Chapter 37

UNIONS

AN: We are near the end. Really. And I thank everyone who has shared this story with me. Your reviews have kept me going all those times the characters weren't behaving and I wanted to pull out my hair in frustration. I know I kept many of you waiting but I have five days of vacation left and I will finish this story by then (or die trying).

I know you're getting impatient for some JB interaction but I felt it would be premature at this point. We need to know the context and how everyone is reacting to the events.

Plus this is a special chapter for Leah and Embry and I didn't want to lose the focus on their story.

Enjoy!

BPOV

I woke with a start and with a glance I immediately saw Caleb beside me, still asleep Wolfy in his arms. He had kicked off the covers in the night again and was curled up in warm, sleeping ball, snuggling into my side. I pulled up the covers snugly around him and looked at the clock on the bedside table. It was almost six. And knowing I could never get back to sleep, got out of bed slowly, trying not to wake Caleb.

I rubbed my eyes and realized what woke me - I was dreaming of Jacob again. The dream was jumble of images - the council was pronouncing that I was banished, forbidden and that I should leave La Push immediately and Jacob just stood by, Leah was there – dancing the Spirit Dance in her beautiful white dress and someone was pulling Caleb away from me and he was crying. The intensity of the dream still shook me and reinforced the fear that in my waking moments plagued my mind.

When I promised my dad I would come home for his wedding, I knew it was time for me to face the Council again – not for me, but for my son. Caleb had the right to know his father, to know Billy, to know who he was and where he belonged. I knew it that calling it "hard" was the grossest of all understatements, but I also knew I had to do it. I had to be brave for Caleb. Whatever the Council and Jacob decided, hardly even mattered – they could reject him for all I knew but by doing this, I knew that someday when he was grown, I would be able to look Caleb in the eye and say with conviction that I had fought for him.

My greatest fear would be that Caleb would be taken away from me – and weeks before coming back to Forks, Doctor Jake took me to see his own lawyer who assured me that under the law, Caleb could not be taken away from mei. Still, the nagging fear was there despite all their assurances.

The wedding was set for noon and I knew we had a lot to do before it was time to leave for the ceremony. Because Sue was an Elder of the Tribe, and related to the Blacks, Charlie and Sue had to be married in accordance with the tribe's traditions and were going to have the wedding in the little community center off First Beach. La Push weddings, Sue's own wedding to Harry many years ago, had been celebrated on the beach in a traditional Quileuete ceremony. But this practice had apparently been going out of style as more and more young people opted to have a more western celebration.

It was to be a very small wedding, Leah and I were to be the only bridesmaids and Seth was to give Sue away. Other than the Blacks, the Atearas, the Calls and the Youngs who were in some way all related to each other, there were to be no other guests. Billy Black was officiating as the Tribe's Chief.

Charlie and Sue had wanted Caleb to be the ring bearer – but Leah stood by me on that issue. I felt that this day should be all about my dad and Sue and not about Caleb. Grumbling about bossy women, Charlie reluctantly agreed and Flo, the dispatcher from my dad's station agreed to watch him.

But I knew Charlie was disappointed and quelling my fears, I promised him that I would ask Flo to bring Caleb to the bonfire reception being held on the beach after the ceremony. Let the chips fall where they may – my son would not be hidden away anymore.

"Bella? Are you up?" Leah knocked softly at the door.

I opened to see a fresh faced Lea at my door holding up the dresses we would be wearing for the ceremony. They were a pale green, the color of new leaves in the spring time, soft and flowing.

"Hmmmm…I don't know how this is going to hold up for beach reception." She said skeptically. It was fall in Forks and the weather even on a good day like today was starting out to be.

"Maybe we could change after? I need to go home and pick up Caleb anyway." I assured her.

"Sounds like a plan. Meanwhile, let's get some breakfast because the hair and make-up lady is coming at 8 to start fixing us up." Leah said as she started to leave the room.

I glanced over at the bed to look at Caleb – and again straightened the covers he had kicked off. I paused for a moment as my worry and fear about the coming day started rolling in again.

"Hey…." Leah said, her voice gentle, "You okay?"

