Chapter 5: Sliding into home
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QPOV:
Following the curling ribbons of purple smoke, Quil arrived at the makeshift crematorium. Jacob's scent lingered there, but it was obvious that it'd been awhile since he left. Hopefully he would be reunited with Bella soon. The wolf boy honed in on another scent—the scent of that black-haired demon that was giving Jacob such a hard time. He hoped that he would make her regret it.
There was no time to lose. He was on her trail immediately, but Jacob was right, she was almost as elusive as that freakin' redhead from years ago. She not only was pulling a disappearing act, but it seemed she kept doubling back on herself, attempting to throw off any trackers. His ace in the hole was, she hadn't spotted him yet, so maybe she would think he was just an ordinary—but big wolf—and let down her guard a bit.
Quil continued searching. He came to a spot where the pine needles were scattered about, and little mounds of snow dotted the area to suggest she had been traveling in the tree tops. Finally he saw her. One minute, all that were there were her footprints, and the next, her form appeared as if magically. This was unreal; it was magic though, wasn't it?
Kendra probably had detected his odor, because as he sped up, so did she, and damn, she was heading straight for the cabin. Sh**, Bella was in the process of giving birth, that meant blood—lots of it. And that meant the vamp was licking her lips in anticipation. He spurred himself onward. No way was he going to let that creature suck the life out of his Alpha's child.
JPOV:
Was he seeing things? Looming up ahead, the Jeep was still sitting there outside the cabin. What the hell? They should be at the clinic by now. Were they waiting for him to return? He was ready to wring Embry's neck, but when he got closer, he heard Bella let out a cry. Embry's voice was calm, trying to encourage her. He could smell the essence that surrounded a birth, and he gave one final burst of speed.
Embry's voice rose and he overheard him say, "He's here."
Shifting back, right on the doorstep, he practically exploded through the entry and rushed into the bedroom.
"Jake, Jake …" she wailed, trying to sit up.
"I'm here, honey, I'm here."
She cried out again as another pain assailed her.
Embry pivoted his head around to look at Jacob. "Go wash your hands and hurry if you want to deliver your own baby. You just made it in the nick of time. He is coming—and soon. I can see his head starting to crown.
"Keep pushing, Bella. You're doing great. When Jake gets back in the room, I'll help you to squat. Leah says that will make the baby move down faster. And only a few more pushes and he'll be in Jake's hands.
"Jake," he yelled over his shoulder, "make it snappy!"
Jacob hurriedly washed his hands, making sure to do a thorough job of it. Embry got off the bed, and poured some alcohol on Jacob's hands and arms. He traded places with his Alpha, and slid behind Bella, helping her to get into a better position.
His heart was threatening to jump out of his chest, he was so excited … and scared … and bubbling over with anticipation.
Bella grunted loudly, and pushed. "That's it, Bells. Push, push, push. I can see the top of the little guy's head. He has black hair just like me. C'mon, sweetheart, a little bit more."
"I'm trying, I'm trying. I'm just so tired."
"Glaring at Jacob, she blurted, "I don't care if you're crawling on your knees begging me … we are never having sex again—ever."
His buddy rolled his eyes, then winked, as if to say, She says that now, but just wait.
Her head lolled back against Embry's chest. "I'm too tired, I can't push anymore."
"Just one more, Bells, just one more."
"Huuuuh …" she whimpered. "Here comes a big one, oh god …"
"That's it! There's his head, it's peeking out."
Embry cautioned him, "Don't pull on him now. Leah said to support the head, and he should turn on his own. Then he should just slide out."
One more effort from Bella and his fist born slipped right into Jacob's hands. "Bella," he exclaimed. "It's Liam, we have a ourselves a boy!"
His son wailed loudly, squirming in his hands, all pink and perfect. Tears were streaming down Jacob's face, as he kissed his son's pudgy cheek. Bella's arms were immediately reaching out for her infant. "Let me see him."
Embry scooted out from behind Bella, and handed Jacob a blanket. The proud father placed his little one on top of Bella's abdomen, and covered them both with it. Embry took that as his cue to leave the couple alone for a few moments of privacy. Taking his hunting knife with him, he looked like it was all matter of fact, but Embry suspiciously turned his face away as he left. His Alpha still didn't miss the tear that his friend had wiped away from his cheek.
Bella looked over her newborn then gazed into Jacob's warm brown eyes. "Oh, Jacob, he's beautiful. Have you ever seen such a beautiful baby?"
Her sweetheart choked out, "Never."
Jacob got closer to Bella, and leaned over her. In his eyes, she'd never looked more stunning. Kissing her forehead, he whispered, "I love you, honey. I'm sorry I almost missed this. I'll tell you about it later."
Scrutinizing him, she couldn't help but notice the healed pink claw marks on his torso. Sheepishly, he remarked, "Yeah … later."
