All characters that are from the TWILIGHT saga by Stephanie Meyer belong to Stephanie Meyer. All others belong to me. I do not receive profit for these stories except for the joyous enjoyment of reviews.

This story follows right after When I'm Gone: Third Installment to GONE Saga, so if you haven't read that one or the two before, please do.

The timeline of the story will coincide with Gabriel Michael Laskaris' growing up years, starting at Seth and Rosa's wedding day, April 12th and will progress from there.

AN: I love you all so much! You have no idea how much your reviews mean to me and how important they are to my thought and writing process! Gaby, you are my lovely lovely friend. Ses -you inspired me to the ends of the world. Music -you make me smile. Chelsea, lette -you remind me why I write.

Enjoy as you read (it's longer than the last one!) and remember to leave awesome AWESOME reviews!

Chapter Five

He had two weeks to finish his design, although if he got it done a week early, a five thousand dollar bonus would be added on to the twenty thousand dollar fee they were already paying him.

His only problem –something was off with the design and he couldn't figure out what.

Seth let out a frustrated sigh as he tossed his graphite pencil into the airplane cup, rubbing the back of his neck for a few seconds before turning off the floor lamp that lit up the draft table.

He was just going to have to pick up where he left off tomorrow –maybe ask Embry to look the design over, see if he could catch the invisible glitch.

For now, he had four hours until Rose's exhibit –he sure hoped she was getting a head start. He loved that woman but she did like taking her time getting ready –although, he never had complaints with the end results.

Walking out of the office, he flipped the light switch off before heading into their bedroom, stopping at the doorway for a few seconds to admire his wife –God, she was his wife!

Rose let out a frustrated sigh as she held up a red strapless dress before her, tilting her head to the side to scrutinize her reflection for a few seconds before holding up a dark green halter top dress.

"I'd go with the green one," Seth said softly, Rose whipping around to smile at him, "You think so?"

"Mh-hm," Seth gave her a nod as he moved into the room, taking the hanger from her as he looked the dress over, "It'll bring out your tan and turn your eyes green."

Not to mention cover more of what's mine than the red one.

Rose's smile widened as she returned the red dress to the closet, coming out with a pair of strappy silver sandals in one hand and a wide silver belt in the other.

"I thought Alice was sending you a complete outfit," Seth laid the dress over the back of the vanity chair before walking into the closet to pick out a pair of black slacks and a dark green button down shirt, finding his black loafers within seconds since he only had the one pair.

"She is," Rose set the belt over the dress, dropping the shoes on the floor as she headed to the dresser to open her underwear drawer, "For tomorrow night's exhibit opening. Tonight's just for family and friends –we have dinner reservations at The Cotiere Room afterwards."

"For everyone," Seth's eyebrow arched in surprise as Rose sifted through her lingerie.

"Yup."

Tossing his clothes onto the bed, he moved to stand behind her, wrapping his arms around her small waist to pull her against him as he whispered into her ear, "The black ones."

Rose giggled as she tilted her head to the side to give him better access to her neck as he nibbled a row of kisses from her ear down to her shoulder, "I have several black ones. Which, specifically, are you suggesting?"

Seth reached in, pulling out French cut black panties made of sheer lace, "These…they have a matching bra, right?"

"Yes," Rose looked up at him with twinkling eyes as the doorbell rang, "But it's a halter top dress so I won't be wearing one."

Seth almost groaned at that as she closed the dresser drawer, stepping around him to head out of the room as the doorbell sounded again, "Oh, I've been meaning to tell you. Minerva and I talked about doing a short Q & A with the press before officially opening the exhibit tomorrow night. I was hoping you would –"

"Hold on," Seth interrupted, tossing the panties towards the bed before following her down the hall, "What press? I thought you didn't allow the press into the exhibits."

"That was before."

"Before what?"

"Before when I needed anonymity to protect the twins," Rose reached the front door as the bell rang a third time, opening it with a smile, "May I help you?"

"Delivery for…" the delivery guy turned the clipboard around to read the invoice, "Mrs. Seth Clearwater."

"That would be me," Rose said with a bright smile as she took the pen and clipboard, signing along the bottom before exchanging it for the box, "Thank you."

