*DISCLAIMER: I do not own the rights to the Twilight Saga and it's characters. This is purely artistic fiction drawn in inspiration from Stephenie Meyer's words.

*Told you I'd be back! Plenty of BlackSwan in here, so dig in! : )

ONE WEEK LATER

Bella finished making her lunch, neatly packaging it into a brown paper bag. Once it was secure, she grabbed it off the counter and looped her lanyard full of keys around her neck. The soft rays of sunlight filtered in through the kitchen window, basking everything in a pale glow. As she headed toward the door, she was intercepted by Jake, who wrapped his thick arms around her center from behind. A timid smile crept over her expression, and she patted his hands.

"You know, you can't keep me here. I have to go to work."

"Yeah, I know. I just wanted a hug," Jake whispered into her waiting ear.

"If that's all..." She shifted in his hold, turning around to face him. "I should get going."

Jake cupped her face with one hand and brought her close for a kiss. A mind melting, earth shattering, toe curling one. His passion was palpable, he swept his tongue over hers, dominating it. She hungrily obliged, melting into his arms. A few moments later, Jake broke the kiss and painted light pecks all over the edge of her lips, chin, and jaw. Her mouth formed into a hard line, and she stared up at him.

"Just a hug? Huh?" She teased.

"Yeah. Well, maybe more than a hug," he said, grinning, "I can't help it. Is it a crime to want to kiss my girlfriend?"

"No, it's not. But it's gonna make me late for work." She pushed out from his embrace. "I hate showing up late."

"I'm sorry, honey. I can drive you, if you want."

"No, that's okay. I'd prefer my truck stay on all four wheels." She chuckled.

"I don't drive like Quil does," he murmured, brushing his knuckles against the thickest part of her cheek.

"What about that one time? When you came to pick me up?" Bella shook her head, a coy smile replacing the hard line.

"What time?" He thought for a second before realization flooded his face. "OH. That time? I guess I was a little too excited to see you."

"You nearly took out another car."

"But I didn't," he protested, pearlescent teeth flashing behind his smirk. "I'm a professional."

"Yeah, professional goofball."

The two of them laughed together, and began to head toward the front door. Jake had his arm comfortably slung around her shoulders, while Bella had hers coiled around his waist. They separated for a brief moment as they slipped through the front doorway. Jake had to duck down through most doorways, although not through the ones in the house. He'd reshaped them and replaced all of the doors with taller ones.

He walked Bella to her truck and opened the driver's side door for her. She hopped inside, shut it, and rolled down the window to say goodbye. Once it was down all the way, Jake leaned in and kissed her yet again, his left hand threading through her chestnut brown tresses. She wholeheartedly accepted the kiss, even though she was most definitely running late now. Bella kind of didn't care anymore. She broke the kiss this time, pushing back on his chest with her fist.

"I'm sorry. I've got to go," she said, smile tugging at the corners of her rosy lips. "I'll see you in a few hours. I'm making lasagna for dinner."

"Ooh. Sounds good, Bells. Miss you already." He backed up away from the truck as it roared to life.

"I miss you more." Bella put the shifter in gear, pumped the clutch, and waved before she drove down the driveway.

When she was out of sight, he turned his attention back to the house. Two sets of eyes watched on from the front window to the living room. When he faced the house, both Embry and Quil quickly disbanded and walked away from the window. Jake tossed his head back with a laugh and headed toward the front door. Some things never changed. His best friends would always cheer him on.

Bella pulled into the parking lot to Newton's Outfitters and grimaced. She glanced down at the clock on her brand new radio, it being ten minutes past 11 a.m. Mike was bound to be upset at her. Bella grabbed her lunch and hurried toward the glass double doors, rushing through them. When she rounded the corner in the back, she froze in place. Mike was staring down at his watch in the aisle she was in. She continued forward, albeit slowly. Upon hearing footsteps, Mike looked up, piercing blue eyes boring into her deep brown ones.

"You do own a watch? Do you not?" He asked.

"Yes, Mike, I have a watch." She didn't want to tell him the reason why she'd been late so she thought up a poor excuse for a lie. "I had... car troubles."

"Car troubles? You still driving that beat up Chevy?" He tapped his foot. "No wonder you're late, Bella. You need a new car."

"My truck works just fine." She grumbled, tucking her lunch bag under one arm.

"Obviously not, you're eleven—wait no—twelve minutes late. Go clock in." He stepped aside so she could pass him and enter the break room.

Bella grabbed her tan vest and put it on, setting her paper bag lunch at the bottom of her locker. She shut it seconds later, punched in on the back computer, and pivoted on the balls of her feet, heading back onto the sales floor. When she had reached the register, Mike was already there, helping a customer decided between several pairs of new hiking boots.

