Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the Twilight Series

1

Claire

There was nothing more refreshing than being home. Granted, it wasn't my real home, but it was a home away from home. If I was being honest, I wanted this to be my home; a little window seat, covered in pillows from the thrift store and one big blanket that the lady across the street made. It wasn't just the spot, it was Forks. Even though it was rare to see the sun and the small, tight-knit community made it hard to get away with everything, I loved Forks. It just meant we appreciated the sun more, and we were all one big family.

Neah Bay had the same-ish effect, but the thing that really made the difference for me was the people. Sure, I had my parents and sister and friends in Neah Bay, but Forks had my favourite Aunt, my two favourite cousins, and Quil.

"Mornin'."

I turned to look into the kitchen, seeing Leah walking towards the coffee machine. Her cropped hair was disheveled and sticking up in the back. The muscles in her arms and legs looked barely contained in her pyjamas and her angular face was stale and cold. It was first thing in the morning.

"Morning, Leah." I smiled lightly. "Sleep well?"

She groaned loud enough the fill the whole kitchen. "No. Seth was on the phone all night with his girlfriend."

Leah was the only person I had ever known the actively avoid getting into a relationship. My whole life I had never seen her in one, and I had a feeling I wouldn't be any time soon. It didn't really matter. Leah was the toughest, most capable person of taking care of herself I had ever met. Toughest - including all the boys in Sam and Jake's packs.

"That sounds fun." I stood, walking over to the kitchen and sliding into one of the chairs.

She sat down beside me, coffee in front of her. "How was sleeping in that bed? Somehow, the guest bed is the most comfortable one in the place, even though no one ever sleeps in it."

I sighed heavily. "It was great. That bed is so soft. Slept like a baby."

Her harsh eyes shifted to me. "Well, I'm glad your sleep was so great."

I tried not to laugh, but I couldn't hold it in. "Leah, I'm sure it wasn't that bad." I reached for her coffee, but she slapped my hand. I retracted quickly, feeling the sting. "Ow!"

Leah shrugged, unbothered. "If you want a coffee, get your own." She took a long slip and then asked, "Have you told anyone else you're here yet?"

I got in pretty late last night. I had graduated a little over two weeks ago, which was the last time I saw everyone. And they all knew I was going to be coming down for the summer at some point, but I didn't tell anyone when, except for Seth and Leah. I wanted to surprise everyone else. And I really couldn't wait to see Quil's face.

"No. I want it to be a surprise."

"Jake is coming to pick up me and Seth in a little bit to train, so he'll be the first one to know."

I nodded. I really liked Jake. Since the beginning, he had been sweet and kind, but also just tough enough. He was genuinely a good person and I was more than glad that Leah and Seth were apart of his pack, along with Embry and Quil. Those two were inseparable - Embry and Quil.

"Training and then what?"

"Dinner tonight at Sam's."

"You goin'?" I asked, more on the timid side. My mother had explained to me the entire situation of Emily and Sam and Leah years ago. She said she didn't think Leah was angry about it anymore, but she preferred not to be in their presence - or in the presence of any couple that liked to show off their love.

"No."

I didn't think so. I felt bad for Leah. I loved Emily and Emily was very, very pretty, but I never understood how someone could make that much of a quick switch over from one person to another. It was like love at first sight, but ten times more intense. My mother had told me it was ' a wolf thing' and I wasn't to worry about it.

"I think I'm gonna go get some lunch after unpacking, and then go see Alley about getting my summer job again, and then I'll come to dinner."

"At the bookstore?"

"Yeah."

"Isn't that the most boring job in the entire world?"

I shrugged. "Little bit," I said honestly. It wasn't like it was the best job in the world, but it was a job that paid, with short hours so I could still do fun stuff for the summer. Hopefully Alley would take me back. I had been doing it every summer for four years, so I hoped she hadn't already found someone else, because I really counted on getting that job.

Seth came out, staggering down the hallway and into the kitchen, going straight towards the coffee. Out of all the boys, Seth was the smallest and skinniest, though I still wouldn't call him small and skinny. Like all the other boys, his dark hair was cut short, and like Leah, it was was sticking up.

"Look who finally decided to wake up," Leah said loudly.

"Good morning to you too, Leah." Seth glanced over his shoulder, a big smile on his face.

The contrast between the two siblings was hilarious. Leah was so serious and cold, but very smart. Seth was fun and bright, though lacked common sense sometimes. Both of them had their downfalls, but they usually made up each other's weaknesses with each other's strengths. They went together well. Leah, as the older sibling, looked out for Seth, probably more than he wanted, but she did.

"How's Tara?" I asked.

