I don't own anything.
Thanks for reading.
Also I'd like to note that while Elizabeth (Formerly Renesmee- sorry I HATE that name) has grown quickly. She isn't all knowing and some human traits do override where she does have to study a bit to learn something.
Edward POV:
My phone buzzes, I swear if it keeps doing that I'm going to crush it. But even in my annoyance I grab it to look at the incoming text.
Jacob- We'd like to dissolve the treaty and welcome all of you Sunday at 4pm to my birthday bonfire.
Interesting, not what I was thinking his text would be regarding.
I answer the incoming phone call without looking, knowing it's going to be Carlisle.
"Edward." I can practically read his mind from here. Were there any discussions regarding dissolving the treaty that he wasn't made aware of.
"Hello Carlisle. I received Jacob's text also and before you ask, I had no idea he was going to even try to dissolve the treaty." Carlisle's laugh is all I need; to know I guess his thoughts correctly. "He plans to come by in a few days, I'll probably bring it up with him then."
"It's as if you can read my thoughts over the phone sometimes, am I really that predictable?" It's time for my own laugh. Carlisle and I had been together longer than the others. We could read each other well enough by now.
"Of course not old man. I just know you well enough by now." My reply came out as a laugh, we move on to other subjects such as when Lizzy and I would come to visit them. It's only been a day and already they miss her.
We talk for a few hours, Esme had eventually joined us also wanting to know how we were doing. Esme never liked me being away from them for long. I think she worries because I'm normally alone, but now I have my daughter. I fill them in on Elizabeth's first hunting trip being successful and the subjects in school we'll be learning this month. Thankfully her accelerated growth has slowed and it looks like she'll be about 4 years of age for a bit now, and while she has proven to be smarter than the average 4 year old she was still a child. She loved playing with her dolls and watching all the animated movies. Her quick mind has made teaching her easy as she picks up on her studies faster than the average child, but with the slowing of her growth her mind has also seemed to slow a bit. She acts closely to what a 6 or 7 year old human child would, but at least she's able to enjoy a bit of a childhood now.
After our phone call I walk into the guest room to finish unpacking some things Alice had gotten.
"You know some of those wolves will be stopping by to see you both. I just want to make sure there are some clothing options for them, just in case. You know with the rain the mud their clothes are often just overed in filth." This was just Alice's way of saying I wanted to go shopping and this made for a good reason.
I pray she knows what she's doing as I start to put the clothes in the closet, she had plenty of male clothing options that would fit Jacob and Seth and possibly the others if they decided to stop by. That wasn't the problem, the problem arose when I got to the box she said was just in case Leah needed something.
Dresses, all dresses. At least they weren't all fancy. Most were plain and looked comfortable. But we've never seen Leah wear dresses, so why would Alice stock up with so many for a just in case made me wonder. I finish putting all the clothes away quickly. Leaving the undergarments in their packaging but placing them in the dresser. Alice thought of everything. She even fully stocked the bathroom with different soaps and toothbrushes and anything any visitor could need.
The next morning Elizabeth and I climbed into my volvo with plenty of ice chests packed in the trunk for our drive to Port Angelas. We had to be careful and not go to any grocery stores in Forks, too many questions would be asked if we were seen, and I did not have the patience to deal with them.
It may be time for a new car. I think, tired of the Volvo and not willing to drive my Aston Martin all the time, it would stick out too much.
This would be the first time Elizabth would be out in the human world. I knew she would do wonderful, but it was still somewhat nerve wracking making me wonder if I should have called to see if any of the family wanted to come with us.
I take a deep unneeded breath as we pull into the parking lot of the grocery store.
"Ok, now remember what I said. We're going to be around humans who don't know about us. You remember how we practiced being human?" I can see she is trying to remember everything.
"I'm a little nervous daddy. But I want to try." I was proud of her. She was so strong and so brave.
"You'll do great." I give her a reassuring smile as I unbuckle her from her car seat.
We take our time in the store as we load up our cart. After observing some of the other human kids Elizabeth asks to ride in the cart.
