Hey Everyone!

This is the first chapter, as you can obviously see :D It's been very emotional for me to write this but it is done and I'm glad because it was really hard. I hope people don't cry. Believe me, it's not my goal :)

I'm happy with the feedback i got for the prologue. I know that some of you were confused and didn't understand fully and i hope that this clears it up for you :)

Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN TWILIGHT!

So, without further ado...

Chapter 1

Mommy

? Point of View

As I looked at myself in the mirror, the only thing that circled in my mind was – It should have been me.

Daddy was sitting in the sitting room. I didn't have to see, or even hear him to know what he was doing. Crying. That's all he's done for the last four days since...that happened. I'd bet anything that he's sitting on the very edge of the couch, head in his hands as he rested his elbows on his knees. Either that or he stood at the window, overlooking mommy's garden, with a picture of their wedding day in his hands as a tear after tear gave the already tear stained glass a new coat of salty water. He doesn't talk to me. Hardly looks at me. I know he blames me for what happened. I couldn't blame him for that though, I did too. It shouldn't have been my mommy that died.

It should have been me.

So I sit at my vanity mirror, blankly staring at the girl in the mirror as I attempted to comb through my uncooperative hair. My patience with it was running out by the nanosecond but I had to keep it together. Someone had to, even if that someone was an eleven year old girl. So I tugged the comb through, again and again and again, all the while wondering if I looked pretty for my mommy. Would she think I looked pretty if she was here now? I wouldn't even have to be in this stupid dress if she were here now. Would she like the fact that it was long and frilly? Or would it disappoint her? Would she like the little lacy shoulder sleeves? Or would she hate them?

The thought of the negatives to all those questions had me desperate to change but there were some many problems in doing that. One, Daddy picked this dress out for me and demanded me to wear it whether I liked it or not. Two, I had nothing else to wear that was suitable for an occasion like this. And three, there was no time...

We had to be at the church in an hour.

For the last four days, since I came out of the hospital after a two week stay, the tragic accident that stripped my mommy away from me plagued my mind. I would go to sleep, wishing that she'd be there in the kitchen the next morning, making my favourite blueberry pancakes with a glass of apple juice waiting for me at the breakfast bar just like always, only to wake up screaming after a restless night and a replay of that fatal drive in the mountains. After the first two nights, Daddy wouldn't come to me if I woke up screaming. He knew what was the matter and he had the same problem. If I wasn't waking him with screaming, he was waking me but whenever I had entered his room to comfort him like I wanted and like how mommy would have, he pushed me away, shouting at me to go back to bed. I'd cry a little when I returned, only to drop off into another restless sleep.

Every morning would be as quiet as the last. Daddy stayed in his room all the time, or sat unmoving or speaking on the couch in the sitting room, with that same wedding picture in his grasp. I made my own breakfast, crying as I did so, as I used the same utensils mommy would have if she was still here. If I burnt something, Daddy would shout at me and tell me to go to my room, without any breakfast. Though, he did that yesterday morning and about an hour later, he came into my room with a bowl of cornflakes and left without a word, or a second glance at me. It hurt not to have my Daddy so distant with me. It was like I lost both my parents on the same day, that same fateful day.

People from the community were helping. One of the village elders, Mrs Sue Swan who was married to the Police Chief, came over everyday to check on Daddy and me. Some times, she brought a young looking woman with her. I think her name was Melanie and then Sue's son, Seth, came too. They'd try to make me smile and most of the time, make me food but I'd never smile and I'd hardly eat any of the food they cooked. I knew it was rude but I just couldn't help it.

I lost my Mommy...

I was all alone.

I nearly jumped half a foot in the air when there was a light tap on my door. I gulped and fought back the tears that had been falling all morning before turning my gaze back to the mirror and continuing my brushing. Whoever it was knew I wouldn't answer so they walked straight in and I caught a glimpse of Mrs Swan in my mirror. She took one look at me and frowned, sympathetically but I didn't want their sympathy. I didn't deserve it. I shouldn't even be here. She approached, cautiously.

"Morning, Honey." she greeted, softly and trying to act normal as if today wasn't the day of my mommy's funeral. She smiled at me again but I looked away and continued to brush. Then I felt hands on mine and they gently coaxed mine from the comb. I let her, seeing her reassuring smile in the mirror. "Allow me?"
I nodded but didn't comment, closing my eyes as she ran the comb through my hair again. It seemed less tricky now. Stupid black hair! We sat in silence as she worked, pulling my hair into a simple pony tail. No one was bothered to do anything extravagant with it. There wasn't time anyway.

"You stay by me today, alright?" she ordered, softly. I sighed and nodded.

"What about Daddy?" I asked, hesitantly. I knew he was too distraught to pay any attention to me today. I heard her sigh and then felt her kiss the top of my head.

"He's...too sad, Billie. I'm...sorry." she whispered, sadly. I closed my eyes and nodded. I knew that would be it. "Just stand by me and you'll be okay, alright?"

