"Now press the gas," Seth was finally teaching Grace how to drive on a rare sunny day in early February. She finally had the day off of work since she was saving up for her next show at the end of that month and Seth bribed Jake into switching shifts. Things between them were easy, they could even say they were officially dating now. Seth was still already on edge about telling her the truth. Even Nessie begin to get nervous. It had been months since they met her and they knew they couldn't keep her in the dark forever. Alice said that she would be okay with it in the summertime but the vision didn't say what was going to happen leading up to that. Seth was yanked out of his thoughts though when Grace slammed the gas pedal.
"Little more gentle?" Seth was gentle with correcting her. He knew she would get this in no time. Grace sighed and placed the car in park. She turned the truck off and stepped out before going to lay on top of the hood, Seth chuckled before stepping out and leaned against the car watching her beautiful face.
"You know things always came easy to me," Grace told him while looking at the passing clouds. She never really paid attention to the sky much in Brooklyn. Or nature in general up until she moved to Washington.
"You'll get it. Driving is easy, you just learn how much pressure to give and to be aware of your surroundings," Seth knew he was oversimplifying it but he also hated her sounding defeating.
"I have a good looking teacher so I think I'm distracted," Grace propped herself up on her elbows watching Seth's warm eyes. She loved them more than anything else in the world. They always made her feel safe.
"I didn't think teachers and students were suppose to get involved but how can I say no?" Seth laughed before leaning down and kissing her soft lips. Everytime he kissed her it was like the first time all over again. It also reminded him that he needed to tell her the truth. He couldn't keep putting it off. When they pulled away Grace looked back up at the clouds while Seth debated inside himself.
"I never understood cloud spotting until now. That one looks like a dolphin," Grace pointed out the passing white fluff but Seth was too in his head.
"My dad and I use to cloud spot when I was a kid," Seth told her remembering how great his dad was and how he would want him to be honest. How Harry Clearwater would be shaking his head right now and slapping his hand for not telling the girl the truth form the start.
"My dad was never like that. Wasn't much of an outdoorsy type, then again Brooklyn didn't really have good spots for this kinda thing. Another reason why I love this area and another reason why I love you," Grace froze when she realized what had slipped out. She sat up quickly and turned to face Seth who stood with wide eyes filled with something she didn't recognize.
"Hey, Grace, I think we need to talk about something," Seth finally got out the words and once they were out he regretted it. He saw Graces go from scared about what she just said to what was about to happen. He was scared how she was going to react. He was scared of losing her. If any one of the Cullen clan were here they'd be trying to kill him. Jacob would be the only understanding one.
"What's wrong?" Graces wavering voice broke up his rapid thought process. Seth took a deep breath and nodded before finally speaking. It's now or never. Alice said it would be fine in warmer weather which wasn't that far off now, he could do this.
"We've all been hiding some things from you for awhile now and I think it's time we all come clean," Seth sighed before opening the passenger door of his truck and waiting for her to climb in. She walked slowly, she wouldn't look at him. He was beginning to believe he made the wrong decision. They drove in silence for 10 minutes before arriving at the Cullens household. All of them were gone for the day to enjoy the weather somewhere quiet and isolated. Except for Nessie who was out in their house doing cleaning while both boys were gone for the day. Both walked quietly to the tiny house in the woods that belonged to Seth, Jacob and Nessie. Grace was trying not to cry, she didn't know what Seth meant by they all were hiding something but for some reason her gut was telling her to just run. Something her body has never did when it came to Seth.
"What are you two doing here?" Nessie smiled as she wiped the kitchen counters but dropped the happiness when she saw both of their faces.
"It's time," Seth nodded knowing the rest of the Cullens may hate him for this but it would all work out in the end. He knew it would.
"Come sit," Nessie sighed before putting the tea kettle on the stove and pulling some mugs down. Once the water was starting to heat Nessie pulled herself up on the counter and thought of where to start.
