Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

acob stared down at the grave. Like any other day in Washington, it was raining. The March morning was full of fog, and worms crawled out of the ground to escape the wet soil.

"It was raining the day you died, too," he said aloud. He had only been nine years old the day his mother died, but Jacob remembered it clearly as if it was yesterday. She had kissed him goodbye that rainy Tuesday morning as she dropped him off for school. Of course, being a fourth grader, he wiped off her kisses and complained about how Quil and Embry would tease him. She laughed and nudged him out of the car. That had been the last time he saw her.

Aunt Bonnie signed him out of school, ignoring his questions as they rushed to his house. His father's and sisters' mourning wails greeted him, building a sense of unease in his gut. Something terrible had happened.

"Where's mom?"

Head in hand, his father could only sob harder. His sisters didn't answer him either. They simply held on to each other.

Charlie Swan broke the news to him that day, and Charlie held him when he finally understood.

Sarah Black was never coming back.

Jacob trembled as he sighed. Tears stung his eyes. Everyone left him. First, his mother, then his sisters, and now...Bella.

He shook his head at the latter, her beautiful brown eyes filled with tears and desperation as she ran away to save a stupid leech that never deserved her. He sneered at the thought as he looked at the headstone before him.

Sarah Black, Wife, Mother, and Friend, we will remember you always.

It was then the dam that Jacob kept locked so tightly burst open as he fell to his knees, broken sobs shaking his body.

Eight years and never again would he see his mother's face. He didn't even get to say goodbye at the funeral because his mother's body was too mangled to be seen.

Next to him was the sound of shuffling and a warm body crouched next to his, the scent of lilies filling the air.

"Oh, Jake." A soft voice consoled.

Jacob opened his eyes to see Bella. She wore a watery smile, but the pain matched his own.

"Bells?" he questioned in surprise. "What are you doing here?" The surprise in his voice changed to irritation and anger. "Why are you here? You have no right to be here! You made your choice, go back to your leech."

Jacob stood and wiped the mud from his pants. He tried to blink away the tears, but they just wouldn't stop. He hated that she was here, and he hated that she saw him break down. There was a point in his life when he wouldn't have been afraid of being vulnerable in front of her, but now, he couldn't trust her. She left him just like everyone else did.

"I'm here for you, Jake. Despite how you may feel about me now, I know what this day means to you. Besides, she was my mom, too, I miss her."

Jacob dry chuckled and turned to fully look at her. He couldn't help but pause and think wow, she's absolutely beautiful. She was wearing one of his old rock concert t-shirts and jeans. Her hair was braided back, and on her wrist was the bracelet he had given her just a few months prior.

"Yeah, right. You never talk about her," he argued.

"Because I know what her memory does to you, Jake. I know how much pain you were in when she died, remember? I was there."

Jacob sobbed as Charlie held him, but he didn't want to be held anymore. With all the strength he could, he pushed away from the man and ran out of the house into the pouring rain. He found himself in the garage full of junk and old memories.

Bella's high-pitched voice called for him. "Jake?! Are you in here?"

He turned to see his best friend standing in the doorway of the garage. He cried, "Bells. Mom's gone. What -what am I supposed to do?"

Bella ran to him, her two pigtails bobbing behind her. She wrapped her arms around him as Jacob leaned on her for comfort. "I don't know, Jake," was her soft response. "But I'm here for you."

At that moment, that was all He could ask for.

"Look, Jake," Bella said as she stepped closer, her scent overpowering everything else at that moment. His wolf purred at the comfort it brought.

"I'm not here to argue. I just - I'm here for you. I'm here for Sarah. To honor her memory. We lost her at such a young age."

The two friends stood in the rain in silence as they stared at each other. It was Jacob who finally broke it as he turned back to look at his mother's grave. He then looked at the flowers in Bella's hand.

Gesturing toward them, he said, "Those were her favorite flowers."

"I know. I see I'm not the only one who remembered." She smiled sadly as she noticed the fresh lilies in front of the grave. He didn't speak as he watched her kneel in front of the grave and place the flowers next to the ones he brought.

"Hey Sarah, I miss you.." She then looked up at him and smiled softly. "Are you hungry, Jake? Or do you want to stay here for a little while longer?"

Jacob licked his lips at the thought of food and glanced back at the gravestone. "I want to stay a little longer."

Bella nodded and waited patiently. He joined her in the mud and rain, both of them silent and yet taking quiet comfort in each other.

An hour passed before Jacob finally spoke.

"You know, I have been thinking these past few weeks. And I realized one of the reasons why I fell in love with you was because you were the only constant in my life, Bells. Mom dying, my sisters leaving, and Dad getting sick. You were there, and so was your dad. Then you moved away, and that just crushed me. But then you started reaching out again, your letters and monthly phone calls. You know I still have them."

