Sorry about the wait, I have been on holiday!
Anyway, here's the next chapter. I am watching New Moon as I write this, Twilight marathon day for me I think! Except I can't stand the first film, maybe I'm just weird or maybe it's because I love the wolves more than the Cullens and Twilight is all about the Cullens! Who knows, either way enjoy this chapter and thank you for all the reviews and lovely comments. I look forward to hearing more from you !
I do not own Twilight
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"67 bottles of milk on the wall, 67 bottles of milk" Max's voice screeched from the back seat, the sound of his body shifting around on the leather added to the noise and I found myself sinking further down into my own seat. I hadn't talked much since Embry picked me up from work; he had Max with him so he had stayed well away from me, he hadn't even strayed a quick brush over my hand. At the house Max had taken it upon himself to force Embry to play with him while I got ready and did the last bits of house work, it sounded crazy but even that hour felt like heaven, not having to worry about Max while I got on with the things I needed so badly to do.
"Who taught him that song?" Embry whispered to me as we stopped at a red light, that was a very good question. I wanted to kill whoever it was. He had started singing it as I pulled his shirt over his head to leave and he hadn't stopped since. It was great that I knew my kid could count but it was a seriously grating song.
"Uncle Seth" Max shouted from behind me and his feet began kicking into my chair causing my body to jerk forward as each kick thumped into my spine. I was going to kill him. "64 bottles of milk on the wall" He paused, his kicks paused too. "I got it wrong, uh oh" I looked at Embry, praying that this didn't mean what I thought it meant but it did. "99 bottles of milk on the wall, 99 bottles of milk, take one down and pass it around"
"I'm going to kill Seth" Embry hissed again, his head nodding in determination as he spoke. I think he was actually envisioning ways to kill my baby brother, not that I blamed him.
I settled back in my seat, my body still getting kicked from behind as we made our way down the final street toward Beccas house. It felt like Embry was driving slowly due to Max's singing but we eventually pulled up causing a groan from Max about how he never got to finish that song. I was pretty willing to lock him in a room with Seth and Sam and make him sing it until the very end right now.
Embry stayed behind me as we made our way to the door and I let myself in, I didn't need to knock, this place was practically home to me. It was a nice house, a two level white bricked house with a big garden and four bedrooms, a real family home complete with a picket fence. Rebecca was very house proud, and so she should be. She worked hard at the hospital to get a house like this.
"ANNABELLE TO MINUTES TO GIVE IT BACK YOU LITTLE shit" She lowered her voice to curse as she rounded on the hallway, her eyes scanning the corridor for her daughter but stopped as she reached us stood in the doorway. "Oh, hi sorry she stole my phone again. She keeps calling Rachel and it costs a fortune. Max go find her honey" She grinned at Max who ran past her without even looking up at her and she then focused back on me, her eyes looking over my outfit of tight black skinny jeans and a black and white polka dot blouse that hung loosely yet was short so it showed off my hip shape a little, no skin just the shape of my body. It was nothing special but it didn't look bad, and it hid the bite marks quite well.
"You look cute, hi Embry" She looked passed me and winked before smiling wider as I guessed he smiled back. "Solomon is through there watching some surfing thing, I have no idea what it is, just nod and smile and he shouldn't ask you too many questions. I will grab you a drink, is beer ok? Or we may have something stronger, or even just a soda, whatever you want really" She rambled a little, her hand coming up to rest on her hip. She looked tired, she had been at work today and undoubtly hadn't got much sleep last night between the three kids she had here. She was dressed simply in black leggings and a shirt, her hair in a high ponytail.
"A beer would be great, thank you" Embry spoke up finally, his deep voice rumbling as he spoke and I knew I had reacted, my body shivered causing my shoulders to shake and I felt myself growing hotter. Rebecca noticed, her eyes narrowing at me as she smiled and nodded.
"I'll bring it in now; the living room is through there. Just watch Leo, he's starting to pull himself up and he keeps trying to grab Solomon's beer, and obviously Solomon is oblivious to it" She rolled her eyes again and I noticed Embry step beside me, his arm brushing mine, his skin causing a spread of goosebumps over my entire body. Again, Rebecca noticed and a smirk began to grow on her thin lips, an interested squint in her eyes. This would never be good. Embry didn't linger, he nodded at her before walking off into the living room where I heard Solomon begin speaking, obviously greeting him.