I just shrugged. I highly doubted that I would be okay, even if I was with Daddy. I lost my Mommy. Nothing would make that okay apart from getting her back but I knew that was never going to happen.

She finally finished my hair and fixed the last of my dress before leaving the room and letting me head downstairs in my own time. I took a deep breath after about fifteen minutes because I knew we were going to have to go. I steeled myself, opening my bedroom door to see Seth, who was standing just outside with his fist raised, ready to knock. He seemed surprised but his expression turned grim when he saw my face and he couldn't help himself as he pulled me into a massive hug. I hugged him back, fiercely and some more tears escaped.

"Shh. Billie, shh. You're okay...I'm so sorry." he whispered into my head. I sniffled and pulled back, embarrassed. I hardly knew Seth, or even any of the Clearwaters/Swans. I coughed a little and ducked my head.

"Sorry." I whispered, ashamed. He sighed and knelt before me. I looked away but he, gently, turned me to face him. He looked so sorry.

"It's okay to cry, Billie. You lost...you lost your mom. You have a right to cry." he implored, gently. I sobbed once, fighting my head out his grasp. He sighed as I walked around him, turning back to him at the top of the steps.

"I shouldn't be here." I whispered. He frowned, deeply.

"What?" he asked, confused.

"Mommy should have been the one to be here. Not me. I know Daddy blames me for it." I croaked, finally turning away and descending the stairs, leaving Seth wide eyed and utterly shocked and possibly disgusted in my wake. It's true though.

There was a lot more people here than I expected. At least fourteen people. Mrs Swan, of course, as well as the Police Chief. The tribe Chief, Mr. Black and his son, Jacob were here too. I recognised Mr. Uley and his wife, Emily. There was, of course, my Daddy, who'd still not acknowledged my presence. He just kept staring out the window, though the picture was nowhere in sight. Melanie was here and she came over to me, enveloping me into a hug that I tried to return but couldn't. I noticed some really huge men here and I knew they were Mr. Uley's friends. Mrs. Swan's daughter, Leah was here, smiling softly at me but I didn't return it, looking away again as I swallowed deeply.

I just stood there, awkwardly, as I fiddled with my hands and they stared at me. Just stared. Melanie ran smooth circles into my back. They did nothing to ease the tension out of my muscles and I couldn't handle the speculating and sorrowful gazes of the people around me anymore so I looked down, walking swiftly towards the kitchen but then, the one voice I didn't expect to address me today sounded throughout the room.

"Billie." my Daddy's voice called. My eyes grew wide and I spun around in surprise. He was looking at me with a blank expression. He gazed at me for a few minutes before he whispered, "Never say that again."

I frowned, confused. "Wh-What, Daddy?" I murmured, softly, looking down. I noticed that he winced when I called him what I've call him all my life. Suddenly, he doesn't like it. That hurt. He'll always be mine.

"Don't ever think for one second that you should be in Mommy's place." he whispered it but said it with so much heat, it sent chills up my spine. I gulped, deeply. I didn't think I said it that loudly. "Look at me, Billie." He demanded and I did so, without hesitancy. "I don't know what I would have done if I lost you both...and I don't blame you, Sweetheart. I'm sorry if you think I do, if I made it appear that way."

I couldn't fight it anymore. I ran to him. Tears streamed my face. I needed my Daddy. I needed him to hug me and tell me that everything was going to be okay. I needed him to be here for me. I clutched him tightly fr dear life, never wanting to let him go. He clutched me just as tightly, burying his face in my hair as I cried, heavily. He shushed me, quietly, squeezing me tightly as he murmured that he was sorry. I calmed down after five minutes and he pulled back, looking me in the eyes before sighing and kissing my forehead for a second or two.

"Erik..." Mr. Black's voice sounded, quietly, from behind me and I was suddenly aware again that we had an audience. I gasped, hiding my face in Daddy's stomach. He stroked my hair, comfortingly.

"Yes, Billy?"
"We should be going now. The ceremony will be starting in ten." he informed Daddy. I gulped. We'd be burying my Mommy in a matter of an hour. I would be forced to say goodbye to her when I'm nowhere near ready to do that. I wanted her here with me, as she should be.

Daddy sighed for the hundredth time this morning and buried his face in my hair again for a minute before taking a deep breath and nodding. "Alright...Let's go." he agreed, pulling my face to look at him. He looked so tired and sad but he still managed to give me a smile, however forced it may have been. A forced smile is better than no smile, which I what I was getting before. He brushed a few stray hairs from my forehead before leaning down to kiss it as he whispered, "Stay by me, Sweetheart. It's gonna be okay."

And with those simple words, I knew that they were. My daddy was here for, just as I had wished for the last four days and even this morning. There is a fairy godmother out there, even for me. I hugged him and nodded into his stomach before Daddy took my hand and led me out the front door with everyone following behind. Mommy's funeral was a small ceremony with Mr. Uley and his friends, Mr. Black, Mr. Ateara Senior and the rest of the Tribal Elders.

