Today was the day of the funeral. Emby stayed at his own home last night, I was hoping that he'd climb through my window in the middle of the night and keep me company, but he didn't. I had taken the whole day off today, like quite a lot of the kids on the rez. I had driven up with my Mom and Dad and we had greeted Charlie Swan and Billy Black at the entrance of the service. It confused me a little as to why they were doing that job but I soon realised why when I saw Sue and Seth sat up at the front of the little church. Seth was quietly sobbing into his Moms arms as she held on tight to him. Leah on the other hand was sat on her own just behind, clutching onto a tissue and rocking slightly. Her Dad was her everything and I couldn't ever imagine not having my Dad there to look after me. After talking to my parents quickly, I joined Leah and took the same position I had at the hospital. She clung onto me as if I was the only thing keeping her here and I wrapped my arms around her shoulders in comfort, murmuring reassuring things to her.
People filtered in, all going to give their condolences to Sue. The pack came in and joined me and Leah on the row we were sat on. Sam and Emily sat beside Leah, and Emby came to sit next to me with Jared, Kim, Jake and Paul
"Hey gorgeous" Emby whispered into my hair as he kissed it
"I love you" I told him, kissing his lips quickly
"I love you too" He said back, taking hold of my hand that wasn't holding Leah.
When the service started, Leah buried her head into my shoulder and listened quietly. Halfway through the service Emily put her hand on Leah's knee to comfort her, but Leah didn't like that. She lifted her head from my shoulder and glared at Emily till she moved it; from then on she watched her Dad's coffin smiling sadly at it.
When the funeral was over, Leah hugged me tightly and thanked me for supporting her today. She, along with her brother and her Mom had all dropped something down onto the coffin. Sue broke down at the grave side and Charlie helped her out. Seth was trying to be strong for his Mom and Leah just cried her eyes out; I was surprised she had any tears left in her body.
"I'm proud of you today" Emby told me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and squeezing it tightly. We were sat on one of the picnic benches in the back yard of the Clearwater's place, the whole pack were sat with us. My Mom and Dad had gotten into conversation with some old friends
"Why?" I asked, still watching Leah. She was sat in a garden chair on her own with a huge glass of wine attached to her hand
"Because you handled Leah so well" He told me, kissing the top of my head
"It's the least I could do, she's my friend" I shrugged my shoulders, still keeping an eye on her
"Yea, but you didn't have to and you did anyway" He said, resting his head atop of mine
"Dude, I think the food table's open" Paul murmured, shoving Jacob's shoulder and glancing over to the food marquee. He was right
"That all you think about?" I asked, chuckling
"Sometimes" He shrugged
"I don't think it is" Jacob shook his head, looking over
"It is, look there's people getting food." I nodded; pointing to a group of people stood forming a queue
"Quick, go before all the good stuff's gone" Paul shoved Jacob's shoulder as they climbed out the table. I chuckled at the two of them as Sam and Jared followed close behind, Emby was twitching beside me
"There gonna get all the good stuff," I repeated "Go" I nudged at his side
"Do you want anything?" He asked me, not being told twice
"No ta" I shook my head at him
"Okay, I love you" He kissed my head quickly and followed his brothers. Emily and Kim shifted down the sides of the table; Emily sat beside me and Kim the opposite side to her
"Thank you for looking after Leah" Emily said after a little while of silence
"It's okay, I'd hate to be in her position and she just needs friends around her" I shrugged, playing with the hem of my dress
"I really like the dress you're wearing" Kim commented, I smiled back at her
"Thanks, I made it myself" I told her, it was a simple black strapless dress that was decorated with big black roses all around an asymmetric hem.
