Chapter 26: The Truth Comes Out-All of It

I can't believe it. How the hell did we get here? Sam, Embry, Quil and Eric stood next to me, all in our tuxes. I was fidgeting because-well that doesn't matter. What the hell am I talking about-look at her. She's standing there, looking freakin' amazing in that dress. That white poofy dress that makes her look like a princess. She even has the damn tiara. Some of her curls flowed around her face, the rest tied up behind with a veil hanging down. I gulped. Kelly...God I don't deserve this. I feel a lump in my throat grow as she starts walking towards me, slowly, bouquet in one hand and arm and arm with Joe. This is it. We're going to be together...her and me...you know, the rest of our lives. She's gonna say yes to me. This is crazy. Are we actually doing this? And here I made fun of Bells for gettin' married so young...But when I look at her I know this is right. Damn I'm nervous...step, step….I feel Embry put a hand on my shoulder.

"Dude, relax," he says.

"Easy for you to say," I replied, glancing momentarily at him, "The woman of your damn dreams isn't walk up that aisle looking so damn beautiful-"

"Enough with the mush," he said, making a gagging noise.

I gave him a shove, turning back to her.

"You'll be fine Jake," Sam reassured, "Just breathe."

"At least you know what I'm feelin'," I glanced over, "You've been where I'm standing."

"I do," he smiled, glancing over at Emily.

Before I knew it, there they were, in front of me. Joe passed her hands into mine, smiling.

"Take care of her kiddo," he said, "You have to protect and cherish her always."

"Yes, sir," I answered as her face lit up.

"You look so good," she grinned, "You shine up good."

"So do you," I grinned back.

"Jake...I-" Suddenly, she stopped talking, her eyes widened and she put a hand on her neck. When she pulled it away, blood dripped from her fingers onto the white dress. Her eyes rose back to meet mine, confused, "Jake…?"

"Kelly?", " I said, reaching for her, "Kelly!"

Drake appeared from behind, staring straight at me, "I told you, dog, she's mine."

Without another word, he disappeared, Kelly in his arms. She didn't scream-not a peep. I knew I should move-follow-grab her but I couldn't. I stood there stunned.

"No!" I screamed, trying to force myself to take action.

That's when I realized I was dreaming. I jerked awake, sitting up. Shit that was too real. Not just...you know.. the wedding but...I gotta end that bloodsucker once and for all. I can't let her down again. I need to make sure she will always be with me. I turned, about to tell her sorry for the wake-up call only to find a note in place of the girl that was there when I'd closed my eyes for two seconds last night.

Jake-I went to Leah's. I'll be back before you wake up probably. -K

Well clearly not. That dream...God don't be real. I gulped. Shit. She can't have left when she knows he's out there...waiting...watching...I hopped out the window, phasing in an instant. I ran around her house-no smell of the leech thank god-but also no Kelly. None of the others were wolfed out, I didn't hear any thoughts anywhere. Doesn't matter, I've gotta know that she's safe. I ran up to Leah's house. Still no leech smell. I phased back, knocking on the door.

"She's not here," she said, opening the door a crack, "She left a few minutes ago."

"You let her go, by herself, when you know that leech is after her?"

"She said she was fine," Leah spat back at me, "Why don't you go back so she's not alone at her house where it always follows her?"

I turned around, not waiting for the door slam. I stayed in human form, hopping back into the window. Still, no one...What the hell? This girl is going to be the life and death of me if she keeps-the door opened. When she walked in, my shoulders relaxed, tension suddenly gone. I closed the distance instantly, scooping her up in my arms, squeezing her. She's alive. She's safe. And she's so damn dead for worrying me.

Kelly laughed as she said, "I just went out for a little bit. I'm don't have to check me over."

"Drake's still out there," I answered, keeping her still close enough to me, "He's already got to you once when I've been around and you think you'll be fine for a stroll...I literally almost had a heart attack…"

"But I'm here and fine," she said, "I left you a note."

"Still," I sighed, "I thought we agreed-"

"We did," she said, slumping her shoulders. She glanced at me then stepped over to her dresser, putting a hand on it, "But I just...I had to see Leah. I didn't plan it. I just needed to talk to her, you know...face to face."

She scared me half to death to talk to Leah. Leah?! Of all the damn people in this town-

"About what exactly?" I asked, stepping forward.

"I've just been thinking lately," she replied, glancing back at me, "I told you last night. I want to...I want to give us a shot but...I'm scared."

She put her eyes to the floor and I gulped.

"Of-Of…" I swallowed again, "Me...me hurting you…" this time my shoulders slumped, "...again?"

Immediately, her eyes came back to mine. She stepped closer to me. "No!," she squeezed my hand then back up, biting her lip, "Well yeah...a little...but not intentionally. I know you won't do that. It's just…"

"What?" I said, "It's just what?"

My heart sunk. I messed it all up. Clearly. She wouldn't be so torn apart if I hadn't. Shit. All I want to do is make her happy and I can't because I was an idiot. A lot. I gotta be the first wolf in history to mess it up with their imprint...I mean, she's my damn destiny, who does that? Oh right. Me.

