Disclaimer: I don't own anything Twilight related. or Jack Johnson. Sadly...
AN: This is all me... No Beta...
I hope you enjoy...
Paul Meraz
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"Jared, go long."
I waved my hand back, before tossing the football out towards him. I winced, when it flew over his head and crashed into the water, making him shoot me a discussed look as he cussed under his breath, while he ran into the ice cold water. It wasn't like it was cold to us, he was just being a little bitch. But then again I would bitch too if I had to get wet for no reason.
It was Friday. The day of the bonfire. And we were all slightly freaking out.
Monday had been a fiasco, and the rest of the week wasn't any better.
While I had been dealing with a fainting Bella; Quil and Embry had high tailed out of the diner and phased right in the parking lot, while Collin and Brady had to be carried out by Sam and Jared, and Seth ran out the back door, successfully ripping the door off mid phase. During all this, Leah and I had huddled over Bella, trying to keep her from getting hurt by our family.
I had taken her straight home after that, calling my mom on the way to let her know what happened, while the boys cleaned up the diner. I had ended up staying the night, and the next morning had not been pleasant.
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As I shifted, I felt something weighting me down, and then heard two feminine groans, which caused my eyes to snap open.
I only remember falling asleep next to one girl last night.
I felt a smile creep up on my face, as I tried to bite back my chuckle, as I looked down. Bella's entire body was lying on top of mine; her right arm was under my left shoulder, as I had my left arm wrapped around her waist. Her head was resting on my collarbone. Her left arm was thrown over the body that was lying up against mine.
Leah.
She was lying on her left side with her head resting on my right shoulder, and her right arm thrown over Bella's waist.
Our legs were all kinds of tangled up. My right, Bella's left, and Leah's right in a jumbled mess. I was pretty sure Leah and I were sandwiching Bella's tiny pale foot.
I vaguely remember Leah coming in, in the middle of the night murmuring about sleeping in today.
Finally Bella stirred, which caused a domino effect for Leah, as she too started to stir. Bella shifted and fell off my chest and landed with an 'umph' on the left side of the bed. As I softly chuckled, while Bella grumbled, I heard snickering and looked over to see Leah looking over at Bella.
"So last night really happened?" Bella asked quietly, trying to snuggle deeper into the bed.
"Yeah." I whispered, and heard her sniff.
"So, she's really pregnant? Raven's pregnant with Jake's baby?" Her voice quivered, and I rolled her back on top of me.
"Yeah." Leah whispered this time, as she pushed Bella's hair out of her face.
"Oh, God." Bella sobbed.
My arm automatically tightened around her, and Leah leaned in closer to whisper soothing words to her. I clenched my eyes shut tightly, as I smelled not only Bella's tears but Leah's too. It was like I was practically holding Bella together as she sobbed.
She didn't calm down for an hour. And when she did Leah finally spoke.
"You know, when I found out Emily was pregnant I thought I was going to lose it all over again."
"How did you cope with it?" Bella asked, hope shining in her eyes.
Leah smiled, "I had you. You helped. A lot. And now you have me. And I'll help, I promise."
We ended up watching the Brat Pack movies the rest of the day in Bella's bed.
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~*~
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Wednesday, there was a council meeting with the Elders, Jacob and Raven, and Embry; since he was technically responsible for her while she was on the Rez. While Jacob found his soul mate in Raven, he still did something that could injure his chances at ever being Chief of our tribe by getting a girl pregnant outside of wedlock. Not to mention they were still teenagers. And the council had to do some major damage control.
Sam had been pretty tight lipped about what went down at the council meeting. Even so much as him walking through the diner door with a look that screamed 'I dare you to ask me'. And no one did. Even his thoughts were careful.
Either way, we haven't seen Jacob or Raven for the rest of the week. Which was a God send.
Embry was pretty tight lipped too, just saying they had to tie up some loose ends but will be back for the bon fire tonight. Leah had a suspicion that they were at the Makah reservation dealing with Raven's parents; and I tended to agree.
Now I was just sitting around on the beach with Jared, Quil, and Embry waiting for everyone to show up. We had decided to make a day of it; play some football and shit before the bonfire.
