A/N: Fluffity fluff fluff fluffiness ahead! Big time Jakey loving. :3 Muahahaha, I got so many reviews telling me they wanted waffles. Spread the waffle love!
Artemis de Nacho: I really enjoy your name. :D But thanks for your review, the "Brothel Fest 3000" made me giggle uncontrollably. Needless to say, I'm a little old fashioned, and don't like it when characters jump each other's bones right off the bat. I mean, where's the love in that? :/ So I'm happy you support the Jake and Ina loving. :)
Stark-Raving-Mad-xD: And I quote, "Pretty please with Jake on top." ...-bursts into fit of laughter-
Thanks to everyone else who reviewed/alerted/favorited! I appreciate it mightily!
And if you guys want some Embear loving, I suggest you go visit HunnyABee 's one-shot story "Who Needs Dreams?" I found it incredibly sweet and fluffy and awesome and dangit I want a fictional boyfriend. T_T And to write an Embry fic. :3
Did you guys know that Kiowa Gordan (Embry) does screamo? O_o I was like whoa...he's so quiet and cute in interviews and then he's all RAWWRRR DJFKDAJDKJFDJAJ! He may not be the best at it, but it makes me love him more because he tries. :3 GO TEAM KIOWA! X) I'm so naming my future son after him...he has the coolest name ever and it would drive my mother crazy, ha! :D Anyway, do enjoy and review if you'd like! I love me some reviews almost as much as waffles...unfortunately I can't eat reviews, but I'm sure they'd be pretty tasty if I could.
Chapter 15
I woke up sweating sometime during the night and cracked my eyes open as I kicked off the offensive blanket angrily. Cool air immediately rushed over my skin and I sighed. I felt Jake shift a little beside me and looked up to see him frowning a little in his sleep. I snuggled back into him and the frown slowly left his face, leaving him sweet and peaceful looking.
His eyebrows weren't scrunched together in worry, the corners of his mouth weren't slightly deepened in a small frown like they sometimes were. The light from my alarm clock bathed his face in a blushing glow, making his skin look even smoother than usual. He sighed and mumbled something in his sleep before tightening his arms around me. I rested my forehead against his chest and smiled, then placed a gentle kiss against his warm skin. I looked back up at his face, letting my eyes trace the smooth lines and sharp corners.
I felt every cell in my body humming in happiness, just the feeling of being close to him was enough to leave me breathless. I was flattered that he trusted me enough to let me see him this vulnerable, so childlike in his peaceful slumber. His chest rose and fell with each breath he took, his heart thumping quietly under his skin as he sighed. His lips parted and turned up into a small smile.
I wonder what he dreams about?
He mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like my name and I suddenly found myself not wanting to know what he was dreaming. His chest vibrated in what sounded like a purr and I laughed quietly to myself. I smoothed the hair away from his forehead and leaned in close.
"Jake, I think I love you," I whispered. His breathing hitched for a moment and I thought he might have heard, but he finally exhaled, his breathing returning to its slow rhythm. I snuggled back down to his chest and smiled, feeling completely and utterly and incandescently happy.
"Honey, your alarm clock is going off," someone with a lovely deep voice whispered in my ear. I groaned and flapped an arm out to hit the blasted contraption, smiling in victory when it stopped mid shriek. I snuggled back into the warmth beside me, frowning when the alarm went off again in what seemed like seconds later.
"Come on, we have to get up. School is going to start soon," Jake sighed.
"Screw school," I grumbled.
He chuckled and suddenly flipped over so that I was lying beneath him. "Wake up!" he whisper yelled. I shook my head, stubbornly keeping my eyes closed. He shook my shoulders and bounced up and down for a moment, but stopped when I rolled over onto my stomach and stuck my head under the pillow.
"If you don't wake up I'll throw you outside into the cold!"
