I do not own anything in the Twilight Universe.
author's note:
This is a sequel to my story Beauty and her Beast. It has a few of my own characters, as well as new pairings. It might not hold up without you reading the first story. It is 10 years in the future. Claire is 16. Seth had imprinted on Lauren. This is the imprints story.
It Should Always Rain At Funerals
Quil tapped his fingers on the counter, waiting impatiently for the receptionist to request Claire be released from class. The busy hallway added chaos to his already troubled thoughts. Maybe he should have let her finish the day at school, but he was so filled with the pack's pain and sorrow that he needed her, even to just be at his side, to draw her strength and to reinforce the fact that she was safe and sound.
If only he could do the same for himself. At least in human form he was not trapped in the pack mind. He would be pretty much insane at this point, if he was. The pain was overwhelming, and he was getting it secondhand. But to be the one to lose your imprint? He didn't want to follow those dark thoughts down that path. Her scent caused him to turn his attention to the entryway, where Claire stepped in holding her book bag. Her usual dimpled smile absent. Dark circles hung heavy under her green eyes. "What happened? Is everyone ok?" She asked, the first words she had said to him, since their fight. He shook his head no , "No, I just thought that you would want to have time to get ready, you know." And he couldn't make another hour without her calming presence. He took her backpack and let her lead the way to the car.
He breathed a sigh of relief that she had let go of her grudge. It was tense enough today, without the added stress of having to walk on eggshells too. As he helped her in the car she asked, "How's mom?" He paused for a moment before he closed her door and got in the driver's side, before he answered.
" She's having one of her good days. She had a few tests she had to do at the hospital, but she'll meet us at the church later." Claire shook her head, and stared out the windshield as he backed out of the parking space. She was afraid to go to school this morning when she saw the way she was acting. The second bout with the cancer, had left her much weaker, mentally as well as physically. She just wasn't bouncing back like she did before. Do we have time to stop at Sue's? You know I want to give my support."
Quil glanced at her, his heart going out to her. Her shoulders just were not big enough to carry the burdens that her short 16 years have dumped on her. He felt like a failure, all of his promises to protect her, broken. Sure, he kept the monsters away and kept her safe, but not from acts of God. He had no control over those things. And he felt so helpless. She looked so vulnerable in the front seat, staring out the window. He just wanted to hold her, and rock her, like she was six years old again. But that was the problem, she wasn't six. And his own body, could not control its own actions, to that fact. It was better to keep his distance. Or he would be breaking another promise, he made to her mother.
He pulled up to the house that he shared with them. It was quiet as the engine died. He started to open his door, when he noticed that she had made no effort to move. He turned back to her to see silent tears trace the contours of her face. A sob rose in his throat at the sight of her pain. And he was lost. He gathered her into his arms, rocking her in the confines of the compact car. She let the dam go and her tears came in wrenching sobs deep in her chest. He stroked her hair and whispered sweet endearments, to calm her anguish.
"I am so sorry about the fight. I was just being selfish. And I am sorry about all those things that I said about you...." Quil shushed her. He kissed the top of her head, pulling her closer, to his hard chest. She turned her face in to breath in his musky scent. It calmed her like nothing else could.
"Claire, you have nothing to apologize. I was being heavy handed. It's just that we want you to have as normal a childhood as possible in your situation. God knows, what we can do is not enough." Claire tensed in his arms at his words. She hated it when he talked like that. The "WE" that punctuated each sentence, like Quil and her Mother were a couple, her parents. Quil was hers. Not her Mothers, and though she tried not to be, she was jealous. It made her feel so much like a child. And she wasn't. She hadn't been for a long time. Her mother's cancer had made her grow up faster than normal. Responsibilities forced on her, changed her view points on life and what was important. Quil was important. And it seemed as if he were growing more distant each day. That wasn't the way imprinting was supposed to work. And it didn't work that way for her. She felt closer to him than she had ever been.
