A/N: Hey guys! I have some great news! I have found a new Beta who is going to help me out while I continue this saga! Jen is still doing Retribution, until she lets me know when she can't do it anymore. In the interim, Laurie (Team66Fan) is working on Life's Many Gifts :) Learning to Live Again is nearly done with the editing, so that will be published over at Twilighted, the Writers Coffee House, as well as a new site entitled Jacob Black and Pack. I can't wait!

*does happy dance*

Leah POV

"Leah, can I come in?" Milahni asked after softly knocking on my door. It was a couple of days since Edward left, and I was still reeling.

I had been in Hawaii for more than three months, and the effects of the Imprint were slowly wearing me down. Nightmares, fainting spells, migraines, lack of appetite and horrendous nausea plagued me on a daily basis, and each symptom was growing stronger as each day passed. My time was running out, and I knew I had to leave the island soon in order to face reality back at home.

A reality that was irrevocably changed by Edward's visit.

"The door's open," I called out from my prone position in bed.

I heard the door unlatch, and Milahni walked into my villa just as I sat up and scooted backward, resting my back against the headboard. I patted the seat next to me, and my best friend sat down, mirroring my own position.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, handing me a bag of saltine crackers and a bottle of water.

"Tired. Queasy. The whole nine yards," I bluntly answered as I took the offered food from her.

I pushed my nausea down and nibbled on some of the crackers, knowing that my body needed the nourishment. She waited for me to eat a few more, then spoke as I washed them down with the water.

"Have you talked to Jacob yet?" she asked, not beating around the bush.

I swallowed hard, then shook my head. I knew that he had been calling every day, several times a day, since he found out Edward flew out to see me, at my request.

"You need to call him, Leah. Matt just got off the phone with him, and he said that if he doesn't hear from you by tomorrow, that he's going to fly out and bring you home."

I sighed, knowing that Jacob would do exactly what he threatened to do. I knew that my time was finally up, and it was time for me to go back to La Push. Truth be told, my heart had made its choice a long time ago, but my cowardice kept me from breaking his heart.

"I'll call him tonight," I muttered.

"Have you thought about how you're going to tell…," she began, but I shot her a panicked look as my heart rate accellerated.

"He will find out soon enough. It's only a matter of time before I start to show anyways, but I need to talk to both of them before I drop the bombshell," I said once I calmed down.

"I'm going to miss you so much when you leave," Milahni tearfully said as she gave me a loving hug.

I squeezed her back and let my own tears fall, because I knew that I would miss being around her every single day.

"I'm going to miss you too. I guess we are just going to have to visit each other all the time. Oh, and you better come to Washington when I have this baby. I can't wait for her to meet her Auntie," I said with a smile as I laid my palm against the barely there bump in my lower belly.

Flashback…..several days prior……

"Thank you for coming so quickly, Edward. I didn't know what I should do. Going to a 'regular' doctor is out of the question because, well, you know why," I said a short time after he arrived.

"You're welcome, Leah. Carlisle called one of his connections, and we have full access to a clinic where I can examine you. Why don't you tell me your symptoms on the drive over?" he asked.

The limo was already waiting for us when we walked to the front of the estate, having remained in the circular drive after picking Edward up at the airport. The driver held the door open for us, and when he pulled out of the driveway, I began explaining my symptoms.

"It does sound like you could be pregnant, but based on your past fertility problems, I will have to run some tests before I can confirm or deny it. How long has this been going on?" he asked.

"For several months now. At first I thought it was the Imprint affecting me. But I noticed that I was always sicker in the mornings, and that certain foods that I normally love made me ill even thinking about them. The fact that I couldn't phase after only a few weeks of being here was the biggest tip-off."

"Do you have any tenderness of your lower abdomen? Breasts?" he asked while mulling over what I told him.

"Yes. Both, actually," I replied, flushing a bit because I wasn't fully comfortable with him being my doctor.

I still got nervous around Carlisle when it came to 'intimate' things, so I was highly flustered with Edward. I trusted him though, and knew he would give me just as good of care that Carlisle always did.

"Hmm. Well, I promise you that I will get to the bottom of what's causing it. Besides being a little ill, how are you doing otherwise?" he asked with a kind smile that put me at ease.

