A/N: These next two chapters are pretty long. I couldn't find an appropriate place to stop. I hope you like them, I'll be anxiously awaiting your reviews!

Chapter 8: Bitter Sweet

JPOV

I had spent the better half of the early afternoon just trying to convince her that she wouldn't freeze to death. She wasn't even scared of the jumping part, she just wanted to know how cold the water was going to be once she landed in it. The best part of cliff diving in the winter was that for some reason, the water right at the base, was warmer than the rest of the ocean. I had to persuade her, or my plan would be ruined. I had this whole thing already mapped out in my mind.

"Bells, would I lie to you?" I sang innocently.

She folded her arms across her chest and cocked her head to the side. God she was beautiful.

"Yes." She sang back in the same tone.

At that I had to laugh. I knew she was feigning the irritation, but her little fit was so damn adorable I wanted to eat her up. She began fighting back a smile at my reaction, and I knew I had her.

I slithered over to her with a mischievous grin, and she lifted her eyebrow at my approach. I snaked my hands around her waist and dipped them down into her back pockets.

"Please baby…for me." I whispered in her ear.

I could feel the goose bumps raise along her neck and I began sliding my tongue over them. She shivered against me.

"That's not fighting fair Jacob." She moaned, trying to sound annoyed as her body leaned into mine.

I smiled victoriously into her neck.

"Thank you Isabella." I said into her collarbone.

She wrapped her arms around my waist and pulled back to look at me.

"I haven't said yes yet." She shook her head.

I licked my lips watching her bite down on hers. My hands came out from her pockets to cup her thighs. I hoisted her up to me and she automatically crossed her legs around my sides. She returned my mischievous smile and folded her hand behind my neck.

"But you will." I breathed before taking her mouth in mine.

Her lips parted immediately giving me full reign of her mouth. I kissed her slow and deep, reveling in the taste of her. Her fingers stroked the muscle on my neck causing shivers of my own. I moaned into her mouth and her legs tightened around me.

"Ok Jake, I think you can take that as yes and spare us all the show." Embry barked out.

I had completely forgotten we were standing in the middle of my living room, and the pack surrounded us. Bella smiled against my lips and pecked me once before hopping down. They were all smiling hugely at us from their places around the room. I draped an arm over Bella's shoulder knowing how mortified she must be. But when I look down, she was confidently smiling back at them. Only the smallest amount of flush touched her cheeks and anyone could have assumed it was from our little make-out session, and not embarrassment. It really was a sight to see, and her confidence only solidified my decision.

The hike up to the highest cliff was long and leisurely. A small cloud of dust formed around our little group and traveled with us to the top. Bella and I walked hand in hand silently the whole way. She found a pine cone and kicked it over to me, I kicked it back, and we volleyed it all the way up the mountain. She never once asked for a break, or looked winded. Every once in awhile I'd catch her looking up at me, and when I would meet her stare she would smile widely and sometimes wink. I was infatuated with this new Bella. It was turning me on in so many different ways. All I could think about was jumping off this damn cliff so I could get her back to the house and make love to her all day.

We were the last two to reach the top. The other waited anxiously for us to meet them. All of them were fully aware of what I had planned on doing, and they were making it painfully obvious as they tried to look uninterested in our approach. I rolled my eyes at Seth who looked like he was going to burst with excitement. Bella didn't seem to notice anything strange about their gathering.

"Bella next time you ride on Jacobs back or something, I didn't think I was going to have to pack a lunch!" Quil teased.

"Geez Quil, what's the rush?" Bella asked.

"Ya Quil…what's the hurry?" I growled through clenched teeth.

If he screwed this up, if any of them screwed this up, I would never forgive them. It was bad enough I was trying to hyperventilate quietly so Bella didn't notice. Thankfully, Sam whacked him the back of he head.

"Shut it, Quil." Sam reprimanded him.

Quil stumbled forward rubbing his head.

"Sorry." He said under his breath.

Bella chuckled beside me, finding nothing unusual about their interaction. When we finally reached them I released Bella's had and walked over to Sam, needed a minute to myself. He gave me a knowing smile and nudged me with is shoulder. Embry gave a low thumbs up, I waved for him to put it away.

"So Bella…you ready for this?" Seth asked implying something totally different. A wicked smile curved his lips upward. God these idiots are gonna blow it. I held my breath, hoping she didn't read too much into his question, and shot Seth daggers with my eyes.

