THIRTY-ONE
DINNER PT1
PAUL
"Paul, I have something to tell you," my wife admits to me, while nervously wringing her hands. I immediately tense up, expecting the worst. In anticipation, I hurriedly finish buttoning my navy shirt and turn away from the mirror.
"What's wrong?" I move closer to Rachel and rub my warm palms along her arms in an attempt to calm her down. "Relax baby." I kiss her forehead and pull her into a brief hug.
"Thanks Paulie. Promise me you won't flip out okay?" she looks up at me with those puppy eyes that I can never deny.
"Just tell me Rach."
"Jake, his imprint and Leah are coming to dinner tonight. They're going to talk to Dad."
I shake my head at the news. "I thought I'd smelled them on Becca when she came that day! I thought I was buggin' or something." What the fuck? How could they be back and none of us knew? Surely we would have caught their scents on patrol or something.
Sam is going to fucking go bat-shit-crazy - I groan and rub my hands over my face - and I'm going to have to deal with his arrogant ass.
"Paul?" Rachel rests her palm against my shoulder and gives a gentle squeeze.
"I don't know what you want me to say. It might go south pretty quickly babe."
"I know, that's why I wanted you to know before they get here. I didn't even know until yesterday! Becca swore me to secrecy, but it didn't feel right, this is our home, you had a right to know."
I nod and give her temple a kiss. "I'm not sure I even want to be here for all that drama with your father," I joke.
"I need you here."
"I know, I was just joking."
"What if Dad still won't listen, what if he tries to kick them out?"
"Honestly Rach, they're adults. You and I both hate to be told what to do with our lives, you hate how Sam treats me. It's no different with Jake and Leah. I mean, who are we to tell them what to do? They make their own decisions. Honestly, if Jacob could be with Leah it must mean that the imprint with the hybrid is fucked up somehow."
"She's a kid, that's what he always says."
"Well, whatever it is, his wolf wouldn't let him fuck someone else if it really wanted its imprintee. He could have hurt Leah seriously, like worse than Sam hurt Emily."
"You really think that?"
"Yeah, for sure. I could never be with anyone else after I met you. I tried but the beast made it impossible. All I could think about was you. Any woman who tried to touch me, the wolf reacted. Got pissed. I had to back off."
"Let's not talk about the women you tried to sleep with, please?"
I roll my eyes. "That was forever ago, and you know I didn't. I'm just proving a point. If that girl was meant to be Jacob's mate, he'd be with her."
"So why didn't you say something before?"
"Because Sam's an asshole, Rach. It's better to just shut up sometimes rather than piss him off. And you know me and your brother don't exactly get along, I really didn't give a fuck about what he was doing in his personal shit – I'm more interested in him and Sam settling their Alpha beef, but Jake keeps running off like a pussy."
I was always pro-Sam because he was with me from the start, but lately I've found myself wanting to quit the pack altogether. I think we all should, and just carry on with our lives. Sam's need to control shit worked fine when we were younger and scared, but now it's just fucking annoying. I'm sick of him messing with my marriage and my future. I'm a grown fucking man and he keeps overstepping by using his rank as Alpha to force me and everyone else into doing his bidding. He promises better pay at work but that shit stopped being worth it once the baby came along. I'm glad Jared had the balls to speak up first, or who knows how long I would have continued to be a pussy like Jake.
Rachel sighs and nods, her face forlorn, which immediately prompts me to try to comfort her. "Hey," I call to her, bringing her into my arms. "Don't be upset okay. Things will work out. I'll back your brother if that's what you need me to do. Just stop stressing about it. Leah and Jake are more than capable of taking care of this themselves."
Rachel acquiesces with a nod, and I dip my head and capture her lips with mine. I've got other ways to reassure my girl that everything will be alright.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
When I bring Billy over to the house, Rachel and Rebecca are both standing in the living room with Lotus between them. I can see and smell their unease which will certainly tip off the chief if they don't quit it. After handing Billy a beer (which earns me a disapproving glare from Rebecca, who's been very upset to find that her father does not adhere much to the diabetic dietary rules), I take my baby from her mother and smother her in kisses. I take her to say hello to her grandfather, and it's while we play on the sofa that the first guests arrive.
Seth and Sue Clearwater.
Billy's surprise is hard to miss as his eyebrows shoot up into his hairline almost, and he stops mid-drink and wipes his mouth. "Sue, Seth," he nods, then casts a quick glance at his daughters.
