Salvation
AN: Thank you for the amazing reviews. I am glad that you guys like the story. I will be honest; I don't think that I can add more to this story. It's almost coming to an end, but I promise to make it nice and with a good ending.
-Mercury
Happiness
Benny's POV
I seriously doubt that I'll ever be this happy. Yes, it was impossible to make my smile any larger. I must be honest with myself, I was too happy. I hated when I had to part ways with Caleigh and Leah, because I had to go back to summer school and try to finish my degree faster. I was doing well in school and after I was done with my day class, Gianna was kind enough to teleport me back to La Push. If you are wondering how Harrison and Gianna are doing, well, let's just say that they are having a fluent transitioning process from being separate entities and becoming one as imprinter and imprintee.
I was excited when I went to my parents' house and took a long shower and dressed up for my evening date with my favorite girls. I wanted to marry or move in with Leah, but she was adamant about sharing that part of her life with me. She said that she wanted me to finish my degree before we even tried to become intimate. It was her way of keeping in track with my studies. According to her, she didn't want me to have any distraction. If she only knew how hard it was to concentrate in school, while thinking of her, dressed in a black negligee that showed her long tanned legs. I blinked hard and dried my hair with the towel, when I was done with my shower. The goofy grin on my lips had taken permanent residency on my face. Life couldn't have gotten any better. Everything was great and I had a feeling that now that Leah and I were letting our love grow, it was just going to keep on getting even better.
"Benedict," Mom shouted from the other side of the door. "Hurry up! I need to downstairs ASAP! Someone needs to speak to you!" Mom sighed annoyed, knocking hard on the bathroom door.
"Mom, give me a second. I'm almost dressed." I replied annoyed. I didn't even have a chance to dry myself completely.
"I want you to hurry up," Mom said louder, as she banged on the door a few times. "I'll wait for you downstairs."
"Fine, I'll be downstairs in five minutes," I said and continued drying myself.
"Good, five minutes. If you are late I'll beat you up with my umbrella," she laughed and walked away from the door.
I heard the sound of her footsteps furthering away from me. I hurried and dried myself, got dressed in my casual ripped jeans and white shirt. And rushed down the stairs and saw my parents sitting on their love seat, holding each other and laughing quietly. Michael Uley, the youngest of the Uley twins was sitting in front of them, looking around the room. He got to his feet and took two strides to where I was standing. He extended his hand for me to greet and I took it and gave it a firm shake.
"What brings you here, oh mighty Alpha?" I said jokingly.
He chuckled and patted my shoulder. "I have to speak to you about certain things. It's mainly about one thing, though,"
"OK, I'm all ears," I said walking towards the sofa and sitting across from my parents. Mike took the seat to the left, and we just glanced at each other for a few seconds, before he cleared his throat and began speaking.
"My father," he began, his cheek getting red with embarrassment. "He wanted me to make something clear to you. He doesn't want you to play around with Leah…"
"Oh, come on," I stood up and paced around the room. "Your father sent you to force me to marry Leah?"
"Yeah," He nodded and placed his hand on the arm rest. "I'm sorry, but he has a good point of view, Ben." He said shyly.
To be honest, Michael was a great leader. He was skilled when it came time to organize a search party, to hunt down vampires and had all the qualities of a leader and I proudly follow him, but this? He was the Alpha, not Sam Uley. Damn, what a noisy idiot. Sam Uley was always haranguing my ass to marry Leah. He said that it wasn't nice for Leah to be with me, while we had a child together. We needed to be protected by the union of marriage. If he only knew how headstrong Leah could be. Oh, shit, he did! He'd been with Leah many years back. What he didn't know was that after our daughter Caleigh was born, I asked my precious Leah to marry me and she gave me the most redundant 'NO'. I tried various time after that, twelve to be exact in the last two months and she still gave me a big 'NO'. She wanted me to finish school and maybe then, she might give me that anticipated 'Yes'.
"Why don't you tell him what Leah said to you?" Mom laughed.
"He won't believe it," I shrugged. "He'll probably think that I'm lying." I said, pacing a bit more around my mother's living room. She ushered me to her side and I sat on the arm rest. She placed her hand on my lap and smiled softly at me. I looked at Michael and sighed. "Fine, Mom. Michael, I asked Lee to marry me twelve times and twelve times she's denied me, with the stupid excuse that she wants to wait until I finish school."
