Swans Don't Quit

The Question

 As I was driving back to La Push I started thinking about the ring that was sitting in the lock on the top shelf of the closet waiting. I thought about the time I was wasting as I waited for the perfect moment to ask her when I could be counting down the days till she became my wife. I wanted her to be mine and to wear my claim on her finger. I was glad that I had asked Harry for his blessing that day; I knew it would make Leah happy to know that her father had approved. Without any further hesitation I grabbed my phone out if the console and dialed Sue's phone number, putting it on speaker.

"Hello?" Seth answered the phone.

"Hey Seth, its Eli." I said.

"Hey Eli. How was the graduation ceremony?" Seth asked and I had to smile. The kid was such a kind person. While everyone else in the pack was upset with my sister and mad about what she was doing to Jacob, he refused to speak bad or act any different about them than he ever had.

"It was alright. May I speak to Sue?" I asked and he hurried to get her on line after saying good-bye.

"Hello Eli. What can I do for you?" Sue asked.

"I was wondering if you would be up to watching Alex for the night? I want to do something special for Leah." I said and I didn't expect how enthusiastic she was going to be.

"Absolutely! You bring him right down and you two have fun! I have to get the old play pen out and get the bottle warmer out!" Sue started to rattle off things that she needed to get out and what she was going to do with him while he was there. I smiled and politely got off the phone with the promise that we would be right there.

I parked the truck and found Leah in the living room reading a book while Alex napped in his bouncy chair next to her. I smiled and leaned down to give her a kiss on the cheek. At the last second she turned her head and caught my lips with hers. I smiled as we broke away. I went upstairs and packed Alex's an overnight bag as well as grabbed the ring box from the closet and placed the ring in my pocket. I went back down stairs and leaned over the back of the couch, setting my chin on Leah's shoulder as she continued to read. She turned to look at me with a raised eyebrow.

"What would you say to a little alone time tonight?" I asked.

"It sounds wonderful, but we'd have to get someone to watch Alex. It's a little short notice to ask someone to babysit." Leah said with a confused frown. I smiled at her.

"What if I said that I had a babysitter set up and all you had to do is get yourself ready for a night of star gazing like we used to when we were kids with perhaps a special stop to the store before it closes to get you some of your favorite chocolates?" I questioned and she beamed up at me. She leaned up and gave me a quick kiss.

"I love you more every day, Eli." She said before kissing me again.

"I never thought that I would be able to love someone as much as I love you, Leah Clearwater." I said before kissing her and sending her upstairs to get ready.

"I'll take Alex to the sitter and be back in a couple minutes." I send and gave her one final kiss before getting Alex in his car seat without waking him and getting him in the truck. Sue met us at the door as we pulled in and excitedly took Alex while I grabbed the bag and followed her inside. Seth smirked when I got inside.

"Took the kid and left you with the bag?" He said and motioned to the diaper bag. I chuckled and nodded as I set the bag down on the table.

"Yes and its Uncle Seth's job to make sure that Alex isn't cuddled to death." I said while trying to keep a stern look on my face. It obviously didn't work as Seth laughed at me. I said good-bye to Seth and shouted my good-bye to Sue before leaving. When I got back Leah was ready and waiting on the couch. I leaned down and gave her a kiss before heading toward the stairs.