Seth smiled even wider, walking towards us. "She's great. We were up talking all night and -"

"Oh, I know," Leah interrupted, raising her cup to her lips.

Seth reached up and just barely tipped Leah's cup, causing the little bits of coffee to drip out, most of is resinating on Leah's chin, the rest of it on the table. Leah put the cup down quickly, making more of it splash onto the table. Seth's laughter filled the room at the same time he started to stand. He knew better than to stick around, as Leah was already standing up with him, a mean look on her face.

Soon, they were running around the living room, Seth having the time of his life and Leah looking very lethal. They disappeared deeper into the house. I listened for their heavy footsteps and then eventually they stopped and Seth started to scream - nothing concerning, but I imagined Leah was hold his arm behind his back and telling him 'if you ever do that again...' and whatnot.

The front door opened and Jake's eyes widened as Seth screamed again. His eyes then met mine and he smiled. "Claire." He walked over to me as I stood. We met and our arms wrapped around each other. "Just had to see everyone again already, hey?"

"Can't stay away." I sat back down. "Leah says you're doing some training."

"Yeah."

My eyebrows rose out of curiosity. "They're not trained after all these years?"

Jake just laughed. "It's never too late to learn more. We're just training today and then they'll be back on patrol pretty quickly here." He stopped for a second, narrowing his eyes at me. "Does Quil know you're here?"

"No. I want to surprise him."

"I knew it." He chuckled, showing off his white teeth. "If Quil did know, he'd find a way out of training today."

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks. "Uh, yeah, sounds like Quil."

Jake patted my back and then walked around me, yelling into the hallway, "Clearwater's, let's go." After a second of nothing. "Now!"

Leah and Seth came running down the hallway, both now fully dressed and ready to go. Leah glided past Jake. "You can thank Seth for making you wait."

Seth groaned. "Oh, come on, Leah." He made it past Jake, both him and Leah walking out of the house, Jake hot on there trail.

Jake turned back to me, giving me a short wave. "Seeya, Claire."

The door closed and the house fell into silence.

Forks never changed - ever. Going for a walk uptown, and the same cars were still parked in the same spots as they were months ago. You walk into any place, and you know the person behind the counter. The amount of conversations I had today was extensive, and it almost made me late to the bookstore.

I walked in about fifteen minutes before closing. When I didn't see Alley behind the counter, I gave a quiet shout through the store. "Alley? Alley. it's Claire, I'm -"

"Back for the summer!" Alley came out of nowhere, throwing her arms around me. "Hello, hello, hello!"

I laughed. "Hi, Alley."

She let me out of her clutches, not that I didn't mind being in them. She leaned back, displaying to me her signature closed-mouth smile. "Welcome back!"

Alley was full of warmth and kindness. She had never raised her voice to anyone, I was sure, and the amount of late book fees she has waved is more than I can count of both hands and feet. She always had a scarf on, as well as big earrings, and her two braids coming down over her ears and extending down to her waist. She might've talked too much, but she had the best hugs in the whole world.

"Thank you. I just came to say hi and -"

She put her hands on my arms. "I haven't hired anyone else, Claire." She stood beside me and put her arm over my shoulders. "Let's just get you all signed up with that nasty paperwork as per usual and have you start tomorrow."

I smiled widely, feeling happy just standing next to her. "Thank you so much, Alley, I -"

"Nonsense." She patted my back as we entered into her office. "I would rather have you work here than anyone else, Miss Claire."

We sat down and signed a few things that I needed to legally sign, and then we sat and talk way past closing time. She asked me all about my life and how graduation had went and what my plans were.

I was honest with everything. Being graduated was scary, especially since I was unsure of what direction I wanted to go with my future. I told her I'd be here for at least the summer, and then I'd decide if I wanted to return to Neah Bay or stay in Forks. Either way, I'd get a job at the end of the summer and then start thinking about school next year.

It was a very basic plan, but it was the only one I had. I had really no idea what I wanted. I just needed time, was all. Time surrounded by really good people who were going to support me. Forks was where I needed to be, and this job at this bookstore was where I needed to work.

My eyes drifted over to the digital clock sitting on the desk. "Is that the time?" I shot up, realizing I was going to be late for dinner. "I have to go." I backed towards the door and threw my purse over my shoulders. "Thanks again, Alley. I'll see you tomorrow at 9!" I spun around, jogging out of the store.

"Bye, bye, Claire!"

The bell jingled as I ran outside, bumping right into a tall body. "Oh, I -"

"Claire!" He wrapped his arms around me. "What're you doing home."

The girl beside him wrapped her arms around both of us. "No way, it's Claire-Bear!"

