One Year Later
Leah grabbed the two diaper bags from the kitchen and began filling them with bottles, baby food, and diapers. She heard someone in the shower and considering Seth was still out on patrol with Tamyra, Tre and her mother were at their respective jobs, she could only assume the person currently cleansing themselves was her new step father. Chief Step-pops as Seth likes to call him. The newlyweds took to spending the night at each other's house. Leah knew her mother would probably end up selling the house and moving in with Charlie. Or she'd give it up to the pack to use. The house had become a little crowded so Leah took days to spend at Sam's. It had started mainly as a way to keep Leonard in a familiar place. With that thought in mind it became exceptionally easier to accept the fact that the house belonged to her dead cousin and ex boyfriend. With the haven operation having started up, the house was also put to good use for incoming shape shifters who needed lodging. Tamyra had fallen in love with playing the role of hostess to the stragglers. Leah turned when the back door opened and in walked said female.
"Hey Leah," Tamyra observed what Leah was doing and opened a cupboard to pull out more baby food. "You know Leo might be going through a growth spurt, he's been eating a lot lately." Leah agreed and stuffed the extra food into one of the bags. "We got another newcomer today." She leaned against the counter.
"Oh really?" Leah asked as she pulled out an unopened packet of pacifiers from a drawer. "What's their status?"
"A girl. She found out she was adopted. Got angry and phased in front of her parents." Tamyra explained.
"Runaway or disowned?" Leah asked without looking at Tamyra.
"Not sure yet. She's not opening up much. Although Solomon has taken a liking to her already-"
"Imprint?" Leah asked quickly.
"Don't think so. He said he finds her socially intriguing," That kid's such a nerd." I think he just finds her cute." Tamyra giggled at the end of her statement. Leah rolled her eyes realizing the girl was in one of those moods. She acts so much more like a girl now, it's sickening.
"What's her shift?" Leah inquired as she zipped up the bags.
"Eagle."
"How patriotic." Leah said unenthusiastically. Tamyra agreed. The two sat in silence for a few moments. Leah glanced at the other girl who was off in her own world and without even listening to her thoughts could tell that she was probably thinking about Seth. "Are there enough supplies at the house for her?" This snapped the other woman out of her thoughts.
"Yeah but I think we need to stock up on toiletries. We're low from when the beaver triplets stayed." Leah laughed remembering the three teenage boys that had spent 3 months in LaPush under the care of the tribe. They had been incredibly short, only about 4'7" each but their big personalities more than made up for their stature. They got it in their heads at some point that Leah would date one of them if they were taller so they had decided to team up to woo her. Often times they would try to stand on different platforms or even each other to be able to look her in the eye when they spoke. When the panther pack had come across a beaver tribe they sent back for the three with the offering of a new clan to belong to permanently. They'd accepted only after Leah promised to look them up every once in awhile.
"I'll call Tre and have him get some things on his way back from work." Leah concluded. Tamyra hesitated.
"Actually, maybe one of us should go since the girl will need to get some feminine products as well." Why Tamyra was speaking in code when it was just the two of them within earshot, Leah had no idea. Then she got an ingenious plan.
"Don't worry, I'll still get your pansy brother to go to the store and get that stuff too." Tamyra tried not to laugh while Leah grinned.
"You're so evil." Tamyra said as she pushed away from the counter and headed for the door. "I'm off, need to check on our new guest, get in touch with Embry and relieve Seth from patrolling. See you tonight." She waved over her shoulder as she exited. Leah just grunted an affirmation. She'd spent all morning getting ready for the evenings activities. With the final task being to just get the baby stuff together then making the phone call to Tre, she would have a few hours to herself. Charlie had finished his shower and was making his way down the steps when Leah dialed Tre at work.
"Forks Police Department." The deep voice said on the other line almost causing a shiver to go down Leah's spine. She scoffed into the phone.
"I bet the Chief wouldn't be so appreciative of you answering his phones with so little enthusiasm." At this statement Charlie's head popped up from fastening his badge on his uniform. He peered over at Leah holding the phone.
"You tell that assistant of mine he better be chipper when I come in for work in 30 minutes." Leah laughed at Charlie's threat and Tre's comeback.
