Chapter 10

Much ado about Thanksgiving

Sparrow and her sisters spent most of their time in the massive kitchen the day before, letting homemade bread rise, preparing chilled desserts and half-cooking turkeys so that they wouldn't take too much time to bake in the morning. Hams and other juicy meats were prepared, Jacob could barely contain his excitement and kept trying to pick at the feast. His hand was much quicker than Sparrow's when she went to slap him.

"Jacob! Stop trying to eat the dinner before it's even made!" she yelled.

"But it smells good!" he whined.

"I swear, it's like looking after a child," Seraph snapped.

Sierra finally gave up and gave a large plate of beef of some vegetables to him, "HERE. Now stop being a pest."

"Thanks!" Jacob took off into the front room and watched television.

Seraph glared at her, "I don't know why you did that, he'll just be hungry in a few hours and we'll have to practically put the blasted dinner in a safe rather than the refrigerator."

"We'll put him out of the house before that happens," Sparrow smiled.

"I heard that!" Jacob snapped.

"I meant you to!"

A car was heard coming up the drive. Sierra looked out the window and saw a black Mercedes, the driver came out and opened the car door, "mother's here!"

"Mother," Sparrow glowed with excitement.

Jacob froze the terror and watched as Sparrow ran out of the door. He stood up, his heart pounding like it never had before. No vampire was worse than this fateful day. Jacob stood by the door and watched as Sparrow was being loved on by a beautiful woman looking no more than thirty. Her hair seemed to have different shades of blonde, red, brown and darker colors, all blending beautifully. The woman saw him and he stood even straighter, caught in her eyes which were a brilliant and piercing green…all of them had that color except Sparrow, but he never noticed it more than right now. She motioned for him to come forward.

Seraph and the rest of the sisters stood behind him and pushed him forward, "well…go on, chicken."

Sage glared at her, "be nice."

"Well, if he's such a 'guardian'," she mocked. Sierra only sighed with irritation.

Jacob walked through the door, absolutely sure he was just about as pale as Edward Cullen. He held out his massive hand in which Magda took it lightly and shook it. "So, you are Jacob black, are you?"

"Yeah….I mean, yes, ma'am," he stuttered.

She smiled warmly, taking pity on the poor boy, "and you've imprinted my daughter?"

"Yes."

This time the woman walked around him, sizing him up. Of course this was all in good fun, her husband wouldn't be nearly as bad as she was…but Sparrow was the most precious to her and therefore more fiercely protected, "And you love her?"

"More than anything!" Jacob blurted out and then winced. Sparrow trying hard not to giggle, she didn't want to give the game away.

"All right then, come inside," Magda went inside the house.

Sparrow grabbed Jacob's hand, "it's okay now."

He finally breathed and got his color back, "she likes me then?"

"Yes, she approves of you…I knew she would."

Jacob felt uncomfortable staying that night but Sparrow assured him that it was acceptable because witches had a much different view on sex than modern times. They viewed sex as natural but respected its purpose, to not only pleasure each other but to bring life into the world. It was a very noble explanation that left Jacob fairly blushing. He still had a hard time wanting to mate with Sparrow that night but the fear didn't last long when she started kissing him.

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Finally the dinner was laid out on a large and long dinner table and Jacob could have sworn that the dinning room had gotten larger. Billy and Charlie kept fumbling around after meeting Sparrow's mom causing both Bella and Jacob to roll their eyes in embarrassment. Sparrow watched Bella and Jacob who seemed to be doing well and getting along. Edward had chosen not to come along even though the family offered to make a special 'soup' for him. If it were a room full on people not knowing what he was he would be able to pull it off without any feelings of weirdness but considering the actual company…he declined, Bella would just join him later.

There was enough food for everyone, Jacob ate and tried to get Sparrow to eat some meat but she just refused. "You won't get her to eat meat, Jacob," her mother interrupted. "She saw a cow being slaughtered once and that was it for her."

Bella smiled at her, she understood and nudged her friend, Sparrow smiled back. "But it's good," Jacob argued. "Besides…you need to gain more weight if…," he stopped when Billy looked at him…it was the 'don't you dare say it in front of everyone and God' look.

"If what?" Sparrow looked up…

Bella knew exactly what he was going to say and distracted her saying, "he's just talking…here, have some more yams." Good thing Sparrow liked yams. Sierra and Sage giggled to themselves.

The room buzzed with good conversation and some people left a little after because of other trips to other family houses while others stayed to take advantage of the ultra large television…namely Charlie and Billy. "So…you cooked half that meal?" Billy asked Sparrow.

"She sure did," Jacob said proudly.

