Chapter 25

Burn II

Thank you for your reviews! You guys are awesome as always! This chapter will be skipping all over the place, but I will use italics for the flashback parts. This is the last chapter and then there will be an epilogue.

Leah's POV

The sun warmed my back as I dug my freshly polished toes into the sand. A sunny day didn't come often in La Push, so I was taking advantage of my luxury today. I felt warm hands caress my shoulders and lips press against my neck.

"I love this top on you Lee-Lee." I smiled at the sound of my nickname. "I missed you."

"I missed you too. It's weird not seeing you at school all day." I turned around to face Sam, my boyfriend of three years.

"Well you could skip and hang out with me," Sam replied, placing a kiss on my lips.

"That sounds good but my dad would kill me if I did that. Just think in two months we'll be able to spend the whole day together." I ran my hand through Sam's cropped hair. I wasn't happy with the new haircut because I loved his long hair.

"No he would kill me because he'd know you were with me," Sam replied." I can't wait to marry you Leah. I can't wait to have little Sams running around and teaching them how to play football." Sam smiled. We had been talking about getting married once we graduated from high school.

"Little Sams and Leahs. I want the best of both worlds."

"I guess I've always wanted a daughter too. She won't be dating until she's 40. I can't wait to start a family with you," Sam said. I placed my hands on both sides of his face and pulled his lips to mine. I couldn't wait to start my life with him.

I could hear faint yelling. I tried to open my eyes but it felt like they were glued shut. I tried moving my body, but it felt like someone had tied me down. I tried screaming, but my mouth wouldn't even open.

"If she doesn't make it, I will kill you!" I could hear Sam yelling and Jacob and my mother crying in the background. I felt a hot hand touch my hand and a familiar scent filled my nose. It was him.

"Will she wake up," I heard my mother ask. Of course I will wake up. Was I ever the type to give up?

"I'm doing everything I can Mrs. Clearwater." It was Carlisle. I could feel his cold hand touch my forehead before I began to slip away. The voices began to fade as I slipped back away into my dream world. No,No,No!

"You're too young to get married Leah. Don't you want to live your life first," my father asked me. He peeked over the top of his newspaper before folding it neatly and sitting it in his lap." Are you pregnant?"

Orange juice shot out of my mouth. My mother laughed loudly from the kitchen. My father wasn't amused though; he just frowned and continued reading his paper.

"No dad, I'm not pregnant. Why do I have to be pregnant to marry Sam," I asked, swallowing my juice quickly just in case my dad had something off the wall to say again.

He peeked over his newspaper again and smirked. "That's why I married your mother."

"Harry," my mother shouted from the kitchen. My father could be so ornery sometimes. She peeked her head into the living room and stuck her tongue out at my father." Leah he married me because I could cook a mean meat loaf. That definitely won him over."

I felt a warm hand travel up and down my arm. Jacob.

"You have to wake up baby. I'm so sorry...for everything," Jacob said softly." I didn't mean to hurt you or cause all of this. I can't believe that you're the one that saved me this time. I wanted to call you stupid but then I thought back to that time I saved you. Maybe that was your way of paying me back, but now that I think about it, that wasn't your reason. You thought I had more to lose than you did? I don't understand why you would think that Leah. You have people that care about you and love you. I wish you would understand that. We all joked about how you annoyed us and I even called you bitter harpy a few times but we all love you. Just wake up so you can hear us tell you that." Jacob's voice cracked at the end. I could feel tears hitting my arm. Jacob crying? That was so unlike him.

I could feel myself fade back into a dream world, leaving Jacob behind...

Sam had been acting really strange. Although he had come back home, something was off about him. He didn't kiss me the way he used to, he acted like touching me was a crime and his body temperature was unbelievably hot. He refused to go to the doctor and we argued about his stubbornness daily. He just wasn't the same Sam and I couldn't figure out what was going on. He was secretive about everything, especially about his whereabouts when he wasn't with me.

