"I Am The Natural Path Your Life Would Have Taken"

Description: What if Alice never saw Bella jumping off the cliff, and Edward never returned? Every thing that happened that day was just.. Normal? Bella would have found her happiness with Jacob Black, right? "Bella, I am the natural path your life would have taken.."

[Bella's POV]

Recap: "Heyy!" He said before he took me in his arms and, swayed us around, and kissed me once on the cheek. I giggled. He did it again and this time I took a picture as he was doing it. Sometimes it was hard to believe I was older then him. Though not by much. I sure didn't look it. Then I noticed everyone was looking at us. I guess I was laughing harder then I thought.

"Get a room!" They all yelled except Sam. Obvious reasons. Jake stuck his tongue out at them. He continued to hold me at my waist, and I had my arms around his neck.

"Bella." He said to get my attention.

"Yeah, Jake?" I answered. He was giving me a very serious, and thoughtful look.

"I need to talk to you, about something. Please. It's important." He said. And I could only guess would he could possible have to talk to me about..

Chapter 2. Finally Moving on

He wrapped his arm around my waist and led me to start walking down the beach near the water. I looked up at him.

"So, what's up Jake?" I asked very curious. What could be so important?

"Um.. Well.. I wanted to talk to you about.. Well kinda.. You and me." He stuttered. Obviously he was scrambling his words a little. But I was a little taken back. But I should have been ready for this. Or at least expect it. But maybe I wanted to talk about this.

"About us? In what sense?" I wanted to hear it from him. I needed to be positive.

"Well… Us… In the 'Us' sense. Bella.. In the time that we have been together I really have become… Close to you. And it makes me really happy to be your friend. But I really believe there's more there." He stopped all movement, and took me by the upper arms. "I know that he broke your heart… But I think, no.. I know I can make it better for you. Happier. I can pick up your pieces , Bella. I'm falling in love with you." He made this confession. I didn't know what to think. I could swear that water was prickling the back of my eyes threatening to come out and show themselves. Did I love Jake? I know I like him, a lot. But love? Could Jacob Black really be my happiness I thought I had? Maybe.. I just.. I need to really think about this. And that's all I knew. I wouldn't say anything about my indecision to him. I couldn't make it seem like I was shooting him down. I wasn't. Maybe Jacob really could put me back together. Or at least finish doing so.

"Jake.. I.. I don't know what to say. I'm so… I don't know. My head is so.. Racy right now. I wont lie. I really don't know. I like you Jake. A lot. And I'm so happy that you and I have become so close. And I can say that I have come to love you. Very much so that, you have already begun to pick up my pieces. And had you never brought this up.. I never would have realized it. And I do believe that you can make me happy. And I am looking forward to it." I said as I began to smile. Okay… Maybe I did know what I wanted to say. Heh. Gotta love those last minute decisions. I just hope… It was the right one. Those words were not refundable.

"Are you serious, Bells?" Jake asked. He was very serious, but excited too. I kept smiling. This is a good thing.

"I am, Jake." It was true. Its been on my mind just as much as its been on his. And the next thing I knew, I was in his arms. All I saw was his smiling face, and the whirling of the back round behind us. My smile didn't falter. I knew what I was doing. And I knew it was the right thing. Edward Cullen… Was no more. He was out of my life. My life was with Jacob Black now. And I knew all along, that that was the way it was supposed to always be.

"I love you, Bella." He said with the most sincere and serious voice I have ever heard from him. I looked at him and gave him the most warm and loving smile I could.

"And I love you, Jake." I knew that all the time I spent with Jake, I had come to be in love with him. It was just one of those… Things where you never would have known or realized until it was verbally brought to attention. But I was brought back to reality when I felt his lips against mine, and I knew that we were being watched. By natural instinct I responded and returned his kiss, and our lips were moving in perfect harmony with each other. I knew every word from our mouths were heard, and that they were watching us now.

I suddenly heard a bunch of howling and wooing. Great. I blushed the shade of a tomato. At least I was sure I did. Jake smiled at me when he saw me.

"Just ignore them. I do." He told me, before he wrapped his arm around my waist and lead me to sit next to him back where my towel was. He sat down up right with his knees bent up, propping his elbows on his knees and let his forearms fall limp. I sat cross legged between his legs, and leaned back against his torso, and rested my head on his collarbone. He leaned his cheek to rest on my head. I looked towards Collin and I knew he wanted to tease, but then he flashed us a look of pure envy. And then I realized something very.. Bad.

"Hey Jake.. Just a weird question.. But, what if you imprint on someone. Not me..?" I asked. I was afraid of the answer.

"Oh.. Um.. I'm not sure. But Bells, nothing could make me stop loving you, even if I did imprint on someone other then you, it doesn't mean I love them. Basically imprinting is an obligation to protect and be there for another person. Love really aint in the equation necessarily. Sometimes it is, like with Sam, and Embry. My love for you is unconditional. But imprinting on you, wouldn't be a bad thing at all." He explained. What he said had definitely made me feel better.

"Alright. That's.. Good." I said, still lost in thought over his words. I blinked a couple of times and shook my head slightly, I didn't want to think about it. I started thinking about mine and Jake's newly developed relationship. My father would be pleased. So would Billy, I knew he would much rather me with his son, the werewolf, then Edward, the vampire. As screwed up as it sounds. Even though the werewolf did sound safer, for the fact that they exist to fight off the vampires, and that werewolves weren't bloodthirsty. I guess that over all Jake was the better choice. He's healthier for me, he's natural, like the sun, and breathing in air. I once said that I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with Edward Cullen. I thought I sounded like a stuck up, very dense little bitch when I said now "I guess not." That's just terrible.. Ugh.

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Sorry, that it took so long to update I'll try to be faster. Ideas take a while to get to me. But here it is.. And sorry it's kinda short..

~Aniya