The week had passed rather quickly. It was now Wednesday night and I had to get my things pack for the trip home. I grabbed my suitcase from under the bed and began packing my clothes. I put in some shorts, capris, jeans, and sweatpants, as well as t-shirts, tanks, long sleeved t-shirts and sweatshirts and of course a few summer dresses. A girl could never be too prepared. Washington weather was so unpredictable. After all of that was done .I put in my makeup and flip flops, as well as my tennis shoes. I would save the rest for tomorrow.
As I sat my suitcase by the door, I caught my appearance in the mirror that hung on my closet. I stood up and really looked at myself. I was changing. I was still tall and my tan skin was glowing. My eyes looked much brighter now. The green that was once bright, was even brighter than before. I studied my stomach that had grown a little more since last week. I smiled knowing that this baby was mine and Jake's, but that feeling was quickly replaced when I remembered how this baby was conceived. It wasn't out of love like I had always imagined. Instead, this baby was conceived out of claiming. The wolf had been claiming what was his. Even though the imprint was broken, the wolf in Jacob remembered me as his and he wouldn't take no for an answer.
"What are you doing?" Kyle asked. I jumped before turning to glare at him.
"Don't scare me like that, I could have hurt you." I sighed.
"Sorry. I thought you heard me knock." He said. Oh wow, I must have really been out if it not hear that.
"No, but it's ok. What's up?" I asked turning to give him my full attention.
"Nothing much, I was just wondering if you were packed and ready for tomorrow."
"Oh, yeah. I just finished up." I replied. I studied his face and the way he was messing with his hands. Something he did when he was nervous or wanted to say something. "Spit it out." He grinned.
"Well, I was kind of wondering if I could bring Carly with us." He said. "I want my family to meet her." I smiled. Carly was a nice girl. A little different nonetheless, but very sweet. Oh hell, I am only sixteen soon to be seventeen and I sound like a mother would. Well, I guess I am a mother, but still, these people are older than me. I do not get it. I glanced in the mirror again and realized, I don't look sixteen. I am like Jacob and the guys, I look like I am in my twenties.
"Sure. Bring her, she is a nice girl and I really like her." I said.
"Good. Thanks, Mia." He smiled and walked out. Carly was a tall girl about five foot ten and had long dark brown hair that hung to waist, like mine. She had ocean green eyes, like the ocean around the Caribbean Islands. I know this because I had seen so many pictures and wanted to go so bad. Carly was caring, sweet, and can be quiet at times. Other times she is lively, likes to play jokes, and play video games. She is eighteen years old and loves the beach and hiking, and her favorite animal is the wolf. Yeah, yeah. I know a lot about her, no doubt. Carly and I have become close friends since I have been here. I was the one that introduced her and Kyle. The thing is thinking of her personality, she reminds me of Embry. They both have that caring, gentle side about them. Almost in an innocent way, but not exactly because they both can be extremely perverted at times. Maybe….
School was over before we knew it the next day. I was glad that I had dressed in a pair of black Victoria Secret sweatpants and a matching hoodie. PINK was written down the leg of the pants in pink, as well as on the front of the hoodie. My under armor shoes were black and pink also. I was makeup free and completely comfortable. I walked out to the parking lot to get into my jeep when my cell rang. Who the hell is calling me? Mom is working days, Jacob was helping out Sam today. I don't know who it would be. I looked at the caller ID and saw Quil on the screen. "Hello" I said.
"Mia. Hey um…how are you?" he said. I heard Jacob in the background "Seriously! That is all you are going to say? You wanted to talk to her now quit being a pussy!" I covered my mouth trying not to laugh.
"I'm good, Quil." I replied opening the door to my jeep. Emmet bought it for me for my upcoming birthday. I had been so excited. I could take it off road or anywhere I wanted it to go. He and Rose had brought it to me the other night.
"That's good…that is really good. Soo…."
"Will you stop with the small talk and tell me why you called." I finally said. I heard chuckles in the background. I could picture Quil blushing and giving them the finger.
"I wanted to apologize for being such a dick a while back. I wanted to apologize sooner but I was too embarrassed to call." He sighed. I smiled.
