The characters in this story are from my favorite books, the Twilight Series, by the talented Stephenie Myers, and her copy write of the characters is implied.

A/N- Thank you to all who have been reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it. I also do appreciate those of you who have taken the time to provide constructive critiques as to what you were not liking in the story. They have truly been helpful, and you will see that this chapter goes in a different direction than previous chapters have. I hope that you enjoy it!

Chpt. 9: The Bonfire

Nessie and Jacob wake up at about 3pm, to start getting ready for the bonfire. This will be the first bonfire that the twins have attended, and it means a lot to Jacob, Leah and Jason that the twins will be there. When they re-enter the living room, no one makes and disparaging remarks about their "afternoon nap," but Rosette asks about what sleeping is. She has never had to sleep, and she finds in fascinating that her aunt, uncle and cousins do have to sleep. She was sure that Grandma and Grandpa Cullen would try to give them alone time from time to time, but since they were all in the same house, I was sure that my Aunt and Uncle were getting very little alone time.

As Aunt Rosalie is explaining what sleep is to Rosette, and why our part of the family does have to sleep, she mentions how sometimes she wishes that Rosette could sleep, so that she could have vivid dreams, and so that Mommy and Daddy could have some alone time. It is not until that moment that I realize how blessed that Jacob and I are that we do get sometime together to sleep. I feel bad for my Aunt Rose and Uncle Em. I know from growing up on Isle Esme with them that they always had a spirited sex life, and in the 9 months since she has been born, I am sure that it has been difficult for them. Since it has been so difficult on them as a couple, I offer to take Rosette with us to the bonfire tonight, but first I have to make sure that it will be alright with the pack.

I ask Jacob to come outside with me, and we run about 2 miles down the long winding driveway, so that we are out of earshot of all my vampire family.

"Jacob, do you think that the pack would have issue with us bringing Rosette with us to the bonfire tonight?"

"Well technically, I am one of the Alpha's so I could make that decision on my own, but I don't think that it would be wise of me to do so without checking in with Sam first. It has been years since I have taken the roll of alpha in this area, and Rosette is ¾ vampire. Let me phase, and see what Sam's feelings are on this issue. I think that we need to respect his wishes whatever they are."

"You're right, of course," I replied and added, "I just wanted to give my Aunt Rose and Uncle Em some alone time without the baby. We have had it easier than they have in many ways, because our children do sleep. Even if we can't take them with us tonight, I would like to take Rosette with us sometime soon, anywhere, so I can give my Aunt and Uncle a break. Maybe we can even work out a schedule with them for when they move to the compound in Denali with us next week."

"Only you could make me feel bad for Blondie," he replied wryly.

"I'll wait here while you wolf out."

Jacob and I ducked behind a tree, and he stripped out of his clothes so that he could contact Sam. Luckily Sam was also in his wolf form, so they were able to communicate. According to what Jacob said once he transitioned back. The decision whether Rosette could come with us was left up to a vote by the members of each pack, and the tribal elders such as Billy and Grandma Sue. The decision was not unanimous, but 2/3rds of those who voted agreed to let Rosette visit La Push tonight with us. Jacob phased back and got dressed. We headed back to the main house, and found the entire family was in the living room, gushing over and playing with the children, while the primary topic of discussion was the pending move of the rest of the family to the Denali compound.

Everyone looked up and smiled when we returned. Dad turned to Jacob and said, "That is very generous of both you and your pack Jacob, before we could even say a word."

Aunt Alice just giggled, since she could not see Jacob and I in her visions, I could only imagine what she was having visions of and I cringed. No one wants to think of their Aunt and Uncle that way, even if it is perfectly normal, and they have had to deal with the reverse knowledge about Jacob and I.

Grandma Esme, who was holding Sarah, in her human form, helping her try to walk by holding her hands, glanced up and asked, "So what's up?"

"Well, I thought that Aunt Rose and Uncle Emmet may want to have some alone time, since Rosette doesn't sleep. Jacob asked both packs and the tribal elders about allowing her to attend to bonfire with us tonight, and it was agreed that she is welcomed to attend."

"That is very nice of you do-, I mean Jacob," Aunt Rosalie replied.

"Don't worry about it Blondie," Jacob replied wryly.

Rosette, who's development was about 4 times the rate of the twins, did not miss a second of the conversation going on around her as she played Candy Land with her father on the floor. She asked "What is a bonfire?"

Jacob knelt next to her and said, "A bonfire is a very special thing that my people, the Quileute's have at times, to teach members of our family about our heritage. It is also like a big party, where we have lots of food, and we get to see some of our friends and family that we have not seen in a while. Would you like to go with us tonight to learn more about my people?"

Rosette had an enormous smile on her face, and she replied, "Yes, Momma, Daddy, can I go?"

