Jacob's Flame
Epilogue
Jacob Black
I felt as if I had been asleep for days. It had been a very long night. There had been rumors about of a new, powerful set of vampires who had unwisely decided to hunt in our territory. I had spent all night out with the pack hunting for them, but they were wily, crafty. I knew we would find them if they were still around—it was what we did, and we did it well. I stretched once more, feeling as if my muscles would snap under the strain, but smiled when the smell of something delicious wafted into the room. I quickly tossed on some sweats and trotted into the kitchen to find my wife slaving over a hot stove for our breakfast-lunch-whatever meal it was she was making. Fia looked up as I pattered into the kitchen, her blue-black eyes smiling back at me as I approached her. She put down the spoon she was holding to stir with and let me pull her to me. With her back cradled against my torso, I reached around and rubbed the swollen mound of her abdomen.
"I think I'm having a baby werewolf as much as this thing struggles and kicks!" She laughed at her little joke, causing me to smile warmly down into her hair. I loved the feeling of caressing her, but I loved the feeling of caressing her and my unborn child even more. Four more months. Could I wait? I doubted it. But I had no choice really. It had been seven months since our meeting, six since she had married me, but the days had just flown by for me. My father had not only refused to move back home, but had given the small house to Fia and I as a wedding gift, which turned out good since the second room would soon be a nursery. Still, I saw him as much as I could, almost each day. He had been nothing but supportive of my marriage to Fia. And the pack had finally come around. It took a long time for them to adjust to the idea that she was not completely a vampire, but stuck somewhere in-between. We all had a theory that my imprinting with her had caused whatever death to the tissues that vampirism causes to be retarded, recess even. And now, her heart beat again. Which meant that she was able to have healthy organs again. Which also meant that, much to our ecstatic surprise, she was able to conceive. Which meant—I was going to be a daddy!
"What are you thinking about so hard, Jake?" She had pushed me away and was continuing to stir while I stood staring down at her. I just smiled, waving away her question.
"I have to go out after I eat, Fia. We work in teams to patrol as you know, but I will return as soon as I can. I promise." I was no longer afraid to leave her alone, as she had mastered control of her thirst, but it did not help my heart any. Especially with her so heavy with child now. My child. I beamed a smile at her at the thought, still reeling in amazement that I was going to be a father after all.
"Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are, my little doll?" I leaned down and kissed her, loving every moment. I still could not get over how blue her eyes were. It had been a wonder along with the pregnancy since both of her parents had brown eyes. Why hers were blue--who knew. It did not make her anything but even more special to me.
"I'll miss you. Will you come back soon?" She looked worried, which I hated. I never liked to see her wear anything but a smile. I had to get that back. Oh yes—it would be worth ruining these pants.
"Jake!" She shrieked as I transformed, ignoring the bits of the pants flying into the pot she was preparing. I had to get her to laugh for me. It made my world sing with such happiness when she did. However, clothing bits in the food probably was not a good start so I had to be quick about it before she started mock-beating me with the wooden spoon. I flipped over on my back and whined to her. It worked every time. Down went the spoon and up went the corners of her mouth. I rubbed my head against anything I could find and finally she managed to get her oddly shaped body down on the tile with me so she could rub my belly.
"You are crazy sometimes, you know that Jacob Black?" I looked up at her and gave her a look that said, "You are crazy for being with me, then!" I nuzzled her, licking along the edge of her jaw until she smiled brightly at me. I loved her smile—oh, it was almost more than I could bear. I doubted the imprinting made me feel that strongly. No, my love was so much deeper than I could ever describe with words. It was like a flame that kept getting larger the more you fed it. I know Fia saw the love shining in my lupine eyes as I saw it reflected back in her own. She put her arms around my shaggy neck and pulled me to her in such a crushing hug that anyone not like me would probably have started choking by now. I put my head on her shoulder and sighed happily. Could life possibly get any better? I doubted it.
The End!
Thanks for reading Jacob's Flame!! I appreciate you!!...:o)
