It's easy to be a better version of yourself when the path is clear in front of you. But for most people, you're never really sure where you're heading. Or your direction suddenly changes course and you've ended up in a completely different place than where you originally intended. You think light will help you see, a compass will keep you straight, and confidence will help keep you moving. But the light just shows more cracks along the way, and your compass turns out to be nothing more than crudely drawn arrows on your palm. And that confidence? Evaporated before the morning dew. Suddenly there are more shadows flitting in and out of your periphery in the trees and the path you thought you were on is not a path at all, just grass and twigs patched over in haphazard patterns from the chaos and misdirection of so many others before. So where do I go from here?
Maya woke in the late morning light alone. She turned her head to look at the empty spot where Paul usually occupied and ran her hand across the flat sheets. Last night had been one of their least shiny moments to date, she had to admit. Maya replayed the look on his face as he turned to leave and swallowed hard.
Bad. It had been all around bad. She let out a sigh that turned into a loud groan as she laid on her back and stared up at the ceiling. He hadn't come home last night, and after absently checking her phone, she noticed he hadn't texted her either.
"Definitely mad," she whispered aloud to herself as she rubbed her forehead. Sometime after Paul had stormed out, Maya had tired herself out pacing in anger. The anger had ebbed but the sour feeling at leaving something unresolved. Maya sat up and tied her hair back with the loose hair tie on her wrist before scooping Paul's shirt off the floor and tugging it onto her body. She snatched her phone off the bed and headed downstairs to make some coffee, trying to sort out how she was going to fix all of this.
The worst part of it all was that she didn't fully understand why Paul was this mad. Sure, maybe Noah was into her, but did he really trust her that little to think that she would mess around? Maya pursed her lips as she watched the coffee pot slowly fill. Instead of waiting for her own mind to formulate some answer, she picked up her phone and navigated through her contacts.
The phone rang a few times before she heard the groggy answer on the other line:
"What now?" Keye groaned.
"What did you mean when you said I know what I do to guys? Including Paul?" Maya said quickly, her eyes trained to one specific spot on the backsplash above the kitchen sink.
"My, it's like 8 in the morning," Keye yawned halfway through her sentence and when Maya didn't answer, she sighed, "Uuugh, My I don't know okay? I was hungover as fuck. Still am, what the hell did we even do!?"
"Keye." Maya said. "You said I wouldn't have done half the shit I did if Paul was there. What did you mean? Did I do something with Noah that I blacked out? Should I feel worse about this?" She asked seriously.
"No. Maya, you really shouldn't. I said that because you were your same normal you and there's nothing wrong with that. Were you flirty as fuck? Hell yes. Did you cross a line? Not in my opinion. But if Paul had been there he might have ripped Noah's throat out."
Maya squeaked a little in aggravation, pulling a coffee mug down and filling it to the brim.
"Yeah, you're going to have to squash that shit quick if you don't want Paul's possessiveness to run your relationship, babe" Keye said. Maya scrunched up her face at that. "Just saying." Keye responded through a yawn as if she could see Maya's face.
"He's on edge." she replied tersely.
"They're always on fucking edge," Keye quipped. Maya snorted a laugh before taking a sip of her coffee. "Set him straight, My. Remember when Becks was dating Tommy Saban? And he told her they weren't going to the summer revival dance unless she promised to blow him after?"
"So fucking gross," Maya said under her breath.
"Yeah. So she took him to the lookout point and got him caught with his pants down in front of the entire girls swim team." Keye was laughing now.
"She's such a bad bitch," Maya said with a smile. She missed her—her Becks. They had only had short phone conversations this spring as they had both focused on their finals—Becks being doubly preoccupied managing her pregnancy and Jacob's helicoptering.
"She really is. Point is, as much as you think Paul might be the one steering the ship, it's actually you babe. I meant it when I said when all of this shit started that it's terrifying the things he'll do for you. Make him remember that." Keye concluded. Maya sighed and rubbed her forehead.
"You're right," she breathed. "He freaked out about this Noah shit and I just…Ugh, why are we so fucking out of sync all the time?" She knew the answer but didn't want to voice it.
"The distance thing really does seem to fuck with the imprint. Keeps Paul on edge more, plus he's got that wicked anger from his past. Nothing you can't handle, babe. Just make sure you do," Keye continued after a breath, "Handle it."
Maya nodded and quickly said goodbye before pulling up Paul's location on her phone. Ten minutes later, she was parked in front of Becks' and Jacob's brand new home. They were due to come in this afternoon and Maya was sure Jacob was eager to show her the progress on the house.
Maya hopped down from her Jeep and shut the driver side door with a clack. She ran a hand through her roughly brushed out hair and took a deep breath before heading into the house. Most of the pack was there working as Jacob and Becks were due back that afternoon. She passed Colin who was working on the landscaping in the front yard.
"Well, well, well, look who decided to show up," he teased with a warm smile on his face. Maya rolled her eyes and gently nudged his shoulder as she walked by and into the house.
Paul was in the backyard sanding cabinets down. He was shirtless and had his white t-shirt slung over his shoulder.
"Can I talk to you?" Maya asked, slipping her hands into her back pockets. Paul didn't look at her but took out a rag to wipe the residual sawdust off. Maya sighed and looked down at her feet, "Paul, come on. This is so stupid," she tried to keep the annoyed edge out of her voice. If she was going to apologize, she needed to do this right.
"No, Maya. What you did was stupid," he said nonchalantly, carrying on with his work and not meeting her eyes. Maya shut her eyes tightly and took a deep breath.
"Stop." she said firmly before opening her eyes and looking at Paul. Even now when she was so annoyed with him for the things he had said to her last night before taking off, she couldn't help but be pulled to him. The hard lines of his body made Maya's eyes race over each peck, each perfectly formed muscle. He was as beautiful as he was infuriatingly stubborn.
