Chapter 9: Halley's Comet
Noun: Halley is the only short-period comet that is clearly visible to the naked eye from Earth, and thus the only naked-eye comet that might appear twice in a human lifetime. Other naked-eye comets may be brighter and more spectacular, but will appear only once in thousands of years.
Pairing: Leah/Jacob
Soundtrack choice: I'm a fool to want you by Billie Holiday. ( Youtube watch?v=Xs9P-pfqF6Y )
Note : forgive me for any lingering errors. Enjoy.
Nora put her hands out in front of her as Jacob held onto her shoulders, leading her blindfolded and silent through the forest.
"Watch your step." He'd say intermittently, causing her to wonder where in the world they were heading.
After about twenty minutes of walking Jacob steadied her as they came to a stop .He gently untied the bandana he'd used to blindfold her and waited for her to open her eyes.
As Nora's eyes adjusted to the light in the small Forest clearing, and as her eyes rested upon a huge blanket and picnic basket laid out by a small river, Nora couldn't help but smile. "You didn't have to do this."
Jacob took her by the hand and led her over to the blanket "Yes I did.", He smiled "I wanted to thank you."
Nora sat down, leant over and opened the picnic hamper. "For what?"
"For keeping me alive, for being my friend, for everything..."He said sincerely.
Nora stopped rummaging through the picnic basket and looked at a slightly misty-eyed Jacob. She reached over and held his hand, "It's all been my pleasure, besides I only keep you around because you're easy on the eye!" Nora winked.
Jacob scoffed loudly and shook his head. "Is that so?"
She had the desire to know him, and looking at her, he had the desire to be known. Jacob watched, pleased as Nora laid out the food and popped a piece of turkey meat into her mouth.
"What's up?"
"Huh?" Jacob blinked, He hadn't realized that he'd been watching her so intently.
"You've got that look on your face."
"What look?"
Nora cocked her head to one side and studied his face, "The 'I've got something to get off my chest' look."
It hadn't occurred to Jacob that he was so transparent, but he'd spent a lot of time with Nora. Ever since he had come to her rescue they had spent a lot of time together. Sometimes talking, sometimes not. Occasionally they'd talk about their pasts; when he lost his mom and how his dad ended up in a wheelchair or how Nora had left home at 13 to escape her mother's lecherous boyfriend touching her , and how she had started stripping to put herself through College. She was a year and a half into a teaching degree.
But mostly, they'd just cocoon themselves up in silence and enjoy each other's company, normally with Jacob tinkering with some car part and Norah, sitting opposite, cross legged with a textbook and neon yellow highlighter in hand.
" It's not something I can share freely, but I don't want us to have any secrets…" Jacob stopped for a second, the last person he had let into the secret circle had been Bella, and at least then he hadn't had to say it directly. Bella had seen everything for herself. But today was different, he didn't care about what Sam had to say, he wanted a drama free existence, something that wasn't burdened by secret codes, pack politics and subterfuge.
Seeing his internal struggle, Nora's expression turned pensive. "You can always tell me anything, we're friends Jake. Best friends."
Jake took a deep breath."I'm a Wolf. A Werewolf." There he said it. No turning back now.
Nora looked at Jake drolly, "yeah, sure you are. And I'm a fairy Princess, I mean I always wanted to be one, so why not?"
Jacob sighed, it looked like he'd have to show her.
"Promise me you won't freak out."Jacob said as he got up and distanced himself from where they had been seated.
Nora smiled, "Scout's honour."
Once Jacob was sure he had created a safe enough distance he began to focus, breathing deep and hard, raising his adrenalin and blood pressure until he began to feel his whole body shaking with fabricated rage. He could feel his limbs elongate and harden, the hair sprout from each of his pores. He could feel himself grow and strengthen. He had become a Wolf.
Nora remained true to her word, she didn't freak out as such. She uttered not a single word. Instead she fainted, hitting the grassy bank with a small thud.
-x-
Leah smooth down the second-hand white satin dress she had found at The Salvation Army .It wasn't flashy or designer but it was decent and would do. Leah would hardly call herself vain but she had just spent three hours at a salon getting her hair, nails and make-up done. Her hair ,whilst still short hair was long enough to curl. Her nails were French tipped and neat. Her make- up was made up of pastel shades that complimented her skin tone but wasn't over the top. Admittedly, the end result wasn't too shabby. Leah could hardly recognise the young bride staring back at her.