Even when he was a leech…errr, vampire, I always thought he was kind and handsome. I didn't trust him as far as I could throw him back then, because he was my sworn enemy. One that forced the changes upon my body that thrust me into my ancient destiny and made me a Protector. Once I really got to know him, fought side by side with him, and watched how he and his family selflessly helped defend the people I loved, my trust slowly grew. Now I viewed him as family, and I knew that he would do as he promised.

"I'm doing ok, I guess. I miss everyone back home," I sadly replied.

Edward reached across and placed his hand upon my knee, giving me a reassuring squeeze.

"We all miss you too, Leah. Elliot and Quil……they miss you terribly. I don't want to get involved in your personal business, but have you given any thought about when you're coming home?"

I closed my eyes and sighed, knowing that this topic would come up. It came up on a daily basis, either by Matthew, Ian, or Jake with his concerned phone calls.

"I know I'm being selfish, but I haven't decided yet. I'm too scared," I whispered.

"I know you are, and that's completely understandable. But you might want to consider coming home sooner rather than later. Some of….us…are not doing too well without you."

My head snapped up and I searched his eyes, trying to see what he eluded to. He looked away after a few moments, then shook his head.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything. It's not my place," he said, mentally chastising himself.

"Edward, if something is wrong, you need to tell me. If Elliot or Quil are sick, I need to know. I can't handle it, knowing that they are suffering worse than Jake is letting on. Please!" I begged.

He sighed, fought himself internally, then caved.

"Elliot is doing fairly well. He goes through episodes of severe depression to the point that he cannot function, but he always pulls out of it. He's been having severe migraines, dropped a little bit of weight, but for the most part has been fairing well," he replied, although I could tell he was being evasive.

"And Quil?" I pressed, feeling my heart skip a beat.

Edward closed his eyes momentarily, and when he reopened them, they were filled with so much sadness that my heart dropped and I stopped breathing.

"Quil has been worse off. He has been out of control emotionally, and was lashing out at everyone around him. He destroyed Charlie and Renee's porch and door, thinking that Elliot was hiding you inside. That was in the beginning though. Since then, he reverted to his wolf form, and has stayed that way since. His thoughts are an absolute mess, Leah, and all he can think about is finding you and bringing you back home."

I sat back in my seat and felt as if someone dropped me into a dunk tank filled with icy water. The reality of my choice to run away glared at me, and I felt regret crush me, making me dizzy.

"Leah, I understand what you're going through, thinking that you caused all of this pain. You had to remove yourself from both men in order to sort out your true feelings, so please try to let that guilt go. The four of you were thrust into an impossible, cruel situation, so please don't be so hard on yourself. I know it's easier said than done, because I too am still plagued with guilt over the immense pain I caused Bella, so many years ago. We must do things that we feel are in the best interest for others, as well as ourselves, and if it turns out to not be the right choice, then we learn from it. You are not a mean spirited woman, and you didn't leave La Push to hurt either man. You were confused and hurting, and you didn't want to hurt either one by having to make a choice," Edward kindly said.

"I am so selfish," I hiccupped as I openly cried.

Edward got up and moved across the back of the limo so he could sit next to me, then pulled me into a hug, stroking my hair as I sobbed my heart out. My fingers clutched his shirt as I held into him and poured out the grief and regret that kept pummeling me.

"As Carlisle would say 'Once we expect ourselves to not make mistakes in our lives, we cease to let God do his job'. He is right. We are spiritual beings with a human condition. We will make mistakes, Leah. The distinction is that we learn from them, and do our best not to repeat them. So quit being so hard on yourself, because it's not good for the baby," he soothingly said as he held me.

"B-but we don't know if…," I stuttered as I fought back my tears.

"Let's cross that bridge when we get there, ok? And I promise to walk across it with you," he smiled.

"O-ok," I murmured, wiping my tears away and letting his calming presence lull me into a more relaxed state.

"I'm going to draw some blood first, and get that going. While I'm setting everything up, why don't you get changed into the exam gown and make yourself comfortable," Edward said once we were inside of the empty clinic.

