Leah Clearwater Pov
*Recurring Dream*
Relaxing down on the hot sand, I could feel myself sinking deeper and deeper.
"So peaceful here." I muttered to myself.
Looking up at the sky, it was as bright and blue as ever.
No signs of doom or gloom insight, most of all no rain clouds.
"Now this is more like it... Warm and sunny. Quiet and beautiful." I heard an unfamiliar voice say beside me.
Sitting up alert, I glared over at the brown eyed, tan skinned lady who smiled over at me.
"Hi, Leah."
"Hey." I was confused as to why she looked so familiar.
"Do I know you?" I asked.
"I just came from talking with Seth." She says.
"Oh.." was all I could manage.
Did she speak with my little brother often? I wonder.
"How have you been holding up since Harry's passing?"
"Not so good. Sad. I think about him all the time." I admitted.
"I know, but spending time with Jacob helps... Doesn't it?"
"Yes." I nodded. "Spending time with Jacob helps way more than I like."
"That's good. I'm happy he can be that healthy nudge for you, and I'm glad you keep his feet on the ground." She said running her hand through her long black wavy hair.
The realization of who she was became clear.
Brown eyes. Tan skin. Jet black, wavy hair. Jacob's mother.
"Sarah." I mouthed. "How could I forget?"
She laughed. "Took you long enough. I wonder if Jacob's face will be the same...It's been so long."
"You look so different." I say.
I wonder if Billy knew she was here with me.
"Billy and Jacob love you and miss you terribly." I spoke.
"They have come a long way."
"You look... healthy." I say. As if she was truly here.
"Yes, sunlight will do wonders and radiate your skin." She smirked. "With the sound of birds chirping to make you feel alive, you should vacation often."
"Ha, I wish it was warm like this all year around."
The trees had so much color it was like a painting.
"It can be, but not here. La Push is where our tribe will always be. However, you should get away. Vacation. You'll breathe easy."
"I think I'll take your advice." I said as she turned her head to glare behind us.
"Look who came to say hello..." Sarah smiled and I turned to see who she was talking about.
*End Of Dream*
...
Opening my eyes to flashing lights on the ceiling.
The living room was dark, but the kitchen had dim light.
Sitting up, the television was on but the sound was very low.
"Did you fall asleep that quick?" Caleb said moving from the kitchen with a box of crackers in his hand.
"What time is it?" I asked as he placed the snack on the table.
"Just turned 3:00am, Did you want to call it a night?" He asked.
"Yes, I think so." I say, standing from the sofa, my knees went weak and I stumbled forward into Caleb's open arms almost falling down.
"Mom." He said holding onto me tight. "Are you okay?" He lowered me back onto the sofa.
"That was weird." I breathed.
"Your legs must have fallen asleep."
"Yeah." I agreed, reaching down to rub my thighs and lower legs to try and regain some feeling in them.
Hearing the sound of the front door opening, Caleb and I turned to look.
Billy slowly stepped in and he looked over at us on the couch. "I knew I heard voices." He said coming in the house, shutting the door.
I assume he couldn't sleep, so he must have been lounging on the front porch.
"Yeah, mom and I were watching 'Planet of the Apes', until she dozed off and I went for refills." Caleb stated.
"It's late, we should get to bed." I said running my hands through my messy hair.
"Speak for yourself kid, I can hang all night." Billy said, taking a seat on the other couch.
Billy Black the night owl. I snorted. "I know you can."
"Hey, Cabe, why don't you head on up to bed. I'd like to chat with Leah for a second." He said and I wondered if what he had to say could wait until the morning. I was too sleepy to think.
"Alright, goodnight." Caleb nodded then kissed me quickly on the forehead.
I gave his arm a gentle squeeze. "Goodnight." I said low as he then headed for the steps.
Now that Jeremiah is visiting, Caleb's new room is near Sarah's on the second floor.
The third floor is taken by Daniel and Josh.
Caleb's room formerly was across from Jacob and mine. It was once Sarah's too, but when Daniel and I left for the book tour a few months ago, Caleb no longer wanted to sleep downstairs. Some of his stuff is still in that room.