"Oh no, I'm shivering in my boots." Tre said sarcastically.
"Hey Chief, he says he's-"
"No Leah don't-"
"-shivering in his boots. And he wants you to bring it old man." Leah loved getting the guy in trouble. Charlie feigned anger.
"That's it! He's working a double shift tomorrow." Charlie even threw in the infamous finger wag. Tre heard him and huffed in agitation. Charlie flashed his step daughter a smile unseen by the grumbling alpha on the phone. He grabbed a waffle from the toaster and poured himself a glass of milk. "I'm off to work Leah. If you see your mother, tell her don't forget about tonight." He left and Leah cringed at his request.
"Did he just say what I think he said?" Leah almost forgot Tre was still on the phone listening.
"I don't even want to think about it." She moved to the refrigerator. "Enough chit-chat. I called because we need supplies." Leah listed off the toiletries and food products needed at the haven house and at the Clearwater house. "And you'll need to buy pads. And tampons. Lots and lots of-" Her statement was cut off by more of Tre's grumbling.
"Leah why do I have to get-"
"Because I said so." She stated cutting him off. "And because I have stuff to do for tonight." She lied, knowing she was finished with her preparation. He didn't respond, just sighed.
"Anything for my Lassie." Leah sucked her teeth loudly at the teasing pet name he'd developed for her. "Is that all I need to get?"
"Yeah, kitten, that's all." Tre didn't respond immediately. "What?"
"Leah Leah Leah," he said in a disappointed tone. Leah could almost imagine his head shaking in disapproval. "We really need to work on your come backs. I mean Paul gets better insults than I do."
"Well if you'd try being more of an ignorant doofus maybe you'd get me angry enough to warrant a worthy tongue lashing." Leah suggested. "Besides, Seth is the creative one. Have him insult you." Leah heard the other chuckle.
"Ah Seth…" Leah swore she could hear his pride swelling "that boy is a genius you know." Leah rolled her eyes so hard it almost gave her a headache.
"I know."She barked. She knew ever since she'd admitted that to Seth, he and every other person in the pack wouldn't let her live it down. "God, don't you have work to do? Charlie already left."
"Crap!" Leah laughed when she heard the panic in Tre's voice. "I'll get the stuff. See ya later babe-"
"Don't call me babe." She said quickly.
"Sorry, right, it slipped." Leah forgave him quickly for the slip and they hung up. He'd started calling her that once she warmed up to his almost constant presence. At first she thought it was his way of being smooth but Tamyra explained that it was a term of endearment he had used for years with any female friends or loved ones that were his age or younger. Leah understood but was still skeptical of his use of it with her. Nothing to get too worked up over…I hope. Leah went to lounge on the couch in her living room. It wasn't often that she got the house to herself or anytime for that matter. Brady and Collin were on a play date with the babies and Leonard was with Kim. She contemplated being productive but instead she just reflected on her life for the past few years. She thought about the time she'd spoke with Jacob and how he'd become a staunch believer in everything happening for a reason no matter how small. She found that she was starting to understand his views. She sighed. It's been a rough slope but everything finally seems to be looking up. With that thought she promptly drifted off to sleep.
The blaze burned, lighting against the midnight sky. After Sam's death, there had been a large bonfire held. Most of LaPush turned out for the memorial even those not in on the secret. But tonight there was only a small group gathered in remembrance. Paul, Jared and their respective wives had already gone home for the night. Tenia left soon after them saying she had a tough exam in the morning. Jacob sat next to his friend and brother Embry as they laughed remembering times from high school. The strain between the packs had ceased once Jacob and Embry came to terms with their future duties. Across from them sat the newly engaged couple Seth and Tamyra who were currently playing with 14 month old Sahara as she sat on Tamyra's lap. Laughter filled the air as Tre began bouncing the toddler Leonard on his knee, while Leah attempted to tickle a wailing Emileah.
"Lee, stop scaring the kids." Jacob joked. Everyone laughed as Collin popped up from his seat next to Brady and Quil. He shyly held out his hands to request the child in Leah's arms. After a few moments of scowling she consented but it turned to a smile when Collin effectively soothed his baby imprint.