Paul stopped what he was doing as if subtly commanded to and his face fixed into a deep frown as he turned to look at her, pulling the gloves from his hands.
"I'm sorry that what I did hurt you, Paul. But, it was also an accident, a mistake. I am allowed to make those mistakes. Just like you're allowed to," she said knowingly. Maya knew she could bring up the stuff with Rachel and all the ways he had hurt her too, but she wouldn't. Instead, she took a step toward him, closing the distance as she placed a hand on his bare chest and gazed up at him. Paul pulled in a stiff breath and kept his lips pursed in a firm line. Maya had to stifle a giggle at his determination to be mad when he was clearly crumbling, "But I am very sorry that I hurt you. Very, very sorry Paul." Maya said, her voice cracking lightly. That caught his attention and his eyes immediately darted to her mouth, "I've been looking forward to this summer with you. Please….please let's not start it this way," she pleaded with a small smile on her face as she watched his face morph into one of softness. She cupped his cheek in her other hand and he leaned into it slightly, unable to stop himself from wrapping an arm around her back and tugging her closer to him.
After a beat, he said, "I'm sorry I freaked out. I didn't mean to and the shit I said…" he sighed clearly irritated with himself, "Aside from those idiots in there," he gestured with his glove toward the house where raucous laughter was booming out from the back door, "You are the only thing that matters to me. This shit is intense and you being so far away is…I don't know, we don't have to talk about all of that now, I just missed you and I freaked out. I'm sorry, too." He conceded and Maya beamed now and he brought his face down to kiss her forehead.
"Okay." She let out a small laugh as he let her hand rub lightly across his jaw and rest at the nape of his neck. "Wow, it's really that easy to get you to cave, huh?" He threaded his arm around her back and pulled her flush against his chest before lowering his lips down and hovering them teasingly across hers before saying in a low, gentle voice.
"But you have tell them," his eyes were alight with mischief as they danced around her face watching her confusion tick into suspicion.
"Tell them? Tell them what?" Maya asked, confused, her heart hammering in her chest in anticipation for Paul to seal his kiss. His other hand rubbed along her forearm that she had draped over his shoulder sending goosebumps down her arm.
"I'm not going to be able to keep this to myself on rounds, so you tell them," Paul said, nodding and brushing his nose against hers. Maya's eyes went wide in annoyance.
"Unbeliev—," she squeaked out before Paul brought his lips crashing down on hers and swallowed the rest of the word up in an earth shattering kiss that made her dizzy. Maya couldn't help a soft moan from escaping her mouth and spreading into his as he anchored her so firmly, so confidently against him before pulling his mouth softly off of hers and then kissing her once more gently, with a featherlight touch that took her off guard for the size and strength of the this man that held her heart. When he finally stood straight and let her move from his grasp a little she narrowed her eyes. He gave her butt a couple of playful pats as she settled more firmly onto her feet and grabbed his safety glasses off the table before turning back to his work.
Maya groaned and rolled her eyes before she pulled out of his grasp completely to walk back toward the back screen door. She looked over her shoulder and shot back:
"You're raking me over the coals because you're embarrassed? Really?!" A small smile played at Paul's lips and she could feel the heat rise to her face. "You're an asshole," she said before turning back toward the house and stomping up the back porch steps.
"Hey!" she yelled as she crossed the threshold and clattered down the hallway. "Can you guys come here please?" She yelled. Quil was hand sanding the stair railing and looked at her with confused worry.
"Everything okay?" he asked, glancing around her to see Paul still in the backyard, getting back to his sanding.
"Yes," Maya said between gritted teeth. "Hello?! Wolfpack!? I need all of you down here in the living room! For a very important announcement. NOW." Her eye ticked in annoyance as she waited for them all to gather around her in the wide and empty living room. She stood by the bay window and even with most of them in the room, it felt close to bursting from their massive bodies.
"What's up? You okay?" Seth asked. Jared crossed his arms and waited expectantly. The only ones not there were Jacob and Sam and Jeremy.
"Everything's fine," Maya said trying to relax her jaw, "Paul wants me to tell you all why I was late. Because he doesn't want you to find out from him." The wolves glanced at each other with confused looks on their face but Jared smirked and shook his head. He'd known Paul the longest in the pack, next to Sam.
"Okay," Embry said slowly. "Why were you late?" Maya took a deep breath and rolled her eyes.
"Keye came out to New York on my last night and we went out with a bunch of people from my cohort. One friend in particular, Noah, who Paul does not like and says is very much 'into me' also came. We got really drunk. Like really drunk," Maya said. Seth's eyes went wide at this expecting the worst but she pushed ahead. This was so stupid, "And Keye and I got so drunk that I guess we decided to spend the night at Noah's."
A few of them blew out low whistles. Jared let out a short barking laugh and Maya bristled a little. "Nothing. Happened." She snapped, "We all fell asleep and I woke up at 9 the next morning and missed my flight. That's IT. Totally innocent."
The pack collective nodded at one another, some stared at their feet, and some mumbled in mild confusion as Maya looked around the group.
"Any questions?" she snapped again, daring one of them to say something. The wolves looked around at one another again, their faces reserved, uncertain until—
They all burst into booming laughter, throwing their heads back in absolute glee. Maya's eyes went wide in surprise and then she clenched her jaw. Jared clutched his stomach and Collin, Embry, Brady, and Quil were buckling over and bumping into one another in their shared glee. Maya let out a huff of annoyance waiting for them to calm down. Seth was covering his eyes and leaning against the banister trying to get it together.
"Damn, didn't realize you were such a stone cold player," Collin wheezed with laughter.
"Yeah, who said you could be such a heartbreaker with your "platonic" sleepovers?" Quil emphasized the word platonic before continuing to buckle over.