Daddy's sister, who didn't like me at all, was going to be there too. I wasn't looking forward to seeing her again. See, Aunt Andrea never liked Mommy. She didn't like the fact that Mommy didn't have a Daddy while she was growing up. It was just her and Grams. Grams had walked Mommy down the isle when she and Daddy got married and Aunt Andrea didn't like that at all. So when I came along, Aunt Andrea just thought that I was another thing tying my Daddy down to Mommy and because of me, he couldn't escape her. I bet Aunt Andrea is all too happy to have Mommy out the picture now.

We climbed into the black funeral car and just as he requested, I stayed by Daddy. He sat me on his lap, letting me cuddle into his chest as I nuzzled my face into his face. All the way to the church, I could gradually feel his body getting tenser. I kept hearing noises in his chest that sounded like sobs but he never let them out. Whoever he was trying to be strong for, he was doing an excellent job. The whole car was silent as we drove on. No one even dared to cough because the silence was so charged. I cried silently into Daddy's neck as he soothed circles on my back.

Finally, the car stopped and Daddy's door opened. I blinked slightly at the light that had been previously dimmed by the slight darkened tint of the window and Daddy shifted me onto the seat next to him so that he could get out. He turned back of me though, pulling me right into him. I felt so safe in his arms. I glanced around the burial site at the few faces that I haven't yet seen. I got a funny feeling from the sight of the huge men that were Mr. Uley's friends but I brushed it off because my emotions were haywire and I didn't know what I was thinking.

That's when she came up to us...

"Dear Brother, Erik. How are you?" Aunt Andrea asked, enveloping Daddy into a big hug without even a glance at me. She was ignoring me, like she always has.

"Andrea...I'm to be as expected. I'm happy You're here though. Thank you for coming." Daddy replied, pulling me closer when I sighed. "Lea-Rae wanted to be hre today but...i was papprehensive."

Reluctantly, Aunt Andrea's gaze shifted to me but, unlike most of the time, she couldn't look at me with the usual sneer she wore. Instead, she had a sickly sweet smile on her face that was just as bad as the sneer. "Billie. Sweetheart. Your Dad's right. You shouldn't be at something so emotional. It's not a place a young girl should be." Huh. She almost sounds like she cares. I flashed her a fake smile before I cast my gaze down to a dandelion on the grass. "You should take her home, Erik."

"No. If she wants to be here then...I can't keep her away. She was her mother, Andy. She needs to say goodbye too." Daddy said, sadly before bending to kiss the top of my head. I heard Aunt Andrea sigh. To Daddy, it would seem like she was relenting to his decision but to me, I knew she was sighing through exasperation. She didn't want me here.

"Erik, we should get into position." Mr. Black called, hesitantly. I looked up just in time to see Daddy nod and then he led me by the small of my back over to the 6ft hole in the ground. The same hole that my Mommy would be soon lowered into.

Sam's Point of View

Today was a day for mourning. Mr. Erik Meggan's wife, Georgia Meggan, had died in a car crash just over a fortnight ago, leaving himself and his eleven year old daughter, Billie Rae Meggan, alone and distraught. It was no secret to the whole reservation that Erik was utterly devoted to his wife and daughter. His love for Georgia rivalled that of an imprint's love. And the love he has for Billie. It reminded me of the relationship with my own daughter, Jennifer. Jennifer was a year older than Billie. They even went to school together. I had no idea if they were friends or not. I did know,however, what it would do to Jennie if ever she lost her Mom, my Emily. I couldn't even imagine how Erik was feeling. One thought of life without my Emily and it just...hurt. I couldn't imagine it but Erik was living it.

Billie and Georgia's relationship also rivalled that of Jennie and Emily's. Their mother daughter relationship was phenomenal. Georgia did anything and everything for Billie. Her husband was her soul but Billie, she was her heart. Whenever I saw them at the store or at the beach, both were smiling. It's the same for Emily and Jennie. It's hard to think what Jennie would be like if she lost her Mom. Again, it hurt to think about.

So I was here, standing around the six foot grave with Emily weeping at my side and my arm securely around her while we awaited the grieving Erik and Billie to take their places at the foot of Georgia's resting place. I watched silently as Erik led Billie over, nearly holding her whole weight as if her knees were weak. His arm was wrapped around her waist, making sure she didn't fall and all the while, his eyes were on Georgie's tombstone.

Here in lies

~Georgia Marie Meggan ~

1993 – 2020

A perfect wife; loving mother; amazing friend

May she rest knowing her legacy and love goes on

Her grave stone inscription was heartfelt and I knew that every word rang true. She appeared to be a perfect wife to for Erik. He always smiled around her. He looked at her extremely close to the way I look at Emily. I saw on a daily basis that she was a loving mother and I knew for a fact that she was an amazing friend from the way her friend, Kim and Jared's wife, spoke about her. Though we never met her personally, we knew Kim chose good people to be friends with.

