Author's Note

Please forgive any spelling and/or grammar errors. I hope you enjoy it, please let me know what you think!

The theme song for this chapter is iIn My Veins /iby Andrew Belle.

PS I'm not Stephenie Meyer, so I don't own anything :(

Ch 14: All things must come to an end, at least once you figure out they're not the right things - Jacob

Year 7 - 2012-2013

July

Jacob ended up spending a week sleeping on Aiden and Leah's couch. Leah had rolled her eyes and said she knew he'd be wanting payback eventually. It didn't even matter that Nat was out of town. Jacob did not have the strength or energy to return to the home he'd once shared with her. Nor did he particularly wish to be alone.

The worst part about everything was that he missed her. All the time. Natalie had been a central figure in his life for years now, and he found himself moving to call or text her to tell her about something or another countless times a day. The loss was a dull ache that refused to stop throbbing. A massive, painful bruise repeatedly bumped. She'd burrowed so deep into his heart that while cutting her out was possible, doing so left him bleeding in a dark corner.

She didn't call him either, which in a way, was a good sign. They both knew from that last conversation that it was over between them, even though it hurt. At least Natalie would be able to move on. He wanted that for her, even if Jacob didn't have the same luxury.

Just thinking of Ness threw him. They'd never been together. They rarely talked these last few years. Yet it felt as if a piece of his very soul had been hacked away when she'd chosen Nahuel. He didn't blame her for making that decision. Not in the least. Regardless, it left him a shade of himself. Losing her didn't just leave him bleeding. A person can heal from a wound like that. It just took time to scab, and probably would leave a scar. A little reminder to carry with him always. Missing out on an opportunity with Ness, however, had hollowed him out, shredding his very essence. It was an injury that no amount of time could heal.

He'd assumed that because of the imprint, he'd simply be happy knowing that she was. Her desires would become his. He wasn't, and they didn't. Well, yeah, he was glad she was happy - he'd never wish for her to be miserable simply because he cared far too much for her. And she deserved the same chance she'd given him. But it didn't make him hurt less the way he'd always assumed he would.

And to think, he'd been afraid imprinting would take away his free will. Surprisingly, it didn't. Imprinting didn't change a thing. He cared about Ness because she was worth caring about. Every conversation or story he was told about her proved that. And he would have regardless of the imprinting. That just sort of pointed him in a direction that could have potentially made him happy. But he'd resisted because of the circumstances. He still couldn't bring himself to regret that. He didn't think he'd see her as anything more than a friend if he'd watched her grow up, and he wanted the feelings he now experienced - even if they hurt.

He could have been happy with Natalie too. They had been in the beginning. Back before a miniscule, fortune telling vampire had meddled and forced him to see possibilities he hadn't expected. Maybe if he'd truly cut ties with his past, they'd still be together, but this was probably better in the long run. He didn't want to give up those pieces of himself. They made him a better version of himself.

The call, when it came, instantly became an unpleasant, and almost dreadful distraction from the constant moping.

"Jake? Dad's in the hospital," Rachel said, voice muffled with tears.

"What happened?" Jacob demanded.

"He started losing weight this last month - a lot of weight - and today… he just… collapsed," she said. He could hear Paul in the background talking to Thomas.

"Have you talked to a doctor? Has anyone told you anything?" Jacob asked, beginning to gather his things from his office and a few folders on the projects he was working on.

"No. N-nothing yet," Rachel said, hiccuping as she spoke.

"I'll be there later tonight. Message me when you hear anything," Jacob requested, hanging up and heading to his boss's office.

His boss had been very understanding and willing to accommodate him with a potential extended leave of absence. Particularly after Jacob had volunteered to continue working remotely. Most of what this job entailed was done from a computer anyways. Which was part of the reason he figured one day he'd change careers. He hoped to be a little more involved and hands on one day - maybe in a few decades he'd be up for the challenge of cultivating a new interest. Though he'd settle for something similar if he could just get back into his hobbies outside of work.

Within an hour, Jacob was packed and at the airport. He'd bought a ticket in the Lyft on the way, and now had three hours to kill before his flight. Rachel hadn't called back, so he assumed there was no word yet.

Idly, he realized he'd needed to go back home and start making arrangements for when the year was up anyways, so this trip might end up serving two purposes, or three if you counted giving him space to get his head on straight again. There was so much to do - work out logistics with Sam, find a place to live, interview for jobs, take care of his father.

He messaged Natalie while he waited, not knowing if she'd return before him, and not wanting her to worry or freak out. There was still so much they'd not worked out officially. I'm not sure when you're returning, but my dad is in the hospital, so I'll be in La Push for a while. Don't worry about the apartment - Aiden will check on it and I have autopay still set up to take care of the bills.

His phone rang less than a minute later, and his lips twitched involuntarily as he answered.

"What happened, Jake? Is Billy all right?" she asked sleepily.