"Out of all the things you could have done," Jared managed, "You chose a sleepover with some math nerd and your best friend to tell us about?" Jared howled with laughter, clutching his stomach.
"We knew you liked to push Paul's buttons, but this..this Maya," Embry shook as tried to stifle his giggling, "Is a new height for you," he chastised sarcastically. Maya was clenching her fists at her sides and the heat was slowly rising to her face.
"How could you?" Seth said, shaking his head in mock seriousness as tears of laughter twinkled in his eyes before Brady bumped into him.
"Watch out everyone, we got a baddie out here breaking hearts and taking names," Collin quipped. Maya was starting to bristle.
"Okay, it's not that fucking funny," she quipped, but that only set them alight into new fits of laughter. Maya's eyes widened, her annoyance starting to brim dangerously close to anger and she swatted at Quil who stumbled as he wiped tears from his eyes.
"Alright, that's enough," a warm voice sounded from the back of the house and Maya could see Paul leaning against the doorframe of the back door with his arms crossed over his chest. His shoulders were shaking gently in laughter and Maya warmed at the sight. The pack dispersed, still tittering with laughter. Seth patted her shoulder as he walked past and got back to work to sanding and staining the bannister. Maya's eyes were glued to Paul as he watched her wiping his hands off with a damp towel. He smiled at her softly and it sent her heart hammering in her chest again. She tried to hold back her smile but it broke through anyway and she shook her head at him.
"I love you," she mouthed at him.
"Love you too," he mouthed back.
"Asshole," she mouthed. Paul closed his eyes in gentle laughter before nodding his head and turning around to walk back to his project, giving her a wave over his shoulder. Maya rolled her eyes and turned around. There was enough to get done today without her sticking around for more ribbing from the pack anyway.
"Bye, Seth," she waved and he waved back. Just as Maya clomped down the front porch stairs, she nearly ran into Emily who was heading up the pathway.
"Oh, Maya!" Emily's eyes brightened with surprise as she juggled the bags of food. Maya immediately grabbed two off of her shoulder and heaved them onto her own. "Thanks," Emily breathed a sigh of relief. "Here, come set these down," she said as she walked into the house and toward the kitchen. Maya deposited the bags on the counter and started unpacking. "Thought I'd bring the boys some lunch since they're almost done." Maya nodded and started laying out sandwiches on the paper plates she brought.
"Oh, that reminds me!" she said turning and starting to fill up cups with lemonade, "Becks' baby shower."
"Oh," Maya halted and went wide-eyed in surprise. "I…didn't even think about that." She felt the heat of embarrassment creeping up her neck as she internally berated herself for not even thinking about throwing her best friend a baby shower.
"It's okay," Emily waved her hand, "We've still got time. She's not due until July, but I'm thinking we should throw it as a surprise?" Maya nodded a little more enthusiastically.
"Absolutely. Here?"
"Yeah, I think she'd like that. So how about the end of May? Does the 25th sound okay to you?" Emily asked nonchalantly as she passed a plate to Embry piled high with two sandwiches, chips, quinoa salad, and some chopped vegetables.
"Yeah, a week should be good to put something together for her. Thanks, Em," Maya said, taking a bite of a chip.
"Good. You okay?" she asked in that softly maternal, non-intrusive tone of hers. It made Maya warm just hearing it.
"Absolutely," she replied on an exhale. "Just getting back into the swing of things," Maya motioned around herself and Emily let out a small laugh.
"I'm sure it's a pretty sharp contrast to what you've been used to, but we're glad to have you home," she said as she came around the counter to envelope her in a hug. Maya relaxed into it and hugged her back.
"It's fine really. I'm happy to be home. It just always just takes a second to adjust," Maya laid her head on Emily's shoulder as she gave her an extra squeeze before releasing her. Emily put both of her small hands on Maya's cheek and beamed at her.
"You're doing something none of us have ever done. It's bound to have its ups and downs. You'll figure it out," Emily said before dropping her hands from Maya's face. Maya let out a slow breath before nodding. "And for everything else, we've got you. Anywho, I'll send you a list of some party ideas and we can divvy up some tasks, gather decorations, all that good stuff, yeah?"
"Sure thing, I'll make a group chat."
"Oh, perfect!" Emily said as if she hadn't thought of that just yet. Maya already pulled out her phone and quickly added Keye, Kim, Sadie, and Emily before shooting a text to them.
With another quick goodbye and a wave, Maya was out the door and feeling a little lighter than she had coming in. Becks and Jacob would be back in a matter of hours and Maya still had a lot to do prior to their homecoming. And now with the baby shower to plan, she was already beginning to feel a little bit back to normal.
"Are we almost there?" Becks said, trying to tame the excitement in her voice. Jacob laughed lightly next to her in the driver's seat.
"Almost, honey," he replied. Becks felt them pull off from the smooth concrete highway to a somewhat bumpier dirt road.
"Okay, good. Because I have gotta pee," she smiled and touched the makeshift blindfold covering her eyes as she heard him chuckle warmly in response. She let her hand fall to rest absently on top of her stomach. Becks was rounding out seven months and felt it. Her doctor in Chicago had been pleased with her progress throughout the semester, tracking the baby at a little bit larger than usual into her third trimester, but overall she had managed it well.
There were a couple of times during the spring semester that her doctor had told her to minimize her stress as much as she could, but with being pregnant, away from home, and dealing with school, that was a long shot. Jacob had increased his time out in Chicago after Becks had laughed over the phone about her doctor's recommendation. He had already been out there a ton—staying three out of the five days usually—but by the end of the semester, he was only checking in at the rez every couple of days and not straying too far.
Becks didn't want to admit it, but it had helped having him there and having a place to go that wasn't her dorm. Her roommate had been less than pleased to find out she'd be sharing a room with a pregnant teen this semester—something about cramping her style or head game Becks thought. When she'd left in January, she was determined to do this as much on her own as she could. She understood that now that Jake had decided to take over his rightful role as alpha, his attention would need to be divided.