Like the way his arms wrapped around her, like they were made to fit perfectly. And the way his warmth soaked into her skin, bathing her in a heated glow. The way his scent filled her senses, and clouded her mind. The way his heartbeat dictated the pace of her own heart. Like just now, it felt like he was running in the forest, with her flung low on his back, as she did as a child. Her own heart picking up pace. His breath hitched above her head, as if he were having problems breathing in the small space. His hands that was stroking her hair slipped down to her shoulders, and then lower to her back. The heat under his palms burned a trail where they caressed. She shivered at the heat and melted into his chest. Her own hands explored the planes of his broad back. She could feel his muscles tighten and flex under her hands, as if she controlled them with her light touch.
She felt his lips, as they moved over her forehead, light as butterfly wings, tickling her brows, and they lighted on her cheek. Then all of a sudden he was at the edge of his seat by the door. His wide eyes wary as he stared at her. Her own confusion and pain of the sudden separation haunting her eyes. "We should get ready, if you want to stop by Sue's. She'll want to be at the church early." Quil said as his eyes drifted, anywhere but on her face. He opened his door and stepped into the rain. He ran to the door to open it and then let her go in first. She turned around to trap him in the doorway, but he was quicker and he stepped around her to head into the hallway. "I'm going to get a shower." The last word said through the closed door. Great. They only had one bathroom. Now she would have to wait to question him about what happened in the car. She turned to her Mother's bedroom to check on her. She opened the door as quietly as possible, to see her asleep on the bed. She was dressed for the funeral, but she looked worn out.
Claire tip toed over to the bed and slipped off her shoes. She looked down at Heather, and thought that she looked so much older than her 40 years. Her dark hair hung limp and lifeless around her face. Traces of gray lining her thin face, that she was sure that a direct result of the chem o. Normally, their Indian heritage didn't gray so early. Of course her Father's side of the family did. That was where she got her dark brown hair and hazel eyes. And though darn freckles. She had hoped that they would fade with time. No such luck. Well she might as well get dressed. If Quil got the shower first, there would be no hot water left for at least another half hour.
Quil stood in the shower, letting the icy water slosh over his heat infected body. But it was a wasted effort. The waters temperature had no effect on his wolf genes. He was so close to losing control a moment ago. Man, he was acting like some hormone infected 16 year old instead of the 29 year old adult. Sometimes he felt like a pervert. She was so vulnerable and he took advantage of the situation. He was groping her for crying out loud. God help him, but he did not think that he would make it till her 18th birthday. The conversation six months ago played in his mind again. The one that had dashed his hopes and had made his life a living testament to temptation.
"Hey, Heather, have you seen Claire?" Quil asked as he entered the living room. He was bushed. Patrol was grueling in the pouring rain and he was drenched. He just needed to hold her for a moment to ease his mind and his tired bones. Eight hours was just too long to be away from her. And now that she had turned 16, he felt closer to her than he ever had before.
"She's helping her sister pack, she leaves in a couple of days and Allison just doesn't have Claire's organizational skills. Come here a minute, I want to talk to you." She patted the seat next to her on the couch. He moved hesitantly to her, worried about the tense look on her face. Man if the cancer was back....but she looked good. She had been in remission for two years. Carlisle's alternative treatment had worked again, but they had learned early on it was not permanent. If it had returned, it meant that it had lasted only half the time it worked before. He worried about the woman. It was so hard on her to have to depend upon other people, especially, when it was her kids. And Claire shouldered most of the responsibility. She had always been like a little mother. He was so proud of her. He sat down, silent, waiting for her to start. She looked at him and opened her mouth, but thought better of what she was about to say. She adjusted her herself on the couch and tried again.
"Quil I have rethought about our decision to let the two of you start dating." At Quil's protest, she continued, "I know that we agreed when she turned 16, but I think we should give her a couple of more years, before she gets too serious." Quil's hurt expression, stabbed Heather's heart. He was so good for Claire. He would be there for her when she would no longer be able to, but Claire had her whole life in front of her. And she didn't want her daughter to have the same kind of regrets, that she had growing up, not having any kind of childhood. She needed to be a child first, before she was loaded down with the weight of the world.
