Chapter 19: July Part 1

Warning: Swearing

Changing the timeline around a bit

Disclaimer: All rights belong to Stephenie Meyer

It was just after 1 AM when Jacob and Leah finished speaking, marking the first day of July and the second hour of explaining every minute detail they could think of.

Bella was silent for several minutes afterwards, unnaturally still as she stared at them in turn. They exchanged a look from where they were on the Swan's couch, which suddenly seemed a lot smaller as they sat crammed next to each other, a deliberately visible space between them.

"Now you know everything," Leah said.

Bella pressed her lips together, her usually expressive face giving nothing away.

"Say something please," they said in unison, side eyeing each other in surprise.

Bella cracked an empty smile. "You two really were made for each other."

"I know it's weird," Jacob said. "But I swear to you it's purely platonic. My affection for Leah has become more intense with the imprint, but I still see her as the third sister I never asked for."

"It's true. Jake will forever be a louder, smellier version of my baby brother, and the sorry sucker who threw up after eating my mud pies when we were four."

"Okay, but who actually tried to pass them off as chocolate chip cookies?" Jacob said. "A heartless sadist, that's who."

"Was I actually heartless or were you just extremely gullible for a four year old? They had gravel mixed in, Jacob. Actual gravel."

Bella was not amused. "Can I see your memory of when you imprinted?"

Leah hesitated at the awkward position that left Jake in. The moment of imprint was meant to be private, hidden under lock and key just as Sam, Jared, and Paul had done. It was only Jacob's rotten luck to imprint in wolf form with the majority of the pack present.

"Of course," he said immediately, rising from the sofa and practically tearing his t-shirt off as he led the way outside. Soon he stood in wolf form in the very center of the Swan's backyard with his girlfriend standing directly in front of him and his imprint standing just to the side.

Leah had no desire to phase and see the memory for herself. Her eyes were only for Bella, who stared up into those warm dark eyes for several long moments.

Finally, Bella turned away, breathing deeply and squeezing her eyes shut.

"Bella?" Leah said, moving forward and reaching out to catch her shoulder before stopping herself and dropping her hand halfway. "Bells?"

"I didn't expect it to be that intense. When he looked at you… the moment he saw you…"

"But the imprint shifted," Leah insisted. "He loves you, that hasn't changed, it never will."

"He imprinted on you."

"But he chose you," Leah said. "When he had the choice, he picked you. And when I had the choice, I picked a different life. I still pick a different life."

Bella stared at her. "And if you had decided a week ago that you wanted more, wanted him, would he have denied you?"

"Bells…"

"Tell me the truth. Please." Her voice broke on the last word, stabbing a hole through Leah's gut in the process.

Leah shook her head sharply as she clawed at her own clothes with shaking hands. She was behind the tree line and stripped down in seconds before bounding back in front of Bella, wolf form and all.

She met bewildered brown eyes and willed herself to relive every memory she could scrape up from the past week, from the moment she realized Jacob imprinted, to the second she found out who exactly he imprinted on.

She ran through the sleepless nights in Canada's wilderness that followed, interrupted only by the busy days that couldn't quite take her mind off of the turmoil building inside her. Finally, she arrived at the most recent collection of memories, starting with the train wreck of a meeting with the councils, to the moment Jacob told her of the shift in the imprint, shining like a beacon of hope in her mind.

She let that moment repeat itself over and over, turning it over to show every angle, to bring light to any shadow of a doubt leftover. Leah would never accept the imprint the way her ex-packmates did. She believed it with all her heart, and she prayed Bella saw the truth of it.

When she was done, Leah stole back into the woods and impatiently yanked on her clothes before darting back out, scanning the girl's face for some sign she understood.

Bella smiled without humor. "I can see what you're saying, Leah, and trust me, it does make things less… painful. A little. But knowing that if you ever woke up one day and changed your mind… if you decided you wanted Jacob and there wasn't a force on earth that could stop him, even his own free will…"

"I will never take away his choice," Leah said fiercely. "He will never be my slave, he'll never have to forfeit his own wishes for me."

