Of Love and Loss
By that belle

Whoever thought up the term 'it is better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all', had absolutely no idea what they were talking about. Edward/Bella/Jacob

Authors note: I don't own anything!

Authors note 2: So, this is my first real attempt at a Twilight fic. Since I started University in April, I haven't had the chance to write much… no time, no real inspiration, whatever. But now that the semester is slowing down, ideas are starting to pop into my head. Plus I've been re-reading the series, and I've noticed more than the last time I read it. But, yes. This chapter's kind of like a feel of what's to come, which is why it's so short. Any feedback is appreciated. Please enjoy!

He knew she was coming. She knew that.

It wasn't the fact that her old truck could be heard from a long distance, no. It was merely the fact that he just knew these things. So it was of little surprise when she pulled up outside the hostel which he lived in and there he was, waiting outside for her. As she turned off the engine, however, it surprised her to see his narrowed eyes, and hostile posture. She slid out of the cab of the truck, and slammed the door shut behind her.

"Hey!" She called out to him, waving slightly.

Hesitantly, he waved back. She frowned, and started to walk over to him. He stepped back, which caused her to stop altogether.

"What's your problem?" She demanded, putting her hands on her hips.

"Nothing," He replied coolly. "I can see you've made your decision."

"I have." She said, a little perplexed. "I want to tell you who I-"

"There's no need, Bella." He turned his back to her. "You're going to stay with him, aren't you." He said it like it wasn't a question.

"I-"

"I knew it." Shrugging, he walked up towards the hostel building. "I just knew it."

"But you're wrong!" Bella exclaimed, tugging madly on her hair. "The reason why I came down here was to tell you that-"

He paused mid-step. "To tell me what?" He asked, his voice sounding almost hopeful.

"I came down here to tell you… that… Iwannabewithyou!" She blurted the last part out, before turning on her heel. Her intention was to run off so he couldn't see her embarrassment or her tears, but she slipped in the snow, landing on her back with a groan.

He had heard her perfectly, and when she slipped, he was at her side in seconds, helping her to her feet again. They looked into each other's eyes for a long time without speaking, and he gently wiped away her tears.

"You really meant that?" He asked her softly. Bella nodded wordlessly. He grinned slightly, before kissing her gently.

"There's… something else." She told him, when they broke apart. He looked worried, but urged her to continue. "Well," She said, a happy smile on her face. "I love you."

He smirked, his whole face lighting up. "And I love you." He replied, kissing her again.

Not too far off in the distance, another man stood, watching the scene with a slightly pained, slightly regretful expression. For it was he who had loved and lost Bella Swan. Whoever said that it was better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all, didn't know what they were talking about.