Chapter 14: Written in the Stars

Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight

A/N: This is the last chapter, and I'm sad. *sobs hysterically*. But Jake and Bells will still be alive and well in future stories. As long as the plot bunnies continue to multiply, I'll be rolling the stories out.

Charlie handed me the phone. "It's Renee, she wants to talk to you."

There was something in his voice that scared me. Oh my gosh; he told her, didn't he?

I picked it up as if it was hot off the stove, and put on a cheerful voice. "Hi, Mom, what's up?"

"Don't, Hi, Mom, me, young lady. Your father tells me that you and that boy, Jacob, have been … to put it mildly, sleeping together. How much sleeping is going on is anyone's guess."

She took a deep breath and continued, "Are you being safe at least?"

"Yes, we are. He's very responsible and protective of me."

Mom began to cry. "Oh, baby, I just don't want anything bad to happen to you. Your whole life is ahead of you; don't ruin it. I want you to be happy."

"I am happy, Mom. I'm very happy."

"Does he love you … I mean, really love you?"

"Without a doubt. I confess I've put him through hell, and he still adores me."

"Well, you be good to Jacob then. And love him like there's no tomorrow."

"I will."

"I love you, baby girl, now put your dad on the line. I need to speak to him again. Goodbye, sweetheart."

"Love you too. Bye, Mom."

I covered the receiver with my hand, yelling, "Hey, Dad, Mom needs to tell you something."

Charlie waked into the kitchen, rolling his eyes while he reached to take the phone from me.

JPOV:

"Holy Cow!" she squealed as I pulled her into the house. "What are you going to do with all that money?"

I smiled at her, and reached in my pocket. "First things, first. This is for you." I handed her a silver heart on a chain with our initials engraved upon it.

As I placed it in her hand, her eyes softened and she whispered, "Oh, Jake, it's beautiful. Thank you."

I walked behind her, and sweeping her hair to one side, fastened the clasp at her neck. Then, twining my arms about her, held my girl against me for a moment.

My enthusiasm erupted once more, and I was bouncing with excitement. I spun her around to face me, and kissed her quick as a wink. I told Bella, "I'm going tomorrow to pick out a truck for dad, and he's hiring his cousin to install a new roof, and some flooring in here. There's a refrigerator on the way too. I got Embry a computer, and Quil a new stereo system ..."

"But what about you?"

"What about me?"

"Didn't you buy anything for yourself?"

"Nah, I put the money away for my education. I don't really need anything anyway."

"Whaaat? Jacob Black, you could use some new clothes at the very least."

"Okay, I'll grant you that."

Her eyes traveled to my bedroom. "And a double sized bed."

One of my eyebrows rose. "You naughty girl. You had that in mind all this time didn't you?"

She struck my chest with the flat of her hand. "Did not!"

"Did so … and now I'm wondering why I didn't think of that first. Anyway, I may as well wait 'til the flooring gets in."

A pizza delivery truck arrived; the knock at the door interrupting my train of thought. I paid the guy and plopped the box onto the coffee table. "Pizza and a movie—how's that for a plan?"

Looking up from the movie, Bella said, "We need to celebrate. Do you think the pack would come to a barbeque at my house?"

Where did that come from? I stared at her as if she had rocks in her head. "Believe me, if there's food, they'll come. That's gonna be a big job though. Are you sure you can pull it off?"

She leaned away from me. "Jacob Black, are you questioning my culinary prowess?"

"No, I'm … never mind. Forget I said anything." Back off, Jake, back off if you know what's good for you!

"I just thought it would be a nice gesture on my part to play host to your friends."

"If you say so."

"Yes, I do, and you can help."

Did she suddenly develop amnesia or somethin'? "Whaaaat? Bells … you've seen my cooking. Are you willing to take that risk?"

"I'm not going to hand you the cook book, silly. You can just get things out of the cupboard, stir ingredients, and set up stuff in the back yard."

"Don't say I didn't warn ya."

Bella pushed at my shoulder. "You exaggerate. How hard can it be? I'll just double whatever I'm making."

"Better triple it. You know they're gonna be hungry, right?"

Rolling her eyes, she retorted "No, really?"

"Yes, reeaaally! Now c'mere." I punched the off button on the remote, and pulled her closer. Kissing the side of her neck, I traveled up to her ear, and whispered. "That's sweet of you to invite the pack over. They'll love it."

