Jacob Black Pov
*Flashback*
22 years ago
In the morning I'll be one year older.
My aging appearance managed to be at a stand still though I still count the years.
I will be twenty five years old tomorrow, and I feel like one of those Hollywood kid stars who feel as if they are already in their thirties and ready to settle down.
"It's nice out here." Leah practically whispers.
With us both working and living back in La Push, we barely have time to ourselves.
It still amazes me how beautiful she is without even trying. With her shoulder cut black hair blowing in the wind like a stupid sexy music video. She was twenty seven years old yet looked every bit of nineteen.
I always joke that I have a thing for older women, and she never fails to roll her eyes.
I paused to a stand still and pulled her in my arms.
"Yeah, beautiful." I agree kissing her forehead and leaning my head on top of hers. It was rare for us to have walks like this these days.
"So.. since we have a good walk ahead, You want to race?" She asks, leaning her head back and I took a good look at her.
She placed her arms around my neck tightly.
After dropping our son Josh off at my Dad's for an hour or two, Leah asked if I wanted to take a walk with her. As we were leaving Seth and his two best friends Justin, Shawn and of course Shawn's younger sister Taylor who Seth imprinted on three years ago.
After working for ten hours, the last thing I wanted to do was run.
"Race?" Giving her a confused look. "Are you serious?"
She hated shifting.
"Ah Yeah." She started grabbing both of my hands, pulling me as she walked backwards. "It's when two people compete at speed." She says, smiling sarcastically. "A race where I win and you lose... then cry about it."
I bit my bottom lip.
"You look hot when you flirt." I smirked. Then I glanced over towards the direction of my Dad's place, then back at Leah. "But can we just walk?"
"You're such a chicken, Black." She taunted letting go of my hands, and turning her back towards me. "You always have, and always be afraid that I'm still the fastest in these woods-"
"Fine." I said cutting her off and walked to a stop. "Start the Count." I say as she stopped but didn't turn.
"Alright... On your mark- GO!" She yelled and the next thing I knew she was gone.
I sighed, shaking my head.
Talk about no fair.
"Cheater." I stated merely to myself.
I looked around, but I didn't see anyone then glared in the direction she ran off to.
She can't beat me in my wolf form.
Smirking, I listened as Leah ran through the trees, and I sighed, bending down slowly, taking off my sneakers and pants.
Without tying them to my ankle I took off running.
Unexpectedly Leah was already in her wolf-form when I finally leaped in the air and shifted.
Feeling a bit dizzy in a blur- It's been a minute since I last shifted due to always working at my new garage.
I now rarely have any time on four legs with Josh being so young.
Leah turned and ran back to me. You alright? She thought to me.
Peachy. I replied.
This feels amazing doesn't it? Leah thought.
I shook my head, it felt weird.
Dirt beneath my paws, the wind whistling and the birds annoying chirping loudly threw my ears.
Yeah… amazing… I replied back.
So used to my human-form it was strange being a wolf again.
We're both a bit rusty, at least it wasn't painful this time. She thought.
Her gray fur wasn't as long as it was three years ago, back when it was covering her eyes.
She was as gorgeous now as she is humanly with legs.
It's been awhile since we've been like this. I can actually read your mind again…. Like before. She says.
So this is why you wanted to shift? To get in my head? I thought to her. She must know racing would make me want to phase.
Hate that she knows me that well.
Of course. If I'm being honest, I can use all the help I can get. Your mind will tell me what your lips refuse to.
I groaned. It's only my birthday. Nothing special. Besides, I already told you what I wanted. No secrets to read into. She's been bugging me about it for days.
Right... New car parts. Got it. She replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
Josh is three years old, ever since he was born nothing much of anything has been happening.
It was all too clear in her thoughts. So worried that I'd want to move away again.
She had dreams of being more creative and crafty when it comes to making things, especially for me. Why couldn't she see that as long as she's with me, I will always be happy.
We could race to Canada for that Green Day concert, if you want. She suggested.
Nah, let's wait for Sunday's show. I replied.
She's my life. Her and Josh are way more than I could ask for, and who knows down the line we'll have more kids and an even bigger home.
I'm a simple guy. Can you stop reading into everything?
Says the guy who waited years to realize his actual feeling for his Beta. She replies.
If I knew then of what would've happened, I would have wasted no time. I admitted.
Well I know you enough to know... regardless, you desire something different this year. She thought moving slowly towards me.
Couldn't argue with that.
You see? Tell me. She was completely intrigued.
A long time ago I mastered the gift of hiding my thoughts from the pack, and only allowing them to hear what I want at any given time I see fit.
Better yet... show me. She said, putting her nose to mine.
I snapped my head up at the smell of roasted beef and veggies.
I couldn't see nor hear just yet though the smell wasn't that many miles away.
Campers. Let's get to the cliffs on the east side. She thought to me, taking off running.
Feeling rusty as ever, I followed her.
My legs were moving faster than I'd like.
Looks like someone believes they can beat me. Leah thought amused.
