A/N: I know, I know, I'm horrible. Sadly I've been pretty depressed and haven't felt like writing anything in a while. So it's not my fault because college sucks. D: I made this chapter extra long for you guys! It's almost 2 am. -dies-
Thanks to all who reviewed/alerted/favorited! I'm sorry I have no witty comments to give, I've been working on this stupid thing for two days straight and I'm tired! Lol. Please enjoy, and be forewarned that there is a little hawt kissing. :3 Since you guys griped at me and said Ina should not be a saint. Sheesh. -grumble grumble-
And this story will probably be ending soon, sadly. :( I have no time to write anymore, so I will be thinking of an acceptable ending to it and will hopefully get it done within a few chapters. Thanks again guys!
Chapter 21
Jake and Jay sat across the room from each other, both with their arms crossed and glaring. I looked back and forth between the two hopefully, staring at each with squinty eyes for a while but they never looked at me. I dug around under the couch until I found an old grocery store receipt, then ripped it into small pieces and threw them at them.
They just stared.
"AHEM," I said loudly, narrowing my eyes at Jathan. He let his eyes flicker to me before staring back at Jake. The old western stand-off theme ran through my head. Finally Jay gave up and sighed, running his hand through his hair before stepping forward and holding his hand out to Jake.
"I'm sorry Jacob. There. Friends?" he choked out. Jake grinned widely and shook his hand. I could see the veins popping out of his hand and Jay's stone faced I'm-not-hurting expression, so I quickly threw a piece of paper at Jake's head. He glanced at me with sparkling eyes and released my poor brother's hand, then smiled at Jay.
"You can call me Jake. All my friends do," he said.
Jay looked at him warily before saying, "You can call me Jay, if you want. I guess it's okay since you're probably going to be my future brother-in-law." Jake looked surprised for a moment, then gave me one of his big, beautiful smiles. I blushed and nearly melted on the spot. Curse Jay for putting the idea into his head so soon! …I did kind of like the idea though.
A small, intimate ceremony, me in a simple white dress and Jake all dressed up. Smashing cake into each other's face and our first dance as a married couple. Jake carrying me over the threshold of our house, setting me down on the bed as he worked to get his tie off. Tan, smooth skin illuminated by moonlight slanting in through the window, chocolate eyes and perfect lips and…thought process is stopping there.
My two favorite guys had finally learned how to put up with each other, but Jay didn't stay around long after that. He said he had work to do and left quickly, giving me a hug and giving Jake a forced smile before he walked out. Jake plopped down on the couch beside me and intertwined his fingers with mine. His face was utterly rapturous, a gentle smile gracing his full lips as he looked down at our joined hands. He sighed and leaned his head against my shoulder, then pecked a kiss on my cheek.
"I love you," he smiled, looking up at me. He looked so adorable right then that I had to bite my bottom lip to keep from squealing like a fangirl.
"I love you, too," I whispered, smiling. He studied my face for a bit longer, his deep brown eyes seemingly probing my brain for answers.
"What?" I asked, feeling the heat creep up my neck.
"You want to go swimming?" he asked suddenly. I pointed to the thermometer on the window. He glanced at it and shrugged, a corner of his mouth turning up into a smirk. "I'll keep you warm."
I grabbed the remote and flicked the television on, turning it to the Discovery Channel.
"Oh look, Shark Week reruns," I smiled, snuggling in under his arm. He chuckled and gave me a squeeze.
"Inaaaaaaaaa," Paul whined.
"Don't you think May is going to be a little jealous if you keep begging like that?" I grumbled. He shook his head, bottom lip puckered out and eyes wide.
"She's curious to see what you'll look like. She says you're far too shy for your own good," he answered, his grip on my shirt not loosening.
"Well why doesn't she wear it then?" I yelled in his face. A slow, dreamy smile crept across Paul's face, and if I didn't know any better I'd say he giggled.
"Oh, she's got something of her own. Something glorious," he crooned, his voice dropping an octave as he gazed off into the distance. I snapped my fingers in front of his face, then smacked his cheek a few times when that didn't work.
"Paul? Paul? PAUL!"
"Huh?"
"As I said before, I am not wearing that to Emily's Christmas party."
His dreamy expression slowly digressed into a wicked smile. I gulped.
"Yes. You will. And you will like it," he growled, his right eye twitching oddly.
I think May's animated expressions have rubbed off on him a little bit.
I nodded dumbly and he finally set me on my feet, then clapped his hands and walked out of my room. I followed him to the door and almost slammed into him when he turned around suddenly.
"Ah, one more thing. Me and the boys have a little surprise for you too," he said, winking and biting his bottom lip sexily. I rolled my eyes and shoved him out of the door into the flurry of white snowflakes.
"You'll love it!" he shouted, blowing a kiss before traipsing off down the snow laden sidewalk. I chuckled and shook my head, leaning against the doorframe to watch the storm. The light from our window decorations cast multicolored shadows on the blanketed ground, illuminating the dark night with a soft glow. I smiled as the wind blew and made snowflakes dance through the air, watching for a few more moments before closing the door. I rubbed my arms against the chill and paused at my mom's door, then walked back to my room after hearing her snoring softly.
