Epilogue
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Twilight characters but all OCs belong to moi.
Renesmee sits in the middle of the white couch, her parents flanking her on either side as the rest of her family either sit or stand in the living room. Charlie's announcement has brought about a sense of discord to the home. But Renesmee knows that that comment is even an unfair assessment as it is really the vision of the Volturri becoming involved in their lives again. She vaguely remembers the last time the Volturri showed up and what she did know was because Jacob and Seth told her of it whenever she asked. There was something empowering, uplifting about knowing that the Volturri not only feared but respected her family. Because of her parents' importance and power it bestowed Renesmee with a feeling of being invincible. And then having Jacob and his wolves seemed to be her own extra special power – a power that no one else could wield.
She's never thought much of it but Jacob and Seth brought a hint of…humanity with them. Both boys were always warm, fun and inviting. Their mannerisms were natural, fluid and graceful even when they were blundering around like a herd of moose. Her family seemed to act more human whenever they were around, actually remembering to breathe, letting their chests rise and fall with each breath, brush an imaginary stray hair out of their face, or to even simply sniff or brush a finger across their nose during the wintertime. These were all traits that they had picked up while hanging around the wolves. Even Leah had shown Renesmee how to scratch and stretch, all simple and mundane human subconscious movements that when she was little seemed so wonderful, new and unique compared to her own family.
Yes, once upon a time she, Renesmee Carlie Cullen, looked up to Leah Clearwater as she had a beauty and way about her that Renesmee envied and wanted to emulate. She had expressions that were foreign to her young and quickly developing mind. Her lips turned down, her brow furrowed and lips pulled back in a snarl while in the next moment her whole face could warm and brighten up. No one in her family exhibited such a mastery over varying emotions and because of that Leah Clearwater was the most worldly-knowledgeable person that she knew.
That was all until her body started to change, hormones began to kick in and social interactions became more important to her; especially 'special' interaction. She had been told that she was Jacob's imprint and finally learned what that entailed through observations of the rest of the wolves and their imprints. It was purely romantic with the exception of Quil and Claire but it was only a matter of time before Claire and Quil both would feel the change in their bond and no longer be brother and sister but lovers.
From there Renesmee watched Leah Clearwater around Jacob more carefully and closely; noticing how her heart would race whenever he was around, how he'd smile just a little bit differently whenever the two hugged, how both of their cheeks would color when they were together. It was almost as if each brought a bit of life to the other and implications of that thought hurt Renesmee – deeply. It confounded her how Jacob, her Jacob, could look more lively when that woman was around and the moment she stepped out of the equation that life would drain out of him, almost die instantly.
The admiration that she once held for Leah Clearwater was replaced with hatred, jealous and, now after everything that has happened, insecurity. Leah was a threat to what Fate had deemed was the perfect mate for Jacob Black. Renesmee hated how Leah brought out a different side in the rest of the wolves that she couldn't. The wolves were stiff, polite and wary around her family even after so many years – as if they were wound just a tad bit tightly and the rubber band was straining to snap at any given moment. Seth cursed when he was around Leah – they all did. Jacob enjoyed getting his hands dirty, they had belching contests and did other things that her family either didn't approve of or that she felt disgusting and beneath her.
Maybe that is where she went wrong. Maybe instead of keeping Jacob away from Leah and the pack, she should've allowed him to continue to interact with them but what was the point when they would be leaving soon? Renesmee didn't have any desire to stay in Forks and especially not in La Push. The town was poverty-stricken and its main streets consisted of actually two paved roads by the bay. The houses were small – quaint, clean and cozy but poorly furnished and everyone looked dirty to her. There were a few white people amongst the Quileute population but even their skin seemed to pick up the slightest dirt and salt in the air, leaving it to collect on their cheeks that both ruddy and darkened them. She also, the older she became, couldn't stand the stench of the entire pack as a whole. They smelled more like wet dogs in La Push then they did in the forest or simply passing them by in Forks. The sea air fell on their skin, moistened the hair on their heads and penetrated their skin which was covered in tiny follicles of coarse fur. No, they wouldn't have stayed in La Push – someone else would have to become the new chief and Alpha of the pack.
During the beating that she suffered at the hands of Abby, the older girl had called her selfish among a few other horrible, nasty and vulgar words that had never been said in her presence and especially never directly at her. Has it been her selfishness that has drawn this wedge between her and Jacob? Was there really a chance that he would hurt her? Could it possibly happen?