"No you won't. You're too nice for that," I reasoned, smiling against the mattress. I was suddenly being thrown over a massive shoulder and carried to the window. My eyes widened in fear and I beat against his back and said, "I'm awake! I'm awake!"
"That's what I thought," he chuckled, standing me up. I glared at him and stuck my tongue out before attempting to run a hand through my tangled nest of hair. Jake was giving me a weird look, a smile playing on his full lips.
"What?" I asked, blushing. He just shook his head and continued staring and smiling. I looked at the floor for a moment, then glanced back up. He was still staring.
"What?" I asked, exasperated. He chuckled and let his arms wrap snugly around my waist. He planted a kiss on my forehead and leaned back to look at me some more, an almost awe struck look on his face.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered. I cocked an eyebrow at him and looked in the mirror. My hair looked like a rat had made its home inside of it, my eyes were slightly puffy, and my shirt was drooping off one shoulder and hung off of me like a square potato sack. I pointed at the mirror.
"Have you seen that?" I asked doubtfully. He hugged me close and looked in the mirror, his cheek resting against the top of my head. He smiled and I couldn't help but smile too. This big, muscley, gorgeous bear…wolf of a man was wrapped around me, a shrimpy hobo looking kid. His hair was sticking up at odd angles, but other than that he looked beautiful as always.
"If this is how you wake up in the morning, I'm going to have to put makeup on in my sleep or something," I joked. He frowned and shook his head.
"Nuh uh. I like you like this," he said seriously. I smiled and gave him a squeeze. Could any other man be so adorable? I think not. He moved me so that I was standing with my back to him and draped his arms over my shoulder, letting his chin rest on the top of my head.
"I, for one, think we make a pretty sexy couple," he said, a smirk forming on his face. I leaned forward slightly and grabbed my camera off of my dresser. "Say cheese!" I said quickly before taking a picture. He snatched it out of my hands and looked at it. "How do you delete it? I look bad in this one," he frowned. I jumped to reach it but unfortunately he was way taller than me. I climbed onto my bed and jumped on his back while he was busy pressing random buttons. It was like jumping against a concrete wall.
"Nooo! Give it back!" I whined. He held it out of my reach and continued pushing buttons, a scowl on his face. I waved my arms uselessly in front of me. He stopped suddenly and threw me onto the bed and was out the window in two seconds flat. I just laid there, wide eyed, until there was a knock at the door.
"Huh?" I said confusedly. My mom opened the door and poked her head in.
"Just wanted to make sure you were awake. I don't want you to be late again," she smiled. I nodded and she closed the door. I remembered the camera in my hands and looked at the picture on the screen. I was cheesing big time, being goofy as always, and Jake's face was next to mine looking slightly confused but smiling also.
"Delete it!" he hissed, the top part of his head popping up at my window. I set the camera on my dresser and walked to the window. I smiled and bent down to kiss his cheek.
"I'll see you at school, Jake. That picture is not being deleted," I said before shutting the window. He looked like I had kicked him in the face. He pressed his hands against the window while frowning and giving me the saddest face I've ever seen on a grown man. I almost cried before flinging the window back open and throwing my arms around him.
"That's more like it," he chuckled, squeezing me back. Even though I was leaning out the window into the cold outdoor air, I felt none of it. He was as warm as a human toaster. I thought occurred to me and I pulled back and looked at him seriously.
"Am I your toast?" I asked. He looked confused so I elaborated. "You said last night that you were warm and toasty, kind of like a human toaster. So does that make me your toast?" I grinned widely and he shook his head at me.
"Only you," he sighed. He leaned down and puckered up his lips with a hopeful face. "Hmm?"
"But I haven't brushed my teeth yet!" I argued in horror. He shrugged and leaned in more, trying not to smile as he puckered his lips. I scowled at him, but he just stood there and fluttered his eyelashes innocently.
"You know you want to," he said, making his voice deep and smooth. I forced back a shiver and shook my head at him. He sighed and looked down at the ground for a moment, his face completely hidden. When he looked back up I stepped back and said, "Whoa."
