A/N: I am not very good at writing battle scenes, so I might skip it. I am thinking about the scene where Leah almost gets attacked by a vampire. Tell me if you think it would be a move she would make or not. Thanks, hope you enjoy
Leah laid in bed staring at her ceiling as the fan rotated in a lazy circular motion. Her mom could be heard down stairs making breakfast and Seth was in his room playing some video game. Leah wasn't in any hurry to interact with anyone after last night…
~Flash Back~
Leah was running through the forest with a dopey smile etched on her face and with the smell of Janet all over her no doubt. It was well past midnight when she set foot on the reserve and was already praying that everyone was asleep at her house. It had been so long since she felt the thrill mixed with fear of getting home late after a rendezvous in the woods. There had always been her father to smooth rumpled feathers but now it was just her mom to deal with.
The house was silent, and all the lights were out but something in Leah told her that her luck had run out. She was about to face something she had wanted to face after the battle, but life didn't let you decide when to do things.
Leah opened the door as quietly as possible and tried with all her might to avoid every squeaky board on her way into the house. As soon as the stairs came into view and she thought she was home free, the lamp in the living room was turned on. There, on the couch next to a cringing Seth, was her mother looking at her with a look that could kill.
"Where have you been, Leah?" Sue Clearwater asked as she crossed her arms across her chest.
"Out" Leah tried to be as angsty as possible, so her mom would just drop it and write it off as a teenager thing.
"I'm serious Leah, I am not in the mood for games. You will tell me where you were and who you were with." Sue demanded as she stood to stand toe to toe with her daughter with a temper that was lit and ready to go.
Seth could see where Leah got her temper from and gulped as he saw double in his mom and sister for the first time in a long time.
Leah could feel her temper rising at the interrogation but the worry lines around her mother's eyes stopped the explosion that was going to happen. After dad died, all her mom did was worry and work, there was nothing in her life but her children. She couldn't imagine what her mom went through every day when she looked at them because they would be a constant reminder of her husband.
"I was in the woods over by the Cape Johnson," Leah took a deep breath as she prepared to take the dive, "with my imprint"
A smile spread across her mother's face at her confession and happiness bubbled in her heart at the news. It was the very words she had hoped and prayed to hear for as long as her daughter had begun shifting. Could it really be possible? Was her daughter finally going to be happy?
"Oh honey, I am so happy for you. Well, you have to bring him over at once. This is such great news and I'm sure I am going to love him. I will make your favorite for the occasion…" Sue began rambling and threw her arms around her daughter while still rambling.
"There's something you should know" Leah interrupted her mom's rambles and held her mom at arm's length to look her in the eyes.
"What is it?" Sue asked cautiously
"He is…is a she." Leah watched her mom's eyes widen slightly and an awkward silence filled the room for a moment before her mom spoke.
"Well, I am sure she is… lovely" Sue replied after she gathered her senses and decided to analyze that information later.
"There's something else" Leah breathed out in slight worry as she got to the big thing.
"What?" Sue was beyond worried now, what else could there be?
"She is…a…a vampire" Leah got it out and forced herself not look away from her mother. She would not be ashamed of her mate and she would face whatever her mother thought with a strong will. No one would be little or speak ill of her Janet, not even her family.
The room fell silent as Sue Clearwater's eyes widened at her daughter's words. No words were spoken, or action was made to defuse the tension that filled ever corner of the house. Sue did no say a word as her face took on a calm demeanor and she looked away from her daughter. In the silence of the room both children watched as their mother walked slowly and quietly out of the room and into her bedroom.
Leah sighed in exhaustion and threw herself into the recliner in the room and rubbed her tire face. She knew her mom wasn't going to take the new lightly, but the woman could have at least said something. Now she would have to deal with that and the battle the day after tomorrow. What a great day this was turning out to be, at least she had gotten to spend time with Janet. That thought alone put a small happy smile on her face that Seth noticed and chuckled at.
"So, did you have fun tonight?" Seth asked with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
"What are you talking about? We just talked" Leah played oblivious to her brother's insinuation.
