Meet the Family

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Twilight characters but only receive payment in the form of reviews that make me laugh, teach me something new, make me go 'huh' and having a series of works that I care about.

Jett woke with a start, his heart was pounding, body covered in a light sheen of sweat and he couldn't shake the feeling of hopelessness. He threw his feet over to the floor and sat at the edge of his bed, the heel of his palm pressing into a sinus cavity above his left eye. He was trying to recall the nightmare that he had and shook his head as if that would alleviate the quickly growing fog. It didn't work.

With heavy feet Jett got up and padded out into the hallway and the bathroom. Placing one hand on the wall he tried again to pick up details from the dream. All he could recall were glowing red eyes, someone crying out in pain and then Leah crying. It was the latter part that worried him because why was his mom crying? Had she been hurt? Was that why he felt so hopeless? The vampires were only a secondary worry because even after his first kill Jett hadn't had any nightmares about the vampire that he killed or the one that almost killed him. What was different about these?

Jett stood out in the hallway still thinking over his nightmare. His eyes drifted over to his old nightlight that lit up the hallway with a dull and yet warm yellow and blue light. It was a little boy sleeping on a cloud and a smiling crescent moon above him. Leah told those who questioned that she kept it because she was tired of bumping into things at night but really Jett hadn't wanted to let it go. Leah had convinced him at five that he was too old to have a nightlight in his room but agreed to leave it out in the hallway with his door opened. Bending down he lightly traced the outline of the sleeping boy, the heated up plastic felt just a few degrees warmer than his own body temperature. Knowing that it was still here always eased his mind – it reminded him of how far he came from the little boy that was terrified of thunder and just loud noises in general.

Jett's head lifted as he heard a soft noise coming from Leah's room. Getting up he walked down to her door, it was partially closed but the noise was definitely coming from her room. He softly called her name and when he didn't get a response back he knew that she was sleeping – crying in her sleep, to be exact. Jett hated it when his Mommy cried and he groaned lightly as he toyed with the idea of waking her up to ask her what had caused her pain or just letting her sleep.

Jett opted for the latter but climbed into bed next to Leah instead. With the door opened allowing the hallway light to spill in Jett could see Leah's tears staining her cheeks. She sniffled occasionally in her sleep but seemed to calm down when he pulled her in for a hug. It wasn't unusual for Jett to find Leah crying in her sleep but that wasn't to say that it occurred often. There was something that brought on the sadness at the night. As Jett found himself slowly drifting off back to sleep the only two culprits he had in mind were Jacob Black, who had shown up like a hurricane to disrupt the Black, Lahote and Clearwaters family night, and Embry Call, who had gotten into another clash of words with Leah.

"Love you, Mommy." Jett sighed out. Leah hummed what was the closest thing to 'love you too' before he fell into a deep sleep.

Jay felt nervous – terrified seemed the more proper term for what his current status. His heart was racing, his palms were sweaty, the car was suddenly too cramped, Renesmee's stench was too pungent making him feel nauseas and he had cottonmouth. He was going to officially meet the pack and their families.

"Jay, calm down. Everything will be alright." Jacob said looking at Jay through the rearview mirror. Jay dumbly nodded his head and rolling down the window stuck his head outside of it. This way he'd at least not break out into a deluge of sweat and if he threw up it'd not be in Jacob's car.

"Of course you will be. That bitch and her bastard," Renesmee didn't get to finish her sentence as Jacob suddenly braked, whipped over to the side of the road and snarled at Renesmee venomously.

Jay didn't bother to hear what Jacob was saying to her as he took the opportunity to jump out the car and throw up his breakfast. He had never been so nervous in all his life. The plan had been to allow him some time to get used to his new settings, the environment and school. Since the Blacks had moved into the Cullens old home it meant that Jay was attending Forks Jr. High school instead of the La Push Tribal School like the rest of the pack. Jay had quit trying to please and care about those around him. Why develop an attachment to anyone when his family would move at the first sign of trouble or suspicion?

Now, however, everything was different. He had to get attached to people and not just normal people but others that were like him. Jay could feel how anxious his wolf was. The wolf wanted to be liked by these people – he wanted to be accepted. Since his wolf wanted this so desperately and the emotions were horrendously familiar it only made Jay sick.