She had never been the girl who sat around scrap-booking wedding dresses out of Bridal magazines, or daydreaming and counting down the hours until her prince charming came to swoop her up upon his white stallion and ride her off into the sunset, or at least to the town's courthouse where he would ceremoniously give her a ring and his last name. Dresses and floral arrangements had never been her thing until she met Sam Uley and even then, if she was honest with herself, she had never imagined herself with his last name .Maybe she'd been too young to expect marriage or maybe somewhere deep inside her she had known it wasn't an arrangement that was going to last. But whatever the case, Leah Clearwater had always been indifferent to weddings .Until that night with Jacob. Until she had imprinted on him and become pregnant with his cub and now all she could think was how much she wanted to be walking down an aisle towards him in a beautiful gown, surrounded by their friends and family. Her heart hurt every time she looked down at her bejewelled ring finger .
Kassim had presented her with his Mother's ring. It was a Luxe Ruby in an ornate oriental burnt gold setting. Leah had opened the jewellery box and had actually inhaled rapidly at the first sight of such a gorgeous ring.
"I can't take this. I won't. "She had refused, closing the box.
Kassim had crossed his arms defiantly. "My mother would have wanted you to wear it."
"A ring like this shouldn't be passed around. Why not save it for when you meet the woman you really love?" Leah had implored.
Kassim thought about it for a second. "I could do that, but you deserve to wear something beautiful Leah, you are a beautiful woman with a big heart and a generous spirit. Besides, it makes us seem more convincing, does it not?"
It was true .The family heirloom aspect of the story did add a depth to their fictitious romance and marriage should immigration come knocking .But something about the tone of Kassim's voice and the look in his eyes made Leah uneasy. He had to know that this was all pretend, didn't he?
Here and now, on the afternoon of her wedding day the ring felt like a lead weight strapped onto her body as she was dragged down to the bottom of the sea. She felt like she was drowning on dry land. So wrapped up in dread, she didn't hear her bedroom door open and close, didn't see Angel appear behind her, "Never seen a more beautiful bride in all my life."
Awoken from her reverie, Leah tried to smile, "Liar."
Angel grimaced as he read her face , "What's wrong?"
Leah looked back at her reflection in the mirror, then down at her hands. She opened her mouth, fully prepared to lie, but instead chose to confide in her friend, "I don't think I can do this."
"You don't have to do anything you don't want to."
"But I made Kassim a promise."Leah said, sitting down on the edge of her bed.
Angel sat down besides her and took her hand in his, "So? If it doesn't feel right, don't do it. Follow your gut instinct. What's your gut telling you?"
Leah shrugged.
Angel rubbed her back, "C'mon, you can do better than that."
"My gut is telling me that my friend needs my help and that I am in a position to help so I should, it's telling me that this is a marriage of convenience and will be over before I know it."
Angel nodded in agreement.
"I don't know what I'm worried about, this is probably the closest I'll ever get to marriage, I should try and enjoy it while it lasts."Leah tried for self-deprecation but failed terribly.
Angel shook his head and tutted at Leah's poor joke. He stood up and fetched her white net fascinator from her night stand, he gently clipped it to her head then adjusted it.
"I just wish my mom was here to help me get ready and my brother was here to give me away." Leah said wistfully as she stared at herself in the mirror. She admired the job Angel had done of fixing the fascinator atop her head. She smiled up at him and raised her hands. He pulled her to her feet and hugged her.
Once Angel left her alone to go and check on Harri and Miguel who were waiting in the living room ready and rearing to go. Leah sat back down on the bed and lay back, careful not to mess up her hair. Her thoughts wondered to Jacob and her heart hurt.
Most Quileutes only married once, with the exception of those who lost their partners to death or life-long imprisonment. Even then it was a rarity. She had been raised to believe that marriage was sacred, especially to those who had imprinted. Not only was she an imprintor but also an imprintee and today, on the most important day of any woman's life she was not taking the vow to eternally love her assigned soul mate but instead she was marrying a man she didn't love at all. What would the elders think? More importantly, what would her mother say? Leah shuddered to think. Her mind wouldn't let her entertain the thought of Jacob's reaction, it was too painful.
