A quick message from Jacob let's me know that he too is out of work and ready to meet up. I patiently wait for him outside the clinic. When he arrives on foot he is still in work clothing, long khaki pants and a light colored button down that hugs his muscular arms. I've never seen him dressed this way, he looks incredibly handsome.
"Hey Bells"
"Hi Jake, thanks for agreeing to meet up" I say, giving him a quick hug. Sparks fly through my body as we touch.
"Anything for you"
We walk down the road towards the beach. The security that Jacob brings with him surrounds me. The uncomfortable tug that has been in my chest since the night with Zeke at the clinic only releases me when I'm with Jake. Once we hit the sand, I turn to look at him.
"Can you control it?" I ask nervously.
"Wow, were jumping right in. Yes, I can control when I phase, it's not based on a full moon or anything. The pack will never hurt palefaces or innocent vampires. For example, we won't hurt the Cullens unless they break the treaty."
"But the Cullens have been gone for years" I say, defensively. Knowing that I am the reason they left Forks.
"Bella… you didn't know that Carlisle and Esme are still living in Fork did you?"
"What?! I thought they all moved when Edward left." I say, panic creeping into my voice.
"They did for a couple months, but the Doctor and his wife came back." Jacob said, resting a hand on my arm for comfort.
Jacob's hand is the only thing grounding me. My head is spinning out of control. The reason I agreed to come back here was because I knew the Cullens were gone. The thought of seeing any of them again stirs fear deep inside of me.
"Having any vampires in the vicinity is the reason we're still phasing. It's in our genes, we have too. I'm sorry this is how you're finding out about all of this. Billy and Sam forbid me from telling you. Since Edward left you were in no direct danger."
"Thank you for telling me"
"Bella, there's one more thing. When we are apart do you ever feel weird or anxious"
"You feel it too? At first I thought I was crazy, but it keeps happening"
"Bells, it's called an imprint. It's something that only happens to wolves. I figured once we stopped seeing each other I would eventually imprint on a girl in the Tribe, but I never did. It happens when a wolf meet his soul mate. After talking to other members of the pack I believe that's what happened when we made eye contact in the clinic. Whenever we are apart I feel a sense of impending doom and that I need to protect you.
I stare blankly at him.
"I know this is a lot of information to take in. The imprint doesn't have to be romantic, I can simply act as your protector, and in very rare cases an imprintee has rejected the imprint completely. I hope that won't be the case." He says, removing his hand from mine.
"Why me?" I ask.
"I'm not exactly sure. The legends say that imprints are chosen by our ancestors who are in the afterlife. You are the first non-Quileute to ever be part of an imprint. I think part of the reason Billy and Sam wanted us to stay apart was because they were worried this would happen."
"What does this mean for us?"
"Well for starters, I would like to take you on a proper date. If you'll allow it." he says, looks at me nervously.
It's weird to see Jake nervous, he is usually so confident and sure of himself. I allow myself to get lost in his deep chocolate brown eyes for a moment before I answer him. After Edward let, I never wanted to date again. For a long time all I wanted from Jacob was the friendship we had built. Yet it was clear in the weeks leading up to his disappearance that it could have become something more. When he left too I was sure I was going to swear off dating forever, but here he is standing in front of me tell me that he is all in.
"Jacob, you have to understand what you did to me when you left. I was crushed, after all those promises about not hurting me like he did, you left me with not even as much as word. I'm not sure I can go through that pain again."
"I'm so sorry that I put you through all of that Bella, but know that you know everything about me and the pack, there is nothing standing in our way this time. Billy and Sam can't interfere anymore, especially because I've imprinted. You'll never have to worry about me disappearing again. I promise" he says, putting his hot hand over my cool one.
"I trust you, but I don't want to go too fast" I say, squeezing his hand.
I continue to hold his hand as we walk along the beach. The end of summer air has a chill to it that I wasn't prepared for, I let out a small shiver. Jake wraps an arm around my shoulders to keep me warm, sharing his 108º heat. In this moment I am completely at peace.
"I talked to Dr. Freedman today, he offered me a full time job at the clinic when my residency is done at the end of the year!" I say excitedly.
"Bells that's amazing! Does that mean you'll be moving to the reservation?"
"I'm not sure yet, I'll probably live in the on-call room for a little bit while I'm looking for a place. I'm not going to renew my lease in the city. Am I allowed to live on the res? I thought you had to be a member of the tribe?"
"Well there are some rule but I'm willing to bet that Billy and the other elders would be willing to make an exception for you since you work here, and I can quickly see you becoming part of the community."
"That's good to know! Are you still living at Billy's?" I ask
"For the moment yes, I was renting off the res but I decided I wanted to buy a house on the reservation. So I'm living with Billy again while I find one I like and save up some more money"
"That's really smart"
"You know I think Billy is playing poker with Charlie tonight, and on poker nights they drink too much so he sleeps on Charlie's couch. Do you want to come over for a bit?"
