Jacob carried me to the clearing, as planned. I made a trail with my scent to lead the new borns to where we wanted them. Then Jacob picked me up again and carried me up the mountain side. It took an hour to get there, and I was glad for that. I was able to spend some quality time with my sweetheart.
"Jacob, I want you to stay with me. I don't want to be anywhere near Edward, I don't feel very safe near him..." I was so scared of Victoria I was shaking in his arms. "And besides, if Victoria thought that Edward and I were still together, wouldn't she assume that he would be with me? She'd find me and kill me, Jake."
"That is a good point, Bella – I want to – but I have a duty to my pack. I must follow Sam's orders, and he wants me out on that field. It's only to protect you, Bella. I'm doing everything I can to keep you safe."
"I know that, Jake. Don't think I'm not grateful for–"
"I'm not going to be gone for long, and Seth will be with you. If you want, we can send Edward away and maybe Alice can take his place."
"Really? Thank you!" I was glad to be free of him. I could already feel his hold on me as it was, so if I had to spend a whole night with him – I might lose Jake. "...Jacob, do you promise you'll come to me the second the battle is over?"
"I promise, Bella."
I could see it in his eyes. He didn't want to be away from me any more than I wanted to be away from him. I hoped that he could at least stay with me the night, and would say goodbye before he left. I was worried sick about him, new borns we supposedly stronger than any other vampires. I would die if something happened to him.
We reached the campsite, and I was surprised that there was actually a tent.
"I thought the camping trip was just a cover-up. I didn't think we'd actually be camping." I asked. He just chuckled, and shrugged it off.
Edward was waiting about five yards away, with an aggravated expression. Jacob stiffened in response.
"I think you're right, Bella. I should stay with you tonight, I don't trust the bloodsucker."
"Oh, thank you, Jake!" I kissed him, and whispered in his ear, "I love you so much, Jacob; with every ounce of my being." Edward would have heard that, and we both smiled knowing so. I buried my face in his chest and he carried me into the tent.
Jacob stepped outside to phase. He told Sam why he was staying, and told him to pass on a message to Alice. I can only imagine what Edward thought of what I said, in Jake's thoughts. He must have been hurt, and angry, but most of all scared. Because it's the truth. I was scared of him, and what his presence might bring.
Edward stayed outside the tent the whole night, so I can only conclude that Alice didn't want to come. It must have been freezing outside, the wind was howling, and every now and then a snowflake would land on the tent floor. I was nice and cozy, zipped up in my sleeping bag with Jacob. He was so warm, and it was hard not to think about how close our bodies were. Everywhere our skin met was like electricity flowing from him into me.
I could feel his heat all around me. His hand blazing on my stomach; his chest pressed up against my spine, tingling all over.
I turned around and pressed against him, feeling the warmth through my chest now. It made me shiver, so I tried to pull him even closer. There was no where to move, we were already so close; so I wrapped my legs around his. I heard a groan from outside, and giggled, I could see that Jacob was enjoying every moment of Edward's disgust too.
He lightly kissed my lips, and slowly moved down to my neck, touching every inch with his lips. I held his chin in my hand and brought his lips back to mine, taken over by the moment. He started to lean to his side, rolling me onto my back, and positioning himself above me. He kissed me again, and again.
"I love you, too!" He whispered.