"I…uhm…yeah…"

"Bella – I know what you're thinking. And really, you know you don't have to do it right?" Leah said, drawing me gently to sit on the bed. "No one has seen Caleb but my mom and Mrs. Call. No one has to know, if that's what you want…"

I was tempted to say yes – this was what I wanted. And I knew that if I did, Leah would support me in the decision. But that was the coward's way out – and whatever else I was, I was no longer the coward I once was.

"No Lee…I have to do this." I told her "But I'm glad you have my back..."

"Always." Leah said, giving me a small hug. "We're sisters now. Officially in four hours or so…"

X-x

CHARLIE POV

Dang fool collar felt like it was gonna choke me any second and I felt beads of cold sweat running down my neck even though it was getting cold outside.

Generally I don't stand on ceremony. And I hate wearing these darned stiff suits. When Renee and I got married, we did it real quick – flying off to Vegas and getting hitched by some justice of the peace in a little wedding chapel on the strip. She was already pregnant with Bella then and I was as happy to take a pass on some frilly wedding as she was. I guess that's why when we found out Bella was pregnant with Caleb,

But for Sue, I wanted something special. And if she wanted me to waddle down the aisle like a damned penguin, I'd do it.

It was a few minutes to the ceremony and I was getting as nervous as a pimply teenager on his first school dance. I was pacing the floor when Billy came in.

"You're gonna wear a hole in the damned carpet old man." Was Billy's greeting, rolling his chair over to me, a shit eating grin on his face "Ready to have Sue make an honest man outta you?" he asked. Billy was almost back to his normal self, a year or so after his stroke. I know that boy of his has been keeping close watch on him and his diabetes and his heart and I heard Jacob's garage is doing good that I guess Billy was not as worried about things as he used to be.

I grinned back. Despite everything that had happened, Billy Black was still the closest thing to a brother I'd ever had.

"Not so sure how legal it's gonna be with you marrying us you old codger." I grumbled at him. I couldn't quite meet his eyes, knowing that not ten miles away, I was keeping a very precious secret from him. But much as I wanted to tell him about Caleb all these months, I had promised Bella I wouldn't tell him about his grandson until she was ready.

"As legal as it will ever get around these parts Chief." He said.

"Come on Charlie – you've faced down drunks, poachers, armed robbers…don't tell me you're nervous of a little wedding, are you?" my old friend teased.

"I'm afraid of Sue is what…." I muttered.

"That's a very promising start to a good marriage then." Billy said. Then reaching out his hand, he patted me on the arm, his voice becoming serious. "I'm really happy for you Charlie. Sue's a good woman and you know, I'm sure Harry is resting easier knowing you'll be around to take care of her and the kids now that he's gone."

"Thanks Billy…that uh...really means a lot." I was touched by my friend's assurance. Truth was, he was my best friend along with Harry and with Harry gone, it was just him and me now. Again, I felt a stab of guild for not telling him about Caleb – and I worried how his heart would handle it if he ever found out. I didn't know what Bella was planning but she just flat out refused to bring Caleb to the wedding. She mentioned something about bringing him to the bonfire after the wedding but I wasn't sure how good of an idea that was.

"So is Jacob coming?" I asked him.

"Uh…no..." Billy responded awkwardly. "He said..uh…lots of work at the shop…"

"Oh."

Part me of breathed a sigh of relief. And another part of me was just damn pissed at how hard headed Jacob and Bella were being. Not that I didn't still want to give Jacob a piece of my mind over how he treated my Bella – but in truth, I never could stay angry at that boy. Especially not after Billy's confession in the hospital. It was just too damned bad that my baby had to get dragged into it. But Bella refused to listen every time I tried to tell her what happened and it seemed now that Jacob was being stubborn about seeing Bella now that I finally managed to get her here.

I know. I know, I'm being an interfering old fool – but those tow – they were just meant for each other – and Jacob has adored Bella since he was in diapers. Heck we all make mistakes. Jacob of course, had to make one 'bout as a big as the Pacific Ocean. But still, if he would take care of Bella and Caleb even half as good as he takes care of his father, I would never have to worry about my daughter and my grandson again.