At first? Yeah. Now? Not a chance. Everyone knows you're the fastest of us all. I clarified. Why do you think I didn't want to shift? If I would've known you already had it in mind, or that I'd be this rusty. I wouldn't have.
Gotcha. She replied and suddenly I could see the memories flash in her mind of the day during the fight with Victoria's newborn army, Nine years ago. She tried to prove herself as worthy as the rest of the pack by fighting a newborn leech alone. I managed to knock her out of the way before the vamp could harm her, but in my eyes she didn't have to prove herself then just as she doesn't have to do it now.
Slowing to a stop, we were both now at the top of the cliffs alone.
It hasn't been long since the sun set, and the air wasn't as chill as it usually is around January. Not that I can feel the weather whenever I shift. I felt it earlier.
They say it's global warming. Leah said moving into me and I sat down when she bowed down.
In her mind she thought of Joshua and how clear his speech has been. She loved homeschooling him while working at Port Angeles mall on the weekends.
It's only been three years since she decided to re-grace me with her presence, and I felt like I was moving a bit too fast for her.
The night we first became intimate I impregnated her purposely out of my own selfish reasons. It was that next morning that I had to be coy about everything, though it was clear she already knew, and wasn't ready. I was insecure about her then, and still am. She was right in many ways, I can get obsessive when it comes to what I wanted.
Two years ago on Josh's first birthday I told her the truth and she got so upset she phased and ignored me for days. I went crazy that she would never return after she left. When she finally came back she forgave me then gave me the silent treatment for an entire month and threatened to kick me in the balls if I did it again. Safe to say we've been using protection ever since.
Leah shifted back to her human form and I felt the want to do the same.
Closing my eyes and pulling myself together again. It felt like the air was trembling around me, shaking out from me in small waves.
I lifted myself up on my hind legs, catching the moment just right so that I was fully upright as I shimmered down into my human self.
Kneeling to the ground Leah stood as I did. With her black hair wild, and sexy brown eyes. She stepped towards me. I stared as if it was my first time seeing her.
"Now this feels even more amazing." She said, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Heartbeat to heartbeat, skin to skin." Her body in a state of sexual excitement.. I try not to engage. I glanced around a bit self-conscious.
The woods is the last place I'd like to be with her, at least like this, right now. I don't want anyone to even see how beautiful she is.
"What's wrong?" She asked when I put my hands on her waist, holding her tight. In a strange way it felt like we were dancing.
"Nothing. It's peaceful up here." I started looking past her towards the trees.
"Don't worry, Black -no one ever comes up here." She smiled at me.
I snorted. "Of course not,"
"Trust me, I made it nice and clear that the east part of the cliffs are off limits. You see the gray ribbon on the trees?" She glanced over to her right but I didn't follow her gaze. "You have me all alone."
"Sweet." I said unconvinced that any stupid ribbon would keep anyone away from anywhere, people are morons.
"I love when you're so unenthusiastic. It's sexy." She mocked.
I tilted my head. "We should get home."
Unwrapping her arms from around me, she walked towards the cliffs edge.
I looked around, afraid some poor bastard would see her and die of a heart attack. "Don't." I inched closer. "Come here." I muttered.
"You know…. You worry too much." She stated.
"And you don't worry enough." I say glancing on the ground for something to cover her up with. "Lets head back, one look from anyone the entire reservation won't let us hear the end of it." People around here gossip like little school girls about everything.
I would rather them not gossip about us anymore than they used to.
"I had this weird dream last night..." Leah says merely to herself.
"Let me guess…. You cliff drove naked and I was there to catch you and everyone had a good laugh?" I said walking towards the bushes to see if any of the other wolves left clothes in them.
If only I was lucky I'd find something. "When I dream of being here… I dream of it when something is coming." She said and I paused to look at her.
"What do you mean?"
It was officially night but the moon was like a huge light-bulb.
This was more than just a getaway for her. This was more than a curiosity in my mind. She's too lost into herself. I've never seen this look before.
"Ever since I came back from college, my subconscious has had some bizarre connection to here. It's probably why I wasn't ever able to stay away. I can't imagine being here with anyone other than you." She said quietly turning around to walk back towards me.
I couldn't keep my eyes off her breast. Bit perky and round, and just the beautiful effects of childbirth add with growth.
"Right, though I'm sure some lonely campers would have a cow right now if they saw you." I muttered.
"Jacob?" She said moving into me.
Her hair smells like cherry blossom and pomegranate shampoo. "Stop being so insecure and make love to me." She said pushing my bare back up against a tree. "I didn't bring you up here to go cliff diving. I brought you up here to be alone and since we have a very needy three year old at home, I thought it'll be nice to let Billy babysit so we can do what we like."
I pretty much figured that out when she asked if I wanted to go for a walk earlier. "Okay." I nodded wanting to do exactly what she had in mind.
Gripping her into me, I lifted her off her feet and spun her around.
Her back pinned against the tree, I kissed her lips hard with out of control lust.
To say the least, her body is just as warm as mine. Her thighs were in the perfect position, wrapped around my waist. I didn't have to move my hands to see if she was wet or not, I already knew.
