A/N: The day has finally come, and it feels so incredibly good to FINALLY be posting this chapter!

It's been quite the journey for me over the past couple of months. After recovering from covid and posting the last chapter, I was so ready to plunge ahead and start posting regularly again. However, my brain had other ideas. Once I started to dig into the revisions of this chapter, I realized I needed to almost rewrite the entire thing… and I was struggling to make the words come. I don't know if it was residual covid brain, or just some major writer's block (or a combo of both), but it became apparent that I needed to take a step back from this story for a bit. So, I have spent the last two months devouring books and just trying to refill my creativity bank. I didn't even look at this story for the first 5-6 weeks. Finally, some ideas started to flow, and I got a new rough draft down, then I spent several days rereading the whole story up to this point and suddenly, it just all started to come together.
I already have the next two chapters hammered out and pretty close to ready. Posting weekly on Fridays is my current goal, but I won't make any promises about my posting frequency, since I sadly haven't been able to follow through on my last couple of promises. The only thing that I will promise is that I will never abandon this project! Ever!

Also, several of you asked about Edward's ability to manipulate Bella even though he isn't able to read her mind, so I wanted to put a note here to address my thoughts on this. The reason this ability works on Bella is because it is a physical ability, like Jasper's ability to influence emotions, rather than mental, like Edward's mind reading. The body is reacting to the smell and sound of the vampire, which then leaves the mind open to be influenced by the words the vampire speaks. It is not manipulation through any type of telepathic means. I will be adding an explanation for this into a previous chapter in the story as soon as I get a chance and will let you know when I have it added so you can go read it, if you so desire.

As always, I don't own these characters or this universe.

Happy reading!

CHAPTER 36

BELLA POV

Sunlight filtered dimly through the boughs of the trees surrounding us, the ground and greenery still wet from the morning rain. The woman holding my hand made me feel safe and cared for, and brought out a sense of wonder and curiosity inside of me. She stopped us in front of a large tree and cradled one of the branches in her hand for me to examine. I reached out with my chubby little 5-year-old fingers to pet the soft needles.

"Can you tell me what kind of tree this is?" she asked.

"It's an evergreen," I said.

"That's right. Can you give me the name of this particular evergreen?"

I studied the flat needles that splayed out and looked sort of like a fan with tiny little pinecones and tried to remember the name.

"Cedar?" I asked hesitantly.

The beautiful woman nodded, her smile brighter than the sun on a cloudless day. It made me feel like I was the most special person on the planet.

"Western Red Cedar," Jake chimed in from beside me.

"Very good, Jake," she said.

"Ask us another one, Mama," Jake's sister, Rachel, said from the other side of the woman, hand in hand with her twin, Rebekah.

The woman led the four of us toward another tree.

The memory faded. The beautiful woman was Sarah Black. I was remembering Jake's mom! That smile… Jake's smile… my chest swelled with emotion.

So much was happening—imprinting and healing and new powers—and there were so many memories flying through my head I couldn't keep up (not to mention the very distracting kiss Jake and I were sharing). Some memories were mine and some were Jake's, and then some were new to me, but they also felt like mine… like the one naming the trees.

I clung tighter to Jake, a grounding presence in the chaos of what was going on in my mind, and tried to grab hold of some other memories as they flew by… each one lasting for only the barest of moments.

"Whatcha doing Sarah?" I asked as I skipped into the kitchen at the Black's house.

"Making a lasagna." She smiled at me over her shoulder, a curtain of black satin hair sliding across her back. "Would you like to help."

I nodded vigorously and pulled the small step ladder out from beside the refrigerator over to where she was standing at the counter. I loved it when she taught me how to cook like her cause my mom wasn't very good at cooking, but I really enjoyed it.

She put her arm around my waist as I climbed up the two steps of the little stool to make sure I didn't lose my balance. Every year I hoped I would finally outgrow my klutziness… I was almost 8 after all, but it hadn't happened yet. When I was securely in place on the step, she slid the pan of lasagna in front of me along with a plate of cooked flat pasta.

"Do you remember how I showed you to layer it last time?"

I nodded again and started laying the noodles over the meat layer she had just put down.

Jake came running in and peered over the edge of the counter. "Whatcha' doin' Bella?"

"Helping your mom." When I was done, I looked up at her. "Now a layer of cheese, right?"