"But his heart will always be there, ready for you on a silver platter if you asked for it."

"Bella, I promise you that the only future I want is to have my best friends canoodling in front of me while I throw food at them for the disgusting PDA. What - what can I do to convince you? Tell me and I'll do it."

"I believe you," Bella whispered, the tremor in her voice shattering Leah's hope right on the spot. "But that's not the future I want. Never knowing for sure… always wondering in the back of my mind if today is the day everything gets snatched away from me… I can't do it, Leah. Not now, not after everything."

Leah didn't know what she was expecting, but it wasn't this. Then again, what right did she have to hope for anything else? The pit in her stomach only deepened as she stared numbly into Bella's shining eyes.

Only then was she aware of Jacob, human and donned in gym shorts once more, as he stepped forward and took Bella's hands gently.

"This was a lot to throw at you," Jacob said with so much tenderness Leah looked away to give them the modicum of privacy she could. "And you have every right to react the way you are. No one expects anything from you, least of all me. But you have to know my feelings haven't changed for you. I love you, and I'll prove it to you every day if you'll let me."

Silence was the only response he got. Leah was acutely aware of the hammering human heartbeat behind her, and the unnatural stillness of her new alpha as they waited with baited breath.

"I need time." Bella's voice was barely above a whisper, even as it echoed in every corner of Leah's mind. "I love you, Jacob, but this is… I need a break, from both of you."

Jacob responded with a single, searing kiss to her hands before letting them go and stepping back.

Leah didn't look at his face, didn't want to see what was no doubt mirrored on her own. She fought the urge to march over and sling her arms around the girl's small frame. To refuse to leave her side until Bella's broken expression melted into the exasperated amusement she should have been wearing if their summer had gone at all according to plan.

But this was not about Leah. The time for talking was clearly over.

And so, Leah nodded once, using every ounce of effort to convey all the words she couldn't bring herself to say.

Bella watched them melt into the woods with vacant eyes that stayed with Leah the entire way home, flashing across her mind in increasing clarity as they moved farther away. She kept her focus out of the main link, and did not dare nose her way into Jacob's thoughts. Her mind could only handle so much.

A few days later saw Leah down on La Push beach for the traditional Fourth of July fireworks. While no one in the pack was particularly enthusiastic about the holiday itself, they were never one to turn down the opportunity to party on the beach, nor an excuse to set off illegal fireworks.

This year, however, was a quieter affair fraught with the stale awkwardness that had suspended the moment Leah had stepped onto the sand and met her former packmates for the first time since the imprint, all sporting the same question in their eyes with varying levels of tact.

Leah did her best to ignore it, instead breathing in the ocean air and focusing on the strong evening breeze passing over their little group who were the only beach goers at this hour.

"Any more of those and Chief Swan will have your ass," Jacob was saying even as he helped Jared light another firework.

"I'm not worried, Bella and I are best buds. She'll get me out of there ASAP if Charlie wants to take me down to the station," he said, chipper as all hell.

"Speaking of Bella." Kim cleared her throat as she took more care than necessary jamming a marshmallow onto the end of her stick. "I asked if she was joining but she said something about last minute plans with her Forks friends. Is - she knows she'll always have a place in La Push, right? No matter what."

Leah was suddenly very aware of every conversation around them coming to a screeching halt. She deliberately snatched her hand from where it was dangling inches away from Jacob's, stuffing both fists in her pocket for good measure. "'Course. Bella just needs space from everything. She can have all the time she wants."

"I'm surprised," Paul commented from where he and Rachel were cuddled up by the bonfire. "I would have bet good money she'd go running for the hills after hearing the news. Guess the kid's got more spunk than I thought."

Jacob shrugged, visibly tense as he was wont to be whenever Paul opened his mouth. "Well, sure, but it's not like there's any reason to run. This imprint is platonic and we told her as much."

"Come now, Jacob," Paul said. "Even I know this is cruel. Cut your losses, set her free so she can find someone who isn't destined for another."

