By His Side

Chapter Thirty Six

Bella and Jacob, Leah and Daniel, Katherine and Embry stood in a tight circle on the opposite side of the bonfire from
Marguerite and Seth. The embers of the fire were low and glowing, almost dying away. Everyone else had had their
fun, had their laughs and snickers, and gone home. Even Clive had been persuaded to depart with assurances that
his granddaughter was perfectly safe and would be looked after most attentively. Maggie and Seth were still sitting
on the sand, heads close together, deep in conversation, working to get acquainted and figure out their situation all
at the same time. This wasn't going to be simple.

"Should we go over and try to help?" Daniel understood how unsettling a new imprint was.

"I can't imagine anything we could do or say that would do anything but confuse matters and make them worse."
Bella was always the voice of reason and wisdom. Jacob smiled down at her.

"I think Bells is right. We should probably just slip away and let them handle it. In spite of Seth's age, they are both
grown-ups and I'm guessing they wouldn't appreciate our interference. Why don't we mosey back to our place and
warm up with a toast to the new and future couple?"

Leah stifled a snort of laughter.

"My little brother? A grown-up? Sorry, I'll never be able to see it. But Mags is a nice girl, er, lady, er, woman. Oh hell,
this is so screwed up! Are you sure they don't need some guidance or something?"

Daniel gave her a reassuring squeeze around her shoulders.

"I think I agree with Bella. I wouldn't have a clue what to say that would be helpful without sounding goofy or snotty.
I don't want them to think that I have any problems with the age difference. Cause I don't. Do you?"

Leah shook her head at once. "No, of course not. I just, oh I don't know. I guess Jake's right. We need to let them figure
it out on their own, with no outside intrusions."

Bella pulled on Jacob's hand to start their progress toward home. "As a wise man once said to me...'Age is just a number, baby.'
And I fully agree and embrace that philosophy. Let's go get that nightcap, shall we? These two are going to be busy and
need some privacy, I'm thinking."

Jacob grinned at his girl, bride, wife, imprint, Alpha female. She was the best. He wrapped her up in his arms and began the
trek back to their cottage. He had plans to show her later just how much he appreciated her. The two couples following
behind them had similar thoughts and plans. It was going to be a long, romantic night in La Push.

Seth and Marguerite sat cross-legged on the sand, facing each other and holding hands. For a while, they had simply stared
into each other's eyes and basked in the warmth of the fire and the new imprint. After a time, Seth had tried to explain about
the imprint. He felt like he had failed miserably, but Marguerite had listened quietly, absorbing everything he said. She studied
his face intently. He was amazingly handsome. That went without saying. But while they had been sitting together, she began
to watch him interact with his brothers and the others at the bonfire. He had a maturity about him. It was obvious he had been
through some trying times and trials by fire. That would put years on anyone, certainly a young man with that much responsibility
on his shoulders. He'd become a wolf, ignorant of the fate that approached him like a speeding freight train. His sister had been
dragged into the circle, too, at the same time as they had lost their father. No one could remain a "boy" after going through that,
and still there was even more that had been heaped on his broad shoulders. He really was quite impressive, in more ways than one.

Seth marveled at the beauty of the woman in front of him. He quivered at the thought of holding her in his arms, kissing her, loving
her. But he was also reveling in the simple act of getting to know her. The demonstration she and her grandfather were to put on
for the Pack had been postponed until tomorrow and he couldn't wait to see her in her hawk form. The notion of watching her fly over
his home forest tightened his stomach and gave him goose bumps. He was thrilled that she was even the least bit willing to get to
know him and give the imprint a chance. He felt like he had been given a gift. He thought he would have to wait a long time for his
soulmate to come along. He almost felt like Taha Aki had helped him cheat by finding her this soon. Although it seemed like he had
been a wolf forever sometimes, and he wasn't the youngest of the Pack, he was still afraid he was going to wake up and find this was
all a dream. A really good dream, but a dream nonetheless.

"What did it feel like?"

Seth shook himself from his musings and cocked his head at Marguerite trying to guess at the meaning of her question.

