Enchanted | Jacob Black

twenty-three

The kitchen of Sam and Emily's house was packed with warmth, the kind that came from both a working oven and a full house. Laughter bounced off the walls, and the smell of Emily's chocolate cake filled the air. Someone turned off the lights, and a chorus of off-key voices started in unison.

"Happy birthday to you..."

Jake stood in front of the cake, grinning awkwardly as everyone surrounded him, some singing with enthusiasm, others barely mumbling. Quil sang the loudest and the worst.

I caught Leah standing toward the back, a genuine smile on her face, with Peter's arm casually draped around over her shoulders. It was still a little surreal to see her like that. So relaxed and happy. Everyone had noticed the change in her the past few months. Peter brought out a side of Leah that most of us hadn't seen in a while. She laughed more. She didn't seem so weighed down all the time. We were all happy for her.

The Cullens had left in September after an official meeting with Sam and the elders. They adjusted the treaty and agreed to stay away much longer this time. They promised that if they ever did return to Washington, they'd settle somewhere further from the reservation and would once again contact one of the elders to confirm. And since then, life has been good.

The pack still patrolled from time to time. After that encounter with Irina at Bella's wedding, no one felt ready to stop completely. But it wasn't like it used to be when every night felt like they were hunting someone down. Sam figured they'd keep it up until each of them decided it was time to move on for good.

Like Leah. She was planning to move to Seattle with Peter next month while he finished his last year of college. I hoped it would be Jake and me by next fall, too. Living in Seattle and beginning a new life. I had been accepted into Seattle University through early decision, and even though I encouraged Jake to apply to some universities, he'd decided that wasn't for him. Instead, he planned to start an automotive program that would help him improve his mechanic skills so he could keep fixing cars, the thing he loved most after me, or so he claimed.

That was still a few months away, right now it was still January, and today was Jake's birthday.

"Make a wish, Jake!" Seth called out just as the song ended, and everyone clapped.

Jake looked around at everyone, the people he considered his family, then down at the candle burning on top of the cake Emily had frosted with Happy 18th, Jake! in blue icing. His eyes glanced over to me, and I smiled.

He leaned in and blew out the candle in one smooth breath, and the room erupted in cheers and applause

"What'd you wish for?" Seth asked, elbowing him with a grin.

Jake shrugged casually, slipping an arm around my waist. "Don't need to wish for anything when my biggest wish already came true the day Harper became mine."

A chorus of groans immediately followed.

"Gross!"

"We get it, you're in love!"

"Get a room!" Quil fake gagged.

"You guys are so cute." Kim giggled.

Even Leah let out a sarcastic snort, muttering something about how corny he was. Funny, coming from a girl who was madly in love with the man by her side.

Jake laughed and turned to look at me.

Jake just laughed and turned his grin to me. My face was already burning, but I couldn't help it; I leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek anyway.

Later, as I sat on the arm of the couch, the paper plate balanced in my hand. I picked at my slice of cake and glanced across the room, catching sight of Jake laughing with Quil and Jared, already telling some story based on the way his hands were moving around.