Since it was Friday, Leah, Bella, Jared and Kim didn't have any classes today, so they had helped Emily and Sam get everything set up for the bon fire, while the rest of us were at school.
Currently, though, Leah was at the diner with Kim and Sue helping them run the place. I had dropped off Seth there, and then dropped the Twins off at their own house, so they could spend some time with their Grandmother. Emily, Sam, and Bella had headed out about an hour ago for Emily's appointment. Apparently, you could see the sex of the baby at three months and both women had been smiling ear to ear as Sam drove them off to the clinic we have on the Rez.
I felt a body slam into me, their firm legs wrapping around my hips and their toned arms around my neck. I stumbled from the force of the hit but righted myself quickly. The scent of Vanilla and the ocean wafted around me, and I chuckled.
"Leah, what the hell?"
She laughed, before tightening her grip and dropping down to her own feet.
"Thought I'd let you know Bella called, they'll be here in a few minutes. Oh, and Seth and I brought lunch for you guys."
The other boys whooped, despite being at a far distance apart from each other, they heard Leah as if she was standing right next to them. And they started running towards us. Leah led us to her car, where Seth was setting three big baskets on the roof of her car.
"The cooler's in the trunk."
I nodded, and made my way to the open trunk and pulled out the huge ass cooler.
"This seems a bit much for just us." Quil said picking up a basket.
"That's because it's for them too." Seth nodded behind me as he handed Embry a basket.
I turned back to see Collin and Brady jogging out of the tree line, just as Sam pulled into the parking lot. I smiled, and ditched the cooler, before I ran across the lot to Emily's car. I reached them just as Bella climbed out of the backseat. I pulled her into a hug and looked over her head at Sam, who was chuckling as Bella grumbled.
"So, how'd it go?" I asked, finally releasing Bella and looking between the three.
"Great!" All three exclaimed, making me chuckle.
"So do we have wolf boy or a girly wolf?" I urged, impatiently.
Bella smacked my chest, and started shoving me away, "Oh, no. You'll just have to wait to hear at the same time as everyone else."
"Hey! Then why does she get to know?" I asked, mock offended looking between Emily and Sam.
"I'm the Godmother. I get special privileges." She immaturely stuck her tongue out at me, making me roll my eyes.
"Hey you guys coming to eat or what?" Leah yelled out to us.
I tossed Bella over my shoulder, to which she took up pounding on my back in a fit of giggles, as I jogged onto the beach where everyone started setting up. I dumped her near the baskets of food, where she wobbled with a muttered 'whoa'.
"Hey, where's Emily going?" I heard Jared ask behind me, as Bella started handing me a stack of sandwiches.
"She's going to pick up Claire and Kim from the diner. Sue said we're in need of a family day. She'll be back in a minute, so save the girls some food." Sam shrugged.
We all grabbed our stacks of sandwiches and our own half liter of our favorite beverages, and found a place to sit on the huge blankets Leah set out. I sat to Bella's left, Leah on her right, and Sam on my left. The four of us were talking about the appointment. Sam and Bella had this awe kind of look on their faces when they explained the ultrasound. We could already hear the tiny heartbeat coming from Emily, but Bella couldn't and her face was completely lit up when she talked about it.
It was good to see her so excited and happy.
Finally, Emily and Kim joined us, as Claire rammed straight into Quil's back. We let them eat, while we all ragged on Bella, Sam, and Emily about not telling us what the sex of the baby is. Once they were done eating, we picked up our football and decided to play a game.
Sam, Jared, Seth, Leah, and I were on one team, and Collin, Brady, Quil, Embry, and Bella were on the other. The game was ridiculously unfair to Bella, it was still the winter season and we were in Third beach so it was much more secluded, so we were allowed to run at our top speed and tackle each other without having to worry about people seeing us. Emily, Kim, and Claire were giggling madly and cheering on Bella, when she was stomp her foot in frustration.
Finally, Sam cut her some slack and threw the football right at her. She was at the other side of the beach pouting and when she saw the ball heading straight to her, her whole face lit up. And then it was like something clicked and you could see her starting to freak out. No one moved, as we watched her and the ball soaring straight at her, we wanted to see what she would do. She let out a nervous squeal, as she closed her eyes and stuck her hands, just as the ball fell into it.