"You, me, kitchen now" She turned and hissed at me before skipping excitedly through to her kitchen that was covered in pots, pans, food, baby bottles and teething rings. Her oven was on and it was producing the best smell I had ever smelled, her homemade Lasagne, it was amazing. Full of calories, but amazing. "So, how was your date? Don't you just love that restaurant? Solomon took me there a few months back it is very cute and very appropriate for dates with super sexy men such as the ones currently sat on my sofa" She turned as she reached the sink and winked at me, my stomach dropped with each word she said because I knew Embry could hear her.
"It was nice, and so was the restaurant now be quiet" I hissed a little and she rolled her eyes before turning and dumping the dirty pots and baby equipment into the sink.
"Oh shh, it's not like he can hear me" She snapped and I groaned, he could hear every word and it was only going to get worse from here. "Anyway, I want details. What was a date with Embry Call like? He was always such a dork when we were kids. He seems like he would treat you right though. I remember one time Jake and Quil squirted tooth paste in my hair and Embry made them stop before helping me wash it out. He was always such a sweetie" She rambled again, asking questions that she didn't give me time to answer. "Did he wine and dine you? He seems like he would get you anything you wanted. What wine did you drink? You can tell a good date from what wine they choose. Oooo did he mention anything about how sexy you looked?"
"You know what Becca, if you let me answer one single question you just asked then you would find out a hell of a lot quicker" I finally snapped as she opened her mouth to ask yet another question and she turned to raise an eyebrow at me.
"OO someone is testy this evening, hard day at the office?" She stopped washing up now and fully turned back to me, I took the chance while I had it to distract from Embry and nodded at her. It hadn't been, it had been an easy working day but if it got her to stop asking about Embry then I would use it. "What's up?"
"Oh nothing really, just loads of paperwork and I had a delightful conversation today with Mr grouchy himself" I opted to use Becca's nickname for him rather than his actual name, I knew if Embry heard me say it then it would cause issues. I hadn't told him Sam rang me, or that we had a discussion over him.
"Oh how delightful, he still as grumpy as ever? I don't think I've ever seen that guy smile you know. So what did Sam Uley want this time?" My plan didn't work; she had to say not only his name but his full name. My shoulders slouched at this point; Embry would be questioning me on that later then. "Geese that bad? You look like a deflated balloon" She chirped again and again my shoulders slouched, she made it so much worse.
"No not too bad, he just wanted to ask about Max and other things, general chit chat" I began desperately nodding my head to the door and mouthed 'Embry' hoping she would get the message it had been about Embry but that she wouldn't say it out loud. Obviously she did.
"What? Why does he want to know about Embry? Does he know you went on a date? Ooo please tell me he has a very bad case of green eyed monster and you told him to suck it" She jumped a little and I fully slouched over onto the counter, groaning as I went. I had no idea why I still told her anything. She could never be quiet.
"I don't think he's jealous, he's just curious. But yes, I did tell him to suck it. Now stop speaking so loud" I mumbled into the counter, listening as I heard the kids shouting to one another.
"Lets go in the other room, dinner will be ready in a minute. I got the kids chicken nuggets and fries in the oven, they can watch a movie while we have adult time" I looked back up as she walked over to the door and winked at me before running off with Embry's beer and her own glass of wine, I needed a glass. A very large one.
I was rummaging through the fridge for the wine when a searing hot arm looped its way around my midsection and pulled me back against a hard body, my stomach swirled as my body quite literally melted into his. A soft kiss came down on my jaw line right beneath my ear lobe before his warmth left me and he fell into the counter beside the fridge and fiddled with my wine glass. He said nothing for a few seconds, he just flickered his eyes between the wine glass and me before taking the wine from my hand and pouring it out.
"You didn't tell me he called you" He spoke softly, low and quiet. At least one person in this house new the meaning of an indoor voice. I took the glass from him and held it to my lips as I shrugged. It wasn't a massive issue; I didn't think I needed to tell him. It would cause arguments. "Leah, what did he say?"
