Chapter 10: Kobe

Caution: This chapter gets a little bit snoggy.

Leah wishes you to know that you are all invited to the wedding. That's assuming Ivo gets on his game and asks her to marry him. Like that's gonna be a problem! Please indicate your (fake) name, bride/groom affiliation, dietary needs, and species. I'm collecting your answer so Alice can plan the seating. Please rsvp asap. Those who do not rsvp early risk being seated at the back. Those who rsvp soon risk being written into the chapter in minor roles. A couple of you have already sent me such entertaining personae that you will have an ongoing place in this fic, and make appearances in LAF.

Edward and Carlisle are cool as... you know, Cold Ones. But Sam's having kittens already. Something about Trads and unsuspecting humans occupying the same space.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is merely coincidental. Opinions expressed are those of the characters, and may not reflect those of the author. Ivo belongs to me. And to Leah. Hands off or she'll tear you a new orifice. Grr. And that also goes for Caleb Swan, Brody and Marley Williams, Kobe and Daniel Harris, Bastion and Kendra Dixon, Shyann King, Mr Jannsens, and Prunella Dockworker.

Please go to my channel, youtubedotcom/jmollytwilight2, and pick the HHMH playlist to hear great music that I guarantee will enhance your reading. This chappie's vids start at #16:

'The King and I: Getting to Know You', by Deborah Kerr

Sources:

www(dot)everyculture(dot)com/multi/Ha-La/Inuit(dot)html

www(dot)gamesmuseum(dot)uwaterloo(dot)ca/VirtualExhibits/Inuit/english/bilbo(dot)html

[Spoken] It's a very ancient saying,
But a true and honest thought,
That if you become a teacher,
By your pupils you'll be taught.

[Singing] As a teacher I've been learning -
You'll forgive me if I boast -
And I've now become an expert,
On the subject I like most.

[Spoken] Getting to know you.

[Singing] Getting to know you,
Getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you,
Getting to hope you like me.

Getting to know you,
Putting it my way,
But nicely,
You are precisely,
My cup of tea.

[ANNA AND THE MOTHERS]

Getting to know you,
Getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you,
Getting to hope you like me.

Getting to know you,
Putting it my way,
But nicely,
You are precisely,

[ANNA]

My cup of tea.

[ALL]

Getting to know you,
Getting to feel free and easy
When I am with you,
Getting to know what to say

Haven't you noticed
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy?
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I'm learning about you
Day by day.

Getting to know you,
Getting to feel free and easy
When I am with you,
Getting to know what to say

Haven't you noticed
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy?
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I'm learning about you
Day .. by ... day.

Wednesday, February 21st, 6pm:

Leah's pov:

"-tell him he has to wear a dress," I snicker as the elevator opens. Marley cackles evilly as Kaya galumphs in and slathers all over her.

"You're evil, Leah," she grins, ruffling up the ecstatic dog's neck.

"I know, right?" I grin back. "Ivo, we're home!"

He appears instantly, a whimpering Brody snuggled into the crook of his neck. Ivo's hair is tied back, and he's looking a little... rumpled. And flustered. And adorable. "Thank goodness," he says. "I just changed him, and he's decided he's hungry. Again. Did you bring the diapers?"

"Right here," I say, holding the bag out.

"I'll take him," Marley says, and Ivo gratefully passes him over. Brody immediately starts to squeak. Mommy's home! Apparently, he's starving. "Thanks for everything, Ivo. That made my day a lot easier."

"Any time," Ivo offers. "But you'd better leave some formula here for next time."

"I can express some milk and leave it in your freezer. It's better for him," Marley says, heading for the big chair. She's cooing at Brody, telling him how much she missed him all day, and he's still complaining about being abandoned with insufficient food.

I try not to be squicked out by the idea of storing breast milk in our freezer. It is better for him, after all.

"Daniel just called, and asked that we let him bring Marley at 7:30 instead of 6:30pm," Ivo tells me, after giving me a kunik.

"Oh," I say, smiling. I pull the leather thong out of his hair, and comb my fingers through it, loving how the light reflects off of it. "Will you mind if I call Edward now, then? I want to ask him to be part of the wedding."

"You're definitely marrying me then?" Ivo asks, voice and eyes velvety as a Hershey's Dark. He's wearing contacts again.

"You're definitely asking me?" I lilt back.

