Chapter Thirty-Seven – Melanie amongst the Wolves

Immediately after the wedding everyone headed to our home for the reception. Leah and Jacob were so happy and enjoying their moment with family and friends. I told Leah I needed to head up and check on Melanie and Emmett and then I'd be back down. She was on cloud nine and nodded, barely acknowledging, smiling and content. Today she married the man she loved and I was truly happy for her, so it was easy to run off and leave her to the wedding celebration minus her maid of honor.

In an instant I was up the stairs. When I entered our room Emmett was on the settee looking ponderous, staring out toward the forest. Melanie was still asleep in the bed.

I walked up quietly, looking over at the child, her face so calm and angelic, and her little wrapped arm still across a pillow, and Emmett turned to me. I'm not sure I could explain the feelings that ran through me when we gazed to one another. It was instantaneous, and I sat down beside him on the settee, without saying a word, and he held around me as we sat looking at the little girl in our bed. We had lived our whole lives together and never expecting a child, but having Melanie asleep in our presence and the two of us, it held a strangeness and odd warmth in our souls.

Whispering, so that no human could hear, we spoke.

"What will happen to her?" Emmett asked me.

"I don't know. I don't know what we should do with her. I expected her to live with Leah and Jacob, but she has this gift – unsure what to call it – that seems to drain them emotionally. I don't think it would be very healthy."

"Then…" Emmett slowed, "have you thought over what we're doing?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're growing so attached to her, Rose. I saw how you protected her – the look in your eyes was something I'd never seen before. I understood how much you loved Leah and took care of her during her being shot, and then took her under your wing, even becoming her maid of honor. You've become good friends with the she wolf, but this little girl – the one who was supposedly her imprint – is now here and you have really grown attached to her."

"I'm sorry Emmett," I felt a little flustered, "does it bother you that much? Has my friendship with Leah been bothering you?"

"Oh babe," he kissed, me smiling, and then nudging against my cheek with his nose. "I'm not upset. I like Leah and her brother, and even Jake. We've all become friends. That's not what I meant."

"Oh…" I paused, withdrawing the venom that was suddenly roiling. "I'm sorry. I got a bit snappy – didn't I?"

He only snickered and then kissed me.

"I only wanted to know what we're going to do. She's human and we're a bunch of vampires. The last time we had a human amongst us was with Bella and you know how that turned out. This could bring the Volturi to our door again."

"We can't just leave her. She has no family."

"No family we know of."

That truth hammered at me: We really knew nothing about this little girl and who she might belong to.

Emmett held me extra tightly, realizing how much I'd fallen in love with the little girl in our bed. He didn't want me to be hurt if we had to give her back to a family she might still have living in Canada.

Her eyes slowly opened and she looked to me and Emmett watching her. She smiled, so that her cheeks rose and her eyes sparkled. "Hi," she said quickly.

"Hey munchkin," Emmett called her, which brought on a larger smile.

"Did we wake you up?" I asked.

"No," she looked back and forth between the two of us, and then giggled. "At first I thought it was funny you two vampires were looking at me. But… you don't look at me like other vampires have looked at me. Like… before." She sat up on the pillow, adjusting her arm, which brought on a slight grimace and I was instantly beside her.

"Are you okay? Do you need the pain medication Carlisle sent?"

Her eyes met mine and she shook her head. "You're so fast."

"Sorry," I glanced back at Emmett who watched us carefully. "Did I frighten you coming up on you so quickly?"

"No." She laughed. "I think its fun to watch."

"Oh… well that's good."

Emmett was laughing with her.

"I'm hungry," she told me.

Emmett stood, "why don't we get your robe and go down and get something to eat. There's tons of food downstairs for the wedding reception."

"Oh yeah," Melanie sat up, grinning and excited, "Leah got married. I missed it."

"I'm sorry," I apologized. "I didn't know you wanted to go to Leah's wedding. Carlisle said you needed to rest."

"I understand." She held out her broken arm. "I was kind of tired."

I told her, "At least you can see Leah now. She's downstairs with Jacob."

Her eyes lit up, excited, "neat." She got up and out of the bed. "I'm… going to get cleaned up a little," she lowered her eyes, making a very funny little knowing smirk, "I know you'd like me to not look messy because its good manners, right Aunt Rose?"

"I think that's an excellent idea. And are you trying to be a smart aleck?"

She giggled. "I'm learning a lot from you."

"Oh I see, you think I am a smart aleck."

Emmett laughed unencumbered and loud, which made Melanie laugh with him.

"Oh you two," I huffed.

Emmett instantly lifted me off my feet, and into his arms, "but I love your smart-alectness."

