I do not own Twilight

Bang. Bang. Bang. Giggle. Bang. Bang. BANG.

I jolted awake and looked around me, my room was empty but the loud banging continued. What the hell was that? I looked at my clock. 7.00am. Eurgh, too early. I sat up in bed and sat staring at the floor for around 5 minutes. My morning routine, to sit and stare at something until I felt less grumpy about being awake.

I stood up and looked down at the big t-shirt Matt had packed me as a pyjama top. It was his, we were in a rush and I forgot to grab my own. It was hanging down to my knees near enough. I tied the corner at my hips and pulled on a pair of black skinny jeans.

"GRACIE COME BACK HERE NOW" Claires little voice rung up the stairs and I froze. I didn't want Gracie alone with them, she had almost outed us last night with her Daddy got angry comment. I turned and rushed down the stairs.

As I walked into the living room I saw Gracie hid behind the TV laughing silently. I frowned at her and she put her tiny finger to her lips to tell me to shh.

I nodded, she seemed fine, I'm sure if she had said anything else everyone would be crowded around waiting for me to come and explain myself. I walked to the kitchen, as I did the door swung open and Claire came bounding through screeching.

"GRACIE WHERE ARE YOU?" She looked up at me and I just shrugged and continued to walk into the kitchen. Emily was stood over the stove making food and Rachel was sat at the table drinking coffee, while Kim was blowing raspberries on a little boys belly and he started laughing hysterically. He was only about 1. He was obviously Quileute, he had the russet tanned skin but I had no idea who he was, or belonged to.

"Morning!" I smiled my practiced smile and sat down next to Rachel.

"Morning Jodie, sorry if the girls woke you up I let them play drums with the pots" Emily smiled at me and I just nodded back. So that was the banging. Little shits.

"I would just like to add I stopped them as soon as I entered the house. I've been up all night with that little devil, I came here for a rest" Rachel looked up from her coffee and nodded at the little boy. Kim cuddled the boy to her and glared at Rachel.

"Oh sure stick up for him, I have been up all night, he wouldn't settle, then as soon as you grab him he is fine. Just take him Kim." She looked tired and pissed off. Kim just poked her tongue out and went back to making him giggle.

"So whose is he?" I was so confused, was he Rachel's or Kim's?

"Oh he's mine alright, can't you tell, just like his daddy. Always causing trouble, little Jamie; he is one in two weeks." Rachel smiled as she said it; Jamie looked up at grabbed for her. Two weeks, Gracie was 2 in two weeks.

"Oh Gracie's birthday is in like 2 weeks as well, he's cute, now you mention it he does look like Paul I suppose" I looked at him, he had Paul's eyes.

"Well. I hope he does, otherwise I'd have some explaining to do" Rachel laughed as she kissed Jamie's head and handed him back to Kim.

"Bye girls, I'll be back at like 4. I'll take Claire with me now if she is ready?" Rachel grabbed her bag and chucked on some sunglasses, she looked good.

Last night she was just in jeans and a t-shirt but today she was in a tight black high waist knee length skirt, showing off her curves, and a white blouse tucked into it, with cute little black heels. She looked hot.

"Yeah she is, just trying to pry her from Gracie" Emily laughed and walked out of the room. Rachel turned around and waved at us then left. I was confused, everyone was confusing me.

"Rachel teaches up at La Push high school, so Emily watches Jamie in the day's and Rachel drops Claire off at school sometimes, Claires mom works from like 6am so she drops Claire here every morning and picks her up at like 7pm. I am a nurse in Forks, Jared takes me, and I'm here waiting for him" I nodded at the information and everything seemed less weird. Except why would Jared pick her up here when they live together?

Gracie walked back into the kitchen, followed by Emily. Gracie was pouting and sat on the floor, crossing her arms as she sat. She frowned up at Emily who just chuckled back at her. Oh god, I knew what was coming. She didn't tantrum, or cry, she would sit and frown at people until they felt so awkward they gave into her. She looked up at Emily and frowned. And she stayed like that for 5 minutes until the kitchen door burst open, scaring the life out of her; she jumped and ran behind my chair.

Sam walked in; followed by Paul and a boy I hadn't met. Paul swooped down over Kim and picked Jamie up, swinging him in circles and planting a huge kiss on his cheeks. Jamie giggled and I felt bad, Gracie didn't have a dad like that, she had no one who would do that to her. She was still hiding behind me.

Sam walked to Emily and kissed her lightly and placed his hand on her swollen stomach, while the other boy walked to the fridge and started raiding it for food.

