Life Without You

Chapter 13 "Problems?"

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my made up characters!

A/N: MACMONKEY: Thank you for your review! Glad you're liking the story!

Sunday, December 12th

The first thing I thought when I woke up was that I was so comfortable. I stretched and smiled as my arm brushed Embry's. His lips kissed my hair and his breath tickled my neck.

"G'morning." He mumbled, still half asleep, his hand on my belly.

I turned towards him—not so easy with my growing belly. His sleepy brown eyes met mine and I ran my hand over his face. "It's a very good morning."

A smile took over his face and he kissed me gently. "I feel the same, beautiful."

"I don't think we need any heat around here…I have you, my personal heater." I said snuggling closer. Embry chuckled.

"At your service, Ma'am."

A furry nose popped up on Embry's leg. Moon was looking at us expectantly. "I think she wants to go out."

Embry chuckled again and tossed the covers off himself. "I got it, Babe. You go grab a shower and I'll take them out."

"You're the sweetest." I told him as he helped me out of bed. The dogs started wagging their tails, knowing Embry was going to take them out. I got into the shower, enjoying the warm spray against my back. I didn't see how it could get much better than this.

….

Embry POV

I stood on the porch, watching the dogs play in the yard. They nipped and barked playfully at each other. I smiled, thinking about how content I felt.

My imprint was here with me. We were living together. We were starting our life together.

In a few months, our life would be changing even more when we would be welcoming Peyton into the world. It would different—and hard, that was for sure. But we'd get through it, together.

Last night had been fun. After we had got the stuff moved in, we had pizza that Charlie had brought down with him. Our friends and family had all been there to share with us. Sue, Seth, Leah, Sam, and Emily, Jared and Kim, Paul. Quil had been with Claire. Jake with busy with his Dad but had promised he'd come over soon. My mom loved the place.

Alice Cullen was there—putting away all the stuff she had bought Arianna and I. Jasper and I had just exchanged looks as she unpacked bag after bag.

Rosalie and Emmett had stopped by for a while. They were off to somewhere with Carlisle and Esme but Rosalie had wanted to stop by, see our place. She told Arianna they would go shopping for things once we were settled and knew what we would need.

I wasn't sure we'd need anything after Alice was done. There had been so much stuff, I had lost track. I felt a little weird accepting so much from Alice and the Cullens—especially with the way things used to be—but Jasper had felt my hesitancy and had put his hand on my shoulder. "Embry, we want to do this for you and Arianna. We care about you both and we want to be a part of helping you start out good. It's hard when you're just starting out and you have a baby on the way, or so I hear. So let us help. We're all family."

I thought about how crazy it was that just one event—actually one little girl— could happen and entirely change everything. Nessie was the one who had brought us all together, her birth, the fight.

And with me being in Jake's pack, I really was close with the Cullens. Another crazy thought.

My thoughts were interrupted as Shadow snarled at something. I turned and there he was. Nick.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded as I watched him closely. I glanced over at the house, hoping Arianna would still be in the shower.

"I'm not here to cause any trouble." He said holding his hands up. "I just want to talk to Ari."

A snarl just as deep as Shadows ripped through me. "There's no way you're talking to her right now."

"Do you honestly think that I'd hurt her, dog?" Nick snarled back. "I love her!"

"You're unpredictable as a newborn bloodsucker! You could literally kill her in a can't be trusted." Panic rose up in my chest. I was by myself, none of my brothers—or sister—nearby and Nick was a newborn vamp, at his most powerful stage. I could probably protect Arianna—but I wished someone else was here.

We both turned as the door opened. "Embry? Everything oka—" She broke off as she saw me…and him. Emotions rolled over her face. Shock, pain, panic.

"Shut the door!" I shouted at her but she didn't listen. She stood there, too much in shock or fear to move. Nick started towards her and I growled. He stopped but didn't take his eyes off her.

"Ari, please, I just want to talk." Nick said to her, begging. "I deserve a chance to talk to you—you're pregnant with my child." He glanced over at me and my mind raced—did I go after him? Could I get to him quick enough in my human form? Would I have the time to phase before he got to her?

"Ree, go inside, now. Close the door." I repeated the demand to her, hoping she'd listen. I could feel my body shaking and uncertainty ran through me. Phase or stay human? Would I be fast enough?

Nick's eyes widened at something behind me and a moment later, something rushed by me. The wind of whatever it was blew by me and I realized it was one of my brothers.

The wolf lunged for Nick and he took off running, the other way. Another one followed closely. Was that—Paul and Quil? Glancing over at Arianna who still stood frozen in the doorway, I shouted towards her "Call Emily—tell her to send someone over. I'm going after them!"

