Well, friends...here it is. The final chapter of my story. I never imagined when I started writing this fic that it would grow to become such a part of me. I cried while writing this chapter, because it was everything I wanted it to be. I hope you feel the same, and would appreciate reviews to let me know.

I couldn't post this without thanking my amazing beta, Charity (mrsz). LN&D is what it is because of her brilliance.

All of my readers are amazing, and you have no idea how much I love you.

OOO

I ran right past the cars in the parking lot, not thinking about anything but my ultimate destination — Jacob's arms. He was out there somewhere tonight, patrolling the forests around La Push in his werewolf form. I reached the tree line behind the hotel and paused for just a moment. All that lay between me and the reservation was seven miles of forest. I glanced up at the full, bright moon and smiled a bit knowing that it would help illuminate my way. I didn't plan to hike the entire seven miles — I knew once I was within a half mile of his patrol path, he would discover my scent and find me.

Determined, I pushed myself forward into the trees, fumbling with my little wrist clutch that Alice insisted I carry. I was glad she had convinced me, because it contained my cell phone, which I could use for additional light. I also needed to make a very important phone call. As I reached inside, I felt a few other things that I hadn't noticed before. Pulling them out, a wide smile broke out on my face. A whistle… that will be handy for helping me to be found in the woods. A pen flashlight. A compass. A condom. I blushed for a moment, and then silently thanked Alice for looking into my future. Quickly, I made sure I was heading west-southwest with the compass and secured the items in my bag.

Jogging in my slippers and dress, I found my cell phone and blindly punched in the number for Emily. My signal was fading as I continued pressing further into the forest, and I prayed that she was home.

After three torturous rings, she picked up.

"Emily!" I gasped, not even giving her a chance to say hello. "I need your help!" I dodged a fallen tree trunk, my feet squelching slightly in the damp earth.

"Bella?" I heard the immediate panic in her voice. "What's wrong? Do I need to get Sam and the pack?"

"Everything's okay," I huffed and puffed, finding it difficult to talk and jog at the same time. "But I do need some help. Is Sam there?"

"No…he took advantage of his night off and went to Port Angeles with some friends. I can call him if you want…he's not supposed to be back for a few more hours."

"No, no…don't ruin his night." I cursed quietly as I stumbled over a tree root.

"Bella, where are you?"

"I'm running in the woods toward the res…I just left the Olympic Suites Inn where prom was."

"Wait, you're…running?"

My breathing was starting to get loud in the receiver. "Yes."

She was silent for a few seconds before asking, "Why are you running? What happened?"

Panting, I started to explain everything that had happened with Edward and when I got to the part about putting two-and-two together regarding the most recent imprints, I hesitated. It seemed like something more appropriate to tell the Alpha myself, rather than him hearing it second-hand from his imprint. Emily heard my pause, and murmured, "It's okay, Bella. You can tell me anything." So I continued. Emily listened closely, gasping at some parts and murmuring agreement at others. Finally, I told her about Jacob's proposal the previous night and how I wanted to be the one to inform Sam of the possible revelation.

She was careful with me when she finally spoke.

"Bella, what you're doing right now…running through the woods…it's madness, you know."

I grimaced at her words, which were completely true. "I know, and maybe eventually I will need to call in one of the pack to come find me, but I just couldn't sit around and wait."

Emily was even more cautious when she continued. "And you know, as logical as your imprinting argument is, there's no guarantee that Jacob will imprint on you when you do find him."

My lungs, which were already protesting the physical excursion, felt as though they had been punched. All of the air left my body and my steps slowed.

"You're right," I said weakly. I paused for only a moment before my right foot rose and stepped forward, followed by my left. Soon, I was back on pace. "You're right," I repeated. "But I decided a while ago that I wouldn't let fate control my happiness. Only I can do that."

"Oh, Bella," Emily sounded admiring, yet sad.

"If he doesn't imprint, then life goes on as it already has. And my life is Jacob, regardless of whatever might happen."

Emily was silent for a few seconds, and I thought I had dropped the call before I heard her say, "Be careful, Bella. I will pray with all my heart that this works for you. If I haven't heard anything by the time Sam gets home later tonight, I'll send him out to find you. If you get in trouble at all, call me."

"Thanks, Emily…you're such a good friend."

