EIGHTEEN

REBECCA

HARSH TRUTHS

It's after ten thirty and Leah still hasn't returned from Kiki Burger. She's been gone for longer than I expected and hasn't responded to my text. It isn't like her to change her plans and not say anything. She could be at the beach eating or taking a walk but that doesn't explain her silence at this late hour. I decide to check her room, but her phone isn't there.

I know she's a grown woman and I shouldn't act like she's a child but she's pregnant with my niece or nephew, and she was recently in the hospital. It's in my nature to worry. Plus, there're a few unexplained things about her that make me suspect that something's up with Leah outside of her shady relationship with my brother. Whatever it is, she's been good at hiding it though.

I decide to clean up the popcorn maker and put it back in the cupboard, then I wash the dishes and wipe the kitchen counters. I get a little obsessive with the cleaning whenever something worries me.

Just when I decide to go have a shower and find a book to read in bed, the front door opens. I breathe a sigh of relief, but the feeling immediately evaporates when I see that it's my husband. Leah's not the only one who should have been home by now.

"Aloha…" Solomon mutters, dropping his bag to the floor as he slides out of his slippers. I watch him stroll his way over to me with a tentative smile that I do not return. He takes my face in his hands and looks into my eyes, searching them in his usual way. He likes to "feel the bond of our love through our eyes." Most times we'd smile and kiss one another but that's the last thing I want to do. All he will find in my eyes tonight is contempt.

"You still mad?" he assumes as I push him away and turn to go to our bedroom. As expected, he follows.

"Shouldn't I be?"

"Becca, it was just the one time, and I promise it won't happen again."

I shake my head. "I really don't want to talk about this."

"But we have to. You're upset with me, Ku-uipo. You know I can't live with these negative vibes between us."

I round on him then. Since Leah isn't around it's the perfect time to finally have this fight. "Then you shouldn't have invited Elise over for a threesome without my consent!"

"It just happened, she stopped by the shop and I couldn't be rude and turn her away!"

"Yes! Yes you could have, because SHE is not your WIFE! It doesn't matter what that woman thinks! She had no right to come here!"

Sol reaches for me, but I shrug him off. I just don't want him anywhere near me right now. I can't help the bitter resentment that churns in the pit of my stomach. There are so many things that he can't or won't give me…monogamy, a child…financial security. I do well most days, living without the things I really desire, but sometimes…mainly when he finds some way to mess things up…I can't help the bitterness.

But it's my fault because this is what I chose for myself. I chose the first guy who seemed nice, who wanted to offer me a ticket out of La Push and I foolishly took it. We'd met at a surfing competition back home and I had mistaken an instant sexual attraction for love at first sight. Sol was my first, he'd introduced me to womanhood, and I guess I wanted to believe that that's what I was, a woman in love. But it was really that I was too eager. I just wanted to get out of Washington more than anything.

I still do love Sol, I know I do; I just don't want what we have right now, for the rest of my life anymore.

I want more. I want something real, something that I don't have to share. I want someone who cares about my feelings enough to change their ways, even if just a little. I want to matter.

"Rebecca, please talk to me," Sol whispers, and I turn around from my closet to face him, not bothering to hide the hot tears sliding over my flushed cheeks.

"You keep disappointing me Sol, you keep…breaking my heart," I sob.

Solomon shakes his head and raises his hands before letting them fall at his side. "Elise left, I sent her home after dinner, Becca. I haven't even spoken to her since. And I won't, I promise."

"But what about the next woman that throws herself at you? What about adopting a baby? You promised you'd try for me, you promised, and another year goes by and nothing!"

"Because, we don't have the money yet. We have to get so many things done around the house before we can have a child, Becc. You know the business is barely covering the shop's rent and salaries as is! We've got a mortgage and bills!"

"Well get a job, Sol! Do something different!" I scream in frustration.

"What? No! I will not spend my life doing something that doesn't make me happy, you know I love the water, you know I love to surf, there's nothing else for me but that."