"Seriously? That is really good" She said, gesturing for me to stand up, I did so. I had paired it with a beige pair of heels and a similar coloured jacket, I had a little black bag that just about fit my iPhone, inhaler and my purse in it, once again I had silver bangles littering my left wrist and my ring from Quil on my middle finger. I was also wearing my necklace from Emby, much to his delight
"Give us a twirl" Emily asked, I spun around and sat back down again once I did "I really like this bit" She said, pointing at the flowers
"It was awkward as hell to make" I commented, running a hand down the side of it and resting them on the bench
"Looks it" Kim said, propping her chin up on her elbows. We then got into a discussion then off all the different pieces of clothing I've made, the guys came back during this conversation but they sat quietly and listened whilst they ate there huge piles of food
"Hey Tubbs?" Quil called me as he was walking towards the picnic bench, Emily got Sam to move over and she scooted along the bench so Quil could sit down
"What?" I asked when he settled himself and plonked a half eaten plate of food down on the table
"I need Emily's number" He told me
"Why?" I asked, looking at him stupidly
"Because I lost my mobile" He shrugged
"Again? Your Mom's gonna kill you" I shoved his arm as I routed around in my bag for a pen
"She kinda already did that" He shrugged and threw his hand on the table in front of me, the Pack went back to conversations between themselves but Emby's arm snaked around my waist and held me close
"Where did you see it last?" I asked, writing Emily's mobile number on his hand, I had it memorized
"I had it this morning and I put it down somewhere, but I don't know where" He shrugged
"Have you tried ringing it?" I asked, looking at him like he was an idiot
"It's on silent" He told me
"Well you're a retard then. There you go" I said, putting the lid back on the pen and double checking the number
"No that's her mobile number. I need her house number" He told me as if it was obvious
"Well you should have said that in the first place" I told him, digging an elbow into his side and writing the house number down "Why do you need the house number anyway?" I asked
"Because I need to speak to Sam, apparently he's been trying to ring me all day" He said, studying the number
"How did you know he's been trying to ring you if you've lost your phone?" I asked "And I thought I was the dumb one" I muttered, a couple of people chuckled
"Cause he texted my Mom, and yes you are the dumb one" He told me
"Well I'm obviously not because I would have the initiative to just ring the number back on my Mom's phone" I said, tapping the pen on the table
"I did think about that but she won't let me use her credit" He moaned
"You're a liar. She always lets you use her phone" I said, disbelieving
"Well not today apparently" He whined in a voice that sounded nothing like his Moms
"Hang on, if you want to call Sam. Why didn't you ask for his number in the first place?" I asked
"Ehh, maybe I am the dumb one" He said, pulling a face
"Dick." I laughed and pulled his hand back, writing down Sam's number
"How the hell do you know his number from memory?" He asked, cocking an eyebrow at me
"Because when we prank call people he was always the first one to be phoned and I just remembered the number" I shrugged
"Your such a retard when you prank call people" He shook his head
"Actually I don't speak I remember the numbers" I said, tapping my head
"Yea alright then" He pulled another face, I slapped his stomach "Dude, not cool to do that when I'm ill!" He exclaimed
"You don't look very ill to me. You're faking it." I stated
"I'm not mean to you when you're ill. Now gimme your phone bitch." He scowled at me and held his hand out, Emby growled lowly from beside me
"That's because I'm a mean person" I grinned, getting it out my bag "Hang on, if your gonna ring Sam on my iPhone. Why did you need to write his number down?" I asked, placing it in his hand
"I felt like annoying you" He grinned, ruffling my hair and getting up
"Retard" I muttered
"Heard that!" He called as he walked away
"You were supposed to" I said, sliding his plate to in front of me and picking at his food
"That's a weird relationship you have with him don't you think?" Jared commented when Quil was no longer in hearing distance
