In Another Life: Book Two - Taming the Beast

Chapter Ten: Down the Rabbit Hole

* Content Warning: Strong Sexual Situations with some Explicit details. Discussions of Suicide, Murder, Abuse and descriptions of Neglect and Poor Living Conditions. *

La Push - February 7th

Eliza clutched Leah's hand tightly, staring down at the gravestones of half a dozen names that were painfully familiar. Susan Clearwater, Harry Clearwater, William Black, Abigail Black... Seth Clearwater, Jacob Black and Leah Clearwater. It was a strange thing to look down at the name of her lover in stark bold lines carved in granite, giving her a twinge of grief regardless of the hand resting in hers.

"We had to fake our deaths, technically I'm my great grand-daughter. The community knows, but they don't really acknowledge it openly. Mind if I talk to my parents?" Leah felt a bit awkward doing her usual conversation in front of Eliza.

"Mind, I would be upset if you didn't." Eliza nudged Leah forward with a playful grin. Leah gave her a grateful look and then knelt down in front of her parent's grave.

"Hey mom, hey dad. I know it's been awhile, but I have some news. I finally met her, yes I know neither of you will be surprised that I fell for a woman. Her name is Eliza, short for Elizabeth Renee Swan. Yes, I'm involved with the Swan family, can you believe it? Charlie is alive, and he promised to come visit all of you soon. Isabella not only survived, but she has a daughter. Actually two of them. Brianna just joined the family, and she's lovely. Michelle imprinted on her, I know Billy that has to be a surprise. Your granddaughter is in love with a Swan girl, it's just unprecedented." Leah chuckled slightly at her own sarcasm, before it turned quickly into soft sobs.

"Eliza is wonderful. Her past sucks beyond the telling of it, but somehow she's just beautiful in every way. She makes me laugh, lets me be a geek again, like I was with you dad. I know you would love her as much as I do. There is one thing, she's a vampire. I know, I still don't understand how it works. But I don't care, because I'm so happy. I spent so long alone, I never thought this would happen. I... I wanted to introduce you to her. She's just behind me." Leah looked back to find Eliza wiping away tears, she sniffled and smiled and stepped forward to kneel next to Leah.

"Mom, dad, Billy, Abby this is Eliza, the love of my life." Leah's voice was shaking with nerves and joy, but also a real sense of sadness remembering how important these people were to her.

"Hello all of you. I have these strong memories from mom. It's a thing, don't ask. But I can see all of your faces, except for you Abigail. No matter, it's a strange thing to sit here so many years later. It feels like we were robbed of decades of happiness, but I'm here now. I promise to never hurt Leah, and I will always strive to protect Michelle. They are family, and so are all of you. Billy, I wanted to thank you for helping look after my mom. The gesture meant so much to us over the years. Jacob and the pack did their best, so there are no grudges, no hurt feelings. I also wanted to say that Leah makes me feel normal and loved. She cares about the things I care about without pretense, and I'm... wow this is hard." Eliza stopped and looked over into Leah's eyes. "I am powerfully and completely in love with her. With you. I know it's fast, but I've never been so sure of something in my life." She turned back towards the stone, "she's also one of the most competent and courageous women I've ever met, and I know she will be an amazing pack leader should Jacob ever retire. You would all be so proud of her."

Eliza turned towards Leah who was trying to stay quiet while tears were streaming down her face, a look of awe and love in her eyes. Leah stared into Eliza's eyes for several long seconds trying to process what she just heard. She wasn't just stunned, she was starting to lose control of her entire sense of self. The person who meant everything to her, had just told her the thing she most desired above all. It wasn't just euphoric to hear, it was foundational. Her world split apart, the sky seemed to be shining brighter suddenly, and everything she knew focused on those beautiful purple eyes. She leaned forward and they kissed deeply and passionately, until they heard other people approaching the main gate. They stood then, and both waved at the stones before heading towards Leah's house.