Chapter 16

She looked down at her hand safe, warm and secure in his. Pale compared to his, and finding comfort in its warm embrace. She found herself smiling at this, happier than she thought she would be, somehow. Her gaze drifted in front of her where a girl was running on chubby, short baby legs. Her long black hair flowed down her back. Then she turned and looked back at Bella and she was staring back into a set of eyes that mirrored her own.

Her smiled widened. Their child was so beautiful with the skin of her father and the eyes-eyes that seemed bland and plain on Bella- that seemed like melting chocolate on her. Yes, she was very happy in her life.

Deep down, she felt a pang of regret. That her child wasn't fair with rosy cheeks and emerald eyes and curly bronze hair. She shook the thought out of her head.

This was her life. She may not have chosen it had there been the option of him, but it made her happy.

Jake loved her with all that he was made of.

They followed from the yard to the porch on their small house on the reservation. Jake laughing at their daughter as she tried to stretch her chubby legs to go up two stairs at a time like her daddy did. He scooped her up and spun her around.

Yes, she was very happy.

"I love you, Jacob Black."

She woke up from the dream. She knew he could make her happy. She could be happy in that life. And it seemed now that it was her only choice in this life. Edward was not an option anymore it seemed.

She had been so mad at the beginning when she had woken up in the hospital. He had explaining to do and yet he had run from her. It had now been a month since the incident and there hadn't been ever a call to her. He'd called once while she was at work to tell Charlie that Victoria was at large but had last been seen heading to Canada.

"She'll more than likely stay there to keep from trouble. Nothing to come back to now that James is gone." he had said to Charlie. And Charlie seemed to agree with that.

She was putting on a strong front for him. Still smiling, still laughing even though it sounded hollow to her ears. She only really and truly smiled when Jacob came by. He came by everyday. He used the excuse that Charlie had less time everyday, but she knew it was mostly for her benefit.

"Bella," Charlie called to her from the living room.

"Yeah, dad?"

"I don't have much time left here. Don't try to say anything different, you know. I want to leave knowing that you're happy." He watched as she struggled between telling the truth and just saying…

"dad, I am happy."

"He loves you, you know. He'll be back."

He was driving at a nice pace on the interstate. There as no traffic to slow him down. There was something pulling him to push the limits and get there as soon as he could. True, Charlie had called with empty threats on his life for making her so sad. He'd been putting it all together anyway. He knew he had to be with her.

"Don't worry, chief, you are talking to your replacement."

This had caused the man to laugh. "I knew you couldn't stay away forever."

"no, I love her."

He hadn't called her. He wanted to give her time and space. And he wanted it to be a surprise. She would have been mad that he didn't clue her in on what was going on. It was her life and right to know. To know to be safer.

He used the time to get the job together in Forks, to get a plan for his stuff to make it down to the old family home. He would have to fix all the fussiness Alice left in her wake.

He'd also had time to get a ring for Bella. He was going to make sure that Charlie got to give her away before he was gone. He smiled as he drove toward his life and his love. This was the beginning of a beautiful future.

THE END