1993 – 2020. Twenty-seven years old. That's how old Georgia was. She married young, becoming Mrs. Erik Meggan at a mere 17 years old. She gave life to Billie a year before that at the raw age of sixteen. To say that she's had a happy but hard life would be an understatement. She didn't deserve to go the way she did. She deserved to die through natural causes, along with Erik, hopefully leaving Billie happy with a husband and even a few grandkids. But no. She passed even before seeing her daughter start high school, or get a boyfriend, or to see her on the greatest day of her life. Life was so unfair.

The entire ceremony, tears fell from around the resting place. It was such a sad day that even the sky began to cry. It didn't interrupt us however. We were determined to see Georgia off as she deserved, even if it wasn't fair that she was there in the first place. Erik's eyes never left the grave before his eyes, right at his feet. His eyes never let up from the tears streaming silently down his face.

I looked down at Billie. Her eyes were down cast but there was no mistaking the salty droplets falling from her eyes. She clung onto her father's hands that were draped over her shoulders. Clutching them as if they were the only things keeping held to this earth. As I watched her, I couldn't help feeling...something. I had no idea what that meant for me, or for her. Perhaps it was the mere fact that she looked so distraught and vulnerable. A girl her age shouldn't have to deal through this. I just had the urge to want to comfort her. But I figured that the whole circle of close friends and tribal elders would have wanted to do that. There was something else though. I couldn't quite explain it. It was like I had some sort of connection to her and I didn't know how I felt about that. I didn't know the girl, at least on a personal level. It couldn't be a soul mate connection because I had my Emily. I was curious but apprehensive. I would have to keep an eye on it.

The final steps of the ceremony were about to take place. People offered offerings to be buried with her and one after the other, people stepped forward to throw a white rose into the grave. A black-haired woman from beside Erik stepped forward almost reluctantly and I frowned slightly. If she didn't want to be here, she shouldn't have come. I also noticed that Billie flinched slightly when she woman moved, which made me frown deeper. Though, I was brought away from that as Emily stepped forwards and I stepped with her, repeating the actions of everyone before us. When Kim stepped forward, she was clutching a photo frame. In it, the picture that they first took together when becoming friends. She tossed it in, thankfully the frame staying intact and she back away, recoiling her face into Jared's chest as she cried. Emily went to her, cuddling her too. I took a deep breath, controlling my emotions. I was good at that. They hardly broke free and today was no exception. Some people think that I'm cold that way but, I just don't like sharing. I care just as much as the next person.

All of our attention was then captured by Erik stepping forward. His toes flush against the edge of the grave. He peered down at the gold plate on top of the coffin and his eyes closed whilst bowing his head. He then tossed a bouquet of red roses on top of the sea of white, followed by his white gold wedding band. He kept Georgia's ring and gave her his. As he stepped back, Billie stepped forward and I don't even think I heard anyone breathing. Everyone knew how much she loved her Mom. This was going to be hard for her. I felt a little anxious as she knelt down as close to the grave she was able to get. I also noticed that Erik inched forward a little bit and I knew that my worry wasn't irrational. It was no secret how clumsy Billie was. The grass was wet and she could fall in but we stood back because we knew that she needed this. She needed the closure like no other daughter needed. She needed to say goodbye to her Mom so that she could move on. Just as Erik needed to say goodbye to his wife so he could move on.

From her little shoulder bag, she produced four things. The first was a book. From where I was standing, I could see that I was a book of fairytale stories. I heard Kim whisper to Emily that it was her favourite book and Georgia read it to her every night without complaint. She tossed it in with a light thud and then, blank faced, moved on to the next thing. A little white Teddy Bear that looked like it had been through the a battle. One would assume that it was her first. A whisper from Kim confirmed that it was the first ever teddy her mother brought her. She then produced a folded piece of paper. She unfolded it, peering at it for a long time before throwing it in with a sniffle. I looked down at it and saw a hand drawn picture. It was very childish and must have been from when she was a very young age but it was of her family. Georgia, Erik and herself. I noted the dog too but I can't recall the Meggan's ever having a dog so I assumed it was from longing rather than reality.

The last and final thing was a bracelet. A whisper from Kim to Emily told me that it was the bracelet Georgia bought her for her seventh birthday. It was a simple gold chain with multiple charms on it. To an outsider, it would appear to be of little value but to Billie, it must have meant everything to want to give it to her mother so that she could take it to the afterlife with her.

Then my heart just about broke as she bowed her head and a strangled sob escaped her throat followed by a shrill wail. I heard Kim and the other imprints echo her sobs, heartbroken like the rest of us as we watched the breakdown of an eleven year old girl. Erik stepped forward, dropping to his knees behind her and hoisting her towards him, holding her tight to his chest as she screamed, shrilly. He rocked her, gently, mumbling comforts into her ear that probably won't even prick her agonised mind in the slightest. She was gone, too far gone to see any sense or think anything that wasn't about her mother. Through dignity and respect, we left the duo at their love's grave, leaving them in peace to grieve. I had to hold every bit of Emily's weight as I took her towards the car. Jared was carrying Kim, full stop. She couldn't hold herself up as she sobbed hysterically. Jared looked tortured by the condition his wife was in and I genuinely felt for him. Emily wasn't as bad as Kim but even seeing Emily like this, it was painful. I couldn't imagine how he hurt.