"How long do you still have to finish school?" Michael asked.
"I'm doing summer school now, but I still have one semester and I'm done this December, why?" I asked intrigued.
Michael smacked his hands on his knees and sighed. "Well," he laughed. "I did what I promised I would do. I see that you aren't playing around with Leah. She can be headstrong and willful at times, but it that's her decision, I can't make her do anything that my father wants. My father shouldn't be minding Leah's problems, anyways. In fact, I should steer clear of her too. Leah might chop me into pieces and feed me to the wolves if she finds out that I came here on behalf of my father. You know that those two have a history of animosity." He laughed. "Listen, I just want your happiness and if Leah doesn't want to marry you now, then there is nothing I can do. She's not part of my pack. There is really nothing that I can do. I don't even know why I came here."
"Oh, yeah," I nodded. "Leah's is still in Jake's renegade pack." I said nonchalantly. Michael, my parents and I continued speaking. We laughed and Mom offered us her famous lemonade. Michael drank his and asked for more. He was on his third serving, when I looked out the window and saw Leah's Jeep Cherokee pull into my parents' driveway. "Um, guys, give me a second, please." I said, hopping off the arm rest and kissing my mom's forehead. "I'll be right back,"
"Is Leah here?" Mike asked, standing up from his chair. "I should go. I don't want to have any broken bones in me if she finds out about what my father asked me to do." He said timidly.
"No, I won't tell her." I laughed. "I'm just going to help her bring Caleigh inside. You should stay and meet my daughter."
"I know, I still haven't seen her," Michael said, shrugging. "My girlfriend, Anastasia and I have been getting everything ready so we can move together in our apartment in Port Angeles."
"Oh, that's so nice! Brady, remember when we moved in together the first time," Mom purred, as she snuggled closer to my father. Dad nodded and kissed Mom's hand. "I had recently gotten out of high school and we were living in Seattle. It was the best time of our lives. You know, now that I remember…" she paused and giggled. "Sam and Emily lived together in sin three years after having you boys,"
"That's true," Dad laughed. "You should tell your father to stop being a hypocrite." He chuckled. "The good thing is that we are all happy and content with our imprints."
"I don't have an imprint, so I don't know," Michael said and drank some of his lemonade.
"I love good happy endings. Don't you, Benny?"
"Whatever, Mom," I said, reaching the front door. "Michael don't go anywhere! You have to meet my daughter. You are gonna fall in love with her."
"OK, but make it quick. I also promised my brother that we would go to the Blacks house and spend time with his imprint, Mia, before I head out to Port Angeles." He said, standing up next to his chair and crossing his arms over his chest.
I nodded and dashed out and jumped the porch steps and hurried to be near Leah. She was already out of the driver's seat and working her way to reach the backseat door where our little girl was tucked safely in her car seat.
"Hi, babe," I said, placing my hand on Leah's waist and smiling down at her. "I was going to see you, but you beat me to it." I whispered, nearing her lips. I claimed her mouth and felt a torrent of emotions washed over me. Leah had the power to make me a sap. She raked her arms around my neck and brought my face closer to hers. "I love you, angel," I muttered against her lips. We kissed a bit more, but separated, when I heard Michaels' anxious footsteps approach us.
"Mike," Leah said, stepping aside and looking at Mike Uley. "I haven't seen you in a long time. How is your life?"
"Good," he said, looking past Leah and then at me. "And yours?"
"Well," she paused and turned around to open the backseat door. "I have been busy with my daughter Caleigh. Benedict spoils her far too much, but happy nonetheless."
"I'm glad," he said, but there was something strange about the way he tried to avoid looking inside Leah's Jeep. "Um, well," he paused and raked his fingers through his hair. "I, um,"
"Is something wrong?" Leah asked. I heard the clicking sound of the car seat's buckle unhook and Leah carried Caleigh in her arms. "You are acting strange. What's going on?"
I took Caleigh from Leah's hands and pressed her against my chest, as I glared at Michael. I don't know what the fuck was happening, but it made me fear for Leah's and Caleigh's safety. I grabbed Leah by the arm and shielded her from Michael.
