Epilogue: Part 2 In This Moment
"He's doing really well. We've made a lot of progress. It helps that I already know he's a wolf so he can be honest his situation. I've really been enjoying helping people heal emotionally and helping someone who's supernatural and connected to my family has helped me recognize my own grief. I've addressed a lot of my own issues from when I was a human and the guilt I didn't know I held from turning my family."-Carlisle said as they walked the hall. Jacob was shocked to hear that but nodded without saying anything.
"So he's ready to go home?"-Jacob asked when they reached the door.
"His progress is remarkable but I'm not quite sure I can sign off on that. This is the ultimate test to best determine if he's ready."-he explained. He swiped his id, and they were let into the visitor's hall. Jacob looked around at the many patients and realized he recognized some of them.
"Carlisle."-he whispered, looking at him.
"Yes."-Carlisle nodded, answering Jacob's unasked question.
Jacob looked on somberly as they made their way through the hall. He recognized some of the patients because he saw them almost four years ago when he came to restrain Sam. Some of the nurses, orderlies, doctors and other staff members were still here…as patients. His heart tightened thinking of the fact that none of them are actually insane or deserve to be patients here. They did indeed see men turn into wolves and men moving at inhuman speeds with inhuman strength. It seemed so unfair for them to be here and have their lives altered so brutally.
"There was no other way. Remember we tried everything we could to calm them down and make them confused into believing it was all a dream but in the end we had to commit most of them while a few get outpatient therapy. Whether they know it was the truth or a dream doesn't matter. Bella was an anomaly; no human will see what they saw and remain sane. They tried to move them to other facilities, but I convinced the board they needed to face their 'delusions' head on by remaining here in order to get them to stay under my care and keep the Vultori from finding out humans know our secret. At first I took them on personally, but as you can imagine it didn't go well for the ones who recognized and feared me. I can't lie to them and tell them they didn't see what they saw but there's no way I can tell them the truth."-he explained.
"Wolf! Wolf!"-a former doctor shouted when Jacob walked by his table. Jacob paused with his heart hammering in his chest. Carlisle put a hand on his shoulder to push him forward to continue walking to the other section of the visitor's hall. Carlisle experiences this sort of thing on a weekly basis from them. It's best to keep moving or risk the patient getting more hysterical.
Jacob wearily looked at the man over his shoulder as he pointed at his retreating figure. The man's elderly parents tried in vain to calm him down, but he jumped up and tried to climb the walls, ripping his fingernails to a bloody mess. Four orderlies and a doctor ran over and carried the squirming man out of the room while sedating him.
"Don't worry no one believes them. They do the same thing to Sam."-Carlisle said, getting Jacob's attention.
"They do?"-he exclaimed surprised. He didn't know that.
"Yes."- Carlisle nodded.
"How does Sam react?"-Jacob asked with a stone face, stopping in his tracks. Things couldn't have gotten too bad or else he would've been called.
"It used to make him panic because your secret was out but now he doesn't even respond. He ignores them. On bad days he used to shake furiously and growl, which didn't help the situation, but he hasn't done that in years. It's just white noise to him now. It doesn't bother him."-Carlisle reassured him with a smile. He was immensely proud of Sam knowing himself how difficult it is to constantly deal with those patients reminding him of what he is and what he did that day.
"Good. That mean he's progressing."-Jacob nodded to himself.
They continued walking through to the area where potentially dangerous patients held their visits. There was more security and orderlies in this area. The patients at this end are doing well but could still pose a threat to others instead of themselves. They're allowed visits but they're sectioned off away from others.
"Goodluck. I'll be on the other side if you need me."-Carlisle said before going to talk to another patient's family.
Jacob noticed that Sam was given a large berth around him away from other patients. But, it appeared the patients themselves are the ones who chose to give it to him rather than the staff. He took a deep breath and slowly approached him. They both know Sam can hear and smell him as he approaches but he made no move to show it. Jacob sat down with his hands folded on the table. Both men sat looking at each other for a pause, Jacob studying him. They could hear Carlisle talking to the patient and his family, but they know he's paying attention to their reunion.
"Sam."-Jacob acknowledged with a nod.
"Hey Jake."-Sam smiled warmly. This took Jacob by surprise as he wasn't expecting Sam to be so lucid or friendly. His smile was disarming.
"How's it been man?"-Jacob asked with a smile. Sam bugged his eyes out before laughing. Jacob laughed with him and took his leather biker glove off his right hand and extended it.
"That bad huh?"-he smiled.
"You have no idea. But it's not all bad."-Sam laughed, shaking Jacob's hand. Jacob got comfortable and took off his leather biker jacker that Leah makes him wear whenever he rides his bike and the two men caught up on old times, careful to step around certain topics much like Sam and Leah had done all those years ago when they'd made up.
The two of them talked without pause or awkward silences for the entire visit. It felt good to see Jacob again and clear the air especially since the only people he ever sees are Emily, his parents and some of the council members. No one else on the reservation knew where he was or what happened that day and Jacob ordered the pack to stay away to ensure Sam could get the help he needed without setbacks. Jacob was relieved to see Sam in good spirits and seemingly back to himself. With Sam being up for review for release in two months Jacob wanted to evaluate him for himself. Leah was planning on coming alone but he deaded that idea immediately.
"I decided I'm going to do Sam's evaluation to see if he should be released."-Leah blurted out one day when she visited Jacob at work for a quicky in his office. Jacob was putting his black tee shirt back on and almost strangled himself trying to get his head through the hole so he could yell at her. It would've been comical if Leah didn't know he was about to lose his mind.
"What did you just say?"-Jacob asked incredulously, yanking the shirt off when he couldn't get it on fast enough. His bare chest was heaving.
