Chapter 27

Thanks for reviewing last chapter! That was one of my favorites, I think.

This chapter is dedicated to 'P' who might have a Twilight-themed Bat Mitzvah! Whoo-hoo! Love ya, P!

Don't own anything, I wish!

Previously;

"Yes," I replied, reaching out to wipe away the imaginary tears that I was sure were rolling down my face.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"I'll never be surer of anything in my entire life, no matter how long I live."

Then, his mouth was on mine, and as we kissed, he slipped the ring onto my finger.

"Forever?" He asked me, his voice trembling with suppressed emotion. A wide grin spread across his face, as if he couldn't believe what I had just told him. I couldn't believe it either.

"Forever," I confirmed, and we walked away from the clearing, hand in hand, to tell the rest of the family.

BPOV

Edward rubbed comforting circles on the palm of my left hand as he drove, but they didn't seem to help my anxiety. I couldn't believe that this was happening—that I was finally going to see Jacob Black again.

I was excited to see my old friend again; but at the same time a little scared. I hadn't seen him in over 30 years, so of course I was excited. But it was also very scary. First of all, I didn't want to see Jake like this. I still remembered what Kevin had told me.

(Flashback)

"Yeah," he replied. "Don't you remember what my dad had said? 'If you ever need me, for anything, just squeeze this wolf tightly. I will be there.'"

"So why isn't Jacob here?" I challenged. Immediately I felt bad for bringing that up. Kevin's face fell the tiniest bit and his eyes lost some of the excitement that had bee there just previously. I wonder what had happened to him. I couldn't have expected him to be still alive. It had been ninety years, after all.

"Jacob, er, well, he actually hasn't been feeling too well," Kevin confessed, his eyes downcast. "Actually the pack has been wondering if you would stop in and see him. My mother just passed away last year, and ever since, his health has gone downhill. Will you go see him?"

"If we ever get out of this mess," I replied. This seemed to bring him back to the present, for the look of helplessness in his eyes turned to a look of determination.

(End Flashback)

Kevin hadn't said exactly how bad Jacob was, but the look on his face when he told me the news told me that the news couldn't be good. I wasn't exactly excited to see Jake in that state, but I knew that it had to be done.

I wasn't excited for another reason as well. Even though I knew it would have to happen someday, it was different when you actually had to experience it. I had known all my life that being changed into a vampire would have some consequences. But I hadn't thought about it too much in the last few weeks. But now I truly realized what I was missing.

I had known that it had to happen sometime, but I realized now that Jacob was really my last remaining thread to my human life. And when he was gone…I didn't want to think about how much I would miss him.

"We're here." Edward said, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked around, but did not see the familiar house of Jacob Black.

"We are?" I asked, puzzled.

"I can't go any farther," he reminded me. "Treaty, love."

Comprehension dawned on me, and I ducked my head, a sign that I had recently picked up that was the equivalent of my blushing had I been human. "Right."

"So why can I go see Jake?" I wondered out loud.

He frowned. "Well, Kevin invited you to go visit Jacob right?" I nodded. "So he knew that Jacob was on the Quileutes land, right?" I nodded again. "So therefore he invited you onto their land." He confirmed.

"Also, technically you're not a Cullen…yet." He grinned. "So, technically, the treaty does not apply to you. Yet." An involuntary smile spread across my face as I though about being his wife.

I hopped out of the old Volvo and spun around to face him. "See you later?"

He flashed me his crooked smile. "I'll be waiting." His eyes did that unfair dazzling thing which, I was pleased to know, seemed to have the same effects that it had over me then it did when I was human.

I paused, momentarily stunned and his grin got even wider. With much effort I pulled myself away from his gaze and turned to walk away. He chuckled lightly under his breath.

I ignored him and slowly walked away. As I walked, I looked around at the passing trees. It had been 90 years, but I could still identify some of the familiar trees that I passed. I suddenly felt a strange aching in the bottom of my soul for this place; where time had stood still and everything was the same as it had always been. There was no techno here. There was only the sweet but familiar scent of La Push, and for some strange reason it felt like…home.

I shook my head, trying to clear out the longing and confusion. I had to shake this feeling that I somehow belonged here. I knew it was just seeing this place again—I realized how much I missed it. I missed it all, the comfortable, familiar sounds, the feeling of family that I had had for the few short months that I had spent here.

I shook myself again. I could not stay here long anyway; I had to just see Jake and leave. That was all that I would allow myself to do.

I finally reached Jake's house. The shutters were drawn, but I could detect movement inside with my enhanced hearing.

I took a not-needed breath and walked up the path to the driveway. I rang the doorbell. There was no reply. After a couple seconds of waiting, I rang again. I began to panic. What if no one was home? What if I never got to see Jacob again? What if I had to turn around right now? This was probably my only chance to see Jacob. He was old, and probably wouldn't be around much longer. If I wanted to see him, I had to see him now.

My agitation caused me to ring the door bell repetitively, pressing down on the round button again and again, probably more so then it was polite to. After a couple (hundred) rings, my finger was growing tired, even with my extra-vampire strength.

I sat dejectedly on the top stair of the walkway, holding my head in my hands. Was it so hard to see Jake one more time? Was that such a crime? Suddenly I heard the sound of a hand turning the doorknob.

I automatically turned around to face the door. Kevin stood there, talking at a very high speed.

"Didja really have to ring the--" He started angrily. Then he saw who it was, and his expression changed. First it was a look of embarrassment, probably for yelling at an almost complete stranger. Then it changed to shock.

"I—I didn't think you'd come," He stuttered.

"Of course I came." My tone changed to more of a whisper. "How is he doing?"

Kevin grimaced, the pain in his eyes becoming more evident. "Not too good. But—I think he wanted to see you."

"Can I go up?" It wasn't meant to be a question, and I think Kevin knew that. I was going up with or without his permission.

He nodded, but then said "But don't be too surprised if," he took a deep breath, his voice breaking. "Just don't be surprised if he doesn't look the same as you remember him." I grimaced.

I slowly walked to Jake's door and took a deep breath. Then I stepped inside his old room.

The first thing that I noticed that it wasn't his room anymore. Someone else had obviously lived here and had gotten around to changing it drastically. What had before been an obviously boyish room was now actually quite homey. His imprint, who I assumed had redecorated the room, had good taste.

The bed had changed too. But all this wasn't what had most dramatically changed. No, that was Jacob.

I'm so sorry I haven't updated in so long. This chapter had originally been longer, but I haven't updated in a while, so I thought you guys might want this. Only one or two more chapters left! Happy St. Patrick's day everyone and Happy birthday(In three days) To me!

Review!