As he stood looking down at his breakfast Jay hoped that Jacob would change his mind and would just take them back home. See that his son wasn't ready for this like he changed his mind about having Jay challenge Jett. Jay wasn't sure where the change of heart came from but he was relieved when the pressure had been taken off his shoulders. Renesmee still tried to push the rivalry between the two but Jay never paid her any attention nor did her voice carry the same weight and clout that Jacob's did.

"Squat down and take slow, deep breaths." Jacob said placing a huge hand on Jay's shoulder.

"I – I don't want to do this." Jay panted out while shaking his head. He had entertained the idea of tacking a 'Dad' on to the sentence to possibly garner some sympathy.

"Listen to me, Jay, it will be alright." Jacob stated. His voice sounded so confident and reassured that Jay wanted to believe him but…he couldn't. This was the same man who had said with the same confidence and reassurance that he was in 'good hands' with the Cullens. "I know you're scared but…you need this. We both need this and them."

Jay couldn't deny that in the four weeks since the first meeting with the pack Jacob had begun to change. He was smiling more and seemed more at ease. He was becoming the attentive father again and it made Jay suspicious and wary. Jay had grown up with change: changing sceneries, name changes, change in schools but…this was a change he did not like. He didn't trust it.

"Look, let's go and just give it twenty minutes. If you're still not feeling well then I'll bring you home, okay?" Jay looked up having regained control over his breathing and as his stomach was now empty he didn't feel as sick. It was a compromise – another change. "I promise." Jay could see how desperate Jacob was to go and have him go. He didn't want to admit it but Jay did want to see Leah again. With a blush on his cheeks Jay agreed to Jacob's compromise and headed back to the car. His surprise grew as he found wasn't Renesmee around.

"Where'd she go?" Jay asked stopping a few feet from the car unsure whether or not he should be looking for a body or if he really cared.

"She went back. We will be guests and I won't have her sitting up their bitching. So I told her to do that at the house." Jay's eyes widen in surprise. Jacob had never stood up to Renesmee like that or dismissed her. It seemed easier for Jacob to just leave then make Renesmee. "Want to ride in the front?" Silently Jay nodded his head and climbed into the front seat. Maybe La Push was just what Jacob needed.

La Push was mostly trees and long, lonely roads. Jacob explained that the actual town was on the coast and only a few families lived further inland. Jay refused to acknowledge Jacob when promised that he'd show him the town after the party, if he wanted to see it. The 'party' was over at Billy's who was also his grandfather. It was a small red siding house that was backed away from the street and what looked like a little creek cutting through the property. The drive way was crammed with cars and trucks of varying years, condition and color.

Alice liked to host parties but Jay was never a fan of them as there were too many people who always looked at him as if he and Jacob didn't belong. All the people, the different smells of perfume and vampire mixed together along with the various foods that Esme cooked and all the noise.

"Just relax, Jay." Jacob stated with a small frown. "They can smell fear." Jay shut his eyes tightly trying to control his fear and anxiety. A small part of him wanted to snap at Jacob with a 'do ya think?' comment but he swallowed it down along with his feelings. He was used to being the new kid, used to jocks trying to start fights with him because of his height, girls mocking him because he was gangly and clumsy and pitying looks of adults because he wasn't 'a well-adjusted teen'.

Stepping out of the car Jay felt relief when he didn't see any of the pack around. He felt certain that they'd be at the front door, ready to greet him with cold, hard looks and biting jabs about his heritage. Instead, he saw Leah standing on the porch with a woman and man he didn't recognize. The man didn't stick around long before he disappeared inside the house, the screen door slamming shut behind him. The woman next to Leah was older, given Leah didn't look like she was old enough to have a son in his teens, but she had long black hair and seemed comfortable in her old jeans and a flannel shirt. She whispered something to Leah who nodded her head and the two came down off the porch slowly walking towards Jay and Jacob.

"For a second there didn't think you two were going to come." Leah said smirking at Jacob. Jay raised an eyebrow as Jacob seemed more than pleased to smile at Leah who had on some jean shorts, a white sleeveless shirt and some boots. "How are you, Jay?" Leah asked not giving Jacob the time to respond. Jay opened his mouth to answer, he knew the words that were supposed to roll off his tongue but they wouldn't come. Her big brown eyes captivated him and he realized it was the first time that he actually looked at her – in the eyes. They were warm, soft, and bright and…Jay quickly looked down at the grass under their feet.

