Aria's POV

I jolted awake, my body heaving as I sucked in a breath, trying to steady the panic that gripped me. My heart raced, and my skin felt cold and clammy. But as my gaze adjusted, the faces around me grounded me back into reality. I blinked, disoriented, trying to make sense of my surroundings. The soft sheets beneath me, the pillows—too familiar. I was in my bed, not where I thought I'd be. The scent of lavender from the diffuser mingled with the woodsy air outside, a comfort I usually found calming. But now it didn't feel like home—not after everything that had happened. Not after the nightmare I had lived through.

Jake was beside me, his hand gently resting on my arm, his expression a mixture of relief and exhaustion. My mom sat near the bed, her eyes red and swollen from crying. Carlisle stood at the foot of the bed, his calm demeanour at odds with the lingering tension in the room.

I glanced toward the floor-to-ceiling windows. The early morning light filtered through the clouds. It was still dark, the sun not yet up, but the day had begun in its own quiet way.

"Oh, thank God," Jake whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He leaned closer, brushing a kiss against my forehead. It felt grounding, comforting, and I let myself relax into the cushions, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle on me.

Mom stroked my hair, her touch gentle, but I could feel the heat of her tears. She wasn't speaking, but her quiet sobs reverberated through me. It broke my heart to see her like this, but I was too worn out to comfort her.

"What... What happened?" My voice trembled as I tried to sit up, but my body protested. "Where did he go? Is everyone okay?" My mind was still foggy, the memories flashing in fragments. Then, the flashback hit me—the image of Edward's arm being torn from his body. My stomach twisted. "Oh my God... Edward?"

"Edward is fine. Already put back together." Carlisle's voice was steady, and when I looked up, he met my gaze with reassurance. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm sore, but I think I'm okay," I said, wincing slightly as I shifted, but the steady thump of my baby's heartbeat inside me let me know that he was okay too. The ache in the rest of my body was sharp, but it was the least of my worries. "What happened?"

Carlisle exchanged a glance with Jake before speaking. "You were right. It was Scott."

My breath caught in my throat. Scott. The creature. The monster. The werewolf. My heart began to race again. "He's a Child of the Moon?"

"So it would seem," Carlisle replied, his expression darkening. Even he was still processing everything.

"That's why Alice couldn't see him," I murmured, piecing things together. The realisation hit me like a hammer. The blankness in Alice's visions made so much more sense now. She can see vampires best because she is one, humans are clear because she was one, but the rest of us unusual types took time, she needed to get to know us... spend time with us. She was never going to spend time with Scott, so her gift was now rendered useless.

"That's what we think," Carlisle confirmed, nodding.

"Why couldn't I read his thoughts?"

Carlisle sighed; his gaze thoughtful. "When a Child of the Moon transforms, It's impossible to reach them. They become mindless beasts, unable to think clearly."

I nodded slowly. It made sense, though it didn't make it any easier to accept. "I suppose that's an explanation. Where did he go?"

Jake shifted, his posture tense. "Sam chased him up the coast toward the cliffs at Cape Johnson. He jumped into the water—swam away—and they couldn't follow. Both packs are patrolling the coast and around Forks and La Push now."

"Then he won't be a danger now," Carlisle added, but there was a pause in his voice, a slight hesitation. His gaze flickered toward Mom, who had gone quiet again. We all knew that even in human form, Scott had been a danger. Carlisle continued, "What I mean is, the next full moon is November 10th. That's when he'll transform again, but for now... he's most likely human again."

Mom's breath hitched. Then, she broke down. Her sobs filled the room as she collapsed against the side of the bed. "Sweetheart, I am so sorry. This is all my fault."

I reached out to her, my heart aching. "You couldn't have known, Mom. No one could have. It's okay, we're okay." The words felt like a mantra, but I meant them with every ounce of my being. I could feel the faint flutter of movement in my belly—a soft, reassuring reminder as if he could understand everything going on outside of his protective bubble.

I turned to Jake. "What time is it?"

"Seven," he answered quickly, glancing toward the stairs. "They're fixing the windows downstairs."