I sighed, remembering that Jake wouldn't be staying the night. I left my blinds open and climbed into bed, sighing again as his faint woodsy scent enveloped me from my sheets.
"Ina you lazy bum, get your ass up!" I heard a voice shout at me.
"Jathan Alan!" my mother's voice shouted.
My world was suddenly spinning as both the blanket I was burrito wrapped in and I were dragged off my bed and onto the floor. I pulled it over my head and groaned, but a heavy weight sat on my back and squeezed all the air out of my lungs.
"Siiisss," he whined. "Come on and open presents!"
"What are you, five, Jaynini?" I grumbled, bucking him off of me. I sat up and scratched my head, squinting my eyes against the blinding white light coming in through my window. Jay was sitting cross-legged in front of me, a silly grin on his angular face and wearing his pajamas, which were red and covered with tiny white Santa Clauses.
"Did you drive over here like that?" I snorted, pointing at his adorable clothes. He looked down at and back up at me, grinning.
"Just like old times, right?" he said. I nodded and smiled.
"Just like old times."
He grabbed my hands and pulled me up and over his shoulder, then carried me down the hall while singing "White Christmas." A sweet, heavenly scent wafted its way up my nose and my eyes widened in upside-down realization when I saw a pile of steaming cinnamon rolls on the counter.
"Jay, put me down!" I squealed, smacking his butt. The world lurched as he turned the opposite way.
"My oh my, I do wonder where that dear sister of mine went," he mumbled thoughtfully.
"Jay!" I whined, beating against him.
"Wow, are there mosquitoes in here? What is that small poking feeling?" he mused.
"Jathan, put your sister down," my mom chuckled, throwing a piece of dough at his head.
"Kay," he said, dropping me on my head. I smacked his leg before scrambling to the delectable pile of cinnamon goodness and sniffing appreciatively. I gazed at my mom with puppy dog eyes and she smiled innocently.
"Don't you want to open your presents first?" she asked.
Ah, presents. Presents or cinnamon rolls, what kind of evil person would make a girl choose between those two?
My mother that's who.
I was suddenly squished down as Jay propped his elbow on my head and leaned on me. I sighed and rolled my eyes up to look at his smirking face.
"I donno, Ma, you think she'd want to open what Jacob got her?" he grinned, raising his eyebrow at me.
What cinnamon rolls? Psh.
"Jakey got me something?" I said in awe, staring at Jay. He looked up at the ceiling, pretending not to hear me, so I jabbed him in the side. He yelped and scowled at me, rubbing his injured side.
"Actually, he and I both got you something. Together, that is," he mumbled, blushing slightly. I glanced at my mom in disbelief and she nodded. I nearly fell over from the effort of keeping my jaw off the ground.
"You…and Jake?...and shopping?" I gaped.
"YEAH, SO?" he yelled, instantly becoming defensive.
"Yeesh, Mr. Hyde, think you could bring it down a notch or two?" I grumbled. He sighed, defeated. I ran over to our Christmas tree and started separating presents out while Mom brought the plate of rolls over, chuckling. Jay sat down in front of his pile, and when I was finished sorting I gazed at my pile curiously.
"Which one is it?" I asked. Jay smirked and shook his head.
"You open that one last. Jake's orders," he smiled. I groaned and flopped against the couch. Mom scolded me teasingly and told us to open our presents. Jake and I took turns opening presents and eating cinnamon rolls. He shouted in delight when he opened the present Mom and I had picked out for him, some kind of giant book he had been talking about for ages, then hauled us both into a giant hug.
"Jay…can't…breath…" I wheezed. He released us and sat gazing at his book lovingly, all other presents forgotten. I huffed and glanced back at the single present I had left, a sly grin on my face as I carefully tore off the green and red paper. In front of me sat the most amazing sight my young eyes had ever beheld.
A waffle maker. And five bags of chocolate chips.
I gaped, awe-struck, at the wondrous machine in front of me. Jay leaned over and tore the note off the top and waved it in front of my face.
"You have to read this too," he chuckled.
I took the paper from his hand and unfolded it.
Dearest Sister,
Hey honey,
Don't call her honey. Anyway. We got this for you because you like waffles.
Duh.
Shutup mutt. We even bought it together, just for you, because you want us to be friends.
It may take a while, but we really want you to be happy.
So as long as you use this to make me waffles from time to time, we gladly hand it over to you.
Don't forget me too. You know, your future husband. :)
Brother equals greater than future husband
He lies.
Love always and forever,
Jaynini and Jake
I snorted, laughter bubbling out of my mouth at their antics.
"Aww, Jay," I giggled, throwing my arms around his neck. He patted my head affectionately and pushed me back.
"It's nothing much, but we thought you'd like it," he smirked. "Okay, mom, now it's your turn!"
My mom stopped midway into her bite of cinnamon role and looked at us questioningly.
"Hmg?" she questioned. I ran back to my room and pulled a box out from under my bed, then ran back and placed it in front of her.
"Mm guf dn hff—"
"Ma, swallow," Jay interrupted, smiling. She gulped and looked at us bewilderedly.
