Author's Note: So I was going to wait until tomorrow to update but it's ready so why not huh? Thanks so much to everyone who keeps reviewing. Amandatory you are cracking my shit up on the daily. Seriously. I love all of you who are reviewing me regularly. You keep me going. Oh and if you guys haven't checked out my other story I would love you forevers if you did. Um what else? I own mine, Stephanie owns her's. Enjoy!

Oh and FYI, the story, White Buffalo Woman, it's a real one. I researched some Lakota legends when I knew I wanted to write it into the story and picked the one I liked the most. Google it for the full story. Very interesting.

Chapter 21: Feels like home

Sophie's POV

Wow. All I can say is WOW. He was going to kiss me, I mean; I think he was going to kiss me. And now I'm sitting here is this hobbit sized plastic chair with a shit load of other people waiting on that devil spawn to be born. Cockblocking little seed of Satan. Ok, maybe I'm just a little pissed but wouldn't you be? I mean we were FINALLY making some progress here.

My mind is swimming right now. Two weeks ago I was having fun; I was enjoying my new life. I had a grrrr…eat sex buddy. Now I'm thrown into this angsty drama shit that should be scripted for General Hospital. I decided to go to the cafeteria to get some coffee. Who knew how long we'd be up tonight. I was standing in front of the coffee vending machine waiting for my hot cup of sludge when a familiar arm wrapped around my shoulder. I didn't even have to look up.

"Hey Seth."

"Hey Beautiful."

"Can I buy you a cup of Washington's finest vending machine coffee?"

"Naw thanks, but can I sit with you for a minute? I don't feel like going back up there."

"Yeah sure, where's Cameron?"

"Took her home, she doesn't really know Bella and Jake yet so she thought she'd go on home." I simply nodded. We sat there for a few minutes both too tired to talk. It was almost 2 in the morning and baby Black had yet to grace us with his/her presence.

"So. You and Sam huh?" I turned in my chair shocked at this conversation starter.

"Huh?" was all I could come up with.

Seth chuckled lightly. "You guys aren't fooling anyone you know that right?"

"That obvious huh?" I sighed and leaned into his side.

"Can I ask how all this happened?"

"I don't know really. I mean, I guess to be honest with myself, I felt a pull to him the first time I met him. But then he was so rude and mean for no reason. I kept trying to tell myself it didn't matter, but for some reason it did. I cared what he thought, wanted him to like me."

"So when you and I…" he didn't finish that sentence and I felt a rush of guilt come over me.

"Oh Seth, I didn't have those kinds of feeling for him, you have to believe me. It was more of this weird need thing and I promise you I wasn't thinking of him romantically when we were together. God Seth, I'm so sorry I shouldn't be telling you all this."

"No, Sophie, we're best friends, we can share things like this. You and I we never really had that deep connection in the romantic sense, so I'm not offended. I just, well I'm mad at him to be honest."

"What? Why on earth are you mad at Sam?"

"Well if he would have just been honest from the get go then all this emo drama could have been avoided."

"You mean you think he has felt this way for me all along?" Suddenly Seth tensed and had a grimace on his face.

"No, well, yes, I mean you guys have only really been on talking terms for like what? A week? And the connection I saw between you two, there's no denying he has feelings for you. You can try to be just friends Beautiful, but you'll fail, horribly," he started laughing and gave me a big squeeze.

"How 'bout we get back upstairs, see our new niece or nephew." I just nodded and followed him to the elevator. I decided after that talk that I was going to put all the old bullshit between me and Sam behind us. I think he was probably scared of that connection we had, and dammit I know he felt it too. That is probably why he pushed me away. We were going to move on. First, though, I had a very tall man I needed to work things out with.

I went up to the waiting room and nothing had happened yet. Everyone was still sitting there waiting. I went to find a spot on the floor seeing as how all the chairs and couches were spoken for. Sam got up to offer me a seat. I frowned and pushed him back down in his chair, how'd this bastard get one of the comfy ones? He sat down and I climbed up onto his lap and curled into his side. I was tired; I needed to rest for a few minutes. He chuckled lightly and wrapped his warm arms around my body bracing me from falling off the chair.

