Chapter 1 La Push

My name isStephanie Alicia Maria West and I'm 24 years old. I'm on my way to live with my uncle Billy and his 21 year old son Jacob. I have Cerebral Palsy, or CP for short, I can't walk unaided. I always need someone to help me. More often than not I use my power wheelchair to get around. I hate the woman I live with and I would rather die than ask her to help.

I live with my stepmother and her love interest at the moment, Robbie. Crystal treats me like crap and has a tendency to be violent. This is why I have to leave Los Angeles before I get hurt any further. The broken bones, bruises and cuts have worn out their welcome on my body. I've been saving some money to go back to La Push since the day I turned 16.

The day has finally come; I'm packing anything I can stuff into this small cheap duffel bag to take back to Washington with me. I grab photos and what little memories I have left of my childhood before my father was killed stuffing them into the small already overflowing duffel bag. I looked at the picture of my father in his police uniform one more time. "It's time for me to go home now Daddy, please protect me. I love you," I whispered lightly kissing the photo and placing it in my duffel bag.

With a final glance around my overly spacious bedroom I take a deep breath turning the door knob prepared to face Crystal. My long, straight black hair framed my pale face hiding the emotional crying fit that I had earlier that night. Fear was building in my chest while I moved down the narrow hallway toward the kitchen. For having such a house the hallway and seem out of place.

I made my way into kitchen prepared to be hit or yelled at. "Crystal, I'm leaving in ten minutes to go live with Uncle Billy in Washington," I said knowing Crystal hates anyone from Dad's family. "I refuse to be your human punching bag, I've had enough."

Just as I thought would happen once told Crystal I was leaving, she whipped around and backhanded me across the face. "Good, go get out of here! You are such a menace to me anyway," she spat angrily. "You're no use to anymore with your father dead. I only played nice for his benefit so get out of my face and don't come back."

The evil bitch of a stepmother was letting me go with just a hard smack on the face? No, there's no way I could just leave that easily. Crystal was way too mean for just a slap on face; usually I'd get abused much worse. Before I get slapped again I hurried out the large front door and boarded the waiting bus. For the past ten years I've gone through so much with Crystal that I barely recognized myself in the mirror anymore. If my parents were still alive I wouldn't have been put in those circumstances to start with. Crystal always put on an act in public I'm her pride and joy around her friends and anyone else we might've run into while we were out.

The bus ride to Washington was longer than I thought it would be and my wheelchair started to get beyond uncomfortable to sit in. La Push was my true home even though I haven't been back there in several years. As my surroundings started looking familiar memories of my parents haunted me over and over again. I needed to drown out the overwhelming amount of pain I felt as the bus got closer to home so I turned my iPod on and let the music be my escape. My waist was starting to kill me because I have to pee very badly. I didn't go to the bathroom before I left California which wasn't the best idea because I might've gotten a UTI.

The bus finally stopped at the station and I looked around taking in my surroundings before I'm lowered from the bus to the sidewalk. I looked for a pay phone to call Uncle Billy because I was still an hour away from his house and needed someone to come get me. My eyes search the station carefully seeing a phone by the newsstand. I hope his number hasn't changed in eleven years seeing as I haven't called him in that long I thought to myself as I nervously dialed the number I knew by heart.

The phone rang a few times before clicking to indicate someone had picked up on the other end. "Hello," a male voice answered over the noise in the background. There was silence between us for a few minutes before the man spoke again. "Is anyone there? If not I'm going to hang up."

I jumped because I didn't think I'd be so scared calling favorite uncle. I didn't recognize the man's voice and my throat was dry perfect timing "Um hi I'm looking for my uncle Billy Black," I said nervously praying that he hadn't forgotten about me. "Do I have the right number?"

The line fell silent again making me think that the man on the other end had hung up on me. Just as I was about to hang up and get my change back I heard the male voice again. "Yeah this is his house," the man said sounding distracted by the noise behind him. "Who's calling?"

I didn't understand why I was so afraid to speak because I'd spent nearly every day at Uncle Billy's house when I was younger. Swallowing back the lump in my throat I finally find voice. "I'm his niece Stephanie," I muttered nervously while my fingers twisted in the cord attached to the receiver. "Is he home?"