"You know, what if I just show you everything instead? Save me a headache," Nessie looked apologetic to the both of them before reaching out and laying a hand on Graces cheek. Grace jumped at the contact but allowed it. Soon her mind was being swept over by images she had ever seen.
"Why? Why does she have to go? Why not the other one too?" Seth spat the harsh words as tears filled his childlike face. Jacob and Leah both frowned and stared at the twin babies, they had the same questions but didn't want to cause a scene. Jacob especially didn't want to incase they actually sent his imprint away too.
"You know why Seth. Nessie has powers and she's growing a lot quicker then Grace. Nessie is going to look five in a week where Grace will only look a week old. Nessie must stay with us for that reason but Grace can go to a normal family until the time comes. I have a feeling Grace will come back on her own," Edward closed his eyes before Bella came and wrapped her arms around his torso. Neither was happy to have to say goodbye to one of their children.
"What if she has a power too? And you just can't tell yet?" Seth was trying his best but he knew ultimately that it was a lost cause. Grace would leave and he could only pray to god that she would come back.
"Seth, we're sorry for this. We are. I have a couple in New York that are willing to take her and raise her. We can keep tabs on her like that," Carlisle frowned as he looked over at Esme who nodded sadly. They all knew it was for the child's own safety but they also knew how it would break everyone's heart. Especially Seth's.
"Well...can I go to New York too then? Stay around her?" Seth was scrapping at the bottom of the barrel now but it was worth a shot.
"I'm sorry, you have the pack to think about first," Jacob used the alpha tone which made even Leah cringe. She felt tears in her eyes for her brothers sadness.
Seth was crying now. Hot tears flowing down his face and onto the small baby wrapped up in an embroidered blanket with GRACE on it. The other had NESSIE around the edges. He knew this wasn't fair. It wasn't fair that his imprint had to be sent off to live with humans who couldn't protect her like he could. He knew it wasn't fair that he didn't get to watch her grow like Jacob and Nessie. It was killing him inside as he watched the baby yawn in her sleep.
"You better hope she comes back one day," Seth finally muttered before running out the house and into the woods. Stripping off his shorts and shirt before letting his emotions eat at him and change him into a chocolate wolf. He let out a long painful howl before disappearing into the woods.
"We're doing the right thing for our children. We are," Edward whispered against Bella's head before looking down at the two sleeping babies. He had to believe he was doing the right thing and not something he'd regret later.
Grace gasped and stood up, breaking the connection. Nessie pulled her hand back to her side before looking at the ground. She could feel her lip starting to quiver. Seth sat still, not knowing what to do next. Every imprint and wolf was different on how they reacted and what they did. With Grace though it was different. She just learned not only does she have a twin, but she was also just imprinted on a man who only looks a bit older now then he did in the images and that he changes into a wolf, Edward and Bella are her parents who look exactly the same as they did in the images and the parents who raised her lied their whole life.
"What was that?" Grace asked while running her fingers over her face to try and wake up from this nightmare that was happening.
"That was my gift. I can show you things that happened in the past. I'm sorry to be blunt but I have no other idea how to tell you that," Nessie slid off the counter and took the steaming tea kettle off the stove. She moved slowly towards Grace but Seth held a hand out when they both saw Grace back away.
"Grace, were still the same people you know. I'm still Seth, the coffee boy. She's still Nessie, your best friend who adores you. Jacob is still like that older brother to you. Everyone you met with us are still the same people, the roles and what they are changed is all," Seth stood up slowly and held out a hand for her to grab. If she grabbed it then she would sit and listen. Let them explain and maybe understand. Instead though she just shook her head and backed up some more until she hit the front door.
"I just...I just need some time to think," Grace finally got out, along with a sob that escaped her lips before she found the door knob and took off running. They were about to take off after her when Jacob cleared the forest line and stood with his arms crossed.
"Let her be. Give her some space, she just found out a lot and she may be questioning everything now," Jacob hoped for the sake of Seth's heart that she would understand and be fine in the long run.