"It's my sexy face. Isn't it convincing?" he asked, raising his left eyebrow slightly. I laughed and shook my head at him even though my heart was beating rapidly inside my chest. The traitor.
He smirked a little, his dark eyes smoldering as he stepped back through the window and followed me as I stepped backwards in attempt escape. I realized too late that I was in front of the bed and tripped onto my back on the mattress. He was quickly kneeling over me, his face still formed into that devilishly handsome grin. My heart pounded so hard against my ribcage I thought it would explode as he leaned down, his eyes on my lips before they slowly traveled back up to my eyes. His long dark lashes framed his molten chocolate eyes perfectly, and I found myself mesmerized by the raw emotion they held. He got even closer and my eyelids fluttered closed, my breath quickening. After what seemed like agonizingly long hours I opened my eyes again to see him smiling down at me.
"Jerk," I hissed, glaring at him. He chuckled and quickly captured my lips in his own. He pulled back all too soon and smiled cutely.
"Love you!" he said as he kissed my nose. He waved and was gone.
I grumbled and shook my head, then started getting ready for the day ahead.
Embry still picked me up in his beat up red truck, a huge grin on his face. He teased me all the way to school and I did not regret having to go into the hated building just to get away from him. Jake met me halfway through the parking lot and slipped his hand into warm hand into mine before smiling at me.
The rest of the day went well. Jake met me after almost every class and walked me to the next one, and he along with Embry and Quil came to pick me up for lunch.
"Where are the others?" I asked, looking around for Jared and the younger guys.
"They're scared of Jacob's bad ass self," Quil teased, elbowing Jake in the ribs. Jake shrugged.
"Just you wait until Claire goes into heat," he shot back. I looked between them in confusion. Embry sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Claire is Quil's imprint. She's almost five," he explained. I gasped and stared at Quil in wide eyed horror, my jaw hanging to the floor as I pointed at him with a shaking index finger. Jake chuckled and shut my mouth.
"Remember I told you that an imprint didn't have to be romantic. Right now, Quil is like the best big brother Claire could ever have. When she grows up there will be time to develop mature feelings later. But for now, Quil just looks at her like a little sister that he loves very very much."
Quil nodded his head furiously, his bottom lip puckered out in a pout. We heard a crash and looked up to see Jared looking down at a guy he apparently ran into with a confused look. He helped the guy up and continued on his way, a sappy smile plastered on his face.
"Uh-oh. I know that look," Embry gulped, glancing between Jake and I. We paused for a moment before coming to a mutual understanding, then quickly ran after Jared. Quil spun him around and Jared swayed on his large feet, the lopsided grin still there along with the loving look in his eyes.
"Jared, did you imprint?" Quil asked seriously, and Jared nodded.
"And she's the most beauuuuuuuutful girl ever," he swooned, wrapping his arms around Quil's neck as he swayed. It looked like he was trying to slow dance with Quil and I snorted in amusement.
"What's her name?" Embry asked.
"I donno," Jared answered, pausing his dancing and looking up at the ceiling in thought. "I donno…I donno…I donno! Guys I don't know my imprint's name! Help me, brother, help!" he shrieked, shaking Quil by the shoulders. Quil's head flopped back and forth helplessly before Jake stepped in and stopped him. We walked to the cafeteria as we thought of ways to find out her name. Jared spotted her instantly, and the love sick look immediately struck his face again. He sighed and sat down at the table with his head his hands. An idea hit me and I quickly dug out a piece of paper and a pen and handed it to Jared.
"Go tell her that you're on the yearbook staff and you're going around asking people what their favorite high school memory is, and ask her name so that you can quote her," I explained proudly. Jared leaped up and grabbed me into a giant bear hug that lifted me off the ground.
