I sat on the edge of the couch in the tiny studio apartment Jacob had built above his garage for Sarah and himself. Sarah's head was cradled in Adam's lap, her legs stretched out along the overstuffed cushions. She was finally sleeping, the tear stains on her cheeks nearly dried. I was curled up on the floor at Adam's feet, playing absently with the hem of his shorts. To say the setting was surreal didn't do it justice.
It was amazing how quickly things could change during a true crisis. One of the newborns had hidden during the fighting with the wolves and when Leah discovered it, she had been set to attack on her own. It was little better than a kamikaze effort. Jacob, seeing the danger she was in, threw himself between the newborn and Leah. He had been crushed before Adam had could step in and pull the newborn away from him. If Carlisle hadn't been there to do some emergency triage, Jacob might not have made it home alive.
None of the wolves, not even Leah, had objected to Dad's help. In fact, that was the reason we were here now, on the rez. The treaty was null at the moment, our differences set aside so that Carlisle could help Jacob Black. Edward was here to help Carlisle and I was here as moral support for Adam and Sarah.
"Dad's almost done," I said softly, unwilling to wake Sarah. Adam, who had his head flung back against the wall behind the couch, grunted quietly. I knew he was tired, wrung out both physically and emotionally after the long day we'd had. Between the drama of the fight, Jacob's injuries and the Volturi's visit, I was feeling a little battered myself. I almost wished I could sleep like a human. I wanted nothing more than to curl up beside Adam and take a long nap. It would keep me from dwelling on the fact just a few seconds more or less and it could have been Adam needing Carlisle's magic hands and not Jacob.
"Are you coming home with us?" Edward asked from his perch beside the bed.
Are you going home? I figured you'd head straight to Bella's. I thought in surprise.
"She and Charlie are coming over here for a while. Charlie's just concerned and Bella, well, she's determined to apologize for things she had no control over," Edward said, exasperation clear in his tone. I rolled my eyes, but didn't comment. I trusted Sarah and Adam would refuse her attempts to grovel and hopefully Bella would be ready to let it go. We had all earned the right to relax after the endless drama of the last few months. The Victoria threat was neutralized and the Volturi were on their way back to Italy. For now at least. I didn't doubt their promise to be back soon to check on Bella's humanity, or lack of it. Jane had been swift to ensure us of that.
*Flashback*
"Caius will be so interested to hear she's still human. Perhaps he'll decide to visit." I resisted the urge to flinch when Jane smiled at Bella, despite the fact that Bella was just as immune to her now as she had been in Italy, much to Jane's obvious disappointment. I was standing between Carlisle and Esme - well, more behind them since Carlisle kept inching in front of me. Felix kept glancing in my direction with a menacing look on his face so I wasn't about to complain about my father's protective nature.
"The date is set,"Alice spoke up to tell Jane, earning her a sharp glare from Jasper. "Perhaps we'll come to visit you in a few months."
Jane's smile disappeared then, somehow disturbed by the thought of my family coming into her home. I then made the mistake of shifting a little closer to Esme. Jane's attention immediately shifted in my direction. I saw her sneer through Carlisle's eyes. Oops. I cringed back against my father's side.
"Aro will be pleased to know the littlest Cullen seems to be fully recovered from her punishment," Jane said as her dark red eyes flickered over what little of me she could see. At that point, all of my siblings, even Edward and Bella, came over to flank Carlisle, Esme and I. I heard Emmett growl and Jasper was gritting his teeth. Dad shifted so I was completely hidden from Jane and her entourage. I put my hand between his shoulder blades and laid my face against his shirt. Jane's eyes widened slightly at my family's protective display and she glanced at the bonfire before speaking again.
"Well, I regret that we were late in coming, but as you seem to have the situation under control we can go home with good news for our masters." Jane was nothing if not a smart little monster to realize she had worn out her welcome. She had then exchanged some non verbal signal with the rest of the guard, because they quickly withdrew after a final word of respect for my father. The hypocrites. Edward would confirm later that they had intentionally held back until we had confronted the army.
*End Flashback*
"Adam, we need to leave. Bella and Charlie are coming over, though." I leaned up and traced a kiss over Adam's jaw. He stirred enough to reach for me, cupping my face in his hands. He opened his eyes and I saw my own alabaster skin and then his eyes reflected in the mirrored lenses of my glasses before he pulled them off my face so that he could kiss my eyes.