But still, that didn't stop Becks from calling him late at night just to hear his voice, or beaming from ear to ear and choking back a sob when he'd show up the next day to ferry her from class to the tiny apartment where he'd run her a bath and rub her feet and ask about her classes. He was just always there exactly when she needed him.
The little apartment just off campus that Jacob had secured for them was perfect. By the time spring break had rolled around, Becks had decided to stay there pretty much full-time, enjoying the relative quiet and shorter trip to the bathroom it afforded her.
The car rolled to a gentle stop and Becks couldn't help but smile. "Ready?" Jacob said. She nodded enthusiastically and he popped open his drivers side door. The familiar smell of home washed over Becks momentarily, giving her goosebumps—evergreens, wet earth, a hint of salt, and warm pine. Jacob was there in a flash, opening her door and holding both of her arms as he helped her out down from the car. Once on her feet, he wrapped his arm down around her back, and steered her slowly forward.
Jacob had told her early on that he was building a home for both of them, but he'd kept the details pretty secret. Becks had been thrilled and overjoyed at the idea of a small little place to call their own. He'd told her she'd get to pick out some things once it was finished and had only asked her cryptically to choose between a few colors a couple of times. Whenever she tried to weasel more information though, he'd just give her his signature megawatt small and lean down to kiss her, sweeping most worries from her mind and temporarily making her head spin.
"Soon," he'd say, cupping her cheeks warmly between his large, soft hands.
Now he'd positioned her ever so carefully on what Becks could feel was a stone walkway. Her breath hitched her throat in anticipation and she felt the baby shift inside her in response to her increased heart rate.
"Okay," Jacob breathed, positioning himself behind her, his hands on either side of her stomach. She could hear a hint of nervousness in his voice. "Welcome home, babe." He pulled the blindfold off in one gentle moment and Becks eyes widened in surprise as she took in the sight.
This was…not the little shack in the woods she was expecting. The big beautiful two story home could have been sparkling in the low light of the the late May sun, wide windows stretching across whole swaths of the house. Becks gasped and took an automatic step forward, tears already welling in her eyes.
"Jacob!" she managed to gasp out with a squeak. "How did you—? When did you—?!" She was at a loss for words. Every little detail was accounted for, the small stone pathway dotted with flowers and ferns and garden lights leading up to wide, flat steps to an expansive poured concrete porch. A giant porch swing hung off to the right, it's deep seat the size of a nearly a full bed and padded with a large linen cushion that could have been mistaken for a mattress.
The large bright wood door stood out beautifully against the dark blue of the home, with dark iron accents that matched the address numbers displayed next to the front door. The home was nestled nicely against the tree line, giving it a cozy, protected feel and Becks was overcome with just how beautiful it was. If the outside of the house looked this nice, she could only imagine how beautiful the inside would look.
"It took a lot of time, but I had a lot of help," he said softly behind her, encasing her in his arms and splaying his hands across her belly as he leaned down to kiss her cheek. Becks automatically raised her hand to cup his cheek, her eyes still glued to the sight before her as tears clearly streamed down her round cheeks.
"Jacob, I–" she hiccuped and felt him gently rub his large hands soothingly across her belly. "This is so beautiful. No one has ever done anything close to something like this before."
"I hope not, because I'd have to kick their butt," he chuckled in her ear, that warm pleasing laugh that set her heart stuttering again.
"You built me a house," she said breathless, her eyes still roving over the place she'd get to call home from now on.
"I did," he said casually. "It was the least I could do, considering you're building me a baby." He stooped a little behind her to gather his hands underneath her belly and lifted gently, relieving some of the weight off of her lower back. Becks' eyes fluttered closed momentarily and she let out an involuntary moan of relief before giggling. She loved it when he did that.
"Do you want to see the rest?" he said low in her ear, making her shiver. She turned her head to meet his eyes, the warm chocolate brown of his irises instantly setting her at ease. Becks nodded slowly and he smiled before kissing the tip of her nose. "Come on then."
He led her forward, taking her hand and keeping his pace a little slower so she could keep up. Becks felt like a kid in a candy store. As she looked down at their joined hands, moving toward their house he had built for their family, she was nearly overcome. How had she gotten so lucky with destiny to be gifted this man (and this baby, even if the timing was a little off) so early in life? The imprint had been nothing short of a surprise, but she was so thankful for it everyday that she got to be with Jacob. And although she knew that some people around her thought she was giving up her dreams, Becks knew how she felt.
And there was nowhere else she'd rather be.
Maya and Paul had driven up to Seattle so he could take care of a few things in jumpstarting timelines for projects he would pick up from his hiatus. Maya had also wanted to get a few things for the baby shower, seeing as the limited stock in Forks and even Port Angeles wasn't going to cut the party prowess she was going for.
They had arrived at the Bellevue shopping center around four and Maya had split off from Paul to go to a little baby boutique in search of the perfect gift for Becks. Paul had cited needing to talk to a shop owner here about some pieces he had commissioned and Maya had nodded distractedly before bounding off in search of the shop.
Now as she rounded the inside of the little shop for the tenth, filled with unique toys and gorgeous handwoven blankets, she smiled. It was all starting to feel real—this baby she means—and the thought didn't even terrify her anymore.
When Becks and Jacob had showed up that evening after visiting the house, Becks had been absolutely aglow with excitement. Maya had squeezed her a tight hug before kneeling down to hug around her belly, squishing her cheek to the warm globe. Becks had laughed and Paul couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he watched Maya. When she had finally stood back up, Becks began to gush about the house and Jacob and Maya swelled with so much happiness she felt like she would burst. They had spent the rest of the evening tucked on the couch, online shopping for furniture, bedding, and cozy pillows before Jacob had ushered her upstairs to finally get some rest.
