Friday, December 20th.

Our big day was finally set. Granted, I was a little worried about the forecasts for massive amounts of snow approaching. The wolves and their raging body temperatures would be fine, I was only concerned about those of us with normal body temperatures. Despite the mild fear of losing a few toes, my mind did wander to the beautiful aspects of a snowy wedding.

Where atop that hill in La Push, so sacred to the natives that they only dreamed of marrying up here, all of La Push could be seen. The forests, the distant ocean and it's cold murkiness… Having a veil of soft snow gliding down, falling so elegantly and leisurely. I absolutely loved how quiet falling snow was. Not a peep of nature could be heard anywhere, yet snow did have its own sound. It was a beautiful tranquil silence- and I looked forward to hearing Paul's rushing heart alone when I came over the hilltop.

"Mah?"

I blinked out of my daydreaming. Feng stood next to me from where I was sitting on the couch, overlooking all the invitations waiting for me. There was a big book of local names and addresses Paul had borrowed from the library, to which I was glad since I didn't know where all our wedding guests lived. It was still a lot of work for a quickly approaching wedding less than a week away. I'd been so absorbed into it, I felt guilty for letting cartoons manage Feng all morning.

He lifted his small arms and pouted. With a breath I pulled my growing toddler up into my arms, falling back into the couch. Comfortably Feng rested his head on my chest, pulling a few locks of hair down to his hands to fiddle with them.

"Dah?"

I lazily opened an eye. "He's not here cub."

Feng turned his head, looking at me with his big eyes, wondering. I opened my mouth, but paused. Where was Paul? He'd been so secretive lately, I wasn't quite sure, but I believed it had to do something with a wedding gift. Just the thought alone excited me, but I was more curious about what could possibly take so long. Was he making something? Traveling to find something? I didn't know. Worst of all the pack acted completely oblivious. Jacob would just smile and say 'don't worry kitty cat'. The others were more or less the same. Even Billy was a blank slate! Yesterday I'd even brought freshly baked cookies to the Black house in hopes to coax an answer from them. Jacob made sure to stuff his face first before looking at me and chuckling.

Still no answer. So I resorted to sniffing around. But before I could get any clues on Paul's scent, Jacob met me out in the yard as a wolf and lightly tackled me. Since I was wearing good clothes I didn't want to shred, it meant me, as a helpless human, had to fight a giant wolf off.

Easier said than done when we were nearly eye to eye.

I ended up retreating covered in red fur.

And now, I still couldn't figure it out. I already had my gift figured out, but it really bugged me as a feline I couldn't get it. We were always so clever and perceptive too.

"Oi."

Feng looked up at me amid my frustration. "Walk?" he hoped.

"Depends on the weather cub." With one arm I propped him against my hip and went over to the window. General grayness was nothing new. But I didn't smell any moisture from the cracked window. To most of the world it was crummy weather, but it was decent enough for us.

"Alright." I set him down. "Go get your jacket." As he ran off I turned my head. "Stormy? Wanna go for a walk?"

Said mountain lion, snoozing on his kitchen rug, only turned comfortably and curled his paws against his chest. His adorable way of saying he was too comfortable. Otherwise he would have kicked that rug against the wall to get over here. I shrugged and pulled on my own jacket. Feng raced back over to me, taking my hand by habit. Soon we were walking on the side of the road, listening to our shoes tapping lightly on the pavement. If the rare passing car ever came by, I'd glance over my shoulder and trade hands with Feng, keeping him further away from the road. Small motherly quirks that came naturally lately.

Our leisurely walk was directed towards the beach. Maybe we'd take a few more short trips there before the snow came. I found during snowy seasons I tended to be a bit more…reluctant about leaving a warm house. It might've been a cat thing not just limited to me anymore.

Feng stumbled in his walk and I noticed he was busily looking behind us. It sounded like a rumbling engine, a loud one, was growing closer. Just slightly I redirected us closer to the edge of grass and kept walking. The engine grew louder till it was pounding in our ears. Worst of all, it wasn't passing by. Did I have to deal with some weirdo now?

I turned my head, ready to fight if need be, when my words died on my lips.

There, bare skinned and bronze from the waist up was Paul leaning over the handles of a motorcycle. His lips were curved upwards, and he sat there as if waiting for my response. My gawking must have been enough. With that smirk ever in place, he reached over and turned the keys off. The silence was loud, and Paul seemed to delight in our stunned faces.

"It's double seated." He jerked his head over. "Not a bad gift, huh? I didn't want to keep it a secret long."

I could only stand there, stunned, and look it over. It almost looked brand new. The engine and metallic bits were shiny and polished, and the color was a deep wine red. It was beautiful.

"I'm guessing you like it- but don't just stand there. Birds will make a nest in your mouth if you don't close your jaw." He snickered. Too surprised still to be embarrassed by his tease, I hesitantly walked over.

"Well…at least this explains why you always smell like grease and oil."

"Been working on it with Jacob. You didn't figure that out?" he teased.

