EPILOGUE

Three years later

"Ugh! I feel like a whale," Leah moaned as she tried to put on her snow boots. It was an impossible task, given the size of her eight months' pregnant belly. Jacob chuckled and knelt before her, taking the boot and fitting it onto her swollen, sock-covered foot.

"How many times do I have to tell you that you've got a personal man-servant to do all these things for you Mama Wolf?" It was his new pet name for her, given that Leah's temper had risen to new heights along with her pregnancy hormones. Of course he still benefited from the fiery nature of his wife, because she often demanded sex when she was upset. He wasn't one to complain. In fact, he found it quite endearing, knowing that she was all bark and no bite.

"Just put the damn shoe on Jacob, I'm not in the mood for your cuteness right now," she pouted, causing him to laugh and place a kiss to those pouty lips.

"You know you lovvvvve me," he sang.

Leah rolled her eyes, fighting a smile. She reached her hands out for him to pull her up from the chair.

"You look beautiful honey. Radiant." She was wearing a thick cream sweater dress with tan leggings and brown boots.

"I better," she groused. "I swear, if he kicks my bladder one more time I'm pulling him out myself just to smack his little Black behind."

Jacob laughed and grabbed her coat, hat and scarf, bundling her up before he opened the front door. She'd started wearing his coats since hers couldn't fit anymore and she thought it pointless to buy a new one that she couldn't wear after the baby. They were making a quick stop to the mall to get a few last minute things before their New Year's Eve party. They were having Nessie this year, as she'd spent Christmas with Bella and Edward.

Nessie had eventually settled in fine with her new family, and after a year, had finally learned the truth about Edward. She'd been confused and inconsolable at first, thinking that Jacob was no longer her father, but he'd convinced her (as only Jacob could) that she now had two fathers and didn't have to choose one over the other. When Bella finally had to admit that she couldn't take Jacob completely out of her daughter's life (since Nessie didn't just fall into Edward's arms as she had), the Blacks and Masens had reached a level of civility that allowed them to do things like get together for Nessie's birthday, her recitals, or spend time together during the summer months.

Nessie had maintained her close relationship with Jacob; she called every night before bed and they often video-called on the weekends. She was now the most precocious and talented ten-year-old. It turned out that she was in fact musically inclined and had picked up the piano like her other father. She was at the top of her class and had become quite mature and well behaved – too much like Edward in Jacob's opinion. But when she was with the Blacks, Nessie became the carefree wild-child that was raised by Jacob. She played football with the pack, explored art with Leah and still enjoyed their trips to the farmer's market and the Reservation with her Papa Billy. She had two sides, reflective of the men that loved her.

Leah had helped Jacob grow his business. Getting a proper accountant to revise the shop had been a great help and from there they'd followed a plan that helped him secure contracts with a few companies. He now had a larger property, more workers and administrative staff. He was finally making good money, and was much more confident in his abilities. The pack still came up as often as they could. Paul had gotten married to Rachel Black which surprised everyone. Embry and Donna weren't dating anymore, but had remained good friends. Collin and Brady had found jobs in Port Angeles and Quil remained the interim chief, but now also principal of the tribal school. He was dating a sweet girl named Claire. Seth was dating a girl he'd met in medical school and was looking forward to his residency in pediatrics. Sue was also dating a nice man she'd met through Billy and Julie, and was the most doting grandmother-to-be Jacob had ever seen. Needless to say, she drove Leah bonkers with her hovering. Billy and Julie were going strong, and he was now walking with crutches more than using his wheelchair. Everyone was happy and content in their lives and patiently awaiting the arrival of the newest member of the extended family.

Jacob led Leah carefully out the door and into the Mercedes. They'd moved into her house while Billy remained at the Black home with Julie and a part-time nurse. It would soon be their "Seattle house" though, as they had plans to build a more permanent residence in La Push. The baby's nursery was just about done. Jacob and Billy had both spent time carving Leah a rocking chair that had wolves on the arm rests, which matched the wolf and forest theme of little Ephraim's room. To say that Leah and Jacob Black were anxious to welcome their son was an understatement. They'd been trying for years to get pregnant but to no avail, until finally one day, just like that, she was. Leah was skeptical but Jacob was sure that this old gypsy psychic woman had predicted it. They'd passed Madame Zafrina in the mall and she had told them about her vision of a little boy running in the forest. One month later, Leah's period was late.

Jacob kept Leah close to his side as they walked through the heavy crowd of last minute shoppers, careful that no one jostled her stomach. It was a risky trip but she'd wanted to get out of the house. Jacob knew it was pointless to try to tell her no. They were trying to pick out a karaoke machine for the party when a man's voice startled them.

"Leah?"

Leah turned to see Samuel and Emily Uley staring at her with wide eyes. Jacob's arm tightened around his wife as he recognized the foolish woman he'd seen at the Indian restaurant years ago. Their paths had never crossed since.

"Hello Sam, Emily."

"My God, Leah! You're huge!" Emily exclaimed. She moved forward as if to hug her cousin but Leah's face quickly made her change her mind.

"Yes, I'm due late next month."

"Congratulations," Sam said, looking between her and Jacob. "I'm glad it finally happened for you."

"We never doubted it would," Jacob spoke up. "I'm Jacob Black, Leah's husband."

Sam nodded. "Sam Uley, nice to meet you." He looked back at Leah again, and Jacob could see for a moment, a flash of regret in his eyes. It caused him to smile.

