JPOV
Calling me lucky would have been an understatement. The fact that Bella would even look at me again was a miracle, and I wasn't about to waste it. I couldn't pretend our lives weren't intertwined anymore just because I was afraid.
As I stood there, washing paint off of Bella's naked back, I silently thanked the spirits that she chose me, and more than that, she was my imprint. I had no idea what I would have done if I'd imprinted on someone else.
My wolf whimpered at me as I moved Bella's hair off of her back to see if I'd missed any paint.
*Mine* he growled, not in a threatening way, but in a very possessive one.
*What the hell is your problem?* I thought back.
*Mine*
*Well she's mine too so screw off. Things were nice and quiet since my memory returned. Don't screw this up for me.*
*MINE* he growled, louder this time. It reminded me of the way I communicated with the rest of the pack while phased except the wolf wasn't the pack, and I wasn't phased.
I closed my eyes. Hoping that if I concentrated enough, that I wouldn't hear him.
"Jake? What's wrong?"
I shook my head, contemplating not telling her but knew that was a stupid idea. I needed to prove myself to her more than ever, and that started with communication.
"The wolf. He's being possessive for some reason."
"What does that mean?" Bella's eyes looked worried but the rest of her kept the cool composure she mastered while I was… away.
"Just vocal about you being his."
"So, I uh… I've been thinking about this a lot, but we could always maybe have Edward tap into your brain like before and maybe he could communicate better or maybe the wolf has it's own subconscious that you don't hear?"
"I'd love to know what's going on but is having your ex comb through my thoughts, and memories, which mostly revolve around a naked you, a really good idea?" I asked, while scrubbing the paint off Bella's collarbone.
"I don't know, but if it could help, wouldn't it be worth it? Edward's moved on. I think it would be okay."
"Okay. I'll trust your gut, but not until the weekend. I have a test coming up and I don't need my brain fried for it."
"Deal."
/Wednesday/
I rushed home after school and grabbed the small wooden box out from my drawer and took off to Sam's, waving to my dad who was on the phone with Beth as I passed him on the porch. I was happy that he found someone after all this time but I was also a little upset. I know mom would want him to be happy but seeing him move on still hurt a little. I knew it was better for him though and I wanted him happy too, so I didn't interfere.
When I arrived at Sam's, there was loud music playing on the outdoor speakers system again, and I could see Bella and Leah talking over some scrap books inside the open patio door.
"Hey! You busy?" I asked Bella.
Sam came up behind me and clapped me on the back. "Never, at least not for my alpha."
"Ha. Ha." I said, then turned back to Bella. "I was asking the birthday girl."
Bella's eyes lit up when she realised I remembered. She looked at Leah who nodded for her to go, and I could see now that the scrapbook was filled with different wedding ideas.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt." I said to Leah as Bella went to her room to get ready.
"It's fine, Jake." Leah said, putting away the book. "I have plenty of time. I'll just go over the guest list, nothing Bella can help me with for that. Go. Have fun, or whatever."
"Thank you. Not just for today. I ordered your silence but your friendship was all you. I don't think I would have made it these past few months if I didn't have you there."
"You guys are my best friends, of course I was going to stick around and make sure that things worked out between you. How do you think it would have felt if I needed to choose between my alpha and my best girl friend?" Leah was right, it was horrible what I did and I was happy she didn't have to choose, though I would have walked away if it came down to it. If I broke Bella's heart, she would need the friends.
I shook my head to clear my mind of the depressing thoughts and sent a text off to Embry.
/Green light/ SEND
DING
/Aye Aye Captain. T minus 15/
Everything was going as planned.
When Bella came out, she was wearing sneakers, leggings and a tunic type top. It was perfect but with one thing missing.
"Grab two towels and your swimsuit." I told her then added, "Put them in a backpack."
"Um, alright." She said, smiling but her expression looked confused. Crap, I didn't mean to sound so forceful again. Seemed like when it came to Bella, it was hard to keep that side of me away.