My cousin Emily was supposed to be coming into town tonight. At least that would ease some of the tension away. Emily was my favorite cousin out of all my cousins. We were so close we were like sisters. I heard commotion downstairs indicating that Emily had arrived. I laid my laptop on my bedside table and rushed down the steps.

"Leah!" Emily through her arms around me and I twirled her in a circle. "Long time no see." I set Emily back on her feet as she straightened out her blouse. Her hair had gotten longer since the last time I saw her.

"I know, it's been too long. I missed you so much, we've got stuff to catch up on," I replied, grabbing her hand and pulling her up the steps with me.

"Is she getting any better?" I could hear footsteps approaching the bed. My mother was still here? I bet Jasper was going crazy with her in the house this long. How long had I been out? Hours, days, months?

"No, she's still the same. I'm trying everything I can Mrs. Clearwater," Carlisle replied. "The potion was pretty potent which is why she isn't healing quickly." Potion? What potion?

"She's my little fighter, I know she'll pull through," my mother replied but there was a hint of uncertainty in her voice. Carlisle didn't respond, but I'm sure he gave her that warm smile that he gave everyone else to make her feel better.

"Seth go home and get some rest. You look exhausted," my mother said. Seth was still here? He hated hospital rooms.

"No mom I want to be here when she wakes up. I'm not leaving her," Seth exclaimed. I could hear his voice break and my mother rushed across the room.

"Oh honey," she cried out. I could hear sniffing before my mind went to sleep once again...

I sunk deeper into the corner as Sam backed away towards the door. I opened my mouth to speak but my words were cut off by a pained sob.

"Lee-Lee I'm so sorry. I...I couldn't control it," Sam stuttered.

Tears were still pouring from my eyes but now I was pissed. He couldn't control dumping me for my cousin Emily? So what was controlling him? Some supernatural force or something?

"I swear I tried. I tried to fight for you," Sam continued.

"How long," I asked through sobs.

"What?"

"How long have you been fucking my cousin Sam?" I tried to yell but my voice was barely audible. Sam hung his head. "How long!?"

"A month," Sam whispered.

I gasped. Sam had cheated on me with Emily. Here I am thinking that he was dumping me for her when he was seeing her all along. Another sob escaped and I pulled my legs into my chest.

"Why are you doing this to me," I said.

"I'm sorry Lee," Sam said before turning to walk out of my room.

"You promised me," I whispered. I didn't think he heard me until he stopped in the middle of the doorway.

"I'm sorry." Sam never turned around to face me but I could tell he was crying too. He quickly wiped away his tears and continued out the door.

"It doesn't seem like it's been two weeks," I heard a booming voice say. Sam.

"She's not getting any better," Jacob replied. "If only I could have left Miranda alone." Wait, what had happened to Miranda? Was she dead?

"You can't blame this whole thing on yourself Jake," Sam said. "At least you killed the crazy bitch before she could cause any more damage."

"She wasn't even pregnant. She used a potion to fake a pregnancy and was using it so I wouldn't kill her. She just knew I wouldn't harm her if she was pregnant." What?!

"You were better off messing with Leah. You always find the crazy chicks to fall for," Sam scoffed.

Jacob chuckled. "I thought you didn't want me anywhere near Leah."

It took a few minutes for Sam to answer. "I just didn't want you hurting her like I did. She deserves better you know?"

"I didn't intentionally-"

Sam cut Jacob off. "I didn't either but I did. I felt horrible after I dumped her that day. To see her cry like that tore me up. I searched for a way to break the imprint; I asked Old Quil if I could get rid of it. I really did fight for her although she assumes I didn't. I'm still tortured til this day."

"How was it going through all that alone? I mean you were the first to phase, first to imprint," Jacob asked.

Sam sighed. "It was torture. I didn't know what was going on or who to turn to. It was scary and be happy you didn't have to do it alone. It was probably the worst experience I had ever had." Were they having a heart to heart? Awww how cute.

