AN: Well hello again! I know, I'm back uncharacteristically soon! I just made an update schedule that will have me updating stories at least once a month, so yay! I know its not as much as you guys would like, and I'd love to do more as well, but now you guys know it will get done at least once a month. Again, I have pictures of everyone up on my profile, even Hannah now, go look and tell me your opinions! Thank you for all the reviews and thank you for reading! Enjoy!
Chapter Thirty-Five
Sans The Bad
The next morning I woke up to Quil brushing my hair with his fingers and smiling down on me. It's always comforting to wake up to a sight like that. We laid tangled together for a few minutes until Quil told me it would be a good idea to get downstairs before Pop came upstairs. I agreed and left his warm embrace for a quick shower while he went down to the kitchen. I dressed in jeans and a tee-shirt with thick socks and ventured down stairs.
I was a little afraid, thinking I'd find Quil in the corner getting beat by Pop for us sleeping in the same bed but they were sitting at the breakfast bar of the kitchen, drinking coffee and laughing about something I had missed.
Smiling as I walked up to them I leaned against Quil. His arm wrapped around my waist while he continued to sip his coffee. "Morning Claire-bear." Pop said smiling at me.
"Morning Pop," I said smiling with him, wrapping my arm around Quil's shoulders.
"Sleep well?" He asked before taking a ginger sip of the steaming coffee in his hand.
"Like a baby." I said happily, holding onto Quil tighter.
"Good, I hoped your cousins hadn't worked you up too much." Pop said relieved.
"Are they really going to throw a party?" I asked worryingly.
"I'm afraid so. They've already set a date and started inviting everyone." He answered sympathetically.
I slumped heavily into Quil's hold. I was really hoping they would give up on that thought. "When?" I groaned.
"Tomorrow," He answered with a long sigh.
"Well they don't waste time." I grumbled, pouting like a child.
"No, they don't." Pop said shaking his head.
"Anywhere I can hide?" I asked hopefully. It's a big house, there has to be room for me to stash my skinny ass.
"I already have an excuse, but you have to at least show up." He said with a glint in his eye.
"What's my excuse?" I asked confused.
Pop pulled a box out from under the counter and then threw it at me. I caught it clumsily, once I got a firm grip on it I saw that it was a box of tampons.
Quil snorted as he saw the box. "Ah, yes, this is a pretty good excuse." I said putting the box down on the counter.
"It always worked for your grandmother." Pop said grinning. There was a sad tone in his voice and I wanted to go over and hug him but he downed the rest of his coffee and ambled over to the sink to put the mug in the basin and started walking for the door. "I'm going to the store for some stuff for lunch, do you need anything?" He asked as he took his feet out of his slippers and into his loafers.
"Uh, nope, I'm good." I said pointing to the tampons.
Pop chuckled and headed out of the kitchen. "Alright, don't get into any trouble." He said over his shoulder.
"No promises!" I called out. I heard him laugh again before the door shut and I felt a little more comfortable.
I turned in to face Quil fully and he had already pushed his coffee to the side and pulled me in front of him, smashing me between his rock hard chest and the counter he sat in front of.
"So, I didn't know you were so buddy-buddy with Pop." I said, re-wrapping my arms around his neck once I was sure we were alone.
He smiled. "Yeah, he's cool when he doesn't think I'm having sex with you." He said with a wink.
"He didn't?" I asked cringing. God that's embarrassing…
"He asked." He said sighing heavily. He wrapped his arms tightly around my waist, bringing me closer to him than I had been. "I told him you demanded my services as a pillow and that was all." He added leaning his lips close to mine.
"I never thought I'd see the day where I didn't mind being blamed for something." I noted while trying not to stare too long at his lips.
He grinned and gripped me even tighter. "It's a noble cause." He murmured.
I chuckled. "Indeed."
I kissed him softly without too much enthusiasm because the last thing I needed was to start a full blown make-out session with my thirty-something, werewolf boyfriend in my grandfather's kitchen. Quil seemed to be thinking the same thing because he pressed his lips firmly against mine then pulled barely a centimeter away. I'll admit, I wanted to do dirty things with him on the kitchen counter, but I had to resist.
"When do I get to meet your family?" I asked twirling the hair at the base of his neck.
His lips pursed in thought and God, he looked so adorable like that. "My mom will probably be coming up with my step dad soon." He said rubbing my back.
"Anyone else?" I asked trying not let him see my disappointment and relief. Yes, they are contradictory, but it's sad that Quil doesn't have anymore family than that but it would be awesome if he didn't because I can't take anymore family gatherings!
"The pack is my family, you and Jeff and Willa and Dana are my family. There really isn't anyone you haven't met." He said simply, shrugging lazily.
I frowned and held Quil tighter to me.
"What?" He asked confused, brushing my hair with his fingers.
"It's kind of sad." I muttered still frowning.
"It really isn't." He said shaking his head, smiling a little. "I haven't had you for years and having you back just makes up for anything I might be missing." He said adorningly, pulling me closer to him.
Any pity I might have felt for Quil was quickly turned into fluttering butterflies. "Is it strange to say I missed you, even though I didn't know you?" I asked suddenly.