The man paused seeming startled to hear my name and he sounded confused. "Hold on, I'll get him for you, sweetie," he said softly before I heard him pull the phone away from his ear to yell over the noisy crowd. "Hey Billy, it's one of your nieces calling she seems scared to talk."

I waited almost afraid to stay on the line because I didn't know if I was welcome to call him after all these years. His voice graced the phone line the same way it always has. "Hey this is Billy what can I help you with?" he asked without hesitation. "Charlie told me that you're one of my nieces." His voice was the same as I remembered it to be, deep and husky just like my dad's voice was.

This was it; I had to talk him or chicken out and hang up making myself look like an idiot. "Hi, Uncle Billy," I said trying to choke back tears that were on the verge of falling. "I'm sorry to bother you; I just needed to hear your voice."

A small chuckle filled my ears and I knew that he must've known who I was. "Is this my little Lili?" he asked still chuckling with amusement. "You can talk to me, sweetheart I won't bite you." Yeah, he knew exactly who I was.

Lili was the nickname I got from him as a baby and everyone back home calls me that. Lili is short for one of my middle names and it was to honor my Aunt Alicia who passed away before I was born. I hadn't been called Lili by anyone in so long that I started crying once I heard it. "Yes, Uncle Billy its Lili I hope I'm not intruding," I whispered embarrassed to interrupt him after all this time. "You seem to have a lot of company so I can call you back later if you want."

I heard Uncle Billy gasp in shock as he realized that he was right. "No, sweetheart you would never intrude," he said lovingly. "You're my family and family is always welcome to call me. Is everything okay? You haven't called me in eleven years."

I twisted the phone cord in my fingers feeling guilty that I hadn't called home sooner. "I'm okay but I'm in La Push Uncle Billy, well actually an hour away," I rambled out nervously afraid he was to say no to the question I was going to ask. "Do you think it would be okay if I came to stay with you for a while?"

The few seconds that I waited for an answer were torture because I didn't come home with a backup plan in case this one failed. The deep calming voice filled my ears once more. "Of course you can Lili! I'll send Jake to get you," he said bursting with happiness. "Don't worry about a thing Lili and welcome home sweet girl!"

I let out a huge sigh of relief wiping away tears that had fallen while we were talking. "Thanks Uncle Billy I owe you one," I whispered as the phone started beeping for more change. "I'll see you soon, I love you."

BILLY POV

Today was just like any other for me until a few minutes ago when my phone rang during a Seattle Seahawks football game. My niece Lili was finally coming home after eleven years of no contact with her at all. I knew that something wasn't right and I could only hope that I'm not too late to help her. Jacob was going to be excited but I was a little too worried about Leah's reaction since she tended to be jealous of any female needing his help.

I wheeled myself over to the front door and opened it knowing that Jake was working on a car in the driveway. "Jake can you come inside please?" I yelled know he could hear the urgency in my voice. "I need you to run an important errand for me."

Jake ran inside with Leah close behind which annoyed me a little because he never did anything without her. "What's up, Dad?" he asked grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and taking a sip. "You don't look good; you look like you just saw a ghost. Are you sick or something?"

I smiled knowing he was clueless about Lili calling me. "Well, I got a phone call earlier and I was very surprised," I said trying to worry him a little. "We'll be having company for a while and I expect you to be on your best behavior."

Jake looked at me with a puzzled expression on his face. "Look Dad, whoever called you I didn't do anything to them I swear," he sighed leaning against the counter. "I've been staying out of trouble lately, you can even ask Charlie."

I chuckled a bit at his nervousness because there was no reason for it. "Jake, relax, it was just Lili she wants to come home," I said trying to keep myself together. "I'm not sure why she needs us, but I don't care I just want her here."

I watched as Jake dropped the water bottle he was drinking. "Dad Lili is here in La Push?" he asked gawking in shock. "She hasn't been here since I was ten years old when we had Uncle Mike's funeral and the stuff after that."

My eyes welled up with tears hearing my twin brother's name. "I know Jake that's why I'm having you pick her up son," I said handing him the keys to my truck. "I'm sure she could use a pick me up from the sounds of it. She loved you growing up so I'm sure she hasn't changed that much. Oh and Jake try not to frighten her, you were much smaller the last time she saw you."

Jacob was still standing against the counter dumbfounded and staring at me in disbelief. "I'll try not to Dad, it's just that Lili and I were so close until well, you know," he said pushing back the lump in his throat. "Is my Lili Boo okay?" He looked like he was going to cry any second.

