Jacob Black Pov

*Flashback*

16 Years Ago

*Recurring Dream*

Sitting in the living room watching a baseball game, I turned my head hearing the sound of the front door slam shut.

"Oops, sorry. Didn't think it would slam that hard." Josh said, dropping his light blue bookbag by the door, and I turned back to the television screen.

It's crazy how big he's gotten over the years. "Who's playing?" He asked.

"Red Sox's and the Yankees."

"Oh. I have to get going, Shane's meeting me at the liberty to study for finals."

"Alright." I said as he ran up the steps.

Turning back to the game, the Red Sox's were in the lead, winning.

"Hey, Jake. Who came in?" I heard Bella say walking from the bedroom.

Glancing over at her as she rubbed her eyes tiredly, the door slamming obviously woke her. "Just Josh, sorry he woke you."

"It's fine, it's hard to sleep so late in the afternoon anyway." She said coming to sit beside me. "Have you decided what you want for dinner?"

"No, I'm not in the mood to eat. The Yankees might not win this one." I say, feeling down about the game.

"Well if you like… I'd be happy to take your mind off of it." She flirted.

I smirked glaring at her. "Really?"

"Yes, it's just a game... you can always watch the news for anything you've missed later." She said, placing her hand on my cheek.

In the second, she ran her hands through my hair.

I smiled suddenly, ready to forget about the baseball game and go straight to making out with her.

"Ugh! Can you two wait at least until I'm out of the house before you start?" Josh practically yelled and Bella jumped back. "You two do know that pretty soon Daniel and Caleb will be back from school. I would really hate for them to see this." He said, snatching his book bag from the floor and rushing out the door.

I sighed.

"I'm sorry, he's right." Bella frowned.

"No, No. Don't be. He's just upset." I said placing my hand around hers, giving it a squeeze.

"No, the children aren't used to me being here. Maybe you were right, maybe we should have moved away after Leah passed. Everything could have been easy for them."

"Nothing would have been easy. Anyone who loses a parent knows, but they are fine."

"No, they are not. I can't replace their mother and I just rather them not hate me."

"Bella, come on. Don't do this. Joshua, Daniel, and Caleb love you. We wouldn't have made it without you. Don't think like that. No you could never replace Leah, but you do come close. You're my love, forevermore." I say kissing her cheek.

She laughed. "Oh Jacob, you're just saying that to make me feel better."

"Is it working?" I ask.

"Yes, and I love you so much." She said, wrapping her arms around me, kissing my lips fast.

*End Of Dream*

...

As I opened my eyes I stared up at the ceiling, listening to the rain pour down on the rooftop.

Leah in my arms, I let out a huge breath squeezing her closer.

It was hard replaying the dream I just had without fixing on what happened today.

I almost lost her.

Suddenly Leah was wide awake, with her eyes open looking up at me.

She narrowed her eyes questionably.

"What?" I ask looking back at her.

"You're hot." She says.

"Thank you, you're not so bad looking yourself." I mocked.

"No, I mean your about to burn my face off. What's wrong? Bad dream?" She says sitting up.

"I'm fine."

"I know you like the back of my hand, and a horrible attempt at humor while your energy and eyes are expressing something else... "

Quietly I pulled her arms for her to lay back down, she sighed.

"Jacob?"

"You should get some sleep." I say fast.

"Tell me."

"Don't worry about me."

"Jacob, spit it out." She said leaning back up, perching on her elbows.

"Don't worry about me. How are you feeling?" I asked her.

"I'm fine, just tell me about your dream." She stated.

"Let's not talk about it, I'd rather not replay the image." I clarify.

"Well I'm wide awake now." She said moving to climb off the bed. "Besides, suffocating on your steaming hot chest is not my idea of peaceful sleep." She said moving to stand over Sarah's crib that wasn't far from the end of the bed.

"How is she?" I asked.

Leah smiled, turning back for the bed. "She is sleeping like a baby. I can't believe she's sleeping through half of the night already. That's very unusual for someone so young."

"Yeah, it's definitely different." I replied.

"Do you think something is wrong? Her cries aren't as high-pitched as the boys were."

"I don't think so, I highly doubt there's something wrong. Daniel was the same way. Plus remember she came earlier than expected. She needs her rest as well." I clarify.

"Right, and no Danny wasn't. He screamed for days when we first brought him home." She replied.

"I don't remember that." I muttered as she climbed back in bed.