Yes, yes there was a chance.
Anything could happen in the real world and she had crossed the gilded threshold of her birdcage, stepped out into the cold, cruel and ugly world, bargained with the devil and lost. Her punishment was a beating that may have caused her eyes to swell shut and yet at same time open them. The world wasn't perfect and neither was her family. There were others out that there that didn't adore and admire her and her family. There were people who mistrusted them either because of their wealth and appearance or because they knew what they really were. Money, pretty clothes and her looks couldn't save her and listening to Carlisle talk about calling up their old friends again and sensing the family's uneasiness at the task seems to only solidify it.
"The Denalis may be the only ones willing to back us up with no questions asked." Rosalie speaks up with a deep frown on her face.
"Yes, everyone else was hesitant to become involved in the first place. This time it isn't a matter of explaining our situation." Alice states with a deep frown as her eyes drift to Renesmee and back down to the floor. "The Volturri believe that we are using the wolves as guard dogs, to kill vampires and any rivals for our territory."
"But we're not!" Bella exclaims. "They consciously made that decision on their own – we had nothing to do with it."
"None of that matters, Bella," Rosalie sneers, her lips curling up into a snarl as Bella snarls back at her sister-in-law. "The Volturri don't care and it's going to be hard convincing any of their witnesses of the same thing. Last time they were here we were upfront with the wolves behind us in a secondary and as some would see it submissive role."
"And Aro is very much well aware that Jacob and Renesmee are – or rather, were imprinted on one another." Jasper states coldly. "We can't be sure how much understanding of the imprint that he gleamed from Edward when they touched but it's to be certain that he will still believe that the bond holds and thus our connection holds."
Renesmee frowns at the whole exchange a part of her following along but still unable to fully grasp the whole picture. She knew that the Volturri were coming but Aro did not seem like a bad person when they first met, frightening – yes, but not dangerous compared to the Amazons and the strange wolves.
"But we still must reach out to them. If anyone can help explain the situation it will be everyone that has interacted with Seth and Jacob before this sudden turn of events." Esme speaks up backing her husband's suggestion.
"Edward, I think its best," Carlisle says smiling sweetly at his granddaughter, "that you, Bella and Renesmee head up to Alaska to ask the Denali coven for their assistance." Edward simply nods his head, his eyes cast down on the white carpet at his feet.
From there the rest of the Cullens' allies are split up amongst the rest of the family and Renesmee gives a soft good bye to her grandparents, uncles and aunts as they rush out the door to begin the search. For a moment, there's an awkward tension in the room as Bella and Edward both find either the floor or their hands to be the most interesting object. Neither says anything and Renesmee feels at a loss of what to say to her parents, wasn't this the kind of moment where one or both of them should speak up offering words of wisdom and comfort? But she knew that was foolhardy and wishful thinking. Her mother was only twenty-four years old and had spent the last six years of her life as a rich wife, listening to her husband compose music, watch her daughter sprout like a weed before her eyes and exhibit no interest in any hobby that didn't include Edward. Her father had changed overnight after losing his power; teetering between moods of acceptance, anger, denial and confusion. Not having the whole world clearly spelled out before him has begun to have a more negative toll then what everyone had originally anticipated – the uncertainty of one's thoughts, ideas and plans seemed to bother Edward more and more. Or simply that he has been blindsided by every decision made since the loss of his power, he was no longer in the know, no longer a major player but a second or third party obtaining and processing information at the same time as everyone else.
Renesmee can't help but chuckle at the irony of the whole situation. A mere two weeks ago the three of them felt like king, queen and princess of the Cullen family each possessing some power that no one else had: telepathy, mental shield and wolves. Now – now they were just a trio of confused and frightened teenagers that didn't know how to deal with the sudden emotional and physical changes that were occurring.
Standing up Renesmee hisses out in pain, her skin tightening over the still healing bruises and ignoring her parents' looks of concern begins to head outside to their cottage.
"I'm going to pack some things for the trip." Renesmee states without bothering to look back. What would be the point – in looking back? Neither of them would have anything to say that would make her feel better; neither understanding what it is like to lose the perfect man for you and then being beaten for their arrogance.
