Beta'd by tayjayfan. Thank you so much!

A/N: I want to shout out a special thank you to feebes 86 and SparklingFae for their expert advice making sure the delivery and ceremonial details were accurate and made sense.

Love you girls!

"Walking. I am listening to a deeper way. Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me.

Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands."

Linda Hogan

...

A couple of days after Aro showed up, Jacob went to see the Cullens. Carlisle was eager to meet with him. He'd called Jacob within hours of Aro's visit. The phone call had pissed him off. Even thinking about it brought all the rage to the surface again. It flowed through his veins like acid.

Jacob had changed since the meeting with Aro. If possible, he'd become even more protective of Bella. So much so, that Carlisle's insistence to make sure Bella was alright had produced an unusual reaction in him. Anger certainly, but, for the first time, two voices spoke. Both wolf and man denied the leeches' access to their mate. That never happened before but Jake knew it was something that would surely occur again and again.

Now that he'd fully embraced his heritage, he and his wolf were gaining maturity and strength. When he'd first phased, he'd said he didn't want to be Alpha. That was no longer true. He was the powerful leader of his Pack. Being with Bella helped him reach his full potential as a man while his lineage and pack helped him reach his full potential as a warrior.

Vampires weren't part of Bella's life now and Jacob planned to keep it that way. Instead of allowing them to visit, he and some of his pack traveled to where they were to meet with them. They'd purposely waited until they could handle being around the leeches. Even then, Jacob wasn't sure he could keep from ripping them to pieces. This wasn't because he couldn't control his wolf, it was because he didn'twant to. There was no way to disguise his fury and Sam and Paul felt the same way. They were one breath away from attacking.

It had been an uncomfortable meeting, to say the least. There'd been no doubt in anyone's mind as to who was in charge. Jacob Black was in charge. His presence was formidable.

The urge to phase had been intense, their wolves clawing their way to the surface, prodding them to attack. Carlisle had done his best to make them feel welcome, but none of them were.

They were thankful to learn Edward wasn't home but were surprised to learn the reason why. Carlisle recounted what happened when Aro had come to see them. He'd been playing hardball, Carlisle admitted. Furious that a treaty had been signed without his knowledge, nothing satisfied him until Edward agreed to return with him to Italy. No promises were made that he would stay, but Aro was pleased. When Alice and Jasper remarked they would like to spend some time exploring Italy again, his eyes lit up with interest and he was appeased. Alice and Jasper planned to leave in a few days.

When the subject of Bella came up, Jacob made it clear in no uncertain terms she was off limits to them. He explained, she was happy and safe and the pack would protect her. They wouldn't be caught unaware again. He was going to make sure his wife and child had a wolf nearby keeping them safe at all times.

When they were ready to leave, Alice asked if she could speak with Jacob privately. There was no sign of her buoyant personality. She fidgeted and stammered while trying to compose herself. Jacob kept quiet, giving her the time she needed. Finally, she explained she'd been horrified at not seeing Aro's decision to come. After reassuring Jacob so many times she would apprise him of any threat immediately. Unable to explain the breakdown in her normally failsafe method, she begged his forgiveness.

He told her the apology was appreciated, but he and Bella didn't want any contact right now. Ever… his wolf echoed. Alice told him again how sorry she was and agreed to respect their wishes.

As they were leaving, Jacob took Carlisle aside. He and his pack had made a decision. He looked him in the eye and told him if any of the Volturi showed up in the future, the treaty would be null and void. It would be war. His instincts as a warrior told him it was the right thing to do.

The pack blamed the coven for bringing Aro into their lives. It put the whole tribe in danger. If a war was fought, the surrounding areas would no doubt be affected as well. It was their responsibility to protect their people.

Carlisle nodded in concession. If the roles were reversed, he knew he would come to the same conclusion. He'd always known the Quileute were a strong and courageous people. He held his hand out in a gesture of goodwill to the young Alpha.

The muscles flexed in Jacob's arm as he gripped Carlisle's hand and wished him well. Inside his wolf recoiled from the icy touch.

When they returned home to update the rest of the pack, Jacob hoped they were closing this chapter of their lives. If he never saw another vampire, it would be too soon.

...

Bella had been busy all day making final preparations for the baby. Her due date was in a week and the doctor said she'd started to dilate. She wanted to be ready. She'd cooked a huge amount of food and put some in the freezer. The men in her life were challenged in the kitchen and she didn't want them to eat fast food while she recovered from the birth.

