Disclaimer: I wish I owned the characters (Jacob in particular) but sadly, I don't. Just using them for fun.

A/N: It has been SO LONG since I have updated this—thank you for those of you who have left reviews (and some of you have messaged me going, "What is TAKING you so long?" To those folks, I dedicate this fanfiction. ) This is the last chapter. I'm not entirely pleased with the ending—I think it was a bit rushed at the end there—but I'm glad to have finished it. Thank you so much—please review!

I drove Bella home and then went out to patrol the woods for a few hours, having promised that I would come back to check on Bella after Charlie went to sleep. Paul agreed to stay at Bella's house to keep an eye on things while I was out making up for my earlier mistake.

I wandered the forest, looking for any signs of another vampire. This place is a bloodsucker magnet. I caught a few scents of a vamp, but they were all older—the leech had already passed through here a day or two ago. I inwardly sighed. This sucks.

After about four hours of wandering around in the woods fruitlessly, I turned back and started running back to Forks, taking a route through the thick trees to get to Bella's house. I entered her yard from the side and looked at the windows of the house. They were all off except the table lamp in Bella's room. I listened and confirmed that Charlie was asleep. I was surprised Bella could sleep with the snoring down the hall. The rest of the pack could probably hear him snoring all the way in La Push.

I climbed into her window easily and was surprised to see that she was still awake. I sat on the edge of her bed.

"Hey," she said softly. "Everything alright?"

I nodded. "We got the scent of another vampire, but haven't had any luck finding it yet. Don't worry," I added hastily, seeing the look on her face. "I'm sure it's fine. It might not have anything to do with you." I inwardly agreed with the skeptical look on her face. She had a habit of attracting supernatural beings.

I sighed and scooted up next to her on the bed. She moved over as far as the tiny bed would allow, making room for me. I slid my arm under her head and she snuggled into my chest. I smiled; she was adorable.

"Jacob?"

"Hm?" I asked absentmindedly, stroking her arm with my thumb.

"I've been giving a lot of thought to what you said. About us."

She had my attention. I looked at her, trying not to let her see that I was worried about the conclusion she came to regarding a relationship with me. She sat up a little, looking at me a bit shyly.

"I think we could… give it a try."

Elated, I leaned over and kissed her before I could think about what I was doing. Kissing her was exquisite; her lips were soft, and she tasted like strawberries. She didn't move at first, shocked by what I was doing, but after a second she was kissing me back, moving her lips with mine. I cupped her cheek in one hand, marveling at the softness of her skin.

I broke the kiss after a few moments, almost sheepish about my abrupt move. I could see her blushing even in the dark with my human eyes.

"Um. Wow," she whispered. I could see her blush even in the darkness.

I grinned, elated. "Thank you, Bella. I know this is hard for you… but I won't let anything hurt you." I looked down at her. "Promise." I meant it with every fiber of my being.

She smiled at me, a smile that I swear lit a fire in my soul. "I know."

We sat there in silence for a few moments. She scooted down so she could lay her head back down on my chest and closed her eyes, obviously tired now. Knowing Bella, she probably stayed awake all night waiting for me so she could tell me that. I absentmindedly stroked her hair. I don't know how I had gotten so lucky, to imprint on her and have her actually want me back. I wasn't sure she loved me yet—it was too soon, and I knew she needed time before it went that far—but it was something. I was grateful for what I had.

She ended up falling asleep just a few minutes later. About half an hour after that, the talking started. I grinned when she mumbled my name in her sleep. I held her like that for a few hours, pleased when she showed no signs of bad dreams.

I left again when the sun came up before Charlie could find out I was there; he liked me, but I didn't think he liked me so much he wouldn't try to shoot me if he found out I was in his daughter's bed in the wee hours of the morning, regardless of the innocence in the act. I phased in the woods and raced home to change my clothes. I could hear the guys in the woods, divided up into pairs a few miles away from each other. They caught the tone of my thoughts immediately.

Alright! Paul exclaimed.

You sound surprised, I commented dryly.

Well, she seems like a smart girl. I was wondering if she was going to come to her senses and send you packing. The rest of the guys laughed with him. Seriously, man, congratulations.

It's not really a serious thing yet. She said we'd give it a try.

She just needs time, Embry chimed in. I think Embry understood her best out of the rest of the guys, and I valued his opinion on the subject. She's still not completely over him. But she's already come such a long way just in the time you guys have been hanging out together. He chuckled mentally. Just invite me to the wedding, will ya?

My heart jumped a little at the thought that Bella might eventually marry me. It was a nice thought that sometime down the road maybe she could care for me that much.

I searched the woods this morning, but no sign of the bloodsucker, I added.

We think it split town. Scent goes south. It's out of our area, anyway. We think it gave up.

That was some good news. One less thing trying to kill Bella. What was it with that girl that made supernatural stuff come flocking to her? I put it out of my mind; it didn't matter now, so long as Bella was safe.

Billy wasn't at all surprised when I wasn't staying; he shook his head and laughed at me. I thought I heard him mutter the word "whipped" under his breath, but I really didn't care.

I got back to Bella's house and heard her and Charlie in the kitchen as I walked up the steps. I hesitated. Okay, I was eavesdropping. Sue me.

"…you guys going to make it official already?" Charlie was saying. "The boy already spends the majority of his waking hours here anyway."

"Actually, I think it's an official thing now. Not that it's any of your business," Bella added.

Charlie was silent for a moment. "About time," he finally said. "He's a good kid." Charlie seemed to have the common sense not to mention that he liked me more than he liked Edward. Bella still didn't like hearing his name.

I grinned. We were "official." I liked that.

"I agree," Bella said softly. "I really like him." She quieted and I could hear the sound of dishes being rattled around.

` I think my heart just about beat through my chest. This was more than I could have ever hoped for. The girl of dreams cared about me. And was readily admitting it to Charlie. Grinning, I knocked lightly and opened the front door to see my girl.