Jennifer's hot lips closed around Derek's nipple, teeth scraping at the hard bud. She had a nipple fascination, he realised, she liked his but he loved hers, loved how sensitive hers were, how one touch had her breathless and begging. Someday Derek wanted to take the time and see if nipple stimulation would bring on an orgasm.

Jennifer moved on his lap and the water rose slightly with her momentum, rolling over her chin. She kissed her way up to his throat and scraped her teeth through the stubble on his neck, sucking a bruise there and sitting back to watch it disappear.

'Does it still hurt?' Jennifer whispered pressing her fingers where the bruise was.

Derek swallowed and tipped his head back. Jennifer brushed soft lips against his skin and his hands slid over her slick hips, thumbs pushing at her hipbones. 'Yes, it heals from the inside first, any dirt gets pushed out but the traces linger for a little while,' Derek explained roughly as she trailed her tongue over his flesh in random little patterns.

'So if I bit you, it would heal?' Jennifer asked softly. Derek nodded from his awkward position. She kissed her way back down his chest and disappointment bubbled through him, until she spoke again. 'What does it mean, if I bite you?'

'Could be to claim me, to mark me as a potential lover, to show other werewolves that I'm yours.' Derek listed off.

'But the scars fade.' Jennifer said grinding on his lap again. It was almost surreal, sitting here in the bathtub, his hard cock inside her. They were in no rush, had nowhere to be. Derek could hear the steady rump a thump of the kids sleeping heartbeat, Jennifer's and his own beating almost in sync even though they were in a strange house, and there was a strange heartbeat, but it was safe and comfortable.

Derek drew his legs up, used his thighs for Jennifer to lean back against, his eyes felt heavy with lust. 'Lean back, touch yourself,' Derek said. Jennifer bit her lip and shuddered, obeying him instantly. Jennifer was submissive in bed, something that turned him on to no end. He never had that, he and Kate constantly fought for power, he and Rebecca were equal, vanilla would be an inaccurate description, but she was proper, didn't look for anything else, wouldn't have put her body on display for him. Kate loved the voyeur aspect of sex, the thrill of getting caught.

Jennifer though, she liked pleasing Derek, she liked teasing, foreplay, games in bed. 'Like this?' She asked him running slick fingers over her hard nipples. She loved to worship him as he worshipped her.

'Yes, just like that,' Derek tracked her hands. He could dominate without bondage, tell her to close her eyes or hang onto the headboard with confidence that she wouldn't peek or let go until he told her to. He could whisper filth in her ear and she'd shudder and beg for more. He could do all this to her, and would let her dominate and do in return without a thought for his own safety.

Her hands cut a path through soap suds until she shivered with cold, her nipples pebbled and her mouth hung open, but she didn't take her eyes off his even when he was looking at her body, her elegant fingers, her only focus was his eyes. She loved him, that much was obvious, and he could love her, so easily, just say the words, and they were no word of a lie.

He trusted this woman with his life; he just needed to accept that he could trust her with his heart.

-/-

Jennifer didn't need to do much at all to help her sister; she spent more time with Derek and the kids out for walks, picnics by the river, and strolls through town. Erica hated her stroller, Isaac had too, so Derek tended to carry her everywhere. Isaac clutched Jennifer's hand and his infectious happiness curled around Derek tempting him to fall into that false sense of security that he refused to trust.

They went for lunch on the third day, a small family owned place recommended by Rita. They were ushered inside, given the best seats and the kids were distracted by colouring books and crayons. The waitress, a sweet girl read off the specials and left the menu for them.

'I think chicken for you,' Derek said touching Erica's cheek. She tried and failed to bite him. Derek gave her a stern look but would have been more successful chastising the water glass, because her attention was on a red crayon she looked like she was about to taste.

'Can I have chicken?' Isaac asked not looking up from his colouring.

'Of course,' Derek said.

'Thank you daddy,' Isaac beamed. Derek shot him a wink then looked at Jennifer. She but her lip and looked up through her lashes at him and Derek raised an eyebrow.

'I think I'll have salad,' Jennifer said.

'You don't want salad, you want something good Jen,' Isaac complained as he manoeuvred the edges carefully. Erica was making everything lime green, the red long forgotten by Jennifer's elbow.

'Um,' Jennifer looked at the menu.

'You can have anything you want,' Derek said lifting her hand and kissing her palm.

'Anything?' Jennifer teased him back, wiggling her eyebrows, biting his thumb. Derek narrowed his eyes and she pulled her hand away.

'Well I'm having steak sandwich,' Derek leaned back in his seat.

'Are you on your honeymoon?' The waitress returned with a smile.

'Oh, we're not married,' Jennifer said politely. The girl's eyes slid over Jennifer, then Derek, and then lifted her chin.

'What can I get you?' She asked coldly. Derek shot Jennifer a quizzical look and she shrugged.

Derek ordered for everyone, including an amused looking Jennifer. The girl turned on her heel and Derek leaned over the table to Jennifer who caught the collar of his grey Henley. 'What did you do to her?' She asked.

'Maybe she disagrees with sex outside of marriage,' Derek said rubbing his thumb across a mascara smudge on her cheek. Erica tugged Jennifer's sleeve and Jennifer looked down at the picture.

'Amazing!' Jennifer tickled her ribs. Erica squealed and covered her face. An older woman came over, looked over them and set their drinks down, giving Jennifer a filthy look. Derek didn't fare much better from her, and she clicked her tongue before she walked away.

He listened carefully to the conversation behind him.

'-right, must be some sort of slut, and him, with his kids, his poor wife.'