We had rebuilt the basement into a bedroom for Joshua before he went off to medical school, now Billy, Kelly and Keira are staying down there until Jane and Alec are caught.
Alec and Jane must be stopped before they have time to create another attack plan or find help elsewhere.
Billy and I quietly waited for Caleb to get all the way up the stairs.
"So tell me… What's been going on?" Billy asked.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"You came home earlier, you've been avoiding Jacob, and now late night film marathons?" He points out.
I should have known that of all people Billy would notice something.
"I was home sick and things are pretty hectic, plus it's beyond tough to ignore a teddy bear that huge." I smiled, speaking of Jacob. I glanced at the box of crackers Caleb had left, wanting to snack on them. "I'm hungry, but it's too late to warm up the lasagna." I reached for the green box and started to dig in.
Billy laughed. "Leah, we're alone. You can talk to me." He said and in that second he sounded like Jacob, well, Jacob sounded like him.
I sighed. I knew that. "Don't worry, everything will be just fine." I promised him.
"Then talk to me. Tell me what's been going on."
I sighed, crunching loudly and shrugged. "You really want to know?"
"Yes." He nodded calmly.
"I'm pregnant." I said fast.
Billy's calm expression slowly turned into complete delight.
Wasn't sure if it was because I gave the truth or at the relief that Jacob and I weren't having problems.
"Congratulations." He smiled. "How do you feel about it?"
Surprised at the question I half expected him to ask why I hadn't told Jacob yet. "What do you mean?"
"I can imagine how stressful and unexpected this could be for you, but it's not good to keep your emotions bottled up, certainly from Jacob." He says.
I smiled at that, placing the box of crackers back on the table.
"I know and I'm both happy and sad to be honest, just unsure about saying it out loud."
"There's nothing wrong with that, emotions can be all over the place when you're overwhelmed." He stated.
I shrugged my shoulders, he was completely right about that.
"I'm happy that I stopped and realized that I needed to come home, to be with Jacob. I've missed everyone so much, but to come home to Jane and Alec trying to kill my pups- Frustrates me. Do I seriously have another life growing inside of me to protect? I'm sad that I'll get too comfortable with being home and get depressed again. Years ago if I hadn't started writing I don't know where I would be. Writing saved me. I didn't know that I was pregnant years ago either, when Jacob and I first started having problems, and then the drama with Sam and Camilla. Though, now I have this second book out that people are curious about, I really, really, really don't want it to go away." I confessed.
"Then what do you want?" Billy asked.
"I want to keep traveling and meeting people, telling the story of our tribe. Having a new pup would mean staying home for years and having the luxury die out. Flying from country to country, city to city is amazing, it's all I ever wanted. I'm not getting any younger, which also means the pups are getting older and starting lives of their own. I'll be left with nothing in the end, except Jacob and an empty house."
Billy nodded, comprehending my conflicted emotions.
I laughed merely to myself. "I know… I'm insane, thinking too much."
"No." He shook his head disagreeing. "I know exactly what you're going through, and you don't know how pleased I am to hear you let it out."
I laughed again. "Billy, I'm just trying to wrap my head around it."
"Not to state the obvious, but that's why you have a husband, to share those thoughts with."
"I hear what you're saying, Billy. I do." I nodded.
"You remind me of Sarah. What you and Jacob have, I admit I get envious, It's what I once had with Sarah when we were your age. She was so polite, even hiding her thoughts and emotions. She was so secretive that I always waited for her to open up to me. It was through her art that I got the chance to see how she truly felt, even when it came to her feelings of me."
Odd, Jacob once said something similar about me and my writing.
"Sarah's art was so detailed and raw with emotions. After she died I didn't care that she never allowed me into her mind, I just needed her in my arms." He paused, glancing down at his wedding ring.
He wore two rings now. One that his wife Sarah gave him and the other, Kelly bought him. The second ring that Sarah had, I now have on my finger.
"Leah, talk to Jacob. He will understand more than you know." Billy says and the memory of my dream with his late wife Sarah, that I always seem to have, came to my mind.
