Chapter Twenty-One
Jacob opens the door to Billy's house when I come over. I hug him tightly and we remain like this until Manny gives his usual grunt of being ignored. We step away and Jacob takes his nephew from me. I walk into the kitchen to inspect their food situation and decide to make the boys some more premade meals. Jacob has been much better since the wedding ans he has become my go to person when I begin to dip in my sadness from Ethan. I smile when I see Jacob and Manny sitting at the kitchen table and talking about the Quiulette Legends. Manny has heard the stories from everyone in the pack and the family.
"He loves hearing the legends," I say, as I sit across from Jacob.
"He is starting to look like you, Marinna," Jacob chuckles. Manny claps his hands happily and I giggle at my happy boy.
"No, he looks just like his daddy. I cnanot believe he is going to be one years old soon. It seems only yesterday that I was as big as a house and getting ready to bring him into the world," I say. Manny bounces on Jacob's knee and gurgles a little.
"Wake!" Manny exclaims and pats his uncle's arm. Jacob laughs and lifts the little boy to kiss his chubby cheek. Matthew comes around the corner and he smiles to see me and Manny.
"How come I did not know you were going to be here, Marinna, with my special nephew?" Matthew asks, as he sits next to Jacob.
"He is your only nephew," I says with a big smile. Manny relishes in the attention he now has and he begins to act bashful with his two uncles. "Any word on whether Bella is back from her honeymoon?"
"No, Charlie has not said," Jacob says. I look to see his face harden a bit at the mention of Bella. He looks at me with a small smile and I take his hand in mine.
"Now this is nice, to have the three of us together like old times," Matthew says.
"It has been a long time since we have been together like this. I am going to guess and say it has been two years or so?" I giggle.
"Yes, you started to date one of my best friends and then we lost you to him," Jacob teases with a wider smile.
"Hey, but had she not of fallen in love with Embry, she would not have been as happy and we would not have this cutie here," Matthew says while mirroring Manny's big smile. I giggle when Manny gives his big toothy grin to me and I see Embry in my sweet boy.
"That is true," Jacob says. "You did good with this one and he is such a sweet boy just like you, Mari."
"Well, he is a bit spoiled no thanks to you guys," I say with a laugh. Jacob and Matthew join in my laugh while Manny takes a spoon from the table and begins to mouth it. "Mi amore, are you hungry?"
"Mama," Manny says while dropping the spoon and doing the sign language to eat. Jacob hands Manny to me before I go to grab Manny's diaper bag to get his jar food.
"He is going to be a sweet, big boy just like his daddy," Matthew says.
"What are you talking about, Matt, Embry is only sweet to our sister because he loves her?!" Jacob snorts. I cover Manny's ears and feign being hurt.
"Not true, Embry is sweet to other people, you boys just do not deserve his kindness is all," I say. Manny digs into his food with his own little spoon and he makes noises as he eats happily in my lap.
"No, he is only nice to you and Manny because he loves and adores the two of you. You two are his life and he would do anything to keep the two of you safe and happy," Matthew says. That made my heart skip and it makes my cheeks heat up. "Jake and I see how he feels about the two of you and he is very proud to have a beautiful woman at his side and to have a beautiful son like you. You two are wonderful parents to Manny and you two are a great couple. You guys are a great family and we all want you guys to happy forever."
"Mattie, stop saying those sweet things before I start to cry," I sniffle and playfully hit his arm.
"You know the rules, Matt! No making Marinna emotional! You lost!" Jacob exclaims with glee. As kids, I was the emotional one and always cried easily or laughed or lost my temper. It became a game to keep my emotions under control as we were growing up and it still is a fun game, because it reminds me of old times and it helps at times. Matthew pulls out his wallet and hands Jacob a ten dollar bill. Jacob takes it proudly just as the house phone rang. I gave Manny to Matthew and went to go answer the phone.
"Black residence," I say into the receiver.
"Hey, Marinna, it is Charlie. Is Billy at home right now?" I hear Charlie's sad voice ask.
"No, he is at Sue's for the day and will be back later. Do you want me to leave a message for you?" I ask kindly.