Maya scanned the back wall of the baby boutique store, trying to hone in on the exact right thing to get Becks. She was distracted to say the least with her hands on her hips and her eyes analyzing each and every item to determine if it screamed "Baby Becks" to her or not.
Just as she got to the end of her initial scan of items, she took a haphazard step back, still distracted by her utter concentration and bumped into a hard body.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry," Maya said gently, her eyes not fully connecting with the person she had bumped into before her eyes landed on the perfect bassinet. "Oh," she said softly. The woman she bumped into waved her off politely and moved down onto another section, unperturbed and allowing Maya to fully indulge in the item before her.
The bassinet was a gorgeously woven basket affixed to sturdy, dark wood cherry legs. The basket was dark blue and white, woven with intricate patterns that reminded her of the quilts her mother made her growing up. The handles were expertly sown dark leather and the bassinet could easily be turned into a carrying basket if needed.
"Perfect," she said to herself with a wide smile. She knew Becks would love it and just as she went to lean down and grab the large box it came in, a warm hand snaked around her waist. Maya glanced up quickly and smiled at Paul.
"Hey," he said almost a little breathless, his shoulders tense.
"Hey, look at this! Isn't it perfect?" Maya pointed to the bassinet as Paul tugged her a little closer to him before looking at the bassinet and nodded his head.
"Yeah, it's great. Are you ready?" his eyes darted around the store and Maya quirked an eyebrow at him.
"You okay?" she said with a small laugh. Paul squeezed her hip gently and gave a weak smile.
"Yeah, just ready to get you home," he said softly. "You want to get that for her then?" he nodded to the bassinet.
"Yes! I have a few other things behind the counter already too," Maya said with excitement. She wasn't sure why he was so tense but it didn't dampen her mood. He leaned forward to grab the box with one hand while slipping his other hand into hers. Paul tugged her toward the checkout counter, his eyes glancing around at the customers. Maya watched as he let his eyes rest on an infant in a stroller just ahead of them in line, a nervous grimace settling on his face. Maya swallowed a giggle and bit her lip. He looked positively blanched and uncomfortable.
After checking out with a small fortune of baby gifts and decorations, Paul helped haul it to the car with Maya in tow. Safely tucked into the front seat, Paul shut his door and let out a long breath.
"I've never seen you like that," Maya teased. He looked over at her, his face confused before she continued, "Do babies make you nervous or something?" Maya let out a little laugh and Paul closed his eyes tight and grinned broadly before turning the key over in the ignition. He let out a relaxed laugh as they pulled onto the main road before saying:
"Yeah, I forgot to mention, kids actually freak me out a little," he glanced over at her, his eyes twinkling with mischief, "The sticky hands and pudgy fingers and toes. All those rolls?"
"Totally logical fear, I get it," Maya said, nodding and looking out the window. Paul put a hand on Maya's thigh and squeezed. She looked over at him and smiled.
"Hey, how about we take a trip?" Paul suggested.
"Hmm?" Maya's eyes widened in excitement.
"Yeah, you and me, off the rez for a little bit, and somewhere new. Just for a week and maybe around your birthday?" his smile was growing wide and warm. Maya's heart fluttered.
"Do you think that'd be okay? I mean Becks is due in July, that might be cutting it kind of close," Maya pondered. Paul shook his head and continued:
"Becks will be fine and we'll go in enough time so we won't miss anything. What do you think? Just you and me?" he grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips to kiss. Maya nodded enthusiastically and gave an excited squeal.
A week-long getaway for her birthday with the man of her dreams? Absolutely. Maya's mind already began turning over with ideas of where they could reasonably go for a week and get as far away from the rez as possible.
Maya loved her home, but she also loved the way her and Paul were more easily able to relax completely into the imprint when they weren't there. Paul, always stressed with rounds, new threats, council demands, or helping guide his brothers was always a staple in their relationship. But outside of the rez, without the demands and the constant need to check in through the link, Paul was able to be more himself with Maya—the semi-stable, high-end carpenter that had plans and dreams and a life filled with love to lead.
The absence of Maya during the school year only laid bare how the stress of everything on the rez was taking its toll on him. Maya put her hand over his and squeezed it before smiling at him.
"Just us," she said softly. Because there wouldn't always be a "just them" in the future. Whether it was their family, the pack, or whatever other demands destiny wrought upon them—Maya would forever lunge at the chance to seek some small aspect of normal in their increasingly abnormal life. Even just for a week.
Maya was putting the finishing touches on the mantel as Becks finished getting ready upstairs with Keye when the doorbell rang. Excitedly, Maya bounded toward the front door of Becks and Jacob's home, her long light off the shoulder blue sundress, dotted with white flowers and a dreamy slit edged with lace that ended mid thigh billowed out around her. When she pulled the heavy wooden door open, she beamed. Emily, her four beautiful children in tow, Kim, and Sadie greeted her happily. Emily touched the delicate baby's breath carefully placed in Maya's half updo and smiled.
It was not long after that that the house was brimming and bustling with excited chatter from tons of friends and family mulling around the house and exclaiming at the woodwork as Becks proudly showed them around.
The house was a little more furnished after Becks had settled into full on nesting mode. But Maya had made sure to bring over extra chairs and seating from the council meeting house since the rest of the furniture wouldn't arrive before the baby shower. Maya had wonderfully decorated with cuttings from the ferns and evergreens that swathed the backyard in gloriously green filtered light. She hung simple streamers, hanging stars, and twinkle lights to give the home a cozy, bright feel.
Before the pack had left for cliff diving that morning, at Maya's direction, they had freshly tilled a fresh ring of dirt in the backyard and lined it carefully with garden rocks, driftwood, and a few garden lanterns. Maya had set out cartons of dahlia's, wildflowers, poppies, and lilacs for guests to plant while they were there as a collective house/baby gift to Becks.