Everyone stood stock still, our jaws slacked, as we watched Bella open one eye, as if she was afraid to look, and then the other. And then it was like something clicked again, and her whole damn face lit back up and she started squealing.
"I caught it! I caught it!"
We were still frozen where we stood; it was Claire's squeal that broke us out of our daze.
"Run! Run Aunty Belly! Run!"
And she fucking ran.
The wrong fucking way.
"No, Bella! The other way! The other way!" Her teammates yelled to her.
I was laughing my ass off, as I started running towards her. Everyone was yelling excitedly and laughing. Just as she registered me in front of her, her eyes widened, and she ducked right between my legs . And kept running until she made a touchdown.
Where she promptly did the cabbage patch dance.
I was trying to catch my breath from laughing so hard, as Embry lifted her up and sat her on his shoulders and started bouncing around while both our teams crowded around her, cheering.
"Did you see that? I caught it!"
Bella jumped up on me, a few minutes later, her arms around my neck, and my arms around her waist as we laughed, while her legs dangled in the air.
"Good job, babe." I lowered her onto her feet and kissed her cheek.
I followed her over to the blankets, where Leah was laying down still chuckling. Bella was practically skipping from all the excitement. As we reached the blankets Claire bounced into Bella's arm, giving her a sloppy kiss on the cheek for congratulations. I left Bella there when Claire started regaling her about how great Bella was and how it looked like through a five years old eyes.
We played around some more without Leah or Bella this time. It was great to just spend some time with everyone, even if we were missing a pack brother, and let out some stress. Bella was laughing freely and actually enjoying herself.
"Paul!"
I looked over to the blankets, to see the girls waving me over, but something in Bella's hands caught my eye.
My acoustic guitar.
I groaned and jogged over to them, already knowing what they'll ask me.
"How'd you get that?" I glared at Bella, who smiled smugly.
"We stopped at your house before coming here."
"And my mom just let you take it?" I whined.
"Uh, duh, your mom loves me."
I sighed. I need to give my mom a stern talking to about people just coming into my room and taking my shit while I'm not there. Like it would matter anyway. I sent a glare at Bella, as I snatched my guitar from her hands. I sat down and started tuning my guitar.
"Alright, what do you want?" I asked, looking at the four girls.
They all shrugged, making me roll my eyes. Typical. I thought for a few minutes before I figured out what I wanted. As I started strumming the first notes of Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson, I looked up to see Bella smile.
It was one of her favorites.
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Can't you see that it's just rainin'
There ain't no need to go outside
But baby, you hardly even notice
When I try to show you
this song It's meant to keep you
From doin' what you're supposed to
Like wakin' up too early
Maybe we could sleep in
I'll make you banana pancakes
Pretend like it's the weekend now
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Bella stood up with Claire, and started dancing around singing softly in Claire's ear.
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And we could pretend it all the time
Can't you see that it's just rainin'
There ain't no need to go outside
But just maybe, like an ukulele
Mama made a baby
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At that Kim nudged Emily, as I sent her a wink, making her giggle.
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I really don't mind to practice
Because you're my little lady
Lady, lady love me
Because I love to lay here lazy
We could close the curtains
Pretend like there's no world outside
And we could pretend that all the time
Can't you see that it's just raining
There ain't no need to go outside
Ain't no need, ain't no need
Can't you see, can't you see
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Bella handed Claire over to Quil, as Claire drifted to sleep, before sitting beside me.
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Rain all day and I don't mind
The telephone singing, ringing, it's too early
Don't pick it up
We don't need to
We got everything we need right here
And everything we need is enough
It's just so easy
When the whole world fits inside of your arms
Do we really need to pay attention to the alarm
Wake up slow, wake up slow
But baby, you hardly even notice
When I try to show you this song
It's meant to keep you
From doin' what your supposed to
Like wakin' up too early
Maybe we could sleep in
I'll make you banana pancakes
Pretend like it's the weekend now
And we could pretend it all the time
Can't you see that it's just rainin'
There ain't no need to go outside
Ain't no need, ain't no need
Rain all day and I really, really, really don't mind
Can't you see, can't you see
We've got to wake up slow
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They clapped softly, making sure not to wake up Claire, while I tried to wave them off. Bella always commented on how she loved my singing. I usually kept it to myself, but the first time Bella came over to my house; my mom couldn't stop bragging when Bella saw my guitar lying around in the living room. After that Bella always asked me to sing for her, and I haven't been able to say no.