I smile as I push her down the aisles, watching her be an actual kid as she asks for all the things that look good. I do cave and get her some sweets. But make it clear she will be eating a balanced diet, I felt so much like a old man and father with that one when she asked if we could do ice cream for dinner and I had to explain ice cream wasn't a dinner food. But I did pick out a few flavors and tell her she could have it after dinner. Overall at least our trip went well and I promised Lizzy we would be going back out again soon. Most likely to a park as she had practically jumped out of her seat when we passed one.
I'm just finishing up dinner as Elizabeth practices her schooling when I hear Jacob's thoughts approaching, he's still about three miles out.
"You're so smart Princess." I say as Elizabeth signs her name in cursive for the twentieth time. Yeah I know human school didn't teach cursive anymore. But I wanted my daughter to learn everything she could, and I had the time and knowledge to teach her.
"Thank you daddy." Her smile lights up my world as we wrap up her schooling. I had only been two days since Jacob had seen Elizabeth, but at least that's better than him hanging around all the time, and with time I was sure we could grow this time frame out some. I had even gotten a text from Sam relaying a message from Billy 'Billy says thank you for giving him back his son. He's seeming more himself.'
"Perfect timing Jacob, dinner is just coming out of the oven." I say in greeting as he steps onto the porch. He doesn't bother knocking, we don't bother locking the door so he's able to just walk on in.
"Smells good." Jacob says as his eyes search for Lizzy. "Hey Lizzy." A smile grows across his face. I can see it in his thoughts now. He's back to doing schoolwork, working his job and just hanging out with his friends. Over all he's been able to act like a normal teenaged kid. There is still a part of him who longs to be around and see Elizabeth all the time, but this 'new' direction he's on has given him a possibility for a future and more to look forward to in life than just sitting around and bending to the will and need to a child.
"Jacob!" Elizabeth yells in greeting as she jumps up to hug him.
"Elizabeth." I say in way of warning just before she bites him.
"Oops, sorry daddy I almost forgot." She throws me an apologetic smile. She had only bitten him once since our discussion, but it was still something she needed to be reminded not to do. Especially because Jacobs' wolf could feel just how much she wanted to bite him. He didn't notice until I pointed it out, but he cranes his neck in anticipation of her biting him. He was a little embarrassed by this and even he was working on being able to tell her no at times.
Memory:
'Jacob it's good for her to be told no.' I had said to him one night when all he wanted to do was cave when she had tried to say she didn't want to go to bed. 'She needs structure, she'll become even more spoiled if we just give her everything she wants. She shouldn't get her way all the time, this is why your imprint is different than Sam's. Emily is a grown woman who knows not to not push and ask for trivial things. Your imprint is a child who is still learning just how to be a person. It's going to be up to us to teach her how to be a good person.'
His wolf didn't love my words, but his human self-understood and agreed.
Present:
Dinner goes well and soon enough I'm tucking Elizabeth into bed. Jacob hovering on the porch.
"So um, will you guys be coming to my birthday party Sunday?" He asks as I join him.
"Yeah about that, who gave you full authority to dissolve the treaty." I tease. These last months Jacob and I had come to an understanding with each other and unlike the place we thought we'd be during our conversation before the newborn attack, when he was trying to keep Bella warm. We became friends. I guess that was inevitable seeing as we do have to be around each other often.
"We'll I kicked Old Quil off the counsel. I guess I should have discussed the treaty with you first." He was trying to show he was calm but his thoughts betrayed him. 'Awe man did I overstep, do they still want us to stay off of their land. Oh maybe they don't want to come onto the Rez..'
"Jacob its fine, you made a good call. It will be good if I'm able to bring Elizabeth to you at times. Maybe she will do well seeing some of the pack and others who are in the know about our kinds. She can't stay too isolated. You know this." Jacob doesn't like the thought of Lizzy going anywhere other than the Cabin and the Rez. "Jacob you know that isn't fair to her. I won't just keep her locked away."