"What did what feel like?"

"The imprint. When it, um...hit you? Is that the right word? Does it 'hit' you?"

Seth smiled into her blue eyes. She really was exquisite.

"I don't know if 'hit' is quite it. I think a good analogy would be like..." He gazed out at the Pacific in thought, as if asking for permission
to use the help in his description. "if an extra large, rouge wave washed over you, and one second you're standing in knee-deep water
and the next second, you're treading in 50 feet."

Marguerite was taken aback by the picture he painted.

"Sounds a bit traumatic. Like drowning?"

"No, no, that's not it at all. How can I say this? If the wave was warm and soft, and it washes all over you and envelopes you in feelings
of...goodness...and...rightness. Aargh, this is hard!"

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to make you struggle to explain. I think that last bit was pretty good. Do you want to know what I felt?"

"You felt it too?"

"Not the 'wave' but I did feel something. A warm spot started right here," she placed her hand on his chest to indicate her meaning,
"and grew outward in all directions until I felt so warm all over that it was like a huge warm blanket had been wrapped around me. I
can still feel it. It's still here."

"If I understand from what little I've overheard from the other imprints, that doesn't go away. Unless we aren't together, you'll always
feel that security." He winced at the idea that they might not be together.

"Seth, I don't know you. But I'd like to know you. I like this feeling and I'm not sure I'd be happy without it. I don't know how the age
difference is going to play into all this, but if you're not afraid of other people's opinions, then I don't see how I could justify being squeamish
about it. I never pictured myself with a man your age, or another shape shifter for that matter, certainly not a wolf. But that's okay. I
don't imagine you ever pictured yourself with a hawk, or someone my age."

"No, I didn't. But, Maggie, I think you are a beautiful, intelligent and interesting woman and if you'll give me a chance, give us a chance,
I'll try to be exactly who you need and deserve. Just please don't be afraid of me or all this."

"I'll try, Seth. I'm not really afraid, maybe just cautious. Is that okay?"

"Of course! Cautious is good. Cautious is smart." He was babbling now and he knew it. He snapped his mouth shut as he looked into
Maggie's amused eyes. He squeezed her hands and smiled back at her. Suddenly the silence between them felt...comfortable. Seth looked
down at Maggie's lips and back up to her sapphire blue eyes. He slowly leaned forward while gently pulling on her hands and closing his eyes.

Maggie hesitated for only a split second. She found she couldn't resist at least this tiny step forward. She leaned toward him until her lips
molded to Seth's mouth. It was tentative and sweet and warm. This boy, this young man, could be the one she had dreamed of for years.
She decided at that moment that she would work hard not to care about the difference in their ages. Age was, after all, just a number.

Back at the Alpha couple's cottage, Bella was pouring tea for Katherine and herself, while Jacob had broken open a six-pack of beer for
Daniel, Embry, Leah and himself. Leah said she didn't think she could handle tea after the night she'd had. Her little brother's imprint had
rattled her cage, especially considering the age of the girl/woman, though Daniel didn't think that was the real reason for her anxiety.

"Come on, Leah, fess up. You just thought your baby brother would always be just that didn't you? You're not ready for him to grow up."

Leah scowled at him briefly before collapsing against his side.

"Okay, okay, you're right. And I'm not ashamed to tell the rest of the truth. If he grows up, then I grow old. And I don't like it worth a
damn, Danny. So there!"

Daniel wrapped her up and held her close, kissing her temple.

"Come on, babe, you'll never be old so stop fretting. Seth's just coming into his own. He deserves this, I think, and if you're honest with
yourself, you're happy for him. You know he needs this, too."

"I guess you're right. He's been lonesome since I moved out. He told me the house was too big and empty since Mom had moved in with Charlie."

Bella paused with her teacup halfway to her lips.

"That's something I'm still trying to get used to. Who would've thought that my Dad would 'live in sin'?"

Leah barked out a single 'HAH!" and reached over to shove Bella's shoulder.

