Salvation

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

AN: Here is the second chapter of Salvation. I hope that you like it, if not, I do. Have a great day.

Finding My Way Home

Leah's POV

It had been a hot day and my fucking body temperature didn't help at all. My constant feverish temperature of one hundred and eight kept me awake the night before my departure. I tossed and turned in my cot-like bed and I threw away my blankets and only had the coverlet on my legs to prevent the mosquitoes from biting me. I laid there, with my eyes closed, hoping that this last night would prove to be better than the previous ones. I couldn't sleep or think clearly. There was this strange feeling nagging at the pit of my stomach, begging me to return to the place I vowed to never return.

I didn't want to return to La Push, but there were this dreams that haunted me. I saw images of a man, holding my hand, my heart, body and soul; I was his. He was tall, dark hair, tanned skin, but I couldn't see his face. It was strange, because I have never dreamed of a man that wasn't Sam. My love for him had been strong, but as of late, I was forgetting his face and his warm embrace was being replaced by someone else, different arms held me in my dreams. Different lips were kissing me. I heard the zipper to my tent open, followed by soft steps approaching my bed. I knew the scent that suddenly lingered in the inside the large tent. It was Elliot Hawthorn; he was there... He sat at the foot of my cot-like bed and touched my foot.

"Leah," he whispered sadly.

I pretended to be asleep. I didn't really want to interact with anyone. I hated goodbyes, they were painful and anything that evoked a feeling inside my heart was not welcome. I kept my distance from everyone. I only spoke if it was necessary. I became an archaeologist, because it was a job that kept me busy, traveling and it kept me surrounded by dead humans, bones, artifacts and other things that would not judge me, when they met me.

"Leah," Hawthorn said softly, as his hand glided up my thigh and stopped where my skin met my boy shorts. It was ridiculous how hard he tried to lure me into falling in love with him. Love was not for me! Love was my enemy and I didn't believe in it. I didn't want to believe in anything. All I wanted from Hawthorn was a warm body to lay with me in those lonely nights where it was impossible to sleep. He was there to chase away the memories of a once happy Leah Marie Clearwater. I didn't want to relieve my past memories. I wanted nothing to do with her and her love for Sam.

"Hey," Elliot said.

"Hey," I answered back, opening my eyes and rubbing the sleep off my eyes. "What are you doin-"

"Leah," he moaned, as he leaned his head towards mine and his hand crept higher on my thigh. His lips came crashing against mine, as his hand cupped my face. His kiss held such urgency and desperation, that I slowly gave in. "I need you," he whispered against my lips. I knew that he loved me, but I didn't and I would never love anyone else the way I loved in the past.

Elliot crawled between my legs, removing the flimsy blanket that separated us and threw it on the floor. His hand moved up my leg, as he parted them, and positioned himself between them. "I need you, Leah." he whispered, as his lips moved to the sensitive skin on my neck.

I didn't answer. I didn't care! This was going to be my last night in the African desert and I wanted to spend it with someone. It had always been Elliot the person that I shared my bed with. After ten long years of abstinence, Elliot had made me lose control, with his muscular body. He was beautiful. I couldn't deny that I felt physically attracted to him. He was white, with blond hair and dazzling green eyes and a physic that left others jealous. But that was it! There was nothing else that made me desire him. There was no love. I didn't believe in love. Love killed and destroyed me once, but never again! He helped me take my tank top off, exposing my chest to him. He grabbed my breast and kissed it hungrily. I moaned, letting myself loose in the heat of our passion. It wasn't love. It was sexual desire and I was letting the tides of the night carry me.

The next morning, I woke up very early and found myself alone in my tent. Elliot had left in the middle of the night and returned to his own tent. I got up and went to get ready for my twenty-eight hour flight to Washington State. I washed up and quickly got dressed. I had already sent my belongings a few days before. They should've arrived the states before I got here. I only needed to bring my carryon bag. When I was done, I turned around, giving my tent one last look. It was empty, just like me. I walked to where my ride was waiting to take me to the airport. We drove in silence. In less than a few hours of driving and the sun beating down on me, I was ready to return home. I didn't know the reason. I didn't know why this need to go back was stronger than my own will, but it needed to be done. Something was going to happen in my life. I knew that it was going to change. I knew that La Push was calling me, and after two years of calling me, Leah Clearwater was answering.

After thirty two hours of flying, I had reached my fucking destination. I wanted to phase when I saw Emily Uley meeting me at the end of the hall. I had already picked my luggage, four of them to be exact. I carried them effortlessly, curious eyes staring at me, as I walked to where Emily stood. Great! I bet that people were thinking what a bunch of weird girls! Scarred face and the bitter Hulk!

I put my luggage on the floor and stared down at Emily, the girl that once had been beautiful and my best friend. She pulled me into her arms and hugged me. She looked older and haggard. I looked around the airport lobby, watching as people were greeted by their loved ones.

"Where is Seth?" I said nonchalantly, as I pulled away from her, unable to meet her gaze.