"Enough of dodging my concern, tell me what's wrong. I can see in your eyes that something's been bothering you for a minute. Not just the dream either."

"I really don't feel like talking right now."

"What is it, Jacob?" She pressed.

"Nothing. Besides, Can't I take in the fact that I can hold you again without something being wrong?"

"You've been distant and quiet since we got home from the hospital and the big battle with the vamps."

I sighed not wanting to talk about today. "I had that dream again, the one where you were gone." I say, Leah narrowed her eyes "You were gone and I was with Bella."

"Ugh, I hate that dream." She rolled her eyes. "Just the thought of you and her, here in our house with my babies." She added, raising her hand to caress my face, with a small smile. "I would come back and punch you in the eye if you ever went back to that two that bloodsucking user."

I wanted to laugh, but the thought of her not being here frightened me too much to even find anything remotely humorous.

"I'm fine, Sarah's healthy and fine. The boys are wild, crazy but fine. The drama with the leeches is finally over, no more worries." She insisted. I shook my head. "Besides, if something were to honestly happen to me -you're more than likely to find a cute, kind, smart, nanny to fall in love with." She said jokingly.

I just glared at her, not amused. "I failed to see any humor in that thought. There's nothing else to joke about, whatever happens to you, happens to me. You die, I die. I can't brush something so serious off."

"Lighten up." She says.

"Don't tell me to lighten up."

She sighed. "What is with you today?"

"I wasn't nervous with Josh, Daniel, and Caleb. I was happy." I confessed. "Now everything is different. Everything has changed. You said Sarah has changed you and I see it. It's good that you don't allow everything to frighten you, but it's nerve wracking to see you act like this."

"Jacob, don't worry so much. Just believe that we all will take care of each other and be happy."

"That's not even possible for a second." I admitted. "You don't understand how terrified I am that I'll end up like my dad. Like he was when my mother died. Alone, raising three kids, but in my case it'd be four… three if Sarah hadn't survived. I don't think you grasp the concept of how you two could have died."

"So what you think just because I brush it off means I don't constantly think about it? Because I do. I only rather not sit around and whine about it every five minutes. To keep it in your head-space is not healthy." She says.

"Well I guess I prefer you to whine about it or anything instead of not expressing it to me."

She snorted. "I think you're overreacting."

"Maybe I am."

"I get it, I'll try and be more sympathetic." She says in a softer tone. "We have to move forward, Jacob. Let's focus on Sarah, and how healthy she is. Alright?"

"I am thinking about all of that, and at the same time I'm stuck on how this life would be if you would've died. The both of you."

"Even If I had, you are as strong as Billy, if not more. You'd be just fine. Caleb, Daniel, and Joshua would be in better hands compared to If something was to happen to you. They will always need their father."

"No, and strength has nothing to do with protecting yourself and everything you have. What's the point of a father who could never recover without his wife? I've seen the damage. I'm living proof of it. Spending my entire childhood wishing I had the normalcy of two parents -broke me from the inside out. I was entirely desperate for a mother's love, of a true touch that could nurture that pain." I said, placing both of my hands on her face. "I found that with you. You melted that broken rock and turned it into a heart. Without you I'm nothing."

"Jacob, that's not true you-."

"It's the only truth." I cut her off honestly. "If you never came back to me ten years ago, I don't know who I'd be. If we never ever saw each other again, Where would we be right now? I think about that all the time. I think about you being happy with some other guy, while I'd just probably be…. Floating around trying to find my place in this world. Wondering to myself if I'd ever find love. I know I should never obsess over the what if's, but you are my life, Leah. You are everything."

"I know, I know, and you are my everything too."

"There's no life without you."

"Jacob, I don't know how many times I have to tell you how you remain that deep euphoric feeling that helps me sleep at night. You're still the one red out of all the blues, I see you as easily as I can myself. You're so much more than what you believe. You would have never been a floater, you've always had a purpose here. Before I even could get a good look at you, I knew I could count on you. A leader and true protector of our home. You're everything to everyone in these woods. No matter what you'll be there for anyone you love, I applaud that. If something were to happen to me you will live and meet the most amazing person who'll help you raise our boys. I wouldn't want your life to stop just because I wouldn't be here to share it with you. It's that loyalty in your veins that takes me in and I would really love it if you would stop worrying so much. You cannot control everything, we can only change the small things." She stated. "So, please, stop or you're going to start to get gray hairs." She said, running her hand through my hair- gripping it firmly.

