A/N: Go Leah!! Okay so this is the official finale to Leah's happy ending. I really hope you liked it!! Comments welcome!!

Part Five

I never dreamed, after watching my life fall from grace in the singular blink of an eye, after the absolutely inhumane cruelty of the retribution of that fall, that my life, which had been so easily shattered to pieces, would come so quickly back together.

Of course, I mean "quickly" strictly in a comparative sense. I had anticipated that, if EVER my life could somehow be sewn back together, it would take decades (which, in reality, it had, and would have had it not been for Ian) simply to move to the point where I could even comprehend a life without the pain, and perhaps years after that to pull myself into some kind of respectable human being.

Now, though, time felt to be flying. It took mere minutes to lead Ian back to the house, where I disappeared briefly to phase back and to change into another of my hidden outfits, and mere minutes more to coach Ian through the process of cooling down and returning to human. After that, he'd met my family, or who essentially was my family now. I warned him, naturally, of the Cullens, and that they were not quite like the vampire he'd encountered before; it was an attempt to avoid a scene in which the shock of seeing so many instinctual enemies gathered to meet him would cause him to burst right back into wolf form again, hostility ensuing. He seemed to take this obstacle in stride, immediately able to converse politely with each of the Cullens. He was equally as ruffled by Edward's ability to constantly reply to unspoken thoughts, but appeared to find a lot in common with Emmett. And then, of course, he met the pack. From there things were spiraling in an incoherent blur. Between Jacob, Embry, Seth and me, we were able to thoroughly describe to Ian every aspect of the world of which he was now a part, answering each question thoroughly.

This was the part that surprised me, though. Sam had been the pack Alpha. However, his son had never heard a single Quileute wolf legend in his life. It made no sense to me that Sam would hide what before had been such a huge part of him, but Jacob had decoded it instantly. Sam had always hated being a werewolf, despite his natural leadership. Everything about his wolf life repulsed him, beginning with and coming back to what he had done to me. Naturally, he hadn't wanted that life or any part of it for his son. So Ian was completely in the dark.

Again, no longer was it shocking, the kind of pain that had loaded Ian's eyes when first I peered into them.

Anyway, Jacob, being Jacob, offered him the choice to join either pack: his or the Quileutes. He made clear the differences in what we protected and in our lifestyles, as well as described the true nature of Paul's leadership as opposed to his. He even went through the story of how our pack had gotten started. However, only out of politeness did Ian wait through Jake's explanation at all to answer. He explained, very calmly, that he was not going anywhere I was not. Therefore, he became a part of Jacob's pack and he and I now ran the same patrol route in shifts.

So, in a matter of hours, my life had gone from pointless, to having a point and merely lacking its presence, to being around its point at practically all hours of the day. Jacob, mercifully, worked it out so that we were only ever technically separated for a few hours. We ran patrol at the same time, so we began and ended our shifts together and would return to our own alone time as soon as our turn was done.

It felt foreign to me now, how much I'd blamed Renesmee in the beginning when Jacob had first imprinted on her. It had felt so natural to hate her, but I'd always known it was merely jealousy for what Jacob had found that had caused the hostility. I'd been good on my word, though. Most of those close to me barely recognized me now. I'd picked up the habit of singing to myself as I did idle work, particularly around the house. Most of the time it would be a song I first heard from Ian, as the guy was something of a music freak and had an astounding collection. To socialize with the rest of the world seemed almost too easy, like the unsurpassable storm cloud that had fogged my ability to be agreeable had been gusted away and suddenly I had the energy to converse light-heartedly for hours.

I'd made verbal apologies to more people than I could count, including Sam, who seemed just as relieved, flabbergasted, and amused by the event as I was. After Ian had first explained where he'd disappeared to all night (considering that was the dominating worry between Sam and Emily in the beginning-- Emily had just about sobbed with relief when she saw Ian at the door). Then, though, the two of us, together, explained what had happened, and I had finished with my apology to him and to Emily. The look in Sam's eyes when he'd waved good-bye to the two of us that day was irreplaceable in my mind. Both Sam and I had waited eighteen ears for this healing. Emily had been beyond words. The expression "thrilled to tears" came to mind in describing her reaction.

