PLEASE READ: Okay, so, I am a terrible, terrible, person for not updating this story for so long. I'm sure no one even really cares for it anymore, but I promise I'm going to finish it and now that life has calmed down a bit I'm finally able to sit and write again. I hope you guys can forgive me for being gone so long, but while I hate giving "excuses" I feel the need to explain this long absence. On Christmas my boyfriend became my fiancé (he asked me to marry him on Christmas morning as we exchanged gifts before going to my cousin's for the day), and between work, parties, and catching the flu around Valentine's day I haven't had time to give my story much thought. However, things have settled down and other than periodic wedding planning sessions with my guy and work I've gotten more time to write. I plan on putting a new chapter up every weekend until the story is finished. Again, I hope you all can forgive me and that the last bit of this chapter makes up for my absence. :)
Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Twilight.
As a recap, the last chapter concluded with JJ confronting Johanna's brother and girlfriend after they verbally attacked Johanna while her parents were preparing dinner in the other room.
Chapter Eleven
Johanna was pretty much tucked into JJ's side as she sat on the sofa beside him, his arm wrapped around her and holding her close, as the aftermath of the evening's events unfolded. Elise had cried and David had looked at his son with utter disappointment on his face as Jon told them how JJ had 'confronted' him and Piper about how they treated Johanna and much to Johanna's surprise Jon had told them a good deal of what he'd been a part of over the last few years and how he badly he had treated her. Johanna had never seen her father so angry and when Jon had told them of the event at the cliffs a month ago David's face had turned red before he restrained himself and calmly took Jon's cell phone and tablet before he sent Jon to his room until David calmed down enough to deal with him.
"Johanna, why didn't you tell us?" David asked, his voice heavy, as he looked at Johanna.
"I didn't . . . Dad, I couldn't," she said as she hesitantly met her father's gaze. "Jon's my brother and I love him. I felt like if I said anything it would make things even worse. When it started it felt like I would be tattling on Jon and after a while I got used to it. It had never really been physical until that day at the cliffs, but JJ's friend Harry stopped anything bad from happening."
"How long has this harassment been going on?" Elise asked, her tears had quieted but her eyes were still red rimmed and her face flushed lightly.
"Since shortly after Gran died," Johanna admitted and Elise sighed heavily before she took David's hand and then rested her head on his shoulder. "I know I should have told you and I'm sorry I didn't."
"And I'm sorry I ruined dinner," JJ said and David and Elise looked at him while his arm tightened around Johanna, pulling her even closer to him, and she turned her face into his chest. "I just . . . I've known about how Jon and his friends treat her for a while and when they started saying . . . I wasn't going to let it happen anymore. I let it go on long enough and if he wasn't her brother . . .," JJ trailed off and Johanna turned her face up so she was looking at him. JJ sighed softly as he looked at her before he pressed his lips to her forehead and pulled back with another soft sigh.
"You don't have to be sorry, JJ," David said heavily and both JJ and Johanna looked to her parents. "If I was in your position, I can't say that I wouldn't do the same." Elise sighed once more and lifted her head from David's shoulder.
"He's right, JJ, you don't have to be sorry," she said before she took a deep breath and stood from the sofa. "You stood up for Johanna and that's more than we can say."
"Mom," Johanna said before she finally untangled herself from JJ and stood from the sofa, quickly moving so she was standing in front of her mother. Johanna wrapped her arms around Elise, hugging her mother tight, and Elise sniffed quietly before she returned her embrace, kissing the side of Johanna's head in the process. After a few quiet beats Johanna pulled back from the hug and looked into her mother's eyes. "If you would have known what was going on, I know you would have protected me too. You and Dad always have protected me, especially since Gran died and I think . . . I think that may be part of why Jon started treating me like he does."
"What do you mean?" David asked as he stood as well and, not wanting to feel left out, JJ stood, his hand going to rest on Johanna's lower back. She sighed softly as she looked up at him, a small smile on her lips, before she returned her eyes to her parents. JJ was confused by what Johanna meant as well, so, when she started to speak again his full attention was on her.
