Hey, hey, my Lovelies!

Thank you to all who had reviewed the last chapter! You're amazing and every single one of you make my day!

The picture of Alex's nursery in my story Clouded Joy, has been uploaded on Photobucket if you want to check it out!

Bear with me with this chapter. I don't live in America and I've only had a few bits of info from those of you who were gracious enough (thanks for that by the way) so some aspects of this may be inaccurate for some of your tastes. But I've winged it so you either like it or you don't. It was harder for me to write this chapter because of this which is why it's taken me longer than I wanted it to.

I got a surprise for you in this chapter as well :) OH! And read the end AN because I want you guys to answer me something, thanks :D

Disclaimer: I don't own twilight! Unfortunately...D:

Without further ado...Enjoy!


Chapter 9

Orientation


Billie's Point of View

The morning of Freshman Orientation at UT was slow starting to say the least. Don't get me wrong, I was up at the crack of Dawn, nursing my first cup of coffee by 7 am. No, it was my house mates who were being lazy asses, not to mention ignorant ones as well, ignoring my shouts and reprimands for being lazy. Shit, Ellie was up before all of them, even her father.

It seemed that I was the only one out the lot of us that had the sense to head to bed early. The others chose to spend their night messing around in the Rec room up until god knows what time. If I remembered correctly, Paul didn't come to bed until half one in the morning, even then he tried to coerce me into having sex with him! Okay, okay, granted! We all know that I didn't say no but still! He showed me the time of my life though...just sayin'.

Paul was a pain in my ass to get up in the mornings at the best of times but today, he seemed extra determined to make the job hell for me, making all manners of sensational noises of protest that was targeted directly at my libido. I tried my best at ignoring him whilst efficiently shouting for him to get up but the man was immovable when he wanted to be.

"I swear to God, Beautiful, if I have to get out of this freaking bed to drag you back into it, I'm so not going to be happy." Paul growled in warning, glaring at me through the ceiling to floor length mirror I was standing in front of. I cocked an eyebrow back at him in taunt.

"Don't you glare at me. You're being lazy. Get the hell up, Paul." I ordered yet again. He groaned.

"Beautiful, get back in the God damn bed. I'm fucking tired and I know for a fact you are too, especially after last night."

"Well, it's your own darn fault, Paul. You chose to stay up until half one in the morning, knowing exactly what we had to do today and if I recall correctly, it was you who seduced me last night."

"Oh please, as if you put up much of a fight. Billieee, get back in beeeed." he whined, pitifully, making me giggle loudly. He growled.

I glanced at him through the mirror, seeing him sprawled across the bed with one arm outstretched across it, reaching over for me but not being bothered to move a single inch. Kwoli laid at the bottom of the bed, his head cocked to the side and his ears pricked as he watched Paul in confusion. I giggled and blinked on mascara, smirking to myself even more now. My back was to him and he was too busy burying his gorgeous face into my pillow to see it on my face in my reflection anyway.

"Baby, you have three seconds to get back in this bed or I won't be held accountable for my actions...One...Two..." God, I loved it when he was all husky and demanding in the morning and if I hadn't been determined to actually attend orientation today, I would have probably done as I was told and let him have his way with me. But, my will was strong and I resisted that overwhelming temptation.

As my thoughts and admirations ran ahead of me, my concentration and awareness was lost, making me neglect to notice two very warm, very strong arms wrap tightly around my waist to pull me back into an equally strong, broad chest. I gasped, dropping the mascara (thank God for dark carpets) to clutch onto his thick forearms to keep my balance. His heavy breath ghosted across my ear as he nipped and licked my earlobe, making me shiver.

He laved kisses down the side of my neck, leaving a wet, hot trail of lava in his wake as he reached my mark. I bit back a moan as he sucked on it, palming my breast as his other hand skimmed down my front. I gasped again as he cupped my mound through my jeans and panties, applying pressure at just the right spot with the heel of his hand.

"Oh, oh Paul..." I breathed, melting into him as my hand clutched the back of his neck to keep his lips fixed to my neck. He groaned and applied more pressure with his hand, making my hips buck rhythmically into him. He growled and began to lead me backwards towards the bed, cementing my gaze with his lust filled one in our reflection in the mirror.

He turned me around so my knees were at the edge of the bed, lowering me gently onto my back as his hand continued to work. Then, with a flick of his wrist, my jeans were undone and his hand was slipping beneath the material of them and my panties. He crawled onto the bed above me, latching onto my neck as he played with my little bundle of nerves with his thumb and slide two thick, warm fingers into me.

We both groaned and his lips crashed to mine, sucking and nipping at them until they swelled under his. He kissed me feverishly for a few seconds, pumping his fingers faster and faster until something broke. All the frenzied lust and desire in him calmed to tender love and care. His fingers began to trust slower and slower at a steady rhythm that felt just as good as fast and hard. His kisses became soft and passionate, slithering his warm, velvet tongue into my mouth and groaning low and long at my taste.

My hips rutted into him gently, throwing my head back as our kiss broke as he made love to me with his fingers. That coil deep in my stomach began to tighten and my breathing hastened. However, his fingers and lingering kisses to my collarbone did not. He knew I needed more but I was getting as good as he was willing to give right now. His kisses were barely called that anymore, more brushing of his lips like feathers against my skin. He was driving me crazy.

"Paul...Please." I pleaded, desperately. He grinned against my neck and shook his head.

