Chapter 30

"Jackson, how many times do I have to tell you NOT to cliff dive?"

"Aww mom!" Jackson grumbled, pressing his lips together, pouting. "You know I can't help it! It's fun!"

Desiree sighed, staring down at her beautiful little boy, knowing she was being overprotective, but being a first time mother, she had every right to be. Jackson was turning thirteen very shortly, she still couldn't believe how fast the years passed by. It was only yesterday she was screaming bloody murder in the delivery room at the local hospital.

Jackson was nearly the spitting image of his father, except his eyes, which were a deep jade green that mirrored his mother's. Black hair, green eyes and russet skin with a muscular build, even though Desiree refused to acknowledge he was growing up. He also had Jacob's intense thirst for adventure and to defy authority, especially when it came to Desiree.

"I don't care if it's fun or not, Jackson Black, you are not allowed to cliff dive. Now go to your room and think about it." Desiree ordered, sounding exhausted, and watched as her son stomped his way inside the house.

Sometimes Desiree wondered why she had a son, who put her through so much hell over little things, like cliff diving. She and Jacob had been fighting about it a lot lately, especially since Jackson was getting to that age where the gene could kick in at any moment. Desiree didn't want it to happen, didn't want her little boy to be subjected to that kind of life of being a protector, but deep down knew it was inevitable.

Jackson was her little boy and that's the way it would always stay.

"Jacks…" She whispered, standing up from the chair outside, and walked into the house to start dinner.

Jacob would be home shortly, having gone on a quick patrol run of the area with Sam and Jared. Desiree decided to make her famous chicken casserole, something simple since she was exhausted from dealing with Jackson all day. Sometimes being a mother was more exhausting than rewarding, though Desiree wouldn't have traded Jackson for anything in this world or the next.

A knock sounded on the door a few minutes later and Desiree smiled as Lacey's daughter, Kylie, walked inside with a big smile on her face. She was stunningly beautiful with deep blue eyes and black hair, looking more like Lacey than Jared. She did have Jared's qualities, especially when it came to her high pitched voice. Kylie was five months younger than Jackson, but they were best friends and did nearly everything together.

"Hey Ky." Desiree greeted, folding her arms in front of her chest, already knowing what Kylie wanted to know. "He's not coming out."

"Aww please Mrs. Black? Pretty please? I promise I won't let him cliff dive." Kylie begged with those big blue puppy dog eyes, clasping her hands tightly together.

Desiree eyed her suspiciously, tapping the spoon against her jaw. "So you've been cliff diving too?" She asked, watching Kylie nod with a grin that reminded her too much of Jared. "Your mother allows that?"

"Of course! She knows we're safe when we do it and we make sure there's no big swell coming in." Kylie walked over and sat on the couch, wearing blue jean shorts with a deep red tank top and brown sandals, her hair pulled back in a braid. "But we won't do that, I promise Mrs. Black."

"Let them go." A deep baritone sounded from behind, causing Kylie to squeal with excitement as she jumped up from the couch and ran down the hall, calling Jackson's name.

Desiree turned around, eyes narrowed at her gorgeous husband, rolling her eyes. "Thanks." She snorted, stepping away from him when he tried wrapping his arms around her, going to check on dinner.

"What is the big damn deal, Des?" Jacob growled in annoyance, looking exactly as he did thirteen years ago, though his body had hardened and matured. "They're kids, let them have fun."

"The big damn deal is your son was cliff diving again!" Desiree spat, watching Jacob shrug his shoulders nonchalantly, wanting to poke his eyes out with the nearby fork. "When are you going to realize you take life too much for granted, Jacob?"

"When are you going to realize you're being too damn overprotective of the boy?" Jacob shot back, already knowing his son would eventually become a shape shifter due to the gene and the fact vampires still lived in the area.

"No I'm not."

"Yes you are, Desiree." Jacob stood up, walking over to stand behind her. "I know you love him and you're trying to protect him, but the boy is going to become a-"

"Don't say it." She whispered almost painfully, shaking her head, gripping the granite counter tightly. "Please."

Jacob blinked, taking a step back, seeing how tense his wife was. "Why?" He murmured, folding his massive arms in front of his chest. "Why are you so afraid of him becoming what I am?"

