I do not own Twilight
CHAPTER ll TWENTY FIVE
"So~o... wanna go down to the beach?" Jacob asked watching as William suddenly dropped his crayon and sped over to wrap his small arms around his toned legs.
"Yes, yes! I love the beach" He cried happily, shaking his hands in the air, signalling to his father he wanted to be picked up.
"The beach it is" Jacob laughed, hoisting Will up and striding into the kitchen to grab some bottled water and a couple of towels from the laundry cupboard.
"I bet Gracie and Sam will be down at the beach" Jacob smiled as he looked down at his son, who was eagerly watching as they approached the woods, nodding his head furiously. "You like Gracie, don't you?"
Will just shrugged his shoulders as they continued to walk. "She's okay. She's got really pretty hair like Mumma but she calls me a baby." Will frowned thinking about the time he had gone with his Aunt Emily to play group.
Jacob chuckled shaking his head. "Don't worry buddy, all little girls are like that. Your mother used to throw gum in my hair and pour sand in my shorts"
"What? Mumma wouldn't do that to you, she's not a meanie" William exclaimed not believing one bit.
"Ah, just another thing on the road to becoming a man Will. I'll let you in on a little secret okay, but you can't tell anyone."
Will's eyes lit up with intrigue as he listened to Jacob talk. He wanted to know why his mother had done that to his daddy.
"When a girl is mean to you, it means she's secretly in love with you. She'll deny it until she's blue in the face but she'll eventually come around. Your mother used to tease me and push me in the mud because she loved me. Every time I told her that she would treat me real bad and even had her dad ban me from their house. But I knew -"
"How did you know Dad?" William whispered, his tiny fist clutching on to Jacob's shirt.
Jacob felt his chest swell with pride hearing the word 'dad'. No matter what, this little boy would always be a part of him, a part of both him and Leah. He was the greatest and best surprise he'd ever received in his whole entire life. Jacob once thought that his life had no meaning when Leah was gone. He believed deep down in his heart that he was a failure, that his lack of finding her, only highlighted the fact. But here he was, a little piece of sunshine in his arms, and a little more of his heart slipping on to his sleeve.
"You really want to know?" Jacob mused, looking around intently, giving the vibe of it being the biggest secret in the world.
"Yeah-" William breathed, nodding his head, his wispy hair failing into his eyes.
"I knew because her eyes would light up when she saw me. Your mother has the most beautiful brown eyes and they would sparkle like diamonds, but my suspicions where answered when I kissed her for the first time"
"Eww gross, girl germs" William said shaking his head and twisting his nose.
"Trust me buddy, when you find the girl you love, the one that steals your heart away, the one that you miss all the time, you'll know how I feel." Jacob laughed ruffling his hair.
"The only girl I will ever love is my mumma." William smiled, kicking his feet to be let down into the black sand. "Playtime"
Jacob looked around and they had indeed reached the beach. He set William down on to the sand, his heart pumping a warm feeling around his body as his son squealed and picked up the wet sand, letting it plop on to the ground again.
He sat down against the sand letting his hands dangle near his pulled up knees as he watched William run along the sand in utter delight. He wondered what it had been like in Volterra for a small boy, surrounded by the constant threat of death and despair. He wondered if Hunter had exposed his son to such acts that disgusted him to the very core.
Blood drinkers.
"Hey" A deep voice sounded behind him, drawing closer from the forest.
Sam sat down next to Jacob, the true Alpha never taking his eyes off his son. Sam had finally gotten over the fact that Leah had moved on a created a life without him. He was proud that she had given birth to the only pure blood shape shifter and happy that she'd found something unbreakable with Jacob.
He had doubted their love in the beginning, accusing Leah of only being with Jacob to piss him off and make him jealous. They had both said hurtful things that day, but nothing could compare to the guilt he felt when he blamed Leah for Jared's death. The whole scene was unbearable amongst the crying woman and the hurt pack brothers. Sam blamed it on the lack of going to kill the culprit, to tear his flesh from his bone. He should have never have blatantly said the hurtful things that came out of his mouth. But he did. And he couldn't take them back.
"Hey Sam, how's things?" Jacob asked his eyes still lingering on the small boy who was splashing in the small rock pools and screeching with joy.
"Good. Em and Gracie are on their way down. How's fatherhood treating you?" Sam asked twiddling his fingers in the sand, trying desperately to mend the friendship him and Jacob once shared.
"Great. Will's the best kid ever. He's so smart and I have a suspicion that he's growing faster than a normal kid"
Sam's eyes narrowed as he took in Williams form. Sure the kid was getting bigger, but that's what kid's do. He couldn't really tell if he was getting bigger, but he had definitely changed since Leah and him had arrived.