"Yep." She handed me the bowl and I scooped several spoonfuls on top of the noodles and spread it around.

"Then the meat sauce," I said proudly and Sarah gave me her bright smile that made me feel like I could do anything.

That memory flitted away and I grabbed hold of another.

My mind was reeling from the words my mom was saying to me, my 11-year-old brain trying to grasp it—there was a car accident and Sarah Black was hurt really bad… she didn't make it. The woman who had helped take care of me during my visits to Forks every summer, my best friend's mom, the one who was like another mother to me, just… gone.

Staring wide eyed at my mom, her watery eyes shining with sympathy, I shook my head. "No," I whispered, not wanting to believe it. "She… she can't… I was just there, and she was fine. I was just there…" My voice gave out with a choking cry and my face crumpled as the weight of the loss hit me. My mom wrapped me in her arms as the grief overtook me and great sobs shook my body.

"It's not fair," I cried, clinging to my mother's shirt as she smoothed her hand over my head and rocked me, trying to soothe me. How could this have happened? Why did it have to be her? No more of her sunny smiles… no more cooking lessons or walks through the forest naming the trees… no more movie nights, or cheese parties, or dancing in the living room.

"Jake!" I croaked, suddenly pulling out of my mom's embrace and looked at her with a sinking feeling in my tummy. "I need to be there… he needs me. I need to be there for him. When can I go? I have to go Mom!"

She put her arm around my shoulders again and brushed my wild hair back. "I know sweetie. Your dad is trying to get you a flight for tomorrow and then I'll come in a couple of days."

"You're going to Forks?"

"Yes. Sarah Black was a very special lady, and she was a good friend to me when I lived there."

The phone ringing interrupted us. It was Dad with my flight information. I was leaving first thing in the morning. Mom helped me pack. My emotions were all over the place, swinging from a state of a robotic numbness to a sobbing mess. I tried to call Jake, but no one answered, so I left a message to let him know I was coming, though he probably already knew.

Dad picked me up from the airport the following day, hugging me tight. I held his hand on the drive from Seattle and he took me straight down to La Push. When we pulled up in front of the Black's house, I spotted Jake sitting on the ground near the tree line at the back of their property. I launched myself from the car before it had even come to a complete stop, and I ignored my father when he called after me as I ran toward Jake, stumbling as I went.

My steps slowed when I neared where Jake was sitting, his quiet sniffling reaching me as I drew closer. He didn't turn toward me, though I'm sure he heard me coming, and I didn't say anything. I just sat down next to him, linked my arm through his, and laid my head on his shoulder. After a minute, he wiped his face off with his shirt and breathed a great shuddering sigh, then tilted his head to rest on mine.

We sat like that for a long time, not saying a word, just staring into the forest. No words were needed between us in that moment, it was just enough to be there and bear the sadness together.

Footsteps approached from behind us, and a giant blanket was draped over our small shoulders.

"There's lots of food at the house, if you kiddos are hungry," my dad said.

Without moving, I replied softly, "Okay, thanks Dad. We're not hungry right now."

A few moments passed, then his footsteps retreated back toward the house. When they were gone, Jake gave me a little nudge with his shoulder and as one we laid back and turned on our sides to face each other, wrapping the blanket around us and over our heads, creating a little cocoon. Our knees were drawn up and pressed together, and we looked at each other for the first time. Jake's eyes were red-rimmed and puffy… mine probably were too, at least a little.

"I'm sorry, Jake," I whispered, the first words spoken between us since I arrived, as tears started slipping from his eyes again. I reached out and wiped a few away, though I knew I'd never be able to catch them all. He did the same, brushing his finger over my cheek to catch the tears I didn't even realize I was shedding.

"I miss her," he croaked almost silently.

"I know. Me too."

We moved our heads closer, pressing our brows together, gripping each other's hands, and quietly cried together for the loss of the woman we both loved.

That memory slipped away, and my emotions had started to become a bit erratic as yet another memory surfaced. This one seemed to have more weight… more meaning… seemed to be more significant and more vital.

"Where are we going, Jake? I'm getting tired." Stumbling beside him for the umpteenth time, his hand wrapped around mine was the only thing keeping me from faceplanting. Walking through the woods was always a challenge for me, but we weren't even on a trail anymore.