Slowly standing up, Leah slipped on her cream high heel shoes, picked up her small bouquet and reminded herself of the very first lesson being in the wolf pack had taught her, that there was nothing nobler than acting in the service of a friend.
Leah was silent on the drive over to the court house. Once there, Kassim took a moment and thanked Leah profusely for her help ,for what seemed like the millionth time. Leah gently smiled and linked arms with him as they made their way up the steps of the court house with Angel, Miguel and a gurgling Harri in tow.
"Let's go get married." Leah said with a frothiness she didn't feel.
-x-
Nora's mind was reeling as she gently stroked Jacobs's thick coat, "So all the legends are really true. There really are wolves among us?"
The huge wolf gently nuzzled her in response.
Once Nora had gotten use to the idea, Jacob retreated further into the bush to maintain his modesty as he transformed back into human form. He quickly slipped on the clothes he had left hidden behind the rocks.
"Sorry I'm such a freak." He said as he joined Nora in the forest clearing.
Nora laughed and shrugged "It takes one to know one." Apparently her appetite had not been diminished by the unexpected revelation. Nora bit off a turkey drumstick.
Jacob wondered why he couldn't just be in love with Nora. She was beautiful, kind, always so accepting and uncomplicated. It sure would make life easier. Content in the decision he had made to tell Nora the truth, Jacob sat down and picked up a sandwich.
Nora stopped eating, "It makes me wonder if everything I've ever heard about ghost and ghouls is true. Are dodo birds really extinct? Do fairies live in these woods? Do Vampires really exist?"
"Well, I'm pretty certain dodo birds are extinct, I've never met a Fairy in my life unless you count Embry…" Jacob winked, causing Nora to roll her eyes and throw a grape at his head "…and Vampires, well…me and the boys have got them covered."
The colour drained from Nora's face. "You mean to tell me that Vampires really do exist?"
-x-
After the 'I do's' had been said, certificates had been signed, rice had been thrown and pictures had been taken, the married couple and their 3 witnesses had set off for burgers to celebrate.
Watching Kassim play with Harri made Leah wondered why she couldn't just be in Love with him .It would make her life a hell of a lot easier. He was smart, kind and seemingly crazy about her kid.
"Let's raise a toast to Mr and Mrs Yerzhan!" Miguel had said, raising his paper cup full of soda high above everybody's head. They all hooted, hollered and laughed, much to the amusement of the other diner patrons.
Leah looked down at her ring finger again, watching the ruby dazzle in the afternoon sunlight. She looked up and caught Kassim staring at her from across the table, he gave her a small smile, she smiled back finally feeling that she had made the right decision to help him. And she vowed to herself that she would do her utmost to convince the authorities that they were very much married and completely in love.
-x-
Bella studied Nora from across the table, she was pretty. Gorgeous even. Beautiful golden syrup coloured skin, full lips and huge hazel tinted eyes.
When Bella had opened the door to her dinner guests she had done a double take, for a second she had thought the girl standing besides Jacob was in fact Leah Clearwater, and then she had regained her senses and remembered that Leah Clearwater didn't have huge hazel eyes and wouldn't have voluntarily come within 12 yards of her home. Nor would Leah have made such a decidedly interesting fashion choice: A lime green, ankle length body-con dress that showcased her curves, hair piled high in a bun, dangly earrings and electric blue painted nails.
Bella studied the complicity between Jacob and his friend. To the untrained eye they could be mistaken for lovers but Bella knew better. There was no way his imprinting on Leah would allow for anything more than a companionship of sorts, and the vibe she was getting from the two was one of solidarity and strong friendship.
"So you can go out into actual sunlight and not get burnt to a crisp?",Nora asked, so full of questions that she hadn't touched her steak.
Edward leant forward and topped up Nora's wine glass. "Yes. That's a complete fallacy. A mere myth."
"Cool."Nora nodded,wide eyed.
"We are so glad you decided to come tonight, we've heard so much about you and wanted to put a face to the name for the longest time."Bella said with a smile. "How's your steak?"
Nora looked down at her plate as if she had forgotten that it was there. "Absolutely wonderful."
"How come nobody ever asks me how my steak is?"Jacob said between mouthfuls.