"Nothing, he rang about Max. It was more me that went off at him." I shrugged again and sipped on my wine, I could feel Embry's eyes on me, watching me. It made me somewhat self conscious but not in a bad way.
"Leah" He groaned and shifted beside me, obviously upset at his pack brother for his interference. "What was he saying to you? I don't want him upsetting you, is this why you've been quiet since I picked you up?" He had turned so that he was practically in front of me, watching me closely. I shook my head but I couldn't lie, I didn't like lying to him so I then nodded slightly causing a groan to come from the man in front of me. "Such an ass, what did he say?"
"Nothing, really Em I handled it. I told him he had no business prying in my life and that I would do what I wanted whether he liked it or not. Trust me, he was remarkably tame today, he wasn't even having a go at me he just seemed like some almighty protector out to spread his words of wisdom. Don't get worked up about it, I'm fine" I reached out, allowing my hand to trail the smooth skin of his forearm as he began shaking in anger. The shakes soothed immediately, his body falling from its tense posture into his normal stance, the muscles in his arm twitching but not from anger.
"I just don't want him making you feel like I'm out to hurt you, or that I'm being a kid about this because I'm not Leah. I mean everything I say and do with you, I would never hurt you. I need you to know that I haven't set out to hurt you" His voice lowered again, cautious over the fact that we were in a house with other people and little ears. I could hear the truth in his words, he was the sweet person Becca knew him to be, he would never intentionally hurt anyone and I knew he definitely wouldn't want to hurt me.
"I know, I know that. Please don't let it get to you, just go back out with Solomon while I help with dinner" I tried smiling but he didn't return it, he just nodded and backed away from me. He looked upset though, as if he was in deep thought and it was bugging him. It was bugging me, the whole situation because it was shitty. I watched him leave, his face never lifting from the sad expression and I stood where I was just waiting for Rebecca to come in and she did, but for once she didn't ask any questions she just dished up dinner and let me take it all out to the table.
Embry was smiling again through dinner, his real smile that lit up the entire room. I could see Rebecca watching the two of us as we sat beside one another, Solomon kept kicking her under the table as she made little remarks about how close we seemed. Embry handled it well, telling her that I was a good friend too him and he loved being around Max and I, never did he slip up or mention any extra feelings or other things to her. Max and Annabelle were engrossed in a film, Finding Nemo, while they munched their food. Leo was in his highchair chewing on bits of bread and lasagne while just watching us all talking. He was a real happy baby; he just watched everything around him. He was 13 months now and he was huge, crawling and standing up, just beginning to walk with a walker.
"Oh come here baby boy" I cooed finally as I scooted my left over lasagne to Embry, I was full up and Leo was giving him his 'flirty' eyes meaning he wanted to have a cuddle. He reached up for me as I grabbed at him and his head settled straight away against my chest causing Solomon to laugh, the kid was definitely a boob man. "You are just so big, and so cute and I could just eat you up you are so scrummy" I cooed between kisses to his chubby cheek and he began grinning while slobbering down my chest.
"So Leah, I didn't get a chance to tell you earlier but I think we are going to La Push for Christmas" Rebecca interrupted my coo's and I glanced up at her, she was watching me somewhat warily and Embry fell slightly stiff beside me. La Push, that would mean I was alone. I was never alone for the holidays, we always came here and spent it together. "Rachel really wants us to be together this year because of dad, Ness and Jake will be there and Flynn needs to know his cousins. We are leaving five days before Christmas Eve and coming back a few days after Christmas day as I have work. I was wondering if you had made plans yet?"
She knew I hadn't, she knew I was just staying here like I always did. I saw her flicker to Embry before back to me and I knew where it was going. She wanted to know if I would be spending it with him, as if we were an actual couple. Leo bounced in my lap as I stopped giving him attention and I pressed my lips back to his nose and shook my head at my friend.
"You aren't taking Max back there? I would have thought Sam would want to see him" She asked again and I saw Solomon's body jump as he undoubtly gave her another kick. I shook my head then shrugged; I hadn't given it much thought. I wouldn't send Max away for Christmas and I wouldn't be going back there. I would have to spend it alone, my first Christmas all by myself. Just me and Max, alone. The thought made me feel shit; I had never thought Rebecca would leave me at Christmas.