"Well, I love you, Bella…you're family."

Her words slowed me for a second, and I smiled. "Yeah, love you too, Emily."

"Be careful."

"Always am," I said.

I shoved my phone back into my clutch and concentrated on my breathing. I knew I was possibly making a mistake, but I just couldn't sit still and wait for someone to come get me. I was overwhelmed with nervous energy. I had to move. Every step brought me closer to my destiny…closer to my Jacob.

OOO

"Ouch," I uttered as I stepped on a sharp rock through my too-thin shoes. I hadn't gone very far, and I was already regretting my decision to run through the woods. It was quite impulsive, and part of me wanted to turn around and head back. Another part of me wanted to sit at the base of one of the massive trees and rest. My lungs ached from the efforts and my muscles screamed at me to stop. As I began to concentrate on the pain and fatigue, my pace slowed. Each plodding step felt like a protest by my body.

"Ouch!" I exclaimed again as my swinging arm raked against a small thorny shrub that I hadn't seen to avoid.

The aching was only part of the problem. As I slowed, my pulse followed suit and a violent shiver wracked my form. The hot blood in my veins moved less rapidly, and I began to feel the chill of the air on my bare shoulders. I trembled in the cold forest air, feeling more miserable with every step.

"I'm out of shape," I gasped to myself, slowing even more.

Finally, I came to a stop, noticing that my feet pulsated with every beat of my heart. I sank to the ground at the foot of a tree, exhaling in a tired, relieved sigh. I wrapped my arms around myself in a hug and allowed my breathing to return to normal. Running into the woods was a bad idea.

"I guess I can talk to Jacob tomorrow," I murmured, feeling the disappointment acutely. I didn't want to wait until tomorrow! I wanted to see him now!

Feeling defeated, I reached for my phone to call Emily again so she could send a member of the pack to find me. I felt silly now, for being so reckless and for inconveniencing one of the werewolves who would now have to forego sleep to get me. My phone blazed to life and I waited. And waited. And waited. Finally, I had to realize that there was no way I would get a signal. I was too deep into the forest.

A pang of fear hit my stomach. I was on my own, at least for a few more hours until Emily told Sam what was happening. I had three choices. I could stay put and try to deal with the growing trembles that were now controlling my body from head to toe, I could turn back, or I could keep going toward La Push.

I knew there was no way I would go back. My stubborn nature wouldn't allow it. As for staying next to the tree for a few hours, the chattering of my teeth helped guide my decision. I hated to be cold.

"Okay, so let's get going," I mustered up my energy and my courage, and stood up.

I had hiked enough times to know when I needed to contemplate a new strategy to keep my mind off the aching in my muscles and the searing in my lungs.

Jacob.

The mere thought of my werewolf made my muscles itch with the desire to start back up again. I knew then how I would keep going and ignore the pain. I'd keep my mind occupied with positive thoughts and there was nothing more positive to me than my werewolf.

"Eyes on the prize, Swan," I muttered, stretching. Fierce determination coursed through my being.

I began my brutal pace again, only this time, I did so ignoring the signs of my body. Instead, I began to fill my mind with Jacob…nothing but Jacob.

With fondness, I recalled the day I came to his house and he was sleeping — all limbs and muscles sprawled on his too-small bed. That was the day when something inside of me changed, and I was determined to observe him in a new light and see what might happen.

I remembered what he looked like on the day of Harry Clearwater's funeral. He was magnificent in his tribal costume, and reverent toward the traditions and his participation in the ceremony. At that moment, he had looked every bit the man I now knew he was. I think I had already begun to fall for him at that point, but seeing him that day, and initiating the kiss in his garage later, had made some of the clouds marring my focus drift away.

I thought about his excitement over planning our first date, and his shyness and ardor at the Sol Duc hot springs. I had still been confused about exactly what I wanted, but the way he had worshiped my body had made me giddy with desire and drunk on the notion that I was free to be a passionate, sexual person without being stopped at every turn. It seemed crazy now that I had still been thinking of Edward when I had everything right in front of me.

I recalled the night when the pack had their first strategy session, and how everyone in that small circle — the wolves and their mates — had felt undeniably linked to me, like kin. The love that was present in that little group had miraculously included me, and I felt a warm heaviness in my soul knowing that I had a family there. I could remember looking up at the determined face of Jacob that night, and realizing then that I loved him — that I was in love with him.