"Embry!" She shouted but I was already phasing. I could see the chase through Quil's mind and I rushed to meet up with them. I needed to protect my imprint.

…

Arianna POV

I watched as the boy I loved took off in his wolf from. I hadn't thought I could get any more shocked, but I had never seen Embry phase—or any of the wolves, actually. Seeing them…it was shocking.

And Nick. How did he know I lived here? Why did he keep showing up? Didn't the fact that I had changed my number and ignored any form of contact tell him that I didn't want to be in contact?

Breaking out of the shock, I called the dogs inside and locked the door. I found my phone and dialed Emily's phone.

She had barely answered when I unloaded it all on her, panic rushing through my voice. Emily had to stop me once or twice to make me repeat myself but then I heard her talking to Sam.

"Arianna, keep yourself in the house. Sam is sending someone now. He'll catch up with the others to assist. It's going to be okay, Anna. Keep calm. We're coming."

Shortly after we hung up, Emily showed up with Sue and Seth. "Hey, you doing okay honey?" Sue came up to me and pulled me into her arms. "I know this all has to be so hard."

"What does he want?" I whispered as Sue guided me to the couch. Emily sat on the loveseat as Seth checked the windows and doors.

"I'd imagine he wants to talk to you, you're pregnant with his child. But it's just not safe…" Sue rubbed my shoulders. "Not only for you, but for Peyton too. He could hurt you without even meaning to…one touch of his hand." Sue shuddered, thinking about it.

"Sue, he's not going to stop." I said as more of the shock wore off. "And he's a vampire. He can literally just keep trying or find me when I'm alone."

"Are you thinking of meeting with him?" Seth asked and there was no judgement in his voice.

"What choice do I have? Maybe I should hear him out, let him say his piece. He'll never die or get tired. We can't keep this up forever." I placed a hand on my stomach worriedly. "She'll be here soon and then there will be even more to worry about."

"What if you didn't have to meet with face-to-face?" Emily spoke up and we turned to her. She looked like she was thinking about something.

"Like have a phone call?" I replied to her and she nodded.

"Or even a FaceTime call. Let him say his piece, talk to you. You're safe and he gets to talk to you." Emily suggested and Sue nodded in agreement.

"It could work." Sue agreed, glancing at me.

"What if he wants to see her? Like when she's born?" Fear shot through me at the thought. "He could hurt her not even meaning to."

"We'll take it as it comes." Emily rubbed my leg. "But I think you have to do this or he's just going to continue to try to get at you. At some point, he's going to get the chance."

I nodded. "You're right." Embry wouldn't be happy but I didn't see any other choice.

I had to talk to Nick.

….

Arianna POV

I stared at the phone in my hands. Any minute, Nick would be calling. Yesterday, after Seth had phased and relayed to Embry what the plan was, they had stopped pursuing Nick. I had sent him a text telling him I'd be willing to talk—via FaceTime. I wasn't comfortable doing it in person, but I'd be willing to hear him out.

We had set up a call for the next day at noon. Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, it was eleven fifty-nine. Even without super hearing, I could hear Embry pacing in the living room. I had asked him to let me do the call by myself—give me some space to speak with Nick.

He wasn't happy but promised to stay out of the room, that was the farthest he was willing to be away from me during all this.

The ringing of the phone made my heart race. Taking a deep breath, I answered.

Nick's face popped up on my screen and it gave me a jolt of pain. This was the boy I had grieved, the boy I had lost, the one I had loved. He wasn't dead and I was grateful for that, but everything was hard.

"Ari." He breathed my name, sounding relieved to be talking to me.

"Nicholas." I said quietly. "You wanted to talk?"

"We have a lot to talk about, don't you think?" He asked with a half-smile. "How are you feeling, first of all?"

There were a million other things that I wanted to say, but I kept them inside. "I'm feeling okay. A bit tired, but otherwise fine."

"And the baby—Peyton?"

"She's doing good, growing like she should, developing right on track."

Nick stared for a moment and then sighed. "I want to be involved, Ari."

I didn't say anything for a moment and I heard a crash out in the living room. Embry?

"I…I'm not sure it's a great idea." I said hesitantly.

"Ari, please, you know me. You know I'd never hurt you—or the baby." Nick pleaded.

"No, Nick, I don't." I state firmly, thinking of the dream, thinking of how he had been so cruel. "Do you not remember where you attempted to make me miscarry?"

