A Matter of the Heart

Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N-thanks for the kind reviews, Nikki.

Part Ten-The Shortest Goodbye

Jake and Bella had been back home for ten days. The impromptu road trip had been cathartic for both; everybody could see the difference in both of them. When Jake had his reunion with Billy, who was now out of the hospital and staying temporarily with the Clearwater's whilst he recuperated, it was emotional on both sides. Billy had hugged his son tightly in an unusual display of paternal affection and it wasn't just the older man who had tears in his eyes when he finally let go. "You look at peace with yourself." Billy said huskily as his dark eyes, so much like Jake's, roamed around his son's face. He could see that the desperate sadness that Jake had been carrying in his heart was missing. He now looked calm and in control. The despair was gone.

"Yes, I am now. The time away did us both good." Jake swiped at his eyes as a tear escaped and rolled down his cheek. He was definitely turning into a girl; he had cried more in the last week than his whole life since his mom had died. But perhaps it had been the emotional release he needed. Bottling up his feelings had done nothing but make him angry and resentful. It was freeing now that those were gone.

"So you and Bella?" Billy prompted. He saw a slow grin spread cross Jake's face; lighting up his eyes and making him seem more like his happy go lucky younger self. Billy felt hope flare in his heart as he pulled Jake in for another hug and slapped him on the back. "You don't know how glad I am to hear that son."

Jake returned his hug fiercely; he was determined never to let his father down again.

Bella's reunion with Charlie was as bittersweet as Jake's. Charlie was glad to see her, and like Billy, he pulled his daughter into an unaccustomed hug. "Don't ever run off like that again, kiddo." He had scolded her before pulling back and studying her intently. "You look happy." He marvelled as Bella smiled at him. She appeared to be glowing with health. The haunted look she had been wearing for so long had faded, and she seemed content.

"I am happy." Bella held Charlie's hands and her smile grew wider. "It did us both good, getting away from everything and everyone. It made me see things more clearly. I'm sorry for worrying you."

"It's worth it if you come back looking happy, Bells." Charlie pulled out a chair and motioned for Bella to sit down. "So you and Jake made peace with each other then?" He asked cautiously.

Bella took a seat opposite him and bit down on her lower lip. "Um…more than made peace dad." She hesitated for a second before continuing. She didn't want him to think her reckless but she didn't want to hide her newfound relationship with Jake either. She knew that some of their friends and family would think that they were jumping in too quickly, but with everything they had gone through together to reach this point, Bella and Jake didn't want to hold back and go slow. Life was precious and they intended on living it. Bella took a deep breath before she blurted out her news. "Dad, Jake and I, we're together."

Charlie was stunned. His mouth dropped open and he leaned back in his chair as if all the air had been taken out of him. "But what about your engagement to him?" He would never be able to say Edward's name.

Bella's face became grim at the mention of Edward's name. She was still livid over the stunt he had pulled at the hotel. "You can rest assured my eyes have been opened as far as Edward is concerned, dad. As soon as I'm settled back in here, I plan to go and see him face to face."

Charlie was ecstatic at the news. He tried to hide his happiness, and bit his tongue so he wouldn't blurt out I told you so. He was a bit concerned that she and Jake were rushing into a relationship, but the new confident Bella managed to persuade him that she now knew exactly what she wanted.

Edward had been calling her constantly since she had arrived back home and charged up her cell. Sam had placed some of the pack around her house to keep him away on Jake's insistence. The pack had been astonished that Jake and Bella were now an item, but they were more happier than anything. The old Jake was back, and no one celebrated this more than his two best friends, Quil and Embry. Jake didn't want Bella to go and see Cullen alone, even though he trusted her implicitly, he didn't trust the leech. So a few days after their return, Jake and Bella went to confront him so she could tell Edward it was officially over and return the gaudy engagement ring.

