...

Chapter 10

I thought I would feel overwhelmed in the middle of so many new faces. Embry was right to be concerned about that. But, to be honest, I was having a blast.

All of Renesmee's, well, Nessie's siblings were so charismatic and I felt completely at ease there. Bella and Edward asked me the most questions, which then led to them finding out about me wanting to be a doctor, and me finding out Carlisle was actually one.

"If you ever have any questions about the job, I can easily answer them for you." – he said.

I was thrilled.

"Really? That would actually help. Thank you."

He smiled and nodded. Carlisle also looked too young to be a father to so many teenagers, but he seemed to be doing a good job.

I was genuinely having fun. I was given a tour of the house, and every room was incredible. Renesmee's room was the one with the best view. She had an incredible sound system and a wall with a bunch of different guitars.

"You know how to play these?" – I asked.

She nodded.

"Edward loves music, and he's always talked to me about it since I was younger. I guess the love was passed on to me." - she reached out and touched one of the guitars with her fingertips, like it was something important - "Although he is a way better than me at playing instruments. You should hear him on the piano, he's incredible."

"You should serenade Jacob sometime." – I joked.

She laughed.

"That's not a bad idea though. Who says guys have to always do those things? I could totally surprise him with that."

"Record it for me, please."

I was about to touch one of the guitars as well when a commotion was heard on the down floor.

Nessie smiled at me.

"They're here."

Nessie took the stairs two at a time, eager to see Jacob, I'm sure.

I was the opposite. Walking slowly.

Even though we'd had resolved things between us, it was always weird to see someone after an important conversation. I had no idea how to approach him.

Everyone was in the living room, except for Carlisle, who had to go to work, and Esme, who needed to pick up something in town.

Nessie, in her usual fashion, jumped right into Jacob's waiting arms. He caught her with a big, bright smile on his face.

"Hey baby, how was your morning?"

"Amazing! I had a lot of fun, and I got you something."

He shook his head.

"You didn't need to do that; I don't need anything. Besides you, of course."

That earned him a huge smile from Nessie.

"Ugh, you guys make me sick." – Seth grumbled. – "Edward, make them stop."

"Jealous, much?" – Jacob implied.

"No." – he said, his voice squeaking.

"You'll find someone too Seth." – Edward said, clapping him on the shoulder lightly.

"Ugh, what was I thinking asking you?" – he turned towards Edward's girlfriend – "Bella, you make them stop."

They laughed.

Bella rolled her eyes, and started walking away with a "Jacob knows when to behave, otherwise, we'll put him on a leash."

Edward grinned and Nessie laughed.

"I'm a very good boy Bells, you don't have to worry."

The easiness of it all was enchanting. What a joy it must be to have Nessie's life.

But then I followed Bella's path, which took her to the front door.

My heartbeat sped up.

Embry was there, standing by the door, until Bella approached him.

I don't know what they were talking about, but he smiled at her and they both walked into where everyone else was standing. Including me.

Our eyes locked and it was like a storm was passing through his. Like looking at me made his emotions swirl.

Mine probably looked the same.

"Hey." – he greeted me first.

"Hi." – I said back.

I was a little frozen.

He was so beautiful.

He might not look like a model, like Nessie's siblings, or as easygoing as Jacob or Seth, but the way he moved with purpose, the way his hair was kind of messy, the quiet way in which he interacted. His presence made itself known to me, more than anyone else's.

"I'm happy to see you" – he said, melting my insides.

"I'm happy to see you too". - I smiled back at him.

.

My afternoon at Nessie's place was a blast.

The food Esme had prepared was absolutely amazing, although most of Nessie's siblings barely ate. They were probably used to their mother's cooking by now. Neither of my parents were that great in the kitchen.

I got to know a little bit of everyone, especially Alice and Jasper, with who I had a very interesting conversation about science! Who would have thought? Apparently, Jasper loved science as much as I did, and told me fun facts I didn't know. It was so interesting.

I got to listen to Edward play the piano, and my jaw was on the floor.

"I told you so" – Nessie said. Which in turn, made everyone ask her to get her guitar.

She was also amazing.

I was in awe of all the talent. How could their parents have abandoned them when they were younger? They all seemed amazing to me.

But maybe this is exactly where they were supposed to be. As if their lives were predestined to end up together as a family.

Which in turn made me wonder about if my coming to Forks had been predestined as well. And, if so, what was the point?

At some point, we all decided to go outside. Jacob and Emmett were trying to annoy Nessie into a basketball batch, to see who could throw from farthest away.

Embry was talking to Edward and Seth. His expression guarded.

"This is only the second time he's come into this house." – a voice said from behind me.

I jumped, startled by Bella's voice.

"Who?" - I asked, confused.

Bella smiled.

"Embry. Isn't that who you were looking at?"

I blushed. Was I too obvious?

"Yes." – I admitted.

She sat down next to me. I had been there, sitting in a wooden bench, answering a call from my parents.

"There's no reason to be ashamed." – she said.

I didn't know about that.

"Why were you telling me about his second time coming here?"

"Because he's acting a little more contained than what I know of him." - she explained. - "But I might be wrong, I don't know Embry that well. I just know him for being Jacob's best friend."

I look over in Embry's direction.

Since I'd first met him, he's seemed less energetic than the others. Although today it seemed more noticeable. Had that been different once upon a time? Our interactions had always made me think of him as someone who is living his life one day at a time.

"He is contained, from what I've seen. But he does seem a bit more than usual, yes." - I said to her.

"He's just not that used to us." – Bella explained, her hands intertwining in her lap – "I was actually surprised when Nessie said he was coming. I'm sure that must have something to do with you." - her gaze turned to me for a second, before she looked back in the guy's direction - "Jacob comes here because of Nessie, and because he is my best friend. Seth comes because he's Edward's best friend. But it's been a while since I've seen either Embry or Quil. He looks different."

So, Bella was the one who was Jacob's best friend. I remember Nessie telling me that was how she met Jacob.

"Different how?" – I asked, curious.

"More grown up. When I invited him into the house, he was so polite. It's not that he wasn't before, he's always been a nice person, but it was more like he had forgotten about all the times I'd seen him joke around in Jacob's garage when we were younger. Besides, I've seen him look at you a few times. I'm positive he only showed up today because he knew you were going to be here."

My heart thumped harder at that.

"I don't know if that's true, but I'm glad he's here."

"Yeah?"

I nodded.

"There's something about him. I don't know. But being in his presence always makes me feel so grounded? Like I can breathe easy. Does that make sense?" – the words were out of my mouth like I didn't even need to think about them. This was exactly how I felt when it came to Embry. Even only after three days of meeting him.

Bella's eyes fell on Edward.

"It makes a lot of sense."

Edward picked that moment to smile and, even though he wasn't looking in our direction, it was almost like he knew she was watching him.

That was also the moment where Embry's eyes locked with mine.

He said something to the others and started walking in my direction.

"It's time to breathe easy." – Bella said.

I looked at her in time to see a grin as she walked away, leaving me alone.

Waiting for Embry.

Author's note

Hey! Thank you, guys, so much for the comments in the last chapter, it's always nice to know there's someone on the other side :)

Here is a new chapter for you, hope you like it!