"I said I'm going to visit Sam."-she crossed her arms and made a defiant face.
"No you're not."-Jacob said authoritatively, dismissively.
"Well, when I come home smelling like him don't get all weird since you know I went to do his evaluation."-she shrugged and walked towards the door. Their senses aren't as sharp as they used to be but she still should've been able to hear him speed up behind her. She had the door open one second and the next he slammed it shut. She gasped and jumped back. He spun her around, grabbed her shoulders and pinned her to the wall.
"If you even step one foot off the reservation I'll find you and drag you back, lock you in the basement and feed you through a hole in the wall."-he threatened. His eyes were steel but so were hers.
"Excuse me?"-she asked indignantly.
"You heard me Leah. You're not leaving and going to visit anybody least of all Sam."-he growled in her face. She shoved him making him stumble back and proceeded to get in his face.
"You're not going to do anything! I'm not asking for your permission."-she shouted.
"And I'm not asking for your opinion."-he shouted back. He got back in her face, so she stormed off and opened the door but again he raced after her and slammed the door shut and spun her around and pinned her all over again.
She shoved him but he didn't move this time, so she punched him in the stomach. He slumped forward and she took the opportunity to run out the room but she wasn't fast enough because he raced after her and threw her over his shoulder and stomped back to his office and slammed the door. She punched him in the back repeatedly but he was unphased. Unphased util she kicked him in the testicles. He wasn't sure if it was on purpose or unintentional with how much she was moving around but she indeed kicked him in the nards.
They toppled over with him wheezing and gritting his teeth. He fell on top of her but was somehow able to brace himself and not crush her and grab himself at the same time. She slid from under him to run for the door, but he grabbed her ankle before she could stand up and drug her back underneath him. Since she was so strong and he was indisposed at the moment, he couldn't restrain her like he normally could, so he pinned her with most of his body weight as he came back to his senses and the spots in his eyes went away.
"Leah."-he growled hovering over her once he was able to speak again. She crossed her arms and turned her head giving nothing away on if she did that on purpose or not.
"Don't make me alpha command you."-he growled. Her head snapped up and she glared at him. They had their glaring match for five whole minutes before she blinked first. They played this dominant game often and Jacob almost always won. Technically he always won but he threw her a bone a few times since she would pout whenever she lost.
"Why would you want to go there? He could still be unstable."-he demanded, still on top of her. Her face softened and she sighed. "You can't get revenge on him. It would end badly for everyone involved."-he pointed out. She rolled her eyes.
"I'll admit I do want to get him for what he did but…"-she looked off at nothing.
"But what?"-he asked. She looked back at him.
"I don't really know how I feel honestly. One minute I hate him like I used to, another minute I want to kill him, another I just want him to be better the next I miss him. I'm all over the place."-she admitted, frustration evident on her face.
"And you think with all those emotions you should go and see him?"-he asked her like she was stupid.
"A lot of this is kind my fault."-she started.
"What? No it's not don't be stu-"
"It is. Well not really but a lot of this is about me. He broke up with me, he hurt Emily and Billy because he broke up with me, he killed your imprint and almost killed me because of me, he phased and almost killed people because you broke your imprint because of me. Not all of it but a lot of it is because of me and Sam's relationship. I just, I just want to talk to him. I feel like it should be me to talk to him this time."-she explained.
"It's not your responsibility."-he said softly. He understood where she was coming from. There was no way in Hell he was going to let her go even if he went with her, but he understood her reasoning. She needs closure.
"I feel like it is. The best way to see if he's stable enough to come home is to just rip the band-aid off by having me show up at the asylum."-she said.
"No."-he said.
"Ja-"
"No."
"Would you just let me speak!"-she exclaimed, shoving his chest. She tried to get him off her, but he wouldn't move.
"I did let you speak and I understand what you're saying but the answer is no."-he said looking her dead in the eyes.
"I didn't ask you a question in the first place."-she huffed.
"Then you shouldn't be disappointed."-he said, tilting his head as he looked down at her. She punched him in the stomach and he growled.
"Why?"-she asked while crossing her arms. His face softened.
"It's dangerous Leah."-he said softly.
"I'll be okay Jacob."-she said just as softly while placing a hand on his cheek. He shook his head adamantly.
"You weren't there all those years ago Lee. You didn't see him. I don't care how strong you are he's stronger than you. He's from a beta line; outside of maybe Paul no one else in the pack would be able to take him on one on one least of all the only woman. I'm not going to let him do something he'll regret, you'll regret and I'll regret. I'm not letting you near him"-he said and she looked away disappointed. "Baby, I love you and I'm not letting anything happen to you if I can prevent it."-he said with his forehead on top of hers.
"Carlisle will be there."-she tried one more time.
"I don't care. You are not going."-he growled.
"We'll see."-she mumbled but he heard her.
"Oh you think I'm playing?"-he asked and she looked at him defiantly. "You're not allowed to leave La Push until after I get back from seeing Sam. You're not allowed to see Sam while he's locked away unless I give you permission and I'm with you or somebody else from the pack. You're not allowed to call him, visit him, or write him."-he growled. Her mouth popped open.
"Did you just…"-she stuttered stunned. Now he gave her a defiant look. "You son of a…"-she growled and he growled right back before she started fighting him all over again.
The notice went off alerting everyone that there was only fifteen minutes left for visitation. They began winding down their conversation when Jacob thought about his glove. His knee bounced and he bit his lip. He debated in his head before deciding to test the waters first.
"Everybody misses you."-he said.
"Oh please. I highly doubt that after all the trouble I've caused."-Sam laughed sarcastically.
"No really they do."-Jacob assured him. Sam looked down at the table as he traced random shapes with his finger. He was hesitant Jacob could tell.
"How is everyone doing?"-he asked quietly. He misses them dearly.
