Chapter Info

Title: This is my future.

Number: 23/?

Warnings: Language, mentions of violence, and my usual doses of angst here and there.

Author's Note: Found at the end !

- ʚɞ -

- La Push, Washington -

- Noelle -

A groan rattles deep inside of her chest as she leans her head on the cool polished finish of the desk, her arms hanging limply at her side as she breathes in steadily. A grimace passing over her lips as she feels the small headache continue to thrum at the back of her neck, her vision blurring slightly from the lack of sleep and the pressure of the building ache. Around her voices bristled one over the other adding to the level of her pain.

She loved her job, she really did. But at times like this, when no one knew what silence was. When officers were barking orders as civilians begged for answers at a volume that was more suiting for outside, she hated it. There wasn't any respite to be had as everyone clamoured to be heard and as the medical personnel, all she could do was sit and listen to it grow in intensity. It fucking sucked.

In her whole time living on the reservation, she had never known the clinic to be this busy. Filled to the brim with angry residents and officers from Forks. All demanding answers to the attacks, if anything one would be forgiven for thinking it was the bloody council hall. It sure as shit sounded like one, and with a small glance she sees Billy calming stewing in the middle of everyone. Which only added to the illusion painted before her.

She understood the residents, she really did understand them - even if Tiffany Call needed to turn the volume down - someone was out there hurting people. And whilst the answers were not ones that could be shared in great detail, it was still innocent lives that were suffering from La Push to Forks. So she truly didn't blame them for wanting their answers, all she wished was that they'd ask for them at a quieter volume, or at the council building. That was also a good location.

Sighing softly she pushes back from the desk and wearily stands before heading further into the clinic, breathing a sigh of relief as the noise starts to quieten the further she got from the rowdy crowd. Sue gave her a knowing look as she passed the council member in the halls. And whilst she knew there should be a tinge of judgement for the way she bailed and left Daryl right there in the midst of it all. She didn't care. Her head was throbbing and she just wanted peace.

That and she only had ten minutes left on her shift.

Ducking into one of the private rooms, she smiles as she notes Ellie sitting up and drawing in the book situated before her. Around the small child was a variety of crayons as well as stuffed bears - courtesy of the doctors - and to an outsider, it looked like chaos but to the small child, everything was in its perfect spot. She leans against the wall for a moment, basking in the silence the child offered as she watches her, sees the concentration painted all over her face.

It had been nearly a week since she and Daryl had been locked down on the rez, and things hadn't gotten any easier. Less than twenty-four hours after they saved the life of the first man, who they now knew was called James, a female had turned up with the same injuries. Prompting the pack to run consistent patrols around the area, and yet still the vampire in question kept slipping past them and leaving bloody presents in the form of people as though this was some game.

Which she guessed it was in a sense, shifters were born to kill vampires, so why not taunt the pack that was hunting you down. The pack that was no closer to catching you then they were when they started. And whilst she hated the thought of them out there, she'd never felt safer in her life. Knowing that the pack would do anything, were doing anything they could to protect people.

It was why now the bodies were from Forks, not La Push.

And after Sue and Carlisle had managed to get Ellie transferred down to the clinic, she'd become even more at peace. Knowing the little girl was no longer a target for the psycho who was playing a long game of cat and mouse. And watching as she grew each day, becoming more and more lively as she got better, well it called to something deep in Noelle's heart. Something she hadn't even known existed till she looked in the eyes of the little girl. Her maternal streak.

Don't get her wrong, she'd always known one day she would be a mother. But she'd always planned it much later in her life, so therefore she'd never really interacted with children besides the occasional patient in the ER, or her cousins if she was willing to visit them. But when she'd looked at Ellie, she'd felt an intense need to protect the little girl from the things that went bump in the night. A need that led to her declaring - very loudly - that she'd adopt the child. A process that was now underway after she realised it just felt true.

As though the spirits, the ones she'd previously ignored, were telling her it was something she needed to do.

Afterall the gods had left her to Paul, or back to Paul as it were, so maybe they were right in this situation. That Ellie needed her, needed something that only she could give. Either way, she was going to stop fighting it, no longer was she just going to sit by and ignore the plight of the small child before her. She needed love, and Noelle had enough to give.

