A/N: I hope that everyone is still interested in this story. I hadn't forgotten about it, real life just wanted too much of my time. Please read and review. Thanks!

Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns everything. I just like playing with her characters and fixing her messes.

Chapter 4

Jacob ran as fast as his wolf could go. Anxiety, fear, hope and love battled in his mind and heart. Even Jacob's wolf was a bit worried about the woman whom, together with his human counterpart, they chose. There's no real way to understand the influence the walking undead has had on her due to their constant exposure. Jacob's wolf knew that there was a reason for the veil between the living and the dead. Two separate states of being were never meant to interact, let alone marry. For the living, there is no running away from or hiding from death. However, there is no life in the dead so anything dealing with the dead would not only be wrong, but a sad and unfulfilled mimicry of everything life has to offer.

Jacob continued his trek to Bella's. Hope and love began to win and boost the man and the wolf's confidence that, in time, everything can be fixed and worked out. There was a lot of honest truths in what both Paul and Embry said to Bella. Nevertheless, the choice of whom he would pursue and how was solely up to Jacob and his wolf. No one else, ever. None of the Pack, his father and the Elders, or Bella herself understood the compulsion and drive Jacob had in his desire to be with the girl. That is all about to change.

Jacob knew that his time away was more than just about him running away from his hurt feelings. He needed that time to fully merge with and understand his wolf. Jacob's wolf has always been patient with his human counterpart. As a human is slower to age, maturity typically is as slow. This is one of the main reasons why Jacob's wolf never pushed the issue of being Alpha. His wolf knew that they needed a mate in order to properly take over. That's the order of things. It's also the reason why everything took so long to become cohesive. Jacob would have never been able to lead the people of his tribe and the Pack if he continued to despise himself, his heritage, and especially his birthright.

All of the negative emotions and loss of control changed just before Bella's wedding. Jacob may not have known, but his wolf sensed the change in the man and woman. Jacob's wolf heard the woman's soul call out for him in sadness, need, and despair. The man was finally able to grow into his own, to not be what others expected, but whom he expected himself to be. Every change brought the man and woman closer to who they are destined to be individually and collectively.

What neither Jacob or Bella comprehended at the time were their true needs. Jacob needed to be strong, dependable, and in charge with a heart of compassion and mercy. While it's true that Jacob had taken good care of his father for years, that never gave the man room to grow so that he could care for a Pack, a tribe, and most importantly a family. Jacob the man was, a least before now, never able to meet his own potential being under other people's thumbs. Spending time away on a mental, emotional, and spiritual journey helped Jacob to see things clearly and gain the necessary insight into the big picture and the minute details.

Spending the necessary time away from his duties at home, to Sam, his Pack, and tribe allowed Jacob the room he needed in order to grow into his potential. Now, Jacob had developed the ability to carry the heavy weights of responsibility with more ease than before. If Jacob's wolf had been adamant about taking his rightful place, chaos would have followed in no time. Leading with no guidance, trust, or help is a recipe for disaster and it would have happened. This type of wisdom comes with age, experience, and time away to properly reflect on the issues at hand.

Bella, in turn, needed to see, understand, and acknowledge her flaws and shortcomings all the while embracing the good within. Sadly enough, Bella despised who she is so much. This allowed for predators to move in for the literal kill. But no more. If it was one of the last things Jacob did for Bella, he would make her see the good that is actually inside her.

With this in mind Jacob continued on. Upon reaching the end of the wooded area around Bella's house, Jacob spotted a car. Not wanting to take any chances, Jacob jumps into the tree by Bella's room. After shimmying up the side of the tree and wall, Jacob peers into Bella's bedroom. Noting that no one was there, Jacob pried open her window and quietly slipped through. On soundless feet Jacob walked to Bella's door. Jacob took in a deep inhalation to figure out who was really in the house. The stench of dead bodies, blood, and a sickening sweet undertone permeated Bella's room making it hard for him to truly understand who is or isn't in her house.

Silently, Jacob inched open Bella's bedroom door and fresh air whizzed inside. Jacob greedily breathed in the new air hoping to help clear his lungs and sinuses. After several deep breaths Jacob was finally able to differentiate between the smells in Bella's house. The stench of vampire was all over the house, Jacob still had a hard time finding the scents of the living beings in the home.

Jacob opened the door more and followed his nose. A stray thought of appreciation for his wolf flashed through his heart. Now that Jacob's heart was in the right place, he could see more things clearly. Going down the stairs, Jacob then walked through the kitchen until he found the Swan's mudroom/laundry room.

Inside, Bella stood with her back facing the now open sliding door. Bella desperately tried to undo all of the intricate buttons on her now dirty, ripped, and hated dress. For a brief second Jacob just watched in awe as Bella struggled and squirmed almost gracefully in her dress. Her hair had come loose all around her shoulders. To Jacob, Bella never looked better. Jacob and his wolf settled in contentment as they watched their future mate shed the last connection to her hateful past.

"Do you need some help with that?" Jacob asks Bella suddenly.

Bella stopped moving. She knew that voice almost better than her own. She could hear the smirk in his voice, but fear of rejection and the unknown kept her rooted to her spot. Bella's heart skipped a frantic beat as she tried to collect herself.

"Um...Yeah. This is so embarrassing, but could you help me with these buttons?"

"Sure, sure. Just turn around and hold still."

"Okay, sure. Uh...Thanks by the way." Bella said nervously.