"I love you, Leia. Thank you for being here for Sarah. For me," he said quietly. I leaned gently into his hands and sighed.
"I am just grateful the tribe let us be here for you. I don't know how long they will be so lenient," I murmured softly. Adam echoed my sigh.
"Long enough to make sure of Jacob's recovery. After that, they will still not welcome you or your family here," he said sadly. I kissed his nose.
"Do you think the council will be willing to renegotiate the treaty after this?" Edward asked, moving over from the bedroom side of the apartment. He put his hand on my shoulder and I slipped into his sight. I saw Carlisle packing up his bag before Edward looked down at Adam, Sarah and I. Adam shrugged.
"Possibly. I hate to say it, but there will always be trust issues. But just the fact that they relaxed enough to let you on our lands…it's more than I would have expected from them. You'll have to talk more with Sam about it," Adam said with a half smile, his gaze moving to his pack leader. Sam was standing over Jacob's bed, watching Carlisle with an expression that wavered between respect and disgust. Adam's words made him glance in our direction.
"We will talk more about such things when Jacob is well," Sam said sharply. Adam looked at him and seemed to hesitate for a brief moment before he spoke.
"Would it be okay to take Leia to my house tomorrow? It might be the only chance I have to show her where I grew up." I could tell by the tone of his voice it grated on his pride to ask Sam for this. I laced my fingers through his and squeezed gently, careful not to let my irritation at the pack leader show on my face. Edward was watching Adam at that moment so I saw the grateful, tender smile he gave me. I think Sam saw it too, because I heard his teeth grind together. But his answer was almost civil.
"Only if your father agrees."
"I'll talk to him tonight," Adam said, just a hint of resignation in his voice. Did he think his father would deny me access to his home? Quite possibly. I wanted nothing more than to get David Talldeer into Edward's mental hearing range. I wanted to know if there was anything I could do to help smooth things between him and his son. I stroked Adam's cheek gently.
"That means you're going home tonight. Good, you need to rest. I'll come with Dad when he checks on Jacob tomorrow," I said softly. Adam nodded and nuzzled my hand for a moment before he let his head fall back to the couch. I pulled away from him and reluctantly took Edward's hand so he could lead me out the apartment. I hadn't gotten a good look on the way in.
The Next Morning
"Alice, Esme, Bella and I are going Seattle tomorrow. Now that the drama is over we need to get serious about the wedding plans, so Alice it dragging Bella shopping while Esme and I do something together," I said quietly to Adam. We were walking arm in arm from Jacob's place to the Talldeer house. Much to my surprise, David Talldeer had given his son permission to show me his home. Even more surprising was the fact that he was planning to be there. Which was why we were walking, to give ourselves more time together alone.
"Something?" Adam prompted curiously. I sighed, laying my head against his arm.
"It's a surprise," I said with a wry smile. "She's been excited to do something with me since Carlisle took me to the ballet. We've put it off because of the Victoria issue, though."
"I'm sure whatever she wants to do with you, you'll have a great time. Both Carlisle and Esme...well, all of your family really...they love you and it's amazing how affectionate they are with you. You'd be hard pressed to find such love in a human family, so it's even more amazing to find it in a coven of vampires. I'm so glad Carlisle made you a part of his family, both for your sake and for mine," he said, dropping a kiss on top of my head. I thrilled at his words. I always worried that he might regret the fact that his nature had forced him to imprint on me. But his easy acceptance of Carlisle's choice to change me was reassuring. It also made me wish I could tell him about Bella's upcoming change. As a mortal in love with an immortal, he would at least understand her motivations.
"Yes, I will always be grateful to Carlisle for saving me. For so many different reasons, one of which is because it led me to you," I said softly, turning my face up to smile at him. He sighed softly and stopped, bending down to cover my lips with his own. I had to resist the urge to wrap myself around his body and continue in this vein for hours, but we were at the house now and I heard a murmur of surprise and what I thought might be the sound of plastic blinds being pulled apart.