'Disgusting,' somebody replied.

'Excuse me,' Derek said resting an elbow on the counter. Both women jumped. 'My wife died over a year ago, and I have to say if it wasn't for Jennifer my kids wouldn't be laughing right now and I would be a sour man. We're not perfect at being together but were getting better together. I'd walk out of here on principle but I'm not interested in making a scene and my children need to get fed, and I'm not upsetting Jennifer. Perhaps in future you could keep your judgement to yourself please.'

Jennifer was blushing when Derek returned to his seat and he leaned forward kissing her lips quickly. 'Me!' Erica said pursing her lips like Jennifer taught her to. Derek pecked her lips then Isaac's for good measure.

When the food arrived it was delicious and the service was impeccable. He made sure to tip.

-/-

On the day of Rita's wedding Derek couldn't take his eyes off Jennifer. She wasn't wearing a traditional dress, it was sapphire blue with towering heels to match, and it ended just around her knees. The other bridesmaids were in a paler shade but Erica's little dress that was ordered four days ago had a sash to match Jennifer's dress. The men wore blue cravats and pale vests, so Isaac had his own set. Derek had been given a tie by Rita, and a saucy wink, and Derek was impressed because it matched the rest of his family's clothes perfectly.

Derek had been amazed that morning when Jennifer explained Rita had the clothes speciality ordered, amazed and touched. He had slept with Isaac the night before the wedding, Jennifer was sharing girl time with Rita and Erica insisted on joining by chanting the word "me" over and over until she got her way. He was surprised at how rested Erica seemed to be, and Isaac was anxious for the ceremony to be over so he could play with his new friends. Derek had been carefully introduced to Mae, someone Isaac was putting stock in obviously, but yesterday he had listened as Isaac explained about his friends from home and asked who Mae's friends were.

It felt odd, sitting alone watching his children shuffle around with Jennifer. He liked it, they trusted her, and Erica refused to call her anything but Mama, something that didn't bother Derek at all. Jennifer would make a good mother, and Derek wanted more kids, would fill the house with them if he could.

It was a strange situation he was in he realised, protecting his heart from this woman when he trusted her with everything else. He had already decided to ask her to live with him, to let her put her touch on the house that would be finished Friday lunchtime. It was a shell, empty and quiet waiting for the company of a family to brighten its walls. Derek intended to make his home a happy place, to stop dwelling on the past. Rebecca's memory had become comfortable, something he was happy to share with Jennifer and the kids. He tried to picture her here in the country or the small town of Beacon Hills, but Rebecca had been a city girl.

Jennifer didn't define by city or town, she was happy with friends and family, and she loved beautiful buildings as much as a quiet picnic spot in the trees. She was strong and funny, and so beautiful. Derek thumbed his wedding band, gold, Rebecca's favourite. He didn't look down, didn't need to as he worked it off his finger with one hand and pulled his wallet from his pocket tucking the ring safely inside.

It felt like he could breathe again, like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Derek lifted his eyes away from his left hand to where Rita and Taylor were exchanging vows and Jennifer was peeking over her shoulder looking his way.

'Hi,' Derek mouthed at her.

Her smile was soft as she returned the greeting.

-/-

The day of the wedding Derek discovered something, his daughter was terribly photogenic. Erica smiled every time she was asked to, posed and beamed at the photographer. Isaac was unsure, and Derek gave him little encouraging looks hoping he didn't get bored soon, so when Rita grabbed his wrist Derek turned to stare at her.

'Family photo,' Rita said tugging him to where Jennifer was fixing Erica's hair.

'You look very beautiful,' Derek said. Rita smiled at him.

'So does my sister,' Rita said.

Derek nodded and smiled, looking around when Rita nudged his ribs. 'She looks amazing underneath too, I'm not the only one wearing my sexies today,' Rita said shamelessly.

Somehow Derek found himself standing with an arm around Jennifer, Isaac and Erica standing by their feet, then in both their arms. There were a few shots of Derek and the kids, Jennifer and the kids and one of Derek and Jennifer before Rita and Taylor joined them with beaming smiles.

They danced later, after the meals. At first the kids joined them but their energy soon waned and Erica and Isaac feel asleep in the corner of the bench seat they were using. Derek wrapped his arms around Jennifer and rested his head against hers. 'I like this,' Derek said softly running a hand up her back.

Later Derek tried to give her what she wanted as they moved underneath the sheets, but he could feel it, like a niggling at the base of his back, his balls and cock aching. His wolf begged and pleaded for it and Derek wanted nothing more to collapse on her, tied in the most intimate of ways and show her how wonderful she was but he closed his eyes, bit his lip and unloaded just after she did, that little unsatisfied feeling he was growing to hate niggling at his groin.

They were curled together under the duvet when her fingers touched his, his left hand. She didn't say anything, just looked and smelled faintly of contentment.

-/- -/- -/-

'What do you mean you need my help?' Jennifer asked smiling around the empty classroom. In a few days there would be new kids to greet, names and faces to learn, new things to teach.

'I need you to come over here and help me,' Derek said sounding playful.

'Well, I'll check my schedule shall I?' Jennifer asked. Derek snorted but he was waiting as she pulled up at his family home. Derek got into the car with her, kissed her hello and directed her where he wanted her to go. A few minutes later she was looking up at a house just as impressive as the one she had collected him from.

'Would you like a tour?' Derek asked. Jennifer took his offered hand.

'Oh yes please,' she said pushing close and kissing him.

'Well right now you're parked in the wildflower patch,' Derek said. Jennifer laughed and Derek smiled down at her, stepping close and cupping her face as he kissed her.

