An...Okay, here it is, as promised! I hope you all like it.
Lemony Goodness inside.
Chapter 30
A Simple Matter of Mathematics
Leah POV
As we walked through the door of my house, two things instantly stood out to me. First, Seth was not sulking, instead he was talking to Charlie. Second, my mother was cooking, I could smell the mouthwatering aroma of her home made fried bread. She only ever cooked her fried bread when she was happy. I took Edward's hand and squeezed it tightly.
"Well, well… Look who decided it was time to come home." Charlie grumbled.
"It's been a long…. day and a half, Charlie." I sighed deeply.
"You look pale, kiddo. You feeling okay?" Charlie's voice sounded worried.
"I'm fine." I assured him. "Pale? Really?" Charlie and Seth nodded. I looked at Edward, who also acquiesced. I went straight to the bathroom, and looked in the mirror for the first time since Edward and I made love. I was surprised by the change I saw in my appearance. My irises, once deep, and rich brown were now a strange hue of brick, still brown enough to pass for human, but much to red to be "normal". My skin, though still tan, had become much paler. It reminded me of the color of a newborn Quileute baby. It was obvious in the undertones of my skin that I was Native American, but my skin was no longer a strong copper tone, it was more of a mild buff color. This made the deep black of my hair stand out all the more, and accentuated the inherent almost-blue undertone of all black hair. As I looked more closely, I could see that my skin was smoother, and my features more pronounced than before.
Taking in these changes, I suddenly felt mentally exhausted. I figured that a warm shower, and a short nap before supper would help with that. I turned on the water, and adjusted the water temperature, enjoying the feel against my hand. I stripped off the very simple, but pretty dress that Rosalie had given me to wear at the hospital, stepped under the stream of hot water, and groaned as it washed away the grime and stress of the past two days. There was only one thing that I could think of that might be more relaxing than the loveliness of the shower. I reached into my mind, and fought to open the door to my thoughts, begging Edward to hear me once again. The connection to his mind was something I craved.
Hear me. I begged, pressing my forehead against the plastic wall of the shower enclosure.
Leah? Edward's voice rang out clear in my mind. I decided to try again.
Can you hear me? Am I getting through?
I have missed your voice. I heard the sound of relief and happiness in Edward's mind.
Can you come to me?
I heard a click at the bathroom door, and within seconds, I felt arms wrapping themselves around my waist. I leaned back against Edward's strong chest, and relaxed as his lips brushed against my neck. I breathed in his sweet scent, and sighed heavily, reaching one hand up and into his beautiful henna locks. He held one hand firmly against my abdomen while the other began to fondle my breasts.
You're so beautiful, my love.
Show me. I pleaded as his lips captured my mouth.
We have to be quiet.
I looked into his eyes with a salacious grin. You think they don't already know what we're up to?
Charlie and Sue do, but I don't think we need to scar Seth by letting him hear you screaming my name.
What if it is you that screams out in pleasure? I asked as I slid a hand behind me to grasp his erection. He sucked in air between clenched teeth as I stroked his length, and bucked his hips against my hand.
How about if we just keep on kissing, and swallow each other's cries?
I nodded my head slightly, and thrust my tongue deeply into his mouth, tasting his sweet flavor.
Touch me Edward. I pleaded silently as I pushed his hand down the plains of my stomach towards the apex of my thighs, where I was aching for his touch.
Your wish. He slid his fingers into my folds. My command.
An involuntary shudder ran up my spine as he began to stroke my sensitive flesh, pressing gently against my clit with each pass, and working his way gently into my opening with two fingers. He buried them deep inside of me, and pressed the heel of his hand against my clit as we continued to kiss each other deeply, our tongues dancing and tasting, our bodies racing towards the precipice of pleasure.
I opened my legs further, stepping one foot on the edge of the tub, and leaned back more heavily into him as I worked booth of my hands behind us to stroke and massage him. He held me tightly against himself, and massaged my breasts, pinching and pulling at my nipples. It was a sweet torture that I never wanted to come to an end.