I remembered the overwhelming panic when Jacob lay vulnerable at Victoria's feet during the battle. Even though many of my memories of that day were fuzzy from my injuries, I remembered that moment with crystal clarity. I felt as though my life were also laid bare in a broken heap at the vampire's feet. His death would have been my death. After that day, I could never have denied our connection, because I had felt it so acutely at that instant.

With the sting of tears welling in my eyes, I thought about Embry's death, and how Jacob refused to allow me to feel guilty for it. Even while his grief was raw from the loss of his friend, he had comforted me in those moments.

I treasured the small things that Jacob did that made me love him so much — playing footsie under the table, the way he got along with my father, how much he loved to surprise me. There was something simple and pleasant about being with him. It always lightened my mood, whether we were doing homework, jumping off cliffs or sitting by a bonfire. Jacob was my heart's happiness.

And finally, I thought about the previous evening. His proposal, and the joyful love we made afterward. Never in all of my reminiscing did I think about the stress of imprinting. That no longer mattered to me. I loved my Jacob, and I would exist the rest of my life knowing and living that.

He always knew exactly what to say, and his words ran through my head as I continued to move, fully in a zone now and making good progress.

"You do have feelings for me, and I think you're starting to realize it too. You've been broken ever since Edward left, but you're finally starting to allow yourself to really live again."

"I know you'll figure out you're in love with me eventually, and I promise you, Bella…I can wait for a long, long time."

He had always understood our connection, even when I hadn't.

When memories of "what were" began to run short, I started to dream of what my future might look like as Mrs. Jacob Black.

I thought about Sunday dinners with Charlie and Billy, hosted at our house with me cooking for all of the men. I knew without a doubt that there would be several little black-haired children running around as I prepared the food. The idea of Billy and Charlie interacting with their hypothetical grandchildren made a smile break out on my face as I jogged.

I thought about how I would never have to leave Charlie, or my mother, or give up my human existence for one of blood. Jacob made me feel gloriously alive when I was with him, which was like night and day compared to how I would have felt if I had chosen Edward and literally given up that life.

I realized that by marrying Jacob, I would be a part of several families. The Black family, the pack family, the Quileute nation, the Swans and the Dwyers… I had lived my entire life with only a few family members, and now I would be rich with them. The thought made me grin wider and move a little bit faster.

Finally, I thought about sleeping in Jacob's arms every single night, entwined in our sheets, demonstrating our love for one another as we grew old together. It was a happy thought, with no pause to consider imprinting or its possible consequences.

Left foot, right foot, left foot… I ran toward the vision in my head.

OOO

An hour and a half later, I paused to lean against a trunk, catching my breath and picking twigs and spider webs out of my hair. The tree canopy above me was keeping out a lot of the moonlight, and I was grateful for the flashlight. However, I wished Alice would have thought to pack me a snack or some more comfortable shoes. My feet throbbed and my stomach was starting to grumble its hungry discontent. Only the thought of finding Jacob kept me going. I had been keeping up a decent pace, so I guessed that I was at least four miles into the forest.

I stopped and consulted my compass. It continued to point me in the right direction, but the path ahead of me was impassable. I was on the edge of a pretty deep ridge, so I started trying to find the best way down. Carefully, I began stepping my way down the steep embankment, clutching small trees to steady myself in my impractical shoes.

The earth beneath me was moist and I struggled to keep my feet from sliding. Luckily, there were plenty of small saplings around me to hold onto as I inched along. I heard the trickling of water and my heart rejoiced when I realized it was the creek. I knew approximately where I was.

Some of the soil under my feet gave way a bit and I stumbled onto my bottom. I quickly righted myself, muttering when I reached back and felt the dirt on my dress. I grabbed for the next sapling and shined the light down the ridge, relieved when I saw that I only had twenty feet to go. Before I could attempt to go any further, the soil beneath me began to slide once again. In my panic, I dropped my flashlight. I saw the small beam of light start to roll down the embankment and I grabbed at it involuntarily, relinquishing my hold on the small tree that kept me upright.