Billy smiled, he was glad to see his son so happy after all those months of dealing with Bella. He did hold some bitterness towards Bella for using Jacob as a crutch when the boy clearly loved her but at the same time, she did try and keep him at a distance when he was the one that was pushing. "You're lucky then, you're doomed to a life of sandwiches otherwise," he joked.

"Sure, sure," he waved his hand.

Magda waved her hand to Sparrow into the kitchen, "excuse me." They let her go while they chatted on about football and other sports. When she got there, all of her sisters where there and her mother put a barrier where the shape-shifters couldn't hear. "What is it?"

"The blademaster has completed his work finally," Magda looked proudly at her daughters.

"REALLY?" Sparrow's eyes widened in excitement, this was a big day…the demon blade was completed. "When do we do the ceremony?"

"During the Yule celebration."

The girls all looked at each other, not necessarily in a competitive way…but wondering which one would possess it? The demon blade only had one possessor, if that possessor died than the blade returned to its maker and then another ceremony would be held. It was an extremely powerful weapon and one not to be trifled with. It's blade was made of a rainbow colored steel, unbreakable and sang whenever a demon or an enemy of the clan was near. The hilt was done in the family's crest and in this case, the McNielson's was a great hawk holding a demon's horn. There was only one per clan, but her family wasn't chosen because her mother was the high priestess, her family was chosen because the Oracle picked them, it was a great honor. It took years to make because the blade was made from the blood of a demon itself and it wasn't easily obtained, the blademaster often risked his own life to make such a thing and it was one of many reasons why it was so highly coveted…but it could never be stolen, the blade knew it's wielder and became part of them, and it was said that the blade would kill anyone else that tried to use it.

They stood there in silence. Sparrow was convinced that either Sage or Sierra would get it because they were so powerful, Sage might but she still had problems with her temper. She shrugged at the possibilities and left the kitchen. The others looked at their mother, Sierra sighed "doesn't she take anything seriously?"

Her mother smiled, "she's like her father that way."

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After everyone left, including Bella who poked and prodded about what was talked about in the kitchen but got Sparrow to still say nothing, it was now Jacob's turn to try and get her to spill. He lay on her bed and watched her change, "so…what was all that about in the kitchen?"

"What?"

"You know what…"

"It was nothing."

"If it were nothing, I would have been able to hear it," he cocked one eyebrow.

Sparrow smiled, "maybe we just talked really softly."

"Right…sweetheart, I can hear the traffic twenty miles away from Forks, so I sure as hell can hear your whispering in the next room."

She sat on the bed, "it's just a family matter and something you'll find out later."

"It is about me?"

"No."

"I just thought it was about what I said earlier…"

"Which time?"

"Just about you gaining weight…"

"No…and why do I need to gain weight?"

He huffed and crossed his arms, "for a child of course!"

She blinked her large eyes, "already?"

"Well, not right this second…but…I don't want to wait as long as your mom did."

"We have time…"

"Sure, sure…now what is going on?"

"You will find out when it's time, it's a big deal, that's why it's so secretive. Do you tell me everything that goes on in your pack?"

"Well…no…but…"

"But…?"

"It's just you….and I should know everything that goes on with you," he huffed.

"Men and their double standards," she arched an eyebrow.

"Damned straight…women are more…."

"Don't you dare say fragile…we have nine times the pain tolerance of a man because our bodies were built for children, so you've lost that argument right there," it aggravated her when he did this.

"Well, you're systems are! It's proven that women are more susceptible to diseases and that the environment effects them more…so there!"

She sighed, "whatever, let's just agree to disagree."

"Nope," he grabbed her wrists, his large hands engulfed them and he pulled her forward as Sparrow squeaked, next thing she knew she was on her back. "Are you gonna tell me?"

"No," Sparrow sighed again. Then she was on her stomach, Jacob spreading her legs, her arms above her head. "Stop it…"

"You like it this way though," he laughed as she struggled and then he put her on her back again. Sparrow continued to try and pull away, Jacob growled as a warning. "I wouldn't do that."

"Why?" she struggled more and this time he hurt her wrists, she squeaked in pain.

"That's why," he was gritting his teeth. Sparrow hissed at him and he liked it, dominating her further. "I will always be in control where you are concerned…," and with that, he kissed her fiercely and fiercely she accepted.

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Edward held Bella, he laughed at Jacob's little slip, "it's a good thing Billy didn't let him finish that sentence."

"I couldn't believe he'd bring it up in the first place…they're immortal, they have literally forever."

"Well, back in my time, it was almost common for a woman your age to be already with child or to be expected to soon, I know I'd be in a hurry."

"Why?"

"Bella, I would do anything to be able to have a child with you. Don't you want to have a child?"

"Not if its not yours and you can't and so I'm not worried about it."

