A/N – Okay…time for some Q&A

1) What's up with Azra?

Azra's behavior is nothing new. I've actually been setting up his story for quite a while. Both Quil and Embry have mentioned several times that Azra's always been quiet and guarded. If you've read my notes on the seven "Volturi Era" wolves (in my forum), it's mentioned that Azra keeps his thoughts private for a reason. Az has been one of my favorites for awhile now. I'm glad I got to spotlight him for a little bit. You'll find out more about him in the kids' story. And yes, I'm still planning on writing a story about Nate/Meena/Gracie/Gabe/Ryan.

2) Does Luke go to school?

Yes, he's in first grade, but due to the accident and his injuries, he's missed quite a bit of the first couple of months of school. But not to worry. One thing you'll learn about Luke is that he's extremely smart. Like father, like son.

3) How many chapters are left?

I originally thought this story was going to go to 30 chapters, but I've changed some things. All I can say is that it's going to end around 30 chapters. It might go over, it might go less. I'll let you know when I'm at the end.

Chapter 26 – Hello and Goodbye

Rebecca's POV

"Aloha, this is your captain speaking. We'll be landing in Honolulu in approximately 15 minutes. Please make sure that your seatbelt is fastened at this time. We appreciate you flying with United Airways."

I checked to make sure that Luke's seatbelt was locked into place before putting mine on. I hated taking him out of school for this, but he had already missed so much, what was one more week? Besides, who knew when Luke would get a chance to see Ian again.

I was anxious to get this trip over with. It was the end of an era for me. After 22 years of marriage, I would be leaving Hawaii as a divorcée. I couldn't help but feel a little sad about that. Ian and I had a lot of history together, good and bad, but I knew it was for the best and I didn't regret it.

I closed my eyes as we began our descent, my mind instantly drifting to Embry. Nothing new there, I always thought about Embry. I knew he wasn't happy about Luke and me going on this trip, but he also understood that it had to be done.

After Nate's birthday party a couple of weeks ago, Embry had built up a wall around himself that was the size of an invisible fortress. With Luke, he was kind and gentle as always. Luke remained indifferent in front of Embry, but whenever he wasn't around Luke was always quoting him, saying "Embry said this" or "Embry said that."

With me though, Embry wouldn't allow me to get close. I understood his caution. I had treated him horribly in the past. It didn't stop me from crying my eyes out at night. I wanted Embry, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. I loved him with all my heart. Was it wrong for me to hope and wish that after everything I had done to him, he could love me back?

A part of me craved for the easy existence of our youth. We'd been so comfortable around each other back then. That was until Embry hit puberty and became mute around me, blushing every time I tried talking to him. Still, I would rather have "awkward" Embry than the cold, indifferent Embry I faced today. But I deserved it.

Our relationship now wasn't about me anyway. It was about Luke. I wanted Luke and Embry to get to know each other and build a bond. That was all that was important. At least that's what I told myself.

The plane touched down and we exited it. The fragrant, familiar air surrounded me, and yet, I yearned for the fresh ocean and pine scents of La Push. I wanted to be back there. In the years I had been away from the state of Washington, I had always felt this inexplicable pull inside me, calling to me to return home. Now it was so much worse. I wanted to get right back on the plane and order the pilots to drop me off at Embry's apartment. My heart lurched just at the idea of seeing him again. Sighing, I grabbed Luke's hand as we made our way to the luggage claim area.

"Becca!"

I turned and saw Ian making his way towards us with a huge smile on his face. My own face lit up in an answering smile.

"Dad!" Luke shouted, running over to Ian to climb into his lap.

Ian stopped pushing the wheelchair that was now his permanent mode of transportation and wrapped his arms around Luke. My eyes momentarily stung with tears as I thought of how unfair life had been to Ian. First my betrayal, then the car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Ian's spirit never broke though, which was another reason why I would always love him. I might not be in love with him anymore, but he would always be one of my closest friends. I was lucky that he still accepted me so graciously in his life.

"I can't believe how big you've gotten," Ian remarked, running a hand over Luke's dark hair before looking at me.

"You look like hell Becca," he stated, blunt as always.

"Thanks," I laughed. "I've missed you too."

