Life in south west Idaho was very different than small town Forks. For one, there were many more residents. Not everyone knew our names the moment we arrived; it was a nice change. There was more than one food store to choose from and many auto mechanics. I found myself a body shop willing to give me a chance under the hood for a low wage. It was enough to afford a decent apartment with money left over to open a savings account and still take Nessie out on weekends. Alice insisted on putting my funds in a lucrative stock market portfolio but I managed to get away with only giving her half the money I had when we moved. I wanted to support myself as best I could. The Cullen's did pay for my college tuition for which I was grateful. The apartment was a nice two bedroom with a view of the mountains. It had access to hunting grounds for Ness and enough forest where I could communicate with the pack without being seen. The Cullen's house was only five miles away so it was a very convenient location.

Their home, of course, was extravagant. It was set back in the woods much like the Forks house. It was two stories tall with high ceilings and large windows along two identical wings that jetted out either side and connected in the central living and dining areas. Each couple had their own bedroom, bathroom, and a closet bigger than my room at Billy's house. Ness had her own room on the lower level - technically the basement- which was furnished as tastefully as the rest of the house and had a separate entrance to the back yard. Being the only member of the family who slept, it was necessary to give her space away from everyone else so she wouldn't be woken up in the middle of the night.

I went over there every morning to have breakfast with Nessie in their gourmet kitchen. It was really a sight to watch Esme and Bella cook up delicious dishes like Spanish omelets and Belgium waffles every morning considering the smell made them practically gag. Bella had always been a good cook and Esme enjoyed helping her now that there were actually mouths to feed in the family. They had the most fun at breakfast, discovering new recipes for eggs- Nessie's favorite food.

I'd say the most difficult part of the move so far had been pretending in public that Nessie and I had only just met. I was able to blend in easily without anyone noticing I was from out of town. As far as anyone knew I was just like any other young man who had gotten a job and his own apartment when he started college. The high school in town had a lot more students than in Forks but everyone still noticed Nessie when she started in the fall as a senior so she had to admit she'd recently moved to the area. The family had strongly suggested she start out in a lower grade but Ness hated the idea. She said it was because she couldn't stand relearning what she already knew but I think it had more to do with the age she'd have to claim. She'd made so much progress the past few months getting Edward and Bella to start treating her like an adult, in her relationship with me and in other ways too, that she couldn't stand the thought of playing a 16 year-old high school sophomore. I was relieved when Carlisle stuck up for her, since no one took my opinion seriously, and suggested she enroll at the high school as a senior, spend one year in the local town, and then join us at the college the following fall.

Some days were more frustrating than others. Like the day about a month after we arrived when I'd borrowed the Volvo and picked Nessie up from school after her final class. She was standing outside with some friends when I pulled up. She had made a number of friends in the weeks since we'd moved to Mountain Home. There was a pretty girl named Ashley who seemed like a decent friend. She was sweet and naïve and didn't ask a lot of questions about the family. Another girl, Sadie, had curly black hair and always blushed when I made eye contact with her. It made me uncomfortable so I was glad I didn't see her standing with Nessie. But Ashley wasn't there either. The friends she was with were both guys. She had male friends back in Forks but it was different there because my relationship with her had been common knowledge. Even that Kyle kid knew better than to mess with Nessie Cullen's freakishly tall boyfriend and his "pack" of freakishly tall friends.

Ness didn't notice I had pulled up. She must have been expecting the Rabbit. These two boys were laughing about something and Nessie was shaking her head and smiling at them. I felt anxious watching them, waiting for her to notice me. I was about to honk and announce myself when one of those assholes put his arm around Nessie. I flew open the car door and started walking swiftly towards them. Nessie saw me then and looked surprised as she side stepped out the boys grasp. Both boys looked guilty as hell as I approached their little circle. The one who'd had his arm around Nessie took a few steps back in fear. That suited me just fine. He needed a reminder Nessie had a friend who was older, 6'7", and covered in muscles.

"Jacob?" Nessie greeted me, obviously surprised at my sudden appearance.

"Are you okay, Ness?" I asked keeping my eyes on the two boys.

"Yes, of course. This is Jeff and Greg. They were just keeping me company until you arrived" she explained.

"I can see that" I spit out. I turned back to her and gave a small smile. "You ready to go?" I added trying to calm my tone down.

"Yeah. I'll see you guys tomorrow." We turned and walked back to the car. I shot the two boys one more death stare just for good measure. The driver's side door was still swung wide open. I made sure to open the passenger door for Nessie before getting in myself.

"What was that about?" she asked once we were driving away from the school grounds.

"That kid put his arm around you" I stated the obvious.

"It's no big deal, Jake. You didn't have to scare them."

"What were you talking about, anyway?" I asked.

She let out a sigh and I could tell she didn't want to answer. "They were joking about which one of them would get to take me to the homecoming dance since I told them I didn't have a date. I said I wasn't going at all and they were pretending to fight over who got to take me. That's all."

"Do you want to go to the dance, Nessie?" She hadn't mentioned it before so I was taken by surprise at the mere mention of it.

"No. I'll have plenty of chances." She smiled.

"I'm sorry if I embarrassed you. I just couldn't stand seeing someone else touching you."

"I know. I'm sorry I didn't shrug him off sooner." She put her hand on mine and squeezed it tight.