"What do you mean?" I asked
"Well, you act like an old married couple . . . but you're not." He tried to explain, Emby growled and I put my hand over his hand on my waist
"Yea, we have a love hate relationship" I nodded
"Who loves? Who hates?" Sam asked
"It's kinda difficult to tell, but both of us." I nodded; he laughed shaking his head "We've known each other since we were two, soo yea" I shrugged
"That's kinda cool that you've known your best friend for that long" Emily commented
"How did you meet him though? Cause didn't you used to live up in Neah Bay?" Kim asked
"Yea, me and my parents were visiting my Dad's Dad and we were down at first beach. Me and my grandad were making a sandcastle and the bitch killed it. Ran right through, destroying the whole thing" I scowled, they all chuckled at me "It was after that when I found out that he's actually my cousin because my Dad's Dad is also his Dad's Dad" I nodded
"Really? He's your cousin?" Jacob asked, disbelieving
"Yea, didn't you know that?" I asked he shook his head "Well he is. Surely it would have given it away if my name is Lexii Ateara?" I chuckled nodding my head. Emby's arm travelled up my back and landed on my shoulder, he played about with the chain at my neck, I leaned into his side
"So Old Quil is your grandad?" Paul asked
"Yea, and Nicky is actually auntie Nicky. Even though she's my adopted Mom" I nodded
"Your adopted Mom?" Kim asked
"Yea, I have four Moms, she's my adopted Mom." They all gave me confused looks "There's my actual Mom" I counted on my fingers "Then there's Nicky, my adopted Mom. Cause she looks after me like a Mom. Then there's Emily, she looks after me and mothers me all the time. And then there's Quil; my male Mom" I explained
"Surely Quil should be an adoptive Dad or something" Emily questioned
"No cause Nicky's my adoptive Mom and that's just weird." I shook my head, she chuckled
"Good point" She agreed, I smiled in triumph and glanced back over to Leah. She was now curled up in her garden chair, clutching her wine glass; Quil was a little ways to the left of her talking on the phone
"Back in a jiffy" I stated and started to climb out of the bench
"Where are you going?" Emby stopped me and asked
"I'll be back in a minute" I told him, sitting so I had my back to the table, I was about to get up when he started to get up too
"Where are you going?" I asked him
"With you" He stated as if it was obvious
"No you're not" I shook my head
"Why not?" He looked sad
"Cause I don't want you to come with me" I shook my head
"Why?" He frowned
"Cause I have to go to the bathroom" I whispered, even though it was really pointless. His cheeks tinged red and I chuckled at him "I love you" I said, kissing his lips quickly
"I love you too" He told me, kissing me again. I got up and walked towards the back door, smiling warmly at Leah, she replied with a little one
"Don't waste all my minutes" I growled at Quil
"Whatever" He waved a hand at me and slouched against the wall
I ran up the stairs as best I could in heels and knocked on the bathroom door to see if anyone was in there, no answer. I rushed in and did my business, stopping to clean my hands and look at my reflection in the mirror. What I saw wasn't actually that bad, Emily had bought me this gel eyeliner the other week and it doesn't run, as well as my waterproof mascara. My eyes were looking a little puffy, but it was fine. I was looking down and fiddling with my fringe as I opened the door, I walked forward and bumped into something very hot. When I looked up I realised it was both temperature-wise and looks-wise
"Hey Gorgeous" My favourite smile appeared on my favourite boy
"Hey hot stuff" I smiled through my lashes at him; he lifted me up quickly and held onto my ass, I wrapped my legs around his middle "What happened to me saying you couldn't come with me?" I asked, eyebrows raised
"I didn't come with you, I followed" He grinned and attacked my lips, he walked forward kicking the door shut behind him and sitting me on the bathroom worktop, his hands moved my legs apart so he could stand between them and he held my thighs
"You broke my rules!" I gasped, this kid seriously is gonna be the cause of an asthma attack pretty soon
"I know right" He smiled, kissing me again. His hands snaked up my body and began to massage my boobs