" Hey little one. " she sighs, gaining Ellie's attention. " Fancy busting outta this place for a while. "

There was something about watching a child's eyes light up with the promise of freedom that she really wouldn't ever get over witnessing. As right now, as it swam in the innocent eyes of Ellie, she wanted to drown in it. To remember what it was like to be so innocent, to not be truly afraid of the things that go bump in the night.

" Can we go see Sammy and Jar-Jar ? "

A chuckle inadvertently crawls up her throat as she hears Ellie's nicknames for Sam and Jared, the two wolves had been intermittent visitors since Ellie had moved to La Push. Mostly they were checking in on Noelle but given she was with Ellie, it meant the two things coincided together. And despite their huge frames and sometimes stony looks, the three-year-old had attached herself to the two of them, finding two walking teddy bears that she had no idea were some of the wolves Noelle had once said were protecting her.

" Yeah sweetie, we'll see if they've finished work and are available for cuddles. " she winks at the end of her words and is rewarded with soft peals of laughter.

Moving she heads over to the drawers that held Ellie's clothes, bought by Noelle's mum, and grabs her an outfit to head out in. It wasn't normal medical practice to allow a patient to leave but Sue and Daryl were both turning a blind eye to the fact. Allowing her time to bond with Ellie, so that when it came to the hopeful approval of the adoption, the two had a bond that would last.

Humming softly she helps Ellie get dressed and packs some of her colouring books and crayons into the small rucksack that was situated on the chair beside the bed. Settling Ellie back down she promises to be back once she gets changed and heads back into the main area of the hospital, sighing in relief as she sees the rabble from earlier had dispersed once more leaving the hospital in calming silence.

" Are you heading out ? " Sue asks, turning to look at her as she steps near.

Nodding softly she reaches for the signing out sheet. " Yeah, I'm gonna take Ellie to Sam's for a little bit. Let her have some fresh air due to being stuck here whilst I worked my double shift. "

Sue laughs at the tease encompassed in her words, as after all the double shift was because she'd covered one of Sue's shifts, and well the two of them knew it. But given it was pack business that had dragged the council member away from her medical duties, Noelle couldn't argue, nor could she let anyone find out about the pack. Now it was her secret, just as much as the elder woman's.

" I think Emily is babysitting Claire today, so Ellie will have a friend. "

She nods once at Sue's words before heading off to the staff room to get changed, her mind distracted as she grabs her clothes and heads for a quick shower to wash away the smell of the hospital. She was thinking over everything, from how her life had changed since coming back home.

She'd come home engaged and ready to take on the next chapter of her life - now she was an imprint, in a complicated relationship with her ex, her ex-fiancee was the imprint of her friend and she was about to be a mother at twenty-four. And on top of that her ex, her friend, and her brother were all wolves.

It wasn't something that could be made up, no one could come up with a story such as that and expect readers to believe it. Yet it was her life, it was the written word of her destiny it would seem and whilst, she'd never put much stock in it before. Now destiny kept slapping her in the face with huge neon signs, signs that were far too hard to ignore. Even if some of it had her kicking her feet and protesting. And other parts had her wanting to bang her head against the wall repeatedly. One thing she did know.

She was done fighting destiny.

Yes, she was still angry about certain things. She wasn't sure if the anger would ever go away. But she was done letting it control her. She was done letting it seep into her heart and poison everything she touched. When she felt the anger before, she stopped herself from feeling the good things, like love, friendship and happiness. Her anger consumed everything, burning through it like wildfire and leaving behind charred remains. She was an empty husk, void of light. Now she had the promise of light, she had the promise of happiness and instead of fighting against it, instead of slamming the door, she was going to embrace it.

So what if her life wasn't normal. She wasn't even sure she wanted normal, it was too boring. But the one thing she did know was she wanted what she had. The promise of her future, with her brother, her wolf, her pack and now - her daughter.

Shaking her head she quickly towels her hair dry before throwing it into a loose ponytail and changes into her jeans and a band shirt that belonged to her brother pre-phasing. Slipping her feet into converses she grabs her back and makes her way back to Ellie's room. A soft smile upturning the corner of her lips as she sees her grabbing the wolf teddy tightly.

