AN: Me? Own Twilight? HAHA never.


My first day helping Billy began just like any other day: school, but worse.

Not only have my teachers been kicking my ass, I have been exiled from my friend group for not being able to forgive Danny for cheating on me. Anyone in their right mind would understand my side of the whole thing, but alas, all of my friends are fucking imbeciles who don't know shit about healthy relationships. I was battered and broken both physically and emotionally from racing around the school trying to avoid the cheater—I mean Danny—and all my ex friends. By the time I made it from Forks to La Push, I was exhausted. I had to stop three times to sit on the side of the road and catch my breath. Once I saw Billy's house on the horizon, I felt the exhaustion seep into my bones, I was totally not made for hiking long ass distances.

I remember the stern talking to I got from my parents last night after I pulled up in the police cruiser. It got worse as soon as I mentioned Billy.

"That shame you're feeling is what you get for bailing for five years," they had said, before they proceeded to give the highest praise of my cousin and the greatest impact he has every day by being involved and keeping the reservation safe. I couldn't stop thinking about what a fucking load of shit it was.

Walking through La Push on the main road was different; normally I took the back roads or cut through the forest to get to the bait shop in order to avoid seeing people who might know me or my family, but this was a nice change of pace. I had forgotten how beautiful La Push was; the woods had a calming effect on me. The rustle of the leaves and branches in the wind, the light smell of rain and earth, and the sweet sound of birds singing their songs as they flew had me completely dazzled.

My emotions began to well up inside me, and I felt tears threatening to spill over. How could I have taken this beautiful reservation for granted? It was gifted to my people by the spirits, and I abandoned those traditions before I even really understood what they meant. I don't even remember half of the legends—how can Billy even welcome me into his home to help him when I'm as good as a pale face. My parents were right, anything this beautiful should be protected, and I envied my cousin for keeping with it and not falling away like I did. The lump in my throat grew with each step, and I felt the wetness of my inner turmoil on my cheeks.

As I brushed away the tears, a familiar voice called out to me, "Gracie? Is that you?"

I whip my head in the direction of the voice and quickly swallow the sobs that were literally two seconds away from being unleashed. It's a woman walking towards me from a cluster of houses next to Billy's. The knees of her jeans are stained with grass and mud, her hair is pulled up and away from her face, highlighting the dirt and scars that ran across her cheek. Underneath the dirt, I can see she's beautiful, and I begin to remember… Wait a second, I recognize that voice it's

"Emily?" I say, and I know I've got it right because the smile on her face widens—if it's even possible.

"Gracie," she says again, and she's smiling—laughing even, "I didn't think we'd ever see you again out here—"

"Emily," I say, trying to keep the worry out of my voice, "Em, what the fuck happened to your face?"

"Oh," she says, touching at her face with dirty hands. I realize she's carrying a basket full of dirty carrots and potatoes. She fidgets, uncomfortable under my gaze. "I was gardening, why, is there dirt on my face?"

I just nod and choose to forget my unanswered question.

"You're here for Billy, right?" she asks, and I nod. "I heard about that. Can't believe it's been so long since I've seen you, Gracie. How about I walk with you the rest of the way? I was just heading to Sue's house." She was acting as if I knew who Sue was. I barely remember anyone here, I hardly even remembered who she was.

I had a feeling the day was only just going to get worse.

Emily tried making small talk with me and I was couldn't keep up. She mentioned names like Sam, Leah, and Paul, and Jacob's unfortunate absence, and I was completely drawing blanks. It wasn't until she mentioned Embry that I knew what she was talking about.

"…And Embry is also involved with the forest security, and he seems to like it—"

"Wait, like my cousin, Embry?"

Emily glanced at me and smiled, "Yeah, your cousin Embry."

"Jesus Christ I haven't even seen the guy in ages," I confess.

Her smile falters, but returns to all its megawatt glory as we reach Billy's house.

"I guess this is Castle Black isn't it?" I said, and Emily gives a low laugh.

"I guess it is." And I knew she didn't get my reference.

The house is just like any other house with a sweet porch swing, and a ramp that covered the steps, no doubt installed once Billy was stuck in his wheelchair. The curtains in the window were drawn, and I began to wonder whether or not the old man was even home. The light just beyond the shut door flickers on, and I know he is.

"Alright, Grace, well I guess this is where I leave you," Emily says with a pout, "Don't be a stranger now, okay?"

"Okay, Em," I concede, and I watch her go the way we came basket in hand.

I bring my attention back to the house in front of me, and I feel nerves starting to creep their way into my system. I have absolutely no idea what this guy has planned for me. What could this involve? Is his house a disaster or something and he needs help cleaning up? Or maybe he just wants me to make him a few meals that will last him a few days. Come to think of it, I make a mean boxed mac n cheese.

I suck it up and march up the ramp and before I can start banging on the door, it opens.

"Grace Call." Billy says, and to be honest, he sounds kind of annoyed.

Christ almighty, I'm probably in for a world of fucking hurt.