"I took Gran's death hard, harder than I think you guys were expecting me to and you guys closed ranks. Even though you didn't exclude Jon or push him away, I think he might have felt like you started to favor me over him and he . . . started to lash out at me for it," Johanna said and Elise and David just stared at her for a moment before they looked at each other.
"I think she might be right," Elise said softly before she sighed heavily. JJ wrapped his arm around Johanna then, his hand settling on her upper waist as he pulled her into his side. Elise and David spoke quietly and while JJ could have listened in and heard what was said between the pair he instead focused his attention to Johanna.
"You okay?" he whispered and she looked up at him.
"I'm fine," she said and he leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead. She sighed softly as she closed her eyes before David softly cleared his throat. JJ pulled back and both he and Johanna turned their eyes to her parents.
"We're going to go up and talk to Jon," David said. "I know dinner was a bit of a wash tonight. Why don't the two of you head over to the diner for a bite, my treat."
"I'll take Johanna for dinner, David, but you don't have to pay," JJ said as he shook his head. "I've got it covered." David took a deep breath and nodded his head before his eyes moved to his daughter. Elise walked over to her and hugged her tight before she kissed her head, sniffed quietly, and slowly pulled back.
"Have a nice time with JJ okay," Elise said. "We'll talk more when you get home."
"Okay," Johanna said and JJ took her hand.
"Come on, Jo," he said and Johanna turned away from her parents and let JJ lead her into the foyer. They paused long enough for the pair to slip on their shoes before they left the house and headed out to JJ's truck.
"I'm not really up for going to the diner, JJ," Johanna said as he opened the passenger side door for her and she looked up at him.
"I know," he said. "We'll just drive around." Johanna gave him a small smile before she let go of his hand and climbed up into the truck. She watched as JJ closed the door and walked around the front his truck, his hand going through his short hair a few times, before he opened the driver's side door and climbed in the truck with her. "Ready?"
"Yeah," she said as he started the truck, backed it out of her driveway, and then started down the road before he reached over and took her left hand into his right, lacing their fingers together.
They drove around for a while in silence, neither really in the mood to say anything, but words weren't necessary between the pair just yet. JJ would cast glances at Johanna now and again, but she was just looking out the passenger side window and watching the scenery pass by. Their joined hands rested on his right thigh and his thumb would rub small circles over the back of her hand occasionally as they drove. It had started to rain so his plan to drive to the beach and park was out and instead as he headed towards La Push he found himself driving to the house he shared with Harry and Cam. He knew they were gone, Harry was on patrol and Cam was at his parents' place. Johanna hadn't been to his place yet, only his parents' place, and he wasn't sure if it was a good idea to bring her there; however, he knew that she wasn't up for being around people and if he brought her to his parents' place Sara would descend and his mom would likely go all 'mama wolf' and want to comfort her.
"Are you okay with going to my place, Jo?" JJ asked as he drew nearer to the small home. Johanna looked at him, he could feel her even gaze, and he turned his eyes to hers for a second before returning it to the road. Johanna thought over his question. They couldn't drive around for forever and the rain made the idea of parking somewhere and walking around unappealing. She wasn't up for being around other people aside from JJ, but she figured JJ knew that so it was likely that Harry and Cam weren't home. However, she had to ask.
"Are Harry and Cam home?" she asked and he shook his head negatively.
"No," he said, "Harry's on patrol and Cam's at his parents." JJ said and Johanna nodded.
"Okay," she said, "let's go to your place."
"Okay," JJ said before he gave her hand a soft squeeze. Ten minutes later JJ was parking his truck in the driveway of his house. He let go of her hand and climbed out of the truck and for a second JJ worried that the place was a mess. He knew his room was in order but he couldn't remember the state of the living room or kitchen. He jogged around the truck and opened the door before Johanna could and she laughed under her breath as she looked at him from where she remained sitting in his truck. "What?" JJ asked with a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips as the rain misted down on him, making his tan skin seem to shine because of the water.
