Disclaimer: All characters belong to Ms Stephanie Meyer.

A/N: Thanks to everyone who took the time to read. To all those who left reviews….bless you x

Chapter Twelve.

Bella lowered her own cutlery to the table before she turned to Jacob and took his hands in hers.

Turning to face her father, she took a deep breath.

"Dad. I'm not going back to Phoenix."

"But Bells, yo.."

"Dad" She cut him off mid sentence. "Phoenix did what it needed to do for me. It gave me a break from everything here. It gave me the time I needed to see what really meant the most to me, and who I really loved. It made me see that the feelings I had for Edward were nothing but a school girls' romantic fantasy. It also made me take a good hard look at myself. The way I have treated you dad, when Edward left, I was a horrible daughter and you didn't deserve such treatment. It also made me see my true feelings for Jake. I hurt him terribly, through my own selfish actions.

For the past few months, I have been living in a constant state of guilt.

Now, I have a chance to redeem myself, and prove to everyone here that I'm not the same little helpless girl.

I missed you Dad, and wanted to come home so many times, but I wasn't ready.

Me coming home was fate. I got to see Jacob and because he has such a huge capacity to love, he is willing to give me another chance, although god knows, I don't deserve it.

There is no way I can go back. I spent so much time crying over my actions towards Jake, and realising my feelings for him, thinking I was too late to act on them…..well, I can't go back.

There is no way I'm leaving Jacob again. He is stuck with me now, and I am not letting him go…ever. I know you think I'm too young for a serious relationship, but I love him with my entire being. Heart, body and soul.

This is it for me dad.

Here. With Jacob. With you. With Billy.

I've thought about it, and I'm going to continue with my studies online. I will call the university later today, and ask them to forward my course work to me.

I will call Mrs Newton and ask if I can have my old job back at the Outfitters.

But dad.

I'm not leaving. I'm not leaving you, I missed having a father in my life, and I plan to make up for all of those lost years. I love you dad.

And.

I can't leave Jacob. This is where I belong. With Jacob.

Forever. We don't have eternity, but what we do have is a lifetime, together."

With this all said, Bella took a deep breath, blushed red, and snuggled into Jacob's side, who ran his hand over her hair.

Jacob couldn't find any words.

He was stunned.

His Bells, had just stood up to Charlie, adamant in her plans, declaring her love for him. For HIM!

She was staying.

With him.

Holeeeeee Fuck!

Charlie cleared his throat, picked his fork back up, and waved it mid air, pointing to both of them. No one in the room dared to call out the Chief on his teary eyes.

"So. I guess this means you two are….um…together?"

Bella looked at Jacob.

Jacob looked at Bella, and he grinned his trademark sunny smile, "Well, yeah Charlie, I guess we are."

Ignoring the two older men in the room, he leaned forward, and took her lips in a gentle caress.

"Um..son, we're eating here. Keep that for when the Chief ain't around, huh!" Billy laughed, lightening the emotional atmosphere.

"Laugh it up, you old coot. If my daughter gets pregnant, I will shoot him and hide the body!"

Jacob gulped audibly, and Bella's face radiated pure heat as she buried her face in her hands.

"Well Bells. Seems like you made up your mind. So long as you study, I ain't gotta problem. Damn pleased to have you home, missed you kiddo."

Charlie, not accustomed to making such vocal gestures, busied himself eating, whilst Billy gave them both a wink.

"Bells" Jacob whispered while helping her clear the table, "I gotta get back to the pack."

"I know, but I'm gonna miss you chief!"

Her lighthearted comment disguised the anxiety she felt at being separated from him.

Jacob felt her pain.

Tipping her chin up to look into her eyes, "Hey, I'm gonna be round to your house soon okay".

Bella gulped, and tried not to let her eyes tear up.

She wrapped her hands tightly around his waist.

"I love you so much Jacob. Thank you."

"Honey, I should be thanking you, I'm still kinda reelin over that speech you gave. You're really staying?"

He knew she was, but for one more time, he needed her confirmation.

"Forever. Now go to your pack, and come back to me. Be safe Jake."

It was a plea.

"Always Bells." He gave her a mind numbing kiss which left her breathless and wanting so much more, but before he himself could succumb to temptation, he ran out the door, giving her a smirk and a wink.

"Dork!"

"I heard that Bells."

And just like that, it was Jake n' Bells again.

…

Carlisle and Esme Cullen had a quiet journey home from Italy.

Both were grieving the loss of their son.

They understood Alice would have seen the outcome of their meeting in Volterra, so forewarning them was a fruitless exercise.

On return to their home, their respective children were somewhat subdued, except for Rosalie maybe.

"It's time to move on." Carlisle announced sadly, before making his way to his study to place a phone call.

"Good morning Chief Black, this is Carlisle Cullen. I wonder if I could possibly speak to Alpha Black?"

Knowing that he had to be polite to an extent, although it irritated the hell out of him, Billy replied,

"He's out patrolling at the moment. Can I take a message?"

"Certainly. Could you ask him to meet my family and I at the treaty line tonight around midnight? Also, if feasible, could Bella accompany him?"

"I'll be sure to pass that on Doctor. Good day."

…

Bella had an extremely productive day.

The staff at Phoenix University had been both helpful and understanding.

They had agreed to forward her course work, enrol her on the online programme, and also pass a goodbye message on to Cindy.

Renee had reluctantly agreed to her wishes, with promises of visits.

Mrs Newton had been delighted to have Bella back, and she could resume work in a weeks' time.

