Paul couldn't help the tremors that shook his body. Zima's diner.

Paul closed his eyes as he tried to calm down.

He refused to meet his mother in Tacoma, and she refused to meet him in la push. So, the compromise was Seattle.

He had to do this…He needed to do this…

While holding his breath, Paul walked into the diner. His eyes met a pair identical to his own.

Paul didn't know whether to be happy, sad, or angry.

He chose angry.

….

Tawny lahote held unto her coffee cup as if her life depended on it. Her son…. her son was huge.

When did he get so big? How long had it been since she'd seen him? He was practically a man now.

"you have every right to be angry at me…" she whispered.

"I didn't come here for pleasantries or apologies. Just tell me why the hell, my father told me you were dead! Or should I even call him my father!?" Her son hissed

Tawny jumped. His voice was so deep and cold… and his eyes…his eyes held pure hatred.

Pure hatred for her and she deserved it.

Tawny opened her mouth to speak but her son cut her off.

"Don't lie to me. Just tell me what I need to know so I can never see your face again."

Tawny closed her eyes and prayed that the tears brewing in never came. However, her prayer was ignored as tears started to pour.

"Malcolm lahote is not your father… He's not even a blood-born lahote, He was adopted. Well, he and I... fell in love at a young age...but... but I wasn't one to settle down. So as soon as I could I left la push. Leaving him behind…and as soon as I could I partied and partied hard. While I was partying in Seattle…I …I met a man. I didn't realize who he was until it was too late. And by the time I found out I was pregnant… he was long gone. He had gotten married and was settling into his role. But …Malcolm stepped up and we got married. No one questioned it. The lahote's family tree was growing, that's all that mattered. Until…until… I got restless. I wanted out of la push. Malcolm and I moved to Tacoma and you were born we raised you there...until the divorce. But...I didn't want to go back, so he took you with him."

"And you just let him! knowing he wasn't my biological father!" her son hissed

Tawny scowled.

"I did what I had to do boy! And you better be damn grateful I didn't abort your ass when I had to the chance!" Tawny shot back

Her son let out a humorless and a slow handclap.

"and there it is ladies and gentlemen. There's the true women that abandoned me. now, I want the real story! And none of that in love with Malcolm bullshit."

Tawny let a small evil smile crawl upon her face.

"Fine. You want the truth…here it is. I got Billy black drunk in Seattle during his bachelor party and took him back to my hotel room. It was supposed to be a one-night stand that ended there but lo and behold I fell pregnant with you. My family being ashamed sent me to live in Tacoma and Malcolm wanting his own freedom followed me. Except he couldn't be free oh no, my father made us marry. Not wanting his youngest daughter to be seen as a slut and since, Malcolm was adopted it was no issue. Of course, neither one us wanted it. We hated each other and we hated you. So, there's your story. Of course, your aunt Jenna nor your grandfather wanted the truth revealed. That's why they kept us away so long, but Malcolm and I had enough we signed the divorce papers and went on our way. But here's the catch. If the council were to find out what really happened, the Lahote name would lose all of its power…that's why Malcolm called and told you I was dead. They want to keep you from knowing the truth but now you do. So, you can go ahead and wreck all the havoc and chaos you want, I could care less. The tribe has never done anything for me. Happy now?"

Tawny smiled as her son was silent. She knew he couldn't handle the truth and she definitely knew that Malcolm was not acting alone. He had to have help and she bet it was Jenna. Tawny resisted a snort. Her older sister was so stupid.

"Why couldn't you just have been a normal mother? Why not move out of the state and raised me on your own?" Her son asked. His voice had cracked and what was once anger dissipated into what disappointment?

It was a rare moment when Tawny felt her maternal instincts rise. She cautiously reached over and grabbed Paul's hand.

"Listen kid…I never planned on having you. I never planned on having kids anyway. And then you came. I was not and am not a good mother…I'm not mother material. I wanted the quickest way out and handing you over to Malcolm is what was easiest for me…but I admit it wasn't best. I could have kept my pregnancy Hidden and eventually dropped you off at the black's front door, but my young mind never thought about it. I'm a horrible person and a screw-up… but…you…no matter the hell we put you through...you turned out good. Really good. So…and I know this won't help or fix things...but I am sorry. I'm not going to say I would've done better because I probably wouldn't. I'm not parenting material but you…no matter how much I thought you ruined my life…you are my greatest achievement and that's all I can leave you with. So, I'm going to get out of here before they know that I told you. And you… you better get your ass to Chief black and quick…"

With that said she handed him a piece of paper, threw a wad of cash on the table, and whispered.

"Goodbye…my son."

…

Tawny held her breath as she boarded the greyhound.

Houston Texas, Far beyond the state of Washington.

The rain trickled down and matched the small tears coming down her face.

Why is she crying? She never wanted to be a mother.

Never wanted to get married but she made her choice.

She drank too much that night and saw a very important guy from her tribe.

She hadn't really liked him she just wanted the bragging rights.

Well, look where that got her. She was literally running for her life because once everyone connected the dots. She would surely be a target.

Tawny looked up at the grey sky. She was a horrible mother.

But her son…Her son was a good man and she could live with that even if it meant her never see him again.

….

Charlie swan stood outside his son-in-laws front door. He had gotten the address from Billy.

The night after Renee left, He thought long and hard.

And he had been wrong. Seriously wrong. Yes, he was disappointed in his daughter. But he was also afraid to be left alone.

But one thing he did know was that he loved her, and no amount of words or apologies could ever excuse his horrible behavior.

He needed to set things straight.

His heart pounded faster as he knocked on the blue wooden door.

The door opened and a pair of brown eyes that were identical to his own met his.

"hey…uh bells…can I... Can I come in?"