Everything was perfect.

Nessie and I spent the entire day together and she didn't run away when I told her about the pack, even when I showed her my wolf. To be fair I'm sure she's used to the supernatural world, growing up in a family of vamps, but that didn't matter. As long as she's here, with me, that's all I could ask for.

I drove her and Charlie home after dinner and we agreed to see each other tomorrow. I couldn't help myself and stayed watch over the house again tonight. Her fast, little heartbeat was soothing to me. Knowing that she was safe and sound, probably sleeping in Bella's old bed. It was strange, considering that she was Bella's daughter, even if they weren't blood related. I decided that I wouldn't tell her about my past with Bella just yet. Telling her that I was a shapeshifter that turned into a wolf on command was one thing but telling her that her mother and I were in love as teenagers is another conversation I wasn't ready for.

I had no resolving feelings for Bella, good or bad. I had mourned her as a friend and a lover years ago and everything that we could have been. I was ready to spend my life with her and I thought we actually would have been happy. But now I see. I barely know Nessie, but I already know that I could never see anyone else the way I see her. Including Bella Swan.

Nessie's voice broke me from my thoughts. She was mumbling something in her sleep.

"No, m' not gonna bight." I heard the sheets rustling as she turned over. "Don't go." She said more clearly. I wish I could go up there and see her. I wasn't sure if she was having a nightmare or not, but it was killing me to be apart, even if I was only 20 feet away. Soon she was quiet again and all I could hear was her soft, gentle snores.

So cute.

By the time the sun rose, I stood up, yawning and stretching my stiff muscles, and ran back home. I quickly got ready and sped back over to Forks, eager to get back to Nessie. I jumped up the stairs two at a time and knocked on the door. The Chief's cruiser was missing so I assumed he was working this morning, leaving her alone in the house.

I could hear her quick steps approaching and she opened the front door, her face flushed. I still couldn't believe it. How could someone so beautiful exist. Her smooth skin seemed like it was backlit and glowing. Her long, curly hair was down, reaching all the way to her waist. And her smile. I'd never seen such a beautiful smile. It lit up her whole face, her eyes twinkling.

"Hi."

"Hey."

"Do you want to come in?" She stepped aside to give me space. We stood together in Charlie's small foyer, unable to take our eyes off each other. It was like gravity. I was pulled to her, and nothing could keep me away. Nessie was so much smaller than me, barely reaching my chest. She smelled amazing. Her scent was so unique. Sweet and spicy and completely her. I fought the urge to pull her close and hold her. "I made eggs and toast if you would like some." She blushed, looking down. "I'm not much of a cook but I think it's decent."

"Sure, sure. Anything's good with me." I followed her into the kitchen, we sat down together and ate. I wasn't sure if it was because I was hungry, or because she's my imprint, or if it was genuinely delicious but I couldn't stop complimenting her food. She picked at her plate, insisting they were just mediocre. Bullshit. Nothing about her was mediocre.

After we finished our meal, I helped her clean up, and started washing the dishes before she could get to the sink. She protested saying I was a guest. I told her that technically she was a guest too and she couldn't really argue with that. So, Nessie ended up drying while I scrubbed and rinsed.

"So," I turned to her, drying my hands on a towel. "What did you want to do today?"

"Actually, I was hoping to stop by my family's old home." She leaned back against the counter, gouging my reaction. "Only if you're ok with that. I don't mind going alone."

"No! No, I'm fine with going. I can drive."

"You know how to get there?" Her impossibly big Bambi eyes widened further. I couldn't get enough of her, she was adorable.

"Yeah, I've been there a couple times. It's been a while, but I remember the way."

"Good!" Her eyes lit up. "Let's go!" I loved how easy it was to make her happy. I want to make her happy like this forever.

When we got in the car, I took her hand. I knew I should take things slow, but I couldn't help myself, her skin was so soft. We made small talk on the drive over there, mostly about her life considering we spent all yesterday talking about me. She's a student at the University of Chicago studying pre-Law, hoping to focus on human and women's rights. She lives in an apartment with a roommate while her family moved to Michigan to be closer to her. I would have to figure out the living situation, mentally calculating how much it would cost to move to Chicago. Nessie told me about her hobbies. She loves to read, watch movies, listen to music and play instruments mentioning she plays the violin in her school's orchestra.

"I'd like to see that one day."

"What?"

"You, playing the violin. Or anything really."

"Oh," She blushed. "Maybe you will, one day."