"It's a special welcome dinner tonight, for family," Rebecca offers and welcomes Sue and Seth each with a kiss to the cheek.
I know in Billy's head he's thinking about the cryptic statement. Oh he has no idea.
"Good evening Billy, Paul, and little Lotus. Oh Rachel she's growing so fast!" Sue coos and comes over to tickle Lotus' chin which earns her a dribbly grin from my little flower. "She's just the perfect blend of you and Rachel," she tells me.
"She is," I agree with a smile. My Lotus is the best thing that ever happened to me, like her mother.
"What's up?" Seth asks as he comes and settles next to me with a beer. Lotus lunges for the bottle which causes everyone to erupt in laughter – the tension broken for a split second as she lights up the room with her greedy antics.
"Anything that heads to your mouth, she wants," I inform the stunned wolf next to me, while reining in my feisty little munchkin. The little bugger fights me and starts to protest in her baby language, so I throw her in the air and zerbert her belly to distract her.
"So in other words, she's a mini you," Seth quips.
"Pretty much!" Rachel answers as she brings out a tray of fancy shit which to me is just tuna paste on crackers.
"She's headstrong just like the twins at her age, it's that Wilde blood," Billy chuckles, as he accepts the appetizers his daughter plies him with. "Sarah and I had our hands full with them when they were little," Billy smiles fondly at Lotus, and for a moment the pain of his wife's death is reflected in his eyes.
Sue and Rebecca strike up an amicable conversation about nursing, while Rachel plays hostess to burn off her nervous energy. She looks towards the open front door every few minutes in anticipation and I have to restrain myself from telling her not to worry. Billy's already watching us all like hawks, keenly aware that something's up.
Steps approach the house, but I quickly determine that it's just one person not two, and a second later, Embry knocks at the doorframe with a sheepish grin on his face and a fistful of yellow roses. "Hope I'm not too late?"
"No! You're right on time Embry! Come in!" Rachel croons and rushes to welcome him with a hug. Rebecca immediately dashes into the kitchen and I don't miss the racing heart thumping away in her chest.
"Evening Chief, Sue, Seth, Paul," Embry nods to each of us and receives a stiff greeting from Sue while the rest of us play it cool. He gives a weird wave to the baby whom he's never laid eyes on before now. "She's cute," he tells me.
"I know. Nice flowers," I smirk playfully, ignoring the glare from Rach.
"Uh, yeah," Embry looks down at the bouquet and awkwardly clears his throat.
"Embry, why don't you go into the kitchen, you'll find a vase on top of the cabinet, put them in some water," Rachel encourages him, and I can't help but chuckle at her attempt at being covert about the most recent imprint in the pack. One that is certain to cause a stir since the imprintee is none other than the prodigal daughter, a married woman. How lucky is the chief that both his daughters were imprinted on, giving them both reasons to stay here in La Push.
Even though Rebecca freaked when I kinda blabbed about the imprint (my bad), I can tell she's into Embry already. It's only a matter of time before the bond makes it impossible for her to hide behind that ring on her finger. From what I've heard her saying, she's pretty much done with the Samoan Surfer anyways.
Embry makes a quick escape into the kitchen and I look over at Seth, who's clearly listening in to see if his brother needs some moral support.
My daughter chooses that moment to poop and (while laughing hard at Seth's exclamation when the smell hit his sensitive nose) I quickly make my own escape to her room to handle the offending diaper. I plug my nose with a clothes pin because it's literally the only way I can stand to do it, and Lotus giggles and tries to swipe at it. I make chicken noises and pretend to peck at her, which is a game we always play when I do this. After she successfully snags at the pin, I replace it with a toy, so that I can make quick work of her stinky butt. "Man I can't wait til you can use the toilet like everyone else," I tell her.
"Da!" she replies with a gummy grin.
Rachel comes in the room behind me. "How do you think it's going? Do you think Dad suspects anything?"
"He definitely knows something's up. Why's your brother taking so damn long to get here? I'm hungry."
Rachel rolls her eyes and takes over redressing the baby. "They'll be here any minute, I'm sure."
I know she's extra nervous because she hasn't spoken to either Jacob or Leah since they came back, but there's really nothing she can do but wait and see like the rest of us.