"You guys didn't have to get me anything," she mumbled, glancing down at the package curiously.
"Of course we did, you're our mother," I smiled. She chuckled and tentatively pulled at the wrapping, eventually revealing a plain cardboard box. She opened that up and we watched as a huge grin spread across her face.
"You didn't," she gasped.
"Oh, we did," Jay chuckled.
She pulled out several films and boxes of candy, shrieking like a young schoolgirl when she found Pride and Prejudice.
"Hot dog! Matthew MacFayden is so handsome!" she squealed, waving her arms around.
"I do agree. We thought you might like us all to have a family movie night sometime, since Jay always works—"
"And Ina is always with Jacob," Jay finished. I scowled at him. She nodded enthusiastically, staring at the picture of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy on the back cover of the DVD.
"You know Mom, the book is actually pretty good too," I smirked. She waved her hand at me in dismissal. There was suddenly a loud thump on the door, and a muffled voice on the other side.
"Stupid, people don't just leave their doors unlocked," Paul's voice chuckled.
"Well, they should!" May's voice grumbled. Jay got up and opened the door to reveal a grumpy looking May and Paul, who was rubbing her head comfortingly.
"Hey guys! Mrs. Call," May said, waving. She suddenly gasped and pointed to the movie in my mom's hands, then quickly walked over and stood her up.
"You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love…I love…I love you," they finished together dreamily, then burst into a fit of giggles. Paul looked at me in question and I shrugged, smiling. Paul shrugged too and made himself at home by grabbing a cinnamon roll and stuffing it in his mouth.
"So, what brings you here?" I mused. May clapped her hands together and grinned widely, her pale face flushed from the cold.
"Merry Christmas!" she shouted, throwing her hands up in the air.
"It's a little late for that, don't you think?" Paul chuckled in between bites. She narrowed her eyes at him and punched him in the shoulder. He stared at her in mock horror, but she just rolled her eyes and turned back to me.
"So," she said, drawing out the 'o', "I hear you have a hot da—" Paul's hand clamped around her mouth and he shushed her, only to end up spraying bits of pastry all over her. She used his jacket to wipe her face and then cocked an eyebrow at him. He glared back, and their expressions changed rapidly as they argued silently. May finally sighed and crossed her arms. Paul kissed her forehead, and their eyes met, making their faces melt into goopy smiles in an instant.
"Uh, guys?" I asked.
"Heh?" Paul mumbled dumbly.
"What was it you came for again?"
May blinked a few times, her mouth hanging open. "Ionno," she said. I rolled my eyes and bonked their heads together, making them hiss at me in anger.
"What was that for?" they said simultaneously. I cocked an eyebrow at them. "Oh…"
"Ah, ahem, well anyway. I wanted to come take you out," May said, winking slyly at Paul. He smirked and nodded.
"But it's Christmas," I noted. Jay clapped his hand on my shoulder and looked at Mom.
"We can deal without you just this once," he grinned, shoving me toward May.
"B-but I haven't showered or brushed my teeth or anything!" I protested. Paul grabbed my coat from the rack and pulled it over my arms, then flung me over his shoulder. I was beginning to feel like a sack of potatoes.
"No worries, dear friend! We have everything taken care of for you," May said, patting my rear. Mom waved halfheartedly while still staring at Mr. Darcy, and Jay shook hands with May before I was whisked out into the bitter cold winter air.
"Tell that mutt he'd better keep his paws to himself!" Jay yelled from behind us.
"We'll make sure to tell him Big Brother is watching!" May shouted back. I was roughly thrown into the trunk of a car, which I later recognized as Quil's, and we sped off to who knows where.
"Hey Ina! Glad to see you looking so beautiful this early in the morning!" Quil said cheerily. I threw an oil bottle at him.
Eventually we landed at the Clearwater house, and Paul threw me over his shoulder once more as he trekked up the front steps. May's red toboggan bobbed along ahead of us, her blonde hair sticking out of it at odd angles. She knocked on the door and I shivered impatiently until Seth flung the door open and ushered us inside. Quil followed soon after, and they all gave each other knowing glances as I was flung onto their couch. I heard Sue chuckle from the kitchen and wondered what the heck was going on.
I voiced my question and they all snickered.
Leah snaked her arms around May's shoulders and smirked. "You are going for one helluva ride today," she said. The others nodded, and May's green eyes twinkled maliciously.
The guys all hugged me and gave me good luck before walking out the door. May and Leah gave them sweet smiles, laughing cheerily at them as they got in Quil's car. Once the door was closed, they dropped their façade and turned to me with glittering, evil eyes. I gulped as the grabbed my arms and yanked me upstairs, May on one side giggling uncontrollably and Leah on the other, a mere smirk on her lips.
I knew I was in trouble.
All was silent as they closed the bathroom door behind me after instructing me to brush my teeth and take a shower. I glanced around cautiously while I scrubbed my teeth with the cheap dentist office brush they had given me, then carefully climbed into the shower. The walls were lined with all sorts of fragrant soaps and shampoos, so I just grabbed one and scrubbed myself with it. After rinsing, I got out and dried off, then poked my head out the door.