"So…uh…have you seen Bella?" I asked him.

Billy looked up with a grave expression. "No." he answered and there was a long, awkward silence that hardly ever is between us old friends and right then and there I almost about spilled my guts about Caleb. "I'm not sure she wants to see me." He continued, with a deep sadness in his voice. "She's like a daughter to me Charlie…you know that…but I have been a bad father to her after all that."

"Look Billy – you know Bella." I assured him. "She's a stubborn little thing, but you know with that soft heart of hers, she's never been able to hold a grudge."

Then taking a deep breath, I said as much as I could without breaking my promise to Bella. "Just remember Billy, she's made her own mistakes and so have you. And for that matter, so has Jacob. Just remember that. We all screw up sometimes. And don't mean we're not worthy of being forgiven."

Billy nodded solemnly and as I looked down at my old friend, I hoped that when the time came, he would remember what I said.

And then Seth came into the room.

"It's showtime folks!" he announced gleefully.

x-x

SETH POV

It's been a long time since I've seen my mom look so happy. Not since Dad died anyway. I looked down at her right before we walked down the aisle and she was smiling so big, I was afraid her face would crack.

"Be happy momma" I whispered to her. She reached out her hand and stroked my cheek the way she used to when I was little.

"You understand, don't you honey?" she asked me, a bit of worry coming out in her voice. "No one will ever replace your dad and this changes nothing about how much I love you and Leah…"

"Mom, Charlie's a good man. If dad can't be with us, I'm glad you have someone like Charlie taking care of you." I assured her, holding her hand to my face a little longer. "I love you momma. I always will. And I'm happy if you're happy."

As I looked down the aisle, I saw Charlie standing at the end of the altar beside Billy. He hadn't wanted a best man at his wedding, as he said it should have been Billy and since Billy was marrying them, he didn't need anyone else.

Leah and Bella were standing across the aisle from Charlie in matching green dresses, made of some floaty stuff that made them look…well...floaty. Very pretty of course – and I wondered where Jacob was and how he felt if he could see Bella right now. I scanned over the heads of the crowd but other than Quil, Embry and Joseph, no one else form the pack were in the pews. I spotted Colin and Brady near the doors a few feet ahead of me and my mom. "Is Jake here?" I sent out my thoughts to them. "No man, not a sign." Colin responded. "I caught a whiff of Sam, Paul and Jared though…but it disappeared a few minutes ago." Brady added. I frowned – which Colin must have caught. "Don't worry man, Brady and I have it covered. We'll watch out for any trouble from here."

"Thanks dude. I owe you guys one." I responded.

"Everything ok?" my mom whispered. The truth was, I was a little worried that Sam and his henchmen would cause some trouble over Bella was being here. And I hated myself for being a suspicious asshole – but hey, this was my mom's wedding and Bella was soon to be my sister. I was glad the packmates I could trust were here.

"It's fine mom…now let's go knock Charlie's socks off." I kissed her cheek.

And then Pachelbel's Canon in D Major started playing and it was time to walk down the aisle. I took her hand from my face and put it in the crook of my arm.

x-x

BELLA POV

I felt the tears running down my face before I even realized that I was crying.

It was a beautiful wedding, short and simple but every vow Charlie and Sue exchanged were sincere and heartfelt. After twenty three years, my dad had finally found someone to make him happy – someone to take care of him the way he took care of me, Caleb, the townsfolk of Forks, all these years.

Sue was beautiful and glowing and as Charlie kissed his bride, an errant ray of the afternoon sun broke through one of the stained glass windows and shone upon them, as if a benediction of this unexpected but much welcomed union.

The small crowd broke out in applause – Embry, Quill and Seth and the younger wolves leading the rest with loud whoops and wolf whistles.

Charlie and Sue turned to the crowd and my dad's face was as red as a beet but the happiness shining in his eyes outshone even the ray of sunlight bathing him and Sue.