I could hear the muffled sound of construction beginning—drills, hammers, the clinking of tools as the family worked. I tried to focus, but my mind was still reeling from everything that had happened. Last night felt like a haze, a nightmare I couldn't escape.

"What do we do now?" I asked, my voice a little hoarse as I tried to steady my thoughts.

Carlisle met my gaze, his expression hardening with determination. "We find out everything there is to know about Children of the Moon."

* * *

Two Weeks Later...

Two weeks had passed, and in some ways, it felt like nothing had changed at all. The days had slipped by uneventfully. The calm should have been a relief, but it left me uneasy. There had been no signs of Scott—no trace, no whisper, no indication that he was still a threat. It was as if he'd vanished into thin air. The only hope we had was that he had drowned when he jumped into the sea after Sam chased him up the coast. But deep down, I knew that couldn't be the end of it. Not after everything that had happened.

I spent so many nights lying awake, my mind replaying the events of that night. The horror of seeing Edward's arm torn from his body, Bella's scream, Scott's eyes filled with raw violence as he stalked us. And then there was the chilling realization—Scott hadn't come after me. He had come after Mom. Her voice had triggered the attack. But why? What was it about her that had set him off?

I couldn't understand it. Mom had nothing over him. Nothing that could explain why he'd chosen her as his target. And the more I thought about it, the more I began to question whether Scott was more than a mindless beast when he attacked. There had been something deeper—something darker behind his motives. Not that his thoughts had been revealed to me during the attack.

The research we'd done wasn't helping either. There was so little known about the Children of the Moon. Just scattered stories, myths, and legends. They were said to be solitary creatures, living alone or in small packs. They didn't travel in large groups. They attacked humans without provocation, but it helped us understand where the generational enemy thing had come from. There was a competition for food... humans.

The myths said they could only be killed by decapitation or the removal of their hearts. Silver wasn't a weapon against them, as many had believed. That was just another myth, like wooden stakes and garlic being used against vampires. It felt like we were dealing with a creature born of folklore—a creature no one had fully understood.

Despite the silence on the Scott front, we couldn't let our guard down. Alice and Jasper had returned home after hearing that the baby wasn't the vision blocker anymore, it was the fact that she could not see Scott at all, no matter how hard she tried. Rose and Emmett had come back too. Rosalie, whose usual stoicism never wavered, looked at me with genuine concern. If she could have cried, I believed she would have. I could see the emotion in her eyes as she apologized to me, her voice shaking. The near-death experience had pushed her to make the first move, but I was grateful to have her back either way.

We tried to act like everything was normal, but I could feel the tension in the air. We'd set up wildlife cameras around Forks and La Push, hoping to catch any sign of Scott. The town had been searched thoroughly, but there was nothing. It was as if he'd simply vanished.

And so, we tried to go on with our lives. The house had been buzzing with activity. Mom has decided to stay with us for the foreseeable future, quietly supportive. She wanted to be there for Jake and I, as well as the baby. At just over sixteen weeks pregnant... well, thirty-three weeks pregnant, the baby was coming fast. She was determined to help in any way she could, and honestly, I wanted her close by for that very reason—and to keep her safe.

Construction continued on the second floor as the Cullens fixed the windows, and Esme redecorated. But now, it wasn't just repairs—it was an extension. We'd converted the spare lounge on the first floor into a room for Mom, with an en suite. The nursery was coming along too, and we'd gone with a safari theme. It felt right—a reminder of our honeymoon, the adventure, the love, and the excitement that surrounded this new life.

Still, worries lingered. We were all trying to stay calm, knowing that the full moon was fast approaching. The days felt like they were slipping through my fingers, like sand caught in a breeze. Despite the peace that seemed to settle over the house, the fear lingered. I could feel it in the air, in the quiet pauses between conversations, in the way Jake's fingers always brushed against mine, as though he were silently reassuring himself that I was still here, still safe. It was all too much. The quiet unease stretched thin, waiting for something to snap.

I tried to focus on the little things, like the progress in the nursery, the gentle hum of Esme's voice as she rearranged the furniture for the third time. There was a kind of peaceful normalcy in it, but it wasn't enough to quiet the constant thrum of dread. Not while I knew the full moon was fast approaching, and with it, the possibility of Scott's return.

