Chapter 36
After Hailey had left, Leah suggested she bring the children home, but the children insisted they wanted to stay. The Cullens were too happy to let them. Edward was going to bring Renesmee to the house the next day to make Apple Jams anyway. He would be going with his cart to carry all the apples the tribe had gathered thus far and several were already planning to join Renesmee and assist with jam making, eager to see how it's done and, of course, be the first to taste the final products. They'd not had any since Renesmee had been brought to the village and only a select few had been able to try it. Leah eventually agreed to stay the night and played Gin with Emmett, Jasper, and the children: a game they had very recently taught her to play. That and poker. She much preferred poker. Eventually, the children were too tired to keep playing and they all fell asleep against one another, Kevin being the last one to fall asleep. Emmett and Jasper got the children upstairs in Edward's and Bella's bed and escorted Leah to Alice's and Japer's bed next door.
The next morning, she awoke to the smell of bread baking, but she refused to leave the bed. She was too comfortable. She didn't leave the bed until Aidetzi ran into her room, the boys following closely behind, and jumped onto the bed, more climbing onto than jumping, and urged Leah to wake up.
"Leah, Leah! Granny Esme made breakfast!" Aidetzi gently pushed and shoved at Leah until she groaned and turned onto her back and opened her eyes.
"Up bright and early as always I see," she mumbled.
"Granny Esme showed us how to make bread," Kevin smiled. "She let us knead the dough too!"
"Well, that's exciting," Leah mumbled as she pushed herself up to sit. "So is it just bread?"
"It's bread and apples!" Embry said.
"She even baked the apples," Kyle said excitedly. "And she has stuff called Maple Syrup. It's really tasty."
"I'm sure it is," Leah said. "Alright, I'll be down in a minute." As they left, Leah grabbed Aidetzi and Embry. "You two stay put. I need to talk to you."
"Aidie did it," Embry jumped to conclusions. Aidetzi leered at Embry and pushed him.
"I didn't do anything! You're the one in trouble, not me!"
"Neither of you are in trouble," Leah said. "I just wanted to talk to you about yesterday."
"You mean when you were hugging Mr. Dauer?" Embry asked.
"Yes!" Leah said. "Yes, that. You see, I need to explain-"
"Grandpa Edward already said, 'this is grownup stuff. You don't poke nose into grown up stuff,'" Aidetzi explained. "We promise not to tell."
"He said if we don't tell, he'll tell us where all the Easter eggs are hidden next year! We'll be able to get all the candy!"
"Oh," Leah said. "So you won't say anything? You know if you do, then you won't get any candy," Leah said, attempting to scold them a little and they both shook their head.
"We won't say anything," Aidetzi beamed. "So do you like Mr. Dauer?"
"Pardon?"
"Do you like him?" Aidetzi asked. "Is he your best friend? Like mommy and daddy?"
"Oh," Leah said, starting to blush, "No, Aidie…like Grandpa Edward said, it's a grownup matter. You wouldn't understand. Just remember not to tell anyone about this and he'll help you cheat and find the eggs next year."
"Yay!" Aidetzi yelled and left the room, Embry following close behind. Leah finally got out of the bed and meandered down the stairs to the kitchen. Edward had already left that morning to go get Renesmee, the apples and anyone else that wanted to come. The children were surrounding Esme like cats demanding their food while she toasted the bread she just made.
"Good morning, Leah," Esme smiled when Leah walked in. "How did you sleep?"
"Better than ever," she said. "Your beds are very comfortable."
"I'm glad you slept well, dear," Esme said. "The apples are almost ready, so why don't you have some toast and hash browns. Would you like any coffee?"
"Just the food and water," Leah said, taking a seat at the large island in the kitchen atop a bar stool and watched Esme cook with the children swarming her. "Crowding her won't make the food cook any fast," Leah said.
"It smells done," Kevin said.
"It might smell done, but that doesn't mean it is," Leah said. "Come here and sit down. You need to wait patiently or you won't get breakfast at all."
"Leah!" Kevin said, and then he looked at Esme. "Don't listen, Grandma, she's just grumpy!" Esme giggled and patted Kevin's head.
"She's right, dear. You all need to be patient. Go take a seat at the table and breakfast will be ready in just a minute." The children finally listened and went to the kitchen table and waited for Esme to finish making breakfast. Leah laughed.
"You'd think they haven't eaten in days," Leah said.
"Sometimes, Leah, when one's needs are simple, it's easy to get impatient." Esme finished the toasted bread and spread the nut butter on top for all but Leah. "Did you want some nut butter, Leah?"
"Sure," Leah said. Esme spread the last slices of toast with nut butter and put a baked apple on each plate and filled five glasses with water. With some assistance from Leah, she got all the plates served and the children finally calmed and started eating their breakfast. Leah took a bite of the toast first. "That butter is delicious."
"Thank you," Esme smiled. "It's peanuts and hazelnuts. I thought the children would like something different."
"I'm sure they love it." Leah looked over her shoulder at the children. "Grandma Esme made you breakfast. What do you say?"
"Thank you!" they all said, their mouths full with toast and apple. Leah and Esme smiled.
"Don't talk with your mouths full, dears," Esme said. She looked at Leah again. "So how was Mr. Dauer? I didn't get a chance to talk to him after the surgery."
"He was fine," Leah said. "Just sore."
"Carlisle said that will pass soon enough," Esme said.
"Please don't tell anyone," Leah blurted out. "I already feel bad keeping this from my aunt. When she does find out, I want it to be from me."
"Of course," Esme said. "Don't worry, all our lips are sealed. But just know, the sooner you tell her the better."
"I know," Leah mumbled, taking another bite of her toast. "I just don't want her to be angry. I know she'll assume the worst when I tell her and I don't know how to make sure she doesn't."
"You just have to explain what makes Mr. Dauer different," Esme said.
"What do you know of him? Has Edward said much?"
"Not terribly," Esme said. "He's expressed he's crass and was not very nice to Aidie, but that he's extremely talented with fixing watches and speaks fluent German."
"That sounds like him," Leah smiled fondly.
"He also says he's quite taken with you."
"I know," Leah said.
"Do you suppose you'll marry him if your aunt and uncle approve?" Leah laughed condescendingly, though not towards Esme.
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to laugh that way. I just wouldn't count on the two of us marrying."
"Why ever not?"
"Plenty of reasons," Leah said. "Even if Sara and William let the two of us be together, I doubt Hailey's family would approve."
"I was under the impression Mitch liked you."
"Mitch isn't who I'm worried about. It's his mother."
"His mother?"
"Well," Leah sighed. "I'm basing this off what Hailey's told me, but I doubt the woman would like me very much. I suspect she wants him to marry a good Christian woman that's white."
"You mean a W.A.S.P?" Esme laughed a little.
