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 apologize for taking an entire month to update. My brother was on leave before heading off to a year long deployment to S. Korea. I've also switched from working nights to working days and am in the process of starting my own business. Don't think I haven't thought of y'all, dear faithful readers. I've been working on this chapter every time I had some free inspired time but it's been busy for me. However, here's a new chapter...and a new addition to my GONE family tree -go check it out, it's been updated.

Hope y'all enjoy and please, please, please review even if I do deserve to be punished for taking this long. I've already begun the next chapter -hopefully it won't take me another month to complete and update.

Chapter Sixty-Five (15yrs)

Tuesday, November 4th
University of Washington Medical Center
Seattle, WA

"It's a bo –It's a boy!"

Collin laughed at the enthusiasm his brother-in-law was displaying, handing the squirming newborn to one of the attending nurses before turning his attention to what still needed to be done.

It hadn't been planned for him to deliver his nephew but Julie had gone into labor while visiting Lyn, who had been on her day off, and since he'd been the obstetrician on-call, here he was, getting to witness something he never tired of –the beginning of a new life.

"We have a boy," Lian tore his eyes away from the red faced screaming infant, leaning forward to kiss Julie's sweaty forehead, his hands wrapped around one of hers, "We have a son, baby."

Julie's nod was a bit frantic, her free hand wiping the tears streaming down her face as she watched the nurses crowded around the warmer where her baby was, "Can I hold him? Is he okay?"

"He's fine, Jules," Collin assured her as he carefully checked the placenta to make sure nothing was left behind, "You did a great job."

"She sure did," Lian's awed smile grew as he pressed his forehead against hers, whispering softly for her ears alone –being he had no idea Collin had supernatural hearing, he was sure it was meant for her alone, "You blow my mind, baby –in every way, every single time."

Chuckling tiredly, she tipped her head to kiss his smiling mouth, her attention shifting as the nurse approached them with the blue blanketed bundle, unable to help herself from asking again, "Is he okay?"

"He's great," the blond haired nurse smiled as she placed the screaming baby in his mama's arms, "He weighs eight pounds, ten ounces and has quite a set of lungs on him."

Lian and Julie turned their attention to the squalling baby, watching in awe as he quieted down at the sound of his mother's voice, "Hey baby boy, its okay. Mama's here…you're okay."

"He's beautiful," Lian's murmur brushed against Julie's cheek as h gently cupped a hand over his baby's tiny head, "I have a son…"

"He looks like you," Julie touched a tiny fist, moving her finger over his miniscule knuckles as the baby blinked gray colored eyes, letting out a hiccupping cry before turning his head to root against his mother's chest, "Oh, poor baby's hungry."

"Yeah, that's a Young for you," Lian kissed her temple, grinning as he watched Julie help their baby latch on, "A pretty girl and food –he definitely knows where his priorities lay."

Collin chuckled as he finished what he was doing; moving to the trash can beside the sink, he disposed of his gloves, gown and mask before washing his hands, about to ask them his nephew's name when the phone in his pocket vibrated.

Quickly drying his hands, he dug out his iPhone from the pocket of his black scrub bottoms, tapping on the screen before answering, "Hey baby. Just finished bringing your nephew into the world."

"Nephew? It's a boy!" Lyn's excitement over the news brought a big smile to his face, "Are they okay?"

"They're both doing good," Collin tucked the phone between his ear and shoulder to take the clipboard one of the nurses was holding out to him, pulling a pen from the breast pocket of his scrub top, "I'm thinking two to three hours in recovery before she's moved to post-partum, which will be around dinner time. I'll let the nurses know you'll be coming with Jillie –"

"I'll call Mom and let her know, she's still got a few hours left on her shift," Lyn let out a laugh of relief, a high pitched squeal in the background causing Collin to laugh as he asked, "What's Jillie doing?"

"Beating your scores on Guitar Hero."

He let out a good natured groan, "I told you not to let her play. Do you have any idea how long it's going to take me to beat hers?"

Lyn laughed, "Yeah, yeah. Don't be a big baby. Do you want me to bring you dinner?"

"Oh, that's why I love you. I'll get some free time and meet you at Julie's room," Collin finished filling out the prescriptions, tucking them under the lever holding the papers together before handing them back to Nancy, "I'll have Lian give you a call when they're transferred. Maybe you can bring them dinner as we –"

He was interrupted by the charge nurse to the labor and delivery unit, "Dr. Littlesea?"

"Yeah," he removed his phone from his ear, giving the brunette his attention as she jerked her thumb over her shoulder, "Mama in room three is complete, she's ready to go."

"Right behind you," he nodded at her before lifting the phone back to his ear, "Gotta go, babe. I got one ready to pop. Give Jillie a hug for me. Love you."

"Love you too –good luck!"

"Thanks, babe," he ended the call, the smile on his face increasing when he turned to look at his in laws, "I'll see you three in a few hours –Lyn's bringing over Jillie whenever you're ready –just give her a call."

"Thanks Collin," Julie gave her brother-in-law a smile as he walked backwards towards the door of the birthing suite they had been able to reserve for her, "I really don't know what to say –you're amazing."

