If you're in, I'm in.

Chapter Eleven: Jacob

Edward's features relaxed significantly, and the corners of his mouth turned up in a small crooked grin that made my heart skip a beat, and I'm pretty sure he heard it.

"I trust you." He replied, sincerely.

"Ugh. Gag. Okay, can we please get back to forming a game plan on how we're going to get this leech?" Leah snapped.

I shot her a look, but she just rolled her eyes and crosses her arms.

"There's more." Sam said, looking at Edward.

Edward's grin was instantly gone, replaced by a look of guilt and I knew who the next bit of info would be about.

"Bella has decided to leave Forks, and move to Jacksonville to live with her mother." He explained.

At first, I felt relief. Not only would she be safe now that Victoria was no longer after her, but she would be twice as safe being so far away from the battle zone. Then, the guilt and sadness set in.

We were basically chasing her away! I took Edwards from her, and now she didn't even want to be here anymore. Now, we would probably never see her again.

Edward took my hand in his a second time, holding it firmly.

"I know how you feel, but please don't blame yourself. This was out of our control, and she knows that. Its just hard to face, I'm sure." He whispered.

I sighed and nodded, unable to speak. So I just stood there, a firm grip on his cold, marble hand. The pack shifted uneasily on their feet, obviously trying to look anywhere but at us. Except for Sam. He didn't seem to mind.

I guess this will take some getting used to for everyone.
I thought, knowing Edward would hear me. He simply gave my hand a light squeeze.

Hearing something that the rest of us didn't, Edward answered,
"Alice's vision shows the leaves starting to turn, so we have a few months to prepare."

Sam nodded once. "Let's finish our patrol. Thank you, Edward."

He then phased, followed by Paul and Quil, and they took off into the woods. Leah, Seth, Jared, and Embry headed to their cars parked at the front of the house and left.

We stood there for a moment, just enjoying the strange comfort that our entertained hands seemed to bring.

I felt Edwards run his thumb soothingly over the too of my hand, before giving it another light squeeze, then letting it go. He then positioned himself in front of me so that we were face to face.

I searched his eyes, not really sure what I was looking for. They were just so...breathtaking? Mesmerizing? Beautiful? Hell they were all of those things, and more. All I could really manage to do was stand there and stare into his eyes like a complete moron.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips, breaking me from my whack job trance. I covered my face with both hands and just sighed.

"Sorry." I mumbled into my fingers.

Suddenly, I felt his hands in mine, pulling them away from my face, causing me to look at him again.

With a smile, and still holding my hands, he said,
"Don't apologize. You will never have to apologize to me, Jacob."

A flutter of nerves exploded in my stomach, and I could feel my face getting hotter than usual.

Butterflies? Really? At Cullen?

Edwards smile just widened, hearing the thought.

"Damn it!" I snapped, snatching my hands away, and taking a few steps back.

Edward looked at me confused.
"Jacob, what's wrong?"

"I'm not supposed to feel this way! I'm not supposed to react this way! Nervous, scared, excited, shy...embarrassed..." I mumbled the last part, staring at the ground.

This just isn't me, Edward.
I thought, unable to speak.

"You don't have to be embarrassed with me." He said softly.
"There's nothing you could ever say or do that I would judge you for."

I looked up to find him only inches from me, with a look of complete sincerity on his face.

"I know that this is strange, and new, and something that will take some time to understand. But, you don't have to be afraid. I'll never rush you, or pressure you into anything. I'm prepared to be as patient as you need me to be. Its going to be okay."

He smiled at me, and I just instantly relaxed. There's was just something about all this. Yeah, it was strange, and new, and very confusing....but, it was right.

"Thank you." I managed to mumble.

Thanks for being so understanding, and for being so nice to me.
I added in my mind.

He reached out, and for a second time, I found myself in the arms of Edward Cullen. This time, though, as I wrapped my arms around him in return, I couldn't stop myself from enjoying the moment. I couldn't stop myself from feeling like this was where I was always meant to be.

Author's Note: AWWWWWWW. :D :D :D