I nodded. "I know he will, but I haven't fully comprehended it yet. I feel so angry that my only girl is going through the change. I hated it with all my pups, but she's different. She's becoming a young lady."
"Who has a handle on herself gracefully. She will carry on life just as you and Jacob have, but even better. She has Embry to love her, like you have Jacob. When Jacob gets in from patrolling with Daniel, you tell him that you're pregnant and take it from there. I'm sure your worries will subside, he may very well be feeling the same."
I nodded. "You're right. I haven't even thought about what he must be feeling, not really. It's hard, all I can see is him not understanding me. Like before."
"He will, Leah. He always does. Don't stop believing in him. Sometimes he surprises you."
"That is true." I agreed. "He always surprises me." I smiled.
Haylie Laskes Pov
Walking from the bathroom, I was surprised to see Noah outside the cafe entrance.
"Hey?" I said as he walked in. The cafe was empty as I hadn't flipped the open sign over, but unlocked as I waited for Quil and Keira to arrive. "Is everything alright?" I asked my hybrid husband.
"I had another vision." Noah spoke unsteadily.
For the past sixteen years he has hidden the fact that he had a gift similar to his mother Renesmee and his aunt Alice.
"Of what?" I asked, then ushered for him to sit at an empty dining booth.
Noah sometimes gets memory-visions in his sleep of members of his bloodline, such as Nahuel, Renesmee, even Bella.
There are moments he would get them when he's still awake, almost on the verge of sleep.
"What did you see?" I am anxious.
"I saw Aiden." He spoke.
"Aiden?" He hasn't had a dream of her in a very long time. "Sweetheart, it must be guilt. You just miss her, that's all." I said gently, grabbing both of his hands in mine.
"No." He shook his head. "I thought that too, but when I awoke… I realized… it was her last memory before she died."
"Really? Are you sure?" I asked.
"Let me show you." He said standing on his feet quickly.
It was already 4:17am.
I sighed. "Alright, but quickly I have to open the Cafe soon."
Noah lifted his hands high to mine and closed his eyes. I did the same knowing what to do.
As Alice Cullen has visions of the future, Noah has visions of the past -that happen mostly at night time when his body and mind are winding down from the day.
Furthermore, like Renesmee Cullen, his mother who can show others her thoughts, and images, projecting them into their mind by touching them, Noah does the same with the memories.
It was an awesome ability he had.
The first thing Noah ever showed me was his first birthday party through the eyes of his mother.
When he first spoke to me about his ability, I didn't believe him. We were laying in his bed, weeks after the tribe took a weekend trip to lake crescent. Back then, Embry just had broke up with me. Noah and I, were together in secret, but of course it soon got out that we were dating.
Within months, Aiden and Damon had died in the last battle with the Russian Coven and The Volturi.
...
Aiden Clearwater Pov
*Flashback*
16 years ago
Waking up on the floor of Nahuel's huge dining hall. I looked over surprised to see Leah lying not so far from where I was.
"Leah?" I whispered, crawling over toward her.
Oh no. What have I done? This is my fault. I thought about pulling Leah towards me. I should have told her the truth from the start.
Placing my hand underneath her head, she was warm and didn't appear harmed.
Unexpectedly she was no longer pregnant.
She must have given birth last night, that's why Joham and Cole were in such a rush to leave. Cole must have been the one that stabbed Leah, causing her to be rushed to the hospital.
Cole stabbed me as well, and once I lost consciousness, he or Nahuel brought me here.
They must have kidnapped her from the hospital. I should have protected her.
Nahuel expressed only lies in protecting Leah. I should have known better.
"Leah, can you hear me?" I breathed hoping the house was empty so no one could hear that I was awake.
Now that Joham knows I'm against his plans on hurting Leah, he must want me to watch what he's going to do to her.
His attempts to get to Lizabeth were ruptured by Noah and Irvin asking for Leah's DNA. It was believed that Leah was the first female shapeshifter of her generation, Lizabeth was one that came before her.
Nahuel punishes Noah and myself the only way he knows how. My hope is that Joham changes his mind about revenge, though that's unlikely. He won't abandon his desires to be with Lizabeth. He has already done so much to find her bloodline. Lizabeth is Leah's ancestor, Leah's the only one who can help the hybrid-werewolf-vampire.
