"Are you frickin' nuts?! I'm not going out there!" Brady shrieked.
While he spoke, the back door near the kitchen broke off the hinge and Leah ran into the house. Her eyes fell on Brady for a moment before she grabbed Jo's arm, pulling her roughly towards her and onto the ground. Brady's trembling increased with Leah's actions. Leah leaned over Jo, protecting her with her body.
"NOW!" Leah yelled loudly just as the front door burst open, knocking Brady to the floor.
Jacob ran in, quickly looked over to where Leah was blocking Jo's body before he rushed towards Brady who was shaking and growling as he pushed himself up off the ground. At the same time, a naked Jared, and Quil raced in behind Jacob and each grabbed Brady's arm.
"Get him outside!" Jacob shouted over Brady's growls and strong struggles.
The three men quickly pulled Brady off the ground and through the door. Knowing that he was near phasing, they tossed him off the porch.
Bones shifted, skin disappeared as fur covered his body and four paws landed on the ground. It took Brady a few seconds of growling before he realized that something was wrong. His ears went back and he whimpered instinctively as he watched the two naked boys in front of him jump off the porch and turn into wolves before his very eyes. Brady's tail went between his legs while the large wolves of Quil and Jared walked around him. Brady shook his head, obviously hearing thoughts and words in his head that were not his own.
Jacob glanced back at Jo, and met Leah's gaze. The woman nodded to him, seeing the desire to not only help Brady but also to see to his wife. Knowing that Leah was with her, Jacob slipped off his shorts and shoes before leaping off the porch to phase and join the others.
Leah looked back at Jo before she pulled her cousin in for a hug. Leah was never one who enjoyed being touched but the adrenaline of knowing a loved one was in danger simply pushed her over that ledge. It caught Jo off guard when she felt Leah's warm, strong arms come around her. It lasted for just a few seconds before Leah pulled back.
"Are you all right?" She asked, her eyes travelling down Jo's arms and legs. She knew she had pulled her towards her quite roughly, but it obviously didn't cause Jo any harm.
Jo nodded, yet her shaking hands revealed that she was still dealing with the extreme anxiety that she was prone to experiencing. Leah grabbed a stool from the kitchen and urged Jo to sit down. It took her another minute of deep breathing before Jo could finally speak.
"What are you doing here?"
Leah scoffed and crossed her arms. "I could ask you the same thing."
Jo rolled her eyes at her cousin before Leah answered her question.
"I was out running, you know, in hopes of getting away from all the disgusting marital glee that's around La Push today," Leah said, making a face as she spoke. "And I heard the guys phase in and when I realized what was going on, I had to get here. I couldn't let anything happen to you."
Jo looked up at Leah, seeing a small smile on her face.
"Thank you," Jo told her softly.
Leah sighed, crossing her arms. "You're lucky that Sam doesn't know shit about this."
"What do you mean?"
"The guys kept Sam out of the loop. It's his wedding day and all, so they thought it best to not ruin it with this. He'd freak out and not in the good sense."
"It's not Brady's fault that he suddenly phased for the first time on Sam's wedding day."
"Oh, I'm not talking about Brady phasing. I'm talking about you somehow going against Sam's order and putting yourself in danger."
"I didn't purposely put myself in danger. And since when do I have to listen to what Sam says?" Jo argued, just as footsteps were heard coming up on the porch.
Jacob walked into the room, out of breath, trembling and wearing only his shorts. He hadn't bothered to put on his shoes since phasing back. He glanced momentarily at Jo before looking at Leah.
"Would you mind babysitting Brady and stay with him until he phases back? The guys and I have to head back to the wedding before Sam begins to wonder what's going on. I can take over afterwards and hang out with him."
Leah quickly agreed. She would usually be one to argue, especially when it came to the task of dealing with a new wolf whose temperament would cause her to lose her own control, but being that she was not wanting to be anywhere near that wedding, this simply gave her an excuse for not going. Not only that, but it was obvious to her that Jacob wasn't pleased with the situation that Jo had put them into and needed to ensure for himself that she was fine. She smiled weakly at Jo before walking out the door.
Jacob turned and closed the door behind him, before pausing and taking a deep uneven breath. The tension surrounding Jacob was palpable and if that wasn't enough, the glare he sent her caused shivers to go down her spine.