"No problem," he gave her a smile as he looked her over, catching Seth's dark glare over her head. Clearing his throat nervously, he gave her a nod, "Have a good day."

"You too," Rose was reading the return address so she didn't notice him rushing down the steps towards his car, "Alice's timing always amazes me."

She closed the door, setting the box on the coffee table as she gave him a smile, "Would you be able to get the twins from Leah while I shower?"

"Yeah," Seth watched her in frustration as she walked past him to head back to their bedroom, "We're not done, Rose."

She turned to look at him in confusion, "Not done with what?"

"Why are you going to have the press at this exhibit," Seth asked as he ran his fingers through his hair in agitation.

She couldn't understand why he seemed upset about this, "Minerva thought what with how different this exhibit is, it would be a perfect time for me to publicly claim my work."

"Why?"

A little crease formed between her eyebrows, "What do you mean why? I don't need to hide anymore –the twins are safe now that the hunter's gone. I can –"

"What about you?"

"Me," Rose's face showed surprise –and a bit of annoyance at being interrupted –as she tried to figure out what it was he was having a problem with, "Why wouldn't I be safe?"

Seth fought the urge to bang his head against a wall –was she really that clueless?

"I'm sure the guy in South Carolina is not the only delusional psycho out there who'd like to get his hands on you."

Rose's face blanched as she sucked in a sharp breath, eyes wide as she softly asked, "Who told you about that?"

"Not you, obviously," Seth knew he needed to take a step back and get a grip on himself but he was so damn angry, "Why didn't you discuss this with me before making the decision to let everyone know who and where you are?"

"Minerva –"

Seth's anger exploded, "To hell with Minerva! You're married to me, not her!"

Rose's confusion over the whole thing morphed into anger, her face flushed as she yelled back at him, "This is my career, Seth! It has nothing to do with you!"

"It involves you," Seth's hands were fisted at his sides as he fought the urge to throw something –anything –just to get the damn knot in his chest to loosen up, "So it has everything to do with me!"

Rose opened her mouth but Seth held up his hand to stop her, shaking his head as he rubbed the back of his neck, "Forget it. I can't…I can't –I gotta get out of here."

He was halfway to the door when Rose's choked words stopped him, the tears he heard in them making his heart squeeze painfully.

"You're leaving me?"

"What," Seth spun around, the tears running down her face coupled with the devastation in her hazel eyes almost bringing him down to his knees, "No…baby, no!"

A soft sob escaped her as Seth pulled her into his arms, holding her tight as he dropped kisses to every part of her face he could reach, "Baby, I'm never going to leave you. Please don't cry, sweetheart. I just needed some time to think –God, Rose, I'm sorry. Please, baby, stop crying."

Rose buried her face into his chest, wrapping her arms tight around his waist as her shoulders shook, Seth closing his eyes as he tightened his arms around her, fervent words whispered into her hair, "I love you Rosie. I'll never leave you, baby, I promise."

Rose lifted her face, seeking his lips with desperation, her fingers digging into his back with a need for reassurance he was more than willing to give.

Cupping both hands over her ass, he lifted her up, her long legs wrapping around his waist as he moved the few steps necessary to reach the nearest flat surface, which was the kitchen table.

"Please –" a hiccup broke her plea but he knew what she was asking, sliding his hands up her smooth thighs, his splayed fingers rough against her soft skin as he slid them under the black cotton skirt she wore.

Cupping his hand over her mound, he rubbed his fingers hard against her, the wet silk of her panties evidence of her need.

Delving his tongue deeper into her mouth as she fisted a hand in his hair, he shoved aside the crotch of her panties, swallowing her moan as he pushed two fingers into her, the walls of her pussy tightly clenching around them.

"Fuck, Rose," Seth whispered harshly against her swollen lips as he reached between them to undo his jeans, her hips rising off the table with every thrust of his hand, "You're so fucking wet for me, baby."

Rose groaned as Seth moved his mouth down her neck, sucking and biting, leaving behind little kisses to soothe the sting.

Removing his fingers from her wet core, he gripped her panties in his fingers, the delicate fabric easily ripping with a sharp twist of his wrist.

"Seth, por favor," Rose sobbed, her entire body tightly strung and poised to fall over the edge.

