AN: I can't believe that it has been almost a year since I wrote. Time flies when you are in college and trying to keep your head above water. It's even harder to write since I started being my mom's caretaker in May. I barely have any time to write at all anymore. I'm hoping that I came up with a writing schedule that works for me so that I can write and update more often. We'll see how it goes.

It had been almost a week since Jacob and Bella had fooled around. Jacob could tell that something wasn't right with Bella, but decided to give her a few days to tell him what was going on before confronting her. They had crossed paths that morning as Jacob was crossing the hall to their bedroom after taking a shower. Bella had appeared flushed and wouldn't meet his gaze as she moved out of his way.

He had a feeling that his openness the night that they had fooled around had thrown her off. Every girl that he had slept with had been apprehensive at first, but he had been patient with all of three of them. He would never rush Bella or pressure her to do something that she wasn't ready for. She had to know him better than that.

Bella was reading in bed when Jacob came to bed that night. He was quiet as he stripped down to his boxers then crawling into bed. Without a word, he took Bella's book from her, placing it on her nightstand. Bella's eye brows rose in intrigue as he took off her reading glasses. Once they were off he cradled her head in his hands before leaning in to brush his lips to hers. She smiled briefly before sighing contently.

"You know that I would never hurt you, right?" he murmured.

"I know," she confirmed.

"And if at any time you feel uncomfortable or scared, you can tell me."

"I will," I promised.

"Really? You've been acting different lately," he countered.

"I was caught off guard, okay? What your dick looked like was one of the only things I didn't know about you. I never thought about it, I didn't think I would ever see it. Things are changing for us and it's a lot to take in," she rambled.

"I know, but you have to talk to me. You can't shut down. It made me think that something was seriously wrong."

"I'm sorry," she said quietly.

"We can go as slow as you want. I would never hurt you," he promised.

"I know you wouldn't," she said with a small smile.

He pulled away from her, rolling onto his back. He knew that she had only been in one serious relationship before and that it had ended badly. He himself had only been in one long-term relationship and his split from Vanessa had been amicable. She wanted to get married and start a family and at twenty-two Jacob was just getting his business off the ground and didn't want to start a new life while working sixty hours a week. He knew that if they had gotten married, that their marriage would have ended before it could even get started. He didn't want that. When he got married, he intended to stay married for life, like his parents would be if his mom were still alive.

Bella turned on her side, propping her head on her arm. She sometimes wondered how she had gotten so lucky to have Jacob in her life. First as her friend, then her lover. She had always thought that he was good looking; she would have to be blind not to notice that. He was the first person she told any piece of good news to after her parents. She couldn't count the times that she had vented to him about all the unjust things in her life. She often wondered why she hadn't realized her feelings for him sooner. The only answer that she could come up with was that they weren't meant to be together when they were younger. They both had hard lessons and harsh truths that they needed to learn first.

XXXX

Bella was just getting home from work when her phone rang that weekend. She tossed her keys onto the table in the front hall before fishing her phone out of her messenger bag. A picture of Alice filled her screen, letting her know who was calling.

"Hey Alice," she greeted her long-time friend.

"Hi! I was just calling to confirm that you were coming to my bridal shower tomorrow and bachelorette party on Friday after the rehearsal dinner."

"Yes, to both," Bella confirmed.

"Great! I also wanted to reassure you that Edward won't cause any trouble for you at the wedding."

"Well, I would hope not. God forbid someone upstage you on your wedding day," Bella said dryly.

"Right? Emmett and Carlisle have both warned him not to try anything and if he does he will have to answer to me."

"Well, that right there would scare me, so hopefully everything goes smoothly."

"How are you and Jake doing?"

"We're okay. We're still getting used to being around each other twenty-four/seven, so there have been a few hiccups."

'Not enough to take the stars out of your eyes though?"

"Nah. He's amazing, I'm still trying to figure out what he's doing with me. I'm boring. I like to read for fun. I do word searches and I get frustrated when I get stuck on them. I'm average looking, I have no ass. My hair is a mousy shade of brown. What does he see in me?" she ranted.

Bella's phone was taken out of her hand before she could take a breath. She spun around, her wide eyes meeting Jacob's hard ones. She could hear Alice talking loudly, most likely chastising her but she couldn't make out the words. When had Jacob gotten home? Why hadn't she heard him?

"I agree one hundred percent, Alice. I'll set her straight," Jacob said before pulling the phone away from his ear and pressing the end button.

"How much of that did you hear?" Bella asked with a sigh.

Jacob took her face in his hands, letting out a heavy sigh.

