~I do not own any of these characters (except for Daniel and Quincy)
The Only Exception
Leah's POV
I don't know why Sue called Sam. Even after I told her what went down at my apartment, she still insisted that she call Sam. It wasn't enough that I was worried about Seth to the point of insanity, but now I had to live under Sam's side glances. And not just Sam's side glances, but Jacob's too. Yes, that's right, my mother called both of them. Ugh.
Sue, Sam, Jacob, Quil, Embry, Jared, and Daniel were all sitting on the opposite side of the living room from Seth and me. Mom was doing it because she was trying to calm down, but everyone else was doing it out of awkwardness.
An hour ago, mom woke up to the sound of Seth screaming. When she came and checked, he was sweating and thrashing against the couch. Mom freaked out and called practically everyone on her cell phone, and now here we are.
Seth wasn't screaming by the time I got here, but he was still sweating and panting in short, painful breaths. By the time Sam got here, Seth was starting to groan and whimper against the pillow I put under his head. He's getting worse.
All was silent except for Seth's audible pain. Even Quil, whom would usually crack a joke to make everyone feel better, was quiet. I took Seth's sweaty cheeks into my palms and kissed his forehead. Then, I bent down and put my trembling lips close to his ears.
"Seth… Seth, baby, I'm here for you. You can fight this, Seth. Just think happy thoughts. Just remember that we're all waiting for you…" I couldn't choke out anymore other than that. I pressed my forehead to his and cried silently. I miss you…
"Leah…" Jacob murmured behind me. When I didn't answer, I heard him get up and cross the room. He bent down and kissed my shoulder. "Leah, it's going to be okay."
I looked up and stared at him through a layer of tears. "How? Jacob, all the legends, all the myths, everything points to his death─"
"Not every myth comes true," he said softly. "One myth is true, though…"
"And what myth is that?" I asked, looking away with a sigh. He took my chin and forced me to look at him. His dark eyes were incredibly soft, and they were filled with pure emotion.
He smiled. "Billy used to always tell me the tale of Ephraim's son. Ephraim's son…I forgot his name so let's call him Seth for now," I couldn't help but laugh at that.
"So when Seth Black was baby, a terrible sickness overcame him. This sickness is still unknown to this day, but there was no cure for it. Anyone who got it died. Anyways, when Ephraim saw his son dying, he was remorseful. Everyone, the elders, his wife, everyone said that Ephraim should've given up on Seth. But he didn't."
"There's an old myth that's been around since the very beginning of our kind. A myth that said that if a shape-shifter puts their heart and soul into that of a sick person, then that person will get better. But the only way for it to work is if you believe, beyond a doubt, that the sick person will get better. Ephraim believed beyond everybody else. You know what he did?"
When I shook my head, he grinned. "Ephraim sang to his son. And he didn't just sing some given tribal song. No, he sang his son's favorite song, and he sang it all night long."
"What happened to his son?" I breathed.
"He woke up singing with Ephraim." Jacob laughed. Behind him, Sue was in tears while Quil and Embry were snickering.
"Wow, Jacob, that's incredibly cheesy, even for you." Jared chuckled.
"I know, that's what I said to Billy when he told me that story," Jacob laughed softly. "But it's true."
"How do you know?" Sam suddenly asked. It didn't come out as hostile, but that didn't stop me from glaring at him. Why ask stupid questions? Jacob saw my expression and smiled.
"Calm down, Leah, actually I'm glad he asked. You see, when Billy got into that car accident a while back, I was scared. All of the doctors said that he wasn't going to live. Don't you remember Sue?" he asked, looking at Sue.
Sue jumped at the sound of her name. "Oh, yes, you were quite devastated. We all were."
Jacob continued. "One night, I was lying in my dad's hospital bed. He looked so weak and tired, and it broke my heart. The only thing that crossed my mind was 'This is the second time someone I loved died in a car accident'. Every chart in that damn hospital read he was going to die. But then, I remembered that story."
"I suddenly believed that he would make it. Why? Well, because he promised to take me to the place he and mom met. I believed so much, that I literally started singing "Living on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi." He laughed. "He loved that song. Whenever it came on the radio, he would dance up and start dancing like an idiot."
