Thoughts about Edward became increasingly infrequent. Meanwhile, Jacob and I were having thee time of our lives. It was just like the old days, but better. A week after Edwards's little visit, we went out to mine and Edward's old clearing. We were just chatting as usual, with no stress. No worries. Without a warning, he was on guard, sniffing like mad. A wild animal's defensive glare inhabited his eyes as he stared through the bushes.
"Laurent."
I stood up, intending to grab his arm, but Jacob was gone. And I was alone. I sat down, unsure of what to do, and my thoughts wandered after Jacob into the woods. What if he didn't come back...in one piece? I chided myself for considering it. Jacob could take care of himself. I was better off worrying for Laurent's sake. I forced my mind to stray from the topic, and suddenly the trees around me were very interesting. But more intriguing than the trees, even, was the dash of movement that rippled across the brush. I stood up, on guard. And then I was on the floor, pinned to the ground by a red-headed beast. Surely my time was up.
"Finally," she hissed, her crimson eyes stabbing through mine, no doubt reflecting the fresh blood her mind was starving for. And then, she was the one pinned to the ground. No, I know what you're thinking, I did not somehow acquire a magnitude of strength. It was, no less, Edward who had the upper hand. Fire defined his eyes. His face was less contained than I had ever seen it. Snarls that could only be described as hostile.
"You," he uttered, in a livid trance. "will keep your hands. Off. Of. Her."
Too late for the action, Jacob arrived and instinctively ran to me. Edward spoke calmly and quickly.
"Jacob, you will take Bella away and tell the others to come here. I can't destroy Victoria," his voice fell and choked on the name. "alone."
It wasn't a question.
Later, after all the fighting was, I was told, long over and Victoria had been 'disposed of', I asked of Jacob to tell Edward thank you from me. Jacob growled and told me sullenly that Edward had asked to speak with me in person but he had refused on my behalf. I was speechless.
"This kind of thing," I started angrily, "is one of the main reasons that I broke up with Edward in the first place. You can't just do things like that! Why can't either of you understand-I can't have you making decisions for me. You're both as bad as each other. I'm sorry, Jake, but if jealousy is getting to get in the way, then I can't be with you. I'm so sorry."
Rejection ran across his face.
"I won't stop fighting for you, Bella. I will never stop."