"Nothing," she whispered before she took his hand and climbed from the truck. It was then that the sky opened up and the soft mist turned into a heavy downpour, surprising the pair. Johanna let out a quiet shriek of surprise as the chilly water hit her and JJ muffled a chuckle at her surprised face before he mentally cursed himself. He had felt the storm coming in all afternoon, but after the events at Johanna's house it had completely slipped his mind. Keeping hold of her hand he grinned at her and Johanna laughed before the pair ran to the house. JJ unlocked the door and they slipped inside. A quick scan of the living room showed that it wasn't too messy, only a few empty water bottles on the coffee table and a plate Harry or Cam (most likely Cam) had left there as well.
"Wow," Johanna said softly as JJ turned on one of the laps and he turned to look at her with a quirked questioning eyebrow. "It's a lot cleaner than I was expecting. After all, three guys live here without their mothers around to ensure they pick up after themselves."
"Yeah, that role would be played by me. Harry's not so bad, but Cam," JJ said, trailing off with a grin and a shake of his head, before he walked back over to her and raised his hands to her face, wiping away the lingering rain drops before he ran his fingers through her damp hair. They hadn't been outside for long, but he was soaked and she hadn't fared much better because the rain was falling harder than it initially had been. "I should have made sure you grabbed your jacket," he said as he ran his hands down her chilled arms, taking her hands in his.
"I'm okay," she assured him with a small smile before it slipped away and she looked out the window. "But I'm worried about Harry and the other guys out on patrol in that," she said just as a flash of lightening lit up the sky and thunder rolled in from the distance. Obviously, the light sprinkle had turned into thunderstorm.
"Don't," he said and Johanna returned eyes to him. "If they're not already there, they're likely heading to my parents place to regroup until the rain lightens up. Protocol," he said and Johanna sighed in relief before she nodded her head. "Come on, let's get you some dry clothes," he said before he let go of her right hand but kept hold of her left and led her to the hall and to his room.
"I think your room is cleaner than mine," she teased when he let go of her hand to go over to his dresser. He shot a grin at her over his shoulder and shook his head slightly as he opened one drawer and then another, pulling out a dark blue t-shirt and a pair of black drawstring sweatpants.
"Blame my mom. Every time I miss the hamper I can still hear her voice in my head telling me to pick it up and put in," he said and Johanna laughed softly as he held out his clothes to her. "Here you go. The bathroom is across the hall if you want to change," he said as she took them from him. "I can throw your clothes in the dryer when you're done."
"Thanks," she said with a small smile before she left his room and he watched as she slipped into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. JJ sighed quietly before he closed his bedroom door and peeled his t-shirt off. He's throw his things in the dryer with Johanna's clothes, so, he quickly disrobed, tossing his boxers into the hamper before grabbing a fresh pair putting them on and then tugging on a pair of sweatpants similar to the ones he gave Johanna. JJ had no more adjusted the waistband of his sweats when there was a soft knock on his bedroom door.
"Come in, Jo," he said as he turned around, forgoing a t-shirt for the moment. Johanna opened his bedroom door, a tentative smile on her face as she looked at him, her wet clothes in her hands.
"I was worried your clothes weren't going to fit, but other than the sweats being way too long they fit fine," she said and JJ had to swallow hard at the sight of Johanna in his clothes. However, her words had brought him back to reality.
"Why would you think my clothes wouldn't fit you?" he asked as he gathered his wet clothes and took a step towards Johanna and took her things from her. He watched her carefully as she tucked her wet hair behind her right ear and shrugged slightly.
"You might be big for a guy but you're not really big," she said as a blush started in the apples of her cheeks and made its way down her neck before it disappeared under the shirt she was wearing. "I just . . . thought that they wouldn't fit me."
"Well, they do and I think they look a hell of a lot better on you than they do on me," he said and her cheeks darkened a bit as she gave him a small smile. Smiling at her in return, he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. "I'm going to go throw these in the dryer. You're welcome to wait in here or in the living room," he said and she nodded her head.
"Do you have a comb or a brush I can use?" she asked before he stepped around her to leave and he nodded.