I did as he asked while he went about his business, setting up different instruments, turning on the ultrasound machines, and getting other supplies he needed. By the time I changed into the gown and sat up on the exam table, he was ready, and drew several vials of blood. While those ran through some little machine against the far wall of the room, he helped me into the stirrups and prepared to do an internal exam. My legs shook so terribly that they kept falling out of the metal brackets, and I grew frustrated at my nervousness around him.

"I know this is difficult for you, Leah, because we are friends. I want you to know that at this moment, I am merely your doctor, and I promise to do what I can to put you at ease. I will not betray your confidence, and I am viewing you in a professional light, ok?" he calmly said with a reassuring smile.

"Ok," I whispered, then drew in a deep breath as I tried to calm my nerves.

Several minutes later, the internal exam was done, and as Edward removed his gloves and threw them away, I pulled my feet from the stirrups and sat up, glad that that part was over with.

"Based on what I have seen so far, I am highly confident that you are pregnant. Your cervix has taken on an almost bluish tint, and your uterus is larger as well as softer. Your blood work should be done shortly, so while we wait for it, I'm going to give you an ultrasound, ok? Just lay back and relax. This part is easy," he said with another smile, which I returned with a genuine one of my own.

Oh God, please let him be right…..a baby….

I opened up the front ties of the gown and bared my mid-section, then laid back and made sure the gown covered my bare breasts. I was more comfortable with Edward by then, but I was still self-conscious.

"I warmed the gel up, but it still may be a bit cold. Ready?" he asked.

"Yes," I replied, then flinched when the blue gel made contact with my skin.

Edward moved the wand through the gel and watched the monitor as I watched what he was doing. When he reached my lower abdomen, he pressed the instrument a little bit harder against me, and stared at the screen with intense concentration.

"There we go. Well, Miss Clearwater, I can definitely confirm that you are, in fact, pregnant. See the heartbeat?" he grinned as he pointed to the black and white screen.

I stared at the monitor in utter awe as my heart pounded with joy. I couldn't believe that I, a supposedly genetic dead end, was pregnant! My happiness was short lived though, when the enormity of the fact that I didn't know which of the wonderful men I loved dearly was the father of the tiny baby nestled within my womb.

"Edward….how far along am I?" I asked, praying fervently that it was his child.

"Based on the size of the fetus, as well as when you became symptomatic, I would have to say that you are about fifteen weeks along, give or take a week. The estimated due date is approximately….oh, the last week of September, first week of October," he said as he looked at me intently.

My heart swelled with relief as well as renewed happiness, because if Edward's estimates were correct, it really was his baby.

How will he take it, though? Does he really want this baby? Does he still want me, after everything I put him through? Oh God….how am I going to tell the other man that holds my heart about this? I know that my choice is going to break his heart, but when I tell him that I'm pregnant?

"Leah, he loves you, and this is his child you now carry. Of course he's going to love this baby. She was created from the deep love you both have for each other. No man of integrity will ever be able to deny his child. As far as how the other will react…you cannot control that. Your heart made the choice, and this baby is a sign that you made the right one. The other will be hurt, but I have a feeling that it will all work out in the end. It may be awkward for awhile, but nothing in life happens by mistake," Edward said after reading my thoughts.

Wait…She?

"It's too early to tell by ultrasound, but I can hear your daughter's thoughts, and it's definitely a girl. She loves you, very much," he answered, his eyes bright with emotion.

"A little girl… a daughter…," I said as my eyes filled with tears of elation.

"A very healthy little girl, too. Congratulations, Leah. I know how much you wanted a baby. She truly is a miracle. Would you like me to print out some pictures of the ultrasound?" he asked as he wiped away the gel.

"Yes please," I replied, still reeling.

Edward printed out the pictures, then went to get my blood results while I got dressed. When he came back he was smiling, so I knew that everything was ok. I had been fearful that my body would betray me and somehow hurt the baby, but he dashed my fears away with a few simple words.

"Your hormone levels are very good, and there are no indications that the baby is unhealthy. Because of your past problems, though, I suggest you be examined regularly, just in case something crops up. Until you are ready to come home, I can come to you regularly if you like," he said as he flipped off the lights before we walked out to the awaiting limo.

