Chapter 249: It's About Leah Part 3
I woke up, feeling warm all around me. I was wrapped around in Sam's embrace. I probably woke up from being snuggled closely to his chest. I muttered, "S-sam?"
I felt Sam's breathing over my head, and he whispered, "sorry, I tried to be quiet."
I said with a small yawn, "its-its fine.."
Uhh…what did I wanted to say to Sam? I thought about it for few moments until it hit me. Oh, right. Leah, so I asked softly, "how did it go with the Clearwaters?"
I slowly looked up to see Sam, and he said tiredly, "Even though they were devastated to her that Leah might phase, they want Leah to stay with them for a little awhile..because..Harry passed away..If they push Leah away now, then they will have to tell Leah the truth and..it might be too much for Leah to handle, so they want to tell her once she is coping better from his death.."
It makes sense. They want their family to mourn together. Its..too cruel to push Leah away when she needs family the most.
He continues, "..Since Bella is still gone, we believed that it is safe for Leah to stay in the reservation..for now. Bella won't come back to Forks until graduation, and from what Charlie told Sue, she graduates in few weeks from now..When it gets closer to Bella's graduation, we'll see whether to get Leah out of the reservation or not. As of now, she is not showing any signs of phasing, but..because of Harry's death, it might trigger to start showing signs..If Bella is still connected to the Cullens and they come back to Forks for her graduation, we'll watch Leah if she is showing signs. If she starts to show signs, then it will also tell us that the Cullens are coming back to Forks or we have another cold one threat.."
It makes sense, so I nodded. It was relieving to hear that Leah is not showing any sign of phasing, so she might be able to avoid becoming a spirit warrior. But, it can't be guaranteed as of it. Bella might bring the Cullens back to Forks, and it could trigger her to phase. I really hope not…
Sam added, "also..Because Seth phased and Leah is not showing any signs of phasing, there might be another reason why she isn't showing signs."
I said with a confused frown, "why?"
Sam responded, "..she might be a potential imprint for the pack.."
I froze. I honestly didn't think to consider that could happen. Who would she imprint on? Paul? Jacob? Embry? Quil? Paul might imprint on Rachel when she comes back in the summer. Jacob…might still imprint on Renesmee. Quil might still imprint on ..Claire. Maybe Embry?
Sam asked, "do you have an idea who may imprint next?"
I said, "I know..Paul imprinted on Rachel in my reality, and Quil imprinted..on.." I trailed off because it's just so disturbing that Quil imprinted on a literal child. It wasn't his will, and there is a possibility that he can't have a romantic partner because he has to fulfill his role as a protector for Claire.
Sam pressed,"on who?"
I said reluctantly, "Emily's niece..Claire.."
Sam responded, "oh….what's wrong with that?"
What. Is he joking?
I said bluntly, "Sam..she is a literal child.."
Sam frowned, "that's bit of a stretch. From what I know, Claire is the same age as Quil. Of course, Claire goes to the high school at the Makah reservation."
I exclaimed, pulled my head back to look at Sam, "what?!"
Sam tilted his head in confusion, "is it different in your reality?"
My jaw dropped in shock. I did not expect Claire to be the same age as Quil. If Quil is 18..then Claire is 18 too. Oh, thank the spirits. She isn't a literal child. Wait, then does that mean Jacob may not imprint on Renesmee? From the novels, Quil and Claire relationship was used as a precursor for what will happened between Jacob and Renesmee. So, in this reality, they don't imprint on children. Oh thank the spirits. Imprinting is still weird, but not as creepy...
I sighed in relief, "yeah.."
I added hesitantly, "in my reality…Claire was 3 years old when Quil imprinted on her.."
Sam got quiet. His eyes widened in realizations and muttered, "so..that's why you reacted that way..but I promise you..From what I know, the spirits does not bond a spirit warrior on a literal child whether they are simply their protector or not."
Oh, that is good to know..I replied, "I see…Since Quil imprints on Claire, then Jacob may not imprint on another child."
Sam gasped, " ...Jacob imprinted on a child?"
I said sadly, "yeah, immediately after the child was born..but maybe he won't this time…"
Sam said thoughtfully, "that's good to know…it only leaves Embry and Jacob to be the potential ones to imprint Leah.."