'Are we here to see your house or christen the garden,' Jennifer teased. Derek rolled his eyes and led her through a large hallway.

'I was thinking about an island,' Derek said in the room that was supposed to be the kitchen.

'I think that would be nice,' Jennifer admitted. Derek talked extensively about his plans, the basement, his gym, the living room, den, two studies. Upstairs there were four large bedrooms and the master complete with en-suite and his and hers walk in closet.

He showed her the balcony, gentle views of gardens and woods, his own little kingdom. Jennifer gazed longingly, wondering what woman he would have here to love when he turned her. 'I'm serious Jennifer, I need help decorating it. I've got an interior designer but I want you to put your touch on it too.'

'Why?' Jennifer asked.

'So that when you move in you feel more at home,' Derek said.

'Oh and when were you going to ask?' Jennifer swallowed.

'In my next sentence,' Derek said cupping her face and kissing her. Jennifer couldn't help the little moan that escaped her as he pressed her against the bedroom wall.

'Derek, Derek wait,' Jennifer said. Derek pulled away looking alarmed but she soothed him easily. 'I want our first time in here to be on a bed,' Jennifer licked her lips.

'Yeah,' Derek said, 'me too.' He smiled down at her. 'What about a blow up mattress because I have one in the garage?'

Jennifer slapped his chest and he laughed, pulling her in to kiss her again.

They went back to the kitchen and things got serious quickly, every time they had an idea they liked they would write on the walls using chalk, but as darkness fell they headed home, there was no electricity. It was three in the morning when they finally went to bed, websites and catalogues exhausted. It was the first time Jennifer had slept in Derek's family home and in the morning she braced herself for accusing looks coming from Rebecca Hale's picture, but it wasn't there. Instead there was a picture of Derek, Jennifer and the kids from Rita's wedding. Jennifer ducked into the shower to hide her tears but from the bemused expression on Derek's face she reckoned her knew.

-/-

Jennifer moved in to Derek's family home. Talia was kind and loving and welcomed her with open arms. They chatted over coffee in the mornings and Jennifer looked forward to it, but the first morning of class for Isaac had Derek in knots. Isaac however was just fine.

'Daddy?' Isaac asked contemplating his oatmeal.

'Yes son?' Derek asked.

'If Ms Blake was my teacher last year, and Mr Thompson is my teacher this year, does that mean he'll be sleeping in your bed with you next year?' Isaac screwed his nose up.

'I don't think I'll be swapping Jennifer out any time soon, but there's nothing wrong with two boys sharing a bed.' Derek explained.

'Duh, I know that, it's just Mr Thompson has grey hair and I think he's even older than Grandma,' Isaac said.

'Hey!' Talia cried, pushing him playfully. Erica squealed from her place on the floor, hitting her plastic workman helmet with a rubber hammer.

'Just wait till she's in school,' Jennifer said. Derek shuddered and Jennifer laughed. She drove Isaac to school with her and he was an angel as always, but she made sure to take David Thompson aside and explain Isaac's situation, making him promise to come get her if Isaac needed anything at all. It was only when she was in her own classroom that she realised she'd come full circle in just a year. This wasn't taking things slow at all!

The day went well and Isaac had lots to tell Jennifer on the way home. He talked about his friends, old and new, and they discussed his homework. 'Every day when we get home you can have milk and I'll have a cup of tea, and a cookie, and we can do our homework at the same time,' Jennifer offered.

'Can I have chocolate and ginger today?' Isaac asked. 'And chocolate milk?'

'We'll have to see,' Jennifer teased turning into the main road into the preserve.

'Please mummy!' Isaac whined. Jennifer gasped to herself and checked her mirror, Isaac looked as upset as she did, a blush rising on his cheeks. 'I'm sorry!'

'Hey that's okay Isaac, we can talk about this at home okay?' Jennifer asked. He nodded his head miserably.

Derek was waiting for them and as soon as he spotted Isaac he frowned down at him. 'Hey, what's up?' He asked but Isaac pushed inside. Jennifer swallowed as Derek's thick arm stopped her in her tracks.

'He made a slip of the tongue, called me mummy,' Jennifer said.

'What's wrong with that?' Derek asked.

Jennifer was left speechless. 'Uh, I think he perhaps feels like he's betraying somebody,' Jennifer offered gently.

'Don't you like it?' Derek wondered.

'Are you kidding? I love him like he's my own.' Jennifer said.

'Then if you're comfortable and he's comfortable I don't see a problem,' Derek said. Jennifer hoped Derek was right; nothing would please her more than being a mother to Isaac. 'I'll talk to him.'

-/-

'What should we do with Erica's bedroom?' Derek asked rolling his head to look up at her. It was a Saturday, a day Jennifer was learning to treasure now that she was back at work. Derek was using her as a pillow, lying on the floor beside Erica. Isaac was on a play date with Allison.

'Me!' Erica beamed.

'You,' Derek's tone was accusing. She crawled on top of him and rested her head on his chest.

'Green and pink?' Jennifer asked running her fingers through Erica's curls.

'Green?' Derek asked Erica who ignored him to wiggle close.

'I was at the house this morning,' Jennifer said. Derek hadn't been in until late last night and Jennifer had answered a call from the team working there. 'Outsides completely painted and all the downstairs has its base coat. Kitchens almost finished.'

'That was quick,' Derek said.

'Laura offered them a bonus,' Jennifer said. Derek stared up at her. Jennifer giggled and kissed him.

'Why?' Derek asked.

'She wants it finished by Christmas,' Jennifer said. Derek sat up, holding Erica so she didn't fall.

