THIRTEEN

LEAH

MIRACLE

I've been in bed all weekend, too tired to move, too sick to eat or take a shower. Rebecca tried me with a weak homemade vegetable broth, and it's the one thing that worked and allowed me to get some rest last night. But this morning the vomiting is back, and I haven't moved from the toilet bowl in a while. My mouth is dry and sour with bile and my heart beats heavily in my chest.

"Leah?" Rebecca stoops down next to me and rubs my back. "Here's some water." I grunt, too weak to even lift my arms and take it. I try to open my eyes and sit up, but everything feels wobbly and I find myself falling.

"Solomon! We've got to get her to the hospital NOW!"

xxxxxxxxxxx

The sound of beeping brings me back again. I don't know anything. I feel like I have just emerged from a void, a place of darkness, an endless nothing. My body shivers and my skin erupts in goose bumps. The room is too cold. Opening my eyes, I register that I'm in a fucking hospital room. I'm cold because this hospital gown and bed sheet are as thin as paper. I take a deep breath which I instantly regret because the pungent smell of ammonia burns my nostrils. Looking around I can see that I'm on some type of drip, it's clear; and there's a heart monitor that's beeping kinda fast because I'm kinda panicking. But otherwise, there's nothing out of the ordinary, and I am alone.

I don't even know what happened or who should be here with me.

Rebecca.

Right, I'm in Hawaii.

I remember now, being really really sick for two days.

The door opens and a pale-face woman with blonde hair and green eyes steps into the room. She's a nurse, I'd say pretty young. "Hi there, glad to see you awake, I'm your nurse this afternoon, Patty."

"Hi," I croak. My throat is scratchy and medicinal. I gag at my own filth.

"Here's some water, if you feel up to it, you can use the bathroom. We didn't give you a catheter since you were so severely dehydrated."

What?

Patty hands me a cup with a straw and helps me drink the entire thing. She fills it up again and I empty it a second time before resting back on my pillows. She shows me how to raise the bed and I readjust so that I can sit up.

"Are you feeling better? Or are you in pain?"

I shake my head. I feel fine just groggy, hungry and in need of a shower and toothbrush. "Food," is all I can manage. I'm just too out of it.

Patti chuckles. "Good, that's good. I'll get a tray right up for you Leah, you just hang tight and buzz if you need assistance to the bathroom."

I realize then that I'm in a private room rather than on an open ward and it surprises me. I wish Rebecca was here so that I can understand what is wrong.

Someone knocks on the door and an older Samoan doctor comes in with my chart. He looks like a typical doctor character on prime-time dramas. He's got a low beard, the white coat and everything. He smiles at me briefly before flipping through my chart. "Leah Clearwater?" I nod. "Nice name."

Patty comes back and settles my food on the bed tray, adjusting it for me so that I don't have to move. "Thank you," I mouth to her, because she is being very thoughtful and gentle, which for me is a bit unfamiliar with other women.

"You're Native American correct?" he asks. I nod. He scribbles on the chart. "I'm Dr. Kalhai and I just need you to answer a few questions so that we can take care of you as best we can, okay?" I nod my consent, but my senses are on high alert because I know I'm not supposed to be here. "Any allergies, sinuses, diseases?"

I shake my head. Nope. A wolf doesn't have those, but I am allergic to leeches, I guess.

"Anything you can tell us about what you did or ate before you got sick? Were you bitten by an insect or animal?"

"No! I don't think so…It was all fine. Nothing happened. I just got the flu." His questions have me panicking. "I'm sorry Doctor but what happened? Am I really sick?"

"Your temperature was one hundred and eight young lady. There's no logical explanation how you are still alive and not brain dead or something. We've given you medication but your fever won't break." By his attitude I can see that he finds me a medical conundrum and it instantly makes me more anxious. I shouldn't be here. I can't stay here.

"Oh that's nothing, I'm okay. I swear. I've been like this for years," I wave him off with a playful frown.

"What? But how? And what did your doctors say about your condition now? You are severely dehydrated, you could have died or terminated the pregnancy. Should you be on bedrest?"

"I'm sorry what?"

I KNOW I didn't hear him right. I KNOW I didn't!

Pregnancy?

"Miss Clearwater did you not know that you are pregnant?!"

I think I broke the doctor. Dr. Kalhai sets the chart down at the foot of the bed and shakes his head at me. Then he looks at Patty. "This doesn't make sense! This doesn't make sense, Patty."

"No Doctor, it doesn't. Clearly she's a very special young lady." Patty smiles at me and I can't help but return the gesture.