"Aiden?" Leah woke and I smiled happily that she was alright.
"Great, she's awake!" Joham said walking into the room.
Behind him was Nahuel, Isaac and The Volturi. Isaac the original leader of the Russian Coven was in cahoots with Nahuel's father Joham.
Nahuel was once a good guy, but his deviousness of Renesmee Cullen's love for Jacob Black has turned his heart cold and his mind blind. Even when Renesmee chose him, her love for Jacob never died or faded.
Nahuel has had vengeance against the wolves for a long time, his only exception to his plan was Leah. His fondness of Leah and jealousy of Jacob, is both why I came to be.
Hearing a loud banging sound that shook the house. I looked up as Cole ran into the room. "We have company." He said and Nahuel glared down at me with a worried look.
"Grab the girl." Isaac said fast and I held tightly onto Leah protectively.
"No. Don't touch either of them." We heard someone say coming from the kitchen.
I looked. Carlisle and Alice stood there.
"Joham, you fool. You brought The Cullen Clan straight to us." Isaac accused gearing up to make a run for it.
Suddenly Alice Cullen jumped on top of Isaac's shoulders and ripped his head off.
It wasn't long till a howl ripped through the house, and I knew the wolves were here to get Leah.
Out of nowhere I jumped watching as Haylie crashed through the dining room window in her wolf-form.
Not so far behind her were the other Cullen's.
Hearing more crashing sounds that told me the battle was starting, I ducked my head down. Shielding Leah as the fight began.
Glancing up, Emmett tackled Alec from The Volturi. They tussled a bit.
Jacob was suddenly in front of me without clothes on and I knew what he wanted.
Not looking at me once, she took Leah out of my arms and scooped her up to his chest.
I knew all I ever wanted was for her to be safe, and there's no other place safer than with him.
As Jacob disappeared, Irvin and Lizabeth arrived.
Lizabeth targets Joham. She was fast. Irvin allowed his mate to target his evil older half-brother.
I was pleased that her actual true love Irvin helped her instead of someone so evil as in Joham, who only wanted to use her and keep her hostaged.
Irvin set his eyes on Aro, gripping him up hard, but Aro moved from his grasp to run off.
I breathed still unable to move.
Haylie ran after Jane back out the broken window and disappeared. Alec followed his sister.
Cole sluggishly crawled across the floor, jumping up to grab Nahuel's Japanese sword.
I closed my eyes in fear. I did my best to not listen to the sound of death around me, but It was impossible.
Reopening my sight, spotting Damon through the uproar, he glared over at me.
This entire situation could have been prevented. I should have done more.
Now, I knew what I had to do.
Damon howled and I glared over as Cole peered that sword out of Damon's heart.
"NO!" I yelled.
Esme Cullen then wrestled Cole to the floor.
I closed my eyes once again, this time letting my body and mind do all the work.
It was time for this house to burn into ashes.
"Aiden?" I heard someone whisper and I opened my eyes to look at him.
His bared body, weak. "Damon." I cried. Back to human form he breathlessly-laid on the floor, and I crawled over to hold him.
There was blood everywhere. "Damon." I whispered knowing he was at his end.
"Aiden." He spoke so casually as if we were greeting one another at the auto shop.
"I'm so sorry, This is all my fault." I apologize.
"No... it's not... It's okay." He said low.
"I'm so, so sorry." I said looking into his heavy eyes, that were closing.
"You know... I never.. got the chance to tell you..." He muttered squeezing my hand.
"What? Tell me what?"
"How much I care.. How much I truly care for you..."
I shook my head guilty. "Damon.."
"Despite what has happened... You're still good… in my eyes. Your goodness.. It inspired me... at my weakest moment." He said low.
"No, I'm not that good." I said letting the tears run down my face. "I've done ..not so good things to the people I love."
"How much.. Intention within was... good?" He asked.
I shook my head slowly. "Not enough." I admitted. "But... now I can make it up a little." I said looking around the room. "Hopefully every ounce of goodness in everyone else escapes in time." I said knowing I was the only one with the power to burn Nahuel's home down.