"I told you I wouldn't be held accountable for my actions, Beautiful. You disobeyed me so this is what you get...just feel, Baby. Let go." he murmured into my ear, huskily and filled with lust and desire. I moaned and rode his fingers faster, tilting my head to the side in offering and praying that he took me up on it. He sighed and leaned down, sucking on my mark again until starts exploded across my vision and I was calling out his name in euphoria. He groaned as his fingers became slicker pumping inside of me to stretch the orgasm out for me.

Then as the last of my tremors began to receded, he extracted his fingers and sucked them both into his mouth. I watched half lidded as his eyes rolled back and a moan escaped his throat. The sight was so erotic that I couldn't help the whimper that escaped me at the sight. His eyes caught mine and he smirked around his fingers, licking the last of my essence off before coming to hover over me again. I smiled and grabbed the back of his neck to pull him into a deep kiss. Tasting myself on him made the both of us groan.

"Hmm, that was amazing. Thanks..." I told him, grinning. He chuckled and pecked the tip of my nose.

"You're welcome." he laughed, indulgently. We kissed for a few more minutes until I surprised him by pushing him off my chest and onto the bed beside me. He frowned up at me before scowling. "Urgh, why do you insist on going to orientation?"

"Because we need to? We need to sign up for classes and stuff." I reminded him, walking towards the walk in closet so I could pick out some new panties and pair of new jeans. I saw him smirking from the bed, from inside the bed. I glared at him. "Paul! Get out of bed! Don't be so lazy. We need to get up and eat."

"No, don't wanna." he grumbled, folding his arms like a two years old. I cocked an eyebrow at him before walking into the bathroom to clean my self up and redress for the day.

"Don't be such a two year old and put your big boy panties on." I called through to him. I heard his indignant huff.

"I do not wear panties!" he protested, loudly. I giggled manically.

"I'm sincerely grateful for that fact, Babe." I told him, smiling at him as I walked back into the room. "Now come on, Orientation is at 10am at the university. It's eight thirty now. Get the hell up!"

He just groaned again and reburied his face into my pillow. I could hear his inhales from where I stood again at the mirror. Back to square one it is then. I thought to myself, wryly. I giggled and shook my head at Paul's dramatics. "Are you replacing me with a pillow, Paul? I can warn you know that it doesn't have the one thing to sate your insatiability to me."

"Har har, so funny. If you just get back in the fucking bed, I wouldn't have to resort to a fucking pillow, would I?" he growled, glaring at me again. Only his eyes and the tuft of hair was visible, making him look like a predator stalking its prey.

Ignoring his statement, I grinned as I asked him, "Do I have to send Ellie in here? I know she's up and ready. I'm sure she'll ave no qualm getting up her daddy, especially if it means jumping all over him and shouting at the top of her voice."

"You wouldn't- No, wait, you totally would. Evil, annoying, beautiful, smart woman…" he growled to himself, not even being able to bring himself to insult me. I love imprinting. I grinned to myself and walked over to the bed, patting Kwoli on the head lightly.

"Get up. It's your last chance." I warned him, grasping the edges of the comforter gently so that he wouldn't realise what I was about to do. I gave Kwoli a look that he seemed to understand and he hopped off the bed, moving across the room to lie down beside the door, watching us curiously still.

"No. I don't even understand why I'm even going. I'm not even taking any classes." He moaned, childishly. I rolled my eyes.

"I thought we'd agreed that you were." I replied, confused. He just groaned. He probably hoped that I'd forgotten or something. He was running hot and cold about this class thing ever since we got here. I thought that he'd finally made up his mind last night. Obviously not.

"Baby, I graduated High School already. What more do you want from me?"

"I don't want anything from you but I want more for you. You're better than a high school diploma, Paul. Do this, for me?" I pleaded to the back of his head. He just groaned in response once again. I narrowed my eyes. "Fine, that's it. I warned you."

With that, I yanked the comforter clean off the bed and his body, causing a rush of cold air to wash over him like a waterfall. He gasped and shuddered and I couldn't stop myself from laughing loudly. He glared up at me, lying on the bed in all his naked glory and letting it all hang out without a care in the world. Well, it wasn't like I was complaining at all. The sight was mouth-watering but it wasn't doing much against my resistance to jump him.

"That wasn't very nice, I'll have you know. I just might have to punish you again for that." He growled, springing off the bed lithely. I threw down the comforter, aiming for him as I squealed, laughing before darting towards the bedroom door. I knew he wouldn't be able to follow me if I cleared it as he was naked and his 3 year old daughter was walking around here somewhere. He growled again behind the door as it slammed shut in his face. I panted outside in the hallway, glancing either side of me. Greg came waltzing out of his bedroom he shared with Livi, cocking an eyebrow when he saw me out of breath in the hallway.

"Do I even want to know?" he asked, chuckling as he kissed my cheek in greeting. I giggled and shrugged.

"Just teasing Paul, that's all. Nothing big. Are you ready for today?" I asked. He shrugged.

"As ready as I'll ever be, I guess. You know he'll pay you back for whatever you did, right?" he chuckled, glancing at the bedroom door opposite me. I nodded, grinning. He smirked. "Oh, so that's your plan. Nice, I like it."

With that, he continued down the hallway and descended the stairs. I sighed and shook my head, glancing at the bedroom door hesitantly before scurrying down the hall after Greg. He was pulling out bacon and everything when I entered the kitchen and I cocked my eyebrow at him. He caught my expression and laughed loudly, holding his hands up in surrender.

