-Jacob-

I listen to what he did, what he said to her. I can't stop it. I can't stop the shaking, I want to kill him. Rip his head off for what he did to her. The pain he still causes her. Hasn't she suffered enough? I vaguely hear her telling me I need to calm down, but I can't-I feel the anger just building and building. She takes my face in her hands.

"Jacob. I'm here, I'm okay." and those words wash over me like a switch making my anger dissolve. I look into her eyes.

"Bella..." I groan. I stand and walk to the water, wondering why she has to torture me so much without even knowing. "I can't stand it. I can't stand that he hurt you and I couldn't do anything about it. I wanted to rip his head off, Bella. I was going to become just as much of a monster in front of you as he was." And I hate myself for it. Does she think I'm a monster? Would she have ever forgiven me if I ripped his head off? The thought of losing her over protecting her almost takes me to my knees.

"That's not possible, Jake. I know you." She places her hand on my heart, her eyes pleading. "You would never hurt me. You were defending yourself. I don't want to see either of you die, Jake." I pull away from her, kicking a rock in the process, trying to remind myself to stay calm.

"It's not that simple anymore, Bella." I turn to look at her. "Would you forgive me if I have to kill him? Because when it comes to you, I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. Even if something I do makes you hate me forever." I said it, and my hopes shatter as her head falls, she wrings her hands together nervously. I nod my head and start to walk away, shoving my hands deep enough in my pockets that I don't feel them shake. I don't care if phasing makes me hurt worse, nothing could ever hurt me worse than this.

"Jake!" I hear her yell, and it takes everything in me not to turn around. "Kiss me."

I stop and turn towards her. This time would be different than the Lake. "Bella, you have to understand that if I keep kissing you-I'm not going to want to stop. You said you didn't know what you wanted, I'm not going to force you." I watch her expression.

"Jacob. Kiss me." My eyes slowly meet hers and I turn my head to look at her in disbelief. Am I dreaming? I start to say something, anything but I don't know what. I don't know if this is real. I start to walk towards her, slowly. Then I don't know if she is going to change her mind, I walk faster-not wanting this moment to get away from me. Not wanting this to slip through my fingers. I grab her and hold her against me as my lips meet hers, I hold her head, my hands tangling in her hair. I pull her closer because I need more, and then she runs her fingers through my hair, tugging lightly and I realize that I can't breathe. I pull back, a low growl coming from my throat as I realize that I have been starved and she is my one salvation. "Bella," I can't breathe. "I told you that I won't stop." Even though I know that all she has to do is say so and I will. Her eyes meet mine, wild and needy.

"Then don't stop, Jake. I know what I want now I want you." I feel as though all of the air got knocked out of me, and I stare at her breathlessly. I pick her up and hold her against me, her legs wrapped around my hips and I kiss her like she is the only air I need and I have been drowning this whole time. I lay her down in the sand, trying to remind myself to take it slow as I feel myself growing harder as she presses against me. I look at her, wild eyes, messy hair, and freshly kissed lips are slightly pink. I kiss her softly on the neck, over the bandage of the wound of a man that said he would never hurt her. I kiss behind her ear, smelling her fresh scent and then along her jaw because I can't get enough of her. I hear her moan and I groan. The sound goes directly to my groin. I sigh as I brush my fingers across her jaw.

"You're so damn beautiful." She smiles up at me, and then I notice her eyes start to water. Panic fills me. "What's wrong?" I wipe away her tears. Was this too fast? Is she regretting this? Shit. "Bella, are you okay? Did I hurt you? Did I do something?" I can't think, just seeing her watery eyes look up at me, makes me start to spiral. I sit back and look over her, making sure that I didn't accidentally hurt her. "I'm sorry, I didn't-I shouldn't have-." I run my hands through my hair, and I feel like I can't breathe. Did I just screw everything up?

"Jake." She presses her soft palm against my cheek. "You didn't do anything wrong, I'm okay. I'm more than okay, actually." She stares up at me and I'm confused. Why is she crying then?

"Then what's wrong?" I search for anything on her face, any sign or an answer.

"I-" She pauses, and I know what she's about to say, she regrets this. She shouldn't have told me to kiss her. "I love you, Jake."

