This chapter is dedicated to my good friend and faithful reader, the original Emeline! Happy birthday, Emmy!
Seth got up and dragged himself to work. It had become his habit to stop in at the diner and pick up coffee for himself and Jake. Christy saw him come in and had poured the two "to go" cups by the time he got to the counter. "You okay, Seth? You look like you lost your best friend," she quipped. He averted his eyes, and she realized her remark must have hit too close to home.
"I'm sorry. I just missed your smile," she said softly as she laid her hand on top of his on the counter. "Anything I can do?"
Seth looked up, and she could see the pain in his eyes. "No, Christy, but thanks. I'll just have to work through it." He turned toward the cash register.
Christy called after him in a whisper she knew he'd hear. "I'm not looking to be Rebound Girl, Seth. You get that, right? But if you need a friend, you know where to find me."
Leah and Jacob watched little Tommy carefully for any signs of being "different." To their relief, he seemed like a normal, happy baby. As far as they knew, there had never been a baby born to two shape shifters before, so no one knew exactly what to expect. His body temperature ran a little above normal, but that wasn't alarming considering both his parents hovered around 107-108 degrees. He drank his formula, slept a few hours at a time, and cried when he needed attention.
Meanwhile, Emmy had celebrated her first birthday. She was precocious, as are most babies who are doted upon by several adults. She was already using a few words and had been toddling around for a couple of months. Mama was obviously Sue, and Charlie was Coco, despite his constant efforts to convince her to say Dada. She chattered and smiled often, but when Seth walked into the room she only had eyes for him. They soon learned to get a firm grip on her, as she would try to leap from anyone's arms to get to Seth.
It was a crisp fall evening, and Sue and Charlie decided to take a walk to Leah and Jacob's. They bundled Emmy up with a hooded sweater and the pink afghan that Sue had crocheted for her. She loved to ride in her stroller, and she "talked" non-stop to her favorite toy, a scruffy looking wolf that Bella had given her for Christmas.
As the evening wore on, Sue noticed Emmy's eyes were getting heavy, and Leah suggested that Sue put her in Tommy's crib for a nap. Leah moved her sleeping baby onto the middle of the king-sized bed, since he was too young to roll over, and laid Emeline carefully in the crib, covering her with her pink afghan. They left the door open so they could hear if either of the babies woke up.
Sue, Leah, and Charlie were in the middle of a game of Scrabble. Leah had just pulled ahead by using all her letters to spell "evidence," and Jacob's sensitive ears picked up a small voice over the din. Emmy was calling "Woof."
"Don't get up, Sue, I'll get her," he offered, jumping up from the couch. "Sounds like she dropped her precious wolf again."
"More likely, she threw it out of the crib," Charlie laughed. "That's one of her favorite games, and she'll keep throwing it out as long as you'll keep picking it up."
Jacob was in the bedroom in a few strides of his long legs, and they all heard his muttered exclamation. "Oh, shit!" Leah glanced at Sue, both of them surprised to hear that language coming from Jake. Charlie was the closest, and he was the first to run into the room. In the dim glow of the night light, it looked as if Emmy was hugging her stuffed animal.
Suddenly, all six eyes shifted in unison to the empty bed, then back to the crib. There, at the foot of the crib, was the battered and well-loved white wolf. Stretched out next to Emmy, with her chubby arms wrapped around him, was the genuine article. The tiny gray wolf sighed deeply, then licked Emmy's face as Leah and Charlie gasped. Sue's eyes rolled back in her head as her knees buckled and she crumpled bonelessly onto the thick carpeting.
Charlie bent down and picked Sue up, laying her gently on the bed before rushing to the crib and snatching Emmy up. She immediately started to cry, sobbing "Woof" over and over and reaching for the little wolf, which was now running back and forth from one end of the crib to the other. Leah stood over the crib, not sure what she should do. "Jacob, do something!" she wailed.
Jacob plucked the wolf pup from the crib, wrapping him in the pink blanket and cradling him in his arms. He rocked back and forth, talking softly and striding away from the chaos in the bedroom. "It's okay, Tommy, Daddy's here," he cooed. Slowly, the little wolf's breathing slowed and his eyes closed, then flew open as the crackling and popping began. He screamed, his little body convulsing as his bones and tissues forced themselves back into his original shape.