"I was getting it all out for you, I swear!" he told me, smirking. I hummed doubtfully. "I was! You know that I burn toast so why would I even attempt to cook stuff like this?"

"Good point. Scoot over, let the chef work." I teased, shoving my hip into his. He chuckled and moved as I requested, sitting at the island counter so that he could watch me work my magic. They'd taken to watch me cook the past few days, claiming that it was the greatest thing they'd ever seen. I doubt that immensely but I wasn't about to deny them any entertainment, even if it was me.

As I worked swiftly around the kitchen, the others began to trickle in and joining my cousin at the island counter. Every one of them was nursing a cup of streaming black coffee, as if waking up at this time was atrocious to them and they couldn't function without it. They were so going to fail college if they kept this up. They'd miss all their classes. They seemed to perk up a little bit when I placed breakfast in front of them and they ate ravenously. I smiled at them, satisfied that I could feed my family, just as Paul entered the kitchen with Ellie on his hip and Kwoli at his heels. He settled her down in her high chair, kissing the top of her head before coming over to me. Kwoli sat at the foot of her high chair, looking up at her longingly.

Paul's arms wrapped around my waist as he pressed me up against the counter behind me. I laid my hands on his chest as he got up close and personal. I smirked at him and he smiled, leaning in closely.

"I didn't get my morning kiss, Missy." he grumbled, lowly. I cocked an eyebrow.

"Oh, you got more than a morning kiss this morning, Babe." I reminded him. He smirked and shrugged.

"Yeah well, I want another one." he replied, demandingly as he leaned forwards. I rolled my eyes as pecked his lips quickly. That didn't seem to satisfy him though, and he pulled my bottom lip between his teeth before slithering his tongue into my mouth. His breath was minty fresh, as was mine. We kissed deeply for a few seconds, hands roaming before throats cleared conspicuously behind us.

"We are trying to eat over here. Geesh, if we'd have known what living with you two was going to be like, we'd have skipped out." Jennie grumbled as she glared at the both of us. I giggled as Paul shrugged, pulling me back in for a quicker, but nonetheless passionate, kiss before letting em go and settling down into his own breakfast.

I pulled out some bananas and began to chop them up along with some apples and kiwis for Ellie's breakfast. She smiled brightly in thanks as I placed the bowl in front of her on the tray and she instantly dug in, making slurping sounds as she sucked the pieces of slimy fruit into her mouth before grinning cheekily. I chuckled and kissed her rosy cheek. I then went about feeding Kwoli, who was waiting patiently now at the edge of the island, looking at me longing. I giggled.

"Alright, Kwo, it's coming. I promise." I chuckled, making him cock his head before beating his tail against the floor excitedly. I filled his water bowl as well and placed them both down on the floor. He dug in immediately.

"Right guys, orientation is at 10. I hope you have everything you need." I told them all, sternly. Jennie rolled her eyes.

"We're not children here, B. We know what we need." she huffed, good-naturedly. I cocked an eyebrow.

"Really, and who wouldn't get out of bed this morning without a wake-up call?" I prompted, cocking an eyebrow. She ducked her head. "Uh-huh, that's what I thought. Ellie got up faster than you guys did. She was just playing in her bedroom."

"That's because she's a goody-two-shoes and does everything Mommy says." Brandon teased, poking her gently in her stomach. She giggled.

"Nuh-uh! Just cos I do what Mommy says, I not a goody-two-shoes." She retorted, scowling at him before shoving a piece of banana in her mouth as if it was to close the subject and she'd proven her point.

"Oh, okay, so what does that make you then?" Greg asked, smirking. Ellie shrugged.

"I just love ma momma." She said nonchalantly with a tone of finality in her voice. All the girls 'aww'd' as both Greg and Brandon held their hands up in surrender dramatically, making her giggle as they winked subtly at me. I laughed and shook my head.

"Stop picking on me or I set Daddy on you." Ellie threatened, eyeing them darkly. Paul cocked an eyebrow at the duo with a stern look to emphasise her threat. Suddenly, they'd become ravenous and was scarfing down their breakfast. It made me laugh harder.

I packed Ellie a small bag in case she got a little hungry or thirsty. I made a point of carrying around some wipes if she ever made a mess or was randomly sick, which didn't happen so often. I packed up my own purse with both mine and Paul's wallets, my phone, house keys and a few other necessities. Ellie, Paul, Brandon, Jennie and I were all riding in the mini convertible and I was actually pleased that I could drive with the top down around Texas. Kwoli was going to be riding with the others so there wasn't a risk of him jumping out my car or something crazy stupid like that the dog was bound to do.

After everything was picked up, locked up and the alarm systems were coded up, everyone dragged their feet towards the cars and I rolled my eyes at them all. I helped Ellie buckle her booster seat even though she was becoming quite the expert at it already before climbing into the passenger seat. Paul looked at me shocked before grinning, taking the keys I offered to him. It was rare that I let anyone else drive the cooper but he was the only exception. He started and revved the engine, grinning at me before pulling out the garage.

When we arrived at UT, the campus was, well, humongous! It took us all our time to weave through the throngs of existing and potential new students and their parents driving, or crawling even, through the car park. Then, heaven forbid we take someone else's parking space. Paul must have been thrown the bird at least half a dozen times. Brandon and Jennie found it exceptionally amusing from the back seat of the car and I was desperately trying to hide my chuckles but was becoming increasingly harder with every frustrated growl Paul released.

