Returning to La Push was by far the right choice. I've been back for a month and to be honest I didn't think I'd be welcomed back with this degree of hospitality.

Being at home with Mom and Seth was a real comfort. The saying goes you don't know what you have 'till it's gone. For me it was a little different. I didn't realize how lucky I was to have Mom and Seth until I came back. And having Charlie in the family was a plus.

Our house seemed to become the new hang-out. Someone or other was over every day. It was usually Emily with Sam in tow or Quil and little Claire.

At the moment Quil was over without Claire. I had promised him a tray of brownies. He was currently engulfing them at an alarming rate.

"Brownies!" Jared entered from the living room. It was obvious he had just come off pack-duty. He reached for one despite Quil's protest.

"Jared." I said calmly opening the fridge for a glass of orange juice. "Aren't you allergic to walnuts?"

"I'll fight thru it." He replied.

I laughed I reasoned it wouldn't cause him any harm. A perk of being an active werewolf.

"I'm just here to collect your brother." He said grabbing another brownie. Quil smacked his arm away.

"You too." Jared said to Quil. "Leah can make you more brownies later."

Once they were gone I used the table to support myself and stand up. I had one more month to go. I was trying to keep my worry at bay. It wasn't good for me or the baby. I started cleaning up.

I heard a knock at the door. Through the screen I saw Sam and Emily.

"Come in!"

They entered the kitchen holding hands. I focused on my dish washing.

"You don't have to knock." I said looking up at Sam. I knew he was probably the one insisting they don't "barge in".

"No one else does." I laughed.

"What are you doing?" Emily asked standing next to me.

"Washing dishes." I answered. "Quil and Jared seem to follow a "you cook, we'll eat, and you clean policy."

"I might be responsible for that." Emily laughed.

"They appreciate it Em." Sam said putting his arm around Emily's shoulders. Again I focused on my dish washing.

"I was wondering if I could take you shopping."

"Shopping?"

"You'll need things for the baby won't you?"

"Right . . . my mind has been so preoccupied." I said realizing the baby was due in a month and I didn't have so much as a burp cloth.

Sam tagged along reluctantly to help with bags and stuff. I was glad Emily was with me. She was more excited about shopping than I was. That's how it had always been.

"Which one will it be? There all so beautiful."

"Huh?" I realized she said admiring the cribs. "Oh I don't think a crib will be necessary."

"The baby's going to sleep in a hammock is it?" Sam laughed.

"No. It's just that . . ." How could I explain that the thought of buying a crib was frightening. It meant the baby would be here soon. To be honest I had hoped I'd be back by now . . .

"Did I say something?" Emily asked worriedly. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"No . . . just me being impractical. That one looks fine." I said pointing at plainer wooden one.

Back home Sam and I were in my room. I was attempting to instruct Sam from the builder's manual as he constructed the baby's crib. I was glad he was here to help. Seth wasn't too handy and Charlie would have gone through hours of frustration before getting the job done.

Emily was currently fixing us all some sandwiches for lunch.

"Listen Sam." I said looking up from the manual. "I want to thank you. You've been a big help. You and Emily both."

"It's our pleasure. Having a baby around will make Emily very happy."

"I feel so ungrateful." I admitted shamefully. "I see you two . . . so in love and . . ." I trailed off; Sam would know what I meant. I wasn't jealous of Sam and Emily per say. More of the love they shared.

"Did you ever imprint?" He asked.

"No. I don't know. I mean at one point I thought I might have." I placed my hands on my belly. "But, I couldn't have because I'm here and . . ." I felt tears brim my eyes. "Anyway, I have to pee." I said.

Sam and I looked at each other momentarily before we both started laughing. Sometimes pregnancy got in the way of heartfelt talks I guess.