Jacob remained outwardly calm, still murmuring softly as he rocked Tommy in his arms. It was over quickly and the baby quieted, an occasional sob escaping as he found his tiny thumb and stuck it in his mouth, sucking on it for comfort as he drifted off to sleep.
Leah touched Jake on the shoulder, and he handed the baby to her. She sat down in her rocking chair, kissing the baby's dark hair gently while she struggled to slow her breathing. Jake perched on the arm of the chair, his arm draped around her shoulders.
When Sue was sufficiently recovered, Jacob bundled the Swans into his truck and tossed the stroller in the truck bed. He drove them home, apologizing again. "Don't be silly, Jake," Sue assured him. "It's just something we'll have to learn to handle. He's my grandson, and I love him. I always knew he'd be a special baby, but I didn't see this coming!"
Jake hurried back home and walked in just as Leah was tucking the baby in his crib. "It's a good thing we decided to put his crib in our room for now," she whispered. He wrapped his arms around her and noticed she was trembling. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her back in the living room, where he set her on the couch and sat next to her.
"Your mom hit it on the head," Jacob said softly. "We'll just have to learn how to handle this, Leah. We both knew this was a possibility – we just didn't talk about it."
Leah's large brown eyes filled with tears that threatened to overflow. "I can't stand to see him in pain like that, Jake. Do you think it will get easier?"
He held her close. "Of course it will, Leah. Remember the first time you phased? It was agonizing. But pretty soon you could do it with no discomfort at all. And when that happens with Tommy – God help us." He smiled at her and kissed her cheek. "A baby wolf can run around and get in all sorts of trouble that a human baby wouldn't dream of, or be capable of. I suspect we're in for it. Let's try to get some sleep."
They closed their bedroom door but slept fitfully, in a tangle of arms and legs, and they woke early to find their very human baby sleeping peacefully. They breathed twin sighs of relief.
Things were not quite so peaceful at the Clearwater house. Emeline was in a mood, and even Seth couldn't pacify her. "Mom, what the heck does she want?" Seth asked Sue. He walked into the kitchen dragging his right leg, a frustrated one-year-old clinging tightly with her arms and legs wrapped around it. She was sobbing, and it sounded like she was saying "woof." Seth picked her up and set her on the counter and stooped down to look into her eyes. "That's right, Emmy, the doggy says woof," he explained patiently. Emeline shook her head, her dark curls bouncing around her face.
Sue chuckled. "I don't think that's what she means, Seth. She wants to see her nephew. She's become quite fond of Tommy."
"Well, for heaven's sake, Em! Just wait till we have some breakfast, and I'll take you to visit Tommy."
"Woof!" she repeated happily, smiling and wrapping her chubby arms around Seth's neck. He couldn't help smiling as she covered his face with tiny kisses.
"Anybody home?" Seth shouted as he tapped on the Blacks' front door.
He walked in, leading Emmy by the hand, as Leah hollered back, "We're in the kitchen. I'm giving Tommy his bath. Better close the door, Seth!"
"Woof!" shouted Emily happily, and the soapy wet baby shuddered slightly as he phased and skidded on the slippery counter, leaping to the floor and running to Emily.
Seth stood paralyzed in the doorway, the color draining from his face. "Did I just see what I think I saw?" he breathed, as the grey wolf pup planted his paws on Emmy's chest and licked her face happily. She giggled and petted his soft, damp fur.
Leah sighed deeply. "Yeah. And I guess there's no point trying to get him to phase back as long as Emmy's here. Just let them play, but keep a close eye on them. I don't think he'll hurt her, but he gets so excited…oh crap."
Leah ran for paper towels as Emmy pointed and laughed at the growing puddle on the kitchen floor under the baby wolf.
Seth backed up carefully until his legs hit a chair, and he collapsed into it. "Are you sure I'm not dreaming this?" he asked Leah under his breath. She smiled, a little nervously, and shook her head.
"There are apparently only two people in the world who aren't freaked out by this," Leah assured him, nodding toward the two babies. Emmy had Tommy's little wolf face in her hands and was kissing him on the nose. Leah started to say "Don't…" and changed her mind. She shrugged and looked at Seth. "He's her nephew," she explained, grinning in spite of herself.