"Yeah I hear you. I'll get my wolf under control, eventually." He stammers out. At least the human part of Jacob and I were on the same page.
"Yes, Jacob we will be around to help celebrate your birthday. I think your invite has also convinced the rest of the family to come around. Alice isn't one to miss a chance to celebrate anything, especially a birthday." I give him a reassuring smile as we say our goodbyes and he heads home.
The next few days Elizabeth and I get into the swing of hunting, schoolwork, and playing. On the days that Jacob doesn't stop in we normally see Seth or Leah. So far we haven't had too rough of weather so no one has been in need of Alices "Emergency" stock of items. Though from their thoughts it's not because Jacob is sending them up to check on us, just more like they miss hanging out and seeing us and they also worry I'll get lonely. They've become wonderful friends.
"Daddy I want to get Jacob one of those gaming devices for his birthday." It was Saturday morning, tomorrow we'd be going to the reservation for the first time to help celebrate Jacobs 17th birthday. Elizabeth and I were getting ready to head into Seattle to buy Jacob a gift.
The gaming device Elizabeth is thinking about showed clear in her mind. A Nintendo Wii. Emmett had gotten one a while ago, him and Jacob had gotten into playing some of the games. Jacob had told Elizabeth he didn't have one the other day when she asked what games he'd been playing.
"Maybe we could get one for here too?" I didn't have to look at her to know she was giving me her best smile and I knew we'd be buying two consoles today and multiple games.
"Sounds good Princess, are you all ready to go?" I ask, knowing she hadn't yet used the restroom and still had the human needs. At my reminder she giggles and runs down the hall. Each of the rooms in this cabin had its own ensuite.
Human thoughts are so annoying. I think to myself as we are shopping. At least I've been able to shed that high school look so to the average human I'm passing more for a 22 year old maybe even slightly older. We learned a while ago that each of us have set years that we just can't fool people into believing we're older and unfortunately for me, my limit was 25. It wasn't so bad when I was first changed. Back in 1918 a 17 year old was treated and acted more like an adult, but now these 17 year olds are practically children. I try to push back my annoyance and the human thoughts as they watch Elizabeth and I shop. Ranging from wondering if maybe we were siblings, to figuring I was a teen father. Instead I concentrate on Elizabeth who kept reminding herself to move slowly and to not pick anything up as she was stronger than the average human child her age.
'Am I doing alright daddy' She asks in her thoughts as she carefully reaches towards some toy that has caught her attention. I nod my head in approval, the ride here we had discussed that I couldn't answer her thoughts out loud while in public, but we had discussed how I could nod to simple questions she had, especially to ones that ask if she's acting human enough.
"Princess, what caught your attention." I ask as I kneel down to look at the Barbie Dreamhouse she's gushing over. She didn't have to beg much before I caved and loaded it up into the cart we had grabbed. Along with even more barbie dolls, we also walk down the boardgame section and pick out a few that looked fun. Candyland, Trouble, Sorry, Clue. We needed something entertaining to help us pass the time. And I wasn't about to just let her sit in front of the TV all the time. Then we make it to the gaming area. I watch as her eyes grow big at all the different consoles, then at all the different available games. It didn't take long for a sales associate to approach us, asking us if we needed any help.
She was a slightly older woman, her thoughts were calm and professional as she helped us.
"Mary you're wasting your time with them, there is no way they're going to buy two PlayStation 3 and two Wii's and games for them all." One of the other associates whispers as she walked to the back to get our items. Yes two of each, one for the cabin and one for Jacob to have at his house. My daughter is quite logical in most of her arguments.
I let Elizabeth pick out some games and we meet Mary at the counter once she's returned. Her coworker still giving us sideway glances, wondering if we were going to try to steal the items.