Jennifer grinned at him. 'I don't normally have the upper hand,' Jennifer said. Derek growled but Erica's giggle drew his attention away. 'Your sister wants you to host Christmas this year, and she wants to stay there with her girlfriend. And us apparently,' Jennifer said.

'When did you talk to her?' Derek demanded.

'She called me on Thursday,' Jennifer said.

'Laura. Called you. For a chat?' Derek asked.

'We talked for two hours,' Jennifer said bemused.

Derek smiled as he got to his feet, turning to look at Erica whose heavy eyes blinked up at him. 'Nap time?' He asked. Erica nodded and Derek kissed her head, heading upstairs. Talia sat as Derek headed upstairs.

'I wanted to give you this,' Talia handed Jennifer a small notebook.

'What is it?' Jennifer asked.

'It's like a guide to being a human among werewolves,' Talia said. 'One day Laura will become alpha. She needs a strong pack around her, wolf and human, and the way I see it she won't have pups of her own. Derek's my future, my legacy. He's given me two wonderful grandkids,' Talia trailed off.

'We haven't talked about kids; I don't think that he wants to with me.' Jennifer swallowed.

'Derek's complicated,' Talia said softly, 'he hides his feelings behind so many walls, he's been hurt. Neither of us wants that to happen again.'

'Is this you giving me the protective mom speech?' Jennifer asked.

'Oh honey, I know exactly how you feel about Derek,' Talia said gently, 'I know you'd go out of your way not to hurt him.'

Jennifer nodded, it was true, hurting Derek was the last thing she'd ever do, she'd rather hurt herself. In fact, she thought as Talia got up and Jennifer was left sitting alone, she already was hurting.

-/-

Things were quiet for the next few months, Isaac still saw Tilly his therapist but it was a biweekly meeting they had. The decorating was taking shape too but they needed every piece of furniture imaginable, and choosing it was no easy feat. They got the essential rooms finished first, kitchen and bathrooms, and Jennifer would have been having a ball shopping for accessories if she had the time on her hands so when the midterm break rolled around she was ready to dance.

After much deliberation with Isaac they settled on a dragon theme because Jennifer had come across her old Dragon Riders of Pern books, and was reading them with him at bedtime. His bed frame looked like a castle tower and the was a large mural of three dragons flying through the sky on one wall, castles and towns below them. His book shelves were filled with books on dragons and a collection of cuddles toys and cushions, all dragon themed piled in one corner.

Derek, much to Jennifer's amusement was becoming a reluctant expert on dragons, and he had watched How To Train Your Dragon more times than he could count.

Erica wasn't so easy, and Derek suggested everything from ninjas to Disney, but Jennifer had it painted and filled with a wild animal theme, zebra prints and pink leopard spots. Erica wasn't fussed as long as her toys were there, a box of blocks that she made Derek build so she could knock them down.

'I think my daughters going to go into demolition,' Derek said as she clapped delightedly at another pile around the floor.

Their bedroom was last, purely because the kids rooms and guest rooms took priority and by the time it came around Jennifer was so exhausted she couldn't be bothered with choosing more than a bed and some furniture. Derek had one specially commissioned because even teenage werewolves needed cuddles and Talia advised them to do so, so all Jennifer had to do was choose frame and style.

They were due to move in around the start of December, and Jennifer put herself to the task of decorating for Christmas, and she had to admit the house looked wonderful and cosy, but she was sure Erica would trail the tree to pieces.

One Saturday morning Derek woke Jennifer with gentle kisses and teasing tickles. Jennifer smiled and stretched; they had both been busy lately and had barely seen each other. 'How does a day away sound, just us and the kids in the car going nowhere?'

'Heaven,' Jennifer admitted.

'I'll organise the she devil-'

'Derek that's your daughter!' Jennifer slapped his chest, letting her fingers linger, thumb brushing his nipple.

'Maybe mom can get the she devil, we can shower,' Derek said and Jennifer laughed but didn't object.

They left Beacon Hills later with no destination in mind, just enjoying each other's company as they mused through country roads. Around four they pulled into a restaurant because Isaac's belly was 'growling louder than daddy's throat on a bad day'.

After they had eaten Isaac looked at Derek. 'Now?' He asked.

Derek nodded and Isaac reached into his pocket. Derek shifted nervously but Isaac was beaming and Erica looked excited. 'Jen, we have a favour to ask,' Isaac said.

'Okay,' she tried to see what was in his hand but he was fidgeting too much.

'Will you marry our daddy?' Isaac asked. Erica clapped.

Jennifer couldn't speak as the box opened to reveal the ring. It was platinum, three diamonds nestled in what Jennifer realised was the triskele symbol, the same one marked between Derek's shoulder blades.

When she looked up Derek was watching her close but she could only nod and laugh, as Derek, with a relieved look on his face, slipped the ring onto her finger. Derek lifted her hand and kissed over the ring, then pulled her close to kiss her mouth gently, just one brush of his lips before he pulled back and settled down. Erica reached her arms up, demanding to be lifted and Jennifer made space on her lap for both kids.

'Desserts on the house,' a voice said beside her ear, 'as a congratulations from us!'

Derek thanked the waiter and Jennifer settled back, surrounded by her little family.

-/-

Laura and her girlfriend Lydia came to stay the same day as Rita and Taylor arrived. It was a match made in heaven, especially as all they could talk about was weddings, this time Jennifer's.

They had literally moved in the week before, and Jennifer was slightly annoyed it had taken so long, she'd rather have been a little more settled, but then Rita breezed in and Laura with her and Jennifer relaxed. Derek hadn't been around much lately, a murder had taken up his time so Jennifer had been alone a few nights already.

