AN: thanks for the reviews and thanks to Georgia Dawgette for being an amazing co-author and beta, for her patience and for her friendship. Any mistake is solely mine. Two more chapters to go my dear readers, I'm excited.

AN2: I'm out now with the first chapter of a new Bella/Jacob, the title is Away from the sun but it's under the nickname ast-lucy because it's a collaboration with astridt244 so if you want to read a good story with intensity and good characterization then that's the story for you. Summary: Bella chose Edward, leaving behind a broken Jacob after the Newborn Battle. What if the future doesn't look as bright as it once did? What will the consequences of interfering be? Alice helps Jake to get the woman of his dreams. Imprinting, lots of Alice/Jake interaction; Leah at her best to help Jacob, but what if Leah started to feel something for Jacob as well? Will Bella realize in time that she loves Jake? Will he be able to withstand Leah as a temptation or the threat of imprinting? What if Sam wanted Leah back?

27.

Bella's POV

Jared seemed touched by her words, though Bella felt a bit ashamed of her behavior lately. She knew that she loved Jared, but she couldn't stop herself from lashing out at him while she was suffering over Jacob's departure.

Bella knew that she needed to show Jared that he was her one and only, he had fought against Kim to protect her and all she had been doing was showing him how affected she was by other men. She straightened in the seat and determined to really try to be worthy of Jared, she would start tonight by trying to win his family's approval.

When they arrived at his family's house Jared came around and helped her out of the truck; she felt a bit clumsy holding the cake in her hands. Jared was holding her elbow trying to help her not to stumble. "Ready to face the music?" He tried to joke.

She smiled at him trying to reassure him. "Yep, don't worry Jared everything will be okay."

Jared rang the bell, and a beautiful girl opened the door. "Jay! I'm so happy to see you." The girl hugged him, and then turned her dark eyes on Bella. "And you must be Bella; Jay has spoken nothing but good about you. I'm Selina his sister."

Bella blushed. "Nice to meet you, Jared told me a lot of nice things about you too."

Selina smiled, and took the cake that Bella was offering. When they entered she met the soft eyes of Jared step-father, and then the stony eyes of his mother. Bella looked at her, she was still beautiful but there were deep line of sorrow marring her face.

She shuddered slightly; she might have ended that way if Edward hadn't come back and set everything into motion for her to be imprinted on by Jared.

Jared step-father raised his hand. "You must be Bella, I'm Jeremy and this is my wife Mary."

Bella took his hand. "Nice to meet you." and then she offered her hand to Jared's mum. Mary hesitated a moment, and then she shook it, but it was obvious that if she could have spared herself she would have.

They moved in the living room and all of them but Mary sat. She said, "I need to check on the dinner, Bella would you like to join me in the kitchen?"

Bella saw everyone tense, but she smiled and nodded. She stood up and followed Mary in the kitchen.

Mary was checking the food facing away from Bella. "So you've replaced Kim."

Bella stiffened, that wasn't a good starting point. "I haven't replaced her, Jared broke up with her and then we met and fell in love."

Mary turned her hard eyes back on her. "I'll get straight to the point Bella, I don't think my son should marry you."

Bella bit back an impolite retort. "I can understand that you might have some doubts about our commitment to each other, but I can assure you that I love your son very much and I plan to make him happy."

She scoffed. "You don't know the meaning of happiness, you're too young."

Bella sighed, and then looked at her seriously. "I might be young but I grew up quickly. I fell in love when I was seventeen with a guy that I thought was going to be the love of my life. After nine months, he left me after telling me that he didn't love me anymore. He broke my heart, and I stopped living. I couldn't even think his name without falling apart. I was so close to killing myself that I don't know how I found the strength to survive. SO, you'll forgive me if I tell you that I know the meaning of happiness, and I know the meaning of deep despair. I thought that I was broken and damaged, but Jared showed me that there was so much that I could still give to him. Now I'm here with you, and I'm asking only for a chance to make him as happy as he makes me."

Mary took a deep breath. "I lost someone I loved too, but I never got over him."

Bella walked closer to her. "Mary, from what I've seen you've got a beautiful family. Jared loves you, and he just wants your approval. I don't know if a mother could ever willingly let her son go, but please let him chose his own road. He is a good guy with a big heart, and he has suffered too."

Mary nodded and put a hand on Bella's shoulder. "You seem like a good girl Bella, I'm not nice and most of the time I come across as tough, but I want you to know that I got your message and I'm going to seriously think about it." Bella smiled and Mary went on. "Let's get the food out, they must be starving."

When they got out in the living room, Jared's eyes searched out Bella's and he relaxed visibly when he saw her smiling.

Probably the sound of the television and Selina's talking with him had distracted him enough not to hear what she had discussed with his mother in the kitchen.

The evening progressed without incident; Mary even talked to Bella a few times. Jared was watching both his mother and his girlfriend with suspicion. Bella knew that he must have been wondering what went on in the kitchen, she decided to tell him when they got back to his place.

The cake that she made was a success, and before they left Mary even asked for the recipe. After dessert Mary excused herself, and bid everyone goodnight.

Jeremy smiled at Bella. "I don't know what happened in the kitchen Bella, but for Mary her behavior towards you is as close to an approval as you could ever get."

Bella shrugged her shoulders. "We just were very honest with each other."

Selina hugged her. "It's been nice to meet you, we should get together soon, I would love helping you with the wedding's plan."

Bella smiled, and hugged her back. "I've got your number, I'll call you soon."

When they got out, Jared took her hand. "I want to know everything."

Bella laughed. "When we get home, I'll tell you."

He slung an arm around her shoulders and whispered softly. "I like you calling my place home."

She snuggled closer. "Home is where you are." He kissed the crown of her hair and opened the passenger door.

AN2: Next chapter finally Bella and Jared make love for the first time...