"I'm sorry sir, but I can't get pregnant! Since I've been like this I lost my periods, I can't get pregnant!" I explain, and part of me feels like this is all one big prank, or some crazy dream.

"So you got the fever and your periods stopped?" he confirms.

"Yes."

"But why?"

"I don't know! But I've been fine and in perfect health. The doctors have given me a clean bill of health." God I hope I'm a good actress.

"I think, to be safe, we should run some bloodwork, Miss Clearwater. It could be that the pregnancy isn't viable."

Instinctively my arms encircle my middle and I am filled with dread.

No. No tests. No probing.

Shit, I need to get out of here. The wolf twists inside of me making it known that no one is going to hurt us. I feel her fierce protective spirit not for the pack or the tribe but for this little pup inside of me. For a moment I long for Jacob to come protect me, protect us and it makes me feel so alone to realize that he's miles away.

A baby.

I'm having a baby?

Oh my gawd.

A sob escapes and I cover my face, weeping tears of joy and sorrow at the same time. Jake had given me the greatest gift in the world and I had broken his heart by walking away from our love. This baby is proof, it is all the evidence I need to see that what we shared was real. IS real.

His wolf mated with someone that is not his imprintee. It's something that the elders were certain could never happen. It was one of the things they said proved that the imprint was an exclusive, mating bond. But were they wrong? He not only slept with me, but he got me pregnant! Was Jacob really telling the truth when he said that I was the right one for him? Could he really have claimed me in spite of the imprint? There's so much that I want to know, but who could answer my questions?

The Doctor softens when he sees how emotional I am by the news. "We'll continue to monitor you for the time being Miss Clearwater, all we need you to do is make sure you eat up and get your strength back. We gave you something to settle your stomach and the drip is pumping you full of electrolytes."

"Thanks Doc."

"So just to give you the details: you're still in the early stages, about seven weeks along. Everything appears normal in your abdominal area, but I am very concerned that the flu-like symptoms could be causing an internal problem that we need to check on. It could simply be a case of severe morning sickness, so I'll prescribe something to help with the nausea. But I don't want to jump the gun here, we really need to run those tests."

"Can I eat first? Please?" I plead, hoping to buy myself some time.

"Well, proper nutrition is important so I guess we can defer the testing til this evening after you've digested. I'll be back then."

After Dr. Kalhai leaves us Patty turns to me with another friendly smile. "Your friend will be back at visiting hours Leah, you just eat and take some time to think on things til then okay? Buzz if you need me."

After Patty leaves me with a tray of food, for a moment I just sit still and cover my lower stomach with my hands again. I try to block out the monitor as best as I can, as I search for that tiny heartbeat inside of me. I have no idea how I didn't hear it before, but I think it's because of how much animal life there is in Hawaii, from birds to bugs to pets…I've learned to block out such noises. One has to or else wolf senses will drive you insane.

When I finally capture the faint little flutter of wings, my heart fills with warmth and wonder.

"Hi baby, it's your Momma," I whisper, noticing the little patch of warmth below my navel.

I can't believe it: I'm going to be a mother.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

When Rebecca arrives, I've already showered and changed my gown. She comes straight to my bedside and gives me a tight hug, setting a small bag of what I assume to be clothes, on my lap. I'm so relieved, because I will need them to get the hell out of dodge.

"You had me so worried, Leah. Did the doctors tell you what's wrong? I had to go to my shift at the clinic so I couldn't come this morning."

"It's fine Rebecca, I was asleep most of the day anyhow. Thanks for these clothes, I'm going to put them on now and then we'll talk."

Rebecca nods and watches me as I make my way into the bathroom and change into the t-shirt and jeans she brought along with my trainers. I quickly brush my teeth and my hair and then make my way back to the bed.

"Can you go to the nurse and ask her for the prescription for my nausea. Tell her you want to fill it for me."

"Sure."

Rebecca does as I ask, and it only takes her about five minutes before she comes back with the piece of white paper and hands it to me. I fold it neatly and put it into the bag that already conceals the information from my chart. Hopefully there isn't a copy of this information elsewhere.

"So did they say you were going to be discharged this evening?"

I shake my head. This is the tricky part. "Uh…no but I've got to get out of here now Rebecca."

"What? Why?"

"Because they want to force me into some tests that I don't need, and I don't feel safe."

"Who was your doctor?"

"Kalhai."

"Hmm."

"What, is he weird?"

"Well, he is known to be a bit eccentric. I personally never met him."