"Ina you're brilliant!" he yelled before giving me a giant wet kiss on the cheek. He scuttled off to the girl's table and ignored the evil death glares Jake was giving him. I shrugged and wiped his spit off with a napkin. We watched surreptitiously as Jared walked up to the girl, scratching his head nervously. He said some words and the girl laughed and said something back, then stuck her hand out for him to shake it. Jared turned bright red and his eyes widened to the size of saucers. He shook it quickly then stood there awkwardly for a moment as the girl scribbled something down on a scrap of paper. He smiled at her and I could tell she was having the melting feeling right about then. She watched him as he scurried back to the table, a huge grin on his face.
"So?" we asked in unison, leaning toward him in earnest. He held up the scrap of paper and glanced over his shoulder at the girl. She smiled and waved at us.
"Well, she's actually on the yearbook staff," he chuckled. We laughed for quite a while before we settled down enough to listen to him again. He cleared his throat and gave me an appreciative glance before continuing.
"Her name is Kimberly Moss, but everyone calls her Kim, and, read it and weep boys, she gave me her phone number."
We cheered and the guys gave him heavy claps on the back as he smiled sheepishly. The rest of lunch was spent planning on when Jared should call Kim, what they should do on their first date, and what not to do on their first date, among other things. I looked on in amusement as the guys chattered away, sipping my apple juice quietly.
Imprinting really was a beautiful thing.
I had never seen Jared so enraptured in the entire time that I had known him. His face literally glowed with happiness, and a small blush flushed his cheeks when he said Kim's name. His eyes sparkled happily and when he looked over at her, she was always looking back at him, smiling. Jared's expression was sweeter than I had ever seen before. He looked like a little kid that had just found a mountain made of candy, or better yet, a wolf that had come upon a never ending supply of juicy, succulent steak. I gave him a hug and said congratulations before we left, and spent the rest of my day in relative happiness thanks to the amazing event that I had witnessed.
The next few days passed almost as happily as the first. Jake spent the night often, and when he couldn't he would always drop by sometime during the night to take a short nap. His heat and love were always welcome, since Sam still hadn't gotten around to fixing our heater. I suspected Jake had something to do with it, but when Mom shuffled out of her room with a red, runny nose I put my foot down and called Sam.
"Sam Uley speaking," his deep voice rumbled in my ear.
"Hey Sam, it's Ina Call. Just wondering when you were going to have time to fix our heater since it's you know, negative twenty five degrees outside and now November," I answered jokingly. He chuckled and I heard another voice in the background. He covered the phone and mumbled something, then sighed.
"Well, Jake has enjoyed you being without heat for the past few nights," he said. I snorted to hide my embarrassment.
"I knew it! Well it's fine and dandy with me when he comes over, but my mom is getting sick because of it."
"Alright, alright. I'll be right over," he laughed. We said our goodbyes and hung up. I grabbed an extra blanket and went into the kitchen where my mother was to wrap it around her shoulders.
"Oh, thank you dear," she sniffled, tugging it closer. The microwave dinged and she pulled out a huge bowl of chicken noodle soup. I sniffed happily as she poured some into a bowl for me. We plopped down on the couch and ate in relative silence until the doorbell rang.
"It's Sam," I stated simply. My mom flew into a frenzy trying to make herself "presentable." I shook my head at her and opened the door. Something large that I later recognized as Paul shuffled past me and into the hallway where our heater was sitting uselessly. It occurred to me that I had not seen him since that day on the road. Sam leaned against the doorway and sighed.
"Sorry about this," he mumbled, looking down at me. I shrugged.
"You shouldn't be."
"Eh. Kid needs the experience for when he's out on his own. He's been asking for more work so I've been trying to help as much as I can," Sam said. We both watched Paul for a moment. He flung his toolbox onto the carpet and opened the door to reveal the broken piece of crap. His face was empty, vacant as he tinkered around with the metal bits and pieces.