With a scream, I began to fall down the slope, landing on my side roughly, all of the air exiting my lungs with a forceful exhale. Gravity took over, and I found myself rolling on my side over and over, down the ridge. Shrubs and tiny trees raked against my skin, and all I could do was squeeze my eyes shut tightly and wait for my body to reach the bottom of the twenty-foot incline.

I didn't have to wait long. With the last tumble, I hit the bottom of the ravine, the side of my head slamming against a rock. I heard my own groan in my ears before everything went black.

OOO

When I heard the musical voice ringing softly in my head, I thought I was hallucinating so I ignored it. But the voice was persistent, and finally I began to fathom what it was saying.

"Bella…" it echoed. "Wake up."

I opened my mouth to respond, but shut it quickly when the rusty smell and metallic taste of blood swirled on my tongue.

"Please, Bella. Open your eyes," the voice was becoming clearer, and I could tell it was a male voice, and familiar.

I yelped as a soft cloth with icy water gently rubbed past my closed eyes. Weakly, I moved my arms as if to push the cold material away, but the owner of the voice stopped me.

"Hold still for a second…I'm just cleaning some of this blood off of your face," the voice said softly, and finally my brain clicked back into recognition at the same time my eyes fluttered open.

"Edward?" I was confused that he was leaning over me, handling me cautiously while holding his breath. He gave me a sad smile and continued his soft swipes along my cheekbone. "What are you doing?"

"Helping you."

I tried to sit up, but Edward prevented me from moving. "No, I mean, what are you doing here?"

Edward paused in his gentle care of my injuries, looking down at me…his beautiful eyes conflicted. Finally, he sighed.

"After you ran out of the dance," he began, choosing his words carefully, "Alice called Jasper to come help calm me down. When my emotions were under control, I finally realized that you had run off into the forest all alone. I know you and how clumsy you can be, so I was afraid you might hurt yourself." The corner of his mouth twitched. "Looks like I was right."

I groaned when his cold fingers ghosted past the lump that had formed when my head hit the rock, but then relaxed. The temperature of his skin felt good against the sore spot.

"But I don't understand. I saw your face when I left… I… I... saw how much I hurt you. Why would you still come after me? You knew I was on my way to find Jacob."

Edward focused his gaze on my trembling lower lip. I could tell he was hesitating to say something, so I continued.

"I don't want you to torture yourself, Edward. I want you to be happy too."

His smile for me was warm, even as his eyes conveyed the depths of his distress. "Silly Bella," he began, stroking one side of my cheek. "Ensuring that you are happy is the first step to me finding my own contentment in this life. No matter what happens, I love you."

"Oh, Edward…"

"And if you kill yourself falling down a ravine or freezing to death in the middle of the forest, doesn't it just make all of this anguish unnecessary? Not to mention how much it would hurt Charlie, my family, and…and Jacob."

I was speechless. Even in his pain, Edward was thinking of me.

"Do you think you can sit up now?" He supported my back and I nodded. My head still felt fuzzy and my vision was a bit off, but I was starting to feel better. He settled next to me, eyeing me carefully. His pale skin seemed to glow in the bright moonlight, reflecting light of its own.

"I'm sorry, Edward," I whispered, leaning into his cold hand, which was cradling the knot on my head. "I know this whole situation is difficult for you…"

"It's challenging, but I'm able to fight back the blood urges much better than I used to."

My eyes widened and I inched back a bit. "I was talking about the relationship situation, actually, but now I'm even sorrier. I know how my blood causes you physical pain."

"It's nothing I can't handle. I feel the need to protect you and keep you from harm even more than I do the bloodlust."

We sat in silence for a moment, the only sounds that of my breathing and the crickets and frogs singing their nightly songs.

Finally, I laughed softly, with very little humor in the sound. "I've really made a mess of things, haven't I? I always make things so complicated."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, this whole situation with you and Jacob, running off into the woods without thinking, trying to force Jacob to coexist with his natural enemies for my benefit…"

"Bella, you're only 18 years old. You're not supposed to have all of the world's answers."

"Eighteen is old enough to make better decisions. You're too generous to me, Edward. When are you going to realize that I'm the reason you're hurting so much?"