I flashed him a brief squint, and aside from that I was too busy taking it in. "I suspected something." I defended. "But Jacob always smells like that. I'm not used to it from you though."

"Meaning-"

"Meaning you should smell like kitty cat." I grinned. "This is amazing Paul, but I don't want to take Feng on this."

"Ross, it's just for a quick spin."

Bad choice of words and he knew it too. I gave him a look, turning to all the damp pavement. "Nope."

"Ross…"

It was a mistake to look at those dark eyes. My kryptonite.

"No fast driving."

"Yes ma'am." He grinned. Maybe my own eagerness was slipping through. Fluidly I threw a leg over the seat behind him and pulled Feng up tightly into my arms. "I mean it Paul, no going past thirty."

He nodded, starting the keys again and roaring the engine to life. He was clearly showing off, but it only made Feng jump like a poofy kitten. I leaned over Feng, pressing to Paul's ear. "You can show off later, we gotta get cub home."

Paul agreed and turned the bike in the road. Then, after a tense moment on my part, we were cruising. My legs pressed tightly for support on both sides of the bike, since my hands were busily hanging onto Feng. I might've liked riding personally, but a toddler had no place here. It felt like my mothering instincts severely outweighed that feline rush I desired. The moment Paul slowed to a stop outside the house, we found Jaio and Brady sitting on the steps.

The youngsters gawked and stumbled to their feet. Finally we could hear enough to speak when Paul shut the engine off.

"That's amazing!" Jaio beamed, though Brady only smiled. I had a feeling he was in on it. Though I didn't need it, Paul outstretched his hand and helped me off. Jaio went on to skip over to the bike and give various praises, much to Paul's ego. During then I brought Feng inside and got him ready for bed since it'd grown so late. I could still see the curiosity in my cub's eyes, but he got sleepy enough when Stormy crawled up next to him for bed.

Those two were like PB & J. One was never without the other. Smiling, I quietly shut the door and hurried to the front of the house. Brady and Paul were talking about the bike and Jaio rushed over to me.

"Are you guys going riding again?"

"I guess so. What were you and Brady doing here anyway?"

"Oh, we came to give you these. Paul said around now would be a good time to come over." She gestured over to the porch. I realized there was a pair of helmets that I didn't see. One was plain black, and the other a deep blue. I assumed the colorful one was mine. Paul was always very basic and plain with his attires. But black suited him…and leather… I shook my head and turned.

I tossed a helmet to Paul. "Ready when you are."

Paul's smile grew. "You're taking to this faster than I thought."

"Wouldn't be my first time on a bike." I shrugged, eagerly hopping on the backseat. For some reason Paul stared a moment, and judging by how his lips curled up, it must have been attractive to see. I briefly glanced down as I strapped my helmet on.

Yeah…a worn old jacket and blue jeans. Hot.

Paul climbed on and started the ignition, causing Brady to laugh as he jumped away-startled. I made sure to ease the helmet over Paul's head. Something told me werewolves weren't just reckless on their own paws.

"So when did you ride a bike?" Paul teased. "I can't imagine you doing something like that."

My throat scoff was loud and clear. "And just what stereotype do I come off to you as?"

He grinned back at me. "Somewhere between a prep-nerd and the hot girl."

I slapped his shoulder. Paul just chuckled, though with the motorcycle's revving I couldn't tell much. With a wave to the couple on the porch, who would probably watch the cubs for a while, we drove out. For a moment I questioned Paul's eyesight in the growing darkness, but I knew he'd be fine. For one he'd memorized these roads for years. He probably knew every crack and curve.

My arms wrapped around him, enjoying the intense body heat he emanated. The roar of the motorcycle was soothing, and in my feline ways it reminded me of a loud purr. A bit violent but still nice. Paul drove along the highways North, and through the darkness I could see the cliff's edge protected by railing. There, beyond the cliffs was the endless ocean. A few small islands jotted out of the water, and I recalled the pack liked jumping from a few of those higher ones. I recalled my natural dislike for cliff-diving, and the thought of sharp rocks below as a turnoff for ever doing that…again.

The bike revving snapped me out of my thoughts. The winding roads had turned into a long stretch of highway for at least another two miles- as far as I could see anyway. Paul's grip on the handles tightened and the scenery around became one dark blur. I watched through my helmet's visor as he pushed eighty. Towards ninety I began holding him tighter and gave him a nudge. My wolf only laughed and kept on. He effortlessly knew what he was doing.

Still, I didn't like these speeds. If some dumb deer jumped in front of us, there'd be no time to react. For one the deer would explode, and the bike would be ruined. Whatever injuries Paul and I would endure would be brief, but sure painful. Myself in a longer state of pain probably. Felines took a little longer, but nothing to complain about.

Suddenly we were at a hundred and ten.

"Paul!"

Something in my voice must have gotten to him. It wasn't fear, more like an order. I wasn't joking around. Thankfully he eased up, and once the engine wasn't roaring in our ears, he spoke up.