But I was going to get her back one of these days. I knew the girl could sing also. I caught her singing in her kitchen when she thought no one was home. I was just buying my time.
"Alright, alright, let's get back to the game, shall we? And put this back in the case, Bella."
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"Oh, God. I think I'm finally full." I groaned, making Bella snicker.
We were at the bon fire. And the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.
All the way across the fire were Jacob and Raven, Embry and Quil on the other side of Raven, with Billy Black next to Jacob. Quil and Embry weren't even talking to Raven, choosing to talk around her to Jacob instead. Even Claire, the five year old that doesn't know how to shut up, wasn't talking to Raven; it was like she just knew Raven wasn't welcomed. It was fucking sad. Though when I pointed it out to Bella she smiled and shook her head saying 'that's my girl'.
On the other side of Quil and Claire, were Collin, Brady, and Seth, who talked amongst themselves. And the other side of Seth was me, Bella, Leah, Emily, and Sam. And Sue, Quil Sr., and Billy sat at the top of the cliff.
When Jacob and Raven arrived they didn't greet anybody, just chose a spot and sat there eating the food Quil and Embry brought them. Raven wouldn't even look over at Bella, and Bella was pretending neither Raven nor Jacob were there.
"Alright, okay. I have an announcement to make." Sam's voice rung out and everyone started to quiet down.
We all looked over to see him and Emily standing up. Emily's hand was rubbing her tiny baby bulge affectionately, while the other held Sam's.
"We have some new to share with you all." Sam started but was cut off by Emily.
"It's A GIRL!" She blurted.
Everyone started laughing, it was common knowledge that Emily couldn't keep things to herself. It was cute most of the time. We all whooped, but as Leah shot me a look, I groaned.
"Fuck, Fuck, Fuck." I muttered under my breath, as I pulled out my wallet.
"I told you so." Leah sang, as I handed her a twenty dollar bill.
"You should stop betting, honey." Bella patted my forearm tenderly, making me glare at her.
We all congratulated Emily and Sam, who shot me and Leah a teasing glare for betting on their kid. They told us that they had a picture but Emily had forgotten it at home. We talked a little bit about what the doctor said, and it looks like we'd be expecting another member in our family on July 10th. The girls quickly started talking over one another about the nursery, the baby shower, and baby names. I didn't know how they understood each other when they talked like that, maybe it was the many times they did that over the past two years that they had been able to perfect it, so they could; all I knew is that they could understand each other and it was fucked up.
"Alright, everyone quiet down." Billy spoke.
And just like that everything shifted. Us wolves straightened up in our seats, the imprints looked over to our Elders, and Bella closed her eyes; just like she did at every bonfire. She had told me once, that she liked to close her eyes and imagine what it was like back then during the time of Taha Aki.
The legend of Taha Aki and the Third Wife had always been her favorite.
Billy and Quil went on to tell our legends, most of us were watching Raven's reaction, but I kept my eyes on Bella's face, with the occasional glance at Raven. She had already been told of what we were; now she was just getting the whole story.
They went on to tell us of the Spirit warriors; of Kahelaha, the first Spirit Warrior. Of Taha Aki, the first Spirit Wolf. And Bella's favorite, the Third Wife. As they spoke of the Cold woman, Raven's face drained of all its color and she looked sick, I could actually smell the fear wafting out of her.
And then they spoke of the Cullen's and their yellow eyes.
Bella had a small smile on her face. And I knew she wasn't with us anymore.
She was in a time where her best friend could tell her, her future, where when she used to be nervous she had been calmed by just a simple touch, where a boy could regal her with other peoples thoughts, where a family played baseball during thunder storms.
She had told me that it didn't hurt to think about them anymore, that her new family – us – we had filled that hole in her chest when they had left. And now she was able to look back and be thankful for the time she was able to spend with them.
But something changed.
Sue spoke.
And she never spoke at our bonfires.