EPOV:
Embry collapsed onto the stuffed chair in the other room. Man, he was glad that was over. Never again. He would never go anywhere with a lady that close to delivering. This experience was once in a lifetime, and he didn't care to repeat it. He exhaled loudly and walked over to the fireplace, peering at the flames as they licked at the logs on the hearth. Crouching before it, he extended his arm, rotating the edge of the knife in his hand, letting the fingers of fire envelope the blade and sterilize it. Then he went to the kitchen searching for some shoelaces in the junk drawer. There weren't any, so he returned to the bedroom.
"Hey, Jake, time to cut the cord," he said, while handing the knife to Jacob. "Leah says we need some shoelaces. Do you know if there's any here in the cabin?"
"No, but I'm pretty sure Quil always keeps a spare in his glove compartment. Did you look out in the Jeep?"
With one finger in the air, Embry said, "I'll be right back."
Sure enough, Quil had a brand new pair of laces for his boots right where Jacob said they would be. Embry kissed the cellophane pak and waltzed through the cabin door. Eureka, I found them.
After running more alcohol over the blade, Jacob sliced through the cord as Embry tied it off.
JPOV:
The ring tone went off, and this time Jacob answered. "Hey, Leah."
"Hey, yourself. Where in the freakin' hell have you been?"
"Long story. But the good news is I made it in the nick of time, and it's a boy."
"Well, good for you. Did everything go all right?"
"Like clockwork. Bella says from now on, I'm being exiled from our bed though."
Leah laughed. "All new mothers say that. Then amnesia conveniently sets in. She'll change her mind the first time you give her that smoldering look of yours.
"I'll try to be there first thing in the morning, with food, clothing, and a crew wielding snow shovels."
"Snow shovels?"
"Yeah—didn't Embry tell you? There was an avalanche and they couldn't get off the mountain.
"Well, I'm goin' back to bed. Bye, bye, Daddy, and congratulations."
The line went dead, and Jacob proceeded to help Bella clean up. With that done, he reverently gathered up the placenta and cord for later burial in his native soil, placing it in a plastic garbage bag.
A hand clapped him on the shoulder when he finished. "So, you named him, Liam, huh?"
"After my dad, yup!"
Bella was crooking her finger at him. When he got close enough, she drew his ear to her mouth, and whispered something.
"What do you think of this, Em. Bella would like to name our child, Liam Embry Black."
His friend appeared to be horrified. "The poor kid. You can't be serious. Don't tag him with that moniker."
Bella protested, "I just wanted to honor you for taking such good care of me."
"Well, then use my middle name."
She leaned forward. "Which is …?"
In a low voice, he said, "Thomas."
Jacob stood up, looking confused. "How come I never knew that?"
"I didn't want you guys teasing me, calling me ET, the extra terrestrial, or even etc. So, do me a favor; keep this under your hat. If Quil finds out, I'll never hear the end of it. Which reminds me … where is he anyway?"
A grin formed on Jacob's face. "Out girl chasing."
"Up here, in the mountains? What is she, a lost hiker?"
"No … more like the reason for lost hikers—permanently lost hikers."
He shot a quick glance at Bella to see if she picked up on that.
"Gotcha."
While Bella nursed the infant, Jacob followed Embry out to the living room.
"That vamp must be giving him quite a chase," Embry commented.
"You don't know the half of it. That leech had the power to render herself invisible. If Quil hadn't phased and answered my distress call when he did, I'd be there, still tangling with her, or worse yet, dead. Jeez, she was trouble, with a capital T. I hope he caught up with her and burned her to a crisp … filthy tick!"
Jacob got up from his chair, and walked to the window, looking out. The snow had let up in the last hour or so, and now started up once more, coming down in sheets.
BPOV:
Bella had finished feeding Liam, and set him in a blanket laden drawer which Jacob had yanked out of the old dresser that stood in the corner. She returned to bed after stroking his silky hair, and nearly fell asleep when she felt a sudden cold breeze. Looking to her left, she noticed the window was open. A voice in her head told her to check the drawer. Liam was missing. How could that be? She'd just barely put him in there.
She heard a ruckus in the other room, and heard Jacob say, "Do you smell that?"
"Yeah."
Jacob almost ran over the furniture to see if Bella was all right. His blood froze as he stared at his sweetheart, her fingers covering her mouth. "Tell me you have Liam," she stammered. Her scream filled the room when she realized by the look on his face that he didn't.
Embry and Jacob were on all fours so fast, they very nearly broke the cabin door off its hinges.
. . . . .
It was her—the vamp I told you about. I recognized her stench.
We'll find her, Jake. Don't worry. We'll get Liam back too.
Why didn't we notice her scent earlier though?
I don't know, maybe the heavy snowfall masked it. I can't think anymore. Let's just find her quick. My baby is just a little bitty thing; he won't survive in this weather.
Quil's thoughts came out of nowhere. Guys, what's goin' on?
Jacob couldn't answer. He was wracked with worry.
Embry piped up. It's that leech that you two were after. Bella had the baby, and the tick ran off with it.
Whaaaaat? Sh**! We've gotta stop her.
His Alpha finally offered, The only thing in our favor is our numbers. She can't fight us all off, and she can only remain unseen for a few minutes at a time. But I'm telling you guys, I'll let her go if she will just give my son back to me. Now, let's go.