He wasn't running anymore. He'd had enough of that. His pace today was leisurely, a physical metaphor for the direction in which he was going to turn his life. To some, it would seem insane. To others, impossible. To Edward Cullen, it was what it must be. She would be his again. A thousand moments would pass between them, marking the days and nights, the years that they would call their own. The life she led now, surrounding herself with trivial human pursuits, and he was sure, with every fiber of his being- Jacob Black, would end. She was never meant to live a human life. Edward knew that now, and it was that fact pushing him forward.
He was sure Bella would rage against him, that she would deny the true desires of her heart. Once she was like him, it would all make sense to her. She would see it not only as a kindness, saving her from monsters that cared nothing for her soul, but that it was always meant to be this way. With vampire eyes she would see him clearly, the love etched on his face. Perhaps he would be able to finally read her mind, to hear her true thoughts. Thoughts that he was sure, always included him. She had only deluded herself into thinking she loved Jacob Black. It was just the pull of the supernatural world that she would ultimately belong to, seducing her into thinking she could straddle both worlds. Oh, but once she could finally see! The road that stretched before them! There was no place that they couldn't go, nothing he would deny her. Once it was done he was certain that she would walk away from her life without regret. It was meaningless, after all.
The stench of the wolves, those abominations filled his nose, letting him know he was getting close. Propelling himself upwards, he climbed the tall tree before him, bending and twisting like a trapeze artist, swinging himself branch to branch. He'd have to remain high, far from the ground so that the wolves wouldn't smell his presence. Bella couldn't know yet that he was here. It was not part of his carefully laid out plans. In the distance he could hear their voices, filling not only his ears, but mind as well. It was Thanksgiving, and there was laughter in the air. Focusing, he found the one voice that had been void from his life for so long. Bella Swan, laughing, teasing, wishing her guests a Happy Thanksgiving.
Edward was so wrapped up in his visions of a life with Bella, that he did not see or hear the large black wolf approaching. It was only the break of a branch below him that startled him from his thoughts, and quickly swinging away, he did not notice that the wolf below spotted him, and his eyes were filled with rage.
_
Thanksgiving was a happy affair. This year, more than ever, the Blacks and the Swans, the future Lahote's, Embry Call and Maddison Williams had much to be grateful for. They were family, joined together, finally complete, with a bright future laid before them. Laughter rang through the air, love warmed their hearts. Before the close of the year, Jacob and Bella would be married. The long road they each travelled finally converged, and a new path would stretch out ahead, leading them into a new life.
For Paul, it was the family he had always wanted, the desire that had tormented his soul as a child. He gave thanks for his life, these people, their love, unwavering devotion and acceptance. Paul found that it wasn't just Rachel that softened his edges, tempered his emotions. It was all of them, Billy, Bella, Jacob. Love, given freely had changed him, and in their midst, he had learned to become a better friend, lover and man.
Like Paul, Maddie too had found a family with these people. Billy was quickly becoming a father figure to her, and today his joy was apparent as he observed her and Embry together. She was looking forward to the evening, not just the dinner, the communion of friends and family giving thanks, but to the stories that Embry promised only Billy could tell. It was a great honor, he told her. The chief of the tribe, allowing her to know their history, how the Quiluete people came to be. Legends reserved only for the tribe, and some only to those of the pack. Not even Charlie, Bella's father and Billy's lifelong friend knew many of their tales. Embry promised an explanation of her dreams, his dreams. One that would explain why fate had brought them together.
If Embry ever had any reservations about not asking the question regarding his parentage, today he put them aside permanently. While he was certain, his very soul screamed it at him even, he found that it didn't matter. Had he seen the wistful look in Billy's eyes as he watched Jacob and Embry embrace each other that afternoon, he would have had his answer. Now, it no longer seemed important. Jacob was his brother, by blood or not, and Billy had been the closest thing to a father he had ever known. Maddie was his life now, and with her, he would one day start a family. Embry would be an Uncle to Jacob's children, and the father he had always longed for to his own. Billy would be their chief, and honorary grandfather. Together, they would all be a family.
Charlie couldn't be prouder of his daughter. He was a simple man, who never required much. Today, as he looked at his daughter, finding that the little girl he raised had become a woman, he felt like everything precious in the world was not worth more than her. Raising his glass, he proposed a toast. "To Bella, who has made my life worth living", and looking around the table, his eyes settling on his old friend, "and to family, if not by blood, then by heart".