"Uh, guys?" I asked nervously. Leah popped in front of me so quickly I nearly fell over. I sputtered in surprise and she grinned.
"No worries, I only apparated," she smirked.
"You can do that?" I gasped in mock disbelief.
"If werewolves and bloodsuckers can exist, why can't wizards, too?"
She motioned for me to follow her back to her room, where May was waiting with a suspiciously innocent expression on her pixie like face. I could tell she was hiding something behind her back, but she made no move to reveal it quite yet. Leah closed the door behind her and locked it. I gulped as she turned back around.
"Sugar vanilla, eh? Good choice, it's close to your natural scent," she said, sniffing the air. She retrieved another bottle of something off of her dresser and handed it to me. "Put this on too, I'll help."
"Lotion? Why?" I asked, sniffing the bottle's contents. She grabbed it from me and squirted some onto her hand, then smacked it onto my shoulders. I bit back an 'ow' and shoved her hands away.
"We want Jake to be able to smell you from a mile away. It'll drive him nuts!" May said gleefully.
"I won't be able to smell anything other than you for a week," Leah grunted, holding her nose. I paused and narrowed my eyes at them.
"So this is all for Jake?" I asked. May rolled her eyes up to the ceiling and smiled so wide I could see her molars.
"Why ever would you think that, dearest?" she said. I chucked the lotion bottle at her and she ducked, giggling like a madman. Leah rolled her eyes and went to grab some other things.
"Well, madam, I have some underwear for you at the ready," May said, pulling out a strip of lace.
"May that's not underwear," I groaned. She looked at the fabric and nodded her head seriously. "I think you grabbed a bit of mosquito netting by mistake."
"Oh, you wily coyote," she laughed, throwing the netting at me. I let it fall to the floor and stared at her. She frowned at me and picked it up, then gestured toward my legs.
"Come on, put it on," she said, walking towards me. I stepped back a few feet and she followed, then started chasing me around the room. I shrieked and threw whatever I could get a hold of at the insane girl, but she kept up with me. I was in the middle of throwing a water bottle at her when I slammed into Leah, who was coming in the door.
"Really guys? I leave for two minutes and come back with my room destroyed?" she snarled. We backed away slowly, then began putting everything back into place under her watchful eye. Once everything was cleaned up, May frowned at her and held up the…thing.
"Mama Leah, Ina won't wear this," she pouted. Leah cocked an eyebrow at her.
"I wouldn't want to, either," she scoffed.
"Why not?"
"Have you ever tried wearing one?"
May paused, a thoughtful expression on her face.
"Now that I think about it, no," she answered, grinning. "I just always thought guys like them."
"They do," Leah grunted, "but they're a pain in the ass. Literally. Try it sometime. Plus, Jake will not be seeing Ina's underwear." She turned to me, leaning down into my face with her eyes narrowed. "Got that squirt? He will NOT. Or I'll kill you both. Capice?"
I nodded rapidly, cowering back against the wall from the intensity of her glare. She smiled and stood back up, then grabbed the bag from May.
"Hm, should we make her get dressed first or do her hair and stuff?" she asked May.
"Mm, probably make her get dressed first," May replied.
"Doing my hair, what?" I asked.
Hours later I stood in front of Leah's full length mirror, gaping at the reflection staring back at me. I touched my hair in wonder, its soft waves spilling down over my shoulders. I poked my weirdly pretty face, but my reflection did too, then looked down at the outfit the guys had chosen for me so long ago. I turned around several times, watching the tassels on my thigh high boots spin. Leah and May stood admiring their work behind me.
"I daresay Jake won't be able to control himself," May beamed.
"He'd better watch himself," Leah grunted.
"So what are you going to wear, Leah?" May inquired. Leah glanced down at her cut off sweats and hockey jersey. "Oh no, ma'm! If we're getting all sexied up, you have to too!" Leah stared down at her, one eyebrow arched, daring May to try something. May walked over to Leah's closet and rummaged around for a few minutes before she exclaimed loudly. She glanced over her shoulder with a sickly sweet smile, then pulled out a slinky black dress.
"Ooo, very nice," I commented.
"No," Leah refused simply. Her face was an odd mixture of surprise and pain, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.
"What's wrong with it? I think it's hot," May grinned, waving the dress around in front of Leah. Leah's eyes flew to the floor and she bit her lip.
"I was wearing that when Sam asked me out. I thought I threw it away," she mumbled. I panicked for a moment and put an arm around her, then looked at May with a what-do-we-do face. May caught my look and tsked, shaking her head like an old woman.
"That just means this is lucky dress, silly! Speaking of lucky, my hot cousin will be there tonight too," May smirked. Leah squinted at her.
"Are you trying to set me up?"
May merely smiled. There was a flurry of movement and before I knew it, May had Leah zipped up into the dress.
"Fits like a glove! A very sexy glove, that is," May beamed. Leah tried to pull the dress down awkwardly, and, dare I say it, there was a light pink tinge to her cheeks.
"It's too short!" she complained. May smacked her hands away, then took advantage of Leah's momentary discomfort to shove her in the chair I had been forced into a while ago. She started doing makeup, so I focused on helping Leah tame her wild hair. After finally getting to straighten, I pinned part of it back with a sparkly clip.