"I—Ari—that wasn't me. I wouldn't do that to you. I was angry, yes, but I didn't have any affect on your pregnancy. That was just an awful coincidence…and I lied saying it was me. I promise you, that was not me. I can get into your dreams and touch you, but I can't hurt you like that. I couldn't hurt Peyton. I just wanted to cause you emotional pain because…"

"Because I was starting to have feelings for someone who cared for me?" I asked stiffly, the anger filling me. "Tell me, Nick, how was your time with Julie Stevenson?"

Nick took a deep breath. "Okay, Ari—"

"Stop calling me that!" I shouted suddenly. "You've lost the right to any nicknames or terms of endearment. It's Arianna to you."

Nick opened his mouth as if to argue but then shut it. "Okay, Arianna, listen I screwed up. I did. I wasn't thinking straight and I messed up. I can admit that and I am so sorry to hurt you like that. But it's different."

"You're right, it is different. We were in a relationship when you slept with Julie. You were, well supposedly, dead when I started feeling things for Embry. Big difference."

Nick sighed and nodded. "You're right, Arianna. You're completely right and again, I'm sorry. It was painful to watch the beginning of that, it's still painful knowing you're with him." He ran a hand over his face. "But now that you know I'm not dead, I want to be a part of my baby's life. And…I want to be a part of your life, Arianna."

"Nick…"I started but he cut me off.

"No, I don't mean in that way. I'm not trying to cause trouble, Arianna. I get it, you've moved on with your…wolf." Nick shuddered but stopped himself from saying anything else. "It's just…you're the only person who knows that I'm alive right now. I can't go back to my parents like this—they'd lose their minds. I have no one, Arianna. Please, we've been best friends forever. I know things have changed, but surely we can find a way to work through this, can't we?"

"And what's your diet like these days, Nick?" I asked, not sure I really wanted to know the answer.

"I…Mostly animals, Arianna. I've slipped a few times. It's hard." Nick said ashamedly. Sympathy rose up in me for the boy I had known forever, who I had loved—and truthfully, would always love.

"If you really want to make a go at it with this life and at some point, be a part of Peyton's life, that will have to change. You'll need to commit fully to animals, Nick."

He nodded quickly. "Of course, Arianna. I wouldn't want to do anything to put you or Peyton at risk."

I sighed, thinking we'd always be at risk around him. But how could I turn him away when I was with other vampires near daily? They had learned and so could Nick. "Maybe I could speak with Carlisle. See if they could help you."

I could see the hope dash across his face. "Would you, Arianna? Please, I don't want to be this way. I don't want to be a monster."

"I'll talk with Carlisle and then we'll go from there. That's all I can agree to right now, Nick."

"Okay." Nick agreed with a sigh.

"Goodbye Nick." I ended the call and tried to keep my emotions check. Everything blurred for a second and I cursed my hormones. It had been so much easier before I talked to him, so much easier just to be angry at him, to be afraid.

But after talking to him…he was Nick again, my best friend. The guy I had trusted and loved.

I was about to be a mother, though. My child came first, always. Could I trust him with Peyton?

Getting up, I went out into the living room. I frowned when I saw Embry was gone. Only Emily and Sue remained.

"Where's Embry?" I asked, confused. I stopped when I saw the broken vase and the mess of flowers. "What happened?"

Sue and Emily exchanged a look before Sue looked at me with a sigh. "Embry got a little upset during your conversation. Nick saying that he wants to be involved….it upset him. He had to leave and take a run."

"Don't stress out about this, Arianna. It will all work out." Emily put her hand on my shoulder supportively.

I wanted to believe her, but how could I? Everything was so stressful and messed up. How would things work out?

….

Embry POV

I wandered through the aisles of the store. Luckily there weren't many customers around.

"Embry! Hey!" I turned as Quil called out my name. He was holding a package in his hand. "Your order came in. You want it?" He walked closer and peered at my face. "You okay?"

"My girlfriend—love of my life—is currently talking to the ex-love of her life about their baby. I'm not okay." I mumbled, taking the package."

Sympathy bloomed over Quil's face. "That's rough man. I can't imagine what you're feeling right now. But you know that Arianna loves you right? She's crazy about you."

"She hasn't said the words." I blurted out and Quil's eyebrows raised.

"She hasn't said I love you?" I shook my head. "Well, it's obvious to me man, about how she feels. I mean she's living with you and wants to raise the baby with you. Just 'cause she hasn't said the words, doesn't mean anything."

"Nick wants to be involved in Peyton's life. He's her dad." It hurt to say the words. For months, I had been thinking of Peyton as mine, my daughter. Arianna and I would raise her together, here on the Reservation. We would eventually have more children once we were ready, give Peyton some siblings. With Nick coming back and being involved…I was just the boyfriend.