Abby quirks an eyebrow in interest as the Volturri inform her and Chris of the Cullens' influence within the vampric world. She can't help but smirk knowing from the beginning that the spoiled half-vampire princess was full of pomp, arrogance, lace, glitter and a self-righteous attitude about her and her coven that it was amazing she hadn't floated away into the planet's atmosphere. The Cullens were far from being a favorite to the Volturri and with their bold-faced stand against the royal family some years ago it made them a political and cultural threat.
Word had spread quickly of the Cullens' newest addition amongst the more well-known and established covens of the world. There were low murmurings and whisperings of the child; born of a human mother with a vampire father. A child that would reach full maturity in six to seven years, who could drink blood and partake of mortal food, an immortal child possessing the beauty and lacking the strength of the originally banned immortal child. It didn't take long for other covens to try their luck at obtaining such a child which meant more and more women were being kidnapped, raped and/or seduced, impregnated and then killed after the birth. The hybrid numbers had increased from four known cases to well over fifty known births within the last six years.
The hybrids were slowing become a cause for concern as the boys were venomous which made their feeding a bit more tricky then the females. Rumors were abounding across Europe of vampires again, beautiful young teens and children luring sex-crazed and drugged out peers into dark alleyways to only be found hours later either stone-cold dead, dehydrated, emaciated with the only signs of some sort of conflict or assault are odd teeth marks that have broken the skin. Fortunately, thus far, the stories and incidents have been chalked up to a clan of extremist vampires; mortals who believe in vampires and participate in romanticizing and fantasizing about the 'culture' and even a few had taken responsibility for the attacks. However, it did not tone down the fact that the hybrids were becoming dangerous liabilities to the vampire secret.
"So as you can see," Aro says coolly with a big and sinister smile on his face, "that the Cullens have become quite the incendiary coven over the last few years. They see themselves as being above the law and thus, sadly, due to our poor planning, have been able to get away with the rape and murder of 'innocent' women all for the sake of other vampires 'pretending' to be families." There is a chuckle amongst the guards as if finding the idea of vampires playing 'house' is humorous. Abby can't help but find the idea childish as well as becoming a vampire meant the loss of one's rights; right to attend school, to move about in broad daylight and having a family. The dynamics of the twin sisters had changed drastically once they awoke to this strange new world. The sibling co-dependency that they once shared was null-and-void and the only thing that had kept them together were the slowly fading memories of a shared childhood.
"And when you add in the danger that the Cullens' dogs have wrought as well – well, it is plain to see that the Cullens are obviously becoming too powerful for their own good." Aro finishes up.
"The Cullens and the wolves must be dealt with." Caius states in a slow, long and drawn out type of speech.
"Oh, yes, of course," Aro agrees quickly with his brother.
"But, it still puts us at a disadvantage as the two did not manage to grab the predictor's gift." Marcus adds stiffly, his eyes staring a hole through Abigail.
"There is a workaround that problem," Chris states breaking the silence the two vampires have held since their initial introduction. "The seeress, known as Alice, cannot see anything involving the wolves. Our grievance and vendetta are with the wolves and if the Cullens still wish to ally themselves with our enemy then that will not deter us."
"After all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Abby adds with a dark smirk. She ignores the quick side glance Chris throws in her direction. There is no doubt in his mind that he is fully aware of Abigail's thoughts on the Cullens. The 'older' vampires were just as guilty in the death of Gabriella as the wolves especially if they could see them hunting in the woods and chose to ignore their presence and inevitably their plight. The Cullens, with their affluence, gifts and familial bonds, felt that they were above everything in the world. She completely agreed with Aro that they were a coven to be dealt with. Vampires and humans could not live side-by-side together because the thirst would be too great and eventually the food source would run out if everyone saw vampirism as the solution to all of their problems like Bella Swan did. The Cullens way of life was bound to have consequences and it was clear now, after this meeting, what they fully were.
"So we will join with your guards Aro and hunt down the Cullens most powerful allies." Chris states having picked up the thought of the Volturri.
"You are hoping that your intent will cloud the girl's mind? Excellent." Aro says barely able to contain his giddiness and excitement.
"And if not, chances are that the Cullens will rush to their allies' aid." Caius finishes up with the same long, drawn out and bored speech pattern.
