Jake phased into his wolf which was noticeably larger than it had been before Taha Aki had combined his half of their soul.
I rode on Jake's back in silence, listening to the forest and feeling the breeze in my hair before, much too soon, we were at the edge of the forest. The house I'd recently made home was visible from where Jake stopped to phase back. I could see the small bench that Sam made sitting outside in the grass and La Push felt more at home than normal.
We walked toward the porch while Jake talked about his job and how amazing being paid to do his hobby was. Fixing cars and making money instead of paying for the parts and losing out was a win-win for him.
"I'm glad you found something that makes you happy. Sounds like you deserve a raise though if you're so valuable." I grabbed his hand and he smiled.
"I'm only making so little because I work such short hours. School takes up too much time. I can't wait to graduate." Jake stopped as we got to the porch. "I need more free time with you."
His lips met mine and next thing I knew. I was up against the front door but Jake pulled away leaving me out of breath. He reached down to the doorknob but it wouldn't turn.
"When the hell is this door ever locked? Come on, let's try the back. I swear if it starts raining…" Jake pulled his phone out while walking toward the backdoor, looking unamused by the situation. "He said to meet him…"
As we rounded the corner, Jake shoved his phone back into his pocket and reached for my hand as "Surprise." was yelled by nearly every non-vampire I'd ever met in Forks. How they managed to all keep quiet long enough to surprise me, I'd never know.
I covered my face in embarrassment and when I moved my hands away, my mom and dad were standing in front of me.
"Happy Birthday." They each said, followed by everyone else. My mom made it known that she chose the cake. My favorite, a deep flavorful chocolate with a chocolate buttercream and whipped cream swirls.
My dad bought me a new outfit, likely with the help of Alice based on the style, and my mom bought me a few new books. One of them came out only a few days before and didn't seem my type but I decided to give it a try, it was called World War Z. Jessica bought me a notebook for recipes. Angela made me a bookmark with dangling stones using stones she had tumbled herself. Paul and the rest of the pack, including their imprints had chipped in to get me a spa package at a place in Seattle. Though we had all, including myself chipped in to that same gift for Leah as an engagement present. Both of us were unaware of our own gifts and we made plans to go together.
"You seem to be having a good time, despite the occasion." Jake came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
"I never knew before now how amazing getting older would be. I guess I just needed the right company."
"I'll take that as a compliment?" he kissed the top of my head before coming around to my front. "I have another gift for you.
"The first one is so perfect though." I said, playing with the small heart dangling at my wrist.
"It's a combination gift. So the same but different." Jake winked them pulled a small box out of his pocket. I could feel a few eyes on me and felt a bit self conscious with the attention I was receiving.
Jake opened the handmade box and inside was a beautiful heart pendant on a leather cord. The heart was about 2 inches from the lower point to the top of the bumps and decently thick, with a small hoop screwed into the top to hang it by. It was beautiful and on the back was the engraved words: Yours, Always. Jake.
"Jake…"
"I know. Just… for as long as you'll allow wouldn't fit."
"No. It's perfect." Jake helped me put it on and I held it to my chest for a moment. "Thank you Jake, it means a lot to me. I'll never take it off."
"Well it might not hold up in the shower or at the waterfall but if you insist." He winked at me then kissed my cheek.
"Ok, maybe I will take it off sometimes, but only when I have to."
The rest of the evening was spent curled up next to a bonfire with hotdogs and marshmallows. A few more gifts were given. Billy gave me an old lantern that used oil, and it was probably tied for my second favorite gift of the evening. It would be amazing to read with the glow of the fire as the only light source. Quil bought me a beautiful painting of the Aurora Borealis, knowing that seeing them was one of the few things on my bucket list, along with scuba diving with sharks. I guess living around werewolves and vampires made me brave.
The mid September sun was warm but in the Pacific Northwest, it was quite chilly when the sun went down, so I stayed close to Jake, and the fire.
/JPOV/
After I gave Bella the necklace, I walked into the garage to take a look at Sam's truck. There was a weird noise when he turned to the left. It was a simple problem with a simple fix. I told him I could work on it in the morning after running to the garage for the right part.
Rod, my boss was actually my uncle by marriage, which explained why he seemed so nice and like he truly felt bad that I had no memories. He married my dad's sister Jennie, and was the dad to one of the newest pack members, Drew. So he knew everything that was going on. He had no problems with me working outside the shop, and trusted me when I did. I just told him the hours I worked and what parts were used and he deals with the money aspect. I only ever worked outside of work for the pack though.