"It's...well you always say imprinting is supposed to be a rarity and you don't know why everyone's imprinting and…" she sighed, "I guess I just thought maybe if I knew how Leah coped when Sam did...that when and if you do I might...I might be able to semi handle it."

Again, relief. That's what this is about? I wanted to laugh but then not at the same time because it was funny. Because all this worry and fear she had was so...so...un-freaking-necessary. And all because I never had a chance to tell her. She is my destiny...my everything. Guess now's as good a time as any.

I stepped forward, wrapping my arms around her. "You don't have to worry about that," I said, kissing her hair gently, "I'm not going anywhere, not if you give me a chance. I will never hurt you again. I swear."

"You say that, but you can't know," she shook her head, "She could be out there just walking around oblivious right now. Fate's going to bring her here and when it does…" she turned away from me for a second, "I'm gonna be the one that's crushed."

"It's not gonna happen," I said, grabbing her hand. I turned her to face me.

"You can tell me that all you want," she said, meeting my gaze, "But you don't know that….And if we're together I…" she paused, "I can't lose you. I don't want to. It would...it would crush me."

I pulled her closer but she put her hands against my chest, holding me back.

"Kel, I swear, I'm never gonna find anyone else but you," I held her gaze, "Never. Believe me."

She pushed away from me. Holy crap. Did I really screw this up? Why won't she believe me...I mean I haven't come out and said it…

"You can't guarantee it!" she cried out, her eyes getting glossy, "And as much as I want to be able to make it through...what if I can't? You see the guilt Sam still has even though it's less now. You'll feel guilty...but still not able to help yourself. And then I'll feel like the jerk when really it's my own damn fault," her eyes turned glossy even with the angry words, "Like I said, you-you can't guarantee it!"

"Yes I can!" I gritted out, staring at her.

Damn if she's gonna tell me this isn't meant to be-that I don't feel the way I do-that we're-

"How?" she replied, eyes widened. Her hands slightly shook.

"Because I already did!," I shouted back.

Relief. There it is. It's out there. Now I just needed to know how she'd take it-

Her mouth dropped open. Her shoulders slumped back, defeated.

"W-When?" she asked, "W-who?"

How can she not know? It's pretty obvious...isn't it? I mean, the way I look at her...

I held her gaze. When I stepped towards her, this time I steadied her-I swear she was about to fall-holding just her forearms. "You'" I said, "I imprinted on you."

Finally. I came clean. But she still doesn't believe me. She shook her head furiously. Dammit. Why doesn't she believe me?

"No-no-no...You couldn't have," she said, "Since the moment we met you...you only loved Bella. You only just told me you loved me a month ago…That and I saw it happened with Leah. It was instantaneous, like-like-like lighting striking. That never happened with us! And-And if it did it would've happened when we first-"

"Met," I finished. Her blue eyes, I swear were staring through me. But I had to tell her the truth...show her she's it for me. But how? And just like that, that night came flooding back into my mind. Every second vividly in my mind as I said, "It did. It happened that night I came from Bella's wedding. I was so-so mad and I fought it every step of the way. And it was a fight. That night...seeing you, everything changed."

I rubbed her arms as I went on, "It was like...my whole damn world shifted. I had no idea who you were but suddenly I just needed you in my life. I was ready to run again, so angry with everything that happened but you...you made me smile. Something...something I couldn't even remember doing in a long time. I …" I paused, looking down for a brief second, "I couldn't handle it. I didn't want it to be true I...but the minute you whipped around and looked at me, I was a goner."

"You weren't just...surprised?" she asked, "That's what you told me."

"I really didn't think you'd go for that excuse," I chuckled, "Nope. That was me, getting struck by lighting…." I paused, "But I didn't really want it then. I wanted Bella so much I...couldn't let her go so I ignored it...as best I could. Buried it as far as I could but I couldn't do it all. And I couldn't just ignore you. What did you do wrong? Nothing. Besides, just because I wasn't ready to ask you out doesn't mean we couldn't be friends so when you suggested it I jumped on it," I smiled, "And it was a breeze, being friends with you. We have so much in common...It was perfect."

"Until I told you I loved you," she sighed, looking away.

"That… complicated things," I answered, sighing, "I thought that couple weeks apart would help, let you really have a choice…," I paused, bringing her face to look at me again, "Kel...I never wanted to force you to like me...love me even. And you seemed fine for those two weeks but me…" I gulped, remembering, "I barely made it. I couldn't stand not laughing with you and spending time with you. I remember thinking how bad I wanted back everything I'd gotten used to with you. That's when I started to realize Bella was slipping away and then that I…" I paused, taking in her whole face, "I'd gone and did what I tried not to do: I fell for you."
"I thought you fell for me after I said I was going to go to college?" she said, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah I did," I sighed, "That's when I finally stopped resisting you...and then..well you know... I royally screwed it up. All of it and I'm sorry," I paused a second, "I really am. I'm not perfect Kel-I hope you can accept that part."
"I'm not perfect either," she answered, "Far from it," she paused, letting a few moments tick by. Finally she said, "Why didn't you just...tell me?"
"I've been trying to tell you since you got back, I swear," I said, "But either you never let me or something happened that I couldn't. It's been driving me nuts. I...just wanted to know."
"What about even before that?" she asked, "We could've saved so much pain and suffering if you'd just said it earlier."