When we finally secured a parking space nearer the back of the lot (which pissed Paul off even more) we made our way towards the campus building, balancing Ellie on my hip as the mass of people more than freaked her out a little bit. Kwoli walked by Paul's feet with his lead in his hand. The others trailed behind us, laughing and joking around whilst they admired the campus and soaked up the hot Texan sun. Weaving through previously mention students and parents was a feat I could have done without this early in the morning but we managed and pushed our way through to the auditorium, where the Dean would be speaking to everyone. Shit, they better have a massive auditorium…

And fuck, they did! Their hall, or main one, must have been able to house at least 10 to 15 thousand people in at once. Paul and I led the way to a middle row on the ground with Kwoli moving first down the row and the others filed in after us. Kwoli settled himself under mine and Paul's seats, content to just fall asleep for the time being. The noise in the auditorium echoed massively around the room, making Ellie cover her ears. I passed her over to Paul's lap so that he could cover her ears with his massive paws. She seemed content so I turned my attention back to the room.

Up on stage, I could see the Dean speaking with some of the other teachers. He seemed nice enough and cheerful but I'd reserve my judgement for whenever, if ever, I met him personally, which I doubted, to be honest. All around me I saw the most diverse gathering of people I've ever seen in my life. Hispanic people, African-American, full blooded Texan, Chinese and Japanese international students and I'm sure I could hear someone close by speaking with an Aussie accent. People from the Middle East countries like Pakistan and Iraq were also here. I knew that with those people, a hell of a lot of culture came along with them and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested in it all.

Then a throat cleared through a microphone, followed by a deep but friendly southern drawl belonging to our Dean washed over the noise across the room, easing it away little by little until he was greeted with silence. He smiled down at us all with a bright grin as he spoke, "Welcome to all young adults and parents, sisters, brothers and whoever else you decided to bring with you today for raw moral support." We all chuckled. "Welcome to the University of Texas! I hope your stay here is enjoyable and a life changin' experience for y'all.

"As your Dean, I'm obliged to remind you that your studies and education must always come first to y'all but, as a human bein' who has been where you are today, I say just have fun, be yourselves and discover dimensions to yourself that you haven't met before. I'm not a fool; I know the majority of you will party, and party hard, until you drop…" – Hoots and hollers coursed throughout the room, making me smile – "…I know that, having been there myself, that all the young cowboys here are going charm the socks off every Belle they come across here and all you young Belles, I know y'all shoot down every single one of 'em just to make 'em sweat. Trust me, lads, I've been there."

Thousands of tinkling and boisterous giggles sounded from every single girl sitting around us, and a few dramatic, part filling groans from guys as well. I sat silently, holding Paul's hand as I watched our Dean, captivated by his voice and the power within it. It reminded me of Billy's voice and how amazing he sounded when he was retelling the legends. A small pang of homesickness coursed through me but with one squeeze of my hand from Paul, it was gone and I smiled up at him, returning my attention and gaze to our Dean.

"But no matter how much fun y'all allow yourselves to have here, just remember that you are here for one main thing only – to learn. Remember that y'all are here to broaden your horizons, as clichéd as that sounds, and to become successful in your life. You're here to thrive and become someone that will mean something so society, to be recognised when you walk down the street, which applies especially to our drama and preforming arts students, along with the artists in the audience.

"To all you aspiring doctors and biologists and chemists, you're here to save lives and discover medicines that could very well change the face of the medical field. We could very well be sitting here with a student that may discover the cure for cancer later in life. It's possible, never doubt that. Never ever doubt that anything is possible because here, anything is possible if you put in the time, effort and dedication at masses and masses of students before you have.

"So now, I say one more thing to y'all and I want you to listen to me good – no one here is in charge of your future but you. You'll get support and guidance but no one will be telling you what to do. It's all in your hands. Ask yourselves this one last thing – Where are your ambitions taking you and what needs to be done to get there? Thank you."

Loud, obnoxious applause echoed through the auditorium as everyone rose to their feet. I did too, clapping at the inspirational speech he'd just fed to us all. We watched as he bowed, grinning widely before handing off the microphone to some other lady who took his place. He took a seat near the back of the stage whilst the woman, who reminded me uncannily of Professor Umbridge in Harry Potter, began to speak.

"Thank you, Dean Thomas, for that inspirational speech," She began in a tight, edgy voice that demanded attention and silence as it spoke. "I'm happy to see you all here today and to help you in anything that you may need. Presentations will be given on various courses throughout the two hours here. You'll also be required to sign up for all your classes today, not after. Various staff will be offering you all services today. Anybody who wishes help with finances, has any questions about accommodation and such like, please exit from your right, in just a few moments.

"Class sign-ups are to your left exit but, be warned, you will not be able to sign-up for anything unless you have declared your major, and a minor if you wish to do so. If you have not declared your major, please leave from the exit at the back, from where you came in. That must be your main priority if you haven't done it. Tuition fee payments are also to your right and you need to speak to Trisha Lockheart, who is our financial officer. All that is left to say now is good luck and think rationally when signing up for courses. Thank you."

As she left the podium, applause sounded again but I noticed it was much more subdued than for the Dean. She seemed like an uptight…person, much like the prof from Harry Potter I'd compared her to previously. People began to leave to their preferred exit regarding to their needs. I turned to Paul, unsure of where to start.

