Ahhh so tired tonight! But I love all the amazing reviews I get from you guys, so finished writing this little chapter. Yes I know that parts of it are as fluffy as cotton candy. Sometimes, that's the best part of it, I think :]
After the most wonderful day I had ever had in Forks, I literally floated upstairs after saying goodnight to Billy and Jake. I don't think there could have been a better feeling than having your feelings for someone returned and feeling loved. If there was, it must be pretty dang rare. I could only blissfully dream about what tomorrow would be like, when I got to hang out with Billy and Jake for my 'party'. One thing I knew for sure was that I was never taking my necklace off.
The next morning, I took a little more care into my outfit than usual. I picked a black short-sleeved shirt that showed a little bit of cleavage, but was a bit dressy. I added one of my favorite pairs of dark jeans, and ushered Charlie out of the door so we could get to Billy and Jake's as soon as possible. In the truck, I let Charlie drive could so I even try and put on a bit of makeup. I figured that it couldn't hurt, right? I gently touched the necklace that Jake had given me. It was still there, proof that last night hadn't been some wonderful dream; it had been real.
When we finally reached their house, I bounded up the stairs excitedly. I could not wait to see Jake. I rang the doorbell, and not two seconds later had the door opened was I in Jake's strong arms. He wrapped me in a tight hug.
"Bells." He whispered lovingly into my hair. I smiled into his chest, feeling small but protected in his arms. Butterflies were fluttering anxiously around my stomach, because I was so close to him. I breathed in his scent of cinnamon and bonfires. It was distinctive and amazing, just like him. I then noticed that Charlie had arrived to the door, and was trying to walk around me and Jake to get inside. I blushed slightly, but Charlie just had a smile on his face. I heard Billy's voice inside.
"Bella! Since the game is about to come on, do you want to go to the beach with Jake? I heard that some of his friends are going to be there as well…" I nodded excitedly. I was up for anything that involved Jake. I grabbed his hand and eagerly pulled him towards the truck. On our way there, Jake started laughing.
"Bells, calm down, we have plenty of time to hang with Quil and Embry." He put his arm around my waist. "And I don't plan on letting my girlfriend go anytime soon. That is, if you'll have me as your boyfriend." He said, with a wink, and a quick Eskimo kiss. I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him.
"Of course I'll be your girlfriend. What did you expect?" He just smiled at me as we got in the car. We held hands in the car as he directed the way to La Push beach, and as we got there, we made our way to a bonfire with Quil and Embry and several other teenagers. Quil and Embry raised their eyebrows at Jake's arm around my waist.
"Dude…what's going on?" Embry asked, not sure how to identify this recent development between Jake and I.
"What, I can't come to the bonfire without my girlfriend on the day after her birthday?" Jake said, tightening his grip around my waist. Quil and Embry broke out into huge smiles, while the rest of the kids around the bonfire exchanged glances.
"Congrats man!" Quil said, slapping Jake on the back. "You too Bella!" I smiled happily. I don't think my life could have gotten any better at that moment. Unfortunately, it got a bit worse.
"Awh, how sweet." One teenage boy said with a sneer. "Little Jacob's found himself a girlfriend. How adorable." He rolled his eyes. "Excuse me while I go barf in the ocean." Jake's eyes narrowed slightly
"Paul…" He said in a warning tone.
"What Jake? Can't take a little heat about your girlfriend? Or are you worried that she can't take it?" he said, winking at me obnoxiously. "Girl, what are you doing with a kid like him? I can show you a real good time." He said, looking me up and down. Jake started to shake a bit, and took a step towards Paul.
"Jake, just ignore him, he's egging you on." I said, trying to tug Jake back, to no avail.
"Yeah Jake, listen to your girl. Take a joke." He said, throwing his head back, and walking towards Jake as well. With each syllable that came out of Paul's mouth, Jake seemed to shake a little more, and it was starting to get more and more furious. Paul was equally shaking. Out of the corner of his eye, Jake saw me.
"Quil, Embry, get her away from me and him. I don't want her to get hurt." They didn't have to be told, they grabbed me, and along with the other kids, we got a distance of 10 feet away from Jake and Paul. They were starting to get angry, and they both began shaking violently.
"Are they okay? Shouldn't we do something?!" I asked nervously. As soon as I tried to go forward, the shaking became so intense that suddenly, an enormous gray wolf was in the place of Paul, snarling angrily. Then, in the blink of an eye, an even more gigantic reddish brown wolf was in Jake's place. They started brawling among tatters of clothes, while I stood, wide eyed.
"What…just….happened?" I managed to get out, staring straight ahead.
"Jeez Bella, didn't Jake tell you the legends?" Quil asked, crossing his arms.
"Yes…" I said, not making any connection.
"Did he tell you that they're real?" Quil asked, a smug smile on his face.
"They're…real?" I said, and then my body crumpled into the sand, as I blacked out.
"Bella…Bells…Isabella!" I heard a familiar warm voice calling my name as I drifted out of unconsciousness. My eyelids fluttered, and I saw Jake leaning over me.
"Oh. Jake! What just…did you just…turn into a…wolf?" He grimaced.
"Yeah. I was kind of hoping to talk to you about that later. Preferably much later…" He looked deep into my eyes. "Are you okay? Are you upset? I completely understand if you are. I-" I cut him off.
"I'm fine…just dealing with the fact that my boyfriend is apparently a giant werewolf, as are his friends. Is there anything else I should know? The Cullens are vampires perhaps?" I asked sarcastically, not quite able to believe what I had seen.
"Well, actually, they are." My jaw dropped. "Hello? Earth to Bells?" He leaned towards me hesitantly, and then when he saw I didn't flinch, he enveloped me in a huge hug. "I'm sorry. I honestly was going to tell you today, I just…didn't know how you'd react." I looked up at him.
"What, did you think I wouldn't like you anymore because you just so happen to turn into a giant wolf?" He looked at me worriedly. "Jake," I said, lightly touching his face. "I love you for who you are, not what you are. What you are doesn't matter to me. You're still my Jacob." He broke out with the most jubilant smile I had ever seen grace his face.
"Really Bells!?" he asked excitedly, "You're not just saying that?" I rolled my eyes.
:"You complete and utter dork. If I was just saying it, would I still be here in your arms telling you that I loved you? I don't think so." He smiled down at me.
"Thank you so much Bella." He said quietly, resting his head on top of mine. "You have no clue how much it means to me."
"Jake, I love you. That means it would take a LOT more than you turning into a wolf to scare me off." I pulled him closer to me. "You are everything I need." He spun me around gently, and I saw tears in his eyes. As one escaped and began rolling down his cheek, I kissed it away. "There. All better. Can't have my Jacob upset," I said, snuggling into him. "By the way…where is everyone?" I asked, quizzically. He laughed.
"They left to try and get Paul to calm down. They figured we'd be fine. Plus, we get to see a beautiful sunset next to a bonfire. I think this may be the best birthday party I've been to." I smiled.
"This is the best one I've had. Let's enjoy it together." We watched the sky turn from its light blue to a rainbow of colors, with deep magentas and rich oranges, golden yellows and deep blues along with a finale of calm dark purple. It was phenomenal. As we arrived to Billy's, we had a little cake that Billy had bought from a local bakery, and we ate it together, Jake and I side by side.
It was easily the best birthday party I had ever had.