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Disclaimer: Twilight and all characters belong to Stephenie Meyers.

Chapter 19

Jacob caressed Bella's shoulder before dropping a kiss there. Touch was comfortable for them now. They dwelled in their intimate nature but didn't cross certain lines. He knew which barriers existed. She couldn't kiss him on the mouth yet. They'd talked about it. Bella promised soon, so he waited.

"Only two remain. I can't believe how far you've come these months."

Bella angled her body toward him. Her leg rested against his hip so he had to maintain some personal distance. His hand was bound to her thigh healing the final leg scar. They'd become adept at contorting any way necessary while maintaining contact and modesty. It wasn't always easy, but they were both willing to do what it took to heal her. All shyness between them had disappeared after the first time. Bella didn't ask him to turn around, and he did his best not to stare.

Bells sighed, "Actually, I've decided something important. There's only one remaining on my forearm."

"Your wrist too."

"Yes, the bite that wasn't inflicted by Edward. That's why I've decided to keep it. I hope that's okay."

It was her body, so Jacob wouldn't tell her what to do, but he was curious. She'd always tried to hide it from him. He knew what it was as soon as he phased, but they both avoided discussing it. Now that they had the secret to healing her, he only assumed Bells wanted it gone.

"You probably can't understand, but this scar means something to me unlike the reminders from Edward."

"Okay, do you feel like explaining a little more? What does it mean?"

Bella had never told him much about the leech James stalking her until this moment. His body tensed and his anger flared for the Cullens allowing Bella to be in that predicament. Jacob wished he would have phased earlier. Maybe he could have protected her better. That family failed her many times.

Her story wound down. The whole ordeal sounded terrible, so he still wasn't convinced why she chose to keep that bite mark. However, Bella finished with a clear answer, "I saw the horror of their world that night in the studio. I suffered immense pain and agony; I should have died then, but I survived. The irony was it scared me in ways I can't describe, but I still worshiped Edward. It didn't change anything for me when it should have. I had to go through so much more than that first attack from James to get it. I can barely remember who I was then. I've come so far and for me this bite from James is a positive reminder. Also, what if this first bite is the very reason I survived the attack from Edward? What if it gave me immunity? Wouldn't it be nice to have that reassurance I can't be turned by a vampire?"

Jacob growled. "Trust me, no fucking leech will ever get close enough to bite you again, but I get what you're saying. If it's important to you, then you have my full support. Just remember, a vampire is dangerous even without their fangs. I need you to stay safe always, Bells."

"I will and the way I see it, I can change my mind. One day, I might want this last scar gone, but not now. It's not the right time in my life."

Bella and Jacob snuggled a little closer. The progress she made over the months was nothing short of a miracle. Bells was always strong, but now she knew it. She took the walks now with or without him because physically she was a hundred percent. Of course, Seth or Leah were never far, but she didn't mind as long as she got her space. Jacob was on target to finish high school by early summer. He had two jobs, both part-time, but life was normal or normal as it could be for a woman recovering from vampire trauma and a guy that phased into a giant furry wolf daily. She was comfortable hanging with Sam's pack not all at once, but sometimes, they had dinner with Sam and Emily or Bella cooked for Embry and Quil. Once a week, Rachel and Bella made family dinner. Charlie and Sue were usually there and Bella had braved going to her father's house. That day took a lot out of her; the memories were overwhelming, but she and Jacob promised to make new ones.

Bella mentioned Old Quil should be in soon to remove the bandages. Jacob always had mixed feelings about the end of the ritual. It was uncomfortable and tiring, but also a peaceful and intimate time with her.

"Jake, maybe tonight," she paused.

"Yeah, what about tonight?"

"Um, maybe tonight could be special?" Bells blushed. He smiled at her. Jacob thought all nights with her were special, but he hoped she meant what he thought she meant. He tried to remain calm and not seem too eager. Blood pooled to his lower half, and he felt the room get a little warmer. Dammit. He was already far too eager. "I sound like an idiot. Stop looking at me so I can say it."

"You were talking, so it's natural to look, Bells."

"Well, you look crazy, stop it."

"Where should I look then?"

Bella pointed, "The ceiling. Look up, anywhere but at me."

He stared straight up, sure that he looked way crazier now, but Bella was able to explain, herself. "I was thinking we could stay at home like normal but do something different, make it seem more like a date. Is that dumb? I swear to God, I sound like I'm fourteen."

"No, that sounds nice. So, about dating you… what kind of stuff do you like to do on dates?" Jacob raised his eyebrows a few times.