"I feel like a Barbie," she grunted.
Once we were done with Leah, May quickly changed and whipped her blonde tresses up into a loose bun with bedazzled red chopsticks, in true May fashion, then smoothed her dark green sweater dress and clapped.
"Right-o! Pictures, yes?" she said. We took a few pictures before she tucked her camera into her purse and we all walked into the kitchen. Sue clapped and made us all spin around, then kissed Leah on the cheek with tears in her eyes.
"I wish your father was here to see this," she said. Leah smiled grimly and gave Sue a tight hug before wiping her tears away.
"Hellooo, ladies," Seth said as he walked into the kitchen. May and I struck a pose, making Sue laugh a little. "Dang Lee, what happened to you? Looks like you got beat with the girly stick," Seth remarked. She punched him in the arm.
"I can still beat you up, little brother," she grinned. He scowled and wrapped his arms around his mom's shoulders, resting his chin on her head.
"You're coming later too, right Mom?" he asked.
"Of course," she replied, patting his arm. "Son, you'd better get changed. Emily wanted everyone to be dressed up so you guys can take a group picture."
Leah groaned.
Sue gave her a look and she straightened back up. We had been chatting for only a few minutes and my feet were already killing me when we heard a honk from outside.
"There's Pauly!" May squealed. She gave us all a peck on the cheek before click-clacking her way out the door. Seth grimaced in disgust as he watched her fling herself into Paul's waiting arms.
"I hope I never imprint. I don't want to be whipped like that," he groaned. I flicked his nose with my finger and glared at him.
"You, sir, do not know what you're missing."
"I think I do. I get enough lovey dovey crap from all of you guys to last a lifetime, " he grinned. "Just wait 'til you see what Jake did for y—OW! LEE WHAT WAS THAT FOR?" he yelled, glaring down at his older sister. She gave him a weird look and he paled, then smiled again. "Oh yeah, I forgot."
"Forgot what?" I asked, now extremely curious.
"Nothing, love, nothing," he grinned.
Seth went back to his room to get changed while Leah and I put our coats on. He walked out a few moments later looking quite handsome in a white button up shirt, gray vest, and black pants. I whistled at him and he grinned, waving me out the door. I had worried about freezing to death, but being sandwiched in between two space heaters made it no problem on the short ride to Emily's. I nervously fidgeted with the hem of my dress, watching the snow bordered road give way to gravel beneath us as we neared Emily and Sam's.
Even from down the road I heard loud music and shouts of excitement. When we got closer, I could see that the house was decorated in zillions of multicolored lights, with strands hanging from the roof and wrapped around poles, Santa Claus riding in his red sleigh in the front yard, and a snowman on the roof. Leah parked behind Quil's car and took a deep breath.
"You okay, sis?" Seth asked. She nodded, her mouth forming a thin line as he clenched her jaw, a determined look in her eyes.
"What's wrong?" I asked, patting her hand.
"I'm going to catch a lot of crap from the guys about this," she grunted, gesturing at her appearance.
I pointed to the heel on my boot.
"See this? It's going to be embedded in the unlucky person's face that decides to say something," I grinned. She snorted and shook her head, a half smile turning up her mouth on one side. Seth patted her shoulder for comfort and opened his door to get out, subjecting me to an icy blast of cold air. Leah took another deep breath and nodded to me, reaching for her keys. As we crunched up the driveway, my heart was beating at a furious pace within my chest. I had not seen or heard from Jake all day, but from the way everyone was acting, I knew he was planning something.
Jingle Bell Rock blasted from inside the house, but didn't quite cover up the talking everyone was doing. Quil caught my eye and he grinned, then nearly fell over when he saw Leah. The room grew quiet as everyone turned to stare at us. Leah glared back at each and every pair of eyes she met, daring them to say something. May uprooted herself from Paul's lap and danced over to us, then bowed.
"Ladies and brutes, I present to you, well, us!" Paul snorted and started clapping, and everyone followed suit and cheered, making Leah blush. She still glared at everyone, so I gave her hand a squeeze for reassurance. She glanced over at me and smiled. I looked around for Jake, but didn't see him anywhere among the crowd.
"Sorry, kiddo, he's not here yet. Embry's holding him hostage for the moment," Paul grinned. May slung her arm around my shoulder and swatted Paul's hand away from her behind before leading me over to a tall, muscular, blonde guy (though he was just normal muscular and not scary like our guys). I dragged Leah along behind me and I could feel the glare on the back of my head. The guy eyed Leah, who was still glaring at me, before turning to May and smiling.
"Ina, Leah, this is my cousin, Sonnet," she said cheerily, clapping him on the shoulder. I stuck my hand out and we shook hands, then he turned to Leah. She stared at his hand with an arched brow, then huffed and walked over to talk to Kim and Jared.
"She's just shy," I whispered, smiling as Leah whipped around to glare at me once more. "So Sonnet as in 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?'" He grinned and looked at May.
"Thou art more lovely and more temperate: Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May," they recited together. May shook herself at the last part and smiled.