"A wasp?"
"White Anglo-Saxon Protestant," Esme said.
"I think he said his mother is Baptist, but that's beyond the point."
"Well, you're half white and the white you are qualifies as Anglo-Saxon. You're German after all."
"Only half, though," Leah grimaced.
"I wouldn't worry so much about it, Leah. If he loves you, than he'd marry you with or without Mrs. Dauer's approval. Not that such a thing is advisable, but then, if she's not here, she can't much complain about it."
"He also hasn't told her he's never having children," Leah said.
"Oh," Esme said awkwardly. "I assume she wants him to have children?"
"She's nagging him about it," Leah said. "He tells me she writes to Mitch complaining that he couldn't possibly have not met a nice girl here to marry and have children with."
"But he has," Esme said. "Well, someone to marry at least."
"We aren't getting married, Esme," Leah sighed. "No need to dwell on it."
"Not even in your tribe's traditions?" Leah huffed. "I'm serious, Leah. After all, Renesmee and Jacob were able to marry, were they not?"
"Renesmee is Jacob's imprint. He was ready to leave the tribe for her if needed. I have no such backing. I'm a 'young girl' that's being 'taken advantage of' just like mom was."
"You're not one to be 'taken advantage of'," Esme said frankly. "You're too vicious for that." Leah started laughed and Esme laughed too.
"Well, I'm happy you think so." Esme patted Leah, her hand rock hard and cold but it was comforting all the same. So was her kind smile and her golden eyes.
"It'll all work out, Leah. I know it will." Leah smiled at Esme and went back to eating her breakfast.
After they were done eating, Edward returned with several baskets of apples, Renesmee and Caevia sitting up front with Edward, Jacob and Embry jogging beside them, and several other people following behind either sitting on the cart or running behind the cart. Some took turns riding the cart while others would ride the horse part of the way. Regardless, 30 people followed behind to help with the apples, Sara included. They all helped get the large baskets situated outside so they could be peeled first and foremost. Esme got to work on getting buckets of lemon water ready to keep the apples in so they wouldn't brown.
"Where is everyone?" Renesmee asked when they arrived and Esme was the only member of the household helping.
"They're hunting," Edward said. "They'll be back in the next hour or so I would imagine." Renesmee was about to take one of the baskets, but Edward stopped and took it from her. "No, Renesmee, you're in no position for heavy lifting." Renesmee sighed and allowed Edward to take the basket from her. Leah came out to help Esme with the lemon water, cutting all the lemons and then squeezing them into the water that was ready. Caevia and Renesmee went to help her with that. Jacob, looking inside, noticed the children were playing rather than helping, so he went inside to reprimand them.
"Kevin, Kyle," Jacob said. "Come outside and help with the apples. That goes for you too," he said to Embry and Aidetzi. They followed Jacob outside and were tasked by Esme with stirring the water with the lemon to make sure it was evenly mixed.
Esme and Edward arranged the baskets of water and apples evenly against the porch so all in attendance could sit comfortably and peel apples. They each hand their own knives with which to peel the skins. Esme also grabbed chairs from inside for those that could not get a seat on the porch. The children were not allowed to assist with the peeling part. They were, instead, tasked with making sure all the apples were placed in the water. When the rest of the Cullen family returned from their hunting trip, they assisted with the apples that remained. With everyone helping, all the apples were ready in less than an hour.
"How many mason jars did you get, daddy?" Renesmee asked once all the apples were peeled.
"I bought 100 from the general store in town and I went up to Port Angeles to buy about 200 more. I got 200 more from Seattle."
"500 jars should be plenty," Renesmee said, looking at the apparently miles of apples she was looking at.
"I bought two larger jugs so we could make apple juice," Edward said. "I even got you a press for it."
"Add that to the list of things to do," Renesmee smiled. "Maybe you could show the children how to use it and they can work on that."
"I'll get them to work on that," Edward smiled and grabbed the children so they could start working on apple juice. Jacob came to her and gave her a quick kiss.
"Do you suppose we'll be able to eat all this?"
"Whatever we don't eat we can always arrange to sell to the Meat Monger. I'm sure he'd be able to make a small fortune off this."
"Eh," Jacob said. "He already leeches off us for salmon. Probably best not to give him another source of blood to suck."
"Don't be so mean, Jacob," Renesmee smiled.
"I'm only speaking plainly," Jacob said. While the apples were sitting, Esme, Renesmee and Bella worked on getting the mason jars warm. Edward had also procured an enormous tub that they filled with boiling water. Only the jars being used for jam would be submerged. The ones set aside for apple butter would not be. Caevia led a clutch of people in making the apple butters, which was the simpler of the two. Renesmee showed them how much of each spice to put into the pot with the apples once they were cored, mashed, and placed in the pot, and let Caevia know how long it would need to cook once the apples were brought to a simmer.
"I remember when you'd made this before," Jacob said to Renesmee while the two of them were mashing apples for the jam. For one recipe, Rosalie was cutting the apples into little cubes for more texture. "Quil and I had been waiting outside for days when this smell came out. He'd said he wanted to ensure we took whatever you were making."
"I remember," Renesmee smiled. "You did scare me to death, I will say." Jacob smiled.
"I'm sorry about that," he said.
"You dropped me on my head too as I recall," Renesmee teased.
"You brought that on yourself. You bit me, remember," Jacob teased right back.
"All things considered, you're lucky I only bit you." Renesmee and Jacob shared a gentle laugh. "Was that really 5 years ago?" Renesmee asked. "Sometimes, it seems like it was yesterday."
"Is that how long it's been?" Jacob asked.
"Yes," Renesmee said. "You brought me to the tribe early Fall 1902. I think it was September if I remember correctly. Daddy?" Renesmee looked at Edward.
"Today's Monday November 18th 1907," Edward replied, "which means Thanksgiving's next week on the 28th. So bring some more apples tomorrow so we can make pies."
"Yes," Jacob said, suddenly remembering that. "Make that too. I never got to eat that." Renesmee nodded.
"So yes, it's been five years," Renesmee said. "Kevin and Embry will be turning four by the time Caevia and I have the new babies, Kyle and Aidie will be three."
"Why do you say that so solemnly," Jacob teased.
"They just grew up too fast," Renesmee said. "That's all." Jacob smiled and gave her a kiss as he continued assisting with crushing the apples.