"Did my message wake you?" he asked, surprised. It was only just midnight there. She ordinarily stayed up later.

"Is he? Are you?" she repeated, ignoring his question. Nat always was good in a crisis.

"I don't know. I haven't heard anything yet," he admitted quietly, slumping further into the hard plastic chair. "I'm still at the airport."

"I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do?" she asked, her concern nearly making him cry. It was welcomingly familiar, and he felt so helpless. His dad had always been larger than life. A solid, immovable pillar. Not even spending years in a wheelchair had diminished the strength Jacob attributed to him.

"No, but thanks, Nat. It means a lot that you'd offer," he said thickly.

"Oh, Jake. Of course. Keep me updated, okay?" she requested. "Or just call if you need to talk."

"Thanks," he sighed, hanging up and letting his head fall back, staring up into the bright light and blinking back the stinging moisture in his eyes.

July

Jacob had been in La Push for over a week now, and Billy was still in the hospital. At first, they'd declared it was simply low blood sugar because of his diabetes, and they'd actually sent him home. Paul and Rachel already had Billy settled in back at the house by the time Jake's plane landed and Quil had driven him from Seattle to La Push.

Except the next day Billy had passed out again, and Jacob had taken him right back to the hospital and demanded they run some tests to figure out the problem. Billy had been managing his diabetes just fine for years. There was no way he'd have two incidents related to it in as many days. Particularly not when you added in the rapid weight loss symptom when his diet and exercise, as in none, had stayed the same.

That had been eight days ago.

Every test came back negative, yet Billy was still losing weight. Paul swore it was a parasite from all the fish Billy ate or even the act of fishing. He wouldn't let go of the idea even after the blood and stool tests came back clear. Rachel was worried it was cancer, but the doctors had ruled that out as well. The most likely diagnosis that they were currently debating between today was some sort of unintentional metal poisoning from consuming too many toxic fish or a new food allergy. Jake thought the latter unlikely. How many people developed a brand new food allergy in their fifties after eating the same thing all their lives?

Jake was set up in a corner of the hospital room working. He refused to leave until he had answers. The nurse had been intimidated by his size, and remembered Carlisle, so they'd allowed him to stay.

"You don't have to stay here every moment, Jacob," Billy muttered for the countless time that week, but it lacked any real heat, and Jake knew his dad was grateful to have his son's support. Jake sensed just how worried Billy was starting to get.

"Tired of my company already, Old Man?" Jacob teased, trying to lighten his dad's mood.

"I know you've got things to do back home," Billy said with a nod at the papers on the floor at Jake's feet.

"Hate to break it to you, but I'm not just here for you," Jacob quipped, spinning his computer around to show the houses he was looking at on Zillow. He'd gotten his loan pre-approved a couple days ago, but so far he'd not found what he was looking for.

"You're buying a house?" Billy asked, craning his neck to get a closer look at the computer screen.

"Yep," Jacob said, grinning at his ability to still surprise his father.

"Where?" Billy asked gruffly.

"I was looking in Port Angeles, but that's a bit more of a commute to Seattle than I'd like," Jacob said casually, watching for Billy's reaction, and relishing in the way his dad's jaw dropped open.

"You're moving home?" Billy asked slowly, cautiously.

"Close to it anyways," Jacob confirmed.

"When?"

"Next summer, but I'm getting everything ready now," Jacob said, grinning openly. He was excited, and hoping to meet with a realtor the next week if Billy was doing better by then.

"What does Natalie think of this plan?" Billy asked dubiously.

"We broke up," Jacob announced, hating that he knew how happy this bit of news would make his father.

"Oh?" he asked probbingly, and with false concern.

"Stop," Jacob warned.

"Hmm?"

"It's all right. I know you're thrilled."

"I didn't say a word," Billy denied, holding up his hands in surrender.

"You didn't need to," Jacob said, lips pressing together to form a thin line as he bit back the words his dad wasn't up to hearing just then. Billy had never tried to like Natalie, and that had been one of the issues that had plagued their relationship from the start. "You've made your feelings quite well known."

"So now that - What's the word, Doc?" Billy asked, switching topics when the doctor came in. Dr. Wilson was an older man with white hair and numerous wrinkles. Billy didn't sound like he actually expected any news, but more like he wanted to circumvent Jacob's expected interrogation.

"We're leaning towards allergy, but you're going to need to see a specialist in Seattle for confirmation," he declared.

"What is it you think he's suddenly allergic to?" Jacob demanded, letting his doubt leak in and paint his words. "And are you only saying it's an allergy because you can't come up with any other diagnosis?"

"We aren't sure," the doctor admitted. "There's no way to say for certain until more tests are run, and we don't have the resources here. That's why I'm recommending you see a doctor that deals with similar cases."