Bella buried her face against him. "Stop embarrassing me. You know what I like to do at home: cook, watch movies, bake brownies, prop our feet up and enjoy each other's company."

"Okay, what will make this night different then? Are you saying I get to kiss you goodnight? Please say yes."

"Yes, I'm pretty sure I'm ready for that, so treat me right on this date and we'll see what happens."

"Oh, I will. I promise, I'll be your best date ever. There will be flowers, candles and all the romantic shit I can think of."

"You don't have to do all that."

"I do, Bells and I will, but one more question, after our goodnight kiss, do I still get to sleep with you?"

Jacob tickled her, and Bella slapped his hand away. "Maybe, but that sounds more salacious than it actually is. We'll most likely sleep. I need baby steps, remember."

"I'll be a perfect gentleman. How's that sound?"

"It sounds fine… for now, but I'm at liberty to change my mind," this time Bella winked at him.

Jacob skipped toward the front of the cabin with flowers in one hand, sparkling cider in the other and two grocery bags hanging off his arms. The cider might be lame, but alcohol didn't affect him and he still got carded at the grocery store. Bella stayed home cooking while he ran out for the supplies. He bought a few scented candles along with the finishing touches Bella requested for their special date night dinner.

He couldn't remember how many nights they'd stayed home doing this exact thing, but tonight was expected to be completely different. Jacob entered the cabin with a traditional 'honey, I'm home' chant. The last thing he expected was a distressed look on Bella's face.

She was panicked. Maybe she was unsure about what she said earlier. He'd have trouble hiding his disappointment, but of course, he would back down if that's what she needed.

Jacob noticed the phone in her palm, "What's wrong?"

"It's Dad."

"Shit. What happened to Charlie?"

"Nothing happened. It's just he's on the way here."

"Now! You're kidding, right?"

"No, I didn't know what to say. He called and said he missed me extra today and offered to bring out some pizza, so I said I was already cooking a roast chicken. He thought that sounded way better than pizza. I'm sorry, my dad just invited himself to our date. I didn't know what to say."

"You could have said no."

"I couldn't. My dad has been through terrible things because of me. He won't stay too late, I'm sure. Did you buy the bread and cheese I asked for?"

Jacob slammed the bags on the table. "Yeah, it's all there. You can light the let me tease you candle or the kissable buttercream one, whichever one you think Charlie would prefer."

"Oh my God, they sell those scents at the Forks market?"

"Yeah, by the florist section, there's a new vendor cart for some lady's business." Jacob shoved the bouquet in between them. "There, those are for you unless you'd rather give them to your father like you are my dinner."

Charlie put Bells on the spot and it wasn't her fault, but he was a typical male and he'd been patient for so fucking long. Jacob thought he deserved a good pouting. As soon as Bella took the flowers, he stormed off to the bedroom, slammed the door, and fell face first onto the mattress. She'd changed the sheets. Fuck his life. Bella wanted to be romantic as much as he did.

She opened the door, "It's just an hour or so, two hours tops. You're acting like a huge baby right now."

Jacob lifted up so he could see her, "Maybe I am, but getting cockblocked by Charlie wasn't what I had in mind when I went off to the store to buy things I thought were going to make us have a great date. I'm entitled to be disappointed."

"You don't think I'm not disappointed?"

"I don't know, are you? Or are you relieved?" He regretted that last part as soon as he said it. "Bells, I didn't mean that."

"No, you did, and I don't blame you. I've always been somewhat of a tease to you. I have issues. We all know that. Thanks for the reminder." Her lip trembled. "Actually, you're a fucking jerk!" Bella slammed the door harder than he had and left him alone. He'd ruined everything. Even after Charlie left, she would not be any sort of mood for romance. He'd be lucky if he didn't have to sleep outside as a wolf.

Jacob jumped off the bed. He had to take it back, make it up to her not because he was trying to get something extra from their date, but because Jacob hated to make her cry.

She was in the kitchen slamming dishes and silverware on the table when he wrapped his arms around her waist. She yelled, "Let me go."

"I'm sorry. I am a jerk. Please stop crying. We'll make the best of the night. I swear it."

She squirmed, so she could turn around. Her arms squeezed him tightly in return. "It's not true. The dinner with Dad will change everything. Dinner was supposed to be the mood setter. We are going to miss all the buildup. You're right. I should have stopped him, and said we already had plans, but I still let my guilt control me. Maybe we should just do it, get it over with before he gets here."

"What?"

"You know, kissing. You kiss me now. That's what you said once, I ask and then you will. Well, I'm asking after six months of living together; I'm finally ready, kiss me, Jake."