I leaned down and lightly kissed his cheek, straightening quickly as I saw a woman speeding over to us. My relationship with Ian's fiancée before they got engaged had always been good. I liked Trish. She was warm hearted and she treated Ian like a king. Once their relationship shifted from physical therapist/patient to something more, our friendship quickly frosted over. I knew Ian had to have told Trish everything about our marriage which would warrant her cool reception. Even now, with her red, curly hair pulled back into a sophisticated bun and her expression casual, I could sense the dislike oozing off of her.

"Hello Trish, it's good to see you again," I said politely.

"You too, Rebecca," Trish nodded, not looking at me.

Ian looked from me to Trish to Luke before saying, "Uh…why don't we go back to the house."

I nodded and we were off. We stopped by a hotel first so Luke and I could get a room, before we headed over to my old house which Ian and Trish were now occupying. Luke barely left Ian's side as we got caught up on what we'd been doing over the past month. There were still some items in the house I had to sort through that were mine, so I did this as we talked. Luke sat on Ian's lap and told him about his new life on the Rez and all about his school, which he had only attended a couple of weeks so far thanks to the accident and this trip. Ian told me about how he had opened up another surfing school in California. Though he could no longer do the traditional surfing that made him a name, he still boogey-boarded. Reading between the lines, Ian was on his way to becoming a filthily rich man. The one topic none of us brought up was Embry.

I finished packing the rest of my belongings and made arrangements to have them shipped to La Push. We ate dinner with Trish and Ian, before Trish dropped us off at the hotel. I called my father to let him know we had gotten to our destination safely. I tried calling Embry too, but I got his voicemail as he was at work. I left him a message telling him we were okay and that I'd see him when I got back.

I tried not to feel too disappointed. I really wanted to talk to Embry and even hearing his voice on his voicemail made me want to cry from the longing I felt. I wanted him next to me holding my hand. However, it would have been in extremely poor taste to bring the man I got impregnated by while married to my divorce.

The next day Ian and I met with our lawyers and signed the final documents which made us officially divorced. I didn't want anything financially from Ian which I'd told him beforehand. So it came as a surprise to learn that Ian had put five percent of his business's shares into a college trust fund for Luke. When I saw how much money had already accumulated I objected, but Ian was adamant. I knew that with the money Ian gave, Luke could major in anything he wanted, and he'd have plenty of money left over at the end of his education.

I spent the next few days getting the rest of my affairs in order and saying goodbye to old friends. The day before I was supposed to head back to La Push, I dropped Luke off at Ian's so they could spend the morning together while I met with my business partner to sell my half of the gallery. It took little time to get everything settled. Once the sale was completed, I headed back to Ian's with a sense of relief. All my loose ends were now tied up. When I knocked on the front door of my former house, Ian opened it with a troubled expression on his face.

"I think I did something really bad," Ian admitted worriedly.

I looked around for my son and felt instant dread.

"Becca, I'm sorry…I didn't know," Ian tried to explain.

"What's happened?" I asked trying not to feel panicky.

"I asked Luke what he thought about his father since no one was bringing it up. I thought you would've told him already, and you weren't talking about it in front of me to spare my feelings or something."

Shit! "Where's Luke?"

"He's in the backyard on his swing," Ian said, looking shame-faced.

I ran out the backdoor and headed towards the tree where we had hung up a tire swing a few years before. My heart broke as I looked at Luke sitting inside the tire, looking dejected. He was using his toe to push himself back and forth.

"Hey," I said, taking a seat on the grass next to him.

Luke didn't reply. He just kept staring at the ground.

"Luke, why don't you come sit down next to me and we can talk?" I suggested, but Luke shook his head.

Sighing, I said, "I know you must be confused. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. Embry and I wanted you to get to know him first."

Upon hearing Embry's name, Luke hid his face against the tire and kicked uselessly at the ground.

"I just don't understand," Luke finally whispered. "I thought you loved Dad."

"Oh honey, I do," I responded. "Ian and I are very good friends and I'll always love him as one. But that's not always enough sometimes. A mom and dad should be together because they love each other so much they don't want to be without one another. Ian and I stopped feeling that way about each other a long time ago."

"And then you fell in love with E-Embry?" Luke asked, still not looking at me.

How did I respond to this? I pulled on a piece of grass until it broke in my hand. I wrapped the blade around my index finger. I was sick of the lies, so I told my son the truth.

