Disclaimer for ALL chapters: I do not own Twilight. The saga belongs to its writer, Stephenie Meyer, and so does the characters. I own nothing here. Not even the characters I use. No profit had been made from this story. Believe me, no one paid me for this story.
A/N: Hi it's me kingsofmymuse with my new Leah/Edward story. Hope you all will like it as much as you like 'The Art of Imprinting'. It doesn't has anything to do with The Art of Imprinting, though. Just a warning; some people migh be OOC. Might. Not really sure. Anyway, enjoy!
I know you suffered
But I don't want you to hide
It's cold and loveless
I won't let you be denied
Soothe me
I'll make you feel pure
Trust me
You can be sure
I want to reconcile the violence in your heart
I want to recognize your beauty is not just a mask
I want to exorcise the demons from your past
I want to satisfy the undisclosed desires in your heart
You take your lovers that you're wicked and divine
You may be a sinner
But your innocence is mine
-Lyrics of Undislosed Desires by Muse
-CHAPTER ONE-
HOMECOMING
The neighborhood looked like its screaming 'Welcome home' to me as I pulled up to the reservation.
It has been three years since I left La Push, and yet things certainly are not the same as they were when I left. I moved to Seattle just a month after all the things with the 'vampire mafias' are cleared up, and everyone got their happily ever after, except for me. I was seeking for a fresh start in the city, and got a job as a bartender. Not the best job ever, and neither it's the job I wanted to have, but it turns out to be not that bad. The money I got from the job pays the rent of my apartment, and stocks my food.
The reservation hasn't changed a bit, all the buildings are still the same and the woods are still green as usual. I believe it's the people that had changed. I don't really know what has changed, since I've lost contact with everyone here for three years, except with my mom and brother. But I'm pretty sure people have changed as the years passed. Just like I do. I have changed. Not drastically, it's just there is one thing that happens to me, and is going to change my life.
I took a deep breath as I pulled up to the driveway of my house. I haven't told my mom if I was coming home. I didn't call to inform her about that. My homecoming is unplanned; I didn't even sure to come back home if I didn't discover something last night. People doubt if a female wolf is fertile, they think I can't have a child of my own. Guess what? They're all wrong! For the past few weeks, I had been throwing up almost all day, and nausea keeps taking over my body. So I bought home pregnancy tests and peed all over them, and they all came back positive. I know I should have gone to a doctor's appointment, to make sure if I'm pregnant. But I'm also sure that ten pregnancy tests that said I'm pregnant couldn't be wrong. I mean ten. They all couldn't be wrong.
I'm really fucked up. If I ever had protections or birth control when I was with Jack, then it wouldn't be happening. But no, I was drunk. We were drunk and too stupid to think about such protections. If I'm not drunk I wouldn't have sex with my neighbor. So my biggest mistake was to be drunk.
That night, I stared at the pink lines and smiley faces for like hours, dumb struck. I wondered why the fuck they put smiley faces on sticks that could ruin people's life. No, I couldn't think like this. This thing—baby doesn't ruin my life. I couldn't think of my own child that way.
I didn't tell Jack if I'm pregnant. Soon after I found out I packed my stuff and left Seattle. Besides, I don't think Jack is the settle down type. He's a charming young executive—I'm sure he's that womanizer guy, that kind who likes to have fun. I doubt he's ready to have a child, to be a father. I don't want telling him I'm pregnant then end up having him telling me to abort the child or give it up for adoption. I might be a bitch, but I'm not going to kill my own flesh and blood, nor am going to put them for adoption. No matter what, I'll take care of my child.
It is my own mother I'm going to meet, but somehow I feel so nervous. The last time we met face to face with each other was exactly three years ago. I didn't even come to her wedding with Charlie Swan last year. I used job as the reason of why I couldn't go, when in reality I'm just too lazy, and couldn't stand to witness another Happily Ever After. Yea, talking about what a bad daughter I am. Plus, if she knows about my pregnancy... I don't know what will she say or feel. She may will feel ashamed because her daughter is pregnant without a husband. Yes, the Quileute are strict about that thing.
If anyone asks about my baby's father, I'll just say he died before he knew I'm pregnant. I could say he's a fireman who died on duty, or a police who got shot also on duty. Maybe the latter would be better. I don't know, I just have to think about it later, when people start to ask questions.
Picking up my guts, I climbed out of my truck and walked toward the porch of the house. Glad that mom and Charlie decided to keep our house and still live in it, instead of living in Charlie's house. I rang the bell, and not long after that I heard the pitter patter of footsteps coming closer. I was sure that my mom checked the peephole, because she was suddenly squealing like a little girl. The door was opened, and she immediately wrapped me in a hug.
"Leah!" she exclaimed, still hugging me tightly
"Hey, mom," I replied. She let me go and took a better look at me.
"Oh God, you're so beautiful. And your hair... I love it," mom babbled like a high school girl.