Reaching the open door, he gave her a teasing wink, "No need to mention it –ever. Besides, you did all the hard work. All I had to do was catch. Kind of like playing footb –"

"Dr. Littlesea! She's crowning!"

Grimacing at the shrill yelling coming down the hall, he gave Julie and Lian a final good-bye, "Gotta go."


"You excited, Jelly Bean," Lyn asked her niece as the elevator steadily moved up to the sixth floor where the maternity ward was, "You get to meet your baby brother today."

Jillian gave her aunt a quizzical look, the petite four year old comfortably perched on her aunt's hip, "Baby's in mama's tummy –I not see him."

"That's true," Lyn grinned at her niece, the little girl looking adorable as always, this time in a pink tee with black lettering across her small chest advising everyone who saw it to Keep Calm and Rock On. The tiny top –which was a 2T size as all of Jillian's clothes were –was paired with black leggings and a puffy black and pink layered tutu skirt, her equally tiny feet encased in pink leather cowboy boots with silver buckles on the side, "But he was born today so that means he's now out of your mama's tummy –you get to hold him."

"Can I play with him," Jillie asked in mild interest, thinking of the kids in her kindergarten class she got to play with when she went to school, the ding of the elevator cutting into her thoughts, her pigtails dancing as she looked up in surprise before looking at her aunt, "We can sing together."

"Well," Lyn moved down the hall, stopping at the nurse's station to get the room number, which in his exited exhaustion, her brother-in-law had forgotten to give her, "He's still too little to play with, Jillie, but when he gets older, there's gonna be definite play time. Hey Rosie."

The redheaded nurse coming around the corner into the nurse's station looked up from the clipboard in her hand, grinning at the sight of her favorite pediatrician, "Dr. Littlesea, hi! I don't think you have any babies on the floor today –"

"I don't. Besides, Dr. Witting is covering for me today," Lyn set her small niece on the ledge of the front desk; "I'm actually here to meet my nephew. Can you tell me where July Star Young is?"

"Ah," Rosie practically vibrated with excitement, being July Star was one of her favorite musicians…not to mention her very good looking husband, "We have her down as confidential. So far, there's been three different reporters calling to ask for information –they can't seem to take no for an answer."

"That's the press for you," Lyn made a funny face at her niece, grinning at the sweet giggles she got in return, "My sister's producer will be sending a PR agent to get whatever information they want to release to the press, meanwhile, keep blocking them out."

"Of course," Rosie grinned at the sight of the doctor and little girl blowing raspberries against each other's cheeks –the five foot two pediatrician was known as one of the sweetest doctors in the pediatric ward and being she had quite a way with children, she was also lauded as one of the best, "Your sister's in room six forty six. Is this the big sister?"

Jillian turned to look at the nurse, slanted purple eyes twinkling as she pointed a tiny finger at her own chest, "I'm big sister."

Rosie laughed, opening a drawer and handing a pink button to the doctor, "Well, then, this is for you."

Jillie looked at the item her aunt held out to her with some curiosity, looking over at Rosie, "What is it?"

"It's so everyone knows you're now a big sister. It's a very special job, you know, being the big sister."

Her bow shaped mouth shaped itself into a small 'o' as she took the button from her aunt's hand.

"Say thank you, Jelly Bean," Lyn lifted her off the counter and set her on the floor, picking up the gift bag she had placed there on her arrival, the little girl tilting her head back and rising on her tip-toes in an attempt to look over the desk, "Thank you, nice nurse."

Rosie chuckled, leaning forward to be able to see the cute little girl, "You're welcome."

"Rosie, could you do me a favor?"

"Anything, Dr. Littlesea."

"I ordered in dinner," Lyn glanced at the silver watch on her slim wrist, "It should arrive in, like, twenty minutes. Will you call me when the delivery guy shows up?"

"Will do," Rosie grinned at the petite pediatrician as she thanked her before heading down the hall, the tiny dark haired girl holding on to her hand as she chatted away, the pink button claiming her as the big sister tight on her other hand.

The meeting between the siblings was sweet, to say the least, Lyn laughingly taking pictures with her phone, finding it very funny that her eight pound, nineteen inch nephew was practically half the size as his four year old sister, "That boy is going to outgrow Jillian within two years."

Lian laughed as he kept close watch on his daughter, the little girl comfortably ensconced in a corner of a plush armchair, little arms awkwardly curved under the swaddled infant, "I think Jill got the short gene from you and your mom."

"Nothing wrong with being short," Lyn gave him a playful scowl before turning to look at her sister, able to see the exhaustion on her washed face, long red-brown hair in damp waves over her right shoulder, "So how was child bearing? Last time you did this, you were so out of it, you missed all the fun."

"There was a point where I was praying to pass out," Julie let out a soft sigh as she watched her little girl softly singing to her baby brother, the infant still asleep after being fed and diapered, "But now that I look at him…it was worth it."

