The next morning I woke up to the worst hangover I, in my limited experience, had ever had. My head was threatening to split into two and my stomach was in a constant state of nausea. I found some aspirin in the bathroom and slowly made my way downstairs to the kitchen to get a glass of water. I made some oatmeal which was the only thing that sounded good. I had just finished eating and was washing my bowl when someone knocked at the front door. I shuffled slowly to the door, afraid that if I moved too quick either my stomach or head would get the best of me. I slowly opened the door and squinted as the cloud covered sun proved too bright for my head.

"Geez Bella you look terrible." Jacob's teasing voice instantly annoyed me.

"Thanks Jacob. You are so sweet." I left him standing in the door and walked into the living room where I gingerly sat on the sofa.

I felt him sit down beside me but I kept my head leaned back against the sofa and my eyes closed. "I'm sorry Bells. Do you need me to get you anything?"

"No, I will be fine. Just don't talk so loud." I heard him chuckle softly. He slowly wrapped his arms around me and pulled me towards him. I sighed and laid my head against his chest listening to his steady heartbeat. I smiled when he kissed the top of my head.

His warmth and the rhythm of his heart had almost lulled me back to sleep when he started whispering.

"Where's Charlie?"

"Apparently he had some big fishing trip this weekend and won't be back until tomorrow afternoon."

I felt him nod. "I was disappointed when I woke up and found you gone this morning."

"I know and Im sorry. I had Angela bring me home late last night. I was worried that Charlie would come looking for me if I stayed gone all night. Apparently, I didn't need to worry about it." I closed my eyes and concentrated on breathing slowly, hoping Jacob would believe that was all there was to it.

"Yeah I guess it would have been bad for him to find us together like that."

I nodded silently not trusting my voice.

"I was worried maybe it was a little too much and you were having second thoughts."

I pulled away and looked up at him. "Honestly, It wasn't exactly how I pictured the first time happening, maybe that's the sentimental girl in me. I always thought it would be more… I don't know. That it would be more private and I would be much less drunk."

Jacob looked at me sadly. "I know me too and I am so sorry that it happened like that. I had our first time all planned out. It was going to be romantic and special. I promise you I will make it up to you. Please forgive me?"

I smiled at his sincerity. "Hey, there is nothing to be sorry for. I was there too and I am just as responsible for how it all went down as well. But can we not talk about a do-over right now. My head feels like it's going to split open at any moment."

"You are such a lightweight drinker Bella." He chuckled softly.

"Aren't you feeling bad at all? You drank more than I did."

"Nope, I feel just fine." He grinned proudly at me.

"Ugh Jake, you suck." I playfully punched his arm which caused him to laugh loudly.

I winced and he immediately stopped laughing and pulled me into his lap. I curled up against his chest and laid my head on his shoulder. His hand gently stroked my hair which helped ease my headache some. I sighed contentedly and I felt him smile. I could have stayed snuggled up with him for hours but my stomach grumbled. I looked up at the clock on Charlie's VCR and saw it was already lunch time. I slowly got up and made Jacob and I soup and sandwiches.

"Will you be out at La Push beach tomorrow?" Jacob asked in between bites.

"Yeah a group of us are going out there for the day."

"Who all will be there?"

"The usual people. Angela, Ben, Jessica, Mike…"

"Mike huh?" Jacob's expression turned mischievous.

"Jake, it was a month ago. I'm fine. He and Jessica are together again so I doubt he will repeat his actions from prom." I gave Jacob my best threatening glare.

Jacob laughed. "Fine, fine. I will be behave, mostly." He wiggled his eyebrows up and down and I giggled.

After lunch Jacob left to go home to shower and change clothes. He had promised Embry and Quil a guys night. I kissed him goodbye and went up to my room. I picked up my journal and a few other mementos around my room that were part of my Edward collection and dug through my closet until I found an empty shoebox. I deposited the items in the box, taped the lid closed and shoved it into the back of my closet. I took a few deep calming breathes before I turned around, closed the closet door and walked away.

I could do this, I had to do this. Jacob loved me and I loved Jacob. Edward had been gone almost a year. He had made his feelings clear that afternoon in the woods. I needed to let him go. The hole in my heart throbbed painfully. My arms started to wrap themselves around my chest but I angrily forced them to my sides. "NO!" I shouted. Hot angry tears spilled from my eyes. I scrunched my eyes closed. "Isabella Marie Swan you will stop this right now." I stood in the middle of my room eyes scrunched closed my hands balled in fists at my side and waited for the throbbing to stop. I forced myself to think of Jacob, of his cocky smile and his soft lips. Jacob was here and he wanted me, he loved me more than I deserved probably, but for some reason he stuck by my side through everything. "He loves me", I kept repeating until the throbbing faded and my body could relax.