"Heather, I know that she is still young, but she is the most mature 16 old I have ever met. I mean she could run her own household, she is smart and she never uses poor judgment. She never does anything wrong. If it's because, you don't trust me, I can assure you...." Heather interrupted him. She couldn't bear to see him defend himself. He had been nothing but honorable to her family. More than honorable, he was the knight in shining armor. But his world was full of dragons and monsters, that even though he slays, there are always more coming. A dangerous world that had no place for school dances, and plays, and cheer leading, or anything that Claire could have her heart set on.
"Quil, don't misunderstand me, I trust you with my life, my babies lives. It has nothing to do with trust. I want Claire to be a kid. She has not had that chance. She has had to grow up. To take care of me. I don't want her to be like I was. Let her finish high school. Let her explore her dreams. I'm asking you to give her a chance to decide what she wants before we fill her head with destiny." Quil sat there silently, thinking over what she had said, his heart waring with his head. Claire came bouncing in the room. He stared at her. Her face was lit up and she was clucking her tongue. It was a habit she had as a child, when she was extremely happy. He hadn't heard it in such a long time. He gaze wandered back to Heather, whose own countenance was pleading that he agree.
"Boy, I think Allison is taking the kitchen sink, I hope you weren't too attached to it. I am so happy for her. To see the world outside of La Push. She's been dreaming of this since, well forever!" Claire came over to Quil and gave him a hug and a peck on his cheek. "Boy are you wet! Don't you think that you should put on some dry clothes? I don't want you to catch a cold. There's nothing like a grumpy wolf boy. Hey, what's the matter?" Her last question, rising at the panic in her voice. She looked back and forth between the two at their somber expressions. For a moment she thought back to the last time they had a talk. Heather quickly assured her that everything was ok. Then she looked questioning to Quil, waiting for his answer. He turned back to Claire.
"So Claire, do you dream of going to far off places?" His question, so lightly asked, was filled with inquiry, like his very air depended on it. Claire looked back as if she never really thought about it. And she really hadn't. Her life was Quil, and the pack. Where ever they were, that was where she wanted to be. She looked back at him, and belatedly realized, that he really wanted an answer.
"Well, I don't know. Never thought about it. I just thought I would be with you. Where ever you go is fine with me." The answer crippled him. He clutched the chair as he realized, that he had taken all of her choices away. Her Mother was right. It wasn't fair. He looked back to Heather and shook his head, the movement digging into his heart. Two more years. He could do it. It wouldn't kill him, right?
This was going to kill him. Six months. Claire had been subjected to every elective, every club, every event the school and community had offered. She did not have a spare minute to think about the pack or bloodsuckers, or imprinting, ….or Quil. The separation was killing him. Was she as affected? He could not tell. But she was developing an attitude. And he did not like it one bit. If this broadening her horizons, was also changing her personality, he was beginning to resent his decision. But all it took was to see her vulnerable like in the car today, to make him stamp down his reservations.
"Quil, get your butt out of the shower, or you will shrivel up like a prune. Man you are worse than a girl." Claire banged on the door for good measure, before she went to the kitchen. She pulled out the casserole she made on the weekend to heat up during the week. She liked an organized kitchen and everything was labeled and in its place. This was more her kitchen than anyone else. Heather was a terrible cook, and it was a crime to humanity to let her destroy perfectly good food. The only one who could digest her fair without getting sick was Quil. But she suspected he was a human garbage disposal. Heather entered the kitchen with a yawn.
"You shouldn't have let me sleep so long. Here, let me help you." Heather said as she started to gather the things, that they would take to Sue's for the dinner after the funeral. Claire stopped her Mom's hands.