"Because everybody knows that good or bad, werewolves eat anything and everything.."Renesmee interjected,making a face at Jacob who laughed and swiped at her with his napkin.
"Aren't you having anything?"Nora asked Bella earnestly.
"We've…,um..already eaten." Edward stated diplomatically.
Nora bit her lip , "Oh…"
"Just to clarify,we've already fed tonight but not on people."Bella quickly added. Worried they'd scared Jacob's friend.
Nora put her fork down, " I have to admit when Jacob said he wanted me to meet y'all I had my reservations."
Bella and Edward nodded, completely understanding.
"Don't get me wrong I love Vampires.." Nora quickly added, " I mean True Blood is one of my favourite shows…"
Edward and Bella laughed, "Ours too."
-x-
Dinner had been a success. Hugs had been given, and promises of another gathering had been stated and Nora had left the Cullen residence incredibly merry.
Jacob dropped Nora home and she invited him up for coffee, which he accepted.
Once the coffee had been made and they were both seated on Nora's sofa, they rehashed the many events of the day with laughter and jokes. Looking at Nora from the other side of the sofa, Jacob was suddenly moved by her beauty, inside and out. Not to mention her bravery and open mindedness. He silently thanked the Gods for Nora Cadotte. When Jacob saw Nora slip off her shoes he used it as his cue to lift her feet onto his lap and give them a rub. Nora smiled gratefully.
"Thanks for tonight, Nor."
Nora sipped her coffee "Whaddya mean?"
Jacob smiled, "You were great with my friends,they loved you."
"They're great people…I mean vampires.Y'know Bella thanked me for looking out for you..",Nora put her coffee down on her small coffee table,then climbed onto Jacob's lap and hugged him. "And I told her that's just what we do,we look after each other."
Jacob smiled into her neck. She smelt good and felt warm . Before he knew what he was doing,he had seized her shoulders and put his lips down on hers.
Nora pulled back and slapped Jacob hard. On impact a dull thud reverberated around the gasped, then stared at her throbbing hand.
"Are you OK?" Jacob asked unnecessarily. He knew the answer.
Nora got up then held out her other hand to stop him coming closer. "Don't touch me, I'm fine." She said behind gritted teeth.
"I'm sorry, I thought.." Jacob stumbled to find the right words. He knew he had messed up big time.
"Well you thought wrong!" Nora winced in pain as she cradled her hand,trying to defuse the pain that surged through it."I can't believe you Jake. We're friends .Why would you kiss me like that?"
Jacob walked over to the kitchenette and filled a bowl with ice, Nora sat down on her couch and he kneeled in front of her. He examined the hand. It didn't look broken, just sprained and a wonderful shade of purple. "I don't know what came over me, I thought it was what you wanted. I thought it was what I wanted.."
" Wrong again ."
Jake nodded, ashamed of his actions.
"I thought you were different to other guys, Jacob." Nora shook her head bitterly, "I'm not just a dumb stripper, here for anyone's taking."
"No. I've never thought that."Jake protested. He couldn't begin to rationalize his reason for kissing his friend, all he knew was that for some reason he felt like today had turned a page for him. Like life was getting better after being so awful for so long. In a weird way he had wanted to show his appreciation to the woman who had changed his life for the better.
"I get that from shady dudes at work, I never thought I'd get that from you! I'm not LEAH, Jake."
Jacob inhaled as if he'd been punched in the gut with the name he had tried to avoid for so long, "I know that."
"Do you? Cos' right now I'm not so sure." Nora got up and trampled past Jacob to her front door where she held the door open indignantly."I want you to leave now!"
"But-" Jacob opened his mouth to speak but Nora's expression made him think better of it. Instead he got up, with his head hung low and picked up his biker Jacket. He walked to the door and crossed the threshold before stopping to face Nora. "I'm sorry Nora, I was an idiot."
Nora refused to meet his eyes, "Go away Jacob!" she screeched before slamming the door in his face.
-x-
Miguel had left to go DJ a set at Club ICE and Angel had gone to the restaurant to cover the last shift and close up. Harri was sound asleep in her crib, and had been for some time.
Leah, still in her wedding attire, sat on the floor apache style, and Kassim sat on the edge of the sofa, note cards in hand. They were testing each other for their respective immigration interviews. "Alright, here's another one: Where was I born?"
