A/N: So, I've written another chapter and a half. It's winding down to the end. I would say by chapter 35 or so we should be at the end. *tear* I can't believe it, it feels like I just started it yesterday.
Thanks as always to you few and proud who keep me going with your great reviews. I wish I had more but I'm grateful to all of you who say such awesome things.
Deidra, if you're reading. lets talk about your offer to review, I'd love some input. I couldn't respond to your review so hit me up in a PM or something.
Oh and I'm volunteering at a camp right now so updating hasn't been as frequent. Sorry!
Chapter 25: I'm overprotective...you're overprotective...we're all overprotective
Sophie's POV
"So are things going any better with your friends?" I asked Abbey as we headed into the woods.
"Same old, same old," she shrugged, "I ran into one of my brother's friends and he's like grown three inches and has acne all over." She started to chuckle.
"See, we all have our awkward growth spurts. I bet when you start school this week you'll see a lot more."
"I guess," she said. I could tell she wasn't excited about getting back into school. But I also got the feeling that it was more than just her awkward growth spurt and those teasing like fucks that had her so down.
"So what's REALLY bothering you?" She looked a little wary of opening up to me. I hoped she could though. I felt a connection to her. She had lost her mother like I did, though she was younger than me when it happened. I couldn't imagine going through my adolescence without my mother, I wanted to be there for her to help her.
"Well, you know how my brother is hanging out out with Sam and the guys all the time now?" I just nodded, "Well dad says Jackson will be too."
"That's not such a bad thing though right? I mean the guys are good, they'd be good influences on your brothers." I couldn't help but be offended that this was bothering her so much. Protective momma bear and all.
"Yeah but it's weird, they are so much older and stuff. Why do they want to hang out with two kids?"
"Well, I seem to notice that all the guys in their little 'pack' have fathers or grandfathers, or hell even great grandfathers that were leaders of this tribe. Your grandfather was friends with Quil, Sr. right?" She nodded, "So I think they are just kind of sticking together like family due to the connection their elders had. Big brother type of shit."
"Makes sense I guess, I just keep hear things you know, or remembering things I've heard in the past."
"Like rumors?" I asked as she just looked at me hesitantly, "Honey I don't follow what you mean. What rumors have you heard?"
"You haven't been here long Sophie, but I remember. I remember when Collin and Brady were younger and started hanging out with Sam and his little army." I had to laugh at this, picturing the guys younger running around like they owned the place.
"I'm serious, people said some really bad things about them. There was the drug use, steroids, all night partying. And no one did anything cuz of who their parents and grandparents were."
I was shocked, I motioned for her to keep going. "Well, time passed people stopped gossiping, hell Sam is a policeman for gosh sakes, I just…" She stopped for a long time and we just kept walking. I knew she wasn't done talking and I was giving her time.
"They say the legends are true Sophie! The old stories, Ephraim Black's legacy, they say it's all true." I wanted to laugh again but I could tell by the serious frown on her face that she was torn. I needed to comfort her.
"Do you remember what I said at the bonfire?" She just nodded but looked at me confused.
"Abbey, some parts of these stories may be true, some probably just tall tales told so children wouldn't act up. But listen to me, do you seriously think that Sam and Jake have some sort of vampire fighter's club that they stole your brothers away to join?"
"It does sound pretty ridiculous when you say it like that." And then we both stopped walking we were laughing so hard.
"I know it's tough for you right now, in a house full of boys who are changing into men while you're changing a lot yourself." I pulled out a key I had Ben go make earlier in the day. When Sam told me he'd be bringing Abbey over I thought I might need it. I handed her the key.
"I want you to have this, come here anytime. Get to know the guys your brothers are hanging out with or just come to escape the testosterone overflow. I want you to be able to come to me for anything."
She gave me a really big hug as tears soaked my shirt. "Thank you so much Sophie, I know you're only like ten years older than me so you're like a big sister, but you are so much more than that too."