"Ah, here's our cashier, sir," Mike said dryly.

"Sorry," Bella mumbled before she took her place. She rang up two pairs of shoes for the man, and a small battery-powered lantern.

"It's no trouble, young lady," the man said.

She nodded and finished bagging the items before cashing him out via credit card. Once he'd left the store, she turned to face Mike, who was still standing there staring at her.

"Is there something on my face?" She asked.

"N-no," Mike recalibrated, voice quivering, "I was just thinking about what we need to stock for the winter storm on Monday." He cleared his throat.

"Well, why were you looking at me?"

"I just so happened to be looking in that direction at the same time."

"Mhm." Bella rolled her eyes when he turned away. She knew he still carried a torch for her, despite being married. Married to Jess, at that.

"I'll go arrange shipment in the back. Watch the floor for me." Mike disappeared into the backroom.

Bella's shift seemed to drag on. Right when she was about to head back to the break room to clock out, she bumped into someone in the aisle.

"I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going," Bella said.

The woman she'd bumped into turned around, and a few beats passed before Bella realized she'd bumped into Angela. The two women stared at each other. Angela seemingly looked the same, but her hair was styled into a medium length bob and she had different glasses. They were boxy, silver sparkles adorned the arms. Meanwhile, the eyeglass and nose bridge part was clear, helping hide the fact she had a hefty prescription.

"B-bella?" she said, her jaw slack and dark amber eyes wide. "You're back?"

"Angie?" Bella whispered.

"Yep, that's me." She drew Bella in for a big hug.

"I haven't seen you since the wedd—" Bella stopped herself, swallowing the lump in her throat. "The wedding," she mouthed.

"It's been that long?"

"Yeah. Four years."

"What're you doing back in town? I thought you moved to Alaska with Edward?"

Bella lifted her left hand, showcasing the fact she wore no ring on her ring finger. Angela clasped her hands over her mouth.

She continued, "oh my God, I'm so sorry."

"Don't be. I'm much happier without him," Bella replied.

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I'm with Jake now. We've been together for about two months."

Angela grinned. "You go, girl. I always thought he was the better choice for you."

"Yeah, there were obvious signs and I just ignored every single one. But that's in the past. Anyway, enough about me. What about you? How are you doing? You still with Erik?"

Angela's face dropped and a wistful smile replaced her grin. "No. We're still friends, but we broke up two years ago."

"I'm sorry," Bella said.

"It was mutual. He's attending law school in Ohio. I'm in my fourth year in pediatrics at Peninsula college."

"That's awesome, Angie." Bella took off her vest. "Are you seeing anybody?"

"No, I'm taking some time for myself," she said.

"Good for you."

"What're you doing still working here? I would have thought you would be a bio chem engineer or something."

"No. I never went to college. Edward wouldn't let me."

"What?" Angela blinked rapidly before narrowing her eyes.

"Yeah, there were a lot of things he wouldn't let me do. But I'm going to sign up for classes at WSU here soon. Probably start next fall. Speaking of Newton's, what're you doing here? You're not a hiker, Angie."

"I'm getting some stuff for my brothers. They have a trip planned." She shifted a sleeping bag under her left arm. "And that's wonderful. I'm glad you got away from him."

"Thanks." Bella paused. "So do you still live here?"

"Mhm. Still at home with my family. Thought it would be easier than moving far away. I'd miss them all too much."

Bella remembered living in dark, frozen Alaska and winced. "Moving far away is overrated."

"Do you still have your old number?"

"The one ending in 2355?"

"Yeah, that one."

"I do."

"I've got to get going, but I want to catch up some more. Shoot me a text and we'll meet for coffee sometime."

"That sounds fun. I will." Bella awkwardly fidgeted with her vest, twisting it in her hands. "Well, I'll see you around, Ang."

"See ya, Bella." Angela situated the stuff in her hold under one arm and then walked down the aisle toward the register.

Bella continued forward and when she was inside the backroom, she leaned against the door with a relieved sigh. It was good seeing Angela. She hung her vest up inside her locker and turned around, heading for the computer once again.

Jake stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame with the bulk of his shoulder. He tapped his fingers on the wood trim incessantly. Dense clouds swallowed up the orange sun on the horizon. Embry and Quil sat in the chairs outside the house on the porch. Quil snuggled into Embry's hold, resting his head under his chin.

"She's coming back, Jake," Embry said.

"I can't help it." Jake straightened when he heard the telltale rumble of the Chevy from a mile away. "I worry about her. She's so danger prone, it's ridiculous."

