Chapter 38:

Pulling Through

"So, what do you guys want to talk about?" he asked suspiciously as he sat down at the edge of the stream.

We sat down across from him on a rock. I tried to look everywhere but his eyes. I swallowed convulsively, trying desperately to clear the huge lump in my throat. I glanced up at my dad's waiting eyes and a sheen of sweat began to form on my forehead.

"Nessie, are you okay" Dad asked worriedly.

"Perfect, I'm great" I was able to squeak.

I began playing with my ring unconsciously as Jake gave me a reassuring squeeze.

"Okay, what's going on?" he asked. "Nessie, you look like you're about to have a panic attack" he said matter-o-factly.

I wiped my head across my forehead as I stood up. I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders and turned to dad.

"Dad, you told me you weren't unreasonable, that you would always be there for me and would always listen, right?" I said nervously.

His eyes widened suddenly.

"Are you pregnant?" he nearly yelled as he jumped up.

"NO! Dad, I've been under room arrest for the past 8 weeks, tell me how that would be possible" I said exasperated.

He was quietly for a minute.

"You're right, I'm sorry" he said as he sat back down.

"Now dad, I've known Jake since I was born and have loved him ever since" I began and Jake came up behind, wrapping his arms around me reassuringly.

"He has loved me with his whole being, every second of my life and has never hurt me in anyway. He has always stood by my side even though it may not be in his best interest. I love him with my whole being and I want to spend the rest of my existence with him" I said as I placed both of my hands on top of his.

I peeked at my dad but he still seemed confused.

"Officially" I murmured and his eyes widened in understanding.

Then, they flew down to my left hand. I held my breath, waiting for his reaction. The only problem, there was no reaction. His face still looked the same as it had, his eyes glued to the ring.

"Edward . . . I realize I should've asked your permission first before asking her but . . . I just love her so much . . . when we were in front of the Eiffel tower, watching her gaze at it in amazement . . . her hair billowing slightly in the wind, her hand wrapped around mine. . . I couldn't wait any longer. I had to ask her, had to ask her to be mine . . . forever" Jake said and I smiled as I leaned into him.

Dad hadn't moved an inch.

"Dad . . . daddy, please. You proposed to mom first without Charlie's permission and only after knowing her for 2 years. Dad, I have known Jake my whole life. Dad . . . daddy please" I begged, my voice cracking and tears beginning to form.

I wiped them away quickly, but more kept coming. Finally, he looked up at us. At Jake, holding me lovingly in his arms. At me, staring at him intently but at the same time leaning into Jake in content.

He walked over to us slowly until he was right in front of us. He looked at us seriously a minute longer before smiling.

"Your mom is going to freak and you're going to have to have to deal with Alice" he warned.

"I don't care" I said with a huge smile as I threw myself at him, hugging him tightly."Thank you dad" I said sincerely.

He laughed as he hugged me back, kissing my forehead.

"Congratulations Nessie. You're right, I did propose to your mom after only 2 years but sometimes with love, the time doesn't matter, what matters is how much love there is." he said with a smile as he pulled back. "Jake" he said, offering up his hand. "You better take good care of her"

"Of course" Jake said, shaking his hand. "I'll take this as permission" he said with a laugh making dad laugh too.

"I can't believe it, I'm now 100% engaged" I said happily as I threw myself at Jake.

"Forever" he said as he kissed me.

I lost track of time completely, it was just Jake and I in our own private moment. That is, until dad cleared his throat loudly. I blushed as I pulled back looking at him sheepishly.

"Hi dad"

He rolled his eyes as he shook some dirt from his pants.

"Hold on a second" Jake said as he ran into the woods.

He came back seconds later as a wolf. He nuzzled my leg and motioned for me to get on.

"Was Alice too terrible for your wedding dad?" I asked him as I got on Jake.

"No, not really . . . but Bella did give her full reign to do everything . . . but it was amazing" he said as he kept pace with Jake's slow jog.

Jake could go really fast when he wanted too but I guess he sensed I wanted to talk with my dad a bit.

"Yeah . . . but . . . I don't know, I don't want something big, just a small little wedding" I said, already visualizing it in my head.