He sat up suddenly, and moved swiftly so he was face to face with me, his eyes searing into my soul. "No, Bella…you mustn't think that, ever. All of this pain…the complications…it was because I made the decision to leave. I took your choice out of the matter, because I thought I knew better. You've convinced yourself that you should be so wise at 18, but I'm 108 years old…I should definitely have acted with more wisdom. I never took Victoria's revenge into consideration, I never thought about how much you'd hurt, I just didn't think at all. I should be apologizing to you."

"You don't need to apologize."

"But I do…and I need to help make things right for both of us. You already took the first step back there at the dance. As much as it pained me for you to make that final break, it was necessary. Jasper and Alice helped me to see that. And I can appreciate how hard it was for you…I never could have been the one to do it." He took my hand gently and helped me to my feet. I wavered slightly, but regained my balance immediately. "You're so much braver than me, Bella."

"I don't know about that…"

He chuckled. "I do…you've always been more brave than you realize." He paused, assessing my injuries. "Can you hold onto my back? I think we should get going."

"I…I think so." Carefully, I climbed up on him, just like I used to months ago when we were in a much different situation. Somehow, it felt comforting to have his lithe body holding me up, almost as if his presence in my arms meant that everything was going to be okay.

"Bella?"

I gave him an awkward squeeze from my perch on his back, and spoke with an optimism I had never felt before in my life. "Edward, I really think everything's going to be okay — with you, with me…with us. I feel really good about where we stand, and I think it's safe to say that we're even now. No more hard feelings, no guilt, no remorse." He nodded, his messy hair brushing my chin. "You don't know how happy it makes me that you feel the same, because I'm really content with the way things are. I know you'll be okay, Edward…and that makes me happier than you'll ever know."

He glanced back at me clinging to him and smiled. "I'm glad. Now, let's go find the werewolf."

OOO

For once, I kept my eyes wide open as we flew through the trees at high speed. At once point, I felt Edward slow and hesitate, but then he sped back up, turning his head and shouting, "This might get interesting…we just passed the treaty line."

A knot of worry clenched in my stomach, but it didn't have time to grow, because I was distracted by my desperate search for any sign of a patrolling werewolf. I could hear Edward inhale sharply through his nose as he sought out Jacob's scent. I shrieked as Edward turned sharply to the left and began heading south at speed. My stomach turned as he did, and it took all my concentration to keep the nausea from taking over.

"Do you smell something?" I shouted against the biting wind, suppressing the trembles in my chilled skin and the queasiness from the rapid motion.

"He's definitely been on this path sometime tonight," Edward answered. "But his scent is a bit confused by the other, older scents around. I wish I could distinguish between the wolves better." Suddenly, Edward stopped as a piercing wolf howl filled the air not far from where we were. I felt the force of his sudden halt in my eyes and tummy, and groaned in discomfort, even as my heart jumped at the sound of the howl.

"What? Why did you stop? Is it Jacob?"

His tone was urgent. "Bella, jump down."

"Edward, what's go-…"

"Now," he hissed, before he lowered slightly in a defensive position. I heard the brush to my right rustle slightly, and a twig snapped.

I saw his glittering eyes before I saw his hulking shadow appear through the bushes. It was a figure out of a nightmare, a massive black wolf — Sam Uley, in all of his terrifying glory. His furious eyes were fixed on Edward, and a deep rumbling emanated from his chest. His lips curled back in a growl, displaying his glinting teeth. He took one step forward.

I stepped out from behind Edward and exclaimed, "Sam!" His massive black head swiveled to me for a split second, and his responding snarl was one of surprise and fury. He stepped back again, looking unsure. I heard another growl behind me and whirled around to see the silver wolf of Paul break through the brush, his black eyes set on the vampire at my side.

"Sam, I'm not breaking the treaty," Edward implored, responding to whatever Sam was thinking. He held his hands up in a surrendering pose, yet kept his balance shifted to defend me if necessary. "I have a reason to be here, and it's not malicious." Sam rumbled in response, baring his teeth even more.

"Sam, where's Jacob?" I asked, trying to push forward to put myself between Edward and the gigantic wolf. I saw his eyes rake across my form, at the scratches and scrapes that criss-crossed my skin, and the blood that had dried on my dress. His gaze fell on the glinting gem on my left hand, and then whirled back to Edward's face. His growling grew in volume.