"I don't know what's wrong with me," Michael confessed. "I was fine a minute ago, but, Benedict left to get you and I had to follow him… Something is wrong with me, Lee," he stopped and took a step closer to where we stood. "Can I see her face, please?" His hand was outstretched and I suddenly knew what was happening. Everyone in the Rez had already met Caleigh, except Michael Uley. He'd imprinted on my little Chocolate Pie. I relaxed and somehow Leah did too. She stepped in front of me and calmly took our daughter and carried her facing Michael. "Holy fuck!" he muttered, his hand flying to his temples. "You gotta be shitting me! I'm supposed to be moving in with Anastasia." He muttered to himself.
Leah looked at me, her lips were pursed in a thin line and her expression was pensive. I kissed her forehead and took Caleigh from her arms. I kissed my Chocolate Pie's crown and inhaled the soft scent of baby talk and Leah's perfume. I loved this little girl so much. She was my life and now was also part of Michael's life. I was happy with the outcome of Michael imprinting on her, but I knew that Leah was going to have a hard time with it; just because he was an Uley.
"What just happened?" Michael asked, taking a step closer to Caleigh and I. "Why is it so hard to stop staring at her? I feel strange," he whispered, running a finger down Caleigh's face. She cooed and tilted her precious head to the sound of his voice. He touched her small hand and she clutched at his thumb, causing him to laugh. "She beautiful,"
"Oh, great, my daughter has been imprinted by an Uley," Leah muttered, as the full extent of the situation dawned on her. I chuckled and watched Michael stare at my daughter in fascination. "I'm going inside. I need some vodka or some of Leslie's famous Mojito." Leah stormed off into the house and I stayed outside, talking to Michael about the rules of imprinting.
"Just make her happy, please," I said, as I handed him my daughter.
Leah's POV
I was furious at the fact that Michael Uley imprinted on my daughter. She wasn't even two months old and she already had a soul mate. To make it worst, it had to be one of Sam Uley's kids. I wasn't angry at Michael for imprinting on my sweet baby girl. It was the fact that all those years that I suffered for Sam came crashing back and now I understood why I had been so attached to Samuel as a teenager. The same situation had been the same when Bella was pregnant with Nessie. Jake couldn't help being away from Bella, because Nessie was calling at his soul. It cursed at my luck, as I drank some tea.
So destiny knew that I would have a daughter and it was preparing the way for Caleigh and Michael's path to meet. It was strange, morbid if you ask me, but it was the truth. Caleigh had been calling Michael through the stretch fabric of time all those years. Those two had been preordained to be together.
It was just like when I felt the pull to move back to La Push nineteen years ago. I didn't understand why, but I knew that I had to leave everything behind and return to the land that gave life to me. I returned to La Push and found Benedict. My soul was entwined to him. It had always been him and now that I thought about it this way. I didn't mind the fact that Mike imprinted on my little Chocolate Pie. Caleigh was going to be blessed with someone that would love her and cherish her. Michael would protect her, just like Sam Uley fought and protected Emily Young. The only thing that I didn't like about the whole imprinting crap was that I would have to see Emily and Sam more often than I wanted to.
When Benedict and I left the Brooks home, we drove around for a while, until Caleigh was asleep. We walked into my small cabin and walked straight to my room. I told him what was bothering me and he listened attentively.
"That's what been bothers you all afternoon, Lee?" Benedict laughed, as he placed Caleigh on her bassinet. We had spent the afternoon on his parents' house and it was late in the night, when we returned to my cabin. Michael followed us, but I asked him to leave Benedict and I alone for a while. He looked sad and thoughtful, but complied. "Leah, come on! Emily is your cousin. Don't you think that we should forget the past and concentrate on the future?"
"Yes, but, ugh!" I said, flopping on the bed. "It bothers me that now I have to see Emily and her stupid husband all the time." I confessed. "I don't mind Michael. He's not like his father. His nice, a bit too nice. He's the same pacific temper as Emily…"
"OK, good. That's good, baby." Benedict said and kissed Caleigh's sleeping face. He walked around the bassinet and sat beside me, placing his head on my lap and looked up at me. "I'll be honest with you," he paused and ran his warm hand down my arm. "I'm glad that he imprinted on my Chocolate Pie. Now I won't be so worried when I'm at school."
