FIVE

Jacob was smitten. Seeing Leah again at the club, watching her perfect curves in that sin of a red dress? His body had responded instantly. It was this warm electric feeling that swept over him when he saw her at the office again too. She was so damn beautiful, so graceful and perfect. He'd watched her party all night, and waited til she was alone to finally approach her and ask for a date, but she hadn't taken the bait. But he just couldn't let it go, let her go. Jacob wanted her. And he knew the only way to make it happen was to see her again. Today's lunch had been a huge victory for him.

She'd been wearing this gray pant with a salmon pink blouse, with her long hair tied into a bun which set off her cheek bones. She was flawless, elegant, and maybe a little out of his league – she was a dentist after all, she had a medical degree and he just well, fixed cars. Was that a problem for her? he wondered as he drove to pick Nessie up from school. Maybe he wasn't good enough. But she'd said yes, so Jacob knew that he just had to not mess anything up if he was going to convince Leah Uley that she belonged with him.

When they got home Nessie went to her room to play for a while, and Jacob got started on dinner. He'd have to help her with her spelling words later. He cataloged everything he needed to get done before Saturday and hoped his father hadn't made plans with Julie so that he could babysit. After dinner and Nessie's homework Jacob went to his father's room where Billy was doing a Sudoku puzzle, his glasses perched on his nose.

"Dad, have a minute?"

Billy placed his puzzle book on the bed and waved his only son into the room. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, it's fine. It's not Bella or anything…In fact…I met someone and I was hoping you'd watch Nessie Saturday night."

"You met someone? Congratulations! Who is she?"

"Leah Uley, she's a dentist. She's Seth's sister."

"Wow, she must be something if she caught your eye?" Billy smirked.

"She's incredible. I think she literally stole my heart the moment we met. I dunno Dad, it just feels like fate, like she's the one I should have been with all my life. It's crazy I know but I just can't get her out of my head."

"So a soul connection huh? You think she is your imprint?"

"What like Taha Ahki? I'm not a wolf Dad," Jacob scoffed and chuckled at the notion of the old tribal legends being real.

"Well, it's the same principle right? You feel as though she's the other half of your soul, like your mom was for me."

"Well, yeah, but it's just a notion, I don't know her well enough yet. Plus she's getting divorced, so I'm not sure if we'll ever be more than friends at this point. I kinda came on too strong and I think she's wary of me. I can't mess this chance up."

Billy laughed. "You can't help it. Your mother always said that you were too honest for your own good. But just try to be patient son. You know what she's going through, so maybe a friend is all she needs now, but eventually she might need more. It's a good foundation to start on."

"You're right Dad. Thanks."

"I'll have to call Julie and postpone our plans. We were going to have dinner at her place and I wouldn't bring Nessie along on a first date. Otherwise it would have been fine with me."

"No no. You've been waiting for this for so long, I'll call Kim. It's fine. I'm happy for you. Took you long enough, old man." Jacob jokingly knocked his father's shoulder.

"Look who's talking."

"I guess the right one is always worth the wait…"

"Yes son, she is."

But Kim and her family were going to be out of town for the weekend, meaning that Jared wouldn't be at soccer on Sunday either. Jacob had totally forgotten that he'd mentioned it before. He was in a bind now, for there were few people that Jacob trusted to leave Nessie with. Kim and Jared had kids so it was easy for Nessie to be with them. Kim was good with kids.

Jake knew there was only one option, he'd have to postpone his date with Leah. He really didn't want to, but he had no choice. He dialed her number and waited for her to answer. She picked up on the fourth ring, just when he was losing his cool and about to hang up.

"Hi Jake," she answered.

"Hi Leah, how are you?" Jacob exhaled with relief. Her voice was sexier on the phone.

"I'm alright, you?"

"Fine. You got a minute?"

"Sure, I was just watching the news."

"Well I'm calling about our plans. I don't have either of my usual sitters for Nessie so I'm going to have to postpone for another night. I would say Sunday but after soccer I'm usually pretty tired."

"Oh. Well…that's disappointing."

"Yeah, tell me about it. Is it okay if we get together during the week instead, maybe for drinks?"

"Uh, maybe we don't have to postpone?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we could do something that Nessie could come along? Maybe a picnic or zoo or museum?"

Jacob wasn't sure. Nessie would have to meet her at some point, but wasn't it too soon? Yet, he was touched that Leah would suggest. And, he didn't want to break their date.

"If you don't want me to meet her yet I understand. I honestly don't know why I even suggested it, it just flew out of my mouth. We should definitely reschedule for another time." She rushed, clearly embarrassed. Jacob thought it was sweet.

"I think it IS too soon, but thank you for offering. I really want to keep our date but I'm not ready for all the questions Nessie is sure to have."

"I totally understand and I agree. Her mother might not like it either."

Jacob snorted. "Bella isn't here to have an opinion, she hasn't been home in eight months."

"What? Are you serious?"

"She and her new husband are on a world tour or some crap or the other." Jacob understood Bella wanted some time to work on her relationship with her new husband, and that they'd made an agreement to leave Nessie with Jacob. But that shouldn't have meant that she'd stay away from Nessie the entire time.

"So she just left her behind? She doesn't stay in touch?"

"They chat on the phone and do the video thing. But now it's like twice a week, if that much."

"Oh no, poor baby. How's she handling it?"

Jacob sighed and made himself more comfortable on his bed. "She's doing okay but she has bad days. She never stops asking for Bella. I'm always trying to find excuses that won't break her heart. Nessie's smart, she knows her mother shouldn't be gone so long, but there's nothing I can do about it."

"Jake, I'm so sorry. I can't imagine what it feels like."

"Yeah, on top of everything with the sudden divorce and her remarrying…it's a lot. Sometimes I just feel like I'm barely treading the deep end. Nessie's the only thing keeping my head from going under."

"She's lucky to have you. You're a good father Jacob. I respect and admire you."

"Thanks Leah." Jacob smiled into the phone, glad he had called. It felt good to say the words out loud, and for it to be okay.

"Some days I don't even feel like getting out of bed. I do it for my patients, you know? They keep me sane, they give me a reason not to stay in bed or in pjs all day, drunk and a mess."

Jacob chuckled. He couldn't imagine Leah looking like a hot mess. She was too beautiful for that. "I guess we need someone or something to keep us going huh?"

"Yeah we do. But I'd imagine a daughter is a much better reason to keep living."

Jacob smiled, and tried to picture Leah lying in her bed staring at the ceiling just like he was. "I know. I thank the Spirits for her every day."

"Well, this was nice Jacob. Thank you for calling me."

"Thank you for listening. I'll let you know when I have a free night again."

"Sure, good night."

"Good night Leah."

AN: I know it's a slow build but don't worry, things will pick up soon, thanks for reading and sticking with me.