Bella waited for Edward outside but he didn't come, she remained at the patio drinking something to keep warm.
some cars passed from the fog but it wasn't a Volvo.
Edward left her her hanging or he has trouble hunting,
Bella couldn't be bothered, She felt a little tired.
She was thinking about going back to the reservation but how is she going to explain to Jacob that he's back? She doesn't want them to fight, especially not over her.
She remained in her room with the window opened incase Edward does decide to show up. She'll wait a bit longer until the lights go on.
Bella heard the leafs from the tree ruffle and looked outside of her window. It was Jacob.
Bella smiled and opened the window further for him to enter.
"Bella" Jacob Said picking her up. He felt her cold cheek against his, she went a bit mellow in his grasp.
Jacob placed her down and had a good look at her.
"You're all right?" Jacob said.
Y..yeah" Bella nodded not making eye contact.
Even when she didn't look up to meet his gaze she knew that he's waiting until she spills the beans.
Its hard to hide her troubled mind from her beloved.
" I was a little worried about you, You didn't come back" Jacob said.
"Sorry I should have called" Bella said.
" I just had a rough moment, Edward has returned" Bella said, and Jacob noticed disappointment around her features,
But why? was she disappointed that he's back or disappointed nothing happened between them?
" Don't worry I have a plan get him off my case" Bella said.
"What plan?" Jacob asked.
"I haven't accepted him back, he tried but I refused and I will continue to do so" Bella said.
"But instead of yelling at him to go away I'll just remain civil, I'll just have to tolerate him until it's time to head to college" Bella said.
" And I'll start a new life with you in Florida" Bella said assuring holding him around the waist.
"Why not tell him to go away right now?" Jacob wonders.
" I know that the more I try to push him away the harder he tries to make me budge, and I don't need that right now" Bella said.
"I'll just count the days until we can leave Forks behind, We'll have our little cottage, your family will visit us, We'll spend many holidays together" Bella said.
When Jacob confronted the bastard he was certain that Bella won't even give him the chance to come near her. She would make sure he'll get the hint. But she's willing to have him around, what if he manages to make her come back?
"Jae?" What is it?" Bella asks when her affection isn't returned.
"I would like to know one thing.."
"Do you love him?" Jacob said and Bella lowered her arms she had around his waist and looks at him a bit hurt.
Why is it so hard for Jacob to accept that she wants the Cullen's away from Forks just as much as he does?
" I used to" Bella said.
" He thinks otherwise" Jacob said.
"That's not my concern" Bella said agitated.
"University is around the corner, after that our new life begins, a new chapter of our lives"
" Can you at least look forward to that?" Bella said noticing Jacob seems distraught.
Jacob said nothing,
"Jacob," Bella said making him look back up, " It is you that I want" " You got that?" Bella said holding his face with both hands.
She felt a bit annoyed that he doesn't seem to trust in her love.
"No, It's not that" Jacob said.
" I have to leave soon to imprint" Jacob said.
Bella looked at him heartbroken and shook her head slightly,
" You said you wouldn't go anywhere" Bella said on the verge of becoming angry.
" Bella please hear me out before you get angry" Jacob said and Bella stiffen in his hold around her wrist.
" I don't want to do this, but we need more werewolves to be born, I can't protect you by myself and according to that bloodsucker there are more vampires spawning, hunting down humans" Jacob said,
" I have to imprint for our survival Bella, I promised Charlie to protect you" Jacob said and Bella brushed his hand away.
" But what about me?" What about my wishes?" You decided this on your own without even including me in this " Bella said distraught.
" I.. I thought you said you would be fine being a second wife If I ever imprinted" Jacob said worried that she no longer wants anything to do with him.
"Well not anymore!" Bella yelled, " I was desperate, fearing that you would leave me behind for good while I'm still grieving my father"
" That's the only reason why I agreed!" " It doesn't excuse you to walk away like that" Bella started to create more distance between then when he tries to hold her.
Jacob stopped reaching and lowering his hands to his sides, He hates seeing her so angry, and didn't dare to move.
Bella inhaled despite feeling abandoned by him she hated being angry too, Jacob didn't leave behind his back, he confronted her with it knowing about the backslash that will come.
She tried to regain her composure, keeping her voice steady to speak again.
"So I'm single now?" Bella said bitter.
" No don't see it that way" Jacob said.
" Then how am I supposed to see it? I'm on trial to get dumped?" Bella said becoming angry and blinked her tears away before she faced him.
" Bella, You're the only person I want" Jacob.
" Then why are you going if you are so certain?" Bella asks.
" To get my father off my back, he claims I'm being selfish for not wanting to pass down the Wolf gene in order to be with you" Jacob said.
"But in my heart I already imprinted on you, a link has bound us Bella" Jacob said.
" You don't believe that?" Jacob asks.
" Yes.. but can't we try to pass the Wolf gene? I'm sure when we have children one of them might have it." Bella said.
" But you might have to go through multiple pregnancies in order to have that, I'm not letting you go through that pain" Jacob said.
"I want to be able to protect you and our children," Jacob said.
" But If you imprint then what will be left of us?" Bella asks.
" There will always be us,
" I don't care about the Wolf Gene , I care about you" Jacob said.
"You said a link has bound us" Bella said.
"yeah"
" If that's true then the universe will provide what we need to stay together" Bella said.
" If we are made for each other then I'm sure I'll pass down the wolf gene to your children within the first or maybe second pregnancy" Bella said.
" But having a child with the wolf gene causes more pain than a regular pregnancy" Jacob said.
" If you are with me in the delivery room I can handle any pain" Bella said.