Good thing I was slipping away again because Sam and Jacob's conversation was sickening. Just kiss and make up while you're at it will ya.

I had been feeling like crap all week. I was running a fever, my body ached and I couldn't keep any food down. My mother assumed the worst and said she would kill Sam for knocking me up and father on the other hand seemed to know what was going on with Seth, although he never said exactly what it was.

I forced myself to get out of bed today, I had been laying around all week. I didn't feel like I was getting any better. I dragged my feet down the steps and to the kitchen. Seth was sitting at the kitchen table with his head in his hands.

"I think there's a bug going around or something," my mother said, sitting a bowl of soup in front of Seth.

"Maybe it's the flu," my father replied. "You feeling any better Leah?"

"No, I feel worse actually," I said, taking a seat next to Seth. I ruffled his hair and he gave me a small smile.

"If you two aren't feeling any better in the next two days, you're going to the doctor," my mother urged.

My cellphone rang from my pocket. What the hell did Sam want?

"What," I snapped.

"Leah? Can I talk to Seth," Sam replied.

"Why didn't you call his cellphone if you wanted to talk to him?"

"Please Lee-Lee..." The rest of Sam's sentence seemed to fade. My body began to shake and my vision blurred.

"Leah," my mother yelled. Everything went red...

"She's been dreaming a lot," Edward said. "She can hear you guys too."

"Really? What is she thinking," my mom asked. I heard tiny footsteps and knew she was running to my side.

"Nothing much, she just keeps dreaming."

"About," Jacob asked.

"Sam," Edward replied. The room fell silent until Seth broke the awkward moment.

"Why him," Seth asked.

"I'm not sure but he's been in all of her dreams since she's been out."

I slipped into my dream world again as the machine began to beep faster and faster.

"Leah!"

"Leah?" My father stood underneath a white tree off in the distance.

"Daddy?" I observed my surroundings. This wasn't home, it looked like a dream world where everything was perfect. The trees were full of white flowers and the grass was green and plush. My father waved his hand, motioning for me to come closer. "Where are we?"

"Heaven," my dad replied smiling.

I gasped. "I'm dead?"

"Not really, just very close to it. I wanted to pay you a visit." My dad pulled me into a tight hug. "I'm so proud of you Lee. So, so, so proud of you."

A tear trickled down my cheek. "Thank you daddy. So if I'm not dead yet, what's going on?"

"I'm paying you a visit. I didn't get to say good-bye the proper way."

"Yea because I killed you," I replied.

"Don't blame yourself baby. It was just my time to go. I hate that you blame yourself, stop doing that. It wasn't your fault."

I kicked at an imaginary rock. "But you didn't have to die if I didn't scare you to death. I'm so sorry daddy."

"Come on, let's go for a walk," my dad reached for my hand. I gave him mine and he began to lead me forward. "Stop blaming yourself for my death. It wasn't your fault like I said. When I went, I never ever blamed you. I'm so proud of what you've accomplished for your people. You pulled through even though you were going through hell. I hated to see you broken over what Sam did to you. I almost had to get my rifle and show him who's boss." My father shook his fist in the air.

"Why didn't you," I asked, just curious about what his answer would be.

"Because I knew what he was going through. I just hated that you had to be a part of that. I wanted to tell you what was going on but I knew I couldn't. To my surprise you would find out why he did what he did," my father explained.

"I always wondered why you didn't kill him after he dumped me."

"Trust me, I wanted to. I knew that would hurt you even worse if I hurt him. I knew you still loved him, you still do. You love Jacob more though."

I winced at the sound of Jacob's name. "He hurt me too daddy."

"I know, but he didn't mean it and he's going to try everything in his power to make it up to you. You just gotta let him. Give him a chance Leah and stop being so damn stubborn. Sometimes I just wish I can come down there and knock that out of you. You got that from me, something I wish you wouldn't have inherited." My dad laughed.