"Thank you so much Mary for your help." I say as she finishes ringing us up and I pull out my Black Card Visa, making sure to flash it just long enough that her coworker sees it. I had also picked up more DVD's TV series such as Stargate SG-1 and Criminal Minds looked interesting enough for me. Elizabeth found some Barbie movies and yes we got all of them. Nutcracker, Rapunzel, princess and the pauper… All 9 titles they had. And we preordered the coming soon Magic of the Rainbow coming out in March. Ok I know I'm spoiling her. But she's pretty much 4 which means she should have had like 4 birthdays by now right? So it's not too much and we are pretty isolated at the cabin. Or at least that's the reasoning I try to give myself as we walk out of the store.
"Time to head home Princess." I say as I buckle Elizabeth into her car seat. Making sure the straps fit right.
The whole drive home she talks about her new toys and how excited she was to give Jacob his Wii and the games she picked out tomorrow at his party. The rest of the family had all answered Jacob back letting him know they were also going to be coming. Hopefully the packs and residents were ready to have a bunch of vampires on their lands.
It's late when a familiar voice calls out to me causing me to rise from the piano and open the door for her.
"Leah" I great my smile fading as I see her face, she ran here in human form. I search her thoughts looking to see what's upset so her so much.
"I just needed to clear my head some." She mumbles as she entered the house stopping when she realizes just how muddy she had become.
"You know that you're always welcome here Leah. You can use the guest room and bathroom to clean up if you want. Alice made sure to stock it with extra clothes and other items any visitors may need. I usher her into the room as I begin to think about the thoughts she had shared.
It didn't take Leah long to clean up and soon she's joining me in the living room. I don't look up from the stove where I'm making her something to eat.
"All I could find in my size were dresses." She mumbles, causing me to turn towards her. She's using a towel in an attempt to dry her still damp hair. I can't help myself as I give her an appreciative look. She's beautiful, the wolf-boys have to be blind to not realize this. Though I had already noticed her beauty, even before now she just liked to hide it behind too big and baggy clothing, I had picked up in her thoughts months ago that this was a new look for her, that back before the whole wolf thing she used to dress up some, do her hair, wear makeup.
Tonight She had picked a simple blue short sleeve dress with buttons down the front. The dress was just long enough to touch the top of her knees. If a human had seen her she would have stood out in the Washington winter.
"Sorry," I find myself apologizing as I finish plating her steak and mashed potatoes. She starts digging into the fridge for a drink as I place her food at the table. "Alice did all the shopping. I guess I could get you something else if you think you'll need it. But you do look beautiful. And I bet a dress is easier to carry around than a top and shorts like you normally do, in wolf form."
My comment causes her to blush. Looks like my vampire charm even works on wolf-girls. I think as she starts to dig into her food after thanking me for cooking for her. We settle into a comfortable silence as she eats and works through the thoughts in her head.
Jacob POV:
Life feels nice. I think to myself as I shift to run a patrol after getting off work from the garage. If felt good to be covered in oil and grease again. My mind still drifted to Lizzy while I worked but I also felt a new peace. I could do things without worrying about her safety, I also didn't worry about Edward taking her and disappearing. I feel like they would have done so already if that was the case. He wouldn't have had any reason to play a game about pretending to stay. I fill my days with schoolwork and working at the garage. I have also rejoined my packmates with patrols, though it was interesting trying to figure out what Sam and I should do at first, thankfully it's all worked out so far.
"Co-Alpha?" Sam had practically scoffed at me a few nights ago.
"We could try it?" I say as wait to see if he'll say anything else.
"So Co-Alpha what should we have this ragged pack do?"
That was all it took to merge us all back into one big pack, with two acting Alphas.
At least this made patrols a lot easier.
Leah wasn't too happy about it, but it was what was best for us all. She would just have to deal with it. If she brought up Embry and his parentage one more time I was going to have to have a serious talk with her. She had so many issues I really am not sure how we'll ever survive her being in the pack for long. Sam and Emily's wedding would be happening in a few months. Leah has agreed to attend but has refused Emily's attempt to make her a bridesmaid, claiming it would just be too painful. Why do women choose to make everything so complicated. She should just get over it and be happy for them. Leah and Sam only dated for three years and that was pretty much three years ago. Who cares if they were oh so close to getting engaged. It's not like he ever popped the question to her. She needs to stop acting so….