Christmas approached, and after a delicious family meal Jennifer and Rita got talking about old times, and their teenage years. 'Do you remember our guide to Christmas?' Rita asked.

'Oh my god I have it, I found it in a box of books!' Jennifer said. 'It's in the bedroom!'

She rushed upstairs and headed to the bottom drawer of the dresser. The doors to the balcony were open and Derek's voice carried inside, followed by Laura's.

'Do you know that feeling, when you've found the one, not just somebody to fall in love with but your soul mate, your wolfs mate?' Laura asked.

'Yeah,' Derek said softly. 'Yeah I know the feeling.' Derek said. Laura made a noise.

'This feeling, this person you found, was she the one?' Laura asked.

'Yeah, she was.' Derek said. Jennifer lifted the book and crept backwards, her chest constricted tightly, her mind heavy. It wasn't like it was a secret that Derek didn't love her, that he was marrying her because she was good for the kids. Jennifer closed her eyes tight and headed back downstairs. Derek appeared ten minutes later, sitting on the sofa and slinging an arm around her, pulling her close.

Jennifer let herself go as Laura and Rita discussed the notebook on Rita's lap. She let herself be manhandled the way he wanted her to go and rested her head back against his chest. His arm lay possessively across her chest and he buried his nose behind her ear taking a deep breath.

'This is what packs all about,' he whispered. Talia was on the floor with Erica, Isaac was showing Taylor his new dragon book and Cora had her feet in Boyd's lap as they relaxed by the fire. Lydia was looking at the book now too, kneeling between Laura's legs, and Jennifer supposed that with this much family around he would be happy.

'This time next year you're going to be married,' Talia piped up happily. Jennifer smiled, but it was from the face out. Derek's arm curled tighter around her.

'Are you okay darling?' Derek whispered in her ear and she shivered, the heat of his breath whispering around her.

'F-fine,' Jennifer shivered. Derek chuckled and relaxed against her and Jennifer closed her eyes and willed herself through it.

-/-

It was the day after New Year's when Jennifer got the call. Rita was packing up to leave; Laura and Lydia were in the garden with the kids. Derek was fiddling with the settings on the dishwasher. 'Anything important?' He asked as she set her cell on the counter.

'My dad died this morning,' Jennifer said.

'Jesus are you okay?' Derek asked.

'Fine,' Jennifer shrugged. 'I better tell Rita.'

Derek followed her upstairs as a sense of calm fell over her body. Rita was sitting on the bed folding while Taylor talked on the phone in the corner of the room. 'Okay beautiful?' Rita asked.

'Dads dead.' Jennifer said.

'Oh,' Rita blinked.

'He got stabbed this morning,' Jennifer explained.

'I hope it hurt,' Rita said wrapping Jennifer in a hug. 'I suppose we'll have to be there.'

'Yeah, I want to go and make sure they put him in the ground,' Jennifer said.

'You and me both,' Rita said gently. In the mirror Derek was staring at her like he'd never seen her before, and she noticed the confused look Taylor was sending Rita's way. She didn't care, not right now.

-/- -/- -/-

It hurt less to know that Taylor had never known anything about the girl's father, but Derek still felt betrayed knowing Jennifer didn't share this with him. The girls reacted weirdly to the news, for two who were so close Derek was shocked at their indifference towards the dead man.

They left Beacon Hills that afternoon, driving to the prison where Archibald Blake's body was. They travelled separately too, but Jennifer barely spoke. 'Why didn't you tell me your dad was in prison?' Derek asked as fat drops of rain splattered the window.

'Because we put him there.' Jennifer said quietly.

'And you feel guilty?' Derek asked thumbing at the steering wheel. He was trying hard to work out what she was thinking, but it wasn't easy right now. She was a closed book.

'No, neither of us feels remorse for what we did,' Jennifer said.

'Then is he innocent?' Derek asked Jennifer offered a bitter laugh.

'He's guilty, found so by a jury.' Jennifer said. Derek wanted to punch something; she was being so closed and secretive.

'Please, Jennifer tell me what's going on in that head of yours, I can't help you if you won't let me,' Derek said. He was tempted to pull over but he wasn't interested in the resulting argument.

There was silence, Jennifer didn't look his way, and her face stayed peering out her window. Shame rolled thick in the car, shame and humiliation, hatred and fear.

'To start with he never hurt us, not physically, he didn't need to, and the fear was enough. He had our mother committed to what he used to call the special house when I was eleven. Rita was fourteen. He used to call us names, fatty and skinny, the bag of bones and the bag of lard. Who would ever be attracted to your likes of us, we were pathetic. Rita was stronger than me, she fought back. I hid. I used to hide under Rita's bed. Sometimes he would starve her and make me eat until I was sick, we had to watch. Other times to punish us he made us strip down and stand in the yard in just our underwear. He threatened to sell us to paedophiles.' Jennifer trailed off lost in her head. Derek didn't want to touch her for fear of breaking the spell, or startling her, he was glad the man was dead or Derek would have killed Archibald Blake himself.

'Hey Jennifer baby, you with me?' Derek asked gently.

'Rita kept us strong, supported me. He beat us once; Rita was seventeen, almost eighteen. She was dating Taylor at the time. She told him as soon as she turned eighteen she was leaving, taking me with her. He beat us hard, fists and belts. I was fourteen, Rita tried to save me but that night I fought back too, and I tried to shield her as much as she shielded me. We went to school the next day in concealing clothes and makeup like he instructed. Rita was driving and instead of going to school she took us to Taylor's ranch. Taylor's mom let us in and Rita just started stripping in the kitchen in front of Clara, and Clara, well, she was furious. We never went home; we went to our Aunts in Michigan. It went to trial, and he had kept video evidence of everything he did to us, he kept a diary. That man that's dead, he's just a man, he means nothing to me.' Jennifer said heavily.