Charlie had driven down to the Rez to join them for dinner. When Bella started looking fatigued, he and Billy made her lie down on the couch. Bella and Billy watched tv while Charlie and Jacob cleaned up. She listened to their easy conversation with each other while they worked. She knew Charlie loved him like a son and their relationship strengthened even more after he found out about the wolves and vampires.

Her dad was thrilled his blood would be involved if their children transformed. It fascinated him. For years, he'd been inspired by, and maybe a little jealous of, how Billy felt about his Quileute heritage and now he shared a small piece of their history. It was important to him to see their traditions carried on by future generations. He was so proud of the strong, courageous man Jacob had become, but, in the back of his mind, he worried about vampires triggering the transformation in his grandchildren.

That night, Bella had gone to bed early. Her sleep had been troubled since Aro made his little visit. Even though Jacob had done his best to ease her concerns, she was worried he would turn up again. The way Aro looked at her mate was like a child with a new toy. It scared her. She groaned as she struggled to go to sleep, both physically and mentally. Her thoughts kept circling around inside her head and it felt like the baby was running out of room to move. She hoped he wasn't as cramped as she suspected.

Jacob rubbed her back for a while before wrapping his arms around her. Almost every night, he used this warmth to ease her discomfort. Treasuring the uniqueness of her wolf, she snuggled her back against him as she drifted off to sleep. He was her Jake heating pad. She whispered, "I don't think I've ever been so tired." He held her close and told her how much he loved her. That she was his world, his life, his everything.

When it was close to sunrise, Bella woke up with a start. She felt wetness underneath her. She was shocked because she hadn't wet the bed since she was a little girl.

Wow, I must've been in a deep sleep not to wake up to use the bathroom.

She hated to wake Jacob, but the bed was too small to move to a dry spot. She sat on the side of the bed and touched his shoulder. "Sweetie, wake up. I need you to help me change the sheets. I peed on the bed."

Groggily, he started to get up and looked at the bed. He could smell it wasn't urine. "Um, Bells. It's not pee. I think your water must've broke."

"No way..." As soon as she stood up more fluid came out. She gasped and looked down at her legs. Adrenaline rushed through her when she realized the baby was coming soon. Ready or not, it was actually going to happen. Bella quietly gathered her courage and murmured, "Oh, looks like you're right."

Jacob woke his dad up before they left to let him know what was happening. He'd made arrangements for Sam to bring him to the hospital when the baby was close to being born. They didn't want Billy to have to sit and wait for hours while Bella was in labor.

Bella was quiet during the ride to the hospital and, even though Jake was good at reading his Bells, her silence was freaking him out a little. He kept glancing over to make sure she wasn't in too much pain. Her haunted expression told him it was something else.

"You okay, sweetheart?"

She took his hand. "Jake, will you do something for me?"

He sensed the seriousness in her tone. "Of course, babe. What is it?"

"I want you to promise me you won't let the baby out of your sight at the hospital." Her lip quivered for a brief moment when she felt a flashback of how horrible the night of Aro's visit had been. She'd been sure she was going to lose Jacob or that he was going to lose her and their baby. She was still dealing with the anxiety it caused. Deep down inside, she was afraid the Volturi might steal their baby for his supernatural ability.

"Please."

The plea in her voice as well as the fearful look in her eyes broke his heart. He pulled over so he could focus totally on his wife. Kissing her tenderly, he said, "I wouldn't have it any other way. I promise." He put his hand on her belly. His voice was full of confidence. "I'll take care of him." Regarding her with love shining in his eyes, he added, "And you." As long as I have breath in my body.

Yes, we will. His wolf agreed.

Jake didn't tell her he'd already decided the same thing. He and his wolf were of single-minded focus: The baby wasn't going to be out of their sight. As an extra precaution, Embry and Quil were going to be on vampire watch at the hospital. As soon as Bella was assigned a room, he was going to call Embry. Sam was also going to patrol nearby. They didn't want any surprise visits from Carlisle or his family. They would have a fight on their hands if they showed up. It was unacceptable for any of them to pop in to see the baby.

Jacob would've preferred for the baby to be born on tribal lands, but he was worried something might happen. They weren't prepared for complicated births on the Rez and the safety of his family was his number one priority.

Hearing his reassurances made her feel better. She used her cell phone to call her dad to let him know she was in labor. He answered on the second ring. "Hey Dad, I just wanted to let you know my water broke. We're on our way to the hospital."

They grinned at each other over Charlie's excited voice. Bella told him they would keep him posted.

