(A/N) First and foremost I have to thank my wonderful reviewers. I appreciate your suggestions and your words of encouragement. To answer June Bank's question: Yes I do plan to involve the other Cullens more, as you will see in this chapter and some of the chapters that follow. There's not a whole lot of J/N in this chapter, but I felt like it was important to show some of their relationships with other people. I hope you'll enjoy this chapter!

XOXO: Everything belongs to Stephanie

The Story of Us: Chapter 10

Jacob's POV

It felt good to be covering the ground from the Cullen's to La Push. The good doc had had me stay for almost two weeks, but I think toward the end it was more about how happy Nessie seemed to be having me in the house rather than actual worry. Finally, however, my extended vacation had come to an end and it was necessary for me to go home and take care of a few things. Seth and Leah had both been to see me, and I was fully aware that there were unanswered questions about the fate of the two packs that needed to be answered. Would we rejoin or stay separate? Would I take over as the sole Alpha or would Sam and I be some sort of Co-Alphas, if such a thing were even possible?

I knew that most of the decisions were up to me. According to Seth, Sam was now so concerned with reuniting the packs that he was willing to step down and let the "true Alpha" lead if that's what I wanted. The true question was, what did I want? Since Nessie had been born the issues of the tribe were a faint echo to me. However, the time had come to make some decisions and I couldn't leave them on the back burner anymore. I knew that since I'd gotten in touch with my "inner Alpha" going back to being an underling was out of the question, and there was no way the competiveness would allow for Sam and I to lead together. So the question really was did I lead the singular pack, or did the packs remain separate? The Alpha, as the leader, needed to be able to stick by the pack and give it focus, purpose at all times, however, I was in no position to do so. I knew that the Cullen's time in Forks was coming to a close, which also meant Renesmee would be leaving as well. If she left there really was no choice in it for me. I could not bear to be separated from her like that, and I'm sure the rest of the pack would not be keen on that fate either. Sam, on the other hand, had his imprint, Emily, right there. He could lead and he wouldn't have to suffer for it.

The decision seemed quite clear, for my part at least. I couldn't be the leader that the pack needed, nor could I be a follower any longer. Sam would continue on as he had before, and I would go wherever my Nessie took me. There was just one little problem: Leah. I knew that Seth, although he wanted to stay with me, would be fine returning to the larger pack. His open heart and carefree nature had already allowed him to move past the differences and make peace with the other wolves. Leah, on the other hand, would be forced to suffer if she returned to Sam's pack and that was tearing me up inside. Leah was bossy, moody, and at times completely intolerable, but somewhere along the line she had become my friend. In my darkest hour it had been Leah that had understood my pain and offered me comfort. Over the months she'd been free of Sam I'd seen her spirits lighten, a little, and I started to see some of the old Leah come back. I hated to think that my decision would negate all of that and send her spiraling back into the bitter, miserable existence she had known before, but what could I do? Being away from Nessie was out of the question, it was an absolute that could not be changed.

When I was right outside La Push I phased back and slipped on the clothes Esme had given me. I couldn't help but appreciate everything Esme did. I'd been without a mother figure for so long that I found myself drawn to her in some ways. The entire time I'd stayed with them she'd made certain that I had plenty to eat and that I was comfortable. She'd been so kind to me that I couldn't help looking at her a bit like an adoptive mother. I chuckled to myself as I thought of what an enigma I was. I was the lone wolf of in a vampire clan. As strange as it was they were part of my family now. Well, maybe Blondie wasn't.

"Jake" I heard Seth yell as I stepped out of the cover of the trees.

I turned toward him and flashed a quick smile "Hey what's up Seth?"

"You know same old same old." He told me, returning my smile. "It's good to have you back."

"It feels good to be back" I told him sincerely. "Is Sam around?"

He nodded to me "I just saw him heading toward Emily's with Jared and Kim. I think Paul is at your house, though."

I rolled my eyes "Great. Well, I guess there goes the idea of stopping in to see Billy before heading over to Sam's."

Seth chuckled. "I don't think your dad is at home anyway. Charlie picked him up a little while ago and I think they were going to watch the game at Charlie's."

I nodded and started to walk toward Emily's house.

"So" Seth said, slightly uneasy "Have you been thinking about what Sam said?"

"Yeah" I told him with a sigh. "I know what I need to do, but I can't help but worry about how it's going to affect your sister."

Seth nodded knowingly. "So I guess that means you're not going to be our fearless leader then?" He sounded slightly disappointed.