From there, once all the apples to be jammed were crushed, several pots were arranged and several different fire pits and stoves all over the house and outside to cook the apples accordingly. There were at least 17 different pots going and all were divided by whether they would be jam or apple butter. The apple butter was completed first and once it was, everyone that had worked on it began to put the butter in mason jars. The whole process with the butters, the jams and the apple juice the children helped with took the entire day. By the end, everyone was exhausted. The Cullens, of course, offered beds and places to sleep to anyone that wanted to stay the night and rest. They were also promised toast with the butters and jams they'd just slaved over spread on top. They would even have apple juice from the three jugs of it that remained after Kevin and Embry stole a bottle and started drinking it straight from the bottle between the two of them. Some would spill on the two of them and by the end of the day they were sticky from apple juice drying on their skin and clothes. Renesmee drew a bath for the two of them as well as Kyle and Aidie before it was their bedtime after giving Jacob a kiss goodbye so he could patrol the village.
"Mommy, did you see all the juice we made?" Kevin asked while Renesmee scrubbed the dried juice off his chin.
"Yes, honey, I did. I also saw that two very naughty little boys drank a bottle all for themselves and didn't share any," Renesmee teased.
"I heard that too," Caevia said, also scrubbing dried juice off Embry. "Perhaps since they got to have a whole bottle they might go without tomorrow for breakfast."
"Mommy, that's not fair!" Embry whined and Aidie giggled, splashing water on her brother.
"Ha, ha," Aidie taunted, still most unhappy that he'd refused to share any juice with her earlier that day.
"Don't tease, Aidetzi. You tried having some yourself as I recall."
"But Embry not give me any."
"It still counts, baby," Caevia said.
"Na ah," Aidie said, shaking her head.
"A huh," Caevia said as she giggled. Then Aidetzi began to pout and looked like she might cry.
"Can I have juice?" Kyle asked. "I didn't take any."
"Yes, Kyle, you can have juice in the morning," Renesmee smiled and kissed Kyle on the head.
"I didn't take any either," Aidetzi pouted. "I want juice too."
"Calm yourself, Aidie. You can have juice in the morning. You all can," Caevia said. Aidetzi stopped pouting, but she looked at Caevia a little warily. For a moment, she wished daddy were there. Just one look from her little puppy-dog eyes and she'd get a whole bottle to herself if she wanted one.
"But, Kevin, Embry, the two of you need to remember to share," Renesmee said to the boys sternly. "All four of you helped make that apple juice so you all deserve a little of it."
Embry harrumphed and crossed his arms while Aidie giggled and poked him. After their bath, they were all tucked into a bed and Renesmee and Caevia shared a bed in the next room. Caevia practically fell onto the bed with a loud thump and an exhausted moan.
"I'm exhausted," Caevia said.
"Me too," Renesmee said. "My feet are killing me. I've been standing all day."
"I've been sitting most of the day and my feet are still killing me," Caevia said. "3 or 4 months into pregnancy and already I feel swollen to hell."
"Me too," Renesmee replied, taking a seat on the bed next to Caevia. "I can already feel the baby moving."
"So can I!" Caevia said. "I've never felt any of my babies this early. "This baby seems to be moving constantly it feels like. And there's so much kicking."
"I feel kicking, but it's only here," Renesmee said, placing a hand just under her left ribcage and rubbing the spot. When she touched there, she felt the kick. "And there's the baby," Renesmee laughed. "Do you think it's a girl?"
"I know it's a girl. You've had two boys. It's time for you to have a girl," Caevia said. "I'm certain I'm having a girl again too. This baby is starting to carry a lot like Aidetzi did. And she's a little terror just like Aidetzi." Renesmee giggled.
"Do you think Aidie will be upset when you have a girl and she's not the only daddy's little girl?"
"She'll get used to it," Caevia smiled. "Right now, she wants it to be a girl because she wants someone to play with. Embry's far more interesting in playing with Kevin most of the time. And the two of them bicker so."
"I know," Renesmee laughed again. "I wouldn't worry about it, though. They bicker now, but those two would be nothing without each other. You just watch: by the time they're grown, they'll be the best of friends."
"Sooner rather than later I hope," Caevia said. "I need the peace and quiet."
"You and me both," Renesmee sighed. "Are you still planning on 5?"
"Yes," Caevia said. "But there will not be another one for a while yet. We have time. I think a 2 year break after this pregnancy will suit me nicely."
"I hope this is a girl. I don't know if I can handle another pregnancy. It's so trying."
"It's worth it, though," Caevia said fondly. She sighed a little, becoming a little sad. "If I'd been allowed to keep my children, this would be my eighth. It's strange to say that out loud."
"Have you ever told Embry and Aidie about your other pregnancies?"
"I've mentioned it," Caevia nodded. "When we'd announced we were both pregnant, little Embry said he was excited and told Aidie 'this is mommy's third baby'. They'd been practicing numbers with your father that day, remember?"
"I do," Renesmee smiled.
"Well, I had to tell him that wasn't correct and that this would be mommy's eighth."
"Did you tell them the whole story?"
"No," Caevia said adamantly. "They don't need to know all that. I just told them I'd lost the others and Embry made the two of them drop the matter when they pressed."
"They didn't mean to upset you of course."
"I know," Caevia said. "I wish I could have held my children at least."
"Would that not have been worse? To hold them only to have them forced away from you? Just the thought hurts."
"I suppose," Caevia answered. "How long ago was it that I was brought to you?"
"It would've been about 44 years ago I think. No, 43. I was two when you came to live with us."
"I've had three masters before that," Caevia began to think. "The man that gave me to you had me for about five years if I remember. My previous master had kept me for 20. My master before that had kept me for 1 year. His wife was not fond of me as I recall. And if your father is right about my age, and the age I had my children, they'd be between 76 and 70. Am I really so old?"
"I just turned 46, Caevia," Renesmee teased. "We're both old women here."
"46 does not compare to an estimated age of 90, Renesmee. I'm at least 44 years older than you."
"Oh dear," Renesmee said. "It really does sound old when you say it so bluntly. But there's no need to fret, Caevia. Even at your decrepit old age, you were able to marry a man estimated to be 18. At least, when the two of you married."
"He would've been about 19. He's a little older than Jacob."
"Ah, yes, you're right."
"And for the record, young lady," Caevia said as she made herself sit up on the bed, "I am most certainly not decrepit. 90 or not, I could still throw you over my knee and spank you." Renesmee and Caevia started laughing and fell onto the bed together as they laughed. Suddenly, the two of them noticed kicking again. "I think I disturbed the baby," Caevia said with a smile, placing her hands on her protruding belly.
"Me too," Renesmee said, doing the same. "I think we might have gotten too loud for them."
"Well, they're barking up the wrong tree. I've had nothing but 'too loud' in the past four years so I'm not terribly sympathetic."
"For shame, Caevia," Renesmee said and the two of them laughed again.
"So have you and Jacob talked more about the sterilizing thing?"
"Not really. After we agreed a girl would be our last, we haven't discussed it much since. We just came to an agreement that, if this is another boy we will try again and, if it's a girl, one of us will seek out treatment from Uncle Carlisle. I hear Mr. Dauer had Carlisle do a vasectomy on him yesterday in fact."
