The bright sunlight sparkled on the snow-covered trees, and the clean, crisp air was invigorating. Charlie and Seth had been tramping through the forest for an hour. "What do you think Charlie? I like that one." Seth pointed to a large, beautifully shaped Douglas fir tree. It didn't look too huge among the other trees, so Charlie cut it down with a couple swipes of his axe. As he bent to grab a limb, Seth hissed in his ear. "Don't move, Charlie."
Charlie followed Seth's gaze. Almost hidden by the tree and huddled in the snow was a tawny cougar cub. Without moving his head, Charlie shifted his eyes to the dense forest. Barely visible in the gloom was a large cat, crouched in a threatening posture and preparing to spring. Now they could just faintly hear the low growl rolling across the frozen whiteness. The adult cougar had to be seven feet long, maybe 150 pounds of pure muscle.
With a lion-like roar, it flew over the frozen ground and leaped toward Charlie. It was fast, but the wolf was faster. With barely a ripple in the frigid air, Seth phased and sprang up, grabbing the cougar by the throat. The momentum carried them, rolling and tumbling, down the hill and quickly out of sight. Charlie could hear the horrendous snarling and snapping in the gully below. The handgun he carried was still safely snapped in its holster; he'd had no time to draw it and couldn't risk losing it as he half-slid, half-tumbled down the hill.
The wolf lay panting, apparently unharmed, as the cougar bled out a few yards away, its golden eyes open and vacant. The cub stood at the top of the rise, sniffing the air carefully. It appeared to be at least a year old, and Charlie hoped it would be able to survive on its own.
Charlie's voice was a little shaky. "Don't phase back, Seth, or you'll freeze." Seth rose on his three paws, bending down to clean the blood from his muzzle in the snow. Charlie dragged the tree easily over the frozen ground, his breath freezing in frosty plumes, as Seth trotted along beside him with his slightly uneven gait.
Sue laughed when she saw them coming through the yard with the huge tree. "Where on earth am I going to put that?" she asked with amusement.
After shaking off the snow in a bright shower of crystals and trimming about a foot off the bottom, they managed to set it up in the living room. The spicy scent permeated the ground floor. Sue decided to hold an impromptu tree-trimming party. "I have a special job for you, Jacob," Sue smiled at him. She carefully handed him a ceramic angel tree topper, her white gown and gossamer wings slightly yellowed with age. "This was my grandmother's," she explained, "and you're the only one tall enough to reach the top of the tree."
Jake and Charlie finished putting on the multicolored lights, and Leah held up an angel ornament with a pink dress. "My first Christmas," she smirked. "Is that what you were hoping for, Mom? An angel in a pink dress?"
Sue smiled, her eyes twinkling. "I didn't know you very well yet, but I think you turned out just fine." She hugged Leah as Seth walked in, Emmy cradled in his arm. Her eyes widened when she saw all the lights and she smiled with delight. Charlie grabbed Sue's camera and caught her rapt expression.
When the last strand of tinsel was placed to Sue's satisfaction, all the other lights were turned off and the family sat quietly around the living room "Be careful; it's hot," Sue warned as she handed Charlie a cup of mulled cider.
Charlie slipped his free arm around Sue's shoulders. He kissed her cheek softly and breathed in her ear, "I never thought I'd be this happy and contented again, Sue. Thank you."
Bella showed up Christmas morning at the Swans' with a plate of homemade cookies and a stuffed animal for Emmy. Of course it was a wolf, and its fur was snow white. To Bella's delight, Emmy wrapped her arms around it and leaned her face against the soft fur.
Leah found herself looking forward to the Cullens' annual New Years Eve party. It was a reminder of her first dance with Jacob, as well as their first clumsy kiss. When she showed him the invitation, he smirked. "Remember how NOT excited you were for the first one?" She grinned as she playfully punched his shoulder, then sobered.