When we make it back to the living room, Embry is seated next to Seth, nursing his own beer, while Rebecca is busying herself setting the food out on the tables we've set up in the backyard, that will allow everyone to dine together.
"Finally," I mutter, when I hear the Rabbit pull up outside. "It's showtime," I whisper in Rachel's ear and she takes a deep breath and smooths over the sexy wrap dress she's wearing.
Without fanfare, Leah and Jacob appear in the doorway, and much like Embry, they stand there as if waiting to be invited inside. Leah is gripping Jacob's arm tightly as he takes a deep breath, instantly finding his father's shocked face first.
Lotus is the first person who greets them with a smile as she excitedly claps her hands at the sight of her uncle and godmother. I try not to be annoyed that she loves Jacob so much, simply because I don't particularly care for the dude. I'm actually appreciative that there's another man in her life who will be there for her, and who I know would take care of her like his own, if anything were ever to happen to me.
"Look Lotus, it's Uncle Jake and Auntie Lee-Lee!" Rachel claps along excitedly.
"Ba! Ba!" Lotus shrieks and everyone laughs as she reaches for them both. Rachel goes over and allows the baby to choose whom she wants first, and I can't help but smile at the reunion between her and her godmom. Leah tries to hide her tears as she hugs Lotus close and smells her hair before showering her cheeks with kisses.
"Hi baby girl, I missed you so much!" she coos quietly, then reaches out and pulls Rachel in for a quick embrace. "Hi Rach."
"Hi Lee, I'm so glad you're home," Rachel whispers, then launches herself at her brother.
"Thank you for bringing her home, and for coming back Jake, I missed you and I'm sorry," she tells her little brother, who towers over everyone else in the room. Jacob hugs my wife tightly and nods against the top of her head. He looks over at me and nods once.
"Welcome back fugitives!" I say loudly, and welcome them both with hugs and claps on the back.
"Gee thanks Paul," Leah smirks with a roll of her eyes.
"We missed you around here she-wolf," I say playfully. "Good to have you back."
"It's good to be back, Paul. Thanks."
Leah and Jacob step properly into the house and are greeted by everyone else who are noticeably not surprised to see them arrive. They say hello to the Chief, but Billy remains frozen in his chair, as if he's watching one of Rach's weird indie films that he can't follow.
Jacob goes back to the doorway and beckons the third guest of honor outside. I can smell the hybrid now, like flowers, perfumed flowers, but it's not the undead stinky-sweet smell, thank the Spirits. My wolf remains fairly calm, though curious, and I take that as a good sign.
"Hey Dad, um, we're back and…we brought someone else with us tonight," Jacob looks over at his father, who is still staring at the scene before him, speechless.
"Hello, I'm Nessie, nice to meet you all officially," the small girl-like woman steps inside with a shy wave. She's cute, reminds me of her mom but better looking, it's the hair. She's wearing a simple short white dress and brown shoes with thick heels which give her some added height. She looks nice, definitely a looker overall, and yet, I don't see her with Jacob. Never saw him with Swan either though, so I may just be biased.
Rachel is the first to greet her, even hugging her which annoys me because now she'll smell like flowers in a perfume shop too. Next comes Rebecca, who's so enraptured that she makes "Nessie" seem like some kind of celebrity (I swear, she has a weird name and I don't like it). Seth steps forward and introduces Embry, seeming more familiar with the girl than I expected. Sue comes forward and remarks how lovely it is to see her again. I forget the girl is Charlie's granddaughter, and then it suddenly makes sense why the Clearwaters are so good with everything. Next, the hybrid turns her curious gaze over at me so I offer my hand and welcome her to the house. I don't miss the proud way my wife looks at me for being polite.
Billy is last in the room to say something. Jacob clasps Nessie's small, pale hand and brings her over. It surprises me how calm Leah is being about the whole thing. "Dad, meet Nessie, again."
The girl smiles brightly at the chief, who basically shoots death rays at his son before offering his hand for her to take. She leans in and they kiss one another's cheeks and he officially welcomes her back to Forks.
"You've really grown up since the last time I saw you."
"Yes sir. Definitely not a baby anymore," she chirps up. I don't miss the look Leah gives Seth and I find it interesting when his face reddens and he looks down.
Hmmm…definitely some gossip there, I hope Rachel gets the scoop later.
Billy continues to chat with the long-lost imprint, asking her about her parents and her life in Paris.