"No, I can swing by the house since it is my day off. Can you call Sue and ask them to come by because I need to talk to him?" Charlie says.
"Sure thing, Charlie, see you soon," I say before we hang up and I dial Sue's house. The phone call is quick and I turn to see the boys playing with a messy Manny. "You three want to go for a walk. Dad and Sue are coming since Charlie needs to see dad."
"Yeah, do you need to get the stroller out for Manny?" Matthew asks.
"No, he likes to try out his legs for a bit and then likes to be carried," i say with a smile. Manny holds out his hands to me and I pick my messy boy up. We walk to the sink where I clean him up before joining Jacob and Matthew outside. Manny holds onto my hand and Matthew's while we walk down the street for a bit.
"Has Embry mentioned anything about getting married anytime soon?" Jacob asks and I know it is because Billy asked him to.
"No, Jake, we have not talked about getting married. We do want to wait until after he graduates high school and when he is in college or whatever. We are just not ready to make that final step because everything is backwards and we are afraid that once me make that commitment then we cannot undo it. I mean, we are just getting over losing Ethan and it is getting better," I say. Jacob pulls me into a sideways hug and kisses my hair.
"You are a sweet girl and a great mother. Manny is lucky to have you," Jacob says softly. We all walk togher, sharing some laughs, and then Manny decides he wants to ride on Jacob's shoulders. He sits up there and claps his hands happily. We arrive back at Billy's house to see that Charlie's cruiser is there with Billy's truck. We walk in to see Sue making lunch while Billy and Charlie talk quietly in the living room. Jacob gives Manny to Sue and he walks over to Billy.
"What is going on?" Jacob asks. Billy looks at his three children before him and smiles.
"Bella called him," Billy says. My heart skips a beat and I look at Matthew.
"Is everything okay?" Matthew asks.
"They are extending their trip. Apparently she caught a bug or something," Charlie says.
"Charlie, she is going to be okay. Come one and let's eat," Sue sys. Billy and Charlie go to sit, but Jacob looks at me with hurt and worry in his eyes. He begins to go rush to the door, but I stand before him and out my hands on his chest.
"Jake, let it go," I whisper. Jacob pushes past me and runs to get his bike running before taking off quickly. Matthew rubs my shouldes and kisses my forehead. He takes off after Jacob, but I know he is going to inform Sam. I decide to stay and spend time with everyone here. Manny enjoys it and snuggles against me when he sit sin my lap. We all share little memories of Manny over the past year and it breaks my heart that my little boy is growing up so quickly. After an hour, Charlie leaves and we all walk him out. Manny gives his Uncle Charlie a kiss goodbye before waving his little hand to him. Billy reaches to take Manny and the two sit next to me outside. I lean down to kiss my baby boy's little nose and smile.
"Be good for grandpa while mama is gone, mi amore. Daddy will be here to pick you up in an hour. I love you, Manny," I say. Manny pats my cheek and kisses my lips. I look to Billy and give him a big hug. "Jake will be back, dad, ands thank you for watching Manny for me."
"Anything for you and to spend some time with my little grandson. Hurry before you are late for your patrol," Billy chuckles. After a quick hug with Sue, I jog to the forest and I let myself shift into my wolf form. It is nice to be able to shift into my wolf form again. I feel a familiar feeling brushing up against my mind and know that Embry is looking for me. We meet up near the sea and he yips when he sees me. I smile and rub my head against his when he gets closer to me.
'I missed you, Marinna. Is Manny with Billy?' Embry says happily.
'I missed you too, Embry. Yes, Manny is with Billy and a happy boy to be with his grandpa. Has Sam been around? If not we can play tag for a bit,' I giggle. Embry barks and that is the sign for me to take off. I usually win when we play, but he has gotten a bit faster over the past few months. Just as we are about to start, Jacob's mind goes crazy and he is running through the forest. Embry howls and we run to find Jacob.
'Jacob!' I scream out to him. Matthew's scent is close and I look to see him running at my side. We arrive at a lumber yard and the pack catches up. Everyone is wondering what it is Jacob had seen. Matthew stands back from us a bit, since he is not part of the pack. Sam stands on a tall stack of lumber and he is furious.
