A/N: Thank-you, everyone, for your support. Please read the A/N at the end of this chapter.

Chapter 22

New Year's Day dawned with a barely perceptible increase of light in the skies over La Push. It had been snowing heavily since the day before, and the clouds were still dark overhead.

Jacob rolled over in his bed and sat up with a groan. He missed regular sleeping hours, and the luxury of sleeping in, but phasing had pretty much put a stop to both those things. Patrols were run around the clock, and as a shifter he seemed to be able to function fully on just a few hours of rest a day.

But he still wished that he could at least have one day of lazing about. Alas, today was not that day. Seth and Jane were leaving with Rose, Jasper and Emmett tomorrow, and the pack would be having a farewell dinner tonight. With all the snow, the path to the beach would have to be cleared, as well as an area for the bonfire. Jake also wanted to talk with Jasper once more before the vampire left. The young man got out of bed, washed and dressed himself, and sat down to a large bowl of cereal, thinking about the last week.

After the meeting had broken up on Christmas Eve, Old Quil had surprised everyone by insisting Edward stay with him. The tribe's shaman had lived with his daughter-in-law and grandson until the younger Quil phased. He had recently returned to the small dwelling he kept for himself. It was a place where he meditated, prayed, and chanted over the sick. It held all his herbs, his written records of important tribal events, and items sacred to his role within the tribe.

Old Quil had observed the teenaged vampire closely during the meeting. He was spoiled, selfish and controlling, but intelligent and compassionate. His gentle handling of his mother-figure was indicative of a good soul. The vampire, Old Quil was sure, could be the true version of what Carlisle Cullen always claimed to be - entirely humane, good, selfless, and caring. He just needed to be guided to a better path. Old Quil was determined to be his guide.

Edward was surprised when the Quileute elder had allowed him into the reasons behind the invitation. Carlisle's thoughts had always been full of possessive pride for his first son; until this very night Edward had been sure those feelings from his vampire sire had been rooted in love, but now he wondered. Now, knowing that his sire could control what Edward heard, the teenager dissected every thought he could ever remember Carlisle having. He began to realize that he was mistaken. It was not love that coloured Carlisle's thoughts, but an obsession with a darker edge. Edward blamed himself for not seeing it before.

Old Quil's thoughts, on the other hand, were brutally honest about his disappointment in Edward, and his disgust for the teenaged vampire's behaviour. But Old Quil had such faith in the goodness of Edward's underlying character that it made the boy want to live up to that standard. The shaman's thoughts were not obsessive, not dark or controlling. Instead, they were of one person truly concerned with the redemption of another. Edward decided that he would learn everything the elder had to teach him, and took his small bag of belongings with him to Old Quil's home.

Jake had been less than thrilled at the development. He would not argue with the shaman, but he was not convinced that Edward was not dangerous. Unfortunately, only time would tell, and the bronze-haired vampire would have to prove himself over and over again. Jake's only comfort had been Jasper's assertions that Edward was honestly good underneath his many flaws.

Jake had met with the empath on a daily basis in the last week, always seeking reassurance that Edward was still safe. Well, as safe as a vampire could ever be, at least. The wolf had even accompanied them both hunting in Seattle once. Jasper had spent quite a while finding his meal, rejecting people that even Jake wanted to hurt. In the end the two vampires had taken down a clean-cut, middle-aged business man – someone Jake would never have suspected to be heading to Asia to yet again solicit an unwilling sexual encounter.

Jasper could tell he was evil, and Edward knew exactly how that evil manifested. It took a little more work to cover up the killing, but in the end even Jake's wolf was satisfied. Edward had been a lot more relaxed since that day. The pack and elders were able to observe first-hand just how damaging an animal diet could be.

Shaking off his thoughts as he finished his cereal, Jake put his dish in the sink and pushed his feet into his boots. He didn't really care if his body melted the snow on contact; it was still uncomfortable to go barefoot in the snow. And a little ridiculous, to his mind. He didn't need lined boots, heavy jackets, or thermal underwear, but it was more comfortable to be warm and dry than it was to be warm and wet.