I shook my head. "I never wanted to be a leader in the first place. It was something that was thrust on me out of necessity. Now, with Nessie-"

Seth cut me off "Jake we all get it, even Leah. She doesn't blame you. Amazingly, she doesn't even have any hard feelings toward Nessie, but it's still hard for her. She's been so happy living outside of Sam's mind that the thought of going back makes her sick."

I felt a knife twist in my heart. Before I talked to Sam I needed to talk to her. Maybe together we could come up with a solution that didn't involve her feeling like she'd just been run over by a Mack truck. I turned again, this time heading toward the Clearwater's. Seth knew immediately what my intention was.

"I'm pretty sure she's out on the beach." He said quietly. "You should talk to her. I'll catch up with you later."

He gave me a quick wave and then headed off towards Emily's. I shifted my course to head toward the beach and sure enough she sat looking off into the waves. I didn't think she even noticed me, but before I could speak she greeted me.

"Hey leech lover" she said, never taking her eyes from the sea.

"What's up my right hand man, err, woman?" I asked as I sat down beside her and gave her a nudge.

She shook her head with a sad smile "Just thinking." She said softly.

"About?" I prodded.

"I was thinking about what I have to do. It seems you've already decided what you have to do." She said, her voice lightly hinted at sadness, but there was surprisingly no bitterness behind her words.

"That's why I wanted to talk to you" I told her. "Leah, it really bothers me to think of you having to go back to being miserable in Sam's pack."

"I can't do it Jacob" she said as she shook her head. "I can't go back. When he left me for Emily it ripped my heart out. You'd think that after I learned about imprinting, felt it for myself through his eyes, it would have made it easier for me, but it only made it worse. Most people can deal with the pain of a break-up by getting angry, but how can I be angry with Sam or Emily for that matter? Neither one of them chose this and I know it kills them that I have to hurt." She paused for a moment before continuing. "It's only been because of the freedom from Sam over the past few months that I've been able to see things more clearly. When I was out from under the constant reminder it was like my heart began to heal. I can't go back and rip my heart open again."

I nodded at her, completely understanding "So what are you going to do?" I asked.

"Sam didn't have a choice, and neither do you" she said quietly "But I do have a choice. I've never wanted this life, and if it hadn't been for Seth I would have left it behind me a long time ago. As much as it hurts to leave, I'm afraid it would hurt more to stay."

"You're leaving?" I asked, a little surprised.

"So are you." She said matter-of-factly.

"Yeah, but" I started to say but she quickly cut me off.

"You are leaving, Jacob, because Renesmee is your life now. When she leaves this place your life will no longer be here. Sam was my life for a very long time and I was his. Now, Emily is his life and she is here. It's time I let go and went out to find a life of my own. I can't really do that here when my old life is smacking me in my face every time I turn around." She finished passionately. "I would think you of all people could understand that."

I nodded my head. I felt like my life hadn't really started until Nessie had been born, but I could clearly remember the pain I had experienced when I had loved Bella. I had felt as though I had to get away from her so I ran. I eventually had come back to face everything, but running had given me the strength to do so. During the standoff with the Volturi I'd been horrified when Bella had asked me to run with Nessie, but I would have done it if that's what it took to keep her safe. Something that I'd learned along the way is that sometimes running away was a necessity, and it was clear that it was very necessary for Leah now.

"Where do you think you'll go?" I asked.

Leah shrugged her shoulders "I don't know, college maybe?"

"Aww, little Leah's growing up." I teased

"Shut up Black" she said as she rolled her eyes. "Don't think I can't take you just because I'm a girl."

I shook my head and laughed "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm actually going to miss you."

She raised an eyebrow at me. "Is this the part where you get corny and tell me I'm the best friend you ever had?"

"Nah" I shook my head "I know I don't have to lie to be your friend."

She rolled her eyes again as I started to get up. "I hate to break up our hallmark moment, but I do have some pack business I need to take care of."

She nodded at me with a small smile "See you around Jake"

I turned and walked off and just as I reached the edge of the beach I could have swore I heard someone whisper

"You're the best friend I've ever had."

XOXOXO

Nessie's POV

Aunt Alice had gone off the deep end. As much as I'd missed her, I hadn't gotten to spend a lot of time with her since the Volturi had come and gone, and now she was making up for it with a vengeance. Jacob had gone back to La Push, and she'd begged me to take a break from the piano. Jacob was already all healed up, but Daddy had insisted that Jacob would be very impressed with me so I continued to practice with the same vigor, determined to master the instrument before I let him hear me play. I had agreed to give it a rest to spend some time with Aunt Alice, but when I found out what she had in store for me I wished that I would have stuck with the piano.

