All characters except for Annabelle Causley, Frederick Randal Laskaris and Rosa Maria de la Luna and a few others belong to Stephenie Meyer…and, of course, the writer is not receiving any profit for this story whatsoever.
AN: Here's a new chapter! The next one has already been started. Question: would you all enjoy another short Collin/Lyn moment? What about a Vivi POV?
Oh! That's right...part of this chapter is in correlation to one of the chapters in Mattie and Lance's story...just so you know.
Gaby -I love you darling. Very much.
Ses -you're amazing, my friend. Absolutely amazing. Look forward to your review.
Lynn -the Collin/Lyn question is really addressed to you...would you like to read a bit more on your namesake?
Thanni, Moani, and everyone else I can't recall the handles of at the moment but are still important reviewers -thank you.
As always, enjoy as you read and make sure you review!
Chapter Fifty-Four
She stepped into the kitchen, closing the door behind her as she stared curiously at the occupants of the kitchen table, "What are you two doing?"
"Seth's teaching me how to make snowflakes," Vivi picked up a pink tissue paper snowflake, holding it between her thumbs and forefingers to show her aunt, "Isn't it pretty?"
"It's very pretty," Rose smiled at Seth as she opened the refrigerator to pull out the pitcher of cold lemonade, "How did you learn to do those?"
"Third grade art project," Seth finished cutting the folded paper Vivi had drawn on, handing it to her so she could open it up, "Want me to teach you?"
Rose laughed as she walked around the table to sit across from Vivi, setting her glass to the side, "I already know how. In Spain, it's called papel picado and my aunt Luisa taught me how to make them."
"Wanna make one," Vivi leaned across the table to hand her a light blue square of tissue paper before turning her attention back to the silver patterned gift wrap paper she had spread out in front of her.
Rose looked from the paper Vivi was meticulously folding, "Is this all from the birthday gifts?"
"Yeah," Seth watched Rose as she folded her paper until it was a small square, "Leah saved everything. She always does that, I don't know why."
"To recycle," Vivi finished drawing shapes on her folded paper, handing it to Seth, "It helps the environment."
Seth let out a chuckle escape him as he picked up the scissors.
"What's funny," Vivi tilted her head, her long curly hair sliding over her shoulder as she stared at him.
"I'm sorry," Seth chuckled again as he snipped out what she had drawn, "It's just that when I was three, I didn't care about the environment."
Vivi's eyebrows dipped into a vee, "Why not?"
Rose giggled as Seth explained with a smile, "Because I didn't even know how to pronounce environment much less what it meant."
Taking a pair of scissors from a box on the middle of the table, Rose told Seth with a smile, "But Vivi isn't a normal three year old, Seth."
Vivi frowned at that, looking from Seth to her aunt then back as he reached out to gently tweak her nose as he told her, "That is very true. After all, only extra-ordinary three year olds would be discussing the deficit margin concerning our national debt."
"You think that's strange," Rose cocked an eyebrow at him as she snipped away at the folded tissue paper, "I almost freaked out when I heard her speaking fluent Italian after four days of being there."
"You speak fluent Italian," Seth turned to look at Vivi, his mouth slightly opened in shock.
"Sì, mi do…it di davvero non che è difficile, essendo in grado di raccogliere le lingue," Vivi smiled at him, letting out a giggle at the way his brown-green eyes grew wide. *Yes, I do. It's not that difficult to learn new languages.*
"Wow," Seth blinked a few times, "Okay, that's too cool…you're going to have to teach me."
"Okay," she smiled at him brightly before turning her attention back to what she had been doing.
"Where's Marc," Rose asked as she set the scissors aside, carefully unfolding her tissue paper.
"At Leah's," Seth handed Vivi her cut up snowflake, taking the next one she had prepared for him to snip at, "He's trying out his tricycle skills with Gabe and Brad. Leah called a few minutes ago, laughing so hard I had a hard time understanding her."
"Why?"
Seth smiled at the tilt of her head to express her curiosity, thinking her to be the cutest girl ever, "Apparently, the boys were racing their trikes, Marc and Gabe neck to neck with Brad hot on their heels."
Rose giggled at the image as she set aside her tissue paper, thanking Vivi for her exclamation of how pretty it was, "Does Bailey not have a tricycle?"