Memories washed over Bella as they drove her truck down the long winding drive and parked up outside the huge mansion. It all looked so familiar but different at the same time. Had it really only been a matter of ten days since she had been here last? She had been getting ready for her marriage to Edward. If Billy hadn't fallen ill and Charlie not managed to persuade her to leave so she could comfort Jake, then by now she would just be returning from her honeymoon, no longer human, but something else. Bella shuddered at the thought. Had she really wanted to become an icy statue? The very idea frightened her now, but mere weeks ago she had longed to join Edward's family permanently. She felt Jake wind his warm fingers around her own and she calmed down. None of that mattered now. She was here, with him, they were together. Her fate had been in her hands all along, if only she had let her guard down earlier and allowed Jake inside.

"Do you think he already knows?" She asked as she stared up at the white washed walls of the mansion. She could see the Chevy reflected in the tall windows. The Cullen's had been in the midst of packing up their belongings ready to move away from Forks after the wedding. Bella wondered what would happen now. They couldn't stay here. Jake and the pack wouldn't allow it. Talks with the elders had been on-going since Jake's return. The treaty that had been agreed between Ephraim's pack and the Cullen's was in the process of being revoked. After looking through the edicts, Old Quil and the other elders had come to the conclusion that Carlisle had broken the terms the minute he had agreed to change Bella into a vampire.

"I expect he does, honey. He probably read the pack's minds. He was constantly hovering near your house, trying to get to you. So was the little pixie." Jacob leaned across and gave her a soothing kiss. The undercurrent of electricity flashed between them and Bella's nerves completely disappeared. Jake smiled when he felt her relax. "Ready?"

"I'm ready." Bella squeezed his hand before climbing out of the truck.

"IMPRINTED?" Edward was apoplectic. His fists curled at his sides as he glared at Jake. "YOU FORCED THIS UPON HER."

Jake wasn't intimidated at all. He didn't bother replying. He had promised to let Bella handle it all. He watched as Alice whispered in her brother's ear. Edward's face turned sorrowful as he gazed at Bella, heart break flashing in his eyes. Bella just stared back at him. Jake was pleased to see she didn't seem upset at all. In fact she appeared a little irritated.

"It's all true, Edward. Jake didn't force anything on me. In fact we weren't even aware it had happened until we came back home. Sam had to point it out to us would you believe." A small smile curved her lips upwards as she recalled that conversation. Jake grinned back at her, both of them nearly forgetting the reason why they were there.

"Bella." Alice's bell like tones brought them back into the moment. "Are you certain they are not lying to you? With the dog here I cannot check your future. It sounds ludicrous that you would suddenly imprint with him after so long and that you were both unaware of it." She stared at Jake suspiciously.

"That is true, Bella. He is manipulating you." Edward cried out passionately. "Don't fall for it, my love. Carlisle and the others are already on their way to Denali, if we leave now we can catch them up. We can get married there and…" Edward stopped when he saw impatience flicker across Bella's face.

"Firstly, don't insult Jake again. Secondly you are one to talk about manipulation, both of you?" Bella glared at Alice as well as Edward. "Don't think I am not aware that at times you've used your powers to influence me."

"Only in your best interests, Bella." Alice averted her gaze, unable to meet Bella's eyes.

"So you say." Bella said stiffly. She upended her hand and opened her fingers to reveal Edward's ring resting on her palm. "I want to give this back to you. Give it to the vampire, not human, Edward, that you will one day marry."

Edward looked crushed. It was as if seeing her return his ring finally made him realise that it was over, and there was nothing left he could do to take Bella away from Jake. She was different, he could see it in the way she carried herself. Even her sweet scent had changed; the imprint had infected her body as well as her mind. There was no getting away from the fact that it was true. She belonged to the dog, he had lost her. Silently without further protest he reached out and took the glittering ring from her hand. Their skin brushed and it burned them both. Edward saw Bella pale and he stepped back, his own marble skin reacting badly. That was the final confirmation he needed.

"I wish you well, Edward, and you too, Alice. Goodbye." There was nothing left to say. Bella kept a tight hold on Jake's hand as they walked quickly out of the Cullen's mansion and into the open air. They both inhaled deeply at the same time. Bella turned to Jake and smiled at him. "Can we start living now?" She whispered.

Jake leaned down and kissed her gently, his lips lingering on hers for a long moment. "Definitely." He promised.

A/N-only the epilogue to go! Thanks for reading!