I nuzzled my head into the crook of his neck, and whispered against it, "Mr. Uley, you and I need to have a little talk when I wake up. That is if you're ready to stop being a boob and admit to me that you feel this too." With that I placed my hand on his chest over his heart and placed a small kiss below his ear. Normally I wouldn't be so brave, ok that's a lie, that was totally a Sophie thing to do.

I felt his heart rate pick up a little bit as he placed a kiss on top of my head, I felt his mouth turned into a huge smile. "Of course my Angel, sleep now."

I don't know how long I was sitting there but I could have sworn I was only half asleep or maybe I was dreaming. I heard a lot of mumbles and my name being thrown around, it was all blurry so I concentrated more.

"So, is Bella right?" was that Rachel's voice? Why is Rachel in my bedroom and what is she talking about.

"Not here, now's not the time." Ahh, I know that voice, it's my Sam.

"No, I think now is the perfect time, we're all here. So why don't you tell us what the hell is going on?" Seth? He sounded angry. What a weird fucking dream.

"Could someone please tell me what the hell is going on?" Ah Brady, my baby boy.

"Sam, it's time." Wow Billy's here too. I feel like I should get up but my body won't let me.

"Fine, yes, Bella's hunches were right. Smart, pregnant, pale little nosy…" he mumbled some more and everyone was laughing.

"So, then she's it, you're imprint. And you tried to hide it from us all because of Seth? That is really stupid man. Just fucking, no offense Poppa Wolf but you're an ass." Collin has such a way with words. But what did he mean? What's wrong with Sam and Seth? What is an imprint?

"I tried to tell him that, I was sick of being the only one who knew." Quil? Quil knew something about me and Sam? And he hid it from me, but he was like my brother.

"So now we can tell her and everything will be perfect." I could just picture Kim jumping up and down in her seat.

"Now's not the time. I'm glad you all know but we have some major issues going on and I don't need to worry about how she will take the news on top of all that."

There were a lot of mumbles of discontent before Billy spoke again. "Sam is right for once. Let the pack take care of whatever is going on, he needs to stay clear and focused. I'm not saying stay away from her, but no one will speak of this to her until the other matter has been settled."

Now I'm really confused, what other matter, what are they worried about my reaction for? Son of a Sand Man, this has to be the weirdest dream I've ever had. Everything went back to black after that. I don't know how long I was asleep but I started to feel the soft stroking of my cheek.

"Angel, it's time to wake up. Don't you want to see the baby?" Huh? I fluttered my eyes open only to be met with the most perfect deep chocolate orbs I've ever seen. Ahh, Sam. I shook my head and looked around a little bit. Where the hell was I?

Oh right, hospital, Bella, baby. "I just had the weirdest dream." I said as I said up straight on Sam's lap and stretched. "So, the baby, it's here?"

"Yes, SHE'S here and she's perfect," Rachel said and then added, "Now I have to get to your house and relieve Leah and Angela who stayed home with the kids, I'm sure they'll be here soon so you better get your honky ass in there and see my beautiful niece."

"So, you're a morning person huh?" I giggled as I stood up.

"Well some of us didn't get a 4 hour cat nap in the arms of our big hunkin' whatever you guys are." Subtle, very nice Kim.

"Four hours? You mean it's like 6 AM already?"

"Yep, guess I'm just a comfortable resting place for you," Sam said with a sexy smirk on his face.

"I'm sorry; you didn't have to let me lay there that long."

"On the contrary, I quite enjoyed myself."

"Oh brother, seriously, good thing I'm in a hospital because I might get sick right now." Brady said as he walked down the hall making fake gagging noises.

"Come on," Sam said grabbing my hand and kissing my knuckles, "let's go meet the baby."

Little Renee Charlie Black was 23 inches long and 9 lbs, 13 oz. She was beautiful. While Eph had his dad's jet black hair and tanned skin, Renee looked just like Bella. Soft dark brown hair and pale skin. Holy biological clock, my ovaries hurt just looking at her. Sam picked her up and was softly cooing to her about being her uncle and watching out for all the boys who would be knocking down her door. I couldn't help but stare at him and see my own child in his arms. He looked up and saw me staring, ours eyes met and my heart almost burst out of my chest.