When Bella came back she was all ready to go. We said bye to Sam and Leah and I lead Bella toward the woods. She had no idea what was going on but I knew that despite everything, she trusted me.
I stopped just inside the trees and undressed.
"Jake, as much as I love seeing you naked, what are you doing?"
I just smirked at her then placed my clothes in her bag before phasing.
Embry's voice was in my head. I knew pretty much everyone knew what happened now but having another wolf in my head was not something I was used to anymore, and especially not while I was feeling extremely guilty about my amnesia self's actions, so I tried to keep my thoughts focused but it was hard.
"Almost done Jake." Embry said as I tilted my head toward my back, hoping Bella would understand.
/BPOV/
"What is it, boy? Timmy fall down a well?" I joked, and Jake barked at me before motioning again behind him. Wait, he didn't want… "Did you want me to… um, ride… you?" good choice of words Bella. I had to actively try not to facepalm myself at my words.
Jake tilted his head and his tongue slipped out of his mouth in a lopsided sort of smile making me giggle.
"Um, okay. Just, bend down. You're a lot bigger than me."
Jake barked again then laid down on the ground. I carefully climbed onto his back and gripped his fur for stability. His painful whine that came out made me jump and I let go. Instead I put my arms around his thick neck, my face nuzzling into the soft fur of his head.
When Jake took off, it was exhilarating. Nothing like being carried by a vampire. It was more freeing, like riding on a horse. Jake carefully leapt through the forest and after a while, he slowed then stopped.
"Am I getting off?"
His response was to again, lay on the forest floor, low enough down that I could safely dismount. He pressed his head into my abdomen and my hands scratched behind his ears of their own accord, making him whine but in a happy way.
Jake walked a few feet away then phased back but only put on his boxers.
"Almost there, I promise." He said, then took my hand and lead me through the woods. The light coming through the trees ahead hinted at a clearing in the woods and when we got to the edge, I was amazed by what I saw.
In front of us was a waterfall that was so magical looking that I nearly forgot to breathe. The forest surrounding the pool was full of soft moss and the water was clear, reflecting the blue sky and green moss in a perfect tropical teal glow. My eyes lit up at the sight. It was beyond beautiful and I was at a loss for words. Near the water, on a flat bed of dark moss were two baskets, and a few other items I couldn't make out unless I was closer. It was a picnic.
"How?" was all I could manage to say.
"Sometimes secrets make things more magical." He responded, then led me over to where the moss started. He lifted me up with one hand in a bridal type lift and with his free hand, took my shoes off my feet before setting me down on the soft moss. It was squishy under my feet and gave in about an inch but was like walking on a soft carpet, well actually it was softer than any carpet I've ever felt.
Jake took his shoes off as well and walked over to the baskets, holding my hand once again.
"You should change into your swimsuit before you sit down. The moss is a bit damp." I decided he was probably right and placed my clothes with his in the backpack, changed to the two piece swimsuit I recently bought and attached the bag to a nearby tree to keep dry. The swimsuit wasn't anything special but Jake seemed to like the way it looked on me. It was a bright red set and the bottoms went low on my hips. The top was a basic V shape with the straps going around my neck instead of over my shoulders.
We sat down and Jake pulled the first thing out of the picnic basket. Sandwiches.
"Pretty much the only thing I know how to make. Sorry."
"Don't be, it's prefect."
Jake set the sandwiches on a paper plate that was in the second basket and pulled out a container of cut up fruit pieces. Pineapple, mango, peach and something he called dragonfruit which looked like white kiwi. Then from the second picnic basket he pulled out a bottle of wine and two plastic cups.
"Before you say no, it's sparkling apple cider." Jake explained and I had to laugh at him knowing exactly what I was about to say.
"Okay."
When we were done eating our food and sipping at our fake wine, I walked down to the water and dipped my toes in the water, surprised that it wasn't too cold.
"I know I'm supposed to be this confident person, Bells, but I have to ask you something. It's been bugging me ever since after the pack meeting and I would just ignore it but I'm really trying to not keep anything from you. I want things to work and first step is no secrets or anything, right?"