Grabbing her knees, he pulled her legs wider apart, sliding her forward to the edge of the table as he thrust hard into her, the small scream that escaped her causing a shudder to run down his back as he moved his hands to grip her hips.

"You're so…fucking tight," Seth growled into her ear as he slammed into her, his hands keeping her from moving, "So…fucking hot."

His teeth grazed the soft spot behind her ear, his breath heavy as he pounded into her, "Shit, Rose –you feel so fucking good!"

Rose dug her nails into his shoulders, her back arching as she finally fell, her soul expanding until she couldn't contain it anymore –she splintered into a million pieces, mind, body and soul completely overwhelmed by the pleasure of her release.

Seth swallowed her scream as he covered her mouth with his, their tongues dancing in a frenzy of lust as he slammed into her once –twice –before his own orgasm ripped through him like a tornado.

Struggling to catch his breath, he dropped his head against her shoulder, her arms wrapping tight around his neck as she did the same, both panting as their racing hearts began to slow down.

"I love you," Seth whispered, his breath hot against her skin as he wrapped his arms around her shaking frame, staying buried deep inside her, "Never, ever doubt that –ever."


Rose let out a shuddering breath as she pressed her hands against her stomach, willing the nervous flutters to go away, her smile tremulous as Seth approached her.

"Why am I so nervous," she whispered as she took the champagne flute he held out to her, taking a sip of the bubbly liquid as she looked around at the people walking about the front of the warehouse-turned-gallery, the darkness behind them hiding the exhibit.

Seth placed his hand between her shoulder blades, his fingers touching soft skin and smooth pearls, "You're going to do fine."

Rose nodded, reaching up to touch the silk choker-style neckline of her black evening dress, the silver bracelet Seth had given her for her nineteenth birthday sliding down her arm as she looked up at him, "I've never spoke in front of so many people before –what if I say something stupid?"

Seth smiled down at her, reaching up to stroke her cheek, "You're going to be amazing. Just let your passion for this exhibit do the talking."

Rose smiled at him, thinking how absolutely F.S. he looked in the black suit he wore, "Thank you for standing with me during the press interview."

Rose didn't say anything to Seth but she was glad Minerva had limited the Q & A to just a select few reporters and that he had stood beside her the entire time.

Seth bowed his head down to whisper into her ear, a soft curl tickling his nose, "I'll always stand with you Rosie –no matter what."

Rose smiled as he pressed a kiss to her cheek, moving closer to him as she took in a breath of his sea salt smell, a calm peace flooding her as someone touched her arm.

"It's time, Rose," Minerva smiled at her as soon as she turned to look at her, platinum blond hair falling in soft waves down her back, "Are you ready?"

"Yes," Rose handed her champagne flute to Seth, reaching into his pocket for the index cards that contained her speech, "How do I look?"

Seth smiled as his eyes traveled slowly down her body, the black silk of her dress clinging to every curve, falling in straight lines to the floor.

Her hair was piled on her head in loose curls, a few framing her heart-shaped face, long pearl earrings on her small ears.

The only other jewelry she wore, aside from the earrings and bracelet, were the rings on her left hand.

Rubbing his thumb between her shoulder blades, he tapped the strand of pearls attached to the neckline that dangled down her back as he leaned in closer to whisper into her ear,"You look amazingly beautiful…and I can't wait to see this dress on the floor."

Rose blushed, tilting her head back to press a soft kiss on his smiling mouth, tugging at his top lip with her teeth before saying in a husky voice, "As long as your suit ends up in the same place."

Seth laughed, squeezing her waist before letting her go, watching with pride as she moved towards a redwood podium –built by Rick and carved by Billy –the people in the room, all there by invitation only, turning their attention towards the makeshift stage.

Standing beside Minerva, she looked over to Seth, his smile giving her the courage she needed as Minerva spoke into the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Minerva's voice was clear, her diction perfect as she smiled out at the expectant faces, "You have all been invited to this special event because you have an interest –a love for art, especially photography. As many of you know, Rose de Lune has always focused on landscapes. The raw emotion displayed in every photograph has captivated so many –it's truly an amazing phenomenon, the way her emotions seem to be displayed by the world around us."

