AN: Thanks for your patience everyone!
Chapter 12 – Jacob's Date
I awoke the next morning to the sun on my face and I smiled. I freaking smiled. I was still a little high from the date last night with Embry. I lay there running through the night. Everything he said to me, the way he smiled, the way he kissed me. I laughed and buried my face in my pillow and squealed. Someone cleared their throat in my doorway and I spun over to see Becca walk into my room to jump onto the foot of my bed.
"So, how'd it go?" she asked excitedly and I grinned.
"It was perfect," I sighed dreamily, then a thought crossed my mind, "Where's Seth?"
"Visiting your mom. He left a note on the fridge," Rachel said absently and I slapped a hand to my forehead. My get out of jail free card from the disastrous triple date entailed the conditions that I visited my mother, which I hadn't done as of yet.
"Damn, I need to go visit mom soon too," I cursed forcing myself to sit up and rub my eyes tiredly.
"Heard she's dating Chief Swan. How's that working out for you?" Becca asked grinning, and I shrugged.
"He's okay; I think they are going to get married."
"Vampire's father marrying the shape-shifters mother?" Becca teased me laughing at my reaction or lack thereof as I glared at her.
"Ha ha, that's hilarious," I deadpanned stretching my arms above my head and yawning. My phone started ringing and I picked it up checking the caller ID.
"It's Rachel," I glanced over at Becca and she snatched the phone from my hand and threw it at the wall, forgetting her new super strength, so my phone smashed into a million pieces. We both stared down at the remains for a moment.
"I liked that phone," I mused ruefully then looked over at Becca curiously, "Why are we avoiding Rachel?"
Becca sighed and crawled into bed beside me. We used to sleep over at each other's houses when we were kids, this felt just like old times curled up with each other.
"You're not avoiding her. I'm avoiding her. Ever since she found out I was a wolf she keeps pressuring me to join Sam's pack," Becca growled with annoyance and I made a face at the thought of joining Sam's pack. Been there, got the t-shirt then burned it.
"Eww…" I groaned laughing.
"I know right?" Becca agreed shaking her head, "Like I would want to be in a pack with that slobbering moron of hers."
The slobbering moron she was referring to was clearly Paul and I felt that was the perfect way to describe him. Saying Paul and I hated each other was like the understatement of the century. I'm not sure exactly why we hate each other but we just do, and it had sort of turned into a game now and we both liked to win. There was a sharp knock at my front door and I looked over at Becca who had a petrified look on her face, like she knew who was going to be at the front door. I could hazard a guess. The knock came again. I threw aside my covers and forced myself to get up and walk to the front door, Becca following me at a safe distance.
"Hey Leah," Rachel greeted me brightly from where she stood on my porch with Emily Uley beside her. Emily Uley.
"Emily, Rachel, hi," I said awkwardly feeling weird being caught in my stained pajamas and Rachel looked around me further into the house.
"Is Becca here?" Emily asked politely and I nodded letting them in. I heard Becca mutter 'bitch' to me but Emily and Rachel didn't hear her since they didn't have supernatural senses like I did.
Emily and Rachel sat on the lounge and Becca stood by the door arms folded across her chest, though she looked like she was ready to bolt at any second. Emily and Rachel exchanged glances like they were mentally having a conversation then Rachel looked at her twin sister seriously.
"Becca we just wanted to talk to you about the packs," Rachel began quite formally then she looked at Emily again before addressing Becca, "Emily and I feel that it would be in your best interests to be a part of Sam's pack."
Becca scoffed, and I hid a smile behind my hand knowing what was coming.
"Firstly, Jacob is my brother so it makes sense that I would be by his side, seeing as he is my family and family means something to me," Becca held up one finger and looked pointedly at Rachel as she said this, her eyes burning with accusation considering Rachel didn't pressure Paul into joining Jacob's pack instead of Sam's. Not that we would have let Paul join, Paul was a douche. Rachel averted her eyes and Becca held up her second finger, "Secondly Leah is the only other female wolf, the only person who can relate to what I am feeling, so again it makes sense to be in her pack."