"As much as I'd love to kiss you forever, I think your father is watching," I murmured as I slid my lips along his jaw and up towards his ear. Adam groaned quietly and pulled away, his gaze flickering to the front windows just as the blinds snapped back together. He tensed beside me and it took all my self control not to clutch his arms tightly. Werewolf bones were strong, but as had been proven yesterday, not strong enough to withstand a vampire's careless grip.
"Will he be mad?" I asked, unable to keep the anxiety from leaking into my tone. He shook his head, tucking my hand inside his own and cupping my face in his other palm.
"If it bothers him, he can just get over it. I will not feel guilty for kissing the woman I love," Adam murmured before giving me one more tender kiss. I felt him relax as his lips molded themselves to mine, but I prayed that this wouldn't make things more strained between father and son. Adam pulled back with a reluctant sigh and led me up the steps to the front door.
"Dad, we're here," Adam called, pretending we didn't know the elder Talldeer was standing four feet to the left. Adam didn't glance in that direction as he kicked off his muddy sneakers and left them by the door. I followed his lead, not wanting to track mud onto the beautiful rug I'd seen through Adam's eyes on the floor of the hallway. Through an opening to the right I saw a small table with four chairs and a breakfast bar that separated the dining area from the small, brightly painted kitchen. Before we could move further into the house, his father cleared his throat.
"Adam, why don't you bring Miss Cullen into the living room so we can talk for a bit before you show her the rest of the house." Adam sighed and turned into the living room. It was a small, cozy space with a large couch and a recliner and another of those beautiful rugs, which I thought might be made by someone in his tribe. The pattern was similar to one of the rugs I had seen at Jacob and Sarah's. His father had moved from the window and was standing in front of the recliner now. I was relieved to see that David Talldeer didn't look angry. Instead he looked nervous and, perhaps, a little confused. We stood for several seconds in silence before I decided to break the ice.
"Please call me Leia."
"Ah, well, alright. Sit down, please, Leia," the elder Quileute said, waving towards the couch. He seemed a little flustered. Adam drew me to the couch and we sat down. He didn't leave any space between us, his warm denim covered thigh pressed against my own. He kept his gaze on his father and I kept my gaze tilted to the floor. I didn't want to make Adam's dad uncomfortable by meeting his gaze. There was another moment of uncomfortable silence before I heard David take a deep breath, as if to steady himself, before speaking.
"This is hard for me. All my life, I have been told that your kind were unfeeling creatures driven by nothing but bloodlust and the need to destroy life in one form or another. Most of my people are not willing to look past your family's diet to discover your motivations for being different from the rest of your kind. Most, but obviously not all. My children both count you as friend and my son is tied to you in ways I don't even begin to understand. My children are my life, worth more to me than ages of old prejudice. So I see little choice but to do as they suggest and try to look beyond the vampire and see the person that you are."
During his speech, I watched through Adam's eyes as his father's expression transformed into determination. Adam's hand tightened around mine and even without Jasper's gift I could feel the relief and joy rolling off of him in waves. I gently squeezed his hand back and lifted my face towards David, unable to keep the smile from my face. I did, however, keep my teeth behind my lips. No need to press my luck.
"It would be an honor, sir, get to know you better. I know how much Adam loves and respects you, so I do not want to be a wedge between you," I said softly. David's gaze lingered on his son, a sad smile on his face. Then his eyes flashed back to me, once again wary, but also undeniably curious.
"Good, well then. So, um...how old are you. Exactly?" he asked hesitantly. I was surprised. This was his first question? I tilted my head in bewilderment as Adam chuckled beside me, relaxing completely against the back of the couch. He tucked me under this arm and I settled against him as I answered.
"I was nearly sixteen when my father changed me in 1995," I said casually. I saw David blink in surprise and then visibly relax. Interesting how an issue as simple as age difference was his first concern. I suddenly prayed that Charlie never found out just exactly how old Edward was.
"You say when your father changed you. You think of Dr. Cullen as your father? What about your real parents? Did they have any idea what happened you?" David asked in rapid succession. I grimaced and Adam pulled me tighter against his side as I tried to decide exactly how to answer David's questions without rousing Adam's ire. Despite the fact that I remembered nothing about my father beyond the basic facts, Adam harbored a loathing for the man bordering on hatred.