Rose took a deep breath as Minerva looked towards her, a genuinely warm smile on her face, "And now –now she's branched out. This exhibit is the first –of many I hope –to display others' emotions…particularly love."

Stepping aside, Minerva smiled at Rose before moving towards Andy, the pilot wearing a dark gray suit with a black turtleneck underneath.

"Good job," he whispered into her ear as he slid his arm behind her to rest his hand on her hip, turning his attention to Rose as she stepped up to the podium.

Rose looked at Seth one more time, the pride and love she saw in his eyes making her smile as she set her index cards on the podium, turning her smile towards the people before her.

"Whether you believe it's ephemeral, a biological response due to hormones or a meeting of the souls, love is constantly searched for by every one of us."

Stopping to take a deep breath, she looked to Seth, her smile soft as she continued, "Love comes in many forms –the love of a child…the love of a parent…the love of a friend…the love of a lover.

"We find ourselves feeling this glorious emotion…once we've experienced it, we can't help but search for it…even those who have never experienced it at all."

Rose looked at Minerva who looked up towards the cat walk, a soft light blinking on several feet behind Rose, softly illuminating a twenty by thirty frame centered in a soft white wall –a black and white close up of Rick and Leah, First Beach still discernible in the background –the others shrouded in darkness as Rose turned to look forward, "We sacrifice for love…we give…we take…sometimes we even hurt for it…because of it.

"Love unites…but it can also tear apart. It can be soft and it can be violent. It comes in the soft wings of butterflies, in the heat of a fire and the depth of the ocean."

Another soft light lit up, revealing a second twenty by thirty frame hanging from a free standing wall several feet to the side and slightly behind the first wall.

Seth was working hard at swallowing back the knot of tears in his throat, his eyes moving over the second picture –it was their engagement picture, in black and white, the love in their eyes and smiles practically spelled out.

Blinking back the tears, he turned his eyes to Rose to find her staring at him, her own eyes bright before she looked down at the podium, a soft pink flushing her cheeks.

"When we find it…truly find love, it becomes the gravity that holds us in place…it defines us…in love, we find ourselves," Rose took a deep breath as a third spotlight lit up, illuminating a third twenty by thirty frame –of Rachel and Paul, their features softened through a gossamer veil –centered on a wall parallel to the second one, "True love…imprints…our hearts unite…joy, pain, satisfaction, tears, contentment…mutually felt…mutually experienced."

Rose smiled as soft lights, one after another, began illuminating the darkness behind her, "Ladies and gentlemen…behind me, you will see love…and I hope, that in doing so, you will seek the love in your life, nurture it…embrace it…and enjoy it."

The appreciation for her words was exuberantly expressed as she stepped away from the podium, taking Seth's offered hand as people began moving towards the exhibit.

"Beautifully said."

Rose smiled into blue eyes as Seth dropped her hand to place his arm around her, his hand curling over her hip.

"Thank you," Rose looked up at Seth, "This is Philip Gefter. He's a photography critic with The New York Times."

Seth nodded as he held out his hand, "Pleasure to meet you. I'm Seth Clearwater, Rose's husband."

Blue eyes crinkled at the corners as he gave Seth's hand a firm handshake, "No need to claim your stake –my interests are purely artistic. Do you also do photography?"

"I'm a graphics engineer," Seth slid his hand into his pocket, "I do contract work for a company here in Seattle."

"Interesting," he nodded before turning to look at Rose, "Miss de Lune, I truly am intrigued with this exhibit –why the change in subject when you've been doing so well with your landscapes?"

Rose stared at him for a few seconds, looking up at Seth before turning her attention back to Gefter, "I'm not sure how exactly to answer that. I guess…after I met Seth, I started paying more attention to others –I was able to see emotions outside of my own…it intrigued me."

Minerva stood a few feet away, her full lips spread into a smile as she watched Rose carrying on a conversation with Gefter, feeling oddly proud of her.

"You look pleased with yourself."

She turned her attention to Andy, taking the champagne flute he had gone to get her, "Look at her. You would think she's been doing this from the beginning."

Andy slid his hands into the pockets of his slacks as he observed Rose, "You finally got her out into the public eye…Seth doesn't look very happy, though, not that I blame him. That guy seems a little too interested."