"Emmett really?" I was in his arms and Melanie was still laughing because it probably looked incredibly silly.

"Pick me up too, Uncle Emmett," Melanie chimed below, "please?"

He put me down and then lifted her to his shoulder in a flash.

"Be careful," I reprimanded, "her arm and head. Don't be so rough."

She loved it and kept laughing. She was a regular little monkey. These two were a couple of children.

I watched them play for a little bit longer until she went to the bathroom and cleaned up, asking me to help. Everything was difficult with the cast on her arm. She changed into a small, baby blue dress with a white ribbon, and some loafers, and then was ready to go downstairs.

I walked her down with Emmett behind me. The party was taking place both at the back of our house and on the patio and open area toward the woods. There were Quileute tribe peoples everywhere.

Esme was a gracious host, as always, and served the wolves some iced tea and finger sandwiches. A large group sat in chairs around Jacob and Leah talking. There was Jacob's sister, Rachel with Paul, Emily and Sam, Seth, and then Embry from Jacob's pack. Billy Black, Charlie Swan and Sue were also in the room. They sat in the family room on the couches and around on chairs that were placed. Alice was with Jasper, Edward and Bella and they were also speaking with Jacob and Leah. This was the inner crowd.

When Emmett and I entered the room with the child between us everyone took notice. She stood out amidst the sea of black-haired Quileute, with her strawberry blonde hair and light green eyes and pale complexion. And then something happened, unexpected; although, maybe I should have expected it.

Sam, Embry, Paul, and Seth caught sight of Melanie and suddenly their eyes grew wide. Seth looked really odd as he stood up and in a panic looked to his sister, Leah. She instantly realized what was happening.

There were mumblings through the group and Sam stepped forward, and then kneeling in front of the little girl. "This can't be," he said. "Who is this little girl?"

"Oh it could be," I said rather droll, getting rather used to the affect Melanie had on the wolves. "You need to look away from her."

Emmett hadn't heard of the imprinting problems with Melanie and neither had anyone other than Leah, Jacob and Alice. Edward rose from his seat, instantly, having listened to thoughts and walked up to me in an instant. "Rose," he said, "you might need to take her out of the room."

Melanie stared at Sam and then looked so upset. She ran behind my legs.

The feelings must have been too intense.

Leah stood. "Please – everyone - please don't worry. Melanie here has a special gift. Wolves seem affected by it much stronger than other people." She looked to her brother, "Seth, you can sit down. You're probably not imprinting on her."

"Oh," he snickered, "you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"And I'm not," Embry asked.

"No."

Seth, looking very relieved, sat back down, as did Embry.

Sam looked really angry, which made me want to smack him and throw him out of the house. His bad temper was affecting Melanie and scaring her. He then said something, which definitely made me want to smack him.

"Why is this child here? Is she one of your future vampires," he looked to Bella, "like her? Breeding them a little young for your coven, aren't you?"

"No," I answered, probably colder than I should have been. "She's our guest."

"Well keep her away from us."

"You're in our house so if I were you I'd…"

"Rose, please," Esme cut me off, "its Leah's day."

Carlisle walked up, backing her up. He told them, "She's just visiting – a guest." He looked at me, "it's probably time for her to have some Tylenol and then some food and then maybe take her back upstairs to rest."

Melanie walked up to Leah, before I could stop her.

"Leah, I'm glad you got married." Her small body looked lost amongst all the guests.

"Thank you," Leah smiled to her, and she didn't seem as affected this time by Melanie's presence. She even held out her hand, holding under the child's chin. "I'm so glad you're looking better."

Jacob grinned also, and Melanie told him, "I'm glad you married Leah too – cause she's very happy with you."

"Thanks kiddo – I'm very happy with her." Jacob's smile was true joy as he leaned over and kissed his bride again.

"I'm sorry," Melanie said, her eyes averting furtively to the shape-shifters in their tribe, and then back to Jacob and Leah, thinking over how they looked so upset by her presence.

"Don't be," Leah brushed aside Melanie's hair gently, smiling. "I'm glad you came downstairs to see me. Do you want to join us? It would be alright."

"I'm kind of tired. But… I like your dress."

"I do too. Alice picked it out."

Alice winked in Melanie's direction, and Melanie smiled acknowledging her Aunt Alice.

Melanie shyly glanced over to the wolves, which still looked angry. What was their problem?

"I hope I can see you again," she told Leah.

"I hope so too. We'll be leaving on our honeymoon tomorrow morning, but we'll see you when we get back," Leah looked to me in an instant. They'd be gone two weeks. I shirked my shoulders unsure if Melanie would still be with us. "I hope you're still here. Rose has been a good caregiver to you."