"Becca…" Emily began calmly and Becca snapped her eyes to Emily sharply.
"My friends call me Becca Emily," Becca warned Emily, her voice getting deeper and I thought I saw her shimmer faintly. If Becca didn't keep control she was going to phase.
"Becca," I elbowed her in the ribs warningly. It was one thing to refuse to join Sam's pack but now she was just being mean. Emily had been friends with all of us before this wolf stuff, and if I could forgive Emily, then everyone else could.
"You don't consider her your friend do you? After all she did to you? She and Sam cheated on you Leah, don't you get that? You should hate her, you should never forgive her, they cheated on you, he broke your heart and cheated! The bastard cheated!" Becca was yelling and then suddenly she exploded. I automatically moved to stand protectively in front of Rachel and Emily and Becca snarled at me. I wasn't angry with her. Becca was going through some tough changes in her life, and worst of all her husband cheated on her and when she was speaking just before I think we all knew she wasn't talking about Sam. So far she had done a good job of hiding how she truly felt, I should have known she was pretending to be calm and collected but I had been too wrapped up in Embry and Jacob to realize that she was hurting this badly. I was a horrible friend.
"Becca go to the woods," I commanded her and Becca whined bowing her head, then she turned and bolted out the back screen door, knocking it off its hinges. Great, another thing I had to fix. I turned to Rachel and Emily. They both looked a bit shaken but they were fine. They should have known better than to pressure Becca when she was a new wolf, I should have known better than to let them try and talk to her.
"I think she's still a little bitter over her douche bag husband, don't take to heart anything she said," I told them stripping off my clothes before phasing and running after Becca.
When I phased I was assaulted by all sorts of emotions. Anger, resentment, jealousy, pain, hurt, all these feelings were coming from Becca. She was having her breakdown; it had just taken her a couple of days to get here. In my mind I saw Becca was in a clearing not far away and I made a beeline for her.
I don't think you should have spoken to Emily that way, a voice spoke through the connection and I realized that Collin was phased.
What do you know? You're just a kid, Becca spat back at him and I saw through Collin's eye that he was already in the clearing with Becca. As he approached Becca stood up hackles raised and Collin paused.
You're not the only one this is hard for. The first time I phased was to protect myself from my best friend. Brady and I stayed home from school cos we were feeling sick and we were playing the Playstation. Brady lost the game and yelled that I had somehow cheated. That was all it took. One second he was Brady the next a giant wolf was flying at me. I was so petrified that I phased right there to counter attack him and we went crazy. We were scared and confused and didn't know what had happened. We nearly killed each other. If Sam hadn't come in and stopped us I don't know what would have happened. We were so scared, even after Sam told us what an honor it was, we were still frightened. Emily came in and snuggled with us, even though there was a real risk we could hurt her, she disobeyed Sam and sat with us anyway. After a while Leah came as well in wolf form and she just sat with us until we phased back. You may see Emily as the bad guy because she hurt Leah, but you don't get to judge her because you haven't seen the other things she has done for us. So give everyone a break, even Emily. Every one of us has done something bad that hurts someone else because of this wolf thing. We are all trying to deal with this the best that we can so just stop acting like a spoiled princess and accept that everyone is human and everyone makes mistakes, Collin lectured her calmly and Becca collapsed to the ground, moving to lie on her belly. Collin hesitantly came towards her and licked her snout. It wasn't in a sleazy way; he was comforting her the only way he knew how. In his memory I saw myself licking his snout the night he and Brady first phased, when I was trying to help him overcome his shock and phase back to human form. It warmed my heart that he remembered and admired me for that.
You're pretty smart for a kid, Becca thought at him grudgingly and Collin tilted his head proudly.
Thanks, he replied, his voice smug.
Want to go for a run? Becca asked getting to her feet and Collin shrugged his wolf shoulders.
Sure
I let them go. Maybe I wasn't the only one who could help Becca. We all had our stories to share, and we were a pack that took care of each other. I knew that Collin would help her all he could.