"We're almost there." He looked over to me… actually, he looked down at me and then dropped to one knee and patted his back. "Here, get on."

The height difference between us was new, and I looked at him skeptically, debating whether or not this was a good idea. We'd been basically the same size and height for as long as I could remember, but in the months since my Christmas visit in December, he'd shot up three inches! He'd carried me piggyback last week when I'd twisted my ankle, and he hadn't struggled at all with my weight, but we were on the level beach that time, not hiking over uneven ground through the woods. He just stayed kneeling there, looking over his shoulder at me expectantly.

I finally sighed out an exasperated "Fine," and latched myself onto his back. My feet hurt, and even though he always kept me from falling, I'd still scraped up my palm on a couple of trees trying to catch myself, so it was probably for the best. He hooked his arms under my knees and hoisted me up a little higher before taking off again through the foggy forest.

I hated how blasted klutzy I was. I couldn't even blame it on being an awkward 13-almost-14-year-old (my birthday was in just a couple of months) because I'd been like this as long as I could remember. According to my mother, even crawling had been a challenge for me.

"Why won't you tell me where we're going?" I asked.

"It's a surprise. Embry and Quil just found this place and told me about it a couple days ago. I wanted to show it to you before you leave tomorrow. I haven't even seen it yet, but they said it was really cool."

"And you trust their judgement? These are the guys you said think farting contests are cool."

He barked out a laugh. "Aren't they?"

I rolled my eyes and made a gagging sound. "Boys are gross." That elicited another laugh from Jake.

I had spent a little time with Jake's guy friends, but when I was visiting, they didn't come around much. Probably too cool to hang out with a girl. I didn't mind though. Jake was the only guy I'd ever been around that I liked anyway. Actually, he was one of only a few humans, girl or boy, I had ever felt comfortable around… like I could just be me. Of course, when we were a lot younger, I felt a little differently… I thought he had cooties.

"Besides, you know I don't like surprises," I complained, cringing inwardly at the slight whine in my voice.

"No, you don't like your mom's surprises. Name one surprise of mine you didn't like."

I was silent, wracking my brain to think of one and coming up empty.

"Nothing to say?" he continued when I remained silent. "Can't think of anything? Oh right, that's because my surprises are always awesome."

"You certainly are sure of yourself."

"Only when I'm right." I thought I detected a smirk in his voice, but the angle from his back was too awkward to see for sure.

"Whatever, you just—" My voice trailed off as a strange droning noise rose above the normal forest sounds of birds and bugs. I strained to listen, trying to figure out what I was hearing. "What's that sound?"

"That's the surprise."

I focused on trying to figure out what I was hearing, the corners of my mouth curving up a bit at the sound of excitement in Jake's voice. The noise kinda sounded like rustling leaves but was much too constant for it to be the sporadic motion caused by wind. And the forest air was still, not even disturbing the thick fog hanging around us, so that definitely wasn't it. It got louder as Jake kept walking and I finally determined it was the sound of rushing water. A few moments later the trees thinned, and a waterfall came into view to our left. All along a wide, squat cliff face water poured over the edge in small groupings, splashing into a medium-sized pool before flowing away to our right toward the ocean.

"Oh wow, Jake," I breathed as he knelt down again, and I climbed off his back. "This is cool," I admitted.

"So, I still have a 100% success rate for great surprises, yeah?"

I smiled up at him, not even a little sad that he was proven right. "Definitely."

The memory skipped forward, in the same way that dreams often do.

Sitting shoulder to shoulder on a rock, we had our pant legs rolled up and our bare feet dangling in the crystal-clear pool, watching the water rush over the edge of the cliff. The water was a little chilly, but it was refreshing now that the sun shining through the trees had burned off the morning fog, turning the July day warm and muggy. The golden rays warmed us, and rainbows began to shimmer and dance through the mist that was thrown into the air around the base of the falls.

Leaning forward, I braced my palms flat against the rock we were sitting on to gaze down into the sparkling pool. Jake shifted beside me, and warmth enveloped my hand between us as he placed his hand over mine. I turned my head to look at him, only to bump noses with him, his startled expression matching mine. My heart started racing and a weird feeling I'd never experienced before ran through me and curled inside at his nearness, but I didn't move away.

