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Chapter Fifty: Birthday Blues.
Over the following months, Sam and Emily fell into an easy relationship, as her wounds healed and left scars. Sam is devoted to her, striving to attend to her every need and see her smile, despite her scars, while she becomes more and more dedicated to him. I had presumed the imprint would only work for the wolf counterpart, and while that was true, Emily was unable to resist the level of commitment, compatibility, and adoration their relationship exuded. Initially, they struggled, as Emily couldn't remedy her feelings for Sam with her loyalty to Leah, but eventually she succumbed.
Leah shattered, becoming a fragment of her former self, before she built herself back up, with all her sharp edges facing the world. I had tried to comfort her, but she rejected any condolences. She still loved him, but despised their ending, and wished to have nothing further to do with him or anyone associated with him. Emily had also tried to reconcile with her cousin, but Leah wouldn't speak to her for weeks, until she finally snapped. She told Emily she couldn't deal with having Emily and Sam's happiness slapping her in the face at every turn and it was despicable that Emily was trying to force her new relationship into Leah's life. When Emily returned to our house that night, she had cried for hours, but understood. An uneasy truce began between the Clearwaters and the Uleys, one of avoidance and polite ignorance.
Yet, I couldn't condemn Sam's relationship nor his treatment of Leah. Sam had finally found happiness unlike anything he had ever experienced before and I couldn't resent him for revelling in it. We were both finding someone to share our lives with, building our love outside of our small family. It was an addictive emotion, wanting to be loved, and we were finally loved by others. It was a feeling I found myself giving thanks for every morning as I awoke to another day.
Though, on this particular morning, I was a little less thankful. It was my eighteenth birthday. I was officially one year older than Edward. A groan slipped past my lips as I turned over in my bed and caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror. I had awoken from a rare nightmare, one where I grew old and wrinkled, while Edward continued to appear youthful and perfect. There were no grey hairs or ageing wrinkles in my mirror image, but I knew they would appear eventually. As I continued to glare at myself, my bedroom door eased open.
"Happy birthday." Sam smiled when I turned to see who the intruder was.
"I hate my birthday." I mutter in a disgruntled manner, swinging my legs over the bed to stand up.
"I know, but we're celebrating a little anyway." At my stern expression, he rolled his eyes, "It's only birthday pancakes and a few presents."
"Fine." Shooting him a pointed look, he left so I can dress.
At breakfast, Emily makes towering stacks of chocolate chip pancakes with the number eighteen delicately written on each in chocolate cursive script. She had moved in as the school year began two weeks ago, which meant I shared the cooking, while Sam patrolled with Jared and Paul. The two other wolves had quickly become a surrogate family, as equally protective and close as a biological one. I loved coming home to my new found family, even if I did need to keep the 'bloodsucker stench' downwind around the wolves.
"Are you going to open your presents now or later?" Emily smiled, passing Sam another pile of pancakes.
"I'll open them now; I've got other plans later." I mumble the last part reluctantly. Alice, Edward's sister, was forcing me to join the Cullen family at their house to celebrate my birthday, after hearing I wasn't planning on celebrating my birthday. Sam and I didn't celebrate birthdays lavishly; a couple of small presents and perhaps a cake between us was our usual style. After years of watching our money carefully and working most days, birthdays were spent with minimal fuss.
Reaching for the two silver wrapped presents in the centre of the table, I carefully removed their wrappings. A camera was in the smaller of the two boxes, with a card from Sam and Emily attached. The larger present was a scrapbook. Emily explained they had coordinated my gifts, with the idea in mind of me documenting my senior year of high school. I expressed my thanks to them both, before tucking my presents in my bag, and hurrying on to school.
In my rush to avoid any more attention, I arrived at school earlier than most. A few students were studying together by a bank of lockers, while others tossed a football back and forth. Jared was also there, straight from his night patrol, with Kim. When he had returned to school this semester, he'd taken one look at the pretty girl and never looked away. Kim was delighted when he confessed everything, having had a crush on Jared for years. Since that day, they had been inseparable. Looking away from the kissing couple, I spotted Jacob running my way.
"Happy Birthday, Bells!" He crowed excitedly and scoops me up into a bone crushing hug.
"Ssh! Don't tell anyone!" I hissed back and inhaled a large breath when he finally placed me back on my feet, "I don't want a fuss."
"But it's your birthday Bella, you should have a fuss." Jake teased and dropped a chaste kiss on my cheek, "But I know you don't like the attention, so I'll keep it quiet for now."
"Thanks, Jake." Smiling gratefully, I noticed the package clenched in his large palm, "What's that?"
"This?" Jake held up the present with a coy smile.
"I told you, no presents!" I tried to frown disapprovingly, but ended up laughing instead. I couldn't be mad at Jake, even if he did ignore my plea for no attention on my birthday.
"And I told you, I'll be ignoring your stupid request. We're celebrating your birthday." Handing it me, he grinned widely, and I felt my own lips smile in response.
"Okay, but you better not have spent too much money on-Oh, Jake!" My eyes grew large at the dreamcatcher dangling from my fingertips. It was evidently handmade and a lot of thought had been considered when making it. He must have spent hours searching for the perfect little shells and fossils and then crafting it all together. I fingered the intricate weaving and looked up at his awaiting expression, "It's so beautiful, I love it." Pulling him into a tight hug, I burrow my face into his warm shoulder, "Thank you, Jake."
"My pleasure, honey." As he squeezes me back, I realise how tall and broad he's gotten recently.
Up until a few months ago, he was a gangly teenager with childish roundness on his cheeks. Now, he was beginning to fill out with muscle. A pang of sadness hit my heart; he'd begin to hate me when he turned. I know the other wolves had hidden resentment for my relationship with the Cullens, even if they would never openly admit it, and Jake would feel that too. Reining in my melancholy, I pulled away from him with a forced smile.
"We better get to class." I remind him.
"Sure, sure." He nods and we part ways. I'm almost at my class when I hear his voice above the crowd, "Happy Birthday Bella!" I send a glare in his direction as the other students begin to stare my way. A hot, embarrassed blush covers my cheeks and I quickly push through the crowds to my lesson, cringing at the attention I would now be subjected to.