The first part of labor was uneventful. Bella walked the halls of the maternity floor to help speed things along. The nurses politely watched Jacob as they walked around the nurse's station. She'd seen some of the younger ones blushing and talking about him when they didn't think she could hear. She didn't blame them for enjoying the view. It wasn't everyday they saw a man like him. Bella giggled to herself. They had no idea what they were in store for. The whole pack of werewolves would be breaking down the door as soon as Jake called them to come see their new pup. She snickered as she thought about how much fun it would be for the nurses coming to work in the next couple of days.

The later stages of labor were more of a challenge for Bella. She was thankful for the private shower in her room. The warm water eased the discomfort, but it was Jacob that made all the difference. He was very attentive, making sure all her needs were met. The labor and delivery nurse grinned when he climbed in the small hospital bed with her to massage her back.

The doctor told them the baby was big, but Bella still planned to try for a natural birth. She held on for as long as she could but when the pain intensified past the point of being able to handle it, her request for an epidural was pretty loud. Once it was started, Jacob breathed a sigh of relief seeing her rest more comfortably between contractions. Her whimpers of pain cut him to the core and he was ready to do anything to help his wife feel better.

Once again, he turned his attention to the thing that had soothed the beast inside him for the past four months: the connection with his child. Even though they had a monitor to show the babies' heart rate, it wasn't necessary for Jacob. He could hear their son easily. At home, one of his favorite things was to sit near the baby while doing his homework. The baby responded to his deep voice.

When the delivery approached, Jacob went to the waiting room to give everyone an update. He found his best friends gathered together with Billy and Charlie. Quil had been keeping everyone occupied with jokes while Embry paced the small room. His pack brothers were anxious as they unintentionally listened to Bella moaning in pain. As soon as she felt better, they were able to relax.

Charlie and Billy kept asking the boys what was happening when no one was watching. They were well aware of the boys sensitive hearing.

As soon as Jacob appeared, Charlie jumped from his seat. "How is she?" The worry lines were obvious on his face.

Jacob smiled and hugged his father in law. "She's doing real good. Why don't you and dad come in and see her for a few minutes? Doc says she's almost ready to start pushing."

Charlie gulped. "Yeah, I'd like that."

Quil called out as they left, "Tell Bella to let me know if she needs any help. I'll get some lube and grease her up. The baby will shoot right out! Guaranteed!"

Embry punched him in the arm.

Charlie paled visibly when he saw his daughter sitting in the bed. She looked fatigued and her hair was damp from the exertion of labor.

He rushed to her side. "Bells, you okay?"

She reached for him. "I'm just wonderful, Dad." She grinned at both of them. "You two ready to be Grandpas?"

He hugged her tightly. "We sure are."

He and Billy stayed for a few minutes until the doctor came back in to examine her.

When he returned to the waiting room, Charlie was still a little uneasy for Bella but seeing her made him feel better. He'd helped a deputy deliver a baby on the side of the road one time. The woman had screamed in unbearable pain. He hated to think of his daughter going through that.

Things progressed normally until Bella was fully dilated and ready to push. With instructions from the doctor, Jacob helped hold her legs. He was fascinated when he got his first glimpse of black hair. One of the nurses got a mirror so Bella could see the baby's head too. His small head was covered with dark luxurious hair.

Seeing her child in the flesh made becoming a mother much more real than an ultrasound picture ever could. She glanced toward Jake and knew by the jubilation on his face he was feeling the same way. Giving him a baby was the most rewarding experience of her life. Bella pulled Jacob up for a quick kiss. They cuddled for a minute in wonder of the miracle taking place.

After an hour of pushing, it became apparent the delivery was not going to be as easy as they'd hoped. The doctor explained with the baby being on the large side, it wasn't unusual and she reminded them it could take longer since it was Bella's first child.

Bella tried not to get frustrated. She'd heard Leah and Sue talking about some of the women from the tribe and how easy some of their deliveries were. She was determined to be a strong Alpha wife and do her best, but she felt exhausted.

Jacob was the first to notice a change in the baby's heart rate. It slowed down, then returned to normal. His eyes were riveted to the monitor as he asked, "Is the baby okay?"

Dr. Daniels raised her eyebrows, surprised he'd noticed the subtle difference. "Yes, he's just fine. You're very observant, Jacob. Nothing to worry about."

He nodded, but didn't feel reassured.

With the next few contractions, he heard the heart rate slow down again. Each time it happened, it took longer for his heart to return to normal.

The doctor said. "Bella, let's get you on your side for a minute." She and the nurse helped her change position to see if it would help. It didn't.

