Disclaimer: SM owns Twilight, as evident by her enormous bank account, but Ninadoll has created an amazing universe and I'm lucky enough to get to write around in it!
Thank you very much to my brilliant beta and friend, Ninadoll for keeping me motivated and encouraged, and for creating this kickass universe! If you haven't yet, you need to check out her stories,Rest of Forever,How Wonderful Life Is, Now You're in the World,How the Mighty Fall, The Colors of My Life and Eternity is a Long Time. My new favorite character is Keegan! You'll know why when you read the next chapter!
Thank you as well to my awesome friend Shojioxlow who always tells me to keep my head up and encourages me!
Please check out my blog at liljenrocksfanfiction{dot}blogspot{dot}com/ and webs for pictures! Please comment and let me know what you think! ALSO, I am pleased to announce that Nina has created a database to help everyone keep track of the wolves and their families, as well as give you a little insight into who we would pick to portray the characters: the Wolf Territory-Pedia! You can check it out at ninaandjen{dot}tumblr{dot}com/. Thank you!
LOVE YOU MADLY
CHAPTER NINE: DUMBASSES
"Families aren't easy to join. They're like an exclusive country club where membership makes impossible demands and the dues for an outsider are exorbitant." –Erma Bombeck
QUIL'S POV
If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that you never can predict what family has in store for you. Sure, you can plan and try to keep things organized but the truth is, when it comes down to it, the only thing you can be sure of with family is that you can't really be sure of anything at all.
"Quil…" a familiar voice says softly, trying to wake me from my nap. The big bad wolf was asleep and not interested in waking up at all and the nearness of my imprint lulls me deeper into sleep. "Quil…Answer your phone."
I'm perfectly content to sleep through it. Until I feel someone running their fingers through my hair. My eyes pop open as I see Claire standing over me, her lips curved in a gentle smile.
"Sorry, but your phone is ringing," she says very calmly.
I really want to savor this moment because it seems like ages since we've been this close. And Lord knows when we'll be this close again. I probably would just stay like this if it weren't for the damn phone ringing. I pull it from my pocket and wish right away that I hadn't.
"Ugh!" I groan and answer it, glancing worriedly at the other bed in the room, thankful that it remained empty and my phone didn't wake someone else up too. "Hello?" I try to sound chipper but that's hard to do when you've been snoozing happily.
"Hey Quil," my brother-in-law says on the other end.
"What do you want, Lenny?" I snap. I'm a little too tired to deal with whatever he has going on right now. Whenever Lenny called, it generally wasn't to chat about sports scores or swap recipes. My brother-in-law only ever calls when he needs something.
"Well, I just, I thought, I—"
I cut him off. "Just spit it out, Lenny," I say impatiently as I watch Claire slowly creep back into bed. "Let me help you," I move forward to help but she waves me off.
"No, I can do it," she says steadily maneuvering around carefully to lay back. She is so much stronger than I ever realized and I don't ever want to take my eyes off of her. I am about two seconds from hanging up on the dumbass on the phone.
"I need you to bail me out," the dumbass suddenly says.
"Call Luka," I say shortly. He is in town, he'd been down to visit with Claire the night before, he'd even brought me a cup of coffee.
"No, no! Please, I don't want him knowin'," he says. "'Sides, he's got that girl over and he probably wouldn't come."
I take a deep breath. This is seriously the last thing on earth I want to deal with right now. "What did you do?" I ask, though I'm pretty sure I already know what he's going to say.
"Nothin'," Lenny whines. "Well, I guess I just had a few beers."
Lies…Lenny hasn't had "just a few beers" since he was in high school, and I know there's more to the story he's leaving out. I know because it's the same thing it is every time. "What you're telling me is that you got drunk, again, and decided it was a good idea to drive around, again?"
"No," he huffs. "You know how these cops hate me. Sayin' I was swervin' and shit. But I wasn't, I swear on my son's life."
"Leave him out of this," I scoff, and add you dipshit.
"If your sister finds out, she's gonna have my balls for breakfast," Lenny says. Knowing Joan, he's probably right. I also know there's probably no way they could afford bail. Part of me wants to leave him in the jail cell to rot and as much as I really, really want to do that, and as much as I'm really, really pissed with Joan right now, it's my grandfather who pops into my head.