"What're you doing?" I whispered and swallowed hard. He was so close. His beautiful dark eyes silently searched mine for a few moments before he closed the small space between us and pressed his lips to mine. My eyebrows shot up and I hesitated for the briefest of moments then closed my own eyes and pressed my lips back against his.

Oh my gosh.

My brain short circuited.

I was kissing Jake!

I was having my first ever kiss, and it was with Jake! I had no idea if the kiss was "good" or "done right" but it certainly felt right and good to me. It only lasted a few moments before Jake pulled away a little and hesitantly smiled at me. I smiled back, feeling heat rushing to my cheeks.

"That wasn't what I was trying to do," he said softly, "but I think I liked it."

The heat in my face spread and I cast my eyes back toward the water then whispered, "I think I liked it too."

The memory skipped forward again.

"Wait Bella. Stop. Just listen to me."

Jake strode after me as I attempted to run away from him and failed as I stumbled ahead instead, my hands and knees all scraped now. He reached out to try to help me up, but I jerked away from him.

"No Jake, don't. I just need to think… I just need—"

"Bella, would you just stop and listen to me?" he pleaded. "I shouldn't have said anything—"

"You basically said you wanted to marry me—"

"That's not…" His brow furrowed and then his eyes went wide as he pulled up short for a moment. "Wait, WHAT?" I didn't stop, rushing and stumbling forward, and he quickly recovered and followed once more, trying to reach for me again. "Bella, that's not what I said… that's not at all what I meant—"

I slammed through the front door of the Black's house and stormed toward the living room. The startled expressions of Charlie and Billy met me as I stopped in the middle of the room and awkwardly wrapped my arms around myself. Jake rushed in right on my heels and stopped beside me. He glanced at our fathers then turned his attention back to me and spoke so quietly I could barely hear him.

"Bella, come back outside so we can talk. Let me explain… you completely misunderstood—"

I shook my head and looked at Charlie. "Dad, can we go please? I need to get out of here."

Charlie looked between me and Jake, who I refused to look at even though I could feel his eyes on me.

"Are you sure Bells?" Charlie asked hesitantly. "You leave first thing in the morning—"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Bella," Jake pleaded with me softly, "please don't leave like this." He tried to put his hand on my shoulder, but I stepped away from him.

"I'll wait for you in the car, Dad. Don't follow me, Jake." I had to get out of there before I started crying. I rushed out the door and into Charlie's cruiser as quickly as I could, locking the car doors as soon as I was inside.

I knew I was being unfair… I knew it, but I couldn't stop. Jake had started talking about our future and his feelings and… and… and sure, he hadn't actually said anything about marriage, but that's where that all led to, right? I mean, we were only 13 for crying out loud. Renee would be so disappointed if I let this continue now. How many times had she told me that no one should get married until they were 30—just look at what happened with her and Charlie—so there was no way Jake and I should be talking about anything remotely resembling feelings or our futures. I couldn't let it continue.

But it hurt. I had never known life without Jake in it. I may only see him in the summer and a few holidays each year, plus phone calls occasionally, but no one knows me like he does. He's my only true friend in the whole world. But I couldn't let it go on… not after today… not after what he said… not after what it made me feel…

NO!

I shook my head to clear away that thought! We're too young for all of that! I just needed to bury it deep and never, ever think of it again. It could only bring problems.

As we drove away, Charlie kept glancing at me warily. "Tell me what happened Bella."

"I don't want to talk about it," I mumbled, swiping angrily at the tears rolling down my face.

Charlie let out a frustrated breath. "Did he… did he hurt you, Bella? Or take advantage of you?" His voice became very stern. "You will answer me, Isabella Swan. Did he touch you inappropriately?!"

I gaped at my father's profile, shocked at what he'd just asked me. His features were strained and his jaw was working overtime as he waited for my answer.

"No Dad," I answered quietly. "It was nothing like that. We just had a fight… it'll be okay… eventually." But that wasn't entirely true. I didn't know if it would ever be okay again.

My heart and mind were raw, completely laid bare, as I tried to process everything. There had been other memories that played for me… for us, both mine and Jake's, showing how our love had bloomed and grown since I'd returned to Forks. I had a vague awareness of the golden light fading, the rest of the pack being there, and then leaving, as Jake and I silently gazed at each other.

