Chapter 20: July Part 2

A/N

Warning: Swearing

Changing the timeline around a bit

All rights belong to Stephenie Meyer

The third week of July arrived, and with it the joint birthday party for both Leah and Harry that went well into the night as the gathered crowds relished in the Clearwater's renowned hospitality.

It was only when the moon was perched high in the night sky that guests slowly began trickling out. Soon the backyard was full of its usual gaggle of teens while the adults milled about inside the house.

Leah tried not to pay too much attention to one Charlie Swan, who had gone out of his way to wish her a happy birthday, seemingly ignorant as he relayed Bella's absence.

"She sure looked miserable she couldn't be here," Charlie had quickly said as Leah's face fell. "But she's been looking out of it for the past couple of weeks, and didn't want to risk getting everyone sick by showing up. I'd bet money she'll be down here, glued to your side the second she feels like herself again."

Leah had forced her grimace into a sympathetic smile, banishing the sudden image her mind so helpfully supplied of a morose Bella, empty and desolate, staring up at her bedroom ceiling. "Thanks, Charlie. She can come whenever she's ready. There's no rush."

Now, Leah sat around the backyard bonfire with her packs, both old and new, surreptitiously looking as Charlie stood just in front of the back window nursing a beer and listening to Billy and Allison talk animatedly about something without comment.

"Think he suspects anything about Bella?" Jacob said from her side, following her gaze.

"No," Leah murmured back. "Bella's been part of the supernatural world long enough. We can trust her on this. She won't say a word."

"That's exactly what I'm worried about," he said. "Bella doesn't open up to most people on a good day. Now, with you and I out of the picture, and her human friends definitely off limits…"

Leah gripped the marshmallow stick tightly in her hands until the wood splintered. That had haunted her thoughts as well. It wasn't so long ago Bella had been in a similar predicament, and now here she was again. Only this time, Leah couldn't even blame the leeches. At least not directly.

"She's fine," Claire said from her other side, smiling faintly at the astonished looks the pair gave her. "We've been texting on and off and well, she's not feeling fantastic obviously but she'll be okay. Don't underestimate her."

Leah nodded. Of course. She was being unfair. The Bella from nearly a year ago had come a long way in her own right. Leah comforted herself with the thought, coupled with the new knowledge that Bella and Claire were apparently in kahoots now.

"She's lucky to have you," Leah said evenly, hoping her genuine concern leaked through, rather than the tiny thread of envy that tightened her throat.

Claire's smile was just a little too knowing. "Give her time, Lee. And have a little more faith in your friendship."

It was almost easy to pretend nothing was amiss after that. To their credit the others diligently upheld an air of practiced nonchalance with every hour that passed.

Kim and Jared were certainly sticking to what they did best with their unapologetically nauseating PDA from across the bonfire. Paul and Rebecca were beside them, less obvious but just as oblivious to their surroundings. Seth, Colin, and Brady had already dipped hours ago to some event out of town, too keyed up to stay at home on a summer's night no less. This left the usually parental Sam to finally relax and enjoy as he followed the light conversation Emily and Embry kept up between them.

All was well.

At least until Leah remembered that the one person who hadn't accepted her invitation, and who hadn't spoken a word to Leah since the very beginning of the month, would have very much enjoyed such a night.

Leah mentally shook herself, instead taking the new stick Jacob offered her with a nod of thanks. She shoved another marshmallow on top and stuck it into the flames where Quil already had seven marshmallows roasting on a single stick from where he sat on Claire's other side.

"Jeez, Quil, with Sammy's lax patrol and the rate you're going with those marshmallows, that six pack will be gone by August," Embry snickered, breaking off his own conversation to turn and watch all seven marshmallows catch fire.

"Shut up, you know the other half isn't even for me," Quil said, touching the burning marshmallows with quick fingers before putting them back over the flames. "Just one more minute, babe," he added to Claire.

Leah averted her eyes, though not before noticing the stiffness in Claire's shoulders as Quil draped a careful arm around them, a move he'd done a thousand times before but one that had never looked as unnatural as it did now. Suddenly she saw Claire's new connection with Bella in a whole new light.

When Leah looked up, she saw she wasn't the only one who noticed the exchange.

Sam held her eyes for a second before reaching for the box of graham crackers. "Quil knows I'm more than happy to assign him more rounds if only he asks. I'd hate for anyone to think I'm losing my touch, even if he will be leaving us shortly."

"Please, if either Quil or Embry thinks I'll go any easier on them, they're dreaming," Jacob grinned wolfishly. "Leah and I have been covering half the patrols between the two of us and damn is the territory a lot bigger than I thought."