"Seeing as I happen to have this ring, which Mr Jannsens calls stunning," he sighs, "I suppose I will have to say good-bye to my bachelor days."

"You're a naughty boy," I growl against his grin.

He slides his lips to my ear. "You bet." His breath tickles, and I shiver.

"Mmm. You smell like baby," I say flirtatiously.

He breathes a giggle into my hair. "I never knew that was considered attractive."

"Get a room!" Marley orders.

Ivo turns to look at her, perplexed. "We have one."

Marley and I both chuckle, and I smooth my thumb over his cheek. "She means we're giving TMI."

"Oh. Hah, hah," he says, eyes rolling. "So what is it you wish to discuss with Edward?"

"I want him to give me away, and be my Man of Honour." I loop my hands behind Ivo's neck, and he settles his on my hips.

"Ah. Is it not meant to be 'Maid of Honour'?" Ivo asks, looking confused again.

"Yeah, but when the bride's best friend is a man, she can choose him to stand up with her instead. It's a modern idea," I shrug.

"As long as he is not expected to marry me, should you fail to show up," Ivo teases.

I snort. "I don't think there's any chance of that happening. But I might tease him about wearing a dress."

"Hmm. I don't think your Edward would like that."

"I also want to ask if our friends can come," I inform my mate. His eyes get huge. "I'm sure it would be okay. We've mixed with outsiders before."

Ivo nods slowly, but doesn't look convinced.

"I think you should invite your agent, too. She'll be upset if she's excluded," I tell him.

"If your Umialik says it is alright," Ivo agrees. "But then I should also invite the museum curator and my boss at the Faculty."

"Let's go call Edward," I urge him.

"Marley? You okay if we go call home for a few minutes?" Ivo asks.

"Sure," Marley says, totally at ease in the chair.

I hurry into the bedroom, and make the bed while Ivo gets the connection going. A couple of minutes later there's a beep, and Edward hovers into view, way too close and larger than life. "Hiya Smurfette!"

He backs up, and quickly sits between Bella and Alice on the couch. It's one of the ones near the kitchen, opposite the big flat screen, so they must have the web cam sitting on a coffee table, tilted up.

"Hiya Leech!" I grin at him. "Hi everybody!"

Bella, Esme, Alice, Ren, Emmett and Jacob say 'hello'. Some are standing behind the couch, some are seated. Carlisle pulls up a spot on the floor in front, and Jasper sits on the far arm of the couch.

"So how many people are you bringing with you?" Leech wonders.

"Um, let's add them up," I suggest. "Ivo's Dean, Carl Turnbridge and his wife Elise; and the Canadian Sculpture Curator from the museum, Mickey Parsons and his wife Joan; and Ivo's agent Diane and her husband Bob Keene; our neighbours, Daniel Harris and Kobe; and our friends Marley Williams and Brody, Shyann King, and Kendra Dixon and Bastion. Bastion's eight, Kobe's eleven, and Brody's one month old."

Edward shakes his head. "Whew! You sure move fast, Smurfette. You've been gone less than a week, and already you're friends with ten adults and three kids? Took me three years to make friends in Forks."

Bella snorts. "You didn't want any."

"True."

"Well, I haven't met Ivo's people yet, aside from Daniel and Kobe," I say meekly.

"No problem. We'll instruct everyone here to enter stealth mode. Speaking of which, Eleazar will be bringing the Denalis, and fetching some of the people from South America. How about I have him swing down and pick your group up? Twelve seats on the plane. If Marley puts Brody in a baby sling, and Kobe and Bastion share one seat, everyone will fit."

I hesitate. Eleazar is such a... degenerate.

"I'll give him strict orders not to hit on anyone, and to take his um, adult-oriented items off display since kids will be aboard," Edward promises. "The 'art' painted on the outside can't be helped, but maybe you guys can cover the kids' eyes."

"Okay," I agree.

"Okay, Fluff. Don't forget you're loved. I'm gonna let the females interrogate you about colours and sh-"

"Swears Jar," Esme says coolly.

"-tuff now," Edward amends.

"He went from spying to find out everything about his own wedding, to sprucing off constantly for this one," the Pixie mutters.

"You wore me out, Titch. Besides, you were always accusing me and Bella of sprucing off."

"You did. You spruced off to Port Angeles. Then you spruced off all the way to Niagara Falls, Ontario," his sister pouts.

"One of the best weeks ever," Leech tells her. He pats his daughter on the head.