Mom had settled in with us, her presence a comfort, though the shadow of her guilt never fully lifted. She tried to act normal, helping with the baby preparations, making dinner, offering advice, but her eyes would drift far too often, lost in thoughts of the past. I couldn't blame her. I would have done the same thing if I had been in her shoes. But I couldn't focus on that now.

I stood in the nursery, my fingers brushing over the soft, patterned sheets of the crib. The walls were adorned with jungle animals, a cheerful reminder of the excitement that had once filled me when we first found out we were pregnant. Now, the nursery felt more like a sanctuary, a place to keep the warmth and love of our family alive amidst all the uncertainty.

The door creaked open behind me, and I turned to see Jake leaning against the frame, his eyes dark, the weight of his own concerns etched across his face. His hand lingered near the doorknob, and he looked at me with such intensity that I felt my heart skip a beat.

"How are you holding up, Blue?" he asked, his voice low, hesitant, as if he already knew the answer.

I gave him a faint smile, though it didn't quite reach my eyes. "I'm fine. Just... trying to stay busy."

Jake walked toward me, his steps quiet, his expression softening as he came to a stop beside me. Without hesitation, he reached for me, pulling me into the comforting strength of his embrace. I sank into him, my head resting on his chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat a grounding presence in a world that felt too chaotic. His arms encircled me like a shield, protecting me from everything outside of us, from everything that threatened to tear us apart.

"You're not fooling anyone, Ari," he said gently, pressing a soft kiss to the top of my head. "We both know the calm doesn't mean things are fine. I can see it in your eyes. We're both just... waiting. I can feel it too."

I sighed, closing my eyes for a moment. The weight of his words hit me harder than I expected. It was true. Despite the moments of peace, despite the moments of laughter and love, I was waiting. Waiting for something I couldn't name, something dark that loomed just beyond my reach. The same fear that had gripped me since the night of Scott's attack.

"I keep thinking about Scott. About why he attacked Mom. He knew what he was doing, Jake. There was something in his eyes when he came for us, something... deliberate."

Jake's jaw tightened at the mention of Scott's name, but he didn't pull away. Instead, his grip around me tightened, as though anchoring us both to this moment, to the love we shared. "We don't know enough yet," Jake said softly, his voice filled with determination. "But we're doing everything we can. We've got eyes on the ground, and the packs are ready for anything. But I get it, Blue. The unknown is terrifying."

His words should have been comforting, but they only reminded me of the deep uncertainty that clung to me. But then, I felt Jake's hand slip to the small of my back, his fingers splayed wide as if he were trying to hold me together. The love between us—devoted, unshakable—suddenly consumed me in a way it never had before. It was everything. The depth of it, the fierceness.

I pressed my hand to my belly, feeling the rhythmic beat of the tiny heart growing inside. It steadied me, reminded me of why I couldn't give in to fear. This baby, this new life, was the future. The light in the dark. And I'd do anything to keep him safe.

Jake bent down, his forehead resting against mine. His gaze was intense, locking with mine, and for a brief moment, I forgot everything else—the fear, the doubt, the looming threat of Scott. It was just him. Just us.

"I'll protect you, Ari," Jake whispered, his voice filled with a raw promise. "And I'll protect him. With everything I am. I swear it."

His words echoed in my heart, and I knew he meant them with every fibre of his being. His love for me was a force, unbreakable and all-consuming, and the thought of anything threatening our family was enough to ignite a fire within me, too. Together, we were unstoppable. And nothing, not even Scott, could change that.

"We can't keep calling him 'him,' you know," I said, my voice quiet but firm, my gaze drifting to the window where the last rays of light were filtering through. The baby was coming soon, and the reality of that was settling in. "He needs a name, and we only have just under four weeks to go."

Jake turned toward me; his expression soft but serious. He always seemed to know exactly what I needed, even before I did. "I agree," he said, stepping closer, the warmth of his presence grounding me. "Do you still like the two middle name idea, one family and one Native?"

