OMG, I love you all for sticking with me. I'm so sorry it took this long. Shout outs are warranted for the following ppl:

RaeTakesTheWorld - read her story if you like lots of sexy times and a few cringe-worthy Edward interactions.

SophieAngel69 - please check out her profile. Not only does she write some multiple Twi pairings, but she writes for other fandoms. The stuff I've read so far is really good.

And for any of you that are confused on this front: I do NOT own Twilight or any of the characters in this story.

Chapter 25 - Blessing or Curse

I flopped onto my bed and sighed contentedly as Ness nuzzled into my side. She'd insisted that taking a shower together was the best way to get our body temperatures back to normal. Who am I to argue with logic like that? And fuck if she didn't look like a goddess when she blew me in the shower - also her idea, by the way. Not that I was going to say no because who turns down a blowjob?

I twirled a damp curl around my finger while she flipped through the channels. She smelled heavenly - like her usual fresh, vanilla scent, but this time, there was something else, something sweeter. Like the scent of a ripened fruit, fresh off the vine and ready to be consumed. I had to remember my reasoning for not pinning her to the bed and claiming her then and there.

"Did you hear me?" She tickled her way over my stomach and up my chest to make sure she had my attention that time.

I grabbed her fingers and kissed each fingertip. "Sorry, babe. I zoned out for a moment there."

"The Fast and The Furious is on. You always tell me I need to watch it."

"Because it's a travesty that you've only seen the seventh one with no backstory. You need to know your history, woman!"

"Well, it's a marathon. I could stay over and you can school me."

I raised my eyebrows, knowing that she couldn't care less about the movies. "I doubt your dad is keen on the idea of you staying over," I pointed out flatly.

"Would you rather I go home?" She sat up, crisscrossing her legs under her so that only her knees brushed against my chest and abdomen. She was wearing my practice tee from high school baseball and from this angle, I could tell he'd coordinated her underwear to match the forest green of the sleeves.

I clenched my eyes shut. "I'm just being responsible."

When I opened them again, she was still staring down at me with her big, chocolate eyes and just the hint of a frown. "You should call him. It's considerate and it'll help him trust you."

"Fine." she leaned over the bed and fished out her phone, giving me another flash of satin and creamy skin. "Hey, mama."

Chicken, I mouthed at her, then I tickled her thigh for good measure. I couldn't keep my hands off her. She just stuck her tongue out and shooed me away.

"I'm staying over Jacob's tonight."

There was hesitation on the other line, and then, "What are you two planning for the rest of the night?"

"We're just watching some movies." There was another pause and Ness rolled her eyes she listened to her mother. Bella was saying something about using her freedom wisely and not to give her father a heart attack. "Okay. I promise we'll be good, mama," she replied sweetly.

"Love you, too," she added. As soon as she hung up, I pulled her to me and rolled until she was beneath me, her breasts pressed against my chest. I caught her earlobe between my teeth, nibbling a bit before tracing the side of her jawline with my tongue. She tasted even better than I remembered.

"Ok, I'm done being responsible," I smirked against her mouth, and I pressed my lips to her's. She seemed to anticipate my every move, meeting every slow swipe of my tongue and stoking the smoldering ember within me into a full fledged flame. I snaked my hand up her shirt, but she expected that too and blocked my progress.

"I just promised we were being good."

"Oh, I can be very good." I pressed an open mouthed kiss at her throat.

"I think we've gotten into enough trouble today."

"Sure, sure," I surrendered and rolled off her. "I'll be on my best behavior, boy scout pledge, or whatever that shit is." I attempted the hand sign that goes with it, but I'm pretty sure that was wrong, too.

"You were never a boy scout," she laughed.

"I'm Native. We're the original boy scouts." She just rolled her eyes at me.

I made it through the first 2 movies, but 20 minutes into Tokyo Drift and anyone would decide there was a much better use of their time. My thoughts drifted to Ness and her ass that was firmly pressed against me. I nuzzled my nose into her hair, inhaling the delectable scent.

"You have got to stop that. It's so distracting," Ness giggled after just a minute.

I backed away a bit, moving my head so it rested on the pillow once again.

"Not that. I meant, you know, stop making it move," she giggled some more and squirmed against me. "You just did it again," she accused.

I shifted away from her body as her meaning dawned on me. "I didn't realize—"

"How can you not? It's too big to not notice."

I laughed at her observation. "I'm not doing it on purpose. I have very little control over the way my body reacts to you, Ness."

"You mean, it does that on its own?"

Even I had to laugh at that. I'd never thought about it, but my dick really did have a mind of it's own, and right now, it was quite literally jumping at the chance to get intimately acquainted with my girl.

She turned over in my arms to face me. She chewed on her lip for a moment, then combed her fingers through my hair. "Puzzle pieces, right? You're sure about that?"

I nodded, but she wan't convinced.

"Because I'm tiny compared to you and it's really big."