I shook my head. "Still, I wouldn't be able to live without you...or go on ... know that."

"Jacob, you only feel that way because you fear it the most."

"Maybe, but as long as you're here with me, I have meaning to live. I don't want to live in this world without you." I said leaning into her, pressing my mouth to hers.

She always gave me somewhere I could run, when I lost all hope. I can't imagine losing that. I'll never have what we have with anyone else.

"I love you, you know that." She paused to look at me.

Pulling me closer, the look of love and devotion radiated from her.

"Trust me, not as much as I love you." I say.

She's the only woman I can imagine myself getting married to. It's a ridiculous thought, though the question isn't if she'll want to marry me... the question is when should I ask her.

I guess after I get a ring.

Without any warning, Leah climbed on top of me kissing me with so much force that I could sense the heat rising from within her.

I tried my best to say her name, though it was impossible with her lips never letting up.

One hand lifting up my shirt, as the other moved down to the hem of my pants.

I laughed amused, pushing her so I could lean up. "Are you crazy? You do know this is the worst possible time to do this, Right?"

She narrowed her eyes confused. "Don't give me that or that look."

"What look?" I shrug.

"The... 'aren't you still a little too weak and sore to make love' look."

I laughed. "I can think of ways to ease that, but you need time. Not only do you have a knife wound but you just had a baby. Our baby. We need you to heal."

"I'm fine, besides... who says anything about lovemaking..." She smirked.

I rolled my eyes, grabbing her hands. "Let's not." I said rolling from underneath her and getting off the bed.

"What is your problem, seriously? You're acting weird today."

"Nothing, and I'm not acting weird."

"Liar, since when do you ever say no?"

"Can't we not be in a rush all the time? Please? I need you to agree with me on this. Rest your body, Leah." I say not wanting to sound as if I was rejecting her. "I'm sorry, I just have a lot on my mind and I need these next few months to be smooth."

"No need to apologize. I get it. I would hate to force you into doing something you aren't in the mood for." She stated. "You do know... You and I haven't been together intimately since the whole Camilla issue months ago."

"You know, the biggest mistake was befriending her, and not being with you." I admitted. "I never kissed her or hugged her, ever. Those photos she took of her and I, were enhanced -photoshopped. It was like I was drugged, and unconscious. I don't know how she did it. She gave no sign that she was so unhinged."

Leah sighed. "I know, Jacob. I just hate how she played us all into thinking that you would do that. That you would take advantage of her like that. It was sick. She was out of her mind. "

"Yeah well I made it easy for her and that was my mistake. I'm sorry."

"Hope she get what she deserves one day. Let's agree -from here on out we know the signs of some-obsessed-half-breed-lunatic and exposed them."

I nodded in response, without another word.

I can only hope.

"I'm going to take a quick shower." Leah said gearing for the bathroom. "If you're going to be up, make sure to check on Sarah." She said then walked to our bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

I glanced at Sarah still asleep in her crib, then made my way to open the bedroom door.

Grabbing one of the baby monitors off the nightstand, I turned it on and I walked down the hall towards the living room.

With the television on Haylie, Embry and the kids all slept sound asleep on the floor.

In the corner of my eyes my dad was roaming around in the refrigerator.

I snorted, the old man was always on the hunt for food.

"Can't sleep?"

"Jake." He said, looking up in surprise. "I thought you were out for the count. How's the kiddo?"

"I have been up for a bit. She's sleeping." I said taking a seat at the table as he did.

"Oh, yeah... I know that feeling... After Rachel and Rebecca were born my nerves and worries grew taller. Trust me, it'll never go away. Constantly thinking about the future and If you'll be around to teach them everything there is to know." He said and it was obvious that he was eavesdropping on Leah and my conversation earlier.

"Remind me to kick you out first thing in the morning for eavesdropping."

He chuckled. "You two will be alright."

"You know, Camilla was the last person I wanted to think of but Leah just reminded me that what happened will stick for a while."

"Hormones. Feisty suckers they are." He says.

"Maybe, though Camilla... I let her get inside my head. She played with my insecurities when I thought I was losing Leah. She felt I was an easy target because of Leah's friendship with Sam. He just kept hitting that nail and everyone knew. If Leah and I were married, at least it would be proof that what we fight for is eternal."