The memories had hit me so fast and furiously, it was impossible to take it all in… my memories, mixed with Jake's… it had just been too much. Every possible emotion began bombarding me, all at the same time: love, joy, and excitement, right alongside grief, embarrassment, and regret… anger… disbelief.

Overwhelmed. I was completely and utterly overwhelmed.

My face was wet from tears I had obviously shed, but couldn't remember. I didn't bother to wipe the moisture away as realization hit me of what I had done that day back when we were 13… and had continued to do every day since until I had buried and forgotten a huge part of my life.

I had been an idiot. How had I messed up so much? How had I suppressed and forgotten one of the most beautiful parts of my life.

Why?

Sitting there in Jake's arms, my limbs still wrapped around him, looking into his eyes so full of concern, understanding, and love… so much love… I felt horrible.

My head dropped forward onto Jake's chest as sick disgust at myself washed through me, replacing all the other emotions that had been fighting for their place.

"Oh my gosh, Jake." My voice was tiny and hoarse. "I shut you out. I ran away. We lost so much time together. I almost ruined everything. I'm so sorry. Forgive me Jake… I'm so sorry."

"Shhh, baby, it's okay." His voice was so gentle as he stroked my hair and my back. "There's nothing to forgive. You were a kid, and you were freaked out… I freaked you out. I should have known better than to say those things to you back then. It's just, we were by that pretty waterfall, and you were sitting there looking so beautiful, and we had just had our first kiss…"

I lifted my head to look at Jake again, new tears blurring my vision. "But, you… you didn't say anything that should have freaked me out that bad! You… you… you were only trying to say you cared for me, and how special you thought our friendship was and that you saw it lasting for a long time. Certainly nothing about marriage! I just…"

My eyes grew big as something occurred to me and my voice dropped back to a whisper. "You knew… you knew there was something more…" I dropped my eyes, examining my newly recovered memory. "I think I knew too… that's what freaked me out… I knew and I ran." I met Jake's gaze again. "And you… you've known all this time. How did you endure it? Having me leave like that and pulling away… cutting off all contact. Then seeing me with someone else… knowing? I almost ruined everything. Why didn't you say anything? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Bells, stop. Take a breath… take a moment." He caressed my face, nothing but love shining in his eyes… no judgement, no condemnation. "I know you're processing a lot all at once. Do you understand what just happened baby?"

I sucked in a long shuddering breath and let it out slowly, nodding. "Yes. We imprinted… on each other. How is that possible? How is any of this possible?" My head slowly shook from side to side, and I started to lean away from him. "I don't deserve you Jake… I don't deserve any of this." I pushed against Jake's chest and tried to get up, but he held me tight and wouldn't let me move away. "How can you forgive me? Why do you not hate me?!"

"Bella, stop." Jake's voice was so gentle and understanding, it just made me feel worse. I had already known I didn't deserve him or his love, but this… what I did should have been unforgivable. What I nearly cost us. "It's because I love you. That's how I can forgive you and I could never hate you. You were only 13—"

"How can you be so damned understanding!" I was nearly shrieking as I pushed harder against him, but he held me firmly… in no way hurting me, but there was no escaping. I pounded and pushed against his chest with both fists, telling him loudly over and over through my stupid tears that he should hate me and to let me go, but he just took my beating and held on to me. I didn't really want to get away from him, and he knew it.

I knew my anger was misdirected, for it wasn't Jake I was mad at, but myself. How could I have done this… how could I have caused both of us so much pain?

Slowly my pummeling fists and angry words lessened then ceased altogether. Left with just my tears, I crumpled against Jake and clung desperately to him. He pulled me close while I cried. I cried over the loss of Sarah Black once more, I cried for my foolish actions, I cried for the time we lost, I cried that I'd almost ruined everything, and I cried for the love I didn't deserve and had no right to receive, but it was freely given to me anyway.

Once my tears had subsided and I had calmed, I kept myself pressed firmly against Jake's chest and he finally spoke again.

"I don't understand how you lost those memories. When you returned last year… once I realized they were gone, I didn't try to remind you of them because I thought if we spent some time together, they would come back. But then you were with Edward, and then he was gone, and you were hurting so bad. I feared it would have sounded like complete and utter manipulative garbage to you… or if you did remember, it might hurt you more. I didn't want either of those things to happen, so I waited and hoped someday you'd remember on your own, when you were ready. Then you fell in love with me anyway, without those memories, and it really didn't matter anymore."