"You mean the German Meat Monger right?"
"Yes, him."
"How was it?"
"I don't know. I haven't asked much about it and Leah would never admit that she saw Mr. Dauer. The whole house knows about it by now, though. And they would never say anything."
"Not even Bella? She and Sara have really bonded. I can't imagine she wouldn't tell her."
"Mom knows to stay removed from the matter. It's something Leah needs to bring up herself. It would cause the least conflict."
"At least there's no fear of a love child, now," Caevia said. Renesmee laughed just a little and nodded.
"Indeed."
"If Mr. Dauer gives the procedure a good review, do you suppose Jacob will go through with it in your stead?"
"It's hard to say," Renesmee said. "He wasn't keen on the explanation of the procedure and I doubt Mr. Dauer saying it 'wasn't so bad', assuming that's his review, will change his mind."
"It just makes more sense for him to do it, that's all."
"Will you ask Embry to?" Caevia was quiet and thoughtful a moment.
"Perhaps," she eventually answered. "I'm not concerned with it at the moment. We may even have more than five children."
"Goodness, Caevia," Renesmee said. "The two of you will have produced a village by the time you're done." Caevia giggled and started rubbing her belly again.
"Perhaps we shall."
"I wonder," Renesmee said after the two of them laughed a moment before it died down.
"What do you wonder?"
"You said your father was a Tistihlal right? That is what they were called?"
"Yes," Caevia said. "I don't know who my father was, but mother knew he was a Thunderbird. Why do you ask?"
"Do you suppose your children will ever turn into birds? I know you said the women never did, but do you think Embry will?"
"I doubt it," Caevia said. "Even the Tistihlal would have trouble summoning their bird. They had a pedestal that the boys would have to jump off to awaken in and take their first flight."
"And if they didn't?" Renesmee asked.
"They plummeted to their death," Caevia said. "It's the only reason their numbers remain rather small. That and the sacrifice every five years. Some even died if they managed to awaken their bird. After that, you have to fly. If you don't, then you risk injury."
"So it's not like what Jacob, Embry and Quil went through where their wolf awakens some time in adulthood?"
"No," Caevia said. "From what I can tell, you have to force it. It's likely the reason the women never summon their birds. They're never given the opportunity. I suspect if one did, they'd force her to never change or put her to death. I can't say. It's nothing that's happened before to my knowledge."
"So it's akin to throwing a child into a pool and telling him to figure out how to swim or he drowns?"
"Exactly," Caevia said.
"Does Embry know his ancestry includes men that could fly?"
"No," Caevia said. "I've never spoken to them about where I come from and I'd rather not."
"That may be for the best," Renesmee said. "I wonder if the circumstances will be different because of Embry Sr. Perhaps because of the Quileutes, your side might be easier to awaken."
"It's hard to say," Caevia said. "I'd rather not discuss it."
"You're right," Renesmee said. "I'm sorry to bring it up."
"Don't be. It's a question Embry's asked about and I told him much the same thing."
"I suppose we'll just have to wait and see."
Finally, the two of them went to sleep and did not awake until the children came in bouncing on the bed telling them to get up because Grandma Esme was toasting bread and making potato cakes with the apple butter as a spread and apple juice. She was even using the apple butter in the bread she'd made fresh that morning. All that spent the night met in the kitchen and got their food and ate all throughout the house. Most ate outside, enjoying to cool weather and the changing leaves.
"I appreciate how patient you are with them," Renesmee said to Esme as she helped herself to some food. "I know they can be a handful."
"It's not as though you were not," Esme teased. The two of them giggled and Esme patted Renesmee's shoulder. "They're full of energy, that's all. It's not hard to be patient. I never dreamed I would be a grandmother after I lost my son and Carlisle changed me. So they're a delight." Esme brought her hand to Renesmee's belly and rubbed there. She placed her hand just under her left rib where the baby seemed to always kick and grinned when she felt it. "I really do hope this one is a girl. I know she will be beautiful."
"I know she will be," Renesmee said. "I want to name her Natalie Isabella. I know she won't have a surname, but I want to give her mother's name all the same."
"Oh, Renesmee," Bella said from across the kitchen. "You could do what I'd done for you and use my name and Sara's name. Would that not be lovely?" Bella asked Sara, who was eating her bread with a cup of coffee.
"How would it sound?" Sara asked.
"I would think Bellsara or Sarabella. I can't say I care for either of those," Renesmee admitted.
"Fair enough," Bella said.
Jacob, Quil and Embry appeared shortly thereafter to retrieve their share of breakfast. They all returned to the tribe by that afternoon with several jars of the apple butter and jam in tow. Most would remain at the Cullen house to ensure there was breakfast available for anyone that spent the night or came over. And Esme brought the remainder of the apple breads she'd made that morning and those that did not assist were finally able to try the final product.
"Perhaps this should have been the way everyone was introduced to me," Renesmee joked while everyone enjoyed some assorted apple treats.
"What do you mean?" Jacob asked.
"I'd made so much apple butter and apple jam when you'd taken me. If you'd brought all that with you, they may have come to love me just by the jams and butters."
"Possible," Jacob chuckled. "It wouldn't have hurt."
"So did everything go well with patrol last night?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary happened," Jacob said. "Honestly, we were all so tired from making jam and butter that we were sleeping most of the night."
"That's not good," Renesmee said.
"We slept in shifts as we always do," Jacob said. "I admit I feared that when your family came to live here, a whole hoard of vampires would follow. But since they came, the number has reduced to a trickle."
"That sounds about right," Renesmee said. "It's not often that vampires form huge covens, but when they do, they're notorious for being viciously territorial."
"My ass. Carlisle lets the entire village come and go from his house all the time. They're like an Inn with a playground."
"We know that, but most other vampires wouldn't know that. All they know if that there's a coven that's gotten cozy in this region and they need to stay away."
"Who'd ever think the best repellent for vampires would be vampires?" Jacob joked. Renesmee laughed and brushed her hand over Jacob's cheek before he took another bite of some apple bread that he'd essentially be hogging for himself since they returned. He'd allowed the children to have some, but only because they asked nicely.
"I'm glad we could all come together as a family."
"Me too," Jacob said. He brought his free hand to Renesmee's belly. "You look farther along than you are."
"I know," Renesmee said. "Carlisle said he thinks he knows why."
"Why?"
"He didn't say. He said it's nothing to be worried about and, if he's right, he wants us to be surprised."
"Surprised?" Jacob asked, raising an eyebrow nervously. "I'm not sure this is the time for there to be surprises."
"I trust his judgment," Renesmee said. "Oh, and Mr. Dauer had surgery on Sunday. He had that vasectomy Carlisle had been telling you about."