I see this as a good thing that will get me to safety. "Becc please, let's just go."

"I'm not sure how we're going to do this though, Leah. I don't have the clearance to sign you out, and I don't know anyone here at the big hospital."

I walk up to my friend and grab her by the shoulders. "Becc, do you trust me?" She gives me a skeptical look before nodding slowly. "Then we've got to get out of here, NOW."

"But how?"

"You go first, and act natural, I'll slip out right behind you and follow you out. Okay?"

"What? Now?" Becca flounders, as she still doesn't believe that I'm being serious.

"Yes!" I laugh. And then I push her through the door. It's just my luck that Patty has her back turned and the other nurses are preoccupied with their tasks. I easily slip out and walk briskly down the hallway.

When we round the corner, I sigh in relief and motion to the stairs.

"I can't believe we're doing this!" Rebecca hisses as we quickly go down.

"Well believe it, and thanks." I keep moving, pushing myself without surpassing Rebecca. I think about my unborn child and monitor my steps so that I don't fall, because nothing will ever hurt my baby.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

When we're in the jeep and driving through the parking garage, I finally catch my breath.

"I can't believe you just made me do that. God I hope no one recognized me. SHIT! What if I lose my JOB!" Rebecca looks at me with wide eyes and for a moment I think she's going to yell at me or cry but then she laughs in disbelief.

"Sorry Becc! But I just couldn't stay there another second. The smell, the sterile room. The tests. It made me feel sick."

"Well, I know how we Natives are about hospitals."

"Exactly." Natives are skittish around so many pale faces. Especially when it comes to healthcare.

Speaking of Natives. "Did you talk to anyone from back home?"

"No, but if you made a turn for the worst today, I would have phoned Seth."

I nod. It would have been the right choice. "Rebecca, I have to tell you something really major. And I just want you to know that I had no idea it would happen. It's a huge shock."

"What?"

"I'm seven weeks pregnant."

Rebecca squeals and uses one hand to pull me in for a side-hug hug. "OH my God! Leah!"

"Becca! Keep your eyes on the road!"

"Sorry! Okay!" she releases me and checks her mirror before merging seamlessly back into the traffic.

"Thanks for not being upset," I reach over and give her thigh a tentative squeeze.

"Of course I'm happy for you, Lee. I still pray for my miracles every day too. And your miracle makes me believe that dreams can come true."

She's right of course. This baby IS my miracle, it IS my dream come true. I'd never wanted anything more than this. All I need now is to know if I can ever have Jacob by my side to share this with me.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

When we arrive at the house Solomon is in the kitchen with a friend making dinner. It's a girl who is blonde and buxom and my steps falter as they look at me and Rebecca and we look back at them.

"Aloha Leah! So great you could be home. This is Elise, we were making dinner and waiting on Becca."

"OH, I didn't realize tonight was dinner with Elise," Rebecca replies rather coolly, before reaching over to give Elise an awkward hug and kiss.

"Aloha," Elise waves shyly at me then looks between Sol and Becca who are staring each other down.

I am struggling to believe what I think is really happening right now. I never would have guessed Becca for the swinging type. Solomon, definitely. The whole hippie vibe screams, "I also like free love."

I quickly excuse myself from the tense atmosphere and head to my room where I grab my phone and turn it on. I've got missed calls from Seth, so I call him right back. Raised voices emit from the kitchen but I tune them out as the call rings through.

"Hi Leah."

"Hi Seth. What's happened?" I ask, breathless.

"So much, I don't know where to start."

"Tell me?"

"Jacob said to tell you that he did what you told him to do."

"What did I tell him to do?"

"To go to her. He's gone to Paris to Nessie. He left and… he's likely not coming back anytime soon. But it's not really about what you said, okay? Billy basically gave him an ultimatum to make Nessie his mate - which he declined. He's been banned from the Res."

I slide to the floor, resting my back against the bed as a sharp pain rips through my chest. I put the phone on speaker and set it down so that I can rub my hands through my hair and process. It was the news I had always expected to receive, but now with the baby…I really want to give it to Billy good. I can only imagine how upset Jake is right now. Everyone pushing him away, telling him what to do…even me. I can't help but wonder if he misses me, if he knows how much I still care.

"You okay?" Seth asks, his voice tender and soft on the line.

Fuck no. I'm not.

"Look, he didn't go there for romantic reasons Leah, at least that's not what he said. The Volturi checked in, so he's gone to talk to the Cullens and make sure that she's doing okay. She was a bit scared."

