Chapter 22 Together

Disclaimer: the characters and all recognisable situations belong to Stephenie Meyer- this is a work of fan fiction, except for the legends and histories of the Quileute which, of course, belong to them. I pay my respects to their gods.

Thanks to BanSidhe for betaing.

So she and Jake were together, in every sense of the word. Her vision had come true. She was his alpha female. He said he had to choose a new beta male. She put her money on Paul in a bet with Jared. Jared was betting on Embry.

Jake was so touchy feely it kind of weirded her out a little, but it was just so Jake, she couldn't complain. He was always hugging her, holding her hand, playing with her hair, popping into the police station to bring her a coffee or just to see her because he couldn't stand to be away from her for longer than that. It really was kind of adorable.

Now she understood what Paul had been trying to tell her about Jake. If he loved you, he let you know in a physical way. She understood now, why he was always hugging Bella. He still did, just not as much as he used to. She understood also that Bella would always mean something to him. Being with her didn't erase that. Jake wasn't her imprint, but she got now what Paul might have been trying to warn her about when he said that Jake and Bells had to be in each other's lives; they were a package deal. She got it.

The guys at the station made cracks about her 'boyfriend' and joked about him being big enough for her. She assured them he was just right. Six feet seven was pretty big.

The pack were completely fine with them both being together. Paul and Bella were very happy for Jake and Paul naturally, tried to take all the credit for getting them together. She had avoided Sam and Emily.

She was still living with Paul and Bella, too. Not all her demons were slain.

She and Bella were talking one night while the guys were on patrol together.

"He has absolutely no clue what an amazing physical specimen he is," Leah whined. "I swear this woman in the diner deliberately spilt her drink on him yesterday so that she could rub her hand up his wet t-shirt. He had no idea! And then when he took the t-shirt off…"

"What did you do?" asked Bella perceptively.

Leah looked mischievous, "I might have growled at her."

"Really growled?" checked Bella. She chortled. But then she asked a more perceptive question. "What did Jake do?"

Leah rolled her eyes. "He smiled at me." She picked at the fabric on the armchair. "He gave me this smile so big it looked like it would split his face in half," she grumbled.

"I know that smile," said Bella dreamily. She chuckled. "I see your Jacob and I raise you … a Paul."

"Oh yeah… I hadn't thought of that," admitted Leah.

"Paul knows exactly what kind of physical specimen he is! He loves women and he loves flirting. He doesn't do anything more than that these days, but he can't help himself. And add in the fact that he has actually had sex with most of the women in Forks and half of them in Port Angeles and I would go completely insane if I let it get to me." Bella shook her head, "I cannot believe some of the women who recognise him. I cannot compete. I am just boring little ordinary me."

"But they love us," said Leah; she sounded incredulous. "And they both love you so you must be anything but ordinary, Bella Swan."

"I suppose," and she laughed.

"What's so funny?" asked Paul as he came into the living room.

"You are," Bella told him with a smile.

Jake followed him in the door and threw himself on the floor in front of Leah. He rubbed his face in her lap. "I am so tired; take me to bed."

"I have really got to get a place of my own, you know. I cannot stay here for ever."

"Sure, sure," he agreed, "but not right now."

Jake was feeling a little uncomfortable. He was sitting at the old kitchen table in his home, trying desperately not to remember how Leah had looked laid across that table, mere days ago. Getting a stiffy whilst talking to her Mother would definitely not be acceptable behaviour. Sue Clearwater, member of the tribal council and mother of his new girlfriend had asked to speak with him privately. Didn't get much more uncomfortable than that!

Sue cleared her throat. "Charlie Swan and I are dating," she said.

No wait, it could get more uncomfortable. Who would have thought it?

"Okay," he agreed. Jeez what else was he supposed to say?

"You are probably wondering why that is relevant but believe me, it is," Sue explained.

Jake just waited.

"I know my daughter has problems staying in our home because it reminds her of her father's death. I completely understand that and in some ways, it reminds me too. We, that is, Harry and I always intended for the children to have that house one day and I guess that events have just accelerated that."

Jake had no idea where this was going.

"Jacob, you have been caring for your father for a long time and with your new pack responsibilities that has become increasingly difficult for you…"

"I have been trying…" he interrupted.

She held up a hand. "Wait… let me finish."

Jake nodded.

"Jake you have been his almost full time carer since you were a child. I firmly believe it has helped to make you the man you are, but enough is enough. You have to have your own life. I am a trained nurse. This house is set up for him; the railings in the bath; the ramps; everything here makes life easier for Billy. So I will move in here with him."

She looked at him but he didn't know what to say.

"Charlie has been feeling guilty about spending time with me and not spending it with Billy, so it works out for all of us. Charlie would even be closer to Bella so he is happy too. I am not saying that he and I will live together. But maybe one day," then she stopped herself, "My goodness, why am I telling you that?"

She paused. "So you and Leah can have the house. And of course Seth. I hope you don't mind if Seth stays in the house as well."

Jake didn't know what to say. "Seth is fine," he said, "He's like my little brother anyway."

She smiled, "Yes, he idolizes you; always has."

"I know Leah only intended to stay temporarily with Paul and Bella and she worries about imposing on them," Jake said.

"Truthfully," Sue said, "I have already spoken to your father. He feels so guilty about you having to look after him for so long Jake. He wants you to have your own life, but all this pack stuff happened and you have even more responsibilities now. At least you should be able to go home and have a break; have someone look after you for a change."

Jake chuckled. "Are you seriously suggesting Leah will be the perfect homemaker?"

Sue snorted, "Goodness me no, but she has been behaving very differently lately. She even asked me about some recipes the other day."

Jake raised an eyebrow, "Recipes?"

"I know," breathed Sue, "I couldn't believe it either."

"I suspect that is probably Bella's influence."

She looked at Jake with affection. "I am so pleased you two have… oh I don't know how to say it… got together?" her voice changed, became sorrowful, "She was so hurt by Sam."

"I know."

"Is it wrong to pray that she never imprints?"

"No I don't think so, Sue. Imprinting has not done me any favours either."

"Oh yes, I had forgotten about that."

"Sue, just checking, but you did want Leah and me to live together? You're okay with that? It's pretty sudden. People will talk."

Sue looked him straight in the face. "Jake, as a council member I know what you both do. I know you risk your lives almost every week. I did not choose to subject both my children to such a thing, but it is what it is; I can't change it. It would be silly in the extreme for me to tell her not to live her life to the fullest. Just in case the worst happened. If she chooses to do that with you, I for one will be truly proud. I think you are a remarkable young man and I am honoured that you have chosen Leah as your alpha female. The fact that she is the only female is irrelevant; you chose her Jake and she knows that. It has made all the difference to her."

Jake reached across to grab Sue's hand. "She has done so well; she has a job and she is really getting herself together," he told her.

Sue squeezed his hand back. "You loving her, has healed her more than anything else. This vision quest thing has allowed her to deal with a few of her demons, but she is my daughter and I know she still has a few to go. Take my offer, please Jacob, for you both."

FF_2154210_ - 7/12/2010 12:27:00 PM