Chapter 12
Vanessa's pov
He said I was his imprint? Imprint, where had I heard that before. That's right! Cody was telling about this imprinting thing. How when they see that person you know she's "the one". How she's all that matters. That explained the staring, the over-protectiveness, and why Cody and him had been arguing. He had his hand clapped over his mouth. Like he had made this big mistake. Why can't he just realize I need him more than he needs me. I took the hand that wasn't over his mouth and entwined it with mine. "Imprint, huh? You could've told me sooner, ya know. I thought I was going crazy." He uncovered his mouth and smiled slightly. "You were going crazy? Why?" I smiled and laughed. "You're going to think I'm insane and silly. When I first got out of the hospital, I saw you and started obsessing a bit. Than you wrote me that letter and sent me that picture and I thought I was going to die of happiness. And now you tell me this and I just want to lay in your arms until the end of time." I chuckled to break the tension. "For the record, I couldn't stop thinking about you from the moment I saw you, Nessa." I smiled at that, I leaned over and whispered in his ear, "You're not the only one." He smiled at me and I smiled back. "I don't know how this works, Jake. What's the pace of an imprinting relationship?" He laughed and pulled me close. "The pace? You need to stop a***yzing everything. You just do what comes natural. We've got awhile to do this, ya that freak you out?' I smiled and shook my head. I really wanted him to kiss me, but was afraid to ask. I didn't want to rush anything. I could tell this whole thing scared him a bit. He leaned down and kissed my forehead. I looked up at the navy blue sky. After that we talked about everything. It didn't take as long as I thought. I learned he was really sad on the inside. I didn't like that. Now I was starting to question who needed the other person more. I buried my body into his chest and smiled. I felt him wrap his arms around me and I drifted off to sleep. I woke up when I felt something brush up against my cheek. "Good morning." He was kissing my cheek awake. Making progress... "I could get used to this." He smiled and said,"Get used to what?" I glanced at him and said,"Waking up and the first thing I see is your face." I smiled and saw that he was too. I realized we were on the ground. He saw me looking around and said," After you fell asleep, I carried you down. I didn't want to fall asleep and have us both fall." I nodded. "We should probably get back before your brother has both our butts." I smiled and looked up. "OK, let's go." He got up and helped me to my feet. On the way I tripped on a rock and broke my foot. I started to laugh hysterically when I fell and so did he. "I don't understand how you can climb a fifty foot tree and kill yourself, but you can break your foot on a rock." I smiled and said, "Apparently I'm a better climber than I am a walker..." He smiled and I grabbed his shoulder and limped. "You know, it might be easier if I carried you. You're brother would have a fit, but I'll take my chances." I smiled and nodded. I put my arms on his shoulders and saw him smile. He grabbed me by the waist and pulled me close to his chest. "I could get used to this too. I'll have to break my foot more often." He chuckled and said," If you want to be carried or held you don't have to break you foot, ya know." I smiled and laughed. He walked slowly, and I liked it. He didn't say a word, but it wasn't an awkward silence. I saw Emily's house in the distance. On her porch stood Cody with his arms crossed and a hard expression on his face. "Why are you carrying her?" I felt Jacob's frame start to shake and I tried something. I grabbed his chin and forced him to look at me, and I looked him in the eyes, deeply and said,"Hey, it's OK. Calm down." Then I gave him a kiss on the cheek and I saw his eyes soften and I smiled. I looked at Cody and said, "I broke my foot, OK? Can we not do this now?" He looked at me and nodded. Jacob carried me inside the house and up to my room. He laid me down on the bed and tucked me in just like a child. "Lay with me?" He smiled and laid down next to me. I scooted closer to him and laid my head on his chest. "Jake, is it to soon to say I love you?" He smiled and whispered, "It's never too soon. I love you too, Nessa." I sighed with contentment and laid there the entire day.