"All of it. I love everything about you. You're so smart and fiercely determined. You're funny even though you don't realize it. You're stop traffic beautiful. You don't want to know how many guys I know that have fantasized about you. Your hair is amazing, by the way. I could spend all day running my fingers through it," he twirled a stand around his finger to prove his point. "I don't want to ever hear you talk like that again. I know that Edward did a number on you, but I have spent the last two months trying to undo all the shit that he did," he said through clenched teeth.

"I'm sorry," she said remorsefully.

"Come here," he said, pulling her to him.

They stood in the middle of the kitchen for what seemed like hours. He held her close, her head resting on his chest, his heart beat the only sound. Bella couldn't remember the last time anyone had talked to her the way that Jacob had. Her dad wasn't big on grand displays of affection and she was the one lifting her mom up. It had been nice to be on the receiving end for a change.

XXXX

Jacob was running late. He was supposed to have been at the Cullen's half an hour ago. He hadn't planned on the accident that had happened less than five miles from his shop. Since his shop was closest, he was the one who was called. The accident had taken an hour to sort out and the woman who was responsible for the accident was uninsured.

Jacob had spent another hour working out an agreement with both drivers before he was able to get them to leave. He'd gone back to the apartment to shower and change and then headed to the Cullen's. Emmett met him at the door, clapping him hard on the back in greeting with a wide grin.

Jacob clapped him on the back in return before making his way down the hall. He needed a beer before dealing with Edward or he wouldn't be held accountable for what might happen. His mouth watered as soon as he stepped into the kitchen. Esme was at the stove, stirring a pot of what Jacob guessed was spaghetti sauce while Bella put together a salad at the counter.

The Cullen's had an open-door policy, you let yourself in and made yourself at home. Esme had been buying Budweiser for him ever since he turned twenty-one. He went to the fridge and sure enough, there was a six pack of bottled Budweiser on the bottom shelf. He pulled one out, twisting the cap off with a deep relieved sigh.

"Long day?" Esme asked over her shoulder.

"Yes, ma'am," Jacob answered, saddling up to the counter next to Bella.

She bumped his hip with hers, never ceasing from her chopping. He looked down at her with a goofy grin, not realizing that someone had come through the back door. They cleared their throat, making the trio at the counter and stove look up.

"I was wondering if I could help," Edward announced.

"Actually, that would be great. Could you and Jacob go and set the table? Dinner is almost ready," Esme answered.

"Sure," "Yes ma'am," Edward and Jacob answered at the same time.

Bella watched them leave the room, Jacob pausing to look over his shoulder at her. She gave him an encouraging smile before he walked out the door. Alice came in from outside a few minutes later and within seconds Edward was back in the kitchen.

"Apparently my napkin folding isn't up to Alice's high standards. Is there anything else that you need?" he asked.

"You can help me bring the food in. Bella, go save Jake," Esme said, placing a hand on Bella's shoulder.

Alice and Jacob were talking in hushed tones when Bella came into the dining room. She grabbed flatware that matched the dishes and silently went to work. By the time she reached Alice and Jacob they were sharing a secretive smile.

"What's with you two?"

"Nothing. Jacob and I were just catching up. It's not very often that I get to talk to him."

"She was telling me about Jasper and how much he reminded her of me."

"Really? I don't see it. He's so quiet and Jake isn't," Bella said with a laugh.

"They're both fiercely loyal to their family and friends, kind, good listeners, and very protective. Jasper can read me like a book, just like Jacob knows you so well," Alice clarified.

"Since you put it that way, then I can see it," Bella agreed with a nod.

"I'll be back. Edward grabbed the wrong glasses. I had them out and everything," Alice said with a huff.

Jacob watched her leave, then waited a few seconds before turning his attention to Bella. He was in front of her in two strides, his arms around her waist, pulling her flush to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, smiling up at him.

"Bad day?" she questioned.

"No, just long and frustrating. I swear, I did not plan on being late. Sorry," he mumbled the last word.

"Why are you apologizing? No one's mad at you," she admonished him gently.

He gave her a fleeting smile before leaning down to brush his lips to hers. Neither of them heard Edward enter the room with the correct glasses. The air was knocked out of him when he saw the look that Bella was giving Jacob. He knew that look well, she had given it to him more times than he could count. The problem was that he had never looked at Bella the way that Jacob was looking at her. Like she was the sun, the stars, and the moon all rolled into one.

Edward had planned to talk to Bella alone before Jacob got there and plead his case. Emmett had blocked every advance he had made towards Bella. He was now glad that Emmett had stopped him. He didn't stand a chance against Jacob and it was time that he moved on; he realized that now. He left the room as silently as he had come in, allowing the couple to have a few more moments to be alone.