"On my dresser," he said before he disappeared down the hall and Johanna walked over to his dresser. Johanna easily spotted the black come on JJ's dresser and picked it up. Gathering her hair over her shoulder she started running the comb through it, her eyes fluttering over JJ's dresser and the items on it. There were a few knickknacks, like the ones a person would pick up as a tourist, but she didn't look at them long enough to see where they were from because a photograph that JJ had taped to the mirror caught her attention and made her pause. Her hand had even stilled mid brush as her eyes stared at the unexpected photograph.
It was a harmless photo really but it was a photo of JJ and her and she recognized that it must have been taken at his parents' Fourth of July barbeque, but she hadn't remembered seeing anyone with a camera out that day. It was hard to believe that that day was almost a month ago and she and JJ had only grown closer despite the lingering threat left by that vampire and JJ's overprotective nature. However, it wasn't the photo itself that surprised her, not really anyway, but it was the way JJ was looking at her in the photo that took her breath away.
Whoever took the photo had taken it when Johanna was standing with JJ, Harry, and the rest of JJ's friends after JJ had introduced her to the rest of the guys. JJ's arm was around her and she was laughing as she looked up at Harry and while she couldn't remember just what had made her laugh she figured it was one of Harry's jokes that had struck her funny that day. However, while she was laughing JJ's eyes were on her and he was looking at her with pure adoration in his gaze. That look was practically identical to a look she would see her father give her mother all the time when her mom wasn't looking. Seeing that look on JJ's face brought back that moment from the day before when JJ had told her that he loved her and she had done little more than stare back at him in utter surprise.
"Sarah took that," came JJ's voice, startling her and making her jump slightly before she turned towards the door and looked at him as he entered the room. "She took it with her phone and sent it to me. I went and printed off a copy. I can print one off for you too or send it to you if you want," he said and Johanna ran the comb the rest of the way through her hair and quickly sat it down on his dresser.
"I'd like that," she said and JJ smiled at her before he walked over to his dresser and where Johanna stood.
He had fully intended to pull a t-shirt out of his dresser, but Johanna surprised him by moving in his way and raising her hands to his face before she pulled him to her and caught his lips in a rather intense kiss. He'd been so caught off guard by her sudden kiss that it took JJ a moment to respond but soon his hands were on her upper waist and he was kissing her back just as heatedly. He pulled her body to his and smoothed his hands up her back and flexed his fingers against her skin. Sadly, the kiss lasted only a minute or so before the pair slowly broke apart.
"I love you, JJ," Johanna said softly as she opened her eyes and JJ's eyes snapped open to see tears in his girl's eyes as she looked up at him and rested her hands on his shoulders. "I should have said it back to you yesterday, but I was scared," she admitted as she shook her head. "I was scared because it's far too soon for me to feel the way I do, but it's different for us because of the whole imprinting thing. I don't have any reason to be scared and I realize that now. I do love you JJ, probably more than I have any right to because despite what you think and say you are too good for me. We've only known each other for a month and a half and you've done so much for me. You protect me, encourage me, and stand up for me without any hesitation or doubt.
"God, JJ, two months ago even though I would never have admitted it I was so lonely. I only had my parents and now . . . now I have friends, more people that care about me than I could have ever imagined, and I have you," she paused and laughed softly as she shook her head, a few lone tears leaking from her eyes and rolling down her cheeks. "Despite what happened today and the threat of that vampire still lingering, for the first time since my grandma died I'm happy, truly happy, and I love you, Jacob Ephraim Black, Jr., with all my heart."
"Johanna," JJ whispered as words failed him after Johanna's heartfelt confession that came out of nowhere. However, even though his words failed him actions would suffice so he pulled her to him once again and captured her lips with his. Johanna was far quicker to respond than he had been when she first kissed him and she threw her arms around her shoulders, pressing herself to him as tightly as she could. "I love you, Johanna, so much," JJ breathed against her lips before he kissed her again and he could feel her nails dig into the skin of his back as their kiss grew more passionate.
JJ's hands found their way underneath the shirt she was wearing and his hands were running along the smooth skin of her back before his right hand slid down and grasped a handful of her backside over the top of the pants she was wearing. Johanna gasped against his mouth but made no move to pull away as they continued to kiss, so, JJ smoothed his hand over her bottom, exploring the soft roundness and loving the feel of her in his hand. His left hand remained pressed against her lower back and he could feel the temperature of her skin rise under his warm fingers while her heart was pounding so hard in her chest that its rapid beat was close to a hum in his ears.