"Everybody's great. A lot has changed but for the better thankfully. All is peaceful on the wolf front."-Jacob smiled, leg still bouncing.
"That's good."-Sam smiled sadly. He wished he were back in La Push moving on with his life like the rest of the pack has done. He desperately misses home and was doing a lot better. He's not stupid he knows Jacob was coming to check on him to see if he was safe enough to return to La Push. He doesn't blame him and from that one action alone he knows Jacob has been a great alpha making smart decisions for the pack and the peninsula. Sam looked hesitant again and Jacob knew what, who, Sam wanted to ask about specifically which is why Jacob started this conversation in the first place.
"So um, how…how's Leah doing? How's her life been all these years?"-Sam asked not meeting Jacob's eyes. They could both hear how loudly their hearts were pounding in their chests. If Jacob's leg bounced any harder his knee would shoot through the table.
"She's doing good. She's mellowed out a lot too."-he laughed thinking of the day she told him she was coming to see Sam. Sam laughed having caught on to Jacob's sarcasm.
"Same old Lee Lee?"-Sam chuckled.
"Same old Lee Lee."-Jacob agreed and they laughed. "She wanted to come visit herself."-he admitted. Sam's eyes became saucers and he choked on his breath.
"She did?"-he breathed, coughing. He didn't know if that was a good or bad thing and he didn't know if he could face her no matter how much he missed her. Jacob nodded and his knee stopped bouncing.
"Yup. She misses you and wants to make sure they're treating you right in here."-he leaned his elbows on the table and watched Sam's every move and listened to every reaction.
"Really?"-Sam choked again. He coughed at the tightness in his throat and took a sip of water. His hand was shaking so much the water splashed around in the glass.
"I should've known she was up to something when she came to my job."-Jacob laughed to himself.
"She came to your job?"-Sam asked confused. Jacob braced himself. He might have been talking to himself, but this is what his visit really boiled down to in this moment.
"Yeah, she came to butter me up before she told me she was going to come and see you. I didn't think that was the best idea so I came instead."-he explained.
"Ah the old butter you up game she plays when she wants something. She used to give me neck massages or do my homework even though I'm smarter than her. How'd she butter you up?"-Sam laughed distractedly at the memory.
"She had sex with me on my desk."-Jacob said unblinking. They could sense Carlisle who had stopped eaves dropping hours ago snap to attention again. He stayed in the visitation hall the entire time by greeting his patients' families and updating them on their loved ones progress. He looked over at them wearily.
Sam sputtered and chocked on his water. When he finally calmed down he looked at Jacob with eyes that clearly were no longer friendly.
"What did you just say to me?"-he asked in a low threatening voice. Carlisle moved closer.
"I said she had sex with me in my office. Whenever she wants something but doesn't want me to have time to think about it before she does it, she comes to my job and seduces me and we usually have sex."-Jacob said unmoving.
Throughout their visit they stayed away from certain topics but Jacob threw in hints on various subjects in order to see Sam's reaction. If he was going to return to La Push he was going to have to face everything that brought him here in the first place and that included Leah and also Jacob breaking his imprint because of Leah. Jacob hadn't intended on doing things this way but he and Sam kind of brought the conversation in this direction by accident so he decided to go with it. He didn't just rip the band-aid like Leah wanted to do but it was obvious by Sam's low growling that it didn't matter either way.
"She has sex with you?"-he asked, chest heaving.
"We are together."-Jacob said matter-of-factly.
"You're together?"-Sam asked seemingly devastated.
"Emily told you we were four years ago."-Jacob reminded him.
"No she said she thought you two would get together."-Sam corrected with flared nostrils.
"So what did you think was going to happened? We would go our separate ways after everything we've been through? You had to have known."-Jacob shook his head.
"That didn't mean you two would actually stay together least of all have sex."-he breathed. His head was spinning and he could barely breathe.
"Sam, I broke my imprint for her."-Jacob said emotionally, sliding his chair back a little. If Sam reacts, he wants to be able to move quickly.
"Yeah but, but…"-Sam started counting quickly. He knew deep down that Jacob and Leah had to have been together and he was the one to figure out that Jacob broke his imprint to begin with, but to have it confirmed by Jacob himself made it hard. Tears rolled down Sam's cheeks and thankfully the visits had ended and everyone was leaving. Sam continued counting and it seemed to help. He was doing his counting and thought processing exercises from his sessions with Carlisle.
"How long have you been together?"-he asked. He looked at Jacob with hatred but knew it was only at himself. He paused and took deep breaths and looked back at Jacob apologetically this time.
"Since the day of my last visit."-Jacob confirmed. That didn't help Sam at all. He started to growl and stood up so abruptly his chair flew backwards. He was blurring badly.
Jacob jumped up, his chair flying backward too.
"Sam."-he warned.
"Since your last visit? What, did you get off on my misery? Did you find it arousing?"-he growled. Jacob shoved an orderly out of the way when he rushed over. Sam might be a wolf who can't phase but he's still a wolf. His strength and speed would slaughter a measly orderly without even trying or intending to.
If Sam still had the ability to change into a wolf he would be a wolf right now. The frustration was evident on his face and the veins in his neck sticking out.
"This is the first time he's tried to phase since your alpha command."-Carlisle explained as he whooshed over. He had ordered the other orderlies to escort the other patients back to their rooms and didn't know he'd missed the one Jacob shoved out the door. At least this time no one would witness anything and end up in the asylum like last time.
"Sam calm down."-Jacob growled.
"This is different than last time."-Carlisle observed. Jacob looked at him like he was stupid. Sam was growling and trying to fight the alpha order; the pain of fighting it made him buckle to the floor. He pounded the floor over and over again, crumbling it.