"Of course it was," Lyn picked up the gift bag she'd set on the side table and handed it to her sister, "As promised, here's his first outfit. I called Rose to let her know on my way here and she said if it's okay with you two, she can do the pictures after the naming ceremony. Apparently, Harry's running a bit of a fever and is very clingy, won't let her out of his sight."

"Oh, that's fine. I'll give her a call later. Did you call Mom?"

"Yep," Lyn checked her watch before looking over at her sister, "She should be here in three hours…oh! Almost forgot. Seth asked me to tell you he's setting up the naming ceremony for this Saturday, if it's okay with both of you –something about Billy flying to Hawaii next week to see Rebecca and his new granddaughter."

Julie and Lian looked at each other, seconds of silence passing before Lian looked over at his sister-in-law, "Saturday shouldn't be a problem. We're still kind of, uhm, not sure about the name."

"You're not sure about your half of the name," Julie clarified, shifting around on the bed to get comfortable, which, being as sore as she was, it was nearly impossible, "I already have my half."

"So what are you naming him?"

Again, Lian and Julie looked at each other, silently communicating before looking at her, Lian lifting a shoulder in a shrug as he explained, "Since we don't have his whole name, I think we'll wait until Saturday."


Saturday, November 9th

Unfolding the family blanket that had been given to them four years ago at Jillian's naming ceremony, he turned towards his wife, taking their baby boy and wrapping him in the blanket before moving forward to hand him down into Billy's waiting arms.

Looking down at the sleeping face of their newest addition to the tribe, Billy looked up at Lian as he stepped back to stand next to Julie, Jillian leaning against her mother's legs, tiny feet in tan colored Uggs tucked between her mother's black booted feet.

"Who claims this child?"

Lian took Julie's hand in his, giving it a small squeeze as he answered, "I do."

"And what do you name this child?"

Julie and Lian looked at each other before Lian looked at Billy, answering his question with a smile, "Donovan Quon (kwan) Young."

The ceremony continued in the same traditional pattern as the ones before, Julie and Lian watching as their new son was passed from person to person, blessings whispered into the sleeping baby's ears, arms cradling him close to the steady beating hearts of his family.


December 13th

The air was a little nippy but Marc couldn't feel it, not when he was still warm from the chase resulting in feasting on one of the biggest bobcats he'd ever seen. Moving through the forest trees, he felt the loneliness that constantly plagued him since the lost of his beloved Einstein this past October.

It hadn't been easy for him to have to watch the blue-tick coonhound he'd owned for the majority of his childhood grow old, developing arthritis along with short sightedness but what had really dug into Marc's heart had been his loyal best friend's sudden need for solitude.

Einstein, who had been a very social puppy with a love for young children and a fierce adoration of Marc, had begun seeking out of the way places where he couldn't be reach by the in house toddlers, choosing to stay in the comfort of the house –and his doggie bed –rather than following after Marc the way he'd used too.

Three weeks after his disconcerting change of personality, he'd gone outside and into the woods bordering the back of the Clearwater house, curling up by a fallen log covered in moss. Marc had found him in time to keep him company, stroking his ears as he told him what a great friend he had been, assured him it was okay to go.

And even though he was seventeen years old, he hadn't been able to hold back the tears when Einstein looked up at him with those washed out brown eyes full of adoration and heaved a final sigh before ceasing to breathe. Even now, the memory had him fighting back tears and trying to swallow past the lump in his throat.

Ducking his head under a low hanging branch, he easily jumped over a couple of logs, the moss squishy under the hand he placed on the weathered wood for leverage. He was nearing the acreage that bordered the back of the Uleys' small house when he heard footsteps, rocks clattering with each careless step forward so he knew it wasn't Sam or Brad, or even Bailey, who was able to keep noise to a minimum when walking in the woods. It was a skill that came handy now that she had the habit of sneaking out of the house to go to parties despite not having permission from her father.

He had no idea what the hell was going through that girl's head, being they didn't hang out as much as they used too. She had joined them at Dry Hill this past June, making it possible for them to compete in the relay races, not only the individuals, resulting on their winning first place for the four person team race.

That meant splitting five thousand dollars in winnings four ways, which left each of them with a nice chunk of extra money –money Bailey blew on clothes, shoes and make-up, according to Brad.

Ever since that teen magazine competition, the one she'd entered over the summer with the help of her little sister –and his aunt Rose –she'd flipped the switch on her personality. She was chosen, out of fifty contestants, which resulted in a week long photo shoot in Los Angeles before school started. Aunt Emily and Lili had gone with her, which had been nice for her younger sister because it put her in a position to meet people who were into fashion and since Lili's designed wardrobe had been one of the reasons Bailey had won, it had seemed only fair.

He was glad Lili was getting that chance, not just because she was talented –Vivi had a few outfits designed by her –but because she was one of the sweetest girls he knew, aside from his little sister.

Going around a tight clump of trees, he pushed aside a thick curtain of moss hanging from the low branches, listening to the clumsy footsteps as they made their way east. Curiosity had him cutting a straight path through the woods between him and whoever it was, placing him a yard or two ahead.

To say he was surprised would have been mild, "Lili? What are you doing in here?"