"Sounds good to me," said Uncle Emmett, and then he wiggled his eyebrows at Aunt Rose like a villain in a silent movie.

"Uncle Jacob," Rosette said, her voice flooded with true excitement, "Momma and Daddy did tell me some things about your family. They told me that your family can change into wolves, and that is part of the reason why the twins can change into all sorts of animals."

"That is right," Jacob replied, "My family is as special as your family."

"Daddy told me that your family and our family are allies, which means if anyone tries to hurt any of us, we kick ass together." Rosette replied,

Aunt Rosalie was fuming. While making eye contact with Uncle Emmett, she said to Rosette, "Young ladies do not say 'kick ass' and Daddy should not have said it in front of you."

Jacob wanted to laugh so hard that you could visibly see his entire body shaking as he was biting the side of his cheek.

**************

We arrived at La Push at about 7:30 pm. The bonfire was already lit, and the members of the pack were already beginning to chow down. There were piles of hot dogs, buns, chips, marshmallows, near the fire. People had already roasting hot dogs and

Jacob and I approached with Rosette and twins, and for the most part, we were greeted with wide smiles, hugs and affection. Once Rosette settled down on one of the driftwood benches, and started talking with a little girl about her physical age of 4, any doubts that had lingered about her being able to behave herself were gone. Jason and Aunt Leah grabbed William and Sarah from us as soon as we arrived. It had been almost 24 hours since they had been with their imprints, and they both took great pride, perhaps equal to both mine and Jacob's in showing off the twins to the rest of the tribe.

Both William and Sarah were always elated when Jason or Aunt Leah was around. Sometimes they would actually squeal with delight when they saw their imprint. Their reactions to Jason and Aunt Leah always gave me warm feelings, and would rekindle my memories of how much Jacob had meant to me when I was growing up. Being an imprint, it brought a special feeling of security and pride to me to know that both of my children were already imprinted upon. I knew that if anything ever happened to Jacob or I, that my twins would always be cared for, and I also knew that no matter if they needed an older sibling, best friend, or someday a spouse, they would have the same joyous relationship that I had with Jacob.

All those assembled, stopped or at least slowed their eating by about 11pm. That was when Sam, speaking as chief, in his role of Alpha male of the La Push pack, cleared his throat, and began to speak. "It brings me much pleasure, to see our family reunited tonight. It was less than a year ago, that Jacob and Nessie had their children, who are truly miraculous, even for our blessed tribe. Tonight we also have the honor of hosting Rosette, a member of the Cullen clan, who is unique, but has already proven to be an ally."

Rosette looked up for a brief second, but then went back to playing hide and go seek with a group of elementary school age children in the woods around the bonfire.

Billy began to tell the stories of the Quileute tribe, of how they were descended from Spirit Warriors, and that although their people have always been small in number, they have always had magic in their blood. He told the stories of Kaheleha, the first spirit warrior whose name was still known. He spoke of Chief Taha Aki's, and how Utlapa took over his body and used his body to try to enslave the Hoh's and Makah's to build and empire, and how Taha Aki joined with the wolf, to save the tribe from the rule of Utlapa and that was how his descendents became wolves. He also told the story of the third wife, and how her sacrifice saved the tribe.

All of these stories were very familiar to me, because I had attended many of these meetings with Jacob when I was a very little girl before we moved to Isle Esme, but when Billy continued the story, with chapters that included the events from my lifetime I was shocked.

"The Cullen's and the Quileute's were both peaceful species, and at first an agreement was reached that the Cullen's would stay off our land, and in return, we would not identify their true nature to the 'pale faces,' but in times of times of war with other Vampires, our clans have become allies, and now, through the merger of our families in Jacob and Nessie, and their children who are the imprints for Jason and Leah, we have come full circle, and our family is now able to take multiple forms, and the spirit warriors once were able too." Billy's pride in William and Sarah, and in the pack as a whole was evident with the reverence he gave to the final parts of the story.

Any reservation that there had been with Rosette attending the bon fire had disappeared by the end of the night. Sam even extended the offer of having Rosette attend school within the La Push Community, but Jacob reminded him that we would be returning in a few days to the seclusion of the Denali compound.

As we were packing up our things and preparing to leave, Quill approached us with his Claire by his side. Claire was twelve and was developing into a lovely young lady. She had kept a watch on the younger children as they played hide and seek throughout the night and made sure that no one was hurt. I always had a close affinity for Claire, because at one point we had been the same age, and had played together. Tonight however, I learned how her young life had changed so tremendously since the last time I had seen her. Jacob had been aware, but had never passed the information on to me, so when Quill told me that her parents had been hit by a drunk driver, a little after we had moved to Denali last year, I felt like I had been punched in the gut for her. Quill was now her legal guardian, and as with any imprint, he was playing the role that she needed from him, that of her parent/guardian.

