Last chapter. Yeah, it was pretty sad. And as I've messaged some of you, I couldn't Edward be the one to end Jacob Black's life. It would have been majorly OOC, first of all. Second, that would have been too painful for Bella. You friend's life ended because he was in love with you is bad enough. But to have your fiancée be the one to kill him is just barbaric. So I went in another direction: punishment for disobedience towards the pack. Anyway, still don't own Twilight nor New Moon.

BPOV:

Emmett paced the floor in front of me, a hard look on his face. He had cornered Alice when we had arrived at the house. So of course we told him everything. Emmett had one foot out the door before Alice had dragged him back here. Even now, I knew he hated this. Waiting with no news, not sure what could be happening right now. I felt the same way.

The scenario played multiple times behind my eyelids. The fighting. The pain. But never the outcome, for which I was grateful. I couldn't stand to think that one of them might not survive. Why Jacob? Why couldn't you just leave us well enough alone? I buried my head in my hands.

This was just too much to take! I knew that there would have been nothing I could do, and that there was a chance I could have gotten hurt, but I didn't care. I wanted nothing more then to stand by Edward's side. This not knowing was killing me! I sobbed into my hands. Alice wrapped her arms around me, hugging me into her chest. But that hurt too! Her touch felt all too much familiar. Her voice low with concern chanted reassurances in my ear. Why did she have to remind me of him so much?

I shook my heads, using my arms to free my body from hers. Her eyes, deep with worry, followed me out the door. Those eyes! Just like his. I had to go to him. It didn't matter if I couldn't help. I just wanted to know my angel was okay.

But what if he wasn't?

I dropped to the ground. Laurent had been no match for the pack, after all. I huddled my legs into my torso. But that had been the whole pack. Of course Laurent had been easy to take care off. My Edward was so much stronger. Jacob wouldn't be able to hurt him.

But what if Edward, my Edward, hurt Jacob? I choked on my sobs, pressing the palms of my hands to my ears. Just shut up! Images of Edward and Jacob locked in battle filled my head. I shut my eyes are tightly as I could. Make them just go away! I don't want to see that. Anything but that.

It was too much to hope they would both walk away unscathed, but that was all I could think of. That was the only possible outcome of this battle. My Edward returning to me. His arms wide and inviting to me. And my Jacob, smiling that happy grin I hadn't seen in so long. He would laugh loudly and wave. My heart swelled. Both the men I loved, happy and alive. Edward and I could be together forever, married and blissful. And Jacob would be right there as my best friend, just like old times. Was that really so much to ask? Did I not deserve that joy? Was it wrong? Was it selfish? No. But it was just a delusion.

I had to accept that. Things could never be like that. It was stupid to even dream about it. I couldn't have it both ways. Life was about choice. And when I had said I do, I had long since made that choice. But couldn't Jacob make the choice to be happy for me? Was it really such an awful thing to see me happy? Did it matter who it was, as long as I didn't have to cry anymore?

But I wasn't fooling anyone. It did matter. My mind circled around those facts long enough for me to accept that. And a whole new batch of pain came along with it. Was I ready for this pain? To lose everything? To lose everyone?

A new image floated across my head. Edward. Him holding me close, promising me forever. How good those words sounded! But I now knew how much hurt was hidden behind those words. Edward wanted to protect me from this pain, this sacrifice. I had been so naïve. Now it was time to show I had really grown up, to act like the adult I should be by now.

No, I couldn't have it both ways. But I didn't care. Nothing meant more to me then this man! This was true in all my heart. Let the pain have me; it doesn't matter. For when he holds me tight, all my pain simply washes away. Only now was I truly ready to be his bride. All loose ends were tired up and I had fully opened my heart to Edward.

Let the pain wash away the doubt. Let the pain wash away the fear. Let the pain wash away the hate. And let your love pour into me, making me whole.

0- o O o -0

I opened my eyes slowly, taking in my surrounds. I was no longer in the driveway. Instead, I found myself lying on a large bed I recognized as Esme and Carlisle's. I sighed deeply. Someone must have brought me inside. Because I was outside, I had gone looking for Edward. Edward!

I sat up suddenly. I needed to go to him. Before I could struggle out of the bed, the door to the room opened. A pale face peeked into the room. Without a word, he sat on the edge o f the bed, making no move to sit closer to me. He covered his eyes with his hand, still silent. I crawled to his side. Edward still didn't look at me. I saw that the hand that lay on the bed was quivering frightfully.

Taking his hand into mine, I sat on the edge of the bed. Please, just say it Edward. I already know by that look on your face. I wanted to say those words, but they froze on my lips. Tears dripped down my face. Just say it. Say something! I closed my eyes. I didn't want to see my angel so stiff and distressed anymore. Jacob… I mourned him without a word, letting the pain fill me. I needed to feel this pain. To remind myself why there could be no doubt.

He didn't deserve this. My friend, Jacob. This shouldn't have happened. But it did. And I owed it to his memory to live on, to be happy. I tightened my grip on Edward's hand. Jacob Black was gone. There was no turning back now. He was gone, but I would cherish my memories of him always. I exhaled deeply. Jacob was dead, but I had Edward. I couldn't do anything for Jake, but perhaps I could ease Edward's pain, if only a bit.

I slid off the bed, kneeling on the floor, staring at my poor angel. He wasn't a monster, no matter what he did. My beloved Romeo could never be lessened in my eyes. Even now with my best friend, my Paris dead, I knew with all my heart that was true. I wiped the lingering blood off my beloved's marble face.

I had always criticized Shakespeare for his poor character development. Juliet's naivety concerning her Romeo was painful to watch. She had trusted this man with her heart like it was nothing. What did a 14-year-old girl know of true love? And how could she justify Romeo killing her own cousin, Tybalt? Did she never care for Tybalt? Or perhaps it was just that she was a foolish child, willing to give up everything for one man.

But as I looked into the face of the only man I would ever love, I understood completely. Love is unconditional. It's irrevocable. Nothing Romeo could ever do, not ever murdering her family, would ever change that. So while I knew she must have felt extreme waves of pain, her love for both her cousin and her husband had healed it all.

I stood up, towering over my fiancée. He had dropped his hand, but stared at the floor, refusing to meet my gaze. I hugged him forcefully. Oh my dearest Romeo. Do you doubt my love so easily? I am yours and yours alone. I kissed the top of his head, my tears streaming down my face. You must be so disgusted with yourself. And so miserable. "I… will cry for both of us, dear Edward." He dragged me onto his lap. And we let misery have us.