Sarah Black looked out the kitchen window as she washed the dishes. She smiled when she spied the enormous grey wolf bounding into the yard from the nearby woods and waited for the telltale slam of the screen door. She spoke without turning around, pulling the plug on the sudsy water. "You're late, honey. Trouble?" After so many years of marriage, their conversations were often conducted in shorthand these days.
Billy walked up behind her and nuzzled her neck, burying his nose in the dark hair that now was sprinkled with grey. He failed to notice that as his strong arms wrapped around her waist. "Nothing serious. Just chatting with Jake."
Sarah turned now, looking into those deep brown eyes she'd loved for so long. Billy still looked thirty, though he had been around much longer than that. Maybe he wasn't classically handsome, but she loved his rugged good looks, his noble profile, the luxurious black hair that he still wore in long braids. He looked every inch the chief of his people, and she loved him unconditionally.
"And how is number one son? I haven't seen him in ages - and that goes for Leah and the kids too. I wonder if I can talk them into coming for dinner Sunday," she mused.
"That would be nice, Sal. Give him a call later. He's on patrol now. Looks like we're all by ourselves for the moment." He grinned and brushed his lips against hers, lightly teasing, then kissed her deeply. The familiar thrill, slightly breathless and delicious, was still there. She couldn't remember not loving him, and she had no idea where he came up with that silly nickname so many years ago.
She reluctantly pulled away, smiling. "Now don't you go getting ideas, Billy Black. I've got work to do - and that lawn isn't going to mow itself!" He patted her butt, laughing, and swiped a beer out of the fridge on his way to the door. Sarah plucked it out of his hand and replaced it with a bottle of water, shaking her head. "What am I going to do with you?" She held up a hand to keep him from replying; they both knew what his answer would be. He blew her a kiss and, whistling, strode out to the garage.
She watched him go, still marveling at the change in him that was wrought when he phased, twenty years earlier. His walk was straight and proud, belying the fact that he had been wheelchair-bound before shifting. She would be eternally grateful to the Great Spirit, or whoever it was that decided to make him a strong, virile warrior.
Looking back on that fateful day, she remembered the chilling howl that had sent her running to the back door. The empty wheelchair in the middle of the garden. The enormous wolf that was just disappearing into the woods. She shivered again at the memory. Sarah had screamed for Jacob, but she tried to stop him before he took off into the woods, fearing that the giant wolf would eat him too. The longest hour of her life had ended with the two of them emerging from the forest, Jacob in his boxers and Billy, jogging beside him and wearing Jacob's cutoff jeans.
Leah answered on the first ring. "Hi, Mom. What's up?"
"Just missing you and the boys, dear. Any chance you could come for dinner on Sunday? Billy plans to barbecue since the weather is still warm enough to be outside. Please say yes!"
"Okay, okay," Leah replied, a smile in her voice. "I'll double check with Jake when he gets home, but we should be available. I'm sorry it's been so long, Mom. You'd think we lived 50 miles away! You and Dad okay?"
"Oh yes, we're fine. He's got a couple of chores for the boys to 'help' with." The twins would be thirteen in a few weeks, and they loved helping Grandpa around the house. With Leah working part-time at the library and Jacob running his repair shop as well as patrolling, Sue knew they were kept pretty busy raising two young boys. They all knew it was entirely possible that the boys would phase one day, but the vampire population had been pretty consistent in recent years. The Cullens were actually good neighbors, though the wolves would never fully trust them. "How about if I call your mom and invite her and Charlie too?"
"That would be great - kill six birds with one stone," Leah laughed. "I'll bring something for dessert."
As usual, the coastal Washington weather was uncooperative. Sunday dawned raw and drizzly. Sarah was forever grateful that Billy and Jake had built a large covered deck off the back of the house several years ago for just this reason. Most of their picnics were held in its shelter, and today would be no exception. She finished slicing hard-boiled eggs and arranged them artistically on top of the potato salad.
"Billy! Did you put ice in the cooler, honey? It'll need a few hours to get everything cold."
He appeared beside her. "Of course I did, my dear. And it was only the third time you asked me." She shook her head, smiling, and he gave her a peck on the cheek while he swiped a slice of egg off the top of the potato salad. She smacked his hand, but only half-heartedly.
"Sue's bringing her world famous baked beans," Sarah advised, "and Leah's making that chocolate layer cake you like so much. Looks like a giant conspiracy to spoil you rotten!" She laughed.
Billy wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her gently. "You handle that job pretty well all by yourself." He grinned down at her. "I love you, Sal."
"And I love you, Billy, but the next time you track mud into my kitchen I swear I'll take the broom to you!"
"Awww, your grandsons will be here in a while, so don't be worrying about the floor until everyone's gone. I'll wash it for you in the morning - I promise." She smiled up at him. She was in her husband's capable arms and surrounded by her family, so all was right with her world. The girls were both happily married, and Rachel and Paul lived just down the street with their two children. Paul, Jr. was ten and big for his age - not unusual for a Quileute boy. And sweet Jaci was almost nine - her grandma's pride and joy. Rebecca and Sol would be home for Christmas. They were still living in Hawaii, but they came to visit at least twice a year.
"It looks like you're just about ready, and our guests won't be here for hours yet."
She knew that twinkle in his eye. "Now, Billy, I still have to shower and get dressed, and I have to tidy up the family room…" That sentence was destined never to be finished. He lifted her easily and carried her up the stairs, kicking the bedroom door closed behind them.
Sue and Charlie were the first to arrive. "Look at you, Sarah - you never age!" She hugged her friend. "Not a bit of makeup, and you have that beautiful rosy complexion!" Sarah hugged her back, her cheeks flushing a deeper pink as she caught Billy's eye over Sue's shoulder and his lascivious wink. Charlie, who never missed a thing, just shook his head with a broad grin as he shook Billy's hand.
"Do you need a sweater or a shawl, Sue? It's pretty nasty out there," Sarah asked, pulling her own sweater tighter.
"No thanks, I'm fine, Sarah. If I get chilly I'll let you know. Are the boys here yet? I haven't seen them in a while - they've probably grown another foot!"
Sarah laughed and nodded. "That will be them," she smiled, as the front screen door slammed and running footsteps approached through the house. The boys burst out the back door and made a beeline for their grandmothers. Josh ran straight to Sarah and threw his arms around her; they were almost the same height. Jason, a bit less demonstrative, hugged Sue - then they all switched, in a loving tangle of hugs and kisses.
Sarah could hear Jake and Leah in the kitchen. "You guys need any help in there?"
"Nope - we're just putting stuff away." Jake appeared first, with Leah right behind, and they repeated the hugging ritual again.
Billy clapped Jacob on the back. "Come on, son. Let's get this fire started. The natives are getting restless." He grinned at the boys, who were off and running toward the tree house in the far corner of the yard.