Chapter 13:

Jacob POV:

Tonight, Bella and I were cooking for the old men at my house. It was an especially warm summer evening for Forks, so Charlie had brought steaks for me to put on the grill. Bella was putting together a salad, and had potatoes in the oven baking.

I walked in the back door and into the kitchen. "You ready for me to put the steaks on? Charcoal is ready," I told Bella as I stopped beside her and dropped a kiss on her head before reaching into the salad bowl to pull out a piece of cucumber and pop it into my mouth. Such domestic bliss.

"Yeah, they're on a tray on the table. Remember I like mine pink in the middle," she replied as she chopped.

"Yes, dear," I called out as I left the kitchen with the tray in my hands and a smile on my face. Just like an old married couple.

After dinner, I pushed my chair back from the table. "Man, that was good. Thanks, Charlie for bringing the steaks."

"Sure, Jake. You did a great job grilling," Charlie replied then he turned to my dad. "Billy, game's about to start." It was summer, so their plans always revolved around baseball and the Mariners.

"Just what I was thinking, Charlie. Grab a couple of beers out of the fridge, will you?" Billy asked as he wheeled away from the table.

"Yep. Got it." Charlie put his dishes in the sink, and said, "Thanks for dinner, Jake. You two are quite a team." He patted my shoulder and winked at me then got the beer out of the fridge and went in to join Dad in front of the TV. I looked at Bella and laughed.

"You know sometimes I think he loves you more than he loves me," she said as she rolled her eyes.

Bella and I did the dishes, which didn't take long as they weren't many since I grilled. When we finished, I turned to her and smiled. "Bells? I have somewhere I want to show you. Let's go." I smiled at her like I had a secret. Which I did.

She looked at me warily and said slowly, "OK. I'm game, I guess."

I stopped in the living room to let our dads know we'd be gone for awhile. They both grunted so I assumed they heard me then I turned back to Bella and took her hand to lead her outside.

We took the truck toward the beach then I turned off onto a small lane. She looked at me and raised her eyebrows as if to say, "You sure you know where you're going?" We went as far as we could in the truck, then I parked it and turned the engine off. "We have to walk the rest of the way."

"Is it far?" she asked.

"Not really. It's a little path that winds uphill. The end is worth it – trust me," I told her.

I took her hand and we headed uphill on a path through the woods. It was a well-worn path that wound through the trees. I remembered skipping up this path with my mom when I was a little boy. I was always so excited to get to the top.

At the end of the path, we came to a stop. "Jake, it's beautiful!" Bella exclaimed as she looked out at the view. We were high on a hill that looked out over the ocean. The sun was setting and a full moon was coming up over the water. Perfect. . . just what I pictured.

I went up behind her and put my arms around her. "My mom and dad used to bring us here for picnics when I was little," I said quietly. "My mom loved it up here."

Bella leaned back into me. "You never talk about your mom, Jake. I know you miss her. Tell me something about her," I asked.

"I was so little when she died. I was eight and the girls were almost twelve. Sometimes it's really hard to remember things about her, you know? Like how she smelled, or what her voice sounded like." His voice cracked a little. He cleared his throat and went on, "She was very loving . . . a good mom. She was tall, and thin, and had long, black hair. She wanted to cut it once and Dad threw a fit! She kept it back during the day, but sometimes at night, she would let Dad brush it and braid it for her." I closed my eyes and could see my mom smile and laugh as she and Dad would talk while he brushed her hair. "I remember coming here one time, and Mom and Dad told us the story of how he proposed to her."

She turned to me. "Tell me, Jake. I would really love to hear it."

I led her a couple of steps across the mossy ground to a log that was big enough we could both sit on. I pulled her down beside me and began telling the story. "Well, Billy met my mom, her name was Sarah, when they were in school. Apparently it was love at first sight for my dad, but it took a little longer for Mom. Even though he was the heir of 'the Great Ephraim Black' she wasn't going to make it so easy for him." Bella smiled at that.

"He pursued her relentlessly, according to her. He left notes in her locker, called her at home, tried to talk her girlfriends into helping his cause. She finally gave in and went out with him. I guess he must have gotten to her because she said she found herself falling hopelessly in love with him. He proposed to her one day while they were hanging out at the beach with their friends by saying, "Hey Sarah. We love each other. Why don't we just get married?"

Bella snorted. "Are you kidding me?"