"Look at how sweet this one is!" Aunt Alice trilled as she put the green dress next to me. "It will be absolutely adorable on you."

I sighed. She'd been putting me in clothes all afternoon and I was itching to do something else, anything else. I reached out and touched Aunt Alice's face to convey that, but she shrugged it off.

"Nessie, don't be like Bella" she begged. "It will break my heart."

I definitely didn't want to hurt her feelings. I remembered how much I'd missed her while she was away, and if I had to put on a every dress in Washington to keep her around then that's exactly what I would do.

"That's mean Alice" a deep, musical voice said from the doorway "The little girl worries enough about everyone else as it is."

I beamed as I saw Uncle Jazz come in. I knew about his gift, and I was sure that had a lot to do with how happy I felt when I was around him, but there was something else about him that I felt drawn to. Maybe it was how different he was from the rest of my family. There was something about Uncle Jazz that was slower, easier, almost from a different time. He hadn't lost his southern drawl completely and his voice was incredibly comforting.

"You're always ruining my fun." She said in mock agitation as he bent down to peck her on the cheek. "You've come to steal her away from me I see."

"I did?" he asked amused.

"Well if you didn't she intends you to." She told him before turning to me with a sigh. "It's okay Nessie. We'll have plenty of time for this later."

She quickly began putting the clothes away as Uncle Jazz looked at me slightly surprised.

"So you wanted to spend some time with your Uncle Jazz, huh?" he asked with a light smile.

At first, Uncle Jasper had been very cautious around me, afraid that he wouldn't be in control, but he'd quickly discovered that I didn't have any appeal for him, as a food that is. From what I can gather Uncle Jasper is probably the most reserved member of my family, which is why it is so funny that he and Aunt Alice are a couple. She doesn't have a reserved bone in her body. The thing about Uncle Jasper, though, is that beneath that tough exterior he's really just a big softie. It only took me falling asleep on his lap one time before I figured that out.

I gave him a smile and reached up to take his big hand.

"Did you have anything in mind?" he asked curiously.

I thought for a moment as I pulled him over to a chair in the corner. I climbed up on his lap before speaking.

"Would you tell me about when you were human?" I asked quietly.

This really seemed to take him by surprise, but he began to tell me what he could remember of his life before he'd been changed. As he spoke the images of the world he created seemed to be almost magical. He told me about old southern balls and the adventures he had as a soldier. I could see that Uncle Jasper had been a born leader, just like Jacob. As Uncle Jasper continued to tell his story I thought about that a lot. I knew that Jacob was the true leader of the pack, the one that they called the Alpha. His pack, like Uncle Jazz's soldiers, trusted him implicitly. I reached up to touch Uncle Jasper's cheek to convey my mind's wanderings.

He laughed. "I've never thought of it like that, but I guess you're right. Jacob and I do have at least that much in common."

I frowned, my mind going a mile a minute. My mental development was even more accelerated than the rapid development that my body was undergoing. The connections were made quickly. I knew that my family would be leaving soon. I couldn't be sure when, but I knew that it would probably be within a year or two. Jacob was the true leader of the pack, it was his birthright. What would happen when it came time for us to go? I hated the thought of being separated from Jacob, but how could he leave the pack behind. It seemed like an impossible circumstance: I couldn't stay and he couldn't go.

Uncle Jasper felt my sudden apprehension because I suddenly felt it start to dissipate.

"What's wrong Ness?" he asked concerned.

I showed him everything I'd been thinking and he nodded at me seriously.

"I don't think that's anything you have to worry about" Uncle Jasper reassured me "Jacob has his priorities, and some things trump even the pack."

I really didn't understand how that was possible, but with Uncle Jazz working his magic it was hard for my anxiety to not go away. I listened to a few more of his stories before I gave him a hug and returned to my piano. Out from under his influence I slowly felt the anxiety creeping up on me. I began to play, something slow and haunting to match my emotions. I closed my eyes, trying to feel the music flow through me. When I was done I turned to get up and I was shocked to see Jacob standing on the other side of the room with a huge smile on his face. That smile was even more powerful than Uncle Jasper's influence and my anxiety was gone in a flash.

"Busted, Nessie" he said as he continued to smile "You've been holding out on me."