My Curse, My Blessing

I'd lain down with a leech. I committed a sin that would've been considered unforgiveable by my tribe. I was all set to hide it from them to pretend that everything that happened between Edward and me was a bad dream. However something crazy and unthinkable happened. Something that brought Emily and I close together again because I wasn't going to be able to escape without some assistance. In the back of my mind I knew she'd be happy I was leaving. I wasn't going far but I needed distance. I needed to get away from the supernatural and right now I was too deep in it. I wanted to suffer my sentence alone. I was hoping on the late Bus and when my mom and Seth woke up the next morning they would only be left with the letters I'd left them. I'd left my cell phone I didn't want anyone from my past life to try and contact me. They would shun me if they did. I rather leave them before they left me.

"Leah, you're not even going to tell me why you're leaving?" She asked and had the nerve to pretend like she was going to cry. I shook my head.

"It's not important just know that I've got a plan Em. Take care of everyone for me." I hugged her and hopped on the bus. I took solace in the fact that I was alone right now but I wouldn't be alone for long. I placed my hand on my stomach and marveled at how it felt like a block of ice. The chill of it caused the rest of my body to feel at ill ease. I didn't know how long this pregnancy was going to last or if I would be able to carry it to term. I just knew it was against my beliefs to destroy a life. I scoffed at my thoughts I was sounding more and more like Bella. At least I wasn't forcing my friends and family to watch me as I possibly died. I planned to do this on my own and let the chips fall where they may. I also, didn't want to ruin the father's life. I refused to think his name. He would only be known as the father. The father was a good guy, scratch that he was an amazing guy, and I didn't want to cause in strife in his life. I wished I could regret our one night but every time I thought of our union I only felt heartbroken. I had seen the ways they they'd taken care of Ness and she'd grown into a cute enough little thing. I was sure that I could duplicate the result that was if the birth itself didn't kill me.

"You're going to be a mother?" The older woman across from me asked and I simply nodded. The woman looked odd she reminded me of the creepy old witch in that Disney movie that offered Snow white the apple.

"Are you on your way to meet your sweetheart?" She asked and I shook my head. I didn't want to think about the father right now. I had to focus on getting my baby and me to a safer place.

"You're running away from him then. That's a bad idea child running away from the situation. It causes you to lose control of the situation." The old woman brattled and I ignored her and started to stare out the window. "LISTEN child! Your secret will come out and you won't have any choice in the matter. He will have to choose and so will you. Your child will be a savior to your kind or the destroyer of them all." The woman's eyes they'd changed color and it freaked me out. Omens are real and I was scared that the woman's were a premonition of some kind. I decided that once I was settled I would reach out to someone from my past. That way I could stay connected to the tribe and know if there's any trouble on the horizon.

Six Weeks Later …

I'd done alright for myself. I was struggling but not nearly as much as I thought I'd be. I'd been able to pick up two jobs and rent a one bedroom apartment which was all I needed right now. Even though things were going well things were getting a little complicated and hard to explain at work. I figured it was time to pick the one person I was willing to share my secret with. I had taken the night off so that she could meet me at my apartment. I figured that Emily would be the safest bet because at the heart of things I knew she rather I stay away no matter what information she found out. She knocked on the door and I quickly answered it.

"Welcome to my new spot!" I ushered her in and she looked around the place.

"It's very cute Leah. I was glad you hadn't traveled too far away," Emily said as she sat on my couch. It was good having someone in my space. I hadn't been able to play hostess to anybody. I smoothed my hands on my jeans as I prepared myself for this conversation.

"Did you want anything to drink or eat? I know it's kind of a long ride," I asked and Emily shook her head.

"Maybe later I do plan to stay the night because the buses don't run again until the morning. Sam was a little unnerved when I told him I was staying away and I really didn't tell him where but he'll be alright," she rambled on about her and Sam and for a change I welcomed it until she heard something in the other room.

"Leah, what was that?"

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about." I went into the back and came out with the new man in my life. "Em, I want you to meet Little H." I held my little guy as his big brown eyes studied Emily. He cooed his hello. Emily was in shock and rightfully so. "So I'm sure you have questions," I muttered as I fussed with Holden's navy blue jumper.

"I have tons!" She said in a high pitched tone. "So … you adopted." She asked but we both knew the answer to that one.

"No, he's mine." She nodded.

"And he's how old?"

"He was born last Tuesday Em," I said dryly. Holden looked to be about three months old and he was very intelligent for his age. I expected this from him. He was gurgling and began grabbing at his throat.

"I know what you need," I said playfully to my little man. We walked into the kitchen and mixed water, cow blood I'd gotten from the butcher, and formula. I heated it and placed it in a bottle. I felt Emily's eyes on me and I got his bottle separated.

"So he's like Nessie?"

"Yes," I answered.

"You … with a vampire? Who?"

"Now those are good questions but I can't answer them. Not because I don't trust you but because I don't want anyone to know. I can tell you that this little guy's name is Holden Levi Clearwater and he's the most perfect baby in the world. I wanted to let someone from the tribe know so in case someone was to ever come looking for me they could dissuade them. I know my behavior is frowned upon and my child will not be accepted like Ness. The only reason Ness was accepted so will is because Jacob imprinted. If they found out about Lil H, I don't know … I don't want to know what they'd do." We went back in the living room and I fed him while Emily watched.

"So there's another problem that I've been facing and I was wondering if you wanted to help or had any suggestions. I work two jobs but now that I have this little guy I can't carry him around with me. He grows too fast and people notice. I need someone to stay with him during the day. I'll pay you the about same that you're making now or more because I know you'll have to travel. I just need someone who understands our situation at least until he hits the same plateau that Ness did, then I can hire a normal babysitter. So what do you say Emily?" I sat the bottle down and wiped his face with my towel.

"I don't know Leah he drinks blood and I'm full of it." Emily looked at him as if she were scared.

"Holden, Emily is your cousin no bite, bite okay?" I said as I scooted over to Emily and offered her the chance to hold him. She gathered him in her arms and she melted just like I knew she would. No one could refuse his big brown eyes and his cute little button nose.

"Leah, he's so beautiful," Emily whispered and Holden gave her a little smile. I was aware that he'd already started to understand words and I was pretty sure he understood much of what was going on around him.

"He seems to like you." I looked at my cousin with pleading in my eyes. If she didn't help I was going to have to try and work from home and that was hard because most of those jobs were scams.

"Okay, I'll help," she said as she rocked my little one. I knew that bringing him out would be my lucky charm no one could resist my little guy.