"Yeah, she is kinda klutzy," Quil agreed.

A few minutes later and Bella slowly came up the drive, parking behind the mustang inside the garage. As soon as she got out of the truck, Jake was already picking her up, planting kisses along her neck. Bella squirmed in his arms, a large grin replacing her stern look. A stray giggle escaped her parted lips and she hugged him back.

"Hi to you, too."

"Hi, honey. How was work?" He continued to stamp kisses into her creamy skin.

"Work was good. Mike was mad I was late, though."

"Marshmallow can shove it." Jake chuckled, his husky baritone sent a chill down Bella's spine.

"That's enough sucking neck, Black," Quil called from the steps.

"Yeah, let the poor girl breathe," Embry said.

Jake released Bella and the two of them faced the forest green house, hands laced together.

"Hurry up, it's freezing out here." Bella pulled up her jacket hood even though it was a few steps to reach the porch.

"I'm going, I'm going." Jake said, ushering her inside before him with a tiny pat on her butt.

"Jake." Bella protested his open display of affection, turning away from him and hanging up her jacket on the coat rack inside. "I'll get dinner started."

"Meet you in there in just a sec." He said, facing Embry. "Gotta finish talking with these two knuckleheads first, Bells."

"Okay." Bella continued on her way inside, heading to the kitchen to start the lasagna.

"What did you wanna talk about, Jake?" Quil asked.

"You guys aren't planning on stopping shifting soon, right?" Jake crossed his arms over his chest, leaning against the wood paneling.

Embry and Quil exchanged a knowing look. "No, we talked about it. We want to keep shifting in case a drifter comes through."

"Good. I know everything's been quiet for a while now. Wanted to make sure everyone was still on the same page."

"Are you ready to patrol tonight?" Embry stood from his chair, Quil followed suit.

"Yeah," Jake said, quietly.

"Well, c'mon, lover boy. Let's go inside. Bella's waiting on us to help her," Quil said.

"Coming," Jake replied, staring out into the pine forest a few moments longer.

The three of them headed back inside, entering through the threshold in a single file line.

"Wish you didn't have to go." Bella said, sitting up from their bed, only a sheet clutched to her bare chest.

"I know, Bells. But I gotta. I want to protect you and the tribe." Jake sat at the edge of the bed, haphazardly putting on clothes.

She knelt beside him, hand cupping his face, urging him to look at her. Bella pressed her lips to his, meshing them together. Jake dropped his shirt on the ground and kissed back, left hand finding the back of her crown while the right wrapped around her waist. Bella crawled into Jake's open lap, straddling him, deepening the kiss. Jake, taken aback by her possessiveness, happily molded himself to her warm touch. She exhaled a soft sigh and reluctantly broke the kiss. They pressed their foreheads together.

"I'll keep the bed warm for you," Bella said, shifting off his lap to lay back down.

"Gives me something to look forward to."

"Be safe."

"I always am, Bells." He threaded his left hand through her hair and brushed it out of her face. Jake finished pulling on his jeans when she stood from the bed and pulled him into a searing hug. "You're making me not want to leave, honey."

"Sorry." She mumbled, looking up at his sable hued eyes.

"I'm not sorry." He kissed her cheek, rubbing her lower back.

"I'll see you in a few hours." She let him go.

"Yeah, around two or three. That's when Seth and Leah take over."

"Okay. Well, you better get down stairs." She chuckled. "Move your wolfy butt."

Jake mirrored her, a hearty laugh escaping him. "I'm going." He held her hand a little longer. "I love you, Bella."

"I love you too, Jake."

She gently pushed his chest, the feel of his sinewy muscles under her fingertips, and he promptly resumed dressing before leaving her alone in the room. Bella climbed back into bed and laid down, thinking of him. Sleep took her shortly after.

You sure took your sweet time phasing today, Embry huffed.

The tan and silver wolf resigned itself to laying down and crossing its two front paws.

Yeah, Black. What took you so damn long? Quil said.

The dark brown wolf laid down beside the lighter colored wolf with grey in the center of its face.

I was saying goodbye, Jake growled.

It's not like you're never gonna see her again, Quil replied.

I dunno, man. Something deep inside of me is scared she'll disappear. I don't know why, but I've been worrying about that a lot lately.

Don't say that. You know Bella loves you, Jake.

The russet wolf circled a large boulder, pacing around it until it found a space with sparse grass to lay in. It flopped down onto its side, stretching out its long legs.

I know she loves me. I don't know if it's enough though. Maybe she'll get sick of me.

