Chapter 12:

Bella POV:

We actually settled into somewhat of a routine after that, and I have to admit, it was pretty nice. It had been a long time since I had any semblance of a "normal" life.

School was out, and the summer tour season was in full swing, which meant that business at Newton's Sporting Goods was picking up again. I was working 4 or 5 days a week now selling tents and hiking boots and backpacks to people wanting to scout around the area. I knew I had college options to think about, but I put it off. I didn't have the need to go away to school anymore, so I picked up some information at the local community college in Port Angeles, and thought maybe in the fall I would take a couple of classes there.

Word was getting out about Jake's mad mechanic skills, and people started showing up at his garage with cars and trucks that needed repaired, actually offering to pay him for his services. (Thanks to Charlie and Billy, I suspected.) So, while I was working at Newton's, Jake spent time working in the garage, when he wasn't with Sam and his dad learning how to be the great, almighty Alpha.

I would cook dinner for Dad, Jake and I at home, or we would head down to La Push and I would fix a meal for all of us and Billy too. After dinner, Charlie and Billy would either watch a ballgame on TV, or they might get out on the lake for some fishing before it got too dark. Jacob and I would go for walks on the beach or hang out with the guys, watch TV with our dads, or sit in the garage and talk. Or make-out. OK, we made out more than we talked.

Being with Jake was . . . as easy as breathing, just like he predicted. He made me laugh, something I had really missed. I felt goofy with him and wild and sexy and loved and silly and safe . . . so safe. He was exactly right for me.

We spent a lot of evenings on the beach around a bonfire with the pack. Jake really wanted me to get to know them all a little better. I was feeling a lot closer to Emily, who had drafted Kim and I to help with her wedding, but I had never known Kim at all. She and Jared had just gotten engaged, so she was pretty happy most of the time. I found she was really funny, and good at imitating people. She did a great Paris Hilton that had us all dying with laughter.

I also really enjoyed watching Quil with Claire. They would play in the sand, and when she would get sleepy, she would curl up in his lap and go to sleep. She looked so comfortable there, like she felt so safe. I knew that feeling, too, because that's how I felt when Jacob would hold me in his arms.

We celebrated Jacob's 18th birthday at a bonfire. The whole pack was there, including our dads and Sue Clearwater. I baked him a cake, and gave him a new tool box as a gift, which he really loved, while Charlie gave him a motorcycle helmet. Everyone enjoyed a laugh at that one, except Dad who wasn't in on the joke.

After Jacob opened all his gifts, Embry and Quil reminded him they had one more gift for him. They caught him before he could run and picked him up by the arms and legs, taking him into the water and throwing him in! Seth told me it was some sort of tradition they started when they were kids. I quickly decided that I would not tell them when my birthday was.

The day of Sam and Emily's wedding finally arrived and it was beautiful. They had a small ceremony in their back yard with their closest family and friends. There were flowers everywhere, and little white lights hung in the trees and bushes. Claire was the flower girl, and she loved every minute of the attention she received.

Leah came to the ceremony, but refused Emily's offer to be a bridesmaid, which I had to agree with. I knew Emily meant well, but that was asking too much. Jake took Leah's hand and led her over to sit with us, and as soon as the ceremony was over, she bolted for the door. I was proud that she came at all, knowing how hurt she still was.

There was a small reception following the wedding. Emily's mom and Sue Clearwater made the food, including the wedding cake, and everything was delicious, of course. We congratulated the happy couple - Jacob gathered Emily up in a hug, and when he released her, I gave her a hug and told her how beautiful she looked. She wore a simple pastel yellow dress with a few flowers in her hair. If you looked closely, you could see her small baby bump showing. She was glowing . . . positively glowing.

The party went on into the night. Jared and Paul rigged up a sound system and everyone danced, drank a little too much, and had a great time. Jake even managed to get me up to dance with him. He pulled me to him and wrapped his arm around me and held our joined hands over his heart. I have no idea what song was playing . . . all I could hear were our hearts beating as I stared into his eyes. When it was over he leaned close and kissed me, then whispered it was time to leave . . . now. I didn't hesitate. I knew exactly what was on his mind.

Life was everything I hoped it would be, and yet, sometimes at night, when I was trying to sleep, I still got scared when I thought how quickly it could all disappear. I had experienced that before and I had no desire to live through it again.

I found myself home alone on a Friday afternoon when the phone rang. "Hello?"

"Hey, babe." Jake. He had taken to calling me 'babe,' which I still wasn't sure I liked, but he was cute, so I let him.

"Hey."