"It will be more manageable when the packs are more evenly split," Sam assured. "Although I dare say your group will have more ground to cover, considering your new protection detail as lookouts in various regions."

"It makes the most sense," Jacob said, carrying on a conversation most had already telepathically heard before. "Even that idiot Everett didn't have anything to argue about during the meeting last night. Better to have eyes and ears sweeping the outskirts instead of us all twiddling our thumbs in La Push."

"Ten's a crowd," Paul agreed from the other side of the fire. "Although even with this switch we'll still have six, twice the amount our forefathers had."

"The bloodlines weren't as strong," Sam said. "Now that we have two established alphas and betas each, there is much more room to grow. Literally."

"Still, it will be odd not having Embry and Quil in the main link," Paul said. "Too bad you can't take Brady with you. The kid is getting a little too gutsy with that mouth of his." He ignored the snickers that got him.

"Nothing has been officially decided yet," Jacob said neutrally, although the plans were all but finalized already. "But yeah, jumping from just two of us to four will feel weird, especially since we don't bother with the hierarchy now as it is."

"Figures. Leah finally accepts the beta position and doesn't even need to use it," Embry chuckled.

"Another marshmallow, O Wondrous Beta?" Quil said, holding out the bag to her.

Leah rolled her eyes, but took a handful. "Never knew you were such a sycophant."

"He didn't do that with me," Paul harrumphed.

"I was never third in line," Quil said, unrepentant. "I'm rubbing shoulders with the big guns here, can't afford to slip now."

"You and Embry could decide to fight for the position," Leah said. "Who knows, he could snatch it from you."

"Nah, let Quil have it," Embry said. "If it means I won't have to leave campus for an extra patrol, it's all his."

"Your dedication is astounding," Jacob deadpanned. "Sure it's not too late to give him back?"

"We have more than enough," Sam said, though his lips twitched. "Especially as Seth, Colin, and Brady are coming into their own."

"But not enough for Jared to join the others," Kim came up for air to point out. "I did wonder why only Quil and Embry were jumping ship. I assumed maybe Seth, at the very least, given that Leah is part of a different pack now."

"There is no immediate need for that," Sam said patiently. "Seth, Colin, and Brady are all still in high school and would have no business being part of a cross country pack. As for Jared, he is of greater use if he stays put. I don't like the idea of only having an alpha and beta with three underage members. This way, we will have a trio of seasoned shapeshifters just like our forefathers and will let the kids be kids for a little while longer."

"That, and he wants me to be able to take advantage of bugging Embry whenever I want," Jared said.

"Yes, that too," Sam said. "Their close proximity will ensure the pack relations are maintained. Of course, Paul and I will also make an effort to check in with Jacob and Quil whenever needed, as they are both remaining in Washington for the time being. I have no intention of severing ties with the Black pack if I can help it."

"And besides, I'll be a short run away from the reservation just in case there's any excitement on the home turf," Jared said. "Can't let the kiddos have all the fun."

"This would leave Leah out in the Northeast all alone?" Emily said, face creased in confusion.

Jacob cleared his throat. "Well, since Quil is staying here with me I can swing by whenever she needs."

"But - you two will be so far apart," Emily said, looking from Leah to Jacob as if they were being purposefully obtuse.

Leah quirked a brow at her. "We'll live."

Emily shook her head, running a hand through her long hair. "It would be horrible to spend the first year apart, and to try afterwards would be pure masochism, especially when it's so easily avoided. Maybe if Jacob found a trade school on the east coast instead-"

"Jacob is staying here," Leah cut in, tone forcibly blank. "He has a life here, Emily. Staying has always been the plan."

"It's true, I'll kill him if he backs out on rent now," Quil said, though his efforts got a weak smattering of laughs at best. All was still as Emily stared at them like they were missing the most obvious point, while Leah didn't move her eyes from the roaring flames.

"But that would be an exhausting run every day…"

"We don't need to meet up that often. Pack link, remember? I've got him on telepathic speed dial across the globe."

"And we will be having regular pack meetings," Jacob tried. "I'm hoping to get together at least once a month in person? Maybe we can all meet in the midwest and split the difference? How-"

Emily paid him no mind. She stared at Leah with a strange desperation, her trembling mouth at odds with her balled up fists in her lap. "Leah, I know it's hard, but it will only be more painful if you draw this out any longer. The imprint needs-"

"The imprint needs you to stop," Leah said, finally looking up and ignoring the piercing look Sam was leveling her with. "Not now, Emily. I don't want to hear this."