Another wolf joined at Sam's side, appearing out of the darkness. I heard a fourth growl join the din from somewhere on my right side. They were surrounding Edward.

"No," I insisted, trying to keep the panic out of my voice. "Stop…you don't understand! Sam, where's Jacob?"

"Bella!" Edward's voice called. I turned back, and discovered that my steps toward Sam had put a few feet of distance between us, and before I could return to his side, a large muzzle was knocking me carefully to the side, away from my vampire friend. The wolf, which I recognized as Jared, gently but firmly held me back, pinning me against a tree with his large form.

"Sam!" I cried. "Please! Don't hurt him!" The great black wolf hesitated at the alarm in my voice, and cocked his head toward me. "Let me explain!"

The semi-circle of wolves closed in on Edward as Sam shimmered into his human form and stalked toward me, his face still twisted in rage, and his naked body trembling. He maintained a safe distance in case he lost control, and snapped, "Bella, Emily told me you were in the woods, but when I caught his scent…" He paused and took a few deep breaths, calming himself before continuing. "And you're covered in blood…and you're with him and defending him when you're wearing Jacob's ring…" Around us, the wolves snarled their agreement. "There's better be a good fucking reason for you to bring him onto the reservation."

"Sam…" Edward's voice called, causing Sam's lip to curl and his trembling to grow worse.

"Edward," I interrupted, "Shut up for a second. Sam, keep your eyes on me. I'm the one talking to you. He's not going to do anything."

"Alright…talk."

I gently shoved Jared away slightly so I could breathe easier. "I was on my way to find Jacob. I knew he was patrolling tonight, and…I just didn't think it through when I took off. It was stupid, and it was my fault, but it was the only thing I could do at the time."

"And why do you and the leech want to find Jacob so much?"

Despite my fear, I felt a blaze of anger. In my fury I took a step towards Sam, but I thought better of my decision and stepped back again. Sam was teetering on the edge of reason, and I did owe him an explanation. "Edward hasn't done anything wrong, Sam. I'd appreciate it if you heard me out before you jump to conclusions."

Sam sighed impatiently. "Go on…"

"I was running through the forest and I slipped and fell. I don't know how long I would have been out there if Edward hadn't come along. He knew I was on my way to Jacob, and he decided to help me. Regardless of the risks to him or the pain it might cause for him," I added. "He knew that I had something important to tell Jacob…so, he helped me get here."

"And what was so important?"

I took a deep breath. "Something happened tonight, Sam. And if I'm right, it's something that will affect the pack." Sam's trembling began again, and I made a motion to try to ease him. "Calm down. It's not bad. I…I think I figured out the imprinting issue. Why some of you imprint long after you've first set eyes on your mate." Sam's brows furrowed, obviously surprised by the direction of the conversation.

He walked deliberately toward me, lowering his voice as if that would be enough to keep Edward from hearing. "Really? And what's your theory?"

I flinched at his proximity. "I think that the imprinting delay is caused when the person's heart is not free to be totally swept up by the imprint impulse."

Sam seemed to ponder my words, and then said, "Explain."

"Collin had been around Charity several times since he joined the pack, but it wasn't until she was out of her previous relationship that he was able to imprint. The same thing happened with Rachel and Paul. Once her heart was free to give to him completely, they were able to be fated."

I noticed that Paul had phased, and had come up next to Sam, his face filled with wonder. "It's so simple," he said, awed. "But it makes sense." He turned to his alpha. "I always felt a pull to her, but it was never very strong. I just knew I liked being around her. But when she came back that week after her exams, it was completely different. The pull was still there, but it was like her heart was finally answering back."

Another wolf phased and joined the small semi-circle around me. It was Collin. "Yes, that's exactly it!" he said, his voice overwhelmed. One by one, the massive wolves around Edward disappeared and in their place stood La Push's teenage protectors, staring at me with realization on their faces. One moment I was surrounded by the fiercest, scariest monsters in the forest, and the next I was once again with my dearly loved brothers and friends. My tension immediately dissipated once I was in the comfortable company of them in human form.

"I think you're right," Sam said, hushed. His eyes widened and his mouth dropped open as he regarded me again. "And, so…you were looking for Jacob…" Sam's expression lightened at the comprehension of what this meant. Around me, concerned faces broke into wondrous smiles.