He leaned in, Bella puckered her lips and Jacob planted a kiss right smack dab in the middle of her forehead. "No, not like that. We've kissed before for the wrong reasons, and I swore to myself I'd never let it happen like that again. You are trying to prove a point right now that you won't get scared or that you're ready for something more physical between us, but I only want you to kiss me because you want to. You should feel that need from the top of your head to the tips of your toes, honey. That's the next kiss we deserve, so I won't settle and neither will you."

"I love you."

"I know, and I love you. When it happens for us, we are going to soar. Nothing will stop our love. It'll keep getting better."

The knock at the door made them both pull away. Bella shoved the candles in his hands, "Save those for later. We're not using those with Dad here, but I'll put the flowers in water. I think they will make an excellent conversation piece. Hopefully, Dad gets the hint and leaves soon after eating."

Charlie let himself in after three knocks before Jacob got to the door. If he and Bella were about to change the nature of their relationship, he needed to remember to start locking that door.

Dinner was astounding as always. The flowers didn't give Charlie much of a clue. He asked Bella to move them, so he could see her while he talked to her. He said he a had a funny story to tell them. Quil applied to work at the station and put Jacob as his first reference. He wondered if they knew about Quil's interest in law enforcement.

Jacob quipped, "I don't think it's a real interest. Once he said it would be cool to carry a gun around at all times and no one think anything about it."

"So, you don't think he is cut out for the force?"

"You aren't going to deputize him, are you?"

"No, nothing like that. He's going to work as a clerk first, but I was seriously considering recommending him for the academy in the fall if he does alright. I can use a guy like well, you know like Quil unless you're interested in police work, Jake. Surely, one of you boys would try. Bad guys wouldn't have a chance around these parts."

"No, Dad. Jacob likes to fix things. He doesn't want to be a cop, no offense."

Jacob was quiet. He had flown through school so fast, he hadn't taken time to think about what was next. He loved to fix things like Bells said, but there was more to fixing than the obvious. Bella shook her head at him.

He was ready for Charlie to leave. This conversation needed to wind down, so Jacob might discuss police stuff with Charlie another day when Bells wasn't so close by, "We are straight shooters, right?"

"Of course."

"Quil is an absolute dumbass."

Bella nudged him, "Jacob, you're the worst reference in history."

"No, hear me out. I mean when it comes to common sense and humor, he needs help, but as far as protecting human life, he takes that shit seriously. He would never fail you. So if you want Quil to work with you, I say give him a chance. Crime around Forks is fairly tame. I wonder how a bigger city would benefit from a guy like me?"

"You mean Quil, Jacob. I hate reading crime stories out of big cities. I'm glad Dad is in a fairly quiet community."

"Sure, sure, Quil. Anyway. Is that all? I mean do you have any more questions for me?"

Charlie rubbed his mustache. He looked between Bella and Jacob and then cleared his throat. "Actually, I came out here for another reason. I've been putting it off because I wasn't sure about it."

"What is it, Dad?"

Charlie stood up from the table and walked over to his jacket. As soon as he retrieved the item into the open air, Jacob smelled it, "Vampire! Where'd you get that?"

Charlie slowly approached an agitated Jacob. "Easy. It's just a letter, and I wasn't sure about the vampire part, but the writing's so fancy. It didn't seem human. Look. It's addressed to Bells and this cute little puppy sketch. I would have laughed if it didn't make me uneasy. It arrived at the house a few days ago, but I didn't know if I should give it to you or not. What if it's trouble?"

Bella reached for the envelope, Jacob tried to stop her. "It's just a letter. Relax, both of you. Let me see it." Bella traced the lines of the fancy script, "This is Rose's writing."

"Are you sure, kiddo?"

"Positive." She pointed to the dog drawing. "Honestly, Jacob. Of course, this is from Rose. She never used your name. It's fine, Dad. Rose helped the pack. We owe her. I'm sure she just wanted to check on me. Thanks for bringing the letter."

"Whew, that's a relief. Then I'll get going. Don't need to hit me over the head with a brick."

"I was going to whip up a dessert."

"No thanks," Charlie patted his stomach. "I need to watch the sweets, and I am pretty sure I interrupted something here tonight the way Jacob keeps giving me the stink eye and glancing at the door. Plus, we were drinking bubbly apple juice in the middle of the week." Bella frowned at Jacob. He didn't think he was so obvious. "I wasn't born yesterday and I guess it goes without saying you kids have my blessing. Have fun," he pointed at Jake, "but not too much. That's my baby girl."