"That's going to make eating a bit challenging, isn't it?" Billy asked dryly, trying to pretend it was no big deal and the doctor chuckled, nodding in agreement.

"Typically, the best treatment for this is to limit the variety of foods you're consuming. You'll have a list of approved items and you'll restrict what you eat to that list. Then each week, you'll add a few new things and see when your symptoms flare up again," he explained.

"That sounds like a shot in the dark," Jacob accused.

"And what if my symptoms don't pop up again?" Billy asked, already looking forward to getting back to business as usual.

"That's unlikely, but possible. This is our best course of action regardless," Dr. Wilson explained, adding, "We'll also be giving you some supplements that will help you absorb more of the nutrients that you're consuming."

"How soon can we get in to see the specialist?" Jacob questioned, wanting definitive answers as soon as possible.

"I already called, and the soonest he can get you in is next Friday," Dr. Wilson said, frowning, but shrugging as though this was to be expected. Billy nodded, but Jacob was already making plans to call Seth and check this out in the meantime. Possibly Carlisle as well. Except he'd promised his dad not to tell any of them because his dad didn't want to stir everyone up into a panic if it turned out to be nothing major wrong after all.

"Does that mean I'm stuck here until then?" Billy asked suddenly, looking horrified by the prospect.

"No, a nurse will be by to go over what you can eat in the meantime, and we'll go ahead and get you checked out so you can get back home. Then after you meet with Dr. Bradshaw, he'll fax me the results and we can talk again."

"Great. Let's get this over with then," Billy suggested, hurrying it along.

August

"Hello?" Jacob asked into the phone, not recognizing the number.

"Hello, Mutt." The droll, whip-like barb startled him.

Jacob was speechless for several seconds before he asked, "Blondie?"

"Who else would call you mutt so fondly," she quipped, confirming his suspicions.

"This is a surprise," Jake remarked, chuckling a little.

"Are you ready to rejoin family yet?" she demanded sounding utterly annoyed and impatient. "San Diego can't be that appealing."

"I agreed to work for Philips for a year if they paid for grad school," he reminded her, aware that Seth had already informed the family as much. They'd talked about it a few times. He couldn't leave right now even if he wanted to. And after how understanding they were being about him taking care of his dad, he didn't want to be so discourteous to them as to quit early.

Silently, he added, I also have a life. He wasn't Rosalie's puppet. Plus there was the fact that he was still in La Push, and not even currently in San Diego. Not to mention he already intended to move to Washington, not Wyoming. Watching Ness and Nahuel wasn't his idea of a good time. He'd leave masochistic pursuits to Edward. They were more his domain.

"So?" she huffed, clearly not caring. Of course in her mind, she probably just saw the Cullens paying off his debt so she could have what she wanted, his commitments be damned. It was a very Rosalie assumption to make.

"What's the rush? I figured you'd rejoice at having me at a distance," Jake prodded, curious as to what brought this call about. They'd not talked once since he moved from La Push. They'd been tentatively building a friendship beforehand, but it had faded without either side putting any effort into maintaining it.

"Seth has already ruined the furniture. What's one more dog?" she said breezily.

"Such a tempting offer," Jake teased, missing her wicked sense of humor. She was never afraid to go for blood. It was actually what he admired most about her. She was good for keeping his own witty comebacks sharp.

"Forever is a long time. Maybe I'll be nicer in a few centuries," Rosalie offered, as if that vague promise would actually bring him running to Wyoming.

"Hmm," he hummed, stifling his laughter at her vanity. "What if I'm not planning to live forever?"

"I call bullshit on that. I know you're still phasing regularly. And I know you have the control to stop," she relied, revealing that she'd kept closer tabs on him than he'd expected.

The truth was he didn't want to stop. He'd come to love it. He loved the way the others looked up to him and depended on him - making him want to lead rather than forcing him to do it. Loved the feel of it, the freedom. Loved guiding Leah through her transition, even if they were at the year mark and there were still no signs that she'd begun to age again.

"What brought this on?" Jacob asked curiously.

"Nahuel just moved here - to be with Mae," Rose said crossly.

"I thought you preferred the idea of her being with him," Jake said tentatively.

"That was before I got to know him," she snapped, clearly having revised her opinion.

"Is she happy?" Jacob asked, concerned now.

He knew Rosalie was opinionated, and hard to win over, but she'd at least be honest about that. Not to mention, she'd always have Nessie's best interest at heart. Whatever else you could say about her, she loved her niece unconditionally.

"He's a hybrid that hunts humans, was raised to hate himself, and lacks even the most basic socializing skills. What do you think?" Rosalie fired off. The hunting humans part bothered Jacob, but the rest didn't actually sound like deal breakers. And none of that was a denial. Which meant these were Rosalie's problems, not Ness's. Perhaps Jacob could accept these complaints more easily because he already knew about all of them from when he'd met Nahuel for himself. He'd seemed like a good guy, and one that could offer Ness a measure of understanding no other could. "Look, Jacob, you're going to miss your shot -"

"You know it's not like that with us," Jacob denied, more out of habit than anything. He'd been uttering the same canned phrase for years now.

