Jacob's POV

Nine days had passed since Lily discovered the truth. Nine days since everything had unravelled, and still, the weight of it pressed down on us, suffocating the air in the house. The awkwardness hung heavily around us, unspoken words settling into every corner. Time had slowed to a crawl.

I stood in the kitchen, my hand resting against the counter, staring out the window as the late afternoon October sun streamed through, casting a warm orange glow over the room. The leaves outside had completed their transformations, their vibrant colours a sharp contrast to the somber mood inside. I could hear the soft murmur of voices from the living room, where Aria and Lily sat together. Lily was wrapped in a blanket looking fragile. Her body had been healing slowly, the bruises from Scott still lingering beneath her skin. Her face was pale, her eyes tired and lost, the weight of the truth we'd kept from her still dragging her down. But with each passing day it was lifting.

Aria was sitting cross-legged on the couch, her posture relaxed but her expression distant. She looked to be around 29 weeks pregnant now, her belly rounding in a way that was both beautiful and strange. Our child was growing, each day bringing us closer to a future I had only ever thought would stay in my dreams. I watched her, her hand resting gently on her stomach, a soft smile on her lips as she spoke to Lily. The past few weeks had been emotionally exhausting for Aria—processing everything with her mother, showing her the memories that had been hidden for so long. But through it all, she remained steady. She was the rock, even when the weight of the world seemed to fall on her shoulders.

In the last few days, something had shifted in Aria. Literally. She had started to hear our baby's thoughts.

It had begun a few nights ago. At first, it had been subtle whispers, almost like the softest breeze. But now, as the days passed, the connection between Aria and our son had become stronger. I could see it in her eyes, the way she would pause in the middle of a conversation, as if she was listening to something no one else could hear. Sometimes, she'd smile, a soft, knowing smile, like she was privy to some secret that no one else could access. Well, apart from Edward.

The baby's thoughts were fragmented, innocent, full of curiosity and wonder, but there were moments—moments when the communication was clear and direct—that made Aria pause. Her hands would rest gently on her belly, her breath catching as she listened to the small, but distinct voice that only she could hear.

"You're there aren't you?" she would murmur sometimes, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "What's it like in there?"

The baby's responses were always soft, playful thoughts, simple images of warmth and safety. But there were times when Aria's expression would soften into something else—something deeper. Of course, I couldn't hear the thoughts unless I was shown, but I could feel the weight of them. I could see how much they affected her.

I stood there in the doorway, watching her as she looked at Lily, her hand resting gently on her stomach, her gaze distant. She was listening, hearing her unborn child's thoughts, the bond between them growing stronger with each passing day. It was an amazing thing to witness.

Lily, for her part, seemed to sense the change in Aria, though she didn't understand it fully. But she was beginning to understand the power of what Aria carried. Our child was already something unique, something neither wholly human nor vampire, and Aria's connection to him was growing more profound by the day.

Lily had spent the past week processing everything Aria had shown her. The flood of memories, vivid and overwhelming, had been a way for Aria to catch her mother up on everything that had been hidden—the things she had been kept in the dark about for years. Each day, Aria would hold Lily's hand and pull memories from her own mind, offering them like a series of snapshots, a glimpse into the life Aria and her siblings, that all of us really, had lived.

It wasn't just the supernatural that shocked Lily—it was the life her daughter had been living, the things she hadn't known... the danger. And with each new memory, I could see the weight of that knowledge settle in Lily's eyes. But there were also moments—small moments—where I saw her eyes soften, her walls beginning to crack just a little. I could see her trying, trying to accept Aria, trying to forgive the secrets. 

Aria was trying too, of course. She wanted her mother to understand. She wanted to bridge that gap. It was all they could do now—heal.

Aria had been burdened with the weight of their secrets for so long, and now she was doing everything she could to help her mother understand why they had all kept them in the dark. But I knew it wasn't easy. Lily had felt betrayed by everyone—her ex-husband, her children, and everyone else that knew. It wasn't just a matter of the supernatural world intruding on her life; it was the weight of the lies, the years of her family keeping her at arm's length.

But we were here now. And we were trying to move forward.

It wasn't just about the secrets though. In the wake of everything, Lily had made a decision that still hung heavily in the air. After much thought, she had decided not to press charges against Scott. I couldn't blame her for wanting to keep things quiet. Pressing charges would only shine a light on our world—the supernatural world—and that wasn't something we could afford. The less attention we drew, the better. If Scott decided to show his face again, we would deal with him quietly, as we always did, away from the eyes of humans. I would make sure he stayed away, my pack would ensure it, and so would the Cullens. But for now, the focus was on keeping Lily safe.

And then there was her sister, Renee. I knew it hadn't been easy for Lily to contact her, but she had done it. The conversation had been tense, strained. Lily had made it clear to Renee that she wanted her to stay away from Scott. She had warned her sister not to speak to him, not to engage with him in any way. Renee, though she had wanted more information, had agreed. She didn't fully understand the gravity of the situation, but Lily had assured her that when the time was right, she would explain everything. But for now, staying away from Scott was the only way to keep everyone safe.