I can't breathe. My entire world stops All that I see, is; her soft lips, her hair falling wildly against her pale face, beautiful eyes staring back at me, She pulls her legs up to her chest and I slowly watch her eyes sink downward. "I'm sorry." She whispers. I realize that I don't know what to say. I don't know what to do. Instead, her name escapes my lips and I'm kissing her. I kiss her with everything in me, every ounce that I can summon just so she knows how much I love her. She sighs against my lips and I breathe against hers.

"I love you, Bella. I always have." She moans into my lips, her hands tangling into my hair. I shiver. She slides onto my lap, pressing herself against my erection. I breathe her name in a warning. "Bella..."

"Yes?" She replies, breathless against my lips.

"I want to do this, believe me, I do." I pull back, taking in a deep breath to steady myself and my words. "Have you ever done this before?" Her cheeks flush pink.

"No..." She looks away nervously. Her eyes slowly meet mine. "Have you?"

"Believe it or not, Bella. You're actually the first girl that I ever kissed." She laughs.

"No way, look at you, Jacob. You must have had girls practically falling over you."

"You don't remember do you?" I look at her puzzled face. "You were seven, I was six, you threw mud at me when we were on the beach, Charlie and Billy were watching us. Drinking, obviously." She laughs, and my hands rest on her hips. "I threw mud back at you, and we wound up wrestling. Later, when we were getting cleaned up at the house you and Charlie were getting ready. You threw a fit because you didn't want to leave. You threw your arms around me and pecked me on the lips. I have never seen Charlie's face get redder than I have ever seen. I thought that he was going to kill me. On the plus side, my mother always loved you. "

"I don't remember that." She smiles and looks at my lips. "I remember your mother. She was beautiful."

I stare at her. "I don't know what I would do without you, Isabella Swan." She flushes. turning her face away from me. "I want you to know, I want to do this with you. I just want to make sure that we do it right." I move her hair out of her face and kiss her softly. "I love you, and I want your-our- first time to be more than sex on a beach."

"I love you, Jake." She kisses me softly and I know this woman is my undoing.

-Bella-

I wake up on the beach, the sound of the waves gently lapping at the sand. The moments of last night come back to me. I flush as I press my fingers to my lips remembering the way that he felt against mine. Smiling I run my hands over my stomach and rest it on my hips tracing the path that he took. I feel his arms wrap around my waist as he pulls me closer. I wish that we could stay like this forever. Laying here, pretending like the world doesn't exist. Like everything going on doesn't involve us. He kisses me softly behind my ear. "Morning." He says sleepily. We fell asleep on the beach, talking about random things, just laying here with each other I realize for the first time in a while, I didn't have any bad dreams.

"What's the plan for today?" I look over at him, turning so that my body is facing his. "Do you have any wolfly duties to attend to?" I laugh.

"Did you just call it wolfly duties?" He smirks, raising his eyebrows up at me. He leans over me, kissing me softly on the lips. "I have to do a patrol, see if I can pick up on anything. I haven't been back in too long. It's making me nervous, not knowing." I watch as he furrows his eyebrows together and stares back off into the forest. "Charlie thought that somebody broke in, filed a police report. He called Billy, said that he hasn't heard from you in a few days and with everything going on I think that it would be smart to call him. Graduation is in a few days, he's probably wondering where you are."

"Are you saying that I should go home?"

"No. Wel, yes and no. You should go home, but if you're implying that you should go by yourself then no. I will stay close by. Make sure that you're safe. Maybe use the window at night to come and check on you." He smirks as he kisses my neck.

"Are you trying to get rid of me, Jacob?" I peer up at him, wondering why he is suddenly pushing me back towards being home.

He looks at me quizzically. "No, actually just the opposite. I want to make sure that we take this slow. At your pace. I figured that you could enjoy a few human moments away from shape-shifters and vampires and just getting to be human for a minute." I think about that for a minute, remembering everything that I was just so willing to give up by becoming a vampire, Charlie, my mom. That's when I remember the tickets that I got. I turn to Jacob.

"I think that I have an idea." He looks at me strangely. "I got tickets to go see my mom in Arizona. Would you...maybe want to come with me? Get out of town for a few days after Graduation?"

He thinks for a minute. "Yeah. I think it's a smart idea. It might throw Edward and Victoria off a bit. That way without you down her the pack can keep an eye on things while I keep an eye on you."

Four days later.

