Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters. I only own Megan Black.

Jacob POV

As I stood there on Pauls porch, I was dumbfounded. Staring down at my cell phone screen, the images that glared back at me had started a chain reaction of emotions inside me.

First came the anger. I could feel my body shaking as my jaw clenched. Was this all part of the plan? Some random guy answering her cell phone wasn't enough of a head fuck for the day?

Bella's a little tied up right now.

Whoever it was, I wanted to choke the life out of them. The thought of somebody else even so much as breathing on her made me want to get on a plane and do something that could very well end up with me serving jail time. And her brazenness to not even return my damn call. What kind of game were we playing here?

Second came arousal. My cock responded instantly at the sight of her tight body in that naughty ensemble. I'd never seen Bella wear anything like that, but fuck I wanted to see it for real. I wanted to rip those little latex panties off and drive myself into her over and over. Her gorgeous eyes stared into the lens, like she was looking right at me. Her bottom lip in between her teeth and her arms outstretched above her head. She looked like a goddess and I just wanted to worship her.

Third came sadness. And guilt. I thought about Megan and how she might be coping right that second while her husband was stood with his hand on his raging hard dick. I desperately hoped the heavy feeling in my heart would fade. If Noah had never been, would I even feel like this? I had to be honest with myself, I knew I wouldn't. I would be half-way to Hawaii by now with just the clothes on my back to claim the woman I'd craved for so long.

We weren't high school students anymore. We needed to talk about the future and what it held for us. I couldn't live with the uncertainty. I needed to know what she wanted.

I knew myself to be a decent man deep down and before I could take this any further with Bella, I had to talk to the one person Bella cared about the most.

Charlie.

The next afternoon, Charlie and I were sat at his kitchen table. As I sipped awkwardly on a bottle of water, Charlies face told me that he was confused by my visit.

"So, what can I do for you son?" He asked, taking a sip of coffee from his mug.

I fidgeted with the cap of my water bottle nervously, wondering where the hell to begin.

"Jacob…" he urged gently, sensing the tension in the air.

"Okay. So, before I begin, I just want to say that I have the upmost respect for you and Sue. And Bella." I finished, taking another swig of my water. My mouth was drying up at the thought of what would come next.

"Bella? What's Bella got to do with this?" He asked, dumbfounded.

I rested my elbows on the table in front of me, took a deep breath and began.

"You know how much Bella meant to me when we were just a couple of kids. We had something special, something different. And then one day, she left us. All of us. I spent a long time longing for her. Years. To the outside, maybe it looks like I'd moved on. That I was happy, even. I have so much respect for Megan, Charlie. Really I do…" I trailed off, taking another sip of water.

Charlie was sat back in his chair, arms folded across his chest. No emotion showed on his face. His career choice was obvious at that very moment, even without the police uniform.

"When Bella came back for the wedding, it stirred something back up in me. Or at least it highlighted what I've known for the past three years while I've been without her. I'm just going to be straight with you, I have always loved your daughter. I will always love her. All I want for her is to be happy, safe and loved. I believe I can give her all of that, Charlie. Megan and I are getting a divorce. And I honestly think it would have happened even without Bella being in the equation. It was a marriage of convenience for Noah's sake and deep down I think we both knew it." I explained, desperately hoping he would see that I wasn't some monster who'd just abandoned his marriage.

The silence hung in the air for what seemed like an age. Finally, he spoke.

"You know Jacob, since you were young, I've had a part in raising you. We all have. You and Bella. We know what kind of kids we let go into this world. When Bella left, I was ashamed of her. And thinking about that now makes my gut ache because I am so incredibly proud of the young woman she has turned out to be. You've had your fair share of obstacles, Jacob. A man of your age has already suffered sorrow that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Megan's great and she held you together when you needed her, but I know what you feel for my daughter. I can see it. I've always seen it. Have you thought this through? She lives in LA now. I know you, you'd hate it out there. You're like me Jacob, home is one place." He paused, taking another sip of his coffee.

"Listen, I trust my daughter's judgement. I've learned that lesson at least. I'm not saying it's not a shitty thing that's happened. Megan is the one hurt in all this and she's a good girl. I only hope she can find it in her heart to forgive you both someday. You have my blessing. Now, do you want some advice from an old newlywed?"

I nodded, eyes wide, almost disbelieving of his unwavering support.

"When Renee died, I was heartbroken. For months after her death, I wondered how the hell I was going to cope without her. I love Sue with all my heart, but if life as taught me anything its that things can change in an instant. Make the most of the time with the people you love while you can. Don't grow old full of regret. Go get our girl, Jacob Black. Make her see that her home is wherever you are."

Bella POV

As I sat curled up on the chair on my balcony I looked out onto the horizon as the sun rose up from the ocean, my mind remained stuck on the same face. I hadn't heard from him since he called the day of the photoshoot and Edward had answered. I knew he'd seen the pictures I'd sent him, and I was starting to worry. Had something happened? Had I upset him in some way? I'd tried to call him that morning but couldn't reach him. I just kept getting his voicemail. I wont even try to hide the fact that I'd dialled it more than once just so I could hear his deep, soothing voice.