"He's releasing frustration. I have him do that during sessions when he gets overwhelmed."-Carlisle explained.
"He does this during his sessions?"-Jacob asked disbelieving.
"Well…not quite like this."-he admitted.
Last time Sam snapped because he was proven to be right and everyone else benefitted from it. But this time Sam is snapping because he was wrong and he lost everything because of it. Everything Jacob is and has could have been Sam's if he knew he was wrong and could break the imprint and be with Leah and get some of his life back. Last time he snapped because everyone got to move on, this time he's snapping because he couldn't. He can't even phase.
"Sam calm down, breathe and relax."-Jacob ordered over and over until Sam could hear him through his haze and caved to the command. Sam slumped to the floor and calmed down slowly.
"I'm sorry I'm sorry. I've been doing so well."-Sam cried frustrated. Jacob nodded.
"You'll get there."-Jacob assured him, kneeling in front of him. Thank Taha Aki that things didn't go as far as they did thanks to Jacob already being here and able to command Sam and fight him if need be.
"Will I?"-Sam shouted. He felt all the progress he thought he made had all a been façade.
"Think about how bad things went last time compared to now. That's progress. You'll get there Sam I promise. You've come too far to give up now. But you'll have to do it from here. You can't come home. Not yet."-Jacob informed him sadly with a hand on his shoulder.
"I understand."-Sam hiccupped trying to catch his breath. If Jacob hadn't ordered him he'd still be trying to phase uncontrollably. Both men are glad he's under an alpha command.
"Go to sleep and wake up in the morning in your right mind. Talk to Carlisle and accept the fact that you've lost everything, including Leah, and embrace the new life you'll live when you get home and all that you still have to live for. Hold nothing back."-Jacob alpha ordered. Sam looked at him confused but almost instantly he slammed into the floor and was snoring.
Jacob sighed and bowed his head.
"You did great Jacob."-Carlisle said with a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"I don't feel like it. When will this end?"-he growled.
"It takes time but you're right. He'll get there."-Carlisle said. Jacob looked up at him. "And I'll be there for him every step of the way."-he ensured him.
"Thanks again Carlisle."-Jacob sighed as he stood up.
"It was my duty. My family did cause most if this after all."-Carlisle said with a serious face.
"I think it's about time you forgive yourself. I forgive you."-Jacob said with his hand out.
"Thank you."-Carlisle sputtered very unvampire like before shaking Jacob's hand eagerly. If he could cry he would. Last time it was his family who received the apology he didn't know they needed but this time it was forgiveness he never thought they deserved.
Jacob felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He wasn't usually so forgiving but over the years he's realized just how fragile the mind is and how holding things in, blaming yourself or keeping grudges only hurts you both physically and mentally until your body and mind can't take it anymore. He looked down at Sam's sleeping form and knew just how right he was. It was Sam who taught him that. Still, the last thing he expected was to genuinely and completely forgive the Cullens for all they've caused…all of them alive or dead. Tears caught in his eyes as he let everything go in this moment, all the resentment and finger pointing, hating Edward, all of it. He refused to let his tears fall in front of a vampire and Carlisle pretended not to smell the salt in his eyes as he let Jacob compose himself while trying to do the same.
"Call me if he needs anything."-Jacob said still looking down at Sam.
"Will do."-Carlisle smiled.
"He really is getting better but he's still holding back and needs to let go. This alpha command will force him to address everything that's weighing him down so he can move on."-Jacob said facing Carlisle.
"It really will."-Carlisle nodded still smiling.
Sam needed to get as far as he has on his own. No alpha commands or vampire magic. He would've had resentment and felt violated at being forced to share personal feelings if they had forced him initially. Jacob doubted that Sam really knew he still held so much in and was still mentally unwell. Now was the time for his alpha command.
"Take care of him."-Jacob ordered even if it didn't work on vampires.
"I will."-Carlisle assured him.
Five Years Later
"Dad can I-"
"No."-Jacob said without even turning around.
"But you don't even know what it is."-she whined, throwing her head back.
"But I know that you probably already asked your mother and she said no."-he said turning away from the stove to look at his eldest of four. She pouted and stomped her big feet out of the room and into the living room to complain to her sister. She pretended she was mad, but really she just wanted to hurry out of there before she got in trouble for going behind her mother's back.
Jacob looked at his son in his highchair.
"Girls am I right."-he laughed.
"Girls what?"-Leah asked as she came into the kitchen with their third child right behind her. She was in love with Leah and followed behind her everywhere she went. Jacob she could take or leave him. He was the only testosterone in the house completely outnumbered until their son arrived a little over a year ago. Now he feels like he has reinforcements.
"Girls are awesome."-he smiled.
"That's what I thought."-Leah said, dodging a kiss. Jacob frowned at her. "That's how we got in this mess in the first place."-she said gesturing at their kids. He laughed.
"Actually I got into you which g-"
"Jacob!"-she hissed, flushing. Her eyes darted to their children.
"They can't hear me, and they wouldn't understand if they did."-he mumbled into her neck, kissing her mark. She pushed him and grabbed the baby from his chair.
"Hurry up and finish lunch."-Leah huffed. Jacob laughed.
"Yeah, hurry up and finish lunsh."-Leah's shadow said. Both parents looked down at the child and laughed.
"You are just like your mother."-Jacob admonished with a scowl.
"I know isn't it cute. But if she talked to me like that she'd be hanging upside down by one ankle right about now."-Leah said and went to change the baby's diaper with her shadow right behind her.
"Oh so she can talk to me like that?"-he called after her.
"Yup."-she called back.
"That's why she acts like that now!"-he shouted and heard her laugh.
L+J+L+J=L+J=L+J=L+J
"Thanks for watching them mom."-Jacob said as he dropped the kids off at his parent's house.