As Charlie and Sue started walking back down the aisle, I saw Billy looking on with a tender smile on his face, and I felt drawn to him. I had not seen him for years…not since before Jacob broke up with me. And I knew that whatever I felt about Jacob's and my break-up, whatever had happened in between, this was still the man who I'd known all my life, the second father who had carried me, comforted me and bandaged scraped knees and stopped my crying from my earliest memories of childhood.

"Hello Billy." I said softly as I reached his side, holding out my hand and gently patting his arm.

He startled – not having noticed me approach as he had been watching Charlie and Sue's return trip down the aisle.

"Bella – my dear. You are a sight for an old man's eyes." He said holding up both hands to me which I grasped. His eyes were sad as he gazed upon me.

"Billy…" I began

"Bella…" he said at the same time.

"No – sorry…you go ahead." He told me, grasping my hands tightly in his.

"No Billy – go ahead." I said, curious.

"I'm sorry honey..." he started. I shook my head furiously, not wanting to delve into the past.

"No Bella. Please listen to me." Billy insisted, his gravelly voice serious and at the same time pleading. I finally nodded and looked him in the eyes and noticed unshed tears glittering in his eyes. "I'm sorry for what happened Bella. If I had known what the council was doing to force Jacob, I would have never let it go on. I know this is hard to ask but I'm an old man and I'm not ashamed to beg you – please…just give Jacob a chance to explain. Please know that it was all my fault." He said.

I suppose he assumed I knew what had happened. Not realizing I had refused to listen to anyone's explanations. And the truth was, I knew I had sinned against him and Jacob by keeping Caleb from them as well.

I hesitated. Not wanting to divulge too much, but knowing I needed to tell him about Caleb.

"Let's not talk about it anymore Billy..." I said gently "The past is past and no matter what we do or say, we can't change it anymore. I've made mistakes of my own and I'm sorry too. "Then I paused and took a deep breath, knowing the next words I was going to say would change my life and Caleb's forever.

"I need you help though." I told him. My voice shook in nervousness.

"Of course." He assured me quickly.

"May I ask you to meet the Council with me?" I asked him.

"Wha…what for?" he asked confusedly.

"There's something I need to do - but can I come see you before then? Then we could go together?" I asked.

"Of course Bella. There's a meeting tomorrow morning at ten…or is that too soon for you?" he said. I could tell he was unsure and a little worried, but wanted to help me.

"We'll be at your house by 8." I told him. I wanted him to meet Caleb first. "Will Jac..will he be home?" I asked tentatively, not knowing if I wanted to hear a yes or a no.

"No honey." Billy answered "He's usually at the shop by seven. But I can ask…."

"No...no...I'll talk…I need to speak to him separately." I said, part of me breathing a sigh of relief and another part of me screaming that Jacob should be the first one to know about Caleb. "Maybe…I'll see him at the reception?" I asked timidly.

"I'm not sure he's coming Bella." Billy said sadly.

"Oh… well I guess his busy…and I guess, it would be weird to explain to your girlfriend why you're going to your ex's father's wedding…." I said, trying for a light tone.

"It's not like that…he's not… " Billy started to explain. But before we could finish, Leah interrupted us.

"Hach tochoktiya Billy." She said with a quick kiss to his weathered cheek. "That was a beautiful ceremony."

"Thank you Leah." His eyes twinkled. "And when do I get to celebrate yours?" he asked with a teasing grin.

"Bah!" Leah grumbled "...why is everyone so interested in my lovelife?"

"Because you're sooo damned beautiful." Embry surprised her, engulfing her in his arms from behind. He held her extra tightly and I noticed a dazed look on Embry's face. He seemed disoriented and out of focus somehow.

Leah mock frowned at him as Billy looked on at them with a beaming smile on his face.

"Can't believe you young 'uns are well…not so young anymore." He said "I just about feel ancient now."

"Hach tochoktiya Chief." Embry greeted him respectfully. "May I steal these lovely women away? I promised to drive them back to Charlie's so they can change clothes before the bonfire."

"Of course…of course...Charlie and Sue are changing at Sue's." Billy said "And young Quil has offered to drive all of us there."