"As ready as I'll every be I guess." She shrugged.

Luckily, Emily sensed my distress and put an arm over Bella's shoulder and led her over the side of the cliff. I took the stolen moment and turned sharply to the pack.

"Cut that shit out guys!" I whispered harshly. "Now come stand over here, I want her to be facing the ocean."

They all did as ordered, filing to my left. Emily brought Bella back over and we all stood in an awkward silence. I watched as Emily left Bella's side to go stand with Sam and the others. Bella's carfree smile faded as she watched Emily walk away from her and turned questioning me with her eyes. It was the only chance I would have, and I swiftly dropped to my knee. Her eyes followed mine all the way down as she scrunched her eyebrows in confusion.

"Jake, what's the point of taking your shoes off all the way up here?"

Coughing and muffled laughter came from behind me, and she shot her confused stare in there direction. After searching their faces for a moment, looked back down at me, I took her hand in my own and asked for her full attention with my eyes. I smiled as her eyes darted down to her hand and then to my face, and her chest began to rise as her breathing was uneven now.

"Oh God." She whispered.

I swallowed hard.

"Bells, you are my life, a part of me that I need in order to survive. I love you with all that is in me. I promise to provide for you and protect you, keep you safe and keep you warm, until the day I die…" tears were choking my words and I had to suck in a deep breath to calm myself. Bella rubbed little soothing circles in my hand and smiled, "Will you marry me?"

Tears were falling one after the other from her face as she nodded.

"Yes."

Sam tapped my shoulder and handed me the ring. I saw her eyes go wide as I slid it on her finger and kissed her hand. Before I could to my feet she dropped to her knees, took my face between her small hands, kissing me furiously and giggling at the same time. My hand mirrored her own as I clutched her to me. The pack was clapping and whooping loudly around us.

"I love you." She whispered.

I pulled back to wipe the tears from under her eyes, and she did the same to me.

"I love you too Bella."

This was the happiest moment of my life.

BPOV

I wove my fingers tightly though his, and with a gentle tug we took a few steps backing unison. We hunched forward, Jake tilted his head to wink and give me a reassuring smile.

"I love you Bells." He breathed.

"I love you too, Jake."

"Okay, on the count of three," I nodded so he would know I was ready, "one…two…, " he gave one last elated smile before screaming three, and catapulting us of the cliff.

My legs flailed wildly beneath me, the only sound I could hear above the sharp whistling of the wind, was Jakes booming laughter. The sheer force of the fall made it impossible for me to turn my head, but I could hear his smile. I braced myself for the dark water approaching, locking my legs straight as Jake had instructed. When suddenly, I could feel his warm fingers again wrapped through mine, the ominous water inching closer didn't seem as threatening with him by my side. A smile found its way to my lips the second before we crashed into the ocean, this is how we would face things for the rest of our lives, just like this, hand in hand, together.

In the next moment we were completely submerged, shooting downward through the layers of blue. Clusters of silver bubbles surrounded me and I followed their ascent to the surface. Kicking and pulling at the water above me, I finally emerged. Immediately I could hear the shouting and hollering of the others from shore.

"Oh my God! That was incredible!" I screamed swimming in circles to find Jake.

I whipped my head around trying to see above the tiny waves that were breaking against my face.

A few more seconds passed and I became very still straining to hear his splashes. I looked over towards shore, weeding through the shiny black heads of hair bouncing along the beach. No Jake. Everyone had their arms wrapped around themselves and were scurrying back towards the house, everyone except Sam. He watched in our direction intently. I spun to follow his gaze, thinking he may be able to see Jake from where he stood, but found nothing. I dipped below the water and used my hands to propel me in circles trying to see through the solid blue. When I came up for air I looked back at Sam who was now surrounded by the rest of the pack. My heart slowly but surely began to pick up its rhythm.

"Jake!" I yelled as loud as my frozen lungs would allow me. "Jake where are you!!"

I brought my aching arms above the water and began to swim to the guys. That's when I saw his back. The salty water lapped higher around me. I started swimming blindly in his direction.

"Jake! I'm coming!." Screaming as choked out the water I was inhaling.

When the water lowered again I could see him fully. His massive body was clinging to a small rock that peeked above the waves. I swam closer he never left my sights, and noticed he didn't seem to be moving. Finally I was near enough to see the blood. Red stained the brown rock he was strewn across, and the waves that were crashing against him were tinted pink.

