Maggie POV

I've been back at Udub for a month now and everything is going great. Seth and I went home for the summer as planned and got jobs. Well, he worked at the garage again and I worked at the res store with Kim. Dad was really glad to have me home for more than two days on the weekend and it was nice to be around him again. The pack threw me a big party for my 18th birthday complete with a bonfire on the beach. It was nice to be back and be able to spend time with Claire again. While I was away we emailed and talked on the phone often but it wasn't the same. Just like last year we spent a lot of time together when the guys weren't working.

The biggest difference this summer was that Seth and I went on more actual dates. Sometimes we went with others but just as often we went out just the two of us. Those were my favorite dates because Seth and I could wander Port Angeles just like any other couple. There were no wolves or vampires or mystical things to worry about: just the two of us being ourselves and enjoying each other. Now that I was 18 Seth was a lot more relaxed about the physical side of our relationship. He would freely hold my hand and kiss me when he wanted to, even in the middle of a busy sidewalk in town. I asked him what the difference was and he told me that now he didn't feel like everyone was watching him and waiting for him to mess up and get him in trouble somehow. All I knew was that I wouldn't complain about the change.

But now we are back in school and things are getting busy again. We are careful to make sure we get our homework done before we do stuff together so we can keep our grades up and pass our classes. But we also make sure we can spend some time together every day.

Seth keeps an eye out for any vampire activity around campus still, but there have only been two other times since our first day here that he has run into anything. One of the vampires ran off when he challenged it and he chased it into the mountains where he was able to rip it apart as a wolf which made Seth really happy. The last time it was a female though and she must have had some ability because he lost her quickly when she tried to evade him. He hasn't smelled her since so he's content that I am safe for now.

Today Seth sent me a text during my second class saying that we were going out to dinner tonight and he had a surprise for me. It's a Wednesday which is odd because we usually go out on weekends so I am curious what he's up to this time. I hurried and wrote a short paper for one of my classes and then dressed up just a little so I would be ready when Seth came. He picked me up and told me we were going into Seattle for dinner with some old friends of his.

"I thought I knew all of your old friends." I said as we drove to the restaurant.

"You've met all but one and that's because he moved away years ago to follow his imprint."

"Wait. Are you talking about Jacob and Nessie? Is that who we are meeting?"

"That's exactly who we are meeting. I haven't seen Jake in a few years and they are coming through the area so he decided to stop and say hi on the way. He really watched out for me when I was a young wolf and he still calls often to keep in touch."

"Wow. I mean, I've heard the stories but he almost seems like one of the legends because I've never actually met him."

"Don't worry. He's just like the rest of the pack. I'm really excited for him to meet you though."

We parked and went into the Cheesecake Factory near the Sea-Tac airport. Jake and Nessie had a stop-over for a few hours and it was easiest for them to stay near the airport. As we walked into the entrance I saw a handsome couple straight ahead. They drew my attention because he was a tall Quileute, easily a head taller than almost everyone else in the room, and she was petite and pale and absolutely gorgeous. They were watching for us and Jacob's face broke into a huge white smile. Seth pulled me toward them quickly and he and Jacob hugged, pounding each other on the back and laughing.

"It's so good to see you kid." Jacob said as he pulled back and placed his arm back around Nessie's shoulders.

"I'm not a kid anymore old man." He grinned and pulled me close in similar fashion. "Jake, Ness, I'd like you to meet Maggie; the love of my life."

Jake stuck out a warm hand to shake mine and smiled warmly. "Good to meet you. Are you keeping this pup in line?"

"I try."

Nessie extended a delicate hand along with a smile. "It takes someone special to keep up with these guys. Nice to meet you."

"I've heard so much about you, it's nice to finally meet you in person." I gushed. I know it was pathetic but I really couldn't help it since these two people were like Taha Aki and all the old heroes in the tribal legends to me.

We didn't have to wait too long to be seated and soon I found myself sitting opposite Nessie sipping my water while the guys caught each other up on everything. Jake and Nessie were currently travelling from Alaska where they had been visiting friends of her family back home to Costa Rica where the Cullens were currently living in the rain forest. Jake had scheduled their flights so that they would stop here in Seattle so he could at least see Seth.

"I wish I could come visit the res more often. We've been traveling a lot the last few years since Nate got old enough for us to leave him with the family. I'm anxious to get back and see the kid though." Jake said. They had been able to have one son before Nessie's body changed and became permanently set at 19 and from what I could tell they both adored him.

We had a nice meal and good conversation as I finally got to know the last member of the pack. After dinner we went outside to walk a little before Jake and Nessie had to return to the airport for their flight south. Nessie and I ended up walking behind the guys.

"So, was it a shock when you found out about the wolves?" she asked.

"Yeah, it was pretty surprising." I agreed.

"Seth told Jake all about it not long after it happened. It must have been strange to suddenly find out about the pack and being an imprint."

"I had a little time to adjust before I figured out I was an imprint, and then it just made everything make sense."

"How so?"

"Well after I met Seth I couldn't get him off my mind and I wasn't interested in guys at school the same. So once I understood our connection everything just made sense."

"And you've never questioned the imprint?" Nessie asked.

"No. Why would I? I've never felt this way before or had the security Seth gives me."

"Oh."

"Wait, did you? I mean, was it hard for you to accept the imprint?" I asked in surprise. Everything I had heard about Jake and Nessie indicated that they had a great relationship.

"Things were a little different for me and Jake. He was around from the moment I was born and our relationship changed over time. When I was almost fully mature I wondered if he really loved me or if he was forced to be with me. I didn't want him to be with me against his will."

"I never thought of that. You're clearly together now, so what happened?"

"Well, I tried to stay away from him for a little while and we were both miserable. I realized that I needed him as much as he needed me and I gave it all another chance. I've never regretted it since."

We walked in silence for a minute.

"You've really never questioned it?" she asked.

"No. Maybe it's because I've lived without it. I know how things were before and I know how I feel now. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Seth is so good to me, and I know I don't deserve it, but I don't want it to go away."

"Yeah. That's what all the imprints say. Even Claire, who should understand why I fought it briefly, has always just accepted and loved being an imprint." Nessie grumbled.

"That's okay. It's just what you needed to do so you could be happy now. Everyone has different things they need in life to make them happy with what they have. It doesn't mean anything."

"It's nice of you to say that, but I know I'm different. I've always been different than everyone around me. I'm glad you are happy with Seth though. He's a great guy and I've never seen him so happy."

I blushed. "Thanks."

We wandered back to the cars and said goodbye to Jake and Nessie. They promised to give us a call if they were in the area again while we are still in school. After they walked away Seth sighed and put his arm around me.

"It was good to see them. It's been too long. And I'm so glad you know them now."

"Me too." I shivered slightly in the cool of the evening and Seth pulled me into his burning arms.

"I love you, you know." He looked deep into my eyes.

"I know." I barely got the words out before he was kissing me and I lost myself in his heat. His lips were perfect and I loved how they moved with mine. I could stay here forever, locked in Seth's embrace.