It had been a small jest between her and Shay when the teenager had handed it over for Ellie, Shay having been the only other witness to the words she'd said and yet they both knew the truth. Now it was one of Ellie's favourite stuffed toys and it went everywhere with her. Both Shay and herself couldn't stop their smiles whenever they saw her with it.

Smiling, she holds out her arms, laughing freely as Ellie jumps into her arms, the wolf hitting her softly on the side of the head with the three-year-old's excitement and after situating her better. She heads off towards her brothers, enjoying the silence as Ellie watches the scenery around her, drinking it in and feeling at peace. She could see it in the way her small shoulders dropped and a huge sigh would flutter off her lips as she dragged in lungfuls of fresh air. It was a brilliant sight, to see that Noelle wasn't the only one relaxed by where she grew up.

It would do wonders when the adoption was finalised.

" 'Elle ? " the soft voice breaking her out of her musings as she looks down at Ellie. " Will, you ever leave me ? "

A frown mars her face as the words cut deep, the wounds lashing across her heart and making anger flare inside of her. Not for the question, but towards the vampire once more. For ripping the small girl from her parents and leaving her alone in a world that she had no right to be involved in. But would forever be intertwined.

" No sweetheart. Nothing and no-one will ever be able to make me leave you. It's me and you forever okay. "

A small nod is all she receives and it has her sighing, confirmation not needed but actions were. She could understand it, after being abandoned by her brother she needed his actions to know it would never happen again. Anyone could spout words, but actions would always speak louder. Which is why she'd already made the mental conviction that she'd spend every day showing Ellie that she wasn't going anywhere, she would fight for her till there wasn't any breath in either of their lungs.

Ellie's excitement ramps up as they get closer to Sam's and as they turn into the driveway, she has no option but to lower the excited toddler. Watching as she gains her bearings before taking off running, her small feet slapping against the mud drive as she runs towards the porch. Hazel eyes watch as the screen door is pushed open to reveal the hulking figure of her older brother as he moves quickly and gathers up the excited child.

Hugging Ellie close, Sam looks up and meets her eyes, the two sharing a private moment of laughter at the exchange that happened a few moments ago as Noelle moves much slower towards her brother's house. Now she wasn't putting on a facade for the toddler, she could feel every slither of tiredness as it bled into her frame. Wracking around her body like a ping pong ball and she was honestly curious to see how long she'd last before curling into a ball and sleeping for a week.

She gave herself an hour, any longer than that and she would be running on fairy dust and miracles.

Her steps are heavy on the wooden stairs as she climbs the porch and comes to a stop before Sam, his large bulky arm curling outwards before pulling her into his chest. His heat soaking straight through her clothes and warming her chilled skin. A murmur of enjoyment causes a ripple of laughter to build in Sam's chest as he holds her closer, letting her head tuck under his chin just like they used to do when they were kids and Noelle was scared of the monsters in the dark.

Monsters she now knew were real.

" Long shift ? " Sam asks softly.

Her head nods as she finally extracts herself from the warm cocoon, lest she falls asleep stood up. " Yeah, the shift itself was quiet. But dealing with the residents of the rez and the officers of forks having one big disagreement in the clinic's reception left me with a killer headache. "

Her words are cryptic and filled with enough undertones to write a book but her stoic brother is quick on the draw, his head nodding minutely as she gathers what she was speaking about. His face turning to Ellie and recapturing her attention as the three of them turn to head into the kitchen. Emily's smiling face greeting them with hugs and soft words.

No matter how many times she met the woman, she would always be surprised by her nature. So soft and caring but ready to stand and defend what she believed in. As much as Noelle hated to say it, given she knew the sordid history - Emily really was made for her brother. She was the softness to his harsh lines, where he was stoic, Emily was all emotions. It was a good balance.