I know every inch of her now. The way her tongue moved in my mouth, the way she scraped her fingernails through my scalp only pulling my hair lightly.
She was waiting, patiently waiting for me and I wasn't in the mood to tease her.
She gasped as I slid in. Not bothering to kiss me back, I moved back and forward against her. It felt amazing to not have to use protection.
Kissing her neck I needed to be on a flat surface so I could admire her. It was hard to watch her from this angle.
Holding her body tight, I paused on the kissing.
When lowered to the ground, her back laid into the grass.
Steady in her, moving in and out.
Her moans were music to my ears. I closed my eyes.
She felt unbelievable. I wanted to ask if she was okay, and if this was perfect.
She felt so good to me, I couldn't even think of doing anything else.
My muscles locked. "Jacob." She whispered and I paused, lowering my lips to her ear to ask if she was okay.
When I shift I'm different. I'm stronger. Especially during sex, I hate feeling like I'd break her even if she wasn't completely human at the moment.
I've learned to control myself, but I'm not perfect. The last thing I would rather not think about is disfiguring the love of my life due to uncontrolled lust issues.
Leah moaned, biting her lip then my earlobe.
Slowing my pace, I could feel myself ready to cum.
I squeezed my eyes shut again.
"Shit, not yet." I muttered to myself.
Kissing her neck to keep from exploding, I looked over towards the north of the deep water.
It would help not to look at what I'm doing. "It's okay." She assured me.
I shook my head in disagreement, not saying a word.
No. I am not turning into one of those two minute men, I can last longer than this. I know I can. Wait, did she just say 'it's okay' to ejaculate inside of her?
"Shh." She said and opened my eyes just as I busted.
"Ugh. That was a disaster." I sigh, rolling my eyes.
Leah laughed, running her hands through my cut hair. "No, that was amazing. I love when you whimper like a puppy when you are trying to be in control. It's cute." She says, continuing to smile. She was pleased. "I love you."
"You're only saying that because you feel sorry for me." I say.
"Don't flatter yourself." She smirked pushing me up off her.
"I'm starving. Do you want to run to Seattle and grab a bite to eat? I hear there's a carnival going on. It might be fun." She said standing on her feet.
I didn't feel like going anywhere other than home. "Actually, we should head back to pick Josh up. It's getting late." I said getting up off the ground.
These days I prefer to be home in the company of my own family, not out with strangers.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"Nothing." I said getting ready to walk towards the woods.
"Can we have one night without you being so damn moody?" She said and I narrowed my eyes.
"I'm not moody, I just would rather not do this."
"Do what?"
"This! Phasing, running around like we're seventeen. I'm fine with doing adult stuff. Going to work, coming home to you and Josh. Not running throughout the night going to pointless carnivals and concerts. I would rather be home." I confessed honestly.
Leah rolled her eyes.
"I'm sorry if that's too mundane for you. I mean come on since when do you like shifting anyway?" I said to her,
"Maybe since I've spent the last three years stuck in the house with a baby and waiting for you to come home from work. I'm tired of being alone and doing the same thing every single day, I need a new routine."
"I don't know what you want me to say." I said helplessly. "I'm sorry that what we have is so boring for you, but I love coming home to you. I love not having to do anything other than work and be with you."
"All you care about is yourself, Jacob. You don't care about what I need."
"What are you talking about? You only need me." I said too fast and instantly regretted it.
Anger flashed across her face and she turned around.
"Leah." I said apologetically. "Maybe that was the wrong thing to say. I didn't mean for it to come out like that. I just think that you're overreaching. If you want we'll take more trips, or whatever. We'll go somewhere- anywhere you want. I promise." I say as she stood at the edge of the cliff.
"You're so selfish. I do everything to make you comfortable. After Joshua was born I wanted to leave, you wanted to leave. What happened to that?"
"No, I just wanted to be with you, I didn't care where. I still don't care where." I stated.
"You're such a liar."
I exhaled. No matter what I do I can't make her happy. Not all the time anyway. "Can you get away from the edge?" I asked. "Please."
Leah turned around, and I moved towards her.
She was right, I was being selfish. When she first came back I asked her to move in with me and she did. When she got pregnant I asked her to move back to La Push and she did. Now I needed to do something that would make us both happy. "Alright…." I muttered.
"Alright what?" She asked.
"Whatever you need, whatever you want… just tell me. Just don't be mad at me. It is my birthday." I said trying to make it sound like I actually care.
Birthdays are just like any other day, just a reassurance that you're getting older and you're gonna die soon.
Leah glanced down at the ground then back up at me. "I want a vacation out of the country, just us."
"I don't have a problem with that."
"Not Canada." She says fast.
"What? Canada's the best." I mocked.
"I want to visit Paris."
I snored. "France? You don't know french."
"So what? I still want to go." She stated.
"Alright, fine. If I agree that we'll go anywhere you like then you agree to stop shifting?" I ask.
Ever since she shifted she has been acting differently, not only that- I wanted to continue on the baby making journey of our life. Josh can't be our only kid.
"Stop shifting?" She said, confused. "Why? I mean I don't really care not to but what does that have to do with traveling?"