The doctor knew the delivery was imminent. Concerned that the baby was showing signs of stress, she wanted to get him delivered as quickly as possible. She instructed the nurse to have forceps ready in case they were needed and notify the Pediatrician to be ready.

When the nurse left the room to do as she asked, Jacob heard her tell someone the baby might not be tolerating labor very well. He silently prayed to the Great Spirit to get him delivered safely, unable to consider any other outcome.

The doctor settled in front of Bella and gave her some quick instructions, "Okay, I want you to pushreally hard with the next contraction. We need to get him out of there."

Bella started panicking. "Oh God, is he okay?"

Dr. Daniels spoke with a confidence that only came with experience, "Don't worry, I think he'll be just fine."

The next contraction was more intense. Even with the epidural, Bella felt some pain. She groaned and pushed as hard as she could; her legs trembled from the effort.

Tension filled the room when the monitor showed the heartbeat dropped even more.

Fear rushed through Jacob like a freight train, but he forced himself to remain calm.

Being able to hear what was going on from the waiting from, Quil and Embry were quietly freaking out. The arms of the chairs they sat in threatened to break off from the white-knuckled grip they exerted trying to stay in place.

The doctor took charge of the room. She had the forceps on hand, but wanted to give her patient one more chance. She knew Bella was exhausted, but the end was in sight. She spoke with conviction. "You're almost there." She looked at Jacob. "Help hold her legs and encourage her to push."

Jacob held one side while the nurse held the other and leaned in close to talk with his wife. For a minute it was as if they were the only ones in the room. "Bells, look at me." She looked at him with anxious eyes. She knew she was literally at the end of her rope and she was afraid for her baby, for Jake, and for herself.

Seeing how close to the edge she was, Jake knew he needed to help her with this part. His Bells never seemed to have enough faith in herself, but he had enough for both of them. He knew she trusted him and, usually, all he had to do was let her see it to make the difference for her. So that's what he did. Speaking in a low voice, he said, "You can do this. I know you can."

All thoughts of panic dissolved when she saw the trust in his eyes. The calming strength flowed from him. She would do anything humanly possible to protect their baby. Reminding herself that women were made for this, she gave him a small smile and said, "I know I can."

When the next contraction came, Dr. Daniels said, "Okay, I want a big push this time."

With determination, Bella gritted her teeth and pushed with all her might. Jacob said a Quileute prayer in his head as he encouraged her. The relief in the room was palpable when the first lusty cry filled the silence.

Shocked at being away from his warm comfortable environment, the baby screamed his displeasure. It was the most wonderful sound his parents had ever heard. The breath Jacob had been holding came rushing out in a massive expulsion of relief.

Embry and Quil jumped up and high-fived each other in the waiting room.

After quickly assessing the baby for signs of distress, Dr. Daniels picked up his little hand to wave it. "Hi Mom and Dad," she joked.

They laughed excitedly and reached down to touch the baby at the same time. Bella was captivated. He was the most amazing thing she'd ever seen. She couldn't have been happier he looked just like his father. He had Jacob's dark eyes as well as his glossy black hair, but she was most grateful for his full lips. His tiny features were perfect. He seemed to look right into her soul.

"Oh, Jacob," she marveled, "he's beautiful."

He was just as blown away as she was. His voice was thick with emotion as he agreed with her, "He sure is." He leaned down to breathe the baby's scent deep into his lungs. His wolf had risen close to the surface, reaching for him, and was inspecting every square inch of his cub. A deep contentment flooded both man and beast. The welcoming of their newborn son was monumental. They were lost in their own little world.

Dr. Daniels took in the intimate scene. The joy of first time parents never got old. It always warmed her heart to see the love they displayed. It was the best pay she ever received. After she tied the cord she asked, "Does Dad want to cut the cord?"

Jacob didn't hesitate. It was his first job as a father. "I sure do." He moved closer to the baby and tried to comfort him as he took the instrument from the doctor. The sound of his voice seemed to soothe his son. He whimpered a few times before quieting down and looking around to where Jacob was, almost as if he knew the voice he was searching for.

Bella was not surprised to see Jacob so eager. Her eyes glistened with tears as she watched him. His hands were shaking a little as he carefully cut the umbilical cord. He stared intently into the onyx eyes of his newborn son. The force of love he felt was so profound it almost hurt his chest.

Dr. Daniels laid the baby gently against Bella's chest. Unless sick, it was always her policy to place an infant skin to skin with its mother. Jacob joined in, touching the baby tenderly. The nurse assisted them while the doctor finished taking care of Bella.