"She and Brad share one but Bailey didn't want to stay," Seth watched Rose take another piece of tissue paper, a red one, and carefully fold it until it was a small triangle, "Emily took her out for a mother-daughter day."
"That sounds like fun," Rose picked up the scissors, cutting little half-triangles and half-circles into the edges of her folded triangle, "I need to send a thank you card to your mother. Did you see the look on Marc's face when she pulled the tricycle out of the closet?"
"Same look Gabriel had when mom gave him his trike for Christmas," Seth set the scissors down to flex his fingers –they were starting to cramp from all the exact cutting, "You got a picture of it, didn't you?"
"Yes," Rose laughed as she unfolded her red triangle, "I'm looking forward to putting together a photo album…I think he even smiled in a couple of the pictures."
Seth chuckled at that as he turned to watch Vivi as she used her pencil to carefully poke a hole onto the top of each of her snowflakes.
"So what did you do with your morning," Seth asked, always interested in knowing what Rose did with her time.
"I took a walk around the reservation," Rose let out a giggle in response to the look of confusion on his face, "Leah asked me to do family photos for her and I'm trying to find the perfect spot."
"Oh," Seth's confusion cleared up, "Then go down to First Beach. When Leah was pregnant with Gabriel, she used to spend most of her time there. I don't know how, but apparently the ocean helped her deal with Rick's absence."
Rose tilted her head –so damn cute –giving him a look filled with curiosity, "Rick's absence?"
"Mm-hm," Seth nodded as he slouched in his seat in an attempt to get comfortable, "He may seem like a nice guy now but back then, he was an asshole."
Rose's eyes widened as a small gasp escaped her, Seth not quite sure why she was reacting that way until a little voice reminded him there was a child in the room.
"Seth?"
"Uh," he swallowed hard as he turned to look at Vivi, trying to figure out how to explain the word as she cocked her head to the side in a near perfect imitation of her aunt, "Yeah?"
"Do you have a dictionary?"
"Uh," his confusion was apparent as he thought over her question, "Yeah, I think in one of the bookcases in my room."
"Okay."
They watched her hop off her chair, skipping out of the kitchen towards Seth's room as she softly whistled a little tune of her own making.
Rose turned to give him a wide-eyed look, "I've never used that word so I'm not sure what exactly it means but I do know it's a bad one. If I hear Vivi using it…I'm going to hurt you."
Seth felt slight amusement at the idea of five foot two Rose attempting to hurt him, "Why would she use it?"
"Because the rule is they have to look new words up before using them."
Seth laughed at the way her heart-shaped face flushed a rosy pink, "Who came up with that ridiculous rule?"
"I did," Rose gave him a frown that looked more like a pout, making him think of a ticked off kitten –so freaking adorable, "I thought it a good rule…I came up with it the day Vivi called Marc a sexist."
Seth laughed harder as he leaned forward, wrapping his arms around his stomach.
"It's not funny," Rose reached out to poke his arm, slightly surprised that it had no give, "That's the best way I could figure out how to keep tabs on their increasing vocabulary."
"Oh sweetheart," Seth took her hand, kissing the finger she had poked him with, "You're giving them leeway to use any and all words –for a child, that's not good. Even if they do know the meaning."
"Yeah, well," Rose shrugged as he laced their fingers together, their joined hands resting on the table, "If she uses that word in front of your mom or Leah, I'm going to tell them she learned it from you."
Seth gave her an open mouthed look of shock that had her giggling, "You squealer!"
She stuck her tongue out at him the way she used to do to her cousin Beto whenever he teased her, unaware of what that simple action did to his ability to think.
Seth wanted to lean over and cover her mouth with his, feel the tip of her pink little tongue slide over his bottom lip and into his mouth.
The burning desire to taste her, to discover the sweet promise of her kiss almost floored him as he fought against it.
Only her concerned words as she looked at him curiously brought him back from the brink of desire induced insanity, "Are you alright? You look like you're going to be sick."
Sick?
In the name of all that was holy and sacred, he was sure that what he was going to be was dead.
He had no doubt that the one sided physical desire was going to kill him.
"I'm fine," he cleared his throat, trying to get rid of the huskiness, "Just thinking of what Leah would do to me if she ever heard Vivi say that word."
"I'd be more afraid of your mom," Rose gave him a cheeky smile as a loud gasp came down the hallway from Seth's room; "Leah can't run."
