XLIV. Truly begin.

The wolf pack, in human form, was gathered around the front porch of the Black's house. I could hear Jacob's screams coming from inside the house and it made my stomach churn and my heart clench.

I approached. "Quil," I called out softly and he turned around to look at me.

Jacob screamed from inside the house again and I flinched, eyebrows furrowing as my mouth fell open. "It's been going on for a while," Quil told me softly as he gave me a comforting pat on the shoulder.

"Doc's rebreaking his bones," Embry explained as he pursed his lips, crossing his arms over his chest as Jacob screamed again.

Leah huffed softly as she scowled. "Why'd he have to butt in? I had it." She spoke angrily as she shook her head.

Paul let out a soft growl as he looked over at Leah, sending her a sharp glare. "Oh, give it a rest, Leah." he snapped, and Leah huffed again as she went quiet.

The front door opened, and Carlisle walked out, followed by Edward, Sam, and Billy. Edward saw me and approached me, pulling me into a comforting hug as he kissed the top of my head.

Carlisle looked around at the gathered pack. "The worst is over. He'll be alright," he told everyone in assurance as he rubbed his hands together. "I gave him some morphine, but his body temperature will burn it off soon. I'll come back to set up a drip," he added as he looked down at Billy.

"Thank you," Billy said sincerely as he nodded thankfully at Carlisle.

Carlisle nodded back at Billy before looking at me. "He's asking for you," he told me before patting Edward on the arm and the two of them returned to Carlisle's car nearby.

I looked at Billy and he nodded me. Sam pushed open the front door and motioned for me to go in. I gave both Billy and Sam a thankful nod before going into the house. I made my way through the house.

I entered Jacob's bedroom at the back of the house. Jacob was lying completely still on his bed, his eyes closed. My lips parted and my eyebrows furrowed as I stared at him. His eyes opened and he gave me a small smile. I blinked and let out a sigh of relief, glancing off to the side before walking further into the room.

I looked back at Jacob as I approached Jacob's bed. "Hey, Jake." I greeted as I sat down on a chair next to his bed.

"Hey." He croaked out softly, coughing and shifting uncomfortably. "I was worried about you," he informed me softly.

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion as my head cocked to the side. "You were worried about me?" I asked him.

Jacob nodded his head. "Hanging with those bloodsuckers, I'm always worried about you," he explained.

I pursed my lips as I gave him a look, quirking one of my eyebrows. "You're going to have to give it a rest someday," I told him as I slowly shook my head, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Not any day soon," he argued softly as he shook his head, his eyebrows furrowing and a frown tugging at his lips. "Not until I change your mind." he insisted.

I sighed softly. I wish he'd give it a rest already, and then we can all just move on with our lives. "I'm sorry, Jacob," I said softly as I shook my head before shrugging my shoulders. "But it's like... Sam imprinting on Emily. I never had a choice with Edward." I explained.

Jacob rolled his eyes at me. "That's crap." He replied and I frowned. "You're not a wolf, remember?" he questioned in a snarky manner as he quirked his eyebrow.

"Still," I whispered as I shrugged my shoulders again. "It's what it is," I said as I clasped my hands together on my lap, picking at my nails.

"No, it's not," Jacob argued firmly as he shook his head at me.

I looked at him through my lashes as my head tilted to the side. "Alice said, even for their kind and mine, there are soulmates," I explained softly, my voice remaining calm. I didn't want another argument with Jacob. "I know you don't believe that-" I continued as I shook my head and Jacob cut me off.

"I don't." Jacob snapped as he shook his head. "He's not-" He went on. I knew what he was going to say. Edward's not my soulmate.

"Yes. He is." I replied, cutting Jacob off before he could say something that would crush my spirit. "You think I'd change and leave my mom behind if he wasn't?" I asked as my eyes squinted at him.

Jacob shifted in his bed, letting out a soft grunt of pain. "With me, you won't have to change or leave your mom," he told me with assurance in his voice.

I sighed deeply, looking down at my lap as I picked at my fingers. "My decision is final," I replied softly. I rubbed my hands over my jeans before standing up. "Should I come back?" I asked softly.

Jacob stared at me before slowly shaking his head. "I need some time," he explained and I nodded in understanding. "But I'll always be waiting," he assured me.

I gave him a pained look. My heart ached inside my chest, yearning for that long-haired boy that I fixed motorcycles with. "Until my heart stops beating?" I asked softly.

Jacob was silent for a second before looking away from me. "Maybe even then," he whispered as he stared at the small window beside his bed.

I walked towards his door but came to a halt as I slowly turned back to him. "You might be happy to hear...I've decided to wait a little longer." I informed him softly.

Jacob smiled, but still didn't look at me. "You're right, that does make me happy to hear," he replied softly. "I have more time to change your mind."

I sighed softly, silently staring at him for a second. "Feel better soon, Jake," I whispered before turning around and leaving.

June came and I still haven't gone back to see Jacob. Despite Billy still visiting my mom and Charlie, Jacob never came to Forks either. A whole month passed, with no Jacob, and slowly, I was making peace with it.

I still hadn't told my mother I was engaged. I wasn't dreading her reaction. She and my father married when they were both eighteen and I knew she wouldn't be able to judge my decision. And now that I had finished school, she couldn't stop me even if she wanted to.