It reminded her in a sense of Jared and Kim - Jared was loud and obnoxious. It was often that you'd hear his laughter rise higher than those of his pack brothers. His lips forever up turning into a smirk that told of the jokes he was building inside of his mind. But Kim, she was quieter. She didn't speak up in a group and instead allowed her mate to be the centre of attention. She was meek to Jared's outgoing. And whilst it was strange to see, it was also a perfect balance.

She wasn't sure where she and Paul were balanced - given they could be quite alike. But Noelle also wasn't digging into it. As digging into it meant acknowledging the fact that he still owned her heart and whilst she wasn't running from the truth anymore. She was still set on them at least attempting to be friends. Even if she was the one who instigated the kiss that day in the hospital. A kiss that even now she couldn't forget and often found herself dreaming off.

It was annoying, but not unwelcome.

Shaking her head she drifts back into the conversation, thankful no one really commented on the fact she zoned out as she let her eyes drift over to where Claire and Ellie were happily playing with dolls as though the two had been friends forever. It brought a smile to her face, to know some innocence remained inside the little girl and that the leech bastard hadn't stolen all of it.

" PAULIE ! "

Ellie's loud screech makes her jump as she watches the three-year-old take-off and jumps into the large arms of Paul, the wolf in question grinning as he holds her close, listening to her babbles as though it was the greatest news he'd heard all day. The sight alone was cute, yet her mind couldn't help but salivate at the image it presented. Of Paul with a child, a child that would hopefully be hers soon and the elder sibling to any the two would have together.

Shit, not good. She mutters inside of her mind as she once more shakes her head clear of the dangerous thoughts, her hands eagerly reaching out for the mug of warm tea Emily sets before her as she watches Ellie and Paul. Paul's dark eyes drifted towards her with a smirk as though he could just guess what she'd been thinking about - like he always could.

A smirk of her own dancing along the edges of her lips as she watches his mercurial gait bring him closer, his frame lowering to the bench beside her like poured liquid. It forever amazed her the grace in which the wolves moved, so silent and quick despite their hulking frames. But Paul was almost animalistic, a predator at ease within his skin.

" You okay ? " He asks, head tilting slightly as he adjusts the three-year-old in his arms. " You look about ready to pass out. "

" Is it that obvious ? " she drawls lightly. " I'm getting too old to work double shifts. "

A snort of laughter flutters in the air between them, Paul's obsidian eyes shining with mirth as he shakes his head. His attention is drawn once more by Ellie as she tells him all about the dream she'd had the previous night, her sweet innocence believing that everyone needed to know. Or that Paul needed to know.

" You two are staying for dinner right ? " Sam asks drawing her attention

" If I stay awake long enough, yeah. "

Her brother nods as he heads back into the kitchen where Emily was preparing the food that she now realised was for dinner. Her eyes drift over to Paul as she wraps her hands around the warm mug, letting the heat settle into her skin. Her eyes watching Paul and Ellie closely and enjoying the sight of a man she knew was dangerous, a man she knew had one hell of a temper - sit there with a child in his lap listening to her babble.

" Come here. "

A frown crinkles her features as she looks at Paul, her eyes blinking back the state of exhaustion that was slowly weighing her down. Shifting Ellie till she's sitting on the table in front of him, Paul reaches forward and wraps an around her waist, dragging her into his side and with small adjustments, makes her rest against his side. His heat warming her better than a warm mug could ever do.

" Get some rest, I'll wake you when dinner's ready. "

His words are like the softest lullaby in her head, each deep bass syllable wrapping around her mind and calling her to do what he wanted. And right here, lost inside the heat of his side, his soft hand slowly tracing patterns on her hip through his shirt. She was willing to give in, even as she watched Ellie and him interact, the soft words he spoke to the girl only adding to the comfort.

As darkness slowly crept in and pulled her into the release of sleep - she became aware of one thing. This was her family. Her dysfunctional and messed up family and she wouldn't take anything else.

- ʚɞ -

A / N : Reviews are love and highly appreciated- Sooooo, no excuses. One more time I delayed on getting this written and published and I am so sorry. I am sorry that I'm taking so long when I used to do just frequent postings. But I promise, I am trying to get more frequent. And well, we are nearing the end, I think.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and the bonding of Ellie and Paul. As well as Noelle and Paul cuteness.