AN: thanks for the reviews and thanks to Georgia Dawgette for being an amazing co-author and beta.

Chapter 23

Bella woke up disoriented; she opened her eyes and blinked as she looked around. The room was nice and clean, but she didn't immediately remember where she was. The events of the previous day came back rushing to her, and she started to hyperventilate. A scorching hand on her shoulder grounded her. "Easy there Bella, take a deep breath. It's okay, we are safe. Breath in, breath out."

She turned to see Jared's smiling face, and she couldn't stop the smile from spreading across her face. "How are you?"

Jared shrugged his shoulders. "A bit worse for wear, but overall Dr. Fang did a good job. You?"

Bella thought a bit before replying. "Physically I'm fine; but I'm really sorry about Edward, Alice and Jasper. They... sacrificed a lot for my happiness..."

"Indeed." said Jared. "And you owe it to them to be happy." He took her face into his hands and kissed her softly. "Bella Swan, I love you very much."

Bella felt tears streaming down her face. "I love you too."

He nodded, but then got really serious. "Bella... there is something that we need to talk about..."

She felt a flicker of nervousness, what was he going to say? "Okay..."

He stood up from the bed and started pacing. "I've done something... that I shouldn't have... I mean I should have talked to you before doing it, but at that time I wasn't thinking straight."

Bella bit her lip. "Is this about the bite on my neck?" she asked.

Jared looked at her with a stunned expression. Then he tensed and said, "What do you know?"

Bella looked down. "Well... I found out quite by chance about marking. Me and Jake were talking and he said both you and Sam had marked your imprints... and he also told me that we would have to be married within a year. I wanted to talk to you about it... but I thought that you should have been the one to tell me..." she expected his anger and she was surprised when instead he came closer, kneeling in front of her.

"Bella... you are right... I was the one that should have told you. Now... the thing is... I really love you and I don't want to wait a minute more for you to be mine. What I'm saying is marry me Bella, marry me and make me the happiest man alive." His expression was part hopeful part scared, but she knew he meant it seriously.

Bella was shocked, had he really proposed? How long had they been dating? It was one thing to know that he was her soul-mate, and quite another to promise to be at his side every day forever... She opened her mouth to ask him to wait for a while so she could get used to all the changes that have recently taken place, but a look into his eyes caused her to say. "Yes."

He blinked, and she did too. Had she really... "Bella? Did you just say yes?"

Her mind was in overdrive, but her answer had felt right. "Yes... I think I... oh... Yes..."

He laughed, and then pulled her up from the bed. He enclosed her in his arms and she put her head on his naked chest. "I promise you that you'll never regret it. I love you so much Bella and I'm sorry... I'm sorry for all the times I acted like a jerk. I didn't know then... I was so confused and hurt... I'm sorry I took it out on you... And I proposed without a ring... I mean I have it at home but..."

Bella laughed. "Jared you're babbling. It's okay, really. I guess I didn't make it easy for you either... between Edward and Jake... And don't worry about the ring we'll get it when we go back to your place… really there is no reason to start getting nervous now..."

Jared tensed. "What about Jake? That leech said you had a strong bond with Jake too..."

Bella held him closer. "I'll always care for him, but you are it for me. I feel it in my soul... but I want a long engagement... we need to get to know each other a bit better, what do you say?"

Jared sighed. "Only if you move in with me..."

She was stunned, she had never considered that he really didn't want them to be separated from now on, "I don't think my father would take that well."

He smiled. "Let me take care of that, Bella. Do we agree then? A bit of living together while we're planning the wedding?"

Bella bit her lip, after all Charlie wasn't going to agree that easily. She was really curious to see Jared asking though. "Okay, you talk to my dad and then we'll take it from there."

His eyes darkened a shade. "Now, what do you say if we put that bed to good use?"

Bella blushed but flickers of heat started to burn her body, she couldn't imagine anything more inviting than being in bed with Jared. She took his head in her hands and pulled him down, then proceeded to kiss him.

Jared growled, put his hands to her waist and started to lead her to the bed.

The door burst open. "Bella, Jared are you... ops! Sorry guys!" said a blushing Seth.

Jared sighed. "I'm never going to get you all to myself, am I?"

Bella laughed. "Eventually..."

Seth smiled shyly and said, "My mom wanted to know if you were coming down for breakfast... sorry I didn't knock..."

Jared smiled. "Don't worry Seth, but once I manage to get Bella back to my apartment, I don't want to see your furry face around... now that I think about it... I don't want to see anyone, just pass the message bro." Then he walked out the door.

Bella blushed, and when she looked up Seth was blushing too. "Your boyfriend is scary."

She grinned and he grinned back. They left the room still grinning and when they reached the living room they were met with questioning glances from Sue, Leah and Jared.

Seth smiled and said goodbye, while Bella went to sit near Jared. He eyed her. "What's up with you and Seth?"

She put her hand in his and caressed it slowly. "We were both thinking that you are quite scary when you want to be..."

His eyes darkened. "I can be a lot of things..."

A throat was cleared and Bella met the amused eyes of Sue and Leah. "Bella, I think Jared should take you home, your father might send a search party if you postpone returning home any longer. "

Bella was pretty nervous about the prospect of facing her father, even though she knew that Jared would be doing most of the talking Leah must have picked on her anxiety, and asked. "Bella? Is everything all right?"

Jared smirked. "I think it's called 'cold feet'." Bella glared at him and he went on. "I asked Bella to marry me and now we are going to tell Charlie the great news."

Sue and Leah were stunned into silence. Then Sue managed to say, "Jared? Isn't it a bit soon?"

Jared looked at Sue seriously. "It's our decision, Bella and I have decided to live together for a while before getting married, we'll get to know each other better along the way."

Bella bit her lip, she knew she needed to say something. "Sue... we only have one life and I think we've both been through so much already... I feel I'm entitled to some happiness... and Jared makes me happy, even if we wait, it wouldn't change the outcome. We would end up there anyway." While Bella wasn't entirely sure she was ready for marriage, she knew that Jared would always be her choice.

They were interrupted then by Jake entering the house. "Morning everyone." He walked towards them, and when he got to Bella he placed a light kiss on her head. "Morning Bells."

A growl was heard and Jared jumped out of the chair and caught Jake at the neck. "I believe I told you last time that I wouldn't tolerate you touching my mate anymore."

Jake eyed him seriously, not even trying to defend himself. "I'm sorry Jared, I wasn't thinking. I know she belongs with you, and really I'm finally okay with it. Forgive me, it won't happen again."

The silence was thick, Bella didn't dare saying anything. It was something that Jared and Jacob needed to solve between themselves. Jared finally relaxed. "Apology accepted." Then he glanced towards Bella and she realized that he wanted to tell Jake about the wedding, her heart froze.

Jared must have sensed something and he shrugged his shoulders. "Why don't you sit with us for breakfast? After that I'm sure Bella needs to talk to you alone."

Jacob turned his dark eyes to her, asking silently what was up. She shook her head slightly, not there, was the meaning. He knew her so well that he smiled and sat at the table. "Later then."

Jared had witnessed the silent exchange, and he didn't seem pleased about it. Bella knew that she needed to reassure Jared that there wasn't any competition. She and Jake had known each other for so long, but now they were just best friends.

She sighed, life was so complicated. She wasn't looking forward to the talk with Jake or her dad's reaction to the 'good news'. The day had just started and she already felt drained.

AN2: if you like to read fics in which Jacob ends up with someone that isn't Bella, I would recommend Jacob's sun by jojostar.