"Dad!" I throw the third pair of shoes over my shoulder. I can't decide what to wear, definitely not heels. Mom sent me three different pairs. They're honestly lucky that they could even get me into a dress in the first place. I smooth the silky dark blue fabric out over my legs as I look in the mirror. My hair is curled, laying against my shoulders, I had my eyes done- a dark smoky look. My lips are a neutral red, dark against my pale skin. The lace stretches over my arms, I play with it in between my fingers gazing at the knee-length dress in the mirror. I guess that I look okay, although I don't really recognize the girl in the mirror anymore. I didn't realize how much weight I had lost until I went dress shopping. I was almost a size lower than what I was used to wearing. I gaze over at my closet and decide that I am dressed up enough for their terms. I decide on a pair of black Vans. I hear Charlie's heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. He looks good in a tux, even though I told him he didn't have to dress up. I raise my eyebrows at him as I notice his matching dark blue tie. "You matched my dress with your tie?"

He looks awkward, shifting from foot to foot. "Well, you only graduate once, Bells. Besides, I didn't own any ties and the lady at the store had a bunch of colors and this was the first one that came to mind." He glances at his watch. "You look beautiful, Bells." He clears his throat and starts down the stairs. "Come on, you don't want to be late."

I follow him downstairs. "Have you heard from Jake?"

"Not directly. Billy said that he was going to meet us at the school." I glance down at the floor. I hadn't talked to Jake in two days. He has been running himself ragged doing perimeter runs around the house. I grab my jacket and follow after Charlie. The ride there is quiet, neither of us being small talkers. I glance out my window and wonder if Jacob is pushing me away. I wonder why he would be. I blink away the tears, not wanting to smudge my mascara. We arrive at the school and I change into my robes, the yellow a stark contrast against my dark blue dress. I wait to be seated, searching the crows for Jake's face, and not finding it anywhere. I wait through Jessica's speech, listening to her talk about how we are able to change our minds, and change them again and again. I realize that this time would be when Edward would have changed me. My life would've been so different a week and a half from now. I watch as my friends get called onto the podium until they say my name. "Isabella Swan." I awkwardly walk up to the stage, the sound of applause ringing in my ears. I look out to see Charlie on his feet, clapping enthusiastically. I shake my head at him, smiling. I return to my seat with my Diploma. I stare at the piece of paper remembering everything that happened this year to get me to this point. Almost dying because of James. Meeting Edward, him leaving. Falling in love with Jacob and everything that we did over the course of seven months together. Edward coming back and trying to kill Jacob and turn me. I don't know what the rest of this year has in store for me, but I am ready.

The rest of the ceremony flies by, I zone out for most of it, clapping at the right times staying silent for the others. I throw my cap in the air, watching it spin before coming back down and it reminds me of me, how I spiraled before I landed. I walk to the outer part of the gym, stopping occasionally to take photos and get hugs from my friends. I meet Charlie by the doors. Silent tears fall down his cheeks as he wipes them away fast. "I'm so proud of you, Bells." He pulls me into an uncharacteristic hug. I breathe him in realizing just how much I actually needed that. Neither one of us are very emotional, nor huggy but for some reason, this just felt right. Both of us were caught in the moment and for a moment I feel like a normal daughter, not one who runs around with wolves and vampires.

"Thanks, Dad." I pull back, scanning the crowd.

"They left already, Bells. Told me to tell you that he'll be by later."

I nod and silently follow him to the car. I look out the window the whole ride home, watching the forest fly by and wondering if Jake was out there, or worse- if Edward was. I climb out of the car, desperate to get inside and change out of this dress. Charlie hurries to open the door for me, I raise my eyebrows at him. "Please tell me that you didn't do anything, Dad." He smiles and opens the door. I step inside and my breath catches, there is a banner strung up in the living room. "Congratulations!" I jump as Billy, Embry, Quil, Seth, and Sam all jump out from behind things. I don't know how they hid anywhere with the size that they are. I laugh and scan the room for Jacob, after a moment Billy comes wheeling out from the kitchen. His eyes meet mine and he motions his head towards the back door, a small smile playing on his lips. I smile and hug everybody and after a moment I break free and head towards the back door. As I step outside, I catch a glimpse of a bike sitting against the back of the house, and turning I look for him.

"Bella."

I turn and there he is, leaning against a tree, a single rose angling from his crossed arms. A dark blue dress shirt tucked into a pair of jeans, his leather jacket draped over his other arm. "Jake!"