"You're welcome. But, why are you so nervous, Bells? It's only me. I've seen you in a swimsuit before, remember?" Jacob asks as he begins to unbutton the dreaded wedding dress.

"I know that, Jake. It's just...argh! This is different, okay?!"

"How's it different? I don't get why you're so worked up about this." Jacob responds and stops undoing Bella's dress.

Exasperated Bella responds back "It just is! No one has seen me in such an intimate way, save Alice, and now you. I just don't want to, sheesh I don't know what I'm trying to say."

"Honey, you never have to worry with me. You've always been perfect in my eyes. You just never believed me. I will finish this and leave you to change. There are some things we need to talk about."

"Sure, Jake. I…"

"Just let me finish and then we can talk." Jacob says as he hurries to finish his job.

Once Bella has been freed from her buttons, Jacob runs his hands up and down her back then walks away leaving Bella to change. Stunned by Jacob's forward behavior, Bella turns to speak, but finds herself alone already. Trepidation about what she'll learn once she talks with Jacob fills Bella's heart and she slowly slinks out of the mudroom to go to her bedroom. Surprisingly, Bella doesn't trip going upstairs. Upon entering her room, Bella rushes to change out of her dress. While she doesn't want to talk about what happened, Bella knew that she couldn't keep Jacob waiting for too long before he came upstairs to get her.

Bella changes into her most comfy clothes. There's no need to get fancy, Bella decided. Bella leaves her room and heads back down the stairs. She looks for Jacob in her kitchen, but doesn't find him there. Bella keeps going until she sees Jacob standing by her father's chair. She then takes a seat on the couch, rings her hands and waits for Jacob to start talking.

"Look, I'm going to apologize for how Paul and Embry behaved with you. While I understand why they did the things they did, and said what they said, it doesn't take away the fact that it was rude behavior. However, many of the things they said are true," Jacob began.

"Jake, you don't have to apologise for your brothers. They were only looking out for you. I get it, really I do. As far as the truths they told me, I get that too. I completely understand that you don't want anything else to do with me. It's really great that you decided to not leave me hanging about it," Bella says.

"Bells, that's not what I was going to say or something that I would ever do. As long as you'll have me, I'll always "deal" with you. Got it?"

Bella was shocked by what Jacob just said. He really wanted to stay with her, even after everything? Bella had a hard time believing that. Her own experiences with love was making it difficult to see the truth in Jacob's words.

"I know that you've had a hard time with love. I've been around your dad all my life. And even now, I've been here. I see what others don't. You think that there is only one type of love, real love to be had, but there isn't. Many times in life, who we think is our forever just isn't. That doesn't mean that the feelings are invalid, it just means that the right one hasn't come along or has been accepted. I know that you are doubtful of my feelings towards you, but please don't be. My age and imprinting has nothing to do with you and I. In fact, my wolf has chosen you as well, so there's no one else for me, for us, than you. I meant every word that I said to you earlier. The ball's in your court, Bells."

"What do you mean, Jacob? I don't understand. I thought that you would be better off without me. Now you can be the Alpha you were always meant to be. I promise never to bring you down again, but maybe your brothers were right?"

"I see that you weren't listening to a thing that I just said. Becoming or not becoming Alpha had nothing to do with you, but everything to do with me. I wasn't ready. I did not want to lead or anything else that came with being a wolf. I hate the Cullens, except for the blonde one and the burly guy. Those two don't rub me the wrong way like the others. I don't agree with my Great-grandfather and the treaty he made with them, but I understand why he did so a bit better now.

Not everything that I do or don't do have anything to do with you. What none of you understand, not the Pack, Embry, our fathers, or the Elders understand: is that things had to happen the way they did in order for us to be where we needed to be. There are things that I needed to do in order to be ready for you. The same goes for you too."

"Everything I said earlier is just as true now. I just couldn't imagine my life without you in it, somehow. I was just really afraid of losing you, period. I thought that if I pushed you away then things would be easier. Yet, they weren't."

"I know, Bells. It's time that we stop, grow up and face everything together."

"What about you being next in line to be Chief? Having a pale faced wife certainly wouldn't go well…"

"Are you kidding me?!" Jacob interrupts. "My tribe has one of the most open marriage policies, thoughts, and accepting of other, than most tribes. Marrying you will not dim my shine in the least. In fact, since your father is so respected on the Res, it will be more than acceptable for us to be together. Let's start over, honey. I want you to see me, the man, Jacob. Can you do that? Can we try?"

Bella was overwhelmed. Was this the second chance she never hoped to have? Everything Jacob said sounded too good to be true, but Bella knew that Jacob would never lie to her about something this important. Bella made up her mind.

"Yes, we can start over. Hello, my name is Bella." Bella says while holding out her right hand for Jacob to shake.

"Hello Bella. I remember you from when we were younger. You would always play in the mud with me. I knew that I liked your spirit, even then." Jacob tells Bella and smiles as he shakes her hand and watches her skin blossom in her infamous blush.

"It's a warm day today. Are you up for a little adventure?"

"What type of adventure?" Bella asks warily.

"Well, it's this thing we do in La Push where we cliff dive into the ocean. Do you think that sounds like fun?"

"Oh, my gosh! Really?! We can do that?"

"Of course! It'll be fun and totally safe. I promise to not let you get hurt. Hurry up and get your swimsuit."

" Yes, sir!" Bella fake saluted and jogged her way up to her room to get ready. She couldn't believe her luck. Just when Bella felt unlucky and that she was losing the best thing that happen to her, she finds out while yes, things have changed, they have changed for the better.