"Yeah," Melanie smiled, looking back to me. "She looks pretty today too."

"Rose always looks beautiful," Leah voice was so at ease. I would have blushed if I could.

Emmett wrapped his arm around me. Esme brought over a plate and handed it to Melanie whose eyes grew large. She was starving and then Leah helped her sit beside her and start eating. I was so thankful for Leah right now. Leah saw Melanie had trouble holding the plate and eating with her arm, and so she held it for her.

All in the room were glancing back and forth, uncomfortable at the comments and looks by Sam and his pack. Jacob and Leah eased those in his pack, from what I could see. Seth seemed fine now. Embry was still looking slightly frightened. But Jacob's sister's husband, Paul, who I never liked much, was scowling with Sam. Emily gripped her husband's hand, I think wanting him to calm down.

Sam, unable to hold back asked, "Where did she come from?"

"Canada," Leah told him, with a slight bite in her voice. "Sam, you really need to relax or you can leave. I found her in Seattle. Alice and Rose found her nearly starved living on the streets. She's just a child so you need to take it easy on her. She can't help making us wolves react the way we do around her. It's not her fault we're all hyper-emotional creatures."

Jacob laughed loudly, and Embry and Seth laughed with him, and some of the women followed. Soon we were all sharing an easy laugh.

Jasper commented. "It's really more difficult on her than it is on you. She has to feel your emotions more strongly since she's pulling them from you. You simply feel them without thinking."

Alice touched Jaspers' hand, and I knew it was out of concern that he could relate to what Melanie was going through. She added, "We don't know why she happened to be found by us, but there must be a reason. Rose and I had to bring her back here – we couldn't leave her just living on the streets alone."

Paul asked, suspiciously, "You sure it was an accident you found her?"

"Very much," Edward spoke up. "I was able to see her dreams and hear her thoughts for around an hour. It was fairly intense. She isn't some vampire plant. Whether you call it fate or chance, or whatever title you want to give this, Melanie is here because she needs help by those who understand her gift. I think something or someone outside of ourselves brought her to us."

"Providence," I said.

Edward smiled kindly for me and nodded, "Yes, I think that's exactly what it was."

"Providence, Rhode Island," Melanie said. "It's the capital of Rhode Island. I read that somewhere."

Her comment made us all snicker slightly. Melanie continued eating the food on her plate with Leah's help. Her arm was bothering her, so Leah continued holding the plate for her.

"So tell us what you saw, exactly," Sam stated, looking a bit calmer.

I looked over at Jasper and realized he was trying to calm everyone in the room down. He looked like he was getting tired, and I knew he was working a lot of people at once, and our own emotions.

"It would be best not to share in front of her." Edward looked to me. "I can share another time. This is Leah and Jacob's wedding day… after all."

"That's right," Alice stood, "we still have to throw the bouquet." Alice took over directing, "Leah why don't you do that out on the porch. It gives you some high ground."

"Sure." She rolled her eyes so that I could see. Alice was taking charge once again.

"Can I watch?" Melanie asked.

"Of course," Leah told her and then Jacob held Leah's hand as she stood. I instantly took Melanie's plate and placed it on a table.

Emmett snuck up to her and whispered, "Want a ride outside?"

Melanie's eyes brightened and then she nodded.

"Careful this time," I reminded my beloved.

"Got it."' Emmett lifted Melanie carefully onto his shoulders and then followed everyone outside.

Alice was at the edge of the porch directing, telling the single women to gather. Once everyone was situated Leah tossed her bouquet behind her. It was caught by Sue after bouncing off one of the younger girl's hands.

Everyone laughed at what happened. Sue was standing off to the side, looking unimpressed with her prize. She glanced over to Charlie Swan and he grinned, looking slightly pink. Billy Black, Jacob's father, smacked Charlie hard on the back and laughed.

"Time for the garter toss," Alice announced.

They found a chair for Leah to sit on and then seductively Jacob pulled up her dress, removing her garter with his teeth. Everyone again hooted and made cat calls as Jacob was smiling consistently large. I'm not sure which of them enjoyed that theatric more.

Jacob then held out the garter to toss to the single men. This time after he flung it out far, Seth leaped into the air and caught it, nearly trampling Embry for the prize. I thought one would surely die or change into a wolf.

Everyone was finally at ease as the reception came near an end. Leah and Jacob went inside our house to change and get ready for travel. Sam and those who were his pack brothers left the party the earliest. He said they were still scouting for the last vampire, despite her probably being far away by now.

