Hey! This chapter is dedicated to alixandria. Thanks for all your reveiws! They make me smile.

Love,

Ash.

(...)

The wedding was still underway but Emily still couldn't find a dress so Sue and I - secretly - agreed to make one for her.

I'd met Sue Clearwater at a previous bondfire party after she came to talk to Seth about something. She was a kind woman with a dazzling smile and I instantly warmed up to her.

"So, what material?"

We were currently in one of the smaller fabric shops I'd ever visited just outside town. Paul had insisted on coming with but we couldn't risk Sam seeing the material - hence why Bella and Alice were our body guards for the day; against Paul's reluctance.

Alice had said she wanted to start on a new project - after we'd turned down her offer for a designer gown - and that she'd happily escort us. She was a feisty ball of energy and if it weren't for Paul's dislike of her, I would have insisted on hanging out more.

"Chiffon." Alice suggested. "It's more adaptable with lace and easier to work with than silk."

Bella smiled at Alice, "Show off."

"I can't help I'm into fashion and you're so against it." Alice replied smartly before laughing. I was reminded once again of bells and had to close my eyes to push the red eyes from my mind.

"Alina? What do you think?" Asked Sue, snapping me back into reality.

"Chiffon's great, Sue." I said breathlessly, turning to the rack behind me to look at some lace samples.

"You okay?" I jumped as I heard Bella's somewhat familiar voice behind me. "Sorry, I need to get used to my own silence."

"No," I shook my head. "I'm just tense because of... Her."

"She won't hurt you." Bella said, her long brown hair ticking my arm as she turned her head to examine the rack as well. "If I know Jacob, he won't let anyone get close to you now..."

"It's not me I'm worried about." I stated. "Paul is the one who's constantly out looking for her. He's tiring himself out and I can't do anything to make him stop and take a breath."

"Call it intuition but I think Paul won't rest until he kills her himself." She said. "I know I wouldn't... If it were Edward or Renesmee in your position."

I'd learned a week previous, that Renesmee was the offspring of a human/vampire love and that Bella had only changed when Renesmee - Nessie to everyone else - was born. Sam and his pack, including Paul, were all for killing Ness but Jake stopped them with the news of his... New found reason for existence. I'd smacked Sam for being so stupid.

"Edward and Renesmee are a little more durable than I am." I teased. "But that doesn't justify him acting like this."

"I think it does." Bella said. "If Paul was half as bad as Jacob wanting to protect Renesmee... I'd say you were the most well protected human around."

She smiled softly at me before stalking off to the other side of the store where Alice started an argument with her about what colour a pregnant bride should wear - off white or white-white. They looked the same to me...

My phone buzzed and I glanced at the caller ID before grinning like crazy.

"Could I step outside and answer this quickly?" I asked and saw Bella and Alice nod. I rushed from the store and answered quickly. "Raymond?"

"Hey!" He said loudly. "How is my favourite girl in the world?"

"I'm great!" I said happily. "Why haven't you called?"

"I'm not the only one with a cellphone!" He said, "Anyway, I wanted to call and confirm a place to stay."

"What?" I frowned.

"Well, seeing as I miss my best friend in the world... I'm comandeering a weekend with you."

"When?" I gasped, excitement bubbling up.

"I just went past Port Angeles, actually..." He said sheepishly.

"Oh, m- Ray!" I said, "I'm not living on my own; you should have called! I live with Jacob's... boss and his fiancée!"

"Oh, honey..." He sighed disappointedly. "Well, I'm sure they'll understand if I bunk with you on the floor. I am your guest, after all."

I sighed, "Fine... I'm in La Push. Call me when you're close."

"Greatness! See you." He laughed before the line died and I shook my head. When I re-entered the store, Bella was giving me a strange look and Alice was laughing.

"I guess you heard." I mumbled and the pixie nodded.

"Who is he?" Bella asked with a scowl.

"He's my best friend." I said. "And before you jump to conclusions... He's totally gay towards me; like a brother."

Her eyes widened and I swear if she could've blushed, she would have been as red as my sweater - which looked like, no pun intended, blood.

"I've got everything I need." Sue interrupted, "We can go."

We said our goodbye to the two Vampires and parted ways. I kept tapping my foot impatiently until we stopped at Sam and Emily's.

"Bye Sue." I said hastily. "See you tomorrow."

"Good." She smiled widely and pulled out of the spot before disappearing.

(...)

My phone buzzed and I answered quickly. "Hello?"

"It's very green here, isn't it?" He stated. "Directions?"

I gave them to him and ended the call quickly, setting about waiting for him to get here and Emily to wake up from her daily nap.