The guys were a lot easier to deal with. Apologies to my former pack brothers had been full of light-hearted teasing and punches in the arm, laughing and joking as always, as if none of that for which I had just apologized ever mattered all that much. My mother had taken it decently well, and even Bella had made it through the emotion long enough to say that she'd never blamed me. Apparently, no one had ever blamed me. Well, maybe Jacob and Seth for a while, but never seriously. Of course it had always been my fault for becoming so lost in my grief, but not a damn one of them would blame me for it. Stupid idiots, every one of them.

I was even warming to the Cullens; more so than I'd ever anticipated. Renesmee didn't even ask anymore if it was okay to give me a hug when she saw me; most of the time she simply went ahead. I never minded, though. The girl was seriously irrefutable in that way. This was enough to make Seth just about piss himself; he'd been waiting for the day I willingly admitted to liking vampires simply for the gloating rights. But he had every right to. Everything was so different now. I'd finally found what I'd been searching for.

Ian was everything I'd ever wanted. All that, and so much more.

His human form had been nothing short of shocking. To say he was a replica of his father would be both accurate and unfair. He looked incredibly like Sam, but with Emily's rounder cheeks. But he was also in himself someone completely new and independent from his parents, and when I looked at him I didn't see Sam. Nor did I see Emily or even Sam's parents. I saw him. Only him. His voice was as deep as his howl and his eyes in human form, much to my delight, were the same as in wolf. Miles deep and filled with liquid gold. It must have had something to do with Sam's eyes being brown and Emily's being green, maybe. I didn't care. When those yellow eyes looked at me it didn't matter from where they came, only that they stayed there, locked with mine forever.

And forever was quite literally a conceivable concept, considering neither of us would ever have to stop phasing for the other, because neither of us were aging. We could both stay eighteen, for the next century and beyond, even as long as Jacob and Nessie, as both of them were immortal, too. Time had no need to move. I could stay, young and happy, with Ian for the remainder of forever.

Fortune, which had so hated me before, now appeared to be giving me everything I never deserved.

Is something wrong, Di? Ian's voice interrupted my reverie, his thoughts concerned at the slight irony in my own. Suddenly I was again staring at the trail ahead of me, realizing I'd drifted off to other lands while running patrol.

I blinked the fog of memory from my mind, registering his question. No, I'm fine. Sorry, I zoned out for a bit there. It was rather easy to do that these days.

I heard him chuckle both in his thoughts and aloud. Understood.

That was the other thing about Ian. The same way Sam had found his own nickname to call me, just for when we were alone, somehow, Ian had found his own as well. It made sense when you followed his slightly unfocused logic. When he'd first seen me, he said, my coat had shimmered like rays of moonlight. The Roman goddess of the moon, based on the Greek goddess Artemis, was named Diana; Di for short. I had to admit, in his own astray fashion, it was really quite romantic. Something that would have earned a respectable puking from me in an earlier stage of life.

Hearing this thought, I heard Ian laugh. Glad you like it, Di.

We continued running in silence for another moment. I stifled a yawn.

We're almost done, sweetie. He soothed me, running the northwest end up towards the river. The body clock's telling me Jacob should be coming out soon.

Is Esme cooking tonight? I asked him casually, keeping my own route now that I had returned to the present.

His thoughts were on the affirmative. Your brother very nonchalantly let it slip he was craving Italian, so of course the Doc and she flipped on the Food Channel and got to it. He was laughing. He was amused to no end by the idea of vampires cooking. I'd had time to get used to it.

My stomach growled. You haven't tasted Esme's Italian yet. Want to eat at the house tonight? Or do you think the stench will bother you?

I knew the answer before he gave it to me. He'd gotten over the stench of vampire in record time compared to my eighteen-year adjustment time. Esme cooks like home and makes enough for an army. I don't care what they smell like. He hesitated then. I mean unless you want to go home to eat?

I rolled my eyes. We'll eat at the house, Ian.

Are you sure? Always impeccably considerate. He constantly feared displeasing me.

I would have given him a hug if I could. Yes, I'm sure. I love Esme's cooking, too.