"Dad! TMI !" Ren hisses, turning silver.

"Life-changing night, Tigger. Sunday, July 17, 2005," he says with a goofy grin.

"Dad!" Ren howls as Bella and her family snicker.

"Precisely," he says, getting up. Ren chokes down an annoyed squeal.

"No, wait," I plead.

Edward sits down again. "Okay."

"Edward? Will you... be my Man-of-Honour?" I blurt out.

He looks a bit surprised, and then eyes me warily. Pixie Chick is giggling from her perch beside him, taking notes. "Am I expected to dress like a maiden? Because I'll have you know, the dresses Titch designed totally won't suit me. The skirts are too short, and I'm not shaving my legs, and the things are ice pink. I won't wear one. It would clash horribly with my hair."

"How about ice blue?" I tease.

"Much better," he deadpans, and the few people who did not crack up are now daring him to wear a dress, making bets on whether he will, and giving each other high fives. Pixie Chick scribbles the bets down.

"I would love to stand up with you, Fluff," he says seriously, while Alice claps like a demented fairy.

"Then how about doing one more thing while you're at it?" I ask nervously.

"Sure," he says, glancing at his sister. She's obviously keeping him out of her head, to his consternation.

"Walk me down the aisle?" I ask softly.

He certainly didn't expect that. The rest of the family goes 'aw' and gives him pats. Edward's golden eyes meet my brown ones. "Are you sure, Fluff? I mean, Charlie or Billy could..."

"I want my best friend to do it," I assert.

Leech bites his lips, and nods. "Yeah. Yeah, I'd be honoured, Fluff."

Pixie Chick squeals, and scribbles it down. Like she's gonna forget! "Who's MC, Leah?" she squeaks.

"Um," I say hesitantly, looking at everyone's hopeful faces. "Major Sucker."

"Yes!" Jasper says, pumping his fist.

"Who's standing up with you, Ivo?" Leech asks.

I look at my mate. He grimaces. "I will ask Daniel to be my Best Man. I don't know any other males well enough." He looks at me. "You decide who will be best. Perhaps your brothers?"

"Well, I'm having Leech for Bestie, and Marley, and Shyann, and Kendra for my Maids, and Kobe for my Junior Bridesmaid. So... how about Daniel for Best Man, and Seth, Jasper and Jake for Groomsmen, and Caleb for Junior Groomsman?"

Jake and Jasper beam like they've just won a prize.

"You still have a Bridesmaid on whom you haven't decided, but you're probably going to ask her," Pixie Chick declares, black-eyed. "So you need to choose another Groomsman."

I'm taken aback. "That's a lot of attendants, Alice."

"You'll need them."

"Just how many people-? Never mind." I look at the men. Carlisle looks contented, but Emmett is trying his best to look disinterested Fail. "Emmett."

"Woo hoo!" he bellows, making everyone cover their ears. He jumps off the couch, literally, and Edward grabs him by the back of his neck and hauls him back down.

"Em!"

"Yes, Baby Bro?"

"Big Bro. Emmett."

"Yes, Great Leader?"

"You are not calling any Succubi for the bachelor party. Especially not the ones from France."

"Aw, Edward!"

"No."

"But-"

"No."

"But-"

"Emmett?" Carlisle interrupts smoothly.

"Yes, sir?"

"No."

"But we at least got Edward to the Leather and Chains Convention in Seattle," Emmett whines. "There's nothing like that up here."

"TMI !" Ren screeches, covering her ears. Bella smirks and whispers something in her husband's ear. One side of his mouth tips up and he gives her the eye.

"You're going to scare Ivo," Carlisle says firmly.

Emmett deflates. "Can I at least-"

"No visuals," Leech interjects.

"Lewd party favours?" Em pleads with puppy dog eyes.

Leech looks at Ivo, who looks like he's too scared to say anything one way or the other. "Maybe," he drawls.

"Yay!" Emmett says, jumping up again, and runs off. This time Edward lets him. The men cackle and the women roll their eyes.

"Ivo, I'll need your playlist," Major tells him.

Ivo nods, looking a little lost. That should be interesting. I wonder if there are any recordings of traditional Inuit wedding songs. I wonder what our ears will make of them. I don't think Ivo likes pop music.

"I'll send you mine, too, Major," I tell him.

"Don't bother. I know what's on your iPod, General Beeyotch."

"Okay."

"Anything else while you've got us?" Leech asks, leaning forward a little.

