Ch 38

Kerrie and Katie enjoyed their sister day. Seth stayed late at work to get ahead on the work for the next day so the garage could close for a few hours for the gender reveal party. When he got home he found lots of snacks in the kitchen as well as a chicken stir-fry. He joined them in the living room but sat with the computer watching some Netflix instead of Dear John which was currently on the TV. Around 10 Katie and Kerrie both headed off to bed.

Kerrie lay awake staring at the ceiling. It felt strange not sleeping next to Embry and her mind started racing wondering what he wanted to talk about. She thought she had been clear about what was going on between them but now that she was alone with her thoughts the lines had been blurred. Kerrie had been the one to initiate the physical relationship since she couldn't help feeling drawn to him. At the time she didn't think anything more about it but now she knew that deep down inside she had enjoyed the time she had spent with Embry. It had been years since she had generally felt happy except with her kids at work or spending time with her family. Rick and Matt had made her laugh and smile but for a long time she had felt numb inside. Kerrie had wanted to ask Sue about the whole imprinting thing but instead she dug out her computer hoping google could offer her some help. With some searching she had found a few of the Quileute Legends but nothing about imprinting. Kerrie shut off the computer and continued to let her mind wander till she fell into a restless sleep.

A few streets away Embry was restless too, he could fell that Kerrie was both sad, worried, and a bit happy which was a strange combination. He couldn't rest so he headed outside and changed into his wolf and sat outside Seth and Katie's house watching Kerrie's room. He saw a dim light which he assumed to be from a tablet or computer but that didn't last long. Embry remained there until he felt Kerrie asleep and then he returned home.

The next day Kerrie woke up to her cell phone alarm. She stretched a bit then pulled on some sweatpants and a tank top then pulled her hair into a messy bun. After seeing that Katie was still asleep she wrote a note then went to pick up the cupcakes she ordered and then help Sue decorate for the party and wrap her gifts. Kerrie was surprised to see Tiffany at Sue's.

"Tiffany offered to help us decorate."

"Awesome." Kerrie said as the three women went to work decorating the living room and then the patio area outside.

"You ordered all of this, Katie is lucky to have you." Tiffany said seeing the piles of boxes in Leah's old room.

"Well I do spoil her and my new niece or nephew I'll spoil too." Kerrie said as they heard a car door slam and the doorbell ring.

"Who could this be?" Sue asked walking towards the door as Tiffany and Kerrie started wrapping. She was sure to give the gender neutral gifts to Tiffany and sneak the specific gifts in her pile. Kerrie heard Sue's voice get louder than heard another voice and let out a sigh.

"Of course, she has to show up." Kerrie muttered walking towards the door. Sue was blocking Helen from getting in the door and the red haired woman looked irate.

"What are you doing here? I don't remember inviting you or asking for your help." Kerrie said hands on her hips as Sue crossed her arms and nodded.

"Katie is my daughter and you've done nothing but try to alienate her from me!" Helen yelled.

"This is my house and I want you to leave." Sue said calmly.

"I have something to say to you. You've been nothing but a little tramp your whole life. You may have tricked everyone into believing you but they will see your true colors!" Helen said pointing at Kerrie who took a deep breath to remain calm.

"I don't know why you hate me so much. I've never done anything to you, I'm your daughter and instead of loving me you've criticized and hated me my whole life. Nothing I did was ever good enough, I was always too chubby or too slow at sports, my grades were never good enough even when I got As, my friends were trouble makers even when they were the children of your friends, I was a lesbian even when I was interested in boys, I was disrespectful even when I took your verbal lashings without argument, I'm ugly even when I look so much like you when you were my age, I'm stupid even when I have a masters degree, and I'm irresponsible even though I own my own house and car. Nothing I do is ever good enough for you and that's fine because your not my mother. You may have given birth to me but Aunt Nancy was my mom, she loved me, came to my games, gave me advice, and listened to me when I cried about you." Kerrie said wiping at her cheeks as Tiffany moved forward.

"You should leave." She said hugging Kerrie.

"Where's that boy you've been running around with? I can imagine what everyone thinks about-"

"That boy is my son and he's crazy about Kerrie. I see a lovely, smart, caring woman who had a terrible mother who could have ruined her life. No one deserves to be treated the way you have treated her." Helen stood open mouthed.

"Helen, you're dead to me. I never want to see you again. Uncle G, Matt, Jerry, Joey, and Katie all feel the same way. They all have had enough of you and your behavior. I hope you enjoy being alone."

Sue closed the door on Helen as she continued to scream insults at Kerrie. Sue picked up the phone and called the tribal police who arrived moments later and escorted Helen off the reservation and told her to never come back.

