The Artist by Maddyson Ruby

Characters: Embry/OC

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I own nothing and make no profit. All recognisable characters belong to Stephanie Meyer.

AN: Brand new requested story! Give me your opinions! I need feedback! I haven't done an Embry story since my first ever fanfic, one-shot 'Heart and Soul'. Just to let you all know, this story is the best writing I have ever, ever done!

Chapter 1

The colours seemed to almost jump off the canvas at her; striking oranges, vibrant yellows and mesmerising blues. Every colour looked to have a life all of its own. Each individual brush stroke added to the piece in its own divine way. The deep sense of satisfaction she felt at seeing the product of her labouring was immense, coupled with a potent feeling of pride. She thrived on that feeling, that sense of wonder and accomplishment. It had always been that way for her, and she suspected it always would be, until the day she died. Her passion for art was one thing that many had remarked upon as being so similar to her mother. She was incredibly proud of that comment, despite what others may be so inclined to think.

Sophia twirled her paint brush between her fingers as she regarded her art work - a blazing sun setting over a field of wildflowers. It was truly beautiful and Sophia was ecstatic at having it finally completed. It was, after all, a present for a very important person - her young niece, Elodie.

Elodie was the only child of Sophia's older brother, Leon. She was six years old and cute as a button with her glimmering blue eyes, eyes the exact shade of teal and a head of light blonde hair.

Sophia adored Elodie, the little girl who was so very precious to her. She'd do anything for her, as cheesy as that sounded. Perhaps it was some long dormant maternal instinct stemming from her own lack of motherly figures growing up but what it was didn't matter, all that mattered now to Sophia was Elodie. Well, Elodie and her art.

Sophia's father Mitch Taryn was a hard man, stern and unyielding to all but his family. He was warm man at heart and Sophia prided herself on her innate ability to have her father wrapped around her little finger. This was a useful ability she was teaching Elodie, too.

Mitch worked hard during his life - still did, as a matter of fact - but he had always managed to have time for his kids. Even though both Leon and Sophia had grown up and moved out, they were still close despite their different paths in life.

Leon had been left to raise Elodie when her mother went missing in the Seattle killings five years prior and he was working part time as a high school science teacher and a father.

Sophia was a freelance artist - it had been bound to happen with her overactive imagination and creative tendencies - and she was very good at what she did. It was probably because Sophia lived for her art and family; it was just the way she was.

Sophia's father was a sentimental man and still lived in the family home, he could deny it all he wanted but his family knew it was tough on him being without their mother, Lola. Now, Lola was a hippie child who Mitch had met whilst travelling the United States on the job. She had been the lonely hitchhiker and he had been her truck driving hero. It was safe to say that the two had hit it off because less than a year after they met on Route 20, Leon Taryn was welcomed into the world with Sophia following six years afterwards.

Tragedy struck the Taryn family several years afterwards as Lola died in a head on collision car crash. This event hit the family hard, traumatising young Sophia who was blindly raised by her father alongside Leon.

Sophia shook herself from her morbid ponderings, now was no time for such depressing thoughts. It was a time to be happy as the family were all banding together at their childhood home for a meal, just like old times.

She looked down at herself and almost laughed at the sheer state she was in. Her faded denim artist overalls were now primarily decorated in blues, yellows and splashes of orange, all of varying hue. Not to say that the overalls weren't already stained. They were just even worse now. But Sophia didn't mind. The overalls were just a work of art now, too. Simple as that.

She had always enjoyed standing out a bit too much. Her clothing was one such example of this; customised, original clothing was something of a norm for her. In fact, if it wasn't customised or decorated by her it could be considered unusual. Her father had often admitted that her mother was a bit of a seventies child with the flower power and all that.

After showering a majority of the paint out of her untameable curls, dressing in some relatively paint free jeans and a home tie-dyed tank top, she slipped on her flip flops and headed out the door with the newly completed sunset painting to her beat up little car. It wasn't much but then again, Sophia couldn't really afford much and she'd always been a girl looking for comfort not looks - it was just the way she was.

Her childhood home was small and unassuming, painted a pale green with a darker, forest green door. The house had so many memories, both good and bad. It was the place she grew up and always would be; nothing could change that but her Mom's presence in the house still seemed so raw, even after all these years. Sophia doubt there would ever be a time when this house didn't seem to radiate the essence of Lola Taryn. Whether it was the hand painted walls, embellished with flowers and all manner of things, or the homemade cushion and throws adorning nearly every surface, everything seemed to irradiate all that was and had been Lola and Mitch was unwilling to remove the mementos that he so adored.

Sophia was greeted at the door by none other than Elodie. The little girl squealed in delight at seeing her lovable, Aunt Sophia. She had always been a special person to Elodie; the little girl's reaction every time she saw her just reaffirmed this belief.

"Hey, Soph," came the voice of her brother, Leon. He grinned at his younger sibling, ruffling her hair affectionately.