This man was going to change my life. And I couldn't wait.

~~**~~

The next week and a half was spent in a blur of activities. I was getting ready for my Dad and Ben to visit in 10 days. My classes started just after Labor Day as did Seth, Aiyanna, Cameron, and the twins. I made sure that everyone had what the needed that books were ordered and that they worked out a car pooling schedule. Even Nanna and Cam were calling me Momma Bear now. I don't think Seth felt quite comfortable with that given our past but we have been able to comfortably move on from it. Cam and Sam have also been pretty good about not letting it bother them. I think knowing that what we have with each of them is so much more helps a lot.

I was spending a lot of time at the Tribal School. Sue had gotten me a visitor's pass and a key to the reference library. She and I met there twice in the last week so that she could look over my intended travel schedule and make a few phone calls to some friends. I was really excited. I was going to stay local for my first trip and go north to the Makah Rez. Then two weeks later I was heading to Victoria BC for a 4 day trip. That one I was really excited about.

So in the week that past after Renee, or Eny as Ephraim calls her, was born Sam and I talked about our relationship a lot. He finally admitted to me that he has felt that same connection I felt from the moment he saw me. He said it only multiplied that night at the Lone Wolf when I asked him if he felt what I felt. There were lots of angry words thrown mostly by me. But when he told me he was just scared and thought that Seth and I were headed in a totally different direction and he didn't want to come between us I lightened up on him.

I didn't really see him or any of the guys that much. I always made enough dinner to feed an army as was becoming my new routine. I never knew who was going to show up or when so I just kept everything stocked. The guys seemed to be so preoccupied anymore. They were all very tired and slept a lot. I didn't push as to why they were all drained all the time but I was worried.

Saturday afternoon I spent at the mall in Port Angeles with Leah. You'd of thought I was spending the day shoving bamboo up her finger nails but she was a trooper. She was great, our sarcastic personalities meshed well together. I talked a lot to her about Sam. She said it was ok and that it was the least she could do seeing as how she was the one who 'turned him into a bitter shrew', her words not mine.

Sam and I finally had our first official date Saturday evening. He met Leah and me in Port Angeles and after she left he took me to a nice restaurant and then a movie. Totally cliché I know but I loved every minute of it. Although I had seen him a few nights that week, everyone was always around so it was hard for us to find time just the two of us.

He walked me to my door after our date and leaned in and gave me the sweetest kiss possible. He was standing there fumbling with his car keys like a nervous teenager. Then he grazed my cheek with his hand and trailed it to my chin where he pulled lightly getting me to lift my head to his. The anticipation was nearly killing me. I wanted to ravage him right there. But instead he placed the softest, kindest kiss on my lips. I literally felt my legs turn to mush as he caught me with one arm tight behind my back.

I deepened our kiss and lightly caressed his bottom lip with my tongue. He opened his mouth to me. I don't know how long I stood there in his arms but I could stay there for the rest of my life. If this were a movie here is where you would cue the fireworks and audience cheers. If I had any feeling in my legs I would have done the daintily lift one in the air and bend it shit. Yeah, this was epic, story book epic, fairy tale epic. I was a goner. His warm lips closed and pulled away too soon for my liking. I let out a small whimper and he chuckled.

"Sophie, my Angel that was just…"

"Wow." I said finishing his thoughts.

"Yeah," he sighed into my face as he leaned his forehead to mine. He placed one last long chaste kiss on my lips. "I have to go now."

"No," I pouted, "stay, come inside."

"Angel, can I tell you something?"

"You can tell me anything, you know that."

"Well, you see Leah was my high school sweetheart, and I was so torn up until you came along that I never really dated anyone after that, so…"

"Sam," I giggled lightly, "Are you trying to tell me that Leah is the only person you've slept with?"

"I guess." He said turning bright red.

"I know what you probably are thinking, with the way I acted with Seth and all." He cut me off with a stern tone.

"I don't think anything Sophie."