"Hi, Jay, I'm your Aunt Rachel." Jacob had to hiss Jay's name to get him to look back up again. Jay felt his palms going sweaty again as Leah stood next to the woman declaring herself as his aunt with a small frown of…disappointment?

"Hello," Jay mumbled out feeling bashful and self-conscious.

"I'm your Dad's older sister…well, one of them at least." Rachel pressed on and Jay nodded his head in understanding. Jacob greeted his sister with a warm hug and small talk. From the side of the house appeared the man who was on the porch earlier reappeared pushing an old man in a wheelchair. The man was old; his long hair had turned grey some time ago but still held a few black strands. His dark eyes seemed to twinkle with excitement and his smile only seemed to grow the closer he came. Jay couldn't help but look around trying to figure out who he was smiling at.

"I'm smiling at you Jay." The old man said chuckling good-naturedly at him. "I'm William Black but you can call me Grandpa Billy." Billy – Grandpa Billy – said offering his hand. Jay slowly shook his hand; they were big, firm, and powerful and covered in calluses. This was the hand of a man who worked hard all his life; they were marred with scars that proved he wasn't perfect and had made many mistakes in life but learned from them. Jay couldn't help but look at the man in awe because he was everything that Jay had expected in a grandfather. His skin tone was darker but he recognized Jacob's eyes which were also his.

"Hello sir," Jay greeted in a mumble as if he had a mouthful of marbles.

"You're shy? That's a trait I wasn't expecting." Billy said smiling still warmly.

"I'm your Uncle Paul," The man behind Billy said offering his own hand. "I'm married to Rachel." Jay nodded and felt a small smile spreading. This man looked older than Jacob and Leah but not by much and they all seemed genuinely pleased to see him, to meet him and ready to get to know him. Maybe his wouldn't be so bad.

Billy asked Jay a slew of questions about his interests and favorite foods and continued talking about spaghetti as the small group walked around to the back of the house. Jay's eyes widened as the entire backyard seemed to be filled with people: adults, teens and children. Music was playing next to a shed or garage closer to the tree line; tables were laid out with enough food to feed a small army. What really surprised Jay was the laid back atmosphere of the party. This wasn't one of Alice's cocktail parties where everything was about fashion or her interior design nor was this a party about Rosalie and her many children. This party wasn't over-the-top, classy or pretentious.

Billy took Jay and Jacob around introducing new faces and reintroducing old ones. Some of them were welcoming but Sam Uley seemed the least pleased with his and Jacob's presence. Most of the attendees at the party were former pack mates who had given up phasing to raise their families. He met the Uleys, Camerons, Littleseas, Fullers, Atearas, Smythes, Wildes and a few others that he couldn't remember right at that moment. He was actually introduced as family – this was a family.

"Alright, so now you knocked the easy part out of the way." Leah said with a nod of her head. Jay's eyes followed and found 'the pack' sitting closer to the edge around a small fire. There were a few other teens, preteens and older children around them. Jay frowned realizing that this was the dreaded 'children's area' and he would have to hang around them.

"Yea, you don't want to hang around us old folks all day." Grandpa Billy said with a smirk sitting beside him. "I'm the only exception."

"Yea, yea cuz you're down with the kids." Jay looked up as Leah and Jacob both said the same thing in a bored tone. It must be a favorite quote of his.

"Well…I am." Grandpa Billy grumbled with a pout.

Leah gave a short, loud yelp that caused Jay to flinch but it was a gathering call because the pack and the others quickly got up and walked over. Jay felt somewhat relieved to realize that not all of the kids were wolves.

"Everyone, this is Jay," Leah introduced and Jay silently nodded his head as he received a variety of greetings. The pack had just simply looked him up and down and then nodded their heads in acknowledgment. "I'll start with the pack first." Leah stated.

"You already recognize Jett," Leah said as he smirked. "It's actually Harry Michael Clearwater."

"Next is Levi Uley, Sam and Emily are his parents. Basically he's beta-in-training." Leah explained. Levi was huge and Jay could tell that he possessed his father's strong jaw. He was still smaller than Jett but that was still saying a lot. Levi had a short buzz cut that looked almost military.