"Why is that?"
"Well, Lee, Michael will make sure that you and the baby are safe, when I'm away from you two." He said solemnly. "I can relax a bit and study more. OK, relax a little bit, because I know that you are safe. I worry about you two constantly. I just want to be done with school and be next to you." He sighed.
"We'll be alright, silly," I said, stroking his short cropped hair. "I have been thinking that I'm going to start phasing again."
"Why?" he asked and sat up. "I thought that you wanted to grow old with me. I even stopped phasing."
"Babe," I said, kissing his chin and lips. "I don't want to age. Not yet. There are many things that I still want to do. I want to be strong for Caleigh. If she's anything like me, then I have to put on my seatbelt for the bumpiest ride of my life."
"Why do you say that? Our daughter is going to be amazing. And what other things do you still want to do, precious?" he asked intrigued.
"I want, um," I paused and scooted closer to him. "Come here, angel." I whispered, my eyes resting on Benedict's green eyes. He looked confused, but relaxed when I touched his shoulder. "I love you." I whispered next to his ear. "I've loved you for a long time now. You have made me happy and for that I am thankful."
"You don't have to thank me for loving you, Leah," he said, clasping my face in his hands, as he gently moved closer. His eyes were on my lips. I felt my heart lip with joy. "I love you and I will always love you and Caleigh."
"Ben," I whispered, tilting my head to the side and kissed the sensitive skin on his neck. "I love you and I'm glad that we have Caleigh, but,"
"But?"
"I-I don't know how to say this," I said glumly.
"What is it, Leah?"
"I," I paused and licked my lips. "I want to know if… OK, see, I-I, um, well, I w-want more k-kids, with you, please," I stuttered. He laughed heartedly and kissed my lips with such need and want. I felt my hands roam his body and I was truly happy.
"That would be great." He said against my lips. "Caleigh can't be an only child. We can have more little girls… and maybe a little boy. I love them all already. I love you, Leah. Thank you for, hmm," he moaned against my lips. "I would love for you to be the mother of my children, beautiful." Every word was blessed by a kiss from his mouth. I was utterly happy.
We spoke about having two more children, in the near future. He promised me that they would all be loved with the same love that he felt for Caleigh. He promised me that he would make me marry him the day after his graduation. I wanted to say that we should think about it for a little while. December was only five months away and a wedding took so much planning. I should have stopped him, but the Leah that was held in his arms was happy. All she wanted was to share her life with him. She was tired of thinking and over analyzing everything. She just wanted to give in and be held forever in his arms and be beside her loving Benedict. I knew that those were his plans and I didn't mind them. They made me happy. Benedict made me blissfully happy.
He held me tight in his arms and we laughed about how amazing our lives were. We slept together that night. It was as intimate as making love, but all we did was hold each other tight. I stayed in his arms and I wondered how my nights would feel if I let Benedict in. He knew I loved him. He knew that I cared for him and only wanted what was good for him. He held a special place in my heart and he was in every part, a father of my daughter. He adored Caleigh with a love that I thought was impossible, but with him everything is possible. I felt happy in his arms. The soft beatings of his heart were slowly lulling me into a peaceful slumber. I fought hard to keep myself awake and think about the last events that had taken part in my life.
I fought hard to stay awake, but it was useless. The warmth of his arms and the gentle kisses he left on my skin were too much. I was covered by a protective blanket made out of love. I decided to give in and fall asleep. I was safe; Caleigh was sound asleep and happy. Benedict would watch over me and never let any harm come our way.
"Leah," I heard a voice in the darkness. It was familiar, but yet so unknown. It echoed in the stillness of the night and for a second, I thought I was awake, but I really wasn't. I felt Benny-boy's arms holding me securely against his chest. "Leah, come, follow my voice."
"Why?" I asked, as I searched around in my dream, hoping to see where the sound was coming from. Not even I, Leah Clearwater, the only female wolf in the history of the Quileute wolves, could see in this pitch blackness. "Why should I follow you?" I asked nervously. I couldn't see my hands or the path where my feet were carrying me. I was fearful, but at the same time, I wanted to know. I walked further into the darkness, not knowing where it was taking me.