He wheels out of the way to let me in, and I take a look around the inside of his lair. It's quaint and cozy, but the place is a disaster. There's dust everywhere, unopened mail litters every surface, and a couple dirty dishes are scattered around the place. I see a bunch of tattered old books probably filled with the tribe's legends piled all over the dining table. I make a joke about doing some "light reading" but he doesn't even acknowledge me saying anything. Tough crowd.

"Help me clean this up," Billy said simply, gesturing towards the mess, "I keep wheeling over all this crap and it's been getting stuck in the chair and it's annoying."

Yikes, someone has their panties in a fucking knot.

"Okay, you got it." I tell him, trying to keep my own annoyance out of my voice, and I get to work. Being chipper is fucking exhausting.

The whole process took about two hours of strenuous slave labor. I took my time sorting through all his mail, dividing it between the important stuff, and the crap he could throw away. Billy constantly watched me from the corner of his eye, and I nearly called him out on it more than once, but I guessed he was just trying to figure me out. I mean, after all, the guy barely even knows me, it's not like I've been around for him to actually develop a sense of trust. As I cleaned, the guilt of passing up the last seven years of learning about my heritage didn't cease, and I feel like he sensed it, and after a while, Billy put down the newspaper he had taken to read.

"Grace," he said, and I look at him, "how about I read a little bit about the tribe while you work?" I give him an incredulous look, and he chuckles, "Or not, it's up to you."

I blush at my obvious ignorance on the subject of our shared culture, and say "Yeah, go for it."

I didn't think that Billy would even consider reintroducing me into our culture so quickly. I had thought about asking him last night, but he really jumped the gun on me. What sucks even more, is that I don't even remember half the fucking stories. Jesus, I'm so going to hell.

Billy opened the first book on the pile, and turned to a dog-eared page. He adjusted his position on his wheelchair to accommodate for the book and cleared his throat before beginning. As Billy read about Taha Aki, Utlapa, and the third wife, I found myself joining him at the table enthralled by the legends of our tribe. He spoke with such wisdom and emotion, it was as if he was born to tell these stories, like he was sharing memories, not just practicing oral tradition. Every so often he would close his eyes as his words fell into a rhythm, and I sat with rapt attention, drinking in everything he had to say. As he finished, I felt tears well up behind my eyes. Billy looked at me and smiled.

"Why are you crying? They are just stories of legend," He reminded me, concern lacing his voice.

I sniffle, "I feel like I've robbed myself of my own culture." Billy tilts his head and his smile becomes solemn.

And it's true. I really fucking did. How could I forget the importance of rooting yourself in your culture and your heritage? I felt proud of Taha Aki, and how his strength, determination, and endurance, and ultimately his faith in his own culture delivered himself and his tribe from evil. I was an idiot for letting something so precious fall to the dust.

"You can take the girl out of the tribe, but you can't take the tribe out of the girl," Billy said.

I let out a small laugh through my tears, and Billy joins me. His laugh fills the house like light, and I understand further why being chief was his birthright. Leadership and compassion runs in his veins, just like Taha Aki, and I could only hope to possess a fraction of the qualities that Billy does.

The nerves that I felt when I first entered Billy's home quickly vanished, and I put down the cleaning supplies and engaged Billy in amiable conversation. We talked about everything from his kids, my studies, my job, and his duties as chief. I asked him where Chief Swan fit into all of this and he laughs, "That old man Charlie? Ha!" and he says no more on the subject. I can honestly say that I have never met anyone who has truly lived without any regret until I met Billy.

It wasn't until I mentioned forest security that Billy hesitated.

"Emily said that?" he asks, and I nod.

He paused, deep in thought, before saying, "There's been a sudden spike in bear attacks in the woods surrounding La Push and Forks. The young men of our tribe have formed a coalition of sorts. They venture into the woods to keep us safe and ultimately control the population of the bears in the forest. Nothing to concern yourself with."

Nothing to concern myself with? The fact that the danger even fucking exists is a cause for concern in and of itself. Billy sees the worry on my face and is quick to change the subject.

"How about some dinner? You must be hungry, and look," he points to the window, "the sun is setting. I think we could both do well with some food in our bellies, what do you say?"

I agree.

And together, Billy and I made the best damn boxed mac and cheese to ever grace the planet earth. It was a start to the most beautiful friendship ever curated. I knew in that moment, scooping mac and cheese into my mouth, that I would return to Billy's, and we would share plenty more of these precious moments. I fully intended to invest myself into helping Billy and reintegrating myself into tribal activities, no matter what.


Days like that became a frequency for Billy and me.

After school I would go to his house, I would help him clean up, pay his bills, or set his DVR to record the soap opera he made me swear not to tell anyone he watched. The days were filled with fruitful conversation; Billy gave me advice on everything and anything, he even convinced me to quit my job.

"You're stretching yourself way too thin," he had told me, "don't put something as superficial as money as a priority in your life right now. There's so much more you can do, learn and explore without finances as a worry."

The guy was the wisest fucking man I knew.

It wasn't until one day in particular that Billy invited me to a bonfire on First Beach.

"The whole tribe is going to be there. It'll be good for you," he had said.

But now, as I walk by his side down the wooden ramp onto the sand, the hairs on my neck were stood on end. I don't think I've ever been so nervous in my life. I haven't even reintroduced myself to Embry or anyone so I've been frequenting Billy's house. I didn't want them to reject me because I decided to give them up so long ago.