"My mother died when I was twelve. I still miss her very much. I don't remember much about my father except for the fact that he was responsible for my mother's death and that he was the reason I was in a coma for nearly six months before Carlisle saved me. Carlisle and Esme have loved me like their own child and I love them as well. I couldn't have asked for better parents." There, hopefully that would be enough to appease the man. Adam had only tensed up a little beside me and I didn't want to go into any more detail. I wasn't going to be that lucky, however, because David Talldeer's expression was one of deeply concerned curiosity.
"Your father? What do you mean he was responsible for...and how did he put you in a coma?" I sighed, hearing and feeling the slight rumble in Adam's chest. I reached up and put my free hand over his heart, hoping to calm him enough to get through this part of my story. He buried his face in my hair and inhaled deeply as I elaborated.
"My father was both a drunk and a junkie. He shoved my mother down a flight of stairs one night and she broke her neck on the way down. I don't remember anything about the night he apparently beat me to within an inch of my life, but my neck was broken too. I don't know why he didn't call the police that time, like he did with my mother. It's not like they wouldn't believe that a blind girl had fallen down the stairs. But for some reason he drove three hours and dumped me in a hospital parking lot. I'm forever thankful for his decision."
Adam was now vibrating beside me, proof that he was battling with some emotion strong enough to trigger a phase. I stroked his chest gently, praying that David would move on from this particular line of questioning. I had heard his sharp intake of breath when I'd mentioned the beating, so maybe he was horrified enough to change the subject. And to my immense relief, he did. For the next hour, he asked question after question about my family and myself. Then he started asking questions about our plans for the future.
"We haven't had any serious discussion about it, dad. Things have been a little too crazy for that. I promise, you'll be the first to know when we've made any life altering decisions," Adam said sincerely. He was completely calm now as he excused us from the living room so he could show me the rest of the house. David let us go without a protest, no doubt ready to ponder the information he'd just received. As Adam pointed out the major areas of the house, I noted how cozy and dark everything was. It was nothing like my home with all the big windows and the airy open layout.
"And this is my room." Adam pulled me inside and closed the door behind us. Then he looked around, giving me a good view of everything. His room was small, neat and full to overflowing with all things Adam. He had two bookshelves, one of which was packed with books and the other with awards, pictures and organizing bins labeled with such things as 'tools', 'beads' and 'feathers'. I knew those held his supplies for making regalia and other things. His desk held what I thought might be a new headdress in progress. There was a child-sized dance regalia pinned to his wall, a beautifully feathered and beaded work of art. I tugged him closer so I could get a better look at it.
"That's the one my mom made, right before she died." His voice was sad, as it always was when he remembered his mother. It made me sad, too, because I hadn't had a chance to meet her. He picked up a picture frame from the desk and looked at it for me. It was his family, all of them, taken before his mother had passed away. He and Sarah looked about six or seven in the picture.
"She's beautiful."
"Yeah, she was," Adam said proudly before putting the picture down. Then he pulled me over to bed and sat, patting the cover on the twin sized mattress. I settled beside him and grinned.
"How on earth do you sleep on this? You're a foot longer than this thing," I teased. Adam chuckled and shook his head before leaning back against the headboard. He pulled me into his lap and I leaned back against him. He draped his strong arms around me and I rested my head against his chest.
"I usually sleep on the couch or crash at Sam's house. They have a couple of extra beds. But I come here when I need some time to think or read or to work on my regalia," he said with a shrug. And suddenly, I had an idea. I had been trying to think of something for Adam that would be at least half as special as the bracelet he'd given me for graduation. My idea wasn't nearly as creative as the bracelet, nor was it especially sentimental, but he would love the sentiment behind it. Now, I just had to convince the rest of my family to allow it.
"What are you thinking about so hard?" Adam asked softly, drawing his finger over the crease between my eyebrows. I smoothed out my expression and grinned.
"Just, well, your dad got me thinking about the future." Okay, so that wasn't what I had been thinking about right then, but I wasn't going to mention my surprise before I'd worked out all the details. And honestly, I had wanted to bring up this topic. We really did need to have this discussion.
"Ah. Yeah, he got me thinking too. I know we've only been official for a couple months, but I think we've pretty much established that you're it for me and I think you feel the same way..." He trailed off, sounding a little unsure of himself. I patted his cheek gently and smiled.