"I'm thinking the wolf spirit inside him knows that danger is coming." Jacob frowned, rubbing a hand over his face. "I really just want to ignore it all, but I can't. Even my wolf has been restless lately. He wakes me in the middle of the night and all I can do is stare into the woods like I am waiting for something"
Sam placed a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Jake, maybe we should listen to Carlisle and Billy, maybe we should seek help from this other tribe, perhaps we could gain their allegiance and wipe out the threat once and for all."
Jacob growled deeply, eliciting a primal growl from deep within. "I will not let my son be caught in the middle of a battle. I am his father and I need to protect him. You, out of everyone should understand that Sam."
"I do understand Jacob, but I also understand that if we do nothing our families will be in danger either way. I know you have only just found your son, but maybe this is why he was born. Maybe our ancestors knew a time would come when a wolf, pure of heart, pure of blood would lead our people to salvation. Maybe that's why I imprinted on Emily and why Leah shifted. Maybe she was always meant to be yours" Sam sighed, running a hand through his shaggy hair. He'd never admitted it out loud but he had always had a niggling feeling that Leah was always born to lead with the true Alpha.
The Alpha's mate.
"Maybe your right Sam" Jacob nodded turning to his pack brother. "But that doesn't mean Leah loved you any less man" He explained, now laying a hand on Sam's shoulder, feeling his unease with the situation. "Don't let doubt cloud your mind Sam. Leah did love you." He said, gently squeezing his shoulder, before letting his hand drop.
"Hey boys" Emily called out, walking hand in hand with little Gracie who was dressed in her pink frilly bathers and yellow bucket hat.
"Uncle Jake!" Gracie hollered, letting go of her mother's hand and kicking sand as she ran to the two men. She launched herself at Jacob, who luckily caught her thanks to his quick reflexes.
"Hey there little lady. Nice hat" He mused watching as a small blush crept across her face.
Sam noticing, rolled his eyes at his daughter's obvious infatuation with each and every one of his pack mate's.
Jacob laughed and set Gracie back on the sand. "Will's in the rock pools if you wanna join him?" He said watching as her head whipped around to see were Will was. In the blink of an eye she was dashing off in the direction of the rock pools, running as fast as her little legs could carry her.
"What no hug for daddy?" Sam called out. "They grow up too damn fast" Sam whined, kicking the sand.
"Oh relax Sam, she'll always be daddy's little princess" Emily giggled, laying out her towel and sitting beside her husband, kissing his cheek briefly and patting his back lovingly. "Hey Jake"
"Hey Em. Looking good" Jacob smiled, watching as her lips turned up into a smile.
"I can see why Leah choose you." She smirked. "All you Black men have a certain way about you"
"I'm not sure if that's a compliment or a dig Em" Jacob frowned, watching as Emily hugged Sam shoulder's.
"Take it however you want Jacob" She laughed, looking out to see Gracie and William slashing water towards each other, their faces happy and carefree.
Jacob sat back on his hands, watching as the water splashed against the shore, creating a white foam from the rips in the cool ocean. Taking a deep breath, he inhaled all the scents of the place he loved. LaPush was his home and beyond any reasonable doubt, he would protect the things he loved to the end.
Leah jumped over the couch, pinning Seth to the wooden floor. "Say it or die" She laughed, his wrists held firmly to the ground.
"Ow, ow, MUM!" Seth yelled, as his sister straddled his chest, pinning him as best she could.
"Say it or pay the ultimate price" She glared, threatening her baby brother with her eyes.
"Never" He smiled.
"Then prepare to die" She scolded, releasing his wrists and launching her attack on his sides. Seth wriggled and gasped out loud, bellowing laughs as Leah tickled him until he couldn't breath.
"Stop please" He begged through his laughter, unable to get free of her torture.
"Say it and you will be freed" She mused, digging her fingertips deeper.
"Okay okay" He grunted breathlessly, finally feeling Leah stop. "Leah Clearwater is the best and most awesome wolf ever."
"Leah!" Sue scolded as she brought the materials down from her room, her hands full of white and beige colourings for Leah's dress. "Get off your brother"
Leah rolled her eyes and slapped Seth's chest. "Your lucky mum was here to save your hide, otherwise I would have tortured you again." She smiled, letting Seth free.
"That's so not cool Lee. You shouldn't be as strong as me. I'm like 10 times your size" Seth whined, dusting off the few dust bunnies that had stuck to him while on the floor.