"Where's Jared?" Kim was looking around and frowned a little.

"He got caught up with Embry, so I'm going to take you" the boy had spoken and Kim pouted and crossed her arms. My stomach butter flied as he said Embry. I had had a crush on him in high school, obviously it hadn't gone yet.

I reached my arm around and caught hold of Gracie's and started pulling her around the chair. Sam noticed and bent down.

"Gracie, sorry I didn't mean to scare you, come out and meet Brady, my friend" He spoke softly to her. She pulled back and then walked out slowly, running straight to Sam.

"Hi Gracie" The boy named Brady was speaking to the back of Gracie's head as she cuddled into Sam. Sam tugged her arm and she peeked up at Brady between her little fingers. His smiled faltered and he staggered backwards for a second. He was staring at her; the emotions that flashed across his face were strange. Anger, love, anger, love, fear and then confusion. He staggered back again and Gracie had been thrusted into Emily's arms. While Paul near enough threw little Jamie at me. Sam was shaking and Brady looked a little pale, Paul grabbed them both and ran through the living room and the front door slammed shut.

I looked up at Emily and she shrugged a little but turned around quickly. Kim flew out of her seat looking worried. I could swear I heard growls outside, but they didn't have a dog.

"Did he just?" Emily spun back around and shook her head wildly and nodded toward me before nodding again at Kim.

"Oh yeah, that's real rare that is" Kim rolled her eyes and chuckled to herself. I had no idea what they were on about.

"What was that about?" I asked, still confused. Emily just shrugged and fed Gracie a bit of her bagel, while Kim grabbed her bag from the floor and reached for my car keys from the countertop.

"Can you drive me to work? Paul left" She smiled at me and I nodded.

"Sure, not like I have anything else to do" I stood up and placed Jamie on the floor. I kissed Gracie on the cheek and headed out to my car behind Kim.

"Nice ride, the boys are gonna love this" She grinned as she climbed in, I just nodded again.

We had been driving for about 10 minutes when something hit me. The look Brady gave Gracie, Embry had given me it the night before. He had stared at me all night, and Sam had shaken like that and Paul had pulled him away. De ja vu or what.

"Kim, why did Brady look at Gracie like that?" She looked at me and frowned.

"Umm, not sure, maybe he felt sick or something" She was lying, I could tell, she wasn't as good as me at it. I dropped the subject and drove.

We were pulling out of La push when something ran past the car in the tree line, I jumped a little and looked to my right. Then back at Kim she was smiling and waving into the trees. What the hell? I followed her gaze. Nothing. She saw me looking at her and giggled nervously.

"Oh sorry, thought I saw something" She giggled again. She was so weird.

My phone started ringing. Matt. He was the only one with this number. But the number wasn't Matt's. It was unknown.

"Hello?"

Nothing.

"Hello?"

Nothing again. I got nervous and hung up. What if it was him?

"Damned prank callers, get me every time" Kim chuckled beside me. I just nodded.

"You ok? You've gone pale" She touched my forehead as she said it.

"Yeah, sorry, tired" I pressed the gas harder and sped down the windy road. She nodded and looked back out of the window. I pulled up to the hospital and she got out.

"Thanks for the lift Jod see you later!" I waved and she smiled at me as she ran off into the hospital. I turned and sped the whole way back to La Push. I was nervous. What if he had found me?

I pulled up outside Sam's and saw Embry playing with Jamie and Gracie crawling around with the Brady kid. I didn't like it. He had freaked out around her earlier, I didn't like him around her. Embry looked up at me and smiled. My stomach flipped again.

"WOAH nice car" Collin who was sat beside Brady looked up and grinned at the Mercedes behind me.

"Oh, yeah, it's alright" I shrugged and he gasped.

"Alright? Thats the nicest car anyone has around this dump. Everyone else has trucks. So jealous" I shrugged again and tossed him the keys.

"Here go for a drive" He opened his mouth in shock but took the keys anyway and ran toward the Mercedes.

"You realise he hasn't passed his test right?" Embry was chuckling at me.

"EHH whatever, not mine anyway" I said it before thinking and he looked at me funny.

"Rental?"

"Eurgh, yeah something like that" I smiled again and walked over to Emily and Sam who were on the porch. They looked up and smiled, but it was strained. Like they were nervous about something.

"Why is everyone being so weird?" I asked looking at Sam and frowning.

"We aren't, no idea what you're on about" Sam spoke fast as he said it, giggled nervously and ran off to pull Collin from my car.

"Whatever, I'm going for a shower. Don't let Gracie out of your sight" Emily nodded at me and I walked upstairs to the bathroom.