Everyone is breaking up into groups to chat about the new girl, the twins sound their approval to one another and Sue, while Seth and Embry have some kind of whisper face-reading thing going on, with all the wolf ears in the room.
Jacob goes over to Leah and Lotus and asks if she's doing okay, while taking the baby for cuddles. I watch my daughter eagerly shower him with the attention that's usually mine and roll my eyes in annoyance. Leah bites her lip, telling him that they still haven't properly greeted his father. She's clearly nervous. I would be too after dropping all these bombs.
Jacob hands the baby over to Rebecca before I can call dibs, and pulls Leah over to his imprint and his father. Like a mother bear Sue moves to stand behind her daughter. Seth and Embry shuffle to the far wall on the other side of the dinner table – clearly opting to stay out of the way.
"Dad, we came back to set things right," Jacob says assertively.
Billy looks over at Leah, then back up at his son. "You and Leah are together?"
"Yes, we are." Jacob grabs Leah's hand with his own.
"You look well, Chief," she murmurs, but Billy only looks at her, then at his son. Sue bristles at the slight towards her daughter and shakes her head.
"Billy, when is this going to stop?" she finally snaps, incapable of biting her tongue any longer.
Shit, this is better than a soap opera.
"It will stop when my son does the right thing."
"Well, keep holding your breath and you won't live long enough to be a part of your children's and grandchildren's lives."
Billy huffs and shakes his head, dismissing Sue.
"She's right, you won't," Jacob says threateningly, then brings Leah closer to his side, securing his arm around her shoulder instead. "Leah and I are having a baby Dad."
"Oh Shi-!" I exclaim, covering my mouth just in time.
They're pregnant? Fuck me! Sam's going to completely LOSE his SHIT!
"Oh my gawd! You're having a baby?!" My wife squeals, bouncing on her toes.
"Yeah, we are," Jacob turns to his sister with a wide grin and accepts her eager hug which draws both him and the scowling she-wolf in at the same time.
"What?" Billy, who's been sitting in his chair with a blank stare finally catches himself and looks between them, then at Sue and back again.
"We're just about three months in," Leah confirms with a shy smile at her mate. Now that I look closer, she really does have that pregnancy glow – and bigger tits.
"That's so amazing Leah," Rachel gushes. "I know how you thought it would never happen, but look! You're going to be a mom!"
"She's overcome so much to get to this point. I couldn't be happier for them," Sue tells the Chief, who still can't seem to make ass from tits on the situation.
"I don't understand, this is Jacob's child?" he confirms, looking at Leah specifically.
Leah's brow furrows and then she lifts her head, "Yes, and I'm positive about that."
"But he's imprinted, he can't have a child with someone else while imprinted!"
"Apparently I can, Dad," Jacob replies. But it's not with anger, his reply is tender, with understanding. We can all see how the chief is struggling to accept each surprise as it comes.
Jacob looks back at his imprint and she steps forward to stand at his other side. She had drifted away when the celebration of the pregnancy was happening. "I came to tell you that I'm happy for Leah and Jacob. They have my blessing, and I really hope that you will give them yours too."
"But how?" Billy asks, looking back and forth between the three of them.
"We talked things out and we each know where we stand in this. Nessie will be a part of our life and she will be welcome here anytime, but she and I will never be a couple Dad, just like I told you." My wolf perks up at the tone of the reply. Jacob's voice is deep and unwavering, as if uttering the law.
Billy shakes his head and throws his hands up to the roof. His errant son turns up, bringing his imprint and Leah with him, then he finds out they're having a baby? I don't see how he can get out of this one. Jacob has done what is considered the impossible, unintentionally proving through and through that he is rightful Chief and Alpha. I can't see how Billy or Sam could try to exert influence on him now.
As he stands there, drawn up to his full height, his broad chest alone eclipsing his father's huddled frame, I witness for the first time, that Jacob is now in control. He's ready. But I don't know if he's too late. He had all these years to step up and didn't, he chose to leave because he didn't want the responsibility like Sam hungered for it.
"We just want your blessing Billy," Leah speaks up, pleadingly. "We don't want to fight anymore. Jacob is back, he's not leaving, he's ready to be Alpha, to take his place and be your heir. All he's asking is that you accept us, his family." Leah places a hand on her stomach and Jacob nods in agreement.
