Chapter 6: Wonder What's Next
The next few weeks were very tough on the Cullens and the Quileutes. Jeremiah never left Leah's side and Sue was there everyday to check on her daughter. She cleaned her and changed her everyday that Leah spent unconscious. She and Seth had rushed over when Bella called. Jacob had fully recovered, he and Carlisle spoke on the issue and both decided that the injuries that Jacob had suffered were a direct result of the fact of how close Jacob and Leah had become over the last few years when he had assumed the mantle of the role of Alpha in the pack and Leah had become his Beta as Bella once put it. "The pack mentality is quite an astonishing element of your world Jacob Black," Carlisle told him. He came everyday to check on her and Jeremiah. Although he was reluctant to their relationship at first, all the concerns that Jacob has were washed away when he saw the devotion that Jeremiah had to Leah and how he would never leave her side even though it was quite evident that he was becoming increasing thirsty.
Everyone was in unison about Leah's treatment, it was going to be the wait and see approach. She was going to have to heal herself; everyone that knew Leah came to check in on her, even Sam.
That was the only time the environment became tense, Sam had openly blamed Leah's injuries on Jeremiah. This caused Jeremiah let out the most bloodthirsty growl he could ever muster, Emmett and Jasper immediately rushed over to him and tired to hold him back. Everyone realized that in a straight up fight Jeremiah would kill Sam. But it wouldn't be a fair fight; Paul and various members of the tribe came with him. The only thing that stopped the scene from turning into an all out brawl in the Cullen house was Sue, she walked over to Jeremiah and stood right in front of him and looked at him in the eyes. She was just a human and she stood right in front of a vampire who was extremely pissed off at the moment. After a moment he stopped resisting Jasper and Emmett. Sue nods her head; she knows that what she did worked that the sight of Leah's mother would calm him down enough to understand that Leah wouldn't want this. She turns her eyes to her daughter; Jeremiah follows and sees her sleeping peacefully. He goes to back to original position, the one in which he is sitting on a chair right next to her. Sue turned her attention to Sam and gives him a look only a mother could give. He looks down ashamed of what he has just done, he lets out a sigh and walks out the door and leaves the house with Paul and the others following him
A Few Days Later
Esme walks into Jeremiah and Leah's bed and sees that Jeremiah is still in the seat. He hasn't even changed since what happened with Sam.
"Son, you have to go take a shower and get cleaned up its been days. Better yet Jeremiah you have to feed," says a concerned Esme who places a hand on Jeremiah's shoulder
Jeremiah reaches over his body and places his hand over hers and gives her a weak smile
"I know Esme, but I can't leave her. I know that you are going to tell me I am wrong but I feel responsible for her being in this position. I feel like if I was with her instead of focusing on killing that monster than she would be okay and she would be in my arms," responses Jeremiah
"You can't think that way Jeremiah. Leah is a strong woman; she can take care of herself. She is a fighter Jeremiah, much like yourself that is why you two are so drawn to each other. Your wounds have made both of you stronger and she would not want you to hurt yourself in order to be with her," answers Esme
"I'll be okay Esme, I've trained myself to go vast amounts of time without feeding. Its mind over matter, if you are able to control your desires than the concern for feeding becomes a mute point," says Jeremiah
"But if you do not feed than you will not be as strong or as agile as you will need to be when we fight the Russian," says Carlisle as he goes over to his wife and place an arm around her shoulder.
Jeremiah lets out a big sigh, he trusts Carlisle's wisdoms than anyone he has ever met during his time spent as a vampire. But as he gets up he hear a groan come from Leah, as she begins to wake up. Her body shoots up and she looks wide-eyed around the room, Jeremiah quickly rushes to her bed and takes her in his arms. This seems to comfort her and her heartbeat slows down considerably. She groans a little as she places her head horizontally on his shoulder.
"How are you feeling Leah?" asks Carlisle
"Just soar all over," responses Leah in a lowered voice
"I'm just glad that you are alright," says Esme
"We are going to leave you two be, we are going to call your mother Leah and when you two are done, I am going to come back and check on your condition," says Carlisle
Leah nods in agreement; Esme and Carlisle walk out the room and close the door behind them.
Jeremiah turns back to look Leah in her eyes and sees that mixture of passion, excitement and admiration that he loves
"What happened out there?" asks Leah
"You don't remember?" asks back Jeremiah
"I just remember patrolling, I picked up two foreign scents and before I could find them something came up behind me and I remember two figures over my body then the bigger fight smashed me into the ground," replies Leah
This seems to make Jeremiah angrier and angrier. Leah slowly away as she feels his body gets tense. She looks into his eyes and sees thee fury inside of him.