He began to curl his fingers gently inside of me as he plunged them into me over and over, rubbing gently against that secret spot of pleasure, and bringing me closer to the edge.
Edward, it's so good. What you do to me. I'm so close.
My breath was becoming ragged, and heavy. Our mouths were pressed against each other, but we were too caught up in the sensations to remember to kiss, until I began to mewl into his mouth. My hips began to gyrate against his hand, and I squeezed tightly around his shaft as my orgasm exploded though me. His mouth swallowed my cries of ecstasy as he bucked his hips wildly into my eager hands.
I turned around, and watched as I stroked his beautiful cock. His quiet grunting let me know that he was close. I captured his mouth with my own, and pressed myself against him, so that my hand was pressed between us as I pleasured him. Each time my hand squeezed at the base, the head would press forward into my belly. I gently cupped and began to massage his balls as he sped towards release.
Fuck baby. It's so, ah, baby... I'm going to cum!
Edward grunted and twitched as he spewed against my hand and stomach. I muted his soft sounds as I kissed him deeply, sucking his tongue and massaging it with my own. We clung tightly to each other, and kissed at each other's necks and shoulders as our panting became sighing, and our heart rates returned to normal.
We washed each other gently and lovingly, and then quickly as the water began to cool off. Edward wrapped me in a towel and dried me off tenderly. I grabbed another towel and did the same for him. He dressed quickly, then picked me up and ran into my bedroom, dropping me onto the bed. I laughed as I bounced against the mattress.
What was that for? He shrugged, but the mischief in his eyes was apparent. You are SO seventeen! I giggled.
Edward lay down beside me, and turned me onto my side so that he could spoon against me. He held me tightly, and brushed wet strands of hair away from my face and neck.
Sleep, baby. You must be exhausted.
I'm not.
You've been through the wringer the last two days, and haven't had a chance to rest. You really should try to sleep. He insisted.
Fine, I'll try. I submitted.
We lay there quietly for about fifteen minutes with him humming his gentle aria in my ear, and running his hands through my hair. My body began to relax, and I drifted off into a very light sleep. After another twenty minutes, my eyes opened. I awoke from my cat-nap fully refreshed and energized. My body felt like I had had a full nights' sleep.
Edward protested that I could not possibly have had enough sleep, and tried to get me to lay back down, but I was absolutely wide awake, and refreshed. After a few minutes of discussion, I huffed, and got out of bed. I went to my dresser, and began to pull out underwear which I slipped on quickly before walking to my closet. Edward's eyes never left me, taking in every motion I made.
What? I asked him, annoyed at his stare.
I love watching you. I think you should still be asleep… and naked! He wagged his eyebrows at me. But I love to watch you move. I blushed and tried to hide my smile. Don't hide from me, beautiful! You are so graceful.
Thank you. I will take your lovely compliment, but you have to stop trying to tell me how I feel. I am fine. As a matter of fact, I feel more refreshed than I have in a very long time, so stop worrying!
It just seems odd to me that you aren't utterly spent.
Edward, I don't need to be a vampire to figure it out. You should have figured it out already.
Figured what out? I smiled at how obtuse he was being.
Edward, think about it. I have undergone several changes since Tuesday evening. Vampires don't need sleep, right? So, while I am not completely a vampire, we already know that many things changed in my body. I think I don't require as much sleep now.
Edward rolled his eyes, and pressed his face into my pillow.
I feel like such an idiot! You're right. I should have figured that out.
I finished dressing, pulling a pair of worn dark wash jeans, a grey t-shirt and a grey hooded sweatshirt with black tribal patterns all across the back. I slipped on a pair of socks and my black converse shoes just as my mother called to us that dinner was ready.
