Chapter 14: No Doubt About It

Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight

Embry was bangin' on my door, after I got home. I opened it to his brayin', "Bad news, man. Paul says the freaks are back—and I spell freaks, C-u-l-l-e-n-s."

I put my hand on his shoulder and steered him back outside. "Yep, I know. C'mon, Em. Let's go on down to the beach. I don't want Dad upset over this."

The waves were rough, crashin' all around us. I felt like they were an omen of what was to come. I shook my head. Nah … I was sure that Bella wouldn't bug out on me. The louse had gone: he left her, and I picked up the pieces of her heart, gluin' them together again with my love. Still … that little, bitty sliver of worry, wormed its way into my head, dammit.

"What are you going to do about it? I hate to see you hurt again, Jake."

"There's nothin' to do. She says she loves me, and I have to have faith that she's being truthful."

I sighed. "So are they all back, then?"

Embry stooped down, picked up a smooth stone, and flung it into the ocean. "According to Paul, yeah. He saw the big one driving down the highway with the blonde bombshell beside him. They were in his Hummer. If they're here, then they're all here."

"Sh**! What is it about this place? Why can't they move away for good?" I kicked at the pebbles layering the shore, in frustration.

"You going be okay?"

"I don't know … maybe."

Turning in the opposite direction, I said, "Let's head back. Rachel's makin' a special dinner for me tonight. A welcome home dinner she says. You wanna come eat with us."

"No offense, but my stomach can't take her cooking."

I gave him a shove. "I can always make us some pb & j sandwiches."

"Gee thanks, but Leah's already invited me to her place for some real cooking."

Supper wasn't too awful considerin' who prepared it, and night had fallen. I showered, gettin' ready for bed, all the while stupid thoughts kept runnin' through my brain. What was wrong with me? She was mine. She was mine, I kept telling myself. I knew it, I felt it, but havin' Eddie boy back on the landscape, made me reeeeaaaaaly nervous. What if he did have some mystical mojo to coerce her into forgiving him? Who knew what kind of power these filthy vamps had at their disposal. Great—now my doubts surfaced, crowding out the foundation of confidence layin' about in the floor of my head.

That lousy tick. He was probably in her home right this very minute, toying with her will. I couldn't stand not knowing what was goin' down in her room.

I got in bed, but sleep was the last thing on my mind. After flippin' over and over, like a freakin' pancake, I gave up. I had to find out what he was saying to my woman. So what if I was stalkin' her just like the big twinkie. She needed protection from the bloodsucker. Isn't that what I was made for? What I was supposed to do? Defend the puny humans from the big, bad, undead monsters? Sure, sure, it made sense … sort of.

Putting the pillow over my head, I tried once more to drift off. No soap. That did it! I made up my mind. I was goin' to Forks, fur and all.

Phased and racing across the forest floor, I had one destination in mind, Bella's house. I came to a screeching halt under her window, the stench of that venomous tick scorching the lining of my nose. He was definitely in her room, pleadin' his case, no doubt. Why can't he find one of his own kind to haunt, and leave my girl alone? I realize that it's politically correct to embrace diversity, but jeez … He's a freakin' vampire—that's stretchin' it a little too far, I think.

Pacin' up and down, underneath her window, I heard every damn word that dripped off his fangs. He probably knew I was there, pickin' up my scent, but I didn't give a rat's ass about it.

# # # # #

Oh my gosh, I was nearly asleep when I felt a cool breeze slip into the room.

I sat up to face him. He stood there, looking perfect as always, and somehow that irritated the heck out of me. A wan smile graced his lips, his eyes oozing apology.

Well, I was not ready to accept any kind of apology from him. "Why are you here, Edward?"

Walking toward my bed, he offered, "Isn't it obvious? I've come to make amends."

I huffed in his direction. Was he serious? "Amends … I've finally moved on without you, and you come slithering back trying to get into my good graces. It's too late. I have someone else now, someone I dearly love."

In a honey-smooth voice, he said, "Bella, love, I understand how upset you must've felt, but I had to leave Forks to keep you safe. I know now that it was a mistake on my part."

Hopping out of the bed, I glared at him. What nerve. "A mistake? Is that all it was? I was a basket case, Edward … a walking zombie for months. It got so bad that poor Charlie was worried sick. He threatened to send me to my mother in Florida so I could get psychiatric help."

"I'm heartily sorry for my error in judgment. My only hope is that we can reach beyond this emotional debacle, and go forward from here."

"Hold on, mister. Will you just listen to yourself? If you think I could take you back after all that happened simply because you offered me an apology, you are sadly mistaken."

He stepped forward into my personal space, and began to open his mouth when I fired, "Get out, and don't come back again. You're not welcome here anymore."

Clearly confused, he said, "Bella, love …"

"Don't call me that! Please leave. Have I made myself clear enough?"

He stepped back in shock, his face taking on a pinched look. "Perfectly. But before I go, let me say—"

I stopped him abruptly. "Do I have to call on Jacob to escort you out that window? I'm sure it would make his day."

Edward shot me an ugly sneer. "That's it, isn't it? That mangy mutt has filled my shoes."

"Your pants and your hat too!"