"No way?" Bella chuckled. "You know I still have yours." Then she sneezed, and Jacob sighed.

"Come on, Bells, let's get you out of the rain. Don't need you getting sick."

She said, "Let's get something to eat. I know a cool diner, want to come?"

Jacob hesitated as he looked at her. He could go home and be depressed on the anniversary of his mother's death, or he could be with Bella.

Bella, it was.

…..

"So… you haven't returned any of my phone calls," Bella said quietly as she blasted the heat.

Out of an old habit, Jacob scooted closer to her to stop her shivering. "I had nothing to say," was his cold response.

Bella, however, sneered at him. "You're giving me whiplash, Jake. Let's cut to the chase. I know you're still mad at me for going after Edward, but I had to. I couldn't let him die."

"I don't want to hear your excuses for saving your bloodsucker Bella. Why don't you just pull over, and I can go home." Jacob said angrily as he suddenly changed his mind about the diner.

"Darn it, Jake, no! We are not doing this today of all days! I know my running away hurt you, and I am sorry for that, but I just couldn't let him die! I would have done the same for you!"

"But that's the thing, Bella! I would have never put you in that situation in the first place! If the leech thought you were dead, he should have come to Forks and checked for himself!"

"Well, if you hadn't broken our very hot and steamy makeout session! To answer MY phone! We wouldn't be in this situation now, would we?" She yelled, " We could still be in my kitchen making out! But no, you just had to stop because the phone rang! Haven't you heard of letting it go to voicemail!"

"Well, if you hadn't jumped off the - wait?" Stunned, he asked, "You thought our makeout session was hot? You-you didn't want it to stop?"

"Of course not, Jake," she said softly as she glanced at him and back at the road." I love you, Jake, with everything that I am. It's just- "

Bella paused and sighed.

"My mom uprooted me from my home, Jake. She took me away from you and my dad, and all I knew. I didn't have a big family like you. I don't have aunts and uncles. My mom and Charlie don't have siblings. They're it. You, on the other hand, come from this big tribe with family and friends. My mom would move us from place to place, and we never had anywhere stable to live. Then I moved back to Forks, and Dad is stable financially but emotionally unavailable. Meeting the Cullens reminded me of what I didn't have. Parents who were married and who loved each other and siblings who cared. They were my ideal family, but even the most ideal people can break you, and they did. They broke me, Jake. Left me broken and alone. And you fixed me; you've always fixed me. So yes, despite all of that, I had to save Edward. The Cullens were once upon a time my family. They aren't now, but I couldn't stand by and let them suffer. I've never been the vengeful type."

Jacob snorted and laughed."Except when it comes to the truck."

Bella laughed with him. "Except when it comes to the truck. You're right."

Once again, silence reigned, and for the first time in a long time, it was comfortable.

…

Chapter Text

Four hours later, Jacob looked at the diner with wide eyes as memories of his childhood assaulted him.

"Jacob, slow down, honey. I don't want you to trip," His mother gently warned him.

Jacob grinned at his mother and said, " I think Bells is the one that would trip." His eyes darted to the girl, trying to keep up with him, sticking her pink tongue out at him.

"Stop it, Jacob, or I won't buy you any ice cream."

"Yes, mama. Come on, Bells!" Jacob grabbed his best friend's hand. "The ladies here ride on rollerskates! And then, when you order the hot fudge sundae! They do fancy tricks!"

It was his mother's favorite restaurant. The Moonshine Diner.

"Bells? How?" he asked, flabbergasted. The restaurant still looked the same: midnight blue with white stars on the front and, of course, a giant moon slowly spinning at the top.

"I googled 'diner with moon and stars' about a thousand times before it finally came up." She laughed. "Well? Are you coming? Let's not stand here with our mouths open."

With that said, the couple entered the diner. And once again, they were swept away in memories.

"Well, hello sweethearts! You two are the cutest kids I have ever seen! How about a booth?" The waitress asked as she rolled to them on her roller skates.

Bella oohed and ahhed at how fast the ladies were going as they waited to be seated.

His mother greeted the waitress warmly. "A seat sounds nice, Mariam!"

"Oh my goodness, Sarah?! Is that you!? It's been a while! Come on, I'll get you three seated."

Once seated, Jacob ordered the chicken tenders with fries, Bella ordered a burger and fries while his mom ordered a Philly cheesesteak.

Sarah asked, "Is it good, my little warriors?"

Bella and Jacob smiled as they ate joyfully.