I'd declared my major last night on the website. I knew what I wanted to study the most and that was to work with Children so I declared that I'd be an Early Childhood to 6th Grade Bilingual Generalist Certification major and hopefully, when I'm enrolled and everything, I could pick up a Visual Art Studies minor. I didn't know what Paul was going for or if he was going to. I wanted him to so I hoped he could, again, give me what I wanted. It'd only help him in the long run.

Jennie had also declared her major and also decided on a minor for when the time comes to sign up for it. She was going into Computer Sciences as her major but Advertising in her minor. I knew that she was a wiz on computers so she was going to excel in that area of expertise. Livi, I knew, was going to something in Dance and Music, as she was the best dancer I knew of. The others though, I had no idea.

"Okay, so what are we doing?" Paul asked, looking at all of us.

"I need to declare. I think I know what I'm going though so it shouldn't take too long." Brandon announced, shrugging.

"What are you going into?" I asked, curiously. He grinned.

"Sport, what else? But I'm thinking about Athletic Training as well, probably as my minor. Exercise Sciences will be my major." He announced, excitedly. Jennie smiled up at him and kissed his cheek, which made his grin all the cheesier. We laughed at him.

"I'm thinking Accounting. I dunno, I've just have a way with numbers and money and shit. And Marketing. I dunno." Greg shrugged, unsure.

"You'll figure it out, Babe. As for me, I'm going into Music and Human Learning. I want to teach music and dance, I think." She said, confidently. Greg grinned.

"She does dance exceptionally well." He laughed.

"We don't need to hear about the lap dances, Dude. Keep that between the two of you." Brandon quipped, smirking. Greg retaliated with a punch in the arm, which made Jennie growl in warning as she shot my cousin a glare.

"Paul? What about you? Have you decided whether you'll do anything?" Greg asked, interestedly. Paul sighed and shrugged. I turned to face him fully.

"You'll regret it if you don't, Baby. I think you should. You're so much better than what you've got. If I were you, I'd be cashing in on this opportunity, one that was taken from you all those years ago." I told him, matter-of-factly. He stared at me silently, just watching me as his thoughts turned over and over in his head. I smiled encouragingly and I could practically see his uncertainty ease away and his eyes brighten. He sighed in consent and I grinned, hugging him tightly. "So what do you think?"

"Okay…but only because I can't deny you anything."

"That's all well and good but what would you major in?" Livi asked. Paul shrugged.

"You've always been good with electrical stuff. Remember, you fixed my laptop without difficulty." I told him, suggestively. He thought about it for a second before grinning, leaning down to kiss me deeply.

"You're a genius." He laughed, appreciatively. I beamed.

"Okay, so which way do we go to declare?" Brandon asked, scratching the back of his neck. Jennie rolled her eyes and pulled him towards the door we entered the first time.

"This way, dork." She giggled, teasingly. We heard them bicker back and forth with name calling as we trailed behind them.

The declaring process was easy enough. We just had to speak with professors that are related to our majors for insight and guidance to see if that's what we really wanted to do. When that was done, we logged onto our student profiles and declared. Simple as. Paul's took a little longer since he didn't apply technically. He had to go through the whole application process and wait until the head of the Mechanical Engineering Department looked over his application. It also baffled me that he knew everything that he needed to fill in the application off the top of his head.

When he was finally declared in Mechanical Engineering (with the hopes of branching out to Electrical and Computer Engineering) we headed towards the financial officer Trisha Lockheart, to pay our tuitions. Some of us had full scholarships so it was just a matter of us waiting and hanging back for the others to pay whatever they needed to. Paul had to pay his full education but over the years, he'd saved up more than enough to go through college thrice over.

After we'd gone through all the finance supports and whatever else as well as the presentations given from our major professors, we signed up for our classes. After that, we toured the campus and where we would be spending our days here.

It really was a beautiful place. I couldn't wait to start coming here officially in a week. I wanted to get started now. We took our time with the tour, getting a feel for the place as we watched Ellie enjoy the grass and sun, roughhousing with Kwoli, who didn't leave her side for a second. That's why; whenever she went out of sight, we didn't panic because Kwoli would always guide her back to where we were. We heard a lot of 'aww's and such from passing students and parents, along with smiles towards us. I knew that Paul was as proud to call Ellie our daughter as I was.

It was a long two hours but afterwards, we went to Moonshine Patio for some lunch. I prayed to God that Caleb wasn't working and that he had to go to something regarding to UT today as well. He'd be a freshman with us so surely, he'd be orientated today as well. I was relieved when I saw that he wasn't working at all and we waved to Walter, who waved enthusiastically back and nudged Jamie to come over and get our orders.

"Hey, welcome, what can I get ya?" he asked, poised with his note pad ready. We ordered quickly and he scurried off. Ellie and Kwoli also dashed off to play with the other children and dogs by the play area. I swear, Kwoli was like having another baby. Soon Walter came over with a metallic bowl of water and a large marrow bone for Kwoli. I grinned up at him as I took it from his offering hand.

"Thanks, Walter. How are you today?" I asked, pleasantly. He smiled his southern cowboy grin.

"I'm doin' darn good, Darlin'. How're y'all?" he asked, glancing around the table. The girls waved as the guys gave a kind nod of greeting. Paul shook his hand.

"We're good, thanks. We just came from the University. We signed up today." Paul informed him, smiling. Walter raised his brow.