"What was the vasectomy?"
"It's the one that makes a man infertile."
"Oh," Jacob said flatly. "Fuck. He had that done did he?"
"That's what I'm told. Perhaps you should ask him about it next you see him. I'm told Leah said he seemed fine afterwards."
"You'll forgive me for saying I'd like a little more than second hand hearsay," Jacob joked and Renesmee laughed. She placed her own hands over the one Jacob had on her belly.
"That's why I say speak to him directly."
"I'll get it done if it'll make you happy, but I want our girl first," Jacob said. Renesmee laughed a little and scooted a bit closer to Jacob.
"If you're not comfortable with it, then I'll get the tubal ligation. I have no problem with that. I just think you should allow someone that's had it done to tell you what it was like so you have a better idea of whether you'd be alright with it or not. And I did agree it wouldn't be until we had a daughter."
"I'll bring it up with the Meat Monger next time Leah goes to see him," Jacob said. "I can always pop in on them. I'm sure they wouldn't mind." Renesmee giggled and rested her head on Jacob's shoulder.
"You could always go yourself. It would be cruel to interrupt them when the two of them see so little of each other."
"Fine," Jacob said. "I'll make time to see him."
"Oh!" Renesmee said, "Bring them some jars of the apple butter and jams as a gift! That way you have an excuse to speak with Mr. Dauer. And it would be a good way to improve our relationship with them."
"I'm not giving them any of this stuff," Jacob said. "If they want apple butter and jam they can slave over it all day their God Damn selves."
"Jacob, don't be so greedy. We have more than enough to spare."
"I don't want to," Jacob said.
"Jacob," Renesmee said sternly. "It would be a very kind gesture and I'm sure they would appreciate it. And think, if we give them a gift, they might be more courteous with us and they might give us a gift in exchange."
"No, Renesmee, then it's just bartering again." Renesmee sighed and let go of Jacob. He looked at her, and then sighed heavily himself. "Fine, I'll bring the ungrateful weasels some jam and butter." Renesmee smiled and rose to her knees to give Jacob a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you, Jacob. That's very nice of you."
"Sure, sure," he said and finished his slice of bread.
Upon Renesmee's further encouragement, Jacob selected two bottles each of apple butter and apple jam and took them with him that day to the General Store. He ran there and managed to get there in under 20 minutes. It was still early afternoon by the time he arrived and he figured they would be busy. He didn't want to go through the front; that much was certain. Rather, he walked up to the door in the back that he remembered led to the kitchen. He was tempted to let himself in, but he figured that would be in poor taste and, instead, knocked on the door. He waited a moment before Hailey answered the door and, as soon as he realized it was Jacob at the door, stepped out and closed the door behind him.
"What are you doing here?" Hailey asked.
"Don't give me that attitude, Meat Monger. I brought some apple butter and jam my wife and the tribe made yesterday. If it's not appreciated, then I can always take it back with me."
"No," Hailey said and then sighed. "No, we'll accept these," Hailey said, accepting the bag with the apple butters and jams.
"I also meant to enquire about your recovery." Hailey looked at Jacob wide eyed and nervous.
"How do you know about that?"
"We all talk to each other, Mr. Dauer," Jacob said. "It's not so unlikely it would be mentioned you were there for surgery. I assure you the number of people that know about you and Leah remains strictly limited all the same."
"Well," Hailey said after a moment. "I was sore for several hours, but I've felt better since yesterday. I have a lot of bruising but the swelling's gone away since Sunday. I still can't comfortably sit on a horse, but that should pass before long."
"I'm curious what your Uncle thinks."
"He has no opinion," Hailey said. "He thinks the reason for my discomfort was a kick to the groin by your cousin following an argument of my fishing on your wife's family's land."
"It sounds like something she would do," Jacob chuckled.
"I hear from Leah your wife is putting her foot down about children assuming you two have a girl."
"We agreed if we have a girl, this will be our last child," Jacob said. "So if we have a girl, one of us will be sterilized. It's just a matter of who."
"Well," Hailey said, "let's assume we are friends and speak as such."
"That's a big assumption," Jacob joked and Hailey chuckled.
"It's not so bad as it sounds. You're asleep the whole time he is working and when you wake up, the worst will be over. At most there's remaining soreness, but nothing more."
"If Renesmee wants, then I will do it. She and I have our agreement on the terms of the matter."
"Whatever you say," Hailey said. "And tell your wife I said thank you for making you bring us some jam and butter."
"Why do you think she made me?"
"You don't strike me as a man that likes sharing," Hailey said. "Especially not food."
"You'd be right about that," Jacob said. "Well, that's all I needed. I'll leave you be."
"Actually, Jacob, before you leave," Hailey said as Jacob started to walk away. "Is there any way I can get you to do me a favor?"
"I already brought you butter and jam. What more do you want?"
"There's something I was going to give Leah tomorrow, but it might be best to send it through you. You can claim it's a thank you for the jam and butter."
"I'm not a postman, Mr. Dauer. You can't send love letters through me. And, quite frankly Mr. Dauer, I expected more from you." Hailey laughed.
"It's not a love letter you oaf," Hailey said. "I'm not one to write a love letter and I doubt Leah would care for one even if I were eloquent as Shakespeare."
"Then what do you need me to bring her?"
"Wait out here a moment," Hailey said before stepping inside. He placed the jams and butters on the counter when Mitch came back to see what was happening.
"What's all this?"
"It's the jams and butters Jacob's wife made and he brought us some."
"He did?" Mitch said, a little surprised. "Well, that was rather nice."
"Don't be too flattered. His wife made him bring them. From what I can see, if it were up to him, they would've kept all the jam and butter to themselves, those greedy bastards."
"You thanked him for these I hope," Mitch said, furrowing his brow.
"That's what I'm doing now." Hailey walked past Mitch to up the stairs into his room for the gift he'd gotten for Leah. In truth, he was exceedingly lucky this happened. It was only after he bought the dress that he realized this would be a hard item to explain how she got. He was prepared to suggest the Cullens had given it to her, but with the prospect of a trade, the problem was most thankfully resolved. Hailey came back downstairs ensuring the dress was bundled up so it could appear as spare fabric.
"That's all you're giving him? A wad of material?"
"He said it was something his wife might be able to use, so I'm letting him have it." Mitch sighed heavily and made his way to the front of the store.
"I'd best get him something more thoughtful," Mitch said. Hailey went back outside and closed the door behind him.
"Here," Hailey said. "I say it and thought of her."
"A dress?" Jacob shrugged. "It's a gift I suppose."
"I know she likes purple, but I thought she might look nice in burgundy. That's what the seamstress said that color was anyway."
"And what did you say this was for?"
"A gift to send to my mother," Hailey said. "That's my story and I'm sticking to it. If Mitch mentions it and mother says she never got it, I'll say it must have gotten lost."