I smiled, feeling my heart swell as I thought about the baby—our baby. The name was important, but it was more than that. It was a promise. A bond. A way to bring our histories, our families, and our future together. "I do," I said, my hand instinctively resting on my belly. "For the family name, I was thinking Ephraim. It's the same as yours, and I feel like it just fits."

Jake's eyes softened at the mention of the name, and he stepped closer to me, his hand finding mine. His thumb gently traced the back of my hand as he considered it. "Ephraim," he repeated, letting the name roll off his tongue, as though it was something he was savouring. "I love that idea, Ari. It means a lot that you want to give him that name."

I couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips. "I feel like it honours your family," I said, my voice softer now, filled with affection. "Your great-great-grandfather, and everything he stood for. It just feels right. Like he's part of everything—of you, of us, of our history. And he's going to be part of our future, too."

Jake's expression softened even further, his eyes full of emotion as he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. "I'm glad you feel that way," he whispered, his voice thick with meaning. "I think it's perfect."

I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the warmth of his embrace calm the restless energy inside me. I wasn't sure what the future held, but with Jake, I felt like we could face anything. Together.

When I finally pulled away slightly to look up at him, my heart was full. I could see the love, the promise in his eyes. "Now we just need to figure out the Native name," I said, my voice a little more playful, but still thoughtful. "I want it to be something strong, something meaningful."

I hesitated for a moment, feeling a bit sheepish. I knew Jake was always so open to hearing my thoughts, but this was something I had already looked into on my own.

"And," I said, avoiding his gaze for a second as I fiddled with the sleeve of my shirt, "I might have already done a little research... and, um, I've kind of decided on the Native name."

Jake raised an eyebrow at me, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "Oh, you've already picked it out, huh?" he teased gently, but I could see the curiosity in his eyes.

I nodded, feeling a little embarrassed but excited at the same time. "I have," I admitted, finally meeting his gaze. "I like Calian. It means 'warrior of life.'"

Jake's expression softened immediately, and the look in his eyes made my heart skip a beat. He took a step closer, his hand resting once more on my belly as he considered the name. "Calian," he repeated, testing the sound of it. "'Warrior of life'. That's... perfect. I love it."

I felt a wave of relief wash over me, his approval making my heart swell. "I just felt like it fit him. Strong, brave, and full of life," I said softly, smiling as I looked down at my growing belly. "I can already feel how strong he is inside me, even now."

Jake leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. "I think it's a beautiful name, Ari," he said, his voice full of sincerity. "Our little warrior."

I smiled, the weight of everything easing for just a moment. "Our little warrior," I echoed, savouring the way the words sounded. It felt right, just like everything else about this moment with Jake felt right.

"We've got his first name to figure out, too," I added with a chuckle, though my voice still carried that underlying excitement. "But I think we're off to a good start."

Jake smiled down at me, his hand still resting protectively on my belly. "We'll figure it out," he said, his voice filled with confidence. His eyes then softened as he looked at me, his voice thoughtful. "What would you think about a name that means 'a gift' or 'a blessing'? We didn't think kids were going to be a thing for us, but here we are, having our miracle."

My heart skipped a beat at his words, and I felt a rush of warmth spread through me. His expression was so tender, so full of love, and I couldn't agree with him more. This baby was a blessing in every way.

"I love that idea," I said immediately, my voice full of sincerity. "It feels so right. This little one really is our miracle. I couldn't imagine life without him already."

Jake smiled, his eyes full of affection, and I could see how much this whole journey meant to him. "It feels surreal, doesn't it? But somehow... perfect."

I nodded enthusiastically, feeling a surge of excitement as the reality of the name discussion hit me. "We'll have to do a little reading, both of us, to see what names resonate the most," I said, a playful grin tugging at my lips. "But I'm really excited to find the perfect one."

Jake chuckled, his fingers gently tracing patterns across my belly. "We'll definitely make sure his name has the perfect meaning," he said, his voice filled with the same unwavering certainty that I felt in my own heart. "After everything we've been through... this little one is our gift, our blessing. He deserves a name that says just that."

"We'll find it," I agreed, nodding once more. "A name that honours everything he means to us."