I watch as Sol shakes his head vehemently. His lips tighten in a pale line that signals the discussion is over. He pulls off his uniform – a white t-shirt with the surf shop logo and a pair of board shorts, then walks into the bathroom naked.

And as I watch his toned body step into the shower, that feeling wells up inside. The one I always try to ignore, the one that I tell myself is not real because I really do still love him.

I love him but I'm so tired of always being the responsible adult. I'm tired of being told "no." I'm the one who pays for everything around the house. I buy the food, I pay the mortgage and the bills. I manage everything while he's away at his surfing competitions – which don't bring in the big bucks like they used to because he rarely wins against these younger, more agile boys. He spends his money on himself and the shop, while I barely manage everything else, hence why I have to work both the school and local clinic.

But I do it because I want to have a child, even though I'm alone in that desire. Tonight, Solomon once again makes that perfectly clear to me. He will never choose me above himself. All the love and good vibes he likes to spout off to his adoring fans, it's all bullshit. It's all a lie.

And I'm beginning to hate him for it. Or maybe, I already do.

Or maybe I still love him enough to forgive him for Elise and everything else.

I don't even know.

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The sound of my car in the driveway pulls me out of the spirally thoughts in my head, and taking a deep breath, I rush out to the front of the house, wiping the tears as I go. I'm so glad Leah's back, finally. She has no idea how much I rely on her presence these days. She's a welcome distraction to this mess I've created for myself, even though I haven't really told her the truth about my marriage. She already knows I'm barren and that Sol likes to have threesomes, and that's enough for now. They're the worst of all my problems anyway.

But the knock on the door causes me to pause. Why doesn't she use her key? I open the door, ready to chastise her but it dies on my lips as I take in Leah's battered form.

"Leah! What the fuck happened to you!" my nurse instincts kick in and I rush forward to help her into the house. Leah basically collapses against me, her breath labored and hard.

"I got…attacked…my ribs …" she wheezes.

"Oh my god! We've got to call the ambulance! How did you even get here?" I can't believe she was able to drive in this condition!

"No!" Leah gasps, her grip on my arm tightening painfully, as she looks over at me with raw fear in her almond-shaped eyes. "No doctors."

"Leah, what about the baby? You've got to get checked out!" She seriously cannot be this stubborn! But the girl really hates doctors and hospitals. It's just another one of those mysteries I can't figure out.

"Just get me to bed, please." She begs, each word stilted by her struggle for oxygen.

"Fuck, if you die here at my home Leah, how will I explain this to the authorities! To Jake! You need to get to the hospital! Your lung could be punctured!"

Leah shakes her head again. "Please, just get me to the bed." As if trying to prove a point to me she straightens up and takes firmer steps towards the bedroom, but I can still feel the tension in her body, how she's wound up with pain.

How could someone have attacked her? This is Haleiwa! People are friendly and safe! When we get to her room, I help her down on the mattress then rush to the linen closet for my first aid kit. When I return, I find Leah sitting on the bed staring at her phone.

"What happened?"

"Jake called, he was checking up on me…"

I can't help but notice that her breathing is a little steadier now, like her voice. "Did you tell him?"

"NO! I'll tell him when he gets here. Trust me, it would do him no good to learn about this while he has to travel."

I don't agree but I don't press the issue. I help pull off her clothes til she's just in her underwear. She's bruised all over her upper body. There's even a huge purple stain across her abdomen which causes me to gasp in shock.

I point to the spot and shake my head. "Leah! Your…your stomach, you've got to get checked out! Did you check to see if you're bleeding? Do you have any pain in your pelvis?" She could miscarry after a hit like that.

Leah's eyes widen and tears immediately form. "I, I think the baby's fine," she stammers, but even I can tell that she's unsure. I watch in wonder as Leah places her palm on her lower stomach, lays back and closes her eyes, seeming to hold her breath. I observe with both shock and amazement as she lays completely still for a few moments. Then, a small smile appears and she opens her eyes and searches me out. "Everything's fine."