"Andrew," Minerva looked up at him with a smile, "That's Philip Gefter. He's one of the top photography critics, writes for The New York Times…and he's gay."

Andy's eyebrows rose in surprise, "Really?"

"Yes," Minerva took a sip of her champagne, "He and his partner got married last year."

"Uh," Andy tilted his head as he studied him for a few seconds before shrugging, "Never would have guessed it."

Minerva chuckled, sliding an arm into his as she looked into his brown eyes, "How about we go and check out the exhibit? I think Rose is doing well on her own so there's no need for me to stand here and babysit."

Andy chuckled as they head towards the back of the gallery, stepping around the middle wall and into a labyrinth, a twenty by thirty photograph centered on each wall.

"The set up is very unique," Andy stopped before a black and white photograph titled Collin, studying the face of a young man, sitting on a log, his arms wrapped around a young girl, dense forest trees behind them and a campfire next to them –it was priced at ten thousand dollars.

"All Rose," Minerva was looking around, mentally picking out those who she knew to be avid collectors of photography –specifically Rose's, "My involvement with this exhibit was limited to publicity, pricing and the guest list."

"Don't sell yourself short, babe," Andy gave her a smile, "Rose's confidence comes from knowing she has a top notch art manager."

Minerva's face flushed slightly, her blue eyes expressing everything she held in her heart, "Thank you."

"Just stating a fact," Andy reached up to stroke her cheek, his eyes moving from her face to look over her head, "Guy over there keeps looking this way."

Minerva looked over her shoulder, quickly seeing who Andy was referring too, "That's Mr. Denton. Would it be okay if I left you alone for a few minutes?"

"You go do your thing," he dipped his head to kiss her lips, his breath silky as he spoke against them, "I'll find you."

Minerva stroked his jaw as she said with a smile, "You already did."

He watched her walk away, the royal blue dress she wore causing some very dirty ideas to spring to mind.

That woman drove him crazy. There were times when he kissed her simply to shut her up and then there were times he kissed her because there was no way he could let another second go by without feeling her lips on his.

Seven months –it almost seemed like a lifetime ago when he had escorted her to her hotel room after the meeting with Rose.

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he watched her talking to Mr. Denton, the memory of how it all started coming to him in a rush.

Minerva's jaw was tight, her arms crossed under her breasts as she kept her eyes on the changing numbers over the elevator doors –two floors to go before they got to hers.

"Ever thought of getting yourself a man, Minnie," Andy's words came out in a southern drawl as he looked down at her, his shoulder propped up against the elevator wall, "It might help you relax."

"Don't call me Minnie," she refused to look at him, her breathing coming fast and shallow as the floor light blinked, "And I have no need for a man. They're useless except for one thing."

"Oh yeah," Andy straightened as the elevator doors opened, following behind Minerva as she briskly walked down the hallway towards her room, "And what exactly is that?"

"Screwing a woman over," Minerva opened her purse, pulling out the key card, her fingers closing into a fist when he took it from her to open the door.

"You have a low opinion of men."

"A learning experience, I assure you," she snatched her card from him before moving into the room, holding the door as she looked up at him, "Thank you for walking me here."

Andy's eyebrow arched as he gave her a cocky smile, his words slow and drawn out, "Oh, you'll be thanking me for a whole lot more than that."

Before Minerva knew what was happening, he had reached out to wrap her ponytail around his hand before gripping the back of her neck.

Stepping forward, he pulled her head back, his mouth covering hers in a heated kiss, the tension that had been building between them since they were first introduced by Rose back in New York City snapping, electricity running through both of them as he walked her backward into the room, his mouth staying on hers the entire time.

The soft click of the hotel door was lost in the charged silence as he slid his free hand around her waist, turning her around to push her up against the door, his fingers tugging at the skirt she wore.

Breaking the kiss, he moved his mouth down her throat, the sound of her moan heightening his desire as he pushed her up the door, his chest against hers keeping her in place as he shoved her skirt up to her waist, stepping in between her thighs.

Her legs wrapped around his hips without conscious thought as he undid the fly of his jeans.