"Embry!" I gasped at him and shoved him away, "Seriously." I shook my head at him and kept him at arm's length when he tried to kiss me again
"Pretty please?" He gave me the puppy dog eyes
"No. We're in someone else's bathroom for starters, and I've told you that I'm not ready" I scolded him
"Yea, but that doesn't mean we can't have heated kisses" he winked at me
"Emby!" I exclaimed at him, his hands had gone back down to my legs and were creeping up the edge of my dress
"What?" He asked, giving me puppy dog eyes
"No" I shook my head, his eyes grew bigger and he looked like he was going to cry "No Emby." I shook my head, putting a hand over his eyes so I couldn't see them "No touchy." I said finally
"Please Lexii? Pretty, pretty please?" He begged
"Emby what's up with the sudden hornyness?" I asked, I wasn't even sure if that was a word
"You look amazing, irresistibly amazing" He told me
"You don't look too bad yourself, but I'm not jumping at you am I?" I asked he did look pretty hot today. He had a simple pair of black trousers on, a smart shirt and a pair of shiny shoes "I could actually" I let my thoughts slip as well as my eyes, trailing them down his body from head to toe. Going back up and stopping at his package and then his muscles
"See, just do it" His eyes glinted and he opened his arms out "Anything you want to" He smiled sexily, I loved that smile
"No" I shook my head; it took me a while to say this though. He did look pretty irresistible himself
"You know you want to" He did the sexy smile again
"No! Not the sexy smile! Stop the sexy smile" I shook my head and covered my own eyes
"The sexy smile defeats you does it? Hmmm" He thought out loud
"Yes it does, now stop" I scolded him
"What if I don't want to stop the sexy smile?" He asked
"Tough. You have to" I peeked my eyes out and looked at him, his eyes were smouldering
"Or what?" He challenged, walking up to me and standing between my legs again, resting his hands on my butt
"I'll never have sex with you. Not now, not ever. You will stay with me forever and die a virgin." I grinned as his eyes went wide and the sexy smile disappeared
"That's mean" He glared playfully
"But it's true" I repeated from earlier
"But I love you" He told me, nibbling on my bottom lip
"And I love you too" I told him, pushing him away and taking hold of his hands so I could steady myself when jumping down
"So, my place or yours?" He smirked at me, reaching down to the bottom of my dress, I slapped his hands away
"Embry Thomas Call." I warned, using his full name
"I was sorting out your dress! It was riding up!" He defended himself
"Okay" I said, only half believing him
"I was!" He exclaimed
"I believe you!" I exclaimed, puckering my lips. He shook his head grinning mischievously "Kiss me!" I whined, reaching up to inches away from his lips, I could to that with these heels on "Kiss me." I ordered this time, he shook his head again but it looked like it was really difficult for him to not listen to me this time. Ooo mean plan alert! I thought, I let my hands drop to his waist, still scowling at him I let one hand drift downwards so it was resting just on top of his trousers. His eyes went wide and the edges of his lips tugged at a smile, I used the back of my first finger to stroke outside of the fabric. He still felt it though, I did this a couple of times, watching for his expression. He nodded at me and moved closer to my hand, he became a little harder
"Lexii, yes" He moaned, this was my move. I laughed at him quickly and ran for the door, he was quicker though. He realised what it was I was doing and trapped me at the door "And where do you think you're going, Missy?" He asked, putting his hands beside my head on the door
"Back downstairs" I said, nonchalantly
"You don't just do that and get away with running off" He told me, rubbing our noses together
"Well if you gave me my kiss, we wouldn't be in this situation would we?" I asked, crossing my arms under my chest
"No, we wouldn't" He shook his head
"So do I get my kiss?" I asked, hopeful
"Yes, you do" He nodded and his lips were on mine quickly, kissing me passionately. He ground against me but I kept my hands on his chest and pushed away slightly
"Horny git aren't you?" I chuckled, kissing him quickly and walking him backwards