"Sorry!" he hollered. I was a touch annoyed with his carelessness for the speeds, but couldn't bring myself to fight. This was a wedding gift, and he was just showing off anyway. Eventually we coasted the rest of the way before he turned off the road. There was a small area nestled within the trees, and they seemed to curve around this little spot. Here, across the small highway we'd been going on, across the guard railing, I had a grand view of the ocean and it's dark horizon.

Paul though looked at me as I hopped off, perhaps fearing some anger. However I only pulled my helmet off and sighed.

"Paul, I'd rather not have to scrape you up off the roads one of these days."

He pulled his own helmet off, and a smile greeted me. "You're worried about me?"

"Well duh! We don't have to go over seventy to have fun."

"True, but it's fun to show off what it can do." he smugly reminded. I looked over the area of grass before sitting down. "So did you plan to come out here?"

Paul eased the bike over so it wouldn't interrupt the view. "Yeah. Discovered it a few days ago on patrol. Figured you'd like it."

"It's nice." I mused, turning my head. The tree next to me had names carved into it, and I had to wonder how…used, this area was. I winced and held myself closer. "Though I don't think we're the first ones here."

Paul didn't get my hint and plopped down beside me, resting back on his palms. Here with all the trees the cold breeze was muffled. A fresh waft of salt air come up from the cliffs, flowing with the waves. It was pleasant. "So where'd you get the bike anyway?"

"Sue Clearwater was clearing a few things out of her garage. She couldn't stand looking at Harry's old bikes so she gave it to me dirt cheap."

"Aw." I looked over. "I didn't know it was Harry's."

"Well, one of them. He had a bad habit when it came to collecting bikes, engines, the sort. Not like there was one special to him or anything."

It made me feel better. We wouldn't be covering any old memories from that bike with our new ones. It was a fresh slate for us. All the sudden, Paul perked.

"You said earlier you'd been on a bike before. What's the story?" he grinned. "Let me guess, leather and studs type teenager, taking no one's bull?"

"Yeah, I also had a New York accent and three side guys." I rolled my eyes. "No Paul, nothing like that." I leaned over my knees, thoughtful. "When I was a kid, my dad had a bike. On the weekends we used to go riding all over Washington." I smiled, noting how Paul's eyes shined with curiosity. He was always curious when I talked about myself- or something from my past. It was like being his imprint made me irresistible in every way. He remained thoughtfully silent as I continued. "The weekends were the only time he was off work, so it was pretty special to me. Sometimes we'd go East, and a few times I think we even went to First Beach."

He lifted his head from resting it on his crossed arms, propped up by his knees. "You came to La Push?"

I cracked a smile. "A few times. But till I decided to stay here, I haven't visited in years. Plus it was before all those instincts, so I was a regular human blissfully unaware to the vampires and doggies." I recalled, poking his side absentmindedly. "I always found Forks so gloomy and depressing, I was reluctant about coming out this way. But he loved the beach. Sometimes we'd just walk along the shores for hours, watching the ocean like this." It felt like my smile had fallen, but I brought it back up for his sake.

Paul smiled at me a moment, and I could see the wheels churning in his mind. He opened his mouth, but closed it slowly. Then he looked back out towards the ocean. I knew what he was going to say, but kept my eyes ahead of me.

"I know what you were going to say, Paul. But… I don't really like to think about it."

"I understand." He reassured. After a moment I felt his body press against mine, and his safe muscular arm wrap around me. His burning body ate away every chill in my bones. I tucked my head into his neck and sighed. My heart was relaxing again, and I was at peace. His earthy grassy scent was always comforting.

I watched the ocean till the cozy darkness settled in my mind.

.

.

.

The skies were clear blue, and the sun almost warm as it shone down on the sandy beach. Her hair was a messy black ponytail behind her head, with choppy curled bangs falling into her eyes. Despite the peaceful weather, the eleven-year-old wandered along the shores, worry having her brows furrowed and lips bit anxiously. Now and then she'd look over her shoulder, and then around for someone.

"Daaahddy!"

Nothing. The waves were too loud. Ross puffed out a sigh and looked down at her summer dress. It was pale blue with a white X crisscrossed over her chest, wrapping over her shoulders. A large blue bow tied her hair back, with drooping ends. Her bare feet were covered in sand, some of it coating up to her knees. Almost hopelessly the child continued walking on, at least until an old red truck appeared by the beach's parking spaces. It whined to a stop, and Ross stared as multiple dark skinned children hopped out of the back. Most were about her age, and some clearly babies. In the front of the car were two men, one white and the other native. They were young and vibrant, smiling as they each had babies in their arms that looked like each of them respectively. Ross turned her head, looking for a place to avoid strangers, but one of the children was suddenly running at her.

Ross flinched and backed away from the bronze skinned youth. He had messy dark hair and serious brown eyes about her age.

"I've never seen you before. Who are you?"

She shyly looked anywhere but him. "Ross."

