Lost and Found

Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N-thank you for the kind reviews!

Part Seventy Six-A Silent Attraction

A big marquee had been set up to the rear of the Cullen's property, underneath were several tables laden with all sorts of appetising food and drink. Esme had outdone herself. She had spent the morning calling the local catering firms, offering them exorbitant amounts of money if they could come within an hour's notice to set up a feast. It didn't take her long to find one to take up the challenge. Soon several vans were parked in the Cullen's huge driveway and the staff began to unload their wares. Esme, along with Rosalie, began to supervise where everything was to be placed. So for a few hours the ornate gardens at the mansion were a hive of activity as the catering staff ran around like busy bees getting everything in order.

Rebecca watched proceedings from the room she was sharing with Jared. The large window faced out onto the rear gardens, giving a spectacular view. She had often sat in the window seat when Jared had been away, letting the picturesque view soothe her worries away. "Come back to bed, Becks." Jared called out to her as he laid naked on the huge king size bed. His tan skin was gleaming with moisture as he had just gotten out of the shower. "I've missed my girl; let's have some fun before the party starts, huh." He wheedled.

"It's not a party." Rebecca reminded him. "Bella told me it's more like a gathering. Ephraim has some news to share and the Cullen's thought setting this up would give everyone a chance to reconnect and relax."

"Sounds more like an excuse to show off to me." Jared grinned at her lazily as he patted the comforter beside him. "Come to bed, Becks."

Rebecca rolled her eyes at him. She knew he was dying to have sex. Like the other wolves Jared had a strong sex drive. She slinked over to him and threw herself beside him. "Maybe we should wait, you know, until later." She said to tease him a little. "I mean I bet Jake and Bella are behaving themselves."

"Hardly." Jared snorted with laughter. "I had to bang on their door earlier because they were making so much noise. Why do you think they've been playing that loud music ever since."

"I don't want to know about that, Jared." Rebecca put her hands over her ears and pulled a disgusted face. She did not want to hear about her brother's sex life. Suddenly her mouth dropped open as a horrible thought entered her mind. "Please tell me that we haven't been overheard doing our thing." She said, appalled at the very idea.

"The pack wasn't here before, sweets." Jared reminded her. "And Jake is good at tuning things out he doesn't wanna hear, and vice versa." He winked at Rebecca playfully as he grabbed her and flipped her on her back. "Anyway, you'll just have to try and keep the moaning down to a minimum, won't ya." He began to kiss his way down her neck, his fingers slipping under her t-shirt.

"I'm not the one who makes all the noise." Rebecca gasped as he found her sweet spot.

Jared just smiled.

Jacob pulled out at the last moment. He groaned, his body covered in perspiration as he rolled onto his back, breathing heavily. Bella lay next to him, her skin as equally shiny as his. The heat from his body and their current exertions had made them both break out in sweat. Bella tried to get her own breathing under control as she lay beside Jacob in a state of bliss. Her heart, which had been racing in her chest, slowed down and the pleasurable ache which had been torturing her ever since Jacob's return was satiated for now. She was a little sore, it was her first time after all, but as soon as the first biting pain had passed, making love had sent her into a euphoric state. Bella had never experienced anything like it, and from the glazed expression on Jacob's face, neither had he. He turned his head to look at her, as a slow smile lit up his face, setting Bella's heart racing again.

"Hey, you."

"Hey, yourself." Bella rolled onto her side so she was facing him. Jacob reached out and traced the curve of her pout with one finger. Her lips were swollen and shiny from his exuberant kisses.

"How are you feeling?" Jacob asked as his finger left her lips and skimmed down the curve of her jaw, then further until he reached the nape of her neck. "You're not too sore, are you?"

Bella smiled at the concern in his voice. He really had been worried about hurting her. "I told you already, I'm fine." She assured him, laughing when he broke out into another huge grin.

"Have I told you how much I love you today?" Jacob tangled his fingers into Bella's hair and pulled her head closer to his. He felt her sweet breath wash over his hot skin and he sighed happily.

"Yes, but you can tell me again." Bella kissed him lightly, teasing him as she skimmed her lips over his, until he lost control and pressed his mouth firmly on hers, slipping his tongue into her mouth and dominating the kiss. When he pulled back Bella was breathless again.

"You can't tease me, honey." Jacob said passionately as his eyes darkened with desire. He palmed her breasts before pulling her on top of him and kissing her again. Bella moaned as she lay across him, pressed firmly against his hard body, feeling every dip and curve of his muscles as they moved fluidly beneath his skin. He was such a handsome man in every respect. His mouth left hers and he sucked the skin at the base of her throat, wanting to leave his mark like he had done before. She was beautiful and she was his. Jacob smiled as he felt Bella's nails rake the skin along his shoulders as she succumbed to her passion. She could be a wildcat and he loved it. His lips found hers again, and while they kissed, he fumbled with his free hand and managed to turn up the music, until it thundered through the room, making the walls shake.

