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Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.
Chapter Nine-Bella's Vision Returns
Jacob stood outside the door as he spoke to Quil and Embry, they were the last to leave. Quil held Claire's hand. She had tired herself out playing with Ethan. "I better get her home." He said reluctantly.
"Thanks for coming, Claire." Jacob smiled at the little girl.
Claire gave him a shy smile in response. "Can I see Ethy again?" She asked.
"Of course you can." Jacob promised.
"Thanks, man." Quil said gratefully. "Tell Bella thanks for the invite. I appreciate it."
Jacob looked at his friend. Quil seemed unhappy. The confident, over exuberant young man was gone, to be replaced by a quiet, sometimes sad individual. Quil's imprint with Claire had shocked them all and Jacob could see that his friend was suffering the consequences of it. It was disheartening to see. He waved goodbye to him and Claire as they left, exchanging a glance with Embry as he waited until they were out of sight.
"Something has to be done about Quil." Jacob told Embry. "He has changed so much. I don't like seeing him like this."
"I know." Embry agreed. "But what, though? Until Claire is old enough to make an informed choice, he remains tied to her."
"There must be a way to break an imprint." Jacob mused.
"Are you referring to you or Quil?" Embry asked him shrewdly. "I know that you are still worried about imprinting, no matter how many times you protest."
Jacob glared at him. "I know it is not going to happen to me. How many more times do I have to repeat myself? I love Bella and only Bella. She is my choice."
"I hear the words, Jake, but how can you really know?" Embry pressed. "I mean I look at Quil, Sam, and even Jared. They're all trapped. I don't want to end up like that. You know that Jared has lost his chance at a scholarship to that expensive sports academy. Kim refused to relocate from La Push. He's livid, but can't go against her wishes."
"I can't explain it, Em. But I know in here." Jacob pointed to his heart. "But you're right about the others. Leah is leaving tonight because she can't stand to be near Sam and Emily any longer. It's getting harder when we are all phased. I hate sharing Sam, Quil and Jared's unhappiness. I thought having an imprint was supposed to benefit the pack, but all I see is the total opposite."
"Times have changed, Jake. Maybe our ancestors needed an imprint, but we don't." Embry shrugged. "It makes me fearful to look at a girl in case it happens to me."
"Is that why you stopped dating?" Jacob asked.
"Yes. What's the point of getting involved when it could all be taken away?" Embry sounded bitter.
"Then we must make sure that it doesn't happen. I am going to find out how to break an imprint before something happens that one of us can't unravel." Jacob vowed.
"Spoken like a true Alpha." Embry laughed. "When are you gonna take it on, dude?"
"Very funny." Jacob hit Embry hard on the shoulder. "I don't want it, I told you."
"You might not have a choice, Jake." Embry warned him. "You know as well as I do that Sam is at breaking point. Now that Leah is leaving, who knows when he will suddenly fall apart."
Jacob ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. He didn't want to be the leader of the pack. He had only just gotten Bella back; how would she feel knowing that he could suddenly be forced to take on another burden. "I'm going back inside. I'll see you later, Em."
Embry nodded. He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans as he walked off toward his own home, his expression thoughtful.
Jacob found Bella in the kitchen washing up the dishes. She smiled at him as he joined her, taking the wet plates from her and beginning to dry them.
"It went well in the end, didn't it?" Bella said in relief. "Even Paul thanked me before he left."
"Yeah, I heard that." Jacob nudged her playfully. "Is Ethan asleep?"
"Yes, little Claire wore him out." Bella rinsed another plate and handed it to him.
"What did you mean earlier, Bells, when you said you were glad that I had never imprinted on you?" Jacob asked her curiously.
Bella stopped what she was doing and looked up at him. "I didn't tell you the whole truth about my conversation with your dad. I was still having doubts about imprinting, Jake."
"I told you that it wouldn't happen to me." Jacob exclaimed exasperatedly. "I thought you believed me."
"Can you let me finish?" Bella snapped irritably.
Jacob nodded, picking up another plate and drying it furiously.
"I have been so happy the last few days. Seeing you with Ethan and being able to be with you has been amazing. Then you asked me to marry you and I was so ecstatic. I didn't want to lose you again, so I shoved my fear of imprinting down deep inside. But your dad is a clever man." Bella admitted ruefully. "He could tell I was still scared, so he suggested I face my fears and see how your brothers and their imprints interacted. I am so glad I took his advice, Jake. Sam and the others seem so unhappy."
Jacob stacked the plate he was drying on top of the others and pulled Bella into his arms. "I'm sorry I got irritated, honey. You are right, though. Sam, Quil and Jared are fucking miserable."
"Is there nothing that can be done? Especially for poor Quil?
"I don't know yet, but I am going to try and find out." Jacob cupped her face in his hands and kissed her softly on the mouth. "I love you, Bells. Are you still concerned about imprinting? Please be honest with me?"
"I can't deny that it still worries me a little, Jake. But I've come to the conclusion that I would rather be with you and take the risk, then be apart knowing it might never happen. I don't want to run from my worries anymore." Bella confessed earnestly.
