Edited 9/2/2022

Chapter Twenty, Bonfire

"Are you sure you're going to be alright?" Jasper asked concerned, pulling Valerie on to his lap as they watched Jace play with his toys in the living room. Valerie turned around on his lap so her legs were spread out over the sofa, placing a soft hand on his cheek and looking at him sternly.
"Jasper, we have been fine at the Rez up till now and from now we will continue to be fine. They are my pack," Valerie said sternly, but it was lessened by her thumb rubbing against his cheekbone softly.
"You're right I'm sorry, my love." Jasper apologised, pressing a sweet kiss to her lips.
"You have nothing to be sorry for Jasper." Valerie assured, kissing him softly.

It was now the weekend after what seemed like an extremely long week, and Jace and Valerie were going to the Rez for a bonfire tonight while Jasper and the others went hunting. Today Valerie had decided on a grey T-shirt, black leggings, grey boots, a black and white scarf, a black leather jacket and her hair was in a ponytail with a fishtail braid running through it  she had decided on light makeup consisting of eye liner and mascara. Jace was wearing an army print tracksuit, white socks, black and orange trainers with Scooby-Doo on them, a white bobble hat and his black coat with mittens attached. Whereas, Jasper was wearing a black and white T-shirt, black jeans and white trainers which he deemed as his hunting clothes.

Jasper and Valerie got on the floor with Jace and started playing peek-a-bo with him. Throwing a blanket over his head Jasper and Valerie pretended to gasp and look around for him.
"Dada, where's Jace?" Valerie asked, smiling as he giggled.
"I don't know Mama." Jasper replied, a smile on his face as well. We gasped when he pulled the blanket off.
"There he is." They cried, kissing him, making Jace smile and giggle. They continued the game for a while, all three of them laughing, as Jasper and Valerie enjoyed the sound of Jace's laughter. Until he got bored after a while and went back to his toys, so Jasper and Valerie sat back on the sofa.

"When is Jacob picking you up?" Jasper asked, wrapping his arms around Valerie's waist while kissing down her neck to her shoulder.
"He should be here soon." Valerie replied, looking up at the clock.
"Mama. Dada. Boat." Jace said, toddling over to his parents showing them his musical boat.
"That's right Jace, well done my clever boy." Valerie praised, a wide smile on her face as she leaned down to kiss his forehead getting a wide smile in return.
"Well done my Prince." Jasper praised, kissing his fingers then pressing them to his nose making him giggle before he was back off to his toys.
"He's coming along so well." Valerie said happily.
"Of course he is. He's amazing just like his mother." Jasper stated, pride evident in his voice.

Overcome with love for my fiancé Valerie turned sideways on his lap again, placing a hand on his cheek and kissed him passionately.
"I love you so much Jasper." Valerie said against his lips.
"I love you so much too Val." Jasper said, pressing another kiss to my lips when the doorbell rang. Groaning Valerie climbed off Jasper who went to answer the door while Valerie got Jace ready.
"Jace, baby come to Mama." Valerie said, kneeling on the ground holding her arms out to him. Jace smiled and toddled over to his mother but not before stopping to pick up his wolf cuddly toy.

"Good boy, baby." Valerie praised, kissing his forehead and getting a wet kiss from Jace in return as she put his coat and hat on. Tucking his hands into the mittens before handing him the wolf back. "I'll be with you in a minute Jake." Valerie said, looking over her shoulder where Jake and Jasper stood talking.
"No worries, everything is already in my car." Jake assured, smiling in thanks to both of them Valerie zipped up Jace's coat before putting her leather jacket on then picking Jace up.
"Say hello to Uncle Jake, Jace." Valerie said, but Jace just raised his hand before burying his head in Valerie's shoulder going all shy making them laugh.

"Come give Dada a goodbye kiss lil' wolf and I'll see you later." Jasper said, taking Jace into his arms kissing all over his face making him giggle before he gave him a wet kiss but like me, Jasper didn't care.
"Dada." Jace smiled happily.
"Be good for your Mama now lil' wolf." Jasper said sternly, kissing Jace's forehead as we walked outside to Jake's car.
"He's really good with Jace and for you." Jake said happily, as the pair watched Jasper strap Jace into his car seat.
"Yeah he is." Valerie agreed happily. "He loves Jace so much, I couldn't wish for a better father for him, and I know Jason would be happy his son has someone who loves him and would go to the ends of the earth for him like he would've."