I rubbed Jacob's shoulder trying to relax him. "I know son, I know all too well, but she seemed okay," I lied not wanting to worry him. "You and Leah ought to get a move on Lili is already waiting for you." I turned back to the living room knowing that if I gave Jake any more time to delay picking Lili up he would.

LEAH POV

By the time Jake and I got into Billy's truck curiosity was killing me I had to ask questions. I didn't get it. Why are Billy and Jake so excited? I had never seen Jake so excited and yet so sad at the same time. I knew that I needed to be careful how I worded things. I didn't want Jake pissed off at me over saying something I shouldn't have.

I watched Jacob out of the corner of my eye feeling incredibly threatened by the mystery girl. "Jake who is Lili?" I asked trying not to sound jealous even though I was because of the look on his face. "Why is she so important to you and your dad?"

Jacob smiled wide and childlike pulling me into a one arm hug. "Relax, Leah she is my older cousin and her name is really Stephanie but we call her Lili," he said as we pulled into the bus station. "I'll let her explain that to you herself when she's ready to talk to someone she doesn't know."

I felt really stupid for being jealous of Jacob's cousin because I knew how much his family means to him. "Oh. I'm sorry if I sounded like a bitch Jake but I've never seen you or your dad so excited about seeing a single person before," I sighed heavily unbuckling my seatbelt and walking to the doors. "You miss her, don't you?"

Jacob kissed my cheek lightly and flashed me his bright smile. "It's alright Leah you didn't know. Lili and I were so close growing up that she was more like my sister than my cousin," he said with a laugh that made a smile form on my lips. "I still remember the day Uncle Mike made them move to LA, Lili hid in my closest hoping no one would notice. I miss her more than anyone could possibly understand." I saw a tear roll down his cheek but he quickly wiped it away.

STEPHANIE POV

I hung up the phone and started looking for a bathroom because I'd been ignoring the need for too long. The bus station was very small so the bathroom shouldn't be all that hard to find. Jacob wouldn't get here for at least half an hour. There were no signs for a bathroom but there was a hallway with minimal lighting and a few doors. I rolled down the hall praying that one of these doors said bathroom. I hadn't gone in more than twelve hours and my waist was really starting to hurt. I finally found a bathroom but of course it had to be gross and dirty. I didn't have a choice anymore I had to go before I had an accident in my favorite pair of jeans.

Maneuvering my power chair into the stall, I latched the door behind me barely able to hold still. With the little amount of strength I had I pulled myself into a standing position yanking at my jeans while holding myself up using my stronger arm. Once my jeans and underwear are down I lifted my body above the toilet seat relaxing enough to let the urine hit the toilet.

The pressure in my waist was gone and I felt ten times better than I did an hour ago. I shouldn't have held it in that long because I'd always been told that it would cause health problems for me if I did. I had to repeat the difficult process in reverse to get back into my wheelchair and go wash my hands. After the struggle in the bathroom was finally over I heard an all too familiar whistle coming from somewhere nearby. My eyes searched the room looking everywhere for the source of the whistle I heard, my JJ, or Jake. I saw a tall, tan, muscular guy standing by the doors but he couldn't possibly be Jacob, could he?

I wheeled myself closer to the young guy watching him closely to see if anything caught my attention. I saw the tribal tattoo on his bicep which made me realize that he had to be Jake. I swallowed thickly and hoped I wasn't wrong. "Jake?" I called out nervously playing with my iPod headphones. I bit my lip as I moved closer to the doors watching the young guy with the girl he was standing with. "I should have brought my cell phone with me," I mumbled pressing play on my iPod.

The guy looked in my direction after I mentioned my cell phone, startling me a little. "Lili, you remembered the whistle?" he asked running full speed towards me. "Lili, I've missed you so much! I can't believe that you're finally home."

I couldn't help but laugh because there was no doubt in mind that the huge guy standing in front of me was Jacob. "Duh, Jake your dad and my dad invented that whistle," I said with shaky voice making my thoughts stop short. "Where's Uncle Billy, didn't he come with you?" I refused to cry in front of Jacob because I didn't want to seem like an emotional basket case.