"That's Matthew Moses Clearwater who is Seth's son." Matt nodded his head with a big smile. Jay narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the boy who seemed eager to meet him – possibly too eager. Matt had a lean build but there was no possibility of underestimating him as his muscles were taut and strained the sleeves of his t-shirt.

"Then there's Ryan and Robert Lahote. These two are your cousins and Rachel and Paul's little hellions." The twins interrupted Leah to correct her in their naming which earned chuckles from those around them. Jay looked up at Leah to see her staring hard at the twins as if trying to see if there was a chance she made a mistake. Motioning them forward the twins paused and hesitated for a second but followed through with their Alpha's request. "The two do really look alike but there's an easy way to tell them apart." Leah said over her shoulder before looking one of them in the face.

"Okay, this is Ryan and you can tell him because he has the lazy left eye." The kids broke out into laughter as Ryan whined out 'Aunt Leah'. "And Rob has his father's Mark of the Idiot, right here." Jay choked on his laugh as both the twins looked put out and crestfallen.

"I don't have a lazy eye." Ryan grumbled. "Mom," He yelled and Jay looked over to see his Aunt Rachel huddled in a circle with Seth, Sue Clearwater, Billy and Uncle Paul. "Tell Aunt Leah I don't have a lazy eye."

"You don't have a lazy eye, dear."

"And tell her I have a beauty mole,"

"Gay," Jett and Levi coughed out.

"And not the Mark of the Idiot." Rob finished up growling at his pack mates.

"And you're not an idiot." Aunt Rachel said with a sigh. "Really they both do." Rachel said returning to her conversation with a sigh of sadness.

"We heard you!" The twins yelled shocked and hurt by their mother's declaration which only had everyone around laughing even more.

"I know." The twins returned to their positions in line receiving playful hair ruffles and shoves.

"And last but not least, David Marcus Cameron, that's Jared and Kim's son." One look at David and Jay knew that he would be trouble. David looked at him as if he was a piece of meat and couldn't wait to tear into him. "The pack is lined up by hierarchy if you hadn't noticed. David is the current omega and has been looking to advance for a while." Leah softly mumbled her advice and Jay understood that she was explaining why David out of the entire pack seemed the most aggressive. David wanted a bump up and Jay was his chance.

"Your size also denotes your ranking." Jacob tacked on. It wasn't something that Jay had paid much attention to but height did seem to also play a role in their status. If he managed to beat David then he'd have a higher ranking and would probably increase in size.

"I'll leave you to meet the others since there's too many to be named." Leah said placing a reassuring hand on Jay's shoulder. He relaxed under her touch but still couldn't find it in him to meet her gaze. "Any trouble I won't be too far away." Jay nodded his head as Leah and Jacob walked away.

Matt was the first one to walk up to him, a bright smile on his face and the others followed soon after with the exception of the pack.

Jay found himself quickly feeling comfortable around Matt and the others. The pack wasn't welcoming but Jay noticed Jett listening whenever he was asked a question about the Cullens. The questions weren't too personal and it was…nice talking to peers that seemed to have some understanding about the complexity of duality.

The party was interesting and Jay felt embarrassed over his earlier behavior and was more then ready to eat. The food was hearty, rich and filling. Instead of fine china or white porcelain plates, wine glasses, ice sculptures and hired waiters to serve everything it was what Matt called 'buffet style'.

"Just get however much you want but as a general rule: wolves eat last." Matt explained as they stood in line. Jay hadn't been sure where he fitted in with the pack and figured it was best that he stuck as close to Matt as possible. Eating also seemed to be based on the hierarchy with Jacob and Leah at the head of the line.

Jay watched Jacob closely he was smiling and seemed to stand taller. He was talking to Leah and despite herself she seemed to be enjoying whatever it is he was saying. She also seemed to keep a predetermined distance between them and whenever Jacob got too close she'd casually take a step back or she'd nudge him back to across the line. Jacob didn't seem to take any offense to it but would roll his eyes as if he was used to this game. Jacob didn't look so much like a giant standing around his former pack mates – he looked downright normal.