After a couple of hours, the gifts were piled high on the foyer table from the pack, Becks' family, the council, and friends. Becks sat pride of place in the high backed rattan rocking chair Paul had made for her that week. Maya excused herself to the kitchen to put together more snacks and watched happily as Becks laughed with friends and family gathered around her, a hand placed lovingly over her stomach. After refilling snacks in the living room in front of Becks and making sure she had enough water, Maya took a break from the chaos in the open-facing kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine.
She leaned against the kitchen counter watching the festivities unfold as a group of women popped celebratory poppers in the backyard to the delighted squeals of Emily's kids, while others were crouched around the garden beds carefully planting the flowers. Keye sauntered in and hopped up on the counter before popping some blueberries into her mouth from a glass bowl.
"It's wild huh?" Keye said. "Our best friend is about to have a baby. We're still babies." She said in a far off voice. Maya hummed her agreement and shook her head.
"It's bound to keep happening. I've found that the longer I worry about change happening, the faster it tends to come. It's probably easier if we just," she looked over her shoulder at Keye, "Roll with it."
Over the past week leading up to the baby shower, Maya couldn't shake some sense of nervousness, like the other shoe was about to drop but there wasn't anything to indicate something bad was actually about to happen. On the contrary, things were going exceedingly well. She'd spent a whole day with her mother off the reservation—something they hadn't done in a long time together—and Maya had treated her to a shopping spree courtesy of Paul's black card. They'd met up with her dad for dinner and things had felt more normal than they'd ever been, considering the previous rift.
Maya and Paul had fallen back into a good rhythm, his mood evening out the longer she was there. Even his packmates–Seth in particular—had admitted to Maya how much happier Paul was just knowing she was back at home waiting for him after rounds. As much as she didn't want to admit it, her proximity was intimately tied to Paul's wellbeing.
Each time he came home from rounds or deliveries or even just working out in his workshop in the backyard, he'd wrap Maya up in a warm hug, his large arms dwarfing her and making her feel delicate. He'd lower his head to his favorite spot in the crook of her neck and inhale, breathing her in. Or, he'd take a moment to kiss the top of her head and just hold her there as if he was still surprised she was standing in front of him. Maya would revel in these moments, placing both of her hands on the back of his neck and kiss from the side of his face to his neck, whispering lovingly into his ear.
Still, something within her stayed on alert. She chalked it up to paranoia or the impending birth of her best friend's baby that would change everything. But still, that nagging feeling wouldn't dissipate. She took another sip of wine, her eyes flitting toward the sound of Becks' twinkling laughter. She looked so happy—happier than maybe Maya had ever seen her. Her heart swelled with emotion just at the sight. How could she be anything but overwhelmingly happy for her best friend? Becks was the kindest, bravest, and sweetest person she knew. She deserved everything happy and right in this world that they shared. Maya made a mental note to never doubt her best friend ever again—no matter the situation.
"How's Jake been through all of this?" Miranda, one of Maya's mother's friends asked Becks in the living room. A group of them had been gathered around Becks sharing firstborn tips and advice for the past hour. Maya perked up at the question and walked over to stand just outside the circle of chairs, wine glass filling her hand.
Becks let out a happy sigh and closed her eyes for a moment, "He's honestly been incredible.
I don't know how I would have gotten through this semester without him," she said to the "awws" and tuts of approval around her, "He was out there every week. He even rented a little apartment just outside of the city that I could stay at on the weekends and sometimes during the week when he was there. It was such a relief to get a break from campus sometimes."
"I'm surprised he was even willing to let you go in the first place," Elder Mila interjected. Maya grimaced and quickly swallowed a gulp of wine. Becks smiled gently at Elder Mila before saying:
"He respected what was important to me at the time…And we made it work. I honestly think he would have been out there with me more if his responsibilities here weren't so important. But even since we got back to the rez, he's been very attentive," she laughed a little at this. "I can't even reach up to get a glass in the cupboard without him reaching around me and getting it for me," she joked. The women around her smiled as if remembering some similar memory they all shared, "Still, it's very very sweet." She ran a hand over her belly. "We're lucky he's ours." Becks said to her stomach.
"Gosh, I remember how Sam was with our first, too. He was everywhere all of the time. I thought he was going to have a heart attack every time I tried to climb the stairs by myself," Emily giggled. Becks smiled so wide.
"Exactly! I might as well be made of glass. Sometimes, he just scoops me up and carries me up the stairs anyway. Which, honestly, I do not mind the break for my feet," Becks said sweetly. Maya smiled around her glass of wine.
The party wound down naturally over the next hour or so and Maya and Keye began cleaning up just as the pack showed up. They descended on the leftover snacks, hoovering up the remaining sandwiches, meats and cheese, and fruit. They all smelled like damp earth and sea salt, their bodies already having evaporated any moisture.
Paul popped a grape into his mouth and patted Maya's hip as Brady continued to regale them all with their cliff diving stories. Kim and Sadie were laughing as they took down some of the decorations and placed them neatly into a storage container.
Becks sat at one of the high-backed stools facing the kitchen island as Maya washed off some dishes in the sink, handing them to Keye who slotted them into the new dishwasher. The room was buzzing with warmth and happiness and Maya watched as Jacob leaned down to kiss the side of Becks' head and whisper something in her ear that made her smile, her eyes closed in delight. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and held onto her stomach gently. They were the picture of happiness and Maya's heart stuttered a little bit.
"Can we open presents now?" Luca whined as he and his younger brother picked through the pile of presents on the low foyer table in the front hall. Emily shifted her son Arlo higher up on her hip.