"Manipulation, son.. it can work on anyone. We all have become vulnerable when it comes to our fear of losing something or someone we hold dear. I do agree that what you and Leah have is rare, rarer than a two headed dog." Dad said, sympathizing.

"Even so, people like that ... like Camilia will take what they want with no remorse."Yeah, you would've thought I would've caught onto it by now."

"It's in the past now, Jacob. Trust me, the guilt may never go away nor will the constant worry for your family. Just know Leah will go through it all with you, no matter what." He continued.

It sucked feeling this way. All I want is a future with Leah. Always and forever me, her and the kids.

"With Leah I'm no longer swinging out across an ocean from shore to shore... She's my resting spot. She's it for me." I told him.

"I know, son." He nodded.

It would make me the happiest person alive to have her walking down the aisle towards me. I know it's possible, I want to make it happen. There's no surprise that we are going to get under each other's skin a lot these next couple months. We have been together for almost eleven years now.

With Leah I'll always know that I don't have to be all alone when it comes to protecting what is ours.

"I'm going to ask her to marry me." I confessed. "I first thought of it when Josh was born, yet never had the guts to make it happen. She always pressed that we were moving too fast for her. These last few weeks have made things more clear."

"It's about time." My dad smirked. "Just remember there's a lot to come with marriage, you have to be willing to lose many fights -even on the days you are right."

I nodded, understanding perfectly.

"I know." He was always great with handling out wisdom-encouragement. "Do you still have mom's wedding ring?" I asked.

He nodded. "I never go anywhere without it."

"Can I have it?" I asked.

"Of course." He smiled, happy that I finally decided to propose to Leah after all these years.

*End Of Flashback*

…

Sarah Black Pov

*Flash Forward*

16 Years Later

Sixteen years ago I was born in the rainy woods of La Push, on that particular day I'm sure it was sunny but definitely unexpected.

My middle name is Emblyn and my favorite after school food is grilled cheese.

My mom says that's all she craved while pregnant with me.

For fun I play sports and wish I could start a chess club for kids who aren't sure how to play, though to others that would mean social suicide.

My brother Daniel taught me chess when I was only ten years old and I never forgot.

I mostly played sports with my father, and he always let me win. My mom always laughed when I really started to win on my own. For the longest grandpa Billy called me Leah 2.0..because just like my mom I have copper skin, black hair and brown eyes.

It's hard not to compare someone to anyone on the reservation. I'm tall 5'8 to be exact and I haven't yet phased. I hope I never will.

Uncle Seth tells me that I'm a lot like my grandpa Harry, who passed away way before I was born. Uncle Seth once thought my outspoken personality was funny when I was younger.. not so much now. I think because I spilled the beans to Hazel that her mom Haylie once had a crush on uncle Seth before she dated Embry a long time ago. Embry was a bit embarrassed about that fact too, aunt Haylie broke up with Embry for Hazel's father Noah.

So these days, I actually take caution when I speak around adults.

I have a huge family, not including the wolf pack. They all are pretty much distant cousins. Sometimes I wonder how life was years before I was born. My dad always tells me 'Trust me, you don't want to know.' But the thing is... I've always been curious. I even read my mother's first book, the one she published when I was a toddler. The second one, I have my own copy from my mother, yet I haven't had the time to read it.

I rather read true stories than untrue stories.

Gossip lives here and I'm sure it's just as bad in Forks now that the truth is out about the shapeshifters and the cold ones. We all have my parents to thank for that.

My mom wrote a book and my dad went along with it. It may have opened up a can of beans not all truly wanted, but so far everything is going alright. No huge war of any kind.

Whatever anyone has to say about my family, we'll take it as a complement. The wolf gene is our armor. As Daniel would say, yet, my younger brother Caleb would disagree. For a worry wart at times he tries to see the good in everything except anything good about being a wolf.

Dad's older twin sister's aunt Rachel and aunt Rebecca who was married and once lived in Hawaii, but now is divorced and feels more at home here in La Push -while aunt Rachel lives with her husband Paul and their only daughter Rachelle in Port Angeles.

Dad's two best friends are Embry and Quil. All three attended my high school on reservation, except they had dropped out when some vampires came to town and triggered the Quileute wolf-gene. It hasn't happened since I was younger.

Vampires no longer come near here, I'm happy about that.

Grandpa Billy and his second wife Kelly have dinner with us almost every few weeks just to keep us from forgetting about him.