"Oh." It was a serious matter and I immediately worry that he needed back-up. "You should have gone with him."

"I wanted to but he didn't want me to go cause of school. He plans to tell her everything though…so I figure he'll end up doing what his father wants anyways even if he denies it…It's better that you continue to stay away from him. It's best we just wait for the dust to settle."

It surprises me how bitter he sounds, but the observation is quickly pushed aside as I think about the ramifications of what my brother's said. I don't have time to wait for the dust to settle.

"So is that all?" I ask.

"Well, because he's gone, the pack has to join with Sam's…and a whole bunch of the wolves asked the Council to stop phasing."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah. They agreed too – well Mom and Old Quil forced Billy to accept the petition. But it'll be spaced out between now and next year. Soon it'll be just Sam, Quil and me until I decide when. Paul and Embry have to wait, but Jared, Colin and Brady have been granted permission with the young seven."

"Wow. That's huge."

"Yeah. It sucks that Sam is the boss now, he's really pissed. He doesn't want anyone to quit. He chewed us out about it. He's even worse now that he's on the Council."

"Wow, he finally got what he wanted huh? I'm sorry you all have to deal with him now, but Seth, there's something I need to tell you."

"What?"

"I'm pregnant."

"What?"

"I just found out, I've been puking all weekend. I ended up in the hospital and they wanted to run tests to find out what was wrong with my temperature."

"Shit Leah! That's dangerous!"

"I know I ran the hell out of there as soon as the doctor left!"

"Are you okay? You're pregnant, Leah?"

"Yes," I chuckle. "I know, I still can't believe it either. I literally just found out…I can hear its little fluttering heartbeat, like a baby bird. It's amazing Seth."

"Holy shit, sis. That's incredible."

"It feels so unreal."

"So will you come home now? You can't go to a regular doctor."

"I dunno Seth. Becca is a nurse, she can keep an eye on me."

"She would have to understand about the wolf. She probably is confused after today, and you can't tell her."

"Yeah I know…and don't forget, I'd have to tell her who the father is."

"Are you going to tell the father too?"

I hesitate. "You said he went to Nessie, so what good would it do to tell him now?" But even I know that my words are not genuine. I want to tell Jacob; I want to see his face full of surprise and I want it to be the happiest moment of his life.

"You've got to tell him. He'd never forgive you if you didn't and I don't think I can keep a secret like that from him for too long – if he ever comes back. You know, you should call him, tell him and both of you should come back. We need you here. He's got to settle this shit with the Council once and for all."

"It'll put a target on my back," I mumble miserably, thinking of the Council and Sam.

"They'd never hurt the Alpha's child, Lee, you know that. This baby is a miracle. You aren't even his imprint! It changes everything!"

"But not for the better Seth, you know how they are about traditions!" It'll just be one more nail in my coffin. I fight the infectious excitement my brother is procuring on his end of the call, because I know this is not something I can truly rejoice about until everyone knows and accepts me. "Forget it. I can't think about them right now Seth, I've got a little person growing inside of me, that's all that matters."

I roll my eyes at myself. Fuck them. I don't need shit from anyone back in La Push, least of all, their consent to be a mother to the Alpha's child.

"Look fine, don't think about the Council or Sam or anyone else, just come home for the baby's sake. You need our protection."

I gnaw on my lip, knowing that what Seth says is true, but at the same time, thinking of home makes me feel stressed and I don't know if that is good for the baby either.

"Mom's gonna be over the moon."

"You think?" Honestly, I hadn't even thought that far, to what her reaction would be.

"Yeah, her first grandchild!"

I smile and wish that my father could be here to meet our new little Clearwater. Tears spring to my eyes as I think about his and Jake's absence and the loneliness bears down on me once more.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A quiet knock on the door alerts me to Rebecca's presence and I quickly wipe my eyes to hide the tears I've been shedding since talking to my brother. "Come in," I call.

Rebecca enters the room holding a tray of food and my stomach grumbles in response. "Oh thanks, you're a life-saver."

"No Leah, you're the life-saver. I hope you don't mind me hiding out in here with you."

"Not at all. Is everything okay?"

"Not really…" Rebecca and I both sit on the bed, with her fluffing the pillows just right so that I can lean back and eat.

"Who is that woman?" I ask before taking my first bite. Sol's food is actually delicious.

Becca sighs and gestures to the door… "Someone that Sol likes to invite into our bedroom from time to time."

My jaw drops. "No!"

"Yeah…now before you start to judge – I met him this way, I always knew what he liked…and I fell in love with him anyways."