Gee thanks Jacob. Leahs thoughts ring in my mind, I hadn't realized she was tuned in. So sorry I'm so annoying to all of you.
She doesn't stay in shifted form long opting instead to shift back and run off.
That was harsh Jacob. You knew she would be on patrol soon. Embry scolded.
Yeah I guess I knew, I just forgot ok. Not like you're any nicer to her. With that I change back.
Leah was a problem none of us knew how to fix. It would be easier if she would imprint on someone, but all the text we were able to get our hands on pointed to the fact that she won't imprint. Unlike us males, the occasional female who shifts are immortal. She will never feel the desire to stop phasing like the texts say about us males. She won't age ever again, and she won't have a family. Her death will only come if someone kills her.
It was Saturday night, as soon as I got home I started running around trying to clean up the house.
All of the Cullens have confirmed they would come to my party, I was excited to have the chance to show Lizzy my home. More like the beach as it had beautiful views. My house not so much. It's just a small normal Rez house. Nothing special, their little cabin is over two times bigger than where dad and I lived.
"Son, stop worrying, I can practically hear your thoughts over the TV." My dad yells as I wipe down the counters for the third time.
"I just want everything to look nice." I mumble, but I do stop and decide just to head to my room.
I lay in bed thinking about Leah. Now that I was home and human again, I did feel bad. I have noticed that we all give her such a rough time about things when none of this is her fault. That's the part most of us forget. This imprinting thing really messes with us. We can all feel Sam's human feelings towards Leah. They're dimmed and he tries his best to push them down but even after imprinting on Emily he feels for Leah. He just can't live without Emily; he does love Emily. It's just a different kind of love. Maybe that's the issue with Leah. She also has seen and felt Sam's feelings towards her. I can see how maddening that would feel. Heck I can relate to that one, the connection I thought I had to Bella felt similar she just didn't feel as strong about me as she does for Edward… Or I guess for as she did. I still find it hard to truly believe that she left.
~~Time Pass~~
"Happy Birthday Man."
"Yeah Alpha looking old there"
"Hey Jake, happy birthday"
My pack brothers all call their greetings out to me as I help my sister Rachel bring out the last of the party stuff. It's been nice having her home, even if that means her imprint Paul is around all the time.
I can't help my anxiety as I anxiously await the arrival of the Cullens. I really hope all this goes well and doesn't come back to bite us in the you know what.
Right as my phone shows 4:00 I see three cars pull onto our property.
Should have known they would come right at the time listed, not a minute before or after.
Edward is the first out of his vehicle as I watch Lizzy unbuckling herself and jump out of her open door, running at me with her super speed.
"Happy Birthday Jacob." She yells as I kneel to give her a giant hug.
"Thank you Lizzy." I stand with her in my arms easy enough to greet the others.
"Thank you for coming." I say in a way of greetings to everyone.
"Thank you for your invitation." Carlisle says for the family as I notice Edward, Jasper and Emmett all digging into their trunks and pulling out handfuls of gifts.
"Alice and Rose may have gone a bit overboard." The guys say as they place the gifts down. Maybe I should have told them no gifts I wonder looking at the pile.
"You don't have to open them now." Edward says placing down his own pile. "Birthdays are always something to be celebrated. Especially since the last of us to have a birthday was Emmett and that was back in 1915." I always forget how old these guys are. I think as Lizzy starts pushing on me demanding to be put down. I watch her run up to the waters edge, Rosalie, Esme, and Alice close by.
Time passes and I watch as Emmett joins the pack in playing a game of touch football. They decided to amend the rules some so that no one accidentally got hurt. I wanted to join them. But I also didn't want to leave Lizzy, who was currently sitting in the chair next to me coloring in a coloring book she had brought.
"Jacob why are you not out there playing with the wolves and Uncle Emmett." Lizzy says, not even looking up from her book.