"Good! Because next, we have to order the Jupiter sundae!"

"What's a Jupiter sundae?" Bella asked as she licked ketchup off her face. Jacob laughed and stole one of her fries.

"The Jupiter Sunday is one of the biggest and best Sundays in the diner! It's going to take all three of us to finish it!" Sarah cheered.

"Does it have sprinkles?" Bella asked with excited eyes.

"Ooh! What about hot fudge? And marshmallows!" Jacob questioned

"No! What about caramel!" Bella exclaimed

The two friends were about to get into an argument about what toppings they wanted when Sarah interrupted them. "Kids, kids, relax! We can get all the toppings we want. We can have fudge and caramel with sprinkles and marshmallows!"

Like so many years ago, the two friends were greeted by a waitress on skates. Her grey hair was braided back, and her smile was welcoming.

"Hello! Welcome to The Moonshine Diner! Would you like a booth or bar seats?"

"Booth good with you, Jake?" Bella asked as she looked around the restaurant. It looked the same, just as it did when they were kids.

"Sure, wish I had wiped my pants, though," he admitted as he looked down to see the hems of his pants caked in mud.

"You're not alone." Bella laughed. It was then he noticed that she had mud on the edges of her skinny jeans.

"Those jeans look good on you." He confessed as he looked her up and down.

Bella blushed and gently punched him in the shoulder. "Whatever, dork. "

As they sat, their waitress said, "Here we are, one booth. Can I get a drink order?" "Coke, no ice." Bella and Jacob said simultaneously. They looked at each other and laughed.

The waitress smiled as she looked between the two of them. "Aww, that's so cute. I'll be back in a few minutes, darlings."

"Hey, Bells, is it just me, or does she look familiar?"

Bella said, "She does, she reminds me of the waitress we had years ago. Do you think we should ask her?"

"It wouldn't hurt."

When the waitress came back, Bella worked up the nerve to ask. "Um, excuse me -" she stopped to glance at her name tag."Miriam. You look very familiar to us; you wouldn't happen to know a woman named Sarah Black, would you?"

"I did, beautiful! She was one of my best friends, and she used to work here, too." Miriam then looked between the two and gasped. "Well, I'll be a monkey, uncles! Your little Jacob! And you, my beautiful girl, are Bella! Sarah used to talk about both of you all the time! I could tell you two had it bad for each other the first time I met you! What can I get you to eat?"

Bella said, "I'll take a burger and fries."

"I'll take the chicken wing platter," Jacob ordered.

"Alright, I'll get that right up, and then we can talk about your mom as soon as your food is done." Miriam skated away, leaving Bella and Jacob alone with their thoughts.

"I didn't know mom worked here, I thought - I used to think this was just her favorite restaurant, but knowing she worked here. It changes everything. It's like I can see her on those skates, all happy and smiling."

Bella smiled, bemused at Jacob's vision of his mother. "Yeah, I can see her smiling and skating around too. I wonder why she never said anything."

"Here we are, darlings!" Miriam returned with her hands full of food. She then sat next to Jacob, patting his hand gently. "Your mother worked here for a long time. She started when she was sixteen and then quit when she got married. But the nine years we had her were joyous. I was so happy to see her when she brought you guys in for Ice cream."

Miriam swallowed hard as her eyes glistened with tears. "I was- I was devastated to hear about her passing. She loved you both dearly. She would talk about both of you whenever she came to visit. Now, you two eat up, and I'll be back to check on you in a bit."

Bella and Jacob ate in silence, Sarah's memory weighing heavily on their minds. Jacob finished his food first and wiped his mouth as he watched her unashamed. Bella was quick to drink her coke as she tried to avoid Jacob's dark black eyes that held a yellow ring around them.

"Your wolf is peeking," she stated as she finally met his eyes.

"That's cause he wants to take a bite out of you."

Bella blushed at the double meaning of her best friend's words.

"Did you mean what you said in the truck, Bells?" He asked huskily, the yellow of his eyes getting just a tad brighter.

"I did, Jake. I do, I do love you… and …I want to be with you…If you'll have me?"

Before Jacob could reply, Miriam reappeared, holding a giant sundae. "One Jupiter sundae! On the house, kids!"

"Thank you," Bella said sweetly. Jacob, however, nodded and avoided eye contact because the wolf was so close.

Bella pushed her cold fries away and took the spoon, digging into the sundae. Jacob did the same and couldn't help but smile.

"Still tastes better with the fudge."

"Caramel," she argued.

"Marshmallows"

"Sprinkles!"

The couple laughed, and as expected, Jacob ate the majority of the ice cream.