I kissed her, a quick, reassuring peck. "Positive." It was true that she was insanely tight, but her body's response to me was nearly immediate. I couldn't help but think about the feel of her around my fingers, slick and hot and deliciously tight. My dick twitched at the memory.

"New topic. This isn't helping the situation."

"Is that your nickname for him?"

I let out a full belly laugh that shook the bed. It made me think of the douche from that lame MTV show. I knew it was a little before Ness' time- her parents hadn't allowed her to watch MTV until she was five- but I also knew she'd appreciate it, so I described the narcissistic guido of The Jersey Shore.

"That's officially his nickname from now on," she declared.

"Did I say you could name him? I don't know if I like you taking liberties with the Alpha's body."

She pushed at my shoulder, and I rolled to my back, pulling her with me. Her copper curls hung wild and free, draping around us to create our own love bubble. Our pheromones mixed together as her hands skimmed my arms and over my chest.

She grinned at me before leaning down to pepper my collarbone and neck with kisses. When she spoke again, her voice was quiet and sultry in my ear, her lips brushing my earlobe with every few syllables. "Alpha or not, I have a feeling that you'd let me take quite a few liberties with your body."

Her scent was thicker, creamier almost, and it called to me, clouding what little bit of will power I still had. "Hush and watch the movie. If we keep talking about my cock, I might forget why I'm not supposed to screw you senseless."

She turned back to the movie, but I was too aware of her body not to touch her. I trailed my fingers up the back of her calf. If she could tease me, I'd repay the favor. I pressed my lips to the side of her knee. She shooed me away with a giggle. I moved to the other knee, nipping at the soft skin towards the back of her leg, then soothing it with my tongue. I suddenly stopped in my tracks. There was another scent— one that I knew well, but couldn't fathom why it was coming from my girl.

"Are you ok?" I questioned, my eyebrows knitting together as I tried to pinpoint the hint of copper that now tinged the air.

She eyed me quizzically. "I'm fine. Great actually."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course, I'm sure. What's wrong?" She pushed up so she was kneeling in front of me and the smell hit me full force.

"Babe, you're bleeding. I think you're menstruating."

"This doesn't freak you out?" Ness questioned, reaching out for the bag I'd just brought back. As soon as the 'm' word left my mouth, she raced to the bathroom and locked me out, insisting she needed another shower.

Once exiled, I tried to be as helpful as possible. I'd run to the general store. They didn't have a ton of choices, but it was closest. I bought one of each brand of tampon and pad they had. I'd even gotten one of those itty bitty pink packages that said panty liners. They didn't look like they would do much, but I wanted Ness to have every option.

"I have two sisters, sweetheart. It takes a lot more than a period to freak me out." I leaned against the door frame and shook my head at her even though she couldn't see me.

"Thank you, Jacob. You really are the best." I could hear as she rummaged through the bag and contemplated her options.

A few minutes later she walked out with a slight smile on her face. "Chocolate. You bought me chocolate and I dint' even have to ask. I love you."

I wrapped my arms around her. "I love you, too. How do you feel?"

"Ok. Just some cramping. You know that song? That 'I enjoy being a girl'," she sang lightly. I nodded. "Yeah, well, the composer should be drawn and quartered."

I snorted. "You know, Becca likes to use a heating pad. She said it works after a few minutes."

"Lucky for me, I've got my very own walking, talking, extra caring heating pad."

We settled back in bed, my arm pressed against her abdomen.

"I called my mom to let her know about this… development. She really wanted me home, but she agreed it's probably best if I stay here a while. You would have thought I'd told her I cured cancer or something. She was actually excited," Ness scoffed.

"So I get to keep you for a whole week?"

"Yup, or however long this curse lasts."

"I'd consider it a blessing. Come on, we have a movie marathon to finish."

In actuality, I only got 3 days with my girl, but they were totally worth it. I woke up to kisses and hot breakfast. We made out in my office when she brought me lunch. Best of all, after falling asleep with her in my arms, in my bed, the smell of vanilla and ripened cherries followed me everywhere.

"Looking for Renesmee, I presume," Edward huffed when I showed up after my shift.

"No, Eddie, I came to hang out with you," I replied flatly. "Nessie asked me to be here for her appointment."

"She just went downstairs with Carlisle."

"Finally," Ness whined when I walked in to the bright white exam room. She reached out her hand and tugged me forward once I'd accepted the offer. I kissed her forehead and she nuzzled her nose against my cheek, scenting me as she did so.

"So," Carlisle pulled us from our reverie. He handed my girl a clear plastic cup and her nose wrinkled.

"What's this for?"

"I have to monitor your hormones, Renesmee. Plus sugar and protein levels and a pregnancy test."

Her eyes widened. "That's not necessary. I - We don't need a pregnancy test."

"There's no need to be embarrassed. Today, I'm not grandpa, I'm just Dr. Cullen and you are my patient. Many women experience period like bleeding or spotting through the first trimester. It's routine to check before we proceed."

"Gran- I mean, Dr. C, unless it's the second coming, I assure you that a pregnancy test is not necessary."