I took a shaky breath. "I don't know if that's what I would have thought or not, but I can see why you would be concerned I would."

"And, you know I never said anything about marriage, right?"

I lifted my head to look at Jake once more and gave him a sad smile. "I know that… I knew it then too, but what you said, it made me realize there might be something more between us—something more for us in the future—you made me start to feel something more—and I just couldn't handle that. My reaction was rather irrational, but we were only 13 and Renee has always drilled it into me that marriage before 30 was a horrible, awful idea…

"But, I am not my mother. And I'm not scared anymore. A life with you is exactly what I want, Jake, even if I don't think I deserve it. If you're willing to give it, I'll take it. I don't care anymore what my mom thinks, I would marry you tomorrow if that's what we wanted. And I'm not just saying this because of the imprinting… I already knew I wanted to be with you… forever."

I was actually a little shocked at the words I'd just spoken as I realized they were completely the truth. It was not something I would have thought possible just a few short months ago, but now there was nothing I wanted more than a life with Jake. I had known it deep down for awhile, but admitting it out loud felt good and was actually incredibly freeing.

Jake didn't say anything, but a blinding smile spread across his face and his chest expanded with a deep breath at my declaration. As I gazed into his eyes once again, I noticed something new, something that wasn't there before. The center of my universe shone there… the thing that would keep me grounded and whole, and I knew nothing could ever change that now. We belonged to each other, connected in a way that was impossible to fully fathom. I didn't think there was any way to ever love him more than I had a when I walked out of the house just a short time ago, but somehow it had multiplied beyond comprehension.

"Thank you for choosing me, Bella."

That statement seemed to come out of nowhere and I looked at him with alarm. "Were you afraid I wouldn't?" I asked, unable to keep the surprise and hurt from my voice. My voice dropped and became barely audible. "Did you doubt my love for you?"

"No, I never doubted your love," he reassured me quickly, kissing my forehead, "but part of me was still uncertain. I was afraid the power he had over you would prove to be too strong. I hated the doubt, but I hadn't been able to shake it completely."

"Jake, there has been no question in my mind from the moment we first kissed—well the most recent first kiss in my kitchen—that you were my future. I'm sorry you were dealing with that doubt. But you don't have to doubt any more. You saw it, right? My connection to you?"

"Yes, I saw it… you imprinted on me just the same as I did on you." He smiled at me. "You took being a wolf-girl to a whole new level." He chuckled as warmth bloomed in my cheeks, then I laughed softly.

"Man, so much happened, my mind is kinda all over the place." I lifted up my left arm and looked at the brace there. "Guess I don't need this anymore." I started to take it off and then stopped and sighed. "I'll probably have to leave it on for show though… at least at school and when I'm around Charlie."

"Probably should," Jake agreed, as he continued to unfasten it where I had stopped, "but you don't need to have it on while you're down here." He slid it off my arm and dropped it on the ground.

I began flexing my fingers and wrist then felt around on my head where the raised pink scars had been, and the skin was all smooth. I lifted the back of my shirt and tried to look over my shoulder then looked at Jake. "See anything?"

He moved me off his lap and sat me on the ground, turning to sit next to me. He ran his hand lightly over my back and side, letting his fingers linger, sending shivers up my spine. His voice was deeper when he spoke. "No, just beautiful, smooth, ivory skin," he said then pulled my shirt back down. He looked at my face and brushed my hair back, running his thumb back and forth over my cheek then spoke quietly. "I'm still in awe that I get to call you mine forever… and nothing can take that away now."

"I know," I whispered in agreement.

Jake leaned in and gently pressed his lips to mine, his wood and ocean scent enveloping me as our mouths moved together, gentle and slow. He pulled back to look at me, tracing his finger along my jaw before bringing his lips against mine again, a soft lingering caress. When he pulled back once more, I drew in a shaky breath and shivered again. He smiled, then pulled me closer beside him.

We were facing away from the house now, looking over the long strip of grassy area stretched far into the distance with forest on either side. Jake stretched his legs out in front of him and leaned back on his hands. I leaned against his side, my head laying on his chest.