'What is that hthing you saw?' Leah asks.
'It is a monster!' Jared growls. I look into what Jacob was seeing and saw that Bella was pregnant with a hybrid like myself.
'What they have created is a monster and must be deestroyed!' Sam says angrily. I whimper at the thought of him killing Bella and the child.
'Now, but she is still human!' Jacob gasps.
'She is dying anyways!' Leah snarls. Jacob and Leah begin a fight and I run over to push Leah away.
'Sam, we cannot kill Bella or the baby! What if it is like me and Matthew?' I plea with my cousin.
'What they crated might not be able to contorl its thirst! We must kill it before it has time to kill us all!' Sam announces, ignoring me.
'Bella is still human and the treaty protects her! Samual, you cannot kill her!' I scram. Sam walks down the stack and walks over to Jacob and I.
'You will fight with us, Jacob and Marinna,' Sam growls with his alpha voice. I bow my head to him with Jacob, but Jacob is still trying to resist.
'No, I will not! I am the grandson of Ephraim Black, I am the grandson of a chief! I was not born to take orders from you!' Jacob grows bigger and he pushes Sam away beforee running off into the forest. Sam looks at me and I snarl at him.
'You would kill that child because it is abnormal?! That is like killing me and Matt and even Manny! You have no right!' I snap. Sam's flick backwards a bit and he whimpers. 'You all are sick to accept me and Matthew, but to kill Bella and her child is wrong. I will not be a part of a pack that is okay with accepting someone abnormal because we are family.'
'Marinna,' Embry says. I can see in his ind that he is with Sam in this. I roar and run after Jacob with tears in my eyes. I shift into my human form and begin to sob while trying to find the place where I stored my extra clothes. I manage to get dressed and catch up to Jacob. He looks at me in shock and then hugs me tightly.
"Did you leave Sam's pack?" Jacob asks.
"Jakie, you know I was barely part of the pack. I am still part of it, but I am herer to back you and to protect someone that could need my help," I say. Seth comes out of nowhere and almost falls down.
"What in the?!" I gasp. Jacob and I cross arms and glare at him.
"Seth, what wre you doing here?" I ask in my motherly tone. Seth smiles and rubs the back of his hewd nervously.
"I left Sam's pack to help you guys, don't worry they are not following us. Sam is upset about what he said Marinna," Seth says.
"But is he going to back off the attack?" Jacob asks. Seth shakes his head and I growl. "Call Matthew and ask him to bring Manny. I don't want Manny to be used by them as a ploy to get you to come back."
I nod and reach out to Matthew's mind to have him bring Manny. Jacob leads us to the Cullens house and we stand at the backdoor together. Seth is adjusting his shirt and I am fixing his hair. Jacob is trying not to smile at me being my usual motherly self to fix Seth. The backdoor opens and Edward is standing at the door.
"We need to speak to you all," Jacob says. Edwrd lets us in and we are lead into a large living room. Bella is seated on the couch with a blanket on her lap. The moment my eyes graze over her stomach, my heart braks with the thought of my mother.
"Marinna, it is good to see you," Bella says with a smile. I nod my head, but keep close to Jacob. He takes my hand when the rest of the Cullens look at me.
"We know some information on what is growing inside of Bella," Jacob says.
"It is my baby," Bella says.
"No, I mean about its species and whether you will live or not," Jacob says. He looks at me and I nod my head. I carefully remove the contact hiding my gold,amber eye and look at the Cullens. "Marinna and her twin brother are half Quiliette wolf and half vampire. They have been living on the rservation, hiding thier existence."
"How was that possible and no one knew?" Edward asks quickly.
"My mama kept us in Italy after we were born, she died when I was three and my brotehr and I were brought to the reservation to live as Billy's adopted children. We never had meat to subdue our vampire nature and we grew up normal like humans becuase of that and our mother's wolf side. The thing in Bella is similar to me, but growing quickly because of Bella being completely human," I explain. I hear Matthew and someone goes to let him in. The sounds of my baby boy makes me smile and I look to see Manny still rubbing his little eyes from a nap. Matthew hands me my boy and he snuggles against me in my arms.
