A/N: Things are moving along smoothly with my editing and continued writing at the moment. Next chapter should go up on Monday.

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A link to the box design I talk about in this chapter... in case my description isn't clear. (you have to change the "dot" to "." and take out the spaces... it wouldn't let me save it normally)

indiamart dot com /proddetail/wooden-salt-box-for-kitchen-21770556862

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The world and character are owned by Stephenie Meyers... I only lay claim to Grammy Jo.

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CHAPTER 45

~~JACOB POV~~

BELLA HAD BEEN RIGHT. I may be able to get by on a lot less sleep now, but I still needed more than what I had been getting. I just had too many warring needs inside myself, and the ones that insisted on Bella's safety always won out over everything else. If we just knew more about the vamps in Seattle, maybe we could figure out more of what needed to be done… or if there was even anything to worry about anymore. The not knowing was almost the worst part of it all.

Bella stirred at my side, burrowing in closer to my chest and pulling me from my thoughts. It was just barely dawn and I was amazingly rested. I tightened the hold I had on my girl a little, so thankful to her, Emily, and Grammy Jo for making this happen. With the amount of sleep I'd just gotten—good, sound sleep—I would be good to go with just intermittent sleep for the next 4 to 5 days anyway. By then, hopefully a solution would present itself.

I dozed for the next hour or so, focusing on Bella's steady breathing and heartbeat, until it was time for her to get up. I shifted her away so I could prop up on my elbow and look down at her. Stroking her face and neck with my fingertips, I gently coaxed her out of dreamland until she was finally looking up at me with her warm brown eyes.

"Good morning beautiful. Happy Friday before Prom."

She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and laughed quietly. "I don't think that's a thing."

I shrugged and smiled at her. "Well, that is what today is."

"You look like you're feeling a lot better."

"I definitely am. I think if we can make this happen once or twice a week, that should be enough to get me by for now. Plus, having you next to me is always a goal of mine."

I brushed my fingers along Bella's face once more and pulled her close to kiss her. When I relaxed my hold on her and pulled back, she shivered. I loved feeling how I affected her… and knowing how she affected me.

"I should start getting ready." She took a steadying breath and reluctantly slipped out of bed.

ONCE I'D DROPPED BELLA off at school, I headed home. Embry, Leah, and Quil were on patrol this morning then Seth and I would take over after lunch. My dad was sitting in the kitchen when I came in.

"This came for you yesterday." He handed me an 8X11 envelope as I sat down at the table.

'GED Testing Services' was on the return address. I glanced up at him as I tore the envelope open. Inside was a letter stating that I'd passed my GED exam and right behind it was my diploma. I smiled and handed the papers to my dad.

"One thing off the list," I said as I got out a spoon and the serving bowl that I had taken to eating my cereal in. "This probably needed to happen, no matter what else was going on. Being Alpha, it would have been hard to keep any kind of good attendance if I'd tried to return to school. So, this was a relief on more than one level."

"Congratulations Jake… and I agree. I'm pleased to see that you're taking this so seriously." He paused for a moment, watching me shovel Cheerios into my mouth before continuing. "So, Charlie will be coming over early tomorrow to go fishing. It will probably be your best chance to talk to him without Bella knowing."

I set my spoon down with a quiet clink and looked at my dad, a lump forming in my stomach. For the first time in a long time, I felt like a teenage kid again. This was the one thing that I was dreading most. I didn't want to put it off, but the thought of it happening in less than twenty-four hours was a little daunting.

"I'll be with you the whole time, so he knows I'm supporting you in this. But you don't have to do it tomorrow if you're not ready Jake."

I shook my head and picked my spoon back up. "No, I'm as ready as I'll ever be. It's the only part that's got me really nervous, so I'd rather just get it out of the way as soon as possible." I forced myself to begin eating again, even though my appetite was significantly diminished with thoughts of how that conversation might go.

"Alright. Tomorrow's the day then. What do you have going on today?"

"I need to finish up those two cars out there, as long as Embry was able to drop off the parts that came in yesterday. Then I have patrol this afternoon and will probably end up at Bella's this evening. Don't forget that Mrs. Campbell and Mr. Baker will be dropping off their cars this afternoon. It'll probably be while I'm gone."