He crinkled his nose. "That's a weird name for a girl. I'm Sam. Do you wanna eat with us? We're having a BBQ. It's just me and my cousins. They're all a buncha annoying babies, so you can hang with me."

Suddenly he took her arm, rather determined, and they walked towards the group. He introduced her to them, but she wasn't really paying attention. One of the men with pale skin and dark hair seemed unsettled. He said he was a police officer and asked why she was alone. Ross, guiltily, shrugged.

"I, uh…got a little lost."

For some reason he insisted she stay with them, so she did. Ross met all the little toddlers and babies, but never focused on them much. Instead, all the sudden, she heard a panicked, male voice approaching. A bike's engine cut.

Dad shorts, a loose tank top, and sandy blonde haired man came running over.

"Ross!?"

She leapt into his arms.

"Daddy!"

Hazel eyes flew open and she sat upright in a blur. "Da-"

Then, pulsing pain across her face. It felt like she hit a rock.

"OW!"

The woman fell back into the grass, and if it weren't for the bright morning light in her eyes, she would've still been wincing. Paul eased down next to her, chuckling. "Sorry. Didn't mean to be hovering. You were mumbling in your sleep and I wanted to surprise you when you woke up… But I didn't know you would be doing all that…Ross?"

She still had her hands clutched over her lower face, and her brow was continually furrowed.

Obviously in some great pain.

"Ross!" he panicked, warm hands easing her up. "Talk to me-"

She turned her head away from him, spitting out a glob of blood into the grass. Ross wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, smearing a trail of bloody spit.

"Now I'm like Chi." She murmured, slow and pained. Paul was a mess and tried getting a better look, but she batted him away. "Relax." She slowly spoke, still holding one side of her jaw. She paused. "I think…a tooth is loose. It doesn't feel right."

Paul looked stressed. He sighed out heavily. "Maybe it just needs a minute to heal up. Correct itself."

"I'm not magic, Paul. I think I should see someone to get it out."

He was bothered and mostly upset with himself. "That's surgery."

She blinked at him, waiting.

"I don't want you to have surgery." He stated. Ross rolled her eyes. "Paul, it's not like I can just take a pair of pliers to it. I heal up fast but I'm not a psychopath. Nor can I ignore it."

He groaned and stared off, hard. "This is all my fault."

"Well, you were hanging over me."

He glanced over, glowering. "Thanks, Ross. Usually you make me feel better when I screw up." He dryly grumbled. Ross clearly was in no mood to talk and waved it off, getting to her feet. "Come on, I need to get home and set up a dentist appointment ASAP."

"Local or-"

"Seattle. I'm picky about who takes a needle to my mouth."

Paul looked all the more unsettled and wheeled the bike over...

.

.

I climbed up behind Paul and kept one arm on him, the other keeping a hand pressed to my mouth. It was pretty disgusting when blood welled up into my palm, and I had to shake it out behind me. Whenever I did it felt like Paul tensed under my arm. Well, I tried not letting him see, but I couldn't just swallow it or anything.

The ride went by fast enough. That or I was too focused on ignoring the throbbing ache. Paul had barely rolled to a stop in our driveway before he shut it off. In one swift move he'd turned towards me, putting his hands under my arms like I was a child and pulling me off effortlessly. I started inside and kept my mouth covered. "Paul, I have a personal phone-book in my suitcase under the bed. Could you get that for me?"

My wolf was busily at my heels, though he quickly veered off to get it while I went in the bathroom. By then I spat out another glob of blood and ran the water. The water almost burned my opened gums, and I quickly spat it out again, letting it wash down the drain.

"Dang, Paul wasn't kidding."

I nearly jumped at Jacob Black's voice. Startled I turned and looked at him. The teenager was standing a few feet away, arms crossed. A half worried smile tugged at his plump lips.

"What are you doing here?"

"Brady and Jaio were called back home. Her sister wanted to bring Mike Newton by," he said with a brief look of distaste, making me wonder how he knew him, "and introduce him. Something probably along the lines of it looking bad to sneak a boy around, not that she'd be the type to consider others." Jacob wrinkled his nose.

"She's changing." I defended.

"Yeah, ok-"

"Ross, which pocket is your book in?" Paul's muffled voice came from under the bed.

"Top!"

Ugh, I had to spit in the sink again. Jacob didn't look disgusted though. "So," he went on, "Brady snagged me to watch Feng and Stormy, at least till you guys got back."

I groaned. "Either they're gonna have to stick with you guys or a babysitter. Since I have to go to Seattle to get this fixed, I don't want to take them there. The newspapers are crazy."

"Yeah, I don't blame you. Hey Ross?"

I wiped a smudge of blood away from my lips, glancing at him in the mirror. It didn't feel like my mouth was pooling with blood anymore, but it still hurt and felt off. Maybe the tooth was broken. "Yeah?"

His brow furrowed and he sent me a look. "Don't even think about hiring a babysitter when your pack will do it for free. You know we love those fur-balls."

