Life Lessons
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Twilight characters and simply write for my own pleasure.
The so-called 'cottage' was anything but. It had a kitchen, dining room, living room, three bedrooms, one and a half bath, a walk-in closet in all three bedrooms and huge floor to ceiling windows at the back overlooking the small river that cut through the forest. The furniture that had been left behind from the last stay was modern, cold and chic. Everything was a soft crème color, sterile and uncomfortable.
Jay couldn't help but groan loudly as he sat on the couch in the living room and found it hard and stiff. Alice never bought anything for comfort and why should she when they could tell the difference between hard and soft? The only thing vampires could not feel were varying temperatures and even that was limited to warm (their matching temperature), hot, hotter and boiling. It was a lesson that Jacob had to teach his young son through trial of fire – or damn near close to it.
A six year old Jay loved tea and always enjoyed a cup of the tea Esme would make for him. Esme had showed him how she made the tea and it looked easy enough and so he took it upon himself to fix the tea on his own. It was simply bubbly water, tea packet (the green one that smelled sweet) and honey. Jay had asked Renesmee where the foot stool was surprising her and she in turn surprised him by answering him. Her shock wore off and was quickly replaced with her annoyance and hatred for him as she slammed the door in his face and told him to not bother her anymore.
Copying Esme's movements Jay turned all of the dials all the way up. He didn't know which one did what and figured turning them all on would save time. Filled up a pot of hot water since the tea kettle was up too high and Renesmee had already made it explicitly cleared she wasn't to be disturbed again. He waited until the water became bubbly and with the excitement of a young child having completed his first 'grown-up' task clambered up the opposite counter and grabbed his tea mug. The water hissed as it still bubbled and Jay searched for the bottle of honey and sniffed around for the coveted tea packet.
Once he had found both objects it was time to 'steep' his tea. Jay stood before the stove and all the eyes were a bright, pretty and alluring red. Fog came from his pot and left swirling tendrils in the air. He'd play with the red circles later but he wanted his tea first.
With tiny hands he gripped the handles on either side of the pot and slowly began to pull it towards him. There was so much water that it was still heavy and it was a given that he'd splash the water on himself. He'd already splashed water all over the floor and himself just getting it on the stove. He'd just clean up the mess before Daddy came back and Renesmee finished whatever it was that she did.
Just when Jay had scooted the pot closer Jacob walked into the door and in a blur rushed over to his son. Before Jay knew what happened, the pot tipped forward, his Daddy's huge arm wrapped around his chest and he was yanked from the foot stool. What followed next scared him half to death. Jacob screamed out in pain as the pot clanked loudly on the marble floor.
The boiling hot – not bubbling – water had tipped over and hit Jacob mostly in the lap, thighs and some of it hit on his stomach and chest. When he had cried out in pain from the burn, he had placed the hand that wasn't holding his only son onto one of the red hot eyes on the stove. Jay had immediately burst into tears upon seeing the state of his Daddy. The tears were a combination of fear, confusion and guilt.
Father and son asked if the other was okay in between hisses of pain and cries of fear. Jay had assured his Daddy that he was alright and not hurt. But Jacob had suffered severe burns everywhere the water touched and especially his hand.
After another huge fight between Jacob and Renesmee: he demanding that she pay more attention to Jay when he was out and Renesmee hissing how she couldn't be bothered looking after It.
From then on Jacob made sure Jay understood the difference between freezing, cold, warm, hot and scalding.
Having come out of his thoughts Jay shook his head with a deep frown. It was often times hard to recall that at some point Jacob Black from his younger days was the same one that he knew today. At some unspoken point in time Jacob must've decided that Jay was too old for hugs, kisses and playful, warm affection.
He would ask Jacob about getting rid of the new-old furniture and replacing the articles with something of his own liking.
Over the chirping of crickets and bellowing of frogs Jay could hear his parents arguing up at the main house. He was glad that he was far enough away where he couldn't make out what they were saying but he was always curious and wanted to know what had set them off this time.
It wasn't until the arguing suddenly stopped did he really become curious and…anxious. Even the forest seemed to have fallen silent in wonder. After almost sixteen years of marriage the two argued to the point where verbal assaults were no longer biting enough. Jay had seen Renesmee strike Jacob many times. Jacob had never hit Renesmee but Jay could see the desire to strike her back in his eyes. With trembling body and fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles looked white he'd walk out of the house to vent his anger in other ways.
Maybe that is what had happened this time?
Renesmee struck Jacob and to make sure that he didn't retaliate back in kind he'd left the house.