She almost dropped the eleven by fourteen sketch book she had tucked under one arm, her free hand going to her chest in a gesture of shock, "Oh! I didn't know there was someone else in here."

"I heard you," Marc stopped a few feet from the twelve year old girl, giving her a smile as he looked at the sketch book under her arm, "You come out here to draw?"

Lili nodded, reaching up to tuck a hank of her elbow length hair behind her ear, "Yeah…it's kind of inspiring, especially with all the colors you can find in the forest if you look hard enough."

Marc looked around, not seeing what she meant, "I see two colors –brown and green."

Lili giggled as she adjusted the hem of her sweater around her hips before pointing towards the base of a pine tree, "There're purple and pink flowers over there. And you can see some blue morning glories on the east side of that log."

He looked to where she pointed, the surprise at what she was referring to showing on his face, "Well, I'll be damn. You're right."

Lili laughed as she moved her sketch book to hold it before her in hopes of hiding her pudgy stomach as she lifted both shoulders in a shrug, "It takes patience to see past the surface. Are you out here for a walk?"

Marc let out a soft chuckle as he gave her a one sided smile, catching the faint blush under the beautiful copper hued skin of her round face, "In a manner of speaking, yeah."

Lili dug the toe of her sneaker into the moist dirt under her feet, feeling very awkward and shy around Marc despite having grown up with him going in and out of her house –she knew it was probably because of the huge crush she's had on him since before she could remember.

"Are you excited about that ice skating party your school is putting on," Marc asked in hopes of putting her at ease.

"How'd you know about it?"

"Brad told me about it."

Lili bit her bottom lip, nodding as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, "Yeah…he's taking Nika and I hear Bailey's been asked by a few of the boys at school but she's yet to make up her mind…although I don't know if Dad will let her go after what happened Halloween night."

Marc's eyebrows dipped down, creating a furrow between them, "What happened Halloween night?"

"She came home drunk," Lili hunched her shoulders as she looked down at the ground before looking at him again, "Not only that, but she told Brady to get lost –Dad told her she needed to learn some compassion and responsibility…they got into this awful fight and now Bailey's grounded, not that it makes much of a difference. She still does what she wants."

Marc shook his head as he rolled his eyes, "I swear to god, your sister's got some screws loose up in her head."

Lili tried not to laugh, feeling it would be disloyal to her sister even though it was true, "Mama keeps telling Daddy it's just her being a teenager."

"Well, do yourself –and your Dad –a favor and don't follow in her footsteps."

"I don't plan to."

She gave him a small smile, about to turn away when Marc asked, "Brad is going, maybe Bailey but you didn't say if you were going."

"Oh…well, uhm," Lili's shoulders slumped as she stared at a spot over Marc's shoulder, able to feel her face flushing, "It kind of turned into a couples thing…since it's for the middle and upper grades so…I'm…no…I don't think I'm going."

Marc was surprised over this: after all, Lili was one of the sweetest and nicest girls around the reservation, "Why not?"

She fidgeted with her sketch book, finally dropping her eyes as she muttered under her breath, "No one asked me."

"Seriously? None of the boys at your school asked you? Are they stupid?"

Lili shook her head, letting her hair fall over her shoulders to somewhat hide the humiliation she was feeling all over again, "No…I mean, no, no one asked me…and Daddy says they are stupid."

Marc couldn't help but wonder what the hell was wrong with pre-teen boys these days, "Why not go on your own, then? It's not officially a couple's thing, right?"

Lili's dark brown eyes, ringed with the longest lashes he'd ever seen on a girl, got glassy as she looked up at him before looking back down at the forest ground, "All my friends got asked…even Emmie's going!"

That was a bit surprising to him, "But Emmie doesn't go to your school."

"Exactly," Lili took a deep breath that hitched at the end, swallowing back the urge to cry, "It would be just…horrible if my cousin, who doesn't go to my school, has a date to this thing but I don't."

"Who asked her?"

Lili took a deep breath, her shoulders rising then dropping dejectedly, "Ian."

"Ian," Marc looked at Lili as he tried to think, finally picturing the thirteen year old boy growing into his dad's looks, "Ian Hatch? Nika's little brother?"

Lili nodded, letting out a sad little sigh, "Yeah…I didn't even know he liked Emmie…I kind of thought he was hung up on Abby –Zak's best friend. I mean, outside of her brothers, Tyra, Embry and me, Emmie doesn't really socialize with anyone. She much rather spend her free time at the library, studying her bugs or collecting rocks, so it was a surprise when she called to tell me he asked her."

Marc shook his head as he thought of the blue eyed brunette, always enjoying the conversations they had during family dinners and stuff. Her conversations tended towards her teaching him about some scientific fact or other having to do with bugs or plants or dirt…or whatever other topic currently had her attention, "I can't believe Uncle Rick's letting her go –she's only twelve years old."

"Well, apparently, as long as Embry chaperoned them the entire time, she could go –she told me Embry was going to take her to the mall to look for an outfit, asked me to come so I can help her out since she's really not all that good about clothes."

Marc laughed, running his fingers through his hair, "That guy is seriously tethered to the pole."