Edward furrowed his brow, "are you sure?"

"Why do we always have to talk about this? Am I sure of immortality? You think you're monsters but you know, I kind of agree with Sparrow. That you are meant to be here and that you're just part of nature. I mean, the Medula are demon hunters, they kill evil and yet they don't deliberately hunt your kind down, so what does that say?"

"I don't know, their beliefs and mine are a bit different."

"Well, I like her beliefs. So, I'm sticking with that."

He sighed and just continued to hold her.

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Magda researched the demon in the area, it was older than the one that had attacked Sparrow, how it got here, they still didn't know but only assumed that either a rip happened or another foolish mortal conjured something they shouldn't have. It was covering its tracks rather well which was why Seraph and Sierra had such a hard time tracking it. Then they had another matter…Emmett.

Sierra sat across from her mother, "do you think it could be done without breaking any of the rules?"

"I have consulted the council, they believe it would be necessary. We can do it tomorrow evening, do you have something of Rosalie's and Emmett's?"

"Yes, I took it when we were last there…thank goodness the psychic one can't see what we do."

"We will wait until Sparrow is asleep…if Jacob awakes and sense anything, we will just tell him that we are doing a spell of protection. He won't disagree and besides, the least amount of people know about this, the better off we'll be."

"Do you really like, Jacob?"

"Of course, he's aggressive but that is just a sign of what he is and who is to become. Your father was the same way when he was young and he'll learn to be more gentle over time, and they will become quite a pair," her mother smiled softly. Looking at Sierra she asked, "have you and Merrick decided on your wedding date?"

"He wants it to be sooner than me, I was thinking a few more years from now."

"Sierra…I know he's not Draco, but…he is a good man."

Sierra looked down. Draco…he had died defending another clan years ago but the love was still there. Merrick was another arrangement and she liked him enough and he had spent a great deal of time wooing her and trying to get close to her, she just wouldn't let him in like she should. "I know…"

"Is a good lover?"

"Yes."

"A good listener?"

"Yes…I'm just afraid."

"He is not one for battle, Sierra. He is a weaponsmith, he makes the weapons and knows how to use them but he does not go on the field."

"But I do…could I put him through that, if I die…"

"We don't spend all of our days hunting and we can live forever, if you ever want to stop hunting, you may."

"But it's our family's tradition…I know that not all of the Medula do it, they can but…"

"This world…the time of magic has passed. Humans have become more reliant on their computers and other technologies than their own brains. If anything would destroy them now, it would be themselves more so than demons."

"But it's because of their laziness of minds that the demons pass through more quickly and easily than before, their need for drugs have left mortals open portals themselves. Are you saying we should just sit back and let them take over?"

"No…I am saying that we cannot always defend those that choose to destroy themselves. Sierra, no one in this world has to do anything they don't want to, though many think they do…and that includes yourself…think on it."

She sighed, "all right."

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Sparrow noticed the empty space beside the bed, Jacob was gone. She hated when he did that, always assuming she wouldn't miss his presence when his pack called him. She put on her robe and headed down the stairs, the house was quiet now and it was around 4:30 a.m. Opening the back door she quietly called his name to see if he was around at all, he would no doubt hear her if he was in range, there seemed to be nothing.

The ground was wet…it had rained and Sparrow tutted and looked at the bottom of her feet, "blast." When she turned around she nearly screamed when a large wolf was right by her and fell backwards, "ow! Jacob." He chuckled and took his large tongue, licking her from torso to face. "Ugh." Sparrow stood up but was not totally face-to-face with him. "Did your pack call?" He nodded. "I wish you would wake me so I know, I hate not feeling you next to me." He seemed to whine in response. "I know, I know…you have to go."

Jacob took his head and put it over her shoulder then pushed down, causing her to stumble forward and into his chest, his way of hugging her in this form. He then looked back, he wanted her to ride him.

"What? You want me to ride you? I don't know…isn't that kind of…I mean, you're not a horse." He chuckled, but nudged her forward. "You want to take me somewhere?" He nodded. "Okay…," she got on him once he put his body down where she could get on. Sparrow held onto his fur tightly and it didn't seem to hurt him. They were moving so fast she could barely breathe but kept her head down so she wouldn't run into any twigs. Finally they were at their destination, it was a large cliff with a beautiful view of the sea and the sun was starting to rise…he wanted to watch the sunrise with her. It was the first time Jacob ever did something this romantic, he was always being her protector and half of the time arguing with her when he did it. Maybe Sam gave him some tips…even Edward, she smiled to herself on that.

Once she got off, he sat down and she sat between his front two legs so she would stay warm and they watched the sunrise together until it was time to go. Then they headed home where they took another shower together and kissed the whole time.