That weekend, I helped Bella peel and cut up twenty pounds of potatoes, and a bunch of carrots. We also chopped up tomatoes, lettuce and onions, a stalk of celery, and shredded three heads of cabbage. She'd already baked four dozen brownies the night before.

By the time the potato salad and coleslaw were done, there was no room in the fridge or the cooler, so I had to take some home with me and bring it back later.

Saturday evening arrived, and our pack of wolves descended, along with my dad and Rachel.

I took over the barbeque pit, and was rolling out the hot dogs and hamburgers as fast as they could eat them. Jeez, I grabbed one for myself and Bella before they were all gone.

I grinned and waved at my girl, as I flipped the patties and dogs on the grill. She was hustling her buns—literally—doling out the rolls, and flitting back and forth between the table and the spread blankets, dishing out coleslaw and potato salad.

Charlie and Dad were seated at the picnic table, chewing the fat, oblivious to the joking and rough-housing goin' on. I was a little worried that Paul might start something, but with Rachel and the chief of police at the same table, he pretty much minded his p's and q's. He came up to me as I threw the last of the hamburgers on the fire. With his hand on my shoulder, he said, "Gotta admit it pal, your girl came through all right. We all love her—and her food. By the way, do you think she could give Rach some cooking tips?"

I snickered. Rachel was my sister, but she wasn't the shiniest spoon in the kitchen. "Better watch it. She's liable to hear you."

When every last crumb was eaten, Sam gave out his Alpha order. "Okay, guys, let's clean up the place."

Quil groused, "I can't move."

Embry slapped him on the back. "I told you not to eat that last hot dog."

Whining, he explained, "I couldn't let it go to waste, could I?"

The yard was cleaned up in record time, and I washed serving utensils and bowls with my girl. Then reluctantly, I got ready to drive my dad and Rachel home. Paul had patrol tonight, so I was the designated driver. I kissed Bella, and said, "You did great sweetheart. I know you must be tired, so I won't drop by later. Good night, Bells."

"Night, Jake. Thanks for all your help."

"Anytime." And I meant it too.

It'd been several months, and although I was comparatively happy, there was a big gap somewhere in that happy state. And so, I was coming back home from Bella's in the Rabbit one night, and had time to concentrate on what was eating at me.

I was born on that mountain top when our lips met. I died when she left me alone and broken, and only reborn when she returned to confess her love for me. Every time, I separated from her, or she from me, my heart would ache with the emptiness. I couldn't stand being without her. I looked forward to the day when I could wake up next to her, and linger a little bit longer, instead of rushing off to get to work, or patrol, or to school. It was hell, trying to sneak in private snatches of time for the two of us to get in some lovin' too. It just seemed like I was always craving more, never fully satisfied.

At first, making her mine was enough, but now it was falling short. I wanted us together in our own place. I knew it was unreasonable to think she'd be glued to my side 24/7, but just knowing that we lived together would soothe the beast inside of me. No more traveling back and forth, no more falling asleep on the couch, or waking up to go home, and above all, no more hurrying off to take a freakin' shower.

I had a birthday coming up in three months, and I'd also be starting my second semester at Peninsula. I decided to take the bull by the horns.

Three months later: January

We'd come back from a dance, and were sitting on our driftwood bench at First Beach, listening to the waves crash against the shore, and gazing out at the stars twinkling up above. It was the perfect time; I dropped down on one knee, looking up at her, with a ring in my hand. "I'm 18 now, Bella—legal age. I've waited my whole life for you. I don't want to wait a minute longer. I love you, honey, and I know you love me, so whaddya say … will you marry me?"

"Jacob, I—"

"Before you say another word, let me tell you something. The first time we ever made love, you ran from my bed, and left my heart in shreds. I didn't think the wound would ever heal. If you say yes now, the last ragged edge will be gone. It'll be fully repaired—restored, just like new. And that's how to mend a broken heart, Bells. It's simple, just say, yes."

"I love you, Jacob, so how could I say no? My answer is yes. A thousand times, yes."

I placed the ring on her finger, brushed my lips over her hand, and lifted her up over my head. We kissed to seal the deal, and ran to spread the news to her mom, our dads, and our pack of friends. We were on our way to celebrate the rest of our lives. The future loomed bright before us; it would always be Jake and Bells … in love … now and forevermore.

The End