"I know you're upset," Jo began standing up from the stool, as she walked towards him.
Quickly, he put up his hand and took a step back. Jo felt the pang hit her in her chest at being rejected and she was certain that her reaction was evident on her face.
"Jo, don't come near me," Jacob said, his voice trembling as much as his muscles were. "I don't trust myself right now."
Jo paused and took a step back following his warning.
"Then, why are you in here?"
"My wolf...we needed to make sure that you're all right," he replied softly.
"I'm fine," she told him, as he scrutinized her expression, searching for any sign that she was lying. Finding none, he nodded and let out another trembling sigh.
"Jake, I'm sorry..."
"You don't know how pissed off I am right now," he snapped, cutting her off. "You deliberately put yourself in danger by coming here."
He paused, glancing down at her stomach.
"Not only that, but you put our child in danger."
With those words, he took another cautious step back in an attempt to calm his anger. He closed his eyes and concentrated on calming down for Jo's sake.
"I was worried about you. You weren't answering your phone and you were late for the wedding. I never thought that Brady would be here today. You said that you had given him the day off," she argued.
His muscles seemed to relax as he turned his eyes towards her's.
"You were worried about me?"
She nodded as Jacob sighed.
"Jo, you know that I can take care of myself."
"Maybe so, but when have you ever not responded to my phone call? A part of me thought the worst. We know that the werewolves are supposed to return someday. What if...? Jake, if anything happened, I couldn't live without you."
His anger faltered and his eyes softened as he realized the mental turmoil that she had endured while he had lost track of time and was washing up in the river, fully intending to come back home when he was done.
"You know a little about how my wolf and I feel," he told her.
Jo smiled weakly, putting her hand out towards Jacob. Her entire being ached for his touch and was desperate for him to not refuse her again.
"Jake, please," she begged softly.
Knowing now that he could control himself, Jacob walked towards her and took her hand before running his palm up her arm and to her neck. He felt her skin respond to his touch as her breath hitched in her throat at the sensation their contact caused.
Jacob's mouth suddenly landed on hers, catching her by surprise. The demand and intensity caught her off guard as well as the growl that emitted from the back of his throat as he sucked and nipped at her lips. Jo whimpered in response, having come to learn that she simply melted into Jacob's will the moment he'd growl deeply at her. It had never been in aggression but simply affection and desire. Sometimes it was a sign of dominance; something that Jacob's wolf seemed to strive for unconsciously.
Jacob's hands entangled themselves in Jo's curled hair while Jo slid her own hands up the hot surface of Jacob's muscular chest. Jo felt his skin tremble under her touch and she felt empowered by the control that she had over his body.
It was another moment before Jacob broke the kiss. He leaned in and left chaste kisses on her cheeks, her nose and chin. The sensation caused Jo to giggle lightly before his nose trailed down her neck and to her shoulder. He placed his large hand over the visible bump on her stomach.
"You have no idea how close I was to loosing you both," he whispered breathlessly into her ear, as he inhaled the scent on her neck. "I'm still pissed that you were so careless to think to come here, but my wolf is more concerned with ensuring that you and the baby are fine."
"I'm so sorry, Jake. You know that I wouldn't have come if I knew that Brady would be here," she told him softly, as she felt his nose trail down her neck and heard him inhale deeply to reassure both the man and the wolf. "Jacob, I'd never do something reckless or dangerous to hurt you or to put myself or our baby in danger."
He paused and turned his head to look into her eyes, seeing the tears that were there upon the mention of the baby.
The baby was such a miracle that Jo treasured the life that she carried more than any material thing in the world. Having finally seen the evidence of that life on an ultrasound screen the week before, it made the pregnancy become even more real. Jacob had smiled broadly the entire time as the technician would point out hands and feet and both Jo and Jake were amazed when they visually saw the heart beating and heard the sound it emitted at the same time.
For something that she never thought she'd have in her life being seen on a small black and white screen overwhelmed her to the point of tears of joy. Now knowing that she could have lost that baby following an error in judgment on her part, made her sick to her stomach.
Jacob seemed to see the pain on her face and felt it tug at him through the imprint. He leaned in and kissed her lips once again.
"I know that you wouldn't," Jacob said softly, as he sighed, feeling the pain melt off of Jo as much as the anger had fallen off of him. Being in Jo's presense seemed to calm him.