"Yep, that's my name," he said. His voice was smooth but slightly husky, his blue eyes twinkling as he grinned. "I feel a little out of place here," he admitted, playing with his blonde bangs. I shrugged.
"You'll get used to it eventually. I promise they're not on steroids. Well, not all of them," I joked. He smiled again and sipped his water.
"No way Jose, Pauly is one hundred percent pure man beef!" May giggled, batting her eyelashes at Paul. He grinned and walked over to us. "Hey Pauly, why don't you show Sonnet around? He's kind of lonely," she whispered, gesturing towards Leah. Sonnet eyed her warily, but glanced over at Leah with a small smile on his face.
"Well, come on then! Don't be shy, we don't bite," Paul grinned, pulling Sonnet up. He dragged him over to the rest of the group and they all welcomed him with a chorus of 'hey!'s and much handshaking.
"I think Leah likes him," May whispered in my ear. I glanced over at Leah to see her watching Sonnet with a curious look on her face. He tried to meet her eyes, but she quickly looked away. The blonde looked a little put out, but the look was quickly washed away as Paul dragged him over to meet Sam. May leaned against me and sighed.
"Poor Sonnet. He was too broke to go home for Christmas so I made him come here with me," she said.
"So you could set him up with Leah?" I smiled. She gave me a sly look.
"I'm just doing him a favor as his dearest and only cousin," she said innocently. I poked her in the ribs and she giggled. We flinched as a bright light suddenly flashed through the window. Jared and Quil rushed to see who it was, then gave me huge grins.
"Jake's here!" Jared yelled. I was suddenly being shoved out the door and pushed down the driveway, leaving me no time to be nervous. Someone smacked me on the butt and I turned around to glare at them, only to end up tripping and slamming into a hard chest.
"Oh, hi Embear! You look nice," I said, pushing myself off of him. He grinned and covered my eyes, and I heard everyone gathering around me. Embry's hand was suddenly gone and Jake stood in front of me. My jaw dropped to the ground.
Okay, so it wasn't as good as shirtless. But almost.
Jake grinned and rubbed his neck sheepishly, smiling his perfect, beautiful smile. He wore a fitted dark blue dress shirt with black pants and shiny black shoes, looking more than handsome. He held his hands out for me to take, but I couldn't move or do anything but stare at him. Someone gently pushed me forward and I fell out of my stupor, lifting my hand up to his face.
"You look beautiful," he breathed in my ear.
I was still speechless.
"Ah-heh-hem," I heard May cough. Something bobbed above our heads, and when I looked up and realized what it was, I gaped at everyone around us. May was holding a long stick with the mistletoe tied to the end of it. She cocked an eyebrow at me and smirked.
"B-but! And! Fwa!" I stuttered incoherently while pointing to random people and making everyone laugh.
"Come on, guys, kiss up. I know you haven't seen each other all day," Embry grinned, pushing us closer together. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" he chanted, and everyone joined in. I hid my face in my hands and felt Jake's warm hands grip my hips lightly.
"Don't be embarrassed. I'm right here. Don't be scared," he whispered in my ear.
I let my hands fall and looked him in the eyes. My heart hammered happily in my chest, drowning out the sound of everything else. He held my gaze with dark chocolate eyes and placed my right hand over his calmly beating heart, pressing it against his chest while he took my other hand in his and pulled me closer. He leaned in to me, his dark eyelashes splayed delicately across his cheekbones as he closed his eyes and melded our lips together into a slow burning kiss that made me weak in the knees. His fingers slid up my neck and gently twisted in my hair as he deepened the kiss, parting his heated lips as he captured mine in between them.
My heart was racing, and I knew nothing but the intoxication of his taste and scent and warmth as he held me close. The world around us was momentarily forgotten.
After what seemed like ages (very nice ages, mind you), Jake pulled away just a little. I felt him smile against my lips and he gave a low laugh.
"My, my. I didn't know you had it in you," he chuckled. I glared up at him, trying to catch my breath. He smirked and glanced around at everyone. The crowd had become awfully silent. "We'll finish this later," he growled in my ear. He took my hand and we set off back toward the house, leaving everyone behind us gaping and wide eyed.
"Dude, that was HOT," May yelled, breaking the silence. Everyone laughed and followed us back inside. May held onto the mistletoe stick and kept trying to stick it between people. Quil snatched it away from her when she tried to hold it between him and Jared.
Dinner was soon done and we formed a line into the kitchen, savoring the smells emanating from its warmth. Emily swatted all of the guys into the back of the line so that the ladies (and Sonnet) could eat first before it was all taken away by the wolves. We filed in and filled our plates with delicious food, then shuffled back out to the living room and porch area. When everyone was nearly done, May stood up and announced that Sonnet should play for everyone. He tried to resist, but had to play when Embry produced a guitar from his truck. He sighed and started warming up. When he was done he looked around for a while before settling his eyes on Leah. He grinned and pulled a stool up directly in front of her chair, making it impossible for her to get up without somehow climbing backwards and exposing herself to everyone. She shifted uncomfortably, not meeting his gaze. He settled in and started playing softly, his fingers moving skillfully across the strings.