Derek wanted to stop but for a different reason, he wanted to hold her but she would come to him when she needed comfort. He settled for resting his hand on her lap as he drove, and eventually she laced their fingers together. The warmth from her engagement ring caught him and he smiled.

'You didn't deserve that, neither of you.' Derek said thoughtfully. 'You're a beautiful strong woman and I'm lucky I found you when I did, you changed my life for the better. You deserve the moon for what you went through then, what I and my monsters do now,' Derek said with a crooked grin. Jennifer cast him a long look, her mouth down turned, her eyes sad.

'That's why I wanted to become a teacher, I thought building that relationship would help me help kids.' Jennifer admitted.

'What happened to your mom?' Derek asked.

'She died, he took her away and she just gave up,' Jennifer said. 'She couldn't fight him any longer.'

'And you?' Derek asked.

'I never think of him when I can help it. If someone mentions daddy I associate that with you now, not my own father.' Jennifer said.

'You should get some rest, we'll be there soon.' Derek said but Jennifer just squeezed his hand and turned back to her window.

They cremated Archibald Blake in the county prison. Before he was burned both women took long looks at him, neither showed emotion.

'His personal effects,' a guard pushed a box towards them. Derek carried it to his car, and Taylor joined him.

'I never knew he beat them,' Taylor said softly as Derek thumbed through his diary full of mad rants.

The fat one got married, my brother wrote me. Bitch probably bust the seams of her dress. Must be a man with poor taste.

The skinny one has a new man, my good brother wrote, a cop. Stupid fucker better be careful when riding her or her bones will slice right through him.

There were two crude drawings below, depicting both scenes. Derek shook his head and handed the book to Taylor who gaped. 'Who the fuck does this?' Taylor asked.

Derek shrugged his shoulders. The girls came towards them hand in hand. 'I'll burn this if you want,' Derek offered.

'Please do,' Rita said. 'I don't want to see it.'

'Come here,' Derek said reaching for Jennifer. She came easily, letting him fold his arms around her.

'Hey, why don't we get a hotel with a decent bar and stay the night, go home tomorrow.' Taylor asked.

'Good idea,' Derek said pecking a kiss on Jennifer's cheek.

'Yeah,' Jennifer agreed. 'That sounds good.'

-/-

Eventually things settled down again, Jennifer rarely spoke of her father, she went back to work and got on with her wedding plans, her bottom lip between her teeth as she would swap out lesson plans for shoe websites. Derek watched her closely, he knew she was putting things off, or playing stuff down because he had been married before, he didn't want her to do that on his account, he wanted to spoil her, show the world how he cared for her, but at the same time he wanted what she wanted, close family and friends.

Their wedding bands were the most expensive cost so far, custom made the way Rebecca had refused just wanting plain. Derek wanted the triskele on them, something Jennifer happily agreed to, platinum like her engagement ring. Derek had hers specially designed to fit comfortably with the ring she already wore. Pride swelled in his chest when he caught her small happy smile, he would do almost anything for this woman, and making her happy made him happy.

He had also tasked Rita and Laura with helping her find a dress. He knew if she had her way she would buy something plain and simple, but he wanted her to pick something special, something that she would treasure and remember something that she could perhaps wear again and dance with him in so they could remember their special day together.

They sat down one evening to discuss the day itself. The kids were tucked up in bed and the evenings were starting to get warmer. Derek had returned from a run when he found her sitting on the porch waiting for him with a tall glass of water. He dropped a kiss on her cheek and dragged a damp towel over his chest as he shifted from his beta form, washing blood and dirt away.

'What are you thinking about?' Derek asked joining her on the seat, pulling a shirt she had for him over his head.

'The wedding day. Something small, neat, a family affair,' Jennifer said resting her cheek on Derek's shoulder.

'We could go away and do it,' Derek offered. He noticed Jennifer blushing and nudged her.

'I want to do it here,' she swallowed and rolled her eyes. 'I want to spend our wedding night in our bed,' Jennifer muttered.

Derek chuckled. 'Okay so we do it in moms gardens, summertime, and when the times right we slip away.' Derek said.

'Something like that,' Jennifer said.

'I'm going to ask Boyd to be my best man,' Derek said.

'Yeah, Rita, Laura, Cora, Lydia.' Jennifer piped her lip out. 'Isaac and Erica of course.'

'We could get Isaac's friends involved, little tuxes for all of them,' Derek suggested. 'Allison too.'

'So you're inviting Chris?' Jennifer teased.

'I'm inviting Peter,' Derek shrugged. 'So we have it at home in the summer, at the start, what about a honeymoon?'

'I've always wanted to see Hawaii,' Jennifer grinned.

'Baby you won't be seeing much on your honeymoon,' Derek nipped her neck. Jennifer smiled and Derek's hand ran down the back of her dress cupping her butt.

'Oh you'd rather some dank cabin in the woods, just you, me and a bed.' Jennifer asked.

'Now that sounds like perfection, I'll fuck you until neither of us can move,' Derek licked his lips, kissed her neck.

'Wouldn't you rather I was laying on a balcony somewhere in a bikini, you sitting in the shade if the room watching me like the creepy guy you are?' Jennifer wondered.

