JAKE
I woke up to the movement of my imprint. Lea was sitting up, stretching, I watched her through half closed eyes for a moment. I could still scent the guilt heavy on her, no matter how much I worked to take it away. I understood where Lea was coming from wanting to help our friends, but I also could clearly see the fine line of danger we were walking on. I decided that for now I would try to just see where all the pieces fell. What the rest of the pack said and what happened between Embry and Becky. Then I could decide the best course of action for my pack from there.
Until then my mind was whirling with the fact I knew I wanted to propose now. Honestly I'd been toying with the idea inside for about a month, without telling anyone else. I'd been so fucking scared Lea would reject me and I would be left looking like a complete asshole. It was clear to me now that wasn't going to happen. I needed to lay that final claim on my mate, that last tie that had yet to bind us. My wolf knew it would solidify our joining in the public eye and he pressed for it himself. I loved this woman so damn much I couldn't picture my life without her in it.
Lea rose and I moved, purposely loud so that she would turn to me. Her gaze met mine and her expression melted into a devotion that made my blood run even hotter. "Good morning Baby." I shifted around, moving to my back watching her eyes drag over my lounging form with a hungry look, I could scent her arousal, but I could also see her fighting against it. We had an appointment we needed to keep today, one I wasn't that excited about.
"Good morning Jake." Lea padded around the bed, leaning over to kiss me lightly on the forehead. My hand reached out, fondly patting her ass, wishing she was back on top of me like the night before. "I need to go get ready." There was a grin on her face, but Lea's tone was firm telling me I was not going to be able to distract her. I huffed lightly, but didn't force the issue. Her finger tips ran teasingly over my lips and I watched her as she bent to pick up her bathrobe and tying it on, smirked at me one last time before exiting the room.
My expression turned into a frown, I wasn't looking forward to our meeting this morning. It wasn't even that I really thought this Robert guy was any kind of threat to me. It was the fact I could smell his obvious attraction to my mate and unlike strangers who I could just ignore when they were checking out my girlfriend, Lea also liked him, even if it was more in a friend kind of way, similar to the pups or Seth in our pack. My wolf didn't care, he just saw an opponent and it set his blood boiling and I could do nothing but respond with him.
I tired to hinder it because I felt it could make Lea aggravated with me, but I'm not certain I would be able to hold myself back if this guy tried anything. If I'd thought I was territorial before I became in touch with my wolf, I was worst now. Things inside of me were changing, I felt stronger more assured, more right. I was no longer a little boy hiding from the monster inside of him. I was a man in complete control of my power. Now if I could only iron out all the other parts of my life.
Finally dragging myself out of the bed, the scent of our sex from the night before still heavy in the air, I pulled on jeans and a cranberry tee-shirt that Lea always complemented me on. I drank the last of the bottle of water Lea had brought me from the night before and attempted to make the bed. It never looked as tidy as when Lea did it, but I figured the effort would be appreciated. I glanced at the time and realized we'd slept in and were running a little later then Lea would like. I was guessing from that we would probably be grabbing food on the run.
I could hear the shower still going as I walked by the bathroom. I would brush my teeth and stuff after Lea finished, knowing if I went in there now we would not be getting out of the house for quiet some time after. Tromping down the stairs I headed towards the kitchen. I paused in front of the living room. Both Embry and Becky were sitting inside, Embry drinking coffee, Becky milk and both silently watching the morning news on the TV. I got the distinct impression neither of them had said anything to other yet and I shook my head. "We'll be heading out soon." I gave Embry a pointed look when they both turned at the sound of my voice.
My Beta's gaze shied away, obviously attempting to ignore the silent command from me, Becky turned her face to look at me for a moment before she nodded. "I hope Rob's grandma is able to shed some light on this serial killer." Becky's tone was encouraging, but her expression said she had about as much faith in us finding something out today as I did.
"Probably going to be a waste of our fucking time," I grumbled softly to myself, my wolf still brisling and defensive inside. I watched Embry spare a side glance and a smirk at my fuming form, Becky just gave me a momentarily quizzical look.
"Lea wouldn't bother with going, if she didn't think the meeting might help in someway." I frowned, getting the distinct impression that Becky was kind of pissed off at me. I guess I couldn't completely blame her, it was mostly my fault at the moment that she didn't know everything she wanted to and somehow seeing how perceptive she was, Becky had to have reasoned that out for herself. Still I currently had my priorities and I couldn't allow them to waver.