I asked nervously, "are you..going to create a situation for one of them to imprint on Leah?"
Sam sighed, "I don't know..I don't want to decide for her, but I think it will be a lot for Leah if she does get imprinted now. She needs her family.."
I responded, "True..we may try to prevent the unmated wolves from meeting Leah..but if..it is in the spirit's will, they might imprint on her regardless of our interventions.." I said the last part bitterly. Since Harry still died despite of my interventions, maybe Leah might still get imprinted or shift regardless what we do. Maybe all I am doing is post-poning it..
Sam said slowly, "that is..also true. If it happens then it happens. For now, I will command them to not get near Leah..as in for Claire. Leah and Emily are close, so Emily might come down from the Makah Reservation to meet Leah and she might bring Claire with her. ..I don't want the wolves to imprint by force because we know who they are going to imprint, so..I won't try to stop Quil from meeting Claire.."
Sam paused before asking me carefully, "are..you okay with having Emily around?"
I said, "It's fine..I don't know if Emily still have feelings for you, but I know you wouldn't do anything wrong with her. You're mine as much as I'm yours. I trust you, so I won't get jealous or insecure…I can't not make you see her. As someone who was close to Harry and Seth's Alphs, you are bound to run into her one way or another, so I can't control that.."
Sam said with a smile, "okay, I'm glad that you feel okay with me around her.."
I said sincerely, "thank you for checking on me regarding her.."
Sam kissed my forehead, "of course. I just want you to be happy."
I smiled from the kiss. There was one thing that I want to ask. What if there is another reason that he doesn't want Leah to be imprinted on. I know the novel Sam, he still had Leah somewhere close to his heart and it brought heartache for Sam, Leah and Emily. Because of that, it makes it like he is forced to be with Emily. Does this Sam have some feeling for Leah even after many years?
I asked hesitantly, "don't get mad but…is there another reason that you don't want Leah to get imprinted on?"
Sam's expression turned serious, and he asked, "what do you mean?"
I asked nervously, "do you..still have some feelings regarding Leah? I'm not doubting your feelings for me. I know you love me and you are going to be with me until I die but do you..deep down you still have some lingering attachment towards Leah?"
Sam's eyes softened and shook his head, "no..I don't. Before you came, I already made my resolve to let go of Leah. I made that decision once I phased. I don't want to create problems for my mate because I couldn't let go of my past relationships."
Oh, that was relieving to hear. It makes sense that this Sam had the time to let go of Leah. Novel Sam didn't. He was thrown out of one relationship to the next. But even after he imprinted, he could've made his resolved to let go of Leah before Leah phased. I might be too harsh on that Sam, but I can't help to think that way.
I said in response, "okay..I'm glad to know that..I don't feel guilty for having you."
He purred and pulled me closer, "you have nothing to feel guilty for."
I said quietly, "yeah.."
I was slowly falling back asleep when I asked, "sam?"
He hummed sluggishly, "hm?"
I asked, "is it okay if Seth comes over whenever he needs a break from his family? I was also tutoring him to prepare for his finals.."
Sam said sluggishly, "kay. As long as it doesn't get in a way of your work. My wolf and I are fine with him, but he can't come to the bedroom. No compromise for that one."
I chuckled softly, "okay. I'll let him know that.."
He yawned widely, "anything else you want to talk about, hon?"
I shook my head, "no. that's it I think."
Lie. I was avoiding from talking about what happened in the funeral. It's not like I don't want to tell Sam…It's..just a lot to talk bout it. Everything happened so quickly that I don't even have the mental strength to bring it up.
He said slowly, "okay..night hon."
I responded, "night, Sam."
We both fell asleep.
The next day, I woke up later in the afternoon. I let Sam stay in bed as I got up to go make breakfast for both of us. I wanted to take care of him more attentively since he is mourning for the loss of Harry. I made French toast, scrambled eggs, pancakes, and bacon for breakfast. Sam walked into the kitchen when I was pouring orange juice for the both of us.
I turned around and smiled, "good morning, Sam."
Sam smiled as he pulled me close to a hug, "morning, hon. I notice you made a big breakfast today."