"But it should be!" Rosalie cried, shocking him.

"Did you know I called her?" he asked, wondering if Nessie had shared that with her family. Seth hadn't known whether she did or not, only that she definitely hadn't told Alice.

"What? You always call. Now focus!" she hissed. A smacking sound rang through the phone, and he imagined her slamming her palm against a nearby surface in frustration.

"No, I mean I called in the spring - before she left. I asked her point blank if he was who she wanted," Jake confessed.

"I'm guessing from the current state of things, she lied to you," Rosalie said, sighing dramatically.

"Bl-Rosalie, it can't happen. She made her choice. She told me in no uncertain terms that she wanted him."

"You're a fool, Jacob Black," Rosalie said, sounding almost regretful. "He's not right for her."

"Thanks. I miss you too," Jake said mockingly.

"Hmph," Rosalie huffed, disgruntled that her call hadn't been more effective or had the desired result.

"She's an adult now. It's her right to live her life however she chooses," Jacob reminded her.

He would not make the same mistake he'd once made with Bella. This time he would respect her choice, and not push where he was not wanted. All it had done was cause problems and muddy things up before. He'd not put Nessie through the same ordeal, not if he could help it. He cared far more for her than he ever did Bella, and he'd seen the way it tore at her. Inflicting that pain on Ness was not a choice he could live with.

September

Hey. I know we haven't talked much, but I wanted to let you know that I'll be back in San Diego in two weeks. Will you be back by then?

Jacob read the text from Natalie, smiling absently at the timing of it. He was heading back in three days, and had planned to message her when he got there. She'd messaged at least once a week to check in on his father, and he'd appreciated the support even as things between them came to an end. It had reminded him that while things hadn't worked out, she'd been worth loving, and he was grateful for their years together.

Yes. Have you worked out your living situation?

When she'd messaged the week before, he'd suggested she plan on finding somewhere else to stay or letting him know if she'd rather keep the apartment, and he'd find someplace else.

She'd not replied at the time, so this seemed like a good time to bring it up again.

I have a few ideas. I'll run them past you when I get back. How's your dad doing?

Better this week, thanks. He's even gained a bit of the weight he lost back.

That's really good to hear. See you soon.

He really hoped she didn't want to keep the apartment. He'd let her, since he was moving in a few months anyways, but it would suck to have to find a temporary place. Especially since most of his savings was tied up in the house he'd just put an offer on. And until he closed, he couldn't make any big purchases.

There was a foreclosure in Port Gamble that was perfect, and he'd put an offer in on the spot. It was four bedrooms, three baths, right on the water, and surrounded by woods. The nearest neighbor was a mile away, and there was a huge three car garage. Best of all, the house was under an hour commute from the new job he'd be starting in August, and a right at two hours from his dad's. He could visit during the week if he wanted, and easily spend weekends on the reservation.

The house needed some serious work, one of the bathrooms had been completely gutted while another wasn't in much better condition, and the kitchen, plumbing, and electricity all needed updating, but because of that, it was in his price range. He'd never thought to own anything so potentially nice, but he could see fixing it up and making it into a home then returning to it repeatedly over the years until it no longer stood. Doing so much of the work himself would make the place meaningful too. Same as Alice and Seth's first house was. He wanted that too.

Plus, with his new job as an engineer for Alaskan Airlines, he'd only have to commute three days a week. The other two, he could work from home and get things done on the house throughout the day if he didn't get finished during the month off he had arranged between jobs.

"What are you thinking about so intently?" Billy asked.

"Just the timing of everything, and figuring things out with Natalie," Jacob replied absently, mind still on the house. He was ready to get started fixing it up, and hated that he'd have to wait a while longer.

"I thought you ended things," he remarked, raising his eyebrows skeptically.

"I did, but we still share an apartment for now," Jake said pointedly, giving his dad a once over. He needed to remind Rachel that she'd have to make sure he took the pills twice a day. Billy had a tendency to forget in the morning if he wasn't reminded.

"When are you heading back?"

"I have to be in the office on Monday," Jacob said regretfully.

It had felt right being back home for an extended stay rather than a weekend visit. People had begun coming to him instead of Billy when they had a problem, and he'd had a chance to get to know Jax and Nicky better. The two young wolves had loved running with him and showing off their fighting skills. It'd been quiet since the Cullens moved, but the pack had continued training just in case.

The extra time had also given him a chance to start helping Paul and Jared quit phasing. Jake had led the two through various yoga routines each day. Most of the positions had been fairly easy to recall after all the times he'd gone with Leah. They at least knew enough to get started, and Sam was planning to keep it going with them after Jacob left. All of them should be well on their way to quitting by the time Jacob moved.

