Small Gatherings, the Unexpected, and the Uninvited

Leah's POV

Jacob had finally gotten all the materials he needed to start work on the amendments to our house. He enlisted the help of Embry, Seth and Quil on the weekends to get it done quickly. This weekend Ness came over. I was supposed to be helping her learn how to cook some of Seth's favorite meals. My mom had shown her some so I wasn't sure why she wanted my help. Jake was convinced the girl was just determined to be my friend. I had loosened up some around the half breed but I was still wary. In all honesty I didn't like her Jacob. I still was confused by what their relationship really was.

"So I just fold in the milk like this," she asked as she worked on the rue. I was busy looking out my window watching Jacob work.

"Huh, oh yeah you're doing fine. I'm pretty sure you know what you're doing Ness you don't really need my help. I took the milk back out and poured some more into her measure cup and then pulled out a mug and poured the rest into it.

"Of course I do Leah," she said abruptly. "I'm scared that Seth coming with me and my family that he will get home sick for his family. I want to be able to do this that help him remember you all. I figured food is a good way to do that. I looked at the worried look on the girl's face. I actually felt for her, I put my hand on her shoulder. I mean we weren't all dying there was still Skype and stuff like that and he would be able to talk to us daily if he wanted to.

"My brother has always been self-assured and when he makes a decision he rarely regrets it. I can't say that he will never miss us but I don't think he will ever regret going with you. He loves you I can tell by the way he looks at you. You have changed him and all for the better from what I can tell," I said. I was shocked by my own words I was honest I just never saw me being this nice to this girl. Seth grew up and that was all because of Ness. He felt the need to protect her. He thought more logically but when they were together they were but in their own little cloud together.

"You're not just saying that because you're scared are you?"

"Why would I be scared?" I said as I finished off my milk.

"Seth and I not working … because Jake explained the whole thing to me. You were so scared you'd lose him to me," she explained and I frowned. Why did my fiancé have such a big mouth?

"I wasn't scared I just felt it was inevitable. I didn't want to sit and watch it," I moved away from her. Memories from how heartbroken I was flooded my head hard. I hadn't thought about that dark time in the longest. I felt nauseas as I relived my hurt. I mean I could literally feel my food rising looking for escape. "Let's not talk about this anymore okay."

"Okay," Ness said quietly. "You don't have to worry about that by the way. I plan to spend the rest of my existence loving your brother. There's no one on this planet … made for me like he is. I know it sounds corny it's just how I feel." I chuckled a little and turned back to the girl who was now looking out my window at my brother. I looked at the look on her face I knew it all too well.

"No, it's not corny at all. I get it." I watched Jacob work it was the little things the strain of his muscles. The wrinkle of his brow. The sound of his laugh. It was really everything that was Jacob that made him so intoxicating. He was like alcohol and I was most definitely drunk of him. After a few minutes he saw me staring and he made his way into the kitchen. He wiped his thumb over my upper lip.

"Milk mustache," he chuckled and then kissed me and I heard Ness squeal out an aww in the background. "What were you thinking about looking at me that way?"

"I was just wondering why everything you do was so intoxicating to me." I confessed and he actually seemed bashful.

"I feel the same way about you Betagirl." He kissed me again briefly. "I guess I should head back out there. I may grill tonight since you ladies have been working so hard on this sides. He swatted my behind before heading back outside. I could feel the heat on my checks I was blushing and I didn't care and Ness giggled.

"Yeah, you know exactly what I'm talking about."

Jacob's POV

One of the reasons I loved this house was because it had of all the open space surrounding it. The back yard was especially my favorite and now one of my dreams was becoming a reality. Both Leah and my family had gathered here for an impromptu dinner. I was grill master because I wouldn't have it any other way. Leah was playing hostess and putting out sides. She made potato salad and seafood salad, two of my favorites. Ness finished her macaroni and cheese and made some brownies. I was surprised by the end of the day Leah actually seemed like she was enjoying Nessie's company and not just pretending to. Sue, Charlie, my dad, Embry, Quil, Claire, and some others piled in.

"Thanks, for going to grab some extra tables and chairs Quil we weren't prepared for so many people," I said as Quil stood beside me sipping on his beer.

"No problem man this is a nice turn out much better than any plans I had for the rest of my day. Sam said he was coming too he an Emily were just sitting around watching TV." I groaned a little but tried not to let it phase me. It was just after all the shit Sam was trying to spew lately I didn't want to deal with him.

"Was I not supposed to invite him? Dude he is family," Quil reprimanded.

"Yeah, but lately he's been acting like he wants his old life back if you know what I mean," Embry joined our conversation and grabbed a beer in process. "It seems like the only thing he talks about while we work is the past and … you know."

"Leah," I murmured quietly the other two said nothing. Leah changed into a pale peach dress. I guess she didn't feel her sweats were good enough considering the amount of people that were here. She hugged and laughed with her mom. Her mom did something weird she rubbed Leah's stomach and Leah's smile dropped she moved her mother's hand. She shook her head. I could imagine what Sue had said. Leah had changed. Something was going on and I had the same thought but Leah was still supernatural, like me … unless that was changing. Part of me hoped it wasn't I always hoped we'd stop at the same time but right now with all this anger and jealous I've been dealing with lately I don't know when I will be able to. I sighed and moved the steaks from the heat.

"Yeah, this place is perfect man, all you need is a pool," Quil said trying to change the subject.

"Yeah Leah, mentioned something about that too," I muttered. "It would be fun to host pool parties and have all sorts of pool toys and stuff."

"I know I wouldn't mind having another reason to see my wife in a bikini," Embry chuckled he looked over to her and she winked. "God I love that girl," he whispered to himself I don't think I was supposed to hear. Sometimes they forget I'm not human like them. Leah came over to me with a worried look on her face.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't want you to be mad," she started and I chuckled.

"So Sam's here?"

"You knew?" She asked with her hands on her hips and a frown. I took in the way her dress fit it seemed a touch tighter than it was before.

"Yeah, and you can think Quil for Sam coming," I said distributing blame. Leah shot him a glare before punching him in the shoulder.

"Thanks," she said dryly.

"Are you okay?" She looked at my hands I knew she was checking to see if they were shaking.

"Yep, he's not going to hit on you with Emily here." I kissed her forward. "Now go play nice!" She rolled eyes but patted me on the butt before going to greet her cousin and him. Tonight was going to be interesting but I was determined to keep my cool because if she was becoming human I wanted to be human too.

Author's Note: Milk Mustache and Human Too have been combined to make one hopefully fantastic chapter. I hope you enjoyed it!