"Man Quil. You finally put your big girl panties on." I replied backing out of the parking spot.
"Really. I just apologized and that is what you have to say. There is no, It's okay, Quil. Or even a, I forgive you?" He was in the middle of throwing a major hissy. I started laughing as well as everyone else that was there with him.
"Fine. I will forgive you but on one condition…"
"Oh no…"
"Oh yes, when I get to come home, you have to do whatever I say for a whole day."
"Is that it?"
"Oh no, you have to do what I say, no matter what it is…and you have to do it with personality."
"That does not sound good at all."
"it shouldn't" I giggled.
"Oh well, I miss you so I will do whatever you want." He said.
"Miss you too." I replied. I was going to say something else, but another voice came over the phone.
"Do you miss me too?"
"I don't know. Maybe." I said.
"Well I am sorry too. I was mad because of what had happened. I couldn't believe that you had done that. I think I was more disappointed then anything." Embry said. Now that was an apology.
"I am sorry too. I was going through so much and wasn't thinking. I was angry and confused and just tired of being me. The nice one. I have changed Embry, we all have, but you are still my family."
"Always. And its ok. No one care anymore."
"Then lets just call a truce and leave the past in the past." I replied.
"Sounds good to me." It was silent for a moment and then he spoke again.
"Listen, we know you are coming home." He said. Seriously!
"How? I wanted it to be a surprise."
"Oh there will still be a surprise, trust me." he said laughing. "But anyways, I will talk to you later." Before I could say anything he hung up on me. Kyle and Carly were bringing out the bags as I pulled up to the house. I shut off the jeep and opened the back so that they could load them in.
"Mia! Looking gorgeous as ever." Carly said smiling. She put the suitcase in and hugged me. "And how is peanut?" she gently put her hand on my stomach.
"Peanut is doing good." I smiled. "Are you ready to go meet people?" I asked. I went to pick up my suitcase, but she beat me to it.
"I don't know. I do want to see where you are from though. Especially since the wolf is like your tribes animal." I grinned a knowing smile and spotted Kyle walking towards us.
"Seriously! You just had to give away my secret of coming home!" I shrieked.
"Whoa! I did no such thing. The only one I said anything to was my mom and that was it. She must have spread the word."
"Oh great." I sighed. "Peanut will have to stay hidden for a little while." I murmured.
"You know that humans can see your belly right? The only ones that you are hiding it from are the supernatural." Carly said. I turned and looked at her.
"How..What?...Now I am confused how do you know…" She laughed.
"I know, because I am a natural witch. I was born that way. Yes I am human, but I have natural magic. It comes from the elements." She answered. "another thing you should know, is as a Keeper, you are the most vulnerable when you are with child. So be careful. The supernatural are drawn to you Mia. You need to let Jacob know so they can protect you." I didn't say anything. I just walked in the house and grabbed my pillows and a blanket before walking back out to the jeep. I handed over the keys to Kyle and Carly hopped in the passenger seat so I could curl up in the back seat. "Sleep Mia. You will need it." She whispered. I slowly closed my eyes and drifted off to the sound of the engine.
NOOO! I screamed as I fell to my knees. How could you do that! I will get you for this. I promise you. Your death will be by me and me only. If anyone tries to save you, I will put an end to them too.!
I sat up, beads of sweat covered my face and I was shaking. "Are you okay?" Carly asked. She was looking at me with a concerned expression. I took a few deep breaths before replying.
"Yeah, I will be just fine." I said. Even my voice sounded unsure to me.
It seemed like the trip was taking longer and longer. No matter how close we were getting it was still a long drive. After driving for six hours, we pulled over and switched spots with Kyle. We had already eaten and stopped three times to stretch so now I was driving the whole way. I wanted to get home and in my bed to relax. Carly was leaning against the passengers door asleep and I could hear the soft breaths coming from Kyle. He would be asleep shortly. I turned on the radio and began listening to the first song that sounded good.
