A/N Here's another chapter for y'all. I know it took longer but I've been nose deep in my school work. Just wanted to ask y'all when y'all want my story to end. I am aiming to write until Anabelle's quince, (or even after just to venture out into adult life) but I don't know whether to end this fanfic until the start of Breaking Dawn and make it into a two-fic series, or just make one long fic. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT YOU WANT.

Chapter 44

"Honey? Are you there?" Anabelle stayed where she stood. This isn't real, she thought. I'm dreaming.

"Jacob? Is it you?" She whispered into the phone, fearful that he would hang up.

"Yeah honey, it's me." Tears sprang in Anabelle's eyes and she sat down on her bed, his voice making her feel warm and whole again.

"J, I'm so sorry." She whispered, "I shouldn't have said those things when I found out about you and Bella. It wasn't my business. I shouldn't have broken up with you. It made you leave and I'm sor-"

"Honey, hon, calm down." He told her. She immediately stopped talking, the only thing Jacob heard was her sniffles and heavy breathing. "I just called to ask how you were doing. My wolf is giving me a hard time right now and he needed to hear your voice. We both did."

"I'm doing good. I've gotten a lot of school work done and I've been cooking for Billy. At first he was hesitant, but I convinced him it was good for both of us. But my week's better now that I get to hear your voice."

"I'm happy to hear that baby." Anabelle drew a sharp breath. Jacob had never called her baby before. It made a blush appear on her cheeks.

"I'm so glad you called J. Are you thinking of coming home soon? I know I pushed you away and I'm sorry." She heard him sigh before he took a steadying breath.

"I'm not coming home yet, hon. I just need a little bit more time to make sure I don't hurt you again. Both mentally and…" He took in a sharp breath. "Physically. You understand right?" She nodded before shaking her head, feeling dumb because he couldn't see her.

"Of course J, take all the time you need. As long as you do what's best for you, that's what I said when you left. And don't worry about the physical part. I'm doing much better. The marks are barely visible now and they barely hurt. But will-" she cut herself off.

"What honey? Tell me."

"Will you call me again? To check-in. I miss you J."

"I'll try, baby." She took in a breath. He said it again. That's a good sign, isn't it?

"Where are you J?"

"I'm not sure at the moment, Honey. I think I'm in Northern Washington, close to the Canadian border. I'm hiding out in the woods for right now."

"Are you safe? Eating good and all?"

"I'm trying to hon. I have a spot I go to for sleep and clothes that I swiped from a store when I left. That's why I have this phone. I charge it at fast food places I find and hunt while I'm in my wolf form when I'm hungry."

"I'm so sorry." She whispered.

"Don't be. You are not in the wrong here. I am." Anabelle silently shook her head, knowing he was wrong. "I love you, Anabelle Lahote."

Anabelle chuckled as tears fell from her cheeks and onto her leg. "I love you too, Jacob Black." After saying goodbye, Anabelle ended the call, tears streaming down her face in light sobs.

She sat there, crying. Crying for Jacob, crying for his safety, his health. But most importantly, his happiness. The happiness she knew she would find when he comes home to her. She felt horrible. I shouldn't be the one here, at home and safe with everything I needed. She thought. Jacob should be the one here. With his brothers and his pack.

A knock then sounded at the door causing Anabelle to wipe her tears and steady her breathing. She smiled when her brother came in, carrying a stack of pancakes with a glass of orange juice on a tray. "I got some breakfast!" Paul cheered.

Anabelle giggled as he laid the tray downs and sat on the bed beside her. "What's the coffee for?" She asked, pointing to the mug on the tray.

"Me." Paul grinned. "Emily says it helps after you drink beer and you have a headache."

"How much did you drink?"

"Thurtween." Paul mumbled.

"What was that?"

Paul cleared his throat. "Thirteen." Anabelle gasped, threw her head back, and laughed.

"You're shitting me." When Paul shook his head, she continued laughing.

"Yeah yeah, laugh it up." He told her before tickling her. He stopped when she called uncle and continued drinking his coffee.

"So what's on the agenda for today?" She asked.

"There's a get-together at the beach later. Emily's family from the Makah tribe is coming. I think her sister, brother-in-law, and niece are coming." Anabelle nodded. She had heard about Emily's niece once or twice when she and Emily were making dinner. What's her name? She thought. Carrie? Carly? Clara? Claire?

