chapter┊ ✦. :: thirty four
♡ ﹙jacob black﹚ ❋ ˚ ݂ ꛒ

Lydia had to stay in the house with Esme while the rest of the family went in search of their acquaintances. Seth and Leah were the ones who spent the most time at the residence. They had made an agreement with the wolves and took turns standing guard outside the house, although it was young Seth who never left.

The two women were in the living room while Maven played on the carpet with some of the toys they had been given. Lydia held a cup of tea, although her gaze was distant, and the liquid had long since cooled.

"Everything will be fine, Lydia," Esme's voice came, and Lydia turned to look at her. She smiled a little, setting the cup aside.

"It's something I still can't fully believe. I really don't understand why Bella did this."

"I don't think any of us do," Esme sounded sad. "We've tried to find all possible answers... but we don't understand."

"You know... I'd like to talk to Jacob. Since we saw him at the wedding, I haven't heard anything from him."

"I think that's a good idea. Maybe Seth can go with you."

She nodded with a small smile. "Maybe he'd like to meet Maven. That would be a good excuse."

Esme let out a small laugh. "I'll pack a plate of cookies for you to take. If getting to know Maven doesn't work, maybe some cookies will."

"Thank you, Esme."

Just fifteen minutes later, Lydia was behind the wheel with Maven and Seth in the back seats.

"These cookies are delicious," Seth said with his mouth half full.

Lydia glanced at him in the rearview mirror with a smile. "I'm glad you like them, but don't eat them all now, leave some for the others."

"Me? It's Maven who's devouring them all."

She then looked at the child in his safety seat, who also had a cookie in his mouth, and frowned at Seth, who he threw a rattle to.

"Kids, I don't want you fighting," Lydia spoke to them aloud.

"I'm sorry," said Seth. And at the same time, a small squeak came from Maven.

"Well, we've arrived."

Lydia stopped the car in front of the Black's beautiful house and got out to immediately take her son. Seth was in charge of carrying the plate of cookies, although under the watchful eye of the girl to make sure he didn't eat them all.

Once in front of the house, she knocked a couple of times with her knuckles and waited a moment. She smiled to see Billy, who seemed surprised but also smiled.

"Hello, Billy. I'm looking for Jacob."

The man looked at her intently, then at the baby, and finally at Seth.

"We brought cookies," Seth showed Billy the plate.

"He hasn't wanted to leave his room," the man finally spoke. "Come in. If he wants to talk to you, I have no problem."

He stepped aside, letting the three of them in. Seth pointed out to Lydia which room was Jacob's, but the boy stayed behind. Right now, it was probably best to let the two of them talk alone.

Lydia sighed and adjusted Maven in her arm before knocking on the door. There was no answer, so she tried again.

"Jake, it's Lydia. Please open."

No response.

"I understand how you feel, but you can't stay there forever," she sighed. "I don't know if Sam or any of the guys told you... but we had news from Bella."

It was as if she had said the magic words because the door opened. There was Jacob with swollen eyes and a trace of uneven beard.

"What do you know about her?" Although he was looking at her, it seemed like his mind was elsewhere.

"I'm sorry, Jacob. But it's not good news," she frowned. "God, when was the last time you took a shower?"

The man smiled faintly. "The day of the wedding."

"It's been months, Jacob. Come on, go take a shower, and then you can have some cookies. Then I'll tell you everything."

He looked at her without any particular expression.

"Lydia..."

"No, none of that. Go now, or I'll take you to the bathroom myself."

He raised his hands. "I understand. I'll be right back."

"By the way... I think the last time you saw Maven was when he was newly born."

The baby reacted to the mention of his name and let out a laugh. Jacob took his little hand and moved it a bit.

"He's grown quite a bit."

"That's right," she smiled. "Now go take a bath. There are many things you need to know."

It was almost an hour later when Jacob appeared in the small living room of his home, bathed and in clean clothes. He still looked tired and somewhat down, but it was a big step for everyone. He took a seat on one of the armchairs and took the plate of cookies from Seth to

start eating them. Seth was about to complain, but remembered he had already eaten more than half.

"So, what's up?" he looked at Lydia and Seth alternately. "What do you know about Bella?"

Lydia looked at Seth, who stood up and took Maven to take a walk outside. Billy Black had left almost twenty minutes earlier.

"I'll be back in an hour. I'll show Maven some new places in the reservation."

"Thank you, Seth. Don't come back too late; Maven needs to eat."

"Understood, boss."

Lydia smiled and kissed her son's forehead before Seth took him outside. Then her attention turned to Jacob. It was as if the atmosphere had suddenly become tense.

"Jacob, I need you to listen to me to the end and not interrupt me. You may not like what I'm about to say."

"I understand," he frowned. He seemed worried.

Lydia took her time to tell him everything that had happened. At least as much as she remembered along with some small details that might be of interest to Jacob. The man seemed incredulous at Lydia's words. But as promised, he didn't say anything.

"Right now, the Cullens are looking for people to help us with the cause. Carlisle doesn't want us to have any kind of confrontation with the Volturi and believes that through dialogue everything can be resolved. But... this time I don't think it will happen that way. From what I know, Aro really wants the angel's blood, and if I'm honest, I'm terrified that something will happen to Maven. No one knows this, but in an extreme case... I would offer myself in exchange for them leaving my son alone," she looked firmly at the floor.

Jacob took her hand. "I have no idea what's going through Bella's head right now. But I promise you that you and your family will be safe. We won't let anyone hurt you."

She smiled a little. "Thank you, Jake."

She didn't love the fact that she had heard that phrase thousands of times in the last month. It was as if they expected everything to go wrong but were willing to give words of support.

The man settled on the couch and started eating the last cookie from the plate. "Now that you mention it... I hadn't thought about it because my mind was in another world. But Bella was very obsessed with stopping aging. She really seemed terrified of getting... old."

"It's likely that Bella went to Aro to get the immortality she so desires. And she sold us out for that. Edward also mentioned that detail about her age. She never liked being told she looked older."

Jacob nodded. "And... do you know anything about the baby?"

This time Lydia took Jacob's hand. "I'm sorry, Jake. I don't know anything about it, and Alice says she can't see clearly. As if there were interference. Although we believe that's good, it means she still has the baby."

He nodded sadly. "I know I made a mistake... but I really never thought things would turn out this way."

"No one did, Jake. It took all of us by complete surprise."

It was then that Seth and Maven returned. Maven was deeply asleep in the boy's arms, and Lydia stood up. "I hope next time you let me carry him," Jacob also stood up.

"Of course," she smiled as she took her son. "Maybe you should come by the Cullen house from time to time. Esme and I will be alone for a few weeks; it would be nice to have your company."

"Sure."

He looked at Seth. "Thank you, Seth. I'll tell Esme to make you a plate of cookies just for you."

Seth smiled, showing his teeth. "Thank you, Lydia. And don't worry, I'll follow you from the forest."

"Good."

She said goodbye to Jacob with a nod and finally left the house. She settled Maven in his seat, and before starting the car, she saw Seth transforming into a wolf. Just as he promised, he accompanied them until they were home with Esme.

And Lydia didn't forget to ask Esme to make a big plate of cookies just for Seth. He really appreciated it.

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