Hey everyone! I finally completed this chapter and am already working on the next chapter so I hope you enjoy it. Sorry for the late update but bear with me as I am busy with classes and other activities.

Chapter 10

As we drive down the road, I tap my leg in anticipation for where Sam is taking me. Knowing him, he could be driving me anywhere and while I appreciate the surprise, I still am desperate to be in on it.

"You're going to need to distract me otherwise I'll keep trying to guess what's happening right now."

He gives a slow smirk which I love. "Distract you? How would you like me to do that?"

I giggle. "Tell me a funny story or something from your past."

He ponders for a moment as he stares out at the road, one hand casually resting on the steering wheel while the other rests in his lap.

"There was this time growing up when Paul and I were about seven or eight years old. We went out exploring near the ocean like we often did since there wasn't much else to do in the rez, but this day was especially rainy with strong winds and large waves."

I stared deeply at him as he continued. "Paul and I were messing around near the water and we looked out and saw a large object floating in the water. Cheesy as it sounds, we were convinced it was a person in need of saving so without thinking at eight years old, we jumped into the water and started swimming out towards them. When we finally reached the object, we were astonished to realize it was simply a loose piece of driftwood floating in the water. Paul and I swore we would never speak of that to anyone because we were so embarrassed but both our mothers were very surprised when we came home completely soaking and shivering from the cold and we wouldn't give an explanation for how it happened."

Laughter bursts past my lips as Sam playfully pushes my shoulder. I clutch my stomach as the laughter continues and I wipe a tear from my eye.

"Wow, that's great. Of course you two wanted to be heroes and wouldn't consider that another person would be out swimming in the middle of a storm."

Sam smiles sweetly at me but I see a tenseness past his eyes that's holding something back. Leaning up, I look at him.
"What's wrong?"

He shakes his head. "I'm sorry, it was just the last thing you said, about a person swimming out in the ocean during dangerous weather. Whenever we chase Victoria to the edge of the sea, she always dives in beneath the water and disappears. To know that those creatures are out there lurking on land and sea, and thinking about what would happen if you were ever to take a walk by the water and forest and me not being there…"

He trails off.

The humor dies from my eyes as I reach over and place my hand on his leg. "Sam, it's okay. I know Victoria is out there along with who knows what but I can't express how safe I feel here with you. I know how much you care for me and I know how you are always there to protect me."

His hand wraps around mine but I see the tense way his shoulders are placed.

"Forgive me," he shares. "I didn't mean to bring such a bad thought on this beautiful day."

I sit up and reach over to give him a kiss on the cheek. "You could never ruin this day. I love you."

He stops the car and grabs my face with his hands before giving me a proper kiss, filled with passion and love.

Pulling away, he gives a crooked smile with a twinkle in his eyes. "I'm glad you got your distraction or did you not even notice we arrived?"

I blink, turning to look out the window and seeing that we have indeed stopped outside of a house.

"Where are we?" I ask hesitantly.

He is already exiting out of the car and walking over to my door. Pulling it open, he grabs my hand and allows me to get out.

Wrapping his arm around my shoulders, I lean into him as he walks with me to the front of the house.

I don't see any cars in the driveway, so my confusion grows as I watch Sam open the front door and peer inside before opening it fully and leading me in.

We walk through the front hallway and lead into what I believe is the kitchen before–

"SURPRISE!"

I shriek as I see dozens of faces waiting in the living room that I recognize. The whole Reservation community seems to be present in the Black house. Joyful tears fill my eyes as I see the pack, Billy and the Clearwater family, and my uncle standing next to Billy.

I rush forward and begin giving hugs to everyone I can see. Each member of the pack introduces me to their family and friends who also came out for the party.

Charlie slowly makes his way over to me and I give him a big hug.

"Quite the surprise, huh Annalise?" He says with a hint of a smile. I can tell he feels out of place here but I'm still glad to see him.

"I had no idea. Who planned all of this?"

He looks around. "Mainly Sam. He had Billy and the Clearwater family help plan the details and get everyone together."

A large smile comes to my face when I instantly search for Sam, feeling his presence close by.

He is standing across the room, talking to Sue Clearwater. Her husband, Harry passed away earlier this year and I know she is still hurting from it.

"I can't believe everyone came out here for my birthday. Where's Bella?"

I notice something flash in Charlie's eyes before he answers.

"She said she wouldn't want to disrupt your day with her being there. She says there is still some tension between the Cullens and the Rez."

I sigh. If only he knew.

