"Bells… marry me?" he mumbles before sleep takes a hold of him again.
"Yes!" I whisper before pressing a kiss to his forehead and finding a spot next to him in the small hospital bed. Even with everything bad that happened today, I still fall asleep with a smile on my face because I know that someday I will be Dr. Bella Black.
When I awake I can hear the soft drizzle of rain on the clinic roof and Jake snoring quietly next to me in the small hospital bed. Laying here next to him reminds me of the night I spent in the clinic after Victoria tried to kill me. Thankfully with Jacob's super wolf healing his recovery should be shorter than mine, even though his injuries are much more severe.
The sun is just starting to peak over the trees. Quietly I slip out of the tiny yet cozy bed and go to check on Quil. Even after months of caring for the pack I am still shocked at how quickly they heal, even from the worst wounds. The sutures embedded in Quil's skin are practically obsolete, the places where yesterday there were shreds of skin are now healed, bearing barely a scar in his dark tan skin. Jake has also healed nicely and is just waking up when I get back to his room.
"Did Dr. Cullen fix my shoulder?" He asks.
"It's as good as new, and with your speedy healing I'm sure you'll be back to your regular activities in no time"
"Thank you for pushing me to take his help, you were right he was the only one who could fix me without sending up red flags. What time did he finish last night? I don't remember anything after you convinced me to have the surgery"
My heart falls and I'm sure my face does too. I can't help but be disappointed that he doesn't remember asking me to marry him.
"You okay?" He asks. He must have picked up on the change in my face. I can't hide anything from him.
"Yeah I'm fine, just glad that you're feeling better!" I say, and press a kiss to his forehead.
If he doesn't believe me he doesn't show it and doesn't press the issue further.
Later in the day the rest of the pack comes back, some for check ups and some to see if they can donate more blood. I removed most of Jerad, Seth and Paul's sutures and reminded them to take it easy in addition to the rest of their discharge instructions.
After only one night in the clinic I discharge all of them but insist on another visit tomorrow for one last check-up. Maybe I would be more worried about them if they were regular patients or if I didn't trust them all with my life, but I feel surprisingly calm letting them all go.
When Jake and I get home, I help him into the house and into bed. He insists on staying awake, even after I try to get him to nap. We're laying in bed when Jake brings up how we were able to see and hear one another's thoughts. I told him how it was as if I was seeing out of his eyes and how I could feel that he was cold. He explains how he could feel my emotions. We decide it must have to do with the imprint and I make a mental note to ask Emily about it. Before falling asleep, Jake suggests that when he is feeling stronger we try out or mind reading abilities during a non-life threatening situation.
I agree but can't stop the creeping feeling that I won't let him try it until after he has proposed again. Pulling out my phone I shoot Emily a quick text. Ever since our first tea date, we have been meeting up weekly to share a pot of tea and talk about all things related to the pack and just general girl talk. It's been nice to have someone too confide in.
About a month later (end of September)
In the month since the attack the pack has been on high alert but there have not been any more signs or smells of vampires. Jake and I fell back into our easy groove, his pack duties picked back up as he regained his strength. Sam and Leah took over alpha duties while he recovered but were more than happy to step down now that he's back.
We're sitting across from each other at the dinner table, he's telling me about his day at work and how things with the pack are going. For some reason I decide tonight is the night I'm going to tell him about Dr. Cullen's offer for surgical training.
"When you were in surgery, Dr. Cullen offered to give me some surgical training in Forks if I wanted it." I say softly.
"Surgical training?" He asks.
"Yes, we don't have any trained surgeons on the Res, it could help a lot! We might even be able to get funding for the IHS to expand the clinic!" I say excitedly!
"Bells, that's amazing! I'm so proud of you for working hard everyday and for caring so much about the community! I love you"
"So you're not mad?" I ask, shyly.
"What? Mad? Not at all! I'm proud of you" He says, pulling me into a hug.
Tonight night as we lay in bed, I think about his proposal of marriage. I decide that I'm happy to wait for him to ask again because I know somewhere in his mind he wants me to be his wife.