"Any plans for tonight?" he asked.

"Nope. I actually have a Friday night off." I had been working a lot of hours, but Mrs. Newton was pretty fair about giving us a Friday night off every couple of weeks.

"Good. I'm picking you up at 6:30. Be ready. Love you." And then he hung up. What if I had said no? I guess he knew me too well - he knew I wouldn't say no.

I glanced at the clock and noticed it was only five. I picked up my bottle of water and headed upstairs to shower and find something to wear. I had no idea where we were going, so I wasn't sure how to dress. I finally decided on a pair of dark jeans, with a purple v-neck t-shirt and plaid western style shirt with snaps over it. I smiled as I thought how Alice would be appalled at my outfit. I did still have a few of the designer clothes she bought for me, but I felt so silly wearing them in downtown Forks.

I hadn't thought about Alice for quite awhile. I really missed her.

I showered and dressed then made my way to the kitchen to reheat some of last night's lasagna for Dad. I told him that apparently I was going on a date, and I didn't want to cook and have to clean up again.

"A date, huh? I guess it's about time he took you on a date," Charlie commented.

I had to smile at that. We had sex, but we had never been on a date. Hmmm.

At 6:30 on the dot, Jake knocked at the door. I opened it and smiled. He was dressed all in black . . . he knew how hot I thought he looked in black. I took in the tight t-shirt over his muscular frame, and the jeans that hugged his hips . . . wow.

He grinned at me. "Like what you see?" He asked as he walked past me into the house. God, he was so arrogant. But, yes, I did like what I had seen . . . very much.

"Hey, Jake," my dad called out from his usual spot in front of the TV.

"Hey, Charlie," Jake answered.

"Taking my little girl out on an official date?"

"Yeah. I figured it was about time," he said as he looked at me with a sly smile. I rolled my eyes as he took my hand. "We won't be out too late."

"Oh, that's alright. She's with you. I know you'll take good care of her. You kids have fun," he replied.

I stared at my dad and wondered, Who is this man, and where is my father? When I used to go out with . . . well, he always had a time to be home, but then, he hated Edward.

"We will," Jake answered then he looked at me. "We should get going. Ready?"

I nodded and waved at Dad as I turned to follow Jake to the door. "Do I need a jacket?" I asked him.

"No, it's warm out. You won't need one."

I followed him to the Rabbit, and he opened the car door for me. "Wow, thank you." He just grinned and made his way around the car to climb behind the wheel. "So? Where are we going? I'm dying of curiosity, you know."

Jake turned to me and said, "There is something I have always regretted and wished we could do over. So, that is what we are doing tonight." Then he started the engine and backed onto the street.

I waited for more of an explanation, but as Jake drove, I realized that was all I was getting. We didn't go far. He drove into town and parked on the street across from the movie theater. The movies . . . the only time we had gone to a movie was that horrible night with Mike. He got sick and we had to take him home, and then . . . Jake turned into a werewolf and I didn't see him for like two weeks.

Jake looked at me and could see I was remembering that night. "You know how much I wanted to be alone with you that night . . . I guess I didn't hide how much I hated Mike. Sorry." I just smiled and shook my head at him. "So, come on. Let's do this."

I nodded and climbed out of the car. He took my hand and we crossed the street to stand in line at the ticket booth. "I'm buying your ticket tonight," he told me.

I looked up to see what was playing. No R-rated movie tonight. I had to buy Jake's ticket last time because he wasn't old enough to see an R-rated movie. I was so stupid to pick that movie - it was awful. Tonight, I noticed we were seeing a romantic comedy. "Really, Jake? A romantic comedy?"

He smiled and bent to whisper in my ear, "Maybe it will put you in the mood."

"Yeah, like I need a movie for that." He laughed heartily at that answer and then told the kid behind the counter we needed two tickets. Once he paid for them, we bought a huge bucket of popcorn and two drinks then headed into the theater to sit down.

"You're not going to sit here all night with your hand on the armrest, just begging me to hold it, are you?" I asked him.

"Hell, no. I plan on doing the stretch move, where I put my arms out and stretch then rest it on your shoulder."

"Oh, yeah, that's a lot smoother."

He laughed and then said, "Maybe I should watch out for you. You might be the one planning the move."

"I might at that." I grabbed the popcorn from him and began eating as the previews started.

The movie was actually pretty good, and I found myself relaxing and enjoying it. Once the popcorn was gone, Jake put his arm around me and I settled into his side like always. When it was over, I turned to him and smiled. "I enjoyed that. Thanks."

