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

AN2: We're back! It took a long time to update this story and I want to apologize to everyone who loves it and that sent me tons of PM asking me to update it. I promise you all that I'm back for good and I'll finish this story. Thanks again for your patience.

AN3: If you like my fics then check out my new story, it's a Bella and Paul and it's called Softer than feather, rougher than concrete.

Chapter 24.

Luckily Sue and Leah had picked up on the tension, and they didn't bring up her and Jared's plan to get married in front of Jacob. At the end of the breakfast, Bella stood up. "Let's go for a walk, okay?"

Jacob nodded, but he seemed nervous. "Sure, sure."

Bella and Jacob walked out of the door, and she could feel Jared's intense eyes fixed on them even after they had left.

Jacob stopped near the forest and put his hand in his pockets. "So what's up Bells? Are you here to tell me that we can't be friends anymore?"

Bella was shocked, she could see his pain. "No, Jake no! I could never... I would never... You mean too much... No..."

Jacob visibly relaxed and smiled tentatively. "Then, what's with all the serious faces?"

"Jake..." Bella took a deep breath, how difficult could this be? "Jared asked me to marry him, and I said yes."

The silence stretched for what Bella thought was an eternity; then Jacob spoke softly, "Congratulations Bells, I hope you both... will be happy."

Bella was watching him attentively to see how much she had hurt him, but he was showing his 'Sam face', a mask of seriousness. She sighed and took a step to reach him, but he took a step back. She was shocked, if he had slapped her it would have hurt less.

He sighed. "Bella, it's not about you, but I promised Jared I would keep my distance and that's what I'm doing."

Bella understood rationally, but it hurt none the less. She unconsciously began to wrap her arms around herself and was startled when Jacob gasped.

"No Bells no... don't do that, it reminds me..." and he didn't finish because they both knew how she had been when Edward had abandoned her.

Jake took a tentative step towards her, but didn't get close enough to touch her. "Jared is your destiny Bells, and in time I'll come to terms with it. I just want what's best for you, and I know it's him."

She nodded, and let her arms fall to the side; it would just hurt Jacob further. "You are right, he is what I want and he makes me happy. Still friends?" and she put up her hand, he slowly took hers in his.

Their hands were clasped together; both knowing that there wouldn't be more hugs and kisses. Nothing but handshakes from now on. Bella didn't know if she could let go of his hand, and apparently neither did Jacob.

They were both startled by a sound of footsteps; they let go and she turned to see that Jared was standing behind her. He eyed them both carefully; then he went to put his arm around Bella's shoulders, and she finally relaxed. She knew that she really belonged with Jared. It had just been an overwhelming two days. She closed her eyes and put her head on his chest.

"Jared congratulations, Bella told me about your plans." Jacob said.

Jared smiled, but it seemed strained. "Thanks bro. I hope you find happiness soon too."

Jacob shook his head. "Who knows? I'm actually planning to take off for a while, get away now that things have calmed down." Bella opened her eyes to look at Jacob, was he leaving because of her? He went on. "At the Makah reservation they are holding professional courses at the community college, and I've been accepted to one of them. Mechanics... school was never my favorite place, and I'm good with cars... so why not making a living with it?"

Bella knew that he was probably right in leaving; it would be easier for her and Jared to work on their relationship without Jacob around. "I'm going to miss you Jake, but we'll keep in touch won't we?"

Jacob smiled warmly. "Of course we will, the Makah reservation is not at the end of the world. I'll be back in no time."

Bella felt a flutter in her stomach, why did she have the feeling that he was lying? "I hope so."

"Good then, I better get going. There's a lot of planning to do before I leave." said Jacob starting to walk away.

"Jake." she said and when he turned their eyes met. "You'll come to say goodbye before..."

He nodded seriously. "Yes, it's not like I'm leaving you."

She hugged Jared more closely. "See you soon then."