"I was trying to be kind and chat with all my guests" I tell her lamely. I hadn't been talking to anyone. The Cullen women were sitting with some of the women who had come Sue, Emily, Kim, and Rachel chatting about who knows what. Carlisle, Edward, and Jasper were in some kind of discussion with Dad and Sam, it didn't look too heated or anything just a comfortable casual conversation. "Maybe I will join in on the game, are you ok here by yourself?"
"Yep, I'm going to finish my picture so you can hang it on your fridge. You don't have any pretty pictures there." I had given them a small tour of the house and the only thing Lizzy didn't like was that there weren't anything on our fridge but the invite to Sam and Emily's wedding. She was determined something pretty should be on the fridge.
We're right in the middle of our second match when I sense Leah coming. I hope she's not here to cause issues' I think to myself, she doesn't come to many bonfires or parties lately.
My mind freezes as she comes into view. Leah is wearing a dress. She doesn't wear dresses, she looks amazing, the green complements her skin tone perfectly. She didn't look like that bitter wolf-girl she's looked like the last few years; she's back to looking like that hot chick she was back when she was dating Sam, back when she had some confidence. I don't know what has caused this change in her. But I get the feeling we may all be in a bit of trouble if she has decided to walk around like this all the time.
"Hey Leah." Emmett calls out as he tosses the football to Paul and walks off in her direction. I turn to look towards Sam to see his response, but I get distracted by the vampires. All the Cullen guys were standing and giving Leah their own greetings. I could see a slight hue of a blush touch her cheeks as she thanks them for their compliments and then is pulled away by Alice to join the other women.
'What was that?' I ask looking at Edward as the Cullen men all sit back down and continue their conversations. I know he heard me as he stands, excusing himself from the others and walks towards me.
"We're from completely different times Jacob." Edward answers my question as he comes to stand beside me. "When most of us were human manners were drilled into us. Now some of those manners are all but forgotten for humans or not wanted. But when I was human if a lady entered the room its only polite to stand and greet her. Often times that would have even included offering a hand to help her to a seat. Jasper, Carlise, even Emmett are much the same way. Guess you could say that old habits stick around."
"Guess that makes sense, we haven't seen Leah in a dress in years. I think a few of the pack members are still stunned." I know I was, and not in a physical attraction way. But I'm still a guy. I'm still going to appreciate a good looking woman.
"Sorry" I mumble out as I turn to rejoin the pack in the game. Edward had given me only what I would call a polite throat clearing, reminding me he was standing there and could hear my thoughts.
"Edward, they've just arrived. It took a lot of convincing but they're here and they brought Claire. Let me introduce you." Sam called out as the boys kick off another game. *Smack* I take the full force of the ball to the head.
"Jake, you're supposed to catch it." Jared yells as I wipe my face.
"Jacob, are you ok?" Lizzy asks as she runs towards me "That was not nice, you can't go around hurting people. Its important to play nice." She wiggled her finger at Jared reprimanding him.
I could practically feel some tension in the air as everyone stops to see what Jared would do or say to this firecracker yelling at him.
"I'm so sorry Miss Lizzy. I thought Jake here was paying attention." Good he decided to go with a smooth apology. And it seemed to have done the trick as she relaxed, turning back to go back to her drawing only stopping when her eye see another little girl walking onto the beach.
"Oh who's that?" She asks looking at me expectedly.
"That's Claire, she's a human and only 4 years old." I answer. "I'll introduce you."
"Ok" She whispers quietly then under her breath I hear her say "Humans are not as strong; you be careful and move slowly."
Note:
Yes I know in the book Leah has agreed to be in the wedding party. But that never made sense to me, since in the books they still claim she can't stand how happy Sam and Emily are.
So I was trying to figure out and remember everyone's relations. From what I have found Leah is related to Emily they are cousins. Leah isn't closely related to any of the wolves but her brother. Or at least in this story. Online it shows she's connected to many of the bloodlines, even the Uley branch. So we're not paying much attention to that.
I hope everyone is enjoying, I would love to hear what some of you think if you're reading this.