"We take care of our family," he would say. Dammit.
"How much is the bail?" I sigh.
I can almost immediately hear the relief in his voice, like there was ever any doubt I'd take care of it. "Five hundred. I promise I'll pay you back," he says. Another lie. "With interest even!" If he were Pinocchio, his nose would be longer than the Brooklyn Bridge.
"Don't make promises you can't keep," I sigh again. "Give me a little bit to get it together, and take care of my very pregnant, very sick wife, before I take care of your shit."
"Thank you, Quil! Thank you so much! I knew I could count—" I don't wait for him finish though, I hang up and turn my attention to Claire.
She's looking at me with soft eyes again and I immediately wish I would've told Lenny to take a long walk off a short bridge, especially when I think about how much I want to be here with her. I'd screwed up for so long and I need to make this up to her, I want to make this up to her. "That was Lenny," I say, feeling like the idiot I know I am.
"Go," Claire nods. "We take care of our family, Quil."
I can't help but smile at her as I feel my eyes go slightly damp. She has grown so much and I don't know how I didn't see it. "You're right," I say. "Will you be okay here for a little bit while I go take care of this?" I walk to her and reach my hand out to run my fingers through her hair. Part of me expects her to push me away. I wouldn't blame her if she does. But she doesn't, she just nods.
"I'll be okay. Just hurry," she says quietly.
I lean down and kiss her forehead, relieved that she wants me to come back. This is a good sign right? She couldn't be serious about moving in with her parents if she still wants me to come back, right? I really don't want to leave her right now, but family calls. "I will," I reply. The faster I get this over with, the better…
I turn to leave, giving her one last grin, memorizing the gentle smile that she returns to me. I really hate to leave her. I know this is for family but that doesn't make it any easier. I keep my head down as I walk through the hospital and reach the waiting room.
"Hey stranger," a voice calls out. I lift my head to see Embry and Petra, walking hand in hand having just come through the doors. "Why didn't you call, dude?"
Before I can answer, Petra pipes up in a panic. "How is Claire? Is she okay? Embry drove so fast to get here."
"We were in Seattle and left as soon as we heard," Embry says as he smiles down fondly at his petite wife.
"Thanks," I hold my hand out for Embry to shake and he takes it, but then pulls me into a brotherly hug.
"How is she?" he asks.
"She's doing better. But still waiting on more improvement," I answer.
"Can we see her?" Petra asks with concern.
I nod. "Sure, just make sure she keeps calm. I have to go run an errand and then I'll be back," I say, not really sure if it's proper protocol to tell them I have to go bail my good for nothing brother-in-law out of jail.
Embry looks at me and squints. I know he knows there's more to my story than just running an errand. "How 'bout if I go with you? I can ride shotgun."
I really wouldn't mind Embry's company and we haven't been able to talk much since he's been hopping around the country on Shipo business. "Sure," I answer. "That'd be good."
Embry leans down and kisses Petra, pulling his car keys from his pocket and sliding them into her hand gently. "I'll see you back at the house later. I'll run home," he chuckles which causes Petra to giggle a little. It still surprises me to watch this side of Embry that I never knew existed until Petra.
"Okay," Petra turns to me. "Where is Claire?"
"Room 2224," I reply. "You go down this corridor, almost to the end, and her room's on the right." I wasn't sure if she knew her way around a hospital.
Embry gives Petra one more kiss before she walks down the hall. He watches her for a minute before walking with me out the door. "Do you want to tell me where we're really going?" he asks as we get into my Jeep.
I turn the key in the ignition and let out a loud breath. "Lenny's in jail and I have to go bail him out," I say through gritted teeth.
"DUI?" he asks.
"Yep, it's about the only thing that son-of-a-bitch is good at. Drinking," I say exasperated.
Embry chuckles. "Yeah but he was good for stealing beer from when we were kids."
I chuckle too at the memory of me sneaking into my sister's house to steal Lenny's beer. At least if we were drinking it, he wasn't. "True," I say. Which brings me to another point. "Does Jake know?"
"Yeah," he replies. "They'll be back tonight."
I instantly feel guilty. "I hope he's not coming back because of me. I thought this thing in Europe was big, like vital to the company big?"