"Seth," Vivi's shrill voice was filled with shock and indignation, "Rick is not an anus!"
Hiking his backpack higher up his shoulder, he walked down the sidewalk towards the quad, catching sight of Mattie on the bench they've labeled theirs.
"Hey Mattie-girl."
She looked up as he dropped his book bag on the ground, sitting down on the bench next to her, "Seth, it's been a long time."
"Yeah," Seth ran his fingers through his hair, "What ya doing?"
"Filling out the paperwork for the audit…graduation is in six weeks. Crazy, uh?"
"Yeah, we're actually gonna get done," Seth smiled at her, thinking how much like a teenager she still looked with her hair pulled into that high ponytail she favored so much, "Are your parents coming for graduation?"
"Oh yes," Mattie nodded with a smile, excitement obvious on her face, "They got all excited when I told them I was accepted into the University of Seattle…I'll be working towards my Bachelor's and Master's at the same time."
Seth shook his head, not surprised to hear her plans…Mattie had always known what she wanted and pushed herself hard to get it, "So how's yummy rock climbing guy?"
"He has a name, you know," Mattie turned to look at him with twinkling eyes, her ponytail sliding over her shoulder.
"Yeah, I've heard a couple of them…mostly from Embry," he teased her, noticing something as he reached out to brush his fingers over the back of her neck, knowing he shouldn't but he just couldn't help himself, "Is that a hickey on the back of your neck?"
"What," the shock on her face was classic as she slapped her hand over her neck, giving him a frown that just made him laugh harder as the blush on her face deepened, "Oh God, this is embarrassing!"
"I see training sessions with Lance has advanced to a more…shall we say…intense level?"
"Shut up," Mattie punched his shoulder, her face turning an even deeper red, "It's really none of your business."
Seth laughed again, glancing down at his watch as he kept ribbing her, "I know it isn't but boy, it sure is fun to tease you…you should see how red your face is."
"Not funny…And he's doing fine."
"Oh, I bet he is," Seth let out another laugh as Mattie's face flushed again. Good for Lance –at least someone was getting some, "You tell him if he's anything but 'fine' to you, I'll be killing him."
"You'll have to get in line," they both looked up as Embry approached them, Mattie smiling as he leaned down to kiss her cheek.
"You guys are too much," she shook her head at them, leaning down to grab her book bag, shoving her paperwork and pen into it, "I'm sure Lance has no intention of being anything but fine to me…in fact, he's absolutely wonderful…really a great guy."
"As testified by the hickey on the back of your neck," Seth quipped with a grin, unable to hold back his amusement at the way Embry snapped his head to look at Mattie, his voice a combination of shock, anger and jealousy.
"You have a hickey on the back of your neck?"
"Okay, I'm leaving," Mattie stood up, slinging the strap of her bag over her shoulder, "You two are horrid, horrid boys."
They both laughed as she walked away, her long ponytail swishing across her straight back, knowing she wasn't really angry at them –just embarrassed over the whole conversation.
"Looks like we're gonna have to have a talk with the arrogant ass," Embry stared after her for a few seconds before moving to sit next to Seth.
"He has a name," Seth stated calmly, laughing at the dark look Embry gave him, "Besides; didn't he already kick your ass once?"
"Yeah but I'm sure he couldn't do it again if it's you and me."
Seth found that amusing, recalling the story Embry had told him about Lance having some pretty cool moves reminiscent of Rick's…and just like Seth's first –and only –fight with Rick, Embry's cockiness over being a shape-shifter had been his downfall…the poor guy never saw the kick in the gut coming.
"Embry, my friend," Seth slapped a hand on his friend's shoulder as he stood up, grabbing his book bag, "The only way I'm getting involved is if he actually makes Mattie cry…and if she asks me too. So if you want to jump the gun and throw out some threats, you're gonna have to do it on your own…actually, take Julie with you. She's pretty darn scary when it comes to her friends…just ask Brandon."
Embry laughed at that, shoving himself to his feet, "Oh, I didn't have to…poor Brandon was nearly incoherent after he and Julie had that conversation. Heading to the admin building?"
"Yeah, gotta put in my hours," Seth hiked his bag higher up his shoulder, "Are you heading to the reservation?"