"Jerry calm down, I'm okay all the broken bones have healed and all that's left is a bunch of bruises that will go away in a few days. I want you to be here, right now with me. With your only thoughts being about the fact that I am in your arms," says Leah who wraps her arms around him
Jeremiah tightens his hold on Leah, she can instantly feel that he body has soften because of her words. Jeremiah cups her cheek with his hand and places a soft kiss on her lips as the kiss starts to deepen he can feel that she is pushing through the pain in order to stay in the same place physically. As she remove her lips from his and looks into his eyes she can see that his eyes are completely black.
"When is the last time you fed?" asks Leah
"That first day that I was here right before we had that race," answers Jeremiah with a grin on his face
Leah then grabs his shirt and takes a whiff.
"And when is the last day you even took a shower and changed your clothes?" asks Leah
"Before you got hurt," replies Jeremiah
Leah slaps him upside his head, it doesn't hurt but that wasn't the point
"I don't want or need you to crash and burn just because I got hurt," says Leah
"I wanted to be here when you woke up, I wanted to be here for you throughout your recovery," says Jeremiah in a defensive tone
Leah sighs and strokes Jeremiah's cheek with her hand
"I'm a big girl Jerry, do you think I want to see you like this. I want you to be the man that I went out with; I want you to be the man that when I hold you hold me in your arms I feel safe and open. Not someone who is willing to put himself through so much pain in order to be with me. I will not let you become a co-dependent boyfriend," says Leah
Jeremiah playfully chuckles at her; she rolls her eyes but eventually gives him a smile.
"Okay my love, I am going to go feed then I'll come back and take a shower and make you some food. I am not the only one who hasn't eaten in a while, I mean my food is way much better than those bags of fluid that Carlisle has hooked up to your arm," responds Jeremiah
"You know how to cook?" asks Leah
"Yea, since my mom was always working so we had were on our own a lot and we had to fend for ourselves. So my mom started to teach me how to cook and those nights that my mom was at work I cooked for my siblings and me. And even though it has been some time since those days, I remember them very vividly," answers Jeremiah
"Wow, I'm impressed," replies Leah
"Thank You," says Jeremiah
Next thing they know, there is a knock on the door. Its Sue and Seth
"Wow, that was quick mom. You must have gone faster than any of us when Esme and Carlisle called you to tell you that I was awake," says Leah
Sue runs over to her daughter and gives her the biggest hug she could muster.
"Well we were on our way to check on you when I got the call from Esme and we rushed right over," responds Sue as she releases Leah from the hug
"How you feeling Leah?" asks Seth who walks over and gives her a hug
"Okay just soar and bruised all over," replies Leah
"Well that's the best we could hope for. Seeing your only daughter lifeless, is something I never want to see again," says Sue
Leah looks down and begins to play with her thumbs, after a moment she looks up and meets eyes with her mother
"I promise mom, I will take better care of myself from now on," answers Leah
"I know you will, look when you are ready. I would love for you to come home, its not that I am not appreciative of what the Cullens and Jeremiah have done for you but I want you home. Its been far too long and Jeremiah you are of course welcomed to come over whenever you want, regardless of what the Treaty or Sam have to say," responds Sue
"Thank you Sue, that means a lot to me. I'll leave you guys alone, now that Lele is awake she is making me go feed," says Jeremiah
Sue and Seth nod in his direction. He gets up and leans into Leah and gives her a kiss on her forehead.
"I'll be back soon, my love," whispers Jeremiah
Leah nods when their eyes meet; she then uses her index and begins to point at her lips. Jeremiah chuckles and then leans in and places a kiss on her lips; he then brushes her cheek with the back of his hand and quickly rushes out the room and runs into the forest.