Lili tilted her head to the side, the confusion on what he'd said evident on her face, "What do you mean?"

"Nothing," Marc shook his head, not wanting to explain to her the concept behind a guy with no will of his own, "Listen, why don't I take you? Brad and Nika can ride with us, that way, you won't feel left out."

Lili stared at him, wide eyed with surprise as she tried to get her scattered thoughts in order –he wasn't asking her on a date, simply being nice to her because he was just that kind of guy, right?

"What about your girlfriend," she asked in a soft voice, trying not to sound like a stupid little girl but it didn't work, she just knew it didn't, "Will she…I mean…do you not have plans with her?"

"It's the weekend before Christmas, right," at her nod, he continued explaining, "She's going to be in Florida with her dad that weekend so I'm pretty much free."

"I, uhm…I have to ask Daddy first."

"Sure."

She knew he had no idea what his friendly suggestion meant to her, so she had to make herself not show eagerness over this because what to her meant something huge, to him, it was just something nice to do for his friend's little sister.

She shook her head to get herself to pay attention to what he was saying, "Let me know –if your dad doesn't want me driving, we can always hitch a ride with Embry."

Lili nodded, biting her bottom lip to keep back the ridiculously huge smile threatening to appear.

"I'll see you later, then," he gave her a jaunty wave, calling over his shoulder before disappearing into the trees, "Be careful."

"I will."

She stayed rooted where she was, listening to the sounds of the forest, straining to hear his retreating footsteps but all she heard were the slow crescendo of chirping birds, the breeze moving over the tops of the evergreens, the sound hollow and deep, somehow mournful and reminiscent of a saxophone's wail.

Waiting another two minutes to make sure he really was gone, Lili finally let the brewing emotions erupt with a squeal as she jumped up and down.

She was going to the ice skating party!

Not only that but she was going with Marc De Lune –MARC DE LUNE! OMG!

"Just calm down, Lili," she berated herself, taking deep breaths in an attempt to do just that, "He's being nice –he's seventeen and has a girlfriend…this is not a date so just calm down."

Hugging her sketch book to her chest, she couldn't hold back another squeal of excitement.

It wasn't a date but her classmates wouldn't know that –all they would know is she would be there with one of the cutest guys in the reservation…and older to boot!

They were all going to be so jealous!

She couldn't help the satisfaction streaking through her, thinking if anything was going to shut some of those mean girls at school up, it would be this.

She couldn't possibly be happier.


December 15th
Port Angeles Mall

Embry tried not to grimace in distaste as Emmie walked out of the changing room, shaking his head when she gave him a questioning look, arms spread out to the side, "No…definitely not."

"But it's purple," Emmie whined as she turned to look at her reflection on the full length mirror.

"Yeah, but there's several things wrong with it."

Placing a hand on her hip as she turned around, she arched an eyebrow at him, her wire rimmed glasses sliding down her nose a bit, "And what things would that be?"

"One, it's too short –your father is not going to let you wear it. Two, it's an ice skating party –a dress is not the best choice for that, considering it'll hinder your ability to move. And three, it's December –the dress is not conducive to cold wet weather."

Pursing her lips as she thought over his reasons, she turned back to the mirror, looking at her reflection for a few more seconds before lifting shrugging, "Yeah, you're right. Maybe leggings and a sweater dress…like the kind Vivi wears?"

"There's an idea," he shifted his shoulders, letting out a quiet sigh as she returned to the changing room –he really didn't mind taking her shopping but having to help her actually choose an outfit what with Lili getting the flu and not wanting to go out just to make sure she was feeling well for the party next weekend was not something he considered fun.

Especially being Rick gave him orders on what Emmie could and couldn't buy –and unfortunately for the first six outfits she's chosen so far, dresses were on the couldn't list. He had to wonder if that included sweater dresses with leggings.

"Okay," Emmie walked out of the dressing room with an armful of clothes, giving them over to the twenty something year old girl manning the fitting room desk, "I hope I can find a purple one."

He chuckled, hands in his jeans' pockets as he walked beside her back to the junior miss section, not noticing the way the dressing room girl kept checking him out.

"Why not try a sweater dress with jeans?"

"But I always wear jeans," Emmie looked up at him, her dark ponytail brushing against the soft cotton of her navy blue sweater, "I mean, this is my first date so…I should wear something nice, right?"

"You should definitely wear something nice on your first date," he smiled at the uncertainty he could see in her eyes, along with the excitement, "But you also have to think where you're going on your first date…and an ice skating ring is cold, not to mention it'll be your first time skating."

"It's all physics," Emmie stated as she stopped at a rack with varying choices of sweater dresses, "I'll get it after a fall or two."

"Yeah, there's physics involved but there's also ability," Embry shook his head when she held up a neon purple sweater dress, "Too bright. It's a matter of finding balance and keeping it –"

"I'm a runner, Embry," Emmie said, referring to the fact she had been a part of the high school track and field time since the beginning of her sophomore year. Flipping through a couple of the sweaters, not liking the color choices which varied from black to gray to a dark brown, she kept explaining to him why being a runner was an advantage in learning how to ice skate, "Which translates to being naturally athletic so once I find my balance, which I will, I'll be fine."