"Then what happened to your hair and clothes?" Seth asked in a teasing and mocking tone that brought a blush to Leah's cheeks.
Leah's hair was sticking up in all directions as if someone had been running their hands through it for hours. Her clothes were rumpled and had dirt stains in areas as if she had been wrestling on the ground for a while. The evidence of the two girls' activities was plain to see for those who had done it or see the signs before.
"Shut up" Leah shot out lamely and stomped up to her room with cheeks flushing a shade they hadn't been in far too long.
~End Flash Back~
Maybe she could just sneak out the window and ignore everyone for a while. How hard would it be to just live in the woods the rest of her life? It didn't sound like a bad idea but that would be cowardly, and Leah Clearwater was no coward. With a sigh, Leah got up and pulled her clothes that she would need for the training the pack was doing that day. The Cullens had said they would be preparing in their own way and would call when it was time. Tomorrow was the big battle, and everyone was feeling it.
She wondered how Janet was doing with the battle so close.
"We will all be hunting tonight except for Edward but he will be staying with his mate at the camp site." Jasper briefed his daughter over the plans that they had already gone over for what felt like a million times.
Both were meeting in his office in the house while everyone was getting their affairs in order for the battle that was to come. Janet sat statue still listening to the run down of the plan again and was committing everything to memory. As vampires they didn't need to go over the plans again and again like humans did but it had become a custom for the both of them. The moments before a battle where all precious and they had made a routine to be able to spend as much time together in those moments.
"Will Carlisle be briefing the wolves of our plans?" Janet asked her father when he was finished speaking and locked eyes with him as she had been taught to do when addressing anyone.
"No, you will be going to inform the wolves of our plans and their roles as of current in said plans." Jasper explained as he ignored the jubilation his daughter felt at the news since it brought forth memories of the night before.
~Flash Back~
Janet was giggling and dancing through the woods on her way home from seeing Leah. Music seemed to be playing in her mind as she swayed this way and that with a grace that put the best ballerinas to shame. There was no greater joy in her heart in that moment than her mate and the life they had going on. The imminent danger of the newborn army was nothing but a small blip on her radar at the moment.
"You seem happy" Alice spoke from her place standing docile in front of Janet waiting for her step daughter.
"Alice?" Janet was only mildly surprised to find Alice waiting for her to return after being gone for so long. She vaguely remembered that she didn't have her phone on her all day and that the family might be worried.
"How is Leah?" Alice asked with a soft, understanding smile appearing on her face as a smitten smile appeared on Janet's.
"She is…amazing" Janet sighed out as she twirled in place and looked at the stars that were beginning to remind her of her mate every time she looked at them.
"I'm glad, it looks like you two had a good time together" Alice commented and waited patiently as her words registered to Janet.
"What?" Janet looked at Alice who gestured to her clothes and hair which were in a rumpled disarray.
"Oh! Good thing papa didn't see" Janet giggled as she put herself back into some semblance of presentable.
Unknown to Janet her father was nearby and the fact that she hadn't noticed his presence yet was troubling to him. It also was an indicator to just how happy she was and how he shouldn't ruin this moment for his daughter.
"I won't tell don't worry" Alice told Janet who just smiled at her and began walking forward towards home.
"Thanks Alice, you have been a big help" Janet said as the two began to walk back to the house.
"It's my pleasure," Alice paused and thought of how to approach the next subject when she knew her husband was close and could hear everything that was being said.
"Is this how you feel with my papa?" Janet asked out of the blue catching Alice off guard.
"Is what?" Alice asked and looked at the taller woman who was looking at the stars.
"This feeling of complete adoration and peace" Janet clarified softly as if afraid to disturb the calm between the both of them.
"It's different for everyone depending on what you need in your life but yes that is what I feel in a nutshell." Alice explained as best she could while not being too vague.
"I didn't know I was missing something so grand in all my life. It's truly magical what this world can surprise us with even with all our years of life. I learn something new every day and I am tested every day in a new way. Even with an eternity in front of me, I don't think I will ever stop learning and growing. Isn't that amazing to think about?" Janet asked as she put her thoughts into words in front of Alice for the first time. It was a well-known face to everyone that Janet was a great philosopher lover and enjoyed expanding her mind in that way.
