Chapter 20: All is Well

Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight

Bella and I shook Old Quil's hand and thanked him. I walked toward my dad, wagging my finger at him. So, you're not the all-seeing sage after all, huh? How long have you known?"

"I didn't know. I suspected something, but I wasn't sure what it was until Old Quil here asked me to be a witness. For some reason, he felt that I should be at my only son's nuptials. Imagine that."

Bella slipped to my side, shyly. "Hey, Billy. You're not mad at us are you?"

"Nah, if I was mad, I would have called Charlie right away to put a stop to your shenanigans." He put his hand over his chest, and said, "I'm just an old romantic at heart, I guess. By the way, if you two need a place to canoodle, I'll turn a blind eye, and put my earplugs in. Maybe I should have a bigger bed put in your room, Jacob."

"Dad . . ."

My new bride was totally mortified. She was clutching my arm so tight it was practically cutting off the circulation. However, there was no stopping the blood that was circulating clear up to Bella's ears. She stared down at her shoes until she could compose herself.

My dad went right on rattling. "What? You're married now; that's what marriage is for, to cling to each other—to bring children into this world—"

Averting her eyes from my father she quietly handed me the camera. "Let's get a few pictures before we leave."

I took one of Bella hugging my dad, and one of Philemon, my dad, and Old Quil. Back and forth we went mixing and matching with the officiators. My ol' man took several of us, and we were finally satisfied that we had enough. It was time to go. Bella retrieved the camera, and I carried her bridal style to the car.

As she got in, she grabbed my hand. "Hey, Jake, I just realized, we didn't sign any paperwork. Don't we get a certificate or something?"

I had to laugh out loud. "You're such a paleface, Bella. You've been to bonfires before; did you see anyone reading off a paper while the legends were told? Our culture has a spoken tradition; we're not into paper and red tape. Don't worry, this news will travel fast among the tribe. Everyone will know about it. And no one would question Old Quil's word. He's held in high regard, believe me. As far as we're concerned he's on even footing with the pope."

She was leaning against me, her head on my shoulder and both arms wrapped around mine. "You know, Jake. I've never been a big fan of marriage, probably because of what it did to Charlie and me. I wasn't fond of weddings in general either. But the ceremony today; it was . . . I can't put it into words. It was so meaningful, like how all weddings should be—not these million dollar circuses that end in divorce after a week and a half. Just you and me and promises made to each other.

"Oh my gosh, It just hit me. Where did you get the ring? It's beautiful."

I took her hand and stared at that little gold circle that contained all my undying vows made to her. "It was my mother's. I'll get you one of your own in the next year if you want."

She twisted it on her finger, letting the diamonds catch the light. "Can I think about that first? It's such an honor to wear it. I know how much you loved her."

We pulled into her driveway, and I went around to the passenger side to help her out of the car. My heart was full, and it fluttered in my chest. I kept gazing into her eyes, as if she would vanish like a puff of smoke. She was mine; it was hard to believe. Bella was truly mine. Life now had a purpose, and I would do my damnedest to fulfill that purpose.

Her eyebrows knit together, and she cocked her head to one side. "What?"

My voice was low as I asked, "Bells . . . can you do me a favor tonight?"

She grinned at me mischievously. "I thought I already was."

I folded my arms and rested my back against the Rabbit. "No, I mean besides that."

"Okay, I'm game."

"I'd like you to leave this dress on."

Her brow furrowed again as she inquired, "Why?"

"Because, Mrs. Black . . . I want to be the one to take it off."

The most beautiful shade of crimson colored her cheeks, as she responded softly. "Oh."

I wondered why it was that girls are so embarrassed about sex. Guys just take it so matter of factly. Is it our anatomy? I mean, let's face it, the guy's junk is hangin' out there for everyone to see. The girls, uh, stuff is hidden away, all folded up nice and neat.

"Is Charlie a sound sleeper, I hope?"

She walked forward, pressing up against me. "It would take someone screaming to wake him up." She knew that through several months of experience.

"You might want to remember that tonight." I couldn't help the smirk that formed on my lips.

Bella looked down at the ground. Could her face possibly get any redder? It was so sweet. Damn, I could have just eaten her up.

"Leave your window open tonight. I'm gonna phase and come to your room. I'm sorry I can't wear this suit and tie, but Billy would totally flip out if I ripped it to shreds.

"Are you still nervous?"

She finally looked up at me with those big chocolate eyes, her hand sliding down the lapel of my jacket. "What do you think?"

Placing my hand over hers, I let her know that I wasn't exactly a poster child for calm either. "Yeah, me too. It's okay to be a little nervous; I just don't want you to be afraid of me, okay?"

I reached out and hugged her tight. My emotions were getting the best of me. I didn't want to let her go; apparently, she didn't want me too either. As our lips melded together, her hands began pulling at my hair. Her tongue went crazy. Jeez, it was hard, but I managed to call time out. My pants were starting to smoke. "Not yet, honey. Be patient," I snickered. "I won't keep you waiting too much longer."

I walked Bella to her door, and kissed her one more time. She waved in the doorway as I drove away. I was gonna be so pissed if I woke up and found out that this was all a dream.