Moving around the rack, a rich blue reminding him of the ocean at dusk caught his eye. Taking the sweater dress, which had what the label stated a cowl neckline and front pockets as well as a thin black belt, he handed it over to her, "Try this one. Black jeans would look good with it, I'm sure."

Emmie studied the dress, a bit uncertain about the color because she didn't really wear much blue, having long had a preference for pink and purple, "Maybe…do you think I could afford new shoes? Maybe boots?"

"What's your budget?"

"Daddy gave me sixty dollars…and I took twenty out of my piggy bank."

He reached for the tag on the dress, turning it over to see the price, "Well, this is thirty dollars. Do you have black jeans?"

Shaking her head, she turned in a circle before finding the stacks of jeans and heading towards them, "Black is not a color to stay clean for long so mama won't buy anything black for me –says as long as I insist playing in dirt, black is not going to make it into my wardrobe."

Embry laughed at the disgruntled look on her face, "Someday your mom will come to understand you're not playing in dirt but working towards a future."

"That will happen -never," Emmie rolled her eyes good naturedly, not expecting a response as she stopped before the shelves of jeans, scanning the selections in search of her size, "I was thinking if I don't have enough for boots, I could borrow a pair from Vivi –we're about the same size."

"Sounds like a good idea."

The easy conversation continued along with their shopping, never an awkward moment between them as they skipped from one topic to another.

"I heard Mama and Daddy talking about getting Gabe a car for graduation," Emmie shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her black jeans and blue sweater draped over one arm, a pair of small silver hoop earrings in her hand.

"That's real nice of them."

Emmie turned to give him a wide eyed look, "Nice of them? How is it nice when I'm going to be graduating at fifteen? I'm not getting a car –I won't even be eligible for a driver's permit!"

He laughed at the dismay in her voice, nudging her gently with his elbow, hands in the front pockets of his dark blue jeans, the black t-shirt he wore stretched over his chest and broad shoulders, "I'm sure they'll come up with a gift for you."

"I already know what I want," Emmie's smirk had him chuckling as they moved further up the long line, "I am going to ask Daddy for a summer trip to Greece."

Embry stared at her for a few seconds to see if she was joking but the eager look on her face didn't change, "And you think your Dad is going to let you go all the way around world…on your own? At fifteen?"

The line shifted again, Emmie giving a little hop to move forward with it, "Well, see, I was thinking that, if possible, you could come with. I even talked to Lili about her coming with me –if Uncle Sam agrees, which he will if Daddy says yes…which he will if you agree to come along."

"Ah, I see," Embry nodded as they finally reached the cashier, "You just want me along because I'm an adult."

"Ah -no," Emmie shook her head as she handed her items to the lady behind the counter, "Not just because you're an adult…we'll also need someone who can drive."

He laughed at the big cheesy grin she flashed at him, shaking his head as the cashier rang up her total, "Sure, sure. I see where I stand."

"Where you always stand," Emmie counted out her money, wrinkling her nose as she looked sideways at Embry, giving him a sheepish smile, "I'm short five dollars."

Good naturedly rolling his eyes at her, he pulled out his wallet, handing her a ten dollar bill.

Once everything was bagged, and change returned, they made their way to the food court, Emmie swinging her shopping bag as she hooked her other arm through his, "So will you go with us?"

"Mhm," Embry smirked playfully at her, "A summer chasing after two boy-crazy fifteen year old girls in a foreign country? Doesn't sound like much fun for me."

"We're not boy-crazy," she pinched his forearm, frowning up at him as he laughingly responded, "That's because you're twelve –but you're going on your first date next week so it's just a matter of time. Chinese or pizza?"

Biting her bottom lip for a few seconds, she looked up with a big smile, "I'm in the mood for a double stuffed cheese and sausage slice."

"Pizza it is, then."

Once they had their food and drinks, they went in search for seats, finding an empty booth near one of the mall's water features.

In the middle of their meal, Emmie changed the conversation on him but like any true expert on Emmie-speak, Embry followed along without difficulty.

"Have you ever been in love?"

Swallowing the mouthful of soda in his mouth, he thought over her question for a good minute or so before answering, "I came close to falling in love –once. Other than that, I can't really say I've ever been in love."

Emmie wrinkled her nose, leaning forward to rest her forearms on the Formica top table, her plate pushed to the side with a half eaten slice of pizza on it, "Why didn't you fall all the way?"

Embry gave her a soft smile, setting down his large cup of soda, "Your mother was pregnant with you. I thought it would be unfair –not only to the girl, but to me…most importantly, to you."

Emmie nibbled on the corner of her bottom lip, her expressive eyebrows broadcasting the way her brain was spinning, "Why would it have been unfair?"

Taking a bite out of his slice of pizza, he chewed then swallowed before answering, "When love is involved, there are promises, implied or otherwise. Broken promises hurt and disillusioned love hurts even more…all those involved ends up feeling it. I wanted to spare you that kind of hurt."

Her blue eyes were bright behind the lenses of her glasses, "Thank you…I won't fall in love with anyone else –I promise."