He looked between us with a glimmer of doubt, but relented. "Fine, but I'll still need a urine sample."

She looked mortified at the thought, but I just grinned back at her. "It's ok, babe. I know that you pee sunshine and sh— poop roses."

She smacked me in the shoulder and hopped off the exam table to excuse herself. 2 minutes later, she returned and placed the now full container on the counter, shuffling the box of latex gloves and jar of tongue depressors to hide the evidence.

"I guess the next question is birth control. Do you want to start using a method?"

"Yes," I spoke up immediately.

Ness shot me a look. "I hadn't considered it. Will it work? Do I even need it?"

"Yes, you need it," I chimed in again, incredulous that she would think pulling out or the rhythm method was even an option. Carlisle turned to look at me this time, and I'm sure my ears reddened. "I mean, eventually."

Ness sighed. "What are my options?"

"Well, there's the shot, but it could be difficult to adjust the dosage, which we may need to do to override your body's cycle. I can't predict how and IUD would work with your body chemistry. There's always a barrier method."

"Like condoms?" I rubbed her back. She refused to meet Carlisle's gaze and I could tell how uncomfortable this conversation was for her.

Carlisle nodded. "Or a diaphragm, but that would require an examination first."

"No. Absolutely not."

Thank the powers that be Ness shot that down as soon as possible. Juvenile as it might sound, neither of us was prepared for that.

"That's probably best. Neither of those options are very effective on their own. I think the pill is your best bet. We can monitor your hormone levels and adjust the dosage easily. Have you checked your levels lately?"

Ness bit her lip.

"It's ok," Carlisle flashed his doctor smile— the one that put you at ease immediately. "I was hoping to have some recent samples to compare, but I know you've been occupied lately. I just wonder if we'd been consistent in taking samples these last few months, maybe we would have seen this coming."

"Something's definitely been happening," I finally spoke up. Ness looked confused, but Doc was interested. "I can't tell you what, exactly, but her pheromones, her scent, even her body temperature has all changed lately."

"I presume you've presented your wolf to her?"

"Shit. I didn't think that would make a difference for us."

Ness grabbed my hand. "What is he talking about? And why didn't you say anything?"

Carlisle plucked a book off one of his many shelves and flipped through. I quickly realized that he wasn't just skimming through the pages, but he was actually reading whole sections of the book- twenty pages or so in two second intervals.

I kissed Ness' forehead. "It's an unspoken rule that packmates can't be intimate with their imprints until they know about shapeshifting and see us in wolf form."

"So the imprint knows what they're getting themselves into? But I've seen you shift since I was born."

"That's what I thought. It never occurred to me that the rule is also for our wolves' benefit. My wolf represents my most basic instincts— food, survival, and reproduction. When I phased with you the first time after acknowledging the imprint, I thought the changes I noticed were just me."

"And I surmise you've found yourself more-" Carlisle paused, trying to think of the right word. It didn't seem to matter, because Edward had already heard the entire list of rejected adjectives, and judging by his grumbling, he didn't seem to like any of them. "More attracted to Renesmee recently?"

I snorted. "I've always been attracted to Ness. What I've been feeling lately is a craving. Ans it's worse when I'm in wolf form." Ness blushed.

Shutting the book with a small nod, Carlisle turned back to us. "It would seem that you are going through estrus. I think that the bond between the two of you is maturing, and it's causing your body does the same, Renesmee. You are physically ready for reproduction, signaling chemical changes to occur and they're affecting both of you. The hormones are changing your body and the pheromones she's giving off as a result are clearly affecting you."

Once that had sunk in, Ness hopped down from the exam table. "Thanks Doc, but I think I've had enough talk about my hormones and reproduction."

"At least I didn't employ props."

"You heard about that, huh?" I couldn't help but laugh.

"Heard about it? Alice was fascinated by the condoms and Emmett thought it his brotherly duty to turn them into balloons and decorate. The house was full of latex when Esme and I returned yesterday." Reaching into the drawer behind him, he pulled out the sample pack of birth control. "Make sure you take it everyday at the same time. And you will have to check your hormone levels every morning, preferably before you eat. I mean it, Ness. It's imperative if you're not ready for a family," he added when she took the box from him. He was back to being Grandpa. "Do you want a bag to put that in?"

Ness shrugged. "What for? I'm sure everyone in the house already knows about it." She wasn't being sarcastic, simply realistic. "Thanks, Grampa. You're the best. C'mon Jacob, the sooner we get upstairs, the sooner we can convince my dad to stop staring holes in your head."

"Ugh, great. I better be rewarded with food for my troubles." I happily followed her upstairs despite my grousing. I'd follow that girl anywhere.

So, much has happened since I last posted. A car accident, a promotion at work, rainbow hair dye job and a thousand over things I can't thing of right now. I can't thank you enough for reading and sticking with my sporadic updates. I will try to PM anyone that reviews. I'll continue my shout outs on each chapter, too. Let me know what you think!