"I haven't forgotten. I'll be here." He gave me a crooked smile.

"I really appreciate your help, Dad. With everything going on, this would be so much harder without it."

I was still having to turn work away, which I hated, but with my limited time and space, I didn't want to make promises I couldn't keep. And if it weren't for my dad helping meet with people for drop-offs and pick-ups, and Embry picking up ordered parts when they came in, I'm not sure I could make this work right now. Embry had also helped me finish a couple of the vehicles since the patrols increased again. He was going to have to let me start paying him.

"You know I'm happy to do it son. That reminds me, Mr. Veers called yesterday. He wanted to talk to you about working out a deal for you to share his shop and then for you to take it over completely when he's ready to retire fully."

My brow raised. "Really? That would be amazing. I could accept some of the work I've had to turn away if I had access to a lift. Not sure how that whole pick-up/drop-off thing would work if no one's there, but it's worth talking to him about it!"

SETH AND I MET for patrol after lunch, and we spent most of our time in the area around the school since that was where Bella was. I went home with just enough time to shower before heading back to Forks in my Charger to pick her up after school.

When she got into the car, I handed her the envelope that contained my diploma.

She looked at me curiously as she pulled the papers out of the envelope. Her eyes went wide as she examined the contents.

"Jake! When did you do this?! I had no idea you were even considering it, though it makes sense why you would now that you're Alpha."

"I took it on Monday. I was pleasantly surprised to get the results back so quickly."

"Well, that's great! I'm happy for you… and proud of you." She smiled at me warmly.

We had a pretty quiet evening at Bella's house with Embry, Angela, Jared, and Kim. Before they all arrived, Bella told me about the conversation she'd had with Emily and Grammy Jo and about Emily's dream. I could tell that she still wasn't completely sure how she felt about all of it, and I didn't push her on it. It did seem quite timely considering the conversation I was preparing to have with Charlie the next morning.

Thankfully, everyone was ready to call it a night fairly early. Since I needed to be up before dawn to meet with Charlie, I wanted to try to get some good sleep… although, if I was being honest, I wasn't sure I would really be able to sleep at all.

"Is everything okay Jake," Bella asked me as we were saying goodnight on her porch. "You seem a little on edge."

"Yeah, I'm totally fine," I said with as much conviction as I could manage. She hesitated for a moment, but either decided to believe me or to let it go.

"I'm going to try to stay at home tonight," I said, "but you let me know if you need me."

"Okay. I'm sure I'll be fine." I gave her a look and she added with an eye roll, "But, if I need you, I'll let you know."

THE PALE LIGHT OF DAWN had started to filter through the thin curtains in the living room where I waited for Charlie's arrival with my dad. He would be here any minute. As I feared, I hardly slept at all, and not for the ache of separation from Bella this time. I ended up making a couple passes around both Forks and La Push, just to pass the time once I realized sleep wasn't happening.

"Jake, sit down." My dad was watching me as I pace across the short length of our living room. "You're going to wear a hole in the floor."

I sat on the couch for a total of ten seconds, my knee bouncing incessantly, before I jumped back up and began pacing in the tiny space again. I couldn't remember the last time I had been this nervous… or if I'd ever been this nervous before. It wasn't just about telling Charlie what I was, or about showing him. It was about what came after, the reason for doing this in the first place. What if he didn't understand? What if he said no?

I don't think Bella would let that stop her if she wanted to marry me, but it would make it all so much harder. And I wasn't sure if I could bring myself to even ask her to marry me if Charlie didn't approve… not right now anyway.

My dad caught my arm as I paced past him for the hundredth time and made me stop to look at him.

"Calm down Jake. It's all going to work out."

"You can't know that. He could totally freak out and never want me to see Bella again."

He chuckled and shook his head. "It's not going to be that bad Jake. Charlie cares for you like a son and he knows how good you and Bella are together… he's told me so himself. It'll be a lot for him to take in, but he's heard some of our stories about being descended from wolves and he's a very open-minded guy."

There was a knock at the door and a moment later Charlie walked in. He stopped short just inside the door when he saw me there too.

"Oh, hey Jake. Wasn't expecting to see you up so early. Or is this up so late?"