I was high strung already that morning, my wolf clawing at my insides in annoyance. I didn't even try to hamper the deep growl that left my chest at the challenge in Becky's tone and somehow I wasn't surprised when Embry answered with a rumble of his own directed at me. It was well within my right now to posture and show my place as Alpha, but currently emotions were running so thick in the house that I decided it was time for me to be the sensible one for once and just walk away.
Entering the kitchen and crossing to get coffee I heard the sound of the footsteps of my imprint as she came down the stairs herself. She paused to say her greetings also, but hurried into the kitchen without incident. Entering I could tell she was flustered and trying to rush as she kept glancing towards the clock. "How did I over sleep?" She complained as she put on water for some tea. I laughed deeply as walking up behind her I wrapped one arm around her waist buried my face in her hair.
"I think I wore you out." Lea frowned up at me and I found her even more adorable when she was so annoyed. "Hey I'm just being honest!" I shrugged at my imprint and watched as slowly a wide grin spread across her face, before she pushed at me suddenly.
"I swear if I didn't love you so much Jacob Black…" Her threat was empty and teasing, she grabbed a handful of my shirt pulling me down into a kiss. It reminded me I still needed to brush my teeth. Pushing my desire for my mate aside, I told her I would be right back down and tromping upstairs again finished getting ready. Walking back towards the kitchen a short while later I rolled my eyes to see neither Embry nor Becky had moved.
Deciding that was one interpersonal conflict I should probably keep myself out of at the moment, I instead headed back to the kitchen to find Lea drinking tea and of course looking over case notes. I wanted to find this fucking shape shifter as much as anyone but I was starting to worry Lea was putting too much pressure on herself. Maybe as annoyed as I was to be going, Lea seeing some old friends would distract her for a while today. "You ready?" My mate glanced up at my question.
"Yeah let me go say good bye to Embry and Becky." I allowed her to go, I figured I'd already made it clear what I though Em should do. Lea returned shortly with her purse and the two of us left for the afternoon. It felt good to get outside into the brisk air. Hand in hand with the woman I loved, walking around the city I could almost forget we were going somewhere I wasn't terribly interested in.
First we took the subway and then we walked for a ways, even knowing Lea had worked in the city before meeting me; I couldn't help the fact I naturally moved closer to her smaller frame as the area we were walking in became less hospitable. Slightly more run down and I understood how this Robert kid was able to easily get tied up with drugs and gangs like he had.
Still I never scented a hint of fear off my mate and I respected that. She was much more cunning and fearless then most people I knew, which I guess was good being around my completely insane life. We passed a couple less then savory types that stopped to stare at us. My glare and size usually discouraged them away. I hoped no one actually tried to hassle us, I would hate to have to try to reign myself in to protect my secret.
We reached a large apartment complex and Lea turned so I followed her. The building was in better shape then some I'd seen as we walked. It was obvious that the tenants here still cared, still I felt mildly ill at ease expecting danger or maybe I was just still on edge about Robert being around my girlfriend. My imprint could read my moods and nuzzled my arm affectionately as we climbed into the one elevator for the building.
"I know this is probably a waste of time Jake and that you haven't been looking forward to it, but thank you for coming with me. Even if her information doesn't amount to much I own Rob's grandmother the respect of listening to it." I felt my nerves settled as I got what she meant, much like myself with our tribal elders most of my life. Up until I became a part of our legends I continuously wrote them off as silly, still I'd always listened to their words out of my deference for my father and others like him.
"You know I would do almost anything for you." The affection in my voice was thick as I kissed the side of Lea's temple. My words true yet in the same token I could only respect that Lea never took advantage of that fact and instead reciprocated it.
"I'm so lucky." The playful tone of both my imprints expression and voice brought a smile to my face. The doors to the elevator dinged open and I was surprised to see we were near the top floor. Her attention drawn back to our task at hand, Lea exited into the hallway, myself just a step behind her. It only took us moments to cross on the dull carpet until Lea was rapping smartly on a non-descript door that looked just like every other one around us expect for the number.