"I'll be glad when you're back here for good," Billy said gruffly. Disappointment that Jacob was leaving again, no matter how temporarily it was, showed in the deep grooves furrowed into Billy's face.

"It's not like I won't be around the next few months. I'm still helping Sam, I have the closing on my house, Jared is hooking me up with that electrician he works with so I can get the wiring finished before I move in, and we're hosting a couple gatherings," Jacob said lightly.

"Speaking of gatherings, you still haven't… "

"You asked me not to, so no," Jacob promised, shaking his head.

Billy was still embarrassed over his health scare, and had continued insisting that Jacob, Rachel, and Paul not share it with anyone else. Billy had not even told Charlie. Jacob had agreed to respect his dad's decision, despite disagreeing, and had very deliberately not thought about it in wolf form so Seth, and by extension the Cullens, didn't catch wind of his thoughts. He'd even gone so far as to tell Leah and Aiden he was just interviewing and house hunting rather than caring for his dad.

"Thanks," he sighed.

"You do know you're being ridiculous about it all, right? It's not a bad thing that people care about you and want to look after you. A little fussing wouldn't hurt. Might even encourage you to shower and shave more often," Jacob teased, mock punching his dad's shoulder. He made sure not to actually do more than lightly brush him since his joints were starting to pain him after the rapid weight loss. The doctor said that was to be expected, and wasn't cause for additional concern, but Jacob hated how incapacitated his father had become.

"And to think I was going to miss you," he quipped.

"Aw, Dad, you're making me blush," Jake laughed.

"Hmph," Billy snorted.

October

There were three stacks of boxes beside the door when he got home from his office. He'd stayed late again for the third time that week to catch up on work after his extended absence. Natalie was on the floor by the coffee table taping another box closed. Several boxes were on the floor surrounding her. They looked like a miniature fort or siege wall protecting her, shielding her from a coming attack.

Jacob moved to sit on the couch as he awkwardly said, "Hey. I didn't think you were coming until tomorrow."

"I caught an earlier flight. How's your dad?" Natalie asked without looking up from rearranging the shoes in the next box since the lid hadn't closed properly.

"Getting better every day," Jacob announced, his relief about that cutting the uncomfortable tension in the room.

"That's really good," she agreed, smiling softly.

"What are you doing with everything?" he asked, wondering if she had a plan, and where she intended to move to.

She'd never actually told him she'd be the one to move out, only the vague message about having a few ideas. Ideas that could have been any number of suggestions, so he'd come up with a few of his own too. He'd even considered telling her he'd move into the guest bedroom if she wanted to stay, and that way they didn't have to worry about finding a place, moving, or breaking their lease early. While the arrangement would probably be a tad uncomfortable, it was only a few months. Or he could -

"I hired movers to drive and take it to my parents' house tomorrow," she said, pressing the tape firmly to seal the box, then pushing it away and pulling the next towards her. She was a robot, methodically working her way through a preset series of actions. Pack, close, tape, repeat.

"You're moving back to Philly?" Jake asked, startled. She'd always talked about Philly being too small a city - a fact he'd disputed on numerous occasions.

"London actually. I'm just going to store my stuff there until I decide what I need to ship over," she said quietly.

"That's… um, okay, wow," he replied. She was moving half a world away. The likelihood of ever seeing her again after today was negligible.

He'd thought they were going to talk about what to do with the apartment, possibly be stuck living together again for a couple weeks or more, but she was a step ahead, everything already in place. Nat smiled, and glanced at the coffee table. Jacob followed her gaze, and saw the ring box sitting on its surface.

Shit.

"Did you know the name Mae means pearl?" she asked calmly, returning to organizing another box.

"Yes," he admitted, the word coming out as a croak from his suddenly dry mouth.

"Of course," she huffed with her brow quickly rising and falling in a show of reluctant knowing while her lips formed a tight smile. "It was always for her, after all."

"Natalie," Jake tried, lifting a hand towards her. But he saw what an empty, useless gesture it was, and let it fall limply back to his side.

"I actually found this ring in your bag last year in Hawaii -"

"You did?" he demanded, shocked, and slightly appalled by the idea.

"Remember when you asked me to grab that gift for Rebecca? They were in the same pocket in your bag," she explained, making it clear it'd been unintentional.

"Oh. Nat -"

"You know, I thought maybe... since money had always been tight for you... that it was supposed to be a temporary engagement ring. But then you never asked. I kept waiting, wondering what was holding you back. It didn't make sense. Especially since you're making six figures now. I waited, and waited - knowing you had a ring, yet you still didn't propose, and - God! I sound greedy and shallow and you know that's not who I am," she sighed, covering her face.

Jacob waited, watching her take several shaky breathes. Part of him was tempted to point out that she was a little greedy and shallow about this sort of thing, but it really wasn't the time. That was the sort of thing he would have done in high school, but he'd changed since then, and was better at keeping a conversation on track now.