"Oh well um give it some thought, maybe you guys could come with us" She spoke softer now, Solomon gave her yet another kick and she landed an almighty smack into his arm. I said nothing; I glanced behind me to the sofa and saw Max watching us, obviously listening to the conversation. Rebecca had opened yet another can of beans; he would be asking to go to La Push now.
"AHHHH" Leo giggled in my lap pulling my attention back around to him and I saw that Embry was now planting little tickles into his chubby little neck causing laughter and squirms from the baby.
"Here, I'm going to help tidy up" I handed the baby to him and he gave me a startled look for a minute as if being left with a baby was utterly confusing to him but he finally took him and sat Leo in his lap. The little boy now turned his head into Embry's chest and dribbled down his shirt before peeking back at me, peek a boo. "Oh you are just too clever little boy" I cooed as I went to give him a kiss, his chubby little hand came up to grab for me and he gripped at the collar of my shirt and pulled exposing my cleavage as he did it. I grabbed it back from him as quickly as I could but I didn't miss the looks both Rebecca and Solomon held as they saw the mark that sat on the top of my rack. Fuck.
I ran, literally grabbed the plates and ran to the kitchen which was stupid because she followed and cornered me by the sink. "Oh my god. You kissed him, you more than kissed him. He gave you a freaking love bite?" She hissed excitedly and clapped a little, I was dying. Embry would hear every word of this. "What did you do? Was it last night?" I nodded at her and she jumped around dropping the plates to the counter with a loud clatter.
"Shh Becca, it's nothing"
"You are so grouchy sometimes Leah, it's obviously something. You two have been sneaking glances at each other all night; you blush every time he speaks to you. He snuck out here as soon as I left and he took you on a fucking date, you cannot try telling me you are just friends. Oh my god, did you sleep with him?" She carried on and on until she reached the conclusion I was waiting for, I didn't think I could hide it from her but this was just embarrassing. I didn't move, I just watched her as it all clicked and she didn't need my answer because she knew. "Leah Clearwater you little minx, you slept with him? Fucking hallelujah, I have been waiting for this day for like five years. I knew you liked each other, you can just see it. You fit together so perfectly. This is amazing, you have a toy boy. He's younger than you" She really could ramble when she wanted to. I just rolled my eyes waiting for her to stop.
"First off, the last time I checked he is only one guy therefore it does not make me a slut, secondly can you stop talking so fucking loud and thirdly, he's only like a year and a half younger than me that hardly makes him a toy boy" I stomped my foot as the annoyance ate its way through me. Rebecca got on my nerves when it came to my love life; she was rather over the top.
"You so slept with him" She squealed again but managed to keep her voice at whisper level, not that it would make any difference, Embry could probably hear my feet shuffling against the tile flooring. "I knew those heels would work, did he like your lingerie? Was he good? Oh I bet he is massive" She got louder now and I slapped my hand across her arm trying to shut her up, I should have done this over the phone. I hadn't thought about the fact she would be asking questions about last night in a house with someone who could hear every little movement.
"Shhh Becca, for fuck sake can you be quiet for once. It was probably the two bottles of wine we got through rather than the heels" It wasn't because Embry couldn't get drunk and he had barely touched the wine. It had been something; maybe not the heels but I did have a lot of leg on show last night.
"Definitely the heels. Anyway, how big is he?" She pushed again and I groaned dropping the last few plates into the dishwasher before trying to skip around her to the fridge.
"It was a lovely night Rebecca and Embry is a really nice guy, now please shut up. Where's desert?" I mumbled trying to root around the fridge for anything resembling a desert.
"Cheesecake at the top. I know he's a nice guy, and I know he probably treated you in more ways than one but just tell me what he's like in bed" She skipped behind me now and opened the freezer bringing out ice cream, I saw a tub of cookie dough beside the vanilla and my face blushed all over again. Something as simple as ice cream made me blush because it was associated with him. I was in way over my head.
"Oh lord, that good? You are bright red" Her finger poked at my cheek and I slammed the fridge door shut trying to keep myself away from her. Didn't work though, she shoved herself beside me and started scooping ice cream into bowls while I did the cheesecake. "Why do you get so annoyed with me? I am your best friend, we tell each other these things" She nudged me now and some part of me agreed, we told one another everything. But not when Embry was in the other fucking room.