Encouraged by JJ's quiet moan of approval as his hand explored and squeezed her butt, Johanna lowered her right hand from where it rested on his back. She brushed her hand over his taunt backside until she copied him a second later and squeezed it. JJ growled into their kiss before she felt his hips press against her and thanks to the fact that he was wearing sweats she could feel the affect their fire filled kiss and touches were having on him. Honestly, they were affecting her much the same way because her lower abdomen tense and the apex of her legs was starting to ache in an almost pleasant way but it was also torturous. JJ's left hand slid up under her shirt and took hold of her right breast, making Johanna wish that she hadn't left her bra on when she changed her clothes.
Johanna mewed as he touched her, feeling the heaviness of her breast in his palm before he softly pinched her raised nipple through the cotton of her bra. Her left hand had joined her right on his butt and she squeezed hard as her body arched against his touch. Things were going too far, he knew they were, but he couldn't get himself to stop and Johanna seemed like she had no intention of pulling away from him anytime soon. She felt so good and even though she smelt like the rain he could still make out the smell of her soft skin and the scent of her arousal made him almost dizzy with want and need for her. Without thinking, JJ pulled down the cup of her bra and took her freed breast into his hand.
Johanna broke their kiss with a soft cry of both pleasure and surprise, her head turning towards the right slightly, and JJ peppered kisses along her jaw and then down her neck. Johanna brought her hands up from his back side and clung to his back as he kissed and nipped her skin and his hands worked against her. This was farther than they had ever gone before, but Johanna wasn't afraid. She trusted and loved JJ. She wanted him and it was all too clear to her that he wanted her too, and if they ended up on his bed and ended up making love, she would not regret it in the least.
"Holy shit guys!" came an unexpected voice, startling the couple, and JJ's hand slipped out from under her shirt and he wrapped his arms around Johanna as he looked over his left shoulder to see Cam standing in the open doorway of his bedroom, his brown eyes wide. "If you're going to do that kind of stuff, you really should close your door," Cam said with a grin after he had recovered from his initial surprise.
"Shut up and close my door," JJ barked, his voice far huskier and deeper than Johanna knew it to be. Cam laughed heartily but did as JJ ordered, his laughter still carrying through the doorway as he made his way to his own room. "I'm sorry, Jo."
"You have nothing to be sorry for," Johanna said, her own voice raspy, as JJ loosened his hold on her and she looked up at him. "He didn't see anything important. I was still covered." Her reaction to being caught heavily making out with JJ by Cam sort of surprised her. Sure she was embarrassed, but she wasn't mortified like she knew she would have been before. However, it seemed like admitting her feelings for JJ and the events of the day had given her a good bit of confidence and she wouldn't apologize for being herself anymore.
"That's not it," he said with a shake of his head. "I'm sorry I got carried away."
"Did you hear me complaining or protesting anything that just happened?" Johanna asked.
"Still," JJ said and Johanna raised her hands to his face, a small smile tugging the corners of her lips.
"I love you. You love me. We're bound to get carried away. It's only natural and one day we're going to make love for the first time and in all honesty I'm really looking forward to it. Especially if it's going to feel anything like that," she admitted, her flushed face flushing a bit more at her admission. JJ smiled at her before he kissed her forehead.
"I'm glad to hear that," he whispered as he looked into her eyes. His smile grew as he looked at her because for the first time since he saw her that day in Meredith's house there was absolutely no self-doubt or meekness in her eyes. It had been slowly disappearing over the last few weeks, but now as she looked up at him, her thumbs running along his jaw as he looked up at him lovingly, they were gone. He knew then that Johanna would no longer doubt herself and she would no longer doubt him and his feelings for her. "I love you, Johanna," he said once again and Johanna smiled at him.
"I love you too, JJ," she said and he kissed her chastely. He would never get tired of hearing her say that to him and he looked forward to hearing those words slip past her lips every day.