They all agreed as they raised their glasses. "To family".
The meal was a success, the wolves eating more than their share. Bella found herself sitting quietly, listening to snippets of conversation all around her.
"No way Paul, I'm not getting married in Vegas".
"But, Rach, we could get married by Elvis"!
Bella giggled into her wine, sure that Rachel would win the argument.
"Well, old man, looks like our plans finally worked".
"Knew they would in the end. All those two needed was a little push. We should celebrate".
"Got that that right. I say we take off for a weekend. Hit up the rivers a bit further north for some Steelhead. What do you say, think your wrinkly old ass can handle sitting in a boat all day in this cold"?
"Wrinkly. You should treat me with more respect. You may be the chief of police, but I am Chief of the Quiluete. In case you've forgotten, our people were fishing whales before your pale asses ever stepped foot in this country. Now, that we've got that clear, see if you can find some beer. This wine the girls served doesn't really go with the turkey".
Bella rolled her eyes. Those two men were like brothers, and the lighthearted jabs they threw at each other were part of the melody of her life.
"You're just jealous Jake".
"Whatever Call".
"Hey, don't blame me if my woman can bake better cookies than yours".
"Uh, excuse me, 'your woman'? Do you think you own me?
"Yup, bought and paid for".
"Oh, you adding her to your harem"?
"uh"
"So, Embry, were you going to tell me about this harem, or just let me figure it out when I see a bunch of women feeding you grapes in bed".
"Well..."
"That'll teach you to dance with our girls, Call".
Jacob winked over at her, and Bella shook with laughter. Yes, she thought, it was a pretty good life. It may not be perfect, but it was hers. Little did she know that her past would be coming back to haunt her. That a vampire with a broken mind was listening intently, planning on taking all she held so dear.
Rachel and Paul had gone home, eager to spend some rare time alone with each other. They loved Billy, but having the house to themselves was a gift that seldom happened. Charlie had also departed, the beer gone, and a container of leftovers in his hands.
Billy's eyes twinkled with mischief, his hands rubbing together like one up to no good. "Well, now that the paleface is gone, it's time to tell Maddie the truth about our bloodthirsty ways".
"Billy Black"! exclaimed Bella. "Behave yourself, or I'll tell Rachel you asked for her meatloaf again".
His gaze fixed on the tiny woman "you wouldn't dare".
Her hands on her hips, her voice stern, but the lines of her mouth twitching with a suppressed smile, "Try me".
"Fine, fine" he put his hands in the air. "Geez, you won't let an old man have a little fun. I was just going to scare her a little". Then looking slyly at Embry, he added "Figured it would help Embry out. Give him an excuse to cuddle this pretty young thing".
Bella gave up, laughing and hugging him at the same time. "You're incorrigible, you know that".
"Sure, sure".
Jacob lit a fire in the hearth, and everyone got comfortable as Billy began the stories of his people. He told the them of K'wa'iti, and how he created the first Quileute out of a wolf. He related tales of the Trickster Raven, and Tistilal, the Thunderbird.
Turning to his son, and then settling his eyes on Embry, he began the tale of the spirit warriors, of the cold ones. He related the stories to them of Taha Aki, and the sacrifice of the Third Wife. Jacob reached for Bella's hand as Billy spoke of Ephraim Black and the cold ones who were unlike the others of their kind. He stopped his stories there, and looked at Jacob. "Now the grandson of Ephraim, alpha, leader of the spirit warriors will tell the you the stories that are not of any myth, but all fact, and viewed with our own eyes".
