"Edward where have you been? You've almost missed dinner." inquired Jacob, coming up to Edward and wrapping him in a kiss.
"Nowhere really, just hunting." replied Edward evasively.
"At least you got back in time." Edward gave Jacob a confused look.
"Dinners almost about to start." he clarified "So come on, don't want to be late and make Esme angry."
"Right, dinner." Edward said, it had completely slipped his mind. These past few months it had been a tradition to sit down at the table with Jacob as a family so he didn't "feel so awkward eating alone". It was also the time of day when they bonded most as a family, sharing stories and drinking small amounts of wine on occasion, the time when they felt most relaxed and like a true family.
"Edward were have you been? Dinner is almost ready." scolded Esme.
"Sorry Mom." said Edward with a apologetic look, taking a seat next to Jacob. "I got caught up."
Esme just shook her head whilst smiling to her self, and brought over the food to the table, a warm stuffed chicken, glazed; with vegetables and lovely gravy.
"Mmm" sniffed Jacob ripping a leg off the chicken amd digging in. Everyone watched him with mild fascination, a tiny bit jealous that the food repelled them so. They all reminisced all the food that they wish they could eat just one more time, and they got a bit sad. As the night wore on conversation turned to more happy things, till everyone was a bit intoxicated except Edward, who Jacob noticed was acting strangely, he often lost track of conversation and kept staring at him sadly like it was the last time they would see each other.
"Edward, what's wrong?" He said quietly placing his hand on his knee to grab his attention.
"Nothing." said Edward plastering a fake grin on his face.
Jacob frowned and was about to say something more when Emmet interrupted them.
"Get over here Jake." he said, Jasper and Emmett were arm wrestling, and it appeared Jasper was winning.
"Come and be the judge. I know Jasper here is cheating, using his powers on me some how to win, we need an outside judge who isn't any of our wives."
Jacob was about to say something else to Edward but Alice had already gotten up and was leading him to the competition, cutting him off before he could discuss the topic further.
\/\/
Once the competition was over they just sat by the fire, lolled about on random pieces of furniture. Jasper and Alice were making out in a corner, and Emmett and Rosalie were deep in conversation, Rosalie's laughter could be heard chiming out ever so often; Carlisle was in the music room and the faint sound of music was drifting out. Jacob was asleep in Edwards lap, Edward absentmindedly running his fingers through Jacob's hair.
"Edward?" Esme sat on the couch next to Edward.
"Yes?"
"Are you okay? You've been acting strange all evening. Not like your usual self at all." Edward started to say he was fine, as he had with Jacob, but Esme cut him off "I've known you long enough now to tell when something is bothering you. So just tell me what it is, are you having problems with Jacob?"
Edward looked down at Jacob, he was making small movements in his sleep "No everything's fine with us, In fact I've never been happier."
"What is it then?"
"I may have to go away for a while, to protect someone I care a lot for."
"Why Edward? Where are you going? How long for? Is Jacob coming with you?"
"No, Just me, I have to leave alone, well not alone Bella will be coming, I'm not leaving forever, but maybe for a few months." he answered.
"Edward, whatever stupid thing your thinking of doing, don't do it. You cant leave Jacob when things are going so great between you two, he would be absolutely heartbroken."
"I don't want to leave, but I have to, to protect Bella, protect the family and protect Jacob."
Esme let out an angry breathe of air "That girl has been nothing but trouble since you first met her. Reconsider, don't leave, don't go Edward. Jacob might not say it but I see it, he really needs you right now, separated from his pack he is utterly alone for the first time in a long time, he needs his family to help him get through it."
"I cant change my mind now. I must leave, to do what is right. To protect everyone."
"Edward please don't go, If you leave all you are going to be doing is breaking a lot of hearts and that will do no good to anyone." She said getting up, leaving Edward in deep thought. Edward was stubborn, he had already made his mind up and wasn't changing it now. Even though Esme did make some good points, it couldn't convince Edward not to leave. Jacob reached out to Edward lightly touching him, to bring him out of the trance. Edward got up quickly, dumping Jacob on the ground as he broke out of his thoughts.
"Hey!" Jacob said rubbing his arm "What was that for?"
"Sorry," Edward said "You startled me."
"You were thinking really hard there." He said getting up "What were you thinking about?"
"Oh this and that, a lot of things really, nothing important." Jacob accidentally let out a yawn "Sorry." he said yawning again
"Come on, lets go up to bed, you are tired and still intoxicated."
"Okay then, Mr Mysterious lets go to bed.'" Jacob followed stumbling a bit, the alcohol still in his system.
\/\/
"Jacob not tonight." said Edward squirming away from Jacob, who was trying to take his clothes off. A new sense of energy was installed in Jacob once they reached the bedroom.
"Whats the matter?" Asked Jacob confused, Most nights it was Jacob fending Edward off when he was too tired.
"Just not tonight okay," Edward replied "I'm just not in the mood."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Jacob said backing off, Edward had been acting distant all night so it wasn't really a surprise that he didn't want to engage in there nightly activities, though it was slightly strange as Edward was always eager whenever given the opportunity to ravish Jacob senseless.
"I'm fine, why don't you just get some sleep." He said, noticing Jacob stifling yet another yawn.
"Okay, I will sleep, but we're talking about this in the morning. No more evading, you're going to spill what's been bothering you." said Jacob snuggling up to Edward enveloping in his arms.
"Okay," Edward put on a pained grin, he couldn't exactly push Jacob away, even though it was tearing his heart in half to be so close to Jacob, like everything was routine, that it was just another normal night, when he knew that was not the case at all. He slowly relaxed into Jacob's arms, until Jacob dropped off into a deep slumber, content in his ignorance. Once Edward was sure Jacob was asleep, he carefully, regretfully, removed Jacob's embrace from around him, sure not to awaken him. Unable to resist he placed a light goodbye kiss on the side of his face. "Goodbye Jacob" he whispered placing the envelope on the nightstand, (which still unbeknownst to him didn't hold the letter at all). He stealthily making his way outside, where Bella was waiting in the forrest for him.