"I know you don't judge me Sam but just let me say this. I was a virgin until I was 22 years old; Seth was only the third person I've slept with. I, that thing with Seth, I don't do that all the time you know. I just. I don't want you to think, I mean I wasn't asking you in, I just. Argh this is hard to explain."

"You mean you didn't ask me in to seduce me Miss Coleman?" he said with a smirk trying to lighten the mood.

"I know it sounds backwards Sam, but you are special and I think, I think we should wait. I don't want our relationship to be about sex and just sex. You mean too much to me."

"I couldn't agree more my beautifully, adorable, flustered Angel." With that he placed one last kiss on my cheek and opened my door for me before walking to his car. Could he be any more fucking perfect if he tried?

~~**~~

So here I am now, on Wednesday, standing at the Sea-Tac airport waiting for Bevis and Butthead to get off their plane. Anne of course came with me; she has been a basket case these past few days. Making sure everything was ok, that we had all our plans for the long weekend laid out. Even though she and my dad talked almost every night for the past 6 weeks I think she was going through major Jimmy Withdraw. Ew must change subject now!

"GOOSE!" I heard bellowing through the walls of baggage claim. God I missed him.

"MAVERICK!" I shouted back as I was embraced in a huge swing me off the floor hug. Dad made a bee line to Anne and quickly grabbed her in his arms and placed a very passionate kiss on her lips.

Ben just looked at me and laughed. "Dude, Ron Burgundy over there sure has a way with the ladies." I slapped his shoulder playfully.

"Well dad," I said once he was finally off of Anne's face, "glad you missed me too."

"Awe baby girl, you know I missed you like crazy." He said as he pulled me into a bear hug. Good thing I was used to these by now with the all the bears back home. Home. La Push was my home now, a smile crept on my face. Like the sky opened up and sunshine poured down revealing a big secret to me. I was home, and I wasn't planning on going anywhere.

"What the hell, Earth to Soph, come back to me lil sis." I slapped away Ben's hand that was in front of my face.

We settled into Anne's car for a long 3 hour drive back to La Push, I mean back HOME. Anne broached the topic of me and Sam, which I was at the same time both thankful and mortified.

"Better slow down Soph, you'll run out of Quileute boys by the time you leave." I turned to Ben as we were both sitting in the back seat and started punching the ever loving shit out of him. I was pissed now.

"Hey, don't make me pull this car over." Anne shouted and we both looked at each other and started laughing. "Ben, your sister has found her true love and I don't think we should bring up her past anymore."

"WHAT?!" my dad and I both shouted at the same time.

"Anne, I do not LOVE Sam."

"Ok, my darling, whatever you say." Everyone was silent for about the next hour or so. I was thinking about a lot of stuff now. Did I love Sam? It felt like it was right. I did just say I was home. Maybe it wasn't so much La Push that was home to me, but Sam who was home to me. I smiled widely to myself again.

"Anne."

"Yes baby girl?"

"Have you ever thought about selling your cottage?" Everyone looked at me like I had two heads now. Except Anne who gave me a knowing nod.

"Honey," my dad said turning to face me from the front seat, "are you thinking about sticking around La Push once your research is done?"

"Well, I can't say that I've been thinking about it, it just kind of came to me sitting here. I know I don't have a job and I have lots of school to finish, but I just finally feel like I belong somewhere. I haven't felt like that since." I stopped short looking out the window. Ben pulled me over to his side and I cuddled up there.

"Don't worry my beautiful daughter; I know how hard it's been for you to be on the farm since your mother died. I think it's great that you've finally found a place that you feel comfortable calling your own."

"Sophie, darling, if you want the cottage, it's yours. I couldn't think of a better person to sell it to."

Wow, just wow. I can't believe it. I'm really going to do this. I can do this, the thought of leaving just tears my heart in pieces. So we drove the rest of the way in quite. I saw the "Welcome to La Push sign and sighed. "Welcome Home Sophie" I whispered to myself.

There you have it. I don't want to say something lame like...post reviews and I'll update sooner but if it works then I'll use it. I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times, I'm a whore for comments. lol