you, or look after you, the way you deserve. That's all I mean."

Bella made sure he was looking her in the eyes before continuing, "when I was with Edward, he made all the decisions for me. He provided all the money. Basically told me what I needed. I don't want that. I want to do life with you."

Jake looked down at the floor with a sad expression. "I want that too."

Bella felt a small knot in her stomach.

"I can't promise you forever," he whispered.

"I know… I'm happy to take right now," she said with a kiss.

** Adult Content **

"You're late," he heard her say from up ahead, through the trees. He was traipsing through the undergrowth of the forest to find their spot. It was outside the usual patrol perimeter, and near a creek, so it was perfect for their 'catch ups'.

"I know, I'm sorry. Mom was being a pain in my ass."

"She's just concerned," she commented as he got closer.

When he appeared in the small clearing, she was already stripping out of her clothes.

"Eager are we?" he asked.

"Cut the chit chat, I'm in a good mood, and I don't want it ruined," she said, turning around to hold on to a tree.

He could smell her arousal already. He stepped out of his cut-offs and pressed up himself against her.

She gasped at the feeling of his erection pressed at her opening. He reached around her stomach, through her patch of hair and found she was already very wet. "How do you want it today?" he asked in a husky voice; it always turned her on more.

"Fuck me," she said as he slammed into her. He anticipated her needs; he always knew what she needed.

She screamed out at the sudden intrusion.

"Shh, you know you need to be quiet, or someone will hear us."

He slammed into her again, and she whimpered. "That's better."

He kept up a relentless pace as she tried her best to stay quiet. He held her up against the tree with one hand. The other was tweaking her nipple.

It didn't take long. "I'm nearly there," she panted, giving him a warning. He covered her mouth with his hand to quiet the scream he knew was coming.

He pushed into her harder, and she exploded around him. He felt her pulse around him, and it pushed him over the edge.

He released her mouth as he kissed down her neck to her shoulder, sucking hard. It would leave a bruise, but she would heal before anyone saw it.

When he had left a satisfying mark, he turned her around to kiss her. They looked in each other's eyes, and…

.

.

.

"FUCK!" they both said at the same time.

Jake and Bella had stopped in at the Clearwater's house to touch base with them. Jake thanked them for their help over the past two days and said he would let them know their new patrol schedules soon. He was actually really proud of his little pack. He felt like they would work quite well together.

Jake drove them to Sam's house. He took Bella's hand as they walked up to their front door.

They were relieved when they walked through the front doors, and it was just Sam and Emily home. They were sitting on the couch together, watching a daytime movie.

"Hey guys," Emily greeted them.

"Hey Emily, can I borrow Sam for a bit?" Jake asked politely.

Sam kissed Emily on her scarred cheek and stood up.

"Sure," she replied, "Bella, would you like to join me in watching Pride and Prejudice? It's the new one with Kiera Knightly."

"Oh, that's my favorite version," Bella said excitedly.

Jake squeezed Bella's hand and kissed her on the head before sitting on the couch next to Emily.

The girls continued to chat about the movie while Jake and Sam went outside to the back deck. Jake was grateful that Emily was always friendly to Bella. He knew that both he and Bella were emotionally fragile at the moment, and someone like Emily was the perfect person to be around.

"Are we good?" Jacob asked Sam as soon as they were outside.

As soon as Jake had arrived at their house, he could feel the difference between the two of them. Two days ago, it was like their wolves were circling each other, trying to size up their opponents. Today, they were both quiet.

"Yeah, man, we're good."

They were silent for a minute; each had a lot on their mind.

"I said some shit I'm not proud of. I'm sorry," Sam admitted.

"It's not me you need to apologize to," Jake replied.

There seemed to be a shift happening between the two of them. It wasn't sudden; it felt like it would change over time. Sam needed to step down, and Jake needed to step up. But neither was ready for it to happen right now.

"Have you contacted Carlisle yet?" Jake asked, getting straight to business.