I let out a nervous laugh as my dad let go of my arm.

"Up late, I guess."

Charlie's expression changed to one of concern, picking up on my nervous energy. He glanced back and forth between my face and my father's.

"Is everything alright? You look like you might be sick Jake."

I took a deep calming breath as my dad answered Charlie.

"Everything is fine, but Jake and I do have something we want to talk to you about… and something we need to show you. Outside."

"Alright," Charlie said warily, eyeing both of us.

I pushed my father in his wheelchair out the door and as far toward the woods as I could then picked him and his chair up and carried him the rest of the way into the trees, checking to make sure Charlie was following.

The ground was damp from the misty rain that had fallen overnight, the air still thick with moisture. When we had gone just a short distance into the trees, I set my father down on the edge of a small open space and asked Charlie to stand next to him as I walked a safe distance away.

"What are we doing out here guys?" Charlie asked.

"You know all the stories of our tribe's histories that you've heard over the years Charlie?" Billy started. "The ones about our people being descended from wolves?"

"Yeah, I remember them. Your ancestors supposedly used to be able to transform into giant wolves. Pretty crazy legends. What about – wait, Jake what are you doing? Put your clothes back on."

"They aren't just stories Charlie," I continued, standing before my hopefully future father-in-law in the buff. "They're all true, and that magic still runs in our blood."

"Brace yourself, Charlie," my father said.

I pulled out the heat and anger of my transformation magic. My body rapidly went through the trembling to the rippling waves before the heat tore through me and I landed on all fours, snarling.

Charlie's eyes went wide, and he stumbled backwards. Losing his balance, he landed on his rear, catching his upper body with his hands behind him, and scrambling backwards until he was pressed against a tree a few feet from where he started.

Just as when I phased for Bella, I quickly calmed the anger and lowered myself to my belly and rested my head on my front paws, looking Charlie in the eye.

His wide gaze was darting quickly between me and my father, shocked and unsure how to react. Seeing my father remain calm, he slowly calmed himself and got back to his feet.

"Jake?" he asked, looking at me.

I lifted my head and nodded.

"Yes, that's still Jake in there," Billy said.

"What the hell?!" Charlie exclaimed then looked at Billy again, pointing a finger at me. "Can you do that?"

"No, it doesn't happen for every generation. There are certain things that trigger it, and it hasn't happened since the time of my grandfather, Ephraim Black. Would you like to touch him?"

Charlie's eyes went wide again… or wider than they already were.

I inched forward on my belly to encourage him. He held his ground, looking unsure. I inched just a little closer and my father reached out and put a hand on the side of my head, both of us looking at Charlie.

"You don't have to. Just might help you remember later that you weren't dreaming."

I dipped my head down and Charlie cautiously edged a little closer before reaching out hesitantly and placing his hand on top of my head then quickly removed it.

"This is insane. How long has he been able to do this?"

"Since this past spring. That's why he had all those crazy growth spurts, and why he is as big as he is. Once the magic is triggered, they grow and age to maturity in a matter of weeks, so Jake is no longer an 18-year-old kid. He's closer to 25 years old in every way."

Charlie was nodding as I trotted back to my clothes to phase and dress.

"Yeah, I can see that, about the age. Jake has always been mature for his age, but I've been extremely impressed by it since he and Bella started dating. I thought it was just because I was getting to know him better." He scrubbed his hand over his face then froze with his hand on his cheek. "Wait! Does Bella know about this? Has she seen it?"

"Yes," I said, walking back over to them as I pulled on my shirt. "She has known pretty much since it first happened… since before we started dating. She's seen me transform several times now as well. But there's a lot more going on that you need to know about."

"There's more going on than you being able to transform into a giant wolf?!"

"Yeah, quite a bit, actually. Let's go back inside though. You may want to sit down before hearing the rest."

Once we were back inside and settled at the kitchen table, I told Charlie everything else. About the powers that started to manifest while Bella was injured, us imprinting, how many wolves there where, that Sam and I were Alphas, the place Bella now held within the packs, and the powers that she now possessed. The only thing I didn't tell him about were the vampires. I wanted to leave that part up to Bella, which I felt very certain that she would not want him to know.