"Leah, please! I'm just trying to-"

"Stop it, Emily." Claire's voice was quiet, steady, and left absolutely no room for argument. "Just - stop it. All of you. Can we not even manage one conversation that's not about imprinting? Is that too much to ask for?"

The others around her were too frozen to answer.

Claire, apparently, wasn't finished. "It's been nothing but supernatural drama for months on end and then when it finally winds down you choose now, the last group birthday we'll all be together for until maybe Christmas break, to talk about this? Forget about imprinting. Forget about packs. Forget you all turn into horse size dogs when huge undead hunks of stone are nearby. Can we please just enjoy tonight like normal people?"

There was a beat of silence, then: "For the record, you've always been my favorite La Push human."

Embry took the indignant protests he received with grace, although he did squirm away from Kim's marshmallow stick that had suddenly found itself wedged into his side.

After, there was no more talk of anything remotely supernatural. Just the group of them, enjoying one of but a few bonfires left in the summer before they all went their separate ways.

The last day of July saw Leah cranking out one of her many pending commissions. She was knee deep in her latest project, quite literally as she cursed a glob of paint just as it fell off her palette and dribbled down onto her folded legs. She was on her way to fetch a washcloth when she heard the knock.

Bella stood on her front porch with a small gift bag in hand and an even smaller smile. "Happy belated birthday. Do you have a minute?"

"Of course," Leah hurried to say, practically falling over herself in a rare moment of nervous exuberance. "If I'd known you were coming I would have aired out my room from all the paint fumes. Uh, Colin and Brady will be here soon for some gaming tournament with Seth. Mind if we go out back?"

"Not at all. Sorry I missed your party."

"Don't be," Leah said, leading the way around the house. "Although it was a fun night. We've all missed you hanging around the res."

"I still wasn't… ready. Especially since everyone knows now and would probably be watching the three of us the entire night."

"Subtlety was never their finest trait," Leah said. "But they are trying. I'm pretty sure Claire shut them up for a while."

Bella smiled more genuinely at that. "Claire has been the hero I never knew I needed. Quil better marry her quick before someone else snatches her up. Woman is a godsend."

"Quil loves her very much," Leah nodded. "She was his first love. He has always loved her and I think he always will."

Bella said nothing, fiddling instead with the gift in her hand.

Leah took a deep breath, and threw caution to the wind. "And Emily can't quite… relate given her situation. It's not the same thing at all. But Claire's family and she loves her, so she'll support whatever she ends up deciding to do, so long as she's happy."

"We're not really talking about your cousins," Bella said quietly. "Although the situation is complicated enough I guess the pronoun game does work."

They reached the huge expanse of lawn behind the Clearwater house. Leah immediately folded herself a few paces away, gingerly setting down the gift she had been handed and waiting patiently for Bella to decide how close she wanted to be for this conversation.

Bella flopped onto the grass next to her, lying spread eagle with her face up to the sky and her hand brushing against Leah's leg as she let out a long sigh. "It's a mess, isn't it?"

"Which part? Your ex-boyfriend imprinting on me or your other ex-boyfriend's family coming back and offering you eternal damnation that prompted your most recent ex to phase and do said imprinting?"

"Both."

"Equally reprehensible," Leah agreed. "I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to hit something." Even if that something happened to be Leah's face.

"I don't," she said, closing her eyes and angling her face to soak up more of the sun. "I want everything to be normal. No vampires, no werewolves, no magic forces besides the ones Jane Austen wrote about. Claire had a point."

Leah kept her face neutral, willing the tightness in her chest away. "Understandable." Hell, she wanted the same. Minus the eighteenth century drama.

Bella looked at her now, eyes surprisingly soft. "You know I don't mean it like that."

"I wouldn't blame you," Leah repeated carefully, giving her a significant look. "I told you, this is up to you."

"He loves you." It wasn't a question. "He will always love you in an intense, world altering way."

"Bella-"

"Please, let me finish," Bella said. "When he shared his memory of imprinting, that was obvious. And yesterday when I spoke with him, he showed me other memories that only confirmed it."

Leah forced herself to maintain eye contact.

"And, it is platonic. I see that now. Having both of you literally spell it out helped. But… I need time to wrap my head around all of it. Time to figure out if this is still the life I want."

"You can have all the time you need."

"Jacob said the same. With college and everything changing… We both think having time on our own is best."

"I haven't seen him since my birthday," Leah admitted. "And before that was just for the official meeting with Sam and Paul about the pack changes. Embry and Quil are apparently more than ready to join the shitshow that is the Black pack."

Bella's lips twitched but she continued. "I think it's good if I'm single for a bit. I just got over one supernatural relationship. Diving into another was questionable at best."