I chuckled. "Yeah, that's what she thought. She told him in no uncertain terms that he would have to do better than that with a proposal for her to even consider it." I laughed. "Can you just imagine my dad's face? He's the heir to, as Mom said, 'the Great Ephraim Black.' I'm sure he didn't think even for a second that she would turn him down."

"So," I went on, "he went to his buddy, Quil, Sr., our Quil's dad, and told him what had happened. Quil asked him if he had a ring. He figured that was where Dad messed up – not having a ring. There was a tribal elder at that time who was known for making really beautiful jewelry. Dad didn't have a lot of money, but he decided if he could get her a beautiful ring made by the elder, that would impress her. So, he and Quil went to see this elder and told him what had happened. The elder asked my dad a few questions about my mom and how he felt about her. While Dad talked, the elder began sketching on paper. After Dad was done talking, he held up his hand, and said, "Enough. Go. Come back in one week with $50."

"Dad and Quil, Sr. go back in a week. My dad gives him the $50, and the elder pulls out this small leather pouch and hands it to my dad. He opened the pouch and poured the ring into his hand. Dad was stunned! He couldn't wait to try proposing again."

"What did it look like?" Bella asked. I could tell she was enraptured by the story.

"Be patient, I'm getting to that," I told her with a smile. "He called Mom on a warm, summer evening, and arranged to pick her up. He brought her up here, to this spot." I was getting so excited. Calm down, Jake. Don't give it away too soon.

"He brought her here because it was her favorite spot on the reservation. She loved to come up here and look out over the water and dream about places far away. He took her hand and got down on one knee, and told her all that was in his heart. Then he took the pouch out of his pocket, opened her hand, and poured the ring onto her palm." I looked at Bella. She had tears in her eyes.

"Mom said she couldn't speak. She picked up the ring and looked at it. The ring was made of white gold, and the elder had formed a delicate wolf form intersecting with a heart. Inside the heart was a diamond to represent the wolf's heart inside that of the woman he loved. My dad looked at my mom and said, 'Que Quowle" (k-we k-WOW-le). It means, 'stay with me forever.' Then he asked her again to marry him. This time she said yes."

Tears were falling down Bella's cheeks. "That's a beautiful story, Jake." She wiped her eyes and looked up at me. "Wait, isn't that what you said to me that day I jumped off the cliff? We were in the kitchen and you said it before you almost kissed me. I always wondered what it meant."

This is it Jacob. Don't blow it!

"Yes, Bella, I did. I'm really glad you remembered that," I said quietly. I slid off of the log, and got down on one knee then took her hand. "Bella, I have loved you since that day you fell out of the boat when you were 10, and I jumped in after you. You called me your 'hero' that day, and I have been trying to be just that ever since." She gave me a small smile and nodded.

"The night we first made love was the happiest in my life. I had dreamed of it over and over, but when it really happened, it was better than any of my dreams. I was terrified when I almost lost you." I had to stop for a second. I took a deep breath and went on, "I love everything about you, Bella. You are beautiful, inside and out. I love the way you take care of your dad, and mine. I even love that you're a klutz, although it scares me to death sometimes." She laughed at that. "I love that you are stubborn and you take chances . . . I never know what's going to come next with you, but I can't wait to find out. Bella, I don't want to live a single day of my life without you." I reached into my pocket and took out a small leather pouch. I heard Bella gasp. I opened the pouch and took her hand. I poured the ring onto her open palm. THE ring. That same ring. She looked at the ring then looked up at me, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Please say you will marry me," I asked through my own tears.

She nodded. "Yes, Jake," she whispered. "Yes!" She said louder this time.

I picked up the ring, and slid it onto her finger. A perfect fit. Just like us.

Bella POV:

I sat there staring at the ring on my finger. It was so different than the last ring that I had worn there. This one was perfect. Like it was made just for us. I looked at Jake and saw the tears in his eyes. I couldn't believe the love that swelled up inside of me just then. I slid off of the log and into Jacob's arms. He held me close, then laid me back onto the grass and lay down beside me. I reached up with both hands and pulled his lips to mine. He kissed me so softly and gently, whispering things in Quileute that I couldn't understand, but sounded so beautiful. I kissed him with everything I felt in my heart, and he did the same. After awhile, he pulled my tank top off over my head then did away with my bra. The rest of our clothing came off quickly.

We made love to each other slowly, lovingly . . . Jake knew just how to bring me to the edge, and pull back to keep me wanting him. Finally, he slid into me and I caught my breath. We moved together in perfect unison, each of us riding the feeling that would take us to the breaking point then . . . I tumbled over the edge taking Jake with me. It was so quiet . . . the only sound we could hear was our hearts racing.