While she worked, the doctor kept up a conversation. She asked, "Have you decided what you're going to name him?"

Bella proudly spoke up. "Yes, it's going to be William Charles. We're gonna call him Will."

Dr. Daniels was in full support of the strong name they'd chosen for their son. They talked for a few minutes while she worked. She told them she wanted to give them time to bond and try to breastfeed before taking him to the nursery.

As soon as she mentioned taking the baby, Bella started feeling panicked. Instinctively, she put her hands around her son. A tear fell down her face as she felt a wave of emotion. She kept quiet, but Jacob knew exactly how she was feeling.

They couldn't say, Vampires might be on their way to steal our baby. There was really no way of knowing if and when Aro would come back. Seeing where this was going, Jacob decided he'd better do something.

"Um... Doc, if it's alright with you, I want to go with him. We're sort of nervous about him being away from us right now." He knew it was an unusual request so he smiled and turned on the charm.

The doctor was taken aback by the request. The hospital didn't normally allow parents in the nursery. She replied, "We'll see."

Not to be deterred, Jacob responded, "It's important to me to go with him." He wasn't sure what he was going to do if she didn't allow it. One thing he knew for sure, he was going with his son no matter what. His wolf was growling at the thought of being away from his pup.

The supervisor tried to be the bad guy for the doctor. Thinking they might accept the news better from her, she said, "Dr. Daniels, it's against policy. We can't allow it."

The doctor glanced at Jacob's massive physique. It was easy to see the good natured young man was very powerful. There was an intensity about him she couldn't quite identify and his determination was clear. "I'm not telling him no."

Remembering that Chief Swan was his father in law, she quipped, "Let him go, but if he gets out of line, I'll just call the Chief." The look on his face made her want to giggle, but she kept her demeanor professional.

After going to the nursery, Jacob observed the nurse closely as she handled his screaming baby. His wolf was pissed. When he mentioned he thought she was being a little rough, she assured him she'd done this thousands of times.

Knowing babies weren't as delicate as he thought, he settled down and watched her capable hands care for his son. When the baby was clean, she dressed him in a little white t-shirt and diaper. She wrapped him tightly in a blanket and put him in the warmer. Content at last, the baby snuggled in and went to sleep.

...

Billy had been waiting at the nursery viewing window, hoping to see his grandson. He could see them taking care of the baby and was overcome with emotion and had to take several deep breaths when he felt his eyes mist. Seeing his son being a father brought back memories from when his own children were born. His chest filled with pride as he watched Jacob. Even at seventeen, it looked like he was going to be a natural.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Charlie approaching and was relieved he'd been able to keep his emotions in check.

Charlie put his hand on Billy's shoulder and they watched through the nursery window. He was thrilled to get his first glimpse of the baby. "How is he?"

Billy grinned up at his life-long friend before turning back to the window, "He seems fine from what I can tell."

They watched excitedly as the nurse wheeled him closer to the viewing window.

Jacob smiled and gave them a wave. Billy had never seen his son looking happier.

They admired their grandson and reminisced about the good old days when their children were born. After a few minutes, Billy noticed Charlie was being unusually quiet. He turned an inquisitive eye toward his friend. "Something wrong, Charlie?"

"I wanted to ask you something. It's been on my mind for a while. I know how you feel about your heritage." Charlie hesitated, a little unsure of exactly how to say it. "I'll just come out with it. I know as Chief of the tribe you might not be excited having your blood ahh… diluted by a white man's blood."

Billy was silent as he contemplated his words. "I would understand how some men from the tribe would feel that way." He turned his wheelchair a little so he could look directly at his best friend. "I can't think of anyone I would be more proud to mix my blood with, Quileute or otherwise." He reached to grip Charlie's arm tightly. "You're the best man I know. It's an honor."

Charlie knew they had a mutual admiration for each other, but was surprised. He'd never expected Billy to be so outspoken. A lump formed in his throat and all he could do was nod.

Billy could see the effect of his words. Their conversation didn't normally get so serious so he decided to put them back on even ground. He grinned and said, "Besides, did you see the baby?" He joked. "He looks like a carbon copy of Jacob." He patted his chest dramatically. "The Quileute blood is strong!" He laughed. "Hell, for all I know you might have some Quileute in your veins."

Charlie laughed wholeheartedly.