'You'll be the death of me,' Derek bit her lip and Jennifer snickered again, and for an hour or two the wedding plans were out on hold.

-/-

Rita gave Jennifer away. They walked hand in hand up the little aisle between wooden seats. Erica had looked beautiful as she walked holding Isaac's hand, beaming at the little coos coming her way. Isaac was a handsome little devil too, his puppy eyes gazing Jennifer's way. His pals Scott and Stiles stood proud, and Allison was devastating in her little dress.

Jennifer looked beautiful too in her slim silver dress hugging her figure, hair tumbled around her shoulders. 'Hello gorgeous,' Derek whispered. Jennifer blushed as Derek took her hand. The registrar smiled gently as she did the wedding first, then followed with a more werewolf traditional hand fasting.

There was a buffet and music, dancing and drinking, and the photos were mostly candid's with a few proper professional ones thrown in the mix. The weather was good as afternoon blended into evening and Derek pulled Jennifer into the dance floor. 'Full belly?' Derek asked turning her hand so the back of it was resting against his chest.

'I feel like I've been eating and drinking all day,' Jennifer admitted. 'Champagne this morning and then after, and with dinner and I'm not even making sense,' Jennifer giggled to herself and Derek couldn't believe that he'd found his one, his mate. He loved Jennifer, loved her so much. She was a soul mate, she understood him perfectly and he couldn't wait to get on with their lives together.

'This is perfect,' Derek said as kids ran around them and Rita laughed at something Laura was saying. Isaac bumped into Derek's legs, Erica half a foot behind him and Derek gathered Isaac up as Jennifer caught Erica.

'How was your day?' Jennifer asked Erica.

'Tasty!' Erica beamed. Derek laughed as Isaac went into an explanation of the complicated game of dragons he was playing with his little pals.

As the night wore on Derek caught Jennifer away from the girls. 'Let's go home,' he whispered in her ear. Jennifer nodded and amid cheers they slipped onto the path and walked home through the darkness. Once inside the house Derek led her upstairs, and that was when he caught scent of a sadness coming off her. By the time they got to the bedroom Jennifer was crying, sobs wracking her body as she sunk onto the bottom of the bed.

'I can't do this!' She said looking pitifully up at him. Derek stepped back and stared at her, shaking his head.

'Why?' Derek asked. Jennifer looked miserable.

'I thought I could, I really did, I thought that our friendship and the kids would get me through it and I thought that I had enough love for both of us and I thought that in time maybe you would, you know,' Jennifer sighed and hid her face in her hands.

'No Jennifer I don't know, I literally have no idea what you're talking about.' Derek said.

'You don't love me, you're settling with me for the kids because they love me.' Jennifer said.

'Do you really think that little of yourself that you'd let yourself settle for second best. Do you think I'd do that to you, that I'd take advantage of your emotional state?' Derek asked reaching for her hand. 'See this ring,' Derek tapped her engagement ring, 'I had that specially made, for you. Only you, Jennifer I love you so much!' Derek said. 'I thought you knew.'

'I,' Jennifer said, 'I overheard you at Christmas telling Laura you found the one you loved, your true mate.'

'I did,' Derek said. 'I'm looking at her.'

Jennifer's head snapped up, her eyes widening at him. 'Me?'

'You,' Derek said rubbing his thumb over his cheek.

'But you hold back from me,' Jennifer said. 'In bed, I heard you tell your mom our sex was bad,' Jennifer whispered. 'I sound like all I do is listening in on your conversations.'

'When did I tell my mom that?' Derek asked.

'Erica's first birthday,' Jennifer sniffed.

'Oh fuck,' Derek said. Jennifer looked down at her hands again and Derek lifted her chin with his fingers. 'There's something I need to tell you about me, about werewolves and, it's going to sound weird and you might hate me.'

'What?' Jennifer asked.

'Have you ever heard of knotting?'

-/- -/- -/-

'So you've been holding back this long because of something you could have told me about a year ago?' Jennifer asked rubbing her hands on his arms.

'I was worried you would find it disgusting,' Derek admitted looking down. Jennifer lifted his face with her hands, nails scratching through his stubble.

'Do you remember the night you shifted for the first time?' Jennifer said twisting her hands around his neck.

'I do,' Derek looked down.

'I'm not afraid of you Derek, I accept everything about you, I accepted two kids, your family, the fact that you go running half naked on the full moon with your family, that you literally turn into a wolf. Why wouldn't I accept that your penis expands to keep us locked together?' Jennifer said kissing his lips.

'I know, and everybody said I was being an idiot, but I just felt insecure. The first night it almost killed me to stop.' Derek said.

'I remember. So how long are we going to be locked together tonight?' Jennifer asked shifting closer to him.

'You want to?' Derek asked looking shocked.

'Of course. Do you think we have to do it every time?' Jennifer asked.

'No, it gets easier to control after the first few times, but certain things make it harder to keep down, full moon, when you come off your birth control and smell at your most fertile.' Derek whispered. Jennifer smiled at him.

'When do you want me to come off birth control?' Jennifer asked.

Derek's eyes lit up, and he reached out to rub her arm. 'When you feel ready,' Derek said.

'If I said I stopped a few weeks ago?' Jennifer asked.

'Then I'd say I love you,' Derek said. Like that the mood in the bedroom changed. Derek caught her in a kiss that turned passionate, and she pushed him back for just a second.

'Unzip my dress,' Jennifer said standing. Derek crowded behind her to move her hair and mouth gently at her neck as his fingers eased the zipper down. Derek stepped away and his fingers trailed over her bare skin to the strap of her suspender belt, down over her bottom to grip at her lace clad ass cheeks.