I walked into the kitchen and sat at my usual seat by the wall. I watched as Charlie helped Mom to set dinner out on the table. Seth was just finishing setting utensils at each plate.
"Hey kiddo, how was your day?" I pulled him into a side hug. Edward made his excuses to Charlie and Mom, and left to help Carlisle with the mountain of medical paperwork that he was sifting through.
"I'm okay. Charlie and I talked a lot yesterday and this morning." Seth blew out a huff of air before continuing. "He explained to me what happened. I guess dad.. I mean Harry always kind of knew about me. It's weird, and hard to wrap my head around. I guess there are worse things I can think of than Charlie being my dad."
"Hopefully someday I'll make you as proud to call me Dad as I am already to call you son." Charlie said softly, placing his hand on Seth's shoulder.
"Well, as long as the topic is breeched, I have a question for you, Mom." I looked her in the eye, trying to judge her strength to hold this conversation. She stared back at me with her head held high, and her shoulders set.
"Go ahead, babygirl. I am done with the falling apart bullshit. Ask away." Her voice sounded as strong and sure as I had ever known her to be.
"Did you lie to Charlie?" I asked her bluntly.
"About what?" she asked with earnest eyes.
"Me."
"Carlisle told us he did blood work so, I guess we'll know soon enough."
"Not good enough. I think you already know." I hedged. "Tell me, and I truly a Clearwater, or am I a Swan?" Mom sighed deeply.
"In my heart, I believe you are a Swan. I was never really sure, so I went along with Harry, because I didn't want to tie Charlie down. Harry never had much ambition beyond marrying me, opening a bait and tackle shop, and fishing. Charlie had dreams. He always wanted to go to school, and join law enforcement. I knew that having a baby and a wife could keep him from finishing school. I couldn't let that happen, so I told everyone that you were definitely Harry's child. I even convinced myself that I believed it after a while."
"Did you ever love Harry?"
"Yes, I did. I loved him for accepting you and Seth as his own. Especially Seth, since he knew damn well that he couldn't be the father. I loved him for trying for as long as he did to be enough for me. I always felt badly that I didn't love him as much as he deserved, but I cared for him. I tried to be what he needed."
"What leads you to believe that I am Charlie's kid?"
"Mathematics... Seth, if you don't want to hear this, you can take your dinner into the living room." Mom gave him a moment to decide before taking the discussion any further.
"No. I think I am grown up enough to hear the whole truth too. I'm not a baby." Seth sat up taller, squared his shoulders.
"Okay." Mom nodded. "I was seventeen. Harry and I had sex on graduation night, and then two times after that. The last time was the same night that I agreed to meet Charlie at First Beach. I didn't have sex with Harry again until three days after the wedding. When I discovered I was pregnant, I had been with Charlie every night for over five weeks, except for the four days of my period, which was a week later. They told me that I was two to three weeks pregnant. I only even tested because I was so very regular with my cycle, and I had woken up nauseas for three of the four days I was late when I went to see Dr. Gerandy. So, by the math, it would seem that you are Charlie's daughter. But you were born nearly a month premature and I was told that you were rather large for your point of gestation, so there has always been a shadow of a doubt. The blood work will give us the answers."
I looked Charlie in the eye. There had always been a special bond between us.
"What do you think, Charlie? Do you think that you are my father?"
"I have loved you since the first time I held you. You were just over two years old, and I melted. You wrapped me around your little fingers, and held my heart ever since. I would be proud to find out that I am your father, but I want to be here for you no matter what the truth."
Jacob and Bella walked into the kitchen hand-in-hand just then. I could tell that Bella had not heard all of the conversation by the curious look on her face. Charlie jumped up, and gave her a quick hug, but froze. He held her by the shoulders at arms' length, and stared.
"No fucking way!" he yelled. "What in the HELL happened in the last thirty hours?"
"Dad?" Bella hedged.