Brisk, strong foot steps told me that Robert was the one that was going to answer. I cooled my own emotions, knowing my aggression towards him was unwarranted and trying to convince the wolf inside of me of just that fact. The door pulled open and Rob was smiling at the small woman in front of me. "We're so glad you could take the time to come." He gave me a wary glance and I could see was trying to ascertain if I was still challenging him.
"I could never turn down a friendly visit and Jake has been trying to see as much of the city as possible." Lea's tone was neutral and I felt myself cringe inwardly at the fact that I was actually here because I felt like I needed to keep an eye on my girlfriend. It caused me to thrust my hand out towards the other young man, trying to offer a peace gesture now that I was starting to find my actions foolish.
"Yeah thanks for inviting me along too." Robert studied my expression for a moment before he nodded and accepted my gesture of the hand shake.
"Any one important to Lea is welcome here, we owe her so much." The other man bowed his head at me and inside I felt an odd surge of satisfaction. The other male had acknowledged our significance to Lea and that calmed my wolf. I grinned at Rob and for the first time it felt really genuine.
"I hear voices are our guests here?" Surprise crossed my face at the strong, female voice that echoed out across the apartment. It was thickly accented but her English was still clear and true. Lea almost beamed at the sound, not even waiting for Robert to reply but instead calling out herself.
"Mrs. Hezel, we've come to visit you!" Around the corner strode a small, stout woman. Her hair a feathery white, pulled back in a tight bun, her skin winkled but her eyes; blue like her grandson's shown with such wit and intelligence it reminded me of Quil's grandfather.
"I am happy for the company." Mrs. Hezel looked like she was about to say more when upon laying her eyes on me she stopped dead in her tracks. I felt my skin prickle as she studied my frame with a curious expression. Yet it wasn't like an elder assessing the potential of someone's love choice, it was more wary and cautious. "Big man." I shifted from foot to foot under her gaze, not certain what she was trying to ascertain from me. "Your boyfriend?" Mrs. Hezel now looked at Lea.
"Yes Ma'am, this is Jacob Black, I met him where I live now in Washington State." Lea's expression was puzzled too at the other woman's actions. I was about to say a greeting when the older woman stepped closer to me, staring directly up into my face. Suddenly reaching a hand up she pushed it into my chest, I started surprised and fought the growl that sprung from my mouth. Mrs. Hezel to my shock just grinned at my reaction.
"Robert, you may go to class now, I wish to speak to my guests alone." The old woman turned, having it seemed dismissed her grandson, I hazarded a glance at my imprint, but Lea just shrugged at me obviously as bewildered by the woman's actions as I was.
"But grandma!" I think Rob was about to protest, but Mrs. Hezel just waved him off.
"I said go, my old stories bore you and I don't need you scowling at me while I tell them." The older woman now disappeared from around where she had come. I assumed we were supposed to follow her. Lea shot Robert a sympathetic glance.
"Sorry to sort of steal your house Rob." The other man just rolled his eyes.
"She's in one of her moods now I'm used to it. Good luck!" Robert let out an exasperated sigh looking my way as grabbing a jacket from a hook on the wall he exited out the door we had just entered from. I found myself staring blankly at Lea again, realizing I hadn't so much as actually spoken yet, since meeting Mrs. Hezel.
"She's a little too straight forward sometimes, but even I'm a bit confused by this one." Lea seemed more bemused then concerned so I shrugged off my own inner apprehension.
"Did you see she copped a feel?" Mirth in my deep voice, Lea burst out laughing as she started after the path of the old woman. I followed her and the apartment opened up to first a living room and then leads into a kitchen.
"I guess no one can resist your charm Jake." Joking about it made the event seem less surreal, at least until we walked into the kitchen proper.
"I was wondering when one of your kind would show up to hunt the rabid wolf." Mrs. Hezel's steely gaze was locked on me, I froze uncertain I'd just understood what she had said to me right. She seemed un-phased by my expression and instead looked at my girlfriend. "You've done very well for yourself Lea."
My mate didn't even have her usual look of satisfaction on her face that she got when being complimented on me, Lea was instead blinking as seemly shocked as I currently was. "Mrs. Hezel, what do you mean his kind?" I was glad Lea still had her wits about her because I was floundering at the moment.
"I lived with a pack of wolf men for a while when I was young, I will never forget the signs of one. It's obvious your Jacob is a shape shifter." Mrs. Hezel sounded so matter of fact about the topic. Lea's jaw had dropped, she slowly lowered herself into one of the other seats at the kitchen table, I could tell trying to categorize what had just been told to us. All this cryptic bull shit was starting to piss me off and finally I found my voice.