"Thanks mom." Yes. The first thing that changed from me is my hair is no longer in that short boyish style. It's now a little longer and reached my shoulder.
Mom then literally dragged me inside, then calls Charlie and made him get my suitcases from my truck. She led me to the kitchen and told me to sit on the bar stool, while she is making me a lunch.
"Mom, you don't have to do this. Just because I haven't been here since three years ago doesn't mean I forgot to make lunch," I said, half joked.
"I know, but I just want to make something special for you. As a homecoming present," she says as she chopped the vegetables then put them in the pot, and let the boil in the water.
My guess, mom is making me a soup. A nice choice, actually. Seeing it's actually freezing cold outside, since it's snowing heavily and it's December. Plus, one of my mom's specialties is her soup. Seth and I used to have a little fight of who deserves more soup when we were still little. Speaking of the devil, where is Seth? I asked my mom about this, and not really surprised when I got the answer.
"He's at the Cullen's,"
Yeah, of course he would be there. Seth is like so hooked to the Cullens. He is one leech lover. Not that I blame him, though. The Cullens are actually quite nice. Ever since the wolf packs and them got together to fight the Volturi, things between the wolves and the Cullens are not as stiff as it used to be. We're friends with them, and they sometimes refer us as 'family'. Well I'm not really close to them, unlike Jacob and Seth, but now I'm friends with them. Emmett is just fun to talk to, and so does Alice, she is so welcoming. Carlisle and Esme are just so nice, and it's easy to get along with them. I regret it that I didn't befriend with them earlier. Edward and Rosalie... well, they're just like, untouched. And they don't look like they want to be my friends. While Bella, I just doesn't want to get to know her more. I just dislike her. Even though she's my step sister now, I don't have any desire to befriend her, let alone being her sibling.
And Renesmee... well, I don't see any reason for me to be close to her.
"Here you go," mom said as she placed a bowl of soup in front of me. I sniffed the smell of it and immediately had my mouth watery. If the smell of it is so delicious, then how would the taste of it be? It would be super delicious.
I put a spoon of soup to my mouth, and let out a low moan. This tastes delicious, like I expected. This like heaven. I've missed my mom's cooking. She's definitely a great cook. In a flash I finished my soup. Call me greedy, but the food tasted really good. My dad and Charlie are so lucky to have a wife like mom.
Just as I pushed the now empty bowl away from me, Charlie entered the kitchen. He mused his hair nervously and nods toward me, "Leah," he greets
I just nodded back without saying a word. Things are totally awkward between me and him. I'm not really good at this step father-step daughter thing.
He then walks toward where my mother was standing behind the bar stool, and then put his arms around her waist. Mom turned around and kissed him on the lips. Suddenly I felt like my stomach was flipping over, and like I'm going to sick. I've said I couldn't handle to see such thing. Moreover it's my mom who is kissing with a man. I wonder how Seth handles seeing this. He lives in this house; surely he has seen this scene before.
I cleared my throat, making them to break apart. Both mom and Charlie looked down in embarrassment, their cheeks went red.
"I... guess I'm going to find Seth," I stammered as I stood up from my seat, taking a few steps backward before finally turned on my heels.
I left the kitchen and not even once I looked back. Don't need to see another kissing scene. I jogged to where I parked my truck and quickly started the engine. In a flash I was speeding down the road, heading to Forks.
The Cullen mansion looked quiet and peaceful when I reached there. For a house where nine vampires live and two wolves tugging along, it is strange enough if there was no noise coming from that house. After I parked my truck in their spacious front yard, I climbed off the truck and head inside the house. The door was not locked, so I could easily get into the house.
There was a sound of video game, I assumed, coming from the living room. I followed the sound and entered the living room. There I found Seth and Emmett are playing the video games. They were so hooked to the games; they didn't notice me in the room. I cleared my throat to get their attention. When I finally got their attention, their heads snapped right toward my direction and immediately they dropped the sticks they were holding. Both of them then ran toward where I was standing and wrap me in a hug—a really tight hug. I barely can breath, because I was squeezed by two muscular men. Especially Emmett, he's so huge.
"Leah!" they both squealed like a child.
"Guys... put... me... down. Can't... breath,"
They both unwrapped me from their huge instantly. "Leah! When were you coming back? Why didn't you tell us?" Seth asked
"I just want to surprise you all," I lied. And surprisingly, they bought it. Oh, it's just far too easy to fool these two, but the others are the difficult ones.
I shoved my hands to my pockets, "Where's the others?" I asked, looking around to found the place is empty except for the three of us.
"Edward's upstairs and Nessie is in the kitchen, doing her home works in the barstool. Bella... left the house about thirty minutes ago, and the others are all hunting," Emmett gave me detailed information. Oh yeah, I forgot the hybrid kid is now looks like a twelve year old, so she must be attending school now, then. Emmett seems to not realize if there are three heartbeats in the room. Good thing this one vamp is easy to distract.
