another quick update...who knew i had it in me :)
thanks as always for the kind words. it means a lot!!
She was beginning to realize that his carrying her everywhere was his way of showing off. Not that she would ever say that because she enjoyed every second in his arms. He was so much stronger, physically than she could ever comprehend. He needn't show off for her but it made her smile nonetheless. He was only twenty years old, after all. If the only way he showed that was a need to boast, she could deal.
He carried her along the beach and her heart soared with every step. La Push was even more beautiful than she could've imagined. She couldn't wait to explore every inch of it and the painting…well, she was going to be very busy.
"Well, it looks like the dinner has moved to the beach" Jacob said with a smile. He sat her down and grabbed her by the hand.
"What's going on" it seemed a large crowd had gathered on the beach, surrounding an even larger fire…
"It's a bonfire. It's for you mostly. Billy will tell the stories; I imagine he set this all up. He's clearly in love with you" Jacob leaned down and kissed her cheek.
"Well obviously the feeling is mutual, you had to realize…. don't worry…you'll be fine without me" she laughed and ran off, turning around to wave goodbye and blow him a kiss.
She heard his laughter and of course, with legs like his he caught up with her in seconds. He grabbed her around the waist and lifted her up to kiss her. "Leave me now" he whispered, huskily.
"Never" she smiled and kissed him again "now, come on. I want to go to my bonfire."
As they approached she saw the pack standing heads above everyone else. They were all so beautiful it took her breath away every time she was near them. She wondered how she would possibly be able to breathe tonight. There were women and children standing around the fire as well, each lovelier than the next. She supposed she should feel inferior, what with her pale skin and light eyes, but the way Jacob looked at her she knew that was not the case. His eyes were simply filled with too much love for her to ever feel bad about herself.
"Jacob Black, hurry up and bring that pretty girl over here with you. We have been waiting long enough" Billy hollered out. The friends and family around the fire cheered in agreement. She knew that was the understatement of the night and looked up at Jacob. There was no sadness in his eyes now though. He squeezed her hand tighter and began to walk faster.
The fire blazed and cast a glow upon this evening, making it so much like a dream. People came up in a blur, she tried to hold on to everyone's name but she knew it would be hard. She had time though she knew that. She met the rest of the pack, including Leah, who was so beautiful that she wondered why on earth Jacob wasn't able to imprint on her. They would have been amazing together. Apparently Leah had found herself someone though, and Jacob seemed more excited to meet him than he was to see Leah. When Jacob hugged her, they whispered to one another and then Jacob wiped a tear from her eye. She thought of the story of Sam, Leah and Emily and of Jacob and Bella and realized these two had shared heartache and now they could share happiness. Leah smiled warmly at her and simply said thank you.
She was overwhelmed at the love she felt for her new family, they were after all. Finally Sam and Emily walked up. Jacob scooped her into his arms and Jolene knew Emily couldn't breathe. She would have to talk to hear about that later…. how do you adjust?
Emily stood in front of her once Jacob finally released her. Her face was epic. It was the most beautiful, tragic face she had ever seen. People wrote books about faces like this.
"It is so wonderful to meet you Jolene. We are so glad you are here. We have missed Jacob so much." Her voice was sweeter than possible and Jolene hoped they would be able to become close.
"Oh, he has missed you all too. I'm just so happy to be here now, with all of you. Tonight is amazing, thank you so much" before she could stop herself she hugged Emily. Emily hugged her back and Jolene felt a connection she had longed for her whole life.
"You'll come over to the house tomorrow. We will let the boys run and catch up and you and I will get to know one another. Sounds good?"
"Sounds amazing. I can't wait." The women smiled at each other.
Once the welcoming committee had settled down she had a chance to realize that she had just spent the past hour in the middle of a party. There were people everywhere and she hadn't even gotten nervous. She realized she had been missing so much…. God, if Jacob had never found her she would be…well; she didn't want to think about if he had never found her. She turned around, as always he was right behind her, her oversized shadow.
"Thank you so much baby," she said as she wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him.
"For what? Being so handsome?" he winked
"Well there's that, of course, but I mean for this. For all of this."
"You're happy then?" he asked, sincere.
