Disclaimer ~ Everything belongs to the talented Stephenie Meyer!

Chapter 24 – A new beginning?

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I reluctantly pulled myself from Edward's embrace and stepped away from him but he stepped with me and wound his arm securely around my waist. I could feel the blush burning my face and pretended to be interested in something on the floor. Edward let out a small chuckle ad I looked up to send him a pointed glare. Stupid vampire can't even allow me to glare at him without giving me that damn crooked smile.

"Yes Sam, may we help you with something?" Polite...as always. If I were not so embarrassed I would be annoyed for him interrupting.

"Um, yes, Bella I spoke with Jacob and he asked if you would mind meeting him at your house? He shall be there in half an hour." I went to open my mouth but Edward was too quick for me.

"Yes, thank you Sam, she shall be there on time". Sam nodded to Edward before sending me a quick smile and vanishing through the front door. Edward chuckled once more.

"And please tell, what are you laughing at?" I raised my eyebrow at him wondering what Sam had been thinking to make Edward react this way. He grinned widely at me while pulling me closer into his side.

"Well, my beautiful Bella, Sam wanted to 'escape the smell' and he wondered how I was able to be near you like that without 'sucking you dry'" He laughed once more and I again...blushed. Stupid vampires...stupid werewolves.

"And how were you able to 'be near me' like that without 'sucking me dry'?" I smirked at him as I batted my eyelashes. Two can play at the dazzling game. I just hope I didn't look demented.

"Um..." He looked stunned for a moment and then looked at the ground sheepishly. If he weren't so adorable then I would burst out laughing. Before I could contemplate reacting I heard a booming guffaw coming from the kitchen.

"Little Eddie speechless? I don't think there has ever been such an occasion. Quick Alice, get the camera!" I giggled as Emmett flew into the room. If Edward could blush he would be right this second and I thanked God that it was not me Emmett was embarrassing.

"And Bella when did you become such a little vixen?" I spoke too soon and once again could feel the familiar flush spread across my face and a deep growl rumbled in Edward's chest. With that Emmett laughed even harder, until Rosalie flew into the room, slapped him across the head and flew back out with Emmett in chase. I placed my head in my hands and shook it. Why did this always happen to me. I heard Edward laugh nervously before gently taking my right hand into his left.

"Love, I better be taking you to your house, as much as I don't want you near him I think it is best we leave" I sighed and nodded as his arms encircled me and he carried me off to the garage where Jasper was waiting in the driver's seat of the Volvo. I smiled meekly at him as Edward opened the passenger door for me. I got in grudgingly and gave Edward a swift peck on the cheek.

"Be safe my love and I shall be with you when Charlie falls asleep. I love you" He smiled at me but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I love you too" I kissed him again once more on the lips; a sweet chaste kiss. I heard a faint whisper and rolled my eyes in understanding as he had a private conversation with Jasper. He chuckled at my retort and closed the passenger door.

He watched us drive all the way down the driveway until we sped around the corner. I sighed, wondering what to expect in the next hour.

"Bella, do not worry, do you honestly think I will allow anything to happen to you?" I shot my head round to look at him. Oh yes, stupid emotion reading vampire. He could obviously see the shock written all over my face but there was nothing but sincerity in his eyes and a smirk playing on his lips. Jasper's relationship with me had never really...started off well. He had always been careful around me and for that I had always felt guilty for making him feel awkward in his own home. I felt that now, at least, he had started to feel more comfortable around me and for that I was extremely happy.

"Geez Bella, stop with the inner monologue pleaseeee? Your mixed emotions are wreaking havoc with my concentration". I looked down and blushed as he laughed. I looked up and smiled at my new brother.

"Thank you Jasper" It was his turn to look shocked.

"For what?" He seemed genuinely curious and he probably wondered how I could change my mood so easily. But even though I used to be 'in danger' around Jasper, I always felt comfortable and at ease with him.

"For being you. You always know how to make me feel better...even without the emotion manipulating thing. Thanks for being a great big brother". I giggled at the giant grin on his face and in the back of my mind I knew Alice would be jumping up and down relaying everything to Edward. Hopefully it would make him feel better about staying at home while I met Jacob.

What would I say to him? The boy I always held onto. He was my best friend but I always knew he wanted more. I was cruel, I had led him on in some way and it made me feel awful. He was my personal sun and looked after me when Edward left. He will never understand how I could take Edward back but I will try and make him. He may have made me heal a little but inside I was always broken until they returned. He could not take Edward's place in my heart but it was not just Edward I had lost. I had lost a family I had come to love as my own. But now they were back and I wished things could get back to normal. I hated this animosity between everyone and the treaty was hanging on the edge of a knife...I will fix this.