The sky was completely overcast now with no hint of the sunlight that had shone down on us earlier. My eyes had been shut, but I had seen the bright glow through my eyelids, and had felt the warmth of it on my skin, different from the warmth that had flowed through me.

So, you can still hear my thoughts, right? I thought to Jake.

Yes, and you can hear me now too.

I drew in a sharp breath at the sensation of hearing his voice in my head and gaped at him. He was smiling a crooked half smile at my reaction.

I swiveled around so we were still side by side, but facing each other; with him leaning back on his hands, I rested my arms on his chest, playing with the ends of his hair barely brushing the tops of his shoulders.

Say something else, I thought.

He chuckled lightly at my enthusiasm. I love you, Bella.

I was still tingling from the new sensation of his voice in my head when I suddenly felt his love for me flood my mind. My eyes went wide, and I sucked in a harsh breath. It completely engulfed me. I closed my eyes as I took it in, and tears rolled down my face, unbidden. I wasn't crying, but my body didn't know how to handle feeling the magnitude of his love. I let it consume me for several minutes, then it slowly faded.

"Jake," I breathed in awe. Opening my eyes to look at him again, I wiped the moisture from my face and took a deep breath. He was smiling at me gently. "How did you do that?" I asked in amazement.

He got a thoughtful look on his face. "I'm not sure exactly. I let myself feel it and then just thought about sharing it with you."

I nodded and then tried myself. As I looked into his eyes, I let my feelings for him fill my mind and then focused my thoughts toward him, watching his face. His reaction outwardly wasn't quite as strong as mine, but he'd been receiving my thoughts for a while now and was already able to sense my emotions before, so I figured he was a little more prepared for the experience. I could see it in his eyes though as he drew in a long breath.

Without warning, he captured my face between his big hands, his fingers in my hair, and he was kissing me fiercely. A whimper of surprise escaped my throat and I tensed in alarm for half a moment, then I relaxed into the kiss as the fire coursed through me and I wrapped my arms around him. I guess he felt it more strongly than I first assumed.

A new sensation flowed between us, like sparks and shocks of an electric current that intensified every other feeling within me and made me even more aware of everywhere my body touched Jake's. Time became irrelevant to us again as our focus re-centered on each other once more. This new supercharged kiss went through many shifts from intense passion to tender affection as we continued to share with each other through the windows of our minds. The security we felt in our commitment to each other allowed us to be completely open and vulnerable with one another in a way I never would have dreamed possible.

Eventually the kiss ended, and we floated back down from the high we had been riding while experiencing this new ability, but the electric charged still seemed to hum between us. Clinging tight to one another, our foreheads pressed together, we slowly loosened our hold and pulled back to look at each other.

"How did you even know that was possible?" I asked quietly, "How did you know we could share the feelings and emotions."

"I didn't know for sure, but I have felt your pain or sadness or fear a couple of times when you called for me. And then I could feel your emotions that were connected to your memories earlier. So, I figured it might be possible and gave it a try."

I nodded and traced my finger along his jaw, the electric sensation snapping through my finger.

"Do you feel that?" I whispered, placing my hand against his cheek, the electric jolts running through my hand and up my arm.

He leaned into my touch and closed his eyes. "Yeah, I feel it."

A few moments passed in silence when Jake's eyes popped opened again and he looked up at the sky. "We might want to head inside. It's about to rain."

No sooner had he said the words than a large raindrop landed on top of my head, and another splashed on his face.

He grabbed my discarded brace as we jumped up, and the rain quickly intensified. Large drops began tapping faster and faster on the leaves of the forest around us as we ran back toward the house, covering us in sparkling diamond drops before we could get inside.

We were both laughing as we burst through the back door. Jake tossed my brace on the floor and immediately took me in his arms again. After gazing at me for a moment he began slowly kissing the raindrops off my face. My eyes slid shut and my fingers wound through his hair as I delighted in the electrified touch of his heated lips on my cool skin, until he finally claimed my lips once more. I gave myself completely over to him as he deepened the kiss and pulled me flush against him.

The love flowing between us was so complete; it was both new and old at the same time, as if we had fallen for each other all over again while also sharing a love that had endured the test of time. It was thrilling and exciting and gave us a trust and security that was both breathtaking and beautiful.

And it was ours to discover and experience for the rest of our lives.