"It's ok, Mom, I've got it. I'm going to take the casserole that I already made along with the bread I bought yesterday. Everything's covered. Why don't you sit down until Quil is ready? We can all go together. We just need to stop at Sue's first. They heard the clicking sound of Quil's dress shoes before he entered the kitchen adjusting his tie. He looked gorgeous in his black suit. Too bad he only wore it on somber occasions. His hair had grown a little wild, curling at the collar and falling in waves at his temples. Time for another cut. He only let her touch his hair, and she had been so busy lately, he had been neglected. She stepped forward readjusting his tie. He looked down at her, he face unreadable. She was fascinated by the movement of his Adam's apple as he swallowed. As soon as she let go of his tie he stepped back and bumped into the island counter.
"Well, we better get going, if we want to stop at Sue's." Quil took the casserole from Claire and led the way to the car. He helped Heather into the front seat leaving Claire to sit in the back, like a little child. Quil was secretly relieved. He still could not stop his reaction to being too close to her. The smell of their earlier arousal permeated the air in the car and caused him to cringe as he took a peek at Heather's unsuspecting expression. He started the car and made the short trip to Sue Clearwater's place. Charlie's cruiser was in the yard. At least she wasn't alone. Quil parked the car and helped Heather out. Claire did not wait for him to help her and banged the door shut, and marched into the house, without a backward glance. He had no idea why she was copping an attitude at this time. But she acted like she needed a paddling.
They entered the house to see Charlie and Embry seated on the couch, each had a glass of iced tea in their hands. They were staring at spaced above each other's heads. Quil felt for the young man. He was sitting across from the Father, he was forced to grow up with no knowledge of, but now had held the secret from Charlie for 10 years. They greeted the men as they entered the living room. Embry stood up and accepted a hug from Heather and Claire, who could not stop the flow of their tears. Quil brushed back his own as he stepped up and clamped his friend in a bear hug, it's strength a show of his compassion.
"How is Sue? Is she handling it ok?" Heather asked as she took a seat in the rocker, its clicking sound as she rocked back, echoing on the wooden floor. Claire sat next to Embry, taking his free hand. Quil sat on the couch's armrest. He looked down at his glass and squeezed her hand.
"As well as can be expected. When your children are hurting, you hurt." He said as he watched his twin boys, through the window, playing in the yard.
"Where is Leah?" Claire asked looking around. "She's laying down. She had patrol last night subbing for Seth. I doubt that she has shut her eyes though. I'm worried about her. She is taking this almost as hard as Seth. You know, because she feels so guilty. She thinks that it is her fault."
"It was an accident. It was no one's fault really. She shouldn't feel that way." Quil patted Embry's back trying to comfort him. Embry looked back and replied, "Try telling her that. But the truth is we all treated her badly. We just didn't get the imprint. And now we can't take any of the harmful words, the damning actions. And Seth is stuck in his own private hell, and does not want any false compassion and sentiment.
"Seth, he's gone. I went to check on him and he's gone. I called Sam and Emily, I called Jared and Paul, no one's seen him. The funeral is less than half an hour and he's taken off. His suit is still in his room. I knew he would do something like this when he blew up at the viewing." Embry stood up and hugged his mother-in-law.
"Sue it will be alright, we will find him." Charlie stood up to comfort her as well.
"Look Sue I'll call some people and we can have the boys scout out the area. We'll find him. I've got a new officer, that will be covering the traffic. You've got my undivided attention." Charlie stopped to answer his cell phone. The look of relief on his face told them that Seth turned up. "It's ok, he's with Edward. They are on their way to the house. He'll make sure that he is there on time. Let's head for the church, to make sure everything is in order."
"Maybe I should stay. He might need me." Sue said doubt in her wavering voice. Charlie looked back with concern. "Edward, thinks that it would be better if he got ready alone. He's still pretty upset. Come on it will be ok." Embry went to wake up Leah, but she was slipping on her shoes as he entered the bedroom. "They are right, you know? It is not your fault. The road was wet and she lost control of the car. An accident." Leah looked back with dead eyes.
She stood up and said, "But if I hadn't told her to get the hell out of here, she would not have been on that road." They stared at each other, neither one backing down.
I hope you like it.