"No," he shook his head with a smile, reaching across the table to give her hand a squeeze, "Don't promise me that. There's nothing like the sensation of falling for someone –it's as exhilarating as it is frightening. Besides, everyone should experience it –more than once, if possible. True love, Emmie –true love only happens once in a lifetime. But before you find it –or it finds you –you should experience love…and when it goes wrong, you'll find out what a broken heart is…and you'll live through it…and it'll make you stronger."

"But what about you," Emmie tilted her head to the side, her long ponytail falling over her shoulder, "Wouldn't it hurt you if I fell in love with someone else?"

He could hear the concern in her voice, his chest tightening with a sensation he could only describe as pleasure over the compassion she was showing, "I can handle anything, Emmie, as long as you're happy…and if your heart's ever broken, I'm strong enough to be what you need me to be…at any time. All I want is for you to live your life. I won't put limitations on you or hold you back."

He watched as Emmie's mouth tipped into a one sided smile, the one he'd come to think of as his smile because he'd never seen her give it to anyone else.

"I'm lucky you're in my life, Embry."

He gave her small hand another squeeze, his own smile filled with tenderness he usually showed to her alone, "No Emmie. I'm the lucky one."


Saturday, December 21st
Olympic Skate Center
Port Angeles

The large ice skating center was cold despite the great amount of people, young and old. There were a total of forty-eight middle and upper form students from the La Push Tribal School, along with four of their teachers and two other non-tribal students –Marc and Emmie.

Embry himself –who was chaperoning as per his Alpha's request –had commandeered one of the round tables by the snack stand which gave him a direct view of the oval shaped rink.

He was enjoying watching Emmie laughing with Ian, the thirteen year old boy's agility on the ice keeping her from falling as he pulled her along with him, her other hand skimming along the outside ledge of the large oval shaped ring.

They looked cute together, her cheeks flushed, eyes sparkling behind her glasses, her laughter echoing in the closed in center along with the others but to him, hers was the only one audible. Ian himself was sporting a big grin, keeping her gloved hand in his as he coaxed her further into the center of the ice, occasionally gesturing with his other hand.

He knew if he focused, he would be able to listen in on their conversation but he refrained because despite her being the center of his world, she deserved the right to as much privacy as possible on her first date.

He was on his second hot chocolate when Bailey joined him, the scowl on her face the same one she had been sporting that morning when she'd hitched a ride with him, Emmie and Ian, joining her friends as soon as they arrived at the center.

"What's with you?"

She shifted her scowl at him, crossing her arms over her chest, dark hair down over her shoulders, "Nothing."

"Really," Embry took a sip of his lukewarm chocolate, shifting in the plastic chair in a failed attempt to get comfortable, "'Cause you look like you're ready to kill someone."

"Nothing's wrong," she muttered under her breath, huffing as she looked away from him, slouching further down into her chair, "I'm just fine."

"She's missing Brady," Brad came up from behind Embry, setting down two cups of hot chocolate on the table before pulling out a chair for Nika, then sitting down himself, "That's what's up her craw."

"Shut up," Bailey growled at her brother, reaching up to brush her bangs out of her eyes, the dark gray wool of her mittens rough against her skin, "I'm not missing Brady...I haven't even noticed he's been gone."

"Sure," Brad smirked across the round table at his sister before looking over at Embry, "She's been a total bitch since Halloween. Did Dad tell you what she did?"

Embry cocked an eyebrow as he looked at Bailey out of the corner of his eye, seeing a faint flush darken under the copper hued skin of her cheeks, "No but I heard about it."

"Well," Brad ignored the glare he was getting from his twin, "He stood outside the house all night. When morning came, he talked to Dad, don't know what about. Anyway, Brady hasn't been back at the reservation since...and Miss Personality here has been a literal hag since then."

"Have not...he got himself a life...I don't care that he's gone," Bailey shifted in her seat, jaw tight as she refused to look at Embry, somehow feeling even more guilty over what had happened with him there, "And now I can live mine without a constant shadow."

"Yeah, keep telling yourself that," Brad muttered as he leaned back on his seat, placing his arm along the back of Nika's chair, the quiet girl sipping at her hot chocolate as she watched the interaction between the Uley twins, "At least with Brady around, you had someone to focus your bitchiness on instead of spreading it around."

"Fuck you," Bailey tugged down at her knitted cap which matched the color of her mittens, as well as the scarf looped around her neck.

"Right back at ya, sis."

"Okay, you two," Embry set his empty cup down, deciding it was time to intervene before it turned into an all out fight between the two of them, "There's young ears around so how about you watch your language?"

"I'm leaving," Bailey shoved her chair back as she stood up, tugging down at the hem of her long sleeve black sweater, which she had paired with dark blue jeans and black suede calf length boots, "The company here sucks."

"See if you can find yourself a better mood," Brad couldn't help throwing out one last dig, not moving fast enough when she reached out to smack the back his head, "Ouch!"

Nika hid her smile into her cup as he rubbed the back of his head, dark brown eyes following his sister as he muttered under his breath, "Bitch."