"Jett's about to make his move," Jay came out of his parent watching when one of the twin's voice cut through. His eyes shifted to Jett. All he could see was Jett's back but he was tense and the paper plate he was holding had long since been crumbled.

"Jett is really overprotective of Aunt Leah." Matt explained quietly not wanting to be overheard. The pack watched quietly as Jett had seemed to decide that Jacob Black had taxed enough of his mom's time and took a step out of line but was stopped.

"Jett, do me a favor." Everyone looked over to see Billy sitting next to Sue and waving him over.

Jay looked on intrigued as Jett looked torn between 'protecting' his mother and doing as Billy asked.

"Coming Grandpa," Jett called and jogged over. Jay's eyes had widened and his brain began to turn over the introduction and people he had met. Jett was Leah's son, Sue's grandson and Seth's nephew but…he was calling Billy 'Grandpa'.

"Is – is," Jay began his questioning of Matt but was cut off.

"I call him Grandpa too." Matt explained quickly as Jett listened to Sue and Billy made their requests. "The Clearwaters and Blacks have been close friends for many years. Our Grandpa, the one Jett was named after, passed away years ago when our parents first phased. Nobody talks about it much but he died of a heart attack watching Aunt Leah phase for the first time." The last part was whispered lowly that Jay had to lean in close to Matt and strain to hear. "Dad says that we've got things easy with Aunt Leah as Alpha and the rest to show us what to do. I don't know everything but there used to be a lot of animosity and at some point the packs had divided." Jay listened never having heard the story of Jacob's history before there was an imprint.

"Yea, he left the pack to go protect that leech loving Grandma of yours." David growled out.

"Yea, and Aunt Leah and Uncle Seth followed him." Rob, the one with the dark mark just under his cheek added. The food had been forgotten for a moment and they were all quietly talking about a time they couldn't envision but was greatly apart of them.

"Why did they do that?" Jay asked. It seemed to make sense if the Clearwaters and Blacks were as close as Matt claimed but Leah seemed to have a no tolerance policy for all vampires, Cullens or not.

"Well…Aunt Leah and my dad used to have a thing." Levi spoke up seeing it was his time to contribute. "They dated until he phased and then imprinted on Emily, my mom." Jay's eyes widened as Levi looked over at his parents. "So…he dumped her."

"And so being in a pack with a guy who you used to date, had dumped you and was seeing your cousin sucked." Jay looked up as David's sister, he couldn't remember her name, spoke up. "Mom said Leah hated it because you all can read each others' minds right?"

"We don't try to." Matt grumbled.

"Right, it just happens." She said. "So Leah had to sit by and watch all of Sam's memories and love for Emily everyday. Mom said she was a royal bitch then." She was shushed harshly and with wide eyes looked around and found Jett still with Billy and Sue. "Sorry but those were her words, not mine."

"Like that would stop Jett." Ryan muttered.

"Anyway, long story short, when your Dad decided that leeches were more important then his tribe and pack," Rob pressed on. "Seth followed because he's a kiss ass," Matt shoved Rob with a vicious snarl.

"It's true and Leah followed simply because she was tired of Sam." Ray finished up for his brother. Jay swallowed the lump in his throat. He was the by-product of his father's loyalty to the Cullens, specifically Bella.

The group returned to waiting in line as Jett jogged up and took his place back at the head of the line. Jay couldn't help but keep looking at Jacob and Leah as the two were never far apart for long. Jay saw why Jett was worried because it was obvious that at one point the two had something going on. Had Jacob and Leah sparked a relationship that died much like Sam's when Jacob imprinted? Could this have been his life had Jacob not held on so desperately to a love that could never be? And what was Jacob planning or expecting when he returned to La Push? He was still unhappily married to Renesmee. They lived in a broken home. Was he looking to invite all the drama, confusion, rules, requirements, limitations and bitterness that was a daily part of their lives and share it with Leah?

Jay was snapped out of his angry musings as a loud and raucous cheer went up. Looking around he saw a girl walking towards the group, waving at the adults as she walked by. She was beautiful with long flowing black hair, angular cheekbones that looked carved out of stone and lush red lips.

"I know, I know, the party can now begin since I have arrived." The girl declared with a haughty attitude.