As if in respond, the door slammed open, the door knob breaking through the drywall and Jacob's massive form stood in the doorframe. His nostrils were flared as his eyes searched the living area until finally landed on Jay.
"You stay here." Jacob ordered. Jay could feel the weight of the Alpha command and numbly nodded his head. Just as quickly as he came and with much less violence Jacob was gone.
It took a couple of minutes but eventually the forest restored to its normal tunes and serenity. Jay growled to himself when he became aware that he hadn't moved from his spot until it felt like the world started spinning again. He hated how the world seemed to revolve around everyone in his family but him.
The small house was crowded with more people than it was ever meant to house. It was cramped with old furniture worn over years, possibly decades, of use. The floor boards creaked and groaned like an old man in the dead of winter. The roof was in dire need of repair. His mom had sent him over practically daily to fix it but Grandpa Billy always had something better and much more fun to do whether it was watching a game on TV, practicing his wood craving skills, sharing anecdotes of their youth and collective memories, fishing or prepping to go fishing. No matter what this place was home.
Jett looked on with a deep frown as Sam Uley had worked himself up into one of his moods. The arrival of Jacob Black and family was not the kind of news that Sam had wanted to hear. Jett did have to share in the sentiment because Jacob Black couldn't have come back just to shoot the breeze and it couldn't be overlooked how aggressively he reacted once he learned that there was another Alpha who was next in line.
Jett looked at his mom and felt reassured, unlike Sam, that she was more than capable of handling an imprinted wolf and his runty pup of a son's delusions of grandeur. Leah was the acting Chief of the Quileutes as Grandpa was getting up in years. Everyone said the position, title and role suited her. There were others who said that it 'calmed her down', whatever that meant.
The point was his mommy had this covered and he'd be there to back her up.
"This won't do." Sam stated quickly as he continued to pace back and forth. As an Elder, Sam had his right to voice his opinions but whether or not Leah took them into consideration was something else.
"Oh, Sam!" Leah exclaimed in awe. "I wasn't aware that Jacob's presence was going to pose such a threat to you." Sam had stopped his pacing to glare at Leah.
"Don't take this lightly, Lee-Lee," Sam growled out. Jett felt his muscles tense. He didn't like the tone and threatening stance that Sam was taking with his mommy. "He is going to become the Alpha again and let the bloodsuckers do whatever they want."
The remaining pack mates growled at the idea with the exception of Quil, Uncle Seth and Leah. Leah found the idea laughable and Jett knew that his uncle always liked the leeches. Jett chalked it up to the accidental droppings on his head and his naive love for all of God's creatures.
There had already been speculating amongst the younger wolves about why Jacob Black had decided to now return.
Right after the meeting with the Black family the Quileutes had returned to La Push. Leah had hung back talking in hushed and harsh whispers with Embry. None of the older wolves seemed too keen to phase and run back leaving the new generation of Protectors to speculate over what this new Alpha and his son could mean.
Levi had speculated that Jacob Black was "gonna challenge Leah for the top spot and force Jett into the Omega position".
The twins, Ryan and Rob, were divided, as usual, had started taking bets on whether or not Embry was going to make his move and when as Jacob Black had seemed very clear what his feelings for Leah were.
David was more interested in trying to figure out how big and powerful Jay was. As the current Omega in the pack he had more to gain from the newest edition.
Matt remained respectfully quiet, seeing how much their friends' speculating was starting to annoy Jett. The last thing Jett wanted was some other male trying to put the moves on his 'Mommy'. There had been plenty of suitors but none of them were ever good for her – nor would they ever be if Jett had his way.
"Not everyone is like you, Sammie." Leah cooed. Jett looked over at Sam darkly having heard the stories of how after Jacob Black left Sam tried to retake his position as Alpha of the pack. He had underestimated Leah assuming that while she was pregnant she would be unable to exert her authority. Once Leah heard from Brady what her former boyfriend was up to she waddled over to his home with Seth, Embry, Quil and Brady. They were only meant to be added muscle if the rest of the pack had decided to take sides. And he has seen what happened next take place many times in his uncles' memories. Leah kicked Sam in the chest knocking him over in his chair and only used her backup to steady her back on her swollen feet. It was the first time that she had used the Alpha command and ordered Sam to remember his place and told him to never challenge her for the Alpha position again.
Leah wasn't pregnant now and would probably really tear the traitor to pieces.