"Vampires mate for life," I said this simply. "You're it for me too."
"My mate, my beloved," Adam breathed as a tension that I hadn't been aware of seemed to drain from his body. I suddenly wished I'd made that clear for him before this moment. I turned my body so I was able to snuggle into him, tucking my head under his chin. For a moment we just held each other. But I knew our time was limited.
"So, I think we're ready to start talking seriously about the future. There is still so much that needs to be settled, but we should get our expectations out there. What do you want for us, ultimately?" I asked softly. Adam's arms tightened and his lips touched my temple.
"I want to marry you and spend the rest of our lives making you the happiest vampire on earth." My unbeating heart leapt and I slid my hands along his arms and grabbed his hands. I brought one of them to my mouth and pressed a gentle kiss to the back of his hand.
"I want to marry you and spend the rest of our lives making you the happiest man on earth," I echoed his sentiment and he clasped me tightly against him.
"God, that sounds so simple. Why can't it be that simple?" There was a hint of despair in his voice that made me want to shelter him from all the pain he had suffered from his peers, his tribe and even my own family. But I knew those were trials he mostly had to endure on his own. I could only be supporting and comforting when I had the chance.
"I don't know, my love. But at least there is progress being made. First the pack helping with the newborns, then the tribe letting us on the rez to help Jacob. And now your father…oh, Adam, I'm so happy he is coming around," I said, leaning my head back so I could plant a tender kiss on his jaw. He pulled my hand to his face then, so I could feel the smile that curved his mouth.
"We never really talk anymore so that was completely out of left field for me. I hope this means we've got an ally on the council now. Maybe even two, depending on how grateful Billy is about us helping Jake. I'm welcome at your house almost any time now, too, so at least we can be together without having to make specific plans."
"I hope so. We really need them to be willing to renegotiate the treaty. If not, I don't think my family will be able to stay in Forks much longer. But even if they do, we can't stay forever. I don't want to leave you, Adam, but I don't think I can stay here with you when they go. What are we going to do?" I almost cringed because this was one of those questions that terrified me. Not nearly as much as the questions I needed to ask about Adam's life expectancy, but it was still scary.
"You know I'll follow you wherever you go, Leia. I have to," Adam murmured, not even a hint of remorse in his voice. I tilted my face up towards his so he could see the sadness on my face.
"But your family, Adam," I said sorrowfully. He leaned down and put his hot forehead against my cool one.
"My family will understand. Unlike you, I can come back as often as I like to visit. You are my life now, Leia. No one else, even my sister whom I love dearly, means as much to me. Do you think your family will mind me tagging along after you? I promise not to intrude on them too much. I can get a job and an apartment near you." And he was rambling, sounding a little nervous now. Now I was sure that my surprise idea was perfect. It would let him know I wanted him with me as much as he wanted to be with me.
"Remember the part where we get married? A married couple generally lives together," I said gently. Adam went still for a moment and then he squeezed me tightly enough I could literally hear his ribs groan in protest. I giggled softly and then leaned in to kiss him. After a few minutes of, well, making out, Adam sighed happily.
"So, how long before I can ask you. Officially?" he asked excitedly. I hmmed softly and smiled.
"Well, let's get Bella and Edward's wedding out of the way first and then give the tribe a few more months to come to terms with our relationship. Then you can surprise me with a proposal," I said with a giggle. Adam chuckled softly.
"I promise to make it as romantic as possible. I know girls like all that mushy, romantic stuff. Candlelight and roses. Blech," he said this with a laugh and I gently smacked his arm.
"There is nothing wrong with mushy, romantic stuff. Don't be such a boy," I said sternly, but I couldn't help a smile. I knew that Adam was a romantic at heart. He had once lamented that I didn't eat, so he couldn't wine and dine me. But he often gave me small tokens of affection. A beaded feather for my hair, a small stone carved with our initials, a tiny stuffed wolf to name a few. My favorite gift so far had been the handmade moccasins and the beaded belt that I wore as often as I could. Alice had insisted on a shopping trip the weekend after I'd gotten them in an effort to 'match' outfits to my new favorite shoes.
"I don't think you'd like me as much if I was a girl," Adam said with another laugh. I snorted softly and ran my hands up his chest and over his broad shoulders.