My mom shuffled out of her room with a new shirt on and patted Paul on the shoulder affectionately. I stopped her before she could manhandle Sam and whispered, "Mom, he's married." Her face fell for a fraction of a second before she went ahead and greeted Sam anyway. They were busy talking about adult things, so I slowly made my way over to Paul and leaned against the wall behind him.
"Hey Paul," I said quietly. He didn't say anything and just kept working. "You want something to drink or something?" I asked tentatively. He shot Sam a look and Sam looked at me sympathetically as he led me away from Paul. I frowned, knowing where this was going.
"He's mad at me, isn't he?" I asked. Sam sighed and ran his hands through his hair.
"Katherine, would you mind making some coffee for us? It's pretty cold outside," Sam suggested, winking at me. My mom quickly got to work. Oh Sam, you do know how to make middle aged women swoon.
He led me over to the couch and sat down.
"Have you heard about…me and Leah?" he asked, quietly enough so that my mom wouldn't hear. I nodded.
"A little bit."
Sam grimaced and sighed again, then looked at me seriously.
"Leah and I were in love. We had been dating for three years, and were pretty close. Well, one day her aunt was having surgery, so I went with her to the hospital. I met her cousin Emily and…imprinted."
I patted his hand comfortingly as he took a deep breath and looked at the ceiling, blinking a few times.
"It's not your fault," I said.
"No, it's not my fault, or Emily's, or Leah's. It's just something that happened, and if I could have it some other way I would. But it's not possible. I love Emily, but I loved Leah too. I hate what I did to her, and she makes sure to let me know every second of pain she has gone through because of me. It's kind of the same way with Paul," he said, giving me a cautious look. I sense of dread washed over me, seeping into my bones and wrapping itself around my heart with icy cold fingers.
"It's not your fault, or Jacob's. You guys should be happy together, but I think Paul needs some time to himself to heal and move on. So…" he drifted off.
"So you want me to stay away from him," I answered flatly. He nodded, his eyebrows knitted together in worry. I nodded grimly and stood up.
"Mom, I'm going for a walk," I called out. I waved to Sam and shuffled out the door into the chilled autumn air. I stuck my hands in my pockets and started down the sidewalk, the overcast weather appropriately reflecting my melancholic mood.
I wasn't mad at Sam for telling me to leave Paul alone, I knew he was right. What hurt was that I was the one that broke Paul's heart. I had given him hope, and then wrenched it away without giving him a second thought. I had been so happy with Jake that I had forgotten the damage I had left in my wake.
I kicked dead leaves out of my way as I walked in no particular direction. The cold air blew against my skin, leaving me slightly numb in some places, but it felt refreshing. I stepped over the invisible border between civilization and nature and trekked my way into the woods.
Leaves and twigs crunched under my feet, bare branches scraping against each other overhead. I continued walking until I heard something crunch the ground in front of me.
"Hey Jake," I mumbled, giving him a small smile. He ducked his head down and whined, his beautiful russet colored fur swaying in the breeze. I walked up to him and patted his shoulder, letting my fingers sink deep into his fur. He gently nipped my shirt between his teeth and tugged on it.
"Want me to follow you?" I asked. He nodded in reply, giving me one last worried look before turning away. I walked behind him, following his swaying feathery tail as he walked deeper into the forest. He glanced back to check on me every now and then, his big brown eyes full of concern. I made sure to smile at him, there was really no need for him to worry. Just me being an emo kid.
Eventually we reached a clearing, and when I looked up I saw his house standing a few hundred yards in front of me. He jerked his head toward it as he ran off behind a tree. I started walking to his house and he soon caught up to me, catching my hand in his and squeezing it affectionately. He looked at me but stayed quiet as we walked up the steps. He opened the door and held it for me while I walked in, then shut it behind him.
His house was just as I had remembered it from our first date, warm and inviting. He sat me down on the couch, then went to crank up the heat. He clanged around in the kitchen for a bit before bringing me a mug of something steamy and delicious smelling. I took it and sniffed, smiling despite myself at his sweetness.