"Don't act like that. First Leah comes home pale, and cool to the touch, and side steps my comments about it, and now you come home easily three inches taller, paler than ever, and just as cool to the touch as she is… And what the FUCK?" he grabbed her arm, staring at the bite marks marring her skin. He was raging, his breath coming in short, ragged pants.
"Dad, it's okay, I'm alright. Yes, I phased today." Bella's voice was calm.
"You are a wolf now too?" Charlie's voice sounded broken.
"Sit back down, dad." Bella demanded. Charlie went into another room.
"I think I have lost my appetite." He called living room. "When you are done, I want a family meeting in here. I want answers."
Seth and Jacob were the only ones with enough appetite to eat a meal. They helped themselves to generous portions of the spread that Mom had prepared, and sat down to eat. I grabbed a large piece of fried bread and headed into the living room. Bella followed suit.
"This bread is delicious, Sue." Bella gushed.
"Thank you, sweetie. It's what I have always made when I am happy, and after getting all of the truth out, and crying for a bit, I feel so much better. It feels wonderful to have everything off of my chest. I have never felt lighter, or free-er than now."
Bella and I both smiled with mom, grateful that she was doing so much better than she was when we left.
"So, girls… what happened to you two? We know that Bella phased, but that does not explain the bites, or the palor, or the temperature for either of you. So spill."
"Mom, I think Charlie wanted to do this as a family?"
"The boys can hear everything just fine from where they are, and if they want to bring their food in here, they can. I suspect that Jake already knows everything anyhow. Right, Jake?"
"Yes, Sue. I know what happened." He yelled from the kitchen.
"Good. Now it is our turn." Mom demanded.
~UUaAP~
Bella POV
"Holy shit! You were kidnapped, and nobody thought to call me?" Charlie's face was practically purple, and I was worried that the veins in his neck and forehead might burst.
"Calm down, Ch-Dad!" I exclaimed.
"Charlie, we chose not to call you because you already had so much on your plate with Mom and Seth, and since we knew that it was a vampire who had taken her, we were concerned that your being involved in finding her might put you in danger." Leah tried to assure him.
"My baby girl was in danger! Do you think I would have been concerned about myself?"
"Dad! It's not like that! Everyone knows how much you love me, but let's be realistic. It was a three hour run home for all of us, and we run faster than a car! Seriously, what could you have done that they didn't do?" I yelled.
"I could have prayed for my daughter." Charlie spat venomously.
"We did that too, Charlie. When we found that she was put into a car, and met our first dead-end, we did just that. Carlisle led us in prayer. He loves Bella and I like daughters too. No one was trying to take away your rights as a father, we were all looking out for you."
"I appreciate the sentiment, but know this…" Charlie glared across the room at Jacob. "Hear this boy! If there is ever, and I mean ever another 'situation' involving any of my children, I am to be informed. Do you got it?" Jacob nodded, his eyes wide.
"Yes sir."
"Good. I'm going to be telling the same thing to Carlisle, and Edward." Charlie turned to look at Leah. "And you! Do I need to have the same conversation with you that I did with Jake and Bella? If his venom is going to do damage to you, then don't expose yourself to it!"
"Charlie, I think whatever damage is going to be done is done. Carlisle assures us that the danger of anaphylaxis is past. My blood is already partly venom. There is no danger anymore. And… before you can go getting angry with Edward, you have to know that we had NO idea, either of us, that there was a danger involved." Leah looked past Charlie as she spoke, unable to meet his eyes.
"Of course not!" I chimed in, hoping to help gloss over her obvious lie. Everyone stood quietly for a moment.
"So, what does this classify you two as now?" Seth blurted curiously.
"Hell if I know!" Leah laughed.
"You mean, you're the spawn of an elephant and a rhinoceros?" Seth broke out into a fit of laughter.
"Yes, Seth.. that's it exactly!" I giggled. Everyone laughed. It was the perfect tension breaker, silly as it was.
~UUaAP~