"Do we have a deal?" I ignored her question.
"Is it because you're afraid I'll get stronger than you too?" She joked.
"Not at all." I admitted.
"Then why?"
"Because phasing stops your menstrual cycle." I said pulling her into me. I remember years ago she was once bitter out of fears that being a shapeshifter would prevent her from having children or imprinting on someone. "For my birthday I want to try for another baby."
"What?" She said, confused.
"Josh is old enough now and I'm ready, Are you? Is that something we can think about soon?"
Josh turned three years old a couple months ago, he's walking and to my surprise isn't much trouble at all. He's actually the most chilled and laid back toddler I've ever known.
Leah shook her head. "Honestly I don't know…" She said low.
She wasn't ready. "I mean…. Really? You want another kid -like in the next couple months?" She asked.
"Josh has been potty trained for two years now. Not to mention he finally sleeps throughout the night and when he wakes in the morning he watches PBS television station like most little brats. As long as there's dry cereal and water in his reach he won't bother us unless he wants to go outside to play. I think it's time to have another kid." I stated. "Think about it... us, old and gray with a godzillion pups, and grand-pups around us." I smirked.
She laughed. "Yeah, what almost every couple dreams of." She mocked.
Three years ago when we came back into each other's lives, I knew that I couldn't lose her again.
One night we had this huge fight and she struck me right in the eye, and I lost it... but that night was also the night I bared my soul to her. I placed all of my insecurities in her hands and she accepted me. She didn't accept me for the Jacob everyone else knew, but she accepted me for the pathetic, lost jerk that I was.
She loved me even for my mistakes, she loved me for all my faults.
We were always one.. and she loved me for me and not who she wanted me to be.
"I love you. I'm in love with you. I love our family. So, what do you say about having another baby?" I ask.
"Alright." She smiled, putting her arms around me tightly. "Plan our vacation and I'll have another one of your mutts." She flirted.
I nodded. "Let's go grab Josh, then spin the globe and stick a pin-"
"Wherever it lands we go." She added.
...
Leah Clearwater Pov
*Flash Forward*
Few Years After
...
Hearing the sound of country music in my ear, and the Hospital heart monitor beeping. Opening my eyes, the first thing I saw was Jacob. In a chair at my bedside. It wasn't long ago that he was gone, locked away for something he didn't do and I was secretly pregnant while we were apart.
The last I remember before here... was a vampire in my house, before it stabbed me.
Jacob eyes staring back at mine, appearing wide awake. I smiled. Even in the dead of night, almost dawn he was gorgeous.
Hours ago I was pregnant with our fourth child.
"Hi."
"Hi." He smiled back. "How are you feeling?"
"I've had better days." I glanced at Billy's radio and sunflowers in a glass vase on the table.
"I bet." Jacob replied. The last thing I remember of last night was feeding my baby-girl then falling asleep in Jacob's arms. Right after Embry finally had to be tugged away from Sarah. Still can't believe Embry imprinted, and one of all people my baby. I guess him imprinting was the best thing that could've happened. The thought of the whole thing about imprints being your soul-mate will forever be weird to me. I still think it's just a load of crap…. Jacob would tell you, he imprinted then un-imprint on the spawn just to show that with wolves, there's no such-thing as soul-mates.
"How long have you been staring and watching me sleep?" I asked.
He chuckled. "I've been wide awake ever since my dad came in with that portable radio." He said looking over my shoulder. "He left to go get the kids an hour ago. They should be awake now."
I smiled. Country music seems to be Billy's thing these days, it must be the sad love songs they sing. "Must be the stage he's in. He wants our little girl to be the next Reba, though I prefer Shania Twain."
Jacob snorted. "Is there anyone who you believe is better than Shania Twain?"
"Nope, no one except you." I smirked, kissing his cheek.
"Is that right?"
"Yes, the only thing better than ending the night with you, is waking up with you. Care to sing me some 'Darius Rucker 'I Only Wanna Be With You." I flirted.
"You mean 'Hootie & the Blowfish?"
"Ah, same thing." I shrugged.
Jacob chuckled. "Yeah, well. I'm here and here is where I want to be... well... except for these circumstances. We are a couple weeks early from the opposed due date." He muttered.
I nodded. "Yeah, and It's been ten years since a bloodsucker attacked me... It still sucks! I'm not even sure who stabbed me or what type of knife it was with. It could've been a kitchen knife for all I know, it happened so fast."
"I know..." He muttered and the cold expression on his face read he didn't want to think about what happened. Last night his step-mother Kelly, who happens to be my nurse, told us the typical recovery time depends on me. To take things easy and restrain from doing any type of work. No running, walking up stairs. I'll have to wait up to six months to feel regular, and allow another couple months to pass before attempting to have another baby. I can say the best part about not actually giving vaginal birth is no ripping or tearing, No stress of pushing for hours and feeling pain.
All Kelly told me was that recovery can be difficult, not to mention I'll probably have to stay in this hospital bed for three days instead of two. Thanks to those damn leeches.