"But she did say something about her and the Cullens wanting to have you over for a small party with just their family."

My face brightens. "That would be amazing. I haven't been able to see the Cullens in awhile since Sam is very protective."

A shadow falls on Charlie's face for a fraction of a second but he composes himself quickly.

"And Sam is treating you well? He's not keeping you locked up over here without your consent?"

"Oh no!" I rush to defend. "Sam is very sweet and I have been loving my time here. He just cares a lot for me and wants me to stay safe, which he is convinced that the Cullens aren't safe. I disagree though so it's not a topic we like to get into."

Charlie nods approvingly. "Well, I can't blame Sam for wanting to keep you safe, but if he ever crosses the line, let me know."

I lean in and give him a hug, feeling loved at the amount of care Charlie is showing.

"Thank you, Uncle Charlie. I promise Sam is everything I want in life, but I appreciate you looking out for me like you always have, especially when my dad died."

He wraps his arms around me and returns the hug. "Sure thing, Annalise."

We pull away and he reaches into his back pocket.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Happy Birthday."

Grinning, I reach out and grab the card from his hand. Opening it up, I see a simple card and a small necklace with a silver moon at the end.

"Wow, Charlie. This is beautiful!"

He rubs his neck with his hand. "Uh, thanks. Sue helped me pick it out."

"Well, I think it's beautiful. Thank you very much."

I feel a warm hand come to the small of my back and I turn to see Sam standing behind me, a charming smile on his face. I instantly lean into his chest as he wraps me up in a hug, my heart leaping out of my chest.

"How's it going?" He says softly before kissing me on the forehead.

"I feel so blessed, having everyone here and feeling like one big family. My life is feeling more and more complete the longer I stay here with you."

He tightens his hug around me and gives me another kiss filled with love and tenderness.

"Is there anything else I can do to make this a wonderful birthday?"

I turn around to face him, eyes wide.

"There is one thing, but I know you won't like it."

His face grows concerned. "What do you mean?"

I bit my lip and look away, contemplating a moment before responding. "I shared that being here with you and the pack feels like family, but I would be lying if I didn't say that part of that family feels like they are missing."

He grows emotionless when the realization draws in. "The Cullens?"

I nod slowly.

He looks pained as he turns away, running a hand through his hair before turning back to me. I can see the emotional turmoil going through his mind.

I move to speak before he goes into how he wants to keep me safe. "Bella and the Cullens want to throw me a small, private birthday party at their place. Please let me go as a test to show that I am safe when I am with them. If anything happens or I feel like I am not safe, I will stop asking to go see them. You can come if you want as well to ensure that I am safe."

He exhales loudly, his shoulders slightly shaking with emotion. "If anything happens to you, there is nothing that will stop me from going over to their place and ripping them all to shreds. Do you understand that?"

I nod quickly. "I believe that this pack and the Cullens can coexist, but I know it will take time. Trust me that I can decide what is safe for me and what's not."

He doesn't reply and I decide not to push it but I also take his silence as a possible yes.

The rest of the party is filled with laughter and fun. Jacob and Quil hoist me up on their shoulders and parade me through the house must to Sam's amusement and Sue had baked a delicious cake for everyone to enjoy.
After several hours of fun, I lean exhaustedly against Sam's shoulder.

He chuckles and runs a finger through my hair. "Tired?'

I nod, my eyes already closed as I snuggle into his chest, forcing his arm to go around me.

He decides to pick me up so he's cradling me in his arms and I get a happy little smile on my face.

He mutters goodnight to the pack, who were the only ones still left at the party and I lifted my hand up in acknowledgment of saying goodbye, eyes still closed as I relax in the gentle sway of Sam's footsteps.

When we arrived at home, Sam carried me from the car into the house. I wasn't that tired, but I secretly liked it when Sam carried me in his arms, and I'm guessing from the large smile on my face and the smug grin on his face he knew exactly what game I am playing.

Laying next to him in bed, I turned to him and grabbed his hand.

"I love you, you know that right?"

He instantly grabs my body and pulls me closer to him.

"I do. And you know that my love for you has no end and no boundaries. You are my life, Annalise, and nothing will ever come before you."

I grin as my eyes glisten with soft tears. "Way to one-up me, like always. But I love you with all of my being."

We stayed there in silence for several minutes, just allowing the beautiful moment to sink in and be appreciated between us.

As I finally allowed sleep to take me, I couldn't feel safer and loved than when I had Sam's arms wrapped around me, knowing that he loved me and cared for me.

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