I chuckled, feeling everything inside my body being squished together. "Guys, you're crushing me."

Kato and Anna leaned away from me. Brother and sister - more specifically, twins. They were never seen without each other. How close they were with Seth growing up, I ended being pretty close with them as well. I like Kato and Anna. They were funny and fairly nice.

"Little Claire," Kato said, glancing at Anna, who had the exact same smile as him plastered on her face. "Back for the summer, hey?"

Anna didn't let me answer before she reached out and pulled at my long dark hair. "How is it that you get prettier every time we see you?"

"True."

Anna smacked Kato's arm. "Don't be a creep." She laughed, the infectious sound causing me to laugh. "Where you goin' in such a rush?"

I gestured behind me. "I need to get to Sam's for some dinner."

"You'll never make it in time." Anna nodded, linking her arm with mine. "Let us give you a ride."

Kato linked his arm with my free arm as well. "Yeah, we broke out the old Chevy."

"I thought that was your dad's."

"Oh, it is," Anna said, chuckling a little bit. "But little does he know, it's ours today." Hers and Kato's hands connected in front of my face.

I shook my head, trying not to show my smile. I didn't want to encourage them. "You guys are gonna be in a lot of trouble where Jerry finds out what you've done."

We stopped in front of a roughed up blue 1972 Chevy. The rust on it looked like it was spreading the longer I stared at it, but it had a certain charm to it.

"Cute," I commented, watching Kato open the driver's side. Immediately, nervousness washed over me. "You're letting him drive?"

Anna shrugged, squishing into the middle seat between Kato and I. "We take turns, just so it's fair ya know."

I quickly put my seatbelt on. "Fair enough."

We pulled away from the curb and started down the road. We talked and talked, as more and more trees came into view and the road stopped being paved. I knew we were just about there, when Anna sparked up on a subject that made me nervous.

"Hey, a bunch of us are going to the beach on Saturday."

That was code for party. It wasn't the party aspect that made me nervous, it was the fact that it was Kato and Anna who were mentioning it to me. That meant they had a key role in organizing it, which meant there would be a significant amount of drugs and alcohol at this party.

"Oh?" Was all I could say.

Kato laughed. "Don't sound so excited, Claire-y."

Anna threw her arm around me. "Yeah, come on, Claire-uh." She pushed her face close to mine. "Just because it's a party doesn't mean you have to do anything. Just come and hang out." When I started to stutter, she patted my back. "You have a week to decide." Kato stopped the truck in front of Sam's. "Just call us. Same number. We'll pick you up."

I nodded, feeling more comfortable with that. "I will." I opened the door, hopping out. "Thanks for the ride, guys."

"No problemt."

"See you, C."

I closed the door, running up to the Uley household. I stopped in front of the front door, hand on the handle, the adrenaline pumping through my body. I felt a little nervous. I opened the door, only to be greeted by a whole bunch of emptiness.

"Hello?"

"Emily?"

She screamed, running out of the kitchen, her small body barrelling into my small body. "You're here!"

"I am." I hugged her back, looking around the empty house. "Where's everyone else?"

"Running late." She leaned away from me, grabbing my hand and pulling me into the kitchen. "Help me finish up. How was the bus ride?"

I sighed, picking up a knife and starting to cut into the apples. "It was really long, but it feels good to finally be here."

"I bet." She nudged me and then went across the kitchen, fixing the dough for the soon to be delicious apple pie. Emily's food was the best. That's why dinners at the Uley household were so popular and common. It brought everyone together. It was nice.

"How's Sam?"

"He's really good. He's more relaxed, you know?" Emily stood straight and sighed. "Stuff around here...it's been good. Everyone is getting along. There hasn't been anything dangerous. It's...nice, finally."

I knew Forks had it's troubles with vampires and werewolves and those things together as well as separately. Either way, it was over. Both Sam's pack and Jake's pack both did patrol, because, in Quil's words, "better safe than sorry".

I walked over to her, both of us arranging the pie together. "That's good."

"Yeah. A good time to start a family."

I chuckled. "A really good time. I really don't know what's been taking you guys so long, like I know you're still considered young or whatever but I'd love to have a little one running around here."

Emily started to smile widely. "Me too. Sam does too." She put down everything and turned to me, suddenly beaming at the mere thought of her being pregnant. "Actually, I think I might be pregnant."

My joy that was sitting contently inside of me bursted. I gasped, wrapping my arms around her tightly. "Emily! That's great!"

She laughed, pushing me back quickly. "But I'm not sure yet. I could not be."

