Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, it belongs to Stephenie Meyer.

Two slow, torturous weeks later Billy let Jacob off of groundation. Bella hadn't even been able to call him on his birthday but Billy had finally relented on Valentine's Day because he couldn't deal with Jacob's whining and complaining any longer. Bella was working in the back of the store when Kourtney came from the front with wide eyes.

"There's a guy up front asking for you," she stated numbly.

"Did you get his name?"

"Yeah, its Hottie McHottie; tall, dark and handsome. Of course he's your boyfriend, he has to be. Only you would be so lucky," she said giving Bella a pointed look.

Bella smiled, not able to hide the blush that crept up her neck or her excitement. Jacob was leaning against the counter with a wide grin. She laughed shakily as she reached underneath the counter to retrieve her purse.

"How did you know what time I got off work?"

"I called your dad," he said with a shrug.

"Is it crazy that I missed you?" she asked, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I would be offended if you hadn't."

He held her tightly, not wanting to cause a scene in front of the half dozen customers milling about the store.

"I thought she had met Quil."

"They've talked on the phone, but no; she hasn't met him or any of our other friends."

He caught on to her double meaning: she had kept the pack away from the store so that suspicions and eyebrows wouldn't be raised. She had been smart to keep Kourtney in the dark. He led the way to her car and opened her door for her, suggesting that they drive back to her house to that she could drop off her car.

Once they were at her house she went inside to grab his birthday/valentine's present.

"I got you one thing and it cost me an arm and a leg. I hope you like it," she said holding it out to him.

"You didn't have to get me anything," he admonished.

"Everyone deserves something on their birthday; even if it is a few days late. Happy Valentine's Day."

"Happy Valentine's Day," he said before brushing his lips to hers.

"Open your gift," she prodded.

Jacob tore through the paper quickly and stared in shock at what lie underneath.

"You don't like it? I knew I should have gotten you something else."

"This is great Bells. Thank you," he said with a smile.

He pulled the box out to get a better view of what was inside. Bella had gotten him a iPad Air. It had to have cost her three pay checks and it was a hell of a lot nicer than what he had gotten her which lay in the back seat.

"I figured since you don't have a computer that you would want one," she said feebly.

"I love it, but it's too expensive."

"That's why you got only one thing for your birthday and Valentine's Day," she explained.

He reached into the back and pulled out a small box wrapped in shiny red paper.

"Rachel had some paper left over from when she wrapped Paul's gift so she let me use it," he explained when she gave him a teasing look.

She peeled back the paper and opened the box to find a pair of gray wool gloves and a hat and scarf to match.

"Thank you, these are really nice," she said with a pleased smile.

"I don't want you being cold when I'm not around."

"I needed these. See, we both got things we needed," she said, giving him a nudge.

He took one of her hands in his before pulling out the driveway. He planned on making the most of the few hours they had together. Technically, this was their second Valentine's Day together but it was their first as a couple. He wanted to do something special, to show her that she had made the right decision by choosing him. He would never leave or hurt her again.

"Where are we going?" she asked to break the silence.

"We're going out to dinner. I made reservations over a month ago."

"Aww, you do care," she said with a light laugh.

"Your damn right, I do," he said in a mock stern tone.

He held her hand for the entire thirty minute ride to Port Angeles. They talked about what the other had been up to during their time apart. The subject of Kourtney was brought up by Jacob and Bella was at a loss as to what to tell him.

"What do you want to know?"

"Anything you can tell me," he suggested.

"She's twenty and she's a sophomore in college. She works odd hours so that she can go to school and take care of her son."

"She has a kid?" he asked with suspicion.

"He's four, I think. I've never met him but his name is Hudson."

"Has she ever talked to Embry?"

"A couple of times...Jake, no. We can't set them up," she said firmly.

"So they go out, what is one date going to hurt?"

"What if she gets attached to him and he finally imprints?" she rationalized.

"That's a chance we'll have to take. Invite her to the bonfire on the beach this weekend."