"You're a good liar, I'll give you that."
"I'm having an affair with an Indian. I'd better be a good liar." Just then, Mitch stepped outside and Jacob wadded up the dress so he wouldn't see what it was specifically.
"Jacob, please give your wife this," Mitch said, handing Jacob a jar that looked like the apple jam, but purple. "It's some grape jelly that we received not long ago. I know it's not much, but it's the last one. It's delicious on toasted bread. I'm sure the boys would love that."
"Thank you. She'll appreciate this." Jacob finally walked away with the two gifts in tow. When Hailey and Mitch were inside, they both returned to the front of the store and returned to work.
"I do hope the children like that grape jam. It's not often we get it."
"They're children, Mitch. If it's sugary, they'll eat it." Mitch looked at Hailey a moment.
"So what had you outside with Jacob so long? I hope you didn't argue with him."
"I only asked what he'd like in return. I told what I had to spare, and that's what I gave him."
"If you say so," Mitch said with a sigh.
When Jacob returned, he went to Renesmee first and foremost, handing her to grape jam that Mitch had given them. "You let him trade?" Renesmee asked. "I thought you said you weren't going to let them do that."
"I changed my mind," Jacob said. "Mitch said to give that to you as a thank you and that the kids might like it."
"And that?" Renesmee said, pointing at the dress. Jacob came a little closer so he could speak in her ear. They were alone, but he figured it was best to be cautious.
"It's from Hailey. He said to give it to Leah as a gift. Evidently, he was planning to give it to her tomorrow, but figured sending it here with me after giving him that food might be less suspicious."
"I suppose it would be," Renesmee said with a smile. "I'll bring this to my parents' house and have them spread this on toast for the kids next time they're there. I'm not used to seeing grape jam. I've seen apple and peach jam, though. The peach jam always smells delicious."
"It's a shame you don't usually like the taste," Jacob teased and kissed Renesmee's head. "I'll bring this to Leah. If anyone asks, tell them I offered you first but said you didn't want it."
"Alright," Renesmee smiled. Jacob walked to Leah at the shoreline. She wasn't doing much of anything. She was mostly picking up and tossing rocks. She'd spent most of the morning washing clothes and was tired.
"Leah," Jacob said. She looked at him and then saw the dress.
"What's that?"
"It was a gift. He said he'd planned to give it to you tomorrow but thought best to send it with me under the guise that it was a trade for the butter and jam."
"That does make more sense," Leah said weakly, a little stunned and flattered. It was a lovely color. The sleeves were a little longer but it appeared similar to the other dresses she'd made for herself months before. "It's lovely."
"You can always wear it tomorrow. I'm sure that would boost his vast ego." Leah smiled and looked up at Jacob after his mean comment.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you're starting to like him."
"He's tolerable," Jacob said. He sat down next to Leah and started throwing rocks with her. "I asked him about the surgery."
"And what did he tell you? He told me he was sore, but that was the worst of it."
"That's all he told me. He said it wasn't as bad as it sounds and that I should do it."
"It's up to you and Renesmee," Leah said. "I take it he has no regrets about it?"
"Only that he didn't get it done sooner from what I gather."
"Sounds like him," Leah said and smiled. "It certainly makes things easier."
"No kidding," Jacob said. "This will be hard enough to explain without you falling pregnant out of the blue one day. Good luck explaining that one to mom and dad."
"Well, there's no danger of it, so relax."
"Are you sure?"
"Jacob, we've not had sex," Leah said, perhaps a little louder than she'd intended. No one looked at them, so she relaxed a little but made a point to keep her voice down. "Nothing's happened. Not to that extent."
"That's a relief then," Jacob said. "He certainly sounds more gentlemanly than he lets on. Though it's part of pale faced sentiments I suppose."
"He's hardly one to talk on those fronts. He's no untouched virgin," Leah said.
"Neither are you," Jacob said.
"And neither are you I might add," Leah bit back.
"I never said I was," Jacob said. "It's never come up either."
"Well, hope it doesn't," Leah said, but she was smiling. She looked at the dress again and smiled. "I wonder if I could give him something for this."
"I wouldn't worry about it," Jacob said. Suddenly, Aidetzi came running to them and hopped on Jacob's back. "Aidie!" Jacob yelled.
"Uncle Jacob, Uncle Jacob! You're playing without me!"
"We aren't playing, Aidie. Leah and I are having a serious talk."
"Is it about the mean man at Grandma Esme's house?"
"No, Aidie," Leah rushed to say. "It's not about Mr. Dauer. And I told you not to mention it. Since you have, I will have to tell Grandpa Edward. It looks like only Embry will get to have the advantage come Easter."
"No!" Aidie yelled. "Uncle Jacob, please tell her not to tell on me! I didn't mean to bring up the mean man!"
"Calm down, Aidie, she won't tell Edward. You're safe. Right Leah?"
"Keep quiet about Mr. Dauer from now on and I'll not bring it up to Grandpa Edward."
"Okay," Aidie pouted. She ran away to go to Embry who seemed consumed with fishing at the moment.
"I see she plans to tell on you," Jacob laughed.
"Let tattle on me," Leah said. "There's nothing Embry can do anyway." They watched Aidie speak to Embry, and then he looked at them. He appeared to sigh then kneeled down to Aidie's level to tell her something. Then he patted her head and she ran off to go to her brother, Kevin and Kyle to play. Embry walked over to them with his arms crossed.
"Aidie tells me you're being mean to her?"
"I told her I'd tell Edward not to help her cheat at Easter. Frankly, the young lady shouldn't be cheating anyway."
"Slower, please," Embry said after he sighed heavily.
"Come on, Embry, Caevia's had you practicing how long? You should be fluent by now."
"I don't speak the pale faced tongue often. I prefer to speak ours. It sounds better," Embry said. "She didn't mention cheating," Embry continued in English.
"Of course she didn't," Jacob said. "She only tells you enough to get you to do her bidding, Embry. I never thought you'd be whipped by another woman besides your wife."
"Wait until you have a daughter, Jacob, and see how tough you are when pleaded with puppy eyes," Embry said. "Stop being mean to Aidie," he said to Leah before walking away. When he was gone, Leah began to snicker.
"Maybe you and Renesmee should forego having a daughter. It looks as the a daughter may take your backbone."
"Renesmee's already taken it, I assure you," Jacob joked. "I don't have a backbone to lose anymore."
"Well, that's what Embry thought and now look at him. He's wrapped around that little girl's pinky like a loyal dog. Although I do pity poor Aidie if the two of them have another girl. She won't be daddy's little girl anymore."
"It'll be up to her to establish the pecking order then," Jacob chuckled. "I'm sure that won't be difficult if she starts early."