As if on cue, Quil arrived. "Ready to go chief?" he asked and then noticing me, a broad smile wreathed his face. "Zombie girl!" he said, grabbing me in a huge embrace and twirling me around. "So I guess we're cousins now? Can we be kissing cousins?" he joked. Suddenly he stiffened and stared at Embry until his usual sunny, smiling look returned.

"Good to see you too Quil." I said giving him a kiss on the cheek. "We'll catch up later ok?" I said. And looking at them around me, Leah, Embry, Billy and Quil, my trepidation about Caleb eased a little.

"You bet!" Quil said enthusiastically planting another kiss on my cheek. "We need to talk Bella…" he whispered, a rare note of seriousness in his tone. I just nodded as he set me back on my feet and wondered about his exchange of glances with Embry.

But before I could quiz either of them about it, "Time to roll ladies!" Embry announced loudly and we waved goodbye to Quil and Billy as we hurried to the parking lot.

"Leah…I…" Embry started and then stopped.

"What?" she asked absently. We were both trying not to get mud on our dresses as we walked the few feet to Embry's car. Most of the other vehicles had left and Leah waved to a few acquaintances who were on their way out.

"I..uh…never mind." Embry said and then suddenly grabbed Leah, and kissed her hard.

"What was that for?" she asked, breathless, when he finally set her down near the passenger door. I just smiled at their antics.

"Get a room you two! There's kids here!" I heard Quil shout from the Chapel steps. A few car's honked and I heard Seth's voice from one of the cars "Hey! That's my sister you're pawing you asshole!"

Leah and Embry just stared at each other, seeming lost in their little world and I envied the love mutually shining out of their eyes.

"I...just…you're…you're just so beautiful Leah." Embry finally spit out.

"And you better count yourself lucky mister!" Leah said, getting into the car.

I looked at Embry quizzically, but he just smiled at me like the proverbial Cheshire cat and hustled me into the car.

Apart from a near collision with a tree, which Embry still had to explain to me, we arrived at my house uneventfully and the front door opened as soon as the car doors slammed shut. Flo was out on the porch, dressed warmly and ready for the bonfire reception on the beach. "Is Caleb ok? Did he give you any trouble?" I asked Flo. She had been Charlie's dispatcher at the station for years and was like family to us – I knew I couldn't have left Caleb in more caring hands.

"Of course not! He was an absolute angel!" she gushed. "Down for the count but he should wake up from his nap soon."

Leah and I went inside. We only had a couple of hours to change, ferry some of the food for the bonfire into the cars and return to First Beach where Sue and Charlie's reception was happening. Despite Charlie's insistence that he wanted to pay for a caterer to give Sue a break from cooking, she insisted that it would be a traditional potlatch where people would be bringing food, including the bride's family. Most of the food was already at Sue's house but the wedding cake which Leah and I had ordered from a bakery in town and some other dishes were at the house.

As I entered, I again felt the prickle of awareness and I looked over my shoulder. But only Embry was there, locking up the car and with a last long look at the woods, he entered the house too.

X-x

EMBRY POV

I had meant to warn Quil and the rest of the pack still loyal to Jacob about my worries about Sam. He and his gang had been strangely absent and quiet since we arrived and I knew Paul had been at the woods when we arrived yesterday. I could smell the fucker's scent lingering around the woods in the Swan house even if Leah hadn't warned me. As I drove to La Push from the Swan's, I went directly to Jacob's garage, hoping to talk to him before I saw my mom. But when I got there, the doors were locked and the lights were out – I could smell Jacob's scent so I was sure he was inside. I called out several times, knowing that even if I had merely whispered, he would have still heard me. I suppose he just didn't want to see me and with a heavy heart, I left for home. I hadn't had a chance to talk to Quil as the day was so busy with the engagement dinner for Charlie and Sue and getting ready this morning.

And then, I completely forgot about my worries about Sam and Paul and my mind refused to obey me or focus the second I saw Leah walking down the aisle. She was so beautiful I literally stopped breathing. And as our eyes met, I felt the world tilt and shift and for a moment. It was as if the rest of the world was in black and white and out of focus – and at the center, like a figure floating out of a dream, was my girl. Her eyes shone and her hair tumbled about her shoulders as black as a raven's wing and I almost started to stand up to grab her and run off with her into the woods so I could take her over and over and over…until a very sharp and hard nudge to my side forced me down to earth. I looked at Quil who whispered "Dude what's wrong with you? You're in a freaking' wedding – you look like you're going to pounce and eat Leah.."