'Look at you?' Derek said into her ear. 'Don't move until I say.'

'Okay,' Jennifer said keeping her eyes locked on the mirror in front of her. Derek's hands slid around her, and ever so gently he helped her step out of the dress, mindful of her heels.

His hands slid around her waist then up to cup below her breasts, his thumbs brushing over her hard nipples. Jennifer flicked her eyes up to meet his in the mirror. 'How could you not know how much I love you baby?'

Jennifer shivered as his already half hard cock brushed against her ass. Derek was still dressed, his sleeves rolled up, shirt open at the throat, his dress pants dark against her pale skin. 'I want to undress you,' Jennifer said. He was always in such a rush to get his clothes off, he never took his time. Jennifer longed to rectify that. He stepped back away from her.

'Are you going to torture me?' He asked teasingly. Jennifer looked over her shoulder and he took her hand turning her towards him, placing her hand over his heart. 'How do you want me?'

Jennifer took her time opening each button, kissing his skin as it was revealed, his firm muscles and tight abs. He was panting by the time she tugged his shirt from his pants and pushed it off her shoulders. Kneeling down she started at this feet, removing shoes and socks, kissing his knobby ankle bone which earned her a chuckle, and then stood to unbuckle his belt. She pulled it slowly from each loop then tossed it aside as she finally opened his pants.

Derek was already tenting his black shorts when Jennifer put her hands on his chest and pushed backwards. Derek caught her at the last second bringing her with him. They bumped noses as Derek managed to work them both backwards so they were resting against the pillows.

'We've reached an impasse it would seem,' Derek said putting on a strange accent Jennifer slapped him gently and leaned down to kiss his neck, dragging her nails over his ribs, watching the red welts.

'Derek, you're not healing.' Jennifer said.

'That's because you're claiming me,' Derek said running his hand down her thigh. The warmth of his hands through her sheer stockings burned her skin sending delicious flecks of heat through her blood.

'So if I gave you a cheeky hickey?' Jennifer asked.

'It stays,' Derek growled. Jennifer couldn't keep the smile off her face as she kissed down his chest, taking time to tease his nipples then moving lower to kiss at his naval, biting the skin around his hips as she eased his shorts off his body. 'My turn!'

Jennifer blinked at him from where she lay as he hovered over her. His cock was hard bobbing against her belly as he licked her throat, scraping teeth over her skin. His mouth moved lower, hot as always as he lapped at her nipples before taking one into his mouth. He peeked up at her as Jennifer gasped and arched her hips. Derek moved from side to side as arousal curled through her body. 'Derek, please.'

'Okay,' he pulled away and hooked fingers into her panties dragging them from her hips. He was gentle as he rolled her stockings from her legs, tossed the belt across the room and fell heavily onto her.

'Derek,' Jennifer fisted his cock and he bit her shoulder as she guided him inside her. 'Come on, Derek do it right!'

Derek kissed her again, and she watched as he closed his eyes, his body relaxed around her. It was like that first time, intimate and intense as he rolled and popped, Jennifer's legs wrapped around him, their sweat slinking each movement. Heat pooled everywhere and her body failed to work properly as she slid her nails down his spine.

Derek growled, low and deep in his chest and Jennifer shuddered because something was different. Derek touched her, kissed her, whispered none sense. 'Last chance, Jen, baby last chance,' Derek panted. Jennifer knew that if she told him to stop he would and she knew it would hurt. Instead she rolled her hips up to his, digging her heels into his back to pull him in.

'Derek, you don't ever have to ask,' Jennifer whispered just before she bit his neck. Derek moaned and his thrusts changed, almost stopped, and then she felt it. Derek was as far inside as he could be when the base of his cock expanded locking him inside her. He came hard, his teeth and eyes flickering between wolf and man. His heat brought her orgasm on, his grinding into her body. Jennifer's toes curled as she arched up to him, clinging to him.

Eventually it stopped and Jennifer tried to take a breath. It wasn't easy; Derek was practically asleep on top of her as his hips twitched. 'Derek,' Jennifer whispered. He turned his mouth to hers, kissed her sloppily.

'I love you, love you so much sweetheart,' Derek said as he came around a little. 'Am I crushing you?'

'A little,' Jennifer admitted. Derek twisted onto his back, pulling her with him and letting her arrange herself on top of him. It was still awkward but they were close and she could feel his strong heartbeat against her chest. 'I love you too,' Jennifer whispered kissing beneath his chin. Derek blinked up at her happy and sated and she realised that this was forever.

-/-

They spent the day before their honeymoon with the kids. They were going away alone first, then taking the kids to Disney world. Jennifer was a little worried that Erica might want to eat a Disney princess for breakfast.

'I want to play wolf!' Isaac said. Jennifer watched Derek grin at him.

'Me! Me!' Erica cried.

'Okay,' Derek said pulling Jennifer aside as the kids cheered. 'I'm going to hunt you,' Derek said and Jennifer swallowed because she suddenly wanted to play the adult version.

'I just head into the forest?' Jennifer asked. Derek nodded.

'You walk slowly, its dense, so you'll find the stream soon enough. The easiest way to play is for you to follow the stream until you get to a clearing. That's where we'll find you, and it means you know the way for when we play properly later.' Derek smirked.

Jennifer smiled, but she was aching. This morning Derek took it into his head that he wanted to make the heavy custom made bed shake. He didn't but he added it to his lists of challenges to be completed in the future. 'Okay so I just go now?' She asked.

Derek hummed and Jennifer turned and headed into the trees safe in the knowledge her family was close behind her.