"Sam!!!" Panic evident in my scream.

In a flash the pack was running through the shallow water, fighting against the current, then simultaneously they dove under. I continued swimming to Jake, making little progress against the strength of the tide. It was clear now that he wasn't clinging to the rock, his body lay completely lifeless. As if the mouth of the ocean spit him out forcefully and that was where his heavy body landed. Then I could see Sam hoist himself up to Jake. He grabbed Jakes face in his hands and I could faintly hear him yelling. Quil popped up beside him helping Sam survey the damage, both looking frantic. In a swift movement they had Jake turned onto his side, Sam slipped his arms under him and began swimming back to shore with Jake in tow. Quil dove from the rock and passed Sam up easily, trying to make it there before he did.

"Jake." I whimpered as I watched his broken body be hauled away.

The arctic water was causing my sides to cramp, and I was exhausted.

Above the roaring I could hear someone shouting my name. Seth's face emerged shortly after.

"C'mon Bella, climb on." He turned with is back facing me.

I gratefully latched my arms around his neck and hooked my knees to his sides. Instantly his warmth loosened my rigid muscles.

"Is he okay Seth?" I cried into his back.

"I don't know Bella, he didn't respond to Sam." He answered grimly.

I knew we were reaching the shore, but I was barely able to feel him move under me. He was so lithe and agile in the water that it gave the impression of drifting. I lost Sam and Jake from my view.

"Where are they Seth?" I asked panicked again.

"There." I saw the back of his head jerk forward.

Jake was on his back in the sand, with Sam pumping on his chest. Every few pumps Sam would bring his ear to Jakes chest before leaning back to continue the assault on his chest. Suddenly, Jakes body jerked erratically. Quil came to his knees and supported Jakes head in his lap. Sam was quickly on his feet sprinting towards the line of trees behind them. I watched Quil caress Jakes forehead, before a large black wolf appeared beyond the trees. The wolf trotted up to Quil as he cradled Jake in his arm and lifted him onto Sam's back. With Jacob draped successfully across Sam's wolf form, he dashed away in the opposite direction, sand flying off his heels.

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"He's a lucky boy, it could have been a hell of a lot worse. The head wound is fairly superficial, he wont need any stitches. I went ahead and reset his shoulder though, may as well do what I can before he wakes up." The doctor's hushed voice was muted by wooden door I was straining to hear through.

He had spent the previous two hours getting Jake comfortable and doing what he could for his injuries. We all unanimously decided it would be best to keep Jake at home, given the unfamiliarity the doctors in town have with working on werewolves. Billy was on the phone with the reservation doctor as soon as he spotted Sam in wolf form carrying his unresponsive son. The sight of blood seeping from Jacob's head didn't sit well with any of us. According to Dr. Chappa, although there was a significant amount of blood lost, it wasn't enough to cause serious concern. As long as it coagulated the wound would eventually heal itself. I was present during the examination, no threat, man or beast would have separated me from him. I held a constant vigil by his side, politely looking away when others came in to speak quiet words of assurance, but I never left. We were one now, and had it been me lying unconscious in this bed, Jacob would have gone without food and water until he heard my voice. And for all the pain that tore through me, it may as well have been me, I would have gladly taken his place.

I found solace in the strong beating of his heart, and for most of they day my head rested on his chest. My hand stayed permanently tucked inside his, I curled his fingers around my own. Every so often he would begin to stir, and beads of sweat would appear on his forehead, I knew the medicine was beginning to wear off again. I would call for Dr. Chappa, who had graciously stayed to administer the ever fading medicine. Once Jake seemed comfortable again, I'd place cool rags to his head and neck. I'm sure he couldn't feel it, but I liked to think that it helped. After a few hours Billy peeked his head in and insisted that I come eat. I politely informed him that when Jake eats, I would eat. Knowing he was fighting a losing battle with me, he quietly resigned. Aside from all that, the hours dragged on silently.

It was nearly nine o'clock when I felt Jake shifting. I lifted my head from his chest and saw him swallow a few times, and his face contorting in pain from the effort. He very slowly began moving his head from side to side, he gently flexed and clenched his fingers around mine. Without taking my eye off him I tipped back in my chair and called for Billy and Sam. In an instant the entire pack filled his small room. Jake began to grunt and groan, and my eyes darted to Billy's who met mine with equal excitement. My breathing became quick and my fingers started to tingle with anticipation.

Well?? What do you think?