"I sang, and I sang, and I sang until I thought I might pass out. Finally, when I was so close to unconsciousness that I could practically taste it, I felt him touch my hair. When I looked up, I could tell he was trying to open his eyes. I forgot my exhaustion and sang louder, hoping for him to hear me. And then, he started singing with me:
"Whoa oh, we're half way there,
Whoa oh, living on a prayer…"
"We sang and sang, even though we were both extremely tired."
I sat there staring at Jacob in amazement. He's never told that story before. Such an amazing story should be published for all its greatness. His soft eyes told no lies, not one. I reluctantly ripped my gaze from his and looked at mom. She looked just as shocked, and she looked like she could start bawling in any second.
"So!" Daniel said suddenly. "What's Seth's favorite song?"
Oh, that's an easy one. "The Only Exception by Paramore." I said absolutely. He loves that song. Every time it comes on, he'd sing along as if he helped write the song.
"He listens to Paramore?" Embry laughed, making Jared punch him in the arm.
"I have Harry's guitar in the closet. I actually just tuned it yesterday." Sue offered.
"Why'd you tune dad's old guitar?" I asked curiously.
Sue looked away, looking almost guilty. "I tune it whenever I want to feel better.
"Good enough reason for me!" Jacob jumped up happily. "I know how to play the guitar, and I actually played that song in class, so I know all the chords."
"I know the song by heart thanks to Seth," I giggled.
"We'll be back up harmonies!" Quil, Jared, and Embry chorused together with glee. I looked at Sam and Daniel, who looked awfully out of place.
"Hey, why don't you guys round up the pack while we get a head start?" Jacob smiled. "I bet it'll work if we all come together."
"What about Edward?" Sue suddenly asked. That made everyone stop. No one's thought about the Cullens for a while, or at least I know I haven't.
"What about Edward?" Daniel asked; hostility thick in his voice.
"No, no Sue's right!" I suddenly realized. "Yeah, mom, that's perfect!" Everyone still looked at me in confusion, so I explained. "Edward and Seth are thisclose. They're practically brothers, and having Edward here might help."
"But wouldn't that mess up the werewolf mojo?" Embry asked. Unlike Daniel, he wasn't angry. In fact, he just looked confused and curious.
"Nope. Seth's already has venom in his system, which is bound to leave a mark. If anything, he's stuck in the middle!"
"That's a terrible idea." Sam spat. I couldn't help but flinch at his tone. He didn't have to blow a vein every time I thought of an idea. I was going to snap at him for being rude, but Jacob stopped me.
"Actually, it's a great idea." Jacob said absolutely. Sam glared at him.
"Jacob, please don't start with the Alpha crap─"
"Sam," Jacob snarled, "pull your head out of your ass for two seconds and listen to what everyone else has to say." There was a long pause before Embry sighed.
"So Jacob, why is this a great idea?" Embry asked patiently.
Jacob turned gratefully to Embry and smiled again. "Like Leah said, Edward and Seth are practically brothers. And imagine, Embry. Seth saw up close what happened to Edward. Don't you think he's gonna be worried? Hearing his voice along with ours is only going to help him want to wake up. And also, we need someone to read his thoughts so we know whether he's going to give up or not. This also gives us an excuse to ask for Carlisle. We need Carlisle here, and not just for medical reasons. If he does wake up something new, then we need both a vampire and a werewolf by his side. It works perfectly!"
I couldn't help but smile at Jacob's confident grin. He always looks as if he won the war, even if the battle hasn't even started. That's what I love about him. Love…
"Okay, then that's that!" Quil wooted happily. Daniel sighed in defeat and smiled at Jacob. That's the first time I've ever seen Daniel smile at Jacob. Today might just be a good day.
Sam and Daniel left; Daniel was excited about making a chorus group out of a pack of dogs, and Sam just looked downright pissed. But I didn't care.
We all gathered around Seth closely and got settled with smiles on our faces. Sue handed Jacob dad's old guitar and sat down next to me. All went silent before Jacob started strumming the guitar expertly. It sounded so beautiful. I sat up, took a deep breath, and sang:
"…When I was younger I saw
my daddy cry and curse at the wind.
He broke his own heart and I watched
as he tried to reassemble it.
And my momma swore that
she would never let herself forget.
And that was the day that I promised
I'd never sing of love if it does not exist.
But darling, you are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception
You are the only exception…"