"One thing I don't understand is, how did you manage to get around Sam's order?"
Jo shook her head. "Leah said something similar. I still don't understand what you two mean. From my perspective, I was concerned that you weren't answering your phone and that you were late for the wedding. So, I came here. To hell with what Sam says. You are more important to me than listening to what Sam tells me to do or not do."
Jacob pinched the bridge of his nose, not believing how easy Jo had made it sound. It wasn't that simple. There was no way that the wolves or imprint's could ever get around such an order, yet somehow, she had.
"But Jo, he gave you an alpha order. Everyone has to obey an order like that; the pack and imprint's. The wolves feel compelled to obey regardless of the circumstances and the imprint's have no choice but to follow the alpha's directions. Sam is in charge of the entire pack structure. It's hard to explain. It should be an instinctual thing to follow Sam."
Jo sighed, explaining to Jacob that she had never felt an obligation or inclination to obey Sam's order. It confused Jacob, yet it wasn't something that he could simply discuss with Sam. The Alpha male would instinctively take it as insubordination and see it as a threat to his leadership. Jacob was determined to spare Jo from the wrath that Sam could inflict on her because of this and hoped that the rest of the pack would support him. Jacob realized that he could be treading onto some pretty serious ground.
Jacob pulled Jo into his chest and wrapped his arms around her. As confused as he was regarding Jo's lack of desire to adhere to Sam's order, he was determined to keep her safe from the repercussions.
A part of Jacob wondered if this would have been such an issue if he had taken up the position as Alpha when it was first offered to him. He didn't want it then and even now, Jacob wasn't certain if he wanted it or if he was even ready for it. He knew that when Emily had become pregnant that Sam was eager to relinquish the position to Jacob, if he had wanted it. But now, with the threat of the werewolves, Jacob realized by hearing Sam's thoughts that he wasn't in any rush to change the leadership control. Sam had come to enjoy the power that came with being alpha.
"Are you still angry?" Her soft voice asked into his shoulder, as she held onto him.
"Not so much anymore," Jacob replied honestly. "I'm more concerned about how Sam is going to take this. No one has ever disobeyed an alpha order."
"What can Sam do?" Jo asked, incredulously as she looked up at Jacob. "I'm not a wolf under his command."
"True," Jacob stated. "I guess we can figure this out while he's away on his honeymoon. I doubt he'll be phasing today being it's his wedding day and all."
Jo agreed as she pulled away from Jacob, and told him she'd run out to the car to pick up the clothing she had brought along for him to change into. When she briefly left the house, Jacob turned to pick up the door that Leah had broken off the hinge and pushed it into the frame. It was then that he turned to the table where he earlier had placed his belongings prior to him disappearing into the woods to take a quick bath in the river a few kilometres in. He had never expected Jo to show up otherwise he wouldn't have left the small ring box on the table. Jacob picked it up, hearing the car door close outside and smirked.
He knew Jo well enough that if she had seen it, she'd be so curious that she would have checked it out. Quickly, he shoved it into the pockets of his cut offs just as Jo walked back in.
Jacob met her halfway and lightened her load by taking his dress shoes from her while she held the garment bag up and unzipped it prior to pulling out the dress shirt. Quickly, he put it on while Jo pulled the pants that were neatly hung over the hanger.
"I do hope you're wearing underwear today," she told him, while Jacob smiled cheekily as he undid the button and zipper on his cut offs.
"Why, Mrs. Black, would you be disappointed if I was?"
Jo smirked at his flirty question. "Shut up."
Indeed he had been wearing underwear. He passed her his cut offs while he pulled on the pants and tucked in his dress shirt. The collar was turned up as he finished by pulling the tie over his head and the collar. Jacob turned, allowing Jo to reach up and adjust the collar and tie beneath his neck to ensure it looked right. As she reached up, the cut offs that were held in one hand turned upside down and the contents from the pockets fell onto the floor.
Jo looked down between them upon hearing the gentle clunk of the small black box hitting the plywood floor.
"Now, where did this come from?" Jacob asked aloud, feigning confusion as he crouched down to pick it up.
Rather than standing back up immidiately, he opened it up and smiled as he looked up at Jo.
"Do I need to tell you what's in this box or do you already know?"
Jo winced and smiled. "I may have snuck a peek when you were out."
