Chapter 8

I walked around the mall, going in shops and seeing if they were hiring. Every one took one look at my face and said, they weren't hiring. They didn't even give me a chance to see if I was qualified. They acted like I had the plague or something. It was one of those rare moments where I felt bad for myself. So I bowed my head and headed for my car. I drove straight for home.

On the way, I stopped at a little bakery right inside La Push. I walked up to the counter and seen an elderly lady I knew.

"Hi, Mrs. Underwood." I said politely.

"Oh, hello, Emily. How is Sam doing?" She asked. Sometimes, I thought the elder tribe member's knew about the wolves. I would never ask, but just the things they said, and the looks they give.

"He's doing fine. He has taken two more boys under his wing. You know, make sure they don't get into any trouble." I told her. It was sorta the truth.

"I see." She gave me a smirk. Again, I had a feeling she knew more. "So what can I do for you today?" She asked.

"Well, you see, I need a job. Sam's too busy doing things on the reservation, so that means no money coming in. I figured, I would do what I can to help." I told her.

She looked thoughtful for a moment, then turned to me.

"Well, our normal baker is out on maternity leave, so we do need a baker. Do you bake?" she asked me. I smiled. Do I bake? That was the silliest question I have ever heard.

"Yes, ma'am. I think I cook non-stop at home. I love to bake."

"Well, come in tomorrow morning at around 9, and we will see what you can do." She told me.

I thanked her and rushed home. It was more than I could ask for. A job that I will actually like doing. I ran in the door. I guess Sam thought something was wrong, because he jumped up alarmed.

"Emily, what happened? Are you OK?" He asked looking over me.

"Oh, Silly Sam. I'm fine. Better than fine. I got a job. At the bakery here in town." I said. He smiled and pulled me in for a hug.

"That's great, Em. Do you know what this means?" He asked looking down at me. I shook my head.

"We have to go celebrate. I'll have Paul and Jared take the shift tonight, and we are going into the city for a date. How's dinner and a movie sound?" He asked me.

"As long as it's not a all you can eat buffet, I think we will be fine." I told him. He laughed and left to go tell the boys. I picked up the phone and dialed.

"Kim? I need help." I said. She laughed and told me she would be right over after I explained the situation.

Kim came over and dug around in my closet. She found a black mini skirt, that I think used to belong to Leah, in the back of my closet. She then found a forest green halter top to match. She brought over her pair of knee high boots.

I got dressed and she did my hair and make-up. When I looked in the mirror, I was amazed. You could hardly see my scars. You could make out the ripples, but not the color difference. The only way to tell, was my eye and mouth.

"Kim, you are wonderful." I told her jumping up to give her a hug. I looked at the clock. It was 5. We should be leaving now. I started to walk out of the bedroom, but Kim stopped me.

"No, wait here. I want to get a picture of Sam's face when he sees you." She told me. I nodded and she went out.

"OK, Sam, get ready for the new and improved Emily Young." She sang.

I laughed and walked very slowly down the hall to the kitchen where Sam was waiting. The look on his face was priceless. His jaw hit the floor, and his eye's about popped out of his head.

"Sam, you OK?" I asked him.

"Your...your...beautiful." He stuttered out. I giggled and blushed.

After he regained his senses, he took my arm and led me out to his truck. He held open the door for me and helped up up. I was, I think almost starstruck. He was my Sam, and I loved him, but we had never gone out on a date before. So this was really something special.

He took me to Bella Italia in Port Angeles. We walked in and the waitress stared at Sam. I glared at her, but she just didn't seem to notice. Sam did, however, and he grinned at my jealousy.

The waitress address, Sam, and only, Sam. "How many?"

"Two Please," I told her, getting her to notice me. She baulked back from me. She regained her composer, and made a motion with her hand.

"Follow me."

She led us to a table in the far corner of the restaurant. Sam, the gentleman, held out my seat for me, then sat down himself.

"Do you know what you would like to drink?" The waitress asked Sam.

"Water for me."

"Coke."

She nodded and left. It was our first date, I really didn't know what to say. I decided to start up a conversation.

"So..."

"So..."

"Do you know, that we have never had a date before?"

"I'm sorry, Em. It's just been... really crazy"

The waitress came and took our orders. When she left we resumed our conversation.

"I'm not blaming you, Sam. I know, how crazy it was. I mean...with Leah...and the pack. Me getting hurt...there was no way that we really had time to date."

"I'm really sorry...about everything. If I could take it back, I would."

"I wouldn't. Sam, I love you, nothing in the world is going to change that, your stuck with me, till your sick of me, and then, and only then will I leave."

"Never. I will never get sick of you." I smiled when he said that.

"Well, enough of the serious conversation, what are we doing after dinner." I said trying to lighten the mood.

"Well, I was thinking about a walk on the beach instead of a movie."

"That sounds like fun."

"Here is our food." Sam said looking behind me.

I was glad. I really didn't eat anything all day. I was too excited to eat. Now, I was ravenous. Sam, laughed at me gobbling up our food. I looked around. There were couples, that looked so in love. This place was really romantic if you stopped and really looked at the details. The table cloths were a maroon color, and they had single, stick candles at every table. I glanced up at Sam, he had that look, the one, that could melt your insides, leaving a pool of liquid where you were standing. I think that look is the reason I found it so hard to resist him. The way he looks at me, like I am the only thing he is living for, the reason he is breathing. It is so intense, you actually have to look away sometimes. It just gets to be too much. I blushed and looked down at the table.

He payed the bill, and rose and took my hand. I followed him silently out of the restaurant, and we walked down the sidewalk. As we got closer to the docks, Sam became more antsy. I touched his arm.

"Sam, you OK?"

"I'm fine." His reply did little to ease my nerves.

Right before we hit the docks, we turned onto a little trail, that led to a small beach. We didn't even walk more than 5 feet, when he turned and looked at me. I looked up at him, and waited till he said what it was that he wanted to say. He opened his mouth, then closed it a few times before he took a deep breath and looked into my eyes.

"Emily, I know we haven't always had the best relationship, and that I hurt people that you care about. I will forever be apologizing for how much I hurt you. But if you are willing, I would love for you to let me love you, and show you, how much I'm sorry for as long as I live. Emily, will you marry me?"

I stood there for probably 3 minutes completely taken off guard. My brain didn't fully comprehend what he was saying. I was broken out of my trance by Sam nervously shifting his feet.

"Yes." I whispered.

"What?"

"I said, Yes. Yes, Sam. I will marry you." I squealed.

He smiled and picked me up and twirled me around.

"You have no idea how happy you made me."

"Oh, if it is even half of how happy I am, then I think I have an idea. I love you, Sam. Thank you for making me the happiest women on earth."

"No, Thank you." Then he kissed me. I always thought his kisses were the best, but this, it was full of promise. Promise for a future together, for love, children, and happiness. Like I said before, God, how I love this man.