"After dropping off a book at the library, yeah."
"Do me a favor, will you?"
"Sure," Embry shrugged as if it weren't a big deal…which it really wasn't.
"Check on Rose for me –she's been walking all over the rez looking for the perfect spot and I believe she may be checking out First Beach today. Just make sure she gets home safe."
Embry nodded as he slid his hands into the pockets of his jeans, "Perfect spot for what?"
"Some photo shoot she's doing," Seth was vague on the details because he was more than certain that Rick would not be happy if Embry was present during their family photo taking time, "Anyhow, get her home safe. I'll see you later, alright?"
"Sure, sure."
"You know, Seth gets that look."
Rose turned to watch as Embry joined her, the crashing waves several feet away, "What look?"
"He gets this look on his face when he figures out a design that's been giving him trouble," Embry slid his hands into the pockets of his jeans, "Like he's figured out the solution to a life-altering problem."
Rose giggled as she turned her gaze back to the ocean, the sky painted a hot brilliant blue with swirls of pink and gold as it slowly sank into the crystalline waters, "Is that why he's up late at night?"
"One of the reasons," Embry moved to rest his weight on his right foot as he looked down at her, "So what solution have you come up with?"
"Photo shoot setting," she looked to her left, studying the forest line for a few seconds before looking to her right to study the craggy cliff jutting out of the crashing waves, "For Leah's family pictures."
"Pictures," Embry's eyes widened as he moved to face Rose, "Can I help?"
Rose looked up at him in surprise at the eagerness in his voice, "I don't...really have much equipment for you to help with save my lenses."
"I can carry those."
She chuckled, thinking he sounded like a child begging for a new toy, "I keep them in my camera bag and I usually carry that."
"I'll carry the bag for you," Embry knew he was begging but he had no shame. He needed a believable excuse to be at that photo shoot or Rick was going to make him leave.
"Are you interested in photography," Rose asked, confused over his eagerness to help her.
"I'm interested in this photo shoot."
Rose stared at him, not understanding what he meant by that but she couldn't say no to the puppy eyed look he was giving her, "Okay…I guess you can hand me my lenses when I need them. I'll have to teach you which is which and how to handle them."
"Awesome," Embry held on to his excitement, knowing she already thought he was a little on the left side of crazy, "You can teach me that now, right?"
"Uhm," Rose wasn't used to dealing with such open eagerness, taking a step back before agreeing, "Sure."
Embry gave a mental jump of elation as they headed towards Seth's place, noticing her slight hesitation as she looked over her shoulder towards the crashing waves, a strange look on her face, "Something wrong?"
"No, it's just…" Rose took a deep breath as she turned to look at him, walking a little faster, "I've been here before –"
"Yeah," Embry waved at someone heading up the road, "Julie's party."
"No," she shook her head, her hair brushing her neck as she gave the beach one last glance, "Before that…in a dream."
Seth was exhausted but he still had things to do before he could collapse into his bed.
There was dinner to make, a couple of loads of laundry to throw into the washer, fold the towels that have been in the dryer for two days now, help Vivi hand up her snowflakes and the string of white Christmas lights she wanted so she could have what she called "fairy lights."
Not to mention taking Marcos up to the mountains before bedtime, patrols with Quil at two in the morning and then homework.
Yeah, definitely a lot left to do with what was left of today.
Opening the front door, he stopped to curiously observe the scene before him.
"Seth," Rose's voice was filled with excitement as she pushed herself to her feet from where she had been kneeling, leaning against the coffee table with Embry at the other side, her camera lenses spread out across the dark wood surface, "How was school?"
"Long," Seth dropped his backpack on the floor as he closed the front door, "What are you two doing?"
"Embry's going to help me with Leah's photo shoot" Rose slid her hands into the back pockets of her jeans, "I'm just showing him what each lens is for."
Seth chuckled at the blush that was making its way up Embry's neck, "Oh, I would have loved to have seen the begging he did for that."
Rose's smile broadened as he moved towards her, kissing her forehead the way he did every day when he got home from school or work, "How did you know he begged?"
Seth laughed as Embry turned wide-eyed towards her, "Rose!"
"What," Rose couldn't help giggling as she shrugged her shoulders, "I didn't know it was supposed to be a secret."
"Well, it was."