Charlie had asked a few questions, but mostly just listened quietly. As I finished, he sat silently, staring at his hand on the table.

"And Bella is okay with all of this?" he asked softly.

"As much as any of us are. The magic doesn't exactly ask permission, but she chose to be with me, knowing the supernatural parts of my life. She also knew about the imprinting, and we were both actually relieved when that happened."

He looked up at me. "Relieved? Why?"

"Well, imprinting usually happens the first time we see our soulmate after we've gone through our first transformation. That didn't happen for us. Because my magic is so different from the rest of the pack, there were other things that had to happen first. But we didn't know that the magic in me was different, and based on all of the stories and what had happened for the others, that left the chance that someday I would imprint on someone else. Which would essentially force me to leave Bella."

"And you stayed with her, knowing that could happen?" Charlie became irritated at the thought.

"I told Bella the risk and let her decide. She chose to stay with me." Charlie seemed to accept that, so I continued. "I know this is all a lot to take in. I wish there were some way that I could show you how strong our bonds are. We loved each other before the magic, and I truly believe we were destined to be together even if the magic had not been triggered in me. But with it, with the imprinting, there is absolutely nothing in this world that can ever break the bonds between us. We are committed to each other, 100% committed, for the rest of our lives. Nothing can change that."

He was silent for a minute, looking at me, clearly undecided what he thought about it all. "If this is all supposed to be a secret, why are you telling me?"

There it was, the moment of truth. I sucked in a large gulp of air and then breathed it out slowly. Glancing at my dad, he nodded at me in encouragement, and I plunged ahead.

"Because of our connection to each other, it is nearly intolerable for me and Bella to be apart from each other for extended periods of time. There are also certain things the magic expects from us, and we have discovered that to be able to best support each other, and to make the magic in us and between us as strong as possible, we need to take one more important step." I held Charlie's gaze with all the intensity I felt in my commitment to Bella. "I've told you all of this in order to help you understand. Charlie, I want to marry Bella, and I'm hoping that you'll give me your blessing to do so."

Charlie just stared at me for a moment and then burst out laughing. When neither my dad nor I joined him, the laughter died in his throat.

"Wait, are you serious? You want to get married? When?"

"Yes, I'm very serious. I want to marry Bella as soon after she graduates as possible."

His eyes went wide, then his brow furrowed and his face started to go through several shades of red. He stood up suddenly and walked toward the door, stopped before he reached it then turned around and came back. He looked as though he was going to speak several times, then went back toward the door again.

My stomach dropped, certain now that he was not going to be okay with this.

"Charlie, I —" my father started.

Charlie swung around suddenly, cutting him off and glaring at me. "Is she pregnant? Is that what's going on here?" He came right up to me, pointing an accusing finger and poking me in the chest.

"No, definitely not!" I replied adamantly. "I swear Charlie. Bella and I haven't been together in that way… not even close. We made an agreement with each other from the very beginning to wait, and we've been faithful to that commitment. I promised you when she was injured that I would protect Bella in every way, and I meant it."

Charlie eyed me suspiciously for a minute, then he finally relaxed a little and the color in his face began to return to normal.

"And you're okay with this?" he asked gruffly, looking at my dad in disbelief.

"Yes, I am. I support it completely."

From my pocket, I pulled out the small, round, natural wood box I had made. The pale wood seemed to almost glow in the low light of the kitchen. On the lid I'd carved the form of two wolf heads twined together, their noses touching. One was painted a red-brown, the color of my fur, the other a light brown, the color of Bella's hair. I set it on the table in front of Charlie.

Looking at me, obviously still reeling a little as he realized how serious we were, he sat back down and picked up the box. The lid was attached with a single peg that it rotated around horizontally. Charlie slid the lid to the side to reveal my mother's rings nestled into a black ring pillow inside.

He looked back up to me and then to Billy, his face softening.

"These were Sarah's rings, weren't they?" Charlie asked quietly.

"Yes, they were." Billy cleared his throat, trying to stamp down the emotion that strained his voice a little. "I gave them to Jake not long ago when I realized what was happening between him and Bella was something different… something extraordinary. I had no idea at the time that what was happening was quite this extraordinary. There's only one other known instance of this happening in all our histories, and I didn't even know about it until after Jake and Bella had imprinted and the magic was already awakened in them."