"This is a bad idea," she said with a sigh.

"I'll take full responsibility if it goes up in flames," he promised.

"Your damn right, you will," she said sternly.

Bella had her reservations. Jacob was pretty much tempting fate and she didn't like the idea of Kourtney being objectified to it. Why bring in someone who knew nothing about the dangers the pack faced and could possibly be sucked in themselves? What was Jacob thinking?

XXXX

Bella hadn't been to the Cullen house since the night of Alice's vision. She had kept in contact with them and Alice and Edward would come to see her but she hadn't found time to visit everyone else. The call from Carlisle asking her and Jacob to come over had been cryptic but they had cut their Valentine's date short just the same. After calling her dad to let him know that she would be home later than planned they had gone straight to the Cullen's.

Bags were sitting in the foyer letting Bella know the reason behind the call. Edward was leaving and he wanted to say goodbye. Esme ushered them into the upstairs family room where the rest of the family was gathered. Even for vampires, they made for a somber group and Bella's heart went out to them. They had just gotten Edward back and he was leaving again. At least the fault didn't fall on her shoulders this time.

Edward and Carlisle stood in the middle of the room with their heads close together in a private conversation. Alice and Rosalie sat with Jasper on the couch while Emmett leaned against the wall behind them. Edward's attention was pulled away from Carlisle when he realized that Bella and Jacob had entered the room. He nodded to each of them, his mouth a thin line.

Esme pulled Bella to a oversized chair and Jacob sat on the armrest. Edward turned to face them, his expression pained.

"I'm sorry for pulling the two of you away from your date but I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye to the both of you."

"Why do you have to leave now?" Bella asked.

"I have decided to go to school after all. I'm glad to know that I'm leaving you in good hands. It's good to not have to worry about you," Edward revered with a sad smile.

Edward would always worry that the next call he received from his family would inform him of something horrible happening to Bella. He could relax now and not worry as much, but the caution would always be there.

Jacob didn't see Edward the way that he used to. They saw eye to eye on almost everything now and he considered Edward his friend. He never would have been able to admit that six months ago. So much had changed and he understood Edward and the reason behind his actions. Edward and his family weren't his enemies; they all wanted the same thing.

"You aren't saying much," Edward said to Bella.

"What am I supposed to say? I've been down this road with you a couple of times but this time is different."

"It does feel different. You have Jacob now and I'll feel a little better when I leave knowing that things won't change between us." he said with a sad smile.

Bella shook her head, letting him know that she agreed with him. She didn't want things to change between them either. Things had changed for the better now and she cared a great deal for him as a friend.

Jacob, Jasper and Emmett loaded Edward's things into his car and Carlisle ushered the female Cullen's out of the room after saying their goodbyes. Bella shifted from foot to foot not knowing what to say next.

"You'll always be the most important person in my life, Bella. A part of me will always care for you. Jacob is a lucky man to have you," Edward said after a few moments of silence.

"You'll always be special to me too, all of you will. I will always be grateful for the sacrifices that your family has made for me," Bella promised.

Edward walked the short distance to her and pulled her into his embrace. She rested her cheek against his chest, willing to overlook the change in her body temperature. He held her loosely, not wanting to crush her but also because if he tightened his grip he would need to be pulled away from her. She slipped out of his arms with ease when Jacob called her name from the front door.

Jacob watched Bella with worried eyes as she walked down the stairs.

"I'm fine," she promised him.

"He isn't that bad of a guy once you get to know him."

"It only took you two years to realize that," she said with a teasing smile.

"I was in love with you and he kept you from me; I was supposed to hate him then," he reminded her.

"I hope he'll be okay," she said, worrying her bottom lip.

"I'm sure he'll be fine. He's got his family and he'll have us," he reassured her.

Bella smiled, glad that Jacob was finally giving Edward a chance. She didn't know what the future held for Edward but she hoped that they could stay friends.

