"Jake, do I really have to go to Dr. Cullen? You know how uncomfortable I am around vampires," Leah whined.
Jacob slipped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her as close as the seatbelts would allow. "Leah, you know the reasons as well as I do. After the way we've treated them, it's very generous of him to volunteer to care for you and the baby."
"Hmph," Leah continued to pout. "Okay, but don't blame me if I happen to bite him. Just remember this was your idea."
Jacob grinned, that sparkling smile that always melted her heart, as they turned into the Cullens' long, winding drive. "You're not biting anyone, Leah, and you're not stooping in the field, giving birth, and going back to planting corn like our great-grandmothers did. Carlisle was good enough to agree to examine you and confirm your pregnancy, and he'll take charge of your prenatal care and the delivery. So you might as well get used to the idea."
Leah slumped back in her seat. "Fine. As long as he doesn't actually touch me," she mumbled under her breath. Jacob just raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. Esme greeted them at the door and showed them upstairs to the office. Leah took in the exam room with a nervous glance, tightening her grip on Jacob's hand. "Just don't leave me, okay?" she whispered.
On the way home, Leah's mood was noticeably brighter. "Four months!" she beamed. "And everything's fine." She smiled at Jacob.
He grinned back at her. "Actually, what he said was everything is just as it should be. I think he won you over with the 'little mama' comment. You feeling better about Carlisle now?"
Leah moved her hands protectively over her still flat stomach and smiled softly. "It's pretty hard to feel bad about anything right now, Jake. I don't think I've ever been happier in my life. He'll be part you, part me. It's just so exciting!"
Jacob laughed as he expertly steered the truck into their driveway. "Your mood sure has improved in the last hour." He turned to her and took her face in his hands, kissing her softy. "I hope she'll be as pretty as her mom," he chuckled. Leah wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his chest. He kissed her hair. "Let's get you in the house for a little nap. The doc said for you to get lots of rest."
He came around to the passenger side and opened Leah's door, then surprised her by picking her up and carrying her into the house. "I think I can still manage to walk a few feet," she giggled.
Jacob winked at her. "Might as well carry you now while I can still lift you." She punched him lightly on the chin.
He laid her on the couch and covered her lightly with a colorful afghan that Sue had crocheted. Leah sighed. "I could get used to this," she murmured. Jacob kissed her lightly as he leaned over her to close the blinds. He disappeared into the kitchen and came back with a timer.
"What are you doing with that?" Leah asked, smiling. She was pretty sure she knew the answer.
"Those feet are not to hit the floor for a full 60 minutes," Jacob instructed. Leah snuggled in, pulling the afghan up under her chin, and yawned. "No problem, cap'n," she agreed.
The weeks flew by. Leah was never bothered by morning sickness; in fact, she'd never felt better in her life. As her six-month checkup approached, she confided in Jacob. "I don't know what to do. Carlisle wants to do an ultrasound, and he says he can tell us if it's a boy or a girl. I'm just not sure if I want to know!"
Jacob smiled at her as she lay cradled in his arms. "You don't have to decide today. Just wait and see how you feel when he has the answer." He gently tucked her hair behind her ear as he kissed her cheek. "Do you know how sexy you look in my ratty old tee shirt?" he murmured against her face.
She grinned. "It's just so comfortable! Oh!" She jumped as the baby gave a hearty kick, and Jacob moved his hand over her belly.
He shook his head. "I'll never get over that," he breathed. "It's really a miracle, isn't it?"
Carlisle smiled as he moved the ultrasound wand over Leah's baby bump. "It's okay to breathe if you need to, Leah," he prompted. She hadn't realized she was holding her breath, and she forced herself to exhale, willing her body to relax. "Okay," he continued, "it's the moment of truth. Do you want to know, or should I keep it a surprise?" His golden eyes twinkled as he looked from Leah to Jake, whose hand was being crushed in Leah's grip.
Leah looked into Jacob's eyes as she nodded. "I can't stand not knowing, Carlisle. Please tell us."
Carlisle chuckled. "Well, kids, there's no doubt in my mind. Better paint that spare room blue." He pointed to the ultrasound picture, but neither of them could identify any particular body parts.
"We'll take your word for it, Carlisle," grinned Jacob. He kissed Leah as Carlisle handed him a printout of the ultrasound image. "His first picture," he whispered in awe, as he held it out so Leah could see it.
On the way home, Jacob made a left turn toward the mall instead of turning right toward the reservation. Leah raised an eyebrow. "What are you up to?" she asked with a grin.
Jake reached across the front seat and took her hand. "I think we need some blue stuff," he said cryptically. He parked the car and led the way into the largest department store. They held hands and marveled over the tiny outfits, toys, strollers, and blankets. Jacob insisted they buy a tiny blue plush football, and Leah picked out an outfit for the baby. They had lunch in the food court and then headed home, tired and happy.
Jacob decided they'd both earned a nap, and he stretched out next to her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close.
The paint was a bright, clean, sky blue. Jacob insisted on painting the room himself. He didn't want Leah near the paint fumes, even when she argued that latex paint didn't have fumes. She just smiled and basked in his protection, waiting patiently to meet their son.
Seth stopped over to help assemble the maple crib. "Too bad you didn't wait another year. You could have had Emmy's crib," he joked.