"Of course. Whatever it is, you know I'm here."
"I overheard something Quil said to you and I know I have no reason to be worried, and normally I wouldn't, but the wolf won't shut up about it. Things were going good but it seems that being around you always gets him riled up."
"It's fine Jake, ask away." I had no idea what he was referring to but I had nothing to hide.
"He said now that I'm back he can't have his way with you anymore. What uh… happened between you two? Was there something going on?"
"Oh, that." I looked down at my feet, not even sure where to begin. Quil has been amazing these last few months and I definitely didn't want to cause any issues between them. "Ok so to start at the beginning, Angela, Jessica, Leah, Kim and I went to a club that just opened up in Forks. It's open to anyone over 16 or older, they ID at the bar instead of the door.
"We went a few times to let off steam and just enjoy the music and their burgers are amazing. Well when I was on the dance floor with the girls, guys wouldn't seem to leave me alone. It was fine, I didn't mine dancing with other guys. It took my mind off you. But this one night, there was this guy and he was really nice and a good dancer but he was a bit pushy. When he found out I wasn't drinking alcohol and had no chance of getting drunk enough to accept his advances, he took the situation into his own hands and uh slipped something into my drink.
"Luckily, Leah noticed I was acting funny, and I ended up going to the ER, my dad showed up, arrested the guy and all was right in the world, however now dad wouldn't let me go because there was no guarantee that men would leave me alone. I found a way that they would, Quil. So he tagged along from now on, as my official dance partner and every man in the place stayed far away. So we got close, closer than I've been with anyone aside from you. We danced, just like at Sam's after the meeting, but that was it. I mean grinding against each other in a club is not something I ever thought would happen with Quil, but it did. It won't happen again though, I promise."
"Relax." Jake said, wrapping his arms around me. "Nothing happened, and if it had, I'd be the one to blame, not you. I just needed to understand so my mind could stop searching every possibility. You want to dance with Quil, go for it. I'm not going to stand in the way of your friendship just because I suddenly reappeared."
I still felt guilty though. Quil was one of his best friends and we had gotten very close physically and emotionally. I would hate to see Jake dancing with another girl in that same way, though that was likely the reason he was saying it was fine. He knew what I dealt with.
"Jake…"
"No." He said, interrupting me with his index finger to my lips. "I'm serious. It doesn't bother me. To quote a very smart woman, 'I know where your heart lies.'"
"Thank you for trusting me."
"No, thank you for not giving up on me. I'm so sorry it took so long for me to see what I needed to do. Come on. Let's enjoy the rest of the day."
Jake took my hand and backed up into the water. The cool water was refreshing and the waterfall was beautiful. It created a mist in the air that was otherworldly, and if it weren't for knowing they didn't exist, I could envision fairies flying around this private oasis.
We eventually got out of the water, and Jake dug through my bag into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a small wooden box.
"Happy birthday, Bells."
He handed the box to me and I could tell right away that he made the box himself. It was beautiful and had small details that I didn't think his large hands could make. Inside the box was a small wooden heart.
"You held onto my heart for so long, even when I didn't deserve it. I could never thank you enough or apologize enough for what's happened between us, and the role I played in causing most of it. I love you, honey. So, just… thank you for taking care of my heart. Let me help you get this attached to the bracelet."
Jake knew exactly how to attach it and I sat in awe as his hands managed to secure this small heart onto the delicate bracelet he made me.
"It's beautiful, Jake. Thank you so much." I didn't really know what else to say. I knew I had to address his constant apologies though. I didn't want him to feel like he had to always beg for my trust in him, but not here.
As evening came, the temperature started to cool off and dark clouds started to come in from the West.
"Let's head back." Jake said, tossing me my clothes then phasing. I wrapped my bikini in one of the towels and tossed it in the bag before climbing onto Jake's back. We managed to make it back to Sam's just in time to miss the rain that poured down, and the thunder that boomed in the distance.
As the storm moved closer, the lightning ended up right on top of us, and with the next flash of light and loud boom, the power flicked off, and my body jumped at the sound.