"Thank you, Edward, but I think I'm ready to face everything now. I have been, for some time now, but have been too afraid. I think….I think I finally found the courage," I said, pressing my hand against the small swell of my lower stomach.

"Good. I speak on behalf of everyone when I tell you that we really miss having you home, and I know that everyone will be elated to see you again," he replied.

"I miss everyone too. Thank you, Edward. For everything," I said, hugging him.

"You're very welcome," he replied, kissing my temple.

Current day…………………

"Dammit, Leah! It's about time you called me back! I have been frantic, worrying about you! What in the HELL is going on out there? So help me God, if you're not honest with me, I am on the next flight out!" Jake hollered into the phone when I called him later that evening.

"Jacob, calm down already! I'm sorry I didn't call, but I really didn't feel like going through the third degree! I have enough on my damned plate without you yelling at me like I'm a child!" I yelled back, feeling my face flush with heat.

I loved Jacob like he was my own brother, but sometimes he could be way too overprotective. I knew that he would be upset though, so I had prepared myself for his ire.

"Well, as soon as you stop acting like one, maybe then I'll stop treating you like a kid," he snapped back.

Both of us went silent, and I listened to his breathing until I knew he finally calmed down. I didn't blame him for being pissed, and my own anger dissipated quickly.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you. I've been worried sick about you since finding out that Edward was out there. What's going on, Le? Are you ok?" he calmly asked, his concern evident in his voice.

"I'm ok now, Jake. Everything is good, I swear. I just freaked out about something, but Edward checked me out and I'm a-ok. Actually, I feel better than I have in months. It's weird, but I feel my strength returning as we speak. A little nauseated, but I feel nearly strong enough to take on a leach," I replied as I stretched my muscles.

It was true. Since Milahni visited me earlier that day, my strength began to return, my headaches were gone, and I actually had taken a nap and had no weird dreams or nightmares. I dreamed about my beautiful daughter, and woke up with a huge smile on my face.

"That's good news, thank God. So, do you want to explain why you needed to see Edward?" he asked, not letting the subject go.

"Not right now," I mumbled.

"Fine. As long as you're ok, Leah. That's all that matters to me," he said.

We were both silent once more, but I knew he was itching to ask me the one question I was finally ready to answer.

"I'm coming home, Jake. I'm ready to face everything and everyone," I quietly said.

"Really? So you're telling me that I don't have to come to paradise to drag your butt home? And here I was all looking forward to white sands and palm trees," he joked.

"You can still come if you want, but I won't be here, doofus. Hey, would you be able to pick me up from the airport?" I asked, feeling my excitement grow.

I was still overwhelmingly nervous about facing Elliot and Quil, but I really missed everyone.

"Sure sure. When?"

"Thursday at five, if that's ok. If not, I can call a cab," I replied.

"Leah, stop. Do you really think I'm going to let you take a cab?" he scolded.

"I don't want to be a bother…," I began, but he cut me off.

"You may be one of the biggest pains in my ass, calling me on my shit, ditching my calls, hiding things from me and all that, but you will never be an inconvenience. Do I make myself clear?" he sternly asked.

"Crystal. Thank you, Jake. For everything."

"That's what family is for, right? I love ya, Le, and you know I would do anything for you. I can't wait to see you and have you back so you can whip these guys back into shape. Jared and Embry have done a decent job filling in, but nobody could ever replace you as Beta. I made one of the best decisions of my life when I asked you to undertake the role, and you have never let me down," he earnestly said.

My heart skipped a beat and my stomach knotted up, because my current condition prohibited me from resuming my role within the Pack, and I knew I would be letting him down.

"Jake, about that. I, uh, need a little bit more time before I can patrol again," I said, dreading his reaction.

Part of me didn't want to tell him about my pregnancy, because I wanted to tell the father of my child first, but Jacob would want an explanation, especially after I have been gone for so long.

"What? Why?" he asked with subtle alarm.

"Because I'm pregnant," I replied.

There was dead silence on the other end of the phone for several long moments, then the phone clattered to the ground with an ear shattering racket. I heard him scramble around for it, and once he stopped fumbling around, he spoke.

"Sorry about that. Wow. Pregnant? You're sure?" he asked.