I said shyly, "yeah…I just..want to take extra care of you since you are going through a lot recently."
Sam said, "aw, you didn't have to, Ale. But, it makes me and my wolf so happy to see you like this."
He kissed me tenderly on lips and laid a row of kisses on my neck.
I said with a small chuckle, "how about we eat first?"
Sam said with a small pout, "fine."
We sat down and ate our breakfast together. Few minutes later, the house phone rang. I got up to go grab it, and Sam got up and said, "I got it, hon."
I nodded and sat back down to finish eating. I wasn't really paying attention to what Sam was saying in the kitchen. I was just minding my own business and munching on my food.
Sam popped his head to the dining area and said, "ale?"
I said, "hmm?" as I stuffed a pancake into my mouth.
Sam said, "Jared got a new client, so I have work today, and I might come home late. You don't have to wait for me today."
I nodded. Sam gave me a quick kiss on the lips. He quickly picked up his plates and went to wash them by the sink to not leave me to clean everything up on my own. I said bye to Sam as he put on a white crew shirt and walked out the door with a toolbox in his hand.
Once I was done eating breakfast, I went to wash the remaining dishes. I started to marinate the meat to cook for dinner. In the meantime, I was I'll just make some quick cheese quesadilla for lunch. I didn't feel like cooking multiple times in one day. I need to get some work done. I went back to the dining table and got started on my case files.
Working..It kept me busy from thinking that panic attack from the funeral. It's a lot to take in. Who would want to be told that you are going to feel someone else's feelings and memories involuntarily? I just can't help but feel so helpless. I have been so focused on dealing with Leah that I didn't got the chance to process what happened in the funeral for me. Now that I am left alone with my thoughts, I am starting to think more about myself. Time and time again. I have been shown that I have less control of my life than I thought. It's not a nice feeling to feel.
I had finished the work that I need to do that day. I stared aimlessly at the table and sighed heavily. If I keep remembering what happened, I am going to start thinking deep thoughts.
I need to keep myself occupied.
Oh! I can call Seth. I got up to go call by using the house phone. It ringed and I heard someone picked up the phone. It was Leah.
She said solemnly, "Clearwater residence. This is Leah. Who am I speaking to?"
I froze. I knew Leah was home, but I forgot to think about that she could potentially pick up the phone call. Damn. I didn't think this through.
After a long pause from me, she asked impatiently, "um, hello?"
I said quickly, getting out of my trance, "Hi, uh, sorry. This is Alegria..I've been tutoring Seth for his high school finals.. and I just wanted to let Seth know that if he needs to study, he can come over after school to Sam and I's place.."
She replied, "Right..Mom mentioned that Sam is with you...but I didn't know Seth was getting tutoring.." she mumbled something under her breath that I didn't quite catch, but she said stiffly , "kay, I let him know. Bye."
She hanged up on me. Well, that went better than I thought. She didn't sound too suspicious, so I am glad that I was able to use tutoring to let Seth know that he can come over whenever he wants to, and its not a total lie. If I lie to Leah, then it might put Seth and Sue on an awkward position, and they are already going through a lot. No need to add more on their plate. Leah sounded she got herself together, so I feel hopeful for her. I hope this time, she is able to overcome her sorrows not alone this time.
Author's Note:
I was out. Sorry about that. To finally recover from COVID, it took much more longer than I anticipated. Then, I forced myself to go back to work because I don't have PTO..and I couldn't afford to be out of work no longer after being in isolation for a week. Of course, I went and got checked to see if I was still contagious before going back to work. I got busy with work, then it came to this.
I read through the comments, so I put more thought on the chapter. Thank you for the comments! I should let Leah stick around for a while, so I am going to do that. I am going to pair Leah and Jacob, but I am still trying to figure out how... I don't want them to imprint while Leah is mourning.. It might add even more drama since Leah is still in college too, and I would like Leah to graduate first before getting imprinted on... I'm still not sure, but I am going to leave some clues that they are going to imprint.
Edit (1/22/2022):
I forgot about fixing the previous chapter when I uploaded this one. Sorry about that, I didn't mean to overlook the comments.
Leah is studying to be a nurse. After this summer, it will be her last year in college. She'll finish after next summer.