"He loves you just as much too, you know." Jake answered. "He treats you exactly like Sam treats Emily and I'm glad. I'm glad you have someone good in your life Val."
"Thanks Jake." Valerie said, hugging him when Jasper walked over to them.
"I do Val. I love you so much. I would give you the world if I could, and the same goes for Jace." Jasper insisted, as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"I know." Valerie assured, wrapping her arms around his neck and pecking his lips. "And I would give you the world too Jasper. I love you."
"I love you too. Have fun and I'll see you tonight." Jasper said, kissing Val one more time before they all got into their designated cars.

"I was thinking, we could take Jace to the beach for a bit before the bonfire tonight. We won't stay there long obviously, but just to show it to him now that he's a bit older." Jake said hesitantly, as he drove towards the Rez.
"That sounds great Jake." Valerie said happily.
Arriving at the beach they saw everyone was there except for Sam and Emily who were likely setting up for tonight.
"Jake, can you help me please?" Val asked, when the wheels of the buggy got stuck in the sand. Once they finally reached the others Valerie noticed that a picnic had been set up for lunch.
"Hey guys." Valerie called happily, immediately being swarmed into a group hug by everyone.

Once Jace was back in Valerie's arms, after being hugged by everyone after Jake took him out of the buggy, Valerie could finally give him some lunch. He didn't really think much of the sand, he didn't like the feel of it.
"Right, let's get you some lunch baby." Valerie said, rubbing her nose against Jace's earning cheerful giggles as we sat on the blanket. Jace between Valerie's legs. "So, Quil, Cara How're things going?" Valerie asked feeding Jace his sandwich, a banana and a beaker of water.
"They're going great." Quil and Cara said together, smiling at each other.

"That's great I'm so happy for the pair of you." Valerie said happily. "Jake, Angela is coming tonight right?"
"Yeah she's coming a bit later. Had to help her Mum with something." Jake said, a goofy grin on his face.
"What's the matter Leah?" Valerie asked, when her best friend was just sitting there silently with a thoughtful look on her face.
"Mama. Nana." Jace said, pointing to the banana.
"Okay my love." Valerie laughed, feeding him the banana, looking up briefly to give Leah her full attention.
"I'm sorry." Leah apologised.
"What're you sorry for?" Valerie asked confused, but then she noticed the subtle glance from her to Jace and it clicked.

The wolf inside her growled causing Valerie's eyes to turn yellow for a moment before she took a deep breath and calmed down.
"You imprinted on my son?" Valerie asked, ceasing all conversations.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you when it first happened but all I feel for him is his protection, nothing else." Leah begged her best friend to believe and understand her.
"I know I'm sorry my eyes went golden. It's a mother wolf thing. He's my cub which comes with a boat load of instincts." Valerie laughed, smiling when Leah hugged her.
"So we're good?" Leah asked hopefully.
"We're good, so will Jasper. I'm just glad he's got someone to protect him if anything happens to me." Valerie said softly.
"Hey!" Paul shouted. "Nothing is going to happen to you Val. None of us would let it."

***

Arriving back on the Rez as it was getting dark now, there was to be a barbecue and a bonfire. Valerie helped Jace eat the sausages for his dinner once they'd cooled down and some milk in his beaker, changed his nappy again in Sue's house, before joining the others outside once more. Valerie covered Jace with a thick blanket as he started to drift off in the buggy, lulled to sleep by a full stomach, the warmth of the fire, his blanket, and the motion of his mother pushing the buggy back and forth.
"Val, come sit over here." Leah called patting the open spot between her and Seth on the log, Cara was besides Leah with Qui next to her.

Pushing Jace over, Valerie sat herself between them and brought Jace just slightly in front of Leah and herself.
"Here, I got you a burger before Paul ate them all." Leah said, handing her friend a chicken burger.
"Hey! I heard that!" Paul shouted, from across the bonfire glaring at them as everyone who heard laughed.
"And I got you a drink." Seth added, holding out a Diet Coke can.
"Thank you." Valerie said gratefully, taking the food and drink from them.

Not too long after Billy started the story.
"The Quieleutes have been a small tribe from the beginning." Billy started. "But we have always had magic in our blood. We were great spirit warriors, shape-shifters that transformed into the powerful wolf. But we were different from the powerful wolves bound by the moon. This enabled us to scare off our enemies, and protect our tribe."

The wind suddenly picked up causing Valerie to shiver and her teeth start to shiver.
"Are you cold?" Leah asked. Valerie could only nod her head as her teeth were chattering.
"I got it." Seth said, holding his arm out. "Have a cuddle Val, you'll get warm again, your Highness." Seth joked, making Valerie laugh.
"Why thank you kind Sir. But first, Lee, can you pick Jace up and cuddle him? If I'm cold he must be. And I don't want him to be, even with him covered in his blanket." Valerie asked.
"Sure Val." Leah said, unbuckling Jace and gently picking him up, making sure not to wake him and keeping his blanket around him.