"Forget english, you should study psychology. You can be your own therapist with an attitude like that."

This time Bella did laugh. "Maybe. Look at my notes every time I feel down."

"Majoring in psychology: the life hack no one ever tells you about."

"And maybe," Bella said, rolling onto her side and reaching one hand out to tug off Leah's shoe. "Maybe I'll bring my entire coursework along? When I come visit you in Rhode Island. I feel like sending them over text wouldn't be the same."

There was absolutely not a lump in Leah's throat. Nor was there any sort of blur that took over her vision. Absolutely not. "I would love nothing more, Bells. You're always welcome."

"Thank God. I don't plan on going anywhere. You and Jacob will just have to deal."

"I think we'll manage."

A / N

Alright I'll be completely honest here. I had the wind taken out of my sails from a frankly aggressive anon ffn review. It's cool, everyone has their own opinion, but leaving rude reviews is not going to get you what you want and I was baffled someone would be bothered by the pairing when we are over 119,000 words in and there's been no indication of a Leah / Jacob romantic relationship, besides recently which has been hammered home as a platonic imprint every chance I could fit it in. Luckily this chapter was already mostly written so I didn't have to think too much about the review, just put on the finishing touches. Feedback, constructive or otherwise, is welcomed and addressed, as you can see in all my previous replies posted at the end of chapters. But being outright rude is just not cool, that's what it boils down to. We're all here for some free, voluntarily accessed fanfiction. Don't be a jerk because you don't like what I'm writing, especially 119,000 words into the fic.

Anyway! I did get some wonderful feedback that basically pointed out Leah and Jacob are being pretty chummy and not at all heartbroken like they in theory should be. Those are… absolutely excellent points that I didn't even notice until I reread it. I think I tried to model it so much after their relationship pre-imprint where he did throw her into the sea and they did practice dancing for Emily and Sam's wedding that when I read it in the eyes of the new imprint… yeah it does seem like it's contradicting their platonic imprint claim. So, I will be making a scene specifically addressing their closeness in the next chapter and what it means now that they are imprinted - but thank you to those who pointed it out on ffn and / or ao3! Went completely over my head lol.

Hope you all enjoy this new chapter. Can't say when the next will be out since it's bare bones at best atm but we're entering the home stretch now! Thank you all for reviewing, commenting, and leaving kudos!

More for my benefit than because someone asked, but here are the new packs in order of their pack rank.

Uley Pack

Sam (Washington)

Paul (Washington)

Jared (Nevada)

Seth (Washington)

Colin (Washington)

Brady (Washington)

Black Pack

Jacob (Washington)

Leah (Rhode Island)

Quil (Washington)

Embry (Nevada)

I thought about having Jared join Jacob to have a 50/50 split but I figured Sam wouldn't want the youngest members to have quite so much responsibility yet, so Jared is staying as a seasoned member until Seth and his friends grow up a little more.

Response to Latest Reviews

InesSL: Yess! I really wanted fic Bella to have more of a backbone than canon Bella, so glad you pointed that out. Happy you are liking Jacob and Leah's friendship! As always, thank you so much for your continued support - have a good week as well!

Princess Treacle: Thank you so much for reviewing! Glad you are liking the fic:)

Alex Nymph: Haha, don't worry if the epilogue does mention Sam and Emily's kids they certainly won't be taking center stage.
In this fic, Jacob, Quil, Embry, and Jared are all best friends, which is why we see so much of Jared and Kim. I know in canon Jared was much closer to Sam but because I changed the ages around I decided to add Jared into Jake's immediate circle of friends too. So he applies mostly as a joke with Quil and Embry, but as you can see he'll be staying with Sam's pack for now.
Your question about Bella seeing into the pack mind made me realize I never had a human on the receiving end before, just the pack in their human form. But yes, in this AU their telepathy can be shared at will with anyone in human form, pack or not. Most decide not to, but Bella is an exception as she is so dear to both Jacob and Leah.

Thank you for reviewing! Hope I answered all your questions!

Serenity1006: Yeah I've always hated that in canon. Bella had basically no one to turn to so I will definitely be bringing in more support. You could see the tiniest hint of it here, but it will be made more obvious in the next chapter for sure! Thank you for pointing out your thoughts about Jacob and Leah's friendship now given the imprint, you are absolutely right. When I reread my chapter I was like huh… I see what they mean. This will be addressed in the next chapter too. Imprinting complicates things so much, even if they insist it's platonic and I want to make a point to address that before I wrap this fic up. Thank you for pointing it out and reviewing! And hope you like this new update.