"I wonder if Haylie mentioned anything to Noah yet. He might have an idea of who it was that stabbed me. This drama with the leeches will never end will it?" I asked.
Jacob rolled his eyes.
I remember the day I met Haylie.. She was part of Jacob's pack and talked way too much. Noah Cullen, on the other hand, was the son of Renesmee and Nahuel. Noah fell in love with Haylie while she was dating Embry. After her, Embry hadn't been with anyone. He has been single for a very long time.
"As long as Joham is alive I'll have to keep looking over my shoulder." I stated. Joham the leader of The Russian Coven, more brains than brawn. He loves his torture experiments, and the fact that my blood matches his former love Lizabeth- he's obsessed with my genetics.
"Noah said the only person that can beat Joham is his own brother Irvin. They all need to be stopped, including the Volturi." I added scratching my hair.
Joham is the father of Nahuel and is responsible for creating a hybrid army. Hybrids like Renesmee and Nahuel who are half human-half vampire children born.
Irvin is said to be a vampire who wants to kill both Joham and Volturi. "Can we not talk about this?" Jacob said obviously not in the mood.
I sighed. "Okay, fine. Let's not talk about me almost bleeding out for no apparent reason other than revenge."
"Maybe now that the baby is here we should reconsider moving." He says.
"Jacob, we can't possibly move now." I said glaring at him. "We have the new cafe... it's mine, correction .. Ours. We have an important new business development now, and it'll shape up perfectly in a couple weeks. I'm not in any position to move at this moment." I stated.
"That's amazing and all but... To accept working beneath you would mean me being comfortable being here. I'm not. Forget about the business, we'll relocate." He retorted.
"I can only imagine how hard that is." I mocked.
"This… I can't benefit from, Leah. Weren't you the one who was dead-set on moving and getting away from here and the leech drama?" He pointed out.
"I was, with you being jail-bound I decided to stay."
He sighed. I didn't want to remind him of spending months in jail because of Camilla. That crazy psychopath framed him and he was taken away from us for a while. "I don't want to think about this right now." He said low.
"Jacob, life can't just pause because we had a baby."
"Why can't it?" He objected. "Why can't we enjoy this? I don't hate the cafe, I just don't care much for it right now. I care for your safety." He stated. "Everything you do. Leah, I'm with it regardless if it includes whatever business. Your decision doesn't include me I feels like it."
"Yeah, and you had a chance to agree to move away before Adam's little sister got her hooks into you." I snapped back.
"Oh so this is my punishment. When I finally say yes to moving, you say no? Understood." He said getting ready to get up.
"No, don't go anywhere. Stay here." I objected.
"To what? Get molded over."
"Jacob, that's not what I'm trying to do. I just think we need time, you know?"
"Then what do you want me to do? I'm finally here. You almost get killed and all I'm asking for is to do what you've been begging me for months, now that we're actually able to do so.. you tell me that you don't want to give up a replaceable home? What sense does that make?" He said lost.
"It's been six months, Jacob. Believe it or not I'm trying to reason with you here. Can we at least work at it for a couple weeks before you swoop in and take us all away?"
"If you had any ounce of solicitude in you, you'll think clearly here. What happened to protecting everyone without any cost? If I own the shop as you own the cafe, fine. Being the boss to help you feel comfortable in your own skin is awesome. I won't argue against it. Whatever you want but as long as those leeches are running around I'm not putting our kids endangered for the sake of you." He says.
"I'm not asking for that." I said honestly.
"Yes, you are. Listen to yourself. There is no other reason not to get out of here anymore. Especially with what happened last night."
I sighed knowing he was right, but I need more time. "Sorry I'm declining your hopes here but now that the baby's born I'm rethinking working at all. At least for a little while. All I care about is making sure I spend every day and moment with you and the kids. If you want to work fine, because we do need the money. I'll hire a manager for the cafe. I have no problem with that. We will be fine."
"Leah, there's no safety here. In all those talks about how I'm always saving you and I couldn't save you from this."
"Jacob. Don't do this. This is not your fault, or something you could've prevented."
"Don't baby-talk me." He said, closing his eyes fighting the anger and hurt.
"Our baby girl is safe and healthy. We all will be fine." I knew.
"No. She's healthy but she will never be safe, none of us will. I don't get how you can be so calm by this." He is confused.
"Everything might not be perfect right now with all the chaos but... What exactly do you want me to do? Crumble and cry in your arms papa-Jake."
"Don't call me that." He said seriously upset.
"The second I got stabbed, my first thought was…. I hate those damn leeches. My second was… Where the hell could my Alpha be?" I joked. Jacob rolled his eyes, tilting his head at me. "But last, I thought of the baby. I thought of the kids, Embry, Billy…. And then you again." I said looking at him. "In the car, when I was all bloody trying to hold on…. I heard your voice again." I said pausing. "It was like a flashback of years ago in a heartbeat. You weren't there, but me on the verge of death…. You were." I stated, and Jacob didn't breathe a word. "It's true, you are always saving me… even when you don't, and everyday I think about what would happen if one of us died. I think about it more than I should, because no day is promised. We live in a town filled with vampires, hybrids, and shapes-shifters…. At the same time... we can't think negatively all the time. We have to look at all the stuff that happened to us that didn't kill us. We instead survived it all together." I say,
"Good morning." Jacob and I both heard a woman say walking in the room.