It seemed like it took forever, but we finally made it home around five the next morning. I dropped Kyle and Carly off at his house before going to mine. It only took me five minutes before I was pulling into the driveway. I noticed the lights were on in the kitchen so that meant that my mom was getting ready for work. She would be making her coffee about now. I shut off the jeep and walked toward the house. I would get my bags later, or better yet I would have one of the guys get them. I was exhausted. I took out my key and unlocked the door. As I was walking in, my mom screamed. I laughed realizing I had scared her. "Gee mom. Thanks for the greeting." I yawned. She removed her hand from her heart and hugged me.
"Oh my gosh, Mia. You scared the shit out of me." she said raising her voice. The fact that she cursed made me laugh even more. She took a step back and looked me over. "Mia is that?" she asked. I guess Carly was right. I sighed and nodded. "Oh my. Who's? Does anyone know?" she asked. This was going to be a long morning.
"Can I answer the questions later?" I pleaded. "I was just in a car for fifteen hours straight mom."
"Mia, you know that this will ruin everything with the imprint and Jacob right?" she said so low it was just as if she was breathing. That meant that the guys must be patrolling close by tonight.
"Mom," I began equally quiet. I didn't want her to miss anything so I whispered in her ear. " It's Jacob's no one elses. Don't worry. No, I plan on telling him while I am home. And no one knows."
"How did you hide it?" I looked at her in confusion.
"I heard Jake was at your house for two weeks. And by the looks of it, it didn't happen then."
"I can hide it from the supernatural mom, just not humans." She looked shocked.
"Oh dear, you are the more advanced Keeper. Do you realize there have only been two that can control the supernatural sight? Your grandfather, and the tainted Keeper." I rolled my eyes.
"Are you ever going to tell me who this "tainted" Keeper is?"
"When you are ready. Go get sleep and take care of my grandbaby. I will see you this evening." With that she kissed my forehead and I went to bed. As I lay down, I instantly fell into a dreamless sleep for the first time since Jacob left. "Jacob" I whispered as I was falling asleep fast. I swear I heard him say he was right here.
I woke up, fully rested. I sat up and took in my surroundings. Jacob was sitting in a chair that I had in the corner of my room. I smiled as our eyes met. " I missed you." He said standing up. I got up and hugged him. He picked me up and kissed my cheek.
"I missed you too." I said. I pulled back and took in every inch of his features like I would never see him again. Which I hoped would never happen. He set me down on my feet and I ran to the bathroom. I had to pee so badly. When I finished, I walked back into my room. It was now or never. "Jacob, if I showed you something do you promise not to freak out or runaway. Promise me that we will talk and only talk. No yelling." He studied my face a minute before answering.
"I promise." He said.
"Ok." I took off my sweatshirt and stood before him in a tank top and my sweats. I took a deep breath and slowly let the veil disappear. There I was standing there in my baby bump glory. Jacob began looking around the room. I know he sensed the change of the atmosphere. "Stop looking and listen." I said gently. He sat there, not saying anything and closing his eyes. A second later he opened his eyes.
"What is that?" he asked looking around. I stepped forward and caught his eye.
"Jacob, what does it sound like?" I asked.
"A heartbeat. A strong but quieter than ours." I nodded.
"Jacob, look at me. Really look at me." His eyes began scanning me and then that was it. They stopped on my stomach.
"Are you?" he asked standing up. I could see him slightly trembling. It could have been easily missed by anyone else.
"Yes."
"Whose is it? Is it his?" he asked looking at me. I could see sadness but yet anger in them.
"No Jacob, it's not his. This baby is ours." He stopped. Just like that his wolf stopped trembling. I sighed.
"How? When?" he stuttered over and over.
"Really Jacob? I figured you would know the how. The when was the very last time we were together." He froze and his expression was pained.
"I'm sorry. I didn't want to…I mean I did but not that way… not yet. I wanted us to be on good terms. I wanted us to be together and married. The way it should have been. I ruined your life." For some reason this angered me.
"Don't you ever say that again. My life is not ruined, Jacob Black. I didn't want to conceive something as precious as this baby the way it was. It's too late for that now." I replied feeling myself heat up. Jacob looked at me with adoration and love. "And as far as I am concerned we are on good terms and working things out." He stood up and walked over to me. One touch of his hand and all the heat was gone and I was calm again.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.
"Because I didn't want this baby to be the reason why we are working through things or the reason we may be together in the future." He nodded in understanding.