"Awe shucks doll, just call me Momma Bear, all the young ones do." I said laughing and wiping her tears away.
We started towards the house and I could see Sam and Quil on the front porch. Koda ran up to them and sat down at Sam's feet staring at him like he was awaiting orders or something. Sam stood up and was beaming with that fucking sexy grin of his.
Abbey sighed next to me. "What is it?" I asked her curiously.
"He looks at you like there is nothing else on Earth for him but you."
"He does not," I said shyly looking down but then looking back up to him. Does he?
"Nope, he does, open your eyes woman. That boy is hooked."
"Well I am more irresistible than chocolate during PMS." I said trying to lighten the mood. The truth was it scared me the way that Sam and I were drawn to each other.
"Fiiiiifiiii," Quil whined, "When's dinner? I'm starving."
"Well, you could cook for yourself you damn bottomless pit. I swear you guys are worse that Shaggy and Scooby…hey you aren't smoking anything to give you the munchies all the damn time are you?"
Everyone laughed as Quil pouted and stomped off to the house mumbling something about maybe Fifi would relax if she smoked something herself. I just rolled my eyes and patted Abbey's hand.
"Come on hun, lets go make enough lasagna to feed a small country."
As we walked back into the house Sam's arms wrapped around my from behind and he leaned into my neck. Me - Butter - melting!
"She okay?" I paused shortly and just nodded. Of course Mr. Fucking Notices Everything caught that.
"Tell me what's going on Angel."
"She's fine, she's just worried about her brothers." Then I started laughing. "Did you know there are rumors about you guys?"
I felt Sam stiffen up behind me, and not in the good way. "Yeah??"
"Yeah, apparently when the twins were about 15/16 and hanging with you old folks the kids at school started some rumors. I guess they are starting to say the same shit about Henry and Jackson."
He still hadn't relaxed obviously he knew the rumors. So I turned around to face him. "Hey, lighten up, it's not like anyone really believes that you turn into dogs and chase Dracula, kids are just mean and apparently not really that creative."
He chuckled coldly but his body was still tense. "Yeah, kids are dicks."
Dinner took a long time to make since Anne and I were trying to teach Abbey the basics of cooking, she said that since her mom died if her dad can't fry it or microwave it then they don't eat. We all laughed but I felt bad for her not having someone around to do these things with. It made me glad that I had my mom as long as I did even though it wasn't long enough.
My family sat down for dinner with Abbey, and by family I mean my intimate family, Anne, Quil and Sam of course. I felt like everyone that I've met so far is like family but these people with me tonight were the closest. It was a rarity to have so few people at my house but it was also nice.
"So Abbes – Can I call you Abbes? Abbes, you're 15 so that's what 10th grade?" Quil asked trying to help make her feel a little more comfortable.
"Um. Yeah 10th grade. You know...I have Mrs. Thompson for English," Quil's face paled as Anne started laughed. The rest of us looked clueless.
"Yeah, she still tells the story of how you, Jake and Embry reenacted the balcony scene from Cyrano de Bergerac as your final project."
That was all the ammunition that Ben needed.
"Dude, please tell me – you were Roxane weren't you?"
"Well he did have the longest hair back then, and the highest voice," Anne stated laughing so hard she was pounding her fist on the table. I had to use my napkin to wipe the tears away that were falling.
"Screw you guys," he said in his best Eric Cartman voice, "saved our grades in the class that year. I. Am. Not. Ashamed." He huffed as he crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.
"Good, then you won't mind if I bring the pictures to Jake's BBQ tomorrow."
"MOM!!!"
"Okat, okay, one last question and we'll stop son," my dad added and Anne's eyes lit up when he called Quil son. "I have to know, who'd you end up kissing? Jake or Embry?"
"It has to be Jake, only his crazy ass would come near those lips," I said trying to imagine two scrawny prepubescent Quileute's doing classical literature.
"You'd think, but Embry was the only one who fit in the costume we rented," Quil said proudly.
Ben and I looked at each other and raced into the kitchen for my cell phone. I put it on speaker and dialed the number.