He headed out toward the Clearwater home. Sue and Harry's felt like vampire central right now. With the exception of Edward, every vampire on the rez was located there. Jane and Seth's relationship was progressing with the sweet sedate pace of an age past. They were innocently physical, and quietly loving, and Sue had been seen smiling whimsically whenever she saw them together.

Rosalie and Emmett were gone together more often than not. The large vampire had been subdued since the meeting, and Rosalie knew she had a great deal to make up for. She wondered if she had given her mate enough credit, and she was beginning to think she hadn't. They had been spending a lot of time in the deep woods, talking together, and hunting. Emmett still loved her as much as ever, but it would take a while to get over his hurt.

They had decided to wait until they reached Italy to switch to human blood. A week wouldn't make much difference, and they felt more comfortable with the idea of donated blood. There was not a large enough pool of people in La Push to donate for all the vampires. So they continued to hunt, looking forward to the day when they wouldn't have to.

Jasper was spending all his time monitoring either Edward or Esme, and reporting to Jake and the Elders about the two troubled vampires. Edward was doing well at Old Quil's, especially when his hunger was finally satisfied.

Esme, though, had not been seen outside the Clearwater house since Sue had wrapped an arm around her shoulders after the meeting and ushered her away. Like a child waking from a bad dream, she had clung to the comfort Sue offered. For the first few days, she didn't say much, keeping her head down and her arms wrapped around herself. She flitted from the room whenever a pack member dropped by, thoroughly unnerved by the large shifters.

Jasper knew that Esme would come around soon. Right now, she was a whirlwind of conflict. Fear, anger, longing, uncertainty, and a burgeoning hope, contentment and eagerness cycled through her psyche. She was safe, and she knew it, but she was having a hard time believing it.

The biggest help for Esme had come the day that Emily and Kim had decided to spend time with her and Sue. The three humans had persuaded the traumatized vampire to help them with some post-Christmas baking, and Esme flourished in the female company. Since that day, the imprints had stopped by every day. They had even donated blood to the vampire matriarch, much to the chagrin of Sam and Jared.

Reaching his destination, Jake raised his hand to knock, only to stop when he heard unfamiliar laughter inside. Like windchimes, the clarion sound was at once soothing and uplifting. His heart stuttered in his chest, and he could not help the smile that appeared on his lips. He didn't know why Esme, for he was sure the laugh came from her, had such an affect on him, but he was starting to suspect. Although he had never met her eyes, it was hard for him to stay away from this house, even if the female fled at his approach.

When Taha Aki had told him that he would know when it was time to seek out his imprint, Jake never suspected that the time would come so soon, or that she would come to him. He thought he would have to spend time searching her out. Instead, it seemed like he would be doing the seeking within the very walls of the house he stood in front of. It also appeared that it would take time to solidify the bond he was sure would be between Esme and him.

Jake wasn't sure what to do. He very much wanted to meet the vampire's eyes, but short of forcibly restraining her, he could not get her to stay in the same room with him or any of the shifters, even Seth. He needed to talk with Jasper, and the Elders. Wondering why everything had to be so complicated, he sighed, and then knocked at the door.

Jane opened the door with a smile on her face. The Volturi guard had become a lot more friendly in the time she spent in La Push, although she still had no patience for what she called 'idiotic mindsets'. Jake doubted she would ever get along with Edward.

"Good morning, Jake," Jane greeted. "If you are here for Jasper, he has already gone to see Old Quil. But come in; there is food ready, and even if you have already eaten, I know you will want more."

"Morning, Jane." Jake entered the house, removing his boots, and taking off his sweater, leaving him in a thin T-shirt and jeans. "Smells good in here. What did you make me?" he asked with a teasing grin. Jane could not cook to save her life.

"Hey, I'll have you know I made biscuits today, and they don't even suck, according to Seth. Sue has been teaching me a few things, and says that Esme's food is amazing. She made something called eggs benedict – with the biscuits I made. You're lucky I like you too much to zap you for mocking me."

"I appreciate your restraint, tiny blood drinker," Jake pulled Jane's pony-tail lightly, laughing when she smacked his stomach.

"Hey, hands off my imprint, or she'll kick your ass." Seth was sitting at the table, polishing off the last of his food.