"Bella darlin', we're here" Jasper's voice woke me from my reverie; I looked up and noticed he was holding the door open for me. I nodded at him trying to cleanse my feelings of any sadness or dread. He looked at me apologetically as I got out and placed his hand on my shoulder.

"I'm here, always, remember that. He is around the back of the house, I shall wait here. I will try not to listen but if I hear anything or you call me, I will be there straight away". I smiled at him and mouthed thank you, struggling to find the words to say aloud.

I walked reluctantly towards the back of the house, every step feeling heavier and time seemed to go faster because before I knew it I was there just in front of the trees and staring into the eyes of my old best friend. He was sat on a fallen trunk just inside of the woods with his head in his hands. He had looked up when I had arrived but when he noticed me; some of the light left in his eyes disappeared. Only then did I realise that there were a few silent tears falling down my cheeks. He did not look any better, he looked exhausted, his eyes dark and his face sullen. His face fell back into his hands. If I didn't know him I would have guessed him ten years older than his actual age. His shoulders were slumped in a defeated manner and his black hair dishevelled from where he had been pulling at it, probably from waiting.

The silence was awkward but all I really wanted to do was to embrace him and forget everything. I knew that would not be the case, there was much to be said and deep in my heart I dreaded this conversation would tear me in two. I felt sorry for Jasper knowing he could feel everything I was feeling and worse that Jacob seemed worse off than me. I decided to speak, not knowing what would happen next.

"Jacob, y-you wanted to see me?" I looked at him unsure what to do and when he lifted his head to look at me I couldn't help but take a few steps towards him. I walked slowly and surely towards the trunk and I slid onto the space next to him. I lifted my hand, totally intent on placing it on his shoulder but he flinched away from me and I could feel my mouth drop into a pout.

"Don't Bells, I cannot stand for you to touch me". His tone was not at all malicious but sad. My head shot back a bit at his reaction and I automatically stood up away from him.

"No, no! I didn't mean it like that – Oh god, I can't do anything right!" His said in anger, more at himself than me and flung his head back into the palms of his hands. I slid back onto the log next to him ignoring what he said and putting my hand on his knee. His body was shaking and I wondered if he were crying.

"I meant...how can you stand to be near me? After...w-what I-I did to you? I hurt you Bella...a-and I promised I never would! I broke the one thing I swore n-never to do! How can you be here n-next to be, unless you are a figment of my imagination because I would never forgive me s-so why should y-you?" I felt my brow furrow in sadness as I heard him try to fight the tears glistening in his eyes. I breathed out deeply trying to suppress the tears and wrapped my arms around his chest. He tensed in shock but then I felt him relax and sob into me. His arms wound their way around my back softly, avoiding the gashes there. I knew he could smell the antiseptic and I knew this would make him feel worse.

I could feel more tears trickle their way down my face and I pulled him tighter to me. The next thing I knew he had lifted me up and was placing me onto his lap. He looked at me with sad eyes and wiped away the tears on my cheeks.

"I am s-so sorry Bells, I never meant to hurt you." He spoke quietly and I knew he was worrying what I was going to say. His whole body emitted rejection and I knew he had only pulled me onto his lap in fear that this was the last time he would speak to me.

I raised my hand and put it on his cheek. He closed his eyes and leant into it.

"Jake, I forgive you" He opened his eyes so quick it made me jump. I didn't know I was going to say it until I did. A part of me was doing this to protect the Cullen's but a bigger piece of me wanted my best friend back.

"Why? I can't even look at you without a reminder of what I did!" He raised his hand and stroked one finger across the length of the healing scar on my face. His brow fell and he pouted.

"Jake, it was an accident; I know that more than anyone because I was there. I shouldn't have pushed you" He opened his mouth to interrupt but I placed a finger on his lips to silence him.

"It shouldn't have happened but it did. My only regret is breaking up with my best friend over something trivial!" I lifted my finger to allow him to speak.

"Trivial? Bella, my only wish was to protect you. When he left you were broken Bells and even though I knew I couldn't fix you I hated the fact that you welcomed him back with open arms when he could leave again". He surprised me by talking about Edward without profanities and with a perfect level head.

"Jake, this is going to be a bit of a mouthful but please keep an open mind" He nodded so I took a deep breath ready to continue.

"When he left, it wasn't just him Jake, it was all of them. I didn't start hanging with you until they had left. So obviously you wouldn't know that I saw them as my family. The brothers and sisters I never had, even Rosalie who I thought hated me." I giggled and looked up at his face; he nodded for me to continue with no obvious emotion on his face.