The decision to take a sabbatical from her architecture job had been another sign of just how much things had shifted for Lily. It had been the right choice, no question. The demands of her job, the long hours, and the constant pressure of deadlines had become too much, especially after everything that had happened. Her body was still healing, the physical scars fading, but the emotional ones would take much longer to heal. She had told her firm that she needed time to recover, time to focus on her health, her family. It was a wise decision—she wasn't just healing physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

Tori and Embry and Jesse and Scarlett visited as much as they could, and Lily clearly enjoyed their presence, she enjoyed having her family around her and you could see it made her feel like she belonged. Occasionally she would ask after Rob, but he was having problems of his own, bathed in the guilt for not telling Lily the truth. 

His own sadness caused new issues at home with Joy, so Quil had let loose through his thoughts, and it wasn't looking good. Joy was convinced he had feelings for Lily still, but that wasn't the case. It was just his guilt consuming him. 

A week ago, Alice had tried to make sense of things through her visions, but the closer we got to Scott, the blurrier her sight became. It was frustrating for her, but she was used to it. Still, it was believed that the pregnancy had something to do with the strange interference. Even so, she had caught glimpses of Scott moving. She'd seen him leaving Florida but couldn't pin down any clear direction.

even so that had been the tipping point for Alice and therefore Jasper. A few days ago, they left for Denali, hoping the change of scenery might help clear Alice's mind. I could tell she was struggling, but there was nothing more we could do except wait and hope she would be able to see more clearly soon.

Meanwhile, Emmett and Rosalie had left for Florida just the night before. They were tracking down any clues that might lead to Scott's whereabouts. The pressure was mounting, but it felt like we were all just one step behind. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to snap.

Yesterday, the Cullen family had come to visit. While they had kept their distance for the first few days after the truth came out, they couldn't stay away forever. They were our family too. 

Esme, as always, had a calming presence. I noticed her approach Lily quietly, pulling her aside for a conversation. Esme, who had suffered through her own experiences with domestic abuse long ago, offered Lily something a lot of us couldn't—understanding. A kind of sisterhood that Lily hadn't been able to find in anyone else. They talked for hours, their words soft but heavy. From where I sat, I could only guess at what Esme had said, but I knew from the way Lily had looked at her afterward that the conversation had been a small balm on an old wound.

I didn't interrupt, knowing that Esme could offer Lily something I couldn't. She could share the weight of pain without judgment, without fear. I was grateful for that. We both were.

Bella, who had been quiet in the background, came forward to introduce Renesmee as her daughter properly and not as her adoptive sibling. Renesmee had been a mystery to Lily—she had seen the images Aria had shown her, of Bella's daughter, but this was the moment of introduction. I watched as Bella gently placed Renesmee's hand in Lily's, her eyes warm with both pride and a quiet sadness that mirrored Lily's own. Renesmee, as curious and wise as ever, smiled up at Lily, her gaze full of empathy, as though she understood the gravity of the situation, even at her young age.

Renesmee stepped closer, her small hand still held by Bella's, and she offered Lily a soft, reassuring smile. "I know this is a lot to take in," Renesmee said quietly, her voice gentle, yet full of a wisdom far beyond her years. "But sometimes things aren't as simple as they seem."

Lily blinked at her, taken aback by the words coming from such a young girl. "What do you mean?"

Renesmee's eyes were steady as she met Lily's gaze. "Aria's baby... it's going to be different, not quite human, not quite vampire," she explained. "But it will be its own. Just like me. Not everything is as it first appears."

Lily turned to Aria then, her brow furrowed in confusion. "How do you know that? How can you—?"

Renesmee gently touched Lily's arm, her fingers warm against her skin, and in an instant, Lily was flooded with a vision. Not of the future, but of what Renesmee herself was—of the strange blend of human and vampire in her, a mix that had never quite fit into either world. It was a glimpse of her own journey; of the challenges she'd faced as she navigated the complexities of her unique existence.

Lily's breath caught as she felt the depth of Renesmee's experience, the loneliness, and the resilience. She pulled back slightly, but her eyes softened with understanding. It was as if, for a brief moment, she could see through Renesmee's eyes.

"I think I understand now," Lily murmured, her voice trembling just a little. "Aria and Jake's child... it won't be like anything I've ever known."

Renesmee smiled, her eyes twinkling with a quiet confidence that belied her age. "No, but it will be loved. It will be part of a family—your family."

Lily looked back at Aria, who was still sitting on the couch with her eyes closed, sharing memories. Her daughter's face was peaceful, serene, and Lily seemed to find some comfort in that, in the knowledge that whatever our son became, it would be loved, it would be part of us.

"I didn't know what to expect," Lily said softly. "But I'm starting to see. Thank you, Renesmee. I... I needed to hear that."

Renesmee nodded, giving her a small, understanding smile before turning back to her mother. Bella, who had watched quietly, now placed a hand on Lily's shoulder.

"We're all here for you Aunt Lily," Bella said. "And when you're ready, when it's time, we'll help you through anything. You're not alone." 