Together, we stood there in the nursery, a sense of peace settling between us as we continued to imagine the future we were about to create for our family. A future filled with love, joy, and, most of all, our little miracle.

The sun then began to set, casting a soft golden glow through the windows of the house. The once-vibrant sky shifted from hues of orange and pink to deep purples, the fading daylight settling over the house like a comforting blanket. For the first time in two weeks, Jake and I were alone in our home. The house, which had been a whirlwind of activity with family and repairs, finally felt like ours again—quiet, serene, just the two of us.

Mom was at Jesse and Scarlett's house for dinner. It had been nice having her here, but it also felt good to have a moment of peace, just the two of us, without the worries of the past few weeks hanging over our heads.

I glanced at Jake, who was still beside me, his arm around my shoulders. He was leaning with his hip against the crib, looking out the window at the sunset. I could feel the weight of the past few weeks lifting, just for a moment, as we shared this simple, quiet evening.

Jake's hand cupped my cheek, and before I could even think about it, his lips were on mine. The kiss was slow at first, tender and full of love, as if the world around us had melted away. His lips moved against mine with a quiet intensity, his hand cradling my face like I was the most precious thing in the world to him. I kissed him back, my heart full of everything I felt for him—devotion, trust, and a love so deep it was all-consuming.

Jake pulled away softly, pressing a gentle kiss to my nose, then my forehead. I let out a quiet whine, longing for more, and he couldn't resist. Leaning down, he kissed me again, surrendering to my unspoken wish. I could feel the little sparks of desire igniting in my abdomen and I moaned very quietly against Jake's soft, plump lips.

It had been so long since we were last intimate, and having this moment, just for us and alone in the house... it felt right. We needed it.

"I missed you," I whispered against his lips as his hands began to rub over my hips and fading waist eagerly.

I felt Jake's mouth quirk up into a smile. "I have missed you, too," he said quietly, his voice getting deeper, huskier even, which meant he was feeling the same way that I was.

I leaned forward, stretching up on my tiptoes a little to gently nibble on his bottom lip and I was rewarded when he groaned into my mouth and then captured my lips in a a hungry, passionate kiss. He lifted my body against his gently and then swung me up into his arms to cradle carry me - no pun intended - out of the the nursery.

I giggled into the kiss as Jake rounded the door, crossed the short hallway, and stepped into our bedroom and carried me over to the bed. As he laid me down against the pillows, he moved over me and out kiss continued hungrily once again. Our lips moulded together firmly as I weaved my fingers through his soft hair and tried to pull him closer.

Jake tugged at my top and then broke the kiss much to my annoyance. He revealed my lacy white bralette as he pulled it over my head before he kissed along my collarbone, then back up my neck to my jaw. The feeling of his lips against my skin sent a tingle down my spine.

He then got to work on pulling my leggings and panties down at the same time and I blushed when he took in a deep breath at the sight of my sex on show to him, his eyes darkening considerably. Before I knew it Jake was pulling his joggers off, his shirt already gone. I watched eagerly as he revealed his cock go my eager eyes and I licked my lips hungrily, my mouth watering at the sight of it. He leant in to kiss me, but I managed to push him down and next to me on the bed, he looked surprised at my actions, but his eyelids got heavier as I flicked my hair over to one side and knelt next to his lap, licking my lips again as I gently took a hold of him.

The need for him was growing as I massaged him gently, his length hardening even more as worked on his tip and leant in slowly... I glanced up at him as I licked across his smooth tip, holding eye contact. "Oh my god," Jake moaned as I closed my lips just around his tip and sucked. His breath hitched and he moved some of my hair out of my face and held it back and out of the way.

I gently eased his length into my mouth and moaned at the feeling and the taste of him... God I missed this. I missed being this intimate with Jake, it didn't feel like us without it. I sucked a little harder, moving my head up and down and looking up at Jake's face, seeing his expression of pure pleasure just as a moan left his lips. "Does this feel okay, baby?" I asked, wanting to know how I was doing because I was a little out of practice.