"I know you guys can handle Stormy, but don't be too rough with him. He's just a playful baby. And Feng…are you sure-"

"You insult me." He feigned mock hurt, placing a hand elegantly over his chest. Well, as much as a toned buff teenager giant could be elegant. "What, we can't handle a little mountain lion and a toddler?"

My worried look left him scoffing.

"Seriously, Ross. We got it. Haven't picked up that redhead's scent in forever it feels like. And with the Cullen's being all goody with the treaty again, nothing's going on. Therefore, that makes us the best babysitters ever."

"I'm not sure how restless energetic superhuman wolves could make good babysitters, but if you insist… Though, I only want Emily or Leah feeding Feng. He's very particular."

"You mean like cutting up grapes and halving a sandwich." He deadpanned.

I pursed my lips and stepped out from the bathroom. I was good now. For now, anyway. "I can't help it. I'm a mother."

"Yeah yeah." He slung an arm across my shoulders, giving me a squeeze against his burning chest.

"You go on and have your fun in Seattle. Don't worry about a thing here."

I snorted. "Yeah, getting a bone yanked from my head is real fun. I'll send you a selfie."

Jacob only smiled, though Paul looked bothered and stood up from the edge of the bed. "Found it."

I thanked him and went to the other room to make a call. Once the appointment was set up, I dialed my mother to let her know I'd be in town. She was happy to hear from me again, though understood I must've been in some pain and I couldn't talk much. I was grateful.

More importantly, I was glad to have an appointment squeezed in today. Only three hours away, so we had to rush to get there. I grabbed a fresh, non-bloodied jacket and rushed to get my things. Thankfully Paul wasn't bothered by it. If anything me being in any sort of distress was more bothersome than a surprise drive to the city.

Those two talked, Paul albeit more anxious, while I bid Stormy and Feng goodbye. Stormy watched me with alert, rounded ears. He knew the meaning of goodbye, but not where I was going. Feng was wrapped up in an episode of Jeopardy, much to my pride he'd taken to it. Plus what three year old watches Jeopardy? This kid was gonna end up in Harvard at this rate.

I kissed my son's forehead and hurried out the front door. Paul was waiting by my sedan's driver's side and Jacob had his hands stuffed in his pockets by the door. He lifted a large hand and ruffled my hair as I hurried by.

"Have fun!"

"Right. I mean it Jacob, watch my babies!"

He just faked a dumb clueless face and blinked around, like he had no idea what to do. I paid him no further mind and climbed inside the passenger's side. Paul was tense as he drove, stiffly. I did a double glance over and rested the cool damp rag I'd brought against my cheek.

"Paul, relax."

"I can't." He stressed, setting his jaw and staring hard at the road. "It's my fault-"

"Paul, don't go there. If you must know, getting this molar pulled has been a long time coming. It's too big for my mouth. So I guess you did me a favor with your big ass head."

He couldn't help but sputter out a laugh. "Ross." He struggled. "I still feel ba-"

"Nah ah."

"But-"

"Stoppit." I blurted, waving my hands. "You can't keep feeling guilty for every cut and bruise I get. Imprint or not, I'm not your responsibility."

"Well it must be an instinct thing." He huffed. "Cause I can't just stop caring about you. It physically makes me nauseous to ignore you being in any pain. Makes me feel horrible."

He blinked in surprise when I leaned over, kissing his cheek. "Get used to it pup. I'm about three lives down and I'm not scared to spend a few more."

The rest of the ride Paul kept an arm draped around my shoulders, the other idly resting on the wheel. There was hardly any traffic at all, so we were able to arrive in Seattle about thirty minutes before my appointment. We decided last minute to pick up my mom. It would be nice talking to her for a while, and it would give her and Paul a chance to talk and get to know another.

I looked out the window at my old home while Paul jogged inside to fetch her. Her car was out front, so it wasn't a wasted trip over here. After a few minutes I saw Lei Ross hurrying out, and I almost laughed. She looked comically adorable and small with Paul walking behind her. Even if Paul wasn't the largest wolf, he still managed to make us look tiny. I blamed the muscles.

She scurried into the backseat, but still leaned between the front seats doting and worried. She reminded me of a big fussy kitten. The next thing I knew, her cool thin fingers were lightly grazing over my cheeks, and her brows knitted.

"Oh Ross dear, I'm so sorry."

"I'm fine though. I'll get it yanked and it'll be over with."

I couldn't help but grin as Paul paled with the idea of me going under the knife, and my fragile mother placed a hand over her mouth. She eased back into the seat, where I heard her click her seat-belt as Paul drove the rest of the way.

"I have no idea where you get your morbid side from." She scolded.

"Well…I could be crying and making a big deal, if that helps."

"Don't." Paul cleared his voice, glancing over. Right, he didn't need any more guilt. I didn't know why I was taking this situation so lightly. Maybe because the initial pain had past (when my tongue wasn't stupidly touching it), I didn't feel the need to be so serious like everyone was taking it. Then again, Paul would overreact if I sneezed the wrong way. And my mother was going to worry if I wanted her to or not. It was a motherly thing I understood these days.