Jacob left, and she watched the place where he had disappeared for a long time. Jared was holding her, but wasn't putting pressure on her. "It's hard for all of us Bella. When I fought Kim at my flat... it almost killed me. I know how you feel, and I'll be there for you always, because I love you very much."

Bella closed her eyes and let the tears fall. Then she snuggled into Jared's warm embrace. "I love you too Jared. I'm sorry that I'm so emotional, but rest assured that I choose you and I'm sure and I couldn't imagine being with anyone but you. Jake is family, and it's always sad to see someone you care about leaving... but he is looking for his future and his happiness."

Jared hugged her tighter. "And he'll find it; he deserves it more than anyone else I know. I owe him a lot for picking up the pieces of your heart, for being there for you when no one else was. I wish it had been me, but fate had planned something different. Now I'm here, and I mean it when I say that I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy."

"I just need for you to be with me." Bella whispered.

"Now lovely lady, it's time to get you back home." said Jared a few minutes later trying to lighten the mood.

Bella just let him. "Lovely lady? That's so old fashioned."

Jared chuckled. "What? I try to be romantic and you repay me in this way?" he growled and picked her up in his arms. "Let's go... lovely lady."

She smiled at his antics, she could see the familiar Jared; the one before Kim was taken, coming back to life. "Sure sure, lead the way grumpy!"

Jared growled playfully. "Now you have done it! What did I say about that nickname?"

She tried to answer but he had already captured her mouth in a searing kiss. When they separated she giggled. "Really... grumpy? Do I get punished this way every time?"

He smirked. "Laugh all you want, lovely lady. We'll stop at my place and then we go to see Charlie okay?"

Bella nodded. "I love you Jared."

"Love you too." he whispered huskily.

…

At Jared's flat he put her down on the sofa and he disappeared into his room. She heard some shuffling before he came back out again.

Jared took a deep breath and then kneeled again in front of her. "Okay, let's do this the proper way... Bella since I met you I always thought that you were an interesting woman, when I imprinted on you I realized that you really were exactly what I needed in my life. I can't promise you that we won't fight, I can't promise you that we won't hurt each other, I can't promise you that we won't have hardship in our life... what I can promise you is that I'll always come back to you, I'll always try to make you happy and most of all I'll always love you. Will you do me the great honor of marrying me?" And then he took out of his pocket a small box.

Bella had tears in her eyes, his speech had moved her. Their life wasn't going to be simple, because life never really was. But it was going to be full of love, companionship and passion. She didn't feel trapped anymore; she knew that it was the right life for her. "Yes, Jared. I'll marry you. I love you so much!"

Jared opened the box and took out a solitaire diamond ring; it was simple and classic, and exactly something she would have picked for herself. He took her hand in his, and slipped the ring on her finger. "There it is. Que Quole Bella."

She smiled softly, and then moved closer to him for a kiss. He deepened it, and seconds later she found herself flat on the sofa and Jared kissing his way from her jaw down to her neck and then he stopped. His dark eyes were starting to show a yellow ring around. Bella wasn't scared; Jared was the one that she wanted to be with. She had accepted his proposal, and in saying yes she was also telling him that she was ready to take their relationship to the next level.

Jared's wolf was very near the surface, Bella had accepted both the man and the beast as well so she wasn't really scared, but after a few moments Jared stood up and shook his head as if to clear it. "I must be crazy, but... I want to do this properly Bella. I want our first time together to be something we'll both remember positively. I waited until now; a few more days won't kill me... hopefully. I want to talk with Charlie, and have you move in with me by the end of the week. Would that work for you?"

Bella nodded, after his second proposal the doubts and fears had left her. All that remained was a sense of well-being, warmth and love. However, she was happy that he wanted their first time to be special, it gave a further reassurance that he cared for her. "Okay Jared... let's go and talk to my dad. Just make sure that he puts away his gun before you start speaking."

Jared chuckled. "It won't be that bad Bella."

She laughed. "You don't have any idea about Charlie... can't wait to see his reaction, though."

Jared took her hand in his and pulled it up to his lips; he kissed her ring and then led her out of the door.