"You're not listening," Jacob said impatiently. "It's different for Leah and I. We're best friends, just like before. The imprint changed nothing."

"The imprint changed everything," Paul said. "You can lie to yourself all you want but we were all there, Jacob. We all saw the imprint happen and it did exactly what it was supposed to. Don't let the Swan girl suffer because you can't accept the hand you've been dealt. You should count yourself lucky to find your soulmate in someone you already consider your best friend."

"I do," Jacob bit out. "And she will continue to be my best friend even when we both go off and end up with other people we're actually in love with. I am very much hoping that person will be Bella for me, if she'll have me."

"She will," Leah said, desperation hardening her voice nicely. "Even if I have to show her a thousand more memories. What you guys had… this isn't how your story ends, not here, not because of some stupid imprint."

"Delusional," Paul shook his head. "Both of you. I'm surprised at you, Leah. I thought you'd be jumping at the opportunity, given your less than stellar experience with imprinting as it is."

"Paul," Sam said.

"No, I mean that genuinely." Paul held his hands up in defense. "I'm not a complete asshole. I do want these two to be happy, and the sooner they stop kidding themselves and realize the gift they've been handed, the sooner they'll get together and put third wheeling leech lover behind them."

"Paul." It was Rachel now who put a hand on Paul's chest, glancing warily between her oblivious imprint and her silently fuming brother. "That's enough."

"I'm just saying-"

Leah didn't bother waiting around to hear the aftermath. She strode over to where the others were standing motionless on either side of a volleyball net, ball forgotten at their feet. They all jerked to attention when Leah moved to stand just behind Claire and Quil.

"Got room for one more?"

"Hell yeah," Embry said from the other side, picking up the ball and twirling it on his finger. "Their sorry butts could use the help. I, for one, wholly support you and Jake being friends without the benefits. That's one less PDA show I don't have to unsubscribe to."

"Sour grapes, eh, Em?" Kim said, jogging over to snatch the ball from the sand before sending it sailing over the net.

"Please," Embry said. "Not all of us are gagging for the wife and white picket fence by twenty-one."

Leah snickered, turning it into a full blown laugh as Embry proceeded to chuck it directly into an unsuspecting Quil's face.

Eventually, Jacob and Jared made their way to the nets. If anyone noticed Jacob standing conveniently in front of Leah, no one commented. And if they happened to notice both Jacob and Leah spiking the ball back particularly hard as Paul and Sam's not so quiet argument wafted over, they remained blessedly silent.

The second week of July came and Leah was ready to bang her head against the nearest tree, especially as her most favorite aunt in the whole world spotted her and began waving madly in greeting.

"I can see those gears turning," Jake hummed from her side. "Might I suggest we wait until after lunch to let Evelyn catch up and continue with her million and one questions. Better chance of slipping into a food coma and tuning her out completely."

"You'd think she would have run out of things to ask by now," Leah groused. "It's not like her daughter explained imprinting in great detail about a year ago."

"Some people learn more in the review than they do the lesson," Jacob shrugged. "C'mon, Black pack needs to step it up. If Evelyn Young can corner us we might as well submit to Sam's reign right here and now."

With that, he led the way through the plaza until they melted into the crowd and weaved expertly until they were at the very edge of the shops, no Evelyn in sight.

Leah opened her mouth to congratulate his first successful mission before she caught the openly curious gazes of Sam and Paul from where they stood in front of a supplies shop just yards away.

"Subtle," Jacob snorted, making no effort to keep his voice down as he stared them down.

"They might as well take a picture while they're at it," Leah said, raising her hand to give an exaggerated wave with just her finger tips before making a show of stalking off in the opposite direction.

Jacob was by her side in the next second, matching her strides easily until they moved in tandem along the edge of the plaza, silent but for the quiet breathing between them. "Do we want to talk about this yet?"

The very thing she had been shoving into the deep recesses of her mind? The glaringly loud silence from the one person she wanted to speak with most? She quickened her pace. "Nope."

"Thank God."