Leah sat on the other side of the table, never taking her eyes off the children. "I'm really playing this by ear, Seth," she sighed again. "He's not even old enough to hold his head up as an infant, but baby wolves are so much more self-sufficient. I just have to keep my eyes on him so I can scoop him up quickly when he phases back." She chuckled. "He's got it down to a science now, and it's no more trouble than flipping a switch. But he's running me ragged!"
Seth finally managed to crack a smile. "Looks like he'll tire himself out," he said quietly.
Leah nodded. "That's the truth. He'll sleep for a couple of hours, but it's getting harder and harder to separate them."
"You should have seen Emmy this morning," he told Leah. "She was hanging on my leg and begging for 'Woof,' and I had no idea what she was talking about. I can't believe Mom didn't warn me! She set me up pretty good…but I'll get even."
Leah laughed. "I'm sure you will. She'll never win that game. But you're right – she got you this time."
Emmy toddled over to Seth and tried to climb up in his lap. He reached his arm down to help her up, and Tommy sat back and howled plaintively. Seth tried not to laugh, but Leah chuckled as she scooped him up and laid him in her lap, rubbing his tummy. He sniffed at her hand as he stretched contentedly. Suddenly he jumped down and ran to the door, whining softly.
Sure enough, a minute later the door opened and Jake walked in. "Hey, Buddy!" he greeted Tommy, picking him up and cradling him in his arm. Jacob leaned down and kissed Leah. "Hi, Seth," he greeted him, then tousled Emmy's hair. She smiled up at him as he continued into the living room and sat in his recliner, leaning back and laying the little wolf on his chest. Tommy gnawed at a button on Jake's shirt as he switched on the television and turned to the news.
A few minutes later, Seth stood up. "Come on, Em, we don't want to be late for lunch. Mom's making chicken fingers and French fries!" Leah walked them to the door, and there in the living room was Jacob, snoring softly, with the naked baby fast asleep on his chest.
Leah kissed Emmy and turned to Seth. "Thanks for bringing her over, Seth. I have a feeling we're going to be seeing a lot more of each other," she chuckled, "and I'm fine with that."
Leah very gently picked up the sleeping baby, careful not to disturb Jacob. She cradled him against her, whispering "We'd better get some clothes on you, little one!" and brushed her lips against his soft cheek.
Later that week, Seth and Leah were enjoying a cup of coffee together as the unlikely playmates tore around the kitchen under their feet. Leah set her cup down, sloshing her coffee on the table, as the doorbell rang. There, standing just outside the screen door, was Christy, holding a wrapped gift and smiling at the little girl and her puppy.
Seth grabbed the "puppy" while Leah opened the door. "What a nice surprise, Christy!" she mumbled, casting an anxious glance at Seth. Seth smiled, turning Tommy loose once more. He raced across the kitchen, jumping on Emmy and licking her face.
"Hi, Leah. I hope you don't mind me stopping by unannounced, but I wanted to bring something for the baby." Her gaze turned to Seth, and she smiled shyly. "Hey, Seth. And this must be Emmy." She smiled at the little girl, who appeared not to have noticed her at all. "What an unusual puppy, Leah. He almost looks like a wolf!"
Leah smiled weakly. "Good eye, Christy. Actually, he is part wolf. Seth, would you go see if the baby's still sleeping? I'm sorry, Christy, but I'm afraid you caught his nap time." After a minute, they heard the bedroom door close, and Seth returned shaking his head.
"Sorry, Christy, he's out like a light."
"Oh, that's okay. He can't open the present anyway," Christy smiled at Leah. "I bought him a 12-month outfit, because I had a feeling he'd be growing fast."
Leah chuckled. "Yeah, he's already wearing six month outfits, and they're getting snug. He's Jake's boy, all right!" She carefully opened the package and held up a pair of denim overalls and a red short-sleeved shirt. "Thanks, Christy, this is adorable. I'll be sure to take his picture when he wears it."
Her smile froze as she looked up at Christy. Her eyes were huge and her mouth hung open. Leah knew, even before she followed Christy's gaze. Sleeping soundly on the rug in front of the sink was naked baby Tommy. Emmy was sitting on the floor beside him, leaning against the cabinet and gently patting his back.