She grabbed fistfuls of his bomber jacket, her breasts heaving as she attempted to catch her breath which just rushed out in a groan as he buried his fingers into her, finding her wet and hot.

"You want this, Minnie," he whispered hoarsely into her ear, nibbling on her jaw, his teeth occasionally biting her skin, "Tell me you want it."

Minerva moaned as she reached up to fist her hand in his shaggy hair, jerking his head back, her teeth nipping his bottom lip hard enough to make it hurt, "I want it."

Without much of a hesitation, he pushed into her, his fingers digging into her thighs as her head fell back, moaning at the feeling of being filled.

A feeling of coming home flooded him as he sank into her, his hands gripping her hips as he tried to reign in his raging libido.

She needed this one and there was no way in hell he wasn't going to follow through.

As she unraveled with every thrust, his thumb rubbing small circles around her clit, he had one last thought before his mind completely blanked out, letting his body take over.

Why was it that of all women to make him feel complete, it had to be the one that drove him batshit fucking crazy?


The applause was loud, whistles and cheers deafening as the university president declared the new graduates.

The KeyArena of the Seattle Center was packed with family and friends of the graduating students, about a total of one thousand three hundred, both undergraduate and graduate.

Seth lifted Vivi into his arms to keep her from getting lost in the throng of people, Rose holding on to Marc's small hand as they made their way out of the center, following behind Sam and Emily, the twins in Sam's arms while Emily held Liliandra.

"The others are meeting us by the pavilion," Sam told Seth over his shoulder as they moved along with the crowd -they hadn't all been able to sit in the same section -the distinct sounds of laughter, tears and exclamations of delight all around them.

"Is Collin now a doctor," Brad asked his Daddy as they stepped out into the sun, Bailey burying her face into her father's neck to shut the brightness out.

"No, honey," Emily shifted Lili in her arms, the little girl looking down at Marc, giggling as he made faces up at her, "But now he'll get to go to medical school to become a doctor."

"He had to go to school to go to school again," Brad scrunched up his nose –he wasn't a big fan of school as a second grader, "Yuck."

Sam laughed as they reached the small crowd by the pavilion, "When you want to do something very important like be a doctor, it means lots and lots of school."

Brad scrunched up his nose, "I am not going to be a doctor –I'll build cars like you, Daddy."

Sam's shoulders shook with laughter as they reached their friends, lowering the twins to the ground as Gabriel ran up to them.

"Brad," Gabe stopped in front of his cousins, pointing behind him, "They're huge rocks over there! Let's climb them!"

"Yeah!"

Brad ran off with Gabe, Bailey following behind them as Marc looked up at Rose, "Can I go too?"

Rose nodded as she let go of his hand, "Sure."

Watching him run off to join his cousins, she turned to smile at a slightly frazzled Leah, "Would you like me to take him for a while?"

"Yes, please," Leah handed Alyx over to Rose, knowing that a new face –especially a pretty face –would distract him while she took Andrey from Rachel and searched for a quiet place to feed him.

"Think we can get those shelves at the center done by the end of the week," Sam asked Rick, catching his baby girl as she threw herself his way from her mother's arms.

Rick nodded, adjusting a sleeping Zaky in his arms, "Yeah, there's only a few more left," he searched the crowd for Embry –he had gone to find Collin to let him know where they all were and had taken his daughter with him -before turning back to Sam, "My car's been making this strange knocking sound for the past three days."

"I'll come by the house and take a look at it tomorrow morning."

"Thanks."

Seth watched as the two Alphas talked, their conversation easy and friendly, leaning down to whisper into Rose's ear, "Hard to think those two hated each other, uh?"

Rose looked up at him, Alyx reaching up to touch her nose, his little hands exploring the contours of her face, "What do you think is responsible for the change?"

Seth shrugged as Jared and Kim approached them, Vivi wiggling to be put down as soon as she saw Nika, "None of us have quite figured it out."

Rose opened her mouth to say something but instead let out a squeal of surprise, Alyx having shoved his little hand into the vee of her dress.

Seth laughed, taking the baby away from his wife, holding him up to look into his twinkling blue eyes, "Your hand doesn't belong there, little man. Those are mine."