Emily shook her head and took a step back, scrutinizing me with her eyes, as she turned to my luggage and grabbed the lightest one. "He was busy helping Brady with his kid's birthday party."

"Oh, so Brady's spawn is more important than me?" I snapped, as I picked up the rest of my baggage. I was angry. It was a typical feeling for me. I really wasn't angry; I was annoyed that my brother would send Emily. He knew how I felt about the whole thing.

"Leah, don't start." Emily retorted, as she flashed me and angry look.

"Don't start what, Emily?"

"Don't start with your annoying mood. You can't call Brady's kid a spawn. The poor kid has nothing to do with Seth helping him. They are friend and that's what friends do! Oh, yeah, you wouldn't know! You don't have any." she said harshly.

Emily Young, or should I say Emily Uley had changed over the decade that I was away from La Push. She had a rough exterior; maybe life with Sam Uley wasn't so easy for her. I silently prayed that she wasn't happy.

"Why not?" I snarled.

"I'm not going to argue with you." she said casually, as she flung the bag over her shoulder.

"Good, cause I don't want to talk to you." I said childishly.

"Fine!"

We walked to her vehicle. It was a beat up minivan, filthy with used cups, candy wrappers lying on the floor and chocolate stains on the tapestry of the seats. I inhaled deeply and found the most uncomfortable stench of rotten food. It was worst than smelling filthy mother fucking leeches.

"Why did you come back from Albania, Lee? Why are you in La Push, Leah?" Emily asked, after driving for an hour in silence, listening to her depressing country music (nothing against it).

I growled and veered my head to her. "My name is Leah, Emily, don't call me Lee. Plus, I was in Africa, not Albania."

"Sorry," she muttered, as she stared at the road ahead. "So, are you going to answer?" she said acrimoniously.

I shrugged and slouched on the seat. This damn tiny seat. I was five feet eleven inches and I felt like I was in a fucking sardine can. "I felt like coming." I said sharply.

Emily giggled and turned her signal to move to the next lane. "That's not what Haliee Christina said." she whispered.

I turned to face her and narrowed my eyes at her. What had my dumb sister-in-law said? "What did my insipid sister-in-law say this fucking time?"

Emily shrugged and started tapping the steering wheel. She didn't answer, but after five minutes of mulling over her reply she spoke. "She said that you have wanted to come back to La Push for the last two years. Why didn't you come before? This is your home! We love you and you are always welcome here!"

I laughed sarcastically. "I have no home." I said slowly. You took him from me. My home was where Sam Uley was.

"You do, Leah. My house is always open for you." she said, showing a glimpse of the old Emily that I loved and respected.

I turned my head to face outside the window. It was starting to drizzle and I instantly hated my decision of returning to this forsaken place. "Thanks, but I rather stay with the Cullens than your house." I said curtly.

"That's rude, Leah." Emily hissed.

"You should've known that I am always rude, dear cousin." I replied, smiling satisfied.

Emily continued to drive down the freeway and made a right turn, going the opposite direction from La Push. "Leah, I have to stop by the store and buy certain things for Benedict's party. I promised Leslie that I would bring her the ice cream." she said tiredly.

I just wanted to get home, lie down, relax and eat a bowl of cereal. A bowl of good American cereal. Not goat milk and heaven knows what else I ate for the last fucking years that I lived away from home. "Fine, whatever. Just take me to my mother's house after you finish buying the crap that you need." I said haughtily, as I adjusted the seatbelt strap.

"I can't." she said, as she stared at me with sadness in her eyes.

"Why not, Emily?"

"Your mother sold her house."

"She, what? Why didn't she fucking tell me?" I yelled hysterically.

"You barely answer your phone and when you call is to let us know that you are going somewhere off, far away from Washington!" she said lividly, as she turned her signal to change lane again.

"Well, at least, I call, don't I?"

"Sure! Whatever, Leah."

Emily continued to drive, her hands holding the steering wheel tightly, until her knuckles turned white. "So, where did she move?" I asked inquisitively.

"She finally moved to Forks with Charlie." Emily said, smiling.

I wanted to vomit. I didn't hate Charlie Swan. He'd been a great friend of my father. I also knew that my mother had waited a few years to act on her feelings for him. She wanted Seth and I to accept him... I just hated the fact that she was not in La Push, where she could be protected from Bella or her leech family. I didn't want anything bad to happen to my mother.

"Ugh,"

"Seth bought her house. He said that it held a lot of memories from

Uncle Harry."

"Good! So, how is his little daughter?" I asked, trying to change the topic.

"Beautiful." Emily smiled. "You'll see her at Benny's birthday party."

"Good." I said annoyed. I didn't want to see a bunch of fucking wolves and their imprints and their fucking offspring. I didn't want to see anyone. I wanted to sleep, relax and eat.

"OK, here we are." Emily said contently, when she pulled in to the supermarket's parking lot.