I showered for 30 minutes or so, I still felt dirty from him. I scrubbed so hard my skin was red when I got out. The bruise on my neck was faint now, barely visible but my ribs were stained with bruises from the continuous hits they received. He was smart; he knew where to hit me and where to stay away from. Every now and then he would lose his control and I would be off work for a week with flu or food poisoning until the swelling on my face died down. A large deep cut was spread against my hip, I hadn't paid much attention to it but it looked nasty and stung as the water hit it. I grabbed some cream and piled it on, then covered it with a square of bandage. That night was the worse fight we had ever had. The house was covered in blood and glass. I shuddered again and tried to forget it.

...

It was the beginning of May so the weather was still cold but not freezing so I grabbed a black maxi dress, my denim jacket and some sandals. Dried my hair and let it fall naturally, applied my usual powder, blusher and mascara and made my way downstairs with Gracie's clean clothes.

She was sat in Embry's lap now, telling him off for eating her food. She was so comfortable around him and Sam it was strange to see but nice. She still cowered with the others but Sam was fine and by the looks of it so was Brady and Embry.

"Grace, come get changed baby" As I spoke Embry looked up and his eyes widened at me. Then a smile spread across his perfect face. "What?" I was conscious now, what was wrong?

"You look really pretty that's all" he blushed and put Gracie on the floor. She giggled and pointed at me.

"Mommy pwetty"

Embry nodded and smiled, I blushed now.

"Thanks" I mumbled.

No one ever told me I looked nice, let alone pretty. I sat on the floor and undressed Gracie. Putting her in a cute pair of skinny jeans, pink converse and a white and pink stripped top. Her hair was up in bunches with a flower clip in it. Her bruise was fading now, it was a yellow colour and her cut was scabbing over.

She jumped up and ran around the room. She was so cute.

"Converse! Your looking cool kid" Embry hooted and laughed as she ran past him.

"You know it" She shouted back. I burst out laughing as did the others in the room.

"Ok, so she is around me way too much" I laughed harder and she ran to Jamie who was sat playing with some toy cars and started hugging him and kissing him.

"When's Gracie's birthday?" Emily asked looking at her calendar

"Um, 13th May, in two weeks. Why ?" She looked at the calendar then at me.

"Jamie's is the 14th, freaky, we could have a joint party if your still here" I smiled as she said it.

"Yeah that would be nice" she hadn't had a party for her 1st; Mark wouldn't even let me get her a cake. Matty snuck her one though.

"So you will be here then?" Embry had asked, looking at me hopeful. My heart tugged a little.

"Yeah, should be. I don't have to work again for a while and Mark's busy with work, he has a big case on a missing person" Technically this wasn't a lie. He was working on a missing person. Yes that person was me but still.

"What does he work as?" This was Paul who I hadn't realised was sat in the corner of the room.

"He's in the police force, his whole family were. His brother's head of police up there" I looked down as I said it. I knew he had all the connections to pull in order to find me.

"Oh right, he work a lot then?" Paul asked again. I could feel my breathing halter a little.

"Sure, I mean, as much as he is needed. Mostly days, comes home most nights unless something big happens. His brother manages to get him the easy shifts obviously" I could hear the bitterness come out in my voice even as I tried to hide it. Embry looked at me, he seemed tense.

"That's good then, I'd hate to miss out on Jamie growing up, I'm sure he picks the easy shifts to be with you two" He smiled at me and my breath caught in my throat. What do I say to that?

"Yeah, he's great" my voice shook a little and Sam frowned at me. Embry tensed again and Paul nodded slowly. My heart was pounding now. I felt a little sick. Gracie came walking over and kissed my cheek. I smiled at her and stood up, I needed to get out. I walked out the back and heard the door open behind me. Emily.

"Hey Jodie, what's wrong, you seem to get sad whenever we bring up Mark, if something's wrong you can tell us" I looked at her. She was practically my sister and I stood here telling lies. Maybe they could help? No, they couldn't. He is an evil bastard; if he found out they knew he would go insane. But they were my family, they would help. I had to tell someone. Without Matt here I was alone, I needed someone to talk to, to understand.

"Its... just that.. well...umm... eurgh, nothing, we just. We had a argument before I left, I haven't spoke to him since, he probably hates me" I couldn't do it. I lied again. Lie after lie. My whole life is a huge freaking lie.

"Oh Jodie, of course he doesn't hate you. You were probably both stressed. Time apart will do you good" She smiled and rubbed my arm. I just nodded. "You love him right? You don't think marrying him is a mistake?" Oh shit. I gulped and shook my head.