Jake stopped when he saw Esme at the stove, pouring Hollandaise over the eggs benedict ready on a clean plate. This was the first time she had stayed with shifters in the room. He wasn't sure whether to say hi, or pretend she wasn't around. He decided to let her make the first move, and sat down next to Seth.

"Shouldn't it be you who kicks my ass? Seems a little unfair to make Jane do it," Jake stole a piece of bacon from the tray in the middle of the table.

"Nah," Seth mumbled, with his mouth full. Swallowing at a narrow gaze from Jane, he continued. "She's way more effective at it than I am. Plus, you could always Alpha order me to stop. She doesn't have to listen to you." The boy looked entirely too pleased at his reasoning.

"It's a good thing Jane likes me, then, isn't it?" Jake said.

"I tolerate you," she corrected. "And only cause Seth likes you and you don't smell too bad."

Jake laughed. Try as she might, he'd never believe that Jane only tolerated the pack. She was far too protective, and far too helpful, and he knew that she adored Sue.

The Alpha stilled when a pale, trembling hand set a plate of food in front of him. It looked delicious and he wanted to dive right in, but he refused to allow any hurried movement to startle the vampire next to him.

"Thank-you, Esme," he said softly, "This looks amazing." He so badly wanted to set his hand over hers, but placed it on his lap instead.

Esme shuddered at the deep timbre of Jake's voice. She wasn't sure why, but of all the shifters, including Seth, she felt most comfortable when Jake was around. Conversely, she also felt the most intimidated by him. The boy was large and radiated authority. It had taken a lot of conversation with Jasper to gather the courage to stay downstairs when Seth, and then Jake, made their appearance this morning.

Flitting back to the stove, Esme struggled to find something to say. He'd thanked her for the food, and it felt rude to keep silent.

"You're welcome," she practically whispered, her back still turned to him. "Sue went shopping this morning to get groceries for the farewell tonight. I figured I'd make breakfast for Seth while she was gone. I expected you'd be around soon. You're here every morning. It was nothing to make more."

Jake quivered with happiness, both at the timid words, and the admission that she had thought about him. Deciding that he wasn't going to wait, he cut a glance at Seth and Jane, motioning them out of the room with a jerk of his head. Thankfully, neither one protested as they quietly left. Jake was sure they wouldn't leave the house, but out of the room was far enough.

"Esme," Jake started. He made his voice as gentle as he could. "Can I ask you something? To do something for me, I mean? I won't hurt you; I promise."

"Oh! I didn't offer you anything to drink!" Jake saw Esme take an unneeded breath and hold it, clearly bracing herself for something. "I'm so sorry. That was thoughtless of me," she went on. "Would you like some coffee? There's also milk or juice."

"No, no. It's not that. I can get my own if I need to." Standing, Jake walked slowly toward the pale female, watching her tense the closer he got. He stopped an arm's length away, and gave her time to adjust to his presence. When her shoulders relaxed, he slowly lifted his hand, placing it underneath her chin and bringing her face up. He waited, anticipation nipping at his soul, until she lifted her eyes to meet his warily.

In an instant, his world exploded in a million pieces, and just as quickly reassembled itself around her. In that moment, he became everything she needed, even if she did not know it yet. And according to Taha Aki, she was everything he needed.

He needed to talk to Jasper. He wanted to know how he could help his imprint. She had nothing to be afraid of, and would never again experience a violent hand or a voice raised in anger. Not as long as he had breath in his body. But he wasn't sure how to progress the relationship.

"Damsels in distress," he thought to himself. "It's always Jake and a damsel in distress. Maybe the spirits sent me to help Bella as a lead-up to Esme. At least now I have a little practice with broken females. Although I doubt I can handle Esme the same way I handled Bella. She's far too fragile right now for that, I think."

With the barest of caresses to a pale marble cheek, Jake thanked the shaking female, and sat down to finish his breakfast quickly. His next stop was definitely Old Quil's.

Jake and Jasper walked purposefully along one of the many paths in the forest made by patrolling wolves. In the denser parts of the forest, the thick canopy kept much of the snow off the ground, and the two supernatural being held their tongues until they were in the thickness of trees, well away from any patrols. They slowed their pace, strolling leisurely along. Jasper sensed Jake's unease and also a deep joy and abiding love. The unease was not unusual for the Alpha, but the other two emotions were new.