"Yes," I said simply, relieved that they finally understood, and that they seemed happy about the possibility.

"Oh, Bella," Jared murmured, excitement apparent in his tone. "I hope you're right."

"So do I, Jared…more than anything."

"Well, you won't have to wait long…" Quil began, as his eyes flickered at something behind me.

A rustling in the brush at my back told me that another member of the pack had joined this impromptu meeting in the middle of the dense forest. All of the eyes that had been directed at me now fixed on the figure behind me. I didn't need to turn to know that it was him.

It was my Jacob.

I continued speaking to Sam, raising my volume slightly for the benefit of the man behind me. My voice wavered with the intensity of my emotion as I said, "So yes, Sam…I was looking for Jacob, and Edward helped me. I was looking for Jacob to tell him that my heart is free…to tell him that I'm his, completely." I quivered and my words halted as I fought to keep from giving myself over to the tears. "I wanted to find him…to tell him…" My shoulders shook as my emotions took over. "To tell him that I love him, and that, if I'm right, we have one more chance to imprint."

I knew Jacob could hear everything I said, and yet I couldn't turn around. Now that the moment was finally here, I was afraid to meet his beautiful eyes…afraid that after everything I had hoped, everything we had endured together, that the result I desired above all things would slip away from me one more time…for the last time.

"Is this true?" his voice swept across me like a breeze, quiet and gentle. The members of the pack could only look back with wide eyes, quietly taking in the scene with hopeful anticipation — waiting to see if I was right. I was surprised when Edward's voice arose from his spot behind the group.

"It is, Jacob," he said, no hint of his true emotions shining through his words. "It was self-centered of me to hold onto her this long. I've caused us all more pain than I can bear to recall, and I hope you know I'm truly sorry for that. I hope tonight is a small step toward making it right."

I could hear the tension in Jacob's intonation. "What are you talking about?"

"I've released her…well, any part of her that I was selfishly clinging to…" Edward pinched the bridge of his nose with one hand and ran his fingers through his hair with the other, despair emanating from his form. "Her heart is free, one-hundred percent." He met my wide eyes. "I only hope it works…I know how much Bella wants this."

I closed my eyes and prayed silently. For a moment, the only sound was of my quiet weeping. Then I heard Edward once more.

"Bella?" I looked up at him, startled that he was addressing me directly. "Bella? I'm…I'm leaving now. If that's okay, Sam?" The alpha nodded slowly. "I think it might be best — for all of us — if I headed to Denali for a while." He took a step closer, so I could see him more clearly from my vantage point. "I'll be okay…don't worry about me. I just want you to be happy, Bella…that's all I've ever wanted for you. To be happy."

"I know," my voice cracked.

"Good luck to you both," he said softly, speaking to Jacob as well. "I love you, Bella." And with that, a momentary breeze on the leaves as he took off was all that indicated he had been there at all.

I closed my eyes. "Goodbye, Edward," I whispered, one final time.

The silence that followed was palpable. I knew Jacob was processing all of the information that was thrown at him in the last minutes. I didn't know what was going to happen next, but as I waited, I felt Jacob's presence closer against my back. He stood there, and I could feel the heat rolling off his skin mere inches from mine. My arms were covered in goosebumps.

"Bella," his lips were at my ear, and I could hear the tears in his voice. Two hot tears of my own escaped my eyes and dropped down my cheeks. "Bella…" he repeated. "Turn around, baby…please let me see you."

"I'm scared," I said softly, my breath hitching with my words. "I love you, and I'm so scared, Jake."

"Whatever happens, we'll handle it…together." His hot arms wrapped around my waist and I leaned back against his warmth, reveling in the moment where hope was still palpable.

"Okay," I whispered. "Okay..."

Slowly, I turned, feeling his arms graze lightly where they still wrapped around me, holding me loosely against him. I kept my head ducked, my gaze level with his bare chest. We stood there for a moment, and I could almost feel his stare at the top of my head. Gently, Jacob's hand slid against my skin from its spot on my lower back, up my side, to my bare arm and stopping at my collarbone.

He took a shaking breath and cradled my chin in his hand. I stopped breathing. Jacob's hand lingered idly there for a second, and then, with purpose, he raised my head and found my eyes with his.

