The Pack

Good Answer

Leah's POV

"Mom why on Earth would you do that? Seriously!" Today was supposed to be a day of peace. I finished all of my work for the month a lightning speed so that I could prepare for the upcoming events in my life. Jake had convinced me that we should throw a house warming party. I was against the idea because my house wasn't fully dressed. He put me in contact with someone of the interior designers he knew so that I could finally complete my home. However, I didn't like the idea of hiring someone to design my house so I simply asked them for some of the best furniture stores in the area. I felt that was my responsibility and it was one of the fun things in life I was entitled to. I enlisted the help of my mother and within the first hour she'd rocked my world to its very foundation.

"Because Emily and you used to be like sisters. Years have passed it's time to let go of your resentment," she uttered calmly but I still frowned. I knew that she felt this way but this was supposed to be a mother-daughter moment and Emily was going to ruin it. I was a little upset my mother saw this as an opportunity to try to mend fences. "Straighten your face she should be here in a few minutes she was right behind me. She said she had to get the baby situated and then they would be on their way."

"She's bringing the baby?" I asked and another ping of dread hit me. I tried not to let it show because I knew exactly what my mother would say. The baby, Eden, was innocent in all of this and I would agree with her. I had no hard feelings regarding the baby. I was only envious and a little bitter I couldn't have one.

"Yes, Sam has just regained employment thanks to Jacob. They are just restarting to build so they don't have the luxury of a babysitter," my mother explained dryly. Within a few moments there was a knock on my door. I opened the door determined to fake a look of happiness or at the very least indifferent to her being here.

"Hey Emily," I greeted her as I motioned for her to come in. She smiled brightly at me and lugged the baby carrier into my house. I already knew what my next article was going to be about, the biological clock. Emily looked around as she sat herself down on my couch.

"Wow this place looks even better from the inside!"

"I know that's why I bought it," I said cheerfully but I was being a bit of a smart ass. My mom cleared her throat and even though I was a grown woman it still affected me.

"So Leah, what all are we shopping for today?" Mom asked and I pulled out my phone. I had been working on a list and creating a budget as to how much I was willing to spend.

"My room is kind of set. I would like to get a different a different comforter something a little more unisex. I need to go ahead in dress the guest room too I suppose. I want to get a desk and everything in put it in there as well so the room will double as Jacob's office." I motioned to where I wanted it to go and pulled out the measuring tape to reaffirm the numbers I already had.

"Jacob, I still I can't believe it," Emily chuckled and I didn't say a word. I knew it would start an argument.

"Well we should probably get ready to go." I grabbed my purse off the bed and ruffled through my purse to get my keys.

"So what happened? Did he romance you once you came back and the two of you just fell in love?" Emily asked and I looked at her and my mother.

"Our story is personal and it caused me a lot of pain. I am just glad things are the way they are now," I surmised. "Can we go?"

Whoever said shopping was fun is a liar. We had gone to three stores and I was mentally exhausted. I had managed almost everything I needed to call my home complete. Now I all that was needed was décor. I wanted curtains, pictures and vases things that made the house seem lived in. My house seemed to be themed in lime green and sky blue. I don't know how it ended up that way but it just seemed to fit. I looked from one picture to the other. I had already picked three and I wanted on more for our bedroom. Our bedroom, it was odd to call it that. It was weird to see Jake's clothes mingled with mine. Our shoes both under the bed. His cologne and my perfume. All of a sudden I felt kind of bad. He knew I was doing all of this today but he should really be here too. It wasn't just my home anymore it was his and he should have an input on all this stuff too.

"I like the one on the left," someone murmured and they placed there chin on my shoulder.

"Jake," I turned quickly and hugged him tightly. He chuckled awkwardly and rubbed my back. I think he was confused by my uncharacteristically happy greeting. "I was just thinking about you," I explained at a whisper.

"That's a good thing," he declared. "What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking you should be here and I had a mild revelation. This is our house I shouldn't be doing this alone. I want your help and for you to be a part of this," I said bluntly and he took it in the most gushy way possible.

"Awww Pookie bear!" He teased as he wrapped me in one of his playful bear hugs and I whined and protested even though I really liked it. In our play I noticed my mom and cousin headed our way.

"I thought this was a mother-daughter thing?" Jake asked legitimately confused. He looked at my mom and then to me. I could tell he was checking for my temperament. I just gave him a little smile. My whole life has been one big awkward moment. Why should that stop now that he and I were together?

"Aunt Sue invited me. She thought it would be a good idea for all of us to bond again," Emily explained cheerfully.

"I thought you had to work?" Mom asked.

"I am working. Well, I'm on the way to another site but I saw Leah's car in the driveway and I decided to surprise you all. So … surprise!" He wrapped his arm around my waist and I looked up at him. I tried to fight the goofy grin that threatened to cover my face but it was a losing battle.

"It seems to me you two can't get enough of each other," my mom declared happily. I could truly tell she was elated to see us happy. Our being together and successful here meant she would still have family around for years.

"I remember young love. I remember the walks on the beach at night with Sam, he would look at me just the way Jake looks at you," Emily blurted out. She started to ramble on about more times she and Sam had together. Out of respect for my mother and Jacob I stood and listened. It was more than a little awkward and weird for her to think this was an appropriate conversation to be having with me. I looked up at Jacob and he looked at Emily with an odd frown on his face.

"You okay?" I asked him and he looked down at me and shared an uneasy smile.

"Yeah, I guess I should go." He waved at my mom and Emily. I followed behind him and I don't think he fully noticed I was there or at least he didn't acknowledge my presence until we got back to his truck.

"Does she do that often?" He asked before he turned back to view me. I crossed my arms and gave him a look that clearly told him I had no idea what he was talking about. "Rub Sam in your face?"

"Did she?" I snorted I hadn't even realized he'd been brought up.

"Yeah," he murmured his quiet annoyance.

"It doesn't matter Jake. Sam isn't the one that I harbored feelings for seven years. He's not the one I couldn't get over," I confessed and Jake bit his bottom lip to fit his grin.

"I like that answer," he said before he pulled on my shirt to pull me to him. He kissed my all too briefly with all the passion he could muster.

"I have to get back," he breathed once he released me. "See you back at the house." I nodded and watched as he drove off. I waved before heading back towards the store. Mom and Emily were all too intently watching at the window. It was good to know Jake gets jealous over me. I've never had a man behave that way.