"What happened, Jake?" He decided just to ask. "I figured you'd come talk to me about Edward today, but I can feel something else today. You're happy."

"I imprinted this morning," Jake said.

"Congratulations," Jasper replied. "So why are you out here with me, instead of celebrating with her?"

Jake blew out a breath. "I imprinted on Esme." He expected the look of shock that crossed Jasper's face and went on. "I've kind of been expecting it, to be honest. I've been feeling pulled to her, even though she'd never looked at me. I've been wanting to make sure she's comfortable and safe, and can't settle my mind down for the day until I've been to the Clearwater's. Even if she hid every time I was there.

"Today she made breakfast, and stayed, even though Seth and I were both there. She served me, and I couldn't take it any more. I had to know that what I felt, what I suspected, was real. So I touched her, brought her eyes to mine. She is my mate, Jasper. My world. And I don't know what to do, how to act. I don't know how to get her to stay in the room with me, or how to show her that there is more of a chance of me slitting my own throat than there is of me hurting her."

Jasper cocked his head, studying Jake intently. "I can see it," he finally said. "You and Esme. I can totally see it. You are one of the gentlest, most open-minded beings I have ever come across. But you are also an Alpha shifter. You can love her, and keep her safe. She needs both.

"I suggest you not tell her just yet. I wouldn't be surprised if the mere mention of a mate terrifies her. And I can't really blame her for that; her previous experience with males is horrifying. But I do think you should start to act like her mate, at least a little. Ask to see her, or ask her to stay in the room instead of leaving. Esme has been controlled her entire existence. Part of her fear and uncertainty right now is because, for the first time ever, she is able to do exactly what she wants without reprisal. She doesn't know what to do with that kind of freedom.

"Don't order her around, but do give her something to do. Asking for her company will make her feel wanted and useful. And you can get to know each other. Esme is a very loving, very gentle soul. She will lose herself to try to please someone, so make sure she does things with other people. Kim, Emily and Sue have been exactly what she needs right now.

"Did you know she was twenty-six when she was turned?" Jake shook his head and Jasper continued. "She had just lost her baby - he was only a few weeks old – and was married to an abusive man. She jumped from a cliff in her grief and hopelessness.

"Carlisle told us that he found her in the morgue; she was so badly damaged that the doctors wouldn't have been able to fix her, so they left her there to die. That's when he changed her. He had known her before, when she was about your age, and he knew what kind of man her husband was. I think that's why he changed her. He knew that she would be, for lack of a better term, easily influenced. Pliable to his will."

Jake was growling in a vicious, steady rhythm. Jasper laid a soothing hand on his arm and went on. "The point is that she has been through a great deal, but in her heart, she is a woman with so much love. She will not be your mother, Jake, or mother to your pack, but she will be a strong and nurturing Alpha's mate. She will care for your pack and their offspring as though they belonged to her. She just needs to feel loved and safe for the first time in her existence. And you maybe need to be a little older before your relationship deepens." Jasper's smirked lightly.

"She is loved and safe," Jake said. "And will be loved and safe for the rest of eternity. This I swear to you." He clasped Jasper's hand and brought him forward for a quick man-hug and shoulder-pat.

"Now," he changed the subject, "let's talk about Edward."

A/N: Some of you asked for this imprint; some of you specifically were against it. This is the way I felt the story going, even before I wrote Esme and Edward coming to La Push. In my mind it can be a very good pairing. So there you go.

The next chapter returns to Volterra, but I'd like to write an Interlude between now and then. So, this is my question to you: What would you like to read?

1: Rosalie and Emmett and their discussions

2: Leah, Felix and Demetri in Volterra, including meeting the ladies, Christmas Santa, and fun times together after Aro relieves Demetri

3: A peek into Seth and Jane's progressing relationship.

4: Bella and her mates; lemons between Christmas and New Years. (remember, the next chapter is the quartet, so this is not my first choice, but I will write it if it is yours.)

5: Carlisle's initial reaction to his coven disappearing without a trace.

Or, if you have another suggestion, let me know.

Remember, leave a review with your request. Thank-you.