Chapter 3: When A Man Loves A Woman

((((( Jacob's POV)))))

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in my story. They belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N: Alright all...this is a recap of how Jacob viewed Nessie's day in the previous chapter. It's short, but pay attention...it's definitely building.

I just don't know what came over me today. When I walked into Nessie's room after Alice fixed her up to talk to Edward, it was something about the way she looked in those fitted dark jeans and that emerald green t-shirt that made me feel a tidal wave of love for her. Honestly, she was dressed no differently than she dresses any other day...i think.

Granted, I have always loved her. She has been the center of my personal universe since the first time I first laid eyes on her six years ago. We have grown a deep relationship that compares to no other in her life. Even her parents. She trusts me with her life, and all of her secrets.

When she and I go too far in our adventures, Edward's punishment on us is always to separate us. He knows that there is nothing else that he can do to us that will have a lasting effect. He has never admitted it, but I know he envies the relationship Nessie and I share. It only compares to the one that he and Bella have shared for so many years.

Over the years, I have been her babysitter, her teacher, the one who taught her how to ride her first bike, her best friend, her protector, everything that she has ever needed. I have made every effort to ensure she be happy, and love her through everything.

For the past three months though, I notice her differently. I see her running through the woods during a hunt, and the way her hair blows in the wind is the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed. Before she wakes up in my arms in the morning, I just lay there and stare at her. Admiring her for the exquisite beauty that she is. Even the way she eats her food at home. It sends warm chills through me. I know that she is still too young to pursue a relationship with her, so I will definitely need to find a way to slow myself down. Actually, maybe talking to Edward or Bella may help. No, bad idea. He would definitely separate us. And definitely no more sleep overs.

When she first voiced her opinions to me about going to school, my first thought was to scream no, but I know that siding with her father would cause a riff between us that I definitely do not want to have between us. I can only imagine how things would be with her going to school. She would be gone for eight hours out of the day. Boys would be beating her doors down, and our relationship would eventually disappear. She would no longer need me. I just couldn't have that, so I offered to go with her...for her protection of course...huh, really for my peace of mind.

When we told Edward, the look he gave me was priceless. He didn't believe I wanted to go back to school, but would do anything for his daughter. I offered to help her behave more like a human in the public to help him agree, but really, it would give me extra time with Nessie away from them. I wanted to deepen our bond before further involving outsiders that my try to rip her away from me.

A few days later, I was with Nessie and her mom and Alice came out to talk to her about boys and dating. It took everything I had to not jump up and begin cussing at them. I felt angry and disrespected for them even having that conversation with her. I just got up and left. To make matters worse, Blondie came out to add her two cents to the conversation. If I were Bella, I would not let her anywhere near my daughter, talking about boys. I walked into the main house. Emmitt was sitting in front of the television playing a video game on the Xbox.

"Em, want some company?" He looked up at me...strange.

"Sure, I haven't whipped you in a while. What's wrong with your face? Looks like Nessie stepped on it." His booming laugh echoing through the house. "Just tell her you love her already. Man. Get a backbone."

"Shut up, Em, just for that I'm kickin' your ass."

We played several games until Nessie came back, ready to clear her head from the conversation with her mother and aunts. We got into the car. Immediately, her scent overtook me. It smelled like lilac, honey, and some other wonderful scent. I have smelled her before, but today, she was in rare form.

We stopped at my cottage to change clothes, and Nessie decided she wanted to ride the motorcycle. I was dead set against it, but she looked at me with those beautiful chocolate brown eyes and any fight I had in me left at that moment. I actually agreed to let her drive. Thank god she changed her mind. I really did not want to fight with Edward right now.

After my cottage, we rode until we got to an Italian eatery. I noticed almost immediately that she seemed distant. Like she wanted to talk, but wouldn't. Her sudden complete change in attitude made me feel nervous, on edge. Like something was about to happen that I definitely would not like. I pressed a little to get her to talk, but she kept her distance from me. She did not want to sit by me, she kept her hands on her side of the table, and she never made eye contact with me. Once we finished, I decided to bring her to this beautiful meadow that I found this summer. I was waiting for the perfect time to bring her. I guess now is as good a time as any.

She absolutely loved the meadow. Actually, the meadow loved her. The butterflies that is. We walked to find the stream. I made an attempt to hold her hand like we always do, but she pulled away from me. I felt a deep rooted pain. Like a knife just jabbed me in the heart. My mind went racing. All I could see was that she was somehow unhappy and I was the cause of it. I did know what to do. She wanted no contact at all with me.

Our next stop was the Boardwalk. A place that I have brought her many times over the years. We ate and ended up at a street performance. It was really funny. When it was over, we sat with a group of kids talking about the show. Nessie seemed really interested in what they were saying, so I stayed with her. A boy noticed us and introduced himself. Brody Gamble. He seemed to be nice enough. My problem with him was the way he looked at Nessie the whole time we were talking. Like he was laying claim on her. He even offered to wait for her Monday morning in the parking lot to show her around the school. She was so giddy and cute with him. She even seemed to be flirting. I had to maintain my cool. I just walked off and took a seat. I could not take looking at that a moment longer.

We ended up sitting on the grass, eating our hot dogs and water. Every moment we seemed to be spending together today, she is withdrawing further and further away from me. I even sat next to her and he scooted over from me. When I asked again, she finally told me what was wrong. She felt like I am not dating because I am giving all of my time to her, and she wants me to date and find my imprint. I was...shocked. That is the best word I could find to describe my feelings. Honestly, I did not know how to answer her. After all, she is my imprint. We just never told her because we wanted it to be her decision. Not some choice that was made for her when she was born. I want her to love me for me, because she chooses me. Because she wants to love me.

My heart sped up, I'm sure, three times its normal rate. My hands got all clammy, and I felt light in the head. This is what has been wrong with her. She plans on separating herself from me to give me an opportunity for happiness. I just can't let that happen, but I still don't think it's time to tell her yet, either.

I decided to answer her question honestly, and lighten the mood. I tickled her on the ground, making her laugh hysterically. It seemed to calm her down.

We played volleyball for a while after that, and headed for the car. I begged her to stop this crazy talk, but she refused. She even asked me if I expected her to do the same. What if she wanted to date? That knife turned a couple of times, but I quickly snapped out of it and told her that I would support her through what ever.

Later that night, I fell asleep in her bed. I was woken up by her jumping next to me. When I looked at her, tears were streaming down her face, and she looked pained. She refused to tell me what it was about, but somehow I knew that it had something to do with our conversations earlier this afternoon. This just seems to be getting worse and worse, and I don't know how to easily fix it. What will I do if she asks me to leave. How will I survive without her? The pain in my chest only seemed to increase, as I expanded my thoughts toward the future.

A/N: What did you think? Will Jacob have the heart to leave his Nessie? Will she even ask him to leave? Let me know what you think?

Review! Reviewing is better than having Jake on top of you tickling you...can't you just feel his thick muscles against you? All of them... :D

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