"I ...love you." I said leaning down to kiss his dying lips.
I closed my eyes and to my surprise, Damon's warm lips kissed me back.
My first ever, real kiss. This is where the final battle takes place.
It all ends here.
The moment I no longer felt Damon's motion, I pushed the heat of the flames around us to rage higher.
*End Of Flashback*
...
Haylie Laskes Pov
With a huge huff I took a step back from Noah, but continued to hold on to him tight.
That day all the Russian Coven, along with Joham, Issac, Nahuel, and Cole died.
Irvin and Liz went to their homeland.
The Volturi escaped that day, but were killed by hunters and wolves years afterward, once Leah's novel had told the world where they were located.
"I replayed it in my mind over and over." Noah confessed.
"Honey, you shouldn't torture yourself like that, it isn't healthy."
"I know." He whispered, upset. "I just can't help but to think of what her life would have been."
Noah moved away from me and I dropped my hands.
"I'm a bit tired." I hate seeing him in pain.
"Go home, try to rest." I was encouraged. He had always had great intentions when it came to Aiden, even me when we didn't know each other that well in the beginning.
"I can't, I have to be at work in a few hours."
"Then please call out and rest." I said placing my palms on his cheek. "Please, for me?"
He shut his eyes for a second, "You're right."
I nodded. When he kissed my cheek goodbye, I watched as he turned and the bell above the entrance door rang as he left.
Noah not only lost his younger brother, but his half sister Aiden and his father Nahuel years ago. Now our only daughter Hazel may never truly have any blood family other than the Cullens.
Daniel Black Pov
You're lagging behind. Dad had thought as I slowed my pace, following him around the perimeter of La Push.
Don't you think we're running too fast? We have to be able to see the vampires.
Who said we're on the hunt for them? He replied. Running is to help your heart rate. The faster it's up the easier it should be for you.
Dad, that doesn't make any sense. I responded.
It should be for you because everything is the opposite, trust me. Now when I say shift, you shift back while running.
Dad, I really don't think this will work.
Just do what I say, Daniel. He practically yelled in my head.
Dad, I have it under control now. I thought back.
At that moment I stopped my heels first in the dirt. Not waiting for dad to stop, I pulled myself together, shifting in human form.
Bare naked in the field, I stood. "You see," I called to him. "Well under control." I said and dad stared at me then quickly turned away.
Probably not wanting to see his son naked. I started running towards his direction and leaped into the air shifting back.
Happy? I thought.
Not disappointed. He replied back.
Is it almost time for me to trade places with Josh now? I asked as we were on the outer line of First Beach. I'm getting pretty tired running around these woods.
Yeah, sure. He said and the image of mom came into his head.
He was remembering her face before she woke up.
How was Tokyo? He asked.
It was fun. It was all I managed to think. I picture the food and music and lights.
Why did she decide to make it your guys last stop? He asked.
No. No. Dad. You have to talk to mom. I thought as we were now running past grandpa Billy's home. It was empty on the count of him, Kelly and Keira staying with us until the vampire threats died down.
She talks to you. He mentions.
No, not really. I lied.
Daniel. Just tell me. I know something is bothering her.
I growled, wishing him to know the truth, but not wanting to be the one to tell him. I didn't want to be in the middle of anything.
In my mind I went back to the moment I knew mom was sick. In Tokyo I had no idea why she was so emotional and sleeping more than usual. Not until I heard the baby's heartbeat.
You just have to talk to her, dad.
She's pregnant? He asked, not seeming too surprised.
She's not ready to tell you yet. I admit.
Why?
I honestly don't know.
Guess I'll have to talk to her now. He replied as we came to a stop in front of the house.
Shifting back at the same time, dad and I were happy to see that grandpa left clothes on the front porch for us.
"I don't know about you, but I'm starving." Dad said putting on a pair of sport-shorts and I grabbed some red track pants.
"I could go for a juicy barbecued steak." I admitted.
Dad laughed jumping onto the porch. "You and I both."