I glanced at the other's with their imprints and I could see that they weren't faring much better. Quil was sitting with Claire on the grass. She must have collapsed. Seth had Violet sitting on a wall. She couldn't stand. Embry was carrying Melanie to the car. Steven and Andrew were holding each other up. I've never seen any other pair of guys so sensitive. But they are homosexual. They were more sensitive than straight men. They had no qualm in showing their emotions. Suvanna was the newest imprint, imprinted on by Jeremy, who was one of the six wolves that phased during the Vamp Royalty's fear with Renesmee Cullen. Steven, Andrew, Philip, Jeremy and Craig all phased at the same time when there was an influx of vamps in the area. Anyway, Suvanna didn't really know anything about Georgia. She's hardly spoke with Kim for the last three months she's been with us. Her only reaction was to cry for the little girl we've just left at the grave. Anyone, whether you knew them or not, would feel for someone at that state. She was strong enough to walk with Jerry to their car.

"Sam, we need to go." Emily croak from beside me. I hadn't realised that I stopped to assess the people around me. I looked down at her, feeling a sting of pain as I took in her sorrowful appearance; bloodshot eyes, runny nose, flushed and weak at the knees. She clutched to a tissue like it was her lifeline. I took a deep breath and kissed her lightly on the forehead before taking her weight again and leading her to the car.

Paul's Point Of View

I knew why I was here. I was here to show respect to the passing of Georgia Meggan. But that wasn't all. I couldn't explain it. I felt like, apart from the obvious reasons, I had to be here. I felt like fate was pulling me here and I think even if I hadn't known about Georgia, I would have been here. I felt like I was subconsciously looking for something and it confused, not to mention irritated, the hell out of me. I hated it when my mind and soul drove me. I hated it when I had urges to be some places.

It was the same a couple of time before. The first time I felt it, I had the urge to walk past the junior High school. That alone was creepy. Why would I want to do that? Hey, I love kids and all but walking passed a school on a simple urge to? No. That wasn't like me and had never doesn't it before then. But I had, and when I did collect my senses again and walked away from the building, I felt like I was leaving something important behind. Weird, right?

It happened again a couple of weeks later. I had the urge to go to the store. That might have been because I was hungry and there was no food in the house but then, if that was the case, I would have just gone to Emily's. No. It was something different and much like the first time, I followed the path I urged to go. Leading to the store. When I entered it, I saw Georgia and her daughter at the counter. Looking at the girl's back, I felt like I knew her. Okay, I've seen her multiple times before in passing but I've never spoken to her and why would I? I had no reason to. So it was confusing when the lost feeling eclipsed me when Georgia and her daughter left the store. She even said a quick goodbye to me as she walked passed but I noticed that the girl hadn't looked at me. I guess I knew why. I suppose. I was a wolf and that made me a lot bigger than most men. Add in the fact that I was a stranger and you have a very scary man.

I had spoken to Sam about it and he didn't know what was wrong. He just thinks that maybe I felt protective over the girl but then, why would I be? I've never cared before and it's just one little girl. I was so confused. None of the others seemed to know what was up. It was pissing me off because that same feeling was part of the reason why I was here, witnessing an act that tore my heart apart with every single wail escaping Billie's mouth. It took everything in me to walk away and let them be and it confused me more. I shouldn't want to comfort her so much. It's just a little girl! I don't even know her!

"Paul, man, you coming?" Craig called from his pick up. I looked over. I hadn't noticed I was listening out for her movement. But all I heard was her sobs. I took a deep breath and walked over, getting in the car and we drove back to the Meggan household for the Wake.

Billie's Point of View

Mommy come back! Come back, Mommy, please? I need you!

That's the only thing circulating in my mind as I wailed into my Daddy's arms. Seeing her grave; throwing those things in there; seeing the people around me accept the one thing I couldn't until now, made me break down. My Mommy was gone. She wasn't coming back. I've lost her forever and I couldn't handle that. I wanted her here with me. I wanted her to read the stories in the book now resting with her. I wanted her to see the Teddy Bear on the shelf with my others. I wanted her to keeping looking though the photo album dedicated solely to the pictures I drew for her. Most of all, I wanted never to take that bracelet off my wrist, only doing so that it could be taken with her. I'd give up everything to get her back. But I knew that my wishes were no use. She was gone. There was nothing I could do about it. Having said that, having accepted that, my heart was in pieces.

I couldn't calm myself. I couldn't stand up. Daddy decided he'd had enough and simply picked me up and carried me over to the car, sitting me in his lap as we drove home to greet all the people ready to give us their condolences. The entire ride home, Daddy whispered things to me that I hardly heard but his voice was soothing, even if I didn't understand and it lulled me to sleep.

Sue Swan's Point of View

We were all there at the Meggans' house awaiting the arrival of the grieving duo. My mind still reeled over the devastating display that Billie, Georgia's young daughter, showed at the burial sight and my heart broke in half at the sight. I knew Georgia on a personal level. She worked at the diner I owned. She always attracted a lot of business with her gorgeous looks but also her charming and sweet personality. It was so hard to believe that an innocent, beautiful young woman could leave this world and her perfect little family so...abrupt and painfully. I'm sure she would have known the desperate devastation she would have left behind in her wake.