I scoff and shake my head. "You're not serious! That's NOT the way to tell, you need an ultrasound! You need the Doppler to hear the heartbeat!"

Leah raises her head, her eyes now hard and focused directly on mine. "Rebecca, the baby's fine. Okay? I swear. All I need is for you to wash my clothes, and help me get cleaned up, that's all. I promise you that I'll explain everything when I feel better. But not tonight. Please, just clean my cuts and let me sleep. I'll be better tomorrow, I promise."

I want to fight, I want to insist, but somehow, by the way she commands me, I don't. I am effectively shushed by the confident glint in her eye that what she's saying is the truth. Only because her breathing seems much better now, do I drop it. Nurse mode kicks in again and I busy myself with duty. I pull out peroxide and cotton and quickly tend to the few gashes on her arms and face. Then I take bandages and wrap them tight under her breast so that she won't move too much. Leah then asks me for a bottle of water and some ice for a bruise at the back of her head. I bring everything she requires and then I help her find a comfortable spot.

I stroke her hair and listen to her pulse until it finally slows down. Just when I think she's asleep, Leah's eyes pop open and she turns her head to me. "Thank you Becc. But please don't tell anyone about this."

"What about Sue or Seth?"

"They're far away, doesn't make sense making them worry. I'll be okay."

"I hope you know what you're doing Leah. There're so many things that could be wrong, you could have internal bleeding or a concussion, you shouldn't even go to sleep right now."

But the damn girl gives me another pleading yet stern look and I sigh, once again retreating from pressing the issue. "Just relax, Lee. You need to rest."

Leah reaches for my hand, grasping my fingers lightly. "Please stay with me."

I cover her slightly trembling hand with mine and nod once. "Of course, sissy. I'll stay." It's only then that I realize that she really IS scared underneath the stubborn act. Finally, an emotion that makes sense in this crazy situation. Hopefully when my brother comes, he can talk some sense into her about getting proper medical attention.

When I'm sure she's resting comfortably, I pack up my first aid kit and carry it back to the closet. I need that shower still, and it will help calm me after such an emotional night. I enter my bedroom to find Solomon fast asleep on the bed. Good. I grab a night shirt and underwear and slip into the shower. The hot water serves to calm my muscles, but my mind still races with thoughts of Solomon and Leah. As I slip out of the bathroom and make my way out of the bedroom, Solomon calls out to me.

"Where are you going?"

"To Leah's room."

"You're not sleeping in here?"

"No."

I offer no explanation as I shut the door behind me.

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My body is used to waking up at the same time every morning, so it comes as no surprise when my eyes flutter open at five thirty. I've got to get to work for my shift at the clinic which starts at seven. I roll onto my back and look over at Leah, she's still asleep. She seems peaceful in her slumber, which I take as a good sign.

But as I'm about to get out of the bed, it hits me. I look back at her again and what I find causes me to gasp loudly in shock. Her face…it's normal. The side which was banged up last night is almost healed! The bruise has faded with only one or two pink lines and splotches remaining.

Leah's eyes slowly open and she groans a little. "What?"

"Leah, your cuts and bruises are gone! How? What? How's that even possible!" I cry, unable to wrap my mind around what I'm seeing.

Leah grimaces and reaches for my hand. That's when I notice the dark bruises on her arm are faded to a faint yellow already. They're almost fully healed. "Holy shit!" I turn her arm over in my hands, prodding the skin. She doesn't even wince.

"Becca, calm down."

"Don't tell me to calm down! You were a mess last night! And now your skin is practically back to normal! Leah what the fuck is going on!?"

"Make us some breakfast first and I'll tell you, okay? I'm starving, my body needs fuel to heal my ribs."

"You're insane!" I screech, then shove out of the bed, and stomp my way to the kitchen. What the HELL is going on with her?!