"Hello."
"Through the whirlwind which your eyes stir up inside me. But now, in this blessed darkness, I feel I am speaking to you for the first time." Ben quoted Cyrano perfectly. I think everyone would be surprised to know he was a Cum Laude college graduate.
"God's whiskers! Your face is hideous as the demon's in my storybook!" I quoted my favorite Roxane line.
The line was quiet for a few moments while we waited…waited…and then.
"What the fuck, SOPHIE!!!!" HA!
"Yes darling?"
"Don't darling me, you tell Quil that I'm going to pineapple slap his ascot tomorrow." I was giggling so hard I dropped the phone. Ben picked it up.
"Oh, don't be like that Em, Anne's bringing pictures by the way." He said and hung up as Embry was still going off.
Dad and Anne left shortly after that, offering to drop Abbey off at home on their way. I gave her a big hug and walked her to the car.
"Thanks so much for inviting me Sophie, this is just what I needed, to feel normal again."
"Well, if you consider that normal." I laughed motioning toward the house. "And I mean it, you come over whenever you need to. You have a key, so even if I'm not home okay?"
"Yeah, thanks again."
I waved and watched them leave. Ben and Quil were standing on the front porch.
"So…am I spending the night at Quil's again?" Ben asked semi jokingly but was eying Sam the whole time.
"Of course not, you can stay you dumb ass. But," I looked to Sam for confirmation, he just simply winked at me. Pretty fucking sure of himself isn't he? "But, Sam is staying too. If he wants," I added quickly.
"Of course he wants," Sam said as he pulled me into a kiss.
"Alright, alright. But I have rules."
"Rules? It's my house."
"But I will be in the next room Soph. So. Rule #1. Clothes on at all times unless behind closed doors." Fuck Ben, really? Could he be anymore crass?
"Rule #2. No hanky panky when I'm in the house. Sleep, and that's it."
"You better sleep at Quil's then," Sam said not looking away from me. I slapped him playfully.
"No, I can't do another night on the couch. Soph PLEASE, I'm your brother."
"Okay, fine." I stomped my foot like a 4th grader. Sam pouted.
After dishes were done and the kitchen was clean I went to the back door with Koda and slipped on my flip flops. I shouted to Ben and Sam who were watching TV. "I'm taking Koda to the beach before it gets any darker for one last walk. I'll be back in about 15 minutes."
I wasn't even halfway down my backyard when Sam was at my side and grabbed my hand. "I'll come with you."
"Sam, I am more than capable of taking my dog on a quick walk."
"Mmm. Maybe but you never know, I can't let anything happen to you now can I?"
"Right, the boogie man may come find me." I rolled my eyes, this protective thing I was going to have to get used to. I noticed all the guys like that with their girls. I kind of liked it, it turned me on, but I wasn't going to let him know that.
We sat down on the sand while Koda played in the surf. I scooted close to him to keep warm and he wrapped his arm around me. It didn't take long and we were making out like high school kids. I could kiss this man all day like it was my fucking job.
I was lying in the sand with him pressing down on me in all the right spots, everywhere his hands or lips went I felt his touch branding itself into my body. Then, then I felt someone licking my face. UUHHH Ack. "Koda!" I shouted and he turned to Sam and started licking him.
We started laughing and Sam helped me up. We headed back toward the house. "So are you really going to stay with me tonight?"
"Angel, after last night, I don't think I'll be able to sleep alone ever again." Swoon.
"Well, I think we can arrange that." I said jumping on his back so he could carry me the rest of the way.
"Do you need to go home and get a change of clothes? I assume you'll just go to Jake's from here tomorrow right?"
"Yep, but no need, when I was home earlier today I threw an extra pair of clothes in the car."
"Pretty fucking sure of yourself there aren't you?"
"Maybe."
"You know it's a good thing you're so cute or else I might kick your presumptive ass all the way to Oregon." He just laughed at me and gave me a little shrug.