"Because it's dangerous and I want him to be normal." Desiree couldn't look at Jacob, swallowing past the lump in her throat, suddenly not hungry anymore.

"So you're ashamed of what I am?" Jacob looked hurt, dark eyes narrowing to slits, and grabbed her arm as he spun her around to face him. "Huh? Is that what this is about?"

Desiree could feel the tears stinging her eyes, chewing her bottom lip. "No, that's not it." She felt him lift her chin with his strong hand, feeling huge tears slide down her cheeks.

"Then what is it?" Jacob whispered huskily, bending down to kiss away her tears, trying to ease the fears she felt as much as he could. "You know he was never destined to be normal, Des. Hell, even Kylie is starting to show signs."

"She is?" Desiree wondered how Lacey was dealing with this and buried her face in Jacob's chest, trying to take deep breaths.

"Lacey already knew it was going to happen simply because the gene is that powerful and doesn't skip generations." Jacob murmured, trying to soothe his wife, and guided her out of the kitchen into the living room. They still lived in the same shack, though they added a few additions to it over the years.

"Bye mom, I'm going over to Kylie's!" Jackson called over his shoulder, running after a giggling Kylie.

Jacob just nodded at his son, deciding he needed some time alone with Desiree to talk about this. He had to make her understand what was happening wasn't as bad as she was making it out to be. Desiree pursed her lips tightly together, not wanting her son to go out because she'd sent him to his room for defying her.

Once again, her authority was being overridden by Jacob.

"He's supposed to be in trouble." She grumbled, wiping the tears away hastily.

"For what?" Jacob asked, raising a slow eyebrow, and chuckled when Desiree told him about the cliff diving. "You're gonna have to get over that too because all the kids are doing it, even Emily and Sam's kid Nathan."

"I don't CARE about the other kids, Jake! I only care about MINE." Desiree snapped, standing up from the couch and gasped when Jacob pulled her back down.

Jacob was trying to keep his temper in check, knowing it wouldn't help matters any if he snapped and phased. "Listen to me, Des, you can't protect him always. He's turning into a teenager and the more you tell him NOT to do something, the more he's going to do it." He sighed, releasing her, raking hands through his short black hair.

"So just because he's turning thirteen, we should stop being parents?"

"No, no that's not what I'm saying." Jacob growled, standing up from the couch, walking into the kitchen to turn the stove off. "Look, cliff diving is a recreational thing all the kids do around here. Hell, the pack even does it once in a while just for the adrenaline rush. You don't see Emily and Lacey berating their kids for doing it, do you? Do you know why that is?"

"I'm sure you're gonna tell me." Desiree snorted, not liking this attitude from Jacob, folding her arms in front of her chest.

Jacob opened his mouth and immediately closed it, deciding it just wasn't worth it anymore. He would never get through to his wife about their way of life on La Push and was fed up with her attitude. "Forget it, I'm going out for awhile." He peeled his shirt off while walking down the hallway, just needing to get out of the house.

He wasn't going to walk away from her, not again. Desiree was in hot pursuit and slammed the bedroom door shut, locking both of them inside. "Why are you constantly running away from me when things get a little damn real around here?" She demanded, holding her left hand up that had a sparkling diamond ring on it. "We are supposed to be MARRIED, Jacob, not constantly apart and fighting about what's right for our son!"

"I run away because you refuse to listen to what I have to say!" Jacob snapped, stepping back, holding his hands up as he could already feel the anger lighting his tendons. "I run away because, no matter what I say or do, you refuse to acknowledge that Jackson is not a baby anymore. He's growing up and changing and there's nothing wrong with that! You have to stop being overprotective of him and just allow him to be a damn kid! Cliff diving is NOT dangerous because the kids are careful and smart about it, whether you want to believe THAT or not!"