Jacob got on his knees and wrapped his arms tightly around me. I was very close to having a full fledge emotional melt down in his arms. I hugged Jacob tight not wanting to let go of him for anything because I felt safest with him. He smelled like home and my father, an outdoor smell that I missed terribly. I let out a few sobs into Jacob's broad shoulders while all the memories of us as kids flood my mind. Wiping my eyes I looked up at him knowing he probably thought I'd gone crazy. "I'm sorry Jake," I muttered still crying. "I guess I'm just a little more overwhelmed to be back here than I thought I would be."

Jacob cupped my face in his hands wiping away my tears with his thumbs. "No, don't be sorry I miss your dad too," he said pulling me in for another hug. "I'm so glad you're back though, Lili Boo. How long are you staying?"

I blinked away more tears that are threatening to fall any second. "Permanently I hope but I don't have much for money or clothes," I admitted noticing a girl at Jacob's side. "Jake, are you ever going to introduce me to your friend?"

Jacob grinned standing back up and putting his arm around the girl. "YES! Oh I'm being so rude sorry, Leah," he said sheepishly avoiding her gaze. "Lili, this is Leah Clearwater, she's my uh friend."

I laughed at Jacob's shyness even though it was obvious Leah was his girlfriend. I extended my hand out to her smiling brightly. "Hello Leah, it's nice to meet you," I said warmly hoping Jake would relax. "I'm glad to see Jake has grown out of his girls have cooties stage."

Leah was staring me like I'm something out of a horror movie. I wanted to ask her why but I already knew the answer. I'm lighter than a full Quileute because my mother was white. My eyes must've be freaked her out too because they are green instead of the deep brown that the rest of the tribe has. I stayed very close to Jacob on the way to his truck to avoid causing a scene.

We stopped in front of a black Dodge Ram pickup truck with nice rims and underbody lights. "Nice truck, JJ," I commented looking at the detail of the body work. "Have you opened up your own auto shop yet?"

Jacob cracked up and I smiled wide hearing his loud laugh. "Thanks Lili! It's been a long time since anyone has called me JJ but then again it's been forever since you've been here to do that," he said excitedly opening the passenger side door. "I'll have to call Rachel's husband Paul to get your wheelchair back to my house. Last time you were here you were using a manual one like Dad does. Now what's the best way to get you in the truck? How much can you do on your own? I don't want to be doing things for you that you can do on your own. I know you hate when people do that."

I looked up at Jacob with a shy smile. "Well, at this point maybe you should lift me into the truck," I said quietly. My muscles are shot I've been sitting in this damn chair for way too long." I was ready to lie down in a warm bed and sleep until the sun came up.

Jacob looked at me with a warm smile across his face. "Not a problem, Lili Boo you're light so it's easy for me," he said with confidence. "I lift dad all the time and he weighs more than you do, so don't worry about being dropped or anything."

I held out my arms to Jake and let him lift me effortlessly into his truck. "Should I tell Uncle Billy that you think he's fat?" I joked hitting his arm lightly. "I'm only kidding, JJ I'd never do that to you."

Jake smiled and kissed my hair. "I know that, silly," he laughed putting on my seatbelt like I'm incapable of doing it myself. "I have a surprise for you but it hasn't shown up yet, so just sit tight while I call and find out what's taking so long."

Jake disappeared to the back of the truck to make the phone call. I could see in the rear view mirror that he was all smiles when he's on the phone. I wondered who the hell he was talking to and what the surprise was that he had for me.

I saw a white van pull up after twenty minutes but I thought nothing of it because Jake had said Rachel's husband would pick up my wheelchair for him. I turned my attention back to my iPod when I saw a guy come up to the window out of the corner of my eye. I dropped my iPod scaring myself even more in the process.

The doors were locked which put my mind at ease, but the guy wasn't leaving me alone. I tried my best to ignore him until he said my name. "Hey, Lili I've missed you!" he yelled through the glass. "Would you please open the window so I don't have to scream?"

I didn't want to roll down the widow but I knew that it was probably safe because I wasn't in LA anymore. "Do I know you?" I asked rolling down the window unable to make out his face in the darkness. "Jake will kick your ass if you hurt me just a warning."

The guy smiled and I could see half his face because of the way he was standing. "Yes you do silly girl. It's Embry!" he chuckled leaning in the window. "Why are you so scared?"