"We are going to take things slow, Mia. I made that promise to you and I am sticking by it." That is when he touched my stomach and smiled. It was a genuine Jacob smile that I had missed so much that it hurt. It was the smile that I had gotten every day before Bella came. The smile that made my insides turn to goo and my knees get weak. It was my Jacob. I couldn't help but return it. "We are going to be parents." His face was lit up like a kid on Christmas.
"Yes, we are." I laughed. He kissed my head.
"Does that mean we can do it whenever now?" he wiggled his eyebrows. I laughed.
"Slow Jacob." He winked. "I am going to get a shower and then I need to go and see Dr. Cullen. I have yet to go." HE did not like that at all.
"I am going with you. You should have been seeing a doctor." I rolled my eyes.
"Ok, you can go, but I need my suitcase from the Jeep." He nodded and ran out the door. I grabbed a towel and went to get a shower.
Two hours later, we were pulling up to the Cullen's house. Emmet and Rosalie, knowing the sound of the Jeep, ran out the door first with everyone else behind them except for Edward of course. "Mia!" Emmet said running and picking me up. I laughed as he spun me around. Jacob growled effectively stopping that greeting. I glared at him.
"What is that sound?" Rosalie asked. It was then that Emmet sat me down and stepped back, giving her a side view of my belly. The bump was more noticeable from that angle. "Oh! Emmet how could you be so rough! You dork!" she said smacking his arm. "Mia has a baby growing in there." She looked at me adoringly.
"Guess the wolf's out of the bag huh?" Emmet said. I rolled my eyes. He could really come up with some jokes. Some good and some bad.
"Have you been to a doctor Mia?" Carlisle asked. I shook my head.
"I have been a little afraid too. Being that it has the genes of a shifter and a Keeper."
"I can understand that. Come on, we will examine you in the house." I followed him, answering questions and just talking about school while Jacob sat outside and talked to Alice. He liked her and Carlisle better than any of the others. It was like he trusted them.
It was a little while later and the exam was finished. My due date was February 28th. As we were getting ready to leave the room, I stopped him. "When will I know if peanut is a boy or girl?" I asked.
"Do you want to know?" I sat there and thought about it. Like really thought about it.
"No, I don't want to know. It can be a surprise." He smiled and nodded before we walked down the stairs. As we neared the last few steps, the others met us at the bottom.
"How's the baby?" Jacob asked. He pulled me to him and tucked me into his side.
"The baby is perfect, Jacob." Carlisle said smiling. "Congratulations" Jacob was beaming.
"Mia, you will be a great mom." Rosalie said. I smiled.
"Thanks Rose. You will be a great auntie." If she could have cried she would have.
"Thank you so much." She hugged me tightly but yet gently. We talked to them a little longer before we left for home. All the way back Jacob was smiling and talking about telling everyone. I just sat back and listened as he went on, my heart was full of joy and happiness.
The rest of the day we hung out together at mom's. We just wanted to be alone and enjoy this together. Just two friends who were expecting a child together. Ha, so funny and ironic at the same time. We were in the middle of watching Van Helsing, (Jacob had to have his vampire hunter fix) when the window opened and Quil and Embry rolled in…literally. They were laughing and shoving each other as they got up. Once they were finished, they looked over and saw me sitting on the couch with Jacob. "MIA!" They chorused before running at me. I flinched into Jacob waiting for the impact, but nothing happened. I looked up and found they had stopped a foot away from where we sat. They couldn't go any further. Jacob looked at them and then at me. "Um, did you just block us?" Quil asked. I could tell he was irritated.
"Accidentally. I guess it is a self-protection thing?" I said unsure. I took a deep breath and relaxed. Within a moment or two, the "ripple effect" in the room was gone. Quil and Embry came over and hugged me, ignoring Jacob. Embry gave me a wink and sat on Jacob like he wasn't even there, bad move. Jake sent him sailing across the living room. "Now boys, if you break it, you buy me another on, got it?" They nodded.
"So, why the protection thing?" Quil asked raising my legs up and putting them on his lap.
"Well, there is going to be a new addition to the family." I said. Jacob and I sat and looked at each other for a minute before anyone understood.