"Oh, Esme left us food—spaghetti—if you want just warms it up in the microwave. I'm sure after the long ride you're hungry," added Seth
Well, I actually have eaten. But I think I could eat some more. Don't blame me, I'm pregnant. Preggos eat all the time. And I don't care about putting weight cause I'll have my ideal body back eventually; one of the advantages of being a werewolf.
I nodded, "Sure. I'll make sure I hit the kitchen," I said, before I really turned on my heels and walks to the kitchen.
When I entered the kitchen, Renesmee was sitting behind the barstool, like Emmett said—a pile of books in front of her. She looked up and turned around when she noticed me entering the kitchen. The girl is really growing up fast. She looks so beautiful; just like how she was three years ago. He bronze curls were pulled up into a ponytail. Her chubby cheeks now already gone, replaced by a facial feature of a young girl. She has her father's strong jaw line, and almost all of his facial features—which made her as dazzling as he is—while has her mother's cinnamon brown eyes. She smiles as a greeting to me. I smiled back in return.
I walked towards the fridge and pulled out two containers, each have spaghetti and the sauce inside. I put them in the microwave and set the timer. As I wait for the food to finish, I took a seat in the barstool, beside Renesmee. She once glanced at me and then back to her work.
"Homework?" I asked, trying to make a conversation.
She constantly looked up at me. The girl had a shocked look on her face. Well, I have to admit that before this I rarely talk to her. I have to practice, anyway. I'm going to have my own child soon, if I can't talk to a kid then how would I talk to my own child? Renesmee soon recover from the shock she had and answered my question.
"Yeah," she says, nervousness covered her tone, "And I guess I need some help here,"
"What subject is that? Maybe I could help?" I looked over to her opened book, and narrowed my eyebrows when I saw the contents. "Algebra. Well, that one I can't help, kid," I said with a light chuckle, then rose out of my seat because the timer of the microwave went off, "I'm a loser at algebra," said me as I pulled out the containers. They were hot, but I didn't need gloves cause for Christ's sake, I'm a werewolf.
Renesmee chuckles as well. "Yeah, guess I'll have to wait for nana, granddad, and aunt Alice or Aunt Rose to help me," she said as she closed her book and pushed it away.
I took out a clean plate from the dishwasher, "Why don't you ask your dad to help? He's upstairs, right?" I asked her as I put the spaghetti and the sauce on the plate.
She sighs, "I don't think he will help me," her face fell down
"Why?" I took a seat beside her and started to eat the spaghetti; "He's a smartass, isn't he?" my mouth was full with food.
"He's... I don't think I could disturb him right now. He's pretty crushed down. He and mom just had a fight, and mom left to have some fresh air,"
I choked hearing her words. Edward and Isabella Cullen fighting? Well, that's new. So things in this town really had changed there. Renesmee then get me a glass of water and gave it to me. I gracefully drank it in one sip.
"It's not really a surprise..." she started, "Mom and dad have been fighting since like two months ago. Dad said something about mom spending too much time with Jake..."
My eyes were bulging out. The world's most perfect couple is about to tear apart.
I didn't say a thing. I didn't know what to say. I didn't know why Renesmee told me about this thing either. Maybe the girl needs someone to talk to, and I happened to be the one who is around when she is ready to talk. Knowing their parents fighting could be a hard thing to deal for children. Suddenly I don't feel like eating anymore. How could I eat when I watch a girl so heartbroken like this?
"Do you know if mom once kissed Jake? Before I was born?" she says out of the blue, again shocking me. She was staring blankly at her hands.
I stared at her like she has grown two heads. She might be physically twelve, but she actually just three years old! And she just said something about kissing. How did she know about Jake and Bella's kiss anyway?
"I know more than everyone thinks I am, you know," says her with a bitter chuckle, "Don't you say you don't know a thing about that kiss,"
"Guess I know it. But it was in the past..." I half whispered
"Mom barely at home these past couple of months. He's always at Jake's, soothing him after Billy's death,"
Billy's death. I've heard it from my mom. Billy Black died of heart attack two months ago, and it was really unexpected. According to mom, Jake was so vulnerable. He misses his old man badly.
"I kinda miss my mom..." Renesmee whispers. I put a hand on her back, rubbing it gently to calm the kid, "I rarely meet her except when we're hunting. She spends most of her time with Jake,"
"And do you know if Jake imprints on me? You know about imprint, don't you? That once a wolf imprints on someone they have to be together, like true soul mates. It's kind of crazy, that I'm already marked to be Jake's forever even if I don't want to. What if at the end I don't want to be with Jake? It's really confusing,"
And I just can nod at that. I've experienced the craziness of imprinting, too. How it took my fiancée.
"Sometimes life is confusing, kid," was all I could say.
And so we both just sat there, keeping each other company. Renesmee was sitting still behind the barstool, still staring blankly at her fingers, and I just kept trying to sooth her, with rubbing circles on her back.
This kid has been through a hard time.
Another A/N [Sorry I couldn't help but being annoying!]: So whataya think? Please review! :)