I almost felt relief when we pulled up to the dental office. There, Paul was reluctant and glowering as I talked to the receptionist. Since they presumed a loose molar was a big deal, they let me in ten minutes early to see my dentist. I had to cut the prolonged goodbye with Paul short and offered a wave, hurrying off down the hallway.

Behind, Paul puffed out a sigh at the bounce in my step.

Apparently they didn't see my side of wanting things over with.

That or I actually was just morbid.

.

.

.

He was the clear definition of worry. Bending over his leather seat, foot tapping rapidly to the ground, and a thumb was being chewed on. The old man sitting across the room ended up having to move when Paul's distracted look rested on him too long. His future mother in law sat next to him, sitting upright perfectly with her hands folded in her lap, resting atop her purse. Her brows kept knitted a moment, till she sighed and closed her eyes.

"Paul?"

He snapped out it and turned his head. She briefly looked him over. "Dear, you're going to see bone if you keep biting your thumb like that."

Paul glanced at his finger, as if just noticing what he was doing. Then he shrugged his shoulder and bowed his head, as if memorizing the polished white tiles below. Seconds later his foot was tapping away.

The woman shook her head and looked off. The office was neat and professional, though a bit small. Potted plants hung in the corners, a t.v played against the wall, and every table was littered with magazines. Every now and then the front office phone would ring, and Paul seemed more unnerved by the office-like sounds every time.

"I've never seen anyone so concerned over another." She sighed.

"You have no idea."

She blinked, arching a brow. "I don't?"

Paul faltered briefly from his worried stance, but did little to lighten up. "I just don't handle stress good. Not if it involves Ross."

Lei only smiled. "At least I know my girl is in good hands. Now, last time we talked I was in the hospital…and not quite in my right mind with the morphine. Tell me about yourself."

"I live in La Push."

She sighed. "…go on?"

He thinned his lips and opened his mouth, leaning back in his chair. But his eyes were glued down the hall. At least till a little hand snapped her fingers in his face. He looked startled at Lei's amused features.

"It's rude to not look at someone during a conversation. Plus you were scaring that poor old man again, and I don't think he has quite as many lives as my daughter and I." she winked.

Paul turned his head, finally breaking out of his anxious state. "You know?"

"Of course." She blinked. "Ross might like calling me aloof and ignorant, but life's no fun without a hidden side." She winked. "I was worse than her at her age, and believe me, she was a wild teenager."

"She told me." Paul noted, familiarity coming to his eyes. "She doesn't seem like the person to do that now."

"She's not." Lei seemed relieved. "It felt like almost every week as a teenager, I'd be getting a call from the principal. Caught with drugs, arguing with teachers, stuffing Gretchen Laurence's head in the toilet again."

"Who?"

Lei grinned, and Paul noted how oddly mischievous it was. And startlingly similar to Ross. "She never told you? Gretchen was Ross's arch enemy." She chuckled. "Best friends, once, but had a falling out over rumors. Their large group of friends split like Moses commanding the sea. Ross was…a bit dramatic back then. They had their friend wars, and the whole school would be talking about the next 'fight'. But if the teachers busted their plans, Ross would just fight Gretchen alone in the bathrooms. Most the time it ended with a swirly." She laughed, though covered it as if she shouldn't have done it.

"She never told me anything about that."

"Well, I do like to think Ross is more modest these days. She's never one to talk about the past."

"But you said you were worse than her." he reminded. At this point Paul had turned his whole body to face her, and Lei was pleased her distraction had worked.

"True enough. Only difference was I ended up in jail a few times. My own parents, Ross's grandparents, were very…traditional. They gave me plenty to rebel against, and with the revolts and marches going on at the time, I joined in the rebellion. I calmed down in my twenties though, and rekindled the relationship with my parents before they passed. I was still a bit of a feisty little tiger, but then, I was as harmless as a newborn kitten when I met Michael."

Paul paused, opening his mouth in question.

"Michael was Ross's father." Lei spoke, and her eyes seemed to shine with warmth. "We met when I was going to some night classes- to finish my high school degree." She sighed. "It was stupid of me. Walking alone at night, and right out of some book some thugs came to give me trouble." Lei pursed her lips. "I could have handled them. I'd always been tempted to…to let that side out, but I was always so scared of losing myself, I never did. But I didn't have to." She smiled. "Like some knight in shining armor, Michael Ross nearly broke through the window from the store he was working in at the time. Blonde, blue eyed and strong, I was love-struck before I knew he'd even knocked out my new 'friends'." Gradually, her smile died down.

"It was only a year before we married… and a few years down, we had Ross." She explained lightly. Paul had the feeling more had happened in those years, but he didn't press. Just briefly his heart raced hearing a little drill echo down the hall.