"What should we do until then?" She asked. "There's still that 1000 piece puzzle I got for Christmas last year. The one with the rainbow gradient." Paul pondered her suggestion for a second before nodding.

"Sure. I guess I could wind down with a puzzle. Chill out for a while."

"WHERE THE FUCK DOES THIS PIECE GO!?"

Anabelle snickered loudly at Paul's side, watching as he looked over the puzzle trying to find where the piece he was holding went. Emily and Sam, both watching the siblings from the kitchen, held back their laughs while Embry and Quil, who were sitting at the table helping, laughed loudly at their packmate's frustration.

"Here," Anabelle said, grabbing the piece from her brother's hand and placing it in its proper place. "Now was that so hard?"

Paul glared at her before getting up from the table muttering a string of curse words. "Fuck this shit. I don't even like puzzles. Fucking pieces are too small and there's too many fucking colors." This made Anabelle laugh harder before taking a sip of her tea and continuing to work on the puzzle.

She understood why he was frustrated. They had been working on the puzzle all morning. From 9 o'clock to 1 in the afternoon. They did, however, take a break to eat lunch that Emily prepared when Quil and Embry came to fill their empty stomachs. After they were done eating, they started to help the siblings finish the puzzle, making small conversation while working.

Anabelle sighed heavily as she placed another piece in their place before yawning. "Maybe you should take a nap, Belle. I can wake you up when we are ready to leave." Anabelle nodded before yawning once more and climbing the stairs sluggishly.

She laid down on her bed, breathing in deeply before slowly falling into a deep sleep.

"Maybe we should pour water on her." A voice said.

"What? No, you dumbass, she could drown." Another one replied.

"Both of y'all shut up." A third one was voiced. "Just take the covers off her. She hates the cold. She'll wake up." Anabelle shivered when her comforter was pulled off her and she fluttered her eyes to see Embry, Quil, and Paul looking over her with wide smiles.

"Y'all better get out before I kick all of your asses." Anabelle gave the boys a deathly glare making them quickly retreat out of the room.

Anabelle giggled to herself before changing into some warmer clothes and putting her hair up in a messy bun before deeming herself presentable. After she was ready, she walked downstairs and saw Seth sitting at the kitchen by himself. She gave him a soft smile before asking, "Where's everyone else?"

"They left to go set up for the bonfire. Told them I'd stay with you and walk you there." She nodded and grabbed a muffin from the counter before taking a bite.

"So how was it last night?" She asked. "How did it go with Ethan?" She smiled at the blush that made its way to Seth's cheeks and watched as he rubbed his hands together, nervous.

"It was good. He gave me his number but I haven't called him yet. I'm a little nervous." Anabelle nodded. "He's really funny, and nice."

"Well I'm glad you had fun." Anabelle replied. "But you need to call him. He might lose interest if you don't. Are you thinking of telling the pack? They will find out eventually, and I think it's better hearing it from you then your thoughts." Seth nodded in agreement.

"I will. Just not now." The younger girl nodded before grabbing her friends hand and pulling him out the door.

When they arrived at the beach, all the boys were playing soccer while the girls were sitting in lawn chairs and talking. "I'm going to join the game." Seth told Anabelle before running off to where the pack was playing.

When she walked to the girls, Emily's eyes lit up and she got out of her chair and brought Anabelle closer to the group. "Anabelle! I want you to meet Claire." Emily turned and grabbed a little two year old girl from Kim's hands before turning back around. Anabelle smiled at the young girl. She had long black hair like herself that was braided on both sides of her head. She waved at the little girl causing her to laugh and reach out to her.

"Hello, sweet girl." Anabelle said, grabbing Claire from Emily's hands before sitting down on a log. "Aren't you the cutest thing?" Anabelle then placed Claire on her lap when Emily gave her a cheeseburger to eat. She giggled quietly when Claire reached for it and instead gave her some cheerios that Emily gave her. "Who's all on patrol?" she asked no one in particular.

"Quil and Leah. They should be here in a few minutes." Kim replied. "I'm surprised they haven't killed each other. Jared told me Leah was not happy to be paired with him today."

"I can see why." Anabelle replied. "He's a little too much for someone like Leah. He annoys her very easily." She then turned to Emily. "Hey Em, I thought your sister and husband were coming."