Bella hugged her dad. She tried to hide her blush. Jacob normally would be laughing at the awkwardness, but all he could do was focus on that letter clutched in Bella's hand. Something wasn't right. If Bella opened that letter, he expected the night wouldn't end well.

As soon as Charlie was out of sight, Jacob asked for the letter.

"No, it's mine, but you can read over my shoulder," she giggled and patted his head. "The puppy does look like you, admit it. Rose is talented."

"Bella, please. I don't think this is funny, and I sure as hell don't think you should read anything from the Cullens. It could cause a setback."

"Nonsense. The bad Cullens are gone. This is Rose and Emmett, maybe Esme. I'm curious." Bella sat on the couch and patted the spot next her. Jacob had a seat while Bella opened the letter. She opened up a long page of script writing. He struggled to read some of it, but saw something about money.

"Oh, there's a trust. That's weird." Jacob growled. "But wait, she says it has nothing to do with Edward or Carlisle. It's some investments of hers and Emmett's. She wants me to use it for the future."

Money couldn't erase what Bella endured, but Jacob had to leave that decision up to her. If the money wasn't actual blood money, who was he to forbid Bella from using the money how she saw fit? Maybe Bells wanted to go to college or buy a car. He tried to find what happened to the old truck, but it was long gone. He couldn't find anything about the truck so that must have been the leech's doing.

He almost relaxed that Bells was right, and the letter didn't contain bad news. Most of the shit in there was harmless chitchat about Rose and her mate's travels, but Jacob and Bella made it to the end at the same time. Other letter is for the mutt.

Jacob had no choice, but to let Bells read his small note that was folded deep inside the envelope, separate from the one she wrote to Bella.

Dear dog, I hope you moved past what was said before Edward's demise. I never got a chance to explain what Edward insisted to get inside your mind.

Bella turned to him, "Edward said something to you. You never told me that."

He never told her because he didn't think he had to. He tried to put the thoughts to rest, but seeing Rose's words proved the demon was still inside Jacob's mind. Bella started to read the words aloud.

"Alice did see something in the future. I believe she said Bella aged which I thought was a good sign. Then she said Bella was overwrought, so tearful she couldn't speak and she stumbled before the vision went dark. Edward overreacted and made it about you. I remember correcting them; Alice couldn't see beyond the wolves. They drew their own conclusions if Alice saw her then you weren't around Bella anymore. It was far-fetched, dog. You know I was never a fan of yours, but just because Alice saw Bella in a sorrowful moment doesn't mean you imprinted and left her. Anyway, it was a despicable thing for him to say, but he was the lowest of the low. I don't believe him and neither should you. Be happy, healthy and take care of her. Rest assured if I find out you hurt her, I'll come back and kick your furry ass.

Yours truly, Blondie"

Jacob swore the inside of the cabin got so quiet he heard Bella's tears stream down her cheeks like a raging river. His words stuck in his throat, so she spoke first.

"You imprint."

"No, fuck no, Bells."

"Edward said you do. Alice saw, and you hid the truth all these months. Why Jacob? How could you? We promised no lies between us."

"It wasn't a lie. I was protecting you. Didn't you read what Blondie said? It's bullshit. That's what she wrote in a roundabout way."

Bella shook her head. "No, you believe it. Don't you?"

"No. Of course, I don't. It was the tick's last word before I sent him straight to hell. I can't imprint. I won't. It's only you. You're all I see."

"Only because you haven't seen her yet. We both know I'm not your imprint."

"There's no goddamn imprint!"

"Liar. Don't you lie to me, Jacob Black. I know you. You brag about knowing me, but I know you just as well. You didn't tell me because you were protecting me. You didn't tell me because deep down you know it's true. You'll imprint and leave me. Then what? What the hell will happen to me? I can't believe this. I hate you for bringing me back from death only to rip my heart out. You're a cruel, bastard!" She screamed and flailed her arms, so Jacob wouldn't touch her. "And at this moment, I hate your guts for this worse than I hate Edward for raping me."

She didn't mean that. Bells was upset and rightly so. He hated himself for not coming clean. Jacob buried his face in his hands because he didn't know how to face her. As soon as he did, it would be confirmation she was right. He'd thought so much about the imprint these past months that it plagued his dreams. Some woman in white would often appear to try to tell him something, but Jacob would run as fast as he could away from her. She kept calling for him, but he refused to turn around no matter how much he was drawn to her. He never saw her face, but knew one thing for certain; it wasn't Bells.

~Thanks for reading.

I never promised an easy road. It's called The Long Way Home for a reason. Sorry, I've been MIA. If I delay updating, just means my life is in turmoil. ;) Please give feedback if you have it. I'm extra needy these days. Love you all!