"Well, we won't keep you from your shopping," Emily said nervously, realizing that Leah wasn't going to fake pleasantries.

"Yes, uh, Happy New Year Leah, Jacob." Sam offered. "It was good to see you Leah, I'm glad you're doing well." He gestured to her and Jacob together. Somehow over the years their paths had never crossed.

"Thank you Sam. Happy New Year to you both as well."

Emily stared at her cousin, a look of longing that was pathetically overdone. "Leah, all the best with your new baby. I'm really happy for you. I know you'll be a great mother."

"Thanks Emily. I know I will be too."

The couple looked at them both a moment longer, then turned and walked away. Sam pulled Emily into his side, as she was visibly upset by Leah's coldness towards her. Leah smirked, she had heard from her mother that Emily was having trouble conceiving, and was sure that Sam was the real problem in the equation, not his wife.

"You okay Mama?" Jacob asked, rubbing the small of Leah's back.

"Yes, I am actually… Fuck them."

Jacob laughed and kissed her loudly on her mouth. "God I love you, woman. Let's just get this one and go home. I've got a foot rub with your name on it for being a good girl."

He picked up the karaoke machine box and gestured towards the cashier. As Leah followed she happily said, "I think I'd like some cucumber to go with that too."

Ephraim Harrison Black was born on the first of February, eight pounds eight ounces, with ten fingers and ten toes, and a head full of curly raven hair. When he was placed in his mother's arms for the first time, they quietly looked at each other and a bond was formed between two souls. Jacob watched the two greatest loves of his life and felt like the richest man in the world. It was Fate that brought them here, to this moment in time, and he silently gave thanks to the Spirits for the gift of new life.

A week later, Nessie came for her weekend at the Blacks and finally met her new baby brother. As expected, she instantly fell in love too. She insisted on helping with every changing and burping and was disappointed that she couldn't feed him also, since he was strictly breastfed. "Can I come live with you again Daddy?" She asked Jacob innocently, turning on the power of her big green eyes. They were in the nursery together, Jacob was rocking Ephraim back to sleep while Leah took a shower and got something to eat. Sue had been staying at the house to cook all the meals and do the washing. Although Leah didn't like to be smothered, she had readily accepted the help with Jacob's encouragement. The recovery from birth was more than she'd anticipated – especially when coupled with breastfeeding an infant every two-three hours.

"I wish you could honey, but you know the deal. You've got Easter holidays with us coming up though and it's not that far away. You'll get to put in some quality time with your brother then."

"But he won't remember me Dad, if I'm not here how can I be his big sister? It's an active duty not simply a title."

Jacob tried not to laugh at her adult-like reasoning. "Ness, you see him every week! Stop being so dramatic honey. You know it's out of my hands to change things. We can video chat when you're not here so you can talk to him and I promise I'll send you photos every day and videos every time he does something cute."

Nessie sighed and nodded reluctantly. "But you have to swear, EVERY DAY."

"I promise princess. I'm so happy that you love your brother. I told you I'd try to get you one didn't I?"

"Yes you did, thank God for Leah, right?"

Jacob tried not to laugh so that the baby wouldn't startle. "Indeed. I don't know where I'd be without her you know."

"I know Daddy, she's the best thing that ever happened to you."

"You think so Ness?" Jacob was shocked by his daughter's mature comment, a sentiment he himself shared.

"Of course."

"I think so too, but you and Eph share that title with her, don't ever forget it."

Nessie beamed and placed a kiss on her father's cheek then one to her brother's head. "I'm going to see if she needs help with anything."

"Alright honey. Tell her he's almost down."

Jacob gently rocked his son and hummed an old Quileute lullaby his mother used to sing to him when he was little. His one wish was that she could be here to share Billy's joy in their first blood-related grandchild, but Jacob knew that Ephraim had been her gift to him and Leah. She would always be a part of their family.

When the baby was snug as a bug in his crib Jacob went to check on Leah. She was propped in the bed, reading one of her baby books and sipping tea. "Is he alright?" she asked. Jacob couldn't help but find her New Mom nerves and overprotectiveness to be cute and sexy.

"He's perfect." Jacob leaned over and kissed her lips before gently stretching himself out on the bed.

"Mom made dinner when you're ready."

"I know, I just wanted to spend some time with my girl."

Leah smiled and put her book on the table so that she could cuddle against her husband. "Can you believe we have a son? Sometimes I still feel like this is all a dream."

"Yeah, I know the feeling. He's so perfect Lee. I can't wait til he's old enough to kick the ball and go swimming on the Res."

"Nessie's going to smother him and he's going to love it all…" Leah mused.

"Maybe we'll give them a little sister someday too."

"Watch it Black, you can't say things like that until I've forgotten the horrors of pushing a human out of my cooch." Leah teased, pulling his nipple playfully.

"I know I know. We've got time honey. I just can't help but be greedy. There's just so much I want to have with you. I dream about it every night."

Leah cupped the side of his face and pulled Jacob's lips to meet hers. "You certainly have a talent for making dreams a reality Jacob, so I don't doubt that we've got a lot more coming our way. Thank you for giving me everything I've ever wanted right now, though. If this is all we ever have, it would still be perfect."

Jacob couldn't agree more.

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing Fated. I personally love this fic the most of the bunch I have managed to post and I am overwhelmed and grateful for the continuous positive response from you the readers! See you for more Blackwater!