With his golden eyes narrowed to slits, he hissed, "Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Yes. Good lord, I wish Charlie wasn't working late tonight. He could hasten your departure with his .45."

I pointed to the window. "I'll say it again …get out!"

He turned to leap out the open casement, and stopped, with a parting remark. "I don't know what I ever saw in you."

"Ditto."

I watched as he catapulted down to the yard, a white streak crossing the lawn to the tree line. I was so furious, I was shaking all over, bristling with anger. There was no way I was going to sleep after that conversation, so I got dressed and went down to my truck. In ten minutes, I was on the road to La Push, and the warmth of my Jacob's embrace.

Not wanting to wake up Billy or Rachel, I parked my noisy truck by the Taj, and snuck around the back of the house to Jacob's room. There was no moonlight, and so I couldn't see beyond my nose. I tapped on his window, and waited, but I didn't get a response. It was partially open, so I raised it wide enough to get inside. Crawling over his mattress, I groped along the blankets searching for him. It was empty. He was probably out patrolling as usual. Oh well, no matter. I'd just curl up and wait for him to show up. Just being here in his house was sufficient to calm me down.

I must've fallen asleep, because some time later, I was startled by Jacob, whispering my name.

# # # # #

The miles flew past, and I felt like I was running high in the clouds. Hearing my sweetie read the riot act to that creepy walker, put my soul at rest. I got to the house, and caught Bella's scent. What the hell? I followed it around to the rear of my home, passing the ancient Chevy along the way.

Leaning my arms on the sill, I pressed my nose against the pane, peering into my own bedroom. There on my bed lay my sleeping beauty. I got kinda choked up at seein' her with the blankets pulled to her chin, her mahogany colored hair strewn over the pillow. The fact that she was sleeping in my bed turned my insides to mush.

I slid over the window sill, and climbed over my girl, being careful not to accidentally put any weight on her. As I wiggled under the covers, I murmured, "Bells … I'm home."

She stretched and yawned. "Jake, you're back."

"Yeah, how 'bout that?"

Snuggling closer to her, I added, "Not that I'm sorry to have you here, but I gotta ask—why the B&E?"

"Oh, that … well, I told Edward to buzz off, and I was so livid, I had to talk to someone. Charlie wasn't home, and I knew I could always talk to you, and so, here I am."

"Yep. Here you are." Should I tell her? Naaaaah!

She pushed herself up on one elbow. "Jake, I didn't think he was going to leave. It was almost scary. I had to threaten him with calling you for help."

I chuckled. "That would've been fun, well, maybe not for the leech."

Bella settled back upon the pillow. "Anyway, it's over between us, and I'm pretty sure he got the message."

I grabbed my sweetheart, pulling her close and assaulted her lips. Her head was cupped in my hands, and I hung on for dear life. She was more than agreeable, and the sheets were practically on fire. When I let loose of her, she gasped. "What was that for?"

"For loving me. For choosing me. For being here, in my bed."

"Yeah, I'm in your bed, but don't get any ideas."

"And what ideas would those be?"

"Don't give me that innocent act. You've had those hormone driven ideas in your brain for years."

"Here I thought I'd fooled you into thinking my heart was filled with pure intentions."

"Yeah, right!"

A sigh escaped her lips. "Jake … will you hold me for a little while?"

"I'll hold you forever, bells. C'mere."

She melted into my arms, and we slept 'til dawn, at which time she escaped out the window and returned to Forks in her ol' rust-bucket.

# # # # #

Two weeks had gone, and I'd seen less and less of Leah, school and work and patrolling all taking up our time. I began to worry, and asked her to meet me behind the Chapter House.

She was all smiles when she bounded into view. One look at me though, and she frowned. "I knew it. This is your goodbye. Once again. Leah Clearwater gets dumped. I couldn't be that lucky in love."

Leah pivoted, ready to sprint away. I raced to her side, and spun her around. "No, Leah. I just needed to find out if your feelings for me have changed."

Her face reflected concern. "Why would my feelings change?"

I shook my head. "I don't know … I—"

My words got cut off as Leah snatched a handful of my hair, and dragged my face, nose to nose to hers. Our mouths tangled in a heated battle, and when she finished fanning my flames, she spouted, "Does that answer your question?"

I answered dazedly. "I guess so."

Holding me by the collar, she blurted, "Em … listen to me. If my feelings ever change, I'll come right out and tell you. In the meantime, don't ever doubt it."

We sat down on a worn out wooden bench, and talked.

I could barely look at her; she was so beautiful. One glance from those smoky eyes did funny things to my insides. My heart even now was fluttering like a trapped sparrow.

I took her hand and placed it in my lap, and peering into those smoky mirrors, stammered, "I know I don't have much to offer you right now, but when we finish college and get good jobs, would you consider getting married to me?"

"Are you proposing?"

"Kind of. I mean … someday I'll have a ring and a speech all prepared, but will you."

"You know I will."

"You will?"

"Yes."

We both stood at the same time, sobbing, and hugging each other so hard I thought our bones would shatter from the sheer force of it. We clinched the deal. Now if only neither of us imprinted before our twenty-first birthdays ...