Emily closed the bedroom door softly, without a sound. She jumped when Sam spoke. "I'm not asleep, Em. I've been waiting all day to be alone with you, Mrs. Uley." She could see his smile in the semi-darkness, and she shrugged off her robe and sat on the edge of the bed.
"You know, it wasn't as easy for me," she spoke softly, her back to him.
He sat up, leaning against the headboard as he pulled her close. "What wasn't?"
"Falling in love," she responded quietly. "I didn't get hit by that lightning bolt. All of a sudden, I had this smart, handsome, kind man paying me all this attention. You remember how awkward it was, with Leah still in the picture. I fought it, Sam. Hard."
"So did I, Em," he replied, his arms wrapped securely around her. "I never wanted to hurt anybody."
"I know that, Sam. But I fell in love with you the old-fashioned way. I love your kind heart and your beautiful soul. Not to mention your body." She smiled.
He sighed, pushing her hair behind her ear and kissing the side of her face. "It's no less real, you know. It may have seemed sudden and...well, contrived...but I love you, Emily. My love for you grows deeper every day. I love your generosity, your cheerfulness, and your quiet strength." He kissed her lips and tasted salt. He realized her face was wet.
"Emily? What's wrong?"
She grabbed a tissue from the nightstand and wiped her face. "Nothing, really. I'm just extremely emotional these days."
Sam became very still. He looked into her eyes and asked softly, "What days, Em?"
Her voice was barely audible. "Since I found out I'm pregnant."
Leah and Nahuel slept in on Sunday morning. Well, at least Leah did. Nahuel didn't require much sleep, but he never tired of lying next to his wife and watching her sleep. She opened one eye and grinned. "Hey there." She stretched luxuriously, cat-like. "I could get used to this."
Nahuel raised an eyebrow. "I'm actually enjoying the scenery."
Leah chuckled. "The view from here's not bad either." She rolled toward him and kissed him. "I suppose we have to get moving soon."
"Soon," Nahuel agreed as he took her in his arms and kissed her thoroughly.
They checked out of their room at noon and decided to find some lunch. "Do you remember that cute diner we passed yesterday? I think it was this way," Leah announced, pointing to a bank on the corner. "I remember that bank."
"This doesn't look familiar at all," Nahuel said as they turned the corner and found themselves in a dimly lit alley. The cracked macadam was littered with garbage, and something small and furry scurried out of their path. They walked gingerly toward the far end, but about halfway through Nahuel grabbed Leah's hand. "I don't think we've been here before. Let's get back to the street."
They turned to head back to the well-traveled road and found their way blocked by a large man who stepped out of the shadows from behind a dumpster. He stank of a caustic mixture of body odor and urine, and Leah held her breath. Nahuel stepped in front of Leah. "Excuse me," he said pleasantly to the man. The guy was well over six feet tall and heavyset. He didn't budge.
Nahuel tried to step around him, and the man spoke. "What's your hurry, friend? I'm just looking for a few bucks so I can get a warm meal. I don't mean you any harm." He grinned, showing a mouthful of cracked yellow teeth. But Leah wasn't looking at his face. He had pulled his hand out of his pocket and flicked open the blade on a murderous looking switchblade knife.
"Trust me, you don't want to do that," Leah spoke softly, her voice steady.
"Oh, but I do, little lady. Now just hand me your wallet, pal, and you can be on your way."
Leah growled, a low throaty sound that was decidedly not human. Nahuel's smile was still intact. "I'd advise you to listen to my wife. She can get really cranky." The man's face darkened, and he looked from Leah to Nahuel. But he still didn't get it. "What is she?" he asked, nodding his head toward Leah.
When Nahuel didn't answer, he hesitated only a second before he moved the knife toward Nahuel's ribs. His face registered surprise when it sliced easily through his shirt but failed to penetrate his skin.
Nahuel's hand flashed out and snapped the man's wrist, the knife clattering to the ground as the would-be thief screamed in pain. The movement was so fast he never saw it coming. He fell to his knees, his left hand cradling his right arm.
"You should probably look for another line of work,," Nahuel scolded as he gingerly grabbed two fistfuls of fabric and lifted the man over his head. Leah flipped up the cover on a nearby dumpster and Nahuel tossed him in, slamming the lid and jamming the knife into the hasp, locking the cover securely. The man screamed again as he landed. Nahuel wiped his hands on his jeans and spoke to Leah. "Now I need to find someplace to wash my hands."
They retraced their steps and found the diner on the second try. There seemed to be a bank on every corner in Seattle. As they were seated in a booth, Leah slipped her phone in her pocket and asked "Do you think we should tell the police the guy is in that dumpster?"