Becca, do you need me? I called out through the link worriedly.
I'm fine Lee, just need to go for a run, expel all my anger, I think this one can keep me in line, Becca assured me nudging Collin with her shoulder. On a side note I was pleased that any interaction Collin and Becca had didn't have any sexual connotations in them, I was glad it was Collin who was phased today.
Collin, howl if you need me, I gave the order and Collin laughed.
Will do Alpha, he confirmed and I phased back to give them privacy.
Crisis semi averted for now I figured I had better send a text to tell everyone not to phase for a couple of hours. Thus my problems began. Becca had broken my phone, I would have to ask Edward to buy me another one but in the meantime I needed to send a text. I raced into my house to find it empty, Rachel and Emily must have gone home and I threw on some clothes quickly. Almost automatically my feet started walking me to Jacob's house and he answered the door all smiling and happy. Seeing him made me smile dumbly.
"Hey Lee, what's up?" he asked cheerfully and I remembered why I was here.
"Can you text everyone not to phase for a couple of hours?"
"Why?"
"I think the shock finally caught up to Becca, Collin is with her, helping her," I said this quickly to stop Jacob from running off after his sister. Jacob looked worried, but when he saw that I was calm and not freaking out he calmed himself.
"Okay," he agreed and then brushed his lips quickly over mine.
"I'll see you tonight then?" I confirmed blushing a little and Jacob nodded.
"I'll come by at seven."
"What should I wear?"
"Just be you," Jacob told me smiling warmly and I hesitated before leaning in to kiss him briefly then I raced back to my house.
As soon as I walked into the house the phone was ringing and I ran to get it nearly tripping over the couch. Why didn't I move the damn thing? I nearly stacked it every single time.
"Hello," I greeted whoever was on the other end of the phone hoping it wasn't a telemarketer. I was in no state to give them the verbal bashing they deserved for interrupting my very important day.
"Leah its Edward, is everything ok? You didn't respond to my texts," Edward's voice came through worriedly and I smiled ruefully.
"Hey E sorry Becca broke my phone in a fit of rage, apparently shape-shifters suffer from temper tantrums did you know that?" I asked him wryly.
"I had no idea," he drawled sarcastically and I snickered.
"So what did you need?"
"I wanted to see if you would like to join myself and Nessie for lunch today," Edward invited me and I grinned. Free lunch. In the background I could hear Nessie chattering excitedly.
"Awesome."
"We will meet you at the border."
"I'll be there in fifteen."
Edward's Volvo came speeding around the corner and stopped in front of me. I got into the front seat and was accosted by Nessie who hugged me from behind my chair.
"Leah!" she cheered happily and Edward smiled to himself and started driving.
"How is Becca?" Edward asked me and I didn't want to have to say in front of Nessie that Becca had a mental breakdown and so I thought it at him, showing him everything that happened. Edward nodded his head sadly, "She is going through a tough time, she is lucky to have you there by her side."
"Leah guess what?" Nessie all but shrieked and I winced slightly looking at Edward.
Did you give her sugar or something? I demanded wondering if my ears would ever recover and Edward shook his head in response a smile playing on his lips.
"What Nessie?" I asked her and Nessie bounced in her seat.
"I'm going to school!"
Holy cow this was big. This meant they trusted her enough not start using her classmates as fun snacks. It was dangerous as well, considering none of the Cullen's would be able to be in her class at school like they were with Jasper. Still Nessie was only half vampire and barely hunted anymore. She preferred to eat normal food. This was a big moment in her life; I couldn't help but be proud of her.
"That's wonderful Nessie," I congratulated her and Nessie grinned.
"In the next couple of months we will move to Alaska, her growth has slowed enough for her to be able to attend school," Edward explained their reasoning and it struck me that meant they were all moving. Everyone, including Edward, was moving away. It was strange, to begin with I had hated him and his family but now, the thought that they were leaving saddened me greatly.