"I'd like that. I can't stay too late though, I still have to drive back to the city tonight"
We walk the familiar path back to Billy's house. His truck is gone, meaning Jake was correct he's at my dad's playing poker. Before this morning it had been 10 years since I had been to this house. Yet, it still feels comfortable and familiar as we cross the threshold. Jake makes himself comfortable on the couch before turning on a movie for background noise.
The next few hours are spent catching up about the last 10 years. I learn that Jake went to the University of Washington for engineering and that there are 9 other members of the pack. I tell Jacob about my decision to go to medical school and my residency at La Push. We avoid the topic of past relationships, but it seems like neither of us have had anything serious.
"Jake, did you know I was working on the reservation all this time?"
"Honestly, no. I was so angry when I got home, knowing that you had been here this whole time and I was left in the dark. When I asked Billy and he told me he knew we fought, it wasn't until after we imprinted that I even considered forgiving him."
"I'm sorry I didn't coming looking for you, but I figured since you cut me out back when we were in high-school you wouldn't have wanted to see me now. I had no idea it wasn't your choice to leave me.
At some point during our conversation we moved so that we were resting up against one another. Forgetting about my promise to myself to drive home tonight I allow myself to slip into a peaceful sleep on Jake's side. The next thing I know I am being lifted from the couch. Sleep still claiming my ability to speak. Jake lays me down in his bed, and pulls the covers up over my body.
"Goodnight Bells, I'm so glad you're here. I'll be asleep on the couch if you need anything." he says this and then presses a kiss to my forehead.
I mumble a goodnight as sleep drags me back under. When I wake the sun is just starting to peak over the horizon. I gather my things and tip-toe into the living room, hoping not to wake Jake. To my surprise he is already standing in the kitchen. He is wearing a simple pair of sleep pants and nothing else. My eyes scan his muscular back for a moment before I announce my presence.
" Thank you for letting me stay here, I hadn't meant to fall asleep"
"You are always welcome here. I hope you don't mind, I moved your car from the clinic to the driveway so you don't have to walk back." He says, crossing the room to embrace me.
"You didn't have to do that, but I really appreciate it. I better get going, I have to be to work soon." I say, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek and heading for the door.
"You'll be back Monday right?" Jake asks as he walks me to the door.
"Yup Monday night, I usually get in around 7pm."
"I'll see you then"
My drive back to the city is uneventful. I am surprised how quickly I feel Jake missing from me. This feeling only makes me more sure that taking the job in La Push is the right choice. The hospital in Port Angeles is perfectly fine, but I don't enjoy the work as much as I do when I am in La Push. The day drags on, I'm not sure if it's because I drove in this morning, I am missing Jake or because I know I will soon be working full time on the reservation.
When I finally make it back to my tiny apartment I am exhausted. I make a quick dinner, finish my charting and then head for bed. After setting the alarm on my phone I roll over and fall asleep almost instantly. My dreams aren't as calm as usual, the wolves are back but they are in a state of unrest.
A loud pounding on my door wakes me from my unrestful sleep. I slip out of bed and pull on my robe, over my thin pajamas. Whoever is at the door is persistent, as the knock has not stopped nor has is slowed in intensity. I open the door and Jacob bursts in without a greeting or explanation.
"Bella! You're not safe here! There are vampires here, we have to go" He says, as he grabs my arm and pulls me towards the door.
"Wait! Jacob you said yourself that Carlisle and Esme still live in Forks. It's probably them and they would never hurt me."
"It's not them, the pack tracked some young vampires who came down from Canada." Jacob says, haste still plaguing his voice.
"They're probably just passing through, why would I be in danger? I have to work the day after tomorrow. I can't just run off."
"After I phased I learned a lot about vampires, our tribe has a good relationship with the Cullens. Carlisle told me all about what happened in Phoenix, how they killed Laurent and how is mate victoria had been after you. Some of the guys thinks she's back. We have to go!" he almost shouts, again pulling at my arm.
I grab the packed bag that I bring to La Push, my hospital bag and follow Jake out of the door. This truck is parked directly in front of my building. For a moment I think a see movement in the trees, I grab onto Jake for fear that the red headed vampire is back. Then I see the bushy tail of a wolf. He's brought the pack to protect me. He practically files back to the reservation. The sun is just starting to make its appearance as we pull into Billy's house.
AN: I have been so pleased with the love this story has received, thank you to everyone who has followed, favorited or reviewed. I have gotten over a foot of snow today so I figured it would be a good day to write.
Let me know what you think of the vampires coming back. Will Jacob be able to keep Bella safe? Where will he take her on a first date? How will Billy and the other elders feel about Bella being part of the community? Tell me what you think in the reviews.