"So what happened…to…" He trailed off, especially when Lei's dark eyes became troubled in an instant.

"Ross will be the one to tell you on her own time. It's not for me to say."

Paul felt regret and eased back into his seat. As much as he wanted to ask, he didn't. "So… she tells me you were a skeet shooting champion… I wouldn't be surprised. After all you say you were crazier than she was."

Lei Ross only smirked over at him, and Paul couldn't help but grin.

His fiancé was right. He really had gained an adoptive mother that was genuinely loving, caring, and being interesting was just a plus. He actually lost track of the time before a figure stumbled over. The two were on their feet seeing a woman in scrubs guiding Ross over.

"She's a little woozy because of the strong medicine we had to give."

Paul looked worried at Ross's swollen face. She could barely stay awake and stand it looked like. "Why medicine? Isn't Novocaine enough?"

"Normally." The worker nodded. "While half the tooth was ready to come out, the other still had some deep nerves and that did not want to come out. When the pain went beyond the numbing we had to give her a little I.V. Before she dozed off she made it clear she wanted the rest of her molars out. Understandable, anyway. Most people like to get it done and out of the way. Now, we can go over the instructions on her post-op care-"

A few minutes later, Paul had taken Ross up in his arms when one stumble proved it difficult to walk. Lei was content to drive to the apartment, and there Paul helped her to the third floor. Lei opened the door, watching as he lay Ross down on the couch. Ross was dead asleep, exhausted. Paul adjusted her pillows and pulled a blanket down over her, unable to tear his eyes away.

"Just like Michael."

At this he turned his head, watching Lei hang up her purse and shed her jacket. "Always wanting to get the hard things in life done like a band-aid. Though, she shouldn't be swollen by the time your wedding comes around." She reminded, smiling.

Paul let out a breath. "Some confidence."

"Before she wakes up, would you like to go over some pictures with me? Ross would never let you see them under normal circumstances."

He cracked a small smile. "You're starting to grow on me, ma'am."

Since Ross was stretched out on the couch, and there was only one recliner, Lei was left sitting in it, and Paul was content to sit upright from the floor as she spread out old pictures on the coffee table before them. She made it clear he could have a few if he wished, to which he all too happily agreed.

A picture of a five-year-old Ross covered in birthday cake was the perfect blackmail.

Plus it would be nice to have some actual pictures around the house. Paul wasn't overly fond of his own pictures hanging up, but at least there was some. And Ross was family, so now it would be fair. One picture though, hidden under all the piles caught his attention. The first thing he noticed in that old photograph was first beach. It looked like a misty, cloudy day on the sands. But more importantly was the image of the two figures sitting on an old Harley.

It was just like Ross's story. As a child she was adorably small for the bike, but safe in the arms of a grinning, carefree blonde man. Paul's eyes lingered on the picture.

"That was always her favorite."

Lei was busily looking through the pictures, anywhere but the one he held. Paul glanced over at her before to the picture in his fingers.

"Keep it, if you like. It'll probably bring her comfort when she needs it most."

"Thank you, Lei."

Carefully Paul eased the picture into his wallet and turned his head. Ross was stirring under the blanket, and, obviously in pain by the furrow of her brow. He was instantly at her side. "We filled a prescription for you. Do you want one now?"

She shook her head, easing to sit up. With a tired, weak bat, she nudged him aside. "Gauze…disgusting." She mumbled, starting for the restroom. Lei by then had already taken the bag of medicine and went to the kitchen. Paul smelled applesauce and figured she would be mashing the pill so it would be easier for her daughter to take it. It felt like second nature to fetch her another damp rag, knowing she'd be needing it for the aches.

After a minute, Ross shuffled back to the couch, barely awake looking. "So…do I look as bad as I feel?"

Paul cracked a grin and sat down next to her. "Do you want the truth or my imprint version?" he teased.

She groaned. "You guys were looking at pictures…? Great…mom. What's wrong with you?"

Lei cheerily returned with a cup of medicated applesauce. "Nothing much. Oh, it's cute! You were an adorable child Ross."

The puffy faced woman gave the stink eye. "I'm still adorable."

"You look like you got hit by a dump truck, dear."

"I feel the love mom."

Paul chuckled to himself, watching their banter. At least Ross was almost like herself again, enough to argue. Within the hour the swelling noticeably went down, and just a touch achy, Ross declared she was fine.

"If anything I would've been fine without the medication." She veered that off towards her mother. "I didn't know you'd poison my applesauce."

"Well you're stubborn about medicine. And if you don't feel anything you're welcome." Lei sang.

"I'm on cloud nine."

Paul was busily putting all the pictures back in their box, and afterwards carried it to the closet so Lei wouldn't have to strain herself. No surprise they were still lightly, but playfully arguing when he returned. It was a wonder to Paul how his fiancé did this on a regular basis before she moved. He plopped down on the couch next to Ross, but her eyes were trained on Lei.

"-I did too send you an invitation."

"Well if it's less than a week away your guests will need longer notice."

