DISCLAIMER: I own absolutely nothing Twilight related, except for my Twilight t-shirt, my hoodie, my signature pair of autographed socks...(kidding about the socks) All the ideas belong to the wonderful Mrs. Meyer. May she live long and prosper in the wealth from her fabulous novel that I adore so greatly.

This chapter is dedicated to Saklutzy, for yet another wonderful review. :)

He cut off the engine and as the headlights slowly dimmed, my eyes adjusted to the dark. It was cool and windy here on the shore; I could see a nearby solitary tree rocking back and forth gracefully. I opened the car door and stepped out lightly, trying my best not to fall, or upset anything. Jake did likewise and I grasped his hand firmly in mine as we walked closer to the water.

I could smell the salty ocean, and I breathed in deeply as we neared it. The vast body of water stretched eerily into the darkness, past much farther than I could see even with my enhanced eye sight. I sat down on the coarse sand, pulling Jake with me. Aside from a few birds and the noise of the waves, it was quiet. I liked the way the quiet enveloped us; protected us from unnecessary clutter. That's what I needed, to feel uncluttered.

"I'm sorry," I breathed quietly after a moment. He looked up in what appeared to be surprise.

"Why would you be sorry?"

"I know that the date didn't go as you had planned. I realize that I'm not the best person to take company with. I just wish I hadn't screwed up so badly." He shifted his whole body so that he was facing me.

"What do you mean screwed up so badly?" I took a deep breath.

"Well, first there was the hostess, then the sodas spilled everywhere. And I threw the salt on that poor old woman and nearly got us thrown out I was laughing so hard over the fork. And those stupid drunks were giving you a hard time. I just wish I could have been a better date for you." He sighed heavily and I knew that I was right.

"Nessie, how can you say that?"

"Say what?"

"That you screwed up our date?"

"Because I kinda did."

"No you didn't. I had a wonderful time." I searched his eyes thinking I must have misheard him.

"But, I did everything wrong…"

"No, you didn't." He smiled and I could see his teeth glimmer in the dark. "Ye of so little faith. You're not giving yourself enough credit."

"But, but, the waitress and the soda, and, and, the salt..." I babbled stupidly.

"So you knocked the soda out of the waitress's hands and threw salt on some random senior citizen. It happens. And just between you and me, I thought it was kinda cute."

I rolled my eyes. "Well I'm glad I amuse you." His soft laughter just barely touched my ears.

"What?"

"Nothing." He turned his body back toward the ocean and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

"What? Tell me."

"Nothing, nothing." I growled softly and he laughed louder.

"Tell me!" I cried, pushing him playfully.

"It's just that you remind me so much of your mom." He said after a moment, all but a trace of amusement gone from his voice. I blushed despite myself. I was glad it was dark so he wouldn't see.

"Why is that?"

"This, for one," he said touching my cheek lightly. I blushed deeper. "And your eyes. Her eyes were the same chocolaty brown hers were before her change."

"Do you miss her being human?" I asked half hoping he wouldn't answer. She had been human before my birth, but the placenta had detached and they had been forced to give her a C-section; Edward had changed her minutes later in order to save her life. I had brutally been ripping my way out of her body; breaking her ribs and cracking her spine. Had Edward not injected the venom into her, she would have died like Nahuel's mother. Jacob sighed wearily and kept his eyes on the water.

"No, I don't. I miss her blush, and her eyes, but other than that, she's the same. Her skin is cold and impenetrable, but she's the same." I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. It was mostly my fault she had been changed. Yes, it probably would have happened anyway, but I sped up the process. She might have decided to wait years had her belly not grown huge with me. I traced circles on his wide hand with my thumb as we sat in the quiet, turning over his words in my head.

After a moment, I felt his body stiffen next to mine and then a wide boyish grin covered his face. I smiled back, not really sure why he was so happy. I figured he would tell me in his own time, so I waited patiently. He jumped up hastily and ran to his car, motioning for me to stay where I was. I stood, but otherwise didn't move from my place by the shore.

I watched as he shoved the key into the ignition, causing the car to come to life. Its bright headlights illuminated the beach and washed everything in a harsh yellow light. I put my hand up to shield my eyes from the glare. I heard him turn the stereo on to an oldie's station and the sound of Elvis flooded my ears. He ran back to my side, and taking my hands in his smiled.

"I have a surprise," he said simply, as though that explained everything. He took a tiny box from the pocket of his blue jeans and placed it in my palm. The small cube was smooth and hard and I gingerly reached to open it. Very slowly lifting the lid, I looked up in amazement. Nestled in the box was a thin silver chain and upon the chain hung a plain silver cross.

"Oh, Jacob," I said softly, struck by the beautiful gift. It was so lovely, I was almost afraid to touch it. He pulled it from the box and fastened it around my neck, his fingers brushing across my shoulders. Then, slipping the box back into his pocket, he pulled me close and we turned in a slow ungraceful circle to the rhythm of the music

Like a river flows surely to the sea

Darling so it goes

Somethings are meant to be

Take my hand, Take my whole life too.

For I can't help falling in love with you.

I was indescribably moved, and feeling like words would only mar the beauty of his gift, I laid my head on his shoulder wrapped my arms around his neck. His hands wound around my waist and we rocked back and forth steadily, a million starts glittering above our heads. I wanted to cry, it was so lovely and picturesque. When the song ended, we stopped swaying, but neither of us moved. We stood in each other's embrace for an immeasurable moment, and then a lone gull screeched, startling me. I stood back so I could better see his face.

"So," I mused. "Does this make you my boyfriend?" He chuckled softly as we made our way to the car, my hand clasped around the necklace.

"I don't know," Jake threw a teasing smirk at me and I laughed.

"Well, technically, since you've given me a piece of jewelry, it kinda makes you my boyfriend." He turned the stereo off and put the car in drive.

"Well, then, I guess I don't have a choice, do I?" I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Thank you," I murmured softly as the Rabbit's tires pulled off the loose sand and onto the pavement.

"It's no big deal," he said. That was just like him to shrug it off as if it didn't matter, even though I could tell he was pleased that I liked it.

"Yes it is. It's a beautiful gift and I love it."

"Sure, sure" I rolled my eyes. Tonight had been wonderful, even if I had made a fool of myself at the restaurant. The drive home was quiet and still and as we neared the house I could see Rosalie peering through the blinds of her bedroom window. I shook my head as Jake threw the car in park and braced myself for her. She could put the best of interrogators to shame and tonight would be no different.

So there you have it, a slow dance and a pretty necklace. Hope you enjoyed it.

Please send me a review. I promise to give you extra huggles if you do. Plus, Constructive Criticism is always welcome.


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