"I need a complete explanation of what you're telling us and I need it right now." I continued standing, behind my mate, feeling a sense of security at being on my feet. My head was spinning and I had no fucking clue how in the span of ten minutes my whole world had turned itself on its head.
"Sit down Jacob, Lea can make us some drinks and we will talk about my childhood." Mrs. Hezel looked pointedly at my girlfriend. I gave Lea credit, she pulled her wits together far quicker then I currently was. Flying up to her feet as I slowly lowered my frame into the kitchen chair nearest to the one she had just been in. Lea nodded and didn't reply instead crossing and I could see preparing coffee and tea for us to drink. Mrs. Hezel meanwhile was still watching my reactions.
"Lea told you the village where I grew up ended up in the middle of territory occupied by the Nazi's during World War II?" The topics appeared to be flipping quickly and I wasn't following how this tied into werewolves, but I knew I needed to reply in order to get more information.
"She didn't give me any details, but she did say you survived the war." I glanced over at Lea who was still working but I could see watching us out of the corner of her eye.
"I was eight, The Nazi's were drawing close, and our village was tiny and had no way to defend or even hid us. So my family and a group from our town decided to take our chances and head up into the mountains and the forest. There were many legends about the area, about monsters, but they were far less frightening then the living breathing threat we were facing marching down around us." The older woman paused briefly as Lea brought her over a steaming cup of tea. She smiled up at my girlfriend and Lea attempted to return the gesture though I could see her mind was still filled with the events unfolding in front of us.
Lea crossed again to get my coffee and I couldn't help myself, my nerves were unsettled and I pulled my mate down into my lap, her body against mine a steady comfort. I noticed Mrs. Hezel watch our movements with knowing eyes, my brow creased as I prodded her to continue. "So what happened in the mountains?"
Mrs. Hezel blew gently on her drink. "It was hard, the weather was poor and I wasn't the only small child. The difficulties turned to terror when we realized a squadron of Nazi Soldiers had discovered us and were closing in. We would have been captured and most likely killed, except when we were cornered by a grouping of rocks staring down the barrels of guns surrounding us a howl broke through the air."
"It wasn't like any wolf I had ever heard before and suddenly all around the entire group of us, villagers and soldiers like were giant wolves. The Nazi's assaulted the wolves, but they were craftier, faster and knew the area better. The wolves killed the soldiers and then to the shock of my group shifted and became men." My heart was pounding, inside my wolf was twisting both our emotions somewhere between excitement and fear, my arms around my imprint were holding her tightly, feeling scarcely able to breath.
"It was a strange experience, but back then, especially out in the countryside like we were magic wasn't that unheard of and people still believed in stranger things. The wolf men greeted us as family, being a child I wasn't really integrated into the conversations of what was precisely going on with them. We were invited to come and stay at their village until the threat of the war had passed. It appears the wolf men found it to be their duty to protect others, from what I do remember they said it was their original purpose for being." Mrs. Hezel was drinking her tea now. Taking a few sips before she continued her story. Lea leaned back against my chest I could see trying to look up at me.
"That sounds similar to the story behind your tribe's transformation Jake." Lea had heard all of the old tales at this point numerous times from my father. My mate loved knowledge and learning in a way I'd never really appreciated, so she had analyzed the legends at length with my dad on occasion. Still Lea was one of the extreme few people outside our tribe that had even heard the stories of the origins of our transformation and I felt an instinctual hesitation to share with this older woman I didn't even know, even as she was laying out for us that she probably understood what we were better then we had when we first started shifting.
I didn't answer my imprint, my gaze instead held on Mrs. Hezel across from me. I nuzzled the side of Lea's temple in acknowledgement of her words, but it was clear I wasn't going to share anything private about our pack without feeling good reason too. The older woman studied me for a long while before a smile broke across her face. "I became very good friends with the son of the second in command of the group, he was very proud of his father, he would go into length telling me about their exploits and what he was going to accomplish when he started transforming himself when he got older. I, at times found myself jealous because I was a child and didn't completely understand and I wanted to be able to become a wolf also and be fearless and protect those I loved."