'Seriously!" Embry said jumping up. He came over and laid his hand on my stomach. "There's a bump." I laughed.
"Yep, me and Jakey are gonna be parents." Quil smiled and Embry's face lit up.
"I love you guys" he said kissing my cheek. Both boys began teasing Jacob and being their annoying selves.
"So, the reason we are here is, there is going to be a bonfire tonight." Quil said.
"Yeah, the whole pack is going to be there and the Elders. I guess there is a big discussion going to be taking place." Embry added before Quil elbowed him. I looked between the three of them questionably.
"Ok so what is going on?" I asked sitting up to look at Jacob. He sighed.
"They are planning to kill the Cullen's and Bella if she comes back from the honeymoon and is one of them." he sneered.
"Oh wow. So let me guess, I need to be there…" I answered. They kind of looked at me. "No, I don't need to be there, you guys want me there. And you Jacob want me there to argue to save Bella. Seriously? I am not ready for that kind of responsibility. Not yet." I stood up and walked in the kitchen to get something to drink.
"I just don't think it is right for them to kill her." Jacob said walking in behind me.
"Then don't think it. She will be one of them and I will be giving my vote to tear her ass apart. You don't know what I know Jacob. The Cullen's I will fight for. Bella, well lets just say I will kill the bitch myself. I am sorry if you don't like that, but I am being honest." He was mad. The next thing I knew he was outside and gone. Quil and Embry were standing beside of me.
"Man you were harsh." Embry said.
"Did you expect anything else?" Quil laughed before smacking him on the back.
"No, I was not being harsh, I was being honest and that is it. If he can't handle the truth that is completely his problem." They both looked at each other and then back at me.
"Not again." Embry sighed.
"Yep. Round 2 of Jacob and Mia's Bella Battle." Quil replied.
"So, I am going to change and then go see Sam and Emily." I answered.
"We will wait for you." Embry said, "That way you don't have to go alone."
"Em, I love you guys to death, but I am pregnant not handicap." I turned and ran up the stairs to my room. I began rummaging through my suitcase and found that Carly had put in my neon green bikini. I knew it was her because Kyle would never go through my stuff and then put a bikini in there. I rolled my eyes at the thought of Carly's actions and then pulled it out to put it on. I quickly undressed and then slipped it on before putting on a pair of my daisy duke cutoffs and a white mesh tank top. I slipped on my flip flops and pinned my hair up. Afterwards, I bounced down the stairs and out the front door. I stopped for a minute and took a deep breath. The air here was so different than California. It was nice and crisp, especially this time of year. I smiled and headed for the path that cut through the forest to Emily's.
I had just went a few feet when I was joined by Embry and Jared. I smiled as Jared pulled me in for a hug. He did more gently than he normally would have, so that told me that everyone knew. I hugged him back before pulling away. "Hey Jared. How are you and Kimmie?" I asked. His face lit up.
"We are doing great. What about you and Jacob?" he asked cocking his head to the side.
"I am sure you already know that. But to humour you, I pretty much told him I would end her myself."
"That's my girl." Paul said stepping from behind a tree. I laughed.
"The thing is she wasn't so nice about it when she told him." Quil said coming up behind me.
"Oh really?! Now I am anxious to find out what was REALLY said." Paul laughed.
"It went something like this," Embry said clearing his voice, " I will kill the bitch myself". I had to laugh at his girl voice. Paul was in hysterics now.
"Oh man, no wonder he is so pissed."
"Yeah yeah, I am going to see my brother. Who wants to carry me?" I asked. As I said it, I raised my arms up. My stomach was then exposed for all to see the bump.
"Come on baby girl. I got ya. Do you want it doggie or no?" Paul asked wiggling his eyebrows. I laughed.
"Doggie please, its been a while." He went and phased then came back laughing in wolf form. The others were still cracking up. Paul laid down and I carefully climbed on his back. Once I was situated, he stood up very carefully. He looked back at me making sure I was ok. When I nodded, he began walking the trail to Emily's with the guys on either side of us. "You know you can run." I said. He shook his big wolfie head in protest so I let it go and just enjoyed being in the forest. The one place that I felt free amongst the natural elements. I closed my eyes and leaned forward so that I was laying down. I must have drifted off because all of a sudden I felt arms lifting me off of Paul gently. I opened my eyes and found Jacob holding me. Without realizing it, I snuggled into him and fell back to sleep.