Ross frowned. "We've been…distracted."

Obviously she wasn't bringing up the vampire problem. Nor anything about wolves. Lei was such a peaceful, content woman, there was no need to startle her at her age. Plus her instincts were long dead and abandoned, so she had no way of knowing anything inhuman aside from her family.

"I have a computer dear. It's much better off than the postal mail and those delays. We can use this thing called 'E-MAIL' to get it done. I don't know if you've heard of it."

Ross simmered. "Now I can't tell if you're just acting your age or being smart."

Lei was too cute to be mad at, even if she was a troll. She only smiled and whisked Ross away to the other room. Paul had been watching all the while, grinning. His fiancé was right. He already loved his mother in law. With a last chuckle out of his system, he pulled out his phone and dialed Jacob.

After two rings he answered.

"Hey. How're the fur balls?"

"Nice way to refer to your kid Paul." Jacob sounded amused though. "We're good, having a bonfire at my dad's place. We got Feng to howl."

"What? Really? Man." Paul groaned, like he wished he could've been there.

"Yep." Jacob laughed. "Then Stormy got carried away and screeched- scared the hell outta Charlie. He was visiting my dad."

"You're saying a freaking mountain lion tried to howl?" Paul dryly breathed, torn between laughter and confusion.

"Yep." Jacob repeated. "He was just excited though. I think Jared recorded it so you'll have to ask him about it. So. How's kitty cat?"

Paul's eyes trailed back to the doorway to the other room. They were now bickering about some unwanted cousins being invited. "She's fine now. A bit goofed up from the drugs I admit."

"Aw, now that you have to record."

"I prefer to live, Jacob."

"Well everybody's fine." Jacob sighed. "Feng and Stormy are staying at Sam's. When Emily heard she said it was fine if we all took care of them during the day, but they were definitely gonna spend the night at her place. She was so serious it was hilarious."

Paul grinned. "Ross will appreciate hearing that. We'll probably be back in the morning. She's doing better but some rest wouldn't hurt."

"Gotcha-"

A tumbling sound echoed in the back, and Paul arched a brow as the phone shuffled in his ear.

"Uh…Jacob?"

There was a pause, as if said teen was just returning to his phone. "Sorry about that."

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

Paul furrowed his brow when a squeal was muffled in the back, and nerves bundled up in his chest. "Is my kid OK?"

Jacob laughed. "Daddy Paul is hilarious. Feng is fine. We're just racing with him. Kinda like horse-back riding. Though I'm pretty sure giant wolves are better than horses."

Paul bristled. "I find one hair out of place and I'll-"

"Woah, chill. Apparently Daddy Paul is terrifying. Just enjoy Seattle. We got this."

Click.

Paul was lost in his worries enough that Ross coming back to the room startled him. Said woman blinked, withdrawing her hand. "Geez, you look like a fluffed up kitten."

"I was just thinking about the cubs." He unknowingly huffed, which caused Ross to laugh.

"Now that's adorable. Our litter is fine." She smiled, which caused him to break his worry and let out an amused breath. Ross sat down next to him, thoughtful. "I texted Emily on the way here earlier. To keep an eye on them and make sure things don't get too crazy."

He scoffed. "Wolves aren't horrible babysitters you know."

Paul knew he was full of hot air. But just for the sake of playful arguing he'd defend them…and hope he was right. Ross made herself comfortable against his side, fitting like a little puzzle piece.

"I know." She said, seeming to take more comfort from his presence than any talking. "By the way…what do you think?" Ross had taken a picture from her pocket, offering it to him. "It's my parents on their wedding day. She was thinking of giving me the dress."

Paul stared a moment. The picture itself was beautiful, but he could only imagine Ross in it. Despite the picture's age, the dress itself was long and beautiful. Strapless, laying on the ground a ways behind her, and silken white with painted red flowers curling at the bottom. It was elegant, yet foreign in design.

"I take it you like it." Ross smiled. "My grandmother made it for her wedding, back in China. Then she passed it down, and so on, I hope. Then, who knows? Maybe if we ever have a little girl she could wear it too."

The thought alone crossed Paul's mind, and he nearly turned to goo. A pretty little flower about Feng's age, with long black hair, skin lighter than his, but darker than Ross's, a mix between the two of them, and absolutely beautiful. And then giving her away one day-

Paul abruptly shook his head. "I'd rather see you wear it first." He chuckled, returning the picture to her. Ross put it aside safely and turned her attention back to him, resting at his side.

"So… You ready for a wedding?" she murmured, comfortably resting her cheek on his chest. Paul kept his draped arms around her, yet his lips pulled up. "More than ready…say…what's my wedding present anyway?"

"What, I'm not enough?" she joked. "You'll like it."

"I'm sure I'll like you more." Paul's soft lips pressed to her head, lingering. "It would be hard to top that."

She turned her head and pecked his cheek, briefly meeting the amused twinkle in his shadowy eyes.

Ross giggled in his embrace. "I know."