It was hard to find but I finally pulled onto the road leading to the Cullen's mansion. It's been a really long time since I've been here, and it brought up some unpleasant memories. This was the last place I expected to be, but I would spend an eternity here if it was with her. The giant, white house came into view through the dense forest.

"Wow." She breathed, "It looks just like the pictures."

I didn't know what to say, so I just got down and helped her out of the car. We walked around the property, surveying the house.

"Should we go inside?" she asked, looking through one of the front windows.

"I should be asking you that." I shrugged. "It's your family's house, I don't think they'll mind."

We checked the front door which was obviously locked. I offered to break it down, but Nessie was able to pick the lock in minutes. Damn that was hot. The house looked pretty much the same as I remember it. I had only been inside once before, for Bella's graduation party, so the layout was different from what I remember, but everything else was a little familiar.

I followed Nessie around as she explored. She touched almost everything, examining every inch of the house. Her fingers gently passed over the piano keys, her eyes tight with emotion. This must be Edward's; Bella had mentioned that he played the piano before.

"Do you want to play something?"

"Maybe some other time." She shook her head, a melancholy smile on her face and turned around to explore a different part of the house.

We walked through most of the bedrooms, and she seemed intrigued, like everything was so fascinating. I felt strange walking through the Cullen's old rooms. I wasn't sure if I was expecting to see coffins and torture chambers, but it was all very mundane. After we entered an upstairs library or study Nessie decided she had her fill and wanted to leave. As we walked back outside the house, she seemed deep in thought, and I was anxious to know what was bothering her.

"Hey," I reached for her hand, mine engulfing her tiny one. "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, I just… have something to tell you and I'm not sure how to."

"You can tell me anything." My other hand covered hers, "I swear, you can trust me."

Nessie gently pulled herself free from me and walked a couple steps ahead, looking into the forest. I couldn't see her face when she spoke, "Remember what you said yesterday, about me being different from my family?"

"Yeah." What was she getting at?

"You were right, I am different. They're vampires and I'm… not. I'm not like them or anyone else really. At least not like anyone you've ever met."

Huh? "What?"

"Jacob," Nessie finally turned to look at me, her face apprehensive. "I was born here. In Forks, in this house, over 19 years ago."

I tried piecing together what she said. If Nessie was born here, in the Cullen house, 19 years ago, that means…

"My family, the Cullens, aren't just my adopted family. My biological parents, Bella and Edward raised me too."

Biological parents? That's impossible, how could this be possible?

"After my parents went on their honeymoon, they came back, and my mother realized she was pregnant with me." Her eyes never left mine, "My whole family couldn't believe it, they were scared for my mom since she was still human, but she insisted she wanted to keep me. My birth was traumatic for her, her body couldn't take it and she nearly died but my father was able to save her, giving her venom to transform her."

My brain felt like it was short-circuiting. Bella, pregnant with Edward's baby? That's- that's not possible. "You're… Bella and Edward's daughter?"

"Yes." She nodded; her flushed cheeks betraying her stony expression.

"Then that means…" I couldn't say it. It didn't make sense.

"Yes, Jacob. I'm half vampire."

"But you're alive! Your heart is beating! I can hear it right now!" It was true, I could hear the fast staccato of her heart hammering in her chest.

"I am alive!" She tried to explain calmly but failed. There were tears in her eyes and I wanted nothing more than to wipe them away but couldn't. I couldn't trust myself. Not until I calm down. "I have human traits as well as vampire ones. I do drink animal blood, but I've never- and I would never drink from a human. I love humans! So does my family. Please understand, I know how you feel about vampires, but you must know that I'm not dangerous. I'm not a monster." Nessie sniffled, tears falling down her beautiful face.

"I feel awful for what I did to my mother. There's not a day that goes by where I don't blame myself for her death, but she tells me she wouldn't change a thing. My parents and my family still love me."

My mind was reeling. I knew that Edward and Bella having a normal honeymoon was a crazy idea, but I never thought that this was possible! I knew Nessie wasn't dangerous. And I knew she was not a monster. I could never see her as a monster.

But Edward.

He was the real monster, impregnating Bella and nearly killing her, taking her away from Charlie and turning her into a vampire. But worst of all he caused Nessie to feel guilty for what happened to her mother. She blamed herself for what he did, and I hated him for that. I'd never felt more hate for Edward Cullen than I do at this moment.

"Jacob." Nessie raised her hand, reaching for me. "Please say something." She stepped closer.

"Don't." I warned. I was still shaking, trying to calm myself. If I accidentally phased and hurt Nessie, half-vampire or not, I'd never forgive myself. "Don't come any closer."

