Sadly this is the last chapter. I'm working on part 2 of the breaking dawn part of the series. Might take a while. Anyway, I hope you guys like this chappy. Don't forget to REVIEW!

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

COURAGE

I entrusted Riley and Bree in Esme's care – she actually tried to stop Jane from hurting Bree – and raced in my jeep to Jacob's house.

When I got there Billy was sitting on the porch, surrounded by the pack, including Emily but sans Sam.

Billy saw me and almost teared up at my agonized face, "Oh sweetie, he'll be alright."

Suddenly I heard a loud yell of excruciating pain come from inside the house. And I knew it was Jacob. I flinched harshly. I could practically feel his pain as if it were my pain.

Billy looked so upset as Emily put an arm around him.

Quil faced me, "It's been going on for a while. Doc's re-breaking his bones."

I heard another yell and covered my face to hide my sobs. I felt warm arms wrap around me and knew it was Embry. I didn't care that the whole pack could see me as I cried freely into Embry's shoulder.

Leah was pacing, "Why'd he have to but in? I could have taken that tick-"

"Give it a rest, Leah," Paul said. Even he was tearing up. He gestured to me with his eyes and Leah calmed down.

We all spun to the front door when Carlisle opened it to exit. He looked at us, with Sam behind him, "The worst is over. He'll be alright."

Billy and I exhaled heavily. I wiped my face clear of tears but I knew my eyes were red and puffy. Emily wrapped an arm around Sam's waist.

"I gave him some morphine but his body temperature will burn it off soon. I'll come back to set up a drip," Carlisle informed Billy.

Billy looked up at him with so much gratitude, "Thank you."

"And make sure he doesn't phase until I clear him. The bones need to set."

"We'll keep him in line," Sam said.

"Yeah, good luck with that," Quil snorted.

Carlisle looked at me, "He's asking for you."

Everyone looked at me. Billy smiled encouragingly at me, "Go on honey. He needs you."

I was about to head in before I turned and said, "Carlisle."

The doctor in question turned, "Yes?"

I sighed, "I get it. With the Volturi. It's politics. But next time... screw politics."

I quietly entered Jake's room to find him lying on his bed. The entire right side of his body was covered in braces and bandages. I stood in the doorway, holding back tears and forcing a smile.

"Oh my gosh, Jacob," I whispered painfully.

He looked up with some effort, his breath short. But he smiled anyway, "Hey... I was worried about you."

I laughed shortly, "Leave it to you to worry about me when you're lying in bed, broken."

He laughed, but it took a lot out of him, "What can I say..." he coughed painfully.

"Don't say anything," I walked over and kneeled at his bedside.

"I don't bite," Jacob teased.

I smirked, "I might."

My smirk fell slowly, "I don't want to hurt you."

He looked at me seriously, "You won't."

We looked at each other for a long time before I relented and stood to sit at his bedside, careful of his braces.

"When are you going to tell me that you've changed your mind?" Jacob asked out of the blue.

I looked at him in shock, "How did you...?"

He smirked, "I wasn't asleep. I just asked Edward to tell you I was in my mind."

I glared playfully at him, "Sneaky bastard."

He smiled, "Why didn't you tell me before?"

I started to cry, the emotions overwhelming me, "I don't know... I was just so scared. I kept myself protected from love for so long. I thought if I told you then it would be that much more real and it would really destroy me if I lost you. And I almost did. And I regretted not telling you sooner. I'm so sorry I should have said it before."

I sniffed as Jacob lifted his left hand to my face and shh'd me, "Don't cry. It's okay. It's better late than never."

I smiled shortly before leaning down and kissing his lips hungrily. He responded enthusiastically.

I don't know how long we were kissing. But I never wanted it to stop. But soon he pulled away and whispered, "And Callie? I love you too."

I blushed, "I love you, Jacob Black."

"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are."

E.E Cummings

The Third Wife's courage saved the entire village back then. That was who she was. I felt myself growing stronger, as a person. I was gaining my courage.

Bella said she thought that I was brave to have stood up to the Volturi for some newborns that were originally here to kill us.

But bravery is different than courage. Like the cowardly lion. He always had courage. He just didn't realize it. Courage is something that is already present. Bravery can come and go. Courage is always there.

You just have to use it.

It does take courage to be who you really are. So many people hide themselves for fear of persecution or rejection.

They hide their pride.

I am proud to be Callie Swan.

Daughter of Charlie and Renee.

Sister to Bella Swan.

Citizen of Forks, Washington.

Kin to the Cullen clan.

Friend to Angela, Jessica, Embry and Quil.

Part of the La Push Pack.

And totally and completely and only in love with Jacob Black.

I was happy. For the first time in a loooong time I was happy and I wasn't waiting for the other shoe to drop. I knew something was going to go down with the Volturi. But hopefully I wouldn't be in the crossfire that time.

As I thought of all these people who were a part of my life... They made me stronger. They gave me reason to come back home. They gave me incentive to keep fighting and keep living. They were giving me the courage... or rather unlocking it within me.

I was finally growing into the person I really am. Before... I wasn't sure if I wanted to know who she was.

But now I could never be more proud to know her.

I was so proud that I wanted to introduce her to everyone.

To Bella.

To Angela.

To my Dad.

To the Cullens.

To Jasper.

To Embry.

And most of all... To Jacob.

I wanted everyone to see the woman I had grown into. I had been through so much in such a small increment of time that I was forced out of my futile life of to take or to not take the pills. Now I was who I could be without the dysthmia. I was the real me.

And it felt damn good.

I parked my jeep in front of Jacob's house and got out.

I smiled when Billy opened the door. He smiled – slightly exasperatedly – and sighed, "Haven't I told you that you don't have to knock? Just come on in."

I laughed, "Only a thousand times."

Billy shook his head, "And you still don't listen."

I shrugged, "What can I say? I'm stubborn."

Billy chuckled, "Jacob's in his room."

I nodded, "Thanks Billy," and started for Jacob's room.

When I got there Jacob was groaning in his boredom. His face lit up when he saw me though. His smile was brilliant, "Callie! Finally!"

I rolled my eyes, "I was only gone for three hours. You're so impatient." I carefully climbed over on his left side and tucked myself into his left side.

He put his arm around me and kissed my head, "It was the longest three hours of my life."

I laughed softly, "I love you Jake."

He still smiled like it was the first time I told him that, "I love you too."

That's what we did all day everyday while he was recovering. We just laid together in his bed and talked. We talked about everything. We talked about anything. We talked about nothing.

Things were finally looking up. I had people who loved me and I saw that they were there. I had Jacob and I finally let him into my heart. Everyone was right when they said that we had the chance to make each other really happy.

I couldn't wait for my life with him. If it was anything like what I imagined... I would never be without happiness ever again.

Yes... things were finally going right.

THE END

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But by the way, I've been working on another Twilight series. It's a JasperOC and I'll probably start posting it soon so keep a lookout for that!

RegalGirl94