"Those are Aunt Becks' presents, Luca. She'll open them when she's ready. We need to get home and start bedtime soon, anyway," she chided. Sam sauntered over and scooped up the younger of the two into his arms as he squealed in delight. Luca let out a long whine in protest and Becks turned from her seat in the kitchen.
"How about I open just one and you get to pick it out?" she offered. Luca immediately brightened and set to work deciding on the best one. "Thank you so much again for putting this on for me," Becks said.
"Emily was the one who reminded me that this was something you do," Maya admitted bashfully.
"But you're the one who put this whole thing together in under a week," Emily replied.
"Regardless, thank you all so much, this means the world and I just—," Becks choked up a little and had to pause. Jacob was smiling and chuckled a little. He'd watched her mood swings up close and personal for the past 6 months so this was nothing new, "Sorry," Becks said as she swallowed hard as Jacob wipes the tears from her cheeks.
Maya couldn't help but laugh a little and shake her head, "Of course, Becks. We love you. What are friends for, babe?"
"This one!" Luca appeared next to Becks holding a carefully and beautifully wrapped gift. It was expertly wrapped with silver wrapping paper, embossed with intricate patterns that glittered as you rolled it in the light. The exquisitely soft ribbon was like silver liquid.
"Wow," Becks said.
"Who's that from?" Maya was drying her hands off on a dish towel, her brow furrowed. She didn't remember seeing such an expensive looking gift amongst the pile of homemade wrapping paper and bags overflowing with warm colored tissue paper. Paul was standing next to Maya, his hand on her lower back as he leaned on his elbow on the counter, his eyes also looking at the package curiously.
"I dunno," Becks said as she carefully unwrapped the gift. Jacob was just as curious as Becks at this point. Once the ribbon fell away, the package nearly unwrapped itself in one beautiful unsheathing motion.
Becks opened the rectangular box to reveal a beautiful dark leather bound photo album, embossed with the gold lettering: The Black Family. Becks gasped. The leather album was beautiful and felt like butter in her hands. She ran her hand across the cover and carefully opened it. There was a small envelope tucked inside and Becks was quick to open it.
"Who—" She began, but then she read the delicate lettering, inked in careful script:
"Congratulations. We're so incredibly happy for you. In every stage of life, one often looks back before moving forward.
See you soon."
The color instantly drained from Jacob's face as he listened to Becks read the note, already knowing by the intricate family crest that graced the front of the card who it was from: the Cullens. His hand gripped the back of Becks' chair so hard that he cracked the wood, causing Becks to jump and look at him with a concerned look.
"What is it?" she said in a soft voice.
"No way," Jared said, his voice tinged in anger. Jacob was trying very hard not to see red at this moment. The space around them suddenly felt too open, too exposed and Jacob wanted to shield Becks with his large frame.
"Jacob," she said, bringing a hand to his cheek. He had been looking at her the whole time but not focused on her face, a flash of sadness moved over his eyes before he snapped back to it, standing straight.
"I did pick up a scent in Seattle earlier this week when Maya and I were there," Paul said firmly, arms crossed over his chest.
"What?" Maya replied incredulously. Paul glanced at her quickly, his face unreadable stone before training his eyes back to Jacob.
"How many?" Jacob asked, between gritted teeth. Paul shrugged.
"Hard to say considering how many people were around, but more than one I'd guess," Paul confirmed.
"Was that why you wanted to get out of there so quickly?" Maya asked, but Quil interjected over her:
"Do you really think it's them coming to town?"
"Or moving back," Embry stated.
"They've barely been away long enough to have everyone forget them. It can't just be because of Jacob can it?" Jared asked, confused.
"The card doesn't necessarily mean they're coming back for good," Maya said, her eyes glued to Becks who was staring down at the card again, her face a mask of confusion.
"What exactly do you think 'See you soon' means?" Jacob's voice was thick with sarcasm. Maya bristled at that but swallowed her angry retort.
"It means maybe they just want to see you and Becks…and the baby," A low growl sounded in Jacob's chest. "You said they were friendly, right? And you were close to Bella—"
"That doesn't mean they don't want something from me! From all of us. And I get to choose who is a part of my family's life. They're not owed it," Jacob's voice rose and Maya turned to stone.
"Hey," Paul said, "Take it easy. Maya's probably right. They're probably just curious."
"They're not setting foot near my family!" Jacob seethed now. Embry put a hand on his shoulder to help calm him but his breath was coming in fast now and Maya automatically took a step back. Paul took a small step in front of her instinctually.
"We won't let them. You know that," Paul said in a low, calm voice. Jacob shut his eyes tight and nodded before steadying himself.
"I want to up our rounds, and pull round the clock watch on our perimeter until further notice," Jacob said looking at each of his brothers. They all nodded as if they had a choice, but still they looked determined. Paul's eyes met Maya's and he looked tired. She gave him a sad, but reassuring smile and nodded at him.
More rounds meant less time together for the foreseeable future and that was already enough of a hurdle during the school year. But she was home, so at least the physical distance wouldn't affect Paul as much. At least she hoped.
"Jacob," Becks said gently. His mouth was set in a hard line and his eyes were almost black with anger. He cupped her face in his wide hands and swiped his thumbs across her cheeks.
"I'll keep you safe," he said gently. She shook her head at him almost imperceptibly, but as she opened her mouth to speak, he looked over her head and at his packmates. "Jared, Quil, and Embry, can you take the northeast perimeter? Seth, take the others along the northwest. Paul," he dropped his hands from Becks face and turned toward him, "Can you do a sweep of the south corners this evening? I'll join you in about an hour," he said firmly.
Paul nodded curtly, "I want to get her home first, is that okay?" He nodded toward Maya.