"Oh ho, Mrs. Black! Are you saying your father and my mother's illicit affair is too much for you to handle?"

Bella's blush made Jacob and the whole group snicker this time.

"No! Not exactly. It's just that...well...my Dad...Sue...oh hell, I don't know. Somebody, please change the subject!"

Embry took pity on his Alpha's mate, his beloved sister-in-law in his heart.

"Easy Bella. We can talk about the demonstration tomorrow, okay? Jake, when and where are Clive and Mags gonna do their thing for us?
I can't wait to see this in person."

"Clive said they'd meet us in the South clearing around 11 in the morning. I guess that might change if Maggie doesn't make it home tonight."
He tried and failed to stifle a very unmanly giggle. Leah reached out to smack his arm.

"Gee, thanks Alpha! Appreciate you loading me up with THAT picture of my little brother!"

Katherine wanted to put in her two cents but was belayed by a huge yawn that overtook her. Embry stood and reached for her hand.

"Okay, that's it. My Kate needs a nap. We're gonna shove off, Jake. Give us a call if the demo gets moved or postponed."

"Will do, Emb. If you don't hear from me it's the clearing at 11. Danny, you and Leah will be there, right?"

"Yeah, you can count on us. Leah's been itching to see the hawk in action, and frankly, so have I, wink, nudge." He elbowed Jacob
in the ribs. It was his turn then for a smack from Leah.

"Just remember buddy, you're mine, and you don't get to see her without her feathers, am I clear?"

"As crystal, sweet cheeks. Come on, let's let these folks get some sleep. I have plans."

"Oh, really? Well, then, Jake, Bella, Kate, Emb, good night. See you tomorrow." She grabbed Daniel and dragged him, well, not really,
he wasn't resisting, out the door into the cool night air. Embry and Kate stood and bid farewell to the Blacks and strolled into the darkness
arm in arm. There was a bit of love in the air tonight. Must have been the lingering effects of the most recent imprint.

Bella and Jacob were tidying up the teapot and beer bottles, bumping into each other deliberately as they moved around the kitchen.
Jake's wicked grin, wiggling eyebrows, and Bella's lowered lashes and her pink cheeks were a clear indication of what they each had on
their minds. As Bella wiped her hands dry on a kitchen towel, Jacob stepped up behind her and pulled her off the floor with a warm embrace
as he buried his nose into her hair, taking a deep ecstasy-inducing breath. She reached both arms over her head and clasped his neck and
hair with her fingers. She so loved having a husband who was so strong and tall. It was like having her own tree to climb.

She hummed in anticipation as he snuffled around her neck and ear. The next moment, the air was rent with a reverberating howl. Jacob
and Bella froze for a split second, then Jacob was bounding out the back door, shoving his jeans down as he went. The howl sounded again,
in stereo, as Collin joined Brady in transmitting the alarm. Jacob phased and listened as his command to report went through their minds.

'It's vampires, Jake! At least three different scents! The trails cut across the Northern edge of our land!'

It had been so long since an attack, the entire Pack answered the call. By the time Brady had finished his thought, everyone was wolfed out.
Jacob felt them all and spit out orders.

'Everyone converge on the North clearing from your home directions. That will put us coming together from all the way around it and we can
close in the circle and trap them. What is it Paul?'

'Clive just blew my doors off, dude! He's waiting looking at me now with those fucking big green eyes. I guess he's coming along for the rumble.'

'That's fine with me I guess. Seth, can you watch the imprints for us this time?'

'Already on it, Jake. Rachel and Katherine are almost to your place to stay with Bella and I'm headed to get Emily and Kim. Uh, Jake?'

'What is it Seth?'

'Maggie phased too. I think she's headed to join up with Clive. I couldn't've stopped her if I'd tried. God, she's fast!'

'Don't worry about it Seth. I'm sure she can take care of herself and we'll keep an eye on her too.'

'Damn, Jake! These leeches aren't gonna know what hit 'em!'

'You got that right, Emb. That's not a bad thing, though.'

'I hear ya. No such thing as overkill when it comes to bloodsuckers.'