She worked not only for the money but she loved seeing and catching up with the regulars and she even spent some time cooking in the kitchens. She came to work for the thrill of meeting new people. She met her all time friend, Kim Pelletier, Jared Pelletier's wife, in my diner while she was working overtime. Had she not opted to do it, she probably would have never met her. Georgia needed a friend in this reservation.

See, she wasn't like the rest of us. He skin was paler than ours. That opened her up to the prejudices of our tribe. Outsider. Pale-Face. They called her. Never me, nor the Wolves. They didn't know her and even Jared only met her a few times. She was a very private person and yet, she was still open. She was there if you needed to talk. She didn't judge you or jump to conclusions. And she gave heartfelt, genuine, useful advice. I'd like to think that during her time under my employment we became friends, even though we hardly 'hung out', as the younger ones said these days. She knew that I was there if she needed to talk and on some occasions, she took my offer up. They were never bad topics of conversation. Some times she needed advice on what to get her husband, Erik for his birthday or her daughter. I remember when Leah was younger, before she even met Sam, let alone gained the ability to combust into a furry creature, and she loved it when I took her out for the day on her birthday and we buy her present then. She loved having the independence of choosing her own gifts and Harry and I granted her that. Eventually, we granted Seth that same privilege.

She even came to me when she found out that she was pregnant with Billie and she didn't know if Erik would be happy or not. I remember when I was like that, carrying Leah and I was scared to tell Harry. I saw so much of my younger self in her. But after a long and insightful chat with me, she went home that evening and told Erik of her news. She came back the next morning and announced to me that Erik was already planning an extension on the house for a playroom and that he was already surfing the net for buggies and diapers. I've never seen her so happy in all the time I'd known her. Ever since she came to the reservation with her mother all those years ago, I've felt a real connection to her. So you could imagine how I felt when I found out about the crash and even more so when I was told that Billie was with her. I was close to going the same route as my husband at that point but I calmed myself because I knew that Erik and Billie would need me for these tough days.

We heard a car pull up outside. I gently pushed my way through the light crowd and went out side in time to see Erik lifting a sleeping Billie from the back-seat of the car. The sight alone broke m heart even more and, surprisingly, Paul stepped forward, offering his assistance but Erik turned it down, carrying his daughter passed all the spectators and keeping his eyes either on the path in front of him or his beautiful daughter's face. He paused in front of me and smiled lightly before kissing my cheek. I smiled and kissed his back along with Billie's before following him into the house. I watched as her took her to her room and re-emerged a few minutes later, looking very tired and distraught. I enclosed him into my tightest hug and he was content there, absorbing all the comfort he could and yet, knowing that none of it would do any good with the way he was feeling now. I only felt a fifth of what he was feeling and I dreaded to imagine how he felt.

"Thank you for being here, Sue. Georgy would have loved you being here." He murmured in my neck. I didn't have to see his face to know how emotional he was. I could hear it all in his voice.

"I couldn't leave you and Billie on your own. She would have wanted me to look after you. I'm so sorry, Erik." I almost cried and I could feel the tears welling up. I blinked, fighting them back as his arms hugged me tighter. The sudden shift in comforting each other made me chuckle slightly and pull back, taking his face in my hands. "She loved you very much, Erik. Never doubt that."

"I know...I just...can't believe it. I don't know what I would have done if I lost Bill-"

"Don't talk like that, Erik. Billie is here and she well, or as well as to be expected right now. Our ancestors spared you one of your girls. They aren't that cruel as to take them both from you." I told him, looking him straight in the eyes. "I wish nothing more than to have Georgia back. If not for myself then for you and Billie. I cared for her like she was own, Erik, you know that."

"I know. I'm sorry. It's just a shock. And to see Billie so...heart broken. It's so hard." he breathed. I sighed and guided him down on the sofa. I noticed that people around us were holding their own conversations and not being rude enough to listen in. I caught eyes with Sam and he smiled, tentatively. I smiled back and turned my full attention back to Erik.

"She's so young...she shouldn't be feeling so much. She shouldn't be going through this for another...for tens more years." I agreed. He sighed, shaking his head, almost in shame.

"I can't believe Billie thought that I...that I...blamed her. I could-I could never blame her, Sue. Not my little girl." he cried. That was it. Seeing one tear cascade down his cheek was enough to break the damn containing my own and I pulled him into a tight, hopefully reassuring, hug. "I mean, knowing Lea-Rae, she would have been reading her Harry Potter book, totally oblivious. You know how she gets involved within her books, Sue. She would have never seen it coming. And Georgy has always been able to keep a calm head through anything so she wouldn't have scream or anything, alerting her. She's not to blame and the sooner she realises that, the better off she'll be and she could move on."