A single tear ran down Quill's cheek as he told me the story, and at that moment I wanted to punch Jacob for not having told me sooner. I gave Quill a big hug. He was such a young man to have the responsibility of raising a child, and I also realized that since Claire would always need the comfort of a parent in her life, he may never have the opportunity to have a spouse.

"I miss being a part of your pack Jacob," Quill said with certainty. "There is nothing here to tie Claire and I to this pack anymore. I can keep in touch with my mother by telephone and the internet, but I think that for Claire's sake, I would like for us to move to Denali with you and the Cullen's. You know that I have always been friends with your father in law, and I feel that after the tragedy which Claire has had to endure, it would be best for her to start a new life in a new location. She has not family here, and she can also keep in touch with her friends."

Not waiting for my husband to make the decision, even if he was an Alpha, he was completely insensitive for not have let me know what was going on with Claire previously, I replied. "The compound area which the family owns in Denali is large. It will not be difficult for us to add another house to the compound. We do not all live under one roof their. You may need to stay at ours or Billy's house until your house is finished, but we will make it happen if it is truly what both you and Claire really want."

"We do," Quill replied. "I have money saved. I will not burden your family with the cost of building us a home. I have been working, and Claire received a small inheritance from her folks, so we will pay for the home. It is more than generous that your family is offering us land."

"Quill," Jacob said with exasperation flooding his voice, "I have tried that with the Cullen's for years, and I have never been successful yet."

" Our family is planning on making the final move to Denali in three days. All the other houses have been built and I will discuss this matter with the rest of my family tonight."

"Thank you Nessie," Quill replied, and gave me a peck on the cheek.

Uncle Seth approached us next, with his new wife Kristen. She had been 17 and a senior in High School the last time I saw her, but now she was a recent High School graduate and a new bride.

"Jacob, man," Uncle Seth said giving him a fist bump, "You know that I have always considered myself a member of your pack and I was the first to join you when you became and Alpha. Kristen and I would like to move to Denali also and so that I can rejoin your pack. We don't need to live on the compound, if it is running out of room, but we can afford a small apartment in the town, and that way I can be close to my sister again.

"I thought I would go along too," said Embry, "I graduated and I have not imprinted on any one here, so I was thinking I could rejoin your pack too. It would be just like old times."

"Wow," I said, " I have to explain to my vampire family that 7 additional people, four of whom are werewolves, would like to move with us to Denali. I can't promise anything but to try," I said, feeling overwhelmed.

Jacob went to talk with Sam about the pack members who had approached him today, and were requesting to move to Denali. Sam was not surprised, having heard their thoughts throughout the past several weeks since they had known we were coming. Sam said, "My pack has continued to grow in number in the years that you have been gone. My total pack in now up to 18, and that is without the members of your pack. We will be able to keep La Push safe, and your pack will be able to keep that part of our family safe as well. You have my blessing."

It was about one in the morning, when we made our way to the car to make our way back to the Cullen main house. I gave a call ahead to Aunt Rosalie, letting her know we were on our way back with Rosette, and told her that nothing was wrong, but we needed to have a family meeting as soon as we arrived home.

*****

When we arrived back at the main house, Jacob and I placed the twins into their cribs, placed Rosette in front of the TV with a Dora the Explorer DVD, and then met with the adult members of the family who were assembled in the dining room.

I began by recalling the events of the night. I explained to them how Claire's family had been killed and how Quill was now raising her. I explained how Seth and his new bride wanted to move away from their parents to start their new married life together, but have Aunt Leah around for support. I finished with how Embry had not imprinted, how he and Jake had always been friends, and how he also wanted to move to Denali to reunite the pack. When I finished, there was dead silence for several seconds.

Aunt Rosalie said, "Well they will just have to build their houses on the opposite side of the compound because you know how I hate the smell of wet dog."

I gave her a look that could kill and she said, "Sorry, but you know its true."

Grandpa Carlisle was the next to speak, "I think that it is a wonderful idea. Our family has moved from having a treaty, to being allies with, to being family with the Quileute's. We have plenty of room on the compound to add more houses. I will call the contractors today, and ask them to begin building four more houses. That will give Jason and Leah their own houses, as well as Seth and Kristen, Quill and Claire, and one for Embry. Billy will get his own home that way also, since Jason and Leah had been staying with them."

"Just so we are all clear," I said, stunned at how easily this announcement had been accepted, "all those in favor of letting Jacob's pack move with us to Denali, raise your hands."

All the hands went up around the table, even Aunt Rosalie's. Jacob got up from the table and dashed out the door to tell his pack the good news. They would now be the Denali pack, and we would be moving in less than 72 hours.

Exhausted, I climbed into bed. Jacob returned several minutes later and was elated that his pack would be reassembled with the family in Denali. We held each other, and talked about how far our families had come in accepting each other, and fell asleep in each other's arms.