"Yeah. Edward confirmed it the other day. That's why I called Carlisle. I wasn't sure, because of, well you know why."

Jake was quiet for a few more seconds as my news soaked in.

"Have you told them yet?" he asked.

"No, I haven't, so please don't say anything. The only ones who know are you, Edward, and everyone here. I don't want either of them finding out through word of mouth. It wouldn't be right," I said as I rubbed my lower belly and smiled.

"So I take you you've made a choice, then?"

My smile faltered a bit as I thought about the pain I would be causing, but it was a double edged sword.

"I have, but this baby had nothing to do with my decision. I made my choice a long time ago, but I wasn't ready to be honest with myself about it. That's why I needed to leave. I had to be away from both of them in order to see it. The baby proves that he and I were meant to be together, or else I wouldn't be pregnant right now, given the fact that every test and hormonal treatment showed that I was a genetic dead end. She is my miracle baby," I said, my voice wavering with emotion and love I felt for the life growing inside of me.

"Congratulations, Leah. I know how much this baby means to you, and you're going to be a great mother. I am so happy for you," Jacob replied with earnest sincerity.

"Thanks. I just hope it's not too late to repair the damage I've done," I sadly said.

"Believe me when I say that you have nothing to worry about."

"I hope you're right."

"I know I am. Hey, I have to get going because I have to patrol soon. I'll see you Thursday, 'kay?" Jacob said.

"Have fun. Thanks, Jacob. For everything. See you Thursday," I said, then hung up.

I looked around and took in my surroundings, and felt pangs of sadness fill me. In a few short days I would be leaving this place of serenity behind, a place that had given me sanctuary in tumultuous times, and I would miss it terribly. I would also miss the deep friendships I had forged during my stay, and I felt hot, salty tears as they slipped down my cheeks.

It's not like you're saying goodbye forever……

True, but I knew it would be a long time before I could come back to visit this place of tranquility. Sure there would be phone calls, emails and such, but nothing would replace seeing them every single day. But it was time, and no matter how sad I was to leave, I needed to go home. To tell him how much I loved and wanted him, and nobody else. He and this child were my world now. A world I was eager to start living in.

Elliot POV

"You better run faster, little girl!" I called out with fake menace as I chased Claire down the beach.

True to Carlisle's words, she was completely healed the day after the bear attack, and since we declared our feelings for each other, we had been inseparable. It was a few days after her release that we decided to test out her strength, and it brought us to that current moment.

"Elliot! Stop! You're freaking me out!" Claire shrieked as she ran as fast as she possibly could to get away from me.

Although she was superhumanly fast now, I was still faster, and I caught up to her with ease. I reached out and grabbed her around the waist, tackled her to the rough sand, and began tickling her relentlessly. In between her giggles, pants and shrieks, she begged me to stop, but I was having way too much fun.

"I'm going to pee my pants Elliot! STOP!" she giggled.

"I would pay to see that," I teased, finally ending my torture of her.

"You're rotten! Get away from me," she growled.

"Hell no! I just got you, Claire, and I refuse to let you go," I replied, flipping her onto her back and pinning her arms above her head.

Her eyes widened and she gasped in shock. Half-heartedly she struggled against me, but gave up when she realized that I was far stronger than she was.

"What now?" she asked as her eyes roamed my face.

I stared down at her, completely mesmerized by her pretty face, chocolate brown eyes, and full pink lips, which were slightly parted as she caught her breath. My heart started pounding hard, because I was so deeply in love with her, and all I wanted to do was tear her clothes off and bury myself inside of her, making her mine.

"Since you took away the fun I was having, tickling you, I guess I need to come up with some other form of torture. Maybe…this," I murmured, moving my lips to her neck.

I pressed my lips against the throbbing vein that ran up her golden throat, then gently sucked on her tender skin. I felt her pulse quicken when her body started to react to me, so I shifted my body a bit so I partially lay over her, desperate for more contact.

"Elliot," she whimpered, then tilted her head to give me better access.

"Claire," I whispered back, gently nipping at the pulsating vein.