Leah awakens from her spirit quest with tears still falling from her eyes. There is a bittersweet feeling to the good bye she gave Jacob that is chalked up to her own personal attachment to the man, a desire that somehow became real when she was mentally and emotionally at her weakest. She ponders for a moment questioning whether or not it was actually Jacob that she had seen or some made up image of him based upon past experiences, memories and ideals.
It was just…too…unexpected.
Jacob had always had abandonment issues stemming from Sarah's untimely death which Leah now chalks up to explain his issue involving letting Bella Swan go. Leah almost expected some sad and pitiful last ditch effort on Jacob's part to try and lure her back to him. To hear him suddenly become Sam and run off at the mouth about: duty, responsibilities, pack loyalty, tribe loyalty, family and every other sentimental rubbish he could think of. Use Seth's safety in his favor or something but instead…he'd been mature and unobtrusive. He seemed to act as if…he was normal…they were normal. Simply two friends realizing that it was time for the other to move on.
Standing up Leah promises herself to make a brief stop in La Push someday to see her Almighty Alpha and see if what she experienced was a shared experience or foolish wishing that her subconscious has concocted to make sure that she didn't go running back to a man who'd love and miss her for all of five minutes before forcing her into hard servitude of his beloved imprint and family.
Finally taking a moment to take in her surroundings Leah can't help but in awe at the forest around her – the new forest. The colors were resplendent than ever and each of her senses felt heightened. At first, when she'd gone through the first phase, she experienced a sensory overload once she became human again – the sun was suddenly much too bright, the collection of scents in the air, the house and around town was overpowering and all of the background noises left Leah with a headache for two days. Now, however, things seemed to be right. Deep down inside she knows that this is how the transition should've been, it was never meant to be taken alone with the human in control at some point and then switching to the wolf/spirit – it was supposed to be a symbiotic lifestyle.
I'm here with you – always.
Leah can't help the smile that breaks out across her face hearing, feeling and sensing Willow's presence and words of encouragement. There was nothing to be afraid of and she felt a small tug – a pull urging her to race north.
Shedding her clothes and tying them to her ankle Leah lets out a laugh that becomes a loud yap-bark as she explodes into her wolf form. Digging down deep she tears off through the forest, her paws seeming to move faster than before or maybe she just felt a sense of freedom. She no longer felt weighted down by the demons of her past or the insecurities of the future. Somewhere out there she had a purpose and she knew that she was going to achieve it.
Hearing a loud shrill whistle Leah skids to a halt, her back paws still pedaling forward causing her haunches to slip into the grass. Looking around her eyes widen in excitement seeing Paul, Gio and Lee standing off to the side waving her over. Tail wagging Leah barks at them before disappearing for a moment to change clothes. Reappearing she runs up to them capturing each one in a tight hug.
"Well, looks like someone had a great spirit quest." Lee says chuckling lightly as he hugs Leah just as tightly.
"I did! It was amazing." Leah exclaims looking up at each of the men she's grown to love and can proudly call her brothers. "I've learned so much and I know now what I have to do."
"Leave us, huh?" Paul asks with a small and sad smile on his face. The three men laugh as Leah's smile falls and is replaced with grim realization and confusion. "We could…sense it." Paul explains.
"Yea, so we've come here to say good-bye," Lee states.
"And bearing gifts," Gio adds pulling a pack out from behind him and depositing it at Leah's feet. "It's your clothes." Gio supplements as Leah stands staring down at the bag perplexed.
"I just don't understand, Lily," Lee says with a heavy sigh. "How are we supposed to fall in love if you're not here?" The group of friends breaks out into laughter as Lee rolls his eyes and winks down at Leah before nudging her with his shoulder.
"Who knows Lee maybe absence will make the heart grow founder." Leah offers up before bending down and checking her bag.
"Ignore him Leah. He's only all talk when John isn't around." Paul throws out earning a not-so-playful shove.
"Don't worry John and Ted will say good-bye before you get too far." Gio adds noting Leah's small frown and her eyes darting around searching for their missing pack mates.
The good-byes are heartfelt and warming; touching Leah in a way that she had felt that she was beyond – emotionally. It was full of jokes, playful teasing and sad smiles, well wishes and safe journey. Even though she has only spent several months with this pack Leah can't help but feel closely bonded to them as if she's known them all her life. Her face flushes with embarrassment as tears begin to uncontrollably fall from her eyes but the angered shame is nonexistent as each man gently wipes them away making his own offer and promise to be ready to help her at a moment's notice. It's refreshing knowing that she doesn't always have to hide under the façade of anger, self-control and indifference.