"Me, too," he said as he picked up our empty popcorn bucket and drink cups to throw into the trash.

"Really? You liked the movie?"

He shrugged as we stood to go. "It wasn't bad. No car chases or ninjas, but not bad." I rolled my eyes as he laughed and we made our way to the lobby.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mike Newton. I turned to see he was with Jessica, who just stepped into the restroom. Jake saw him, too, and he started to grin. Mike looked over and saw us and waved then he saw Jake raise his empty popcorn bucket in salute to his vomiting episode in the car on the way home that horrible night. It was a good thing Jake had grabbed an empty bucket to hand to Mike before we left or Jake would have had a mess to clean up in the Rabbit.

I could see by the look on Mike's face he knew just what Jake was referring to, and he quickly turned to enter the rest room. Jake turned to me and laughed, really hard. I smacked him on the arm and took the bucket from him to put into the trash can. "You are awful," I told him as I walked to the door, trying to contain my own laughter.

Once we were outside, Jake slung his arm around me and tried to apologize. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. You have to admit, that night was awful. How ironic we would see him there tonight."

I let out the laughter I was holding back and he joined me. It was ironic, although, I'm sure Mike didn't see it that way. "I'm hungry," Jake stated.

"When aren't you?"

"I know, right? Anyway, let's go to the diner for a burger."

"Sure."

We went into the diner and found a booth in the back. Jake ordered two cheeseburgers, fries, a coke and a two pieces of peach pie then he looked at me. I smiled and ordered a coke and a piece of peach pie and the waitress looked at Jake, shook her head and walked away.

"What? I said I was hungry."

We talked a little about the movie until the waitress brought our food. Jake inhaled both burgers in record time and then actually offered to share his fries with me. Which meant I got like five fries, and he ate the rest. But it was the thought that counts.

After the diner, Jake drove me home and walked me to the door. I smiled and said, "Thanks, Jake. I really enjoyed our date."

"Yeah? Me, too. Want to do it again sometime?"

"Yes."

He smiled and took me in his arms. "Do I get a kiss good night?"

"Mmm, I suppose," I said coyly. He bent his head toward me and I felt the little butterflies in my stomach like always when I waited for Jake's lips to touch mine. When they did, I melted into him and locked my arms around his neck. I loved how his lips moved over mine, just begging me to join in. I pressed myself closer to him and licked at his bottom lip with my tongue. After we made out for awhile, he lifted his head and whispered, "I love you, Bells."

"I love you, too."

"See you tomorrow?"

I nodded and he turned to jog back to his car. I opened the door to walk inside then heard Jake call out, "Thanks, Bells."

"For what?"

"For making me a happy man," he called back.

I smiled at him as he climbed into the car and then drove away. It amazed me at how much I loved him. I was a lucky girl . . . very lucky.

Jacob POV:

"Geez, Jake. Can you tone down the happy a notch or two? It's fucking nauseating."

"Sorry, Paul, I can't. I have everything I ever wanted. I am feeling fine." I was on patrol with Paul and Jared. I switched with Sam so he could go to the doctor with Emily. She was scheduled for a sonogram this morning.

"Come on, Jake, you gotta give Paul a break. He hasn't gotten laid in, what, at least a week?" Jared kicked in.

"Shut up, Jared, unless you want a chunk taken out of you."

"Ooh, touchy. There's gotta be a girl somewhere on the rez that you haven't hit yet."

"Jared, I swear to God, you need to shut it, NOW."

"Alright guys, knock it off," I growled. I still wasn't used to this Alpha shit, but I knew I had to exert my authority or the guys would never respect me. They both quieted down and we got down to business. "Let's do one more lap around and then head to Sam's. He said they would be home by eleven."

We finished the lap and walked into Sam's yard just as they pulled in. "Hey, how did it go?" I asked as Sam helped Emily out of the car.

"Looks like we're having a girl, bro," Sam said proudly.

Emily dug the picture out of her purse and held it out to me. I took it and tried to figure which way was up when Emily turned it and pointed out where the baby was. "Wow, Em. This is your baby?"

She smiled and nodded. "Yes, isn't that amazing?"

As I looked at it, I was amazed. Maybe someday, Bella and I would be holding a picture like this. I handed it back to Emily as Sam put his arm around her. They were both beaming as they looked at the picture and talked to each other like I wasn't even there. There was such a bond between them, but I didn't think it really had anything to do with imprinting. It was love, pure and simple. Love and commitment. Suddenly, I had this longing to have that with Bella.

"I gotta go, guys. See ya," I called out to them as I headed for the woods.