"I have never asked you about what Solomon is like in bed, therefore you need to shut up and take desert through" I hissed now, my anger peaking as I knew Embry was listening to every word and it was going to be awkward as hell when I went back in there.
"If you asked I would tell you. Now just put me out of my misery, is he as big as the rest of his body?" She didn't budge, she just stared at me as I held two desert bowls in my hand waiting to leave. She wouldn't give this up.
"Yes Becca, he is well in proportion with the rest of his body. Now let me pass" I growled slightly as I spoke, my skin trembling not with anger but with slight embarrassment. I was being truthful, Embry was huge in that department but it hadn't been a shock to me. I had seen a lot of the guys naked when I phased and all of them were well in proportion, not that I looked deliberately. But I had seen Embry enough times six years ago to know what his whole body looked like. But still, although it hadn't exactly shocked me last night, I didn't think it would fit.
"I so knew it" She squealed before finally letting me pass and I rushed through to the dining area before she could ask another question. I could feel how hot my cheeks were, I knew I was blushing but as I walked in Embry wasn't watching me as I thought he would be, he was throwing Leo into the air and catching him again, the little boy was in fits of laughter and Solomon was chuckling as he watched them.
"Leeeeoooooo" Embry sung as he again threw the baby in the air and caught him, this time however he lowered him to his chest and sat back in his chair, his eyes glancing up at me as I put the desert in front of him. He smiled, but it wasn't a normal smile it was a knowing smile. He had heard it all. "Now it's time to calm down little fella before you are sick all over me, you want some bread?" He looked away as my cheeks grew hotter, his own cheeks blushing somewhat before reaching for left over bread and handing it to the dribbling child in his lap.
"Aww he likes you, you are really good with kids Embry" Rebecca had reappeared now and shuffled down into her seat opposite me, Solomon looked up as if waiting for the right moment to kick his wife if she said anything else but she didn't. She just looked down at her bowl with a sly smile on her face and at her desert.
"Uhh yeah I guess, well we have Claire and Flynn at home so I'm used to them being around" He replied as he too shovelled his desert onto his spoon and gulped it down.
"Yeah Flynn was attached to you when we were there" Solomon spoke now, cutting over Rebecca as she opened her mouth to speak and I gave him a thankful smile. She meant well, I know she meant well and she didn't mean to pry so much but sometimes she just said the wrong thing.
Embry shrugged a little and handed more bread to Leo who was sucking on his shirt. "Flynn attaches himself to anyone who looks like Paul, truth be told I barely see the kid because of work. He just runs at whoever is closest and looks like his dad, I'm pretty close with Claire though. She's a good kid" He smiled fondly as he spoke, I had seen Flynn with the guys back home and what Embry said was true, he attached himself to the leg of the nearest guy he could find but never seemed to look at them or speak to them, he just clung to them until Paul appeared and he made a beeline for his dad. Embry was good with him though, he had always let the little boy climb or cling to him. He had always been good with Claire too, even when Quil first imprinted on her and she was an annoying little brat who got spoiled rotten, Embry was always far more patient with her than the other guys. He was good with kids.
"Do you"
"How's work?" Solomon cut loudly over Rebecca again, it didn't take a genius to know what she was going to ask, 'do you want kids' was probably the gist of it but Solomon got in there first and Becca shot him a dirty look for it.
"Good I guess a little quiet at the minute but Jake is helping out while I'm away, he's doing the odd job for whoever needs it. Seth works for me too so he's working on a house in Forks currently, it's easier for him because he lives there whereas I stick to La Push. I probably won't work much over Christmas; I tend to spend it with the guys or my mom so I get a break too" He shrugged before finishing his desert and I noticed his eyes dart around the table, I had barely touched mine and I knew he had clocked it. He didn't even need to ask, I pushed my bowl toward him and a big grin grew on his face as he dived in to eat it.
"I'm gonna work for Embry when I'm big and strong, isn't that right" A little voice sung now and I peered behind me to see Max smiling toward the table, mainly at Embry who gave a full mouthed grunt and nod to the little boy. My stomach jolted, working for Embry meant being in La Push. He must have talked to Embry about it.