XXXX

Bella waited in the car while Kourtney ran into the house to change after work. They decided to ride to the bonfire together but Bella was still a little apprehensive. Jacob wanted Kourtney to meet the pack because she, like the pack were important to Bella. He had used Embry as an example but it had been the wrong approach. The last thing he wanted to happen was for the poor girl to get imprinted on.

Kourtney came out of the house with her strawberry blond hair in a high ponytail and a jacket slung over one shoulder. The other accessory she carried was a little out of place. The toeheaded little boy was attached to Kourtney's hip with both arms wrapped around her neck.

"He said that he wanted to meet you before I was allowed to leave," Kourtney explained with an exaggerated eye roll.

Hudson had big blue eyes and long blond eyelashes that he fluttered at Bella shyly. She smiled warmly when he waved. He really was a cutie pie. Kourtney's roommate came to get him and she kissed him one last time before getting in the car.

"I appreciate you inviting me tonight. My nights are usually spent chasing after Hudson and then I'll catch up on school and house work."

"How long have you lived here?"

"I moved here for school last year and I don't get out much. I've never been to First Beach but I've heard it's nice."

"It is. Jake and I wanted to invite you to meet our friends because you and I are friends and he wants you to be friends with them.

"He seems like a really nice guy."

"He's the best. I seriously don't know how I got so lucky," she admitted with a breathless laugh.

"What are your friends like?"

"Loud and crazy, they are complete and total spazzes, they're funny, they can put away food like nobody I know and I didn't mention that they're loud?"

Kourtney laughed and if she was nervous she didn't let on. Jacob was waiting for them in the parking lot and the three of them talked as they walked along the beach. Bella heard the group before she saw them. There was a game of catch going on with the younger pack members and a few of the older members were taunting them.

They rounded a bend and the pack was spread along the beach in front of them. The crowd turned towards them almost at the same time and a few people came to greet them. As they got closer Bella could see that it was Quil, Embry and Seth making their way towards them in the fading sunlight.

"See? You have your own welcoming committee," Bella said encouragingly.

"Did you?"

"Not exactly," she said with a sigh.

The three boys stopped a few feet away and Quil pulled Kourtney in for a hug before Bella or Jacob could warn her that he was a hugger. He pulled away, talking excitedly and Kourtney shared his enthusiasm. Embry pulled her attention from Quil with ease to introduce himself.

Seth hung back talking to Jacob and Bella, patiently waiting his turn to introduce himself. After a few minutes Kourtney extracted herself from the Quil and Embry sandwich that they had imposed on her. Bella introduced her to Seth and he held his hand out to her, not wanting to freak her out by bombarding her with another hug.

"It's nice to meet you," he said politely.

"I thought you said he was a hugger," Kourtney said to Bella.

"He's being nice," Bella informed her.

"I'll take a a hug," Kourtney said with a smile.

Seth met her gaze and the ground fell out from underneath him. The air left his lungs and he felt lightheaded. He stared at her through unsure eyes and she met his gaze with one of concern.

"Oh boy," Quil said under his breath.

"Are you okay?" Kourtney asked Seth.

"He's fine, he's just suffering from temporary insanity," Embry answered.

"Come on little buddy," Jacob said, leading Seth away.

"What just happened?" Kourtney asked.

"Too much to explain at once," Bella said as they walked in the opposite direction.

Bella and Kourtney sat with Rachel and they were met by cautious looks by the remaining older members of the pack. Bella remembered being under the same steady gazes less than a year ago and Jacob had stood up for her. Jacob was now talking with Seth farther down the beach. Bella knew exactly what had happened but she couldn't put it into words. If Kourtney thought her life was chaotic before, she had no idea what she was in for. Her life was about to turned into complete upheaval.

AN: I based Kourtney and Hudson on Macy Bookout and her son Bentley from the show Teen Mom. I was obsessed with that show while it was on and Macy was favorite of the girls and Bentley was a little heartbreaker in training. I just wanted to pass the information on.