"Someone small wants to be with the most amazing parents ever." A nurse said, cradling my tiny pup in her arms.
Wrapped up in a pink and yellow baby blanket, Jacob and I sat up just a little as she came over.
"For a person who came mighty early, she sure knows how to sleep." The nurse said placing my infantly small girl in my arms.
With her light chopper skin and pink lips, she was so warm.
"Oh my goodness, I can't believe she's mine." I say glazing into her beautiful face.
"Ours." Jacob corrected.
"After three boys you never expect to have a girl." I smiled. It's completely different and the feeling is unreal.
"I didn't have time to realize or take it in last night. I was completely out of it being drugged up and all." I stated.
"Would you like to bottle feed or continue breastfeeding?" The nurse asked.
"Um.. since I've always breastfeed I think I'll break the tradition." I say.
"I love that tradition." Jacob smirked.
I rolled my eyes. "Of course you do."
"Here you go." The nurse said, handing me a really small bottle.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, let me know if you need anything." She said moving to walk out the room.
"Will do." I said as Jacob cuddled closer, wrapping his arms around both me and the baby.
"You want to feed her?" I ask.
"No, that's okay. Your touch is better than mine." He smiled, kissing my forehead. "She is beautiful. It's up to me to make sure nothing in the world will hurt her." He says.
"No, no one will ever hurt her. Especially with Embry as her protector." I smiled.
"No, I'm her protector." He corrected me. I rolled my eyes. "Before Josh was born I used to wonder about our future kids, and now they're as beautiful as you are. " He grinned. "Now that she's here, things can't get bad anymore. We have to do things differently." He muttered.
"What do you mean?" I asked him, lifting the bottle to our baby's mouth.
"Remember when we were at the lake and you asked me how bad things have to get in order for us to leave here?"
I bit my lower lip remembering perfectly. "Yeah."
"The fact that a leech could get inside of our house almost killing the both of you, Is something I will never get over." He says.
"Everything is fine and will continue on being fine no matter what." I reassured him. "No matter how many times I get banged up, you're there."
His love always calls me when I lose my way, he's the only one who saves me.
I heard his voice, and felt his warmth yesterday... he and Embry saved my life.
"Not this time, and probably not next time either. Those bloodsuckers are not going to stop. If Embry wasn't there, you would be dead right now. Both, you and her." He said angrily.
"You shouldn't think like that, it doesn't help." I whispered.
"Why? Because you'll hate to admit that it can be actual reality? It was easy before to imagine it now to really experience the closeness of death. I don't get it. You believed it was on me to keep them safe without you and that'll be impossible when I have the chance to keep you safe also. You're only human, you can die as painfully as everyone else can."
"I've spent so much time worrying and stressing over our safety and the well-being of the kids, I'm finally breathing here. Don't take me back down that road, everything will be fine. We're always back where we begin after something tragic." I said.
I knew that, on the road I went down losing my father young. If the children were to lose me... the baby, Josh, Daniel, and Caleb will be as bitter and lonely as anyone. I can't have that.
"Perhaps we can move at the end of the Summer season, when our baby girl can crawl at least." I suggested.
He exhaled. "Anyway... let's stop talking about that." He says looking down at our baby-girl ignoring my suggestion. "So, what is it going to be?" He asked.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"Our nameless baby?"
"Oh... right."
"She practically went hours without one." He said, running a finger over her black hair.
"Names... Names...Girl names..." I said merely to myself. Before I tell him my suggestion I should see if he has any names in mind. "Do you want to name her? She's our first girl?" I said giving him a choice.
"No, No, you've been doing good so far." He said then looked away with a weird expression.
I narrowed my eyes. "What? What is it? Are you thinking of something?"
"No, It's nothing... You name her. I'm sure your pick will be perfect." He smiled.
That reminds me... "I had this beautiful, most perfect dream." I stated.
At times I dream of his mother alive.
His mother Sarah.
"Is that right? How perfect?" He asked.
"I dreamed about your mom." I smiled.
"My mom?" He asked.
"It was so real. For a second in my dream I'd forgotten who she was. It was strange but amazing at the same time." I admitted. "We talked about you a little, but I can't remember what was said. Most times when I dream of her I forget what she says." Jacob just nodded looking down. "She would be so proud of you." I said looking at him.
"Yeah, I'm sure."
"Honestly." I said feeling he didn't believe my words. "You may not realize it, though she's such a huge part of who you are." I said as he bit his lower lip. I looked down as our girl continued to drink her milk, not opening her eyes once. "That's why without any question I'm naming our little chipmunk after her grandma." I said leaning down to kiss her on her forehead. "So every time you say her name, you'll always think of your mother." I said and he nodded emotionally, exhaling to keep from crying.
"You see? That was perfect." He whispered and I leaned over, kissing him.
His warm lips, moving with mine. I then kissed his cheek. "Everything about you is perfect, Jacob and I love you so much."