"It's what makes us still human somewhere on the inside. Humanity makes the human not the species." Alice answered with her true thoughts on the subject that had always been the opposite of some of her family.
"Papa always tried to dissuade me from thinking like I do but I can't see them as much different than us in these ways I guess." Janet confessed with a sigh that showed the inner struggle this put her in.
"He means well" Alice comforted Janet the best she could in her current role
"You wanted to tell me something when you came to meet me out here, what was it?" Janet asked Alice after a long comfortable pause between the both of them.
"I have stopped seeing you in my visions Janet" Alice confessed with a heavy heart, but she knew Janet didn't want anything sugar coated.
The two stopped walking and the silence that surrounded them was only interrupted by the creatures of the night. Janet hadn't had to depend on Alice's visions like the rest of the family, but she knew it was because of her father that Alice was telling her this. Her father would see this as some sort of omen and not let her out of his sight. The soldier in him didn't like the things he didn't know or couldn't control. They were the same in that sense and she even felt nervous about this information.
"How did you know I would be here?" Janet asked Alice who just shrugged and looked sheepish.
"I guessed honestly since this is the direction you have been coming from recently" Alice confessed with a bashful smile
"Look," Janet took a deep breath and put a reassuring hand on Alice's shoulder, "everything is going to be okay. Even if anything happens, I am ready and perfectly content with what the future hold. I am not deluding myself by expecting to live through all of eternity, my time will come, and I have been ready for a while. Do not tell my father but I don't fear the day of my death. He is given me a lot but one of the great things that my father has taught me without realizing it was to live and fight for that life but to not be afraid of death." Janet explained to Alice when she saw the worry in her eyes for her.
Unshed tears lined Alice's eyes as she heard this young woman talk like this when she had been through hell and back.
"We will still try to protect you" Alice told Janet through the knot in her throat causing Janet to smile fondly.
"And I will be forever grateful but please promise me that if I come down to me or someone else, chose that someone else." Janet looked deep into Alice's eyes as she asked her heart's deepest wish.
Alice could only nod since she couldn't trust her voice not to crack from the emotion she felt for this girl. Janet smiled in gratitude and stepped away and looked to the sky to allow Alice to compose herself.
"I know it is selfish of me since my I just found my mate, but I know something that some people are sometimes blind to in this situation." Janet spoke softly while looking at the stars as if she was looking into Leah's eyes.
"What is that?" Alice asked with bated breath since she some how knew this girl was going to yank on her heart strings again. Janet looked over her shoulder at Alice with clear determination and calm.
"In the fight for my life my mate will be by my side as my partner and equal. She will be fighting for my life as I will be fighting for hers and if one falls the other falls as well. There is no going on without me or without her for us. It is both or none in this life of ours and so I know I will not be leaving my mate behind or she leaving me behind. It is the way it is and if we fight it we are fighting who we are." Janet looked back to the sky and prayed to any deity listening that when she passed it would indeed be by the side of her mate.
~End Flash Back~
Hearing his daughter speak so about her possible demise caused his heart to shatter even though he knew she was right. She was ready in every sense of the word and it was time for him to make sure her mate was as well. The two had so much to grow and they needed the time to do that. Since he heard of the visions disappearing and his daughter's take on it he decided, if he couldn't know how much time the two girls had he would at least give them all the time he had available to give.
His daughter was no longer his and he knew that but what was most important was that she was starting to see that as well. She was letting go and he had to help her along, so she didn't stumble as much as she could. If there was one thing parents were meant to do was guide their children and that was what he had always been trying to do.
"You will have to be back by sunset so that you can join us when we go hunting." Jasper said in form of dismissal and handed his daughter a folder with papers for the wolf pack.
"Yes sir" Janet rose swiftly and headed for the door with a smile on her face.
"Janet," Jasper called to her as she opened the door "You must bring her to formally meet me soon, dove"
"Yes papa" Janet beamed at Jasper as she practically flew out of his office causing his to chuckle.