"Can't think of anything off the top of my head," I shrug.

"You treating my girl well?" Leech asks Ivo.

"Yes," Ivo gulps.

"Good. Behaving yourselves?"

"Leech!" I say, rolling my eyes.

Ivo, quivering, says, "I promise not to accost her with my pe-" before I can slap my hand over his mouth. We turn to look at Leech like deer in headlights. Leech looks like he's doing his best not to swallow his tongue. Jasper looks delighted, and Carlisle's eyes are squeezed shut, with his fist jammed up against his mouth.

Edward swallows hard, and forces his eyebrows down off the ceiling. "I appreciate that." His eyes are dancing.

"Excuse me," Bella blurts, and runs off.

"Me, too," the Pixie squeaks.

"Bye," Esme says, diving off-screen.

We can hear them giggling as they run up the stairs. "He's so adorable," Esme declares.

Edward clears his throat. "So. Um... on that note?"

"Yeah. Thanks for everything, Leech."

"Tell Ivo I need his measurements!" Pixie Chick hollers from above, "and Kobe and Daniel's."

Edward gestures toward her with a wry face, then creeps up closer to his camera. "You're so lucky you're not here," he whispers melodramatically.

"I heard that!" Alice bellows.

Edward snickers. "See ya later, alligators!"

"After a while, you old croc!" I say sarcastically.

The screen goes dark. For a moment, I am sad.

The doorbell rings, and we hurry out of the bedroom. Marley is cuddling Brody in the chair, looking a little groggy. She sits up, eyeing the elevator eagerly. Not nervous? Heh heh heh.

"Ivo!" Kobe yells, running right into him to give him a hug. Daniel trails after her. Ivo freezes, then collects himself and gives her a pat on the head. Kaya runs circles around all three of them.

"Ivo," Daniel says, looking a little abashed at his daughter's exuberance. His eyes move around the room, and rest on Marley and Brody. He murmurs a quick hello to me and marches right over to her. Ivo and I exchange another triumphant look. Daniel pulls the ottoman out a bit and sits on it, almost knee-to-knee with Marley. He strokes a finger down the back of Brody's spiky blond head and starts asking all about him.

Kobe rushes over to me and beams upward. She's about a head shorter than me. "Hi Leah. I'm so glad Ivo has you now. He's terrible on his own, you know. There's never any food in the fridge and he has no furni- hey! You have furniture. Cool. I knew you were right for him! I just knew it. So is it serious?"

"We're supposed to be getting married on March 7th," I grin. "Providing he officially asks me."

Kobe gasps.

"Hey! Give me a chance. I only got the ring today," my mate laments.

"I wanna see!" Kobe demands, bouncing.

"I wanna see, too!" Marley calls from across the room.

Ivo stares at me, trying not to smirk. "Would you kindly step into the bedroom, Beautiful Leah?"

I cross my arms, wanting to stamp my foot. "No fair."

He clears his throat as our guests laugh at me. "I was under the impression you wanted a pretty presentation."

I pout a little, considering. "I do."

"You had better say that," he snickers, "but I haven't asked you yet. Step out, busy nose."

"Meanie!" I huff, stomping into the bedroom. Chuckling, he shuts the door.

I sit on the bed, arms crossed. Everybody gets to see the ring before me. Hmph! I creep up to the door, and eavesdrop. They're conversing in whispers. There are 'oohs' and 'ahs'.

"It's beautiful, Ivo," Kobe croons. "I love the w-"

"Ssh! She'll be listening," Ivo chuckles.

"She's going to adore it," Marley declares.

"Glad you're happy, Ivo. She's certainly lovely," Daniel says. He approves of me ! Yay!

"Um, she is. Daniel, I don't have many friends, but I consider you and Kobe important," Ivo says softly.

"Of course we're friends, Ivo," Kobe says impatiently.

"Kobe, settle down," Daniel orders.

"I was wondering if you would be my best man," Ivo asks him. There's a moment of silence.

"I'd be glad to," Daniel says.

Everyone goes 'yay', including me.

"Naughty Leah, you can come out," Ivo calls. I rush back to join the group. "Have fun spying?"

"No!" I huff sullenly. I want my ring. They all laugh at me. Rotten conspirators.

"When's the wedding?" Daniel asks.

"March 7th, in Muskoka."

"Oh. Uh, I have to leave for Japan on March 9th," Daniel says sadly.