"Embry and I have known each other since we were kids. And then before you were born, I met him again and yes, I fell in love with him. But I was silly and I didn't realize how I felt. When I finally knew, he had moved far away."

"Didn't he want us?" Luke asked, looking at me for the first time. My heart broke into a thousand pieces as I stared into his red, tear-stained eyes.

"He never knew about you," I whispered.

"You mean, he didn't want to know about me," Luke responded belligerently, anger setting into his face. No six-year-old should ever look like that.

"That's not true," I replied instantly. "Since Embry found out you were his son, he hasn't left your side. He wants to be a part of your life."

Luke shook his head before staring into the distance. "How come you didn't tell him right away that I was his son?"

"Because I…" I paused, trying to figure out how to proceed. What could I say?

Your mommy was a cheap, unfaithful slut who got impregnated by a man who wasn't her husband, and she was stupid enough to not know who the father was.

Yeah, that should go over really well.

"When I went to tell Embry you were his son, he had moved to Africa to work in a hospital there, and I didn't know how to get a hold of him. And then Ian got into that car accident and I had to stay here to help him. As soon as I could though, I told Embry you were his son."

Luke sniffed before shaking his head stubbornly. "I hate him. I wish I never even met him. I don't want him to be my dad."

My heart broke all over again. "Luke, this isn't Embry's fault. If you want to be mad at someone be mad at me. It's all my fault. I handled everything wrong. Please don't blame Embry. You both deserve to get to know each other."

Luke put his head back down on the tire and didn't say anything more. Sighing again, I got up and walked over to him, kissing him on top of his head.

"I love you Lucas Mason. All of us do. No matter what happens or how you might be feeling right now, you remember that." When I didn't get a response, I added, "I'll be inside if you want to talk."

Luke didn't react so I went back inside the house.

"How is he?" Ian asked worriedly.

"Feeling pretty ticked off at the world," I replied, rubbing at my forehead tiredly.

"Hey," Ian said quietly.

I looked up and saw that he had his hand out for me to take. I did so and he pulled me onto his lap. I put my head on his shoulder and took a deep breath of Ian's aftershave. It wasn't addicting like Embry's scent was, but it was familiar and comforting.

"So what about you and what's his face? How are things going?" Ian asked and I had to smile at his phrasing.

"Oh, he hates me," I replied.

Ian shrugged. "He'll get over hating you. We all do."

"Thanks a lot," I muttered.

"Well, you're too damn cute to be mad at for long," Ian joked, grabbing my chin and pulling my face to his so that he could lightly peck my lips with his. It was nothing but a gesture of friendship on his part and I knew that.

I sighed. "I've messed up too much. He won't forgive me and neither will Luke. I'm surprised you can even stand me."

"Becca, he'll forgive you. So will Luke," Ian told me confidently. "You know how I know?"

I shook my head.

"Because underneath it all…underneath all the pain and anger…they'll realize the same thing I did. You're unfailing human and when you make mistakes you do them with a flourish I don't envy. But you always do what you feel is right, you stand up for your convictions, and most importantly, you're a good person. You knew how much I needed you when I was recuperating and you didn't leave my side, not once. I'll never forget that."

Ian cupped my face and made me look at him.

"You're a good person Becca," he repeated with absolute conviction. "You're a fighter. If I know you, this guy doesn't stand a chance. You've waited long enough to be with him. I knew you were attracted to him even back then. I hated every time you went to La Push because I feared what inevitably happened. And whatever game he's playing with you, don't kid yourself. I saw him at your brother's wedding. He was in love with you. He's probably been in love with you for years."

I hugged my ex tightly before getting off his lap. I went to look out the window at Luke who was still swinging in his tire looking forlorn. I really hoped Ian was right. I turned back to look at him.

"You'll be okay, right?"

"Yeah," Ian replied, smiling widely. "Trish is the best thing to ever happen to me…no offense. I'm going to be more than okay."

I smiled and felt relief at his words. I could close this chapter in my life and know that everything I was leaving behind here would thrive and prosper without me. It was all I could hope for with Ian.

The next morning, Luke and I were on our way back to La Push. Ian saw us off at the airport. Luke hugged him like he didn't want to let him go. I didn't know when they'd see each other again, but I knew they planned on keeping in touch through email.