Rose smacked his arm, laughing as she adjusted the bra strap the baby had managed to pull off her shoulder as her eyes caught sight of a familiar face, "Julie."

"Hi," her smile looked uncertain as she stopped several feet away from them, her mother standing beside her, "I…wasn't expecting everyone to be here."

"Well…it's an important milestone in our friends' lives," Rose hated how awkward the whole thing was feeling, noticing how Julie hadn't looked once towards Seth, "Lyn didn't mention you were coming down."

"She doesn't know," Julie shrugged as she crossed her arms over her stomach, the black wrap-around dress she wore showing off long lines and subtle curves –Rose was certain she had lost weight since she last saw her in New York City, "I thought it would be fun to surprise her. You haven't met my mom, have you Rose?"

"Your mom," Rose turned to look at the small woman beside Julie, feeling awe as she looked over the delicate features of her oval face, blue-black hair falling straight down her back, her skin a beautiful cinnamon color that looked as lustrous as a pearl, "I'm sorry, it's just…you don't look old enough to have two grown daughters."

Her smile was instantaneous, purple eyes dancing with pleasure, "Thank you for the compliment. Believe me, at times, I feel older than what I am."

Rose shook her head, already envisioning beautiful photographs of this petite woman by the beach –it wasn't hard to believe her to be a mermaid, "I'm certain that pertains to every mother. I've gotten to know Lyn very well the past two years –I count her as one of my closest friends, as well as Julie."

"It's good to know my girls are good friends to you," she smiled at Rose before turning to look at Seth, "How are you, Seth?"

"Doing well," Seth nodded as he bounced Alyx in an attempt to distract the little boy but he wouldn't look away from the pair of purple eyed women standing a few feet away, "How about you? Lyn mentioned you decided to go back to school."

"Yes," she nodded, chuckling as she watched the blue eyed baby stretch out his arms towards her, his chubby hands closing and opening in the universal baby sign for 'hold me,' "I'm doing a fast track program at the nursing school here in SU. Can I hold him?"

"Good idea," Seth handed his nephew to Julie's mother, Alyx immediately reaching up to touch his little fingers to her smiling mouth, "Otherwise, he'll throw himself at you –that boy has no shame when it comes to pretty girls."

She chuckled, scrunching up her nose at him, his giggles sweet as he reached out to grasp her nose with his little fingers, "He's very friendly."

"Friendly? The boy's a flirt," Seth laughed as Alyx turned to look up at Julie, stretching his chubby arm to touch her face, "At least he's got good taste so can't hold it against him."

Julie's tight smile relaxed as Alyx held up his arms to her, chuckling as she took him from her mother, "A little flirt, uh? You'll probably break hearts too."

Seth was sure that was aimed at him but he didn't say anything, the guilt that was starting to crowd in on him dissipating as Rose slipped her hand into his and gave it a squeeze, "So how's life in New York City?"

Julie looked up from smiling into Alyx's blue eyes, her purple eyes showing wariness as she answered, "Fast paced…keeps me busy. I actually have an interview on Leno's show in July."

"That's awesome," Seth hated how distant she was being with him but he had no one to blame but himself, "I read you're doing your first world tour this year."

"Yeah," she nodded, shifting her weight as she moved Alyx to rest on her hip, "I'm heading to London in September…I should be back in March."

She looked away from him, smiling at Alyx as he tugged at the mermaid pendant around her neck, letting Seth know without words that she was done being polite to him.

They awkwardly stood there for a few seconds, the chatter and laughter of the crowd around them filling in the silence before a high pitched voice filled with excitement caught their attention.

"JULIE!"

She looked up, grinning as Gabriel ran towards her, turning to hand Alyx to her mother to free up her arms so she could catch the six year old as he threw himself at her, "Gabe!"

"I missed you," Gabe wrapped his arms tightly around her neck as she hugged him, her laughter sounding happy as he pulled back and kissed her nose.

"I've missed you too," Julie smiled into his blue eyes for a few seconds before kissing the tip of his nose in return, "And thank you for the kitty kisses. I've needed some."

"Are you here forever," Gabe asked, not looking away from her purple eyes as the rest of his cousins joined them.

"No," Julie reached up to touch his cheek, "I'm just visiting for a couple of days before I go back to New York."