"You're right, Erik, you're right. She'll get through this. You need to be here for her and guide her through. She needs her Daddy right now. You're the only person she has left."

"She has you, Sue."

"It's not the same and you know it, Erik."

He sighed, pulling and and leaning his elbow on his knees while the balls of his palms pressing into his eyes and he murmurs, "I know, Sue, I know...I just don't know how I'm going to be able to. I don't know how I'm going to be able to provide for Billie and handle the loss of my wife as well. I...I can't."

"Try."

"What?"
"Try. Try for Billie. Try for Georgia. She wouldn't want you to give up on your family."
"Sue, how can you call this a family anymore? The heart's gone."

"But it still has a soul, Erik. You're still here. Georgia needs you to be strong for her little girl."

We were silent for a few minutes and I took the chance to look around the room. Sam and Paul were talking in the corner. Jared and Kim were crying in the armchair across from us, though they were in a world of their own, not paying anyone any attention. I looked at Kim and she was like someone who'd just lost a great friend. Georgia was a great friend and she will be missed dearly. I'd be sure to talk to Kim later.

"I know."

My mind was snapped back to Erik and he was looked at me, thoughtfully, determinedly.

"I know and You're right. I need to be strong her for. That's what Georgy would have wanted. Thank you, Sue."
I smiled, welcomingly. "That's why I'm here, Sweetheart. I'm here to pick people back off their feet. You sure needed some help."

"Thank you. Having you here means so much. Thank you."

"I wanted to be here for you, Erik. I wanted to be here for Billie." I repeated again. He smiled. "Now, you have people to greet. People that care about you. Come."

I stood by Erik for a long two hours, greeting familiar faces that I've known for years. Erik stayed very reserved by me, never speaking more that three words at a time. His face was solemn; his posture diminished. He was going to have a long few months ahead for him. And I'll be here for him throughout them. I'll be here for Billie in the form of a mother figure, though I know that no one will replace Georgia as her mother. Not even when years have passed and Erik decides to remarry, no one ever will. Billie only had one mother and she just lost her. My heart bleeds for the poor girl. I lost my mother young and I know how she's feeling. If even she wants to talk with me, I'm all ears. I wasn't kidding when I said that Georgia was like a daughter to me and Erik like a son. Billie, in turn, was much like a granddaughter to me. Of course, I have Seth and Melanie's son, my grandson, too but the bond between a grandmother and granddaughter is special. I could feel that bond forming before this whole mess started.

I knew by the expression on Erik's face that he was distraught, even more so by every condolence that was fired at him. In a way, I suppose it made it more real. Having people tell you that they were sorry, over and over again couldn't have been easy. I should know, what with Harry's passing. I was fortunate enough to find Charlie though. He's my everything now. He loves me just right and doesn't try to replace Harry's place in my heart, or replace him as the kids' father. He knows his place but also knows that it's just as important as what Harry's was. I hoped and prayed that Erik could find the happiness I found again later in life. He's not only owed it for himself but also for the little girl sleeping upstairs through exhaustion and overwhelming sorrow in her heart.

Billie's Point of View

I awoke with a splitting headache. I could hardly see across my room, it was so dark. There was no light coming through my bedroom window and I knew that it was dark out. How long had I been sleeping? Where was Daddy?

I sat up in bed, feeling a little dizzy but I moved past that feeling and pushed the covers off my body, sitting on the edge of my bed. What time was it? 6:57pm. Wow, I've been asleep a long time. I hope Daddy wasn't mad at me for ignoring all our guests. I didn't think I could handle waking up to find that all the reconciliation between him and me was just some dream and he'd gone back to the cold, ignorant Daddy I saw those first few days.

Daddy?" I called out to him. I frowned when there came no answer but voices continued downstairs. Where the guests still here? Were they waiting for me? So they could say sorry to me too?

That thought had me scrambling out of bed and heading towards the door. Checking my hair and dress were presentable, I opened my door and saw Melanie, Mrs. Swan's son's wife, standing outside my door, poised as if to knock on my door. She looked down at me, dropping her hand slowly, eyeing me cautiously. I just stared up at her, wondering why she was here. Had she heard me get up? I doubted that.

"Billie...have a nice nap?" she asked, carefully and kindly. I smiled, slightly, nodding. I cleared my throat.

"Where's Daddy?" I asked, softly and apprehensively. She smiled and held her hand out to me. I eyed it, not sure.

"He's downstairs, with the other guests. You want to go to him?" she asked, gently. I eyed her some more and came to the conclusion that I could trust her. I took her hand, hesitantly, feeling like the five year old I couldn't help feeling like. I've never felt so alone; so weak; so vulnerable. I wanted my mommy. Also another five-year-oldish thought to have.

She held my hand tightly as we approached the stairs. I heard light laughter coming from below and I frowned. Melanie must have noticed and she sighed.

"It's been a long day, Billie. It's customary to have the sad part and mourning during the day and have the remembrance during the night. Usually, we have a bonfire to remember those we've lost but your Dad didn't want to leave you or move you so we stayed here. Everyone's downstairs. Everyone. If you don't want to go, that's fine. You can stay up here if you want, Billie. If you can't handle it, I'll stay up here with you but your Daddy would be happier if he saw you awake." She explained, gently, considerately. I gulped. She waited. "It's all your choice, Sweetie."