Leah gasped and looked up at him. She froze, terror striking her face as she and Sonnet stared at each other. The music paused for a moment until she broke eye contact, her eyes wide.
"Um, s-sorry, I'll start over," Sonnet murmured, shaking his head before looking back up at Leah and starting back up. We all looked between the two of them unsurely, but Leah refused to look up for the rest of the song. When it was over, she pushed Sonnet's stool back and stood up, then quickly walked outside.
"Dang, I was sure that would get her. It's her favorite song!" May whined.
"Did…Did I do something wrong?" Sonnet asked, confused. May shook her head and we followed Leah outside. We had to run to catch up with her before she got to the edge of the woods. She had already thrown her shoes off and was almost there when May grabbed her arm. I caught up soon after and looked her at panic stricken face.
"Leah, did you just imprint?" I asked.
She shook her head in disbelief, her eyes wide and eyebrows knitted together.
"N-no, I can't have," she mumbled.
"What? Really? I knew there was a reason Sonnet was broke this Christmas, I just knew it!" May exclaimed happily, clapping her hands.
"NO!" Leah yelled, wrenching her arm out of May's grasp. I moved to stand in front of her and took her shoulders.
"What's wrong with it Leah? Why are you so scared?" I asked. She sputtered incoherently for a few moments, gesturing wildly with her hands before she finally produced an actual sentence.
"He looks like he's in a boy band, for crying out loud!" she cried, exasperated.
"That's because he is," May said matter-of-factly.
"No, my dear, that's what normal guys look like. You've been around our freaks of nature for too long," I chuckled. She mumbled and gestured some more.
"He plays guitar and sings! A-and knows Shakespeare! HIS NAME IS SONNET!" she yelled.
"That's because my family is full of a bunch of artsy fartsies. I was lucky I only got named May Georgia after Georgia O'Keefe. Poor kid back there is Sonnet Leonardo," May sighed, pointing over her shoulder at the house. Leah bit her lip, clearly trying to think of more objections.
"I think he has a pretty name," I interjected. Leah rolled her eyes.
"Yes, pretty. What kind of man is pretty?" she hissed, crossing her arms. May and I sighed simultaneously.
"Leah, honey dearest sweetie pie, not all men are steak and potatoes kind of guys. Well, actually he likes steak and potatoes, but that's not my point. He's not really that girly. He works out and plays video games and belches just like guys do," May said thoughtfully.
"And if you look at it, he's actually really smart. He can quote Shakespeare and plays guitar, which takes talent, believe me. Jay tried it once and I almost poked my eardrums out," I grunted.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah! He's really smart and stuff!" May added, nodding her head furiously. "Besides, I think you're tough enough for the both of you, eh? Eh? Am I right?" She jabbed Leah in the ribs with her elbow, which earned her a smack to the arm. She rubbed her arm and squinted at Leah, who ignored her and glared at the ground.
"Leah, this is a good thing," I sighed, making her look at me.
"I will not be associated with a girly haired man," she grunted.
"How does playing guitar and having long hair make me girly?"
We jumped as Sonnet appeared behind us, an amused look in eyes. He stepped forward a few feet, rubbing his arms against the cold as he walked up to Leah.
"Tell you what. Let's make a bet. I'll teach you part of that song I just played, and if you can play it by the end of the night I'll leave you alone," he said.
Leah just glared at him, her fists balled by her sides as she shook.
"And if you can't, then you have to apologize for calling me girly and go on date with me," Sonnet grinned, holding his hand out. Leah took his hand and shook it, never letting her glaring eyes leave his smiling face. I saw his mouth twitch downward as Leah crushed his hand in her grasp, then walked back toward the house. Sonnet waited until she was gone to curse and rub his hand.
"She's strong!" he gasped. May nodded, clapping him on the shoulder.
"That's our Leah. She's acts like one tough cookie, but she's just a little insecure. So take care of her," May growled.
"The course of true love never did run smooth," Sonnet smiled.
We headed back to the house, where Sonnet was commissioned to play several more songs by various people. Emily put her foot down when Jared requested, "Big Balls," by ACDC. She covered her ears and started yelling at them to get out of her house when they started singing it anyway. She glared at Sonnet, who immediately started playing Deck the Halls.
I felt warm arms wrap around me from behind as Jake sighed.
"Hey buddy," I smiled, patting his arm.
"Come with me? I have something to show you," he whispered, his warm breath tickling my ear. I nodded and he led me out of the house as everyone started in with a rousing rendition of "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer." We headed off toward the forest and I paused, looking down at my insensible shoes.
"Uh," I said. Jake smiled and quickly whisked me up, then took off into the trees. I tried to flatten myself against him the best that I could to ward off the chilly wind, but it only warmed one side of me. After a while, Jake stopped running and gently set me down.
"Close your eyes, okay?" he smiled, taking my hand. I nodded and did as I was told, only peeking out every now and then. He caught me looking once and covered my eyes with one hand while leading me with the other. My shoes scuffed against something slightly harder than the ground and I stumbled, but luckily he caught me. He told me to stand still, then I felt his hand leave mine. Soon there was slow, soft music playing. Jake came to stand in front of me once more and took both of my hands.