"Just keep working," Leah directed from her rocking chair. "No cookies till the crib is done and the dresser is moved in here from the spare room. Oh, and those blinds aren't going to hang themselves!" she snickered. Jake and Seth exchanged a look.
"Jeez, Leah, keep it up. You already sound just like Mom," Seth muttered, but he grinned and kept working. He had become adept at using the stump of his left arm to hold things while he wielded a hammer, saw, or screwdriver with his right hand.
When the work was done, they sat around the kitchen table having a snack. Leah put down her teacup and looked at her brother. "How's your love life, Seth? I haven't heard anything about Christy in a while."
Seth chewed slowly before he answered. "Christy's a friend, Leah. Paris is my love. You know that."
Leah sighed. "I keep hoping you'll find someone else, Seth. I know how much you care for Paris, but I don't think she's coming back. And you're too nice a guy to spend your life alone, pining for someone you can't have."
Seth set his jaw and spoke slowly and quietly. "I'm not looking for someone else, Leah. I'll never stop loving Paris. If Jake left tomorrow, would you look for someone else?"
Leah dropped the subject.
Spring passed quickly, melting into summer on the reservation. Emmy was growing into a sweet, happy little girl, and Seth remained her constant companion and best friend. The tall, handsome teenager and the tiny little girl became a common sight on the LaPush beach, and Seth's friends accepted Emmy as one of the crowd. He slathered her with sunscreen, but still she bronzed under the summer sun. She bobbed along in her purple swim sweater as Seth swam lazily along beside her, his long muscular legs working harder to make up for the missing arm.
Leah often joined them on the beach. She felt lighter and more graceful in the water as her stomach continued to grow, and she'd always loved the sun. Sue swam with them when she could, and sometimes Leah would watch the baby while mother and son clambered up the steep cliffs and dived cleanly and gracefully into the chilly water.
Sue and Seth waded out of the surf, laughing and shaking water off as they reached for their towels. Sue looked closely at Leah. "Honey, are you okay?"
"No Mom, actually I'm not feeling too well." Leah stood, her hand braced on her hip as if back was bothering her. "I think I'm gonna go home and rest a bit."
Sue looked at Seth and he nodded. "What?" Leah asked. "I'll be fine. I'm just having some low back pain."
"That could be labor pains, Leah," Sue cautioned. "I'll go home with you, and maybe it would be a good idea to call Carlisle."
"Let's not get crazy," Leah pleaded, suddenly nervous. "Just let me take a little nap and I'll be good as new." Seth picked up their towels and draped them over his neck so his arm was free to carry Emmy. He nodded to Sue, and she instantly understood that he would take care of the baby as long as Leah needed her.
They walked the short distance as quickly as possible, and Leah made a beeline for her bed. Sue tried to make her comfortable, arranging pillows and covering her with a sheet. As the afternoon wore on, the back pains became more regular and more pronounced. By the time Jacob got home from work, Leah was moaning softly and Sue was on the phone with Carlisle. She hung up and smiled at Jake. "He'll be here in a half hour. It looks like it's baby time."
All the color drained from Jacob's face. "Is she all right?" he asked, hurrying toward the bedroom. Sue grabbed his hand.
"It's childbirth, Jake. No need to panic," she smiled at him. "You need to help her through this, and you know what to expect. We've talked about it. I'll be here to help the doctor, and you know what your part is. Okay?"
Jacob paused to take a couple of deep breaths, then went into the bedroom and knelt by the side of the bed. "I'm here, Leah." He took her hand. "Now let's practice your breathing until Carlisle gets here."
Sue had everything ready when Carlisle arrived, and he quickly examined Leah. He smiled and told her it would probably be a while, and that she should try to rest between contractions. Jacob stayed by her side for hours, blotting her face with a cool cloth and talking softly to her.
Her jaw clenched and she groaned loudly, and Carlisle smiled gently. "Okay, Leah, it's time to push now. I think you've had enough of this." Leah nodded weakly, and Jacob pushed her damp hair back from her face. He kissed her forehead.
A few minutes later, pushing with all her might, Leah's scream was interrupted by the sound of a loud wail. Sue wrapped the baby in a blanket and handed him to Jacob as Carlisle attended to Leah. Jacob stared for a long minute, then sat on the edge of the bed where Leah could see their son. She leaned forward and kissed his head, then looked at Sue. "Mom, I'd like you to meet Thomas Clearwater Black."
Carlisle took his leave after shaking hands all around. "You've got the best nurse in town, and she knows what you need to do, Leah." He smiled at Sue. "I'll come by to see them tomorrow," he promised. Jacob clapped him on the shoulder and walked him out.
"I don't know how to thank you, Dr. Cullen," he said sincerely.
Carlisle shrugged it off. "Leah did all the work," he said. "I'm happy to help any time, Jacob." He waved and swiftly disappeared into the night.
Jacob came back in the house to find Leah sitting in her rocking chair in the living room, holding the baby. He kissed her softly. "Isn't it a bit soon for you to be up, Leah?" he asked with concern. She had to admit she was exhausted. Her body was already healing, but she had never been so tired. Sue happily took the baby from her arms and ordered Leah to bed. Just as she stood, leaning on Jacob for support, there was a timid knock on the front door. As Sue opened it, Leah heard her gasp, followed by a shocked exclamation. "Paris!"