The next time I woke up, it was around six in the evening. I sat up looked around. The room wasn't familiar to me at all. I got up quickly and walked out the door, to be met by Emily. "Oh my gosh, I was about ready to panic." I sighed. She smiled.
"We don't want you to do that. Not with a baby and all." she said her eyes shining.
"Oh gosh, Em. Not you too." I moaned. That made her laugh.
"Wait until you see your brother. Come on, he is waiting for you." I smiled and walked down the hallway with her. As we reached the kitchen, I spotted Sam leaning against the counter and talking to everyone. I had no sooner than stepped into the kitchen that he hugged me to him like I was a fragile doll.
"I missed you." He said.
"Really? Cause I hadn't heard from you or any of you besides Jacob." I replied looking at all of them. They all hung their heads.
"We have been busy lately." Sam said.
"Yeah I know planning the bitches death." I said looking around at them all. "I hope you know that you cannot use me to get rid of her. As long as she is an innocent I have to protect her whether I want to or not. That is even when she is changed unless she does something to threaten us or me and my baby, then she is mine. Got it? Now that it is cleared up, I am hungry." Leah laughed and looked over at her and winked. "I only have one more question…who is carrying me to the bonfire?" Jacob stood up and walked over, picking me up and carrying me out the door with the others following close behind.
"It is our job to protect you and the baby. I don't want you over doing yourself."
"I hope you know that I will be going back to the school in like three days." I replied yawning. "That and you need to put me down. Your heat makes me sleepy and I think Ihave slept enough." He set me down and let me walk. We all walked the rest of the way laughing and joking. When we were close to the meeting, Billy spotted me and grinned. I could tell Jacob told him because he had tears in his eyes as he looked at my stomach. This was going to be a frustrating visit, I could definitely see it now. Everyone babied me all evening, waiting on me hand and foot. It was rather annoying.
Saturday and Sunday flew by rather quickly. I was with Emily and Kim while the guys were out training and doing patrols, and then the evenings I was with mom and the boys. They always hung out at the house with me. Once they all left, Jacob would come back and stay the night with me, so that I could have a full nights rest without all of the nightmares. Jacob and I pretty much agreed to disagree. He understood my position and respected that. I also understood that he didn't want to see his friend die. Even if she was a whore who was going to die. When that time came, I was going to do it slowly and dragged out.
It was finally time for me to leave. Kyle's mom had brought him and Carly over to my house so I wouldn't have to go out of the way to get them. So she said. We were loading up the Jeep when the guys came over. I introduced them one by one. When I got to Embry, he took one look at Carly and he was done. What the hell was I going to do now. I would lose my phone and get a new number, because he would be blowing that shit up. Carly and I would have to have a talk when we got back. Sam gave strict orders for Kyle to take care of me and I was to come home as soon as I could. Dr. Cullen was going to be coming to see me every two weeks to check on the baby and I would say Jacob would be right with him…as well as everyone else. " Can I talk to you really quick?" Jake asked. I took his hand and we walked right inside of the forest. "Listen, I know that you want to take things slow and I promised that we would and that is what I meant. But, even though we are taking it slow, I made this for you." He took a leather bracelet form his pocket and handed it to me. It had our favorite colors intertwined. I looked back up at him. "It's like an engagement bracelet I guess you could say, more than a promise, but not a ring. This is so I know you are mine no matter how long it takes us and that you DO agree to marry me when we reach that point." I studied his warm brown eyes a minute.
"Yes, I will marry you, Jacob. When we get there." He leaned down and went to kiss my cheek, but instead I gave him my lips. It was sweet, gentle and passionate, everything he used to be with me. Like I said before he was MY Jacob again. I pulled away and we walked back to the car, the bracelet around my left wrist. "I love you." He whispered before I got in the car.
"I love you too." I said. I hugged everyone one last time before heading off to college once more. I really need to do something about getting back here earlier than next summer.