It was dark, but we had lights on all the trees, for those to enjoy the outdoors. It was a nice night. Leah and Jacob had a hotel in Port Angeles they were staying for their wedding night, and Seth was going to drive them down. The next morning they would take a flight to their honeymoon destination – a surprise Jacob had planned for Leah. Actually, Bella and Edward had the accommodations set up for them to stay in that romantic castle in Wales. It was a kind gesture on their part.

Emmett, Embry and Quil were playing with Clair on the lawn area, and Melanie looked at home among them all, playing and laughing, but thankfully she was not being too active, and mostly watching. I made Emmett not allow her to run around with the concussion. I thought she was looking like she had already been overdoing it.

I watched and then turned when I felt a tug at my arm, "Hey you."

I turned to see Leah, which surprised me slightly. She looked so stunning in her new traveling clothes. It was a straight cut, white dress with nice sandals and a cute overcoat.

"I'm going to be leaving in a moment with Jacob, but I wanted to talk real quick."

"Leah, you were a beautiful bride today – and you still are."

"Thank you, Rose." She held around my arms, hugging me closely. I hugged her just as tightly. "I don't know how to thank you for everything you've done for me, Rose. You've always been such a good listening ear."

"And you've been one of my dearest friends in this long life."

We pulled away, Leah brushing aside a tear. It was an emotional day for her. I understood and only wish I could share the tears.

"About Melanie…"

"I know." I held to Leah's hand. "We'll find out what we can of her and then if she's able to be adopted, I think you and Jacob would be wonderful parents. I saw that you are getting used to being around her."

"Us?"

"Yes, you've been her protector from when you first met her on the street and saved her from that bus. If you hadn't have changed and saved her from those vampires. Leah, you were meant to be her protector."

Leah smiled, thinking over what I'd just shared. "Rose…," she paused again, shaking her head in thought. "Rose… I might be her protector, but I'm not the one I think should be her mother. I mean… I'm not sure I'd be ready. I've just gotten married."

"What do you mean? What if she has no home? Do we just send her to an orphanage or foster care? She knows of vampires. She won't be safe."

"That's why maybe she should be raised by a vampire. She's used to being around them." Leah looked out at Emmett and the others playing with the children. Jacob was changed into a casual traveling suit, and he had joined them.

"They're all big kids, aren't they?" She remarked with a light chuckle.

I laughed, "Yes."

"Melanie loves being around you so much. She would have an ill affect on me and Jacob. If she needs a home I think you should consider adopting her Rose. It's not like you haven't wanted a child. You've lived all these years and maybe… it's time."

"But…" I looked out at Melanie and Emmett. "I think this is something not worth discussing now."

"You can't tell me you haven't thought it, Rose."

"Leah…" I exhaled a loud unnecessary breath, my being a vampire and all. "She might have a family still. I don't want to think of such things."

"It's more like you don't want to get your hopes up." Her eyes were so tender, as they looked into mine. We had really grown to understand one another. She continued, "But, I think you do need to start considering such things. I'm gone for two weeks on the honeymoon. I'm not going to be here to tell you what to do."

I laughed, "Not like you ever have - Or, were ever able to."

"Oh – and not like you haven't told me what to do…."

We both laughed.

"Our friendship is very unordinary – I guess, unlikely – but, it works," Leah said. "Doesn't it, Rose?"

"Yes – very much."

Again we were quietly standing. The loves of our lives were in the background playing with, and like, children.

"If I did," I held up a hand, "and I mean if I did adopt her I would want you and Jacob as the godparents – since you both protect her so well."

"Of course – I'd be a little pissed if we couldn't take part in being around her."

"I can't believe we are discussing this."

"Me neither."

I turned to Leah and she and I held hands.

"You are seriously one cold-handed woman, Rose."

"And you are one warm-handed friend, Leah."

We stood side-by-side for awhile, considering the little girl we both watched playing with our husbands. But eventually, Leah and Jacob had to get to the hotel. So they finally headed out with their chauffeur, Seth, driving them and we all headed inside, after much hugging and final goodbyes for two weeks.

Melanie was tired and so I put her to bed. We were all up for the night, and so it was just us Cullen's once again. And now Edward met with us all to discuss what he saw in Melanie's dreams.

A/N Sorry this took so long. I don't want to rush, but I know this story is also very long. I hope you like the plot. Next chapter Edward will share what he saw. I honestly thought of ending the story here and then do the epilogue 13 years later. lol

What do you guys think? Anyway, let me know what you think in the reviews. : )

A/N 2: My Epic T Contest entry, "Dreaming Beatles" actually made it to the FINAL ROUND. If you all like the story would you please consider voting for it again? Thank you so much. The voting is today, July 6th to July 10th. Not much time.

Vote here: http://www (dot) fanfiction (dot) net/u/1421467/Bronzehairedgirl620