A/N: I' ve decided to separate this from my Jacob story because I won't be finishing it in a while. I do plan to return to it when my life is less hectic. Thanks for bearing with me.

To new readers, this is a companion story to another story I wrote called Loving Jacob Black. It is not essential to read that one before reading this, but there are a few things that I use from that story. One, Emily is pregnant, which is cleary explained in chapter one, and two, Jacob and Leah are a couple. I hope that clears everything up.

Title: Carpe Diem

Summary: Embry's the only one out of the 'older' wolves who hasn't fallen in love. He sick of all the mushiness and gooeyness going around and he is most certainly NOT jealous. But when Caela Segan, a eccentric and headstrong girl, moves to La Push, Embry is in for a lot more than he expected.

Chapter I

Embry's POV:

I lay sprawled across the couch in Sam and Emily's living room, two empty potato chip bags crumpled on my chest, and the remote control in my hand. There was nothing good on, but watching sappy soap operas was better than doing nothing.

"Embry."

I turned to see Emily enter the room. Her large, swollen belly jutted out in front of her. She sighed heavily as she sat down on the chair opposite the couch.

"God, I can't wait to get this thing out me," Emily panted, fanning her herself with her hand.

Though it was only early April, Emily was already complaining about the heat.

"Embry, why are you in my living room?" she finally asked.

"I dunno," I shrugged. "You have a better TV.

Emily sighed. "I know your upset about everyone going to Fun Forest," she said, referring to one of the best amusement parks in Seattle. "You know you could've gone, too."

Yes, technically I could've, but I didn't want to spend my day watching everyone hold hands and make out (With the exception of Quil, who would be spending the day with Claire in Kiddie Land)

Emily seemed to read my mind. "Seth, Collin, and Brady don't have 'dates'," she said, using the world lightly. 'Dates' could hardly begin to describe the term 'imprint'.

I only rolled my eyes. Yes. I'd just love to spend my day with the 'little' kids.

"And what about Sam?" Emily stated. "He went even though I couldn't go with him. I'm sure he wouldn't have minded your company."

"Emily," I said, a sarcastic tone in my voice, "do you honestly think I'd want to spend the day with Sam? You're the only one who can put up with him, and that's because you have to."

She laughed. "I just can't win with you, can I?"

"Nope. Just look up stubborn in the dictionary and you'll find my picture," I joked.

"Are you too stubborn to give me hand—or are you too busy watching…that." She turned to face the television, which was now in the middle showing a sex scene. I already got enough of that from the packs' mind (and much more graphic than this).

"I think I can pull myself away," I told her, switching off the TV. "What do you need help with?"

"Sam keeps telling me he's going to set up the crib in the baby's room, but he hasn't gotten around to it. And frankly, he's running out of time. The baby's due in less than a month," Emily sighed.

"Sure," I shrugged. How hard could assembling a crib be?

Emily led me up the steps and walked into to what used to be a guest room. The walls were painted a pale cream colour (they didn't know if they were having a boy or girl yet) with a classic Winnie the Pooh border lining the walls. In the middle of the room sat a huge box with an illustration of a crib.

I was able to tear the box open easily, but once I had it opened, I realized how many nuts, bolts, and screws there were. I searched for the directions.

"Here they are," said Emily, bending over as far her stomach would let her and pointing to a packet of papers.

"Thanks," I said, reaching for them.

I began to read, but didn't get very far. They were written in French.

"Emily, unless you can read French, I don't think we're getting anything done," I said, handing her the instructions.

Her brow furrowed as she scanned the paper. "I took Spanish," she finally stated. "There has to be some English instructions."

I dug through the whole box, taking out every single piece. We couldn't find any.

"Emily, where did you buy this crib?" I asked.

Emily blushed as she answered. "Online. EBay. It was cheap."

"Well that explains it…" I trailed off. "Know anyone who speaks French?"

"Leah might have taken it in high school," mused Emily, "but that doesn't help us considering she's at Fun Forest with Jacob."

"Well, I guess we're gonna have to figure it out on our own," I said.

So we did. And it took about three hours, a batch of Emily's homemade cookies, and a lot of lame jokes and remarks (on my part) for encouragement.

"I think it will stay," I stated, giving it a good shake.

"It'd better stay," Emily warned. "We can't have it collapsing with the baby in it."

We headed back downstairs just as the pack returned from the amusement park.

"Man, I'm starving!" shouted Quil, holding Claire on his hip. "What for dinner, Em?"

"Crap!" Emily exclaimed. "Is it really that late? I'll order pizza…"

"Get pepperoni!" Paul demanded.

"Sausage!" suggested Jared.

"Get one with everything!" exclaimed Quil.

"I want pwain, Kwil," said Claire, throwing her arms around Quil's neck. Quil simply beamed.

"We get plain, Claire," Quil promised fervently.

"All right, all right," laughed Emily. "I'll got order the whole restaurant…"

"So how was it?" I asked, looking around the room at the people who had become closer to me than my family.

Jacob stood in the far corner absentmindedly stroking Leah's hair. Beside them stood Paul with his arm wrapped loosely around Rachael's waist. Tiny Kim was by far the smallest person (not including Claire) in the room by at least a foot. She leaned against Jared's broad form, her head barely reaching his chest. Quil held Claire like a proud father, beaming at every word she said. Sam stood near Emily, anxiously waiting for her to get off the phone. Seth, Brady, and Collin stood apart from the couples, talking among themselves.

"It was a blast," said Jared. "You should've come, man."

I only shrugged.

"It was a bwast!" mimicked Claire, making everyone laugh.

The pizza came about twenty minutes later (seven boxes), which we all quickly devoured. After dinner, we all headed into the living room. Everyone subconsciously broke off into their couples and groups, making me feel uncomfortable. The pack had always been like the family I never really had; never had I felt out of place.

"I'm tired," I stated, heading for the door. "I'm going home. Bye guys."

And before anyone could protest, I was out the door.