I grimace, as Leah confirms my suspicions. Now that Sam has already stepped in as Alpha on the Council (and though it has remained suspiciously unsaid by the Council), that makes him chief too. That's the law – Alpha equals Chief. Sam's been covertly navigating Billy into giving up his claim to chief, he's not going to simply relinquish his gains and be satisfied with being on the Council without either. It won't be good for his political plans with the pale faces, and this whole persona he's trying to build as leader of the tribe so that he can enter politics.
But on the bright side - the inevitable ass-whupping that I've been dying to see if finally going to happen now.
"Please Billy, let's think about the future. We have a grandchild on the way. Isn't that wonderful? Think of Harry, he would have been so happy to hear this news," Sue reasons.
"And Mom," Rebecca speaks up. "Mom would want us to be happy and together, Dad. She wouldn't want us to be divided, not like this."
"Please Dad," Rachel echoes.
"But, how are you going to do this? What about the wolf? Has it given trouble?" Billy asks his son, clearly worried about his mental health and wolf temper.
"The wolf wants Leah as a mate, and to protect Nessie as a part of its pack. It's fine. In fact, I haven't felt this good in years."
"But how can this be? The records-"
"The records hardly contain anything about imprinting because there weren't many that ever happened, Billy!" Sue interjects with an impatience tone. "You've got to stop making this into a bigger deal than it is! Our generation has experienced things vastly different from Taha Aki's or Ephraim's time. We've had the most imprints ever, and we've got to learn from them. It is time for you to understand that WE are writing history here, not following it!"
Sue pauses and gestures to all of us in the room, with fire in her eyes. "Our children are writing their own legends. The first Alpha Male and Female stand before you – my daughter is the first female to phase, she has a right to that title. This pack has the first child imprints, the first amicable co-existence with vampires. We've witnessed the birth of the first hybrid, a miracle in her own right!" Sue smiles warmly at Nessie, and I watch Seth walk over to her and bump her shoulder casually, taking the space on her other side.
"Come on Billy, certainly you can appreciate that what happened in the past really cannot tell you how you should handle this situation!" Sue rants on, her face now red with passion. "You're the father of the True Alpha, your daughters are bonded to the pack! You've got to see that your legacy is greater than Ephraim's now. You should be proud! You should embrace this with open arms. Stop turning your son away!"
Billy looks at his three children with tears in his eyes.
"Dad, Embry imprinted on me," Rebecca speaks up, coddling Lotus on her hip.
"Embry?" Billy confirms, wide-eyed.
Shit, how much more do they think the old man can take in one go?
"Yes sir." Embry rushes forward and stands closer behind Rebecca, but is careful not to touch her, though it's obvious to me that he wants to. She throws him a tentative smile over her shoulder. "I promise sir, I'll be whatever your daughter needs me to be. I only want her to be happy."
"But what about Solomon?" Billy asks.
"We're over. We have been for a long time. I was just too scared to let go. I'm staying here in La Push – not because of the imprint, but because I want to be with my family."
I notice that the baby is getting tired and move to take her from her aunt. My warmth always does the trick to put her to sleep, so I slip into the kitchen and grab her bottle from the warmer. "Here you go baby girl," I whisper, settling my pride and joy to lay in the crook of my left arm. Lotus smiles up at me and pulls at my chin before eagerly accepting her bottle. Her brown eyes flutter sleepily as she guzzles the breast milk and slaps the bottle.
I bounce her gently as we stand in the threshold between the two rooms, and even I am fucking touched at the scene before me. Billy is weeping into his hands, while his three children crowd around him, each whispering words of love and encouragement.
These fucking Blacks.
So much love and so much drama.
AN: I just love when I can write from Paul's POV, he's my other guy lol. Lotus is just seriously the sweetest, I wish she were real. Kudos to Mama bear Sue for FINALLY giving Billy some serious words - chief or no chief! Which means that we've made a START to repairing the damage with Billy and Jake. After Dinner Part 2, which will be from a few POVs, we'll meet with the Council and Sam. Thanks for being here! I seriously hope I can get another chapter of this written soon. It stands currently at 37 chptrs. I am seriously blocked and life is busy. I hope you all are doing well, and thanks so much for the reviews! I always love hearing your insight and how much you enjoy reading. I am on the fence about Nessie and Seth too guys! Some of you are yay and some nay, now I dunno which to go with anymore for the ending lol.