"My older sister must have felt a similar longing to mine, she was nineteen when we left our village and I watched as she fell in love with one of the wolf men. To this day I have never witnessed men that loved as fiercely or as devotedly as those men did." I watched Mrs. Hezel spare my imprint a knowing smirk and Lea flushed lightly.
"So what happened?" Slowly the apprehension in me was starting to cool, Mrs. Hezel seemed happy to share her information with us while asking for little in return. It gave me a sense of security and in an odd way made her tale seem even more real to me because she silently understood my need to shelter my pack from outsiders.
"The war eventually ended, the wolves had taken in a few more groups like ours over the time period. We were all gently informed it was time for us to leave and return to our regular lives. A few like my sister who had over our stay become the mate of the man she loved stayed. We all owned our lives to the pack that had saved us, so when they asked us never to speak of anything we had seen there we all readily agreed. It was bittersweet. I was thrilled to return to what was left of our home and start to rebuild our lives, but at the same token I had grown to love our time in the wilderness in the wolf man's village. Also my sister had almost been like a second mother to me and even though no one actually came out and said it to me, I knew that once we left because of her choice to stay I was never going to see her again." Mrs. Hezel's look became sad, Lea reached across the table to lightly pat the back of her hand. The older woman looked up at my imprint with gratitude.
"And you never told anyone?" Somehow I couldn't quiet believe that. Mrs. Hezel smiled at the disbelief in my voice.
"I have on occasion attempted to try to explain what happened in round about ways to my children and to Robert. It just seems a shame to me that the tale of such a noble people should disappear with the death of everyone that they helped. For years thought none of us did speak of it, in fact it was nearly a crime in our village to even hint at what had happened. A few years after things had settled back down a couple of the younger men from our town went back into the woods and attempted to see if they could find the wolf men again. They claimed they just wanted to make certain they were alright, I think they had been children like me and fascinated by these people and wanted to join them. Either way if they found the place the village had been again it was gone. None of us ever saw another clue of what had happened to the wolf men and some even started to believe that mass hysteria had caused all of us to invent them. I knew they were wrong though because I always knew in my heart my sister was still with the man that she loved and happier then she ever would have been in our town."
The weight of the old woman's words, more questions then I could even think of started to buzz around my head. I guess I shouldn't be surprised to find out my pack was not the only one, but it just lead to so many uncertainties about where these other giant wolves had come from and why. Studying the woman across from me I was also sadly certain that from the small amount of information she was given while staying with the pack she wouldn't really be able to answer all my ponderings for me. She had just introduced a bigger mystery that I wasn't certain how to start to solve.
"Are you here to take care of the killer wolf?" Mrs. Hezel's question shook me from my own thoughts, I blinked for a moment noticing Lea too was quiet and I think going over everything we had just learned herself.
"Yes, when Lea told me about the case, well it was pretty obvious what was happening and also that we were the only ones that could take care of it." There was no arrogance in my voice only fact. Lea finally pulled away from me rising and I could see returning to fetching our drinks, her expression showing she was still analyzing everything.
"I had actually asked Lea here today to warn her away from chasing this killer. I was afraid she would end up being murdered by the creature, I was surprised when she showed up with you." Mrs. Hezel was still sipping at her tea, her eyes watching me.
"Do you have any suggestions from your experience in how we can track this thing?" My imprint always looking one step ahead, it was part of what made her powerful. She walked back over to the table, sitting down my coffee, sliding back into her original chair with her tea in her hands.
"Sadly no, most of what I remember from my time with the wolf men was playing with my friend and neither of us were even tens years old at the time so my experience was limited. I wish I would have asked my parents more when I was younger, but we never really talked about what happened that much." The older woman's expression was regretful. Lea looked at her with empathy, shaking her head.
"Don't feel bad Mrs. Hezel. Jake and I will come up with something, we usually do." Lea smiled up at me and it filled my heart with warmth. Her faith in us and our ability to combat the world together, it was just what I wanted from her.
"This is admittedly just all a little shocking to us, we've never known of any other shape shifters beyond our pack." I felt safe telling the other woman this fact, leaning against the table top, drinking my coffee. Mrs. Hezel's brow rose at my comment.
"One fact I do know is that those wolf men were not the only ones. My friend often spoke with much pride of his uncle, who was the leader of another group" Mrs. Hezel finished her drink gently placing the tea cup back on the table.