"You really should try being nice to your sister," Nika's voice was soft, easily lost in the noise around them but not only did Embry have sharp hearing, Brad's had been getting sharper in the last month.

"It's impossible to be nice to Bailey," Brad shrugged as he stirred his chocolate, looking up as Marc and his little sister Lili, approached their table, Ian and Emmie following after them, "Hey, Lili-bug, you having fun?"

"I wish you would stop calling me that," Lili frowned at him, brown eyes bright as she sat down, Marc pulling up a couple of more chairs for them to crowd around the small table.

"Never gonna happen," he tugged at her side ponytail, grinning as she swatted his hand away, "It's my job as your older brother to annoy you."

"I thought that was a job for younger siblings," Lili gave him a sweet smile which grew bigger when Marc returned with two cups of hot chocolate, "Thank you."

"You guys having fun," Embry asked as Ian, who had gone to the snack bar with Marc for the hot chocolates, sat down next to Emmie who sat at Embry's right side, Nika at his left.

They all nodded, cheeks and noses red as they focused on their hot chocolate.

Looking at the six youngsters around him, he couldn't help voicing an observation, "It's kind of odd seeing you guys here without Gabe and Vivi…I mean," he tilted his chin at Nika before gesturing towards Marc and Brad, "You and Vivi are practically joined at the hip and wherever she is, Gabe's there, which most of the time means, so are you two."

"They're out on a date," Nika supplied, eyes widening as they swung towards Marc, "Oh-oh…I wasn't supposed to let you know."

Marc rolled his eyes, finishing his hot chocolate before setting the cup down in the center of the round table, "That Vivi and Gabe date? Please. Besides, he doesn't drive so there aren't many places they can go in La Push or Forks."

"Right," Nika lifted her cup to her mouth, keeping an important factor to Gabe and Vivi's date to herself.

They too were skating but at the other Olympic Skating Center, Aunt Rose having dropped them off before going into the gallery to spend a few hours working on her latest exhibit. Really, there was no need for Marc to know so she was just going to keep it to herself.

"Want to skate some more," Ian asked Emmie as he picked up the empty cups in the middle of the table, quickly locating the nearest trashcan to toss them in.

"Yeah but I need to go to the bathroom first."

"I'll go with you," Lili stood up along with Emmie, moving around the chairs to join her cousin.

"Hey," Embry called after them, quirking an eyebrow when they turned to look at her, "You two need to remove your skates before you head into the bathroom."

"What," Emmie pushed her glasses up her nose which the blue knit cap she was wearing slouched over the right side of her forehead kept knocking down, "That's ridiculous when we're just going to go back on the ice afterwards."

Embry shrugged as he pointed at a red lettered sign next to the bathrooms, "It's the rules."

It took them a good three minutes to find their shoes among the pile under the table where Embry had been guarding them, another five to remove their skates with the help of their dates –although Marc wasn't really Lili's date but he'd been paying the due attention of one, which had made all those girls from Lili's school downright green with jealousy –before pulling on their shoes and heading to the bathroom.

Brad and Nika headed back into the ice, Ian and Marc deciding to stick around until the girls got back, Embry going to the snack bar for another hot chocolate. As soon as he sat back down, Lili came running out of the bathroom, weaving around people to get to their table, Embry sitting up straight when he saw the scared look on her face, "What's wrong?"

"I don't know," Lili stopped beside the table, trying to catch her breathing without much success, "We were in the bathroom and Emmie kinda scream, but not real loud then she started crying. She won't tell me what's wrong."

Embry motioned for the boys to stay put, ushering Lili along with him, "Was there anyone else in the bathroom with you two?"

"Not when I left."

"Check again please," he waited impatiently outside the girls' bathroom, able to hear the echo of Emmie's sobs.

As soon as Lili came out and told him there was no one else beside Emmie in there, he told her to stay outside and not let anyone go in until they came out, Lili's nod all he needed before he went into no man's land, "Emmie?"

A string of sobs was all the answer he got, which was enough for him to head to the middle stall where he gently rapped his knuckles against the metal door, "Emmie? Come on, Princess, tell me what's wrong."

Having to listen to her cry for the next two minutes was torture but his patience was rewarded when the stall door swung inward, Emmie catapulting right into him, her arms wrapped around his waist as she cried into his chest.

"Princess," Embry gently hugged her, rubbing soothing circles against her back, "Tell me what's wrong. Are you hurt?"

Sniffing back a sob, she reached up to wipe her eyes, knocking her glasses askew, "I want to go home, Mou."

"I'll take you home," Embry reached down to nudge her chin up, rubbing his thumb over her cheek before removing her fogged up glasses, "But you need to tell me what's the matter."

She rubbed her runny nose against the back of her black mittens, pulling her chin out of his hand to bury her face back into his chest, her tears soaking through the cotton fabric of his t-shirt.

Wrapping his arms around her again, he gently rocked her side to side, giving her whatever time she needed to collect herself.

It was about five minutes into the soft hiccuping before she said the one thing he hadn't expected, his heart freezing inside his chest.

"I got my period."