I stopped staring – but only just. I felt like my whole body was on pins and needles. Like I was strong enough to lift mountains or knock down forests.

If you threatened to shoot me, I couldn't tell you what happened at the wedding. Charlie and sue could have taken their clothes off and done the tango at the altar and I wouldn't have noticed. All I could see was Leah. In fact, Quil periodically poked me in the ribs at various parts of the ceremony to get me to sit or stand with the rest of the people. I couldn't see or hear anything so how the eff was I supposed to know which part we were at? Quill gave me quite a few looks but I ignored him and kept my mind tightly shut.

I was so focused on Leah that I didn't remember to ward Quil until he approached our little group as we were saying goodbye to Billy.

"Dude, be on the alert ok?" I thought to Quil as he was twirling Bella around.

"Hey! Didn't know you could still do this…" Quil thought back at me.

"Of course I can – just because I don't choose to fursplode at every effin excuse like you do doesn't mean I've lost my powers…" I retorted.

"Anything up?" He asked.

"Don't tell Bella I told you…but…" I thought at him, sharing images of meeting Caleb and my conversations with Bella.

"Fuck. Is that…? He looks just like…" he thought, the surprise and wonder, warring with outrage in his mind over the deception, after Jacob was still our Alpha and I knew that after the showdown with the Council, Quil had mended his bridges with Jacob.

"Yes – but you cannot say a word. Act natural you ass or I'll kick your ass." I warned him.

I saw him whisper something to Bella about how they needed to talk and I glared at him.

"I heard that." I said

"Yeah…yeah." He though nonchalantly "I didn't say anything did I?"

"Just keep your trap shut and look out for Sam, Paul and Jared. " I warned him. "I have a bad feeling they'll try to pull something. Seth's talked to the pups too so Colin and Brady know - but nothing to Joseph or Lukas."

"Don't worry bro, I got your back." He responded.

As we walked to the parking lot – I couldn't resist the urge and had to grab Leah – just one small kiss I thought. How could that hurt? And as I was kissing her, the world disappeared again, and I broke from my trance only at the sound of Quil and Seth's heckling and to see Bella smiling bemusedly at me. I looked down at my girl and her face was flushed and breathless.

"What was that for?" she asked, as I set her down near the passenger door as gently as I could.

For a long moment, I wanted to run away with her again but instead, just stared at her face, memorizing each curve and line.

"I...just…you're…you're just so beautiful Leah." I managed to say.

"And you better count yourself lucky mister!" Leah replied getting into the car.

As we drove to the Swan's house, I could not make myself let go of Leah's hand. Cursing silently every time I needed to let go in order to shift gears. Damn it. Should have gotten the automatic version of my car….

"Are you ok" whispered Leah softly, looking surreptitiously at her shoulder. But Bella was staring out the window and seemed oblivious to us, buried in her thoughts.

"Better than ok." I told her, reaching over to stroke her face and tucking an errant tendril of hair behind her ear.

"I love you." She suddenly said and I almost crashed into a tree.

"Hey watch it!"

"Eyes on the road and not my cleavage Call!"

Bella and Leah shouted at the same time.

"Sorry..sorry.." I apologized. I looked at Leah an eyebrow raised, trying to look nonchalant although my heart felt like it was trying to claw its way out of my chest. We had been together for over a year now and while I constantly told her how I felt, Leah had never said those three words to me before.

"You mean it?" I asked, nervous that she would crack one of her jokes or smart ass comments the way she usually would when she got uncomfortable. Leah was never one for public displays of affection and God help me if I as much as mentioned anything she considered "mushy."

Instead, she squeezed my hand and smiled softly.

"With all of my heart."

i Indian Child Welfare Act. wiki/Indian_Child_Welfare_Act#cite_ref-SCOKBabyL_31-1