"Of course," Jacob confirmed. "Come on, honey." He said to Becks as he gently tugged her down out of the chair. Jared, Seth, and the others were confabbing with Sam as Emily rubbed her eyes tiredly and started shuffling her kids toward the door. Sadie and Kim kissed Becks on the cheek as Jacob walked her toward the stairs and waved sadly at Maya as they helped Emily out the door.
"I don't need an escort, babe. You can go," Maya said as Paul blew out a low breath and took a step toward her. He wound his hands down onto her hips and tugged her close, pressing his chest against hers as he kissed her forehead.
"Noted, let's go," he motioned toward the front door.
"Keye, you coming?" Maya said as she looked over her shoulder. Keye was looking at her phone.
"Nah, my presence has been requested here," she pointed toward the stairs. "Baby watch." Maya smiled tightly and said,
"Call me if you need anything." Paul shuffled her out the door and toward her Jeep. Maya went along with him, placing her hand over his that held tightly to her hip. He guided her protectively toward the car as if something would jump out at any moment and snatch her.
Once she was safely tucked in the car and on the short 10-minute drive home, Maya broached the topic carefully:
"Is this really bad? The Cullens coming back?" she said softly. Paul's face looked worn and tired, his eyes trained to the road and darting at the tree line.
"Depends," he said cryptically.
"On what?" Maya probed.
"The last time they were here a war almost broke out. It depends on if they're actually coming back and for how long," he said slowly, "But that's not even the worst part." Maya waited patiently for him to continue, "More vampires in the area means the potential for more kids phasing." His grip tightened on the steering wheel. "The need to protect the tribe will be triggered. And the last thing we need is more kids getting drawn into this and having their lives changed forever."
Maya could see the anger tensing his shoulders, the vein pulsing in his neck. "Let's take it one step at a time," Maya soothed.
Paul pulled into their driveway soon after and shut the car off. He didn't immediately get out though and Maya's hand hesitated over the door handle as she looked over at him.
"What is it?" she asked, a nervous tinge to her voice.
"I need you to listen to me," he said in a low voice.
"What do you—" she began but he cut over her, turning sideways to look upon her full force.
"I need you to listen to me when I ask you stay put or go to Emily's or watch over Becks. I need to keep you safe and I can only do that if you listen to me," he was nearly pleading with her, but the demand was clear in his tone. The fire was alight in his eyes and Maya's mouth parted in subtle surprise. "Do you understand?"
Maya watched him carefully for a moment. He looked…terrified. As if this was the first time he truly had something to lose. She nodded slowly.
"Maya," he said firmly, prompting her to answer.
"Yes, babe, I hear you. I'll listen," she reached over and grabbed his hand. He squeezed her hand and nodded.
"Let's go inside, I'll need to leave pretty quick but I want to make sure everything's good before I go." He popped open the door and Maya followed, bundling her dress up into her hand to help her quickly make her way to the front door.
Once inside, he kissed the side of her head and said "Wait here" before he hurried off toward the backyard, flipping on lights as he went and glancing around as if an intruder would pop out from behind the couch. Maya blew out a breath and put her purse on the entryway table before pulling her phone out.
A new text from Becks was waiting and Maya opened it, glancing up to make sure Paul was still preoccupied with his sweep of the house.
From: Becks–7:42 p.m.
Are you on lockdown?
From: Maya–7:55 p.m.
What do you think?
B: Jesus, I'm sorry. Jacob is being really intense about this.
M: Paul said something about a war last time the Cullens were in town. Do you know anything about that?
B: A war? No. He hasn't mentioned anything.
But he's really shaken up and I don't want to push it.
Do you think Paul would let you come over tomorrow?
M: Yeah, the protection around your place is probably going to be the highest anyway. I'll ask, but we're safest on the rez so I'm sure he's not going to care.
B: Thanks. I'm just…a little worried and wanted to run something by you.
M:Sure. You okay?
B: Yeah, absolutely, just would rather talk about it in person. Thank you for today though, it was amazing.
M: You're welcome babes. I'll see you tomorrow. Tell Keye I said goodnight.
Maya looked up as she heard Paul clamber down the stairs toward her. He reached around her and locked the front door.
"All clear?" Maya teased. Paul gave her a firm look and pulled her closer.
"Stay put tonight," he reminded, brushing some hair away from her face. She nodded.
"Got it. Hey, Becks just texted me and asked if I could come keep her company tomorrow. That's okay, right?" she placed a hand on his chest and leaned forward to kiss her mouth softly before saying,
"Of course. You can be over there as much as you want. I'll swing by to take you in the morning."
"I think I can make it over there fine, Paul," she said gently, but heaved a sigh when she saw the look on his face.
"I'd feel better taking you," the look in his eye told her it was easiest to just say yes. Plus, she knew she'd get limited time with him this week with the increased rounds, so any excuse to spend more time with him was worth it.
"Fine, I'll be ready by 9 tomorrow, okay?" she looped her arms up around his neck and he responded by dipping his head down to more easily connect his mouth with hers, flooding her nose with his warm, musky scent and making her squeeze her thighs together. When he pulled back, she said dreamily, "Can you stay for just 20 more minutes?"
He raised his eyebrows and laughed, that half hooded look of lust in his eyes as well. "I wish I could, but I'm already late as it is. I would have loved to peel this little sundress off of you though." His index finger traced under the thin spaghetti strap and pushed it down her arm to kiss along her shoulder. Maya huffed out a wanting breath. She could already feel the ache between her legs growing. But all too quickly, he stood straight and pushed a small millimeter of space between them. "I gotta go," he said in a gruff tone. Maya whined and flopped her head onto his chest. "I'll see you in the morning, baby." he rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head before he took a step back and helped her stand up straight. "Remember—"
"Stay put, I got it Paul," she groaned. He smiled and kissed her one last time before turning to leave out of the backdoor. Maya crossed her arms and watched him disappear down the dark path and into the forest.
So much for getting back to normal. She thought.