"It f-feels amazing," Jacob breathed, his cheeks pink as he caressed his fingers through my hair again as I smiled and eased him into my mouth again. "S-so good," Jake moaned gently pulling on my hair as I sucked on him harder. I rubbed my tongue against his length whilst he was inside my mouth, my hand sliding between his legs and gently cupping his balls. Jake moaned louder and I sucked a little harder, enjoying the feeling of him inside my mouth, giving him this pleasure was doing wonders for me too.

After a few minutes I eased Jake out, he sat up a bit, watching me eagerly as I managed to swing my leg over his and sit on his thighs. His eyes were dark but eager and excited again as he watched me lift my body up onto my knees and held him at my entrance. I was breathing a little harder in anticipation as I slid him inside, a moan instantly flowing from my lips as Jake groaned, his hands already grasping my hips.

It took me a moment to get used to his size, but I began moving, lifting my hips up and down as he helped, thrusting his hips up into me as he held my waist. Our moans were mixing together in the air around us, my eyes fixed on Jake's as the pleasure moved throughout my body. "Oh my god," I moaned quietly, my palms pressed against his hard chest, my nails gently digging in.

I picked up my pace and rode him a little harder, everything inside me was super sensitive and I could already feel my climax rising. I moaned a little louder, biting my bottom lip as the heat between Jake and I grew. I could feel my body clenching around him and my moans getting higher, my thighs were trembling with anticipation as I continued to ride him, his moaning encouraging me to go harder and faster.

"Oh god, baby," I moaned, my breath hitching as I balanced right on the edge, wanting to hold it for Jake but at the same time I knew he loved making me come undone like this quickly, I suspected it was a big ego boost.

"Cum for me," Jake purred, caressing my thighs and hips as I continued to grind him deep inside me. I bit my lip hard, whimpering in delight as he took my hands, helping me keep my balance as I brought myself to my climax, the feeling of pure ecstasy washing over me as I gasped for air.

"Oh my god," I moaned, the feeling indescribable as Jake gently rolled me onto my back and kissed down my neck, careful not to push against my tummy. I felt hot but satisfied and completely at ease as Jake and I kissed, I think he was waiting for me to come back down from my high before we carried on or I might explode.

"Do you wanna keep going?" Jake asked as I caressed his cheeks then weaved my fingers through his hair. I nodded, bringing him down for another kiss as his lips brushed against mine. He groaned and positioned himself at my entrance then pushed inside gently, I gasped, a shock of pleasure shivering up my body and making my toes curl again. I moaned his name against his lips, feeling him moving against me and gently kissing me every other second. "Oh baby," Jake moaned, our faces still close together as he slid himself in and out... In and out...

I moaned along with his rhythm, caressing his shoulders and back then holding the back of his head to my neck as he kissed it. His moans started to get deeper and louder as the realisation of how close he was pushed me closer and faster to the edge than before. I kissed him deeply, feeling him throbbing inside of me as his thrusts got harder.

A long groan left Jake's lips as he came, and I couldn't help the smile as I kissed the edge of his lips whilst caressing his shoulders and upper back gently. He continued to thrust, pushing me closer and closer to my second high... The sensational feeling washed over me again and I moaned my husband's name in appreciation and delight, his lips finding mine as we kissed whilst I came down from my high, my heart pounding inside my chest.

Jake flopped onto his side and pulled me against him, and we laid there in the early evening darkness, catching our breaths. "I love you." He whispered, his fingertips tracing shapes over my bump.

"I love you more." I whispered back, not letting my mind drift towards the real world that was outside of our bedroom. For the evening, we were Jacob and Aria, husband and wife, and soon to be parents. We were normal, enjoying an evening alone in our home.

Jake squeezed me tighter against him, his mind settling on the same thoughts as my own. "Not possible, baby. Not possible." He placed a sweet kiss against my forehead, and my eyes fluttered closed at the gesture... nothing could ruin or take this moment away from us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello beautiful people...

Happy New Year!!

I hope you enjoyed the chapter... we were a little past due some special Jake and Aria time.

What do guys think about the name ideas?
Something Calian Ephraim Black...
If you have any ideas for boys name that mean gift or miracle or something along those lines please let me know!

As always, I appreciate the votes and comments

All my love,
Talia 🤍