Sue showed up at Leah and Embry's every morning for a week, usually before Embry left for work. Leah stumbled into the kitchen, tousled and unkempt but sporting a big smile on her face. Sue busied herself at the stove while the couple shared a lengthy, passionate kiss. Embry grinned as he grabbed his lunch box from the counter. "Thanks, Sue. Have a beautiful day!" He kissed her cheek and left for work.
"Well, somebody's in a good mood!" Sue said with a chuckle.
"Actually, that makes two of us," Leah replied. "Mom, I love you for helping, but I'm completely back to normal. I feel great, and Susie is a peach. She eats and sleeps. You're spoiling me!"
Sue shook her head and handed Leah a cup of coffee. "Okay, I don't mean to interfere. I'll just have coffee with you and be on my way." She placed a basket of warm blueberry muffins on the table.
"I do appreciate all your help, Mom." She grabbed a muffin and shoved half of it in her mouth. "But I'm afraid Embry's getting used to your good cooking and he might divorce me." She grinned.
They drank their coffee in companionable silence while warm sunshine poured into Leah's bright kitchen. Sue was rinsing their cups when Amber came running into the kitchen in her pajamas and bare feet.
"Grandma!" She threw her arms around Sue's waist and Sue bent to hug her. "Susie's awake, Grandma. She's just looking around, but her eyes are open."
"Tell you what, Sweetheart. How about if we see if she needs a diaper change while Mommy gets her shower in peace?"
Amber clapped her hands and Leah smiled at her mother. "Thanks, Mom. That sounds heavenly."
The word "brother" was slowly working itself into Jacob's and Embry's vocabulary. It wasn't a drastic change. Since they'd started the auto repair business, many of their customers had assumed they were brothers. Over lunch at the picnic table, Jacob suddenly stopped chewing. "Did you realize you've not only gained a terrific brother, but you've got twin sisters too?!"
Embry laughed. "Wow! I really hit the jackpot! And yes, that thought had occurred to me. I'm not looking forward to telling them though. It comes with a lot of baggage."
Jacob sobered, examining his sandwich as he spoke. "I haven't said anything to them yet, though I guess it's not an actual secret any more. I did talk to Sue Clearwater. I know she's your mother-in-law, but she's also a tribal elder and one of the smartest women I know."
Nodding, Embry said "I'm glad she knows. Did she have any ancient tribal wisdom to impart?" His tone sounded flippant, but his brown eyes were serious.
"She did," Jacob admitted. He took a big bite of his sandwich and chewed slowly before continuing. "Her words of wisdom came from Harry, and many generations before him. The Great Spirit tells us to forgive, not because the other person deserves it but because we deserve peace." He sighed. "Easier said than done."
"I've given it a lot of thought. Some chiches are actually worth repeating, and I'm done crying over spilt milk. Would I change it if I could? You bet! I'd love to get back all that time I wasted, worrying and being teased about not having a father." He shook his head as if to clear it. "But it's done, and I can make sure my kids get to know their grandfather. Maybe not for his sake, but for theirs. I'm done, Jake. And I think the old man has suffered enough. Let's go see your...I mean our father after work."
Billy was apparently ready for them. He was at the kitchen table reading his newspaper, and he folded it carefully and put it away. Nodding to his sons, he spoke first. "I have apologized to you, Jacob, and I owe you the same." He was looking at Embry. I've made some bad decisions in my life, but I never meant to hurt you, Embry. I am truly sorry that I did. If you can find it in your hearts to forgive a foolish old man, I promise to try to win back your trust."
Embry extended a hand. "Not one of us is perfect, Billy. I accept your apology." His grip on Billy's hand was young and strong, and Jacob placed his hand over both of theirs.
"A new start," Jacob said.
The twins didn't accept their father's deception so easily. Rachel was furious, and for once Paul was the voice of reason. "Babe," he said, "no matter how hard you try you can't change the past. You can be pissed at your dad - I am too - but don't deprive our kids of their grandfather. You've always forgiven me, and I've pulled some pretty crazy shit."