"With any luck, they'll have another boy. It's only fair to let Aidie enjoy being a daddy's girl just a little longer before another girl steels her thunder." Jacob and Leah laughed a little, and then Jacob stood from his spot.
"Enjoy yourself tomorrow," Jacob said before leaving the shore. Leah stayed seated on the rocks and looked at the dress further. She would be sure to wear it tomorrow.
Since Jacob was the one that brought it back, Leah didn't try to hide the dress she'd received and when Seth asked about it, she was able to say with a straight face that Jacob brought it home and gave it to her. She agreed to read some more of their grandma's bible, already very nearly reaching Revelations. Seth couldn't understand the majority of what she was saying and Leah wasn't confident reading the book because so much of it was symbolism. She was in a position where a lot of what she read she had to take literally and go from there. She was proud of herself not revealing to Seth that she understood any of it at all. After finishing a few pages, Leah was tired of reading and told Seth she was going to bed.
"Leah," Seth said.
"What?" Leah responded while she laid down and turned on her side ready to sleep.
"Where did you get that gold pocket watch?" Leah went stiff and didn't breath for a second. It took her a moment to come up with a lie.
"I…took it from the Meat Monger when I caught him fishing a while ago," Leah said. She wasn't technically lying.
"The Meat Monger?" Seth said, raising an eyebrow. "You've been crossing paths with him a lot, haven't you?"
"It's a curse, I'm afraid," Leah said. "At least I got a nice watch out of this nonsense." Seth turned to his side and looked in Leah's direction.
"I've been meaning to ask," Seth continued. "Where have you been wandering off to? You seem to do that a lot these days."
"Am I not allowed to go into the woods from time to time?"
"Sure, but so frequently? And you're always gone so long. Aunt Sara's beginning to worry, you know. She asked me if I knew anything. She's probably going to nag Jacob about it too."
"There's nothing to know about," Leah said. "If Aunt Sara bugs you about it again, just tell her there's nothing to worry about and I'm just going into the woods to relax."
"So you're skipping on chores to flounce around in the woods? That's hardly good."
"It's not 'flouncing' Seth, it's relaxing. Everyone needs time to themselves from time to time."
"Some more than others, evidently," Seth mumbled and then turned to face the other side of the tent to go to sleep.
In the morning, Leah put on her new dress and woke before the sun rose. Normally, she'd wait a while before going to meet Hailey, but today she was restless. So the moment she was up and dressed, she grabbed some potato cakes and apples and started eating her breakfast while she made her way up the trail to Forks. She finished the cakes first and ate the apples, tossing the cores to the side into the forest for bugs and squirrels to nibble on. She had the pocket watch and checked it regularly. When she'd left, it was 5:50 in the morning. By the time she finished eating all the food she'd brought with her on the trail, it was one hour later. She still had a bit of a ways to go, but she was making much better time than the last time she'd walked. When she finally made it to town, it was 8:30. She stayed secreted in the trees, realizing she'd come far too early. As she approached the general store, she saw Hailey step outside alone with a large bucket that he proceeded to use to feed the two horses in their stable. She didn't step out right away. She wanted to be sure they would be alone. Eventually, when he finished feeding the horses and looked ready to return inside, Leah finally stepped out and Hailey saw her at the corner of his eye.
"Leah? What are you doing here so early?"
"I woke up early," Leah said. "I wanted to thank you for the dress. It's lovely."
"I was right about red being a good color for you," he smiled. He came closer to her, checking over his shoulder just to make sure they were alone, and then went to hug her when he was sure they were. "So you came all this way just to thank me for the dress?"
"Among other things," Leah said. "How are you feeling?"
"As good as ever," Hailey said. "The bruising aside, it's like nothing happened. It still hurts to sit on a horse, but it's not as bad as before. I figure by the end of the week, I'll be good as new. I'm already 3 out of the minimum 10 necessary ejaculates done."
"Thanks for sharing," Leah said sarcastically, but still laughed. Suddenly, Hailey guided her to the stable so they were out of site from the door leading to the kitchen and completely alone. When they were, he tightened his hug and lowered his head to kiss Leah's neck.
"I just assumed it was something you'd want to be informed of," Hailey teased. Leah wrapped her arms around Hailey's neck and let him continue.
"I'll certainly not require you to," Leah said. "So, for the time being, you're still technically still fertile?"
"For the time being, yes," Hailey said, no longer kissing her neck. He instead rested his head against hers and smiled. "Just give me a few more days and I'll have gotten rid of it all. There's only so much I can touch myself in a day." Leah laughed and was silenced when Hailey kissed her. It lasted a moment until he parted from her and rested his head against hers again.
"I'm sorry to be so early. I made better time than I thought I would."
"Don't worry about it," Hailey said. "It gives us more time together."
"I suppose I'm wondering what I should do while Mitch is still here," Leah said.
"Practice," Hailey said. Leah looked at him strangely but Hailey led her with him back to the shop without any further explanation. He opened the door to the kitchen and looked inside. Mitch was well occupied and the door between the shop and the kitchen was mostly closed. Hailey silently motioned for Leah to be quiet and to follow him. The two of them snuck upstairs without being seen and went right to Hailey's room. Once there, he grabbed the book of children's stories and handed it to Leah. "Pick whichever one you want," he whispered to her. "Don't read out loud, but try to understand it as best you can on your own. If there's something you don't understand, try to make a note of it and we'll go over it once Mitch leaves."
"You're really keeping me in your room with your uncle downstairs? What if he catches me?"
"So long as you don't make a sound, he won't," Hailey assured. "I'm going to leave the door open, so stay on the bed and out of site. Do that and he won't find you." Leah smiled and finally nodded. They shared a kiss before Hailey stepped away and returned downstairs. Leah opened the book and happened upon Rotkäppchen and began to read. When Hailey returned downstairs, he went straight to the front as if nothing happened.
"The horses are fed," he said to Mitch.
"Good," Mitch said. "Poor things are probably starving from waiting so long. I've told you, you have to feed them at dawn."
"Well, I wasn't awake at dawn, and neither were you for that matter."
"I shouldn't have to be. That's what you're for. Now get in the kitchen and make us some breakfast." Hailey chuckled and left the front for the kitchen to make breakfast as Mitch demanded.
Hailey was rather proud that Mitch was none the wiser that Leah was just upstairs. He toasted some bread and spread the apple butter over each slice and brought the plates of food up front. Three people came in for some necessities that morning before Mitch finally told Hailey to look after the shop while he was out running errands. When Mitch was gone, Hailey immediately secreted away and went upstairs where Leah was. She seemed engrossed when he came upstairs and when she saw him, she smiled.
"It's just us?" Leah asked.
"It's just us," Hailey said, sitting next to Leah on his bed. "So what have you been reading?"