"It's because you look so bloody gorgeous" He told me, grabbing onto my waist from behind and walking out the door with me
"You're gonna have to let me go so I can walk safely" I told him, he shook his head and lifted me up by the waist. Carrying me down with my legs kicking about
"Embry, you put me down this instant!" I scolded him when we got to the bottom and he still hadn't put me down
"I love it when you say my full name like that" He said into my hair
"What in an annoyed voice?" I asked, elbowing him in the chest, he put me down then but continued to walk like that "Thank you." I stated as we walked to the back door
"You are very much welcome" He kissed my neck through my hair
"Hey Leah" I smiled at her as we walked out the back door
"Hey Lexii" She managed a cheeky smile at me and Emby "Fancy getting me another?" She asked, shaking her glass in my direction
"Course I will, what are you drinking?" I asked her
"Red. It's in the gap by the side of the fridge" She told me, I nodded and turned around taking the glass with me. I eventually found her little stash of alcohol and grabbed an open bottle, pouring Leah a full glass
"Lexii?" He whispered to me, I shook my head "Lexii?" He whisper-moaned, running his hands across my lady bits
"Embry seriously. I've told you I'm not ready. And I certainly won't be doing anything in someone else's house. If you don't stop it, I'll rip your bloody cock off." I ground out, exasperated with him
"I'm sorry" He said quickly stepping back and held his arms up in surrender, glancing quickly at me he moved his hands over his manhood so I couldn't do anything
"It's okay, I'm sorry. You're just too horny, and you're pushing me." I chuckled at his face going a darker and darker shade of red
"I'm sorry, but you look amazing" He told me, taking a small step forward
"So do you" I said, closing the space between us and kissing him chastely before going outside and handing Leah her glass. He followed me out but went back over to the pack table
"Thanks sweetie" She smiled, standing up and taking the drink from me. I could actually see what she was wearing now and it looked really nice; she was wearing a dress with a layered fabric bodice that was fitted just below her bust and had A Line skirt down to the knees, she had black flats on and a gold bracelet on her right wrist, I think it might have belonged to her Dad. It looked like men's jewellery
"Don't worry about it" I smiled walking over to the edge of the porch and leaning on the banister, she joined me quickly
"Ey'are Cand" Quil handed me my iPhone as he joined me and Leah at the banister
"Ta, what did he want you for?" I asked, looking over to see Emby blushing still and the guys laughing at him
"He has my iPhone, he wanted to tell me" He shrugged
"Wasn't he trying to ring you though? Why would he do that if he had your iPhone?" I asked, turning to face him
"You what? That's really stupid" Leah laughed, drinking some more of her wine
"That's most of my friends for you" I chuckled, we stood there for a little while; chatting about utter crap. A couple of people came to give their condolences to Leah because they were leaving and shizz
"Eughhh I'm so bored!" Leah moaned, throwing her head down
"Eughhh I'm so hungry!" Quil moaned, doing the same
"I don't have anything in particular to moan about right now but I will anyway because I can. Eughhh" I moaned, doing the same as the other two. They both looked at me funnily and laughed, I just grinned at them "It's cause I'm cool" I shrugged. Most people had gone home now and it was only the Pack, the Clearwater's, Billy Black, Charlie Swan and mine and Quil's family left. Me and Emby were pulling faces at each other from the distance we were sat in but eventually he got up and walked over to me. He walked up to the other side of the porch and leaned on the banister because he really was that tall, I leant over the side
"Hey gorgeous" He whispered
"Hey handsome" I whispered back, scrunching my nose up as he did and rubbed our noses together
"Ew." Leah groaned as she and Quil walked off to sit with the adults, Emby stood up on the porch the other side of the banister and held his balance
"I love you" He told me
"I love you more" I smiled
"No, I love you more" He shook his head