"No, I definitely shouldn't be complaining about that now, should I." I let my voice drop to a low purring tone and I felt him shiver under me. I was about to kiss him again when I heard his father muttering in the living room.
"You're father is about to come break up the 'horny teenagers'," I said with an exasperated sigh. Adam chuckled softly.
"Wow, maybe he really is determined to see you as a person if starts treating us like he treated Jake and Sarah. Maybe we should head him off, anyway. Sam told Paul to come check on us if we were gone more than two hours. I really don't want to get in a fight with him today." Adam's words were laced with weariness and I caressed his cheek before I slid out of his arms.
"Comeon, my love. Walk me back to Jake's."
After we said goodbye to Adam's father, we walked slowly back to Jake and Sarah's. Sarah was ecstatic to hear just how well our time had gone at the house and she hugged me so hard I worried she'd have bruises.
"I'm so glad he's coming around. He's been asking me about you lately, so I was hoping..." Sarah trailed off and drew her brother into a hug. I hummed happily and turned towards Bella, who had been sitting with Sarah when we came in.
"Hi, friend of mine. How's things?" I asked her gently. I touched Edward's shoulder because I was pretty certain he would be looking at her. He was, so I saw her muster up a smile. I knew from Adam that she had, indeed, tried to apologize last night, but after a severe scolding from both Sarah and Adam, she had promised to let it go. I hoped she hadn't been lying.
"I'm okay. So glad Jake is doing better. I brought over a pan of lasagna and I swear he ate the whole thing," she said in mock awe. I heard a snort of amusement from Jacob, who was propped up in bed with a gazillion pillows behind him.
"Hey, I had help, Bells. Paul and Seth were here and I saw Sarah sneak a bowl," he tried to defend himself. His voice was a little hoarse, but he seemed in good spirits. Sarah snorted softly.
"Of course I did. She was kind enough to bring over something so I didn't have to cook for you bottomless pits. Not that I won't have to anyway. How Emily puts up with the lot of them, I'll never know. I have enough trouble keeping up with your endless appetites." She jabbed her brother in the chest when she said that, so I knew she meant him as well. I heard Bella laugh and she quickly offered to bring over another dish tomorrow. No doubt I was the only one that heard Edward's sad sigh.
Cheer up, brother mine. As soon as she's done guilt tripping, you'll have her all to yourself again. Which means I'd better claim another guitar lesson while she's over here tomorrow. I thought at him merrily.
'Sounds like a good idea. If I can't spend time with Bella, time with you is the next best thing.'
His signed comment made me smile happily and bounce on my toes. Adam noticed and wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
"What is that beautiful smile for?" he asked with a beautiful smile of his own. I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.
"I'm just happy today," I said with a contented sigh. Carlisle walked over to us at that moment and though Adam's eyes I saw him watching us with a glad smile. He seemed to be coming to terms with my relationship with Adam. That just added to my joy. That is, until Carlisle spoke.
"Well, I think it's time we were going," he said quietly after a swift look over at Sam and a glance at Edward, who nodded his head ever so slightly. My happy smile slipped and I sighed. Evidently we had worn out our welcome again. It took all my resolve not to stomp my foot like a human child denied a sweet. Instead I kissed Adam one more time before I stepped back.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow after morning patrol?" I asked quietly. Adam nodded reluctantly, his eyes flickering towards Sarah, who had moved to sit on the bed beside Jacob. As much as he needed to be with me, I knew he was still concerned about his sister and brother-in-law. Besides, I needed the time away from him to put my surprise plan in motion. After Edward kissed Bella goodbye, we soon found ourselves in the Mercedes. As Edward, Carlisle and I sped away from the rez, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed home.
"Mom, I need some help buying a bed for my room," I told Esme when she answered. Hearing Edward's resigned sigh, Carlisle's sharp 'What?' and my mother's delighted laughter, I knew I'd asked the right person to help me with this task. If I had Esme on my side, it was only a matter of time before the rest of the family resigned themselves to the fact that Adam was going to become a semi-permanent fixture in our home. Whether they liked it or not.
Chapter End Notes:
And so ends Turning Point. If you enjoyed it, please clicky the review button and give me a shout. :)