"So what, Embry? It doesn't change anything. You're still going to be her dad too—she can have more than one—and this can't change how much you already love her and all the things you want to do with her, teach her." Quil put his hand on my shoulder. "Don't let him make you feel uncomfortable. Remember, you're there with her all the time. You've been there since the beginning—or at least since Arianna found out."

Quil sighed. "Don't let him push you out or intimidate you. He may have biologically helped create her, but you'll have an important role in her life too." And then he pointed at the package. "Plus, what you got? Total dad move."

I half-smiled, feeling a bit better. Quil was right, I was going to be important in Peyton's life too. I could be her dad too, not just her mom's boyfriend. If Nick wanted to be involved, we'd figure it out—if Peyton's safety wouldn't be compromised.

It didn't matter that I wasn't Peyton's biological father—it had never mattered. I'd be there for her, always. She'd be my daughter—no matter what.

"Thanks for the package, man. I gotta get back." I said, starting to walk away. I needed to see Arianna.

"Yeah, you're welcome for the advice too!" Quil called out as I ran out the door.

….

Arianna POV

I sat on the couch, listening to the fire crackle in the fireplace. Sue and Emily had went home but Emily told me that one of the boys would be running around the house until Embry got back, so if anything happened, I wouldn't be alone.

I was worried about Embry. Was he rethinking everything? Was he worried about Nick? When would he come home?

The front door opened, pulling me out of my thoughts. It was Embry. I got up quickly. "Em, you're home! I've been worried about you."

Embry came over and put his arms around me. "I'm sorry I worried you. I needed some air." He kissed the top of my head.

"Are you okay?" I asked and he guided me back to the couch, sitting down with me.

"I'm better now. I…well, listening to Nick say he wanted to be involved, it got to me." I listened as he told me about his doubts, his worries.

"Oh Embry, of course you're going to be an important part of Peyton's life. You love her as much as I do." I placed his hand on my belly where she was kicking and he smiled softly. "Don't ever doubt your place with her—or me. Even if Nick is involved, that doesn't make you any less of a parent to her. I promise, no one will ever push you out."

"I really love hearing you say that. It makes me feel a lot better." Embry looked like he was bracing himself for the next part of the conversation. "How was the rest of the conversation with him?"

I filled him in on the conversation, my hesitation in promising anything except to talk to Carlisle.

"It's a good idea." Embry agreed, speaking of Carlisle helping Nick. "They can help him adjust and between Edward and Jasper, they'll be able to tell if he's really adjusting."

Suddenly, I noticed the package that Embry had sat down. "What's this?" I asked, grabbing it. Embry smiled brightly and grabbed it from me.

"It's a present for Peyton. I was going to wait 'til she was born to show you, but I think now's the perfect time." Embry ripped open the package and inside was another box the size of a shoe box. Embry opened that one and I smiled as I saw what was inside.

A stuffed animal—a wolf, a gray color with dark spots all over it. It was adorable and would fit in nicely with her nature themed nursery. "Oh Embry, it's adorable. It's gray but with the cute little spots."

Embry looked like he was blushing. "I, ah, custom ordered it for her. I don't know if you remember or really saw much of me today, but this is what I look like when I phase. I thought…well if she always had it with her, it meant that I'd always be with her and she'd always know that someone—or a whole pack—was looking out for her. I want her to always know she's safe."

Tears burned my eyes at his words. Embry was so sweet and so in love with our little girl. It didn't matter—and I knew now that it never had—that she wasn't his, that they didn't share any genetics. He would never treat her differently, never see her as someone else's. She'd always be his. She was so lucky to have him.

I was so lucky to have him. "I love it." I told him, the tears sliding down my face. He swiped them away and met my eyes. Taking a breath, feeling brave, I whispered "And I love you too."

His eyes lit up and he grinned at me before rushing to kiss me. "God, you have no idea what it means to hear you say that." He whispered back as he pulled me into his arms. "I love you too, Ree. Always."

…

AN: Hey readers! Sorry it's been awhile. As usual, life has been crazy. As I've said in my other ANs, I am trying to make it a goal this year to update more and try to finish up at least one or two of my stories. I know I've been spotty with updates and I only hope that some of you are still reading!

How did you like the chapter? Do you think Nick should be able to see the baby and be involved? Or should they be more cautious about letting him near? What do you think about Embry and Arianna's newest adventure together?

Let me know your thoughts in a review!

*Oh! Did anyone read Midnight Sun? Wasn't it interesting to experience it again, this time through Edward's eyes? I'm hoping she'll do more but probably not!

Thank you for reading! I appreciate you all so much!

Always,

QuinnandSeth'sgirl15