Still, I was confused. "Why were they laughing? Losing mommy isn't funny." I murmured. She sighed again, but not impatiently.

"They're remembering, like I told you. They remember the good times they had with your Mommy. Like I said, if you don't think you can handle that, we'll stay up here for as long as you want." she assured me again. I gulped.

"But Daddy wants to see me?" I asked, double checking. She nodded. I found myself sighing in relief. It wasn't part of the dream. He really does care again. I smiled, lightly and squeezed her hand. She smiled. "I want to see Daddy too."

"Okay. But if you want out, just, I dunno, wave at me and I'll get you out, okay?" she said, softly. I smiled and nodded, finding her way of communication funny. She giggled and proceeded to lead me downstairs.

Halfway down, I stopped, seeing all the people she was going on about. She was right. Everyone was here. Everyone. The big men were, Mr and Mrs. Swan and her children, even Mr. Swan's daughter, Bella was here. She looked weird. Mr. Black was here with his son, Jacob. He smiled, softly at me. I know that Jacob lost his mommy too. Everyone knows that. There were some familiar faces that I saw around the reservation. All in all, there seemed to be around 25 people cramped up in our little living room. Upon seeing me, Daddy shot up from his seat, watching me closely. I felt Melanie squeeze my hand and I looked at her.

"Just wave." she reminded me. I watched her a little bit but then shook my head. She smiled and gently pulled me down the rest of the stairs. I followed without resistance and I was swept up in my Daddy's arms. He sat back down in his seat with me in his lap and I cuddled into him, snugly.

"Thank you, Melanie." Daddy murmured across the room. I looked up long enough to see her smile at him and then at me. I glanced around the room and saw that everyone was watching the display. Everyone I looked at gave me small, apologetic smiles. I felt so embarrassed and I had to look away.

For the rest of that evening, everyone carried on in their reminiscence of my Mommy. I listened in, though my face was firmly nestled in my Daddy's neck. They talked about the days before me, when she became pregnant with me, Mommy and Daddy's wedding. My first birthday. Mommy and Daddy's anniversary stories that they've told me so many times before. The time Mommy broke her leg and Daddy was like her slave for the whole three months. That, I admit, was funny and I actually smiled a little. The whole time, Daddy was stroking my hair or my back, murmuring questions in my ear which I'd simply reply with a shake or nod of my head.

Then they began to talk about...it. It. The Car crash. I tried for about five minutes as they spoke to listen...

"What was it she nearly hit?" someone asked. Mr. Swan, the Forks Police Chief, answered, "It must have been a deer or something. We did find a buck on the roadside near where they toppled off the cliff."

"But then, how did not panic? You said she couldn't have." another voice sounded out. Mr. Swan sighed.

"There's no telling if she did or not but the tire tracks leading to the edge of the cliff seemed almost...calculated. I don't know." Mr. Swan stumbled and I couldn't handle anymore when they went on to speaking about Mommy's injuries. How could Daddy sit and listen to this? I couldn't. I lifted my head, quickly and Melanie instantly looked over, worriedly. I remembered what I had to do and I waved, almost frantically. The people around me looked confused but Melanie knew exactly what I was on about and she stood, whispering something to Seth and he glanced at me. He then nodded and rose too.

"You look tired, Billie. You wanna come with us? We'll take you to bed." Seth offered and I knew that he was getting me away subtly. Daddy seemed confused but let Seth pick me up from Daddy's lap with a 'thank you' to him and then we were descending the stairs and I sighed in relief.

"We're sorry, Billie. They shouldn't have spoken about hat if front of you." Melanie cooed as Seth put me on the bed. I sighed an shrugged, climbing in and tucking the covers up tightly to my neck. They both sighed.

"We're so sorry, Billie. We're here if you want anything, okay?" Seth offered .I smiled at him, thankfully.

"We'll give your Dad our number and you can call us up any time, okay? Whenever, it doesn't matter if it's during the middle of the night, okay? If you need me or Seth, you call straight away." Melanie implored and I nodded. She smiled and kissed my forehead. "Okay. Sleep tight and we'll tell your Dad that You're asleep, okay? Sweet Dream."
"Bye." I whispered and they left me in peace, thinking how my Mommy used to do what Melanie just did for me. I closed my eyes, wishing sleep to take me and when it finally did, the last thing I felt was a single tear fall down my face and Mommy's face appear before my eyes, smiling as she once had.

So, there it is!

I hope people are happy with this and wasn't too sad :(

I also hope that things were cleared up a little bit for ya!

Please, if you like imprint stories, check out my other story, Scarlet Dreams. It's a Seth/OC imprint story! Yay! I love Seth! :D

I'd love to know what you guys think so please, please review and i promise to write the next chapter as fast as I'm able but still get it as standard as this one :D

Thank you

love,
MrsWolfPack
x