The next day I called Carlisle and accepted his offer to give me surgical training. After discussing it with Dr. Freedman we decided that I will train in Forks with Carlisle on Monday's which are usually quiet at the clinic. Today is Friday, which means I'll be starting in two days.
Now that everyone has healed since the attack and there have been no signs of vampires the pack decides to hold another bonfire. This time I've offered to help Emily cook! Once I get off of work we set out making dinner.
Our menu consists of two huge salads, hamburgers, hotdogs, mac and cheese, roast brussel sprouts, a few cases of beer and my famous brownies. The weather is getting cooler but the boys never get cold and the fire will keep the rest of us warm.
It's starting to get dark when I pull the third tray of brownies out of the oven. Sam and Jacob are starting the fire and Billy is greeting the other pack members. Sue has made her way to the kitchen, I don't mention the fact that she and Billy showed up together but I definitely notice. All of us women tend to gather in the kitchen. As much as we love our boys, sometimes they can be a lot, especially when they're all together.
After we eat, Billy begins to tell stories. Some I've heard and others I haven't. It's nice to not be the center of attention tonight, we still have a few months before my residency on the reservation will be up for debate again. Once the fire has burned down to just coals the crowd begins to thin. The packs help to clean up the leftovers and then the night is over. We say our goodbyes and drive back to the house in a comfortable silence.
My mind wanders to how much has changed in the last four months. Before reconnecting with Jacob my Friday nights consisted of charting, scrolling through Instagram and going to bed early. Maybe if I was feeling really crazy I'd have a glass of wine and watch a movie. Now my weekends are full of friends, family and laughter.
Jake's POV
Ever since my surgery I've been thinking more about asking Bella to marry me. I know it's fast but something tells me that she will say yes, maybe it's the imprint but I can almost hear her saying yes. I thought about asking her tonight at the bonfire but I haven't asked Charlie yet and I feel like I should, even though I will ask her regardless, and I'm not sure she would want to be the center of attention. I've had the ring since before we went to the hot springs and consummated the imprint, but the time just hasn't felt right. Tomorrow I will go talk to Charlie at the station while Bella studies for boards.
I pull into the small Forks police station, the parking lot is quiet but I see Charlie's cruiser parked next to the two other officers. I'm greeted by a friendly receptionist who assures me that Chief Swan will be with me shortly. My heart is pounding and my legs feel wobbly. It's funny to think I fight vampires as a huge wolf but yet I'm still terrified to talk to Bella's dad, a man I've known my whole life.
"Jacob, to what do I owe the pleasure" Charlie says as he shakes my hand.
"I was wondering if you had a moment to chat sir."
"For you son, always" he motions for me to follow him back into the station.
We sit in his office and my knees keep bouncing nervously.
"Is everything alright Jacob? You seem nervous" he says in his gruff but compassionate voice.
"SirIwantedtoaskyourpremissiontoaskBellatomarryme" I spit out in one breath.
He sits back in his chair but doesn't say anything.
"What I meant to say was…" I stumble over my words again, before Charlie cuts me off.
"I heard what you said. You know that I've always seen you as a son. Your father and I have been best friends since we were in school. I remember the day you were born, I remember the days you and Bells would play in the mud together. But I also remember the day you broke her heart. Neither of us can handle that again. You may ask her, because at the end of the day it's not my decision, but I'm not sure she will say yes. I know you've swept her off of her feet the last few months, but I'm not sure she truly trusts you with her heart yet."
I think about the imprint and how I could and would never hurt Bella, but Charlie doesn't know any of that and I can't tell him. I thank him for his blessing. Later on my drive home, my mind is filled with all of the different ways I could propose.
Laying in bed next to Bella I'm tempted to ask her right now. She looks so beautiful laying naked next to me. Her dark hair draped over my arm as I draw small circles with my other hands on her neck and down her chest. In the end I decide against it, Bells is special the way I ask her to marry me needs to be special too. Just as I'm about to fall asleep the perfect idea hits me. Tomorrow I will talk to Leah.