"Okay, you can open your eyes," he whispered.
I cracked my eyes open and gasped, not knowing where to look first. Above our heads was an intricate network of string that held hundreds of glow sticks and plastic snowflakes that swayed slightly with the wind. Thousands of candles surrounded us, flickering every now and then and casting a warm glow over Jake's face. A small radio sat off to the side of the cardboard "floor" we stood upon. I looked back at Jake in wide eyed wonder, making him grin like a fool. He bowed and pressed his lips to my hands, then stood back up.
"May I have this dance?" he asked, gesturing to the radio. I smiled and nodded, letting him pull me in close as he wrapped an arm around my waist. He held my right hand and started swaying gently to the beat. "Do you like it?" he whispered, looking down at me. I nodded dumbly, caught in his eyes. He gave one of his breathtaking smiles, but there was something different about it. His downcast eyes held new emotion, a deeper, arcane love that I had not seen before.
Maybe it was just the candlelight. Whatever it was made him look pretty darn sexy.
My breath caught in my throat as he dipped me suddenly, then brought me back up with a grin. He leaned his forehead against mine as we danced, placing butterfly kisses against my skin every now and then. I let my eyes flicker open to watch his peaceful face, resting my gaze on his closed eyelids.
"Hey Jake?" I breathed.
"Hm?" he answered, not opening his eyes.
"I love you."
He smiled and said, "I love you too, honey."
My hand skimmed down his chest and hooked a finger in his shirt, pulling him to me as I captured his lips. They were searing against my frozen mouth, making tingles shoot down my spine at the contrast. He made quick work of his buttons and shrugged his shirt off, pressing me against his warm body as he pulled my arms up around his neck.
"I didn't think that would last long," I chuckled, gesturing toward his fallen shirt. He grinned and squeezed my waist as he pulled me back toward him, effectively ending any thoughts I had previously, except for the ones about him. Trying to form coherent thoughts was a losing battle as his heat surrounded me, his feverish skin and warm kisses melting me to the very core. My heartbeat kicked up a notch as he placed blazing kisses down my throat, making me accidentally dig my nails into his skin. He growled into my neck, nipping the skin lightly in between his teeth.
My eyes floated up to the fluorescent ribboned sky, vision slowly going out of focus as the strings melted together in a molten swirl of color. I hissed as Jake bit down a little harder than he should have and he froze for a moment before kissing the pain away. He held my face with both of his hands and pressed his mouth against mine once more. He backed away after a moment, panting slightly as he leaned his forehead against me.
"I n-need to calm down," he stammered. His voice was deep and rough, at the in between stage of his normal voice and the wolfish growl. "D-don't look at me yet."
"Why not?" I asked, looking at him anyway. He covered his face with one huge hand and sighed.
"I wolfed out a little," he groaned. I tugged his hand away from his face and he looked at the ground.
"Jake, look at me," I ordered. He sighed and turned to face me. His eyes glowed unnaturally bright, showing slightly yellow in contrast with the dark brown they normally were. "What's wrong with it?" I asked.
He bared his teeth at me, revealing his canines to be much bigger than normal. I cupped his cheek with my hand and he let his face fall, sighing again as he leaned into my palm.
"Jake, you're beautiful either way. The way you look doesn't change anything between us. You're still Jake and I'm still Ina, and I still love you and you still love me. I hope," I added with a grin.
"Of course," he snorted, letting his glowing eyes flicker back toward my face. He stared at me for a moment before grinning and kissing my palm. "So, what would you like to do now? Me is also an option," he smirked.
"Well I don't mind continuing where we left off," I answered smartly. He cocked an eyebrow at me in question.
"Please do," he replied, leaning down toward me with half lidded eyes. I leaned forward, giggling a little when he frowned as I kissed his cheek. "Tease," he grunted, holding me tight against him as I nipped my way down his throat. He mumbled something but I wasn't sure what it was.
"Bite me, please," he begged, his glowing eyes nearly shut as he panted. I was startled by the beauty of him and paused for a moment to admire the way the moonlight bathed his skin in a silvery sheen. His eye flickered down to look at me curiously. "If you want to, that is."
I blushed and gently nipped the skin on his neck, becoming alarmed as he sank to his knees. He wrapped his arms tight around me, body trembling a little as I nipped again at the joint of his neck and shoulder.
"Harder," he panted.
"J-Jake, are you going to phase?" I asked, attempting to pull away slightly. He gripped me tighter and groaned, shaking his head furiously.
"I won't turn, just bite me hard," he ordered. I nipped a little harder and a shiver went down his spine. He pressed me closer against him and said, "Harder," again. I felt a little power crazed, amazed that I could do this to him. My heart pumped furiously, making the blood pound in my ears as I gave it my all and bit him nearly as I hard as I could.
A long, loud howl rang through the air.
I had to laugh.
A/N: Bee tee dubs, you guys should totally hit up YouTube and listen to "Bloodstream" by Stateless. It's from the Vampire Diaries soundtrack (TEAM DAMON!), but it is a suuuper sexy sounding song. I like it a lot. XD K bai!