"I don't know if Alice will be able to" he said with a laugh as he saw the image in my head.

"Well she will, because she wants it to be perfect . . . in my eyes, not hers" I contradicted and he smiled.

"You know, I was pretty sure you were going to kill us . . . and then ground us . . . maybe that's the wrong order because if you killed us, you couldn't ground us because we're already dead but still . . . anyway, why . . . I mean, it's not that I'm not grateful but it just seems . . . so out of the ordinary . . . no . . . that sounds bad but . . . "

He cut me off with a laugh.

"Nessie, relax . . . I just . . . I've been thinking a lot about what you said. I've been ridiculously strict and uptight compared to how easy it was for Bella and me. It just . . . I didn't want you guys to get hurt . . . for anything to happen to either of you" he said softly.

"You know, you're making a lot of progress. You've recognized your mistakes and you're changing" I said jokingly and he rolled his eyes.

"I'll race you to the house" he challenged, looking at Jake.

Jake nodded his huge head enthusiastically.

"He told me to tell you to hold on tight" Dad said and in seconds, they were both off.

I nearly fell of Jake but was finally able to grab onto some of his fur and stabilize myself. He and dad were neck and neck but at the last second, Jake burst forward through the trees, mere inches in front of dad.

I stupidly let go and flew forward, slamming into the garden hose valve. The small pipe exploded, making water rain all over me.

"Eeek!" I screeched as I got up slowly.

I wanted to get out of the spewing water quickly but on the other hand, my back was dying.

"Nessie, are you okay" dad asked worriedly, running over to me.

"Oh, yeah" I said sitting on the pipe to stop the water from spewing out but it just soaked me more.

"You'll keep getting wet if you sit on the wet ground" he said helping me up.

The second I was up, I moved out of the way and the water spewed at him. He stumbled back, surprised and coughing as some water got into his mouth. By now the whole family had come outside to see what the commotion was about. Dad got close to the water, getting completely soaked in the process, and turned the valve, stopping the water.

"Oh wow, that was all I had to do" I complained, shaking the water from my hair.

Then I spotted the rest of the family, laughing.

"Nessie, I would go change if I were you" my dad said at my ear.

I locked down and realized water he meant. I was wearing a white shirt, which was now completely see through, thanks to the water.

"I'm going to take a shower" I said, my face red, as I ran inside.

I my shoes squeaked and I tripped but quickly got back up, running straight back to my room. I took a quick shower, slipping into some sweats. It's not like I'm going anywhere after what I'm about to do. I brushed my hair slowly, trying to waste time. Eventually, Jake walked into my room.

"Lunch is ready, 5 cheese oven baked ziti" he said dreamily and I smiled, following him out.

"While I'm eating so it's casual or after?" I whispered to Jake.

"I would say after because one, they probably won't let you finish once you start and second you might choke or they might make you choke accidentally" Jake said as we walked into the kitchen.

The smell of Italian cheeses and pasta surrounded the kitchen. My mouth watered instantaneously.

"Esme, this smells amazing" I said as she put the plate in front of me "It looks amazing too" I added as I took a bite. "Oh, and tastes amazing too"

She laughed as she handed me some Sprite.

"I'm glad you like it. There are leftovers if you want more" she said as she flittered out.

I ate nervously, spearing one ziti at a time and lifting it up, watching the cheese stretch.

"Nervous?" Jake guessed when he realized I was eating so slowly.

I nodded mutely as I chewed.

"Relax, I'm sure they'll be ecstatic when they hear about it" Jake comforted me as he rubbed my arm.

"When we hear about what?" My mom asked and I froze.

A/N

Hey Guys! So what did you think? Nessie finally told edward, after having a full blown panic attack that is bu still, he knows. Now, the next mission: Telling the family. Anyway, as I said before, this story is wrapping up. Only a couple more chapters left. Movie recomendation: When a Stranger Calls. It's a good, suspensful movie. I'd like to thank my best friend in the whole wide world, Nessie96 for always encouraging me,. Check out her stories. Sadly . . . school start in about a weeK :( *sigh* back to homework and alarm clocks. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. Reviews= chocolate chip cookie

Luv Ya!

=^.^= JMFanficQueen =^.^=