Luke still wasn't happy with me. As we got in our seats on the plane, he buckled up and slouched in his chair, turning to look out the window as we took off. Once we landed in Seattle, we hopped on a smaller plane that took us to the airport in Port Angeles. Embry had to work so my sister and Paul came to get us. Once I got to my dad's, it was to find that the items I shipped earlier from Hawaii had arrived. I was organizing them when I heard Luke and my dad talking in the living room.

"I don't want Embry to be my dad," Luke cried.

"I'd be pretty proud myself to have a dad who's a doctor," my father scolded. "You don't know him Lucas, but I've known Embry since he was a little kid. He's hard working and I know that given the chance, he'd be the best father you could ever ask for."

"I already have the best father," Luke muttered.

"Luke..." my dad said. "I know you want to be loyal to Ian, but I don't think he'd want you to be miserable. And let me tell you something else. I'd be feeling pretty darn lucky if I had two fathers who both loved me. That's more than some kids ever get. Embry sure didn't. He never had one dad growing up supporting him, let alone two dads."

That piqued my son's interest. "What happened to his dad?"

"His father couldn't be with him. He wanted to be, but he wasn't able to raise him. Embry grew up without ever knowing his dad."

Something in the way my father spoke made me frown. From what I knew of Joshua Uley, he didn't seem like he had a deep desire to be a father to either of his sons. My father looked up and saw me standing in the hallway.

He shook his head, muttering something that sounded like, "That boy's got a lot of explaining to do still."

"What I'm trying to say Luke," my father continued speaking, "is you should give Embry a chance. At least get to know him a little better. That can't hurt, right?"

"I guess not…" Luke murmured.

"Good, because Embry's a guy any kid would be proud to have as a father," my dad said convincingly.

A football game started on TV instantly ending the conversation. I went into my bedroom and called Embry but got his voicemail again. I asked him if he could come over for dinner after work. A half hour later, I got a brief text from him that only said, "yes."

I was finishing up a salad when I heard a knock on the front door. I went to answer it, but Luke was there first. When he opened it, Embry was standing on the other side. He looked exhausted, but as soon as his eyes met mine, the world seemed to fade and I forgot how to breathe.

"So…my mom and d-dad said you're my father," Luke said bluntly, instantly breaking the spell Embry had me under. I watched as Embry's eyes widened. He looked at me in surprise, and I nodded to confirm that Luke knew the truth.

"That's right," Embry finally said, before asking, "Is that okay with you?"

"Do you want a son?" Luke asked, tilting his head stubbornly.

I was familiar with that look. That was how Luke looked when he was terrified. He was scared Embry would reject him. I felt sick. I had done this to them. Would I ever be able to forgive myself for this? Would they?

Embry seemed to know exactly what was troubling Luke because he crouched down in front of him until they were eye level. "Yes, I want you. Very much."

I saw Luke's shoulders relax before he nodded slowly. He held out his hand for Embry to shake. Embry gave a little half smile before he reached down to clasp Luke's hand in his.

"Grandpa said I should give you a chance," Luke explained importantly. He looked at his grandfather before glancing back at Embry. "We're watching the Seahawks. Do you like them?"

"Definitely," Embry replied. Luke nodded in satisfaction before he moved to the couch. Embry followed and sat down next to him.

I could see by the smile on Luke's face that Embry had passed his first test. My boys were soon yelling at the officials on TV. Shaking my head, I went back into the kitchen to finish dinner. I was about to check on the steaks I was cooking when I was suddenly whirled around and pulled against a very hard muscular chest. I glanced up just as Embry's lips came crashing down on mine.

It had been seven long years since I'd felt him this way, but my body instantly remembered. I moaned as I threw my arms around his neck. He broke away only to lift me up so that I was sitting on top of the counter. He moved between my legs and kissed me again, wrapping his arms around me so tightly that there was no space between our bodies. I held him to me, hooking my legs around him securely. Embry's tongue sought mine. As soon as I granted him that right, our tongues reunited joyfully. Just as things were beginning to spin truly of control, Embry stepped back. My legs fell trembling to the floor.

"Thank you," he whispered, giving me one more soft kiss before leaving.

I had to grip the counter with both of my hands to keep myself up as I watched him leave. As soon as he was out of sight, I lifted one shaking hand to my lips, trying to savor the moist essence left by his mouth.

Stupidly, I thought of the word aloha.

It meant hello and goodbye.

Goodbye Ian…

Hello Embry.

A/N – Please review!