Chapter 25

"Sometimes I just wish you'd run things by me first!" My mom was now pacing in front of Nahuel, Jacob, Ness, and I. Sam was true to his word and had gone running back to the reservation to tell my business. My mom had left seven messages on my phone, telling me to call her ASAP, so we decided to just travel over there.

"Mom, there really wasn't anything to tell until recently, and besides I'm an adult, I can date who ever I want. However, since I knew that once the elders found out they'd be all totoo eager to come to you with their concerns. I was planning to tell you soon anyway … because this thing between Nahuel and me will probably be going on for a little while. I don't ever want my choices in love, or anything really, to hurt my family," I explained and Nahuel patted me on the knee. My mom looked horrified. Nahuel noticed the look on her face but his hand stayed planted where it was.

"And you, what are you intentions with my daughter exactly? Are you trying to bed her and then eat her?" Nahuel eyes bugged out of his head. I'd meant to tell him that I got my bluntness from my mother.

"No, my intention is to love her in any capacity that she will let me." Every looked at Nahuel when he declared this, and I heard Nessie let out an "Awww". As much as I wasn't one for mush the statement me feel kind of sappy, I placed my hand on top of his.

"As cute as that all sounds, your love will get my daughter killed." My mom scoffed and began to pace once more, this time with her hands on her hips. "Honey, I've never been the kind of mom to tell you who to date, but you really should consider ending this before it gets messy." I felt Nahuel grip on my leg tighten. He was being respectful towards my mother but I got the message loud in clear. He was saying 'don't leave me,' and he didn't have to worry because I had no intention of doing that.

"I can't do that, mom. I love him. Nahuel is the purest soul I've ever met and the dude just gets me. He understands my hurt and I can talk to him about anything. He was my shoulder to cry on when nobody else was there for me. How can I leave a man that treats me like a queen, a goddess, an angel?" Shit, tears had started to form in my eyes. See, this is why I didn't allow myself to get sappy often.

"Leah, if you needed someone to talk to you could've come to me. I would've listened or you could've talked to Seth. You didn't have to venture so far away from you own kind, your family." I arched my eyebrow and frowned at her. I need to calm myself. I know my mom has always meant well for me and right now she was just really concerned for my well being. I just needed her to see the truth through my eyes and I just hoped she was objective enough to understand.

"Mom, I love you and I mean no disrespect, but lately you haven't been there for me or Seth really. I understand why, you've been dealing with the loss of your husband, but you left Seth and me out to dry." I muttered the last part and my mom sat down in the seat across from me.

"If you felt that way why didn't you tell me? You didn't have to go out and… I wanted to be there for both of you." Tears started swell in her eyes and I felt guilty.

"Sue, I don't think Leah went out with the intention to date Nahuel it just happened." Jacob felt the need to speak on our behalf. "That is how it generally happens. I've witnessed the two together and I assure you that Nahuel is really good for Leah." Sue just shook her head.

"I think you're all misunderstanding my frustration. I don't mean there is anything negative to do with you Nahuel, from what I've seen you seem… sweet. I just don't want any of the decisions my daughter has made to cause her to get hurt. Understand?" We all nodded.

"Generally speaking, Miss Sue, anything love worth having has risk and sacrifice. I think it's all really romantic!" Ness spoke softly but was blunt in her expression. I just held my head and waited for the right time to call the conversation to a close. It seemed no one was going to bend. I would have to take solace in the fact that at least my mom was informed.

"It seems like no one is really hearing me." My mom sighed and she smoothed her hands on her scrub pants. Then she gave Nahuel a good hard look. "Since I'm sure there's no chance in changing Leah's mind. I'm going to address you. They are going to come after my baby and I just need to hear you say it. What are your intentions toward my daughter?" Nahuel looked over to me and gave me a little smile.

"I love her, Mrs. Clearwater, and I will do everything in my power to ensure that she's loved and safe. However, my selfish nature won't allow me to just abandon my love for her. I need her far more than she needs me. I wish we had your blessing, but I will only love her that much harder if we don't." My mom swallowed hard and she digested Nahuel's statement. Yeah, my Nahuel, he was very good with his words.

"Well, I'll have to hold you to that." My mom abandoned her seat, came over to me and squatted in front of me. She grabbed my hands and squeezed them tightly.

"From the very first day I held you in my arms, Leah, I loved you more than my own life. It kills me to know that I was so wrapped up in the death of your father that I wasn't there for you and Seth. I want to be there for you now and the best way I know how to do that is to be brutally honest with you. If you are going to stay with Nahuel you may need to, uh… sweetie I don't think you're safe here with me anymore." Tears ran down my mom's cheeks and I felt her pain deep down inside my heart. I gripped my mom and held her tightly to me. We sobbed together for a moment and then collected ourselves.

"Will you help me pack?" I asked as I wiped my tears away.

"Of course baby, of course I will." As we went upstairs, the others stayed in the living room. I guess they all figured that we needed a private moment to say our goodbyes. I didn't think leaving the nest would be this hard but I had no doubts I was making the right decision. I was meant to be with Nahuel, and he was meant for me.

Author's Note: This chapter is very near and dear to my heart. Leaving the nest is something I've been dying to do for years now. I've still got a long way to go before I can get there but I do imagine that it would be a very difficult thing to do. Anyways please read, review, and no flames!