"That guy really cares about you, doesn't he?" asks Seth
Leah nods as she smiles and stares into the forest
"You know he never left your side?" asks Sue
Leah turns away from the forest and back to her mother
"I know mom, I wish he didn't. I wish that he didn't beat himself up so much about it. But its nice to know that he does care that much because I know that I would do the same thing for him," answers Leah
"Seth told me why he is here and what is really going on, is it really that bad?" asks Sue
"Yea mom it is but I trust Jerry and I know that he will be able to stop this guy and the Cullens and the pack will take care of his army," replies Leah
"I'm scared that this is the beginning of something bad Leah and I don't want to get hurt like this again," says Sue
"Mom, it was a trap and I got blindsided. Trust me it will never happen again and know we know that this guys are here. I'm sure that Jacob and the Cullens have been patrolling the forest and the surrounding areas looking for more of them. Seth what happened to the two vamps that attacked me?" asks Leah
"Well what Edward told me was that when you were attacked Jacob felt what happened to you and collapsed from the agony which was totally weird if you ask me but whatever. Edward told Jeremiah what was going on and he rushed into the forest without thinking; Edward, Jasper and Emmett followed after him. Jeremiah apparently rammed into the two vamps, no one really knows cause you cant see him when he is running. Anyways he saw you on the ground and was really pissed off; he got the info out of them while the guys held the two vamps down and when he was done he started to remove their body parts and set them on fire. Emmett then took them apart and they were set on fire, Jeremiah then picked you up and walked you here," answers Seth
Sue doesn't say anything, she rather not be reminded of how her daughter was injured.
"Well Leah, I am going to go back to the house and grab you some more clothes. You have some in the cabinets but I assume that you will need to take a shower and change your clothes," says Sue
"Thanks mom," answers Leah
Sue gets up and leans in and kisses her daughter on the cheek when they meet eyes they exchange smiles
"Are you gonna stay here or are coming back with me?" asks Sue in the direction of Seth
"I'm gonna stay here mom, I wanted to hang out with Jacob and Nessie" replies Seth
"Okay, well I'll be back in a little bit," says Sue and with that she leaves and closes the door behind her.
"I didn't want to bring this up while mom was here but when Sam came by to check on you he blamed Jeremiah for what happened to you," says Seth
"What," shouts Leah
"Yea, it got really bad. You should have seen the look in Jeremiah's eyes that whole if looks could kill thing really applies. Jasper and Emmett had to hold Jeremiah back from attacking him," responds Seth
"What happened did they get into a fight?" asks Leah
"No, mom got in front of Jeremiah and forced him to look at her in the eyes. When their eyes met he calmed down and when back to sitting by your bed. Mom turned around and stared at Sam and then he left. Dude Sam was being such a jerk, I mean no one blames Jeremiah for what happened to you; they know how much he cares about you so for Sam to actually say that was such a douchebag move," says Seth
"I feel the same way Seth, when I see that piece of shit I am going to beat some manners into him," responds Leah
"Yea dude but please take care of yourself, like mom I don't want to see you like this again," says Seth
"I will Seth, I'll be fine trust me that will never happen again," says Leah
"Okay, I'm gonna to hang with Jake," says Seth who then gives his sister a quick hug then quickly leaves the room
Leah spends the next hour or so pondering everything that her mom and Seth had just told her. Carlisle came in and check on her condition and was pleasantly surprised at how well her recovery had gone, he assured her that her bruises would go away in a day or so and that she should eat as it would help her keep her strength up and would make her recovery go by faster. After he left her room she fell asleep only to be awaken to someone laughing quietly. She opens her eyes and they meet those of the person who had been laughing moments before.
"Well hello there," says Jeremiah
Leah blushes
"Hi honey," responds Leah
Jeremiah leans in and gives her a quick kiss on the lips
As he releases his lips from hers she quickly pulls on his clothes and falls into the bed with her. He positions himself so that his back is on the bed and Leah then proceeds to roll over and lay her body on top of his.
"How did it go?" asks Leah
"It went good, I didn't want to go that far away so I could feed and easily make my way back here," responds Jeremiah
Leah then proceeds to lay a kiss on his throat, which causes him to lightly moan
"You don't hear my complaining do you?" asks Leah
Jeremiah chuckles a bit
"Me neither," responds Jeremiah
"Mom and Seth told me everything that happened," says Leah
"I see," says Jeremiah, Leah raises her head and sees that Jeremiah is staring up at the wall
"Look Sam was wrong, you are not to blame for what happened to me. And when I see that bastard I am going to beat the crap out of him," says Leah as she places her head his chest
"Maybe," is all that Jeremiah can say.
"No maybes Jerry, you didn't do this to me. And if you hadn't come to rescue me I would be dead right now," says Leah
Jeremiah sighs this causes Leah to swing her right leg over and is now sitting on Jeremiah. He gets up a little and props himself up on his elbows and they meet eyes
"I'm right here Jerry, I'm alive and happy to be here with you," says Leah who then places her hand over Jeremiah's heart.
He gives her a weak smile; she knows that she has won the argument and that he is right there in the moment with her.