"Well, you could bring all your stuff up to Muskoka, and I'm sure my family could get you to the closest airport, and you could transfer and catch your flight," I suggest. "We'll pay for the trip, no worries."

Daniel's eyes flicker to Marley, then rest on Ivo, who's trying to look nonchalant. Daniel's mouth turns up. "Okay. I'd love to stand up with you. But I don't know how to fulfill my duties. I know nothing about planning a bachelor party in Muskoka." He looks kinda wary.

"Don't worry. My pal Emmett has that covered," I sigh. Daniel perks up. "It won't be too wild. Most of my family is kinda... conservative. Kobe? How would you like to be my Junior Bridesmaid?"

Kobe does a touchdown dance, singing "Oh yeah! Oh yeah! Oh yeah! Junior Bridesmaid, and March Break in Muskoka!" and all of us laugh. She catches me in a bone-crushing hug. Wait, that's odd. She shouldn't feel so strong to me. Oh, well. I'll work it out later. "I love you, Leah. Seriously. Anybody who gets Ivo furniture is great in my book. I mean, the guy doesn't even have a TV."

I laugh. "Go look in the bedroom."

Kobe pelts into the bedroom. "Holy cat crap! It's a bedroom," she moans. She turns and stares at me accusingly. "Ew."

"Kobe!" Daniel gasps indignantly. Marley is giggling.

"He's been body-snatched," Kobe moans. "He's turned human."

He's also disturbingly silver. I must create a distraction. "Ivo, Love, do you have a measuring tape? Alice will need everyone's sizes. You know how she is. She'll want custom clothes."

He's already gone, rustling around in his tool drawers in the office nook. "Yes, my love. Sometimes I have to gauge circumference when I sculpt, especially with interlocking pieces. Just give me a second."

He's kneeling behind the desk. I think he's hiding his face. He's so cute it's almost painful.

After a few moments, he produces the tape with an 'A-hah!', and hands it to me. Trouble is, I have no idea what to do with it.

"Um, I've never measured anyone for a fitting," I admit. "Alice will have my hide if I measure wrong." An image of my wolf-pelt stretched out on on one of the tanning racks creeps into my mind. She'd do it, too.

"Gimme," Marley says. "Didn't you take Home Economics, Leah?"

"Well, I can sew moccasins," I plead. "I've just never made clothing."

"Can you sew clothes, Marley?" Kobe asks eagerly.

"Yep. I could teach you."

"Shiznit!" Kobe beams, wriggling like a puppy. Makes me think of Seth, when he was a teenager.

"You first, Kobe. Leah, you'll want to take the measurements down," Marley suggests.

"Okay," I agree, fetching a pen and some paper.

Kobe submits to being measured. She's a little pink from all the attention. When Marley wants to measure under her arms, around her chest, Kobe protests. She's not submitting to that in front of the men.

"Come on, girls," Marley says with an eye roll. "We'll do it in the bedroom."

The measuring is completed quickly. Next, it's Ivo's turn.

"I have a tuxedo," he protests.

I sigh. "Just humour me. Alice won't care. She'll be forcing all the men to match, trust me."

Marley takes several measurements off him, and then she makes him sit and measures from his waist to the top of his desk chair's back. She gets him to stand again, muttering as she records numbers. All I'm thinking is that he's built mighty fine. Ivo doesn't bat an eyelid the whole time, and finally, I think Marley's done, but she's not. What do I know about making clothes? She kneels, and hesitates. And reaches. And stops.

"Leah, you have to do it," she commands, thrusting the tape at me.

"Do what?" I ask innocently.

Marley is redder than I ever saw Bella, which is a real accomplishment. Behind her, Ivo is turning silver again. Obviously, he's been measured for custom clothing before. Marley stands and whispers in my ear. "I need his inside leg, groin to floor, and his body rise, waistline to crotch, front and back."

Oh.

My.

Kweeti and the Wolf People.

Kobe fake-gags as I grab Ivo's hand and drag him to the bedroom. Daniel tells her off again. Then he and Marley start gabbing again, while Ivo and I stand in the bedroom trying not to die of embarrassment.

"You don't happen to know these measurements, do you?" I whisper, hoping against hope.

"Sorry," he whispers back. "I never bother asking tailors. I just let them do their job."

"Can you measure yourself?" I wince.

"The clothes won't fit properly. And you can't copy the measurement off these jeans. They're too loose in the back," he winces. "Just do it, Leah."