"Oh, o' course. Ya tol' me t'other day, Darlin'. How did that go? All sorted?" he asked, completely interested. I nodded.

"Yeah, all's good. I signed up for Early Childhood classes and such like. I want to minor in visual art as well." I told him. He nodded.

"I'm sure y'all will do amazing in whatever ya have chosen. If any of ya need some place to earnin' some cash. Don't be afraid to ask, 'specially ya darlin's. We need some more belles in this place. Those lads are drivin' me nuts." He laughed, glancing over at Jamie and the other guys whose name escapes me. We all laughed.

"Thanks for the offer. We'll keep it in mind. We need to see what our schedules are like first though." I told him, thankfully. He tipped his imaginary hat to me just as Jamie came over with our drinks.

"Here ya go. Are you ready to order ya lunch?" he asked.

"I'll get tha', Sonny. Go ahead and man the bar, yeah?" Walter instructed, gently taking the pad and pen from him and sending him on his way.

We ordered everything for lunch (and in Paul and Greg's case, it was nearly everything from the menu). I didn't even bother calling Ellie over since she gets the same things every time. Walter also had my own order down before I could say anything, winking at me. I'd ordered the same thing I had the four other times we'd come here to eat. He strode off to place in the order and I decided to head over to Ellie and play for her for a little while. I spent a good twenty minutes weaving through tunnels, digging through ball pools and chasing my little girls as she squealed and tried to get away from me. All the other kids joined in, which I didn't mind because I love kids. I could sense Paul watching me lovingly, his gaze tingling against my skin. Walter was also watching me, smiling.

"Okay, Princess, come and eat with us, okay?" I called to Ellie, who was at the top of the slide, ready to come down. She looked up and nodded, sitting down before swishing down to my feet. I plucked her up, throwing her in the air slightly as she laughed and clung to me.

After we finished lunch, it was Paul's turn to go and play with Ellie. Kwoli opted to stay out of it this time, exhausted from his excessive playing from before. All the kids liked to jump on him because he was so big now. Paul didn't fare any better though, since he was too big as well. He had all the little boys begging him to lift him up with one arm and was the target of some very giggly little girls who may have just developed a crush on the big muscle man, not that I blamed them.

"So hey, when's the last time you called home?" Jennie asked me as she snacked on a fry.

"Uh, yesterday morning, I believe. Why?" I asked, curiously. Jennie grinned.

"Susie's pregnant. I forgot to tell you last night. Jerry's over the moon, obviously. Dad told em when I phoned him up late last night." she informed me, grinning. I raised my brow in surprise and grinned back.

"Ah, no way! That's great! They'll be great parents!" I expressed. She nodded.

"I know, right? Jerry's always been good with kids, even though he constantly looks like he kicked his own puppy. Pun totally intended." she added, making the both of us giggle. "How's Dyl these days?"
"Oh, he's fine. Or, he says he fine but I can tell by his voice that he misses me still. He started back as school two days ago and is really getting into it this year. Harry's growing up so fast as well."

"Apparently, Mom's sending a bunch of pictures all the young kids had drawn for us, just so that we could have a slice of home here with us. How cool's that?" she smiled. I nodded in agreement. I sighed as I thought about my brothers, little Lilly, Ruben and all the other little kids I had a hard time of saying 'see you soon' to. They only made it a fraction easier than it was with Dyl, let me tell you.

"My mom tried to send me some baby photos of me and Livi to hang on the walls. I mean, who the hell does that?" Brandon said, horrified as Livi's eyes widened.

"Oh hell no, she's crazy. She doesn't actually expect us to hang them up if she does send them, does she?"

he shrugged. "I dunno but I think I managed to convince her to keep them there. Well, hopefully I did." he grumbled, shaking his head. Jennie whined.

"But it would have been so cute to have a baby picture of you sitting on my bedside waking up every morning." she teased, smiling angelically. He glared at her.

"Why settle for a baby picture when you have the real life man right here?" he asked, waggling his eyebrows. Us three girls shared a laugh.

"But baby you is so much cuter." Jennie said at exactly the same time Greg said, "Dude, you ain't no man. You don't even have chest hair!"

"Jennie, I'm hurt and you, you dick, I'll have you know what chest hair does not make the man." B replied, glaring at the both of them as he folded his arms. I giggled.

"Oh, okay then, Genius, what makes a man then? Please, enlighten me." Greg demanded with mock interest and mirth. B smirked at him and gestured vainly to his entire body.

"Just look at me, Dude. Just look at me." he said, cockily. Greg rolled his eyes.

"What? All I see is a baby face, which has no hair on it, a weird ass hair cut that makes you look even more boyish and a fashion style that makes you look...oh yeah, boyish."

"My hair cut does not look boyish! Babe, tell him." he protested, turning to Jennie, who put her hands up in defence.

"I ain't getting in the middle of this testosterone fight." she said, airily.

"Ha, because she knows I'm right but doesn't want to hurt your feelings! Owned!" Greg laughed, throwing a fry at him. Brandon scowled and sat back in his seat, arms crossed like a little kid. I rolled my eyes. Guys could be so immature.

"B, come on, you can't let him talk about me like that!" Brandon directed at me, outraged. I giggled, copying Jennie's actions by holding my hands in up defence. "Let me guess, not getting involved with the 'testosterone fight'?"

"That would be correct." I agreed, smirking. He rolled his eyes and playfully threw a napkin at my face.