"Leah! Are you awake yet?" I ask through the pack mind.
"Yeah I'm here Jake, everything okay?"
"I need your help with something, do you still do photography on the side?"
"Yeah Jake, but let's talk about this in person"
Two minutes later Leah's white wolf bounds into the yard.
"What do you need pictures for? Leah asks.
"I want to propose to Bella and I was wondering if you could help"
"YOU'RE PROPOSING?!" Leah shouts!
"That's the plan but the whole Rez probably knows now thanks to your loud mouth."
"Sorry I'm just so excited! Do you think she'll really say yes this quickly?"
"I hope so, the imprint is really strong, and dammit Leah I love her and I want to marry her!"
"How can I help?"
After nearly an hour we have planned the perfect proposal for Bells. Only two things left, for Leah to convince Bella that she should take some couples pictures of us, which won't be hard since Bella is always requesting that I smile for more pictures and for me to call Rebecca.
The next day everything is in place, Leah has already convinced Bella to take pictures and Rebecca and Zeke will be meeting us there 20 minutes after we start so that Bella doesn't get suspicious.
Bella is wearing a beautiful dark blue dress that compliments my light blue shirt well. I happily smile for pictures with her, it's fun having a secret! Rebecca and Zeke arrive right on time.
"I heard there was a chance I'd get to see my brother smile for pictures, I had to come see it with my own eyes" Rebecca says laughing.
Leah snaps a few more photos before pausing to suggest Bella put on her second outfit. This is the distraction we need. Bella scurries into the house while we set everything up. Leah brought a small chalkboard that we are going to have Zeke hold. I carefully write "Will you marry Uncle Jacob" on it. When Bella comes out of the house she is wearing a flowy white sundress, she looks stunning. To her it looks like I'm just taking a couple pictures with Zeke, we're doing a goofy side shot facing away from her so she can't see the sign.
"Bella hop in there, it will look super cute if you put your back against Jake's."
Leah snaps away.
"Alright this is too cute we need a couple more with Zeke. This time turn so that you're facing me. Put Zeke in the middle."
I do what Leah says but Bella still hasn't noticed the sign.
"Perfect! This time I want you to face each other."
Zeke is still expertly holding onto the sign although he may be chewing on the top of it I can't quite tell and my heart is pounding so hard I can't think straight.
It takes Bella a moment to notice the sign and for what it says to sink in. Her hand goes to her face and she starts to cry. This is my que, I sink to one knee, still holding Zeke and pull the ring from my pocket. The ring is simple yet beautiful. A clear solitaire stone, fitted into a silver band.
"Yes, yes, yes I will marry you!" Bella cries, pulling us both into a big hug. I get a kiss before she scoops up Zeke.
"Thank you Zeke, for helping your uncle. If it wasn't for you we never would have fallen in love."
Leah and Rebecca are watching us, tears in their eyes too. Leah snaps an occasional photo but we're all too excited to really care or notice.
Bella's POV
Jake's proposal was perfect! I can't imagine a better way to do it than to bring it all back to how we reconnected. My ring is stunning, he did a wonderful job picking it out. It's almost too perfect, I wonder if he had Emily's help.
I call my mom to tell her the news as we drive to forks to see Charlie, he is happy for us but seems unsurprised by our news. While we visit with Charlie, Billy pulls into the driveway and we share the news again. Billy smiles knowingly. With the stipulations they put surrounding my living situation, he knows I will now be allowed to live on the reservation without judgment from the rest of the community.
Later that night, we lay in one another's arms in the afterglow of our first lovemaking session as an engaged couple. If it is any indication of what married life sex is going to hold I would take Jake to the elders tonight.
AN: Hello again! I know it has been wayyyyy too long since I updated this story but I came across it again recently and I forgot how much I enjoyed the Bella and Jake dynamic in this story. I hope you will enjoy this chapter and bear with me as I slowly work on this story.