When Natalie didn't say anymore, he explained, "I bought that ring with no intention of ever giving it to anyone."

"You mean you had no intention of ever giving it to me," she clarified, dropping her hands into her lap and toying with one of her nails.

He didn't deny it.

"I'd hoped to come here and ask you to move to London with me. To give us a chance to start over. But then I was looking for that necklace you gave me last year, and I saw the ring box again," she admitted. Her pale, crystalline eyes, shiny with tears looked up at him then. "Suddenly everything was so clear."

"If you'd asked me to go with you back in May, I would have said yes," he offered, knowing it was a small pittance after their time together, but it was all he had left for her.

"I know," she acknowledged. He'd never denied her anything when they'd been together, and usually let her dictate everything they did. Quietly, she admitted, "I'm glad I didn't."

"We've both had a chance to come to terms," he stated, understanding that this time apart had given them an opportunity to mourn the loss of what they'd once had.

"Right. Sometimes it's hard to admit how much we've grown apart since we met," she said absently, picking the tape roll back up. "I need about another hour here, then the movers will be by around nine tomorrow morning when you're at work. I'll leave the key with the front offcie," she said, twisting a bit to give him her back.

"Do you need a hand?" he asked hesitantly, not really knowing the protocol for this sort of thing.

"No, I think I want to be alone right now if that's okay," she said softly.

"Sure, sure," he agreed, navigating through the boxes to get to the door. "Uh… " he began, not knowing how to say goodbye.

"Hey, Jake?" she said, looking up to scan his face.

He waited, shifting uncomfortably under her stiff inspection. After a minute, he prodded, "Yeah?"

"I hope she says yes. She'd be a fool not to," Nat said fiercely.

Nodding, Jacob left. The sound of heartbreaking sobs sounded the moment the door shut behind him. He slumped against the wall, listening as tears filled his own eyes.

November

Jazz called one afternoon in late November. It was a rare cloudy day, and with the city smog everything looked dull and washed out. The warrior vampire usually made a point to call every few months ever since Ness started college, typically while Bella and Nessie had a girls' day. He said their bonding made him miss his and Jake's time together in Central America.

The first time Jazz had contacted him, Jacob had been pleasantly surprised. He'd grown close to the blond vamp during Nessie's first year of life, and it hadn't been until they spent four hours catching up that he remembered the friendship they'd developed. It'd grown so slowly that he'd not even noticed. Both of them enjoyed horror movies, as well as debating social justice issues and the philosophy of human behavior. The last had particularly begun interesting Jasper ever since he took up with Bella.

They'd been talking for a while when Jacob announced, "I bought a house - closed last week. It's in Washington. I'm moving back at the end of summer."

"I'm glad. It's your home… well, one of them, at least," Jasper drawled, his southern accent coming through clearer than usual.

"I think it finally feels like home again. Sam and I spoke. He's going to step down as alpha and quit phasing. His pack will get absorbed into mine," Jake explained, wondering what Jasper would think of the idea.

It was strange, but Jacob valued his opinion. Despite knowing Jasper was far from perfect himself, and therefore was the last person that would cast stones lightly, Jacob didn't want him to be disappointed by any of the decisions Jake made.

"You're all grown up now," Jasper said softly, a hint of teasing lined the genuine pronouncement.

"Took long enough, right?" Jake said casually, mocking himself a bit.

"She is too. Sam was wrong - about everything. She's stopped aging. She's an adult," Jasper said gently, barely brushing on the sensitive subject.

"I thought you weren't going to get involved," Jacob remarked, curious despite himself.

He distinctly recalled seeing the conversation Seth and Jasper had in the car on the way home from dropping Ness off at the airport for her trip to visit Nahuel. Seth had asked Jasper to talk Ness out of going or to convince her to return and go visit Jacob instead. He'd flat out refused, saying it was her choice to choose who she was with.

"Things are different now. You broke up with Natalie," Jasper commented, revealing the fact he'd kept abreast of the situation without Jacob's knowledge. Not that he was surprised. Any self-respecting strategist always made a point to have all relevant information. "And you ask about her. Almost daily. Edward has told me - Seth can only mask his thoughts so much," Jasper admitted.

Somehow, the very act of splitting with Natalie had seemed to open a floodgate or lift some unspoken taboo. Now, everyone told Jake countless stories of Nessie's antics and adventures from over the years. With every story, he was slowly falling in love with the woman his friends and family described. He'd always known and cared for her, but they were helping him discover all new facets of her personality. It was like learning that some famous person you already admired loved the same books as movies as you, and on top of that, spent their weekends rescuing small animals at a shelter. Nessie was becoming too good to be true. The pedestal he'd placed her on got taller by the day.

