Paul froze. "Baby? You mean some day? I'm sixteen years old, Rachel. You don't mean…"
After a beat, Rachel said "No, of course I meant our future babies. I'd like to have three or four, wouldn't you?"
"I really haven't given it a lot of thought," he said, relief evident in his voice. "Now where were we?" The subject was dropped.
The next day Leah almost ran into Rachel as she rushed out the back door. "Oh, hey, Rach. I'm on patrol - did you need me for something?" They'd been friends for a very long time, and Leah could tell Rachel's smile was forced.
"No, that's okay, I actually wanted to talk to your mom. Is she home?" Rachel's voice was thick with unshed tears. Leah reversed her course and closed the screen door behind her.
"What's wrong, Rachel?"
Rachel was studying her feet. "You're my best friend, Lee, and that will never change. But I have to remember that whatever I tell you now I'm essentially broadcasting to the rest of the pack. So can we just leave it at that? I need to talk to Sue."
Leah looked stricken. "I guess you're right. I'm sorry. But if you ever need my help, I'm here for you. Our friendship comes first."
"I know. And thanks."
"Mom will be down in a minute. She's upstairs collecting laundry. Make yourself at home, Rach." Leah nodded toward the coffee pot, and after a moment's hesitation she left.
Rachel's hand shook as she poured a cup of the strong coffee, then wrapped her hands around the mug. She leaned against the counter and waited for Sue. Since their own mother was killed in a car accident, Sue had taken the twins under her wing and tried to fill in where she could for her departed friend. The two families always celebrated holidays together - Thanksgiving at the Black house and Christmas at the Clearwaters'.
When Leah arrived at the trailhead, Jacob and Seth were waiting. "You alone, Leah?" Jacob vaguely remembered she should be paired with either Jared or Embry for this patrol.
"Yeah, I told Embry to take the afternoon off. I know you must be tired, but would you mind running with me for a bit? I have something to discuss with you."
"Tired?" Jacob's grin was infectious. "I could run two more patrols without getting winded!" Seth chuckled and took off toward home at a jog.
"Okay, Superman, let's get furry!" Leah shook her head and scooted behind a handy boulder to phase. When she returned, Jacob had phased as well. His shorts, banded to his leg, were almost hidden in dense fur. The enormous wolf sighed audibly.
"You know, we've all seen you naked, Leah. It's a perfectly natural thing in our world."
The smaller wolf sighed. "I know, I know. I try to fight the sensation, but it makes me feel...vulnerable, I guess. Besides, I'm trying to let the younger cubs hold onto a bit of their innocence."
"Fair enough. So - are we doing this?" Obviously, he knew the Cullens' peculiar invitation was on her mind.
"Yes, we are. Carlisle says one of his kids has a military background and extensive experience with evil vamps. I'm still not convinced there's any other kind, but for now he gets the benefit of the doubt. Sam's not going to be happy, but he's a big boy. He'll just have to get over it. I don't know, Jake. Our history isn't doing the pack any favors, but I don't know how to work around it yet." She glanced up at the wolf beside her. "I'm still working on it."
"He'll have to get over it, Leah. For what it's worth, it looks like you didn't have much choice."
The night was unusually clear for the bonfire. Leah looked around at the circle of animated faces, dark eyes sparkling in the firelight. She thought, not for the first time, that these kids should be at home playing video games, doing homework, or watching TV with their families.
Billy Black stood, a commanding figure dressed entirely in black, and the chatter immediately stilled. All eyes turned to him as his deep storyteller's voice launched into the familiar recitation of the tribe's history. The story had taken on new life in light of recent events, and the crackle of the fire accompanied the familiar words.
When it was Leah's turn to speak, she addressed the group. Council members and pack members alike turned their attention to her.
"I have finalized plans to meet with the Cullens a week from today," she began, and there was a soft buzz from the shapeshifters. Tribal council members maintained a stony silence. They did not generally interfere in the Alpha's decisions, but they didn't hesitate to make their opinions known. This was neither the time nor the place, however.
"Out of respect for the treaty," Leah continued, "we will meet on the far side of the border for training. If you have any questions or concerns, please bring them to me or Jacob this week. This will likely be an all-day exercise, and we will be in wolf form."
Standing tall, one hand on her hip, Leah's dark eyes swept the small crowd. "That's all for now. Help yourselves to the food and drinks."
Balancing a plate loaded with food, Jacob walked along the beach to where Leah was seated on a driftwood log, watching the gentle waves shimmer in the moonlight. "Mind some company?" he asked.
She patted the log beside her and he sat, balancing the large paper plate on his knee. "I brought extra," he said by way of invitation, and she selected a cheeseburger from the array of picnic food and returned her attention to the surf.
"You gonna eat that?" Jacob asked, studying her face. She blinked and looked at her hand, apparently surprised to see the burger there.
"Yeah, thanks," she said and took a big bite.
"You look like a woman with a lot on her mind," he said mildly. "Anything I can do?" He popped a deviled egg in his mouth.
Leah shook her head and swallowed. "No, it's nothing. At least I don't think it's anything. Certainly not worth worrying anybody else." She took another bite of her food. "Just a strange conversation I had earlier." She smiled, changing the subject. "I think that went well, At least nobody jumped up and left."
"You ever think about how strange our lives are, Leah? I mean - we made an appointment with a coven of vampires so they can teach our wolf pack how to kill vampires."
She snickered. "Maybe I'll write a book." They sat in companionable silence, enjoying the rare cloudless evening and the pleasant murmur of conversation down the beach.
Leaning back, her hands in the cool sand, Leah studied Jake's profile. His sudden bright smile lit up his face. "What? Did I drip something on me…"
"No," she replied, laughing. "I was just thinking you look very much like a warrior. And very little like a teenager."
His expression softened, and the smile disappeared. "I've been waiting for you to notice that."
Leah shook her head and muttered to herself. "It's been too long, Clearwater. Get a grip."
Cocking his head, Jacob asked "Did you say something?"
She shook her head, but his self-satisfied smile showed he knew exactly what she'd said.