No amount of sacrifice could ever be too much if it would lead to his daughter finding this much happiness.
Leah tiptoed down the stair while keeping an ear out for her mother and brother. Seth was in the bathroom taking a shower which was good, but her mom was still in the kitchen making breakfast. She was planning on waiting for her mom to turn around and then making a mad dash for the front door. As she was getting close to the kitchen she held her breath and prayed her mother would not notice her.
"Leah" Sue called her over causing Leah to cuss up store in her head, she should have snuck out the window.
With a reluctant but resigned sigh, Leah walked to the doorway of the kitchen to talk to her mom. Her mom was at the stove with her back towards Leah, but she could tell her mom was not relaxed. It was either going to end in a fight or an awkward conversation that would not solve anything.
"What's her name?" Sue asked as she began to turn off the stove and wipe her hands on her apron.
"What?" Leah was thrown for such a loop by her mother's question that her mind went completely blank.
"Listen honey, I'm sorry for the way I reacted last night. I know nothing has been easy the last few months and it seems I haven't been making it any better for you lately. Sometimes I feel just as lost as you and I forget that you have it hard too. I worry so much that I forget to enjoy things with you too. I'm going to do better, okay?" Sue put her emotions into words as best as she could, but it was human nature to find that hard. All she cared was that she made amends with her daughter.
"Okay" Leah nodded and walked into her mother's arms when Sue offered her a hug because of the tears she saw in her eyes. It had been so hard for her and with her only support system being her father, she was at rock bottom. Now sue realized that she had to step up for both of her children and be the mom they need not the one she wants to be.
"Now tell, what's her name? What's she like? You better bring her over for dinner soon young lady." Sue began rambling causing Leah to chuckle as both women took a seat at the small kitchen table.
Seth smirked and turned away from the kitchen doorway and headed out to take over Leah's morning patrol. His family was slowly mending, and he would do what his dad always did, help the mending along. There was a pillar missing from their family structure, but they would learn to balance soon. Time taught one how to move on with the pain not forget because the pain was a sign that they were living. His dad would be proud.
Janet stood on the edge of the treaty line waiting in her child form and a crown of flowers half woven in her hands. She knew Leah was to have morning patrol and so here she waited for her mate. The sun was peeking through the tree tops and birds sung their morning songs filling the forest air with peace. Janet began to sing in a language lost to time and dance its accompanying steps.
Seth came forward and saw his sister in law dancing and singing a melody that out shined the birds of the early morning. It still blew his mind that his sister found her mate and that she was happy. Was there anything I brother could want more?
"Oh, hello Seth" Janet was surprised that is was Seth that had come and not Leah but that explained why she didn't smell her mate as strongly.
Seth nodded at Janet in greeting and mentally cringed at the prospect of having to play charades if Janet asked his anything other than yes or no questions.
"Where's…no sorry you can't shift when on patrol, I forgot. Well it's okay, look I have to talk to Sam. My father gave me the final plans for the battle tomorrow and he sent me to deliver them to you guys and make sure there are no questions." Janet informed Seth after she had shifted back into her adult form.
Seth nodded and mentally spoke to Quil who was also on patrol with him. They decided that Seth take Jane to Sam and Quil would get Paul to cove the patrol. It was still so cool to be able to talk like they did for Seth. He bent down and offered to give Janet a ride to Emily's place causing Janet to smile fondly at the wolf.
"Why, thank you kind sir" Janet curtsied and giggled when Seth preened at being called sir.
Not long after, they were off to meet Sam to talk about the battle that was on the horizon. Everyone knew it was around the corner and the nervous energy could be tasted in the air. There was no denying that this is what they were born to do but that did not mean it was what they wanted to be doing. Deep in their hearts they all shared the same fear, they were all just kids that didn't know what they were doing. It was like learning to ride a bicycle by yourself with no training wheels, it was always twice as hard.
A/N: sorry for not having much Leah/Janet in this chapter but it was more of a filler chapter. I am on a roll, so I am hoping to upload the next chapter soon. Please review and let me know how I'm doing. Thanks.