"We were able to have children yourself, how?" One of the other Cullens asks.
"I chose my wolf side and never let a drop of blood pass my lips. Bella's child may be able to do that, I am unsure. But you need me at your side for when Sam comes. To him the treaty is void because of Bella's choice to keep the baby. He will not attack if me and my son remain here," I say. The Cullen from the wedding stares at me fiercely and I cannot help but look at him and feel my world shift again. Jacob and Edward leave with Dr. Cullen and Matthew takes Jacob's place at my side. We share a private comversation in Italian.
"You two are twins and hybrids?" The blondie asks.
"Si," Matthew says. "I am Matthew Uley-Black and you have met my twin sister, Marinna."
"I am Esme, these are my children, Emmet, Rosalie, Alice, and Jasper," one of the vampires says. The moment she says the last name, my eyes went to the Cullen staring at me. Jasper, that is his name and I beginnging to wonder why he keeps staring at me. The girl at his side, Alice, is staring at Matthew and it is a bit strange. Manny yawns and he pats my chest while calling for Embry.
"Mi amore, sleep now," I whisper. The Cullens leave me alone with Bella and I let her play with Manny. Matthew remains at the window.
"What was it like when you were pregnant with Manny?" Bella asks me.
"It was a normal nine month process, but Manny grew faster once he was born and he is still progrssing a tad faster than most babies," I say. Bella looks at me and hands Manny back to me. My little boy smiles and he pats my face happily. I kiss my son's hands and then talk to him softly when Jacob and Edward come back.
"Marinna, Embry is here," Jacob says. I get up quickly and run outside to see Embry standing with Leah, Seth and Matthew. Tears flow down my face as I run to him and embry opens his arms for me.
"Embry!" I sob. Manny claps his hands and Embry wraps us in his arms. He holds us and kisses our heads sweetly. "You came, you came to your senses."
"No, I am still standing with Sam in this. This situation is different then you and Mattew and we are not sure this thing will be able to control itself. Marinna, it is time to come home," Embry says. I push him away and stare into the eyes of the man that once held my heart, but now he was breaking it.
"You are wrong! This is not different! You cannot kill the child and you cannot kill Bella! That is like killing me and Manny when I was pregnant with him!" I exclaim. Manny shrinks in my arms and he curls up against me.
"We can have this conversation at home. You are scaring Manny right now," Embry says. I shake my head and hold my son close to me.
"You can tell Sam that I am not going home because i am standing at the Cullens' side on this. You can either kill me or you can call back the attack," I sob.
"You know I will not let you die, I love you too much to let that happen!" Embry shouts.
"Then pick your side, Jacob's or Sam's!" I scream. Embry remains still and then he turns to leave. "You walk away then we are done! I will never go back into your arms and will never forgive you for this!"
"Fine! We are through and you are free from me," Emrby says with tears in his eyes. I stiffen and take a step back. "You don't have to be with me ever again, I won't push you about having more children, I won't push you about us being together and we won't fight anymore. We are done being together and we are officially broken up. Have a good life and take care of Manny."
"Embry," I say softly, but he runs away into the forest. I sob and bury my face into Manny's hair. Matthew walks over and holds me in his arms. Manny calls for Embry and he reaches to run after him. Jacoc comes outside and he takes me into the house to a private room that looks like the library. I sit and rock Manny in my arms when he begins to whimper. Jacob takes manny from me slowly and I let him. Manny goes back outside with Matthew while Jacob holds me and coos to me.
"Marinna, it is going to be okay. Hush now, it is okay," Jacob coos. I bury my face into his chest and sob really hard.
"He said he loves me and yet he left me! He said we would be together as a family forever!" I sob. Jacob smoothes out my hair and he rocks me a little.
"He is an idiot for leaving you and Manny. He is never going to have approval every gain for hurting you like this. I am sorry, Marinna," Jacob says sadly. Leah comes in and she sits at my side. She takes my hand and shes sits with me for an hour as I cry.