"So...any idea where you're headed?" Paul asks unable to contain the frown of concern.
"Nope, not really…but I do know I'm headed north." Leah answers feeling the same tug deep within her. The feeling is more urgent than before – there's a hint of timing is of the essence echoing within her soul.
"Alright, we won't keep you as we're all sure that John has his own special send off for you." Gio says clapping his hands and breaking the silence that had fallen over the group.
"And Ted will probably take the longest, bawlin' his eyes and cryin' about how much he's going to miss hearing you call him Teddybear." Lee adds laughing. Leah waves off the trio, chuckling as they all disappear into the cover of trees talking about the amount of teasing that Ted was going to get when they next saw him.
With a shake of her head and a soft chuckle Leah picks up her pack and shouldering it continues heading north already believing and knowing that the other two would meet with her.
"Took you long enough," Leah can't help the dark smirk that crosses her lips hearing Ted's deep, warm, familiar and sarcastic filled voice.
"Well I'm sorry but I missed the note stating what our rendezvous place and time was supposed to be." Leah states as Ted walks up and stands beside her. The two stare at each other for a moment before they both turn and start walking.
There's a companionable silence between them as they both walk either looking down at the ground at their feet or the world around them. The occasionally brush of skin on the arm or a shared alertness when a groundhog quickly scurries away. Words were sometimes overrated and understated. Ted and Leah weren't the best of friends but they had a common ground between them, a bond that was unique from what she had with the others – even Paul.
"You're not going home, are you?" Ted asks finally breaking the silence between them. Leah frowns noting the disappointment and confusion in his voice.
"No, not yet anyway," Leah answers with a simple shake of her head. "It's not time for me to go back yet. Look, Ted, I know you mean well and want to keep bonds strong…but…back in La Push things are different. The moment I went back I would be stuck – again. I'd go back to running patrols by myself, catering to imprints who are all probably pissed that I left and upset their world order and commanded to stay or go wherever Jacob wants. The questions I have can't be answered back there but…I know that I can find them. I just have to start looking." Leah explains with a small smile.
"You must go back, Leah." Ted states with a deep frown. He knows it's not his place to pry and meddle in Leah's affairs but he could feel his spirit imparting the knowledge upon him – to share with her. The human side had mixed emotions about Leah: happy that there were others out there, those who didn't have the perfect transformation and perfect home life but he still felt threatened by the position Leah was unwittingly obtaining simply because she was easy on the eyes. "They need you there, Leah," Ted adds on as Leah lets out an exasperated sigh.
"We're always going to agree, to disagree, aren't we?" Leah asks with a coy smile. The pair stops both sensing that this was as far as they could travel together. "You know something – or sense something that I'm not aware of," Leah states looking off at the horizon, noting the clear blue sky and a white contrails of a passing plane overhead. "Same as how everyone just seems to know I'm leaving." Ted can only nod his head in agreement. "Right now…I'm not sensing anything from La Push. I'm not sure if it's because I've joined this pack and all ties have been severed with them which is highly unlikely because it wasn't so clean cut when we broke off from Sam. We could still sense…distress once we learned how to pay attention."
"Are you paying attention?" Ted asks the frown and furrowing of his brow deepening.
"Take care of yourself, Teddybear." Leah says with a smirk both ignoring and answering Ted's question. "Find yourself a girl while I'm gone. We're not all bitches who will leave at the drop of a hat. If my Paul can get a girl, albeit through magical means, then so can you." Leah adds pulling Ted into a tight hug. Before he can question her even further Leah has already separated herself from him and jogs away, issuing a quick, hurried and emotional bye and wave.
Leah wishes her good-bye with John is more…playful, open…something other than what he issues the moment he sees her.
"So, you got your pack I see." John says as Leah rounds a tree and sees him standing before her, arms crossed tightly across his chest, a deep and serious look upon his face. "You need to see about getting that money the leeches left you for when the money you saved run out." He states handing her an envelope with her wages.
"John," Leah breathes out sadly.
"Look, let's just save the," John doesn't get to finish his sentence as Leah moves forward, her body colliding with his as her arms wrap tightly around his sides.