Jacob eyed her with sympathy but his respect for her has grown, she's willing to everything to stay, she denied that bloodsucker and wants face any obstacles together. They are meant to be.
Jacob leaned in and Bella backed away to catch air, " I want to go on a date," Before you go" Bella said.
"But I'll be back in 5 days" Jacob said when Bella came sitting on his lap.
" I miss you already" Bella said to make him pipe down.
Maybe It's a coping mechanism fearing that If he never returns to her she still has a wonderful night to look back on.
"Bella" Jacob said.
"Yes love?" Bella said.
" I promise I'll return to you.. so this won't be the last time" Jacob said.
"It better not" Bella said
" I mean it" Jacob said.
"uhumm" Bella responded,
" At times I feel like you never believed a word I tell you" Jacob said, he couldn't become annoyed with that because Bella is spoiling him with a lot of affection.
" I do believe you Jae, but can you at least understand that I'm afraid?"
" You shouldn't because I'm nothing like that bastard, I'm here to stay as long as you want me here" Jacob said.
" You know I do" Bella said.
" Will you stay for tonight?" Bella said closing her window
" Of course, I'll leave tomorrow morning" Jacob said.
They went underneath the comforter after Bella changed into a thin night gown so that she can feel the warmth of his skin against her.
It was wonderful having Bella in his embrace, his blouse was lifted up by her to his collarbone so that she can hear his heart undisturbed. It sounded like a drum.
mighty and it beats for her, at least for now, no matter what challenges and hardships they face, they will never have to do it alone.
-/-
After talking to Alice about what next step he should take he enters his Volvo and silently drove off the parking spot. There was light at Bella's house but the light in her room wasn't on. He kept her waiting for too long.
Maybe he could watch her sleep.
Edward looked at the window, but didn't climb up the tree when he knows now that Bella is not alone,
He could smell Jacobs scent in there, two heart beasts were thumping peacefully hinting that they are asleep.
He decided not to disturb their moment together, Even thought he's a little jealous that Jacob is with her.
Bella is safe for the night.
"Sleep tight Bella" Edward said. If only he could be there holding her through the night.
When Jacob left Bella's home at the creek of dawn to enjoy the sunrise at the reservation Bella remained behind to make something for the pack who will remain behind.
Jacob declined breakfast hinting that his departure hurts him more than he thought.
Poor Jae, but we will get through this, Bella thought.
Bella wondered what Edward is doing right now, did he leave Forks again?
Her phone buzzed again to give her reminders that there are unopened messages, She lowered the fire on the stove and scrolled through her things.
Edward had left a text message and opened it.
'Dear Bella'
'My apologies, hunting lasted a bit longer than expected.
' I hope I can come another time but if you rather not then keep the windows closed, I understand'
'Edward'
Bella thought it was courteous but wasn't eager to have him back in the center of her universe.
He can pull this stunt on her again, and that's the last thing she needs now that she finally sees a future beyond the heartbreak.
Bella texted Edward back saying they can talk later in the afternoon.
She went to the gas station for a full tank and drove towards the reservation. She wiped a tear away when she was waiting for the traffic lights to go green.
She has faith that Jacob will return but the what if scenario keeps playing up. If another relationship is ruined then maybe it's better to be alone. Her father stayed alone until his time was up. In the last moment of his life he was with Sue. She still has the wedding ring adorned on her finger. She truly loved Charlie and maybe Bella will face the same fate, finding her true love near the end of the finish line if Jacob imprints.
She hope he doesn't because the last thing she needs is end up like her father. As much as she adored her father his life is something she doesn't want.
Always catering to others but still get left behind as a result.
Bella arrived at La Push Jacob was already there with his pack.
When he caught her scent he walked up to her and held her tight, Bella was lifted inches from the ground enjoying his warmth possibly for the last time.
She was worried but tried to keep a poker face, " Come back soon" Bella said combing her hand through his long hair.
" I don't want to lose you.." Jacob said and for the first time Bella noticed tears building up.
"Oh Jae," Bella said, " I don't want to lose you either" Bella said.
" But I have a strong feeling you won't imprint and before you know It you'll be back here where you belong" Bella said.
"With you" Jacob said drying his face.
"Yes" Bella said placing a kiss. and Jacob gave a firmer one in return.
"Bella when I get back will you marry me?" Jacob said.
"Yes" Bella said.
"I will" Bella confirms.
"All I need now is a ring" Jacob said holding her face.
"I have one," Bella said. "You can have it"
Bella never got rid of the ring she saved up for.
"You can propose again when you arrive back" Bella said.
"I'm so happy right now Bella, thank you.. when I told you I had to leave to imprint I thought.." Jacob stuttered.
"That you would run from me.. and never look back" Jacob continued.
Bella looked at him troubled, He had the same fear as her, being left behind.
"Never" Bella said.
"I'm not going anywhere" Bella said.
They heard impatient Gruff behind them and Jacob placed a kiss one last time before letting go of her hand.
Letting go was hard but it's going to be fine.
Jacob crouched and and his trousers turned into shreds as he transformed into a large wolf.
The pack hurried towards the forest and Jacob eyed her she could see her reflection in his large eyes.
Like he no longer wants to go, fearing that he'll imprint and Bella knew.
"Oh Jae" Bella said and leaned on top of Jacobs large head. "We will always be together"
"Forget about what I said, I'll be your second wife" Bella lied. She wants to keep Jacob to herself, to have him want her only but she doesn't want him to make more sacrifices for her.
Jacob grumbled saddened a large tear drop came from his eyes.
"Go" Bella said taking steps back and this time Jacob ran towards the forest without looking back.
It was hard being single for now, she wished she could come with him,
No matter what the result will be, their love is stronger than imprinting, they will always return to each other.