I angrily pull out the eggs and bread and all the ingredients I need for omelets and grilled vegan cheese sandwiches. Leah eats like a horse, so I know she'll need at least two of everything. I'm almost tempted not to make breakfast for Sol, but even I know that's too petty. I dump the onion, peppers, garlic, cilantro and chives into my mini processor then crack eight eggs into the big mixing bowl and add some spices. I pull out all three of my frying pans and sauté the chopped seasonings. As the omelets are cooking, I pull out the sandwich press and start on the grilled cheese.

Leah hobbles into the kitchen, her robe cinched at the waist. She looks better for sure but the way she walks indicates to me that her ribs are another matter. I'm almost relieved because nothing else makes sense.

I watch as she pours two glasses of juice for us and pulls out plates and cutlery. She then tends to the omelets, flipping them for me, offering me a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry I freaked you out," she says.

I keep my eyes focused on the sandwich press. "I just want to know the truth."

Leah sighs, "I know. But you've got to promise me you won't freak out anymore."

I scoff and glare at her. "Whatever."

"You remember the legends of our tribe right?"

That brings me to a pause. "What, like the wolves?"

"Yeah, the wolves."

I nod my head slowly, not understanding where she's going with this. "Yeah?"

"Well, um…they're real. And….I'm a shifter…and so is Jake and Sam and Seth, and basically all their friends."

As I put together another set of bread and cheese and close the press on it, I turn to face her properly. "This isn't funny Leah."

"I'm not trying to be funny," she answers coolly. "You wanted an explanation, and I gave it to you. I have really good sight and hearing, I heal fast, I eat a lot because the wolf requires extra energy, I'm stronger than the average man, and I hunt vampires."

"Leah there's no such thing as vampires!" I shriek.

"SHHHHH! Yes! There is, and one of them almost killed me last night because I can't phase anymore now that I'm pregnant," she hisses.

I shake my head, refusing to believe a word she says.

"I was barren for years because of the wolf. I stopped getting my periods when I first shifted. But Jake…he's the Alpha and somehow…it happened with him. I had no idea I could even ovulate."

"Alpha?"

"Yeah. Your great grandfather was the last Alpha shifter and chief of the tribe. So Jake's his heir."

"But Dad?"

"No, it skipped his generation. We all phased because the Cullens came back to Forks."

"The Cold Ones from the treaty legends?"

"Yeah. It's all true."

This can't be real!

"I can't go back to the hospital because they'll find out my secret. I would have healed too fast if you took me last night, and it would have been chaos. That doctor from last time asked too many questions and wanted to run tests. I can't put myself at risk again. Do you understand Becc?"

I nod without thinking, because what else can I do? "Does Rachel know?" I ask.

"Yes, Paul is one of us."

"Oh."

"They're bonded…through the wolf."

"So that's why she stayed?"

"Yes. And she's very happy."

I can't believe it, but I have no other choice. I can tell that Leah's being serious and her explanation of her weird habits kind of makes sense. Her body temperature for one. And her fast healing and height.

"Look, you and Jake can talk when he gets here okay? He can explain everything about your family and whatever else you need to know."

I nod, feeling lost. Leah comes over and puts her arm around me and I flinch. "I'm sorry," I stammer.

"It's okay. But it's still me. I won't hurt you. I appreciate you being so understanding about all of this Becc. I'm not allowed to tell anyone, but you deserved to know after what I put you through."

"Thanks, I guess." I hate being out of the loop, not knowing what's really going on in my twin's and brother's lives, but I left my family behind, so what could I expect?

Leah goes back to the omelets and I gather the sandwiches. We sit together at the table and begin eating in silence. I can't deny the sense of urgency that builds in my body as everything sinks in.

But one thing's for certain, I need to go home and see my family. I need to see it all for myself. And a break from Sol is probably the only thing that will help me make a decision on whether or not I still want to be in this marriage.

Rebecca's story is a side-along with Leah and Jacob So there will be a couple more chapters that tell more of her story. Thanks for sticking with me everyone! I'm really busy these days with homeschooling so it's hard to write but I really hope I can finish up soon so that I can start posting chapters daily as before.