He smiled, kissing me once more.
"Nice, you think so."
"MOMMY!" A loud and obnoxious voice screamed and I jumped. "We were searching all over for you." Caleb said, running into the room.
Not so far behind him was Daniel and Josh.
"DAD!" Caleb yelled again.
"Shh." Jacob exclaimed, lifting Caleb on to the bed.
"Yeah, Caleb. Hush up before you scare her half to death." Daniel said, walking over to stand at my side.
"You guys wouldn't believe how slow it took grandpa to get us here." Joshua said as Billy walked into the room with his daughter Keira by his side.
Jacob's young half-sister quietly gave us a wave.
"Hello, Hello." Billy smiled happily.
"Can I hold her? I didn't get a chance yesterday." Daniel asks and I remember right after Sarah was born, after hours of prying her out of Embry's arms only Joshua and Caleb had the chance to hold her until visiting hours were over.
"Of course you can." I answered him, then looked over as Billy came over to give me a kiss with daisies in his hand.
"Hey old-man. More flowers?" I smiled and he leaned to give Sarah a quick kiss.
"How are you kiddo's doing?" He asked.
"No bad, not bad at all." I say. "The flowers are pretty, thank you." I say glancing at my night table.
"Yeah, I knew you'd like them. I'll just sit by the window. Say hello to your baby niece Keira." He said, pushing Keira towards the bed.
"Hi, Keira." I smiled at her.
"Hi." She said shyly looking at Sarah.
"Dad there's a chair right there against the wall." Jacob pointed out.
"Oh, didn't see it." Billy muttered.
"Grandpa's getting old." Caleb stated.
"We know." Everyone said at the same time. I laughed.
Daniel crawled on the bed to nest himself between Jacob and I.
I gently placed Sarah into Daniel's arms, and when she was settled I handed him the battle. When Caleb was born Daniel was always so helpful in holding and feeding him. He'll make a great father someday, I just know it because he's also a wonderful brother.
"I just talked to Embry, he's on his way up with Haylie and Seth." Billy says, taking a seat in the chair in the corner.
"So they're all a threesome now?" Jacob joked. Embry once dated Haylie who also had a huge crush on Seth who wasn't interested in her.
"Nope. I'm still a lone wolf." Embry says walking into the room.
"EMBRY!" Caleb yelled.
"Shhhh!" Everyone exclaimed at once.
"Sorry." Caleb whispered, then leaned down to give Sarah a kiss on her forehead as Jacob continued to hold him. Looking up, to our surprise Embry wasn't alone. Both Haylie and Seth weren't the only ones with him. Rebecca, Rachel, Paul, Sue, Charlie, Jared, Kim, Quil, and Claire all walked into the room.
I wondered if my hair looked a mess or not. "Can I feed her?" Embry asked and Jacob groaned.
I ignored him and nodded without question. "Of course."
"Hey?" Daniel exclaimed. "I just got her."
"Don't worry, Danny -I'll give her right back. I'll burp her for you." Embry said walking over to take Sarah out of his arms.
"Fine." Daniel whined.
"Well he imprinted on her. He has dibs." Josh stated.
"What's imprinted again?" Caleb asked.
"We'll tell you later." I said pulling Caleb out of Jacob's arms to hold him and Daniel moved more on to my lap.
"And it doesn't matter if Embry imprinted or not, Your sister will always love all of you, no matter what." Sue said coming to sit at my bedside.
"How are you feeling?" She asked.
"Fine." I nodded.
"I hope I never Imprint." Josh stated.
"Why?" Jacob and I asked at the same time.
"Cause... look at Embry, he's a zombie." Josh said pointing at Embry who was standing by the window holding Sarah, paying attention to no one else in the room.
"He's right," Haylie added. "Embry has completely crossed over to the dark side."
"You guys do know I can hear you, right?" Embry said back.
"Here, hand her to me. I'll show you how it's done." Billy said to Embry as he burped her. I rolled my eyes. They all are going to spoil her so badly.
"You know, No matter what I thought before about Imprinting… it's surprisingly not strange at all that Embry hooked himself onto her." I whispered to Jacob as Embry slowly handed Sarah over to Billy.
"So you pretty much think it's cute now." Jacob muttered.
"I didn't say all that. I just like the fact that he doesn't have to hurt any more. He has a new meaning to what he's been searching for. He's in a healthier place now." I whispered.
"Yeah, It's been a long time coming." Embry said looking at Billy holding Sarah, obviously listening to Jacob and I's conversation.
"Speaking of ..." Jacob said glaring at Embry. "You're not moving in with us."
"I'm thinking we should keep the whole imprinting thing a secret at least up until her thirteenth birthday." I say fast.
"Yeah." Jacob laughed. "Good luck with that one."
"If things get too drastic you should give her a rule." Seth stated.
"That'll never work." Paul stated.
"Such as?" Embry asked curiously.
"Such as waiting until she's eighteen to have any feelings." Rachel said.
"Eighteen?" Rebecca exclaimed.
"Or Thirty." Jacob joked. Though he wasn't really joking.