Yeah, that would've been an idea.
"I know but...You know how I felt about it," I replied, "There needed to be a choice. I couldn't just let you-"
"But you already knew what I chose," she argued.
"But I wanted a choice too," I sighed. I let her arms go, backing up and sitting on the bed. I glanced at her, my elbows on my knees. "You-You don't know what it's been like hearing nonstop how perfect we are for each other from everyone and ...and knowing it's true because it's in your blood…" I paused a second, looking downward, "...but at the same time….at the same time wishing that it was your choice that mattered. Because maybe...maybe you wanted to have the chance to choose too."
"Is it so…bad?," she asked, "Loving me?"

I glanced up and she frowned slightly. Dammit. I'm doing it again. Making her feel bad. When all I want to do is the opposite….

"That's not it," I said, taking her hand and pulling her closer to me, "I didn't want to just love you just because my blood told me too. I wanted the chance to have it happen naturally, if it would. And when it did I just…It was the best thing to ever happen to me. I swear I will never ever hurt you again. I can't. My blood and my heart...they won't let me."
"Jake...," she started to say, pulling away.

Great. I blew it. AGAIN. This moment, which should've been her jumping into my arms and- How can I be so stupid? All that pain I put her through. there's a price. Now I have to pay it. I wish I could take it back a million times over but-she stopped talking. What the hell? Suddenly she pulled my hand until I stood again. Then she jumped up, wrapping her arms around my neck before pressing our lips together. She's kissing me. SHE'S KISSING ME. Maybe I didn't screw it all up after all...I lifted her easily, feeling her legs wrap around my waist and I returned everything she was giving. I was on fire. All over. More than my normal heat. This time the temp was freakin' exploding. I felt the goosebumps on her arms and grinned. I'm about to show her how this is going down. And then she went and pushed her tongue into my mouth and hell if I was going to stop that. We mashed together, everything I'd pent up finally happening. I didn't hold back...neither did she. She pulled back momentarily and inhaled, but then our eyes met. Both of us grinned before it started again. I leaned and fell back on the bed, pulling her on top of me. She ran a hand through my hair while her other one roamed across my chest. It felt freakin' amazing. I groaned. God I can't believe this is happening. I slid my hands up her back before coming back to rest on her hips. She smiled as we paused again, rolling off of me. Cheeks a little pink, she glanced at me and said, "I think that was better than our first."

Think? Try KNOW.
I chuckled, "Way better."
She glanced over at me and laughed looking back at the ceiling.
"What?"
"Nothing," she said, "It's just…I remember telling you how I had partly wished I could know who I was meant to be with and deep down I always hoped it was you."

Well if that doesn't boost that ego…

"Now that I know it is I'm just…so happy," She looked over at me then added, "I've kinda been punishing myself since my parents died and I didn't think I could be like this again. But here, I have you, I have Eric and a Dad, friends and I don't know I'm just…I can't believe I have it all again."
"You deserve it," I said, letting her curl up closer to me. Hell she deserved everything and somehow I'm going to give it to her. For everything...Then a thought occurred to me. We were silence a moment or two before I asked, "So you're happy, even though Drake was right about me not being completely honest?"
"I don't care," she said, looking at me, "He could say whatever but all I care about is you."
I grinned, pushing her hair off my shoulder. she's so damn beautiful. Makes me think-well maybe I should just tell... I added in almost a whisper, "Do you want to know what it was like kissing you that first time?"

She bit her lip and shivered. Damn I love it when she does that.

"I can barely even describe how you made me feel," I went on, "I'm already at a high temperature but I could've swore that day I got even hotter and would explode at any given second. When I wrapped my arms around you, you fit perfectly into them and it only got better from there. Remember?"
Her eyes closed temporarily, listening to everything I said. Opening them again she smiled wider and answered, "I couldn't forget it if I wanted to...and thankfully I never will."
This time when I kissed her...it was soft and gentle. If she can't tell exactly how I feel about her now….. When we pulled away, I looked at her and said, "Nayeli."
"What's that mean?" Kelly asked.
Entwining our fingers together I answered, "It means I love you, in Quileute."
"I feel like I've heard it before."
"You have."
"When?"

"I whispered it in your ear," I smiled, "The night before we went to Third Beach."
Her eyes widened as the realization hit her. She grinned, "You really have loved me since then haven't you?"
"Yeah," I replied.
"Can we just, stay in today?" she said, "I just want to enjoy this now that you're my…well…you know."
"Boyfriend?"
"Do you want to label this?" she asked timidly.

Like that's even a question.
"Damn right," I said and covered her mouth with mine. This time I didn't hold it back. Nothing else mattered. Just her. And me. Us. Finally.