"I'd make a pedo joke right now but it'd just make me angrier." Leah joked causing another wave of laughter. Suddenly Jacob rose to his feet and cleared his throat.
"I have news. The Cullens have decided that it's time to move on from Forks and they've asked me to accompany them." Jacob needlessly paused for dramatic effect.
"And?" Embry asked urging him to continue.
"I've agreed to move with them in order to stay near Nessie." Jacob finished. He started to sit just as Quil spoke up.
"Well I guess that means the vamp-cat pack is gonna be minus one alpha."
"Actually Quil, the cat side of the vamp-cat pack is gonna be moving on as well." Seth corrected. Quil stared at him. Leah decided to elaborate.
"Yeah Quil, I'm going to completely accept my role as alpha female," Leah didn't realize how her hand went to lightly touch Tre's shoulder in acknowledgement. "-and our group is going to do some traveling and research involving the other shape shifting packs. We're going to help form the policing force with the panther pack." Quil's stare turned to Leah. Her hand had left its position and her interest in Quil's reaction caused her to miss the adoring gaze on her profile.
"You mean I won't be able to hear whiny Seth in my thoughts anymore?" Quil complained. Seth let out an indignant 'Hey!' at his friend's comment. "You Clearwaters sure do have a thing for underdog packs." Jacob caught on to the insult and echoed Seth's previous reaction.
"Actually you won't hear us either," Brady added, "Collin and I are following our imprints. We're joining the cat pack." Collin finally looked up from the girl in his arms at the sound of his name. At this point Quil's jaw dropped and his stare was jumping from person to person around the circle. They all looked at him anxious for his response.
"Wait wait wait! You're all leaving me?!" The expressions all turned to a mix of sympathy and amusement."You can't! I mean, Leah you have babies! And Seth and Myra has a kid too! You can't be nomads with babies!" He stressed 'babies'. No one bothered to tell him that they'd already discussed adapting to moving around with the young members. Suddenly Embry jumped to his feet.
"Well now's as good a time as any," Quil looked up at Embry's approach. Embry took a deep breath before digging in his pockets. He pulled something out just as he dropped to one knee in front of Quil whose eyes seemed to get as big as his open mouth."Will you be my beta?" Embry asked just as he flipped open an empty jewelry box. Quil broke out into a grin as everyone doubled over in laughter.
"Your face was priceless." Jacob managed to get out between his asphyxiating laughter. The laughter only continued as Quil jumped into Embry's unsuspecting arms. Embry ran off carrying Quil bridal style towards the beach as Quil yelled,
"I'm the happiest man alive!" Embry made it to the ocean, and dumped his new beta into the water effectively silencing him for the moment before he came up for air and the two wrestled each other in the water. Jacob looked over to make sure they weren't getting too violent. He shook his head in amusement.
"Guess you were always more of a lone wolf hey Jake?" Leah asked him. He met her gaze and just smirked. Tamyra was the only one who realized that everyone was being left out of the pair's silent inside joke though she didn't comment on it.
"So who wants more s'mores?" Jacob asked to the remaining circle. Seth leaned over and grabbed a stick and five marshmallows.
"I do!" He held the gooey masses into the fire. As soon as they were nicely burnt though, Collin and Brady stole them and ran. Seth yelled then chased them. That left Jacob holding a newly wailing Emileah.
"Hey get your kid Lee-ow." In her crying, she'd flung out her fists and smacked Jacob in the face. Everyone laughed as Jacob was continually battered by the strong toddler. "Like mother like daughter." He said as he passed the baby back to Leah. She smirked and thought she saw the girl match her expression when she instantly stopped crying in her mother's arms. Leah reveled in the laughter of her friends and family, knowing that despite the physical distance, nothing could truly keep them apart. The warmth from the fire added to the warmth that had settled in her stomach. Despite the changes and obstacles that had come and were yet to arise, she was able to smile because of the journey. For the first time in a long time she was content. She took in a deep breath admiring the scent of forest, sea, and wood. She exhaled and looked up. The flames burned through the night as the protectors enjoyed every last flicker of light.
End Book Three