Bella took the dress off but left her PJs on the rocking chair. She covered herself in a bathrobe and freshened up. Charlie was just about ready to get in bed, so Bella went downstairs to wish him goodnight. "Hey, dad, I'm a little wound up tonight. Would it be okay if I left the radio on for a while? I'll keep it low so it won't bother you."

"That's fine kiddo. I'm so beat I could sleep through a hurricane tonight."

I hope you're right, she thought.

Just her luck—it was raining cats and dogs outside. She pulled a couple of towels out of the linen closet and laid them at the foot of the mattress. She would probably need one for herself and Jacob anyway.

When she heard Charlie snoring, she slipped back into her dress, and turned off the light. After turning down the covers, she sat on the edge of her bed anxiously waiting.

Ten minutes elapsed, and Jacob's voice wafted up from below her window. "I'm coming up, Bells." Then a second later he launched himself into her room, wearing a pair of cutoffs, and that Jacob smile.

He was soaked, and the water was pooling onto the floor, so Bella grabbed the largest towel and went over his face and chest to dry him off. Oh my gosh, he was so beautiful. The rain was dripping off the strands of his glossy black hair, glistening on his russet skin and falling onto his long dark eyelashes like drops of dew. The light from the window accentuated the planes of his cheeks and strong jaw, and the muscles in his neck and chest. There was no way she could find the will to turn him away tonight, not when he looked like that!

She continued sopping up the water on his shorts and legs, when he took the towel from her and wrapped it around his waist, sliding the wet shorts out from underneath it and flinging them onto the rocking chair. She took in a sharp breath in the knowledge that there was nothing covering him except that towel. It was nerve wracking and exhilarating at the same time.

Swallowing thickly, she stood shyly as I came closer. I turned her about, slowly unbuttoned the fastenings at her neck, and unzipping it, slipped the dress to the floor. My heart stopped in my chest and my mouth went dry at the sight of her. Walking around in front of Bella, I took her face in my hands, gazing at her for a few seconds. Taking my time, I kissed her sweet lips over and over again, running my hands through her hair and along her trembling body. I could sense her readiness, so I picked her up and gently set her on the mattress, pulling the covers over her.

The damp towel was quickly dropped on the floor next to the bed. I side-stepped it, and slipped beneath the sheets beside my love.

I'm not one to kiss and tell, but when I say that things went pretty good, well, that is a gross understatement. It went better than good, hell it was freakin' AWESOME. I showed Bella a trick so I wouldn't be left hanging, and I rang her chimes more than once. Hell, if this night was that good, I could just imagine what tomorrow would be like. We snuggled afterwards and slept 'til dawn. Bella was reluctant to let me go, but Charlie would be up and around soon, so I had to leave.

Her hands were still on my arms, and her lips were swollen from all the kissing. Her hair was wild which made her look even more beautiful if that was possible.

She opened those perfect pink lips and whispered. "So that's it? I'm really ready for tonight?"

I ran my fingers through her hair and nuzzled her cheek. "Honey, you were ready hours ago. I just didn't want to push you."

"Well, what time are you coming back?" She clamped her hands a bit tighter around my biceps.

"Jeez, Bells, don't worry. A pack of wolves couldn't keep me away."

Those pink lips slid into pouting mode. "Can't you come back after Charlie goes to work?"

Holy hell, I've created a monster. I rubbed the back of my hand along her jaw when I finally loosened her grip on me. "You know I would stay if I could, but I've gotta take care of Billy. He has a doctor's appointment. Then I have extra patrol duty today too. I promise I won't be any later than ten thirty."

She pulled me toward her again, moistening my bottom lip with the tip of her tongue. She was getting my motor running again. "Not that I don't appreciate what you're doing, but—stop—I've gotta leave. Tonight, Bells, tonight! Just wait. I'm gonna come back to you and wrap you up in my love. I'm gonna make you feel so good that I'll have to arm myself with a stick to beat you off of me from then on."

I twisted out of her grasp, and sitting beside her on the bed, slipped back into my shorts. She wrapped the sheet around herself and followed me to the window. I sailed out the casement, landing in her backyard again. I looked up and there was that pout still on her face.

It was ten o'clock and I was running at top speed to be with the girl I fought so hard for. Tonight I would claim her as my own. The clouds were a curtain enveloping the moon so that there was little light. I didn't need it anyway. I was homing in on that delicious strawberry scent riding on the currents of the wind. It was just ahead; the window was open, beckoning me. As I approached, my mind pondered the events that took me to this turning point in my life. Who would have guessed that the fiasco at First Beach and the purchase of a swim suit would ultimately win me the girl of my dreams? I've loved Bella forever it seemed, and now she had finally chosen to return that love.

Phasing back quickly, I was anxious to join our bodies and spirits together as one. Jake and Bells, it was meant to be. I leapt through her window ready to share my love with her, my one true mate. I gazed in awe at the beauty sitting there on the edge of the bed impatiently waiting for me—Jacob Black—the poor boy from La Push. And the rest as they say is history.

The End