Jacob nodded knowingly and chuckled. "I thought as much. But nevertheless..."
He pulled the ring from inside the box and held it between his thumb and index finger before he stood up in front of Jo.
"This ring belonged to my grandmother. It was her wedding ring that Grandpa Black had given to her," he told her.
It wasn't something that Jo would have originally assumed when she saw it. It made sense when he had said that he'd be unable to buy her a ring anytime soon. This was so much more special and priceless being it an heirloom passed through the generations.
"She passed away when I was eight and being that I was her oldest grandson, it was given to me. My Dad put it away for me for safe keeping. I had completely forgot about it until he gave it to me the other day. I now have a wife whose finger is still empty and I know that my Grandma Black would love to know that it belongs to another Mrs. Black."
Jo smiled, as he took her left hand and slipped it onto her ring finger. "It's beautiful, Jake."
He leaned down and was about to kiss her lips but instead whispered, "You're beautiful and I'd marry you a thousand times over."
Jo inched closer to Jacob, feeling that magnetic pull towards him that her body yearned for. With Jacob working so much on the property and running patrols, along with Jo's increased exhaustion, intimate and private moments between the two were scarce and Jo was starting to feel the affects of their dry spell. The imprint between them and the wolf was demanding for that physical connection.
The moment Jo felt Jacob's lips on her once again, she knew that they could easily drift into something more physical as she could also sense Jacob's desire through the imprint. Except, as she held onto Jacob's dress shirt, she was reminded that he would soon be needed at Sam's wedding that they were currently late for.
Reluctantly, Jo broke the kiss and sighed as Jacob growled in frustration as the reminder came to him as well.
"We need to go," she told him breathlessly. With a sigh, Jacob nodded.
Determined to get them out the door, Jo grabbed Jacob's cut offs from the floor and headed out the front door to wait for him in the Rabbit. Jacob let out a audible sigh and raked his hand through his hair, feeling the sexual frustration charge through him.
It was going to be a long afternoon.
The wedding had been a success. Like with every wedding, there had been issues that caused a few hiccups throught the day, but nothing major or critical and nothing more than a handful of people were even aware of. Jacob had managed to arrive just as the ceremony was about to begin. Later, when Sam questioned why he had been late, Jacob simply shrugged and smiled cheekily and told him it was between him and his wife. Sam rolled his eyes, smiled and mumbled something about newlyweds. Jacob quickly clapped him on the shoulder and winked.
Sam was in a good mood as he happily danced with his new wife inside the La Push Quileute lodge. Although Emily insisted on having the ceremony outside at First Beach, the fall weather was too unpredictable to ensure that their guests would be both warm and dry for the reception. Kim and Emily's bridesmaids had done a wonderful job in decorating the lodge to make it extra special for the couple.
The music played loudly and the open bar was kept busy as the party continued into the evening. At Sam's request, Jacob had disappeared to check on how Brady was doing. Sam had been informed that Brady had phased earlier in the day and that Leah had stayed back to help him shift back to human. But that was about all he did know. Sam wasn't even aware that Quil and Jared had been there at the time, let alone Jo. It simply left fewer questions and gave Jacob time to figure out what to do. No one had mentioned said anything to Sam and they all knew that eventually the entire story would come out one way or another. There were only a few members of the pack who were more capable of hiding their thoughts. In the meantime, the boys felt conflicted between hiding the truth from Sam and being loyal to Jacob.
As he sat at the table, Billy could see the invisible rift within the pack as they enjoyed themselves on the dance floor. While Sam danced happily with Emily, a few pack members tended to avoid even looking at their Alpha. To any other guest, they wouldn't have recognized it at all. Since Jacob explained to Billy what really happened, and told him that the pack were currently keeping the entire story from Sam for the time being, it was obvious that Jacob's decision was causing confusion and a disruption within the hierarchy. He knew it was only a matter of time before it all came to a head.
He glanced over at Jo who had been sitting beside him, keeping him company while Charlie and Sue danced with the group. The ring on Jo's hand didn't go unnoticed by her father-in-law. He smiled before he turned to watch the couples dancing when suddenly, Embry leaned in between Billy and Jo. He reached forward and placed a fresh ice cold glass of beer in front of Billy and smiled.
"Thanks, son," he said with a smirk. "You didn't have to do that."