When it came time for the check, Bella pulled out her wallet, but Jacob stopped her. "Oh no, you don't missy, I have it covered."

"Jake, no! I offered for us to eat, and I am going to pay!"

"Come on, Bells. Please let me treat you for once!"

Bella opened her mouth to argue again but stopped when she saw the offended look in his eye. At that moment, it wasn't about Bella not being able to pay or trying to fight for her right that she didn't need a man to do things for her. It was Jacob, her best friend, the man she loved, wanting to do something nice for her. Wanting to show her that he could provide for just as much as Edward did. And while he wouldn't be rich in money, he was rich in heart.

"Alright, Jake, it's your turn to pay."

"Yes!" he cheered as he pulled out some bills.

"Are we all settled here?" Miriam asked as she rolled to them.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good! Leave the money on the table and come with me, I want to show you two something."

Bella and Jacob looked at each other curiously but followed Miriam nonetheless. She led them to a farther part of the restaurant, and Jacob gasped at what he saw.

The Wall of Memories, the sign above read. On it were various pictures of semi-famous people and former employees. His mother's face was in the center, except she had to be about seventeen in the photo.

"The wall of memories. All of our employees who stayed five years or longer get put on the wall. Your mother was one of our best! She made her presence known throughout the whole diner! People loved her! Anyway, I am so glad you two stopped in! It made my day. Stop in any time you like, Jupiter sundaes on me." With that said, Miriam left them alone.

Once again, tears welled in Jacob's eyes as he looked at his mother's picture. She looked so happy and carefree.

He felt Bella reach for his hand. "Her smile is beautiful. You get your looks from her for sure, especially your smile."

Jacob squeezed Bella's hand and wiped his tears. "You're making me feel like a real man, Bells." he joked.

She didn't respond as she leaned her head on his shoulder.

Jacob couldn't help that even through the sadness, he felt content. He didn't want this moment to be ruined. Right now, here they were, looking at his mother's picture, and nothing else in the whole world mattered but this moment. Bella held his hand and leaned on his shoulder as if she were his girl.

Was she his girl? Could she be his girl? She told him she loved him, but …what did that mean for them? For him?

All of his questions dissipated as Bella lifted her head and smiled at him.

"Want to get out of here, Jake? Go for a walk on the town?"

"Sure, Bells, but before we go, there's something I need to know."

"What's that?"

Jacob licked his lips as he prepared himself to ask the question, especially with possible rejection on the line. "Will… will you be my girl?"

Bella looked at him with wide eyes, and then a light confusion brewed as she responded. "Jake? I thought I already was"

And then…she kissed him.

…..

One year later

"You won't let me fall, will you Daddy?" Bella asked nervously as she bit her lip. They were on First Beach, and right behind the makeshift wooden arch were a handful of people waiting on her.

"Of course not, baby girl, but are you sure you want to do this? You and Jacob are only eighteen and nineteen years old. This is happening fast."

Bella laughed at her father and his lame excuses. "Daddy, don't pretend as if you're not happy about this. You and Billy get to be in-laws and gossip like two old ladies. You're just mad I'm moving out, but don't worry; you'll still see me every day. And yes, I am positive I want to do this. I love Jacob with everything I am, and I don't want to waste any more time."

Her mind flashbacks to the newborn battle and Jacob's broken body. Bella stayed with him the whole time, holding his hand as Carslile rebroke his bones. She never wanted to see him in pain again. Knowing he could have almost died, Jacob proposed through the pain, and of course, Bella said yes. Life was too short to wait.

"I trust you, Bells. And you know I'm happy for you, I just had to check."

With that said, Bella clung to Charlie's arm as the curtains from the arch were drawn open, and the drums started.

Bella held her breath as she looked down at her feet, painted a royal blue that matched her wedding dress. Beads carved from Jacob and Billy's hands adored her hair and neck. Sarah Black's hairpin held her intricate braids together.

Torches lit the beach as sunset arrived upon them, the pack smiling as she finally looked up to see the man she loved since childhood. He had grown his hair long just for their wedding. Beads also adored his hair as he stood bare-chested, covered in intricate body paint that symbolized his native heritage.

When she finally got to the small altar, the waves lapping at their feet, Bella felt her heart burst with love.

This was it.

Jacob Black was her natural path, and she had always been his.

…..

After all the ceremonies and fanfare, Jacob pulled his bride into the depths of the forest, wanting to have her alone for just a moment.

"Hello, Mrs. Black." he purred.

"Hello, Mr. Black," she giggled.

"I love you."

"You know I love you more."

"That impossible," he growled, and then he dipped her, kissing her as their life flashed before their eyes. It was going to be a good life and an easy one at that.

Easy as breathing.