Charlie closed the box and set it back down, then leaned back in his chair, running his hands through his hair. He looked up at me, studying me for a long moment. My heart was pounding, and my palms were clammy as he began to speak.

"Jake, you know I've always liked you, and I know that you've been good for Bella and have always treated her right. You have made her happier than she has ever been. I'm just concerned about you getting married so young. I know you say you're no longer eighteen, and I only have to look at you to see that physically that's true. But there are so many other things to consider—"

My dad cut in. "Charlie, I wouldn't let him start down this path if I wasn't sure they would be okay. There are still some things to work out, but we have set a lot of things in motion already."

"I passed my GED test this week," I interjected. "And I'm already on my way to opening a mechanic shop. I actually started working on that last summer, and Mr. Veers, who owns the auto shop here on the Rez, is retiring and we're working on a plan for me to take that over eventually. I'll go to the local college to get more training just as soon as I'm able."

"We've also found a house for them," Billy continued. "It needs work, but it's sound enough to be moved. We're going to put it at the back of my property so Jake can still help me out when I need him… I've already got the permits for it and the utilities will be run as soon as we're ready for them. The other pack members are going to help him fix the house up."

"Charlie, I would never do this if I didn't think I could take care of Bella and support us. We'll find a way for her to still be able to go to college, if that's what she wants, though she'll have to go somewhere close by now… or do something online. I know it's going to take work and some sacrifices, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes."

Charlie just looked back and forth between us as we provided him with all the details. When we were done a crooked half-smile slowly crept across his face.

"Well, I can't say that I ever thought it would happen quite like this. And I am still in shock from everything you've thrown my way this morning… transforming wolves and magic and powers." He shook his head in disbelief before looking at me and continuing. "But you have always had a good head on your shoulders Jake, and you seem to have thought of everything I could object to. I guess all that's left to do now is to get Bella to say yes."

My mouth popped open, and my brow went up as what he just said sunk in. "So, you're okay with this? You'll give us your blessing?" I asked with reserved excitement.

"Yeah Jake. I'll be proud to have you as my son-in-law."

I breathed a big sigh of relief and dragged a hand over my face, then took Charlie's hand and shook it vigorously, before pulling him in for a brief hug.

"I never in a million years dreamed it would be this soon," Charlie continued when I had released him, "but I've secretly hoped it would eventually happen ever since you two started becoming such good friends again. You seemed to have rescued Bella and brought her back to life in so many ways. For that, I will never be able to thank you enough… but this is a start."

"You have no idea how relieved I am," I said, finally able to relax. "I have been so nervous about your reaction."

"Do you know when you're going to ask her?"

"I'm not sure yet. I'll know when the time is right though… when Bella is ready. Between my heightened senses, the connections that Bella and I share, and the magic within us, there is so much that I just know when it comes to her. I can feel her emotions and sense her moods. I'll just wait until I know.

"Well, if that's all true, about you being able to sense her emotions and moods, you've got a great big giant leg up over every other man ever. That's going to go a long way in helping you have the happiest marriage on the planet! Don't ever take that for granted… that may be the most wonderful power you have out of all of them!"

Both Charlie and my dad were laughing by the time he was done speaking. I just smiled and chuckled lightly with them. Even before I had the help of any magic, I knew how to make Bella happy, just by paying attention. That's how I was able to help her heal and get her to fall in love with me in the first place. He was probably right though… it would make Bella's continued happiness that much easier for me.

Charlie and Dad left a little while later. It was still pretty early, so they had plenty of time left to get some fishing in before lunch. I was exhausted from being up all night and stressing over that conversation. I felt like I'd nearly undone all the good the full night of sleep with Bella had done for me the night before, so I laid down to get a few hours of shut eye before I had to go on patrol and then get ready for Prom tonight.

Before I drifted off, I talked to Bella for a bit. She hadn't been awake for very long. She was going to get some things done at home before heading over to Angela's house where she would stay until Embry and I picked them up tonight. Hopefully it would be a good and fun night for all of us.

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A/N: Be sure to leave me a comment to let me know what you thought!

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