"How'd you know I like hot chocolate?" I asked. He grinned.
"I have my sources," he answered. "You forget I had to listen to Paul rant about you before I ever knew you."
Paul.
I sighed and sunk back into the couch, letting the mug warm my hands. Jake sat down beside me and pulled my hair back from my face.
"Is there something bothering you?" he asked. I looked up at him and bit my lip, feeling the tears poking my eyes like burning embers. He quickly grabbed the cup from me and sat it on the table while drawing me to him with his other arm.
"Ina," he breathed, petting my hair. I drew my fists up in front of my face and sucked in a shaky breath, feeling the hot tears trail down my freezing skin. Jake held me tight as I wept, murmuring softly in my ear and kissing wherever he could reach. He shifted so that we were lying back against the couch and tugged my shoes off with his toes, then gently pulled my bulky coat off of me. I sniffled as he settled down again and wrapped his arms around me.
He didn't prod or question, just petted my hair and gently rubbed my back until I was ready. I used my sleeve to wipe the tears from his skin, but it was still a little sticky when I put my face back down to it. His heart beat smoothly against his chest, the slow, gentle rhythm comforting me. I let my eyes flutter closed as I listened, and he didn't resist.
"Hey Ina?" he asked softly.
"Hm?"
He paused for a moment, and I noticed his heart pick up a bit.
"Do you sleep well when you're with me?"
I nodded, smiling against his skin. He took a deep breath, making me rise and fall with his chest.
"Do you dream when you're with me?"
I shrugged.
"I don't really remember," I answered honestly.
"That's good. They say you sleep well when you can't remember your dreams," he said quietly. I looked up at him and his face was slightly troubled.
"Have you been sleeping well?" I asked, worried that I had been causing him discomfort. A slow smile spread across his face and nodded, looking down at me.
"Oh yeah," he chuckled. He bit his lip and looked out the window for a moment, gazing at the sky thoughtfully. "I dream about you a lot. But every night I have the same dream at some point during the night."
My breath hitched in my throat, and I coughed as my heart sputtered happily. He patted my back but continued looking out the window as he spoke.
"Every night, we're laying in bed like we normally would be. I can't see you but I know you're there, and I can feel you touching me. You always kiss my chest, and then you mess with my hair for a minute, and then you say something." He looked down at me at this point, confusion and hope in his eyes. I nodded for him to continue, my heart pounding against my chest like it was trying to jump into Jake's and meet his heart.
"At first, it seemed like you were a little unsure, but then you slowly started getting better. Every night, Ina, you tell me that you love me."
My eyes widened as I tensed against him. I willed myself to be calm, ordered my lungs to inhale and exhale so that I wouldn't die.
"The thing is," he continued, "it doesn't seem like a dream. It feels so…real."
He looked down at me in wonder, his eyes holding a mix of hope and pain.
"It's my favorite dream," he said, smiling. He ran his thumb across my cheek, then my lips.
"I'm not saying this to pressure you or anything. I just wanted to be honest with you. I love you, and hope that I can eventually make you feel the same way for me, but I'll be waiting patiently until then."
I nodded and rested my head back against his chest, drawing circles in his skin nervously. He knew, but he didn't know. I had been waiting for the right moment to tell him, and now would be an opportune time to do it. But if I did it now, he would think I did it just because he said he wanted me to. I sighed unhappily, feeling his circling hand start to slow against my back. Eventually it stopped, his chest rose and fell rhythmically, and I knew that he was asleep. I kissed his chest and looked up into his peaceful, beautiful, sleeping face before smoothing his hair away.
"I love you, Jacob Black," I whispered, gazing at him a few moments longer before letting myself relax against his comforting warmth, feeling if not happy, then at least content.
I smiled as I realized that our hearts were beating in unison.