Embry shrugs. "Eh, Paul can handle it. Jake's kinda pissed though that he had to hear it from me, not to mention that I had to hear it from Scar."
"I'm sorry, I was just a little…" And there's so many things that I've been over the last few days that I can't even put it into words.
"Don't worry, we know things have been rough," he says. "Just don't forget we're here, bro."
We make a pit stop at the bank to get the cash before heading to the police station. It's not fun handing over five hundred dollars cash, knowing there's other things you could definitely use it for. Off the top of my head, I can think of baby clothes, car parts, furniture, anything other than a drunk.
"Leonard Fournier," I hear the police officer yell back.
"Thanks for coming with me," I tell Embry, grateful not to be doing this by myself.
"No problem," he says. "Are you okay with this? Do you need help?" I know he's asking about money. And with two babies on the way, any bit can help. But this is my family, my problem, I won't let this responsibility be someone else's.
"Thanks, we'll be okay though," I answer.
There's a commotion behind the desk before an officer brings Lenny out. He's grinning and laughing, fighting again the hold the cop has on him. "Quil, Quil, Quil, my favorite brother-in-law," he slurs.
He looks like shit, a white tank top and ragged flannel shirt hanging out of his jeans messily. I roll my eyes as the officer hands him over to me. "He has to be in court on the 20th," the police officer said. "This is number three, Lenny. Try to stay out of the bar and off the street."
"Sure thing, Wayne!" Lenny almost yells before he sees Embry. "Look at you, Embry Call. All dressed up like some rich boy!"
I start to scold him but Embry takes care of it. "Nice to see you too, Lenny."
We start to walk out, Lenny practically being held up by Embry and me. "You can just drop me off at the Spotted Dog," Lenny says and for a moment I hope he's joking, though I know he's not.
"Did you not hear what the cop said? You need to dry out," I tell him. Embry helps me get him into the Jeep. "If you have to puke, you better hang your head out the window and not get a drop of it in or on my car." I add douchebag in my head.
"Whatever you say, Quilly," Lenny says, just before I slam the car door in his face.
I take a deep breath as Embry shuts his door and I rub my face with my hands. I reminded myself that I just need to drop Lenny off and then I can get back to the hospital and be with Claire.
The drive to the rez is quite, Lenny is passed out in the backseat, and Embry's and my casual conversation keeps me concentrated on the task at hand. The reservation has changed a lot since I'd grown up here but some things didn't. Joan and Lenny still live in a tiny, white house with a red roof. Granted it was new roof that I'd had put on last spring when rain just wouldn't keep itself out.
Embry helps me haul Lenny out. Just as we're about to deposit him on the sofa to sleep off whatever liquor is still in his system, the situation gets worse.
"I don't feel so good," Lenny moans. He sways a bit and I know what's coming.
"Don't you dare," I groan, just as Lenny leans over towards me and empties out the contents of his drunken stomach. Of course, Embry hops out of the way…the jackass…The smell is horrific, not to mention the texture, all of it now soaking into my shirt and jeans.
"Sorry," Lenny looks up, with a dribble on his chin.
"That's disgusting," Embry chuckles while he gags.
"Have I mentioned lately that I hate you?" I ask, I can't decide if I'm being sarcastic or if I really do hate him.
"Let's just throw him in the shower," Embry says. "You might want to hose yourself off too," he says with a grin.
"Shut up," I groan. "This means we're gonna have to stop at the house so I can change." This quick trip to bail my dumbass brother-in-law out, is turning into a fiasco.
We manage to soak Lenny, then change his clothes and settle him on the couch. It's a good thing we leave when we do too, because one minute more, and Embry might have to bail me out for strangling my sister's stupid husband.
The next stop is my house for me to change clothes. I decide to take a quick shower and feed the dog, letting him out for a quick run. Finally, after what seems like hours, Embry and I get back in the Jeep and head to the hospital. Almost immediately, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket.
I don't recognize the number and I feel like letting it go to voicemail but I answer. "This is Quil." It may be it's someone calling about a paint job.
"Quil! It's Laura! Where are you? You need to get to the hospital, like now!"
CLAIRE'S POV
Things have looked pretty bleak the last few months, but today, today things seem to be looking up. "These ones are my favorite," Petra giggles as she shows me what I think might be the softest blankets in the world. "See, it has the blue and orange like the nursery and the stars and moon too."