He'd said he was going to tell Megan that it was over. A big part of me thought that he'd changed his mind. That he'd chosen her after all and just didn't have the heart to tell me. I'd put my trust in him, now all I could do was wait and see the outcome.

The sun was beaming down onto my skin. A dusting of freckles were beginning to form across my cheeks.

I could sit here forever.

"Bella!"

The unmistakable voice of Rosalie Hale rung through the air. She threw herself down onto the chair next to me and shot me a knowing look.

"You still haven't heard from him, huh?" She asked, her voice full of empathy.

"No" I replied, shaking my head. She took hold of my hand and squeezed it gently.

"Everything will be okay, Bella. It will all work itself out in the end. Trust me." She assured.

How could she ever know that? For all I knew, he'd decided to give his marriage another try, and I would be left high and dry. Left to pick up all those familiar pieces all over again.

"Did you get any sleep last night?" She asked, inspecting the dark circles around my eyes.

"A couple of hours. My head is too busy to sleep right now." I replied.

"Well, its time for me to paint that pretty face. I swear I could do it with my eyes closed by now!" She laughed, trying to lighten the mood.

We had one more photoshoot to do before we could relax for a few days. Once I was back in LA my schedule was clear for a couple of weeks. I was grateful for that. I had a lot to figure out. How would I cope if everything I'd ever wanted was ripped away from me? I guess it would be no more than I'd put Jake through three years ago. And if he did choose me, we needed to talk about how we were going to move forward.

But I didn't want to talk.

I wanted him to wrap me up in his arms and forget about everything else but us.

Jacob POV

"I need you to keep an eye on things for a few days, Jared" I told him, throwing my hold all over my shoulder.

"Dude, this is awesome" he grinned, looking proud.

I rolled my eyes playfully and checked my pockets to make sure I had everything I needed.

"Thanks for the help, man. Couldn't have done this without you! And you haven't said a word to anyone, right?" I asked, throwing my leather jacket on.

"Not a soul" he promised.

"Okay. No fucking around while I'm gone, okay? I don't even know if this place will still be mine in a few months but while it is, I want it running smoothly" I told him.

Jared pulled me into a massive hug, patting me on the back firmly.

"I'm so glad you're doing this, bro" he whispered in my ear, almost as though if he spoke it quietly enough, the unusually tender moment would go unnoticed by our male bravado's.

"You need a ride to the airport?" He asked me, that big smile still present on his face.

Ready or not, here I come.

Bella POV

That evening, Edward, Rose and I headed out for dinner and drinks. It was Edwards birthday and we'd decided to make the most of the all you could eat seafood. All three of us sat back in our chairs, stuffed and unable to move. The restaurant was under the open sky, the treliss surrounding it twinkled with fairy lights and the music was low and set a relaxed tone.

"Do you remember that time in Italy when Edward got so into the moment, he fell in the pool trying to get the perfect shot?" Rosalie howled, taking another glug of her long island ice tea.

I almost spat mine all over Edward remembering what she was talking about.

"Oh God, that has got to be up there with one of the funniest things I've ever seen!" I cried.

"Hey, it was funny for you! That camera was worth over a thousand dollars!" He huffed, desperately trying to hide the smile forming on his face.

"We really have had some great times together, haven't we?" Rose gushed.

The three of us had been inseparable back in LA. We had all helped boost the others portfolio and we fit like a puzzle. We all brought out the best in each other.

"Hey, we have a gift for you!" I told Edward, handing him a plain white envelope.

"I said no gifts!" He grinned, clearly pleased that we had broken his rule.

I knew we'd hit the nail on the head with this one!

"Whale watching! Oh my god, you two!" he breathed, almost disbelieving of the gift in front of him.

Rose and I thought we'd make the best of our trip and get out and see something that none of us could ever experience in Los Angeles. It would be another joyful memory that the three of us could reminisce about in the years to come.

He stood up and pulled us both into a hug, dramatically peppering the tops of our heads with a multitude of kisses.

"I've got a couple of diamonds for friends, thank you so much."

We sank a few more cocktails before heading to a local karaoke night. Edward had protested somewhat, but we both knew he could slay with a microphone. The bar was empty, but with our alcohol levels up we hardly noticed.

Time flew as we took turns belting out karaoke classics. My personal favourite had to be Rose's rendition of 'Wannabe' by the Spice Girls and I had made sure to get full evidence by recording it on my cell phone. I would save that giggle for a rainy day.

It was around 1am when we made it back to the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Stumbling through reception, the three of us desperately tried to keep the noise down but failed miserably, of course. A stern look from the night porter had us all in the stitches once we were safely inside the elevator.

"Oh god, stop! I'm going to pee!" I cried, clinging on to Edward for dear life as I tried not to fall over.

We said our drunken goodbyes in the hallway before heading to our respective rooms. For the first time all night, I thought of Jake. It had been good to let my hair down and forget about the trouble that was going on in La Push, but the thought of his beautiful face in my mind was almost sobering.

I slid my key card in the slot of the door and pushed it open, accidentally landing on my knees in the doorway as I tripped over nothing.

"Shit, fuck, balls" I muttered to myself, giggling softly.

"You kiss your Dad with that mouth, Bells?"

Jake.

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