A shudder ran through her body, and I felt her arching herself upward, pressing herself against me. I released her arms and she placed them on my back and slowly moved them upward until she reached the nape of my neck. She then tangled her fingers in my hair, pulled me back a bit, turned to face me, then pulled my lips to hers in a sweet kiss filled with longing. I braced myself on one arm and cupped her face in my other palm, then pulled her mouth harder against mine, moaning softly when her tongue brushed against my lips. I eagerly let her in, groaning when her tongue slid sensually along mine.

My body erupted into an inferno as I drowned in her taste, touch and scent. I could feel her trembling underneath me, both with nervousness and desire, but I didn't know how far I should push her. I knew that she and Quil had never been intimate, but I didn't know exactly how far they had gone with the physical aspect of their relationship. Claire dashed my doubts by shifting her body, allowing me to move my hips between her legs, eliciting a deep growl from me when my rapidly growing erection pressed against the heat of her center.

"Oh God," she moaned when I pushed against her, but I swallowed her little cries with my mouth and tongue.

She hungrily countered my kiss as she dug her nails into my back, pulling me even harder against her quivering form. I could tell that she wanted me just as much as I her, but my rational mind took over, fighting against the fog of desire that clouded my head.

"Claire, honey, we should slow down a bit," I reluctantly said while placing little kisses along her jaw.

I felt her stiffen a bit, and when I searched her eyes, I saw the pain of rejection shining sadly in their dark depths.

"Oh Claire, I didn't mean that I don't want you, honey" I said as I kissed the tip of her nose.

"What do you mean then? Am I not good enough?" she asked, her chin trembling and her soft eyes filling with tears.

"I want you, Claire. I will always want you. I love you so much, so don't ever think that you're not good enough. You're more than enough. It's just….when we do this….when I make love to you for the first time, I want it to be special, not on a dirty beach, out in the open where anyone could walk up on us. You deserve more than that, sweetie," I murmured while kissing her tears away.

I wrapped my arms around her, and rolled us so that she lay on top of me, off of the coarse sand. I brushed some of the traces of it away, then ran my hands up and down her back in soothing strokes while I held her close.

"I-I'm sorry. I was….being insecure. I'm so scared that I'm going to wake up and find that this was just a cruel dream. Quil couldn't even love me, and we are Imprinted," she cried.

I slid my hands upward until they surrounded her face, and I made her look me in the eyes.

"Listen to me, Claire. You have nothing to worry about. I love YOU. I choose YOU, Imprint be damned. YOU are who I want, and you are not going to ever wake up from this dream. It is YOU I want to marry. YOU I want to make a life with. YOU I want to have babies with. I love YOU, and if I have to show you every minute, of every day, that I'm not going anywhere, then so be it," I fervently said, hoping that I broke through her insecurity.

She looked down at me as tears fell down her lightly freckled cheeks, and I lifted my head so that I could kiss them away. When I looked back at her, a smile was slowly replacing the frown, and I felt my own lips turn upward, mirroring her own happiness.

"Oh Elliot! I *kiss* Love *kiss* You *kiss* so much!" she said as she peppered my lips with chaste, yet loving, kisses.

We spent the rest of the afternoon on the beach, talking, kissing, and relishing the feelings we held for one another. When the sun began to set, we finally got up to leave, and we walked, hand in hand the whole way back to my house. I froze when I saw Bella and Quil sitting on the front porch, his face filled with sadness when he saw us approach, and hers filled with trepidation.

"Bella, hey. Is everything ok?" I asked, feeling my stomach knot up from the look on her face.

"I'm glad you're here, El. Now that I have both of you together, there's something you guys should know. Jake is probably going to kill me for telling you guys, and I hate sneaking behind his back, but I felt that you guys had a right to know," she said, anxiously biting her lip and fidgeting with her hair.

"What?" I asked, feeling my blood run cold.

"I know where Leah is at," she quietly stated.

"Where? Where is she, Bella?" Quil demanded.

He looked like hell, but I saw the fire of hope flare in his eyes.

"Crap. Ugh, look. I'm only telling you this, because I think something is wrong. Edward flew out to see her a few days back, at her request, but he's being tight lipped about as to why. She's been dodging Jake's calls, so something is up, and I thought I should tell you. I think that she needs to come home," she said, looking anxiously back and forth between us.