"Rotkäppchen," Leah said.
"And what is it about?"
"It's about a little girl that goes to visit her sick grandmother to give her sweets. On her path, she happens upon a wolf that wants to eat her. The wolf convinces her to take a scenic route to her grandmother's house so she can pick her flowers. The wolf ran to her grandmother's house and ate her whole and wore her bonnet as a disguise. When Rotkäppchen made it to her grandma's house, she told the wolf he had such big eyes and big ears and a big mouth. The wolf told her all the better to see, hear and eat you with. The wolf ate Rotkäppchen and took a nap and began to snore. The huntsman overheard him and came to check on the grandmother, then cut the wolf open to save grandma and Rotkäppchen. Then she promised she would never go off the path again." Hailey smiled and kissed Leah.
"That's exactly how it went," he said. "How did you like it?"
"It's interesting to see a wolf painted in so negative a light. My people consider ourselves descendants of wolves and hold them in high regard. It's actually a crime in our tribe to kill a wolf."
"All the better to eat stupid children with," Hailey teased. "In all fairness, this was her own fault."
"It really was," Leah smiled. Hailey smiled back and kissed Leah again.
"Are you hungry? I should've offered when you got here, I'm sorry."
"I'm alright. I ate on my way here."
"I'll make sure to feed you before you leave, then," Hailey said and kissed Leah's neck again.
"Shall we read another story, then?" Leah asked, but Hailey shook his head.
"I'm not in the mood this morning." Hailey placed more kisses on Leah's neck. "Perhaps we can find something else to do."
"If you have a deck of cards, we can play poker." Hailey chuckled against Leah's neck, placing a few more kisses.
"Oh no, Leah. I'm a mean poker player. I suppose I could teach you the game, though."
"I've been learning the game, I'll have you know, Mr. Dauer. And I've gotten quite good at poker I'll have you know."
"Not as good as me, Miss Jagger," Hailey teased.
"Why, I think you're just scared to play against me. I never thought you would be one to cower in his boots." Hailey lifted his head to look Leah straight in the eye. She was smirking that mean little smirk and he learned at her with a teasing smile.
"I tried to warn you, Miss Jagger, but it would seem you are a glutton for punishment." Hailey left the bed and went to his little desk. He opened the drawer and pulled out a deck of cards. "This is your last chance to back down, Miss Jagger."
"I wouldn't dream of giving you the satisfaction," Leah replied with a cocky smile as she stood from the bed. "So where shall we play?"
"Downstairs, naturally," Hailey said. "And you had better not peak at my cards when a customer comes in." Leah, still smiling, glared at Hailey and crossed her arms.
"You dare think me capable of such a thing?"
"I've had to reprimand a friend once or twice for the offense."
"Well, I'm not your friend, now am I?" Hailey rose an eyebrow at her while Leah walked out of the room and made her way downstairs. Hailey followed her after taking the cards out of their box and began to shuffle the cards absentmindedly. They met in the kitchen. Leah sat at one end of the table and Hailey sat across from her. Once he was seated, he started shuffling the cards more aggressively. He parted the down the middle, bending them so they would overlap over each other. He seemed to do it so fast.
"One last chance to back out, Miss Jagger."
"No chance, Mr. Dauer," Leah teased. "Would you teach me how to shuffle cards like that?"
"Looking to stall the game?"
"I was thinking after we started playing," Leah said. Hailey gave her one last teasing little glare before tossing cards his and her way until they each had five cards on hand. Leah accepted her hand and looked at it as Hailey looked at his. She had to resist a smirk. She glanced at Hailey and noticed he was smirking rather cockily, but he wasn't looking at her. So she looked back at her cards and arranged them. She had a full house of Jacks. Not the best hand, but certainly nothing to scoff at.
"You ready to play, Miss Jagger?"
"Absolutely," Leah said just as confidently. The two of them put their cards down on the table. Hailey put down a flush of hearts against Leah's house of Jacks. When Hailey realized he lost, she smirked. "What was that you were saying, Mr. Dauer, about me being a 'glutton for punishment'?"
"Lucky hand," Hailey said snidely. "Enjoy this moment, Leah. You will not be so lucky next time."
"If you say so," Leah said. "Hand me the deck and I'll deal this time." Hailey handed Leah the deck and she shuffled it again as best she could though not quite as skillfully as Hailey. Then she tossed the two of them 5 cards and placed the remainder of the deck on the table.
They both picked up their cards and started arranging them in their collective ascending order. Hailey asked if Leah was ready and she nodded. Her hand wasn't going to get much better. They placed their hands down. They both had three of a kind. Hailey had an impressive 10 three of a kind. Leah put down her Queen three of a kind, winning the game. Leah gave Hailey a smug smile while he actually looked a little angry.
"You cheated," he said.
"I'm surprised at you, Hailey," Leah smiled. "You dare accuse me of cheating? How might I have done such a thing without you noticing?"
"You managed it somehow," Hailey said. He stood from the table and got two mugs that he placed tea bags in. Then he got a pot of water ready and placed it on a fire to boil. "Either that or you got lucky."
"That's all poker is, Hailey: a game of luck. You're not used to one that's luckier than you. Be grateful you have nothing bet on our games or I'd walk away with money I don't need."
"You flatter yourself," Hailey mumbled. Leah giggled and stood from the table to go to Hailey. She wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed his neck.
"My, my, aren't you a sore loser," she teased. Hailey softened when Leah started kissing his neck and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders to bring her closer and kiss her head.
"It was only two rounds," Hailey said affectionately. "I'm sure if we played a proper game with stakes I would have a luckier hand."
"I'm sure you would," Leah replied, kissing his neck again. She brought her hand up to his chin and felt the scruff of his beard. "You didn't shave this morning I see."
"I'll shave tomorrow," he said. As he smiled at her, Leah poked the dimple on his cheek. "What?"
"I'm just touching your dimple. I like them." Hailey laughed a little, emphasizing his dimples a little more. While Leah kept touching Hailey's face, he reached down his hand to the end of her braid and pulled off the tie so he could undo the braid. When it was untangled, Hailey ran his fingers through her hair until it was completely down and framed her face the way he liked.
Leah was the one to lift her head up so their lips could meet and Hailey was happy to oblige. They finally faced each other completely as Leah wrapped her other arm around his waist and Hailey used his to bring Leah closer to him. They shared a passionate kiss until the pot on the fire squealed. Hailey took the pot off the fire, never actually releasing Leah from his arms, and poured the water over the bags in the coffee mugs. He handed one to Leah and took the other for himself and then looked at her menacingly.
"Now, Miss Jagger. Let us return to our game."
"You wish to lose a few more times?" Leah asked confidently to which Hailey smirked meanly.
"Not this time, Leah," he teased.