"No problem. How are you feeling?"-she asked as she took the baby.
"I'm feeling pretty good. A little anxious. But I'm not worried about me I'm worried about Leah."-he sighed, running a hand down his face.
"How is she?"-Sarah asked, cooing the baby who was fussing as he reached out for his father. Jacob nibbled on the baby's fingers before walking to the front door and opened it.
"She hasn't said anything but I know her. My ears aren't as sharp anymore but I can hear her heart beating faster and faster the closer we get."-he said.
"It'll be alright."-Sarah said with a smile. Jacob smiled back and closed the door.
He got in his mustang where Leah was waiting and drove through La Push.
It's been ten years since the awakening as the pack calls it. One by one they all began moving out of the Cullens old house. Jared and Paul were moved out within the first two years since they were married. Jared used his money he took from the stash the Cullens left behind to start a lacrosse league in La Push but it caught on amongst local reservations and spun into a national league amongst various tribes. The national lacrosse leagues has tried several times to absorb it once it became slightly popular outside of Native Americans but Jared refuses to sell. Kim is the director of cheerleading over the league; everything goes through her. He and Kim have three kids: all girls.
Paul used his money foolishly until he got married and Rachel stepped in and demanded he get a job to occupy his time instead of spending money all day. He was too hot headed to have a boss who couldn't alpha command him and too uptight to work in an office, so he ended up opening a boxing gym at Port Angeles. His parents signed him up when he was young because of his temper so he was well trained and it came in handy which is why he's the best fighter in the pack. He's surprisingly good at running it and teaching classes…eventually. It was touch and go in the beginning with him losing his temper a lot. He has a small gym in La Push but only for the Quileute. Rachel manages the books at home and for the gyms; they live comfortably, only splurging occasionally. He and Rachel have six kids; four boys and two girls. He thanks God everyday that she had taken control of the money because with the way he eats and having the responsibility to feed seven other mouths he doesn't know if they would've made it.
Seth was the next to move out because he didn't know what was going on whenever Jacob was at the cabin all hours of the night or when Leah was in his suite giggling. No matter how many times Leah and Jacob told him they were waiting for marriage he didn't believe them. He used his money to open a three-floor arcade in Port Angeles right across the street from Paul's gym. It's a huge attraction for the few tourists they get and the surrounding area and brings in tons of profit. He would've put it on the reservation but the pack and council weren't too fond of the idea of a bunch of outsiders running around La Push much like Paul with his gym. Afterall Bella was only one person and look what she caused. Eventually he met a beautiful Quileute woman who was treating her niece and her friends to a day at his arcade for the young girl's birthday. She was a total geek and had a big sense of humor. She laughed at everything, much to Leah's annoyance, but it worked out because Seth's jokes are corny but she thinks they're the bee's knees. A year and a half later they were married in a large ceremony on the beach with all the pack as his best men and Jacob as his best of best man. They have two kids: a girl and a boy.
Embry moved out after Seth and got a bachelor pad, a condo on the waterfront of La Push. He lived it up as a bachelor for a little while. High school history teacher in the day, lady's man at night. After the wolves were depraved of vital history, he wanted to ensure no other Quileute was ignorant to their nation's culture so he reformed their history curriculum and got a job teaching it. While he and some of the guys in the pack were on spring break vacation in America Samoa he imprinted. He flipped out the moment he realized what had happened and the pack laughed at him mercilessly. Embry never wanted to imprint and didn't care if he could have "a moment of clarity" like Jared and Paul said they did, he vowed to break his imprint if he ever got one. He broke it almost immediately, terrifying the poor woman when he started shouting at her. She never even found out she was an imprint he broke it so fast. They had to get on the first plane out of there because the Samoans were none too happy with them thanks to Embry.
Imprinting freaked Embry out so much that he vowed to never get married. He became a love them and leave them type of man until one day he thought he had imprinted all over again. He was at a La Push lacrosse away game when he saw a woman cheering for Makah. He jumped up to run down the bleachers so fast he knocked Seth's soda out of his hand. He and the woman went back and forth insulting each other's team and by the end of the day he proposed to her. Thankfully she found his thirst entertaining. She was nothing like the women he ran around with and she was like a drug to him. This felt better than imprinting and he now understood what Jacob meant the day he told him that while describing his feelings for Leah. The day after he met her he put his condo up for sale and moved back in with the pack until he found the right house on the Makah reservation. He bought it with plans to raise his family there with her. She was celibate and Embry respected her whishes and found he got more out of the relationship because of it. He became celibate too and he knew the next time he had sex it would be with her on their honeymoon. He happily left his bachelor life behind when they dated for only ten months before he asked her to marry him again and she accepted. Nine months later she birthed their honeymoon baby and they had three kids since: three boys one girl.
Quil quietly moved out when he realized Leah and Jacob needed to be alone and advised Collin and Brady to do the same. He had gotten his real estate license a while ago and used it to buy the gawdiest, tackiest house in La Push. He intended to live it up like Embry but when a stocky woman saw him one day when he was on the beach, she made it clear she liked him and he needed to ask her out. He obeyed and the two were a match in tacky heaven. She was a chemist who worked part time as an AP science teacher at the same school Embry worked at. She'd tried to sink her claws into him but even she knew she didn't have a shot. Embry hates her and her loud, tacky fashion with a personality to match. It was no surprise to him that she and Quil hit it off. She proposed to Quil and despite his embarrassment he accepted. They were married a year later in all their tacky glory. They have four equally tacky children: two boys and two girls. Funny enough, Claire is their babysitter and Quil makes sure he pays her very well. He and Jacob decided there was no need for her to know about the wolves and to this day she just thinks Quil is a close family friend.