No, Jake. You two are connected by imprint. She knows what it would do to you if she left. If I know her, and I know her pretty well, she would never hurt you like that, Embry said. Plus, you two are so in love, it's sickening.

You're right, Em. I'm paranoid, is all.

The loud rustling of leaves in the brush alerted all three wolves and they instantly bolted upright. Deep and menacing growls sounded from Embry, Quil, and Jake. They watched as a tiny rabbit hopped through the thicket, instantly flipping their protective instinct off.

Jeez. It's only a rabbit guys—get it together. Quil chuffed, his tail wagging idly back and forth.

Could have been something else. That's another thing I'm worried about, Jake said.

You're a mess tonight, dude. What's got you acting this way? Embry asked.

It's nothing. Been worried about a leech showing up, as usual. Either the red headed bastard, his so called Frankenstein family, or some other freak.

Well, if that happens, we'll shred him. Or anyone else that shows up, Quil said.

I know that's right. Won't let any dead-head near Bella.

Nope, Embry said.

The lighter colored wolf shook its massive head side to side. All three wolves went back to laying down in the brush. Time went by at a snail's pace; Jake's nerves were messing with him the entire night. Every single sound sent him into high alert. Soon enough, Quil had to smack some sense into him, which ended up working. By the time Leah and Seth got there, Jake was thrilled to be getting back on two feet again. Quil, Embry, and Jake shifted back quickly, changed into their clothes, and headed back to the house.

Everything was quiet and as it should be. Bella was fast asleep in their bed, half covered up by the top sheet. Jake shifted the sheet to cover the rest of her and she stirred.

"What time is it?" She asked.

"Half past three," Jake murmured, slipping into the bed after shedding most of his clothes.

"Oh. It's late," Bella mumbled, moving to cling to him.

"Yeah, it is." Jake rubbed her back in slow circles. "Go back to sleep. We both have work in the morning."

"But I want to talk to you," she whispered, sleep still clinging to her voice.

"About what?"

"Nothing in particular." Bella wrapped her leg around Jake's waist, pulling him in. They became a tangled mess of body parts.

"So I see." Jake smiled.

"How was patrol?"

"It was good. Nothing to report. I did get spooked by a rabbit, a deer, and a racoon though."

"You? Got scared by little woodland animals?"

"Yeah... kinda silly, isn't it?"

"What made you so afraid?"

"Promise not to get mad?"

"Why would I?"

"I don't know. Just promise."

"Okay, okay. I promise." She sat up more, adjusting so she could see his expression.

"I was scared because I think the Cullen's are going to show up again and ruin things."

Bella paused, shocked at his answer.

"You what?"

"Do I have to repeat what I said?"

"No, I just... You're scared they'll come back?" She shook her head. "There's no reason why they would. I'm not a part of their lives anymore. Edward doesn't want me."

"You don't know that for sure, Bells."

"I'm pretty sure leaving my ring with divorce papers was pretty clear."

"But what if he doesn't care about that? What if bat boy can't take a hint?"

"Then I have you to do the 'talking' for me."

A large grin replaced Jake's smile, tugging on the corners of his full lips. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah." She snuggled in closer to him, nestling into his arms. "Does that make you feel better?"

"A bit."

"Anything else?"

He thought for a moment. Debating on whether he should tell her was also afraid of her disappearing. "No. That's all."

"Jacob," Bella said, her voice stern. "I know when you're lying."

"Damn. You're good."

"Tell me what's wrong."

A deep sigh left him and he held his breath. "I'm afraid of... of you disappearing."

"Me disappearing? What? Like leaving?"

"I don't know. I just have this gut feeling like you're gonna up and disappear. It kind of goes hand in hand with the whole Cullen thing, too. I wasn't worried about it when you first got here, but now it's all I think about. Must be because everything's been so perfect, I'm afraid of it going wrong. Something always goes wrong."

"I'm not leaving, Jake. I'm home." She smoothed her hand across his chest, right over his heart. "Right where I belong."

His tense muscles became relaxed, and he rolled onto his side, pulling Bella into a spooning position. "You always know what to say to make me feel better."

"Part of the perks of being your girlfriend."

"I love you so much. I don't know what I'd do if anything ever happened to you."

"I love you, too. Nothing's gonna happen to me." She clutched his hand to her chest, squeezing it with her own. "I have you to protect me."

"Damn straight," Jake murmured, drifting off to sleep.

"Good night, Jake," Bella said.

"Goodnight, Bells," he replied, barely above a whisper.

*Talk about wholesome, huh? Stay tuned for the next chapter! Please leave a heart/review! They mean the world to me~ 3 : )