I cocked my head to the side desperately trying to his face completely. "Embry Call?" I asked with a laugh. "What are you doing here?" I was still worried that someone was playing a trick on me.

An obnoxious laugh filled the truck, one I remembered from my childhood. Embry had the most annoying laugh to people who didn't know him, he sounded like a donkey. "Yup can I get a hug?" he asked nearly climbing in the window. "Geez, Lili you acted like someone was out to kill you when I walked over here."

My hand flew to the door handle because Embry was my best friend until we were teens. I was definitely surprised to see him. "Get in here! I missed you so much!" I squeaked pulling him into the truck. "Are you the surprise Jake told me about?"

Embry smiled climbing in the truck beside me. "I missed you too. If you're going to be around, can you promise me something?" he asked rubbing my hand with his thumb. "You are even more beautiful than the last time I saw you."

I smiled slightly stunned by his words because the last time we spoke it wasn't on good terms. "Uh, that depends on the promise, Call," I said laughing lightly. "What are you getting me into now?"

A brief smile danced across his face but quickly faded. "Promise me we'll hang out sometime, okay?" he with a twinge of sadness in his voice. "Are you staying this time?"

I flinched at Embry's question because I did run away if things got too difficult for me in one place. "I promise we'll hang out once I'm settled in," I said leaning in to kiss him without thinking about what I was doing. "I'm glad I decided to come home, Bry."

Embry's eyes were wide with shock as our lips met for the first time in years. "My lips have missed you too," he joked as Jake climbed in the driver's seat. "I'd better go, I have to work tonight and my boss flips if I'm late."

I watched Embry rush off to the white van as Leah took his place in the truck. The ride home was quiet until Jacob glanced at Leah. "Thanks for coming with me, Leah," he said sweetly. "It means a lot to me that you were willing to be in the truck for so long."

Leah smiled back at Jake and I suddenly felt like the third wheel. "Anytime Jake, that's just what you do for someone when you love them," she said blushing slightly. "I'd do it again in a heartbeat if that was what you wanted."

We reached the house shortly after that and I realized for the first time in a very long time, the people who lived in this little house understand me, loved me and most importantly would protect me at all costs. I finally felt somewhat safe; I was in La Push at Uncle Billy's home. Nothing would harm me here. I was where I wanted to be, the one place I called home since both of my parents died.

Jacob helped me down out of the truck with ease. "So, do you want to walk inside?" he asked wrapping me in his arms protectively. "You know, just to give your body a break from sitting so much?"

I hesitated, a little embarrassed by Jake's question. "Sure, don't let me fall though," I whispered clinging to his arm for dear life. "It's been years since I've actually walked anywhere."

Jacob rubbed my pale arm calming me down a little bit. "I would never let you fall Lili," he said with a slight chuckle in his voice. "I'm used to you helping me out but I get to help you."

I felt incredibly stupid thinking that Jake would let me fall because Jake was massive and wouldn't let me get hurt. I was so freaking scared of going in the house that my whole body froze. I stood in the driveway with Jake behind me using his hands for support while taking my first steps. Vivid memories of me screaming for Jacob as I was carried to my dad's truck filled my mind. I could hear my father's words as clear as if he was standing right there with us.

"We have to go Princess we need to be in Los Angeles by Wednesday," he said shutting the car door behind him. "I'm sorry sweetheart but this is the way it has to be. You can come back for the summers."

Just as I was about to hear my own words back to my father Jacob's voice broke through the painful memory. "See? Not so bad Lili!" he encouraged as we approached the front steps. "You aren't as out of practice as you thought you were."

I laughed trying to keep my mind from going back to the past. "I guess not but man walking feels weird Jake," I whispered as my voice cracked with emotion. "I haven't walked since Daddy died and I don't even know how to find the courage to walk in the house."

Jacob turned to face me and knelt down. "Hey, Lili whatever is going on with you emotionally, physically whatever it is you can talk to me," he said noticing my eyes welling up with tears. "I'm not going to judge you, you're my cousin and I love you. If you wanna talk I'll listen, just let me know."

I couldn't speak; I just cried and cried even harder when Jacob picked me up in his massive arms like a brother holds his little sister. He let me cry for a few minutes before saying anything else to me. "You're okay now Lili you're in La Push," he said as he carried me into the house. "I won't let anyone hurt you here, I promise."