I decide I'll get the most embarrassing measurement over with first. "Not that I'm... reluctant to touch you, but I never envisioned getting this ... friendly in quite this way."

"Likewise, I'm sure," he admits, silver everywhere I can see.

Quickly, I put the end of the measuring tape just above his belt buckle, and pull it back between his legs, then rush to scribble the number down.

"No," he tells me. "That's not right. You have to press the tape. Here." he takes my fingers and pushes them behind his ... and I really don't know what to do with myself. I don't know whether to be embarrassed or turned on or scared. I settle for nervous. He makes me nervous. After some fumbling during which he ends up holding the tape against his belt buckle, and I end up poking the tape behind his package, I manage to get a result that he says is accurate, and focus on the measurement long enough to write it down. He was right. His jeans are a little too loose, so if I had merely copied their inseam, the tuxedo pants would not fit properly.

"Back, now," I order. Pressing his lips together, and avoiding my eyes, he turns his back to me, and we go through the process again. This time I hold the end of the measure against his backbone, but he has to show me, again, where to place the end of the tape. Well, there is certainly no way anybody could manage to do this by themselves. He has to bend slightly to do it.

This may be the most embarrassing thing I've ever done.

I scribble down the number, and he turns back toward me, looking everywhere but at me.

"Only one left," I manage to get out. I am face to face with his... you know. I reach out to put the tape against his inside seam, and I just ... can't.

Ivo huffs a sigh. "Give me the end, Leah."

Cringing, I pass the tape to him and he holds it against the top of his inside leg, but he has to twist a little to do it, and his jeans bunch and lift. It's no good. We both sigh again, and chuckle a little. "I promise to be good," he tells me.

Yeah, he's good alright. I take the tape and press it to his inner thigh, as high as it will go. It does not escape me that he's warmer there than other places. I stretch the measuring tape to the floor, and take note of the measurement. When I get up, his eyes are smoky, shot through with silver lights. Wow. He's looking at me like I'm something to eat.

"You promised you would behave," I say, clearing my throat. My mind is dwelling on his warmth. I'm really interested in his warmth.

"I think I've been very good," he growls.

Gulp. I really, really want to touch him. It's probably not a good idea.

"I think I deserve a reward," he whispers, advancing a step.

Oh, boy.

He advances another step. I am in trouble. I argue with myself. I know we should go slow. I don't want to. He draws me into his embrace, so welcome. So long awaited. He stoops to catch me up in a searing kiss. I thrust my hands into his hair, and anchor him against me. He feels so, so good, and I love him so much. I forget that we have company. I forget my name.

The door to the bedroom flies open, and Kobe goes "Eeeeew!" and runs back out again. "Ivo and Leah are making out!" she announces loudly to the adults.

My mate and I break apart, reluctantly, and suck in a couple of juddering breaths, eyes lowered.

"Kobe! You should never go into anyone's room without permission, especially an adult's," Daniel huffs. Raising a daughter is obviously hard work.

"Sorry, Dad."

"Ajurnamat (It cannot be helped)," Ivo manages to croak, and tucks my hair behind my ear.

"I thought you were going to be good," I whisper.

"I'm trying," he pleads. Shutting his eyes, he presses the heels of his hands against his temples. Then, clearing his throat, he grasps my upper arms and gives me a gentle push back. "Please excuse me... for a moment."

I watch him shut himself in the bathroom with mixed emotions. Part of me wants to chase after him. It's not a wise part. The other part of me is relieved, and wants to give him some space.

Come on, Leah! It's only a couple of weeks until you can have him all to yourself.

Looking in the mirror on the closet door, I fidget, smoothing my clothes and my hair, and after clearing my throat, I rejoin our friends.

Marley is smirking. I roll my eyes at her. Daniel is rocking from foot to foot, with Brody tucked under his chin. He's patting the baby's bum, looking like he never wants to give him back to Marley. That's a good sign, right?

"Sorry I disturbed you, Leah," Kobe says timidly.

"It's okay, kiddo. Just knock from now on, okay?" I say, offering her a hug. She squeezes me hard.

"You're nice, Leah. I'm glad Ivo's marrying you."

"Thanks," I say gratefully. It's nice to be liked.

"Where's Ivo?" she asks, wide-eyed.

"Um, he's ... i-in the bathroom," I stammer. Marley smirks at me with one eyebrow raised. I roll my eyes at her.