First Beach was just as beautiful as it had been all those years ago. The sun slowly kissed the ocean, with the waves lapping at the sand, the sound and smell of the sea fresh and clean. Peace emanated from the setting sun, casting a golden glow over the beach. I brought my attention to the rising smoke and the people surrounding it. I felt Billy take my hand and give it a quick squeeze before letting go.

"Don't fret, Grace. They've been waiting for you."

And so they were.

As I approached the bonfire, I was greeted with a chorus of people calling my name and asking if it was really me. All the men were large, except one who was tall but lanky, and there were women clinging to them as if their lives depended on it, except one who barely spared me a glance. The conversation was loud and happy, and I felt deeply welcomed.

One man waded his way through the throng of natives, eyes wide in surprise, but a smile on his face. "Gracie?" He asked incredulously.

I took a closer look, and upon further study, it was definitely Embry. They guy had shot up about a foot and a half, and he was twice as broad as I remembered, but it was my Embry just the same.

"Hi, Em," I said, my voice sounding small.

His smile widens, and he crushes me into a hug, "What the fuck, Grace, where have you been?"

I begin to stutter but someone beats me to the punch, "Jesus Christ, Embry! Can you watch your fucking mouth? There are children here!"

"Oh, shut the F-U-C-K up, Quil," Embry says tiredly.

I look over, and I see Quil a little girl in his lap, laughing at their interaction, with her ears covered by Quil's hands.

"And who is this?" I ask, bending my knees to get to her level.

"I'm Clairebear!" she exclaims excitedly. Her arms reach for me, hands opening and closing, "who are you?"

"My name is Grace, and it's very nice to meet you," I say with a smile.

"Gwace!"

Quil laughs, "It's good to have you back, Grace," and he returns to doting on the little girl.

I thank him and make my way around the circle, reacquainting and introducing myself to all the people who are part of my family. I notice one missing member, and I look at Billy, who meets my gaze before shaking his head sadly. I guess Jacob was another no-show.

I'd been going to Billy's house every day for almost a month now, and the sucker hasn't even bothered to show his face. Jacob should be the one tending to his father, and while I'm glad to do it, it's not fair that Jacob is abandoning his duty not only as a member of the tribe, but as Billy's son. I shouldn't point fingers with dirty hands myself, but I just get a bad vibe from Billy's situation with his son. Still, if my parents needed me the way Billy needs Jacob, I wouldn't hesitate to come running back home to help them in any way I could.

I quickly let my irritated thoughts pass—Billy had me now. I sure as hell wasn't going to leave Billy to fend for himself if I had anything to do with it.

The crowd around the fire settles as Billy clears his throat. Everyone takes a seat on the sand waiting for Billy to speak. I look at all the smiling faces around the fire, and for the first time in a while, I felt like I was where I truly belonged.

Emily and I meet eyes, and she smiles and sends a wink my way as she lets her weight rest on Sam Uley's side. That's odd, I could have sworn that Leah and Sam were as good as engaged last time I saw them. I look over at Leah, and she's already staring right through me. If looks could kill, I'd have been dead for a week.

Billy's wizened voice blends with the sound of the ocean as he tells all the legends of our tribe. I listen with rapt attention and let myself fall in love with the sense of family on First Beach. I knew not everybody could experience something as beautiful as this, and I counted myself lucky. With all that I had been going through with school, my friend group, and the stress and anxiety I didn't know I was feeling, the sense of peace and tranquility that emanated from Billy was inviting. It was in that moment, surrounded by people who I knew cared about me, even after being away for so long, that I dedicated myself to my tribe once again. I'd sooner die than let anyone here down ever again.

I felt my heart swell as Billy finished, and everyone settled into the rich noise of the ocean. I'd be damned if anything or anyone forced me to give this up.


AN: Haha aw so cute. I love Billy so much. Also, the last authors note mentioned a Game of Thrones reference, and it's actually in this chapter. Castle Black! Also, you guys can sort of start to see Grace's resentment towards Jacob, even though she can't really point fingers when she left the tribe behind herself as well. Sure, Jacob went to go "find" himself, or sort his shit out with his feelings for Bella or whatever, but I just think it's kind of shitty that no one really talks about what happened to Billy while Jacob was gone. I'm sure the guy was OK, like he's not an invalid, but I can just imagine him being so lonely, even if he had a whole tribe to look after him. It's Jacob's responsibility as Billy's son, and yet where's Jacob? Oh yeah, gone. And he's not gonna be around for a few more chapters guys bc I really wanna develop Grace's relationship with Billy and with the other members of the tribe, so that when Jacob DOES come back (and he will), he'll see how much he missed out on if he wasn't such a whiny brat and sore loser. So yeah, that's mostly where my idea for this story came from I guess. I feel like I lowkey spoiled this whole story, but who even reads author notes anyway? Shout out to you if you do. Also as a side note, this is not a Jacob bashing-esque story. It will EVENTUALLY become JacobXOC but, I think ya'll already know that. Anyway, Fave, follow, and review!