"Great, we needed a slut to sacrifice to the fire god." Levi declared and easily picked the girl up over his head and walked towards the bonfire that had steadily grown bigger during lunch. Children screamed in agreement while the girl screamed in terror.

"Don't sacrifice your sister, Levi." Sam called out and Levi looked dejected before setting her back on her feet.

"You got lucky." He teased.

"That's Levi's older sister, Mary." Matt explained. "She's the oldest of the pack kids." Mary attempted to shove Levi with no success and in a huff turned and sat down next to Jett.

"You're no help," Mary grumbled kicking Jett in the shin and then wrapped her arms around his.

"Awh, Virgin Mary, I knew your parents wouldn't let him." Jett said pinching her cheek and returning to his food. There was an ironical tone to her nickname. "That and the Fire god would spit you back in less than a minute." Mary then shrieked, shoving Jett and stomping off grumbling about 'hanging with more mature people".

"She's a bitch," Levi said in explanation of his sister.

"And an easy fuck." The twins added in unison. Jay watched surprise as the two got up and took off running for the trees with Levi in pursuit.

Having what little information Jay had about Leah and Jacob he found it hard to stay focused on everyone else's playful banter. Things hadn't been easy for Jacob. There was a time when he wasn't a slave to Bella and Renesmee and had once been young, independent and goofy like those he was sitting with.

The revelry of the day was broken when Mary returned, a dark and mischievous smirk upon her face. Jay didn't know the girl except for what the others had implied but he could tell that she was looking to cause trouble. As she approached Jay looked around for Leah, she said that she'd be near to make sure that there wasn't any trouble but it was walking right towards him.

"You're Jay, right?" Mary asked with a coy smile. Jay wasn't sure how she found out but figured he might have been mentioned but nodded his head. "And Jacob Black is your dad?" He again nodded. Mary continued to ask Jay a slew of questions, each one making him more and more anxious. He didn't like her smile or the bad feeling he was getting about her intentions. No one seemed willing to help or they were just as lost as Jay was about Mary's interrogation. Matt sat by and only shrugged his own confusion.

"So you're part vampire, part wolf, your family is loaded, runt of the litter – so to speak – and so what? You're going to challenge Jett for the Alpha position?" The question came out more as a statement and what Jay feared came true. Jett froze and glared at him hatefully, his eyes turning a midnight black. The queasy feeling returned and his wolf whimpered. Neither wanted to challenge the huge male but Jay didn't know what to do to make it right. Was he supposed to say no, that it wasn't true? Laugh it off like he belonged? Instinct told him to run like hell – to Leah.

"But there wouldn't be much point in that, now, would it?" Mary asked turning to look at Jett. "Tell me Jett. How you feel about finally meeting your Daddy?" Jay felt as if all the air had been knocked out of his lungs as it had seemed that Jett had started to relax but was tightly wound again.

"What?" Jett growled standing up and over Mary.

A/N: Alright so here goes the next chapter. I will try to push the next one out but I've got pack for the family mini-vacation which will involve: hiking, eating, swimming, eating, horseback riding, more eating and scenic vistas. There'd be more drinking if my brother was going but he's leaving me all by my lonesome. It means that I have to act as the designated driver. He's so selfish.

But thanks to MissEllen for the misused word and an even bigger thanks to xMeetMeAtTwilightx for the age typos. That's what I get for doing an A/N at 1:30 in the morning, under the cover darkness and my sheets while fighting sleep and then not proofing it when I was awake again.

As about Jett with his Mommy – what can I say? I come from a family where there are Daddy's Girls and a Momma's Boy. My brother is twelve years older then me, 6'3", weighs at least 245lbs and STILL calls our mom, Mommy. However, that's only within the presence of her and his sisters. So Jett doesn't go around calling her 'Mommy' in public – that's private talk.

Thanks for the clarification on tanning. I only have two shades brown and dark according to my five year old niece. The insight still wow'd and amazed me because I've never seen anyone, personally or with my own two eyes, go through such a drastic change unless they had that condition like Michael Jackson but twenty plus years and this woman isn't completely white yet.

I'm a little pressed for time right now and so do not have much of a tease for the next chapter BUT I will say Jett is none too pleased about the revelation and Jacob won't be pleased either with his oldest son's reaction to the news. And Leah just isn't happy with Mary Uley.