"I've never been this happy. Jacob I didn't know I could be this happy"
He kissed her, gently and with his mouth still inches from hers whispered "me either"
They sat by the fire after Jacob and the boys had eaten what had to be, literally, all of the hamburger meat in the state. If they weren't all so damn handsome, she would've been sick. Billy had proudly shown her the extra vegetables he had requested made just for her and the quilt he had brought for her to cover up with. He was the sweetest man she knew and as he began to tell the stories, she knew she was probably a little in love with him too.
She wrapped herself in the quilt and then Jacob wrapped her in his arms. She was enthralled in the history and moved by the pride she could feel in each of them as they heard the stories for what was probably the millionth time. Jacob had told her all of this but Billy was the true storyteller of this tribe and it showed. She closed her eyes and she could see it all. His words were powerful and she took it all in. She knew tonight was a very important night for her. She had married Jacob earlier this week but tonight she was becoming part of his family. There were tears in her eyes as Billy ended his stories. Billy looked at her and smiled warmly and she just beamed. Her tear stained face bathed in firelight. She was almost dizzy from it all and as everyone began to rise, she just leaned back into Jacob.
"You ok" he whispered into her ear. His hot breath only causing her to feel more overwhelmed.
"Oh Jacob…you are even more special than I dreamed." She was able to get out in between gulps.
"You're crying oh don't cry baby." His voice filled with concern
"Oh they are happy tears. Overwhelmingly happy tears" she turned into him, kissing both cheeks "Billy looks tired, why don't I take him home and you can talk to your friends?"
"You just want to be alone with my Dad" he smiled, teasing.
"You are right. I do." She said, serious.
"He's something, huh?"
"Oh Jacob, he's amazing. I just want to let him know how much I appreciate tonight. You all will never know what it meant to me."
"Maybe you can show me later" he said, grinning
"Is that all you ever think about?" mock disgust filled her voice. They both laughed and stood up.
"Billy, you want me to take you home?"
"Jake doesn't mind a little competition, eh?"
"Ok Dad, you watch yourself. She's mine"
She pushed Billy's chair back to the house in silence. It was a beautiful night; the moon and stars were all in attendance adding to the dreamlike quality of this place. Surely she would adjust.
"Billy…those stories. They were so beautiful and the way you tell them…." She started in on him as soon as they made it inside.
"Oh that's just what I do." He shook his head, acting modest though she could see the pride brimming.
"You do it so well. I could see it all…."
"Of course you could. You are part of us now. Jacob loves powerfully, even without imprinting, and it used to scare me. I was so afraid he wouldn't be able to find someone that could handle it."
"I hope I can Billy. I do love him so much. I loved him the first second I saw him."
"I know you do, you brought him home, didn't you?"
She smiled at him then, tears filling her eyes "we brought each other home Billy."
"Yeah, I guess you did. I hope you know you've made everyone around here very thankful."
"The feeling is mutual, you know that right? I have been without a family for so long and now I am here, in the middle of what has to be the most amazing family I've ever known. I couldn't be happier or more proud. How will I ever be enough?" she asked, her fears would not hide in Billy's presence.
"You've had a tough time, I know that but it's made you who you are. A person strong enough to take a broken man and heal him with her love alone. That is powerful so don't fill your head with doubt. I won't hear it" he smiled and took her hands in his.
There were no words left after that. She helped Billy to bed and then crawled into bed herself. She was exhausted from today she didn't realize how much until she laid down. Her whole body cried out in joy. She hadn't attempted to sleep without Jacob since they met and as she lay here she realized she wouldn't be able to, no matter how exhausted. She was simply too cold. She had never been cold natured, she had too much padding for that, she thought smiling. Now though, it seemed whenever she was away from Jacob for too long she was freezing. Luckily, she heard him entering the house. She laughed as he attempted to be quiet. He was just too large for that.
"Jo-don't be asleep" he whispered as he entered the room. She heard his jeans hit the floor and felt the bed give under his weight.
"I couldn't be, you weren't here"
"I am now" he said and pulled her to him. She instantly felt the warmth from his body. She took it, greedily. She could never apologize for the way her body had grown accustomed to his. His warm hands found their way under her t-shirt and onto her back and they both sighed from just a touch.
She would have to apologize in the morning because sleep was coming now and she welcomed it.