Ten minutes later, I saw his familiar SUV pull up and I smiled despite myself before running out and flinging myself into his arms.

"I missed you." He laughed, hugging me tight. He was big but small compared to Paul and Jacob so I felt kind of strange when I hugged him.

"Me too." I sighed. "I kinda need an outsider right now."

"Why?" He pulled back and scowled at me.

"We have a wedding next week and I'm helping prepare." I explained. "And now I have to help with the wedding dress too - not that I'm complaining..."

"You just need me." He said knowingly and I nodded.

"Emily's asleep but would you like something to drink?" I offered, pulling him along with me.

"Coffee would be great." He smiled. "It's a nice little house."

"Yeah." I laughed. "I'll probably have to move out soon... Since my room is gonna be a nursery soon."

He grinned, "That's always nice."

"I'm happy for them." I nodded. "Sam is a great man and I'm sure he'll be a greater husband and father."

"They're not married yet?" He raised his eyebrows. Raymond believed in marriage before sex.

"Who's wedding do you think I'm planning?" I asked. "They've been engaged for ages but money's been tight."

He made an 'o' shape with his mouth, "I see."

"Yeah, they're really in love." I smiled, hearing someone trudge down the stairs. "Hey, Em, I'm in the kitchen."

I heard her yawn, "Be right there."

"Oh, before I forget." I added quickly, "Don't stare at her face..."

"I won't." He said without question as Emily sauntered in. His eyes widened slightly but he remained controlled. "Hi."

Emily looked at him in shock, "Hi!"

I smiled, "Emily, this is Raymond, my best friend. Ray, this is Emily."

They shook hands and I saw Emily eye my coffee so I set about making her some tea - coffee wasn't good for babies.

"So, Raymond, you're from New York?" Emily asked, sitting down gently.

He nodded, "We were in the orphanage together."

"I'm so sorry." Emily said wistfully.

"Don't mention it." He shrugged. "My folks died when I was born... I don't remember them well enough to miss them; I'm just regretful that I didn't have a normal family."

"Hey!" Turning around with my hands on my hips, I glared at him. "I'm family!"

"See, no normality." He chuckled, grinning at me teasingly as Emily looked between us. "I love her but she's crazy as a bat."

"Your last girlfriend was the bat!" I said, "Whenever her eyelashes fluttered, Em, you could almost feel the turbulence in the room."

Emily's face turned knowing and I smiled at her slyly before Raymond responded, "Ambrosia treated me well, she's a good woman."

"I'm not saying she isn't..." I shook my head. "Here you go, Emily."

"Thanks." She smiled before turning her head to the door where the pack sauntered in - fresh from a patrol - without Paul or Jacob; again.

Raymond stared at the sight before him and I smacked him on the shoulder. Everyone stopped and looked at me and Emily questioningly.

"Who's this?" Sam asked.

"Raymond Montheath." My best friend said, standing up quickly to make a bow.

Sam raised an eyebrow at him, "Sure."

I rolled my eyes, "Guys, this is Raymond... He's my friend from New York."

I hear Leah gasp suddenly and frowned but seeing the look on her face made mine break out into a grin.

Raymond opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out as he stood up and walked towards her. They stood like that, just staring at each other, for a few minutes before I cleared my throat.

Raymond looked at me and blinked several times. Leah was still staring up at him; being a few inches, two to be exact, shorter than him came as a bonus.

"Leah, this is Raymond." I smiled.

"Pleased." Raymond said, taking her hand and shaking it gently. "You're hot."

I knew he was commenting on her temperature but sniggered and stopped myself quickly as he corrected himself with a stammer - much to the amusement of the other guys.

Emily and I shared a look and I felt happy for two of my closest friends. I could tell Raymond was feeling uncomfortable with all the general tall-ness around him.

"Leah, why don't you go show Ray around? I have some things I have to finish up and I don't have the time." I suggested, seeing Raymond's relief.

"See you." Leah said, looking at Sam quickly before smiling brightly at him and leading Raymond from the room.

"Well, that's... Different." Jared commented. Sam ignored his beta and walked over to kiss Emily fiercely - so much so that I cleared my throat and excused myself along with the rest of the guys.

We sat outside, on the porch, and talked for a while until I got tired.

"If any of you see whoever is inhabiting Paul again, would you tell him that the guys' girlfriend misses him and would like him back." I said, causing Embry to laugh loudly.

"We'll get the message across." Quil said seriously. "He's being stupid for ignoring you like this."

"Thanks guys." I smiled, kissing each of their cheeks before heading inside and to the sanctuary of my bed.