"I bought her a ring," Jacob confessed without meaning to. The ring was still on his dresser where he'd moved it to after Natalie left. Everyday he looked at it and wondered if Ness would even ever see it.

"When?" The startled question slipped out before Jazz had a chance to digest the news. He sounded a bit dumbstruck, and Jacob grinned at having managed to catch the most calm and controlled Cullen off guard.

"About a year ago," he admitted, rubbing the back of his heated neck. He still couldn't believe he'd done that. Particularly while on a romantic vacation with Natalie. Probably karma for doing it in the first place was the reason she'd found the ring while they'd been there. He couldn't even imagine the mixed signals he must have been sending her.

Jasper's gift was so attuned that he seemed to sense Jacob's guilt even at such a distance that it was impossible to feel it. "Jacob, you're a good man," he said quietly, reassuringly.

"I'm not so sure about that. I wouldn't have bought a ring for another woman while potentially shopping for an engagement ring for Natalie if I were," Jacob mused a bit self-deprecating.

"I think we both know it's more complicated than that," Jazz acknowledged, knowing Jacob never actually had proposed, and given the imprinting and Ness's rapid growth, as well as the circumstances behind his leaving town, his life was irretrievably entwined with Ness's - despite whatever he'd built with Nat. "If you're looking for my blessing, you have it - even if it doesn't happen for a thousand years," Jazz added unexpectedly.

Jacob floundered, his jaw dropped just enough for him to suck in a sharp breath. The unconditional acceptance and support was something he'd never dared hope for. None of the Cullens had ever stated that they wouldn't someday want Ness and him together, even Blondie, but that had been when she was a child. Back before he'd taken off on them all. That her father still believed him worthy of her… well, it meant a lot.

"The perks of being immortal," Jacob said, surprisingly hopeful at the possibility.

He could wait for Nessie. Just then, it didn't seem like any kind of hardship at all.

"You're willing to wait," Jasper stated, satisfaction coating the declaration. "No more relationships to pass the time?" he queried, though he wasn't actually asking.

"You were testing me?" Jacob guessed, idly wondering how the conversation would have gone if he'd reacted differently. Perhaps if he'd stated he wished to pursue Nessie now, rather than respecting her choice the way she'd respected his. "No. It's her or no one. And I'm okay with that - either way."

"Get things settled on your end, finish sorting out your life, before the die are cast," Jazz said vaguely.

Before? Did that mean things with Nahuel weren't as clear cut as Seth thought they were? Was it really possible she wasn't falling soul deep in love with Nahuel?

"Don't say anything to her right now, please. But… "

"But?" Jasper asked softly, probbingly.

"If things ever change, if you ever think she might want to give us a chance. Nevermind, forget -"

"If I think it's what she wants to hear, I'll let her know. You might give her a bit of a heads up at least," he advised.

"Maybe," he said evasively. "Look, don't tell Bella either, please," Jake begged, not wanting her to weigh in. She'd surely have an opinion, and demand to have it heard, then be angry when he didn't listen to her. Not that she ever listened to him either.

"I won't lie to her if she asks," Jasper stated plainly. Jacob had expected no less. He'd always been very upfront with Bella. Their level of open communication was a thing to envy.

"But?" Jacob asked slowly, grinning when he detected a bit of wiggle room that Jasper might be willing to grant him.

"But I won't bring up this call with her either," he agreed ruefully.

January

It was New Year's Day. Everyone was going on and on about fresh starts. Yet his mind had stalled ever since his conversation with Jasper. The other man had suggested that he let Ness know how he felt, or at least hint at it.

Carefully, he typed the words he'd spent most of the night before painstakingly selecting. I'll wait for you.

He set his phone down the moment he pressed send, breathing deeply. He didn't expect a response from her. The message wouldn't provoke her to anger, and it was deliberately vague so as not to put her in a predicament. This was her time to live and love as he had the last few years. Maybe she'd have better luck. He was all right with that. He'd come to terms and made peace with it.

Though if she ever gave him the slightest indication she wanted him to fight for her, he would. In an instant. With tooth and claw, heart and soul, and every other means he could think of. Nothing would be off limits in that situation.

Ultimately, though, his goal with the message had just been to leave a breadcrumb, so if things ever changed, she'd believe he really had been missing her this entire time. And that no matter when it happened, he'd welcome her into his heart. He'd wait forever if necessary.

July

Leah and Aiden were helping pack up Jake's apartment. He'd been putting off doing it, not wanting to need something only to have it already be packed, and have to waste time searching for it. Living out of boxes did not seem particularly enjoyable. But as the day his lease was up loomed closer and closer, just over a week now, he figured he might as well get started. His friends were returning the favors they owed since he'd moved both of them out of his place.

Currently, the lovebirds were packing the majority of his kitchen while he was in the living room doing his bookshelves and listening to them banter.