Collin and Brady followed Quil's advice and moved out and much to his dismay, they moved next door to each other…and him. They were younger than the rest of the pack so they blew through pretty much all of their money on women, sneakers and electronics and cars when they came of age. Their parents were furious but they were over eighteen so there was nothing they could have done. They too had to copy Embry and become "lady's men" but no one really took them seriously until they finally matured. They used the last bit of their money, Jacob took away their cards, and went to college like Jacob suggested, alpha commanded, and landed decent entry level jobs at tech companies much to everyone's surprise. Due to their positions they're able to stay in La Push and work from their homes doing coding. Brady is now engaged and Collin is his best man enjoying his bachelorhood.
The pack has moved on and matured beyond that fateful day in the fire.
Jacob grabbed Leah's hand when they pulled up to the little house that now stuck out sorely since the other homes had been upgraded when Billy informed the reservation they could renovate their homes compliments of the council. This house remains the same.
They pulled onto the small lawn where all the other cars were parked.
"You ok?"-Jacob asked her.
"Mmhmm."-she hummed looking at the house.
"I'll take you home if you want."-he offered.
"No I want to be here. I have to be here. Band-aid."-she nodded to herself. Jacob gave her a reassuring squeeze. He got out of the car and walked around to open her door. They could see the smoke from the barbeque rising above the house and with how black it was that meant Quil was on the grill. They walked hand in hand around the house to the backyard to see all of the pack was there, the council members and chief Billy.
"Hey guys."-Jacob greeted.
"What's up Jake. Hey Leah!"-they greeted.
"Y'all nervous?"-Seth asked coming over.
"I'm not."-Jacob said pointedly.
"Neither am I."-Leah slapped his arm.
"Sure sure."-Jacob said but when he turned back to Seth he made a face and shook his head. Seth bit into his burnt hotdog to hide his smile.
"And you're sure Leah should be here even in her condition?"-Paul asked as he walked over to them. He seemed excited but was clearly more on edge than everybody here.
Paul and Leah went from randomly arguing on occasion to having this weird, inappropriate sexual relationship. They always pretend as if they're going to run away with each other, grab on each other or make suggestive comments to one another. Jacob swears Paul does this for the sole purpose of making him angry. He'd much prefer they still hated each other.
One day Jacob ran and told Rachel some of the things Paul says and does to Leah and she laughed. Paul was imprinted he wasn't going anywhere they were just those type of perverted friends she had told him. It was bad enough he imprinted on his sister and knocks her up like she's a rabbit, he has to be inappropriate with Leah too! Paul is also under the impression that he's her bodyguard as if Jacob and Seth or even the rest of the pack don't have her best interest. One time, Leah fell and broke her ankle when they were playing baseball and Paul pushed Jacob out of the way and carried her to the bench and soothed her as if he was her man. He hated Paul before and he hates him even more now.
"If I'm ok with it surely you are."-Jacob said as he put his arm around Leah's shoulders. He wanted so desperately to punch Paul in the face. Paul crossed his arms.
"Alright."-Paul huffed, tapping his foot.
"I'll be fine Paul."-Leah cooed, rubbing his arm. Jacob grit his teeth. Seth bit his hotdog again, his eyes saucers.
"You sure baby?"-Paul cooed and grabbed her waist. Jacob "accidentally" hit him in the face with his elbow that was over her shoulder. Paul grabbed his nose and glared at him but said nothing. Seth took another bite of his hotdog.
"Ugh I have to pee."-Leah grumbled.
"Again?"-Jacob asked bewildered.
"You wanna start with me?"-Leah shouted. Paul and Seth backed away.
"No. No no no no."-Jacob said quickly with his hands up.
"Shut up and move."-Leah grumbled.
"But I'm not in your wa-yes ma'am."-he said realizing he should just agree and move despite the fact she was going to her right and he was standing on her left.
She went into the house where Emily was in the kitchen with Mrs. Uley.
"Hi Leah."-Emily smiled nervously.
"Emily."-Leah said without even looking at her and went upstairs to the bathroom. The two of them still don't get along but it was solely on principle and the fact Leah loved watching her squirm. It's been at least two years since Leah has genuinely hated her. Jacob being so forgiving rubbed off on her eventually…for the most part.
An hour and a half later Leah startled awake with a snore…her snore. The second she sat on the toilet to pee she felt exhausted. She doesn't even remember finishing. She was in Emily's room tucked into the sheets and her shoes off. She smiled knowing that Jacob must have looked for her and found her snoring on the toilet and put her down for a nap in Emily's room.
"He could've at least put me in the guest room."-she grumbled making a face. She sat up and stretched and tried to remember why she was over there in the first place. She got out of bed, not bothering to make it, and trudged downstairs. She walked back to the kitchen to get a plate that Jacob better had made for her. Some of the guys, Sue and council members were in the kitchen talking and abruptly stopped when she entered. Tension immediately rose to the point you could almost taste it.
Leah was confused by their behavior until she finally noticed the tall man standing with his back turned, laughing at something Jared said. She gasped and squeaked remembering why they were at Emily's home when she recognized him. Sam finally stopped laughing and spun around when he heard her. Paul rushed next her and put his hand on the small of her back and angled his body so he was sort of a barrier. Leah and Sam stood looking at each other for several moments with no one making a sound. Jared slipped out to go get Jacob and let him know what was going on.
A rush of emotions overtook both Leah and Sam. Old memories of better times, the harsh reality of being a wolf, Sam terrorizing the asylum as the pack had seen it in Jacob and Jared's thoughts, and Sam throwing Leah into the firing after promising to rescue her. Both of them feared what the other would do and neither knew what to say. It has been ten years since they've seen each other or had any communication and standing here right now facing each other was surreal.