As soon as the Pediatrician examined the baby, he was taken to Bella's room, Jacob in tow the whole way. Knowing the pack needed to bond, Jake got his family settled and let them in to meet his son. The baby quickly became accustomed to their warmth and the wolves were very protective of their new pup. When his father or any of the pack held him in their arms, Will was happy. They stayed until Sam finally forced everyone to go home except for the ones assigned to patrol nearby.

After everyone left for the night, Jacob insisted Bella try to get some sleep. He promised her he would watch the baby and wake her as soon as he got hungry. After a nap, Bella woke up to a sight she hoped to never forget. Jacob was tenderly holding the sleeping baby in his arms as he sat in the recliner. He leaned down to kiss the baby on the head.

Her heart was so full as she watched the man she loved lean down to their child's head. She sighed in complete contentment as she watched the two guys in her life bond with each other. There was nothing more attractive than a big man taking care of a small infant. No one seeing the tenderness he exuded at this moment would believe how fierce a warrior her mate was.

He looked over and smiled when he realized she was awake.

"Jake?" Bella whispered. "When we were little, did you ever think we'd be doing this someday? Having a baby, I mean."

He took a moment to reflect. Even as a young child, his feelings for her were strong. He remembered telling his mother he was going to marry Bella someday. "I hoped so. I've always loved you." His voice was thick with emotion. "You've made me so happy."

Her eyes filled with tears as she felt the love flowing from him. It was powerful and unshakable. "I love you, too." She held out her arms. "I've loved you for a long time."

He was unable to stay away a moment longer. The need to touch her was too strong. He got up from the recliner and wrapped her in a warm embrace with the baby nestled in the other arm.

The three of them snuggled together in their own little world until the baby woke up starving. As Jacob helped her prepare to feed him, he looked down and joked, "I know you need to use Mom for milk right now, but I want to tell you something important." He raised his face to wink at Bella. "I'm okay with sharing her boobs with you right now. But don't forget, I'm sharing with you. They're mine, son."

Bella giggled and reached for the baby.

Sue came the next morning to assist in any way she could. While she was helping Bella take a shower, Jacob visited with Quil and Embry.

Quil soon became bored and started exploring the room. He rummaged through drawers and cabinets until he found a pack of what looked like huge Q-tips. He barely managed to keep a straight face when he stuck them up his nose and turned around, making a trumpet sound.

Embry shook his head. "Dude, you ain't right."

The two of them tried to stifle their laughs so they wouldn't wake up the baby, but it was hard when Quil was in such rare form.

Jacob went to get a drink from the vending machine down the hall. While he was there, he noticed a hospital volunteer delivering flowers. Seeing the beautiful bouquets for the new moms made him remember he hadn't bought any for Bella. He rushed back into the room.

"Guys, can you watch the baby for a few minutes while I run and get Bella some flowers?" Thankfully, there was a florist nearby. He wanted to choose the flowers himself, hoping they had Ookow. The flower, also called a Harvest Lily, was the first he'd given Bella soon after they'd fallen in love.

Embry and Quil exchanged looks. They were nervous being left alone with the baby, even if Bella and Sue were closeby in the next room.

Quil spoke up with false bravado, "Sure, Jake. No problem."

They watched him like a hawk while Jacob was gone. Neither one of them had taken care of a newborn before. For a while everything was perfect. Then, as if the fates were against them, the baby started kicking his legs. Soon he was grunting. They jumped up in alarm. Will looked like he was going to start screaming at any moment.

Hoping Bella would be finished soon, Embry took a deep breath and reached down to pick up the tiny bundle in his massive hands. How hard could it be? It's just a baby? He saw the angelic face turn beet red as he strained and grunted. Quil looked on in horror while Embry did his best to comfort the squirming infant.

Soon, it became obvious what all the grunting was about when he felt a little explosion under the tiny bottom he was holding.

Quil asked nervously, "Oh shit, what do we do?"

Before Embry could respond, Jacob came through the door with the flowers he'd bought. He grinned as he put them down. It was obvious his friends were in over their heads.

He reached for the whimpering baby, "Something wrong?"

Embry nodded. "Ahhh, yeah, I think he's got a dirty diaper."

Jacob raised his eyebrows and said, "Oh." He took the baby from Embry and cradled him against his chest. He didn't have much experience taking care of a baby either, but somehow it was different since this was his son.

He put the baby in the bassinet and soothed him in a low voice while gathering the supplies he would need. Inside he was apprehensive, but he didn't want them to know. Practicing with a doll in birthing class was different than reality. He felt like he was all thumbs.