"Quit being so fucking arrogant and open your eyes." It was all that Sam had managed to get out once he whipped around and snarled angrily in Leah's face. It was a threatening move and act. One that Jett was not going to tolerate.
Just as fast Jett had Sam Uley pinned to the floor, a hand tightening dangerously around the back of his neck and a sharp knee to his spine. The only ones surprised by the attack were Emily and Kim who both gave a sharp cry of fright and surprise.
"You will not talk to my mother like that." Jett growled out ignoring Seth and Quil's calls to 'let him up'. He wasn't going to relent until Sam learned that if anyone messed with his Mommy, they would inevitably have to answer to him.
"Jett," Leah called and only then did Jett release him. He immediately relaxed as Leah rubbed his back, an act that was both praising and soothing. "So Sam I hope the point was made. Things have changed and Jacob Black is just one man. If he wants to be an Alpha then he will have to do it the same way he did all those years ago. He will have to start a separate pack and those who follow him this time," Leah fixed Seth with a poignant look. "Will have to follow him out. I'll not have divides and dissension amongst my pack. Have I made myself clear?" Everyone in the room, wolf or not, nodded their head in agreement and understanding.
Jett could only smile proudly at his mommy as she turned and winked at him having called an end to the meeting. She was proud, strong, beautiful, a great leader, protector and provider. No matter what he'd always love her and Jacob Black could go to hell if he thought his pup would be the Alpha.
Once the meeting had adjourned things began to ease back into normalcy. All of the respective families returned back to their homes and their usual Thursday evening routine. Thursday night meant Billy's Spaghetti Nite for the Black, Lahote and Clearwater family. It was a tradition that had been going on since his mother and uncle were kids. Leah and Aunt Rachel had been best friends since Leah was in diapers and with two sons just a year older than Jett it only made sense to keep the tradition going.
Jett sat with his cousins in the living room school books opened, huge platefuls of spaghetti beside them as their parents and Grandpa talked about the excitement of the day - Jacob Black and coven.
Billy and Rachel seemed especially pleased at the prospect of Jacob's return and Paul was just glad to have someone to annoy again.
"So how did Jacob look?" Billy asked cutting through the banter. The boys chatting had stopped and were all listening to the adults talk.
"He looked the same just older." Leah answered with a shrug holding Rachel's youngest, Maggie, who was three. "We all do."
"But how did he look? Did he look," Billy asked and paused letting the unspoken but understood question hang in the air.
"Billy, he came back with Renesmee that should answer your question." Leah stated with a frown.
"Well...what about the boy?" Jett could hear the frown on Billy's face and couldn't help but frown in envy.
"He's small." Seth had to admit with a frown.
"He's a runt," Jett answered through a mouthful of spaghetti. The twins chuckled at their cousin's assessment and nodded their heads in agreement.
"Jett!" Seth hissed before slapping his nephew up the backside of his head.
"Jeez, Sorry Uncle Seth," Jett apologized as he rubbed the back of his head and Matt chuckled into his buttered bread. The back of his head was starting to feel sore as neither Clearwater held back in their disciplinary tactics.
"He is small," Matt said in Jett's defense. "Dad, you know it's true." Matt stated when Seth fixed him with a glare.
"Is he small?" Billy asked looking to Jett for a truthful answer.
"He's not a runt, per se," Leah answered choosing her words carefully. "He's lean, not overly muscular like the rest of these cubs." Jett and the others couldn't help but smirk proudly at one another. "I don't think Jacob has trained him at all."
"Train for what? He's a pampered pooch." Jett said with a laugh followed by a hissed 'ow' as both Leah and Seth cuffed him.
"He is small and scrawny." Jett stated with a deep frown, his hand rubbing the back of his head. "I could easily take him if it came down to it."
"It won't." Leah sighed out. "He seems...timid. When I showed up he looked like a deer caught in the headlights. He doesn't seem certain about himself. So I'm guessing he's here to help build his confidence." Leah then turned and with a heavy sigh stood up. "I'll learn more when I finally have a chance to talk to him. Until then we are calling it a good night. Jett I need you to pack it up." Jett let out a low groan, throwing his head back to express his frustration at Grandpa Billy's Spaghetti Nite being called short.
"Mom, it's only…eight forty-seven," Jett stated waving at the clock on the wall and just time itself.
"Jett, we're going home – now." Jett's jaw set, brow furrowed as he regarded his mom for a second. He was sixteen years old, a junior Alpha of the pack and his mom was treating him like a child. He wanted to argue with her, state his case but once he saw the vein throbbing at the side of her throat, he knew better than to push his luck.