"I know. I just thought that you'd be wanting something to drink, Mr. Black," Embry told him. Jacob had asked his friend to watch over his father and wife while he was gone. Watching Jo look at the people dancing, Embry nudged her in the shoulder.
"Hey Jo, would you be up to some dancing?"
Jo turned to him, seeing the broad smile on his face. She knew that Jacob hadn't returned yet. He had left just after the speeches were made and she had yet to get up on the dance floor. In reality, he feet had been killing her earlier and she was hoping to avoid dancing altogether. Since then, she had kicked off her shoes beneath the table and she knew that she had to stretch her legs. Jo had been sitting too long.
"Go ahead," Billy encouraged her, thinking that perhaps she was staying for his benefit. "Enjoy yourself."
"You sure?"
Billy nodded, gently tapping the top of her hand.
Jo smiled and pushed her chair out as Embry took her hand.
"I'm going barefoot," she warned him, as the song playing overhead suddenly ended and a faster one began. "No stepping on my feet."
Embry chuckled. "I'll try my best."
Billy watched as Embry led Jo around the tables and empty chairs before they finally made it to the dance floor. Both Sam and Emily had left to go visit with their guests leaving the floor with not too many people remaining. Embry and Jo's presence alone on the dance floor seemed to encourage the rest of the pack standing around to suddenly join them. Billy chuckled as he watched the boys laugh while they each attempted to show each other up with dance moves. Besides Jo, Kim was the only other imprint dancing with the pack and she kept close to Jared.
Billy leaned forward and took the glass of beer before taking a drink as Old Quil walked up beside him. The older man pulled out a seat to sit down. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Old Quil let out a deep sigh and spoke.
"So, Billy, where is your son this evening?"
Billy glanced over at the old man beside him before turning his attention back to the dance floor where the pack were dancing.
"He's helping Brady Fuller."
Old Quil nodded in understanding.
"I heard that the young man had phased. I also hear that your nephew, Collin Littlesea may be next."
"Your guess is as good as mine. The pack usually has a good sense of who is next to join them and so far they have been right."
"It's a shame that with all the sense that the pack has, that they don't recognize that their leadership is off balance," Old Quil said, watching the group enjoy themselves as Billy turned in his chair towards him. The old man was obviously observing the same as what Billy had been. "There is division and confusion as to whom to listen to and who to follow. With what is coming in the next few months, this could prove to be dire for the pack if it is not rectified soon."
"Jo went against Sam's alpha order," Billy told him blankly. "And Jacob has convinced the pack to keep it from Sam."
The statement caused Old Quil to look towards Billy in surprise before a small smile traced his features. "Interesting. It explains the disunity. This wouldn't have been a problem if Jacob Black hadn't refused to take his rightful place as the Alpha male."
Billy shook his head and sighed. "He doesn't want it."
"It is his birthright."
"And he is well aware of that, believe me. Jacob simply has no desire for the position."
"And what does his imprint say of that?"
Billy turned to Old Quil, slightly surprised that he mentioned Jo. "From what I gather, she supports him. I can't see her forcing or manipulating him into it. Why do you ask?"
Old Quil sighed and leaned back in his chair, watching the pack and Jo interact on the dance floor. Jo was surrounded by them, and it was obvious that they were gentle with how they treated her, but they teased her as though she was a part of the pack. Jo simply gave the same treatment in return to them, which garnered a lot of full blown laughter from the dance floor.
"I believe that based on the behaviour of the pack towards her, the fact that she indeed has the shape shifter gene and it has been activated, and that she's Jacob's imprint, I think that she is the alpha female," Old Quil stated, looking up at the pack enjoying themselves.
"Have you seen how the pack surround her? She's one of them. Although the pack are protective of Emily, they treat Jo differently than they would treat Emily. Even before Jo and Jacob imprinted, the pack were protective of her. When she first came to La Push and was in that car accident, they felt it. Originally, it was assumed that it was only because she was Quileute and later, because she was an imprint."
"But you're thinking that the wolves were recognizing her position," Billy concluded as he looked back at the pack enjoying themselves.
"There's never been an alpha female in the records before."
"There has never been a need for one," Old Quil said. "The pack is larger than it has ever been. There is a hierarchy within wolf packs and the alpha is always joined with a female who holds just as much power as he does."
"That would explain how Jo was able to defy Sam's order," Billy said, thinking aloud.