"Aw," Gabe frowned in obvious displeasure, "That sucks."

Julie chuckled, her lips spreading into a grin before she looked down at the other kids, her eyes connecting with a pair of gold-brown eyes that stared up at her with curiosity and a touch of hostility, "Are these your friends?"

"No," Gabe looked down at them, wiggling for Julie to put him down, "These are my cousins. Vivi and Marc are my cousins since a while ago because Uncle Seth married their Tia Rosa. But Vivi isn't my cousin-cousin like Bailey so I'll be able to marry her when we grow up."

Marc's eyebrows lowered over his dark brown eyes as he glared at Gabe, "No, you won't."

"Wanna bet?"

"Okay, okay," Seth stepped between them, able to see in Marc's tense body that he was about to snap, "You two need to break this up before everyone thinks we're raising little heathens."

Rose laughed, motioning for Marc to come to her, "Please go find Leah and let her know Alyx is starting to get hungry."

Marc looked over at the pretty girl holding Alyx, trying not to laugh at the way the little boy was pulling at the neckline of her teal colored dress, "Okay."

Giving Gabe one last warning glare, he took off, Vivi watching him go before turning her attention back to Julie, smiling shyly as she asked, "Are you really a mermaid?"

She smiled, able to sense her mother's surprised look but not acknowledging it as she crouched down to look into the little redhead's gold-brown eyes, "What do you think?"

"Gabe says you are," Vivi's eyes moved down to the small swaying pendant, reaching out with a finger to touch it, "He says he saw your tail."

"Yes, he did," Julie smiled at her, thinking her to be the cutest little girl ever but that was only because she had yet to meet Gabe's little sister, "He's a special little boy so I wanted to give him a special surprise."

"I'm special too –Uncle Seth says so," Vivi looked up at Seth, smiling when he nodded in agreement before looking into Julie's purple eyes, "Can I see your tail?"

Julie smiled, reaching out to tap a long finger against her button nose, "You are a special little girl but I won't be here when the next half-moon's in the night sky."

"Oh," Vivi's acute disappointment burdened that one word, her face falling for a few seconds before Julie leaned in to whisper into her ear, "Ask Lyn –I'll tell her to show you her tail, okay?"

Vivi nodded excitedly, "Okay!"

"I found the graduates," Embry's loud voice got everyone to turn, the guy easily visible, not only because of his height but due to having Emmie riding on his shoulders, the little girl laughing as she tugged at Embry's hair –Collin and Lyn following behind him.

"Firecracker," Lyn exclaimed in joyful surprise, letting go of Collin's hand to run to her sister, hugging her tight as she closed her eyes, losing the fight against her tears, "I've missed you so much!"

"I've missed you too, Lyn," Julie whispered into her little sister's ear, her arms wrapped tight around her smaller frame, "I'm so proud of you."

Everyone watched the reunion between the sisters, Collin waving his parents over from where they stood with Sam and Emily before turning to look at Lyn's mother, "There's going to be a party down at the reservation tonight. I hope you and Julie will come."

She smiled as Leah approached the group, handing her Alyx who was starting to gear up for a huge 'I'm hungry, feed me now' tantrum, "Thanks Collin. Julie wants to take Lyn out to lunch…would that be okay? We'll come to the party afterwards."

"That's fine," Collin laughed as his mother pulled him into a hug at the same time that his little sister wrapped her arms around his waist, "I think my parents would like some family time too."

Lyn pulled away from Julie, wiping her face with the back of her hands as she turned to hug Collin's parents, getting a tight hug from his sister before she slipped her hand into his, smiling up at him, "I'll see you later tonight."

"Alright," Collin leaned his head down to kiss her lips, whispering softly, "I miss you already."

Seth and Embry both coughed back a laugh, understanding where he was coming from but still thinking it sappy of their friend to say it out loud in front of everyone.

Rose looked over at Julie, her heart clenching in empathetic pain at the emotions displayed in her purple eyes as she observed Lyn and Collin.

The pain, the doubt, the jealous envy –it was all there along with a slightly frightening glimpse of hopelessness…as if she were giving up ever finding what everyone else seemed to have.

Rose hoped something happened for Julie before it was too late.