I take one of the blankets into my hands and feel the fabric and for a moment I'm jealous my sons will get to enjoy this heavenly fabric because right now, I would love to be wrapped up in the velour. "It's perfect, Petra!" I squeal a little. "Thank you, so much."
"Oh you're welcome! I love to shop for baby things," she says, putting the blankets back in one of the four bags of baby things she's brought. We'd spent most of the afternoon chatting and looking over the things she's brought, two of everything. Petra has impeccable taste and I know my little boys will be decked out for at least the first few months of their lives because I doubt if she ever looks at the price tags.
"Well, I very much appreciate it," I say.
"I don't ever want them to be cold, Claire," she tells me seriously as she sits in the chair next to my bed. I don't know how to answer her because I know that she's thinking of something from her past, but she snaps out of it almost immediately. "You're going to be okay, I just know it." She pats my hand as the nurse comes through the door.
"Time to check your blood pressure again, Mrs. Ateara," the familiar nurse says. She starts on her task and Petra stands.
"I should probably get home. I think I want to make Vegetable Lasagna for dinner tonight," she says. "I have to go to the supermarket first."
"Ooh, could you make some extra for Quil, please? You know how much he loves your lasagna and I want to make sure he's going to have something to eat while I'm here," I ask. Petra is one of the best cooks and her vegetable lasagna is one of Quil's favorites. "He's been here most of the time and I don't know when he last had a meal."
"Of course," Petra says, the nurse still working on taking my blood pressure. "I'll bring some over for him as soon as it's done. Am I allowed to bring some for you too?"
The nurse turns with a smile. "Mrs. Ateara is on a controlled diet because of her blood pressure."
I pout as Petra smiles her thanks. She then gives me a final wave as she slips out the door. It's just the nurse and me, and she works away, moving from one side of the room to the other, poking and prodding and typing things into the computer chart. "Looking good, Mrs. Ateara! Keep going at this pace and we'll be able to get these babies out before you know it."
"Thank you," I answer although I'm still really scared about becoming a mom, any yet I'm also really ready to know that my boys are safe and sound.
I sit back and use the remote to turn on the TV. I flip through before I find an old black-and-white movie to fill my afternoon with. I alternate between watching TV and catnapping, reminding myself of what the nurse said about losing sleep when the babies are born. It's a great way to spend an afternoon and it got even better when another nurse knocked on the door.
"I'm Viola, I'm here to move you to your new room," she smiles at me while a team of three other nurses follow her in.
"A new room?" I ask.
"Yes," Viola says. She picks up my bags while a male nurse pushes in an empty wheelchair. "The rooms upstairs are roomier and a little more cheery than these," Viola said. "Toby's going to help you into the chair and wheel you up."
I instantly think of Quil. "And someone will let my husband know?"
"Yes, ma'am," she answers.
The whole process of moving takes about twenty minutes but man is it worth it. Viola was underselling the new digs. Downstairs was like Motel 6 but upstairs was the Ritz-Carlton! The walls are brighter, the room is bigger, and instead of a single chair, there is small sofa and refrigerator. It is a much better place to spend the next few days than the other room.
There's also a huge bouquet of white roses and hydrangeas, it's easily the biggest, most fancy flower arrangement I've ever seen. Better even than the centerpieces from our wedding. I pick up the note attached and read it:
Something special for the new mommy!
We can't wait to see you and meet the newest members of the pack!
Love,
Jake, Nessie and the boys
I have to take a minute to breathe in and out. I haven't felt this important and loved in years. It gives me a little more strength to feel this way.
By the time it's all over, I'm happy to sit back and enjoy my new room.
A few minutes later, a familiar head pops in the door. "Yoohoo, Claire?"
"Hey, Laura," I say.
Laura tiptoes in, a vase of tiger lilies in her hands. "I hope I'm not keeping you from sleeping. I just wanted to come by and see how you were doing and when we might expect those little ones? Nice room."
"No, no, come in! Have a seat." I'm happy to have visitors, I honestly feel like I've been so alone for so long. "I think Jake and Nessie upgraded me," I grin.
"Luka told me you were in the hospital and I wanted to come by and see you, make sure everything is going okay. He came by last night but he said you were asleep," Laura says as she sits down. "Oh, yeah, these are for you." She seems a little nervous as she stands back up. "Where should I put these?" she holds up the flowers.