I was still a little miffed when we pulled into the garage at the Cullen's home. Edward read my thoughts as we came into the house and laughed under his breath. I tossed him his keys.

"What is so funny?" I asked, knowing he'd just plucked the whole story out of my brain.

"Nothing. It's just fascinating, the irony." He smirked all holier than thou.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. Jacob's the moron who was always hugging your girlfriend and holding her hand, and now the shoe's on the other foot and can't handle it" I grumbled. I wished he'd just drop it. I didn't want Nessie asking about "the old days." Edward seemed to understand and thankfully let it go.

Bella came into the room, overhearing our conversation and asked Nessie what happened at school. She explained how the two boys were fighting over who would take her to the school dance even though she insisted she didn't even want to go.

"I feel your pain, sweetheart" Bella commented with a gentle smile. Edward chuckled knowingly.

After the brief confrontation at the high school word got around that Renesmee Cullen had a college-aged boyfriend. I was relieved to say the least that we could finally admit to being together, even though it had to appear as a new development in our lives rather than a "soul mate from the moment of her conception" kind of thing but that was okay. I was getting used to having secrets. We simply told everyone that I met Edward and Bella in college and met Nessie from hanging out with them.

Time passed and before I knew it we had been in Mountain Home for nearly six months. It was February and I was looking forward to my first Valentine's Day ever with a girlfriend. I wanted to plan something very special for Nessie. I was going over ideas in my head that afternoon. Everyone was spending time together in one of the clearings Emmett and Jasper found a few miles from the house. It looked much likes the ones in Forks only drier and less green. The family was playing baseball and Bella and I were watching. She could have played if she'd liked. Her balance and hand eye coordination was excellent now. I actually missed seeing her stumble and fall over her own feet. It was a large part of her human charm that was now lost. She sat out because even though she acquired the grace all vampires have she still didn't enjoy sports. Too many bad human memories she claimed. And also it made the teams even. I didn't play because it was a family tradition and I didn't feel like part of the family. Most of them had been friendly and welcoming to me most of the time but I couldn't help but feel that they were forced to accept my presence for Nessie's sake and wouldn't have missed me if I left. Edward was the only one who knew I felt that way, obviously. Blondie probably held hopes that I did. I wasn't really expecting to ever fit in with them. Werewolves and vampires were natural enemies; it was strange enough for me to consider them friends.

"Why are you so quiet, Jacob?" Bella asked breaking me from my reverie. I looked up to see where Nessie was before answering. She was covering second base, totally occupied in the boys versus girls game they had going.

"I'm just trying to decide what to do with Ness for Valentine's Day. I want to do something special, you know, 'cause it's our first one together."

"Yes, that should be special" she agreed smiling. "What have you come up with so far? If you don't mind my asking."

I felt very fortunate to have Bella in my life. There were many times in the past that I was sure I'd lose my best friend due to one thing or another- the red headed vampire, her decision to be changed, the newborn army, possibly being crushed to death on her honeymoon, and then of course carrying Nessie- just to name a few! I was grateful that Bella was open to hearing about my relationship with Nessie and that the idea of us together didn't seem to bother her anymore.

"I'm considering a couple nice restaurants. Or possibly making dinner for her myself and having a picnic in the mountains" I whispered real low in case anyone else was listening. They all looked occupied by the ball game.

"Picnic, definitely" she decided. "Of all the restaurants and theaters Edward has ever taken me to, my favorite place will always be the afternoons spent in our meadow." She looked out into the clearing to make eye contact with her husband and smiled.

"You're probably right. It would mean more if I prepared everything and surprised her with homemade food" I interrupted her ogling. She turned back to me nodding her head.

"What do you think I should make?" I asked.

"I'll give you some simple recipes and help you make a shopping list" she assured me.

"Thanks, Bells."

"Anytime" she replied and mock-punched me.

"Strrrrrrrrrrrike three!" Jasper announced. Apparently, the game was over. The guys won and were high fiving each other. Rosalie was still standing at home plate arguing Jasper's call. Ness ran over to me and gave me a big hug. I kissed her forehead.

"Did you have fun?" I asked her.

"Yes, but everyone is faster and stronger than me. I wasn't much help" she shrugged. Bella rubbed her shoulder sympathetically. It was her human genes that made Nessie slower than her family.

"At least I'm still faster than a wolf" she teased.

"Oh, are you so sure about that?" I challenged. "Come on Ness, I'll race you back to the house."

She accepted my challenge and we took off into the thick forest. She was fast, but I was faster. I only had to slow up slightly to let her inch past me just as we reached the back door of the house. I declared the race a tie and swooped her up in my arms. Nessie laughed and wrapped her legs around my waist. She attacked my lips while I was still catching my breath. Teenagers. Always in the mood. Within moments I was right there with her, caught up in the moment and squeezing her backside with my hands. I tried to pull back from her but her arms were still draped around my neck and she tightened her legs around my waist.

"Ness, your family is going to be back any minute" I warned.

"Shhh. We'll hear them coming before they'll see us" she reasoned. I kissed her a few more seconds and then used all my strength to peel her body off of me.

"Yes, but I need a moment to calm down before then..." I took a step back and adjusted my jeans. She looked down and saw the bulge I was subtly referring to. She grinned from ear to ear and continued staring. "Get you mind out of the gutter, Renesmee" I playfully scolded her. I took her hand and we walked into the house. I would need a dozen cold showers between now and Valentine's Day for sure.