Seth laughed as he made his way into the kitchen, "She knows now…if she's any good at keeping secrets, Rick won't find out you weaseled your way into the photo shoot."
"I'm really good at keeping secrets," Rose said in a haughty tone as she followed behind Seth, Embry following after her as he called out, "I don't like the term weasel…I'd say I am supplying needed assistance. Every professional needs an assistant," he pointed a finger at Rose as she opened her mouth to respond, "No comment from you."
"I was just going to agree with you," she gave him a wide-eyed look of innocence that didn't last long, her laughter making Seth's exhaustion disappear.
"Where are the twins," Seth asked as he opened the refrigerator, looking at the contents in search of inspiration.
"At your mom's," Rose moved to stand next to him as he opened the freezer, wondering what he was searching for, "She's bringing them back before dinner."
"Good," Seth closed the freezer, heading across the kitchen to where the phone was.
"What are we having for dinner," Rose asked as she leaned against the refrigerator, Embry having taken a seat at the table.
"Pizza," Seth stated as he dialed, looking over at his friend, "Are you staying?"
"If I'm invited."
"Of course you are," Seth and Rose stated in unison, looking over at each other with a smile.
As Seth put in the order, Rose went about getting the table ready, pulling out plates from the cupboard next to the refrigerator.
"Rose, don't bother with the plates," Seth hung up the phone, answering her silent question, "I asked them to add paper plates and cups –one less thing to do."
"Okay."
"Hey, how about we make it a movie night," Embry looked from Seth to Rose then back, "I can go over to Leah's and see what kiddy movies she has."
Rose didn't say anything, just looked over at Seth and waited.
Thinking of everything he had to get done, he stared into her hazel eyes, seeing the childish excitement at the idea of a movie night, "Sure, go ahead. Bring Gabe with you while you're at it."
"Got it," Embry walked out through the back kitchen door, leaving Seth and Rose staring at each other.
"Gotta get some laundry done while we wait," he pointed towards the utility room as he walked that way, Rose close behind him.
"I'll help."
"Alright," Seth chuckled quietly as he opened the dryer, piling the towels on top of it, "Fold those while I throw in a load."
"What's so funny," Rose asked him curiously as she began folding the towels as she had seen Vivi do.
"Nothing, really," Seth tossed in his whites, catching a small red sock he was sure was Vivi's, tossing it back into the hamper as he looked over at her, "It's just that I realized I've never seen you do laundry."
Rose blushed as she folded a dark green towel, "I don't know how."
Seth stared at her in shock, not sure if he had heard her right, "What?"
"Vivi does the laundry," Rose muttered in self-defense as she took a blue towel, able to feel his eyes on her but too embarrassed to look up at him, "I don't know how to…how to do it."
Seth tried to figure out what to say, if there was anything to say at all.
Here was a grown woman being cared for and protected by two little kids…no wonder she was still a child herself.
"Come here," he took her wrist in his hand once she was done folding the last towel, pulling her towards him to stand in front of the washing machine, "You need to separate your clothes into whites, colors and delicates."
"Delicates," Rose looked into the washing machine, unaware of what her nearness was doing to him.
"Yeah," Seth looked over to the hamper where Rose's dirty clothes were, "Your…bras and…underwear…panty things."
"Oh," Rose leaned into the machine to pull out one of his socks, "Okay. Do socks go in the delicates?"
"No," Seth took the sock from her and dropped it back into the machine, glad he didn't have white boxers because the very idea of her pulling them out to ask if they were delicates was making the back of his neck sweat, "Socks just go with whatever color they fall under. When you're washing your whites, you turn this dial to hot wash, cold rinse."
"What does this dial do," she leaned over the washer to fiddle with it, her butt bumping against him.
He swallowed hard as he tried to take a step back but there just wasn't enough space.
He needed a bigger utility room.
"That's to measure out the amount of water according to the size of your load. Go ahead and turn it to medium."
"Okay."
A click, then she looked over her shoulder at him, "Now what?"
"Now, the detergent," Seth reached up for the box of detergent on the shelf over the machines, thinking she would move to give him space but she didn't.
His brain literally short-circuited at the feel of her body pressed from shoulder to hip against his front.
Grabbing the box, he quickly moved to the side, hoping she hadn't noticed his little…problem.
She simply stared at him, her wide hazel eyes full of innocent expectation as she waited for his next instructions.