"Don't listen to anything that horrible woman said." Tiffany said handing Kerrie a tissue.

"She still gets to me even after all these years." Kerrie said wiping at her eyes.

"We can finish up here if you need some time." Sue said with a small frown.

"No, I need to keep busy. I'm betting Katie is just waking up and she's not so pleasant first thing." Kerrie said forcing herself to smile and returned to wrapping gifts. Tiffany helped a bit more with the wrapping before she needed to go run a few errands but would be returning for the party later on.

"She likes you. That's good." Sue said helping Kerrie stack the gifts. Sue had bought a sizable pile as well.

"Tiffany is really nice." Kerrie said checking over the work they had done. Kerrie returned to Katie and Seth's to see her sister sitting on the couch watching some "Sex and the City."

"Good morning." Katie said sipping her water and munching on her cereal.

"Good morning. Did Helen stop by?"

Katie shook her head.

"No, did she-what did she do now?"

"I was over Sue's and she stopped by." Katie frowned as Kerrie continued. "She was her usual self and made a scene. Tribal police escorted her away."

Katie stood up and hugged her sister.

"I'm done with her. Are you ok?"

"Now I am, she still gets under my skin."

"That's because as much as you try to act tough you are a softy."

Kerrie scoffed and went to go shower. Kerrie made a light lunch for them and at 2 they were over Sue's for the party. Since it was in the middle of the day there was some snack foods. Katie loved the decorations and the first thing was the gender reveal cupcakes. Kerrie who had a dream about Katie holding a baby with a blue blanket was grinning as everyone found light blue frosting at the center of their cupcake.

"Another boy!" Katie said hugging Kerrie as she smiled. "You knew? How long?"

"Since before you announced you were pregnant." Kerrie said softly as Katie smiled.

"I really don't understand it but wow, that's something."

Katie and Seth opened their gifts. Sue and Kerrie jumped in a few times to explain why something was great or what it was used for.

"I have no idea what most of this is either." Leah said to Seth who shrugged but was smiling happily.

"You must be happy with a boy though."

"Duh? I wouldn't want to relate to a girl." Leah said with a smile.

"My first grandson, I'm so excited." Sue said with a smile.

After presents Katie pulled Kerrie into a hug.

"I know you two need to talk. Text me when you get home-"

"It'll be early tomorrow by the time-"

"Just text me, I'll worry."

Kerrie nodded.

"Thank you for everything." Seth said giving her a hug next was Leah.

"Post lots of pictures." She said with a smile.

"I will."

"Keep in touch, we'll have to skype or something. You do have the best stories." Rachel said as Emily and Kim nodded.

"Enjoy Europe, here are a list of places that I really like." Ness said handing Kerrie an envelop. "I'm worried about Alice. She means well. She was just so excited to meet someone like you."

"Maybe, I was thinking… what I can do runs on the full Irish side of the family. Maybe that will give her answers."

Ness nodded and smiled.

"I'll tell her that."

"Our grandfather said once that the old Irish family had magick in their blood. Our great-grandmother was a healer so… just something to think about."

Sue gave Kerrie a hug followed by Tiffany and the guys all said a quick good-bye. Katie stood in the doorway watching her and Embry walk towards the beach as the rest of the party split up. Most of the guys were helping Seth pack up their car before heading back to the shop. After most of the girls left Katie was hesitant to go home.

"Go, I'll stick around for a bit." Leah said as Katie yawned.

"I could use a nap."

"Go ahead, go take a nap. I'll call if anything major happens." Katie nodded and let Seth drive her home. Sue sat next to Leah on a chair outside.

"I like her, I think Kerrie is what the tribe needs. She's just the right amount of independent and strong. No matter what happens today they will find their way back to each other. It might seem like a disaster but Embry's wolf will know what to do." Sue said as Leah nodded.

"I'm worried for both of them and I'm not a worrier. You saw how run down Kerrie is and being thrown into this is more than most people can handle this but she has her own burden and what if it's too much for her?" Leah asked.

"I think that girl might just be the strongest person I've ever met. I know most people would have caved under what Helen did to her and she has thrived. Just look at what she's done with her life. She's gotten away from that horrible woman, proved her wrong at every turn by getting a degree and Seth has said she's an amazing teacher. I could tell that just by the way she was with little Emma. She is special and that is why she and Katie have been chosen. This has to happen for them to find each other and make it work on their terms. Look at how long you fought being happy with Tom, you're just like Kerrie and you both think you don't deserve to be happy."

Leah frowned a bit but her mother was right.