It was a late Monday afternoon. Me and Edward had decided to visit the meadow. It had been so long and it instantly felt just right when we stepped through the beautiful flowers. Edward was lying on his back, his arms folded underneath his head. I was lying with my head on his stomach, playing with the wedding ring I still wore around my neck.

Edward silently watched me, a small smile stretching across his face. He reached one hand out and brushed his fingers against mine. "We should start thinking about telling your mom," he told me as he took the ring between his fingers.

I thought about it for a second. This was a big conversation to have. I turned my head to look at Edward. "Can I do it alone?" I asked softly.

Edward smiled softly at me as he nodded his head. "If that's what you want," he replied softly as he wrapped his hand around mine, holding it against my chest. "I'd like to take you two to dinner after you've told her."

I sat up and turned to face Edward completely. I reached out, brushing my hand through his hair as I slowly shook my head. "I don't want to put you in that position," I told him softly.

Edward chuckled softly before sitting up. He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. "It's fine," he assured me. "I want to do this," he said as he brushed a kiss on my forehead. "I'll get something small," he said and I chuckled softly.

Saturday afternoon came and I decided to talk to my mom. She was sitting in the living room, watching a soap opera on TV. I walked into the living room and sat down on the armrest of her chair. I was wearing my ring on my finger but she hadn't noticed yet.

"Mom," I spoke softly and she turned to look at me. "We need to talk about something," I explained softly.

My mom turned off the TV before turning in her seat, facing me completely. Her eyebrows furrowed. "Is it something bad?" She asked as her head tilted to the side.

I offered her a small smile. I wanted to say no and shake my head. But I just shrugged. "Depends on how you feel," I told her as I let out an awkward smile as I folded my hands on my lap.

"And how do you feel?" She asked carefully as she raised her eyebrows at me.

My smile grew impossibly wide, and I felt tears prick in my eyes. "So incredibly happy," I admitted as I wiped both my eyes with my right hand, sniffing softly as I did so.

My mother couldn't help but smile at the sight of my smile. She reached out, patting my thigh. "Then it can't be bad." She assured me as she slowly shook her head.

I sniffed again, struggling to keep my tears away. "Edward asked me to marry him," I whispered as I looked at her, my smile remaining.

My mother's eyes widened and her lips parted. She took a second to respond as she placed her hand over her heart. "But...you're only eighteen." She whispered.

I nodded in agreement. "Almost nineteen," I told her before lifting my left hand and holding it out to her. "I said yes, Mom," I informed her softly.

My mother gasped, eyes growing even wider as she took my hand into hers. She placed a hand over her mouth as she took a moment to wrap her head around it. She looked at me, eyebrows furrowing. "Ana...are you pregnant?" she asked hesitantly.

My eyes widened. Edward was right outside, listening. "No," I replied quickly as I shook my head.

"Then why now? Why so early?" She asked softly. She wasn't judging; she couldn't, and she also didn't sound disappointed or against this notion. She was simply just curious about my decisions.

"We love each other, so does it really matter when?" I asked her softly and she smiled softly as she slowly shook her head in response. I let out a shaky breath as I smiled again. "Mom, I love him more than words can explain. You once said, he looks at me like he'd jump in front of a bullet for me. I look at him the same way, because I would."

My mother stared at me silently for a second before her tears began to spill. She wrapped her arms around me and almost pulled me on top of her as she hugged me tightly. "My baby girl is getting married." she cried softly and I smiled as I hugged her back. "Oh...I wish your father was here to see you grow up," she whispered as she petted my head.

"Me too," I whispered as I closed my eyes, a tear slipping down my cheek. I squeezed my mother tightly. "I...I know this isn't very traditional, but I want you to walk me down the aisle." I told her softly.

She pulled me at arm's length, the tears streaming down her cheeks as her eyes were wide. She placed a hand briefly over her mouth as she looked at me, and then she moved it to her heart. "Sweetheart, that would be one of my greatest honors as your mother," she told me as she pulled me back into her arms.

I hugged her back for a few seconds before pulling away. "Edward is outside," I told her as I wiped the tears from my face. "He'd like to take us out to dinner," I explained.

My mother wiped her face as well as she sniffed. "Let me just go grab my purse," she said before getting up and heading upstairs.

I got up and went to the front door, opening it as Edward came up the porch steps. He gave me a soft smile, reaching out to wipe away a tear I had missed. Then he cupped my cheek and pulled me closer, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

My mother came back downstairs and Edward let go of me as he stepped towards her. "Eleanor." he greeted her with a small nod.

"Oh, Edward." She breathed out and stepped forward. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him and he carefully hugged back. "You did good," she told him as she pulled away, giving him a small smile. "I was angry at you for leaving her, but you came back, and in doing so, you brought my daughter back," she told him softly. "I won't lecture you on making her happy, because you already do."

Edward gave her a thankful smile and within my own chest, I could feel how much those words meant to Edward. Finally, he had her full forgiveness. "I wanted to ask for your blessing, but it was a spur-of-the-moment thing," he explained softly.

She gently shook her head dismissively. "It's alright, you have my blessing anyway." She assured as she patted his arm.

"Thank you," he told her as he nodded his head and they shared a smile.

This was it. Now I could get married to the love of my life. My life could begin. Truly begin.