Jacob hugged her tight, wrapping his arms around her. "Thank you." He whispered.
Jacob watched Bella as she slept, they had just made love, making sure to use protection this time. Bella's exhaustion after a full day of cooking had caught up with her. Something was puzzling Jacob; he didn't know what it was but he knew it was something important. It was to do with the way Bella smelled to him. Her fragrance had changed sightly. Having such acute senses could be annoying. Jacob stroked her hair away from her face as he pondered what this might mean. He could see that she was dreaming, her eyes were moving rapidly under the lids. At times her brow would wrinkle, then a small smile would cross her lips. Her changing expressions fascinated him. He was interrupted in his musings by the sound of Ethan waking up. Jacob slipped quietly out of bed to check on his son, leaving Bella to sleep. He kissed her head gently, then left the room.
Bella was dreaming. She was standing in front of the Black's house, waiting. She clutched onto the hands of the boy and girl who stood either side of her. All three stared eagerly into the distance, expecting to see the person they were waiting for at any moment. The young boy, whose raven black hair was sticking up in all directions, glanced up at her. "Mommy, is Daddy coming soon?"
"Yes, Ethan." She reassured him gently. "He promised he would be back by six."
"I can count to six." The little girl said proudly as she smiled up at Bella. "I'll count for Daddy."
"Show off." Ethan muttered mutinously.
"Aww, don't be like that, Ethan. You should be proud of Sarah." Bella chided him.
Ethan stuck his tongue out at his sister when he thought Bella wasn't looking. Sarah put her hands behind her ears and waggled her fingers at him, poking her tongue out. Ethan just glared at her; it was annoying having a sister so close in age.
Bella shook her head in amusement at the antics of her children. "Hush now." She whispered to them. "I think I can see him. Look." She pointed into the distance.
The two children were immediately on the alert, scanning the horizon for their father's tall figure. "I can see him." Sarah suddenly squealed, making Ethan jump.
"Where?" He demanded petulantly.
"Right there." Sarah brushed her long fringe out of her eyes. "Can I run to him, Mommy?" She begged.
"Go for it." Bella laughed.
"Me, too." Ethan announced. "Race you?"
Sarah nodded. Bella released her hold on their hands and she watched proudly as they both took off, running through the tall grass toward their father. Ethan soon outran his sister and reached Jacob first. Bella smiled as she watched Jacob kneel and pick his son up easily in his strong arms. Sarah finally reached them, too, and she jumped up and down, begging to be picked up. Bella heard Jacob's familiar laugh as he swept his daughter up in his free arm. He carried them both easily, his eyes now locked on Bella's. It was her turn to run as she sprinted toward the man who held her heart...
Bella woke up with a jolt. She sat up in the bed, her long hair flowing around her shoulders in a satin wave, as the images of her dream began to fade from her mind. Her hand flew to her flat stomach as she thought about the little girl she had seen, the one called Sarah. She had been slightly younger than Ethan. The dream had been an exact recurrence of the vision she had seen on the mountaintop when she had kissed Jacob, just before he left to fight the newborns. That time the vision had been brief and hazy, but her dream had held much more clarity. She had felt and heard every word and emotion as she waited with her children for Jacob to come home.
She glanced down again at her stomach, certain in her mind now that she was pregnant with their daughter. A relieved smile lit up her face. "At least I know what to call you, sweetheart." She murmured.
Bella knew in her heart that this vision was assuring her that her future with Jacob was assured. They were going to raise a family. She was his soul mate and he was hers. Imprinting would not affect them.
Jacob dumped Ethan's diaper in the bin and closed it. He let out a long-held breath, having a keen sense of smell was not an advantage when he was changing his son. Lifting Ethan up in his arms he carried him into the living room and settled on the sofa. Ethan perched on his lap, happy now that he was all clean.
"That last meal went straight through you, didn't it?" Jacob tickled Ethan under the chin, making him giggle.
Bella came out to join them. Jacob was surprised to see her up so soon. The nap had certainly cured her tiredness, she was simply glowing. Once again, the unusual fragrance hit him and he tried to think what it could mean.
"How are my two favourite boys?" Bella asked as she sat next to Jacob on the sofa.
"You just missed the main event." Jacob laughed. "I had to change him."
"Rather you than me." Bella joined in his laughter.
"Had a good sleep?" Jacob asked, he thought she looked stunning, her hair was shiny, her pale skin had a soft glow, but it was her eyes that really caught his attention. He could see the happiness shining from them. "What is it?"
Bella took Ethan from him and cuddled him to her chest. "I've got some news to share." She said enigmatically.
"Go on?" Jacob urged. He could see that she was trying not to smile.
"Ethan will soon have a little sister. Jake, I'm pregnant." Bella announced, this time letting the smile spread across her face.
The source of the mystery fragrance finally dawned on Jacob. So that was what it was. It was Bella's body letting him know that she was carrying his child. "This is amazing, honey. But how do you know it's going to be a girl?"
Bella kissed little Ethan on his head as she glanced up at Jacob. "You won't believe me when I tell you." She said with a grin.
A/N-thanks for reading!