"They were here for a little while but an emergency came up at the vet and they both had to go in. So after the bonfire, Claire will be staying with us for the night." Anabelle nodded before tickling the two year old causing her to giggle.

A few minutes later, Anabelle heard a loud voice causing her to jump with Claire in her hands. "Boo!" This caused Claire to laugh and wave her arms around making Anabelle glare at the one who scared her. Quil.

"Why did you do that?" Quil laughs and sits on the log next to her, Claire sitting down on the sand and watching the waves go by.

"Who's this?" He asked, causing the little girl to turn around at the noice.

"Quil, this is Claire, she's-" Anabelle faltered when she saw Quil's face causing her to gasp.

"No you fucking didn't!" Sam yelled, running over to where Anabelle was sitting and tackling Quil to the ground.

Anabelle gasped and jumped away, pulling Claire with her. "Sam stop! Get off of him!" After Anabelle yelled at Sam, Claire let out a squeal and started crying, her face becoming red and her little hands reaching for Quil who was coughing on the sand.

He looked up at the little girl and his face brought out a small smile. After making sure Sam wouldn't tackle him again, Quil sat up and stood up, shaking the sand from his shorts and walking in front of Anabelle who was holding a calmed down Claire, her face now dried with tear stains.

Anabelle was holding Claire securely in her arms when Quil approached them. She took a hesitant step back, looking at Quil with an unreadable expression. "What's her name?" Quil whispered. Anabelle said nothing, still looking at him before moving her eyes towards Sam who nodded at her.

"Her name's Claire." Anabelle finally replied. "She's uh- she's two years old and Emily's niece." When she said that, Claire then reached for Quil causing Anabelle to let the older boy hold her. Quil was careful in his movements, holding Claire like she was a porcelain doll who was seconds from breaking.

"Hi Claire. My name is Quil Ateara." He continued to talk to the young girl, walking over the beach and sitting on the sand. Anabelle watched as Claire looked at Quil, his movements, listening to everything he said. She was entranced with the boy, like he was a shiny diamond that was calling to her. It made Anabelle slightly uncomfortable, if she was being honest. She walked over back to Emily who was cuddled up next to Sam. She noticed that the soccer game ceased and everyone was watching Quil and Claire with interest.

"Can this happen?" She asked no one in particular.

"I don't know. The only imprints that have happened are with Sam and Emily, me and Kim, and you and- uh Jake." Anabelle's eyes trailed to Seth who bowed his head, because nobody knew of his imprint, Ethan.

"Well, Claire now has a protector. She will be safe from anything Quil can protect her from. Everything will be fine. Tomorrow, we will figure out what to do. Let's just enjoy today." Everyone nodded at what Emily said and continued to talk amongst themselves.

Seth made eye contact with Anabelle before nodding his head towards the path into the woods. He then got up and walked down the path, waiting for Anabelle. About 3 minutes later, she appeared in the brush. "Seth? What's wrong?"

"I want to tell them about Ethan. Looking at Quil and Claire now, they'll have a brother-sister relationship. So, they'll have to accept Ethan. Right?"

"I think they will. We're all a family, and Ethan is wonderful from what I've seen. Unless you are 100% sure that you're ready, I think you should go for it."

Seth contemplated for a few seconds before nodding. "Ok, I think I know what to do. But first, I have to tell Ethan what I am."

"Hello?"

"Hey, Ethan. I know this is short notice but can we talk?"

"Oh sure. I just got off work and I'm on my way home. I could come to where you are."

"Oh ok. Great! I'm at the beach where we met yesterday."

"Ok. I'll be there in 10." Seth ended the call and drew a deep breath before releasing it unsteadily. Sure enough, 10 minutes later, Seth caught the scent of Ethan. He smelled of fresh strawberries and chocolate. They both smiled at each other when they met on the beach.

"Hey Seth. I was surprised you called me, I started to think you might have lost my number or threw it away."

Seth shook his head before wringing his hands together nervously. "No, I was just nervous. Look Ethan, I need to tell you something. It's very important, but I don't want to scare you away." Ehan looked at him in confusion.

"Scare me away? Nothing could scare me away, Seth. You don't like, have a kid or anything do you?" Seth chuckled and shook his head.

"I'm a werewolf."