*Few Hours Later*
Embry Call Pov
Driving onto Jacob and Leah's curb, I didn't want to park in the driveway.
I didn't sleep at all last night, all I could think of was Sarah.
I thought since school opened two hours late because of the dance, I had the idea to take her to school so we could spend a moment together.
I called Jacob and Leah to make sure it was alright but both of their phones went straight to voicemail.
Before I managed to get to the porch the front door swung open.
"Hello, Embry." Kelly greeted me.
I almost forgot she was staying here along with Billy and Keira for a while. Dressed in her nurse's uniform I wasn't sure if she was heading to her second shift or first of the day. She forever works overtime.
"Good morning."
It amazes me how she keeps it going. Running a hospital cannot be easy. Hardworking woman there.
She smiled. "Come to see Jacob?"
"Actually Sarah, is she awake?" I said walking up the porch steps.
"Sorry, no. She is still asleep, but go on in." She said holding the door open for me.
"Thank you." I nodded. "Have a good day at work."
"Thank you, I'll try." She replied back.
Walking into the house, I shut the door as the living room and kitchen were empty.
Everyone must be asleep.
"Hey." A voice said from the staircase and I looked up.
Josh came down the stairs. "How's it going?"
"Good, unexpectedly." I say.
"Everyone's sleeping." Josh stated.
"Sarah's up there?" I ask.
"Yeah, still snoozing away but it's almost time for her to get to school." He said moving towards the couch.
"Well I'll go on up and wake her."
"Fine by me." He said. Not saying another word, I ran up the steps.
Since Sarah's room was right on the second floor, I pushed open the door.
Her room was just the same as when she was younger, except the Hello Kitty theme walks were more pre-teen themed.
The queen size bed that took up the left side of her room, was obvious that she needed a larger space.
I glanced in her purple bathroom that was spotless, except for the damped clothes hanging in her shower.
Near her closet still hung her grandmother's Sarah watercolor painting of First Beach. For years Billy held it underneath his bed, until Leah and Jacob got married. He gave it to Leah who hung it in Sarah's room that was downstairs at first, but now it's up here.
The sound of Sarah's breathing moved me towards her sleeping body.
With one foot hanging off the side of the bed. She was snoring lightly. Her face was peaceful with deep sleep, all the tired lines smoothed out.
When I watch her sleeping so peacefully, my urge to protect her becomes overwhelmingly powerful.
I broadly obsess over our memories.
Things were simple when she was young.
There once were so many dilemmas driving us insane. I sheltered her back then, more than Leah had.
Lowering my body on to the edge of her bed, Sarah's eyes slowly opened.
They looked around the room, then directly up at me.
"Good morning." I whispered.
She stared with curious eyes.
"How are you feeling?" I asked low.
"Alright." She whispered.
"How would you like it if I drove you to school?" I asked.
Sarah slowly sat up in her bed. "I had the weirdest dream."
"About?" I asked curious.
"Me." She answered.
I nodded a bit bummed it wasn't of me, as she is all I dream of.
"Was it a good dream?"
"I don't know. It was just…. Weird."
"Well maybe you can tell me about it on the car ride to school, I have the entire day off." I say.
"You know I never got to ask you." She said and I straight up facing her. "Would you like to be my date to the school dance?"
"I would love to." I said fast.
"Really?" She asked.
I nod once.
"I just expected you to say you were too old for it."
I laughed. "I am, but I have been dying for you to ask me since yesterday." I said honestly
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Really? But I thought..-"
She cut off, not finishing what she was getting ready to say.
"I think we should really have a talk." I stated.
"A talk?"
"Like old times... and hang out more in the future." I suggested.
She smiled. "I would love that."
I smiled standing from her bed. "Tonight after the dance you can come over and we can watch a good sci-fi movie with some take-out."
"Okay." She nods. "I can't wait."
"Same. It's been too long." I confessed. "I miss our movie-nights."
"Same. Thank you." She said scratching her hair. " Also for the ride to school. I appreciate it."
I bowed my head, "Of course, You're welcome. I'll let you get dressed." I say walking backwards out of her room.
Grabbing her door knob I pulled the door shut and stood there, glad that she didn't say no.