I squealed, just like a little girl would. "I hope you are!" I sighed, thinking about what their child would look like. Big brown eyes, beautiful caramel skin and thick brown hair. Hopefully it would look like Emily, no offence to Sam. "This is great."

"Let's just get this pie in the oven before -" The sound of a couple of trucks grew closer and closer before it was right in front of the house. Emily popped the pie into the oven and started to gather dinner. "Perfect timing. Help me set the table?"

I grabbed what she couldn't, even though we'd have to make two trips anyway. We set the big table up as nice as we could, going back into the kitchen to get the rest of the food as I heard truck doors slamming and the boys talking outside.

The front door swung open, a couple of shirtless boys walking into the house, followed by a couple more shirtless boys, but not everyone. Sam was first, walking halfway over to Emily before seeing me.

He smiled nice and big and hugged me tight. "Hey, kiddo."

"Hi, Sam." I hugged him back and then leaned away, smiling wide. "How are things?"

"Good, but I'm starvin'." He turned to Emily, wrapping both arms around her. "And I know it'll be good."

I looked away when they kissed, meeting Jared's gaze next. "Hey, J."

Jared sat down in one of the chairs, nodding his head towards me. "How are things, little Claire? How's the graduated life?"

"Really good," I said, leaning against the counter. "Really different." I looked at Paul. "Hey, Paul."

Paul nodded, but said nothing. He was the strong silent type. That's what I'd say about him if someone asked why he wouldn't really talk to anyway, but the truth was Paul was just kind of an asshole. He got angry too fast and had nothing nice to say about anyway. He didn't smile enough, and he might've been quite handsome if he did.

"Quil's just helping put some stuff away," Sam said to me.

The door swung open and my second favourite walked in.

"Claire-Bear!" Embry strode over to me, wrapping me up into his arms and spinning me around.

I laughed loudly. "Embry!" When my feet finally touched the ground, I pulled away, my big smile matching his. "I missed you."

Embry was tall and slender, paired with a slim face and terribly cut hair. I had seen Embry cut it himself before, actually, which was a nightmare inducing situation. He was funny and full of happiness and terrible jokes. He was Quil's best friend, which meant that he also happened to be mine.

"I missed you too, little Claire." He patted my head, like you would a dog, before sitting down. "Quil's just outside, under the shower."

"Which reminds me -" Emily reached out, smacking the head of whoever was closest to her, which was Jared. "Why is Quil to only one who does what I asks when it comes to showering before coming into the house?"

Emily had an outdoor shower for the boys the wash off in, mostly because she complained about being exhausted from cleaning the house after every meal due to the dirt and muck sticking around long after everyone left. None of the boys did it, out of laziness or by the fact that the weather was never nice and the shower was freezing, though Emily said it was no excuse because of their constant boiling body temperature.

I couldn't wait any longer. As Embry and Jared stumbled through some excuse as to why they never listened, I jogged out of the house, approaching the corner slowly. It only then just occurred to me that Quil would be naked. A harsh blush suddenly rose to my cheeks at the thought and I couldn't help myself before peering around the corner.

I guess Emily or Sam had installed curtains since last time. I only saw Quil's hand reach for the towel on the ledge of the side of the house. Barely a minute later, the curtain was pushed aside quickly, Quil emerged, in only a pair of tight cut-off jeans.

His curly hair was wet and wavy on top of his head, unlike his usual look of fluffy, slightly curly mop that I adored so much. His russet skin was clean and smooth and easy to touch. His tall figure and hairy legs always startled me. Quil was a man's man - broad, hard, muscular, and protective. But the few things that never seemed to change were his bright brown eyes and impish grin, which were my two favourite things about him.

I was going to try and play it cool, as I should've been used to it by now, but still every time I saw him, I almost always bursted with excitement. "Quil!"

His eyes shifted to me quickly. "Claire." Instantly, his wonderful smile came over his face. He took a couple big steps over to me, wrapping his arms around me. His arms were tight, chest firm, and body warming. "Oh, Claire."

I sighed, finally feeling the relaxation I was waiting for since I arrived. "Hi."

Quil laughed quietly. "Hi." His voice was soft, as were his eyes when he looked over me. His big hands came to the sides of my face, holding me gently. "How are you? How was the trip? When did you get in? Did you unpack? Have you slept? Have you eaten?"

"Calm, Quil." I took his hands away from my face, holding them in mine as I took a couple steps back, guiding him towards the front door. "I'm hungry. Let's eat, okay?" I turned around, his hand still in mine.

"Claire." Quil spun me around, stepping very close to me, still smiling. He looked happy. I loved seeing him that way. "I'm glad you're back."

I nodded, feeling the tingling in my fingers as he rubbed my hand with his thumb. "Me too."