Leah rolled her eyes. "The others are doing enough thinking as it is. I'd like to ignore it for a little longer, and by it I mean Sam and Paul's obvious opinions."

"You don't seem too surprised, considering you're not close with either of them. I would have thought there'd be hell to pay for their not so secret speculations at the beach."

"Trust me, that was nothing. At least we don't have to hear their every thought. I can only imagine what their pack link is like right now."

"Probably chaotic, considering how dry the main group chat is."

Leah had to agree there. Ever since the imprint, their shared La Push group chat was more tepid than ever, carefully skirting around what everyone else was thinking. "Oh, don't tell me you didn't enjoy Kim's '10 Reasons to Eat More Pomegranates' article?"

"Riveting," Jacob said. "Wish I had more quality content in my direct messages. I swear the others won't shut up about it."

"Just count yourself lucky you'll never have to deal with a dozen packmates snooping around in your thoughts. This way you at least have the option of putting them on mute."

"The perks of starting a new pack," Jacob grinned. "Speaking of which, Embry wasn't kidding about sending in his application. Boy even wrote an essay and everything."

Leah took the sheet of notebook paper he offered, snickering at the large 'Please' written in blue sharpie. "Are his letters of recommendation just as convincing?"

"Oh even more so," Jacob insisted, taking the sheet from her and flipping it over to show 'Can I join Jacob and Leah's dream team?' scrawled across the top with two sloppily drawn boxes underneath, labeled 'Yes' and 'No' respectively.

Leah actually laughed out loud at the check mark in the 'Yes' box and Sam's initials signed neatly below. "You've gotta admire his tenacity."

"He's my first choice, for sure," Jacob chuckled. "Quil's not too far behind. He at least had the decency to use a pen instead of marker, but he didn't bother getting Sam's signature so I'll have to take points off for that. Don't even get me started on Jared's."

"Beggars can't be choosers," Leah shrugged. "It might be good to have someone in the reserves who actually wants to be there. One day when we're tired of wolfing out."

"That's the plan," Jacob said. "I want to protect my community, but if half the shapeshifters plan to hold down the fort here for the rest of their lives while the other half scatters, it makes sense to build up a cross country pack, as much as I hate to agree with the councils."

"They'll be thrilled. I wonder if any of them will challenge me for my position."

"I'd like to see them try," Jacob snickered. "Doubtful, to say the least. I'm pretty sure you'll be stuck by my side for the foreseeable future, Beta Clearwater."

"Don't let Seth hear you say that," she groaned. "I'm dreading the day he realizes he'll be the next candidate as soon as he's of age."

"You would be okay giving him the title?"

"Oh Jacob, I would give the title away for a cold glass of water and a bruised apple. Doesn't mean I'm thrilled with my brother signing himself up the first chance he gets."

"I'll look out for him," Jacob said, giving her a significant look. "You know I will. You guys are family. Don't worry about any of that. If being human is the life you want, then that's what I want to give you. I mean it, Leah."

"I know you do," Leah said. She could so clearly picture it, a life without phasing or pack links or patrols. It would just have to wait a little longer. "But if you think you can get rid of me that easily, think again."

"So close," Jacob said, holding his thumb and pointer finger a centimeter apart. "So close to being the fastest in the pack."

"Second place isn't bad," she assured him.

"That's not nearly as comforting when there's only two of us, Leah."

"Well maybe if you got your lazy ass off the couch more often you wouldn't have to resort to booting the best beta La Push has ever seen and-"

"Alright, alright," Jacob said. "Jeez we need more people. I don't know how much longer I can handle your undivided attention. A man can only take so much harassment."

"Get used to it, Alpha Black," Leah said, swiping a stick from the forest floor and bopping him on the nose. "You're stuck with me for now."

He rolled his eyes, shoving her head first into the bushes before she had time to react. "Oh joy."

A / N

I struggled a lot with this chapter. School has finished for me and I was so sure I could finish this fic by the end of this month but it looks unlikely. As of now, I'm happy enough with how July turned out and pleasantly surprised it turned into another two part chapter! Hoping to ride this rare writing wave and get the second part out soon.