A sense of peace settled over Lily, a calmness she hadn't felt in days. It wasn't complete yet, not by a long shot, but it was a start. She had made a connection, not just with Aria, but with the rest of the family. And it was through them that she would begin to understand the strange, supernatural world that had become so entwined with her life.

"Jacob."

I snapped out of my thoughts as Lily's soft voice pulled me back into the present. She looked at me, her eyes tired but determined. She had been through so much already, and now, she was trying to make sense of everything. But there was a fear in her gaze—a fear that Scott might come back to hurt her again.

"Have you thought any more about what we discussed?" she asked, her voice shaky but calm.

I nodded and slowly moved to sit beside her, trying not to break the fragile quiet between us. "I've thought about it, Lily. I agree with you. We can't risk exposing our world. If Scott comes back, we'll deal with him, but it won't be in a way that drags anyone else into this. We'll make sure of it."

Lily glanced back at Aria, her expression softening just a little. Aria's hand rested on her mother's; her eyes closed as she continued to share another memory. Lily didn't speak immediately, but her face softened with understanding, though a quiet sadness lingered in her features.

"I know you're doing everything you can to protect us," Lily murmured, her gaze drifting back to me. "But what if he comes back? What if we're not ready?"

"He won't get past us," I said firmly. "If Scott shows his face here again, we'll handle it. He won't be able to hurt anyone."

Lily didn't argue. She didn't have to. She was learning to trust again, but it was slow, painstaking work. The wound Scott had left on her was still healing, and I wasn't sure it ever fully would. But I would be here to protect her, we all would, for as long as it took.

Aria squeezed Lily's hand, offering her mother a small, reassuring smile. The silence stretched out between them as they sat in their own world, their connection deepening with each memory Aria shared.

I sat back, leaning against the arm of the couch, and let the room settle into the quiet rhythm of their bond. But even as I watched them, I knew the danger was still out there. Scott was still somewhere in the world, and we were just waiting for him to make his next move.

I noticed the time then—half five in the evening. The sun was quickly sinking, leaving the sky a mix of amber and violet. It was almost time for patrol. Jesse, Embry, Quil, and Seth would be joining me tonight. The plan was simple: travel along the highways, check the bed and breakfasts, and try to catch Scott's scent. But despite the careful planning, we still hadn't found him. It was maddening, but it wasn't something we could control. All we could do was try to get ahead of him before things escalated again.

I glanced toward Aria. She was sitting on the couch, her eyes drifting from the clock to me. She knew the routine by now. I'd been on patrols like this countless times but tonight felt different. She always seemed to feel the weight of my responsibilities, and tonight, I could see it in her eyes—the unease, the tension in her shoulders.

"Are you leaving now?" she asked, her voice soft but carrying an edge of concern.

I nodded, offering her a small, reassuring smile. "Yeah, won't be back till around 2 in the morning."

Aria didn't say anything immediately. Instead, she stood up, stepping carefully around her mother to cross the room toward me. The way she moved—it was fluid, purposeful, and it made my chest tighten in a way I couldn't explain. The weight of the situation always seemed a little lighter when she was close.

Before I could say anything more, she was right there, standing in front of me, her hands gently resting on my shoulders as she rose up on tiptoes to kiss me. I immediately wrapped my arms around her, pulling her closer, savouring the warmth of her touch. It wasn't just a kiss—it was a promise. A reminder of everything I was fighting for, everything I couldn't lose.

When we pulled back, Aria's eyes held something more than just affection—there was worry, concern. And it was hard to look away from it.

"Be careful," she said quietly, her voice trembling just a little.

I gave her a half-smile, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Always am."

It was meant to be comforting, but even I knew that wasn't entirely true. 

My hand hovered for a second over her bump before I gently rested it against her belly. I knew I was leaving, but in this moment, I didn't want to. The little one inside her was part of me, part of Aria, and I had this overwhelming urge to say goodbye, to let him know I was thinking of him too, especially now that he could understand to some degree.

"Take care of your mom while I'm gone," I murmured, my voice quiet but full of emotion. It wasn't something I'd say to anyone else, but with Aria and the baby, it just felt natural. I gave her bump a soft, almost affectionate pat before I pulled away.

I looked up to meet Aria's eyes again, the connection between us deepening. "I'll be back soon," I promised, though I knew it wouldn't be soon enough.

I removed my shirt, tossing it onto the chair at the breakfast bar. The action felt automatic—no hesitation. I had a job to do, and it was time to focus. I could feel Aria's gaze on me as I moved toward the stairs, the weight of her eyes grounding me. It was strange, the way she could make me feel both lighter and heavier in the same moment.

"Stay safe," she called out, her voice barely above a whisper.

I paused, looking back at her, a grin tugging at the corner of my lips. "Always do." 

With one last glance at them I turned and headed down the stairs and out the door, the cool air greeting me as I stepped into the evening.

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Hello beautiful people...

Just three days later and we have a new chapter! 

I know its not a very long one, more of a filler chapter really, but it was needed. And we haven't heard from Jake in a while, so I felt it was necessary. 

Either way, I hope you enjoy, let me know of any theories you have or anything you want to see or even just want to leave comments, please do. I love to read them.

All my love,

Talia 🤍