Rachel raised an eyebrow. "You do realize if you ever cheat on me I will amputate the offending appendage." She covered his mouth with her hand to prevent his reply. "And I know very well that it would grow back - which will allow me the pleasure of removing it again."
Paul laughed. "That's my girl," he said with a smirk. Since he had imprinted on Rachel, he'd never even been tempted. Thank God.
Embry got a handwritten note from Rebecca in Hawaii. "I always wanted a baby brother! Welcome to the family." She signed it with love.
Life settled back into its usual rhythm. By the time Susie was three months old she was eating cereal and laughing at her big sister. They seemed to have a special bond already. On this particular afternoon, Leah was pacing nervously. Susie was napping and Renesmee was scheduled to pick the kids up from school.
"Hey, Ness, thanks." Renesmee had walked to the school with the little ones in her old twin stroller. When they stopped at Leah's, Mei and the older kids were turned loose in the fenced-in yard. Clarence was napping in the stroller, and Renesmee absently rocked it with her hand as she sat on the steps with Leah.
"You feeling okay, Lee?" Her skin was pale and she looked like she'd lost a few pounds. Renesmee was shocked when Leah burst into tears.
"I'm pregnant again, Ness!" she sobbed. "Embry's gonna KILL me!"
Renesmee wrapped her arms around her friend. "Are you sure, Lee? I mean - how could you know already? It could only be - what? A month or two?"
Leah was shaking her head. "I'm three months along," she wailed.
Her sister-in-law shook her head. "But you can't be, Lee! You just gave birth three months ago! Didn't Carlisle make you wait to have sex - sorry, I don't mean to get personal." She blushed slightly. "I've never had a baby, but that's what I've heard."
Leah sniffed and pulled a tissue out of her pocket to wipe her nose. "You live with a shifter, Ness. You know how quickly we heal! I was fine in a matter of hours. We waited - ummmm - three days," she whispered. "And I must have gotten pregnant right away. Oh God, he's going to be so upset!"
Renesmee took Leah's hands in hers and looked into her eyes. "Listen to me, Leah. You know Embry. He'll be concerned for you, but he'll be thrilled about the baby. He wouldn't care if you had ten babies!" Leah smiled in spite of herself.
"Tell you what. If he's mad, you can give this one to me." They both laughed at the absurdity of the notion.
"You're right, Ness. I don't know what I was thinking."
"I'll tell you who's going to have a lot of fun with this, Leah. Embry's going to catch a lot of teasing from his brother. But it's all in fun. You mark my words. He'll be thrilled."
Embry actually thought Leah was joking - until she burst into tears. He gasped and wrapped his arms around her. "Oh my god - you're serious? Oh, Honey, that's great news! I mean - we'll handle it. Babies are always a blessing, Lee. We waited so long for Susie!" He pulled her onto his lap.
.
Jacob was a bit more practical. "Jeez, bro, you just can't keep it in your pants, can you?" His wide grin softened the reaction. Jacob laughed and high-fived his brother. "You trying to catch up with us?"
Jacob and Renesmee were planning a rare date night. They were going to see a movie with Embry and Leah, stopping for coffee on the way home. Bella tapped on the door and let herself in. Mei was concentrating on a puzzle on the coffee table. "Grandma!" She scooped Mei up in her arms, and Jenny and Jimmy came running from the playroom. Clarence flashed a toothy grin from his playpen.
Renesmee breezed in from the kitchen, looking like a fashion model in a royal blue skirt and a white cashmere sweater. Tiny sapphires twinkled on her earlobes, and her mahogany hair was swept up in a ponytail. "That's quite a welcoming committee you have there," she said with a grin.
Jacob was checking his watch. His jeans were neatly pressed and a pale yellow polo shirt pulled across his broad shoulders and accented his russet skin. "Come on, Ness, we'll be late picking them up. There's a bottle for Clarence in the fridge, Bella, and a snack for the kids. They've all had supper and baths. You have our numbers." He had never been able to call Bella Mom, though he took great pleasure in calling Edward Dad - if only to hear him grind his perfect teeth.