He laughed and shook my head. "Hell, it makes me feel a little better." He answered honestly.
I went limp in his arms and hung on him entirely. He always makes me feel better. "Next time, do you think we could just abduct Pop for a few days instead?" I asked pouting.
"I have no problem with that." He said sighing. Maybe if I bring Willa next time these bloody cousins wouldn't be so snippy.
I grabbed his hands and pulled him toward the couch. He laughed and let me pull him along and then pushed him onto the couch and crawl into his lap. He knew to wrap his arms back around me without saying anything and I snuggled under his massive arms and laid my head on his shoulder.
"What is it with you and couches?" He asked still laughing.
"I like snuggling with you." I said against his neck, trying to wrap my arms around him.
"I won't argue with that." He sighed contently.
"Of course not, you like snuggling too, even if you won't admit it." I said smugly.
"Nah, I'll admit it, I love to snuggle with my Claire-bear." He said grinning entirely too widely.
"Will I ever live that name down?" I asked aspirated.
"Not as long as you are alive, and even then." He said shaking his head.
"Ugh, I should have known." I groaned. Quil laughed and hugged me tighter.
We lounged on the couch for twenty minutes. I still couldn't do anything too risqué on my grandfathers couch. That's just tasteless… And I don't want to blush every time I look at said piece of furniture. I give too much away sometimes. I heard Pop pull into the driveway and after a struggle with Quil to actually get off the couch and out of his arms I was able to get to the door.
Opening the door for Pop just in time I found my old and small grandfather with an arm full of bags. "Oh, let me get that for you." I said taking the bags from him easily.
"You're supposed to be the guest." Pop chided me as he shut the door behind himself.
"I don't mind, besides your cooking right?" I said looking over my shoulder as I walked to the kitchen, shooting Pop a grin.
"You're sneaky, just like your father." Pop chuckled, shaking his head. I set the bags on the counter and he walked around me and started unpacking them. "Can you go out into the garage with Quil, I'm going to need my meat slicer. He knows where it is." He said pointing to the door next to the front door.
"Sure." I walked back into the living room and grabbed Quil's hand and pulled him off the couch. I knew I did no such thing, but I don't mind Quil letting me think I did. "Pop needs his meat slicer from the garage." I said walking with him to the garage.
Inside the garage it was a maze of bookshelves, neatly organized with appliances, boxes and bins. I couldn't call my grandfather a pack rat, or a hoarder because everything was so orderly, but he had a lot of stuff in there.
"Wow, this is like a time machine." I said as I picked up a walk-man that was in a near by box.
"Don't make me feel old." Quil grumbled.
I looked over my shoulder with a cheeky smile. "I like time machines." I said slyly.
"Uh, huh." He muttered with narrowed eyes. "It's over here." He said pointed toward the back wall of the garage and pushed me to the shelf while I giggled.
The meat slicer is huge, stainless steel, has about two million pieces, and falls apart very easily. How do people even use these things? Quil easily carried the bulk of the meat slicer while I picked up the pieces that kept falling off and we managed to make it to the kitchen without the whole thing falling to bits.
"So what's for lunch?" I asked after I unloaded all the pieces on the counter next to the monstrosity.
Pop pulled out a huge roast and smiled. "Sandwiches," He said proudly.
"Yummy," I said licking my lips. I've never had a sandwich made from freshly sliced meat before… or made by my grandfather, so it has to be good. Right? "No mustard on mine." I told him as he started unwrapping the roast.
He laughed a little at my demand but nodded. "So, what are your plans for the day?" He asked looking between me and Quil.
"I can't hang around with my grandfather?" I asked with feign insult.
"Of course you can, I just didn't think I was cool enough." Pop said with his own fake pout.
I scoffed. "Oh, you're the coolest." I said with a horrible ghetto accent.
Quil and Pop laughed. "Thanks Kiddo," Pop said as he started up the meat slicer, which is really loud.
Quil and I retired to the couch while Pop worked with the noisy monster. I went back to sitting in his lap and looked at all the pictures on the wall while we waited for our sandwiches. It didn't take as long as I thought it might and Pop even let us eat in the living room. Oh, and he can make the best sandwich in the Pacific Northwest, hands down.
"Since your cousins are going to force you through a party against your will tomorrow, would you like to watch a movie with your old grandfather tonight?" Pop asked as he collected our plates.
"I'd like that." I said cheerfully. Nothing better than a movie with Quil and a sane grandfather.
"Quil, why don't you go into town and pick one up for us?" Pop asked with a hidden agenda.
Quil nodded and I was forced to move so he could stand. "Any requests?" He asked at the door.
"No chick flicks." I told him seriously.
His eyes rolled instantly and he left without any issue. It's nice to see Quil comfortable leaving me with my grandfather, it really solidifies that I can trust him too. I followed Pop into the kitchen and was about to ask him what I could do to help when he turned to face me, grabbed my shoulders and looked at me seriously.
"You two are good for each other, and I'm very happy that you are happy." He told me honestly. "I just wanted you to know that." He added rubbing my cheek.
My arms flung around him instantly and I hugged him fiercely. "Thanks Pop, it means more than you know to me." I mumbled, trying not to cry.
AN: Review!