I gasped at the flush of heat that overtook me the moment his gaze met mine. His brown eyes were rimmed with red from his emotion, and swimming with unshed tears. They were darker than usual in the limited light, but the moon seemed to catch the orbs and cast a dancing reflection that made them bright with astonishment as they drank me in.

Jacob's expression was overcome. His eyes looked as if he were seeing the world for the very first time.

As if he were seeing me for the very first time.

I felt warmth slowly spreading in my middle as I lost myself in him. The chill in the air no longer affected me. I was not in La Push, in the woods, in a flimsy dress…I was in Jacob. And he was warm — so warm.

I was surprised at the instant realization that I had not been complete until this moment in time. It was absolute and perfect. In an instant, I comprehended what it meant when people referred to their soul mates as their "other half." Because that's exactly what Jacob was. He was a piece of my soul that had permanently attached himself to make me a while person.

"Bella." Jacob's voice was hushed, reverent. "It's you." His arms around me tightened.

My peripheral vision had disappeared, and only Jacob remained. He was right in front of me, yet all around me — permeating my very being. My eyes weren't able to see anything else.

I couldn't control my trembling, and prayed I wouldn't swoon. "Jacob," was all I could think to say, and the word felt beautiful on my lips. It felt so good, that I had to say it again. "Jacob."

"It's you," he repeated in awe, his tears streaming down his russet skin. "It's always been you, but…" His eyes darted to my lips, my hair, and my nose. "Oh my God, do you feel it?"

"I do, Jake," I said, allowing the first happy sob to escape. "I do…oh God, yes I do!" I clung to him and cried in relief and in response to the overwhelming force of my soul's completion.

Jacob responded with joy, picking me up so my face was even with his and laughing with unadulterated elation. "I love you!" he exclaimed as if it were a new revelation. "Always, Bella…always!"

I wept with jubilation, wrapping my legs around his waist, throwing my arms around his neck and pressing my nose against his, our tears mingling together as our souls had just done. Our joyful sounds echoed in the darkened forest for all to hear. Suddenly, his hot mouth was pressed against mine, the taste of his lips and our tears overwhelming me with their sweetness. I felt an amazing, incredible jolt of electricity flow through my body. The sensation was fantastic. It shot through my being and directly to my soul. Again and again our lips met, like two magnets impossible to separate.

"I can't believe this is actually happening," I cried against his mouth when I could manage a shaky gasp. "I've wanted it for so long…"

"Me too," he murmured, holding me impossibly close. Again we met in a kiss, our mouths joyous. "Do you know what this means, Bells?"

I pressed my forehead against his, soaking in the wild ecstasy etched on his handsome face. "No more 'what if's!" I held his face between my palms and savored his wide smile. "No more worries about what fate has in store for us…because you are my fate." I placed a firm kiss on his mouth. "And I'm yours."

"You're mine…" he whispered.

We stared at each other and fell silent, finally noticing the world around us for the first time in several minutes. The rest of the pack had quietly left, and I felt the gravity of our aloneness. Jacob seemed to sense what I needed, because he slowly lowered me and kissed me again. It was different this time. The joy was still there, but an underlying flame of desire was evident in the way his tongue caressed my mouth. I couldn't believe the pull I felt to him — it was more intense than any yearning I'd ever had. He evidently felt the same.

"I want you so much," he said, hushed.

With movements that were more graceful than my shaking hands should have allowed, I reached up and touched his cheek, memorizing the moment and the way he looked at me. I knew that I would have a lifetime to treasure this beautiful, perfect man, but for now I just wanted to commit to memory the way he looked right then. He looked like my Jacob, my best friend, my light and the love of my existence.

"I want you so much," his awed voice repeated, the truth of it causing my eyes to sparkle with happy tears.

"You have me, Jacob," I said, feeling his smooth, warm skin beneath my hand. "Forever and ever…you will always have me."

OOO

Author's Note: If you've never reviewed a single chapter, I ask you to please review this one. I really want to know what people thought of my story.

This isn't the last you've seen of my Jacob and Bella. There will be an epilogue to LN&D, but it probably won't be up for a month or two as I finally concentrate on some RL things that were ignored during my fic-writing. Please add my story to your alerts so you know when it's up.

Thank you all, so much, for reading my story. Much love.