"Edward believed that I would get over my feelings for him because I was human. But he realised that our...bond, was stronger than that of a normal couple. It didn't really do either of us good to be away from one another and it nearly killed us both. The best way I could describe it to you is the way Sam did"

He looked at me confused and his eyes urged me to go on before I forgot my words. I stood up and began pacing needing to think about what I was saying.

"I heard Sam telling the Cullen's about the night he found me. He described how he interpreted it and it actually made a lot of sense. He said that my reaction to their departure had shocked him. I know you have heard about him and Emily, well he said my reaction was worse than his when he hurt her. He was confused as to how a plain human could bond, in his words, so purely to a vampire. He did not know that when vampires find love, it is true and eternal. In his eyes Edward and I are 'imprints' or soul mates. I was hoping this analogy would help you understand why I couldn't let him go. How would you feel if you had imprinted and Edward tried to take them away? Please understand Jake because honestly I don't think I could bear it to lose you. I can't lose you! You're my best friend!"

I slowly looked up at him. He looked thoughtful and after a few anxious seconds, he smiled slightly at him and I revelled in the fact that his eyes were softening. He stood up and walked to me.

"Bella, I can kind of understand what you're saying but to be honest I was not here for you to clarify your reasons for taking him back. I am just so happy you forgive me and want to talk to me. I honestly feared I would never speak to you again and even Sam had to stop me from running to the Cullen's house. He offered to ask you to see me and I was so nervous waiting for your rejection I was so surprised when I saw you without anyone; surprised that you trusted me, even just a little to be left alone with me; even if one of them is at the front of the house".

He looked at me and flashed a smile and I couldn't help but fling my arms around his neck. He laughed and wrapped his arms tenderly around me. I pulled him tighter; totally relaxed in his embrace and happy knowing I had my best friend back. He pulled himself away and settled me onto the ground.

"I am sorry Bells, for everything, for not giving you up graciously and for hurting you. I promise that even though I still love you, all I want is for you to be happy and I shall never hurt you again for as long as I live, I will be the bestest best friend ever and...I suppose I should apologise to your bl-Edward". He flinched at having to say his name and I could feel the goofy grin on my face.

"Thank you so much Jake, I feel so selfish asking so much of you-"

"You aren't Bells, I owe you at least this" I smiled at him and took his hand in mine pulling him to the front of the house. I tripped over nothing and Jake caught me. I blushed and turned to Jake.

"I'll call Edward to come over" As I finished my sentence I heard Jasper speaking to someone.

"There is no need love, I am already here" I heard him shout and smiled at Jake. He smiled lightly at me. This would be awkward, Jake and Edward had never been friendly so what happening next would be vital.

We walked to the car where Jasper and Edward were standing and Edward closed the gap between us. His hand raised and smoothed my cheek.

"You've been crying". His face fell but he was obviously reading Jasper's mind because his smile returned almost as quick as it had disappeared. His obviously noticed the confusion.

"Alice had a vision of me with Jasper so told me to get 'my speedy vampire butt' over here now" He chuckled and I couldn't help but laugh with him. His eyes travelled and landed on my hand, which happened to be intertwined with Jake's. He raised his eyebrow but I could see a slight smirk playing at his lips. His eyes shot up to Jake's and a look of confusion shot across his face.

"Whatever for?" His voice was calm but intrigued. I raised my eyebrows confused at the interaction. I made sure to stand a little in between them so to avoid a confrontation. I looked at Jasper and he winked at me, letting me know it was alright.

"Sorry love, Jacob was just thinking that he owes me an apology". I nodded in understanding and smiled at him. Edward was confused and for once I loved the fact I knew something before him.

"Edward, I wanted to apologise for my behaviour. I will admit I was jealous that, Bella could never love me the way she loves you and in a way I will always love her. But I understand that she needs you to be happy and complete. I am deeply sorry that I did not let her go but I am even sorrier that I hurt her and as long as it doesn't upset Bella, I will be sticking around as her best friend to look after her. I will always be there for her but only as a friend. I am sorry Edward to you and your family". As he finished he turned and nodded to Jasper as well. I almost burst out laughing at Edward's face; obviously Jake had hidden his thoughts pretty well. Edward shook his head and understanding crossed his face, as well as a smile.

"Um...Thank you Jacob, really, I didn't expect you to be so calm and I certainly did not expect an apology but on behalf of my family I thank you. It means a lot to us and I know it means a lot to Bella. She was very upset at the thought of losing you and I am glad that it has been resolve". I looked between them with a big goofy grin on my face. I could see Jasper smiling from the corner of my eye. I couldn't help the feeling of happiness that overcame me. Finally, maybe there was a chance for peace and friendship between my two very different families.

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So, this is the longest chapter I have ever written and I do hope I did it justice =/

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