"Where?" I asked, barely noticing that Claire slipped her hand from mine and back away a few feet.

Pain and longing filled me, because regardless if I loved Claire, part of me would always belong to Leah. She would always own a part of my heart, and if she was in trouble, I needed to go help her.

"Hawaii. She's in Hawaii, staying with Matty and Ian at the estate," she replied, chewing her lower lip.

"GOD DAMMIT!" Quil roared, then ran off into the woods, knocking over a few trees when he phased.

"Elliot?" Claire's meek voice called out to me.

I spun around to look at her, my heart crushing at the pain in her eyes.

"Claire, I need to go to her. I swear, this doesn't change anything. I love you, but I need to make sure she's ok," I said, reaching out to touch her.

She pulled even further away from me and wiped away the tears that were freely falling.

"Go to her, Elliot. She's your Imprint and she needs you," Claire said, her voice wavering as she fought not to break down.

I was so torn, because I knew what Claire was thinking, and I knew that I was tearing her apart with my need to go to Leah. But I didn't have a choice. I had to make sure Leah was ok, for my own peace of mind.

"I know how this looks, honey, but I swear it's not what you're thinking. I'm just going there to bring her home, that's all. Please Claire," I begged, but she had already shut herself down.

Her tears still fell, but she put up a wall to protect herself, and there was nothing I could do to prove to her that I meant what I said. I had to go to Leah, and I vowed to myself that, once I returned, that I would do whatever in my power to prove to Claire that I loved her.

"Go, Elliot. I'll stay with Claire," Bella gently said from behind me.

"N-no. I just…I need to go home," Claire said as she turned and ran for her car.

I stood there and helplessly watched as she threw her car into reverse and shot out of the driveway in a squeal of tires and smoke. My heart felt like it was going to explode in agony as I watched her go, and it took everything I had inside of me not to go after her.

"Make sure she's ok while I'm gone," I said to Bella, once I could breathe again.

"I will. I booked you on a flight that leaves in two hours, so you better go," Bella sadly said.

"Thanks," I absently said, completely lost in thought.

Bella gave me a hug, which I half heartedly returned, then she left in the same direction as Claire. I watched her leave too, staring blankly ahead. When I had a grip on my emotions, I went inside and grabbed a few necessities, then got into my car and headed for the airport.

I'm coming back to you, Claire. I promise……

Leah POV

"I think I'm just going to go pack some stuff and then go for a walk on the beach guys, thanks for the offer though. Maybe tomorrow night?" I said when Matthew and Ian asked if I wanted to go swimming with them later in the evening.

"I'm holding you to that. I want to spend as much time as I can with you before you go. I'm going to miss you so much, Leah," Milahni said, giving me a hug.

"I'm going to miss you too. All of you. Thank you so much for everything. Without you guys, I never would have gotten through," I said, going from person to person and hugging them warmly.

"You're welcome. Anytime, Le. Family, remember?" Ian replied, lifting me off my feet in a huge bear hug.

"Family," I murmured, placing my hand on my stomach and smiling.

A couple of hours later, nearly all of my things were packed, with the exception of a few things I would need to get me through the following few days. I grabbed a towel, tank top and a white, flowing, comfortable skirt, then took a shower before I headed to the beach. When I was dressed, I looked at myself in the mirror, glad to see that my color had fully returned, the dark circles were nearly gone, and my eyes actually had life in them again.

I felt incredibly good after months of feeling like crap, and it showed as I walked down to the beach with a little skip in my step. After walking for awhile, I found one of the beach chairs, and sat, gazing up at the starlit sky. Then I felt it. Someone watching me, and my heart began to thud in my chest. Then I caught a scent in the air…his scent, and knew he found me.

"I know you're there," I whispered, getting to my feet and turning around.

I saw him step from behind the trees, and my heart slammed against my ribs as happiness and joy flooded me.

"Leah," he murmured, moving closer to me, his eyes filled with so much love and pain that it made my knees weak.

"I came to take you home," he said, slowing closing the distance between us.

A/N: I'm such a stinker, leaving you guys hanging, lol! I promise to bust my ass and get chapter 27 done ASAP so you guys don't have to suffer too long! PLEEEEASE review!

*MUAH!*