-Jacob-

I watch her from the back row, her Vans paired with a graduation gown makes me smile. God, she looks beautiful. her hair is curled, and the lights from the gym shine on her dark hair. She returns to her seat, and I watch as she zones out, barely clapping when she's supposed to. I wonder what she's thinking. I know I've been distant. I have stayed away, not because I want to. I'm scared. Nobody in the pack has picked up any scent of Victoria or Edward. It's been dead. I don't know if that makes me happy or even more worried. I shoot a message to Charlie and turn towards the door, Billy following behind me. "I'm going to start setting everything up, the ceremony is almost over. Quil is going to come to grab you." I turn and start towards my bike.

"Son." I hear him call after me and I turn. "You need to talk to her. Quit torturing yourself. That girl is the best thing to happen to you, keeping things from her won't help anything."

I throw my leather jacket on and climb onto my bike. I start it and head towards Bella's, my thoughts racing. I don't want to push her away, I don't want to scare her. I don't know what I am okay to talk to her about, or where we stand. What we are. I just want to make sure that I don't scare her away. What if she changes her mind about this being what she wants. I pull up to the house, Embry, Seth, and Sam waiting outside. I hand them their clothes from my saddlebag, and they change out of their shorts into dress clothes. I head through the front door and help them set up the banners. "Hey, they're here." Sam bellows from the living room. I grab the rose from the counter and head outside to clear my thoughts. Billy glances back at me, his expression unreadable as he nods. I wait outside against the trees, watching the house and just as I am about to head in she comes out looking breathtaking. I watch her search for me. "Bella." She turns and I notice that she is wearing makeup, her eyes dark and lips a dark red against her skin. Her knee-length dark blue dress with the sweetheart neckline accentuates her curves. The lace curving over her breasts and down her arms.

"Jake!" She runs towards me and I barely open my arms in time before she crashes into me. "Where have you been?!" I snake my hands behind her back, pulling her closer to me. Her hands hold onto my shoulders, one snaked into my hair.

"I'm right here, Bella. I have been." She pulls back and punches me in the arm, she winces and shakes her hand out. "Jesus, Bella! What was that for?" I grab her hand and watch as her knuckle slowly turns a shade of purple.

"God, Jake. What are you made of stone?!" She shakes her hand out, a pained look painted across her face. I go to head inside to grab ice when she stops me. "Where have you been, Jake?" her eyes are pleading, and desperate.

"I'll tell you if you let me take care of your hand. Wait here. This is for you." I turn, handing her the rose before I head into the house. She smiles as she smells it. I head inside, quietly wrapping a towel around a handful of ice. I slip back outside. I walk towards her, grabbing her hand and pressing ice to it. "I'm pretty sure that you broke one of your knuckles, Bella." I shake my head and chuckle. "You need to learn how to punch."

"Well maybe I would have you teach me, but you would have to reply to me for that to happen." She raises her eyebrows at me. Ouch. That one stung. I meet her gaze as I press the ice to her hand.

"I have been running around the forest for an explanation as to why I can't pick up anything on Edward or Victoria. I didn't want to worry you."

"Isn't that a good thing that they're not around?"

"As much as it kills me to say it, no. It's weird, he comes around and then just vanishes the same time as Victoria, it just doesn't make any sense to me." I shake my head. "We should take you to the hospital, Bella."

"It's fine. I have a brace upstairs, I'll just throw it on." I chuckle at her. "What?"

"Only you would have a brace in your bedroom."

"Be quiet or else I will punch you again." I hold my hands up in mock surrender.

"Please don't oh powerful one. I don't want you to break my arm." She bumps into me and stumbles. I catch her, my hands resting on her hips. She steps up on her tip-toes and kisses me. Slow and sweet. I pull back smiling. "What was that for?"

"What? I don't see you for two days, and I can't kiss you?" I smile at the sudden dose of bravado and shake my head.

"Bella you can kiss me anytime that you want. Come on, let's go get that brace." We head inside, her hand in mine. Charlie's eyebrows raise and I can't tell if it's I have a little bit of lipstick on or the fact that I'm holding his daughter's hand. Either way, we both have some explaining to do.

"What did you do to your hand, Bella?"

"I punched Jacob in the arm, Dad." Charlie's eyes widen and snickers break out across the room. Bella and I laugh as the night goes on as though we weren't waiting for a random vampire attack.