A taxi pulled up outside the Cullen's and parked behind the catering vans which dotted the driveway. Leah paid the driver and alighted onto the gravel driveway. She stared around in surprise at all the activity. Some of the catering staff appeared. They were unloading some more plates and glassware from the vans. She wondered what the hell was going on. Leah had come to visit the Cullen's on a whim. With Seth gone from La Push, she had been left to deal with her parents alone, and had finally had enough. Only that morning she'd had another bust up with Sue. Harry had tried to intervene but the two feisty women wouldn't listen to his pleas for calm. Sue had told Leah that if she didn't like the rules she had put in place she could get the hell out. Leah had taken her mother at her word, packed her bags, and called a taxi. Harry had pleaded with her to stay, but Leah couldn't bear to be around her mother any longer. She promised her father she would keep in touch, but that she had to go. Harry had looked so crestfallen that it tore at Leah's heart, but she couldn't let guilt make her stay around her bitter mother. It would only end in disaster.

Leah wandered around the vans and made her way cautiously to the front porch. She stared at the impressive building as she approached it. She was used to the Cullen's ostentatious residences, but they had outdone themselves with this one. Before she had even put a foot on the first step leading up to the house, the front door opened and Edward appeared. His normally solemn face broke out into a happy smile when he saw her.

"I thought I was hallucinating when I felt your mind. I am so glad you are here. I have missed you." Edward flew down the steps and took Leah's warm hands in his cold ones. "Welcome home." He said softly with an affectionate light shining in his golden eyes.

"Thank you, Edward." Leah said sincerely. She closed her eyes as he leaned forward and his lips ghosted across her cheek.

Edward stepped back. "Come, the others will be delighted to see you. There is a room already set up for you."

"Really?" Leah was touched at this gesture. She watched as Edward easily picked up her bags before leading the way into the house.

Ephraim and Carlisle sat across from each other in the latter's comfortable study. Ephraim was drinking a beer while Carlisle sorted through the books piled in front of him. His study was filled with ancient tomes. He had collected them over a number of years and had them sent to Forks from his main residence in Alaska. He was considering making Forks their permanent home for a while, just like Esme had been dreaming about for years. It would only work if the Quileute's were amenable to it and the wolf pack agreed. But now that Ephraim was back and he and his family had been getting on so well with the current pack, he hoped it would only be a matter of time before they were given permission to stay on in the local area as long as they abided by the old treaty.

"It will take a day or so to search through these. I will enlist Edward's help; he was always good at research." Carlisle said as he flipped through the brown pages in one book. "I am sure we can find something that will help us with your dilemma. Perhaps you could do the same with the old documents on the reservation."

"Perhaps." Ephraim agreed. His dark eyes wandered to the window which looked out on the large gardens surrounding the mansion. The catering staff was packing up now, getting ready to leave. They would return the next day to clear up the empty tables and chairs, as well as the cutlery. "It was a good idea of yours to have this get together. It will do the young men good to have some time to relax before I tell them the whole truth about what we are about to face."

"I saw young Jacob after you spoke to him about what we discussed. He looked lighter of heart." Carlisle smiled at his old friend.

"Yes. He's been celebrating ever since. I was hoping to meet this Bella Swan properly, but after our brief conversation he snatched her away and has been hiding in their room ever since." Ephraim gave Carlisle a knowing smile. "What it is to be young? I hope their loud music is not disturbing you too much."

Carlisle, who normally looked so grave, laughed. He returned Ephraim's smile. "The music is better than the alternative. At times our sharp hearing puts us at a distinct disadvantage. Edward had to leave the house for a while."

Ephraim joined in the laughter. It had been so long since he had felt joy of any kind. It actually felt alien to him. "Life has certainly thrown me a curveball these last few days, Carlisle."

"But in a good way." Carlisle shut the book he was flipping through and settled back in his chair. "Despite what is heading our way, there is hope; we have to hold onto any happiness we find. "

"Yes." Ephraim finished his beer and stretched his aching muscles. He was getting cramp from sitting still for so long and was restless. "I might take a stroll around outside."

"I'll join you. It will give me an excuse to check on Esme." Carlisle rose gracefully from his seat and followed his friend out of the dark study and into the lighted hallway. As they began to descend the spiral staircase, Edward and Leah were ascending. They all met in the middle. Carlisle expressed his delight at Leah's return and gave her an informal hug. She returned it joyfully. Over Carlisle's shoulder her eyes met those of the startlingly handsome man who was accompanying the head of the Cullen clan. He was staring back at her as if he had never seen a woman before. Leah heard Edward curse behind her as he shot the tall, handsome man a dark glare before thundering up the rest of the staircase. In the distance a door slammed loudly. Leah was confused at his reaction, but couldn't tear her eyes away from the stranger.

Carlisle cleared his throat awkwardly, knowing full well why his adopted son was so upset. "Ephraim, this is Leah Clearwater. Leah this is…"

"Ephraim." Leah said before he could finish. She held out her hand. Ephraim took it and held it firmly in his. His touch set her skin on fire. "Nice to meet you."

A slow smile crossed Ephraim's face, making his dark eyes crinkle at the corners. "No, the pleasure is all mine, Leah Clearwater."

A/N-thanks for reading! I hate writing virgin sex, so I thought I'd let J/B get some practice before I went into descriptive mode, LOL ;) Who didn't see the Ephraim/Leah thing coming? ;) (BTW if there is any distant ancestral connection between them, than for the purposes of this story, there's not).