Hey you two. Jacob's greeting preceded his awareness's entrance to both Ian's and my minds. How are things out here?

All quiet. Ian answered. I'm bored to tears out here.

Jacob chuckled. I consider that a good thing. Any update from Embry?

Nothing but silence. I replied. Embry, being left now the only one in the pack who had not yet imprinted, had soon after Ian's joining the pack decided to take a vacation, needing to get away from "all the love", as he'd put it. I couldn't blame him. Nor could Jake, as he'd gladly wished him happy flight and asserted he only come back once he'd vacationed his brains out (to which Seth had promptly queried if Embry had ever had a brain to vacation out-- Jacob had socked him in the stomach). He was now somewhere in Cancun, Mexico, spending long hours napping on the beach and finding the city's best party spots. So Embry.

Seth joined us now, bounding out from the house with his usual energy. What's up, guys?

Ian glanced to the canopy. Trees.

Ha ha, you're so witty. Seth replied sarcastically.

Ian shrugged. It's a gift.

Any word from Embry? He asked cheerfully, following Jacob's path out from the house towards the perimeter. I turned to meet them just as Ian shifted his route as well.

Not a word. Ian replied.

He probably just can't find a quiet spot to phase-- too many people in Cancun. Jacob theorized, not worried at all. In reality, no one was. Embry would be Embry.

I sniggered as the three of them came into view, converging on one point. My guess is he fell asleep on a beach somewhere and never woke up.

Actually, came a sharp, familiar voice in all our heads. I'm very much awake, thank you.

We all stopped dead. All of our thoughts replied simultaneously. Embry??

The second he'd phased we were all suddenly very aware-- it was hard to ignore. He was in a hotel room, not an incredibly quiet place at all, and what was more, the room was right in the middle of the hotel; people would hear him above and below. All around him were sounds of life; it was even later in the evening there than it was here, and the nightlife of the city was just starting to wake up. At once, we were on top of him, every one of us about ready to drop him from the ledge of that building for taking such a risk as to phase in the middle of a crowded building of people. He was laughing the whole time.

Easy, guys, easy. He broke in, incredibly amused. Listen, I was going to tell you all when I got home but I guess now will work since I have you all here. Hey, did anyone notice how clear our thoughts still are?

We all paused our panic to notice. He was right. His thoughts were still as sharp as if he were in the woods with us, despite the fact he was on a different time zone.

That's not the point. Chided Jacob first. What the hell are you doing, Embry? Phase back now!

Cool it, Jake, seriously, let me explain. He seemed rather put out by our lack of faith in his judgment, but was in too good a mood to let it distract him. So you know the whole reason I came down here was to, ya know, escape the love and all that? Since I was the only one not making goo-goo eyes every chance I got?

Yeah, I answered for the rest, suspicious immediately.

Suddenly Embry's eyes were focusing on a young woman with dark, Hispanic skin, nearly-black eyes, and cascades of dark brown curls. He face was stretched in shock, but her eyes were filled with awe. Yeah… about that…

My jaw dropped. Seth, Jacob, and Ian all froze, stunned. Then, suddenly, I was laughing. It didn't take long after my first bout of giggles for it to finally sink it with the rest and they started laughing, too.

Go freaking figure.

Phase back, you moron. Jacob told him, this time entirely amused.

Gotcha, Boss. I've got some explaining to do. I'll see you guys at home. With that, he'd faded away.

I exchanged looks with each one of my pack brothers. I was the first to speak. So… this basically worked out like an effing fairy tale.

Ian guffawed. Ironically, I stopped believing in those about the same time I stopped believing in vampires and werewolves.

Seth was practically drunk on his joy. Sweet! So none of us are left behind now!

No, I guess not. I voiced, exchanging a look with Ian. He cocked me a wolfy grin.

Seeing this, Seth's canine face scrunched into a parchment-colored grimace and he turned away pretending to puke. Jacob, laughing at the same observation, told us, All right, you two, go take your vomit-worthy goodness out of here before I have to maul you both. Seth and I got this from here.

Yes, sir! Ian replied enthusiastically, and we both sprinted for the house at the same time they bounded out for the perimeter.