"So you guys are leaving?" I repeated a little down heartened and Edward nodded. Nessie caught the look on my face and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Don't be sad, I will email you and call you," Nessie assured me and I gave a grin.
"Thanks punk."
I'll miss you, I thought at Edward and he looked over at me fondly a grin on his face as I added, if you tell anyone I said that I will deny it.
"I'll miss you too," Edward told me, then he shrugged, "Nessie is right, I can call and email and Alaska isn't that far, we can certainly visit and you will always be welcome to our home."
"And when Seth and I get married we will live on the Res so you will see me every day," Nessie added joyfully and Edward nearly swerved off the road. I let out a peal of laughter at his reaction and Nessie looked from me to Edward in confusion. I just have her the thumbs up.
"Awesome."
Nessie had requested Thai food so we were at Port Angeles sitting in a Thai restaurant perusing the menu. The little Asian lady came to take our orders and I mentally told Edward what to order so that I would have extra. Chicken and cashew, pad Thai, spring rolls and satay sticks. Nessie was just having chicken Thai basil stir fry. When our entrees came out Nessie and I dug in while Edward made a show of picking up a spring roll and taking a bite. I nearly spat out the whole spring roll I'd eaten with surprise.
"So can you eat normal food?" I whispered my eyes wide at the sight and Edward grimaced and swallowed a bite down.
"Yes."
I was silent for a couple of moment before blurting out the question I had to ask.
"Where does it go?"
"Excuse me?" Edward asked in surprise though he had to have known that was coming from my thoughts.
"Where does it go?" I repeated curiously and Edward still looked shocked.
"Are you asking me what I think you're asking me?" Edward asked me, a small smile of amusement coming to his face.
"It's just I've never seen you or the others use the toilet, so if you eat where does it go?" I queried shrugging my shoulders and Edward laughed.
"I have to regurgitate the food later if I eat it now," Edward explained and I made a face at him. Gross. I probably shouldn't have asked.
"So vampires are bulimic," I quipped and when Edward rolled his eyes I smirked.
After a delightful lunch with Edward and Nessie they dropped me back at the border. I got out of the car and waved.
"Have fun on your date with Jacob!" Nessie cried out waving her arm and I shook my head as Edward drove away. I looked down at the brand new phone Edward had bought me; he was the greatest.
Jacob was on my doorstep promptly at seven. He was carrying a blanket and a picnic basket and wearing a proud grin.
"Hey Lee, ready to do?" Jacob asked giving me the once over and I smiled.
"Yeah,"
Jacob carrying all the supplies in one hand and his other hand took mine. I thought he would take me to a car but instead we headed down towards First Beach.
"Rachel came and apologized to me today, saying she was sorry for not forcing Paul to join our back when we first branched off," Jacob told me and I have a half smile.
"Yeah, I think Becca put the guilt trip on her."
"I wouldn't have let Paul join anyway, he's a douche," Jacob's words mirrored my thoughts from earlier today and then he glanced me apologetically, "Becca wanted me to tell you she was sorry for breaking your phone."
"That's ok, Edward bought me another one," I replied easily and Jacob let out a loud laugh, "Having a stinking rich vampire friend has its benefits."
"You have a vampire sugar daddy," Jacob teased me and I slapped his muscled arm.
"Edward is not my sugar daddy," I hissed slapping his arm again for good measure and Jacob just laughed again and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. Jacob led me along the beach and them to the northern end which was quiet, away from the main stretch of beach.
We came to a cleared off piece of land where there were four torches waiting to be lit in a square pattern. Jacob hurried to light them then set the blanket down in the middle of the torches. He threw himself down onto the blanket then gestured for me to sit with him. I settled between his legs and rested my back against his chest. The sound of waves crashing and Jacob's breathing in my ear was all that I could hear.
"So what do you think of the location?" Jacob asked seemingly innocent but I knew there was something more to it. I didn't spend all this time in his pack without knowing him the way I did.
"It's amazing, the view of the beach is beautiful," I told him meaning every word.