"Yes, he said he would have to send a letter. The old vamps don't like new technology or something." They both shook their heads. "It could take a week or so to get a reply."

Sam continues, "Carlisle also mentioned that the head leech, Aro, or something, can read every thought you've ever had with one touch." Sam shuddered. "When Edward went to Italy earlier in the year, he touched Edward's hand. Since Edward was here when the treaty was first signed, Aro will already know about us. Hopefully, that means there is no danger for us."

"Well, that's a relief," Jake said.

"Yeah, the council should be happy about that."

Jake just scoffed. Sam watched him.

"You know it's not their fault?" Sam said, not talking about the Volturi anymore.

Jake was picking at a bit of paint that was flaking off the porch railing. "Well, who the fuck can I blame? Coz whoever is making decisions for us is fucking us over."

"It will all work out in the end," Sam said.

"Thanks, Yoda," Jake mocked him, but his heart wasn't in it.

"What have you decided to do about it?"

Jake paused for a moment. "If someone told you, right now, that you could hurt Emily one day in the future like you did Leah. Could you walk away from her?"

Sam paused for a minute. "No, I can't leave her," he admitted.

"That's exactly how I feel."

"But yours is different."

Jake scowled at him, "it doesn't feel any different to yours or Jared's or Paul's."

Sam shook his head. "Does Bella know everything?"

"Yes."

"And she is happy to continue to be with you?"

"Yes, the imprint works both ways. You know that."

"She is the one that will hurt, in the end."

"You don't think I'm aware of that?" Jake said angrily.

"I'm sorry you can't catch a break," Sam admitted.

After a few minutes of silence, they discussed how to restructure the patrolling schedules. It was decided that the Black Pack would patrol six out of the 21 shifts per week. They would patrol those shifts on their own and howl if they needed help. It appeared that Sam had gotten over his angst regarding Leah; although, Jacob didn't bring her up.

Sam and Jake went into the forest to both phase and tried out the new mode of communication. They found it relatively easy to control. However, because their individual pack members couldn't talk to the other pack, Jake and Sam would both need to phase as soon as possible, in an emergency, to help coordinate the two packs.

Can I see what happened when you imprinted? Sam asked

That's kinda private, Jake said.

Well, can you show me what it is like right now?

Jake thought of how he felt about Bella, his undying love for her; he thought about what she was feeling right now - laughter, peace, and love; and then he thought of the connection between them, what it felt like, the pull, the electricity.

You are right. It does feel the same. Sam agreed. Jake could feel Sam's confusion, but neither of them had any answers.

When the boys came back into the lounge, they found the girls both crying. "What's wrong?" Jake asked, concerned as he sat down next to Bella. He hadn't felt her get upset.

Sam laughed at him. "It's just the movie. It's not even sad; those are happy tears. Emily has made me watch this one a hundred times."

"Have not!" Emily scolded him with a guilty smile.

Bella wiped her face. "Sorry, it's just been a long day."

Jake pulled her into his lap, and they watched the last five minutes of the movie together. When the film was finished, they headed back to Forks. The car ride home was quiet.

"How are you doing?" Jake asked, one arm around Bella's shoulder, pulling her in tight against his side.

"Pretty good. Actually, I was chatting with Emily about getting some work, and she mentioned that there is a small cafe in town. I've never seen it, but they are looking for a new employee. They need help with baking and serving. She was going to apply herself, but with the baby coming along, she decided not to. So instead, she suggested that I should apply for it."

"Is that the one at First Beach?"

"Yeah, it is."

"That would be awesome. You'd be great at it, you love baking, and you'd be on the rez more. I'd get to see you more often, and it will be easier to protect you here."

"Expecting many vampire attacks, are you?" she asked jokingly.

"You never know," he said seriously. "You are my world; I will feel so much better when you are here."

She smiled up at him, "I'll update my CV tonight and go over tomorrow and have a chat with them."

"Sounds like a great plan," Jake said with a kiss on her forehead.

A/N thanks for reading and reviewing. Sorry, it's not a big chapter, but there is more coming soon.