Once Jace was in Leah's arms, and Valerie was cuddled with Seth to warm up, they turned fully back into history.
"One day, our warriors came across a creature." Billy continued. "It looked like a man, but it was hard like stone and cold as ice. Our warriors' sharp teeth finally tore it apart, but only fire would completely destroy it." Billy explained the story coming to life in Valerie's mind. "They lived in fear that the cold man was not alone. And they were right. She took her vengeance out on the village. Our elder chief, Taha Aki, was the only spirit warrior left to save the tribe after his son was killed. Taha Aki's third wife could see that he would lose." Billy continued.

"The third wife was no magical being, with no special powers but one, courage. The third wife's sacrifice distracted the cold woman long enough for Taha Aki to destroy her; she saved the tribe. Over time, our enemies have disappeared. But one remains, the cold ones. Our magic awakens when they're near, and we sense it now. We feel the threat in our blood. Something terrible is coming, because of Bella being unable to accept what it is and unable to accept the truth. But we must be ready, ready to protect Valerie and Jace who are our family. Our pack as she is a True Alpha. We must all be ready." Billy finished.

"Don't worry Valerie, we'll protect you both." Old Quil assured the blonde from behind his large glasses, a kind smile upon his face.
"Thank you." Valerie said softly. Looking at Jace who was fast asleep in Leah's arms. "I really should get Jace to bed. Thank you for telling me everything uncle Billy."
"You don't need to thank us Val, you're both family, you're a high ranking member in the pack. Paul, Embry take them home and stay there if Jasper is not back. Jacob you better get Angela home too." Billy ordered. After saying her goodbyes, Valerie followed Paul and Embry to Paul's car. Smiling as Embry double checked he'd strapped Jace in properly, before climbing in the back with him. While Paul put the buggy in the boot and Valerie sat in the front after checking the straps and assuring Embry he did them perfectly. It's been a long day and Valerie was looking forward to her bed.

***

Pulling into the driveway Valerie noticed both her Dad and Jasper were back.
"Jasper may be back but we'll stay out here tonight." Paul told his friend.
"Okay, thank you for today." Valerie said, hugging both of them as they helped Jace and Valerie inside. Jasper came to the door as soon as she opened it.
"Thank you Paul, Embry." Jasper said gratefully, wrapping his arms around his mate and kissing her temple lovingly as Paul dropped the folded buggy in the hallway.

"No worries. We love them too." Paul brushed off.
"We'll be outside tonight." Embry said, as he and Paul said goodbye to Jace before handing him to Jasper who took him out of his car seat so they could cuddle while Valerie said goodbye. Once they left Jasper kissed Valerie passionately then took Jace upstairs to bed, and some quality time. Valerie spoke to her Dad and caught up as they haven't had a chance to in a while. After a while, Charlie and Valerie said goodnight and went to bed themselves as her Dad had another early start.
"I missed you today my darlin'." Jasper said, pulling Valerie into his arms after she had changed into her pyjamas and got into bed.

"And I kissed you too." Valerie said, reaching up to kiss him, which he happily returned.
"Did you have a good time at the Rez?" Jasper asked, once they pulled back.
"We had a great time, but Jace doesn't like the feel of the sand, and Leah imprinted on him." Valerie told him which made us both laugh, after which, they had a long conversation on imprinting. "Did Jace go down alright? How was hunting?"
"He woke up while I changed him , and grumbled at me before going back to sleep. He likes his sleep, just like his mother." Jasper laughed, Valerie smacked his chest glaring at him, but a small smile played on her lips.
"He's fine now, and no one's gone into his room, don't worry." Jasper assured, kissing her forehead, easily putting Valerie at ease and relieving her fears as he motioned to ears and the baby monitor on the bedside table.

"Hunting went well my darlin', but of course Emmett turned it into a competition." Jasper continued.
"Of course." Valerie laughed. "Did you win?"
"Of course I did." Jasper said indignantly. "You doubted me huh, my darlin'?" Jasper asked, as he started tickling Valerie, making her scream with laughter as Jasper laughed.
"J-Jasper I-I'm sorry." Valerie laughed squirming to get away from his fingers.
"Hmm. I think I'll forgive you...this time. My darlin'." Jasper said, tickling her once more he stopped. He pressed a kiss to Valerie's forehead before they settled back down under the covers cuddling together.

"Goodnight my Jasper." Valerie said, through a yawn pressing a kiss to the underside of his jaw. "I love you babe."
"Goodnight my Wolf. I love you too, my love." Jasper said, kissing her forehead as they snuggled. Jasper ran his fingers through Valerie's hair lulling her to sleep.