"Hey, Lee," she responded with a chuckle before she leapt at him, embracing him tightly as though to convey just how much she had missed her joking yet proud big brother. She pulled away, turning to face a now impatient Elodie, "So, how have you been, my angel?"

"I've been a good girl; Daddy says that I'm growing up." Elodie chirped out with a giggle, her eyes wide with happiness.

"Oh, so you are!" Sophia exclaimed, feigning surprise as she looked over her niece. In truth though, the little girl was growing up, her cute blonde locks now framed her cherubic face and her stunning teal eyes, glimmered with laughter and joy. She looked rather different to the petite little baby with the tuft of blonde hair she had once been.

"But, I'll always be Daddy's girl," Elodie said seriously, or as seriously as a six year old can.

"'Course you will, El," Leon said with a grin but Sophia did not miss his shining eyes or the way his voice wavered slightly as he took in his steadily growing daughter.

Thankfully her father took that moment to step in, "What's taking you lot so long to get inside then, eh?" His gruff voice broke the slight tension that had just begun to settle and then the Taryn family were joking and laughing together once more – as they all felt it should be.

Dinner came quickly and everybody noticed Mitch's absentmindedness and his nervous expression grow worse as the meal progressed. Even Elodie saw the evident change in her once vibrant grandfather, they all just chose to not comment on it. He would speak when he was ready; if you rushed him then he would just close off to them – that was a lesson they had quickly learned when they were young.

Just as dinner was finished, Mitch stood up. He wrung his hands in apparent nervousness as his family watched on in silence. He cleared his throat before speaking up, "I, uh… haven't been entirely honest with you all." He began, looking around the dining table at Leon and Sophia in particular, "I've met somebody."

It was silent for a moment as Sophia and Leon digested the information then Leon spoke up, his voice laced with confusion, "That's great, Dad but… why are you so nervous? Just invite her over some time to meet us all," he said with a shrug before laughing, "We promise not to scare her off, if that's what you're worried about."

If possible that's when Mitch got even more nervous, "Well, uh… You see… It might be a little too late for that…"

Sophia and Leon exchanged meaningful looks of confusion and alarm before Elodie piped in, her voice tinged clearly with confusion, "Why is it too late, Grandpa? Did something happen?" The poor little girl sounded hopelessly confused.

When her father only managed to stutter out meaningless drivel, Sophia took the initiative and asked the question her father had been dreading, "How is it too late to meet her? It's not like you asked her to marry you." She scoffed but one look at her father's face told her all she needed to know.

Mitch finally steeled his nerves before saying in a voice that left no doubt of his meaning, "I'm getting married."

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"I'm getting married."

The dense silence in the house was almost palpable – oppressive and constant. It filled every crevice and resonated out, leaving the room's three occupants locked in a thick tension.

"What did you say?" Leah asked, her voice unwavering but heavily tinged with confusion, anger and not a little bit of worry.

"I'm getting married." Sue repeated, before paling slightly under Leah's stony glare. Sue had not been in a serious relationship since Charlie Swan but they had not been meant for each other and she had felt very little need to embark in another serious relationship so soon.

Before Leah could begin berating their mother like an unruly child, Seth stepped in to be the voice of reason, "I'm confused, Mom. I didn't even know you were seeing anyone."

"Yes, I am engaged to such a wonderful man. He and I have been, um… seeing each other for about seven months or so," Sue said clearly, her eyes shining slightly with hope, for both the present and the future. She was praying to all deities she could remember that everything would go well for them; mostly she prayed that her family would accept this news.

"Seven months?" the Clearwater siblings exclaimed in synchronisation, their voices high and incredulous.

"Yes, I do know what I'm doing. I've invited him and his family down to La Push so everyone can get acquainted. It will be so nice, don't you agree, dears?" Sue asked eagerly, pushing on, "We both want our families to meet together and become one."

Without a word, Leah stood up and exited the room, her mind a whirlwind of conflicted thoughts, emotions and, above all, pain. In moments she was shaking with the need to phase so she took to the forest and let that need consume her totally.

Leah? What are you doing phased? Embry asked in both confusion and worry. He was alarmed by her sudden appearance in his mind. It wasn't near Leah's shift and they both knew it, so Embry found himself concerned for the health of the pack and the security status of the Rez.

Shut it! Leave me! I'll take over your patrol. Leah commanded before losing herself in the rhythm of her running.

Embry waited a minute more before shaking his head and phasing back for the walk home, totally confused by Leah's irrational and worrying behaviour.

Seth and his mother sat in silence, both thinking over what had occurred and what had come to light before Seth spoke the first question he could think off, "What's his name?"

Sue smiled to herself, her thoughts locked in memories, "Mitch. Mitch Taryn."

Kay, first chapter is done. What do you all think? I hope you like it! Review please… I need to know your opinions! The more reviews I get, the quicker the update!