After that, I can't say for sure when August will come given the absolute writer's block I got stuck with for the past couple of weeks but my plans for the rest of the fic are somewhat decided: Chapter 22, and then an epilogue right after, depending on how everything unfolds. I know the ending I want and the main events that need to happen, but the details are still being worked out. However, this fic is close to ending, so thank you so much for those who have reviewed, comment, and / or left kudos! I appreciate the fic interaction so, so much and any feedback is interesting to hear!

Responses to Latest Reviews

Nat Cassie: I feel you reader, here I am writing the most I've written in the early AM too and I have NO REGRETS because I needed something to get me out of that writer's block. As for your review, yep! Jacob and Leah will be a platonic imprint. Leah is not menopausal. I touched on it briefly but basically in Chapter 4 Leah thinks about how she originally assumed she was infertile and that's why Sam's wolf didn't pick her (horribly bleak, but that's what canon elders thought so that's what I went with), yet she got her period and basically had it confirmed that no she was still fertile, Sam's wolf just straight up didn't pick her. Which now we know why... because she was meant to be imprinted on by the true alpha, Jacob.
No, Leah can't imprint on Edward. Mostly because Jacob already imprinted on her, but also because I don't think fate would be so cruel as to pair her with a mortal enemy... that was supposed to have died long before she was born. Hope you enjoyed, and thanks for leaving a review!

Guest: That's funny you say that haha, I actually modeled Aaron as the polar exact opposite of Sam. But I can certainly see how you wouldn't like both, as they are each extreme characters with Aaron being a cinnamon roll puppy and Sam being very much the middle aged dad with three kids he was born to be. Thanks for leaving a review!

Alex Nymph: Hi! So in the chapter you are reading (Chapter 6) no Bella nor Jacob find out quite yet. I wanted to really draw out that New Moon period when they were each blissfully unaware because I felt in canon that's when they really bonded. Thanks for leaving a review!

She-Wolf Heiress: THANK YOU SO MUCH! Your review made me smile. Yeah wasn't a fan of canon Bella but let's just say she did the best with what she was given haha. SO glad you are liking my AU, and aahhhh sorry there was such a long wait but hope you like this new chapter! Next one will be out later this week for sure. Thanks again for reviewing:)

Babaksmiles: So happy you enjoyed! Thank you for such a long, kind review it was a pleasure to read! You hit the nail on the head exactly, "Her Choice" just as the title says. It will always be about what Leah chooses, and she chooses her best friend, not another Sam. As for your predictions... you are far too good at guessing haha but you are definitely spot on for some of your theories... as for which ones they are... :) haha. But yes, Emily's opinion on this will become clear next chapter. We started with her POV, it only seems fitting to come full circle... Hope you enjoy and thank you again for reviewing!

serenity1006: Reader you are spot on! Yep, this chapter was exactly that. Bella grew a pair and is asking for some space, which I think is realistic given her confidence boost but as you were saying, also true in that she wouldn't realistically just blink and be okay with her boyfriend imprinting on her best friend... platonic or not. You raise a lot of good points that I actually didn't realize matched Bella's points until I read your review haha. You are absolutely right, it's not as easy as Leah and Jacob thought, as you can see from this chapter. More on Emily and Sam in the next one... Thank you for reviewing!

Littlestar42: Yeah haha I had more fun with Evelyn than I expected and she is that Annoying Character that is just... willfully ignorant. Happy you liked the sibling interactions - thanks so much for reviewing!

InesSL: As always, thank you so much for your review - happy you enjoyed and yes the imprint will be platonic! As for having Bella back in the mix... while she is included in this chapter it is perhaps not in the way you might have liked... but chapter 20 is well on its way and I expect it to be done this week so there is that! Have a good one:)

acederaruss: Thanks for your review! I unfortunately just saw this but I will keep it in mind for next year.

Princess Treacle: Thank you for your kind review! Yeah this fic has been a lot longer than I anticipated haha but I appreciate you coming along for the ride and happy you like the platonic turn of this imprint!