"You're no help whatsoever." He sighed. I shrugged, giggling again with Jennie.

"You'll get over it, Baby Boy." I replied, jokingly. He scowled at me and childishly turned his head from me.

"I'm not talking to you for an hour."

"Awesome, it'll be nice and quiet then." Jennie and I said together, making us look and fall over each other laughing. He rolled his eyes at us. If he wanted to marry my best friend and cousin right here, he'd have to get used to being verbally ganged up on. It's gonna happen a lot.

Jacob's Point of View

Go left! Shit, Jerry LEFT! I screamed in my head, simultaneously dodging a scrawny, red headed vampire looking to T-bone me brutally into a tree.

I turned sharply, catching his arm in my razor sharp teeth and clamping down until the vamp hissed and shrieked in pain. I growled and popped his shoulder out of place, tearing his marble skin apart until his arm was ten feet away from his body. He shouted in horror and fright; before I silenced him with a deadly gnaw at his throat, throwing it in the opposite direction to his arm. I continued to dismember his body so that he had no chance of fusing back together before throwing it towards the blazing, purple smoking fire Philip had started in the massive clearing we were fighting in.

Jacob, you need to help out Jerry and Craig! They're fighting four of them! Embry shouted to me, taking down a blonde vamp. I growled and scanned the masses of white and fur until I spotted the two wolves in question.

Jerry, Craig, whatever you do, don't expose your back- Craig NO! I bellowed as he did the exact thing I was warning him against. One slight redirection and a slither of his back was exposed, allowing a ginger haired leech to spring up and onto his back. Jerry barked, trying to leap up to rip him off our pack brother before he could do too much damage but if effectively exposed his own back.

Craig threw the leech off his back, bucking and snarling at him until his teeth caught his hip, pulling and launching him several feet into a tree trunk. Jerry wasn't so lucky. I watched horrified as the leech's teeth sank into my pack brother's shoulder, enticing a agonised howl deep from the wolf's chest. Several of us screamed out for him as he collapsed onto his side, panting heavily as fire coursed through his entire body. Craig, upon seeing this, went savage and decapitated the leech before he could even look up from his last attack. I skidded to a halt beside Jerry's now human back, nudging at his shoulder softly but he just yelped in pain.

Craig, get him back to Emily's house. Now. I ordered, using my alpha tone to its max. Craig acted immediately, hoisting our pack mate onto his back before darting off into the thick, dense woods. Just as my mind sought to get back into the fight, another cry of anguish coursed through the pack mind, causing my attention to divert yet again.

Panic ignited through me as two black hared leeches were seen through Quil's eyes making a dash in the direction of Emily's house…where all the imprints and children were! Howls and growls of alarm surged through the clearing, our concentration suddenly broken as the fear for our mates and pups overtook us completely. I was already making a frenzied sprint after them with Quil, Andy and Seth on my heels.

Stay in the fight! I want this over with. Now! I growled commandingly as we left the rest of the pack behind. Flashes of white danced in and out of our vision, appearing on our left only to disappear and reappear to our right. They were playing with us! But this wasn't a game; they threatened the safety of our families. There's nothing worse that they could have threatened in our eyes.

Damn straight! Quil snarled, viciously.

Brady, Colin! Two leeches heading your way! I warned them through the pack mind. They were the ones left behind to guard the families. They always were but they didn't mind staying out the action. In their minds, protecting our loved ones was a greater, more important job that killing a leech for amusement. Don't let them get there!

Colin, drop back nearer the house. I've got this. Brady ordered his twin, straightening and strengthening his stance, facing the direction the leeches were inbound.

I knew one thing for sure. We weren't going to get there in time…

Colin's Point of View

I hated it when he took control. I could be stood up there with him, protecting his back but no, he insists that I stay back and protect my own ass along with the families. Always playing the hero. Regardless, I did as I was told, bunkering against the back door so no being, leech, wolf or otherwise had any chance of getting past me to our loved ones. My eyes were trained on the exact spot that the leeches would appear.

My attention was then divided by two muscular leeches launching themselves into the yard and a loud commotion from within the house. Furniture crashed and smashed, screams and shrieks of terror and surprise caught me off guard and I turned my head towards the back door…and my back against the leeches. Brady sprang, taking out one but the other back handed me across the head, wreaking havoc and pain inside as I was launched towards the tree-line. I yelped loudly as I landed crookedly on my hide leg. A snap sounded and I knew without a doubt that my back leg was unusable.

I heard a yelp and then a brother was pulled from the mind link by phasing back to human form. I began to search for Brady but his thoughts and presence was gone. I whined with intense worry but my concentration was broken once again as a shri8ll noise startled me from the house.

"Oh my God, Tyler! Levi!" Emily shrieked from the kitchen doorway, her hands clutching the frame as she watched with wide eyes as her twin sons threw themselves out the house. The horror on her face mirrored the panicked, horrified shouts from their father, Sam. He'd phased once he and Jared realised that they were needed; they were supposed to be retired now.

My eyes widened dramatically as I watched them explode simultaneously side by side, landing on four paws. Where Tyler used to stand was a jet black wolf with a silver belly and white paws. Levi was replaced by a dark grey, not quite as dark and metallic as Paul, but he also had darker, blacker patches of fur sporadically across his body. We were all filled with Sam's sense of pride and admiration of his boys, mixed in with the adrenaline and fear of them phasing into a battle such as this.