Relief came in the form of Seth and Paul calling an end to the night's events as well. Billy bid a good night to his grandchildren gladly accepting all of their hugs, kisses from his 'little girls' and promises to see him again soon.
Jett looked up as Leah cursed under her breathe once the kids had just finished packing up and in stormed Jacob Black. His hair was wet from the light rain and his eyes looked like a black thundercloud. Embry trailed in right behind looking just as pissed.
"Well look what the cat dragged in." Leah said through a forced and constrained smile. Jett felt his frown deepen and watched the silent conversation that took place between Leah and Embry. Apparently, Embry had not been able to deter Jacob or at least delay him for long.
"Jake, Billy has been dying to see you." Leah said pushing Billy forward. Jett found himself no longer interested in going home and more intrigued by what could've upset Jacob Black.
"Hey Dad," Jacob greeted leaning down and hugging Billy. His eyes never left Leah and that was when Jett knew he wasn't leaving his mommy alone with the man. "I need to talk to,"
"Billy and that is completely understandable."
"You, Leah, I need to talk to you. Right now." Jacob growled out.
"Not with that attitude you're not." Jett growled out returning the affection.
"Embry take Jett home." Leah ordered much to Jett's surprise. She hadn't even looked at him.
"Mom, I'm not leaving you," Jett began but was cut off by Seth.
"Matt will go with you too." Jett had called 'mom' softly feeling hurt, worried and confused. He didn't want his mom anywhere near this man, although knowing that Uncle Seth was staying made him feel somewhat better.
"I won't be long, sweetie. Go home, finish your homework and I'll be there before you go to sleep." She had a look that was pleading with him to behave and do as he was told. Jett wasn't exactly a problem child but when it came to Leah's safety he would forgo all orders to check up on her. This time she wanted him to trust her and, most of all, this Jacob Black.
Jacob Black was no stranger in Jett and the others' lives. He had left to bed a leech but some still spoke of him fondly and what made him different from Sam was that he hadn't made anyone do anything they didn't want. Slowly Jett nodded his head and agreed to stay home.
"Okay, be careful." Jett whispered hugging his mom good bye. Jett smiled weakly when Seth promised to make sure Jacob didn't cross any lines.
Walking out into the night Jett couldn't help but feel his wolf growl in frustration. Change was on the horizon and one thing Jett Clearwater did not like was change.
A/N: Alright here goes the next chapter. I just want to say thanks for all the reviews and comments because I really appreciate them. A lot of your reviews just cracked me up. Just to allay some fears and concerns I, too, am…wary of second generation stories mainly because I could care less about what whose kid is doing what in their daily life and then my favorite characters commenting on it. This will actually be the reverse although there may be some glimpses into a few of their private lives but not everyone.
Alright, the timeline may seem a bit confusing and I will give you that. The first chapter with Jacob and Leah was a little shy of seven years after Renesmee's birth leaving her "sexually" mature and full grown physically to have a relationship with Jacob which put Jacob at twenty-four and Leah twenty-seven. The second chapter picks up two years later after Jacob left La Push and during that time he married Renesmee and tried to have a family. However, it has taken them about two years after many failed attempts to have a child for the ninth and final time. During that chapter it's a look into Renesmee's world and how she feels about her son and husband. The chapter ended with Jay playing in the yard at the age of three; placing Jacob at twenty-nine and Renesmee at twelve. Chapter three takes place eleven years later since the ending or from the beginning about sixteen years.
Ages:
Leah Clearwater – 43
Jacob Black – 40 (Embry Call & Quil Ateara, Jr)
Seth Clearwater – 37
Edward Jacob "Jay" Black – 14
Jett Clearwater – 16
Billy Black – still young at heart
Sue Clearwater – a lady never reveals her age.
So in the next chapter…
"How are ya, Jake?" Billy asked with a warm smile and tear in his eyes. Rachel and Leah were the only two to remain behind while everyone else went home. After so many years he felt no shame in letting the two women present see him cry.
"I'm great, Dad, would've been better if I knew that I had another son." Jacob growled out glaring at a surprised Leah.
"Are you sure about that?" Leah asked with a dark smirk.
Hopefully this will tie everyone over until I get the next chapter fleshed out. Oh! And so I was nominated for the 'She Wolf Awards' and I won best completed fic for Wake-up Call. So I'd really like to thank everyone who voted for me because when I found out it made my weekend. And my congratulations to everyone else that won an award as well because it was well-deserved and well-earned.