"We should get a house too. The market is great right now," Aiden suggested. The faux casualness suggested he'd been wanting to bring the subject up for a while and was probably nervous about what sort of reception he'd get. Leah was a bit of a wildcard with this sort of thing.

"Oh? And where exactly is this house going to be?" she asked dryly. Neither could afford anything worth buying locally. Leah barely made enough to make ends meet at the nonprofit she worked at, and while Aiden made a decent living, real estate in San Diego was expensive.

"Nevada maybe… or Montana," he tried, testing the waters.

"Like I'd ever ask you to move so far from a beach. You'd be a nightmare to live with if you didn't get to surf regularly," Leah fired back. The fact she considered Aiden's love of surfing made Jacob smile. They were really good together.

"Fair enough," Aiden agreed readily.

"What about on the coast in Oregon?" Leah asked quiet as a tropical breeze, though Jacob had no trouble hearing her. There was a touch of hesitation as she named the location.

"You'd want to move that close to La Push?" Aiden asked seriously, consideration of her past driving his words.

"It'd be nice to move closer to my mom, and visit more often," Leah said, making it clear she'd already given this some serious thought.

"Guess I better invest in a better wetsuit. The waves are wicked cold up there in winter," Aiden said, the pair seeming to have come to some sort of agreement to start planning a switch in careers and living accommodations.

"You're moving back too?" Jacob asked, walking into the kitchen to stare at Leah.

"You're my best friend, Jake. Aiden's too. I don't want to only see you once or twice a year," Leah admitted, shrugging, and turning to grab another glass. She began wrapping it in a foam sleeve, avoiding the penetrative look he was giving her. There was more going on here, he could tell, though he didn't know what.

"What about… "

"Sam and Emily?" Leah asked, peeking up at him, then returning to the newly protected item which she placed carefully into the half full box at her feet. "It doesn't hurt anymore. It'd still been tough before, but I'm really over it now," she said simply, and Jacob heard the truth in the statement.

"I'll just go ahead and take credit for that," Aiden said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively at Jake. "Told you I'd win her over," Aiden added smugly, and Jake saw the blush bloom high across Leah's cheekbones. He expected her to fire off a snide comment or smack her boyfriend, but she just bit her lip like she was trying to hide a smile.

"That you did," Jacob said, still assessing Leah, more certain than ever that something was up with his friends.

"Jacob… " Leah said, noting the way he was still watching her. "I wanted to wait to share with everyone at the next gathering, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to tell you now. Aiden asked me to marry him."

"Oh, wow. Guys, that's wonderful!" Jake crowed, his lips stretching widely. That hadn't been what he'd expected her to say, but it wasn't that surprising either. Edward would be crushed. He'd asked her several times, but Leah had always refused, knowing it was pointless since they wouldn't last.

"You're not going to ask what I said?" Leah quickly demanded, scowling at him.

"I'm sure you were a smartass about it, but I know you said yes. He makes you too happy to doubt it," Jacob taunted, clapping Aiden on the back.

"Thanks," Aiden said, rocking up on his toes and laughing lightly as he stared adoringly at Leah. "And yeah, she had a few choice words for me. Hey! What'd you go and do that for?" he said, covering the spot on his chest where the back of her hand had roughly swatted him. Yet he didn't look injured. Not a bit.

Leah's flush deepened, and something clicked in Jacob's mind. It was a sudden knowing. An unrevealing of ties.

"Leah… " Jacob whispered, staring at her in awe. She was no longer part of his pack. He felt her absence. It was as similarly abrupt as Embry's disappearance had been, but this time it wasn't painful.

Leah was no longer a wolf. She'd finally begun aging again. Her eyes widened, and her flush took on more of a mauve hue, and she shifted uncomfortably.

"Yeah, Jake… yeah," she grinned, holding out her arm.

Cautiously, Jacob placed his hand against her skin. It was significantly cooler than his own, reminding him of Natalie's skin. "Leah, you're cold."

"I'm normal. Human." Though her eyes glinted with a core of steel as she warned, "Don't make a thing of it. I can still take you anytime."

"I'm really happy for you," Jacob said, hugging her even as he ignored her protests and threats of bodily harm.

Jacob turned off the shower and rebuttoned his pants when the knock sounded through his apartment., not bothering with a shirt as he went to see who was at his door. He'd just finished his last day at Philips, then packed the last of his nonessential belongings, and was in the process of preparing to enjoy his last weekend in San Diego revisiting all of his favorite places befor he moved.

Recognition hit just as he touched the doorknob. Even as turning it felt like slipping into a welcome dream or familiar fantasy.

He'd know who that rapid, fluttering heartbeat belonged to anywhere. Always, the scent of jasmine, gardenia and honeysuckle, interwoven with deep notes of ginger and honey would call her alone to his mind. No other could ilicit such a profound and automatic response in his body as just the knowledge of her nearness did just then.

She'd come to him.