Bella watched intently as Jacob as he told of the treaty between their ancestors and the Cullens. He spoke of their difference, how they fed only on the blood of animals. He told Maddie the story of Victoria, and the newborn fight. He talked of a young woman, beloved by the tribe that had fallen under the spell of the vampires. Holding Bella's hand, he explained to Maddie the power of imprinting, and told the stories of the other wolves and their imprints. Then he began the story of how he fell in love as a boy, with a beautiful girl, who had long brown locks, and doe eyes. How she loved him, but agreed to marry another man. How she walked away from her wedding to find him. He explained their imprint, and his role in the pack. He told her of the choices he and Bella made, that tore them apart and brought them back together. Jacob held Bella's hand and told Maddie everything. As the two women stared into each others eyes, a world of secrets fell away, and their friendship had finally come full circle. Maddie now understood Bella's sorrow, and the love that she so sorely missed from Jacob. Her heart ached for her, and yet now, as she witnessed their devotion, she knew that Bella and Jacob would never love another. Jacob finished his story, and Bella spoke to her dearest friend. "There were so many times I wanted to tell you, share it all with you, Maddie". Squeezing Jacob's hand, she continued, "But they were not my secrets to share. I had something greater than me to protect."
Jacob looked pointedly at Embry. It was time. Then turning to Bella, he asked , "I think Embry and Maddie could use some time alone. Honey, how about some of the pie that's left in the kitchen"?
Bella rose from her seat, and gave Maddie a reassuring hug before following Jacob and Billy out of the room.
Embry turned to Maddie. "Did you like the legends"?
"I did. Billy is a gifted storyteller. You can see the power in him when he tells them. It's like the Billy I know, the one with a sense of humor and an easy smile falls away, and the true chief of the Quileute people takes over. It was amazing".
"And the spirit warriors. You understand our duty as wolves to protect the tribe".
"Of course".
"What did you think of Jacob's and Bella's love story? Their imprint?"
"Well, I can understand Bella better now. She was always holding back part of herself. I think their love is really beautiful, a gift".
"Maddie, there's something else that I want to tell you. Part of their story that Jacob didn't share. Bella had a vision about her life with Jacob when she kissed him on the mountain. When they were apart, after the imprint happened, he didn't do well. I was there for most if it. He wasn't whole without her. His dreams were tortured, and he longed for her".
Maddie nodded her head in shared understanding. They had both been the ones guide their friends through sorrow. "Bella longed for him too. Sometimes she would come to me, her eyes swollen and I knew she'd cried in her sleep. Those mornings she would tell me about Jacob, how much she loved him, missed him, and that she'd dreamt about him".
Embry sighed. Why was this so hard to tell her? "Maddie, it was more than that. Bella didn't tell you that she dreamed of him every night. That it was part of the imprint. Before it happened, she had that vision, and she dreamed of him many times while he was gone. Then after it happened, after she moved to New Hampshire, she dreamed of him every night". Taking a deep breath, he took the plunge. "She dreamed of their life together, like you dreamed of ours. Maddie, I imprinted on you".
Her eyes closed tightly, her hand gripped his. Not this way, please, not this way. The thought tore through her mind. "Is that why you want me, the imprint? Does it force you love me"? It was fear that forced the question from her lips.
"Maddie, do you think it was a coincidence, you coming here? It was fate, you and I were meant for each other. The imprint, it just lets us see it more clearly. Even if I wasn't a wolf, if Jacob hadn't been a wolf, if all this magic didn't exist, they would have still loved each other, you and Bella would have still met, and you would have come here. We would have fallen in love. We would have been together. I'm not asking you to marry me tomorrow. I'm only asking that you trust me, that we spend time together. I'll be whatever you need me to be. Just please, don't leave. My heart couldn't stand it if you did".
His sounded so broken and afraid, a contradiction to the strong, brave man she had grown to love. She only wanted to understand, she didn't want to hurt him. Feeling stupid, selfish and small for allowing herself to feed that part of her, the part that was scared and petty, Maddie flung herself into his strong arms, and kissed him with everything she had. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm sorry if you thought that".
"You mean it? You'll stay"?
"Until you want me to leave".
Embry rested his head on her shoulder, allowing himself to be enveloped in her scent. "Never" he whispered. "I'll never ask you to leave. I can't live without you anymore".
On the other side of La Push, Sam Uley paced the length of his living room, seething with rage. Bella Swan had done what he knew she would. She brought danger down on all of their necks. Sam was biding his time. Carefully he thought out his plan. He was a lone wolf now, able to cut off his thoughts from the others. He would watch and wait. When he alone took out the threat posed to them all, Bella Swan and Jacob Black would be forced from their midst, and Emily, she would come home.
Emily. The very thought of her sent a raw ache through his soul. His anger ebbed, replaced by pain and loneliness. Dropping to his knees, he sobbed for what was lost to him.