"I love you, Jake," I whispered. "Thank you for loving me so much and saving me . . . from myself."

He smiled and brushed the hair from my eyes. "I love you, Bells. Thank you for choosing life . . . and me."

Later, we laid there in the grass – Jake on his back, and me on my stomach next to him. I held out my hand and looked at the ring there. "I can't wait to see it in the light," I said. "Jake, thank you. Thank you for bringing me here and telling me that story. It was beautiful." I leaned over and kissed his chest. "It was the perfect proposal."

"I was a little worried, Bells. I was afraid that it might be too soon," he admitted.

"No. I'm ready to be engaged, Jake. I love you. I will always love you." I really meant that. I did love him. I knew that I wanted to be with him the rest of my life. "Now, the wedding, though. Is it OK if we wait a little for that?" I asked.

"Sure, sure," he answered. "As long as I know you want to marry me, I can wait." He rolled to his side and propped his head on his hand to look at me. "But I will say that I am looking forward to us sharing the same bed – every night. I don't know how long I can hold out for that."

"Me, too. I sleep so much better in your arms."

Jake smiled slyly and ran his hand lightly across my back. "Yeah, I wasn't really thinking about sleeping . . . "

Jacob POV:

We finally got dressed and walked hand in hand down the path back to the truck. I couldn't believe she actually said yes. Although she had said yes to the lee . . . in the past, Jake. Let it go. I drove us back to my house and parked the truck in the driveway. I turned to her and smiled as I reached over and pulled some dead grass out of her hair. "Oops!" she said as she looked quickly into the rearview mirror.

I laughed, and kissed her cheek. "It's OK – we're engaged now."

"I don't know that Charlie will see it that way," she said as she pulled another piece of grass from her hair. "I think he may still have some rules about 'funny business.' "

"Come on. Let's go in and tell them," I said as I got out of the truck. Bella climbed out and came around the truck to take my hand. "Well, I'm sure that Billy already knows, since he gave you the ring," she said.

I stopped at the door, put my hands on her shoulders and looked down at her. "Bella, he gave me that ring when I was 15. He told me to put it in a safe place and keep it for the girl I would marry. I put it in a box that I keep on the top shelf in my closet. I already knew then I was keeping it for you."

I could see Bella's face crumple as she said, "Stop it! You'll make me cry again. God, I must look awful."

I smiled and shook my head. "You look beautiful." I leaned down and kissed her soundly then nodded toward the house and said, "Let's go make the old men happy." She smiled and took my hand then followed me into the house.

We walked into the living room to find both of them asleep in front of the TV. Bella shook her head in disgust and looked at me. "Exciting game, huh?" She walked over to Charlie and touched him on the shoulder. "Hey, Dad. Wake up."

He jumped and his eyes flew open. "Huh? What's wrong?" he said quickly.

Bella kept her hand on his shoulder and said softly, "It's OK, Dad. You fell asleep watching the game with Billy."

Dad heard Charlie, and opened his eyes. "We weren't sleeping, we were resting our eyes between innings," Billy retorted.

"Yeah, OK," I said to him with a smile. "Hey, since you old guys are awake now, we would like to talk to you for a sec." I pulled Bella down beside me on the couch.

"Uh oh, sounds serious," Charlie said as he looked over at us. Bella held out her left hand. "Jake proposed, and I accepted. It's official, Dad. You now have Jake as a son."

"YES! Way to go, Jake!" Charlie jumped up and pulled Bella up into a big hug. "Oh Bells, this is great. Really great. I couldn't be happier for you." He let her go and reached over and grabbed my hand to shake it. Then he pulled me up into a "man hug," patting me on the back. "I couldn't be happier for both of you."

Bella walked over and kneeled down in front of Billy. "Jacob took me to the spot where you proposed to Sarah and told me the story. Thank you for saving this ring and giving it to Jake. It is perfect – I love it." She reached up and gave him a hug. He held her for a moment then Bella pulled back and held her left hand out to him. I thought I saw a hint of tears in his eyes and he took her hand and looked at the ring that my mother had worn the few short years they were married. He looked at me, then said to Bella, "I hope you both will be as happy as Jake's mom and I were."

"We will. Thank you." Bella said as she stood up.

I stood up and put my arm around Bella' shoulder and thought how I was the happiest man in the world. I had everything I had ever wanted. I had Bella, and I would never let her go.