Bella tapped impatiently at the door, eager to see Jacob at long last. She heard a shuffling noise from inside, which ended with the door opening wide in front of her.
She was greeted by a warm face, though it wasn't the once she sought. "Hello Bella." his voice greeted. "I've been expecting you to come over sooner or later."
"Hey Billy," Bella smiled back. She cleared her throat before saying the words she had once thought she'd never say again. "Is…is Jake around?"
Billy looked down to the floor briefly and then back up at Bella. "Actually, no. He's been helping this homeless fellow that showed up on or doorstep. He went to drop him by Quil's house. Quil says his father might have a job for the poor guy." Billy explained as he wheeled himself into the living room, Bella in tow. "If you don't mind waiting, he'll be home in about ten minutes or so." He explained.
The next fifteen minutes seemed to pass very slowly, making her time there with Billy more excruciating than it had to be. Bill had practically interrogated her on her whole life story by the end of it, and of course she had to talk about the wedding.
Luckily before she had to get into the fine details of the wedding though, Bella heard a car door slam. Next came the sound of the front door shutting, and then approaching footsteps. As Jacob rounded the corner, Bella stood up, eager to greet him. Not expecting anyone, Jacob walked right into Bella, knocking her over.
The couch slid a few inches across the floor, out of the way of Bella who now lay there. After looking upon her sprawled on the ground, all he could do is laugh. At last Bella go the voice she was seeking. "Bella." He sighed simply.
Of course, after seeing his wide smile, all she could do is laugh along with him.
"Silly Bella," he breathed, "You'll be the death of me one day." He instantly stuck out a hand and eagerly helped her up.
Bella stared at him wide-eyed as if he were a ghost. "Jake." She whispered. "You're back."
Billy just shook his head as he rolled off into his bedroom. Jacob quickly pulled the couch back to its original spot and plopped himself down. Bella quietly placed herself on the far side of the couch and stared over at him. "Jake…" he smile faded into a grin. "I don't know where to begin. I mean…where have you been?"
Jacobs wide smile turned into a frown also at this question. "Far away, Bella."
"But…where—" she said, her voice almost dropping an octave.
"I didn't think I could stand to watch you leave Bella."
"I wasn't leaving you Jacob…"
"When you decided to marry him, you did leave."
"Jake…" Bella stared at him intensely.
"I had to leave Bella. I had to be alone." Jacob explained. "So I went north, up to Canada and Alaska. I was hoping maybe I could get closer to the spirit world there, and maybe I could be one again…" Jacob turned away from Bella's gaze. "I found another pack. I didn't even know that they existed. Even though I was in my human state, they knew. I don't know how, but they knew I was one of them. They wanted me to join their pack, but I refused. All I wanted was to be alone, and I promised myself that I'd never phase back again, and I didn't." Jacob turned back to Bella, his eyes now more apathetic, more pained. "They didn't like that Bella. They beat me. They beat me, they scarred me, and they left me to die there. I was paralyzed. Even for a werewolf, it took me at least a month to recover. But you know, as bad as it was, it wasn't the thing that was really hurting me."
"Oh. Jacob." Bella stared at him, eyes filled with tears as she scooted closer to him.
"Bella," Jacob started. "Can you do something for me?"
"What?" she questioned as she clenched to Jacob now, truly realizing how much she had hurt him.
Jacob didn't speak or make a sound. He simply turned to Bella and lifted her chin gently.
"Jake…" Bella sighed. "We can't do this."
"Please, just one last kiss?"
Scenes of her life flashed before Bella. Jacob, Edward, and everything that had led up to this now all were clear in her mind. Inside she was torn, but in two days she was getting married, and nothing would get in the way of it. Not even a kiss. So she let it happen, plain and simple.
Bella leant in close to him; she could feel his warm skin even deep within her clothes. Quickly and softly she let her lips trace over his, and without force he kissed her back. Within just seconds Jacob pulled away.
"I'm sorry," Bella quickly uttered.
"Don't be sorry Bella, you've given me the world, and one last memory. No, I should be the one who's sorry. I shouldn't have made you do that… but I just wanted to know if I could still feel it."
"What are you talking about Jake?"
"I've…I've found her." He stared down at Bella, eyes sad with what almost seemed to be tears. "Bella I love you, but I can't love you in the same way anymore…"
"You mean…" Bella questioned, eyes-wide. Jacob only nodded.
"Jake…" Bella whispered. "That's great." She almost broke into tears. While it was true she was happy for him, it felt like a piece of her just died. "It hurts." Bella breathed, almost inaudibly.
"I know." Jacob just replied solemnly.
Still, for minutes Bella just sat there deep in Jacob's hold. She closed her eyes and leant back into him, she just felt like sleeping. Maybe it would make her feel better about all this. "You know," she said, eyes still closed. "I'm getting married in two days."
Jacob started down at her, just taking in this last moment of them. "I know."
"So are you coming?" Bella asked quietly.
He just smiled as he sat her back up on her own. "Bella, I wouldn't miss it for the world." Bella stared over at him silently. "Would you mind if I brought someone along?"
"No, that's fine. I'm just glad that you'll be there." Bella half-smiled.
Jacob just smiled over at her. "What time do you have to leave?" he questioned innocently.
"Umm." Bella checked her watch quickly. "Twenty minutes, why?"
"Wanna do something crazy one last time?"
Bella just smiled. "Sure."
With the rest of their time together, Bella and Jacob spend their time cruising around on nothing other than a Sportster that Jake had just finished fixing up before he left. Just before Edward arrived, they parked the motorcycle out of sight, and waited innocently on the lawn. As the silver Volvo pulled up, Bella just grinned. Edward stepped out quickly.
"Have a good time Bella?" he questioned, opening the passenger door for her.
"Yeah," she sighed, "it was great to see Jake again."
Edward pointed his line of vision towards Jacob, and simply greeted him with a nod and a "Jacob."
Jake just smiled. "Take good care of her Ed." He laughed with a slap on the back.
Edward just nodded. "I will Jacob, I will."
"I'll see you in a couple of days then?" Jacob questioned Bella.
"Yep, 9 o'clock. You can call of course if you have any questions." With that, she stepped into the car, and Edward proceeded to pull out of the driveway. Jacob just stood there as he sighed. "Goodbye Bella."
I'm sorry if this was a bit "off the beaten path." I felt that this chapter kind of marked the final break off of Jacob and Bella. I will be picking back up with Molly again ) I apologize for those of you who didn't like it. I tried. It's a bit hard to write like someone else, as many of you know. I also hope that this explained a bit of what some of you were wondering. Be sure to keep reading, I have some great stuff coming ) Thanks for Reading, Britt