"But if it doesn't make you happy Becc, you shouldn't force it."

"I know…and it didn't bother me before because Elise is alright, and I thought threesomes were reckless fun. It's not like he cheats on me otherwise. But it's been a long time since she's joined us…I just thought that maybe he'd gotten it out of his system. I guess I've changed…I don't want to do it anymore."

"So don't." Rebecca nods, but the solemn expression on her face tells me what's really wrong. "You're afraid he'll cheat…"

"Or that I won't be enough anymore. I guess, I just want something different, I want a family."

My stomach lurches with guilt. My situation with her brother wasn't meant to cause her pain but when she finds out, it will. Even though Jake and I didn't intend to hurt anyone it seems so unavoidable. Nessie crosses my mind and my mood sinks even lower. What will happen when she finds out that Jacob got me pregnant?

Rebecca sighs heavily, bringing me out of my own funk. "Oh Becc. Come here." I carefully pull her onto my shoulder without jostling the dinner tray, and tuck her head beneath mine. "Sol loves you. Just talk to him and work this out. I'm rooting for you two."

"Thanks Leah. I'm glad you're here to talk to…sometimes I get so lonely. I have friends here but they're all Sol's friends. I don't get personal with them like this."

"Well, you can talk to me anytime. And thanks for being there for me too. I don't know how I would have gotten through these past three days if I didn't have you here, Nurse Becky."

Rebecca giggles and sits up again, resting her shoulder against mine as she leans against the wall too. "You're my sister from another mister and misses, I'm glad I was here to help you and the baby too. I still can't believe you're pregnant!"

Now it's my turn to sigh, this time with both joy and sorrow. "Me too, Becc, me too."

"You seem so sad about it, is it because of the father?"

I nod. And it makes me feel bad for keeping my secret from her when she opened up to me, so I make a decision. I stare at the wall and just blurt it out: "I'm pregnant for Jacob." I look over as Rebecca gasps, her eyes round like saucers as she stares across at me in shock. "I'm sorry I kept our….relations a secret from you…it didn't end well and I just couldn't talk about it…" My throat feels dry as I anticipate her negative reaction.

"Wait, does my sister know? And Dad?"

I confirm that they do, surprised that this is her first question. "They found out after I broke things off with him and left."

"Why did you leave?"

"Because…technically we shouldn't be together? He has…a complicated situation that really doesn't include me."

"What do you mean? Is there someone else?"

I nod, unable to find the words to explain just what his situation is without telling her everything.

"You cheated?"

I sigh and shake my head… "Not exactly, he's not with her like that, but everyone prefers him to be with her over me – even Rachel and…especially your father. He wants Jacob to pursue a future with her. But I really can't explain it beyond that."

Rebecca shakes her head with a hopeless expression that mirrors my own. "What does Jake want?"

"Well…he said he wanted me but…I didn't know if I could trust him not to change his mind. So I left before it got worse. I figured it was the best thing to do rather than force him to choose, or to face rejection again. After Sam and Emily, I just couldn't go through that again."

"Oh Leah…" Rebecca tuts at me. "You need to tell him. There's still a chance things could work out, especially with the baby on the way. Either way, Jake deserves to know, he'd never turn his back on his own child, that much I know. And Dad…well, Dad would just have to get over it. I can't believe he's meddling in Jake's life like that." She reaches over and places a hand on my stomach. It's nice to know that she isn't about to throw me out on the streets.

"I guess I need time to figure this out…" I admit, covering her hand with my own. "But I might have to go back home sooner than intended. I just don't know what to do."

"I understand. I'm sure Auntie Sue and Seth would love to have you close by too. Rachel seems so happy to have such a wide support system."

"Yes…though I don't think mine will be as wide as hers…"

"Don't worry Lee, it'll be okay."

And God do I hope she's right.

AN: Thanks for your reviews on the last chapter! You're right Sam will get what's coming to him from all sides, bet on that! I admit I'm struggling a bit with my muse to get the other chapters done. I had to change a whole bunch of the later chapters since I decided to go in a different direction with certain characters. So now I'm still waiting on inspiration to strike so that I can write the next chapter which is when Leah and Jake finally face Billy. That is a BIG chapter so I'm hoping to get inspiration soon, cause it has to be right! Up next is another big chapter - Jacob goes to Paris. Not sure when I will post but in a couple days I figure. I'm sorry to keep you all waiting. Thanks for reading and stay safe and healthy everyone! Make sure to eat lots of alkaline foods so that your immunity is strong.