I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS FROM TWILIGHT. STEPHANIE MEYERS DOES SO THANK HER FOR THIS WONDERFUL WORLD OF VAMPIRES AND WEREWOLVES!
The Fog is Lifted
When we got to the clearing everyone else was already there practicing. Nessie went to visit with Bella and Esme while Rosalie and Alice trained off to the side. I stepped into the woods to phase so I could check on the packs progress.
How are they doing Sam? I asked.
Really well tonight. They seem to really be focusing on each others thoughts and ideas and working in unison. he answered.
Sorry about this morning. I thought to him.
Don't be. Did you get everything handled?
I tried not to let my thoughts stray but I slipped and heard several howls behinds us.
She swallowed! Don thought excitedly.
She is so hot Jake! I heard Kevin the loudest.
ENOUGH! Sam thought and all was silent.
I saw Edward out of the corner of my eye shaking his head vigorously.
I'm so sorry Edward. I thought sincerely.
He looked up and half smiled at me before running off into the woods. Bella and Nessie both noticed and looked at me. I hung my head in shame and Nessie put her hands over her face and shook her head. She knew what'd happened. Bella still look confused but I saw Nessie touch her hand. The look on Bella's face was priceless and she began laughing hysterically. Then she got up and followed Edward into the woods.
We trained until late into the night before sending the pack home with plans to train again in the morning. Sam and I had agreed to keep just two at a time on patrol close to the reservation and cut the time in half so everyone had time to rest. Nessie had fallen asleep in Bella's arms earlier in the night and had been taken back to the cottage.
I said my good-byes to the pack and told Sam I'd see him here in the morning. Then I ran to the cottage to see Nessie. Bella and Edward were sitting in the living room when I knocked quietly on the door.
"Come in Jake." Edward whispered. I entered the house, still preoccupied with the upcoming battle, and smiled at them.
"Hey, is Nessie in bed?" I asked absently.
"Yes Jacob she's in her room asleep. You're staying here tonight right?" Bella asked curiously.
"Um, yea if that's ok. I'd rather not wake her." I answered. I looked at my shoes nervously before speaking again.
"I'm sorry about earlier Edward." I stuttered. He sighed lightly.
"I understand Jacob the wedding is only a week away." he answered.
Have you had time to talk to Esme about the house plans? I thought.
"Yes I've given her the plans I saw in your head and she'll have some things drawn up soon for you to look at. We've already started clearing some of sites also." he whispered.
Thanks. I really appreciate it. I thought sincerely.
They both smiled at me as I headed to the bedroom. I stripped off my shirt and shoes so I could climb into bed with Nessie. She was sound asleep so I curled around her and kissed her head softly.
When I woke up the next morning I could feel her breath against my chest and wondered when she'd rolled over towards me. I ran my fingers through her hair and inhaled her scent. She moaned quietly and snuggled closer to me. I began to think about the training today and battle plans for the fight that was coming.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa Nessie!" I whispered quickly as I felt her begin to rub against me.
"We're in the cottage with your parents." I finished hurriedly.
"Oh crap!" she said.
Sorry Dad.
"Thank you." Edward called.
She giggled into my chest and replayed the scene from the clearing last night just before Edward took off into the woods. I moved her hand quickly off my chest and shook my head.
"Not here…please." I begged quietly. She giggled again.
"We're getting married in a week silly." she leaned up and kissed me.
"I know but it's not fair to your dad Ness." I hesitated.
She pulled back and looked into my eyes. I tried to smile and hide the fear that was there but she saw it. Her memories came quick and clear and I shuttered.
Each family members face when we found out the Volturi were coming for her six years ago with my face being the main focus.
My eyes as I tried to tell her it would be ok while we waited for them to arrive.
My eyes this morning.
The Volturi standing in the field in battle formation.
The pack coming out of the woods as the Volturi approached.
Her fear and uncertainty about what would happen.
Her fear about losing her family.
Her fear about losing one of the pack.
Her terror at the thought of losing me.
My eyes this morning again.
Her families scared faces the other night as we sat around the table discussing the upcoming attack.
Her fear of losing anyone she loved.
My eyes this morning again.
Her fathers response to Alice's vision about Bella.
Her terror at the thought of losing me.
My eyes this morning again.
The pack training last night.
The realization that some of the attackers would get away and possibly come back again someday.
My eyes this morning again.
Billy's words about a future attack we'd face with our children.
Suddenly it was too much for her and she began crying uncontrollably. I wrapped my arms around her and held her close to me. I couldn't speak, there were no words. I stroked her hair and let her cry.
I had to think about her now and where she'd be safe during the battle. The Volturi didn't know the Cullens were back but as soon as they did they'd be looking for Bella, Nessie and Alice. I hadn't even thought about this yet. I inhaled deeply trying not to let the fear overwhelm me. I couldn't live without Nessie but how do I protect her?
A quiet knock at the door brought me out of my reverie.
"Come in." I whispered.
Edward and Bella both walked into the room. He looked at me knowingly as Bella walked to the bed to take my place comforting Nessie. I leaned down and kissed her head. She looked up at me with terror filled eyes and my heart broke again.