She leans in and proceeds to kiss him Jeremiah then proceeds to use his nose to begin brushing it against any exposed area of her body. She begins to playfully chuckle
"Come on we need to take a shower," says Leah
She gingerly gets up off of the bed and extends her hand Jeremiah gets up as well and takes her hand and they walk into the bathroom but not before grabbing some clothes from the cabinets.
As soon as the hot water hits Leah's body she feels the stiffness starting to decrease. She then feels Jeremiah's arms around her waist, she leans her neck to the right so that Jeremiah can kiss the exposed area, which he immediately does.
"Make love to me Jerry?" whispers Leah into his ears
"Are you sure?" asks Jeremiah
Leah closes her eyes and nods in response
She begins to moan as she feels him inside of her. Jeremiah purposely goes slow so as to not add to her injuries. Leah wraps her arm around the back of Jeremiah's head and arches her back and prepares for each thrust. She finishes first and he is not far behind he then grazes his nose up and down her neck. She then turns around and wraps her arms around his head and they begin to kiss. They stay like this for quite awhile eventually getting to exactly taking a shower. As Jeremiah is getting dressed all Leah can do is smile at him, he is in some black slacks and a white undershirt; she has some jeans, a pair of chucks and a grey hoodie on. He looks up and they meet eyes and he smiles at her. She walks over to him and wraps her arms around his waist.
Jeremiah breathes in Leah's scent; he smells the shampoo that Leah uses. He kisses the side of her head. And proceeds to grab a shirt from the closet and begins to button it up. He puts his shoes on and then walks over to Leah and extends his hand to her, which she is glad to except. They walk downstairs and go into the kitchen; the house is pretty much empty. A note is left on the kitchen table saying that they had all gone either into town or hunting. Jeremiah smiles and then proceeds to go further into the kitchen with Leah in tow. He points to a chair near the counter, she nods and sits down; he starts rummaging around the kitchen. He takes out a bunch of items and begins to get to work, its common items for a hearty breakfast.
20 minutes later Jeremiah places a big plate near Leah and takes to cleaning up the mess that he had made. Once he was done he takes a seat in the chair next to Leah and watches her eat. After each bite she lets out a soft moan, which makes Jeremiah grin.
"Damn, this is the best eggs, beacon and pancakes I have ever had," says Leah as she finishes and plants a kiss on Jeremiah's lip
"Thank you, I aim to please," responds Jeremiah as he gets up and grabs her plate then proceeds to clean it
"I've noticed," answers Leah
Before he could say a single word in response the Cullens begins to enter the house. All smell the odor that the eggs, beacon and pancakes have left behind.
"Well I am glad that you are up and about. But please Leah do not strain yourself too much by making yourself breakfast. Alice or me would be more than happy to make you something to eat," says Esme
"Actually Esme, Jerry made it for me. He is an incredible cook, I have never eaten food that good and that was only breakfast," responds Leah
Esme and Carlisle give her a shocked look and then turn their attention to Jeremiah, which causes him to shrug.
"We didn't know that you knew how to cook," says Esme
"I picked up a few things over the years," replies Jeremiah
"Well can you teach me what you've learned?" asks Esme
"Of course," says Jeremiah as he takes his seat next to Leah
She instinctively leans into him making sure that her head is right under his chin
"Well we are all glad that you are doing much better Leah," says Carlisle
"Yea I feel way much better. But I'm still a little tired, my stamina is still kinda low and the food definitely helped I guess I need another day or so," responds Leah
"Well do not push yourself too much, by straining yourself you are more likely to hinder your recovery," answers Carlisle
Leah nods in agreement
"Do you want to go upstairs and rest?" asks Jeremiah
"Yea I think that would be for the best," answers Leah
Jeremiah gets up and proceeds to help Leah get from the kitchen to their bedroom. As she as she gets on the bed she fall right into a slumber. Jeremiah softly chuckles so as to not wake her up. He smiles at the sight of her and walks out the door slowly closing it behind him.
He goes downstairs and sees that Jasper, Emmett and Edward have joined Esme and Carlisle in the kitchen. He nods to each one and they return a nod.
"Is Leah resting?" asks Esme
"Yea she is sleeping peacefully," responds Jeremiah
"That's good to hear, I am glad she is okay," says Edward
"Thank you Edward, look now that she is awake and recovery from her injuries its time that we focus on the impending threat," says Jeremiah
"Us and the packs have been patrolling most of Washington and we have had no sign of any army or your Russian," answers Jasper
Jeremiah sighs and says, "well that means two things; one, because we disposed of his scouts he knows that he have become aware of his existence and possibly the existence of his army and their location."