Old Quil nodded.
"It appears that despite Jacob's refusal of his birthright, his imprint has already slipped into her role as Alpha female without even being aware of it. She can ignore Sam's orders and we know that she has verbally insulted him in the past. No one would dare do that to an Alpha, not even an imprint."
Billy smirked. "She has a lot of the Clearwater side in her; loose tongued."
Old Quil smiled and nodded in agreement. "A good trait to have in an alpha female. The spirits knew what they were doing when they paired her with Jacob."
"It's a shame that he doesn't think he's ready."
"He is the great-grandson of Ephraim Black. Jacob is ready. He just doesn't know it yet."
"Hot damn!" Seth exclaimed as he jumped up from his seat in the Black's living room. "Did you see that play?"
Billy chuckled at Seth's exuberance as they sat in front of the television watching a football game. Jo walked past, briefly glancing at the score before making her way into the kitchen.
Jacob was out on patrol for the evening, leaving Jo at home with his father. Seth had come over to watch the football game with Billy since his mother was out on another date with Charlie Swan. He had finished his own patrol a few hours earlier and was looking forward to simply eating and watching football with Billy and Jo.
A fire crackled in the fireplace, warming the small house. Outside, the weather had recently turned chillier as a cold snap came across the state. It was earlier than most years and forecasters were already anticipating a white Christmas even with the holiday more than six weeks away. They were all glad that Sam and Emily had gotten married when they had.
The pair were scheduled to return from their honeymoon within the next three days. While Sam was gone, Jacob had ensured that patrols were being run and with no leeches coming onto their land, it was a pretty easy-going two weeks. No one had really spoken about what had happened the day of Brady's phasing. Jacob knew that it would be something he'd have to address sooner or later. He decided that he'd approach Sam about it a few days after he'd return.
It was on Jo's mind as well, but after many reassurances from Jacob that he'd take care of it, she put it out of her mind. She sat down on the couch once again just as there was a knock on the door. Seth made to get up, but Jo was already on her feet, despite her off centred balance due to her pregnancy.
"I've got it," she told him, squeezing his shoulder.
Jo walked through the kitchen and to the front door. The darkness of the night masked their evening guest so she flipped on the outside light, surprised to see Sam Uley standing on the porch. Her heart pounded slightly.
Jo opened the door and she forced a smile.
"Sam, what are you doing here? We weren't expecting to see you for another few days," she said.
It was obvious that Seth had overheard her words. He came to the door and stood behind her, knowing that Sam being at the Black's house when he wasn't expected home yet couldn't be a good thing.
Jo watched as Sam look over her shoulder and she turned, to see Seth standing in the kitchen, watching the interaction. Slowly, Billy rolled into the room.
Sam respectfully nodded to the elder in greeting. "Billy."
"Hi Sam," he said, although there was no smile on his face. "Jake isn't here."
Then again, Sam was already aware of that as he nodded.
"I actually came to speak with Jo," he said, looking back at her. "Privately, if I may."
"Uh, sure," Jo said, as she reached for her coat from the hook. She glanced at Seth in the kitchen, who eyed her nervously as she slipped her feet into a pair of boots before stepping out the door. Jo closed it behind her and pulled the sides of the coat around her. Not only was the outside air brisk, but the way Sam's gaze turned the moment they were alone, gave her a chill.
"What's going on, Sam?"
He sighed, clenching his fists. "I think you know what's going on."
Jo shook her head, put a smile on her face and feigned confusion. Jo began to wonder if Jacob even had the chance to speak with Sam since his early arrival home. "No, I really don't."
"Don't. Lie. To. Me. You disobeyed my order."
Each word was spoken as his forced them through clenched teeth.
It was obvious to her then that Jacob hadn't spoken to Sam yet about what had happened the day that Brady had phased and seeing the rage in his eyes scared the crap out of her.
A/N
Uh oh...please review. ;)
I've got a long weekend ahead of me here in Canada, so I anticipate getting some writing done this weekend so hopefully I'll have another update early next week. My original plan to have this entire story done before I move in a little over 4 weeks may not happen. But, that's no big deal. I'll work hard on it when I can, but understand as we go into June, my updates may be slower since I'll be having to add packing to my things to do.
Thanks for all the reviews from the last chapter. I enjoyed writing it.