Tears slid down her cheeks as Desiree slumped on the floor, holding her head in her hands, rocking back and forth. "I don't want him to grow up." She whispered, feeling as though her heart was constricting painfully in her chest. "He's just a boy and he's going through too many changes…I'm scared for him, Jake. I'm scared for what's going to happen when he finally does phase for the first time. I can't help wanting to protect him and keep him safe…"

Jacob sighed heavily, the anger draining from his body, and walked over to kneel beside his wife. No matter how many fights they got into, he would always love her no matter what. "You can't stop what's going to happen, Des." He whispered, pulling her trembling form into his lap, running his fingers through her hair. "I know you're scared. Hell, I am too." He admitted, their eyes locking. "But I also know that I wouldn't trade being a protector of the Quileute Tribe for anything."

"I've been foolish haven't I?" Desiree whispered, wiping her tears away, and elbowed Jacob when he chuckled. "Stop laughing at me."

"I can't help it, sweetheart, you're too funny sometimes." Jacob stood up with her in his arms, carrying her over to the bed, and kissed her lips softly. "I will never let anything happen to you or Jackson. You two are everything to me."

"I know." Desiree whispered, staring into his deep dark eyes, and wrapped her arms around his neck tightly. "I love you so much Jake."

"I know." Jacob replied, smirking when she scoffed, and climbed into bed as he slid against her. "I love you too."

Her eyes closed as Jacob spooned against her, instantly melting into his touch. It didn't matter if they'd been married fifty years, the way this man made her feel was still the same as when they first met. How he saved her from that newborn vampire and tried lying about it to cover up the supernatural world Forks and La Push had.

Desiree wouldn't have traded it for anything in the world though, not one single second, not even when she'd been kidnapped by the Denali. It proved how much Jacob really loved her and would do anything to protect her from harm, including ripping a vampire to pieces. The Cullens were the only exception to the rule and Desiree frequently visited to spend time with her cousin Bella. They were currently planning Seth and Renesmee's wedding, which Desiree thought was too adorable.

The pack didn't see it that way, but all that mattered was they were happy.

All thoughts vanished when Jacob's lips descended on his wife's neck, suckling gently, his hand sliding down her smooth flat stomach. Desiree instantly gave in, not even putting up a fight, because it'd been too long since they last made love. Jackson took up most of their time and Jacob was constantly in training to become the new alpha of the pack. Sam wanted to step down so he could spend more time at home with Emily and Nathan.

"Jake…"

"Des…"

Hours later, Jackson came flying through the door, short of breath, having heard his dad's howl. He knew it anywhere and wondered what his parents wanted. He saw both of them sitting on the couch together and groaned inwardly. This wasn't going to be fun at all.

"Okay what did I do now?" Jackson mumbled, trudging over, and gasped when his father planted him on his lap.

"You didn't do anything, Jacks." Desiree said in a soft voice, taking her son's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "We wanted to talk to you about some things."

"Like turning into a hairball and cliff diving." Jacob said, chuckling when Desiree elbowed him again. "You know that never hurts, baby."

Desiree rolled her eyes, refusing to acknowledge the nickname, even though she'd gotten used to it eventually. "I actually wanted to apologize for the way I've been acting. Jacks, I just want what's best for you. You're my only little boy, my only child, and I was being overprotective with you. I'm sorry." She could already feel the tears brim her green eyes and let a few slip down her cheeks, feeling her heart swell when Jackson wiped them away.

"It's okay mom." Jackson grinned boyishly, just like his father, groaning when Jacob ruffled his hair. "DAD!"

Jacob laughed wholeheartedly, pulling his family closer to him. "Sorry Jacks, you know I couldn't resist." He kissed the top of his son's head before his wife's, not believing how lucky he'd gotten in life.

"So what are ya saying exactly?" Jackson asked, somewhat confused with this conversation. "I can go cliff diving with Ky and Nat?"

"We're telling you to fly, Jacks. Fly as high as the sky will allow you and never back down from what you truly want." Desiree stated, closing her eyes as she leaned against her husband. "I won't hold you back anymore."

Jackson raised a slow eyebrow, wondering if his mother was on drugs or something, but decided against asking that question. "I'm going to my room. Night mom, dad." He kissed Desiree's cheek and bumped fist with Jacob before rushing off.

"So, did you fly when you first met me?" Jacob rumbled, his mouth right by her ear, smirking when he felt her do a full body shiver.

"Yeah and I'm still flying high, Jake."

They kissed each other's lips and decided to call it a night, not knowing what the future held, but both were prepared for virtually anything.

The End.