"Over the course of the trip I'm finding out there are a lot of things about my nature I'm just starting to understand." So much had changed for me over this last week, it was both overwhelming and exciting. This news we found out today was just one new piece. Though I did think it was going to fascinate my father to hear.
"Thank you for caring enough to think to warn me." Lea's tone was grateful. I reached across to lightly tug on the curls at the end of her hair affection in my gaze.
"You have done so much good for this family. I wanted to return the favor in any small way possible." The two women exchanged smiles and I almost hated to admit that I had found out more today on this venture then I could have ever even dreamed. The three of us small talked for a while, Lea told Mrs. Hezel bits and pieces of our life. The older woman told Lea about how both she and Robert had been doing. Eventually we excused ourselves to head home.
My mind was still swirling, I planned to call my dad as soon as we reached the house so I could relay everything we had just discovered to him while the facts were still fresh in my mind. I was so busy going over my own plans silently. It didn't even register with me how quiet my imprint was being.
"Jake?" Question in Lea's tone immediately drew my attention to her. We were almost back to the subway entrance from earlier that day.
"Something up?" My mate's expression was so serious. I felt a concerned knot form in my stomach.
"Do you feel I don't know besieged at all about all of this?" Lea stopped walking for a moment turning to look at me. I blinked at her a bit surprised.
"What do you mean?" I reached up to run my fingers along her cheek, she felt out of sorts but not really upset to me. I wasn't exactly certain where my imprint was coming from.
"I guess it had never really dawned on me the scope of what we could be facing. There is this entire world out there, of myth and magic that we know nothing about. Maybe it's silly considering I know you guys and the Cullen's but it still always seemed like our own little story in Forks; but this now it's becoming something so much larger then just us." The concern on my imprint's face, I recognized it. Lea felt out of control of what we were facing at the moment and it was driving her a little crazy.
"Baby, to be honest I've been feeling the epic scope of this pretty much since we left Forks and especially with the tie I've been feeling to my wolf this last week. Things are changing, but I'm not concerned, because I have him and my pack and I have you." Leaning down my lips gently brushed against hers, pulling away I watched Lea fight the grin trying to spread across her face.
"When did you become so confident Jacob Black?" One hand slid up to her hip, Lea's expression playful, but impressed with me. I bathed in this new assurance I did feel.
"Probably right around the same time you first told me you loved me." I watched the saucy expression fall from Lea's face and it was replaced by soft warmth. She glanced down and stuttered for a moment, I could see at a lost for what to say, before her beautiful dark eyes rose again to lock on mine.
"How did I get so incredibly lucky?" Her voice was muted with emotion as she asked me that question for the second time that day. Pulling her roughly to me I pressed my face down and against the pulse in her neck, her submission to me was almost instantaneous.
"The better question is how did you ever managed to make my fucked up world make so much sense?" My warm breath tickled her shoulders and neck. I let out a low whine as her face pressed up and into my neck in return.
"Let's just hope we can continue to hold it all together." I wished we were home suddenly. I wanted to walk the woods with her, make love to my imprint in one of our secret spots. I wanted to pledge myself to her completely. Pulling back I looked into her eyes again.
"Baby I'm really beginning to think our story has only started and we haven't even reached the best part yet, we'll make it through this and it will get even better." My tone was a little cocky and it made Lea smile. Hand and hand we started back towards the subway again. I had my dad and Embry to talk to and so much to plan and then I was looking forward to a night with nothing on my mind but the woman at my side.
AN: I have been so excited to post this chapter! It's the first really look into how I want to expand the universe around Jacob's pack. Sadly though while we will see some more hints and pieces by the end of this story,but the full scope of the world these characters live in won't become clear until book three. I'm genuinely really curious and excited to see what everyone things about this twist, about there being more werewolves. About them being heroes.
Lots of new favorites and follows this past chapter and I want to say a big hello to anyone new reading this story! Crystal-Wolf-Guardain-967 and PastOneonta thank you both so much for your reviews! Squinttern thank you for the review and welcome to the story!
Still a long way from solving the mystery of this shifter or to the conflicts happening with Embry's paternity and his relationship with Becky. Probably have about 15 chapters left in the book! Hopefully everyone continues to enjoy the journey getting there! As always never hesitate to review or PM me on here! I love hearing from all of you!