"I think it will be tough for Seth," she said. "That first party was when he met Paris, and I think he's far from over her. Besides, he couldn't invite Christy even if he wanted to. It's pretty much strictly wolves and vamps, except for my mom."
Jacob nodded. "I haven't seen Blondie in a while," he mused. "I'd better dig up some new blonde jokes."
Leah frowned at him. "Don't ever forget she's a dangerous predator, Jacob Black."
"Don't worry, Leah," he scoffed. "I don't think she'll bite me at her family New Years Eve party. Besides, I'm pretty sure if it came to a fight, I could take her."
The night was clear and cold, and the usual white lights twinkled along the driveway. Carmen and Eleazar had arrived the day before from Alaska, but no one had heard from Paris in months.
For vegetarian vampires, the Cullens put on a good spread, worthy of hungry wolves. The buffet table was piled with food, and the pack members tended to congregate on that side of the room. Soft music played as the Cullens greeted their guests at the front door.
Carlisle shook hands with Charlie and smiled at Sue. "I know it's a little late for Emeline, but we were hoping to see her." Sue, still a little nervous in the Cullens' house, smiled and shook her head. "She's already in for the night, and Seth volunteered to stay home with her." They all knew the real reason for Seth's absence, but there was no need to mention it. And there was no way Sue and Charlie would bring a human baby to this house, no matter how friendly the occasion.
The unlikely gathering was festive as usual. They ate and drank, danced, and chatted in small groups. As the old year drew to a close, Carlisle turned on the large projection TV so everyone could join the countdown. At midnight, a cheer went up as the couples kissed and the singles raised a ruckus with their noisemakers.
For Jacob's 21st birthday in January, Sue, Charlie, and Seth walked to Leah's with Emeline in her stroller. She wore a midnight blue velvet dress with a wide white collar and a pink bow in her hair. Two shiny new baby teeth peeked out when she smiled, and her shiny dark hair framed her face.
Leah quickly dried her hands and held out her arms for her baby sister as soon as Sue tossed aside her pink fuzzy jacket. Leah nuzzled Emmy's neck and inhaled the sweet baby smell. Emmy chuckled, reaching for Leah's hoop earrings. "Who loves you, baby Emmy?" Leah asked softly. Charlie and Sue answered in unison, "Everybody!"
Just then the birthday boy strode into the room. Jacob stooped to hug Sue, then shook Charlie's hand, but his eyes kept flicking back to Leah and Emmy. He knew how she yearned for a baby of her own, but the consensus among the elders was that it could never happen. The subject had become even more painful for her since Emmy's birth.
Dinner was a huge success. Leah had made all of Jacob's favorite foods, and she even baked and decorated a chocolate cake. He managed to blow out all 21 candles with one breath. After cake and coffee, they said good night to their guests, since it was well past Emmy's bedtime.
Leah stepped out of the shower, dried quickly, and pulled on one of Jake's huge tee shirts. He smiled as she walked into the bedroom, her hair still damp. She climbed into bed and cuddled into his warm embrace. "I think this is my favorite time of the day," she whispered against his lips. "I call it pillow talk."
He smiled and kissed her softly. "Me too, Leah. It was a really nice…" He stopped talking suddenly. She looked at him curiously as he laid his ear against her chest, listening intently. He didn't answer but pulled the sheet down and put his ear to her stomach.
"Jake, is something wrong?" Leah asked, her smile fading.
He looked incredulous. "This isn't supposed to be possible, Leah, but I could swear I hear a second heartbeat in there. It's very faint, and faster than yours, and it's located just about here!" He pointed to her stomach. "Be very quiet, and just listen."
There was not a sound in the room. Outside, snow fell softly and silently. Leah listened intently, and suddenly her eyes filled with tears as she picked up the faint noise. "Oh, Jake, could it be? Really?" She held his face in her hands and kissed him softly, tears dripping unheeded down her cheeks.
He wrapped his arms around her and held her gently. "I love you, Leah." He grinned. "Both of you. And this is a birthday I'll never forget."