"And the second?" asks Edward
"That he is still in Canada," answers Jeremiah
"How do you know that? He could have moved," asks Carlisle
"I know because this guy has never had to change his way, this guy isn't scared of anything because he has never had to be. Yea we might have taken care of his scouts because those are just two vampires who can be easily replaced," answers Jeremiah
"But it means that he knows that we know that he is coming that's gotta count for something," says Carlisle
"In the end our knowledge of his existence will not count for nothing," retorts Jeremiah
"I never thought you would one to back down from a challenge," replies Edward
"I'm not I am just telling you what he thinks, that's why we change our tactics. That is why we change how we fight. Those who are unable to adapt to change are ultimately the ones who are left behind," responds Jeremiah
"What do you have in mind?" asks Carlisle
"We take the fight to him. Edward, Jasper, Emmett both of you heard what his scouts told us; he has his army split up in sleeper cells. We fight him in Canada and we will only have to fight a few newborns at most. If we wait and let him come to us then we will have to fight his entire army and we would encounter losses," says Jeremiah
"But if we all go to Canada then we would leave Forks and Washington open to an invasion," responds Jasper
"That's why it would only be us," replies Jeremiah as he looks around the room
"Jeremiah I fight when my family and my territory is in danger, I do not openly go looking for a fight," says Carlisle
"I understand your choice, but I honestly when I was referring to us going up there I wasn't talking about you and Esme. I have come to care about you both but honestly neither one of you are fighters, you two are very much pacifist and I never expect you to go on this mission. I was thinking that your sons and a few members of the pack would go," explains Jeremiah
"Thank you for your honestly Jeremiah, and I do not speak for my sons so the decision is up to them," responds Esme
"Thank you Esme," says Jeremiah
Jeremiah looks around the room asking each one in a non-verbal manner
Jasper nods
Edward looks down obviously thinking about spending time away from Bella and Reneesmee. He then looks up and nods
"Hell yea," is the only response that Emmett gives
"Which pack member will you ask to come along?" asks Edward
"Jacob and Seth," answers Jeremiah
They all nod in agreement both are very capable fighters. And because of Jeremiah's relationship with Sam, it would not be a wise idea to ask him or any members in his pack to come along
"What about Leah?" asks Jasper
Jeremiah sighs and looks down. He then closes his eyes and begins to relive the sight of her lifeless body on the ground in the forest a few weeks earlier.
"No, she will not be coming. Part of me wants her with me at all times but the other half of me fears for her safety. I know she is strong and capable of taking care of herself but if anything would ever happen to her I don't think I would be able to live with myself," says Jeremiah
"Don't you think that I am able to make my own decisions," says Leah as she comes down the stairs and into the kitchen
"Leah you should be asleep, you need to rest," says Jeremiah
"I can't rest if you are not there with me," says Leah
She walks over to him, she pushes slightly away from the counter so that she can be in front of him.
"We'll leave you guys alone so you can talk," says Carlisle as he motions for everyone to leave the kitchen
As soon as everyone leaves Leah wraps her arms around his waist and leans her head against his chest
"You cant come Leah, you're still recovery and I cant live with the notion that you could be hurt again," says Jeremiah with pleading eyes
"In a day or two I'll be completely recovered and I'll be ready to fight again," responds Leah
"I can't take that chance with your life," says Jeremiah
"You wont be the one taking the chance, it will be me making that choice," answers Leah
"Lele, please," begs Jeremiah
"Jerry, don't you see that I will not be good to anyone if you leave and I don't go with you. The entire time I'll be thinking about what could happen to you, and regardless of the fact that my mind will be able to read the thoughts of Jake and Seth and I'll know what's going on. It will not change the fact that my mind will be too caught up in thoughts of you," says Leah
Jeremiah sighs and leans his head into Leah's.
"I have a lot of reservations about this," says Jeremiah
"But not enough to stop many from going with you," says Leah
Jeremiah nods then gives her a weak smile
Leah reaches up and there lips meet
This time only Edward, Jasper and Emmett enter the kitchen obviously aware of the fact that Leah is coming along with them to Canada.
Jeremiah moves his head to the side
"Go get Seth and Jacob we have to strategize," says Jeremiah
Edward nods and quickly leaves the room.
"It will be okay Jerry," says Leah
"I hope so," responds Jeremiah