After saying good night to Ben I jumped in a quick shower to wash the sand out of my hair. I got out and dressed and moved to the sink to brush my teeth. I saw an extra red toothbrush in the cup on the counter. I smiled, I fucking smiled because his toothbrush was at my house, in my bathroom. Seriously. What the fuck is wrong with me.
I walked into the bedroom to find Sam in all his glorious half nakedness already under the covers. I crawled in beside him and snuggled up to his side. I started placing kisses on his chest and up his neck. He let out a loud groan when I bit down.
"I fucking mean it you guys, I don't want to hear any fucking thing but snores coming out of that room." Ben shouted from the next room over. I just started laughing and placed one last kiss on Sam's lips.
He rolled towards me so that he was on his side with one arm draped over my stomach as I stayed on my back. "Fucking cockblocking brother of yours." But he was smiling so I know he wasn't mad.
"Two more days baby, and then we'll be all alone," I said seductively which caused him to groan and bury his face in my neck. We both fell asleep quickly.
~~**~~
We got to Jake and Bella's around noon after lazing around all morning. Anne and dad came by for breakfast and we spent the morning bonding before they had to fly out the next day.
After helping out in the kitchen for a while I came out to the back yard to find dad and Quil, Sr. talking privately in the far corner of the yard. I went to join everyone else who were camped out on several long picnic tables.
"What's that about?" I asked motioning to where dad was standing.
"Well Soph, seems old man Quil wanted to have a little talk with dad."
"Yeah, payback's a bitch," Sam laughed as he pulled me into his lap.
Sue came up and patted Anne's hand, "Awe Anne, your father-in-law is giving the 'what are your intentions with my daughter' talk to Jimmy." Anne just rolled her eyes.
Both men walked back over to where we were all sitting, dad was pale and in a daze while Quil, Sr. had a smirk on his face. Quil stood up and placed his large arm around my dad's shoulder. They have really gotten close and Quil of course approves of dad dating his mom but being Quil still has to give him a hard time.
"So, did Jimmy make the cut gramps? You know I'm counting on you to weed out the crap for me."
"Quil my young one, I think that Jimmy is a fine man. First one I've approved of since my son passed away."
"So dad, I think that means you can breath now," I said laughing when he blew out a big breath.
Leah, Abbey and I took the kids to play in Eph's sandbox while Paul and Jake finished grilling. I was happy to see how well Leah had taken to Abbey. She needed more women in her life and I think it did good for Leah too. She's around too many guys, it's made a little too rough around the edges. I laughed to myself at the thought.
"So I was thinking Soph, maybe this weekend we could go to Port Angeles and go shopping or something." I could tell it was all Leah could do to keep from vomiting on her own words.
"Very funny Leah, wouldn't you rather go fishing with Charlie or a shooting range or roll around in the mud. Whatever the fuck you do to make sure your femininity stays in check." I heard Abbey giggle lightly and Leah shot both of us a glare.
"First of all, fuck you, I do not shoot guns and roll around in mud. Second of all, fuck you some more."
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you, I just mean really? Shopping? I'd rather take Collin than you." I saw her shoot a worried look across the yard and turn to see Sam staring at us. What was that about?
"No seriously Sophie, lets do something this weekend, even if it's girly. I miss hanging out with you."
"I miss hanging with you too babe, but I can't this weekend anyway. I'm spending the weekend at the Makah Rez."
She looked surprised and again shot a look to Sam who looked like he was mad. Did he just hear us? Was he mad because I was leaving? It was only for a weekend. We all sat down to eat finally, Sam sat down a plate in front of me before going off to fix his two or three plates.
"So, Soph, what are you doing at the Makah Rez anyway?" Cam had asked. Sam was just sitting down and looked at me worried. Oops, I did forget to tell him I was going but like I said earlier, what's the big fucking deal? I can't believe I forgot to mention it to anyone but it has been a pretty crazy week.