Leah dabbled in amateur dramatics as she 'umm'ed and 'ah'ed', much to Kassim's amusement. "You were born in Kazakhstan.."
"Be more specific. What city?"
"I know this ,I do."Leah rubbed her skull, "You were born in… Baikonur,a city in the Kyzylorda province of Kazakhstan, the ninth largest country in the world."
They smiled and high-fived.
"What's my favourite Ice cream flavour?"Leah asked, shuffling her quiz cards,her eyebrow quizzically arched.
"Trick question!"
"How so !?"
Kassim shook his head good naturedly,"You know full well that you hate ice cream, but you are partial to frozen yoghurt and Lemon Sorbet."
Leah laughed and slammed her cards down, "I do believe you're right. Well played Mr Yerzhan, well played."
"You too,Mrs Yerzhan."
Leah couldn't help but pause at the warmth with which he said the words,as if savouring them. Mrs Yerzhan, She blushed and quickly averted her eyes to her lap. The mood had suddenly changed.
Having finished quizzing each other on things that couples ought to know about each other,they both sat in awkward silence for a moment.
It was Kassim who cleared his throat and stood up, "Do you think Miguel will mind terribly if we put on one of his records?"
"No, but Harri's sleeping so make sure you keep the volume low." Leah watched him survey Miguel's huge record collection, then select a record and put it on. She smiled at his choice. I'm a fool to want you by Billie Holliday.
"A man should dance with his wife on his wedding day, even if she's not really his wife…",Kassim stalked up to Leah and shyly offered his hand "May I have this dance ?"
Leah simply nodded as Kassim pulled her to her feet. Once up,he gently wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him. Leah acquiesced and allowed her head to rest on his shoulder as they slowly shuffled back and forth whilst the sounds of Lady Day washed over them.
"I think I know more about you then I do about any other subject."Kassim whispered into Leah's ear.
This was true, but Jacob knew her heart. Leah automatically berated herself for thinking about Jacob. She had left that life behind, or so she told herself. She didn't want to be upset, not today.
Leah simply smiled and closed her eyes, "Yes. And I know you."
"Yes. It's nice to feel that somebody knows me."
A few more seconds passed, as the pair slowly danced and twirled to the beautiful jazz singer's voice. Leah could feel herself completely yield to the warmth of being held in a man's arms. It had been so long since she'd been held like this and for a few minutes she wanted to relish the feeling of not being so fully alone in the world.
Leah felt Kassim suddenly tense.
"I may not be the one that your heart desires, but.."He began.
Leah's intuition automatically kicked in as her stomach dropped, "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that I would make a loving husband and good father to your daughter."
Leah stepped back, out of Kassim's arms. Suddenly it seemed wholly inappropriate to be so close to him.
"I'm saying that I want this marriage to be real .I think that if you gave it some time you would grow to love me, much like I have already grown to love you."
Leah gasped, she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Kassim! What you and I have is an arrangement, a marriage of convenience."
"I know." Kassim implored "But we have so much in common, and I think we could make each other happy. At least Happier than we are right now."
"How do you know?"Leah asked taking another step back, suddenly she was finding it hard to breathe.
"Because I think you're lonely and I am too. Because I think you want someone to love you for all that you are, not in spite of what you're not…"
Leah listened to Kassim speak with such conviction that she found herself glued to the spot. She could feel tears beginning to build up. She quickly suppressed them.
Kassim came forward and stopped a few inches in front of her,"… You are not unlovable or a consolation price,like you seem to think. You are a remarkable, sensual woman who deserves the best, because you are the best."
Kassim's sincerity was intoxicating, no one had ever said anything like that to her, let alone meant it. It was as if he had seen into her soul and captured it in the palm of his hand. That's why Leah didn't stop him when he moved in and gently kissed her lips. The earth didn't move exactly but she allowed herself to be galvanized by his words and his touch and when she closed her eyes she couldn't help but imagine that she was being passionately kissed by Jacob Black.
-x-
When she woke up two hours later, naked and warmed by an unfamiliar body in her bed. Leah silently got up, wrapped a flannel robe around her body, and gently padded to the bathroom, where she bolted the door, before racing to the toilet bowl where she unceremoniously threw up. As she purged the self-loathing and regret from her gut, Leah's only thought was 'WHAT HAVE I DONE!?'
TBC.