She recoiled like she'd just been slapped. Fat tears welled in her eyes and rolled down her chin. Shit! She thought I was mad at her! That I didn't want to be touched by her! That couldn't be any further from the truth. Before I could say anything, she turned and ran away from me, straight into the forest.

"Wait!" I yelled, trying to stop her before she got out of my reach, but she was already gone.

Holy shit.

She was fast. Not faster than a vamp or a wolf, but still. I chased her into the dense forest, stepping through the ferns and foliage without a second thought.

"Nessie! Come back!"

She didn't turn, still running as fast as she could. Damn it! I keep fucking up and I needed to fix it fast. I hurt her feelings like an idiot, and I needed her to know that this didn't change a thing. I still wanted her. I'm still hers.

"Please! Wait! I didn't mean it like that!" I was gaining on her.

"Leave me alone!" she cried, whipping her head around to glare at me.

Her pace faltered for a second, so I took my chance and sprung, catching her around the waist and hauled her back to me. She shrieked, trying to pull my arms off her. "Let me go!"

"Nessie," I was breathing hard, my chest pressed into her back, our hearts beating next to each other. "Please. I'm not angry at you. I don't care that you're half vampire. I don't care what you are! I still want to be with you."

She was still hanging from my arms, her feet dangling off the ground. I could hear her sniffles as she cried and unconsciously squeezed her closer, wanting to take all her pain away. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I was never angry at you Ness, never you."

"Then why didn't you want me to come near you? Why were you angry?"

I sighed, how was I going to explain this without putting my foot in my mouth. "I was angry at Edward. Angry that he hurt Bella and let you blame yourself for it. I'm angry at the pain he caused you."

She stayed quiet for a moment, sniffling through her tears. "You don't think I'm a monster?"

"No! Never! You are not a monster."

Her tears subsided, and I slowly set her back on her feet. She turned to face me, her beautiful brown eyes, the same shade as Bella's I now realize, were still watery with unshed tears. "Do you mean that?"

"Nessie, you are perfect." I cupped her face in my hands, softly wiping away her tears. "No matter what. Human, vampire, hybrid. You could be an alien and I would follow you to outer space. You can't get rid of me so easily."

She laughed wetly, leaning into me and pressing her face against my chest. My arms automatically came around her, pulling her closer. I buried my face in her soft curls, inhaling her intoxicating scent. It felt good to have her in my arms, better than anything. It felt right.

"You're an idiot." Her voice muffled by my shirt before she tilted her face up to look at me, smiling. "But I like that."

"Then I'm your idiot." I smiled back, smoothing my hands down her silky hair. How on earth was she real? "Are you ok?"

"Yeah. I'm better now."

"Do you want to go back?" She nodded and I held her hand, leading her all the way back to the Cullen's property.

"Jacob, there's something else I want to show you. Is that alright?"

"Of course it is."

"Ok, stay still, and don't freak out." Before I had a chance to respond her hand was on my cheek and I saw a picture projected in my mind. It was me. The first time she saw me in my dingy garage. And then it was me again, but the first time we made eye contact, when imprinted on her. I looked like a dumbass, staring at her like that.

"How did you do that?" She pulled back her hand, but I quickly caught it, bringing it back to my cheek.

She showed me a variety of things; her apartment back in Chicago, her running through the forest as she hunted her prey, her friends and roommates in school. It wasn't until she showed me her family that I gasped. Bella looked so… different. I could barely recognize her.

Nessie showed me how Bella and Edward, and the rest of the Cullen's loved her her whole life. Her aunts would dress her up and do her hair. Her uncles would wrestle and play with her. Her grandma would carry and dote on her. Her grandpa would teach her everything she wanted to know. Her father would sing and play the piano for her. And her mother would read to her and rock her to sleep and wake her from nightmares, always there when she needed her.

I could feel the love she felt for them through her touch, and I knew that I could never hate anything that Nessie loved so deeply, and who loved her back in return. This was her family, and so they were my family too.

"Wow." I said when she finally pulled her hand away, "That was amazing."

"I love my family very much, they might seem strange and different to everyone else, but they've always loved and took care of me. I hope you can grow to accept that."

"I already do." I assured her. "I realize that now."

Her stunning smile split her face again as she threw herself against me. I caught her and pulled her into a tight hug, her feet lifting off the ground. It felt like everything was right in the universe as I held her, like everything made sense.

This is where I'm supposed to be.

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Thank you for reading!