I washed my hands and returned to the party. Bella was standing near Leah against her truck when Quil came up behind her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. He handed her a canvas with what looked like the Northern Lights above a calm lake. The smile she gave him and the one he gave back made me uncomfortable. I walked over to them and Quil slowly moved his arm off of her shoulder.
"Hey, man." Quil said to me. I nodded in response.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked, trying to stay calm.
Quil followed me down the road a bit, far enough away that I knew no one could overhear.
"What's up?" Quil never had a good poker face. I could see that he knew what I wanted to talk about.
"I'm going to ask you a question and I need you to be 100% honest with me, okay?"
"Of course, Jake. I wouldn't lie to you, even before you became alpha."
"Do you have feelings for Bella?"
"Feelings? For Bella?"
"Are you, in love, with my imprint?"
"I… um…"
"So you are." I said. I wasn't really asking anymore, I knew it was true.
"Jake, man I swear I never meant for these feelings to happen. I would never act on them. I wouldn't do that to you. Bella wouldn't do that to you." I started to back away and head back to the party. I needed to clear my head. It was times like these that I wish alcohol affected me. "You have nothing to worry about. I'm just happy to have her in my life, you know? Please believe me."
"I… I can't right now. Just give me some time."
If it were anyone else's party, I'd just head home, but it was Bella's and I'd already bailed enough for a lifetime. Bella spotted me the second I came back. Her small body pressed up against mine as she placed a kiss on my chest, the only part she could reach with ease.
"Hey, Bells." She could tell right away that something was bothering me, but I didn't want to being it up in front of the entire pack, her parents, our friends this was definitely a conversation that requires a few less ears.
"Jake? Is something bothering you?"
"Yes, but not now. I just want to enjoy today, plus. It isn't that big of a deal anyways, so don't stress. We'll talk about it another time." I kissed her on the top of her head, breathing in that all too familiar scent of rosemary and tried my hardest to enjoy my night. Her night.
Quil came back a few minutes after I did, and I couldn't look at him. I knew that feelings weren't something you could just turn on and off but it still pissed me off that he felt that way about her, especially because she had no clue. I had no idea if it was something I should tell her or if I should keep my nose out of it. I promised no more secrets but technically this one wasn't even mine. I was so confused and had no idea what to do to make sure I didn't wrong Bella again.
I decided in the end to stay quiet, at least for now. No reason to interfere with their friendship unless he tried something which I knew he wouldn't. He couldn't. She was my imprint, and therefore off limits.
When I woke up the next morning, I was determined to have a good day, despite my shitty mood. I woke up with Bella in my arms, which definitely helped my mood, but my thoughts were still on Quil's feelings. I just wished he would find an imprint so he could leave mine alone. I had no problems with their friendship but knowing the way Bella danced with him while unbeknownst to her. He was enjoying every minute of it made me want to puke. Her body pressed up against him, grinding against him.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts and got up for the day. I took one quick glance at Bella before heading out to the garage I worked at, deciding to just drive Sam's truck in, instead of sticking around the house.
This was exactly what I needed. This was what cleared my mind and helped me to focus on the important things. Fixing cars was like meditation for me, and I gladly lost myself in my work. I fixed up Sam's truck, did a few extra things like an oil change, tire rotation, and made sure his coolant and wiper fluid was topped up before heading back to Sam's. By the time I got there, Bella was nowhere to be found. Sam told me she went off with the rest of the girls to look around for wedding décor in Forks.
"How's the wedding planning going, anyways?" I asked, grabbing a muffin from the counter. There was always muffins around when Bella was near. And I realised right then how much I had been missing her baking. There was just something about it that was different than store bought.
"Honestly, she has completely taken over. I don't have much of a say but as long as she's my wife in the end, I really don't care what the wedding looks like. I just want her to be happy."
"She's really lucky to have you. I'm glad things worked out and you didn't end up with Emily. You're so much happier now. Carefree even."
"I am. I'm happier than I've ever been. I'm marrying the woman of my dreams. We're planning our future together and hoping that future involves some kids."
"You guys want more than one?" I asked, surprised.
"Leah would have all the babies if I let her, and considering everything we've been through. I don't see myself denying her ANYTHING, anytime soon." Sam laughed.
"Yeah she'd kick your ass if you did."
I decided after out conversation to go home. I realised I was allowing Bella to take over my life again and inadvertently cut my dad out, so I decided to spend some time with him before I went back to school in the morning.