"All the better to see you with, my dear" Leah sing-songed back as she walked towards the table. She groaned watching her mother spread out the material. "Mum come on. They all look the same to me, white, off-white, just white, creamed white, egg shell white – they all end up back at one colour. WHITE!" She sighed throwing her hand's in the air and hitting her palm against her forehead.
She had never been one for fashion and she had a slight temptation to call up the Cullen pixie to organise everything. Though she reeled that idea back in when she remembered Bella and Edward's wedding. Total overkill.
"Leah just pick one and then I can start on your dress" Sue smiled as she watched the frustration ebb out of her daughter.
"Fine" She said closing her eyes and running her hands along the material. Since they were all white she decided she'd choose based on the fabrics texture. Her fingertips glided through the different fabrics, until they landed on one she liked. It was smooth to the touch and it felt soft and light. "This one" She smiled opening her eyes and glancing at the white cloth.
"Chiffon. Nice choice, but I'll have to use an underlay" Sue explained packing up the rest of the material, folding it back into the small bag she held.
"You sure you want to make my dress mum? Wouldn't it be better just going down to the store and picking something up?" Leah inched back from the glare her mother gave her.
"My grandmother made my mother's dress and so on and so forth. It's tradition Leah, so please let me do this for you. Soon you'll no longer be my little girl and I want something you can take with you into your new life so you don't forget me" Sue sighed, feeling her eyes become watery, thinking back on her and Harry's wedding.
"Oh mum" Leah said sadly, moving around to hug her mother. "I'll never forget you guys. I love you both so much. And it's not like I'll be changing into a totally new person. I'll still come by to show Seth who rules and I'll still annoy the crap out of you"
"You promise?"
"Yeah ma. Promise." Leah smiled, wiping away her mother's tears with her thumbs.
"Uh-oh" Leah mumbled, pulling up into the driveway, the air thick with the smell of something cooking. She wasn't even sure if Jacob could cook and adding an excited William to the mix, wasn't necessarily the best idea.
Opening the door Leah quickly made her way to the kitchen, placing the casserole her mother had made down on the coffee table. She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as she stood in the doorway, taking in the small kitchen.
The walls and floor was literally covered in flour, small chocolate chips and hundreds and thousands scattered in between the white mess. It looked like an explosion of ingredients had gone on in the room. Her mouth was ajar as she glanced over at her son who was happily sitting on the bench, using his index finger to dig out the remaining dough in the mixing bowl and placing it in his mouth.
"Jesus-" She breathed out, still stunned at the room making Will freeze.
"Mummy" He smiled, placing his hands up and wiggling his fingers. "Me and Dad made you cookies. I wanted to make muffins, but daddy said that your favourite was cookies."
William's smile was infectious and she couldn't help but smile back at him, his eyes glassy with delight and no doubt the extreme sugar lacing he was experiencing. She would have to have a word with Jacob later about this obsession of sugar her two boys shared.
"Wow. You and Jake made quite a mess in here" She smiled, moving toward him and brushing off some stray flour on his nose.
"Hey baby" Jacob said as he strode back into the kitchen with a small bunch of hand picked flowers. "I knew you were coming" He mused, wrapping his long arms around her waist and pulling her closer, the flowers pressing into her lower back.
"Jacob" She frowned looking around the room. "What in the world have you been-" Jacob leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers, only pulling away when he heard William begin to whine.
"Mummy, me, me, William's kiss!" He clapped.
Leah chuckled and leaned down to kiss his little cheek. "All better?"
"Yes" He nodded, picking up the bowl and continuing to run his finger around the sides.
Turning back to Jacob, she ran her hands up his chest and along his neck, moving her hands behind his head and pulling him down. "You taste like cookie dough" She whispered kissing his lips again softly, then moving to run her lips down to his jaw.
"I know, it was my plan" He smiled, dropping the flowers and running his hands up under the back of her sweater to feel her flesh in his hands.
"What a fool proof plan it is" She moaned, his lips now nibbling on her neck to behind her ear, his breath running to the inside of her clothing, creating an indescribable need. "But your in trouble now" She giggled, feeling his lips run against the column of her neck.
"Oh really?" He asked pulling away and cocking an eyebrow at her.
"Yeah really" A deep voice from the doorway exclaimed, obviously disturbed by the state of the kitchen. Jacob swallowed and turned his head to look over his shoulder.
"Hey dad" Jacob said trying to smile, only to have Billy frown further at him.
"Big trouble now Daddy" William laughed, his head stuck half in the bowl and his little pink tongue lapping at the remaining dough.
"Big trouble" Billy repeated, shaking his head at his son.