"Nu-uhh I love you more" I shook my head and kissed him quickly so he couldn't answer back, I snaked my hands around his neck and he moved his hands to the small of my back
"Hey! That's enough of that you two!" My Dad shouted over, I felt the blush creep up onto my cheeks and pulled away quickly
"Yea, we have little eyes over here!" Leah shouted as everyone laughed
"Hey I'm not little!" Seth yelled at his older sister and I heard hand on skin contact
"Don't you just love people" Emby muttered, shaking his head
"Absolutely lovely" I chuckled kissing him chastely
"You better not trample through my flower bed again Embry Call!" Sue scolded; I looked to the side of Emby's head and saw my Mom with a hand on my Dad's arm, stopping him from going anywhere. Sue was pointing accusingly at him with a grin on her face and everyone else other than my Dad had an expression of amusement plastered on their faces, even Quil and he hated Emby at the moment
"He won't, don't worry Sue" I called over, smiling at her. They all laughed, Emby was chuckling in front of me
"How do you plan on me getting down?" He asked
"Climb over the banister" I told him, shrugging. "You know what?" I asked, grinning cheekily
"What?" He asked, watching my lips
"I have this sudden urge to push you backwards" I laughed
"Don't you dare" He shook his head quickly at me
"Please?" I asked
"No" He shook his head once more
"Aww but it'd be funny" I whined, he seemed to deliberate this for a while
"No. Now shift so I can climb over" He told me, gently forcing me to the left a bit
"Aww you suck" I groaned at him when he got to the other side
"No that's your job" He chuckled
"Ew. That's gross Emby. I'm not giving you a blow job. Especially if we haven't even had sex yet." I shook my head and crumpled up my face in disgust
"I'm sorry" He kissed my forehead and spun me around by my shoulders, walking me down the stairs and over to the big group of people. He sat on the floor in between Paul and Quil and leaned back on a log that had been purposely placed there, he crossed his legs in front of him and I sat in the gap between his legs. The group was exchanging stories about their times with Harry, a couple of stories were about when everyone was kids. Leah looked surprisingly happy seeing as though she was in the company of Sam and Emily; I think that might be to do with the fact that she had another huge glass of wine in her hand
It had gotten onto a childhood memory of mine and Quil's:
"I still have the video of Quil, Floss and Austin when they were little all sat in a blow up swimming pool eating ribs, dunking the bones into the water and sucking the marrow out" Mom chuckled
"Eww, that's disgusting" A couple of people muttered
"I remember that!" Quil exclaimed, laughing
"Wasn't that in Auntie Lilly's back garden?" I asked, remembering
"Yea" Quil nodded
"That's actually gross." Seth stated
"Actually I don't think it tasted that bad" I shook my head
"No, cause Kai did it too" Quil remembered
"Ohh yea, it's cause we're cool" I chuckled, high fiving Quil
"You honestly did that?" Paul asked
"Yea" I nodded my head "We have video proof" I gestured to my Mom
"Eughhh" Kim scrunched up her face, squirming in Jared's lap
"No, Aunt Debbie's spicy ribs are to die for." Quil stated; me, Dad, Nicky, Mom and Old Quil all agreed
"Bet there not better than my spicy ribs" Emily chuckled, shaking her head
"Ooo I don't know Emily, Debbie's ribs really are good" Old Quil nodded
"It sounds like you're eating her body parts" Quil and I laughed, Old Quil raised an eyebrow at us
"Sorry Pa" We smiled innocently at him
"Hang on, I'm confused. Are you two related? Like brother and sister or something?" Charlie asked, he was sat on a deck chair with a can of Vitamin R in his hand
"Cousins" We nodded together
"Aaa that makes more sense" He nodded to himself
"But Auntie Debbie isn't his Auntie" Dad explained, I shook my head
"But it's easier to just call her Auntie Debbie though" I nodded
"Okay" He seemed more confused now
"Don't worry about it" Quil shook his head "It gets really complicated and it's probably better for your mental health if you don't ask any more questions" He waved it off, we all laughed. Charlie nodded, swigging away at his can of beer. Emby cuddled me closer to his chest and I gladly melted against him
"I love you more" He whispered into my ear as stories of childhoods swarmed around us