"I bought the block of land; well, the Cullen's gave me money to buy the land, but I bought it and I own it. I'm going to build a house right here, a house for us, with a big glass window overlooking the water so that when we wake up every morning we can see at the ocean. It's going to be more of a cottage, painted white, with three bedrooms, and a living room with a fireplace that we won't ever need to use," Jacob spoke softly but firmly as he told me of his dreams for us. As he spoke I could almost imagine the house he was building for us, the perfect future.
"With a white picket fence and a bright red letterbox," I added smiling and Jacob leaned over to brush his lips across my cheek.
"Anything you want," he told me lovingly, then his arms squeezed around me, "I want to live here with you, stop phasing and grow old with you."
He had planned all this for me, I couldn't believe it. Jacob had seriously considered everything, including our future. A thought crossed my mind.
"What if I choose Embry?" I asked him hesitantly and Jacob froze for a moment then held me tighter.
"I'll still be here waiting for you," he whispered meaningfully, "I will always be here waiting for you."
Jacob and I ate the picnic talking and laughing like a normal couple on a date then he walked me back to my house complete with a breathtaking kiss at my door. I went to bed dreaming of Jacob Black and white picket fences.
I woke up the next day absolutely stumped. Who was I supposed to choose? Embry, perfect Embry who would treat me like a goddess, or Jacob, who treated me like a normal woman, happy for me to be myself around him. I scratched the back of my head and then went downstairs of a mind to have some breakfast before dwelling further on my Embry/Jacob problem. Unfortunately my kitchen was already occupied. Embry and Jacob stood up when I entered and exchanged a glance.
"We've discussed it," Jacob began and Embry took over. There were a well oiled machine, which had me wondering exactly how long ago they had had this particular discussion.
"And we are happy if you want to be with both of us both."
I gaped at them, horrified by the suggestion. They wanted to share me between them for the rest of our lives? I wasn't a toy they could pass around.
"I'm not the La Push whore, there is no way I'm going to be with both of you," I spat at them, annoyed that they had thought that was the perfect solution to our problems. Only two men would come up with an idea that stupid and think it was a solution.
"Then choose Leah," Embry demanded folding his arms across his chest and Jake did the same. I sat down heavily at the breakfast table.
"I don't know who to pick," I whispered brokenly and Jacob came towards me.
"Leah, you can either pick me who has half an imprint or risk everything on Embry who will inevitably imprint completely one day," Jacob gave me the options bluntly and I stared up at him, feeling a little hurt by how callously he spoke about Embry. He was Embry's best friend.
"Fuck you Jacob; you don't know that," Embry growled with fury his body shaking as his eyes flashed with anger, "You don't know that for sure."
Embry phased and leaped at Jacob who pushed me backwards and out of the way phasing to compete with Embry. I fell back in the chair and hit my head against the stove. Ouch. I groaned in pain. Both Jacob and Embry stopped their attacks on each other and turned to look at me. I sat up slowly pressing a hand to my head and pulled it away seeing blood. Embry whined then bolted out the back door which still had no screen thanks to Becca. Jacob phased back into human form and I jumped to my feet.
"You did that on purpose, why would you do that?" I yelled pushing his chest but I wasn't strong enough to move him. Jacob's face was unrepentant.
"I wanted you to see things logically, I'm the better choice," Jacob told me, his eyes dark and I tried to shove him again.
"If I were thinking logically I wouldn't pick either of you," I spat at him furiously, "I never thought you would stoop that low Jacob. Hurting your friend like that? You both could have killed each other! You are the Alpha, you should have more control and care for your pack members. It was completely reckless. I'm disappointed in you Jacob Black."
I turned and stormed off towards my bedroom but Jacob ran after me and tugged on my hand, his face apologetic.
"Leah, I'm so sorry, I just don't want to lose you," Jacob whispered sorrowfully and I shook my head and pulled away from him. They were both losing me. Heck, I was losing me.
AN: Thanks for your patience, sorry it took so long. Glee has taken over my world! LOL
Only two more chapters of this left to go, or just one chapter and then the epilogue.
Review!