It was years ago that he was able to walk again, I believe sometime after my oldest brother Josh was born that grandpa was able to walk perfectly without help. I never understood why my Dad refuses to believe in family traditions. He prefers to have leftovers from the refrigerator each Thursday night instead of going over grandpa Billy's house occasionally.

Dad hasn't always been anti-social, I never got why since I was born he hates having anything to do with anything or anyone other than mom.

Maybe it's old age, he'd rather work at the cafe or his auto garage than to go to a bonfire, unless my mom is attending.

I believe that's why he and Embry are so close, they both are rebels without a cause. Embry barely goes anywhere unless I ask him. They hate doing anything when others expect them too, usually they have to be begged into socializing.

In reality I love my family, my parents are awesome, everyone knows them and they both give the best hugs, and even better advice.. definitely when it comes to sports or school.

Dad has always been cool, just very over protective. Sometimes overbearing. Embry says it's because I'm the only girl, at that logic maybe so though I rather show them I can manage on my own two feet.

Truth is, in everyone's eyes I'm the baby of the family. I also have to keep proving I'm not just the baby of the family or a shadow of my famous parents or my older brothers. I'm my own person, who is old enough to make my own choices.

Me, the only girl out of three boys who are very different.

Joshua William Black

Daniel Harrison Black

And

Caleb Jeremiah Black

I love them all.

Honestly, out of all my brothers… Danny is my favorite. I shouldn't choose a favorite but I have no shame. Daniel is the most open-minded one, and we have loads of fun all the time. Not to mention his imprint Hazel is my closest friend. Joshua is barely around and Caleb is Mr. Stick-in-the-mud. Embry and I joke all the time about how both Josh and Cabe never step outside their bat-caves.

Embry, my true best friend who couldn't wait three seconds until I was fully out with my mother's stomach before he decided to imprint on me.

What a sucker.

I love him. Embry is the most incredible person a girl can have in her life. Not to mention he's hot and very good on the eyes. Sadly he still sees me as a kid but, hopefully one day he sees that I'm madly in love with him.

My aunt Rebecca always knew when I would go the extra mile to impress Embry. Last month she took me to buy a new outfit but Embry didn't even notice it. I pretty much decided that I should take space from him, after a few failed attempts of trying to get him to notice me. It hurt too much to pretend around him.

I wonder what aunt Rebecca is up to right now. She probably misses Hawaii.

Ugh, I so wish I was soaking up some hot island sun right now, damn these woods. It's always so freaking cold here. That's why I love the springtime, the weather is not too cold or too hot.

My father has three sisters now. The youngest ..his half sister Keira who he says is the sweetest most standoffish family member he has.

It's always been strange because aunt Keira is a bit younger than Caleb. Yet Joshua and Daniel are older than her. My grandpa Billy remarried years ago and at times told me about the days he was married to my father's mother Sarah… 'whom I'm named after, his first wife and first love. She died in a tragic car crash when my father was younger.

When grandpa's dear old friend Quill and former Tribe Elder died, it left grandpa super depressed and one night he got into a minor car accident. Everyone was freaked. Thank goodness he found one of the nurses at La Push Medical Center extremely pretty, she went by the name of Kelly Walsh. Together they had Keira. My dad rarely speaks to his step-family. Only person in the house that keeps in touch with aunt Keira, is Caleb.

Joshua occasionally has talks with Kelly about medical stuff since my parents sent him off to medical school. If you ask me, Josh never seemed to be the doctor type. He's more of a travel around the world type. Uncle Seth once told Josh to always follow his dreams, and dad added 'As long as you get paid enough money to take care of yourself while you're at it.'

My mother's only brother, uncle Seth now lives in Forks with his wife Taylor. They have a son, my cousin Henry. I see them at every party or holiday event, even on weekdays just hanging out at the beach. Henry just started to go to my school on reservation.

For as long as I can remember my mom and dad have held their anniversary at the cafe. A food place my family owns. My dad built it in my mother's honor when I was a baby, he occasionally runs it as my mom is pretty busy right now traveling around the world promoting her second book. Even though she wrote the first one years ago, I like to think that I helped her figure out what her true calling was. She tells me that before I was born, her and dad were having relationship problems. I was a surprise, and she never saw me coming.

There's so much more that goes on in these woods no one has any idea, and in the past I pieced together as I grow to learn it.

I love how things are now, but if I could change one thing, it would be to have my mother home and to have Embry think of me more than just a kid to protect.

*End Of Flash Forward*