Her voice took on the magical tone that Billy and Quil had when they spoke of our legends. It wasn't something we ever heard from her, and she had everyone captivated. Especially Bella, as her eyes snapped open and looked towards the elders.
"Today, we add a new legend. One not yet finished. Of the human girl and the family with yellow eyes. And how that human girl became a part of the Quileute pack."
Bella's breath hitched and her eyes watered. Leah grabbed Bella's hand and my arm went around her waist.
"It all started long ago, in the cafeteria of Forks High…."
And so Sue spun the tale that belonged to Bella. She told us of every thought and feeling, every action and reaction, as if she were reading it from a book.
Because she could.
Because she knew.
Because Bella had told Sue and Quil and Billy and Sam everything in a council meeting.
There wasn't a detail Bella didn't leave out for them. All because Quil Sr. hadn't trusted her in the beginning and Bella wanted to prove that she was worthy.
And worthy she was.
Sue went on tell us about the family meeting, the baseball game, the three nomads, the ballet studio, the eighteenth birthday party, it's aftermath, the search Sam, Jared, and I took looking for her in the woods, the two weeks she laid in bed, and the four months she was a zombie.
Sue spoke of Jacob's commitment, of Quil and Embry's first meeting with her, of Jacob's abandonment, of Bella's persistence. She spoke of me, and my willing to attack the 'leach lover' on site. She spoke of Laurent's attempt. Of Victoria's rein for revenge.
Sue told us everything.
"This human girl had intertwined herself into our daily lives. Learned our language, our customs, our lifestyle, our heritage. She's studied our legends and laws." At that Billy and Quil smiled a smile that beamed nothing but pride.
"She had been there when the first female in history became a warrior, and when the first children made the transition as warriors. She helps bring in money into our land. And she spreads that wealth with the children at the center." Sue smiled fondly.
"By healing some of our protectors, our warriors, hearts," Sue's voice quievered and her eyes watered as she looked fondly at both her daughters, "we had healed hers."
"But her story, her legend, is not yet finished. She still has a road to travel. And it may be a tough one. But as she has helped our protectors travel their path, we will help her with hers." The last part had been forceful and full of meaning as Sue stared Raven down.
"Now, just as each of our warriors and their mates has one, I would like to call up our precious human girl, and give her, her own journal."
There were gasps wrung out around the fire.
The journal was something we all receive when we first phase, or if you were an imprint, you get upon being told the secret. Our Elders also had one.
It was thick, and leather bound, and had our tribal mark on the cover engraved into it.
It was something our people held sacred. It would be passed on to the next generation of protectors, and the next after that. They held them where we held our council meetings under strict lock and key that only our Elders held.
Bella Swan would be the first unimprinted, pale face to ever have her own journal.
Her story would be told on our land for generations to come.
Just like ours would be.
I smirked, a smirk that was filled with pride, smugness, and excitement, as I heard Raven's voice ring out; it was filled with nothing but undiluted awe.
"Who is she?"
Only one person answered, as she stood, showing nothing but strength and bravery and power.
Everything Isabella Marie Swan was made of.
"It's me."
AN: The football play that happened to Bella had actually happened with me and my best friend. She's a major girly girl, and I couldnt stop laughing when it had happened, that I couldnt even grab her when she ran past me. Good Stuff.
Anyway... Paul? As a musician? YUM!
Seriously, when I thought about it, Paul did seem like he'd have some kind of instrument laying around in his bedroom. So I firgured, why not? It helps that musicians are totally fuckhot.
How many of you would love for a guy to lay around in bed with you and just watch chick flicks without complaint? I know I would.
Anyway, about the journal... I was thinking... how do they tell generation upon generation about life as a werewolf and shit? Oral? While they could tell the legends orally, things will get left out, forgotten, so why not have a journal? Get these boys to write about their first phase, how they felt before and after it happened, how their first fight with a vampire went. They could inform their future descendants about everything in great detail. Prepare them and guide them. Make the future generations learn through their mistakes so they dont do it in the future.
Anywhooo... I thought it was a good idea.
Like I said, when you tell people stories orally, things, facts gets left out, forgotten. Little important details, completely lost. That's where the journals come to play.
And they will be very important in future chapters.
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Reviews? Please? :)