"I need to go with your dad for awhile Ness. Stay here with your mom and call if you need me, I won't be far. I love you Renesmee, always and forever." I whispered into her ear and kissed her gently on the lips before climbing out of bed.
Bella quickly slid into my place and wrapped her arms around Nessie. I dressed and followed Edward out of the house.
"Why don't you call Sam and ask him if we can move the gathering tonight here to the big house. Tell him to have Emily and the others come here for the day to finish the food. That way we can keep Nessie close and she won't be alone." he said as we walked away from the cottage.
I nodded in agreement and grabbed my phone to make the call. I followed Edward in a haze while I talked with Sam not knowing or caring where we were going. I also asked Sam to come meet with us to discuss the battle in more detail.
When I hung up the phone and looked up we had entered the clearing. Edward had led us to an outcropping of rocks and I sat down and put my head in my hands. I felt his cold hand on my shoulder and I looked up at him.
I don't know what to do Edward. How do I protect them all? Especially Nessie. I can't send her to the reservation in case someone gets by us. I can't keep her anywhere near the battle in case we fail. We already know some of them will escape. Please help me.
"Jacob, you're doing a great job so far. You are a natural leader and things will work out." Edward tried to comfort me.
Suddenly it hit me.
"Yes! Why didn't we think of that before. They were coming anyway for the wedding. That would definitely give us the advantage."
"What are you so excited about Edward?" Jasper said as he, Emmett and Carlisle entered the clearing. Sam entered at the same time closer to us and nodded a greeting.
"Jacob may have just turned the tables on this fight. Carlisle can you call Eleazar and see if they can come early, explain the situation and ask for their help, again?" Edward said grinning from ear to ear. Carlisle immediately pulled out his phone and dialed.
"Yea! Good thinking Jake." Emmett enthused.
"We should have thought of that earlier." Jasper added smiling at me.
That still doesn't solve my problem of how to protect Nessie. I thought sadly.
"Yes it does Jake." Edward answered my thought. The others looked at us confused.
"Jake is worried about how to protect Nessie if their plan is to attack the reservation it won't be safe there if everyone is here battling." Edward explained.
Carlisle hung up the phone smiling.
"They'll be here in the morning." Carlisle said. Edward looked back at me.
"Okay now we have five more experienced fighters. So Jake you know the Denali clan and their powers, how do you want to use them?" Edward asked me.
I inhaled deeply trying to focus on the battle and let the Alpha in me take over. Then just like stepping out of a fog everything clicked in and became clear.
"Sam, Jasper could you please tell me who you would consider our eight best fighters not including Sam and myself." I nodded at them to discuss it among themselves while I continued.
"I'd like most of the Cullens to keep the positions I've already set for them. Carlisle and Rosalie working from the sides to help anyone injured. Edward, Emmett, Jasper and Alice fighting. Bella using her shield." I noticed Jasper and Sam had finished talking so I looked to them awaiting their answer.
"Paul, Quil, Embry, Seth, Eli, Nate, Collin and Joe. All of the others are very close in skill though because of the training." Jasper answered. Sam looked at me like he wanted to speak.
"Sam." I said nodding to him.
"Leah will be here by this afternoon. Seth spoke with her last night." Sam said flatly.
Leah had left the reservation six months after the confrontation with the Volturi. She checked in with her family regularly and was still trying to stop her phasing with not as much luck as she'd hoped.
"Thank you." I looked back to the group.
"Okay here's the run down. I want to leave Nessie on the reservation with the other women. So I would like Carmen, Esme, Eli, Brian and Leah to stay behind and protect the reservation in case anyone gets away from us." I scanned their faces as I continued.
"Bella will be guarded by Seth, Paul and Collin. Edward you and I will work together close by her just in case." He smiled and nodded as I continued.
"Jasper, I'd like you to work with Alice and Emmett you'll work with Quil." They both nodded in agreement.
"Sam I'd like you to work with Eleazar. I'll also pair up Kate and Garrett; Tanya and Joe; Embry, Jared and Brady; and Nate, Kevin, Ethan and Don. Does that cover everyone?" I asked looking around for confirmation. All heads nodded at me so I continued.
"Jasper I'd like to spend the rest of the training time working in our groups." I finished.
"That would be very beneficial. I'll help the groups individually that need it." Jasper replied.
"The main plan is still the same. Emmett will go with Jack to the clearing and await the arrival of our guests. Edward you and I will stay as far back as possible within your listening range so we can keep the others informed of what's going on." I looked for his acknowledgement. He nodded.
"Sam you'll be in the clearing with Quil, Jared, Embry, Brady, Joe, Nate, Kevin, Ethan and Don working on attack training. Since they'll be coming in from the north I want Bella, Seth, Paul and Collin at least ten yards into the tree line on the south." I said pointing that direction.
"Edward can Bella project her shield that far?" I asked hopefully.
"It shouldn't be a problem but I'll work with her to make sure." he replied still smiling at me.
"Are there any questions for now?" I asked looking around at them. Everyone shook their heads no.
"Sam when will Emily and the others be here?" I asked.
"In about an hour and a half. The pack is already on its way." he answered.
"I'm going to go relieve Bella so she can work with you for awhile, Edward. Sam can you explain things to the pack and Jasper to the women when they arrive?" I asked. They both nodded at me and I turned to go back to the cottage.
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