"I wanted to ask if I can show Marley his Ilukitatuk game."

"Oh," I say lamely. "Do you know where he keeps it?"

"Yep," she says, bouncing up. She hurries to the kitchen cupboard and opens it, and points at the top shelf. No way she's going to reach it. I won't reach it either.

"Is it okay, Leah?" Daniel wonders, gesturing at it.

"I dunno. I don't see why not," I shrug, hearing nothing from Ivo, who is still hiding out in the bathroom. I find myself wondering if he needs a cold shower. Perhaps that's no help for vampires. Perhaps he's...

I'm not gonna go there.

Now I'm distracted. Daniel rests Brody on his shoulder, reaches a small item off the shelf with his other hand, and hands it to Kobe. She unwinds the longish ... string, and carries the object over to Marley, thrusting it into her hands.

"Oh," Marley says, surprised. "I've seen something like this before, but made out of plastic. What's this made out of?"

"Ivo says it's muskox horn and sinew," Kobe supplies.

"Ew," Marley says, nose wrinkling as she examines the toy. One end of the sinew-string is tied to a cylindrical chunk of horn about an inch in diameter, and two inches long. Four small, deep holes are drilled into the end that's closest to the sinew. The other end looks like Wilma Flinstone's sewing needle, with the sinew attached to the hole-end. I wonder how old it is.

Kobe grabs the toy, holding onto the 'needle' with the point stuck out. She drops the other end, which dangles about a foot off the ground. Swinging the string, she attempts to catch the cylinder on the needle. "Ivo says it's good for improving hand-eye coordination. He's an archer, you know."

"I know this game," I beam, "but where I come from, the target end is like a hollow bone, not a solid thing with little holes in it. We call it Bilboquet."

"It's popular everywhere, but called by different names. It was brought here from Europe," Kobe tells me, still trying to catch the target on the needle. "You should see Ivo play it. He's amazing."

Said amazing specimen saunters over to join us, hands in his pockets. He looks... normal. I try not to speculate about what he's been doing.

Kobe takes the game from Marley and thrusts it at Ivo. Wordlessly, he swings the cylinder over his head, and catches it effortlessly on the pin. He hands it back to Kobe, who pushes it back at him, exhorting him to do it again. He does. Perfectly. Then, he passes it to me.

"You're going down," I say, winking.

"Good luck," he winks back, smirking at me. He doesn't know what he's in for. Backing up, I swing the cylinder, judging the weight of it. Then, I swing it up, catching it on the pin.

"Ho, ho!" Daniel says, eyebrows raised, while Marley and Kobe clap and laugh. I hand it back to my mate, who is looking like he died and went to heaven.

"We used to play something very like this at LaPush," I tell everyone. "I always beat everyone. The boys hated it."

"You do realize that now it's a competition," Ivo says, looking at me through his lashes. Cheater.

"What's the prize?" I ask flirtatiously.

"Mmm. You decide," he says suggestively, giving me a kunik in front of everyone.

"Eskimo kisses!" Kobe crows.

Ivo rolls his eyes. "Both parts of that term are incorrect, Kobe. That is a kunik. I press my nose against Leah's face, and inhale. We do not rub noses. And I am not an Eater of raw meat. I am Inuit: one of the People."

"Ew! Stop making cow eyes in front of me!" Kobe protests. "You guys are gross."

"Sorry," Ivo says, looking anything but. Is it warm in here?

"Marley, Marley, come look at Ivo's drums," Kobe says excitedly, dragging my friend off by the hands.

"Okay, okay, I'm coming," Marley says, following obediently. She and Kobe even look a little alike, with their blonde hair, blue eyes and freckles, I think fondly. Daniel watches them go, still cuddling Brody. Daniel obviously really likes the baby.

"So what do you think of Marley?" Ivo asks softly.

Daniel is still watching her interact with Kobe. Finally, he seems to notice that we're waiting for an answer. "Hmm?"

"Marley. What do you think?" Ivo asks eagerly. Daniel's still staring at her as she and Kobe crawl around a sleeping Kaya, and through a pile of seal skins in order to look at various drums stacked in the corner.

"Beaut-ahem. I think she and Kobe are hitting it off," he says, absent-mindedly stroking Brody's back.

They aren't the only ones who are hitting it off. Ivo and I share another smug look. These two are goners. It's only a matter of time.