Jacob came bursting through the back door and that seemed to snap the two of them out of it. When he saw Paul standing beside her Jacob knew Leah would be safe and for once he was appreciative of their relationship. He stayed back by the door instead of going over to Leah as to not potentially make the situation worse. When Sam took a step towards her everyone made some kind of noise; either a gasp or a squeak.
Leah stayed glued to her spot as he walked over to her. Emily held her breath and was digging her nails into Billy's arm but he barely felt it and was holding his own breath. Sam stopped right in front of her.
"Leah."-he choked, full of emotion. His eyes quickly scanned her face over and over again. Leah didn't realize she was holding her breath until she opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. She swallowed hard and took a shaky breath.
"Hi Sam."-she whispered not being able to speak any louder. Tears began falling from his eyes before he was full on crying. Leah was shocked to see this display and almost immediately started crying as well.
"I'm sorry for everything."-he started but she cut him off with a hug and they cried in each other's arms. Paul and everyone else in the room relaxed and finally exhaled. Emily wiped her tears and finally removed her nails from Billy's forearm.
"I could go for a burger. Anyone else?"-Billy said and began wheeling out the door. Everyone followed him out, even Jacob but he, and Paul and Seth, stayed close to the door just in case.
They eventually pulled away from each other and wiped their tears.
"It's been a while."-Leah breathed, wiping her nose.
"Ten years."-he nodded, wiping his eyes.
"You've gained weight."-she smiled, patting his slight gut. He threw his head back and laughed.
"Hey, the food they served was full of sugar, starch and fat. I haven't phased for about nine years I'm not a wolf anymore."-he laughed.
"I can relate."-she smiled. Sam's smile fell.
"You don't phase anymore?"-he asked surprised.
"No. I stopped years ago for the most part. The guys don't really phase anymore either we're all old and domesticated. After the Cullens left we almost never ran into vampires anymore and then everyone started growing up and moving on. We've had to phase to catch a vampire maybe four times in the last six years. Jacob hadn't phased for a whole year last time he visited you."-she explained.
"Whoa. I guess just about everybody is full human now then and there's no more pack?"-he asked. He knew everyone moved on with their lives but he at least thought they still phased. For years he would've killed to be able to stretch his paws but he figures it's different when you don't have a choice.
"Some are some aren't. Our senses are almost gone or far weaker than they used to be. They'll always be stronger than the average human but no more wolf senses. We're still a pack just in case I guess, but Jacob makes us come together once a month so it's kind of the same just without the pressure. We're just friends hanging out."-she shrugged. Jacob was supposed to go back to evaluate Sam again, but Leah was having complications which turned out to just be the baby pressing on her lungs. Carlisle ensured them that Sam was fully ready to return home and was no longer a threat to anyone or himself. The pack and the Cullens ended up becoming remarkably close despite them not being allowed back in Washington, so they trusted Carlisle and agreed to release Sam.
"That's good you guys stick together."-he said as he pulled out a stool for her at the kitchen island.
"Urgh."-she groaned as she sat down.
"Getting old."-he teased as he took a seat across from her. She smiled wearily.
"Hey this is what happens when you're pregnant."-she said. His mouth hang slack and he looked down at her stomach. She lifted her oversized sweatshirt that was hiding her belly. "Five months. It's a boy."-she revealed to him. Jacob, still having a lot of wolf senses, heard Leah informing Sam and came back into the kitchen and leaned against the fridge. Sam swallowed.
"So who's the father?"-he joked but was still hoping it wasn't a wolf, Jacob. He knows it's petty but he can't help it.
"Me!"-Paul shouted, sticking his head into the kitchen. Sam's head jerked in his direction and he looked between Paul and Leah with wide eyes.
"Paul!"-Jacob growled, shoving his face out the door and slamming it.
"You and Paul?"-Sam asked confused and more importantly bewildered.
"Yup he's my baby daddy."-Leah smiled.
"Leah."-Jacob hissed. She laughed. Sam looked between the two of them confused.
"No it's not Paul it's Jacob."-she chuckled; Jacob huffed annoyed.
"To all four and a half of them."-Jacob announced, glaring at her. Sam whipped around to look at him.
"Wow four and a half?"-he asked.
"Four and one on the way. Well that's what husbands and wives do. They get married then get fruitful and multiply. Even when they tell their husbands to get off of you you have a headache."-she grumbled. Jacob smirked and leaned back against the fridge with his arms crossed.
"Married."-Sam said more so to himself, looking at her ring finger just now noticing the medium sized diamond ring with a diamond encrusted band. He glanced at Jacob's left hand and saw a matching band.
"You didn't think I would just be some baby momma did you?"-she asked offended and Jacob laughed.
"Oh no not at all. I just. Never mind."-he blurted out. They sat in awkward silence for a moment until he spoke again. "So how long have you been married?"-he asked.
"We were already married when I last visited you."-Jacob interjected as he walked over to stand behind Leah and kissed her head. Sam looked away. "I was there to evaluate you for myself, but we never got to the final stage."-he explained.
"What was it?"-Sam asked.
"Taking off my glove and letting you see my ring finger."-he said wiggling his ring finger. Sam nodded when he remembered how confused he was that Jacob wore protective gear and only took off one biker glove. Now it made sense.
"You thought that was less subtle than telling me Leah bribes you with sex?"-Sam asked skeptically.
"He said what?"-Leah shouted, turning to glare at Jacob.
"It…it just came out. I didn't intend to say that."-he defended himself. She swung on him several times, him laughing the whole time. It serves Sam right for asking who the father is and Leah right for saying it's Paul.
"Sorry about that Sam."-she said embarrassed.
"Congratulations I'm happy for you. If anybody deserves to be happy it's you Leah. You too Jacob."-he said with a sad watery smile.