"That's not a bad age, at least she'll be mature enough to know what she wants." Haylie said.
"There's no rules when it comes to imprinting." Sue noted.
"Sue's right." Billy agreed.
"She'll probably think of college instead of shacking up with Embry." Kim stated humorously.
"Whether what age she is, it should be her choice." Rebecca says.
"I'll just be alright if I can truly protect her." Embry says sincerely.
"Hopefully so." I answered. "We accept the fact that you are the one who imprinted on our baby, I doubt I could handle seeing her, my only girl with anyone else."
Jacob groaned at that.
"I don't think we should pressure her, we should just let her follow her heart." Billy says.
"Even if her heart leads to him." Haylie added, speaking of Embry.
I nodded, in agreement. "Yes, even so."
"You don't have to worry. I got her back." Embry smiled, taking Sarah back out of Billy's arms. "If or when we get to that bridge, we'll deal with it."
"Sure, take her, why dontcha." Billy muttered, not ready to give her up.
"I'm so glad I have a niece, finally." Rebecca said extremely happy.
"Ahh are you forgetting something." Rachel said, nudging Rebecca.
Paul and Rachel's daughter Rachelle was the cutest, yet not here with them. As well as Rebecca's children who are in Hawaii with her estranged husband.
"I'm talking about Jacob, have you noticed he has three boys? I thought it was going to be a boy-city forever." Rebecca replied.
"Now, Rachelle has someone her age to play with." Rebecca said to Rachel, talking about Sarah.
"Actually Paul and I are moving soon." Rachel said fast.
"Oh." was all Rebecca mouthed.
"Well the other youngest pretty lady around is Keira even though she's way too old to play in the sandbox with Sarah or with Barbie's." Billy said, putting Keira on his lap.
"I don't play with Barbie's all the time." Keira announced.
"Oh I know sweetie, that's good." Billy said to her. I snorted.
"Anyway... " Sue said, turning to face me. "How long do you have to be here?"
"Three days." Jacob answered.
"That's good." Haylie stated.
"She's a Clearwater, Scary breed. We should celebrate and welcome the little one to the club." Billy smiled.
"What? You haven't welcomed Rachelle into any club." Rachel exclaimed.
"Well she's not a Clearwater, now is she?" Billy retorted, smirking.
"I guess not." Rachel mumbled.
"Don't worry, kiddo everyone's invited." Billy smiled.
"Invited to where? Not our place." Jacob said fast. I laughed.
"So… What are you going to name her?" Sue asks.
I smiled looking at Jacob who nodded for me to say it. "Sarah." I said looking at Billy. "Jacob agreed it was a perfect fit."
"You named her after our mother?" Rebecca said, amazed.
"Yes, It seemed only right." I said then glanced over at Billy whose eyes glazed up at me completely proud.
Then a nurse walked in the crowded room. "Hi. Sorry to ruin the fun, but it's time for the baby's checkup." She said and I looked at Embry. As he moved around both Quil and Claire to hand her over, the nurse looked back to me. "In a moment I'll be back with papers for you to fill out." She said to me,
"Alright." I nodded.
"Okay, guys." Sue said standing beside me. "That's our cue, let's give Leah some time to rest up and we'll visit again later." She said as everyone suddenly moved towards the door. "We'll come back later."
"See-ya." I said as only Haylie, Embry, and Billy were the only ones who didn't move.
"Well I better go take a nap, the boys kept me up all night." Billy said, getting to his feet, and Keira moved with him.
"I appreciate you, and thank you." I smiled at him.
"Your welcome, kiddo. Get some rest." Billy said leaning down to give me a great big bear hug and I wrapped my arms around him tight.
"Happy you're safe, wish Harry was here to see." He whispered.
"Me too, thanks again for the flowers." I smiled as he kissed my cheek.
"Of course, anything for you." He replied.
"I honestly don't know what I'd do without you, Billy." I say.
He smirked. "Great beauty and great virtue rarely dwell together as they do in you." He said then looked at Jacob. "Jake, come on out into the hall for a second."
"Why?" Jacob asks.
"Don't worry It won't take long." Billy said and I knew the conversation he wanted to have was about the vamps.
"Come on guys, Let's go get something to eat in the cafeteria." Embry said to the kids.
"Sounds good to me." Joshua smiled as Billy and Jacob walked out the room.
"Yes, food!" Caleb added.
"In that case we all should go." Haylie said, walking over to pick Caleb up off the bed. "Do you want anything Lee?"
I yawned tiredly, "No, thanks. You guys go eat. I think I'll take a cat-nap before the nurse brings the baby back."
"Great idea, well... we'll be back soon." Haylie said, moving towards the door.
"Let's go Danny." Embry said, moving towards the hall.
"See-ya mom. Love you." Daniel says.
"Bye mommy, Love you." Caleb yelled.
"Later mom." Josh said fast.
"I love you all, see you guys later." I said laying my head back against the pillow.
I love seeing my little pups, they are truly all I could ever ask for, and Sarah my little miracle blessing came fitting right in.
Letting out a huge breath, I yawned again, closing my eyes.