Bella had exhaled a large sigh of relief upon hearing that Mike was half way across the country studying.

Now, she was preparing a huge celebratory dinner for Charlie, Billy, Jacob and herself.

They had something to celebrate, and Billy even agreed to bring some of Old Quil's moonshine for Charlie. A sneaky move on Bella's part, as it would guarantee her some uninterrupted Jacob time when Charlie passed out!

…

Charlie Swan, Chief of Police sat in his office at Forks station.

He wasn't scheduled to work today, but this was the only place he could be left in solitude to think.

It was in this office that the Chief of Forks Police succumbed to the tears which had been threatening for over an hour.

He had missed out on so much of Bella's young life, and when she had come home to stay, he had been overjoyed.

Then the Cullen boy had screwed her up, and Charlie had been at a loss on how to deal with his daughter. Thankfully, Jacob had stepped in and rescued Bella, only for Cullen to return and ruin their budding friendship.

When Bella had ended her relationship with Cullen, it had been a weight off of the chief's shoulders. Even if it had meant her moving out of state.

But now his daughter had come home, and Charlie knew it was for good this time.

He was ecstatic. Bella meant the world to him.

The trouble the chief was experiencing at the moment was the fact his baby girl had grown into a strong woman in a matter of months.

Charlie knew it was only a matter of time before Jacob and Bella made this a permanent thing, and although she was far too young for a lifetime of love, even he could not deny the true love which flowed between them.

In fact, who better for her daughter than his best friends' son.

It really was a match made in heaven.

Charlie prayed his thanks for bringing his daughter back to him, knowing she would be around for the rest of his life.

Resolved not to shoot Jake if he laid his hands on Bella, Charlie made his way home, to his Bells.

…

Jacob and Billy arrived shortly after Charlie returned. On sight of the illegal moonshine nestled on Billy's lap, Charlie exclaimed, "Oh hell no Billy Black. Never again!"

"Scared I can out drink you, old man!"

"Never gonna happen Black!"

Whilst the two old friends squabbled, Jacob held Bella in his arms, as she relayed her progress.

"Bella Swan, you have made me the happiest man on the planet" Jacob sealed with a kiss.

"Jacob Black, you have made me the happiest woman on the planet" Bella sealed with a kiss.

And on it went, until Charlie cleared his throat, not so subtly asking if dinner was ready.

After dinner, and three extremely well fed men made their compliments to the chef, the two Chiefs opened up that moonshine in front of a ball game.

"Bells honey. Doc Cullen wants to meet us at midnight."

"Oh god Jake, what does he want?"

"Don't know honey, but he wants you to be there too."

They had a few hours before the meeting, so they engaged in idle chatter with their fathers, laughing at their now drunken antics.

Thirty minutes before the meeting, double checking that both old men were sufficiently passed out, they made their way into the forest.

Bella loved the feeling of being on Jacob's wolf. His silky fragrant coat, his warmth, and his graceful stride were home to Bella.

Arriving at the treaty line, the only other wolf present was Sam.

The Cullen family, minus Edward faced them.

Jacob stepped forward. "Doc, you asked to meet us."

"Yes Jacob, thank you. Good to see you Bella".

Bella simply nodded, whilst holding tightly to Jacob's hand.

Carlisle continued. "As you know Jacob, Esme and I travelled to Italy with Edward. The purpose of my meeting with our rulers was to negotiate on Bella's behalf. We can see how happy she is with you, how content, and as you are now imprinted you both are bound for life. This is the life Bella was intended for. Edward was beginning to lose control, and I feared he would inflict some damage on either one of you against your wishes. Aro, our ruler did indeed negotiate. Edward shall serve with the Volturi guard. He is now residing in Volterra."

Bella let out a strangled gasp.

"No! Oh my god Carlisle, this is my fault. You have lost your son because of me."

But Bella did not cry.

She felt guilty. "I am so sorry, all of you, I'm sorry."

Carlisle quickly admonished her. "Bella, none of this is your fault my dear. Edward drew you into our world, then would not let you go. He was becoming dangerously unstable. We could not risk any tragedy. Be happy Bella. What you have ahead of you with Jacob is much more than an eternity.

Jacob. We are leaving tonight. You have my number, and if myself or any member of my family can assist you in the future, please call.

You should not experience another influx of vampire activity, and with us gone, hopefully the gene shall pass by the younger generation."

Carlisle stepped up to the line and extended his hand.

Jacob stepped up to the line and took his hand.

"Good luck Alpha Black."

All of the family gave Bella a small smile, whilst Rosalie stepped up to the line.

Bella went to meet her. "Live life. Be happy and enjoy. Go make some puppies!"

At this comment, they all laughed together, and in a blur of white they were gone.

Sam, quietly disappeared into the forest giving the Alpha couple some privacy.

Neither Jacob nor Bella could believe it.

They were together.

No threat of the Italian vampires seeking retribution.

They had a lifetime together.

"Jake. I know of a little red house which happens to be empty at the moment. Why don't we go visit it, and you Chief, can make me your Alpha female."

Jacob Black gave a hoot, and threw his mate over his shoulder, sprinting to the little red house.

He was happy. Happier than he had ever been.

Life was good.

Life was great.

Life was fan-fucking-tastic.

He got his girl, and he was never ever fucking ever letting her go.

…

Bella grinning, as she watched the forest floor speeding past her, finally threw off her cloak of guilt.

This was it.

Forever.

And Bella Swan was damn happy.

THE END.

A/N: A huge thank you to all who stuck with me. x