Nahuel nodded. "We'll find a pay phone and call, but I'd guess somebody has probably let him out by now. Hopefully somebody meaner than he is. How's Pire doing with Carlisle and Esme?"
Leah chuckled. "Oh, you caught me. I just wanted to tell them we'll be on our way in a little while." She glanced at the phone. "And she's doing fine." She reached across the table and took his hand. "Thank you for this weekend, Nahuel. I had a great time. The show was amazing, especially the costumes! And spending time alone with you...it was perfect."
Emily reached out and pushed up Sam's chin, closing his mouth. "How do you feel about being a father, Sam?"
"I'm not sure, Emily...I guess I'm speechless," he breathed. "There are so many things going through my head right now. Wow. A baby." He smiled tentatively. "You'll be a great mom. You're kind and patient and good. But me as a dad. I have a pretty good idea of the kind of father I DON'T want to be," he added with some bitterness. "I'll never desert my child like my father did," he added solemnly.
Emily smiled at him. "I know you wouldn't, Sam. You know how it feels. And, for the record, I'm sure you'll be a great dad. If I didn't believe that, I wouldn't be having your baby."
Sam placed his hand carefully on her flat stomach. "A baby. Right in there. A brand-new person, just growing and waiting to meet us. Amazing." He leaned down and kissed her stomach gently. "Do you know when?"
Emily shook her head. "I figure I'm only about a month along, so it would probably be a good idea if we kept the news to ourselves for a couple of months. You just never know. Besides, I kind of like the idea of us having a secret." She smiled serenely.
His arms tightened around her. "I hope I can be worthy of your trust. I love you, Emily Uley." He grinned. "Funny name."
She turned and kissed him softly. "I kinda like it," she replied. "Now comes the tougher question. How do you feel about being my husband?"
"I love you, Emily, and I'm looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you. I'm sorry about that glitch today. There was so much going through my mind I didn't even hear the minister. And I'm sorry that caused you anxiety. Don't ever doubt that I love you, no matter how dumb I can act sometimes."
Leah and Nahuel made good time driving back from Seattle. His foot got heavier on the gas pedal as they got closer to home and their daughter. "Easy does it," Leah urged. "You're doing 80 miles an hour, Nahuel. It would be embarrassing if Charlie pulled you over for speeding."
He smiled and let up on the gas, but just a little. "I didn't know I'd miss her so much, Leah," he replied.
Leah smiled back. "I did. It was a great weekend, but I can't wait to get back to our baby. I wasn't worried about her with the Cullens, but I hope she missed us a little."
Pire was sleeping when they got to the Cullens'. Esme invited them to sit and visit for a while. Nahuel tiptoed into the guest room and peeked at her, then came back to the living room and perched on the arm of Leah's chair and spoke to Esme. "I hope she wasn't too much trouble. We had a great weekend, and we knew we didn't have to worry about her. Thanks so much."
"Believe me, the pleasure was ours," Esme assured him. "She's such a sweetheart, and we love spending time with her."
"You know you're welcome at our house any time," Leah assured him. "But I know it's a little awkward for you, so we'll make it a point to visit you more often."
Carlisle glided into the room. "She's very special to us, you know. Our own granddaughter grew up way too quickly," he smiled. "We barely had time to baby her. I'm afraid you may find Pire a tad spoiled. Esme can't keep her hands off her." He smiled and took Esme's hand.
Leah laughed. "I don't think loving her too much can be a problem," she assured them just as the baby monitor sprang to life.
"Dadadada" Pire chortled, and Nahuel flew up the stairs.
Leah grinned at Carlisle. "Why on earth do you guys have a baby monitor? You could hear her whisper from anywhere in the house!"
Esme answered for him. "You can never be too careful."
Nahuel came down the stairs with Pire in his arms. Her chubby arms were wrapped around his neck and he was beaming. "I changed her and packed up her stuff. I guess we're ready to go."
"Thanks again. We really appreciate it," Leah said softly. At the sound of her voice, Pire's face lit up and she reached for her mommy. Nahuel handed her over, and Leah asked Esme "Is that a new outfit? It's adorable! Goodness knows the poor child needed some clothes," she joked.
Esme grinned. "What are godmothers for?" She kissed the baby. "You come back and see us soon, Pire." They bundled the baby into her car seat, and the Cullens stood on the porch waving until they were out of sight.
Carlisle slipped his arm around Esme's waist. "Do you think we should have told them?"
She leaned her head against his shoulder. "No, they'll find out soon enough."