"I will wait here." I said grumpily, as I stared out the window. It was strangely a nice day in this side of Washington. It wasn't raining and there weren't any ominous dark clouds threatening to destroy the beautiful afternoon.

"OK, whatever, I'll try to hurry up." Emily said, as she collected her purse and took the keys out of the ignition. "Just in case you tried to steal my car!" she said, smiling.

After forty minutes of waiting, Emily came out of the supermarket with four grocery bags in her hands. She was whistling happily as she approached the minivan. I unlocked her door and watched as she placed the bags in the middle of our seats.

"Sorry I took so long."

"It is fine." I said, tired of being angry. It took too much energy out of me.

"Fine, let's head to the birthday party."

"I'm not staying."

"You can take my car after we arrive there, but only on the condition that you stay for ten minutes and say hello to your pack brothers and their families."

"I only have one brother." I said broodingly.

"What about Jake?"

"He became my enemy when he imprinted on the devil's spawn." I said casually.

"You need to grow up Leah."

"And you, Emily, you need to mind your business, cousin." I said angrily.

She rolled her eyes at me and turned on the ignition, she slowly placed the car on drive, pulling the car out of the parking lot and in less than five minutes we were back in the main road, on our way to La Push. After about ten minutes, we were pulling down a beautiful white and blue house. Emily parked on the side of the road and put her minivan on park.

"We are here!"

"That was close." I muttered and unbuckled my seatbelt and exited the minivan. Finally, space to stretch and breathe fresh, clean and unpolluted air.

"Come on, Leah, help me with this stuff." she ordered, handing me the heaviest bags. She walked swiftly up the driveway and entered the front door. The first thing I saw was a tiny girl, bouncing a baby in her arms. It was Leslie Brooks, Brady's imprint. She'd always been nice to me. She smiled at me and walked to where I was.

"Leah," Leslie said happily.

"Leslie," I said, placing the bags on the counter. "How are you?"

"I'm fine!" she said, resting her head on her child's shoulder. The kid was around two from what I could see. His hair was black and he had the same skin color as his mother.

"I'm glad that you are here!" she said, happily. "This is the birthday boy!" Leslie said contently, as she turned her little boy to face me.

"Um, I," I muttered, when my eyes met the infant's beautiful olive green eyes. My world stopped turning and the center of my universe shifted and my life was no longer mine, it belonged to him. He held my future in his hands! This innocent boy, held my hopes and dreams in his hands.

"Oh no," Haliee Christina whispered, as she walked to Leslie and took the baby from her hands. "You can't Leah! You can fuck up his life, like you've done with everyone else's!"

"Haliee," Leslie said offended. "Why did you say that?"

"Leah fucking imprinted on your baby."

"She did?"

"Yes,"

Leslie turned to face me, her eyes welling with unshed tears. She walked up to me and I was ready to be slapped or offended, but she held me and cried. "You'll make him happy!" she said happily.

"Are you crazy, Leslie?" Haliee shouted.

"Give me the baby!" Leslie demanded, as she pulled away from our hug and turned to face Haliee. She held the baby tighter against her chest and shook her head. "Give me my son, Hale!"

Haliee handed her the baby, my world. Leslie held him gently against her chest and kissed his forehead lovingly. The baby continued to stare at me, a happy smile on his lips. Leslie hugged me again and for the first time in a very long time, I felt accepted. She took the baby from my hands and kissed him on the cheek. I felt empty without him. I needed to protect him and I needed to see his smile. It was overpowering the connection that he had over me. I wanted to run from it, but I was tired of running. I had found my reason for living. After years of waiting, I found my purpose in life.

"What's going on?" a deep masculine voice asked. I pried my eyes away from my imprint and faced Brady, the father.

"Leah," Leslie cried happily. "She's, um, I'm so happy!" she said, wiping the tears off her face. "She imprinted on Benedict."

"For real?" Brady asked confused.

"I know," I said softly. "I'm sorry, Brady. I didn't mean to. It just happened." she said sadly.

"I know, shit like that happens without us controlling it." Brady said solemnly. "Les, let her hold Baby boy." Brady said. "Leah, you are now part of my family. Treat my son properly."

"I will," I cried, taking Baby Brooks from his mother's arms. The baby cooed happily when Leslie placed him in my arms. He placed his tiny chubby and warm hands on each side of my face and planted a childish sloppy kiss on my cheek. I sobbed, holding him tightly against my chest and cried. "Thank you, guys." I whispered, caressing his soft baby hair.

"His name is Benedict Collin Brooks." Leslie said, placing her caring hand on Benedict's head. "We call him Baby boy. He likes it a lot."

"Benedict," I cried, kissing Benedict's forehead.

"He is two years old." Brady said, as he held on to another little boy, whom I am guessing was his older son.

"Two?" I asked surprised. "So, you have been calling me to return home these last couple of years?" I whispered on Benedict's ear. Benedict giggled and grabbed my hair in his small fist. "Wow! I love him so much. But, it's not a lover's kinda of love. It's sublime, pure and innocent."

"I know." Leslie whispered and sobbed.