"You," Seth cleared his throat before starting again, "You only use half a scoop –see, there's a marking here."
Rose leaned in to look, her hair brushing against his jaw, hiking up his temperature another few degrees.
Dear God, can his girl really be as oblivious as she seemed?
He threw in the detergent, closing the lid before reaching across to the wash dial, his arm brushing against the side of her breast, nearly giving him a stroke, "Sorry."
"For what?"
"Nothing," Seth took a deep breath before he continued with the laundry lesson, "You turn this dial to automatic wash the pull it out…colors need to be washed with cold water but it's basically the same thing. Except for your delicates –those need to be washed using the delicate cycle."
"This one," Rose pointed at the section marked delicate, smiling when Seth nodded, "This isn't so hard. I don't know why Vivi didn't teach me how to do this before."
"Did you ever ask her," Seth rubbed the back of his neck, needing to get out of there in the worst way but she was between him and the exit.
Rose shrugged as she picked up the folded stack of towels, "I never thought of it. I'm going to put these away."
"Okay," Seth nodded, waiting until she was out of the utility room before he followed behind, "I'm gonna take a quick shower."
"Won't the water be cold?"
Seth laughed as he walked into the bathroom, "I'm getting used to cold showers."
The door was almost closed when she called out, "Seth?"
He swung the door open to look at her, "Yeah?"
Rose smiled at him as she handed him a towel.
He smiled back at her as he took it, "Thanks."
The movie was half through and Seth felt like he was about to pass out.
Slouching deeper into his end of the couch, he worked hard at keeping his eyes open but it was a losing fight.
He jerked at the brush of a small hand over his, looking over at Rose as she smiled at him, "Why don't you stretch out?"
Looking at her side of the couch then at the small space between them, he pointed out, "There's not enough space."
"Sure there is," she patted her thigh in invitation, "You can rest your head here."
He knew it was going to kill him being that close to her but there was no way he was going to pass up on that offer.
Stretching out with a sigh, he rested his head on her lap, the curve of her thigh giving his neck much needed support.
Looking over at Embry, he smiled at the sight of him with Vivi sprawled over his chest, Gabriel stretched out on the floor on his stomach on one side of Embry, Marcos on his back at the other side.
A shiver made its' way down his back as the sensation of Rose's fingers sliding through his hair brought his attention back to her.
Closing his eyes, he could feel the stress slowly bleeding out of him as she continued to play with his hair.
Another sigh escaped him as he felt that shiver again, his scalp tingling as her fingernails gently scraped over his scalp.
Oh, God, it felt like he was slowly being set on fire, one nerve at a time.
This was blissful hell, for sure, and despite the torture of having to take only what was given, it was definitely better than what he had before she came into his life.
He opened his eyes in response to her giggle, looking up to see her staring down at him with a smile, "What's so funny?"
"You're purring," Rose stroked his forehead before running her fingers through his hair again, "I had a puppy that used to do that whenever I scratched behind his ears."
"Mhm," Seth closed his eyes, turning on his side in hopes that she would scratch the back of his head, "Dogs don't purr, honey."
"Sissie did," Rose slid her fingers down the back of his neck, "And you do too."
Seth was going to point out that she had just called him a dog but he couldn't talk anymore because he forgot how to.
Without even trying, this sweet girl –so oblivious it wasn't even humorous –had just found his one weak spot, a place no other girl in his past had ever discovered.
He let himself sink into the amazing haze, her fingers stroking the back of his neck in a slow steady rhythm that completely disconnected his thoughts from the way his body felt, letting him just wallow in the bliss that kept growing with every stroke.
He wasn't even aware of falling asleep until he felt a slight nudge on his shoulder.
Opening his eyes, he looked up at Rose to find her asleep, her head at an unnatural angle he thought must be uncomfortable, one arm resting on her stomach –fingers still in his hair –the other draped over his shoulder.
Looking away, he caught Embry's gaze as the guy picked up the pizza boxes on the coffee table they had pushed to the side.
"What time is it," he asked softly, not wanting to wake his little girl up.
"One thirty in the morning," Embry whispered back, straightening up to look over at Rose, "She fell asleep about an hour ago. I already tucked Vivi and Marcos into their beds upstairs."
"Where's Gabe," Seth took Rose's arm and slowly moved under it to sit up.