"I'm going to miss you." Leah says trying to combat the tears that are falling and failing. She refused to have another horrible send off.
"I – I'm going to miss you too, Lily." John says with a sad sigh, his arms holding her closer as his face buries into the crook of her neck. Silently, both are relieved and saddened that their relationship had not progressed, physically, further than it already had.
Each hold on tightly to the other, taking the moment to retain as many details of the moment as they can: the feel of the other's skin, scent, warmth, heartbeat, rhythmic breathing, the feeling that is consuming them and has consumed them for the last month or so. The hug is broken all too soon in Leah's opinion as John pulls just enough to look her in the eyes.
"I need you to be safe out there." John states becoming serious again; his tone now harboring look of someone who cared and was no longer just an Alpha. "Don't take foolish risks or try to get in over your head." As his and the Elders warm advice falls out Leah feels her eyes begin to sting, nose burn and lip quiver Leah is reminded of the heartfelt good-bye she shared with Sue and the Elders. For the longest, she's felt as if only a small handful of people truly cared about her as an individual and the realization that that circle has grown is almost more than she can bear.
"It'll be okay," John soothes her resting his chin on top of her head, feeling Leah's tears wet his chest. He wants her to stay, to just completely give up on this journey and be content staying with him. However, it's a selfish wish that he knows go against what is best for her and what his spirit knows is best for all of them in the long run. "You'll be just fine – I know you will." John amends kissing the top of Leah's head. "But you know this is your home now, right?" Leah can only look up and nod her head unable to speak to keep herself from becoming a blubbering idiot. "And no matter what you can always call on me."
She hates crying – she's always hated crying because of the lack of control over one's own facial expression and that no one looks good crying. It's a sentiment she shared with him when she abruptly left the rez's community center during a showing of The Lion King and so both can't help but chuckle when she manages to blubber out a 'you bastard'.
"It's just a part of being human," John whispers wiping away Leah's tears and smiling down at her. "It is also nice to know that I mean this much to you." He adds with an air of arrogance as he lightly bumps Leah's nose with the curved tip of his index finger. After a couple of playful shoves, the pair find themselves back into a warm hug, words of building emotions remaining just below the surface but spilling out just enough to silently communicate the shared bond between them.
"I love you, Lily," John says finally breaking the hug and putting out the final good-bye. If they kept this up he'd never let her leave.
"I love you too, Jean." Leah replies back having gained some composure over the water works. It's a love of two friends, friends that have found the first step on the journey in a healing process in one another.
John stands watching with conflicting emotions as Leah walks away from him, her speed slowly picking up with each passing second until finally she's full out running and disappears within the cover of trees. It's only a matter of seconds before he can feel her transformation in the air and a howl of excitement and sadness fills the air. His brothers answer her call, sending her off in the only way their spirits know how. Taking in a deep breath John combs a hand through his hair he releases it finding his spirit already talking to him, reassuring him that she'll be okay, this is what she has to do and you'll see her again. Pausing for a moment, he feels a slight twinge of pain – a sense of loss – and he knows that Leah is no longer a part of his pack but he knows that they are not truly separated. Looking back in the direction she's run off too he knows that now they are all bonded together no matter what.
Have a safe and fulfilling journey Lily.
A/N: Okay, so here's the epilogue and I'm sorry that I confused some people. The more I thought about the storyline the more I realized that I was nearing the end of Wake-up Call since I felt that all the main players had just that. So I will start working on Book 2: Journey soon with some bits already outlined. I'd really like to appreciate everyone taking time out of their day to read my story and inspiring me to do better.
Right now I'm trying to write this in a hurry before my laptop freezes but one mentioned that she felt the last chapter was rushed. Sorry about that and I'm sure part of it is that it was written in bits and pieces over the last three months. And I've learned a valuable lesson and that's to keep my big mouth shut because my brain and fingers always have a way of turning on me. I was really excited about the story but as the characters started to progress what I saw in my head at the time just didn't make any sense now...if that makes sense?
But I'm not done writing Twilight stories - not by a long shot so please just remain patient with me as I try to get out what I can. In the meantime, I have a couple of other stories that I may just post along with the next update for Something About Her. I seriously need a personal assistant or some sort of device to write down my thoughts...so if someone could get on top of that and all I ask is just 15% of the sales for the first five years and we'll negotiate from there.