"Precious, Leah," I heard a soft, low voice said.
I felt the tears sting the back of my eyes, when I recognized who had been speaking to me. It had been so long since I thought of him. He was standing beside me, a spotlight illuminated where we stood. His arms were outstretched, beckoning me in a sweet embrace. I ran up to him and held him in my arms.
"Daddy," I cried with happiness. "Don't ever leave me, please!"
"Leah, sweetheart," he said, as he gently pulled me away and looked into my eyes. I smiled at him, through my tears. "Leah, my princess," he whispered, a content smile on his serene face. "You have made me so proud."
"Dad," I muttered, but he placed his pointer finger on my lips and shook his head. "I can't stay. My time in the world has already pass, my daughter. I lived a long and happy life with your mother. She gave me two wonderful children and I saw them grow healthy. Leah, my love, you and Seth were the best gift destiny gave me. Seth and you have continuously made me proud. Between your two, I have been blessed with amazing grandchildren. You are going to have many more and you will be happy, Lee."
"But, Daddy," I sobbed harder against his chest. "I can't live without you. You are here. Come and meet my daughter. She's so little and I love her so much. Don't leave me again, please."
"I'm never too far from you, princess. I'm always present in your live. I may not be physically here, but spiritually, I'm always there for you, your brother and mother."
"It's not the same," I sobbed. "I want you in my life again. I want to be completely happy."
"It's part of life, princess." Dad said and ran his hand over my hair. "You have grown so beautiful. You look so happy. You are like a beautiful version of your mother. I'm glad that you found happiness, Leah. Be happy, my angel, be very happy."
"I am happy," I said, wiping the tears off my eyes. "I'm so happy! I just need you to be completely happy."
"No, Lee, you don't need me to be happy. All you need is Benedict and your daughter. You are happy, princess. I can see it in your eyes. Benedict has made you the happiest woman in the world. Don't doubt his love for you. He loves Caleigh with all his heart. He doesn't care that she doesn't carry his blood. To him, she's already his; his precious daughter."
"But, why do I feel like I'm betraying Elliot?"
"But nothing, Leah. Elliot Hawthorn was a precious chapter in your life, but you always knew that your love for him could never surpass or be compared to the love that you've always had for Benedict." He said, framing my face with his hand and forcing me to look at him. "Elliot knows this and he doesn't mind. He knows that Benedict is your happiness. He's just glad that he was part of your life and that together you've made a daughter. He only wishes that Benedict makes Caleigh happy. I told him that she already is. Caleigh will love her father and everything in your life will be wonderful. Leah, I promise that you will be happy. I love you, angel. Don't forget how much I love you."
"I love you, Daddy,"
"I love you so much, Leah. I've missed you with all my heart. I know that you are safe and that you'll be happy. Tell your mother and Seth that I am always watching over them." He said, his voice was soft, calmed and filled with such love that I felt like this dream was real.
I nodded and held on tightly to my father. The light that once illuminated us, dimmed and I was left in the darkness again. I was lost in my path, but then I felt warm arms holding me tightly. I opened my eyes and I found Benedict staring down at me.
"Are you alright?" he asked worriedly. He brushed the tears that unknowingly were falling down my face. I nodded and nestled closer to his chest. "Did you have a nightmare, baby?"
"No," I whispered, closing my eyes, hoping that I could recall my father's serene face again. I wanted to remember it. I had to remember it, because his words gave me the strength to continue and be happy. "I'm fine, angel. I'm perfectly fine." I said, kissing his chin.
He held me in his arms, until he dosed off. I felt the rise and fall of his chest against mine. I sighed tiredly and looked out the window. I saw two things that calmed me. The sun was slowly peaking through the horizon, announcing a brand new day, filled with the hope of a brighter tomorrow. Also, behind a large Evergreen tree, I saw Michael Uley's wolf form, making sure that Caleigh was doing fine.
I had everything that I wanted, a man that loved me, family, a beautiful daughter and happiness. I had everything that I ever dreamed of having.
This is not the end! So, don't worry. I have to tighten loose ends. Thanks for reading and of course, reviewing.