"Uhh, no of course I love him" I felt sick as I said it. I didn't love him, I hated him. She smiled and I heard Gracie shout for me inside. I'm such a weak little girl when it comes to Mark, I couldn't even tell my family. Coward.

I turned to leave and Emily took my arm again. "I'm always here to talk, don't bottle things up" She smiled sweetly at me again. A new wave of nausea hit me like a ton of bricks and I nodded and walked inside shaking.

"Mommy, lunch now?" Gracie was sat on the floor playing with Claires toys. I had only managed to bring about 5 of hers, her wolf teddy, a doll, a puzzle and some books. I nodded and walked to the kitchen it was 12.30pm. I looked around the cupboards for some food. I found some lentils, potato, herbs and spinach. I made her mash potato mixed with lentils and spinach. Sounds horrendous but she loves this vegan stuff and its better than junk food.

I put her in her booster seat and handed her a spoon. The door swung open and Embry, Seth, Jake, Quil, Sam, Jared and Paul walked in. Their noses crinkled as they looked at the pile of mushed goo on mine and Gracies plates.

"What the hell is that?" Seth looked like he was going to throw up.

"Mashed potato, lentils and spinach. It's nice!" As I said it Gracie nodded excitedly and wolfed down another spoonful. "There's some in the pot if you want it". They all shook their heads.

"What's wrong with potatoes and meat?" Paul was holding Jamie and looked disgusted at me.

"I don't let her eat too much meat, I've never liked meat and I try to keep her away from too much shitty foods. I don't want her fat like you lot when she grows up" Quil did a dramatic gasp and slapped his hand over his mouth.

"BAD WORD" Gracie pointed at me and hit my hand as I said shitty. Emily laughed and sat next to her and began feeding Jamie some of the mash. He grimaced at it and spat it out.

"That's my boy" Paul laughed and patted his little head.

"We aren't fat, you don't know a good body when you see it, and we are hunks" Quil stated, still being over dramatic. I laughed and turned back to my food.

"Sure you are Quil" They all turned and grabbed muffins and bread rolls before walking back into the living room but the chair next to me screeched and Embry plonked himself down. I looked at him, then at his plate. He had a plate of the mash.

"I thought you were meat and potato guys?" I smirked at him and he took a big mouthful of food. He chewed for a second before looking at me and smiling.

"I am but damn this is good, be better if it had some chicken but damn, it aint half bad" I smiled and nodded as he wolfed down more.

"Told you it was nice" We ate in silence, occasionally laughing at Gracie as she smothered herself in food and flicked some at Embry. After lunch I wiped Gracie up and set her down, she ran off into the living room with Emily and Jamie.

"Thanks for lunch, it was nice" Embry spoke from behind me, I turned and he was smiling at me from the sink. He was washing up my dishes.

"Oh don't do that, I'll do it, I made the mess after all" I rushed forward to the sink and he turned to block my way. I walked straight into him and he grabbed my arm to stop me stumbling backwards. I looked up, he was close to me. The heat from his body was beating down on me and my heart sped up. I stared at his lips, they were perfectly smooth and plump.

What am I doing, I'm acting like a teenager. He let my arm go and walked back a little. I felt myself blush.

"No I'll do the washing, you go spend time with Sam" He was staring at me like he had at the beach, like I was the most important person in the world and his eyes bore straight through mine. But he seemed nervous. I felt so self conscious but not a bad way. I nodded and turned, walking out of the kitchen and into the living room.

A few of the guys had gone; they were always coming and going in groups of 4. It was strange. I sat next to Sam and cuddled into him; he put an arm around me and kissed my head. Emily was changing Jamie's nappy and Gracie was playing with Seth and Quil. Everyone else had left.

"I really missed you little sis" Sam whispered into my head. I smiled a little.

"I missed you too bro, I really missed you, I'm sorry for everything I've done. Leaving, not coming to the wedding, and being so shit" he cuddled me tighter.

"No, you had your own life to begin Jo, I understand, I'm just glad you're here for now" I nodded and watched as Gracie let out a huge roll of laughter at Seth and Quil, they were pretending to be dogs. I had never seen her happy, not really happy anyway. And I knew in that moment, that no matter what happens, she stays here. She isn't going back to that life even if I'm forced to.

Thank you for your faves, follows and the reviews , it means a lot! Keep reviewing :D Things will get a little more exciting, I just want to do a few chapters on building her relationship with the pack and then BAM everything will change , thanks again ;D xxx