The leech stood not twenty feet from the boys, eyes darting between them jerkily as he kept them both in his sights. A small smirk pulled at his lips and I snarled at the sight of it. He thought that he had the upper hand what with the boys being new to this but I'll be damned if I doubted those boys were less than average fighters, being Sam's sons and all. They have alpha blood in them, whether it is the traditional Black family blood or Sam's default alpha blood.

Holy Shit, boys, stay where the fuck you are. We did NOT need this right now! Tyler, Levi, I know you feel that you have to attack with everything in you but damn it, don't you move a muscle! Jacob growled at them in warning, though not quite making it an alpha order. He turned his attentions to me. Where the fuck is Brady? Is he still phased? I can't hear his thoughts or sense is presence.

I don't know where he is. He was heading the leeches off and I can only assume they did something. I told him, worriedly.

Shit...Quil, Seth, brand off and find Brady. He may be unconscious. Jacob ordered, pushing himself harder and faster so that he was pulling away from them with his speed. Colin, what's the situation with you? Can you get up?

No, he snapped my fucking leg. I can't move. I informed him, ashamed. I whimpered as I tried to prove myself wrong but the sickening, agonising pain that shot through my back legs had me down on the ground in a nanosecond. I'm sorry, Jake.

Don't worry about it, Pup. Boys,focus. He's baiting you. Don't fall for it. Keep calm and do NOT attack until he strikes first and NEVER TURN YOUR BACKS ON THEM! He growled as flashes of others who had made that same mistake surged through his mind, myself included not 15 minutes ago.

I turned my mind to the pups'. All they seemed to be able to think about was ripping the leech apart, which was the idea but Tyler's vivid images of popping each finger and toe from their hands and feet was rather disturbing to say the least. The kid had a twisted mind for pain, let me tell you.

Geesh, Ty, easy on the gore, would you? I knew Sam let you watch way too many horror gore movies. I told him, cringing and I heard Sam's mental snort of amusement at my thoughts. An amused tint coloured Tyler's thoughts but primarily, he was focused on destroying the leech who was becoming increasingly closer and threatening our families.

We're nearly there, Boys. Stay calm and keep your eyes on him. Jacob coached, pushing harder and harder. He was only five minutes out.

But it was already too late...

The leech sprung, its snarls and vicious growls permeating the air, only being drowned out by Emily's shrill scream inside the house, as his sharp, long fingernails aimed at Tyler's eyes, their objective to blind him severely, potentially for the rest of his life. With agility and haste that shocked even Jacob, Levi sprung towards his brother, deflecting him from the claws' trajectory. He growled and yelped as the leeches fingers slashed and burrowed their way deeply into his shoulder, rivulets of blood trickling from the open wounds.

Levi's distraction allowed Tyler to lunge for the vamp's back, sinking his teeth into his throat. The vamp's reflexes were too fast and sharp though because as soon as his teeth came into contact, the leech spun around swiftly, pushing and launching Ty into the air, at least twenty feet. He landed with a huff and he growled in annoyance, his eyes fixated on the tick as the leech backed up and they began to circle him like he was their prey. The tick's eyes jerked to his sides, keeping both wolves in his sights as the three of them snarled and growled ferociously, practically foaming at the mouth to kill the other.

Suddenly, to the leech's fatal mistake, he overstepped towards Tyler, making himself panic briefly. It was only for a second but a second was long enough for Levi to lunge forwards quickly and snap the leech's leg in half before tearing it clean from his torso. The leech over balanc3ed, falling to the ground hard. Levi and Tyler had the corpse decapitated, dismembered and burning just as Jacob and the others came lunging into the yard, tense for a fight that was already long over before they got there.

Well shit, the pups are fighting machines! Craig laughed mentally as he looked down at the piles of burning corpse and purple smoke.

Both boys had lost their adrenaline rush and were huddled together beside the kitchen doorway, which was now such. The girls were watching through the windows and the glass of the door but all of them knew better than to open that door right now, not until Jacob or someone deemed it safe for them to come out. Jacob was by their sides instantly, congratulating them on a brilliant fight whilst Seth came over to me. I whined as he sniffled at my leg and snorted in horror.

Uh, Jacob, Colin's pretty bad over here. Bone protruding and everything. He informed our alpha. I whimpered at the visuals hew as supplying not only Jacob but the rest of us as well. Sorry Dude.

Shit, Seth, help him phase back and then you do as well. Take him into the house and let Sue at him. I'm sorry Colin, but it's going to be painful when you phase. Sue can't work on a wolf though, you know that. Jacob told me, sympathetically and empathetically. I cringed and nodded, understanding what he was saying.

This was going to be a fucking painful week for my poor ass...


:O I bet you guys weren't expecting that! Don't worry, neither was I! XD Vampires decided that they wanted to invade my brain but don't worry, they're not just errant vamps; I have a purpose for them being there :)

For all of you who reads Clouded Joy, my Seth slash fic, the picture of the baby's nursery has been posted on Photobucket so go to my profile if you finally want a visual for that :)

I've created a new poll, it's on my profile. What do you want me to write about next? :) PLEASE VOTE!

It's the college kids' first day of school next chapter and I have a little surprise for all you Dyl lovers :D (No, he's not phasing in the next chapter)

I was also actually thinking for maybe the chapter after the next one that I could skip a year or two so the drama is closer. What do you guys think?

Please review with your thoughts!

Reviews = updates! I need feedback!

Love,
MrsWolfPack
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