Just when he'd pulled back the tape on the diaper, Bella came out of the bathroom. Jacob glanced her way, but he wanted to finish what he'd started. It was a pride thing. He wasn't going to be the type of father who wouldn't change a diaper. He was amazed the baby was being so cooperative. It gave his confidence a boost.

Bella immediately offered assistance. "Need some help, Jake?"

He lifted his gaze to meet hers and smiled. "Nah, I got it." He got several baby wipes and tried to clean him properly.

Quil came to stand beside him in a gesture of solidarity that quickly changed to revulsion when he caught a glimpse inside the diaper and gagged dramatically.

Everyone laughed at Quil's reaction, but not Jacob. His wolf was insulted and rose up inside in defense of his pup. He gave Quil a dark, menacing look before he could stop himself. Quil laughed and held up his hands as he backed away.

The next day, before Bella was discharged from the hospital, Charlie had one of the guys on the force with a certification in child safety install the infant car seat in Bella's car. He said he wasn't taking any chances with his grandchild. Most of the time new parents didn't install them correctly.

Nurses flooded the hallway when they were preparing to leave. With Sam, Embry, and Paul on hand to escort them home, Bella knew the nurses were taking advantage of their chance to see the hulking Quileutes before they left.

When they were almost ready, Billy presented them with a special gift. The pride was visible in his face. It was a handmade baby blanket of tribal colors.

Bella admiringly touched the fabric. The craftsmanship was unmistakable. She'd shopped for special blankets for the baby and hadn't seen anything that could compare. "It's beautiful! Where did this come from?"

Jacob put his arm around Bella's shoulder. "It was mine when I was born." He looked at his father. "Right, Dad?"

Billy responded, his voice hoarse, "Yes, son. My mother made it for you." Trying not to get too emotional, he concentrated on placing it around the baby, tucking it around his tiny legs.

Tears quickly filled Bella's eyes when the significance of the gift sunk in. "We'll treasure it… thank you so much."

Bending down, Jacob kissed her temple. When the tears fell down her face, Jacob wiped them away and wrapped his arms around her.

The baby decided to demand their attention. His small cries were like music to his grandfather's ears. Billy looked down at the adorable newborn and chuckled. "Let's get our boy home."

Jacob and Bella were going to stay with Billy for the first few weeks, with Sue coming by to help out with the baby. After that, they planned to stay with Charlie for a few weeks, with Renee coming to visit during a break in her husband's schedule.

A tribal celebration was planned to recognize the birth of a future chief. Welcoming a future chief into their world was a time honored tradition and was a big deal to the Elders. It hadn't been done since Jacob had been born and this particular birth was even more important to members of the pack and their imprints. They were welcoming a future Alpha into the pack. As Jacob's son, he would always be considered a member of the pack, even if he never phased.

Old Quil and Billy prepared the place for the ancient ceremony. The low-burning fire of cedar wood was prepared with sage and sweetgrass. The sweetgrass had been braided and dried by the two of them as soon as Bella had announced she was pregnant and the sacred plant was to be burned at the beginning of the ceremony.

The two men conferred with each other and, after making a few changes, they were satisfied everything was perfect. When the ceremony started, Old Quil smudged the baby's immediate family with sage for purity and fanned burning sweetgrass on them to attract good spirits and positive energies.

Old Quil spoke the formal words in Quileute with Billy repeating in English for Bella's benefit. "Bring William forth." He refused to use a nickname, even though everyone else was already calling the baby Will.

Jacob held his son in his arms as he and Bella approached. It was necessary for the baby to be naked in order to reap the full benefits from the Spirits so Jacob had undressed him just prior to the ceremony. Seriousness was etched on his face as he stretched his arms out and presented the future of the tribe in his hands. He allowed his wolf to come closer to the surface to share in the experience. He turned to look at his wife. Seeing the subtle change in his eyes brought Bella to tears. She looked on with a lump in her throat.

Billy regarded his son and grandson. His heart felt near to bursting.

Old Quil and Billy began chanting in ancient Quileute. The baby was fairly cooperative throughout the ceremony, only squirming a bit here and there.

When they were finished, Billy looked into the dark eyes of his grandson and remarked to himself, "He's got an old soul." He leaned over to kiss the baby's head before meeting his son's eyes.

Jacob beamed when he heard his father. In Billy Black's world, saying someone had an old soul was high praise.

Old Quil chucked. "Yes, he does." He raised his head to address the Tribe.