Embry nodded towards the armchair where Gabe was curled up under a blanket, "Let me finish picking all this up and I'll take him back to Leah's."
"Don't worry about picking up," Seth stretched, his back popping, feeling completely rested –ah, what a girl rubbing just the right spot in the back of a guy's neck could do, "I'll take care of it later. Just take Gabe home –Leah's probably pacing the floor."
"Want me to wake her up," Embry nodded at Rose as he took the pizza boxes into the kitchen.
"Nah," Seth reached out to brush her hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear with one finger, "I'll carry her to bed."
Getting up, he gently scooped her into his arms, smiling as she turned her face into his chest, softly mumbling, "Don't drop me."
"Never," he promised, kissing her forehead as he made his way down the hall towards her bedroom.
Balancing her weight on his thigh, he pulled back the covers before placing her on the bed, glad she was already wearing her pajamas, which consisted of purple flannel pants and a tie-dyed t-shirt with a peace sign at the front.
She snuggled into her pillow, her hair a dark halo around her head.
Sliding his fingers into her hair, he cupped her cheek, stroking his thumb over her bottom lip, smiling in response to her own smile.
Leaning down, he whispered good night into her ear before kissing the corner of her mouth, wishing he had the guts to kiss her lips but if he was honest with himself, he wanted their first kiss to be eagerly and willingly given to him by her.
That is, if they ever even got to have a first kiss.
Tucking the covers around her, he stroked his fingers over her bottom lip before turning to walk out of the room, closing the door behind him.
He walked into the living room as Embry was picking Gabe up from the armchair, "Hey, would you be willing to take over my patrols with Quil? I've still got homework and I need to get some stuff done up in Vivi's room."
"Sure," Embry tossed the blanket over Gabe, "I'll drop Gabe off and meet up with Quil. You really need to figure out a way to manage your time better."
"School's almost over –"
"Yeah but then we start again in August."
Seth didn't say anything, simply took the full bag of trash out of the can, following behind Embry as they walked out of the house.
"You did send in your application to Seattle, right?"
"Did you?"
Embry didn't answer, the image of the blank application on his desk flashing through his mind.
Seth tossed the bag into the garbage can, not saying anything because he had an equally blank application in one of his desk drawers.
What the hell had happened to them?
They had made plans to head off to Seattle, share an apartment and work on their degree in the engineering program in between the girls and parties.
"Do you think we'll regret it," Embry didn't look at Seth, simply kept his eyes on the forest line, "Not following through with what we wanted to do?"
Seth looked over his shoulder at his house, automatically picking out his little girl's window, smiling at the rhythm of her steady heartbeat, "I won't…you?"
Embry shifted Gabe in his arms, glancing to the left side of the woods where he knew Rick was waiting, "I don't think I will…but I guess I'll have to see. Did you hear Collin got his acceptance letter?"
Seth chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest, "Bet he's over the moon."
"Oh yeah. He's taking Lyn up to SU next weekend for his meeting with his adviser."
"Good for him," Seth thought back on that day Collin had first laid eyes on Lyn, "He sure figured out how to win her over, huh?"
"He said all it took was chocolate ice cream, a week of dog-sitting and an Anatomy session that resulted in an A plus."
They both laughed, Seth giving Embry's shoulder a friendly slap, "If only they were all that easy. You gotta go before Rick starts barking at you and I have to finish that last Lit paper."
"Alright, see you later then."
Seth watched him go, staying outside long after he turned the corner.
Breathing in the pine smell that was carried his way by the cool breeze, he looked up at the dark sky, the quarter moon high, stars littered across the velvet sky.
Was he going to regret it, not going to Seattle to finish his studies?
He had said no to Embry without hesitation.
But as he thought about it, he couldn't stop the wondering of what his future was going to look like now that his plans were being pushed to the wayside.
Was she ever going to grow into the woman he needed her to be?
A woman that would be able to completely fulfill him and not just parts and pieces.
Granted, having her in his life made it so much richer and fuller than before yet it also made it painful.
Why couldn't he see her as Quil saw Claire or the way Collin saw Lyn?
Oh, right.
Because she was a fully grown woman –emotionally stunted, yes, but a woman nonetheless.
And he was a selfish asshole for wanting more from her than what she could give.