"Um, Well, Sue helped me set up a visit so I could do some interviews for my thesis. I leave Friday afternoon and with get back on Sunday. Time for me to start buckling down and get some work done."
Sam had that confused figuring out a math problem look of his. "You didn't tell me you were leaving."
"I didn't know I had to, what were you're words? 'check in with the warden'." I said grinning a cheeky grin and placing a kiss on his cheek.
"I just mean, you shouldn't be going off by yourself like that."
Ben started laughing, "Sam you better get used to it, she's been doing things by herself since she could walk. I don't think there is anything to worry about."
I could tell there was still worry etched on his face as he shared a silent conversation with some of the guys. After we ate I sat down with Collin and Brady who were trying to sneak beers out of one of the coolers. I came up behind Brady and smacked him in the back of the head and grabbed the beers.
"You guys ready for school tomorrow?" They had to start classes this week while my online courses didn't open until next Monday.
"Of course Momma Bear, you've only asked us like a hundred times."
"I know baby, I'm just excited for you. And you're car pooling with Seth and the girls right?"
"Yeah," Brady said, "that is if Seth and Cam can keep their hands off each other, I'm not spending two hours in a car watching them dental floes each others teeth with their tongues."
"First off, ewww," came a small voice from behind me. "Second, your just jealous."
Cam had really come out of her shell since the first bonfire she came to. She was a nice young girl and her and Nanna have become really close.
"yeah right, I'm jealous, Seth is so pussy whipped right now he doesn't even take a piss without checking with you first."
Seth came up behind Brady and locked him in a head lock. "Watch it asshole or I'll dump your sorry ass over the cliffs." And then a three way wrestling match ensued between the twins and Seth.
I was walking out to Sam's car a few hours later to load up some of the leftovers that Bella was sending with me for the boys.
"Hey Miss S. I hear you're heading to Mak this weekend."
"Hey Em, yeah I am."
"Do you mind if Nanna and I tag along? It's been a while since I've seem my mom, it'd be nice to visit."
That's random.
"Um, yeah I guess. I won't be much fun though, I'll be working the whole time. Wait. Your mom lives on the Makah Rez?"
"Yeah she moved up there two years ago to be closer to her sisters." I guess he could sense my confusion. "She is Makah, Soph, she just moved down here to raise me because my father…well anyway, she thought I should be closer to the Quiluetes since my father was one."
Hmmm. That sounds like an interesting story. I wonder if she would let me interview her.
"Sure Em, that'll be fun. We leave at 3 on Friday." He just nodded and turned to Sam who had made it to the car during our conversation. I didn't miss the approving node that Sam gave Embry. Aha, that Donkey figured out a way to watch over me this weekend. Sly Fucker.
Sam and I drove to Anne's house where we were going to hang out with dad and Ben since they were leaving first thing in the morning. We spend the night playing board games and just hanging out. It was going to be hard to say goodbye to them again.
I fell asleep during our 4th game of Scene It, it took forever to play when the guys argued every freaking answer. At one point someone got mad enough to toss the board and we had to start all over. Men!
I woke up as I was being carried in the house by Sam. He gently pulled off my jeans and left me in my t-shirt and slipped me under the covers. I tried to pretend to stay asleep so I could enjoy the moment but my smile gave me away.
"I know you're awake Angel," he chuckled as he kissed my forehead, then my nose, them my lips. He pulled away and started towards the door.
"Where are you going?" Suddenly afraid that I would spend the night alone.
"Oh, well I'm gonna walk Koda then Ben and I have a rematch to get to. You sleep now, I'll be back soon." I was too tired to protest.
I had to laugh at the boys and their stupid competitive nature. I had a feeling they would be up all night until one of them finally gave in. Not long after I drifted to sleep I felt a warmth surround me. I turned towards it and placed my head on Sam's chest. I fell back to sleep to the gentle snores that have become my new lullabye.
There it is, I know the last line was about the cheesiest thing I've ever written but I had to give my girl SOMETHING. lol. Please review let me know what you think. Did you all think Abbey was going to phase on her?