When we'd phased and changed into clothes he took my hand as we strode towards the house. We walked in comfortable silence for a while; I spent the time marveling at the feeling of his hand around mine.

"So what brought all those memories up on the trail today?" He asked casually, stroking the back of my hand with his thumb.

I wrinkled my nose. "You caught that, huh?"

"Couldn't help it." He stopped to turn me to face him, gazing into my eyes as he slid his hand along my cheek. "I came up a lot; it was hard to ignore."

"Yeah, well." I leaned my cheek against his hand. "It's hard not to realize how different things are when just a month ago I was a heartless wretch." I sighed. "It feels like much longer."

He chuckled under his breath. "I know exactly what you mean." Without warning he was pulling me close, cradling me tight to his chest. "It's hard to believe I had any kind of life before you."

I let his arms engulf me as I laid my ear above his heart again, listening to it, savoring it. Nothing compared to how I felt when he held me. He kept his left hand on my head, his fingers lost in my stiff, straight hair, while his right encompassed my middle, his chest caving around me to make for me my own little cocoon, safe in his arms. I closed my eyes and breathed him in: my favorite scent now. "Same here."

He rocked me back and forth ever so slightly, his cheek pressed against the side of my head. "You really waited all that time just to find someone to make you forget?"

"Mmm." I sighed lightly, nodding, my eyes still closed as I rested against his chest. I slid my arms up over his shoulders and eased back just a bit to look into his face, holding him before me with my hands clasped around the back of his neck. "I always figured when I found something that could make me forget that kind of… anguish… it'd be worth everything in the mean time."

His palm stroked my cheek as if it were a precious jewel, finding above it the gentle arch of my brow, tracing the line it made up to my forehead, down my nose, under my eye, and back to my cheek. His amber eyes searched mine, still questioning, always questioning. "And was it worth it?" He hesitated. "Am I worth it?"

I took his face between my hands, drinking him in. "Everything I've been through is a miniscule price to pay for you."

Still he didn't relax. What a paradox he was! Maybe it was all that waiting for the voodoo werewolf magic to work on me that had be believing we couldn't part, or maybe it was having seen Sam with Emily, Quil with Clair, Jared with Kim, and Jacob with Nessie. Perhaps after enough time with each of them, my Ian would finally believe in the true attachment of someone who has imprinted, and realize that the same way he couldn't live without me, I could not live without him.

"So…" He managed, still unsure. "I'm worth it?"

I nuzzled his nose with mine. "You are beyond worth it."

My lips found his and he responded, eager and relieved. He pulled me tight against him, a hold that would have crushed any smaller a girl, but it still wasn't close enough for me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and held him there, my lips hungry. He surrounded me, encompassed me, filled me until I was overflowing, picked me up, twirled me around, set me back down again and still I wasn't done. I gave him every silent answer I had until his content was such we basically melted into each other, and by the time the kiss ended I didn't know where he ended and where I began.

Figuratively speaking, anyway. In reality He was there, I was here, and both our stomachs were growling. I giggled when I heard his monstrous moan as I drew back from him. "Anything else before we go eat?"

He leaned his forehead against mine, utterly content. "Did I mention that I love you?"

I wrinkled my nose at him. "Once or twice."

His lips brushed mine. "I love you."

"I love you, too, you mutt." We both chuckled and I took his hand again, tugging him towards the house. "Now come on-- if you get ravenous I don't care what you say, we're not eating raw."

So began our very conceivable, very optimistic forever.

A/N: So that's happily ever after for everyone!! Yay!! Anyway I really hope you liked it, I worked really hard to make this fit together. Thanks for all the comments and all others you have are welcome!!

Oh, and just as a side note: I'm a bit of of a fanart addict and if I could draw at ALL I would-- BUT I can't. Anyone who so feels inspired to draw fanart for this fic, I'd love to see it!! I'm very much a visual person and was glancing at Deviantart a lot while I wrote this. I'd be tickled pink if anyone could draw anything from this.

And for reference-- I did listen to the Paramore song with this title a LOT while I wrote this. It now reminds me of Leah. I didn't base the story off the song, but I thought the title was perfect and kinda stole it.

Anyway thanks again for reading- I hope I didn't disappoint!