"Thank you."-Leah smiled softly.
"So you approve?"-Jacob asked.
"No one else deserves her and I wouldn't trust anyone else with her. I have no doubt you treat her far better than I ever did."-he said and stood up and walked around the island towards them.
Jacob and Leah tensed for a second, Jacob standing in front of her before relaxing when Sam extended his hand. Jacob's eyebrows shot to his forehead.
"Thanks man that means a lot coming from you."-he admitted and shook Sam's hand.
"Oh so you wouldn't have approved of me?"-Paul said barging back into the kitchen with Seth.
"Paul! Oh my goodness."-Jacob shouted before sighing, pinching his nose.
"Don't talk to my baby daddy like that."-Leah said. Paul came over and kissed her on the cheek and they started whispering and giggling.
"Have I been gone that long?"-Sam gaped.
"Don't even ask."-Seth laughed as they watched Jacob shake Paul by his neck. When he finally let him go he sat Leah in his lap so Paul couldn't get to her.
"That ring looks expensive. You bought that with the Cullen money I heard you guys have?"-Sam asked, nodding at Leah engagement ring.
"No. Carlisle gave me some pointers on how to flip money on the market. I invested a good amount-"
"A stupid amount."-Leah interrupted.
"and some of it paid off. Eventually I was able to roll over to a million dollars. I liked doing it and I was clearly good at it, so I got my broker's license. I worked at a firm for two years before opening my own. I tried to get Leah in on it, but she hated it and decided she would be a housewife and 'make me do all the work since it's my job anyway'. We haven't lived on the Cullen money in years. None of us have."-Jacob explained.
"Wow that's impressive. Good for you. I would've thought you would open a garage though."-Sam pondered.
"Me too. I still fix up cars, but I just do that on my spare time for people who can't afford it on the res. I use my garage at the mansion."-Jacob explained.
"Must be nice."-Sam smiled. Jacob seemed to remember something and reached in his pocket and slid an envelope across the table. "What's this?"-Sam asked as he opened it.
"Your card."-Leah said. Sam looked at her confused.
"You were a part of the pack and we were all affected by their presence so you deserve a slice of the pie. It'll help you and Emily start over."-Jacob said.
"Wow…I don't even know what to say. I don't deserve this."-Sam said emotionally.
"You don't."-Paul smirked from the fridge. Seth sighed loudly and rolled his eyes.
"It's yours take it."-Jacob nodded. Sam nodded with a watery smile. Sam had absolutely nothing, had no clue how the res functioned now and wouldn't be able to get decent work any time soon. He needed the money and Jacob knew he'd use it wisely unlike Collin whose card that was originally before Jacob confiscated it years ago.
"It was mostly Leah's idea."-Paul said and kissed her and ran before Jacob could get her off his lap and snatch him up.
"Run Paul run!"-Leah laughed before Jacob got him in a headlock and wrestled him to the floor. Sam just couldn't believe that Leah and Paul…liked each other.
The fivesome talked in the kitchen for a little while until going out into the backyard to join the others for Sam's welcome home party.
Jacob was giving Leah a back massage and whispering in her ear when she looked over at Sam and Emily across the yard. It was clear Sam felt out of place and could barely look anyone in the eye and the lack of trust was evident in most here. It was also clear that he and Emily would have to get reacquainted with each other after a decade apart and no visitor's table between them. They were clearly happy to see each other but there was hesitation and resentment lingering for both.
Leah went back in time and wondered what her life would have been like if they never turned into wolves or Sam wasn't imprinted. She watched the Uleys as she thought about how her life had actually turned out. She was happily married to a man who adored her and took amazing care of their family. She was pregnant with her fifth healthy baby. She got along with everyone in the pack and her life was at peace.
Although Quileute get married at a young age all the time, she realized that she and Sam were very young and in puppy love and probably would've broken up eventually anyway. She smiled realizing in that moment just how silly she was to have been as angry as she was over a high school boyfriend and then looked at Emily. Emily was mutilated for life, stuck with a man who doesn't really want her and only stayed with her because of magic. She and Sam couldn't even get married like they were planning to do the year after the awakening. Emily has no kids, the pack were indifferent to her and her future in-laws hold a grudge, putting some of the blame of Sam's actions on her. Emily had aged but had been frozen in time waiting on a man to get out of an asylum and he was in the asylum because he went crazy when another man fell in love with his ex. There is nothing in Emily's life that Leah envies.
It was in this moment that Leah realized why Jacob could forgive so easily. She smiled and decided to fully forgive both Sam and Emily once and for all. She no longer hated her or envied her. She pitied her. She no longer hated Sam or wanted to kill him. She pitied him most of all. She turned in Jacob's arms and hugged him.
"I get it now."-she said looking over at the Uleys then back at Jacob. He smiled at her realizing what she meant and kissed her softly.
She smiled into his mark on his neck. Life is too short to hold grudges or focus on someone else's. When you finally look at your own life you might just realize everything happens for a reason and worked out for the good and you were blessed and happy all along.
Hope you like! I meant to post this last week but there's been a lot going on *wipes brow* but I finally edited and posted it. My hope is to write the next chapter or two for Christmas in Cuffs tomorrow so I can finish up that story and start on one of my full-length ones. Thanks for the reviews, faves, and follows they were much loved.
The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few…so I need you to read then I need you to review…or I'll buy you funky lotion and make you keep it. I bought lotion from bath and body works and it is the funkiest lotion I have ever smelled. They must've changed the formula because it used to smell good and I've never smelled anything bad from them before. I put it on and kept trying to find this horrible smell that was following me until I realized it WAS me! Last week I went to return it immediately but the line was up the block thanks to this stupid virus. I fear I might have to keep the stinky thing. Gag!