"Here, please," I say, having her place them on my bedside table. "They're beautiful, Laura." I smile as I look at them. "Thank you." I point to a chair in the corner. As grateful as I am for the couch in the room, it makes conversation a bit awkward. "Why don't you pull that chair up and we can chat a bit?"
She nods and pulls the metal chair next to my bed. Laura is young and still in college and it's nice to have some young blood in the pack. I was a little worried about what Laura might think of me, knowing she might have been swayed by Joan's opinion of me. But she always seems so friendly and kind.
"How are you feeling?" she asks as she sits down.
I immediately put my hands on my swollen stomach. "I'm feeling better. Ready for all this to be finished."
"I bet. You gave us all a pretty big scare," Laura says. She looks at me with caring eyes.
I scoff a little though. "I doubt if everyone was scared," I say.
She chuckles. "Well, everyone that matters was scared." Laura sighed. "You know, I think the best thing to do with that situation is just to do what I do. Just pretend like she doesn't exist!" We both chuckle for a minute.
"How does Luka react when you do that?"
"Ha!" she laughs. "That's kind of a matter of discord between us. But Luka knows very well how much his mother hates me. I just make sure he knows the feeling is mutual."
Laura and I talk for a bit, her filling me in on school and how things are going with Luka. They both live in Seattle so it isn't often that we get to see either of them. And she is a good friend to have because she knows exactly what I am dealing with. The only thing worse than the sister-in-law from Hell is the future mother-in-law from Hell.
I worry about Laura having to deal with that situation. But she isn't like me. She's stronger and really wouldn't take shit from anyone, none the less Joan. Not to mention, with her impressive height, she could squash Joan like a bug, and I won't lie and say I don't kind of look forward to that. Things were different with Luka and Laura too. I gave into Quil. He needed to help his sister's family and I supported that idea. He insisted Joan knew things, and I didn't argue. Quil thought he owed it to his sister to keep supporting them financially, and I didn't stop him. But Laura, Laura was different. She wouldn't let things get like I had. Luka was coming to La Push less and I can see the ties severing. And in all honesty, that is the only way he can be his own person.
As much as I'm enjoying our afternoon of girl talk, I just know it couldn't last. And of course, I am right.
The door opens again and in walks the nightmare herself. "Here you are," Joan says, looking at me with a glare in her eyes before shifting to look at my new room. "How much is this room costing my brother?"
"Your brother's not paying for it, Jake and Nessie set it up," Laura answers back.
Joan rolls her eyes and moves closer to us. "Why haven't they released you, Claire?"
"Why do you care?" I spit at her.
She put her hands to her chest and acts like she is legitimately hurt, though I know there was not heart in there for her to have broken. "Oh please. I worry about my nephews, my blood."
"My sons are none of your concern," I growl back, while I grab the bed rails and pull myself up.
Joan scoffs. "My concern is that my nephews grow up to be spoilt brats like their mother."
That's the last straw. I've put up with this nonsense for far too long and I will not let her speak of me or my children that way. I feel my skin heat up and my heart rate pick up. "You have no idea what a nuisance you are, Joan!" I get to my feet and move towards her. "I've put up with you for years because you are important to Quil and because of my love for him, I've kept my mouth shut but I can't anymore. This whole pregnancy, this whole marriage, you've made me miserable! I haven't been able to—" A jabbing sensation runs through my abdomen and I know I've upset the boys. I immediately put my hand on the spot closest to where the pain started.
"Claire?" Laura says my name as she moves toward me. I put my hand up to stop her. The pain sucks but I've waited too long to have the courage and fortitude to say this.
"I'm okay," I say through gritted teeth, trying really hard to breathe through the pain. It's a lie, of course. Okay was the farthest from what I am right now, and another shot of pain ripples up my spine. I keep my eyes on Joan and bite my cheek. "You have your claws so deep in everyone and everything that you haven't let me be a wife, and I'll be damned if you keep me from being the mother I know I want to be."
"Claire?" Laura says my name again as she puts her hands on my shoulders. "You're bleeding," she points down to my feet and my eyes find a puddle of blood forming around them. It is the last thing I see before I feel my body sway and everything goes black.