A/N: WOW has it been forever. I am so sorry and I by no means meant to give up this story... Just took me so long to ever get motivated to write again. But i have some great ideas to include to this story line and hopefully all of my lovely readers haven't forgotten about this story. I hope you enjoy the new chapter!

I woke up alone and tangled in the sheets. I looked over at the clock and realized that I had severely overslept; so much for going to my classes today.

I rolled out of bed, got dressed, and headed to the kitchen, my stomach growling all the way. There was a note on the fridge:

Bells,

Didn't want to wake you, you looked so peaceful

You deserve a day off anyway;

See you tonight on patrol.

Love always;

Your Jake.

I couldn't help but smile at the note. It's the little things like this that make me realize how truly blessed I was. It makes me think back on how my life could have turned out if I had stayed with Edward.

I shudder at the thought; so happy at the choice that I had made.

Deciding to take Jake's advice and relax, I grabbed a book and went outside to soak in one of the few sunny days that I had seen in a long time.

After a few hours of enjoying the sun, I knew it was closing in on 5pm. Time to go ahead and get this patrol shift started.

I grabbed my blanket and book and put them back into the house; then walked back into the back yard and off into the woods.

It was peaceful and quiet. I closed my eyes as I walked; enjoyed the sounds and smells of the woods that have become my home. I stripped my clothes off and folded them into a neat pile and phased.

The rush and excitement you get from phasing never changes. The freedom is exhilarating. I took off at full speed towards the perimeter where we run our patrols. Leah and Paul were running already.

Paul – About time Bella, always late

Leah – yeah… you're really one to be talking about always being late genius. Come to think of it, when is your birthday, maybe we should buy you a watch?

Paul – Haha and you know it'd be a waste of money, I'd still be late.

We laughed together and got back to business. As a pack we have learned a lot with this pack mind and how to keep to ourselves better. It was quiet, enjoyable without the constant babble we used to always have to put up with.

My mind wandered to later tonight, Jakes "surprise" party that he now knew about. I was so excited for his gift and I knew he would love it. Billy and Charlie were bringing it by later tonight so he wouldn't see it.

I spent so much time searching for the right one, saving money to buy it. It was a classic motorcycle; one Jake always talked about getting one day. He had to sell our bikes to be able to afford the down payment for our house. I know how much he misses them; which is what makes it the perfect gift.

Our patrol passed uneventfully. No sights, no smells. But still I wondered why that leech was on our land in the first place… better yet, why it was in our backyard.

Shaking it off, I ran back to the house. Jake was still out with Sam and Jarod and looking at the clock I had just enough time to hop in the shower before everyone got here.

By the time I got out of the shower, Seth and Leah were already there. Setting up the decorations and getting the food prepared. Within minutes everyone else was starting to arrive.

Billie and Charlie arrived and I went outside to show them to the garage and where to hide the bike so Jake wouldn't see it early. After thanking them, we went back into the house.

"I am so excited for this food Bella!" Seth exclaimed as I walked back into the house. Leah and I both laughed as we looked and the spread of food we had out. Salad, fruit, mac and cheese, chips, veggie plates all adorned the center kitchen island counter. The potatoes were in the oven baking and the steaks, burgers and ribs were sitting on the counter near the stove just waiting for us to fire up the grill and throw them on. My stomach growled as I grabbed a strawberry and threw it in my mouth.

Eventually everyone was there, friends, family, everyone but Jake, Sam, and Jarod who were supposed to be late and Collin, Brady, and Kody were patrolling. The party was lively with some people in the living room watching the game, others in the kitchen snacking and talking and some outside watching Charlie and Billy and Paul grilling the massive amount of meat we had.

"Nice work on the party Bella, Jake will love it" Kim, Jared's imprint, told me as she grabbed a glass and poured it full of wine and came over to join Leah and I's conversation.

"Thank you! I couldn't have done it without Leah and Seth helping me out and of course you and Emily helping with picking out all of the food." I replied laughing.

We continued our small talk until we heard a car pull into the drive. Sam, Jared and Jake walked into the living room and we all yelled surprise. Jake pretended to be surprised and started making his way towards me smiling.

"Thank you Bells" he whispered while nuzzling my neck. I leaned up and kissed him on his cheek.

I wanted to wait until it was just me and Jake before showing him the bike, so I waited. The party went off perfectly and started to die down around 1 in the morning. By half past one, it was just us.

"Hey babe" I got Jakes attention as he was starting to clean the kitchen, "don't worry about that I will clean it in the morning. I want to show you your gift."

"Hmmm, my gift huh?" he asked, his eyebrows shooting up. "you didn't have to get me anything baby." He laughed.

"Sure I didn't." I laughed back and playfully nudged his shoulder. "Come on" I prompted as I grabbed his hand and led him to the garage.