"Well it makes me a strong woman and I don't think it was a bad trait for me to inherit." I squeezed his hand. My dad smiled sadly. "What's wrong?"

"It's almost time for you to go back home."

"No, I want to spend some more time with you." I held his hand tighter.

"The family needs you Leah. Always remember that they love you, everyone loves you. Don't you ever forget that, you understand me?" I nodded and tears began to stream down my cheeks again. "I love you so much and I'm very proud of you. Give Jacob a chance too; don't let something good slip away from you. You deserve to be happy and I want you to be happy. If he hurts you again, I will haunt him in his sleep." He smiled widely. "I will always be watching over you. You'll never be alone. You have family and friends that have your back too. Now get back home Leah."

I wrapped my arms around his neck. He still smelled like the same. "I love you so much daddy."

"I love you too sweetie. Take care of your mother and brother for me." He began to fade before my eyes. "I'll always be with you."

The bright lamp hanging above my head was blinding me. My head was pounding and I could barely move my body. I looked over to my right and noticed Jacob's big, rock head lying on my arm. Seth was lying on my left arm, holding my hand tightly. I tried to talk but my throat was so dry and sore. I moved my right arm and Jacob began to stir. He glanced up at me and his eyes lit up.

"She's awake! Carlisle!" Jacob yelled. "Oh my God Leah you had us scared shitless." Jacob hugged my neck and rested his head on my chest.

"Leah!" Seth yelled. "How are you feeling?"

"Water," I croaked out.

"My baby," my mother yelled rushing to my side. Seth put a cup of water to my lips.

"I told you she would pull through, she's a strong girl," Carlisle said with a warm smile. "I'm going to check you out okay? To make sure everything is okay."

The rest of the pack filed into the room.

"Hey Leah, long time no talk," Paul said. I rolled my eyes.

"I actually missed hearing your voice," Embry added.

"Shut up," I said quietly.

"How's your head," Sam asked.

"Still hurts but I can't complain."

Everyone explained what had happened with Miranda and David. Edward tore David to pieces, Jacob tore Miranda to pieces after finding out she was faking her pregnancy and Julia was also torn to pieces. They explained how Edward read Miranda's mind and found out that she had used a potion to fake her pregnancy. She knew Jacob wouldn't harm her if he thought she was pregnant. I was happy to find out we weren't in danger anymore; hopefully it could stay that way for a while. After a while, I was left alone with Jacob. Everyone assumed that we needed to be left alone to talk.

"Hi," Jacob said sitting next to my bed.

"Hi," I replied with a small smile. How awkward was this?

"Thanks for saving me."

"You're welcome. That's what pack mates are for." I glanced down at my arms. I had a few scars that were starting to fade.

"Leah I'm so sorry for all of this. I didn't mean for it to go down like that. You don't know how scared I was when you got hurt. I thought I lost you and I would have regretted not telling you that I loved you," Jacob explained.

My eyes widened. He loved me? My father's words echoed in my head. Give him a chance.

"You love me," I asked.

"Yeah. I stopped denying it when I thought I lost you. That's when I knew I had fucked things up. I would have hated myself if you would have...left me," Jacob said. "I won't hide these feelings for you anymore. To hide them would make me the biggest hypocrite in the world. I love you Leah."

A single tear rolled down my cheek. I couldn't deny it, I loved him too. I tried to tell myself that I wasn't falling for Jacob Black, but I did. I fell hard. If I didn't love him I wouldn't have been so hurt over Miranda.

"I...love you too." I smiled. A huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Way to go Leah.

Jacob smiled widely and leaned over to place his lips on mine.

Boom there it is! This was probably one of the longest chapters I've written. I hope you guys enjoyed it, I almost cried when I was writing the part with Harry. The epilogue will be the final piece to the puzzle. I appreciate all the reviews and support. Thank you so much!

Love,

Bri