No one said anything after that; they all just silently ate their food before Rebecca excused herself to take Leo and Annabelle to bed. Solomon entertained Embry while I got Max into his pyjamas and settled him down onto the sofa. Rebecca hadn't mentioned last night again, she just whispered to me in the kitchen before we left about me thinking about going to La Push for Christmas. I hadn't replied, I simply just nodded at her.
The ride home had been worse, there was something hanging in the air between Embry and I. Something tense and unknown, he seemed a little on edge, upset. I wasn't sure what I had said to make him go so strange but I knew it was because of me. He didn't even look at me; he didn't even glance behind him as Max's snores started from the back seat. He just watched the road ahead and drove until we pulled to a stop outside my dark house. He still said nothing and so I twisted in my seat, ready to ask him what was wrong.
"Embry"
"I'll take him into bed" He cut me off, his eyes not even looking at me as he unbuckled himself and climbed out of my cold car. I just sat there and listened as he took Max and slammed the back door shut. He was pissed off and I had no idea what I had said. Maybe it was because I told Rebecca he was big, maybe I shouldn't tell her about us. But then he had been fine with me after that. He had only gone funny when I returned from the kitchen to ask him if we were ready to come home.
I watched as he shuffled into the house, Max floppy in his arms and the lights flickered on. I had to go in. I climbed out taking the left over lasagne with me. My body was cold and I felt so low as I tip toed my way after him, I had no idea what I had done and every ounce of me was scared that I had upset him in some way. It was the last thing I wanted to do, I never wanted to see him upset.
I could hear him down the hallway as I shut the front door, he was speaking lowly to Max, saying goodnight. I should have gone down too but I couldn't, I wasn't ready to see that hurt look in his eyes again and so I went to the kitchen and put the lasagne in the fridge. Praying that Embry would somehow become happy again and I wouldn't have to sleep alone or go to bed feeling as shit as I did right now. I had obviously hurt him. I slipped my heels off, leaving them led in the kitchen I turned to sneak down the hallway to my room but as I reached the doorway I saw Embry watching me from the living room. His face in a hard frown as he saw me tip toeing out. I couldn't walk away, as much as I didn't want to feel the hurt radiating from him I couldn't just leave. So I changed direction and walked to him, perching on the coffee table in front of where he sat I just stared at him, and he stared right back. No smile or blush there like there normally was but my insides were going crazy. A mixture of desire, worry, pain, need and heat running through me.
"Did I do something?" I finally asked when he didn't speak and his eyes shot up to meet mine, the pain they held earlier had calmed and he simply shook his head.
"No, it's not you. I'm sorry; I had a really good night. I'm just tired" He shifted in his seat and I knew he wasn't quite telling the truth but I didn't want to push him so instead I nodded. "I'll grab a drink and go to sleep" He looked at the sofa and my heart dropped, he was sleeping out here. I didn't want him too, I wanted to sleep with him, I wanted to feel his warmth against me.
"You don't have to sleep out here, you could umm stay with me if you like" My voice was barely a whisper and it squeaked as I tried getting each word out. I was nervous; I was never this open about what I wanted especially not with him. I felt somewhat vulnerable, he could turn around and say no at any minute. But he didn't, instead his sombre facial expression lifted to a slight smile, colour flooded his cheeks again and he gave a little huff of laughter.
"I would like that; I just didn't think you would want me too. Max is here" He shuffled forward to the edge of his chair and his hand slipped into mine pulling at me as if he wanted me nearer to him.
"My door has a lock on it" I shrugged and his smile grew. In a second he was on his feet pulling me along with him down the hallway and toward my room. Every inch of my body wanted to jump on him, to take his lips on mine and feel him against me but I didn't instead I simply let him go as he walked to my bathroom and I got undressed and into shorts and a top before climbing into my side of the bed, my bed that still smelt like him and relaxed every muscle in my body. Who would have thought Embry Call would ever make me feel this way. Who would have thought anyone would make me feel this way, I once thought Sam had broken me, that no one would want me, I had been broken but Embry was fixing me.
And I didn't want him to stop.