Speaking in a strong voice, he said, "I give to you, the mighty people of the Quileute, William Charles Black, son of Jacob Ephraim Black." He fanned some sweetgrass smoke over the baby. "He will converse with the Ancient Ones. May the Great Spirit guide you and be with you, child. May he give you the blessing of Kwalla, the mighty whale, and the great Taha Aki." His words were reverently spoken. "He brings honor to our people and he will be a great leader." He felt it deep inside, the words were absolutely true.

Jacob stood tall with his wife at his side. Having his son welcomed into the Tribe was a monumental experience. With the cheers of his tribe and pack echoing in his ears, he'd never been more proud to be a Quileute.

...

As Will grew, he developed an adorable personality. Like his parents, he did have a temper, but most of the time he was a pleasure to be around. Infectious laughter was a common thing in the Black household and the love of his parents for him and for each other were evident for all to see.

The grandfathers' rushed to spoil him and the pack was even worse. They thought of him as their baby. Leah was the most protective of "her little Pup". If anyone dared upset him, they felt her wrath. Jacob and Bella knew if they weren't careful they would have a spoiled rotten child on their hands.

A few months after he was born, Jacob and Bella were standing over his crib, watching him sleep. Being enthralled with him, it was something they did all the time.

As Jacob's gaze moved from his wife's shining eyes to his newborn baby's soft features, he was overcome with a deep gratitude for these two precious gifts that warmed him to his core. He'd never imagined how wonderful it would be to see the love of his life holding his entire world in the crook of her arms. Unable to resist the pull, he stroked his baby's hair as he leaned down to kiss his plump cheek. Glancing back up at Bella, his lips danced with a slow, sexy smile that made her heart skip a beat. "Just look what we made."

She placed a hand on his cheek. "I know. He's so… perfect, it's almost hard to believe."

Jacob felt like his heart was overflowing with the love he felt for both of them. He wanted to engulf himself in it. Words weren't adequate.

"He is perfect." He ran his hand down her side caressing her curves. He'd always thought she was beautiful, but since giving birth, she was even more beautiful to him.

"So are you." He moved his hand down to her hip, pressing himself against her. His eyes darkened in passion as he focused on her. Her breath quickened from his erotic touch when he moved her hair aside so he could kiss her neck. Jacob took his time, savoring her, slowly licking and sucking a sensual trail as he went. He threaded his hand into her hair, cradling her head in his hand, as his mouth took control of hers, kissing her. Thoroughly. Deeply. Until she was quivering from a tidal wave of desire.

He groaned as white-hot arousal hit him full force. Wrapping his arms around her, he immersed himself in her scent before pulling away to look at her.

Jacob grinned, his eyes full of mischief when he asked in a husky voice. "Wanna make another one?" He was teasing, but his wolf loved the idea.

Bella giggled. They'd talked about having a large family. It was something they both wanted, but it was way too soon for that.

Her arms slid up the massive expanse of his chest. He was such an amazing man. Strong and unwavering. "I do, but we better get our own place first. Our dads would kill us."

He leaned his head back and laughed heartily. "Sure, sure. Until then, we can just practice like hell."

Bella flushed just thinking about it. She took his hand and declared, "God, I love you." She got on the tip of her toes to wrap her arms around him as much as she could reach and laid her head against his chest.

Jacob held her close, then lifted her so she could wrap her legs around his waist. He closed his eyes and took a moment to savor the feeling of her love. It was deep and profound. Letting it fill his soul, he thought back to the first time she'd told him she loved him. It was right before he'd made love to her for the first time.

He'd been the one to say it first. She'd been the one to reply.

"I love you, too."

Then she'd held him tightly and spoke in a voice filled with longing. "I need to feel alive, Jake. Make me feel alive… please."

Jacob smiled as the memories flooded him as he held her. She'd asked him to make her feel alive, but she'd been the one to make him feel alive.

They'd shared a lifetime of love in their short time together. If he were to die tomorrow, he would know beyond any doubt she truly did love him. With her whole heart, she loved him.

Bella seemed to sense he was deep in thought. In the quiet, standing next to their sleeping baby, they just held each other. Cherishing each other.

When he took her face in his hand and lowered his gaze to hers, his eyes were glistening with unshed tears. He couldn't come up with words that did it justice, but he knew she understood the depth of his love.

"I love you too." He caressed her face. "It's you and me, Bells."

She looked at the extraordinary man who was her whole world and agreed. "Yes it is." She fought back tears of her own.

"Always."

A/N: This is the last chapter other than the Epilogue. Thank you so much for reading! It means a lot that you've stuck with me. I appreciate every one of you.

Tami